The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men…

But we must know, this doth not hinder; and that we make that a Hindrance, which, in Truth, is none. For (observe it) we must not think to bring our Enlargements and Hope to the Promise, but go to the Promise for them: Hope must be stirred, and Desire quickened, and Love and Joy kindled by the Promise. But who made this Condition of the Covenant, That a Man must have so much of Enlargement, before he can come to the Promise? Our Saviour being our Husband, requires no ⟨p. 5⟩Portion with us, nor ever looked after any: All that he looks for is mere Poverty and Emptiness. If thou hast nothing, yet he will have thee with thy nothing; provided that thou wilt have him. Therefore it is thus written, The Rich he sends away empty; but the Poor he satisfies, and the Thirsty he refreshes with Good; and so, as that there is nothing required on our Side but to receive him as a Husband: For, Buy without Money is the Text. You must not come and think to buy a Husband: The Lord looks for no Power or Sufficiency from you, of yourselves; nor of your selves any Power against Corruption, or Enlargement to Duties: If you will be content that Christ shall take all from you, and dispose of you and all; then take a Saviour, and then you have him.

But we must know, this doth not hinder; and that we make that a Hindrance, which, in Truth, is none. For (observe it) we must not think to bring our Enlargements and Hope to the Promise, but go to the Promise for them: Hope must be stirred, and Desire quickned, and Love and Joy kindled by the Promise. But who made this Condition of the Covenant, That a Man must have so much of Enlargement, before he can come to the Promise? Our Saviour being our Husband, requires no ⟨p. 5⟩Portion with us, nor ever look'd after any: All that he looks for is meer Poverty and Emptiness. If thou hast nothing, yet he will have thee with thy nothing; provided that thou wilt have him. Therefore it is thus written, The Rich he sends away empty; but the Poor he satisfies, and the Thirsty he refreshes with Good; and so, as that there is nothing required on our Side but to receive him as a Husband: For, Buy without Money is the Text. You must not come and think to buy a Husband: The Lord looks for no Power or Sufficiency from you, of yourselves; nor of your selves any Power against Corruption, or Enlargement to Duties: If you will be content that Christ shall take all from you, and dispose of you and all; then take a Saviour, and then you have him.