and other Duties, recommended. 277 ther from a defeat of natural capacity ; or, S E R M. which is the fame thing in this refpeat, that XI. it equally vindicateth them from guilt, the `'-v`"' want of fufficient perfpicuity in the gofpel, when compared with the rational powers of thofe to whom it is directed. But, by not underftanding, is meant not confidering, which hath juft the fame effect with igno- rance as to any good improvement ; or, however, no other ignorance is meant, than fuch as is the fruit of inattention, which ex- periénce fheweth us it very often is. It is very plain that the belt ufe we can make of our underftanding, is in a clofe and vigorous attention ; and our progrefs in ufeful know- ledge dependeth more upon this than any thing elfe we can do. External informa- tion, and hearing, in the molt obvious fenfe, . is at firft necefï'ary, and may be afterwards very ufeful, but inward application of the mind, and fixing its thoughts upon the im- portant objeFt, is snore univerfally profitable. This is always within the reach of our own power, and without it the other will make no impreffion, nor can we obtain any be- nefit by it. This is what we are, in the firft place, to underftand by hearing ; an attentive regard to inftru Lion. Amidft the amufements of T a
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