jX^.oL. F£B 25 1930 A Division ^^S^ Sect! on » T?:^ Metbodus Ev^M^ MODEST ESSAY Upon the True Scriptural-Rational Way o F Preachingjthe Gofpel Being fome Discourses upon the Homilet'ical^ Textual^ and Occafioiial Method of Preaching. Together with an Appendix concerning LeBuring^ and an Account of the M^^^^^r, T>ialeB and Frame conceived to be moit proper for Gofpel-Serraons. The whole being defigned to point out the great . Serioufnefs and IVifdomy which efpecially at this Day are fo neceffary toward? Preaching and Adorning the Glorious Gofpel. Eccler. 12. 9, lo. And wo} cover hecnvfethe Vienher was wife, — He fought out and fet in order vuny TiO'ctibi — fcu^bi to fir.d cut acceptable JVords. By T H o . ' Blag k w e l l, SS.Th. \^\ LONDON: Printed for N. Cliff and D. Jackfon at the Eib'e and three - Crowns neair Mercers Cbapntl in Cbeapfide. 1711. >t\ n. T O T H E VENERABLE General Afiembly O F T H E Church of SCOTLAND. Very Reverend and Honourable^ * THE. Glory of the NtoA High God, and the Salvation of Man the Lord of the Lower World, being undeni- ably two Obje£ls moit worthy of the Divine Mind ; Infinite Wifdom was ac- cordingly from all Eternity exercifed aboac them : The Produce of which was the Glo^ rious Gofpel. Which being the Deity^s Grand Pro]e£l' towards difplaying the Glorious Peribns, In- A 2 finitQ The Dedication. , finite Perfeaions, Deep Counfels, and Ex- cellent Workings of the Great Three in One ; it muft infallibly deferve a MimjlerUl Dif fc'/jfrtion perfeft to the laft degree. That fo its important Truths being deli- vered with great Serioufnefi and Wifdom, it may be at once both preached and adorned. Both which are the more neceffary, that as the want of the former hath fpoile^l thou- fands of elaborate Sermons in the Divine ac- count ; fo the not ftudying the Utter hath too often m.ade the Gofpel contemptible ia the fight of Men. And what a great pity Is it, that ever its 'Re.fiii'mon lliould fail? For^ who will but ferioufly confider the Infinite Mind to be ca- pable of great and deep Thought, muft cer- tainly next acknowledge, that the Contri- vance f3r which the Divine Wifdom vdueth it felt moft, cannot fail of being fomething very extrAord'marj^^ important^ and glorious. ' And if this^d^onderful Piece of deep Coun- fe! be enquired for; the Scriptures fuiEcient- hj proclaim the fame, while they fo often point oat the great Mf fiery of God in Chrifl^ revealed in the Gofpel, as the Projed in which the Deity principally glorieth ; as is tlear from that antieot Divine Exclamation, Jjchofd my Servant whom I uphold^ r/am Elec^ hnvimn mj Soul delight eth. And The T^edication. And as this Contrivance was the. Deity's great Thought from all Eternity, as con- taining the manifold Wifdom of God therein^ fo it had the Honour of being firir pubiiftied by himfelf in the Garden : Since which time the Adorable Trinity, harh been principally exercifed about it : The Father fending the Son, and the Son becoming Man and dy- ing, the Holy GFioft gradually revealing thofe fecret Counfels, and writing them to Men below. And being revealed, do con- tain fuch a perfeQ: Compofure of the joint Aftings and Influence of all the Divine per- fons and Perfections, as to give ground for the Revelation thereof, not only to be termed the Glorious ^ buc the Everlajling Gofpel. And indeed no wonder, if we do but a little refled on the great and noble Effv^ds produced upon its very firll Intimation ; for behold, upon Man's Fall, no fooner was the Glonoxxs Immanuel proclaimed, butinftantly the juftling and (to our apprehenfion) cori- tendmg Attributes of Juftice and Mercy, were wonderfully reconciled, the awakened Confcience of trembling Man powerfully allayed, the old Serpent confounded, and the Divine Glory effedually retrieved. So that it is nothing ftrange, fuppofe not only the Pillars of this lower World continue unihaken for the GofpePs fake, but alfo A J even The dedication eVen the glorious Oeconomy of the higher Houfe, hawtcn Jehovah 3.nd the Mediator, have a very great Concernment therein. And if fo, how highly reafonable is it? that the .Minifterial Difpenfation thereof Ihould confift of the moft import ara Truths, the moft excellent Method, raoft [uitAhle Dialed, and liveliefl: Frame, which Mini- fters poffibly can attain to. Accordingly to advance all thofe Ends, the following Difcourfes confift of three Parts. The Firft defer ibeth the two grand Cha- radlers of Gofpei-Minifters, to wit, that they ought to be Men of God^ and Men of good Report. The Second pointeth out the various Me- thods, Hcn^ilettcd^ Textual^ and Occafiona/^ together with the Dialedl and Frame fuppo- fed to be moft proper for the Difpenfation of the Truths of the glorious GofpeL And in regard the right Management of the Jpp/i" cation of Sermons, is of great confecjuence, there is accordingly fubjoined a Dilcourfe concerning the right Improvement of the feveral Inferences ordinarily ufed in Preach- ing.^ To all which, confidering the great Ufe- fulnefs of right Leciuring^ there is alfo an Appendix, containing the feveral Rules which feera moft pioper to be.obfeived there- The Dedication, therein, towards acconiplifhing the Ends of fuch an Exercife. The Third declareth and openeth up the Matter of the Gofpel, fliewing the feveral Doctrines adjufte<^ to the various Spiritud States and Conditions of Men. Where firft the VnreaenerAte Eftate, aloncr with the fe- veral ClalTes of the Prophane, Hypocritical, Secure and AvvakenM Sinner, together with the feveral Truths proper for each~of them, are confidered. And next the llegenerate^ where the Dodrines adjufted to young Con- verts, to tlie more grov/n and eftablifned^ to the fpiritually decayed and backlliden, to the deferted, tempted, and afflicted Chri- ftian, are all in proportion to thofe feveral Conditions of the People of God particularly difcqurfed. In pubhfliing of all which I was not ai little encouraged by the affefling Confide- ration of the Great Jfojlle of the Gentiles^ that Great and Noble P.^f/^r/? of Minifterial Qualifications and Performances. Whom if we do but a little furvey, be- hold we fliall find, i. With refped to \m ferfonal Qualifcitions^ that as he was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel^ fo alfo God from above revealed his Son in him, thereby ma- king up a moft accompliQiing Mixture of faving Divine Knowledge and folid Human Literature. As^ 2. If we enquire into tiae A 4 grand The dedication. gtand Principle ^nd End of his engaging with ' the Work of the Miniftry, behold as Lwe to our Lord conflraineth him, fo to him to live was Chrifi ; Meaning, that the great Defign of his Life was to advance the inte- reds and Glory of the Mediator's King- dom. And fo, J. If the great Subjecf of his Sermons be obferved, it fhall be found that C/;r/7? and him crucified, was the Do- ctrine which he principally determined to infill: upon. As, 4. If we refleG upon the Sn-iofifnefs and Li'velwefs of his Frame ^ be- hold we fhall find him warning his People with Tears, and Travailing as in Birth and Pain, till Chrift fhould be formed in them. And, 5. As to his Didecl we fhall find it grave and weighty, confiding of a Form of found Words, As, 6. With refpefl to his Ccnverfiitior/^ behold he is not only blame- lefs but convincing and exemplary, prafti- cally commendiijg Chrift and ferious God- linefs to the World* ' But which is mofi: remarkable, fhall we but trace him a little in fome of the won- derful Turns of Wijaom and Prudence made by him upon different Occafions, what no- tabie CondaCt fhall we obferve. For, When Preaching to the "Jervs^ behold then the Injujjickncy of Circumcifion, and of all other legal Performances unto Salvation, is loudly proclaimed. But if he turn to t^h^ Gentiles^ The dedication. Gentiles^ and be called to preach at Athens^ behold how quickly be is found afting the part of the Philofopher, appealing even un- to their own Poets ; in arguing folidly a- gainft their grofs Idolatry and Superftition. And fo alfo in Writing to the Romans^ he improveth the very Light of Nature in con- demning their abominable Immoralities. And towards the Calling the Gentile WorU intothe Church, behold how, having once paved his Way in the Epiftle to the Romans^ by ^holding out the great Promifes of the Old Teftament, refpefting the MtfftAh and their Converfion by him; he next moil: wifely en- deavoureth in the feveral Epiftles to clear and prove, that this promlfed Chriit, though crucified; yet was truly the Wijdom and Power of God to Salvation. In fhort, who can poffibly refleO: on his Sermon and Behaviour before Agrippa and FeJluSj and not admire him? Behold the obliging Softnefs of his Introduction, the alluring Nature and Tendency of his Ser- mon. At once proving and commending Chriftianity, from the pleafant Hiftory of his miraculous Converfion: And when he ob. fervech their Attention, how prudently, on the one Hand, doth he fliun all rudemfs in Ap- plication ; and yet at the fame time on the o- ther,in a rnoit folid Rhetorical Manner bring- eth the Premifles clofe home, by dUdging that ■ King The dedication. King Jgrippa believed the Prophets, Upon which, underftanding that he was become only almojt, but not altogether a Chriftian, behold what a wonderful return equally Confcientious and ComfUifant doth he make unto hint : Wifhing to God that he and all prefent were fuch, as he himfelf was, Sa^ve thefe Bonds. To all which, if I Ihould fubjoyn the great Meafure of Holy Prudence and Guile he was endued with; whereby fometimes he became all Things to all Men, and at other Times remarkably delivered himfelf from his contending Enemies, by crying out un- der fome Circumftances, that he was a Ro- mm^ and under others, that he was a Pha* rifee^ the Son of a Pharifee^ and that for the Hope and Refurreclion of the Dead, he was called in Queftion : Who poffibly, I fay, can ferioufly refleft on all thofe Things ? And not prefently fee the manifold Quaii^- cations^ which are fo needful towards ac- complifhing and adorning Minifters of the Gofpel. And therefore, 'tis hoped that feme Mo- deft Effay of this kind, refpefting the Re- gulation of the Matter and Method of Go- Ipel Sermons, and holding out the Sertoujnefs and Wtfdom^ which ought to appear in the whole of Minifterial Performances, will not be altogether unacceptable. More elpecially, confi- The dedication. confidering how much at this Day, the Serife^ Wit^ and Learning of the prefent Generation are mod zealoufly fet on Work, to find out all manner of Faults, firft with iithe Principles and Precepts of the Gofpel, ^' iand next with the Method and Ways ufed 3n Sermons by the Publick Difpenfers there- of. And if from a regard to the great Num- ber of Perfons entering, or more lately en- gaged with the Holy Miniftry, there be fome confiderable Enlargements upon the proper Matter^ as well as upon the Method of Gofpel Sermons, 'tis reafonably exped- ed, that the more judicious and experien- ced, will conftrucl charitably of this, as well defigned. And while the following Dif- courfes frequently urge the GofpePs being fa preached, as to endeavour the bringmg home of Truths clofe to the Confcience ; ic can never be reafonably fuppofed, that I either mean, as if the convincmg or renew- ing of Confcience were in Minilters Power ; or as if ar\y unfuitable folemnity in Expref- fion, were advifed to be ufed in Preaching the Gofpel, but only a clofe Reafoning and Expoftulacing with the Hearers, and at Times appealing their own Knowledge and the Dictates of their Confcience, in fuch and fu,ch important Points. The dedication. 1 would gladly alfo hope, that the ferl- ous Reader ftiall fufficiently find that great Care hath been taken, to remember, that every Minifter, can only Preach and Aft ac^ cording to his Meafure^ and that he who fe- rioufly improveth his Two Talents jfliall be as really reputed by his Lord, a faithful and wife Steward, as he who improved the Five : And that accordingly all fuch ought to be had in great Efteem amongft Men. And yet after all the Thoughts fpent up- on the following Subjedt, I cannot but in- genuoufly own, as in the greateft Sinceri- ty I do; that confidering the extraordinary Judgment of fuch a Venerable AlTembly ia relation to Books, it fliould certainly have been 3, movQ proportioned Juthor^ whofhould have adventured on fuch a Dedication. But if either an High Veneration for the Church of Scotland^ or a fpecial Regard to the General 'AlTembly thereof, or fome- thing of a willing Mind to advance the Reputation and Succefs of the glorious Go- fpel, can make any Apology for tbe follow- ing Effay or the Dedication thereof; I fhould be heartily forry, if there v/ere not fome Ground with the Author to plead them. And tho' it be true, that there are alrea- dy fome ufeful Treatifcs looking this way^ yet fofar as I know, none of them have either fo The dedication. - fo complexly confidered the whole Heads relative to a right Minifterial Difpenfation of the Gofpel, or fo particuUrly difcourfed them^ in relation thereto. And yet after all, 'tis fairly acknowledged that all that can be here pretended, is only quod in magnis voluijfe fat efi. And finally, fince all muft own, that Miniflers^ are either among tlie beft or worft of Men, and that they all ftand obli- ged to fuch Perfonal Qualifications, and to fuch Publick Performances, as may juftly proclaim them to be the Meffengers of the Churches and the Glory of Chriji ; it feems to be but highly reafonable, that now and then, there iliould be feme modeft Re- prefentation of this kind. Which if in the leatl: bleffed of God, to the Advancement of the Interefts of the Gofpel, and may a- ny ways give occafion to fome great Lights, towards illuftranng further fuch an im- portant Subjeft, it fhall be accounted a great return of Grace unto the Author of the following Thoughts. A.nd now that a gracious God may for e- ver eftablflh what he hath fo wonderfully wrought for our Z^on^ and fo remarkably pour out of his Spirit from on high upon all his Servants, and allow fo much ot the Wifcjom which cometh down from above, as great Faithfulnefs and Diligence appear- The T)edtcation. ing in our Minifterial Performances, and an unfhaken Stedfaftneft to our known Prin- ciples, together with an happy harmoni- ous Procedure in our Judicatures ; a Sove- reign God who delighteth in Mercy, may yet fay concerning his Church in our Land, this is my Reft and here I will dwell; ihall be thro^ Grace, the ferious and con- ftant Prayer of, Very Reverend, and Honourable, your Jffe0ionate Brother and Servant^ m the Lord, Tho- Blackwell THE THE CONTENTS O F T H E Three PARTS O F T H E BOOK. The Firft Part confifteth of Two Chapters, defcribing the Scriptural Qualifications of Minifters. CHAP. I. TheDeltybetTJgLoYQ, firl^caJkth Man out of nothings and next rede-emeth him from the Defth of Sin and Mifery, The Glory of Redemption- work being far greater than that of Creation^ Natu- ral Religion mufi quickly give way unto Revealedo Some unaccountable Difcontent^ infpring atrocious Defigns in fome of the Angelical Breafis^ and they froudly afpiring^ are caft down frorn Heaven, In revenge The Contents of the revenge they attack and prevail upon affiring credu- lous Man ; who fallings the Dl vine fVifdom and Grace jroclaimeth the great My fiery of God in Chrift, Which being the Deity'' s grand Contrivance^ for dif- f laying the Noble VerfeHions of the Divine Nature, and the glorious Agings of the Great T'hree in One, and withal being the Deify'^s firft and hifi VrojeB for accomplijljing the Salvation of lofi Man^ the JRe- velation of it jurely deferveth ta be termed the glori- ous and everlafi-ing GofpeL A brief compkx.Scheme of which being confiderd, 'tis evJ^nt that Tcrfons entrufied with the holy Miniftry^ ftand obliged to the mcjf ferious and folemn Difpt'nfation offuch great ^nd important Truths, unto the Souls and Confcien- ces of the Children of Men. Page i. CHAP. II. The Scriptural Salifications of Gofpel Minifiers are defcrthed. The firfi remarkable Cha^ raBer offuch, is, that they [hould be Men of God, I Tim. 6. II. The import of this Char a tier is par- ticularly confidered : Whereby, it is found that Church' men fi and obliged above all others to be Men much like God, and Men greatly devoted unto God, and Men z,ealoufiy concerned for God and the Inte^ refis of his Glory in their Generation, The Reafons cf all 7vhichy together with proper DireBions, are particularly difcourfed. The other great CharaBer of Minifiers, is^ that they jlwuld be Men of good Report^ I Ti-n. ;. 7. The Import of this being ex- aminedy and the Necejfity of it towards the Succefs cf the Gofpel being cleared, the mofi proper and effe- ctual Means for obtaining it^ are declared, V^gQ> 1 1. The Three Parts of the Book. The Second Part confiftethof SeveiiChapters, declaring the right Method of Preaching. CHAP. I. That there are unfaichfcl Ways .W improper Akihods ofFreacblng the glorious Gc- fpel^ is fujficientlj trident fro^n the mamfcU heavy Charges againft fdfe Prophtts andTsachers contain^ •ed in the Book Qf God. Jhefe unfaithful Ways may he reduced to four Heads: i. When Minlfters are fo exceeding General in preaching the Gofpel that it hath no manner of tefidcncy to reach the Con- . Jciences of the Hearers. The federal Ways Minifiers may fall under this Charge^ are condtfcended upon, a. When the Diffenfation of the Gofpel is abfolutely Moral. 5, When it principally confifteth of {mooxh. things. 4. When Minifers preach them f Ives ^ and not Chrijh The Improper Ways of Preaching the Gofpel are thefe Five, i. A COnfufed' indifinS} Way^ by reafcn of the irregular Dlfpoftion of Mat^ ter. 2. ^n empty {h^Wow Way ^ conftfting'mtich in a Noife of IVords, without any corfderabte Mixture of fiibflajttial Truths. ;. A heterogeneous Way^ -when the Sub jeBs infified on correfpond not 7vlththe prefent Occafun, 4. An affeded vain- glorious Way^ Men afpiring after fever al things^ mojt unfui^ table unto the Purity and Simplicity of the Gofpd, y. A precipitant blundering Way^ by reafon of v^hich the Preacher falls into a great many obvious Mlfiakes, All which improper IVays^ ccnfiderino- the great Advance which Learning and Knowledge . hath no7V made in the World ^ would^ for the Honour of the Mmi[try^ and the Reptitation of the Gcfpel^ be ?mfi carefully evlted* Page 2^. a C H A P. $ The Contents of the CHAP. II. Several general DhC(StionSy towards t be faithful and frofer Difpenfation of the G off el. As^ 1. That great Care he taken towards a prudent Choice of proper Suhjecls to Infifv upon, 2. That the Me- thod ufed in handling the SuhjeBy be adjufied unto the iSfatHre and Scope' thereof ;. That all Things in the Expre/Jion and Utterance^ tending mofi to E* dlfication^ be particularly confilted : Such asy Clear- fiefs y Pertinencjy Gravity and Ma fine fs in DicHcn and Dlalech 4. Thatin afpecial Manner^ fuitable- nefs of Frame^ becoming the Oracles ofGod^ and pro- per to the great Import and Confluence of the Truths of the glorious Gofpel, be much endeavoured in Fi''eachi?7g thereof 5*. 77:'^'?? great clofcnefs be ftudied 'in the applicatory Tart of Sermons y to^^- 7vards the bringing home of Gofpel Truths unto the Confcienco, Towards a prudent Choice of SubjeSisy four Rules are to be obferved, Thefe Rules are all particularly difcourfed. In treating of which ^ the "t'arious fpiritual Conditions of Congregations are con- fidercd'j together with the various SubjeSlsy accords ri%ly adju(hdun''o them. Solemn Days for Humili- 'atio72^ and for Thankfgiving^ together with Sacra- mental Vccaftons^ deferve a fpecial regard in the choice of Subjects. The Nature and Scope of Texts proper for fuch Sokmnities^ are particularly declared, "Page 46. CHAP. III. The fecond general Dire(3:ion to- wards a faithful and proper Dlfperifation of the Go- fpel^ isy that a proper Method he fallen upony adjufied to the Nature and Scope of the SuhjeB cbojen, Jn difcourfingthis Heady I. So?ne Confide'* rations relative to Method in general are premifed, 2. The fever al Methods of preaching the Gofpel^ to wity the Homiletical, Textual and Occafional_, are all prcpofed, 3. A Scheme hy way of Ser- mon^ Three Parts of the Book. fj70ft^ offered for the lllujhation cf the H^mikticd Method, Page ^9. CHAP. IV. the ^reaching ef Chrift bdng the Grand Defign of the Gofpel ^ the commending of him, 1, To Btlitvers^ towards their rejoicinginthtir ChoifiCy loving and glorifying him more and more ♦ Andy 2. To Unbeliezfers^ towards compdling them to come in ^ mujh certainly be jwo great Tieces cf a Gofpel- Difpenfation. . Accordingly , in order to the clofe Application of the former explicatory Trut-js relative to our Lord, feveral proper Topicks_, con- taining fome of the mojl weighty Gofptl-AIotivds far prevailing with Sinners to embrace Chrifi^ are ccnde- fcended upon. Theje Motives are p.-irticitUrly cpc?2i:d v,p in their RealcmabU'nejs and Import] The manifold Directions which might le infijled on upon juch a. Si^bjecl-y are fumm^d up unto two Heads, Page 72. CHAP. V. A Sermon according to the Textual Form is offered y for the Illufiration of that Method of Preaching, And in regard diftind: Notions of Sincerity and Hypccrifie in Religion may be of confide- table life in treating of many Gofpel-Subjecls *, therefore thoje important Words contained 2 'rilTi.:^. <^. are in-' fificd upon as the Fomidation of the Sermon. Page 9 1 . CHAP. VI. 7 he Oecafional Method being dif- courfedy jome Retnarks are offered ^ relative to the pec u^ liar Advantages of the feveral Methods propofed. Upon which enfueth the Tiiird General Direttiony refp^cting a Suitablenefs in DiBion and Dialed unto a Gofpel Diipenfation, To which isjtibjoinsd the Fourth in re- lation to that Strinujnefs of Frame^ which becometh Minifters in difper^fing the Oracles of GcJ-. Page lO). CHAP. VII. T/Su^ Applicatory Part ^/i'erwo-^j^ is a moft material Branch of the Difpenjation of the Go- fpel. Great Wifdoin is necefjary towards the right ?rjanagi}ig it. The J^cclrinal Part is in a great Atea- a 2 Jure The Contents of the fare lofi^ where there is not a clofe and pertinent u^p- plication. The fever d Inferences mofi ufual in Treachingy fnch as^ for Information^ Confutation^ Examination y Rcproofy Confolation and Exhortation^ are all particularly confidered. Their Nature ^ Scope y and fuit able Improvement y are declared. In difcour- png thofe Head^y the fever al wrong Meafures in applying DoEhinal Truths ^ to the great Frejudice of the glorious Gofpel^ are 'clearly di[ccvered. Such is the Imp'OTt and Confequence of a faithful and pru^ dent Application of Gofpel Dochlnss^ as obligetb con- fclentious Minifiers^ to a ferlous Study and deep Concern in relation to the fame. Such Adlnifl^ers will alfo endeavour a ferious and clofe Way of Le- Eiurlng ; concerning the right Method of which ^ an Appendix is fuhjoined. Page 117. The Appendix concerning the Right Method c/ Lectu- ring. • Page 135'. The Third Part confiiieth of Six Chapters, holding forth the Matter of Gofpel-Do- drines. CII A P. I. The Gofpel contains a fufficient Trea-' fure for rendring every Mi^tljhr a ready Scribe, in the Things of the Kingdom of God, The Grand Ends and Defigns of the glorious Gofpel are three ; to wit^ I. The Converjton 'y andy 2. The Edification of the EUB '^ andy ^, The, rendri^jg unbelieving Im- penitent Sinners greatly intxcufable. In ^Preaching to the U?Konvertedy both the A^alady and the Re- niedy, 7ifould be moft particularly declared. In 0- pening up the former ^ the fu-l Import of Mans lap- fed Condition would be Jet in the greatefr Light. As, Three Parts of the Book. jis^ I. The great Sin f nine fs of his Nature and Life, 2. The Depth of Mifery^ into -which he is fallen: And, :}. The abfoUtte Imfotencf he is under . as to recovering himfdf The f roper and federal To» ficks conceived to he mcfi adjufltd to the Fri, ching and holding for^ the forefaid Truths^ are particular- ly condefcended on. Page 14 f. C H A P.. II. The Lord Jefus Chrifi being the only Re- fnedy for fi lien Man^ the Law ottghi mt to he preach- ed without th^GofpAy lefi awaken d Co7ifciences run to Ext reams. In order to the Preaching Chri/t arig/;n^ a ScripturaUrctional Acciura would he m.uftvf the Covenant of Redemption 3 as giving rije to and ma- king -way for Salvation through him. In holding firth Chrifi y as the proper Object of f.vmg jujfi- fjing Faithy his wonderful Ferfon^ Natures and Ofji- ces 7Vould all he opened up j hut efpecially the Hypo- ftatical Union arifmg therefrom^ tognhi^r with the nscejfary Grounds pleading for the f^me in Mans Re- deemer. Our Lord's ejjential Divine Fulnefs^ as laying Foundittion for his Mtdiatorial All-fujficiencyy7vculd he particularly declared. The running a demonjlraiive rational Parallel between the fulnejs and Abilities of the 7ifondcrUil perfon Gcd-Man^ and the whole fup- fofable JVcrnts^ Plague s^ Neceljitjes and Defer es of poor need/ Sin?:ers^ is a great part of Gofpel-Freach- ing, Minifiers who do not endeavour a mofi dl- ftinBy clofey and convincing W^ay^ in hold'mg out the Fulnefs and Suitablenefs of Chrifi unto l,fi Si7t' nersy but refi in a general fuperficial Defcription^ arc in fo far exceeding unfaithful to the Glorious Redee^n- ^r. ' Page 172. CHAP. III. In Preaching the Gofpd aright y to the Converted, their various Conditions and Exer- cifes would be particularly 'confidered. In re(pect of which y Regenerate Per fens may be claffed four IVays, Either The Contents of the Either^ Firft, As Smoaking Flaxes, in whoth Grace h only beginning to appear in fome fincere gra- cious Defires^ and ferious Ejfays GocUvfard, Or^ Se- condly, As ?w0re advanced and e^ahlljljed Chrifii' ansy having attained to more of the Affurance and Joy of bdieving. In difpenfing the Gofpel to the formeVy [petal Regard would he had^ to the mani- fold weighty Objeclions^ which often ferplex their Spirits. Iheje Ob j eel ions being reduced to four Heads ^ are particularly confidered and fully anjwered. With refpeci to the latter ^ the gradual Improvement of Grace ^ ought to be much prejfed upon theri^. In order to 7vhichj fever al comprehenfive DireSfions are .conde- Jcended upcn, T^he remaining Conditions of the Con' verted y are confider-ed in the following Chapters. Page 195. CHAP. IV. The Third fuppnftd Condition of the Converted^ is that of their being fallen from their firft Love, and not doi^^g their firfi Works, In Trcachtng the Gofpel to Believers in this Cafe^ it jeems proper, i. That fome clear Symptoms and Evi- dences of their (plritual Decay ^ jJjould be condefcended cn^ towards affetling and a^vakming Conjcience* 2. The great Sin and Danger of fuch a Condition^ would be next demonftrate^ that fo Cowvitiion may ijfue in-Con t r it ion, :^, The Import of the Repentance crfecond ConverHon proper for fuch Perfonsy would be opened up, 4. Tofet all the clofer home ( cmfider- ing the great Influence of carnal Security) fome moft ferious repeated Calls and Exhortations^ enforced by the moft weighty Vromijes and Threatnings^ adju- fed to fuch a Caje^ would be next improvm. The proper fcripirural Tcpicks, for all thofe prcceeding generjl Hcads^ are particularly declared, ' The Fourth Juppofcd Condltio7i of the Godly ^ is thatof^^ycA and Afflidicn , which of lent imes is inward andfpiritual ; conflifi7P:!' Three Parts of the Book. confifting either^ i. In Defertion*; or, 2. In Satanic cal Temptations. In Preaching the Gofpel to the de- ferted complaining Bdie^un^ the follo7ving Method feems mofi fromifing^ As^ i. That on the one band, their Defertion may fuitably affecl the Soul •, and on the other y old Love may be kindled afre^i ^ toawith^ drawn Cbrijt^ there -would be feme clofe Interrogate^ ries about the Grounds of their Complaint, 2. They WGiild be exhorted to ftrious jelf^fearchlng, in order to their %,emo'yingany Grounds of Frovocation, Upon finding of 7vhich they would y :». Be direBed to a fyeedy Return and Reformation, But withall^ 4. In cafe the Dejertion be found to be more fro?n Sove- reignty, than Provocation {for clearing tf which fever al Marks are condefcendtd upon ) then the de- ferted Believer is rather to be infrruthd and comfort- ed ^ than reproved or difcouraged. Page 21 r. CHAP. V. The Seco:jd Branch of the Godlfs Spin* tual Trouble^ is that of Satanjcal Temptations. The Nature of which is defcribed, Satan in form- ing themy confults particularly the various Cafes of the Godly, As. i. When they are fi^fi moving God- ward ^ and ejjaying to clofe ivith the Lord Jefus Chrift ^ behold then^ he infinuates^ that i}ifuperal;le DiffcultieSy both upon God^s part and their own^ lye in the way, 2. IVhen the Work ofGrace^ is a little more advanced ^ behold then^ the grand Temptation, of all's being Delafions^ or at heft, but a commcn Work of "the Spirit, is greatly Irnproveit by -him. The Cafe offerious perplexed Souls, under fuch Temp- tations, calls for a fpecial regard from the Gofpel, The feveral Scriptural Topicks, adjufted to the clear- ing and removing the fore [aid Temptations, are par- ticularly condefcended upon I together with the riz,ht ' Manner of their Application, in Preaching the Gi-- f^^l» P:^ge2:>r. C il A P. The Contents^ l^c C H A "P. VI. Befides the Temptatmts difcourfed in the former Chapter y Satan hat b yet more violent and fiery Darts. With thefe he attacks the more grorvn and efirahlifljcd Chrifiian. Sometimes by mofi athe- iftical Suggeftions^ defgning thereby greatly to darken and confound the SohI, in its comfortable and efiahlijhiiJg Conceptions of Qod in Chrifiy and of the Divine Tcrfe5ilons. At other times, to cncreaje the Confufion, and to fill the Soul with Horror^ he for- ceth in a Throng and Noifeofmofi blafpRemous In- finuations^ endeavouring to imprefs wrong and grofs Notions of the mofi glorious Ohjetfs^ and of the great - efi Truths in Revealed Religion, Great Sympathy is owing from Minifiers to fuch difirejfed Souls,- In Treaching the Gofpel aright to them^ fever al Rules would he ohferved : As i. To clear from Scripture and other Infitinces, th/ft their Cafe is not fo fingular ^w^/ extraordinary as they fuppofe, and that a great deal of their fiippofed Guilt is more Satan s than theirs, 2. Tofhew that oftentimes^ ''tis even the tailed Ce- dars in Chrifi^s Lebanon^ upon 7vhom thofe high Winds of Temptations are let loofe, ;. Togivefome rational fat is fying Account from Scripture of the holy^ wife and good Ends, which God accomfliflieth by fuch Tryah, 4. Above all to endeavour to clear up their Intereft in Chrifi, and in the well-ordered Covenant by feveral Evidences, which upon encjuiry are to be found 7iHth them, even under their o^orfi Cafes, Some other very extraordinary Cafes in refpetl of Sa* tanical Temptations, are difcourfed, together with the proper fcriptural Topicks fit to be improven to- wards the fupporting and comforting of fuch difirejfed and perplexed Souls, Page 240. p ERRATA. Age 81. Line 6. for opprohium read opprohium, p. ii?* i. 30. dele /o, p., 24:. I iB- ^^^^ ^^■'^^• JL/ A ^^ ( 1 ; DISCOURSES CONCERNING The Right Method O F PREACHING. Part I. C H A P. I. The T)eity leing Love, firft calleth Man out of nothings and next redeemeth him from the Tieph of Sin and Mifery, The Glory of Redem^tio/i-zwrk heing far greater than that of Creation^ Natural Religion mufi quickly give way unto Revealed. Some un- accountable T)ifcontentj infpring atrocious T>efigns in fome of the oAngeUcal "Breafisj B . and ^ifcotirfes concernwg the and they froiidly affinngj are cafi down from Heaven, In revenge they attach and frevail ufon afprmg credulom Man ; who fallings the DivineWijdom a?id Grace fro- daimeth the great Myftery of God in ChriB: V/hkh being the 'Deity^s grand Contrivance^ for di[flan?% the-Nohle TerfeBions of the "Divine Nature y and the gloriom e.4Bings of the Great Three in One^ and withall being the 'Deitfsfirft and laft TrojeH for accom- fJlfimg the Salvation of loft Ma?ij the Reve- lation of it furely deferveth to be termed the Glorious and everlafting GofpL o^i brief complex Scheme of which being confider'^dj '^tis evident thatTerfons entrnfted with the holy Minifcry^ fcand obliged to the rnoft fe- riom a7id folemn "Diffenfation of fiich great and imfortaftt Truths^ unto the Souls and Confciences of the Children of Men. HE Deity being Love^ refolved from all Eternity upon fome glorious Com- munications thereof, to Angels and- Men ; that fo the infinitely excellent Divine Perfections^ known at firft only to God^ might come alfo to appear confpicuoully, unto fome created intelligent rational Beings. In order to which, Infinite Wifdom required, that the Glory of the Divine Attributes fhould, like the Sun^ gradually arife and afcend unto its Meridian Altis-ude ,• that fo its various Degrees might not only be the more adjafted unto the finite and limited Capacities of intelligent reflecting ' Crea- \ right Method of^reachhig, o Creatures^ but alfo, that^ by comparini^ one De- gree of the Divine Procedure wich another, the Perfed'ion of every part, together \' ith ths glo- rious Compofition of the whole, might inftnicely redound to the Praife of the wonderful Author. Accordingly the Perfections proper for Creaticny muft precede thofe adjufted unto Redemption, and thofe relative to Grace, muft go before thofe con- cerned in the Perfedion of Glory. All which having been from Eternity wonder- fully projeded in the Councils of Infinite VVifdom, and Eternity being to give way to Time, the Al- mighty God, as the firft glorious Inftance of His great Wifdom^ Power, and Goodnefs, called forth out of nothing a higher and lower World, both which he nobly repleniftied ,• the higher Houfe with Angels, and the lower with Men ,- and ail this, as the laft and confummating Stroke from the Creating Perfedions. And thus flood the glorious Univerfe, in its ori- ginal Glory and Perfection for fome lictle time : The inanimate Parts themfelves, by their wonder- ful Beauty, Order and Elarmony, confpicuoufly proclaimed an inconceivable Wifdom and Power; but wonderful Man ftill more, by his being a noble Inftance of the high Moral Perfedbions of the Deity : but above all, let us behold the nioft glorious Angels and Arch- Angels, thofe pure Spi- rits about the Throne, by their tranfcendent Ex- cellency in Wifdom, Power andHolinefs, yet far more proclaiming the great Glory ot the Creating Powers. The Deity having thus accompliflied both V/orlds, and having beftowed fuitable Perfedions upon Angels and Men, towards their anfwering fully the high Ends of their Creation ; it w^.s B z there- 4 Dtfcourfes concerning the thereupon^ not neceffary for the Creating Per- , fedions to carry Matters any higher, more efpe- cially feeing now the two great intelligent moral Heads were perfected, and their whole inferiour Fellow-Creacures feen to be very good : So that in cafe any fatal Alteration fhould come, it was more than evident, that the Author of fuch great Goodnefs could never poffibly have any iniquous Influence thereon. The creating Attributes having been now fo . fully manifcfted, thofe relative to Redemption, as being yet 7nore exceUcnt than the former, waited as it were impatiently, for an Occafion of making a far more glorious Difplay. Accordingly the 'higheft of the rational Beings, a^ter all that Crea- ting Power and Goodnefs had done, being, fui- tabiy to their created dependent Natures and Wills, Hill left in a State of Mutability, behold of a fud- den, a moft furprifmg unaccountable Dlfcontent^ is , found infpiring fome proud atrocious Defigns in . fome of their Breafls ; which quickly iffued in the aftoniihing Apoflacy and fatal Mifery of Le- gions of finning Angels. Thefe again, as incenfed with the higheft En- mity, Malice and Envy, and as being refolved to attack the Glory of the Deity in Heaven, by de- forming and ccrrupting Flis glorious Image and High-Prieft ;-pon Earth, they firil, by a molt fubtile Farafhraje upon the Nature and Defign of the pleafant Fruit, and next, by a more cunning and bold turn upon the Truth of the Threatening, af- fured faliible Man, that his admired Knowledge and Conformity to God lliould infiniteiy advance by the Experiment of thdt grand 9.ndftr bidden Secret: Which Prcpofil taking v/ith afpiring Man, he, and ^ in him, ^$ th^ Moral Head ^ the wiiole of his Pofte-- I rity \ fight Method of Treachhig. 5 rity of a fadden fell into the Depth of Sin and Mifery. Whicli Fall, at firft view, feemingly reflecting upon the Wifdom, Power and Goodnefs of Man's Creator, behold thefe Attributes, as being con- cerned in the Vindication of their own Glory-, prefently ere6l a Scene of Redemption^ infinitely more glorious than their highefL Actings and Ap- pearances in the Matter of Creation. Accordingly, the eternal Secret of Pvedeeming Counlel is proclaimed, iirft by God Himfeif unto trembling Man in the Garden : This Revelation the Apoftle moft juftly and remarkably termeth the Glorious GofpiL Which certainly muft be fuch, in refpect of any Difcoveries made by God unto Man in the Matter or Form of the firft Covenant; as will moft con- fpicuoufly appear, if we confider, that the V/ii- dom, Power and Goodnefs, contriving, creating, and perfecting the Firft Adam, are never once to be named, in comparifon with the Infinite Coun- fel. Glorious Power, and Incomprehenfible Love, which are demonftrable in the wonderful Perron_, Death, Refurredion, and Purchale of our Glo- rious Redeemer. It was indeed great Wifdom to contrive tli^ Noble Human Soul, with its excellent Faculties and Powers, and to form the Majettick Counte- nance and Body of Man in its various Members \ but to projed theHypoftatical Union betwixt an infinite and finite "Nature, and to conftitute God and Man but one and the famePeribn, God- Man ^ required certainly a Depth of Thought only to be found with a God, and a Contrivance which could only fpring from an Infinite Mind. The abfolute Impoffibility^ blafphemous Boldnefs andPrefump- B ; ' tioHj 6 'Difcourfes concerning the tlon^ which at firft view would have feem'd to have been in any Propofal of that kind, would have infallibly ftruck and confounded the-mofl in- telligent and penetrating Soul amongft Angels or Men. And " hence^ even thofe knowing Spirits, to whom the Foundation and Corner- llones of Nature were unvailed, are to this day bending down as it were their Heads^ to ftudy and pore into this great Myftery of the Incarnation of the Son of Cod. It mud a] fo be ovv^ned, that the creating the Soul out of nothing, and the Body out of the Duft of the Ground, was an Acft of great Tower ^ but if we fpeak of the extraordinary Conception of our Lord*s Human Nature^ together with its beuig perfonally united unto the Divine ,• and if to thefe v/e PxTiall fubjoin His fianding ground as the Ele6l's Siirery under all the agonizing Attacks upon Soul and Body, which He met with in the Garden, and upon the Crofs, from God, Devils, and Men, and His triumphing over them all by a mofi: glo- rious Refurredion ; and finally, if we fliall con- fider the Almighty Power and Virtue flowing from His Death, for the Regeneration, progreffive and pc;rred San(5lification of dead and corrupted Sin- ners^ it is clear, that a glorious Power is exerted and exprelTed in thefe, infinitely tranfcending the higheft h.^h of that Attribute in any of the Works of Creation. And as to v^hat concerneth creating Love and Goodncffy it muit indeed be^acknowledged, that the bringing cf Man from nothing unto fuch a Per- fection of Holinefs and BleiTednefs, was a Demon- ftration of exceeding gi'eat Favour and Bounty : hut God fo loving the World, Us to give His Son ro the gurfcd and ^ignominious Death of the Crofs, and right Method of Tr caching. n and thereupon to pardon, fandtify and glorify fuch guilty, vile and monl^ous Creatures, muft cer- tainly imply a Love in the Deity, which to all Eternity fhall furmount all Knowledge and Com- prehension, Eft^ef. ;. 19. and therefore, as was laid, furely Revealed Religion moft juftly defer- veth, when compared with Natural, to be called the Glorious Gofpel, Briefly, if we confider the Gofpel as the firfi and hfi Projed: * of the Deity, towards a com- pleat Difplay of the Perfedions of the Divine Na- ture and Will, and as the grand Mean for bringing about the Glory of the adorable Trinity, and as the only Contrivance for acccmpiifhing the Salva- tion of loft Man ; and withall, if v/e refled, how foon Natural Religion behoved to give way unto Revealed, and that all authentkk Dwine Revelation was fealed up, upon the Gofpel's Scheme being fully declared; and finally, if we conllder, that as the All- wife God hath entertained the World with this only Dodrine thefe Five Thoufl^nd Years, fo the Pxaife and Admiration of its Revelations are to fpend Eternity ,• I fay, who is it C';in ferioufly ponder thefe things ? and not cry but, that the Gofpel muft infallibly be a Scheme of DoBrmes wor- thy of the deepsft Thought and Meditation ,• de* ferving alfo the moft cordial Reception ,• and which juftly pleadeth for the moft ferious and fo- lemn Difpenfarion, which Men entrufted with the holy Miniftry are capable of. The Premiifes having been difcourfed, as an Introdudion unto the right Method of preaching the Gofpel, it may not be improper, in the next i. e. The unalterahle Difpenfation. B 4 place, S ^ifcourfes concerning the place, to fubjoin fome clear and comprehenfive Scheme of the great fubftantial Doctrines con- tained therein ; that fo Minifters having a true Idea and Notion of thefe glorious Divine Counfels about Man's Redemption, may in the more di- ftind and fuccind way and manner, deliver the fame unto their People. The Sum then of the Gofpel, or Revealed Re- ligion^ may, according to the Scriptures, be re- duced to the following Scheme. Ksfirjly the j^ll'ivifi God, to proclaim Himfelf the only Self-fufficient, Independent, and Immu- table Being, with whom there is no Variablenefs nor Shadow of Turning, in the Depth of Wifdom permitted both Angels and Men to fall. Secondly^ That the Divine Redeeming Love might be feen to be abfoluteiy foveraign and free, the fuming Angels (tho' originally the more glo- rious Order of che two) are wholly paffed by, while fulfill Dufl and Aflies are wonderfully faved, mh.x. t6. Thirdly, To give occafion to infinite Wifdom, Love and Power, todifplay themfelves moft glo- rioufly, Man in his Fall is found in fuch deplorable CircumHances, as rendereth his Cafe abfoluteiy defperate, unlefs fuch an infinite Sa'viour be found, as could perfedly repair the Divine Honour and Glory cbfcured and loft by Man's Sin. Fourthly^ This adequate Reparation cannot pof- fibly be, till the threatned Death, contained in the Cuf fe, towards tho» glorifying of the Divine Jaftice, Truth and Faithtulnefs, and the perfect Righreoufnefs enjoined by the Precepts, towards the exalting the ffotkfs Holinefs and Equity of the beicy, fliould once both be accompliflied. right Method of Treachivg. 9 Fifthly, In order to fuch a perfed paffive and active Obedience, as fhould thus fully repair the Divine Glory, there muft of neceffity be found an infinite Perfon capable to take away Sin by an infinite Sacrifice, and by a perfecSt Obedience to bring in an everlafting Righteoufnefs ; Dan. 9. 24. Sixthly, Such an infinite Perfon canned pofEbly be found amongft Angels or Men ; yea, nor no where out of the Adorable Trinity, Pfal. 40. 6, 7. Seventhly, The Angelical and Human Minds being upon this confounded and nonplufled, infi- nite Wifdom and Love muft contrive and accora- plifh the Incarnation, Death and Refurreaion of the Son of God *, Pfal. 89. 19, 20. Eighthly, This wonderful Perfon, God-Man^ as the Eledl's Surety fufFering the Curfe, and obey- ing the Precepts ,• Juftice it felf muft own, that if God, with the Safety of all his Divine Perfections, could have beftovved Eternal Life upon the whole of the Human Race, upon the Firft Adam's perfed Obedience, that then much more, confidering the Infinitenefs and Dignity of the Perfon, may He beftow the fame upon the Redeemed Com- pany, by reafon of the compleat paffive and adive Obedience of our Glorious Emanuel, Rom. ^. 17. Ninthly, The Contrivance of Redemption be- ing the joint Counfel of the Trinity, and thQ Father from infinite Love giving the Son, and the Son, as moved by the fame Spring, paying the Price of of our Pvedemption -, infallibly the Holy Qbofi, as being effentially the fame God, concurreth vvith an equal Love in the efFedual Application of the purchafed Redemption, John 16. S, 9, 10. Tenthly, Man being naturally ignorant of the Myftery of God in Chrift, and being alfo abfo- lutely ds^d in Trefpaffcs and Sins ^ therefore, a GofpeU lo ^ifcourfes concerning the Goffel'Miniftry to difpenfe the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer, as the outward Means on the one hand, and the Holy Sprit to regenerate and fandi- fy, as the principal efficient Caufe on the other, muft be fet on work : i Cor, ;. f , 6. Elevemhly^ The Glory of the Divine Majefly, the Honcftr of the Mediator, and the Reputation of the Divine Law, neceffarily requiring that proud rebellious Man fliould be humbled, that« guilty 'Man ifhould know his Obligations to the Righteoufnefs of another, arid that difobedient Man fliould become holy ,• therefore, fncere Re- fentance towards God, found Faith in the Lord Je- fus Chriib, together with a fincere univerfal Tra- gical RefpeB unto the Divine Precepts, are always to be preached, as the grand neceitary GoffeUterms and Prerequifites, in order to the obtaining the Accomplifhment of the great Salvation : Luke i;. 5. Mar. 16. 16. Heh, 12. 14. , Twelfthiy^ Confidering the great Importance and Confequence of the Dodrine of the Gofpel, it being the great and manifold Wifdom of God, the Produce of the greatefl: Love, and the grand Mean for civilizing, converting and fandifying a corrupt World ; and all this towards the advancing the Glory of Jeho'vah, the Honour of the Redeemer, and the Salvation of Men : I fay, confidering thefe things, 'tis mod evident, that if Men ought to be ferious and folemn in any Office or Truft in the World, 'tis certainly in the Exercife of the holy Miniflry, and in the Difpenfation of the glorious Gofpel : For, IVIjo is jujjicie?it for thefe things ? Ail which leading natively to confider, firft the proper Qualifications of Gofpel-Minillers, and next the right Method of preaching fuch important. Truths, thefe Purpofes fliall accordingly be dif» cQurfed in the following Chapters. CHAR i right Method of Treacling. 1 1 CHAP. II. The Scriptural Qualifications of Gofpel Mini- fters are defcrihed. The firfi remarkable Cha-- raBer cf juchj is^ that they Jhouldheyi^n of God, I Tim. 6. II. The impart of this CharaHer is particularly conjidered: Where- ly^ it is found that Church-men fiand oi- Jiged ahove all others to he Men fnuch like Gody and Men greatly devoted unto Godj and Men zeahufly concerned for God and the Interefts of his Glory in their Genera- tion, The Reafons of all which ^ together with proper T)ireHionsy are particularly difcourfed. The other great Character of Minifiers^ is^ that they flmuld he Men of good report, i Tim, j. 7. The Import of this being examined^ and the Necejfity of it towards the fuccefs of the Gofpel being cleared^ the moji proper and effectual means for obtaining ity are declared. AMongft the many Characters of the Mini- fters of the Gofpel recorded in Scripture, that given by the Apoftle 'Faal to Timothy^ i E- pift. 6. II. But thou O Mnyi of God^ fqems very much to deferve our ferious Confideration : more efpecially^ feeing it fo clearly imports the great fliining and exemplary Perfedions vi^hich ought tobe withallfuch: For, iiMe7JofGody thenfure- ly of all Perfons in the World, they ftand obliged to^ be Men much like God, and Men habitually, with God, and Men greatly for God in their Ge- I nerationc But 12 ^ifcourfes concerning the But to difcourfe more particularly this notable and important Character, I take it clearly to point out thefe following Qualifications^ as ne- ceflary unto every ferious faithful Minifter of the Gofpel. As Firji^y If he muft be a Man of God ^ then cer- tainly he ought to be a Man greatly conformed in his Nature unto the Divine Image, having his Underftanding enriched with the clear Know- ledge of God, in the Truth of his Being ,- and with clear Views of the Glory and Excellency of the Divine Perfe6tions^ but efpeciaily with the Knowledge of the admirable Contrivance of the Divine Wifdom and Love in the glorious Perfon, Natures and Offices of our Redeemer. Befides all which, clear Notions of the great evil of Sin, and of the beauty and intereft of H(^llners, ought alfo to accomplifli the Minds of fuch Men . For, Minifters being to be the Light of the Worldy Mat. y. 14. If they are either ignorant or unfound in their Notions of the great leading Truths of the Gofpel, whether fuch, as refped the glorious Ex- cellencies of the Deity, or the wonderful f ulnefs and Suitablenefs of Chrift, or relate unto the infi- nite evil of Sin and beauty of Holinefs, 'tis im- poffible, but they muil (o far come fliort of the grand Design of that high teaching Office, as to be in hazard of becoming blind Guides, v/ho fhall lead both themfelves and their People into outer Darknefs. Neither, will the cleareft ffeculatlve Vinvs of Gofpel Truths, prove fufficient to make up Minifterial Knowledge: For, however Perfons fo endued may conceive, preach and write di- ftincfcly, and with Judas externally bear proporti- on with the Eleven^ yet certain 'tis, 'till once a • '• Muu- right Method of 7r caching. i ^ Minifter's Light become transforming and fandi- fying of Heart and Life, he knows nothing in God's Account, Luke 12.47. and therefore, till the Will alfo be renewed, a;id thereupon,, a Church-man come fo to know God as to love him above all, and fo to know Chrift, as cordially to embrace him as the Wifdom and Power of God to Salvation, and fo to know the evil of Sin, as to hate every falfe way, and fo to know the Perfe- ction and Intereft of Holinefs, as fincerely to re- fped all God's Commandments, he is certainly, notwithftanding of all his Knowledge, and other great Gifts, but an empty founding Brafs and tinkling Cymbal, i Cor, 1 ;. i, 2, ^. 'Tis true. Speculative Knowledge may make a good Heady and pave the way for an eloquent Tongue, but as the precious Stone in the Toads Head doth never alter its poifonous Nature, fo neither will diftind Thought and Conception be fufRcient to form aright the Heart of any Man. The pradical Language of ail which, is toobteft all Perfons engaging with the Holy Miniftry, to endeavour to be able in fome good Meafure to fay with the Apoftle, 2 Cor. 4. 6. For God -who commanded the light to jhine cut of darknefs, hath /J?;-^ ned in our Heart s^ to give the light of the Knowledge of the glory ofGod^ in the face ofjefus Chrifi, Briefly, faving Knowledge being neceflary tofa- ving Faith, and Faith to Peace with God, as alfo towards Union and Communion with him; 'tis clear, that a Minifter whofe Soul is a ftranger to faving Illumination, mull at higheft be only a meer Reed or Trumpet^ thro' which the Gofpel makes a Sound ; which fuppofe it be never fo re- gular and outwardly Charming, yet in the mean Time, the poor Preacher himfelf as having no juft Senfe 1 4 ^ifcourfes concerning the Senfe of the Truths he is delivering, nor any folid Faith of them, nor Love unto them, can only re- fembie and ad the part of the Sign at the Tavern, which while it ifwites Travellers to come in from the Storm, the poor Sign it felf continues ftill o- pen to the Wind and Rain : Or as the Apoftle o- therwife phrafeth it, while they preach the Go- fpel to others they themfelves are caft-aways, J Cor 9. 27. Secondly, This Phrafe, of being a Man of God, clearly imports a Perfons being in a fpecial man- ner devoted unto God, and to the Interefts and Concernments of his Glory in the World : So that it's amount is much like^to that Expreffion of the Apoftle, that to him to live was Cbrifi^ Phil. I. 21. Accordingly Minifters ought to be Men devoted to God in many refpeds. As Firfi, The Covenant of Levi would be tranf- aded betwixt God and them, Mal.z. 4, f. Which Tranfadion, not only importeth a Mans fincere acceptance of Chrift upon the Terms of the Go- fpel in order to his own Salvation, but further his cordial acceptance of the Office of the Miniftry, with all the Duties and Difficulties which may at- tend it, and that from Love to Chrift. Thus Faul not only accepted Chrift as his own Saviour, but as the glorious Lord, whofe Gofpel he would preach and ftand by under all Tryals whatfoever, and of which he would never be afhamed, J^s 20. 24. Rom, 1. 16. And O what a promifing To- ken for good were it, if all called Minifters of the Church of Chrift, were indeed Men, who from clear Views of the reality of the Gofpel, and of the wonderful Performances of the adorable Tri- nity in the Work of Mans Redemption, and of the infinite Obligations of a loft World unto God in right Method of Tr caching. i c in Chrift ,• I fl^y^ were the clear Views of thefc Things, together with an experimental Know- ledge and Senfe of the fuperlative Glory and Love of Chrift, and of the worth of immorral Souls, the powerful complex Principle^ conftraining all fuch to engage with and hold on in the Work of the Gofpel what a rich and full Bleffing from Heaven might be expeded upon the Labours of fuch a Miniftry ? For, they being Paftors accord- ing to God*s own Hearty the fuinefs of the BieiHngs of the Gofpel might often come along Vs^ith them. Secondly y As Miniiters would thus cordially de- vote themfelves to God in the Work of the Alini- ftry, fo alfo to^vards proving themfelves Mm of God^ they would give themfelves intirely up to a ferioifs progrejjlve Study of the great Truths of the Gofpef : And for this end, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, fliould have no fmall part of their Time, I Tm. 4. 1:5, 14, 17. Thq Minifter who is by thefe means endeavouring to attain unto clearer Conceptions of the lavifible God, in the infinite glorious Excellencies of his Nature and Counfels of his Will, and preffing forward towards fuller difcoveries of the wonderful Mediator, in the Hy- ' poftatical Union of the two Natures, and of the high important Ends and Defigns thereof,- the Minifter who is clofely ftudying the peculiar Ex- cellencies of the New Covenant, the neceffity of Regeneration, the Nature and Properties of the various Graces of the Spirit, and particularly the Difference betwixt the Effentials and meer Exter- nals of Godlinefs. * I fay the Minifter who is thus ferioufly follow- ing on to know more and more of God, and of the Myftcries of the Kingdom, and that, with a dcfiga 1 6 T>t[courfes concerning the defign of becoming more capable to preach cleat- ly, convincingly, and home to Confcience, as> he is one, who is in earneft a Man of God, de- voting the Faculties and Powers of his Soul to the Concernments of the Divine Glory, fo by flir- ting up the Gift of God thus in him, he lies fair and open unto the promifed increafe of greater Grace and Gifts from him, who hath for that end afcended up on high, Pfalm 68. 1 8. Math, i ;. 12. Briefly, however at firft view, it may feem but an ordinary Advice, to propofe to Church-men to fearch diligently the Scriptures, yet upon le- cond Thoughts, perhaps, it may come to be found, thac there cannot be a more important and proper Dire(ftion given to Men of that Stati- on. Yea certainly, a Man clofely ftudying the Book of God in the ufe of proper Means, for find- ing out the genuine Import and Senfe thereof, is in the moit promifmg way for becoming an able Minifter of the New Teftament. For, as it was the want of this, which of old fo much weakned and fpoiled the Divinity of the learned Scribes and Tharifees^ John f. ;9. So on the other hand, it was this, which made ApoUos and Timothy fuch eminent Servants of Chrift in the Work of the Go- fpel. In the Thiri Place, Minifters, who would be Men of God, would next devote themfelves to the ferious Study of the proper and clofe Methods of opening up Gofpei Truths to the Mind, and of bringing them home to the Confciences of their Hearers : For, it is certain, that the higheft De- grees of Knowledge relative to the Matter of Go- fpei Docflrines, may be very much loft, by a con^ fufed Interpretation, and mifrnanaged Applicati- on. And therefore, as the Subjeds of Gofpei Ser- monsj right Method of Treachhig. tj inons, will principally refped fome of thefe Four Heads'^ either the Malady of Man's Sin and Mife- ry, the Remedy provided in Chrift, the right Way of improving this Remedy, or the great In- terefts of this Improvement : Together with the fatal Confequences of the negled thereof j fo it's evident. That a M'mifter really intending to, be a poli- Ihed Shaft and Man of GoJ, would accordingly fet his Soul, I. To the Study of the moft clear, lively, and afFeding fcriptural Accounts of Man's Sinfulnefs, Mifery, and Impotency : That fo fas far as clofe Preaching can go ) he may defcribe the natural State fo much to the Life, that his Hearers thereby may come folidly to believe, thac fuch Dodrine is nojeft. 2. He would alfo en- deavour fuch Advances in the Knowledge of the glorious Emmanuel^ of the Wonderfulnefs of his Per- fon, of the Divine and Mediatory Fulnefs therein, of the Suitablenefs of his Offices for all the Plagues, Wants and Defires which poffibly can be with Sinners, and of the reafonable condefcending Terms of Salvation, as to enable him to preach the Excellency and Perfection of the Remedy, with the cleared Evidence and Strength of Ar- gument which can be defired. :5. Faith being the apprehending and applying Grace, how much ought every Minifter to be a great Mafter in the Dodrine relative thereunto ? That fo he may bs able to fet it forth in its Author, in its Objeds more mediate and immediate, in its affenting, confenting, depending and improving Ads, in its infeparable fandifying Properties and EfFsds, when of a found and faving Kind. 4. The clear and full fcriptural Accounts of the great Salvation on the one Hand, and of the dreadful Wrath to C come 1 8 DifcGnrfes concerning the come on, the other^ would alfo be fo accurately •^M^itdi^ as a Minifter might as it were be in cafe^ fometirnes to make his Pulpit the Mount oi Tranf- figuration^ in difplayiiig the unfearchable Riches of Chrift^ and the eternal weight of Glory in due Time to be revealed ; as at other Times^ to make it Mount Smaiy by a folid^ grave Proclamation in the Name of the Lord^ of the Curfes and Plagues written in the Book of God againft unbe- lieving, impenitent Sinners. And thus a Mini* iter fliall be found^ to be the ready Scribe well inftruded in the Things of the Kingdom^ Mat. I ;. f 2. But being in the fequel of this Treatife, to difcourfe at confiderable length, how all thofe different general Heads are particularly to be opened up and applied in Preaching the Gofpel, I ftiall not enlarge farther upon them in this Place. Thirdly^ The next Import of Miniders being Men of God ^ I conceive, may refp^id the g;reat Gra^ 'v'lty^ Juthontjy Serioufnefs^ and Livdinej's^ which in their Sermons ought to adorn them as Ambafla- dors cf Chriil. And feeing the Holy Ghoft cal- ieth them by no lo vver Name, than the Meffengers of the Churches, and the Glory of Chriil, 2 Cor; 8.2;. I am confident, they ftand highly obli- ged in all their publick Appearances^ to proclaim fo much to the VVorld. And therefore, towards attaining unto thofe a- dorning Difpoficions and Frames,* as ftudying to preJJch Chrift and not themfelves, as Diligence and Accuracy in private Meditations, leaving na room for Confufion in Publick, as a ferious re- membrance of the great A6lings of the adorable Trinity in Man's Redemption, together with a folid Belief of the inconceiveable worth of im- mortal right Method of Treachhig. i ^ mortal Souls ; I fay, as thefe Things will invito the Holy Ghoft, and lay the Soul of the Preach- er much open unto the influences of Light and Life^ fo thefe again aduadng the feveral Graces, and thereby enlarging the Powers of the Soul^ the whole M^n fhall come to be nobly fet a go- ing in publick Minifterial Performances. Ac- cordingly, we find the Difciples were command- ed to tarry at jerufalem^ till they fhculd receis'-e the Spirit from on high, Luke 24. 49. Which, when they had received, they were indeed taken notice of as Men cfGod^ and as Perfcns who had been with Jefus. And though it be very true,- that A^Iinifters cannot now expert any fuch extraordinary Effu- fion of the Spirit, yet we may be fully fatisfied, that fuch Men as fet tliemfelves to walk clofcly with God, and are deeply concerned (from a fincere refped to the Glory of Chrift ) for a fe- rious and lively Frame cf Soul in preaching the Gofpel, they are in the true way, to have their Spirits fo richly enditing good Matter, as their Tongues fhall become like the Pen of a ready Writer, Tfalm 45*. r. & 1 1 5". 3 2. John 14. 19. To all which I fhall only fubjoin, that however, it muft ftili be granted that it is only the Holy Ghoft,^ and not the Minifters Frame which caneiiher convert or edifie one Soul, yet at the fame Time it's equally undeniable, that the EiFeds of a feri- ous and lively Difpenfitlon, differ vadly from thofe of a dead and formal Kind: For, under the former, behold! What dole Attendon, what Thoughtfulnefs, what Complacency, ncttofpeak of the manifoki Convictions, Vv^arm Motions, and promifing Pvefolutions, v^hich often accompany, by the commor^ Influence of the Spirit, iuch Scr- C Z mOLS; ao T^ifcourfes concerning the mons; whereas, under the latter^ behold! What wandering, (lumbering, unconcernednefs , and wearying of the Gofpel, as if the Congregation were rather in a Prifonj than in the amiable Courts of God's Grace. And as to what ccncerneth different Men^ their differing vaftly, in the Expreffion of their ferious and lively Frames, ( fome of themoft worthy Men making little noife) it makes nothing againil this, for ftill where Serioufnefs and Livelinefs is of the genuin Kind^ it will generally bring fuch an Evi- dence along M/irh it felf, as will in lefs or in more imprefs the Hearers^ and bear witriefs for God p.nd his AmbaiHidors. And therefore, to fliut up this Head, I Ihnilonly bring to mind an Account, which wa'5 once brought from a Minifter's Clo- fet, by one who was fent to call him to the Pulpit, to wit, that he was as it were ferioufly protefting, he could not go unlefs God would go with him, Exod. ;;. If. Fourthlj^ The laft import of the Charader of Minifters being Me7i of God, I take to be, that they ought fractically to commend God and Godlinefs greatly ta the WoruL So much the plain Antithe- lis in the Text clearly confirms — But O, thou Man of God, flee thofe things : And follow after Rightcouf- mfs^ Godlinefs, Faith, Love^ Vatience, a?jd Meeknefs, I Tim. 6. II. As if the Apoftle had faid^ whatever other Men do, you fland folemnly obliged to a convincing and exemplary courfe of Holinefs. It hath been often told the Worlds that Men judge Things fully more by the Eye than by the Ear^ and confequently that Minilter's Pradice is as much regarded, if not more than their Ser- mons. So that it's evident^ that fuppofe in the Pul- pit they fiiGuid refemble Holy Angels, yet if in Con- right Method of Treaching. a I Converfation they be found but very ordinary^ car- nal Men, 'tisnot a thoufand elaborate Difcourfes, which will ever be able either folidly to imprefs their Hearers with the Faith of reality in Religi- OTiy or any Ways engage their Souls pradicaily to fall in Love with the fame. If the Jews were fo inveterately flumbled, at our Lord fand that notvvichftanding all his Miracle;) upon meer Al- legiances and for meer Trifles^ as negleding fome of their fooli(h and vain Tradition>, what will a wicked and cenforious Generation.be? When they have vqA and foiid Grounds from Men, who can fubjoin no other Seal, of the Divinity of their Do(5lfine, but their own Perfonal Conformi- ty unto it. And therefore, Minifters towards proving them- felvcs Men of God^ would from the Clojet to the Tulfit^ I mean from the moft private to the moft pubiick Pieces of Converfation, practically evi- dence the Reality and Power of true Godlinefs ; that fo, while the World is a conftant vvjcnefs un- to their Piety towards God, their Sobriety to- wards themfelves, and their Righteoufnefs to- wards their Neighbours, they may come to be firmly perfwaded of the great Reality and Power of the two noble Principles of ferious Religion ft to wit, the Love and Fear of God. Thus it was Johns walking as he preached, vv^hich made even a vJtcked Herody greatly to regard him, and to do many Things in obedience to the Gofpel, Mark 6. 20. Briefly^ feeing that any conliderable Of- fence given b/ a Minifter, is" a ftroke drawn at Chrift, and proves a deep Wound unto Religion, and which hardly any after-Reformation can fuf- ficiently retrieve, it might juftiy be expeded, that all Men of that Charaifler^ from Conicience C 1 of a 1 ^ifcourfes concerning the of Duty and Senfe of Intereft, would mofl feri- oully endeavour to be enilimples unto the Flock_, Having now confidered Mlnlfiersy as Perfons who ftand obliged in the Divine Account to be Mai of Gocly and that above all others in the World, it may not be improper to confider them ncxc '^s Handing obliged faccording to the Apo- files fpeclal DirecStion, i Tim. %. 7. J to be Men of good report. Which remarkable Epithet, as it points out the good Charadter and Reputation proper for Men, before they be called to engage in the Holy Miniftry^, fo upon the fame ftrength of Reufon^ it clearly imports the neceffity of their managing themfelves fo confcientioufly and .prudently in the whole of their Way and Deport- ment^ as they may advance their Reputation more and more among Men. For, as even the Sun Limfelf, is not much noticed or valued in a dark ^nd cloudy Day, fo if Church men gain not Reputation among their Hearers, but by Unfaith- fulicfs, Sloath, Impertinencies, and Imprudent Con udl, render themfelves mean and contemp- tih^, ':i impuflible, that the higheft Pulpit Gifts that Men are capable of, can ever make confi- derable Imprcffi^ ns to advantage amongft their Peopk. Yt«, any one C!oud darkning to any Degree, either a Minifter's Confcience or Pru- dence, is in no fmali hazard to b ur and fpot a thoufand of the moll excellent Sermons. 'Tis true, that the moft faithful and prudent Men, may very often be moft liable to the hard Words and Reproaches of a wicked Generation, which made our Lord pronounce a Wo againit Minifters, of whom all Men fpeak well, but ftiil it will at theiame Time hold good, that as fuch Men have right Method of Tr caching, a i a feeret Teftimony in the Confciences of thofe who detrad: them, fo on the other Hand, even thofe Minifters who by reafon of their finful Lax- nefs and Compliances^ may be better fpoken of amongft evil Men, yet, at the bottom under thofe verbal Commendations, there fhall be found a fe- eret Dif-efteem and Contempt, accounting fuch Perfons, meer mercenary Tools, and naughty Souls in the Miniftry. And therefore, I know no fort of Men in the World, fo much obliged to ponder ferioufly thofe Words of Solomon^ Eccl. lo. I. than what Minifters are. De-id flies caufe the ointment of the JfO'hecarles to fend forth a finking favour : So doth a little folly him that is an Rifutation for Wifdom and Honour, Thefe Things being premifed, it will probably be now expected, that the moft proper and efFe- (ftual Ways, for obtaining this good Report, fo necelTary to the Succefs or the Gofpel, fhould be next difcourfed. And accordingly, I fhall hum- bly offer thefe following Advices. As Firfiy That great Care be taken of a fure and (ingle Entry into the Holy Miniftry : That fo a Man getting in by true Merit, and a clear pro- vidential Call orderly conveyed unto him by the Church, there may be no lafting ground giveij, for reproaching him with bafe mercenary Ways and Simoniacal Tricks and Pactions, which would for ever make him abominable to God, and mean in the Eyes of all good Men. For, certain 'tis_, v/here Love to filthy Lucre is the predominant Motive in engaging with the Work of the Go- fpel, as neither the Glory of God, nor the Salva- tion of immortal Souls, can be much upon the Heart of fuch a Man, fo his bafe worldly felfifh and naughty Ends^ (hall be daily appearing more C 4 and a 4 ^ifcourfes concerning the and more^ till at length he fhall be accounted a nieer Earth-worm and fucking Leech, and no- thing elfe; And if reftraining Grace prevent not, he is in hazard of becoming upon very fmall Temptations^ the greateft of Apoftates and worft of Men, 2 Tim. 4. lo. Secondly^ Diligence and Faithfulnefs in Mini- fterial Duties, wonderfully advanceth Church- pen's Reputation; For, when their Sermons are pConvid:ion^ the Produce of ferious and accurate Study, when their Catechizings are frequent, and refpedt the great important Truths of Reli- gion, when their Admiflions to the Table of the Lord are with an Evidence of great CorfTcienti- oufnefs, when their Difcipline is attended with great Impartiality, when their folemn Sacramen- tal Occafions are adorned with maiTy pertinent Subjeds and great Liyelinefs of Frame, when their Vifitation of the Sick is not meer Comple- ment, but performed with a due Scriptural Re- gard to Men's State and Converfation^ fpeaking Peace only to the Godly, and warning the wic- ked Man of his Sin and Danger, without Rege- neration, found Faith, and fmcere Repentance 3 I fay, where thefe Things concur in a Minifter's Management amongft his Flock, 'tis impoffible for Satan himfelf to delete the fecret and great Teftimony, which fuch a Man fliall gain from the Hearts and Mouths of his People. And at a parting Hour in feme meafure he fiiall be prepared with Mofes and Vauly to call Heaven and Earth to wit- nefs, that he was faithful in the Church of God, and is innocent from the Blood of Souls ^ and ^hereupon fhall enter into the Joy of his Lord^ I>m> ;o. 19. Acfs, zo, 26,27. ThirMj^ right Method of T?r caching. 1 5 TInrdly, A prudent ConduEl and Management^ even in lejjcr and more ordinary Pieces of Conver- fation^ doth not a little advance and eftablifh a Minifter's Reputation : Such as a due civil Refpet^ to the diflFerent Qualities of Perfons they may be concerned in^ being courteous and obliging to all, fo far as a good Confcience will allow. So like- wife great Candor and Ingenuity in Converfation, together with a prudent healing Temper, endea- vouring timoufly to prevent Differences, and by feafonable private Admonitions reftraining feveral Offences from breaking out into publick Scandals; Thefe I fay, and fuch like Endeavours, can never fail of begetting very good and refpedful Impref- fions of a Minifter'sCondud, in the Minds of all Ranks of Perfons he (hall have at any time to do with. All which Diredions are fo frequently and fully expreifed in the Scriptures, that I need not further enlarge in proving them. Any who will confult^er. 25. 22. I C(^r. 9. 20, 21, 22. i /^ef. ;.8. will find the Holy Ghoft hath been very particu- lar this way, fhewing, that as Miniilers on the one hand ought to be fo faithful to God^ as to com- plement no Man on Earth with their Confcience ; lb on the other (that being kept pure) they (taad concerned in the moft prudent obliging way to^ become all things to all Men, that fo they may gain feme/ In fliort, the Amount of the whole of the Pre- rnilfes is, that Minifters ought to be regenerate Perfons, having their own Hearts renewed, and (Ijaped out by the Power of Grace for God and true Godlinefs ,• otherwife, they can only but at moft talk of Religion : as alfo, that they ought to be Perfons having fuch a great Eftimate of Chrift^ qs the Wifdom and Power of God for Salvation, and %G ^ijcour]es concerning the and fuch a Concern for his Glory and the Good of precious Souls, as not only will determine a perfo- nal embracing of the glorious Redeemer, but alfo a cordial zealous Offer of themfelves and their All toward i making Him great^ and His Name to be remembred in the Church: and further^ that hereupon^ they ought to be Men mighty in the Scriptures, abounding with the Knowledge of all Gofpel Truths^ which when they have rightly methodized, prudently confulting the Condition and Capacity of their Hearers, they ought to de- ' liver with fo much of Concern and of fpiritual Sprightlinefs and Vigour, as becometh the Embaf- fcidors of the Great God, and of the Lord Jefus Chrifl:. And to commend their more publick and Mini- fterial Performances, as an exad practical Con- firmation of their Dodrine by a perfonal holy and blamelefs Walk, is abfolutely necelfary ,♦ fo aifo a prudent Management and Condud, in the whole pf their civil Converfation, will tend not a little towards theSuccefs of the Gofpel. As a proof of all which the Apoftle Vaul gives us amoft notable Defcription of his Preparation for the Miniftry, Gal. I. If, 1 6. But ivhen k f leafed God^ who fepa~ rated me from my Mother's Womby and called me by his Grace y to reveal His Son in me^ that I might preach Him among the Heathen yiinmediately I conferred not with Flejh and Blood. In which Words we find that he was firft effeclaally called by Grace, having Chriil revealed" in him, and that then he was fo much Chrift's, and for the Intereils of the Gofpel, that no Con- fiderations could detain him. And as to what con- cerneth the prudentiafpart, it's abundantly noto- rious, how much an obliging Mixture of Confci-. ence and Courteoufnefs, in the whole of his vvay^ did right Method of Tr caching. ij did produce a wonderful holy Guile, gaining great- ly upon the many different Qualities of Perfons he was called unto. In fine, it is long fince our Lord, by way of fpecial direction to all His Minifters to the End of the World, told his Difciples, to be wife m Serpents^ and harmkfs as Doves, D I S- a 8 7)ifcourfes concerning th DISCOURSES CONCERNING The Right Method OF PREACHING. Part II. C H A P. I. That there are unfaithful Ways and improper Methods of Tre aching the Glorious Go/pel, is fufflciently evident from the manifold hea- vy Charges againft falje "Prophets and Tea- chers contained in the 'Book of God. Thefe unfaithful Ways may he reduced to four Heads: i. When Minifters are jo exceeding general in peaching the Gojpeljthatithath m right Method oj breaching. 1 9 no manner of tendency to reach the Confcien- ces of the Hearers. The feveral Ways Mi*- nifiers may fall under this Charge^ are con- defcended t^pn. 2. When the "Dif^enfation of the Goffel is abfolutely Moral. 3 . When it frincifally conjifteth of fmooth things,- 4. When Minifters j^reach themfelves^ and not Chrift. The Improper Ways of Treach^ ing the Gofpel are theje Five, i. oA. con-- fufed inaifiinB Way^ hy reafon cf the irre- gular Difpofition of Matter. 2. oAn empty iliallow Way^ conjlfling much in a Notje of Wordsy without any confider able Mixture of fulftantial Truths, 5. qA heterogeneous Way^ when the SuhjeBs infified on correfpnd not with the frefent Occafion, 4. ^n af- fefted vain-glorious Way^ Men af firing after feveral things^ moft unjuitahle unto the Turity and Simplicity of the GofpeL 5. qA precipitant blundering Way^ ly rea-- fon of which the Treacher falls into a great many obvious Mifiakes, qAU which impro- per Waysy conjidering the great oAdvanCb which Learning and Kjiowledge hath now made in the World^ would^ for the Honour of the Minifiry^ and the Reputation of the Gofpel^ he moft carefully evited, THAT there may be great XJnfaithfulnefs in preaching the Glorious Gofpel^ is (o evident from the grofs Accufations laid againft the falfe Prophets in the Old Teftamene^ and ^o ^ifcourfes concerning the and againft the falfe Teachers in the New, that there is no room left for doubting in this matter : I John 4. I. And therefore as all Unfaithfulnefs, but more efpccially in fuch a great Truft, is un- doubtedly amongft :he greateft of Crim^^ ; fo it muft certainly be very much all Minifters Intereft to underftand wherein this Unfaithfulnefs in dif- penfmg the Gofpel doth really confift. To clear which, there arc thefe four Waysy by which Minifters may fall under this heavy Charge : As, I. When they are exceeding general in prepch- ing the great important Truths of the Gofpel ; delivering them in fuch general Terms, as hath no manner of tendency to reach in the leaft the Con- fciences of their Hearers : and that becaufe the whole Sermon eonfifts only of fome CoUedion of general Truths. And this falls out in the following cafes ; as I. When the principal Truths, which both Text and Dodrine obliges a Minifter to infift upon, are only generally expreffed, without any particular Explication of the Import of the fame. As when a Minifter, who by his Text ftands obliged clear- ly to open the Nature and Properties either of Rege- neration, Faith, Repentance, or true Holinefs, in order to his Hearers being well informed, that fo they may accordingly pradife : yet behold, ia- ftead of doing fo, he perhaps only holds, in fome general Affercions, of their being Duties com- manded, and of their Neceffity in order to Salva- tion ; and run-out in f^veral Commendations of them, as having many Promifes annexed unto them ; or makes fome Collections of this and the other Saying of the Fathers about them ; but all this while leaves the Hearers abfolutely Strangers unto right Method of Treaching. 5 1 unto the true fcnfural Import and elTcntial Ingre-» dients of the forefaid great Gofpel Graces and Du- ties ; So that, when Sermon is ended, they have no more diflind Notions what to fet about^ or how to perform them, than when it did begin. Which farely is a way of preaching the Gofpel promifing very little (even as a Mean) towards opening the Eyes of the Blind ; and which is far from what Minifters ought to do, Jol? :^:^. 2;. If there be a M^jjenger with him, an Interfreter, one a- mong a tbmf.jndy to flyew a Man his Uprigbtnefs, zMj. A Minifter may alfo be faid to be too gene- ral, when in the Courfe of his Sermons he only explains the Truths of the Gofpel, but doth no ways apply the fime, endeavouring to bring them clofe home to Confcience ; and that^ either by way of Information, Examination, Reproof, Con^ folation, or Exhortation, according to the diffe- rent Nature and Scope of the Dodrine he is in- filling upon. And thus, how many great and good Explications do often fall to the Ground^ which muft certainly be a great Lofs unto Con- fcience ; as when a Minifter hath, by way of Explication, given a confiderable account of the glonous Redeemer in his Perfon, Nature and Offices, and of the Nature of Faith in him ,• o^ perhaps hath cleared up the Nature of Regenera- tion, Juftification, or Sandification ; but withal finiftieth thefe Subjecls without applying the faid Truths, by (hewing particularly the pradical Voice and Language of the fame, both to BeHevers and Unbelievers. Or if there was any applicatory Sentence or two, it was fuch as neither defcribed particularly the Perfons to whom it did belong ; nor yet had any tendency, becaufe of the want of Motives and Diredions either to touch the Heart or ^1 x)ifcourfes concerning l;he or influence the Life and Converfation. Which i^ a Method of Preaching quite contrary ^unto the great Defign of the Holy Scriptures, and of the Apoftles Diredion to Timothy, 2 Epift. ch. :;, v. 1 6. All Scripture is ^iven by Infpiration of God, and is frofitahle for DoBrine, fo^ Reproof, for CorreBion^ for Infiruclion in Right eoufnefs. %dly. They alfo muft in part fall under this Charge of beinu ton general in preaching the Gofpel, who in giving Marks of any Grace, or of an Inter eft in Chrift, or in giving Directions towards obtaining the fame, doth neither exprefs nor explain the faid Marks and Directions fo particularly, as to anfwer the Defign of either. As when a Minifter, in giving a Mark of true Faith, tells, that it works by Love j and again, in giving a Mark of Love, tells, that fuch keep the Commandments : but withall neither opens up the Nature of Love, as importing a fuperlative Efteem, Defire, Delight, and Gratitude in it, nor yet cleareth the Import of true Obedience, as being fincere, cordial, and univerfal. And fo likewife in giving Diredions perhaps towards obtaining an Intereft in Chrift, he preiTeth to fearch the Scriptures, to pray, to deny our own Righteoufnefs, and to truft to Chrift : but all this without ever clearing in the leaft, how the Soul muft folidly affent unto the Truth and Certainty of the Gofpel-reports of Man's Sin, Mifery, and Impotence by Nature, and of Chrift's Fulnefs, Suitablenefs, and Willing- nefs : and how there muft aifo be a cordial Con- fent unto a whole Chrift, the Soul chufing him in all his Offices, and upon the account of the fame, relying upon him as a compleat Saviour, able to bring about their Salvation. Which furely is a way of preaching Marks and Diredions, after which right Method of Treaching. g ^ Which the Hearers may in a great meafure be as far from knowing their State, or how to rediify the fame, as before they heard them delivered. And therefore as nothing is more urifuitable unto the glorious Gofpel-Trumpet, than thus to make an uncertain Sound, I fhali prefume to offer thefe two Remarks upon this general Way of preaching the Gofpel ThQ fir fi is. That in a great meafure it robs the Gofpel of that which is a great part of its Glory, to wit, its being as a two- edged Sword^ fiercing even to the dividing afunder of Soul and Sprit ^ Heh. 4. 12. Which certainly it can never be, while it only makes a Sound of Words in the Ear ; or at moft, entertains the Mind with fome fpecu- lative Notions of general Truths ,• but never comes nearer, fo as to lay C^s it were) Siege unto the Confcience, obliging it (fo far as clofe Preach^ ing and Reafoning can go) either to hearken and obtemperate, or otherwife become mofl uneafy, by reafon of pungent Convidions, Mfs 24. 25-. The xd Remark is, that, as it very much fpoils the Gofpel of its Glory, fo it alfo tends much to difappoint it of one of its great Defigns, which we are told by our Lord, is, to compel Sinners to cowe in^ Luke 14. 2^. Now tho' the clofefl Gofpel- Sermons and Reafonings, that poffibly Man d? Angel could difpenfe, can never without an Al- mighty Divine converting Power, determine thd Heart of any Man to turn from Sin unto God, bv a cordial embracing of the Lord Jefus Chrift ^ yet if we fpeak of the Gofpel (in its own Sphere) as a Mean, then certainly the particular clofe Preach- ing of it hath by far the advantage of the general overly way of difpenfing the fame. For tho' it can neither favingly illuminate the Mind, nor renew the Will, yet under the influence of the D ^om- 34 Difcourfes concernwg the common Motions of the Spirit, it may beget fuch Convictions of Sin, Fears of Wrath^ warm Mo- tions and Refolutions God-ward, together with iuch temporary Reformations, as it maybe faid of the Hearers, what Chrift faid of the difcreet Scribe, Mark 12. ;4. Thou art not far from ths King" dom of God. Whereas on the other hand, a general faperfi- cial Way of preaching the Gofpel, allows all forts of Hearers carnal Eafe and Security ; no ways al- larming the Prophane, nor difcovering the Un- foundnefs of the Hypocrite, nor ftirring up the flothful and decayed Chriftian. And therefore confidering the Import of the forefaid Command of our Lord's, to compel ^mnQxs to come in ; itmuf^ certainly ftill be Minifters Duty (according to tJieirMeafure) by the cleareft and clofeft Gofpel- Sermons and Arguments, toftrive with their Hear- ers, and that whether a Sovereign God conde- fcend or not, to ftrive with them by his Spirit. In fincy Minifters are always to ftir up the Gift of God in them, 2 Tim. i. 6. Neither can it be eafi- ly fuppofed, that a Minifter of any Life or Spirit, and who knows any thing of the Conftraint of the Love of Chrift, could eafily bear to have his Hear- ers after Sermon replying unto him, as Job to his Friends of old, upon their difcourfmg him and his Cafe in fuch general and remote terms, chap.6, 2^. How forcible are right Words I hut what doth ^ our ar- gii'ing^ rejyrcve ? And therefore tho' Particularity and Clofenefs cannot be obtained in every Sermon, yet it fiiould certainly be much endeavoured in the Courfe of a Gofpel-Difpenfation. The fcco7-id uy/faitbftil Way of preaching the Glo- rious Gofpel^ is, when the Difpenfation of it is ahfolutely moraly apd no more. So that abftra<5t from right Method of Tr caching. q 5 from thefe Four ; to wit, decrying of Vice and Im- moralities ; and 2. commending the oppofite Virtues and moral Duties 3* and :;. accordingly explaining the Law only by the Letter thereof, and as reach- ing the outward Converfation ^ or 4. at moil ex- horting unto the Externals of true Religion, fuch as Head-Knowledge, Reading, Prayer, Atten- dance upon the Ordinances, communicating, and the like : I fay, when the Gofpel is thus preached^ and goes no further,no ways clearing up the Nature and Neceflity of the Effentials of Religion, in or- der to Salvation ,• furely there muft be great Un- faithfulnefs here : For till the Gofpel open up. the Import and Necefity of faving Knowledge, found Faith, fincere Repentance, and of true Gofpel- Holinefs , how is it poflible that Sinners, natural- ly blind, can ever clearly fee the difference betwixc true Godlinefs iffuing in Salvation, and the dead Form thereof, which will infallibly at the long run difappoint the foolifh Virgins-, when the Bride- groom Cometh ? Matth. 29. 9, 10. It was this v/ay of preaching, for which our Lord fo heavily at- tacked the Jewiili Dodors and Scribes of old j fpending a whole Sermon in confuting this unac- countable way of their interpreting the Law • concluding, that the Blind led the Blind, and that they fhould both fall in the Ditch, Matth, 5. 20^ to 48. and 2;, 24, to 54. A Third unfaithful Way of preaching the Gofpel IS, when the Difpcnfation of it confideth greatly of fmr'oth things • fo that the Hearers are only enter :ined with thefe three Heads : As, i. Daily Accounts of che Divine Goodnefs and Mercy, holding out the Deity, as if he were abfolutely Mercy and Grace j and that without ever lb much as once mentioning his effential Holinefs and per- D 2 fed 5 6 Difcourfes concerning the fed Juftice. 2. Chrifl's Sati^fadion preached m luch extenfive^ ambiguous and indefinite Terms^ and without any due fcriptural Qualifications of the Perions who can adually receive Juftification thereby, that the whole Hearers promifcuoufly are made to conceive falfe Hopes of Salvation. :;, If Sin at anytime be infifted upon and repro- ved, it is only the wore ^ro/} external A6ts that are complained of j hut thtjecret Heart JVajs o^ finning; againft the Law, and of defpifmg the Gofpel, are not particularly laid open : Such as habitual For- getfulnefs of God, mean, low Thoughts of the Lord Jefus Chrifl:, quenching of the Spirit, a fe- cret Enmity againit the Stri6inefs and Spirituality of the Law, and living habitually in the Love and Pradice of forae fecret known Sin. When thus the Gofpelpreacheth only f 770 oth things y which no ways tend to difcover unto People how Matters really are betwixt God and them • or to fhew them either their Sin or Danger j or briefly j when all Explications, Applications and Reproofs, are fo managed, as Confcience can no v./ays be reached,,, but on the contrary, the whole of the Hearers al- lowed to poffefs their carnal Eafe and Peace, tho* many of them be living in Sin, and abfolute Stran- gers to Chrift and ferious Godlinefs ,• then cer- tainly the Gofpel may be faid to be mifimproved and mifmanaged to a degree. Accordingly we find the Lord charging it upon the 7^52/ J of old, as a piece of great Guilt, and as an Evidence of their great Boldnefb and Impu- dence in finning ,• that they cryed unto their Pro- phets, to prcphefy fmooth things unto them, and not to fpeakofGod, as the Holy One of Ifrael^ but to fpeak fofr Words, Ifa. i^o. 10, 1 1. As oathe other hand we ^.nd the Lord threatning the Pro- phetSj* right Method of Tr caching. ^ j phetSjWho thus ufe their Tongues^meaning,fmooth- ing them^ to the perverting the glorious, convin- cing, alarming and converting Defigns of the Go- fpel, Jer. 2;. 29,31. And how deeply the Lord refents this Method, is alfo moil clear from the i^^^, i6f/j, and ijtb Verfes of the fame Chapter. And finally, as 'tis evident, that fuch a way doth not argue any clear powerful Impredions, either of the glorious M^rijefty of the Lord Jefus Chrill, in whofe Name the Gcfpel is preached, or of the great Worth of immortal Souls ,• fo certainly ic cannot fail in the Day of Accounts, to caufe the Blood of Souls in a great meaiLire to be charged upon the He-ids of fuch unfaithful Watchm*en, Ez^ek. ':^. tS, JVben I fay unto the WicJzedy thou ^jj It furily die^ and thou give fl him not warnings 7wr fpeak' ejt to warn the IVicked from his nncked fVay^ to faz^e his Life, the fame wicked Man (liall die in his Iniquity ^ hut his Blood will I require at thine Hand. A Fourth unfaithful Maimer of preaching the glo- rious Gofpei, is that of a cari^al fdfiih fp^ay; when Minifters preach not Chrifl, but themfelves. And of this great Treachery and Unfaithfulnefs, Men may be feveral ways guilty : As, i. When thek principal View and End in engaging in the Mini- ftry is really worldly Gain j fo that nothing of Love to Chrift, or an eye to his Glory, fo much moved them to enter that Station, as what to gain Money, and fomemeafure of worldly Repatacion, 2 Cor. 4. 7. 2. When the great neceiTary Do- ctrines and Truths of the Gofpei, which evidently tend to Converfion and Ediiicacion, are much li^id afide, and other Subjects, together with peculiar Methods of handling the fame, are designedly chofen, which have no tendency that way • but are rather adjufted to the fliewing of Mens Gifts P ; and ^S jJtjcouYJes concerning the and Abilities, towards the procuring Human Ap- plaufe ; then certainly Men preach themfelves, and not Chrift^ i Cor. 2. 2, 4. ;. When under any Refentment or Difobligation^ Mens Paflions fo far overcome them^ as tocaufe them to contrive fuch and fuch Notes of the Sermon towards reach- ing feme one groundlefs Refledion or other upon the Perfons they are offended at : Which Pradice, as 'tis certainly a moft humourous and ungenerous way of preaching the Gofpel ,• fo more efpecially when thefe ReflecSiions are deilgned againft ferious godly Perfons, terming perhaps their Religion Hypocrify, and their real Tendernefs morofe Nicety, and whatnot? And thus with the falfe Prophets and Idol-Shepherds of old, wounding their Hearts, whom the Lord would not have made for rowful, Ez^ek, 1:5.22. Johnii, /\.y f, 6* Which jelfijh unaccountable Perverfion of the Glorious Gofpel, which is purely designed to preach Chrift, and to advance the Interefts of his Kingdom of Grace, by making him known in his Glorious Perfon, Natures and Offices, in propor- tion unto the various States and Conditions of Sin- ners ; but no ways to be afubfervient Tool unto the povetoufnefs. Pride, and irregular Paflions of Men ; I fay, this grofs Mifimprovement of the Gofpel cannot but prove a great Abomination in the fight of a Jealous God. And certainly when the chief Shepherd fliall appear, and by his Heart- fcarching Eye, come to jfet the low and bafe Prin- ciples, Motives and Ends in a clear light, which fuch Men had in their engaging with, and conti- nuing in the Holy Mlniitry,- 'tis impoffible, but of all other Ranks of Men appearing before the Great Tribunal, they muft be the moft con- founded and felf- condemned in that Day ; and thae right Method of ^reaching. ^ 9 that as having been unfaithful in the greateft of Trufts^ perverting the deepeft Counfels of infinite Wifdom^ and the richeft Offers of the Divine Love and Gracej in order to the ferving and fatisfying their own Lufts^ and the inordinate Defires thereof. And therefore no wonder, if the Threatnings againit fuch unfaithful Servants be moft expHcite and terrible, Mattb, 24. 48, 49, 5*0, f I. a Context very much deietving Confide- iration. Having now difcourfed of the feveral unfaithful Ways of preaching the Glorious Gofpel, let us next take under ferious Confideration, fomt moft improper Ways of difpenfing the fame. Which may juftly be fo termed •, becaufe, i. They have no proper tendencj^, but rather the contrary, to- wards advancing the great Ends of the GofpeL 2i Becaufe, even as to the external Difpenfluion thereof, they rather diminifh and deform it, than any ways commend or adorn it unto the Minds of the Hearers : And therefore, as being unfuitable unto, and unworthy of the Glorious Gofpel, they ought to be much guarded againft ,* that fo in preaching the Word of the Lord, there may n^i, only be Faithfulnefs, but alfo fuch a dividing 01 the Word of Truth, as becometh Workmen that need not be afliamed, 2 Tim, 2.15-. The firfi of thefe improper W^ys^ is what may be called a confufed and indiflijj^ Way ;,Which is when Sermons are fo irregularly difpofed, that neither the Judgment, nor the Memory (not to fpeak of the Heart or Aife^tions) can receive any conOde- rable Advantage by the fame. Vv'hich is a Method quite contrary unto the Account given of the man- ner of reading and expounding the Book of the Law of God, M/j. 8. &. So thy read In tke Bovk^ in D 4 {b^ 40 ^ijcourfcs concerning the the Law of God^ JifiinBly, and gave the Senfe^ and caufed them to underjtand the Reading. But perhaps it will be here enquired. When Minifters may be fa id to fall into this confufed, indiftin A Way of Preaching ? In anfwer to which let us con fide r^ that it falls out in the following Gafes. As, i. When there is a great Multiplicity of different Purpcfes in one and the fame Sermon, and all of them fo intermixed with one another^ and that without finifhing one before another be begun, that the moft attentive and judicious Hear- ers can neither make account of any particular Scope of the Difcourfe, nor of any principal Truths handled therein ; but leaft of all, of any Connexion among the feveral Parts of the Sermon. All which Irregularity muft certainly be much owing unto Mens not confidering the principal Defign 0/ their Text or Dodrine obferved there- from ,• and thereupon accordingly correcting all extraneous Thoughts which look not that way : that fo the proper Matter, and genuine Fruit of every Text, being kept by it felf, and not fpoiled by a heterogeneous Mixture from feveral other different Subjeds, may appear moft beautiful iq its Seafon. 2. A prepofierous Diffofition of Matter, arifmg from too great hafte in ftudying thereof, adds alfo much unto the Confufion of a Sermon : As, when the Gofpel is greatly crying up the Pri- vileges and Bleflcdnefsof the People of God, with- out firft giving feme clear Defcription of the Per- fons concerned ; or wh^n it is infifting on a great m^ny Diredions towards performing fuch and fuch a Duty^ and yet hath not allowed one Sen- tence firft to open the Nature and Import of the faid Duty. :;. Improper Exflicatlojjs of, and Enlarge^ tnents upc|i principal Head$, do alfo very much darkea right Method of breaching. ^t darken Gofpel-Sermons : for^ when either the Ex- plication or Enlargement runs away from the Head, as not keeping clofe by the Purpofe there- of ,• or on the other hand, is delivered in fuch un- clear and general Terms, as it remains fully as dark as the Head it felf ; this cannot but prove moft unpleafant unto the expedant Mind of the attentive Hearer ; and fo much chagrines the fame, that it confuieth more and more : wherea. Words fitly fpoken, are like Jfples of Gold in Tlclures of Silver^ Prov. 29. 1 1. A Second improper Way of preaching theGofpel, and which is mofl unworthy of the fame, is what may be termed an emfty and (Jjallow Way • which is, when there is a great Noife of Words, but very little of important Matter contained in the fame. And this falls out in the following Cafes: As I. When the Aftf^rer of Sermons is of little moment and ccnfequence unto the fpirirual or eternal In- terefts of the Hearers ; but only perhaps confifting of fome Colledions of Hiftory, or of Moral Ma- xims and Sayings, or of feme very indifferent Controverfy, or at beft of fome fcriptural Con- text, which hath little Concern with the grea* Truths of the Gofpel, or the Effentials of Reli- gion. 2. When the Matter of Sermons is in a great meafure in vain, and ufelefs unto the Hear- ers : As, when many Sermons are fpent m ex- plaining feme exceeding clear and obvious Truth, which all the Congregation already underftand i or in proving fome Point, which none of the Hearers in the leaft difpute or doubt o^^- or in gi- ving a great many Reafons for a Truth, therat'io- nal Account of which is plain unto all, and that previous unto the Propofal of the faid Reafons. %* When a greac many fynonimous Words, Phra- fes. 4- a Dtjcourfes concerning the fes, and Repetitions, are heaped up together, and all perhaps but explaining one and the lame Head ; fo that altho* there has been moft ferious Attention unto all, yet the moft judicious Hearer cannot poffibly find out any thing material in the whole, t>ut what was comprehended in one Sentence or two at the beginning. 4. When there is much of Confidence and Boldnels in Affertions upon con- troverfial Points, and yet little of clofe Reafoning or of folid Argument going before the fame. 5-. When a Minifter is fo long in prefacing and premifing this and the other Confideration, that the Sermon is near finiflied, before ever he engage with the principal Purpofe, or advance any thing that is material. All which Ways, as tending greatly to diminifh the Repiftation of the Glorious Gofpel in the Minds of fenfible Judicious Perfons, <3ught moft carefully to be avoided; Job ;2. 12. Tea I attended unto you , and behold there was none of you that convinced Job, or that anfwered his Words, A Third improper Way of preaching the Gofpel, is, what may be called a heterogeneous Way ,• which is, when the Choice of Subjeds doth not corre- fpond with the Occafions upon which they are preached : As, i/. When a rude ignorant People, needing to be inftrud:ed in the very firft Principles of Religion, are entertained with the higheft and niceft Points and Controverfies therein, xdly. When a wicked prophane People have the great Confolations of the Gofpel daily founded in their Ears, as if- the fame belonged unto them. ;i//. When at the Celebration of the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, Subjeds very much extrin- fick to Chrift and him crucified, and exceeding remote from the ferious Soul-Exercifes, which ufe to be with the Godly at fuch times, are chofen and infifted right Method of ^reaching. ^^.g itififtedupon. ^tbl)^ When Thankfgiving Subjeifcourfes concerning the hefs. Pertinency, Gravity and Maflynefs in Di-' ction and Dialed. 4. That efpecially fuitable- nefs of Frame, becoming the Oracles of God, and proper unto the great Import and Confequence of the Truths of the glorious Gofpel, be much Endeavoured in Preaching thereof. 5. That great clofenefs be endeavoured in the Application of Gofpel Truths, towards the bringing them home unto the Confcienees of the Hearers. All which Diredionsj upon a little ferious Review, we fliall find very clearly comprehended in that remarka- ble Commendation^ given by the Holy Ghoft^ to the great Preacher of old^ Ecclef, 12. 9^ 10. And moreover y becauje the Treacher was 7vife^ he fiiU taught the Feople Knowledge ; yea^ he gave good heed^ and fought out^ and fct in order many Proverbs, The Preacher fought to find out acceptable Words y and that which was written was ufright^ even Words of Truth, Towards a prudent Choice of Subjeds f which 15 the firft Diredion) feveral Things muft be con- fidered. Such as, i. The fpiritual State and Con- dition of the People, among whom a Minifter is pofted. 2. Their Capacity in Reference unto their Hearing and Improving the Gofpel. ;. The predominant reigning Sins of Omiffion or Com- mifSon, which avowedly abound amongft them. 4. The different Providential Occafions, in relati- on to which, a Minifter may be called to preach unto them. According to all which, 'tis evident, the choice of Subjects ought to be regulate. And therefore, i. When a Minifler finds his Congregation to be a mofl Ignorant and Rude People, then 'tis plain, that the two grand Do- drines of the Law and Gofpel^ to wit, the Cove- nant of Works, and of Grace, fhould fpend a great many Sermons, in opening of them up: ChoQ- right Method of Treachivg. 49 Choofing particularly fuch Texts^ as will give moft dired and full Accefs to declare thefe Three Principal Heads, upon which the whole of the Gofpel turns, i. Man's Sin, Mifery and Impo- tency by Nature. 2. The glorious Remedy pro* vided in Chrift, as Prophet, Prieft and King. ;. The Neceflity and Nature of Regeneration, Faith, Repentance and true Holinefs in order to Salvation : For certain it is, that till once a Pqo- ple get found and clear Notions of thofe leading Truths^ 'tis impoffible for them, either to hear or improve any of the Dodrines of the Gofpel to faving Advantage. And hence we find, John the Bafti/I-y that great Minifter of the New Te- ftament, and who was to make our Lord's way ftraight, infifting much upon thofe funda- mental Points, Matth, ;. i, to 15. John i. ly, tO 57- 2; But if on the other Hand, a People excel in Head Knowledge and in Morality, as fome Con- gregations do greatly in refpedl of others, then in that Cafe, 'tis clear, that Minifter's Subjedh fliould be principally fuch as may, i. Open up^ the Difference betwixt the Form of Godlinefs, and the Life and Power thereof^ fhewing parti- cularly what great lengths Perfons may come in the Externals of Religion, and yet be nought in the fight of God. And thereupon, 2. They fhould alfo be fuch, as will particularly declare and ex- plain the Effentials of Religion, fuch as faving Knowledge, found Faith, fincereLove, true pra- ctical Holinefs, and the like;; for thus we find our Lord from Sermon to Sermon, treating the Scribes and Pharifees among the Jews^ as knowing tl:at they did not fo much want the Head Knowledge of the Doctrines of Religion, as what they were E Stran- s^ o ^Difcourfes concerning the Strangers unto Sincerity and Practice therein, Mattb. 5-. 20. and 2;. i:;, to %^, ;. There are alfofeveral Congregations ("as ge- nerally fpeaking moll arej who are more of a mixed Nature, as confuling of fome very ignorant, and of others more knowing :, of fome grofly Immo- ral, and of others perfedly Sober and Blamelefs, but yet Unregenerate , of fom^ under promifing Corivi<^ion? and Motions from the Spirit, and of others who are already brought in to Chrift, and who are following on to know more and more of Conformity to him, and Communion with him. In which Cafe, our I ord's grand Direction to ail Minifters, Luke 12. 42. Of giving to every one their Portion in due feafon, ought ceirtainly to take place: Providing always, that in the choice of Texts, a fpecial regard be had to the alarming the Unconverted, and to the fearching out of the Hypocrite, th^ cherifhing of the fmoak- ing Flax, and the ilrengthning of the Godly in their progrefs Heaven- ward , Rev, ;. i, 2, ;, 4. And 'tis certain, that confidering the manifold and various Inferences^ which are moft natively deducible from moft of important Gofpel Truths, ajudiciouslmprover of them, may caufe themfo to fpread their Branches abroad, as to bring forth Fruit proper for the feveral Conditions of their Hearers. But being to difcourfe at confiderable length the Matter of the Gofpel, as adjufted both to converted and unconverted, and unto the whole various Conditions and Circumftances, that each of them can be in, I fhail not here enlarge further on this Head: But come. In the laft Place, to difcourfe fome efpecial Pro- -uidaitid Occurrences^ failing out at Times, which ought very much to be confidered in Minifters choice right Method of breaching. 5 1 choice of Subjects. As_, i. When Providence is remarkably affliding the Congregation, and the Divine Hand in feveral Refpeds gone out againil feveral Perfons or Families therein : In that C^fe 'tis plain, that fome ferious Sermons preffing Self^ examination y Repentance ^ Prayer ^nd Supplication^ fliould be preached among them. La?}?. ;. 40. PfiL 119.^9,60. Again, 2. When the Spirit of God is at any Time, (more than ordinary) Uriving with a People; fo that con fider able a-ii^akenings^ and feveral ferious like ElTays and Exercifes are to be found among them, 'tis then certainly a mod pro- per Seafon, for the Gofpel to ftiike in v;^ith the Spirit of God, i. By confirming in a prudent Manner the Voice of the Law ^ I mean, iliewing the great Mifery of all out of Chrift, fo far as to make Convidion-vvork the deeper, and the more afFeding, that fo it may advance into Contrition. 2. By fhewing them the hazard of all legal Ex- treams ^ fuch as too great Defpondency on the one Hand, or Confidence in any Temporary Refor- mations on the other : Both which are Rocks up- on which awakened Confciences are too ready t^ fplit. :;. By clearing up diftindly the true Na- ture and Import of juftifying Faith, and Evange- lical Repentance. 4. By holding forth Chrift as the End of the Laiv for Righteoufnefs, fhewing that the Righteoufnefs of Chrift, was indeed de- figned of God, as a Righteoufnefs for all truly convinced and humbled Sinners. 5. As a neceffk- ry Caveat againft fpiritual Abortion, there would alfo be interlined fome feafonable Memoran- dums, about the Uncertainty of the Iffue of com- mon Operations^ fhewing how many begin in the Spirit, but end in the Flefh : As alfo decla- ring the lamentable Confequences of quenching E z the 5^ T^ifcouffes concerning the the Spirit ; holding foith^ how fuch often become the moft akminable Jpofiates of all Others, as be- ing judicially hardened by God, and given up unto the fway of their own wicked Hearts. And thereupon finally, the great Need of their enter- taining the Spirit, by the diligent uk of all proper Means towards Converfion, and of crying to God to proceed from a common to a faving Work, would alfo be particularly infided upon. All which Subjeds, upon a little enquiry into the fol- lowing Contexts, we fhalhftnd, were infifted up- on by the Prophets, our Lord and his Apoftles^ in relation to Perfons fo circumftantiate, Hof. 6.4. ABs 2. 57, to 4|. and 16. 50, 51- Mark 12. 54. And fo likewife, ^.. When on the other Hand, inftead of any promifing Work of the Spirit under the Gofpel, the groiTeft of irreligious Principles and Practices begin to abound and prevail in a Congregation^ in that Cafe, 'tis clear^ that the folid Confutation of fuch pernieious Tenets, by Scripture and Reafon ; and the decrying fuch pra- aical Abominations, by clearing the great Evil thereof, and denouncing the Divine Threatnings againft the fame, muft undoubtedly be a great Part of a Minifter's Work, who is fo circumli an- tiate, Ez^ek. 22,1, toi;?. zT/w^. 4. 2^ TiV^/ 1.9. I might here alfo fpeak cf the Cafe of the Congre- gation, when much of Dtfertion and of 2. ffiriiml Decay prevailech among the Godly, and how then . 'tis proper to infift upon fuch Subjects, as have a tendency to rouze and refi re fuch Perfons from their carnal Sloath and Security, Re%;. 2. 4, 7. But thefe being particularly treated of, in the lub- iequent Third Part, I fhall not here anticipate what is there d.Q^\%nQ,(i, As ■■ right Method of Tr caching. 5 As for the more Remarkable and Solemn Provi- dential Publick Occafions; fuch as Days fee a part -for Publick Humiliation^ Thank/giving^ or Communion Times, for the Celebration of the Sa- crament of the Lord's Supper^ 'tis evident, that when Subjeds^ little adjufted to the principal De- figns of fuch Solemnities are infifted upon^ that in that Cafe, the Gofpel becomes moft difagreeiible unto the more judicious and ferious Part of the Congregation. And therefore when upon a Faft- day, there is nothing of the Caufes of the Faft mentioned, nor any thing like clofe bringing home of Guilt unto the Confciences of the Congrega- tion-, fo far as there is ground for the fame ,• nor any thing of the Nature of Self-fearching, fincere Confe(Eon_, and Godly Sorrow opened up, nor the need of the Fountain opened for Sin and for Uncleannefs declared ; I fay, when thofe feafon- able Truths are much pail over in Silence, at fuch a Time , and the People on the contrary on- ly entertained with fome remote general Truths ; undoubtedly, to fay no more, the proper and true Work of the Day, is very much to begin wh^i Sermon is ended. All which is far from the Holy Prophets way of managing fuch folemn Occafi- ons, Ija, fo. Joel^, 12, to 18. For behold how particularly they declare what Fails are accepta- ble, and what not ,- as alfo open up the ElTen- tials of that important Duty, as requiring broken- nefs of Heart, and uaiverfal practical Reformati- on in the Life and Walk : Yea they come fo clofe to Confcience, as to require, that every Man lay to Heart, his own Perfonal Guilt, and feri- oufly confider on what he hath done, that kith provoked the Lord, Jer, 8. 6. E > So 54- ^ifcourfes concerning the So likewife; when upon Thanhfgivlng Days^ the remarkable Providences giving Ground for the Du- ty^ are but little taken notice of, and the Divine Hand no ways particularly demonftrate to be in the fame^ nor the manifold obliging Mercies implied therein^ together with the Nation or Congregation's unworthinefs thereof, any ways infilled upon, as alfo when the particular Voice of the faid Mercies is not declared^ nor the true Nature and Import of fmcere^ cordial, practical Thankfgiving opened up, and brought home to the Confciences of the feveral Families and Per- fons of the Congregation ,- together with the great hazard of a Mifimprovement of the fame: But on the other Hand, perhaps only fome general AlTertions and Acknowledgments of the Divine GooJnefs and Bounty, together with fome Ex- hortations to rejoice and be glad, and that with- out any due nrixture of neceifary Cautions and pradical Inftrudions, towards the making a fui- table return unto the Lord for all his great Mer- cies ; I fay, when Thankfgiving Days are thus manaG;ed, 'tis clear, that God, for \5vhofe Praife and Glory they are principally defigned, doth in a great meafure lofe the fame. And if we con- {ult TfalmSi. which was penned as a folemn Publick Thankfgiving to God, to be Sung at their Three Solemn Feafts, to wit, the Feaft of unleavened Bread, the Feaft of Weeks, and the Feaft of Tabernacles, Deut. i6. i, to i8. We fiiall find the whole of theforefiid Particulars very ac- curately obferved therein. To all which 1 fhall only fubjoin, that certainly in order to the a- doming the Work of fuch a Day ; the making of fome fptciai/o/iJ Remarks upon the Conduct of Divine Providence in the bringing about of fuch and right Method of T reaching, 5 ^ and fuch great Mercies^ cannot but very much tend to advance the fame ,• and that by impref- fmg the People with feme high, honourable and grateful Thoughts and Sentiments of fuch a pow- erful and gracious God. Accordingly we find this was Mofes's Method, in his remarkable Song, Exod, I f . But above all Puhlkk Occafons^ a fpecial Care would undoubtedly be taken in choofing perti- nent Subjeds at the great Gofpel Solemnity, of the Celebration of the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, For, as there is no Ordinance in which the Glory of God, and the Honour of the Mediator is more concerned, and by which they may be more advanced ; fo there ought accord- ingly to be a moft wife and fuitable choice of Texts, for Sacramental Sermons. And tho' no Man is to be limited, or fixed to any particular Chapter or Verfe^ the whole Book of God being richly furniflied that way ,- yet certain it is, that I. In the Sermons ordinarily called ^Preparatory Sermons, fuch Subjeds would be chofen, as will natively give* moft accefs to ihew the Nature and Defign of the Ordinance, the necelTary Qualifi- cations of worthy Communicants, the great Sin and Danger of unworthy Participation ,- and as will tend to anAver and clear the manifold, and various perplexing, exercifmg Doubts and Ob- jedions, which ufe to be with ferious Perfons at fuch a Time. Accordingly we find the Holy Ghoft take Care to clear all thefe Particulars in that remarkable Context, i Cor, 11. 25, to the end ,• compar'd with Exod, 12. And fo, 2. In the Sermon ordinarily termed the Adion Sermon, 'tis clear that the principal Dodrines opening up the Covenant of Kedemp- E 4 tioa 56 ^ifcourfes concerning the tion and Grace^ fuch as the great Truths relative to the. Divine Donation of the Eled to Chrift, the Eternal Defignation of the Second Perfon as Mediator, the Son's Incarnation^ Death and Re- furredion, together with the compleat Purchafe ofWifdom, Righteoufnefs, Sandification and Re- demption ^^ arifing from our Lord's Adive and Paf- five Obedience, in the Eleds Name and Room : 1 fay thefe Subjeds^ together with the clearing the Nature of Faith, and the Neceffity of it in or- der to Salvation, and the holding out the folid fcriptural Evidences thereof, for the Comfort of the Godly ; and upon the whole, making folemn, full and free offers of Chrift, and of the great Bleffings of the Covenant to all thirfting, longing Souls, that fo the various Sacramental Graces may be excited and drawn forth into Exercife, are certainly the Truths which of all others lye neareft the true Import and real Defign of that great Ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The Sum of all which, upon a little ferious pondering our Lord's Words in the Inftitution, will prelently appear to be contained in them, Matth. 26. 26, 27, 28. As alfo in the ftrain of thofe Sermons^ Difcourfes and Prayer of our Lord's, fuppofed to have been delivered by him in the Gueft's Cham- ber, at the firft Celebration of that Ordinance, John 14, 15', 16, 17, Chapters. As for what concerneth the Difcourfes, called x\\QThankfgivmg Sermons y confidering, i. The fovereign and various Way of God's dealing with the Souls of his People, at Communion-occafi- ons, andhow many Miftakes they are ready to fall into with refped to the fame t Some few per- haps acknowledging the great Goodnefs and Coq- deicenfion of God: But on the other Hand/^ great right Method of breaching. t j great many crying out, their Allowance was but finally fome complaining of great Difappoint- ments, and others doubting if God hath met with them at all ; yea perhaps fome afferting, they were never in fuch an ill cafe : I fay, confidering thefe things, *tis plain, that in or- der to the difpofing of thefe dejeded ferious Souls for praifing God and Chrift, fome ac- count of the various Operations of the Holy Ghoft, and of the different Degrees of the Brea- things of the North and South Wind, would be given unto them ; fhewing, that certainly an All- wife God knows better than the wifeft of his Peo- ple, how to meafure out the Influences of Light, Life and Joy, unto their Souls, and that accord- ing to their different Cafes, Duties, Difficulties and Stations in the World, Pfal. 84. 11. And fo likewife, 2. confidering that no Ordinance lays greater Obligations upon the People of God to great Love and Obedience, than what this one doth ; therefore PraBical SuhjeBs^ preffing thofe Duties clofely home upon the Confciences of Communicants- particularly cautioning againfl' all quenching of the Spirit, and fhewing how, by a (Incere, univerfal, conflant, zealous Courfe of holy Obedience, to hold and detain the Beloved, when come into his Garden, muft certainly alfd be a moi^ proper Theme upon fuch an Occafion • Song ;. 4. Tfal. 119. 11^. VfaL 116. 9. 2 Cor, ^.1^. As, :;. Confidering how many formal Communis cants, altogether Strangers both to the Truth and Exercife of the Sacramental Graces, do adventure to approach that holy Ordinance, and thereupon account themfelves true Believers, and ground- lefly affure their Souls of Salvation ,• 'tis therefore linjpubteclly moft proper in fuch Sermons, con- ^ cludiqg 58 ^ifcourfes concerning the eluding thofe GofpeUSolemnities, at leaft to in- terline fome Notes towards the Difcovery of the hypocritical from the fincere Communicant : That fo the truly godly and upright Soul may go away rejoicing from that great Feaft ^ and on the other hand^ the unfound prefumptuous Profeffor may be undeceived^ and made to feek for the true Wed- ding Garment, againfl: the next Appearance a- mongft the Guefts of the Omnifcient and Heart- fearchingKing, Math, 22. 11, to if. And there- fore upon the whole, fuch Texts as are of a com- plex Kind and Import, looking towards the feve- rai Purpofes which have been named, feems to be the Subjects moft adjufted to fuch Occafions ; and which will leaft oblige unto any irregular Stretch or Digreffion in difcourfing the fame. To all which I might add, that if we fearch the Sacra- mental Books or Sermons, publifhed by fome of the great Lights of the Church, we fliajl find how much they have fet themfelves, in all the aforefaid refpeds, to find out acceptable Words ; even fuch Texts and Truths, as in a great meafure fpoke to the People, before they were fpoke upon, by the Minilter's infifting upon them. C H A P. i right Method of Tr caching. 59 CHAR III. The fecond general DireSion towards a faith- ful and frofer TJifpenfatmi of the GofpeJj is^ that a proper Method he fallen upn, adjufted unto the Nature and Sco'pe of the SuhjeH chofen. In difcourfing this Head^ I. Sonie Confiderations relative to Method in general are -^remifed. 2. The fever al Methods of peaching the Gofply to wity the Homiletical, Textual and Occafional, are all popfed, ^. qA Scheme ly way of Sermon^ offered for the Illufiration of the Homiletical Method. THE fecond general Direction towards a faithful and prudent Difpenfacion of ths Gofpel in the preaching thereof, is, that after a wife Choice of Subjeds, as hath been difcourfed in the preceding Chapter^ there be next a profer Method fallen upon, agreeable unto the Nature and Scope of the Subjed: chofen, that fo the fame may be managed and difcourfed to the greateft advantage. To which purpofe 'tis moit re- markable, what is faid of the wife and faithful Preacher, EccL 12. 9. And moreover ^ becaufe the Preacher was wife^ he fill taught the People Knowledge , yea he gave good heed, and fought out 3 and fet in order many Proverbs : importing, that Minifters ought not only to ftudy excellent Matter, but alfo endeavour a proper and diftind Method ; even fuch as may moft advance a clear Explication, and a clofe and faithful Application of the Dodrines they infift upon. fep Dtjcourfes concerning the In difcourfing this Head of a frofer Method to be nfed in Gofpel-Sermons_, I fhall firft premife fome general Confideracions relative thereto: And 2. fliall more diredly difcourfe the feveral Methods lafed at this day in Sermons ^ beginning in this Chapter with the Homiletkal^ and thereupon in the following fliall treat of the Textual and Occajional; humbly offering fome Remarks in relation to them all ; fliewing in what cafes the Homiletical, and in what cafes the Textual and Occafional may be moft proper. As for the more general Confiderations , it would firft be remembred, that a difimEl Method in treat- ing of Gofpel-Truths, is moft neceffary towards Edification. All the Powers and faculties of the rational Mind call for it : The Underftandingy that it may proceed unto a right Judgment : The Will^ that it may upon clear and folid Grounds chufe or refufe : The JffeBions^ that they being fenfibly touched J m^y move regularly : ThQ Memory^ that it receiving diftindly^ may the more tenacipufly retain : and fo likewife the Confiience, that being fpoken to, it may accordingly excufe or accufe^ as t;here is ground. Thus all the Powers of the Soul require a Diftindnefs of Method : For tho' it muft ftill be owned/ that the moft excellent Matter and Method that can poffibly be advanced by Man or Angel^can never favingly enter or afFeci any Power of the Soul^ without a fpecial fupernatural Divine Influence accompanying the fame ; yet ftill ratio- nal Man muft be treated with, in a rational way^ and muft be brought to the Knowledge and Faith of Conclufions, by the previous Knowledge and Belief of the Premiftes • and confequently. Me- thod muft ftill be moft neceffary. Accordingly;, if ^econfult our Loxi's famous EfifiUs by John to the Seveur right Method of Treachmg. 6f Seven Churches, we fhall find them mod metho- dically digefted, confiftmg, i. of a Preface • z. of the Body or Matter of the Epiftle ,• and ;, of a Conclufion,, containing the principal Scope of the whole. Briefly, Man's Mind is hut finite^ and efpecially ftraltned in the apprehenfion of fpiritual things ; and therefore the Truths of the Gofpel muft not in ^rofs be crowded together, nor cramb'd down in bulk, but muft be diftindly one after a- notherpropoled in order ,• and that according to the Nature and Import of the Truths which are delivered. And fo^ 2. With refpet^ to Method^ it would be confideredj that none can fuppofe (confidering the great Variety of Gofpel-Subjeds, and the vaft difference among them) that one and xh^fame Me- thod can be proper for all Texts: For, i. Soms Texts and Doctrines by which I mean DoBriitd OhfcYvations founded thereon) require no more previous to Application, fave only the Reafoas of the Doctrine : As when a Minifter's Dodrine is. That Chrift deierveth the Hearts of the Children of Men above ail ; or that Sin ought to be hated ^ above ail things. Solikewife, 2. Ocher Doctrines, as being fimfle Tofitionsy fuch as, that there is a fuperlative Glory and Excellency in Chrift ^ that there is a great Beauty and Gain in Godlinefs, cr that there is a great Evil in Sin ; thefe I fay, re- quire principally folid C(?w/rw^fi6?;2 : As, ;. Some Doctrines being cojitroverfialy fuch as, that Juftift- cation is not by the Works of the Law, but by Faith in Jefus Chrift ,• thefe again require the Ex- flication of Terms, the Probation of the Truth con- firmed by pertinent Arguments, and the taking off the feveral moft weighty Objedions and Excep- tion§ againft the lame ; As alfo^ 4, Other Do- drines 6 a l)tfcourfes concerning the (brines being exceeding complex and praBical^ fuch asj that found Faith, fincere Repentance, and true HoHnefs, are all neceffary unto Salvation. Here 'ti ; evident, that i/. the Nature, Import, and diftinguiihing Properties of thefe great Gofpel- Duties and Graces fhould be open d up ^ and zdly. their Neceflity cleared, before ever there is any proper accefs for one Sentence of Application. Again, 7. Some Do(5i:rlnes have fomething^wp^.'?- tkal in them, which ftands as themoft remarkable and fubftantial part of the fame ,• fuch as, when Minifters are preaching. That God fo loved the Eled World to that degree, as to give his only be- gotten Son to the Death for them : In which cafe, 'tis clear, that the proving and illuftrating Chrifl's Death in the Ele6t's room, to be the greateft Ar- gument and Demonftration of the Divine Love, is the Explication which fuch a Dodrine principally requireth. So that upon the whole. Two things are clear : I/?. That fonie Dodrines founded upon Texts of Scripture, being moft plain in themfelves, and for the moft part pradical, that fuch need but little of Explication : In which cafe 'tis certain, that the Subftance of fuch Sermons ought to run in Appli- cation. As on the other hand, 2. There are o- ther Dodrines, which being more intricate and difficult, and appertaining rather to the Principles and Theory of Reveal'd Religion, than unto the Precepts and Practice thereof^ 'tis equally plain, that fach Dodrinal Obfervations do require more of Explication and Illuftration, than of any pra- cbical Application. Altho' at the fame time it muft be acknowledged, that there are few or none of any of the great Truths of Revealed Reli- sion, whether more Speculative or Pradical, but / ftiU right Method of Treaching. 60 ftill admit, in lefs or in more, of fomething' of both. But the great Point of Minifterial Wifdom confifteth in an accurate and juft Obfervation of the difference of Gofpel-Texts^ and accordingly managing the Explication and Application of the Truths contained therein. Thefe things being premifed, I come to the Second Head ,- to wit, the difcourfing the feveral Methods ufed at this day in preaching theGofpel, which may be fummed up to thefe Three Heads : I. The Homiletical ; z- Textual ; and 5. thzOcca- fional Method. That termed the Homiktical^ according to the original Import of the Word 'outKico, denoteth a skilful way of difcourfing or converfing with a Multitude, in order to make them one in Prin- ciples and Practice. And tho' I know fome fpeak of it, and perhaps juftly, as being begun by Aduf- cuius, in reiped of formal Preaching by Dodrines andUfes, and to have been enlarged by Mr. Wal^ with the addition of Reafons ; yet I conceive, that none confulting the Scriptures can be igno- rant of its having been long in ufe, to fix upon fome principal Truth, and thereupon to fubjoin Explication and Application, according to the Nature and Scope thereof. < This Homiletical Method, according to general Ufe, confifteth of thefe following Parts : As, i. Of a pertinent brief Introdu6vion unto the Words. 2. A diftincSt Divifion and Explication of the feveral Parts of the Text : Upon which, ;. Some princi- pal Doclrinal Obfervations, one or more, are infift- ed upon. In difcourfing of which, 4. The prin- cipal Parts of the Dodrine are opend up^ according to their Nature and Import: All which, 5:. Iffuerh in application or practical Improvement ^ and that either 6zj. 7)ifcdurfes concerning the either by way of Information, Confutation^ Exa- fnination. Reproof, Lamentation, Confolation, or EKhortation ; according to the Import and Scope of the Dodrinal Truth infifted on. All which being confider'd, *tis evident that the firft grand Rule for improving this Homiletical Method in treating of any Text, mud be, to cbn- fult the principal Scope of the Text infifted on ^ and accordingly by the faid Scope to regulate the whole Difcourfe : As, i. The Dodrinal Obfer- vation, fo as it may fpeak out the very Truth prin-^ cipally defign'd by the Holy Ghoft in the place. 2. The Do(5trine being once thus enunciate, it again ought to regulate the feveral Queftions or general Heads propofed for Explication : fo that the principal Parts of the Do6i:rine ought not only fimply to be confidered as in themfelves, but in their refpecl to the principal Scope of Text and Do- <5lrine ; and accordin,2;ly the feveral explicatory Queftions ought to be ftated. And thereupon, ;. The feveral Anfwers and Enlargements, in dif- courfmg thofe general Heads, ought likewife to keep clofe by the Import of the Queftions them- felves, and to bear a fpecial refped unto the a- forefaid principal Scope and Defign. And then, 4. In a fpecial manner the Application of the Do- r which the v/ife Merchant willingly fells ail, Matth.ij., 45-, 46. At firft view this complex DoBrine would feem to require a great many different Queftions and Purpofes to be fpoken to, in order to its right Profecution : and yet if the foreilnd Rules ofcon- lidering the principal Scope of the Text and Do- drine, together wich the principal Inferences the fame muft ilTue in, be clofely obferved ,• it will upon a little ferious Reflection inftantly appear. That this Dodrine divideth it felf only into one explicatory and another appiicatory Branch. The explicatory js only to clear, that all defirabh Exceliencies are really to be found in the Lord Jefus Chrift : And thereupon the appiicatory muft be, to commend highly Believers Choice of him for their Portion ; and from thence to reafon and expoftu- late moft feriouOy with Unbelievers, in order to their flailing in love with fuch an infinicely excel- lent and glorious Objsd, Towards clearing all defirable Excellencies to be in Chrift ^ firft, the Term Excellencies being the F 5 general 70 7)ifcourfes concerning the general Term, running through the whole of the Difcourfe; feme dh1:ind Notion would hriQfly be given of it ,• as that it imports extraordinary Per- fedions rendring the Subjed: thereof exceeding worthy and glorious, and preferable unto others. This being premiled, in the next place the moil comprehenfive and convincing Confiderations of the great Excellencies in Chrift would be adduced: Suchasj I. That being God, and the Fulnefs of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily ; there muft certainly be found with him all the glorious Per- fe(5lions, communicable or incommunicable, of the Deity, Rom. 9. f . CoL 2. 9. Ha muft be the Eternal, Self-exiftent, Self-fufficient^ Indepen- dent and Unchangeable Being : He muft be the Omnifcient, Omniprefent, Omnipotent God : He muft be infinite in HoUnefs, Juftice, Good- nefs and Truth. And wh2Lt greater Excellencies can poffibly be defired, than what thefe are md can produce unto Believers ? Again^ idlp His being the glorious firfi Caufe md Author of all Being and Perfedion araongft the Creation ; this muft likewife demonftrate all defirable Excellencies to be iii him, John j,%, Heb. I. 2. For being the Fountain Being, they muft be all originally in him ^ and again, being all created out of nothing, they muft be infinitely in him : So that the whole of created Perfedions and Excellencies fcattered up and down through the whole Creation, in the higher and lower World, among Angels or Men, muft all be but a Drop, ani leis than a Drop, unto the Ocean of effential infinite Fulnefs in our Lord, Ift. 40. i ^ , to 19. And !f fo, what Perfedson or Bleffing can be wanting, d-her for inward or outward Man ? 4^d right Method of Tr caching. 7 1 And fo likevvife, %dly. As God-McWy Mediator, having by his Obedience unto Death purcha- fed Wifdom^ Righteoufnefs, Sanctiftcation and Redemption ; he muft certainly be a tnoft perfed: and ccmpleat Redeemer, iCor.i. ;o. Col, 2, 10. For by virtue of thefe feveral Parts of his great and rich Purchafe, 'tis evident that all the ]Blef- fings are with him, which ignorant, guilty, cor- rupt and captiva.te Man ftands in need of in order to Salvation. Brkfljy our Lord having tlieFulnefs of a God and of the Fountain Being in him 3* and having alfo the Fulnefsof a compleat Mediator j 'tis evident, that every thing defirable for the Human Soul or Body, for Time or Eternity, muft cer- tainly be treafured i|^ in him. For wiiat Blefling can an All-fufficient Creator and a gracious Re- deemer poflibly want ? Thefe few Heads are only mentioned as fo ma- ny proper Topicks towards clearing our Lord's fu^ perlative Glory and E^xcellency ,- and to fhew, how the Explication of Doctrines ought to keep clofe by the principal Scope of the fame : Not but that, there are a great many more Topicks to com- mend Chrift from, than what thefe are : but thefe mentioned being the Foundation of all that can be named ; and alfo in Dodrines of this kind, mu,ch of Minifterial Wifdom, confiding in a prudent Re- ferve of fome fpecial weighty Truths, as fo many Moti'ves to prefs home the important Exhortation of embracing Chrift ,• therefore any other To- picks looking this way would be referred to that part of the Difcourfe j which, becaufe of its great Import and Cpnfequence in relation to the faith- ful Preaching of Chrift, I fhall referve and metho= dizc It into a Chapter by it feif, F A CHAP. ^%^._ 'pijcourjes concerning the _ CHAP. IV. The Tr etching of Chrifi leing the Grand De-j fign of the Gofpel ; the commending of him^ ■ ii To "Believers^ towards their rejoicing in their Choice^ loving and glorifying him more and more ; eAndj 2. To Unlelieversj to- wards compelling them to come in ; 7m& certainly he two great Tieces of a GofpeU U^ifpenfatip/^, eAccordingly^ in order to the clofe cApflication of the former explicatory Truths relative to our L^ord^ fever al proper Topicks, co7ttainingfome of the moB weighs ty Gofpel Motives for prevailing with Sin- ners to e?nhrace ChriB'^ are condefcejided Mpn. Thefe Motives are particularly o- fened uf in their Reafonahlenefs and Im- prt : The manifold DiYi^dions which might be i?ifified on ufon fuch a SuhjeHj are fum- med u2 unto two Heads, TH E applied tory Tart of ^he explicatory Truths contained in the preceding Chapter, ought accprding to the Scope of the Text and Dodrine £0 run in thefe twa Inferences. Firft^ that feeing Chrift hath all defirable Ex- cellencies in him^ then certainly Believers Choice oi: h'my for their Portion, muft be the wifeft and beft Choice of all others in the World. In dif- courfiiig of which Inference, 'tis clear that if the oSrijp^ of the Doctrine be ftili kept clofe by^ which is to (jomijiend Chrift ;; thai: then the declaring th^; right Method of Treaching. j:^ feveral excellent Properties of Chrift, confidered under the Notion of a Torticn y as peculiar to himfelf above all other Portions, muft be the proper Enlargements thereof. Such as, i. That he is the only ^/^-/«J?^c/>wf and /«//^^/e Portion, that can anfwer all the Wants and Defires of the whole Man, who can remove ail Evil, and introduce all Good ; who can efFedually remove all Sin and Mifery, and beftow Peace, Pardon, Grace and Glory upon Man, All which are Bleffings to be jFound no where elfe, Ifa, 5* 9. 2, %. 2. That he is the only felffufficient Portion, who needs not go outof himfelf, and his own Fulnefsfor anything: whereas all other Portions, whether Riches, Ho- nour or Pleafures, are abfolutely dependent upon a fuperior Providence, and can only ferve and fa- tisfy according to the Pleafure thereof, Jer, 2. 14. ;. That he is the only durable and unchangeahU Portion ; which will ftill remain the fame in his Perfon, Perfedipns, Fulnefs and Love, without any alteration, Heh. i :>. 8. 4. That he is the on- ly everlafting Portion, who can render happy in all Cafes and Circumftances : In Life, in Death, at Judgment, and through Eternity, and who will remain to be a noble Portion, when the World and its temporal Fulnefs (hall be in a Flame, John 17.24.^ Briefly, that he is the only Soul- fatisfying Portion, who can reftore Man again unto the enjoyment of the four great Soul-centerlng Bleffings of the DivineFavour, Image, Fellowihip, and Kingdom. And therefore beyond all controverfy, great muft be the Wifdora which is in Believers choice. The other Branch of the Application is to ex- poftulate with Unbeh'evers, in order to their fal- ling in love with and embracing the Lord Jefus Chrjft, feeing all defirable Excellencies are to be found with him. And -J 4- ^ifcourfes concerning the And here confidering, that there is no Branch .of Application or Inference ^ which the Gofpel can ever pofEbly in fift uppn^ in which the Glory of God, the Honpur of the Mediator, and the Salva- tion of immortal Souls, can be more concerned, than what in this; therefore certainly there cai^ be no part of Gofpel-Dodrine, in which Mini- fters ought to be more the weU-inftru^ied and ready Scribe^ able to bring out of their Treafure things new anii old, by way of Reafonings, Motives, and DiretHonsy towards a due and clofe Profecution of the forefaid Inference. As for proper Topic ks for Motives^, thpfe folio vy- ing are humbly offered : As^ i. The great Glory and E:^cellency of Chrift's Perfon. 2. The Great- nefs of his Love to Sinners. ;. The alluring Ft*lnefs and Suitahknefs of his Mediatory Offices* 4. The obliging Methods and Way^ of his executing the fame. j. The Greatnefs of the Salvation, which he brings along with him. And, 6. The ahfolute Neceffityoi coming to Chrift for this Salvation,there being no other Nanie iind.er Heaven given among Men for that end. The Rsafqmhlenefs of tjiefe Topicks towards per- fwading Sinners to embrace Chrift, will the more appear, if we confider, that before the r^fio«^/Hu- nian Soiil will make a cordial Choice of an Invi-^ fible Chrifiy Man muft firft have fome clear Account of the Excellency pf the Objed, and of the Good- will of the Perfon ,• as alfo of the Agreeablenefs of the Perfon's Perfediions unto them, and of the Eafinefs of the Method and Terms upon which the Marriage Relation may be obtained ; and further, of the Greatnefs of the Happinefs which will epfue thereupon ; and laftiy, to fet all the niore clofely home upon a rational Beings ^ndaQd with a ftrong Prin- right Method of Tr caching. 7 5 Principle of Self-prefervation, and an innate De- fire towards Happinefs, the ftrong Argument of abfolute Neceffity, in order to Salvation, would alfo be improven upon this Head. All which Ways of Reafoning do evidently require the Whole of the forefaid Toficks to be made ule of in Mini- fters endeavouring to compel Sinners to come \i^^ Now from thefe general Topigks the following particular Motives may be clearly deduced, to- wards the perfwading Men to einbrace the Lord Jefus Chrift, as offered in the Gofpel. At firft, by way of Motive^ the Hearers of the Gofpel would be defired to confider the infinite tranfcendent Glory ofthePerfon of ourLord ; and for this end to confider him, i . As the Glorious Eternal Son of God, having the fame Infinite Divine Nature and Perfedions with the Father ^ fo that he is the Brightnefs of his Father's Glory, and the exprefs Image of his Perfon ,• and therefore muft certainly be the moft Glorious and Excellent Being, the Supream and Chief Good ; and what can the Soul of Man defire more ? Heb. i. ;. 2. As the won- derful Perfon God- Man, John 1. 14. which AffeB . ought certainly to render him moft glorious in Man^s account. For tho' the Human Nature can add nothing unto the eflential Glory of the Divine, yet^ at the fame time it undeniably renders the Perfon of our Lord moft extraordinary and wonderful, and ought juftly to make him moft amiable to us. The very firft Intimation in the Garden, Ge«. :5. i^. tho' moft remote and dark, yet madefuch ex- traordinary Impreffions upon our firft Parents, that they forgot all their Perturbations and Fears, as being taken up with the wonderful Promife of rhe Seed of th^ Woman its bruifing the Head of tbQ ^6 ^ifcourfes concerning the the Serpent, Gen, 5. 15:. And indeed who is it a- mong the Children of Men, that will ferioufly re- fled, either upon the grand End and Dedgn of the Byfoftattcd Union^ to wit, the Redemption of Man, or upon the inconceivable Intimacy there- of, whereby our Lord, though really both God and Many yet continueth flili but one and thQfame Ferfon ; or upon the extraordinary Communion which muft neceffarily enfue thereupon betwixt the two Natures ; or upon the Eternity of that U- hion and Communion, he being to continue God-Man for ever^ I fay, who poffibly can pon- der thefe Things, and not inftantly perceive fuch a depth of Wifdom and Power, in the Contri- vance, and fuch obligin|2; Condefcenfion and Love in the Deity towards Man, all concentring in the Perfon of our Lord, as ought juftly to render bim unto us the moft extraordinary, wonderful and amiable Objea of all others in the World ? If a. 9. 6. Song 5". 10. %dly. To proclaim our Lord's Glory and Excel- lency ; his being the Fathers Delight, and that from all Eternity ; and his being declared by God from Heaven, upon his Incarnation, to be his be^ k'ued Son, in whom he was well pleafed, would alfo be infifted upon, Pro'v. 8. ;o. Mattb.ij.^^. For certainly an Objed adequate unto the Infinite Mind and Will, giving God the Father, perfet^ Satisfadion and Delight, and that through an E- ternity, muft have Infinite Perfedions and Excels lencies, and muft be much more a compleat Ob- jed towards the perfeding the Happinefs of the Finite Defires and Capacities of the Souls of the Children of Men. A^thly, In holding forth our Lord's Glory, his be- ing in his Perfpn and Performances to be the Sub-^ jeft right Method of breaching. ')j jeci of an Eternal Song among the Redeemed^ and this Song being always to be neWy would alfo be improven, Rev.^,<), & 7. lo. For *tis clear, con- fidering how exceedingly the Souls of the Re- deemed ftiall be enlarged in their Intellectual Pow- ers and Capacities, that certainly an Object, invi- ting unto an Eternal Contemplation, Praife and Admiration, muft poffefs Perfedions and Excellen- cies infinitely above the cleareft and fuUeft Views and Conceptions, which the moft accompliftied and penetrating Souls attain unto in this remote and imperfed State. Upon all which Confiderations demonftrative of the excellent Tranfcendent Glo- ry of our Lord's Perfon, Minifters have undoubt- edly the moft folid rational Grounds in the World to expoftulate with their Hearers to open the E- verlafting Doors, and let this King of Glory en- ter in, Pfalm 24. 7,9. The Second General Tcfick for Motives, is the great fjefs of Chrifi^s Love to Sinners. And as no Confideration hath more of a gaining afFeding Influence in it, with the rational Soul, than what the Propofal of Love, efpecially when feen to be fmcere and pure ,- accordingly this Topick would be fo much the more improven, and that in the clofeft Method imaginable. ^ As Firfiy The Greatnefs of Chrift's Love to Sin- ners would beinfifted upon: And that as appear- ing, I. In his Incarnation, whereby he greatly vailed the Divine Glory and denied himfelf, more efpecially, if the Duration of his Eftate of Humi- liation for Thirty Years and upward be confider- ed^ during which Time, a courfe of the Sorrows of this Life, and of Contradiction from Sinners was his greateft and daily Entertainment from the Hands of Men, H^h, iz, 5, 2. In his aftonifhing Sub^ ^8 ^ifcourfes concerning the Submiffion and Obedience unto the curfed, igno- minious and torturing Death of the Crofs,- in un-^ dergoing which, the whole of the Wrath and Pu- nifliment, due unto the Souls and Bodies of the whole of the Eled, upon the Account of their Sinsj was inflided upon him, and born by him, Jfa. 5-^.6. Surely the greateft ftrongeft Love was neceffary here : For, gredter Love hath m Mav^ than thtSy that a Man lay doivn his Life for his Friends, John ij*. i;. ;. In the great Chearful- nefs of his Submiffion unto Sufferings : Longing for that bloody Baptifm j and marching /r/ of all the Company up unto Jerufalem, and declaring himfelf in the Garden, to be the Man they were feeking^ yea, and when the bloody Cup it felf came to be put in his Hand, behold what Submif- fion to the Will of his Father. All which furely fpeak forth, a molt deep and unfhaken Love, paft all Finite Comprehenfion, Ifa, 5-;. 7. And fo^ Secondly^ The great Freedom and Vure^ fiefs of this Love of Chrift's would be particu- larly declared : As having very much of an af-. fe<^ting and obliging tendency in it,- were not the Hearts of the Children of Men corrupted with unnatural Enmity, and adamantine Hard- nefs and Inflexibility. Towards difplaying the great Freedom of Chrift's Love, I. The Eternity of it would be declared, whereby it abfolutely prevented not only all Pro- mifes and Obligations from Man to our Lord, to- wards his becoming our Redeemer, but even all Supplication it felf, which is amongft the loweft Motives to Compaffion. And, in the Garden, behold our Lord fought out our firft Parents, yea and that even when running away from him. S6 that there was not one of the Human Race, fo much right Method of Tr caching. y 9 much as to defire our Lord to tranfad for loft and undone Man ,• when from Eternity he faid unto the Father^ Pfalm 40, 6, Sacrifice and Offering thou dldjt nut defire f mine Ban Jjafi thou opened: Burnt* offering and Sin-offering thou hafi not required. Sure- ly then his Love nluft be abfolutely free, and in- tirely fpringing from himfelf. Again^ 2. The ImpoffMity of any Addition unto our Lord's Infinite effential Glory and Blefledneft by any Love, Service or Praife the Redeemed pof- fibly can perform, doth alfo proclaim the Love of Chrift to be a moft pure Love \ feeing it propo- feth rather. to give than receive, and muft always firft be the Fountain, before any Streams can pol- fibly return unto it, Pfalmi6.2; Befides all which, if, ;. The gre^c Soveralgnty of this Love, mani- fefted in our Lord's not taking upon him the Na- ture of Angels ^ but of Men^ be confidered, the great Freedom and diftinguilhing Quality of this Love muft certainly appear to a Demonftration. For, confidering the Angels in their more high and glorious Natures, and in their more enlarged and elevated Powers and Capacities, 'tis plain, that nothing but the moft fovereign Free- love, could have determined in Favours of Man, Heb, 2. 16. And if Chrift's Love be thus fo free, pure^ and fovereign, v^hat ingenuous rational Soul ought it not deeply to afFedl and prevail with to return Love for fuch wonderful and pure Love again ; More efpecially confidering that our poor finite Love, in its higheft Elevations, can never bear the leaft Proportion unto the Love of a God, I John ;. I. 2 Cor, 5*. 14, 1 5'. The Third General Tofick for Motives, is the alluring Fulnefs and Suitablenefs of the Mediatory Offices^ of Prophet, Prieft and King. That Man fince 8 b ^ifcourfes concerning the fince the Fall wants Wifdom, Righteoufnefs, Satl- ^ification and Redemption, is fo obvious from Scripture, and every fenfible Sinners Experience; that there can be no manner of Doubt about it. And on the other Hand, that Chrift, as the great Prophet of the Church, can by his Spirit and Word moft effectually and favingly inftrud the clarkeft Mind, in relation to Man's natural loft Eftace, the Remedy provided in a Mediator, the evil of Sin and beauty of Holinefs, the Nature and Neceffity of Faith, Repentance and New O- bedience, in order to Salvation, is fo clear from manifold Scripture Inftances, particularly the illi- terate Fifher-men the Apoftles, that none can de- ny it. And fo likewife, that as Trieft he can re- concile guilty Sinners to God, and provide them with a perfed Righteoufnefs, in order to their being intituled unto Eternal Life, is fo manifeft from his undergoing the Curfe, and obeying per- fectly the Precepts of the Law in the Elects Name and Room, that confidering the high Quality and abfolute Innocence of the Perfon fo fuffering and obeying, 'tis impoffible for Reafon it felf, to form any folid Objection againft that grand Truth of Revealed Religion, to wit, the Juftification of a believing Sinner by the Imputation of the Righ^ ceoufnefs of the Lordjefus Chrift, 2 Cor. ^.21. And fo as King^ 'tis equally clear, that he can irrefiftably fubdue the moft defperately wicked and obftinate Heart, making the Soul moft cor- dially willing to embrace him in all his Offices^ and to turn from all Sin, even the moft beloved, unto the whole and ftrideft Parts of Holinefs, Vfalm 1 10. :;. There are fo many Monuments of the Almighty Power of his Grace this way : Such zs ManaJJh^ P^«/, the Thief upon the Crofs, and Thou- right Method of Treachtrig. 8 1 Thoufands of others^ that there is no Room lefc for any Sinner ( bemoaning the greateft Power of fpiritual Plagues) in the leaftto defpair, or be dejeded ; for there is a fovereign Balm in Gileady an Almighty Phyfician there^ who knows no op- frohium Medicorum^ but hath an infallible Remedy^ for the moft fatal and threatning Maladies. Brief- ly^ he who by his great Power, created the Soul upright at firfl, can in the Face of all Oppofition create the new Heart again ,• and as by this Pow- er he can in Regeneration ^ lay the Foundation- work of Grace j fo by the fame^ he can gradual- ly Carry the begun good Work on unto Perfecti- on, VhiL 1. 6. This Tppick of the Fulnefs and Sui^ tablenefs of the Mediatory Offices^ I have been a little the more full upon^ be^aufe as 'tis in ic felf a moft agreeable Motive, confidering all its Parrs^ fo alfo, 'tis the Motive which I obferve our Lord makes as much ufe of in the Gofpel, as of any other improven by him ^ as is clear from I fa, 6i. 1,2, 5. Rev. ;. 17, 18. And therefore muft cer- tainly be a moft proper Argument to be infilled on towards winning Souls. The Fourth General Tofkk is, the obliging Me- thods and Ways, by which our Lord executeih the Mediatory Offices, in carrying on the Salva^ tion of Sinners. As, i. How obliging is ic in him to fend forth his AmbalTadors, and by his Word treat with Rebels. Again, 2. He know- ing their Inability to anfwer and obey the Go- fpel, as being abfolutely dead in Sin, he moft .kindly diredts them to acknowledge their Impo- tency, and thereupon to ask his quickaing and converting Power, by which they may be ena- bled to obey the two great Gofpel Commands relative to Faith and Repentance, Ez^ck, 56. 26, :57. G ;. And 8? J)ifcourfes concerning the :;. And when once a Sinner comes to be truly fenfible of the great Power of (piritual Plagues, and thereupon fincerely to defire and long for more and more of a fenfible Day of the Divine Pow- er, towards enabling them in a more diftind and lively Manner to embrace the Lord Jefus Chrlft, and to mourn for Sin, and turn from it j behold how ready our Lord is to meet fuch returning Prodigals, while yet afar off,' and to grant them the Defire of their Soul, Luke i^. 20. Jer. ;i. 18;, 19, 20. 4. And if any fuch fenfible returning Sinner be greatly difcouraged, upon the Account of the grearnefs of their Sin, and of the hainous and grofs Aggravations attending the fame; behold, where the Guilt, Power and Spot of Sin is once truly become a Burden ; and where the Soul is cordially willing to be beholden unto the impu- ted Righteoufnefs of a Mediator for Juftification ^ I fay, when once Matters Hand thus, then our Lord's Voice immediately is, Ifa, 1. 18. Come now^ and let us reajon together^ faith the Lord '^ though your Sins he as Scarlet^ they Jhall be as white as SnoWy though they he red like Crlmfony they fiall he as fVooL 5. And when once the good Work is truly be- gun in Regeneration, behold how pleafantly the Lord by his Spirit, along with his Ordinances and Providences from Time to Time, carrieth it on, until :5in be totally eradicated, and Holinefs abfolutely perfeded, that fo the Soul may at the long-run be made meet to be a Partaker of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, Pfalm 84. 7, Col. I. 12. All v^rhich being confidered, what ra- tional thinking Soul is it, that can defire a better qualified, or more ohliging Rcdeam^r^ than what the Lord Jcfus Chrift is ? :; The right Method of T reaching. 8 :^ The j-th General Topick is, the greatnefs of the Salvation it felf, which is oiFered by Chrift unto Sinners. Which cannot but be great above all fi- nite Conception, if we confider, that it not only hath in it a perfe<5t Freedom from all Sin and Mi- fery, and a perfec^l Conformity unto God, but alfo an Immediate, Full and Eternal Beatifical Vifion and Enjoyment of the Deity ; and that in all the three glorious Perfons of the Godhead, and in all the wonderful Perfedions of the Divine Na- ture^ as difplaying themfelves in the great Coun- fels and Perfections of Creation and Redemption, Efh. f . 26, 27. I John :;. 2. Rev. 22. 4, 5*. And indeed confidering the great Contriver, Purcha- fer and Applier of this Salvation, and that 'tis the chief of the Counfels and Works of God, to which all others have been in a great Meafure fubordi- nate, it certainly muft be true, that any Notions or Ideas which we have, in this dark, imperfed and remote State of the Glory to be revealed, muft bear very little Proportion unto the real Import and great Extent of the thing it ielf, i Cor. 2. 9. But as it is written, Eye hath not feen, nor Ear heardy neither have entered into the Heart of Aian the things which God hath prepared for them that lov^ him. All which cries aloud upon rational Man, to fairly in with this great Salvation, and thereupon be- come perfedly and inconceiv:qbly Happy. To all which Motives, 6. It may not be impro- per to fubjoin the Confideration, of our Lord's being the only Saviour,* and of Salvation, its be- ing to be found in none other befides himfelf. Accordingly we find the Apoftle Fetcr^ in a moft ferious and important Sermon unto a great Aidi- tory improving this Argument j A^s 4.12. And which deferveth Remark, our Lord himfelf a- G 2 mongft §4 ^ifcourfes concerning the mongft his kft Words and Diredions to his Apo- ftles, plainly commands them to preach, Mark 1 6. 1 6. He that belie'ueth and is baptiz.ed Jhall be fa- *ued'^ but he that believeth not jhall be damned. And as to the Truth of the Argument, 'tis certain, that feeing none could fatisfie offended Juftice, bitt one equal in Dignity to the Party offended; and feeing no Righteoufnefs can anfwer the Law, but what is abfolutely perfect ; and feeing no Power can regenerate or fandifte Man^ dead in Sins and Trefpaffes, fave the Almighty Arm ; I fay, confidering all thefe, 'tis evident that none other, but the wonderful Perfon God-Man, can poffibly prove an All-fufficient and Compleat Sa- viour, unto finite guilty and impotent Man ; and therefore^ Chrift muft be cordially embraced, and received in all his Offices, as the Wifdom and Power of God unto Salvation; otherwife Con- demnation by Reafon of the Breach of the firft Covenant, is abfolutely Inevitable. John :;. i8. He that believeth on htm^ is not condemned^ but he that believeth not, is condemned already, becaufe he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God, The next Head falling natively in, after thqfe Motives, is that of DireBions towards clofing aright with the Lord Jefus Chrift, as offered in the Go- fpel. In relation to which, feveral Things might be propofed; fuch as^ i. To affent unto the Truth of the Gofpel Accounts of Man's Sin, Mifery, and Impotency by Nature. 2. To compare the Bleffings purchafed by the Second Adam, with thbfe loft by the Sin of the firft. And, ;. There- upon to expoftulate with our felves concerning ^he Excellency of this Contrivance of Salvation, through right Method of Treu'chhtg. 85 through a crucified Chrift. But all thefe and ma- ny others fuch like, importing no more upon the Matter, but a ferious frequent Medication upon the forefaid Motives ,* I fhall therefore proceed to what more immedi- ately and formally belongeth unto practical Di- redions, in relation to right clofing with the Lord Jefus Chriit. And on this Head, I muft premife, that it feems not to be improper for all Minifters offering Direct mis towards this important Duty, to Preface the fame, by declaring particularly to their Hearers, that there are two forts of Perfons, with whom Cafes and Queftions about right Cove- nanting with Chrift ufe to be found, i. Some who only in an -Hyfocritical way ,* or at mofl: in an overly and indifferent Manner prcpofe the fanie, and accordingly giveEar unto the Anfvvers, only as to a common, ordinary Piece of Gofpel Do- «5trine, without any ferious Concern, or fincere Purpofe to fail in with the fame. Upon which, all fuch Perfons ought to be plainly told thefe two Things relative to their Cafe,- as, i. That whatever they pretend, the Lord knows that they are as yet in Heart, real Defpifers of Chrift, both in his Perfon and Offices \ and that 'tis not to fuch that the Diredions are chiefly propofed ,* feeing it is not the Whole but the Sick, that wil^ ever in earned improve the Phyfician. Yea, 2. Such ought to be further informed, that the O^ers of Chrift, together with the Motives and Dire^ions relative to clofing v/ith him, inftead of doing them good, while thus in Heart Underva^ hers of the glorious Redeemer, fhall only as fo many Witnelfes againft them, add unco their Condemnation. And if this Plainnefs were feri- oiifly ufed at fuch Times, who knows how much G 5 it 86 ^ifcourfes concerning the it might prevent a great deal of Soul-deftroying Prefumpcion with a great many^ who are ready to think that all the Hearers of the Gofpel, are at all Times in Cafe^ and fufficiently prepared for receivin,2: Chrift ? Never in the leaft fuppofing any need of the convincing^ humbling and draw- ing work of the Holy Ghoft. Yea this plainnefs might alfo by the Divine Bleffing prove a mean of afFeding deeply fuch who were concerned in it; and that, as feeing themfelves Perfons yet far from God, and upon whom the Gofpel for the Time is in a great Meafure loft^ and to whom it is in hazard to prove the favour of Death unto Death, 2 Cor. 2. 16. There are again, 2. On the other Hand^ others who from nht Heart are enquiring, IVbat jhall they do to be faved^ And who are longing for Diredli- on^, as the Patient threatned with prefent Death, longeth for the Prefcriptions of the ableft Phyfi- cian. Now when Matters are thus, and the Soul fo affected with a Senfe of Sin and Mifery, and with the Gofpel-report of Chrift's Fulnefs and Sui- tabienefs, that no Terms are accounted too hard in order to the obtaining a faving Intereft in him, then the following Diredions feem highly pro- p^r. As Fir ft. To endeavour clear fcrlftural Notions of Faith in Chrift Jefus, for while the Soul is con- fufed or dark in this^ 'tis impoffible either to re- ceive Chrift as offered fo diftindly, or in recei- ving him, to have fuch Comfort, as what ought to attend Believing. This Direction is moft clear- ly imported in Faith's being exprelly termed Knovv/ledge, intimating the Neceffity of that Grace, its being along wiai it^ //^. SS- 1 1* la right Method of T reaching. 8 7 In order to the attaining unto diftind fcriptu- ral Notions of faving Faith in Chrift, thefe Three following Heads muft be ftudied. As, i. Di- ftind found Notions of the glorious Ohje^ of Faith. 2. Of the Terms upon which he is offered in the Gofpel. ;. Of the Mh of the Soul abfo- lutely neceffary unto believing. Towards conceiving aright the Ohjecl of Faith, to wit, the Lord Jefus Chrift 5* 'tis clear, that the Soul ought to confider him as the Eternal Son of God, who in the depth of Infinite Wifdom and Love, was condefcended on by the adorable Trinity to become Man j and being God-Man in one Perfon, to fuiFer the Curfe of the broken Law, and perfedly obey the Precepts thereof, that fo all the Eled may through his Paflive and Adive Obedience, not only obtain a compleat Remiffion of Sins, but alfo a moft perfect Righ- teoufnefs, intituling them unto Eternal Life, John %,i6, Rom. 4. 25". As for the Terms upon which Chrift is offered in the Gofpel, they are all reducible to thefe Three; to wit, i. That he mufl be above all o- ther Objeds, the Beloved of the Soul,- and indeed confiderihg, that the Fulnefs of an Infinite God, and the ALfujjiciency of a Compleat Saviour, are truly to be found in him, 'tis evident, that the st- tional Soul hath all the ground in the World, to account him the -Vearl of great Trice^ and accord- ingly cordially to fell all in order to the obtaining of him, Matth, iT^.A^yji^^. 2. He mufl be our on- ly Saviour, importing that we muftintirely truit to his Righteoufnefs for our Juftification, and to his Grace for our Sanclification, faying from the Heart, that only in the Lord have we Righteoufiufi SitiA Strength^ Ifa.45. 24. And fo Ukewife, 5. He G 4 muft 88 jDifcourfes concerning the muft be our only Sovereign ; his Law mtift be cor- dially chofen for the Rule of our Converfation : So that the whole both of the inward and outward M^n^ without any referve^ muft be fubjecSfc there- unto ; as alfo our Perfons^ and our ^11^ even to Life it felf , muft be at the difpofal of his Providence^ to be ufed by him^ for his Glory, as what he feeth meet, Luke 14. 26. The laft Head relative to the JBs of the Soul, abfolutely neceffary to Faith ; 'tis clear from the Premiffes, that firft there muft be an ajjenting Ad, by which the Perfon folidly believeth the Truth of the Gofpel-report and Promife, relative to Chrift's Incarnation, Death, Satisfaction and Purchafe^ otherwife the Objed: can never be aright appre- hended, nor the Soul really encouraged to come forward, Ifa. 45:. 24. And fo likewife, 2. There muft be a confentlng and embracing K6k ; the Mind apprehending his AU-fufficiency and Willingnefs, as held forth in the Gofpel-Offer, the Will muft thereupon particularly confent to this way of Jufti- ficarion, Sandification, and Redemption by a Crucified Chrift, and fo reft upon him alone as the Wifdom and Power of God for Salvation^^ fhil ^8,9. Thefe few Heads being a little pondered, fome diftind and found Notions of faving Faith cannot but in part arife in the Soul, which was the firft Diredion towards right clofing with the Lord Je- fus Chrift 3 and which if once attained unto, will very much pave the Way for, ThQ fecond DireBion, which is to endeavour ^re^t Souni'lnefs of Heart in clofing and covenanting with him. That there are many u?jfound BQlie- yers, is beyond all controverfy, M^tth, 2tjcourfes concerning the material and comprehenfive Words of the Apoftle Taul to Timothy. Second Epiftle to Tim, 5. f . Having a Form of Godlinefsy hut denying the Power thereof ^ from fuch turn away. For IntroduAion, Divifion^ and Explication, 1 humbly conceive what folio weth may ferve. All godly and faithful Minifiers being deeply concerned for the Glory of Chrift, the Honour of Religion,, and Salvation of immortal Souls; and T^nowing how much Hypocrify in Religion is Anti^ pods unto, and quite fubverfive of all thofe impor- tant Ends ; they accordingly fet themfelves to un- fold the great Sin and Danger thereof, and there- -upon ferioudy warn their People to beware of the fame. And fo we find the faithful Apoftle declaring to ■Timothy two things, and accordingly exhorting him, I. That there are a great many Perfons li- ving fecretly under the Power of manifold grofs Sins, who yet have a Form, i. e» an external me- thodical way of living, which hath a Shew and ^pptarance of true Religion in it. 2 But with- all, that the fame Perlbns in the mean time are ab- folutely Strangers to the powerful quickening Prin- ciple of fpiritual Life, and to the fandifyingcon- ftraining Influences of Grace, which produce true Holinefs in Heart and Life, with all Perfons truly regenerate. Upon which, in the next place, he exhorteth him to turn away from them, meaning, that both he himfelf, and all the other Members of the Church, ought fo to deteft and abominate the Hypocrify and Naughtinefs of fuch Perfons, (more efpecially when they become Seducers of others) as to ihun all intimate unneceffary Cqni- munion and Fellowlhip wich them. . Now right Method of Treaching. 93 Now according to the Line and Order of the Textj there is ground for a threefold Dodrinal Obfervation. I. That mcfi 'Wicked Verfons may have a Form of Godiinefs. 2. That however the Hypocrite is willing of an outward Form of Religion^ yet in Heart he hath a fecret Contrariety to the Power and FraBice thereof ;. That whtn once Verfons Hyper ify in Rdigion comes to be notour and evident y they ought then to be difcoun- tenancedy and in fo far had in great abomination* In difcourling the firft of thofe Do^riwe/, which is evident from the Connedion of the preceding Verfes with the Text ^ ail that feems proper (con- fidering the fubfequent Obfervations) is, only, i. To prove and confirm the Truth thereof, and 2. To fliew whence it is that there isfuch aCo;^- ftfitncy betwixt great Wickednefs and a Form of God- iinefs. As to what concemeth the Confirmr^tion of the Dodrine, there are, i. So many Scripture Affer- tions all importing this Truth, fuchasPro-x/. 50. 12, Matth.2.%. 2:5, to ;o. and27. 2, 8. and, 2. So ma- ny Scripture Inflances and Examples, fuch as Jehuy Judasy Herod^ Ananias y Saphiray and many Others, that there is no room left for the leaft doubting the Truth thereof. And for clearing the fecond Heady if we confioer that the whole Externals of Religion, fuch as Head- Knowledge, hiftorical Faith, Attendance upon the Ordinances, cuftomary Prayer, communica- ting, and other feeming Good Works of Juftice, Piety and Charity, all which make up the Form or Shew of Godiinefs; I fay, if it be confidered, that even all thofe may be where, i. There is not the leaft Principle of fandifying Grace towards the producing of one good Thought, as ^s clear in the C'afe 94 ^ifcourfes cpncerning the Cafe of Paul in his unconverted Eftate, Hll ;. 4, f , 6. And, 2. That all thofe may be where Sin is in its abfolute reigning Power and Dominion, and the Perfon fecretly living in the habitual Love and Pradice of the groffeft Abominations, as is evident from thb Context, and from Matth, 2;. 2.8. lAi. 10, to 20. Yea, ;. That all the fe Exter- nals in Religion may be only ufed and kept up as a Covert and Cloak unto a Trad: and Courfe of fecret Wickednefs : So that were it not for the fake of fome bafe carnal felfifli Ends, the Perfon would lay afide the very Form of Religion it felf, Matth, 2:;. I, 4. 2 Tim, 4. 10. All which being confidered, it may foon appear clearly whence even the moft wicked Perfons may have a Form of Godlinefs. The Application of this Dodrine runs in one In- ference, to wit. That no Perfon value himfelf limply upon the account of a Form of Godlinefs ; feeing that many fuch may be whited Sepulchres, which within are full of Rottennefs and all man- ner of Uncleannefs. In difcourfmg the Second Obfervation, thefe following Heads feem proper to be cleared, i. To ftiew whence 'tis that Hypocrites^ tho' abfolute- ly void of fancflifying Grace, yet are willing of a form of Religion. 2. To hold out how /*^r a Hy- pocrite fnay advance in a form of Godlinefs. '». To evince that there ftill remaineth, even with the moft advanced Hypocrite, a fecret contrari- ety to the Power and Pradice of true Godli- nefs. All which Heads ( being the principal Matter of the Text ) as on the one Hand, no- thing of their fubftantial Import would be omit^ ted; fo on the other, confidering, the Textual. Method requireth, that thefe Truths be only han- dled right Method of Tr caching. 9 ^ died as they fland in the Text^ therefore great Succindnefs and Brevity would alfo be ftudied. That fo one Sermon may go through much of the whole Matter contained in the Verfe or Verfes chofen for a Subjed : Except where the fame doth contain a mors than ordinary multiplicity and va- riety of Purpofes. Accordingly to return to the firft of the Three Preceding General Heads. Let us confider that Hypocrites^ though unregenerate^ yet are along with the whole of Mankind endowed, i. With a natural Confcience bearing fome ImprefGons of God, and of Moral Good and Evil, and of a Day of Judgment to come,* and thereupon are willing ofibmeFormofGodlinefs, Rom. 2,14., 1^. 2. Be- ing Born, Baptized and Educate in a Gofpel- Church, they are fo far imprefled with the No- tions of revealed Religion ( there being nothing contradictory to Reafon in them) that thereup- on they comply not only with a Form of natu- ral but of revealed Religion, Micah 511. Mattb. 29. 7, 8. :; Hypocrites being endowed with an in- nate Principle of Self' Prefervation, andfometimes with terrible Threacnings from Confcience in the Day of Trial and Affliction • they are thereupon not only willing, but fond to have fome Form of Godlinefs to anfwer and fatisfy their Confciences againft a dying Hour, ''f^Ljo. 54. To clear the (econd Htad^ refpecfting the great Advances Hypocrites may make in a Form of God- Knefs \ let us conlider, i. That the whole adorn* tng Externals of Religion (named upon the firft Dodrine) may be remarkably with them • fuch as Head- Knowledge .^ hiftcrical Faith, punclual Atttn- dance on the Ordinances^ cufiomary Prayer, external Communicating, ferfetf Blamelefnefs and great Mora- litjf 96 ^ifcourfes concerning the lity as to the Eye of the World in point of Con- verfation. Lake 18. 11, 12. Fhil. :». 5", 6. 2. A great many of the common Operations of the Spirit (and for the time moft promifingj may alfobe with hypocritical Perfons ; fuch as ConviBions^ Fears of Wrath, 'wnrm Motions ^ promifing Refolu- tions towards Chrift and Religion, conliderable external Reformations •, as is clear from the Inftances of Sauly Ahaby Fel'x, Herod, Yea, 15 . Behold how near an Approach to the Kingdom of Grace the Hypocrite may make in feveral Attainments yet higher than thofe ; fuch as^ conliderable Be^ light and Joy in Hearing, and at times fome paf- fmg high and /?o»o«r^^/e Thoughts of Chrift, and of the Happinefs of his People , confiderable SatiC- faction and Enlargement in Prayer, yea Frequen- cy in the fame, together with Fafting ; all which, together with feveral Acts of Mortification and Self-denial, towards the making up a Righteouf- nefs of their own,may be found with unregenerate ProfefTors, as is clear from the Attainments of the fiony-ground HQarQVSy Balaam, thQpharifee, and the great Sufferings the Apoftle fuppofeth Hypocrites may undergo, i Cor. 1;. i, 2, ;.^ But that which is moft aftonifhing of all is, that unregenerate Perfons may even, attain to very clear Views of the diiFerence betwixt the ElTentials and the Externals of Religion, and be able to defcribe to others the Nature and Import of Sincerity ; yea for the time feem to be under a confiderable Incli- nation and Perfwafion towards falling in with the fame. Thus Matters flood with the difcreet Scribey Mark 12. ^2, ;;, :54. Whom yet our Lord doth not acknowledge to have been actually tranflated into the Kingdom of Grace, but only not to have been far from it. And fo alfo in part, Matters wer& right Method of Treachwg. ^j were thus with Jgripfa, AH which being feri- Oufly confideredj there is no doubt gre^it ground for all to cry out with a holy Concern^ How fiw then (hall be fa^ved ? as aifo to acknowledge that Man's Heatt is a great Depth. The Third General Head will alfo beclear^ if we confider^ That all Hypocrites being unregenerate, they muft certainly be under the reigning Power of natural Enmity againft God and true Godlinefs^ as the Apoftle declareth all Men by Nature to be. Row, 8. 7. And if fo, then 'tis clear^ that what- ever Advances fuch Perfons may make in the Ex- ternals of Religion^ that yet ftill there remaineth a ftrong fecret Contrariety unto the fuperlative Love of God, the Stridnefs, Spirituality, and Ex- tent of the holy Divine Law, and unto Self-Denial of our own Righteoufnefs in the Matter of Ju- ftification. Briefly^ natural Darknefs^ Unbelief, Pride, Enmity, Obftinacy being unfubdued in all Perfons Strangers to Regeneration, 'tis impoffible there can either be faving Knovv^ledge, found Faith, true Repentance, fincere Love, or holy Obedience with any fuch Souls ; and confequent- ly, they will both in Heart and Pradice deny the Power of Godlinefs ,- for no Man ever yet gather- ed Figs or Grapes from Thiftles. ^ The principal Ufes of this Do(5trine are the(e two : Firft, It informs us clearly of the Difference betwixt H)'pocrify and Sincerity in Religion. The former confifting of an unregenerate Manx's making Profeffion of Religion, and adorning the fame with Head-Knowledge, hlftorical Faith, Atten- dance on the Ordinances, cuftomary Prayer^ external communicating, together with a moral and blamelefs Converfation before the World ,• all which make up a moft fpecious Form of Godlineft. H Bus ^S ^ijcouffes concerning the But withall, in, the mean time, hath a fecret Heart-^ 'Enmitj at Qod. and his Law, becaufe of their Holi- nefs 3 and an. Averiation from Chrifl:^ becaufe of his requiring the Denial of Man's own Righteoufnels^ and an allowed Conrrariety unto newObedience, becaufe of the right Principles, Motives, and Ends ; to wit, the Love of God, Refped to the Divine Command^ and an Eye to his Glory \ which are abfolutely neceffary unto the fame, AcU 8. i;. ccmpar'd with Verle 21. The latter^ to wit, Sin- cerity, Gonfiiling of a Man's becoming truly reli- gious, and that by virtue of a powerful fupernatu- ral Principle of fpiritual Life j which Principle introducing the faving Knowledge yf God in Chriil into the Mind, the Will accordingly en> bracethGcd fo dilcovcred, as the chief Good j ac- cepting the Lord Jefus Chrifl: in all his Offices, in order to Wifdom, Righteoufnefs, San^hificatron, and Redemption ; and is thereupon conftrained from Love to a fincere univerfal Courfe of new Obedience^ Luke 19. 6, 8. From all which \is clear why the Apoftle in the Text defcribeth true Godlinefs, as having a Power in it, which the meer Form thereof abfolutely wants : Meaning, that a Soul truly acquainted with fmcere, ferious Godlinefs, is one who hath been bleffed with the quickening, illuminating, humbling, drawJng^ Soul determining, and fandifying Powei' of fa- ving Grace; whereby the wholt Ejjtntia Is of Re- ligic-n, fuch as faving Knowledge, found Faith, fincere Repentance, fuperlativeLove, Spirituality in puiies of Woriliip, the Hatred of every falls Way, and a cordial Refpedr to all God's Com- mands, are truly to be found widi the Perfon^ Song I. 12. FjhLiio, 128. The^ right Method of Tr caching, 9 9 Thofecond Inference from this DodrinCj isythat it calls aloud upon all Perfons to beware of con- cluding Sincerity in Religion from the grcatefi Ad- vances they poflibly can make in a Form thereof. And to caufe this Inference to come the clofec home^, more efpecially confidering the great Pride, Conceit, and Deceitfulnefs, which are naturally in Man's Heart in the Matter of Religion ,• thefe t7iJo Heads feem proper Enlargements upon this Branch of the Application. Firft to make. a rational Accouiit^ how even ///- focrites^ tho' unregenerate, may make fuch great Advances in religious Matters. 2. To evince and clear that thefe high Advances are ftill fhort of a faving Work, and fpecifically different from Sincerity in Religion. Towards clearing the Firft, let us confider. That,' ifi, 'Tis plain from Scripture, Reafon, and Expe- rience, that unregenerate Perfons may have the Ad- vantage of thefe four Means and Helps, from which a Formal Godlinefs may very eafily proceed : As, I. A good Education in their Youth. 1. May live under a clofe and faithful Gofpel-DifpenfationJ ;. From thefe, confiderable Head-knowledge, both as to the Principles and Precepts of true Religion, may be found with them. 4. To all thefe mav be fuperadded the various common Motions of the Spirit improving all the former, 2 Chron. 24. 2, 17, 18. Upon all which, 2^/7. 'Tis like wife ob- vious, that thefe four conjundly impreffing the Confcience, cannot fail of producing feme con- fiderable Effeds 'y fuch as, fomething of Com^ flacency in the Ordinances, a dally Calling upon the Lord, a general Affent unto Gofpel-Truths, a profeffed Reliance upon Chrift for Salvation, an external Conformity unto the Letter of the Law, H 2 and I oo 7)if^urfes concerning the and that as to Duties of both Tables^ Ifa. 48. i , i. Ez,ek. ;;. Vj ^2- Yea more, confidering that unrenewed Perfons may at times fhare deeply of the common Motions of the Holy Ghoft ; what Ihould hinder, but that very promifmg-like Con- vicStions, Fears, Impreffions, Kefolutions, yea and confiderabte Reformations alfo, fhould be found with them, as is clear in the feveral Inftan- ces already named, but efpecially in the Cafe of wicked Herod^ Mar. 6, 20. For Herod /eireBion^ rejpe^ing a Suitablenefs in 'Ditiion and T)ialeS unto a Go/pel T)ifpenfation, To which is fub- joined the Fourth in relation to that Seri^ oufnefs of Frame ^ which lecometh the Or a- cles of God. HAving now at fome lengthy difcourfed both the Homiletical and Textual Method of Preachings there remaineth only a few Words re- lative unto the Third Branchy to wit. The Method which I termed OccafionaL By which we are not fo much to underftand any Me- thod abfolutely different from the former two^ as, fome occafional Alterations upon the two forefaid Methods, according as Minifters are providentially at Times called thereunto : Which^ Alterations muft be much left to the Prudence and Diferetion of Minifters themfelves. As, I. When a Minifter is called to preach be- fore an Audience of Judicious and Great Men, whofe Senfe^ Capacity^ and Genius doth not fo well agree with any Difcourfe, but what is ; I. Moft Important in its Matter: And, 2. Perti- nent in its Scope in relation to the Auditory and Occafion. :;. Moft Compact and Succind in its Method. 4. Moft/o/iJjr^Yjc?;^/ and convincing in the ro6 ^ifcourfes concerning the the vyhole ftrain of the Difcourfe. And, ^ . Ab- folutely free of all Digreffions, Repetitions, te- dious Enlargements, and the like. 'Tis thereup- on clear^ that in fuch Sermons feveral Forms ufed in Point of Method, in other Difcourfes (in Confideration of meaner Capacities ) may be laid afide. Accordingly in Confirmation . of this Occafi- ojial Method, 'tis moft remarkable that Paul be- ing called to preach before King Agrlpfa and Fe- ftusy Ad:s 26. He moft wifely, after a moft courteous and obliging Preface, 'ver. 2, ;. argu- eth the Truth of the Chriftian Religion, from his extraordinary and miraculous Converfion by a Voice from Heaven, as going upon Defigns of Perfecution, from JerufaUm to Damafcns. And upon this Subject he principally infifteth, laying afide in a great Meafure all other Purpofes and Arguments, as knowing they would neither be lb pleafant, nor fo afFeding unto fuch an Auditory ; as what an Account of an inimediate extraordina- ry Voice, and glorious Vifion from Heaven, would be. And therefore having briefly fhown this extraordinary Providence, to be moft confi- Itent with the acknowledged Dodrines of Mofes and the Prophets, he fums up his Sermon by a prudent charitable Infmuation of the Chriftian Religion upon King Agrippa ; alledgmg fas it werej rather than reafoning the Faith thereof upon him. All which we find to have been very acceptable and agreeable to the Audience, 'uen 25', 26, 27, to the end. So that, upon the whole the principal Rule to be obferved in this Cafe, is, that, after, a prudent Choice of fome prtinmt Subjdi 2iA\\x^tdi to the Auditory, there be a fuc- %mdi maffy Colieclion made of fome of th§ \n6^ material right Method of Treachifig. 1 07 ntatend Truths relative to that Subjed ; and on- ly fuch of thefe chofen, as moll nearly concern the Convidion and Edification of fuch Perfons : And that the whole Purpofes be all fo rationally digefted^ folidly conne6ted^ and diftindly deliver- edj as (hall oblige Judicious Hearers to acknow- ledge that ftrong Senfe from infallible Scripture gnd folid Reafon hath been delivered unto them : And that as to the Appofitenefs of the Matter and Method, the Preacher hath indeed chofen accep- table Words, and fee them in order, Ecdef, izs 9,10. And thus, the fame DlreBions will hold upon feveral other like Publick Occafions, when Mi- nifters are providentially trufted with fome ex- traordinary Auditories, and fpecial Providences conveening the fame. With refped to the right managing of which, after all the General Rules which can poffibly at a diftance be propofed^ a great deal muft ftill be left to the Vrudence of the Minifters who are fo called : Who from the Qua- lity^olthe Auditory, and Specialities of the occa- fion, muft take their Meafures accordingly. 'On- ly it would always be remembred, that in the moft elaborate and polite Difcourfes, the fpeak- ing faithfully and iingly for God, and clofe^ home unto Confcience, fo as the juft Authority and Reputation of the Gofpel may be maintain- ed, is the moft proper and efFed:ual Way for Mi- nifters approving themfeives both to God and Man. For, however it may be moft proper at Times, according to the Rules of undeniable Pru- dence to introduce with the Prophet Nathan^ fome more clofe and fcarching Truths, by fuch as are more parabolical and remote ,• yet ftill be- fore the Gofpel leave Confcience^, all ought to know lo8 Dijcourfes concerning the know one way or another (fo far as they are concerned in the Truths preached ) that they are the Men^ zS>'m. 12. i, to 8. -^^^4. lo^ii. Atis 24.24, 2f. Concerning thefe leveral Methods of Preach- ing the Gofpel ,• if any ftiould enquire, which of them is the mod proper and preferable ? The Anfwer fliall be given in the following Remarks (as was promifedj upon the forefaid Methods., F/V/?, 'Tis indeed owned that the HomUetical Method is that, which hath been for a long Time niuch ufed in the Reformed Churches both at home and abroad. And no doubt when a Mini- fter is refolved, to difcourfe fome one principal Gofpel Dodrine fomewhac fully, a Radlce ad Ra-. Tnos, in that Cafe, this Method hath its peculiar Advantages ; as giving full accefs to the greateft Enlargements, which diredly relate unto the principal Truth. But, SecGfidly^ The . Textual Method, as, 'tis of late obtaining more and more Ground both »road and 'at home ^ fo it muft be acknowledged, that Sermons after that Form are peculiarly enriched with a far greater Variety of Purpofes and Gofpel- Truths, than Vvhat the former Method tends un- to. So that one Textual Sermon ( where there hath been any confiderable Diligence and Accu- racy in Study ) may difcourfe the principal Mat- ter of a very full and complex Text ,• and there- in mofi: pleafantly and profitably entertain the Hearers with a great meafure and variety of iWj- terla Evangdica. Providing only that according to the Rules of this Textual Method, every Truth in the Verfe be only confidered eadtm Ratione, or undsr the fame |3articular Notion and Refped ia which right Method of breaching, lo^ which it ftands in that Text. And withal, if its Scope be accordingly made the Rule and Aim of any brief Explication or Application infifted upon in difcourfmg the fame. Yea more where thefe Things are obferved, it muft further be owned, that fuch Preachers do indeed keep very clofe by the Matter and Method of the Original Delivery of Gofpel Truths unto the Church of God. And perhaps there would be no great Miftake, if it fhould be aflerted, that if a Minifter in en- larging upon any particular Dodrinal Obfervati- on, keep clofe by the Scope of the fame^ and on- ly choofe fuch Heads as are material and proper unto the Explication and Application thereof, that in that Cafe he fhall find that he ftlnds in need of a whole Verfe^ if not oftentimes of two or more for his Text. And finally, not to fay more in Commendation of this Textual Method, were the Voices of ihe more Judicious among the Hearers, but allowed to determine this Mat- ter^ they would very foon declare (as their Pra- ctice oftentimes upon Occafions doth confirm) that a variety of maffy important Truths, Vv^ith a few diflind Explicatory Thoughts, and a fenten- tious home Application, is the true Method and^ grand Mean upon Man's part, towards the enga- ging both the Ears and Hearts of the Children of Men unto the Love and Obedience of the Go- fpel. To which purpofe, 'tis obfervable, that when the Holy Ghoft commendeth Solomon as being a wife Preacher ^ one of the fpecial Grounds of the Commendation is, that he fought out, and fet in order many Prcverh. By which Proverbs, 'tis known we are to underftand comftmlious excel- ling Smtmces^ or Similitudes^ which for their Wif- dom. 1 1 o T>tfcourfes ccmcerning the donij Weight and Exce'llency bear rule over 6* thers. For fo much the Original Word 'hwQ PiUbw Mifhle SMemot b'lmpovtQth in it. And as for the Ufefulnefs of the Occnfional Me- thod, 'tis plain that there are feveral Seafins^ fuch as when Minifters are called, to preach before Ibme extraordinary Audience^ or upon fome par^ ticular Occafions^ fuch as Parliaments, Courts of Circuit, Eledion of Magiftrates, Affemblies or Synods, Fading and Thankfgiving Days \ I fay, at fuch Times, 'tis evident that the Occafioml Me- thod, fo far as it refpedeth the Choice of a fui* table Subjed, and a prudent CoUedion of fome important appofite Truths to be diftindly delive- jred, in acceptable Words, is what ought to be much regarded upon fuch providential Calls. And thus now the Second General DireBion^ h difcourfed, which refpeded Method in Preaching* In Treating of which, I have been the more par- ticular, purely out of refped to Siwfiantial and difilnfi^ Preaching. It being undeniable, that thefe Two Properties are of great Confequence in the Difpenfation of the Gofpel. For, howe- ver on the one Hand, it muft always be acknow- ledged, that even after a Paul hath planted, and ah ^gollos watered, that the Bleffing and Increafe,i doth abfolutely depend upon the Spirits being poured down from on high : Yet alfo on the o- ther, it muft ftill be equally owned that Mini- fters ftirring up the Grace and Gifts of God in them : So as ( with the Prophet Ez,ekiel) to caufe their Sermons to become as a lovely Song, and as one that playeth skilfully upon an Inftrument j as this I fay is at all Times Minifters Duty fac- cording to the Meafure of Gifts beftowed upoix thsm^ fo like wife it far more advanceththe Sa- tisfadion right Method of Treachirg, 1 1 1 dsfadion of the People and Reputation of the Gofpel^ than what any overly confufed Collecti- ons, or harfli and difagreeable Method of Preach- ing, can ever poffibly do. The Third General DireBkn to be obferved in Preaching the Gofpel is, that all Things in th& Expreffion and Utterance tending mod to Edificati- on, be particularly confulted. To which Pur- pofe, I may at leaft allude unto Solomons Words, Vro^. 2 J. II. -^ Word fitly fpoken^ is like apples of Gold in PiBures of Silver. In difcourfing this DireBion, it cannot be imagi- ned that any thing like a Commendation of the af- fected enticing Words of Mans Wifdom, condemned by the Apoftle, can be here intended ; More efpe- cially, confidering how much I have (aid againit the fame in the preceeding Chapters. But what is really defigned in this Place, is only to touch ac fome Things relative to Expreffion and Utterance which tend to Edification. In clearing of which, I fhall fum them up to thefe Four Heads. As, i. Cleamejs, 2. Pertinent cy. 5. Majfmefs or Import. And, 4. Gravity in. Didion and Dialed. By Clearnefs, I underftand, i. Choofing of intelligible Terms, which are underftood by thii Audience preached unto ^ for if not fo, a Mini- iter may as well fin fo far) fpe^k in an unknown Tongue , quite contrary to the grand Defign of Edification, i Cor, 14. 19. 2. A DifiinBnefs in Ex- preffion, which arifeth from a proper Methodi- zing of the Purpofes handled, and ot the Words and Terms ufed in expreffing the fame. For of- tentimes Terms fufficiently plain in themfelves, by reafon of a bad Conftrudion or Situation, may render the Sentence confiderably Blind and Obfcure. 1 id i)ifcourfes concerning the Obfcure. The contrary of which ought to be much ftudied^ as tending confiderably to com- mend and adorn the Gofpel in its own Place, Nek 8. 8. And fo likewife by Tertinencj, is not only in- tended the fhunning of all improper unfavoury Terms, Phrafes, Similies, and that whether they be too flat, or too high, but on the other Hand, achoofing of fuch as are evidently proper and con- gruous to the Nature of the Subjed or Purpofes infilled upon. For as there are many Synonymous Words and Phrafes, fo it muft be acknowledged, that even amongft thefe that are equally Plain and Clear, there is a very confiderable Difference, with refpect to their Pertinency to fuch and fuch Purpofes,* and yet at the fame Time may in or- dinary and vulgar Speech, fignifie the fame thing. Accordingly let us fearch the Book of the Pro- 'Verbs ^ and there fhall be found a peculiar Perti- nency and Suitablenefs in the Terms and Phrafes ufed, unto the Nature and Scope of the Truths defigned by them. So that all of them may be well faid, to be acceptable Words and fitly fpo- ken. Again by Maffinefs we are to underftand, Signi-- ficancy and Import^ which is, i. When the Terms and Phrafes chofen are really Material, contain- ing much in them. 2. When Truths are expref- fed in a compendious Way ^ fo that along with Plainnefs, much Matter is advanced in few Words, every Sentence bringing ( as it were) fomething New with it , but withal keeping ftill clofe by the Nature and Scope of the principal Subject or Doctrine. Briefly, a rich important Text native- ly furnilhing the Preacher with feveral great Truths of Moment and Confequence in Religi- on, rtzht Method of TrcachhiZ- ^^2 bn, and which lye near the grand Defigns of the Gofpel, to wit, Converfion and Edification; when thefe Truths I fay are fo well digefted^ and fignificantly exprelTed, as to make a pleafant Mixture of great Clearnefs, and yet of great Com- prehenfion at the fame Timej fuch Difcourfes, cannot fail of being fubflantial Gofpel Sermons. As a Proof and Illuftration of all which, who can fufficiently admire John the Baptifi's Sermon, Matth.:^.j, toi;? Or our Lord's upon the Mount; Matth, 9. Yea, and that fuppofe he had proceed- ed no further than to the Declaration of thofe Truths, contained in the firft Twelv^ Verfes of that Chapter. The Laft Head is that of Gravity in Di6tion and Style, which is certainly mofl becoming and proper unto the Difpenfation of the Gofpel; which is appointed for the fee ting of Life and Death before the Children of Men. By which Gravity I no ways intend any debafing Meannefs or Flatnefs of Style^ but fuch folid weighty Speech and Dialed as becometh the Oracles of God. Vot as nothing can be more unfuitable unto an Am- balTador of Chri{l_, than a vain Pedantick volage AfFedation of nice Words, fo onthe other Hand, the ufing a confiderable Mixture of Scrift^-d Terms^ Fhrafes and Stjle, where the fame natively fall in, and that along with the moft inftrudiye, fignificant and emphacical Terms, ufed in found and plain Divinity, muft certainly tend very much to commend the Preaching of the Gofpel. And hence as the Form of found V/o'-ds^ is particularly recommended unto Minifters, fo we find blgfweU ling Words juftly taken Notice of, as a Character of the faife Teachers and Seducers^ who had no Impreflion or Concern at Heart with the Do* I drines^ 1 1 4. T^tJcQurjes concerning the <5i:rines, which they preached unto others, 2 T'im\ I, i;. Jtide 16. The Fourth of the General Diredions, to- wards proper and faithful Preaching of the Go- fpel, is^ that a Sultabk^ufs of Frame becoming the Oracles of God, and proper unto the ^reac Import a:nd Confequence of the Truths of the glorious Gofpelj be much endeavoured in difpen- img the fame. That all Chriftians^ even the moft Tnvate^ fl;?.nd obliged not only to Sincerity, but Liveli- nefs in their religious Duties, is undeniable ; and if fo, then certainly Miniflers of the Gofpel much more. And they, as at all Times, fo more efpe- cially in Preaching ; becaufc then, their Seri- oufnefs and Livelinefs will not only gloritie God, but by the Divine Bleffing adorn and commend the Gofpel to the Souls of their Hearers. And therefore the Apoftle Vdul particularly, exhorted Timothy to ftir up the Gift of God in him, iTim. 4. 14. So that all the Graces and Gifts, which God hath freely beftowed upon his Minifters, and which by his Call to the Miniftry, they have accefs to improve, ought to be ftirred up and fet on Work for his Glory, and the Good of Souls. This Serioufnefs and Livelinefs of Frame in | Preaching, no Man of Senfe or Religion will confine it, to the outward ExpreJJIojis thereof in Tears, or other fuch External Evidences of Af- fedion and Vehemency of Spirit. For though it muil indeed be owned, that the Apoftie by the Infpiration of the Holy Ghoft, doth particularly take Notice of his warning thofe he preached un- to, with Tears, JB's 20. :i,i. As alfo that our Lord 7Pept over Jerufakm in holding forth their Barrennefs under the Means of Grace^ Luke 19. 41- right Method of Treachiyig. 1 1 5 41. Yet ftill it muft be acknowledged on the other Hand, that there are many great and wor- thy Minifters of Chrift, who are deeply ferious in Preaching the Goiozly whofe Livelinefs of Frame wants thofe outward Expreflions of it. And therefore, as all whofe Tears over their People do indeed proceed from a ferious fpiri- tual Concern for the Advancement of the Glory of God, the Honour of the Mediator, and the Converfion and Edification of precious immortal Souls, are to be approven; fo likevv/ife are all^ whofe Compofure and Gravity in Deliverance^ foundnefs of Dodrine, clofenefs of Reafoning, importunity in Pleading and Exhorting, doth be- fpeak them to be Men who have their Mailers Work and Glory at Heart. All which defervethfo much the more Confide- ration, that a ferious Minifterial Frame, is a thing fo Sfiritual and Secret^ that it is hard for any fave the Heart-fearching Eye to judge pofidvely concerning the fame. But ftill after all thefe Cautions, that the thing it felf ought to be, to wit, a ferious lively Con- cern of Spirit with all Minifters, for the Succefs of the Gofpel, and the Accomplifhments of the grand Defigns thereof, is indifputable. And therefore as all fuch would wifh, to look, #nd fpeak, and reafon, as becometh AmhajTadors of Chrift, and like thofe who Travail as in Birth and Pain, till Chrift be formed in their Hearers, and as thofe who are fent out not to Trifle with, but to compel Sinners to come in : Let them feriouHy endeavour before they come to Pulpit, fuch deep Impreffions of the Divine Majefty, fuch Views of the Glory and Excellency of Chrift, fuch Senti- ments of Immortal Souls and Eternal Ccncerns;> I z and 1 1 6 ^ifcourfes concerning the and finally fuch a folid Belief of the infallibk Certainty, and Truth of the Gofpel Dod:rines which they are to preach, as will by the Blow- ings of the North and South Wind, fet their Souls and Spirits a going in a moil fpiritual, lively, and enlarged Manner, in their Publick Minifterial Performances amongft their People. But having had occafion when Treating of the Qualifications of Minifters, to offer (ome thoughts upon this Head, I fhall not here enlarge further. All therefore that remaineth now to be dif- courfed concerning Preaching, I humbly con- ceive, may be fummed up to thefe Two follow- ing Heads. As, i. Some Diredions for the right Management of the JppUcatory Part of Sermons ; that fo the proper Improvement of the feveral Iwfe- rences ufiially infilled upon therein, may be clear- ly underftood^ and thereby Explicatory Truths come to be brought clofe home to the Confci- ence. 2. Some Rules in relation to Le^uringy in order to the Pointing out the moft proper and profitable Way of expounding Scripture. Both which, fliall be treated of in the next Chapter. CHAR right Method of Treaching. 1 1 j CHAP. VII. The Applicatory Part of Sermons^ is a mofl material "Branch of the Dif^enfation of the GoffeL Great Wifdom is necejfary towards the right managing it. The 'D. 16. The Reafon of mentioning thofe Inferences, be- ing only to advance fomefew Thoughts relative to a clofe, ferious, andfearching Manner of bring- ing home of Gofpel-Truths to the Souls and Con- iciences of Men, but not at all v^ith any Defign of enlarging upon the feveral Reafonings and Re- marks of the Schools in relation to fuch Heads ,• I ihall therefore with the greatefl: Brevity only touch a little at each of them^ according to their various Import and Defigns. In Treating of which , conlidering that the grand Scope of Doctrinal Truths confiils much in a faitable Jf plication,- it would therefore feem very proper, that when Minifters have finifhed the Ex- plicatory Part of their Sermons, that they fhould introduce themfelves unto the more Practical, by fome ^v^vo ferious Admonition unro their People, fhewing that now they are come unto the princi- ' ■ pal right Method ofTreaching. 1 1 9 pal and important part of their Difcourfe, in which the Glory of God^ the Advance of ferious Religion, and the Good of their Souis, is deeply concerned : and that therefore, if it be negleded ., or only overly entertained, all the other Parts of the Sermon fhall certainly come to little account, fave in bearing Witnefs agairift them. Thus, vie find our Lord, in the Applications of the Epiftles written unto the feven Churches, fall into a very ferious and folemn way of addreffing the Confcien- ces of the Perfons concerned, by crying unco them. Let him that hcith Ears hear what the Spirit faith unto the Churches, But now to proceed to the more particular Confideration of the feveral In- ferences. The Inference for Information bein^; immediate- ly defigned for advancing the Light of the Mind, it would always be mcft folid, and native from the Dodrine ,• yea it ought to be fo clear in its Con- nexion, and fo difti7icl in its Expreflion, that the Judgment upon hearing it may be in cafe prefently to conceive and affent unto it. For, if it either contain any degree of a Stretch in it, or be enun- ciate in obfcure heterogeneous Terms from the Nature of the Dodirine, it can never have much of real Information in it, except only to pl^claim the Weaknefs of the Preacher. And hovveveraii ingenious Fancy may go very far, in finding out In^ formations from Dodrines, which may in the long Line of Reafoning be found to have fqme Foun- dation in the Text ; yet, perhaps, when they are too remote, they might be better fpared to fome other Subjec^l, of which they would be the more immediate and native Produce. To which I fliall only fubjoin, that any En- largements upon the Ufe of Information^ would ei- l 4 ther ICO ^/ijcgiirfes concerning the ther refped the clearing of the Connexion when needfulj or the Increafe of Knowledge even in uncontroverted Truths^ or the paving the Way for. the Confutation of the oppofite erroneous Prin- ciples, or for the Rebuke of the contrary finful and immoral Practices. And therefore^ the Ufe of Confutation, as it always fuppofeth Information, it feems (where there isOccafion for it) to fall in very natively af- ter the former , providing always that the Nature and Scope of the Dodrinelook that way. In fpeaking of which, I mean the Inference for Confutatloi^y 1 ihall a little confider the right Ma- nagement of it ; and that fo much the rather, be- caufe when this Inference is folidly improven, it proves a noble Mean in defending the Faith, by vindicating Divine Truths from all the grolTer er- roneous Mixtures and Corruptions, with which the Enmity and Subtilty of Satan and wigked Men hachfpoiied many of them, Jude 5. Titmi,^. Towards confuting erroneous Dodrines in a fo- lid and convincing way^ feveral things would be carefully attended unto : fuch as a prudent ab- ftaining from all unneceffary Enlargements upon c Id and obliterate Errors, which for the prefent are not only no ways endangering the Churchy but perhaps are alfo very little known unto the Congregation ; more efpecially confidering that the rakhg up of fuch hath often afforded but too much ground co Doubting amongft the Weak^ and to Difputing amongft the Curious. So like^ wife, ail vain boafting Reflections or Noife of Words, previous to clofe Reafoning, would b^ carefully fhunned ; for, as it's but a foolifh triumph- ing before the Vi6lory, fo it can never be agree- able to judicious Hearers. And right Method of Treaching. i n And therefore^ as a diftind Explication and Con- firmation of the Dodrine, from which the Confu- tation is drawn, ought to precede the Reafoning Part ; fo a clear floating of the Controverfy con- tained in the oppofite Error, together with a pr«- dent Choice of fome few of the moft convincing Ar- guments founded upon the Dodrine, againft the fame, would be proceeded unto. In managing which, the greateft care would be taken of any Loofenefs or Infolidity in Reafoning j for, one unhinged or weak Argument may do more harm, than what (through the corrupt Biafs of the Mind) many good ones can do Service ^ as alfo the moft fignificant Exceptions of the Adverfaries would be taken off. And finally, after t-he Reafoning part is over, it may not be altogether improper, efpe- cially where the Controverfy is of moment, in a feriousand grave manner to appeal to the Thoughts and Minds of the Hearers, how far Scripture and Reafon confoundeth fuch and fuch Errors ^ and thereupon ferioufly cautioning all Ranks againft them ,• and warning them of the Books, and feve- ral other Means, by which they are moft in hazard to be infeded with them. As for the Expediency of this^ Method, as the folid Rules of Reafoning plead for it, fo likewife it were no great difficWty to fhew the "whole Progrefs thereof, from the Great Apoftle's way of confuting the Errors which threa- ten'd to infed the Churches of Chrift at Rome and Galatia, The next Inference is, thn oi Examination ot Tryal, which I conceive is a Branch of Applica- tion as difficult to confcientious Minifters, as any they have to manage. Neither indeed can ic be otherwife ,• for confidering how much the Glory of God, the Peace, Comfort^ and Salvation of immor- ! 11 ^ifcourfes concerning the immortal Souls dependeth upon Peoples knowing folidly, by Scripture Marks, what their State, Condition, Frame, Walk, and Spiritual Attain- ments are, 'tis no wonder if ferious Minifters, itl treating of this Inference, be afraid of turning in the leaft either to the Right or Left Hand. As to what concerneth this Inference for Trjal, confidering how complex it is, fometimes refpect- ing the Scriptural weighing of a Perfon's State^ in relation to their Juftification, at other times re- ferring to the tryal of the Truth and Sincerity of their Sandification ; again in a third cafe regard^ ing only the Examination of the Degrees of Grace, and Advances in Pradical Godlinefs, as at other times the finding out the genuine Kind and Quality of fpiritual Operations and Attainments : Ifay, con- fidering this Inference looks fo many various Ways^ it's clear, that in proportion thereto, there would be a moft prudent and foiid Choice of the Scripture Marks and Evidences vv^hich are advanced. And therefore, with refped to the whole, thefe fol- lowing Rules feem proper to be obferved. As, I. The Cafe to be tryed, whatever it re- fped, whether the Truth or Growth of Grace, or any thing elfe, would be mo^difilnclly ftated. n. The Scriptural Mark adduced for the determi- nation of the Cafe, would be moft clear^ particular^ and concludent. I fay concludent, by which I un- derftand, that the Mark given for tryal fhould be fo far eifential unto and infeparable from the thing for which 'tis propofed as an Evidence, that ac- cording to the nature of things it's fimply impof- fible but the one fiiould infer the other : For, if M^rks for tryal be either delivered in obfcure, Ambiguous, too general, or loofe Terms, as they cannot give light to the Mind^ fo neither Satif- fadion right Method of T reaching, ii ^ faction to the Confcience. And therefore 'tis moft certain, that aMinifter's great Work in managing an Inference for tryal, confifts in propounding fuch Evidences and Charaders from the Word of the Lord relative to the Queftion in hand, as at firft view bears much of a clofe convincing Con- neBion betwixt themfelves and the things for which they are adduced as Marks. To clear all which che more, let us confider^ as was formerly hinted, that if a Sermon infifting up- on an Ufe of 7r/^/ihall only in an overly general manner tell Men, that 'tis Believers in Chrift, Lo- vers of God, Haters of Sin, that are true Chriftians i or perhaps fhall come a little nearer, by declaring, that 'tis only the regenerate Soul, the Perfon clo- fing with a whole Chrift, the fmcere Refpeder of all Gcd's Commands, whom God will approve % yet ftill, after all this, I fay here is but too gene- ral Work, efpecially in a matter of fuch confe- quence to Souls. For, however thefe general Terms may ferve for the firft Formof propounding the Mark, yet if they be not divided and explain- ed, and made fo particular, fofuive, and clear, as the ferious, jealous, doubting Soul may get fome Light from them, they are like to be but of very little ufe. Yea more, if not fo managed. The /e- cure, conceited, frefumftuous Soul may come to be more confirmed in their falfe Hopes, by reafon of fome external Refemblance of thofe things with them, than what they were before. And therefore, t>. When infifting upon an In- ference for Tryal, as on the one hand, great care would be taken of not -woundi-rig ferious Souls, whofe Confciences are by far more tender than others^ thatfoMinifters, like their compaffionate Matter^ may mnh^r: brutk the brtiifedReid^nor quench the; J^^ Dijcourfes concerning the the fmoaktng Flax ; fo OH the Other hand, an equal Care would be taken to wound and alarm in Mer- cy not only the ftupid and ftout- hearted Sinner^ but alfo the proud felf-commending Pharifaical Formalift. Accordingly, if we look co our Lord's^ or the Apoftle's way of apply ingGofpel-Dodrines, we fliall find very much of this in it^ Mattb, ;. 9, 10. Matth. 5". I, to 10 Mattb. 2^. i Tim. g. 5-. In fliort, where Minifters have had real Expe- rience of the Power of the Plagues of their own Hearts, and particularly of the Deceitfulnefs there- of;, and where they are acquainted with the 'various Exercifes of Grace from its firft Beginnings to its greater Advances^, and where they have alio known the feveral j>erple:iJcouYfes concerning the fince, to bs faithful Reprorers of Sin, Ifa. 5-8. r. Hof.-^, ly 2j ;. Titus 2. If. But, 2 If the Cafe be^ that only fome Two or Three of a Congregation are beginning by fpme more private finful Pradices, to threaten the en* fnaringofothers into Mocking, Swearing, Drunk- ennefs and the like, it would feem then proper, towards a timeous removing this Root of Bitter- nefs, that in a difcreet private Way the Perfons principally Guilty fhould be ferioully dealt with, by holding forth what great Sin and Wrath they may bring not only upon their own Souls, but al- fo upon many others in the Place ,• and how much they may obftrud the Succefs of the Go- fpel and Advance of Godlinefs: And hereupon ought to be plainly told, that if they continue ob- ftinate after this obliging Admonition, that not only muft the Word of the Lord come out againft them in Publick, in a Dodrinal Way, but alfo the Judicatures of the Church muft proceed to Cenfure: Which Method, as 'tis explicicely Scrip- tural, being our Lord's Advice in fuch Cafes, fo were it ofcner and more ferioufly tried, who knows how much of a Divine Bleffing might at- tend it? Af^rf^. 18. 15', 16. ;. If the Cafe run yet in another Channel; fuch as, that feveral particular Perfons who are in no concert together, are known by the Mini- fter to be really living in fome Secret Courfe of Wickednefs, but withal as the Knowledge of this is no ways Publick, fo neither doth the Perfons guilty know any thing of the Minifter's Informa- tion : I fay in that Cafe, the Minifter feefns to have very fair Accefs ( with Nathan in his Para- ble ) to fall very clofe and hard upon thofe Sins in Publick Sermon; and by lamenting over the ground- right Method of T reaching. 129 groundlefs Boldnefs which Men get in finning, while undifcovered to the World he may oblige the Confciences of the Guilty tho' never named, to cry out, I am the Man. In fhort, as all Re f roof {on Sin^ would be folid* ly founded on the Word of the Lord, and upon the Dod:rine from which it's drawn as an Infe- rence^ fo nothing poflibly can weaken a Rebuke more, than any appearance of Prejudice, Humour^ or Pajjion in the Reprover. And as to what con- cerneth the reproving of Sins, which Minifters may be witnefles to, in private providential Converfation with wicked Men ^ as 'tis clear that neither Perfons intoxicate with Drink or PaJJion, are for the Time, any Ways capable of heark- ning unto it, fo in other Cafes, fuch as prophane Swearing and Mocking at Godlinefs, perhaps if it be in Prefence of more Company, a ferious Entreaty to fliew a juft Regard to the Deity's great Name, and to choofe fome other Subje6b for Droll than Religion, may, if delivered with an obliging Countenance go further than greater Enlargements for the Time would do. In fine, fome pleafant folid turns of Wit^ diverting finful Subjedsand introducing others, hath very often done no fmall fervice to Religion upon fucl^ oc* cafions; For, as we are not to fufFer Sin upon our Brother, fo neither are w^e to throw our Pearls before Swine. The laft Inference is, that for Exhortation, which often ccnfifts of Gofpel Calls, either to Repentance towards God, or to Faith in Jefus Chrift, or to Pradical Holinefs in the Truth or various Degrees and Advances thereof. .Xhis ufe o( Exhortation^ as it ought always to have a very clear Scriptural Foundation in the Text and Do- K drine^ I 20 J)ifcourfes concerning the ilrine, as being drawn from thence, either fronj the Confideration of Duty or Intereft (which ftridly fpeaking cannot befeparate ) fo alfo the IDuty exhorted unto, being once clearly propound- ed, fome of the molt pertinent DireBlonSy together with fome of the ftrongeft PerfwaJIves leading and moving thereunto, ought in the moft di- ftind and argumentative Manner to be fubjoined. For, however ihort way Moral Swajton can go with Deaf and Dead Man, yet fome confidera- ble Meafures of Head Knowledge, together with a natural Confcience and reafoning Faculty re- maining yet with Men, to all which it pleafeth God oftentimes to fuperadd the common Opera- tions of the Spirit ,• I fay confidering all thefe, 'tis clear that Minifters in managing Inferen- ces of Exhortation in relation to the great im- portant Gofpel- Duties of Faith, Repentance and New Obedience, ought in the moft clofe reafon- ing and convincing Way and Manner to lay Siege unto the Confcience, in order to the com- pelling Sinners to come in, Luke 14.2:5. But now in regard the Exhortation relative to Sinners coming to Clorifi hy Faith^ contains the great GofpeUCommand, iJohn%,z:i^, And is that, upon the Obedience of which. Salvation depend- eth ; I ftiall therefore take the Freedom to offer a few Thoughts in relation to the right mana- ging of this important Inference. And Eirfi, Such an Exhortation ought certainly to have very clear and folid Scriptural Foundati- on, fuch as Gofpel Commands, Gofpel Offers and Invitations, or fome of the moft remarkable Ex- poftuiations of the Holy Ghoft looking that way. For, in a Matter of fuch great Confequence, as Confcience would be peifed:iy informed^ fo it would right Method of 7 reaching, i^ i Would be very clofely urged by Divine Warrant and Authority. 2. In making a Goffel Offer of the glorious Re- deemer^ it's evident, there would appear fomething of a peculiar Solemnity in Point of deep Seriouf- nefs and Concern in difpenfing the fame. And for this end, it would feem not improper_, that the Minifter fliould introduce the offer of the great Salvation^ by fiiewing, that he is now come to the important Point of his Sermon, even the grand Defign of the Gofpel ^ and that he is now come to exhort unto a Duty in which the Glory of Jehovah, the Honour of the Mediator, and the Salvation of Men are deeply concerned ; and thereupon would take occafion in the moft pathetical Manner to entreat their moft ferious Attention : I fay all proper Means would be ufed towards engaging both the Ear and the Mind, by (hewing, that the prefent Point is a Matter of the laft Confequence, and that, upon which their Eternity dependeth; and withal, alTuring them that the Omnifcient Eye of Kim whofe Gofpel is Preaching^ is infallibly, in a moft peculiar Man- ner looking down to obferve and record, who will obey the great Call, and who will nor. Briefly, no Man can exprefs too much SeriouC- nefs on fuch a Subject, for, the Import of it, is inconceivably Great.' And hence even Mofes, whofe great VVifdom and Meeknefs rendered him no Admirer of r/iany Words^ yet when he comes to exhort the People ferioufly to choofe God for their God, and to keep Covenant with him, be- hold what extraordinary Solemnity of Speech is u- fed by him: CaUing Heaven and Earth to vvit- nefs, that he had fet that Day Life and Death before them, Datt. ;o. i$y to 19, Yea our Lord k 2. him< 1 3 ^ ^ifcourfes concerning the himfelf, who infallibly knew the proper Seafofi for Miniflers ufing Soltmnity in Frame or Expref- fion ,- behold, how, as he choofed the Great and Lajt Day of the Feaft to proclaim the offer of the great Salvation upon^ fo in doing it, 'tis record- ed that he fiood and cryed^ If any Man thirfl, let him come unto me and drink, John 7. 37. But now to proceed, this ferious IntroduBion being over, there would be next a prudent obvia- ting in few Words, the grand Objed-ion of Sin- ners natural want of Power for believing, by fhewing that if they be fenfible of their inability, and looking to God to draw them, that in that Cafe they have to do with a Sovereign God, who oftentimes delights to glorifie the Riches and Power of his Grace, in making the Calls and Of- fers of the Gofpei to become favingly powerful, and that therefore while hearing the Gofpei Command, they would aim at putting forth the withered Hand. All which being over, fome malfy pertinent Scripture would be chofen for delivering the great Exhortation and Call of the Gofpei in : Such as 7/^.45". 22. & f S*. I. Rev. 22, 17. orfuch like. And then, as Motives, the Glory of Chrift's iPerfon, His Fulnefs as God, and as Mediator, the Suitablenefs of His Offices, the Reafonablenefs and great Condefcenfion of the Terms of the Go- fpei, would be particularly infilled upon. And as Directions^ the Nature of Faith in its af- fenting and confenting A6ls being opened up, 'tis clear, that as Perlbns dead in Sin would be taught v/ho can only be its Author ; fo they would likewife be direded unto ferious Reading, Hear- ing, Meditation, and Prayer, as the Means in which it is v/roughc ; And upon the whole would be right Method of Treaching. 1 1 :y be exhorted by ferious Confideration on their loft Eftate, and on the Fulnefs and Freenefs of the offer, to be elTaying to come to the Lord Jc- fus 5 and that by mourning for the finfulnefs of Nature and Life, and by endeavouring cordially to choofe Him, as the Lord their Portion, Righ- teoufnefs and Lawgiver. But having had occa- fion to fpeak fomewhat fully to this Head on the HomUetical Sermon^ from Song 5". lo. I fhall not novt^ further enlarge. And therefore in fhort, as a Miniiler in mana- ging an Exhortation of this kind, would both in his Words and Frame evidence, that 'tis much upon his Heart to preach Chrifi and not himfelf^ and that he is exceedingly concerned for the Glo- ry of his Lord, and for the Salvation of his Peo- ple j fo likewife, as an Evidence thereof, he would be fo Fathetkal in his Invitations, fo clofc in his Reafonings and Expoftulacions, fo Particu- lar in his anfvvering Objedions, and fo plain in his Diredions, as the Confciences of his People may bear him witnefs, that the poor Minifter is in earneft, itirring up the Gift of God in him, towards his making the Name of Chrift great in the Place, and to be remembred to all Generati* on.'^, Tfalm ^<;. tih, I know there are other Inferences ^ fach as for Caution, Lamentation, Dehortation, and the like ; but as thefe are fubordinate Branches of the for- mer more general Heads^ and their Import and Scope fufficiently clear, I fhall not offer any En- largements upon them. And therefore, as the Conclufion of all, I fay the Minifter who makes Confcience of being well acquainted wit^l the fpiricual State and Conditi- on of his People, and who thereupon goes to K : his J^± ^ifcourfes concerniTigthe his Clofet with a deep Concern of Spirit, and by ferious Prayer, Reading and Meditation, endea- vours to find out acceptable Words, even fubftan- tial pertinent Gofpel Truths, promifing moft to- wards the Glory of Chriftj the Converfion and Edification of his Hearers ; and who in Pulpit by a grave Minifterial Deportment, and by a di- iiind: ferious delivery of his Sermon, endeavours to fpeak clofely home to Confcience for God and Religion ; and who after all, is frequently watering the Seed of the Word by fervent Prayer, for a rich Bleffing upon the fame,* and who in the laft Place, by a courfe of Holy Obedience, is pradically proclaiming a lively Faith and Love towards the fame Lord Jefus Chrift whom he preacheth to others ,• here I fay, is the faithful Steward and Servant, who is giving to every one of the Houfhold their Meat in due Seafon, and who is Praying. and Watching againft his Lord come, and who certainly when the chief Shep- herd appears, (hall in an eminent Way and Man- ner appear with him in Glory, i Vet, 5-. 4. And thus having difcourled, what refpedeth the Afflication of Gofpel Truths unto the Confci« ences of the Hearers, I come in the Laft Place, to ofF$r fome few Thoughts relative to LeBuring. f A PP E N= right Method of Tr caching. 1 5 5 APPENDIX CONCERNING The Right Method O F LECTURING. MUCH of Inftrudion and Edification depending on the right Management of the Exercife o^LeBuringy the follow- ing Rules are humbly offered to Confideration. Rule I. In Lecturing great Care fhould be taken of fhunning the t-wo Extr earns, which fome are too ready to fall into. The firft of which is^ that of being too general and overly, fo that their Explica- tion upon the Matter diiFereth little from Reading : The other is, that of being too particular and full, by which their Leduring is almoft quite turned into Preaching. For, as the former of thefe Extreams implieth Negligence, and is moil blame- worthy, fo the latter in part ifiverceth the prin- cipal Defign oi that Exercife, which is to open up K 4 the 1^6 ^ifcourfes concerning the the Scriptures towards a profitable Readings fui- table Meditation and Refledions thereupon, Neh, 8.8. Luke 24. 27. And beginmng at Mofes and all tb^ TrofhetSy he exjbmtdcd unto them in all the Serif tures the things concerning himfelf. Rule 2. Though the whole Book of God be of excellent ufe unto the Church in all Ages^ yet it would feem reafonable that Minifters Knowledge of the State and Condition of their Flock, from time to time, together with their Obfervation of particular Times and Occafions, ftiould confide- rably regulate the Choice of SubjeBs for Ledure. For 'tis undeniable, that the Providence of God oftentimes fo circumftantiates Churches and par- ticular Congregations, that fuch and fuch Books^ Prophecies^, Efiftles^ or Contexts^ are as it were cal- led upon by Name, as proper at fuch time^ to be infifted upon. Accordingly who will but notice the Contexts in the Old Teftament infiftcd upon by our Lord in the New, they ftiall find a wonder- ful Profortion and Suitablenefs unto the Auditories he was concerned in, Luke 4. 17, to 23. Rule 15. A Minifter who would le^ure to purpofe and to Edification, fhould himfelf be very much Mafter of the Interpretation and true Import of the Scripture infifted on. In order to which, the Knowledge of the original Text, a ferious pon- dering of the beft Commentaries, together with a particular Confideration of the Context and prin- cipal Scope, cannot but jointly prove exceeding nfeful I more efpecially if there be a ferious look- ing unto the Holy Gholt, for his opening up of thofe Scriptures which he originally infpired into the Minds of holy Men, Dan. 9. 2, i Ttm. 4. 13, IS* jQhn 16,15, Ruk right Method of Tr caching. i ^j Utile 4. A diftind Knowledge being attained of the Portion of Holy Scripture to be infifted on, the Minifter would next fet himfelf to methodize his Thoughts and Difcourfe fo, as may tend moft to Inllrudion and Edification. And in order to this Four things feem neceflary : As^ i. A brief but clear Narration of the principal Scope of the Ho- ly Ghoft in the Context infifted on ; which Scope fometimes may be but one, at other times, where the Context is large, and hath a Multiplicity of Matter in it, there may accordingly be various Ends and Defigns to be narrated ; and therefore great Care would be taken againft forcing or ftrain* ing any Chapter or large Portion of God s Word un- to one and the fame Scope, where the Holy Ghoft hath really different ones. For hereby the Mini- fter comes under a Temptation of forcing a Con-** nedion amongft all the Verfes and Purpoles there- in, which Connexion not being native, the In- " terpretation is but too like to become dark and confufed. 2. The Scope being declared, a fliort diftind Divifton in proportion thereto, of the prin- cipal Heads of the Context, would be next offered; in doing of which great care would be taken in Study to attain unto a diftind Notion of the feveral material Purpofcs^ upon which as fo many Hinges, the other fubordinate Parts of the Context do turn. For all muft own that a diftind: Divifion goes far towards a clear Interpretation ; as alfoic's not on- ly of great ufe to the Memory both of Minifter and People, but proves exceeding helpful towards a diftindTurn in Speech from one Purpofe to ano- ther. ;. After Divifion, where feveral Verfes are ccnfiderably plain, it would feem that ihofumming up and declaring the Matter of thofe Verfes in very 1^8 Dtfcourfes concerning the very few Words^ is all that is needful ; that fo the Difcourfe may be principally fpent upon the more difficult Parts, or feeming Contradidions which may be in the Words. And here indeed is no fmall Piece of right LeeL ;. 17, 18. And therefore a clear Defcription of their Mife^ ry from the Womb to the Grave, in their Life, Death, Refurredion, Judgment, and Eternity ^^ feems proper to be founded aloud in their Ears. In ord&r to wlfich the following Topicks or Con- fideracions may be improven : As firft, All Men by Nature, their being the Children of Wrath, and lying infallibly under the Threatning of Death in the firft Covenant, by reafon of the Breach of the fame. Gen, 2. 17. Eph. 2. 5. And towards making thelmpreffion of their Guilt and Danger the more deep and afFeding, the great Article of innumerable aBual Tranfgrejjions againft both Ta- bles, would alfobe brought to remembrance j and more particularly, Confcience may be appealed as to grofs and heinous Sins, calling aloud upon a Holy and Juft God to proceed unto Punifliment, All which being done, fome clofe Expottulations would enfue : Such as, to enquire, i. If even the very Light of Nature doth not teach, that the Rational De- pendent Creature ought abfolutely to live and ad to the Glory of its Creator, in perfed Love and Obedience. 2. To ask if Sin hach not intire- ly corrupted the whole of the Human Nature and Converfation, rendering them contrary to the Holy Divine Nature and Law : So that inftead of Love and Obedience, there is a fecret habitual E?i- mity and Oppoficion in the Will unto all that is good^ 156 J)ifcourfes concerning the good> and thereupon a Courfe of Omiffions and Commiffions in the Life and Walk. :;. Upon this to interrogate, if unregenerate Man be not a^ing quite contrary to the principal Defigns and Ends of his Creation, even abfolutely difobeying and diflionouring God, for whofe Glory he was made. And therefore, 4. To propofe, if a God effentwl- iy and neceffarlly Holy can ever be of fuch impure Eyes as to behold or approve Iniquity. And thereupon, f . To appeal the Confcience, if an infinitely Wife Agent can ever be fuppofed to create and preferve a noble rational Creature in vain, or only to difhonour him and rebel againft him , or whether on the other hand, the Glory of the Di- vine Wifdom, Holinefs, Majefty, Juftice and Power, do not all evidently require, that God fliould certainly punifh all unholy impenitent Sin- ners, in making them for the Glory of his Juftice, who would not be obliged to the Riches of his Grace and Mercy. Upon all which, 6. Con- fcience would be next reafoned with, about the To/tti^enefs of the Divine Threatnings againft all Men out of Chrift, and under the firft Covenant j* fuch as G^/. ;. 10. Ro?n,2, 8,9. Which Threat- nings would be infifted upon, as the Words of the Great, Holy and Jealous God, the Glory of whofe Faithfulnefs renders it impoffible for one Jot or Tittle of any of them to fail. And therefore, as a Conclufion from all the Pre- miffes, it would be inferred, that all Men by Na- ture, and while eftranged from Chrift and Grace, are liable to the PFrath and Curfe of God by reafon of Original Sin, and multiplied aBual Tranfgreffions : Yea fo liable, that for any thing knowii to Man concerning this or the other particular Perfon, there is nothing between them and HqII^ fave the Breath right Method of breaching, i^'j Breath of their Noftrils, which an offended and provoked Deity can inftantly blow out. Accord- ingly we find our Lord moft explicite and pofitive on thefe two Heads ^ to wit, that, i. All Men out of Chrift are condemned already, to wit, by reafon of the Threatning and Curfe in the firft Covenant, Gen. 2. 17. John 5. 18. Gal. t>', 10, And, 2. That this Night the Souls of unregene- rate Men, may be called to Judgment, Luke 12, 20. Matth, ;. 10. 2. The Gofpel'having now fo far declared the Mifiry of the Natural Eftate of Ungodly Men, I humbly conceive the lamentable and wretched Concomitants and Confequents of this guilty, unreconciled and dangerous Condition, would next be held forth. Such as I. That as Man's natural Eftate, fas hath been cleared ) is a State of Condemnation, in refped of Guilt ,• fo 'tis alfo, 2- An Eftate of Death in regard of the abfolute want of SpirituaJ Life, Efhef. 2.1. And therefore, ;. It muft like- wife be an Impotent State as to all Spiritual Good ; fo that if one fncere Groan for Sin, as it diftionour- eth God, or one fincere Defire Chrift* ward, towards Union or Communion with him, would gain Heaven ; yet it is impoffible for unregenerate Man, John 6. 44. 4. Upon this, it muft alfo certainly be a State of Non-acceptance^ and that both as to Perfon and Performances : For Man naturally being no ways united to Chrift- either for Life or Righteoufnefs, it is evident that all, even the hefi Religious Performances muft be atmoft hut dead IVorks^ without the leaft of Love to God, refped: to his Command, or Eye to his Glory. And fuppofe, they had fomething of Sincerity in them, yet confidering the manifold Short-comings, finful Mix- I Ji 8 ^tjcourfes concerning the Mixtures^ which cleave to the moftHoly Duties of the greateft :5aints^ they would never in them- felves prove acceptable unto an Infinitely Holy and Jull: God, who will have a Righteoufnefs ab- foluteiy Perfed to proceed upon, in order to our Acceptance, VhiL %, 9. And as for the Perfon of the Performer, while Unregenerate^ if God fet his Eye there, behold what a mafs of inward Darknefs, Enmity, Unbelief, Hypocrifie, Self- righteoufnefs, Lufts of the Fiefti and Mind, fliall he find in the Bofom of the moft folijhed Moralifi that engageth with Religion, E?seL ;;. :5i, ;2. Luke 18. 14. So that both Perfon and Performan- ces, muft undoubtedly prove only a wearinefs and burden unto a Holy and Heart-fearching God, who cannot take delight in any Services, vi^ithout Truth in the inward Parts, Ifa, 1. 1;, 14. Tfalm^ 51.6. Again, f. From the PremiiTes, it's no lefs evi- clent, that a natural Eftate muft be a State of grie- vous Bondage and Capivlty to Sin and Satan: For as hath been faid, there being no offoftte Fewer or Party ot Grace againft Sin in the Man, Ini- quity muft thereupon certainly have the Throne; and if fo, then the whole Pov/ers of the Soul ; Mind, Will and Affedions, together with the whole Members of the Body in their feveral ad- ings muft be Sin and Satan's devoted Servants, to think, contrive, determine, fpeak and ad, ac- cording to Pieafure, Efh. 2. 2, %» 'Tis true, an All-wife God holds both Satan's Chain, and the Reins of indwelling Sin by an over- ruling Provi- dence, but ftill it's equally certain, that Satan (that living Head of the Body of Sin and Death) doth fo far fit at the Heim of the whole of an Unregenerate Man's Converfation; that not only ho- right Method of T reaching. ^59 he can do nothing elfe but fin and offend, Vfalm 10. ^i but alfo is oftentimes hurried at Satan's PleafurCj even into fuch grofs Abominations and Villanies, as are contrary, to the Light, Re- . proofs, Refolutrions and Vows of his own Con- fcience, Mark 6. 26, 27. And 6. It muft alfo be an Eftate of Wrath and Curfe^ wherein the Per- fon, is not only unreconciled but loathed by God ^ and all his Enjoyments coming only from com- mon Providence, do but feed to the flaughter, and bear Witnefs againft the mifimprover^ DeuK 28. 16, 17. Upon all which, Confcience would be appealed, whether or not, a Man in fuch a State as this, who is every Moment in hazard of utter Deftrudion ; and who, while he lives, can only increafe Guilt, and thereby treafure up Wrath, and who let him toil never fo much in re- ligious Performances, ftill he labours in vain, and only wearieth himfdf and his Maker, and in fine, who is bleffed in nothing, but curfed in his very BlefGngs : I fay, let Confcience be obliged to anfwer it ; can the whole fulnefs of the lower World, or the Poffeflion thereof, make fuch a Man happy ? But now after all this Reafoning, and to fet the whole of the preceding Confiderations the clofer home, by no means would Minifters o- mit the declaring the Terror of the Lord, in whole Name they are to perfwade Men to fly from the Wrath to come, 1 Cor. 9. 11. And for this end. There would be an infilling, I. Upon the Certainty of the Wrath of God againft all Impenitent Sinners ; and that not only from the peremptorinefs of the Threatnings expreffed in his Word, but from the Neceffity of God's glo- rifying his Elfential Infinite Holinefs, Juftice, Maje- i 60 Dijcourjes concerning the Majefty and Dominion, in relation to his rati^ onal Creatures : For nothing can be more evi- dent, than that a God Infinite in HoUnefs muft of Neceffity hate Sin ^ and a God Infinite in Ju- fi-ice muft of Neceffity punifh it^ and a God Infinite in Majefty muft of Neceffity refift the proud, and break in Pieces the obfiinate and rebellious. Accordingly, it deferveth Remark^ that after all the Proclamations of Goodnefs, Long'- fuffering and Mercy y expreffed Exod. ^^, 6, 74 God qualifieth all with an Aflurance, That he •will hy no weans clear the Guilty. Again, 2. To- wards proclaiming the Greatnefs and 7gm- hlenefs of the Divine Wrath, the moft convin- cing and weighty Confiderations would be ad- duced. Such as, I. That it is the Wrath of a Godj and if fo, who tlien knows the Power thereof, Tfalm ^0,11. For, being the Wrath of him who created Man, he muft certainly knovir how to counteraB all the Human Powers, and to crofs all the human Defires and Appetites, and fo render rebellious Man inconceivably and moft exquifitely miferable. And therefore no wonder^ if upon this Account, we are called to fear him, Who cannot only kill the Body, hut kill the Soul dfoy and throw both into Hell-fire, 2. The remark- able Defcrifions of this Wrath from the Word of God would be brought, to Remembrance, in which the Holy Ghoft muft colled all the moft terrible Things in Nature, to fet it out by ; fuch, as Snares, Fire, Brimftone, and horrible Tem- peft, V [aim 11. 6. Such as. Indignation, Wrath,, Tribulation and Anguifli, Chains, utter Dark- nefs, gnafliing of Teeth ; Rom, 2. 8, 9. The Im- port of all which would be opened up. ?, The right Method of breaching. 1 6 1 %, The dreadful Properties of this Wrath would next be proclaimed j as that, i. 'T'ls to ht flaming TVrathy moft vehement and exquifite, zTJoejf.i,^^ S_, 9. So that Nehucbadnez>z.ar's fiery Furnace fe- ven Times heated, was but like Fire painted on the Wall, in Comparifon of what this Wrath re- ally is. Neither can it be otherwife, confidering that it is a Fire kindled by the breath of the Lord of Hofts, and blown up by the Divine Juftice, Jealoufie .and Power infinitely offended ; and therefore, 2. It muft alfo certainly be Everlaft-- ing Wrath: This Fire muft be unquenchable, and this Worm can never die: For the finite Creature not being capable of Infinite Punifh-^ ment, in Point of weight, (which the Infinite Offence in Sin deferveth) this Wrath muft there- fore be Infinite in Point of Duration. And if fo^ who can deferibe an Eternity of Divine Wratho O Eternity, Eternity, endlefs Eternity ! Who can fum up its Years ? 4. Some of the moft fpeaking and alarming In^ fiances of the Divine Power and Wrath would be brought forth, fuch as God's cafting down, and that of a fudden, the mighty innumerable Hoft oi finning Angels^ and that from the higheft Hea- vens, into the loweft Hell \ fuch as his drowning a WorU at once ^ his raining Fire and Brimftone upon Sodom '^ his making ftout-hearted Cain^ a Terror to himfelf ^ his caufing the Earth to open and fwallow down the wicked Company of Co- rah and Dathan; his bringing down proud Nebti'^ chadnez,z,ar to eat Grafs with the Beafts of the Fields his devouring Herod by Worms, while in the mean Time, he thought himfelf a God. Up- on all which, it may not be improper to appeal the ConfciencS;; if any Earth-worm can be Party M for l6l T^ifcourfes concerning the for this God. And to interrogate whether or not^ if once his Wrath be but kindled a little^ they muft furely be bleiTed^ who have put their Trull in him? Pfalm 2. 12. Befides c\\\ the preceding Topkks towards decla- ring the Mifery of Man's natural Eftate^ there is one more v/hich the Apoftle remarkably infifteth upon, and that is, that Men in Nature_, are with- out Cbrift_, and Aliens from the Common- wealth of Ifrael^ and Strangers from the Covenants of Promife^ having no Hope^ and without God in the World, Eph. 2. 1 2. Which Argument if clear- ly opened up^ as to its Import^ and fuitably in- forced, muft be acknowledi;ed to be a very weigh- ty and important R-eafoning. For tho' its literal Senfe muft be granted to refpect the State and Condition of the Efhefians while without the Church of God, and utter Strangers to the Go- fpel^ yet as to its Matter (abftradfrom exter- nal Communion with the vifible Church) it is in reality the Condition of Unregenerate Men, even within the Church. For tho' they hear and read of Chrift, yet it is but as it were the meer found of his Name, as what Darius heard and fpoke of the God of Daniel • they continuing Itill abfo- lute Strangers to all fpiritual faving Union and Communion with him, and confcquently can be none of God's true Ifiael^ who muft be born a- gain, and become Jnjjs inwardly. As alfo not being united to Chrifc by Faith, they can have no fpecial Title or faving Intereft in any of the Prooiifes of the Covenant. And fo muft certain- ly be without all Hope of any Good» or real Blef- fi0g from the Hand of God^ in Time or Eternity. But the Expreffion molt remarkable of all is, that they are i^lihom. God in the vVorld : Meaning, thac right Method of Treachivg. 1 6 ^ that they have no faving experimental Know- ledge of him. They look at his glorious Heavens, but fee him not, they read his Word, but hear him not,- they enter his Courts, but neither be- hold his Glory nor Power in the Sanduiiry ; they partake of his Ordinances and fit at his Table, but feed not their Souls at all upon him. BriePiy, they are without th@ Knowledge of God, the Favour of God, the Image of God, the Fellowfhip of God. So that they are as much without God, as to any faving Manifeftation or Communion, as if there were not a God in the World. And if fo, what Man or Angel can fafficiently defcribe the Mifery of this natural State ,• in which Men are firft, without God and all faving Good from him ; and in which next. Men have this great God, and all the mighty Divine Perfections engaged againfc them, to render them miferable in this Life^ and in that which is to come, Luke 12. 5' 8, 5'9. After all thefe Confiderations towards proclaim- ing the Mifery of a natural State (which are but as fhort Minutes^ unto the full, clofe, pathecical and awakening Arguments, which fuch an im- portant Subjed deferveth ) I fhall only fubjoin. That it may be found moft proper at the clofe of fuch Sermons, to take oiF the feveral 5e- cret Reafonings^ by which Satan endeavours to elude the Force of the moft alarming Arguments that .poffibly can be ufed, by the moft faithful Go- fpel Minifter. Such as. That the Wicked greatly profper, and are more free of Bonds and Afflidions, than the Godly ^ and that there is no reality in the Di- vine Threatnings; and that they have yet many Years betwixt them and Death ,• and that a Deacta- bed Repentance^ and Cry for Mercy, will fsrve for M z all 1 6± Kfcourfes concerning the all. Thefe, and the like Evaftons would particu- larly be confuted^ by fhewing, that there is no real Bleffednefs or folid Evidence of fpecial Fa- vour in the greateft Temporal Profperity^ EccL 9. 2. And that the very firft Threatning in the Garden, Ge??. 2. 17. Though it was Man's iirft Fault and Tranfgreffion, is fo evidently and ex- perimentally fulfilled upon the Children of Men, that there is not the leaft Ground left, for difpu- tingthe Truth and Faithfulnefs of what remains. And that, as to many Years ^ this Night their Souls may be required of them, Luke 12.20. And as for the faiiiciency of a Death-bed Repentance, that they would confider. That ft rait is the way to Life.) and that fevJ there he that find it • and that the Righteous themfelves, fcarcely are faved, even after their working out (for many Years) their Salvation with Fear and Trembling, i Pet. 4. 18. But knowing that every faithful Minifterof Chrifl: willfec himfelftodifcourfe clofely and convincing- ly, the feveral falfe Reafonings of the grand Decei- ver ; 1 fliall not further enlarge, having offered thefe few Thoughts only as a Memorandum^ ra- ther than as any Directory upon fuch a great and concerning Subjed. Having now fpoken a little of the Truths of the Gofpel relative to the difplaying the Miferj of the unconverted ; it remains, that Men fhould next be convinced of their abfolme Impotency to fave and deliver themfelves from this woful Eftate of Sin and Mifery ; which was the Third General Head propofed, for holding forth Man's lapfed Con- dition. Accordingly we find our Lord pofitive, that it is only the Sick ( i. e,) the convinced humbled Sinner, that will fee k for, and value the Phyfician, Mark 2. 17. And right Method of Tr caching. \ 6 5 And therefore towards the convincing Sin- ners of their abfolute Impotency and Difabilicy for iaving themfelves^ thefe Three Difcoveries feem to be proper: As, Fi^fiy To hold out^ what Graces and Duties are abfoiutely necelTkry to their obtaining Salvation. And, Secondly ^ There- iipon to appeal their Confciences, how far they are eftranged in Heart and Life from the fcrefaid X3races and Performances. Yea, Thirdly^ How on the contrary, the oppofite fpiritual Plagues vi^ith their corrupt Produce, are in great Power, predominant and reigning in them, Jtr. 4. 14. As to what concerneth the firft Head, 'tis evi- dent from the Scriptures, that Minifters have ac- cefs greatly to enlarge in fhewing the Neceffity, J. Of the faving Knowledge of the Myftery of God in Chrifl, reconciling the World to him-r felf 5* without which the Mind cannot difcern the attratSlive Glory, Fulnefs and Suitablenefs of the Objed of Fairh, John 6, 4.^. And, 2. Of faving Faith, without which the Soul cannot cordially embrace and choofe a whole Chrifl: in all his Of- fices, as the Wifdom and Power of God, in order to Juftification and Sandification ; and, :^. Of fmcere Evangelical Repcntancey without which there can be no mourning for Sin, as it diflionou- reth God, and pierced Chrifl:,- nor any perfecft hatred of Sin, or true pra(5lical Reformation in Heart and Life : All which being EJJential to true Holinefs, mufl: be abfoiutely necelTary towards Salvation, Mark 16. 16. Luke i:?. ;- Hcb. 12. 14. 2. Thefe Effentials of Religion, and necelTary Prerequifites unto Salvation being once clearly held forth ,• the abfolute Ejlrangcmcnt from thole Graces and thofe Performances^ together with the oppofite Spiritual Plagues, would nexc be in- M ? gifted i66 ^ifcourfes concerning the filled upon : Appealing the Confciences of Unre- generate Men, with refped to the following Par- ticulars. Such as^ Firfi^ How, inftead of the faving Knowledge of God in Chrift, there is either with them^ the greateft Darknefs and habitual Forget- fulnefs of God j or if there be any Speculative Knov\ ledge of God, or of the Mediator, how it 35 but only meerly Notional^ enlightning the Head a little, and at moft but producing fomething of diftinclnefs of Thought_, and Exprefliort in Go- fpel Truths^ but no ways drawing the Soul out after God in Chrift, as the chief Good, or pro- ducing Holinefs in Heart or Life. And, Second- ly^ How in the Place of faving Faith, there is a fecret Douhlvg 2nd Difpudn^ againft the Truth and Certainty of Chrift's Perfon, Natures and Offi- ces and a great many carnal Reafonings againft a poffibility of Salvation by a crucified Chrift, or the Juftiftcation of a Sinner by the Righteoufnefs of another. Yea, how there is a fecret Contempt: of Chrift, in the great and rich offers of himfelf, ani his Grace, which are tendered in the Gofpel ; fo that many weary more of hearing Sermons which preach Chrift, and the wonderful Contri- vance of Salvation thro- him, than what they do of any other Subjects. And if at any Time there be a general overly ^Jfent to Gofpel Truths relative to our Lord, or fome paffing De- fires to be reconciled by him ,• yet behold what fjcret mixing of, and leaning unto their own Righteoufnefs along with his Sufferings, is to be found with many. And as to the embracing him in his Kingly Of- fice, who can fully declare the manifold fecret linful Referves^ ¥/hich are with Thoufands of Pro- * feflbrs? right Method of Treachhrg. I 67 feffbrs ? Some in the midft of their higheft Profef- fions this way, fecretiy quarrelling the Stri^tnels, Spirituality and Extent of his Law: More parti- cularly, fuch Precepts, as require Purity in Heart, Re6litude in Principles, Motives and End^,- or call for a daily Courfe of Mortification , or ob- lige unto Spirituality inFrame^ Livelinefsin Du- ties of Wordiip, or exemplary lliiaing I ioHneis in Converfation. And in the Mitter of giving him the Heart, or loving him above all,- now many are they, who while profeffing fo to do, yet are fecretiy Efteeming, Defiring and Delight- ing in Riches, Honours, Pleafures, far more than what ever they did in the Lord J:;fus ChriPc/or in the greatelt Bleilings of his Covenant, Ex^^Jz. ;;. 51, 52. I fay. Men's Confciences being ap- pealed as to thefe Things, it is impoffible but the very Contraries of true and laving Faith mud be fe- cretiy acknowledged to be with them. Again, 77:?/W/7, Inftead offmcere Rep^nt.ince, it would be held forth, how on the contrary, there is a rooted Heart^love even unto many^ known Sins, a fecfet Living in the Pradice of them; together with a fecret allowed Enmity at feveral known Duties^ and an habitual Omiffion of the fame : So that in place of llncere ingenuous Confeffion, Mourning, turning or flying to the Blood of Sprinkling, behold a fecret Flcart-rifing at Reproof and Counfel, a hiding of Iniquity, a fecret Rejoicing in it, and a fixed Refolution, ( notwithltanding of all Gofpel-Exhorcruions, Threatnings or Promifes ) to walk on after the. wicked Imaginations and Purpofes of their own Hearts. And further, if at any Time there bs a- ny promifmg Convictions, Fears, good.Inclina- tionsj behold how, either they are prefently choa^ M 4 hcd l68 ^ifcourfes concerning the ked with the Throng of worldly Cares and fenfual Enjoyments ; or if they continue fome little time, yet are fo refified^ that at length they quite die out ^ fo that ail the Refolutions, Vows, and tem- porary Reformations whicli proceeded from the iame, quickly vanifh and turn to nothing. Upon all which, if Confcience be clofely interrogate, 'tis evident that the unregenerate Soul's Preten- fions to true Repentance mufl; quickly fall to the Ground. If any fliould here objed, that the forefaid Con- fiderations and Reafonings infer only Man's be- ing naturally without the Effentials of Religion, neceffarily prerequifite unto Salvation ,• but that they do not prove Man's want of Vower to perform fhem. In anfwer to this, it would be confidered, that a Convltlion of Difability in Salvation -work is fo hard to fix upon blind and felf-conceited Man^ that Minifters mud gradually go to work towards impreffing the fame ; that fo the Convidion may be the more clear, full and efficacious. And there- fore to Hiew Men ftrft, what of neceffity mufi ^$, before they can be faved^ and next to evince, that they are nor only without thefe Graces, but that the ofpofue Plagues are undeniably with them ^ mufl certainly tend very much to pave the Way for the humbling Conviction of fpiritual Impotency. And as for clofer Reafonings, as the whole Scripture Topicks againft the Armin'tan Dodrines furnifh fafficient Mediums to be improven this way • fo I humbly conceive, that interrogating, I. Whether or not God niufi: be acknowledged to IcnowMan perfedly as to any Power or PerfediotJ with him now fince the Fall ? And thereupon, 1^. To enquire, if the G9d of Truth can be fuppo- -^ ' ' ' ". ■ ^ ^ ' M right Method of Treaching. 169 fed to defcribe fallen Man otherwife in his Word, than what he really knows him to be ? Upon which^ :;. Thofe Texts in Scripture, which moll clearly and pofitively affirm Manx's being naturally dead in Trefpaffes and Sins, and his want of Power to come to Chrift, till the Father draw him ,• yea, which affert, that he cannot of himfelf think ons good Thought^ and that every Imagination of his Heart is only evil continually ^ would be adduced and clofely improven on this Head. Again, as Scripture, fo even the Experience o^'^m- ners themfelves may be made ufe of and argu'd from in this matter ^ and that by appeaHng their Confci- ences on thefe two Points ; i. If they can inftance (and their Hearts not condemn them) fo much as any one Duty which they ever performed truly from Love to God, Refpedt to his Command, and with an eye to his Glory, as was faid before on another Head ; or whether all their Duties were not rather done only to keep Peace in Confcience, and to make up a Righteoufnefs of their own, to ftand in before God, Luke 18. 11. And there- upon, 2. To appeal them, whetherornot at any time, when the Gofpel is clofely infilling on the EJJentials of Religion, and preaching the Ne- ceffity of a new Nature, of a Heart right with God, and of a fuperlative Love to Chrift above all other Objects, and of Spirituality and Livelinefs in Duties of Worfhip, and of the Hatred of every falfe Way, and of a cordial Refpedt to all God's Commands ; there be not fecret He^irt-rifiTigs and Murmurings againft fuch Truths, accounting them hard Sayings, and fuch as cannot be born. Yea more, 5. let Confcience be interrogate, whether even in thofe Elfays towards Repentance and Re- formationj, whi(;h at ti^es ar? conftrained by the Influence I JO ^ifcourfes concerning the Influence of the common Motions of the Spirit up- on the Word or Rod3 they are not fenfible of Rich a Mixture of Darknefsj Enmity^ Senfuality, that there is an inconceivable predominant Backward^ mfs and Heart-oppofition to ferious univerfal God- linefs : and on the other hand, of iuch an impetu- ous ftrong Inclination to old Idols and former'Sins, that they cannot either in AfFedion or Practice, continue to abftain from them^ but muft with the Dog go back again to the Vomit, Luke ii. 24, 2f, 26. Upon all which the Gofpei certainly hath the moft clear and folid ground to conclude with the Prophet^ Jer, 1:5. 2^. Can r/je Ethiopian change his Skin^ or the Leonard his Spots ? then may ye alfo do goody that are accuftomed to do evil : And there- upon to cry^ that Ifrael hath fo deftroy'd himfelf, that his Help is only in and from God, Hoj.i%, 9. As th^k Reafonings may be proper (generally fpeaking) for the Bulk of unregenerate Gofpel- hearers, lb with refped to the more Judicious, no doubt a more fuccincSfc and equally nervous Me- thod may be fallen upon ,* fuch as firft, the infill- ing on the Imfoffibility of Man's both dying and living fpiritually in his Fall. And, 2.dly, Upon thQ Neceffity oi an Almighty creating Power to command Eight to fhine out of Darknefs, arid jFaith out of Unbelief, and Love out of Enmity, and Holinefs out of Sin, 2 Cor. 4. 6. As alfo, :^dly. The declaring the UnaccQuntablenefs of Chrift's Death, towards reftoring Man to fpiritual and eternal Life, if Matters Hand fo, that Man naturally hath a Power upon moral Suafion to turn himfelf to God, and to believe on the Lord Jefus Chrift in order to Salvation. As, ^thlj. The fliewing how the Praife and Glory of Salvation muft certainly in a great meafure be retrained . froiTi right Method of Tr caching. 1-71 from the Glorious Redeemer, and afcribed to our felves^ and the Freedom and Power of our own Wills, if this Armlnian Dodrine hold true. All which are fuch grofs Abfurdities, as neither Scrip- ture nor Reafon can poffibly approve of, once al- lowing the Truth of the Divine Hiftory of the Fall of Man. But having enlarged on the feveral Heads relative to Man's laffed Condition^ more . than what was at firft defigned ; and knowing that all confcientiousMinifters, to whom the Salvation of immortal Souls, and the Glory of Chrift, are Matters of the greateft moment, will fpend the Strength of their Thoughts in contriving how to reach the Heart, and to lay Siege by theGofpel to the Confciences of Sinners ; that fo they may ei- ther turn from Sin, and flee unto the Lord Jefus Chrift, or elfe be rendered inexcufable : I fhall therefore add no more, fave.only cordially to wifh, that all Minifters, according to their Mea- fure.j may through Grace be able to appeal their Flocks, at parting with them, as what the Apoftle Taiil was in cafe to do at his departure from the Epbejiansy A<5l:S20. 26. Wherefore I take yon to record this Dajy that I am pure frojn the Blood of all Men, And Verfe :»i. Therefore 7vatch and remember^ that by the Space of three Tears, I ceafed not to 7varn every gns Night and Day with Tears, CHAP. 1*7^ ^Dijcourfes concerning the C H A P. 11. The Lord Jefus Chrifi being the only Remedy for fallen Man^ the Law ought not to he f reached without the GofPel^ left awaken* d Confciences run to Extr earns. In order to the p'eaching Chrifi aright^ a ScripuraU ratiofial eAccomit would be made of the Co- venant of Redemption ; as giving rife to and making way for Salvation through him. In holding forth Chrifi^ as the proper Ob- jeft of faving ]ufiif)'mg Faith^ his wonder- ful Terfon^ Natures a?td Offices would all he opened up ; hut efpecially the Hypoftati- cal UAioa arijing therefrom^ together with the necejfary Grounds pleading for the fame in Marias Redeemer, Our Lord'^s effefitiah 'Divifie Fulnefs^ as laying Foundation for his Mediatorial oAIl-fujficiencyy would he parti- cularly declared. The running a demonftra- tive rational Parallel betwixt the Fulnefs and abilities of the wonderful "Perfon God-r Man, and the whole fuppofable Wants ^ Tlagues^ Necejftties and T>eftres of poor 7teedy Sinners^ is a great part of GofpeU f reaching, Minifters who do not efidea-- vour a mofl diftinct^ clofe^ and convincing Way J in holding out the Fulnefs and SuitaT blenefs cf- ChriB unto loft Sinners^ hut refi In a general fuperficial 'Defcription^ are in fo far exceeding unfaithful to ^he Gloriom BrCdeemer. ^ THE right Method of T reaching. 1 72 THE preceeding Chapter having made ad- count of the Topcksy which feem mod pro- mifing towards the difcovering the Sinfulnefs, Mifery and Impotency of Man's lapfed State and Condition ,• it remains that the proper Way of preaching and declaring the Remedy provided m the Lordjefus Chrift^ Ihould next fall under corr- fideration ,• that fo Minifters may not awakea Mens Confciences in order to Defpair, but in or- der to Hope and Salvation. And therefore in the Entry on this Head, Two Things feem proper to be premifed : As firft, that however clofe and alarming Minifters are called to be in preaching the Law ; yet ftiil it feems not to be fo fafe for any Gofpel-Minifter, abfolutely, in feveral Sermons, to ad: the Part of Boanerges, fo as not to give at leaft fome fhort Hints or other of the rich and Free Grace of the Gofpel^left there fhould be fome awaken'd Jaylor or other, who through Sa- tan's Devices fhould be in hazard of running intp the greateft Extreams, ABs 16. 29, 50^ ;i. And to this purpofe it is very remarkable, that in the fame Sermon, in which fome Thoufands were pricked in their Hearts (which perhaps fome would have thought Accomplifhment enough for the time, and that the Wound fhould have had ac- cefs to bleed ) yet in the very fame Difcourfe, the Doctrine of RemiJJlon of Sins through the Lord Jefus Chrifi^ along with an Enlargement of very gra- cious Promifes, are molt plainly held forth, j^^s 2. ;7, ;8, ;9. Yea more, when our Lord, the jiU-'wife Minifter of the New Teitament, was about to preach as clofe and fearching a Sermon, as any recorded in the Book of God, behold how cau- tioufly he prefaceth the fame^ by pronouncing feve- 174 T^ifcourfes concerning the feveral forts of Perfons ffo and fo qualified) to bd truly hleffed; and all this, left amOng the Multitude any fmoaking Flax fnould be quenched, or bruifed Reed broken : as is to be feen at great length, Matth. 5-. from the ;^tothe i^tbY^rk, compared with 20, to the End. And therefore a wife Mix- ture of Law and Gofpel ftho' fatal in the Matter of Juftification) yet is certainly what promifeth moft both towards Convidion and Converfion. 2. And fo on the other hand, as the Law would not be preached without the Gofpely fo neither the Gofpel, in relation to the Unconverted, without the Law, For as Chrift is the End of the Law for Righteoufnefs, Rom, 10. 4. being ready to furnifli fenfible humbled Sinners with a perfed Righteouf- nefs, which they could not have from the Law ; fo the Law is our School-mafier to lead us to Chrift, by convincing us of our Sin, and condemning us for the fame ^ and thereupon fending us elfewhere to feek for Juftification and Salvation, Gal. 5. 24. And therefore as nothing tend^ more to keep felf- conceited unconverted Sinners j'^^wre, than the con- ftant entertaining them with the Dodrine of Peace and Pardon thro' Chrift, without any previous faith- ful and particular Difcoveries of their Sin, Mifery, and Impotency by Nature ,• all faithful Minifters, watching in earneft for Souls, would accordingly take care with John the Baptift, (that great and wife Herald and Forerunner of our Lord's) firft to preach Mens great Guilt and Danger of the Wrath to come, together with the Neceflity of Repen- tance and Faith, and then to cry, BehoU the Lamb ofGody which takes away the Sins of the V/orld^ Matth* ^5. 7, to i;. John I. 29. Thefe things being premifed, I come now to fpeak directly of the p-op^r Method for preaching . Chrift^ right Method of Treaching. 175 Chrift^ as the Saviour of loft Sinners ,• fuppofing them once to be in fome meafure inftruded and convinced, with refped: to their finful and mife- rable Condition. And in order to this, 'tis evi- dent, that before our Lord can in a clear, diftind and Soul- engaging manner be reprefented by the Gofpeltothe Eye of the Soul, as the glorious and proper Objed: of juftifying and faving Faith j that, I. Hif Eternal Defignation by the Father unto the Mediatory Office, M^ith the mutual Covenant of Redemption enfuing thereupon ; and, 2. His •vjond^tiixiX Per fun :indi Natures^ and, 5. His fui table and all-fufficient Offices^ fliould all be moft plainly declared. For fuppofing Ignorance of any of thefe three Heads, as to the Subftance of them, what Soul is it can be in cafe to receive or reft aright upon the Lord Jefus Chrift for Salvation ? And hence the Holy Ghoft, by Ifaiah, hath moft re- markably expreft the manner of our coming by Juftification through him, in telling us, that it is by his Kno7vledge that Jehovah's righteous Servant fliall juftify many. Chap. ^:>. 11. Importing that we muft really know and take him up in his Per- fon. Natures and Offices, before ever we can be in cafe to embrace him by Faith, in order to our Juftification. As to what concerneth the firft of thefe Heads; to wit, the explaining the Covenant of Redemption httv/mjehovah and the Mediator ,• the Sabjedis fo plainly and fully revealed in the Scriptures, both as to the Parties of the Covenant, and the Rife of the faid Tranfadion, and the mutual Stipula- tions betwixt the faid Parties, that there is no need of any Enlargement. So that any who will confult Ifa, <^i. P/^/. 40. PfaL no. John 17. can- not fail of feeing clearly into this great Subjea:. in() ^ifcourfes concerning the I fhall therefore only humbly propofe, that in preaching on this Head, the more rational the Account of it be, fo much the more it promifeth to take with the Hearers. And therefore Mini- iters deducing this Covenant, i. From the Eternal Free Low of God in giving Chrift to the loft Elec^ World, in order to their Redemption, John ;. i6. Fz^eh 1 6. 6, 7, 8. And 2. From vindi/hich I only intend to fhew, how much Aiiniilers of the Gofpel ftand obliged in Preach- ing to the Unconverted to endeavour fo much of Di- 19^ 2)ifcourfes cohcerning the Diftindnefs, and of a clofe Reafoning and con- vincing Strain, while they are declaring untO them, their Sinfulnefs, Mifery, Impotency, and the gracious Remedy provided in Chrift, as may either under the fpecial Divine Influence of fa- ying Grace, efFedually determine them to come to Ghrift ; or if not fo, that then the great Truths of the Gofpel being clearly and clofely preached, may faftetf and flick in their Confcien- ces, as fo many Nails, rendring a Courfe of Sin uneafie to them in this Life, and witneffing unan- fwerably againft them in that which is to come. And how much this faithful Way of Preaching the Gofpel, is both Minifters Duty and Intereft,, I fuppofe, none that pondereth and folidly belie- veth the Lord's Words unto Ez^ekkl, will in the lead difpute the fame. Chap, ;. 17, 18. Son of Man, I have made thee a Watch-man unto the Houfe of Ifra- el : Therefore hear the Word at my Mouthy and give them ivarnlng from me* When I fay unto the -wicked ^ thou [halt furelj die ^ and thou givefi him not warn- ingy nor fpeakefi to warn the Wicked from his wicked Way to fave his Life : The fame wicked Man (Ijali die in his Iniquity ^ but his Blood will I require at thy Handy &c. In Ihort" it is evident,, from this remarkable Context, that if any Minifter, will adventure to ad fuch an unfaithful Part, in fuch a great Truft, as to make his Sermons only Colledions of fome general Truths, and withal fas being void of any ferious Concern about the Iffue ) deliver them, in fuch a loofe, inconned and unconvincing Way, as hath no manner of Tendency towards either the Convidion or Converfion of his People, that then infallibly, the fame Gofpel and his Preach- ing thereof, fliall return with a fatal rebound up- on right Method of Treaching. 1 9 :^ on his own Head. And as the Cry of Blood is great unto Heaven, k certainly that of the Blood of precious immortal Souls, will cry loudeft of all others, for Vengeance upon the Deftroyer. CHAP. HI. h Treaching the Goffel aright^ to the Con- verted, their various Conditions and Ex- ercifes would le "particularly confidsred. In reffeR of whichj Regenerate Terfons mayheclaj]edfourWays. Either Fk&y gAs Smoaking Flaxes, in whom Grace is only beginning to af'pear in fonie Jlncere gracious T)ejires^ and ferious Ejjays God^ward. Or^ Secondly, oAs more advanced and efta* hlijhed Chrifiians^ havi?ig attained to more cfthe oAjJurance ajtd Joy of helieving. In dif^enfmg the Gofpel to the former^ f^ecial Regard would he had^ to the manifold weighty Ohjeffions^ which ofien perplex their Sprits. Thefe OhjeHions heing redu^ cedtoflurHeadsy are particularly confidered and fully anfwered. With rejfefi to the latter^ the gradual improvement of Qrace^ ought to he 'much prejjed upon them, hi order to whichj feveral comprehetifive *Di- reBions are condefce?ided upon. The Re- maining Cojiditions of the Converted^ are confidered in the following Chapters. HAving humbly offered fome Thoughts 11^ the preceeding Two Chapters, about the right O Man^ 194 ^ifcourfes concerning the Manner of Preaching the Gofpel to the Uncon- verted ; it natively follows, that we fliould next confider the proper Method for difpenfing the fame to the Converted. For, however ic muft be owned, that in many Congregations, the num- ber of fuch may be very fmall, and that feveral Minifters may be fo potted, in fuch rude, igno- rant and irreligious Parts of the Vineyard, as their Charity cannot go far that way, of which Cafe I fpoke in the general Directions, relative to the right Difpenfuion of the Gofpel : Yet as I would gladly hope, that it is other wife with ma- ny Congregations, and knowing that certainly, it is otherwiie in feveral Flocks. I fhall therefore firft clafs the Converted, ac- cording to the 'Various ffirltual Condkions they ufe to be in, from Time to Time, while they are in this lower Nurfery, preparing and making meet for their Tranfplantation to the higher Floufe. And next fpeak a little of the right Manner of difpenfing the Truths of the Gofpel, in Proporti- on to the forefaid various Cafes and Conditions. It being always to be fuppofed, that faithful pru- dent Minifters, being acquainted with the fpiri- tual State of their Flock, will' accordingly, as Workmen that needs not to be afhamed, endea- vour to divide the Word of God aright among them, and fo improve the great variety of Gofpel Truths, as every one may have their fpiritual Food in duefeafon, Ez,ek. ^4. 4, 16. The various fpiritual Conditions of the Rege- nerate and Converted, gives juft Ground to con- fider them under a four- fold Notkjt or ReffeB, As, I Only as SmoaJzing Flaxes y with whom Grace is only appearing, in fome true ferious gracious Defires after Chrift, an Intereft in him. Confor- mity.. right Method of breaching. 1 9 5 mity to him, and Communion with him, Ifa. 42. :;. Or, 2. As Chriftians, more ajfared of the Work of God's Grace in them, as having been helped diftindly, and in a lively and fen/ible Manner to embrace the Lord Jefus thrift, mourn for Sin, and pra(51:ically turn from it unto Righte- oufnefs: Upon which, their Souls know confide- rably, the Joy which arifeth from believing ,• and are thereupon greatly enlarged, running pleafant- Vy in the way of God's Commands, A^s 2. 42, 46, 47. and 9. ;i. Or^ ;. They may be confi- dered, 2ish2iV\ng fallen from their firft Loue^ and not doing their firft Works^ fo that their former Spi- rituality, Livelinefs, and holy Diligence, are ve- ry low, and much gone for the Time, Renj. 2. 4. Or, 4. As Perfbns varioujly tryed and exercifed in this their militant State ; fometimes with moft ex- ercifing inward Soul Diflrefs arifing either from Defertion, or Temptation, or both : Again at other Times with manifold fore outward. Tryals and Afflictions, John 16. %%. In Preaching the Gofpel aright to the frfi Sort^ to wit, the Elcd of God, while under the firft fa- ving Operations of the Holy Ghoft, thefe Two Rules, I humbly conceive, would be much ob- ferved: As, i. To give them clear fcripttrral Noti- ons of faving Faith, fmcere Repentance and new Obedience,- together with folid Marks of the fame : For any who knows the Heart of a Stran- ger in this Matter, cannot be ignorant of the deep exerclftng Concern with young Converts, to know and underftand clearly and perfectly, where- in found believing, repenting and reforming con- fifteth, AclsT., ;7. and 16. %o. And therefore 'tis certain, that no Sermon will be more agreeable and acceptable to them, than a clear and full De- O z fcription 196 T^ifcourfcs concerning the fcripdon of thofe great Gofpel Duties. Accord- ingly every faithful Minifter, will undoubtedly make it his Work, to give ferious exercifed Souls Satisfaction in fuch important Queftions, ABs 2. :^8. and 16. 51. But having already difcourfed thofe Graces and. Gofpel Duties at fome length, I am not now to refume : Only the more plain and full the Defcriptions of them be, but efpecially if well illuftrate^ and (olidly proven from Scrip- ture, 'tis fure they will fo much the more anfwer the Defign and Defire of trembling Jealous per- plexed ferious Souls. The other Rule to be obferved in Preaching the Gofpel to Perfons in fuch a Cafe is, to endeavour that the Gofpel meet with their principal and moft perplexing Difficulties and OhjeBions : Which ordina- rily are fome or all of thele Four : As, i/^ They either infift upon their great Guilty as being there- upon afraid to come forwards to Chrift- Or, 2^/7, Upon the Uncertainty of their Eledion, and of Chrift's dying for them,- Or, ylly^ Upon their apprehended want of fufficient godly Sor;row and Love, making them afhamed to approach. Or, ^thljy That not being fure of their being fpiritu- ally alive, and. of their being in Chrift, they are thereupon afraid, that all their Prayers, and o- ther Religious Performances, may be but dead Works, and an Abomination to the Lord. With refped to all which Objections and their Anfwers, I Ihall infift a little the more particularly, not fo much from any great Difficulty in clearing the fame, as to bring to remembrance, what great Ground there is for much o^ Gofpel Sympathy and Concern towards all fuch who are undergoing the Pangs of the New-birth, and ftriving to enter in at the flraight Way: Such Perfons being often tofled right Method of Tr caching. 197 i-offed and driven as it were^ between Wind and Wave; for on the one Hand, their Souls are panting as the Hart after the Water-brooks^ for a faving Intereft in Chrift, and are thereupon with all their might endeavouring to believe in him, mourn for Sin, turn from it, and engaging with the whole of nevy Obedience : While on the other Hand, the felt ftrong Power of Unbelief, hardnefs of Heart, doth bind them as it were with Fetters. As alfo their frequent Apprehenfmis of their want of true Grace, and their Fears of never ob- taining it, together with their frequent Jealoufies of Unfoundnefs and Hypocrifie, and that all will prove but Delufions : Thefe Things, I fay, doth fo prefs and perplex their Spirits, that oftentimes they are in hazard of drawing hard Conclufions, in relation to their Souls Cafe; and of giving up with Means and Duties, as of no ufe unto them. And therefore certainly, no Minifter can ac^ a more genuine and faithful Part of a true Shep- herd of Chrift's Flock, than by difcourfing clofe- ly in the moil condefcending and compaffionate Manner, the feveral Objedions, Difficulties and Scruples which ufe fo deeply to exercife the Spi- rits of the Elect of God, while they are (fo to fpeak ) betwixt the different pulls of the Strong andtheftronger Man, For though the Almigh- ty Arm performs Regeneration at once, by which the Soul is ingrafted into and united to Chrifl, and fo really brought within the Bond of the Co- venant, yet before the Perfon attain to a clear Senfe and comfortahk Ajfnrance of the fame; who is it can fufficiently declare all the Interval per- plexing ^eftionsy Doubts^ Fears and Fightings the ferrous Soul is often made to undergo ? O ; But 198 T^ijcourfes concerning the But now to return to the Confideration of the OhjeBionsy and particularly of the firft, vvhich, confidering how exceeding weighty it often lies upon the Confcience of convinced humbled Sin- ners ; I. Some of the moft remarkable and pro- bative Inftances of the Riches of Grace would be held oiu- unto them, fuch as, Manaffih^ Tauly the OThief on the Crofs ,- the Woman of Samaria^ the grofb and abominable Sinners in the Church of Corinth y i Cor. 6. 9, lo, 11. Again, 2. Left the Jealoufies^ Fears and Doubts of fenfible Sinners Ihould prove exceeding perplexing and diftref- fing, as what oftentimes they do, even after fome Apprehenfion of the Mercy of God in Chrift Je- fus, (they often alledging fome extraordinary An- gular Ingredients in their Cafe) therefore it may be neceifary to reafon more clofely with them, by holding out that one of God's frlncifal Defigns in giving Chrift to Sinners, is, to exalt the great- nefs cf pardoning Love and Mercy, fo that if once a Sinner be truly fenfible and penitent, and withal willing to be beholden to Chrift's Righteoufnefs for Juftification, then certainly the greater the Guilt hath been, and the groffer the Aggravati- ons of the fame, there is fo much the more occa- fion and accefs given for God through Chrift to glorifie the Riches of Grace, Yea more, no doubl' God accordingly is greatly pleafed with fuch oc- cafions for proclaiming the greatnefi of his Mer- cy, 7/^''. 1. 18. And hence, when once the prodigal Son, tho* greatlj Guilty^ truly returns to his Father, behold how God, inftead of taking any notice of, or up- braiding him in the leaft, with his Sin, he pre- fently coinmands all the great Bleflings of the Co- venant to be beftowed upon him i Luke 11.2.0 >^ ■ 21.^ right Method of Tr caching. 199 21, 22, 2:;. And how remarkably doth our gra- cious God bid defiance to the greaceft Guile wich any penitent Sinner, in that wonderful Exhorta- tion aiid Call:, Ifa, j^.y. Where he engageth to multiply unto Pardon : Importing that his'^Mercy fhall furmount all the greateft numbers and heights of Provocations, which ever were with any Tranfgreiror, among the Sons of Men. Briefly, Chrift^ whofe Heart in the very midft of his bloody and agonizing Sufrerings allowed him, to cry. Father forgive them, can never pofli- bly rejed any Sinner truly returning unto him, John 6. :57. And with refped to their Second Objedion, the clearing the neceffity of Perfons knowing hrft their EjfeEtml Callings before they can poffibiy be affured of their Eledtion, ( that being a Secret in the Divins BreailJ i Vet, 1.10. This, together with Minifters fhewing, that a humble ferious exercifmg Concern about the Knowledge of Ele- dion, caufing Salvation- work to be minded as the one Thing needful, and influencing ferious EC- fays towards Faith, Repentance and new Obedi- ence, are all very promifing Tokens for Good to the Soul with whom they are, Jer, 51. 18;, 19,20. Thefe Things I fay being cleared and fuicably en-? larged upon, may be of ccnfiderabie ufe, in re- moving the above-mentioned Difficulty. The Third Objection is fuch, with Refpefl- to which, exercifed Perfons, are not ufually fo ea- fily fatisfied: And that becauf^, till Faith have fomething of fenfible Love to Chrid, and fenii- ble godly Sorrow for Sin, accompanying the fame, the ferious exercifed Soul, (to whom ChriO: now, and a faving Incereft in him, is become its longed for All ) cannot eafily be psrfwaded ov O 4 true ^oo Dijcoarfes concerning the true Faith. And therefore it is humbly concei- ved^ that however the cautioning of fuch Per-. Ions againft the feeking of any meritorious ^ali- fications to bring with them to Chrift, may be a moft feafonable Admonition in this Cafe,- yet confidering that young Converts when once fa- vingly taught by God^ are not really feeking fen- fible Love and godly Sorrow fo much to com- mend them to Chrift, in any legal meritorious Way, as truly to ajfure themfelves^ that their Faith is found and genuine ,• therefore towards the Removal of the forefaid Difficulty, it may prove efFecSlual, forMinifters, to endeavour to clear up unto them, I. That the Evidences of a true faving Faith are really with them. And, 2. That where there is once true Faith, though never fo weak, that there certainly the Perfon is welcome to the Lord Je- fus Chrift, John 6. gy. Ifa, ^z, ;. And in clearing the Evidences of Faith to fuch ferious doubting Souls ,• it's evident, that the moft condefcendlng (providing always they be Scriptu- ral and Solid) fliould be pitched upon, and in the plaineft Manner imaginable laid open to them : For 'tis notour, that half a Sentence in Preach- ing Marks, if either dark or ambiguous, or top high, refpcdting rather the Degrees and Growth, than the Habit and Truni of Grace, will perplpx fuch Souls exceedingly ; they being the Churches timowMS Kids^ in hazard to ftart and run at every Thing, Song'i, 8. And therefore, i/, A Secret Superlative fieart-efieem of Chrift as an All-fuffici- eiic and fuitable Saviour ,- the Soul accounting iiim the Pearl of great Price, ^dljy Senfible Soul longings and Tantings for a faving Intereft in him above all Portions, -^dly^ The Soul's refufmg tp pr dqwnfitiificd lender the ir.oft fmiling Temporal Providences^ right Method of T reaching, lo I Providences, without fome Hope of a fpecial Re- lation to Chrift. ^thlyy A cordial Willingnefs to dethrone all former Idols for Chrift. s^^^ Heart Satisfaction with a whole Chrift, in all his Offices, and in all his Terms ^ as being moft willing to fubjedboth the inward and outward Man to his Law, and their Perfon and all, to be for his Ser- vice and Glory. 6thlj/, Frequent ferious Ejfays towards diftind and lively covenanting with him. "jthly^ Serious Bemoanings of the Power of natural Darknefs, Unbelief, Coldrifenefs, and Hardnefs of Heart, as hindering them from that clear fenfible lively way of doling with the Lord Jefus Chrift, which their Souls would gladly at- tain unto. 2>thlyy A praBical Concern to pleafe Chrift, by abftaining from Sin, and aiming at Duty, even tho' not aflured of an Intereft in him. I fay, thefe plain Marks, and fuch like, all which are clearly founded on the Word of God, and ufe to be among the firft EfFe^s of faving Illumination and Faith, would be improven towards the fatif- fying of young Chriftians, as to the good Work, its being truly begun in them. And certainly in fo doing Minifters will not only ad a very wife and compaffipnate part towards Chrift's Lambs, but will alfo very much imitate him, who never did break the bruifed Reed, nor quench the fmoa- king Flax, Ifa.4.2, 5. The other Head relative to weak Faith, if founds its being moft acceptable to Chrift, is fo evident both from Scripture, i Kings 14. 15; Mattb. I ?. ; I. I John 2. 12. and from its real ap- prehenfion of the Lord Jefus Chrift the Saviour, that it may both be very eafily and moft convin- pingly pleared= I com§ ao2 ^ifcourfes concerning the I come now to the laft Objedion, to wife, Sa- tan's frequently fuggefting to ferious Souls, when firft beginning to leek the Lord in earneft, that they being without fpiritual Life, and not in Chrifi, all their Prayers and other Religious Performances are all but dead ' Works, and an Abomination to the Lord, and that therefore they had beft leave them undone. For clearing of which, as it would be, I. fairly granted, that Perfons wilfully conti- nuing in the Love and Practice of Sin, and who only in a cuftomary and formal way confefs Sin and feek for Mercy and Grace, while in the mean time, their Hearts are neither in the leaft afFeded with the Diihonour done to God , nor any virays refolved to turn from the fame ; that in that cafe the Profeffions, Prayers, Refolutions, Vows, At- tendance on Ordinances, Communicating, or any other external Religious Performances of all fuch Perfons, are undoubtedly the Sacrifice of the Wickedy which are an Abomination to the Lord^ Trcv.i^.S. So, 2. on the other hand, it would be declared, that every Soul convinced of their Sin and Mifery, and of the Fulnefs and Suitable- fjefs of Chriil, and who thereupon are longing for a faving Intereit in him, and ferioully crying for the fubduing of fpiritual Plagues, and for the quickening fandifying Power of the Grace of God, are Perfons having more of fpiritual Life in them, than what they do fufpofe^ and whofe Pray- ers are not only infallibly moft acceptable to God, but their Perfons alfp ,• and that, as being truly united to the Lord Jefus Chrift by Faith in him. And therefore, however with Efhrairrty fuch may look upon themfelves as Perfons moft unlovely and unacceptablfi; in the Sight of a Holy God, that yet God is faying congerning chem, h "tv^hmmmy dear ' k ' . * S.cni right Method of Tr caching. ao^ Son ? h he a pkafant Child ? For fince I fpoke againfi hirKy I do earnefily remember him (tilly Jer. ;i. 20. This and other like Contexts, fuch as Prov. 28. 14. Jer. 3. 1, 12,14. but efpecially that of the Fa- ther's having compaffion, running and meeting, and embracing the Prodigal Son, and that even while yet afar ojf^ cannot but furnifli a moft full and fatisfying Anfwer to the prefent Difficulty, The fecond fuppofed Condition of the Con- verted falls in next to be difcourfed, which re- fpe(9:eth the more afured and efiablijhed Chriftian, whofe Faith and Love being ftrong and in lively Exercife, they are thereupon delighting in the Duties of Holinefs, and enjoying a Senfe of the Peace and Love of God therein, as we find record- ed, ABs^, i^i. And v^^aiking in the Fear of the Lord, and in the Comfort of the Holy Gholl, were multiplied. While the Godly are in this excellent cafe, fat and flourifiiing in the Courts of their God, 'tis clear, that the principal Concern which the Gof- pel hath in them, muft be to exhort them more and more to improve their Graces, and fo to caujfe their Spices to flow forth, in order to the detain- ing their Beloved, , and caufmg him to eat of his pleafant Fruits, Song :^. 4, &j^.i6. With refped to which, the Exhortations to im- prove our Talents, to grow in Grace, and to per- feit Holinefs, are every where fo frequent in the Scriptures, that they cannot beeafily enumerated. Neither can it be otherwife ; the Defign of the Holy Ghoft in implanting Grace, being to bring it gradually to Perfedion, that fo the Redeemed of the Lord may be made perfed in Knowledge, Love and Obedience, in order to their immediate and perfed: Enjoyment of a Holy God. So much we a 04. ^ifcourfes concerning the we are told, Phil. i. 6. Being cofifident of this very things that he which hath begun a good Work in yotty T^ill perform it until the Day of Jefus ChriJIr, And therefore 'tis plain, that Minifters are very much concerned, to infift upon and prefs home all fuch Exhortations, as tend to the Growth of Grace^ and Advance in Pradical Godlinefs, 2 Cor, 7. j, 2?^^;, 18. And here no doubt, particular Dir eel ions towards the right Improvement of Grace, and efpecially , while under the more full and fenfible Influences of the Divine Prefence, would be condefcended upon ? Such as, i. To improve it in the coufcionahle Terformance of the two great Duties oiWatchfdnefs and Vrayer ; both which are often and moft feri- oufly recommended by our Lord, as the great pra- dical Duties of a Chriitian, Luke 21, ; 6. Mark 15, :;;, ^f. And therefore the particular Import of both would be opened up : That of watching, as implying, i. An holy avjful Rewembrance of God through the Day, calling to mind his Soveraignty over us, his Law above us, his Omnifcient and Holy Eye upon us, and the Great Day of the Lord which is before us, and thereupon pondering the •Path of our Feet in the whole of our Converfation^ TfaL 119. 168. 2. An habitual and conftant Care-- fulnefs to abftain from all known Sin, from all Temptations to it, or any Appearance of it, and efpecially from predominant Sins, which do fo eafily befet us, Heh.12.1. iTheJf. ^,22. ;. Afe- rious Attention to prefent Duty, even the Duty of the prefent Day and Hour, together with a clofe Application to the fame, that fo come our Lord at what Hour he will, we may not be furpri^ed^ M'Mtb. 24. 42. Ecdef, 9. iQ, An4 right Method of ^reaching. 105 And fo likewife the. Import of praying always would be declared, as requiring at all times, i. A good Confcience, called by the Apoftle, a Heart Iprinkled from an evil Confcience, that fo holy Boldnefs and Confidence may not be broken, HeL 10. 22. And 2. An habitual high Efiimate of Spi- ritual Bleffings, the Soul greatly valuing and long- ing for the Death of Sin, the Growth of Grace, more pf Conformity to and Communion with God, Vfcil. 81. 10. ;. A Frequency in our Ap- proaches to the Throne of Grace, keeping up much of a fpiritual Intercourfe and Correfpon- dence with Heaven, Phil. :^. 20 In order to which, not only would our more ordinary and dated Times for that Duty be allowed, together with ferious interval Ejaculations, but even fome Hours now and then ( upon fome fpecial Occa- fions) would be as it were ftolen from this prefent and evil World, to converfe with the great and important Concerns of Eternity, Song 2> 14. c^ 4. 8. 4. Spiritual Fervency in our prefenting our Supplications, feeking with much Prefence of Mind, with great Strength of Defire, pleading with much Importunity and holy Impatience, Hof, 12. ;, 4. All which are but fome fhort Hints^ in refped of the great Import of thefe two concern- ing and leading Duties of Watching and Prayer. A fecond Direction towards the right Improve- ment of Grace, is that of exhorting Believers to do more than others^ as having received not only far more, but quite other Talents, than what they have gotten, Matth, f. 47. And in order to this, to exhort, i. That while formal Profelfors con- cern themfelves only in the Matter of Duty, that tliey be found fpiritual and holy in the Manner of it ; not only performing the whole Courfe of their Obe- ao6 ^ifcourfes concerning the Obedience from Love to God, Refped to his Com- mand, and with an eye to the Divine Glory ,• but particularly, that in Duties of Worfhip, fuch as Reading, Hearing, Prayer, Praife^ Communi- cating, they be found going about thefe with fo much of Faith, Love, Fear and holy Reverence, as will proclaim, that in thefe Duties they are really aiming on the one hand to honour and wor- IhipGod, and on the other, truly feekingfpiritual Communion and Fellowfhip with him, John^, 24, ThiL V V -^"^ ^- T^^^ vi^hile others content themfelves with the vifible and external Duties of Religion, they be found ferioufly exercifed in the more fecret and inward Duties thereof^ fuch as, I. Keeping the Heart for God, and from Sin, by noticing the Thoughts, Defires, Defigns and Pro- jeds thereof, Tro'v, 4. 2.%. And 2. Spiritual Me- ditation on God, in his Glorious Attributes \ upon the Mediator, in the Wonderfulnefs of his Perfon, the Fulnefs and Suitablenefs of his Offices, upon the everlafting and well ordered Covenant, upon Heaven, and our Lord's Appearance there before the Throne, in relation to his People's Concerns, together with his certain and fecond Coming, and the great Glory to be revealed in that Day, Col,%,i, And fo, %, Self-examination^ in relation to State, Frame, Walk and Attainments ; noticing accu- rately God's Comings and Goings to and from the Soul, and obferving timeoufly the firft Beginnings of a fpiritual Decay, in order to the preventing the fame, Pfal 119. ^9, 60. i Cor. 11. 28. And 4, Secret Fafling and Prayer, towards mourning for Backflidings, and wreftling for the Death of predominant Sins, and fupplicating for fome fpe- cial important Mercies ^ as alfo for renewing Co- Tenanc with God, in order to a more elofe and holy right Method of breaching, ion holy walking with him than what formerly, Matth^ 6. i6. Thirdly, as another Dire. The Nature ^ndi right Manner of this Dependance upon the noble Vine, would alfo be opened up 3- fhewing, i. How Faith muft realize and call to mind the effential and mediato- rial Fulnefs of our Lord, towards his advancing and perfecting all Grace and Gifts in his People : He being the Glorious Flead of the Church, who hath the Seven Spirits of God, Re'u.'^.i, 2. How Faith mull alfo folidly reprefent unto the Soul, our Lord's Appearance and Interceffion before the Throne, and that for the procuring the effectual Applications of the Holy Ghoft, towards his Peo- ple's gradual Sanci^ification, John 17. 17. Heh. 4. 14, 16. %. How thereupon Faith ought to lay hold upon thePromifes, fiich as Hof. 14. 9. PfaL 72, 6. Ija. 27. 2, ;. John i^. 5'. and with holy Confidence plead the Performance of the fame. All which would alfo be urged with proper ^r^«- n^sins ; fuch as the intrinfick Weaknefs and Infuf- ficiency of habitual Gra.ce,, the NecefSty of adual Influences, towards Spiritualicy in Frame, the lively Performance of Duties, relifting of Temptations, encountring with Difficulties, and efpecially to- wards our becoming convincingly and exemplar- ly holy and fruitful to God's Praife and great Glory, Pfal. 119. 7,2, XI' ^^^ confidering our Lord's pofitive Affertion and Promife, Johni^, 4, J. Surely fuch Souls who thus live near their Root, and abide much therein, are of all others like, to have moft ground to fing with David^ Pfal. J' 2. 8. But I am like, a gran Qlive-vm In the Houfe of God ; I tyujr in the Mercy of God for ever and i'ver. And alfo with Vml^ Phil. 4, it^. lean dQ allthJ7igs through Chrijr which firengthmeth me ^ CHAR right Method of Tr caching. 2 1 1 C H A R IV. The Third fuffofed Condition of the Converted^ is that of their heing fallen from their firft Love, and not doing their firfi Works. In preaching the Goffel to "Believers in this cafe J it feems frofer^ 1. That fome clear Sjmpofns and Evidences of their fpritual TDecay^ fhould he condefcended on^ towards a feeing and awakening Confcience. 2. The great Sin and T) anger of fuch a Condition^ would he next demonftrate^ that fo Convi^ Bion may ijfue in Contrition. 3 . The Import: of the Repentance or fecond Converfion proper for fuch Terfons^ would he opened up. 4. To fet allthe chfer home (conjidering the g-reat Influence of carnal Security) fome moft ferious repeated Calls and Exhort at io?is^ en^ forced hy the moft weighty Tromifes and Threatnings^ adjufied to fuch a Cafe, would he 7text i?nprove?i. The proper fcriptural Topicks, for all thofe preceeding general Heads y are particularly declared. The Fourth fuppofed Condition of the Godly ^ is that of Tryal and oAffliBion^ which ofte7> times is inward and fpiritual \ co7iJlfting either^ i. /;/ T)efertion\ or 2. In Satani- cal Temptations. In preaching the Gofpel to the deferted complaining "Believer^ the following Method feems mo^i promfing. eAs I. Ttat on the one hand^ their T)efertion P 2 may a 1 1 T>iJcourfes concerning the may fuitably affeH the Soul ; and on the other y old Love may he hindled afrejh^ to a withdrawn Chrifi^ there would he fome clofe Interrogatories ahout the Grounds of their Complaint, 2. They would he exhorted to ferious felf-fearchin^^ in order to their remo- ving any Grounds of Trovocation. Upon finding of which they wouldy 3. 'Be exhorted to a ffeedy Return and Reformation. 13ut wit hall J 4. In cafe the "Defertion he found to he more from Soveraignty, than Trovoca-^ tion (for clearing of which feveral Marks are condefcended upon) then the deferted 'Believer is rather 'to he inflruHed and com- fort ed^ than reproved or dtfcouraged. WE come now to treat of the Third fuppofed Condition of the Converted^ which refped- eth their Cafe, when considered ^s fallen from their firft Lcve^ and not doing their firft Works ^ Rev. In ipeaking to which^ Minifters would no doubt be moft particular and futl : For this cafe being not only often the Condition of the People of God, but alfo having moft lamentable Confe* quences ; fuch as banifhing Light, Life^ Strength ^nd Joy from the Soul^ and introducing fpiritual Darknefs and Decays, alnioft to the very Deftru- diionof the noble fpiritual Life,and of the great Pri- vileges and Enjoyments thereof, Ffal. <;i, 8,11,12. Therefore as Remedy^ the following Method feems proper to be obferved, in preaching the Gofpel aright to Believers in fuch a low fpiritual Condition as this; As^ i. Some clear Evidences and Signs- right Method of Tr caching, a i ^ Signs of Perfons being truly fallen from their firft Love? would be infifted on^ that fo Confcience being deeply convinced and afFeded, may awaken and rouze the fecure Believer from his fpiricual Lethargy. 2. Upon this, the great Sin and Dan^ ger of fuch a Condition vi^ould be demonftrate to them, that fo Convidion may come the length of Contrition. ;. Believers in fuch a cafe, being Perfons who for the time, with Tetcr^ need a fe* cond Converfion ; therefore, as they would be exhorted to Refcntance^ fo alfo the Import of that Repentance, and of doing their firft Works^ which our Lord holds out as necelTary towards their Re- covery, would be cleared up. 4. They being alfo (while in that cafe) confiderably under the Power of fpiritual Sloth and Security ; there- fore moft ferious repeated Calls and Exhortations, fet home with Promifes and Threatnings, would be made ufe of towards the awakening and regain- ing them. Accordingly, if we a little ponder that com.plex Direction given by ourLord to the Church of Ephefas^ when fallen from her firft Love, we fliall upon the matter find all thofe four Particulars implied therein, Rev. 2 4, 5-. Nevenhdefs I k^ve [omeivhat againfi thse^ hecaufe thou hajt left thy firft Love, Rememher therefore from whence thou art falkfiy and refenty and do thefirfi IVcrks * or elfe I will come unto thee quickly ^ and will remove thy Candlcjfick QHt of his Flace^ except thou repent. The firft Head refpedeth to the Evldcjkes of a fpiritual Decay, which are obvious and plain, the Signs of it being many : As i. Great Forgetfahefs of God through the Day, in refped of what ufs to be. 2. Low Thoughts and faint Impreffions of Chrift, and of Conformity to him, and Commu- nion with him j yea, and that even while his P ; traafcen- ^14. Dijcourjes concernuig the tranfcendent Glory, and the great Excellency of thofe fpiritual Bleffings are held forth in the Got pel^ Song J. 2. ;. Prevailing C^r^^/^'fy and Earthly- mindednefs, fo that the Bulk of the Thoughts^ Defires, Projects and Endeavours^ are greatly plunged in things fenfual and temporal^ and the Soul very much fitting down contented with the fame. Song^. ;. 4. Little or no Delight in fpiri- tual Duties ; fuch as^ Prayer, Praifing^ Reading, Hearing, i?ei;.2. 4. ^. Prevailing For»?^/i/7 in the Performance of them, fo that inftead of Prefence of Mind, affecting Impreflions of God, Diftinft- nefs, fervent Pantings and Out-goings of Soul after God, there is much of vain wanderings, worldly Thoughts, Confufion, and general overly Peti- tions to God, together with much of Indifferency about an Anfwer to them. Song ;. i. 6. Unufual TJntinderr.efs of Confcience, adventuring at times to omit even known Duties, and allowing far more of Freedom in Speech and Converfation be- fore others than what formerly, when there was a Watch upon the Door of their Lips, and when they pondered all the Paths of their Feet: and thus the Chriftian's [econd Ways, like David's^ fometimes differ very far from their /r/. 7. Great TJncmcernednefs under all the Means of Grace, fo that the moil ferious Exhortations, clofeit Reafon- ings, plaineft Reproofs, ievereft Threatnings, or moll alluring Prcmifes, make but very little Im>- preffidi upon the Soul, or at moft only produce an overly palling Thought or two in the Confci- ence, Sono 5'. 2, ;. 8. Little or ?jo Zed for the Glory of God, fo that inftead of that ferious Con- i:ern upon the Spirit to pleafe and glorify God, in every Step of the Converfation, and daily to bring torch fonie Fruit to his Praife, which was with the ' ' Soul right Method of Trenching, a i 5; Soul when lively , behold the gneatefcColdnefs and IndiiFerencej in relation t6 the Divine Glcry, and the Interefts thereof^ Tljil. 2.21. Thefe and feve- ral other fuch like Tokens of a low fpiritual Con- dition^ if plainly held forth^ and Confcience there- upon be appealed, do certainly promife as a pro- per Mean through the Divine Bleffing to find out and awaken the Guilty. The fecond Direction is that of fliewing back- lliden Believers the g^eat Sin and Da7?geroi this their prefent Condition, that fo Convidion may arife to Contrition and godly Sorrow, LuA^e 22. 5-9, 60. And certainly the S'mfulnefs of it mult be great ; For, I. In "this cafe the Heart is much away from God, and following after lying Vanities, and confequently the Soul and Subjhmce of the Chriftian's Religion is much wanting : For wh^n once the Soul comes to be much eftranged to high and honourable Tiioughts of God, and to fpiritualizing Impreflions of his glorious Perfe- ctions, and to fervent Defires after him, there can remain but little of the Heart to God for the time. And hence, 2, As another Proof of the great Sinfulnefs of this cafe, behold the whole of the Perfon's Duties are in a great mea- fure but dead and lirelefs Performances, as be- ing greatly fpoiled v/nh Coldrifenefs and Forma- lity : So that (abftract from the Principle of fpi- ritual Life, lying deep as a Winter Root under Ground) there is much of a near Approach to the old natural State of dead Works. And if i^o, then furely great Guilt mud be here, in thus inverting fp far the Defign of noble, quickening and fructify- ing Grace, Rev. %, i^, 16. ?j. Tlie great Barren^ nefs under all the Means of Grace, which ^attends this decayed backlliding Condition; muft certainly P 4 i^lfo s 1 6 ^ifcourfes concerning the alfo greatly add to the Sinfulnefs thereof : For, while inftead of advancing in Knowledge, Faith, Love, or abounding more and more in good Works, the Soul is rather decreafing in all thefe, and be- comes more and more dead, flothful and backward to what is good, what great Guilt muft there un- doubtedly be here? Re'v,2. 4. 4. There are alfo manifold aBual TranfgreJJions^ which fuch a dead decayed Condition hath a dired tendency to ; fuch as oftentimes much Carnality in Thoughts, Words and Adions, to the Offence of the Godly, who are more tender, and to the hardening of the Wicked, and of the formal Profeffor. And fo alfo manifold Omiffions, yea and that perhaps of known Duties, are too often to be found with the Chriftian, while in this carnal Condition ; Con- fcience being now much afleep, be what formerly. And further, which ought juftly to alarm every fecure Believer, behold oftentimes grofs Commif- fions to be found with fuch j as in the lamentable Initances of David y Solomon ^ Veter^ and others, who were otherwife great Saints. All whicti Guilt ought furely to affed:, and that moft deeply, any gracious Soul fearing the Lord, and calling to mind the Divine Holinefs and Jealoufy, and thac efpecially in relation to the Provocations of Sons and Daughters, y^mcs 5. 2. Rev. ;. 19. The Mifery and Danger of this backfliden and carnal Condition, is alfo great : For as fuch, ifty lye much open to Temptations, and in great ha- zard of complying with them : So alfo, 2. Their fpiritual Strength for holy Duties is much gone, caufing the Soul drive moft heavily therein. Be- hold alfo, %, How the Soul in this cafe is juftly deprived of Communion with God, fo that re- fVclhingDifcoveries, Manifeftationsand Influences former- right Method of Tr caching. 1 1 y, formerly enjoyed, are now reftrained, and the Be- liever as it were admitted no further than the outer Court. Again, 4. The threatned Rods and Cha- ftifements againft backfliding Children, are alfo like to be taken up : and who knows what bitter Ingredients ma^ be in the trial, before a Holy and Jealous God put an end to it : For tho' all true Believers fliall have their Soul for a Prey, yet 'tis equally certain, that many of them upon the account of their Backflidings in Heart and Life^^ and for their long Continuance and Security un- der the fame, have not only undergone moft fe- vere Afflictions, long Defercion, moft perplexing Doubts and Fears about their fpiritual Interefts, as having had a Sprit of Bondage let loofe upon them to very high degrees ^ but alfo in a dying Hour have been made to go through the Swellings o{ Jordan with the greateft Confufion and Terror imaginable, 2 Chron, 16. 9, 10, 11. T^fal, ji. 8, II, 12. All which would be held out as crying aloud upon every Soul, confcious of their having fallen from their firft Love, and of their not doing their firft Works, prefently to repent, and turn to the Lord, left they found fuch a Controverfy, in the pleading of which they (hall come to be di- ftraded wirii the Terrors of the Lord, The Third Direction, being to exhort to Rc» fmtance, Rev. 2. f . Accordingly the Import there- of would be opened up. In order to which, Firfi, The Neceffity of Self-examination would be infifted upon: That fo they may find out the Original Caiifes and Progrefs of their Spiritual Decay : And thereby come to fee, that it w/as, I. By their forgetting and lofing tht dear Difco. jen&s andlmpreffions of the Superlative Glory of thrift, of the great Evil of Sin, and of the Beauty of -si 8 ^ifi'ourfes concerning the of Holinefs, and of the Sweetnefs of Commu- nion with God; and, 2. By their being lefs fre- ejuent in Prayer, where the Soul lies open to the Dew of Heaven^ and^ ;. By their being lefs fer- ment in it, and not wreftling for^e Increafe of Grace^ according to the great Import and Worth of the fame : And, 4. By their becoming uncon- cerned and formal in attending on the Ordinan- ces ; not coming with Spiritual Third, and Hun- ger, nor receiving the Word with that Attenti- on, Faith and Love, with which formerly they had done ; And, 9. By their becoming gradually more and more untender in Confcience, and un- circumfped in Walk, allowing old Idols too much to afcend the Throne, breaking fome fpecial Vows betwixt God and them ,♦ and turning lefs concerned to pleafe and glorifie God in the whole of their Converfation, than what formerly they were,* and, 6. 5y their omitting thofe fpirituali- zing Duties of keeping the Heart, Spiritual Meditation, Ejaculatory Prayer, Secret Failing, Chriftian Fellowfhipj by reafon of all which, they had thus fallen from their firft Lova, and were not doing their firfl: Works. And therefore, zi//. They would be direded in order to Repentance, to confefs fo much inge- nioufly to God ; that while they were with him, keeping in clofely vinh. him and Confcience, that he truly was with them ^ but that their Sins had pow juftly feparated between God and their Souls, jfer. 3.12. And thereupon, ;^//r. To mourn be- fore God, for thofe their backflidings in Heart and Life: All which would be mod particularly acknovvleda;ed with their feveral Aggravations, fo far as Confcience calls to remembrance: And all this would be done, with much of Godly Sor- row right Method of breaching, a 1 9 row for the diflionour done to God, and on the account of the great Ingratitude appearing there- in, confidering Eleding, Redeeming and Sancti- fying Love, Vfalm fi.4. And then, ^thly^ The Mourning Bejjiever would be exhorted under a deep Convidion of Guilt, and Senfe of the greac Power of indwelling Sin, and of the Infufficien- cy of habitual Grace, prefently to flee unto the Blood of Sprinklings improving Chrift by Faith, and that both for pardoning Mercy, and for Soul- reftoring Grace,- crying moil ferioufly to God^ that upon the account of Chrift's perfe^a Righ- teoufnefs, he would continue to love freely, heal baekflidings, and become as the dew unto Ifi-ael, Tfalm^ I. J, 10. //(9/I14.4, 5-. Andfo, s'-^b'y The returning Soul would be direded without delay, fraBlcallj to evidence and confirm their profeffed Repentance before God ,» and that by a moft con- fcientious Watching againft all known Sin, and by a puni^tual Performance of Duties ,• and with- al, giving God no reft in Prayer^ till he fenfibly return, reftoring fpiritual Life, and comforting the Soul with gracious Communications of his Love as formerly. Sthlj^ Above all the backili- den Believer defigning in earneft to return to God, would be particularly exhorted to [tir up the Grace of God in them in Duty, and cauti- oned againft their abominable Formality and Coldrifenefs in ufing the Means of Grace, by Reading, Hearing, Prayiiig, Praifing, infuchan overly Manner, as if their Souls had been void of all Knowledge, Love, or Fear of God ,• which certainly could not but provoke the Lord very nTuch to reftrain his Spirit from them, So72g 5-, 2, %. And Finally, it feemeth highly reafonable and proper that the Believer thus returning to the lao 7)tJcourfes concerning the the Lord his God, fhould be enjoyned in a very ferious and folemn Manner, to renew Covenant with him, that fo after a particular ConfeflSon of Backflidings and Mourning for them, he may of new choofe the Lord for his God, .by accepting Chrilt in all his Offices ,• and choofing the Law of God in all its Precepts, for the Rule of his Life ; and thereupon coming under new Vows, in the Strength of the Lord, againft, all known Sin ; but efpecially againft thofe Omiffions and Commifli- ons, by which he did lately backflide from the good Ways of the Lord, Vfalm 1 19. 59, 60, 106. The Fourth Diredioh being to make ufe of mod ferious Calls and Exhortations (et home with Threatnings and Promifes towards the awakening and recovering fecure backfliden Believers ; Mi- nifters would accordingly very much apply them^- felves to this Part of their Work : For as the People of God, while in fuch a Cafe, are not on- ly in a great Meafure barren, bringing forth lit- tle or no Fruit to God's Praife, and caufing the Me- .diator to fee but little of the Travail of his Soul ; fo on the other Hand, they are in great hazard of producing wild Grapes, and of falling before fome Temptation or other, to the Reproach of their Holy Profeflion : And therefore it muft certainly be a piece of moft acceptable Service to Chrift, for Minifters to fet themfelves zealoully for the Spiri- tual Recovery of fuch decayed Sons and Daiighters \ more efpecially confidering, that if the Lord get not Glory by them ^ from whom in an adive Man- ner can he exped it in all tlie Church befides ? J^n If. 2. In managing thefe Calls and Exhortations to Repentance, T-wo Rules would be obferved. As, Flrfiy The Import of this Duty being opened up (of right Method of Treaching. an Cof which I have fpoken in the preceeding Dire- ^ion ) there would next be a clofe bringing home of the Call to the Confciences of the Perfons par- ticularly concerned therein. And that by decla- ring, J. That Perfons with whom the preceeding Marks and Signs of a fpiritual Decay are to be found, are the very Perfons whom God is calling to return. And, 2. By lliewing them the great Danger of fitting the Call ,• feeing thereby fpiritual Plagues will certainly become ftronger and Wron- ger, and confequently Grace fall lower and low- er. By which they (hall yet funher backflide, and thereupon multiply Guilt, and fo provoke God yet further to wich-draw, and when he re- turns, to come with double Stripes upon them : And withal (hewing them, that the longer they delay, they fhall certainly be the lefs difpofed to return, by reafon of the hardning Influence of Sin. :;. By bringing to their Remembrance the great Obligations they are under to return to God, and to live to his Praifej for, confidering their Ele- dion, their Redempdon by the precious Blood of Chrift, as aifo their Regeneration ; and all this, that they might be a peculiar holy Genera- tion, zealous of good Works, furely they muft be under the ftrongelt Ties ta hearken to God's Call : And confequently, how deep muft the Di- vine Refentment be, if after fuch great Favours, they fhould behave themfelves like ftiif necked and rebellious Children ? Again, 4. By Expoftulating with them, con- cerning the great Difference betwixt living mar Gody and backfiiding from him: Appealing their own Experience, whether or not they have felt a great Reward in clofe walking with God j as ha- ving then enjoyed Soul-refrefhing difcoveries of his aal ^ifcourfes concerning the his Glory, and the warm flieddings abroad of his Love, together with the fweet Influences of his Grace from Time to Time: So that inward Peace, and the Joy of the Lord, became their Strength, making Duties moft pleafant, and Dif- ficulties moft eafie unto them. And on the other Hand, attefting them, what himmefs they have found in departing from God^ when thereupon they loft Peace of Confcience, a Senfe of the Di- vine Love, and had their Confidence broken at the Throne of Grace; upon which Duties be- came a Burden, and every Trial a Terror, fear-= ing always that God was about to plead a Con- troverfie with them, Pfalm 7 1. 9, i j. And there- fore upon the whole, they would be moft feriouf- ly obtefted in the Name of the Lord to return ^ and thus the Call would be brought clofe home to Confcience^, v^hich is the firft Rule to be obfer* ved. The Second is^ that in Calling upon backfliden Believers to return, as fome of the moft weighty Divine Threatnings againft BackOiding, would be particularly infifted upon: Such as 1 Sam, 12. 10, ri. Pfdm 89. ;i, %Xy % ;. Amos ;.. 2. Heb, 10. ;8. Re^. 2. 4, f . That fo they may be awakened, out of their Security ,• fo on the other Hand, fuitable alluring PromiJ'es towards the anfwering the Soul perplexing Doubts and Fears arifing from a Senfe of Guilty and of provoking Aggravations, would alfo be proclaimed. AlTuring them^ i. Of the Unchangeablenefs of the Divine Love, Jer.:^i. ^7. And, 2. Of the Lord's great Willingnefs to receive them, and to continue th^ Covenant-rela- tion with them, notwithftanding of their having played the Harlot with many Lovers, providing nov/ they will in earneft return, Jcr, ;. i, 12, 14. :>. Shew- right Method of 7r caching. ^12:^ ;. Shewing them alfo the great Importunity and Earneftnefs^ which is on Chriil's Part in his Calls and Invitations unto themj repeating and redou- bling the fame. Song 6. 1 5. And, Lafilj^ Prefent- ing them with fome of the moft remarkable In- ftances of the greatnefs of his Love and Mercy this way. Such as David^ who though a great TranfgrelTor, confidering the complex Aggrava- tions of his Sin, yet no fooner confefTed "he had finned, than God declared he was pardoned ; 2 Sam, 12, 1 5. So alfo Peter ^ who denied his Lord thrice ,• and that with an Oath, and after moft fo- lemn Vows to the contrary, and at a Time when Chrift's Glory was never more at the Stake ,* and yet behold our Lord firft looks to him with an Eye of Power and Pity, helping him to mourn and return, Luke 22. 99^60. And next after his RefurreAion fends him a particular Love-Mef- fage by himfeif, alTuring him of the Continuance of his Favour, Mark i6. 7. And thus by fliewing them, that firft pardoning Mercy is ready to re- ceive them, and next that Soul-reftoring Grace is at hand to affift them, in repenting and return- ing again to the Lord ; the Divine Call would be left upon their Confcience. I come now to difcourfe the Fcttrth and laft ftip- pofed Condition of the Converted, and to (he w the proper Method of Preaching the Gofpel in relati- on thereto. Which Cafe refpe(5teth the Godly, as under various JjfliBions and Trials*^ fometimes invv^ard and Spritual^ fuch as difcouraging damp- ing Defertion^ and perplexing confounding Temp- tationsy by reafon of the Lord's hiding himfeif^ and reftraining the wonted Soul-refreftiing Influ- ences of his Spirit ,- together with Satan's being let loofe upon them for a Time. Again at other Times, iii ^ijcourfes concerning the Times, their Trials are <)«f5i^W and bodily, coii- flfting of fevere Difiempers^ SickneJJes and Tains of all kinds : So that there can no Temporal Trials be named Perfonal or Relative, upon the Spirit or Body, upon the Name or Eftate, which the Godly are not liable unto. Yea generally fpeaking, they are the People of all others, in the World, who (for holy and wife Ends) are made the largeft and deepeft Sharers of the Cup of Affiitiions, And tho' they are not all fet up as Monuments this way, as Joh and Beman^ as not being equally ftrong in the Paffive Graces : Yet certain it is, that according to their different predominant Sins, and fuitably to the various Degrees of Grace and Gifts defigned for them, and in Proportion unto the feveral Stations and Pieces of Work, which Providence intendeth to accomplifli by them ; an Alvvife God ("agreeably to thole Ends j doth in lefs or in more chaften every one whom he loveth, and fcourgeth every Son whom he re- ceiveth, Heh. 12. 6. That this Head of the right Manner of Preach- ing the Gofpel unto ajfll^ed Believers may be the more diftintaly difcourfed, Ifliall firft confiderthe Cafe as it refpedeth their Inward and Spiritual Trou- bles; and next in relation to their more Outward and Temporal Trials. In Preaching to the firft Sort ; the Gofpel hath to do with a Twofold Condition, either, i. That of Defertion ; or, 2. That of Temptation. ^ As to what concerneth the Deferred Believer, the following Method feems proper to be obfer- ved^ I. To make the Defertion affeB fuitably on the one Hand, and to kindle Love to an abfent Chrilt on the orher, there would be fome clofe Interrogatories, about the Grounds of the BMie- vers- right Method of Treachtng. ai^ vers complaint : Such as to ask^ what their Souls now want ? If it be, i. The wonted Influences of Ligk^ whereby they were made clearly to dil- cern the Glory of Chrift, the Excellency of Spi- ritual Bleflings, the Vanity of the Creature, the Evil of Sin, the Beauty or Holinefs. 2. If it be the former Influences of Ltfe, whereby their Souls were made like the Green Olive^, having it for theicjjlement to remember God, to love Chrift, to meditate on Things heavenly , to be much in Prayer, to be tender in Confcience, and holy in Converfation. ^. If they want thofe gracious Vifis in God's Courts, whereby the Word came with fuch a fecret Divine Power, as compofed their Spirits, obliged to Attention, anfwered all their Doubts, and fenfibly encreafed their Know* ledge, Faith, Love, and filled their Souls as with Marrow and Fatnefs. 4. If they want the € That they are denied the high Al- lowances of others of the People of God, as being kept Strangers to the glorious Difcoveriesof Chrift, and fweet Manifeftations of his Love, and power- ful Application of his Promifes, which they hear are the Enjoyments of other Believers. From all which Satan endeavours to perfwade the Soul of the lefs experienced Chriftian, that 'tis impoflible that any real faving Work of Grace fliould be with them. Which Temptation, of all being Df/r^y/ow/, or at bed but a common Work, being the Device by which Satan, not only for Weeks and Months, but for many Years, ufeth to perplex the Souls of the Godly, caufing them to be Perfons of a fearful Hearty "^eah Hands ^ and feeble Knees ^ If a, ;5'. ^5,4. Therefore faithful Minifters would diligently apply themfelves fo much the more, in preaching the Gofpel, towards the efFedual Removal of the fame. In order to which, feveral Truths would be cleared up to the Souls thus exercifed : As i. That this is a moft ordinary and frequent De. As tothQ Difference of fpiritual Attainments and Experiences among the Godly, it would be declared, that as the diffe- rent Stations, Work and Tryals of the People of God, right Method of Treachhi^^ 10^ God, do moft juftly require very different fpiri- tual Allowances ,• fo alfo^ that the complaining Believer is uncertain what great Soul Feafts and Entertainments may be before him. And there- fore that if his Soul be kept panting and thirfting for much of God, and withal made dili.L^ent in Duty, that in that cafe, inftead of fearing that they are without God and Grace, they rather have ground to hope, that God is preparing them for Communion and Fellowfhip with himfelf, Pfal. 81. 10. 4. Thefe Objedions being removed, fqme of the moft clear and convincing Evidences of a Work of faving Grace would be ccndefcended upon : Such as, i/. The Soul's being faving ly taught, of God, and thereupon imprelfed with juil Sentiments of the great leading Truths of the Gofpel : So that a reconciled God in Chriil is accounted the chief Good, and the only all-fufficient Portion for an immortal Soul. 2. Sin accounted the greatell Evil. 5. True Holinefs reckoned not only the Soul's greateft Ornament, but alfo its greateft Gain andlntereft, John 6. 49. zdlj. The Heart's being determined^ Upon the forementioned Difcoveries,- cordially to accept of the Lord Jefus Chrift in all his Offices, and to hate all Sin, and to refpedl all God's Commands, VfaL no. ;. • %dly. The prin- cipal Defires of the Soul being now for the Death of Sin, and for more and more of Conformity to God and Communion with him, Rom. 7, 24. Song 4. 16. Thefe, I fay, and fuch like plain fcriptural Marks of a faving Work of Grace, its being truly begun, would be infifted on ^ and then Confci- ence appealed, how at times they have fenfibly felt the afore faid Operations and bleffed Effeds of the Holy Ghoft upon their Souls. Upon all which ' it li.0 2)ifcourfes concerning the it would be from Scripture pofitively determined, that their grand perplexing Fear of all being De- Injtonsy or but com|pon Motions of the Spirit, is nothing elfe but a malicious groundlefs Suggeftion of Satan's, who would ftill have the Soul to raze the Foundation^ that fo there may be little or no Progrefs made in pradical Godlinefs ; and that the Believer may be always kept unhinged as to Comfort and Affurance. And therefore the doubt- ing ferious Soul would be exhorted to guard a- gainft fuch a weakning Temptation in all time coming ; more efpecially feeing that where once the good Work is truly begun, that there the Lord, who rejh in his Love^ will infallibly carry it on to Perfection, ThiLi,6, CHAR VI. iBeJldes the Temptations difcourfed in the for- mer Chapter^ Satan hath yet. ?nore violent and fiery Darts. With thefe he attacks the more grown a?id eftahnjhed Chrifiian. Sometimes by mofi atheiftical Suggeftions^ defigning thereby greatly to darken and con- found the Soul^ in its comfortable and efta- blijhing Conceptions of God in Chrifi^ and of - the "Divine TerfeEtions, oAt other times^ to encreafe the Confujion^ and to fell the Soul with Horror^ he forceth in a Throng and Noife of mofi hldif^htmous Injimiations^ en- deavouring to imprefs wrong and grofs No- tions of the mofi glorious ObjeHs^ and of the right Method of 'l' reaching. a j. i fhe great eft Truths in Revealed Religion . Great Sympathy is owing from Minifters to fuch diftrejjed SoUls. In preaching the Gof- fel aright to them feveral Rules zwuld he ohferved': ^sAs i. To clear ^ from Scripture and other Infiances^ that their Cafe is not fo fingular and extraordinary as they fuf- fofej and that a great deal of their fuf^ jpofed Guilt is more Sat an'' s than theirs. 2, To pew that oftentimes^ "'tis even the ta-llefl: Cedars in ChrifPs Lebanon, u^m whom thefe high Wields of Temptations are Jetloofe. J. To give fome ratio?ml fatisfy^ ing oAccount from Scripture of the holy^ wife and good Ends^ which God accomfnfh- eth hy fuchTryals. a. (Above all to endea- vour to clear u^ their Intereft in Chrifty and in the well-ordered Covenant hy feve- ral Evidences^ ziohtch ti^on enquiry are to he found with them^ even wider their worfi Cafes* Some other very extraordinary Ca^ fes in refpeH of Sat ante al Tem-^tations^ are difcourfed^ together with the fro^er fcrip- tural Topicks fit to he imfroven towards the fupporting and comforting- of fuch di"' firejjed and ^er flexed Souls. ABftrad from thofe Temptations difcourfed in the preceeding Chapter, there Is in the' T'hhii place, another principal way by which Sa- tan alfaults the People of God ; and that is, when he obferveth;, that by an Increafe of Knowledge R of 11 ±1 T^ifcourfes Concerning the of Gofpel Truths, and by repeated Experien-* ces of Communion and Fellowihip with God, the Chriftian begins to be perfwaded both of the Truth and Growth of Grace, and of the fpecial Love of God towards him, then he feeth, that he muit now either endeavour (fo far as permit- ted) to confound and jhake the Mind^ in relation to fome great fundamental Truths, and difturb and perplex it with horrible Suggeftions, or other- wife refolve, that the knowing eftabliflied Belie- ver fhall go on, rejoicing in the good Ways of the Lord. And therefore to fupprefs thefe tall Cedars > in Chrift's Lebanon, this malicious and fubtile old Serpent, Vv/hen Reins are allowed him, moft wifely lays the Ax to the very Root of the Soul's Strength and Comfort. And accordingly for that end, he ifi fuggefts j^theld'tcal Thcughts towards confuilng the Soul in it5 comfortable Conceptions and Impreflions of the Glorious Deity, and of the Divine Perfections. :t.dly. To encreafe the Darknefs and Confufion, he fubjoineth a Throng of moll blafphemous Infinua- tions, endeavouring to imprefs wrong and grofs Notions of the moft glorious Objeds, and of the greateft Truths in Revealed Religion, PA/.75. 18. Tfal. 77. ; to 10. Eph, 6. 18. And by thefe join- ing together he oftentimes fo confoundeth and perplexeth the poor Si^ul, by unhinging (fo far as he can) fundamental Truths, and the Comforts depending thereon, that even fome of the moft experienced and eftablifhed Chriftians, when thus allaulted and wounded by his fiery Darts, are in great hazard of concluding themfelves altoge- ther void of Grace, and that nothing remains with them, but reigning Atheifm^ ftrong Enmity^ and \iibfoIute Unbelief, Towards right Method of T reaching. 24.^ Towards preaching the Gofpel aright to Be- lievers under fuch horrible perplexing Tempta- tionsj as what thefe are ^ 'tis evident^ that as the more of Experience and deep Sympathy there be with the Preacher, that he will be fo much the more fit, under Divine Condud and Affiftance, to fpeak a Word in feafon unto weary Souls : So on the other hand, 'tis alfo clear, that towards preaching efFe- d:ually to the Comforc of fuch, thefe four Rules would be obferved : As, i. To fhevv them from Scripture and other Inftances, that their Cafe is not fo very fingular or extraordinary^ as what Sa- tan (to lead them to Defpair) would caufe them fuppofe. 2. To premife, that oftentimes 'tis the higheft Cedars inChrift's LeW/o«that the ftrongeft Winds of Temptations are let loofe upon, as Expe- rience hath frequently confirmed. Yea, ;.To clear, that the.Tryal, tho' very gloomy and weighty at the time, yet is ordered in great Wifdom and Mercy i as being defigned to proclaim the Perfeverance of true Grace, and the great Power of the Captain of Believers Salvation : Which is made evident' in his fupporting them.and in making them more than Conquerors over all the greateft and mod furious AfTaults, which poffibly the Devil can make upon them,\Row.8. ^7. But withal, 4. To bring Comfort the clofer home. Their Interefi in Ckrifiy and in the v^ell ordered everlafting Covenant , would be cleared up hy fcriptural Evidences, fuch as thofe infifted upon in relation to the preceeding Temp-- tation. And in cafe they fliould refufe any fuch Marks to be with them, it being at prefent Midnighe with their Soul : Therefore, 5. They would be clofely reafoned with, i/. By reminding them, that fuch and fuch Evidences of Grace were ac R 2 fuch 244- f)ijcouffes concerning the fuch and fuch times with them, and that even ac- cording to their own Acknowledgment. Yea, 2. That perhaps they enjoyed fo much of affa- rance^ that they refolved ne-ver to doubt of their In- tereil in Chrift any more. %, That they were fully as much in the compofed clear Exercife of their Reafon^ when they fo concluded the Truth of Grace to be in them^ as whatever they were at any other time of their Life. And thereupon, 4. To appeal them^ whether or not, upon their being bleffed again with the fame loving, mourn- ing and oprejii'mg Frames of Soul, which fometimes they enjoyed, they would not acknowledge the Certainty ofthe Divine Favour towards them, and the Reality of faving Grace to be with them, and that notwithftanding all the Clouds which have overcaft their Horizon. Upon all which, fome pertinent foUd Inferences being made, 'tis evident that any judicious Minifter may fpeak exceeding clofely, even to fuch defponding comfortlefs Souls; Ss what certainly all godly Paftors, after the noble Pattern of the great and chief Shepherd, will allow themfelves to do. If a. 40. 12. d^ 42. 5. But now, after all, in cafe the poor exercifed tc/£'^5o«/jQiould continue ftillmuch in the dark, and without any Comfort j i. The Divine 5 and thefe to come in a moft unexpeded Time and Manner; even when perhaps they werq almoft fmking and giving way unto the multi- tude of their perplexing Thoughts, Vfalm 74, 19. From all which, it would be clofely reafoned, that as much of their Trouble is from Satan, fo certainly an unchangeably^ Covenant keeping God, (however forely chaftizing them ) yet hath not forgotten them; and that there is yet Hope in Ifrael concerning this Thing, 4. Towards the removal both of their Afflidi- on and Temptations, the following DireBions feem proper. As, i. It would be much infifted on, how their Souls again and again have been Icnfibly and pov^^rfully determined to accept of the Lord Jefas Chri it upon Gofpel-Terms : From which their Reconciliation with God, and the impoffibility of vindidive Wrath, its being in any of his Difpenfations towards them, would be fo- iidly inferred, Pfalmz^.io. Rom.S.iyzS. Again, 2, Froiiuhis, it vyould alfo be-reafoned, that in- ■ ' fallibly right Method of breaching, i 5 2 fdllibly Infinite Wifdom and Love (confidering they are Perfons in Chrift and in Covenant with God ) hath feen the 'whole Ingredients of their Af- flidion, together with all the Circumftances thereof, to have been moft proper and neceflary for the Divine Glory^ and their real Good ; how- ever much at the Time-» the faid Afflidion may have a moft gloomy and threatning Afpec^ unto them, j^er. 29.11. Upon this, ^. The diftreffed Soul would be exhorted to patient waiting for God, who at length will not only incline his Ear, .but alfo caufe the Believer to fee, that in great Wifdom and Faithfulnefs they were afflid- ed, Pfalm 119.67,71,79. And then, 4^/^/7, As was hinted before, the re- peated Experience they have had of a conftant Secret Support by the Everlafting Arms, being un- der them ; and of the groundlefnefs of many of their Melancholy Apprehenfions and Fears would alfo be clofely improven, in reafoning with them. And particularly it would be remarked unto them, how many have fallen at their fide, and funk Hn- der their Troubles, whofe Diftrefs for its Weight and Duration, was not once to be named in re- fped of theirs ,• which diftinguifliing Providence ought greatly to Support and Comfort them^ Pp/»^73. 19,22, 25. Upon all which, f. They being informed that the removal of the Noife of Melancholy Suggeftions, dependeth much upon Satan's being commanded Silence by God, they would accordingly be exhorted particularly to look unto the Lord for this very end : As what we find the Apoftle doing, when, as he was greatly af- flided with fome Thorn in the Flefh, fo alfo had at the fame time a Meffenger of Satan let loofe to buffet him; upon which he greatly iiiiportuned th© ^54 ^tfcourfes concerning the the Throne of Graces 2 Cor. 12. 7, 8, 9. In the laft Place^ from all the forefaid comforting Con- iiderations^ they would be ftirred up unto more of a due and chearful ufe of all frofer Means adju- fted to their AfRi<3:ions, as hoping for a Blefling and Succefs from God in the fame : For confider- ing how far the Apprehenfion of Delivery goes with diftreffed Perfons; the perfwading them,* that there is yet fome Ground of Hope in their Cafe cannot fail of producing moft notable and excellent EfFeds^ 2 Kings 20. 7. Ecclef. 9.7. But in Cafe the perplexed trembling Soul fhould ftili infift, as fearing^ that great Guilt and 3?rovocation, is lying at the Root of all ^ and that God is therefore contending with them, and will not be appeafed, till he make a full end. In Aniwer to this, i. The plain Gofpel Me- thod towards God's fpeaking Peace to his People, would be preached unto them ^ to wit, to return unto the Lord by fincere Gonfeffion, Mournings and fleeing afreih unto the Blood of fprinkling • upon which the Lord will infallibly Pardon, Tfdm 52. 4, 7, 6. 2. It would be particularly de- clared, that upon their being helped thus to re- turn to the Lord, they have moil folid ground for great Hope, Patience and Compofure of Spirit under the moft weighty Afflidions : And that up- on a Twofold Account, i. Becaufe then through Grace they have done what was Duty upon their Part •, and therefore Duty being the Sum of what the poor Creature can aim at, the Event belong- ing only to the Lord, they have ground to reft quiet in fo far; and to blefs the Lord for helping them unto the fame, Vf4m 6. 8. Again, 2. Be- caufe having been thus helped to mourn and re- turn, improving the Righteoufnefs of the Lord Jefus right Method of Tr caching. 155 JefusChrift, they have all the ground in the World Iblidly to believe, that all Controverfie betwixt God and them is done away ; and that if the Affii^ion be continued any longer, it rauft really be for their deeper Sandification, towards fitting them either for Glory, or for greater Service for God in the World : Yea even perhaps deligning by their great Experience in' Afflidions and Temptati- ons, thereby to prepare them for becoming Pil- lars in the Hands of other poor broken and bruized Reeds,- that fo in due Time they may declare unto them what great Things God hath done for their Souls, Ifa. 27. 9. Vfalm, 54. 4, j, 60 ^And therefore upon the whole, they would be ad- vifed principally to cry for tl\e fandified Ufe and Fruit of the Afflidion, referring the Time and Way of its removal unto an All-wi/e and Almighty God ; who when once the proper Seafon for de- livery is come, can never be ftraitned, either in contriving of proper Means, or in relation to the powerful Application thereof, Tfalm 6. i. Ifa, f 9. I. Heb» 12. II. In the laft Place, in regard anxiety and difqulei of Sprite is a great Nourilher of all kinds of Trou- ble, therefore they would be particularly exhort- ed to guard againftit: And that, i. By remem- bring and believing that the Lord is a God ofjudg^ ment^ who weighs and ponders the whole circum- ftantiate Cafe of his afflided People, and will not allow the leaft Ingredient or Circumftance to at- tend the Tryal, but fuch as are. really for his Glo- ry, and the Believers Good ^ and who will not de- fer the Delivery one Moment longer than what Wif- dom and Love truly requireth ; And who in the whole, will moft compaffionately confider both his Peoples Strength and Weaknels, in meafuring out i^6 T^ifcourfes concerning the out any Tryals unto them, Ifa, 27. 7, 8. and 50V 18. Again, 2. In order to the banifhing Anxiety in the 'Day of Trouble, the Chriftian would be advifed particularly to call to Mind the merciful and compajfionate High ?rk(h^ our Lord Jefus Chrift, who is touched with the feeling of our Infirmi- ties: For he, not only having a perfed Know- ledge of all his People's Diftreffes, as God Omni- fcient, but being alfo as Man, endowed with an experimental Knowledge of the Nature and Weight of the various Afflictions and Temptati- ons of his Members, he thereupon hath a Fellow- feeling, and moft afFe6ting Sympathy with them under ^them all. ■ - So that there is \yith this compaffionate High Prieft, i. A Knowledge and Remembrance of the Weight ^nd Difireffy which is in his People's Af- flictions. And, 2. A ftrong Inclination towards their Help and Relief, fo far as Conflftent with the Glory of God, and the Sandification of the Believer. Upon which, 5. There arifeth a moft ferious Interceffion for lupporting Grace, in the Time of the Try al, and for intruding Grace, to caufe the Believer to underftand the Voice of the Rod, and for a gracious comfortable outgate in God's Time and Way, together with the fandi- fied ufe of the whole, Ifa, 6;. 9. Zeck ?. i, 2. Hehc 4. 14, If, 16, All which if duly confidered and believed, cannot but afford moft /olid Grounds, for Hope, Patience and Comfort unto all the People of God under Affliction: And give them Encouragement to come boldly to the Throrle of Grace, in order to their obtaining Mercy andfind« ing Grace to help in the Time of need. Briefly, the fttre Mercies of David, would be brought to the remembrance of afflicfted Sons and Daughters ; e-: yen right Method of 7 reaching. 2^:1 ven thofe great fixed and lafting Bleffings of Re- cpnciJiation^ JuilifiGatiorij progreffive Sandifica- tion, together with an unbroken Love-difpenfa* tion^ which are to continue and run through the whole various fteps and dealings of Providence to- wards them in their militant Condition: And thereupon flie wing,^ that being once truly in Chrifi-^ they have ground in the worft of Cafes^ to fmg with Davtdy iSam.i;.^. Altho' my H 014 fa be not fo ivkh God ^ yet he hath made with me an E'vertaft-- ing Covenant^ ordered in all things and fure, for this is all my Salvation^ and all my defire^ altho he make it not to groiVi And therefore, as the Conclnfion of all on tliis Head, the Godly while under Trouble would be directed to i^e.?/ow thus with themfelves : That all they can do, or that God expecteth from them, is to confefs, mourn and return,- and to plead for the janBified ufe of the Rod ; and thereupon in the ufe of proper Means, to 7uait patie?2tly upon that God, who will not alvvays chide, nor keep his anger for e- ver, but after Weeping hath endured for a Night, will caufe Joy to arife in the Morning, Vfalm ;o. 5;. and 105, 9. ^Vhich Diredion, if but duly oh- lerved, how eiFedually would it prevent,- ii}, A great many anxious Enquiries^ about what Mea- lures to take in order to their Delivery. And^ 7.dly^ A great many perplexing Fears arifing from melancholy Apprehenfions of thij and the ether fad Event to follow fuch and fuch threatning Symptoms in their Cafe. And therefore, let biit the afflided Chriftian^ i. Daily lay our the whole Cafe before God ; 1. R-emember what great things Infinite Wifdora, Poyver and Love can do. And thereupon, :>. Acccriling to prefent Ability, go in lefs or in moi'-e about the Perfuvnunce of Per- fonal and Relative Duties ,• an;l. j . If not in Con- S did en a 5^ T^ifcourfcs concerning the dition for thefe, then let them choofeout fome ferious experienced Friends and Acquaintances, who are capable not only to difcourfe their Soul- concerns, but alfo at Times, by a prudent inno- cent mixture of Converfation to divert their me- lancholy Thoughts, from confiant Foring upon their Affli(5tion, and Prophecy ing a Thoufand nameiefs Fears unto themfekes. And, ^. If with- al the afHid-ed Perfon would particularly remark and improve the Mixtures of Mercy, and the Re- mains of the Divine Goodnefs^ which are in their Lot, to help over their melancholy Hours; and not defpondently fay, that 'tis in vain for them to ufe any further Means for Soul or Body, or to take any Care of themfelvcs, or feek for any Sa- tisfadion from the Enjoyments of Life -, 1 fay, would the People of God in the Day of their Af- flidion, ( when Melancholy is no finall Part of their Trouble J but obfervethefe five Rules; how fliould they be efFedually freed by the Divine Blef- fmg from a great deal of their fmful Anxiety ; And alfo come in a great Meafure, to laugh the Ene- my to fcorn, as having difappointed him in fome of his principal confounding Devices, Pfalm zj. 13, 14. Pfalm 42. ^, II. TroiJ, 17. 22. zCor, 2. II. Thefe Twyofes have indeed been enlarged be- yond my firft Defign : But I hope, that none who confiders Satan's manifold Contrivances, by tvhich he harraifeth and crufheth the Spirits of the People of God in the Day of their AffliAi- on ,♦ and how by the fame, he fends his Ten Thou- 'fands halting to Heaven ; yea, how he often puts shem in no (mail hazard of the greatell Extreams: I fay, confidering thefe Things, I fuppofe none^ Vv ho hath a due Regard to the Reputation and Advancement of Religion, (which confiderably de-*- right Method of ^r caching, zc(^ dependeth upon Chriftians good and edifying Deportment in the Day of Trouble ) will too fe- verely Cenfure fome little Enlargement this way. But now to fliuc up all, I might here by way of j4ffendix fubjoin an Account of fome extraordinary Cafes y and that even amongil Perfons, concern- ing the Truth of whofe Grace, there remaineth no folid ground for Difpute : And thefe may be reduced to the following Two Heads. As F/V/, There are fome gracious Soulsy who after considerable fpiritual Manifeftations and En- joyments allowed by the Lord, in fecret Commu- nion and Fellowihip with him , yet a fovereign God, in the depth of Holy Wifdom, doth for fo long a Time, reilrain all fenfible Influences of Light, Life and Joy from them^ that their Souls become fo dark, dead and comfortlefs, and as it Virere, bound with Chains and Fetters, that they cannot command one diflinct Thaught^ warm Dj- pre, ox fervent Exfreffton in Prayer to God. Upon which their Grace comes to -be fo much cut of fight to themfelves, and the reftraint of the Spirit fo great, that all the Miniiters and Ordinances in the eWorld cannot, for the Time^ caufe them to tategf the leaft of Comfort, Tfalrn 88. 14, 15", 16. Jfa. 5-0. 10. Why the Lord dealeth fo with any of the Re- deemed.'^ Sevtraignity ought to Silence us: For if he beftow the Truth of Grace, begin the good Work, and in due Time perfeit it againft the Day of the Lord ^ all Interval Difjcnfatiojis and Means relative to the Manner of God's carrying it on, ought juilly to be left unto Infinite Wifdom and Love, feeing God can never fall into any miftakes or improper Meafures^ Vfalmiy, 10. VhiL 1,6. And far lefs can do wrong to any of his People. However to freak a little to the Cr/«fiof themfelves would no ways furprize Minifters, butratt>er provoke Pi- ty and Companion ; and therefore when they begin to tell, that they are utterly rejed^^d of Gcd^ and S 4 taac a 6^ ^tjcourjes concerning the that both the Exercife and Punifhment of the.Dam- ned are ah-eady begun in their Breafts ; and that they are as fure of Wrath, as if they wereja the Place of Torment already : , ' /;*„ I fay^ in all thefc, and fuch like melancholy Accounts of themfelves, they would be heard out . ^ery patiently^ till they fully declare their Cafe. For if interrupted, Satan will furely not be want- ing, as foon as the Minifter is gone, prefently to tell the diftrefTed Soul, that if the Minifter had known the v^hok of their Cafe, he would never have fpoken one Word of Ccwfort to them. 2. The h&2.vyn\ournfuiCom[Jai7its of fuch Perfons being thus heard with much of Tend^rnefs and Compaflion, there would next be a fpecial Care to advance fuch A/72>ir.f, as may on the one hand be moft clofe and pertinent to the Cafe in hand^ and withal on the other, be alfo fuch as fhall give the Enemy no Advantage or handle to work lipon, fo far as Minifterial Wifdom can forefee and prevent. In order to all which, the following particular . Toficks^ or feme to that purpofe feem proper to beimproven, for the Support and Comfort of the diftreffed Soul: As, i. When the whole Cafe is heard out, the Minifter would ask, if they have any more or worfe to declare. 2. Upon hearing all, he would in a veryferious and grave manner, but withal with fomething alfo of^pleafant Countenance befpeakingHope af their Cafe, declare unto them, that there have been feveral of the Saints of God, (feme of them moft eminent for Grace and Gifts ) i^ilmoft in all Ages of the Church, who have been forely tryed, and that for a longtime, with fiery Darts from i;he Wicked one, who yet have had , moft glorious and remarkable Deliverances from t!:e fame/ 'xnd. have lived and dyed with great Com-' right Method of Trcaching. 26c Comfort and Aflurance ; and who withal could fingfweetly, and (^y Amn to Pfalm 40. 1,2, 2,4,5^. ^o^ 42. 10, II, 12. ;. After this comfortable ger- neral AiTertion, there would be particular Notice taken of the moft weighty and difcouraging Ingre- dients in the cafe of the diftreffed Soul ; but more efpecially of thefe two : i. As to what they call their horrid Blafphemy and Enwlty ,• it would be de- clared, that it is really not them^ butSacan : He^ i/. Making that Noife in their Breaft, as taking the advantage of their prefent Darknefs and Con- fufion : and, xMy^ Charging them with the fame, as if it were contrived and confented to by them : Whereas the contrary is fo evident, i. From thefe dreadful Suggeitions affaulting them molt in their EjJ^ays towards Prayer. 2. From their being filled with Shame ^nd Confufion of Face before the Lord, upon the account of their fuppofed Guilt therein . ;. From their being willing to bear any other part of their Afflidion, providing only they could at- tain io ftiitablc and holy Thoughts of God. 4. From their oppofing thefe Suggeflions all they can, by. endeavouring to divert their Thoughts from them unto other Objects, and by their keeping dofed Lips, when at times they are fo driven with the Violence of the Noife, that they are afraid of cry- ing out the fime before the World. I fay, by thefe and fuch like Evidences it would be demon- ftrated, that the Hand of iomtfecret Joab is at the Root of this Matter, and not they themfelves. The fecond v/eighty and affedting Ingredient in ^heir Cafe, which Minilters would particularly difcourfe, is their great Objection which they ufe principally to infill upon j to wit, that it were im- fofilfk, if they were not Reprobates^ that they 7imtld be fo far kft of God as what they are. In anfwer to which, I. Some Reafons (fome of which I have already a66 7)ifcourfes concerning the already named} would be given, towards juftify- ing the Divine Procedure in fuch an extraordinary Difpenfation ,• by which they may fee the fame not only confiftent with fpecial Love, but alfo to have moft accountable Defigns tending to the Glo- ry of God and the Good of the Church. And here Miniflers would take occafion to tell them, that the darkeft and moft horrible Pits of Defertion, Temptation and ^ffliBiony into which poflSbly the Godly can be brought in their Militant State, IJiall be feen and acknowledged one day to Have been moft efflcaciom Steps and Piecies of t^rovidence, towards their progrefflve and deep Sanguification, Ifa. 27. 9. Rom, 8, 28. 2. In re- gard this general Anfwer will probably not give full Satisfaction ; therefore more particularly, the fecret Workings of Grace, which (however much fuppreffed at the time| yet are really with the Soul, would be drawn out and fliewn to the Per- fon. For however great Floods of Defertion and Temptation have over- run and hid the true Spring of living Water in the Heart, yet it ftill hath its fecret Motions and Buhlings up, which now Cat fuch a time J would be moft carefully fearched for and laid open to the difcouraged Soul. And for this end the diftrefled Chriftian would be appealed, by way of Interrogation, as to feveral things proba- tive of the Truth and Exercife of faving Grace, As firft, in relation to old Experiences ythtyv^onX^ be appealed how at times they have been made, 1. Senfibly to efieem, love and embrace the Lord Jefus Chrift, as the moft glorious Objed, and ex- cellent Portion of all others in the World. . 2. How they have at other times been helped tamoum great- ly for the Sinfulnefs of Nature and Life, and to wreftle moft ferioufly and importunately for the Death of Sin and Growth of Grace. %, How like- right Method of T reaching. 26 j likewife they have at times had great Delight in fpiritual Duties ; fo that Reading, Hearing, Pray- er, Praifing, Communicating, have been fweeter to their Souls than their neceffary Food : Upon all which they would be now required to take comfort. And if they fliall refufe thefe things, as alledging they had no reality of Grace in them ; they would then be next appealed, in relation to the great fen- fible Lights Life, Enlargement of Soul, and fandi- fying Efficacy which did accompany the aforefaid Performances, and proclaimed much of a EHvine Prefence and Power to be in them. Song 7. 4, y. If any (hould here objed, that God's hidden ones, whofe Religion is not only much hid from the World, but alfo from themfelve$, could take but little Comfort from fuch Queftions. In anfwer to this, it would be remarked, that as it is not an All- wife God's ordinary way to let loofe thofe high Winds of Temptations upon fuch weak and unefta- bliflied Souls ,• but rather upon thofe, wbofe Ex- periences and fpiritual Enjoyments require fome Ballaft, 2 Cor, 1 2. 7. So alfo fuppofe in Sovereign- ty fome fuch fhould be thus tryfted, as they have had fome Seajhis better than others, between God and their Scuis ; the bringing the fame to remem- brance cannot but in lefs or in more tend to give them fome little Support and Ground of Comfort in the mean time. But fecondly^ as old Experiences would be thus improven, fo likewife the prcknt fecrec Motions oi Grace in them would be digged up and declared to them : Such as, i. Their Souls remembriitg God and hing troubled, Pfal. 77. :>. So that when they call to mind what once they thought they were, and enjoyed through Grace, and compare the fame with their prefent fad Condition, behold how their very Spirits are ready to fink within them. All which a 68 ^ifcourfes concerning the which at the bottom evidently proclaimeth, that the noble Grace of Lo FIN I S\ f^y\^%y^ r £-c- ''•' ' '' 1 I 'r^X\ - < 1 •*i^M