so as appeares three wayes First He is the Author of all other faithfull Preachers of the Word it is God that fits all other faithfull Preachers of the Word for the worke of the Ministry it is not all the arts and sciences in the world that can make a man fit for the work of the Ministry if God fit him not it is God who maketh able Ministers of the New Testament as 2 Cor. 3.6 Who hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit Arts and Sciences are helpes and handmaids to Divinitie but it is God that makes able Ministers of the New Testament And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers He gave it is he gave and he fitted for the worke of the Ministry Secondly God is the Author of all the doctrinal truths which all the faithfull Preachers in the world deliver unto people he is the Author of those truths he sends all the faithfull Ministers of the Word in his Name to deliver his Message unto his people Sonne of man give them warning from mee Ezek. 3.17 And he sends the Prophets often with this Message Goe tell them Thus saith the Lord and This is the word of the Lord and the Prophets when they delivered his Message unto the people Heare yee say they what the Lord saith they did not deliver the devices of their owne braine but the Word of the Lord and the Apostles were to teach and observe what Christ had commanded as Mat. 28. last verse and all the faithfull Ministers of the Gospel now they deliver Gods Message unto the people and are to deliver nothing but that which they can say Thus saith the Lord Isai 8.20 So that God is the Author of all the truths which the faithfull Ministers of the Word deliver unto the people Thirdly It is the Lord which gives successe to the faithfull preaching of the Word the Minister can but with the servant of Elisha lay the staffe upon the face of the childe they can but propound the minde and will of God unto people preach the Word and baptize with water but they cannot make the Word effectuall and the Sacraments effectuall that is the work of God Paul may plant and Apollo water but it is God that gives a blessing and It is not in him which willeth and him which runneth but in God that gives a blessing therefore the Gospel is said to be the power of God through faith to salvation and the weapons of the word are mightie through God to the pulling downe of strong holds Now lay all these together God is the Author of the Minister of the doctrine and of the successe and it will appeare a plaine truth that God is the best teacher of his people Secondly It appeares God is the best teacher of his people by the directiōs that the Lord gives in his Word unto teachers and hearers how they should teach and heare aright he gives directions unto Ministers to study to shew themselves approved of God workmen that need not to be ashamed dividing the word of truth aright 2 Tim. 2.15 To preach the word in season and out of season to reprove rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine 2 Tim. 4.23 And convince them sharply that they may be sound in the faith Tit. 1.3 So he directs people how they should heare aright he bids them try the Spirits whether they be of God 1 Joh. 4.1 As the men of Berea who searched the Scriptures Acts 17.11 Hearers should not receive any kind of doctrine for truth but try the spirits and receive with meeknesse the ingrafted word James 1.21 Now he that is able to teach both teacher and hearers how they should teach and heare aright must needs be the best teacher himselfe Thirdly It appeares God is the soules best instructor by the great desire of the Saints to be taught of God though they injoy mans teaching yet this contenteth them not except God teach them How often is it the expression of the Prophet David Lord teach me in Psal 27.11 Teach me thy way O Lord so often in this 119. Psalme the Prophet begs of God to teach him in the 12. verse in vers 26. 33. 66. 68. 108.124 In all these verses the Prophet prayeth to God to teach him And as this was Davids prayer so it is the prayer and desire of all such gracious spirits as David was All those that are men and women according to Gods owne heart as David was will with David pray Lord teach mee Now the great desire of the Saints to be taught of God shews God is the soules best instructor the best teacher of his people In the next place we come to the means by which God doth teach the soule and this is two-fold outwardly by the Ministry of the Word and inwardly by his Spirit by the Word and the Spirit this is the ordinary way first by his Word he teaches his people by the preaching of the Word 1 Cor. 1.21 The Lord is pleased by the forlishnesse of preaching to save them that believe that is by that means which the world counts foolishnesse not that it is foolishnesse in it selfe but it is so to the wicked that is the wicked accounteth it foolishnesse In vers 18. the preaching of the Crosse is to them which perish foolishnesse but it is not so to the godly to us which are saved it is the power of God and therefore Rom. 10.17 Faith comes by hearing this is the ordinary means the Lord hath appointed for the working faith in the hearts of his people this is the outward meanes But then secondly there is the inward teaching of the soule and that is by the Spirit the Lord teaches his people by his Spirit that is the Lord makes the outward Ministry of the Word effectuall by the inward operation of the Spirit when he shews a divine power and authoritie in the preaching of the Word when he makes it become mightie and powerfull in operation to the pulling downe of strong holds as in 2 Cor. 10.4 That is to the pulling downe of the strong holds in the heart that exalt themselves against the Lord Jesus Christ and prepare the heart for Christ this is the worke of the Spirit and without this the letter doth not profit the people but God therefore teaches his people by his Spirit he hath revealed them to us by his Spirit for the Spirit searches the deepe things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 It is the Spirit that causes the Word to take impression upon the hearts of people and therefore when the Lord maketh the Ministry of the Word succesfull the Ministers are made able Ministers of the Spirit as in 2 Cor. 3.6 In the third place I am to shew you the excellency of Gods teaching above mans and that appeares foure wayes First Earthly teachers can but propound the mind and will
called the faithfull and true witnesse Rev. 1.5 God is faithfull who hath called us unto the fellowship of his Sonne Jesus Christ Two wayes Ministers may deale unfaithfully with their people first when they daube them with untempered morter crying peace peace when they should cry bloud and warre and condemnation as Jer. 8.11 They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people with sweet words crying peace peace when there is no peace when Ministers sad the hearts of the righteous and strengthen the hands of the wicked this is unfaithfull dealing with people but secondly Ministers may deale unfaithfully with people by teaching corrupt doctrine when they are erroneous when they teach lyes for truth and diabolicall doctrine for the doctrine of Jesus Christ when they turne people from the truth to errours and lyes and heresies strong delusions as wofull experience shews in these dayes it is the practice of many to seeke to turne people from the truth to fables but God is a faithfull teacher of his people he doth not flatter any but tell them right downe as it is with them if he be not reconciled unto a soule in Jesus Christ he speaks no peace to that soule the poore soule may reade the Bible through but cannot finde God speake one word of peace God is faithfull in his teaching the soule amongst all the faithfullest Ministers in the world there is at some time or other more or lesse a conniving at something either because they are great men and they depend upon them or intimate acquaintance or neere friends or fellow-brethren or some other respect and if any man should plead he is cleare in this particular I cannot beleeve him for it is naturall to all but God doth not neither more nor lesse at any time deale unfaithfully with the soule and therefore he is the faithfullest teacher Reas 4 Because God is the pitifullest teacher and instructor of his people for though he denounce woes and judgements against the wicked yet he is very tender and pitifull unto poore humble soules that are dejected and cast downe under the burden of sinne he pities the soule that he finds in its bloud he is full of pitie and compassion as the Psalmist saith and as he is the pitifullest so he is the comfortablest teacher to the soule the matter he teaches is full of consolation Is a poore soule broken-hearted see how comfortably he speaks to such a soule as if he should say Tell that broken-hearted sinner I am neere to him I will dwell with him Isai 66.2 Isai 57.15 I have sent Jesus Christ to bind it up Isai 61.1 Tell the poore soule that is in depths of desertion and walkes in darknesse and sees no light that he should trust in the Name of the Lord and stay himselfe upon his God tell the poore soule that pores upon its unworthinesse and worthlesnesse and want of grace that there is an infinite worth in Jesus Christ an infinite worthinesse in Jesus Christ a fulnesse of grace in Christ and therefore bid them be comforted the Lord bids his Messengers speak comfortably to his people Comfort ye my people comfort ye will your God say speake comfortably to Jerusalem tell her that her iniquities are pardoned Isai 40.1 The Lord gives his Ministers a charge to comfort his people tell them from mee I would have them comforted tell them my thoughts are thoughts of peace and not of warre towards them tell them it is the will of God that his people should have strong consolation Heb. 6.17 tell them they shall not need to call my love into question for I have loved them with an everlasting love and with loving kindnesse drawne them With a multitude of such like expressions in Scripture and the Lord doth not onely propound this comfort to the soule but causeth the soule to apply it and this no other Minister can doe therefore God is the pitifullest and the comfortablest teacher of his people Reas 5 God is the best instructor of his people because he is the powerfullest teacher of his people he shews a divine authoritie in those truths which he teacheth the soule Job 36.22 God exalteth by his power for who teacheth like him We say of such and such a Minister he is a powerfull preacher but yet the most powerfull preacher in the world cannot speake so to a dead soule as to make it live but God teacheth with such a power that if he say to a dead soule live it shall live if he say to a hard heart be soft it shall melt and the proud spirit shall be humble and the most stubborne rebellious sinner shall stoope which no other teacher can doe therefore God is the soules best teacher he is the most powerfull teacher Reas 6 God is the best teacher and instructor of his people because he is the profitablest teacher he teacheth the soule nothing but that which is profitable Ministers may teach much matter that is unprofitable though they be conscientious but all that God teacheth is profitable and as all the matter is profitable so he causeth all he teacheth to profit by it the Minister may teach a people a long time and yet not make them profit by his Ministry but God doth so teach the soule as it shall profit by that which he teacheth as Isai 48.17 God teacheth his people to profit and there is no lesson God teacheth a soule but it shall profit by it I have done with the Reasons wee come in the next place to the Uses Use 1 To informe us what a happy condition the Church of God is in they are taught of God and he is the best instructor of his people it is one part of the Covenant of grace to teach his Church and therefore the Church is in a happy condition First because it is a great honour and dignity to be taught of God schollers think it an honour to be preferred to the highest schoole in the world and to sit on the highest forme the schoole of Jesus Christ exceeds all the schools in the world and the matter that is taught in this schoole is such transcendent matter as from eternity to eternity is time little enough to admire nothing in this schoole but may cause admiration the tutor God the matter the wisdome in God himselfe and the manner of teaching of it by his Spirit Secondly the Church being taught of God they shall be sure to be taught the right way he shall instruct and teach thee in the way thou shalt goe Psal 32.8 He teacheth and instructeth his people in the right way Thy eares shall heare a voyce behind thee saying This is the way Isai 30.21 and therefore the condition of the Church must needs be happy they shall be taught the right way Object If God be the best teacher of his people and it be such a dignitie to be taught of God how comes it to passe then that amongst Gods people or at least such as
of God unto the people they cannot make the soule to stoop to those truths and practice those truths which they teach but herein appeares the Excellency of Gods teaching above mans he can make the soule to yeeld obedience unto the truth delivered he can bring the soule under the power of those truths See the Prophet Davids expression to this purpose Psal 38.2 Thine arrowes sticke fast in me and thy hand presseth me sore When God comes to teach a soule he will shoot the arrowes so fast that it shall take impression the soule shall come under the power of truths so that the soule shall say Lord I would faine have shaken off thine arrowes but am not able for they sticke fast in mee And thus God did teach those in the Acts Act. 2.39 When they heard this they were pricked in their hearts it was not the bare words of the Apostle when he told them You are the parties that have crucified the Lord of glory that did pricke their hearts but the Lord set it home to their consciences and brought them under the power of that truth they heard not onely the voyce of man but the voyce of God in that word of truth and then they were pricked in their hearts And thus God did teach Lydia he opened her heart and then shee attended to that which Paul spake Acts 16.14 It was not Paul opened her heart but God opened Lydia's heart A man may heare a thousand Sermons and yet get no good if he heare onely the voyce of a man but if the day of Gods power come upon the soule that he heare the voyce of God in the Ordinances then he shall profit for Gods voyce in his Word is a commanding voyce Job 36.10 He commanded them to returne from iniquitie Gods teaching the soule is with a command with such Authoritie as the soule cannot resist it And herein appears the excellency of Gods teaching the soule above mans Secondly Gods teaching the soule is more excellent then mans if wee consider the time of his teaching the soule The Minister can teach them but some times in season and out of season but God can teach the soule at all times in the absence of teachers for either our teachers may be taken from us or wee from them but God can then teach the soule 2. If we consider the place where he doth teach the Minister doth preach in the publique assembly but God can teach in all places and teach at once in all places which no other teacher can doe 3. If wee consider the persons which he doth teach the Minister doth preach but to some of Gods people but God doth teach all his people himselfe they are all taught of him And as God doth teach all his people so he can teach them all at once the Minister can teach but some at once but God can teach all the Congregations that doe assemble together at once he is not so much imployed in one Congregatiō but he can be as much in another at one and the same time to teach his people So that consider the time the place and the persons and in all these it will appeare Gods teaching is more excellent then mans Thirdly Gods teaching the soule is more excellent then mans it appeares if we consider the infallibilitie of Gods teaching and instructing his people he is an infallible teacher he doth teach the soule infallible truths Earthly teachers are not infallible teachers though they be faithfull and endeavour to deliver the truth and nothing but the truth unto people yet they are but men and may erre but God cannot erre in teaching of his people for he doth teach his people according to his Word which is infallible Heaven and earth shall perish but not one jot or tittle shall fall But here may arise an objection God doth teach his people by the outward Ministry of the Word but the Minister is not infallible ergo God is not an infallible teacher of his people Answ The Word of God is an infallible Word and this is that God doth teach his people by then secondly it is when the Minister hits upon the true interpretation of Scripture when he doth give the true sense and meaning of the Holy Ghost from a Text that the Spirit of God doth accompany it and make it profitable unto the people for wee must note the Spirit of God doth not goe along with a false interpretation of Scripture but with the true sense for Gods Spirit doth accompany the truth man delivers and not the error so that still it will hold a truth Man may erre but God is the infallible teacher and instructor of his people Fourthly The excellency of Gods teaching above mans appeares in the sutablenesse of the matter of the persons condition which he doth teach Ministers may endeavour to prepare matter sutable to the conditions of the people they teach but they may be mistaken but the Lord knows the hearts of all his people and he knows what truths are most sutable to their conditions and he doth teach them sutable to their conditions Suppose a spirit be wounded which is a burthen who can beare The Lord will come with sutable matter to such a soule he tels it I have sent Jesus Christ for to bind up the broken-hearted sinner Isai 61.1 And the Sonne of man is come to seeke and save lost sinners such as see themselves lost Luk. 18.11 Nay he bids them come Come all yee that are weary and heavy laden and I will eas◠you that is you that feele sinne a burthen and strive to get from under this burthen come to me and I will ease you Suppose the soule be sicke he propounds Christ as a Physitian to the sick-soule if the soule be hungry and thirsty after righteousness he propounds Christ as bread of life and water of life and invites poore soules to come to him Hoe every one that thirsteth come yee to the waters come buy without silver and without money Isai 54.1 And if any man thirst let him come unto mee and drinke Joh. 7.37 Suppose a soule be in depths of desertion walke in darknesse and see no light but when he lookes up to heaven and thinkes upon God he is troubled Psal 77.3 It thinks that God hath forsaken it and will never returne againe in mercy the Lord doth say to such a soule Let him trust in the Name of the Lord Isai 50.10 For a moment in my anger I hid my face but with everlasting mercy I had compassion on thee saith the Lord Isai 54.8 Suppose a soule should suffer the losse of all for Christs sake He that loseth houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands shall receive an hundred-fold in this life and in the world to come life everlasting Not that they shall receive for the losse of one wife a hundred or of one house a hundred but that comfort that will make up all a
some againe tye their Religion to some particular mans sleeve all that such a man or such a man speakes is truth as if they were infallible and contemne others in comparison of them what is this but to have mens persons in admiration as Jude speakes Now if God be the best instructor of his people then we should try the spirits whether they be of God and though Paul or an Angel from heaven should come and preach contrary to Gods Word let them be accursed Gal. 1.8 Use 3 The third use is for terror Is the Lord the best instructor of his people then wofull is the condition of all them that despise the meanes of grace that despise Gods teaching of the soule either outwardly by the Ministry of the Word or inwardly by the Spirit that say unto God Depart from us for wee desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Job 21.14 And when his Messengers call upon them to aske for the old way which is the good way and walke therein they say we will not walke therein the condition of such is very miserable See two places of Scripture for it which might terrifie the heart of any wicked wretch that despiseth the meanes of grace the one is in Heb. 12.25 See that yee despise not him that speaketh for if they escaped not that refused him that spake on earth much more shall we not escape if wee turne from him that speaketh from heaven Those that slight Christ and make a light account of him refuse him and his doctrine there is no escaping for such how much more shall wee not escape The Lord Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his Church and all that will not heare this Prophet shall be destroyed Acts 3.23 Here is the misery of such poore soules they shall be destroyed And how might this terrifie a poore soule that contemnes the meanes of grace if I turne from Christ if I heare not Christ I shall not escape I shall be destroyed Secondly It may serve to terrifie such persons as delight in hearing lyes as well as truth and delight in corrupt doctrine as well as the truth that say to the Prophets Prophecy smooth things to us and flatter us in our sinnes Consider but one place of Scripture Jer. 5. last verse The Prophets prophecy lyes and the Priests receive gifts and my people delight therein but what will yee then doe in the end thereof As much as if he should say there will come an end there will come a time when the Lord will call Minister and people to an account but what will yee doe in the end thereof It implyes the end will be a sad end such an end as they shall not know what to doe when they come to give account unto God how they have spoken and heard the Word Use 4 Is for direction to all such persons as would not erre goe to God and desire him to teach thee who is the best instructor of his people many a poore soule is ready to say there are so many severall opinions abroad that I am at a stand I know not what is truth and what is errour I know not what way to walke in and oh that I could heare of that Minister that could direct me in the right way My answer to such is goe to God and he can teach thee the right way he leads his people by the paths of righteousnesse for his Names sake Psal 23. He knows thy condition and can proportion matter sutable to thy condition But now the soule will object But what shall I doe that I may be taught of God For answer to this great Question wouldest thou be taught of God observe these directions and the Lord make them profitable First Wouldest thou have God teach thee then attend the meanes of grace the preaching of the Word I told you God teacheth the soule outwardly by the Word as well as inwardly by the Spirit and that man or woman may question whether God teacheth them that doe neglect the outward Ministry of the Word they are counted blessed that waite at wisdomes gates Pro. 8.33 And saith the Apostle Despise not prophecying try all things and keepe that which is good so that that soule that would be taught of God must attend the means the preaching of the word is the outward meanes God hath appointed to convert a soule and as to convert so to build up the soule by for by the same meanes that he converts he builds up and therefore it 's a strange opiniō that when a man is converted by the Ministry of the Word and Spirit that he should separate and run into a corner to build up himselfe he that would be taught of God must attend the outward means by which the Lord teacheth the soule Secondly Wouldest thou have God teach thee then be much in prayer seeke unto God to teach thee David knew much of God was able to teach his teachers and yet he is earnest with God to teach him shew me thy way O Lord Psal 25.4 Lord teach me to doe thy will Psal 143.11 And thou art my God let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightnesse As much as if the Prophet should have sayd Lord I have a perverse spirit thy Spirit is good let thy good Spirit lead me so goe to God and challenge his promise and say Lord thou hast promised that the eares of thy People shall heare a voyce behinde them saying This is the way walke in it and yee shall find rest Lord I am an ignorant wretch subject to erre and miscarry Lord accomplish thy promise shew mee the way thou wouldest have me walke in Lord suffer me not to miscarry And this is the second meanes Thirdly Acknowledge thy ignorance if thou wouldest have God to teach thee there are many take up opinions with a resolution to hold them be they right or wrong and are as confident it is truth they hold as if they were infallible in this life in so much as no argument will convince them they know enough and scorne to be better instructed then they are Now it is not such God will teach but as our Saviour Christ says The whole need not the Physitian but those that are sicke so God says to these you know enough already you shall not need that I teach you the knowing need not to be taught but those that are ignorant that is those that see their ignorance and acknowledge it The way to have God teach us is to acknowledge our ignorance David in praying to God to teach him acknowledges his ignorance and his need of Gods teaching the way to become wise is to become a soole to acknowledge our ignorance and folly for he that thinkes he knoweth any thing knoweth nothing as he ought to know 1 Cor. 8.2 Fourthly Wouldest thou have God teach thee then eye him in all thy wayes Prov. 3.6 In all thy wayes acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths Surely that