The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Sermon 5
EPHES. 3. 8.
Ʋnto me who am leſſe then the leaſt of all Saints, is this Grace given, that I ſhould Preach among the Gentiles, the Ʋnſearchable Riches of Christ.
THERE are two other Obſervations that ariſe from theſe words, I ſhall (by Divine aſſiſtance) ſpeak ſomething to them, and ſo finiſh this Text. And the firſt is this. Viz.
That 'tis the great Duty of Preachers, to Preach Jeſus Christ to the people.
To me who am leſſe then the leaſt of all Saints, is this grace given, that I ſhould preach among the Gentiles, the unſearchable riches of Chriſt.
'Tis the great Duty of Miniſters to Preach the Lord Chriſt to the people.
I ſhall prove it, and then open it to you.
In Acts 5. 42. And daily in the Temple, and in every houſe, they ceaſed not to teach and preach (what) Jeſus Chriſt. So in Acts 3. 20. And he ſhall ſend Jeſus Chriſt, which before was preached unto you. So in 1 Cor. 1. 23, 24. & 2 Cor. 4. 5. We preach not our ſelves, but Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, and our ſelves your ſervants for Jeſus ſake. So in Acts 4. 2. & 2. 35. & 9. 20. As ſoon as Paul was converted, ſtraightway he Preached Chriſt in the Synagogue, that he was the Son of God.
Now for the opening of the Point, I ſhall onelyonly attempt two things.
1 Give you the Reaſons, Why it's the great Duty of Miniſters to preach Chriſt to the people.
2 (Which will be the maine) To ſhew you How they are to preach Chriſt to the people.
I confeſſe this is a very uſefull Point in theſe dayes, wherein many men Preach any thing, yea, every thing but a crucified Jeſus. Well Chriſtians, remember this, As 'tis your duty to take heed how you heare, ſo 'tis as much your duty to take heed who you hear. Many there are that count and call themſelves the Miniſters of Chriſt, and yet have neither skill, nor will to Preach Jeſus Chriſt, to exalt and lift up Jeſus Chriſt in lip or life, in word or work, a ſad reckoning theſe will have to make up at laſt.
But to come to the Reaſons of the Point, Why it is the great worke and duty of Miniſters to preach Jeſus Chriſt to the people.
Firſt, Becauſe that this is the onelyonly way to ſave, and to win ſoules to Jeſus Chriſt.
There is no other way of winning and ſaving ſoules, but by the Preaching of Chriſt to the people. In Acts 4. 10, 11, 12. compared, Neither is there ſalvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby Jewel, Cowper, and others, had no ſuch pleaſure or joy, as they had in Preaching Chriſt unto the people.we muſt be ſaved. You may Preach this, and that, and a thouſand things to the people, and yet never better them, never win them; 'tis onelyonly Preaching of Chriſt, that allures and drawes ſoules to Chriſt. John 17. 3. This is life eternall, to know thee the onelyonly true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. Ah! nothing melts the hearts of ſinners, nor wins upon the hearts of ſinners, like the Preaching of the Lord Jeſus. 'Tis true, the teaching of this, and that opinion, may pleaſe many a mans fanſie, but 'tis onelyonly the Preaching of Chriſt that changes the heart, that conquers the heart, that turnes the heart, &c. Peter by Preaching of a crucified Chriſt, Acts 2. 14. to 42.converts three thouſand ſoules at once. Were Chriſt more Preached, men would be more inamoured with him. He is onelyonly precious to them that hear of him, and that believe in him. Chriſt is in all reſpects incomparable, and therefore as 1 Pet. 2. 7.you would honour him, and win upon others, make him more and more knowne to the world, &c.
Secondly, They are to Preach Chriſt to the people, Becauſe it is the choyceſt and the chiefeſt way to ingratiate Chriſt with poore ſoules.
This brings Chriſt and the ſoule together, and this keeps Chriſt and the ſoule together; nothing indeares Chriſt to Mar…ian, Arch Biſhop of Conſtantinople, ſaid once of Subba…ius, a wretched and unworthy man, whom he had O…dained to be a Preſbyter, We wiſh we had ra…her laid our hands on the bryars, then on ſuch heads.the ſoule, like this. We ſee by wofull experience, Chriſt neglected, deſpiſed, ſcorned, and trampled upon by moſt, and no wonder, for many Preach themſelves more then Chriſt, and they Preach men more then Chriſt, and their owne notions and impreſſions, more then Chriſt. Surely Chriſt is but little beholding to ſuch Miniſters, and I think the ſoules of men as little, and Oh that they were ſo wiſe as to conſider of it, and lay it to heart! Surely a reall Chriſtian cares not for any thing that hath not (Aliquid Chriſti) ſomething of Chriſt in it. There is a ſtrange and ſtrong Energy or forcibleneſſe in hearing Chriſt and his beauties and excellencies diſplayed and diſcovered.
The daughters of Jeruſalem by hearing the Church preſenting Chriſt in ſo high a Character, and by deſcribing and painting him out in ſuch lively colours, are ſo inchanted and inflamed, that, might they but know where to find him, they would be at any paines to ſeek him. When Chriſt is ſet forth in his glories, with much affection and admiration others fall in love with him, as you may ſee by comparing Cant. 5. 10.—ult. with Chap. 6. 1.
Thirdly, 'Tis their great duty to Preach Jeſus Chriſt to the people, Becauſe the Preaching up of Chriſt, is the onelyonly way to Preach downe Antichriſt, or whatever makes againſt Chriſt.
Some would have Antichriſt downe, yea, they would have him downe root and branch, but there's no ſuch way for his totall and finall overthrow, as the Preaching of Chriſt; for the more the glory, fullneſſe, perfection, and excellency of Chriſt is diſcovered, the more the horrid vileneſſe, and matchleſſe wickedneſſe of the man of ſin will be diſcovered and abhorred, &c. 2 Theſſ. 2. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10. And then In the Canon Law the Pope is ſaid to be S…lutus omni lege humana.ſhall that wicked one be revealed. The Greek word (Anomos) properly ſignifies a lawleſſe, yokeleſſe, maſterleſſe Monſter, one that holdeth himſelfe ſubject to no Law.
Pope Nicholas the Firſt, ſaid, That he was above Law, (becauſe Conſtantine had ſtiled the Pope God) And of the ſame opinion were moſt of the Popes.
Whom he ſhall conſume. The Greek word ſignifies to conſume Analoſei.by little and little, till a thing come to nothing.
With the ſpirit of his mouth. That is, with the evidence and glory of his word, in the mouths of his Meſſengers. The Miniſters of the word are as a mouth whereby the Lord breatheth Bellarmine confeſſeth, to his great grief That ever ſince the Lutherans have declared the Pope to be Antichriſt, his Kingdome hath not only n…t increaſed, but every day more & more decreaſed and decayed. Lib. 3. de papa Rō. cap. 21.out that glorious, mighty, and everlaſting Goſpel, which ſhall by degrees bru…ſe Antichriſt, and all his adherents, and break them in ſunder like a rod of Iron, &c.
When Chriſt was born, all the Idols that were ſet up in the world (as Hiſtorians write) fell down. When Jeſus Chriſt comes to be lifted up in a Nation, in a City, in a Towne, in a Family, yea, in any heart, then all Idols without and within, will fall before the power, preſence, and glory of Jeſus. Since Luther began to lift up Chriſt in the Goſpel, what a deale of ground ha's Antichriſt loſt? and he does and will loo… more and more, as Chriſt comes to be more and more …ened and lifted up in the Chariot of his word. Many in theſe dayes that ſpeak much againſt Antichriſt, have much of Antichriſt within them. And certainly, there is no ſuch way to caſt him out of mens hearts, and out of the world, as the Preaching and making knowne of Chriſt, as the exalting and lifting up of Chriſt in the Goſpel of grace.
A fourth Reaſon why they are to Preach Chriſt to the people, is this, Becauſe elſe they contract upon themſelves the blood of ſoules.
There's no other way for them to avoid the contracting of the blood of men and womens ſoules upon them, but the The Germans have this Proverb (ſay they) The pavement of hell is made …f the bare skuls of Prieſts and the glorious Creſts of gallants. The…r me…ning is, that the more eminent any one is in Church or State, & doth not imploy his eminency accordingly, the more low ſhall they lye in hell. Rev. 18. 11, 12, 13, 14.Preaching of Chriſt unto them. Now a man were better to have all the blood in the world upon him, then the blood of one ſoule. The blood of ſoules, of all blood, cryes loudeſt, and wounds deepeſt: The loweſt, the darkeſt, and the hotteſt place in Hell will be the ſad and dreadfull portion of ſuch upon whoſe skirts the blood of ſoules ſhall be found at laſt. Hence that paſſage of Paul, in 1 Cor. 9. 16. Woe unto me if I preach not the Goſpel. The Motto that ſhould be writ upon Preachers Study doores, and on their wals, and on all the Books they look on, on the beds they lye on, and on the ſeats they ſit on, &c. ſhould be this, The Blood of ſoules, The Blood of ſoules. The ſoule is the better, the noble part of man, it bears moſt of the Image of God, 'tis capable of union and communion with God. Chriſt ſweat for it, and bled for it, and therefore woe to thoſe Merchants that make merchandize of the ſoules of men. This was a comfort and an honour to Paul, that he kept himſelfe from the blood of ſoules, Acts 20. 25, 26, 27. He appeales to them that they were witneſſes that he was free from the blood of all men. Paul had held out Jeſus Chriſt in his Natures, in his Names, in his Offices, and in all his excellencies and perfections, and ſo frees himſelfe from the blood of all men. And Miniſters can no way ſecure themſelves from the blood of ſoules, but by Preaching up, and living out a crucified Jeſus.
The laſt Reaſon is this, Becauſe the Preaching of Chriſt contributes moſt to their comfort here, and to their reward hereafter; therefore they are to Preach the Lord Chriſt to the people.
When Luther was upon a dying bed, this was no ſmall Bernard comfortably obſerves, That Miniſters have their reward, Secundum laborem, not Secundum proventum.joy and comfort to his ſpirit, Thee O Lord (ſaith he) have I knowne, thee have I loved, thee have I taught, thee have I truſted, and now into thy hands I commend my ſpirit. There can be no greater joy to a Miniſter, then by Preaching Chriſt to win ſoules to Chriſt. 1 Theſſ. 2. 19, 20. For what is our hope, or joy, or Crowne of rejoycing, are not even ye in the preſence of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, at his coming, ye are our glory and joy. They that by Preaching Chriſt, win ſoules to Chriſt, ſhall ſhine as the Starres in the Firmament, Dan. 12. 3. Every ſoule won to Chriſt, is a glorious Pearle added to a Preachers Crowne. 1 Pet. 5. 4. And when the chief Shepheard ſhall appeare, you ſhall receive a Crowne of glory. A Crowne imports perpetuity, plenty, and dignity, the height of humane ambition.
It is the opinion of ſome, That there are three places of exaltation in heaven.
The firſt, and higheſt, is for converting Miniſters.
The ſecond, is for ſuffering Martyrs.
The third, is for perſevering Chriſtians.
Without doubt, thoſe Miniſters ſhall be high in heaven, who make it their heaven to hold forth Chriſt, and to win ſoules to Chriſt; who are willing to be any thing, to be nothing, that Chriſt may be all in all to poore ſoules. And thus I have given you▪ the Reaſons of the Point.
I ſhall now come to the ſecond thing (which is the maine) and that is, to ſhew you
How Ministers are to Preach Christ to the people.
Many weak and ſlight ſpirits in theſe dayes, think that 'tis 2. Cor. 2. 16. Who is ſufficient for theſe things? Almoſt every Upſtart in theſe dayes thinks himſelf ſufficient. Who am I? ſayes Moſes, who am I not, ſaith every green-head in theſe dayes.as eaſie to Preach, as to play, and ſo they hop from one thing to another, and thoſe that are not qualified, nor fit for the leaſt and loweſt imployment, yet judge themſelves fit enough for the greateſt and the weightieſt imployment in the world; and that which would certainly break the backs, not onelyonly of the beſt and ſtrongeſt men, but even of the very Angels, ſhould not God put under his everlaſting armes. No labour to that of the mind, no travel to that of the ſoule, and thoſe that are faithfull in the Lords Vineyard, find it ſo. Luther was won't to ſay, That if he were againe to chooſe his calling, he would dig, or doe any thing, rather then take upon him the Office of a Miniſter. And many other eminent lights have been of the ſame opinion with him.
But what are thoſe Rules that every Preacher is to obſerve How Chriſt muſt be Preached, ſhewed in 11 things.in his Preaching of Chriſt to the people?
I Anſwer. Theſe Eleven.
FIrſt, Jeſus Chriſt muſt be Preached Plainly, Perſpicuouſly, ſo as the meaneſt capacity may underſtand what they ſay concerning Chriſt; they muſt Preach Chriſt for edification, and not to work admiration, as too many doe in theſe dayes. Paul was excellent at this kind of Preaching, 1 Cor. 14. 18, 19. he had rather ſpeak five words to edification, Preaching is not a matter of parts, words, or wit, 'tis Scripture demonſtration that works upon the conſcience, and that God ownes and crownes.then ten thouſand words to work admiration in ignorant people. So in 1 Cor. 2. 4, 5. And my ſpeech, and my preaching was not with intiſing words of mans wiſedome, but in demonſtration of the ſpirit, and of power. That your faith ſhould not ſtand in the wiſedome of men, but in the power of God. As if he ſhould ſay, Such Preach with little power, who come with the excellency of ſpeech, or with the intiſing words of mans wiſedome. Ah! many there are (I ſpeak it with grief, and to their ſhame) that delight to ſoare aloft in obſcure diſcourſes, and to expreſſe themſelves in new-minted words and phraſes, and to ſhew high ſtraines, and flaſhes of wit, and all to work admiration in the ignorant. Such kind of Preachers are as clouds, and painted glaſſe-windowes, that hinder the It was a ſaying of Luther, From a vaineglorious Doctour, from a c…n…ntious Paſtour, and from unprofitable Queſtions, good Lord deliver his Churchlight from ſhining in upon ſoules, that hinder the Sun of righteouſneſſe from breaking forth in his beauty and glory upon the ſpirits of poore Creatures. Woe unto theſe men in the day when ſuch ſoules ſhall plead againſt them, when they ſhall ſay, Lord here are the perſons whoſe Office and worke was to make darke things plaine, and they have made plaine things darke and obſcure, that we might rather wonder at them, then any wayes profit by them. Aarons Bels were of pure gold; our whole Preaching muſt be Scripture-proof, or we and our works muſt burne together. The profoundeſt Prophets accommodated themſelves to their hearers capacities. Holy Moſes covers his gliſtering face with a Vaile, when he was to ſpeak to the people. Yea, 'tis very obſerveable, that the Evangeliſts ſpake vulgarly many times for their hearers ſake, even to a manifeſt incongruity, as you may ſee in John 17. 2. Rev. 1. 4. But above all, it is moſt obſerveable concerning God the father, who is the great Maſter of ſpeech, when he ſpake from Heaven, he makes uſe of three ſeverall Texts of Scripture, in one breath, Mat. 17. 5. This is my beloved Si vis fieri bonus concionaturSon, in whom I am well pleaſed, heare him. This is my beloved Son; that Scripture you have in Pſal. 2. 7. In whom I am well pleaſed; this you have in Iſa. 42. 1. Heare him; this da operam …t ſis bonus B…blicus. If you will be a good Preacher, ſtudy to be well acqu…inted with the Scripture, ſaid one in the Monaſtry.you have in Deut. 18. 15. All which may beſpeak them to bluſh, who through curious wiſeneſſe diſdaine at the ſtately plainneſſe of the Scripture; Oh how unlike to God are ſuch Preachers that think to correct the Divine Wiſedome and Eloquence, with their owne infancy, vanity, novelty, and ſophiſtry. Yea, Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe, the great Doctour of the Church, teaches this leſſon, Mark 4. 33. And with many ſuch Parables ſpake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. Not as he was able to have ſpoken; he could have expreſt himſelfe at a higher rate then all mortals can; he could have been in the Clouds; he knew how to knit ſuch knots that they could never untye, but he would not; he delights to ſpeak to his hearers ſhallow capacities. So in John 16. 12. I have many things to ſay unto you, but you cannot bear them now: He that ſpeaks not to the hearers capacities, is as a Barbarian to them, and they to him.
He is the beſt Preacher (ſaith Luther) that Preaches vulgarly, that Preaches moſt plainly. He is not the beſt Preacher that tickles the ear, or that works upon the fancy, &c. but he that breaks the heart, and awakens the conſcience. 'Tis ſad to conſider how many Preachers in theſe dayes are like Heraclitus, who was called The darke Doctour, becauſe he affected dark ſpeeches. Oh! how doe many in theſe dayes affect ſublime notions, uncouth phraſes, making plaine truths difficult, and eaſie truths hard? They darken councel by words without knowledge, Job 38. 2. But how unlike to Chriſt, the Prophets, and Apoſtles, theſe dark Doctours are, I will leave you to judge; nor would I have their accounts to make up for all the world; I will leave them to ſtand or fall to their owne Maſter. God loves, ownes, and crownes plaine Preaching, though ſome account it fooliſhneſſe, yet to them that are ſaved, 'tis the power of God, and the wiſedome of God, 1 Cor. 1. 20-30. I have ſtayed the longer upon this firſt Direction, becauſe of its great uſefulneſſe in theſe deluding dayes.
Secondly, As they muſt Preach Chriſt plainly, ſo they muſt Prov. 13. 17. Chap. 25. 13. Job 33. 23.Preach Chriſt Faithfully. Miniſters are Stewards, 1 Cor. 4. 2. and you know it is the duty of a Steward to be faithfull in his Stewardſhip, to give to every man the portion that is due to him, cheering up thoſe hearts that God would have cheered, and weakning thoſe wicked hands that God would have weakned, and ſtrengthning thoſe feeble knees that God would have ſtrengthned. Miniſters are Ambaſſadours, and you know it is the great concernment of▪ Ambaſſadours to be very faithfull▪ in their Maſters Meſſages; God looks more, and is affected and taken more with a Miniſters faithfulneſſe, then with any thing elſe. A great voyce, an affected tone, ſtudied notions, and ſilken expreſſions, may affect and take poore weake ſoules, but 'tis onelyonly the faithfulneſſe of a Miniſter in his Miniſterial work, that takes God, that wins upon God, Mat. 25. 21, 23. Well done good and faithfull ſervant, The Office of a Miniſter, is the higheſt Office, and if his Office be higheſt, his ſai…hfullneſſe muſt be anſwerable, or he will be doubly miſerable.enter thou into the joy of the Lord. A joy too big to enter into thee, and therefore thou muſt enter into it. This was Paul's glory, Acts 20. 27. that he had not ſhunned to declare unto them the whole counſel of God; neither feare nor favour ſwayed him one way or another, but he was faithfull in his Maſters work; and uſually God crownes him and his labours moſt, and ſends moſt Fiſh into his Net that is moſt faithfull, though he be leſſe skilfull, that hath more of the heart in the work, though he hath leſſe of the braine.
The Maid in Plutarch, being to be ſould in the Market, when a Chapman asked her, Wilt thou be faithfull if I buy thee? I, ſaid ſhe, (Etiam non emeris) that I will though you doe not buy me. So Miniſters muſt be faithfull, though God ſhould not buy them, though he ſhould not thus and thus encourage them in their work. Their very feet are beautifull, Iſa. 52. 7.who are faithfull, and their meſſage moſt comfortable to thoſe that ſigh and mourne, that labour and languiſh under the ſenſe of ſin, and feare of wrath.
Thirdly, They muſt Preach Chriſt Humbly, as well as faithfully, Greg…ry Nazianzen that famous Preacher, ſetteth no other price upon all his Athenian Learning (wherein he exce…l'd) the… this, That he had ſomthin… of worth to eſteem, as nothing in compariſon of Chriſt.2 Cor. 4. 5. We Preach not our ſelves, but Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, and our ſelves your ſervants for Jeſus ſake. Paul doth not complement as the men of the world doe, Your Servant Sir, but he ſpake as it was, for there are no greater Servants, then thoſe that are Servants to the ſoules of men, for Jeſus ſake. So John was very humble in the exerciſe of his Miniſtry, John 3. 30, 31. He muſt increaſe, but I muſt decreaſe, &c.
Luther uſed to ſay, That a Miniſter muſt take heed of bringing three Doggs into the Pulpit, viz. Pride, Covetouſneſſe, and Envy. The friends of the Bridegroome muſt not woe and ſue for themſelves, but for the Bridegroome. Diſpencers of the Goſpel are the Bridegroomes friends, and they muſt not ſpeak one word for the Bridegroome, and two for themſelves, as hath been the trade of many weak and worthleſſe men. 'Tis the greateſt glory of a Miniſter in this world, to be high in ſpirituall work, and humble in heart. Vaine-glory is a pleaſant Thief, 'tis the ſweet ſpoyler of ſpirituall excellencies. Paul was very humble in the exerciſe of his Miniſtry, none ſo high in worth as he, nor none ſo low and humble in heart, as he; though he was the greateſt among the Apoſtles, yet he accounts himſelfe leſſe then the leaſt of all Saints; yea, he counted it not onelyonly his duty, but his glory, to be a ſervant to the weakeſt Saints, To the weake I became as weake; who is weake, and I am not weake? who is offended, 1 Cor. 9. 2…. 2 Cor. 11. 29.and I burne not?
Fourthly, As they are to Preach the Lord Jeſus Chriſt humbly, ſo they are to Preach him Wiſely. In Prov. 11. 30. He that winneth ſoules, is wiſe; and indeed the greateſt wiſedome in the world is requiſite to the winning of ſoules to Velokeach taketh from Lakach, to take.Chriſt. He that wins ſoules, or he that catcheth ſoules, as the Fowler doth Birds (as the Hebrew word imports) or Fiſhermen Fiſhes, he is wiſe. There is a holy and a heavenly craft required in the winning of ſoules to Chriſt, 2 Cor. 12. 16. Nevertheleſſe being crafty (ſaith the Apoſtle) I caught If one ſoul is more worth then a world, as he hath told …s, who onelyonly went to the price of it, Mat. 16. 26. then they muſt needs be wi who win ſoules to Chriſt.you with guile. He ſpeaks of a holy and heavenly craft.
It is written of the Fox, that when he is very hungry after prey, and can find none, that he lyes downe, and feigneth himſelfe dead, and ſo the Fowles light upon him, and then he catcheth them. Paul hungring after the welfare of the Corinthians ſoules, makes uſe of his heavenly craft to catch them. There's a great deale of wiſedome required to hold out Chriſt unto the people, not onelyonly as a good, but as the greateſt good, as the choyceſt good, as the chiefeſt good, as the moſt ſutable good, as an immutable good, as an independant good, as a totall good, and as an eternall good. Chriſt muſt thus be held forth to draw ſouls to fall in love with him, and to work their hearts to run out after him. There's wiſedome required to anſwer all cavils and objections that keep Chriſt and poore ſoules aſunder. There's wiſedome required to take ſoules off from all falſe bottomes, that they are apt to built upon. There's wiſedome required to preſent Chriſt freely to ſoules, in oppoſition to all unrighteouſneſſe, and to all unworthineſſe in man. There's wiſedome required to ſuite things to the capacities and conditions of poore ſoules, to make dark things plaine, and hard things eaſie. Miniſters muſt not be like him in the Emblem; That gave ſtraw to the Dogge, and a bone to the Aſſe, but they muſt ſute all their diſcourſes to the conditions and capacities of poore creatures, or elſe all will be loſt, time loſt, paines loſt, God loſt, Heaven loſt, and ſoules loſt for ever.
Fifthly, They muſt Preach Chriſt Zealouſly, boldly, as well as wiſely, Acts 4. 20. when they had charged them that they ſhould Preach no more in the name of Chriſt, why? ſay they, what doe you tell us of the whip, or of Priſons, or of this and that, We cannot but ſpeake the things that we have ſeene and heard. So in Jer. 20. 9. Thy word was in my As Croeſus his dun…b Son did for his father.heart as a burning fire, ſhut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not ſtay. Iſa. 58. 1. Cry aloud, ſpare not, lift up thy voyce like a Trumpet, and ſhew my people their tranſgreſſion, and the houſe of Iſrael their ſins. And Iſaiah had his tongue touched with a coale of fire from the Altar, Chap. 6. 6, 7. And when the Diſciples were to goe Baſil, Luther, L…timer, Dearing, and multitudes of others have been very zealous and conragious in their Miniſtry, &c.and Preach the Goſpel, the fire ſate upon their tongues, Acts 2. 34. the worſt of men are in a dead ſleep, and the beſt of men are too often in a ſinfull ſlumber, as the Spouſe in Cant. 5. 2. and the wiſe Virgins in Mat. 25. and therefore faithfull Miniſters had need cry aloud, they had need to be couragious and zealous, to awaken both ſinners and Saints, that none may goe ſleeping to bell. Every Coward is a Murderer, as the Philoſopher well obſerved: The cowardice of the Miniſter, is cruelty; if he feare the faces of men, he is a They that write the ſtory of the Travels of the Apoſtles, report that Simon Zelotes Preached here in England. If ever there needed ſome Zelots, it is now, ſuch as Epiphanius ſpeaks of Eliah, That he ſuckt fire out of his mothers breaſt.murderer of the ſoules of men. Miniſters muſt ſay as Hector in Homer, I will combate with him, though his hands were as fire, and his ſtrength as iron. Let mens hands be as fire, and their ſtrength as iron, yet Miniſters muſt deale with them, and ſtrive to make a conqueſt on them, Exek. 2. 3—ult.
Luther profeſſed, That he had rather be accounted any thing, then be accuſed of wicked ſilence in Chriſts cauſe. Let me be accounted (ſayes he) proud, let me be accounted covetous, let me be accounted a murdered, yea, guilty of all Vices, ſo I be not proved guilty of wicked ſilence in the cauſe of Jeſus Chriſt.
Themistocles being about to ſpeak to the Generall of the Greeks Army, againſt Exerxes, he held up his ſtaffe, as if he had been about to ſtrike him, Strike (ſaid Themistocles) but yet heare. So ſhould Miniſters ſay, ſtrike, but yet heare; raile, but yet heare; deſpiſe, but yet heare; cenſure, but yet heare; oppoſe, but yet heare; doe what you will, but yet heare. Non amat, qui non zelat, ſaith Augustine, He is no friend to God, that is not zealous for him.
When one deſired to know what kind of man Baſil was, there was (ſaith the Hiſtory) preſented to him in a dream, a pillar of fire, with this Motto, Talis eſt Baſilius, Baſil is ſuch a one, and on a light fire for God. So every Miniſter The father payes the Nurſe, though the child dies. The Doctour has his Fee, though the patient dyes. And the Vine dreſſer ha's his reward though the Vines wither. So will God deal with faithfull Miniſters. 2 Cor. 2. 15. …ſa. 49. 2, 3, 4.ſhould be all on a fire for God.
Sixthly, They are to Preach Chriſt Laboriouſly, painfully, frequently; a Miniſter muſt be like the Bee, that is ſtill a flying from one Flower to another, to ſuck out Honey for the good of others. Should not that dreadfull word make every idle Shepheard tremble, Jer. 48. 10. Curſed be he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently. 1 Cor. 15. ult. Be yee ſtedfaſt and unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. Oh! the dreadfull woes that are pronounc't in Scripture againſt idle Shepheards, Jer. 23. 1. Ezek. 13. 3. Chap. 34. 2. Zech. 11. 17. Mat. 23. 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 25, 27. The great Shepheard of our ſoules, the Lord Jeſus, was ſtill a feeding of his flock, and much in provoking others to the ſame work. John 21. Feed my Lambs, feed my ſheep. 2 Tim. 4. Preach the word in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon. Chriſt wept for ſoules, and bled for ſoules, and prayed for ſoules, and ſhall not Miniſters ſweat much for ſoules, and work much for the good of ſoules? Doubtleſſe they will give up but a ſad account to Chriſt, that make any thing ſerve to fill up the houre, that ſpend two or three houres at the end of a week to fit If a Miniſter had as many eyes as Argus. to watch, and as many hands as Brtareus, …o labour, he might find imployment enough for them all.themſelves for Sabbaoth-Exerciſes. Idleneſſe is hatefull in any, but moſt abhominable and intolerable in Miniſters, and ſooner or later none ſhall pay ſo deare for it, as ſuch, witneſſe the frequent woes that are denounced in Scripture againſt them. Where ſhould a Souldier dye, but in the field? And where ſhould a Miniſter dye, but in the Pulpit?
Pompey, in a great dearth at Rome, having provided ſtore of proviſions for his Citizens that were ready to periſh, and being ready to put to ſea, he commanded the Pilot to hoiſe ſaile, and be gone; the Pilot told him, That the Sea was tempeſtuous, and that the voyage was like to be dangerous, It matters not (ſaid Pompey) hoiſt up ſaile, 'tis not neceſſary that we ſhould live, 'tis neceſſary that they ſhould be preſerved The Angels on Jacob's ladder, were ſome aſcending, others diſcending, none ſtanding o… ſitting ſtill. Miniſters muſt be like them.from ruine and famine. So ſhould Miniſters ſay, 'tis not neceſſary that we ſhould live, but 'tis neceſſary that poor ſoules ſhould live and be happy for ever, 'tis neceſſary that they ſhould be acquainted with the things of their peace, 'tis neceſſary that they ſhould be delivered from the power of Satan, and from wrath to come, and therefore 'tis neceſſary that we ſhould be frequent and abundant in the worke of the Lord, and not plead ſtormes or tempeſts, or that a Lyon is in the way.
It was Veſpaſian the Emperours ſpeech (and may well be applyed to Miniſters) Oportet imperatorem ſtantem mori, Sueton.An Emperour ought to dye ſtanding.A … Preacher (is Q…intillian … o… an Orator) ſhould be Vir bonus dicendi peritus. A well ſpoken, and well deeded perſon.
Seventhly, As they are to Preach Chriſt painfully, ſo they are to Preach Chriſt Exemplarily. 1 Pet. 5. 3. Be thou an example to the flock. They muſt Preach Chriſt as well in life, as in doctrine. Miniſters muſt not be like the Druggs, that Phyſitians ſay are hot in the mouth, and cold in operation; hot in the Pulpit, and cold and careleſſe in their lives and converſations. They muſt ſay, as Gideon ſaid to his Souldiers, Judg. 17. 17. Looke on me, and doe likewiſe. Mat. 5. 16. Let your light ſo ſhine before men, that they may ſee your good workes, and glorifie your father which is in heaven. They are John the Abbot profeſſeth, That he had never taught others any thing, which he had not firſt practiced himſelfe.called Angels, and they are called▪ Starres, becauſe they ſhould ſhine in righteouſneſſe and holineſſe.
What Caeſar once ſaid of his wife, That it was not enough for her to be without fault, but ſhe ſhould be without all ſuſpition of fault. may well be applyed to Miniſters, who of all men in the world ſhould be moſt free from the very appearances of evil. The lives of Miniſters oftentimes doe convince more ſtrongly, then their words; their tongues may perſwade, but their lives command.
Talke not of a good life (ſaid the Heathen) but let thy life Tace lingua, loquere vitaſpeake. God appointed that both the weights and meaſures of the Sanctuary, ſhould be twice as large as thoſe of the Common-wealth, to ſhew, that he expects much more of thoſe that doe waite upon him in the Sanctuary, then he doth of others. Miniſters ſhould be like Muske among linnen, which caſts a fragrant ſmell; or like that box of Spikenard, which being broken open, filled the houſe with its odour.
Gregory ſaith of Athanaſius, That his life was a continuall Sermon, and woeing men to Chriſt. Ariſtotle requires this in an Orator, That he be a good man. How much more then 1 Sam. 2. 17.ſhould Gods Orators be good and gracious? When Eli's Sons were wicked, the people abhorred the Offering of the Lord; and what is that that renders the things of God ſo contemptuous and odious in the eyes of many people in this Nation, but the ignorance, looſeneſſe, prophaneneſſe, and The ſoules o… Frieſts (I may ſay, of Miniſters) muſt b… pu…er then the Sun▪ beams, ſaith Chryſoſtome. Juel. Bucer ▪ and Bradf…rd, were famous examples for holineſſe.baſeneſſe of thoſe that are the diſpencers of them. Unholy Miniſters pull downe, inſtead of building up; Oh the ſoules that their lives deſtroy! Theſe by their looſe lives, lead their flocks to hell, where themſelves muſt lye lowermoſt.
A Painter being blamed by a Cardinal for putting too much red upon the viſages of Peter and Paul, tartly replyed, That he painted them ſo, as bluſhing at the lives of thoſe men who ſtiled themſelves their Succeſſors. Ah! how doe the lewd and wicked lives of many that are called and accounted Miniſters, make others to bluſh?
Salvian relates, how the Heathen did reproach ſome Chriſtians, who by their ungodly lives, made the Goſpel of Chriſt Salvianus de G. D. l. 4.to be a reproach, Where (ſaid they) is that good Law which they doe believe? Where are thoſe rules of godlineſſe which they doe learne? They read the holy Goſpel, and yet are unclean, they heare the Apoſtles writings, and yet are drunke, they follow Chriſt, and yet diſobey Chriſt, they profeſſe a holy Law, and yet doe lead impure lives. As this is very applicable to many profeſſors in theſe dayes, ſo 'tis applicable to many Preachers alſo.
I have read of a ſcandalous Miniſter, that was ſtruck at the heart, and converted in reading thoſe words, Rom. 2. 21. Thou which teacheſt another, teacheſt thou not thy ſelfe? If this Treatiſe ſhall fall into any ſuch hand, Oh that it might have the ſame operation! Wicked Miniſters doe more hurt by their lives, then they doe good by their doctrine.
I have read of a Gentlewoman, that turned Atheiſt, becauſe ſhe lived under a great learned Doctor, that preached excellently, but lived very licentiouſly.
The Heathen brings in a young man, who hearing of the adulteries and wickedneſſes of the Gods, ſaid, What doe they ſo, and ſhall I ſtick at it? So ſay moſt, when their teachers and leaders are lewd and wicked, what? doe they ſuch and ſuch abhominations, and ſhall we ſtick at it?
When one deboiſt in life among the Lacedemonians, ſtept up, and gave good counſel, they would not receive it; but when another of a better life ſtept up and gave the ſame counſel, Chryſoſtome Preached ſo feeling…y▪ and ſo affectionatly, that his hea…ers thought they had as good be without the Sun in the Firmament, as Chryſoſtome in the Pulpit.they preſently followed it. The application is eaſie. Every Miniſters life ſhould be a Commentary upon Chriſts life, nothing wins and builds like this.
Eighthly, Miniſters muſt preach Feelingly, experimentally, as well as exemplarily; they muſt ſpeak from the heart, to the heart; they muſt feele the worth, the weight, the ſweet of thoſe things upon their owne ſoules, that they give out to others. 1 John 1. 1, 2, 3. That which was from the begining, which we have heard, which we have ſeene with our eyes, which we have locked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life. (For the life was manifeſted, and we have ſeene it, and bear witneſſe, and ſhew unto you that eternall life which was with the father, and was manifeſted unto us.) That which we have ſeene and heard, declare we unto you, that ye alſo may have fellowſhip with us; and truly our fellowſhip is with the father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt. The higheſt Myſtery in the Divine Rhetorick, is to feele what a man ſpeaks, and then ſpeak what a man feeles.
Praxiteles exquiſitely drew love, taking the pattern from that paſſion which he felt in his owne heart.
'Twas ſaid of Luther, That he ſpake as if he had been within a man. Miniſters muſt ſo Preach to the people, as if they lived in the very hearts of the people; as if they had been told all their wants, and all their wayes, all their ſins, and all their doubts; no Preaching to this, no Preachers to theſe.
Miniſters ſhould not be like Caeſars Souldier, That digg'd a Fountaine for Caeſar, and himſelfe periſhed for want of water. Yet many ſuch there be in theſe dayes, that digge and draw water out of the Wels of Salvation for others, and yet themſelves eternally periſh, by their non-drinking of the waters of life. If they are Monſters (and not to be named among men) that feed and feaſt their ſervants, but ſtarve their wives, then what monſters are they that feed and feaſt other mens ſoules, with the dainties and delicates of Heaven, but ſtarve their owne? No miſery, no Hell to this.
Ninthly, As Miniſters muſt Preach the word feelingly, experimentally, ſo they muſt Preach the word Rightly; they muſt divide and diſtribute the word according to every ones ſpiritual eſtate and condition; they muſt give Comfort to whom comfort belongs, and counſel to whom counſel belongs, Iſa. 40. 1, 2. Iſa. 50. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 10, 11, 12.and reproof, to whom reproof belongs, and terror to whom terror belongs. 2 Tim. 2. 15. Study to ſhew thy ſelfe approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be aſhamed, rightly dividing the word of truth: Or word for word, Rightly cutting into parts the word of truth. Some ſay the Metaphor is Ge…hard, Perk…ns, &c.taken from the Prieſts of the Old Teſtament, who having ſlaine the Beaſts that were to be ſacrificed, did joynt and divide the ſame in an accurate manner. Others ſay, 'tis a Metaphor taken from a Cutter of Leather, who cutteth off Ch…yſoſt. Bulling …. T…e…phyl &c.that which is ſuperfluous, when he cutteth out Raines and Thongs. So in the handling of the word, Queſtions that are ſuperfluous and unprofitable, ought to be cut off, and that only is to be held forth, that makes for the hearers inſtruction, edification, and conſolation. Others ſay the Metaphor is taken And if Galen could ſay, That in an… tomizing …ans braine, Phyſi…ians muſt carry themſelves as men do in the Temple, how much more m…ſt Miniſters doe ſo in dividing the word of life.from the cutting and ſquaring out of the Streets, and High-wayes, and ſeting out the bounds of mens Lands and Poſſeſſions. Others by Cutting the word of truth aright, underſtand the raiſing of right Inſtructions, by following the rule of the word, onelyonly as a Plow-man that draweth or cutteth a right furrow in the ground.
To divide the word aright, is to cut out (ſaith Calvin, and others) to every one his portion, as a Parent cutteth out bread to his Children, or a Cooke meat to his Gueſts. A generall Doctrine, not applyed, is as a ſword without an edge, not in it ſelfe, but to the people, who by reaſon of their owne ſingular ſenſeleſneſſe and weakneſſe, are not able to apply it to their owne eſtates and conditions: Or as a whole loaf ſet before Children, that will doe them no good. A Garment fitted for all bodies, is fit for no body; and that which is ſpoken to all, is taken as ſpoken to none. Doctrine is but the drawing of the bow, Application is the hitting of the mark. How many are wiſe in generals, but vaine in their practical inferences? ſuch Preachers are fitter for Rome, then England, ſoules may goe ſleeping and dreaming to Hell before ſuch Preaching, ere ſuch Preachers will awaken them, and ſhew them their danger. Oh that therefore the people were ſo wiſe, as that when ſin is reproved, judgements threatned, mercies promiſed, and Chriſt freely and fully offered, they would apply all to their owne ſoules! This is the miſery of many in our dayes, they come to Sermons, as Beggars come to Banquets, carrying nothing but the ſcraps away with them.
Tenthly, They muſt Preach the word Acceptably, as well as rightly, Eccleſ. 12. 10. The Preacher ſought to find out Bikkeſh ni P… hil, from Bakaſh, ſignifies an ea…neſt vehement ſeeking. &c.acceptable words (or words of delight, as the Hebrew ha's it) and that which was written, was upright, even words of truth. Miniſters words ſhould be Divinely delectable, and deſirable, they ſhould Divinely pleaſe, and Divinely profit, they ſhould 'Twas a fi…e commendation given by Quintiliian, of Thucydides, Thucydides writes thick and quick, cloſe & clear he is ſolid & ſ…ccint, ſe… tentious, and judicious.Divinely tickle, and Divinely take both ear and heart. A Miniſter ſhould be a weighty ſpeaker, he ſhould cloath his Doctrine in ſuch a comely, lovely dreſſe, as that he may by it ſlide inſenſibly into his hearers hearts; Miniſters ſhould cloath their matter with decent words: The leaves give ſome beauty to the Tree. Good matter in an unſeemly language, is like a bright Taper in a ſluttiſh Candleſtick, or like a faire body in unhandſome cloaths, or like a gold-ring on a Leprous hand. Truth (ſaith one) loves to be plaine, but not ſluttiſh; as ſhe loves not to be clad in gay colours, like a wanton ſtrumpet, ſo not in lowſie raggs, like a naſty Creature. Aarons bels were golden bels (Dulce ſonantes) ſounding pleaſantly, and not as ſounding braſſe, or tinkling Cymbals. Holy Eloquence is a gift of the Holy Ghoſt, and may (doubtleſſe) as Acts 18. 24.well as other gifts of the ſpirit, be made prudently uſefull to the ſetting forth of Divine truth, and the catching of ſoules 2 Cor 12. 16.by craft, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks; ſurely where it is, it may be made uſe of as an Aegyptian Jewel to adorne the Tabernacle.
Lactantius hath well obſerved, That Philoſophers, Orators, Lib. 5. cap. 1.and Poets, were therefore very pernicious, in that they eaſily inſnared incautious minds with ſweetneſſe of ſpeech. Therefore Baſil & Bucer were curt and conciſe, full and clear in their diſcourſes.his advice is, Even in delivering the truth of Chriſt, to ſweeten the ſpeech for the winning of them to Chriſt, who will neither heare, nor read, nor value, nor regard the truth, except it be polliſhed and trimmed up in a lovely dreſſe.
In the laſt place (and ſo to adde no more) as they muſt Preach the word acceptably, ſo they muſt Preach the word Conſtantly; they muſt not lay downe the Bible, to take up the ſword (as ſome have done for worldly advantages) 1 Cor. 7. 20. 24 Acts 6. 2.they muſt not leave the word, to ſerve Tables, as others have done upon the ſame account; they muſt not change their black Clokes, for ſcarlet Clokes; they muſt abide and continue in their places and imployments; they muſt neither change their work, nor their Maſter, Acts 6. 4. But we will give our ſelves continually to pray, and to the Miniſtry The Shewbread ſtood all the week before the Lord, …o ſhew that Preaching is not out of ſeaſon on any day.of the word. They would not aſſigne their charge to ſome Surrogates, or Deputies, that themſelves might live at eaſe: No, they were peremptorily reſolv'd to hold on, to continue in theſe two choyce duties, Prayer, and Miniſtry of the word. So in Chap. 26. 22. Having therefore obtained helpe of God, I continue unto this day, witneſſing both to ſmall and great, ſaying no other things then thoſe which the Prophets and Moſes did ſay ſhould come. 1 Tim. 4. 15, 16. Meditate foreign En toutois iſihi ▪ Spend thy …me in them.upon theſe things, give thy ſelfe wholy to them, that thy profiting may appear to all, or in all things. Take heed unto thy ſelfe, and unto thy doctrine: Continue in them, for in doing this, thou ſhalt both ſave thy ſelfe, and them that heare thee. 2 Tim. 3. 14. But *foreign. Mene. Abide, keep hy ſtation, …hou wilt be put to't, thou wilt me… with earthquakes.continue thou in the things which thou haſt learned, and haſt been aſſured of, knowing of whom thou haſt learned them. Eccleſ 12. 9. And moreover, becauſe the Preacher was wiſe, he ſtill taught the people knowledge, yea, he gave good heed, and ſought out, and ſet in order many Proverbs.
Hoſea was four-ſcore years a Prophet to Iſrael, and yet did not convert them, yet notwithſtanding all diſcouragements, he continued conſtant, and that with abundance of freſhneſſe, and livelineſſe.
Chryſoſtome compares good Paſtours to Fountaines, that Ch…yſoſt. in Mat. Hom. 15.ever ſend …rth waters; or Conduites, that are alwayes running, though no Paile be put under.
Eraſmus ſaith of Hierom (Minima pars noctis dabatur ſomno minor cibi nulla otio) He allowed leaſt time for ſleep, little for food, none for idleneſſe. It beſt becomes a Miniſter to dye Preaching in a Pulpit.
Now if this be ſo, Then by way of Uſe let me ſay, That this truth lockes very ſowrely and wiſhly upon all thoſe that Preach any thing rather then Chriſt.
The Lord be mercifull to them, how have they forgotten the great work about which their heads and hearts ſhould be moſt exerciſed, to wit, the bringing in of ſoules to Chriſt, and the building up of ſoules in Chriſt; where doe we find in all the Scripture, that Chriſt, his Prophets, or Apoſtles, did ever in their Preaching meddle with buſineſſes of State, or things of a meer civil concernment? My Kingdome is not of this world. Who ha's made me a Judge? ſayes Chriſt. I hope it will not be counted preſumption in me, if I ſhall propound a few Rules for ſuch to obſerve, that are willing to Preach Chriſt to poore ſoules; I will onelyonly propound three.
And the firſt is this, If you would Preach Chriſt to the people, according to the Rules laſt mentioned, then
You muſt get a Chriſt within you.
There's nothing that makes a man indeed ſo able to Preach Chriſt to the people, as the getting a Chriſt within him: And 'tis very obſerveable, that the great Rabbies and Doctours that want a Chriſt within, they doe but bungle in the work of the Lord, in the Preaching of a crucified Jeſus; and were it not for the help of Auſtine, Chryſoſtome, Ambroſe, and Tertullian, &c. what ſad, dead, and pittifull work would they make? Yea, for want of a Chriſt within, how little of Chriſt doe they underſtand? How little of Chriſt doe they make known, notwithſtanding all their borrowed helps? Paul was a man that had got a Chriſt within him, Gal. 2. 20. I live, yet not I, but Chriſt lives in me, and the life that I live is by the faith of the Son of God, &c. Compare this with Gal. 4. 19. My little Children, of whom I travell in birth till Chriſt be formed in you. A Chriſt within, makes him travel in birth. Odino. 2 Cor. 11. 23. ult. As Nurſes to Princes children, are fed with the moſt delicate fare, but not for their owne ſakes, bu… for the childrens ſake to whom they give Nurſe. So 'tis with many Miniſters that want a Chriſt within. … Tim. 2. …4, 25.The Greek word Tranſlated, I travell in birth, ſignifies not onelyonly the travel of the woman at the birth of the Child, but alſo the painfull bearing thereof before the birth. The paines of travel breed not a greater deſire to ſee a Man-child borne into the world, then Paul's love bred in him, till Chriſt were anew formed in them. No man did ſo much for the winning of ſoules to Chriſt, as Paul; nor no man had ſo much of a Chriſt within him, as Paul. Nothing will naturalize a Miniſters heart to his work, like a Chriſt within; nothing will make him ſo wiſe, ſo painfull, ſo watchfull, ſo carefull to win ſoules, as a Chriſt within; nothing will make him hold out, and hold on in the work of the Lord, in the face of all oppoſitions, perſecutions, dangers, and deaths, as a Chriſt within. Nothing will make a man ſtrive with ſinners, and weep over ſinners, and waite upon ſinners for their returne, as a Chriſt within: Such Miniſters that have not a Chriſt within them, will find to comfort, and as little ſucceſſe in their Preaching of Chriſt. Above all gettings, get a Chriſt within, or elſe after all thy Preaching, thy ſelfe will be a caſt-away.
Secondly, They that would Preach Chriſt to the people, muſt
Study more Scripture truths, Scripture Myſteries, then humane Hiſtories.
They muſt ſtudy Gods Book more then all other Books. The truth and antiquity of the Book of God finds no companion, either in Age or Authority. No Hiſtories are comparable to the Hiſtories of the Scriptures,Moſes is ſound more ancient then all thoſe whom the Grecians make moſt antient, as Homer, Heſiod, and Jupiter himſ…l…, whom the Greeks have ſeated in the top of their Divinity.
For
1 Antiquity.
2 Rariety.
3 Variety.
4 Brevity.
5 Perſpicuity.
6 Harmony.
7 Verity.
Gregory calls the Scripture (Cor & animam Dei) The heart and ſoule of God; for in the Scriptures, as in a glaſſe, we may ſee how the heart and ſoule of God ſtands towards his poore creatures. It was the glory of Apollos, that he was mighty in the Scripture, Acts 18. 24. John 5. 39. Search the Scripture, ſaith Chriſt. The Greek word ſignifies to foreign.ſearch as men ſearch for gold in Mines. You muſt ſearch the Scripture, not ſuperficially, but narrowly. The Scriptures are a great depth, wherein the choyceſt treaſures are hid, therefore you muſt digge deep, if you will find, Col. 3. 16. Let the word of Chriſt dwell richly in you. Or as the Greek hath it, foreignLet the word of Chriſt indwell in you, as an ingrafted word, incorporated into your ſoules. Let the word be ſo concocted and digeſted by you, as that you turne it into a part of your ſelves. You muſt be familiarly acquainted with the word, you muſt not let it paſſe by you as a ſtranger, or lodge and ſojourne with you as a wafairing man; it muſt continually abide with you, and dwell richly in you. 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inſtruction in righteouſneſſe: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furniſhed unto all good workes. All Books and helps are not comparable to the Bible, for the compleating and perfecting of a man for the work of the Miniſtry.
That which a Papiſt reports of their Sacrament of the Maſſe, That there are as many Myſteries in it, as there are drops in the ſea, duſt on the earth, Angels in heaven, Starres in the skie, Attomes in the Sun-beams, or ſands on the ſeaſhore, Whiles they burned us, ſaid Reverend Moulin, for reading the Scriptures, we burnt with zeale to be reading of them. But where is this brave ſpirit now?&c. may be truly aſſerted of the word of God. No ſtudy to the ſtudy of the Scripture for profit and comfort. Count Anhalt, that Princely Preacher, was wont to ſay, That the whole Scriptures were the ſwadling bands of the child Jeſus, he being to be found almoſt in every page, in every verſe, in every line.
Luther would often ſay, That he had rather that all his Bookes ſhould be burnt, then that they ſhould be a means to hinder perſons from ſtudying of the Scripture.
The third and laſt Rule I ſhall lay downe, is this, Such as would Preach Chriſt aright to the people, had need
Dwell much upon the vanity of humane doctrines.
The vanity of which doctrines may be thus diſcovered.
Firſt, They doe not diſcover ſin in its uglineſſe and filthineſſe, as the Scriptures doe. They ſearch but to the skin, they reach not to the heart; they doe not doe as the Maſter did in Jonah's ſhip, when they were in a ſtorme.
Secondly, Humane doctrines have no humbling power in Theſe things had need be ſeriouſly minded in theſe dayes, wherein …umane doctrines are ſo much exalted and admired.them. They may a little tickle you, but they can never humble you; they cannot caſt downe Satans ſtrong holds, they cannot melt nor break the heart of a ſinner; they cannot make him cry out with the Leaper, Ʋnclean, unclean.
Thirdly, Humane doctrines nouriſh not the noble part, the ſoule of man. The Prodigal was like to ſtarve before he returned to his fathers houſe. A man may ſtudy much, and labour much, and lay out much of his time and ſpirits about humane doctrines, and yet after all, be like to Pharoah's lean Kine. A man that ſtudies humane doctrines, doth but feed upon aſhes.
Fourthly, Humane doctrines cannot cure a wound in the conſcience. The diſeaſed woman ſpent all ſhe had upon Phyſitians, but was not a penny the better. The remedy is too weak for the diſeaſe. Conſcience like Prometheus Vulture, will ſtill lye gnawing notwithſtanding all that ſuch doctrines can doe.
Fifthly, Humane doctrines are ſo far from inriching the ſoule, that they uſually impoveriſh the ſoule. They weaken the ſoule, they expoſe the ſoule to the greateſt wants, and to the greateſt weakneſſes; they play the Harlot with the ſoule, they impoveriſh it, and bring it to a morſel of bread. Who ſo poore in ſpirituall experiences, and heavenly injoyments, as ſuch that ſit under the droppings of humane doctrines?
Sixthly, Humane doctrines make men ſervants to the humours, and corruptions of men. They make men pleaſers of men, rather then pleaſers of God: Yea, they make men ſet up themſelves and others, ſometimes in the roome of Chriſt, and ſometimes above Chriſt. I hope theſe few ſhort hints may prevaile with ſome to fall in with this counſel, that ſo they may the better Preach the Lord Jeſus to the people.
And ſo much for this Doctrine.