Gospel-worship, or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general. And…

3 Thirdly, Suppose they be great things, yet if they do not so much concern us, there is no such great reason of attention, Therefore in the Third place, That which we speak, it is your life: it is that that concerns your souls and eternal estates: Your Souls and everlasting estates do lie upon the Ministry of the Word, if that be made effectual to you, you are saved: if that be not made effectual to you, you are damned and undone for ever. If we should come to tell you of something whereby you might get some good bargain, or of a way how to get great riches, I make no question but you would rise though it were a cold or rainy morning: But know when you are called to hear the Word, you are called to hear that which may do you good forever, that for which you may bless God for to all eternity with the Angels and Saints in the highest Heavens; If they be such things of so great concernment, then there had need be a great attention: You know what Christ said to Martha when •e was troubled about His entertainment, Luke, 10.41. Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her. What did Mary choose? It was this, That she did diligently attend upon Jesus Christ to hear the Word from His own mouth, when Martha was busied in the house to provide for His entertainment; but it is a better thing to attend upon the Word than to entertain Christ in your houses: You that are of loving dispositions, that if a good Minister shall come to your houses, or a good Christian, that you see but the Image of Christ in, your hearts spring within you, and you will do any thing to entertain them: Well, but what if Jesus Christ should come, if you knew that such a man that came within your doors were the Son of God, how would you be••r your selves to entertain him? But know, it is a more acceptable service to Jesus Christ to attend upon his Word then to provide for Him in your houses. And there is great reason too, that we should be diligent in drawing nigh to the Word & give ear unto it; because you find that the Lord doth express ⟨p. 175⟩himself in the Scripture, how he gives ear to us when we speak to him.

3 Thirdly, Suppose they be great things, yet if they do not so much concern us, there is no such great reason of attention, Therefore in the Third place, That which we speak, it is your life: it is that that concerns your souls and eternal estates: Your Souls and everlasting estates do lie upon the Ministery of the Word, if that be made effectual to you, you are sav'd: if that be not made effectual to you, you are damn'd and undone for ever. If we should come to tell you of something whereby you might get some good bargain, or of a way how to get great riches, I make no question but you would rise though it were a cold or rainy morning: But know when you are called to hear the Word, you are called to hear that which may do you good forever, that for which you may blesse God for to all eternity with the Angels and Saints in the highest Heavens; If they be such things of so great concernment, then there had need be a great attention: You know what Christ said to Martha when e was troubled about His entertainment,