A Divine Cordial

Let us take heed of this spiritual Consumption; 'tis dangerous to abate in our love. Love is such a grace as we know not how to be without. A Soldier may as well be without his weapons, a Limner without his pencil, a Musician without his Viol, as a Christian can be without love. The body cannot want its ••tural heat. Love is to the soul, ⟨p. 138⟩as the natural heat is to the body, there is no living without it. Love doth influence the graces, it excites the affections, it makes us grieve for sin, it makes us cheerful in God; it is like oil to the wheels; it quickens us in Gods service. How careful then should we be to keep alive divine love!

Let us take heed of this spiritual Consumption; 'tis dangerous to abate in our love. Love is such a grace as we know not how to be without. A Souldier may as well be without his weapons, a Limner without his pensil, a Musician without his Viol, as a Christian can be without love. The body cannot want its ••tural heat. Love is to the soul, ⟨p. 138⟩as the natural heat is to the body, there is no living without it. Love doth influence the graces, it excites the affections, it makes us grieve for sin, it makes us cheerful in God; it is like oyl to the wheels; it quickens us in Gods service. How careful then should we be to keep alive divine love!

Quest. How may we keep our love from going out?

Answ. Watch your hearts every day; take notice of the first declinings in grace; observe your selves when you begin to grow dull and listless, and use all means for quickening; be much in prayer, meditation, holy conference. When the fire is going out you throw on fuel: So when the flame of your love is going out, make use of Ordinances, and Gospel-promises, as fuel to keep the fire of your love burning.