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
hate Knowledge to cry up the Spirit 's Teaching and the Scriptures Wisdom the best of Learning and to cry down this empty dangerous smoaky humane Learning I say 't is not slighting or despising Learning to distinguish and difference it from Spiritual and Heavenly Knowledge to teach that humane Learning such as the difference is about is not necessary or helpful for Preaching doth neither deny or imply that Learning is useful or less than a Gift of God and useful as other natural Gifts and Excellencies are Is that Plant good for nothing which is not good for food or delightful to smell on Oh no for it may be good and profitable for Physick Even so is Learning even this Learning in Controversie to teach men Civil and Political Government or fit men for Magistracy but dangerous for Gospel-Preachers good for Physitians Lawyers Historians Navigators Surveyors of Land and the like but needless for Preaching good for Travellers Merchants Souldiers and the like but not for Home-dwellers or Church-men doubtless there are many lawful and laudable uses for humane Learning though this be spared therefore I hope none will say I despise it though I affirm it ought not to be injoyned or imposed as essentially necessary for Gospel-Preaching And thus I have endeavoured to Answer all such Objections as I have met with that are brought against that which hath been offered to wit that humane natural or artificial Wisdom or Learning is not the Gospel-Preachers Wisdom mentioned in the Text or that which will fit a man to be a Gospel-Preacher or qualifie unto Wise and Gospel-preaching in the Negative Let me in the Affirmative now declare what this Wisdom is which every Gospel-Preacher ought to have and cannot be competently qualified unto Preaching without it it is the saving sanctifying Grace of God and Spiritual Gifts and assistance of the Spirit of God This Divine Wisdom is Essential Wisdom for a Preacher and having this Wisdom though without other Wisdom a Preacher may be sufficiently accomplished unto Preaching For the better clearing of this I shall more particularly open wherein Preaching-Wisdom lies in three things First That the Preacher be enriched with the Wisdom of Grace or the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of Wisdom and a good understanding have all they that do thereafter Prov. 1.7 Psal 119.10 To be spiritually Wise is to be seasoned with Salt of Grace to be instated in Covenant with the Lord Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom as well as Righteousness 1 Cor. 1.30 31. Though every gracious Person is not a Preacher yet he who-ever he be that undertakes to Preach cannot be wise enough to be Christ's Preacher that is not Holy and Sanctified in Jesus Christ this the Lord seems to prove to Jeremiah 1.5 Before I formed thee in the Belly I knew thee and before thou camest out of the Womb I sanctified thee and ordained thee a Prophet unto the Nations Mark God layes the Foundation of Prophecy or Preaching in electing Love and sanctifying of the Heart not education of Learning or excellency in Brain Thus the Lord Jesuâ— dealt with Paul to qualifie him for Preaching Gal. 1.15 16. It pleased God who separated 〈◊〉 from my Mothers Womb and called me by hâ— Grace to reveal his Son in me that I might Preacâ— him among the Heathen immediately I conferrâ— not with flesh or blood neither went I up to Jerusâ—lem to them which were Apostles before me â— So 2 Tim. 1.5 6. with chap. 3.14 15. But secondly Preaching-Wisdom or the Gospel-preaching-Wisdom consists in having mucâ— and plentiful experience of the way of God's dealing with poor Souls when he delivers them out 〈◊〉 sin and brings them into a state of Grace Everâ— wise Preacher or skilful Work-man that needeâ— not be ashamed ought to have clear and plentiful acquaintance with Satans Wiles Temptations anâ— Delusions and with all the Concernments of a poâ—â— sinning sinking sorrowing Soul and therefore ought not to be a Novice in the dealings or out goings of God with poor Creatures He is 〈◊〉 Preach from Experience not for Experience a Merchants that travel to the Indies or the Antichristian Priests of the World do A Gospel-Preacher should be able to say as John saith iâ— his first Epistle Chap. 1. vers 1. That which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the Word 〈◊〉 Life that declare we unto you v. 3. So saith Paul 〈◊〉 are not ignorant of his wiles and devices 2 Cor. 2.11 He that Preacheth â—ithout or beyond Experience is like a man that tells one his way to a Place or Countrey he never saw he must do it very rawly and uncertainly Even so it is in this case He that is to guide others in their way to Heaven ought to have gone it before himself or else he will prove an uncertain Guide to others Thirdly and lastly Every Gospel-Preacher's Wisdom should lie in having rich and plentiful acquaintance with the Scripture not only or so much in the Letter as in the Sence Scope Doctrine and real Interpretation of the Word And if these things be in a Preacher and abound with continual Prayer and uninterrupted fellowship of the Spirit of Grace he shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus 2 Pet. 1.8 And thus having proved and opened this Doctrine to wit That every Gospel-Preacher ought to be wise that is spiritually Wise I shall proceed to make some Application of the Point The first Vse is of Information First Let it be a word of Instruction or Information first To shew us how unwise such Preachers are and how unfit to be Preachers unto others who are so unwise as to oppose and deny this Doctrine That Grace and Spiritual Gifts or Wisdom is sufficient and essential to a Preacher Nothing shames and truly cloudes the honour and reputation of persons pretending to worth and judgment more than to be ignorant or deceived in or about their own Callings or Imployments For a Philosopher to mistake in the Nature of Philosophy or a General of an Army to be ignorant of the very Theory or Discipline of War Is it not a great shame It is no less shameful for the Trâ—â—â— of Levi the Princes and Fathers of the Church the Popes and Prelates of our day to be such â—â—staken deceived Doves as to be ignorant and 〈◊〉 madly confident in bewraying their Egyptian blindness concerning their professed Art at Trade Preaching and the right qualifications 〈◊〉 Preachers although they get all their great Wealâ—â— by Preaching or Appendixes thereunto as 〈◊〉 Universities Courts Pulpits and learned Vâ—lumes to assert this blind and Anti-scriptual Coâ—clusion that Humane-Breeding University-Learâ—ing Languages and Sciences are essential Qualiâ—cations such as without which no man can 〈◊〉 ought to meddle with Gospel-Preaching contraâ—â— to what hath largely been proved May I not
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
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
if we follow on to know the Lord and in John 7.17 If any man will do his Will he shall know that the Doctrine is of God Thirdly Be diligent about this business of Knowledge if ever thou wouldest know as James saith Let not a wavering-minded man think he shall receive any thing even so say I Let not the slothful or the idle Christian think he shall receive or ever attain Knowledge with such a frame of Spirit With what sloth and idleness neglectfulness and forgetfulness do too many Professors pursue Knowledge Therefore be not slothful in business of this nature but be fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12.11 Fourthly Hold much and close communion with knowing wise and holy Persons This made Apollos become more wise and knowing even his communion with Aquila Acts 18. And this Solomon teacheth us Prov. 13.20 telling us That he that walketh with wise men shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed But lastly If you would become a knowing people in the Knowledge of God be a praying people Prayer must relieve both Preacher and the preached to in this thing Oh therefore be much in Prayer This was David's practice Psal 119.18 Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law And to close remember what James saith chap. 1.4 If any of you lack wisdom let him ask it of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth none and it shall be given Thus much for this Point Now to proceed in the Text it is added Yea he gave good heed This is the next piece of the description of a wise Preacher he gave good heed From hence observe Doct. 7. That he Preached not rashly but heedfully 'T is folly to be slight or rash in any business but especially in God's Matters or in the Matters of Preaching Yea he gave good heed it is good to Preach heedfully As Preaching is honourable Work so it is to be honourably performed as it is weighty and difficult Work even so ought Preachers warily and heedfully to perform and pursue it This we find imposed upon Elders or Preachers Acts 20.28 Take heed therefore unto your selves so in 1 Tim. 4.16 Take heed unto thy self and to thy Doctrine Preaching-Work ought to be heedfully yea most heedfully performed Question But it may be demanded What is that which a Preacher ought thus heedfully to mind In general I Answer It is his Preaching This is clear in the Text by that which is added and sought out and set in order many Proverbs It was the setting in order of Parables the Preacher gave good heed unto But more particularly to Answer this Query First He ought to give good heed to the observing what the present state and need of the people calls for for he is by Preaching to feed the people with food seasonable and convenient for them I do not say That he is to eye or answer the wanton expectations of the Hearer but the present necessity and need of the Hearer This is laid down Mat. 24.45 Who then is a wise and faithful Servant to give them meat in due season A wise Preacher must oversee the state of the Flock in this regard to know what they are and what they want at the present that he may by Doctrine give every one not some but every one his meat in due season Sinners and unconverted Souls in a Congregation must be heedfully provided for and the Saints and Children of God in the Assembly must much less be neglected the minds of the ignorant must be enlightned and the mouth of the Adversary must be stopped The Faith of the doubting must be strengthened and the Faith of the established secured The troubled Conscience must be comforted and the Conscience of the sleepy and secure awakned This is now to give good heed how we Preach thus wisely to mind and consider them we Preach to Secondly For a Preacher to give good heed how he Preachers is needfully to observe or consider the present Vision of the Lord or what the Spirit of the Lord at present layes warm and fresh in upon his heart to deliver as his present Message and seasonable to the people That Message which is very lawful and seasonable to deliver to the people at one time is neither seasonable nor lawful to deliver at another time There is a time and but a time that is seasonable for any thing so there is a time and but a time when some Truths are seasonable Therefore this is that Preachers should heedfully mind the teaching moving and turning of their Spirits this or that way by the Spirit of the Lord Jesus and give up themselves to the manuduction of that Spirit Thus did the living Creatures Ezek. 1.12 And they went every one straight forward whither the Spirit was to go they went and they turned not when they went This is Preacher's motion and thus to move is heedfully to Preach Thus did Isaiah that good Watchman Chap. 21.7 8. He hearkened diligently with much heed and he cryed a Lyon My Lord I stand continually upon the Watch-tower in the day time and I am set in my Ward whole nights But again Thirdly Heedfully to Preach is heedfully to observe our scope and end in Preaching As in some respects the end may be said to crown all even so may I say of Preaching If ends be not right and honourable it will spoil all as the dead Fly doth the Apothecaries precious Oyntment A Preacher cannot think to do much good by Preaching that hath low or poor aims or ends in Preaching The goodness of the Work doth not argue the goodness of a Man's Aims or Ends in Preaching But if ever Preachers would do good at Preaching let them heedfully mind their Ends. When Ends are right God usually blesseth but when Ends are naught and low God usually blasts as you have it Haggi 1.6 to 11. compared with Zech. 7.5 6. where the Lord renders the reason of all the blasts or disappointments they met with was Because of the corruptness of their ends Had not sinful self lay at the bottom of the sacrificing and fasting and calling upon his Name they should have had a Blessing but this with-held it from them Self-endedness at Preaching is heedless and fruitless Preaching God will not bless with any great success such Preaching therefore Preach heedfully or well-minding that your ends be holy and pure even the glorifying God and the profiting the Souls of the people In discharge of Duty these are right Ends and not to Preach for Applause Credit or much less Merchandize But again Fourthly Preachers should heedfully yea give good heed as in the Text to the Matter of their Preaching and not rashly say the Lord saith They must Search the Scripture as well as Preach the Scripture remembring David Psalm 39. I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sin not with my tongue and what Solomon saith Suffer not thy