A09466:199
A treatise tending unto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of…A treatise tending vnto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of…
A treatise tending unto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of damnation or in the estate of grace and if he be in the first, how he may in time come out of it: if in the second, how he may discern it, and persevere in the same to the end. The points that are handled are set down in the page following.A treatise tending vnto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of damnation or in the estate of grace and if he be in the first, how he may in time come out of it: if in the second, how he maie discerne it, and perseuere in the same to the end. The points that are handled are set downe in the page following.
London: printed by R. Robinson for T. Gubbin, 1590
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
XLVII.
The first is the good hearing of the1 word, ymy sheep (saith Christ) hear my voice and follow me. And again: he which is of God heareth his voice. And this was one note of the faithful in the primitive Church to assemble to hear the word. This good hearing of the word is the saving hearing that bringeth life eternal. In this action, Christians are usually thus disposed. Before they come to hear the word of God they make themselves ready to hear it, as the men of Berea did, awho received the word with all readiness. This preparation standeth in two points: First, they disburden themselves of all impediments, that like unto runners in a race, they may bbe swift to hear: these impediments are sin and troubled affections, and they come with humble hearts cas fools, that they may become wise. Secondly, they quicken up themselves, and come unto the assemblies, hungering ⟨p. 82⟩and thirsting after the word of God, as men do after meat and drink. When they are in hearing Gods word, their minds are fixed and attentive only to that which is spoken, as dLydias was. Thirdly, they truly believe the word of God, & carefully apply it to their own souls. Fourthly, they feel the lively power of it in themselves. It is as