Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Thirdly, The Justified man hath a rare privilege in his Holy duties. He hath assistance from, access unto, and acceptance with the great God in these. He hath assistance from him. Whilst he stands offering up holy Services, fire comes down from heaven upon the Sacrifice. The Holy Spirit inflames his heart towards God; opening it in Hearing, melting it in Alms, and pouring it out in Prayer: So that in some sense he offers up his Duties, as Christ did himself, through the eternal Spirit, enlivening and empowering him thereunto. His voyage to Heaven lies through a tract of various Duties; but it never fares with him in these, as it did with Sir Hugh Willoughby, in his Voyage to Muscovy, in which he was by extreme Frosts frozen to death. The warm influences of Grace keep him from freezing in this divine enterprise. His heart, which seeks the Lord in his ways, shall live; and to make it sure, our Saviour says expressly, because I live, ye shall live also, Joh. 14.19. His life is hid with Christ. As long as Christ the Head is alive above, the Members below shall never fail of quickening grace in their addresses to God. Again, he hath access unto God in them: A man under guilt cannot approach unto God, no more than fallen Origen, casting his eye upon that of the Psalmist, What but thou to do to declare my ⟨p. 234⟩Word? could tell how to Preach; but the Justified man may draw near unto him, because his heart is sprinkled from an evil Conscience. The guilt, which would have made him shy of God, is done away in Christs blood. Whilst others are but in the outward Court, in the opus operatum, the work done, he may enter into the Holy of Holies, into communion with God; the Holy Spirit conducts him thither through the veil of Christs flesh. Moreover, which is the crown of all, he hath acceptance with God. God had respect to Abel, and to his offering, Gen. 4.4. such a respect as to bear witness to his righteousness by some visible sign, as fire from heaven consuming the Sacrifice. The justified man is in his measure as Daniel, a man of Desires, and as the Blessed Virgin, graced or highly favoured. His Prayers make melody in heaven; his Alms are the savour of a sweet-smell; he doth not lose so much as a cup of cold water, nor shut a door of sense against an approaching Temptation in vain.

Thirdly, The Justified man hath a rare priviledge in his Holy duties. He hath assistance from, access unto, and acceptance with the great God in these. He hath assistance from him. Whilest he stands offering up holy Services, fire comes down from heaven upon the Sacrifice. The Holy Spirit inflames his heart towards God; opening it in Hearing, melting it in Alms, and pouring it out in Prayer: So that in some sence he offers up his Duties, as Christ did himself, through the eternal Spirit, enlivening and impowering him thereunto. His voyage to Heaven lies through a tract of various Duties; but it never fares with him in these, as it did with Sir Hugh Willoughby, in his Voyage to Moscovy, in which he was by extream Frosts frozen to death. The warm influences of Grace keep him from freezing in this divine enterprize. His heart, which seeks the Lord in his waies, shall live; and to make it sure, our Saviour saies expresly, because I live, ye shall live also,