The Scripture Directory for Church Officers and People, Exposition 1 · Verse 2
Verſe 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat.
THis ſecond verſe is a further amplification of Paul's complaint, They were babes, and not ſtrong men. Wherein did this appear? by the meat he did provide for them. He compareth himſelf to a Nurſe, who does not provide ſtrong meat, but milk for babes; for that were to kill them, rather then to nouriſh them. So that in theſe words, you have Paul's action, and the matter and Object of it, expreſſed metaphorically: The action, foreign, I have fed you; or rather, I have given you to drink: For ſo foreign doth properly ſignify. Mat. 25.25. I was thirſty, foreign, you gave me drink. So Rom. 12.20. Rev. 14 8. Afterwards it is uſed for watering. Yet becauſe, in a general ſenſe, milk is called Childrens meat, ſo alſo may they be ſaid to be fed by it. Now this action of Pauls, does denote the great skill, and prudence, which the Apoſtle uſed, conſidering what was fit for his Hearers, and condeſcending thereunto. He that was rapt up into the third Heavens, what ſublime Miſteries might he have preached upon? But he preaches not to ſhew his parts and learning, but to do good to them. Secondly, You have the object of this action, milk. Although ſometimes the whole Word of God, with the truth contained therein, be compared to milk. As when Peter ſaith, As new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the Word, 1 Pet. 2.2. There the ſtrongeſt Chriſtians are exhorted to be like new born babes, becauſe of the greedineſs, delight, and ſweetneſs they ſhould find in the Word of God. Therefore the Greek word is, foreign, ſwallow it down. But here it's ſpoken by way of oppoſition, and doth ſignify, as compared with Heb. 5. the plain and eaſie Principles of Religion. The Alphabet, the Foundation, whithout which there cannot be any ſuperſtruction. So that two profitable Doctrines may be obſerved hence:
1. It muſt be the Prudence and Wiſdom of the Minister, to preach ſuch matter, and in ſuch a way, as the Hearers may receive good.
2. It's neceſſary to acquaint people with the Principles of Religion, before they go higher in Chriſtianity.
Of the firſt; There is a great deal of prudence and wiſdom required in the Miniſters of God, ſo to preach, as that it may be profitable to the Hearers. The Nurſe is carefully to obſerve what meat (and how prepared) the Child may eat: The Shepherd, what are the fit Paſtours for to lead his Sheep into: The Husbandman, what is the proper ſeed for ſuch ground: The Phyſician, what is the proper Phyſick for ſuch conſtitutions: Seeing it's a ſure Rule, That the actions of Agents, are received, according to the diſpoſition of the Patients. As the Apoſtle argues againſt publique duties in an unknown tongue, ſo it holds as well againſt unknown matter.
To open this Doctrine, Conſider,
That a Miniſters duty of feeding his Flock▪ lies in two things;The Miniſters two-fold Work. His teaching of them, and His governing of them: And both theſe require great prudence. The Scripture cals it a Key, whereupon Divines have a diſtinction of the Key of knowledge, and the Key of juriſdiction; in all which, they are to be Lights, and Guides▪ to be ſo many Arguſes full of eyes. If Solomon, above all things prayed for Wiſdome, to govern the people in civil things, how much more have we cauſe to pray for Wiſdome in the Adminiſtration of ſpiritual things? How eaſily may we give you poyſon for Bread, without Wiſdome? A Serpent for a Fiſh without Wiſdome? How eaſily (without Prudence) may even the good and wholſome things we preach, prove alſo dangerous to you?
Firſt therefore for our Doctrine, As the Key of knowledge; that is branched out into ſeveral Particulars, wherein an Art of Arts is required: As a wiſe Maſter-builder, (ſaith the Apoſtle) at the 10th verſ.
What wiſdome is required in a Miniſter to chooſe out ſound matter. 1. For Information.Firſt, for Information. There is required judgment, and a ſound mind to ſeparate Truth from falſehood: To know which is gold and precious ſtone, and which is hay and ſtubble: To winnow the chaff from the wheat. Hence a Miniſter is required, to be able to divide the Word of God aright, 2 Tim. 2.15. as they did the Sacrifice, giving that to God, which did belong to him; and that to man, which did belong to him: The conſequent of which Wiſdome, is not to be aſhamed, as if ſhame would ſometimes or other confound thoſe that had not this skill. It's impoſſible but you ſhould be fed with chaff inſtead of wheat, with dung inſtead of meat, if the Miniſter cannot ſeparate the precious from the vile. The Scripture ſpeaks of ſome that were ignorant, that did wreſt the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3.16.) to their own damnation; but the ignorant Miniſter, he may wreſt it to the damnation of many others. How many in the world ſwallow down damnable Hereſies, feed on the draffe of corrupt Doctrines, becauſe God hath ſent falſe Prophets and falſe Teachers amongſt them.
Secondly, As wiſdome is required to chooſe out true, and ſound matter, ſo to proportion it to the Capacity of the Hearers. He is to be the wiſe Scribe, that brings out of his Treaſure new and old, Mat. 13 25. That is, ſuch which may affect every Hearer: It's an alluſion to Cantic. 7.13. They are indeed, as Paul ſaith, Act. 20.27. to acquaint them with the whole counſell of God; yet in a methodical way, the moſt eaſie, and moſt plain.
Firſt, To preach the Nature of God and his Attributes; of Original ſinne, of Converſion, of Juſtification; as alſo about Chriſt and his Offices. Theſe are the New things, and the Old And as God made the moſt neceſſary things firſt, and the ornaments in the world afterwards, ſo are we. Paul in his Epiſtle to the Romanes, begins with the knowledge of God by the creatures, then Original ſinne, afterwards Juſtification and Sanctification, and then proceeds to Election. It's an excellent Rule of Nazianzen, We are not to preach of every thing, to every man, at every time, in every place; but in prudence, to diſpence as Auditours are able to bear it: So did our Saviour.
2. For Conſolation.A ſecond part of this Doctrinal Key, is, To preach comfort, and diſpenſe the grace of God in the Goſpel. But here is much wiſdome required, that be doth it not to unbroken and impenitent ſinners. To preach a Saviour to thoſe that do not find themſelves loſt, to commend a Phyſician to thoſe that find themſelves whole, to pour oyl, where there are no wounds, is to pervert all order. Ho every one that thirſteth, ſaith our Saviour, Joh 7.37. And, Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, Mat. 11.28. The Spirit of God, convinces the world of ſin, and then of righteouſneſs. Oh but how much unwiſe and unfaithfull preaching is there in this reſpect? How many are there, that ſtrengthen wicked mens hearts, and make them not ſad, whom God would have made ſad? That daube with untemppered morter, that ſay to every prophane man, if he do but cry, Lord have mercy upon me, Be of good comfort, thy ſinnes are forgiven thee. It's this daubing, and ſoothing up people in their wickedneſs, ſtriking out all fear of hell and damnation, that makes them wallow like ſwine in their filth. To ſuch to preach no comfort, but the Law and Threatnings; but to thoſe that are broken in heart, a tongue of the learned is required to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon. How carefull was Paul, that the inceſtuous perſon ſhould not be overwhelmed with grief, 2 Cor. 2? And here is the more wiſdome, becauſe Satans temptations are ſubtile and inſinuating; We are not ignorant of his devices, of his ſchiſmes, what falſe circumventions and appearances he will have. Now, How many are there, that are not acquainted themſelves with the depths of Satan, that are no better Comforters then Jobs Friends were? Chriſt himſelf was affected with all our temptations, that he might know how the more feelingly to pity others. Thus a Miniſter that hath himſelf been in the deep matters of God, that hath himſelf been exerciſed with all kind of temptations, he can only tell how to ſpeak to the heart of another. So that you ſee, much wiſdome is required in the giving of comfort. Alas, every ſick man, every dying man, looks we ſhould give comfort, and they would have a word of comfort! Oh, but what hath thy life been! What truth of grace is there in thee? Have not ſome wicked men cryed out of their ſinnes, in fear of death, and publique judgments, as Pharaoh did? Therefore we muſt take heed what we do; we muſt not comfort, whom God would not have comforted. Here is great wiſdome required.
A third part of his Doctrinal Key, is, To rebuke and reprove for ſinne. Now,3. For Reproof. how great a skill is it, wiſely to reprove, to have zeal and knowledge together? Some muſt be reproved ſharply, T…t. 1.13 cuttingly. We muſt not ſpare. Thus John called ſome a generation of vipers, Mat. 3.7. and our Saviour, Wo to ye Scribes, Phariſees, Hypocrites; many times repeating that, upbraiding of them. Theſe were obſtinate impenitent Hypocrites, Mat. 23.13, 14, 15. and little blows will not move them. Others again are tender, tractable: meekneſs will do more than auſterity So that there is ſcarce any thing requireth more wiſdome than publique and private reproofs. Men can ſo hardly bear them, Genus quoddam Maritirii eſt reprehenſionem▪ patienter ferre, It is a kind of martyrdome to bear a reproof patiently. And Miniſters are either apt to be too awfull, and pleaſing of men, or elſe too boiſterous or paſſionate. So that the Shepherd of irrational Sheep, have a farre more eaſie task, then ſpiritual Shepherds of men eſpecially in ſuperſtitious Cuſtomes, in falſe waies of worſhip. Here an Angels wiſdome will ſcarce ſuffice. What a trouble was that to the Church in her infancy, about the retaining or leaving the Jewiſh Ceremonies? The Queſtions and differences grew ſo hot, that it had almoſt torn the Church in pieces. The Council of Jeruſalem was called about this; many ſtill Judaizing thought, that if you took the obſervation of times, and outward Ceremonies away, you took away all Religion. Paul in his Epiſtle to the Galatians, and Rom. 14. is very diligent to inform them about this, endeavouring to make them ſpiritual, and to draw up their hearts from thoſe beggerly elements: Paul was circumſpect how to walk in this ſlippery Controverſie, To the Jew, I became a Jew, 1 Cor. 9.20. Not that he was a diſſembler, or an Hypocrite, or humoured them in their ſuperſtitious weakneſs, but he took upon him all ſweet affections; he was as a Jew to a Jew, as weak to weak; he would conſider them, as if he were in their caſe: Yea, to walk in theſe Controverſies was ſo hard, that Peter gave great occaſion of offence; yea, Barnabas was alſo laid aſide, for he did not foreign, which made Paul reſiſt him to the face, with this diſſimulation, Gal 1. Now if the Apoſtle, was ſo induſtrious to root out the practice of thoſe Rites and Ceremonies, which yet God himſelf had once commanded, how much rather ſhould we thoſe things which were brought into the Church, without any command of God, or warrant of Scripture, but meerly by the will of man?
As for the other kind of Keyes, Church-Government, the wiſe managing of that, is far more difficult, then Political: But I ſhall wave that, as not ſo proper to this Text.
Let us conſider the Reaſon, Why this Doctrinal feeding requireth ſuch skill and Prudence. And
Reaſ. 1.Firſt, Becauſe divine truths are not to be managed by humane, wordly wiſdome, but by ſpiritual wiſdome: As it's God that teacheth people to profit, Iſa. 48.17. ſo it's God that teacheth the Miniſter to preach profitably: Hence the word of wiſdome is reckoned among the gifts of Gods Spirit, 1 Cor. 14. and the Apoſtle ſaith, We are not able of our ſelves to think a good thought, 2 Cor. 2.5. as ſome expound it, in the way of our Miniſtery, we cannot think that which is good and profitable to mens ſoules without God: Hence as of Chriſt the cheif ſheepherd it is ſaid, the Spirit of wiſdome, counſell, and underſtanding ſhall reſt on him, Iſa. 11.2. ſo it would be happy if the ſame Spirit proportionably did reſt on inferiour ſhepherds, I have caught you with an holy guile, 2 Cor. 12.16. There are divine ſtratagems to win mens ſoules, and if Aholiab and Bezaliel are ſaid to have the Spirit of wiſdome given them to build the material Tabernacle, how much more do others need it to edifie this ſpiritual one? Exod. 36.1. Seeing then the managing of holy truths is not had by humane prudence, but by wiſdome from above, we muſt be Scribes inſtructed to the kingdome of heaven: we are not born but made Preachers of the Goſpel by God, no marvel if this be ſo great a work.
Reaſ. 2.Secondly, Therefore is wiſdome neceſſary in our preaching of divine things, becauſe the miſcarriage of theſe precious truths, is a farre greater loſs then any earthly loſs. It's pity for want of skill in any calling to miſcarry in a mans wordly affairs, but much more in heavenly; there needs not only faithfulneſs but wiſdome. A wiſe and faithfull ſteward it is that makes five multiply to ten. If the Prophet ſpeaking of the Husbandmans skill, about his ſeveral graines, tithes, and wheat, having ſeveral inſtruments for them, ſaith, his God teacheth him, Iſa. 28.26. otherwiſe planting, and ſowing, and all coſt would be in vain; ſo it's here, if God teach us not, direct us not, all our preaching is in vain, and our Sabbath dayes are loſt. Our Saviour would not have any peece of material bread loſt, but asketh them, how many baskets full took they up? why then ſhould any thing be loſt of the bread of life?
Reaſ. 3.Thirdly, Therefore is wiſdome neceſſary, becauſe of the untowardneſs and unteachableneſs of people, which have ſundry humors, ſundry appetites, ſundry affections, and deſires; Nazianzen was much affected with the difficulty of his Miniſtery in this reſpect; ſo many opinions, ſo many different affections, and deſires: that which draweth on ſome, will drive others away; now who is able to adminiſter fit and convenient food, but he that is endued with heavenly prudence?
Ʋſe. To ſhew peoples duty, how much they are to pray unto God for their teachers, that they may be directed into all good thoughts for their ſoules good. Thou getteſt no more profit, thou canſt not underſtand, thou art not affected, Oh ſee, if this be not a juſt reward for thy want of prayers for thy guide! How often doth Paul deſire the prayers of the people he writes to? how happy is it when the Miniſtery is profitable to thee, and thou art profiting to it? As God muſt be with the Preacher, ſo he muſt be with the hearer: a coal of fire on his tongue to purify it, and a coal of fire on your eares to cleanſe them. Oh then how ungodly are they, who inſtead of praying, curſe, grudge, and nouriſh malice, for the Miniſters work ſake meerly, when that ſhould make him honourable! Conſider, why is the Miniſtery good to others and not to thee? why is it the word of power and wiſdome to others, but of weakneſs and folly to thee; See if all this cometh not by thy prophane neglect and contempt of earneſt prayer for to make it ſo to thee? it's honey to others, but gall to thee, it's a ſavour of life to others, but death to thee. Some ſinne or ſpiritual judgement is upon thee, and therefore be afraid.
The ſecond Doctrine remaineth to be amplified, which is,
That it's very neceſſary to have a people inſtructed with the principles of Religion, before they make further progreſs in Religion.Obſerv.
Thus the Apoſtle, I have fed you with milk. Children, as they ſpeak like children, think like children, and do like children (as the Apoſtle in another caſe, 1 Cor. 13.) ſo they have meat fit for children. And this point is of great conſequence. For how univerſal and damnable is the ignorance of moſt, who have not yet learned the Alphabet of Religion, ſcarce have heard whether there be an Holy Ghoſt or no? Who, though they have Chriſt often in their mouths, yet know not what Chriſt was, and thereupon may juſtly have that doom upon them, which our Saviour paſſeth upon the woman of Samaria, Ye worſhip ye know not what; Joh. 4.22. To open this Doctrine,
Conſider firſt, And bewail the miſerable atheiſme, ignorance, and blindneſs that every man naturally is born in, about Religion and divine truths. Conſiderations abou… the principles of Religion, and the knowledge and ignorance of them.Hence Eph 5.8. they are called darkneſs it ſelf, in the abſtract, and the natural man cannot receive the ſpiritual things of God, 1 Cor. 2. Zophar compareth every man by his birth to the wild Aſſes colt, Job 11.12. What is more brutiſh then that? Now there are thouſands of people, and thoſe living in the Church of God, who are not yet come out of this brutiſh ignorance, men that never felt this Sunne, or day-ſtarre of the Goſpel ariſing in their hearts. Thus as God promiſed, knowledge ſhould cover the face of the earth, as waters do the ſeas, Iſa. 11.9. Darkneſs covers our Congregations, as it did the chaos at firſt.
Secondly, As people are thus naturally ignorant of divine truths, ſo alſo their wilful ſlothfulneſs about them is much more damnable. He that doth not know his maſters will, ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes; but he that ſhuts his eyes that he may not know; he that bids the knowledge of the moſt High, depart from him, he ſhall be beaten with more ſtripes. Oh then! why is it that thou art ſuch a blind Bat, or Owle in the day of the Goſpel? thou canſt not ſay, it's impoſſible for us to get knowledge; No, how great are the helps and meanes that God hath vouchſafed in theſe dayes? Theodoret tells us, That in his dayes, the common ſort of people, maides, old women, handycrafts men, labourers, theſe could all tell the ground of their faith; but there are few among us who can riſe up to that duty, to give an account of our hope, yet the Scripture requireth this of all, 1 Pet. 3.15. Why then doſt thou ſay, I muſt know how to work, how to plow, to ſow, to maintain my natural life, and not alſo be as diligent about thy ſupernatural?
Thirdly, Becauſe naturally we are thus like a wilderneſs full of bryars, therefore God hath ſtrictly commanded this duty of inſtructing, and informing thoſe that are rude and ignorant in the wayes of God. And this duty is not only upon the Miniſters, but the Scripture commands it indiſpenſably upon Parents and Governours. Thus in Deut. 6.7. they are commanded to wh…t the law upon their family, and to write it upon the poſts, and to be ſpeaking of them daily: Thus Joſhua and Abraham, they made their family to ſerve the Lord, which cannot be without the knowledge of him. In the new Teſtament, Paul commands parents, To bring up their children in the knowledge of the Lord, Eph. 6.5. And Solomons Proverbs are full of theſe exhortations. For certainly if the Scripture ſay, Jer. 9 23. Let not the rich man boaſt in his riches, nor the great man in his honours, but in that he knows God; then the endeavour of parents to provide wealth, riches, lands, or a great portion, is nothing ſo acceptable, as to teach them the fear of God. Oh therefore that at laſt our families might be made Chriſts Schools, wherin the principles and commands of Chriſt may be frequently urged! Oh who can make lamentations bitter enough for the neglect of this! In many Families, there is the Devils School; people may learn to curſe, to ſwear, to become bruit beaſts: But to have the Knowledge of God taught, would be the greateſt burden in the world. Well, conſider that of Jeremy 10.25. Pour down thy wrath upon the Families, that call not on thy Name: Which by conſequence, at leaſt, reacheth private Families and Houſholds. And how can they call, if they do not believe? and how can they believe, if they do not know? As Ariſtotle obſerveth, That Families are the beginnings of Common wealths; and ſo they are good, or bad, as particular Families are. So it is with the Church, that conſiſts of particular Families. But if they be like a Cage of unclean birds, like the Wilderneſs, wherein dreadfull Birds are, what good can be expected from a Church conſiſting of ſuch? Men ſpeak of Houſes where the Devils walk, where ſpirits haunt, men dare not dwell there: I tell thee, That a Family where ignorance and prophaneneſs is nouriſhed, is an houſe, not only haunted, but even poſſeſſed by Devils. And how canſt thou eat, ſleep, and live in ſuch a place?
Fourthly, In the primitive times, there were a rank of people, that were called Catecumini, (as we ſaid before) Candidati, or Competentes; ſuch who being converted from Paganiſm, were not yet fully inſtructed in the matters of Religi…n, and therefore they had time to get knowledg, before ever they were admitted to Church-Communion. And anſwerable to this, there was a Catechiſt, one whoſe work and office it was, to inſtruct ſuch before they were Baptized. Thus you ſee, how carefull in Antiquity they were, that they might have no ignorant perſons among them. And certainly, as in all Arts, there are Principles which muſt be learned, before they can come to Concluſions; ſo it's here in Religion. And oh, that we could ſee this Knowledge brought in amongſt people! To be a Chriſtian, is to be anointed; and this Ʋnction teacheth us all things, (Joh. 2.20.) viz. neceſſary to ſalvation.
Fifthly, Principles of Religion (largely ſo called) are of two ſorts; either Corrupt, Idolatrical, and Heretical; or true, Sound, and Conſonant to the Scripture. Now there are many in the world, are too forward to infuſe poyſonous and dangerous Principles; ſo great a matter is it, to conſider what men are ſeaſoned with at firſt, either privately or publiquely. Thus many are infected with Popiſh and ſuperſtitious Principles; many with erroneous and falſe Doctrines; and theſe foundations being laid, it's very difficult ever to remove them. As the veſſel is firſt ſeaſoned, or the tree at firſt planted, ſo it is likely to continue. The Apoſtle cals thoſe Jewiſh Ceremonies, the beggerly elements, Gal. 4.9. or Principles of the world. Why ſo? becauſe the ſuperſtitious Teachers made them the firſt Elements, the Principles, the foundation of all; and therefore they thought all Religion was taken away, if they were removed. And thus you have divers perſons, they have indeed ſome Principles of Religion, but they are Popiſh, and Superſtitious, ſuch as put out the Knowledge of Chriſt, and the Scriptures. And, It's a two-fold labour (as Socrates ſaid) to a perverted Diſciple of his, to teach them, for they muſt firſt be untaught their erroneous Principles, and then muſt be inſtructed in the truth. Oh then, look to this, that thy Principles about Religion be not falſe, ignorant, and ſuperſtitious ones!
Sixthly, The true Principles of Religion, are reduced to ſeverall heads, and are both ſhort and eaſie, but neceſſary to be known. The Doctrine about God, and Chriſt, and our ſelves, which is the Credendum. The Doctrine about Faith and Repentance, which is the Agendum. And about things to come, which is the Sperandum.
About God, we are to believe, That he is, and a rewarder of thoſe that ſeek him. About Chriſt, This is eternal life, to know Jeſus Chriſt, (Joh. 17.2.) and the holy Ghoſt; for, we are Baptized in his Name. About our ſelves, the deſperate pollution of our natures, the hainouſneſs of ſinne, the aggravation of the curſes of the Law.
The things to be done, are Repentance, which driveth out of our ſins; and Faith, which driveth out of our own righteouſneſs. But becauſe theſe are Divine Works, therefore a man muſt be regenerated and born again. And this Principle Chriſt inſiſted on to Nicodemus, Joh 3.
The things to come, are, The Reſurrection of the Body; The immortality of the Soul; The Day of Judgment; The He…ven and Hell, provided for the godly and the wicked. Theſe Principles are plain and eaſie; not to fleſh and blood, but in reſpect of the manifeſtation of them. They are laid down clearly in Scripture: None, without horrible impudency, can deny them. Indeed, there are many ſublime Diſputes about the Trinity, and about Chriſts Incarnation; but theſe are not neceſſary to be believed by every one. Oh then, how great is thy ingratitude! God hath made the neceſſary things eaſie, and plain, and yet thou art not acquainted with them. If God had commanded ſome greater matter of thee; If he had required all thy time, all thy ſtudy, thou waſt obliged to have done it. How much rather in things of ſo eaſie apprehenſion?
But now, when we ſay, Theſe divine Principles are eaſie; you muſt take heed of two miſtakes.
1. We do not mean, that the divine Faith and Belief of them, is eaſie to fleſh and blood; no: but they are eaſie, ſuppoſing the grace of God, in reſpect of other particulars in Religion For otherwiſe: To believe with a Divine Faith, viz. by the Spirit of God inabling upon divine Authority, (which is only true Faith) is the immediate work of Gods Spirit. Therefore Faith, though it be but Hiſtoricall, and not ſaving, is the gift of God. When we deſire a Knowledge, and Faith of theſe Principles, we mean not ſuch a Faith as moſt men have, a Faith of cuſtom and humane education; a Faith, becauſe they are brought up in ſuch a Religion: but upon Judgment and Knowledge grounded upon the Scripture. That which is uſually called the Colliars Faith, To believe as the Church believes; Is the Husbandmans, and the Tradeſmans, and the rich mans, and the poor mans Faith, too much in the world. So that as Chriſt ſaith, His yoke is eaſie, and yet alſo it is very hard: Eaſie to the heart ſanctified, but grieveous to the unregenerate. So it is here: The Principles of Religion are eaſie and plain to the mind inlightned, but they are either fooliſhneſs, or abſurdities to the greateſt Scholar that is, if h…s heart be not opened. And thus Paul found himſelf derided, and called a Babler amongſt the Athenians.
2. We do not mean, that the bare ſaying of the Principles of Religian by heart and rote, is the true believing and knowing of them. As the Child is not ſaid to be fed with milk, unleſs it ſwallow it down, and be nouriſhed by it. So neither can they be ſaid to believe the Principles of Religion, unleſs they do with underſtanding apply them▪ and receive them into their hearts. But this is all that moſt attain unto, they can tell you, God made them; That Chriſt is their Saviour; That they muſt repent of ſinne: But theſe things are by meer rote. They learn them, as formerly in Popery they learned their Prayers in Lattin, they knew not what they prayed for; ſo neither theſe, what they do believe.
Now the Groun…s for Inſtruction in theſe Principles, are,
Firſt, Becauſe God accounts of no zeal, nor devout affections, How neceſſary the Knowledge of the Principles of Religion is.if they be not the fruit of Knowledge. Thus Chriſt told the woman, that was ſo zealous for her Fathers worſhip, Ye worſhip ye know not what, Joh. 4 22. Though God once accepted bruit beaſts as a S…rifice to him, Yet now (ſaith the Apoſtle) let's offer up our ſelves a reaſonable Sacrifice, Rom. 12.1. The Jew had a zeal, but not according to Knowledge. Therefore thoſe crafty Principles in Popery, to keep men in Ignorance, (to make it the Mother of Devotion) that thereby they may reign, and do what they liſt, is to lead men blind-fold into Hell.
Secondly, The Principles are Foundations, and are the Root. Now, he would be an unwiſe Artificer, that ſhould intend to rear up a Houſe, and lay no Foundation. So that, as long as we preach to a people ignorant of theſe, we have no bottom to ſtand upon. Principles are like Seed: Every poor man will make hard ſhift to get Seed to ſow with.
Thirdly, Without this good Foundation laid, no Preaching, or Duties, can have any ſpiritual effect. For, Why are not the bruit Beaſts? Why not fools and mad men, capable of any benefit by the Word preached? But, becauſe the one have not rational ſouls; and the other, though they have them, yet the actual uſe and exerciſe of Reaſon is bound up. It is thus with all people deſtitute of Fundamental Principles: All is done in an unknown tongue. They are Barbarians to us, and we to them.
Fourthly, Converſion cannot be wrought without ſome Knowledge of the Principles. We cannot believe in him we do not know. We cannot love him we do not know. The Heathens, they indeed, built an Altar To the unknown God But it is unſufferable for a Chriſtian, if a Chriſtian ſhould perform his duties to an unknown God, or unknown Chriſt. They muſt underſtand, and ſo be converted, Iſa. 6.10. God makes light ſhine out of darkneſs.
5. The Knowledge of theſe Principles is neceſſary to ſalvation. You that are ignorant totally of them, cannot upon any juſt grounds hope for ſalvation. This is eternal life, to know thee the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent, Joh. 17.2. They are a people of no underſtanding, therefore he that made them will not ſave them, Iſa. 27.11. God would have all men to be ſaved, and come to the Knowledge of the Truth, 2 Tim 3.7. Oh then, how ſhould you, who ſit in this palpable darkneſs be afraid! People uſe to fear in the dark; and certainly thou ſhould bewail thy ſelf. I am an old man, an old woman; I have lived thus long where the word hath been preached, and yet how little do I know.
Sixthly, None can pretend excuſes for their ignorance herein. To have much Knowledg in Religion, there is required much time and ſtudy; many abilities, better education. But for theſe Foundations, none can excuſe, themſelves becauſe God hath revealed them in a plain eaſie manner: He that runneth may read them. So that it is our ſlowthfulneſs if we do not know.
Seventhly, Want of ſound Knowledge in theſe, makes many Errors and Hereſies. Many affect to ſpeak, and hold opinions in Religion, before ever they were well inſtructed. Thoſe that did not hold Chriſt the Head, they preſently fell to the worſhip of Angels. The empty ſtraw, is carried about with every wind. He that hath no bottom, moveth up and down.
Ʋſe. Of ſharp Reproof, to ſuch who continue in this damnable Ignorance, and that though they live where the Word is preached. If the Corinthians were to be blamed becauſe they could not bear ſtrong food, what then belongs to them who are not capable of milk? The very Principles of Religion are too hard for them. They know not what you mean, when you ſpeak of theſe things. Thus they are as bruit beaſts, made to be deſtroyed. You may find as much knowledg of God, amongſt Pagans and Heathens, as among ſome that live in the boſom of the Church. Some have not the Knowledg of God; I ſpeak to your ſhame. Many have not the Knowledg of God; It may be ſpoken to the confuſion of our faces How doth this darkneſs cover mens faces by Aitheiſm, prophanenes, and great negligence? They make it not their buſineſs to enquire after Knowledg. They greatly n…glect the means of Knowledg, Prayer, Hearing, Reading, Inſtructing of others. Say a man be greatly Ignorant, and you ſay he hath enough to damn him to all eternity: He will commit any ſin; He will embrace any Idolatry; even as the man in the dark ſtumbles, and knows not where he goeth. Eſpecially, this is a ſure barre againſt receiving of the Sacrament, for that requires diſcerning of the Lords body, of examining themſelves; which can never be done without a competent meaſure of Knowledg in Religion.
For hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither now are ye able.
Theſe words contain the reaſon of Pauls prudence, in diſpenſing ſpiritual meat to the Corinthians, milk, and not ſolid food. We may not preach all things to all people. There are gyants and dwarfs; there are carnal and ſpiritual.
The words have no difficulty, only our Tranſlators ſupply a word, for in the Greek it is thus only, For hitherto ye were not able, neither are ye now able; they ſupply [to bear] or to concoct and digeſt; for he purſueth that metaphor, of making Truth the food of the ſoul. Veritas eſt cibus animi. Such a defective expreſſion we have of the Hebrew word foreign potero, Iſa. 1.13. ſpeaking of their ſolemn feaſts, I cannot bear them. And Pſal. 101.5. Him that hath an high look, I will not bear. So that the words denote the weakneſſe and infancy of theſe Corinthians, and that, though they had given themſelves up to the faith of Chr…ſt, and had daily waterings by the Apoſtle, after their firſt plantation. Obſerve,
That it is a great ſinne and juſt reproach to a people,Obſerv. that have lived long under the means of grace, if they have not got the due profit by it.
The Word preached is commended in Scripture for ſeveral and divine operations. Now if thou haſt many years been under theſe droppings, and yet art a dry wilderneſſe, how unſufferable is it? In other things of the world, you think it not to be endured. You ſend your children to be taught, and if in many years they ſhould not yet be able to ſpell the Alphabet, you would think all coſt in vain. If year after year you plow, and prepare a field for Corn, and yet there come up nothing but weeds and thiſtles, this is a vanity of vanities, and vexation of ſpirit. What the Heathens ſpeak of their Tantalus, to be up to the chin in water, and yet ready to periſh for thirſt, is true in thee.
For opening this, let us conſider,What are thoſe effects of the Miniſtry, for the defect whereof a people may be ſeverely blamed. 1. Intellectual effects. What are thoſe choiſe and noble effects of the Miniſtry, for the defect whereof a people may be ſeverely blamed. And they are of two ſorts, Intellectual upon the underſtanding, or Pract…cal upon the heart, affections, and outward converſation. For the Word of God is both a ſhining and a burning light. And for the firſt, That people will be found without all excuſe, and under a great condemnation, who have not found thoſe intellectual effects.
Firſt, Illumination, and enlightning of the underſtanding, to believe the firſt principles and foundations of Religion. Every Science, and ſo that of Divinity hath its firſt principles, which are eaſie and plain. Principia luce ſuâ lucent, they ſhine with their own light, as the Sunne ſhineth with its own light, you need not another Sunne to ſee it. So that if theſe principles, this light be put on the Candleſtick, held out in the Min…ſtry, they of themſelves do eaſily enlighten the whole houſe; that is, Suppoſe a man come with attention and faith, (for oportet diſcentem credere, and principles cannot be proved;) but eſpecially the ſanctification of the Spirit of God is required. So though the Sunne be never ſo viſible, if the eye be not prepared, all is in vain to a blind man. Now then ſuppoſing this, Who can plead for that damnable ignorance in many people, that have lived ſo many years, where the Word hath been preached? What can ſuch ſay more than Heathens or Pagans, that do all things to an unknown god (as you heard) and believe, and worſhip they know not what? I tell you, ſuch have not the firſt ſtone yet laid for any ſpiritual foundation. What do ſuch Bats and Owles in the Sunne-ſhine of the Goſpel? Oh if thou hadſt lived in Sodome or Aegypt, it had not been ſuch a wonder, but in Jeruſalem to be ſo blind, argueth thy caſe damnable!
Secondly, The Word preached expects this effect, not only to lay a foundation, but to build upwards, not only to plant, but to grow. Thus Epheſ. 4.13. the Offices in the Church are to bring us to a full ſtature in Chriſt. Paul went up and down to confirm and increaſe, where he had laid a foundation. Where God gives talents he looks for increaſe. The Miniſtry is a talent, of which God will require a ſtrict account: So that it's a juſt reproach to a people that live under the means, if they be not out of the lower form, if they have not left firſt and low principles, riſing to higher perfection: As Paul doth ſharply reprove the Hebrews for this want of growth, Heb. 6. Oh then ſit not down at the lower round in the ladder, ſtay not at the bottome of the hill. Chriſtianity is a race. There is work, and work enough for thee. Thus David prayeth, His eyes may be opened to underſtand the wonderfull things of the Law, Pſal. 119. His eyes were already opened, and he had more knowledge than his teachars, yet he prayeth as fervently to have his eyes opened, as if he were a beginner, and Eph. 1. Paul prayeth for thoſe already enlightned, that the Spirit of wiſdome and illumination might be upon them. What Paul ſaid to Timothy, Let thy profiting appear to all, 1 Tim. 4.15. ſo ſay we, you that hear and enjoy teaching, Let your profiting appear to all. Let all the world ſee, there is a vaſt difference between living under no Miniſtry, or a negligent Miniſtry, and an inſtructing one. If Corn ſhould grow no better in improved grounds, then in the barren heath, it would be very ſtrange. To a blind man, the day and night is all one, he ſeeth as well at one time as another. Oh fear thy ſelf in a ſtate of blindneſſe, to whom preaching and no preaching, the Miniſtry and no Miniſtry is all one, for thou makeſt no more progreſſe!
Thirdly, A third Effect of the Miniſtry is, To eſtabliſh and ſettle in the truth, to give a ſound mind▪ For through mens corruptions, pride and vain-glory, the Miniſtry, as it may increaſe mens parts, ſo accidentally increaſe their errours. As April-ſhowrs that make the flowers freſh and ſweet, ſo cauſe many croking frogs alſo. This age doth teſtifie it; If men get any knowledge, any parts, or abilities, This is like new wine in old bottles, it breaketh the bottles. The ſails are too big for the ſhip, and ſo they are Doctores, before they be Diſcipuli, they are teachers of others before well taught themſelves. Now it's a ſhame and a blame for any people to runne into erroneous Doctrines, that enjoy a ſound Miniſtry. Mark that place, Epheſ. 4.14. ſpeaking of the Office of the Miniſtry, one effect he mentioneth is, That we ſhould not be carried away as children with every wind of Doctrine. Hence Miniſters are called Guides and Shepherds; and a great preſervative it is to attend upon them, and ſubmit to them, not with a blind obedience, but as owning the inſtitution of Chriſt, and the way to keep from falſhoods; and this is not to preach our ſelves, but your good. It's beſt for the ſheep to keep to his faithfull Shepherd. They are not infallible it's true, much leſſe art thou infallible; therefore a bleſſing is to be expected in Gods order.
Laſtly, It is a ſhame to a people living under the Miniſtry of the Goſpel a long while, if they are not thereby furniſhed with abilities for thoſe ſeveral perſonal duties, that God requireth of them. As for example, Parents muſt bring up their children in the knowledge of the Lord. Private Chriſtians are to have the Word dwell ſo plentifully in them, that they are to admoniſh one another. The Huſband is to inſtruct his wife at home, if ſhe doubt of the things of Religion. They are to inſtruct, rebuke, as occaſion ſerveth. Now how uncomely is it (as we formerly ſhewed) if thou a man ſo old, ſo long hearing the Word preached, canſt not diſcharge theſe perſonal duties? Oh the dreadfull account! Oh the many duties God looks for at your hands, which will not be expected from others!
In the next place, Let us obſerve, what a ſinne it is, 2. Practical Effects.if people are not able to bear, or receive, the practical operations of the Word. For all knowledge, if it be not after godlineſſe, is a tinkling cymbal. The Word is not only the tree of knowledge, but the tree of life alſo. And
Firſt, The Word is uſually cloathed with this Majeſty, as to awe mens conſciences, to make them civil, to cauſe them to forbear many groſſe and rude wayes they were once accuſtomed unto. Thus Johns Miniſtry, though it did not convert Herod, yet it made him do many things gladly. The rocky and ſtony ground was a little mollified on the top to receive the Word, though it was not ſoft at bottome. The Word, though it doth not ſoak to the bottome of mens hearts, though it doth not enter ſo deep, yet it thaweth above ſometimes, and men grow more civil. This makes the wals fall down, though it doth not take the City. Oh woe then, and again woe to that man, to whom the Word hath not done ſo much as this, but he is as prophane as a very beaſt, as if he had lived in hell, and not under the preaching of the Word, which is called the kingdom of Heaven! The wild beaſts of the field, they hide themſelves, when once the day begins to break forth. And certainly, prophane, uncivil men, ſhould even call to the mountains and hils to cover them, rather than be ſeen in ſuch evil wayes. Thoſe that are drunk are drunk in the night, ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Theſſ. 5.7. and they are called, works of darknſſe. Why then doſt thou ſtumble in the day? Thou haſt light to ſee where thou ſhouldſt walk. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of one ſort of wickedneſſe, That it was not ſo much as named among Heathens, 1 Cor. 5. Oh then, How many groſſe ſinnes are there, that ſhould not be ſo much as named, much leſſe practiſed among Chriſtians! It's a diſhonour even to the word of God, if thou ſhalt not do ſo much, which the very light of nature, and moral Philoſophy hath done among others.
2. The word of God (which is indeed the proper work of it) doth convert, regenerate, make men new creatures, not only civil, but godly, doing things from God, and through God, and to God. Herein the word of God diſcovers it ſelf, to come from God, becauſe it makes men of a divine nature. Every agent aſſimilates the Patient into its own nature: Fire will turn all things into fire: And thus the word of God coming from Heaven makes men heavenly. They that live under the Sunne are coloured by the beams of it. Oh then, how cometh it about, that thou haſt lived ſo long under the means, and knoweſt not theſe things? The Doctrine of Regeneration, of a new creature, thou art not able to bear. It's above thee, it's a riddle and a paradox to thee, as it was to Nicodemus. Paul ſpeaks of theſe very Corinthians, That they were his epiſtle to be read and ſeen of all men, 2 Cor. 3.2. They were h…s walking epiſtle, what he had commanded them to do, they willingly did it; all might ſee, what preaching, what godly exhortations Paul gave by their lives. Oh it's an happy thing, when a Miniſter can ſay, You are our Sermons to be ſeen and read of all men! All men by your lives may ſee what is preached to you, and what you hear. Chriſt ſaid to the Phariſees, You are of your Father the Devil, and his works you do. Let the contrary be applied to you, You are of God, and his words you do. Obſerve that place, John 8.47. Ye therefore hear not my words, becauſe ye are not of God. See what terrour is in this place. If a m…n receive not Gods word, and manifeſt it in his life, it is, becauſe he is not of God. There is not a greater ſigne of reprobation, than diſobedience to Gods will, and rej…cting his Word preached.
3. The word of God ſhould have this effect, to make men willing and glad in the hearing of it. Nothing ſhould be more neceſſary and pleaſant to them. What high price did David put upon it? It was more neceſſary than his food. With what delight and alacrity did they exhort one another to go to the houſe of the Lord? The preaching of the Word is like ſetting up ſpiritual trading and merchandize, how buſie and active ſhould men be? It's the Spring time, for ſpiritual Bees to make honey. It's the Summer time, for ſpiritual Ants to labour and treaſure up. Since the dayes of John Baptiſt untill now, the kingdome of Heaven ſuffers violence, Mat. 11.12. They take it by force. Thus the Scripture exhorts, Heb. 3. While it's called to day. And again, Now is the acceptable time. Some are threatned to runne from Eaſt and Weſt, from North to South, becauſe of the famine of the Word, Amos 8.12. You ſhould do as Joſeph in the ſeven years plenty, he laid up againſt the ſeven years famine. Even Johns hearers, though they had no bottome of grace, did for a while rejoyce in his light. Oh then, how uncomfortable is it to ſee men live like bruit beaſts under the Miniſtry, not prizing of it, no wayes thankfull to God for it; but like the Prodigal regard husks, when manna is near!
4. It's a ſinne and reproach, if where the Word hath been long preached, there is not a preparedneſſe for, and conformity unto all the inſtituted Ordinances of Jeſus Chriſt. The Church is a ſpiritual Society, and have a viſible Communion, or external Forme; and that conſiſts in Preaching, in Adminiſtration of the Sacraments, in godly Diſcipline, ſpiritual Cenſures upon obſtinate Offenders. Now all Congregations ſhould be able to bear theſe things. When our Saviour told his Diſciples, That they muſt eat his fleſh, and drinke his bloud; ſome cried out, This is an hard ſaying, Who can bear it? John 6.60. and from that time forſook him. And thus it is in ſpiritual Diſcipline, to have comely Order about the Sacraments; all that walk diſorderly admoniſhed; the contumacious caſt out; men cry out, who can bear it? and to this day they cannot bear it. Theſe Corinthians had groſſe abuſes crept in about the Lords Supper, Men did not examine themſelves, they came drunke and irreverent. Therefore the Apoſtle brings them to the firſt Inſtitution, 1 Corinth. 11. Now theſe things particular Congregations ſhould be prepared for.
Laſtly, It is their ſhame, if they cannot bear and ſubmit unto all thoſe duties of ſelf-denyal, taking up the croſſe, preparation for perſecutions. We may obſerve, that our Saviour, and ſo the Apoſtles, did much endeavour to take men off from expectations of carnal advantages by the Goſpel. The Devil ſhewed all the glory of the world; but Chriſt all the miſery and temptations that would accompany the profeſſion of his Truth, Ye ſhall be hated of all men for my Names ſake, John 15.19. So that where the Word hath been preached, there men muſt bear commands, and alſo many ſufferings.
Ʋſe of Inſtruction. If ye would receive the Word in the light and efficacy of it, keep not any compliance with humane and carnal luſts; The Truth is above your natural underſtanding, and the duties above your corrupt lives and affections. Sore eyes cannot bear the light. Feſtered wounds cannot bear ſalt, and yet the Miniſtry is both light and ſalt. Think if there be Truths, if there be purity, you cannot bear them. Know alſo, there is wrath and vengeance for the refuſal of theſe, And who can bear them? Who is able to endure thoſe everlaſting burnings? You cannot bear the Sermon, that bids thee, Depart from ſinne, How then that terrible ſentence, which bids thee, Depart into everlaſting burnings?