6. Direction,

If thou wouldest profit by the word, be sure to carry thy self well in the time of hearing; we must take heed how we hear, as well as what we hear; if thou shouldest make these preparations as before directed, yet all may be spoiled at last; Resort therefore timely to the Or∣dinance, 'tis more fit for thee to wait for God, than God waite for thee; late coming argues a weak stomack, hungry Persons will not strive to be last at a feast, and an hungry Soul will make haste where meat is to be had; and when thou art there behave thy self reverently, set thy self as in the presence of the great God; say as Jacob, this is no other than the house of God, and the gate of Heaven: and carry thy self as if God were present looking upon thee; many by their light behaviour manifest their little zeal: didst apprehend God present before the eye of thy Soul, it would keep thine eyes from sleeping, and thy heart from wan∣dring; joyn with the Minister in every part of Gods worship; God is the God of order, and not Page  60 of confusion; a private Prayer is most suitable for a private place, and private duties as before should be performed in the Closet, be more ready to hear, than to offer the sacrifice of Fools, Eccles. 5.1. When the Minister prayes joyn with him, and pray with Devotion; when he sings, sing with the under∣standing, when he preacheth, here with attention; attend not only to the words, but to the sence; and not only to the sence, but also to the Divine Obligation that lyes upon thee; draw out all thy strength in the performance of the duty; hear as if it were for thy Life, for thy Soul, for Eternity, as indeed it is, Deut. 32.46,47. Set your hearts upon all the words which I testifie among you this day, which you shall command your Children to observe: for it is not a vain thing for you, because it is your life, and through this you shall prolong your daies; and you must not only hear with attention, but with understand∣ing also; for how can you profit by it, or what good will it do you, if you understand it not? and yet some Ministers (the more is the pity) seek to hide their meaning in a Cloud of words, and deliver their message either in an unknown tongue, or in unknown Notions; and 'tis the folly of some hea∣rers, that delight in those Sermons they understand not, the Mass bites not, but what wise man will delight to gnaw bones, that may have flesh, Paul, had rather speak five words in the Church to edificati∣on, than two thousand in an unknown tongue, 1 Cor. 14.19. and when thou dost understand it, prove it by the Scripture, and take it not upon trust; 'tis Christs counsel, search the Scriptures: and the A∣postles, try all things, and hold fast that which is good: and the Bereans are commended for so doing, Act. 17.11. and when you have found it to be whole∣some Page  61 meat, apply it to the heart; this is the summ of all, and without this it will do you little good. what good will Meat do if not eaten? or Phisick if not taken? or a Plaister if not applyed? do as an hungry man doth, lay hold on something to feed upon, when nice stomacks carve away all to others: now he meets with this man, or that man, but did he say nothing to thee? will another mans meat feed thee? or another mans Physick make thee well? close with it thy self, lay thy heart open to the Word, strive not against it, submit to it, indea∣vour not by subtil Distructions, cunning Evasions, false Glosses, partial Interpretations to evade the force of it, or blunt the edg, but with David when reproved, cry out I am the man; wrest not out of Gods hand: if any sin be reproved, reform it; if any duty prest, practice it; if the Minister teach thee any thing thou knowest not before, remember it, and bless God for it.