The Orthodox Foundation of Religion, Part 1 – Part 2
Part I.
ALl Religion must be learned of God, Joh. 6.45. Mat. 25.9. God teacheth men, 1. inwardly by his Spirit: 2. outwardly, by his Word, 2 Cor. 2.11, 12. Neh. 9.20. Psal. 119.105. Jam. 1.18. Joh. 17.17.
Gods Word is contained in the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles, Mal. 4.4. 2 Pet. 1.21. 2 Pet. 3.1, 2.
The holy Scriptures containe doctrine sufficient for every good worke, and to bring men to salvation,2 Tim. 3.15. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17.
All people of all sorts should learne to know the Scriptures, and so Gods feare by them.Deut. 31.11, 12, 13.
They which have knowledge of Gods Word,2 Tim. 2.2. Deut. 6.6, 7. and will, should teach others that are ignorant, Deut. 32.4.
Of men expert in the Law,Mal. 2.7. some are to be chosen for publick Ministers of the Word unto the Church, unto which worke they must attend.1 Pet. 5.1, 2.
All others that have gifts from God, may teach publiquely in order, 2 Cor. 14.31.
Eccles. 4.17. 1 Tim. 1.7But men that are ignorant themselves, should not presume to be teachers of others.
The meanes to attaine to the knowledge of Gods Word,Jam. 2.5. are first, prayer unto God, Psalm. 119.12, 18. Psal. 119.97, 98. Secondly, meditation in the Scriptures. Thirdly, conversation with the wise and learned, Prov. 13.20.
The end of teaching and learning Gods Word, is, that by attending unto faith and holinesse,1 Tim. 4.16. men may glorifie God in their salvation, Rom. 10.17. Ja. 2.22.
Hee that is to teach Gods Word must have respect unto these two things, 1. for preparation, and minding of things in himselfe. 2. for declaration, and delivering them to others, 2 Tim. 2.15. Mat. 13.32.
In preparation to preach the Word, men may either chuse some text of Scripture to treat of, or without a certaine text of Scripture, may handle some ground or grounds of Religion, and common places, so Luk. 4.17, 18.21. here Christ preached from a text, and Mat. 5.2, 3. here he preached without, binding himselfe to any text.
Hee that is to preach from any text of Scripture, let him first consider the generall scope, and drift of the Scripture, so shall hee more soundly explaine, and apply the same:Psal. 32.1, 2. So Rom. 4.6, 7. here Paul minded aforehand the drift that David aimed at, which way to shew, wherein mans blessednesse consisted, namely, in the forgivenesse of sinne.
Portions of Scripture are, some for to illuminate our understanding; some for to sanctifie and direct our affections, and actions; some for both of these together; some to illuminate our understanding, by manifesting the truth, and perswading it; some by manifesting errour, and confuting it: So Heb. 1.8. here Paul by Scripture proveth Christ to be God, and so more excellent than the Angels. And Act. 17.29. here this Scripture confuteth mans carnall conceit of God.
Some Scriptures serve especially to direct, and sanctifie our affections and actions,Levit. 19.2. by perswading to vertue: some by disswading from vice:Deut. 32.35. so 1 Pet. 1.15, 16. and Rom. 12.19.
Againe, some texts of Scripture treate of single matters; some of sundry matters, joyned together: so Heb. 11.1. here Paul treateth of faith, the nature and effects of it;Hab. 2.4. Lev. 18.5. Gal. 3.11, 12. here he treateth not of saith simply, but of confirming a doctrine, that wee are justified by faith, and refuting an errour, that we are not justified by the workes of the Law; Joh. 4.24. here is treated of divers joyned together. This difference the Reader should observe.
Having observed the nature and scope of the Scriptures, to be handled,Reduction. let him that teacheth the Scripture reduce them to some generall head, as to some one of the Commandements, or to some ground of faith, according to Rom. 13.9. Or to Act. 2.25, 30. where Peter reduceth Davids 16. Psal. to the doctrine of Christs resurrection.
If the Scripture serve not so much to informe the mind, as move the affections, then consider which of the affections it most concernes, whether repentance, and sorrow, or hatred and shunning of vice, or love of God and our neighbour, and of vertue and feare of God, or consolation and patience in afflictions, or mercy and compassion to the poore and afflicted.
If the text be an history,History. Rom. 15.4.(for as much as whatsoever is written is for our learning) the teacher should reduce the story of some generall point of doctrine, or doctrines, either of the Law or of the Gospell; either from knowledge, or conversation. So Mat. 12.41. Christ draweth the history of the Ninivites to the doctrine of repentance from dead workes: so the History of Elias is drawne to the doctrine of Prayer, Jam. 5.16, 17. so the history of Noah, is by Peter applyed to the Doctrine of Gods mercy and judgement, 2 Pet. 2.5. by Paul to the Doctrine of faith, Heb. 11.7.
If the text divide it selfe into sundry parts,Division and Order. or points of doctrine, order in handling must be observed, and point after point, duly entreated of without confusion, which is hurtfull both to the teacher and learner; according to 1 Cor. 14.40. and to 2 Tim. 2.15. Let not divisions be curious, or manifold, for they trouble and confound the memory.
Weighing the words.Every word in the text should be weighed with the true and proper meaning of the same, for an error in one word, may marre the whole sense of the Scripture, as in Mal. 2.16. some read it thus (If thou hatest her, put her away) where the text is corruptly translated, (for he hateth putting away) that is, God hateth divorce,Figurative words. these senses be contrary.
If the Words be against the common light of reason, being taken properly, wee must understand them figuratively, as in Joh. 15.5. reason sheweth that this is but a similitude. Figurative speeches are many, and of many sorts, which by much labour, and observation, must be learned and understood, 2 Pet. 3.16. Luk. 8.10.
The coherence, circumstances, and scope of the Scripture handled, must be carefully weighed: so Paul, Heb. 3.7, &c. and 4.1.7. where hee scanneth the words, and circumstances of that sentence.Scriptures compared.
The surest way to expound the Scriptures is by the Scriptures themselves, comparing place with place: so Neh. 8.9. so Paul conferreth many Scriptures, Heb. 1.2.
The principall matters and circumstances in a text are most to be insisted on, others not to be neglected, but more briefly handled, as Gen. 13.8. here the nature of contention, and the duties of brotherhood, are duly to be particularized; 1 Cor. 15.50. here the word brethren is not so much to be insisted on, as the more weighty purposed doctrine.
Speciall regard must be had of gathering doctrines,Collecting doctrines. and applying them: Doctrines may be gathered from the cause of a thing, as Heb. 1.10. where Christs God-head is proved by the making of the world. So also by the effects, adjuncts, comparisons, contraries, and as the doctrines of Christ, and his Apostles, every where from the old Testament do manifest.
Application is when the doctrine generally,Application. or concerning others, is by the teacher applyed to the time, or persons present:Psal. 95.7, 8. as in Rom. 4.23, 24. So Paul applyeth that of the Psalm. to his present time, Heb. 1.7. and 4.1, 2, 3.
Application is to be made in wisedome, according to the time, persons, occasions, and matters in hand,Heb. 12.7. so Noahs history is applyed by Paul to faith, by Peter to Gods mercy and judgement, 2 Pet. 2.5. by Christ to the security of men, Mat. 24.37, 38.
The manner of delivering the Word, should be with simplicity, sincerity, and godly purenesse, and not with affected words, flattering speeches, or humane wisedome. And I brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of words, or of humane wisedome, declaring unto you the testimonies of God. The gesture of the body should be grave and sober, the continuance of preaching ordinarily should not be long, for the Sermons of Christ, and his Apostles expressed in the Scriptures, are briefe.
Deo soli Gratia.
THE MYSTERY OF PIETY, OR, Doctrine of truth, which is according to godlinesse.
Part II.
DIvinity, Theologie, or Religion,Prov. 1.7. Gen. 20.11. Tit. 1.1. is called in Scripture, the feare of Jehovah, or reverence of God; and by the Apostle it is named, the truth which is according to godlinesse; and so the doctrine of it is likewise called, 1 Tim. 6.3.
The end of teaching, learning, profession,Eph. 1.5.6. 1 Pet. 1.5.9. Joh. 17.2, 3. 1 Joh. 3.2. Psal. 16.11. and practise of Religion or godlinesse, is the glory of God in our salvation. Our salvation shall be the full knowledge, light, and fruition of God, for ever in Heaven, it is called eternall life.
The way to salvation or life eternall is, 1. by the knowledge and faith of God. 2. By the service of him. Jo. 17.3. 1. Chron. 28.9.