2ly, The desire of the true _beleever_ in the enjoyment of _Christ Jesus_ in any of his _appointments_ is to be made _fruitfull_ by him: but the desire of a _whore_ extends no further then _Lust_ or a _Reward_. Hence _Rom. 7_. We are married unto _Christ Jesus_, that we should bring forth _fruit_ unto _God_: A _whoorish heart_ willingly endures not _fruitfulnes_, but kills her own _conceptions_ which the true _Wife_ cherisheth, and tendreth as her _life_. _Obj._ What should be the _reason_ why so many of _Gods children_ who in all _ages_ have discovered their strong _affection_ to _Gods_ visible _worship_, and _communion_ in _Christ_, have yet so varied, and wandred from the right, and first _institution_ of the _Church_, and _ministry_, and _Ordinances_ of _worship_? I answer, Gods _councell_ touching the _spirituall captivity_, and _desolation_, must be fulfilled, when yet notwithstanding, the strength of the _affection_ of _Gods_ people hath appear'd in their _mourning_ and _weeping_, and lamenting after, and contending for the truth of the _spiritual injoyment_ of their souls _Beloved_, in all the _means_ of his own holy _appointments_. [Sidenote: 11thly.] 11thly. Again it is an _Argument_ of _spirituall health_, & strength, in respect of _God_, when the _Heart_ is fixed, and readily prepared for all the holy _pleasure_ of _God_. Hence _Hezekiah_ praies for such whose _hearts_ were prepared to seek _Jehovah, God_ of their _Fathers_: Hence this _readines_, and _preparation_ of mind, is compared to the _shoes_ on our _Feet_, without which we are unfit for _travelling_, _walking_, &c. and with which we are _ready_ for any _spirituall imployment_. Hence _David_ professeth that his _heart_ was fixed, and ready, and when the _Lord_ said seek my _Face_, _Davids heart_ answered, _Lord_, thy _Face_ will I seek, _&c._ _Obj._ What is the reason that _Gods children_ are sometimes hardly brought on to difficult _services_, and _duties_? I answer, _unreadines_, and _unfitnes_ is a _spirituall sicknes_ or _distemper_, which when _Gods children_ recover out of, then they say as the _Lord Jesus_ in _David_ _Psal: 41_. _Lord_ my _heart_ is willing, my _heart_ is ready to do thy will O my _God_: And they say to _Christ Jesus_, as his holy servant _John Bradford_ said to _Queen Mary_; If she keep me in _prison_, I will thank her; If she _release_ me I will _thank_ her; If she _burn_ me, I will still _thank her_. [Sidenote: 12thly]