92 THE BRUISED REED this, we must consider all those means whereby Christ doth preserve grace begun. As 1, IIoly communion whereby one Christian heateth another. " Two are better than one.' ' ' ' Did not our heart burn," said the disciples? 2. Much more communion with God in holy duties, as meditation and prayer, which cloth not only kindle, but addeth a lustre to the soul. 3. We feel by experience the breath of the Spirit to go along with the ministerial breath, whereupon the apostle knits these two together, " Quench not the Spirit, Despise not prophecyings." Na..: than by a few words blew up the decaying sparks in David. Rather than God will suffer his fire in us to die, he will send some Nathan or other: and something always is left in us to join with the word, as connatural to it, as a coal that hath fire in it will quickly catch more to it: smoking flax will easily take fire. 4. Grace is strengthened by the exercise of it. - " Up and be doing, and the Lord be with thee,' ' saith David to his son Solomon, 1 Chron. xxii. 16. Stir up the grace that is in thee, for so holy motions ttun to resolutions, resolutions to prac-
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