IV. How the name of God, as it signifieth his Word, is sanctified.
FOurthly, the name of God doth signifie his word, whereby he is especially known. Which is san∣ctified by the Ministers, when it is purely, power∣fully, and profitably taught: by the people, when it is heard with reverence, attention, good consci∣ence, and purpose to practice it: by all, when in our hearts we do holily meditate thereon, and are infla∣med with a desire of practicing it, Psal. 119. In our tongues, when we apply it to those uses whereunto it is profitable, 2. Tim. 3. 16. In our lives, when we knowing it do perform it.
Vses in prayer. Wants to be bewailed.
1. The want of preaching, where it is wanting. 2. The neglect and contempt of the word, a capi∣tall sinne of these times. 3. The little practicing of it where it is known, especially in these dayes, ubi scientiae multum, conscientiae parùm, where there is much science, little conscience.
Vses in our lives.
In our lives we are to endeavour to sanctifie the word of God: if Ministers, by dividing it aright; if people, by saving hearing thereof, by meditating on it, by desire to do it, by applying it to its right uses, by yielding simple obedience unto it. Other∣wise, if we desire it may be sanctified, and yet we profane it, and please our selves in so doing, either preaching it unprofitably, or hearing it without re∣verence, attention, or purpose to practice it: if nei∣ther in our hearts we care to know nor have desire to practice it: if we abuse it to confirm errours, and Page 264 confute the truth, to impenitencie, jests, superstiti∣on, and charms, &c. if we profane it either by ne∣glect or contempt, Mal. 1. 12. Amos 2. 7. Prov. 30. 9. Levit. 22, 31, 32. in word we desire to sanctifie it, but in deed profane and pollute it.
