2. It reproves them that are seldom with God. 1They are sometimes with God but not still with God. The shell fish (as naturalists observe) hath so little life in it, & moves so slow that it is hard to determine whether it lives a vegetative or a sensitive life: so it may be ⟨p. 310⟩said of many Christians, their motion heavenward is so slow, and unconstant; that we can hardly know whether the life of grace be in them or no, They are seldom with God. Revel. 22.4. Thou hast left thy first love. Many professors have almost lost their acquaintance with God. Time was when they could weep at a sermon, but now these wells are stopped. Time was when they were tender of sin; the least hair makes the eye weep, the least sin would make conscience smite: now they can digest this poison; Time was when they trembled at the threatenings of the word, now with the Leviathan they can laugh at the shaking of a spear; Job. 41.29. Time was when they called the sabbath a delight*, the queen of days, how did they ⟨p. 311⟩wait with joy for the rising of the sun of righteousness on that day! what anhelations and pantings of soul after God! what mounting up of affections! but now the case is altered, what a weariness is it to serve the Lord? Mal. 1.13. Time was when they delighted in the word (indeed it is a glass that mends their eyes that look on it,) now they have laid it aside, seldom do they look in this glass. Time was when they could send forth strong cries in prayer*, but now the wings of prayer are clipped; they come like could suitors to God, their petitions do even cool between their lips, as if they would teach God to deny*. Oh why have you left of your communion with God? what iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me? Jer. 2.5. Let Christians lay this ⟨p. 312⟩sadly to heart. Remember from whence you are fallen and Repent and do your first works.*. You are in a spiritual lethargy, Oh never leave till your hearts are screwed up to such a heavenly frame as here Davids was, when I awake I am still with thee. And that brings me to the next.
2. It reproves them that are seldom with God. 1They are sometimes with God but not still with God. The shell fish (as naturalists observe) hath so little life in it, & moves so slow that it is hard to determine whether it lives a vegetative or a sensative life: so it may be ⟨p. 310⟩said of many Christians, their motion heavenward is so slow, and unconstant; that we can hardly know whether the life of grace be in them or no, They are seldome with God. Revel. 22.4. Thou hast left thy first love. Many professors have almost lost their acquaintance with God. Time was when they could weep at a sermon, but now these wels are stopped. Time was when they were tender of sin; the least hair makes the eye weep, the least sin would make conscience smite: now they can digest this poison; Time was when they trembled at the threatnings of the word, now with the Leviathan they can laugh at the shaking of a spear; Job. 41.29. Time was when they called the sabbath a delight*, the queen of daies, how did they ⟨p. 311⟩wait with joy for the rising of the sun of righteousness on that day! what anhelations and pantings of soul after God! what mounting up of affections! but now the case is altered, what a weariness is it to serve the Lord? Mal. 1.13. Time was when they delighted in the word (indeed it is a glass that mends their eyes that look on it,) now they have laid it aside, seldom do they look in this glass. Time was when they could send forth strong cries in prayer*, but now the wings of prayer are clipt; they come like could suitors to God, their petitions do even cool between their lips, as if they would teach God to deny*. Oh why have you left of your communion with God? what iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me?
- 1Branch.
- 2Menssacris tabescit.
- *Isa. 58 13.
- *Heb. 5.7.
- *Qui frigigi•è rogat do•et negare.
- *Rev. 2.5.
