V. If you would hear the Word aright, mix it with Faith. Believe the Verity of the Word Preached, that it is that Word by which you must be judged; and not only give Credence to the Word Preached, but learn to apply it to your own Souls. Faith concocts the Word, and turns it into Spiritual Nourishment. Many hear the Word, but it may be said of them as Psal. 106.24. They believed not his Word. As Melancton once said to some of the Italians, Ye Italians Worship God in the Bread, when ye do not believe him to be in Heaven So many hear God's Word, but do not believe that God is; they question the Truth of his Oracles. If we do not mix Faith with the Word, it is like leaving out the Chief Ingredient in a Medicine, which makes ⟨p. 345⟩it ineffectual. Unbelief hardens Mens Hearts against the Word. Acts 19.9. Divers were hardened and believed not. Men hear many Truths delivered concerning the Preciousness of Christ, the Beauty of Holiness, the Felicity of a Glorified Estate; but if through Unbelief and Atheism they question these Truths, we may as well speak to the Stones and Pillars of the Church as to them. That Word which is not Believed can never be Practised. *Ubi male creditur, ibi nec benè vivitur. Unbelief makes the Word Preached of no effect. Heb. 9.2. The Word preached did not profit, not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it. The Word to an Unbeliever is like Dioscordium put into a Dead Man's Mouth, which loseth all its Virtue. If there be any Unbelievers in our Congregations, what shall Ministers say to God at the last Day? Lord, we have preached to the People thou sentest us to; we showed them our Commission, we declared unto them the whole Counsel of God, but they believed never a Word we spake: We told them what would be the Fruit of Sin, but they would drink their Sugared Draught, tho there was Death in the Cup: Lord, we are free from their Blood. God forbid that ever Ministers should make this Report to God of their People: But this they must be forced to do, if People live and die in Unbelief. Would you sanctify a Sabbath in hearing the Word aright? Hear the Word with Faith. The Apostle puts these two together, Belief and Salvation. Heb. 10.39. We are of them that believe to the Saving of the Soul.
V. If you would hear the Word aright, mix it with Faith. Believe the Verity of the Word Preached, that it is that Word by which you must be judged; and not only give Credence to the Word Preached, but learn to apply it to your own Souls. Faith concocts the Word, and turns it into Spiritual Nourishment. Many hear the Word, but it may be said of them as Psal. 106.24. They believed not his Word. As Melancton once said to some of the Italians, Ye Italians Worship God in the Bread, when ye do not believe him to be in Heaven So many hear God's Word, but do not believe that God is; they question the Truth of his Oracles. If we do not mix Faith with the Word, it is like leaving out the Chief Ingredient in a Medicine, which makes ⟨p. 345⟩it ineffectual. Unbelief hardens Mens Hearts against the Word. Acts 19.9. Divers were hardened and believed not. Men hear many Truths delivered concerning the Preciousness of Christ, the Beauty of Holiness, the Felicity of a Glorified Estate; but if through Unbelief and Atheism they question these Truths, we may as well speak to the Stones and Pillars of the Church as to them. That Word which is not Believed can never be Practised. *Vbi male creditur, ibi nec benè vivitur. Unbelief makes the Word Preached of no effect. Heb. 9.2. The Word preached did not profit, not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it. The Word to an Unbeliever is like Dioscordium put into a Dead Man's Mouth, which loseth all its Vertue. If there be any Unbelievers in our Congregations, what shall Ministers say to God at the last Day? Lord, we have preached to the People thou sentest us to; we showed them our Commission, we declared unto them the whole Counsel of God, but they believed never a Word we spake: We told them what would be the Fruit of Sin, but they would drink their Sugared Draught, tho there was Death in the Cup: Lord, we are free from their Blood. God forbid that ever Ministers should make this Report to God of their People: But this they must be forc'd to do, if People live and die in Unbelief. Would you sanctifie a Sabbath in hearing the Word aright? Hear the Word with Faith. The Apostle puts these two together, Belief and Salvation. Heb. 10.39. We are of them that believe to the Saving of the Soul.
- *Hierom.
