The Scripture Directory for Church Officers and People, Title page 1 – To the reader 1
THE Scripture Directory, FOR CHURCH-OFFICERS AND PEOPLE OR, A Practical Commentary UPON THE Whole third Chapter of the firſt Epiſtle of St Paul TO THE CORINTHIANS.
To which is annexed the Godly and the Natural Mans Choice, upon Pſal. 4. verſ. 6, 7, 8.
By Anthony Burgeſſe Paſtour of the Church of Sutton Coldfield in Warwickſhire.
LONDON, Printed by Abraham Miller for T.U. and are to be Sold by Thomas Underhill, George Calvert, and Henry Fletcher in Pauls Church-yard, 1659.
TO THE READER.
THe ſound Interpretation, and Practical Application of Scripture, for the Advancement of Holineſs, as it is the moſt profitable and pleaſant part of our Miniſterial Employment; ſo it ſhould be the Readers wiſdome and diligence, to Exerciſe himſelf moſt in the peruſall of ſuch Spiritual Helps: As for Controverſies, to look on them, like the Bryars and Thornes on the Ground; even the Effect of original corruption. So that to leave the Practical and Affectionate part of Religion, for the Speculative and Diſputative, is to part with our ſweetneſs and fatneſs, to become a bryar. Yet, Experience doth too much confirm, how great a depravation is herein upon the mindes of men, naturally doting upon Queſtions, Strifes, of wordes wherein is no Edifying. It is reported of a Philoſopher, That he would not be reſolved in the doubts he had upon his mind, that ſo he might not be deprived of that pleaſure and delight which he found in ſeeking and ſearching out of truth: Which is, as if a feavouriſh man, would not be cured of the drought or thirſt upon him, that ſo he might ſtill enjoy the pleaſure he findeth in drinking. But Scepticiſm and inconſtancy, and ſuch inordinate affectation of Opinions and Controverſies, is contrary to the ſound conſtitution of Chriſtianity, which inclineth to a ſolid mind in Matters of Faith, and to an holy mortified heart in reſpect of our converſation. Now to bring ſuch an holy and heavenly Eſtabliſhment upon the ſoul, the only way is, to make a conſtant and diligent Improvement of Gods Word, in all the happy and bleſſed Effects it cauſeth upon the ſoul. He that doth thus, is like the tree planted by the Rivers ſide, that will not wither, but bring forth its fruit in due ſeaſon.
Among other Portions of Scripture, I have ſelected this third Chapter of the firſt Epiſtle to the Corinthians, for the peculiar ſubſerviency and particular conduceableneſs it may have to heal ſuch diſtempers, which at this time infect many. The Church of Corinth, though immediately planted as a pleaſant Eden by Paul himſelf, yet quickly degenerated, the envious one ſowing tares amongſt the good wheat: For, not only Godly Diſcipline was collapſed, and Prophaneneſs in mens lives much increaſed, but ſuch factions and diviſions were crept in amongſt them, that like the renting of the veil of the Temple, their deſtruction was praeſaged hereby, did they not in time prevent it, by having one heart, and one way. The sky being thus red, did ſignifie the foul weather that was to enſue. For as Ariſtotle obſerveth,Lib. 2. de Gener. cap. 10▪ That the perpetual duration of things, is to be attributed to the ſimple and quotidian courſe of the Sun, from the Eaſt to the Weſt, but the generation and corruption of things to the Oblique motion of the Sun and Planets, in the Zodiack: So the preſervation and continuance of Faith and Holineſs in the Churches of God, is (under Chriſt) to be attributed to the uniform motion of the Guides and Officers therein; but all corruption of Doctrine and Diſcipline, all generation of errors and vices, to their oblique and different courſes.
This Chapter then, may be called, The Directory of the Holy Ghoſt, both to Officers and People, in their reſpective deportments, that ſo there may be a mutual edification: It may be looked upon, as a Pillar of Salt, to ſeaſon all other Churches. It ſeemeth to have that Inſcription of Senacharibs Tomb upon it, foreign, By beholding of me, take heed of pride in Gifts and Parts; take heed of ſchiſmes and diviſions; ſet not up a Miniſtry againſt Chriſt, nor yet oppoſe Chriſt to a Miniſtry. Theſe are to be compoſed with one another, and not oppoſed. Beſides this general Matter, there are alſo ſeveral Truths of great concernment contained in the Chapter; eſpecially the beſt VVine you meet with at laſt, where is deſcribed the rich Treaſure of every godly man: There is an Inventory given in of all his Goods; There is his Magna Charta confirmed: Yea, as the Devil once ſhewed the Glory of the world for a temptation, ſo doth the Spirit of God here diſcover, both the Glory of Heaven and Earth, for the encouragement of the true Believer. I ſhall not detain thee any longer with Prefacing, but conclude, Come and ſee.
Thine Anthony Burgeſſe. March 18. 1658.