The Godly Man's Picture

A godly man loves the word preached, partly from the good he hath found by it; he hath felt the dew fall with this Manna; and partly because of Gods Institution, the Lord hath appointed this Ordinance to save him; the Kings Image makes the Coin go currant; the stamp of Divine Authority upon the word preached, makes it an Engine conducible to mens Salvation.

A godly man loves the word preached, partly from the good he hath found by it; he hath felt the dew fall with this Manna; and partly because of Gods Institution, the Lord hath appointed this Ordinance to save him; the Kings Image makes the Coyn go currant; the stamp of Divine Authority upon the word preached, makes it an Engine conducible to mens Salvation.

Use. ¹Let us try by this Character, whether we are godly: Are we lovers of the word?

1. 1Use.Vse.

1. Do we love the word written? What sums of money did the Martyrs give for a few leaves of the Bible? Do we make the word our familiar? As Moses had often the Rod of God in his hand, so should we have the Book of God in our hand: when we want direction, do we consult with this sacred Oracle? when we find corruptions strong, do we make use of this Sword of the Spirit to hew them down? when we are disconsolate, do we go to this Aqua vitae bottle for comfort? then we are lovers of the word! But alas, how can they say they love the Scriptures, who are seldom conversant in them? their eyes begin to be sore when they look upon a Bible: The two Testaments are hung by, like rusty Armour, which is seldom or never made use of: The Lord wrote the Law with his own finger, but though God took pains to write, men will not take pains to read; they had rather look upon a pair of Cards, then upon a Bible.