The rule and exercises of holy living. In which are described the means and instruments of obtaining every vertue, and the remedies against every vice, and considerations serving to the resisting all temptations. Together with prayers containing the whole duty of a Christian, and the parts of devotion fitted to all occasions, and furnish'd for all necessities.

SECT. IV. Of Reading, or Hearing the Word of God.

REading and Hearing the word of God are but the several circumstances of the same duty; instrumental especially to faith, but consequently to all other graces of the

Spirit. It is all one to us whether by the eye or by the eare the Spirit conveyes his precepts to us. If we hear S. Paul saying to us, that [Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge:] or read it in one of his Epistles; in either of them we are equally and sufficiently instructed. The Scriptures read are the same thing to us, which the same doctrine was, when it was preached by the Disciples of our blessed Lord; and we are to learn of either with the same dispositions. There are many that cannot reade the word, and they must take it in by the ear; and they that can reade, finde the same word of God by the eye. It is necessary that all men learn it some way or other, and it is sufficient in order to their practise that they learn it any way. The word of God is all those Command∣ments and Revelations, those promises and threatnings, the stories and sermons recorded in the Bible: nothing else is the word of God, that we know of, by any certain instrument. The good books and spiritual discourses, the sermons or homilies written or spoken by men are but the word of men, or rather explications of, and exhortations according to the Word of God: but of themselves▪ they are not the Word of God. In a Sermon, the Text onely is in a proper sence to be called Gods Word: and yet good Sermons are of great use and con∣venience for the advantages of Religion. He that preaches an hour together against drun∣kennesse with the tongue of men or Angels, hath spoke no other word of God but this [Be not drunk with wine wherein there is excesse:] and he that writes that Sermon in a book, and publishes that book, hath preached to all that reade it, a louder Sermon then

could be spoken in a Church. This I say to this purpose that we may separate truth from error, popular opinions from substantial Truths. For God preaches to us in the Scripture, and by his secret assistances and spiritual thoughts and holy motions: Good men preach to us when they by popular arguments, and humane arts and complyances expound and presse any of those doctrines which God hath preached unto us in his holy Word. But

1. The Holy Ghost is certainly the best Preacher in the world, and the words of Scri∣pture the best sermons.

2. All the doctrine of salvation is plainly set down there, that the most unlearned person by hearing it read, may understand all his duty. What can be plainer spoken then this, [Thou shalt not kill. Be not drunk with wine: Husbands love your wives: whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them▪] The wit of man cannot more plainly tell us our duty, or more fully, then the Holy Ghost hath done already.

3. Good sermons, and good books are of excellent use: but yet they can serve no other end but that we practise the plain do∣ctrines of Scripture.

4. What Abraham in the parable said con∣cerning the brethren of the rich man, is here very proper: They have Moses and the Prophets le•• them hear them:* 1.1 But if they refuse to hear these▪ neither will they believe though one should arise from the dead to preach unto them.

5. Reading the holy Scriptures is a duty ex∣pressely * 1.2 commanded us, and is called in Scri∣pture [* 1.3 Preaching:] all other preaching is the

effect of humane skill and industry, and al∣though of great benefit, yet it is but an Eccle∣siastical ordinance; the Law of God concern∣ing Preaching, being expressed in the matter of reading the Scriptures, and hearing that word of God, which is, and as it is there described.

But this duty is reduced to practise in the following Rules.

Rules for hearing or reading the word of God.

1. Set apart some portion of thy time according to the opportunities of thy calling and necessary imployment, for the reading of holy Scripture; and if it be possible, eve∣ry day reade or hear some of it read: you are sure that book teaches all truth, commands all holinesse, and promises all happinesse.

2. When it is in your power to choose, ac∣custome your self to such portions which are most plain and certain duty, and which contain the story of the Life and Death of our blessed Saviour. Read the Gospels, the Psalms of Da∣••id; and especially those portions of Scripture which by the wisdom of the Church are ap∣pointed to be publikely read upon Sundayes and holy-dayes, viz. the Epistles and Gospels. In the choice of any other portions, you may advise with a Spiritual Guide, that you may spend your time with most profit.

3. Fail not, diligently to attend to the reading of holy Scriptures upon those dayes wherein it is most publickly and solemnly read in Church∣es: for at such times, besides the learning our duty, we obtain a blessing along with it, it be∣coming to us upon those dayes apart of the so∣lemn Divine worship.

4. When the word of God is read or preached to you, be sure you be of a ready heart and minde, free from worldly cares and thoughts, diligent to hear, careful to mark, studious to remember, and desirous to practise all that is commanded, and to live according to it: Do not hear for any other end but to become better in your life, and to be instructed in every good work, and to increase in the love and service of God.

5. Beg of God by prayer that he would give you the spirit of obedience and profit, and that he would by his Spirit write the word in your heart, and that you describe it in your life. To which purpose serve your self of some affectio∣nate ejaculations to that purpose, before and after this duty.

Concerning spiritual books and ordinary Ser∣mons take in these advices also.

6. Let not a prejudice to any mans person hinder thee from receiving good by his do∣ctrine, if it be according to godlinesse: but (if occasion offer it, or especially if duty pre∣sent it to thee; that is, if it be preached in that assembly where thou art bound to be pre∣sent) accept the word preached as a message from God, and the Minister as his Angel in that ministration.

7. Consider and remark the doctrine that is represented to thee in any discourse; and if the Preacher addes any accidental advantages, any thing to comply with thy weaknesse, or to put thy spirit into action, or holy resolution, remember it, and make use of it; but if the Preacher be a weak person, yet the text is the doctrine thou art to remember; that contains

all thy duty, it is worth thy attendance to hear that spoken often, ••nd renewed upon thy thoughts, and though thou beest a learned man, yet the same thing which thou knowest already, if spoken by another, may be made active by that application. I can better be com∣forted by my own considerations, if another hand applyes them, then if I do it my self; because the word of God does not work as a natural agent, but as a Divine instrument: it does not prevail by the force of deduction, and artificial discoursings onely, but chie••ly by way of blessing in the ordinance, and in the ministery of an appointed person. At least o∣bey the publick order, and reverence the con∣stitution, and give good example of humility, charity and obedience.

8. When Scriptures are read, you are onely to enquire with diligence and modesty into the meaning of the Spirit: but if homilies or sermons be made upon the words of Scripture, you are to consider, whether all that be spoken be conformable to the Scriptures. For although you may practise for humane reasons, and hu∣mane arguments ministred from the Preacher•• art, yet you must practise nothing but the com∣mand of God, nothing but the Doctrine of Scripture, that is, the text.

9. Use the advice of some spirituall or other prudent man for the choice of such spiritual books which may be of use and benefit for the edification of thy spirit in the wayes of holy living; and esteem that time well accounted for, that is prudently and af∣fectionately imployed, in hearing or reading good books and pious discourses: ever remem∣bring that God by hearing us speak to him in

prayer, obliges us to hear him speak to us in his word, by what instrument soever it be con∣veyed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luke 16.29, 31.
• * 1.2

  Deut 31.13. Luke 24.45. Matth. 22.29. Acts 15.21. Revel. 1.3. 2 Tim. 3.16.
• * 1.3

  Deut 31.13. Luke 24.45. Matth. 22.29. Acts 15.21. Revel. 1.3. 2 Tim. 3.16.