The Godly Man's Picture

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, 1 King. 1. 1. So though the Minister of God ply us with prayers and counsels as with hot clothes, yet we are cold and chill till Gods spirit comes, and then we say as the Disciples, Luke 24. 32. Did not our hearts burn within us? Oh therefore, what need have we of the spirit?

4. VVithout 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 Pylot, 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 Physick, but it is Gods spirit must make it work: Our hearts are like Davids body, when it grew old, they covered him with cloathes, but he gat no heat, 1 King. 1. 1. So though the Minister of God ply us with prayers and counsels as with hot cloathes, yet we are cold and chill till Gods spirit comes, and then we say as the Disciples, Luke 24. 32. Did not our hearts burn within us? Oh therefore, what need have we of the spirit?