The Wise Gospel Preacher, Sermon · Part 22 – Part 24
The fourth Ʋſe is a word of Exhortation to the People.
The fourth Uſe ſhall be a word to the people enjoying wiſe Preachers, that thus labour among you. Let it be a word of Exhortation to all ſuch to take the Apoſtle's counſel, 1 Theſſ. 5.12, 13. We beſeech you Brethren, to know them that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admoniſh you; and eſteem them very highly for their work ſake. Such are truly wiſe Preachers; yea, ſuch are painful Preachers, and therefore ought to be honoured Preachers; ſuch are profitable Preachers, therefore worthy to be honoured Preachers; Therefore eſteem highly them that are ſuch. I do not mean to provoke you only ſo to honour, or eſteem, as to approve, commend, or encourage ſuch in their Labours; but eſpecially honour theſe, by ſubmitting and ſubjecting your ſelves, yea, your Souls to their Doctrine; by living and acting, according to their teaching, who teach according to the form of found Doctrine contained in the Scriptures.
Oh my dear Friends, this is the greateſt honour, eſteem, and encouragement you can poſſibly beſtow upon painful Preachers; thus ſaith the Apoſtle John, in 3 Epiſt. 3, 4. I rejoyced greatly when the Brethren came and teſtified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkedſt in the truth; I have no greater joy, then to hear that my Children walk in truth, or according to truth. The like ſaith Paul in that forecited 1 Theſſ. 2.19, 20. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoycing? Are not even ye in the preſence of our Lord Jeſus at his coming? For ye are our Glory and Joy. But what was the reaſon of this exceeding Joy, you have it declared in the firſt Chapter. We give thanks to God alwayes for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembring, without ceaſing, your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope, &c. For our Goſpel came not unto you in Word only, but alſo in Power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and in much aſſurance, as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your ſake; and ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Ghoſt: So that ye were enſamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia; For from you ſounded out the Word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but alſo in every place your Faith to Godward is ſpread abroad, ſo that we need not to ſpeak any thing.
This, Beloved, is the honour, eſteem, encouragement, and rejoycing, wiſe and Spiritual Preachers moſt deſire; that you that hear them, ſhould be wiſe, truly wiſe, holy, diligent, fruitful Hearers. There is nothing ſo much diſcourages, grieves, and diſhonours wiſe Preachers, as to find their Hearers unwiſe, idle, unthankful, unfruitful, and unholy; this grieves them to the heart when they run in vain, and labour in vain, as you have his expreſſion Phil. 2.16. Oh, grieve not the Spirit of God, nor the Spirit of your Preachers, by quenching the Spirit, and deſpiſing Propheſie, as too many do. If it be a ſin to neglect Preaching, and not to teach the people Knowledge, as I have largely proved; yea, if it be not only a neglect, but a moſt unconſcionable neglect not to teach the people Knowledge. Let me then tell proud, carnal, unbelieving, negligent, forgetful, diſobedient, unfruitful Hearers, 'tis not only a ſin, but a complicated ſin; yea, it is not infirmity, but moſt unconſcionable dealing with the Lord Jeſus, your painful Preachers, and your own Souls. Therefore look well to it, for God will not bear it, nor hold ſuch ſinners guiltleſs that thus take his Name in vain, and turn his Grace into wantonneſs.
I beſeech you think ſeriouſly of a Text or two, 2 Chron. 36.15, 16, 17. And the Lord God of their Fathers ſent to them by his Meſſengers, riſing up betimes, and ſending; becauſe he had compaſſion on his people, and on his dwelling-place: But they mocked the Meſſengers of God, and deſpiſed his Words, and miſuſed his Prophets, until the Wrath of the Lord aroſe againſt his people, till there was no remedy. Therefore he brought upon them the King of the Caldees, who ſlew their young men with the Sword in the Houſe of their Sanctuary, and had no compaſſion upon young Man, or Maiden, old Man, or him that ſtooped for Age; he gave them all into his hand.
Oh, mark how dreadful a ſin it is to be a deſpiſer, or an oppoſer of Preachers! you may read the hainouſneſs of the ſin, in the dreadfulneſs of the judgment.
Take one place more, 2 Theſſ. 2.10, 11, 12. With all deceiveableneſs of unrighteouſneſs in them that periſh, becauſe they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be ſaved.
Oh mark it, you that do, or might, if the fault be not your own, enjoy good Preachers, and pure Preaching, and will not, may, and care not for it; God will ſend you Preachers ſad, or bad enough, that ſhall only deceive and delude you, and for this very cauſe; Even becauſe, ſaith the Apoſtle, God will ſend them ſtrong deluſions that they ſhould believe a lie, that they all might be damned that believed not through the Truth, but had pleaſure in unrighteouſneſs.
Oh think ſeriouſly of this, you ſinful, proud, unthankful, forgetful, or unfruitful Hearers: God will not alwayes ſtrive with you, or wait upon you, or continue the Preaching of the Goſpel among you. Therefore provoke not the Lord to jealouſie, by neglecting and perverting of his Ordinances.
But to cloſe this Uſe, let me give you two or three Directions how to anſwer this Uſe.
Firſt, Is this yet true acquaintance with the greatneſs and groſſneſs of ignorance, and eſpecially of your own ignorance in particular? Pride makes men think they ſee, and deſpiſe the ignorance and ſimplicity of others; but 'tis ignorance and blindneſs that makes poor and proud Souls like their own ignorance. Therefore if you would be found the Friends and Preſervers of Knowledge, learn to know your own ignorance in the things of Jeſus Chriſt. Yea, conſider how diſhonourable and truly reproachful it is for a Profeſſor, or a Chriſtian, to be an ignorant perſon; 'tis as reproachful, as for a Guide to be blind, or a Ruler to be clad in Rags; than which, what is more diſhonourable? A Fool, in Civil or Natural things, is counted a diſhonour to a Family, and a burthenſome Relation; even ſuch are fooliſh Chriſtians, or perſons ignorant in the Myſteries and Knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt. Now that the moſt, yea, the beſt of Profeſſors are too ignorant, take two Texts, 1 Cor. 13.9. For we know but in part, and propheſie but in part; therefore let none, how wiſe ſoever, think themſelves wiſe enough; but it is theſe thoughts keeps many Hearers from being wiſe; Jer. 8.8. How do you ſay we are wiſe, and the Law of the Lord is with us, and we will come no more unto the, Chap. 2.31. Therefore, as the cure of this Diſeaſe in the firſt place, remember what Paul writes for this purpoſe, 1 Cor. 8.2. If any man thinks that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. Again;
Secondly, Take this Direction if you would be a knowing people, be found a doing people, faithfully and humbly doing what you know of Jeſus Chriſt. This is the way to know more and much of Jeſus Chriſt, to be practical Chriſtians; Hoſ. 6.3. Then ſhall we know (that is, we ſhall then know what we knew not before, when or how) if we follow on to know the Lord; and in John 7.17. If any man will do his Will, he ſhall know that the Doctrine is of God.
Thirdly, Be diligent about this buſineſs of Knowledge; if ever thou wouldeſt know, as James ſaith, Let not a wavering-minded man think he ſhall receive any thing; even ſo ſay I, Let not the ſlothful, or the idle Chriſtian, think he ſhall receive, or ever attain Knowledge with ſuch a frame of Spirit. With what ſloth and idleneſs, neglectfulneſs and forgetfulneſs do too many Profeſſors purſue Knowledge? Therefore be not ſlothful in buſineſs of this nature, but be fervent in ſpirit, ſerving the Lord, Rom. 12.11.
Fourthly, Hold much and cloſe communion with knowing, wiſe, and holy Perſons: This made Apollos become more wiſe and knowing, even his communion with Aquila, Acts 18. And this Solomon teacheth us, Prov. 13.20. telling us, That he that walketh with wiſe men, ſhall be wiſe; but a companion of fools ſhall be deſtroyed.
But laſtly, If you would become a knowing people in the Knowledge of God, be a praying people; Prayer muſt relieve both Preacher, and the preached to, in this thing; Oh therefore be much in Prayer. This was David's practice, Pſal. 119.18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. And to cloſe, remember what James ſaith, chap. 1.4. If any of you lack wiſdom, let him ask it of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth none, and it ſhall be given. Thus much for this Point.
Now to proceed in the Text, it is added; Yea, he gave good heed. This is the next piece of the deſcription of a wiſe Preacher, he gave good heed. From hence obſerve;
Doct. 7. That he Preached not raſhly, but heedfully.
'Tis folly to be ſlight or raſh in any buſineſs, but eſpecially in God's Matters, or in the Matters of Preaching; Yea, he gave good heed; it is good to Preach heedfully. As Preaching is honourable Work, ſo it is to be honourably performed; as it is weighty and difficult Work, even ſo ought Preachers warily and heedfully to perform and purſue it. This we find impoſed upon Elders or Preachers, Acts 20.28. Take heed therefore unto your ſelves; ſo in 1 Tim. 4.16. Take heed unto thy ſelf, and to thy Doctrine. Preaching-Work ought to be heedfully, yea moſt heedfully performed.
Queſtion; But it may be demanded, What is that which a Preacher ought thus heedfully to mind?
In general I Anſwer, It is his Preaching. This is clear in the Text, by that which is added, — and ſought out, and ſet in order many Proverbs; It was the ſetting in order of Parables the Preacher gave good heed unto.
But more particularly to Anſwer this Query; Firſt, He ought to give good heed to the obſerving what the preſent ſtate and need of the people calls for; for he is by Preaching, to feed the people with food ſeaſonable and convenient for them: I do not ſay, That he is to eye or anſwer the wanton expectations of the Hearer, but the preſent neceſſity and need of the Hearer. This is laid down Mat. 24.45. Who then is a wiſe and faithful Servant to give them meat in due ſeaſon? A wiſe Preacher muſt overſee the ſtate of the Flock, in this regard, to know what they are, and what they want at the preſent, that he may by Doctrine give every one, not ſome, but every one his meat in due ſeaſon. Sinners, and unconverted Souls in a Congregation, muſt be heedfully provided for; and the Saints and Children of God in the Aſſembly, muſt much leſs be neglected; the minds of the ignorant muſt be enlightned, and the mouth of the Adverſary muſt be ſtopped. The Faith of the doubting muſt be ſtrengthened, and the Faith of the eſtabliſhed ſecured. The troubled Conſcience muſt be comforted, and the Conſcience of the ſleepy and ſecure awakned. This is now to give good heed how we Preach, thus wiſely to mind and conſider them we Preach to.
Secondly, For a Preacher to give good heed how he Preachers, is needfully to obſerve or conſider the preſent Viſion of the Lord, or what the Spirit of the Lord at preſent layes warm and freſh in upon his heart to deliver as his preſent Meſſage, and ſeaſonable to the people. That Meſſage which is very lawful and ſeaſonable to deliver to the people at one time, is neither ſeaſonable nor lawful to deliver at another time. There is a time, and but a time, that is ſeaſonable for any thing; ſo there is a time, and but a time, when ſome Truths are ſeaſonable. Therefore this is that Preachers ſhould heedfully mind, the teaching, moving, and turning of their Spirits, this or that way, by the Spirit of the Lord Jeſus; and give up themſelves to the manuduction of that Spirit. Thus did the living Creatures, Ezek. 1.12. And they went every one ſtraight forward; whither the Spirit was to go they went, and they turned not when they went. This is Preacher's motion, and thus to move, is heedfully to Preach. Thus did Iſaiah, that good Watchman, Chap. 21.7, 8. He hearkened diligently with much heed; and he cryed, a Lyon; My Lord, I ſtand continually upon the Watch-tower in the day time, and I am ſet in my Ward whole nights. But again;
Thirdly, Heedfully to Preach, is heedfully to obſerve our ſcope and end in Preaching. As in ſome reſpects the end may be ſaid to crown all, even ſo may I ſay of Preaching. If ends be not right and honourable, it will ſpoil all, as the dead Fly doth the Apothecaries precious Oyntment. A Preacher cannot think to do much good by Preaching, that hath low or poor aims or ends in Preaching. The goodneſs of the Work doth not argue the goodneſs of a Man's Aims or Ends in Preaching: But if ever Preachers would do good at Preaching, let them heedfully mind their Ends. When Ends are right, God uſually bleſſeth; but when Ends are naught and low, God uſually blaſts; as you have it Haggi 1.6, to 11. compared with Zech. 7.5, 6. where the Lord renders the reaſon of all the blaſts or diſappointments they met with, was, Becauſe of the corruptneſs of their ends. Had not ſinful ſelf lay at the bottom of the ſacrificing, and faſting, and calling upon his Name, they ſhould have had a Bleſſing; but this with-held it from them: Self-endedneſs at Preaching, is heedleſs and fruitleſs Preaching, God will not bleſs, with any great ſucceſs, ſuch Preaching: therefore Preach heedfully or well-minding that your ends be holy, and pure, even the glorifying God, and the profiting the Souls of the people. In diſcharge of Duty, theſe are right Ends, and not to Preach for Applauſe, Credit, or much leſs Merchandize. But again;
Fourthly, Preachers ſhould heedfully; yea, give good heed (as in the Text) to the Matter of their Preaching, and not raſhly ſay, the Lord ſaith. They muſt Search the Scripture, as well as Preach the Scripture, remembring David, Pſalm. 39. I ſaid, I will take heed to my wayes that I ſin not with my tongue; and what Solomon ſaith, Suffer not thy mouth to cauſe thy fleſh to ſin; neither ſay before the Angel it was a ſin, Eccleſ. 5.6. But this I muſt ſpeak more to on another particular, and therefore ſhall come to the Reaſons of the Point that Preachers had need to give good heed to what they Preach.
Reaſ. 1. Firſt, Becauſe if they Preach heedleſly, Chriſt will mind it heedfully. 'Tis dangerous Preaching heedleſly in the ears of heedful Hearers, but eſpecially in the ears of Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe eyes are like a flame of fire, and obſerves all our deportments in his Concernments. If he hear us Preach heedleſly, he will ſet this ſin in order before us, though he ſeem to over-look it, and we think he hath forgotten it. Careleſneſs and raſhneſs in the Miniſtry of the Lord's Word, meets with ſwifteſt Obſervation, and ſevereſt Chaſtiſments: Therefore take heed, and be holy, ye that bear the Veſſels of the Lord, remembring the caſe of Nadab and Abihu, Levit, 10. and of Ʋzzah, 2 Sam. 6.6, 7.
Reaſ. 2. Secondly, The reaſon of Preachers heedfulneſs is this, The Obſervance of men. Are the Hearers, Sinners, and the worſt of Hearers? they will and do obſerve the beſt of Preachers, and lie, as it were, in wait to entrap and catch them, or intangle them in their talk or Preaching. Such as can obſerve little of the Marrow of Preaching, or a Sermon, will be able enough to obſerve all the Miſtakes or Errata's of a Sermon: Therefore take away occaſion from them that ſeek it, as Paul did, 2 Cor. 11.12.
But again, 2ly, Let Preachers preach heedfully, becauſe of Saints; their eyes are upon you, and their ears open to you, and they are taught of God to know all things, and as Spiritual men judge all things, and have ſenſes exerciſed; and, like theſe noble Bereans, will try all things: Therefore, O therefore, Preach with good heed, and Preach only good things for their Knowledge.
Reaſ. 3. Thirdly, Preachers had need Preach heedfully, becauſe that which they Preach is hard and difficult to Preach. Preaching is not eaſie Work, it is hard Work, 'tis curious Work, it needs much warineſs, wiſdom, and circumſpection, to draw Water out of theſe Wells of Salvation, and to fetch Gold out of theſe Mines of Divine Wiſdom; therefore ought they to give good heed to Preaching.
Reaſ. 4. And laſtly, Preachers ſhould give good heed how they Preach, becauſe of the worth and excellency of what they Preach. Though men care not how they ſcatter their droſs, yet they are very careful what they do with their refined Gold. Though the Husband-man paſſeth not what he doth with his Chaff, yet he is very careful what he doth with his Seed-corn. Even ſo ſhould it be with Preachers, they ſhould be very heedful where they Sow, and how they beſtow their principal Wheat. Oh! Sow not upon the Rocks, nor on the High-way ſide, but on good Ground; and carefully look to your Seed, to Chriſt's Seed; it is too choice to ſuſtain any loſs; Oh therefore, heedfully Preach, that you loſe not your labour, nor your reward.
Thus much for the Reaſons of this Point; now to cloſe this Head with a word or two of Application.
Firſt of Reproof.
Application; Firſt, If Preachers ought to give good heed how they Preach, then this miniſters a word of Reproof to ſuch as are heedleſs Preachers, that think it is an eaſie facile Work to diſpenſe and propagate Truth; ſurely ſuch do not remember the weightineſs of Preaching, ſo they can but Preach pleaſingly to men, profitably to themſelves, and ſecurely in reſpect of others; they think it is enough, never applying themſelves to over-ſee or conſider the ſtate of the Flock, the various ſtate of their Hearers, the avoiding of their Enemies, the Salvation of Sinners, and the perfecting of the Saints, by an acute, exact, circumſpect, thorough ſearch and enquiry after Goſpel-Truths, that they might Speak and Preach as the Oracles of God. Well, I ſhall not ſtand upon this, only be minding theſe of that ſad word; Curſed be he that doth the Work of the Lord negligently: And let theſe Preachers know, what God hath threatned to all ſlight Preachers, by the Prophet Jeremiah, ſaying, Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord; I am weary with holding in; I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the Aſſembly of young men together; for even the Husband with the Wife ſhall be taken, the Aged with him that is full of dayes; And their Houſes ſhall be turned unto others, with their Fields and Wives together; for I will ſtretch out my hand upon the Inhabitants of the Land, ſaith the Lord: For from the leaſt of them, even unto the greateſt of them, every one of them is given to covetouſneſs; and from the Prophet even unto the Prieſt, every one dealeth falſly. They have healed alſo the hurt of the Daughter of my people ſlightly, ſaying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace, Jer. 6.11, 12, 13, 14.
Note; And ſo I conclude this Uſe, 'Tis a dangerous and a deſtructive evil, to be a ſleighty Prophet or Preacher.
The ſecond Ʋſe is of Exhortation.
Secondly, Let this exhort all wiſe Goſpel-Preachers to remember the Text, and alſo give good heed to the Work of Preaching: 'Tis not only honourable, but difficult, likewiſe 'tis high, 'tis hard; Oh therefore give good heed to this Work of Preaching. 'Tis not man's Work, or a Work performed ſo much for men, as for God. 'Tis Soul-Work; as you love Souls, or have a value of immortal Souls, take heed to your ſelves in this Work, this bleſſed Work of Preaching. Oh be intent upon this thing, to ſeek the profit of many that they may be ſaved. Oh Speak or Preach as Paul words it, as you ought to ſpeak, Epheſ. 6.20. ſtudy Scripture, ſtudy Men, liſten to the Spirit, follow its Guidance, give your ſelves up to this Work, taking Solomon's Counſel, Eccleſ. 9.10. Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. Oh ſtrive mightily, to be ſpiritually exact, and perfect Preachers. Oh remember, It is required of a Steward, that he be found faithful, 1 Cor. 4.2. Therefore let me beſeech you, Men, Brethren, and Fathers, even all you that are Chriſt's Stewards, and Goſpel-Preachers, give good heed to this thing, that you may give up your account with joy, and not with grief of heart.