Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

The Fruit may prove thy standing in Christ the true Root of fatness and sweetness. The Image of Goodness limed and drawn out upon thy Life, shows it self to be from the pure Spirit. St. John exhorting the little children to a real practical Love, adds this as a singular Comfort, [Greek or Hebrew], ⟨p. 456⟩In this Love we know that we are of the Truth, and shall assure our hearts before him, 1 John 3.18, 19. It thou love thy Brother in Deed and in Truth, assure thy self, that thou art of the Truth; That the holy truth of the Gospel is mixed with faith in thy Heart, and there grows up into the Divine life and likeness: Say not, That thy Faith is dead or idle, as long as it can show forth the Coats and Garments, the Alms and good Works which it hath done; these show the life and labour of it: Nay further, these put thee into a nearer capacity to have the Love of God manifested to thee. God in the Prophet commands them to deal their bread to the hungry, to cover the naked not to hide themselves from their own flesh; and immediately after lets out himself in sweet Promises to them, Thy righteousness shall then go before thee, Isa. 58.8. that is, thy Graces shall visibly appear to thee. And again, Thou shalt call, and the Lord shall answer, thou shalt cry, and he shall say, here am I, ver. 9. that is, He will be very near and ready at hand to reveal himself to thee. And which is more, as St. John tells us, he will dwell in thee, He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him, 1 Joh. 4.16. He dwells in the Divine Life, and the Divine Presence dwells in him: He hath a Shechinah, nay, and an Oracle in his own bosom. God will speak peace to his Saints, Psal. 85.8. [Greek or Hebrew] to his merciful ones, with them he will show himself merciful; to them he will speak from the Mercy-seat; they give but ⟨p. 457⟩ordinary Bread, but receive from him hidden Manna; they draw out their Souls to their Brethren, and he draws out his Soul to them.