Three tractates by Jos. Hall, D.D. and B.N.

SECT. XXVI.

THe food that is received in∣to the soul by the ear, is af∣terwards chewed in the mouth thereof by memory, concocted in the stomach by meditation, and dispersed into the parts by conference and practice; True Devotion findes the greatest part of the work behinde; It was a just answer that John Ger∣son * 1.1 reports, given by a French∣man, who being askt by one of his neighbours if the Sermon were done; no saith he, it is said, but it is not done, neither will be, I fear, in hast. What are we the better if we hear and re∣member not? if we be such au∣ditours as the Jews were wont to call sieves, that retain no moisture that is poured into them? What the better if we re∣member, but think not seriously of what we hear; or if we pra∣ctice

not carefully what wee think of? Not that which we hear is our own, but that which we carry away: although all memories are not alike, one re∣ceives more easily, another re∣tains longer; It is not for every one to hope to attain to that ability, that he can goe away with the whole fabrick of a Ser∣mon, and readily recount it unto others; neither doth God re∣quire that of any man, which he hath not given him; Our de∣sires and endeavours may not be wanting wher our powers fail; It will be enough for weak memo∣ries if they can so lay up those wholesom counsels which they receive, as that they may fetch them forth when they have oc∣casion to use them; and that what they want in the extent of memory, they supply in the care of their practice; Indeed that is it, wherein lies the life of all religious duties, and without

which 〈…〉〈…〉 the Philosopher 〈…〉〈…〉 vertue, I must say of true godliness, that it consists in action; Our Saviour did not say, Blessed are ye if ye know these things; But, If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye doe them. The end of our desire of the sincere milk of the Gospel, is, that we may grow thereby in the stature of all Grace, unto the * 1.2 fulnesse of God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Serm. ad Eccles. cautelam.
• * 1.2

  1 Pet. 2. 2 Eph. 3. 9.