The doctrine & directions but more especially the practice and behaviour of a man…The doctrine & directions but more especially the practice and behavior of a man…

2. When it is earnest, eager, vehement, extremely thirsting after Christ, as the parched earth for refreshing showers, or the hunted Hart for the Water-brooks. We read of a Scottish Penitent, who a little before his confession, freely confessed his fault, ¹to the shame (as he said) of himself, and to the shame of the Devil, but to the glory of God; he acknowledged it to be so heinous, and horrible, that had he a thousand lives, and could he dye Ten thousand deaths, he could not make satisfaction: Notwithstanding (said he) Lord, thou hast left me this comfort in thy word, that thou hast said, Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you: Lord, I am weary, Lord, I am heavy ²laden with my sins, which are innumerable, I am ready to sink, Lord, even into hell, unless thou in thy mercy put to thine hand and deliver me: Lord, thou hast promised by thine own word out of thy own mouth, that thou wilt refresh the weary soul: And with that he thrust out one of his hands, and reaching as high as he could towards Heaven, with a louder voice and a strained, he cried, I challenge thee, Lord, by that word, and by that promise which thou hast made, that thou perform and make it good to me, that call for ease and mercy at thy hands, &c. Proportionably, when heavy-heartedness for sin hath so dried up the bones, and the angry countenance of God so parched the heart, that the poor soul begins now to gasp for grace, as the thirsty Land for drops of rain; then the poor sinner (though dust and ashes) with an holy humility thus speaks unto Christ, O merciful Lord God, Thou art Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end; Thou sayest it is done, of things that are yet to come, so faithful and true are thy Decrees and Promises; That thou hast promised by thine own word out of thy own mouth, that unto him that is a thirst, thou wilt give him of the fountain of the water of life freely. O Lord, I thirst, I faint, I languish, I long for one drop of mercy: As ³the Hart panteth for the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God, and after the yearning bowels of thy wonted compassions: Had I now in possession the glory, the wealth, and pleasures of the whole world; nay, had I Ten thousand lives, joyfully would I lay them all down and part with them, to have this poor trembling soul of mine received into the bleeding arms of my blessed Redeemer.