thing as I conceive Now there be two things most principall to make the matter of words that are delivered wholsome and sound 1. The soundnesse of truths of holy truths 2. The soundnesse of use and profitablenesse And they are here chiefly recommended to Ministers and in due place to all to have a speciall care of having preserving and keeping very charily such sound words and truths as that 1. There may be no words no Doctrines no principles delivered in the Church of God but such as may be full of certain and holy and pious truths such as are agreeable with truth according to the word of God according to the analogy of faith that is the first the soundnesse of truth 2. But the other kinde of soundnesse or a second branch of it may be a soundnesse of use that their words may be such as are fit for edification There may be many things true but there may be so little substantialnesse so little solidity so little materialnesse for any use so frivolous and so low that there may be no great advantage or benefit which can come to the Church by hearing or receiving them therefore the Apostle includes this that as there should be a care that nothing but the sound and wholsome truth of God should be delivered so that it might be such solid and substantiall truth as may be very conducible for the building up and edifying of the Church of God not frivolous and vain and curious disputes and questions which rather make men swell and puff up and rather make contention and jangling but such as are solid and substantiall necessary and profitable truths for edification that is another branch 2. But then besides the soundnesse of the matter there is the soundnesse of the manner or form of words in which these things are delivered they must not be delivered in an affected language in a {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} as the Apostle oftentimes in the Epistle expresseth not in a vain tinkling sound of words tickling the ear to please mens fancies and to draw mens carnall delight in the hearing of the words that are delivered but grave and sober expressions such as may be subservient to the matter to conveigh substantial truths in an edifying and profitable way it must be such a form of words and indeed there may be a great failing and a man may be to seek a language if he will affect a curious and neat contrivance of words and having found it it will be far from the gravity of the businesse And truly if we were as we should be rightly affected when we come to the house of God and have to deal with divine things we would not look after the dresse of words and the tyre of words which is the poorest and the meanest that can be and scarce worthy to be looked after unlesse it may be in a wholsome way to conveigh wholsome words It is a base and poor thing to come in publike places to gape and pry into this womans dresse and the other womans toy this fashion and t'other fashion and more basely sordid in the house of God and it is as base in the kinde of it for a man to come to Gods house where he comes to seek food for his soul and to hear the oracles of God that God should not be able to please him unlesse he speak tinkling and tickling words to fancie and humour him Is it meet for God or doth it become the majesty of God to speak in such a language as is not befitting him Majesticall language noble language sublime language is the proper language of GOD to conveigh divine things It may suit well with a Courtier to affect some scrapings of language but not with a King for as they use to observe there is a difference between a pedantick stile and a majestick stile a boy that hath but his Academicall learning he may in his orations affect and it may be more tollerable for him to affect pen and Inkhorn language and as they term it to affect a flourishing sound of words but for a Prince it is besides his decorum I say for a Prince on his Throne of Majesty to speak curiously it becomes not the majesty of the place and much lesse doth it become the majesty of Gods ordinances that there should be any thing so curiously in the dresse of words as to draw mens eyes and ears so that they do not minde the things but the words and are carried away with petty phrases but I must not be large There is another thing words and sound and wholsome words of truth and profitablenesse and wholsome for the manner of delivery in a grave and sober manner such as becomes the oracles of God 3. But what is that same {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that same form of sound words this one thing that the Apostle intimates I shall afterward when I come to the Application expresse more particularly of it but for the present I shall comprehend all in these two things which I conceive are enough A form of sound and wholsome words I conceive the Apostle means the matter intirely collected a collection of the principles of Religion and the principles of Divinity a sufficient and intire collection and drawing together and imbodying as it were of the necessary principles of Religion which every Minister should have a care to conveigh to the people and every people care to treasure up In the matter I say an intire and sufficient collection I know there be many degrees of it but I shall touch that afterward for the present I expresse it onely in the generall a sufficient intire collection of the main truths and principles of Religion to take care to conveigh them very solicitously to the hearing of the people 2. But then again though this be the main in my apprehension that the Apostle here intends yet I will not exclude another thing too which seems to be included viz. Method aptly digested Some care must be of the method as well as of the matter that there might be a sufficient collection of all fundamentall principles that it might be digested as well as collected in some usefull method the word it self {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} according to the genuine signification of it seems to aim at this for it is no more but a generall delineation or draught and the truth is it is impossible that where there is a multitude but that multitude must be regulated by some order if multitudes of principles be delivered without an order it is without its beauty and it will be a great prejudice and hindrance both to the understanding and attention of them and to the memory and retention of them and therefore I suppose this is here likewise comprehended the words seem to import it however I say not that the Apostle fully intends this because it is but accidentall yet I do
word Prophets he saith Let him that prophesieth prophesie according to the analogy of faith {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} I know there may bee some disputes what may be the true and exact meaning of the analogy of faith For present I take that which is not contemptible nor from a contemptible author viz. Calvins interpretation which is that by faith is meant there the prime and fundamentall axioms of faith the fundamentall truths of Religion and all doctrines that are delivered in the Church must hold analogy hold proportion with those prime and fundamentall truths which are the forme of sound and wholsome words by which al other must be regulated and squared that they may hold analogy and proportion with that And in this same Epistle the next Chap. 2.15 he saith Study to approve thy selfe to God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth now this seems rather directly to ayme at or at least directly to suppose that there should bee a forme of sound or wholsome words in the delivery of which a man should approve himselfe so as that he needs not to be ashamed and according to the analogy of which he should divide the word of God aright holding proportion with it though I confesse there may be another interpretation though it seeme not so sutable to that place as to be able to speake a word properly to every one as it may concerne him to the weake to strengthen them to the strong to build them up farther and farther to the tempted to arme them so some would have the meaning of it to be but this seemes not to me to be the right for the dividing of the word of truth aright seemes rather to intimate a dispensing of it in such truths and soundnes as may agree with the forme of sound and wholsome words And in the 1 Pet. 3.15 the Apostle there requires not only of Ministers that they should have a forme of sound and wholsome words and that they should be able to deliver themselves in that fashion but hee seemeth to require there so much of people of Christians by that precept that he doth injoyne them there that they might be able or ready to give an account or reason of their hope that is in them that is to be able to apologize for it and to stand up in the defence and maintenance of it Now if a man be not well grounded in a forme of sound and wholsome words if hee understand them not remember them not nor be versed in them he will never bee able to give a reason an account of his faith and hope much lesse will he be able to maintaine and defend it against the hereticall and superstitious cavils and objections that will be raised against it which every Christian is bound in some degree to ayme to get an ability of and indeed it will be the foundation of his stedfast standing for no man can be stedfast in that which he knowes not nor feeles the bottome of Therefore we should bee versed in the grounds of Religion in a forme of sound and wholsome words that containes the principles of faith and that we may be able to know what is our duty And there is something to the same purpose in the Rom. 6.17 Ye have obeyed from the heart the forme of doctrine which was delivered to you But I shall omit that for the present and I shall give the ground of this 2. The ground and reason of it that which makes this appear to be a truth and a considerable truth that we should all labour to get and hold fast a form of sound and wholsome words even the sum of religion is because 1. There is a great necessity of it 1. Not only in regard of the Commission and injunction that lieth upon us the trust that God hath committed to us as I did intimate before we are but depositors and God hath committed this to our care and charge charged us with it and expects our faithfull discharge in it not only because of this I say but 2. In regard of the manifold oppositions and danger of corruptions of divine truths by the subtilty of Sathan and his instruments and their malice If Christians and the Church of God did not throughly acquaint themselves with it and bottome themselves on it they could never be able to justifie the wayes of God and the truth of God nor to vindicat that from the many subtill windings which the Serpent will use to corrupt and pervert the truth I purpose not largely to expatiat but only to give a hint of things and therefore I shall but adde a second 2. It is of great utility as there is a great necessity of it if we would not have the truth overwhelmed nor errors to be spread over and overgrowne in the face of the Church So there is an infinite benefit and advantage and utility that redounds to the Church of God by this course of having both in general in particular by every Christian of a form of sound and wholsome words there is I say an infinite benefit and utility besides the necessity of it that would redound to the Church of God in generall and to every Christian in particular by this Let me name but some few and but name them 1. Those truths the main truths of Religion being preserved pure and sound and uncorrupted will be a great band of Verity Vnity and Vnanimity 1. Of verity it will be a band to hold together all the truths of God if the main ones be kept if the fundamentall principle be purely kept it will be a band to hold and soder together all the other truths and to rectifie them if there should be any swerving And as a great band of verity so it will be a band of unity in the Church of God and unanimity For herein lyeth the unity of the Church of God not that every man agree in every particular opinion concerning every particular thing but if they do agree in the main foundation of Religion in those things which are sufficient to salvation and such are sound and wholsome words such as that all that are to be saved are to be saved by beleeving and practising of them If they be retained though there be other differences yet this will be a band of unity to make them close and soder together 2. But then secondly as this will be a band so it will be a bar too A barre against Heresie and Controversie It would be a bar against heresie This will be as it were a bar of fortification to keep out the entry and incroaching and prevailing of heresie If we stand upon our guard and upon good ground in the maintenance and defence of the maine truths there will be no breach for heresies to enter in then it will much keepe them off But the neglect of our watch
constancie in adhering to him and you may finde this mixture in a double degree 1. In the first place we have praying for him that God should be mercifull to his houshold The Lord be mercifull to the house of Onesiphorus in the 16 verse And with that is mingled 2. The praise and commendation of the constancie and fidelity of Onesiphorus in these circumstances 1. His charity and mercie to Paul in generall in his constancie to him in afflictions often refreshing him in sweetning of his spirits and cheering him he did not do it at other times onely but in his bonds he was not ashamed of his bonds 2. Nay more than so there was yet something more in speciall he did it more tenderly and cheerfully yea and more carefully in his bonds than he did before when he was at liberty when he was at Rome as it is in the 17 verse he sought him out very diligently he did not onely when Paul met him when he did meet him as it were in his dish and then give him a cold complement and salute him but whereas he might have declined Paul he sought him out very diligently very carefully hazarding and ingaging himself in this cause for the comfort of Paul 2. Then there is a second setting of it out for the Apostle could never have done with this but there is a second mixture in the 18 verse There is again 1. A repetition of prayer for Onesiphorus that had so carefully sought him out and never left till he found him viz. That the Lord would grant unto him that he might find mercie when he sought it in the most needfull time in the great day in the day of the LORD And withall 2. There is again a repetition of praise for he cannot take off his hand cannot say enough as a thankfull spirit and an ingenuous spirit will not let fall any good received nor keep back any praise that is due to it and this Paul expresseth in the very last clause and latter part of the verse he comes in there with a new supply of praise What he did in how many things he ministred to me at Ephesus thou knowest very well he remembred his ancient kindnesse and makes mention of it here to his praise And if there were no other thing in the world though a man had no other reward it were enough to incourage a man to ingage the prayers and to deserve the praises of a Paul to be praised by Paul and to have Paul as a Remembrancer at the Throne of Grace to get the prayers of those that are faithfull and to deserve the praises of those that are faithfull were there no other recompence in the world it were enough they that would have a share in the reward of a martyr must have a share in the affliction of a martyr however if there were no other reward it were at least no contemptible thing to be paid in prayers to be paid in prayses especiall from such as are as Paul I now come to the place which I have pitched upon and I shall forbear all observation which might be raised out of the context and passe by also all the particulars which might be severally raised and that naturally enough out of the particular words of the text There is but one thing that I shall pitch upon in that one observation take occasion to explaine so much of the words of the text as may be any way needfull The point or observation which I shall commend to you out of these words it is this It is a matter of high concernment for all to have and keep cautiously as a sacred depositum as a rich treasure a form of sound and wholsome Words especially in Divine and fundamentall truths that shall be the observation which I shall onely propound and prosecute out of the words and I shall so much the rather propound it more fully and largely because I would comprehend in it so much as might give me a hint to explicate all the words that are necessary to be opened in the text I conceive it takes in all the whole substance and scope of that which the Apostle doth here commend to Timothy and that which suits very well with the scope of the businesse we have in hand There be foure things which I shall briefly open for I will not be large in the point 1. The object of the duty specified 2. The act of that duty injoyned 3. The manner of performing the duty intimated 4. The persons who are obliged to this duty And every one of these is couched in the proposition I named and hath some necesity and usefullnesse in the point it selfe 1. The first thing considerable in the point is the object of this duty and we have it propounded in the words of the text and therefore I shall go no further For the explication of the object I shall propound it in a more generall and in a more particular way the whole is generally propounded and particularly circumscribed in the words of the text 1. In the generall proposition there be these three distinct branches observable and I shall give but a brief touch of either of them 1. Words 2. Sound and wholsome Words 3. A form of sound and wholsome Words In a word I shall say so much as is necessary for the understanding of the meaning of all these What is meant by Words What is mene by sound and wholsome Words for so the originall hath it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} i. e. sound or wholsome Words And what is meant by a form of sound Words {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} as the word is a dilineation or plat form of wholsome Words 1. For the former what is ment by Words a word will serve the turne It is not bare words letters and sillables that the Apostle speak of but divine truths and Doctrines expressed and couched in words I say divine truths and sentences grounds and principles which are here called words because they cannot be expressed but by words and this thing is so familiar among all sorts that I will not adde any thing more 2. But then for those sound and wholsome words that are recommended here to his custody what is the meaning of them In few words for I will not expatiate but circumscribe it in a narrow compasse Words and truths principles and Doctrines they are sound and wholsome when they are so Both 1 For the substance of matter and 2 For the form of them in which they are expressed and conveighed Which I might have taken from the former words but I rather take it in that place 1. There is a soundnes and wholsomnes in respect of the substance of matter which the Apostle doth injoyn every man to take care of especially Ministers that the things which they deliver be sound and wholsome in regard of the matter and that is the main
is committed to the Church of God than those divine truths that God hath been pleased to reveal and commit unto us they are such as the glory of God depends on them and the salvation of a man depends on them two of the most important things the Church nay that the World hath and therefore we should keep them as we have respect to the glory of God or as we tender our own salvation which is more than our lives I I say Gods glory and our salvation which is much more than our lives is committed to our trust when those Divine truths are deposited with us 4. The Persons that are obliged that is the last thing to be explained whom this injunction concernes Here is but one directly expressed and that is Timothy but yet we may extend it and that with good analogy and upon good ground and reason further as 1. Paul he must have a care of it of keeping of it himself and committing it to the care of others and stirring up and provoking others It concernes Paul they that are highest and most principall in the Church it concernes them principally and originally that they should have a care of them they should be the the first wheels the primum mobile that set all the others on work and have a grand care of keeping this depositum 2. All Timothies all the ministers of Gods Word who are Gods {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} his dispencers his stewards and whom God hath reposed speciall trust in It is committed to their care in an especiall manner and they should looke to it 3. The whole Church of God and every Christian as this is a depositum though committed personally to some yet not meerly for their personall good but for a publique and an universall good Divine truths and the integrity and purity and soundnesse of them is a thing that concernes not only though chiefly the Ministers but it concernes the whole Church of God and all Gods people that they should be preserved without violation without contamination being given for a publique good and the publique good of all and every one in particular depending on it so that it concerns all and every one in their places Thus of the explication 2. The Proofe I shall come now briefly so farre as the point will extend and the thing bee requisite and convenient to demonstrate and prove the truth of it and then to descend to the application as farre as will concerne my present scope First of all premising this that I shall not endeavour no not so much as meddle with the proofe of every particular or presse the confirmation of every particular contained in the explication as being not so requisite but to carry the maine summe of the point We see this to be a cleere and a divine truth that it is the duty of all especially Ministers whom God hath especially intrusted to look to the preservation of the purity of a forme of sound doctrine of sound and wholsome words we may see it I say 1. By Scripture and 2. By ground of reason 1. Out of Scripture besides this place wherein it is punctually and fully expressed and no wonder because the injunction belongs in a more especial manner unto Ministers and there being not in many places this charge committed and particularly directed to them but in this Epistle of Paul to Timothy wherein it is principally set downe but yet it is divers times repeated in Scripture And I shall give some other places which warrant the same thing 1. The Apostles recommend this to us by their owne example I will give but one generall instance in that kinde and one particular The generall instance of the duty is this you shall finde that almost every Epistle of Paul and in some proportion it is observable in all the rest of the Epistles I say almost in every Epistle there is an {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} i. e. there is a delineating a drawing of a platforme of wholsome words according to the substance that is here mentioned and according to this object faith and love For all matters of religion are matters of faith or matters of love in the practice and exercise of faith and this is commended to us in all the Epistles the former part and the greater part of all the Epistles is to deliver matters of faith to rectifie mens judgements and season them rightly with the knowledge of divine truths necessary to salvation and the latter part of the Epistles is to descend to practicall duties to the fruits of faith in the matters of love which is the compasse of all Christian duty And amongst others that first Epistle of all is to this purpose which was not placed first for order of time because first written nor so much for the order of dignity because the Romanes were the principall people in the world it is not therefore I say placed first of all the Epistles but because it containes this more fully and expresseth a form of sound and wholsome words there doctrines of faith and duties of life that issue and flow from faith as fruits of it are more cleerly distinguished and more fully expressed than in any other although it is in some sort in all Now besides this generall instance I shall give but one particular instance and that is in Hebr. 6.1 Therefore leaving the doctrine of the beginning or principles of the doctrine of Christ let us be led forward to perfection not laying againe the foundation of repentance unto dead workes and of faith towards God There is expressed both what the principles are and what that same forme of sound or wholsome words is the doctrine of Baptisme as in the next verse laying on of hands resurrection from the dead There are some few heads repeated which are as milke for babes the forme of sound words which are at least for beginners in the first beginnings and rudiments of Christianity and those that are the first points in religion The Apostle gives for babes a form of catechising a forme of sound and wholsome words And there is intimated in that place that as there is a shorter and briefer forme of sound and wholsome words for a manuduction or entrance to beginners so there must bee a larger fuller forme and more compleat that did extend farther and comprehend more in the knowledge of Religion and the things that belong to it for those that are come to more perfection and ripenesse of yeares 2. But besides these examples there be divers testimonies which seeme to ayme at the same thing I will mention two or three In Rom. 12.6 the Apostle there begins to direct every one for the discharge of their duties in their severall places in the Church according to the right manner and among the rest the rule that is given for those that are Ministers called there in a generall sense of the
second place to passe from our humble exhortation to the Church for Ministers this might bee an exhortation to them that as they should take care of all other parts of Divinity so they should take care of this to ground themselves in and withall communicate to others a forme of sound and wholesome Words not words only but wholesome words and a form of wholesome words to load the people through the maine things not one but all to deliver the whole truth of God as the Apostle speakes though in somewhat a different sence Time hath prevented me in a word therefore there be three wayes of ministeriall exercise as I humbly conceive which might be most advantagious and usefull if they were used 1. The first thing that I would have done which might be exceedingly usefull though not so well regarded is a course of the meere and bare Exposition of Scripture to goe through a whole Chapter or some part of it and so to explicate it and deliver the full summe It would bee wonderfull profitable and necessary to acquaint the people with the whole Chapter and the maine scope and principall things that are in it and goe no further not to descend into every particular in it onely by this interpretation to make the people acquainted with the Scripture This indeed is the lowest degree 2. And then there is another thing which I would have them to doe to take another course like that of ours viz. preaching upon severall texts and severall points but yet so as these severall points might hold connexion to be made up in a body of Divinity for the comprehension of all things necessary to be knowne which we now intend and that is another way 3. But then there comes in a third thing as the first should comprehend the explanation of the Scriptures and the second should be for all the doctrinals so if there were a third thing added which is a course to comprehend all the exemplary historicall parts of the Scripture part by part treating in them not of every particular part of the Text but of the most remarkable examples in them As how God hath governed and preserved by his providence the Church in all ages from the very beginning of the world till the flood and from that till the promulgation of the Law and from that till the building of the Temple and so till the Nativity of Christ and so carrying all along this would be an admirable thing to strengthen religion by seeing how God in all ages hath managed his Church how he hath gone along with it and supported his truth and shewed his goodnes and mercy in a sweet and gracious way and so in all the Scripture to marke out all the singular passages and examples of Gods providence These would be best altogether although every one of them be good in particular 3. To all private Christians this may force them to their duty the exhortation that I should presse on them should bee in a word that 1. They would not thinke this to be a thing out of their spheare and walke and therefore that they would labour and aime not onely to have some scramblings and scrapings some broken ends of knowledge to harp upon this point and that point But to labour and strive to come to the knowledg of a form of sound and wholsome words to the whole body and frame of Divinity at least according to their capacities every one according to their form If he be a child in yeeres and apprehension to have the lowest kind labour to come to the lowest form and so for yong men and fathers to carry it along through all degrees So that let no Christian thinke this without the compasse of his duty or unprofitable for him for he shall gaine by it aboundance of benefit and profit He may gaine all the benefit I mentioned before It will help his understanding and his memory and his performance of duty make him receive more profit by others and make him more profitable unto others it will every way advantage him 2. And let no man thinke that there is an impossibility in it for him and that it is only for the learned for besides that ordinary blessing that God hath vouchsafed us in letting us have the Gospel he hath vouchsafed more extraordinary wayes of knowledg in our times than in any other As it is with trees they are sometime so laden with fruit that they doe even bow downe to the ground againe so as that a child may gather from them God hath so filled this age with knowledge and so plentifully vouchsafed it that it bowes downe that it offers it selfe to us and that so familiarly and facily that none of ordinary capacity it being in our owne language and tongue but may attaine unto it even children and withall the difficulty will be taken off if we consider that it is not required in the highest degree but according to the degree and capacity of every one God doth not require the highest forme of those that are of the lowest but onely the highest of the high and the low of the low capacity And there is no Christian but in some form or other at least is capable of it It were worth the while therefore to set our selves about it to labour to attain the summe of divine truths and to carry it as a rich treasure about us to make us exquisite for every practise and discourse {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 2 TIMOTHY 1.13 14. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing which was committed to thee keep by the holy Ghost which dwelleth in us WEe observed out of these words one main point viz. It is a matter of high concernment for all to have and to keep cautiously as a sacred depositum as a rich treasure a form of sound and wholsome words in Divine and fundamentall truths especially We have dispatched the explication and confirmation and application There remaines nothing now but that which I promised to discharge viz. to acquaint you according to this rule and my present scope it being my purpose to enter on a form of sound and wholsome words even to comprehend the whole body of Divinity at least the substantiall and maine truths that are necessary to be known and beleeved to salvation but before I enter into any particulars which will be severall and many I will give you at first a prospect of all a generall delineation of the whole compasse and course which if God permit life and liberty I intend to go through I was at a stay a long while with my self whether I should do it or no their seeming no beauty or profitablenesse in a meer beholding of a bare Skeleton a naked anatomy of the summe of Religion But I consider with my selfe that we spend many houres houres