A20762:1650
A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties
A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helps enabling & the reasons persuading unto it the impediments hindering the practise of it, and the best means to remove them whereunto are added divers prayers and a treatise of carnal security by John Douname Bachelor in Divinity and minister of Gods Word.A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.
London: printed by Felix Kingstone and William Stansby for Ed, 1622
Book 5 › Chapter 6 › Section 2: §. Sect. 2 Of duties to be performed in the hearing of the Word.
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.
§. Sect. 2 Of duties to be performed in the hearing of the Word.
In the hearing of the Word, divers duties are to be performed. As first, we must set our selves in Gods presence, that we may hear all things that are 1commanded us of him, according to the example of good Cornelius; in which regard we must not hear the Word after a careless and cold manner, but with fear and trembling, if we would have God that speaketh, take any delight in us. Secondly, we must hear it, not as the word of man, but as it is the Word of God, by which we shall one day be justified or condemned. Thirdly, we must hunger after the sincere milk of Gods 2Word, without the mixture of humane traditions, carnal eloquence, and worldly wisdom, that we may grow up thereby. Fourthly, we are to hear with all attention, having our eyes fastened upon the Teacher, and hanging upon his lips, as the child upon the mothers breast, like the hearers 3of our Saviour Christ; to which end we must carefully banish all worldly cogitations and wandering thoughts, and also all drowsiness and sleepiness, seeing we would not so hear our equals, and much less our superiors. Fifthly, we must hear with alacrity and cheerfulness, and shake off all dullness and carnal weariness, which makes no part of the Sermon pleasing but the conclusion only. Sixthly, we must hear with all due reverence, the Word, as being the Word of God, and not of man, as from him, and before him, in whose presence the hills and mountains shake and tremble. Seventhly, with all humility, submitting our selves unto it, as unto the Sceptre of Gods Kingdom, to be ruled and directed, instructed and reproved by it, and not rebel against Gods holy ordinance, and repine and rage against our Teachers, when they touch our consciences to the quick, and sharply reproe us for our sins. Lastly, we must hear the Word with faith and a good conscience, giving credit