Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians

Urge it yet again that thou comest not (to say as many, Who will show us any good?) for Corn and Wine and Oil, but for the light of his countenance, and his loving kindness, which is to thee better than life.

Urge it yet again that thou comest not (to say as many, Who will shew us any good?) for Corn and Wine and Oyl, but for the light of his countenance, and his loving kindness, which is to thee better than life.

If yet he answer not, go on and confess that thou art unworthy of so great a favour (then the Father kissed the Prodigal) yet that thou prayest him to remember that all others were so; and if he please to do for thee (as he hath for some others) that thou wilt give him (as they do) the glory of his grace, and say, 'Tis not my merit, no desert of mine, 'Tis only thy pure Love hath made me thine.

If yet he answer not, go on and confess that thou art unworthy of so great a favour (then the Father kist the Prodigal) yet that thou prayest him to remember that all others were so; and if he please to do for thee (as he hath for some others) that thou wilt give him (as they do) the glory of his grace, and say, 'Tis not my merit, no desert of mine, 'Tis only thy pure Love hath made me thine.

Though it be a favour too great for thee to beg, yet not for him to give, who is the God of all grace, and hath promised, That if we confess our sin, he is just and faithful to forgive us our sin: They speed best, who confess their unworthiness and ill deserving, as the Prodigal ⟨p. 314⟩and others did. If yet he smile not upon thee, tell him that 'tis really a great grief of heart to thee to senate what a poor, low and inconsiderable a rate thou livest, and how at most unserviceable thou art to his glory, and that thou wouldst gladly do: him better service: that thou hast heard of what an ingenuous and dutiful disposition, and how fruitful the little Children are, and that upon this very account thou longest to be one of the number, yea though thou shouldest not be acquainted with the joys and raptures that they are. Tell him that thou comest not merely to have more pleasure for thy self, but to please him more, yea that thou mayest walk worthy of him to all well-pleasing. Tell him that the Lord Jesus said, He had more of the Fathers heart-love to display, which should be done by the Spirit, and that he should enable them to bear these discoveries who afore-time could not do it; and that if he please he can advance and prefer thee to this honour also; Oh Lord strengthen me and perfect that which concerns thy Servant! If yet he make not himself known, tell him farther, That Jesus Christ promised that whatever (of this nature and concern) thou among others should ask in his name, that it should be done, and pray him to remember his own Son and Promise (surely he will be as good as his Word, who is faithful and cannot deny himself!) Is there not a much more put on the heavenly Father, the Father of Spirits, as to giving good things, yea his holy Spirit to them that ask it? Add hereunto, that thou art sick of