The Morning Exercise Methodized, Introduction

The Morning Exercise Methodized · Introduction

p. 1The INTRODUCTION.

2 TIM. 1.13.

Hold fast the forme of ſound words which thou haſt heard of me in faith and love, which is in Chriſt Jeſus.

IT was the Character which our Lord gave of Iohn the Baptiſt, He was a burning and a ſhining light: Such ſhould every Miniſter of the Goſpel be; ſhining with light, and burning with zeal; Joh. 5.25.John 5:25he ſhould have an head full of truth, that he may diſſeminate and ſcatter beams of Gospel-knowledge into the dark world; and an heart full of love, to that truth which he holds forth to others; that what he publiſheth with his lips, he may be ready to witneſſe with his life, and to ſeale up the teſtimony of Jeſus with his deareſt blood.

Both theſe, our Apoſtle in this Chapter, (after a paſſionate ſalutation in the five firſt verſes) commendeth to Timothy, ſcil.

1. To look to his light; by stirring up the gift of God that was in him.

Timothy muſt not ſuffer his gifts to lie ſleeping under the aſhes; but muſt blow them up, (as the**foreign, ignem ſopitum ſuſcitare. word ſignifieth) into a fire, by ſtudy, prayer and execriſe.

p. 22. He calls upon Timothy to look to his zeal, that that may not be extinguiſhed; but that his heat may be equal with his light: And this he doth two ways.

1. Negatively.

2. Affirmatively.

Ver. 8.1. Negatively; Be not aſhamed of the teſtimony of the Lord, nor of me his Priſoner.

Miniſters of the Goſpel muſt neither be a ſhame to the Goſpel, nor aſhamed of the Goſpel; no, although attended with diſgrace and perſecution from the reprobate world. And what herein he commends to Timothy, he firſt practiſed in his own perſon, ver. 11. Though he was a priſoner for the Goſpel, yet he was not aſhamed of the Goſpel: I ſuffer, &c. nevertheleſſe I am not aſhamed.Rom. 1.16.Rom 1:16

2. Affirmatively; The Apoſtle exhorteth Timothy to prepare for perſecution;Ver. 8. Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Goſpel.

The Miniſters of the Goſpel ſhould be ſo farre from being ſcandalized at the ſufferings of their leaders, that they ſhould be always diſciplining themſelves for the ſame warfare; to preach the Croſs of Chriſt, and to be ready alſo to bear the Croſſe, makes a compleat Miniſter of the Goſpel.

This the Apoſtle urgeth upon a three-fold account.

1. A good Cauſe.

2. Good Company.

3. A good Captain.

Timothy and other Evangeliſts, they have no reaſon to be afraid or aſham'd of their ſufferings; for,

1. They have a good Cauſe, ver. 12. For the which cauſe I ſuffer; what Cauſe is that? why, the Goſpel, ver. 10. And this he preſents under a twofold commendation.

1. The glory of the Goſpel.

2. The manifeſtation of that glory.

Epheſ. 3.8.Eph 3:81. The glory of the Goſpel: As having wrapt up in it the unſearchable riches of Jeſus Chriſt; grace and glory, holineſſe and happineſſe: He hath ſaved us, and called us with an holy calling. Believers have begun their everlaſting ſalvation on this ſide heaven.

p. 32. The manifeſtation of that glory: It was given from eternity; but it is revealed by the appearance of our Lord and Saviour in the fleſh; it lay hid in Gods purpoſe; but it is brought to light in the Goſpel, ver. 9.10. Such a glorious gift, and ſo gloriouſly unveiled is worth, not only our ſweat, but our blood; not pains only, but perſecution; yea, to ſuffer in ſuch a cauſe, is not more our duty, than it is our dignity.

2. They have good company: Saint Paul himſelf is in the Ʋan of them; who though an Apoſtle, by extraordinary miſſi n and commiſſion, ver. 11. yet was not only a Preacher of the Goſpel, but a Sufferer for the Goſpel, ver. 12. For which cauſe I ſuffer theſe things: what things? ſcil. Impriſonment and affliction, ver. 8. A ſufferer, and yet not aſhamed of his ſufferings: Nevertheleſſe I am not aſhamed. They may be aſhamed of their ſufferings, Cauſa facit Martyrem, non poena. 1 Pet. 4.15.1 Pet 4:15that ſuffer for ſinne; but ſufferings for Chriſt and his Gospel, are matter of triumph and rejoycing, 1 Pet. 4.13, 16. Here is encouragement for Goſpel-ſufferers.

And Thirdly, They have a good Captain: Ieſus Chriſt the Captain of our ſalvation. Who, that he might intender his own heart towards his ſuffering-followers by his own experience; was made perfect through ſufferings; and accordingly he is very tender of, and faithful to all that endure perſecution for his ſake; Heb. 2.10.Heb 2:10this was a ground of the Apoſtle his confidence, I am not aſhamed; for I know whom I have believed: I know him by report, and I know him by experience: I know his faithfulneſſe, and I know his All-ſufficiency: I have depoſited my liberty, my life, my body, my ſoul, my all in his cuſtody; and I am perſwaded as he is able, ſo he is willing to keep all ſafe, to his glorious appearance: I may be a loſer for Chriſt, I ſhall be no loſer by him; whatever I lay down now, I ſhall take up again one day, with the advantage of immortality; he will keep the truſt I have committed to him; it is but equity that I ſhould keep the truſt which he hath committed to me; foreign. v. 12. foreign. Ver. 14. 1 Tim. 1.11.1 Tim 1:11even the glorious Gospel of the bleſsed God committed to my truſt; committed to me upon thoſe very termes, that I ſhould not only publiſh it with my lips, but atteſt it with my blood.

Thus in his own perſon the Apoſtle ſets Timothy and his Succeſſors a Copy, and an Encouragement; which he windeth p. 4up in the words of my Text; the ſum of the Precahers duty.

Hold faſt the forme of ſound words, &c. q. d. The premiſes conſidered; let neither pleaſures nor perſecution; the love of life, nor the fear of death, take thee off from a faithful and vigorous diſcharge of thy Miniſterial office; but whatſoever it may coſt thee,

Hold faſt the form of ſound doctrine, &c.

Briefly for the opening of the words.

The form] foreign in the Greek, it ſignifies a Module or Platforme, a Frame of words or things, methodically diſpoſed; as Printers ſet and compoſe their Characters or Letters in a Table.Types.

Words] By words, we are to underſtand doctrine, evangelical truths, the principles of Chriſtian Religion.

foreign.Sound] And they are called Sound words, either from the intrinſecal nature, when they are purely taught and delivered; Evangelical truths without mixture; the principles of Religion in their native purity and ſimplicity; Truth and nothing elſe but truth. Or elſe ſound words, from their effect and operation, becauſe they be of an healing vertue and influence, like the waters in Ezekiels viſion, that iſſued out from under the**Ezek. 47.1.Ezek 47:1 threſhold of the Sanctuary; which **Ver. 9.healed wherever they came.

Which thou haſt heard of me] It may be underſtood of the whole Platforme of Goſpel-doctrine in general. Or,

Elſe (very probably) of a Collection of ſome principal points of Religion, which the Apoſtle had methodically digeſted, and either preached in Timothy his hearing, or drawn up in writing, and committed to Timothy as a truſt and treaſure, not only for his own help and direction in preaching, but to tranſmit over to others, for the uſe and benefit of ſucceeding generations in the Church of Chriſt,foreign. & 1 Tim. 6.20.1 Tim 6:20 ſo called in the next verſe, That good thing which was committed to thee; and ſo expounded, chap. 2.2. The things which thou haſt heard of me amongſt many witneſſes, the ſame commit thou to faithful men who ſhall be able to teach others alſo.

Hold faſt] Greek, foreign; the word hath a double ſignification; ſcil. to have, and to hold; and both of theſe the Apoſtle commends to Timothy; namely,

p. 51. To have ſuch a form or collection of Goſpel-doctrines, as a Type or Exemplar to which he ſhould conforme in his Miniſtry.

2. To hold it; i. e. to hold it faſt, Not to ſwerve from it in the courſe of his Miniſtry, but pertinaciouſly to adhere to it; not to ſuffer it to be corrupted by men of erroneous principles, nor to part with it upon any termes in the world; but to ſtand by it, and own it againſt all oppoſition and perſecution whatſoever.

This I conceive to be the ſenſe of the words; which thus opened, may afford us ſome ſuch

Doctrinal Obſervations, as theſe;

Doct. 1 1. Doct. Evangelical words are ſound words; Or:

All Gospel-truth is of an healing nature.

Doct. 2 2. Doct. It is of great uſe and advantage bo…h for Miniſters and private Chriſtians to have the main fundamental truths of the Gospel, collected and digeſted into certain Modules or Platforms; Or:

Methodical ſyſtems of fundamental Articles of Religion, are very profitable both for Miniſters and people.

Doct. 3 3. Doct. Such Forms and Modules are very carefully and faithfully to be kept.

Doct. 4 4. Doct. Faith and Love are as it were the two hands, whereby we may hold faſt Goſpel-truth.

Other doctrines beſides theſe might be raiſed from the words; but theſe are the main, and lie viſibly in the face of the Text: And I intend to ſpeak only to the ſecond and third doctrine; the one (now) at our entrance upon this Morning Exerciſe; the other, at the Cloſe, if God permit.

The firſt and laſt of theſe doctrines may be of uſe in the handling of theſe two: In which doth lie the main deſigne, as of the Apoſtle here, ſo of the work which falls to my ſhare in this monthly ſervice. I begin with the firſt of them, ſcil.

Doct. 1 Doct. 1. Methodical ſyſtems of the main and ſpecial points of the Chriſtian Religion, are very uſeful and profitable both for Miniſters and people.

In the managing of the doctrinal part of this Obſervation, I ſhall only give you two demonſtrations.

1. Scripture-pattern.

2. The uſefulneſſe of ſuch Modules.

1. Scripture-pattern.

p. 6The Word of God is full of ſuch Maps and Modules of divine truths neceſſary to ſalvation.

The whole Scripture is a large Module of ſaving truth. Joh. 18.37.John 18:37The whole Goſpel (in general) is nothing but the great Platform or Standard of ſaving doctrine. It was the great end and errand of Chriſt his coming into the world, to reveal unto us the truth of God; ſo himſelf teſtifieth, John 18.37. To this end was I born, and for this cauſe I came into the world, that I ſhould bear witneſſe unto the truth. It took up one whole entire office, whereunto he was anointed of his Father; his Prophetical Office; ſo he was named many hundred years before his Incarnation by Moſes: A Prophet ſhall the Lord your God raiſe up unto you, like unto me, him ſhall you hear. The office of a Prophet was not only to foretell things to come;As Exod. 7.1. Aaron is call'd.Exod 7:1 but to reveal the mind of God, according to the import of the Hebrew word Nabi, which ſignifieth an Interpreter.

Thus Jeſus Chriſt came to be an Interpreter of his Fathers mind unto the world. No man hath ſeen God at any time; the onelyonly begotten Sonne which is in the boſome of the Father, Joh. 1.18.John 1:18he hath declared him; foreign, he hath expounded him; The whole Goſpel which Chriſt preached was nothing elſe as it were but a publick testimony of the ſecret tranſactions between the Father and the Sonne concerning mans ſalvation; a tranſcript of that truth which was in the divine underſtanding from all eternity, John 8.38. & 15.15.

And accordingly it is obſervable that the Sermons which Chriſt preached in the days of his fleſh, have more of doctirne in them, than of perſwaſion; more of the Teacher, than of the Paſtor; as more ſutable to his Miniſtry, wherein he was to lay down a Module of Gospel-truth; and to leave it to the world, to be received and believed unto ſalvation.

The credit of our Religion is founded upon this important truth, that Chriſt was ſent from God to reveal unto us the mind and will of his Father, and to be believed in all he delivered unto us; all other Apoſtles and Miniſters of the Goſpel are but Deputy Witneſſes to make report of Chriſts affidavit to the doctrine of ſalvation.

And it is yet further remarkable, that this doctrine which Jeſus Chriſt left us in the Goſpel, is nothing elſe as it were, but**Novum Testamentum in vetere velatum, vetus in novo revelatum. a Comment or Paraphraſe of what was preached by Moſes and the p. 7Prophets in the Old Teſtament; as he came**Matth. 5.18.Matt 5:18 not to deſtroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them; ſo he came to expound and reconcile them with the doctrine which he himſelf taught; thus it is recorded by the Evangeliſt, that**Luke 24.27.Luke 24:27 beginning at Moſes, he expounded unto his Diſciples in all the Scriptures the things concerning himſelf. So that the reſult of all this in general, is this, that the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Teſtament are nothing elſe but a full and perfect platform or Module of divine truth; given to the Church at firſt by Chriſt himſelf the great Prophet, and tranſmitted by the Miniſtry of thoſe who were ſucceſſively the Amanuenſes or Secretaries of the Holy Ghoſt; 2 Pet. 1.21.2 Pet 1:21from which no man is to recede upon pain of damnation.

But now more particularly, we may obſerve, that beſides this great univerſal Map or Synopſis of divine truth; there are to be found in Scripture more compendious and ſummary abſtracts, and abridgements containing certain of the main heads and points of ſaving doctrine, methodized into leſſer bodies and tables for the help of our faith and knowledge.

And we find them accommodated by the Penmen of the Holy Ghoſt, to two ſpecial ends and purpoſes.Two ends of ſuch Modules.

1. To inſtruct the Church and people of God in the more neceſſary and fundamental points and principles of Religion.

2. To antidote beleevers againſt the infection and contagion of unſound doctrine which have crept into the Church in the ſeveral ages and ſucceſſions thereof.

Of the first ſort,

In the Old Teſtament,To informe the Church in the principles of Religion. (though in a larger volume) is the book of Deuteronomy, which being interpreted, is the repetition of the Law. And becauſe that (being ſo large) might ſeem too great a burden to the memory; Behold, God himſelf hath contracted it into a very brief, but full foreign,foreign The ten Commandments, a brief abſtract of the whole Law. Three Modules delivered by Chriſt in his firſt Sermon. or Module in the ten Commandments; which are called ten words, Deut. 4.13. becauſe they are the briefeſt Epitome of the Law.

And thus our Saviour as he laid down the great and larger draught of Gospel-doctrine; ſo alſo in his Sermons he hath left ſome ſhorter forms or types of neceſſary points and principles of Religion; exempli gratiâ; in his firſt Sermon after he entred upon his publick Miniſtry, he hath drawn up three very conciſe and moſt excellent Modules.

p. 81. Of beatitudes, Mans ſummum bonum.The first Module contains the beatitudes. A list of particulars, wherein mans true and chiefeſt happineſſe doth conſiſt, Matth. 5. from the third verſe to the twelfth; wherein he doth totally croſſe the judgment of the blinde world; writing bleſſedneſſe where the world writes woe; and woe, where the world writes bleſſedneſſe.

Credenda.Theſe we may call the credenda; Articles of faith to be believed by all thoſe that would be accounted Chriſts Diſciples.

The ſecond Module contains a liſt of duties; things to be done by every one that would be ſaved. This our Saviour doth, by aſſerting and expounding the Moral Law; from the ſeventeenth verſe to the end of the Chapter; confuting and reforming the falſe gloſses which the Scribes and Phariſees had put upon the ten Commandm nts, thereby making the Law of God of none effect.

Facienda.And theſe we may call the facienda, things to be done.

The third Module contains a liſt of petitions, which in the ſixth Chapter, from the ninth verſe to the ſixteenth, he commends to his Diſciples, and in them to all ſucceeding generations of the Church, as a form or directory of prayer: Not that Chriſtians ſhould (alwayes) confine themſelves to the words, Petenda. foreign.but conform to the matter in their ſupplications at the Throne of grace. After this manner pray ye:

And theſe we may call the petenda, things to be prayed for.

The Apoſtles method in their Epiſtles. The Epiſtle to the Romans, the Chriſtian Catechiſme.The holy Apoſtels tread in our Saviours ſteps; you may obſerve in all their Epiſtles, that in the former part of them, they (generally) lay down a Module of Gospel-principles, and in the latter part a Module of Goſpel-duties. The Epiſtle to the Romans is upon this account juſtly called by ſome of the Antients, The Chriſtians Catechiſme:—

As containing an foreign, or liſt of the chief Articles of the Chriſtian Religion; for although the principal deſigne of the Apoſtle be to diſcuſſe that prime Evangelical doctrine of juſtification, in the negative and affirmative part of it. Neg. not in works. Affir. in a free gratuitous imputation of the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt applied by faith; together with the grounds, evidences, p. 9and fruits thereof, yet occaſionally according to the wiſdome given unto him, he doth with a moſt profound and admirable art interweave other deep and fundamental points of Religion, ſcilicet

A parallel between theaaChap. 5. two Adams.

The doctrine of Original ſinne.

The corruption and depravation ofbbChap. 7. nature.

The doctrine of grace. chap. 7.

The merit and efficacy of Chriſts death and reſurrection.Chap. 6.

The doctrine of AFFLICTION, and the uſe of it to believers.Chap. 8.

The myſteries of Election and Predeſtination.Chap. 9.

The excoecation and rejection of the Jews.Chap. 10.

The vocation of the Gentiles, Chap. 11.with the reſtituion of the ſeed of Abraham, &c.

And when he hath finiſhed the foreign of doctrinal principles, he winds up the Epiſtle with a ſhort, but full delineation of Evangelical duties; wherein he doth bring down thoſe principles unto practice: The former part of the Epiſtle is the DOCTRINE, the latter part is the ƲSE; I beſeech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, &c.

The whole Epiſtle to the Hebrews is nothing elſe as it were, but a delineation of the THREE OFFICES OF JESUS CHRIST; King, Priest, Prophet. The Epiſtle to the Hebrews.Eſpecially his Prieſtly office with a moſt profound, and yet dilucid Expoſition of thoſe Levitical types and figures, which did more obſcurelyHeb. 10.1.Heb 10:1 ſhadow forth Chriſt under the Law; ſo that in that Epiſtle, as in a Table, Chriſtians may behold the Law to be nothing elſe but Evangelium velatum, veiled Gospel; and the Goſpel to be no other thing than Lex revelata, unveiled Ceremony, or the Law with the Curtain drawn.

But there be divers ſhort Modules or Compendiums of Chriſtian doctrine occaſionally delineated by the Apoſtles in their ſeveral Epiſtles.

In the Epiſtle to the Galatians, within the compaſſe of five verſes, the Apoſtle gives two full Catalogues or Liſts, chap. 5.

The one of ſinnes, ver. 19.20, 21.

The other of graces, ver. 22.23.

p. 10In the Epiſtle to the Epheſians, chap. 5. & 6. you have an excellent and compleat Module of Relational duties; Of

Ver. 22.Wives towards their husbands.

Ver. 25.Husbands towards their Wives.

Chap. 6.1.Children towards their Parents.

Ver. 4.Parents towards their Children.

Ver. 5.Servants towards their Maſters.

Ver. 9.Maſters towards their ſervants.

The Epiſtles to Timothy give us a type or table of Miniſterial offices and qualifications; yet ſo, as moſt beautifully adorned with other moſt precious Evangelical principles; the ſum whereof is CHRIST, 1 Tim. 1.15. This is a faithful ſaying, &c. And the principal comprehenſive parts, FAITH, LOVE; faith apprehenſive, and love active. Theſe two in my Text, many learned men conceive to be intended by Saint Paul, as the two great comprehenſive fundamentals of this foreign commended by him unto Timothy his care and fidelity: Hold faſt the form of ſound words; the two main branches whereof are FAITH and LOVE; but of this more hereafter.

In the Epiſtle to Titus, the Apoſtle will furniſh you with two ſhort, but very perfect ſyſtems; one in chap. 2. ver. 11.12, 13, 14. Where you have

Ver. 11.1. Gods grace made the original and fountain of all the good we expect from God, and perform to God.

Ver. 11.2. And this grace iſſuing it ſelf by Chriſt, for the ſalvation of the creature.

Ver. 11.3. And appearing by the Gospel; (there you have Scripture intimated;) and

Ver. 12.4. Teaching us as to the Privative part of obedience, to deny ungodlineſſe and worldly luſts; terms capacious enough to compriſe all ſinne.

As to the poſitive part, to live ſoberly; implying all perſonal duties for the governing of our ſelves in our ſingle capacity; Righteouſly implying all duties to our neighbours; Ver. 12.godly, noting our whole Communion with God in the duties of his worſhip. More cannot be ſaid as to the duty of man.

Now 5. The encouragements are either from looking

forward.

backward.

If we look forward, Ver. 13.there is the bleſſed hope, the full conſummation p. 11whereof we receive at the glorius appearing of the g eat God; the coming of Chriſt to judgment, ver. 13.Ver. 13. and there we have three grand Articles of faith aſſerted: 1. Heaven. 2. The day of judgment. 3. The Godhead of Chriſt.

If we look backward, we are obliged to obedience, not only out of hope, but from gratitude, or the great benefit of redemption by Chriſt, ver. 14. and in that we have aſſerted,

1. Chriſts willingneſſe to dye; for he gave himſelf.Ver. 14.

2. The purpoſe or end of his death; to redeem us from all iniquity.

3. The foundation of an holy life in our regeneration, And hath purified us unto himſelf.

4. The nature of a Church, to be a peculiar people.

5. The neceſſity of good works, in the laſt clauſe, zealous of good works, ver. 14.

So that in this ſhort Map you have a compleat ſummary of all that fundamental doctrine which doth animate and quicken to the life of holineſſe.

The next body of Divinity according to the exact method of the Palatine Catechiſme, is in chap. 3. ver. 3.4, 5, 6, 7, 8.Chap. 3. where you have,

1. Mans miſery by nature, ver. 3.

2. His Redemption by Chriſt, ver. 4. ſet forth,

1. By the spring or firſt moving cauſe, the kindneſſe and love of God, ver. 4.

2. The falſe cauſe removed, not by works of righteouſneſſe which we have done. ver. 5.

3. By the effects; juſtification, juſtified by his grace, ver. 7.

Sanctification, Ver. 5.he hath waſhed us in the laver of regeneration, and renewing by the Holy Ghoſt; ver. 5.Ver. 7.

The conſummation of all in glory, heires according to the hope of eternal life. ver. 8.Ver. 8.

3. The thankful life in a fruitful courſe of holineſſe and good works, ver. 8. — Affirme conſtantly that they which believe in God may be careful to maintain good works.

Another ſyſteme of practical divinity you have in the ſecond Epiſtle of Saint Peter, chap. 1. ver. 5.6, 7.Ver. 5. Adde to your faith vertue, &c. By vertue is meant the ſtudy of holineſse, which there is ſet forth by its furniture, and ſubjective parts or branches.

p. 12Ver. 5.1. The furniture of vertue, it is rooted in FAITH, guided by KNOWLEDGE, Ver. 6.armed on the

Ver. 6.Right-hand by TEMPERANCE, or an holy moderation in the pleaſures and comforts of the world: On the

Left-hand by PATIENCE againſt the croſses and inconveniencies thereof.

2. The branches or ſubjective parts of this vertue, are

Ver. 7.GODLINESSE, a grace that guideth us in our immediate commerce with God.

BROTHERLY KINDNESSE, a grace that directeth us in our duties to our fellow-Saints.

CHARITY, helping us in the duties we owe to all men.

In many other places do the Apoſtles lay the Doctrine of God in one intire view before our eyes, leſt the minde ſhould be diſtracted by various and diſperſed explications; or by dwelling too much upon one part, we ſhould neglect the other.

Second end of ſuch Platforms to obviate errour.A SECOND SORT OF MODULES: Or,

A ſecond end and deſign of ſuch Modules, is, to obviate errors, and to Antidote Chriſtians againſt the poyſon and infection of rotten pernicious principles; for no ſooner had the good Husbandman ſowed his field with good ſeed, but the envious man went out after him, and began to ſcatter tares.

2 Pet. 2.1.2 Pet 2:1In oppoſition whereunto, the Apoſtles in their ſeveral Epiſtles were careful to furniſh the Churches with ſuch Modules and Platforms of truth, as might diſcover and confute thoſe damnable hereſies.

2 Pet. 1.12. foreign.2 Pet 1:12Hence the Apoſtle Saint Peter calls them PRESENT TRUTHS; that is, Principles of the Chriſtian Faith, moſt ſeaſonable for thoſe times wherein they were writ; as every Church and age had its preſent errors and falſe doctrines, whereby the falſe Apostles did labour to undermine the truth, and to ſeduce the Profeſſors of it; ſo the Apoſtles in that zeal to the truth, and compaſſion to the ſouls of men, did beſtir themſelves to Countermine thoſe Seducers, and to ſtabliſh the Churches in the faith of Jeſus Chriſt, by collecting ſome ſpecial heads and points of Goſpel Doctrine oppoſite to thoſe errors, and ſending them to the ſeveral Churches, where they had planted the Goſpel.

Theſe the Apoſtle calls the Preſent truth; Thus Saint Paul (among other places) in his firſt Epiſtle to Timothy chap. 4. from the firſt verſe to the ninth verſe.

p. 13The Apoſtle Peter in his ſecond Epiſtle, chap. 2. throughout.

St. Jude ſpends his whole Epiſtle upon the ſame deſign.

But above all, the Apoſtle Saint John is very large and diſtinct upon this account. His firſt Epiſtle conſiſts ſpecially of a two-fold Module or Platform; i. e.

1. A form or table of Goſpel Principles.Admodum artificioſa est hujus epistolae methodus; n…m ad modum catenae Chriſtiana fidei myſteria & axiomata connectuntur. &c. Dicſon.

2. A form or table of Gospel-Evidences; both of them in oppoſition to the falſe teachers of thoſe times, thoſe Antichriſts, of whoſe numerous increaſe he gives them that ſolemn notice, 1 Epiſtle 2. chap. 18. verſe. Little children, it is the laſt time, and as ye have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come, even now are there MANY ANTICHRISTS.

To Antidote Chriſtians againſt the plague of the falſe doctrines, which ſuch Sectarian Antichriſts had diſſeminated, doth the Apoſtle lay down,

1. An foreign, or PATTERN of Goſpel-principles, Ex. gra.

1. That God is a God of an infinite univerſal perfection and holineſſe. Chap. 1. ver. 5. God is light, and in him is no darkneſs at all; This, againſt them that moſt blaſphemouſly aſſerted,(a)(a)The Carpocratians taught that men muſt ſin, and do the Divels will, or elſe they could not enter into heaven. Epiphanius. Simon Magus, and after him Florinus Blaſtus, Apelles, Hermogenes, Valentiani, Marcionitae, &c. Priſcillianistae Deum affirmant mendacem. Aug. de haerreſ. c. 70. GOD TO BE THE AUTHOUR OF SIN, &c. againſt whom alſo Saint James contends, Jam. 1. ver. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,

2. That conformity to God is an inſeparable concomitant of communion with God.

This againſt them that were not afraid to(b)(b)Eo tempore fuerunt quí …m di…imi ſocietatem cum Deo, propter peccata cenſebant. The Gnosticks, Ebionitae, &c. ambulantes in tenebris jactitabant ſe Deo placere; falſitas doctrinae & turpitudo morum tunc vigebat non ſolum in philoſophorum ſcholi…, ſed & apud haereticeos. Cypr. affirm that juſtified perſons being elected, let them live never ſo impurely, do remain in the favour of God, &c. (as ſome amongſt us, and ſuch as would be accounted Stars of the firſt Magnitude) that a man might have as much communion with God in ſinne, as in the duties of Religion. If any man ſay, &c. It clearly implies there were that did ſay ſo.

3. A third principle he layes down, is the doctrine of original corruption, even in the regenerate themſelves.(c)(c)Pelagiani negant. originate peccatum. Aug. cont. Mendac. Againſt p. 14thoſe that taught the**Pelagiani. Aug. contr. Mend. total abolition of original ſin in and by Baptiſme; or that denied the being, or at leaſt the damnable nature of it; Verſe 8. If we ſay we have no ſin, &c.

4. The neceſſity of confeſſion of ſin, not only againſt them(d)(d)Epiphanius calls the Novatians, foreign, murderers of repentance. Baſil. de poenit. that decried repentance for ſin, and confeſſion of ſin, but againſt them that denied pardon to them(e)(e)Montaniſtae, & Novatiani. Jerom. Ep. ad Marcel. de erroribus Montani. that repent. If we confeſſe our ſinnes, he is faithful and juſt to forgive us our ſins, &c.

5. He aſſerts the doctrine of actual ſinne in the regenerate, againſt them that affirmed that(f)(f)The Simonians, Gnosticks and other hereticks of that age, taught that there was no ſin but unbelief; that to the juſtified, all things were clean, however they live. vid. Aug. de perfectione justi. c. 21 Clem. Alex. &c. conceived the Apoſtles after the coming down of the Holy Ghoſt upon them, nullis eſſe peccatis aut paſſionibus ohnoxii Joviniani docebant, justum nec leviter peccare. a juſtified perſon could not ſin; or (which is the ſame) that God ſees no ſin in his children. If we ſay, that we have not ſinned, we make him a lyar, &c. If we ſay we have no ſin, there's the denial of original ſin; if we ſay we have not ſinned, there's the denial of actual ſin; both make up the great hereſie of the(g)(g)Catharists in the third Centurie after Chriſt. Cathariſts, who held perfection in this life.

6. The Apoſtle vindicates the preceptive obligation of the moral Law, even over juſtified perſons. Againſt the Antinomian(h)(h)The Simonians, Carpocratians, Marcionites, Maniches did not only deny the moral law, but curſe and blaſpheme it, as given not by God, but by ſome unlucky nature. hereſie, which preſumptuouſly breaketh even that yoke (alſo) from the neck of the Diſciples, Chap. 2. verſe 3, 4, 5. Hereby we know that we love him, if we keep his Commandments.

So early were theſe poyſonous weeds ſprung up in the Church of God. The other Module which the Apoſtle layeth down, is a Catalogue of Goſpel-evidences, certain marks and ſigns of an intereſt in Chriſt,A Catalogue of Scripture-evidences. and of a right and title to life eternal: ſuch as theſe.

p. 151. Obedience to Gods Commandments, ut ſup.

2. Contempt of the world, Ch. 2.15.

3. Stedfaſtneſſe in the doctrine of the Goſpel, verſe 8, 19, 20,—24.

4. Conformity to Jeſus Chriſt in holineſſe. ch. 3. ver. 3.

5. Mortification, 6, 7, 8, 10.

6. Love to the Saints, verſe 14. and chapter 5.2, 10, 11.

7. A believing confeſſion**Moſt blaſphemouſly denied by the Simonians, Chryſtolites, P…o…t…es. &c. Aug. de. haereſ. of Gods ſending Jeſus Chriſt into the world as the promiſed Meſſias; with love to him, and thankfulneſſe for him, chap. 4.

In the four firſt verſes of the fifth chapter, we have no leſſe than ſeven evidences each lincking in with the other, and bearing witneſſe to the other. As,

1. You have faith in Chriſt bearing witneſſe to Regeneration; Whoſoever believeth, &c. is born of God.

2. Love to God bearing witneſſe to faith. He that loveth him that begat, &c.

3. Love to the Saints bearing witneſſe to our love of God. He loveth him alſo that is begotten. Auguſtine underſtands it of our love to Chriſt; but the Context expounds it of our love to the Saints, for ſo it followeth, ver. 2. where we have,

4. Love to God reciprocally witneſſing our love to the Saints. Hereby we know we love the children of God when we love God.

5. Obedience to Gods Commandments bearing witneſſe again to our love; — And keep his Commandments.

6. Delight teſtifying the truth of our obedience. His Commandments are not grievous.

7. And laſtly, Victory over the world bearing witneſſe to Regeneration; For whoſoever is born of God overcometh the world, Verſe 4.

It were eaſie out of this, and the other two ſubſequent Epiſtles, to compleat the foreign of Goſpel EVIDENCES; which are not thus expreſly delineated, that by them only the Church might deſcribe her members: (as ſome looſe and vaine ſpirits fancy) but for the members of the Church to try and examine themſelves by, whither they be real and living members yea or no. It were eaſie I ſay to adde to the Catalogue; but I have inſiſted too long upon the firſt demonſtration; ſc. Scripture Pattern.

p. 16I come now to the ſecond demonſtration: namely

The advantages of ſuch Modules. 1. For the Ornament of the truth.The excellency and advantage of ſuch Forms and Collections of Evangelical truths. And,

In the firſt place it addes much to the beauty and ornament of the truth; whither it be delivered from the Pulpit, or from the Preſs in ſuch Syſtemes and Platforms, the Hearer or Reader, may, as in a Map or Table, (ſometimes of one ſort, ſometimes of another) behold divine truths ſtanding one by another in their Method and Connexion; mutually caſting light and luſtre upon each other.

Every truth ſingle, is very precious, and indeed of infinite value, as purchaſed with, and ratified in the blood of Chriſt; but to ſee the truths of the Goſpel linked together in their proper union, facing one another like the Cherubims, Exod. 25.20. is very glorious.

As the ſtones of the Temple, when they were ſquared and poliſhed in the Forreſt, were very coſtly, for both matter and workmanſhip; but when they were layd into the building, and formed up into a Temple, what a beautiful and magnificent ſtructure did they make? The Diſciples beholding it, Luk. 21.5. were filled with delight and wonder!

The Curtains of the Sanctuary, each by themſelves were very rich, both for their materials and curious Embroyderies; but had you ſeen them in their Connecture, each Curtain faſtned to the other with taches of gold, and ſo making up one entire perfect Tabernacle, ſparkling and ſhining in all its native ſpendour, it would have been a raviſhing ſight.

The very repreſentation of many Countries in one Nation; of many Nations in one of the diviſions or quarters of the world; and of all the quarters deſcribed in one Globe or Map, it is very delightful to the eye of an intelligent beholder; at once diſcovering the ſcite and cognation, the Longitude and Latitude, the diſtance and degree of every Kingdome and County; ſuch globes and tables are full of delight and profit.

It is in a moſt eminent manner obſervable in the Creation of the world; of every ſingle days work, it is ſaid, God ſaw that it was good; but when the whole Compages of heaven and earth was ſet together into one entire Fabrick and Creation, God p. 17ſaw every thing that he had made, Gen. 1.31.Gen 1:31and behold it was VERY GOOD.

Such a rare piece are Goſpel-truths in their variety and uniformity; not leſſe glorious a d admirable, than heaven and earth, Sunne, Moon, Starres, Elements, in all their order and ornament.

Secondly,2. Help to knowledge. Such types and Exemplars of divine truths are of great help to the underſtanding; As the Collection of many beams and luminaries makes the greater light, ſo it is in tne judgement. A conſtellation of Goſpel-principles ſhining together into the underſtanding, fills it with diſtinct and excellent knowledge;2 Cor. 4.6.2 Cor 4:6 It gives us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Christ. One truth doth irradiate and expound another. The truths of the Goſpel in their method and ſeries, are interpretative one to the other; while the underſtanding by means hereof hath the advantage of dwelling upon them the object, and comparing ſpiritual things with ſpiritual things, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks 1 Cor. 2.13.

The truth is, he knows but little of the truth, that knows it only within it ſelf; he underſtands it aright that knows it in its connexion and correspondence with other truths of the Goſpel.

That Chriſt dyed to ſave ſinners, is a moſt precious truth, 1 Tim. 1.15. but he knoweth TOO LITTLE of it that knows it alone (as moſt of ignorant Chriſtians do who periſh with their knowledge:) he knoweth this truth to purpoſe, that knows it in its connexion with a loſt eſtate, that knows it in its references to the fall, the wounds and bruiſes, and death contracted by it; he knows Redemption by Jeſus Chriſt aright, that knoweth it in order to the GUILT and POWER of ſin, and mans total impotency to ſave himſelf from either.

He knows ſalvation aright, that knows it in the extent and vertue of all Chriſts OFFICES, King, Prieſt, and Prophet, that underſtands ſalvation to be a ſaving of the poor creature, from the REIGN of ſin by the Kingly Office of Jeſus Chriſt, a ſaving of a man from IGNORANCE, ERROR, and thoſe falſe rotten principles which are naturally radicated in the underſtanding by the Prophetical Office of Jeſus Chriſt, as well as a ſaving him from HELL and WRATH TO COME by the Prieſtly Office of Jeſus Chriſt.

p. 18He knows aright the death and reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt, not that knows it ſingly and nakedly only in the ſtory and notion of it, but that knoweth it in the effectual application of it by the Spirit for mortification and vivification, that knoweth it in its connexion with, and influence into juſtification, and ſanctification, &c.

He that thus knoweth Chriſt and him crucified, knoweth him as the truth is in Jeſus; His underſtanding is full of light.

Alas, the ignorance and miſery of our times, is not that people are totally deſtitute of the principles of Chriſtian Religion; but that they know them ſingly only, and apart; and ſo they know them but by halfes, yea, not ſo much; for I dare be bold to ſay, the better half of every truth, conſiſts in its method and neceſſary coherence with other truths; without which therefore, the knowledge men have of them, muſt needs be but dark and lifeleſſe.

Thirdly, Such Patterns and Platforms, whether of larger or of leſſer compaſſe,Advantage help to memo…y. are a great help to memory. In all Arts and Sciences, order and method is of ſingular advantage unto memory. We do eaſily retain things in our mind, when we have once digeſted them into order; It is not ſo much multitude of objects, as their variouſneſse and independency which is burdenſome to memory; when once the underſtanding apprehends them in their natural union and fellowſhip one upon another, the memory comprehends them with much more ſweetneſſe and facility.

Hence it is that NUMBER and PLACE are of ſuch rare uſe in the art of memory.

The reaſon why people (generally) remember no more of the Sermons they hear, is for want of Catechizing, whereby they might come to know the principles of Religion in their order, and methodical contexture. Uſually in Sermons, truths are delivered ſingle and apart; and the ignorant hearer knows not where the Miniſter is, nor what place the doctrine delivered obtains in the body of divinity, nor how they are knit together; and ſo the memory leaks them out as faſt as they are dropt in; order is the very glue of memory. Method in a ſingle Sermon, when the hearer is acquainted with it, gratifieth the memory, as well as the underſtanding; while it doth not only lodge things in p. 19their own place, but locks the door upon them, that they may not be loſt. When things are knit and linckt in one with another (as in a chaine) pull up one link, and that will pull up another, ſo that the whole chaine is preſerved. But we may have occaſion to ſpeak again of this point; And therefore,

Fourthly, ſuch Modules ſerve to quicken affection. 4. Advantage to quicken affection.Sympathy and Harmony have a notable influence upon the affections. The ſounding of a ſingle ſtring makes but little muſick; let a skilfull hand touch them in their muſical conſent and ſymphonie, and it affects the hearer to a kinde of raviſhment; So it is with evangelical truths: place them in their proper rooms, that a man may behold them in their mutual correſpondencies, and apt couplings together, and truly, the Seraphims themſelves anſwering one to another, and ecchoing to another, make not a ſweeter harmony in their celeſtial Hallelujahs.

Fifthly, It is a marvelous Antidote againſt errour and ſeduction. Goſpel truths in their ſeries and dependance, are a chain of gold to tie the truth and the ſoul cloſe together. People would not be ſo eaſily trapand into hereſie, if they were acquainted with the concatenation of Goſpel-doctrines within themſelves.

As for inſtance, men would not certainly be ſo eaſily complemented to worſhip that Idol of free-will, and the power of nature, were they well principled in the doctrine of the fall; The deſign of God in permitting of it, held out in Scripture in ſuch large and legible Characters, that he which runs may read, Pſal. 51.4. 1 Cor. 1.29, 30, 31, &c.

If they did with ſobriety of Spirit obſerve what the Scripture pr…claimes concerning the impotency of the lapſt and ruined creature, mans helpleſse condition in himſelf, Rom. 5.6. Epheſ. 2.1. Of the abſolute neceſſity of the quickening, helping and ſtabliſhing influence of the Spirit of Chriſt, &c.

When a chaine of pearls is broken, a ſingle jewel is eaſily loſt; divine truths are mutually preſervative in their ſocial embraces and coherence.

Sixthly,6. Advantage, growth in grace. Growth in grace is one bleſſed fruit of ſuch ſyſtems and tables of divine truths. When …oundations are well laid, the ſuperſtructures are proſperouſly carried on; want of diſtinct knowledge in the myſteries of Religion, is a great obſtruction to the growth of grace; The great cauſe of the believing Hebrews p. 20non proficiency was their defect in the foundation; the foreign, the firſt principles of the Oracles of God, Heb. 5.12. unskillfulneſſe in the word of righteouſneſſe, made them that they were but babes in grace, ver. 13.

Ʋſe.

Uſe. Ʋſe 1. In the firſt place, it ſerves to juſtifie the practice of the Churches of Jeſus Chriſt, which have their Publick Forms and Tables of the fundamental Articles of the Chriſtian faith, drawn up by the joynt labour and travel of their learned and godly Divines, after much and ſolemn ſeeking of God by faſting and prayer, in the ſolemn profeſſion whereof they all conſent and agree. Such were thoſe antient publick Creeds.

The Athanaſian Creed.

The Nycene Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apoſtles Creed, which juſtly merits that title; if not becauſe compiled by the twelve Apoſtles, every one caſting in their Symbole or Article, as tradition goes; yet becauſe collected out of the Apoſtles writings, and is as it were, a brief form or abridgement of the Doctrine taught by Chriſt and his Apoſtles. An Epitomy of the Christian faith.

And ſuch are the Confeſſions which moſt of the Reformed Churches have drawn up for their own uſe, comprehending the moſt neceſſary and fundamental Articles of the Chriſtian faith, to be generally owned and aſſerted by all within their Aſſociations and Juriſdictions, whither Ministers or people.

That Confeſſion of faith which was compiled by the Reverend and Learned Divines of the late Aſſembly at Weſtminſter, and preſented to the two Houſes of Parliament, as their Advice in matters of Religion, was of this nature, and obtains the primacy amongſt all the Confeſſions of the Reformed Churches, in the judgement of many Learned Orthodox Divines.

Such Formes and Modules are of excellent uſe in the Churches.

Partly to be a bank or bulwark to keep error and hereſie from breaking into the Church of God.

Partly to prevent diſſents and diſſentions, which are very apt to riſe amongſt the Paſtours and Teachers, as well as amongſt the private members of ſuch Congregations, where every one is left at liberty, to preach and practice, to hold, and hold forth what is right in their own eyes.

p. 21Partly to preſerve the truth in its integrity and beauty, and the profeſsors of it in unity and uniformity, Iſa. 4.5.Isa 4:5the glory of the Churches, and the defence upon that glory.

Uſe 2. It ſerves to ſhew us the benefit and advantage of publick Chatechiſmes; whither larger, containing a more general collection of Goſpel truths for the uſe of ſuch as are of larger understandings, young or old; or leſſer, containing only ſome few of the moſt neceſſary principles of Religion in the moſt facile and familiar way, for the help of meaner capacities; amongſt which, (although there be ſome hundred ſeveral forms extant in the Reformed Churches, yet) thoſe two forms or Modules drawn up by the late Reverend Aſſembly, their larger and ſhorter Catechiſm, obtain the general vote both abroad and at home for their excellency and uſefulneſſe. And it is the wiſh of very learned and judicious men that there were yet ſome ſhorter and more eaſie form drawn up, that might be reduced to a few heads of the firſt and moſt neceſſary points of Chriſtian faith for the inſtitution of babes: The great advantage of ſuch forms of Chatechiſtical doctrine is that thereby a Miniſter of the Goſpel may acquaint his people with more of the neceſſary and ſaving truths of the Goſpel in a few months, than he can well preach over in many years; and by the brief and frequent running over the principles of Religion, people of all ſorts and ages, would be incomparably prepared for the Word preached, and profit more by one Sermon, than unprincipled hearers commonly do by twenty.

Uſe 3. Hence alſo I might commend to young Students in Divinity the reading of ſyſtems and compendious Abſtracts and Abridgements, as an excellent entrance and manuduction unto their Theological ſtudies, before they lanch into the larger tracts and treatiſes in that vaſt and immenſe ocean of Divine knowledge; of which we may ſay almoſt to deſparation, Ars longa, vita brevis.

The Shipwright that is to build a large and ſtately Veſſel, doth firſt ſhape his work in a very ſmall Module. And he that is to travel into the remote parts of the world, ſhall render his labour much more fruitful by reading Maps and Globes at home; for by that means he ſhall know where he is when he comes abroad; his eye and his underſtanding will mutually interpret one to the other; thus your curious workwomen do firſt make their borders and trails, and then fill them.

p. 22Uſe 4. It ſerves to commend Methodical preaching; that Miniſter that is wiſe and judicious to obſerve method in his Sermon, and method between Sermon and Sermon; a Scriptural connexion as (much as may be) between ſubject and ſubject, doctrine and doctrine; omne tulit punctum, he is a Preacher indeed; he ſhall not only profit, but delight his hearers; and make them not only knowing Chriſtians, but diſtinct and judicious.

Uſe 5. It commends (not leaſt) conſtant and fixed hearing; eſpecially when people ſit under a judicious and methodical Miniſtry;Varia lectio delectat animum, certa prodeſt. Sen. looſe hearing may pleaſe, but the fixed will profit; skipping hearing for the moſt part makes but ſceptical Chriſtians; when people hear at randome, have a ſnatch here, and a ſnatch there; here a truth perhaps, and there an errour; here a notion, and there a novelty, &c. ſuch mixt hearing makes up the garment of knowledge, but juſt like a beggars Cloak full of patches; they are never able to bring their knowledge into any form or method; ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; their knowledge is like an heap of pebbles, upon which a man can never raiſe a ſuperſtructure; whereas they that ſit under a fixed Miniſtry, (one that is Maſter of his Art) they are acquainted with the way and courſe, and project of his preaching; as the Apoſtle tells Timothy, 2 Epiſt. 3.10. But thou haſt fully known my doctrine, purpoſe, &c. i. e. the deſigne and method of my Miniſtry.

Such hearers (if judicious) can follow their Teacher through the ſeries and deduction of his Miniſtery, from Subject to Subject, and from Text to Text, and from Head to Head, till at length they have, (before they take notice of it) an hypotypoſis, or collection of Goſpel-truths formed in their underſtanding: Such an hearer begins where he left the laſt time, and ſo from time to time is ſtill going on, ſhining and growing, and enlightning unto the prepared day, Prov. 4.18.Prov 4:18from faith to faith, from knowledge to knowledge, and from truth to truth, till he comes in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God, unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt. Epheſ. 4.13.Eph 4:13Various hearing makes variable Chriſtians; St. James his profeſſors (for the moſt part) double-minded men, unſtable in all their ways, James 1.8.Jas 1:8they are ſtill beginning, but never able to make any proſperous and ſucceſſeful progreſſe in the knowledge of Chriſt.

p. 23Sixthly and laſtly, from hence give me leave to commend to you the benefit and advantage of THE MORNING EXERCISE, which the good hand of Providence brings to your doors this enſuing month, and begins to morrow morning in this place.

Truly God hath been pleaſed to make this morning Lecture a great mercy to this City, ever ſince it was firſt erected, which was, WHEN LEYCESTER WAS BESIEGED; The fruits of the morning exerciſe in the City.it hath been like the Ark in the houſe of OBED-EDOM, a bleſſing where ever it hath come, a morning cloud which hath let fall ſweet refreſhing ſhowres in every place.

In ſpecial God hath made it inſtrumental

1. For the ſtrengthning of the weak hands, and confirming the feeble knees of the people of God,Iſa. 35.3, 4. Comfort againſt fear.Isa 35:3Isa 35:4 who in this time of Englands troubles have been of a fearful heart, and of a trembling spirit; many poor Chriſtians who in times of publick dangers and confuſions have come to theſe morning Aſſemblies (like the Maries to the Sepulchre of our Lord) with their hearts full of fears, and their eyes full of tears, have been diſmiſſed thoſe Aſſemblies with fear and great joy; their hearts have been revived, Matth. 28.8.Matt 28:8and their hands ſtrengthned in the Lord their God.

2.A preſervative againſt Apoſtacy. 2 Pet. 3.17.2 Pet 3:17 God hath made uſe of this exerciſe for the preſerving of thouſands from errour and damnable doctrines in theſe times of ſad Apoſtacy. While many ignorant and unſtable ſouls being led away with the errour of the wicked, have fallen from their own ſtedfastneſſe, there want not multitudes (through grace) who are ready to acknowledge that they owe their confirmation and ſtability in the truth, (under God) in a very eminent manner to the labours of thoſe godly Orthodox Divines, who have beſtowed their pains in theſe early Lectures from time to time.

3.Converſion. God hath commanded his bleſſing upon it for the converſion of many ſouls to Jeſus Chriſt. Bleſſed be God, the morning exerciſe hath not been childleſs ſince it was ſet up; ſome there be (to my knowledge) who have calculated their spiritual nativity from the time that this exerciſe was in the places of their habitation, as in this place ſome can bring in their teſtimony, to the honour and praiſe of free grace.

4. It hath been a very choice inſtrument in the hand of the Spirit, for the building up of Chriſtians in their moſt holy faith. p. 24Edification.Many of them that have attended daily at the gates of wiſdome, waiting at the poſts of her doors in this Miniſterial courſe,Prov. 8 34, 35.Prov 8:34Prov 8:35 have been obſerved to have made eminent proficiency in the School of Chriſt,2 Pet. 3.18.2 Pet 3:18 to grow in God, in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.

To all which bleſſed ends theſe morning Exerciſes have had ſome advantage above other Aſſemblies;

Partly, by reaſon of the frequency and aſſiduity of them; Sabbath-day-Sermons, and Weekly-lectures being diſtanc't with ſuch long intervals of worldly incumbrances, are (for the moſt part) forgotten before the return of their weekly courſe; whereas theſe exerciſes treading ſo cloſe upon the heels one of another, they that have conſtantly attended them, have as it were, lived under a conſtant viſion; the Sunne of the Goſpel ariſing upon them as aſſiduouſly as the Sunne in the Firmament; whereby they have been carried on in a daily progreſſe of Gospel-proficiency.

And Partly, the Preachers by a kind of ſecret instinct of the Spirit, having been directed in their order to preach ſeaſonable things; foreign, as the Apoſtle calls it, preſent truth; truth moſt proper to the preſent ſtate of things, carefully obviating the errors of the times; and not only ſo, but ſometimes as if there had been a deſigne laid by mutual conſent, they have been guided to preach methodical truths; their Sermons have been knit together not without ſome natural connexion, into a kinde of foreign, or Module of Evangelical doctrine; at leaſt ſo farre as it hath not been difficult to finde out not only conſent, but a kinde of dependance between their ſucceſſive diſcourſes, that might be of more than ordinary help to their Auditors; as in thisaaThe morning exerciſe at Giles in the Fields, May 55. printed for Richard Gibbs in Chancery lane near Serjeants Inne. place about this time foure years; and ſince in abbThe word of faith, at Martins in the fields, Febr. 55. printed for Fran. Tyton, at the three Daggers in Fleetſtreet. neighbouring Congregation; by ſome ſhort notes publiſhed for the help of weaker Chriſtians, may appear. But now brethren behold I ſhew you a more excellent way: That which ſometime hath fallen out providentially, and but in a very imperfect way, is now de industria, and by prae-agreement and conſent, intended and deſigned among you in this courſe of the morning Exerciſe; viz. that which the Apoſtle here commends to Timothy his care and cuſtody, an foreign, or FORM of ſound words: A Series or Delineation of ſome of the chief points and heads of Goſpel doctrine p. 25methodically collected and digeſted as far as the narrow circle of ſo few days will contain. AND THIS WE WILL DO IF GOD PERMIT. What remaineth Brethren,Heb. 6.3.Heb 6:3 but that you ſtir up your ſelves in the ſtrength of Chriſt,Cautions. 1. Prize theſe opportunities.

1. To prize ſuch a precious ſeaſon and opportunity, as Providence puts into your hand. God is bringing a very precious treaſure and depoſitum unto your doors;Pſal. 147.20.Ps 147:20 He hath not dealt ſo with every Nation, &c. See my Brethren that you put a due value and eſtimate upon it, leſt God challenge your contempt with that angry queſtion, Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wiſdome, ſeeing he hath no heart to it?Prov. 17.1…. 2. Frequen… them.Prov 17:1Prov 17:2

2. To frequent it; Chriſtians, be afraid of loſing a morning; let not one ſuch golden opportunity fall to the ground, you do not know what you loſe. Borrow a little from your ſleep, and from your worldly employments (if your Callings and Families ſhall not be too great ſufferers by it) and beſtow it upon your ſouls; will it not be fruit abounding to your account in the day of Chriſt? While ye have the light, walk in the light: Jer. 6.4.Jer 6:4Know ye not that the Shadows of the Evening are ſtretched out! Redeem the time, the days are evil.Epheſ. 5.15.Eph 5:15

3. Stir up your ſelves to prepare your hearts for a ſolemn attendance upon God in them:3. Prepare for them. Lev. 10.3.Lev 10:3 Remember what the Lord ſaid to Moſes, I will be ſanctified in them that come nigh me: Oh profane not your acceſſes to ſuch holy things; I may beſpeak you in the language of Moſes to the people, Sanctifie your ſelves againſt to morrow, for the Lord will come down amongſt you; and remember if he be not ſanctified by you, Ibid.he will be ſanctified upon you; if he be not ſanctified by us in holineſſe, he will be ſanctified upon us in judgment; before all the people I will be glorified.

Chriſtians, be much in prayer for your Miniſters, that they may come unto you in the fulneſs of the bleſſing of the Goſpel of peace; ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Bleſsed be he that cometh to us in the Name of the LORD.Pſal. 118.Ps 118

Pray for your ſelves, Acts 16.14.Acts 16:14that God would open your hearts as he did the heart of Lydia, that you may attend unto the things which ſhall be ſpoken.

Pray that you may**Heb. 4.2.Heb 4:2 mix the Word with faith, **2 Theſſ. 2.10.—2 Thess 2:10that you may receive the truth in the love of the truth, that you may not be given up to believe lies.

p. 26Pray for others that ſhall hear with you; pray as Chriſt prayed for his Diſciples: Sanctifie them through thy truth, thy Word is truth.John 17.17.John 17:17

Pray that ſome may be convinced, ſome converted, that others may be edified by the Sermons which ſhall be preach't amongſt you.

4. Stir up grace.4. Stir up your ſelves to come to theſe Evangelical exerciſes with Evangelical diſpoſitions; thoſe eſpecially propheſied of in relation to Goſpel-times,Iſa. 2.3.Isa 2:3 Iſa. 2.3. Many people ſhall go and ſay Come ye, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the houſe of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. —

In this Goſpel-promiſe you have three Goſpel graces,

Charity.

Faith.

Obediential Reſolutions.

Charity.1. COME LET ƲS GO, &c.] there's their CHARITY, their mutual care and love to one anothers ſouls; they call upon one another, and conſider one another, to provoke one another to a diligent attendance on the means of grace. Come ye, and let us go; gracious hearts would not go to Church, or to heaven alone; Pſal. 122.1.Ps 122:1I was glad when they ſaid unto me Let us go into the houſe of the Lord.

Faith.2. HE WILL TEACH ƲS OF HIS WAYS] here you have their FAITH; they come to the Ordinance with good thoughts of God; the ſame wherewith holy David doth encourage his own ſoul: Good and upright is the Lord, therefore will he teach ſinners in the way; Pſal. 25.8.Ps 25:8though I am evil, yet God is good; though I am a ſinner, yet God is upright, therefore I ſhall be taught of God; it is good to come to the Ordinance with great expectations upon God:

You may eaſily over-expect men, and indeed for this God ſends you home often with diſappointment; you come to a Sermon, and you ſay (ſometimes) Oh there is a rare man to preach this day; the man fails your expectation, and you return cenſuring and complaining of the Preacher, not conſidering the fault was in your ſelves; God withdrew poſſibly wonted auxiliaries of grace to puniſh your carnal confidence, Iſa. 2.22.Isa 2:22to teach you to ceaſe from man, &c. I ſay you may eaſily over-expect the creature, but you cannot over-expect God: Pſal. 81.10.Ps 81:10Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it; widen and p. 27dilate the deſires and expectations of your ſouls, and God is able to fill every chink to the vaſteſt capacity; this honours God when we greaten our expectation upon him; it is a ſanctifying of God in our hearts, he will teach us his ways.

3. WE WILL WALK IN HIS PATHS] Obediential reſolution.there you have their obediential reſolutions, highly becoming the children of God; if God be ſo gracious to teach us, they reſolve not to be ſo ungracious as to refuſ… to be taught; they come with a deſire to know Gods will, and go home with a reſolution o obey it.

This is the method of Goſpel proficiency, John 7.17.John 7:17If any man will do my will, he ſhall know my doctrine. Behold, here's the pattern, GO YE AND DO LIKEWISE.

5.5. Reſt not in the work done. Take heed of perfunctory and cuſtomary uſe of the Ordinance; Reſt not ſatisfied in a Popiſh opus operatum, the work done. As you ſhould prepare before you come, ſo you ſhould reflect when you go home, and not take up with notions in the head, without motions in the heart. Expreſſions in the lips, when ſeparate from impreſſions upon the conſcience, makes empty and formal profeſſors, and gives occaſion to ſtanders by to ſuſpect the truth of Religion. A careleſſe Chriſtian that often heareth of the glorious things of the Goſpel, but feeleth nothing of them, doth put a temptation of Atheiſme upon himſelf, and of ſcandal upon others; and while himſelf is not made better by his frequenting the means, others become worſe, while he raiſeth up an evil report upon the wayes of God. Surely we need much quickning that we may not receive THIS GRACE of God in vain.

6. And laſtly, when you have this foreign, THIS FORM OF SOUND WORDS, let it be your care to keep it; when ye HAVE it, then HOLD it, which is the ſecond acceptation of the word foreign, and brings me upon the SECOND DOCTRINE.

Doct. 2. SUCH FORMS AND MODULES ARE VERY CAFEFULLY TO BE KEPT:

But of this in the concluding Sermon if God permit.