Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 2 · Section 62 – Section 63
62. Paſſages obliterated concerning preaching, its end and frequency.
IN Maſter Ward's Comentary on Matthew, theſe clauſes are deleted, written copy fol. 239. Obſerv. 3. The Apoſtles gently perſwade and admoniſh, that ſo Chriſt may be planted in our hearts. Object. There is a double ſcope of the preaching of the word, viz. a declaration of the mercy and anger of God, Rom. 9. 22, 23. and therefore the end and ſcope of all preaching is not to call men unto ſalvation. An. Certainly, it is moſt true, that there is a double ſcope of preaching, but the difference is in the Object, theſe differing in the Event, not in the firſt ſcope of God, for the Lords ſcope is, that all ſhould be ſaved, Ezek. 18. 8. 1 Tim. 2. 4. & 2 Pet. 3. but his will is, that thoſe who will not be ſaved, ſhould be damned; and therefore the Miniſters of the Word of God, in the preaching thereof, declare, pronounce and publiſh the wrath and anger of God againſt all thoſe who will not accept of the tender of mercy, offered by him in his Word.
Obſerv. 5. Miniſters are often calumniated for their zeale, induſtry in the preaching of the Word. Queſt. How doth the truth of this appeare? Anſw. Firſt, naturall and ſimple men would not have them labour at all, becauſe a little preaching is too much for them. But Secondly, they are aſhamed to confeſſe and acknowledge this, and therefore they lay their fault either upon their Parſons, or their manner of preaching: It is according to the Proverb, eaſie to find a ſtaffe to beat a dogge, and thoſe who are ill affected to the Miniſters of the Word, will eaſily find ſomething to tax them for; as for example; Firſt, for the perſon of the Miniſter, be he rich or poore, of noble or ignoble parentage, old or young, learned or illiterate, or whatſoever, ſomething malice can find out to reproach him withall: Secondly, for the manner of preaching, let him preach ſweetly or ſharply, often or ſeldome, out of the Word onelyonly, or elſe alſo out of the Fathers and humane Authors, or howſoever, yet ſome aſperſion ſhall be caſt upon him: Thirdly, for the manner of his life, be he ſevere and more reſerved, as was John, or humane, affable, and more familiar, as was Chriſt, yet he ſhall not goe without a cenſure, but ſhall either be called a Devill, or a friend of wicked men.
Page 32. Obſerv. The moſt profitable preaching is to apply generall doctrines to particular perſons, &c: Queſt. Why is this manner of preaching moſt profitable? Anſw. Firſt, becauſe we regard not generals, hearing them onelyonly for forme, as though we heard the ſcenes or acts of a ſtage-play. Anſw. 2. Secondly, becauſe people are not able to apply generall Doctrines to themſelves, and therefore they had need be applyed unto them by the Miniſters who are able to doe it. Anſw. 3. Thirdly, becauſe if people be able to apply it, yet for the moſt part they miſ-apply it, that is, they apply what they heare to others, not to themſelves, ſelf-love ſo blinding their conſciences, that they cannot ſee their owne faults, Luke 8. 11. John 9. 40. 41.
Ibidem printed book, fol. 92. & written copy fol. 224. on Matth. 11. 15. 16. Thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe. Queſt. How doth it appeare that God hides the knowledge of the Goſpell from thoſe who ſwell great with humane wiſdome?
Anſw. Firſt, it appeares thus; becauſe God takes away his helping hand from unworthy perſons, and that two manner of wayes, to wit, Firſt, ſometimes outwardly, by prohibiting the Paſtors to preach, as Matth. 10. 5. Act. 16. 7. and ſometimes inwardly, by not bleſſing the Word which is preached unto the hearers thereof, &c.
Ibid. in the written copy p. 396. Queſt. To whom doth the preaching of the Goſpell properly belong?
Anſw. The Miniſtry of the Word belongs properly to the Elect, Epheſ. 4. 11, 12. he gave Paſtors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints, and for the edifying of the body of Chriſt. Againſt this, this place is objected, the preaching of the Goſpell is ſent unto all (Goe and teach all Nations) and therefore it doth not properly belong unto the faithfull.
Anſw. 1. It is true, that we doe, and muſt preach unto all, becauſe the Miniſters of the Word, in the judgement of charity, muſt beleeve well of thoſe to whom they preach, leaving ſecret judgement unto the Lord: and Secondly, it is preached properly unto the Elect to convert them, and onelyonly accidentally to the Reprobates, as being inſeparable, mixed with the other, as tares and chaffe are mixed with good corne, 2 Cor. 2. 16.
63. A Paſſage deleted againſt Ministers Reading their Sermons.
IN Doctor Clerks Sermons, page 404. l. 8. after theſe words. improperly ſo called, theſe words are blotted out: A reading propheſie riſeth in the Church, but fit to be prohibited, for it is not from the ſpirit, Prophetiza nobis Christe, Matth. 26. 28. Chriſt, read who hath ſmitten thee; much a doe is about a reading Miniſtery; the King to name it, and the Biſhops to ſuffer it; but what ſhall we ſay of reading Propheſie? ſurely the Biſhops are to blame to ſuffer it; and yet the greater part of thoſe who condemne reading Priests; are themſelves reading Priests; reading is no preaching, ſo they falſly ſay; but their preaching is reading, ſo I may truly ſay.