Secondly, for the just reproof of many among us, who will come unto the Church, and sit before the Preacher, as men and women desiring to obtain the knowledge of Gods ways, whereas in truth the Lord and their own consciences can witness, that they are altogether unwilling to receive any wholesome admonition and instruction: and that no charge is, or can be more unpleasant, and distasteful unto them, then that of the God of heaven, when he straitly enjoineth ⟨p. 132⟩them with all speed to get out of their sins, and to turn their feet into the way of his testimonies. And because they will be very loath to acknowledge thus much, but are ready to harbour too good an opinion of themselves, as if none were more forward hearers then they are, let their own hearts be judges, what preparation they make before hand for the fitting of themselves for such a great work; what attention they use when they are present, and what meditation and conference they have concerning it when they are departed. Of which points if they would without partiality examine themselves, they should easily discern a great deal of backwardness in their nature and in their practise. If a man should protest that he goes to the market with a great desire to buy food for himself and his family, yet if he always played the unthrift with his money, and never brought home any provision, we would not give credit to his words, but account him a mere dissembler: and the like censure may we pass on such, as pretend they are willing to reap benefit by the word, to the intent they may be able to help both themselves and their families, and yet never carry away any thing to the purpose, but if you ask them what points were handled, they can say nothing, but this, surely we heard a very good Sermon, God be thanked, but my memory is very short, or I cannot utter all that I have in my mind: my heart, I hope, is as good as the best, though I cannot ⟨p. 133⟩talk of the Sermon as others do: what is this but to deceive their own souls with vain words? for certainly he that hath a heart willing to hear, will have a tongue ready to utter, in some tolerable sort, that which he hath heard, though not all of it, yet a good part of it, as God hath given to every one the measure of grace.
Secondly, for the iust reproofe of many among vs, who will come vnto the Church, and sit before the Preacher, as men and women desiring to obtaine the knowledge of Gods waies, whereas in truth the Lord and their owne consciences can witnesse, that they are altogether vnwilling to receiue any wholesome admonition and instruction: and that no charge is, or can bee more vnpleasant, and distastfull vnto them, then that of the God of heauen, when hee straitly enioyneth ⟨p. 132⟩them with all speed to get out of their sinnes, and to turne their feete into the way of his testimonies. And because they will bee very loath to acknowledge thus much, but are readie to harbour too good an opinion of themselues, as if none were more forward hearers then they are, let their owne hearts bee iudges, what preparation they make before hand for the fitting of themselues for such a great work; what attention they vse when they are present, and what meditation and conference they haue concerning it when they are departed. Of which points if they would without partialitie examine themselues, they should easily discerne a great deale of backwardnesse in their nature and in their practise. If a man should protest that hee goes to the market with a great desire to buy food for himselfe and his family, yet if hee alwaies plaied the vnthrift with his money, and neuer brought home any prouision, we would not giue credit to his words, but account him a meere dissembler: and the like censure may we passe on such, as pretend they are willing to reape benefit by the word, to the intent they may bee able to helpe both themselues and their families, and yet neuer carrie away any thing to the purpose, but if you aske them what points were handled, they can say nothing, but this, surely wee heard a very good Sermon, God be thanked, but my memorie is very short, or I cannot vtter all that I haue in my minde: my heart, I hope, is as good as the best, though I cannot ⟨p. 133⟩talke of the Sermon as others doe: what is this but to deceiue their owne soules with vaine words? for certainly he that hath a heart willing to heare, will haue a tongue readie to vtter, in some tolerable sort, that which hee hath heard, though not all of it, yet a good part of it, as God hath giuen to euery one the measure of grace.
