Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

Not respecting of it takes Gods name in vain, and the ¹Judgement of it is fearful, viz. He will not hold him guiltless; And that which is a taking of Gods Name in vain, is plain thus. The creatures are made known by many things that are not their names, as by qualities and accidents, but whatsoever God is made known by, is his Name: therefore to abuse his creatures, o• the works of his mercy, since he is made known by them, is a taking of his Name in vain; and these that do so, God will not hold them guiltless; if not those that take his Name ⟨p. 288⟩in vain in other things, much less in this, therefore the Word is like Jonathans Bow, it never returns home empty, it is like the Sun that softens wax, but hardens clay; so that if the Word light on a muddy heart, it makes it worse, if on good, it softens it, and makes it better. There is not a Sermon which is heard, but it sets us nearer Heaven or Hell. On the contrary, not repeating is the cause that many are always learning, but never come to the knowledge of the Truth: Suppose all that is delivered be not profitable, mind that which is, and know there is a necessity laid on these. If a man be convinced of the truth, let him take heed how he omits it, for if he do, he shall be beaten with many stripes, because sin grows out of measure sinful.

Not respecting of it takes Gods name in vain, and the ¹Judgement of it is fearful, viz. He will not hold him guiltless; And that which is a taking of Gods Name in vain, is plain thus. The creatures are made known by many things that are not their names, as by qualities and accidents, but whatsoever God is made known by, is his Name: therefore to abuse his creatures, o• the works of his mercy, since he is made known by them, is a taking of his Name in vain; and these that do so, God will not hold them guiltless; if not those that take his Name ⟨p. 288⟩in vain in other things, much less in this, therefore the Word is like Ionathans Bow, it never returns home empty, it is like the Sun that softens wax, but hardens clay; so that if the Word light on a muddy heart, it makes it worse, if on good, it softens it, and makes it better. There is not a Sermon which is heard, but it sets us nearer Heaven or Hell. On the contrary, not repeating is the cause that many are alwayes learning, but never come to the knowledge of the Truth: Suppose all that is delivered be not profitable, mind that which is, and know there is a necessity laid on these. If a man be convinced of the truth, let him take heed how he omits it, for if he do, he shall be beaten with many stripes, because sinne grows out of measure sinful.