no! mark the close of these Neglecters work When the King heard hereof he was wroth and he sent forth his Armies and destroyed those Murderers and burnt up their City Mat. 22.7 And therefore remember If the Gospel be hid it is only hid this day to such as perish 2 Cor. 4.3 Fifth Use of Reproof But lastly and mostly This Doctrine reproves all such how great Hearers soever as are at highest but Hearers not Doers of that they hear Though it is good to hear yet 't is not good to hear and not to practise it is bad not to hear but is worse not to practise That Servant must be beaten with many stripes that knows his Master's Will and doth it not Luk. 12.47 Not the knowers but the doers of the Word shall be blessed John 13.17 Oh! let such perverters of this so great and blessed an Ordinance as is the Preaching of the Gospel Consider God will one day come and call for an account of all the Sermons you have heard and see what Fruit you bring forth whether Fruit to Him or to your selves And then will he deal with unfruitful Vines barren Fig-trees and unpractical Hearers as with those we read of Isa 5.5 6. Hos 10.1 2 3. with Heb. 6.7 8. Oh! it is no small sin and shall have no small punishment to be an unpractical Hearer of the Word and perverter of this so great an Ordinance But this may suffice for that first Use to wit a Use of Reproof The second Vse is of Vindication The next Use of this Point shall be for Vindication or Justification of all such as are faithful painful diligent Preachers of the Gospel who because Preaching of the Word is God's Ordinance do Preach in season and out of season whoever forbids or sayes to the contrary saying as once Peter and John did Whether it be right is the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard Acts 4.19 20. Where men have not sufficient power to command it can be no sin there not to be obedient So here these knew neither this Council nor any were from God intrusted with any such power as to forbid or hinder the Preaching of the Word therefore such Commands neither ought or need to be obeyed Even so at this day should the able Spiritual Preachers of the Word hold their peace because men even any sort of men forbid them or command them so to do the very Stones in the Street and the very Ashes of these Apostles might cry out against them and say in the words of the Text Whether it is right to obey God or Man judge ye Oh! it will one day be dreadful preferring Man's Commands before God's Commands when God shall visit for this holding the Truth in unrighteousness according to that expression Son of Man I have set thee a Watchman unto the House of Israel therefore hear the Word at my Mouth and give them warning from me When I say unto the wicked Thou shalt surely die and thou givest him not warning nor speakest to the wicked Oh! mark it Nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity but his blood will I require at thy hand Ezek. 3.17 Oh! is not this a terrible word to all silenced Preachers this day that have learned to be silent at the word of a man and let the wicked go without warning from them forgetting what God saith Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a Man and the Son of Man that shall be made grass and forgettest the Lord thy Maker Isa 5.12 13. Therefore let such be this day cleared and acquitted as innocent and approved with the Lord as have not in such a day as this made the Commands of God of none effect through mens traditions but like Levi have said to their Father and Mother I have not seen him neither did he acknowledge his Brethren nor knew his own Children for they have observed thy Word and kept thy Covenant Deut. 33.8 Oh! when-ever you hear those Standard-bearers taxed who have not fainted nor feared in such a day as this but have humbly said Shall such a man as I flee Shall such a man as I whom Jesus Christ hath anointed and called to Preach the Gospel shall I be dumb and silent I will not I may not I dare not be silent Oh! vindicate these and when railed upon for faction folly and disobedience to Authority pride passion and the like Oh! then say as of old David in a like case said Is there not a cause 1 Sam. 17.29 And you Worthies of Israel be incouraged from the Word of the Lord Thou therefore gird up thy loyns and arise and speak unto them all that I command thee be not dismayed at their faces lest I confouâ— thee before them Jer. 1.17 So much for this Use The third Use is of Exhortation A third and last Use is for Exhortation First To Preachers who are intrusted with this great Ordinance and have this Word of Life in these earthen Vessels Be faithful in the improvement of this great Ordinance Secondly Let it speak before we part a parting word or two to you that are Hearers If thâ—preaching of the Word be God's holy and preciouâ— Ordinance then be exhorted both to hear and noâ— to despise him that speaketh on Earth nor neglect so great Salvation and also be exhorted to takâ— heed how you hear First Let the Preachers of the Gospel I mean Christ's Spiritual Preachers not Man's empty ordained Preachers who are crept into Ministry for a morsel of bread I say to you that are Christ's Witnesses and Preachers preach the Word be instant in season and out of season reprove exhorâ— with all long-suffering and gentleness because Preaching is God's Ordinance and such bright Lights were not intended to be lighted in vain it is our Lord 's own expression Mat. 5. Men do not light their Candles to put under a Bushel Then let not glorious Lights be lighted in vain but be diligent and laborious in this sin-condemning and Soul-saving Ordinance remembring what Paul faith 1 Cor. 4.2 Moreover it is required in aâ— Steward that he be found faithful it will one day be required Therefore in this day be faithful lest he that has given us Talents which we have not hearts and wisdom to improve do to our shame and loss recal them and take them from us and give them to him that hath improved Matth. 25.28 29 30. But because I shall have occasion to speak more to this hereafter in another Particular I shall say no more to this part or branch of this Use at this time but speak a few words to the second branch which is If Hearing be God's and not Man's Ordinance then be exhorted you that are or should be Hearers to take heed how you hear for God takes
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
Apollos Acts 18.24 25 26. To name no more Instances of this kind When words may truly be seasonable and acceptable or both I say when we see the Peoples sin openly and dangerous to the insnaring and indangering of others then 't is most seasonable to step in with reproving words Thus Paul dealt with Peter Gal. 2.12 13 14. And with the same spirit we find him acting against Elimas the Sorcerer when he sought to turn away the Deputy from the Faith Acts 13.9 10 11. Thus much may suffice for the proving and opening the Point let me now give you two or three Reasons or Arguments why this must needs be a Truth Reason 1. First Because 't is then only Preachers can be said in preaching to preach or in doing the work of preaching to preach when we preach acceptably or speak seasonable words All other preaching is foolish preaching or for the present but lost preaching But again Reason 2. Secondly Such Preachers and Preaching are only acceptable to God as such only should be to wise Hearers as the Lord seems to imply in that expression of the Prophet He that hath a Dream let him tell a Dream and he that hath my Word let him speak my Word faithfully What is the Chaff to the Wheat saith the Lord Jer. 23.28 Reason 3. Lastly Preachers ought to seek out acceptable words because such preaching will only answer our engagements and pretentions both to God and Man Our engagement who preach is like our Lord Christ who said I came from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me John 6.38 And no Preacher is so foolish or unwise a Preacher as to pretend less than thus to do wherefore let as many as preach be so wise and honest to do what they pretend to do and as Paul saith Not to preach themselves but Christ Jesus the Lord and themselves Servants for Jesus sake 2 Cor. 4.5 I proceed now to the Application because I promised to be short Use of Reproof The first Use may be for a word of Reproof to as many Preachers that are not so wise as to make this their work to seek out acceptable seasonable words even sound words or words of truth and uprightness Oh how many foolish careless and unconscionable Preachers there are that neither study the Scriptures to find out sounds words nor consult with God or with the People to know what may be an acceptable word or a word spoken in due season either in reference to what God is a doing or the People are wanting in These may more aptly be stiled foolish than wise Preachers who more study humane than divine Writ and consult the mind of men especially great men rather than the mind of God and their own gain and interest more than the Peoples profit All I shall further say to these is As their sin is great against God and the Souls of the People even so without repentance and more wisdom their judgment will be heavy and their damnation slumbers not Let such think seriously of that saying of Peter But these as natural bruit beasts made to be taken and destroyed speak evil of the things they understand not and shall utterly perish in their own corruption 2 Pet. 2.12 But to be brief Secondly For Exhortation Secondly This shall serve for a word of Exhortation and that to two sorts of Persons First To such as Preach Secondly To such as Hear First Let me exhort and provoke all you that are wise Gospel Preachers to remember this word Seek out acceptable words even words of Truth and let that which is written be upright Oh suffer me to beseech you to seek out seasonable words both upon God's and his Peoples account Oh consider what Generation-work God hath in hand in your day in the present day and give it your word as Nehemiah did in his day Chap. 2. vers 3. In times of abounding of iniquity Lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet cry aloud spare not shew the people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sin Isa 58.1 And take that encouraging word and charge you have given to the Prophet Jeremiah Thou therefore gird up thy loyns and arise and speak unto them all that I command thee and be not dismayed at their faces Jer. 1.17 Oh my Brethren be prevailed upon to make it your main business next to the looking after your own Vines to look after acceptable words for the People Oh search out the cause you know not and see what your and Christ's Sheep want and Preach words seasonable or in due season Oh Beloved be not knowers but doers of the Word not deceiving your own Souls This will bring much honour to Christ and you will then so do your work as to have joy and not grief in the great day of Jesus Christ Secondly Let me exhort you that are Hearers to suffer a word of Exhortation not onely from me but from your Preachers also which enjoy wise and painful Preachers that make it their business to seek out acceptable words for you Oh esteem such highly for their work sake and their work for Christ's sake Oh slight not such words as cost them so dear or so much to find out for your use Oh sin not against such words as are seasonable and should be to you acceptable Suffer your Preachers to deal home and plainly with you 't is their duty and their love to Christ and you make their work easie take their labour of love kindly despise not pervert not prophesyings of such as seek out acceptable words and what-ever they speak is words of Truth and of uprightness If necessity be laid upon them to seek out acceptable words do not think you are at liberty whether you will receive or refuse them Nay think of that dreadful word Lo when this cometh to pass then shall they know that a Prophet hath been among you Ezek. 33.33 The great God that made nothing in vain hath not made wise Preachers in vain or that you should turn a deaf ear or a rebellious heart towards them They must sift hunt and search out acceptable words for you and you ought to receive them with all readiness of mind and take heed that they lose not through you the things which they have wrought Oh believe it your spiritual wise Preachers do bring you acceptable words meat in due season and therefore let him that hath ears hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches And lastly If Preachers must seek out acceptable words for the People then let their acceptable words be acceptably entertained of you As Daniel said to the King so let me say to all you to whom this Truth shall come Let my Counsel be acceptable to you and break off your sins by Righteousness and your iniquities by shewing of mercy Dan. 4.27 I mean your sins against wise Preachers and their acceptable words from Jesus Christ Thus much for this Word and this
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
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
heed that we open not the mouths of the uncircumcised Philistines to rejoyce or blaspheme Let Professors know what they can and talk what they will 't wil signifie little unless they walk also in this Spirit of Truth and Uprightness Vse of Exhortation But secondly and especially Let this be matter of Exhortation to us all even as many as fear the Lord both Preachers and Hearers to labour for and walk in a Spirit of Truth and Uprightness This we have seen is a most excellent choice frame of Spirit in the esteem both of God and Man Oh therefore labour to attain such a frame of Spirit For naturally our Spirits are otherwise in the frames of them for what the Prophet once said is still truth Every one is an hypocrite and an evil doer and every mouth speaketh folly or falshood Isa 9.17 'T is Mortification of earthly Members and Sanctification of the Spirit must make us Men or Women of this frame of Spirit for naturally we are born of another temper and you who know what Mortification is know it is not easie work to mortifie the deeds of the flesh but be it what it may be yet be prevealed upon in the fear of the Lord to set upon this duty even to get our Spirits into this frame even into this good frame and if it will cost us the plucking out of our right eyes or cutting off our right hands yet subscribe to it And first Let me freely tender this word of Exhortation to us that are Preachers and should be wise Preachers seeking out acceptable words and that which by us is at any time preached and written upon the heart of the People should be upright even words of truth Let us be a living Word as well as a speaking Word let our lips and our lives joyn together and speak one thing even Holiness to Jehovah Oh let not us reprove sin in others and allow or indulge it in our selves What is that but down-right dissimulation Oh let us not commend Patience and be impatient and Humility and be Sons of Pride our selves This is not to walk with the foot of uprightness according to the Gospel This is not to be a wise but an unwise Preacher if not a proud Pharisee and a very Hypocrite Wherefore if a Preacher be under such temptations as to pretend Christ and preach Self and to seek Christ and seek mostly Self as to cry down all sin and yet live in cry'd down sins to commend Grace and Vertue and yet live short in Grace and empty of Virtue placing thy excellency and piety in seeming so and saying so and in washing the out-side neglecting the inside make broad the Phylacteries and enlarging the borders of your Garments that is in using singular or peculiar restraints and modes of Gesture and Vesture from other sober and pious Persons Oh know 't is not marring of our Beards or Locks and having our Cloaks long and our Girdles strait that can or will prove us wise Preachers or men of this excellent Spirit of Uprightness and Truth Oh no! we may be Fools and Hypocrites for all this and therefore it nearly stands us upon to do as that great Preacher and Apostle of the Gentiles did Even to keep under or beat black and blew our body and bring it into subjection lest O mark it that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away 1 Cor. 9.27 And answer all temptations to contrary-mindedness or contrary-spiritedness to this Doctrine and frame of Spirit as good Nehemiah did saying Shall such a man as I flee Who being as I am would desist Chap. 6.11 So let us Who that is as I am a Man Ah more than a Man a Christian yea more than a Christian a Preacher to Christians that would seek great things for himself under pretence of seeking great things for Christ Oh who that were a Preacher as I and preached down Covetousness Idleness Earthly-mindedness in others would live in these things himself Oh no my Soul I will not I dare not lest I be not found a wise but an unwise Preacher and that which by me is written or preached be not words of Truth and Uprightness And in the Close what-ever I may be to others I be to my self a cast-away O therefore let Preachers especially receive and improve this Exhortation and see that our conversation be only as becometh the Gospel Phil. 1.27 And to close up this Head of Exhortation Let as many as are and would be found wise Preachers be perswaded to think often and deeply of that Scripture 2 Cor. 4. Therefore seeing we have this Ministry as we have received Mercy we faint not but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending our selves to every man's Conscience in the sight of God Having thus tendred my Mite to Preachers let me now be your Exhorter that are Hearers Men and Women fearing the Lord Oh let this be your frame of Spirit be like your Father Jacob of a plain Spirit who hath his commendation in his youth that he was a plain man Gen. 25.27 Oh such let us that fear the Lord be let our inside be manifest by our out-side let our Words and our Works agree our professions both to God and Man and our performances agree and correspond together let our Light and our Life agree our publick and private walking agree so shewing forth that we are Israelites indeed in whom there is no guile Even the Epistle of Christ written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of Stone but in fleshly Tables of the heart as we have it 2 Cor. 3.3 Oh 't is living forth this Doctrine will speak us forth clearly to be Christians or the Epistles of Christ when we have such frames of Spirit as are throughly seasoned with Uprightness and Truth Christians look to your frame of Spirit Hypocrites can look to their Words and Speeches Look you to your Hearts good Words and good Works Hypocrites have for God 't is Saints onely have good Hearts for God Oh look well to your Spirits how the frame stands bent whether for Truth and Uprightness or for Falshood and Hypocrisie and forget not that word Mal. 2.15 Take heed to your Spirits Oh dress your Spirits with Truth and Uprightness for the dress of the Soul goes further with God than all the dresses of the Body with men can do as Peter informs us where he advises Women Not to let their adorning be outward adorning but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which in the fight of God is of great price 1 Pet. 3.3 4. Oh my Brethren look mostly after the dress and adorning of your Spirits for God is not only a Spirit but converseth most with
regardest not the persons of men Matth. 22.16 And to you Hearers that are wise Heaâ—ers of the Word of God take that counsel of Zechariah These are the things ye shall do speak ye every man truth to his Neighbour execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates and let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his Neighbour and love no false Oath for all these are things that I hate saith the Lord Zech. 8.16 17. Thus I have briefly finished this Point and this Verse because I am not willing to detain you any longer I shall proceed to the next Verse and Words in the Text Vers 11. The words of the wise are as Goads and as Nails fastned by the Masters of Assemblies which are given from one Shepherd This is the close of this Argument and of the Text and is the third Particular asserted concerning all wise Preachers in the 9th Verse we have his pains and diligence mentioned in the 10th Verse we have his Doctrine vindicated and in this Verse we have the Original and Advantage of such Preachers and Preaching declared The words of the wise are as Goads and as Nails fastned by the Masters of Assemblies which are given from one Shepherd In which words generally we may observe two things First The Nature and Property of wise Words or the words of the Wise They are as Goads and as Nails fastned by Masters of Assembles Secondly We have presented to us the Rise and Original both of such Preachers and Preachings they are given from one Shepherd In the first we have also two Particulars first The Persons spoken of only the Wise and the Words or the Words of the Wise Secondly That where-unto the Wise and their Words are resembled and that is Goads and Nails In the second general we have also two Particulars First The Person or Spring from whom wise Preachers and wise Words come that is from the one Shepherd Secondly Note how they come from the one Shepherd voluntarily freely they are given from one Shepperd Let me briefly open or explicate the Text. Explication First What are those Goads and Nails to which the words of the Wise are resembled A Goad seems to be that usual and necessary Instrument which Neat-herds or Drovers use about Oxen at labour and in travel such we read of Judges 3.31 and in 1 Sam. 13.21 Nailes are either such as were used to fasten Tents and the Tabernacle with or other Habitations and things withal Such was that Nail Jael took to kill Sisera with Judges 4.21 Masters of Assemblies or Masters of Companies or Master-workmen in all Occupations Some are choicer Workmen than others one Shepherd or the great and chief Shepherd is our Lord Jesus Christ The drift of these words are only to imply the choiceness and usefulness of Wise-Preachers and Wise-Preaching They and their Work are as perfect useful and necessary as the choicest Artists and their Works Such being as necessary and useful in Spirituals as any other things can be in Humane Cases and Concernments From the words thus opened divers Observations or Doctrines might be raised as from the Persons and work here spoken of The Words of the Wise We may note Doctrine 1. That it t is not any Preacher or Preaching but only the wise Preacher and wise Preaching that is the Peoples Blessing and Advantage such only will prove like to Goads and Nails The second From the Comparison as Goads and Nails which are not only good and exact in their Nature and Kind but needful and necessary in their Use from which I might note Doctrine 2. That wise Preachers and Preaching are very necessary and needful for the People Thirdly From the ground and occasion of Goads and Nails which are not only good but also to quicken and fasten From whence we may note Doctrine 3. That the best of Saints need quickning and setling which are the ends of Goads and Nails Fourthly From the manner of attaining these Note Doctrine 4. Either to be wise Preachers and capable to give wise words or to be a People so priviledged as to have wise Preachers and wise Words is a free gift of God as 't is said in the Text which are given from one Shepherd Doctrine 5. Lastly Note All divine Ministries and Ministrations come from the Lord Jesus that one Shepherd or that original Shepherd For brevity sake I shall only insist upon two Observations into which I shall draw the substance of all the rest The first is this That wise and spiritual Preachers and their words are very useful and necessary for the spiritual service and benefit of God's People as the things mentioned or the choicest things in Nature are or can be for natural ends and purposes The second Conclusion is this That all Divine Ministries and Ministrations spring from the alone Will and Wisdom of the Lord Jesus that one Shepherd and are freely given for the advantage of his People as we have it in the Text which are given from one Shepherd or from the one Shepherd To begin with the first of these to wit That wise and spiritual Preachers and their words are very useful and necessary for the spiritual service and benefit of God's People as either the things mentioned or the choicest things in Nature are or can be for natural ends or purposes The truth of this Conclusion shines evidently in Scripture as in that of Solomon A word fitly spoken is like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver As an ear-ring of Gold and an Ornament of fine Gold so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear or as the cold of Snow in the time of Harvest so is a faithful Messenger to them that send him for he refresheth the Soul of his Masters Prov. 25.11 12 13. Hear also what the Apostle saith How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard And how shall they hear without a Preacher Oh see the great necessity and utility of a wise Preacher But lest this were not enough he adds from the Prophet as it is written How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace and bring glad tydings of good things Rom. 10.14 15. To trouble you with no more take that Ephes 4. where we find the End and Use of wise Preachers it is for perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for edifying of the Body of Christ that we hence-forth be no more Children cossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive vers 12 14. Two or three things in the Text clear this sufficiently Reason 1. First The Appellation put upon Preachers I mean onely wise and profitable Preachers they are stiled wise and that is as honourable to the Preacher so also profitable to the People For as that
The WISE Gospel-Preacher HIS Praise and Practice Duty and Dignity Opened in a SERMON On ECCLES 12.9 By S. M. Minister of the Gospel Isa 52.7 How beautiful upon the Mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tydings that publisheth peace c. Printed for the Author To that Congregation over whom the Lord hath made me an Overseer Increase of Grace here and Glory hereafter BRethren and Beloved in our Lord Jesus these Sermons as they were preached amongst you even so was their Publication earnestly sollicited by some of you at whose request I have yeelded to that I designed not in their Preaching nor intended to have done long since that task was finished But remembring I am not only a Debtor to Jew and Gentile but more especially to you also not onely by one means but by every means to endeavour your furtherance in the Faith I judged my self obliged to help you with that Printed which the Lord gave you in Preaching And I may safely say so near as I could your Eys now have only what once your Ears heard As to you my Beloved whose importunity prevailed upon me to undertake this Work know two Arguments prevailed upon me to Answer your Request The one My Love towards you the other My desire of your Spiritual and Eternal Welfare and if my Labour of Love for your sakes may providentially extend or reach to the advantage of any others that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity I therein shall and will rejoyce I need not here give you any account of the Nature of this Treatise you well know it is to open both the Wise-Preachers and the Wise-Hearers Work and Business you know I need the one and I also judge you want not need sufficient to learn the other As to the Method it is and ought to be plain as best becoming Gospel-Mysteries 't was Truth not Humane Wisdom or Eloquence that I designed to manifest and surely should I thus have acted I should have pull'd down with one hand what I was setting up with the other and so should have been found a transgressor As to my often hinting of any thing minded in this Discourse know the nearness of the Phrases in the Text one to another constrained it except I should have broke the bounds and dealt partially with the Text and my thoughts are that Plenty may even conduce to Profit And as for those Phrases Titles and Denominations of Persons which in this Discourse may seem unto any tender ear to be plain harsh or reproachful to any know this I have warily considered to fasten them only on persons really deserving such names and although I have herein followed the footsteps of the Saints Penmen of the Scripture yet have I abated rather than exceeded their practice as is most evident if you consider of some expressions wherein how great or learned or seemingly pious soever some sinners were yet both Christ himself and the Prophets and Apostles have spoken very home and hard against such Persons stiling them Hypocrites Devils Children Wolves Dogs Lyons Foxes Vipers painted-Sepulchres whited Walls Princes of Sodom Rulers of Gomorrah Adulterers Adulteresses and such like as the Scripture witnesseth wherefore marvel not at my freedom of expression to sinners of the same dye And lastly My resolution was to avoid the reproof due to such as give flattering Titles unto men and as Elihu saith Let me not I pray you accept any man's person neither let me give flattering titles unto men for I know not to give flattering titles forin so doing my Maker would soon take me away Job 32.21 22. And further If any suppose I have in this Discourse affected and discovered a Spirit of singularity and diversity of Opinion from the most of even pious judicious and sober men of this Age. I Answer in uprightness 't was not affectedly but constrainedly done and I suppose even such Objectors will not deny 't is better differing from men how wise soever than from Christ and since all men know but in part and Prophesie but in part that may be Christ's Truth which is not acknowledged or understood by many is it not written Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment Exod. 23.2 and as Paul saith I believed therefore have I spoken 2 Cor. 4.13 I shall willingly receive better information and then speedily change my present apprehension Lastly If any Object against the largeness of this Tract my Answer is 'T was my desire to have prevented it could I with fidelity and prudence have effected it and the truth is I have denyed my self and slipt over some Particulars which might more largel have been insisted on that this Exception might have been spared And now my dearly Beloved whose importunity begat me this labour Let me now crave leave before I conclude this Epistle to request a few things of you First My Brethren if you meet with any Advantage Content or Comfort by perusing these Lines pray give all the praise and glory to God whose hand alone hath wrought it and whose Spirit hath revealed it and think often upon 1 Chron. 29.10 to 16. Secondly Pray be not only knowers of these Truths but doers of the same Oh be not only so principled but so practising also let the height of Holiness in this Discourse discovered be your main business to attain so shall I not want a good reward for this my labour Thirdly Labour to train up and educate your Families in this good knowledge of the Lord and shew them the good old way wherein they should walk with God as Moses adviseth Deut. 4.9.10 saying Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the dayes of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons Especially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb when the Lord said unto me Gather me the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the dayes that they shall live upon the earth and that they may teach their Children with 11 19. Fourthly Wonder not neither be stumbled if you find these Truths evil spoken of scorned traduced but remember this was to be expected in such a day as this And lastly Forget not him that you have prevailed upon but in all your supplications remember me and pray for me both night and day that I may be faithful to the Death that I may be filled with the Spirit that I may be abundant in the Work of the Lord and that my Labours may be acceptable and succesful among the Saints that so I may finish my course with joy and not with grief according to the Will of God And thus with my Prayers for you also I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is
to God the things that are God's And this I have done so far as I might without sin or flattery Wherefore vouchsafe to peruse soberly and throughly these lines and know here is Milk for Babes and stronger Meat for stronger Ones And let me tell you God is now speaking to you and saying to you as of old How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in scorning and fools hate knowledge Turn you at my reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you and make known my words unto you Prov. 1.22 23. 'T is now your day of Grace Jesus Christ is wooing all his People to come out of Babylon but if ye will not hear and fear and repent your selves ye must be sure to partake of her judgment as well as of her sins Rev. 18.4 O! do not think Superstition or Idolatry or Will-worship or mens invention in God's Worship a small sin but remember that dreadful word Do we provoke the Lord are we stronger than he O no be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap 1 Cor. 10.22 Gal. 6.10 Wherefore do nothing partially in the matter of Religion be not circumspect about Doctrine and careless about Discipline or Church wayes be not strict for second-Table-Duties and make no Conscience of first-Table-sins Neither make it all your holiness to mind Family-Duties but also look well to your publick-Worship or your walking with Jesus Christ in his Publick Worship Such things as these Christian Reader are in this little Treatise presented to thy view and consideration be pleased to take nothing in the evil or worse part but as thou hast all from love so let thy love accept of all that carries Christ's Image and Superscription upon it and with thy Mantle of Love cover all thou meetest with of humane frailty And if by all or any thing herein presented to thee thou reapest any real benefit or profit I request you to give God all the glory and say Of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever which is and shall be the earnest prayer of him who is and will remain thine to serve thee S. MORE The Contents Ecclesiastes 12.9 Moreover Because the Preacher was wise he still taught the people knowledge Yea he gave good heed and sought out and set in order many Proverbs c. THe words in general contain an account of an Accomplished Preacher 1. As to his Qualification 2. As to his Work Act and Dispensation 3. The blessing and advantage of enjoying such Preachers But more particularly take notice of these things following 1. A Preface in this word Moreover 2. A Reason of what was done Because the Preacher was wise 3. The Person spoken of The Preacher 4. That which is related or declared concerning him and that in these particulars 1. The Act his constancy in Teaching c. 2. Perseverance in this Work He still taught the People Knowledge 3. His wariness or circumspection in managing this great Work Yea he gave good heed 4. His diligence industry or laboriousness He sought he did not catch up or deliver any thing but what he had sought out and found meet to be delivered 5. We have his fidelity or perfection in Preaching he did set in order many Proverbs He set in not out of God's or due order his Preachings or Proverbs amplified in these Words The Preacher sought out acceptable words But again In the next place we have the Property or Excellency of that which was Preached or Written it was upright even words of Truth 6. Lastly We have the Vse and Benefit of the properties of such Preachings or Preachers in these words The words of the wise are as Goads and Nails The Wise Gospel-Preacher's Praise and Practice ECCLES 12.9 10 11. 9. Moreover because the Preacher was Wise he still taught the People Knowledge yea he gave good heed and sought out and set in order many Proverbs 10. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable Words and that which was written was upright even words of Truth 11. The words of the Wise are as Goads and as Nails fastned by the Masters of Assemblies which are given by one Shepherd SOlomon the Wise is declared to be the Composer of this Book and it may probably be the last he wrote the which I shall not positively determine nor whether these three Verses be his because they seem more probable to have been wrote by his Historian or that hand which committed this Book to the Churches Treasury rather than by himself and are part of the conclusion of this Book As to the Book it self I shall say nothing the words I have pitched upon having no dependance upon any thing that went before unless to commend it and incourage to improve it because both of the excellency of the Preacher and of that which was Writ or Preach'd The words in general contain an account of an Accomplished Preacher First As to his Qualification Secondly As to his Work Act or Dispensation Thirdly The Blessing and Advantage of injoying such Preachers But more particularly take notice of these things in these Verses 1. A Preface in this word Moreover 2. A Reason of what was done Because the Preacher was Wise 3. The Person spoken of The Preacher 4. That which is related or declared concerning him and that in these Particulars First The Act his constancy in teaching c. Secondly Perseverance in his Work He still taught the People Knowledge His wariness or circumspection in managing this great Work Yea he gave good heed Thirdly His Diligence Industry or Laboriousness He sought out He did not catch up or deliver any thing but what he had sought out and found meet to be delivered Fourthly We have his Fidelity or Perfection in Preaching He did set in order many Proverbs He set in not out of God's or due order his Preachings or Proverbs amplified in these words The Preacher sought out acceptable words But again in the next place we have the Property or Excellency of that which was preached or written it was upright Even words of Truth Lastly We have the Use and Benefit or Properties of such Preaching and Preachers in these words The words of the Wise are as Goads and Nails fastned by the Masters of Assemblies which are given from one Shepherd I shall not trouble you with the opening or clearing of any obscurity in the Text at this time but refer that till afterwards where more conveniently I may dispatch it but shall proceed to some Doctrines or Conclusions hence observable The first is taken from the first word or Preface Moreover We may take these words not only litterally as spoken of the Typical Solomon but as Prophetical and pointing at a greater than Solomon our Lord Jesus That so spake as never man spake John 7.46 And also we might eye these words as dogmatical or instructing what every Wise Gospel-Preacher
marvel and others be mad with me 〈◊〉 once the Silver-Smiths were with Paul when 〈◊〉 cryed down their Diana by whom they had a their Wealth as have the School-masters Tutor Academists Collegiats Parsons Doctors Prâ—â—lates Popes with all the residue of that crue 〈◊〉 Antichristian Clergy-men But I am learning not to fear the faces of men or respect these Peâ—sons but make known the Truth as it is in Jesus remembring what Zechariah saith will be their portion even every one to be ashamed of his Vision Chap. 13. of that Book But affirmatively Answer The reason why I affirm that this Wisâ—dom before specified is not the Gospel-Wisdom iâ— First Because God hath not set this Ax or Hammer apart to do his or this work with Secondly It is but a carnal natural Weapon and is onely fit for carnal natural weak and wordly Work And for such purposes thiâ— Learning Wisdom or Furniture is fit or very useful but no more fit for preaching or a Preacher in order to preaching than a Sword is to cut one Bread with or a Plough to ride on though for other uses both are profitable But the Wisdom absolutely necessary to preaching or for a Preacher is Divine Wisdom which descends from Above more immediately and comes from the Father of Lights James 1.5 17. and in Scripture is put in opposition to the Wisdom before mentioned 1 Cor. 1. from 17 downwards I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent 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 c. So chap. 2.1 4 7 13. Brethren when I came to you I came not with excellency of Speech or of Wisdom declaring unto you the Testimony of God and my Speech and my preaching was not with inticing words of man's wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power Not the Wisdom of this World nor the Princes of this World that come to naught but we speak the Wisdom of God which God ordained before the World unto our glory Which things also we speak not the words which man's wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual The natural man receiveth not these things neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned And Peter tells us that the Learned in the former sense but unlearned or illiterate in the latter sense are the Novices which do but wrest and pervert the Scripture or the substance of all Scripture 2 Pet. last vers 16. But more particularly what this preaching Qualification or Wisdom is I shall hereafter the Lord assisting discover From the Person spoken of and that which of him is spoken let me note these Observations Doct. 1. That Preaching by godly men thereunto qualified is God's Ordinance Secondly From the kind of Preacher that Solâ—mon here spoke of note this Observation Doct. 2. That Prophetical Preaching or Prâ—phesying by Members or Brethren of true Churchâ— by virtue of Gifts and Membership without Miâ—stry is God's very Ordinance Else Solomon hoâ— wise soever had sinfully preached Thirdly Note Doct. 3. That such or many Brethren as have Gifts and Abilities thus Preach not onely may but are bound to Preaâ— Else Solomon had done more than his Duty oâ— what he was not bound to which is vanity in 〈◊〉 to imagine for he had not been wise in so doing Fourthly Note Doct. 4. That every Gospeâ— Preacher ought to be wise or that Grace and Spiritual Wisdom are the only Requisites and â—â—ffiâ—ent for Gospel-preaching or Preachers To begin with the first of these though thâ— last of these is principally designed Note The Preaching by Godly Men thereunto qualified is God Ordinance For the proof of this take theâ— Testimonies Isa 61.1 The Spirit of the Lorâ— God is upon me because he hath anointed me tâ— Preach glad-tydings to the Meek He hath sent 〈◊〉 to bind up the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty 〈◊〉 the Captives and the opening of the Prison to theâ— that are bound c. Jonah 3.2 Arise go unâ—â— Nineveh that great City and preach unto it thâ— Preaching that I bid thee Mark 1.4 Johâ— preached the Baptism of Repentance for the remissioâ— of sins with chap. 3.14 He ordained twelve that they should be with him and that he might send them forth to preach Acts 5.42 And daily in the Temple and in every House they ceaseâ— not to Teach and Preach Jesus Christ and chap. 10.42 And he commanded us to preach unto the People with Rom. 10.15 How can they Preach except they be sent Many other Scriptures would give testimony to this were not this that is offered sufficient But a little further to clear this by Argument or Reason since this as every Truth hath its Opposition or Opposers Reas 1. Had not this been God's Ordinance that the Word by Men should be Preached or Revealed unto men the best of men would never have been found so often even in all Ages transgressing against the God of men through preaching unto men but the best of men have preached unto men The Scripture shews us this in Noah's time in that he was called a Preacher of Righteousness 2 Pet. 2.5 The like is said of Abraham Gen. 18.19 where Abraham's Teaching or Preaching in and to his Houshould is made the reason of God's Preaching or Declaring to him the destruction of Sodom The like we have in chap. 49.1 2. So Moses Deut. 31.1 2. with v. 19. compared also you have it chap. 32.1 So did David Psal 40.9 10. So Solomon you have it in the Text. So Samuel in his first Book chap. 12.23 So in 2 Chron. 17.7 and 9 compared And thus did the New-Testament Converts and Disciples practise Acts 8.4 Therefore I conclude that Preaching is and ever was acknowledged God's Ordinance Reas 2. Had not Preaching been God's Ordinance though godly men might have mistook their Duty yet the Lord Jesus Christ would doubtless not have preached But the Lord Jesus Christ was a Preacher and did frequently preach therefore Preaching is God's Ordinance That the Lord Jesus Preached is most evident Mark 1.14 with Luk. 8.1 After John was put in Prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God He went Preaching and shewing the glad-tydings of the Kingdom of God and thâ— Twelve were with him Reas 3. That which not onely Holy Men have approvedly done and the Lord Jesus himself likewise did but that which even Angels did teach and commanded the Saints to do that must needâ— be owned to be an Ordinance as appears Luk. 1.26 to 37. Luk. 2.10 11. Rev. 14.6 I saâ— another Angel flie in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to Preach unto them that dwelâ— on the Earth c. Reas 4. That which God hath in all Ages most abundantly fitted some men for must needâ— be his Ordinance But God hath in all Ages fitted
some men for Preaching-Work therefore Preaching-Work is God's Ordinance The proof of this lies most apparent in the first Argument and is confirmed further to us Psal 68.11 The Lord gave the Word great was the Company of them that published it compared with Ephes 4.8 12. Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men For the Perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ Yea he that saith No man lighteth a Candle in vain or to put it under a Bushel Would not himself light so many Preaching-Candles or make so many Preachers in vain if Preaching were not his Ordinance Reas 5. Satan and sinners would never have so opposed Preaching had not Satan known that Preaching was God's Ordinance Satan opposes not sin no not the grossest wickedness but the purest and the most powerful Preachers and Preaching he hath alwayes most eagerly opposed witness Micah Zechariah Jeremiah Peter Paul Stephen And which of Christ's eminentest Preachers hath he not persecuted witness Acts 13.49 50. And the Word of the Lord was published throughout all the Regions but the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable Women and the chief Men of the City and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their Coasts compared with Acts 17. and Rev. 11. Yea our own Times witness this how much the design of the Devil and his Creatures is to obstruct and hinder the Spiritual Preaching of the Gospel Like the Men Paul speaks of 1 Thess 2.15 16. Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own Prophets and have persecuted us forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved to fill up their sins for the Wrath is come upon them to the utmost Reas 6. I might add that which not onely good Men have both practised and been persecuted for yea both the Lord himself and Angels have practised and Preached to us as our Work that must needs be God's Ordinance but this both Christ and his Apostles have taught and injoyned us Therefore to Preach is their Duty as they are able to Preach Mat. 28.19 Go and teach all Nations with 2 Tim. 4.2 Preach the Worâ— be instant in season out of season reprove rebukâ— exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine wâ—â— 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. First Vse of Reproof But now by way of Application this may serâ—â— for conviction or confutation of all such sensuaâ— sinful anti-scriptural men as deny the Preaching of the Gospel to be God's or a Divine Ordinance but mens device and design to advance their hâ—nour or profit in the World Do not some thâ— would not be thought to be small Fools spurn 〈◊〉 Preaching as needless uncertain mens pride 〈◊〉 not men say What can the Preachers tell us bâ— what they have told us and what we know a ready Nay are there not some even too many whose pride will not suffer them to own thâ— Preaching of the Word To these let me speaâ—â— that word of Solomon Prov. 1.22 How long simple ones will ye love simplicity and ye scorneâ— delight in scorning and fools hate knowledge 〈◊〉 that such that presume to question this undoubteâ— Truth of God Preaching even by men thereuâ—to qualified to be God's Ordinance because me that Preach are not nor ought to pretend to be in fallible would but consider this Are none sit 〈◊〉 Preach to you fallible ignorant shallow things iâ— things of Religion but who are infallible Diâ— not Paul that great Light say That he knew bâ—â— in part and prophesied but in part Yet was admitted to be a Preacher in full or a Preacher full worth hearing What these say argues no morâ— against Preaching than for a Scholar to say Mâ— Master is not a Scribe or Teacher in perfection therefore I will not learn of him yet may he be very able to teach the Scholar that he hath not yet learned Even so may an imperfect Preacher be very sufficient to teach an imperfect Christian Secondly Though the best of Preachers are or may be in some things fallible much of what Spiritual Preachers teach is infallible and you Hearers prove all things refuse nothing but hold fast only that which is good And thirdly Though Preachers preach proudly or may so do yet hear Gospel-Preachers humbly and the defect will be theirs not yours Else it will evidence pride in you not to hear such whom Christ appoints that you should hear Matth. 23.2 3. The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses Chair All therefore that they bid you observe that observe and do c. Fourthly Are they covetous of your Wealth be you never the less covetous yea more covetous of Christ's Treasury in their earthen Vessels and remember Solomon's Counsel Buy the Truth and sell it not also Wisdom Instruction and Understanding Prov. 23.23 And in so doing you shall at most but do as every wise Merchant-man ought to do when he had found one Pearl of great price he went and sold all that he had and bought it Mat. 13.46 Fifthly Do you know afore-hand what your Preachers will or can tell you which is more than you know yet Hear then for if they can tell you no new things they can tell what you should do with old things If they can tell you no new things they can tell you what you should do with old Truths which you say you know And 〈◊〉 arguing of yours proves you have not yet learn even to practise what you know of God for 〈◊〉 the knowers but the doers of the Law shall be â—â—stified Rom. 2.13 And remember what Peâ— saith in 2 Pet. 1.12 13. Wherefore I will not negligent to put you alwayes in remembrance of thâ— things though you know them and be establish in the present Truth Yea I think it meet as lâ—â— as I am in this Tabernacle to stir up your pâ—â— minds by putting you in remembrance Oh theâ—â—fore receive and consider this reproof Psal 4. Hâ— long ye Sons of Men will ye turn my Glory iâ— shame How long will ye love vanity and follâ—â— leasing or lying Arguments And consider whâ— the Lord saith to such as you are O Generation see the Word of the Lord Have I been a Wildeâ—ness unto Israel a Land of darkness Wherefâ—â— say my People We are Lords we will come no mâ— unto thee Jer. 2.31 And to conclude thâ— Use think upon that Scripture Psal 50.22 Consider this ye that forget God lest he tear you 〈◊〉 pieces and there be none to deliver you Second Use of Reproof This reproves such as own Preaching yet oppose it and these are not mean illiterate but glittering potent even learned Enemies of the preaching of the Gospel a Generation that are pure iâ— their own eyes but are not washed from their own filthiness Prov. 30.12 These are such that deal with Preachers and Gospel-Preaching as once he did with Jeremiah of whom we read ch
exhort and quicken you that have ears to hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches Take heed that you despise not prophesying 1 Thess 5.20 Christians despise not Christ's day of small things Since out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings he will ordain strength because of the enemy and avenger Psalm 8.2 compared with Matth. 21. Say not in your hearts as once Nathaniel did Can any good thing come out of Nazareth John 1.46 But take heed you despise not him that speaketh on Earth lest that sad word be your word For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this People Read that Chapter at your leasure and you shall see how dreadful God speaks to despisers of this Ordinance of Preaching though by mean and outwardly contemptible Instruments My Beloved know God oft-times hangs great Blessings at the end of small Wyers How great a victory did God give Israel by that Barley Cake as Gideon is called Judg. 7.13 14 15 16. As also how great a Blessing did Naaman the Syrian receive by hearing the Voice of his Servants 2 Kings 5. Yea how great advantage did this very Ordinance bring to the Jews and Greeks when the scattered Saints and Brethren went up and down Preaching and Prophesying Acts 11.19 20 21. Therefore despise not Prophesying I mean Preaching by Brethren that are gifted thereunto although not Ministers or Officers in the Churches So much for this second Doctrine I should now come to speak to the third Point or Doctrine which is Doct. 3. That if Preaching be God's Ordinance and Prophesying and Preaching by Men of Grace and Gifts though no Ministers or Ordained Persons may lawfully Preach then such as are Prophets though no Ministers or Officers of the Church not only may but ought to Preach But because I have spoke something to this in the close of the second Doctrine I shall say no more to this but proceed to the fourth and last Doctrine upon this Head which is drawn from the Description of the qualification of this Prophetical Preacher Solomon to wit That he was Wise as you have it in the Text Moreover because the Preacher was Wise Whence take this Observation to wit Doct. 4. That every Gospel preacher ought to be truly wise or that Grace and Spiritual Wisdom are the true and onely and sufficient Requisites or sufficiency for Gospel-preaching Let me in the carrying on this Work first clear this Point and shew what this Wisdom which every Preacher ought to have is 2ly Give the Reasons why what is affirmed to be the Wisdom required is that which is affirmed And 3ly Resolve some Objections And lastly Make Application of the Point First Take some Witnesses that Gospel-Preachers ought to be Wise This the Lord tells us 〈◊〉 that qualification that all such ought to have a◠draw near him in any peculiar or especial way o◠service or ministration as you have it laid dow◠by Moses in that saying Take you wise men ye understanding and known men among your Tribes an◠I will make them Rulers over you And ma◠what is further said And ye answered me an◠said The thing which thou hast spoken is good fo◠us to do So I took wise men and known eve◠the chief of your Tribes and made them Heads ov◠you this is God's and Moses way for the serving of Israel Deut. 1.13 14 15. Again tak◠that place Prov. 15.2 where you have this expression The Tongue of the Wise useth knowledge a right but the mouth of Fools poureth out foolishness Oh mark it is the wise tongue that wil◠Preach or use Knowledge aright compare thi◠with what we have Vers 7. The lips of the Wis◠disperse Knowledge but the heart of the Foolish doth not so It is wise lips either can or ought to Preach or dispense Divine Knowledge Again take that Passage of our Lord Jesus where he tell us what every Scribe or Teacher in Israel should be one instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven like unto a man that is a Housholder that bringeth ou◠of his Treasury things both new and old Oh! this is the good Scribe or Preacher Mat. 13.52 the like you have Matth. 10.16 with Prov. 1.5 6. further you have this confirmed That a Preacher or Director of others should be wise Eccl. 1.10 for he that sendeth a Message by the hand of a Fool cutteth off the feet and drinketh dammage The legs of the Iame are not equal even so is a Parable in the mouth of fools Prov. 26.6 7. By all which with many Testimonies more that might have been offered you have this Truth confirmed That every Gospel-Preacher ought to be wise Now I come to open the Point and shew you what it is to be Wise or what that Wisdom is that every Gospel-Preacher ought to have I told you in the opening of the words by way of Negation that the Wisdom spoken of in the Text was neither natural moral or acquired Wisdom as Languages Tongues Arts or Sciences but a more sublime and transcendent Wisdom I told you God had not set this Ax or Hammer apart to do his or this Work with these Tools are strangers to any Divine designment for such an end being neither appointed or required in Scripture I told you secondly This Wisdom is but a carnal or natural Weapon and is only meet for carnal natural weak and worldly work and for such purposes this Learning or Wisdom is very fit and useful but no more apt or necessary essentially for Preachers or Preaching than a Sword is to cut ones Beard with or a Plough to ride a Journey on But the Wisdom absolutely necessary for Preaching or a Preacher is Divine Wisdom as I told you which descends from Above more immediately and comes from the Father of Lights and this is that true Wisdom which is put in opposition to the Wisdom before mentioned 1 Cor. 1.17 where the Apostle saith Christ sent him not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel not with wisdom of words lest the Cross of Christ should be of none effect Mark it 's worldly Wisdom or the wisdom of words maketh Christ's Cross to be made ineffectual this is the likelyest good worldly Wisdom wil◠do in Preaching The same thoughts was th◠Apostle Peter of censuring humane Wisdom tha◠it might and did furnish men to pervert but no◠Preach the Gospel where he saith As also in a his Epistles speaking in them of these things i◠which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as the◠do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction Ye therefore Beloved seeing you know thes◠things before beware lest you also being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your ow◠stedfastness 2 Pet. 3.16 17. Now if you would know who these unlearned and unstable wreste◠and perverters of Paul and of all Scriptures are Peter tells us not men wanting Arts and Languages such knew
Glory 1 Cor. 2.7 8. But some may say How came the Preachers of the Gospel in that day to this Wisdom Not from Universities or humane Learning but from the Grace and Spirit of God as you have it But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things mark it yea the deep things of God vers 10. And this Paul proves vers 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God this is further witnessed unto vers 12 13 14 15 16. Object 6. May some say How shall a Preacher be able to withstand or confute gain-sayers without learning For every one that is a Scholar and subtil will sophisticate and use fallacies and wrest the Scriptures and his Arguments from him if he be not a Scholar Now Beloved I pray you do but consider what is said in this Objection and you have here discovered the learned Man's Excellency it is to sophisticate and deal fallaciously with the Simple and the Truth Beloved take heed of them as such who have learned the skill to deceive the simple But yet a little further to Answer this seemingly so weighty an Objection Know God's way or the right way for a Preacher to answer Gain-sayers is to have the Word of God dwell richly in him in all wisdom that out of that Library or good Treasure he may be able to convince them of the contrary part Thus Paul taught injoyning Preachers to hold fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and convince the Gain-sayers Tit. 1.9 10. the like you have in 2 Tim. 3.13 14 15 16 17. Object 7. Some may say This is to subject Preachers and Preaching to contempt and scorn For if Preachers need not be learned who will not be a Preacher Who more bold than the ignorant or men of ignorance And who will reverence Preaching or Preachers if it be so easie and common a work for any man that is unlearned Will it not be very simple and mean Preaching if Preachers want Breeding Arts Languages and Sciences to garnish and dress out their Preaching with Lively and Apt Similes Rhetorical and Elegant Words To all which I thus Answer in the fear of the Lord. First It is never the more easie but much more the harder for any to Preach whilst we affirm no humane Acquirements but supernatural Attainments that fits or qualifies Persons for Preaching Secondly If all or any seek or undertake to Preach it follows not that all shall or can Preach No there are many Learned yea and unlearned Intruders upon Preaching which do not nor can Preach for all they rush or run upon the work for it is written A man can receive nothing that is no such Gift except it be given him from Above John 3.27 And saith Paul How can one Preach except he be sent And thirdly Though this unnecessary Tool be laid aside yet are there many other helps which every Preacher must have both Natural and Divine which every man hath not no not every Godly Man nor can attain to therefore to be an Accomplished-Preacher is not so easie though it matters not how easie But fourthly If it be said Who then will reverence Preaching or Preachers I Answer Though an undue reverence is not to be sought or desired and every able Preacher is truly and most eminently worthy of reverence yet when the Love of God and the Work of God lies warm upon the Preachers heart then the main business of a Gospel-Preacher will be to get Christ not himself reverenced For we Preach not our selves but the Lord Jesus and our selves your Servants for Christ's sake 2 Cor. 4.5 And let me tell you as David said to Michael 2 Sam. 6. Even of the Hand-maids shall such be had into honour whilst the proud Locusts of the bottomless Pit despise them I say Every such Soul that is Preached to will reverence that lip which hath spoken Christ to his heart as hereafter may more appear but if the blind cannot yet the seeing eye will reverence such Preaching and that the more because it is plain and simple But lastly Whereas they tell us that Preaching will be very mean and simple if the Preachers be unlearned and want Arts Sciences Rhetorick and Logick to help them to apt Expressions Similies to set forth Heavenly things by I Answer No if men be wise that Preach it will not be simple Preaching If Preachers be dayes-men or men of experience in Christ's Gospel and Satan's Wiles for if the Spirit of God can help the unlearned to words sufficient to speak to God in Prayer surely he is much more able to help the unlearned Preacher to sufficiency of words to speak to the Satisfaction and Advantage of unlearned simple sinful earthly ignorant Men and Women yea Babes and Sucklings therefore no need to serve an Apprentiship for Words at the Schools Thus I have Answered this Objection Object 8. Some may say If Preachers be not Scholars and Artists there are many things in the Scripture which they cannot resolve or explain at the weights of the Sanctuary of old and Places and Countries as where they lie and in what Continent Scituation Latitude and Distance one from another c. To which I Answer This is but superfluous or unnecessary Knowledge which every Gospel-Preacher may honourably be without And if a Preacher cannot attain it without humane Learning he may Preach as truly and as profitably Christ's Mysterie and Man's Duty from such Scriptures as if he could resolve such Riddles or unnecessary Questions For could not Ezckiel Amos and the Prophets prophesie against Egypt Tyrus Moab Babylon and the rest of the Heathen-Countries as well as if they knew their Longitude or Latitude Yes doubtless as clearly as other-ways for that did not concern them but only to denounce the Judgments of God against them other knowledge of Places is onely or mostly necessary for such as are Travellers or Historiographers who else may miss their way or mar their Work but 't is not so with a Preacher 't is enough for such to Preach that Babylon shall fall because she hath sinned and that Nineveh repented and therefore was spared wheresoever the one or the other Country is and that whatsoever Countrey or People soever they be that sin against the most High and do not repent shall also perish first or last yea even England though we know where it lies without repentance must doubtless perish Object 9. May not some say to me Doth not Solomon the Wise even the Preacher in my Text say Prov. 1.22 It is fools only that hate or slight Knowledge so it is only unlearned ignorant mechanicks that speak thus slightly and contemptibly of Learning and Knowledge Is not every thing beautiful in its season I Answer It is not to
one that grew and proceeded higher and higher in the measures of his Divine Attainments He still taught the people higher knowledge or more profound Mysteries and this the after-words seem to declare I shall first take this word still as it gives forth the Preacher's fixation duration and continuation at his Work He did not tire or wax weary of his Imployment but he still went on teaching the People Whence Doct. 5. Take this Doctrine or Conclusion That every wise Preacher ought to persist and continue or go on with his Work of Preaching to the People He still taught the people knowledge This is that frame of Spirit the Lord seems to injoyn and expect at the hands of his Servants as the passage seems to imply Cursed be the man the doth the Work of the Lord deceitfully or as thâ— Margin hath it negligently Jer. 4.8 10. the liâ—â— we have chap. 17.16 where Jeremiah tells the Lord I have not hastned from being a Pastor to fâ—low thee Thus Jesus Christ practised Luk. 8. â— He went saith the Text throughout every City an Village Preaching and shewing the glad-tydings 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of God And this you have from thâ— Lord given forth Luk. 9.60 where Jesus saith No man having put his hand to the Plow and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God The likewise was Paul's practice as he tells the Churâ—â— of Ephesus Therefore watch and remember that frâ—â— the space of three years he ceased not to warn eveâ— one of them night and day with tears Acts 2â— 31 To name but one place more for the proâ—â— of the Doctrine that every wise holy Gospel Preacher once called to that Work ought to persevere and continue diligent therein as you have it He still taught the people knowledge The other passage I shall quote is in 1 Tim. 4.13 14 15 16. where Paul directs Timothy saying Till 〈◊〉 come give attendance to Reading to Exhortaties to Doctrine Neglect not the Gift that is in theâ— which was given thee by Prophesie with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery Meditate on these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all Take heed unto thy self and unto the Doctrine continue in them for in dâ—ing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee But a little further to open this Let me give you some Reasons or Arguments to clear this to be a Truth That every Preacher ought diligently to persist in Preaching Reas 1. First Because if the Preacher's opportunity be continued his diligence and painfulness in Preaching ought also to be continued for not only Gifts and Grace are Talents to be faithfully and diligently improved but Time also is a Talent to be improved and that as conscionably and diligently by Preachers as by any men That Time and Opportunities are to be husbanded and improved take Christ's own words upon this very occasion when his Disciples would have perswaded him to have desisted from Preaching for fear of the Jews a plausible Argument to avoid persecution but mark Christ's Answer Are there not twelve hours in the day John 13.9 Day-time is given us for day-work and walks not to idle and loyter in This the Ruler of the Synagogue well understood though misapplyed when he said to the people There are six dayes in the which men ought to work Luke 13.14 Therefore if Jesus Christ allow a Preacher life-time health and opportunity he ought to trade with that Talent and improve that Opportunity as the Apostle Paul witnesseth saying As we have opportunity let us do good unto all Gal. 6.10 Reas 2. Secondly Preachers should still persist and persevere in Preaching and Teaching the People Knowledge because the people still need knowledge and it is the peoples ignorance that calls for Preaching therefore while the people are short and wanting in knowledge the wise Preacher must not beshort or wanting in Preaching but stilâ— teach the people knowledge This our Lord declares he eyed in giving of Preaching-ministrations to the Church even the supply of the Churches need that the need of the Church should be removed by being supplyed as you find Ephes 4. from 11 to 16. where the Apostle tells us That the Lord Jesus when he gave Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers he gave then to the Church and Gifts to them for the perfecting of the Saints Note It was not only to convert and beget Saints but to perfect the state and grace of such as were through Preaching savingly begotten and vers 13. the Apostle tells us again That Preaching-Ministers are given to lay oâ—â— themselves until the Saints come to a perfect measure and stature in Faith and Knowledge even beyond danger of being like Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine Now if these be the ends of Preachers given and gifted by Jesus Christ then until the Saints be come to this stature and full measure in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus Christ every wise Preacher ought to continue still to teach the people knowledge Reas 3. Thirdly Every wise and Gospel-Preacher ought to persevere and go on in teaching of the people because that which he hath to Preach or Declare to the People from the Lord is not soon Preached or Declared therefore he had great need to attend diligently and continually upon this thing even still to teach the people knowledge For as their ignorance is not soon removed so is not the whole Truth of God soon preached It will be long yea very long e're the wisest of Preachers can either know or declare the whole Counsel of God to his People Now the whole Counsel of God is to be declared as appears Acts 20.26 27 28. The Commands of the Lord are exceeding broad and the Truths of the Gospel very many 'T is not a little time spent in Preaching will serve to reveal them Preachers may begin to Preach as young as Timothy and die as old as Paul the Aged and yet be behind-hand in this Work and therefore had need doubtless to be Preaching in season and out of season yea to be instant in Preaching that is without unnecessary intermission 2 Tim. 4.2 This is the third Argument why every wise Gospel-Preacher should still teach the People knowledge Reas 4. And lastly Those whose work is to Preach to others ought not to be idle or negligent in the work of their Callings such ought not to be idle or negligent working in their own Callings But every wise Preacher hath this for his Work among other things to teach the people of God not only to remember to keep holy the Sabbath day but also to remember that six days they labour and do all that they have to do Exod. 20. Therefore every wise and honest Preacher ought to remember himself Six dayes shalt thou labour and not do this Work of the Lord deceitfully but as Paul teacheth Timothy when he saith But watch thou in
Spirit saith to hear and receive even still to teach the people knowledge Rev. 6.7 So much for this fifth Doctrine I should come now to a second particular offered from this first Act of the wise Preacher That he still taught the people knowledge that is He went forward and made progression in Preaching He did not stick or remain upon first Principles but rose higher and higher in his Preaching he still taught the people knowledge that is higher measures and degrees of knowledge As he was wisely diligent so was he wisely proceeding and going forward from step to step in the degrees and measures of his Knowledge and Preaching The Point of Doctrine hence is Doct. That wise Preachers are prospering or thriving Preachers They are not only diligent and constant Preachers but also they are growing Preachers he still taught the people knowledge that is more and higher knowledge This was shadowed out in the Waters of the Sanctuary which rose first to the Ancles then to the Knees then to the Loyns afterward to a River that could not be passed over Even so do Preaching Qualifications in a wise and painful Preacher who as Paul saith when in their Childhood or first entrance may speak like Children and act like Children yet when they grow up to be men they will Speak Preach and Act like men 1 Cor. 13.11 This is that which is promised Psal 1. where David tells us The blessedness of the man that walketh not in the way of the ungodly but his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in that Law doth he meditate day and night he shall be like a Tree planted by the Rivers of Water that bringeth forth his Fruit in season His leaf shall not wither but whatsoever he doth shall prosper This is the blessing of not onely the Godly Christian but especially of the truly wise and Godly Preacher he shall grow and flourish The like promise we have in Psalm 92.12 13 14 15. where the Psalmist tells us how it will fare with Righteous and Wise Preachers They shall flourish like the Palm-Tree and grow like the Cedar in Lebanon Those that be plauted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the Court of our God they shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing to shew that the Lord is upright This also Paul implies in that saying of his to Timothy 1 Epist 4.15 That thy profiting may appear to all men Thus we see the Point a little confirmed but because this Truth has in part already been spoken to and will necessarily fall under consideration in another place I shall say no more to the proof of this but only make one Use from it and that is for encouragement to all wise and painful Preachers The fourth Vse is of Encouragement Know assuredly the Lord will bless your Seed and the fruit of your increase You may reckon your selves Children that cannot speak in the Name of the Lord but the Lord hath told you He will be with you and make you as a defenced City and an Iron Pillar and a Brazen Wall Jer. 1.6 7. compared with vers 18. Oh! be encouraged to be sound faithful and diligent for though you may go out to Preach as Jacob went forth from his Fathers House when he said With my staff I passed over this Jordan but now I am become two Bands Gen. 32.10 Even so you faithful Preachers shall have a time to say to the Glory of Free-Grace I am become two Bands The Lord hath promised That his Spirit shall lead you not only unto Truth but from Truth to Truth till you are guided into all Truth John 16.13 Therefore be encouraged to persist and go on in Preaching the Word in season and out of season for the Lord is with you and he will uphold your goings in his Paths Oh Beloved be neither discouraged at your own weakness nor your many discouragements for the Righteous shall flourish like the Palm therefore still teach the people knowledge guide them by the skilfulness of the Lord's hand upon you from Truth to Truth from first Principles to higher and more ennobling Conclusions Be not Children in your knowledge but go on towards perfection as good Ministers of Jesus Christ Preachers that receive freely or largely of the Spirit should give forth as freely and still teach the people knowledge As Preachers grow in knowledge they should seek that the people might grow in knowledge also as waters of knowledge flow into them so should they flow forth unto the people for as your day is so shall your strength be Jesus Christ hath promised to be with you alwayes in such work Matth. 28. And to conclude take the Counsel of Solomon Eccles 9.10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave whither thou goest You labouring Ones in this Work of the Lord feed on that Promise Mat. 13.12 For whosoever hath to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance And to close take that good word 1 Cor. 15.58 Therefore my beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable alwayes abounding in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I now come to the next particular in the Text which is the Matter which the Preacher preached that is Knowledge He still taught the people Knowledge it was knowledge the Preacher taught He Preached not to make himself known or his knowledge known but to make the people know for he still taught the people knowledge One Question may from hence be asked and that is What Knowledge is Or secondly What knowledge this is the wise Preacher taught the people To speak a little to the first Query What knowledge is It is the opposite to ignorance and consists in the enlightning or informing the Understanding either concerning the Author or the Nature of things or the End and Use of things I say knowledge is an enriching excellency enabling men to make true judgment concerning things He that is destitute of knowledge knows not how to discern things or to difference one thing from an other But I shall not inlarge here though I might add there is a double sort of knowledge Natural and Supernatural or the knowledge of things or objects Divine and Heavenly or the knowledge of things or objects Natural This Supernatural knowledge consists either in the knowledge of God or his Will or the knowledge of our selves or others But secondly It may be inquired What this knowledge in particular is which the Preacher taught the people spoken of in the Text I Answer Not humane knowledge or understanding and skill in worldly things but it is knowledge of Divine things or Heavenly things More particularly it may be distinguished into the knowledge of God as in Himself Attributes and Word Considered secondly It consists in the knowledge of our
at this work very little advantage can be expected But if they be faithful and painful they may yea shall do much through him that strengtheneth them and hath promised to be with them in their way They are in God's way and in God's way God will be found as he hath said Exod. 4.12 with Mat. 28.20 Lastly Wise Preachers should still teach the people knowledge for though they know they without God cannot teach the people knowledge yet God can by them teach his people knowledge even then when they think they can do least for the people Therefore to conclude the Answer of this Objection Let us that Preach the Gospel consider that of Solomon Eccles 11.6 In the morning sow thy Seed and in the evening with-hold not thy hand for thou knowest not whether shall prosper either this or that or whether they both shall be alike good Therefore you who are Spiritually-wise Preachers of the Gospel be prevailed upon to make the peoples knowing your main business and work in Preaching like Paul that great Preacher of the Gentiles whose work was to teach all men in or unto all wisdom that he might present all men perfect in Christ Jesus Whereunto saith he I also labour striving according to his working which worketh in me mightily Col. 1.28 29. And to conclude this Use Let as many as be perfect be thus minded Phil. 3.15 The third Use is for Direction The next Use or Improvement I shall make of this Point is for Direction to such Preachers as faithfully endeavour thus to do First Would you teach your people Knowledge or make your Hearers knowing in the Knowledge of Christ Then let me beseech you to Preach humbly for a proud Preacher is not likely to become a profitable Preacher This was the frame of Spirit Paul went forth Preaching the Gospel with Acts 20.19 Serving the Lord in all humility in that Work A proud Preacher will more strive to Preach out himself unto the people than the saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ into the people A proud Preacher will be too high to stoop or condescend to the weakness of the capacities of the People as the proud in heart will not receive Commandments even so the proud in heart will not teach Commandments 'T is too hard for such to teach Knowledge or for the people by such to be taught Knowledge Such Preachers as desire to be profitable Preachers unto others must learn of that wonderful Preacher the Lord Jesus to be meek and lowly of heart Mat. 11.29 and do as Paul adviseth Rom. 12.16 Not to mind high things but to condescend to men of low estate To which I may add what he writes to the Bishops and Deacons of Philippi saying Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves Look not every one on his own things but every man also on the things of others Phil. 2.3 4. Secondly Would you Preach profitably and cause the people to get Knowledge then labour to Preach plainly 'T is plain Preaching will only prove profitable-Preaching This Paul seems to mind in 1 Cor. 14. as the very scope of that Chapter to provoke Preachers to Preach plainly within not above the understanding of the People Asserting that if a Preacher preach never so rarely yet if he preach above the understanding of the people he shall be but as a Barbarian to the people and not beneficial to them at all Plainness and Pureness are the two great excellencies of Preaching and as ever a Gospel-Preaches would be found a profitable Preacher let him become a plain Preacher Though high Strains hard Notions and obscure or hidden Expressions may most commend amongst men yet plainness and profitableness will most commend to God and be most acceptable and advantagious to those that are perfect and prudent Oh therefore Brethren all you that Preach the Gospel so Preach as Paul did as you have it 1 Cor. 2.1 2 3 4 5. compared with 2 Cor. 3.12 as ever you intend to teach your people Knowledge Thirdly If you would distil or infuse your Knowledge into the people do not only Preach to the people but live out that you Preach before the people be not only an Audible but a Visible word to the people How shall the people learn that from our lips which they cannot learn from out lives This made the Scribes and Pharisees the great Preachers of that day they could do no good to the people but as blind Leaders led the people blindly into the Ditch was it not from hence because they say and do not Mat. 23.3 with that of Jer. 23.18 22. Oh as ever you would be profitable Preachers to others be not unprofitable Preachers to your selves practise what you Preach if ever you mean to profit others by that you Preach Nothing more dulls and blunts the edge of Preaching than not living out the life of Preaching therefore let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5.16 Fourthly And especially Water all your Preaching with Praying if ever you would reap the fruit of your Preaching Oh! my beloved Brethren Would you profit your people much by Preaching then water your people much by Praying let the best Seed that can be sowen be sowen into the best ground that can be yet if showers be with-held a fruitful crop will never be obtained Even so here the best Sermons will be but lost Sermons unless they are watered Sermons Oh therefore water your Sermons by Prayers do not only pray for a Sermon but for a blessing upon that Sermon pray not only publickly but privately for a blessing upon your Labours lose not your Sermons through shortness or wantingness in praying performances This was Paul's way to get Knowledge to be the blessing of the Ephesians Philippians and Colossians as you may see at large in the first Chapters of those Epistles Therefore to conclude these Directions Watch and pray that the Enemy steal not your Seed or Christ's Seed rather away out of the minds and understandings of the people If any shall say This is no more then we knew before yet let me as once Peter did tell you I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance of those things though you know them and be established in the present truth 2 Pet. 1.12 The fourth Vse is a word of Exhortation to the People The fourth Use shall be a word to the people enjoying wise Preachers that thus labour among you Let it be a word of Exhortation to all such to take the Apostle's counsel 1 Thess 5.12 13. We beseech you Brethren to know them that labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and esteem them very highly for their work sake Such are truly wise Preachers yea such are painful Preachers and therefore
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
Preachers as seek not yours but you that your Souls may be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus I say Let this justifie the exactness and diligence of those that in the dividing of the Word make it their business to divide it aright and to omit nor lose nothing of all the Riches of such Scriptures as the Spirit of the Lord opens to them but endeavour to make full proof of their Ministry in a ministration of the All committed to their trust following that Direction of our Lord Gather up the Fragments that nothing be lost John 6.12 So these painful and laborious Bees move from Flower to Flower that is from Text to Text and from Syllable to Syllable that they may help you to Honey that by Line upon Line and Precept upon Precept here a little and there a little seek to impart to you the whole Counsel of God I say Let such Preachers be justified and not taxed as at this day by some who make use of that saying What need this waste Mat. 26.8 What need this curiousness this tediousness so much dwelling upon a Text Why let this serve to Answer such Is there not a cause when it is required of a Steward to be sound faithful And this is faithful dealing with Jesus Christ and his Word to let nothing be lost But again secondly If your Preachers wise Preachers do give good heed and consider the state of the Flock and whereof they have need and do deal home and plainly with your Consciences in all faithfulness not sparing any man or flattering any man or pleasing any man but dealing faithfully with all men as approving themselves to God Why then consider I pray you It is required of Stewards to be faithful and such are Stewards even of the manisold Grace of God and therefore it is required of them that they be faithful Oh let this justifie all wise holy humble diligent painful faithful Preachers that seek to turn many from their iniquity that give good heed and all diligence so to Preach that they may declare that they have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness not handling the Word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the Truth Commending our selves to every man's Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4.2 And so much for this Use and this Point I now come to the next Word and Work of a wise Preacher that is He sought out This is the next Work and to search or seek out A good or a wise Preacher doth not only give out and not keep in any thing of all that good Knowledge or Will of the Lord Jesus made out to his Soul But further he seeks or searches out after more of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ to be further imparted to him in what is in part known by him or in what as yet of Christ is not manifest but hid from him and them and may be imparted to them For the choicest or most comprehending Servant or Preacher of the Lord Jesus knows but in part and prophesies but in part and therefore had need to search enquire or hunt after that of the mind of Christ yet behind or unknown of him and which may for ought he knows be made manifest to him Three things I suppose this Phrase may import First To examine and receive things already viewed or known Secondly To clear and discharge what we know from what-ever Objections or Cavils might be brought against what we know or conceive we know Thirdly To seek out is to endeavour to get either fresh Visions of God in our Souls or further and exacter insight into such Visions of God as already we have received All this seems clearly implyed in this Act of the wise Preacher as is most clear by considering the next word And set in order or in their due order many Proverbs The Work of the truly or spiritually wise Preacher is to search or seek after or search or seek into the knowledge of whaâ— is known or should be known or may be known This is the Trade of God's Commands in order to a Preacher's Duty Doct. 8. The Doctrine hence may be this That the wise Preacher's Work is not an easie but an hard task to attain the comprehension or full understanding requisite to be found in every Minister of Christ His life is a continued act of seeking or enquiring after fuller discoveries of the mind of Christ This is plainly implyed in this phrase he sought out or sought after or sought into the way of setting Parables in order To clear up this Point two things need proving First That the Preacher's Task or Duty is an hard Task or Duty Secondly His life is a continued Act of learning the mind of Christ As he doth not do all at once he hath to do for Christ neither doth he searn all at any one season he hath to learn from Jesus Christ He is alwayes doing and alwayes learning until he dies Therefore is the Preacher's Work hard Work This Moses well understood Exod. 3d 4th and 6th Chapters This Jeremiah also apprehended in his first Chapter And this Paul concludes concerning his Ministry 1 Cor. 16.15 But not to heap up testimonies for a thing so clear Consider this namely what the Preacher's Work is resembled to First 'T is called a Warfare or they are resembled to valiant Souldiers and a Souldier's life is a lâ—fe of hazard and hardship even so is the Preachers Secondly 'T is stiled a Watchmâ—â—'s life and to be a good Watch-man is a hard life and laborious Thirdly He is called a Shepherd and that is no easie life Fourthly They are called Husband-men and Labourers and Builders all which prove Preaching to be a hard Work But to make this more clear consider 't is a Trade or Business that is alwayes carrying on I had almost said night and day and therefore sure it can be no easie but hard Work because it is perpetual Work But such is the Preacher's Work He must not onely be alwayes preaching but alwayes learning yea learning while teaching in looking after the Mind of Christ His Work is never done alwayes doing running on more and more after fresh and fuller discoveries of the Will of God 'T is an every day yea night and day study of the Word and Wayes of God he sought out 't is opened to us in Prov. 2.1 2 3 4. 'T is a Work a man must cry for seek for yea â—â—g for and hunt for that intends to find it compared with Job 3.21 Take one passage more wheâ—e good and wise Preachers may be resembled to Servants and the Hand maids David speaks of Psal 123.2 Or to the good Woman perceiving that her Merchandizing Commodity is good therefore her Candle goeth not out by night From all which may easily be gathered what a hard and difficult constant and painful life and labour the wise Preacher's labour and life is Thus much for the proof of the
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
Paul's work made to cut off occasion from them that sought occasion when he is to preach Justification by Faith only without the Works of the Law How did the Jewish Teachers oppose him Acts 21.27 28 29 30. When he teaches the Doctrine of Free-Grace for the worst of sinners notwithstanding the greatest of sins is he not slandered as if he taught liberty to sin Rom. 3.8 If he teach the cessation of the Law as to life How is his preaching opposed and slandred 1 Tim. 1.6 7. So when he preaches down legal Ceremonies as Circumcision and Mears Drinks Holy-dayes New-Moons and Sabbaths What labour is Paul forced to use to defend this Doctrine against those Philosophers and Deceivers Gal. 6.11 12 13. with Col. 2.8 16 17. downwards to the close of that Chapter Again when the Apostles preach the Kingly Power of the Lord Jesus Christ in his own Kingdom and Church how are they opposed Acts 3. with Chap. 17. Now the silencing answering and preventing the designs of Satan and his Instruments slandering and opposing the Truth makes the Preachers of the Gospel much labour to seek out how to defend and establish the truth of the Gospel But lastly Preachers work is made laborious and hard by the subtilty evasions glosses excuses colours and pretences which poor sinners strive to hide themselves under and to evade the power of the Word brought against them This makes the Preacher's labour very hard so to Preach that every Soul may be brought under the power of it and every mouth may be stopped By the doing of this Work also by preaching among Saints how much opposition do the Preachers of the Gospel procure by it as is clear 1 Cor. 4.14 to the end of the Chapter so in 2 Cor. 12 and 13 Chapters By all which it will appear that the Preacher had need yea great need to seek and search out Arguments to support incourage and uphold himself in the doing of his duty and to deliver the Gospel from being perverted and made of no use by the many designs and devices of Enemies and Friends Thus much for the clearing of the Point to wit That every wise Gospel-preacher's Work is not easie but very hard to seek after the attainment and comprehension of understanding requisite to be found in every Minister of the Lord Jesus Now by way of Application First If it be thus it informs us and instructs us in two Particulars The first Vse is of Instruction First How ignorant and mistaken such mens thoughts and principles are as report and imagine that Preaching is easie work and the Preacher's Life is an idle Life or Calling It appears to me as these never had the honour to be called to this Work so these little know what Gospel-preaching is but like Peter's natural bruit-beasts Speak evil of things and persons they know not 2 Pet. 2.12 Surely these never read or never considered what Paul found Preaching to be that thus speak contemptuously and foolishly of it 2 Cor. 6.3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Can that be slight easie idle Work which is Night and Day-Work which is Soul and Body-Work that must be done faithfully wisely in season and out of season Sure the ignorance pride and unbelief of such is very great I shall say no more to such deceived Souls but only this Consider what hath been upon this Doctrine offered and read the Rules and Directions Paul gives to Timothy about Preaching and then tell me whether it be an easie much less an idle trifling imployment yea or no The second Vse is of Instruction But secondly If Preaching be such an hard Work or Task and Labour to perform it wisely and spiritually Then this acquaints us what unwise and idle sinful Preachers such are as pretend to Preaching yet take no pains in the performance of this Work but trifle and idle in this weighty honourable Imployment Such may do well to bethink themselves it is required of Stewards that they be faithful and remember what God hath said He will not hold such guiltless as take his Name in vain Let such idle careless Shepherds as pretend to be Gospel-Preachers wise and honourable Preachers view that word Ezek. 34. with Zech. 11.17 Wo to the idol Shepherd that leaves the Flock the Sword shall be upon his Arm and upon his right Eye his Arm shall be clean dryed up and his right Eye shall be utterly darkned Such worthless Preachers are like the evil Spies we read of Numb 13.32 which brought up an evil report upon the good Land of Promise so these bring up an evil report upon the good Word and Ordinance of God the preaching of the Gospel by their light idle careless carnal and unprofitable preaching of the Word because they seek not out nor search after the setting of Parables or Gospel Mysteries aright neither take pains to consider what the Peoples wants are to supply them nor what the Peoples ignorance or error is to avoid it and deliver the preaching of the Gospel from their mistakings pervertings or avoiding by Armour on the right hand and on the left leaving the People under such generalities as that they can deceive and flatter themselves that their condition is good and the Promises belong to them though they are in the Gall of Bitterness and the Bond of Iniquity a form of Godliness without the power of it not making it their business to take away the Cloaks and Shifts Pleas and Excuses Pretences and Fig-leaves under which poor sinners shelter and hide themselves from the force of their Preaching and the wrath of God although they walk on in the stubbornness of their hearts and add drunkenness to thirst and cry God will spare Deut. 29.19 I say no more to these dumb idle Shepherds or Preachers of our day that by thus doing cause their or rather Christ's good Commodity to be evil spoken of But O that they would remember that saying of the Lord to their Brethren the Sons of Eli 1 Sam. 2.22 29 30. I say Remember those that honour God shall be honoured of him but they that despise him shall be lightly esteemed of him And wo to that Preacher that God esteems lightly of I shall say no more to these who-ever they be Prelates or Pesants Doctors or Dunces Batchelors or Novices in Divinity for the pure preaching of the Gospel who like unwise and foolish Shepherds and Preachers lightly or flightly preach onely hear and consider that Scripture Mal. 1.6 Wo unto you O Priests that despise my Name and ye say Wherein have we despised thy Name Yea offer polluted Bread upon my Altar and ye say Wherein have we polluted it In that ye say The Table of the Lord is contemptible And if ye offer the blind for Sacrifice Is it not evil And if ye offer the lame and the sick Is it not evil But cursed be the Deceiver that hath in his Flock a Male and voweth and sacrificeth to the Lord a corrupt
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
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
the Spirits and most delights in the well ordering and composure of the Spirit Wherefore seeing the delight and sacrifice of God is a broken and a contrite Spirit give unto God a plain Spirit of Truth and Uprightness knowing that our God loves Uprightness And to quicken us to the acceptance of this Exhortation let me give you and my self a few Motives and Encouragements to induce us to be of this blessed frame of Spirit Motive 1. First This is the ready way to have God manifest his love abundantly to us when he finds such a frame of Spirit in us as we have it Psal 11.7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness his Countenance doth behold the upright that is favorably or as one that God loves and respects Oh with what favorable respect did God behold upright Abraham and upright Job not only to approve them but also to reward them or priviledge them as we find in that story of Abraham's offering up of Isaac whereby was manifested his uprightness and God acknowledges it Gen. 22.12 And when God saw that Abraham had such a frame of Spirit God doth not only give him his Isaac from the dead but tells him also By my self have I sworn saith the Lord for because thou hast done this thing and hast not with-held thy Son thine only Son thine Isaac that in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy Seed as the Stars of Heaven and as the Sand that is upon the Sea-shore and thy Seed shall possess the gate of his enemies vers 16 17. And lest this should not be enough hear further what God promises him in the next Verse saying In thy Seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed and all because he was upright and in uprightness obeyed the Voyce of God Oh see what favour God bears to upright Men and Women as in Job and David and Paul and others might be largely manifested Secondly Consider this is an encouragement or an heart-strengthening frame of Spirit Oh how wonderfully will uprightness strengthen unto Truth according to that of Solomon The Lord is strength to the upright Prov. 10.29 How did Daniel's uprightness give him humble and holy boldness in the day of his trouble as appears by his expression to the King Then said Daniel unto the King Live for ever my God hath sent his Angels and hath shut the Lyons mouths that they have not hurt me forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me and also before thee have I done no hurt Dan. 6.21 22. But on the contrary How does the want of uprightness cause heart-trembling and weakness as you may see in that story of Haman Hest 7.6 7 8. Oh therefore get and maintain such a frame of Spirit as will cause and maintain in our Souls a truly well-grounded confidence and boldness to look God and Man in the face withal without blushing in any season But again Thirdly To move us to make it our business to get and maintain our Spirits in such a frame consider 'T is a frame so desirable and lovely that not only God and all good men love this frame of heart but all men even the vilest of men approve of this in others though they may be wanting in it themselves and this is the Apostles Argument Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any virtue if there be any praise think on these things Phil. 4.8 But again Fourthly Take this for encouragement towards pressing after such a frame of Spirit A deceitful Spirit is a vain Spirit that goes about to deceive or go beyond God or Man by fraudes by guiles and deceits nay deceives himself 't is like cloathing our selves with Fig-leaves or hiding our heads under the Spider's Web 't is vain work as the Lord tells us Isa 29.15 16 17. There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed and hid that shall not be known Mat. 10.26 For the folly of fools is deceit Prov. 14.8 For their folly shall be made manifest to all men 2 Tim. 3.9 Fifthly and lastly To hasten consider but the danger of a contrary frame of Spirit to this Doctrine and if former Motives cannot induce and move us to this frame yet peradventure this lower Motive of self-conveniency and concernment may Though God is a resolved enemy against all sorts of sin and sinners yet especially is he resolved to shew himself most quick and severe against persons of this frame God hath said it and will make it good Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their dayes Psal 53.23 Hypocrites of all men must have their woes and no portion of woe is sufficient for their punishment short of the Devils weeping and gnashing of teeth which must be the portion of Devils and of Hypocrites Mat. 24.51 compared with Chap. 25.41 Take but an instance or two of this of two great men in their day the one a King and a choice one but found playing the Hypocrite the other a Bishop or an Apostle but a bad one and an Hypocrite And behold how severe and quick God is in punishing both the one and the other The one is David who playing not only the Murderer and Adulterer but the unworthy Hypocrite with Vriah pretending kindness but contriving and effecting his death How home doth God deal with this good man now therefore the Sword shall never depart from thy House And if this were too light a punishment for secret but detestible iniquity and hypocrisie God adds Behold I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house I will take thy Wives before thine eyes and give them unto thy Neighbour and he shall lie with thy Wives in the sight of the Sun The story you have at large in 2 Sam. 11 12 Chapters The other is Judas one of the Twelve that plaid the Hypocrite and Traytor with his Master as you all know And what became of him No sooner is his hypocritical Act performed but he departed and went and hang'd himself Being a Preacher could not preserve himself from bursting asunder and all his Bowels gushing forth Preachers of all Persons are in most danger if found playing the Hypocrites as God tells us Psal 50.21 These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest I were altogethor such a one as thy self but I will reprove thee and set thy sins in order before thine eyes Now consider this ye that forget God lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver you vers 22. Therefore to close up this Use and this Point Let it be the care and labour of the Souls of all wise Preachers to share in the Commendation given to Christ by the Herodians who said Master we know that thou art true and teachest the way of God in truth neither carest thou for any mar for thou