The Holy Arbor, Chapter 1 · Section 4
§. 4. The Word Preached.
IT hath been accounted State-policy to defend little Preaching and leſs Hearing, but Ignorance can uphold no Kingdom: Religion and the knowledge of it, is the Pillar both of Church and State; the want whereof is the cauſe of Tumults, Inſurrections and Seditions: True Religion is a Bulwark and a Caſtle of Defence to any Kingdom, the very chariots and horſemen of Iſrael, 2 Kings 2.12. Now the Preaching of the Word of God, is properly the Expounding of ſome part thereof, teaching hence the duties to be followed, and the ſins to be avoided, and exhorting to do accordingly; ſo that every diſcourſe upon a Text of Scripture is not Preaching; but he that ſo Expoundeth and applyeth the Word, that his Miniſtery may be as ſalt unto his hearers, he it is that Preacheth the Word indeed: And they who may Preach this Word of God, are onelyonly ſuch as are outwardly ſent of God ordinarily; and when extraordinary neceſſity requireth, then all ſuch as are inwardly ſtirred up and enabled thereto by the Spirit of God. The Word Preached by the inward operation of Gods holy Spirit, is the ordinary means of working in our hearts Faith, the inſtrument of our Juſtification and Salvation; and this Word thus working Faith, is the Goſpel: For the Law driveth to deſpair, but the Goſpel erecteth by Hope, the Law threatneth and filleth with fear, the Goſpel promiſeth and filleth with comfort; the Law ſheweth our miſerable eſtate, and what need we have of a Savior, the Goſpel ſheweth a remedy againſt this miſery, and pointeth out unto us our Savior.
The Preaching of the Word, and the Adminiſtration of the Sacraments, are all one in ſubſtance; for in the one the will of God is ſeen, in the other heard: which ought to be diſpenſed purely, plainly and ſincerely, without the mixture of humane Inventions. This was Pauls ſpecial care, My word and my preaching (ſaith he) ſtood not in the inticing ſpeech of mans wiſdom, but in plain evidence of the Spirit and of power, that your faith ſhould not be in the wiſdom of men, but in the power of God, 1 Cor. 2.4, 5. Indeed there is a place for Arts and Tongues, and humane learning, with every diſpenſer of the Word, wherein he may uſe them with great commendation, as in his private preparation, but not in the publike diſpenſation, whereby he ſeaſoneth mens hearts unto God; that the Word of God alone muſt do, for to it alone belongs the Promiſe of the Spirit, Iſa. 59.21. and therefore muſt he uſe great diſcretion in this Miniſtery, endeavoring ſo to ſpeak, that the Spirit may take delight to accompany the ſame; otherwiſe he may diſcourſe a year of Sabbaths, till he hath made his Lungs dryer then his matter, yet all will be to as vain a purpoſe as his humane wiſdom was; for that onelyonly is true preaching, which expels the natural ignorance of mans heart, and gives this light of knowledge to the minde and conſcience, which leadeth men unto God. Again, Miniſters in diſpenſing Gods Word, muſt content themſelves with the Teſtimony of Scripture alone, for the end of the Miniſtery is to work and confirm Faith, and to ſettle and build up the Conſcience in the truth of Religion, and matters concerning Salvation, which no other word can do, ſave onelyonly the Word of God in Scripture, that hath ſufficient authority in it ſelf, from which Conſcience cannot appeal.
The order to be obſerved in Preaching:
1. The Law is to be propoſed, that thence we may know our miſery.
2. That we may not deſpair after our miſery is known unto us, the Goſpel is to be taught, which both gives us a certain hope of returning into Gods promiſed favor by Chriſt our Mediator, and ſheweth us the maner how we are to repent.
3. The Law is again to be taught, that it may be the level and ſquare of our actions, leſt after we attain unto our delivery, we prove careleſs and wanton.
The Duties required of Miniſters in the delivery of the Word:
1. It behoveth them to ſet themſelves as in Gods preſence, and conſider that they are his Meſſengers, and ſpeak in his name, and are as it were his mouth.
2. To aym at his glory who hath called them, not at their own.
3. Duly to come well prepared and provided, as a wiſe Scribe taught to the Kingdom of heaven.
4. To regard not onelyonly the matter which they handle, but the maner of handling.
5. Not to gird and glance at ſin to ſhew his own wit, but to pierce the very heart of it with the two-edged Sword of Gods Word.
6. To ſpeak to the people with underſtanding, not flying aloft, above the reach and capacity of thoſe to whom they ſpeak.
7. To content themſelves with the purity and ſimplicity of the Word, which is ſufficient in it ſelf to expound it ſelf, and able, yea onelyonly able to give direction and ſatisfaction to the Conſcience.
The whole Exerciſe conſiſteth
1. Of Prayer,
1. Before exerciſe, and therein we muſt in the Name of Chriſt
1. Confeſs our ſins: And for the better performance whereof, we muſt remember,
1. The Majeſty of God.
2. The Mercy of God.
3. Our own Unworthineſs.
2. Crave pardon for the ſame.
3. Deſire the continuance of Gods mercies, and the aſſiſtance of his Spirit
Generally, in all things.
Particularly, for that Exerciſe.
2. After exerciſe, conſiſting of theſe 2 parts:
1. Invocation, wch is twofold
1. Particular, as for the ſanctifying of the particulars that have been propounded.
2. General, as for the Church
Generally, every where.
Particularly
1. For the Commonwealth.
2. For Rulers in Authority.
3. For the People and Commons.
2. Thankſgiving for Gods Mercies beſtowed
1. Upon the whole Church every where.
2. Upon theſe Realms, or upon any part or member of the ſame.
2. Of Interpreting & handling of the Word: And in the deducting of the ſame theſe two things are to be ſtood upon,
1. A preparation unto Doctrine, wherein is ſhewed,
1. The Coherence of the Text with the former, if there be any, or elſe the occaſion of the Text.
2. The drift of the Spirit of God in that parcel of Scripture that is handled.
3. The Diviſion of it into the parts.
4. The Paraphraſe or ſum of the words.
2. Doctrine it ſelf; in the purſuit whereof 3 things are to be obſerved,
1. The gathering of the Doctrine,
1. Out of the Coherence.
3. Out of the drift.
3. Out of the Diviſion.
4. Out of the words themſelves,
1. In the Senſe.
2. In the Meditating of them.
2. The proof of the Doctrine, which is either by
1. Reaſon, taken out of the word.
2. The Text it ſelf.
3. The uſe of the Doctrine, which is
1. For Knowledge,
1. To confute Falſhood.
2. To confirm Truth.
2. For Conſcience,
1. To comfort the afflicted.
2. To humble the proud.
The word of God muſt be preached with boldneſs, Eph. 6.19. which is manifeſted
1. By an equal and impartial preaching of the word without reſpect of perſons.
2. By a declaration of the whole truth of God as occaſion requireth, concealing no part thereof for any by-reſpects of favor, fear, reward or danger, Acts 20.27.
3. By a grave, plain, free delivery of Gods word, without affectation or popular applauſe, Gal. 1.10.
4. By reproving ſin, and that with authority, Tit. 2.15. that tranſgreſſors may be aſhamed and tremble.
5. By deſpiſing all ſhame, fear, reproach and diſgrace, which by prophane and wicked perſons may be brought upon the Miniſters for performing their Calling as they ought.
Repetition of the ſame points that have been formerly handled, is very expedient, for theſe Reaſons:
1. Becauſe men are commonly dull in hearing, ſlack in coming, weak in remembring, and fow in practiſing.
2. Becauſe it is ſafe and ſure for all hearers to have often repetitions; many witneſſes make ſure work, and confirm ſtrongly and ſtedfaſtly the things taught, Phil. 3.1.
3. Becauſe repetitions work a deeper impreſſion in us, and ſerve to beat it into the Conſcience, as well as into the underſtanding; but the beſt repetition, is when we make repetition of it to our ſelves by practiſing it.
The end and purpoſe of Gods inſtituting the Miniſtery of the word was,
1. That God may be invocated and magnified in this life by mankinde, not onelyonly privately, but alſo by the publike voyce of the Church.
2. That the publike and ordinary preaching of the Doctrine, the pouring out of prayers, and giving of thanks, and the uſe of the Sacraments, may be an exerciſe to ſtir up and cheriſh faith and godlineſs, as which without exerciſe doth eaſily through our infirmity wax cold.
3. That men may provoke one another by their example unto godlineſs, and to the magnifying and praiſing of God, Pſa. 22.22.
4. That there may be preſerved and maintained a conſent and agreement in the Church, in the Doctrine and Worſhip of God, Eph. 4.11, 12, 13.
5. That the Church may be ſeen and heard among men, and may be diſcerned from the other Blaſphemous and Idolatrous multitude of men; and that the Elect may be gathered to the true Church, and the Reprobate be left the more excuſeleſs, Rom. 10.18.
6. That God may apply himſelf unto our infirmity, by teaching men by men.
7. That God may ſhew his love towards men, in that he vouchſafes to admit them to be Miniſters of that great and weighty work, which alſo the Son of God himſelf did adminiſter.
8. That by this exceeding love of God to us ſons of men, we might be won in all humility and thankfulneſs to receive the word, and in obedience to practiſe the ſame in our life and converſation.
Our obedience towards the Miniſtery, comprehendeth,
1. Reverence, that is, an acknowledging of Gods Order and Will in the ordaining and maintaining of the Miniſtery, and in the gathering of his Church by it; that is, a declaration both in words and deeds of this our acknowledgement and judgement of the Miniſtery, 1 Cor. 4.7.
2. Love, whereby we gladly both frequent divine Aſſemblies, and hear and learn the Doctrine of the Church, and wiſh well unto the faithful Miniſters of the Church, not onelyonly in reſpect of that duty of charity which we owe, but alſo in reſpect of the Miniſtery which they diſcharge.
3. Obedience in thoſe things which are belonging to the Miniſtery; whereunto belong the works of love towards God and our Neighbor, even the whole life of a Chriſtian, which is that Spiritual and Moral Sabbath.
4. Thankfulneſs, that is, ſuch duties as tend to the preſervation and maintenance of the Miniſtery, that it may be honeſtly provided for; for God will have his miniſtery to be maintained to the end of the world.
5. Lenity and moderation in bearing with ſuch infirmities of the Miniſters, as do not enormouſly or manifeſtly corrupt or hinder the Miniſtery, and hurt the Church by offence, 1 Tim. 5.19.
It is the duty of all men to further the work of the Miniſtery, and by all means to promote it: which may be done by theſe means;
1. By commending to God by Prayer the Miniſtery of his own Ordinance, and that he would ſend able Miniſters where they are wanting, Matth. 9.38. and continue them where they are, and by our thankfulneſs to him for beſtowing this gift on us, which he hath denyed to many places and people.
2. By repenting of thoſe ſins which may hinder either the obtaining or continuing of it, Iſa. 62.7.
3. By making a reverend uſe of this gift of God, in being ſubject unto it, governed and reformed by it, Heb. 13.7.
4. By lamenting the ſtate of the Church, which is deſtitute or deprived of this gift, Pſal. 74.9.
5. By providing in time of vacancy ſufficient men, whom God muſt chuſe, before we make choyce of; Patrons ſhall one day anſwer to God for the ſouls of ſuch as periſh through their default.
6. By acknowledging our ſelves unworthy of ſo great a bleſſing, and by giving up our whole ſelves unto God for it.
To deſpiſe and reſiſt the Miniſtry of the word, or the Miniſters therein, is to deſpiſe and reſiſt even God himſelf:
1. Becauſe they come not in their own name, neither do they diſcharge their own Meſſage; they are no other then the mouth of God, they come not from themſelves, neither for themſelves, their Authority and Calling is from God, 1 Cor. 3.5.
2. God doth account all things done to them, in the execution of their Miniſtery, as done to himſelf, Matth. 10.40. Let their prophane Perſecutors of theſe Times ſeriouſly conſider hereof.
The greater our means are to prevent ſin, the more we offend, if we reject thoſe means:
1. Becauſe ſuch ſin againſt knowledge, having the word to inſtruct them, and their own conſciences to convince them; knowledge maketh every ſin the greater, Luk. 2.47. Joh. 15.22.
2. Becauſe it argueth obſtinacy, and hardneſs of heart, and wilfulneſs, which maketh the ſinner the more ſinful.
The parallel of the Miniſtery of the word and Salt, as it is comparatively ſet down in Mat. 5.13.
1. Salt will bite and fret being applyed, the nature thereof being hot and dry; ſo the Law being applyed, doth rip up mens hearts to make them ſee their ſins; it doth fret and bite them by the curſe thereof, to cauſe them to renounce themſelves.
2. Salt makes meat ſavory unto our taſte; ſo the Goſpel being preached, and men thereby feeling their corruptions like rottenneſs in their ſouls, may by the bleſſing of the Spirit be thereby ſeaſoned with Graces, and ſo reconciled unto God, and made ſavory in his ſight.
3. Salt preſerveth meats from putrifaction, by drawing out of them ſuperfluous moiſtneſs; ſo the Law and the Goſpel being continually diſpenſed, ſin and corruption may be daily mortified and conſumed both in heart and life, and expelled thence like ſuperfluous humors.
In this calling of the Miniſtery, there be eſpecially four kindes of unſavory Salt.
1. The blinde watchmen that have no knowledge, and dumb dogs that cannot bark, Iſa. 56.10. that is, ſuch as either cannot or will not diſpenſe Gods word for the ſalvation of mens ſouls.
2. Heretical teachers, who preach falſe and damnable doctrine, ſuch as doth not ſeaſon, but poyſon and deſtroy the ſoul, Deut. 30.1, 2. 2 Tim. 2.17, 18.
3. Such as teach indeed true doctrine, but miſapply the ſame, ſowing pillows under the elbows of the wicked, having ſmooth tongues in reſpect of ſin, yet are full of cloſe invectives againſt the better and godlier ſort.
4. Such, who though they teach the truth, and generally apply it well, do yet lead ſcandalous lives, whereby their unſavory converſation hindreth the ſeaſoning vertue of the word.
There are ſix conditions required to the Calling of a Miniſter:
1. That he feel within himſelf an inward Calling.
2. That he be of a good Converſation.
3. That he be of ſound Doctrine.
4. That he be apt to teach.
5. That he be lawfully choſen of the Church.
6. That he perform his Office diligently toward the flock committed to his charge.
The properties of godly Paſtors:
1. They muſt be diligent to know the ſtate of their flocks, and to take heed to their herds, Prov. 27.23, 24.
2. They muſt not be diſcouraged by the ungodly ſpeeches and venomous tongues of wicked men, thereby to grow negligent in their functions.
3. They muſt not be afraid of the faces and frowns of men, Ezek. 3.8, 9. Jer. 1.17.
4. They muſt wiſely apply the word to the neceſſity, capacity and underſtanding of all, and giving to every one his portion of Spiritual nouriſhment in due ſeaſon.
In like maner the duties and functions of Miniſters, are
1. Faithfully to propound and deliver the true and ſound Doctrine of God, that the Church may know and underſtand it.
2. Rightly to adminiſter the Sacraments.
3. To go before and ſhine unto the Church, by the example of Chriſtian life and converſation.
4. To give diligent attendance unto their flock.
5. To yield their ſervice in ſuch judgements as are expreſſed by the Church.
6. To take care that regard and reſpect be had of the Poor.
Miniſters muſt have theſe three things in ſome meaſure at leaſt:
1. A care to win the people, a deſire to convert them, and an earneſt hunger and thirſt after their ſalvation.
2. They muſt labor earneſtly to work their converſion, and not ceaſe or hold their peace when they ſee them untoward, but hold on in a conſtant courſe.
3. They muſt teſtifie their ſorrow for their people, & mourn for the hardneſs of their hearts, & be heartily grieved to ſee their unprofitableneſs.
Why all Miniſters muſt be proved & tryed before they be admitted to this ſacred function:
1. Becauſe they have the price of the blood of Chriſt committed unto them, Acts 20.28.
2. Becauſe there are many ſubtile deceivers that transform themſelves into Angels of light, 2 Cor. 11.13, 14.
3. The office of Deacons was a function of leſs duty in the Church, yet they were not to be admitted without due tryal and examination, Acts 6.3.
4. It makes them the more regarded and better accepted ever as the Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, and it will procure more authority to their perſon.
5. It will ſhut the door of this ſacred function againſt all inſufficient and unworthy preſumers, that run before they are ſent.
The Titles given to Miniſters in the holy Scripture, whence appears the excellency and the weighty charge of their Function:
The Salt of the earth, The Builders of Chriſts body, The co-workers of God.
The embaſſadors of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5.20. The ſtewards of the houſe, Tit. 1.7.
The fathers of the Church, 1 Cor. 4.15. Fiſhers of men, Mat. 4.19.
The Miniſters of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3.6. The Builders of the Temple.
The Shepherds of the ſheep, Eph. 4.11.
The Planters and waterers of the Garden, 1 Cor. 3.6, 7.
The Watchmen of the City, Ezek. 33.7. Heb. 13.17.
The Trumpeters of the Hoſt, and Stars of the firmament, Rev. 1.20. Dan. 12.3.
The Miniſters of the Word muſt be men of ſobriety, conſtancy, piety, humility, patience, ſtayedneſs, wiſdom, judgement, diligence, courage, gravity, and moderation of all their affections:
1. Becauſe it appears they have many Titles given them in Scripture, every one whereof carrieth ſome inſtruction and admonition with it to the Conſcience.
2. Becauſe the Miniſtery is a high Calling, of great importance and worthineſs, ſtanding up not onelyonly in the place of the people to offer up their prayers to God, but in the room of God to declare his will to them.
3. Leſt their Calling be blemiſhed, and their Miniſtery reprehended, if in their profeſſion they adorn not the Goſpel by their unblameable walking.
4. Becauſe they are to utter the word of wiſdom, whereby both themſelves and their hearers ſhall be made wiſe unto ſalvation.
They ought principally and in the firſt place to look to themſelves, and that for theſe Reaſons:
1. Becauſe unleſs they be doers as well as ſpeakers, they utter words with their own tongues that ſhall condemn themſelves; not unlike Ʋriah, who carried about him a Letter to further and procure his own death.
2. They cannot with comfort and conſcience preach to others, unleſs in their own perſons they be practiſers of thoſe things they teach; they may ſave others, themſelves they cannot.
3. Such as are teachers and not doers, do ſeduce the people, pulling down by the left hand of evil life, faſter then they build up by the right hand of wholeſom Doctrine.
They ought not to withhold the delivery of the word, they muſt not give over, though they ſee no fruit at all to proceed of their labors:
1. Becauſe they know not when God may be pleaſed to bleſs their labors, and hear their prayers, and ſave the ſouls of thoſe that are rebellious againſt him, 2 Tim. 2.24, 25, 26.
2. They have the example of God, he is patient and beareth long with the veſſels of wrath, as Chriſt ſaith of Jeruſalem, Mat. 23.37.
3. Becauſe they ſhall have no leſs recompence, if they be fonnd faithful in their Calling, then if they had gained many thouſand ſouls unto God, 2 Cor. 2.15.
4. He that holdeth not out unto the end, makes all his former pains prove but loſt labor, and fails in the diſcharge of his Calling; for the word may be the ſavor of life unto him, though the ſavor of death unto others, that careleſly neglect, or obſtinately reſiſt the ſame.
Seeing Miniſters muſt be faithful in their Calling, it follows that they may not be
1. Ignorant; not able to break the bread of life, that hinder the Kingdom of God, and greatly advance the Kingdom of Satan: Such are much like Jeroboams Prieſts, 1 Kings 12.31. & 13.33, 34. fit inſtruments to further Idolatry, and to promote all maner of impiety.
2. Falſe Teachers; theſe alſo deſtroy the ſouls of the people by falſe Doctrine; the former did ſtarve them, theſe do poyſon them: by both ways the people periſh.
3. Idle and unprofitable; which clothe themſelves with the fleece of Chriſts flock, but feed not his ſheep: Idle perſons in any Society are thieves, Eph. 4.28. Surely then theſe perſons are ſacrilegious ones, incurring the juſt rebuke of Spiritual theft and felony.
4. Unskilful; not being able to divide the word of Truth aright, yet uſurping the Pulpit, not to preach, but to abuſe the place, the people, themſelves, the Word, nay God himſelf.
5. Scandalous, who pull down with one hand faſter then they build with another; they wait indeed at Gods Altar, but are the ſervants of Satan.
6. Flattering teachers, that few pillows on every elbow, dawbing with untemper'd morter; they preach to pleaſe men, and are afraid of diſpleaſing.
The two parts of a Miniſters Office, which muſt always go together:
1. Doctrine; for Gods word muſt be preached that men may hear it.
2. An unblameable Converſation, bringing forth good works, that men therein may ſee the will of God; for the Miniſter muſt not onelyonly by Doctrine inſtruct the ear, but by a godly life exemplifie his Doctrine unto the eye, 1 Tim. 4.12. Be unto them that believe, an example in word and in converſation.
The courſe which is to be uſed by Gods Miniſters in the preaching and diſpenſing of his holy Word:
1. They muſt preach, and diſpenſe and publiſh the Word of God to all men without exception; Grace though it be not Univerſal, yet in the Miniſtery of the Word it muſt be offered to all, good and bad.
2. They muſt obſerve what fruit and effect the Word hath with them, whether it work reformation of life in them or not.
3. Having waited for their converſion, they muſt labor to convince their very Conſciences of the truth which in heart and life they deny; but if after all this, they give evident ſigns of malicious and obſtinate enmity againſt the Word, ſcorning and railing at the Doctrine of God, and on the Miniſters thereof, then are they to be caſt out by the Church, and to be barr'd from the word of life, until they repent.
The peoples duty toward their faithful Miniſters:
1. They muſt pray for their Miniſter, that the Lord would give him wiſdom and knowledge in all things, 2 Tim. 2.7.
2. The Church muſt take notice what her power and authority is in chooſing of Miniſters; it hath no abſolute authority to ordain unworthy men, and obtrude them on the people.
3. The people muſt ſo demean themſelves toward their faithful Paſtors, as that they may have occaſion to rejoyce in their Calling and charge over them, that they may ſee they have not labored in vain, Heb. 13.17.
4. The hearers muſt not ſpurn at, deſpiſe, contemn or hate their perſons, but they ought to joy in the joy of their Miniſters, 2 Cor. 2.13.
5. We ought to be ready to hear and obey in all things delivered and made known unto us out of the word, not ſingling out what we liſt in part to follow, and caſt the reſt from us.
6. We muſt love them ſincerely and heartily; this will cauſe reverence and regard of them, we muſt account them as our Spiritual fathers, 1 Cor. 4.15.
The Word preached, without the Spirits Ephphatha, is a dead letter, and without a Converſation that keeps harmony with the purity of Doctrine, but the dumb ſound of an empty veſſel: The experience of the fruit and efficacy of the Word in the Miniſters own perſon, is the beſt Commentary he can have, for the opening of it unto others; without which (like Noah's Ark-Carpenters) after they have built for others, may themſelves periſh at the general Deluge.
This Key by ſacred Diſpenſation
Ʋnlocks the Myſtery of Man's Salvation;
The Saints high-way to Heaven, to them the breath
Of life; the thunder of Eternal death
To ſuch as come to greet it with a ſcoff,
Or by their lives deny the power thereof.
The people once for fear of death deny'd
To hear the voyce of God; and joyntly cry'd,
Let Moſes ſpeak: A happy change God gives,
OnelyOnly by hearing of his voyce man lives.