Gospel Reconciliation, Chapter 43
CHAP. 43. How we ought to have the word.
Ʋſe. 1.
SEEing God and Chriſt doth ſpeak to us in the Miniſtery of the word: Let us come with other manner of thoughts to hear the word, than hertofore we have done. I remember I ſpake before that the word cannot be effectual til we come to know the voice of Chriſt in it; as in that of Samuel; I wil give you another text to ſhew what an admirable effect it wil work upon the hearts of men, and women; if they come to hear the preachings of the word as the voice of God and Chriſt: and that is in Acts 10.33. You ſhal find there; that Cornelius had ſent for Peter to come to him imediately: Therefore I ſent to thee, and thou haſt wel done that thou art come; Now therefore are we al here preſent before God to hear althings that are commanded thee of God. Here is a gracious diſpoſition of heart in Cornelius a ſouldier, and other Souldiers, and friends that he had. Preſently when Peter came, now ſaith he are we here al preſent before God, to hear al things that are commanded thee of God, and we al here entertaine whatſoever thou ſhalt reveal to us from God, as the word of God: then Peter (indeed) preached with a courage, and when people ſhal (by their behavior) with that reverence, and affection attend, as if they did attend to know ſomething of the mind of God; this encourages a preacher, and then aſſoon as ever Peter had done his Sermon, nay before he had done his Sermon; (the text ſaith) in verſe, 44. That while Peter yet ſpake theſe words, the holy ſpirit fel upon al them which heard the word: No marvil, they came with ſuch a diſpoſition of heart. We are here al of us to know, and heare what is commanded of God; (comming with ſuch a frame of ſpirit.) Now, while Peter was yet ſpeaking, the holy ſpirit fel on them which were to heare the word, and ſo it wil be with you; when you are alone before you come, ſay, Oh Lord! that thou wouldeſt ſpeak to my heart, even ſo as you have it in Iſa. 2. Come let us go up to the houſe of the Lord. An excellent ſpeech for thoſe that are comming to hear, in Iſa. 2.2. There is a propheſie of the times of the Goſpel, there is an excellent reſolution, an excellent temper of heart for people that are going to hear ſermons; come ye let us go up to the mountaine of the Lord; to the houſe of the God of Jacob, and he wil teach us of his waies, and we wil walk in his paths. [We are al here to hear what God wil ſay to us;] when at any time there is any truth made known to you, you ſhould receive it with ſuch an affection. God this day hath revealed ſome part of his mind that I did not find to be ſo before, and when you hear of any ſin revealed; you ſhould bleſs God, and ſay, the Lord hath met with my heart this day; Oh! think it not an evil, but bleſs God that Chriſt wil think of thee: And ſo thou ſhouldeſt behave thy ſelfe. Is there an exhortation to any duty? God and Jeſus Chriſt hath exhorted thee this day; thou ſhouldeſt look upon it as if God and Chriſt hath been a perſwading and exhorting thee; and is there any word of comfort and promiſe applied unto thee? thou ſhouldeſt look upon it as if God, and Jeſus Chriſt had ſpoken a word of comfort to thy heart this day. Oh! if you would come with ſuch a diſpoſition as to receive al from God, and Jeſus Chriſt, then you may expect that the Holy Spirit ſhould fal upon you. No marvail though when people come through cuſtom, and meerly becauſe others come; or through ſome other vaine reſpect: that then they come, and go away, and never feel any work of the Holy Spirit. But ſuch as come with teachable hearts, they may expect that the holy Spirit ſhould come and fal upon them. When the very people of Niniveh did repent, they beleeved God, ſo then the ſtouteſt and proudeſt heart; yea and the hardeſt heart in the world, if it comes to beleeve God, then it wil repent. I am the willinger to be the more large in this, becauſe this Sermon may make profitable many other Sermons, and for want of that true work of this point upon your hearts, it is that ſo many Sermons do ſo little good.