it So did those Renowned Bishops in the primitive times we read every where in Saint Chrystome of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intimating that he was a daily preacher and of Saint Ainbrose his Omni Die Dominico as Saint Austin tells us Confess 6. c. 3. prayer and preaching are two excellent and worthy parts of the Ministery of Reconciliation appointed as mutual helps and furtherances each to other and therefore they on either hand do very ill who justle out and disparage the one by the other as if performing the one were a sufficient discharge of the Ministerial Function and means of the peoples edification and salvation without the other Certainly our Saviours Commission extends to the worlds end Matth. 28. 20. as long as there are strong holds to be demolished sin to be reproved a Church to be edified Saints to be perfected enemies to be resisted there will be a necessity of every Ordinance of Christ by which these great works may be effected And unto the more sure effecting of them this weighty work of preaching is to be managed and discharged with that spiritual skill that we may approve our selves unto God as workmen that need not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth 2 Tim. â— 15. that is to say 1. With Evidence and demonstratiâ—n so as to affect the conscience and make powerful and awakening discoveries and impressions upon the practical judgement which may not by any sophisms or subterfuges be evaded or gain-said this the Apostle calleth demonstrative or convincing preaching My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of mans wisdom with ostentation of wit or humane Elocution with Rhetoricating sophismes or plausible insinuating deceptions as Cicero somewhere boasteth that he had dazled the eyes of the Judges and as Saint Hierome complains of many in his time id habent curae non quomodo Scripturarum medullas ebibant sed quomodo aures populi Declamatorum flosculis mulceant But saith the Apostle my preaching was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In a spiritual powerful and invincible demonstration which admits not of any possibility of being gain-said or disproved for such is that syllogisme which the Philosopher calls a Demonstration wherein a conclusion is most evidently deduced ex principiis primis necessariis per se veris 1 Cor. 2. 1 4. and elsewere speaking of an unbeliever who heareth Evangelical preaching he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is so convinced that he is judged the secrets of his heart are so discovered that he falls on his face as a cast and convicted prisoner worshippeth God and acknowledgeth God to be in such preaching 1 Cor. 14. 24 25. so the Prophet is said to judge men when he maketh them know the abomination of their fathers Ezek 20. 4. and once more we have not saith the Apostle walked craftily nor handled the Word of God deceitfully 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by manifestation or evident discovering of the truth we commend our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4. 2. and thus it is said of Stephen That his adversaries were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake Act. 6. 10. 2. With wisdom and seasonablenesse as men are able to heare and bear so Christ spake the word Mark 4. 33. John 16. 12. we must have milk for the weak and meat for the strong so manage our Ministry as to prevent and remove all occasions of prejudice and offence from any which watch for matter of advantage and exception against us 3. With sincerity and faithfulnesse not dissembling any necessary doctrine nor dawbing with untempered morter nor corrupting the Word of Truth but delivering the whole counsel of God pleasing men in all things for their profit and edification and to all other purposes not pleasing men but God which trieth the heart 1 Cor. 10. 33. 1 Thes. 2. 4. speaking his words whether men will hear or forbear Ezek. 2. 7. and telling them the Truth though we be judged enemies for so doing Gal. 4. 16. 4. With spiritual power and Authority as Christ did Matth. 7. 29. to declare unto men their transgression in such a manner as to judge them for it Mic. 3. 8. Ezek. 20. 4. that their hearts may be pricked Acts 2. 37. and they made to fall on their face and give glory to God 1 Cor. 14. 25. to shew unto a man his uprightnesse in such a manner as that he may find God gracious to him and may see his face with joy Job 33. 23. 26. so to preach the word as to binde and loose to remit and retain to heal and settle the consciences of our hearers that they may finde the Gospel come unto them not in word only but in power 1 Thes. 1. 5. 5. With meeknesse and all winning insinuations that there may appear nothing but love and gentlenesse in every thing which we deliver as the Apostle professeth to the Thessalonians that he was gentle among them as a nurse cherisheth her children 1 Thes. 2. 7. and exhorteth Timothy and other spiritual persons with meeknesse to instruct opposers and to restore such as are overtaken with any fault 2 Tim. 2. 24 25. Gal. 6. 1. It is an excellent Character which Saint Austin giveth of a preacher that he should so manage his Office ut doceat ut delectet ut flectat ut intelligenter ut libenter ut obedienter audiatur So to teach as withal to delight and perswade and by a constraint of love to gain willing and chearful obedience to the doctrine which he teacheth 6. With courage and boldnesse not to fear the faces of any presumptuous sinners who dare to affront the Law and not to fear the face of God Shall any man be so bold as to do what God forbids and shall a Minister be so timorous as not to speak what God commands Shall I be afraid to offend him by doing my duty who is not afraid to offend God by neglecting his Shall I be afraid to save him who is not afraid to destroy himself or shall I be dismaid at the face and frown of a man and neglect the wrath of God who can tear me in pieces be not dismayed at their face saith the Lord least I confound thee before them Jer. 1. 17. yet this boldnesse must be in a way of conviction and perswasion without indiscretion and exasperation that when we shew our zeal against mens sins we may withal manifest our love to their persons and that honor and reverend esteem which we owe to their dignities and conditions Lastly our Lives and Examples must teach the people as well as our doctrine we must be like the Star which did not onely lighten the wise men but lead them unto Christ Matth. 2. 9. He who by his wicked life buildeth againe those things which by his holy doctrine he destroyed maketh himself a transgressor Gal. 2. 18. verbis tantum philosophari non doctoris est sed
historionis It is rather pageantry than serious piety for men to preach Angelical Sermons and to live diabolical conversations ut dicta factis deficientibus erubescant as Tertullian speaks We cannot expect that other men should follow our doctrine when we our selves forsake it the greatest part of men being like sheep which go non qua eundum sed qua itur rather as they are led then as they are taught And so much of the duty here supposed the excellency necessity and manner of preaching We proceed to the object or matter of preaching expressed 1. Negatively not our selves Men may be said to preach themselves these four ways 1. When they make themselves Lords over the flock and exercise dominion over the consciences of those that hear them as if a Ministry were a Soveraignty or as if the sheep were their own to be ordered and disposed as they please this is the character which the Apostle giveth of the man of sinne that he sitteth as God in the Temple of God usurping a divine authority over the souls of men 2 Thes. 2. 4. and exercising a bloody tyranny over their bodies And therefore both our Saviour and his Apostles to prevent the danger of so tempting an ambition have left strict and severe provision against it Be not you called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ Matth. 23. 8. 12. We have not dominion over your faith but are helpers of your joy 2 Cor. 1. 24. Not as being Lords over Gods heritage but ensamples to the flock 1 Pet. 5. 3. 2. When they make themseves the Authors of their own Ministry undertaking so weighty an employment of their own heads and running before they are sent as many did in the Prophet Jeremies time Jer. 23. 21. And many more in in the late licentious days amongst us of whom we may say as the Historian said of an obscure person that he was Homo ex se Natus they were Concionatores ex semetipsis Nati self created preachers as Agathocles a Prince of a Potter a Preacher of a Trooper men who made it the principal business of their usurped preaching to disgrace and pull down legitimate preachers and beget an undervaluing of those serious principles which they knew sober and fixed Divines would never desert and contrary unto which they were resolved to act 3. When they make themselves the Matter of their preaching prophesying lies and the deceits of their own hearts Jer. 23. 16 26. teaching for doctrines the traditions or commandments of men Mat. 15. 9. making sad the righteous and strengthning the hands of the wicked by their lies following their own spirits Ezek. 13. 3 22. venting in the place and name of Christ their own passions and animosities their own interests and jealousies their own private opinions and paradoxes somenting distempers ingenerating discontents and divisions in the hearts of the people corrupting the minds perverting the judgements ensnaring and intangling the consciences of those that hear them turning aside to vain jangling departing from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits speaking lies in hypocrisie teaching things which they ought not leading captive and deceiving the hearts of the simple sowing tares in the Lords field being the snare of a fowler in all their wayes walking in the Spirit and in falshood prophesying of wine and strong drink causing the people to erre through their lies and their lightnesse That you may keep your selves from this crimson and bloody sin often recount that dreadful intermination Deut. 18. 20 The Prophet which shall presume to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak or that shall speak in the Name of other Gods even that Prophet shall die See also Jer. 14. 14 15. Jer. 23. 11 12 15 30 31 32 39 40. Eze. 13. Eze. 34. Hos. 4. 6 9. 5. 1. 9. 7. Mic. 3. 5 6 7. Mal. 2. 1 2 3. 8. 9. Mat. 23. 13. 29. 2 Cor. 11. 13 14 15. Gal. 1. 8 9. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 3. 4. When they make themselves the End of their preaching making so holy an Ordinance subservient to their vain glory or ambitious pursuits or filthy lucre or plausible compliance or private interests as the Pharisees who for a pretence made long prayers that they might devoure widows Houses supposing gain to be godlinesse as the Apostle speaks 1 Tim. 6. 5. when they pursue crooked and indirect aimes of their own oftentation of learning inticing words of mens wisdom commending themselves pleasing others 1 Coâ— 2. 4. 2 Cor. 10. 12. Gal. 1. 10. quite contrary to the practise of the holy Apostle who in his Function and Ministry walked not in craftiness handled not the Word of God deceitfully 2 Cor. 4. 2. did not exhort out of uncleanness or in guile used not flattering words nor a cloak of Covetousnesse pleased not men nor sought glory of any 1 Thes. 2. â— 6. but made it his onely end to please God and by all means to save souls to manage his Masters interest and not his own that Christ alone might be glorified in the hearts of men for how much so ever we attribute to our selves so much we detract from Christ. Whom the Apostle makes the sole matter of his preaching Which leads to the positive part of our preaching Christ Jesus the Lord whereby is intimated that the Lord Jesus is both the Author the Object and the End of all our preaching 1. The Lord Jesus is the Authour and Instituter of this service in his Church how high a presumption it is for men to intrude into a Ministry without a call and warrant from God the sad examples of Corah Dathan Abiram Vzziah the vagabond Exorcists Acts 19. 13 16. and others do abundantly testifie And therefore as Aaron was solemnly separated to minister to the Lord 1 Chron. 23. 13. and in like manner Christ was called of God an high Priest after the Order of Melchizedec Heb. 5. 5 6 7 10. Even so were his Apostles sent by him Mat. 28. 19. and by authority from him did they ordain others unto the same service Act. 14. 23. and direct the same course to be observed afterwards 2 Tim. 2. 2. Tit. 1. 5. from him then and those whom he hath appointed must we receive both our mission and our message our whole Ministry we must receive in the Lord as it is said of Archippus Col. 4. 17. It must be given and committed to us before we presume to take unto our selves the stiles of Ambassadors for Christ 2 Cor. 5. 18 19 20. Joh. 3. 27. 1. From him we must have our Mission for how shall they preach except they be sent saith the Apostle Rom. 10. 14. an Honor must not be undertaken without a Call No man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God Heb. 5. 4. the Ministerial Function is an honour as the Apostle sheweth 1 Tim. 5. 17. A Trust must not be undertaken without a Call the Ministry is a Trust and
AEconomy 1 Cor. 9. 17. Great would be the disorder and confusion great the mischief and danger if hereticks and seducers might of their own heads sow their tares subvert the souls of men if ignorant and self conceited men may heap up to themselves Hearers if giddy and unstable people may run after novelties and be carried about with divers and strange doctrines if so honorable an Office should be exposed to contempt and be destitute of divine blessing and assistance by the invasion of unqualified and worthless Intruders A call then is necessary And this call though mediate and by the Ministry of men is from Christ. Pastors and Teachers who have onely a mediate call are set up by him as well as Apostles and Prophets Eph. 4. 11. the Elders of Ephesus though appointed by an ordinary call are said to be made Overseers by the holy Ghost Act. 20. 28. This Call is twofold Internal and External 1. Internal standing 1. In an Evidence of fit qualifications for so weighty a work viz. 1. Sanctity of life which may fit and dispose for the faithful and conscionable discharge of the Office to make a man zealous for the glory of God sensible of the interest of souls exemplary to the flock able to speak experimentally of the ways of God the devices of Satan the deception of lust the issues of temptation the consolations of the holy Spirit and other the deep mysteries of salvation 2. Soundness of Doctrine and such able parts of substantial learning as that he may be apt to teach to speak a word in season to shew a man his uprightnesse to convince gain sayers to use sound speech which cannot be condemned It is not a little measure of learning which will serve to open the Scriptures to confute errours to state questions to decide controversies to resolve cases to speak with demonstration and authority to the consciences of sinners The Lord hath been pleased to intersperse something of almost all kinde of other learning besides divine in the Scriptures Physick in what is reported of beasts birds plants meteors precious stones c. Ethicks and Politicks in Solomons Proverbs and Ecclesiastes Logick and Rhetorick in the strong reasonings and powerful Elegancies of Prophets and Apostles Mathematicks and Architecture in the structure of Noahs Ark and of Solomons and Ezekiels Temple Languages the Old Testament being written in Hebrew and Chalde the New in Greek Allusions to Exotick and profane History and Antiquity Mythology Parables Poetry quotations out of prophane writers And all this to instruct us what abundance of learning is requisite unto him who will rightly understand and divide the word of Truth 3. Aptnesse to teach spiritual skill and wisdom to shew himself a Scribe instructed to the Kingdom of heaven Mat. 15 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostles expressions are 1 Tim. 3. 2. 2 Tim. 2. 2. 2. This Internal call standeth in a sincere desire by the secret work of God on the heart to serve him and his Church in the work of the Ministry and that not out of ambition covetousnesse or carnal affections but out of an intire regard to the glory of God and salvation of souls The Apostle calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3. 1. a willingnesse unto it 1 Cor. 9. 17. an addicting ones self unto it 1 Cor. 16. 15. an offering a mans self to be sent by God Isa. 6. 8. 2. The External call instituted by Christ in his Apostles is managed by their successors the Bishops and Pastors of the Church 1. In Examination of the fitnesse of those who judge themselves thus inwardly called by the preceding qualifications that the office may not be invaded by ignorant or unworthy persons 1 Tim. 3. 10. 2. In Approbation when upon trial men are found able willing apt faithful the Church by her Officers declareth them such and giveth testimony unto them as the Apostle doth unto Epaphras and Tychicus Col. 1. 7. 4. 7. 3. In separation and solemn consecration unto the function by fasting and prayer commending the persons so approved unto the grace of God Act. 13. 2. 14. 23. And this done in the Church Assembly praesente plebe whose assent and testimony was anciently required of which we read in Saint Cyprian Ep. 68. Concil Carthag 4. can 2◠and in Leo. Ep. 89. Hereby the Church are witnesses and not declaring their dissent and dissatisfaction Approvers of what is done And it was done with the Rite and Ceremony of Imposition of hands 1 Tim. 5. 23. as importing 1. A dedication and devoting the person to the Office Numb 27. 18. 2. A deriving authority to administer the Office 3. An imploring the gifts blessing protection custody of the holy Spirit upon them and commending them to the Grace of God Act. 14. 26. Thus from Christ and according to his Institution Ministers of the Gospel have their Mission 2. From him they must receive their Message He is King in the Church and they his Ambassadors who must from him only receive their instructions 2 Cor. 5. 20. they must speak His Words Ezek. 2. 7. that the Church may have a proof of Christ speaking in them 2 Cor. 13. 3. and of the Counsel of God delivered by them Acts 20. 27. teaching the people the things which he hath commanded Mat. 28. 20. His command is our commission We must deliver nothing but what we have Received I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 23. That which I have heard saith the Prophet of the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel have I declared unto you Isa. 21. 2. Speak unto all the Cities of Judah which come to worship in the Lords House All the words which I command thee to speak unto them diminish not a word Jer. 26. 2. What thing soever I command you observe to do it thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it Deut. 12. 32. If any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God 1 Pet. 4. 11. The Lord hath committed unto us the Word and Ministry of Reconciliation what we do in attendance on that Ministry we do in Christs stead and therefore ought seriously to consider with our selves whether the words which we speak unto the people be for the truth gravity and sanctity of them such as may without indignity done to Christ have his name and authority prefixed on them He will not own the dictates and inventions of men for the Oracles of God Though it belong to the duty authority and wisdom of the Church to direct meer circumstantials in the service of God so as may most conduce unto that order and decency which God requireth so as may best become the seriousnesse simplicity and sanctity of so heavenly and spiritual worship Yet she may not impose as doctrines her commandments Mat. 15. 9. She may not adde any thing to the alsufficiency
and plenitude of the holy Scriptures Deut. 4. 2. Prov. 30. 6. when we speak of the means of salvation of the rules principles and grounds of faith and worship of the adequate subject of Evangelical preaching we must keep to the law and testimonies if we speak not according unto them it is because there is no light in us Isa. 8. 20. no doctrine is necessary or sufficient to carry us unto Heaven but that which first came down from heaven Thus we preach Christ Jesus the Lord as the Author both of our Mission and of our Message II. We preach Christ Jesus the Lord as the Matter and substance of our preaching there is not any matter of preaching which doth not either explicite or reductive comprise Christ in it We preach Christ crucified 1 Cor. 1. 23. I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2. All materials of Religion are contained under four heads Agenda Credenda Petenda Participanda duties to be done mysteries to be believed mercies to be implored seals to be imparted 1. Of the Agenda the Law is the Rule and this is a Schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ Gal. 3. 24. Consider it as Covenant of Life and so it sends us unto Christ by whose onely obedience the Righteousnesse thereof hath been fulfilled for us I am not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it Mat. 5. 17. by whose onely sufferings and satisfaction the curse thereof hath been removed from us Gal 3. 13. Christ is the end of the Law Rom. 10. 4. Consider it as a Rule of living and so also it sends us unto Christ. 1. His spiritual Doctrine openeth the sense and wideness thereof unto us for his commandment is exceeding broad this was one great end of his Sermon in the Mount to vindicate the Law from the narrow glosses which had been cast upon it 2. His most holy example leads us in the way of it that we may walk as he walked 1 Pet. 2. 21. 1 John 2. 6. 3. His holy Spirit and Grace and his love shed abroad in our hearts enable and constrain us to the obedience of it I am able saith the Apostle to do all things through Christ who strengthened me Phil. 4. 13. We must never preach the Law without Christ. As it was delivered so it must be preached In the hand of a Mediator Gal. 3. 19. when we discover the disease we must shew the Physician So God to Adam 1. Conviction where art thou then consolation the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpents head Gen. 3. 9 15. So John Baptist to the multitude first generation of Vipers then bring forth fruits worthy of Repentance Luke 3. 7 8. So Christ to Laodicea first thou art poore and blinde and naked then I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried Rev. 3. 17 18. Thus Omnia Agenda lead to Christ. 2. Omnia Credenda contained in the Gospel are comprized in Christ. 1. All the Doctrines of the Gospel as is evident by every Article of the Creed I believe in the Father as the Father of Christ By whom he made the world Col. 1. 16. and in whom he is our Father John 20. 17. I believe in the Holy Ghost who is the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8. 9. Gal. 4. 6. Vicarius Christi who brings him and his comforts to the soul. I believe the holy Catholick Church the Spouse of Christ the Body of Christ the fulness of him that filleth all in all Eph. 1. 23. caput corpus unus est Christus I believe the communion of Saints our communion is with the Father the son as K. of Saints 1 Joh. 1. 3. and with holy Angels and men as subjects to that King The Remission of sins and this is from him It must be preached in his Name Luke 24. 47. The resurrection of the body and this also is from him The Son quickeneth whom he will John 5. 21 25. John 11. 25. The life everlasting and this from him Christ in us the hope of glory Col. 1. 27. 2. All the Promises of the Gospel have their foundation and stability in Christ they are in him yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. He the purchaser of them by his propitiation He the procurer of them by his Impetration He the fulfiller of them by his Princely Administration 3. All the Comminations of the Gospel lead us to consider Christ as the Sanctuary and Refuge through whom they are by believers to be avoided as the Prince and Judge by whom they are upon unbelievers to be inflicted Acts 10. 42 43. 13. 39. 4. The whole Covenant of Grace leads us unto him For as the Covenant of Works was made with the first Adam in behalf of his posterity so the Covenant of Grace is made with the second Adam in behalf of his posterity He being both God and man is equally concerned in the Interests of both and accordingly he preserves Gods interest by his satisfaction and righteousnesse and mans interest by reconciliation and blessedness He is the Surety of the Covenant for the satisfaction of God Heb. 7. 22. and he is the Mediator of the Covenant for the reconciliation of man Heb. 8. 6. Thus omnia credenda lead unto him 3. Omnia Petenda All things to be prayed for do necessarily carry us unto Christ. His Father the answerer of our prayers I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 14. His Spirit the Author of our prayers The Spirit of the son in our heart crieth Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. His Name the argument of our prayers Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my Name he will give it you John 16. 23 24. His Intercession the efficacy of our prayers this the Incense offered with the prayers of all Saints on the golden Altar Rev. 8. 3. 4. Omnia Participanda lead unto him Baptisme simulacrum mortis Resurrectionis Christi the image of the death and resurrection of Christ wherein we are planted and regenerated to his life and likenesse The Lords Supper the Memorial of the death of Christ wherein we feed and feast upon him as our Passover which was sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. In one word we preach him 1. In his Office as the Christ anointed of his Father 2. In the great Ends of those Offices which are to be our Jesus to save us and our Lord to Rule us to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance and Remission of sinnes Acts 5. 31. III. We preach Christ Jesus the Lord as the great End of all our preaching that thereby we may advance his interest and promote his designs that he may see of the travel of his soul and be satisfied That his people may be gathered his body edified his Saints perfected his enemies subdued his Gospel propagated his name glorified and he finally admired in all them that believe 2 Thes. 1. 10. These are in se