Page:Choice drop of honey from the rock Christ, or, A short word of advice to all saints and sinners (2).pdf/20

20 falls ſhort of the Goſpel, and leaves the soul in a condition of Doubtings and Queſtionings: And Doubtings (if not look'd unto betimes) will turn to Slightneſs of Spirit, one of the moſt dangerous Frames. Trifle not with Ordinances. Be much in Meditation and Prayer. Wait diligently upon all hearing Opportunities. We had need of Doctrine, Reproof, Exhortation, Conſolation, as the tender Herbs and the Graſs hath of the Rain, the Dew, the ſmall Rain, and the Showers, Deut. 32. 2. Do all thou doeſt as Soul-Work as unto Christ, Zach. 7. 5, 6. as immediately dealing with Chriſt Jeſus, as if he were looking on thee, and thou on him, and fetch all thy Strength from him.

Obſerve what holy Motions you find in your Souls to Duties, prize the leaſt good Thought thou haſt of Chriſt, the leaſt good Word thou ſpeakeſt of him sincerely from the Heart, rich Mercy: O bleſs God for it! Obſerve, if every Day you have the Day-ſpring from on high, with his Morning Dews of Mourning for Sin, conſtantly viſiting thee, Luke 1. 17. have you the bright Morning Star, with freſh Influences of Grace and Peace, conſtantly ariſing Rev. 22. 16. and Chriſt ſweetly greeting the Soul in all Duties. What Duty makes not more ſpiritual, will make more carnal; what doth not quicken and humble, will deaden and harden.

Judas may have the Sop, the outward Privilege of Baptiſm, Supper, Church Fellowſhip &c. but John leaned on Chriſt's Boſom John 13. 23. that's the Goſpel Ordinance Poſture, in which we ſhould pray, and hear, and perform all Duties. Nothing but lying in that Boſom will diſſolve Hardneſs of Heart, and make thee to mourn kindly for Sin, and cure Slightingneſs and Ordinarineſs of Spirit (that Gangrene in Profeſſion) that will humble indeed, and make the Soul cordial to Chriſt, and Sin vile to the Soul, yea transform the uglieſt Piece of Hell into the Glory of Chriſt. Never think thou art right as thou ſhouldeſt be, a Chriſtian of any Attainment, until thou come to this, always to ſee and feel thy-