Gospel-worship, or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general and…

12. Lastly, There is yet one thing more (which should have been mentioned before) which is very remarkable; That those men which do not sanctify Gods Name in his Word, they will be blasted, even here while they live, their parts and common gifts that they yet have will be blasted, wither, and come to nothing. We find it ordinarily, that many that are young, had very good beginnings, and very good parts, that were very hopeful, and would speak very savourly where they came; afterwards beginning by degrees to neglect the Word, the Lord hath blasted them, their gifts have withered, the common gifts of the Spirit have been taken from them. I will give you one text for that in Luke, 8. 18. Take heed therefore how you hear. (It is an Exhortation that follows upon the parable of the Sower that went out to sow) because it is so that when the Word is sown as seed, there is so little of it doth prosper, and most hearers do not sanctify Gods Name in it, therefore look to your selves; Why? For whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. You had need look to your selves how you hear, for the truth is, all depends upon it under God; have you got any common gifts of the Spirit of God, or any abilities to do any service for God? do not be proud of them, neither be jolly, nor think that you are able to do better than others, and that those are but ordinary things that the Minister speaks, and you are gotten into a higher form. Look to your selves, take heed you come not to the Word with a proud Spirit, be not offended at the plainness of the Word; take heed how you hear, for if you do not, that that you seem to have shall be taken from you, saith Christ: You seem to have excellent gifts, yea, you seem to have grace too, but take heed how you hear for all this, whatsoever parts you have got, though you be highly esteemed in the company where you come; and you are able to do things more than others, yet I say, Take heed how you hear, for otherwise that that you have will be taken away from you: have ⟨p. 209⟩we not seen this in our own experience? and it is apparent that they began to be withered and to be blasted by neglecting of the word.

12. Lastly, There is yet one thing more (which should have been mentioned before) which is very remarkable; That those men which do not sanctifie Gods Name in his Word, they will be blasted, even here while they live, their parts and common gifts that they yet have will be blasted, wither, and come to nothing. We find it ordinarily, that many that are yong, had very good beginnings, and very good parts, that were very hopeful, and would speak very savorly where they came; afterwards beginning by degrees to neglect the Word, the Lord hath blasted them, their gifts have withered, the common gifts of the Spirit have been taken from them. I will give you one text for that in