3 2.8 7,afonsmourogvs to the diligent hearingofGods word. nourifhment from their fpirituall n other, the Church ; and the ftrongcr theywaxe in,grace,the more earnefily theyde- fire a greater pittance till they becomeperfe&men inChrift. And therefore where there is no delire ofthis foode,there is no regenerationnor newbirth. Gods word, the Moreouer the word ofGod is the foode ofour foules, food of our therebywe are nourifhed,and the gracesofGods fpirit con jowes,Pfen to firmed and increafed invs; and therfore it is notfufficient to berescued. eate,of this foode Onceor twice, but continually, euenas of- ten as the Lordcalleth vs to thisfpirituall banquet.For as the bodywill waxe faint,and quickly perifh, vnleffe that which waf}eth awaybe continually fuppliedbynourifhrnent: fowil Abe foule languifh andwaxe faint in fpirituall graces, vnleff® it-be often nourifhed with this heauenly Manna. Let not therefore Satan perfwade vs, that feldome hearingof. Gods word is fuficient,whereas this banquet is often prouided;for though in the time offcarcitie by the extraordinariebleffing ofGod,wemaygoe withElias fortie daies in the ftrength of onemeale,yet ifwe feede nooftner'when the Lord granteth vntays plentifull prouifionofthe fpirituall foode, ourfoules will behungerfiarued. Neitherlet our oftenreceiuii.g ofthis heauenlynourifhtnent, caufe vs with the vnthankfull Ifrae- lites to loathe it,or like wayward children, or impacient lick patients,fpititout ofour mouthes againe; for ifour appe- tites be thus cloyed through a furfetoffatietie,furelywe are to fearer left the Lord who isa cunning phyfition, will pre fcribevs a long faft,til we haue reçouered ourflomacks,as he threatnethAmos 8.i i. Iwillfndafamine in the land,notalit- Amos g. ái, mine ofbread.,nor a thtrfl ofwater,but ofhearing theword ofthe Lord. fledthen wee(hall wanderfro3nfea tofea,andfrom the North,euen to theEafifhall re rtenne toandfro tefeeIee theword ofthe Lordand fhallnotfinde it. Laflly, though it fhouldbe granted that we hadattained That wrJhkiat vnto filch a meafure.of knowledge, that wee íhould needs often heare, no more, yet are there manyreafons whywe fhould cótinu- though we Wankheare Gods word with asgreat diligenceas euer we did; fuffitient ; for theend. ofourhearing is not onely toknow, but alto to. knovvtedge, prahife,, not only to inforine,our itidgenients,butalío ra'r'e- forme
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