and perpetual! (juide. _:__ _____ ..And their hope[haltbe forrow ofminde.] Their end Chall be defpaire,and horrible.cbnfufion. I have flayed long ~1pon the motives and in– ducements to preparauon,before we comero the hearing of the Word,or undergoe any facred bu– finelfe ; and upon the neceffitie, bleffings, and benefits :of fo holy a dutie. The reafon is , I would gladly fl:irre you ~p,and my felfe too, to '· a through and confiant praet:ife aad performance of it : and,becaufe the negleCt: and omi ffion of ir, :is the caufe that the Minifterie of the Word is not onely fruitle!fe,and iavaine,unto thoufands; but (which is a fearefull thing) the favour of death unto death unto them. I come now to the fpeciaU points confiderable in prepa,ration, before wee prefent otir felves in this place to the hearing of theWord. This preparation is an holy action,or exercife, What prepa– which byexamination of our Confciences, purration is. · _ gation ofour hearrs,rrayerunro God,and priv<Jte . .~ reading the Script~res,makethourfoules fitVef- . fels to receive and entertaine the fpirituall Trea– fures of -Grace, and food of eternall Life, offered .and tendered unto us by the Minifierie of the Word; that fo they may be the more effetl:ually and fruitfully wrought upon, and happily fubdu– ·ed to the power and prac:tice thereof. · .In this preparation, I confider and require efpe- Four_c thi~gs -Clally rhefe foure thin8s : firfr, Examination ofI requtred_ 1fl th C tc • fi I p . f h h . 1preparauoll. ~ ontctence; econ y, ·urgat1on o t e eart; · thudly,Prayer unto God; fourthly, Readindfeof heart, to receive every truth. . (m 3)
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