notice of you both at Hearing and when you omit and needlesly neglect to hear for he will not let his Name or Ordinances be taken in vain Exod. 20.7 Remember that Text Eccles 5.1 Take heed to thy foot when thou goest to the House of God and be more ready to hear than to offer the Sacrifice of Fools for they consider not that they do evil Men and Women must not think 't is hearing of men but hearing of God by men or through men it is not Man's Word or Ordinance but God's therefore take heed slight it not dally not with it the God of this most sacred Ordinance will not bear it at your hands Hearken what God saith 2 Chron. 24.19 Yet he sent unto them Prophets to bring them again unto the Lord and they testified against them but they would not give ear and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Zachariah the Son of Jehoiada the Priest which stood above the People and said unto them Thus saith God Why transgress ye the Commandment of the Lord that ye cannot prosper because ye have forsaken the Lord he hath also forsaken you Compare with this what you have Mat. 23.34 3â— 39. and then consider if there be not need to receive this Exhortation to take heed how you hear Oh! be not sleepy proud unbelieving forgetful unthankful or unfruitful hearers of the Worâ— of God for if the Lord Jesus when he broughâ— forth but barley Bread and small Fishes said Gather up the Fragments and let nothing be lost do you think then he will let such precious Breaâ— of Life which none but the Son of Man can givâ— you be lost John 6.12 Therefore to conclude Take heed that you despise not him that speaketh from Heaven in thâ— Ministry of the VVord Consider it and seâ— that you refuse not him that speaketh For if the escaped not who refused him that spake on Earth much more shall not we escape if we turn awâ— from him that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 12.25 Oh therefore be swift to hear though slow to speak against what you hear and let every one that hath ears to hear hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches Jam. 5.19 with Rev. 2.7 Thuâ— much for this first Observation Doct. 2. That which I noted from the opening of the words was That Prophetical Preaching or Prophesying by Saints or Brethren by vertue of Gifts and Membership without Office or Ministry conferred upon them is God's very Ordinance and a lawful way of Preaching Else Solomon how wise soever had sinfully Preached For the clearing of this Truth consider first what the Scripture speaks to this point First Moses that well understood the Mind of God was thus minded when he spake these words Enviest thou for my sake Would God that all the Lord's people were Prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them Numb 11.29 Two things among others we may note here First That Moses did noâ— envy or disallow the Prophesying or Preaching of any that the Lord had made able and therefore puts by the envy and ignorance of those that did with this reply Enviest thou for my sake as if he had said you do evilly and sinfully in so doing Secondly Observe Moses how faithful soever in the House of God and against Usurpations and Innovations in the Church yet allows and approves that any one and every such one that the Lord should put his Spirit upon and make able might this do even Prophesie or Preach I would all the Lord's People were Prophets could and would Preach for I shall not forbid them Object 1. But if any shall Object and say This is not to the thing in hand For first these were eminent Elders and Officers or Rulers among the people and not private persons or ordinary Members of the Church I Answer Though it be granted that these were such even part of the seventy yet note they were not preaching Elders Secondly Neither preached they because such or such but because they had the Spirit and that moved and also filled them with matter and gave them utterance Thirdly Neither was this separation or pouring out of the Spirit mentioned vers 17. the Spirit of Preaching Gifts or Qualifications but the Spirit of Rule and Government as is most clear by considering what is offered 't was a portion of Moses Spirit to assist Moses not in Preaching but in Râ—ling and Governing Object 2. But if any shall object to this testimony That it proves not the thing for which it brought because this was extraordinary prophesying and these were immediate Prophets and not â—â—dinary or such as the Doctrine intends I answer True it is these were extraordinarâ— Persons but whether their Prophesying in thâ— place spoken of were extraordinary Preaching oâ— Prophesying doth not appear in this or any otheâ— place that I know of although I acknowledâ— there is such a kind of Prophesying But howeveâ— this is clear from this place That as many as tâ—â— Lord will spirit or qualifie for one or other sortâ— Preaching may and ought to Preach Else Mosâ— had wished too much and not answered the caâ—â— propounded but this may serve for this Object on But take a second VVitness which you haâ—â— 2 Chron. 17.7 8 9 10. where you find Jehâ—shaphat sent out his Princes as well as his Priest and Levites to Teach in the Cities of Judah anâ— the success was very glorious But take a third VVitness 1 Pet. 4.10 11 where we have the Apostle not only allowing but also provoking and enjoyning every man thâ— feareth the Lord to be a good Steward of the manifold Grace of God and he that hath receive that Gift of speaking a word in season is to minister and to speak according to that ability Goâ— giveth Take but one more 1 Cor. 14.29 31. wheâ— the Apostle allows and directs all the Prophets or prophesying Brethren in the Church to Prophefie Yea he asserts the truth of this Doctrine and justifies this for a lawful and laudable practice for so many in the Churches of the Saints as have preaching Gifts to Preach saying You may all prophesie one by one and let the Prophets prophesie and let no man forbid or envy it And thus the Preacher in my Text preached as a Prophet or Member of the Church not officially or as a Minister ordained unto this Work of Preaching is clear For by Office he was a King not a Preacher such were the high Priests and Levites only but our Preacher was a Membral Preacher or one exercising his Gifts according to his Liberty and Duty Yea our Lord Jesus who preached in the Jewish Synagogue and was allowed so to do thus he preached in the account of the Congregation not by virtue of that anointing by which he was Christ and Lord For though he were so yet they knew it not nor allowed it they only gave him the liberty and priviledge of other Members of the Church Such a priviledge was given
own Land and the Caldeans shall come again and fight against this City and take it and burn it with fire Jer. 37.7 8. But though these words were acceptable or truth in themselves and so to the Lord and should have been so to them as being profitable to them Yet for all this they were unacceptable to them as is manifest vers 15. Wherefore the Princes were wroth with Jeremiah and smote him and put him in Prison This may suffice for the Answer of this great Question What acceptable words are Let me now raise this Observation or Conclusion The tenth Doctrine That the wisdom and work of wise Preachers is and ought to be to preach acceptable words or acceptably I shall the briefer pass through this Doctrine because I have had occasion already to speak to the main things in it contained Wherefore for the proof of what hath been asserted to wit That every wise Preacher's wisdom and work is to preach acceptable words or acceptably Consider This is Paul's charge not to Timothy only but in him to all Preachers to preach acceptable words as you have it in the following words of the Text words of Truth Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard from me 2 Tim. 1.13 So to Titus speaking what Preachers or Elders of Churches should be he saith They should be men able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and convince gain-sayers Tit. 1.9 so Chap. 2.1 Speak thou the thing which becometh sound Doctrine and once more you have it given in charge among other Directions Sound speech that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of you vers 8. And this Paul begs the Prayers of Saints to God for him in this behalf That he might not onely Speak or Preach but so Speak or Preach as he ought to do Ephes 6.20 with Col. 4.4 But may not some say How doth it appear all this while that preaching sound words is preaching acceptable words However I shall grant That to unsound hearts unsound words are and may be most acceptable as we read where the People spake to the Prophet saying Prophesie not unto us right things speak unto us smooth things prophesie deceits Isa 30.10 Yet sound Hearts or gracious Hearers they count no words acceptably spoken or worthy their acceptation but sound and wholsome words as we read of the Church of Ephesus that they hated the Deeds or the Doctrine of the Nicholaitans which the Lord also hated Rev. 2.6 In the opening of this term acceptable words I told you it implyed words of truth which and which only ought of honest and wise Hearers to be accepted Therefore to preach sound words or words of Truth is to preach acceptable words being such words which only should be preached and are alwayes worthy of all mens acceptation And doubtless this among other things Paul also intended in that phrase to speak as he ought that is only and alwayes Truth or the lively Oracles of God not but that Preachers have other things to mind that their words may be acceptable words So secondly Seasonable words are or ought to be accounted acceptable words Therefore Solomon speaking of seasonable words saith A word spoken in due season how good is it or how acceptable is it Prov. 15.23 Now a word may be fitly said to be seasonable or seasonably spoken either in reference to God's account or the peoples concernments First In reference to God's when God's Cause and Honour calls for our speaking then to speak such words as may most conduce to the Cause and Case in hand is to speak acceptable or seasonable words such as wise Preachers ought to seek out speak out Such were Mordecai's words to Hester when he declared to her the state of the Jews and charged her That she should go in unto the King to make supplication to him and to make request before him for her People Chap. 4.8 And when she seems to be backward to entertain these words vers 10 11. Mordecai doubles former seasonable words as becomes wise Preachers so to do and tells her Think not that thou shalt escape in the Kings House more than all the Jews For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time then shall their enlargement arise from another place but thou and thy Fathers House shall be destroyed vers 13 14. The like seasonable were the words of Elijah both to the King and to the People when he told the King I have not troubled Israel but thou and thy Fathers House in that ye have forsaken the Commandments of the Lord and ye have followed Baalim and to the People when he said How long halt ye between two Opinions If the Lord be God follow him but if Baal then follow him 1 Kings 18.18 21. And such were Paul's words to the Athenians when he saw them so given to Idolatry Acts 17.16 to the close of that Chapter And by the way note That oft-times God in a wonderful manner stirs-up the Spirits of his Servants to be speaking such acceptable words as are timous and most seasonable in order to present work as in the instances cited with many more may easily appear But secondly Words may then be counted seasonable and acceptable when most sutable to or suiting with the Peoples present Case State and Necessities The work of wise Preachers should be to sute their words to such occasions when a People are secure setled in sin and sinful wayes then awakening quickning reproving words are most seasonable and to God most acceptable when spoken and should be so to the People Such were John's words to the sinful Jews when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduces come to his Baptism he said unto them O generation of Vipers who hath warned you to fly from the wrath to come bring forth therefore fruit meet for repentance and think not to say within your selves We have Abraham to our Father When the Peoples case is trouble and sorrow for sin then comforting words are seasonable and acceptable words This the Lord himself teacheth saying Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished Isa 40.1 2. And in obedience hereunto when Peter saw that the People were pricked at their hearts he said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost for the promise is to you and to your Children and to all that are after off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Acts 2.38 39. When the People are ignorant of Truths necessary or in some sense of necessity to be at present known Now 't is wise Preachers work to seek out seasonable and acceptable words of information for the removing the peoples ignorance Thus Peter did in that fore-cited Acts 2.14 15. And thus did those wise ones Aquila and Priscilla deal with
Prophets then certainly this must not be 〈◊〉 Preaching excellency and qualification of which they have no share nor can pass any competent judgment but they must try them as you have it 1 Thess 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good compared with 1 Joh. 4.1 Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the World Therefore this Learning cannot be the Preaching qualification Arg. 9. And lastly What need of these Arts Logick Grammar or Rhetorick for opening of Moses and the Prophets or proving that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh Oh! bring better proof for Universities and Colledges or else never plead for these impure puddles and streams of impure waters for Preaching the Gospel But since this Truth and Argument lies so cross to some mens Interest and other mens Understanding I shall willingly consider of such Objections as I have met with and indeavour to try their strength and try whether their strength or the power of this Doctrine will prevail and be pleased to excuse me if I enlarge upon this Head since this Doctrine is so hotly yea so seemingly Scripturally opposed Therefore I shall take the more pains to clear to your Understandings and Consciences that the Learning and Wisdom which a Gospel-preacher needs for Gospel-preaching is not acquired humane Learning or Wisdom but is Spiritual and Divine for a man without Spiritual Wisdom though a Scholar and furnished with all Arts and Sciences is but like a Crow made outwardly gay with other Birds Feathers yet underneath he is a Crow still for all his outward bravery Therefore be pleased to consider of a few Scriptures and weigh the scope and tendency of them as that first when the Lord promiseth to do greaâ— things for the conversion of sinners and lifting 〈◊〉 of the Kingdom where he tells us who shall bâ— the Ambassadors and Preachers in that Work Not the Wise with this beggarly wisdom of thâ— flesh but a quite contrary Generation to wit the foolish and the simple even Babes and Suckling Isa 29.9 to 21. where we have these things offered first That in the dayes of the Gospel-eâ—altation when Lebanon the true Church shall be come a real fruitful Field and the false Church 〈◊〉 Lebanon of foolish Virgins or Professors shall 〈◊〉 turned into a Forrest then shall this be fulfilled God's Book shall not be read to the People by theâ— learned Ones for they shall say and confess 〈◊〉 well as the unlearned I cannot read no more thâ—â— the unconverted People or Multitude and thâ— shall not be the care of idle Ones or by accident but by the great design of God to glorifie himself another way as he saith I will do a marvellouâ— work and a wonder for I will turn the wisdom 〈◊〉 your prudent men backwards and the meek in the Earth shall increase their joy or divine knowledge and have my Vision opened to them and by them vers 18 19. therefore humane Wisdom anâ— Knowledge is not a Tool fit for this Work Object 1. But it is Objected This was spoken of the Jews and Priests of that time and concerâ— not us To which I Answer Grant that it were spoken of that Age first yet not of them only for it appears to the Spiritual Wise and truly Learned to be spoken of the way of God's dealing under the Man of Sin in the end of his dayes as appears vers 20 21. when the Lord saith The terrible one is brought to nought and the scorner is consumed and all that watch for iniquity are cut off c. That make a man an offender for a word and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate and turn aside the just for a thing of nought How truly these things are accomplished by the Man of Sin is most evident therefore you may see how clearly the former words concern his learned Clergy will e're long be manifest and it is most clear these Words or Prophesies are to be accomplished in that day when the Church shall be most fruitful but that is not in the day of the Jews apostacy or defection but this Glory is a reserved Glory for that day when the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord and he shall reign for ever-more even that good Day which is coming upon us But again let any one shew me that the way of the Lord here spoken of is changed and that now our Lord Jesus Christ hath sanctified Wisdom and Learning for Preaching-work and is become reconciled to it then they will say something to the Point that they contend for But the Scriptures of the New Testament know no such reconciliation as appears Matth. 11.25 I thank thee O Father thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to Babes Luk. 10.21 compared with 1 Cor. 1.20 21. Where is the Wise where is the Scribe where is the Disputer of this World Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this World For after that in the wisdom of God the World by wisdom knew not Goâ— it pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching 〈◊〉 save them that believe and vers 19. it is written I will destroy the wisdom of the Wise and will briâ—â— to nothing the understanding of the prudent wiâ—â— chap. 2.1 And I Brethren when I came to you came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the Testimony of God Wheâ— we have Paul answerably practising and vindication his so doing wherefore if by any other grounâ— more helpful to them than what they have offered they be able to prove that the Lord Christ haâ—â— taken their blunt Tools into favour I desire the to declare it But again consider that passage of Zachariâ— 13. concerning this learned Generation of thâ— Man of Sin 's Clergy-men it is said In that 〈◊〉 they shall voluntarily be ashamed every one of 〈◊〉 Vision I hope not of Christ's or the Gospeâ— Vision but of the learned Vision Education and Trade of Preaching which is most clear both with reference to the rise of this way of Preaching and also the matter of this Preaching and lastly the end of it All that is there said relate to the Preaching or Prophesying of our Times and not of the Jews Time they having no such Trade in fashion as an Artificial-Clergy they having only the Tribe of Levi Prophets and Nazarites Neither would Tongues Languages Arts or Sciences help to Preach in that day when onely or primarily Prophesie and Ceremony were to be Preached Therefore this Prophesie relates principally to our Time as a Prophesie of the Prophets or Clergy-men of the Man of Sin and I shall pray Come Lord Jesus and make haste to shame these Prophets But again I pray consider when Paul directs to the choice of Ministers I mean Preaching-Ministers he doth not once name or remember this great Diana I mean
ought to be honoured Preachers such are profitable Preachers therefore worthy to be honoured Preachers Therefore esteem highly them that are such I do not mean to provoke you only so to honour or esteem as to approve commend or encourage such in their Labours but especially honour these by submitting and subjecting your selves yea your Souls to their Doctrine by living and acting according to their teaching who teach according to the form of found Doctrine contained in the Scriptures Oh my dear Friends this is the greatest honour esteem and encouragement you can possibly bestow upon painful Preachers thus saith the Apostle John in 3 Epist 3 4. I rejoyced greatly when the Brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee even as thou walkedst in the truth I have no greater joy then to hear that my Children walk in truth or according to truth The like saith Paul in that forecited 1 Thess 2.19 20. For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoycing Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming For ye are our Glory and Joy But what was the reason of this exceeding Joy you have it declared in the first Chapter We give thanks to God alwayes for you all making mention of you in our prayers remembring without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope c. For our Gospel came not unto you in Word only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake and ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the Word in much affliction with joy in the Holy Ghost So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia but also in every place your Faith to Godward is spread abroad so that we need not to speak any thing This Beloved is the honour esteem encouragement and rejoycing wise and Spiritual Preachers most desire that you that hear them should be wise truly wise holy diligent fruitful Hearers There is nothing so much discourages grieves and dishonours wise Preachers as to find their Hearers unwise idle unthankful unfruitful and unholy this grieves them to the heart when they run in vain and labour in vain as you have his expression Phil. 2.16 Oh grieve not the Spirit of God nor the Spirit of your Preachers by quenching the Spirit and despising Prophesie as too many do If it be a sin to neglect Preaching and not to teach the people Knowledge as I have largely proved yea if it be not only a neglect but a most unconscionable neglect not to teach the people Knowledge Let me then tell proud carnal unbelieving negligent forgetful disobedient unfruitful Hearers 't is not only a sin but a complicated sin yea it is not infirmity but most unconscionable dealing with the Lord Jesus your painful Preachers and your own Souls Therefore look well to it for God will not bear it nor hold such sinners guiltless that thus take his Name in vain and turn his Grace into wantonness I beseech you think seriously of a Text or two 2 Chron. 36.15 16 17. And the Lord God of their Fathers sent to them by his Messengers rising up betimes and sending because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling-place But they mocked the Messengers of God and despised his Words and misused his Prophets until the Wrath of the Lord arose against his people till there was no remedy Therefore he brought upon them the King of the Caldees who slew their young men with the Sword in the House of their Sanctuary and had no compassion upon young Man or Maiden old Man or him that stooped for Age he gave them all into his hand Oh mark how dreadful a sin it is to be a despiser or an opposer of Preachers you may read the hainousness of the sin in the dreadfulness of the judgment Take one place more 2 Thess 2.10 11 12. With all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved Oh mark it you that do or might if the fault be not your own enjoy good Preachers and pure Preaching and will not may and care not for it God will send you Preachers sad or bad enough that shall only deceive and delude you and for this very cause Even because saith the Apostle God will send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned that believed not through the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness Oh think seriously of this you sinful proud unthankful forgetful or unfruitful Hearers God will not alwayes strive with you or wait upon you or continue the Preaching of the Gospel among you Therefore provoke not the Lord to jealousie by neglecting and perverting of his Ordinances But to close this Use let me give you two or three Directions how to answer this Use First Is this yet true acquaintance with the greatness and grossness of ignorance and especially of your own ignorance in particular Pride makes men think they see and despise the ignorance and simplicity of others but 't is ignorance and blindness that makes poor and proud Souls like their own ignorance Therefore if you would be found the Friends and Preservers of Knowledge learn to know your own ignorance in the things of Jesus Christ Yea consider how dishonourable and truly reproachful it is for a Professor or a Christian to be an ignorant person 't is as reproachful as for a Guide to be blind or a Ruler to be clad in Rags than which what is more dishonourable A Fool in Civil or Natural things is counted a dishonour to a Family and a burthensome Relation even such are foolish Christians or persons ignorant in the Mysteries and Knowledge of Jesus Christ Now that the most yea the best of Professors are too ignorant take two Texts 1 Cor. 13.9 For we know but in part and prophesie but in part therefore let none how wise soever think themselves wise enough but it is these thoughts keeps many Hearers from being wise Jer. 8.8 How do you say we are wise and the Law of the Lord is with us and we will come no more unto the Chap. 2.31 Therefore as the cure of this Disease in the first place remember what Paul writes for this purpose 1 Cor. 8.2 If any man thinks that he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know Again Secondly Take this Direction if you would be a knowing people be found a doing people faithfully and humbly doing what you know of Jesus Christ This is the way to know more and much of Jesus Christ to be practical Christians Hos 6.3 Then shall we know that is we shall then know what we knew not before when or how
Proposition Let me now give you some Arguments to evince this That Preachers Work is hard labour and continual imployment Arg. 1. First This must needs be thus because of the matter of Preaching which is the Mind and Will of Christ contained in the Scriptures Now this Word of Scripture is like deep yea very deep waters 't is hard to get the golden precious Truths and Counsels of Christ contained in the bottom or body of Scripture forth of them The Word of God is perfect and sufficient but not so plain and obvious that without much study and search the whole Counsel or Will of God contained therein will be attained In the Word lies contained the manifold wisdom of God but 't is hard to find out the sum and variety thereof without much diligence This Solomon implyeth when he saith Counsel in the heart of man is like deep waters but a man of understanding will draâ— it out Prov. 29.5 Now if that Wisdom or Counsel which is in the heart of wise men is like deep waters and it requires wisdom and labour too for the drawing it out Oh how much more doth it require the wisest Preachers wisdom and pains to dive into the Counsels of Christ contained and centered in these most deep Wells of Salvation or Waters of the Sanctuary the Word of God! Yea doubtless our experience witnesseth to it and we daily find all Truth is in the Scripture contained yet can we hardly draw out or comprehend so much of Truth as is essentially requisite for our selves and such as we preach to This David witnesseth when he saith Thy Righteousness is like the great Mountains and thy Judgments are a great deep Psal 36.6 Now if the Judgments Statutes Truths Ordinances of Christ all which the Preacher is to reveal and declare to the People be such a great Deep and so hard to fathom Oh how hard then is his work that is a wise Preacher he may well be searching out and after this Will of God and conclude who is sufficient for these things But again Arg. 2. Secondly As the matter of their Preaching is high and hard to attain even so the Work must needs be hard in respect of themselves They are dull and hard of Learning in what they must deliver out Oh! if a Preachers Lesson be hard and he as hard to learn any Lesson sure their task must needs be a hard task But that the best of Preachers are bad and dull Learners is most evident both by Scripture and plentiful experience as in that glorious Saint and Preacher Job How much pains did God take with Job from his Conversion even till old age and yet but in God's account a small shallow Scholar notwithstanding all God's pains in correcting of him yet saith God Who is it that darkneth counsel by words without knowledge Job 38.2 Yea God makes Job plead guilty to this Indictment Chap. 40.3 4 5. with 42. And surely such Preachers are not Jobs but proud Pharisees who will or dare say or think otherwise of themselves Such dull bad learners of the Mind of God were Job's three Friends Chap. 42.7 Yea such were Christ's Disciples and Apostles those Master-Preachers those Foundation-Layers Luke 24.25 O Fools and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken Oh Beloved if Preachers have hard and many Lessons to learn and are exceeding dull and incapacious of learning yea such that have neither head heart nor will to learn O sure their work is hard and they need be early and late seeking and searching out these acceptable words Arg. 3. Thirdly Preaching-Work is hard Work because of such to whom we preach 'T is hard to find out what words they want and it is not wisdom to preach such words as are not wanting or at present necessary For though every and any word that is or can be preached is pure and perfect yet not at all times seasonable or profitable you know whose rule it is All things are lawful but all things are not expedient 1 Cor. 6.12 Though every Truth not only may but ought to be preached yet not at all times or to all sorts of Hearers There is a peculiar or apt time for every purpose under the Sun Now the wisdom of the Preacher is to know how to time his Word or Doctrine to the present wants and necessities of the people and this is very hard and requires searching out of the peoples wants Secondly This makes the Preachers Work hard how wise a Preacher soever he be to find out not only their wants but also how to apply that which is intended for them to be received or accepted by them even God's own People are a wayward and indisposed People or Children to the receiving of Spiritual Food or Physick and 't is a great piece of Heavenly skill and hard to attain Paul himself writes it as a great piece of Heavenly Craft 2 Cor. 12.16 But thirdly grant a Preacher hath wisely gone these steps yet he must still be seeking out how to preserve and water the Seed he hath been admitted to Sow that he lose not the things that he hath wrought for 't is the part of a foolish Preacher to preach and preach much and not regard what becomes of his Labours 'T is to be like the foolish Ostrich mentioned Job 39.13 14 15 16. Now this Act makes the Preacher's Act hard work to water and watch his Seed sown that he lose not his labour therefore his work is hard work Arg. 4. And lastly The Preacher's task is very hard because of that great opposition and difficulty which Preachers and preaching-work must and doth meet withal that work how easie soever in it self yet if it cannot be performed without much opposition is then and thereby become hard work even thus is preaching become hard work because with much hardship labour and difficulty it must be performed Satan and Sinners yea even Saints themselves make the Preacher's Work hard yea very hard and troublesome by their opposition Look how the Enemies of the Jews withstood the building of the Temple even so doth Satan hinder the building of the Spiritual Temple or preaching of the Gospel So Paul words it 1 Thess 2.18 Thus he made the preaching of the Gospel decline from Jerusalem Acts 8.1 with Acts 13.50 And although the preaching of the Word must not be hindred or declined because of Persecution yet is Persecution a means to make Preachers look about them and their work to be hard to them And again The Preacher's task is made very hard by the opposition of false Teachers which oppose the Truth of the Gospel and who as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do they also resist the Truth 2 Tim. 3.8 These constrain the wisest of Preachers to seek out how to preach that such may not gain-say the Truth or at least that their folly may be made manifest to all men of sober minds and this is hard work How hard was
ought with all diligence endeavour to comprehend and cause others to comprehend the Wisdom Sense and Order of the Scripture This is every Gospel-Preacher's Trade and Business Two Acts or Particulars the Doctrine includes First With Relation to the Preacher Secondly With reference to the Preacher's Charge or Flock First In reference to himself He is most diligently to design and endeavour to understand and comprehend the Mind and Will of God contained in the Word This is To set Proverbs or God's dark Sayings or Truths in order as to himself Secondly In reference unto the People His Duty saith this Doctrine is to help them to understand what he comprehends of the Proverbs of God or meaning of the Scripture for as he neither is a Preacher for himself much less preaches to himself no more ought he to know understand or comprehend the Proverbs or Mysteries of Truth for himself only but for the People as well as for himself That this is so consider a few Scriptures Nehem. 8.7 8. you shall find Jeshua and Bani and Sherebiah Jamin Akkub Shabbethai Hodijah Maaseiah Kelita Azariah Jozabad Hanan Palaiah and the Levites caused the people to understand the Law and the people stood in their places They read in the Book of the Law of God distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading Here we have a large account of the Work and Design of wise Preachers and good Ministers it is to set Proverbs in order or to clear and make known the sense of Scripture to the people and v. 13. it is said That the People rejoyced at this enjoyment But again Solomon tells us That the Wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way but the folly of fools is deceit Prov. 14.8 Whence mark A wise or prudent Person such every Gospel-preacher ought to be his work is to understand his way that is his way of preaching how to give the true sense of God's Word to his People that is setting Proverbs in order the contrary of this was that God complained of in the false Prophets or foolish Preachers of Israel saying His Watchmen are blind they are all ignorant they are all dumb Dogs they cannot bark sleeping lying down loving to slumber Yea they are greedy Dogs which can never have enough and they are Shepherds that cannot understand c. Isa 56.10 11. Mark it well They are foolish Shepherds or unwise Preachers that cannot understand the Mind of the Lord and know not how to set his Parables and Proverbs in order the like you have Jer. 9.12 Who is the wise Man that may understand this and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken that he may declare it Take that of Prov. 22. where you have Solomon the wise Preacher both doing this Work and teaching wise Preachers also to do this work when he saith Have I not written unto thee excellent things in counsels and in knowledge that I might make thee to know the certainty of the words of truth that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those that send unto thee vers 20.21 also Chap. 10.31 32. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom and the lips of the righteous knoweth what is acceptable Take that also of Luke 1.1 2 3 4. Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us even as they delivered them unto us which from the beginning were eye-witnesses and Ministers of the Word It seemed good to me also having had perfect understanding of things from the very first to write unto thee in order most excellent Theophilus that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed To name no more take Paul's charge and direction to Timothy Till I come give attendance to Reading to Exhortation to Doctrine meditate on these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all 1 Tim. 4.13 15. I should now give you the Reasons of the Point I shall onely name them at present Reason 1. First Every wise Preacher should thus do because this is no more than they all profess to do and what men profess to do that lawfully may be done that they ought to do therefore thus wise Preachers not only may but must do Reason 2. Secondly This is that which wise and pious People warrantably promise themselves will be done for them by such as preach to them and therefore ought not to be denyed unto them nor can without sin be with-held from them Reason 3. Thirdly If this be not done how shall the People know what they have to do how shall the People prepare themselves to duty if duty be not made plain to them or the Parable set in order before them If Doctrine be not clear Practice must be doubtful as Paul expresseth If the Trumpet give an uncertain sound who shall prepare himself to the Battel 1 Cor. 14 8. Reason 4. Fourthly If Preachers do not make it their business to set Proverbs or God's Word in order or in due order nothing is more certain than this That they will set them out of order but let such that so do think of that passage what the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite My wrath is kindled against thee and against thy two Friends for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right Job 42.7 Oh what a dreadful thing is it for God to be angry with a Preacher view that of Numb 10.1 2. with that of 2 Sam. 6.7 Reason 5. Lastly This is that which wise Preachers may do if they will but spiritually make it their business so to do and therefore are without all excuse if this they do not for it is written He maketh his Ministers a flame of fire Heb. 1.7 But I told you I should only name the Reasons and come to Application in the which I shall also be the briefer because I have formerly had occasion as you may remember to speak to the substance of this Doctrine all I intend I shall comprize in a few serious words of Exhortation to all that are or would be esteemed wise and Gospel-Preachers Vse of Exhortation Oh let such remember and never forget it is their Duty and Business to set God's Proverbs in order that is in God's or Gospel-order that he that runs may read the Visions of God in the Scripture Oh let us not be like the foolish Preachers which the Lord reproveth by the Prophet saying Seameth it a small thing to you to have eaten up the good pasture but ye must tread down with your foot the residue of your pastures and to have drunk of the deep waters but ye must foul the residue with your feet And as for my flock they eat that which you have troden with your feet and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet Therefore behold saith the Lord I will judge you Ezek.
34.18 19 20. I beseech you dear Brethren let it be our Work and Business to do what the Prophet was commanded to do when the Lord answered and said Write the Vision and make it plain upon Tables that he that runneth may read it Habak 2.2 Oh let it be our main business not onely to know that the Lord hath Proverbs and that our Lord Jesus spake nothing without a Parable Mat. 13.34 that is little without a Parable I say This is not so much our business as to comprehend and understand how to set these Parables in order in due order in their own order Oh this is necessary and becoming wise Preachers thus to do and not to set Proverbs out of order into their own or other mens order labouring more in Preaching to keep close to their own or other mens sense and order in opening the Scripture than unto Christ's and the Scriptures order It matters not what Commentary or Commentâ— or we decline or contradict so we harmonize the Scripture and agree with the Original Sense and Scope thereof Let such as preach and would preach wisely and approvedly bâ—onfult the Sense and Interpretation of Text as well as Observation or Application of Text. For how can the Observation be true or natural or the Application forcible and strong if the Interpretation be wrong Oh taâ—e heed of wronging Proverbs by knocking Proverbs even God's Proverbs out of order and lie and say not the truth when you say the Lord saith it or the Lord's Word teacheth it and the Lord hath not said it neither doth his Word reach it Oh think frequently of that word Behold I am against the Prophets saith the Lord that use their tongues and say The Lord saith it Jer. 23.31 Think it not wisdom or excellency to darken vail or lobscure the Scripture or the Proverbs thereof but to unvail or enlighten the Scripture that is make its real Light appear lest by so doing we not only contract to our selves our own but the sins of other men also even the sin and right to the punishment of as many as have received and believed our dreams for the Visions of the Lord. 'T is more than we can well bear our own guilt and the chastisements of our own sins and errors But O! how intolerable and heavy may it prove to us to bear the guilt or punishment of the many deceived and corrupted by us The greatest of Preachers and Writers without conformity to this Doctrine lie in greatest danger as being the greatest of Deceivers But I shall say no more to this Use or Doctrine save only a closing word because I am speaking to the wise and a word to the wise may suffice and truly such as are otherwise 't is not the many words will do any good as Solomon tells us Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a morter among wheat with a pestle yet will not his foolishness depart from him Prov. 27.22 Wherefore my Brethren let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded God shall reveal even this unto you Philippians 3.15 And so I come to the next verse or next words of the Text though I might offer another Observation from the number of Proverbs the wise Preacher set in order 't is many or the All of the many Proverbs that are in the Scripture We might note Wise Preachers are fruitful Preachers not barren lean or dry Preachers that can onely interpret some one or other single Proverb but can set in order the many or manifold Proverbs in the Scripture but I shall rather proceed and hasten to a close As this Scripture is Prophetical and looks towards the truly wise or transcendently wise Preacher our Lord Jesus that greater than Solomon we might note divers things but this I now shall want time for you find in vers 10. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words and that which was written was upright even words of truth In general This Verse gives us account of what the Preacher sought even acceptable words and this is the second thing he sought as this verse compared with the former acquaints us But more particularly In the Verse we have two things First An account of what the Preacher sought to find out even acceptable words Secondly The excellency or property of those acceptable words in these words and that which was written was upright even words of truth or according to truth not only upright but also words of truth To begin with the first of these The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words This is every wise Preacher's Work to seek how to find out acceptable words or how to make his words acceptable For the improvement of these words one question is necessary to be resolved to wit What acceptable words are or such acceptable words are which Preachers ought to seek out I Answer First Negatively Not flattering words or deceitful words though sometimes such words Preachers seek out and the People account them acceptable as in that passage of the false Prophets who knowing the affection of the King to be for War finds out acceptable but deceitful words who said with one consent Go up for the Lord shall deliver it into the hands of the King 1 Kings 22.6 But you find these were neither upright words nor words of truth but of deceit and falshood as the consequent declared it but the words the wise Preacher sought to find out as acceptable to the People were upright even words of truth But secondly Affirmatively I say Acceptable words which wise Preachers should or do seek to find out are words meet to be accepted from him that preaches by them to whom he preaches and so is every word of truth in the general though some words more especially as Paul implies in that expression This is a saying worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim. 1.15 Thirdly Acceptable words imply words which God accepts and therefore should be acceptable with the People Though the People do not accept them yet they may be accepted of God Such were Mieaiah's words to the King when he said I saw all Israel scattered upon the Hills as Sheep that have no Shepherd and the Lord said These have no Master let them return every man to his House in peace 1 Kings 22.17 Fourthly Acceptable words imply sometimes such words as are not only words of truth in themselves and so acceptable to God but words accepted with the People and so acceptable in all respects Such were Philip's words to the Eunuch If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest Acts 8.37 The former of these cannot be wanting in an acceptable word the latter may and yet the words be acceptable as in that of Jeremiah when he told the King of Judah Behold Pharaohs Army which is come forth to help you shall return to Egypt into their
Point I proceed now from the Preacher's Work to the Preacher's Commendation And that which was written was upright even words of Truth The eleventh Doctrine Whence I might observe That as wise Preachers are wary and painful Preachers and search and seek out acceptable and seasonable words for their People so a pious and deserving People will not be wanting to give or afford them and their preaching due and deserved incouragement and commendation as might easily be made to appear But remembring what Solomon the Preacher hath writ in this case Prov. 27.2 Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth a stranger and not thine own lips I shall forbear to proceed any further and shall now consider the words without relation to the Preacher as they hint forth the commendation of uprightness and truth not only in the Preacher's Spirit and Work but in every Man's Spirit and Conversation The twelfth Doctrine And the Observation may be this That a Spirit of Truth and uprightness is an excellent frame of Spirit in all that profess the Name of Christ I shall not need to spend time about the opening or discovering what Truth and Uprightness is because among such who enjoy wise Preachers this is much discoursed of amongst wise and gracious Persons this is well known if not better known than practised Therefore I shall briefly give you the proofs of the Point and then come to improve it That this frame of Spirit and walking is lovely and excellent take the witness of a stranger in Israel concerning David when he told him Surely as the Lord liveth thou hast been upright and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the Host is good in my sight for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me to this day 1 Sam. 29.6 Take also David's own testimony when he sings forth the excellency of his Spirit saying I was also upright before him and have kept my self from mine iniquity 2 Sam. 22.24 But setting aside Man's testimony to this Truth take the Lord 's own testimony concerning Job And the Lord said unto Satan Hast thou considered my Servant Job there is none like him in the earth a perfect and upright man Chap. 1.8 The like honourable acknowledgement doth our Lord give of Nathaniel saying Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile John 1.47 And Solomon tells us Such as are upright in their way are the Lord's delight or his delightful ones Prov. 11.20 But this may suffice for the proof of the Point though manifold Texts might have been produced for the further demonstrating this had it been necessary Let me now give you some Arguments to clear this Observation That truth and uprightness in the Spirit renders such Spirits excellent Argument 1. First Because this is the frame of God's Spirit or Beeing therefore to be like God in beeing must needs render us excellent in beeing That God is thus in his Beeing take that saying for it Good and upright is the Lord Psal 25.8 Also that of Isaiah Oh thou most upright dost weigh the path of the Just Isa 26.7 Now to have our Spirits according to the frame of God's Spirit is the most excellent frame that can be imagined But again Argument 2. Secondly This must needs be a most excellent frame because the contrary frame of Spirit is the most dishonourable and unlovely frame that can be 'T is said of Satan That he is transformed into an Angel of Light This is the emphasis or height of his iniquity he is not upright he is not as he seems to be he is really an Angel of darkness and pretends to be an Angel of Light 2 Cor. 11.14 Therefore when our Lord would set forth the vileness and unworthiness of the Spirit of the Jews he tells them They are of their Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father you will do John 8.44 And no Spirit is so disowned and detested of God as the Spirit of Hypocrisie Wo unto Hypocrites Math. 23.27 read that place at your leasure Therefore to be of the contrary Spirit to Hypocrisie must needs be excellent that is to be upright in Spirit But again Argument 3. Thirdly 'T is that frame begun in us here which will be our frame perfectly in the state of Glory Now to be in such a frame here as we shall be in glory must needs be a glorious and excellent frame When the Disciples saw Christ transfigured That his Face did shine as the Sun and his Rayment was white as the Light Mat. 17.2 Even so how glorious are such Souls as are transfigured into the Image of Christ even this image of Truth and uprightness of Spirit Such are the most excellent in their Generation But again Argument 4. Lastly This can be no other than a Truth which both Heaven and Earth bear witness to but that this is excellent even truth and uprightness in whom-soever it be found we have heard the testimony of Heaven and of the Scripture and if we enquire of all sorts of men under the Heavens they will all seal to this Truth that Men and Women of honest Spirits are most desirable and excellent Persons both to dwell with and converse with Therefore seeing this Doctrine knows no Adversaries as to the acknowledgment thereof I shall cease any further demonstration and come to Application wherein I shall speak some-thing by way of Information some-thing of Exhortation and then give some Motives Use of Information The first Use I shall make of this Point is to present you with a word of Information and that is Whence it comes to pass that the Preachers and People of the Lord are no more valued and esteemed than they are this day 'T is because they have no more of this excellent Spirit in them this Spirit of Truth and of Uprightness I do not say this is the only reason or that there is no other reason but I say it again amongst other Reasons this is one grand one They say Professors want Truth and Uprightness talk of Heaven and of Love and of Bounty and Patience yet love the World and pursue the World and keep the World as much as any love few but themselves and Men of their own Principles judging all that believe not as they believe and practise as they practise They are as miserable and impatient or forward upon every slight occasion as any other men Therefore men are apt to think that all is not true they say and that they speak not as they think but are deceitful meer words and shews Oh my dear Friends I wish that this were altogether groundless and that there were not too much truth or ground for this complaint But Sirs take notice how the want of visibility and activity in this frame of Spirit causeth our good commodity to be evil spoken of therefore let it be our wisdom and business to take away occasion from them that seek occasion and take
faithful able painful Gospel-Ministers bless God through Jesus Christ for this singular Gift of Grace c. But again Are Ministers of the Gospel such as have been described Christ's Gift and Ordinance both they and their Ministrations then let none intrude or impose upon you the Churches of Christ a Ministry or Ministrations which are none of Christs nor to be found contained in Scripture but being free be not the Servants of Men but remember Paul's Counsel Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and after the rudiments of the World and not after Christ Let no man at his pleasure bear rule over you by humbleness of mind and worshipping of Angels intruding into these things which he hath not seen vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind Col. 2.8 18. Further let me in the fear of the God Exhort you that injoy Christ's Ministry and their Ministrations Remember to obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your Souls as they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13.17 Their Work is hard enough from the men of this World O let it be good from you for whom they endure all things or at least very many things 2 Tim. 2.10 They do not only do much for you but also endure much for you O! therefore let them not indure any thing from you but rather according to Paul's advice Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially such as labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. 5.17 remembring what is said concerning them without the least shadow of pride or vanity How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad-tydings of peace Rom. 10.15 Now if you would eminently honour and rejoyce your Ministers pray then labour greatly to improve and profit by their Administrations for such as are Christ's faithful Ministers seek not yours but you 2 Cor. 13.14 and have no greater joy than to hear that their Children walk in or according to truth 3 John 4. This makes great rejoycing and thanksgiving by Christ's Ministers when they either hear or see that those they labour among do prosper and their graces grow as we have it Ephes 1.15 16. Wherefore I also when I heard of your Faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all the Saints cease not to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers whereas to find the Saints and Churches of Christ in a poor low beggarly state of Soul not improving nor profiting under means of Grace this will cause Christ and his Ministers to weep and complain and even sit down and bemoan themselves in the sense of it according to that prophesie Isa 33.7 Behold their valiant ones shall cry without the Ambassadors of Peace shall weep bitterly fulfilled by this Prophet the Type of Christ Then I said I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain Chap. 49.4 And how fully was this Prophesie made good by Christ who when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it Luke 19.41 Wherefore Sirs if you have any love to Christ or compassion towards your Ministers improve them and strive to prosper under their Ministration so will you prevent their grief and give them a good reward for their labour But again to hasten to a conclusion and closing up of the Use of Exhortation pray you if your Ministers be Christ's Ministers and Christs Ministers flow from him depend upon him and minister for him pray you joyn with and assist them in what-ever they for Christ have need of you as Paul directed the Church of the Romans To do for Phebe that ye receive her in the Lord as becometh Saints and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you Rom. 16.2 So say I pray assist your Ministers with your watchfulness with your observation of those they labour among and for Help them with your Informations concerning what you observe wanting either in them or others Help them with your Zeal and readiness to joyn issue with them in any business of Christ like those Holy Ones we read of Exod. 36.1 Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab and every wise-hearted man in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the Sanctuary according to all that the Lord commanded The like frame of Spirit we read of in those mentioned Ezra 1.5 6. with Nehem. 2.18 where the People of the Lord are found thus doing And they said Let us rise up and build So they strengthened their hands for this good Work But lastly Pray you let me Exhort you to assist Ministers with your Prayers for their good and the prosperity of Christ's work in their hand remembring That whilst Moses 's hands were uplitld by Aaron and Hur Israel prevailed Exod. 17.11 12. Even so my Brethren your incessant Prayers in your Ministers behalf will utterly overthrow Amalek and help Joshua and Israel to prevail And thus I have done with this Exhortation and with what I shall offer to your consideration upon this Scripture wherein I have with what clearness and brevity conveniently I could set before you what Preaching is and whose Ordinance it is who is a truly wise Preacher and what his Work is and the Blessing and Duty of all that enjoy such Preachers Now consider and examine what hath been said and the Lord give you wisdom in all things Amen Amen FINIS