Holy living in which are described the means and instruments of obtaining every virute, 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 occasians [sic], and furnished for all necessities / by Jer. Taylor.

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 ear the Spirit conveys his precepts to us. If we hear Saint 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 read the Word, and they must

take it in by the ear; and they that can read, finde the same Word of God by the eye. It is necessary that all men learn it in 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 Commandments and Re∣velations, 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 ser∣mons or homilies written or spoken by men are but the Word of men, or rather explicati∣ons of, and exhortations according to the Word of God: but of themselves they are not the Word of God. In a sermon, the Text only is in a proper sense to be called Gods Word: and yet good Sermons are of great use and convenience for the advantages of Religion. He that preaches an hour together against drunkenness 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 Ser∣mon in a book, and publishes that book, hath preached to all that read it, a louder Sermon then could be spoken in a Church. This I say to this purpose, that we may sepa∣rate 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 popu∣lar arguments, and humane arts and com∣plyances 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 worst of Scri∣pture the best Sermons.

2. All the doctrine of salvation is plainly set down there, that the most unlearned per∣son 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. Whatso∣ever ye would that men should doe to you, doe 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 o∣ther end but that we practise the plaine 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 Pro∣phets,* 1.1 let them hear them: But if they refuse to hear these, neither will they believe though one should arise from the dead to preach un∣to them.

5. Reading the holy Scriptures is a duty expresly * 1.2 commanded us, and is called in Scripture [Preaching:] all other preaching is the effect of humane skill and industry, and although of great benefit, yet it is but an Ec∣clesiastical ordinance; the Law of God con∣cerning Preaching, being expressed in the matter of reading the Scriptures, and hear∣ing 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 ac∣cording to the opportunities of thy calling and necessary imployment, for the reading of holy Scripture; and if it be possible, every day read or hear some of it read: you are sure that book teaches all truth, commands all holiness, and promises all happiness.

2. When it is in your power to choose, ac∣custome your self to such portions which are most plaine and certain duty, and which con∣tain the story of the Life and Death of our blessed Saviour. Read the Gospels, the Psalms of David; and especially those portions of Scripture which by the wisdome of the Church are appointed to be publickly read upon Sundaies and holy-daies, viz: the E∣pistles and Gospels, in the choice of any o∣ther portions, you may advise with a Spiri∣tual Guide, that you may spend your time with most profit.

3. Fail not diligently to attend to the rea∣ding of the holy Scriptures upon those daies wherein it is most publickly and solemnly read in Churches: for at such times, besides the learning our duty, we obtaine a blessing along with it, it becoming to us upon those daies a part of solemn 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, carefull to mark, studious to remember, and desirous to practise all that is commanded, and to live

according to it: Doe 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 affectionate 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 godliness: but (if occasion offer it, or espcially if duty pre∣sent it to thee; that is, if it be preached in that assembly where thou art bound to be present) accept the word preached as a mes∣sage 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 adds any accidental advan∣tages, any thing to comply with thy weak∣nesse, 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 containes all thy duty, it is worth thy at∣tendance to hear that spoken often, and re∣newed 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 appli∣cation. I can better be comforted by my own considerations, if another hand applies them, then if I doe 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 dis∣coursings only, but chiefly by way of blessing in the ordinance, and in the ministery of an appointed person. At least obey the publick order, and reverence the constitution, and give good example of humility, charity and obedience.

8. When scriptures are read, you are only to enquire with diligence and modesty into the meaning of the Spirit: but if Homilies or Sermons be made upon the words of Scri∣pture, you are to consider, whether all that be spoken be conformable to the Scriptures. For although you may practise for humane reasons, and humane arguments ministred from the Preachers art, yet you must practise nothing but the command of God, nothing but the Doctrine of Scripture, that is, the Text.

9. Use the advice of some spiritual or o∣ther prudent man for the choice of such spi∣ritual books which may be of use and benefit for the edification of thy spirit in the waies of holy living; and esteem that time well ac∣counted for, that is prudently and affecti∣onately 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 conveyed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luk. 16 29, 31.
• * 1.2

  Deut. 31.13. Luke 24 45. Mat 22.29. Acts 15.21. Rev 1.3. 2 Tim. 3.16.