The Godly Man's Picture

3. We cannot be fruitful without the spirit. —Aureus imber sitientia caelo •orda rigans.—

3. VVe cannot be fruitful without the spirit. —Aureus imber sitientia caelo •orda rigans.—

Why is the spirit compared to dew and ^†rain, but to show us how unable we are to bring forth a Crop of Grace, unless the dew of God fall upon us?

VVhy is the spirit compared to dew and ^†rain, but to show us how unable we are to bring forth a Crop of Grace, unless the dew of God fall upon us?

1. †Si fluvius riparum editis superfusus exu•dat, quanto magis spiritus superveniens animam, •ffusiore quadam [Greek or Hebrew] ubertate laetificat. Ambr. de Spir.Si fluvius riparum editis superfusus exu•dat, quanto magis spiritus superveniens animam, •ffusiore quadam 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 ubertate laetificat. Ambr. de Spir.

4. Without the spirit no Ordinance is effectual to us; Ordinances are the Conduit-Pipes of Grace, but the spirit is the Spring: Some content themselves that they have a Levite to their Priest, but never look any further; as if a Merchant should content himself that his ship hath good tackling, and is well manned, though it never have a gale of wind: The Ship of Ordinances will not carry us to heaven, though an Angel were the Pilot, unless the wind of Gods Spirit blow: The Spirit is the Soul of the Word, without which it is but a dead letter: Ministers may prescribe Physic, but it is Gods spirit must make it work: Our hearts are like Davids body, when it grew old, they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat,