A cloud of faithful witnesses, leading to the heavenly Canaan, or, A commentary upon…A cloud of faithfull witnesses, leading to the heauenly Canaan, or, A commentarie vpon…

For the exhortation: First in general, the very inferring of it from the former examples, teacheth us this special duty; That every one in Gods Church, must apply unto himself those instructions, that are laid down, either generally in doctrine, or particularly in example. And therefore the holy Ghost here saith not, Let the Galatians or the Corinthians (which were renowned Churches) be constant in the faith; but, Let us, that is, you Hebrews, with my self, be constant in the faith, following the example of your ancient fathers. It is said of the ancient Jews, that many of them heard Gods word; but it was not profitable unto them, ¹because it was not mingled with faith in them. What is it to mingle the word with faith? It is, not only to receive it by faith, believing it to be true; but also, by the same hand of faith, to apply it to a mans own soul, to his heart, and life. And undoubtedly, Gods word thus applied to a mans particular person, hath in it great power and fruit; whether we regard information of judgement, or reformation of life But, it is a hard thing to do, and rare to find a man that doth sincerely apply unto himself, either general doctrines, or particular examples. We are all prone to shift it from our selves, and to lay it upon others, saying; This is a good Item, or a good lesson, for such a one, or such a ⟨p. 575⟩one, if he were here; or, if he would mark it. In the mean while, what benefit reap we to our own souls? for, the word not applied to our selves, doth us no good: it is like Physic not taken, or food not eaten. And, hence it comes to pass, that though we hear much; yet we profit little by the ministry of Gods word. We must therefore learn to follow Mary's example, who pondered Christs words, and laid them up in her own heart. When an exhortation is given, we must not post it off, and lay it upon others mens shoulders; but, apply it to our selves, and lay it to our own hearts, saying, This instruction is for me. Hereby (no doubt) we should feel greater blessings upon the preaching of the word, than yet we do. And, to move us hereunto, let us consider, that Satan our utter enemy (who seeks nothing but our destruction) is most busy to hinder this application of the word, either by the minister, or by a mans own conscience. As for example:

For the exhortation: First in generall, the very inferring of it from the former examples, teacheth vs this speciall duty; That euery one in Gods Church, must apply vnto himselfe those instructions, that are laid downe, either generally in doctrine, or particularly in example. And therfore the holy Ghost here saith not, Let the Galatians or the Corinthians (which were renowmed Churches) bee constant in the faith; but, Let vs, that is, you Hebrewes, with my selfe, bee constant in the faith, following the example of your ancient fathers. It is said of the ancient Iewes, that many of them heard Gods word; but it was not profitable vnto them,