A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

2. Let us attend more conscionably, both upon the reading and hearing the Word of the Gospel, for both are instituted. Upon the reading of it, we should often consult with it, it is the Counsel of God to poor lo•t Souls, and the Charter of our Salvation. Do not think reading will be altogether unprofitable. The Eunuch was reading, and wanted an Interpreter; then God sent Philip, Acts 8.33. He that •ent Philip to the Eunuch, will send the Spirit to thee. Then attend more upon the hearing of the Word of this Salvation. Hearing is necessary. He that refuseth God's Ordinance, refuseth Life and Salvation. When Men think they can get as much Good by reading at Home, as by hearing Sermons; they set up their foolish Judgment against God's Wisdom, as if they could tell a better Means of Salvation than God himself. God's Word read is an Ordinance, and God's Word taught is an Ordinance. Are we so wise as to be above the help of Church-Gifts? yet we are not above God's Ordinance. When God hath instituted two Things, we should observe both: He hath instituted Baptism, and the Lord's Supper; we must not, because we have been Baptized, neglect the Supper: so we must not neglect Hearing, because we have Reading. As God hath instituted Prophets and Apostles to write Scripture, so likewise Pastors and Teachers to open, explain, and apply Scripture▪ and therefore the Ministry must not be contemned.

Object: But you will say, God's Blessing goeth with the Gospel; and when we read the Scriptures at Home, we are sure of pure Gospel; but we cannot say so of the Sermons of Men, who are liable to Miscarriage and Error.

Answ. The Scripture is pure Gospel of it self, and by it self; and the Sermons of Men for the Scripture's sake, for they are but comparing one Scripture with another; they differ but as the Cloth and Garment; Scripture is the Cloth, and Sermons make it up into a Garment for use; or as Corn and Bread, the same Substance remaineth in both. An Apothecary, when he tempers several Ingredients to make a Medicine, he doth not destroy the Nature of the Simples, but compounds them, to make the Medicine more effectual; so by Gifts in the Church, the Gospel is not destroyed, but ordered and compounded, that it may be more useful. Indeed you must look to it, that there be no Sophistication in the Composition; a spiritual Man hath a distinguishing Appetite: therefore be much in Reading, much in Hearing. When the Wind is laid, the Mill stirs not; and a Ship under sail goes the swifter for Oars, so the hearing of the Word moves the Affections; but when we cannot come to hear it, our Affections are laid and stir not.