This will quicken our fpiritual Appetite after Chrift, That we may be more and more Arengthened in our inward Man by his Spirit, Eph. 3.16. That we may be strong in the Lord,and in the power of his might,Eph. 6. 10.

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(2.) That in applying our felves to this food, we manage the matter for our Souls, as difcreet perfons do, in making provifions for their Families, when the Market-day comes They confider whether there be Bread-corn enough in the Houfe, or whether any thing else that is neceffary be wanting; and fo, according to their ability, they provide. So ought we to do in this cafe, we ought to confider what our Souls stand most in need of, that they may profper. Some days we may find, we most of all want ftrength against one corruption; fome days more strength against another. Some days we stand in more need of one grace, and Sometimes of another: fuppofe of Faith, or Repentance, Meekness or Patience; and accordingly we ought to apply our felves to our fpiritual food, the Lord Jefus, for nourifhment, and strength in that particular. Chrift expects this, that we fhould be fenfible of our particular wants: We read Luk. 18.35, 36. that a blind Man hearing that Chrift paffed by that way, cryed out, Have mercy upon me, O Son of David. And verf. 40, 41. Chrift asks him, what he would, that

he

Chrift knew what would have him Thus we ought

he should do unto him. he would defire; but he to particularize his wants. to apply our felves to Chrift, with a fenfe of what we want in particular. And because (as I told you) all in Chrift is fome way or other, for our fpiritual food, both Chrift in his Person, and Christ in his Offi ces: We fhould apply our selves to that in Christ, which may moft of all relieve our faith in feeking after that particular fupply, which, for the prefent, we fee we need, whether it be in his Perfon, or in his Offices, either as Priest, or Prophet, or King. When we know there is fuch a thing in fuch a Cupboard, when we go to it, the next way to find what we feek for, is to go to the Box, wherein it is.

(3.) What difpenfation foever we are under; what mercy foever we have received, or are receiving; what crofs foever we are exercised withal, or is likely to come upon us; what Ordinances foever we addrefs our felves to God in, we may fpread the matter before God, and tell him our cafe, and our dependence upon him; and pray most for the fprinkling of the blood of Christ upon all, that for the merit of his blood, it may be bleffed unto us, fò as it may afford fome fpiritual nourishment for our Souls; the pow er of his Holy Spirit working with them, O 3 and

and in them, and by them. It is he alone that teacheth to profit, Ifa. 48. 17. David knew this, and therefore he prayed, That he might feel the power of God in all, Pfal.62, 1,2,3.

Do this daily, as the matter requires; Nature will decay, if not daily repaired. The Egyptian who had eaten nothing for three days, and three nights, was faint, but when he had eaten, his fpirit came to him, 1 Sam. 30. 12. So it will be with the new Nature, as Rev. 3. 2. The things that are ready to dye, if not fed with freth fupplies, Phil. 1. 19. It was a fore affliction, which made the Church forget to eat her bread, Pfal. 102. 4. It is fome ftrong corruption, that makes us forget our fpiritual bread, as they did forget their refting place, Jer, 50.6.

I conclude all with this. Our needs, if we be fenfible of them, we cannot but acknowledge, are very great, every day. That invitation, and encouragement is for every day, which we have, Prov. 9. 5, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of my wine And Cant. 5.1, Eat O friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, beloved. Therefore, come and eat every day, as we defire that every day our Souls Thould profper.

SERMON IX.

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Third thing which I fhall take notice of, as neceffary for the health and well-fare of the Body, which I intend now (as the Lord fhall affift) to apply to the Point in hand, is this; That we be well clothed. God hath given to every living Creature fome kind of clothing, or other: Even to the Birds of the Air, and the Beasts of the Field. They could not endure the extremity either of heat, or cold without it. Adam and Eve when they were at firft created, needed no clothing, but their own innocency; when they needed it, God provided it for them, before they did for themselves, Gen. 3. 22. Cold, if extream, is very prejudicial to Man's health, and may be fo to his life. Paul reckoneth it among his great fufferings, 2 Cor. 11. 27, -in cold, and nakedness. Therefore up and down in the Scripture, we find it spoken of, as a commendable act of charity,To cloth the naked, Ifa. 58.7. A. 9. 30.

This is one thing then we ought fpecial ly to mind, as ever we defire our Souls

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fhould

fhould profper, that (as the Apostle faith, 2 Cor. 5. 3.) we may not be found naked. Now, the Scripture tells us, what the Garment is, wherewith the Soul that profpers, must be clothed, Rev. 19.8, And it was gran ted unto her (the Bride, the Lamb's Wife) that she should be arrayed in fine linnen, clean and white: for the fine linnen is the righte oufness of the Saints. This fine Linnen, this Righteousness (drgiaμala rfs áglwv) comes under a double confideration.

1. The Righteoufnefs which is wrought for the Soul by Jefus Chrift himself, in his own Perfon, and is imputed to every Be liever.

2. The Righteousness that is wrought in the Soul, by the Spirit of Christ, and is inherent in every new Creature. The one may be called, The outer garment, the other, The inner garment of the heart. So far as the Soul is clothed with this double garment of Righteousness, so far it profpers, and no farther.

Something must be faid to each of these.

1. Of that garment of Righteousness, which Chrift hath wrought for the Soul. This is that White garment Rev. 3. 18. I counsel thee to buy of me,white raiment, that thou mayeft be clothed. This is the only garment that gives a title to Heaven, Ifa. 61. 10, I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord,