A Body of Practical Divinity

2. If you would have the Word Preached effectual, come with an holy Appetite to the Word, 1 Pet. 2.2. The Thirsting Soul is the Thriving Soul. In Nature one may have an Appetite and no Digestion: But it is not so in Religion; where there is a great Appetite to the Word, there is for the most part Digestion, the Word doth concoct and nourish. Come with Hungrings of Soul after the Word. And therefore desire the Word, that it may not only please you, but profit you. Look not more at the garnishing of the Dish than the Meat, at Eloquence and Rhetoric more than solid matter. It argues both a wanton Palate, and surfeited Stomach, to feed on Salads and Kickshaws rather than wholesome Food.

2. If you would have the Word Preached effectual, come with an holy Appetite to the Word, 1 Pet. 2.2. The Thirsting Soul is the Thriving Soul. In Nature one may have an Appetite and no Digestion: But it is not so in Religion; where there is a great Appetite to the Word, there is for the most part Digestion, the Word doth concoct and nourish. Come with Hungrings of Soul after the Word. And therefore desire the Word, that it may not only please you, but profit you. Look not more at the garnishing of the Dish than the Meat, at Eloquence and Rhetorick more than solid matter. It argues both a wanton Pallat, and surfeited Stomach, to feed on Sallets and Kickshaws rather than wholsom Food.

3. If you would have the Preaching of the Word effectual, come to it with a Tenderness upon your Heart, 2 Chron. 34.19. Because thy Heart was tender. If we preach to hard Hearts, it is like shooting against a Brazen Wall, the Word doth not enter; it is like setting a Gold Seal upon Marble, which takes no Impression. Oh come to the Word preached with a melting Frame of Heart! 'Tis the melting Wax receives the Stamp of the Seal. When the Heart is in a melting Frame, it will better receive the Stamp of the Word preached. When Paul's Heart was melted and broken for Sin, then, Lord, what wilt thou have me do?