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

3 Thirdly, The Name of God must be Sanctified in the Word, because the word is very quick and lively, it works men or women to life or death, to salvation or damnation. In Heb: 4.12. The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit &c. It is very quick of operation (the text saith;) that is, when God hath to deal with men by his word, He will not stand dallying and trifling with them, but he is very quick with them either to bring their souls to life, or to cast them away. The time of mens ignorance God winks at, but now he calls all men to repent. Let them look to it now, God did forbear in the time of ignorance, but He will not forbear so when the word comes, Now is the Axe laid to the root of the tree: And when was that? when John Baptist came to preach repentance because the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Though the tree were barren before, and did not bring forth good fruit, yet it might stand still and not be cut down; but when the powerful Ministration of the Word comes, then the Axe is laid to the root of the Tree; either now come in and be saved, or resist the word and perish: And therefore that is very observable when Christ sends out His Disciples to preach, in Mark 16.15, 16. Saith he, Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, and he that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. As if He should say, There shall be quick work made with them, go and preach, & those that belong to my election shall be brought in to believe and be saved, and the others shall be damned: As if God should say, If they will come in and embrace the Gospel they shall be saved, If they will not they shall be damned, and there is an end of them. So that I say, we have need to look to it that we Sanctify the Name of God in His Word upon these Three Ground, Because there is so much of God in His word Because He hath appointed it to convey the greatest Mercies to ⟨p. 197⟩His Saints. And because God is very quick in His Word, one way or other.

3 Thirdly, The Name of God must be Sanctified in the Word, because the word is very quick and lively, it works men or women to life or death, to salvation or damnation. In Heb: 4.12. The Word of God is quick and powerfull, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit &c. It is very quick of opperation (the text saith;) that is, when God hath to deal with men by his word, He wil not stand dallying and trifling with them, but he is very quick with them either to bring their souls to life, or to cast them away. The time of mens ignorance God winks at, but now he cals all men to repent. Let them look to it now, God did forbear in the time of ignorance, but He will not forbear so when the word comes, Now is the Ax laid to the root of the tree: And when was that? when John Baptist came to preach repentance because the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Though the tree were barren before, and did not bring forth good fruit, yet it might stand still and not be cut down; but when the powerful Ministration of the Word comes, then the Ax is laid to the root of the Tree; either now come in and be saved, or resist the word and perish: And therefore that is very observable when Christ sends out His Discples to preach, in