The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide, Text (3 of 3)

The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide · Text (3 of 3)

p. 125This ſpirituall Pride may occaſionally,2 From their care, to keepe themſelves undefiled. and by accident, ſpring out of a godly and gracious care, to keepe and preſerve himſelfe unſpotted and undefiled in his happy and glorious ſtate of grace, and regeneration. For while he is caſting with himſelfe, and concluding upon ſome ſound and ſubſtantiall courſe of holineſſe and obedience in the wayes of godlineſſe; Sathan labours might and maine, to draw him to a ſingularitie of unwarrantable conceits and opinions; that by a tedious and unneceſſarie purſuit and poſſeſſion thereof, he may keepe him cold and uncomfortable in the practice of the chiefe and moſt materiall duties of Chriſtianitie; and to make him place the height of Religion, and heat of zeale, in continuall conference and moſt peremptorie p. 126defence of ſome groundleſſe fancies; from whence Sathan buſily ſtrives to toll him out, to ſeparation. Which courſe of ſeparating from, and condemning our Church,Againſt ſeparation from our Church. in the judgement of our ſincereſt Divines, is full of pride, contention, and confuſion.

For firſt,1 certaine it is, our Church, in that moſt exquiſite and worthy confeſſion of Faith contained in the Articles of Religion, doth hold and profeſſe all ſubſtantiall points of Divinitie as ſoundly, as any Church in the World, none excepted, neither in this Age, nor in the primitive times of the Church.

Secondly,2 it hath communion with, and teſtimonie of all other true Churches.

Thirdly,3 in it are to be had the meanes of ſalvation, in a powerfull and plentifull manner: and in the bowels thereof, even they that goe out of our Church, if they be truly converted, received that precious and bleſſed vigour, which is able to quicken them to eternall life.

Fourthly,4 a Church may be a true Church, though it ſhould have ſpots, and blemiſhes; though there be ſome Swine and Dogges in it. In S. Pauls time, the Corinthians were called the Church of God, 1 Cor. 1. 1, 2. And yet, at that very time, were ſome in an Hereſie, ſome in Inceſt, ſome that had not repented of their filthineſſe, 2 Cor. 12. 20, 21. The like may be ſaid of the Churches of Aſia, Rev. 2. 3.

Fifthly,5 though outward proſperitie, worldly honour, and plentie, be rather the lot of falſe, p. 127hereticall, and Apoſtaticall Churches, than an individuall and neceſſary mark of the true Church; yet, if unto our unparallel'd Peace, both for duration and entireneſſe, we adde our many and miraculous deliverances, ſtrange defeatments, and preventions of Popiſh Plots; of their Bulls, Conſpiracies, and hoſtile Invaſions; of their Powder, Poyſons, Daggers, Dags, and all manner of execrable attempts, machinations, and underminings, which either Hell could deviſe, or that deſperate and bloudy Faction adventure upon, and manage: I ſay, if all theſe be put together, and well weighed; it is impoſſible, but that wee ſhould therein ſee, acknowledge, and adore the ſpeciall finger of Gods holy providence, upholding his owne Arke amongſt his owne people; and pointing out to all the World, the truth of that Church, upon whoſe ſide, and for whoſe ſafetie and glory hee ſo mightily ſtands. This moſt extraordinarie grace and favour of Divine aſſiſtance, having not in one thing, or two, ſhewed it ſelfe, nor for ſome few dayes or yeeres appeared; but in ſuch ſort, ſo long continued, our manifold ſinnes and tranſgreſſions ſtriving to the contrary: What doth it elſe import, or what can wee leſſe thereupon conclude, than that God would thereby tell and teach the World, That the thing which hee bleſſeth, defendeth, and keepeth ſo ſtrangely, cannot but be of him, and his ſaving and ſacred Truth?

Ill doe they then, who tranſported with a pang of ſpirituall Pride, abandon, forſake, and ſeparate p. 128from our Church, as though Gods true worſhip and ſalvation were not there to be found. You ſee how Sathan by ſpirituall Pride may carry and caſt a man, from a ſetled and ſound courſe of holineſſe and ſinceritie, upon the dangerous Rockes of ſingularitie and ſeparation. But underſtand me aright, what I meane by ſingularitie. I meane that onelyonly which ariſeth out of privie Pride, is upholden by ſelfe-will, and obſtinateneſſe, and many times ends in ſeparation; and hath neither ground nor defence from ſound judgement, ſpirituall wiſedome, or true tenderneſſe of Conſcience, joyned with humilitie, and willingneſſe to be rightly informed. I meane not ſingularitie, in reſpect of holineſſe and unſpottedneſſe of life, in reſpect of difference and diſtance from the ſinfull faſhions of the times: For in this ſenſe, every man that will ſave his ſoule, muſt be ſingular. Hence it is, that our Saviour asketh his followers, in Math. 5. what ſingular thing they doe, if they doe but as the Publicans doe? As if hee ſhould have ſaid: You that will be Chriſtians, muſt be of a more heavenly temper, and higher ſtraine, than the moſt men, and the greater part of the World: You muſt be ſingular, and ſhine as Lights amid a naughtie and crooked generation. Hence is it, that Gods children ever were, and ever will be, Signes and Wonders, Miracles and Monsters, in the opinion and cenſure of moſt, amongſt whom they live; gazing ſtockes, both by reproaches and afflictions, Heb. 10. 33. Behold (ſaith Iſaiah, Chap. Iſa. 8. 18.Isa 8:188. 18.) I and the children whom the Lord hath p. 129given me, are as ſignes and as wonders in Iſrael, by the Lord of Hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Sion. I am become (ſaith David) as it were a monſter unto many, (or,Pſal. 71. 7. & 79. 4.Ps 71:7Ps 79:4 to the great men of the World, as ſome render it) Pſal. 71. 7. And in another Pſalme, Pſal. 79. 4. Wee are a reproach to our neighbours, even a ſcorne and a deriſion unto them that are round about us. But eſpecially you may ſee in Wiſd. 2. (though the Booke be Apocryphall) what is the counſell and conceit of the wicked about the oddeneſſe and ſingularitie of the Saints: Let us defraud the righteous (ſay the wicked) for hee is not for our profit, and hee is, contrarie to our doings; hee checketh us for offending against the Law, and blameth us as tranſgreſſors of Diſcipline; hee maketh his boast to have the knowledge of God, and hee calleth himſelfe the ſonne of the Lord: Hee is made to reprove our thoughts. It grieveth us alſo to looke upon him: for his life is not like other mens, his wayes are of another faſhion; hee counteth us as bastards, and hee withdraweth himſelfe from our wayes, as from filthineſſe; hee commendeth greatly the latter end of the just, and boasteth that God is his father.

Thus, as Gods children and godly men are indeed more excellent than their neighbours; and ſingular, in reſpect of their ſanctification and ſinceritie: ſo they are ſcorned and reviled by the World, and the greater part of men, as odde fellowes, and ſuch as muſt have wayes by themſelves, and a tricke above others. They are pointed at, as matter of ſcorne and contempt; they are ſet up, as markes of ſlander and oppreſſion; p. 130and gazed upon, as ſtrange creatures. Wee are made (ſayth Paul, 1 Cor. 4. 9.1 Cor 4:91 Cor. 4. 9. meaning himſelfe, and other of Gods faithfull ſervants) a gazing-ſtocke unto the World, and to the Angels, and to men. And no marvell though it be ſo: For, beſides that all prophane and unregenerate men are naturally ineagered, and inraged with implacable malice and hatred againſt Gods Children; they are, in all places, but few in number; which makes them more noted, and pointed at.

That they are but few;Gods children are but few. beſides many certaine demonſtrative Reaſons out of Scripture; it may thus plainely appeare: as a good Divine tells us.

Firſt,1 let there be taken from amongſt us, all Papiſts, Atheiſts, and ſcorners of godlineſſe, and Religion.

Secondly,2 let there be removed all notorious and infamous evill livers; as Swearers, Drunkards, Whoremongers, Vſurers, Worldlings, Deceivers, proud perſons, prophaners of the Sabbath, Gameſters, and all the prophane and ignorant multitude.

Thirdly,3 let all thoſe be paſſed over, that are but onelyonly civill honeſt men, and meddle not with any profeſſion, or practiſe of holineſſe; without which, no man muſt ſee God.

Fourthly,4 ſet aſide all groſſe Hypocrites; who for advantage, or by-reſpects, are outwardly religious, but inwardly corrupt, hollow-hearted, and abominable.

p. 131Fifthly,5 let there be ſorted out and rejected all carnall Proteſtants, formall Profeſſors, backſliders, cold and unzealous Chriſtians; who falſely thinke, that they may both enjoy the World, and a good Conſcience too; live pleaſantly on Earth, and yet ſave their ſoules at laſt; and, that it is not neceſſarie to hold any ſuch ſtrict courſe of holineſſe, to come to Heaven. Let all theſe kinde of men, I ſay, (all which in one meaſure, or other, are in the ſtate of death, and under the power of Sathan) be ſeparated and ſhoaled out; and how many doe you thinke will remaine amongſt us, ſound, ſincere, faithfull, and zealous profeſſors, and practiſers of ſaving Truth, the power of Grace, and holy Obedience to all Gods Commandements? For ſuch onelyonly are Gods ſervants, and in the ſtate of Grace. Let a man come into any Towne, Village, Citie, or Corporation, and let all ſuch men as are before mentioned, be removed; and how many ſhould he finde of theſe laſt? They would certainely be thinne ſcattered, and like the Grapes after the gathering of the Vintage, two or three in the top of the upmoſt boughes, and foure or five in the high branches. Singularitie then of ſanctification, is no fruit of Pride, but an inſeparable marke and neceſſarie ſtate of true Chriſtianitie.

I come now to a third ground,3 Sathan tempts to Pride, by a diſtaſting of a mans particular calling. whence Sathan may rayſe a temptation to privie Pride: When a man is faithfull, and diligent, in the diſcharge and executions of his civill calling; p. 132hee may caſt a conceit into his head, that ſuch baſe, earthly, and worldly imployment, and ſpending his time, is diſgracefull and derogatorie to the providence of God, and his Chriſtian libertie; and, that it hinders him in his calling of Chriſtianitie, and duties of Religion. Whence may ſollow dangerous effects of ſpirituall Pride; quite leaving, or neglect, diſcontent or diſtaſte of his civill calling. And ſo his heart and affections may bee put quite out of order, and deceive themſelves, in the very maine point of making towards Heaven.

Sathan,4 From Gods providence. by his ſubtill malice, may worke out matter and occaſion of ſpirituall Pride, from the ſpeciall providence of God, conducting the Chriſtian the beſt and the neereſt way to Heaven.Examples in particular. To give example, in ſome particulars.

1 When God,1 out of his great wiſedome and merciemercy, humbles him with afflictions and prickes, the ſwelling of his Pride; when hee cuts and loppes away his vanities, exceſſes, and ſuperfluities, with ſome viſitation, or other; and fills him with bitterneſſe in this life, to the end hee might long for the life to come: Why then, Sathan labours mightily to kindle in his corrupt nature a flaſh of ſpirituall Pride, that hee may drive him to grumbling and impatiencie, and ſo make Gods fatherly corrections and chaſtiſements fruitleſſe and unprofitable to him; which in Gods children ſhould ever worke amendment and comfort.

p. 1332 When the true Chriſtian lookes about him in the World,2 and ſees the wicked ſpreading themſelves like greene Bay-trees, in worldly plentie, and pleaſures; Sathan here thruſts in, and labours to caſt into his minde a conſideration of his owne worth; and that, how in reſpect of the wicked, he farre more, and rather, deſerves the fruition and enjoyment of the creatures, and benefits and comforts of this life: becauſe all wicked men are but uſurpers, and intruders; himſelfe being a true owner, by the right of Chriſt Ieſus, Lord of the whole Earth: And that, whereas he ſtands for the glory, ſervice, cauſes, and children of God; the wicked labour for nothing more, than the diſgrace and ruine of goodneſſe, and the upholding and enlargement of the Kingdome of Sathan. From ſuch conceits as theſe, mixed with ſpirituall, hee eaſily drawes him on to fretting and repining at the proſperitie of the wicked men, and puts him into one of Davids fits,Pſal. 73. 12.Ps 73:12 and pangs, Pſal. 73. 12. Loe (ſayth hee) theſe are the wicked, yet proſper they alway, and encreaſe in riches: Certainely, I have cleanſed my heart in vaine, and waſhed my hands in innocencie. Or, at leaſt, brings him to queſtion with God;Ier. 1…. 1, 2.Jer 1:1Jer 1:2 as it is, Ier. 12. O Lord, if I diſpute with thee, thou art righteous; yet let mee talke with thee, of thy Iudgements: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked proſper? Why are all they in wealth, that rebelliouſly tranſgreſſe? Thou hast planted them, and they have taken root; they grow, and bring forth fruit.

p. 1343 When the Chriſtian doth preſently feele,3 or after call to minde Gods great mercies, gracious preventions, ſtrange protection, wonderfull deliverances, againſt expectation, and beyond hope, vouchſafed unto him in his direction and conduction towards the glory that is to be revealed; then doth Sathan buſily blow the Bellowes of his corrupt nature with the poyſonous breath of his helliſh malice, that ſo hee may puffe him up with ſpirituall Pride, and exalt him out of meaſure.

4 When he beholds and obſerves ſome ſudden deſtruction,4 or fearefull judgement, to overtake and ſeize upon his enemies; Sathan may ſecretly ſollicite him, out of a ſpice of ſpirituall Pride, to applaud and pleaſe himſelfe in the ruine and miſerie of his adverſarie: which, beſides the tainture of impietie, taſtes deepely alſo of inhumanitie, and is quite croſſe and contrarie to the practice and proteſtation of holy Iob, Job 31.Job 31Chap. 31. In that Chapter, hee imprecates and invocates upon himſelfe many fearefull Curſes, if hee hath done ſo,22. or ſo. Let mine arme (ſaith he) fall from my ſhoulder-blade, and let mine arme be broken from the bones, if I have done ſuch and ſuch things. And after followes:29. If I rejoyced at his deſtruction that hated me; or was moved to joy, when evill came upon him; or if I have ſuffered my mouth to ſpeake evill of him, or to utter Curſes againſt him.

5 When the Chriſtian is ſadly and heavily muſing upon his many troubles and diſtreſſes,5 which many times come thicke and three-fold p. 135upon him, as faſt and boiſterouſly, as one wave overtakes another; ſo that he findes one vexation to be ſtill a ſtep unto another: Sathan then hee puts in, and ſeeing the ſeaſon advantageous for his feats, and inſinuations, workes what he can to make him take on; and out of a proud conceit of better deſervings, to be wearie of waiting the Lords leiſure; and out of the anguiſhes and agonies of his heart, to wiſh and deſire death; eſpecially to be rid and freed from thoſe croſſes and calamities, which unworthily haunt and perſecute his innocencie. Holy Iob was ſtrongly aſſayled with this temptation, Chap. 3. when hee cryed and ſaid:Iob 3. 3.Job 3:3 Let the day periſh wherein I was borne; and the night, when it was ſaid, there is a manchild conceived, &c. And ſo was the Prophet Ionah, Chap. Ionah 4. 3.Jonah 4:34. Therefore now (ſaith he) O Lord, take I beſeech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die, than to live.

6 Sometimes,6 when the Chriſtian is croſſed and diſappointed in his expectation, God wiſely and ſweetly diverting, moderating, and diſpoſing all things to his owne glory, and to the true good of his children (though they doe not preſently ſee, and acknowledge it;) Sathan ſteps in, and by the ſecret and inſenſible poyſon of privie Pride, labours to ſuggeſt unto him, that he is prejudiced and diſgraced; that ſo by his inward fretting, hee may make it plainely appeare, that hee preferres his owne particular credit, before the glory of God. Thus was Ionas tempted, in Chap. 4. Fearefull deſtruction was denounced by him from p. 136God, againſt the Ninivites: They put on ſackcloth, humbled themſelves, and repented; God ſtayes his hand, forbeares his Iudgements, which were proclaymed by Ionah: Therefore (ſayth the Text) that diſpleaſed Ionah exceedingly, and hee was angrie; and hee prayed unto the Lord, and ſaid, &c.

When hee begins to obſerve,5 Sathan makes men to pride themſelves in their abilities and gifts. and admire himſelfe for ſome ſpeciall acceptation in Chriſtian companie; for his abilities to pray, conferre, diſcover temptations, and the Devils depths; to preſſe an holy preciſeneſſe, and mortifying points, &c. Oh then, too often a wide gap is opened in his deceitfull heart, for the Devils wild-fire of ſpirituall Pride. So that many times, an humble ſilent ſoule doth quickly out-ſtrip ſuch an one, doting dangerouſly upon his preſent perfections, in the ſubſtantialls of Chriſtianitie.

Thus, and many moe wayes, doth Sathan labour by privie Pride, to weaken the power of Grace, and efficacie of the Word; to ſtaine and diſgrace the beſt Graces and godlieſt actions; to grieve the good Spirit, and coole their firſt Love, even in Gods children; after that, by the helpe of God, they have ſtruggled through other temptations, and obtained much ſpirituall peace and Chriſtian perfection in the doctrine of ſalvation, and wayes of godlineſſe.

Before I paſſe from this point,Preſervatives againſt ſpirituall Pride. I would propoſe ſome remedies againſt this ſwelling ſpirituall maladie of privie Pride, and ſome ſoveraigne conſiderations, to keepe downe the Chriſtian heart, p. 137and to preſerve it in the ſweet and peacefull ſtate of a gracious humilitie.

Firſt then,1 Meditate upon Gods pure eyes. let every Chriſtian, when hee firſt feeles any over-weening conceit, or proud perſwaſion of his owne worth, and ſpirituall graces, ſtealing into his heart; lift up the eyes of his minde, in a divine meditation, unto thoſe brighteſt and pureſt eyes of God Almightie; which are ten thouſand times brighter than the Sunne, and purer than puritie it ſelfe: ſo that they ſee the leaſt and ſecreteſt infirmitie in its true and native fouleneſſe; and before them, our beſt righteouſneſſe is as a menſtruous clout.Iſa. 64. 6.Isa 64:6 If he ſoundly and ſincerely entertaine this conſideration, it will ſo humble him, and keepe him under, that he will rather be affrighted and ſurprized with feare and terror, for his many frailties and infirmities, than be lifted up with a conceit of his graces, and ſpirituall endowments.

When hee begins once proudly and ſelfe-conceitedly to gaze upon that little ſparke of holineſſe hee findes in himſelfe;2 VponUpon Gods infinite perfection. let him preſently turne backe the edge and eye of this dangerous ſpeculation, upon the infinite puritie and endleſſe perfection of God Almightie; before whom, the Cherubins and Seraphins, the Crowne of Gods workemanſhip, and the glory of creatures, doe hide and cover their faces, as not able to behold and endure the perfect brightneſſe of his moſt pure and undefiled Majeſtie.Iſa. 6. 2.Isa 6:2 In whoſe ſight, the unſtained ſplendour of the Heavens, and the glorious beautie of the Starres are uncleane, and p. 138foule;Iob 25. 5.Job 25:5 darkeneſſe, and deformitie. The Sunne, the faireſt Body in the World, made all of beautie and brightneſſe; if it were put neere unto that unacceſſible and incomprehenſible Light, which encompaſſeth the Lord of Heaven, it would vaniſh away as a darkeſome Moat, and Lumpe of Vanitie. Nay, in reſpect of God, thoſe divine and heavenly creatures, the bleſſed Angels, pure and immateriall ſpirits, are chargeable with folly and vanitie.Iob 4. 18.Job 4:18 Behold, he found no ſtedfastneſse in his Saints; yea, the Heavens are not cleare in his ſight. How much more is man abominable and filthie, which drinketh iniquitie like water? Iob 15. 15, 16. What art thou then, wretched man, that carrieſt about thee a Body of death? Shall not his excellencie make thee afraid, and his feare fall upon thee? Behold (ſaith Iob) he will give no light unto the Moone, Iob 25. 5, 6.Job 25:5Job 25:6and the Starres are uncleane in his ſight: How much more man, a Worme; even the ſonne of a man, which is but a Worme? Iob 4. 18.Job 4:18Behold, he found no ſtedfastneſſe in his ſervants, and laid folly upon his Angels: How much more in them that dwell in Houſes of Clay, whoſe foundation is in the Duſt, which ſhall be destroyed before the Moth? Theſe conſiderations are able to confound and caſt downe below the Earth, and Duſt, the greateſt admirer and applauder of himſelfe, for his graces, good actions, and ſpirituall perfections.

When the Chriſtian is tempted to a proud conceit of his ſpirituall ſufficiencies;3 Compare thy ſelfe with other Chriſtians. let him compare himſelfe with other Saints of God: which (perhaps) having beene leſſe ſinners than p. 139himſelfe, in the time of their unregeneration; and having leſſe meanes, parts, occaſions, and encouragements to glorifie God: yet excell him in zeale, ſanctification, and the ſervice of God. Paul, that great Doctor of the Gentiles, and glorious Angell upon Earth, for all his ſpirituall bleſſings, and incomparable graces, cryes out, Rom. Rom. 7. 24.Rom 7:247. 24. Oh wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death? David, a man after Gods owne heart, and a ſpeciall royall Mirror for varietie of ſpirituall excellencies, is ſo farre from being proud of his graces; that hee is every where complaining of the burthen of his ſinnes, ſpirituall povertie and want, and the miſeries of his ſoule:Pſal. 38. 3.Ps 38:3 There is no health in my fleſh, (ſaith he) becauſe of thy diſpleaſure; neither is there any rest in my bones, by reaſon of my ſinne: for my wickedneſſes are gone over my head, and are like a ſore burthen, too heavie for me to beare. For his reputation in the World,Pſal. 22. 6.Ps 22:6 he tells us; that he was a Worme, and no man; a very ſcorne of men, and out-cast of the people. In all times, the beſt Chriſtians have ever beene moſt ſenſible of the weight of their ſinnes, and corruption of their nature; and from thence, entertained a lowly conceit of themſelves. Where there is the greateſt meaſure of ſanctification, there is ever the greateſt humilitie. If thoſe then that be indeed in the higheſt favour with God, leſſer ſinners than our ſelves, and moſt ſanctified, be of an humble and lowly minde, of a meeke and quiet ſpirit, which is before God a thing much ſet by, 1 Pet. 3. 4. let us take heed how we be proud1 Pet. 3. 4.1 Pet 3:4 p. 140of thoſe graces; which, if we looke for Gods bleſſing upon them, and comfort from them, muſt bring forth in us humilitie and thankefulneſſe.

Let him compare,4 Compare thy ſelfe with Gods holy Law. and examine, and meaſure himſelfe, his wayes, and workes, by the Law of God; and hee ſhall there finde much matter of humiliation, repentance, feare, and trembling, with continuall ſupply in abundance miniſtred unto him: ſo that there ſhall be no roome left for any proud and over-weening conceit of any good thing in him. That elect Veſſell, and great Apoſtle, after he was regenerate, (for the unregenerate feele no ſuch ſtrife) found ſuch a vaſt and wide diſtance betweene the Law, and his owne affections, and beſt workes; that for horror thereof, he cryed out; Oh miſerable man, that I am! What ſpirituall good then is there in any of us, miſerable wretches, wherein we ſhould glory? Let our beſt workes be as glorious as we can imagine, let them be performed with never ſo great integritie and reſolution, cover them with grace, derive them from the Holy-Ghoſt, dippe and dye them deepe in the bloud of Chriſt, put upon them all the rich attire, and Papall magnificence, with which the Church of Rome hath inveſted them; yet to the pureſt eyes of God, and in the cleare Cryſtall of his undefiled Law, they appeare to be foule, and ſpotted; impure, and like a menſtruous clout. The meaſuring then of our ſelves by the Law and Word of God, is a notable meanes to keepe us in humilitie,Phil. 2. 12.Phil 2:12 and to make us worke out our ſalvation with feare and trembling.

p. 141Let him conſider,5 Conſider what thou hadſt beene, if God had left thee to thy ſelfe. what a foule and wretched, what a damned and an accurſed creature hee had beene; had not his gracious God, out of the unſearchable depth of his infinite goodneſſe and merciemercy, ſingled him out to be his ſervant upon Earth, and a Saint in Heaven. It was onelyonly Gods free merciemercy, that before all eternitie, by the great Decree of his eternall election, marked him out for Heaven and endleſſe joyes, from amidſt the huge maſſe of all mankind. It was the ſame, that after cauſed him to ſend his owne and onelyonly Sonne, out of his owne Boſome, and height of Majeſty; that with his deareſt and precious bloud, hee might redeeme his Soule from the ſnares of Hell, into which hee was fallen, by Adams fall: which in due time, by the inward, ſpeciall, and effectuall power of his unſpotted Spirit, called him into his Kingdome of Grace, waſhed him, juſtified, and ſanctified him, in the Name of the Lord Ieſus. Elſe, otherwiſe, had not theſe everlaſting and unconceivable Bleſſings beene caſt upon him, by Gods free meere merciemercy, without all cauſe or motive from man, or any other created thing, out of his infinite Selfe; his caſe had beene unſpeakably wofull: For he ſhould have lived in this Vale of Teares, without God, without Grace, without Comfort, without Conſcience; in Sinne, in Darkeneſſe, in Prophaneneſſe, in all Spirituall Miſeries: And after the cloſure and period of theſe few and evill dayes, he ſhould have beene endleſſely divided and abandoned from the joyes and comforts of Gods preſence, p. 142inchained without all redemption, to deſpaire and horror, and the hatefull fellowſhip of the Devill and his Angels: and (that which is the extremitie and upſhot of all helliſh miſerie) hee ſhould have had the fierce and horrible wrath and vengeance of God poured in full meaſure upon his body and ſoule; which would have fed upon them, as fire doth upon Pitch and Brimſtone, for ever and ever. Out of theſe conſiderations, mee thinkes a man ſhould rather with humilitie and thankefulneſſe admire and magnifie the mercies of God, that hee is not alreadie a Fire-brand in Hell; than any wayes be puffed up with any worthineſſe in himſelfe, or dote upon his owne nothingneſſe.

When a Chriſtian is tempted to ſpirituall Pride;6 Conſider the fearfull effects of Pride. let him deepely and thorowly weigh with himſelfe, what fearefull inconveniences and diſcomforts will enſue, if hee give way to ſuch temptations: For ſo, many follow, in the courſe of Gods juſt judgement, upon ſpirituall Vanitie, and Pride; dullneſſe, and deadneſſe of heart; a reſtraint of the influence of the Spirit; a diminution and leſſening, or a ſlumber and ceſſation of the operations of grace, a cooling of zeale, and falling from the firſt Love. Or, when hee ſees us ſo preſumptuouſly to truſt to our ſtrength, and ſtay our ſelves with our owne ſtaffe; he may quite give us over, in ſome great temptation, to ſome groſſe ſinne; ſo that we may take the foile in the Conflict. And then, if wee once be over-taken with the old ſweet ſinne of our unregeneration, p. 143or be enſnared with ſome new notorious tranſgreſſion; wee muſt of neceſſitie, to our great diſcomfort, enter againe the agonies of Soule, anguiſh of Conſcience, and horror of Hell; wee muſt enter combate againe with all the powers of Darkeneſſe; wee muſt have our regeneration, regenerated; our new-birth, new-borne; and the precious bloud of the Sonne of God, as it were, ſhed for us againe. Wee turne thereby Gods favourable countenance from us, and the hearts and affections of true Chriſtians: wee put againe a ſting into our owne Conſciences, and weapons into the hands of Sathan, to vexe, wound, and torment us: wee barre and bereave our ſelves of Gods gracious protection, of the guard of Angels, of peace of Conſcience, of joy in the Holy-Ghoſt, of boldneſſe in our wayes, of reconciliation in the creatures, and of all the comforts of godlineſſe. As a man tenders the preſervation of his Soule, from all theſe ſpirituall miſeries; let him take heed of entertaining a proud and over-weening conceit of his owne graces, gifts, or good actions.

Let him conſider,7 The more a man hath, the more he is accountable for. that the more ſpirituall gifts and graces he hath received from the free merciemercy of God, the more will be required at his hands. Me thinkes, this ſhould coole and allay any ſwelling conceit, or proud perſwaſion, that may ariſe in the heart; and not ſuffer a man to play with them, and dote upon them, or give him any leiſure, with an over-weening and ſelfe-conceited flatterie, to gaze upon them, or to applaud and admire p. 144them in himſelfe, as though they were his owne; but rather, with all vigilancie and ſolicitouſneſſe, with all care and good Conſcience, to occupie and imploy them for his Maſters greateſt advantage.

There is no gift or good thing in any man, either of Nature or Grace, of body or minde, of wealth or honour, of reputation or authoritie in the World; but he muſt give ſhortly a ſtrict and exact account of the uſage and imployment of it, before the impartiall and uncorrupted Tribunall of Heaven: And the more excellent his gifts and endowments have beene in any kind, he ſhall in proportion be anſwerable, and countable for the more. If the Lord hath enlightened, heated, and inſpired any one with much ſaving knowledge, with a great meaſure of zeale, with a high Chriſtian courage, and reſolution; he lookes and expects for great gaine of glory unto himſelfe, many ſpoyles and conqueſts over his enemies, a blazing and exemplarie brightneſſe, in holineſſe of life; much beautie and luſtre to the Church, much good and comfort unto Chriſtians: For much is required of them,Luke 12. 48.Luke 12:48 to whom much is committed.

Let a man then not labour to make himſelfe glorious, by thoſe graces which are none of his owne; but how, by glorifying God with them, in humilitie, faithfulneſſe, and ſinceritie, and by improving and making the beſt of them, for the Owners advantage, hee may make a comfortable account at that great Day.

p. 145Thus farre I have propoſed unto you ſome Motives, to quicken and ſtirre you up to a conſcionable and conſtant hearing and underſtanding of the holy Word of God; and acquainted you with many ſleights, lets, and temptations, which Sathan uſually caſts in our way, to hinder us therein.

Now, in a third place, I will lay downe unto you certaine rules, directions, and inſtructions, for your right, holy, and conſcionable carriage, behaviour, and importment, in and about the hearing of Gods Word.

That the holy Word of God may be unto you the Word of Grace, the ſavour of Life unto Life, of power unto ſanctification and ſalvation; you muſt looke carefully and conſcionably unto your preparation, before you come; unto your carriage, while you are there; and unto your behaviour, afterward.

Firſt,1 Preparation required to profitable hearing. for Preparation.

I am perſwaded, the want and neglect of a due and profitable preparation, is the cauſe that thouſands receive no benefit or bleſſing by the Word of Life; but that the Sermons they heare, are regiſtred, as in a Table of Remembrance, before God,For want of preparation, the Word becomes to men, as ſo many witneſſes againſt them, for their more fearefull confuſion and greater condemnation at the Day of Accounts.

1 For hence it is,1 The ſavour of death unto death. that to many it is the ſavour of death unto death; becauſe, before they come, they doe not addreſſe and prepare themſelves for ſo glorious a Preſence, and royall Embaſſage p. 146from the King of Heaven: though they heare it with their outward eares, yet it hardens their hearts, makes them inwardly more peeviſh, grumbling, ſtubborne, rebellious, and refractarie to the power thereof, and prepares and ripens them for more heavie vengeance. It is of it ſelfe the Word of Grace, Salvation, and Life; a bleſſed preſervative againſt Sinne and Death, Damnation and Hell: but by accident, if men doe not reverence it, tremble at it, and ſubmit themſelves to the power of it, it is a ſtrong Hammer, and Iron Scepter, to harden their hearts more and more, like an Anvile, or Adamant; and at length, to breake them in pieces like a Potters Veſſell. Though in it ſelfe, it be a ſaving and wholeſome Medicine; yet men of a rebellious and ſtubborne humour and temper, turne it into Poyſon.

2 To ſome,2 As Seed in the high way ground. this holy Word, by reaſon of unpreparedneſſe, is but as the water ſpilt upon the ground, and the breath of the Miniſter ſcattered in the Aire: If you call them to an account, after Sermon, how they have profited; they are as wordleſſe, and witleſſe, and indeed as graceleſſe in repetition, as if they had beene deafe, aſleepe, in a trance, or ſtarke dead all the while.

3 Others,3 Men are made but onelyonly formall by it. by their raſh and prophane ruſhing into the Houſe of God, without all premeditation, reverence, or regard of that holy buſineſſe they goe about; become hearers onelyonly, of forme and cuſtome, for faſhion and companie. It may be, they may heare, attend, and underſtand what is delivered; but it breedes no more reverence, p. 147impreſſion, or ſpirituall reformation, than an ordinarie Tale, or humane diſcourſe: As though that holy toyle, and ſacred breath, were ſpent onelyonly to entertaine the Time, and buſie mens eares for an Houre; and, not as Chriſt tells Paul, To open their eyes, that they might turne from Darkeneſſe unto Light, and from the power of Sathan unto God.

4 VponUpon ſome,4 Some become ſcornets. the Iudgement and Curſe of comming without Conſcience, and due preparation, doth ſo farre prevaile, and hath ſuch power, that they become ſcorners and raylers againſt the Miniſter, or his Doctrine, or both; at every Sermon they catch ſomething, that they may cavill at, deprave, and calumniate: And ſo, wickedly and wretchedly oppoſe their diſcourſe, wit, and ſpirit of contradiction againſt the face of Heaven, and heart of Divine Truth. They wrangle and repine (in deed and truth, whatſoever their pretences or proteſtations may be to the contrarie) againſt that Great Majeſtie, whoſe Meſſage it is; againſt that Holy Spirit, which ſhould ſanctifie them; and the Word of Grace, which ſhould ſave them.

5 Others there be,5 Others are cold and dead-hearted. even of good hearts and affections, Profeſſors, and in ſome good meaſure practiſers of the power of godlineſſe; yet becauſe they are careleſſe and neglective of this needfull Chriſtian dutie of preparation, are poſſeſſed with much deadneſſe of heart, and dullneſſe of ſpirit, at thoſe holy Exerciſes. Their zeale, and fervencie, which ſhould be quickened p. 148and inflamed at every Sermon, is dulled and benummed with ſenſeleſneſſe and ſatietie: They doe not ſo tremble, or are caſt downe with Divine Comminations and denouncements of Gods Iudgements againſt ſinne, or ſo refreſhed with the gracious promiſes of Life, and Salvation, as they ought to be: They doe not enjoy and reape the thouſandth part of that delight, comfort, and benefit as they well might, by the Miniſterie of the Word, becauſe their hearts are not purged and prepared: They doe not with that chearefulneſſe receive, with that ſweetneſſe taſte and relliſh, with that life and vigour diſgeſt the Food of Life: The eye of their minde, for want of premeditation, doth not ſo clearely ſee and diſcerne the infinite beautie of that ſacred Majeſtie repreſented unto them, or that glorious grace ſhining unto them, in the face of CHRIST IESVS: Their hand of Faith doth not with that feeling, and faſtneſſe, lay hold upon and claſpe about, the rich Treaſures revealed in the Goſpell. In a word, they bereave themſelves of much good, bleſſing, comfort, and growth in grace, which they might and ought to have, by hearing of the Word, for want of due preparing, and diſpoſing the heart thereto.

This dutie of Preparation then, though that it be not much thought upon, or ordinarily practiſed; yet it is of great neceſſitie and ſpeciall uſe for all thoſe, which looke for benefit or bleſſing by the preaching of the Word.

p. 149There is no great Affaire,Preparation requiſite in civill affaires, much more to the hearing of the Word. or of weight and conſequence, eyther in Nature or Art, in neceſſarie buſineſſes and civill Negotiations, or in matters of Complement, Ceremonie, and Enterview; but there is required ſome bethinking preparation and prae-diſpoſitions, for the more happie and ſucceſſefull accompliſhment, execution, and performance: how much more in the affaires of God, matters of Heaven, buſineſſes of eternitie, and ſalvation of mens ſoules?

The Ground muſt be manured and prepared for the Seed, if wee looke it ſhould fructifie and proſper: how much more ſhould our dull and dead hearts bee ſtirred up, and furrowed, as it were, with humiliation, reverence, and repentance; that by the grace of God, and the ſanctifying power of the Spirit, it may lodge and take deepe root in them, and ſpring up to eternall life?

The Body muſt be fitted with a Preparative, and the humours, as it were, gathered unto a head, if wee deſire the Phyſicke ſhould worke forcibly and kindly, and rid us of their noxiouſneſſe, and ſuperfluitie: how much more ought our Soules, with an impartiall and narrow inquiſition, to be ſearched and layd open, before they receive the Water of Life, and ſpirituall Manna; that ſo they may more ſeaſonably and ſoundly be waſhed and purged from corruptions and imperfections, preſerved in ſpirituall health, and prepared for eternall life?

The Ground muſt be layd, and ſome imperfect p. 150Draughts, Shadowes, and reſemblances premiſed, before a Picture can be done to the Life, or a full proportion and lively repreſentation pourtrayed or preſented to the eye; how much more ought the ground of our hearts to be fitted and prepared, that by the preaching of the Word, the Image of Chriſt Ieſus may with a lively and freſh impreſſion be ſtamped upon them?

Were a man the next day to goe about a buſineſſe that mainely concerned eyther his life, or livelyhood; the ſtate of his Lands, or danger of his life: Would not his minde be troubled before-hand? Would it not breake his ſleepe the night before? Would he not be muſing, and plotting, by what meanes he might worke out his deliverance, and ſafetie? what behaviour and carriage might be fitteſt, to winne favour and grace in ſo weightie an affaire? How much more ought wee, before wee intrude into the Houſe of God, where matters of our greateſt and higheſt intereſt, are propoſed, handled, and debated by the Miniſter of the Word; even life eternall, and everlaſting eſtate in another World? I ſay, how ought wee to thinke with our ſelves, how wee may make our ſoules fitteſt to underſtand and accept the Covenant of Grace, to receive the Seale of the Spirit, and to get aſſurance of that glorious and royall Inheritance in the Heavens?

Nay, yet further, even in matters of complement and enterview, there is wont to be preparation, eſpecially if the preſence and perſons were the greater.

p. 151Ioſeph, Gen. 41. 14.Gen 41:14when he was ſent for to goe before King Pharoah, hee ſhaved his head, and changed his rayment, becauſe hee was to appeare before ſo high and royall a preſence.

Queene Hester durſt not preſſe into the preſence of King Ahaſhueroſh, H…ſt. 2. 12.before ſhee had prepared her ſelfe.

How much more ought wee to fit and prepare our ſelves, baſe and miſerable wretches, Wormes and no men, as wee are, with feare and trembling, when wee come into the Houſe and preſence of the mightie Lord of Heaven and Earth; before whom,Iſa. 40.Isa 40 the Seraphins hide their faces, the Nations are as a drop of a Bucket, and the inhabitants of the Earth as Graſſe-hoppers: eſpecially, ſith there hee offers and tenders unto us enlargement from the ſlaverie of ſinne, purgation from our pollutions, and a Crowne of life, upon that condition, that wee repent, forſake all our ſinnes, and reſigne up our ſelves in ſincere and humble obedience unto all his Commandements?

Inducements we have,Motives to Preparation. and Motives many, both from Precept,1 Precepts out of the Word for it. and Practice, in the Booke of God, for the performance of this Chriſtian dutie of Preparation.

Take heed to thy foot (ſayth the Preacher) when thou enterest into the Houſe of God,1 Eccleſ. 4. 17.Eccl 4:17 and be more neere to heare, than to give the ſacrifice of fooles; for they know not that they doe evill.

Before thou ſet foot into the Church, to heare the Word of God, be ſure to ſettle thy affections, that they be ſober, moderate, and ſanctified, p. 152fit to entertaine the Word of life, and ſalvation; let thy heart be ſeaſoned with,Before wee heare, our hearts muſt be qualified with, firſt, Softneſſe; ſecondly, Humilitie; thirdly, Honeſtie; fourthly, Faith; fifthly, Teachableneſſe.

Firſt,1 Softneſſe. if thou doe not preſerve thy heart tender, ſoft, and flexible, the power of the Word will not make any ſuch print or deepe impreſſion upon it; all holy admonitions, reproofes, and inſtructions, will be unto thee as Arrowes ſhot againſt a Stone wall.

Secondly,2 Humilitie. wee muſt bring with us an humble heart, to the hearing of the Word; for, the Lord reſiſts the proud, Iam. 4. 6.Jas 4:6and gives grace to the humble. Them that be meeke, Pſal. 25. 9.Ps 25:9will he guide in judgement, and teach the humble his way. The proud heart is ſo ſwelled with the winde of vanitie and vaine-glory, of ſelfe-love, and over-weening conceit, that there is left no roome in it for the precious Treaſure of ſaving grace. If it eyther be puffed up with a conceit of knowledge, or a perſwaſion of holineſſe enough, or a boiſterous peremptorineſſe againſt the power of the Word; the Water of Life will be unto it, but as Water poured upon a drowned man; or as a Seale thruſt upon Water, which will receive no impreſſion. A lowly heart, broken and bruiſed with Conſcience of ſinne, is a fit Seat for the mightie Lord and his ſaving graces, Iſa. Iſa. 57. 15.Isa 57:1557. 15.

Thirdly,3 Honeſtie. wee muſt come with a good and honeſt heart; which hateth all corruptions, both in it ſelfe, and others; which hath no delight in any ſinfull pleaſures, or wicked vanities; which hath p. 153no manner of purpoſe to live and continue in any one ſinne whatſoever; but is readie and reſolved, though it be much cumbred with it owne corruptions, the Worlds enticements, and Sathans craftineſſe; yet to ſerve and pleaſe God, in all the wayes of his Commandements, and that ſincerely and continually. All profitable and fruitfull hearers have ſuch good and honeſt hearts, and are reſembled by the good ground,Luke 8. 15.Luke 8:15 Luke 8. 15. But that is a wicked and ſinfull heart, and not fit to be wrought upon by the Miniſterie of the Word, which purpoſeth and reſolveth to cheriſh and maintaine but any one ſinne whatſoever.

Fourthly,4 Faith. our hearts muſt be ſeaſoned with Faith; otherwiſe, it will not ſinke and ſoake into them with power and profit. The old Iewes heard the Word,Heb. 4. 2.Heb 4:2 but it profited them not, becauſe it was not mingled with faith in thoſe that heard it, Heb. 4. 2. The fearefull threatnings and thunderbolts of the Law, by Faith receive an edge to wound, and pierce and ſtrike through our ſoules, with amazements and trembling. And Faith it is, that animates and inſpires the promiſes of the Goſpel with ſuch a ſoveraigne ſweetneſſe, and powerfull comfort; that they are able, not onelyonly to rayſe and revive us from the depth and extremitie of remorſe, and feare; but alſo to put us into a Paradiſe of ſpiituall pleaſures, and poſſeſſion of Heaven, as it were alreadie. But if the Word light upon a faithleſſe heart, it dyes, it does no good.

Fifthly,5 Teachableneſſe. wee muſt bring with us into the Lords p. 154Sanctuarie, teachable and hearing hearts, that will willingly and readily open themſelves, to receive the Lord of glory, with whatſoever hee ſhall reveale unto us out of his holy Word.Pſal. 40. 6.Ps 40:6 Sacrifice and burnt offerings (ſayth David) thou wouldest not, but mine eares hast thou prepared. As if hee ſhould have ſaid: Thou haſt bored new eares in my heart, that I can now reverently attend unto, rightly conceive, and with an holy greedineſſe devoure the myſterie of grace.

With ſuch hearts as theſe, muſt wee come to the hearing of the Word, if wee looke that it ſhould be unto us a Word of power, ſalvation, and life; and not to be of the number of thoſe, that offer the ſacrifice of fooles, and yet know not that they doe evill.

Many there are certainely, which offer theſe fooliſh ſacrifices; I meane, hearers, without care and conſcience: Who, if they come into the Houſe of God, and vouchſafe their preſence in the place, and lend their eares to the Preacher for the time; they thinke themſelves preſently jolly fellowes, for matters of Religion; and that they are ſanctified, as it were, by the Worke wrought, and their onelyonly preſence in that holy place: when as yet the Word hath had no more power, nor wrought more alteration upon them, than upon the Seats where they ſate.

And that which makes theſe fooles much more miſerable, and fooliſh, is this; They know not that they doe evill: as it is in the Text. They thinke their caſe good enough, that they are in the right p. 155courſe of Chriſtianitie; and that no more is required, for matters of Heaven: when as, in reſpect of ſaving grace, they are wretched, miſerable, and poore;Rev. 3. 17.Rev 3:17 and blinde, and naked.

Beſides this place of the Preacher, the Evangeliſt S. Luke, 2 luke 8. 18.Chap. 8. 18. bids us, take heed how wee heare. And good reaſon, in a matter of ſuch great weight and conſequence. For there is not a Sermon wee heare, but wee muſt be countable for it at the Day of our Viſitation. God is countable unto us for every haire of our head; is it not reaſon, wee ſhould be countable to him for thoſe precious Leſſons he reacheth unto us by the Miniſterie of the Word? Aſſuredly, there is not a Sermon, which wee have heard fruitleſſely, and without profit, but it will be a ſhrewd and ſore witneſſe againſt us at that Day.

Beſides theſe Precepts,2 Inſtances for the practice of Preparation. wee finde much practiſe in the Booke of God, of this holy dutie of Preparation, when any ſacred buſineſſe was to be undertaken.

Moſes could not approach ſo glorious and ſacred a Preſence,MOSES. or tread upon the ground, made holy by ſo great a Majeſtie as the Lord of Heaven and Earth,Exod. 3. 5.Exod 3:5 before he had put off his ſhooes. Neither ought wee to preſume or preſſe into his Sanctuarie, where he hath promiſed his Preſence in a ſolemne, ſpeciall, and powerfull manner, and is readie to ſhower downe his bleſſings of ſalvation into all truly humble and prepared hearts; before wee have ſhaken off and caſt from us all earthly incumbrances, and ſecret corruptions, all dulneſſe p. 156and deadneſſe of heart, whith makes us unworthy and undiſpoſed to ſtand upon ſo holy ground, and utterly uncapable of all that heavenly Wiſedome, and holy inſtructions unto eternall life, that are there taught, and tendred unto us; nay, turne the bleſſings of the Miniſtery into curſes and condemnation unto us.

When Ioſhuah was to make a ſtrong and laſting impreſſion in the hearts of the Iſraelites (whom after the death of Moſes, IOSHVAH.he conducted to the promiſed Land) of the power and providence of God for his people,J…ſh. 3. 5. by that miraculous parting of the Waters of Iordan, for the tranſportation of the Arke; hee commanded the people to ſanctifie themſelves, to prepare, and compoſe their hearts; to admire and reverence with greater intention and amazement, that omnipotent Majeſty that wrought ſuch wonders for his choſen: For hearts emptied of worldly thoughts, and ſanctified by heavenly meditation, are fit ſubjects for workes of Heaven, and divine impreſſions. How much more ought we to prepare our ſoules, before wee come into the Sanctuary of the Lord; ſith there, they are either to be hardned for the Scepter of deſtruction, and made ready for the flames of Hell, if wee doe not prepare our ſelves, hearken, and obey: or elſe, to be ſoftned and ſanctified with ſaving grace, and fitted for a Crowne of Glory; if with reverence, humility, and obedience, wee ſubmit our ſelves to the power of the Word? There, if wee be unconverted, the great and miraculous worke of the new-birth is to bee p. 157wrought upon them; if wee be new-borne, they are to be fed with the ſpirituall Manna, unto everlaſting life.

The ſame Ioſhuah, Joſh. 7. 13.Josh 7:13when the excommunicate and execrable thing was to be found out, and put from amongſt them; which was the cauſe, they could not ſtand againſt their enemies: he commanded them to ſanctifie themſelves, that the Lord might proſper and poure his bleſſings upon that neceſſarie and weightie ſearch and inquiſition. How much more ought wee to prepare our ſelves, before wee ſtep into the Houſe of God; ſith there is to be diſcovered and caſt out thoſe hatefull ſinnes that fearefully incenſe Gods wrath againſt us, and make us weake in the Lords battailes, and not able to ſtand againſt our ſpirituall enemies, the corruptions of our owne fleſh, the enticements of the World, and temptations of Sathan?

Before the ſacrifice,SAMVEL. and anointing of David King of Iſrael,1 Sam. 16. 5.1 Sam 16:5 Iſhai and his ſonnes were ſanctified: How much more ought wee to be prepared, before wee come before the Lords Prophets, and Embaſſadours; that there wee may be anointed Kings and Priests unto our God?Rev. 5. 10.Rev 5:10

Ioſiah, IOSIAH.before the eating of the Paſchall Lambe, did bid the people,2 Chro. 35. 6.2 Chr 35:6 not onelyonly ſanctifie themſelves, but alſo prepare their brethren: How much more ought wee, when wee come to the Miniſterie of the Word, to ſeede by faith upon that true Bread from Heaven, Joh. 6.John 6which giveth life unto the World; which if wee once ſoundly taſte with p. 158beleeving hearts, wee ſhall not hunger, wee ſhall never thirſt?

But the moſt famous and fitteſt place for my purpoſe,The people, before the giving of the Law. and preparation in that particular holy buſineſſe of hearing the Word, is that in Exod. 19. 10.Exod. 19. 10.Exod 19:10 The people were ſanctified, and waſhed their clothes, and prepared themſelves for two dayes, and the third day they were readie to attend what the Lord would ſay unto them. As in that extraordinarie promulgation of the Law, the people were to be prepared extraordinarily; ſo, from proportion of that practice, and precedencie, ordinarie preparation is neceſſarie for the ordinarie preaching of the Word, if wee looke that it ſhould powerfully and profitably worke upon our Conſciences and affections.Verſ. 15. Their waſhing of their bodies, and clothes, their abſtinence from their wives, and ſuch ſolemne and ceremonious purifications, were typicall ſignifications and repreſentations unto us, that wee ſhould weane our hearts from earthly thoughts, purge them from ſecret corruptions, and bring them faire and free, from ſinfull ſpot and worldly entanglement, when wee come to heare the Lord ſpeake unto us by his Miniſters.

Holy men of God were wont, addreſſing themſelves to prayer, to have their ejaculations, lifting up of their hearts, certaine ſhort prayers, before they entred into that ſacred and ſolemne action.

Beſides Precept and Practice in the Booke of God,3 The profit of it. for Preparation; the profit is great, the benefits and bleſſings that redound unto us, p. 159and fall upon us by it, are excellent and precious. Looke in the latter end of the eleventh Chapter of Iob.

If thou prepare thine heart,Iob 11. 13.Job 11:13 and ſtretch out thine hands towards him.

If iniquitie be in thine hand,14. put it farre away, and let no wickedneſſe dwell in thy Tab…rnacle.

Then truly ſhalt thou lift up thy face without ſpot,15. and ſhalt be ſtable, and ſhalt not feare, &c.

Preparation of the heart, is here the foundation and firſt ſtep unto many glorious bleſſings. The heart muſt be firſt prepared, before other holy duties can be fitly performed, or Gods bleſſings expected.

In the firſt place; firſt, prepare thine heart; ſecondly, then poure it out in prayer, before the Throne of Grace; thirdly, then purge it from corruption; baniſh farre, and barre out all iniquitie; fourthly, next, be ſure to reforme, inſtruct, and pray with thy family, or thoſe that are about thee: Let no wickedneſſe, ignorance, prophaneneſſe, ſwearing, ſwaggering, drunkenneſſe, or the like, dwell in thy Tabernacle, harbour in thine houſe, or rowſt neere thee.

And then open thy heart, and hands; for the Windowes of Heaven ſhall be ſet wide open, that all manner of ſpirituall comforts, all the bleſſings of peace and happineſſe, may in abundance be ſhowred downe upon thee; the rich Treaſurie of everlaſting Glory and Immortalitie ſhall be unlockt unto thee, and thou ſhalt row and tumble thy ſelfe for ever after, amid mountaines of heavenly p. 160pearles, and golden pleaſures; through Rivers, nay Seas of endleſſe joyes, that no heart can comprehend, but that which is weaned from all worldly pleaſures, and ſet apart and ſanctified for holy ſervices and buſineſſes of Heaven.

Then truly ſhalt thou lift up thy face without ſpot. Verſ. 15.] Though thou haſt lyen among the Pots, yet thou ſhalt be now as the wings of a Dove, that is covered with Silver, and whoſe feathers are like yellow Gold. Though thou be like the Kedarims, which dwell in Tents, the black-Moores; that is, by reaſon of thy ſinne, ſubject to the condemnation of God, and deprived of his glory: yet ſhalt thou be in Chriſt, goodly and glorious, as thoſe that dwell in exceeding glory,Cant. 1. 5.Song 1:5 under the Curtaines of Salomon. Though thou be black with the remnants of originall corruption, and preſent infirmities; though the Sunne have looked upon thee, and parched thee with the ſcorching heat of ſore affliction, and chaſtiſements: yet ſhalt thou now ſhine like the Sunne in his ſtrength, with the royall Robe of Chriſts righteouſneſſe, with freſh comfort, and laſting chearefulneſſe.

Thou ſhalt be ſtable, and ſhalt not feare.] Though the wicked tremble many times at their owne ſhadowes, and the ſound of a Leafe ſhaken doth chaſe them, and ſtrike a faintneſſe into their hearts, and a trembling into their loynes; yet thou ſhalt never be afraid of any evill tidings, whether they be forged by the ſpightfull and impoyſoned tongues of prophane men,Pſal. 112. Prov. 3. 24.Ps 112Prov 3:24 to defame and diſgrace thee, or fetched out of the bottome p. 161of Hell,Iob 5. 21, 22.Job 5:21Job 5:22 by Sathans malice, to terrifie thee; though the meſſengers of miſeries and miſchiefes come thicke and three-fold upon thee, as they did upon Iob; though the Earth be moved, and the mountaines fall into the midſt of the Sea;Pſal. 46. 2.Ps 46:2 nay, though the whole World be on flames about thine eares, and the Heavens be rouled together like a Scrowle: yet ſhalt thou be ſtable, and ſhalt not feare, becauſe thy heart is fixed, and beleeveth in the Lord.

Thou ſhalt forget thy miſerie, Verſ. 16.and remember it as waters that are past.] Thy happineſſe and comfort ſhall be ſo entire and unmixed, ſo abſolute and overflowing, that the very remembrance of former miſeries and terrors ſhall be drowned and devoured in the exceſſe and excellencie of that; even as the travels of a woman, in her joyes for a new-borne ſonne: Or, if it be, that thy former diſcomforts ſometimes ſteale into thy minde, they ſhall not be able to reſt or remaine there, by reaſon of the predominancie of ſpirituall pleaſures; but glide away as ſwiftly, as the head-long ſtreame of the moſt haſtie Torrent.

Thine age alſo ſhall appeare more cleare than the Noone-day; Verſ. 17.thou ſhalt ſhine, and be as the Morning.] The Morning is the very Crowne of Time, and the beautie of the Day; the Poets call it, the **foreign.Roſie-finger'd Morning. When they labour to deſcribe corporall Beautie to the life, and ſet it out in the beſt perfection and freſheſt colours that the utmoſt power and higheſt ſtraine of wit and art can poſſibly deviſe; they take their Metaphors p. 162and amplifications from the ruddineſſe and brightneſſe of the Morning: And yet thou ſhalt be as faire as the Morning, with all Divine Graces, ſpirituall brightneſſe, and beautie of thy Soule; nay, a Soule ſet thicke with ſpirituall Graces, is farre more faire than the Firmament, with all thoſe Eyes of Gold, and faireſt Lampes, that ſhine from it. Neither ſhalt thou be onelyonly as the Morning, but as the Morning Sunne; thou ſhalt riſe higher and higher in degrees of holineſſe, and ſtrength of Grace, untill thou commeſt to the higheſt point of perfection in this Heaven upon Earth, the Kingdome of Grace. And after thou haſt finiſhed thy courſe, and left behind thee the comfortable heat of thy gracious zeale, much Light from thy good example, and the ſweet influence of thy holy life; upon thy death-bed, thou ſhalt ſett with the ſweeteſt and brighteſt beames of all heavenly comfort, into the immeaſurable Ocean of endleſſe joyes.

Thou ſhalt be bold, Verſ. ….becauſe there is hope; and thou ſhalt digge Pits, and ſhalt lye downe ſafely.] Thou ſhalt be aſſured of Heaven, and a Crowne of Glory hereafter, that thou ſhalt walke through this Valley of Miſerie like a Lyon; nor Devill, nor man, nor beaſt, nor any creature, ſhall affright or amaze thee. Caſt thine eyes, ſupernaturally enabled, and enlarged with the Light of Faith, from Eaſt to Weſt, into the bottome of Hell, and glory of Heaven; and thou ſhalt clearely ſee, that all is thine, by the purchaſe, right, and conqueſt of the Sonne of God:Job 5. 23.Job 5:23 The ſtones in the ſtreet ſhall p. 163be at league with thee, the beaſts of the field ſhall be at peace with thee: The creatures ſhall be all ſworne to thy ſafetie; the pureſt ſpirits, the miniſters of God, ſhall be thy Guardians; Saints and Angels are alreadie in thy ſight; Immortalitie hath lengthened thy dayes, and the glory of God is before thee in a Glaſſe.

When thou doest take thy rest, Verſ. 19.none ſhall make thee afraid; yea, many ſhall make ſuit unto thee.] When the darkeneſſe of the Night encompaſſeth thee, thou ſhalt not be affrighted with terrors and apparitions; when blackneſſe and ſilence, the habitation of feares and aſtoniſhment, ſhall pitch round about thee, thou ſhalt be lightſome with inward comfort; when all thy Sences, the ſcouts and watch-men for diſcovering dangers, and preſerving thy ſafetie, ſhall be locked up; his providence, that neither ſlumbers nor ſleepes, ſhall tenderly and carefully watch over thee;Rom. 14. 8.Rom 14:8 Whether thou die or live, whether thou ſleepe or wake, thou art the Lords: And therefore, when thou ſleepeſt, thou ſhalt not be afraid;Prov. 3. 25.Prov 3:25 and when thou ſleepeſt, thy ſleepe ſhall be ſweet:See Iob 5. 21, 22.Job 5:21Job 5:22 Thou ſhalt not feare for any ſudden feare, neither for the deſtruction of the wicked, when it commeth; for the Lord ſhall be for thy aſſurance, and ſhall keepe thy foot from being caught.

Yea, many ſhall make ſuit unto thee.] Thou ſhalt be ſo encompaſſed with the bleſſings of God, ſo protected from above, ſo high in Gods favour, that many will come for ſhadow and ſhelter unto thee; they will looke for reliefe and comfort under the ſhadow of thy wings, thy power and p. 164authoritie ſhall be a refuge and repoſe for oppreſſed and diſgraced innocencie.

All theſe bleſſings, and a thouſand moe, are built upon a through preparation of the heart, as upon the firſt foundation ſtone: Preparation is the very firſt ſtep to all theſe degrees, and height of happineſſe.

But on the contrarie part, if a man neglect preparing his heart, praying unto God, forſaking his ſinnes, reforming his family; let him looke for nothing but Curſes and Plagues.

But the eyes of the wicked (ſaith Iob) ſhall faile, Verſ. 20.and their refuge ſhall periſh, and their hope ſhall be ſorrow of minde.] They thinke, their formall and cuſtomarie ſervice of God will ſerve the turne; and thereupon, with great greedineſſe and confidence, expect and looke for the ſalvation of their ſoules after this life: but they ſhall waile, and gaze, untill their eyes ſinke into their holes, and yet ſhall never be able to taſte of true comfort: They may crie untill their tongues cleave to the roofe of their mouth, with the fooliſh Virgins; Lord, Math. 25.Matt 25Lord, open unto us, Math. 25. but the Gate of everlaſting happineſſe ſhall for ever be ſhut againſt them: They may ſtruggle and ſtrive, by the ſtrength of their good meanings, and formall Chriſtianitie,Luke …3. 24.Luke 3:24 to enter in at the ſtrait Gate, but ſhall never be able.

Their refuge ſhall periſh.] They have ſtayed themſelves upon broken ſtaves of Reed, and …ow they will runne into their hands and hearts too, unto their vexation and horror.

p. 165And their hope ſhall be ſorrow of minde.] Their end ſhall be deſpaire, and horrible confuſion.

I have ſtayed long upon the motives and inducements to preparation, before we come to the hearing of the Word, or undergoe any ſacred b… ſineſſe; and upon the neceſſitie, bleſſings, and benefits of ſo holy a dutie. The reaſon is, I would gladly ſtirre you up, and my ſelfe too, to a through and conſtant practiſe and performance of it: and, becauſe the neglect and omiſſion of it, is the cauſe that the Miniſterie of the Word is not onelyonly fruitleſſe, and in vaine, unto thouſands; but (which is a fearefull thing) the ſavour of death unto death unto them.

I come now to the ſpeciall points conſiderable in preparation, before wee preſent our ſelves in this place to the hearing of the Word.

This preparation is an holy action,What preparation is. or exerciſe, which by examination of our Conſciences, purgation of our hearts, prayer unto God, and private reading the Scriptures, maketh our ſoules fit Veſſels to receive and entertaine the ſpirituall Treaſures of Grace; and food of eternall Life, offered and tendered unto us by the Miniſterie of the Word; that ſo they may be the more effectually and fruitfully wrought upon, and happily ſubdued to the power and practice thereof.

In this preparation,Four… things required in preparation. I conſider and require eſpecially theſe foure things: firſt, Examination of the Conſcience; ſecondly, Purgation of the heart; thirdly, Prayer unto God; fourthly, Readineſſe of heart, to receive every truth.

p. 166Firſt,1 Examination. for Examination of the Conſcience.

Examination is a dutie practiſable by all true Chriſtians, at many times, and upon ſundry occaſions.

It is either more extraordinarie;1 Extraordinarie. and that is, either in the time of ſolemne Faſt, and generall humiliation, for ſome publike Plague and calamitie that lyes upon the State or Church.In time of publike calamitie. Wee are then ſeriouſly to ſearch and ranſacke throughly our Conſciences, that wee may throw that or thoſe ſinnes out of our affections, practiſe, and allowance, which have their part in pulling downe thoſe publike Pſagues upon us.

Or,2 When our families are viſited with ſome ſpeciall judgement. ſecondly, when our family is ſingled out, and viſited with ſome ſpeciall and extraordinarie ſcourge, and judgement: and then muſt we make an impartiall inquiſition into our hearts; leſt we be the Achans, which by our ſecret ſinnes provoke Gods cauſefull wrath.

Or,3 When wee our ſelves are afflicted in particular. when our ſelves in a more private and particular manner, are afflicted with ſome ſpeciall vexation; as, by ſome maladie and miſerie in our bodies, with ſome terrors and feares in our minds, or with ſome ſlanders, diſgraces, and imputations upon our good names: when Gods hand is upon us any of theſe wayes, wee are preſently to conceive, that the ſinnes of our ſoules are the true cauſes of all the miſeries and croſſes which befall us any manner of wayes; and therefore wee are narrowly and exactly to enquire into our ſelves, and to caſt out our ſecret beloved ſinnes, thoſe lurking rebels, the breeders of all our woe.

p. 167Beſides,2 Ordinarie. examination of our hearts in theſe or the like caſes; there is alſo a more ordinarie and uſuall examination neceſſarie,1 Every day. and required of us, and that eſpecially every day; that we may make the Score of our ſinnes leſſe, and our account ſhorter, againſt the Day of our Viſitation; that wee may more entirely and comfortably preſerve and enjoy Gods favour and protection, inward peace of Conſcience, ſpirituall joy, and Chriſtian chearfulneſſe in all our affaires and paſſages.

2 Before wee come to receive,2 Before the Sacrament. and be partakers of the holy Sacrament of the ſacred body and bloud of Chriſt; leſt by neglect and omiſſion of this dutie, we become unworthy receivers, and ſo eate and drinke our owne judgement, and damnation, nay, be guiltie of the innocent and precious bloud of Chriſt Ieſus; which one day will be an heavie and unſupportable burthen to our Conſciences.Simile. To be guiltie of the ſinfull bloud of prophane men, is able to make the proudeſt heart and higheſt ſtomacke to tremble and quake like an Aſpen leafe, and to ſtrike through his ſoule; with reſtleſſe horrour, and gaſtly ſights. Who is able then to beare the guilt of guiltleſſe bloud?Gen. 4. 13.Gen 4:13 Abels innocent bloud cryed for and pulled downe ſtrange and deſperate vengeance upon cruell Cain. How loud then will be the crie of the bloud of the innocent Lambe of God? How will it ring in the eares of God the Father? How fearefully will it fill Heaven and Earth, untill it hath brought downe Plagues and Curſes upon thoſe wofull Soules, who irreverently and p. 168unpreparedly prophane ſo high and holy a myſterie?

A third ordinarie examination,3 Before wee heare the Word preached. is before wee preſſe into the Houſe of God, and preſent our ſelves before his Miniſters and Meſſengers, to be inſtructed in his will from Heaven, out of his holy Word; leſt this bleſſed Ordinance ſhould be accurſed unto us. You may ſee in the Prophet Ezech. 14. 7, 8. how the Lord threatens that perſon that comes to his Miniſters to enquire of them, or to be informed by them, and yet ſeparates himſelfe from the Lord, and ſets up any Idoll in his heart, and ſtumbling-blocke of his iniquitie, before his face; that the Lord will ſet his face againſt him, and make him a ſigne and a Proverbe, and cut him off from the midſt of his people. Whence wee may well inferre, that it will be very dangerous for any to come to the hearing of the Word, without examination of his heart, whether there be any ſuch ſtumbling-blocke of iniquitie in it, or no.

2 Becauſe that examination of the heart,The ſecond dutie beſides hearing, is purging of our hearts. to finde out our corruptions, tends eſpecially to the cleanſing of it; therefore the ſecond dutie before the hearing of the Word, is the purgation or cleanſing of the heart, firſt, from ſinne; which the Scripture beats much upon, Iam. 1. 21. Lay apart all filthineſſe and ſuper…luiti… of naughtineſſe, and receive with meekeneſſe the ingrafted Word, &c. It is not meerely lay apart, but put away quite and cleane all filthineſſe: and this is a fit preparative for the hearing of the Word, as appeares alſo by that paralell p. 169place, 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2. Wherefore putting away all malice, all guile and hypocriſie, and envie, and evill ſpeakings, as new-borne babes deſire the ſincere Milke of the Word. And there is the ſame reaſon for any other ſinne to be put away, that there is for theſe mentioned. As it is with the body, when the ſtomack is foule, and clogged with bad humours, wee ſhould firſt purge it, before wee feede it; for otherwiſe, whatſoever we eate, doth but nouriſh and encreaſe the corrupt humours of the body: So it is with the ſoule, when it is ſtuffed or clogged with ſinne; whatſoever is heard in the Miniſtery of the Word, ſhall be perverted and abuſed by it, and wreſted to the deſtruction of it.

It is no wonder therefore, that thoſe that live in diſſolute or ſcandalous courſes, thoſe that are drunk on the evening before the Lords day, or ſpend it in gaming, or company keeping, or have bin acting of ſome ſoule ſinne, and then repaire unto the Word; it is no wonder, I ſay, that ſuch goe away never a whit the better, but rather worſe than they came. Did you ever know any Salve ſo ſoveraigne, that would cure a wound that had a ſplint or an arrow-head remaining in it? Surely, every knowne ſinne unrepented of, hinders the ſaving operation of the Word in any mans heart; yea, it will make the Word the ſavour of death unto a man. See to this purpoſe, Ier. 7. 9, 10.

Secondly, the heart muſt alſo be purged from all worldly cares and thoughts, which may divide or draw away the heart: Math. 13. 22. The cares of the World doe choake the Seed of the Word: p. 170Luke 21. 34. The cares of this life doe ſurfet the heart. Now, as it is with a man in a ſurfet, hee is not fit to eat, neither can he digeſt any wholeſome food: ſo, when as the heart is ſurfetted with worldly cares, it is unfit for any ſpirituall food. You know how it was with Martha, Luke 10. 41. Ieſus ſaid unto Martha; Thou art troubled about many things, but one thing is neceſſarie: Martha had a clutter of many worldly matters, that made a great noiſe in her head, and hindered better matters, that ſhe cared not for hearing.

How then ſhall they profit by the Word, that doe jumpe out of their worldly buſineſſe, and from buſying their heads about their callings, into the Houſe of God, to heare and to performe the Exerciſes of Religion? Truly, though they be never ſo diligent in hearing, yet their hearts will goe after their covetouſneſſe, Ezech. 33. 31.

3 A third dutie before the hearing of the Word, Thirdly, Prayer, another dutie.is Prayer; no good thing can be expected from God, as a bleſſing, if it be not ſought by prayer, Deut. 4. 7. and wee finde it layd downe as a condition required, Prov. 2. 1, 2, 3, &c. My ſonne, if thou wilt receive my words, and encline thine eare to wiſedome, and apply thy heart to understanding; yea, if thou cryest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding, then ſhalt thou understand the feare of the Lord, and finde out the knowledge of God. The reaſon is, Verſ. 6. For the Lord giveth wiſedome, and out of his mouth commeth knowledge and underſtanding. Becauſe the Lord gives knowledge, therefore you muſt crie for it unto him. What p. 171is the reaſon that you do pray for your daily Bread, and a bleſſing upon it? Why, Deut. 8. 3. Man lives not by Bread onelyonly, &c? If this be ſo, much more ought you to pray for a bleſſing upon your ſpirituall food.

Now for the particulars: Firſt, you ought to pray for the Teachers, That they may ſo ſpeake, as they ought to ſpeake, Col. 4. 3, 4. ſo they are to pray for the power and peace of the Miniſterie, 2 Theſſ. 3. 1, 2. Secondly, you muſt pray for your ſelves, that through Gods aſſiſtance you may heare profitably, and be bleſſed in the hearing: Ioh. 3. 27. No man can receive any thing, except that it be given him from above. Therefore David prayed, Pſal. 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may ſee the wonderfull things contained in thy Word. Iſay 48. 17. God ſayth, I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit: Therefore no profiting by the Word, without ſeeking unto the Lord for it.

Now the prophaneneſſe of people in this caſe, is the generall cauſe that our Miniſterie doth no more good: Few pray at all before they come to Church, either for the Miniſter, or for themſelves; nay, few, even when they are in the Church, have any heart to joyne with the Preacher in the prayer that he makes before the Sermon: But the complaint of the Prophet may be taken up in this caſe, Iſa. 64. 7. There is none that calleth on thy Name, that ſtirreth up himſelfe to take hold of thee.

4 You muſt be ſure to goe with an open heart,The fourth dutie, openneſſe of heart. readie to receive every truth that God ſhall teach p. 172you in this Ordinance. Act. 17. 11. it is ſaid of thoſe noble Beraeans, that they received the Word with all readineſſe of minde, i. readineſſe to receive every truth. And Cornelius ſaid, Act. 10. 33. Wee are all here preſent before God, to heare all things that are commanded thee of God. It is well added (that are commanded thee of God:) not what any Miniſter ſhall teach, be he never ſo good, or ſo learned; nay, were he an Angell from Heaven, yet his Doctrine muſt be examined, Gal. 1. 8. But when there is ſuch a diſpoſition in us, as to receive both in judgement and practiſe whatſoever God ſhall reveale unto us out of his Word; this is a precious diſpoſition.

But, alas, the moſt come to heare with prejudicate and fore-ſtalled hearts, they beare a ſecret grudge, and quarrell, againſt ſome ſtrict Truth, or other; as, againſt the ſanctification of the Lords Day, or Family-duties, or ſecret communion with the Lord, by prayer dayly, &c. And theſe imaginations ſeeme as ſtrong Holds, to keepe Chriſt and his Truth out of their hearts, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. And thus men, that in their hearing doe limit the Spirit of God, would (if it lay in their power) ſay as thoſe wicked men, Iſay 30. 10. to the Seers, ſee not; and to the Prophets, propheſie not right things unto us; ſpeake unto us ſmooth things: And thoſe that ſaid ſo, the Lord calls them deſpiſers of his Word.

Theſe are the maine and principall duties before the hearing of the Word.

p. 173Secondly,2 Duties required in the hearing of the Word. let me proceed briefely to thoſe duties that are required in the hearing of the Word: Which wee muſt the rather ſtirre up our ſelves unto, becauſe wee have naturally uncircumciſed hearts, Ier. 6. 10. and are dull of hearing, Heb. 5. 11.

Now the principall duties in hearing, are five; which I will briefely ſet downe as may be.

1 You muſt ſet your ſelves in Gods preſence,1 To ſet our ſelves in Gods preſence. whileſt you are hearing of his Word: and conſider with your ſelves, that it is God that you have to deale withall in this buſineſſe, and not man; and that it is Gods Word, and not mans. It is the great commendation of the Theſſalonians, 1 Theſſ. 2. 13. that they received the Word as the Word of God. This was that whereby the Lord would prepare his people to receive the Law, Exod. 20. God ſpake all theſe words. And hee not onelyonly gave the Law, but the whole ſumme of the Goſpel with his owne voice, Mat. 3. 17. Loe a voice from Heaven, ſaying, This is my beloved Sonne, in whom I am well pleaſed. Yea, it is the Lord himſelfe that ſpeakes unto you in our Miniſtery, Luke 10. 16. So the Lord is preſent in a ſpeciall manner, where his Word is preached, to obſerve and marke how it is received, or delivered; and either to bleſſe or curſe the hearers, or ſpeakers, accordingly. So that of this and ſuch like places, it may be ſaid as Iacob ſaid of Bethel, Gen. 28. 16, 17. Surely, the Lord is in this place▪ and, How dreadfull is this place? This is no other than the Houſe of God, this is the Gate of Heaven.

p. 174And truly, this apprehenſion of Gods preſence in the Aſſemblies of his people, will worke three things in us.

Firſt, keepe us in that awfull and reverent diſpoſition of body and minde that is meet.

Secondly, it will preſerve our hearts from …oving and wandering thoughts, which are great impediments of hearing; Pſal. 119. 113. I hate vaine thoughts, but thy Law doe I love.

Thirdly, it will make us to receive and obey that that ſhall be taught us; for ſo God hath beene wont to prepare his people, to receive his Word: yea, he ſaid of his people, when they were thus affected, Deut. 15. 29. Oh that there were ſuch an heart in them, to feare me and keepe my Commandements alwayes.

Now the want of this, is that which hinders abundance of benefit that the Miniſterie of the Word would otherwiſe doe us: This is the root of all the miſchiefe the Devill doth to poore ſoules, in the hearing of the Word; the practice thereof, is the fountaine of all our good. Many graceleſſe wretches there are in our Aſſemblies, like him, Luke 18. 2. that neither feared God, nor regarded man; that deſpiſe the Church of God, yea, contemne the preſence of the holy Angels, (1 Cor. 11. 10.) and of God himſelfe in the Aſſemblies, who hath layd ſuch a ſpeciall charge upon us, Lev. 26. 2. to keepe his Sabbaths, and to reverence his Sanctuarie; and he addes this reaſon, I am Iehovah.

2 The ſecond dutie in hearing,2 Attention. is diligent p. 175attention to that we heare: as it is ſaid of our Saviour Chriſt, Luke 19. 48. The people were very attentive to heare him; or, as it is in the Originall, they hanged on him: as if their eares and mindes had beene tyed to his tongue; there was ſuch a dependencie upon him. And that is a remarkable place, Ezech. 40. 4. Sonne of man, behold with thine eyes, and heare with thine eares, and ſet thine heart upon all that I ſhall ſhew thee. See what attention is required: Hee bids him ſet his eyes and his eares, and his heart and all, upon that hee ſpeakes; and not upon ſome things onelyonly, but upon all that hee ſhould declare unto him. So Prov. 4. 20, 21, 22. My ſonne attend unto my words, incline thine eare unto my ſayings, keepe them in the midst of thine heart, for they are life to thoſe that finde them: i. looke as a condemned man will hearken to the Sentence of the Prince; every word hee ſpeakes, being life or death: As the ſervants of Benhadad, when they were in their enemies power, 1 King. 20. 33. they obſerved diligently whether any word of comfort would come from him, and they did haſtily catch it. Thus, with ſuch diligence and attention, ſuch poore condemned creatures (as wee are) are to heare the Word of God.

Now to quicken attention, theſe meanes are profitable.

Firſt, it is good to doe as they did, Luke 4. 20. They faſtened their eyes upon Chriſt; ſo doe ye upon the Miniſter, and ſuffer them not to wander up and downe: A wandering p. 176eye is alwayes a ſure evidence of a wandering heart.

Secondly, if ye doe not thus, it will be a good helpe for thoſe that can write, to note the Word, as Baruch wrote from the mouth of Ieremiah, Ier. 36. 4. This holds the minde cloſe to all that is ſaid. Some object indeed, that it hinders affection in hearing: but though it may doe ſo in ſome, for the preſent; yet afterwards it will worke more laſting affections upon the Word.A Cavea…. OnelyOnly they that uſe this helpe-meanes, muſt be carefull that they doe not preſume upon their Notes ſo, as to neglect the recalling of what they have heard, (as many uſe to doe) and ſo loſe all holy affections, and that impreſſion that the Word would make upon their hearts.

Thirdly, entreat the Lord to open thy heart, as he opened Lydia's heart, Act. 16. 14. Our hearts are ſhut up quite, and cannot attend unto any thing that is good, except that the Lord opens them.

Obſerve then another cauſe, why the Word is ſo unfruitfull unto many. Some are like the deafe Adders, that ſtop their eares againſt the voice of the Charmer, Pſal. 58. 4, 5. And ſome ſleepers there are, that faile in their attention, that the Devill uſually rocks aſleepe, when they come to heare; but they that are ſuch, ſhould know, that their damnation ſleepes not, the Devill ſleepes not: he comes to the Aſſemblies, to picke up the good Seed that is ſowne; nay, he comes to picke up their ſoules indeed: for he cares not ſo much p. 177for the Seed, but he will take your ſelves napping and your ſoules eſpecially, and carry them to Hell. Beſides, let them remember what befell Eutychus, Act. 20. 9, 10. he ſlept at a long Sermon, that laſted till midnight; but he was taken up dead, falling from the third Loft to the ground: What ſhall become of ſuch then, that ſleepe in the day time, at a Sermon of an houre long? And let them alſo take heed of that ſpirit of ſlumber, that the Lord hath threatned to poure upon the deſpiſers of the Word, Iſay 29. 9, 10. The like might be ſaid of our gazers and gapers about, and thoſe that by their talking diſturbe others, and hinder themſelves: they ſhut their eares, and turne them away from God; and may juſtly expect, that he ſhall turne away his eares from them: as it is threatened, Prov. 2. 8, 9. Zach. 7. 13.

3 You muſt heare the Word with underſtanding and judgement;3 Heare with underſtanding. i. labour to underſtand what wee heare: And to this end, the Miniſter muſt have a ſpeciall care to teach plainely, ſo as he may be underſtood, Neh. 8. 8. And Chriſt calls upon his hearers for this, Math. 15. 10. Heare, and understand: How ſhould we elſe profit by that we heare? Act. 8. 36. Vnderstandest thou what thou readest (ſaith Philip to the Eunuch:) ſo ſay thou to thine owne heart; Vnderſtandeſt thou what thou heareſt?

Now the meanes to underſtand the Word, are theſe.

Firſt, come to the Word, with a willing minde to learne: you know the Eunuch, Act. 8. though p. 178he underſtood not what he read, yet becauſe he had a minde to learne, how the Lord provided for him, and what a comfortable ſucceſſe Philips Sermon had with him. Men love to teach willing ſchollers; ſo doth God, when we come with willing and readie mindes to be taught.

Secondly, exerciſe your ſelves in the truth of God, Heb. 5. laſt; you muſt by continuall uſe, get your ſences exerciſed to diſcerne both good and evill: but eſpecially, be well acquainted with the principles and grounds of Catechiſme; it is the want of this, that makes men that they underſtand not what is preached: They that are not firſt well nouriſhed with Milke, will not be fit to receive and digeſt ſtronger meat: if the foundation be not well layd, it is in vaine to build.

Thirdly, walke according to Light; Pſal. 111. 10. A good underſtanding have all they, that doe his Commandements: Then, if thou wouldeſt get a good underſtanding, and know the myſterie of godlineſſe, walke according to knowledge, imploy that little knowledge thou haſt well, and then there is a promiſe to give thee more.

Fourthly, be diligent in inſtructing and teaching thy family: If thou art ſet over others, a little knowledge will encreaſe greatly, by this meanes. Gen. 18. 17, 19. the Lord ſaid; Shall I hide any thing from Abraham? No: And hee gives this reaſon; I know him, that he will command his children and his houſehold after him, and they ſhall keepe the way of the Lord. If you teach your families, God will teach you.

p. 179Well; there are a ſort of doltiſh hearers, that will heare, and ſeeme to be very attentive, from yeeres end to yeeres end, and be never a whit the wiſer, 2 Tim. 3. 7. The heavie judgement of God is upon many of them, that is mentioned, Math. 13. 14. And in them is fulfilled the Propheſie of Iſay; By hearing ye ſhall heare, and ſhall not understand; and that, I-ſay 27. 11. It is a people of no underſtanding: therefore he that made them, ſhall not ſave them; and he that formed them, ſhall ſhew them no favour.

4 You muſt heare the Word with affection,4 Heare with affection. and delight. It is ſaid of Gods people in the Primitive Church, that they heard the Word gladly; and of Chriſts hearers, Mark. 12. 37. they heard him gladly: And it is noted for a great ſigne of grace, to heare the Word gladly, Pſal. 119. 162. I rejoyce at thy Word, as one that findeth great ſpoyles. David had beene a ſouldier; and ye know, that they that have lyen at the ſiege of a Citie a long time, and at the laſt take it, will rejoyce exceedingly in the ſpoyle of it: therefore he rejoyces in the Word, as they that doe divide the ſpoyles. And truly, whereas common people complaine of the badneſſe of their memories; this would be a marvellous helpe to their memories, if they would heare with delight: therefore David ſayth, Pſal. 119. 16. I will delight my ſelfe in thy Statutes, I will not forget thy Word. This delight he meanes will ſtrengthen our memories.

Now contrarie to this, are a great number, p. 180that heare without all delight, and account it a great wearineſſe, Mal. 1. 13. and thoſe the dulleſt houres, that they ſpend in hearing. Well, the Lord hath threatned, that the Word ſhall never doe us good, unleſſe that wee attend to it with love and delight, 2 Theſſ. 2. 10, 11. Becauſe they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be ſaved; therefore God ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſions, to beleeve Lyes. A fearefull threatning, much to be conſidered in theſe dayes: For this is the reaſon, that Popiſh trumperies and helliſh deluſions have ſuch entertainment, becauſe God in his juſt judgement, gives up thoſe to ſuch ſtrong deluſions, that love not the ſtrict Truth of the Word of God.

5 You muſt heare the Word,5 Heare with application. with application of it to your owne hearts, and lives; apply every truth to your ſelves, for your owne uſe and comfort, and terror and inſtruction: as it is Iob 5. laſt; Heare this, and know it for thy ſelfe; carry this truth home to thine owne heart: And,

Firſt, there is no truth of God taught out of his Word, but it concernes every one of Gods people, and was intended for our uſe; Rom. 15. 4. Whatſoever is written, is written for our learning.

Secondly, there is no truth can be taught, to doe us good, unleſſe that wee apply it: as no Plaiſter can doe the Patient good, unleſſe it be applyed; no meat is able to doe us any good, be it dreſſed never ſo curiouſly, unleſſe it be eaten and digeſted. This compariſon is applyed by the p. 181Prophet to this purpoſe, Iſa. 55. 2. Hearken diligently unto me, and eate ye that which is good: unleſſe we eate it, it will doe us no good.

Thirdly, the faithfull have been wont to apply all to themſelves; as every member of the body drawes nouriſhment from the ſtomacke, to make it his owne: to which the Apoſtle alludes, Eph. 4. 16. So the Diſciples of our Saviour did, Math. 26. 21, 22. When our Saviour had ſaid, that one of them ſhould betray him, they were exceeding ſorrowfull, and began every one of them to ſay unto him; Lord, is it I?

And ſurely, the want of this application, is one great cauſe that the Word profits not, becauſe they beleeve it not, nor apply the Word unto themſelves: Heb. 4. 2. The Word preached did not profit them, becauſe it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Now one principall worke of faith, is to apply thoſe things that are delivered in the Word: But this, the moſt hearers doe exceedingly faile in; either not applying, or miſ-applying of the truth; ſhifting off all upon others, and taking little or nothing to themſelves. As wee have a notable example of this, Rom. 1. ult. compared with Rom. 2. 1. In the former place, the Apoſtle ſpeakes of ſome, that knowing the judgement of God, That thoſe that doe ſuch things, are worthy of death; yet not onelyonly doe ſuch things, but take pleaſure in thoſe that doe them: yet in the beginning of the next Chapter, you find the ſame men judging and condemning of others; yet thinking and p. 182perſwading themſelves, that they (being guiltie of the ſame ſinnes) ſhall eſcape the judgement of God. Why? but becauſe they apply not to themſelves, but miſ-apply to others the things they heare.

Many ſuch hearers there are in theſe dayes, which are very cunning in ſhifting off the threatnings of God againſt their owne Drunkenneſſe, and Whoredome, and Swearing, &c. yet very apt to pinne the ſame Word upon others. Well, theſe are not wiſe for themſelves, and all their hearing ſhall doe them no good. Thus much of the duties required in hearing.

Now follow thoſe duties that are required after hearing.3 The duties after hearing. And theſe are chiefely thus.

1 Wee muſt be very carefull to remember and keepe that which wee have heard,1 We muſt remember it. Prov. 4. 4. My ſonne, let thine heart retaine my words: and, Verſ. 21. Keepe them in the midst of thine heart. As a man that hath a Iewell, will be carefull to locke it up in the ſafeſt Cheſt hee hath, leſt it ſhould be ſtolne away: Which is the very compariſon of the Wiſe-man, Prov. 6. 20, 21. So Mary, Luke 2. 51. kept all the ſayings in her heart: and David, Pſal. 119. 11. hid the Commandements in his heart; and hee gives the reaſon, That hee might not ſinne against the Lord. And the truth is, that as meat that is eaten, if it remaines not in the ſtomacke, it will never doe us good: ſo the beſt ſpirituall food that can be, except it be retained by us, will not profit us: Luke 8. 15. The good Ground are they, which p. 183with an honest and good heart having heard the Word, keepe it, &c.

Many there are, that are very careleſſe of this dutie: They thinke they have diſcharged themſelves abundantly, if they heare the whole Sermon attentively; as though there were nothing more required at their hands: Like our Saviours hearers, Math. 22. 22. When they heard him, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way: but wee never heare more of them. So many heare deſirouſly, and with open and greedie eares: but, as wee ſay, it goes in at one eare, and out at another; it ſtayes not for any after-uſe, but a little preſent admiration. Others heare, and the Word ſmites them a little on their Conſciences, and wounds; and one would thinke, ſome good thing would be wrought upon them: but they goe away, and the motion dyes. They are as men that are Seaſicke, whileſt the Word humbles them, and makes their Conſciences to wamble within them; but they are as whole as a Fiſh, when as they are once landed at the Church doore: Or like unto Mettals, which are ſoft and plyable, whileſt they are in the fire; ſo theſe are in the hearing: but ſhortly they looſe all the efficacie of the Word, and become harder than before.

Well, let us in the feare of God, hearken diligently to the words of the Holy-Ghoſt, Heb. 2. 1. That wee ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that wee have heard, lest at any time wee ſhould let them ſlip, or runne out (like riven Veſſels:) p. 184Why; what is the danger? How ſhall wee eſcape, if wee neglect ſo great Salvation?

2 Wee muſt meditate and ſeriouſly thinke of that that wee have heard;2 The ſecond dutie, Meditation. that is more than remembring. There is a great deale of difference betwixt the poſſeſſing of goods, and the uſing and imploying of them for our benefit; betwixt the laying up of garments in our Wardrobes, and the wearing of them upon our backes, to keepe us warme: this latter is done by meditation. Prov. 6. 22, 23. My ſonne, binde the Commandements continually upon thy heart, and tie them about thy necke: It is a phraſe of ſpeech borrowed from garments that are bound about the body; for meditation bindes the Word cloſe to the heart. It is ſaid of Mary, Luke 2. 19. that ſhee pondered the words of the Angel in her heart: and David was frequent in this dutie, Pſal. 119. 15. I will meditate in thy Precepts (ſaith he:) And it was Pauls advice to Timothy, 1 Tim. 4. 15. Meditate upon theſe things, give thy ſelfe wholly to them, that thy profiting may appeare to all.

Firſt, this is the way to make men profit by the Word of God; and that ſo evidently, that all may take notice of it, this is one great benefit of the Word meditated upon, Ioſh. 1. 8. Thou ſhalt meditate in the Booke of the Law day and night: To what end? That thou mayest obſerve to doe according to all that is written therein.

Secondly, this courſe will argue unfained love unto the Word, Pſal. 119. 97. Oh how I love thy Law, it is my meditation all the day.

p. 185Thirdly, this will greatly encreaſe our comfort in the Word, and cauſe us to feele much more ſweetneſſe in it; even as the chewing of our meat makes us to taſte much more ſweetneſſe in it. Pſal. 119. 15, 16. he ſaith; I will meditate on thy Precepts, and have reſpect unto thy wayes, I will delight my ſelfe in thy Statutes: Meditation ever brings with it delight.

Fourthly, this will greatly encreaſe our knowledge: Pſal. 119. 99. I have more understanding than my teachers: Why? becauſe thy testimonies are my meditation.

Now, if this be required after hearing; how is it poſſible that they ſhould profit by the Word, that never ſcarcely thinke of it afterwards? It is noted of the Diſciples, that though they had ſeene Chriſts mightie power in the miracle of the Loaves; yet becauſe they conſidered not the miracle, their hearts were hardened: i. becauſe they did not meditate upon it, they were never the better for it. And thus it uſually ſpeedes with thoſe that are careleſſe in the performing of this dutie.

3 Wee muſt conferre of that wee have heard,3 The third duty after hearing, Conference and Repetition. and repeat it amongſt our ſelves, and examine the Scriptures about the truth of that that is delivered. I joyne them all together; for ſo they may well be, in the practice of them. For conference, David ſaith, Pſal. 119. 172. My tongue ſhall ſpeake of thy Word, for all thy Commandements are righteouſneſſe. This was ordinarily practiſed by the Diſciples of our Saviour Chriſt, when he had taught p. 186how hardly rich men ſhall be ſaved, Mark. 10. 26. They were astoniſhed out of meaſure, and ſaid amongst themſelves, Who then can be ſaved? So they conferred about another Sermon of our Saviour, Ioh. 16. 17, 18.

Now repetition of Sermons is eſpecially required of them that have families, to repeat the Word unto them: Deut. 11. 18, 19. You ſhall lay up theſe my words in your hearts, and you ſhall teach them your children; ſpeaking of them when thou ſitteſt in thy houſe: yea, it is ſaid to be the chiefeſt thing that the Lord had reſpect unto, in giving us his Word, and the knowledge thereof, that we might inſtruct our families in it. Deut. 4. 10. Gather ye my people together, and I will make them heare my words, that they may learne to feare me, and may teach their children. And this, if it were practiſed carefully, would both make children and ſervants more carefull to heare and to attend unto the publike Miniſtery; and better our memories, that wee may be much better able to retaine that which we heare: and it will alſo worke an inward feeling in us and our children, of that which we have heard. Therefore, Deut. 6. 6, 7. it is called the whetting of them upon our children; repetition doth ſet an edge upon their dulneſſe.

Yea further, for the ſearching and examining of the Scriptures, we are commanded, 1 Theſs. 5. 21. to try all things, and to hold faſt that which is good. And the example of thoſe noble Beraeans is commended unto us, Act. 17. 11, 12. that ſearched the Scriptures dayly, concerning thoſe things p. 187that were delivered by Paul; Therefore many of them beleeved.

Therefore it is a grievous neglect, that people in theſe dayes are guilty of; that neither conferre concerning the Word, they are aſhamed of it, and (which is a fearefull reproach unto them) the Word of God is a reproach unto them, Ier. 6. 10. nor yet repeat Sermons in their families; they are like Martha, Luke 10. 41. troubled about ſo many worldly occaſions: nor yet examine and ſearch the Scriptures: And therefore are eaſily carried about with every winde of Doctrine, and never eſtabliſhed and ſetled in the Truth.

4 Wee are to put in practiſe whatſoever wee heare,4 A fourth duty, Obedience. till that our hearts and lives are quite changed by it: Iam. 1. 22. Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers onelyonly, deceiving your owne ſoules: i. they cozen themſelves by falſe reaſonings and arguments,foreign. or by ſophiſticall Syllogiſmes, reaſoning after this or the like manner.

He that heares the Word, is a good Christian.

But I heare the Word, &c.

Or thus:

He that heares not, ſhall be damned.

But I heare the Word:

Therefore I ſhall be ſaved.

But how doth this follow? For though the neglect or contempt of the Word is ſufficient to condemne a man, yet the hearing of the Word is not ſufficient to ſave a man.

Well, obedience is the end of hearing, Deut. 5. 1. Heare, O Iſrael, the Statutes which I ſpeake in p. 188your eares this day, that ye may learne them, and keepe them, and doe them. The like ye finde, Iam. 1. 25. Yea, obedience to the Word muſt be ſpeedie, without any delayes, or procraſtinations; as it is ſaid of the Coloſſians, Col. 1. 6. that the Goſpel brought forth fruit in them, from the very day they heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth. And the Prophet David reſolved, Pſal. 119. 60. I made hast, and prolonged not the time to keepe thy Commandements. And this is a ſingular frame of heart; becauſe the putting of the Word in practiſe immediately, is a great advantage to the hearer: ſeeing then, the affections of the heart are quicke, and lively; which with delayes dye, and decay very ſuddenly.

Now, alas, for the wonderfull paucitie of ſuch obedient hearers; for very few doe practiſe any thing they heare, leave any ſinne, or doe any dutie: and therefore they muſt needs prove like the Houſe built on the Sand; when the time of tryall ſhall come, they muſt needs fall, Math. 7. 27. Againe, there are many that in hearing have good motions and purpoſes; but they are like the ſluggard, that ſaid,Prov. 24. 33, 34.Prov 24:33Prov 24:34 Yet a little ſlumber, yet a little ſleepe; ſo, becauſe they delay, they vaniſh and come to nothing: of whom, in reſpect of their ſpirituall povertie, it may be ſaid which Salomon ſpeakes; His povertie ſhall come as one that travelleth, and his want as an armed man.