Heavenly merchandiseHeavenly merchandize

3. You must apprehend that you do really want it: the former will be insignificant without this be added to it. That which ⟨p. 87⟩a man knows he hath not, if with all he is not apprehensive of a need that he hath of it, but supposeth that he can do well enough without it, nay possibly would esteem it not a favour, but a burden to have it, he will very contentedly let that thing alone: I before intimated that Thirst drives men to the waters; now to Thirst there is supposed, not only the absence, or not having of drink, but also a craving appetite, filling us with a real sense of the want of it, and convincing us of mischief and misery likely to ensue, if we cannot obtain it, and to such as these it is that these waters are nextly offered on sale, John 7. 37 If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. You must see and find that you have lost the way of peace, and are bewildered in the crooked paths that lead to destruction, and be convinced that the more you seek to disentangle your selves, the more you are beswampt in this desert place: that you are benighted in this land of darkness, among the horrible pits, into which falling, you may well reckon that you tumble into ruin; and that except it please God to enlighten you with his Truth, and send that forth to guide and lead you, you must inevitably be lost eternally: you must be deeply convinced that your everlasting happiness ⟨p. 88⟩depends absolutely upon your having the Truth to be your Pilot to steer your course for you; your Lamp to enlighten your darkness, and show you the path of life. It is fullness that gives encouragement to sloth, and persuades men to fold their hands; but want, when once it comes to be throughly felt, and the misery of it pincheth the man, it will drive him to seek out for a supply.

3. You must apprehend that you do really want it: the former will be insignificant without this be added to it. That which ⟨p. 87⟩a man knows he hath not, if with all he is not apprehensive of a need that he hath of it, but supposeth that he can do well enough without it, nay possibly would esteem it not a favour, but a burden to have it, he will very contentedly let that thing alone: I before intimated that Thirst drives men to the waters; now to Thirst there is supposed, not only the absence, or not having of drink, but also a craving appetite, filling us with a real sense of the want of it, and convincing us of mischief and misery likely to ensue, if we cannot obtain it, and to such as these it is that these waters are nextly offered on sale,