Miscellanea philo-theologica, or, God, & man A treatise compendiously describing the nature of God in his attributes, with a lively pourtraiture of his wisedome in ordering, and disposing of the celestiall, and terrestriall bodies. Containing much variety of matter ... and apt applications singular for brevity, and perspicuity. By Henry Church.

Againe a good Hearer.

1. Is like an Anvill in invincible patience, and con∣stancie, heresies, and persecutions may beate on him; but he is alwaies the same, semper Idem.

2. He is as an Hammer to beate downe errour, and profanenesse, within his owne Reach, and power; and to knock at heaven Gate, by fervent Praier.

3. He is as a Stirrop, he aspires by hearing to ad∣vance his mind to heaven; and to settle the peace of his Conscience: he heares, and gives eare for heaven∣ly mindednesse, and peace; setlednesse, and assurance

to be kept from falling, and to finish his Journie with Comfort.

3. What may we thinke of them, which doe follow no particular Calling, but doe altogether follow Ser∣mons all the weeke?

Ans. 1. The Devills malice appeares in such, hee prevailes with them, to make them scandalous Profes∣sours: so others shunne them, and Religion.

2. That which GOD ioynes, they doe sepa∣rate, that is a generall, and particular Calling.

3. They be in danger to be cloyed at first, or fall to be idle, or caried away with errours; being not ballanced with honest labour.

4. If all should be as Marie, where should the Common-wealth be? If all should be as Mar∣tha, where should Religion be? both doe well, being mixed together; Action with Devotion.

5. They have bodies, as well as soules; and should labour, as well as heare.

6. They make not Conscience of the second Table, to pay scot, and lot; to helpe to maintaine Magistrate, and Minister; Commandement 5. By la∣bour, to preserve life, Commandement 6. Chastitie, Commandement 7. To eate their owne bread by la∣bour, Commandement 8. These often are pratlers, busie-bodies, Censurers, against the 9. Commandement; and covet other mens money, meate, and Cloathes, not having laboured to have of their owne: thus partly by borrowing, and never paying againe, and partly, by begging, that should feede the labouring Bee, they doe live offensively, and in the height of their Pietie, they be in the depth of Iniquitie.

4. What Arguments are powerfull against the worldly, and malicious man, that on the other side, will not heare Sermons, but opposes them that are di∣ligent Hearers?

Ans. There be foure maine Arguments to stop his mouth, and for ever to silence him.

1. Without knowledge, the mind is not good; Pro. 19.2. but by Hearing, wee get understanding; Jer. 3.15.

2. Without Faith, we cannot please God; Heb. 11.6. But Faith commeth by Hearing; Rom. 10.17.

3. If any man have not the Spirit of CHRIST, the same is none of his: Rom. 8.9. But We receive the Spirit, by Hearing: Galat. 3.2. Acts 10.44.

4. Except wee be converted, we cannot be saved: Matth. 18.3. Luke 13.5. But Wee are converted by the Preaching of the Word: James 1.25. 1 Pet. 1.25.

5. Quest. How should a Christian heare aright?

Ans. 1. He must Repent, and prepare to heare: Psalme 26.6.

2. He must heare with humilitie, Deuter. 33.3.

3. He must heare with Judgment, 1 Cor. 10.15.

4. He must heare with Meekenesse, Iames 1.21.

5. He must heare with Reverence, Acts 10.33.

6. He must heare with Attention, Ier. 13.15.

7. He must heare with Affection, 2 Kings 22.19.

8. He must heare, to treasure-up the Word in his heart, Psalme 119.11.

9. He must Question with the Preacher, after hee hath heard, if he understand not: Matth. 13.36.

10. He must heare to Obey: Luke 11.28. Iohn 13.17.

11. He must labour to heare with Faith, Heb. 4.2.

6. Quest. What hearing is most grievous to a good man?

Ans. 1. The hearing of Blasphemie against his God.

2. The hearing of treacherie against his King.

3. The Reproches against the godly.

4. The hearing of Ribaudrie, and filthie talke.

5. The hearing vice, and wickednesse commended;

this is as gall, and wormewood to him.