Hence follows a third _triall_ of _spirituall life_, (though accompanied with much _weaknes_,) to wit a vehement _hunger_ and _longing_ after the _Ordinance_ of the _word preached_: Hence that _similitude_ by _Peter_. As _New born Babes_ desire the sincere _milk_ of the _word_, that you may grow thereby, _1. Pet: 2_. [Sidenote: _Obj._] But may not _Hypocrits_ and _counterfeits_, both affectionately hear and preach, _&c_? [Sidenote: _Ans._] [Sidenote: Gods word in Gods way.] [Sidenote: _Cant 1_.] I answer, no question, but _false worshippers_, and _false Christians_ may easily satisfie themselves, and stop the mouths of their _consciences_, with any formal _performance_ of a _Sermon_ by an _houre-glasse_, or other _traditions_, or _customes_ of _Fathers_, or the _times_. But a child of _God_ desires to be as well carefull (according to his _sight_, for the true _Mothers-Breast_, (a true _Ministrie_) as for a Womans Milk, the opening of the word by any in any way, _&c._ And therefore cries the _Spouse_ to _Christ Jesus_: Oh thou whom my _soul_ loveth, shew me where thou _feedest_, for why should I be as one that turns aside to the _flocks_ of thy _companions_. 2ly. A true _child_ of _God_ (though weak) looks chiefly at _God_, and _Christ_, himself in the _Ministry_, and _dispensation_ of the _word_, and therefore saith (_Cant: 1_.) Let _Him_ kisse me with the _kisses_ of his _mouth_, for his _love_ is better then _wine_. [Sidenote: True hunger after Gods word.] 3. While the _Hypocrites_ find their natural _delight_ in the word, as in _musick_, while yet they obey not: The child of _God_ comes to the _breasts_ of the _Church_, as a child hangs upon the Mothers _Breast_, not only for the _delight_ of _sucking_, but out of a vehement painfull _longing_, to have its _soul_ satisfied, and its strength of _spirituall life_ and _grace_ increased in the ways of _God_: according to that in _1. Pet. 2_. [That you may grow thereby.] [Sidenote: True _desire_ in all Gods people.] A 4th. Argument of the _life_ of the _inner man_, (though in much _weaknes, or sicknes_, is a true and unfained _desire_, to do that which it finds it cannot do, but falls short in doing or suffering the _will_ of _God_: So _Nehemiah_ pleads with _God_, from the _uprightnes_ of their hearts, that they desired to fear his _Name_, when a _soul_ can say uprightly in _Gods_ presence, I desire, that is, unfainedly longing to know his will, although I am much _ignorant_, I desire to _believe_, though I find an _unbelieving heart_, I desire to be _willing_ and _able_ to _suffer_, though I find much _fearfulnesse_, _&c._ _Ob._ May not an _Hypocrite_ desire to _know_ and love _God_, &c. [Sidenote: Difference between the true and false desire.] [Sidenote: God must be chosen for himself.]