Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

If it be true, (as it cannot but be true, because the mouth of him who is Truth it self hath spoken it) that of every idle word which man shall speak, they must give account thereof at the day of Judgement, Mat. 12. 36. Certainly they must give an account concerning every Sermon which they heart. Sleeping at a Sermon is a greater sin, thou speaking an idle word. Therefore if men must be called to an account for idle words, much more for this. All those Talents, which the Lord doth intrust any with, they must be accountable ⟨p. 217⟩for them another day: Now Gospel Sermons, are amongst the most precious Talents, which any in this World have conferred on them. But what a sad account will be given concerning those Sermons which have been slept away? As light as thou makest of it now, it may be Conscience will roar for it upon a Death bed. Not many years ago, there was a young man, than being wont to come to hear the Word in this Congregation, when he was upon his sick-bed, which proved his death-bed, he desired to speak with me, and when I came to him, he had this expression, O Sir, sometimes whilst Sermons have been Preaching: I have set my self to sleep on purpose, and do you think it is possible, that one that hath done so, should ever find mercy with God. And if this be a trouble on a death-bed, will not the thought of it, be a terror at the last and great day? verily there is many a Soul, that will find this to be a dismal thought at the day of Judgement, when he shall remember so many Sermons I might have heard for my everlasting benefit, but I slighted and slept them away.

If it be true, (as it cannot but be true, because the mouth of him who is Truth it self hath spoken it) that of every idle word which man shall speak, they must give account thereof at the day of Judgement, Mat. 12. 36. Certainly they must give an account concerning every Sermon which they heart. Sleeping at a Sermon is a greater sin, thou speaking an idle word. Therefore if men must be called to an account for idle words, much more for this. All those Talents, which the Lord doth intrust any with, they must be accountable ⟨p. 217⟩for them another day: Now Gospel Sermons, are amongst the most precious Talents, which any in this World have conferred on them. But what a sad account will be given concerning those Sermons which have been slept away? As light as thou makest of it now, it may be Conscience will roar for it upon a Death bed. Not many years ago, there was a young man, than being wont to come to hear the Word in this Congregation, when he was upon his sick-bed, which proved his death-bed, he desired to speak with me, and when I came to him, he had this expression, O Sir, sometimes whilest Sermons have been Preaching: I have set my self to sleep on purpose, and do you think it is possible, that one that hath done so, should ever find mercy with God. And if this be a trouble on a death-bed, will not the thought of it, be a terror at the last and great day? verily there is many a Soul, that will find this to be a dismal thought at the day of Judgement, when he shall remember so many Sermons I might have heard for my everlasting benefit, but I slighted and slept them away.