Page 272
[ 1037] Negligent hearing of Gods word, condemned.
IN the twelfth Chapter of St. Lukes Gospel,* 1.1 you shall find Christ preaching an excellent Sermon; one would think, that when he preach'd, all should be ready to hear; One of the company in the midst of the Sermon, thought him too long, his mind being on something else; Whilst Christ was encouraging his Disciples that in the discharge of their dudy, they should not fear the face of Man, he runs upon his face with an impertinent demand;* 1.2 Master, sayes he, speak to my brother, that he may divide the Inheritance with me, as if he had said, My Father dyed, and left me a portion, I would have thee to set all down, and be an Arbitrator betwixt us; The motion was good; and might in all likelihood have wrought with Christ at another time, but now in the midst of an Heavenly Sermon, to talke of an Earthly Inheritance, was that which Christ reproved: Thus there are many that though they do not ask down-right questions of the Minister, yet they sleep, or gaze and prate out the Sermon,* 1.3 they sit on their seats in the Church, but their hearts are rambling out of the Church;* 1.4 like those that were buying and selling in the Temple; they, whilst the Ministe•• is proposing the best bargain, the Riches that are to be found in Christ Iesus, are trading with the D•• vill about worldly con∣tentment, and earthly vanities;* 1.5 And thats the reason they benefit so little by what they heare, and have so little comfort in the performance of all other religious duties.