Words whereby we may be saved. By Thomas Vincent, sometime minister of Maudlins milk-street,…

Means 3. Hearing the Word Preached. It is by the foolishness of Preaching that God saveth such as do believe, 1 Cor. 1. 21. however the preaching of the Word is to them that perish foolishness, yet unto Believers it is the power of God unto salvation; therein God doth put forth his power, and maketh bare his arm, in bringing salvation to lost ⟨p. 79⟩souls. Hear and thy Soul shall live, Isa. 55. 3. Faith cometh by hearing, Rom. 10. 17. Lydia's heart was opened whilst she attended upon the Word preached by Paul, Act. 16. 14. Attend therefore diligently upon the Word preached by Christs Ministers, as an Ordinance of his own institution for the working and increase of Grace: Look upon Ministers as Christs Ambassadors; he that heareth them heareth Christ, and he that turneth away his ear from hearing them, turneth away his ear from Christ, who by his Spirit in them speaketh from Heaven unto men, and how impossible it is for such to escape the wrath of God, see Heb. 12. 25. Much more shall not they escape that turn away their ear from him that speaketh from Heaven. Hear the Word with reverence, as the Word of God, as if the Lord should speak to you from Heaven with an audible voice; hear the Word with diligence and attention as for your lives, as for the salvation of your Souls; hear the Word with faith and love, without which it will not profit and work effectually in your hearts; and in hearing look not so much for those things which may please, as for that which may edify; I mean, do not regard so much mens fancies, as the wholesome Truths of the Word, which tend most to conviction, edification, to the killing of sin, quickening and increase of Grace, and nourishment of the spiritual life.