Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Through this lattice (how contemptible soever it be to carnal Men) Christ shows his all-desirable self and full treasures; Free-Grace communicates pardons and lovetokens; the Divine Spirit breaths life and power into Believers, quickening and awakening to answer the pure Commands with Obedience; and this and that Promise lets out its sweetness, and flows as a Conduit of Celestial Wine, with admirable Suavities and Consolations. In such things as these Faith hath sweet Communion with God, and a sure seal set to this Ordinance. In the Preaching of the Gospel the Kingdom of Heaven comes nigh, even to rejecters, Luk. 10.11. Much more doth it do so unto Believers, who take the holy Mysteries and Promises into the bosom and complex of Faith, and thereby inflame their Hearts with the Love of Christ and Grace, as a sure witness that this Ordinance which carries so much of Heaven in it, is from thence.

Through this lattice (how contemptible soever it be to carnal Men) Christ shews his all-desirable self and full treasures; Free-Grace communicates pardons and lovetokens; the Divine Spirit breaths life and power into Believers, quickning and awakening to answer the pure Commands with Obedience; and this and that Promise lets out its sweetness, and flows as a Conduit of Coelestial Wine, with admirable Suavities and Consolations. In such things as these Faith hath sweet Communion with God, and a sure seal set to this Ordinance. In the Preaching of the Gospel the Kingdom of Heaven comes nigh, even to rejecters, Luk. 10.11. Much more doth it do so unto Believers, who take the holy Mysteries and Promises into the bosom and complex of Faith, and thereby inflame their Hearts with the Love of Christ and Grace, as a sure witness that this Ordinance which carries so much of Heaven in it, is from thence.

Next to the Preaching of the Word I shall set the Ordinance of Prayer: This is the ascent of the Soul unto God as the fountain of all Good. As in every lust there is a depression of the Heart to one Creature or other; so in every right Prayer there is an holy elevation of it to God. This gives great Glory to God; as it is humble, it reveres his Majesty; as upright, it owns his Omniscience; as believing, it glorifies his condescending Grace; and as importunate, it overcomes the Almighty, and takes the Kingdom of Heaven by violence;