Of the Preaching of the Word.

Reaching of the word, being the power of God unto falvation, and one of the greatest and most excellent works belonging to the ministry of the gospel, fhould be fo performed, that the workman need not be ashamed, but may fave himself, and those that hear him.

It is prefuppofed (according to the rules for ordination) that the minister of Chrift is in fome good measure gifted for fo weighty a fervice, by his fkill in the original languages, and in fuch arts and sciences as are hand-maids unto divinity; by his knowledge in the whole body of theology, but most of all in the holy fcriptures, having his fenfes and heart exercised in them above the common fort of believers; and by the illumination of God's Spirit, and other gifts of edification, which (together with reading and ftudying of the word) he ought ftill to feek by prayer, and an humble heart, refolving to admic and receive any truth not yet attained, whenever God fhall make it known unto him. All which he is to make use of, and improve, in his private preparations, before he deliver in publick what he hath provided.

Ordinarily, the fubject of his fermon is to be fome text of fcripture, holding forth fome principle or head of religion, or fuitable to fome fpecial occafion emergent; or he may go on in fome chapter, pfalm, or book of the holy fcripture, as

he fhall fee fit.

Let the introduction to his text be brief and perfpicuous, drawn from the text itself, or context or fome parallel place, or general fentence of fcripture.

If the text be long (as in histories and parables it sometimes muft be) let him give a brief fum of it; if thort, a paraphrafe thereof, if need be: in both, looking diligently to the fcope of the text, and pointing at the chief heads and grounds of doctrine which he is to raife from it.

In analyfing and dividing his text, he is to regard more the order of matter, than of words, and neither to burden the memory of the hearers in the beginning with too many members of divifion, nor to trouble their minds with obfcure terms of art.

In raifing doctrines from the text, his care ought to be, First, That the matter be the truth of God. Secondly, That it be a truth contained in or grounded on that text, that the hearers may difcern how God teacheth it from thence. Thirdly, That he chiefly infift upon those doctrines which are principally intended, and make most for the edification of the

hearers.

The doctrine is to be expreffed in plain terms; or, if any thing in it need explication, it is to be opened, and the confequence alfo from the text cleared. The parallel places of fcripture confirming the doctrine, are rather to be plain and pertinent, than many, and (if need be) fomewhat infifted upon, and applied to the purpose in hand.

The arguments or reafons are to be folid, and as much as may be, convincing. The illuftrations, of what kind foever, ought to be full of light, and fuch as may convey the truth into the hearers heart with fpiritual delight.

If any doubt, obvious from fcripture, reafon, or prejudice of the hearers, seem to arife, it is very requifite to remove it, by reconciling the seeming differences, answering the reafons, and discovering and taking away the causes of prejudice and mistake. Otherwise, it is not fit to detain the hearers with propounding or anfwering vain or wicked cavils, which, as they are endless, fo the propounding and answering of them doth more hinder than promote edification.

He is not to reft in general doctrine, although never so. much cleared and confirmed, but to bring it home to fpecial ufe, by application to his hearers: which albeit it prove a work of great difficulty to himself, requiring much prudence, zeal and meditation, and to the natural and corrupt man will

be

be very unpleasant; yet he is to endeavour to perform it in fuch a manner, that his auditors may feel the word of God to be quick and powerful, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and that, if any unbeliever or ignorant perfon be prefent, he may have the fecrets of his heart made manifeft, and give glory to God.

In the use of instruction or information in the knowledge of fome truth, which is a confequence from his doctrine, he may (when convenient) confirm it by a few firm arguments from the text in hand, and other places of fcripture, or from the nature of that common-place in divinity, whereof that truth is a branch.

In confutation of false doctrines, he is neither to raise an old heresy from the grave, nor to mention a blafphemous opinion unneceffarily. But, if the people be in danger of an error, he is to confute it foundly, and endeavour to fatisfy their judgments and confciences against all objections.

In exhorting to duties, he is, as he feeth caufe, to teach also the means that help to the performance of them.

In dehortation, reprehenfion, and publick admonition (which require fpecial wifdom) let him, as there fhall be caufe, not only discover the nature and greatnefs of the fin, with the mifery attending it, but alfo fhew the danger his hearers are in to be overtaken and furprised by it, together with the remedies and best way to avoid it.

In applying comfort, whether general against all temptations, or particular against fome special troubles or terrors, he is carefully to answer fuch objections as a troubled heart and afflicted spirit may fuggeft to the contrary.

It is alfo fometimes requifite to give fome notes of trial (which is very profitable, especially when performed by able and experienced minifters, with circumfpection and prudence, and the figns clearly grounded on the holy scripture) whereby the hearers may be able to examine themselves, whether they have attained thofe graces, and performed those duties

to

to which he exhorteth, or be guilty of the fin reprehended, and in danger of the judgments threatned, or are fuch to whom the confolations propounded do belong; that accordingly they may be quickned and excited to duty, humbled for their wants and fins, affected with their danger, and strengthned with comfort, as their condition upon examination fhall require.

And, as he needeth not always to profecute every doctrine which lies in his text, fo is he wifely to make choice of fuch ufes, as, by his refidence and converfing with his flock, he findeth most needful and feasonable; and, amongst these, such as may most draw their fouls to Christ, the fountain of light, holiness and comfort.

This method is not prefcribed as neceffary for every man, or upon every text; but only recommended, as being found by experience to be very much bleffed, of God, and very helpful for the peoples understandings and memories

But the fervant of Chrift, whatever his method be, is to perform his whole ministry,

1. Painfully, not doing the work of the Lord negligently. 2. Plainly, That the meaneft may understand; delivering the truth, not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the fpirit and of power, left the cross of Chrift fhould be made of none effect; abftaining alfo from an unprofitable use of unknown tongues, ftrange phrases, and cadences of founds and words; fparingly citing fentences of ecclefiaftical or other human writers, antient or modern, be they never fo elegant.

3. Faithfully, looking at the honour of Chrift, the conversion, edification and falvation of the people, not at his own gain or glory; keeping nothing back which may promote those holy ends, giving to every one his own portion, and bearing indifferent refpect unto all, without neglecting the meanest, or sparing the greatest in their fins.

4. Wifely, framing all his doctrines, exhortations, and e

fpecially his reproofs, in fuch a manner as may be moft likely to prevail; fhewing all due refpect to each man's perfon and place, and not mixing his own paffion or bitterness.

5. Gravely, as becometh the word of God; fhunning all fuch gesture, voice and expreffions, as may occafion the corruptions of men to defpife him and his ministry.

6. With loving affection, that the people may fee all coming from his godly zeal, and hearty defire to do them good. And,

7. As taught of God, and perfuaded in his own heart, that all, that he teacheth, is the truth of Chrift; and walking before his flock, as an example to them in it; earnestly, both in private and publick, recommending his labours to the bleffing of God, and watchfully looking to himself, and the flock whereof the Lord hath made him overfeer: fo fhall the doctrine of truth be preserved uncorrupt, many fouls converted and built up, and himfelf receive manifold comforts of his labours even in this life, and afterward the crown of glory laid up for him in the world to come.

Where there are more minifters in a congregation than one, and they of different gifts, each may more especially apply himfelf to doctrine or exhortation, according to the gift wherein he most excelleth, and as they fhall agree between themselves.

TH

Of Prayer after Sermon.

'HE fermon being ended, the minifter is To give thanks for the great love of God, in fending his Son Jefus 'Chrift unto us; for the communication of his Holy Spirit: for the light and liberty of the glorious gofpel, and the rich and heavenly bleffings revealed therein; as namely, election, vocation, adoption, justification, fanctification, and hope ' of glory; for the admirable goodness of God, in freeing the land from antichriftian darkness and tyranny, and for all o⚫ther national deliverances; for the reformation of religion;

'for