Expositions Upon Matthew 1-10, Treatise · Chapter 7 · Section 6
Cauſes hereof are,
1 Careleſneſs of what is ſpoken, Mark, 4.24. Take heed what you hear.
2 Forgetfulneſs of the word, Jam. 1.24, 25. in hearing full as a ſieve in the water, but after all is forgot.
3 Unbelief, Heb. 4.2. The Word profited not, becauſe not mixed with faith.
4 Want of meditations. Meditation doth as it were cover the ſeed that the fowls pick it not up. Prov. 6.21. Bind them continually upon thy heart, Deut. 32.46.
5 The badneſs of the ground. Where the ground is not good, let the beſt ſeed be ſown it comes not to any good; where the ground was good there the ſeed grew up and brought forth fruit, Luk. 8.15.
6 Want of preparation of heart: there muſt be preparation of the ground before ſeed be ſown, Jer. 4.3. Break up your fallow grounds, and ſow not among thorns.
7 Want of rain from heaven and want of the Lords bleſſing, Eſa. 53.1. Lord who hath believed our report? to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? One profits not another, becauſe God manifeſts himſelf to him. Joh. 14.22. and not to the other, 1 Cor. 3.5, 6, 7. Act. 11.21. When the unbeliever was convinced God was in the Prophets, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25.
8 Miſapplication. We apply that to others which belongs to our ſelves. This is as if we ſhould apply the food and Phyſick which is given to us to another. Johns hearers did otherwiſe, who cryed, What ſhall we do? Luk. 3.13, 13.
9 The not heeding God in the preacher, but looking onelyonly on the weak inſtrument, Act. 10.33. Cornelius tells Peter, We are all here before God, to hear all things that are commanded us from God. Cornelius, to breed awful reverence in himſelf and other his fellow hearers, looks upon all the commands as coming from God, and ſo muſt we do, not onelyonly with the commands but with the promiſes and threatnings. The Theſſalonians received the Word of God, not as the word of men but as the Word of God, 1 Theſſ. 2.13.
10 The not underſtanding the Word, Matth. 13.19. Such were the way-ſide hearers, from whom the wicked one catched away that which was ſown. Hence preachers muſt preach words eaſie to be underſtood, 1 Cor. 14.9. Many ſeeing ſee not, Matth. 13.15. They have not an eye given them to ſee, an ear to hear, nor an heart to underſtand, Deut. 29.4. In order to the Diſciples profiting by the word Chriſt opens their underſtandings, Luk. 24.46. Matth. 13.23.
11 Cares of the world and immoderate purſuit of riches choke the Word, Matth. 13.22.
12 Filthineſs and ſuperfluity of naughtineſs, Jam. 1.19. Lay aſide all filthineſs and ſuperfluity of naughtineſs, that is all filthineſs of ſoul, yea every kind of ſin, which like ſo many weeds poſſeſſe the field of our hearts hindring both the riſe and increaſe of the good ſeed. Its a Metaphor from husbandmen, who gather out of their fields to be ſown, or already ſown, all weeds, ſtones, and ſtuff.
Uſe, Exhortation. Labour to hear for thy good, Job 5.27. Pity ſo much of the precious Word of God ſhould fall to the ground. That thou mayeſt be a profitable hearer obſerve theſe rules.
1 Ponder and weigh the words that are ſpoken, Luk. 2.19. Mary kept all thoſe things which ſhe heard, and pondered them in her heart. Deut. 11.18.
2 Come with a purpoſe to obey every thing commanded from God, Act. 10.33. Elſe thou art no better then Ezekiels hearers, Ezek. 33.31.
3 Call over the truths you have heard by repetition, that your hearts may not be leaking veſſels to let truths ſlip, Heb 2.1. There was a great growth in the families of profeſſours in times paſt when this was done. Deut. 6.6, 7. Theſe words which I command thee thou ſhalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and ſhalt talk of them when thou ſitteſt in thine houſe. This would make children and ſervants be attentive in hearing, as being to be called to give account.
4 Bring a wakeful ſpirit, and herein be ſober in the uſe of meat and drink: drowſy hearts let many precious truths ſlip away. A ſpirit of ſlumber in hearing is threatned as a ſore judgement, Rom. 11.8. God hath given them the ſpirit of ſlumber, eyes that they ſhould not ſee, and ears that they ſhould not hear. Yea it's a judgement to have the heart made heavy in hearing, Eſa. 6.9, 10. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy.
5 Have a love to the preacher, 1 Theſſ. 5.12, 13. Where prejudice and want of love is, what is heard, how ſound ſoever, is but too much ſlighted. I know there may be degrees of love, as there are diverſities of gifts, and as a miniſtry is bleſt to converſion in general, and to your converſion in ſpecial; yet muſt we have a love to all, in order to profit by all Rom. 10.15. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Goſpel of peace, and bring glad tydings of good things! and beware we do not admire and prayſe one, to the diſ-reſpect, ſlighting and contempt of another, 1 Cor. 3.21, 22. Let no man glory in man, for all things are yours, whether Paul, Apollos, or Cephas.
6 Come with a deſire to be informed: ſo Cornelius, Act. 10.33. Carnal men they deſire not the knowledge of Gods Laws, Job. 21.13, 14. And this will lye one day heavy upon them, that they would not hear, Matth. 10.15.
7 Hear with attention. Luk. 4.20. The eyes of all that were in the Synagogue were faſtned upon Chriſt when he preacht. Prov. 4.13. Take faſt hold of inſtruction. It was the praiſe of Lydia, that ſhe attended to the things which were ſpoken by Paul. Act. 16.14. The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the Law when Ezra expounded it, Neh. 8.3. See Job, 57.2. Prov. 4.1.20. Luk. 19.48.
8 Hear with diſcretion, and examine doctrines whether they agree with the Scriptures; ſo the Bereans, Act. 17.11. They ſearched the Scriptures whether thoſe things were ſo. Its no diſparagement to the ableſt preacher to have his doctrine tryed, 1 Theſſ. 5.21. Prove all things, hold faſt that which is good, that is, prove all the doctrines ſpoken by the Prophets, of whom he ſpake, ver. 20. and whatſoever is agreeing to wholſom doctrine hold that, eſpecially when any new doctrines are brought by the preachers which have not been tryed, 1 Joh. 4.1. this will make us boldly to ſtand to the truth, both in perſecuting times and in time of temptation; yea beget a good opinion of the Teacher, finding what he ſpeaks to be truly alleged.
9 Deſire ſatisfaction in things wherein you are not clear. See for this John 16.19. Chriſts Diſciples were deſirous to ask him about his Doctrine, and he encourages them in it; ſo the Diſciples, Matth. 13.36. Declare unto us the Parable of the Tares of the field. See cap. 19.10. Benefits hereby.
1 It would make Preachers very cautelous in what they deliver, 2 Tim. 1.15. Jer. 23.28. knowing that their words, in compariſon of Gods, are as Chaff to Wheat, where they leave the Word of God, Titus 2.8.
2 It was no other than was practiſed by Chriſt himſelf, Luke 2 46. Chriſt ſate in the midſt of the Doctours in the Temple, both hearing them, and asking them queſtions:
3 It was practiſed of Chriſts Diſciples to him, Matth. 17.10.
4 It tends to the clear Information of the hearers, being hereby doubts will be cleared up, and queſtions cleared.
5 Hereby we may witneſs againſt deſtructive Doctrines, if any ſuch ſhall be delivered, and we not be guilty of ſilent denial of Chriſt.
6 Hereby we ſhall be guiltleſs of the ſeducement of a whole congregation, whiles too oft groſs errours are ſwallowed down, all being ſilent.
7 As the Preachers lips ſhould preſerve knowledg, ſo ſhould they herein ſeek the Law at his mouth, Mal. 2.7.
8 For the want of this duty people are apt to go away and miſ-report Doctrine, Rom. 3.8.
Object. But if there be ſuch Reply made it will ſet all the Congregation in a Tumult.
Anſw. Such Tumults ariſe partly from the pride of Teachers, who will not have any thing they deliver queſtioned, and yet Chriſt in his Miniſtry permitted it; partly from the ignorance of rude multitudes, who think the examination of Doctrine to be an affront to the Preacher, and to the Word, which is onelyonly duty, 1 John 4.1. partly from the paſſionateneſs and pride of Proteſſours and Church-members, who poſſibly may in a maſterly way call in queſtion upon pretence of Liberty the cleareſt Truth, James 3.1. My brethren be not many maſters.
2 If any ſuch Tumults ſhall be, it's the duty of Elders to ſilence it.
Rules in replying. For this Doctrine will through pride, &c. Be apt to be abuſed.
1 Let it not be in Circumſtantials but in Fundamentals, either of faith or practiſe. So when Peter walked not with a right foot, but diſſembled, Paul oppoſed him before all the Church of Antioch, Gal. 2.11, 14.
2 Let it not be in ſuch points which the Preacher ſhall cite as doubtfull, wherein he ſhall onelyonly ſhew his opinion.
3 Let it be with modeſty and humility, not in a proud magiſterial way, that it may appear the deſired ſatisfaction ariſes meerly from conſcience, and not from humour.
4 With a care to preſerve the authority and reputation of the Teacher, Titus 2.15.
5 Upon due ſatisfaction given, to ſit down and hold your peace, and not for the defence of your own opinion and credit to violate peace and holineſs. See Acts 11.18.
6 To avoid all words that may force ſtrife, that the hearer may go away and report, that God is among this people, whiles they can peaceably debate of the things of God, 1 Cor. 14.25. See 2 Tim. 2.23.
7 Be ſure that what you have to reply againſt any thing delivered be of moment and ſtrength, elſe your ſelves who ſhall reply will ſuffer reproach and ſcorn herein, and come under the name of a gain-ſayer, Titus 1.9.
8 In caſe, words tending to no profit but to the ſubverting of hearers ſhall be brought, the Preacher is to charge them before the Lord, That they ſtrive not about words to no profit, 2 Tim. 2.16. Alſo v. 14. Shun profane and vain bablings, for they will increaſe unto more ungodlineſs, and their word will cat as a Canker, as Hymenaeus and Philetus who denied the Reſurrection; ſo Quakers, Antiſcripturiſts are thus to be charged. For the time will come when men will not endure ſound doctrine, but will turn away their ears from the truth, and ſhall be turned into fables.
9 Sometimes apoſtate Profeſſours ſtirred up by the Devil this way as well as others may make great reſiſtance againſt the words of a faithfull Preacher, 2 Tim. 2.14. Alexander the Copper-ſmith greatly withſtood the Apoſtles preaching: and it may be ſuſpected that ſome will be apt to abuſe this Liberty, proudly oppoſing ſound Doctrine for meer trifles.
10 Herewith rejoycing. Jer. 15.16. Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart. Pſalm 119.162. David rejoyced in the Word as one that findeth great ſpoil, Acts 2.41.
Object. But the ſtony ground received the Word with joy, Matth. 13.20.
Anſw. So they did, and it was well that they did; but,
1 Hypocrites joy in ſome part onelyonly, but right hearers joy in every part; hypocrites joy in the promiſes not in the precepts.
2 Hypocrites joy in the notion onelyonly, but the right hearer joys in thoſe truths, as having an intereſt in them. We rejoyce in the ſight of a Diamond, but joy more in the property.
The joy of one is like the joy of a man that is glad to ſee a fine field of Corn, the joy of the other is like the joy of him that is the owner of this field of Corn.
3 Hypocrites joy in the Word after the outward man, as apprehending moſt of the duties equitable and reaſonable, and many of them advantageous to a mans Eſtate, credit and relations, but a right hearer delights in the Law of God after the inner man, Rom. 7.22.
4 True joy is accompanied with fear, Pſalm 2.11. Rejoyce in him with trembling; and alſo righteouſneſs, Rom. 14.17. The Kingdom of God conſiſteth in righteouſneſs, peace and joy of the Holy Ghoſt. It's otherwiſe in hypocrites, their joy is accompanied with love of ſome Luſt.
11 Practiſe Chriſtian conference, Mal. 3.16. The godly when they met together ſpake often one to another, of the providence of God. The two Diſciples going to Emaus communed together, and reaſoned of what they heard from Chriſt, Luk. 24.15. Exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, Heb. 3.13. In ſpeaking of the good things we have heard we do not onelyonly warm others but our own hearts alſo.
12 Retain and hold faſt the Word, 1 John 3 9. The ſeed of God abideth in him. Cares, pleaſures, will be apt to ſteal away the Word. Elſe the fowls of the air will devour it, Luke 8.5. For as many fowls follow the Seeds-man to pick up what is ſown, ſo do many Devils follow Sermons to pick up the ſeed. Devils are called Fowls of the Air, both for the nimbleneſs of their motion, in a little time they will compaſs the whole earth, Job 1.7. and from the place of their habitation, which is the Air, Epheſ. 2.2.
13 Avoid all cavilling objections againſt the Word, 1 Tim. 6.3, 4. we ought to conſent to the Doctrine according to godlineſs without any cavilling. It's one thing to make an objection in order to Chriſtian ſatisfaction, and another thing to cavil from pride and conceitedneſs. Cavillers in Pauls time were out of Churches, 1 Cor. 1.23. Where is the diſputer of this world? Take we heed they be not now in the Church. It was the wickedneſs of the Jews that they were gain-ſayers, not onelyonly their ears but their hearts, Rom. 10.21. againſt Gods truth; I have ſtretched out my hand to a gain-ſaying people.
14 Practice meditation, Deut. 32.46. ſet your hearts to all the words I teſtifie among you this day. As a plaiſter works not unleſs it be bound on to the ſore, no more doth the Word, unleſs meditation bind it on the affections. Unclean beaſts contrarily chew not the cud. As the ground cannot be quickned with fruit unleſs it receive the ſeed, no more can our hearts be quickned with the Spirit and fruits of it, till by the uſe of hearing and meditation we have taken in this ſeed. Many are ſo far from meditating, that they are like children, when ſchooling time is ended, glad who can firſt get out, and think not of what they have learned.
15 Conſider the benefits you ſhall have in the preaching of the Goſpel when rightly received. As, 1 The graces and comforts of the Spirit conveyed in the beginnings and increaſes thereof, even as Conduit-pipes carry water hither and thither, Luke 24.32. Did not our hearts burn within us, whiles he talked with us by the way? Gal. 3.2, 5.
2 Therein glad tydings are conveyed, Rom. 10.15. How beautifull are the feet of them that bring good news! Upon the hearing of it we feel as it were new ſpirits to return to us, how much more when we hear tydings of reconciliation from God? how ſhould our hearts abound in comfort? ſhall other news revive us not this?
3 The excellency of the miniſtry we are under, it is the miniſtry of the Goſpel, far more excellent then that of the Law.
1 In the Law they ſaw darkly, we with open face, 2 Cor. 3.18.
2 The one is the miniſtration of death; but the Goſpel, is the miniſtration of righteouſneſs and life, v. 7, 8, 9.
Obj. But may not the Goſpel alſo be called a miniſtration of death?
Anſw. Yes, by accident not directly; when ſouls will not obey the Goſpel, it turns to their condemnation. As a Princes pardon cannot kill any one of it ſelf, but being deſpiſed it doubles the guilt, and brings to a more haſty deſtruction; ſo the pardon of God in the Goſpel killeth not any, but being deſpiſed cauſeth more heavy deſtruction. But the Law of its own nature holds a man under condemnation, and cannot of it ſelf bring any to life.
16 The intolerable miſery of thoſe who receive not the word; it will be more tolerable for Sodom then ſuch, Matth. 10.14, 15. 1 Pet. 4.17. Such ground as receives ſeed and brings not forth fruit is nigh to curſing, Heb. 6.7, 8.
17 Take heed of loathing the Word: To this they are tempted, who are puft up with the perſwaſion of their own knowledge: contempt of the Word follows loathing, and this contempt makes God to take away his Word. Luther in his time ſaid, heretofore I prefer'd one Pſalm well underſtood before all the wealth of the world, but the heaven was then braſs, and the earth ſhut up, but now the cataracts of heaven are powred out we begin to loath it. Luth. Tom. 3.344.
V. 27. And the rain deſcended, and the floods came, and the windes blew, and beat upon that houſe, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
Chriſt here ſhowes the wofull condition and puniſhment of ſuch as build not upon the rock Chriſt, but content themſelves with bare hearing without faith and repentance; as ſoon as they come to be aſſailed with rain, floods, and windes, inward and outward temptations, they fall, how much more will they fall in judgement? Pſal. 1.6. The wicked ſhall not ſtand in the judgement, when a fire ſhall go before him, and it ſhall be very tempeſtuous round about him, Pſal. 50.1.
And it fell] Here's the ruine of thoſe who build upon ſandy foundations, whether civility, ſelf-righteouſneſs, great friends, large eſtates, profeſſional ſanctity, ſelf compariſons, good meanings, moral righteouſneſs, ſuch in time of trial fall.
And great was the fall of it] They fall into ſin, ſhame, and puniſhment. Their fall was great,
1 Becauſe it made a great noiſe, as things that fall from high; ſo Profeſſors who profeſs to draw near to God, but do not in truth, their fall is heard far and near.
2 Becauſe they fall finally and totally. Good men ſometimes like Nebuchadnezzar, fall fearfully, but they have a ſtump in the ground which ſprouts forth again, Dan. 4.26. The ſeed of God abides in them, 1 John 3.9. But carnal Profeſſors they fall wholly.
3 Becauſe the devil will be ſure to hold ſuch faſter, by how much he ſaw they had well nigh got out of his clutches. As a Jaylour will be ſure to lay bolts enough upon a priſoner that had well-nigh made an eſcape, Matth. 12.43, 44, 45. When the unclean ſpirit is gone out of a man (by an outward profeſſion) the devil ſeeks reſt there but findes none; but when the devil ſees ſuch a man is a meer out-ſide profeſſor, then he ſaith, I will return into my houſe whence I came out, then goeth he and taketh with himſelf ſeven ſpirits more wicked then himſelf, and they enter in and dwell there.
4 Becauſe they fall into the condemnation of the devil, 1 Tim. 3.6. To fall from riches to poverty, from honour to diſgrace, is great, but it's a far greater fall from being lifted up to heaven to fall down to hell, as Capernaum did, Matth. 11.23.
Obſ. It's an inſufficient foundation for a ſoul to build upon any thing without Chriſt; it's onelyonly a ſandy foundation.
2 Sooner or later men that are unſound muſt look to be aſſaulted with temptations, Prov. 10.9. He that perverts his wayes ſhall be known, Num. 32.23. But if ye will not do ſo, be ſure your ſin will finde you out.
3 When unſound men are aſſaulted with temptations, then they fall and ſhew their rottenneſs, as Achan, Joas, Saul, Jehu, Ananias and Saphira.
4 The fall of profeſſing hypocrites will be a great and a fearful fall. If the falls of godly people, when they fall onelyonly from the comforts of the Spirit, and meaſures of their graces into decays and diſcomforts, be ſo fearful, how fearfull will their fall be, who like the rebellious Angels, Having left their firſt eſtate, are reſerved in everlaſting chains? Jude 6.
V. 28, And it came to paſs when Jeſus had ended theſe ſayings, the people were aſtoniſhed at his doctrine.
V. 29. For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the Scribes.
Here is the effect of Chriſt his ſermon, that the hearers were aſtoniſhed at his doctrine. Doctrine hath ſometimes that effect among hearers that are not ſoul-ſavingly wrought upon, Matth. 13.54. the people were aſtoniſhed and cried out, Whence hath this man this wiſedome? Is not this the Carpenters ſon? Chriſt is not compared with the old Prophets whom they had never ſeen, but with the preſent Scribes, the interpreters of the Law, whom they heard daily. Theſe taught frivolous trifles and vain rites of waſhing pots and cups, and Corban, but Chriſt taught with authority.
1 He taught ſerious things, as how to be builded upon a ſolid foundation, when ſtorms came, who were bleſſed perſons, &c.
2 Chriſt taught by his life, as well as by his doctrine. It is a long way to holineſs by precepts, it is ſhort by example. As we ſpeak the Goſpel ſo let us live it. People loath doctrine when the man that preaches it is wicked, people ſay if it be neceſſary to live as he ſaith, why doth he not live ſo himſelf.
3 Chriſt taught with a mighty zeal and fervor, and not coldly: ſuch teachers were Elias, 1 Kings 19.14. John Baptiſt, Who came in the Spirit and power of Elias, Epaphras, Col. 4.12. There is in doctrine not onelyonly the light of the Word, but the fire of the Word. The Word is called a fiery Law, Deut. 33.2. John Baptiſt was a burning and a ſhining light, John 5.35. when he taught, the people they cried out, What ſhall we do? And ſo did the ſouldiers, Luke 3.12, 13. And ſo when Peter preached, Acts 2.37. the people cried out, what ſhall we do? The Word is fire, he that delivers it coldly delivers it otherwiſe then it is. Were it not ridiculous, when an houſe were on fire, to ſay, Friends we had beſt get water to quench it, or elſe all our goods will be burnt; but when a houſe is a fire, we cry fire, fire, for the Lords ſake bring water, bring Ladders, Buckets, untile the Houſe, cut down the Beams, &c. Here's the affection of the Word; ſo ſhould a Preacher ſtir up the people, the fire of Gods vengeance is coming, oh bring the tears of repentance. The affection of the truth muſt be delivered, as well as the body of the truth; the Word is compared to fire, which is the moſt piercing element of all.
4 The Scribes taught as the interpreters of the Law, but Chriſt as a Prophet ſent from heaven; as when a Conſtable comes in the name of the Prince, I charge you in the Princes Name, ſo Preachers when they ſpeak to men, ſhould ſpeak to their conſciences, I charge you in the name of the God of heaven that you leave off your pride, lying, uncleanneſs, &c. Preach Chriſt crucified in a crucified phraſe, not with wiſdome of words, leſt the croſs of Chriſt ſhould be made of none effect. Beſides, the wit of man hides the power of the Word, and he that receives the Word upon eloquent enticement, will be drawn to leave it when he hears greater eloquence perſwading thereto. It's the miſery of the times, that Ariſtotle the deluder of wits, ſhould in moſt Univerſities be heeded rather then Chriſt the Prophet of his Church.
5 Chriſt came home to the Conſciences of men, and ſo Paul; We commend our ſelves to every mans conſcience as in the ſight of God. He ſpeaks with authority that ſpeaks to the conſcience. Know ye not the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the Kingdome of God? 1 Cor. 6.9. Matth. 23.33. O generation of vipers, how can ye eſcape the damnation of hell?
6 Chriſt came with authority, not onelyonly as an interpreter of the Law of God, but as being himſelf a Law-giver come from heaven, John 3.11. We ſpeak that we do know, and teſtifie that we have ſeen. Alſo v. 31, 32. He that cometh from heaven is above all, and what he hath ſeen and heard, that he teſtifieth.
7 Chriſt came with authority, in the convincing of ſouls for ſin. It's one great work of the Spirit of Chriſt, Joh. 16.10. Hence Micah 3.8. I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgement, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his tranſgreſsion, and to Iſrael his ſin. Hence he ſpares neither Prince, Prophet or Prieſt, v. 9, 10, 11, 12. The Word ſhould come as a thunder-clap to the heart of the ſinner, Act. 8.21. Peter to Magus, I perceive thou art in the gall of bitterneſs and bond of iniquity: ye have been the betrayers and murderers of the Son of God, Acts 2.36. As Nazianzen, Orat. 20. ſaid of Baſil, His word was like thunder, his life like lightning.
8 He taught with authority, in preaching to the life; as a picture is well drawn when its drawn as to life, ſo a preacher muſt preach as to life: to preach of heaven, hell, death and judgement, as if they were before us, to preach out the wrath of God that the ſinner may apprehend it as a burning fire, to ſet forth the uglineſs of ſin that it may appear as black as hell, to ſet forth the particular excellencies of Chriſt that the ſoul may ſay, Whither is thy beloved gone, that we may ſeek him with thee? To ſet forth the terribleneſs of judgement, that the ſinner may be afraid to live one hour in ſuch a condition as he would be afraid to dye in.
9 In not ſparing perſons of the greateſt quality, as Herod, Pilate, the High Prieſts, Lawyers, Scribes, and therefore Chriſt denounces woe upon woe upon them; Woe unto you Phariſees, woe unto you Scribes, woe unto you Lawyers, Luk. 11.42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 50, 51, 52. Nor did he fear the faces of the Mighty, Jer, 1.10, 17, 18, 19.
10 He taught with authority, not onelyonly in preſſing powerful doctrine, but alſo did move upon their hearts by the working of his Spirit, that their hearts were all on fire in hearing of him, Luk. 24.32. Did not our hearts burn within us while he opened to us the Scriptures? So Paul. 1 Cor. 2.4.
11 Chriſt taught vvith authority, becauſe himſelf vvas deeply affected vvith the things vvhichwhich he taught. It is not a thundring voice, nor vehement enforcements from natural ſtrength that proves povverfulneſs of doctrine, but it much tends to authority, both in prayer and preaching, that the heart of the preacher be firſt vvrought upon, either in private betvvixt God and his ſoul, or in publick: affections in the preacher beget affections in the hearer, and after an unperceiveable manner dravv them over. So Chriſt vvhen he preached to multitudes, ſometimes he put on bovvels of pity, Mat. 9.37. ſometimes grief and vveeping, Luk. 19.41. compared vvith ver. 48. Joh. 11.35, 38. compared vvith ver. 45.
12 Chriſt taught vvith authority, becauſe he knevv none could charge ſin upon him; ſo ſhall a teacher that lives a blameleſs converſation, and knovvs that no man can charge evil upon him, he hath authority in his doctrine; but if he be covetous, or proud, or vain, he looſes that authorative povver (vvhichwhich God hath given him) in the hearts of hearers, Titus, 2.15. Rebuke with all authority, let no man deſpiſe thee, q. d. if thou doeſt any thing unvvorthy to render thy ſelf deſpicable, thy authority vvill be loſt.
13 By a vehement preſſing and urging the commands upon the conſciences of men, vvithall denouncing threats againſt the ungodly, as Mat. 7.26, 27. Luk. 6.21. to ver. 27. ſo ſhould a preacher preſs the commands upon perſons, I command you in the name of the Lord Jeſus, that you be not proud, paſſionate, greedy after the world: So John Baptiſt, Matth. 3.8, 9, 10. Now the ax is laid to the root of the tree, bring forth fruit, elſe you vvill be throvvn into the fire.
Uſe. See a duty in faithful preachers, 1 To teach vvith authority remembring vvhoſe Embaſſadours they are, Matth. 28.18. 2 Cor. 5.20.
2 To maintain the authority vvhichwhich the Lord hath given unto them, 2 Cor. 10.8. maintain it both by life and doctrine, by preaching povverfully and living holily. Hovv povverfull vvas the Apoſtle Paul in his preaching? See Gal. 1.6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
3 To the Brethren to obey that Word that comes with authority to their conſciences, Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the rule over you, &c.
And not as the Scribes] Whoſe teaching was either traditionary, as the waſhing of pots, and cups, and hands, building the tombs of Prophets, making broad phylacteries, but for things tending to mortification they ſpake not at all, or very ſuperficially, or their teaching was formal. When they ſpake of the love of God and other duties, they ſpake of them without zeal and feeling, and therefore they were not like to affect others when themſelves were not firſt affected. The Orator that moves his hearers muſt firſt be moved himſelf.
Or their teaching was hypocritical, binding heavy burthens upon others, they themſelves not touching them with one of their fingers.
Or their teaching was in generals, and confounded.
Contrarily Chriſt, 1 For matter, he teaches weighty points, as concerning true bleſſedneſs and the qualifications of them that mean to attain it, concerning a holy life free from ſcandal, concerning love to enemies, alms, prayer, faſting, placing treaſure in heaven.
2 For manner. Chriſt ſpeaks with fervency and affection: fire begets fire, the burning affection in Chriſt which he had in ſpeaking, makes the hearts of his Diſciples burn in hearing, Luke 24.32.
3 For method. Chriſt ſpeaks diſtinctly, firſt to one point and then to another, whereas they confounded what they ſpake. Method is the mother of memory.
4 Chriſt in his doctrine was impartial, he ſpared none. Many ſpeak truth to the common people ſuffering all things, not to them whom they fear will perſecute them, to whom eſpecially it is to be ſpoken. He that looks upon mens perſons will be terrified with the ſhow of titles and dignities.
5 He preached fearleſly: he feared no mans angry looks. Let not faithfull Preachers expect glory but ignominy and contempt, not wealth but poverty, violence, priſons and death, as Michaiah and John Baptiſt, and when others ſhall be caſt into hell, ſuch ſhall have place in heaven. As Caeſar hath his Electors, the Turk his Princes, ſo our King hath his Miniſters. Auguſtine is a Prince Elector, ſo Irenaeus, Quadratus are Princes and Counts, Luth. Tom. 3.495. let us not then fear the oppoſition of men: how great oppoſition did Noah ſuffer in his miniſtry for hundreds of years? A Preacher muſt be vir rixarum, a man of ſtrife.
6 He was not vain-glorious, but ſtill ſought the glory of his Father, Joh. 6.38, 39. ſo let faithfull Preachers, Joh. 7. ſay, I began not to preach the Goſpel that the world ſhould honour me, and I will not ceaſe from preaching becauſe of the worlds reproach.
7 He was in his Miniſtry convictive of gain-ſayers, yet did he not, according to the guiſe of the times, tye up his convincing arguments to ſyllogiſms in mood and figure, but he brought unanſwerable reaſon. Without this gift Churwill be waſted and ſcattered. See Titus 1.9.