4. Is it to you, fools, so approved a course to give over means, so blessed of God. If it can be made out, that the influences of God do so serve (in a manner) the industry of men, then are ordinances and means not to be neglected. 1. Means used are the Lord's way of coming to us, and our way of coming to him,1 whether in the word preached, Acts 2. 36, 37. Acts 4. 4. Acts 10. 44. Acts 16. 14. John 4. 9, 10,—29, 30, 39, 40, 41, John 4. 50, 51. or in miracles or any other lawful way, 2. Because to some certain using of means in faith, there is a promise of an effectual blessing made, Pro. 2. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my Commandments with thee. Ver. 2. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom. Ver. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Prov. 8. 17. I love them that love me, and they that seek me early, shall find me; John 3. 18. 36. John 5. 24. John 11. 25, 26, 27. ⟨p. 97⟩Prov. 3. 1, 2. Prov. 4. 20, 21, 22. 3. Neglect of means is dreadfully punished of God, Prov, 1. 24, 25, 26, 27. Prov. 5. 12. Prov. 6. 9, 10, 11. Luke 14. 16, 17, 18, 19. 10. 24. Hence the killing of the Prophets, and of the heir, is plagued with being cast out of the Vineyard, and the removal of the word of the Kingdom. 4. The assiduous using of means, and Jacob's wrestling in prayer all the night until daylight, receiveth the influence of a blessing, and of the hearing of the prayer in faith and feeling, Gen. 32. 26. 29. and it puts the soul in a nearest capacity to receive influences from God; love-sickness near the throne is near to influences of grace & glory, as sweet smelled herbs are near to such influences, so as presently they yield honey. Some refined earth curiously hardened by the influences of the Sun, is near to be turned unto fine gold, or choice silver; when we go about earthly business with half a heart or godly indifferency, and with a distance from the Creature, we grow more heavenly and more disposed to receive the influences of God. But such a promise as this made to an unrenewed man yet in nature, this do, and ye shall be converted, I read not; or let nature do and grace follow; or let common grace begin, and the special grace of conversion shall follow.2 It cannot be proved by the word which Mr. Baxter saith, Appendix to his Aphorisms, answer to Obj. 10 11. pag. 260.
4. Is it to you, fools, so approved a course to give over means, so blessed of God. If it can be made out, that the influences of God do so serve (in a manner) the instustry of men, then are ordinances and means not to be neglected. 1. Means used are the Lord's way of comming to us, and our way of coming to him,1 whether in the word preached, Acts 2. 36, 37. Acts 4. 4. Acts 10. 44. Acts 16. 14. John 4. 9, 10,—29, 30, 39, 40, 41, John 4. 50, 51. or in miracles or any other lawful way, 2. Because to some certain using of means in faith, there is a promise of an effectual blessing made, Pro. 2. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my Commandments with thee. Ver. 2. So that thou encline thine ear unto wisedome. Ver. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Prov. 8. 17. I love them that love me, and they that seek me early, shall find me; John 3. 18. 36. John 5. 24. John 11. 25, 26, 27. ⟨p. 97⟩Prov. 3. 1, 2. Prov. 4. 20, 21, 22. 3. Neglect of means is dreadfully punished of God, Prov, 1. 24, 25, 26, 27. Prov. 5. 12. Prov. 6. 9, 10, 11.
- 1The using of means is an approved way of God.
- 2How reformation of life goes not before remission as Mr. Baxter saith.
