The safety of appearing at the day of judgement, in the righteousness of Christ

2. Frequently attend the preaching of the Word: that which God makes use of especially for the begetting of Faith, is very proper for the nourishing of it, Rom. 10.17. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing, by the Word of God: this is an ordinance as well as the reading of the Word: and there is a special usefulness in it several ways, the life and zeal that is in the delivery is of special use, and a great means to affect the heart: in the preaching of the Word, counsels and encouragements are directed more particularly unto them; and that by those that God has set over them, that must give an account of their souls, Act. 20.28. yea the very solemnity of the Assembly, does help to solemnize the heart, and prepare it to receive what is spoken from the Word of God. And therefore you should be forward to take opportunities for the hearing of the Word: men had need have weighty grounds before they remove to ⟨p. 338⟩such places, where they are like to live many years without the preaching of the Word, or to such places, that they and their families can seldom come to the Public Assembly, and you had need be careful that you do not make frivolous excuses to stay away, from the House of God: if the weather be difficult, or if there be some small bodily indisposition, many count they have a good warrant to stay at home: persons that could overlook such difficulties in order to a worldly design; and although there be more liberty, respecting weekly opportunities, especially in neighbour places, yet you had need have the weight of those two things upon your heart, that you don't cast contempt upon the Ordinance of God, and that you don't neglect the advantages that God gives for spiritual profit, Psal. 122.1. I was glad, when they said unto me, let us go into the House of the Lord.

2. Frequently attend the preaching of the Word: that which God makes use of especially for the begeting of Faith, is very proper for the nourishing of it, Rom. 10.17. Faith commeth by hearing, and hearing, by the Word of God: this is an ordinance as well as the reading of the Word: and there is a special usefulness in it several ways, the life and zeal that is in the delivery is of special use, and a great means to affect the heart: in the preaching of the Word, counsels and encouragements are directed more partiticularly unto them; and that by those that God has set over them, that must give an account of their souls,