First, to hear profitably, that the voice of the Son of God be not a common voice, but peculiar, take that rule which is set down, Luk. 8.18. Take heed how ye hear. Christ gave that admonition to his hearers, and I give it to you: look to your selves, take heed how ye come to hear the Word; do it diligently: the reason of this is added in the same verse: for unto him that hath shall be given, and from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he seemed to have. That is, if ye hear and get a little knowledge, ye shall have more: he that yieldeth some fruits, shall bring forth more: he that doth some things, shall do more, God will bless you. But from him that hath not, shall be taken even that which he seemed to have: that is, your hearts shall be hardened, and that common knowledge which you have shall be taken away, Joh. 15.2. Every branch that beareth not fruit God cuts down. God looks into a Congregation to see who doth make conscience of hearing; those that do, he purgeth; but those that profit not, he curseth: he takes not away their lives, but their graces, makes them wither in the inward man, and so he comes to death. Luk. 19. He that had ten Talents, he that had most, had more given him: To practise a little is the way to get more. The Talent is taken from him, 1who did not use it, and given to him, that had most Talents. There are two rewards ⟨p. 169⟩for him that useth the Talent well. First, he shall have m•re. Secondly, he shall be ruler over ten Cities; he shall have comfort here, and hereafter: he shall have more comfort and grace. See how he dealt with Nathaniel, Joh. 1.50. Because he confessed Christ to be the Son of God, and believed because Christ saw him under the Fig-tree, which was but a small thing; Christ tells him that he shall see greater things than these. Joh. 7.17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God: that is, if ye practise according to your knowledge▪ you shall know more, it shall be confirmed to you. Let men know and not practise, then Rom. 1.21.22. Because when they knew God, they glorified him not a• God, neither are thankful, therefore God gives them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves, and to worship Idols; as he dealt with the Gentiles. So in the 2 Thess. 2.9.
First, to heare profitably, that the voyce of the Sonne of God bee not a common voyce, but peculiar, take that rule which is set downe, Luk. 8.18. Take heed how yee heare. Christ gave that admonition to his hearers, and I give it to you: looke to your selves, take heed how yee come to heare the Word; doe it diligently: the reason of this is added in the same verse: for unto him that hath shall be given, and from him that hath not, shall bee taken away even that which he seemed to have. That is, if yee heare and get a little knowledge, yee shall have more: hee that yeeldeth some fruits, shall bring foorth more: hee that doth some things, shall doe more, God will blesse you. But from him that hath not, shall bee taken even that which hee seemed to have: that is, your hearts shall be hardened, and that common knowledge which you have shall bee taken away, Ioh. 15.2. Every branch that beareth not fruite God cuts downe. God lookes into a Congregation to see who doth make conscience of hearing; those that doe, he purgeth; but those that profit not, hee curseth: he takes not away their lives, but their graces, makes them wither in the inward man, and so hee comes to death. Luk. 19. He that had ten Talents, he that had most, had more given him: To practise a little is the way to get more. The Talent is taken from him, 1who did not use it, and given to him, that had most Talents. There are two rewards ⟨p. 169⟩for him that useth the Talent well. First, hee shall have m•re. Secondly, he shall be ruler over ten Cities; hee shall have comfort here, and hereafter: hee shall have more comfor• and grace. See how he dealt with Nathaniel, Ioh. 1.50. Because he confessed Christ to be the Sonne of God, and beleeved because Christ saw him under the Fig-tree, which was but a small thing; Christ tels him that hee shall see greater things than these. Ioh. 7.17. If any man will doe his will, hee shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God: that is, if yee practise according to your knowledge▪ you shall know more, it shall be confirmed to you. Let men know and not practise, then
- 1Math. 25:
