The Way to the Tree of Life, Part 1 · Chapter 11
CAP. XI. Of duties after Reading the Scriptures, eſpecially Meditation and Prayer.
TOo many Readers of Gods Word, The error of ſuch as content themſelves with bare reading, without meditation afterwardsare like unto the perſon deſcribed, Iames 1.24. who beholding his face in a glaſſe, goeth his way and forgets of what ſhape he was. Or like Ezekiels hearers, who as ſoone as they had pleaſed their eares with his Sermons, laid aſide the thoughts of what they had heard out of their hearts, and ſtill went on in their old wayes of covetous practiſe, Ezek. 33.31, 32. In like manner fares it with theſe men, when the Chapter is read, the worke is ended in their opinion, the Bible is laid aſide, and together with it, all thoughts of all that they have read, as if there were no farther uſe to be made of that holy exerciſe.
It may be probably conceived, And the cauſe of it.that theſe men are drawne to this duty, rather out of conviction of conſcience, that ſuch a duty ought to be performed, or by love of the credit, either of knowledge, or of the forme of godlineſſe, rather then by any true deſire, either of a comfortable communion with God, in the holy uſe of his ordinances, or of the excellent fruits of this holy exerciſe, the encreaſe of knowledge of God, and Chriſt, which the Word brings, Iohn 15.39. with like encreaſe of every other grace, the converting of the Soul, Pſ. 19.7. cleanſing of ones wayes, Pſal. 119.9. ſubduing the thoughts to the obedience of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10.5. and making the man of God perfect to every good work, 2 Tim. 3.17. ſo that it is no marvell if God in Juſtice deny theſe men thoſe fruits of Grace, The end of ſtudying the Scriptures is not only knowledge but practiſe.and Sanctification which they never deſired.
Wherefore, ſeeing practiſe and not bare knowledge is; or ſhould be, the end and fruit of the ſtudy of the Scriptures, as Moſes expreſly tells us, Deut. 29.29. we muſt conceive, that after we have read them, the greateſt and hardeſt part of the task is ſtill behinde. 1. We muſt therefore Meditate upon what we have read.Wherefore, after we have read any part of Scripture, our ſpeciall care muſt be, when we have done, to recount and revolve in our mindes thoſe things that we have read, and to meditate on them ſeriouſly. Herein our firſt labour muſt be to finde out the true ſenſe and meaning of the words, 2. Searching out the true Senſe and ſcope of the word which we have read. 3. Singling out and applying what is of more ſpeciall uſe to our ſelves. 4. Working thoſe things upon our hearts till they warm our affections. 5. Adviſing how we may bring them into practiſe.together with the ſcope unto which they are directed. Secondly, having diſcreetly choſen out ſuch things as we judge to be of greateſt uſe to our ſelves, for the building of our faith, or directing our practiſe, we muſt carefully apply them to our ſelves, our conditions, and occaſions. Thirdly, after that is done, we muſt whet them upon our hearts, till they warme, and quicken our affections. Laſtly, we muſt adviſe about, and reſolve upon, the meanes to bring all into practiſe.
Such places of Scripture, as either expreſſe unto us Myſteries hard to be underſtood, or ſet them out in darke and unuſuall Phraſes of ſpeech, (of which ſort S. Peter tells there be many in Pauls Epiſtles: 2 Pet. 3.16.) need to be the more diligently ſcanned, and if our own underſtanding be too weak to ſearch into the meaning of them, we may doe well to make uſe of other mens writings, or conference. But for finding out of the ſcope of any place of Scripture, there needes a wiſe Judgement, directed by the due conſideration of the precedents and conſequents, Though all Scriptures be uſefull every way, yet ſome may concerne us more particularly.compared with the ſubſtance of the matter handled, in that place which we have in hand.
In the Second place, though all Scripture be profitable for doctrine, reproofe, &c. 2 Tim. 3.17. and ſo no part of it muſt be ſlightly paſſed over, yet ſeeing ſome things therein delivered, may more nearely concerne us in reſpect of our diſpoſitions, condition of life, and accidentall occurrents, our care muſt be, in reading, to ſingle out ſuch things as we finde fitteſt for our ſelves, Which we muſt ſo apply as if we were named therein.and to apply and take them home unto our ſelves in ſuch ſort, as if we were ſpecially named in any Precept, Reproofe, Promiſe, Commination, Conſolation, or the like, which is the moſt effectuall meanes to awaken, and ſtirre up affections, and to ſet on our endeavours, as manifeſtly appeares in good Ioſiah his example, 2 Chron. 34.20, 21.
For ſuch particular applying of things to our ſelves, Examples hereof we have in Scripture.we have frequent precedents in Scripture. For there we finde the promiſes made, in ſuch a time, and to ſuch perſons, applied both unto other times, and perſons. As that promiſe made to the children of Iſrael, Iſa. 49.8. is applied to us under the Goſpell, 2 Cor. 6.2. and a little after, ver. 16.18. is applied to us likewiſe the promiſe made to them, Levit. 26.11, 12. Ier. 31.1. The promiſe made to Ioſhua, cap. 1.5. and that upon which David buildes, Pſal. 118.6. are both applied in like manner, Heb. 13.5, 6. So likewiſe the Prophet Iſaiah his exhortation to the people of his time, is preſſed upon us Chriſtians, Eph. 5.18. and in like manner Davids caveat, Pſal. We muſt looke upon the Law as a rule to guide us, and a judg to try our actions by.95.7, 8. is urged upon us, Heb. 3.7, 8. and the judgements threatned, or executed on thoſe under the Law, the Apoſtle tells us, happened to them for enſamples to us, that we might beware of the like ſinnes, 1 Cor. 10.6, 11.
In applying the Law with the Sanctions thereof (ſeeing it ſerves not onelyonly for Direction, to ſhew us what we ought to doe, but for judgement, to teach us what to thinke of what we have done) we may eaſily miſtake if we be not wiſe, and therefore in judging of our ſelves and our workes by the Law, Whether our conformity to the law be ſpirituall, as the law is ſpirituall.we need ſome caveats to keepe us from errour in our judgement.
Firſt, ſeeing the Law is ſpirituall, and therefore requires the conformity of the ſpirit, as well as the outward man, to Gods will, as appeares by our Saviours interpretation of it, Mat. 5.22, 28. a man muſt not onelyonly bring his works, but his thoughts to be tryed by the Law, Whether our obedience be out of a ſincere heart, and a fruit of faith, and love, &c. Which will make us abhor even our righteouſneſſe. In judging our ſelves, by the Law, obſerve, 1. Whether we ſinne preſumptuouſly, or out of infirmity.ſo that if one have done a worke anſwerable to the Law, if it be not done in uprightneſſe of heart with a cheerfull ſpirit, which God requires, Deut. 28.47. if it be not a fruit of our faith, and love to God, it is abominable, 1 Cor. 13.3. A conſideration that muſt make all our righteouſneſſe, in his eyes like filthy raggs, Iſa. 64.6. and move him to cry out, Enter not into judgement with thy ſervant, Pſal. 143.2.
Secondly, we muſt conſider, that the Law is not ſo much broken by ſlips and infirmities (for in the middeſt of them one may, and a Godly man alwayes doth, juſtifie the Law, Rom. 7.16, 22.) as by ſinnes of preſumption, ſuch as are mentioned, Deut. 29.19. and Ier. 44.16. when a man ſinnes wilfully, and prepares not himſelfe to doe according to Gods will, Luke 12.47, 48. wherefore a man hath no reaſon to apply to himſelfe the curſes of the Law, for ſuch ſlips of infirmity which are threatned onelyonly againſt ſuch as are wicked tranſgreſſors, Pſal. 59.5.
Thirdly, 2. Whether our obedience be ſincere though it be not perfect.though it be true, that the Law requires perfect obedience, pronouncing a curſe upon all that confirme not the words of the Law, to doe them, Deut. 27.26. yet being now delivered in the hand of a Mediator, that condition is ſo farre moderated, that ſincerity of obedience is accepted in ſtead of perfection, according to that of the Apoſtle's, that where there is a willing minde, one is accepted according to what he hath, not according to what he hath not, 2 Cor. 8.12. In the former of theſe David ſtands upright with God, Pſal. 18.20, 21. and offers himſelfe to triall, Pſal. 139.23. In the latter he dares not lift up his face, Pſal. 130.3.
Laſtly, 3. Whether we conforme to the law in the maine courſe of our way though we ſwarve in our ſteps.we muſt conſider, that although the Law cenſure every action, or thought of the heart, and approves or condemnes every one of them, as farre as it is agreeable, or contrary thereunto, yet the perſon is cenſured rather according to his way, then according to his ſteps, that is, according to the maine courſe or ſcope of his life, then according to his particular acts. Thus a man may judge himſelfe, to be an obſerver or keeper of the Law, though he faile in many actions; (as David is approved, as one that did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, notwithſtanding the matter of Vriah, becauſe the maine courſe of his life was holy, 1 Kings 15.5.) and on the other ſide, one is condemned as a tranſgreſſor of the Law, if the courſe of his life be wicked, though he doe many things according to the Law, as Iehu is, 2 King. 10.30, 31. The want of the due obſervation of thoſe rules, cauſeth many a hypocrite to promiſe himſelfe Peace, and many a Godly man to afflict his ſpirit, without ſufficient cauſe.
Our third labour, after we have read the Scriptures, muſt be to worke into our hearts, by meditation, thoſe things which we finde moſt profitable for our own uſe, ſo long till our affections begin to kindle, and our hearts to wax warme (as Eliſha ſtretched himſelfe often upon the Shunamites child, till he firſt waxed warme, and then neeſed, and opened his eyes, 2 King 4.34.35.) So that our delight in thoſe divine and heavenly truths, and deſire after them, diſcover themſelves as they doe in holy David, Pſal. 119.5.20, 40, 97, 103, 111, and 131, &c. This is beſt done by appropriating them unto our ſelves, for that which affects us, is that which moſt neerely concernes us; without this meanes of quickening our hearts, they remaine dead and ſenſeleſs, and the Word becomes utterly unprofitable.
Againe, becauſe we are little affected with thoſe things which we beleeve not (as Iacob was with his ſons words, till he ſaw the Chariots, which aſſured him of the truth of what they affirmed, Gen. 45.26, 27.) our chiefeſt care muſt be, to bring our hearts to beleeve what we read, as undoubtedly true, as David beleeves Gods Law to be faithfull, Pſal. 119.138. True from the beginning, ver. 160. truth it ſelfe, ver. 151. as being the word of that God that cannot lye, Tit. 1.2. nor change his minde, Numb. 23.19. nor be hindered in whatſoever he purpoſeth to doe, Dan. 4.35. but he doth whatſoever he will, Pſal. 135.6.
Withall, Our next care muſt be to work our hearts to a love of the law, and delight in it.we muſt labour earneſtly, to work our hearts to the love of thoſe Counſells of God, which we embrace by faith for their Righteouſneſſe, Pſal. 119.128. Purity, ver. 140. Perfection, ver. 96, 97. and eſpecially for the uſefulneſſe and wonderfull benefit of them to our ſelves, that we may deſire them with all our ſoules, Pſal. 119.131. and delight and rejoyce in them, ver. 162.174. To this purpoſe, it will be needfull to ſet before us the wonderfull efficacy of the Word, which not only counſells, Pſal. 119.24. and directs us in our waies, v. 105. but helps us farther in clenſing them, ver. 9. in quickning the ſpirit, ver. 93. giving wiſdome, v. 98, 99, 100. converting the ſoul, Pſ. 19.7. bringing great reward, that we obtained by obſerving them, ver. 11. and great peace which they have that love them, Pſal. 119.165. Theſe eminent excellencies of the Word, ſet before us in ſuch particulars, cannot chooſe but make theſe heavenly counſells precious in our eyes, as they are to holy David, Pſal. 119.72.127.162. and bring the ſoule to delight in them exceedingly.
Such fervent affections, This will make us ſerious in deviſing how we may put the counſels of God in practiſe.if they once quicken a mans ſpirit, cannot chooſe but move him to adviſe ſeriouſly with himſelfe, how he may bring both his heart and practiſe, to conforme to thoſe holy counſells and directions, which he finds laid before him in Gods Word, wherupon he muſt neceſſarily fall to the conſidering of his diſpoſition, condition, employments, and occaſions, and to the deviſing of a way, how to frame, out of the Word, rules to himſelf, for the ordering of them aright, according to the mind and will of God, with the Prophet David, Pſal. 119.59. bethinking himſelf what means he may make uſe of to that purpoſe, taking the Word with him as a light in his hand, to guide his ſteps, Pſal. 119.105. joyning to the company of godly perſons, v. 63. chaſing away the wicked that might withdraw him, verſ. 115. and this he doth with all ſpeed, verſ. 60. with a reſolution to hold on in this holy courſe to the end, verſ. 112. unto which he binds himſelf by a ſolemn vow and covenant, v. 106.
A man having thus reſolved upon the practiſe of ſuch duties, as the Word preſcribes, For which end we are to take hold of the firſt Opportunities offered.muſt embrace the firſt opportunity offered unto him, to put his reſolution in execution. Partly, becauſe Opportunities are not alwaies preſented; and beſides, becauſe the time of this life, which is allotted for the practiſe of the duties required, is ſhort, and the duties themſelves are many, wherein the more we abound the more we increaſe our reward, and further our account at the laſt day, 2 Cor. 9.6. And laſtly, becauſe the inlargement of the heart is requiſite to the running of the way of Gods Commandements, Pſalme 119.32. which therefore it will be needfull for us to make uſe of, when it comes upon us, knowing that we cannot command it when we will.
Now in ſetting to the Practiſe of ſuch duties, as the Word preſcribes, although we muſt have reſpect to all Gods Commandements, after Davids example, Pſalme 119.6. for that is our Righteouſneſſe, Eſpecially for thoſe duties which are layed before us in Reading the Word.Deuteronomy 6.25. yet ſeeing all duties cannot be performed at once, we muſt take more ſpeciall care for the preſent, not only of thoſe things which our imployments in our particular callings, or incident occaſions preſs upon us, but of thoſe alſo which the Word which we have read or heard directs unto, conceiving that God thereby more eſpecially commends them unto us for that preſent.
We know, that we are not onelyonly to do what God hath commanded, In all our Practiſe we muſt obſerve not only what is commanded, but withall as it is commanded.but beſides to do it as he hath commanded, Deut. 5.25. without turning aſide to the right or left hand, verſe 32. that is, to perform the duties which God preſcribes, in ſuch Manner, Forme, and Order, as he requires them to be done. Wherefore, he that deſires to be accepted in his Obedience, ought to ſet the Word of God before him, as David doth his judgments, Pſalme 18.22. as a man doth the coppy by which he writes. This is done by keeping the rules, given us in the Word, freſh in our memories, reviving them by often meditation. This uſe David made of the Word which he caryed alwaies with him as a Lanthorne, to direct him in every ſtep, Pſalme 119.105. having it ever with him, verſe 98. and having reſpect to his ſtatutes continually, verſe 117.
Thus it behoves us to make uſe of the Word after we have read it. Examining our waies how neere they come up to the rule, or come ſhort of it.But withall, becauſe we know the rules thereof are not only given for direction, but beſides for examination of our waies, it will be good for us, to call our ſelves daily to account, how our practiſe anſwers the rules, that are from time to time ſet before us in reading or hearing the Word. Both that on the one ſide, we may be incouraged in conforming our practiſe to the Law, and rejoyce in the grace of God working in us, with thankfulneſſe; That wee may be either thankfull, or humbled.and on the other ſide, when we find that we have ſwarved from the duty required, and the rule ſet before us, we may be humbled and grieved for our failings, and driven to ſeek unto Chriſt, to make up our peace, and may pray more earneſtly for Gods aſſiſtance, to look better to our waies for time to come, as David doth, Pſal. 119.131, 132, 133, 176.
I make no queſtion, but that the conſideration of theſe directions, given for the profitable reading of Scriptures, will work diverſly upon divers perſons. *1. Obj. Such a ſtrict rule will diſcourage ſome, 1. As conceiving it impoſſible to be followed. 2. Or requiring more time then can be ſpared. 2. Object. And others to mourne when they come ſhort of what is preſcribed. To the firſt, 1. The difficulty ariſeth from their unwilling minds. 2. As much time may be ſpared from their vanities. To the ſecond, 1. We deal with a gratious Father, who accepts a willing mind. 2. Only we muſt endevour to come as neer to the rule as we may.Some conceiving the rules impoſſible to be obſerved, in that exact manner as is preſcribed, or at leaſt, that ſuch a ſtrict obſervation of them, will cauſe greater expence of time & labour then they are willing to ſpare, are deterred from the performance of the duty, as the Jewes were from following our Saviour upon the hearing of his Sermon, Joh. 6.60, 61. Some others, men of tender hearts, may, pondering all theſe duties in their thoughts, be driven to mourn in ſecret, when they find their own performances ſo unanſwerable to the rules formerly delivered, and may doubt whether they are accepted or no.
To the former, I anſwer, that the ſame exception lies againſt all Gods commandements, and the ſuppoſed impoſſibility ariſeth eſpecially from the unwillingneſs of their own minds: and laſtly, the expence of time or labour is not ſo much as may well be ſpared from their vanities; or if an houre or more in a day be ſpared from labours, God can recompence it by his bleſſing, without which early riſing, and hard labouring, are to little purpoſe, Pſal. 127.2. To the later ſort I ſay, that we come far ſhort of our duty in all our ſervices, that we deal with a gratious Father, who accepts us according to that we have if there be a willing mind, 2 Cor. 8.12. as requiring mercy rather then ſacrifice, Mat. 9.13. Only our endevour muſt be, to do all things as perfectly as we can, and for that purpoſe the rule muſt be ſet downe in the exacteſt manner, which alſo ſerves beſt both to direct us, and to quicken our endevours, and beſides to ſtir us to thankfulneſs, for Gods gracious acceptance of our imperfect ſervices, and pardon of our failings.