554 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. V.
are denominated vwdpol rag &xouis, and do contract the guilt of the vice here reproved. Three things in this sense do concur to the duty intended:—1. What is preparatory thereunto; 2. Actual hearing, or attendance on the word preached; 3. What is afterwards required to render our hearing useful and effectual. Which I shall speak unto in one or two instances under each head :—
1 We may consider what is necessary hereunto in way of prepa- ration, that we be not slothful hearers. There is a preparation due unto the right sanctification of the name of God in any obedience in general, which I do not now intend, and I have spoken unto it else- where, Prayer, meditation, and a due reverence and regard to the authority and especial presence of God, with faith exercised on his promises, are necessary hereunto. These things, therefore, I here suppose, and shall only give one or two instances of what peculiarly respects the duty of hearing, peculiarly in way of preparation :—
(1.) Scarce any sort of persons fall under such fatal miscarriages in this great concernment of souls, as those whose hearts are inordi- nately influenced by the love, business, and cares of this world; for besides that the matter of them,—which, being earthly,isdiametrically opposite unto that of the word, which is heavenly,—doth alienate and keep the mind at a distance from the proposals and reasonings of it, there are so many secret colourable pretences whereby these things will insinuate themselves into the thoughts and affections so dis- posed, as that there is no contending against them where they are habitually fixed. Wherefore the Seripture doth not draw up so heavy a charge against any one cause or occasion of unprofitable hearing as it doth against these cares and love of the world. Where men are over diligent in and about these things, they do but cer- tainly deceive themselves, if on any supposition they judge that they are not slothful in hearing. lither before, or under, or after this duty, they will discover themselves to have been predominant. “ Covetousness,” the apostle tells us, “is idolatry,” Col. iii. 5. And the covetous hearts of men do never worship the idol of this world with so much solemnity and devotion as when they set it up in the ordinances of God, as under the preaching of the word ; for then they actually erect it in the room of God himself. Nay, they do it with a contempt of God, as flattering him with their outward appearance, which he despiseth, and giving up their inward affections to their endeared idol. And this is done not only when the thoughts and affections of men are actually engaged and exercised about earthly things during the dispensation of the word, but when their minds, through a love unto them and fulness of them, are previously in- disposed unto that frame and temper which the nature of this duty doth require. Unless, therefore, these cares and businesses of the world are effectually cast out, and our hearts are duly exonerated of
VER. 11.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 555
them, we shall be vwépoi rats dow, and fall under the guilt of the sin here reproved.
(2.) Antecedent unto hearing, and in way of preparation for it, there is required in us a desire after the word “ that we may grow thereby,” 1 Pet. ii 2. The end which we propose unto ourselves in hearing hath a great influence into the regulation of the whole duty. Some hear to satisfy their convictions; some, their curiosity and in- quiry after notions; some, to please themselves; some, out of custom; some, for company; and many know not why, or for no end at all. It is no wonder if such persons be slothful in and unprofitable under hearing. Wherefore, in order unto a right discharge of this duty, it is required of us that we consider what is our condition or stature in Christ; how short we come of that measure in faith, knowledge, light, and love, which we ought and hope to attain unto. To supply us with this growth and increase, the preaching of the word is ap- pointed of God as food for our souls; and we shall never receive it aright unless we desire it and long for it to this end and purpose. When we know our weakness, imbecility, and manifold defects, and come to the word to obtain supplies of strength suited unto our con- dition, we are in the way of thriving under it. And as for them who have not this desire and appetite, who understand not a suitableness between the word and their spiritual condition, answerable to that of food to his natural state who is hungry and desires growth and strength, they will be “dull in hearing,” as to all the blessed and beneficial ends of it.
(3.) It is required of us to free our minds, what lies in us, from being prepossessed with such corrupt affections as are apt to repel the word, and deny it an entrance into our hearts. “ Intus existens prohibet alienum ;’—when the mind is filled with things of another nature, there is no room whereinto the seed of the word may have admission. And these things are of two sorts:—
[1.] Corrupt lusts or sins indulged. The ejection of these is en- joined us, James i. 21, “ Lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word.” If the one be not done, the other will not. If“ filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness” be not cast away and thrust from us, the word will not be “received,” at least not with “meekness.” We must put away wiouy purapiay, “all filthiness.” ‘Purapia, “sordes,” belongs first to the body, as firog doth, 1 Pet. iii. 21. And from the drédeog pirou there mentioned, the “ doing away the filth of the body” by the washing of water, is this dr0d:wevor c&icav furapiay: which, as applied unto the mind, answers unto the spiritual part of baptism, in the cleansing of the soul from spiritual filth and corruption. See Isa. iv. 4. Kai repo- osiay xaniac, “and the superfluity of naughtiness.” ‘It should seem that some “ naughtiness” may remain, only the “superfluity” of it