Gospel-Worship

We shall now proceed to the Application of this Point: And,

First by way of reprehension to all those that do not Sanctify Gods name in hearing the word, and herein we shall show their fearful condition, and how God will Sanctify his name upon them in ways of judgement, and then when we come to the use of exhortation, to exhort you to Sanctify the name of God, there we shall show you likewise how God will Sanctify his name in ways of mercy upon those that do Sanctify him in ways of obedience in hearing of his word.

First by way of reprehension to all those that do not Sanctifie Gods name in hearing the word, and herein we shall shew their fearful condition, and how God will Sanctifie his name upon them in waies of judgement, and then when we come to the use of exhortation, to exhort you to Sanctifie the name of God, there we shall shew you likewise how God will Sanctifie his name in waies of mercy upon those that do Sanctifie him in waies of obedience in hearing of his word.

1 For the first: Certainly if that be to Sanctify the name of God that we have spoken of; Gods name is but very little Sanctified by people that do come to hear his word, and we have no cause to wonder that there is so little good got by the word, because there are so few that make conscience to Sanctify Gods name in hearing it; Some there are that are so far from Sanctifying Gods name in it, as they altogether neglect it, and make it a matter of nothing whither they come to hear it or no: Saith Christ in Joh. 8. 47. He that is of God heareth my word, ye therefore hear them not because ye are not of God. Certainly he that hath the knowledge of God and any interest in God, and that belongs unto him, nothing is more sweet to him then the hearing of his word, but because ye are not of God (saith Christ) therefore you hear not his word. Those men and women that have no interest in God, but live without God in this world, they regard not to hear his word. O how many have we that belong to this place that do so! How many live without God in the world, and do declare to all the world that they are not of God? they have no part nor portion in God in that they hear not his word. Some there are that come to hear it, but they come to hear it as a mere matter of indifferency, in a mere formal and customary way, or for companies sake, or to give content to others: These are poor and low ends, thou shouldest come to hear the word as expecting God should speak to thy Soul for the furtherance of thy eternal good, but your consciences may tell you what vain and wandering hearts you have, when you