Heauen and Earth to speake to him by Prayer and to heare him by Preaching and by both these as also by the Sacraments to feast and feed with him Thirdly We must remember more particularly the fruit of Gods Word and the efficacie thereof in that it is called The Kingdome of Heauen The meanes to keepe vs from Hell The treasurie of eternall life A sure word of Prophesie compared to a light that shineth in a darke place and is not only food to nourish vs but also Seed to beget vs Beeing able to saue our soules That which will support vs and quicken vs in our greatest troubles beeing the very ioy of our hearts Qu. What is the fourth dutie An. Fourthly wee are to reade and meditate in priuate with others if wee may fitly and by our selues vpon that place of Scripture that is to bee handled in the publike Assembly for if a godly man ought to meditate day and night in the Law of the Lord How can he be negligent vpon the Day of the Lord in thinking of that Scripture which is to bee handled in the House of the Lord And if the whole doctrine of the Gospell ought to dwell plentifully in vs alwayes How can we but possesse our selues of that part of the Gospell or Word of God which wee goe now to feede our soules withall Moreouer a Christian shall better remember the matter which is deliuered when hee hath thought of the ground of it before and also discerne more cleerely the grace and power of the publike Ministerie so farre exceeding his priuate Meditations or otherwise the weaknesse of the Minister if hee want either that gift that he should haue or be negligent in that studie and preparation which hee ought to vse Qu. What is the fift duty to be vsed of the Hearers before the Sermon An. Hee must powre forth faithfull and heartie Prayer first for himselfe that God will enlighten his mind confirmâ— his Memorie reforme his Will soften his Heart purifie his Conscience that hee may grow in the knowledge of his heauenly Doctrine lay hold of it by a true Faith and turne the same into the daily and wholsome exercises of Praier and Repentance herein imitating the Prophet Dauid and the Apostles Secondly For the people that shall ioyne with him especially those of his owne Family For if such be worse then Infidels as make not bodily prouision for their Families they cannot bee Christians that neglect this part of prouision for their soules Thirdly For their Ministers for if Paul beeing so excellent an Apostle needed the Prayers of the Ephesians much more doe the ordinarie Pastors and Teachers of the Church need the same Qu. Wherefore else is Prayer necessarie An. Because First God only giueth wisdome and out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderstanding Secondly Flesh and bloud reuealeth not those things to vs but God our heauenly Father Thirdly The naturall man perceiueth not the things which belong to the Spirit of God CHAP. III. Qu. YOu haue shewed mee what is to bee done before the Sermon now tell mee what is the hearers dutie in the Sermon while An. First let such as bee able to reade bring with them to the publike Assemblies the holy Bible to the end that they may not only ioyne with the Church in singing of Psalmes but also readily turne to the principal places of Scriptures that are read expounded and repeated by the Minister by which meanes they shall greatly further both their attention and memorie hauing the helpe not only of their Eare in hearing but also of their Eye in perusing those scriptures that are alleaged to see whether they be truly alleaged or no by which meanes also the Minister shall bee made more carefull to take heed that he doe not but vpon very good ground swarue from the words of the common Translation If this had beene obserued the Nouatian Heretike of whom Socrates speaketh in the Ecclesiasticall Storie durst not haue added those words to the Text which he did saying Cursed is euery one that keepeth the Passeouer without vnleauened Bread Neither would that bee of whom Austine speaketh Epistola nona ad Hicon haue so vnaduisedly made that hurrie among the people by reading a word in the Prophesie of Ionas otherwise then it was in their Bibles Qu. Which is the second dutie An. Euery hearer must endeauour earnestly to bee present at the whole Sermon from the beginning to the end both comming before the first Prayer begin and not departing till the blessing bee pronounced Iudas leauing the Assembly of Christ and the other Apostles before the action was ended and the Psalme sung had heauie successe This was counted so great a fault in former times that the Councell of Carthage appointed him that went out of the Congregation while the Minister was in speaking to bee excommunicated Qu. What is the third An. Sleepe talke and speech with other men curiositie in looking about and reading of other Bookes c. in the Sermon time must bee auoyded Qu. Why should not men sleepe at Sermons An. For diuers Reasons First it is a breach of the third Commandement or a taking of GODS Name in vaine by neglect and abuse of Gods holy Ordinance Secondly It is an enemie to that attention and heedfulnesse in hearing which is required of vs. Thirdly If such a iudgement befell him that slept in the night that at an exceeding long Sermon What are we to say of those that sleepe in the day at a Sermon of an houre long Fourthly It is a thing of euill report and example Qu. How shall they preuent it that by reason of watching early rising age or other infirmities can hardly auoid it An. They must seeke by all meanes to resist it praying and groaning in spirit standing vp vsing the Pen if they can write crauing the helpe of such as sit neere them c. Qu. What say you to talking curious gazing and gaping about c An. They are condemned by all the same Reasons that sleeping is and that so much the more because sleepe is such a naturall Infirmitie that it may suddenly and vnawares steale vpon a good and godly man who hath often resolued with his owne heart neuer to giue place vnto it whereas any man that hath but a sparke of grace and modestie may with a little striuing refraine talking and looking about and therefore it doth argue a farre greater prophanenesse and impudencie then the other Qu. But may not a man reade some good Booke of Diuinitie in the Sermon time An. No not the very Bible it selfe except it be the places that are pointed to by the Minister for wee are to giue attendance to the things that are spoken Besides it carrieth with it a kind of contempt both of the Minister and Ministerie and a secret condemning of those that doe attend Qu. What is the fourth dutie of hearers
did so highly esteeme of their Deuillish Mysteries that they vsed to say Be gone be gone farre from hence all yee prophane ones And againe Touch no vncleane thing with vnwashen hands how much more ought we to think thus of the great and holy Mysterie of Godlinesse and accordingly to prepare our selues to bee partakers thereof Qu. You haue shewed me generally what is to be done of all men before the Sermon now tell what is to bee done more particularly An. First they must carefully auoyde suâ—fetting and drunkennesse and disorder in Dyet and vse great moderation and sobrietie especially ouer night and in the morning before they resort to the publike Assemblies Christ saith Take heed lest at any time your hearts bee ouercome with surfetting and drunkennesse If at all times wee must take heed how much more at this time For Wine is a mocker saith Salomon and strong drinke is raging And as the Prophet saith Wine and strong drinke take away the heart And Esay saith Wo be to them that rise early to follow drunkennesse c. then hee giueth the reason saying They regard not the Lords worke but despise the Law of the Lord of Hosts Where the Apostle saith Bee not filled with Wine wherein is excesse but be yee filled with the spirit He sheweth that fulnesse is an Enemie to spirituall Graces whereof heedfull and profitable hearing of the word is one Qu. What is the next particular hinderance to bee auoyded when we are to goe to the House of God An. Excessiue care and minding of Earthly things which are reckoned vp as those speciall thornes that choke vp the Seed of the Word of God that it cannot bring forth fruit in due season Wherefore when we goe to heare a Sermon we must endeuour by all meanes to emptie and disburden our selues of all such thoughts casting them from vs as Thales did his goods choosing rather to drowne them then let them drowne vs by trouble and distraction Qu. What is the third particular hinderance An. A conceit and ouerweening of some singular knowledge and furniture of Bookes and reading whereby they come with such a preiudice as will not suffer them to reape any profit by the Word preached Qu. What are the most conuenient remedies for the remouing of this euill An. To this purpose wee are first to call to minde that the preaching of the Gospell is the power of God to saluation not to the simple and vnlearned only but euen to euery one that beleeueth Secondly That these Mysteries are of that nature and so disposed by the prouidence of GOD that they are often reuealed to babes in knowledge learning when they are hid from the wise and prudent and therefore the more wittie learned quicke of conceit that men are the more need they haue to resort to the House of God with feare and trembling Thirdly The examples of Gods faithfull Seruants Dauid was not only a wise and wittie Prince but a holy Prophet likewise and a man for his pietie and other spirituall graces most deare and acceptable to God yet who more desirous and forward to heare the Word of God then hee Aquila and Priscilla had better knowledge then Apollos himselfe an eloquent Preacher yet they disdayned not to heare him Nor hee them though hee were more learned in other things Lastly the publike Assemblies of the Church haue more singular promises of GODS present Grace and blessings as may appeare by sundry places of Scripture Qu. What is the fourth hinderance An. A partiall or rather schismaticall respect of persons such as was in the Church of Corinth where som extolled one some another some Paul some Apollos Qu. Whence proceedeth this respect of persons An. It proceedeth originally from the hearers either from the ignorance of their mindes or from the corruption of their hearts and occasionally from the Teachers in respect of the diuersitie of their gifts and manner of handling of the Scriptures Qu. How are men hindered by their owne ignorance and corruption An. When for want of Iudgement and Sanctimonie they preferre such as speake pleasing things and tickle their eares with Eloquent tearmes pleasant stories and wittie Iests and cannot away with those that speake the words of truth and sobernesse and the things as the same Apostle saith that become wholsome doctrine Especially if they doe plainly and roundly lay their sins before them Hence it was that Ahab could not endure Michajah This made Felix cut off Paul in the midst of his speech and put him off till another time Hence sprang the Imprisonment of Iohn Baptist by Herod Qu. What are the remedies against this hinderance An. For a remedy against this euil we are to consider First that such partiall respect of Gods Ministers argueth a carnall and a fleshly minde and sheweth that wee are Babes and Children in Christianitie Secondly That by this partialitie wee giue to man more then his due and take from Christ that which of right belongeth to him as appeareth Thirdly That this diuersitie and vnequalitie of gifts is not giuen for the renting and destroying but for the building and the beautifying of the Church of Christ euen as the diuersitie and varietie of flowres in the same Garden differing in colour smell taste and vertue bring no confusion nor deformitie but doe decke the ground and serue for the vse and comfort of man And the manifold varietie of strings and Instruments doe make the sweetest harmonie Fourthly Remember that no Minister excelleth in all gifts and yet no true Minister but hath some speciall gifts and graces of edification One is more profound in knowledge to informe the iudgement another more powerfull in vtterance for the inflaming of the affection one is more fit to humble and beate downe the proud carelesse and conceited persons another to comfort and raise vp penitent sinners one hath a speciall grace to worke godly sorrow another to procure supernaturall comfort and ioy Fiftly Remember that the contempt of any true Minister is the contempt of God himselfe Sixtly Let it bee kept in mind that Christian Hearers looke rather to the pith and substance of the matter then to the enticements and paintings of the speech Quest. What is the fift hinderance to bee remooued before the Sermon Ans The fift which may be referred to the former is a certayne hatred of the Ministers and loathing of the Ministerie such as was in the Iewes which made them to fret at Christ and stop their eares against him Quest Whence ariseth this hatred of the Ministers and Ministerie Ans Sometime from the personall behauiour of the Minister himselfe but commonly from the matter which he deliuereth whereby the Errors of their Iudgement and corruptions of their hearts and liues are laid open and reprooued This made Ahab to count Elias his Enemie And to hate Michaiah And Herod for the like
THE BORING OF THE EARE Contayning a plaine and profitable Discourse by way of Dialogue concerning 1. Our preparation before Hearing 2. Our demeanour in Hearing 3. Our exercise after we haue heard the Word of God Written by that faithfull and diligent Minister of Gods Word Master Stephen Egerton sometimes Preacher of the Black-Friars in London ECCLES 4. 17. Looke to thy feet when thou commest into the House of God and be readier to heare then to offer the Sacrifice of Fooles LONDON Printed by William Stansby 1623. To the Christian and beneuolent READER CHristian READER though mine owne Meditations haue hither-to euer shunned the common view of the World contenting my selfe with the priuate Approbation of mine owne Charge yet considering the generall good that may accrue vnto the whole Church of Christ by these labours of my Reuerend Kinsman Master Stephen Egerton I haue ventured to commend them vnto Gods Church being thereunto also intreated I know without my commendation they will be worth your small cost in procuring your little labour in perusing For it is admirable to consider that in these preaching and hearing dayes such faithfull preaching such frequent hearing so many should yet bee possest as it were with a dumb Deuill and all our Sermons to the most of men but as sounding Brasse or a tinkling Cimball So wee pipe and no man danceth we mourne and no man weepeth wee preach peace but no man sorroweth for his sinne May we not say of these as Dauid of the Idolls They haue eares and heare not or as our Sauiour translateth that fearefull commination against the despisers of his Word Hearing they shall heare and shall not vnderstand least they heare with their eares and vnderstand with their hearts and bee conuerted and healed So to heare then is to attend with the eare to receiue with the heart to conuert in the life and conuersation else our sinfull soules can neuer bee healed And therefore this is the voyce of the Spirit vnto the seuen Churches of Asia Hee that hath eares to heare let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches There are fiue sorts of eares that are not hearing eares The first is a dull Eare when a man is either drousie or carelesse or ignorant The second is a stopped Eare as the Serpent stoppeth his eare against the voyce of the Charmer Such are our Recusants and secure Persons that will not heare lest they should bee thawed from their dregs and so conuerted and saued The third is a preiudiciall or sinister Eare this man like Malchus hath lost his right Eare and hee comes as the Pharisee to Christ to tempt the Minister to catch him in his talke turning all his speech to the worst because hee hates or despiseth the person of the Preacher This man is like the Spider that sucketh poyson out of the sweetest flowers The fourth is the nice or itching Eare that must bee clawed that will heare nothing but nouelties and dainties that lookes not so much to the goodnesse of the meat as to the sweetnesse of the sawce Surely this man must needes haue a thinne and pined soule and he often meets with that hee vnderstandeth not meate that hee cannot digest and so seldom or neuer profiteth by the Word of God The fift is an adulterous Eare that will heare any but the voice of their owne Shepherds You shall know them as the Harlot is knowne they are euer gadding to seeke their new Louers but God shall one day discouer their adultery to the shame of their Persons to the disgrace of their Profession to the confusion of their faces To such let mee say as Christ to the woman taken in adulterie Goe and sinne no more Now all these haue Eares and heare not and therefore haue neede to haue the word Ephphata pronounced vnto them as vnto the deafe man And for their better direction in this dutie this present Tract is of excellent vse being plain and familiar for the manner and sound for the matter being grounded vpon many excellent exhortations and rules in the Holy Scripture whereby men may know how to heare with glorie vnto God honour vnto his Ordinance and profit vnto their owne soules The necessitie of this dutie the Apostle proues where hee thus argueth Faith commeth by hearing c. Now without faith it is impossible to please God The neglect or contempt or ignorance of this dutie is the cause of all prophanesse whereas if men would heare as they ought this hearing would beget faith and faith would bring forth all excellent graces accompanying saluation The seruant which bound himselfe to the perpetuall seruice of his master because he loued him was to be broght vnto the doore of his house and his Master was to boare his eare with an Awle Whosoeuer he is that enters into Gods seruice hee must haue this marke euen an open eare and it must be boared at the Doore of Gods house that he may be readier to heare then to offer the Sacrifice of fooles The Hebrewes say it is the right eare that must bee boared and surely if men heare with a sinister eare they doe not expresse themselues true seruants of God Whosoeuer therfore hath dedicated himselfe to the seruice of the Lord let him expresse his Obligation or Indenture by his open eare to the Word of God for his sheepe heare his voyce and his Familie doe his command God giues vnto euery one that hee receiueth into his seruice this Iewell to hang in his eare namely to heare with attention and reuerence 1. Whatsoeuer God speaketh 2. When soeuer hee speaketh 3. By whom soeuer hee speaketh The next punishment vnto death by our Nationall law is losing the eares And certainly whose eares or hearing God hath suffered to be taken away they are in a dangerous or desperate case because the Word is the sauour of life vnto the right hearer and the sauour of death vnto him that heareth not as hee ought Now that you may heare with your eares and vnderstand with your hearts and be conuerted from your euill wayes and bee healed of all your sins vse this short and easie receipt and as you find the effect of it returne the glory to God esteeme of him who hath presented it to your view and vse as one that hath good will vnto Sion and moaneth for the deafenesse of the Daughter of his People and shall euer pray that this word Ephphatha may bee by the Spirit of the Lord effectually pronounced vnto all those who desire to heare the glad tidings of the Gospell of Iesus Christ To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost bee all honour and praise and obedience yeelded now and for euer AMEN Yours in the Lord Iesus to be commanded Richard Crooke To the Reader OF all the Senses none is more needfull or vse-full then Hearing Of all the Obiects of Hearing none to be compared to the
cause committed Iohn Baptist as before you heard Qu. What bee the remedies against this hinderance An. Let such haters and despisers of the Ministerie consider that First They despise not man but God for all true Ministers are the Lords Ambasdours Secondly They doe greatly preiudice themselues in neglecting much more in lothing the meanes of their comfort and saluation Men willingly bow to the tree that yeeldeth them shadow How much more then ought they to submit themselues to the grace of God that bringeth Saluation c. Thirdly It is a point of godly wisdome to distinguish betweene the persons and the Offices and not to depriue our selues of the fruit of the Word for the fault of the Teacher In outward things men are wise No man will refuse a good Workman for some personall sinnes Hee that mindeth to build a house will not thinke the worse of the Worke because the Carpenter is wicked Hee that is hungry will not refuse his meate because the Cooke that dressed it is a Drunkard why then should we distaste the food of our soules by reason of the sinnes of him that doth distribute it vnto vs would any man refuse the Princes gift because the Messenger that bringeth it is a Machiauillian c. Qu. What else maketh men lothe the Ministerie An. Besides that naturall corruption which is common to all there is in many a satietie and fulnesse now as Salomon saith Hee that is full despiseth a Hony-combe but to him that is hungry far bitterer things are sweet Secondly That rebukes and threatnings though they bee tedious to the flesh yet they are wholsome Medicines to the soule and strong defences against Satan c. And therefore they should pray with Dauid Let the righteous smite me c. and prayse God because the righteous hath smitten them as men doe for the Chirurgian when hee hath healed them euen by painfull searching and incision Qu. What is the sixt impediment to bee striuen against An. The length of the way foulenesse of the weather weaknesse in the parties want of meanes to carrie them c. Qu. What incouragements haue wee to ouercome these impediments An. Wee haue First the Law that God laid vpon the Israelites to appeare before the Lord three times euery yeare and that with their whole Family and not emptie handed vnto the place appointed by God which must needs be far off from a number of their dwellings Secondly The promise of sauing them from their Enemies while they were so imployed Now considering that God is the God of the Gentiles as well as of the Iewes it cannot bee but that the Gentiles are proportionably bound both to obey the Commandements and beleeue the promises giuen to the Iewes though there bee some particular differences betwixt them Thirdly The practice and examples of the godly in former times both of the Old and New Testament Fourthly By comparison if men take such Iournies and make such ventures for their bodily prouision How much more ought they to do for the good of their soules Qu. What say you to the aged sicke and such as haue young Children An. Touching all these in generall care must be had First that they make not a necessitie where none is Secondly They must endeuour though they cannot goe all at once nor euerie Lords Day yet that they goe as oft as they can by turnes euery one in his course Thirdly they must be more carefull to aske questions and to desire repetition of the Sermon of them that were there Fourthly They must keepe no more at home with them then of Necessitie they need and such they may lawfully keepe to attend vpon themselues being aged sickly impotent hauing children c. for herein the saying of the Holy Ghost may be remembred Obedience is better then Sacrifice And againe I will haue Mercie and not Sacrifice Qu. What is the seuenth impediment An. The last and greatest let which comprehendeth in effect all the former is carnall Securitie Impenitencie Worldlinesse vncleannesse of life c which things either withdraw men altogether from hearing or else make them heare with a deafe eare and a dead heart c. Qu. What is the remedie hereof An. True and vnfayned Repentance and especially that one fruit and companion thereof which may be called care and desire both to know beleeue and obey the Lord speaking vnto vs in his holy Word for it cannot bee but by the blessing of God they must needs profit that goe to the publike Assemblies as the Souldiers Publicanes and people came to Iohn Baptist saying What shall wee doe Especially when they be touched to the quicke with the feeling of their sinne and terrour of GODS Iudgement hanging ouer their heads for the same as the people were Acts 2. 37. And the Iayler Qu. You haue shewed mee what impediments are to bee auoyded now let mee know what duties are to bee performed concerning this point An. First let such as bee Gouernors of Families bring as neere as may bee their whole Family with them excepting only such as are apparantly like to take hurt by reason of their sicknesse or to disturbe the Congregation by reason of their vnrulines that they may shew the zeale of faithfull Iosua saying I and my houshold will serue the Lord and with holy Hester I and my Maides will doe likewise that is fast and pray Qu. What is the second dutie An. Such as haue Neighbours must endeauour to encourage and quicken them to ioyne in company and to goe together to the House of God saying as it is in Esay O house of Iacob come and let vs walke in the light of the Lord and with the woman of Samaria Come and see a man c. so let vs say Come and heare a man c. The performance of this holy dutie made Dauid glad at the very heart Thus Philip and Andrew did inuite Nathaneel and Simon to come vnto Christ whom they had found before Qu. What is the third dutie An. As we goe to the place of publike Assemblies wee must bee occupyed and exercise our minds with religious and holy Meditations not suffering our owne lusts and cares of the World and Satan with them to creepe in and enter with vs into the House of God Qu. What be those holy Meditations which we ought to haue An. Diuers as hath been partly shewed before as namely First before whom we come namely before him who is King of Kings c. Secondly What thing we come to namely a supernaturall Banquet and heauenly Table for the refreshing and satisfying of our faint and hungry soules which will worke alacritie as the former will humilitie We see how it taketh vp mens hearts if it goe to speake with an earthly King and to heare him speak with them and bid them to to his Table How much more when wee goe before the King of
An. Hee must marke the whole Sermon from the beginning to the end thereof and ponder as well one part of the sentence as another not take things to halues or by snatches as the manner of some is which breedeth great inconuenience for hence it commeth that things spoken comparatiuely are wrested as if they were spoken simply Hence it is that the proposition of a similitude is marked and the application neglected with diuers other inconueniences from whence arise Errours Scoffings Cauellings c. Qu. What is the fift dutie An. The fift dutie which may bee referred to the impediments is to come with a free minde not possest with any preiudice or fore-stalled opinion but in trying the spirits of the Ministers of God to hold fast that which is good For as a coloured glasse maketh all things of the same colour so a preiudicate opinion maketh all things sound that way that it selfe imagineth This made euen the best hearers of our Sauiour Christ sometimes not to vnderstand him when hee spake most plainly to them of his sufferings because they were possest with a fore-conceiued opinion of a worldly Kingdome Let vs therefore when we goe to the house of God looke to our feet that is not to our corrupt affections alone but also to our preiudicate opinions conceits Qu. What is the sixt dutie An. Sixtly wee must not be present with a mind peremptorily to determine according to our owne fancie or to tosse and sift things to and fro as wee list as if wee were Masters rather then Schollers Teachers rather then Hearers Iudges and Censurors of others rather then Learners For there is nothing can bee so truly and plainly spoken but Pride and Malice may peruert it wherfore let vs lay aside all sinister conceits of our owne knowledge wit and learning all contempt and hatred of the Ministers persons vaine glorie selfe-loue c. which maketh men thinke nothing right and good but that which commeth from themselues Neither let vs with Phocion count it a goodly thing to dissent from other Qu. Doth not the Apostle will vs to try the spirits and iudge of those things which the Prophets speake An. Yes but it is not his meaning that men should of enuie vain-glorie c. subiect the Sermons they heare to their own proud and wanton wits but only with Wisdome Charitie and Sobrietie to consider whether the things deliuered by the Prophets and Ministers doe agree with the rule of Gods Word and the soundnesse of Christian Faith Further that will come to passe if men giue place to their owne conceits which is said in the common Prouerbe So many men so many mindes Quot homines tot sententiae Qu. What is the seuenth dutie of Hearers in the Sermon time An. Not to bee rashly discouraged or distasted with those things which at the first may seeme difficult and hard but rather to vse the more diligence and attention to find them out Qu. Why so An. Because First we must remember that the naturall man doth not easily conceiue heauenly things Secondly It is the will of God by this meanes to humble vs and to abate the ambitious conceits of our owne will and to stirre vp our dulnesse in Prayer Meditation and studie that the LORD would enlighten the eyes of our vnderstanding and to repaire to the Ministers of Gods Word Thirdly Men doe readily despise these things which are ouer easie and familiar at the first and through lothsomenesse grow faint lazie and vnlustie Qu. What is the eighth dutie An. To vnderstand and marke the method and order of the Preacher Qu. Why so An. Because it is a great helpe to the memorie and serueth as the Star of the Mariner and as a threed or line without which hee shall bee entangled as in a Maze Qu. How shall the hearer attayne to this An. This standeth partly in the Preacher himself who must keepe a good order else it will bee hard to follow him step by step Secondly In the hearers themselues three things are required for the helpe of their memorie in the time of the hearer First diligent marking not suffering their minds to stray abroad about other matters Secondly Looking thorowly to the Text to see how the Doctrines Exhortations c. are raised Thirdly To obserue to what point of the Catechisme or head of Religion euery thing is to be referred Qu. What is the ninth dutie of the hearer in the Sermon time An. To apply that which is preached to himselfe and so to turne it to the wholsome vse and spirituall nourishment of his soule Qu. Why so An. Because the end of hearing is not chiefly to know and vnderstand but rather to beleeue practise and obey that which is taught Qu. How shall the hearer apply that which is taught to himselfe An. If it be a promise by beleeuing and embracing If a threatning by beleeuing and fearing it If a precept or dutie laid forth by beleeuing and endeauouring to practise it If a prohibition from a sinne layd out and reproued by beleeuing repenting and shunning of it Finally if in euery point that is deliuered they put vpon themselues the like affection and feeling that is in their godly Teacher Qu. What is the tenth dutie An. Not to fret and wax wearie and impatient though the Minister bee somewhat longer then the ordinarie time Qu. Ought not the Minister to keepe himselfe within the compasse of his houre An. Yes hee ought to endeauour it as neere as hee can Qu. Hath not the hearer iust cause to be offended An. No for there may bee diuers Reasons which may iustly mooue a godly Minister to goe beyond his houre and therefore the hearer ought quietly and patiently to continue to the end of the Sermon Qu. What are those An. Diuers as first the fruitfulnes of the Text which he handleth Secondly the necessitie and profit of it for the time and persons that be present Thirdly Want of opportunitie to handle the same Text another time These and the like considerations may giue the Minister iust occasion to bee longer then ordinary and therefore the hearer ought not to chafe and fume though hee doe a little exceed his time Qu. What other Reasons haue you to perswade to this dutie An. Further let hearers consider how easily without irkesomnesse they can be present at a play or at some other prophane and idle exercise and discourse of greater length then those Sermons which they doe so much distaste in respect of the tediousnesse as they esteeme it of them and therefore they ought much more patiently to beare the protracting of time at the performance of such a holy dutie Qu. Wherefore else An. Because this chafing at lothing of good things in regard of the length of them doth argue a disordered and ill affected minde for as lothing and distaste of bodily food is a signe of a sicke stomacke so the like lothing and distasting
of spirituall food is a signe of a sinfull soule On the other side As a hungry appetite and wel rellishing of our meate and drinke is a signe of bodily health so the hungring after the wholsome word and delighting in it is a signe of a good heart Qu. What is the last Reason An. The practice and example of the godly Ministers and people in former Ages who haue willingly continued a long time together at holy exercises as may appeare How large was the Sermon of Christ the summe and chiefe points whereof are set downe in the whole 5. 6 7. Chapters And that of Paul Therefore it is not a strange or new thing for Ministers to prolong their speech and people their presence with patience and attention Qu. What is the eleuenth dutie An. That euery one bring their owne with them and looke to them in Sermon time that they neither gad out of the Church sleepe talke or commit any vnseemly thing Qu. Is there not some speciall care of Schollers to bee had and such as can write An. Yes they are to bee accustomed to take Sermons in Writing Qu. Why so An. Because First it will cause them to marke and giue eare to the words of the Preacher and keepe them both from sleeping and all vnseemely behauiour Secondly It will helpe both their memory iudgement and enable them to giue a better account of that they haue heard both for the good of themselues and others CHAP. IIII. Qu. HAth not the hearer discharged his dutie when hee hath heard the whole Sermon attentiuely An. No although there be scarce one of a hundred who doth not thinke so Qu. What then is to bee done An. First Men are not to go out of the Church so soone as the Sermon is ended but stay the Prayer Blessing and Sacraments when they are administred Qu. Why so An. Touching Prayer it is one principall part of the worship of God in the publike Assemblies and therefore cannot bee so despised without sinne Besides it is the exercise wherby al things are blessed and sanctified vnto vs. Finally how can wee receiue so great a blessing at Gods hands and depart from his presence without giuing of thankes Qu. What other reason is there An. If it would bee counted a thing vncomely and vndutifull to stand before an earthly King as a dead Image and so soone as euer his speech were ended to turne thy backe vpon him without any Request or Thankesgiuing How much more to deale thus with him that is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Qu. Why must wee stay the Sacraments An. Because they are the publike Seales of the mutuall Couenant betweene GOD and vs whereby hee bindeth himselfe to bee our God and wee our selues to bee his people and therefore wee are to bee present not only at the Lords Supper which belongeth to all Beleeuers that are of discretion to examine themselues but also at the administration of Baptisme whereby the same Couenant of Grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes is sealed vnto vs. Qu. Is it requisite for mee of yeares to be present at the catechizing An. Yes For first many are men in yeares which are Babes in knowledge Secondly It is a thing of good example both for the encouragement of youth and also of the Minister himselfe when hee shall see them present that can iudge of his paines Thirdly By this meanes the elder sort shall bee better able to examine and conferre with the yonger at home Qu. Why must people stay the blessing An. Because the LORD commanding his Minister to blesse the people doth necessarily imply their staying till the blessing bee pronounced else hee should not blesse the people but the bare Walles which were to take the Name of God in vaine Qu. What is the second dutie to bee done after the Sermon An. Such things as haue beene deliuered at Church must be as it were chewed by Meditation and turned ouer againe at home after the example of the men of Berea for the quickning of our memorie increasing of our Knowlege strengthening of our Faith c. Qu. What is the third dutie An. Parents and Masters must demand and take account of their people of the things they haue heard Qu. Why so An. Because First they are to haue a care of their soules as well as of their bodies Secondly They that will winne others to Godlinesse must beginne with them betime Salomon saith Thirdly By this meanes they shal frame them to more conscience of their dutie in ciuill matters and in the ordinary workes and labours of their calling Qu. What is the fourth dutie An. To conferre godly of that which hath beene taught by the way and at our Tables and not according to the wicked custome of a great number to fall presently into idle and vnsauourie speeches or Discourses of Worldly matters yea to scoffing and carping at the doctrine or at the Teacher thereof Qu. What profit commeth hereby An. By such godly speeches Christ is after a sort inuited and drawne into our company by the presence of his Spirit as hee was to those two Disciples in person that went to Emaus Qu. What say you then to such as doe not vse this conference An. They are like that member of the naturall bodie which keeping all the food to it selfe and not imparting the same to the members adioyning doth in short time corrupt both himselfe and them Qu. What is the fist dutie An. To keepe in minde that the Sabbath is not ended as soone as the Sermon is done and therefore not to meddle with Worldly matters but to spend the rest of the time in Prayer Reading Repetition singing of Psalms c. according to the scope of the fourth Commandement Therefore they are greatly deceiued who thinke they haue sufficiently sanctified the Sabbath when they haue heard a Sermon superficially in the fore-noone And they likewise who vainly perswade themselues that the Sanctification of the Lords Day consisteth chiefly in abstayning from the works and labours of their callings and yet will passe the same away in diuers vanities lasciuious Dancings Drinkings and bodily pleasures Qu. May no bodily labours bee performed on the Lords Day An. Yes such as are necessarily required for the health welfare and defence of our selues or our Neighbour and could not well bee dispatched the day before nor deferred till the day following For in such cases the Sonne of man is Lord of the Sabbath Day Wherefore the Macchabees did foolishly in suffering themselues to bee slaine without resistance because it was the Sabbath Day which error afterwards they decreed to reforme Qu. What is the sixt dutie An. If we haue heard any thing that seemed darke and doubtfull to vs not to be discouraged but to confer with our godly Pastor that wee may know the things that differ Qu. Why must wee doe this An. First We vse it in the things of this World
Word of God To bee taught then how to heare the Word of God must needs bee a lesson worth the learning In this Treatise is that doctrine taught The Author who first indited it being a man by long Practise and much Experience acquainted with Boaring of the Eare the Matter contained in it being a meanes sanctified to bring vs vnto Life and Happinesse and the Manner of vnfolding that matter being distinct and perspicuous doe in especiall manner commend it vnto thee Come and reade Reade and Iudge William Gouge THE BOARING OF THE EARE CHAP. I. LVKE 8. 18. Take heed how you heare c. Quest. IS it a hard matter to heare the Word of God preached heedfully and with fruit Ans Yes verily else our Sauiour Christ would neuer haue exhorted and perswaded his hearers to the performance of this dutie by so many Arguments Qu. What Arguments doth hee vse An. In this Parable hee vseth diuers reasons one because it is a very rare and daintie thing to heare the Word profitably seeing among so many thousands that flocke together scarce the fourth part reapeth any profit because though men cal you not to accoūt though Parents Pastors Masters c. neglect vs yet God will call vs to account and it will one day appeare who haue heard of conscience and who not Qu. What other reasons may be gathered out of the words of Christ to proue the profit necessitie and difficultie of hearing An. Diuers as first to be a good and fruitfull hearer is a speciall gift of God and peculiar to the Elect My sheepe heare my voyce And againe hee that is of God heareth Gods Word And Christ shewing the reason why his Disciples profited rather then others saith To you it is giuen c. with many other places to the like purpose as when true Faith is called the Faith Of the Elect. Secondly In respect of the excellencie of the Word which is called the Word of the Kingdome both in respect of the subiect and also of the effect To the same purpose it is called The Power of God to saluation to euery one that beleeueth The Word of Grace and Faith Seeing then it is the word of the Kingdome yea of such a Kingdome with what attention resolution and heedfulnesse ought wee to heare it Iehu and his Companions counted the Prophet a mad fellow yet when hee brought him tydings of a Kingdome he was glad to heare it and willing to embrace it Thirdly To the same purpose which may be another reason it is called Seed yea Immortall Seed whereupon the Apostle maketh the same conclusion in effect that Christ doth here in this place saying Wherefore my deare Brethren let euery man bee swift to heare and slow to wrath for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousnesse of God So the Minister is called the Lords Sower or Husbandman and the people his husbandry and the time of preaching the time of sowing or the Seed time shall we then cast away our selues and cause the Lord to lose both his labour and cost vpon vs Fourthly Wherein which may be a fourth reason wee are to bee the more vigilant because Satan like a rauening Fowle followeth vs sore at the heeles c. Therefore as at all times and in all holy duties so especially in this let vs remember that we haue not as the Apostle saith to wrestle against flesh and bloud but against Principalities and Powers c. Fiftly A fift reason likewise arising from hence may be this It is a rare and singular grace which few attayne vnto scarce one of foure yea rather scarce one of fortie that heareth heedfully with fruit reuerent attention c. Plaine experience prooueth as much Let Ministers examine their people Parents their Children Masters their Seruants c. and it will plainly appeare how slenderly they haue heard yea let euery man examine his owne heart and call himselfe to account cōcerning those things which haue beene deliuered in the publike Congregation and his conscience will tell him what a heedlesse and vnprofitable hearer hee hath beene Sixtly and lastly The great gaine and increase promised to carefull hearers ought to encourage vs To him that hath saith Christ shall be giuen Wherefore seeing it is a thing so rare and excellent so profitable so difficult for the fat heart dull eares heauie head drowsie eyes get no good Let no man thinke with himselfe I will now sit downe and take my place and sit downe at ease and heare at pleasure but rather let him thus thinke I will go now to an exercise indeed although some scorne and others foolishly impropriate the word I must now buckle with Satan and mine owne corruption c. Qu. Seeing then it is a dutie so necessary so profitable rare excellent and difficult to heare well what things are chiefly to bee respected to the end wee may heare as wee ought An. To the end we may heare as wee ought we are to consider First what is to be done before the Sermon Secondly what is to bee done in the very Sermon time And lastly what is to be done after the Sermon CHAP. II. Qu. VVHat is the generall dutie of hearers before the Sermon time An. Their dutie is with great care and conscience to prepare and sanctifie themselues Qu. How is that proued An. First by plaine and euident Precepts and Testimonies of Scripture both in the Old and New Testament Salomon saith Looke well to thy feet when thou goest to the House of GOD so as thou mayst bee prepared to heare that is to obey and beleeue the word of God preached in his Temple as if hee should say looke thou be more carefull to offer vp thy selfe vnto God by giuing him an obedient heart and eare then to bring Calues Goates c. without a beleeuing and obedient heart as the manner of Hypocrites and Worldlings is Iames saith Lay apart all filthinesse and superfluitie of maliciousnesse and receiue with meeknesse the word that is grafted in you which is able to saue your soules Secondly The practise of GODS faithfull people both before the Law Gen. 35. 2. Iob 1. 5. And at the giuing of the Law Exod. 19. 10. and likewise after the Law 1. Sam. 16. 5. 2. Chronicles 15. 12. and 2. Chron. 29. 5. Ioel 2. 15 16. Thirdly The glorious Maiestie of God before whom we come Fourthly the excellencie of these heauenly things which in this holy meeting are propounded vnto vs. Fiftly Our owne insufficiencie 2. Corinthians 3. 5. Sixtly The pollution and vncleanenesse both of our hearts and liues in respect whereof wee ought to hearken to the saying of the holy Apostle Clense your hands yee sinners and purge your hearts yee double minded men and so draw neare to God and hee will draw neare to you Seuenthly This may bee referred to the fift Reason if the Heathen