"He that is of God hears God's words." - In these words four things are noted. Firstly, the great glory of the saints: "He that is of God." For what can be more glorious than to be of God? Secondly, their great wisdom: "Hears God's words."- Psalm xix. "The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Thirdly, the foolishness of the reprobate: "therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God." For fools despise the wisdom of right teaching, and the doctrine of pure conversation, as the Pharisees did the words and works of Christ. Fourthly, their great misery: "are not of God." What can be more unhappy than not to be of God?

    I. On the first head it is to be noted, that in three ways the saints are to be of God. (1) By creation, as an effect from a cause: Rom. 11 "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things." (2) By justification, as the splendour from light: Eph. 5 "You were sometimes darkness, but now light in the Lord." 1 John 3 "Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin." (3) By imitation or assimilation, as a copy from a pattern: 1 John 2 "Whoso keeps His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: surely know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abides in Him, ought himself also to walk even as He walked."

    II. On the second head it is to be noted, that the Word of God which the saints willingly hear is threefold. (1) Eternal (2) Mental (3) Vocal. - The first they hear by faith. The second by inspiration. The third, by preaching.

    III. On the third head it is to be noted, that they are foolish who do not hear the Word of God, chiefly for two reasons (1) because from the hearing of the Word of God all evil is avoided. (2) All good is gained. Of these two: Prov. i. 33, "But whoso hearkens unto Me shall dwell safely", because in this life they shall be terrified with no adversaries, and at death will be made joyful by the entering into eternal life; "and shall be quiet from fear of evil." In the present, abundance of blessed works, all fear of those who can kill the body being removed; in the future, abundance of joys, fear being taken away of any defect or adversity.

    IV. On the fourth head it is to be noted, that the great miseries which flow from the not "being of God" arise from two causes (1) They who are without God have all evil: St. Augustine, "Whence I know, that it is evil to me without Thee; not alone without, but also within myself; and all abundance which is not God, is need. (2) He who is of God has everything which is best: St. Augustine, "He who enters into the joy of his Lord, and is secure, will also find himself to have the best of the best."

'O Lord, grant that I may in docile spirit, conform my life to your eternal word'