Two Treatises, Title page – Dedication
Two Treatiſes. The firſt is, A plain PLATFORM FOR PREACHING: Whereby The Word of Truth may be rightly divided; And he that ſpeaketh, ſpeak as the Oracles of God. Digeſted into 20. Propoſitions. The ſecond is, THE DESTRUCTION OF In-bred Corruption. OR, An Antidote againſt fleſhly Luſt.
By A. Symſon Miniſter of Gods word.
London, Printed for John Wright, at the Kings Head in the Old Bailey, 1658. duplicate page
To the Honourable Truſtees, for maintenance of Miniſters, and other Pious Uſes, &c.
Sir John Thorrowgood of Kenſington, Knight, George Cowper, Richard Young, John Pocock, Ralph Hall, Richard Sydenham, Edward Hopkins, John Humfries, and Edward Creſſet, Eſquires. Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father, and Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
IT's written of the Bereans, Acts 17.11.That they were more noble then thoſe in Theſſalonica. What! more nobly deſcended? more nobly educated? of greater antiquity, learning, valour, power, renown, or any other external priviledge, prerogative, or reſpect? Not ſo, for if by the Bereans, we underſtand the Citizens of Berea (which was a city in Macedonia, not far from Pella, where Alexander the Great was born) they came far ſhort of the Theſſalonians in many, if not in all, the forementioned reſpects. Or, if by them we underſtand the Jewes which dwelt in Berea, See Beza on the place.and had a Synagogue there, whereinto Paul entred when he came thither, (as is moſt conſonant and agreeable to the Text) they were in outward reſpects in the very ſame condition wherein the Theſſalonian Jews were, not more enobled, dignified, preferred. But herein they were more noble then thoſe in Theſſalonica, in that they received the Word with all readineſs of minde; and ſearched the Scriptures daily whether thoſe things were ſo. Eraſmus Paraph.That is (according to one) For they received the Doctrine of the Goſpel very readily, every day ſearching the Scriptures diligently, that they might ſee how thoſe things that they had learned by the Apoſtles inſtruction, agreed with the Prophecies and Figures of the Law. Halls Paraph.Or, (according to another) They chearfully received the Word of our Goſpel, and took pains to ſearch the Scriptures, and to compare our Doctrine with the Text of the Prophets to ſee if we had alledged them aright. Having thus received the Word, thus ſearched the Scriptures, which the other did not, they were therefore more noble then they; more ingenuous, better affected.
To be well reported of, reputed of, both whilſt they are alive, and when they ſhall be dead, is that which all ſhould, and many do affect.Pro 22.1. For a good name is rather to be choſen then great riches. Eccleſ. 7.1And a good name is better then precious ointment. Nor are the Deſerving to be deprived of their due commendation; for hereby not onelyonly of Deſerving they become more deſerving, Virtus laudata creſcit.but others alſo endeavour to follow them: propound them as fit patterns for their imitation.
Paul is not here deprived of his due, nor are the Bereans of theirs; but both commended by the holy Ghoſt in this ſacred Hiſtory.
Paul, for that having been ſo often in danger, and ſuffered ſo much already of the Jews, Acts 9.23.(as at Damaſcus, when they took counſel to kill him; and to this intent watched the gates day and night: for the prevention whereof, the Diſciples let him down by the wall in a banket. Acts 13.45.At Antioch, where they ſpake againſt thoſe things which were ſpoken by him, contradicting and blaſpheming; where alſo they ſtirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the City, and raiſed perſecution againſt him and Barnabas, and expelled him out of their coaſts. Act. 14.5At Iconium, where there was an aſſault made both of the Gentiles, and alſo of the Jews, with their rulers, to uſe them deſpitefully, and to ſtone them; ſo that for their own preſervation, they fled unto Lyſtra and Derbe. At Lyſtra, where they perſwaded the people, and having ſtoned Paul, drew him out of the City, ſuppoſing he had been dead. Acts. 16.23.At Philippi, where both he and Silas had many ſtripes laid upon them; were caſt into priſon, with a charge given unto the Jaylor to keep them ſafely. At Theſſalonica, where the Iews which believed not, moved with envy, Acts 17.5.took unto them certain lewd fellows, of the baſer ſort, and gathered a company, and ſet all the City on an uproar; and aſſaulted the houſe of Jaſon, and ſought to bring them out to the people.) That having, I ſay, been already in ſuch dangers, and ſuffered ſo much, he would again adventure, by going into the Synagogue of the Iews which was in Berea, and there preaching the Word, and teſtifying the Goſpel of the grace of God; Oh the Faith, Patience, Zeal, Magnanimity, Charity, Confidence, and Conſtancy of this faithful Servant of Chriſt! Yea,Tu ne cedematis, ſed contra audentior ito. the more his enemies were, the greater his troubles; the more, the greater was his reſolution. What ſaith he himſelf? The holy Ghoſt witneſſeth in every city, ſaying, Acts 20.23, 24.That bonds and afflictions abids me: But none of theſe things move me, neither count I my life dear unto my ſelf, ſo that I might finiſh my courſe with joy, and the miniſtery which I have received of the Lord Jeſus; to teſtifie the Goſpel of the grace of God. Act. 21.4And again, The Diſeiples having ſaid to him through the Spirit, that he ſhould not go up to Ieruſalem. And Agabus foretold, that the Iews at Ieruſalem would binde him, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles; whereupon, all they that were preſent beſought him not to go up to Ieruſalem: He anſwered, What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart? for I am not ready to be bound onelyonly, but alſo to dye at Ieruſalem for the Name of the Lord Jeſus.
The Bereans, That they admitted Paul into their Synagogue; permitted him to preach there; did not diſturb him whilſt he was pre…ching: not onelyonly heard him, but received the Word by him taught, with all readineſs of minde, examining and trying the ſame (as being unto them new, and whereof they had not formerly heard, nor were therewith acquainted at all) by the Scriptures of the Old Teſtament, which they daily and duly ſearched, for their further, both ſatisfaction, and confirmation. Whereunto may be added, That they were not led away with the Errour of the wicked Jews; did not follow them, though a multitude, in evil; but loved, what they loathed; embraced, what they deſpiſed; received, what they rejected, the good Word of God taught by the Apoſtle Paul.
Were Miniſters now ſuch as Paul was, People now ſuch as the Bereans were, how happily might they enjoy each other? How much would Unity and Amity abound? How much Love, Concord, Peace? What mutual endeavours for the good of each other? How would God be glorified? the Church edified? the Goſpel flouriſh? Truth triumph? Errour decreaſe? Satan loſe of his power and intereſt?
But alas! what Factions and Fractions, what Jars and Wars, what Diviſions, Shiſmes, Rents, Breaches are among them? How do they perſecute, proſecute one another? As they differ in judgement, eſpecially about their Meum and Tuum, (the one ſeeking to get what they conceive to be their due, the other ſeeking to retain what they conceive to be none of theirs) ſo between them there's no ſmall alienation of affections. For the Diviſions of Reuben, Judg. 5.15there were once among the people of God, great thoughts (Heb. Impreſſions) of heart. Oh that for our preſent Diviſions we were thus affected! then would we employ the utmoſt of our endeavours (eſpecially fervent and conſtant Prayer unto God) to quench this Fire, make up this Breach, heal this Sore; till then we are Phyſicians of no value.
In the mean time, as Timothy was a diligent follower of Pauls Doctrine, 2 Tim. 3.10. Marg.manner of Life, Purpoſe, Faith, Longſuffering, Charity, Patience; ſo let all ſuch as are, or would be reputed Gods Miniſters, herein follow Paul, follow Timothy. 2 Tim 2.15.Let them ſtudy to ſhew themſelves approved unto God, workmen that need not to be aſhamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Let them preach the word, 2 Tim. 4.2be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-ſuffering and Doctrine. Great is their Dignity, Honos.great alſo is their Duty. Onus.Hereof the very Names whereby they are ſet forth in Scripture, may put them in minde, as amongſt many others, theſe few: Ambaſſadours for Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5.20. Builders, 1 Cor. 3.10. Enſamples to the Flock, 1 Pet. 5.5. Fathers begetting men and women through the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 4.15. Guides, Heb. 13.7, 17. Marg. Interpreters, Job 33.23. Labourers together with God, 1 Cor. 3.9. Meſſengers, Iſa. 44.26. Overſeers, Acts 20.28. Paſtours, Jer. 3.15. The Salt of the Earth, Mat. 5.13. Shepherds, Jer. 50.6. Stewards of the Myſteries of God, 1 Cor. 4.1. Teachers, Iſa. 43.27. Watchmen, Iſa. 52.8. and 62.6. Jer. 6.17. and 31.6. Ezek. 3.17. and 33.7. Every of which calleth upon them to be diligent and faithful in the execution of their miniſteriall Function. And for the People, would they but ſeriouſly conſider what the Apoſtle Paul required of them with relation unto their Miniſters.1 Tim. 5.17. Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, eſpecially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine. And again,Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and ſubmit your ſelves: for they which for your ſouls, as they that muſt give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you. Without peradventure, they would be ſwift to hear, Jam. 1.19.(to hear the Word of God; the excellency, neceſſity, and utility whereof, who is able ſufficiently to expreſs? ) and to receive with meekneſs the ingrafted Word, Mar. 16.26. What is mainly to be aimed at in preaching and hearing the Word. 2 Tim. 1.13.which is able to ſave their ſouls. This, even this, (the ſouls ſalvation, being of more value then the whole world) is that which is mainly to be aimed at, both in preaching and hearing.
To further this, the Preacher is to hold faſt the form of ſound Words: whereby, both the ſubſtance of ſound Chriſtian Doctrine, and the form of expreſſing and delivering it, may be underſtood. He is to preach, 2 Tim. 2.15. 1 Pet. 4.11but rightly dividing the word of truth. He is to ſpeak, but as the Oracles of God. He muſt preach the Goſpel, 1 Cor 1.17. 1 Cor. 11.9.but not with wiſdom of words, or ſpeech. He muſt utter by the tongue words eaſie to be underſtood: how elſe ſhall it be known what is ſpoken? Shall he not ſpeak into the air? Shall he edifie the ignorant and unlearned? Shall he not be unto them a Barbarian? The Apoſtle Paul did excel in Learning, was a notable Linguiſt, Logician, Rhetorician, what not? yet what ſaith he of himſelf? I thank my God, I ſpeak with tongues more then you all; yet in the Church I had rather ſpeak five words with my underſtanding, that by my voice I might teach others alſo, then ten thouſand words in an unknown tongue. In Preaching regard is to be had unto the Auditory, whether they be learned, or unlearned; knowing, or ignorant: to uſe learning in a learned Auditory is ſuteable, but plainneſs is moſt fit for a plain Auditory.
There are who run before they are ſent, and take upon them to be Teachers of others, they themſelves ſtanding in need of inſtruction, both about the Matter, or what they are to teach; and about the Method, or how they are to teach.
To remedy both, and that that which is daily done (will be done howſoever) here may be well done, to the glory of God, and edification of his people, I have thought good to communicare (what was many years ago beſtowed upon me by a dear friend and faithful Miniſter of Gods word, now with God) A plain Platform for Preaching; whereof if they (whoſe Learning is but ſmall, and their experience in preaching not very great) ſhall be pleaſed to make uſe, I doubt not, but that through Gods bleſſing on their endeavours, both their Matter and Method of Preaching will prove ſatisfactory, and give good content.
There are many who have writ on this Subjest; as Mr. Perkins in his Art of Propheſying. Mr. Bernard in his Faithful Shepherd. Keckerman in his Rhetorica Eccleſiaſtica, Sculterus in his Method of Preaching. Eraſmus in his Eccleſiaſtes. Jacohus Reneccius in his Clav. Sacroſanctae Theologiae. Solomon Glaſſius in his Philologia Sacra. Weems in his Chriſtian Synagogue. Hyperius, Illyricus, with diverſe others.
But this Platform being ſo ſhort and ſubſtantial, ſo plain and eaſie to be underſtood, and containing ſo much in ſuch a ſmall bulk,Magnum in parvo. I conceive to be moſt fit, eſpecially for the unskilful unexperienced, young Beginner.
For This I humble crave your Honours Patronage, that under your Names it may appear in publique. And vouchſafe alſo your Protection unto a poor Orphan The Deſtruction of in-bred Corruption; or, An Antidote againſt fleſhly Luſts; which was ſome years ago expoſed unto publique view, and had Patrons who were then able to defend it; but thoſe being either dead or diſabled, it now runneth unto your Honours for ſhelter.
Both theſe I preſent unto your Honours as tokens of my Thankfulneſs for your continued Favours.
The Almighty God, who is the exceeding great reward of all them that walk uprightly before him, (in whoſe hand is the length of dayes) bleſs and prolong your dayes here, to the Advancement of his Glory, the Propagation of the Goſpel, and the Comfort, Supportation, and Encouragement of all the Conſcionable, Faithful, Painful, and Religious Labourers in the Lords Harveſt; and after this life, crown you with Glory for ever. So prayeth
Your Honours in all humble duty, Andrew Symſon.