of God unto the people they cannot make the soule to stoop to those truths and practice those truths which they teach but herein appeares the Excellency of Gods teaching above mans he can make the soule to yeeld obedience unto the truth delivered he can bring the soule under the power of those truths See the Prophet Davids expression to this purpose Psal 38.2 Thine arrowes sticke fast in me and thy hand presseth me sore When God comes to teach a soule he will shoot the arrowes so fast that it shall take impression the soule shall come under the power of truths so that the soule shall say Lord I would faine have shaken off thine arrowes but am not able for they sticke fast in mee And thus God did teach those in the Acts Act. 2.39 When they heard this they were pricked in their hearts it was not the bare words of the Apostle when he told them You are the parties that have crucified the Lord of glory that did pricke their hearts but the Lord set it home to their consciences and brought them under the power of that truth they heard not onely the voyce of man but the voyce of God in that word of truth and then they were pricked in their hearts And thus God did teach Lydia he opened her heart and then shee attended to that which Paul spake Acts 16.14 It was not Paul opened her heart but God opened Lydia's heart A man may heare a thousand Sermons and yet get no good if he heare onely the voyce of a man but if the day of Gods power come upon the soule that he heare the voyce of God in the Ordinances then he shall profit for Gods voyce in his Word is a commanding voyce Job 36.10 He commanded them to returne from iniquitie Gods teaching the soule is with a command with such Authoritie as the soule cannot resist it And herein appears the excellency of Gods teaching the soule above mans Secondly Gods teaching the soule is more excellent then mans if wee consider the time of his teaching the soule The Minister can teach them but some times in season and out of season but God can teach the soule at all times in the absence of teachers for either our teachers may be taken from us or wee from them but God can then teach the soule 2. If we consider the place where he doth teach the Minister doth preach in the publique assembly but God can teach in all places and teach at once in all places which no other teacher can doe 3. If wee consider the persons which he doth teach the Minister doth preach but to some of Gods people but God doth teach all his people himselfe they are all taught of him And as God doth teach all his people so he can teach them all at once the Minister can teach but some at once but God can teach all the Congregations that doe assemble together at once he is not so much imployed in one Congregatiō but he can be as much in another at one and the same time to teach his people So that consider the time the place and the persons and in all these it will appeare Gods teaching is more excellent then mans Thirdly Gods teaching the soule is more excellent then mans it appeares if we consider the infallibilitie of Gods teaching and instructing his people he is an infallible teacher he doth teach the soule infallible truths Earthly teachers are not infallible teachers though they be faithfull and endeavour to deliver the truth and nothing but the truth unto people yet they are but men and may erre but God cannot erre in teaching of his people for he doth teach his people according to his Word which is infallible Heaven and earth shall perish but not one jot or tittle shall fall But here may arise an objection God doth teach his people by the outward Ministry of the Word but the Minister is not infallible ergo God is not an infallible teacher of his people Answ The Word of God is an infallible Word and this is that God doth teach his people by then secondly it is when the Minister hits upon the true interpretation of Scripture when he doth give the true sense and meaning of the Holy Ghost from a Text that the Spirit of God doth accompany it and make it profitable unto the people for wee must note the Spirit of God doth not goe along with a false interpretation of Scripture but with the true sense for Gods Spirit doth accompany the truth man delivers and not the error so that still it will hold a truth Man may erre but God is the infallible teacher and instructor of his people Fourthly The excellency of Gods teaching above mans appeares in the sutablenesse of the matter of the persons condition which he doth teach Ministers may endeavour to prepare matter sutable to the conditions of the people they teach but they may be mistaken but the Lord knows the hearts of all his people and he knows what truths are most sutable to their conditions and he doth teach them sutable to their conditions Suppose a spirit be wounded which is a burthen who can beare The Lord will come with sutable matter to such a soule he tels it I have sent Jesus Christ for to bind up the broken-hearted sinner Isai 61.1 And the Sonne of man is come to seeke and save lost sinners such as see themselves lost Luk. 18.11 Nay he bids them come Come all yee that are weary and heavy laden and I will eas◠you that is you that feele sinne a burthen and strive to get from under this burthen come to me and I will ease you Suppose the soule be sicke he propounds Christ as a Physitian to the sick-soule if the soule be hungry and thirsty after righteousness he propounds Christ as bread of life and water of life and invites poore soules to come to him Hoe every one that thirsteth come yee to the waters come buy without silver and without money Isai 54.1 And if any man thirst let him come unto mee and drinke Joh. 7.37 Suppose a soule be in depths of desertion walke in darknesse and see no light but when he lookes up to heaven and thinkes upon God he is troubled Psal 77.3 It thinks that God hath forsaken it and will never returne againe in mercy the Lord doth say to such a soule Let him trust in the Name of the Lord Isai 50.10 For a moment in my anger I hid my face but with everlasting mercy I had compassion on thee saith the Lord Isai 54.8 Suppose a soule should suffer the losse of all for Christs sake He that loseth houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands shall receive an hundred-fold in this life and in the world to come life everlasting Not that they shall receive for the losse of one wife a hundred or of one house a hundred but that comfort that will make up all a
some againe tye their Religion to some particular mans sleeve all that such a man or such a man speakes is truth as if they were infallible and contemne others in comparison of them what is this but to have mens persons in admiration as Jude speakes Now if God be the best instructor of his people then we should try the spirits whether they be of God and though Paul or an Angel from heaven should come and preach contrary to Gods Word let them be accursed Gal. 1.8 Use 3 The third use is for terror Is the Lord the best instructor of his people then wofull is the condition of all them that despise the meanes of grace that despise Gods teaching of the soule either outwardly by the Ministry of the Word or inwardly by the Spirit that say unto God Depart from us for wee desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Job 21.14 And when his Messengers call upon them to aske for the old way which is the good way and walke therein they say we will not walke therein the condition of such is very miserable See two places of Scripture for it which might terrifie the heart of any wicked wretch that despiseth the meanes of grace the one is in Heb. 12.25 See that yee despise not him that speaketh for if they escaped not that refused him that spake on earth much more shall we not escape if wee turne from him that speaketh from heaven Those that slight Christ and make a light account of him refuse him and his doctrine there is no escaping for such how much more shall wee not escape The Lord Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his Church and all that will not heare this Prophet shall be destroyed Acts 3.23 Here is the misery of such poore soules they shall be destroyed And how might this terrifie a poore soule that contemnes the meanes of grace if I turne from Christ if I heare not Christ I shall not escape I shall be destroyed Secondly It may serve to terrifie such persons as delight in hearing lyes as well as truth and delight in corrupt doctrine as well as the truth that say to the Prophets Prophecy smooth things to us and flatter us in our sinnes Consider but one place of Scripture Jer. 5. last verse The Prophets prophecy lyes and the Priests receive gifts and my people delight therein but what will yee then doe in the end thereof As much as if he should say there will come an end there will come a time when the Lord will call Minister and people to an account but what will yee doe in the end thereof It implyes the end will be a sad end such an end as they shall not know what to doe when they come to give account unto God how they have spoken and heard the Word Use 4 Is for direction to all such persons as would not erre goe to God and desire him to teach thee who is the best instructor of his people many a poore soule is ready to say there are so many severall opinions abroad that I am at a stand I know not what is truth and what is errour I know not what way to walke in and oh that I could heare of that Minister that could direct me in the right way My answer to such is goe to God and he can teach thee the right way he leads his people by the paths of righteousnesse for his Names sake Psal 23. He knows thy condition and can proportion matter sutable to thy condition But now the soule will object But what shall I doe that I may be taught of God For answer to this great Question wouldest thou be taught of God observe these directions and the Lord make them profitable First Wouldest thou have God teach thee then attend the meanes of grace the preaching of the Word I told you God teacheth the soule outwardly by the Word as well as inwardly by the Spirit and that man or woman may question whether God teacheth them that doe neglect the outward Ministry of the Word they are counted blessed that waite at wisdomes gates Pro. 8.33 And saith the Apostle Despise not prophecying try all things and keepe that which is good so that that soule that would be taught of God must attend the means the preaching of the word is the outward meanes God hath appointed to convert a soule and as to convert so to build up the soule by for by the same meanes that he converts he builds up and therefore it 's a strange opiniō that when a man is converted by the Ministry of the Word and Spirit that he should separate and run into a corner to build up himselfe he that would be taught of God must attend the outward means by which the Lord teacheth the soule Secondly Wouldest thou have God teach thee then be much in prayer seeke unto God to teach thee David knew much of God was able to teach his teachers and yet he is earnest with God to teach him shew me thy way O Lord Psal 25.4 Lord teach me to doe thy will Psal 143.11 And thou art my God let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightnesse As much as if the Prophet should have sayd Lord I have a perverse spirit thy Spirit is good let thy good Spirit lead me so goe to God and challenge his promise and say Lord thou hast promised that the eares of thy People shall heare a voyce behinde them saying This is the way walke in it and yee shall find rest Lord I am an ignorant wretch subject to erre and miscarry Lord accomplish thy promise shew mee the way thou wouldest have me walke in Lord suffer me not to miscarry And this is the second meanes Thirdly Acknowledge thy ignorance if thou wouldest have God to teach thee there are many take up opinions with a resolution to hold them be they right or wrong and are as confident it is truth they hold as if they were infallible in this life in so much as no argument will convince them they know enough and scorne to be better instructed then they are Now it is not such God will teach but as our Saviour Christ says The whole need not the Physitian but those that are sicke so God says to these you know enough already you shall not need that I teach you the knowing need not to be taught but those that are ignorant that is those that see their ignorance and acknowledge it The way to have God teach us is to acknowledge our ignorance David in praying to God to teach him acknowledges his ignorance and his need of Gods teaching the way to become wise is to become a soole to acknowledge our ignorance and folly for he that thinkes he knoweth any thing knoweth nothing as he ought to know 1 Cor. 8.2 Fourthly Wouldest thou have God teach thee then eye him in all thy wayes Prov. 3.6 In all thy wayes acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths Surely that
hundred-fold Mat. 19.29 Suppose a soule be to suffer for Christs sake I will saith the Lord be with thee in the fire and the water as Isai 43.4 that it shall not hurt thee so to the poore soule that doth say Sinne will overcome â—e and get the day when I have done what I can and I â—hall never be able to overcome such and such corruptions I shall never be able to overcome Satans temptations Well saith the Lord Sinne shall not have dominion ever your mortall bodies Rom. 6.14 And the God of peace â—all tread Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 6.20 And one shall ever be able to plucke my sheep out of my hands Joh. â—â— 28 So the soule that is ignorant of Gods wayes and cryes out Oh I know not whether I be in the right way or no there are so many severall opinions I will teach thee saith the Lord in the way that thou shalt goe Psal 32.8 And thy eares shall heare a voyce behinde thee saying This is the way Isai 30.21 And as in these so in any condition that the Lord doth teach sutable to the condition of the soule And thus having shewed you the excellency of Gods teaching his people above mans it followes next to shew you the manner of his teaching First The Lord doth teach the soule to know its misery without Jesus Christ he opens the understanding and inlightneth the minde and causeth the soule to see its lost condition Secondly He doth it with power the day of his power came upon the soule the people shall be willing in the day of thy power Psal 110. The Lord doth not onely open the understanding inlighten the mind but causeth the soule to lye under the power of those truths Then thirdly he doth use arguments of conviction by which he doth convince the sinner of his misery and of the necessitie of Jesus Christ When the soule objects It is but the opinion of the Minister and God is mercifull and he that made us will save us The Lord makes answer It is not the Minister but the Scripture that concludes all under sinne Gal. 3.22 And whereas thou sayest God is mercifull He that heares the words of this curse and blesseth himselfe in his heart and saith I shall have peace though I walke according to the imagination of my heart the Lord will not be mercifull to him nay his wrath and jealousie shall smoake against him Deut. 29.19 And he that made you will not save you and he that formed you will not have mercy on you Isai 27.11 And the Lord doth not onely propound this unto the soule but brings the soule under the power of these truths the Lord beats the sinner of all the props he leans upon besides Jesus Christ the Lord makes all the arguments effectuall if he speak it is done if he say to the blind eyes be opened and to the deafe eares be opened they shall be opened if he say to the dead soule live it shall live in that day the eares of the dease shall be opened and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscuritie and darknesse and the dead shall heare the voyce of Jesus Christ and live and so it is with whatsoever the Lord teacheth the soule whether in the worke of preparation for Christ or direction how to live after the soule hath received Christ the Lord doth not onely propound the truth to them but brings them under the power of it Next we come to the Reasons why God is the best instructor of his people Reas 1 God is the best instructor of his people because he is the ablest teacher and instructor of his people he is the ablest for matter manner and measure first he is the ablest for matter that which God teacheth is infallible truth now there is no man that is infallible for matter for the doctrine of faithful Ministers may have much failing in it they are men and may erre but God cannot erre all that he teacheth the soul is truth infallible truth nothing but truth truth without mixture and there is â—o truth the soule desires to have cleared up but God is able to do it and not onely a part of truth but the whole truth A poore soule may goe to this Minister and that Minister and say Sir I would faine be resolved whether â—â—ch and such a thing be truth and they may direct them so farre as they can but when they have done what they â—an yet the partie may be in a great part unresolved why â—o Ministers know but in part but God knows the whole â—â—uth and is able to teach the soule the whole truth But I pray mistake me not I speake now what God is able to doe I doe not say that God doth teach his people the whole knowledge of the whole truth for in this life we know but in part but I say God is able to teach his people the whole knowledge of the whole truth and therefore he is the ablest teacher of his people Secondly he is the ablest for the manner he causeth that he teacheth to take impression upon the heart which no other teacher is able to doe Thirdly he is the ablest for measure all the matter that is in all the faithfull Preachers in the world they had it from him as the fountaine and originall of it it is he that filled all the Prophets with matter and all the Apostles and all the faithfull Ministers of the Word looke what abilitie they have they have it from him looke what abilitie one hath above another God gave it him who distributeth to every one as he pleaseth all their knowledge and abilities and graces are but streames flowing from the fountaine now looke what is in the chanell there is much more in the fountaine now God is the fountaine they have but the streames that run in the chanell therefore God is the ablest teacher for the measure Reas 2 As God is the ablest teacher of his people so he is the wisest and therefore the best instructor of his people for the matter it is wisdome it selfe 1 Cor. 2.7 for the manner with infinite wisdome if we consider Gods carriage towards the soule when he draws it to himselfe for the time he comes in a seasonable time to the soule either to humble or comfort it the Minister may apply comfort too soone unto a soule or sad them they should comfort and many times the Minister is posed when he lights upon some kinde of people knows not whether iâ— be best to apply comfort or terrour or how to deale with the partie but the wisdome of God is such as he knows what is sutable to the soules condition and what time is most seasonable he is wisest for the time Reas 3 God is the faithfullest teacher of his people and therefore the best teacher Ministers may erre or be unfaithfull to people but God is a faithfull teacher and instructor to his people he is
professe themselves to be Gods people there is so much divisions and dissentions and strange opinions and that they are so contrary one to another in judgement when we consider this wee cannot conclude that it is such a dignitie to be taught of God Answ It is true amongst professors at this day there is much difference in judgement some are of one opinion and some of another some are falne into strange and corrupt opinions but this comes not to passe because God teacheth his people severall wayes but first because they doe not learne of God for God is not the Author of the errors that abound amongst professors but the Author of truth and that he teacheth the soule is truth and nothing but the truth nothing but that which is agreeable to his will and therefore it is not because God teacheth them corrupt opinions but because they do not learne of God Secondly it comes to passe that amongst professors they hold strange opinions because as God teacheth the truth and nothing but the truth to his people so the Devill sows the seeds of division amongst people where God sows wheate the Devill sowes tares where God makes knowne his truth there the Devill seeks to infect people with errors Thirdly it comes to passe by permittance God is pleased to permit it he permits it for two causes first for the good of his people the Lord lets his owne people many times run into strange opinions for a time that he might bring them back againe and establish them the more firmly in the truth and there are none to such Christians as these when the Lord hath brought them back againe then they will acknowledge their weaknesse and how subject they are to be misled Ah says the poore soule I had like to have miscarried and been carried away with such and such corrupt opinions had not the Lord in mercy brought me back againe now they will walke more humbly and now they will stand up for the truth and defend it more boldly then they did formerly they will advise their friends and bid them take heed of being seduced they will try the spirits for the time to come whether they be of God or no they will be more earnest with God for the time to come to establish them in the truth And thus the Lord doth it for the good of his people Secondly the Lord permits it out of a just judgement to others who though they be glorious professors yet because their hearts are not sound he will discover them by this means when they come to forsake the wayes and truths of Jesus Christ and run into this and that error and then from one thing to another till at the length they come to deny the Scriptures and live prophanely Thus many come to be discovered in these times And secondly he gives them up to their corrupt opinions and this is a great judgement when the Lord says to them as to Ephraim He is joyned to Idols let him alone Hosea 4.17 So when the Lord says to them they are joyned to their corrupt opinions let them alone let them hold Atheisme if they will let them hold Arminianisme Arianisme Marcellianisme Nicolaitanisme Mahometisme Anabaptisme Antinomianisme if they will let them hold that the soule is mortall and dyes with the body and that the Word of God is written traditions and when they have received the Spirit the letter should cease let them alone I will give them over to these opinions because they refuse to be guided by the rule of truth I will give them up to strong delusions 2 Thes 2.11 12. Because they received not the truth that they might be saved therefore God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve lyes that they might be damned which beleeve not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse But how is it possible you will say that they should fall from one corrupt opinion to another do not their own consciences check them I answer the conscience of an hereticke is a seared conscience their conscience is seared with an hot iron 1 Tim. 4.2 Who doth the Apostle meane there you may see in the first verse such as give heed unto spirits of errours and doctrines of devils their consciences are past feeling When God hath once given a man or woman over conscience very seldome troubles them though they fall into horrible blasphemies yet seldome or never their consciences trouble them why so because God hath given them over and this makes the condition of a man or woman miserable the Apostle saith Heb. 10.31 It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God but it is a more fearfull thing to fall out of the hands of God and therefore their condition is very fearfull Use 2 The second Use is for reproofe Seeing God is the best teacher and instructor of his people it reproves them that rest in mans teaching onely thinke it enough if they come to the Word and Sacraments and can cry The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord this is the Temple of the Lord and their rest and thinke all is well with them they shall most certainly goe to heaven but alas poore soule thou must know that the outward Ministry of the Word will doe thee no good without the inward operation of the Spirit it is God that â—auseth his people to profit and if thou be not taught of God as well as of man thy outward teaching will doe â—â—ee no good thou thinkest it will carry thee to heaven 〈◊〉 it will make thy condemnation the greater if thou be â—ot bettered by it Our Saviour Christ did many great â—orkes amongst them of Chorazin Bethsaida and Caperâ—â—um they might as well as thou blesse themselves they â—e in a good condition why so because they might say Christ hath preached wrought many miracles amongst 〈◊〉 and walked up and downe in our streets wee have had 〈◊〉 company surely we are a happy people but see what our Saviour Christ saith of them they repented not and what follows Woe to thee Chorazin woe to thee Bethsaida and thou Capernaum that art lifted up to heaven shalt be throwne downe to bell Mat. 11.21 22 23. And it shall be more easie for them of the land of Sodome at the day of Judgement then for you So a people may be lifted up to heaven with meanes and brought downe to hell for not profiting by it and their condemnation will be the greater This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darknesse Joh. 3.19 This is the grand damning sinne this damnes people with a witnesse to live under the meanes of grace unprofitable and unfruitfull Secondly It likewise reproves them that take all their Religion upon trust never with the men of Berea search the Scriptures Acts 17.11 But if one come with one Doctrine and another with another he knows not but that they may all speake truth And
people are taught and drawne of him there is a necessitie of Gods teaching of thee in respect of thy need thou art a nothing-creature an ignorant creature subject to erre and to be misled thou doest stand in need of Gods teaching Secondly Consider God is the best instructor let this move thee to goe to him he is able to resolve thy doubts he can cleare up truths to thee he can propound matter sutable to thy condition and as he is able to teach thee so it is his promise to teach those he enters into Covenant with Jer. 31.34 seek him in the promise Thirdly Let the lessons God teacheth his people move thee to goe to him and beseech him to teach thee they are soule-ravishing lessous being once learned they bring in soule-ravishing comfort unto the soule the matter in them is soule-ravishing matter transcendent matter scholars that affect their studies many times they are taken up with the eloquence of the matter the lessons that God teacheth the soule are such transcendent matter such great mysteries as from eternitie to eternitie is time little enough for men and Angels to admire at for the very Angels admire it and desire to pry into it then let the excellency of the matter move thee to go to God and beseech him to teach thee One motive more Consider if God teach thee and thou learne of him then he will teach thee the way truth and life which is Christ Jesus and then to be sure thou shalt not miscarry Oh Brethren be exhorted to goe to God and beseech him to teach you and as at all times so especially now in these distracted times when there is abundance of counterfeit coine abroad every one will view his money well when he takes it for feare he should be cheated Oh Beloved there is but one way one truth and life and therefore abundance of counterfeit Religion abroad how many plead for a toleration of all Religions that every man might use his conscience how many proclaime open warre against the Scriptures how many vent out blasphemies against the persons in the Trinitie how many cry downe the Morall Law for a rule though it be one part of the Covenant of grace I will write my Lawes in your hearts and cause you to walke in my wayes how many run up and downe the Country seducing and drawing Disciples after them some into one corrupt opinion and some into another and it stands every one that desires to know the truth in hand to looke what coine they take then doe it not I pray seeing Gods Word doth know of but one way truth and life that is safe there is but one true Religion and therefore many are seduced in these times and the devill never had such a string to harp upon as he hath now new light and new truth and comming out of Babylon many thousands will dash their braines out upon this rocke if the Lord be not mercifull unto them and this will terrifie them when death comes and the day of Judgement when many will cry out Oh I did thinke such a one and such an one would not have misled me I tooke them to be holy men such as knew much of God such as were more eminent then others but now I see they are mistaken and I am mistaken I am an undone man and I am an undone woman I have forsaken God and his truth and now God will forsake mee for ever Lay these things to heart Brethren I tell you the Church never had such a triall as now it hath now are the times come that was spoken of in the last dayes shall come perilous times 2 Tim. 3.1 in which men will not indure sound doctrine but are turned from the truth to fables 2 Tim. 4.4 They come in the Name of Christ and deceive many and the Lord onely knows who may be seduced by them the Lord knows but it may be my husband may be seduced may the wife say or the Lord knows but it may be my wife may be seduced may the husband say the Lord knows may parents say but it may be our children may be seduced and drawne from the wayes and truths of Christ into dangerous damnable errors and what shall become of our children then Consider these things and let them move you to goe to God and beseech him to teach you and direct you and you that are husbands carry your wives to God and beseech him to teach them and to keepe them from miscarrying and you that are wives carry your husbands to God and intreat him to teach your husbands and you parents carry your children and servants to God and say Oh Lord we live in sad times miscarrying times little did we thinke ever to have lived in such times Lord keepe us close to thy selfe and establish us in the truth Lord keepe my husband keepe my wife keepe our children and servants and carry your neighbours to God and beseech him to looke upon them and stablish them in the truth And this is a notable means to keep us from miscarrying And lastly when God hath answered your prayers and setled you in the truth thy selfe or thy husband or wife or children or neighbours then give him the praise and glory of it O Lord such a one had like to have miscarried but thou hast setled him in the truth blessed be thy Name for it The Lord make these things profitable and effectuall by the inward operation of his Spirit who is the best teacher of his people FINIS
DIRECTIONS FOR Seekers Expectants OR A Guide for weake Christians in these distracted times Wherein the language of Sions-builders is confounded As it was delivered in a Sermon at Wickham-Market Preached on purpose to settle poore weake Christians who are in great danger of miscarrying by reason of seducers in these erroneous times Published at the earnest intreatie of many for a more publique good By ZEPH SMITH Minister of Wickham-Market in Suffolke PSAL. 25.9.12 Who so among you feares the Lord him will he teach the humble will he teach his way May the 16th 1646. Imprimatur John Downame LONDON Printed by Matthew Simmons for John Sweeting at the Angel in Popes-head-Alley 1646. TO THE READER weak Christians called Expectants and Seekers who take notice of so many severall opinions that they suppose no body is in the right way and therefore will waite untill God discover some new way to them which was never yet heard of To whom I have given Directions in my Sermon what to doe that they might know the way of God and no longer halt between two opinions These causes moved me to consent to the publishing of it and Christian Reader when thou readest whether thou findest abilitie or weaknesse let God have the glory who giveth to every one as it pleaseth him and if God may have the glory and any poore Christian be by the reading of it the better established in the truth and for the time to come try before he trust the Author shall have his desires who is willing God inabling him to spend and be spent for the same purpose which that it may be the Author will pray and rest Yours in the Lord Jesus Christ ZEPH SMITH DIRECTIONS FOR SEEKERS AND WEAKE CHRISTIANS in these distracted Times PSAL. 119.102 For thou hast taught mee THis Psalme is a Psalme of David and as the whole Booke of Psalmes is full of heavenly matter and soule-ravishing expressions so this Psalme is in a speciall manner The man of God was much taken up with GOD and his Word his Statutes and Judgements in so much that he knew not how to meditate enough and how to speake enough of it the Prophet found such a sweetnesse in Gods Word that notwithstanding he knew much of it yet still he desires to know more and therefore it is his expression very often in the Psalmes Lord teach and Oh teach me thy statutes The Prophet David was not of the minde that proud generation is of that say they know as much as all the Preachers in the Countrey can tell them nay as much as God himselfe can teach them they thinke otherwise what meanes that damnable Doctrine that is broached in these dayes when we have received the Spirit the Letter should cease contrary to Revel 2.25 That which yee have already hold fast untill I come But the Prophet though he knew much yet he desires to know more neither was the Prophet like that sort of hearers which may be compared unto the stony ground Mat. 13. who receive the Word into their heads but not into their hearts that they might bring forth fruit in their lives to the honour of God for in the 11. verse of this Psalme Thy Word saith he have I hid in my heart that I might not sinne against thee The Prophet did not only labour after the knowledge of the Word but he put it into practice Neither can it be said of the Prophet as it may of too too many professors now adayes they are young Saints and old Devils they begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh the uncleane spirit is cast out for a time but it returns againe for the Prophet did persevere in the practicing of those truths which God did teach him and which he did professe as appears in the Text I have not declined from thy Judgements for thou hast taught me In which consider two things First The Person teaching God Secondly The Person taught David From the person teaching we are not onely to consider who it was but what it was which he taught His Judgements From the person taught wee are to consider first his tractablenes to learne that which God did teach him secondly his constancy in the practice of those truths which God did teach him thirdly the ground why he practiced those truths because God taught him Give me leave briefly to open the words and then to come to some point of Doctrine And first what he meaneth when he saith I have not declined that is I have not departed or gone backe from the way of thy Judgements I have not left the wayes of God to walke in the wayes of wickednesse Secondly What is meant by Judgements Answ Gods Lawes by Judgements is meant his Lawes Gods Lawes have severall names in Scripture sometime they are called his wayes as in Psal 119.1 Sometimes his testimonies Psal 119.2 His precepts vers 4. His statutes vers 5. His Commandements vers 6. His Judgements vers 7. and the Text so in vers 13. and vers 20. Sometimes bis Word vers 9. So that by Judgements is meant Gods Statutes Lawes and Commandements as will appeare if we consider the following verses unto the 107. Then thirdly What doth the Prophet meane when he saith For thou hast taught me He doth not say the Ministers my teachers taught me and therefore I profited by them but because God taught him that is God made the outward Ministery of the Word effectuall by the inward operation of his Spirit not that the Prophet did neglect attending on the outward Ministery of the Word and rested altogether upon the teaching of the Spirit without the Word for the Prophet tooke delight in attending upon the Word preached it was the onely thing he desired Psal 27.4 that he panted after Psal 42.1 that he reâ—oyced in the injoyment of Psal 84. Neither did he prosit by the outward Ministery of the Word onely for Paul â—ay plant and Apollo water but God giveth the increase but God made the outward Ministry of the Word effectuall by the inward operation of the Spirit The Text is the ground and reason why the Prophet â—id profit in Gods Lawes why he kept them and was constant in the practice of them because God taught â—im from whence may arise this poynt of Doctrine That God is the best teacher and instructer of his people And for the method I God assisting will shew you that it is so and how it appeares to be so secondly the means by which God doth teach the soule thirdly the excellency of Gods teaching above mans teaching fourthly the manner fiftly the grounds sixtly application First That it is so appeares in the Text wherein is set out the excellency of Gods teaching above mans so in Job 36.22 Behold God exalteth by his power for none teacheth like him He is more excellent in his teaching then all others so that you see that it is so next I come to shew you that it must needs be
so as appeares three wayes First He is the Author of all other faithfull Preachers of the Word it is God that fits all other faithfull Preachers of the Word for the worke of the Ministry it is not all the arts and sciences in the world that can make a man fit for the work of the Ministry if God fit him not it is God who maketh able Ministers of the New Testament as 2 Cor. 3.6 Who hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit Arts and Sciences are helpes and handmaids to Divinitie but it is God that makes able Ministers of the New Testament And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers He gave it is he gave and he fitted for the worke of the Ministry Secondly God is the Author of all the doctrinal truths which all the faithfull Preachers in the world deliver unto people he is the Author of those truths he sends all the faithfull Ministers of the Word in his Name to deliver his Message unto his people Sonne of man give them warning from mee Ezek. 3.17 And he sends the Prophets often with this Message Goe tell them Thus saith the Lord and This is the word of the Lord and the Prophets when they delivered his Message unto the people Heare yee say they what the Lord saith they did not deliver the devices of their owne braine but the Word of the Lord and the Apostles were to teach and observe what Christ had commanded as Mat. 28. last verse and all the faithfull Ministers of the Gospel now they deliver Gods Message unto the people and are to deliver nothing but that which they can say Thus saith the Lord Isai 8.20 So that God is the Author of all the truths which the faithfull Ministers of the Word deliver unto the people Thirdly It is the Lord which gives successe to the faithfull preaching of the Word the Minister can but with the servant of Elisha lay the staffe upon the face of the childe they can but propound the minde and will of God unto people preach the Word and baptize with water but they cannot make the Word effectuall and the Sacraments effectuall that is the work of God Paul may plant and Apollo water but it is God that gives a blessing and It is not in him which willeth and him which runneth but in God that gives a blessing therefore the Gospel is said to be the power of God through faith to salvation and the weapons of the word are mightie through God to the pulling downe of strong holds Now lay all these together God is the Author of the Minister of the doctrine and of the successe and it will appeare a plaine truth that God is the best teacher of his people Secondly It appeares God is the best teacher of his people by the directiōs that the Lord gives in his Word unto teachers and hearers how they should teach and heare aright he gives directions unto Ministers to study to shew themselves approved of God workmen that need not to be ashamed dividing the word of truth aright 2 Tim. 2.15 To preach the word in season and out of season to reprove rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine 2 Tim. 4.23 And convince them sharply that they may be sound in the faith Tit. 1.3 So he directs people how they should heare aright he bids them try the Spirits whether they be of God 1 Joh. 4.1 As the men of Berea who searched the Scriptures Acts 17.11 Hearers should not receive any kind of doctrine for truth but try the spirits and receive with meeknesse the ingrafted word James 1.21 Now he that is able to teach both teacher and hearers how they should teach and heare aright must needs be the best teacher himselfe Thirdly It appeares God is the soules best instructor by the great desire of the Saints to be taught of God though they injoy mans teaching yet this contenteth them not except God teach them How often is it the expression of the Prophet David Lord teach me in Psal 27.11 Teach me thy way O Lord so often in this 119. Psalme the Prophet begs of God to teach him in the 12. verse in vers 26. 33. 66. 68. 108.124 In all these verses the Prophet prayeth to God to teach him And as this was Davids prayer so it is the prayer and desire of all such gracious spirits as David was All those that are men and women according to Gods owne heart as David was will with David pray Lord teach mee Now the great desire of the Saints to be taught of God shews God is the soules best instructor the best teacher of his people In the next place we come to the means by which God doth teach the soule and this is two-fold outwardly by the Ministry of the Word and inwardly by his Spirit by the Word and the Spirit this is the ordinary way first by his Word he teaches his people by the preaching of the Word 1 Cor. 1.21 The Lord is pleased by the forlishnesse of preaching to save them that believe that is by that means which the world counts foolishnesse not that it is foolishnesse in it selfe but it is so to the wicked that is the wicked accounteth it foolishnesse In vers 18. the preaching of the Crosse is to them which perish foolishnesse but it is not so to the godly to us which are saved it is the power of God and therefore Rom. 10.17 Faith comes by hearing this is the ordinary means the Lord hath appointed for the working faith in the hearts of his people this is the outward meanes But then secondly there is the inward teaching of the soule and that is by the Spirit the Lord teaches his people by his Spirit that is the Lord makes the outward Ministry of the Word effectuall by the inward operation of the Spirit when he shews a divine power and authoritie in the preaching of the Word when he makes it become mightie and powerfull in operation to the pulling downe of strong holds as in 2 Cor. 10.4 That is to the pulling downe of the strong holds in the heart that exalt themselves against the Lord Jesus Christ and prepare the heart for Christ this is the worke of the Spirit and without this the letter doth not profit the people but God therefore teaches his people by his Spirit he hath revealed them to us by his Spirit for the Spirit searches the deepe things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 It is the Spirit that causes the Word to take impression upon the hearts of people and therefore when the Lord maketh the Ministry of the Word succesfull the Ministers are made able Ministers of the Spirit as in 2 Cor. 3.6 In the third place I am to shew you the excellency of Gods teaching above mans and that appeares foure wayes First Earthly teachers can but propound the mind and will
soule that thinks most upon God and eyes him at all times places and companies and seeks direction from God about every imployment it is that soule that God will teach Fiftly Wouldest thou be taught of God then be humble and feare to offend him Who so among you feares the Lord him will he teach Psal 25.12 And he will teach the humble his way vers 9. That soule that truly feares him with a filiall feare and lyes humble and low before the Lord the Lord will teach but it is not so with the proud he beholds them afar off he resists them shew a man that hath a proud spirit he will stand upon it and he knows more then all the Ministers can tell him and it is not for any to direct him but he thinkes that he is better able to direct them he is ready to condemne all that joyn not with him in opinion and do but observe him and see if he run not from one thing to another from one corrupt opinion unto another untill at length he be fallen quite from true Christianitie Why so he is proud and God doth not teach him or if he belong to God you shall see God will lay him as low on the other side before ever he will comfort him but the humble soule that lyes low at the throne of grace crying Lord I am a vile wretched ignorant creature thou art heaven but I am hell it is these God will teach then wouldest thou have God teach thee be humble Sixtly Wouldest thou have God teach thee then live in the practice of that which he hath already taught thee and this is the way to know more Joh. 7.17 If any man doe my will be shall know my doctrine The way to know more is to practice what wee know already And these are the meanes thou shouldest use if thou wouldest have God teach thee Object But I have sought God in the use of the meanes and God gives me no answer Answ If thou hast been inticed to some corrupt opinion and thou thinkest it may be it is truth and thou hast sought God concerning it and God hath given thee no present resolution thou must know God doth by this prove thee to see whether thou wilt stand constant and stedfast in the truth see Deut. 13.1 If there arise a Prophet saying Let us goe after other Gods hearken not to him for the Lord your God proveth you Is there any arise amongst you that say let us goe after new truths new light the Lord proveth you by them to see whether you will forsake him or no and therefore he gives no present answer but know thus much that if thou constantly seeke him in the use of the meanes though he give not a present answer yet in his due time he will give an answer and cleare up the truth to thee Object You call them heretiques and broachers of new truths and new light which you call errours but I cannot see but they are holy men and live sanctified lives and can alledge more texts of Scripture for that they hold then you can alledge against them Answ The greater is the triall that God tryes thee with but this can be no sufficient ground for thee to follow them presently because they seeme to live holy lives for if they should live prophane then none that are conscientious would regard them An hypocrite will live a holy life outwardly yea shame many a child of God yet I am not to be of the judgement of an hypocrite because he lives a holy life the devill will allow an heretique to live a holy life because it is advantageous to his Kingdome and Satan for his own ends transformes himselfe into an Angel of light and therefore no marvaile if his Ministers doe so it is said of heretiques They are deceitfull workers transforming themselves into Angels of light yea into the Apostles of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 11.13 And in the 15. verse they transforme themselves as though they were the Ministers of righteousnesse So likewise it is said of heretiques They come in sheeps-cloathing but inwardly are ravening Wolves and therefore saith Christ beware of them Mat. 7.15 And wheras thou say'st that they bring Scripture for that they speake I answer so doe the Papists to prove that the bread and wine in the Sacrament is the very body and bloud of Christ how many Scriptures doe they alledge in the foure Evangelists And the Arminians alledge many Scriptures for to prove a childe of God may fall totally and finally from grace and yet both very corrupt opinions Try the spirits whether they be of God or no saith the Apostle now the Apostle should not need to bid us try the spirits were there not a lying spirit that imitates the true Spirit for if the lying spirit did seduce in a way contrary to the true Spirit there would never be so much mischiefe done but the lying spirit imitates the true Spirit It is said of seducers They come in the Name of Christ and deceive many Mat. 24.5 they could never doe so much mischiese did they not come in the Name of Christ Wicked people want not holy pretences to cover their wicked actions Those in Isai 66. that cast out the people of God say Let the Lord be glorified and they that kill the people of God think they do God good service Joh. 16.2 They would cover these wicked actions with a cloake of Religion saying Let the Lord be glorified This is the way Beloved to make the Scriptures mose of wax to grant every heretique their interpretation of Scripture so that their alledging Scripture can be no sufficient ground for thee to yeeld to their corrupt opinions but they coming under this notion the greater is thy triall and God doth prove thee to see whether thou wilt defend the truth or no. Object But thou wilt say it may be how cometh it to passe that many that have sought God and been earnest in the use of the means have miscarried and fallen into corrupt and strange opinions as you call them then if God teacheth those that use the means Answ First Because the fault may be in their seeking they may seeke God with an Idol in their hearts and God may answer them according to the Idol in their hearts that is they may make choice of some corrupt opinion and upon the matter are resolved to hold it are unwilling any body should confute it cannot indure the Minister that preacheth against it and with might and maine defends it are vexed that any Scripture should seeme to crosse it and yet they will seek unto God for his approbation in it just as Balaam did you know he was hired to curse the people of Israel in Numb 22. 23. chap. and he was very willing withall he lik't the motion well enough but he would have God approve of it and therefore he builds Altars and offers Sacrifice and would faine have Gods approbation in it
Now when we seeke thus God may answer according to the Idol in the heart and this you may see in Ezek. 14.4 Every man that setteth up his Idols in his heart and comes to a Prophet to inquire of 〈◊〉 I will answer him according to the Idols in his heart When a man setteth up Idols in his heart this corrupt opinion and that corrupt opinion and then come to inquire of God God may out of a just judgement answer them according to the Idols in their hearts And this may be one Reason why though people seeke God and use the meanes yet they may miscarry the fault is in their seeking Secondly It may come to passe amongst such as are godly that they may seeke God and use the meanes and yet miscarry for a time that they might be the better established in the truth when the Lord brings them backe againe Thirdly Some though they seeke God and use the meanes yet they may miscarry because they have not true grace such as may be compared to the Stony ground they want roote and these though they doe seeke God yet they may miscarry for being hypocriticall professors God will not regard their prayer as Job 27.8 9. What hope hath the hypocrite when God takes away his souls Will he heare his cry God will not regard their prayer and secondly being but hypocrites they are not under a promise of perseverance in the truth the godly are under a promise of perseverance in the truth and therefore though they should miscarry for a time yet the Lord will bring them backe againe but another that hath no true grace when he miscarries it may be for any thing we know a finall miscarriage he though he make a glorious profession yet is not under the promise the other is every graft the Father plants into Christ he prunes and dresses and makes fruitfull Joh. 15.2 Yea he sends his Spirit and that leads them into all truth Joh. 14.26 Now this may be another ground why people may seeke God and use the meanes and yet miscarry because the persons that seeke are not truly godly Object But may some say if the cause stand thus how shall I know whether I be taught of God yea or no Answ First If God teach thee then thou art very carefull in the use of the meanes thou art carefull to observe all the direction I have given to attend the outward meanes of grace and thou art much in prayer thou doest acknowledge thine ignorance and so of all the rest Now exanine whether thou be very carefull in the use of these meanes or no if thou be then surely God teacheth thee Secondly If thou be taught of God thou art in Covenant with him it is one part of the Covenant of grace they shall be all taught and drawne of God therefore examine whether thou be in Covenant with God yea or no if thou be not in Covenant with God thou art not under the promise of Gods teaching of thee Thirdly If thou be taught of God then he teacheth thee to know thy selfe aright he shews thee thy selfe in the glasse of his Word and to know him aright and then the more thou knowest the more humble thou art Doest thou lie humbly under gifts and parts and knowledge and say All is free mercy and we have nothing but what we have received from God Thus it is with that soule that God teacheth Job 42.2 When he looked upon God then he abhorred himselfe in dust and ashes and Jer. 32.19 After I was instructed I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed and confounded Thus it is with the soule when God teacheth it the more God teacheth it the more humble it 〈◊〉 art thou puft up with thy knowledge doth it make â—â—ee esteeme of thy selfe above others then thou mayest â—â—estion if thou hast knowledge whether thou hast any â—â—ing else for if thou hadst grace thou wouldest be humble and low in thine owne eyes Fourthly If God teacheth thee then thou doest live a pious godly life for the grace of God which bringeth salvetion teacheth us to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live holily righteously and soberly in this present World Tit. 2.11 12. Those that out of pretence of new light live loosly say the Scriptures are written traditions and they pray not in the family they crave not a blessing upon their meate aske them why so they answer they know their liberty by Christ and they contemne the Ordinances of God censure all that are not of the same opinion to be in Babylon and Idolaters it is evident they are not taught of God for those that God teacheth he teacheth them to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live holily righteously and soberly in this present world Fiftly If God teach thee thou art a growing and a persevering Christian thou doest grow in grace for he causeth his Schollers to profit by his instructions it is not with those that God teacheth as it is with those that get no good by going to Schoole seven yeares but those God teacheth he teacheth to profit Unto you that feare my Name shall the Sun of righteousnesse arise with healing under his wings and they shall goe forth and grow as the calves of the stall Those that God teacheth they are a people growing in grace and knowledge and as they shall grow so they shall persevere Isai 40. vers the last They shall run and not be weary they shall walke and not faint it shall not be said of them They are young Saints and old Devils but they shall bring forth fruit in old age Psal 92.13 And they shall be selfe-denying Christians that is one instruction that Jesus Christ the great Prophet of his Church teacheth his people Mar. 8.34 Now examine thy selfe art thou taught of God then thou art a growing Christian Art thou a growing selfe-denying persevering Christian then it is a signe that God teacheth thee and thou art a persevering Christian Sixtly If God teach thee thou doest seeke him in the use of those meanes which thou hast found him in hast thou found him in the preaching of the Word the day of his power hath come upon thee and hast thou found him in prayer thou wilt seeke him in the use of these meanes still the way is not to separate from the Ordinances thou hast found God in and to neglect holy duties for then thou mayest want of Gods teaching of thee and thou wilt not thrive then in grace but thou must attend those meanes thou hast found God in and not such means as thou knowest not whether thou shalt find God in or no. Use 5 Exhortation Is God the best teacher of his people goe to God and beseech him to teach thee First Consider the necessitie of Gods teaching thee as our Saviour Christ saith to Peter If I wash thee not thou hast no part in me so if God teach thee not thou hast no interest in him for all his