Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Again, he extracts hope out of despair. When he is ready to faint and swoon away in cold fits of spiritual deadness, faith revives and points him to the fountain of life, which runs over in quickening graces upon the whole Church; and if he scruple his access to that fountain, faith tells him, that the Well is open to all comers, whosoever will may take of the water of life freely, whosoever hath the bucket of faith may draw out of it; and if he yet reply, true, whosoever ⟨p. 197⟩will may do so; but oh! I want a will, I want an heart for God and Christ and heavenly things, faith is able, if awakened, both to tell him, that these are living groans, and withal to drop some Scripture cordial into his heart, such as that is Prov. 9. where Christ, the wisdom of God, builds his house, the Church, kills his beasts, mingles his wine, furnishes his table, that is, provides all heavenly blessings, sends out his virgins, his holy ministers, and after all invites the simple, and him that wanteth understanding, to eat, of his bread and drink of his wine, in the Original it is, him that wanteth heart. Oh! if thou sensibly wantest an heart for spiritual things, here thou art particularly called to the Gospel feast, where Christs flesh is meat indeed, and his blood wine indeed, able to make thee live for ever.

Again, he extracts hope out of despair. When he is ready to faint and swoon away in cold fits of spiritual deadness, faith revives and points him to the fountain of life, which runs over in quickning graces upon the whole Church; and if he scruple his access to that fountain, faith tells him, that the Well is open to all comers, whosoever will may take of the water of life freely, whosoever hath the bucket of faith may draw out of it; and if he yet reply, true, whosoever ⟨p. 197⟩will may do so; but oh! I want a will, I want an heart for God and Christ and heavenly things, faith is able, if awakened, both to tell him, that these are living groans, and withall to drop some Scripture cordial into his heart, such as that is Prov. 9. where Christ, the wisdom of God, builds his house, the Church, kills his beasts, mingles his wine, furnishes his table, that is, provides all heavenly blessings, sends out his virgins, his holy ministers, and after all invites the simple, and him that wanteth understanding, to eat, of his bread and drink of his wine, in the Original it is, him that wanteth heart. Oh! if thou sensibly wantest an heart for spiritual things, here thou art particularly called to the Gospel seast, where Christs flesh is meat indeed, and his blood wine indeed, able to make thee live for ever.