Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

First, they did repeat it, Secondly, they tried it. To make this evident, consider these four things.

First, they did repeat it, Secondly, they tryed it. To make this evident, consider these four things.

First, not repeating the Word of God after it is preached, doth quench the spirit, and that is sin, 1 Thess. 5 24. Now it is quenched thus, In the time of preaching (for that is the time when the Holy Ghost breaths into our hearts, as he did into Cornelius) when he stirs up motions and we let them die, and recall them not, we quench and grieve the spirit, for then it is a mercy of God to trouble us, the time of healing being nigh if he step in (as it was in the pool of Bethesda) while the heart is soft, therefore put in the plough and join with God; for we must not be like those that are Sea-sick, while they are on the Sea they are troubled, but as soon as they get to shore, out of the Church door, they are well enough: If God at any time breaths his Word into us, we must do as Mariners do, who because they have not wind at their call, when it doth blow, they hoist up sail, and go on their Journey; the Word and Spirit blow when it listeth, therefore we must take opportunity to set our souls in the way of Heaven, to recall the motions which have been stirred up in the inner Chamber of our hearts, and to make use of them, lest by often neglecting them, the Spirit grow weary, and cease to strive any more.

First, not repeating the Word of God after it is preached, doth quench the spirit, and that is sin, 1 Thess. 5 24. Now it is quenched thus, In the time of preaching (for that is the time when the Holy Ghost breaths into our hearts, as he did into Cornelius) when he stirs up motions and we let them die, and recall them not, we quench and grieve the spirit, for then it is a mercy of God to trouble us, the time of healing being nigh if he step in (as it was in the pool of Bethesda) while the heart is soft, therefore put in the plough and join with God; for we must not be like those that are Sea-sick, while they are on the Sea they are troubled, but as soon as they get to shore, out of the Church door, they are well enough: If God at any time breaths his Word into us, we must do as Mariners do, who because they have not winde at their call, when it doth blow, they hoise up sail, and go on their Journey; the Word and Spirit blow when it listeth, therefore we must take opportunity to set our souls in the way of Heaven, to recall the motions which have been stirred up in the inner Chamber of our hearts, and to make use of them, lest by often neglecting them, the Spirit grow wearie, and cease to strive any more.