memorie is the maintainer of knowledge so is method the preseruer Of writing Sermons the profit and antiquity therof See Hipperius in his first booke of framing Sermons cap. 6. of memorie Thirdly write what thou wouldest speake writing confirmes meditation shewes the minde to the senses and keepes things once thought of it makes thoughts set downe better to be iudged either by a mans selfe or by an other to whom it may be imparted for their approbation or correction Difficile est saith one simul cogitare qualiter cogites iudicare ex nuda mentis cogitatione It fixeth more firmely what is thought vpon brings to a stile and kinde of speaking it preserues a mans labours thereby afterwards to iudge how he profits to pleasure himselfe by perusing againe former meditations more easilie found in writing than called to minde or any other by his labour if it be held woorth looking on It declareth his industry and paines to speake profitablie with vnderstanding of that he deliuereth In writing a man loseth no thoughts so as at one time it s not requisite so exactly to remember what he hath inuented whilest his minde musing vpon farther matter as hee must doe in meditating without setting it downe Lastly in studie whilest one is intent vpon a matter often occasion is giuen of further matter which ariseth from reading or meditation which if it bee not noted downe will in following the point in hand soone slippe out of minde and hardly to be recalled except memorie bee verie good Therefore it is good to write and in writing to haue a voide or emptie paper by to set downe foorth with what comes to minde which will after fitly serue in the right place wee see writing to be exceeding profitable euerie way for our selues and others and nothing should let from this Sed est magni laboris quem desides nos plerunque fugimus Fourthly vse meditation seriously vpon Attent and serious meditation and what therein to be obserned Maner that which thou doest purpose to speak after it be penned Beware heerein of a wauering minde and by-thoughts begin not immediately vpon wearinesse and serious studie before without some relaxation betweene not sudden from one thing to another nor vpon vehement passions as of anger sorrow feare ioy and so forth Take also time for it Nam sicut concoctioni corporali spacium damus quietem ita meditations mentis quae mentalis quaedam concoctio est quâm animae nutrimentum cedat materia How much is sufficient to be allotted to meditation is to be iudged from euerie mans industrie and abilitie in quicknesse of conceit and firmenesse of memorie to retaine which is more or lesse in euerie one His meditation and paines must be so as that hee may preach so often as is conuenient for the people The time when it is not good after meat the vnderstanding Time then is dulled and as memorie is lesse able to beare away and minde to conceiue so its hurtfull for the bodie serious meditation much hindring natures worke in concoction Secondly it is best ouer night immediatelie before sleepe and foorthwith awaking earely in the morning aurora Musis amica It may be lying sitting standing or walking as a man perceiueth what is best for himselfe and is most vsed vnto but in walking beware of oft turning which is hurtfull to the braine For the place let it be solitary lest with noise to the eares Place variene of obiect to the eies the mind be distracted neither let it be too darke nor yet too light a meane is best in all Some in meditating doe vse to speake and gesture but this is a forewearing of the spirits and too Histrionian like In thy meditation two things are to be thought vpon Matter First the matter to be handled Secondly the order how to proceed according to this former method set downe doctrines with proofe vse with reasons application with preuention of obiections and finally the conclusion For words neuer be tied vnto them Puerili nimium est Discommodious to be tied to words verbulum non audere proferrae quod non ad notatur chartis scriptas conciones verbatim ediscere multa habent incommoda It hindreth deuotion restraineth libertie of speech it requireth much labour and thereby makes the Ministerie irkesome to such neither can such speake so often as is requisite and as iust occasion requireth It possesseth a man with feare which confounds memorie it curbes the good motions of the spirit and preuents a man of the benefit of such things as in speaking might offer themselues to his vnderstanding Vpon present occasion such an one can neither speake more nor otherwise than hee hath committed to memorie before a verie great hurt to a mans Ministerie and hinderance to the course thereof in pronuntiation also action and affection If a man feare to want words let him be well prouided for matter and words non inuita sequentur as one well saith Fiftly and lastly if all these meanes be not sufficient to helpe thy memorie that so thou maiest deliuer thy minde both for matter and maner as thou wouldest and as thou hast set it downe without faile adde this helpe withall note the chiefe heads of thy speech briefly in a little peece of paper No disgrace to note the chiefe heads of the Sermon in a little paper to helpe memorie a word or two for euery seuerall thing quae breuis delineatio erit memoriae presens subsidium si in libro repositam fixam eam ad manum inter concionandum in pulpito habeas If any should thinke this a disgrace it is not vnknowne how both in the Vniuersity other places many very learned and woorthy Diuines vse this helpe either taking vp little paper books bound like Testaments or the Bible with a paper fastned in it and these no whit at all lesse esteemed Eras li. 2 de ratione Concionandi pag. 117. speaks of this matter and saith tutum est capita sermonis in Charta notata habere ad manum quod in Psalmos aliquot fecisse videtur Augustinus hanc scio saith he an in omnes quanquam vir memoria ad prodignum vsque foelici So as we see it is ancient no disgrace at all It was a common thing in Gregories time out of writings to speake to the people as Hiperius hath noted out of one of his Homilies vpon Marke 16. It s better by this meanes to helpe defect of memorie to vtter all thy labour and with incouragement without feare to speake to vrge a matter affectionately and to prosecute things fullie as it pleaseth thee knowing at hand present helpe to keepe thee in minde with a little glance of the eie where thou art to bring thee fitly to that which doth follow al which benefit thou hast heereby Then knowing thy memory to be weake it is presumption to attempt to speake without this helpe
godly so to shew the wicked their sins and punishment for the same Secondly the wicked 2. Occasion Iewes had blasphemously accused the Lord of iniustice and murmured against his chastisements Thirdly which 3. Scope and generall proposition the Prophet reprooues them for and confutes their error and shewes that Gods waies are equall and iust and theirs vniust and that not he but they are the cause of his iudgements vpon them which are iustly inflicted Fourthly 4. Coherence whereupon in these words the Prophet concludes that for these their speeches they deserue punishment and should be punished vnlesse they repented Fiftly the verse containeth 5. Parts and generall diuision three generals or totums and therefore must first be obserued the first is a threatning of iudgement the second an exhortation the third a promise which both the sense The subdiuision by observation of circumstances the Verbes I will iudge Returne Shall not be doe note out vnto vs. Now if men please they may by circumstances diuide these into seuerall parts euery one againe and as the words lie in order as thus In the threat note first the cause in therefore secondly what is threatned iudgement thirdly who in generall the house of Israel and more particularlie euerie one fourthly the maner of iudgement iustlie according to his waies Fiftly the person threatning the Lord So likewise proceed in the exhortation and promise Another example Matth. 10. 14. These be the words of our Sauiour Christ in his commission giuen to his Disciples who commanded them to preach and to goe hither and thither and yet without care of corporall prouision intimating also to them that all should not receiue them he fore-knowing mans thoughts who vpon hearing of enemies would bee somewhat discouraged he heere preuents an obiection or answers closely to that question which they might make concerning their behauiour to the obstinate and what shall befall them All which is to encourage the Disciples in their Ministerie The parts whereof are two in generall a Commination and a Commandement 1. In the threat note First the parties threatned Whosoeuer the persons and after the place the house or citie Secondly why for two offences not receiuing the Disciples and for not hearing their words Thirdly the certaintie of the threatning confirmed to his Disciples truely I say to you Fourthly what is threatned to wit their certaine damnation and impossibilitie to be saued deliuered in a comparatiue speech it shall be easier Fiftly the time when this shall be effected in the day of iudgement 2. In the commandement obserue first the time when they depart secondly who the Disciples all of them thirdly what to doe shake off the dust of their feete Thus may we doe with any Scripture if we can but know the generall how to name it and so laie it open by circumstances euen as the words lie in order This maner of diuiding will affoord much matter easie for the method and discends to the capacitie of the simplest hearer But heere is no small cunning required to gather out lessons from euery circumstance fitly yet easie to any one that vnderstands and hath laboured heerein as shall bee after demonstrated by example If it be held too great curiositie so distinctlie to note euerie word as it were and circumstance then the generall diuision may be onely obserued and one or moe of the words followed passing from one to another briefly at his pleasure The way is all one this more easie and lesse distinct to the vnderstanding in particulars the other more hard and subiect to the censure of a meane hearer any whit exercised in the Word who more easily iudgeth and seeth the collections of doctrines and how it is followed and when the Preacher keepes or roues from the present matter If this way be not liked in stead of this diuiding and for How to diuide after another maner in shew more learned generall heads one two or three propositions may be gathered and as parts followed euery proposition conteining the substance of the circumstances in the generall part As for example to declare my meaning Act. 10. 33. The words are part of Cornelius answer and containe in them three parts First Cornelius obedience in these words therefore sent I for thee immediately wherein we note these circumstances first the cause in therefore secondly the things done in sent thirdly who in I that is Cornelius fourthly for whom fiftly when Secondly Cornelius incouraging and commending of Peter wherein note first who and whom secondly for what thirdly Cornelius readinesse in the last words where obserue first when secondly the cause thirdly the parties fourthly the place fiftly the maner sixtly the end seuenthly what These three parts thus set foorth by circumstances may be drawen into three propositions and in stead of this diuiding the Teacher may say We will in these words after hee hath read the verse handle and speake of three things I. That the commandement of God must make him to These three propositions contain plainly three seuerall circumstances knit vp together â—â— doctrines whom it is giuen to obey the same without delay II. That those which send for Gods messengers should openly encourage them by commending their willingnesse in comming III. That hearers knowing of their comming should make the mselues ready wait for them submitting themselues with reuerence to heare whatsoeuer they shall teach them from the Lord. Which propositions may bee prooued and followed in the same order to a mans selfe as the circumstances should be but yet in shew differing to the auditorie the other being deliuered plainly and in a disiointed speaking handling euery circumstance by it selfe but this way largely set foorth with a continued speech to the end of euery proposition The other easie to be conceiued of the hearer and to be deliuered of the speaker requiring neither singular memorie nor much libertie of speech and therefore to tickling cares a harsher way though for all sorts more profitable this way not so easie nor so euident hardlier to bee vnderstood of the simpler sort and more difficult to bee performed of the Preacher except he haue a good memorie to helpe well his vnderstanding and also a ready toong freely vnfolding without stoppe the conceits of the minde Chuse either after your gifts but doe all to edification Heere is required in the Teacher skill in the arte of Logicke What vse to make of Logicke an arte most necessary for a Minister an especiall handmaid by the assistance of Gods spirit to serue for great vse in reading the Scriptures in interpreting laying them open vnto others By Logicke we see the method of the Spirit we behold the arguments the coherence and the scope by it we collect doctrines confirme them enlarge the proofes gather thence consequently apt vses and vrge them by reasons vpon the hearers Without this a Teacher can neuer soundly lay open the scriptures solidely prosecute
1. 9. In conuincing the Aduersaries 1. To doe them no wrong lay downe their errour truely and briefly as it is held by them expounding the meaning and distinguishing of the words from their owne best approoued writers if any obscuritie bee in it or ambiguitie that so the matter bee not mistaken nor the aduersarie haue occasion to cauill and denie the position 2. Not to make it grosser nor more absurd then it is shew wherein we consent and how farre we may approoue of that opinion This course will shew our faithfull 〈…〉 ling allowing truth in all things and in euerie one and that we wilfully dissent not where we haue iust cause to agree 3. Note our dissent and wherein wee differ and they mistake the matter shewing our reasons for the trueth as I haue declared in confirmation of a doctrine and bring in withall the forciblest obiections which the aduersaries makes against vs to gainsay that wee hold For there are two sorts of obiections one which the aduersarie vseth against vs to hinde our confirmation and to weaken the reasons which wee bring for the trueth we hold The other which they make against our arguments in confuting their errors The obiections we must answer according as they be made some from the Scripture some from the testimonies of men Fathers and Councels and withall to weigh what may apparentlie bee excepted against our answer and preuent that 4. The difference being cleere betweene vs confute With what to confute an errour their error First by expresse words of Scripture Secondly by reasons drawne from Scripture Thirdly from a principle of Religion Fourthly from testimonie of the Fathers by their interpreting of those Scriptures which we bring in or their assertions els where Fiftly from Councels Sixtly from some of their owne writers disagreeing happely in that point or from some of their generall points wherein wee and they agree shewing that those and such errors Weak grounds to build vpon and props of errors of theirs cannot stand together Seuenthly by discouering the absurditie the weake grounds whereon they build such an error ftom the bare opinion of one man or consent of many from Custome from deceiued Councels forged Authors from fathers mistaken or peruerted traditions pretended verities vnwritten Apocryphall books or from Canonicall Scripture but the place misalledged contrarie to the meaning or not fully alleaged by adding or detracting or from a translation erroneous for these bee the Sophisticall delusions and deceiueable courses which heretikes and scismatikes vse to maintaine their errors with 5. The danger of the error is to be declared But here First let none fall to couince error except by When its best to fall to confutation and controuersies extreme necessitie they be vrged thereunto before they haue for some time deliuered a certaine trueth and Catechized the people It is a preposterous course comming to an ignorant people and superstitious as most ignorant persons be to begin foorth with to handle controuersies it breeds contention it makes the common sort who cannot iudge what is spoken for or obiected onely against the truth to be answered for clearing the trueth to thinke the Preacher teacheth contrarie things and to speake hee knowes not what It were better to beare with many things yet in the meane season shewing in generall that he would gladly informe them wherein they erre but that as yet they be not able to beare that he would vtter till they be taught the principles plainely and diligently and after a familiar maner winding the trueth into them at vnawares as it were without controulement of their ignorant customes and maners for a while S. Paul was some time at Ephesus before he cried openly out of the idoll Diana What controuersies first to be handled and how farre to proceed II. Also heerein let none meddle farther when they begin then may benefit the hearers and themselues well able to deale with It is good to raise vp no more spirits by shewing the arguments of the aduersarie then may bee cunningly coniured downe againe lest in seeming either to withdraw or to keepe any from errour such should confirme men therein and put words into their mouthes to speake against the trueth before vnknowne to them A foolish merchant is he who will so much make mention of other mens wares as that he thereby though not intended ouerthrow his owne market Hee is foole-hardie that will challenge an other into the field bring him out weapons and himselfe without skill to warde off and so letting himselfe be beaten with that which he brings Controuersies requires sharpnesse of wit some cunning to find out Sathans Sophistrie Yoong Cockerils that begin but to crow may not set vpon the great Cockes of the game There bee many Nouices who haue scarce learned the a b c in Diuinitie ignorant in a maner of the common principles of religion yet in these daies wil be medling with the chiefest controuersies some crowing against that Sophistical Bellarmine some billing at that profound Iudiciall interpreter Caluin audaciously controulling him and foolishly despising his incomparable learning and skill Some running into the troublesome point of Discipline when hardly they know what the Noune meaneth beleeuing what they heare but saying nothing what they see themselues iudicially A better way were it to let them alone till we be growne to these things and then also to proceed wisely and moderately and in the meane time to bend our force altogither against the common aduersarie III. Let vs beware we call not vpon or once mention Old and by-past heresies or such as are not amongst vs not to be mentioned old dead and by-past heresies out of all mens memories this were but to keepe in minde what were better buried euer in obliuion neither deuise any new which are not held which were so to fight with our owne shadow and to vtter lies and offend against charitie by slander A wicked practise of the Papists against vs and some of our owne brethren amongst our selues IV. And lastly in confutation of any error let these Certaine caueats in entering into a controuersie things be looked vnto First that the text occasion it by good consequent or directlie speakes against it that wee seeme not to delight in controuersies arguing a vaine contentious spirit Secondly let it bee such a one as at that time is abroad or foorthwith is like to come foorth and also dangerous to the Church Thirdly consider whether it be necessarie to be mentioned and confuted before that auditorie and also when conueniently Fourthly not to stand long vpon it but so farre as may be thought expedient to the edification of the hearers It is altogether a fault to spend in Countrie and rude assemblies the whole time or most part of the Sermon in some point of controuersies as some vse to doe without iust occasion or necessary cause These spirits benefit little their auditories and breed
of the things distinctly by them I haue made seuerall Chapters yet the Preacher which will follow Artis est 〈◊〉 re artem this course may in speaking knit them altogither in a continued speech after the maner of an oration keeping the method to himselfe passing from the doctrine to the proofe from the proofe to the vse from the vse to the reasons thereof from thence to the application and to preuention of obiections and finally so conclude euerie doctrine and one finished passe by transitions vttered sometimes in one tearme sometimes in an other to a new doctrine in like maner and so in all to the end of the Sermon the finall conclusion of all Touching the finall conclusion of the Sermon it must How long time conuenient ordinarâ—ly for a Sermon bee made within the compasse of the houre or immediately after except vpon extraordinarie occasion Neither is this to binde Gods spirit to an houre but to follow the order of the Church and thereupon the expectation of the hearers and their infirmitie which who so regardeth not knoweth not well how to keepe measure in speaking neither hath discretion to see what is conuenient Manie The discommoditie of passing ouer commonly the a pointed time for want of obseruing time and commonly going beyond the customarie space allotted thereunto doe make their labour to their daily hearers tedious themselues to be condemned of pride louing to heare themselues talke or of folsie without wit to keepe a meane or to know that as much may be vttered in an houre as can be of any almost rightlie vnderstood and well caried away Heereof riseth the occasion often of the contempt of some such mens endeuour this scandall also as if the publicke assembly is made Auditorium non Oratorium that such preachers are not painfull to compact things substantially together but talke at randome quicquid in buccam venerit proferre In the Conclusion must be First a short repetition onely What must be done in the conclusion of the principall doctrines and vses of the whole Sermon especially if the Preacher be a stranger and doth but make one Sermon els in ordinarie exercises continued the repetition may be deferred vnto the beginning of the next Preaching and verie fitly to be as well a renuing of the old as teaching of new II. A pithie forcible and louing exhortation to mooue affection and to quicken the hearers to vnderstand to hold In conclusion to be most patheticall the trueth taught to detest the errours conuinced to loue the vertues and imitate the examples and to flie the vice it selfe and persons committing the euil spoken against Comforting and encouraging such as need picking out some one speciall doctrine vse scarsely mentioned before and thought most chiefly now to bee vrged vpon them from amongst all that which hath beene spoken and reserued to this conclusion that it may be more fresh in memorie than the rest And this enforce and exhort vnto liuely and to make it more effectuall stand no longer vpon it end of a sudden leauing them mooued and stirred vp in affection to long after more for as one saith Omnia tunc bona sunt quando clausula est bona Ex per orationem noscitur concionater Lastly thus all finished end with thanksgiuing and praier Knit vp all with praier againe and thanksgiuing also for a blessing vpon that which hath beene spoken mentioning the especials therein At que sic vt a praecatione exor dium sumpsit concio sacra ita in eandem pie desinet iuxta dulcissimum dictum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Praier ended after the Psalme bee sung put vpon the people the Lords blessing and end with Num. 6. 24. or this Praier of the Apostle Hebr. 13. 20. 21. or 1. Thessal 5. 23. 24. or els 2. Corint 13. 13. And thus much for these things concerning the seuerall The fruitfulnesse of this kinde of teaching parts of a Sermon and of the things required of a Minister particularly and of them distinctly which if wee haue and can thus vse we shall proceed religiously handle matters methodically teach soundly confirme beleeuers resolue them that doubt conuince gain-saiers reprooue the wicked comfort the afflicted preuent cauils and euery waie become profitable to Gods glorie the hearers edification and our owne comfort in this great and miraculous worke in conuerting soules CHAP. XIII Of such things as are required of a Minister to performe the whole worke HItherto hath beene deliuered what is required and to What things generally necessarie to a preacher be done in seuerall parts Now followes to shew what is necessary for a Preacher to haue in all and euery part requisite for the well performance of the whole I. Is a quicke apprehension either in premeditation A quicke apprehension or els in publicke deliuerie thereby to take what the spirit of God presently doth offer to our minds The holy Ghost forsakes not his owne worke neither saileth to assist a painfull Minister but euen in his preparation is with him and helps by affoording much in the verie speaking not before thought of A man not slauishly bound to words brings not all things with him into the Pulpit that there is deliuered The spirit in Praier helps Rom. 8. so doth he in preaching if there be a ready conceit to take it Heereto must be added inuention to finde out vnderstanding to know the thing what it is iudgement to dispose of it to bring euery thing into his proper place and prudence to discerne rightly to make application according to conuenient circumstances and occasions II. A good memorie firme and stable to retaine at least A good memorie things newly thought vpon which is a present memorie without this it is impossible to become plentifull in matter or in exhortation vehement for in the one a brickle memorie will omit much and in the other a Minister will soone forget himselfe where he was and what about A perfect memorie needeth no precept happie is he that hath it it is the store-house to vnderstanding and treasure of eloquence if wit want not nor the toong bee tied by helpe of a good memory a man with ease may speake as How to helpe the weakenesse of the memory much as he pleaseth and as he is disposed also A weake memorie needeth helpe and thus it may bee strengthened First vnderstand well the thing to be deliuered for as S. Hierome saith quae firmiter concepimus benè loquimur siquidem talia in ammae quasi substantiam concoquendo sunt conuersa Things of thine owne deuising are best for memorie and more easie to be borne away that which is from other more hardly and scarcely not at all without the right vnderstanding of the matter without which a man repeats but words as a Parat Secondly dispose into order and method what thou art to deliuer an vnorderly heaping vp of things together confounds memorie As
THE FAITHFVLL SHEPHEARD OR THE SHEPHEARDS Faithfulnesse Wherein is for the matter largely but for the maner in few words set forth the excellencie and necessitie of the Ministerie A Ministers properties and dutie His entrance into this function and charge How to begin fitly to instruct his people Catechising and Preaching And a good plaine order and method therein Not so as yet published Very profitable both for yoong Students who intend the studie of Theologie heerein being also declared what Arts and tongues first to be learned what kinde of Authours to be râ—â—â— and books necessarie in the beginning and which in the first place as also for such Ministers as yet haue not atteined to a distinct order to studie write meditate and to preach methodically both for their better course in deliuering the Word and the peoples vnderstanding in hearing and memorie in reteining the same By RICHARD BERNARD Preacher of Gods Word 2. Tim. 2. 15. Studie to shew thy selfe approued of God a workeman that needeth not to be ashamed â—â—â—uiding the word of Truth aright LONDON Printed by Arnold Hatfield for 〈◊〉 1687. TO THE RIGHT WORshipfull his Honorable good friend M. Doctor MOVNTAGVE Deane of his Maiesties Chapell R. B. wisheth heartilie all true happinesse and felicitie for euer IT is the saying of him Right Worshipfull whom God did mooue you once to honour with this selected text Moses my seruant is dead to your great praise Grauis est arduus si quis alius ex omni Theologia locus is qui est deformandis concionibus by which being vttered of a man of that learning and experience I might be somewhat afraid to attempt the publishing of this Treatise vpon such a subiect but that I know it is acceptable to God if we haue no greater gift to offer to cast a mite into the Lords treasury I haue had also the approbation of some for my incouragement both in the Vniuersitie countrie A mite in a great treasurie is small in shew for encreasement thereunto neuerthelesse it is some what though but a mite What I haue performed in this labour for matter and method it may by reading of it appeare my labour hath not beene little my intendement good Whatsoeuer it is Right worshipfull I presume to offer it you as a poore present to testifie my humble and heartie thankfulnesse for your manifold kindnesses and liberall fauours vnto me I long ago offred it to your view in a naked shape and first conception which euer since I haue beene better proportioning and now haue thus clothed it as it is If before this I had prepared it I had not so long deferred off or if my pouertie could haue affoorded a better testimonie as in will I can wish it should most gladly haue gone forth as worthily deserued vnder the honor of your name Accept Right Worshipfull this labor and so looke vpon it as you haue bene and are wont louingly to accept of me so shall you encourage me to further endeuors and bind me still more in all dutiful respect to acknowledge your professed and approoued loue and good will constant towards me and to powre out my praiers to God continually for your preseruation and encrease in all spirituall graces for euer VVorsop this 16. of Iune Your worships bounden in Christ Iesus euer RICHARD BERNARD To his brethren of the Ministery and the beloued Readers Grace and peace THe Preaching of Gods word brethren in the Lord beloued an vnfolding therof to the peoples capacity with words of exhortation applied to the conscience both to enforme and reform and where they be wel to confirme as it is most necessarie so is it indeed a very hard worke to be performed though to the vnskilfull it seeme easie and thereupon not a few vnaduisedly take it in hand speaking without iudgement rashly without order preposterously tatching matter together without dependancie little to the peoples edification and lesse to the honour of this holy ordinance which by these is made odious with many and held rather a talke of the toong from a disordered affection without knowledge than a godly instruction rightly disposed by setled iudgment It may be they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of a good affection attempt this worke but withall they must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hauing abilitie in wisedome aptly to teach Discreet vnderstanding must goe with zeale and grauitie with sinceritie affection is headiâ— without wisedome this moderates as the other pricks forward they must be linked inseparablie Knowledge alone deliuereth coldly and zeale alone not respectiuely knowledge without zeale permitteth of more than is meet by distinction and zeale not according to knowledge breedeth but dissention It is requisite therefore the Ministers be neither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whom pride may puffe vp not yet hauing in a sanctified course learned to moderate the lusts of youth nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as yet not apt to teach and vnfit to be ouerseers in a Congregation for we must know what to teach for the matter and how for the maner and so to diuide the word aright to the hearers which is required in all that preach vnto the people And therefore to further both these vpon these considerations duly weighed I was encouraged to proceed and to vndergoe the maleuolous censure of this enuious age First for that I see many do obserue this order in part though not so exactly as were to be wished and as it is here by precepts briefly and plainly set downe whose good approbation I hope to finde as maintenance against the rest Secondly for that I haue found by my owne experience in teaching both the easinesse thereof to be atteined soone vnto as also that it is a very sound profitable way as I haue iudged hearing other and they me neither disliked of any that I haue heard of who list to speake faithfully and with profit Thirdly for that I hauing vpon an occasion studied the 11. of the first of the Corinthians from the 23. verse to the end I finde plainly this method set downe by the Apostle and so hath it a diuine and Apostolicall approbation for supposing the 23. 24. 25. verses to be as his text out of Matth. 26. 26. 27. 28. the 26. containeth the scope the 27. is a doctrine 28. an vse 29. a reason to enforce it 30. and 31. the application of that which went before to the present state of the Corinthians 32. a preuention of an obiection which must follow application as I haue declared in this treatise 33. 34. a louing exhortation for the conclusion with a briefe repetition of somewhat before reprehended with a prescribed remedie for the same This place gaue me the first and chiefest occasion to write this treatise of preaching and method therein Fourthly and lastly for that I hauing laboured for all such both old and new which haue writen of this matter to further me I perswaded my selfe that this my labour
thereof that would be further instructed heerein V. A minister must bee furnished with books as good Furnished with good bookes Of humanitie helps to further his studie and these of all sorts First for humanitie of the seuerall Arts of Ethickes Politickes Oeconomicks natural Philosophie such as haue written of Trees Herbes Beasts of Husbandrie Geographie Histories of Iewish customes of their Waights and Measures and what other matter the learned haue written of for the Scriptures especially Next these bookes of Diuinitie and other necessarie Of diuinitie with such as are immediate intended helpes therein First the Bible the booke of God in English Latin Greeke and The Bible Hebrue our best English translation Tremelius Septuagints translation Montanus interlineall or Vatablus Beza his Testament Secondly Dictionaries besides the Latin Dictionaries and Greeke common for all sorts the Hebrue Pagninus and Auenarius Thirdly Concordances Latin Greeke and Concordance and the singular vse therof to finde proofes for a Doctrine to enlarge the vse of the same by reasons and examples and to handle a common place Hebrue of which there is singular vse a Concordance helpes memorie much to finde out any place of Scripture also in comparing Scriptures to finde places the same with the text repeated or like places in words that affoord helpe to prooue doctrines by seeking the principall word in the doctrine which it will helpe also to enlarge by considering the seuerall places which speake of the same matter or haue the same words out of which may be obserued differences causes effects exhortations promises threats yea and examples also to handle therby a Common place As for example If a man would speake of Feare let him finde Feare in the Concordance and there he shall see some place wil tell him what feare is as Prouer. 1. 7. some the kinds of God of man true and false feare what to feare and what not as Matth. 10. Exhortations to true feare Deuter. 4. how to attaine it Prouerb 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Deuter. 17. 19. signes of feare Psal 119. verse 14. The benefits reaped thereby Psalm 25. 34. And diuers other things at large will bee offered to thy consideration to follow any point of Diuinitie thereout if once you had gotten an vse heerein the benefit of this is more then heere I can conueniently expresse Surely he that vnderstands his text well and knowes how to draw a doctrine needs no printed or written Sermons to helpe for to inlarge it the right knowledge how to vse a Concordance is euerie way a sufficient helpe for proofes reasons and illustrations of the same It may seeme and will prooue irkesome to him that at the first makes triall thereof but time and experience will make it easie and pleasant IV Analyticall expositions for the diuiding of bookes Analyticall exposition benefit therof and chapters and vnfolding of the Scriptures as Pflacherius hath done on the Historie of the Bible Piscator on the new Testament and some of all such bookes helpe to shew you the coherence the antecedents and the consequents the scope of the Author the whole method arguments for confirmation or confutation of the proposition handled It were verie good for a yoong beginner to read euerie day one chapter or two with some learned mans resolution of the same hee shall profit much thereby in knowledge of the Scriptures V. Of Annotations as Bezaes of Phrases Westhemerus Annotations and Illyricus in his Clauis Scripturae hath gathered many of diuers acceptations of words as also Marlorats Enchiridion The commoditie of Marlorats Enchiridion sets downe which booke is of verie good vse to shew how many waies many words are taken to helpe to finde out like places to compare with the text and to handle a Common place the benefit of these books and such of the like kinde is to further vse in the interpretation of any obscure portion of Scripture Reconciliation of places VI. Of reconciling places seeming to differ and to be one against an other as Christopher Obenhimius and Andreas Catcehismes Althamerus or any other if any haue more or done better of this matter VII A Catechisme conteining the doctrine of the Church and principles of Religion Caluins Institutions and Vrsinus Catechisme both which studied throughly will sufficiently informe a mans iudgment in the chiefe points of Religion which a Diuine must bee well practised in for the trial of his doctrine and other mens iudgements by the Analogie of faith as before declared It is good for a beginner to haue without booke the definitions and distributions of the principall heads of Theologie as Polanus Partitions setteth downe that so hee may readily know to what Common-place bookes and speciall traclates being particular common places of seuerall things at large head to refer his doctrines or other mens propositions to examine and iudge rightly of them VIII Common-place bookes Musculus Peter Martyr Zegedinus tables which booke is a sum of most principall learned mens labours before his time At the first a Diuine is to exercise himselfe in handling making Common places for so doing he shal furnish himselfe with much matter and learne to discourse follow and stand vpon a point in a Sermon Vnder Common places I conteine particular Tractats of seuerall things being some large Commentaries and what vse to make of them Common place of some speciall point of God of Christ his incarnation passion resurrection c. and of any other thing distinctly let downe IX Commentaries of Orthodoxwriters all which will helpe thee in vnderstanding the text they will more confirme thy iudgement seeing others to agree in that which thou hast conceiued thy selfe they by occasion of words may put into thy minde what of thy selfe thou canst not dreame of nor they themselues intended by these thou maiest as it were talke with and aske the iudgement of the Ecclesiasticall histories and Epistles of the ancient Fathers greatest Diuines in the world of any Scripture they write of they yet liuing and speaking to vs by their labours as Caluin Peter Martyr Musculus and others X. Ecclesiasticall Historiographers Eusebius tripartite Historie Ruffinus Socrates Theodoretus Sozomenus Euagrius Nicephorus Iosephus Philo Zonarus to which adde the Epistles of Ierome and other Fathers and of late writers These historicall books are of this vse for the knowledge of the Churches estate to reforme maners and to abolish superstitions XI The Acts and Canons of ancient Councels the Acts and Canons of Councells Centuries Functius Sleidans Commentaries and the book of Martyrs to see the iudgement of Churches in matters of Religion the condemning of heresies and maintenance of the truth Heereunto adde the Harmony of confessions of late reformed Churches XII Controuersies whereinto we may safely proceed Controuersies and when to studie them and whos 's in the first place being well grounded by these things aforesaid Heerein it is good
and emphasis of the words preaching of Gods word there all sorts of men begin to giue ouer good things which before they delighted in they decaie in graces and fall backe become rebellious and wickedly disposed whereby they make themselues naked of all graces yea of Gods fauour exposing themselues to their spirituall enemies and so perish and come to destruction Thus you see the doctrine explaned and enlarged by a paraphrase to the capacitie of leuerie one whereof in the next place are vses to bee made and then as one thinks good he may make some obseruation besides after the explanation acception emphasis c. The gathering of a doctrine is where the doctrine is not What it is to gather a doctrine and when and also how expressed in the text and is collected by good consequent necessarilie The doctrine is not to bee written from the text as if the text were drawen to the lesson and not the doctrine from it but must follow iustâ consequentiâ so is the collection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is by helpe of Logicall affection of arguments from a generall to a speciall from the whole to the parts from the proper adiunct to the subiect and from the cause effect subiect contraries comparats definition and distribution As for example Ierem. 31. 31. I will make a new couenant out of which this doctrine I gather from the adiunct That the Law of Moses was not to bee perpetuall but for a time till an other come in place thereof Hebr. 13. 4. Hence this doctrine ariseth It is lawfull for Ministers to marrie and their marriage is honorable which followes by iust consequent a genere ad speciem and is as good a doctrine as if it had been said expresly the marriage of Ministers is honorable and the bed vndefiled And thus he that so collects doctrines and deliuers them is to bee heard as the mouth of God And hee that thus can doe is an Apollo◠in Gods Church mightie in the Scriptures shewing by Scripture that which he teacheth Act. 18. 24. 28. and shall conuince the consciences of gaine-saiers and establish the trueth in the hearts of the beleeuers and be bold to vrge it vpon the hearers as speaking with iudgement from authoritie In gathering doctrines which may be diuers waies obserued Whence to collect doctrines proceed in this order both naturall helpefull to memorie and also will occasion a man to thinke of manie lessons I. From the occasion of that Scripture as diuers occasions From the occasion were of the Psalmes of S. Pauls Epistles of the speeches of our Sauiour Christ of the Sermons in the Acts and the same of other Scriptures sometimes one sometimes an other and so accordingly may many doctrines be gathered II. From the coherence when it is with the other words From the coherence whether it be a bare affirmation or negation A reason or moe reasons of that which went before a preuention of an obiection a conclusion in that place of Scripture If a Reason it may teach to obserue that a reason is to be giuen of that which is deliuered for confirmation and that a bare assertion without proofe is not sufficient If the matter bee followed but without any reason annexed it may shew the same sufficiently prooued and easie to be receiued If moe reasons bee brought in and the matter much vrged and largely stood vpon it argues the necessity of that point the earnest endeuour of the author therein that it is hardlie receiued of men as it ought or easily reiected as on a similitude an exhort dehortat commandement c. it ought not to be If the words be a preuention of an obiection wee may gather that in teaching there is as well required wisdome to preuent a foe as to instruct a friend If a conclusion a time to be obserued to end euery thing wherein is wisedome how farre to speake in a matter and when to conclude and be silent If the words bee a similitude to illustrate the matter it may not the obscuritie of the point handled or the plaine and euident dealing of the Author noting withall the kind of similitude and whence it is fetched Lastly If an exhortation threat promise c. wee may collect the vse of them for that end which the spirit vseth them Also from Commandement affirmatiue and exhortations that we are vnapt and slow to a thing From Commandement Negatiue and dehortation our aptnesse to a thing Withall prooue the exhortation to be necessarie or dehortation also promises and threats by other Scriptures and examples and shew wherein also the promises and threats made doe stand and in what particulars III. From the scope and maine drift of the words From the scope There is but one true sense of a place one scope and one proper doctrine or proposition Of a generall proposition or doctrine gathered out of many words from the most principall scope which doctrine is chiefe and principall of that Scripture As there is but one drift so but one proper and most naturall doctrine of that place which though it may be deliuered in a few words yet it is conteined sometimes in many sometime in fewer verses or words As for example In handling the Epistle to the Romans after the Preface to come to the matter we shall finde the first scope and principall proposition conteining the same to bee this That there is but one way for all Iew or Gentile to attaine saluation euen by the faith in Christ wrought by the Gospell the power of God to saluation which doctrine is conteined and followed from the 16. verse of the first Chapter to the beginning of the 19. chap. whereunto all that is spoken is to be referred as conteining reasons to confirme the same But now heere note as there is a generall scope and so a Propositions or doctrines lesse generall drawen from the words which haue a more speciall scope The lesse generall prooueth the more generall doctrine so are there other propositions lesse generall conteined within the same and serue to prooue the more generall the words hauing a generall scope to prooue likewise these lesse generall propositions As to declare my meaning The generall and principall proposition you heare what it is now besides the Apostle deliuers other propositions Generall as Rom. 3. 9. All men are sinners which doctrine is conteined from the 18. vers of the first chap. to the 19. verse of the 3. chap. Againe that the workes of the Law iustifie none That faith alone iustifieth All which propositions as they proue the principal scope so the verses wherein these prepositions are set downe must yeeld these doctrines the words must be applied to proue the same For wee cannot inferre by a true immediate consequent the principall proposition out of them which haue a Some verses or words which come in by the way prooue not other
propositions either general or speciall but haue an especiall drift as the occasion is for which they are brought and so thereafter is the doctrine thence to be collected more particular scope Again this is to be marked that manie things come into a discourse by the way in handling of a matter which are carefully to be obserued taken heede vnto which neither serue to prooue either the principall scope or the lesse generall doctrines but comming in by way of preuention or other occasions haue as I may saie their indiuiduate scope and so their like distinct and seuerall doctrines by themselues as Rom. 3. 1. 2. where the scope is not that all are sinners but to shew by way of preuention that though the Iewes as well as the Gentiles be vnder sin yet haue they their preferment aboue these there is the scope differing the doctrine must differ also So the v. 3. and 4. proue not the prerogatiue of the Iewes the scope of the two first verses but are brought in by occasion of the Apostles owne words to preuent them The purpose whereof is to shew that God is true and iust in his word and promise though some do not beleeue the same and is not without effect Thus we see scope vpon scope in handling one chiefe point where also wee vnderstand how the generall is approued by the speciall the speciall by the words which containe them same so also will the words of an indiuiduate proue the scope and proposition gathered from thence As for example Act. 15. 21. Which words containe reasons why the beleeuing Gentiles An example shaâ—ing how the words prooue the general doctrine or scope and that the same words affoord seuerall lessons agreeing with the principall doctrine and scope in some things should restraine their liberty for the weaker Iewes sake who might be easily offended and hardly yet bee drawen to their liberty in Christ by the impediments heerein declared it is the speciall scope of these two verses 20. 21. differing from that which went before The doctrine is this That the stronger is to beare with the weaker in indifferent things when they see reasons that as yet hold them in their weaknesse till they be better instructed euery word containeth a reason to enforce this lesson to be receiued of the Gentiles in the Iewes behalfe 1. From the authority of their opinion Moses the man of God 2. From the antiquity of it 3. From the generality thereof in euery city 4. For that there be preachers and vpholders of the same 5. They haue the letter plainly for that they hold 6. They see yet a present publicke obseruation of Moses euery sabbath Therfore sithence they haue such pulbackes reasons yet to withhold them they are a while to be borne withall and their liberty for feare of offence to be restrained The scope thus we see and the words to containe reasons and arguments to enforce the same out of which arguments many doctrines may be gathered agreeing vnto the scope As thus Opinions of great persons once generally receiued are of great authority to bind men vnto them and hardly can they be induced to forsake the same That antiquity and so custome in any religion holds so professors to like thereof as they will hardly see their errors and yeeld to a manifest truth of late come to light and From the maner of deliuering the words Grammatically and Rhetorically knowen but to some And so of all the rest of the former reasons may thus lessons be gathered fitly to informe out iudgements from the scope IV. From the maner of deliuering the words by a Grammaticall Ellipsis note the celeritie of affection or breuitie thereof as Genes 11. 4. Act. 5. 34 Exod. 22. 23 Psal 6. 3. And so also the vse of Grammaticall figures approued By enallege of tense note the certaintie of the thing Gen. 10. 3. Esai 9. 6. and 21. 9. By iterating of Noune Substantiues in the same Case sheweth either an Emphasis Psal 133. 2. Luk. 6. 42. or a multitude Genes 32. 16. or a distribution 1. Chr. 16. 13. Le. 17. 3. 2. Chr. 19. 5. or els diuersitie and varietie Ps 12. 13. Pro. 20. 10. By iterating the same substantiues in construction in the singular number they note an Emphasis and certainty Exod. 31. 15. Micheas 2. 4. in the plurall an excellencie Ps 136. 2. Eccles 12 By repeating of the Verbe may be taught an Emphasis or vehemency Gen. 2. 17. Esa 50. 2. 56. 3 or certainty Ps 50. 21. Ps 109. 10. Ier. 12. 16. or celerity 2. King 8. 10. Prou. 27. 23 By repeating of Adiectiues shew an amplifying encreasing or extolling of the thing Ier. 24. 3. Esa 6. 3. Exod. 34. 6. Ier. 7 4. 22. 29. By iterating of a Coniunction vehemency Eze. 13. 9. By repeating of a Sentence either Distribution as Ezech. 46. 21. or Emphasis Exod. 12. 50. Ps 145 18. and 124. 1. or for Explanation Ps 2. 3. or for Confirmation of the matter Ps 33. 11. By an ironicall speech a reprehension and the vse thereof By interrogation a vehement affirmation Gen. 47. Iosua 10. 30. Iudg. 4. 6. Iohn 4. 35. 2. or Negation Gen. 18. 4. Matt. 12. 26. 3. or prohibition Psal 79. 10. 2. Sam. 2 22. 4. or diuers affections as admiration pitie complaint Ier. 14. 19. Matth. 23. 37. 5. or reprehension Psalm 8. 10. Esai 1. 21. Psal 22. 1. So doth an Exclamation note as much By Concession note a negation reprehension 2. Cor. 12. 16. And by al these the vse of Rhetoricke is confirmed Also from promises or threats conditionally deliuered and the end wherefore Out of all these nothing in Scripture being in any maner vainly vttered some good obseruation may be made V. From the order of the words as they be placed either From the order of the words and placing of them and so of the parts of the diuision of the text one part of the diuision or one word before or after an other as Ezech. 18. 30. Act. 26. 18. Opening of the eies before turning the lesson knowledge before repentance But heere the nature of the thing is to be considered and other reasons of so placing the matter whether naturall order bee kept or no. For as nothing is spoken idlie so nothing is placed rashly by the pen man of Gods spirit in the Scripture We in ordinarie talke seriously speaking and wisely will neuer misplace our words wittingly in waightie matters God disposeth of our words Prouerb 16. 1. much more of the Canonicall and holie writers VI. From the coupling of words and sentences by Copulatiue From coupling of words and sentences Coniunctions shewing the parts to bee both true together absolutely and not separablie in that matter or circumstance as Eccles 12. 13. the feare of God and keeping the Commandements are inseparable Psal 34. 21. both the parts true see Psal 33. 17. Matth. 10. 1. From disiunctiue Coniunctions shewing that but one of
whatsoeuer worketh annoiance to godly peace Now that the doctrine may be sound true First ponder How to it well before it be deliuered Secondly examine it by the former rules the Scripture and Analogie of Faith Thirdly see the iudgement of all sound anncient and late writers thereupon Fourthly let it not bee a point in controuersie vndetermined of the Church for its hard to define a truth in matters disputeable and not certainly concluded vpon Fiftly let none of these things be the ground of our opinions 〈◊〉 ground to build upon to broach them to the people no mans bare assertion without substantiall proofe old custome good intent carnall reason nor selfe conceit where the word warrants not These may not sit downe to teach in Moses chaire nor beare any sway in the Lords matters concerning his worship and his seruice V. The doctrine being true and sound First deliuer it How a doctrine is to be deliuered to the people grauely with deliberate audible voice distinct sound in the words not forcing it as in exhortation There is one voice and speech for doctrine another for exhortation threats and dehortations The nature of things must distinguish the action and pronuntiation To bee loud in doctrine and low in exhortation or alike in both is to make discord betweene the matter and proper maner belonging thereunto Secondly let the doctrine be a short proposition deliuered in fewe proper and significant words vsing as neere as possiblie may bee the phrase and words of Scripture auoid all obscure tearmes not vsuall also words doubtfull lest either the matter be not vnderstood or mistaken And therefore if any words be so by necessity or vnawares vttered expound your meaning before you do leaue them that the doctrine may goe for currant VI. After so deliuered shew sometimes the reason why it is or ought to be so but euer prooue it except it bee a maine principle sufficiently knowne and approoued for the hearers are not bound to receiue our bare affirmations or negations without warrant Instance the trueth of the doctrine sometime by an example to make it more euident as speaking of Feare The doctrine being this The Feare of God escheweth euill This may be prooued Proue 8. Prou. 15. an instance Iob 1. 2 Ioseph Confirme the doctrine by Canonicall Scripture Nehem. By â—hat to â—â—nfirme doctrine and how to deaâ—â—â— bringing in a proâ—â—e 8. 8. Act. 18. 28. and out of plaine places without anie or least obscuritie if any be explanent and enlarge also the proofe to declare how it confirmes the doctrine deliuered aptly and not strained which will thus appeere if the place of proofe will thence affoord the same doctrine to be collected for which it s brought foorth to confirme an other Scripture Let the proofe be in the sense and not onely in the bare shew of the letter and recite either the whole or but some part of the place as much as serues for the purpose in hand to auoid tediousnesse to the hearers and to preuent forgetfulnesse of thine owne matter in hand vse not many but few pregnant proofes vnder two or three witnesses euerie trueth is confirmed There is a new vpstart quoting of Scripture now vsed Too many quotations to proue one thing not good â—â—â—tâ— now vâ—ed Chapter and Verse for euery word It is an irreuerent abuse a superfluous and prophane tossing of the Scriptures without profit to the hearers whose vnderstanding can neither conceiue them nor memorie beare them away Pride the inuentor to publish the excellencie of memorie seeking praise from Gods gift and making admirable his naturall worke by abusing his word like Iudas in shew of loue to kisse him whilest in kissing they betray him It is not possible especially for the yoonger sort whose vanitie it is for the most part for to haue seriously considered of so many Scriptures how aptly and truely they bee alleaged for the purpose If you haue no plaine place prooue it by necessarie consequent out of other Scriptures by Logicall reasoning from signification of a word from Grammaticall adsignification from a principle of Religion and so foorth Adde thereunto testimonie of Fathers and famous Diuines consent of Churches Councels and confession of aduersaries for the better perswading of the hearers if it bee thought conuenient or necessarie For these helpe much to perswade to the truth first confirmed by the Word though their authoritie be nothing besides the Word in matters of saluation much lesse in any thing to be alledged and opposed against the trueth approoued by holie writ Exhortation vpon the proofe VII After all this then exhort to the imbracing of this doctrine as being the truth and vrge the force of the proofes briefly to perswade a constant holding of the same if it be a doctrine oppugned or wherein the people stande wauering els it is needlesse so farre to vrge euerie doctrine or to exhort so to that which alreadie is beleeued and receiued for a certaine trueth Note that euery doctrine may be brought to some principles A note of Religion Commandement Articles of Faith or Petition in the Lords Praier as Berhusius in his postill sheweth Thus much of collections of Doctrines wherein we see what profound knowledge in Scripture for gatherings of Doctrines and confirming them by proofes is required of the Minister and what a student and how well read hee ought to be in authors to see their iudgements that he may become exact in this point to informe and confirme men in the trueth and to settle them in Religion without wauering CHAP. IX Of making vse of the doctrine shewing what to doe with it AFter the deliuerie of the Doctrine enforming the auditory How to make vse of the doctrine that there is such a thing and what it is followes the vse necessarilie that the hearers may know what to doe with that which they so vnderstand These two cannot in nature be sundred nothing can be taught but there is an vse and end thereof and these bee distinct in nature the doctrine goes before and the vse comes after A lesson without vse is as a deuised thing idlie without end And it is lesse cunning to giue a precept then to shew aptlie the vse thereof Wee must therefore first in euerie Scripture shew the doctrine as laying a ground of our speech and thereon build the vse for further edification The vses which are to bee made of doctrines are principally these foure as it is 2. Tim. 3. 16. Rom. 15. 4. I. The first is Redargutiue when the doctrine is vsed to confute an souerthrow an error or heresie contrarie to that trueth in the doctrine And this is the dutie of a Teacheâ— the Prophets vsed it Esai 44. our Sauiour Christ Matth. 5. 6. 15. against false interpretations traditions and against false opinions Matth. 22. So likewise the Apostles Aâ— 17. 2. 9. 29. and heerein he must haue abilitie Tit.
more contention then conscience And thus much for Redargutiue vse II. Is Instructiue when the doctrine is vsed to bring vs Instructiuâ— vse and what it is Matth. 7. Rom. 12. c. Iames epist The ground of this vse is either a doctrine or an obseruation of circumstances â—â— si ead thereof to the exercise of Christian duties to God and man And this is the Ministers dutie as the example of our Sauiour in his Sermon shewes the Apostles also in their Epistles This vse must be according to the doctrine which doctrine is either a Proposition without regard of circumstances enforming iudgement as thus Nothing can crosse Gods determination Saluation is of free grace True faith rests on Gods promise Whence vse of instruction correction redargution and consolation may be drawne Or in stead of the doctrine the obseruing and shewing of circumstances with the thing done or spoken is the ground of the instruction as when we say You see heere this or that done or spoken by this or that person when where and how which bare relation of things and circumstances is the thing taught to enforme the vnderstanding whence the vse of instruction concerning some dutie which must bee done How to gather right 〈◊〉 an instruction may be made and also ought to be gathered First from the due consideration of the matter in hand whether it be ecclesiasticall politicall or oeconomicall or what thing els soeuer Secondly of all the circumstances in that place particularlarlie and so make the instruction accordinglie fitting to the matter time place and person For Instructions from examples vsuall in storie may bee erroniouslie gathered except these things be carefully noted as for example in Reading Iudg. 16. 30. to gather that it is lawfull for a man to venture his life and kill himselfe to be reuenged on his enemies is false and against the Word which error comes if so collected from want of consideration of al the circumstances the partie Sampson the iudge of Israel a type of Christ who did it by the instinct of Gods spirit not to reuenge himselfe but to performe his calling executing Gods vengeance against the Lords enemies according to all which the instruction must bee made and so it will be good But if the place be of a generall dutie which belongeth to any as of any part of holinesse to God righteousnesse to other so brietie to ones selfe albeit the person be of a speciall calling yet the instruction must be generall onely vrged more vpon that calling whereof the place giues the instance and example As if the act were oâ— diligence in a mans calling which is a dutie of euerie man but let the instance be of S. Paul an Apostle a Preacher and therefore to be vrged vpon Preachers more specially to be diligent So of Daniels praying Praying is a generall dutie of all but the example of Daniel is of a Prophet and of a great States-man both which sort are to be vrged to the daily exercise of Praier After the Instruction be laid downe three things are to be performed I. Prooue it and then vse perswasions and exhortations How to vrge and enforce a dutie vpon a people thereunto vrge the same by good reasons vpon the auditorie to doe it First from a commandement affirmatiue the approbation thereof with God with godly-men whose testimonie and sentences heere are to be brought in yea the sayings of heathen touching morall duties Secondly promises temporal of eternall fauor mentioned in Scripture to such as performe that dutie Thirdly from the effects vse therof to Gods glorie profit to a mans selfe others Fourthly set it foorth by examples which both delight the hearers and doe mooue and teach the ruder sort These examples are of two sorts One of such as practised the dutie handled and another of such as receiued blessings from God honor with man therfore and heere may the examples not onely extant in Scripture but other true writers both Christian and Prophane be brought foorth yea the shaddowes of these in brute creatures which be of great force to perswade and verie lawfull to be vsed Fiftly vse Similitudes which may be taken from persons things and actions which haue this vse both to explane the necessitie equitie and easinesse of the thing as also to win the hearer by so plaine and euident demonstrations But heere beware What similies to vse and the benefit of them the Similies be from things knowne easie to be conceiued and apt so are all Similies made in Scripture whether but short as Esai 1. 3. 8. 18. 9. 1. 30. 13. Ier. 5. 8. or more at large as Esai 5. 1. c. Our Sauiours Parables and Nathans to Dauid these being plaine they will be vnderstood and will draw an assent to the Parable being deliuered in the third person Men in hearing will giue sentence by force of their iudgement and after the same assent giuen then being aptly applied to the matter in hand it will cause their consciences to vrge them after the sentence they haue giuen as appeares in Dauid By which it is manifest that similies are of excellent vse euen to teach moue and delight the hearer and their ministerie powerful which must vse them Saint Chrysostome heerein was much in euery Sermon to whom in this practise no man lightly is to be compared Sixtly making of comparisons between it and other vertues and contrary vice II. Thing to be done is to declare the meanes to attain To shew the way and meanes to attaine to that vertue thereunto for after a matter be declared reasons vrged the parties may be moued thereunto but know not the way thereunto therefore must the meanes bee shewed which the holy Spirit in Scripture practiseth who as for an instance teaching what feare is perswading also therunto declares the meanes how to come by the same as Prou. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. And heere withall shew the easinesse Gods assistance his promise to helpe the excellency and good euen in vsing of the meanes examples of such as haue vsed the same and the happy successe therein III. Exhort heereupon summarily repeating the reasons To vse exhortation ani rhetoricall amplifications enforce and enlarge some one of the waightiest and stir vp to the meanes that affection may take hold and endeuour be vsed to the thing as well as to know the duty This is the most speciall point and heere in this place comes in the vse of Rhetoricke and to set abroach all the engins of that Arte and grace in speaking to moue to the feruent study of any thing The affections heere to be stirred vp are fowre In exhorting labour vpon affections Loue to the thing desire to the meanes hope in the meanes and ioy respecting the benefits in the end The figures chiefly to be vsed are these Exclamation but this not too often nor too vehement What Rhetoricall figure chiefly in vse
with Stentors voice and then when either the excellency of a thing the greatnesse or strangenesse thereof requireth it Esa 1. 2. Ier. 22. 29. Interrogation made vpon occasion of time place and person from the matter in hand and the reasons it is much vsed in Scripture it enforceth the conscience to answer it makes the hearers iudges of the matter and so causeth them will they nill they to goe on with the speaker Compellation which is a calling vpon the hearers to a consideration of the thing spoken this stirreth vp attention and fetcheth in againe wandring thoughts Obseruation this is making of request intreating the auditorie to grant somewhat this argueth loue and humilitie it winneth by meekenesse an assent fit for any but neuer to bee vsed but when the matter hath beene well beat vpon before and enlarged sufficiently Optation when we fall to wishing to declare our desire and good will towards them it procureth good will Prosopopeia the feigning of a person when we bring in dead men speaking or giue voice vnto senselesse things as Rom. 8. this is patheticall and moouing Apostrophe which is a turning of the speech suddenly to some person or thing from that which we speake of it is to be vsed in some great matter as speaking of Churches calamities we must foorthwith turne our speech to Christ to respect his spouse or speaking of mans disobedience we might turne our speech to the earths obedience to condemne him Lastly Sermocinatio or Dialogisme which is when a question is made and foorthwith readily answered as if two were talking together this figure S. Chrysostome vsed much but more S. Augustine it stirres vp attention and makes the matter manifest with delight this our Sauiour vsed speaking to the people of Iohn Baptist. Many more there are but these are most in vse And thus much of the vse of Instruction Correctine vse III. Vse of Doctrine is correctiue which is when the lesson is vsed against corruption in maners vice and wickednesse whether it be for omission or commission In this the Prophets spent much as all their writing shew so Iohn Baptist Whence it ariseth and how to follow it Christ and his Apostles as their works declare This vse ariseth not onely from a doctrinall proposition but by the contrarie from the vse of instruction In following this First plainely lay downe the fault of How to prooue a thing to be a sin omission or commission Secondly if need require sometime proue it a fault either by the definition of sinne or by some expresse word condemning it or a negatiue commandement forbidding or by a dehortation or by consequent it being referred to some commandement negatiue or by the contrarie to an affirmation from the opposite vertue or by threats against it or by example of some penitent person for his fall thereinto as Dauids numbring of the people repented of or els by some punishment for the offence By these the sinne may be made manifest if any should doubt of it as manie doe of vsurie manie of non Residencie manie only of a reading Minister To disswade from vice and how to do it III. Disswade from the same by reasons First by a negatiue commandement dehortation the condemning of it by godly men and heathen writers Secondly by threats temporall and eternall Thirdly the fruits thereof and disprofit inward and outward publike and priuate to a mans selfe and other Fourthly examples of punishment in Scripture in approoued mens writings and of home-obserued iudgements of selfe knowledge by true relation and in Chronicles the Prophets vsed to alleage iudgements in their owne nation Deut. 11. 2. 6. Ierem. 7. 12. Deuter. 24. 9. Luk. 17. 32. 1. Cor. 10. 6. Fiftly similies liuely depainting the crime with comparison betweene it and other to make it to appeare odious as Salomon theft adulterie together IV. Shew how to giue it ouer and how to attaine to the contrarie vertue and goodnesse And heerein reprehension and reproofe and the vse of Rhetoricke is necessarie with the figures to make the disswasion and reprehension more forcible vpon the reasons which are also to be enlarged and enforced vpon the offenders consciences The affections and effects to be wrought in the hearers are these What to work in the hearers to make them leaue sin and how to effect it I. Shame of the fact by noting the filthinesse the basenesse of the thing to such a man of those qualities place and age as he before such and such in this or that place such a time before the holie Angels and God himselfe II. Compunction of heart by shewing our slauerie to the Diuell the curse of the Law the strangenesse and greatnesse of that sinne the fiercenesse of Gods anger against sinne in giuing the Law in punishing without respect all sorts the horror of an accusing conscience the agonie of death his short time of life apt to sudden death the terror of the last iudgement hell fire the eternall torture III. Louing and true compassion to themselues and others by shewing the escaping of these dangers and procuring to themselues and others much good if they repent IV. True repentant sorrow euen with teares by vrging their miserie internall externall eternall places inuiting to repentance examples of Prophets and Christ speaking with teares examples of repentant sinners liuely brought foorth mourning and lamenting If these stirre not then lay before them Christs dying for sinne his agonie in the Garden and crying vpon the crosse his vnspeakeable loue to bring and free vs from sin and lastly the outcryings of the damned in hell their weeping and howling and all too late V. True and reuerent feare of God and hatred against sinne VI. Hope of mercy by Gods promise and oath by his readinesse to forgiue examples of forgiuenesse c. And thus much also of the third vse of doctrine vz. Correction IV. And the last is Consolatorie which is when the doctrine Consolatorie vse is vsed to raise vp the spirit with comfort which is humbled and cast downe and to encourage such as be obedient So did Moses Exod. 14. 13. Esai 2. Kings 19. 6. Zach. 8. 11. 12. 13. Our Sauiour Christ Iohn 14. 1. The reasons of Comforts and Encouragements particularly How to comfort whence to raise them vp must be framed according to the discomforts and discouragements being diuers inward outward publike priuate in bodie in good name goods c. But generally from Gods prouidence his promises of helpe and blessings his minaces against the enemies of the godly his power his constancie from the benefits of tryall from experience of Gods former loue and examples of patience and of deliuerances the short abiding heere and durablenes of a happie estate after death As before is requisite the vse of Rhetoricke so heere in this place likewise The affection to be wrought chiefly hereby is ioifulnesse to be of a cheerfull spirit with patience hope and constancie And
meere policie Preachers themselues to be but as other men V. And lastly in bitter reproofes to set an edge thereon and yet keepe thy person in authoritie and words in regard Vse no speeches of common reuilings but such as haue proceeded out of the mouth of God against sins sinners ingenerall or against those euils or such like offendors as thou art speaking against set downe in the scripture Againe bring in the Prophets or Apostles speaking in their owne words as if wee would reprehend Briberie in great ones we may say I will not reprooue this sinne but Esai he shall tell who they be and what to be compared vnto and so bring in his words Esai 1. 23. So against wicked Shepheards bring in Ieremie cap. 23. 1. 11. 14. Lam. 2. 24. Our Sauiour against hypocrites Matth. 23. and so of other sinnes Also the sayings of ancient Fathers as speaking for vs which will much helpe to make the reprehension more acceptable and will preuent the reproch of railing and intemperancie We must in this crooked generation bee as wise as Serpents sot hat we keepe the innocencie of Doues And thus much for application which as it is distinct from vse so haue I seuered the precepts of both for better vnderstanding thereof Neuerthelesse vse and application in Preaching may be conioined in one speech the vse How to 〈◊〉 vse and application in one being deliuered in the second person to the auditorie present as an applied vse except it be such an vse as fits not to be applied at that time Application is to be made of all such vses as serue for conuincing correcting instructing and comforting the present auditorie CHAP. XI Of Preuention of Obiections AFter Application followes Preuention of Obiections Men neuer rise vp to defend themselues against the minister but in application for men are no sooner spoken vnto but if they dislike any thing they will speake against it if disobedient or erroneous and reproued they will stand vpon their defence and will obiect against vs for their waies and opinions If exhorted to good things they haue their excuses all which must be taken away Thus did our Sauiour Christ as Luke 4. 23. It furthers much the matter and cuts off the Why and how to preuent obiections occasion of cauils First it is done either by propounding what might bee said and answered as in the place of Luke our Sauiour doth Secondly or els to answer an obiection which might be made closelie without mentioning of it as the Apostle S. Paul doth often in his Epistles In this three things are necessarily to bee considered Three things needfull heerein First when it is needfull to make obiections and to preuent them Secondly what to obiect and answer Thirdly how farre it is needfull to proceed heerein I. It s needfull first when the word of the text it selfe When it is needfull affoords plainly an obiection of necessitie to be answered Secondly when either a doctrine gathered causeth anie or a mans owne words in following a matter occasioneth an obiection as it often may doe and therefore great care must be had and wee must weigh our speeches to preuent euer if any thing slip vs as not well or doubtfully spoken mens cauilling at that which we vtter Thirdly if you speak before a captious companie and that thou art perswaded such there be who will dislike some particulars which thou art conscionablie to deliuer Fourthly when a controuesie is to be handled in a learned auditorie against the common aduersarie In which respects preuention of obiections is to be vsed The obiections either openly to bee made or closely to What things to be preuented be preuented are such as the omitting thereof might occasion in thy speeches either conceit of error some approbation of sinne or some senselesse absurditie also whasoeuer may be a let and hinderance to the receiuing of that which is taught or exhorted vnto must by this meanes bee remooued For alwaies there must bee vnderstanding to know both what we say for and against any matter or also what may be said with or against on the contrarie by anie other els the matter will not succeed so well as we would desire II. Heere for the Minister to bee able to answer obiections What the Pastor â—â— to consider of to be able to preuent obiections and to preuent what may be said must in exhortation to vertue consider carnall excuses and impediments which may keepe men from the entertainment and practise of that vertue In dehorting from vice what shew of reason men make from pleasure profit honour custome and example to deteine them still therein In conuincing of errors what arguments the aduersaries haue what obiections against our reasons to answer and ouerthrow them Lastly in comforting weigh what the afflicted may say to repell comfort whether their affliction be inward or outward and thereto answer By this means we may become skilfull in this necessarie point in preaching How far to proceed in this matter III. For the measure heerein how farre to proceed stands in the wisedome of the Speaker in the knowledge of the hearers and the necessitie of the matter in hand All matters are not alike difficult or of hard receit neither all congregations learned able to make obiections or to vnderstand betwixt an obiection and an answer and therefore lesse care of preuention is to bee had and vsed amongst such in doctrinall points Whatsoeuer the matter or auditorie is wee are not to continue making so many obiections as either we can deuise or finde written from other so should we make no end and such a course as soone maketh doubts as resolues them breeding in some mens heads an humour of contradiction and to others occasion of contention rather than to the hearers sanctification and edifying What thou in thy wisedome shalt hold to be sufficient for the matter conuenient for the time place and persons so farre proceed and no further If any be not fully satisfied let them be entreated to enquire further in priuate conference For it is not fit yea it is verie hurtfull to make the Pulpit a place for a continual and full handling of controuersies in a common auditorie CHAP. XII Of the conclusion of the whole Sermon AFter all these followes the conclusion and knitting vp of the point handled and of the whole Sermon But in all this which I haue spoken my meaning is not Note that in Preaching a Minister after hee be entred vpon his text should euer say This is the doctrine this is the proofe this the vse now to the reasons now we will make application and preuent or make obiections which is I confesse a plaine way to a rude congregation easie to bee conceiued and written of such as attend and will take the paines but it interrupts the course of the speech and it is too disiointed and lesse patheticall Therefore albeit for the vnderstanding