Selected quad for the lemma: reason_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
reason_n	doctrine_n	doubt_n	solution_n	10,756	5	16.2906	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66039	Ecclesiastes, or, A discourse concerning the gift of preaching as it fals under the rules of art shewing the most proper rules and directions, for method, invention, books, expression, whereby a minister may be furnished with such abilities as may make him a workman that needs not to be ashamed : very seasonable for these times, wherein the harvest is great, and the skilful labourers but few / by John Wilkins ...	Wilkins, John, 1614-1672.	1651 (1651)	Wing W2190; ESTC R22913	45,078	144

furnish a man for this calling And that is the inquiry which is aimed at and attempted in this following discourse This service of preaching may be considered under a double notion as a Duty Gift It is here insisted upon only in the second sense and may be thus described 'T is such an expertnesse and facility in the right handling and dividing the Word of Truth as may approve us to be Workmen that need not to be ashamed It does require both Spiritual abilities   Artificial   1. Such spiritual abilities as must be infused from above whereby our judgment and affections shall be made experimentally acquainted with all those sacred Truths that we are to deliver unto others The onely way for the attaining of these is by Prayer an humble heart and a holy life 2. Such artificial abilities as are to be acquired by our own industry And these are either more general as skill in all those Arts and Languages which are required as predispositions Or more particular and immediate for the act of Preaching or making Sermons to which the chief helps are these three Method Matter Expression Each of these do contribute mutual assistance unto one another A good method will direct to proper matter and fitting matter will enable for good expression By Method I understand an Art of contriving our discourses in such a regular frame wherein every part may have its due place and dependence which will be a great advantage both to Our selves Our hearers 1. To our selves and that both for Invention and Memory A man may more easily finde out things when in stead of seeking for them at randome he can have direct recourse unto all those places and heads from whence they may be most naturally collected And more easily retain them when they are linked together and not scattered Method being as a chain in which if a man should let slip any one part he may easily recover it again by that relation and dependence which it hath with the whole 2. And so for benefit of the hearers likewise who may understand and retain a Sermon with greater ●ase and profit when they are before-hand acquainted with the general heads of matter that are discoursed of 'T is but a bad rule in Alsteà where he advises to conceal alter the method for variety sake Crypsis dispositionis tollit fastidium auditoris This may be true of itching curious hearers but not of such as regard their own profit and edification An immethodical discourse though the materials of it may be precious is but as a ●eap full of confusion and deformity the other as a Fabrick or building much more excellent both for beauty and use There might be divers kinds of Methods prescribed according as mens own fancies and the variety of subjects and occasions shall require But that which our gravest Divines by long experience have found most useful is this of Doctrine and Use This in the nature of it is very easie and therefore most natural being generally applyable unto any subject In the true latitude of it 't is as full and comprehensive as any other taking in all such notions as are any way useful or proper In the branches and gradations of it 't is very Logical putting homogeneous things together handling generals first and particulars after The principal scope of a divine Orator should be to Teach clearly Convince strongly Perswade powerfully Sutable to these the chief parts of a Sermon are these three Explication Confirmation Application Each of these may be farther subdivided and branched out according to this following Analysis 1. Explication is either of the Text by Unfolding difficulties in the sense for which we are to con●ider The phrase it self according to the Originall Translations The cirumstances of the place Persons Who to whom Occasion Time Place Scope or end Context The Analogy of Faith Other parallel or like Scriptures Distinguishing ambiguous Words Phrases Dividing of the Text which must not be Needlesse Obscure Doctrines deduced from it by Clearing their inference Shewing the latitude of every Truth According to their severall Branches Duty   Degrees 2. Confirmation by Positive proofs from Scripture in Notionall truths by direct Affirmation Negation evident consequence Practicall truths by precepts examples Reason to convince in Doctrinall points from the nine Topicks Cause Effect Subject Adjunct Dissentan Comparats Name Distribution Definitions Practicall truths from the two generall heads of Necessity Equity Solution of such doubts and Quaeries as are most obvious and materiall 3. Application which is either Doctrinall for our information More generall in some truth to be acknowledged Didacticall instruction Elencticall confutation More particular of our own estates to be examined by Marks which are commonly either Effects Properties Practicall Reproof which hath two parts Disswasive from The aggravation of the sin Threats denounced Judgments executed Directive wherein concerning Impediments that hinder Means to promote more Remote Immediate Consolation by Promises Experience Removing of scruples Exhortation to be amplified by Motives to excite the affections from Profit Danger Means to direct the actions Generall Speciall Besides those more essential parts recited in this Scheme which belong to the very nature and substance of a Sermon there are other lesse principal parts also not to be neglected which concerne the external form of it Such as these Preface Transitions Conclusion The first thing to be entred upon in this Fabrick or Method is the Porch or Preface which is not always necessary in every common structure but only when some extraordinary occasion does require it or by reason of some special reference which the Text may have to that particular time and auditory And then it should be clear and p●rtinent short as being a thing on the by and such as may quicken attention unto the following discourse The most general and effectual matter for a Preface is that which was so commonly used by the Prophets of old to perswade the hearers that it is The Word of God which is spoken to them which concerns their everlasting happinesse and is able to save their souls That the Ministers do but stand in Christs stead That our receiving or despising of them shall be reckoned as done unto Christ himself Which being beleeved and considered will be a strong engagement upon the hearers unto those three qualifications which are the chief ends of prefacing namely to make them Favourable Teachable Attentive The next thing to be done is the opening of the Text according to its proper sense and meaning To which purpose we may give some brief Analytical explication of the Chapter or at least so much of it as may serve to clear the Text and shew the dependence of it on the coherent words All Scriptures are either manifest or Cryptical and obscure Matters that are absolutely necessary to salvation are exprest in the first of these Other truths whether Historical Doctrinal or Practical may be sometimes involved in