A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.

§. Sect. 4 Of the duties of hearers, and such as respect their prepara∣tion.

The duties which respect the hearing of the Word, are of three sorts. The first, such as are to bee performed before wee heare, which * 1.1 are two principally. The one, that we fit and prepare our selues, before wee presume to approach into Gods presence to performe this holy duty; the which is done, partly by remoouing those impediments which might hinder vs, as infidelity, impenitencie, carnall security, worldly distractions and earthly-mindednesse, prophanenesse and small esteeme of the Word, excessiue eating or drinking, conceite of our

owne knowledge, as though little or nothing could be added vnto it, pre∣iudice and forestalled opinions of our teachers, hypocrisie, curiosity, itch∣ing * 1.2 eares, factious affections, whereby men haue the truth of God in re∣spect of persons, hearing or not hearing, according to that opinion which they haue conceiued of him that speaketh. And partly, this preparation consisteth in vsing all good helpes and meanes, which may enable vs to the carefull and conscionable hearing of the Word. As to consider the waightinesse of the action which wee are about to performe, namely, an high and holy seruice vnto God, which will further and seale vp vnto vs our saluation or condemnation, and be either the sauour of life vnto life, or of death vnto death, soften vs like waxe, or harden vs like clay, and make vs one step neerer eyther to heauen or hell. For Gods Word shall ne∣uer returne voide, but accomplish what he pleaseth, and shall prosper in the thing whereto he sends it. Secondly, to meditate on the ends for * 1.3 which we heare, which are, to glorifie God in the meanes of our saluation, to be built vp in all sauing grace, knowledge, faith, obedience, loue of God, zeale, patience, and the rest. Thirdly, we must examine our selues to finde out our sinnes, that we may gather strength for the mortifying of them; and our spirituall wants, that we may haue them supplied in this spirituall market of our soules. Fourthly, we must renew our repentance, * 1.4 that wee come not in our sinnes; and our faith, without which our hearing will not profit vs. Finally, we must vse faithfull and feruent prayer, that God will so assist with his holy Spirit, the Minister in speaking, and vs in hearing, and sanctifie to our vse his holy ordinances, that they may be effectuall to build vs vp in our most holy faith, and more and more inrich vs with all sanctifying and sauing graces. And being thus prepared, our next duty is, that setting aside all worldly impediments, we resort vnto the holy assemblies, to be made partakers of Gods holy Word, that wee may profit thereby.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Eccles. 4. 17. Heb. 4. 2. Luke 8. 13, 14. Ier. 4. 4.
• * 1.2

  Iam. 1. 21. Luke 18. 34. Acts 17. 20. 2. Tim. 4. 3. 1. Cor. 1. 11, 12.
• * 1.3

  Esa. 55. 11.
• * 1.4

  Heb. 4. 2.