A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 228 (Question 90 cont.)
SERMON CCXXVIII.
II THE next Duty of ſuch as would read and hear the Word profitably, is with regard to the Reception or Entertainment that we are to give to it: WE are to receive it with Faith & Love. God hath afforded us his Word to be an Inſtrument of our Salvation. Now that it may ſo be, it is not only requiſi…e that we ſo hear it, as to ſeek the obtaining of an underſtanding of the meaning of it, and of the great Articles that are contained i… it, without which we cannot practice it: Hence tha… in Hoſ. 4.6. My people are deſtroyed for lack of knowledge. But alſo that we improve it to all the uſes by which it may become ſerviceable to lead us in the right way to Salvation. For which end there is another ſtep interve…ing, which conſiſts in the manner of the Entertainment which we give it: And this is it that comes under but preſent Conſideration. And here two Things lye before us, viz.
1. The thing it ſelf required; t… receive it.
2. The …ht and genuine manner of this; with Faith and Love.
A few words to each of theſe may ſuffice.
1. THE thing it ſelf required, … to receive it. The reception here required, ſtands in oppoſition to the rejection of … complaint whereof is often made in the Scriptures, in regard to ſuch to whom it is offered. It is alſo oppoſed to the putting of it away, and refuſing to imbrace it. Hence we have ſuch Charges made againſt ſome, Job. 1.11. Act. 13.46. Then Paul & B…rn…s wi…ed …old, and ſaid, It was neceſſary that the word of God ſhould firſt have been ſpoken to you: but ſeeing ye put it from you, and ju…ge your ſelves unworthy of everlaſting life; …, we turn to the Gentiles. And elſewhere. Nor are ſuch only guilty of this, who turn t…eir backs upon it, or ſtop their ears againſt it, rage at and blaſpheme it, and perſecute ſuch as bring it to them: Which manner of entertainment how of…en do we find the Prophets of old, and the Ap…ſtick in the days of the Goſpel met withal from Men to whom they were ſent to proclaim and open the way of Salvation to ſinful Men: But there are many more who make a …ait ſhew, and uſe plauſible pretences, that will be found guilty of this Sin. But this will be more diſtinctly diſcovered, by the right Confideration of the next t…i…g. Hence,
2. WE may take notice of the right and genuine manner of this; which we have expreſt in two things,
1. WE are to receive it with Faith. Not but that it is the duty of all that come within the reach of the Goſpel promulgation, to attend upon the diſpenſation of it; and it will be a moral evil to neglect it: But ſtill, that it may obtain the proper uſefulneſs of it, we muſt exerciſe Faith in receiving it; for we can have no other hand ſo to do, ſo long, as we are deſtitute of this. We are for this reaſon told, what was the reaſon why the Word proved unprofitable to them, Heb 4.2. For unto us was the goſpel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. And it is by unbelief that Men do put away the Word which is declared to them. Unbelief ſhuts up the heart againſt it. We are therefore told, who they were that did receive Chriſt, Joh. 1.12. But as many as received him, to them gave be power to become the ſons of God, even to them that believe on his name. And in this Faith, there are more eſpecially theſe things contained, 1. A receiving of the Word wi…h a Divine Credit, as the Word of God. This is uſually called the Faith of Aſſent; though every aſſent that is given, will not amount to the Faith which is here required at our hands; for it is a Faith that doth not only influence our Underſtanding, but it alſo purifieth the Heart, and works powerfully on the Will and Affections, Act. 15.9. Beſides, that there is a rational aſſent which may be given to many Truths of the Word of God, by the light of Nature, and Convictions of a natural Conſcience, which tells us, theſe things muſt needs be ſo, and that peculiarly in regard of moral Duties, the impreſſion whereof abides in the natural Man, through the relicks of the Law that are in him: As is evident from Rom. 2.14, 15. For when the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, theſe having not the law, are a law unto themſelves: Which ſhew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conſcience alſo bearing witneſs, and their thoughts the mean while accuſing, or elſe excuſing one another. But this is grounded on the Divine Teſtimony, and he receives it as the Word of God, and believes it becauſe God is true. Joh. 3.33. He that hath received his teſtimony, hath ſet to his ſe…l that God is true. And it hath this Character on it, that it is Univerſal; he not only believes, becauſe he comprehends the things, and ſees through them; but alſo believes ſuch things as are myſterious, and tranſcend his reaſonings, and that becauſe they are ſpoken by God, who is Truth itſelf: and upon that account he is perſwaded, that it is the higheſt reaſon for him to give a full and indubitable aſſent to them. (2) AN entertaining of it, at the only rule of Life. That it is ſo to fallen Man is certain, as was formerly obſerved. And if we receive it as the Word of God, we do it with a reſpect to it, as it is propoſed to us. Now God gave it to us, that it might be our directory how to live and pleaſe him, and obtain deliverance from Miſery. This was not known till God ſaw meet to reveal it; and this Revelation is made to us in and by the Word. Hence that, Pſal. 147.20. He hath not dealt ſo with any nation; and as for his judgments, they have not known them: Praiſe ye the Lord. And Joh. 5.39. And except we believe it to be ſuch, and accordingly apply our ſelves to it for that end, and truſt to the conduct of that, and of no other Rule, to guide us in the way Everlaſting, (but truſt to other Rules,) we do indeed reject it: and whatever credit we give to it, yet if we do not count it the only unerring Platform of Faith & Obedience, we receive it not in truth or ſincerity He therefore acknowledgeth, Pſal. 19.11. Moreover, by them is thy ſervant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. (3.) AN entertaining of Chriſt himſelf, as he is exhibited and offered to us in it. The great end of the Word, is to reveal Chriſt to us, as the Author of Eternal Salvation, and conſequently the Object of our Faith & Reliance So that evermore, together with the Credit which we give to the Word, we adventure upon him ſo revealed, and reſt our whole hope on him; Affiance as well as Aſſent is in ſeperable from this Faith; for we are aſſured that, &c. Pſal. 9.10. And they that know thy name will put their truſt in thee: for thou, Lord, haſt not forſaken them that ſeek thee. And they that do not entertain Chriſt in the Word, do not cordially entertain that. And not only ſo, but alſo we take all the Meaſures of our believing in him, from the Word: by that we underſtand what manner of a Perſon he is, what Offices he is inveſted withal, how able he is to ſave, in what way we may come to a title to him in order to our receiving this Benefit from him: All this belongs to the Revelation of the Word, nor, can we be ſaid to accept of that, unleſ we do together with it, embrace him with all our Souls, as the Author of Eternal Life: and adventure the whole weight of our Confidence on him. (4.) A firm and reſolute adherence to the Word, and adventuring of ourſelves for Eternity upon it. The Juſt is ſaid to live by his Faith; and as the word of Revelation is that which informs us in the matters which we are to believe, ſo the word of Promiſe is to confirm us in our expectation of the Life which we hope for; and for this reaſon it is called the Word of Life: when therefore, together with the Revelation of Chriſt in his Alſufficiency, on which we believe him to be able to ſave us to the uttermoſt, we receive him as offered to be ours in the promiſe, and ſo take him at his word, as to reſolve to truſt in him forever, and look no whither elſe for Eternal Life; and all of this properly belongs to that Faith which is neceſſary for our true Profiting by the Word; and till we have gained ſuch a Faith, we cannot draw the vertue out of the Word, which will make it ſaving to us. Though ſtill it is a Duty to wait for this Faith in our attendance upon the Word.
2. WE are to receive it with Love. Faith and Love are exhibited in the Goſpel, as comprehending the whole Religion of fallen Man under them, 2 Tim. 1.13. Hold faſt the form of ſound words, which thou haſt heard of me, in faith and love which is in Chriſt Jeſus. Now in the Word of God which is delivered to us, there are the Credenda and the Facienda: and accordingly, the Spirit of God puts theſe Graces into ſuch, to whom he will Bleſs the Word, ſo as to be effectually an Inſtrument of their Salvation; and theſe are infuſed into us, as he pleaſeth, as Principles by the exerciſe whereof we may rightly entertain the Word. As therefore we give a ſuitable reception to the Credenda by Faith, ſo we are diſpoſed to proſecute the Facienda by Love. Love in its proper Signification, intends the Primitivecloſing Affection, which in a Reaſonable Creature is an Inſtrument of the Will, in the performance of its Imperate Actions: and ſo it ſtands in direct Oppoſition to hatred, which is the Prime ſeparating Affection, which alſo ſerves the Will in its rejecting that which is ingrateful to it; and for this cauſe, it is frequently uſed in the Scriptures Metony mically for the whole of that New Obedience which God requires of Men in and by the Goſpel; and that becauſe this Sincere Love is the root and ſpring from which all true Obedience derives, and without it, all that Men pretend to, is San…ti…l and …yp critical. Now, in as much …s the Word of God is the Rule of this Obedience, there is a Love of it which is neceſſary in order to its obtaining of this deſign in us and by us. And this Love always purſues that Faith which we before conſidered: for as we cannot Love a thing without an Apprehenſion of the Almiableneſs of it, ſo we cannot rightly apprehend it, unleſs we exerciſe our Faith about it.
NOW to our receiving of the Word with Love, there are theſe things requiſite,
(1.) A Cordial de…ight in thoſe Means & Ordinances, by which God imparts his mind to us, which is declared …n his Word. It is in the Word that all ſaving Truths are contained. But for our …etter being acquainted with them, he hath appointed as our diligent reading of it, ſo thoſe Ordinances in which we are to be Inſtructed in the mind & meaning of it, and by which w… may be called upon, counſelled, quickened and directed in the right improvement thereof. W… …en we have a Love for the Word itſelf, this will kindle in us a Love to thoſe mea…s; if ever we did receive any ſpiritual good by it, the ſenſe of that, will fill us with precious tho'ts of theſe mea…s, by which we receive it. Theſe will thus be made precious to us, and we ſhall count it a ſpecial and diſtinguiſhing favour of God that he hath ſeen meet to indulge us with theſe things. By this the Pſalmiſt proved his ſincerity on this account, Pſal. 26. …. Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy houſe, and the place where thine honour dwe…leth. We ſhall look upon our ſelves as more highly Priviledged by this, than if we had all the Worlds deſirables; and accordingly, it will make us joyfully to attend on the Opportunities of waiting upon theſe Ordinances, and make the Word very ſweet & pleaſant to us: As he, Pſal. 119.72, 103. It will cauſe us to chuſe to go to an Ordinance, rather than to the moſt deſirable worldly Diverſion; for it is certain, that the Object of Love is Attractive, and we are moſt pleaſed when we are moſt Converſant with that which hath the greateſt room in our hearts; and we ſhall be able to make the profeſſed of him, Pſal. 84.4. & 65.4.
(2.) A cheerful Acquieſcence in all th…ſe … that are made known to us by the Word … then Love the Word aright, when … for the matter of it; not for the Language or Phraſe of it, but for the things that are contained in it. A rational Love is proportioned to the Excellency we diſcover in the Object: and it is for that which we value the Word before all other humane Writings. It is the great things of the Law that commend it to our deſire and choiſe, and if we diſcern not the greatneſs of them, we ſhall undervalue them, Hoſ. 8.12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. It is the goodneſs of any thing that makes it lovely, and therefore, as if we Love the Law, … love all that is in it, ſo the reaſon why … ſo do, is becauſe we account it to be all lovely. And except we Love the whole Word, we do not truly Love any of it, for there is the ſame ſtamp of Lovelineſs upon it all. Now in the Word, there are Precepts, Promiſes, Threatnings, Diſcoveries of Man's Miſery by Nature, and of the way to recover true Bleſſedneſs. Now all theſe are precious to ſuch as Love the Word, wheres, others may have a carnal liking to ſome, but are as much prejudiced at others. Whereas there is a preciouſneſs in all, and he who Loves the Word for its own ſake, and as it is the Word of God, becauſe he ſees a Beauty and Glory in it all; and he t…ds, that the Precepts as well as the Promiſes, the Diſcovery of Man's Miſery, as w…ll as thoſe of the way of L…, are made ſervicable to the Adva…ci…g of the ſame end, the Glory of God, & our Salvation.
(3.) A Compleat ſatisfaction in Christ, as …e is diſcovered to us in and by the Word. It is none of the leaſt excellencies of the Word. that in it Chriſt is made known to ſinful Men, as the only Redeemer & Saviour of Sinners. And as this commends the Word to our eſteem, becauſe it ſhews us a Chriſt, who elſe had not been known by us, ſo in it we have him repreſented to us in Orient Colours, in which he is exhibited as one that is altogether Lovely; and it is certain, that the more we diſcern of Chriſt with a Spiritual diſcerning, the more will our Hearts be raviſhed with him. Let us then enquire for Chriſt in every Page, and ſo fix our Contemplations upon him, as to be raviſhed with the ſight of him; ſo as to deſpiſe all the raviſhing Glories of the World, in compariſon of him; and the… we may be aſſured that we have a genuine Love for the Word when our Love to him, is by it raiſed into an Unquenchable flame; and we are enabled to ſay, Cant. 2.3. As the apple-tree among the trees of the w…od, ſo is my beloved among the ſons. I ſat down under his ſhadow with great delight, and his fruit was ſweet to my taſte.
(4.) AN entire reſignation to the Conduct of the Word, as the Rule of our Obedience. We obſerved, that Love is, in Scripture Language put for Obedience, becauſe it is the inward Principle from which all ſincere Obedience is acted. Now as this is the Principle, ſo the Word is the Rule of it; and our Love to it is that reſpect we bear to it as ſuch: Hence that, Pſal. 119.6. So that then only do we entertain it with a right Love, when we lean not to our own Underſtanding, nor ſubject ourſelves to the Conduct of any other Rule either in whole or in part; but in all things make it our Counſellour, and walk always in the light of it, as that which only can guide our ſteps in the Paths of Peace, & can truly ſay of it as Pſal. 119.105.
III. THE la…t Duty mentioned as required of ſuch as would Read and Hear it Pr…tably, is with regard to the Improvement that we are to make of it. And this alſo comprehends two things in it, viz. that we lay it up in our Hearts, and practice it in our …i…es. The Word of God contains in it, the Rule of the Chriſtian Religion, which is to ſh…w us how we may Pleaſe God, and obtain Eternal Salvation; and theſe things are truly practical. And although it contains in it many Theoreſtical Truths, which are diſcovered by it, and but for it had never been known, yet all theſe are leading to Practice, and not one of them terminates in Theory, but every Rule of it is a Rule of Life, and points us how we may Live and Pleaſe God. And tho' we muſt know in order to our doing, yet our true Happineſs centers not in our knowing, but in our doing according to it; Joh. 13.17. And indeed, that without this, will be ſo far from advancing our true Bleſſedneſs, that it will aggravate our Miſery; Luk. 12.47. Now we are here informed, that there are two things to be attended by us, if we would rightly make the proper improvement of she Word.
1. WE muſt lay it up in our Hearts. This is neceſſiry in order to that which follows, we muſt lay up if we would lay out. This is therefore frequently urged in the Scriptures, Prov. 2.1.7.1. and elſewhere; and the Pſalmiſt makes that Declaration, Pſal. 119.11. Thy word have I bid in mine heart, that I might not ſin againſt thee. It is a Metaphor taken from ſuch as have a thing, which is to them of great worth, they lay it up ſafe, that it may not be loſt, and reſerve it for their uſe, as a thing moſt precious, and which they cannot do without. The Word of God is a rich Treaſure, and ſo every gracious one accounts it; it is life, as, Deut 4.13. And there are thoſe Adverſaries who would rob him of it, if poſſible; He is therefore concerned to be very careful in preſerving of it. The Phraſe alſo intimates, that it is not enough to Read or Hear the Word, but we muſt have a Repoſitory for it; and there is nothing ſo meer for it, as the Heart is. Now this ſaying it up in the Heart, implies ſeveral things in it. The word Heart is uſed for the Soul, and ſo either for all faculties and powers of it, or for any one of them ſeverally. And we may here take it moſt extenſively, and ſo there are theſe things included in it.
(1.) A getting of it into the Underſtanding. And this is done by uſing of endeavours to know the mind & meaning of it. And this is not only by a meer knowledge of the Grammar and Logick of it, which a Man may have, and yet not underſtand the Word, as it is a rule of Life; and yet it is our Duty to labour to have a clear diſcerning of the form of ſound Words, 2 Tim. 1.13. and to have a firm perſwaſion of the Truth, and to know the Truth as it is in Jeſus; and the ſeat of this is the Underſtanding. And this is the proper fruit of our right Attendance upon it, whereby our ſanctified Underſtanding is furniſhed.
(2.) A laying it up in the Will by a free cloſure with it, in an entire Approbation and C…ce. When the Excellency of it is diſcovered, it raiſeth in him an high Opinion, cauſing him to prefer it above Gold and Rubies, and accordingly to fix his Choice of it, and take it for an Inheritance, Pſal. 119 30. I have choſen the way of truth: thy judgments have …aid before me. And ver. 72.111. And this is done when we have ſubmitted our whole Soul to the Direction and Command of the Word in all things. We then entertain the Word in our Wills, when we lay aſide our own, and allow it the throne in our Hearts, and reſolve that we will yield full Obedience to it.
(3.) A cloſe union of our Affections to the Word of God: Whereby we make the neareſt application of it to our Hearts. When the Word of God is gotten intirely into the Affections, it is then laid up in the Heart, and this is a proper influence from the former. When the Will hath entertained ſo high an Opinion of a thing, as to make a full choice of it, it opens it ſelf by the Affections, to let it in: for by the cloſing Affections, the Soul is glowed to its Object; and the Word of God is ſo much in our Hearts, as it finds a room in thoſe Affections, which do imbrace, and as it were incircle it. And this appears partly by a longing deſire after it, which goes out to fetch it in. Hence that, Pſal. 119.20. My ſoul breaketh for the l…nging that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. Partly by an exuberance of Joy and Contentment, when it hath it in poſſeſſion, wherein it declares the fulneſs of ſatisfaction which it takes in it, Pſal 119.162. I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great ſpoil.
(4.) A laying it up in the Conſcience: Which is by making it the Judge of all our Actions, of our Thoughts, Words and Deeds. He that hath reſigned up his Conſcience intirely to the Word of God, to be regulated by it, hath laid it up in his Heart: And it is then ſtored in the Conſcience, when we Conſcienciouſly refer our whole Converſation to it: When we make it the rule to meaſure all Actions by, and reſolve to lay every thing by it, and bring it to the Teſt of it, and to receive or reſent it according as, upon Examination, it agrees to it, or diſagrees with it: As Pſal. 119.105. Thy word is a lamp unto my ſect, and a light unto my paths.
(5.) A laying of it up in our Memory. This is called a keeping a thing in the Heart. The Memory in Man, tho' reckoned to the ſenſible part, is a uſeful Inſtrument of the rational Soul, to lay up thoſe things in for our uſe, and is therefore reckoned to the Heart. It is the Conſervatory of things, but for which Inſtruction would be uſeleſs, and what we remember nor, we do not know practically. If a Man read or hear never ſo much, yet if he forgets it, it is to him as if it had never been. Hence, Pſal. 119.16. I will delight my ſelf in thy ſtatutes: I will not forget thy word.
(6.) HENCE the reſultan…y of this, is a frequent reſte…n on, and meditation of the Word, ſo read or heard. He that keeps a thing in his Thoughts, keeps it in his Heart, and the more frequently we call thoſe things to mind, and ruminate upon them, the more ſecure we are againſt the d…ger of forgetting them. This is the way to have them ſunk deep into our Hearts; this freſhens the Memory, and enlive as the Affections: Whereas ſeldom thinking or things, is the ready way in a while to loſe them. We therefore find that David took this courſe, to keep the Love of God freſh on his Heart, P…al. 119 48. Mine eyes prevent the night-teatches, that I might meditate in thy …eard. And ver. 97, 98, 9…. And one great end of our laying up the Word in our Hearts, is that it may be near us, and we may maintain a conſtant familiarity with it.
2. WE mu…t practice it in our Lives. And this is the great end to which all the things that went before are to ſerve, and without it the benefit of it will be loſt. Tho' knowledge is neceſſary in order to practice, yet bleſſedneſs is entailed upon doing: As, Joh. 13.17. If ye know theſe things, happy are ye if ye do them. And this ariſeth neceſſarily from the nature and end of the Word. It is a Rule to direct us in the way to bleſſedneſs. Now a Rule can no further influence our felicity, than as it is improved in the Life, and conformed unto. And though it is uſually diſtributed into things to be believed, and things to be done, yet in the Faith it ſelf there is ſomething to be done; for there is an application of our ſelves in it, to conformity to the Precept that is given us to believe, and that is practical. Now to this Practice, there are theſe things that do appertain,
(1.) A proving of all things by the Word, in order to Practice. All humane Actions are under the Cognizance of ſome Law, with reſpect to which they are either right or wrong, and the Man either ſerves God in them, or ſins againſt him. For tho' ſome things are in themſelves matters of liberty, yet in our application to them, our action about them is not indifferent, but God is either known or diſhonoured thereby. The Word of God is that to which we are to reduce theſe; and either do or abſtain from doing according as that directs us. If we inquire nor, we cannot act aright, and if we inquire at any other Oracle, we ſhall be in hazzaid to he miſtaken. Hence that, Iſai. 8.20. To the law and to the teſtimony: if they ſpeak not according to this word, it is becauſe there is no light in them. When we go about to do any thing, we ſhould ask, Shall I pleaſe God or diſpleaſe him in caſe I do it? And this muſt be reſolved by the Word of God. Our carnal reaſon is deprived and calls good evil, and if followed will in…ſlead us; and he that lea…s to his own Underſtanding is not wiſe. Man hath in him a power of deliberation, and God hath given us his Word to be the Man of our Counſel, and it is the only way of ſafety to keep cloſe to it. And for us to expect extraordinary Impulſes, and take our meaſures from them, without referring them to the Word of God for the Tryal of them, is the way to be miſled.
(2.) A trying of all that we have done by it, in order to our right judging of ourſelves. There is ſo much of Sin abiding in us, and through darkneſs and inadvertency we often miſtake, and take wrong ſteps, which ought to be rectified; and if we have done that which is right, is proper for us that we be ſatisfied in it, that we have the Conſolation of it. And Conſcience is put into us, not only to direct our way, but alſo to reflect upon it, and make a Judgment of it, and unleſs we thus improve it, we muſt needs walk very blindly. Now this muſt he done by applying of the word to our Actions, and trying of them accordingly. Hence that, Pſal. 119 59. I thought on my ways, and turned my ſect unto thy teſtimonies. And there is no other Rule that will be ſufficient to determine us in this caſe, but we ſhall be expoſed to error. There is a Repentance to be carried on in the People of God, as well as to be laid in the Unregenerate. It is our Duty to turn from Sin, and arm againſt it for the future, and every Sin that we are overtaken by, calls for it; and would we know how to do this, we muſt take the Word for our Admonition. Hence that is one Commendation of it, Pſal 19.11. Moreover, by them is thy ſervant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
(3.) A quickning of ourſelves to Duty, and the reſiſtance of Sin by it. As the Word of God is the Rule of our living, ſo it is the great motive to excite us to our work, and caution us againſt the neglect of it: in it therefore are the motives offered to encourage us in the doing of Duty, and avoidance of that which is ſinful, and thoſe ſuch as are no where elſe to be found. If we conſult Fleſh and Blood they will tell us the ways of Godlineſs are Difficult, Unpleaſant, Dangerous, and the way of Sin Pleaſant Eaſy and Profitable. But the Word of God aſſures us, that the way of Holineſs is the only way to Safety here, and to Glory hereafter. And that the way of Sin, tho' broad and eaſy, yet will lead to Deſtruction, and leave us Miſerable forever. And what greater incentives can be thought of, to move a reaſonable Creature, to quicken & awe him, than ſuch as have an aſpect o… Eternity?
(4.) THE arming of us againſt all Temptations that we are liable unto. We live in the midſt of Snares and Traps that are laid in our way, and that ſecretly to enſ…are us and lead us into Miſchief, and they are very cunningly offered, and attended with all flattering inſinuations, which are too ready to deceive us, and impoſe on our Credulity: But the Word of God, is here alſo to be uſed, if we would be able to diſcern the wiles, and withſtand the offers, and overcome. This was the Armour which Chriſt himſelf made uſe of, & with which he reſiſted & vanquiſhed Satan in his Aſſaults, Math. 4. And there is no Sword like it: it cuts aſunder at once, the carnal Arguings of the Fleſh, by ſhewing us that this is the mind of God, which he expects our conformity to: And it at once cuts the throat of that plea from the carnal delight in it, by aſſuring us that we Sin if we do it, and what we are to expect if we do ſo, Gen. 39.9. How then can I do this great wickedneſs, and ſin againſt God.
USE LET this quicken us all, to take heed to our ſelves, h…te we read and bear the Word of God. And accordingly let us take the hint of the Directions given us in the Premiſes. And let us remember, that there is an awful Account that we ſhall ere long be called unto for the Word afforded us, and what Improvement we have made of it. By our enjoyment of it we are advantaged with the proper Means of Salvation, which thoſe that have it not are without. But if we do not thus carefully improve it, it will not profit us; and this very Word will riſe up againſt us another Day to our Condemnation.