A Body of Practical Divinity

(3.) Having dressed our Bodies, we must dress our Souls for the hearing of the Word. As the People of Israel were to wash themselves before the Law was delivered to them, Exod. 19.10. so we must wash and cleanse our Souls, and that is by Reading, Meditation and Prayer.

I. By Reading the Word. The Word is a great means to sanctify the Heart, and bring it into a Sabbath-frame, John 17.17. Sanctify them through thy truth, &c. And read the Word not carelessly, but with seriousness and affection; it is the Oracle of Heaven, the Well of Salvation, the Book of Life. David for the preciousness of God's Word esteemed it above Gold, and for the sweetness above Honey, Psal. 19.10. By reading the Word aright, our Hearts when they are dull are quickened, when they are hard are mollified, when cold and frozen are ⟨p. 337⟩inflamed, and we can say as the Disciples, Did not our Hearts burn within us? Some step out of their Bed to hearing. The Reason why many get no more good on a Sabbath by the Word Preached, is because they did not break Fast with God in the Morning by the Reading of his Word.

I. By Reading the Word. The Word is a great means to sanctifie the Heart, and bring it into a Sabbath-frame, Iohn 17.17. Sanctifie them through thy truth, &c. And read the Word not carelesly, but with seriousness and affection; it is the Oracle of Heaven, the Well of Salvation, the Book of Life. David for the preciousness of God's Word esteemed it above Gold, and for the sweetness above Honey, Psal. 19.10