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The best rule, amidst all the sects which divide the christian world, is, to attend that place, where we can be best instructed, and most edified.

2. That it is a duty to hear sermons appears evident from this consideration: God has appointed men to preach the gospel to every creature, and the duty of every creature to hear, is implied in the command to preach. As God is pleased to send his messengers to us, we cannot do less than give them a hearing. God required the Jews to hear his prophets; Jesus heard the word in the synagogues; and those who neglect to hear, pour contempt upon that God who gives the word..

3. To hear the word is a privilege. Are we ignorant? The word, faithfully preached, conveys instruction. By this means we learn those important truths which are necessary to salvation. Are we mourning under a sense of sin? The ministers of the gospel direct us to the Saviour of the world. Are we tried and tempted? The word not only affords us comfort under every trial and temptation, but points out the means of deliverance. Are we careless and trifling? The word quickens and enlivens our souls. In short, by hearing we are fully taught what is necessary to be known; we are warned against what is hurtful; we are directed

to what is good, and we are encouraged by blessed hopes of immortality.

II. WE SHOULD TAKE HEED HOW WE

HEAR.

1. That we may hear profitably, we should prepare our minds before-hand; not daring to run into the presence of God, as the giddy multitude to a play, or other places of amusement. Lay aside every temporal concern, and leave the business of the world behind. Enter your closets, and pray for the blessing of God both upon yourselves, your ministers, and your fellow-worshippers. He who goes from his closet to the house of God, is sure to obtain a blessing.

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2. The mind of every hearer should be divested of prejudice. Prejudice against either the place, the minister, the people, the doctrine, or the mode of worship, will be sure to hinder us of a blessing. quer this vile disposition, and hear with candour. Be open to conviction; and think charitably of all who differ from thyself in opinion. Thus thou wilt be prepared for a comfortable reception of the truth, and for a firm rejection of error.

3. Hear attentively. When God speaks either by a prophet or by any ordinary messenger, the people should be attentive. The matter of which sermons are composed is in general important, and demands at

tention. Recollect, the sermon which you now hear may be the last that you shall ever hear. Recollect also that you are to give account for every sermon you hear to the Judge of quick and dead. Attention strengthens the memory; and those sermons which are heard attentively, are not soon forgotten. That you may be attentive, feel a deep interest in what you hear. If a will be read, in which we are concerned, how attentively we hear!

4. Hear for yourselves. Some hear only for their neighbours. When a striking remark is made, they think, this will suit such a one. How commonly do we hear people say, "I thought of such a one while the preacher was preaching.' And didst thou forget thyself? Hadst thou no interest in the word? Was there no part suitable to thy case?

5. As the word of God is a blessing, it should be heard with thankfulness. Surely it is a blessing to sit under the joyful sound. How many there are who never heard the word! How many there are who are hindered by sickness! Bless God, then, for every sermon. Thankfulness for the word will bring thee often under its sound; but if thou art not thankful, thou wilt ne glect these precious opportunities.

6. Mix faith with hearing. It is said of the Israelites in the wilderness, "The word

preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard. We are not bound to believe every thing that a preacher may advance, for that would be to suppose him extraordinarily inspired; but we should believe all that he advances agreeable to the scriptures, and then our faith will be a means of our profitting. Faith in the commands which may be delivered will lead us to obedience; faith in the promises will afford encou→ ragement; and faith in the threatenings will inspire us with a sacred dread of offending.

7. Guard against curiosity in hearing. Some run all over the country to hear sermons. They love great men; but perhaps have but little love for the truth. I have read of two French preachers who were both very much followed, though their talents were very different. The one was remarkably popular; the other remarkably useful. It was common for the people, when they had heard the popular preacher, to say, 'Surely there never was such a man as this.' But when they had heard the useful preacher, they would be crying, as they went home, 'Lord, have mercy upon us: Christ, have mercy upon us.' Fix upon useful preaching, and generally keep to one place; but dare not to

hear an unconverted man; for he runs before he is sent, and cannot profit the people at all.

8. Be a constant hearer of God's word. Be not hindered either by business, company, or weather, unless in extraordinary cases. Some tell us that they can read a good sermon at home. We do not deny this; but recollect, a sermon heard in the house of God is blessed with the power of that Holy Spirit who is in the midst of religious assemblies. In God's house we are in God's way; at home we are in our own: so that it is better to hear even a poor sermon in the house of God, than to read a good one at home.

9. Hear the word devoutly. Pray to God to give thee the hearing ear and the understanding heart. Beg earnestly that power may attend the word, and that it may be made a general blessing. Often lift up thy heart in short ejaculations for thyself and every person present.

10. Be an humble hearer. We are all unworthy of the word. Some proud spirits come to hear, who hold both the preacher, the people, and the word, in contempt. We sometimes boast that great men were in our assemblies, without considering what spirit they were of; how they despised us; or how they railed against us when they went away.

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