Gods Call from Heaven Echoed, Part 2 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I. XIII. The uſe and application of the whole.
THus I have done with the doctrinal part, I come now to the applicatory part: by S. 1 the help of the Lord, I have run through theſe heads, and now by the ſame help, I ſhall endeavour to apply them to the heart: I have hitherto been, as it were building, and rigging the ſhip in the Dock of explication; it is time now, that we launch it forth into the Sea of application; that ſpiritual doctrine may be uſeful, miniſters muſt be careful that they be not uſeleſs: the arrowes of the Almighty taken out of the quiver of his word muſt not be ſhot at rovers, but at buts; they muſt not be ſhot at random in the open aire, but muſt be levelled, and directed at the black of ſin; ſo have the faithful meſſengers of the Lord done from time to time, when Nathan had firſt ſpoken to David parabolically, he then ſpeaks to him particularly, and ſaith, Thou art the man; 2 Sam. 2. 7.and ſo doth Paul ſpeak firſt generally, and then ſpecially, Col. 1. 20, 21. Miniſters muſt riſe in the practical, as well as the comtemplative part of their diſcourſes, or elſe they Dr. Stoughton.flye, and fall with the lark; as one ſaith.
If the bread, and loaf of life be ſet forth, and the Stewards of the houſhold give not every one their portion, ſhall they be advantaged? If the leather be cut, and the ſalve ſpread, and not applied, and faſtened to the ſore, how ſhall the cure be done? Now the ſores, and thoubles of the ſoul are theſe.
1. The dulneſſe of the underſtanding, to which we ſhall apply information.
2. The deadneſſe and ſearedneſſe of the conſcience; to ſuch we muſt adminiſter the bitter pills of terrour, and reproof.
3. The diſconſolateneſſe of the ſpirit, which muſt be remedied by the cordial of comfort.
4. The deceitfulneſſe, and unskilfulneſſe of the heart; which muſt be rectified by notes, and marks of trial.
5. The perverſneſſe of the will, and affections, which muſt be healed by the lenitive of perſwaſions.
Therefore the uſes we ſhall make of this point, ſhall be theſe in order.
1. Didactical. or {for} Information.
2. Catacritical. or {for} Condemnation.
3. Elenctical. or {for} Reprehenſion.
4. Paracletical. or {for} Conſolation.
5. Diacritical. or {for} Examination.
6. Parenetical. or {for} Exhortation.
And the dear bleſſed ſpirit be aſſiſtant to me S. 2 in my writing, and you in your reading: oh that theſe lines might be bleſſed to thy life. Take heed thou looſe not thy labour, for in ſo doing thou mayſt looſe thy ſoul: I ſhall endeavour to propound to thee nothing but the will of God, I pray thee therefore turn not thy back upon it; I ſhould be loath for thy ſake, this book ſhould come into thine hand, if thou refuſe to let it into thine heart.