The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

I have read a story of two men, who walking together, found a young Tree laden with fruit, they both gathered, and satisfied themselves at present: One of them took all the remaining fruit; and carried it away with him; the other took the tree, and planted it in his own ground, where it prospered, and brought forth fruit every year; so that though the former had more at present, yet ⟨p. 244⟩this had some when he had none: They who hear the Word, and have large memories, and nothing else, may carry away most of the Word at present; yet he that (possibly) can remember little, who carrieth away the tree, plants the Word in his heart, and obeys it in his life, shall have fruit when the other hath none: The practical memory, is the greatest mercy.

It is reported of a good man, that coming from a Lecture, and being demanded, Whether all were done, he should fetch a deep sigh, and say, All is said, but all is not done.

Reader, when thou hast heard the word, consider, though the Sermon be at an end, yet there must not be an end of the Sermon. Practice, which is the heart of hearing, is still behind. Observe the properties of those persons to whom, and their posterity, God will be propitious: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting, and his righteousness to children's children: To such as keep his Covenants, and remember his Commandments to do them, Psal. 103.17, 18. They are described by their act; they lay the word up, they remember his Commandments; and by their end, to lay the word out in their lives, to do them. A good husband having received a bag of money, locketh it up safe, that none may rob him of it, and as occasion is, fetcheth it down, and layeth it out, some for food, some for clothes, some for rent, some for servants wages, some for this, some for that, as his necessities require: So (Friend) do thou lay up the precious Treasure of the word safe in