A Guide to Godliness, Book 6 · Chapter 2
CAP. II.
Of worldly impediments which hinder a godly life; and firſt, ſuch as are publike.
§. Sect. 1 The firſt publike impediment ariſing from euill Magiſtrates.
VNtoUnto the impediments which the diuell himſelfe directly vſeth to hinder our proceeding in Chriſtian duties, wee will now adde thoſe which are caſt into our way by the world and the fleſh, who ioyne all their forces with him, which are farre more powerfull and preualent then his owne tentations. The impediments of the world are either publike, or priuate. The former reſpect ſuperiours, as Magiſtrates and Miniſters; or inferiours, as the people that are vnderunder their gouernment. The impediments which oppoſe a godly life, reſpecting Magiſtrates, are chiefly two: the firſt is, their authority and greatneſſe abuſed to impiety, as to the diſcountenancing of vertue and godlineſſe, and the countenancing of vice and ſinne, the diſcouraging of the faithfull in all good courſes, and the heartening of the wicked in their impiety and prophaneſſe. The which is done by their priuate fauours, denyed to the one, and imparted to the other; or by their publike edicts and lawes crying downe the ſincerity of Religion, and ſtrengthening the ſonnes of Belial in their outragious wickedneſſe. For the auoyding of which impediments, let vsus often conſider how much better it is to hauehave the fauour of God, in which conſiſteth our life and happineſſe, and which being permanent and vnchangeable, will neuer forſake vsus, then the fauour of Princes and great men, whoſe fauours are momentany, ſeeing (as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh) their breath being in their Pſal. 146. 4.noſtrels, they will ſooner returne to their duſt; and alſo fickle and mutable, being ready to hate to morrow, whom they louelove to day; as wee ſee in the example of Haman, and many others. That it is better to hauehave the peace of a good conſcience which accompanyeth well-doing, then the praiſe and applauſe of the greateſt Potentates, in our neglect of holy duties. That we ſhall hauehave little comfort when we are going to hell, though we carry in our hands their Paſſe or Patent, affoording vntounto vsus a quiet paſſage without checke or diſturbance, no though we hauehave themſelues to beare vsus company, and countenance vsus in the way. Neither let the lawes of euil Magiſtrates diſcourage vsus in Chriſtian duties, ſeeing we hauehave a ſuperiour Law of the ſupreme King of heauen and earth, whereunto both they and we are bound to yeeld obedience; and howſoeuer we are thereby tyed to be ſubordinate vntounto them, ſo long as they hold their ſubordination vntounto God, yet when they leaue him, we muſt leaue them and their lawes, chuſing with the Apoſtles, to obey God, rather then men, and reſolutely Act. 5. 29.ſuſtaining our ſelues in our Chriſtian obedience, by our inuincible patience, in ſuffering with meekneſſe, whatſoeuer might and malice can inflict vponupon vsus, and with our infallible hopes of inioying that eternall happines, which Chriſt hath promiſed to all thoſe that ſuffer perſecution Mat. 5. 10, 11.for righteouſneſſe ſake. The other impediment is the euill example of great men, which mightily draweth inferiours to imitation, if God ſtay them not with his Spirit. For ſeeing likeneſſe cauſeth louelove, and this in great perſonages, is the ſtaffe and ſtrength of inferiours hopes, expecting to riſe by their meanes, heereof it is, that they conforme themſelues to imitate their manners, though neither out of louelove to their perſons or conditions, but meerly out of ſelfe-louelove, that they may hereby aduance their owne worldly ends. In which regard, as proſperity findeth many friends, ſo Princes and great men hauehave many followers, becauſe they are the chiefe diſpencers of theſe worldly preferments. But if we would alſo leape ouer this blocke, and keepe a conſtant courſe in the wayes of godlineſſe; wee muſt liue, not by examples, but by precepts, and not looke what others doe, but what God requireth of vsus. And as wee muſt not follow a multitude, Exod. 23. 2.and (as it were) the whole Herd, in doing euill, ſo neither the mighty (as it were) the Rammes of the flocke, when as, like ill preſidents, they miſ-leade vsus out of the wayes of godlines, into the by-paths of errour and ſin. And to this end let vsus remember, that greatneſſe hath no priuiledge in grace and goodnes, ſeeing (as the Apoſtle telleth vsus) Not many rich and 1. Cor. 1. 26. Math. 11. 25.mighty are called: yea rather (as the experience of all times hath taught vsus) they come as farre behind the meaneſt ſort (for the moſt part) in all grace and goodneſſe, as they doe exceed them in glory and greatneſſe. And therefore let not theſe glorious lights dazle our eyes, and like the Ignis fatuus, or fooles fire, bewitch and intice vsus to follow them into the ditches and quagmires of vice and ſinne, but leauing them where they leaue the light of Gods truth, let vsus wholly commit our ſelues ouer to be guided by it, which will preſerue vsus from being miſ-led by ſuch ill examples.
§. Sect. 2 Of the impediments which ariſe from euill Miniſters.
The other ſort of publike impediments, whereby the world hindreth vsus in the wayes of godlineſſe, ariſe from euill Miniſters, both in reſpect of their doctrine, and alſo their liues and ill examples. In the former reſpect, the people are much hindred by ſuch inſufficient and vnconſcionable Miniſters, as either cannot, or will not inſtruct them in the duties of a godly life, or elſe doe it not after a right manner. And firſt, when ſuch blind guides are ſet ouer them, as cannot ſee the way of truth, and much leſſe leade and direct others in it; for when the blind lead the blind, they muſt Math. 15. 4.needs both fall into the ditch, as our Sauiour ſpeaketh. Which kind of Miniſters are ſo farre from deſeruing the eſteeme of true Paſtours, that they are vnworthy the place of the dogs of the flocke, ſeeing they are dumbe, Eſa. 56. 10.and cannot barke and giuegive any warning to the ſheepe when the Wolfe commeth. Secondly, when ſuch vnconſcionable Miniſters hauehave the charge of ſoules committed vntounto them, as hauing ſufficiency of gifts, will not, through negligence and idleneſſe, feed them with the Bread of life, and being more cruell then the Oſtriches, or the Dragons (as Ieremy Lamen. 4. 3.ſpeaketh in another caſe) will not pull out their breſts, though full of milk, for the feeding of Gods children committed to them, but let them ſtarue and periſh for want of nouriſhment; herein worſe then the other, who hauing dry breſts, cannot (though they would) affoord vntounto them the ſincere milke of the Word. Whereas theſe are ſo hard-hearted, that they can, but will not, chuſing rather to let their milke corrupt in their breſts, and to dry vp for want of drawing, then to preſerue their owne plenty, by communicating to the peoples neceſſities. And not much better are they who preach but very ſeldome, hauing gifts and ſtrength ſufficient, and then not ſo much out of conſcience to performe their duty, as to auoyd the penalty of the Law, or the blemiſh of ignorance and inſufficiency. Seeing the life of grace in Gods people, cannot ordinarily bee Eſa. 28. 9, 10.preſerued in any vigour by a monethly meale, but needeth frequent nouriſhment, as the people are able to heare and beare away. And therefore the Apoſtle layeth a ſtrait charge vponupon Timothy, and in him, vponupon all Gods Miniſters, not onelyonly that they ſhould preach the Word, but alſo that 2. Tim. 4. 1. Mark. 4. 33. Act. 20. 28.they ſhould doe it inſtantly, in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, that is, often, and vponupon all occaſions. Fourthly, the worke of grace and godlineſſe is much hindred in the people, when as the Miniſters preach themſelues, and not Chriſt, chiefly intending to ſhew their owne gifts, learning and eloquence, and not the edification and ſaluation of the people. When as they doe not preach the Word with power and authority, like our Sauiour Mat. 7. 29.Chriſt, nor in the euidence and demonſtration of the Spirit, to their hearts and conſciences, that they may caſt downe the ſtrong holds of ſinne; but come 1. Cor. 2. 4.in the inticing ſpeech of mans wiſedome, to tickle the eare, and ſoare aloft in idle and heartleſſe ſpeculations, farre out of the reach, and aboue the capacity of their hearers, filling their heads with the froth of witty conceits, which hauehave in them no ſolid nouriſhment. Wherein they carry themſelues contrary to the charge which our Sauiour giueth to the Apoſtle Peter, and all his faithfull Miniſters; namely, that in their teaching they ſhould take care to feed, not onelyonly his ſheepe, but alſo his tender lambes. Joh. 21. 15. Act. 20. 35.Finally, the people are much hindred in their growth of godlineſſe, when as their Miniſters take no paines publikely to catechize and inſtruct them in the maine principles of Chriſtian Religion, ſeeing no good building can be erected by them who neglect to lay a ſure foundation; or priuately to reſolue their doubts, and to prouoke them by holy conferences, and Act. 20. 21.earneſt exhortations and perſwaſions, to put in practice thoſe duties which they hauehave learned by their publike miniſtery. Through which faults and defects in worldly and careleſſe Miniſters, the people committed to their charge, are much hindred in the wayes of godlineſſe. For where prophecie faileth, there the people muſt needs periſh. Where there is a Pro. 29. 18. Amos 8. 11.famine of the Word, what can follow but faintneſſe and feebleneſſe for want of food? Where the Goſpell is not preached, which is the power of Rom. 1. 16. 2. Cor. 2. 16.God vntounto ſaluation, and the ſauour of life vntounto life, to all that beleeue: what can enſue hereupon, but impotent weakneſſe vntounto all good duties, and death and deſtruction of body and ſoule? If the Watchmen ſleepe, who ſhould giuegive warning to Gods people, of the approch of enemies, how eaſily may they ſurprize and vanquiſh them? If the Gardener, and Vintager be ſlothfull and idle in planting and watering, how ſhall Gods Plants and Vines flouriſh? And if they buſie not themſelues in pruning and weeding, how ſhall the Garden and Vineyard thriue, and not rather be ouer-growne with weeds and thiſtles? If the lights be put out, or hid vnderunder a buſhell, what can follow but palpable darkneſſe, through which the people of God muſt neceſſarily erre out of the waies of truth? Rom. 10. 17.And if the Goſpell of Chriſt bee not painfully preached, which is the ordinarie meanes of begetting Faith; how ſhould the people come out of the ſtate of infidelity, and beleeue, that they may be ſaued? And what can follow of all this, but the vtter neglect of all the duties belonging to a godly life, when ſauing knowledge and a liuely Faith, the foundations of it, are ouerthrowne?
§. Sect. 3 Of the means whereby the former impediments may be remoued, firſt, in reſpect of the Miniſters.
For the remouing of which impediments, firſt, the Miniſters are to be exhorted and perſwaded to doe their dutie. And in the firſt place, that none preſume to take vponupon them this high calling, which God hath neuer called vntounto it, being altogether vnfitted and vnfurniſhed with gifts neceſſarily required to this high dutie; ſeeing they purchaſe their meanes and maintenance with the price of blood, not of the bodies, but of the precious ſoules of the people, the which ſhall be required at their hands in that terrible day, when as Chriſt ſhall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead. And ſecondly, thoſe which God hath furniſhed with gifts, are to be mooued and admoniſhed in the feare of God, that with all care and good conſcience they feed the flocke of Chriſt committed to their charge, not for filthy lucre, 1. Pet. 5. 2, 3.but with a willing minde, chiefely ayming at the glorie of God in the ſaluation of the people. To which purpoſe, let them firſt remember thoſe names and titles giuen them in the Scriptures, implying not only their dutie, but great and high priuiledges whereby they ſhould be incouraged vntounto it. For they are appointed of God to be the Lights of the world; and what ſinne and ſhame is it to hide their Light, Matth. 5. 13, 14, 15.and to let the people ſit in darkeneſſe and in the ſhadow of death? They are the Salt of the earth, appointed not onelyonly to be ſauorie in themſelues, but alſo to ſeaſon others, which ſalt of Grace and Wiſdome if they loſe, they are good for nothing, but to be caſt vponupon the dung-hill, and to be troden vnderunder feete. They are Gods Watchmen, Ezech. 3. 17. & 33. 7.who hauehave the care of his armies committed vntounto them, to giuegive them warning of the approch of their enemies, which if they neglect, the blood of thoſe which periſh through their ſloth, ſhall be required at their hands. They are appointed to be Captaines ouer the people, to Matth. 15. 14.goe out and in before them, and to traine and teach them how to fight againſt the enemies of their ſaluation. They are Gods Husbandmen, 1. Cor. 3. 6, 9.Gardeners and Vintagers, to plant and ſow, purge, weede and prune his fields, gardens and vineyards, that they may bring forth fruit 1. Cor. 4. 1, 2.in due ſeaſon. They are Stewards of his family, who muſt hauehave in Matth. 13. 52.ſtore both new and old, that they may giuegive a fit portion to all their fellow ſeruants. They are Gods Ambaſſadours vntounto the people, 2. Cor. 5. 20, 21.who repreſent his owne perſon, and deliuer vntounto them the glad tydings of the Goſpell, wherein God offereth vntounto them peace and reconciliation; and therefore being ſo highly honoured, they muſt not be ſlacke in doing their meſſage. Finally, they are their ſpirituall Fathers, 1. Cor. 4. 15.ordained of God as his inſtruments, to beget them vntounto himſelfe by the immortall ſeed of the Word; which if they neglect, the people through their default remaine the children of wrath, and dead in their ſinnes. Secondly, let them remember that heauy woe and dreadfull curſe denounced againſt thoſe who preach not the Goſpell, 1. Cor. 9. 16.or doe the worke of the Lord negligently. Thirdly, let them hauehave Ier. 48. 10.in minde that fearefull account which thoſe hauehave to make at the day of Iudgement, that through their ſloth, worldlineſſe, or vnconſcionable kinde of preaching, are found guilty of deſtroying the ſoules which were committed to their charge. Fourthly, let them be incouraged to the diligent performance of their dutie, by that inward peace of conſcience, and vnſpeakable ioy and comfort, which all Gods faithfull Miniſters finde and feele in their owne hearts and conſciences, when as by their Miniſtery they ſee God glorified in the ſaluation of his people committed to their charge. Finally, let them incourage themſelues in their painfull labours, by calling to minde that vnſpeakeable recompence of reward, promiſed to all thoſe who conuert others vntounto righteouſneſſe, ſeeing they ſhall ſhine as ſtarres of Dan. 12. 3.the firmament in the glory of Gods Kingdome.
§. Sect. 4 Of other meanes reſpecting the people.
Secondly, the people for their part, are to vſe all good helpes and meanes for the remouing of this impediment. And firſt, their care muſt be to place themſelues vnderunder ſufficient, godly, and faithfull Miniſters, who will carefully and conſcionably breake vntounto them the bread of life. And if in the dayes of their ignorance, they hauehave ſeated themſelues vnderunder blinde guides, ignorant & inſufficient Miniſters, or if ſuch be impoſed vponupon them againſt their wils in thoſe places where their lands and liuings, trades and meanes doe lie, they muſt not onelyonly ſigh and mourne vnderunder this burthen, but alſo vſe all lawfull meanes to be freed from it as ſoone as they can, either by procuring ſome better meanes by their care and charge, or by remouing their habitation (though with ſome worldly inconuenience) vntounto ſome other place; Eſteeming this one thing neceſſary, to enioy the meanes of their ſaluation, and with the wiſe Merchant purchaſing this pearle Matth. 13. 45.and treaſure at the higheſt rate, rather then be without it. For if wee would be hired with no worldly gaine, to liue in ſuch places as affoord no food for the nouriſhment of our bodies; let vsus be no leſſe wiſe and carefull for our precious ſoules, and not hazard them to death and deſtruction, by continuing in thoſe places for our worldly aduantage, where there is a continuall famine of the Word, but rather then want it, wee muſt wander from ſea to ſea, and from the North to the Eaſt, that Amos 8. 11, 12.we may ſeeke and finde it. But if the Miniſters vnderunder whom God hath placed vsus, hauehave ſufficiencie of gifts, and yet through ſloth and negligence, worldlineſſe or want of care and good conſcience, neglect their dutie, we are not ſo eaſily to abandon them, before wee hauehave vſed all good meanes whereby they may be made more painefull and diligent. And firſt, wee muſt labour with God by our feruent prayers, that he will ſanctifie their gifts, and giuegive vntounto them, ſuch faithfull and honeſt hearts, as that they may more conſcionably ſet themſelues to ſeeke Gods glory in the ſaluation of the people committed to their charge, and ſo imploy their talents which they hauehave receiued, as that they may be able to make a cheerefull account, when as they ſhall be called to giuegive vp their reckoning. For if thoſe which are moſt faithfull and diligent in diſcharge of their dutie, need theſe helpes, which made the Apoſtle ſo often to deſire the prayers of the people; how much more doe they need them, who hauehave ſo many defects in the worke of their Miniſtery? Secondly, we muſt indeuour to draw them on to more diligence by our good counſels and admonitions, in the Spirit of louelove and meekenes, without all ſpleene and bitternes, or any diſgrace offred to their perſons. Thirdly, we muſt labour to win and encourage them, not onelyonly by auoyding cauſeleſſe wranglings and contentions, but alſo by paying vntounto them iuſtly and honeſtly their full due, which Matth. 10. 10.by the Lawes of God and men belong vntounto them, and not take occaſion vponupon the neglect of their dutie to neglect ours. Yea, rather with open hearts and hands, wee muſt carry our ſelues liberally towards Gal. 6. 10. 1. Cor 9. 7. Heb. 13. 5. 1. Tim. 5. 17.them according to our ability, that gayning their louelove, they may become more carefull to ſeeke our ſpirituall good, communicating vntounto vsus their miniſteriall gifts, when they ſee vsus willing to communicate vntounto them our corporall bleſſings. Fourthly, we muſt not vilifie and contemne their Miniſtery, though there be therein ſome wants and imperfections, nor runne from them to others, who in our iudgement doe exceed them; but beare with their infirmities, and doe our beſt to reforme and amend them. Finally, when they preach vntounto vsus, we are to heare them with all diligence and reuerence, whereby we ſhall make them more carefull to deliuer things worth our hearing, and more ready to take greater paines, when they ſee them ſo much regarded. For as the ſucking of the childe draweth downe the mothers milke, and cauſeth it to come in greater plenty, whereas if the breſt be not drawne, all the milke is ſoone dryed vp; ſo is it in this caſe betweene the Miniſter and the people. By all which and the like meanes if wee preuaile nothing, wee are (if poſſibly wee can) to remooue our ſelues from vnderunder their charge, ſeeing it is not much materiall vntounto vsus, whether they cannot or will not teach vsus the way of ſaluation, and no leſſe neceſſitie lyeth vponupon vsus of hearing, then vponupon them of preaching the Goſpell; nor a leſſe woe, if through our owne negligence wee heare it not.
§. Sect. 5 Of the impediment of a godly life, ariſing from the euill liues of ſome Miniſters.
The laſt publique impediment reſpecting the Miniſtery, is the euill liues of many, who take vponupon them to perſwade others to the practice of Chriſtian duties. For ordinarily the people imagine, that they goe faſt enough in the waies of godlineſſe, if they keepe full pace with thoſe which are their Teachers. And though they heare them often in the Pulpit, vſe many arguments to draw them on to more perfection; yet they ſuppoſe that there is no neceſſity of ſeruing God ſo ſtrictly and ſincerely, but that all is ſpoken for forme and faſhion ſake; otherwiſe they who are ſo earneſt in perſwading vsus, would leade vsus the way by their good example. For the remouing of which impediment, we are to know, that howſoeuer Miniſters excell others in the common gifts of the Spirit, as knowledge, learning and ſuch like, yet the ſauing graces of God are free, & not tyed to any calling or profeſſion more then others. And therefore ſeeing in this regard, the learned hath no priuiledge aboue the vnlearned, the Doctor aboue the Artificer, or the Phariſee before the Fiſherman, it is no great maruaile, if the greateſt Rabbins in the world bee as ſmall proficients in Matth. 11. 25. 1. Cor. 1. 26. Matth. 23. 2, 3.grace, and in the practice of holy & Chriſtian duties, as thoſe which they ſcorne for their ignorance and ſimplicity. But yet ſo long as they ſit in Moſes chayre, wee muſt not onelyonly heare them, but doe as they ſay, though not as they doe, ſeeing their ſpeeches are not grounded vponupon the authority of their perſons or actions, but vponupon the Word of God, vntounto which wee owe ſimple and abſolute obedience, whoſoeuer bee the Meſſenger that bringeth it vntounto vsus. But of this I hauehave written more largely in the firſt part of my Warfare, vntounto which I referre the Reader, who deſireth in this point more full ſatiſfaction.
§. Sect. 6 Of the publike impediments which reſpect the people.
The common impediments of a godly life which reſpect the people, are alſo diuers. As firſt, when they content themſelues with a forme of profeſſion and Religion, without any deſire to finde in themſelues the power, efficacy and fruite thereof, for the ſanctifying of their hearts, and reforming of their liues. As when they profeſſe Religion, becauſe the State eſtabliſheth it; goe to the Church and heare the Word, becauſe the Law requireth it; pray in the Congregation, and goe to the Communion, becauſe it is the cuſtome of the Countrey, and other of their neighbours doe it as well as they. But this is to reſt in a ſhadow without a ſubſtance, and in a forme of godlineſſe, but denying the power thereof. Which if wee would auoid, our care muſt 2. Tim. 3. 5.bee to ſerue God in obedience to his Commandements, to worſhip him in Spirit and truth, and to ioyne the inward ſeruice of the heart and ſoule, with the ourward ſeruice of the body; and finally, that in all theſe duties wee propound vntounto our ſelues right ends, namely, to profit by them in knowledge, faith, and the practice of all holy duties of a godly life, that we may glorify God in the further aſſurance of our ſaluation. The ſecond impediment reſpecting The ſecond impediment.the people, is the neglect and contempt of the Preaching of Gods Word, as a thing vnneceſſary for their ſaluation. For howſoeuer they ſuppoſe, that there is ſome vſe of it for their conuerſion vntounto God, the inlightening of their mindes with ſome knowledge of the truth, and the working of faith in ſome firſt degrees; yet they hold it a needeleſſe taske to bee continually tyed to theſe religious exerciſes, and that it is ſufficient to vſe them ſometimes at their beſt leyſure. Which impediment if wee would ſhun, wee muſt remember, that as the Word and the miniſtery thereof, is the immortall ſeede which begetteth vsus to God, ſo it is the ſpirituall food of our Ephe. 4. 11, 12, 13.ſoules, whereby they muſt bee continually nouriſhed, that the graces of the Spirit begun, may bee increaſed and confirmed in vsus, vntill we come to a perfect age in Ieſus Chriſt. That it is the ſword of the Spirit, whereof we hauehave daily vſe in our ſpiritual warfare, (which laſteth as long as our liues laſt) for the repelling of our enemies, & the ouercomming of all their dangerous temptations. That it is the only true light, which guideth vsus in all our waies, whereof if through negligence wee depriue our ſelues, we ſhall walke in darkeneſſe, and ſit in the ſhaddow of death. That it is our counſellor in all our doubts, and our comforter in all our troubles; the meanes to ſtrengthen and vphold vsus when we ſtand, and to recouer and rayſe vsus when we are falne; the chiefe helpe we hauehave to keepe vsus in the way of truth, and to recall vsus when we erre and goe aſtray; our food in time of health, and our phyſicke to cure and reſtore vsus when we are ſicke. The third impediment to the The third impediment.life of grace and godlineſſe is, when as the people are content to heare the Word, but without any cheerefulneſſe and delight, with cloyed ſtomacks and loſt appetites, whereof it is, that this delicious Manna is loathſome to their carnall and ſurfetted taſte, and yeeldeth no wholeſome nouriſhment, becauſe it is eaten againſt the ſtomacke. Which if we would remoue, wee muſt labour often to quicken our appetite, that wee may with Dauid finde and feele the ſweeteneſſe of Gods Pſal. 19. 10.Word, farre exceeding the hony and the hony-combe, and earneſtly hunger and thirſt after it, that we may profit by it, and hauehave the graces of Gods Spirit nouriſhed and increaſed in vsus. To which end wee muſt often meditate vponupon the excellency, profit and neceſſity of it, as being a Pearle aboue all price, and the onelyonly chiefe treaſure which will make vsus truely rich. The fourth impediment, is want of diligence, reuerence The fourth impediment.and attention in the hearing of the Word, whereby moſt of this precious liquor ſpilleth beſide, and is vtterly loſt; and want of care to treaſure it vp in our memories, or to meditate vponupon it afterwards, that we may bring it home to our hearts and conſciences, and practiſe it in our liues. Which if we would remoue, we muſt conſider, that it is not the deede done, which will make Gods ordinances truely profitable, but the right manner of doing them; that God will neuer bleſſe vntounto vsus the meanes of our ſaluation, if wee only bring our lips and eares, and outward man vntounto them, and do not performe theſe religious duties with our heart and ſpirit. And finally, that for our ſpirituall nouriſhment it is not ſufficient, that we hauehave plenty of food ſet before vsus, vnleſſe we feede on it with good appetites, retaine it in our memories (as it were) in the ſtomacke; and well digeſt and apply it to our vſe by ſerious meditation: which duties if wee neglect, either not feeding vponupon the food of our ſoules, or caſting it vp againe as ſoone as it is eaten, we can neuer attaine vntounto any ſpiritual ſtrength, but muſt needs grow faint and languiſh in the life of godlineſſe. The laſt impediment (which I The fifth impediment.will here ſpeake of) in the people, is too much curioſity, both in their hearing and applying of the Word. For ſuch itching eares hauehave many, that they loath the ſincere milke of the Word, and all ordinary points handled in an ordinary manner; and affect nothing but nouelties, idle ſpeculations and curious queſtions; witty diſcourſes and frothy conceites. But that we may ſhun this fooliſh curioſity, let vsus know, that as the Miniſters are bound to deliuer the ſincere truth in the euidence 1. Cor. 2. 4.of the Spirit and power, ſo they no leſſe to hunger after it, euen the ſincere milke of the Word, that they may grow vp thereby: That 1. Pet. 21. 1. Cor. 2. 2.as they are bound to teach, ſo we aboue all things muſt deſire to know Ieſus Chriſt and him crucified. That they who deſire to vnderſtand aboue that which is meete, and affect onelyonly nicities and nouelties, doe feede Rom. 12. 3.vponupon froth and winde, which will puffe them vp, but neuer nouriſh 1. Cor. 8. 1.them; and finally, that hungring after continuall variety, and ſtrange diſhes, is a ſigne of a ſicke and weake ſtomacke, full of groſſe humours, which needes to bee purged, before it can bee nouriſhed. The like hinderance curioſity bringeth to our proceedings in godlineſſe, in reſpect of applying the Word; when as men will not bring it home to their owne hearts, but curiouſly prying into, and examining the liues and manners of others, doe put off all that is ſpoken from themſelues, and apply it vntounto them whom they thinke it more neerely concerneth. Which if we would auoid, we muſt conceiue that God hath purpoſely ſent what we heare as a meſſage vntounto vsus, that all that is ſpoken, is for our own learning and vſe, as if there were none in the Church beſides. That the Word which we heare wil not profit, vnleſſe it be mixed with faith, & that there is no faith, where there is no application to our own vſe. Finally, that ye meate only nouriſheth vsus which our ſelues feed vponupon and diſgeſt, and not that which being carued vntounto vsus we doe not eate, but put it away from vsus, or elſe lay it vponupon another mans trencher.