So shall we sensibly feel the saving and sanctifying1 ⟨image 6⟩virtue thereof to be infused into us to our everlasting consolation and comfort. And then shall our hearts and mouths be enlarged to speak all the good,2 of this good word of God, that can be devised. Yea, we shall not only praise it, but also with David, the man of God, we shall highly prize it; far above all earthly profits, or delights, Psal. 119.72.103. Then we shall be able with him again and again, to profess how entirely we love it, vers. 97. yea, how greatly we delight in it, vers. 174. yea, what joy and felicity we take in it, vers. 14.162. yea, how incessantly our thoughts and meditations are taken up about it: namely, before break of day, ver. 147 throughout the day, vers. 97. in the night. vers. 55. yea, at midnight, vers. 62. Let us not then (as the manner of some is) permit the word of God, barely to harbour in our houses: but let us endeavour rather, to harbour it within the closet of our hearts.3 And oh happy we! that ever it was our hap, to lodge within us so honourable and gracious a guest; that will every way be so beneficial unto us,4 as in our greatest distractions, to counsel us; in our deepest distresses, to comfort us: and when we are to seek of our way; to direct us, directly to that haven of happiness,5 where there shall be mirth without mourning; fellowship with God, and all his saints, without parting; where we shall be ever prest to do his will without fainting; and that, time without ending. As for those thata neglect so great salvation, that have the word,b but love it not: that read it, but will not bec reformed by it: thatd despise it,e reject, and scorn it: To say no more, their damnation sleepeth not: God cannot, nor will not put up, such indignities at the hands of sinners, Isa. 5.24. Jer. 5.13.14. and 6.10.11 ⟨image 6⟩unless they meet him, and that speedily,11 by true and unfeigned repentance. And if thou say, Oh that I could! I wish thee often to read these holy Sermons of repentance, penned by the holy Prophet Jeremiah, for that purpose. For if repentance be a wounding of the heart, proceeding of faith, which seeketh unto God for mercy: then hath Jeremiah, like a skilful master-builder in these present Chapters, and those that follow, laid the ground-work of such a repentance out for thee. And if thou say, how shall I understand, unless I have a guide?12
So shall we sensibly feele the sauing and sanctifying1 ⟨image 6⟩vertue thereof to be infused into vs to our euerlasting consolation and comfort. And then shall our hearts and mouthes be enlarged to speake all the good,2 of this good word of God, that can be deuised. Yea, we shall not only praise it, but also with Dauid, the man of God, wee shall highly prize it; farre aboue all earthly profits, or delights, Psal. 119.72.103. Then we shall be able with him againe and againe, to professe how entirely we loue it, vers. 97. yea, how greatly we delight in it, vers. 174. yea, what ioy and felicity we take in it, vers. 14.162. yea, how incessantly our thoughts and meditations are taken vp about it: namely, before break of day, ver. 147 throughout the day, vers. 97. in the night. vers. 55. yea, at midnight, vers. 62. Let vs not then (as the manner of some is) permit the word of God, barely to harbour in our houses: but let vs endeauour rather, to harbour it within the closet of our hearts.3 And oh happy wee! that euer it was our hap, to lodge within vs so honourable and gracious a guest; that will euery way be so beneficiall vnto vs,4 as in our greatest distractions, to councell vs; in our deepest distresses, to comfort vs: and when we are to seeke of our way; to direct vs, directly to that hauen of happinesse,5 where there shall bee mirth without mourning; fellowship with God, and all his saints, without parting; where we shall be euer prest to doe his will without fainting; and that, time without ending. As for those thata neglecte so great saluation, that haue the word,b but loue it not: that reade it, but will not bec reformed by it: thatd despise it,
- 12. Tim. 3.15.16.
- 2Psal. 138.2. Psal. 19.7.8.9.10.
- 3Psal. 119.11. Luk. 11.28.
- 4Psal 119.24. Vers. 50.
- 5105.
- aHeb. 2.3.
- b2. Thes 2.10.
- cPsa. 50.16.17
- dProu. 13.13.
- eJer. 6.10.Ier. 6.10.
- 11Amos 4.12.
- 12Act. 8.31.