Captives bound in chains made free

3. Set thy self under the preaching of the word, and constantly attend upon God, and come to the hearing of the word, as to an Ordinance of God; and look upon faithful Ministers as the Ambassadors of Jesus Christ, that come to you in the Name of Christ, as having Authority from God to propose the Gospel-conditions of deliverance from Captivity, and to treat with ⟨p. 184⟩you in the Name of God about your being made free. So indeed it is 2 Cor. 5. 19, 20. You come to hear a mans Parts; but you do not look upon them as persons in Office, having a commission from God to propound Articles of Peace betwixt God and you; to treat with you from God, and in the Name of God, about your everlasting state, and your deliverance from your present bondage, and future torment. Did you believe this, would you sit and sleep as if what were delivered to you were not worth the hearing and regarding? or would you sit and hear, and go away and slight all that hath been said unto you?

4. Make application of the Word of God, when you hear it, unto your selves. This is spoken unto me, this is my misery, and this is my condition, and this is my danger; and mercy offered to sinners, is offered unto me; and Christ is tendered unto me to help me out of my woeful state of bondage. The Minister maketh Uses of the Doctrine he delivers, but all this is ineffectual, till you take it and lay it home to your own hearts: for want of this, you sit and hear like people not concerned; you sit and hear without affection, and go away without the due and powerful effect of the Word upon your hearts. Let Conscience tell thee, thou art the Drunkard, the Hypocrite, the Unbeliever, that is threatened and in danger of damnation.

4. Make application of the Word of God, when you hear it, unto your selves. This is spoken unto me, this is my misery, and this is my condition, and this is my danger; and mercy offered to sinners, is offered unto me; and Christ is tendered unto me to help me out of my woful state of bondage. The Minister maketh Uses of the Doctrine he delivers, but all this is ineffectual, till you take it and lay it home to your own hearts: for want of this, you sit and hear like people not concerned; you sit and hear without affection, and go away without the due and powerful effect of the Word upon your hearts. Let Conscience tell thee, thou art the Drunkard, the Hypocrite, the Unbeliever, that is threatned and in danger of damnation.