Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 3 · Part 4
Some generall Observations concerning Preaching, and especially Application.
HAving now gone through these Epistles, we may see how wisely and seriously our Lord Jesus, the Prince of Pastors, (who hath the tongue of the Learned given unto Him) doth from Heaven speak to the condition of these Churches, to whom they are directed: wherein we may have an excellent copy, according to which, Ministers ought to carry themselves in discharging of their Trust. We conceive therefore, it will not be impertinent to shut up these Epistles with some generall directions concerning the way of Ministers making application to Heaters, which can hardly any where else, more clearly, fully, and together be gathered: and although every thing may not be particularly pitched upon, which is necessary in Preaching (that not being the Spirits intent in the place;) yet we are sure, that as His prosecuting of the respective cases of these Churches, is very comprehensive; so it cannot be but most worthy of imitation.
1. In generall we see, that Ministers in their application, ought to conform themselves to the case of the Church and persons to whom they Preach; to erroneous people (or such as are in danger of errour) more convincingly; to the secure, more sharply; to the afflicted and tender, more comfortably, &c. as may be seen in our Lords dealing with these Churches.
2. Ministers ought in their Doctrine to apply themselves to all sorts of persons, to wit, to Rulers, and People, to hypocrites, and openly profane, yea, to the good, and these that have most tendernesse; reproving all, convincing all, as there shall be cause: So that neither hoplesnesse of profiting some that seem to be desperate, nor preposterous affection to these who are tender and affectionate, ought to marr this manner of dealing. And thus we see our Lord Jesus doth threaten profane and grosse erroneous Iezebel upon the one hand, and backsliden, though Godly Ephesus, upon the other. Sometimes, it is more difficult freely and faithfully to reprove one that is Godly, or to withstand one Peter, than to threaten or contend with many that are profane: and yet both are necessary and profitable for edification.
3. This universall application to all sorts, would yet notwithstanding be mannaged with spiritual wisdom and prudence, so that every one may get their own allowance. Hence the Lord doth so threaten the secure and stubborn, that yet he excepteth these who were not defiled; and so comforteth the faithful, as the profane may not have a ground to take the same consolation with them. This is a main qualification of a Minister of the Gospel, rightly to divide the word of Truth, and not to follow all applications promiscuously and in heap together in any Auditory, without such discriminating expressions as may guard against confusion therein: especially as to these four, 1. That a tender soul may be so strengthned and confirmed, as a secure person be not more hardned; and that a presumptuous hypocrite, be so stricken at, as an exercised soul be not wounded. 2. When both the good and profane are in one fault, the one is otherwise to be reproved and restored than the other; and we see Ephesus is more tenderly dealt with, than Laodicia, according to the rule, Gal. 6.1. 3. The faults of Believers would be so reproved, as with these their state, and what is commendable in their practice, be not condemned and rejected also: but that there be intermixed commendations, or approbations of what is approveable, least Godlinesse suffer, when the fault of a Godly person is reproved; and least the sentence go beyond the Masters intent, which is not to condemn the person, but to reprove the fault, as the Lord doth tenderly distinguish these in the case of Ephesus and Pergamos. 4. Times and cases would be distinguished also: and where outward affliction, or inward exercise have seased on a person or people, reproofs would be more sparing and gentle, than when there is outward prosperity and a readinesse to settle in a formall discharge of duties, as by comparing the Lords dealing with the Churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Philadelphia, and His dealing with Sardis and Laodicea, is clear.
4. This application would be pathetick, pungent and weighty, according to the matter pressed; so as it may have weight upon the Consciences of Hearers. It is a main piece of Ministeriall dexterity to make a plain obvious ordinary reproof weighty in application, so as the matter may look serious-like to the Hearers, and they be convinced that he is in earnest: and for this cause, his convictions, reproofs, directions, &c. would not rest in the generall: for, the Lord is particular in all these Epistles. 1. In mentioning the sins that he reproveth. 2. In giving the evidences of them, to shew that he beateth not the air; and the more to bear-in the conviction in the application: for, as generall truths will need their proofs; so will particular applications, least the conscience shift the challenge. 3. He ripes up the heart, by chopping at inward sins, to wit, falling from the first love; thou sayest I am rich, &c. thou hast a name that thou livest but art dead, &c. It is a main part of searching Doctrine, to repell the answers that a heart may have within against the power of Godlinesse, though they be never expressed; and this is a main property of the Word, to be a discerner of thoughts, Heb. 4. And thus Iohn did with his Hearers, Matth. 3.9. Think not to say within your selves, &c. 4. The Lord Himself is in His expressions serious, that the Conscience and inner man may be carried alongst in giving heed to the words spoken to the ear, and that the outward man, may see the scope of the Word Preached, 2 Corinth. 10.4, 5, &c.
5. Application would rather be squared to the edification of the Hearer than simply and only regulated by the Doctrine that it riseth from: for, sometimes there may be seemingly flourishing applications, when a Minister speaketh in the prosecuting of some truth, and in the pressing of some point with respect to the matter that he is handling, which is in it self good; and yet it may be little usefull to the Hearers spoken unto, as not being pertinent to them. Our Lord here conformeth His application to these He writteth unto: so such truths ought to be insisted on, and pressed, as besit the Hearers.
6. The matter insisted upon, is diverse; sometimes reproof, sometimes exhortation, sometimes it is in reference to corrupt Doctrine, sometimes to the inward spiritual case, &c. which sheweth, that a Minister would not be addicted to, nor alwayes dwell upon one thing; but would sometimes convince gain-sayers and clear truths, sometimes Preach practicall things, and that of diverse sorts; because Faith and Practice is the end of Preaching; and clearnesse in, and acquaintance with truth, maketh Hearers solide, and well grounded in both; beside, that in numerous Auditories there are varieties of conditions which call for variety of edifying Doctrine.
7. In his striking at errours, we find, 1. That he doth not insist on questions of more remote concernment, such as many were in these times; but on these that are in their nature more grosse, and in their consequence more hurtfull. 2. The errours that he toucheth, were such as were presently troubling the Church, and these Churches in particular to whom be writteth. Old buried errours are not sit matter for ordinary Preaching. 3. He pursueth these errours as most grosse and abominable things, to make them od…ous and abominable unto his people; and for that end, compareth the promoters thereof to Balaam and Iezebel. It was regrated by holy Mr. Greenham, That some by their trifling way of confuting errour, made it but ridicolus, whereas they ought by earnestnesse and gravity, to have made it hatefull.
8. His practical matter is near the power of Godlinesse, to wit, marking the Spiritual declining of the sincere, pressing the exercise of Repentance, and the performing of holy duties upon all; and, with all, most searchingly and convincingly striking at hypocrisie, presumption and self-confidence, as in the Epistles to Sardis and Laodicea: thereby shewing what Doctrine especially Ministers should insist on in Congregations: and if we look to our Lords practice while in the flesh, we will not find Him more frequent on any subject than this, to wit, that the way to heaven is narrow, that many were first that shall be last, that hypocrisie should be guarded against, &c. as His parables of the sower, foolish Virgins, Marriage-feast, and many other instances, do demonstrate.
9. The Lord doth not insist upon the most high sublime and obscure things, either in His Doctrines, Reproofs, or Directions, such as are the more obstruse Questions of the Schools, or the most Spiritual experiences of grown Christians, although this last, being well timed, hath its use; but He presseth the most plain, obvious and uncontrovertible duties of Religion, to wit, Repentance, Self-examination, Faith, Zeal, &c. It is a great and main part; yea, the very life of application, to stir up to the practice of acknowledged duties, and to restrain from confessed sins: for, as mainly the life of Religion lieth in the practice of these; so the most powerful preaching, is, in the pressing of them. We may to this purpose see also in that Sermon of our Lords, which is recorded by Matth. in his 5, 6 and 7. Chapters, how familiarly He condescendeth to expound the Law, to direct in the exercise of Prayer and Fasting and other duties, both in the first and second Table; wherein certainly He is still pressing Spiritual service.
10. In all these, the Lord so followeth the application as He may imprint it on the conscience, and leave some profitable fruit by it: and, in a word, He convinceth, exhorteth, reproveth, offereth counsels, &c. as they may be edified by it, and every word may gain its native end. Therefore we see when He convinceth of, and reproveth for, sin, He doth first point at the particular sins where with He chargeth them. Secondly, He doth aggrege these sins by shewing the guiltinesse and sinfulnesse of them. Thirdly, He proposeth weighty and sad threatnings to scare them: and the more secure and self-confident they be, (as in the Epistle to La…dicea) he doth the more sharply ripe up their inside, and the more emphatickly and significantly expresse his abhorrencie thereof, and their hazard thereby. Again, when He exhorteth to duty, He doth, 1. make the duty plain, that it may be known what he calleth-for. 2. He giveth some helps for furthering of them in the performance thereof, to wit, the remembring of what is past, or their examining of their own way, watchfulnesse and advertencie for the time to come, and such like; which are both in themselves principall duties and great helps in all the practice of holinesse. 3. He presseth these exhortations to duties with motives, which comprehend both the prejudice of neglecting them, and the advantage that cometh by the performing of them. Again, when He proposeth the offer of the Gospel, and inviteth to believe (as to the Church of Laodicea) He doth, 1. open their sinful dangerous and hypocritical case, and battereth down the ignorant self-confidence which they had in their own formal profession. And, 2. He proposeth the right remedie, to wit, Himself and His benefits, His imputed Righteousnesse which can only cover their nakednesse, &c. 3. He cleareth the terms upon which that gold and white raiment is obtained, under these expressions of buying, opening, hearkening, &c. And, 4. He doth most sweetly, and yet most vehemently presse it: partly, by condescending friendly to counsel and intreat; partly, by making His offer large, free, and particular to any man that will open, &c. and partly by urging His call weightily and rousingly with a behold, I stand; as if after He had made the offer and had knocked, He were now taking instruments, in the consciences of hearers; thereby, as with a nail to fasten His invitation upon them; and so, pressing their closing therewith, or otherwise assuring that He will leave this instrument upon record against them.
11. We find, what ever the case of the people be that He speaketh unto, the up-shot and scope of His message, is, ever to perswade a closing of the treaty between Him and them. Therefore, when He chargeth with sin, He leaveth not there, but commendeth unto them Repentance; and giveth a promise of welcoming of them upon that condition: when He quarrelleth for hypocrisie and deadnesse in profession, He proposeth Christ, and adviseth to accept of Him: when He exhorteth to duty, as to Repentance and Zeal; yet, even then doth He propose Christs Righteousnesse, as the only cure and cover of their nakednesse (as in the last Epistle is clear:) whereby we may see, 1. what a Ministers scope should be, and whereat he should aim in conviction, reproof, &c. and where he should leave his hearers, to wit, at Christs feet, who is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse. And it is not unprofitable, even explicitly to make that the use and close of all. 2. We may see, that the Law and Gospel should be both preached and pressed together, and that so, as the one seem not to encroach upon the other. And especially this would ever be clear, that the weight of our peace with God doth not ly upon duties when they are pressed, but upon the righteousnesse of Christ. As it is a great practice in a Christian, to give the Law and Gospel their due place in practice; so is it a main qualification of a Gospel-Minister, rightly to ridd marches between the Law and the Gospel. This maketh so much insisting in the Epistles to the Romans, Galatians, &c. to keep Justification by Faith in Christ, clear and distinct from Works and Duties, even when they were much pressed and practised. And it is no lesse dangerous to Professors to rest on Duties, than to omit them: and therefore the necessity of being denied to them in the point of Justification, and of resting upon Christs alone, is to be cleared and pressed by Preachers, as a most necessary and fundamental thing.
12. For this cause, the nature of the Covenant, and Justification by Christ, are especially to be cleared, where a Church is formall, that is, free both of errours in Doctrine, and grosse scandals in practice, and resting there: wherefore we see, that in the Epistle to the Church of Laodicea (which is charged with neither of these) our Lord doth most especially insist on this: for, the beating down of errour, and banishing of grosse profanity, are but, as it were, the taking-in the outworks of the devils kingdom; therefore when these are gained, the main batteries are to be directed against self righteousnesse, hypocrisie, presumption, self-confidence, &c. that the soul may be brought to receive Christ in earnest, and zealously and seriously to study holinesse, without which a formal profession will be but as a stone of stumbling.
13. We see that our Lord Jesus putteth together an intire mould of the whole Doctrine and practice of Godlinesse, giving, as at one view, a sight of our naturall sinfulnesse and hazard, and of the way how these may be remedied; so that when He proposeth any quarrel, He leaveth not off till He propose also the remedy, presse dutie, and close with some encouraging conditionall promise. This is also profitable for a mixt Auditory (especially at solemn times, and other occasions, wherein people are usually most serious and attentive) to give together a view of the Doctrine of the Gospel; so that when a conviction is pressed, and the Hearer is made somewhat hot, he may have some present discovery of the way which he ought to take; and that he may either be informed, or, at least, be put in mind of as much of the Gospel as may be a ground of his peace, if it be improven, though he should never afterward hear any more. This we see was the Apostles way in their occasionall Sermons in the History of the Acts, wherein the sum of the Gospel is usually comprehended; and the Lord himself doth so with Nicodemus, Ioh. 3. and though there be difference now, in some respect, where the Gospel is ordinarily and daily Preached, so that this is not so necessary to be done alwayes explicitely, as if they had never heard the Gospel before: and although it becometh a Minister to draw his Doctrine from some particular Text; yet considering, that the generality of Hearers, are very ignorant of the series of the Gospel, and others are weak and inadvertent even in things which they someway know; and considering withall, that a Minister may have occasion by way of Reason, Use, Mean, Motive, Question, or otherwayes, to hint a view of the Gospel almost from any materiall Doctrine, and that without any just imputation of impertinencie, we conceive, that generally and usually its expedient to follow this manner; especially on the Lords Dayes, which are most fit for Gospel-doctrines (people being then for that end set apart and sequestred from their ordinary bussinesses) and when the bodie of the most ignorant people are gathered together. This way certainly by Gods blessing would look more like a mean of conversion (and hath in experience been ordinarily found so) than when now one point, and then another, are distinctly handled; and so the one is either forgotten by the most part, before they hear the other, or at least is not so warm to them, although they have the knowledge thereof. And these things being the Text of the Bible (to say so) and the great subject and earand which Ministers have to insist on, It ought not to be accounted grievous because of mens nauseating and loathing of them from the frequent mentioning of them, seing to the People they are profitable and safe, as Philip. 3.1, 2. and even that loathing would, in the manner of proposing the same things, be guarded against; that itching and curious ears get not occasion of contemning the precious Gospel, and thus but few would be able to discern that it is so.
14. In these Epistles, there is a Divine stamp, bearing forth an efficacy in the manner of pres…ing all these things. And we will see, 1. Authority in what is spoken, 2. Evident plainnesse and clearnesse, 3. Seriousnesse and vehement earnestnesse in pressing what He presseth. Indifferency and coldnesse in speaking of weighty things, is most unsuitable in a Minister. 4. There is love and affectionate tendernesse to them to whom He speaketh; ye…, even in the sharpest rebukes, He prudently intimateth the same, that He be not mistaken. Ministers have gained much, when Hearers are convinced that they seek their good in the sharpest words: and their way would be such, as, without affect…ion, may evin…e that in the Consciences of Hearers. 5. There is much (O how much …) wisdom in His pre…ting commendations, in His differencing the guilty from the innocent, in His choosing such threatnings and motives as may gain most upon these He dealeth with respectively, and not using the same to all.
15. His stile of speaking, is sweet and Heavenly, yet plain and familiar: It hath a sweet statlinesse in it, and is far from triviall expressions, which may make the matter spoken weightlesse; yet is it plain and equable; because now He is speaking to edification in practicall things, Therefore doth He abstain from the dark manner of expressions, which afterward He useth in the following Prophecy. But, 1. His plainest words are most significant, massie, and apposite. 2. The titles that are given to Himself, are stately: weighty expressions and titles of God, and of Jesus Christ, become the preaching of the Gospel well; and and are usefull to keep up the reverend estimation which Hearers ought to have of Him. It is suitable usually to name Him so, as at the mentioning of Him, it may appear that the heart is affected with the excellency that is in Him; and that the man doth not speak of that glorious Majesty, as of other subjects: even as Ambassadours should give honourable titles to their Masters. 3. The similitudes are pertinent and grave, serving more to illustrate the matter and make it plain, than to please the ear and tickle the understanding, as the comparing of Christs Righteousnesse to gold and raiment, and the closing of the Covenant, or believing in Him, to buying, opening, &c. which manner is usefull to people; and that way of speaking in Parables, was much used by the Lord, who also interpreted them to His Disciples, to make the significancie thereof the more to appear. 4. He doth ever expresse Heaven by some notable borrowed and various expression, thereby to commend the same: partly, because it is a great advantage to have Hearers in love with it; partly, because more proper expressions will not alwayes so clearly, fully, and to the life, sute, and hold forth the thing that is to be spoken of: whence it cometh to passe, that sometimes there is an allowance granted to use borrowed expressions in such cases.
16. We will find an orderly method in all the Epistles. There is indeed no affected curiosity, neither are there any Philosophick terms made use of; yet, method being usefull in it self, to clear the matter, and to help Hearers to conceive and retain what is said (and so, subservient to edification) our Lord doth also condescend to that way. Therefore, in generall, we see all these Epistles have, 1. A Preface, 2. A Narration, 3. A Conclusion; as if He had purposely casten them in one mould. More particularly, we see, He beginneth them all with this, Thus saith he, &c. Thereby to evince it to be His Word. A main thing to be adver…ed to, as the foundation both of Preaching and Application, that it may be made out, at first, to be warranted by the Lord; and so to be His Word, as if He Himself were speaking. 2. He proposeth in them all, some stately stile and title of Himself: which is also a main thing to be adverted to in Preaching, that at the entry, both Ministers and Hearers may be affected with the Majesty of Him, who is Master of the Ordinances, by some serious, grave, and weighty insinuation, Thereby to dispose both for the more fit speaking and hearing. 3. He doth begin at these things which are more generall, and belong to information, as in letting them know their case, and His thoughts of them: then he cometh to particulars. 4. In particulars He premitteth clear discoveries and convictions of sin, to exhortations, to duties, and offers of the Gospel: and He premitteth exhortations to motives, whereby He presseth them. And lastly, He closeth with what is most pathetick and affectionate, either in way of threatning or promise, having that weighty admonition added, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear, &c. and so He beginneth by working them up to some serious composed frame of spirit, and closeth with some affectionate impressing of the thing upon them in the most pathetick manner. Although this here, be most in application; yet we conceive that this order of proposing what is more general and doctrinal, and which serveth to the clearing of the judgement in the first place, and the subjoyning of what is more convincing, pathetick, and affectionate which is done by way of use and application in the last place, That thereby hearers may be dis-missed with some impression of the thing; this order, we say, may be well gathered hence. And indeed, it is the most native and genuin order, first, to inform the judgement, and thereby to make the readier way to work upon the conscience, will, and affections. To this purpose see Act. 13. how Paul doth there proceed and close, vers. 38, 39, &c.
17. In all this, the Lords way holdeth forth His great design of gaining them to whom He speaketh: so as it satisfieth Him not to exonete Himself (to speak so of Him) in doing of His duty; but He is zealous to get His message received; and, in sum, to get them saved: therefore weightily doth He follow it, invi…ing, exhorting, pressing and protesting as unwilling to be refused. This indeed is a fountain-qualification of a Preacher, to be travelling in birth till Christ be formed in hearers; and so to Preach to them, as hungering and thirsting for their Salvation, and not having only before him the proposing of some profitable matter, or the handling of some point exactly; nay, not only his own exoneration, and the justifying of God by making the hearers inexcusable; but a single serious desire to have them gathered and espoused to Christ; that the proud may be humbled, the hypocrite convinced, and the Word made the savour of life unto life unto them according to their case. This, I say, is a fountain-qualification, from which many other qualifications do flow, it being seldome in any Minister but it putteth an edge and weight upon the Word in his mouth, as the want of it maketh the most part want savour, and, in the finest words, often to have but little weight.
18. We may gather here, That a Minister should hold forth the Authority of the Ordinance and Word, and of Him in whose Name he speaketh; and ought to take it upon him, not from supposed weight in himself, or addition to it by his gifts; but upon this account, that it is the Lords message, Thus saith he, &c. being that which giveth himself confidence and boldnesse in the delivery thereof, and which ought also to make it have weight upon others; yea, it followeth from this, that whatever a Minister be in himself, and whatever his thoughts be of himself and of his gifts; yet, being called to carry the Lords Message, he ought so to carry in it, as not to lessen the Masters Authority, by his fainting and discouraging apprehensions of his own inability and unworthinesse, and by his heartlesse and languid way of speaking; but, to speak it as the Oracles of God ought to be spoken, and as having weight in it self, for the vindicating thereof, although he be weightlesse: and that therefore there ought to be an eye to him for weight thereto, and a through-clearnesse that the thing which is spoken in the Name of the Lord is His Truth and Message, without which there can be no great confidence in saying, Thus saith the Lord, and with which a Minister may boldly and authoritatively speak.
19. As Preaching would be undertaken and begun with an eye to God; so both in the carrying on thereof, and in the expecting of fruits thereby, the weight would be still left upon the Lord: and Ministers would beware of attributing any efficacy, either to the warmnesse of their own frame in speaking, or to their liberty in pressing any point, or to the plainnesse and weightinesse in their manner of proposing or pres…ing the same, as if that had any influence (as from them) to give the Word weight and Authority upon Hearers; but still the efficacy would be acknowledged to be from the holy Ghost, therefore, is that word alwayes at the close, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear What the Spirit saith. Whereby, as at the entry the instrument is laid by, and the Lords Authority held forth as only to be acknowledged by thus saith the Lord; so in the close, the Minister, even when in the most affectionate temper and frame, is to leave what is spoken, as weighty only upon this account, that it is the Spirit who speaketh, and who only can make it effectuall: and the more singly this be done, the more weighty will it be; and thus weighty preaching differeth from the most powerfull rethorick that can be. See somewhat to this purpose, Chap. 10. vers. 4.
20. In the generall, we may see, that Application is the life of Preaching; and there is no lesse studie, skill, wisdom, authority and plainesse necessary in the applying of a point to the Consciences of Hearers, and in the pressing of it home, than there is required in the opening of some profound truth: and therefore Ministers would study the one as well as the other. Much of these Epistles is delivered in the second person, I know thy works, I counsel thee to repent, &c. for this end, that they might know it was them particularly that he meant. It is much for Ministers to get the Word leavelled at Hearers, so as to make them know that it is they who are reached; and that it is not only these that at first it was written to, or these to whom Christ and the Apostles did immediately Preach that this Word belongeth; but that equally it belongeth to them, even to them who now hear it. Hearers are often ready to shift-by the most particular words, much more when they are more shortly and generally touched. Hence, Preaching is called perswading, testifying, bes…eching, entreating, or requesting, exhorting, &c. All which, import some such dealing in Application: which is not only a more particular breaking of the matter; but a directing it to the Consciences of the present Hearers. And in this especially doth the faithfulnesse, wisdom, and dexterity of the Preacher, and the power and efficacy of the gift appear. This is to fulfill or fully to preach the Word of God (a very significant and much used phrase, Rom. 15.17. Col. 1.25. 2 Tim. 4.7. a thing also desiderated in Sardi…, Chap. 3.) or to make a full proof of the Ministery, that is, when a Minister extendeth himself to the uttermost in his pains, seriousnesse and exercise of his gift, to be at the yondmost of the Peoples edification; and, as it is, Acts 14.2. to speak so as many may be made to believe: an excellent copy whereof, is in Paul, Coloss. 1.28, 29. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Iesus, whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. And, 1 Thess. 2.10.11. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably, we behaved our selves among you that believe. As you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, (as a father doth his children) We conceive therefore, that it would conduce exceedingly to make Application weighty upon the Consciences of the Hearers, if Ministers after the more generall part of their Doctrine, and at their entry to make Application thereof, should pause a little, and by some serious and grave advertisement, put the people in minde, that even this Word so applied, or to be applied, is the Word and Message of God to them in particular, and as necessarily requisite to the office of a Pastor as the former general opening of the truth was: for, Hearers are often ready to take more liberty in shifting of Application, as if what were even so spoken warrantably, were not equally the Lords Word with the generall truth opened-up. Thus we see Paul, after his opening up of generall truths, Act. 13. when he cometh to make Application, putteth his Hearers to it by this Word, vers. 26. Men and brethren, to you is the word of this Salvation sent, &c. And as it is the main part of a Pastorall gift, dexterously to feed by Application; so are they the most thriving Christians, who, as new born babes, drink in the Word so applied, and take it home to themselves, and their own Consciences, as they do receive the general truths by their judgements. Which sheweth, that both Ministers and People have the greater cause to be watchfull and solicitous concerning this main mean of edification, to wit, particular Application.