The preachers charge, and peoples duty about preaching and hearing of the Word : opened in a sermon, being the first fruits of a publike exercise, begun in the parish church of Lownd, for the benefit of the island of Louingland in Suffolke / by Iohn Brinsley ... Brinsley, John, 1600-1665. 1631 Approx. 80 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 21 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A16895 STC 3790.5 ESTC S1527 20191588 ocm 20191588 23793 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A16895) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 23793) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1706:17) The preachers charge, and peoples duty about preaching and hearing of the Word : opened in a sermon, being the first fruits of a publike exercise, begun in the parish church of Lownd, for the benefit of the island of Louingland in Suffolke / by Iohn Brinsley ... Brinsley, John, 1600-1665. [4], 32 p., [1] folded leaf of plates. Printed for Robert Bird, and are to be sold by Thomas Carre in Norwich, London : 1631. Signatures: [A]⁴ B-E⁴. Reproduction of original in the Harvard University. Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bible. -- N.T. -- Timothy, 2nd, IV, 2 -- Sermons. Preaching -- Sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2003-10 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-12 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2003-12 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE PREACHERS CHARGE . AND PEOPLES DVTY . About Preaching and Hearing of the WORD . OPENED In a Sermon , being the first fruits of a publike Exercise , begun in the Parish Church of Lownd , for the benefit of the Island of Louingland in Suffolke . By IOHN BRINSLEY Minister of the Word in great YARMOVTH . LONDON , Printed for ROBERT BIRD , and are to be sold by Thomas Carre in Norwich . 1631. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL , SIR IOHN VVENTVVORTH of Somerley-ton in the County of Suffolke , Knight : sauing health and eternall happinesse . Right Worshipfull , I Here send you the first fruits of your owne ; your owne by countenance , your owne by maintenance . What you heard with attention , I questi●n not but you will willingly reuiew , and in what concernes you , readily practise . The Charge which is here opened is directly ours , but by consequence yours , and whose not . The Preaching of the Gospell being a publike worke , though it requires not euery mans mouth , to preach it ; yet his eare , and his hand it doth , to receiue it , to vphold it . This Arke of the new Couenant ( more is the pity it should be so frequently laid vpon the Cart ) is properly for our shoulders to beare , but yet none are debarred from touching of it . It is not onely the liberty , but the duty of euery priuate Christian to further the cause of the Gospell in what hee may , much more of them whom the Common-wealth calleth forth for publike imployments ; I blesse God that I haue no need to presse this charge vpon your particular , or if I doe , my arguments must bee commendations . The bellies of the poore of these parts blesse you already in these times of scarcity , I hope some of their soules shall blesse you for the Bread that perisheth not . This religious exercise which God hath made you the instrument to erect , and I hope to contiue , shall honour you in the eyes of God and his Saints . The Lord make it as prosperous as it is needfull , and giue you the true comfort of it here , and hereafter ; So prayeth Your Worships euer in the Lord IOHN BRINSLEY . A Table for the Prophets chamber . Parts ● The Ministers Charge . A Duty inioyned . Preach : where is explained The thing : what Preaching is . The signification of the word , implying The Preachers office , viz A Cryer , a Herald . Manner of discharging it , viz. To whom he is to speake : to all . In whose name : his Masters . How Boldly . Faithfully . Plainly The Word . Christ. The Gospell of Christ. Consisting in foure particular actions . Manner of performance . Generall : Be instant . Earnest with Themselues . Others . Diligent . Particular . In Season . At the set ordinary time : the Lords day . Speciall seasons and opportunities . Out of season : when the word seemeth to be so in respect of the Speaker . Hearer . Both : viz. on the weeke day . The Peoples dutie , by way of application , in fiue particulars . 1. Heare . 2. The Word : not being offended at the simplicity of it . 3. Be instant . Earnest with Themselues , in exciting To the dutie . In the dutie . Others God : that he would giue to his Ministers Ability . Liberty . Efficacy Man Ministers themselues , exciting them to their dutie , by Christian exhortation , which must be done with Loue. Wisedome . Respect to their paces . Incouragements . Verball . Reall . Competency of maintenance . Honor and respect due to their callings . Entertaining the word with gladnesse , in Receiuing . Practising . Priuate persons , stirring them vp to attend vpon Gods ordinances . Diligent . 4. In Season . At the set time : the Lords day . When God disposeth the heart after a speciall manner . 5. Out of Season . On the weeke day , as occasion shall be offered . When outward occasions may withdraw or hinder . When inward indisposition may discourage . THE PREACHERS CHARGE ▪ AND , PEOPLES DVTIE . 2 TIM . 4. 2. Preach the Word , be instant in season , out of season . IN all solemne Assemblies , and publike meetings vpon ciuill affayres , the first act , vsually , is to open and reade the Commission which may warrant the businesse to bee vndertaken . This course I haue thought good to obserue and follow , in making entrance vpon this holy and religious Exercise : First , to open vnto you the Commission , which may warrant and beare out the duty wee are now to goe about ; and that , not onely in the substance , but also in the circumstance . In this Exercise there are but two things subiect to question : the Exercise it selfe , and the season for the performance of it . The Exercise it selfe , The Preaching of the Word . Carnall minded men , who sauour not the things of God , will happly conceiue of it , at the least , as not so necessary : The season for the performance of this Exercise ( being on the weeke day , ) others perhaps will censure it as not expedient . To both these the Spirit of God , in the words I haue now read , giueth vs an expresse warrant ; and that not by way of allowance onely , but by way of iniunction ; as of things that not onely may bee done , but must bee done . To the Exercise it selfe , [ Preach the Word , ] not onely a toleration , but a peremptory command . To the circumstance of time , the season for the performance of it , [ Be instant in season , out of season : ] No season vnseasonable for this so necessary a duty : Euen that which may seeme to carnall reason , to flesh and blood to bee out of season , is yet seasonable . Though it may seeme vnseasonable to the hearers , yet it is seasonable in the speaker . This is Saint Pauls charge to Timothy in particular , and in him to all the Ministers of the Gospell , [ Preach the Word , be instant in season , out of season . In this Apostolicall charge , there are two things present themselues to our consideration , The duty inioyned ; and , The manner of discharging it : The Duty that is inioyned , is , Preaching of the Word , Preach the Word : The Manner how this duty must be discharged , is , With earnestnesse and diligence , with vndaunted resolution , with indefatigable industry ; Bee instant in season , out of season . To begin with the Duty it selfe : Preach the Word . This is a Duty imposed by God vpon all the Ministers of the Gospell : They must Preach the Word . This is the charge , we see , which S. Paul here imposeth vpon his sonne Timothy , and he doth it with as much seriousnesse and earnestnesse as possibly can be conceiued : I charge thee before God , and the Lord Iesus Christ , who shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing , and his kingdome , Preach the Word . Did you euer heare a charge set on with more pressing arguments , with more compulsiue and commanding perswasions ? I , but in imposing this charge vpon Timothy , doth not Saint Paul deale , as our Sauiour saith of the Scribes and Pharises , who binde heauy burthens vpon other mens shoulders , but they themselues will not moue them with one of their fingers ? Nothing lesse : What he imposeth vpon Timothy , he conceiueth and acknowledgeth to be as deepely charged vpon himselfe : Necessity is laid vpon me , yea , Wee is vnto mee of I Preach not the Gospell . So deeply did this great Doctor of the Gentiles account himselfe to stand charged with this Duty . There was a Necessity lay vpon him for the performance of it ; that Necessity backt with a Woe if hee should neglect it . The like Necessity , the like Woe lyeth vpon all the Ministers of the Gospell in their seuerall places and stations : They must Preach the Word : Woe is vnto them if they doe it not : I must not dwell vpon confirmation . This was the first and the last charge which our blessed Sauiour gaue to his Apostles , when he was to send them forth into the world after hee had told them whither they should goe ; the first charge he giueth them , is , As ye goe , Preach , When hee himselfe was to leaue the world , and to take his last farewell of them , the last charge he giueth them , is , Goe ye into all the world , and preach the Gospell to euery creature . Preaching of the Gospell was the Alpha , and the Omega in their Apostolicall Ministration ; and it is one of the maine businesses which the Ministers of the Gospell must attend vnto ; They must Preach the Word . By way of explication , and illustration , I will here vnfold vnto you two things : What is meant by Preaching ; what by the Word . For the first : To Preach in a generall and large acception of the Word , is to declare , or any wayes make knowne the will of God vnto man : In this sense euery declaration of the will of God , be it by any of his Mercies , Chastisements , Iudgements , Creatures , may improperly be called Preaching : The heauens declare the glory of God , and the Firmament sheweth his handy work . Neuer a Creature in heauen and earth but readeth a Lecture , preacheth to the eye of the beholder , the mercie , wisedome , power and goodnesse of God : And so in this generall sense , Reading may also be called Preaching . But more specially and properly , in the ordinary phrase of the Scripture , Preaching importeth a Ministeriall action , wherein the will of God is made knowne to the Church , after a speciall manner , by the Ministers of the Gospell . To speake distinctly . The Ministers of the Word , being Agents betwixt God and his people , their office consisteth in two things : 1. In dealing with God for the people . 2. In dealing with the people for and from God. First , they are to deale with God , for and on the behalfe of the people ; to be , as it were , their Mouthes vnto God , in putting vp their suits , and supplications , and thanksgiuings vnto God , in expressing their desires vnto God , to pray for them : God forbid that I should sinne against the Lord , inceasing to pray for you , saith Samuel vnto the people . And secondly , as they are to be the peoples mouth to God , in praying for them , so they are to bee Gods Mouth to the people , in instructing them , in declaring his will to them . If thou take away the precious from the vile , thou shalt be , as it were , my mouth , saith the Lord to the Prophet Ieremy . The Prophets of God , the Ministers of the Word , are Gods mouth , whereby he speakes , and makes knowne his will to his people . The will of God is made knowne to the Church , by the Ministers of the Gospell , two wayes : By Visible signes , by Audible voyce . By Visible signes : The Sacraments , which , being presented to the Church by hands of the Ministers , are as visible words to make knowne and ascertaine to euery beleeuer , the eternall gracious purpose , the euerlasting good will of God towards him in his Sonne . But secondly , and principally , by Audible voyce : By Audible voyce the will of God is declared to the Church by the Ministers of the Word in two Ministeriall actions ; In Reading ; in Preaching : In Reading the Text , the letter of the Scriptures ; in Preaching , interpreting , expounding , applying them to the edification of the Church : Both these Ministeriall actions you haue ioyned together in the practice of Ezra and the Leuites in Nehe. 8. 8. They read in the booke , in the Law of God distinctly , and gaue the sense , and caused the people to vnderstand the reading . That which we haue here to deale withall , is the last of these Ministeriall actions , Preaching , properly so called , which , to speake shortly and fully , is an action of the Minister of the Word , soundly interpreting and opening the sense of the Scriptures by the Scriptures , with Application of them to the vse of the Church by Doctrine , Instruction , Exhortation , Reproofe , Conuiction , Comfort . This is properly Preaching : You now see the thing : Looke we backe a little vpon the word , that will afford vs something worthy our obseruation , Preach ; the word in the originall is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a word borrowed from publike Cryers or Heralds sent from Kings , Princes , States , to proclaime and make knowne their mindes , edicts , determinations vnto others . The Metaphor is no lesse elegant than fruitfull : it readeth vs , the Ministers of the Gospel , a double lesson : First , what our office is : Secondly , how we are to behaue our selues in the discharge and execution of that office : It first putteth vs in minde what our office is : We are Cryers , Heralds , sent from the Lord of Hoastes , the King of heauen , from God himselfe , to declare and proclaime his will to the Church . This was the office of Iohn the Baptist , he was a Cryer : The voyce of a Cryar in the wildernesse : A Cryer sent to proclayme to the world the comming of the Messias , to worke the redemption of his people . This was the office of the Apostle Saint Paul : he was ordayned to bee a Preacher and an Apostle , as himselfe telleth vs : 1 Tim. 2. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 11. a Preacher : the word in both places is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a Cryer , a Herald ; one sent from God to proclaime and make knowne to the Gentiles the glad tidings of saluation by Christ. This is our office : and secondly , it putteth vs in minde , How wee are to behaue our selues in the discharge and execution of this office , in declaring the will of God to the Church ; and that in three particulars : To whom we are to speake ; In whose name we are to speake ; and , How we are to speake : 1. To whom we are to speake ; generally to All : Criers , Heralds , they make publike Proclamations , that All the people may heare and vnderstand : It is the speech of Babshakeh to Eliakim , ( we may make vse of the actions of wicked men , as our Sauiour doth of the vnrighteous Iudge in the parable , ) when hee was sent by his Master , the King of Ashur , as an Herald to giue a summons vnto Hierusalem : Hath my Master sent mee to thy Master , and to thee , to speake these words ; hath hee not sent me to the men which sit vpon the wall . Heralds make Proclamations , they speake to all the people . Thus must the Ministers of the Gospell declare the will of God , publish the glad tidings of saluation , offer Christ to all , so runs our Commission giuen to the Apostles by Christ himselfe : Goe Preach the Gospell to euery Creature : that is , to Iewes and Gentiles , to bond and free , of what state , of what degree , of what condition soeuer . Thus the Prophet Esay maketh his Proclamation , Esay 55. 1. Hoe , euery one that thirsteth , come ye to the waters . There are none excepted , none excluded out of our Commission : wee must tender Christ vnto all : So must wee Preach to the Churches , as S. Iohn writeth to them in his Reuelation : He that hath an eare , let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches : Preach the Gospell to all . 2. In whose name we must preach : Heralds speake not in their owne names , but in the names of them that send them : Thus saith the great King , the King of Ashur , saith Rabshakeh to the Inhabitants of Hierusalem : So must we speake to the Inhabitants of Iudah and Hierusalem , in the phrase of Heralds ; not in our name , but in the name of him whose messengers we are , in the name of God : Thus saith the King , the great King of heauen and earth . Thus spake the Prophets of old , The Word of the Lord ; the burthen of the Lord : Thus did our Sauiour himselfe ( as he was man ) come vnto his people : Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord : Thus were the Apostles to preach vnto the people : it is our Sauiours owne charge to them a little before his ascension ; That Repentance and remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name . And those outcasts in the Gospell , when they would plead , as they thought , effectually for themselues , they doe it in this phrase , Lord , Lord , haue we not prophesied in thy name . Ministers must speake to the Lords people , not as Lords ouer them , but as messengers , as Heralds , in the name , in the authority of him that sendeth them : in the name of God. 3 How wee are to speake and deliuer the will of God to the people , namely , as Heralds should doe : How is that ? Why , 1. Boldly : 2. Faithfully : 3. Plainely . Boldly , as hauing authority , as representing the person of the Prince that sends them : Faithfully , neither adding to , nor detracting from what they haue receiued in instruction from their Masters : Plainly , that all they to whom they are sent , may heare and vnderstand their message : Thus should the Ministers of the Word behaue themselues in the dispensation of the Gospel , in preaching of the Word : Deliuer it , 1. Boldly , as standing in the place , representing the person of God himselfe : not fearing the faces of them to whom they are sent : Behold , I haue made thy face strong against their faces , and thy fore-head strong against their fore-heads , As an Adamant , harder than Flint , haue I made thy fore-head , saith the Lord to the Prophet Ezekiel . Such an vandaunted boldnesse , such an inuincible resolution should there be in the Ministers of the Word , in deliuering the will of God to the people ; in instructing , exhorting , conuincing , reprouing ; they must doe it with boldnesse . They that preach Christ , must so preach him , as Christ himselfe preached , when hee was vpon the earth , as hauing authority : It is Saint Pauls charge , in expresse words , to Titus : These things speake and exhort , and rebuke with all authority : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : that is , with a Ministeriall authority . In this , Christs preaching , and our preaching of Christ , differ ; He preached , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as hauing authority in himselfe , from himselfe : Wee must preach with authority too , but not as hauing authority in our selues , but with a deriued , a Ministeriall authority , deriued from him whose Ambassadours we are , whose person we represent : Preach with authority : Boldly . 2. Faithfully : Deliuer the will of God , his whole will , nothing but his will , neither adding to it , nor detracting from it : Thus did the Apostle Saint Paul preach and deliuer the will of God to the Churches : What hee deliuered to others , he first receiued himselfe ; I haue receiued of the Lord that which also I deliuered vnto you . And as he receiued what he deliuered , so hee deliuered what he receiued ; he kept nothing backe : I haue not shunned to declare vnto you all the Counsell of God : They are his owne words to the Elders of Ephesus at Miletum . Thus must we deliuer the Counsell of God , his reuealed Will ( for that is meant by Counsell in that place , not his secret Decrees and Purposes , but his reuealed Will , specially his Counsell and Purpose touching the way and meanes of saluation , by Christ , and Christ alone ) we must deliuer it faithfully ; not adding to it , nor baulking any thing necessary to be knowne . Exemplary to vs is that resolution of the Prophet Michaia , when hee was sent for to prophesie before King ▪ Ahab : At the Lord liueth ( saith he ) whatsoeuer the Lord saith vnto me , that will I speake . Deliuer the will of God faithfully . And thirdly , deliuer it plainely : Heralds speake distinctly with an audible voyce , in a knowne language , to the vnderstanding of those to whom they are sent : Rabsaketh , when he was sent as an Herald to the people of the Iewes , he would not speake to them in the Aramites language , as Eliakim would haue had him , but in the Iewes language , that the people might vnderstand his arrand . Thus must Gods Heralds , the Ministers of the Word , in deliuering his Embassage , in preaching of the Word , they must speake plainely , distinctly , in a knowne language , to the capacity of the hearers : Thus did Ezra and the Leuites , in that forenamed place ; They read in the booke , in the Law of the Lord distinctly , and gaue the sense , and caused the people to vnderstand . And it is noted of the Apostles , at the day of Pentecost , as an exemplary president to the Ministers of the Gospell for euer : That Euery man heard them speake in his own language : That is , they spake to euery man in his own language ; not that the hearers heard that in diuers languages which they spake but in one , as some haue ( not without some colour in the words ) coniectured ; for then ( as Mr. Caluin vpon the place well obserues ) the miracle had beene in the hearers , not in the speakers , whereas the clouen tongues rested vpon the Apostles , not vpon the people . Their tongues were clouen , they spake to the people in their owne languages , that they might vnderstand as well as heare : For a Herald to deliuer a message of importance in a strange language , which none vnderstand but himselfe , he had as good bee silent . They that take vpon them the preaching of Christ , must speake in the language of Christ , and the language of the people ; they must speake plainely . This it is properly to Preach , viz. To deliuer the will of God , as Heralds doe the commands of their Masters : to speake vnto all : to speake in the name of God , with boldnesse , faithfulnesse , plainenesse . You now see the first question resolued and cleared : What is meant by Preaching : But what must we Preach ? The voyce saith to vs , Cry ; but what shall wee cry ? That is the second thing to be vnfolded : The text telleth vs , The Word : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , We must Preach the Word . This word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( the Word ) it admits of many and diuers significations in the Scriptures : In this place it may be taken two wayes : First , for Christ himselfe , who is sometimes in the phrase of the Scripture called ( the Word , ) In the beginning was the Word : That is , the eternall sonne of God , the vncreated , essentiall Word of the Father . Christ is called The Word ( to omit other more witty than solid coniectures ) principally for two reasons : First , because he is the summe and substance of that Word , that first and great Word , that Word of words , the Word of promise made by God himselfe to his Church at the beginning ; and afterwards , in effect , from time to time renewed and ratified vnto the Patriarchs : The seed of the woman shall breake the Serpents head : The substance of this promise is Christ himselfe , the seed of the Virgin , in him this promise is verified and made good , and therefore called the Word : Secondly , he is ( the Word , ) because by him the will and purpose of God is made knowne to the Church , as our mindes are expressed to other men by our words ; No man hath seene God at any time , but the onely begotten sonne of the Father , he hath declared him : Declared him : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith the Originall ; the word signifieth to conduct , and direct , and leade a man , as it were , by the hand to the finding out of something that was hid before . The will of God was a thing that was locked vp in the breast of his secret counsell , a thing hidden from our eies , as the purpose of a mans heart is from the knowledge of another . Now Christ hath led vs to the knowledge of this will by declaring of it , as a mans words lead another to the knowledge of the intents and purposes of his heart , and therefore called The Word . Secondly , by the Word , here wee may vnderstand the reuealed will of God made knowne in his Word in the Scriptures : specially his will concerning his sonne , and the saluation of his people by him : The Word of the Gospell : The Gospell is called ( the Word ) the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : the whole Bible , euery part and parcell of it is the word of God ; but the Gospell is the pith , the marrow , the quintessence , the summe and substance of this word , and therefore called , by way of eminency , The Word of the Gospell : That the Gentiles might heare the Word of the Gospell : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : the word by way of eminency : This is the Word which the Spirit of God is pleased to honour with so many honourable additions and compellations in the Scriptures ; sometimes calling it the Word of life , the Word of eternall life : Master , thou hast the words of eternall life , saith Peter to our Sauiour . The Law is a Word of death , a killing letter : the Gospell is a Word of life , a quickening Word , giuing life , leading vnto life : Sometimes againe , the word of Truth : In whom yee also beleeued after that ye heard of the Word of Truth . Euery word of God is a true word , the Gospell is the word of Truth : Sometimes the word of the Kingdome : Whensoeuer a man heareth the Word of the Kingdome . The Word of the Kingdome , because by this Word , as by his Scepter , Christ ruleth like a King in the hearts of his people : and by this Word he maketh them Kings , bringing them by it , to the Kingdome of grace here , and of glory hereafter : Sometimes againe , the Word of saluation : To you is the Word of this saluation sent , saith Paul to the men of Antioch . The Word of saluation , because it is the power of God to saluation . There is a singular excellency and eminency in this word of the Gospell , and therefore here in the text , called The Word . Now to which of these two interpretations we should incline , it matters not ; there is no materiall difference betwixt them ; Whether Christ , or the Gospell of Christ , all commeth to one : Christ is the subiect of the Gospell , and the Gospell is the doctrine of Christ ; the sense is still one and the same : That which Timothy and the Ministers of the Gospell must preach , is nothing but the Word , Christ , the Gospell of Christ : They must preach Christ : Him did Philip preach vnto the Samaritans ; He preached Christ vnto them . Him did Paul preach immediately after his conuersion ; Straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues : To this subiect did he euer confine his preaching : We preach Christ crucified : Hee preached Christ , nothing but Christ : I determined not to know any thing among you saue Iesus Christ. Thus must wee preach Christ , and the Gospell of Christ : They are the expresse words of our Commission , Goe Preach the Gospell : Here is then the subiect of our Preaching , nothing but Christ , the Gospell of Christ. True indeed , we must preach Moses , we must preach the Law ; but how ? Wee must Preach Moses as a harbinger to Christ ; wee must Preach the Law , but in reference to the Gospell , that we may thereby , with Iohn the Baptist , Prepare the way of the Lord , and make his paths straight : that we may by this meanes leuell and smooth the way for Christ , that the offer of saluation by him may finde the better entertainment : That which we must principally eye and looke at in our Preaching , is , this Word , Christ , and the Gospell of Christ. To preach Christ and the Gospell of Christ , is a great worke : if you would know what it is , it consisteth principally in foure Ministeriall actions : I will but name them : 1. In reuealing of Christ ; in laying open the truth of doctrine concerning Christ ; his owne person ; his two natures , Godhead and Manhood ; his three offices , Kingly , Priestly , Propheticall ; with the seuerall workes of either ; the seuerall passages of his incarnation , birth , life , death , resurrection , ascension , intercession , comming againe at the last day . 2. In reuealing the will of God concerning Christ : viz. that it is his will to saue sinners by him , and him alone ; that he hath set him forth as a meanes of reconciliation ; that he hath giuen him as an all-sufficient sacrifice for the sinnes of the world : so making a generall offer and tender of Christ to all that will receiue him as a Sauiour , and a Lord. 3. In reuealing the way to come vnto Christ , and to God by him : viz. By faith , and faith alone , which is the onely hand and instrument ordayned of God to apprehend and take hold of Christ , to apply the merit of his actiue and passiue obedience vnto eternall life . 4. And lastly , in giuing and applying Christ particularly to euery poore penitent sinner that is heauy laden vnder the burthen of sinne : Commanding him in the name of God to beleeue in Christ , to receiue him as a Sauiour , to take hold of him , and to rest vpon him : assuring him withall , in the name of God , that Christ dyed for him in particular , and that the merit of his death and passion belongeth to him , and shall be imputed vnto him ; so by this particular application , forming Christ in the soule , from whence will follow a through change , and conuersion both in heart and life . This it is to Preach Christ , and the Gospell of Christ. And this is the duty which S. Paul here imposeth vpon Timothy , and which all the Ministers of the Gospell should principally be imployed about . I might here now giue you some reasons of the necessity of this duty of preaching the Word after this manner : To omit all other : The reason of reasons is , because it is the ordinance of God ; his power vnto saluation : that is , his powerfull instrument which he hath in his wisedome appointed and set apart for the working of the saluation of his people ; for the begetting , beginning of grace , increasing of grace , perfecting of grace in the hearts of his chosen , and so consequently to bring them through grace to glory . The time preuents mee , giue mee leaue now to passe from the duty it selfe , to the manner of performance : I shall make the application of both together . The manner how this important duty should bee discharged , is set downe , first , generally , then illustrated and explayned more particularly : generally , [ Be instant ] particularly , [ In season , out of season . ] I will be briefe in all . Be instant , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith the originall : the word signifieth to stand to , or ouer a businesse : Our English word expresseth it fully , Be instant : To bee instant in a businesse , imports two things ; Earnestnesse , and Diligence . Thus must the Ministers of the Gospell be instant in preaching of the Word ; they must stand to , and stand ouer the worke 1. with earnestnesse : 2. with diligence . First , they must be instant and earnest about this worke of Preaching the Word : Earnest , 1. VVith themselues ; 2. with others . 1. They must bee earnest with themselues , and that in stirring and exciting vp themselues to the worke , in putting themselues forward vpon this seruice : great need of earnestnesse this way . There are many auocations which will be ready to diuert and turne vs aside , to call vs away , to plucke vs back from the worke : profits , pleasures , preferments , ease , quietnesse and the like : Flesh and bloud will alwayes be whispering in our eares , as Peter in his Masters , Master , fauour thy selfe . Besides these auocations , wee must make account to meet with many discouragements , many dangers , much hardship , Beares and Lyons in the way , stormes and tempests enow to make vs not onely to looke backe , but euen to leaue the plough of God in the open field . Besides these discouragements , much resistance , much opposition : Euery Paul must make account to meet with an Elimas ; euery Moses with a Iannes and Iambres : Alwayes in one kinde or other , wee must make account to finde Satan standing at our right hands , when we are to goe about this worke , as hee stood at the right hand of Iehoshuah , to resist him , when he was to stand before the Lord to execute his office . Great need of earnestnesse to put our selues forward in a seruice where we shall meet with so many auocations , so many discouragements , so much opposition : All our earnestnesse will bee little enough to make vs beare vp head against this tide . Strange it is how farre these haue preuailed many times against the faithfull messengers of God , to the disheartning , almost to the silencing of them : It was the Prophet Ieremies owne case : such was the entertainment that he met withall , in the discharge of his office , that hee had euen resolued with himselfe not to make mention of God , not to speake any more in his name . It made him almost to silence himselfe from Preaching any more : and had not the Word beene in his heart , as a burning fire shut vp in his bones ( as he there speakes ) hee had beene for euer silent : Such defamations , such minting and coyning of slanderous reports , such catching at his words , such watching for his haltings , such lying in wayt to intrap him , ( as himselfe telleth vs in the next verse ) that he had euen resolued to turne his backe vpon his office . If any of the Messengers of God meet with better measure in the discharge of their duties , it is more than God hath promised them , or they can promise to themselues . Great need therefore to stand vp to the worke , that wee may ouerlooke and ouerleape all these blockes that lye in the way : Great need to be earnest , euen to offer a kinde of holy violence to our selues to stirre vp our selues to the worke . Euen as the Cocke , the true Embleme of a Minister of the Word , first awakens himselfe by the clapping of his wings , that hee may awaken others by his crowing ; so must wee offer a kinde of holy violence to our selues to awaken and stirre vp our selues to the worke of our Ministry , that being stirred vp our selues first , wee may 2. Awaken and stirre vp others : Ministers must bee instant and earnest with others as well as with themselues , offer violence to others , in Preaching the Word , as well as to themselues . The Kingdome of heauen should suffer violence as well in the speaker , as in the hearer : in the mouth of the one , as in the heart of the other : It is the charge which the Master of the Feast giueth vnto his seruant , when hee sendeth him forth into the high wayes to fetch in guests to the Supper ; Compell them to come in . Thus should wee Preach the Gospell , inuite men to the participation of Christ with commanding arguments , with compulsiue perswasions , so as to take no deniall . So should we deale with the soules of men , as the Angels did with the bodies of Lot and his family , plucke them as fire-brands out of the flames , and that with a holy violence . It is the charge which the Lord giueth to the Prophet Esay , Esa. 55. Cry aloud , spare not : Great reason the Ministers of the Word should Cry aloud , they often speake vnto dead men , such as are dead in trespasses and sinnes : Doe we see men sleeping and snorting securely in their natural states and conditions , without sense , without remorse , Cry aloud : Maledictum silentium quod hic conniuet ; Cursed silence that now spares to speake : Doe wee see men walking on securely in the paths of hell and of death , liuing in any sinfull course , posting on to hell and destruction , Cry aloud , spare not : Crudelis misericordia ; Cruell is that mercy that suffers a man rather to bee drowned than to pull him out of the water by the hayre of his head . Thus must wee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , be instant about this worke of our Ministry , bee earnest both with our selues and others : Secondly , we must be instant againe , that is , Diligent : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Sta cum diligentiâ , so the Syriacke renders the word in this place , Stand to the worke with diligence . Ministers must be diligent , as well as earnest . This is the commendation of that eloqueut Apollos , he was not only seruent in the spirit , but also , hee spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord. Ministers , in the dispensation of the Gospell , are Gods seeds-men to sowe the seed of eternall life in the hearts of his chosen . Now it is the seeds-mans charge , giuen by the Preacher ; In the morning sowe thy seed , and in the euening let not thine hand rest . The Preaching of the Word must be a Ministers worke , his daily worke , not his recreation ; a continuall worke : We are Gods Husbandmen , his people are his tillage , as Saint Paul maketh the comparison : Now it is the Husbandmans portion , redit labor actus in orbem ; his worke goeth round in a circle , it is neuer at an end ; Spring , Summer , Autume , Winter , no vacation in any : They that put their hands to Gods Plough , must put on an indefatigable resolution to follow the worke with diligence : It is the reason which the Apostles giue , why they would haue Deacons chosen to take care of their poore ; because ( say they ) We will giue our selues continually to prayer , and to Preaching of the Word : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Insta●imus , saith the vulgar Latine , wee will be instant in it , attend vnto it . Thus must wee , whom God hath honoured so farre as to make vs dispensers of his sacred mysteries ; we must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , attend vpon the worke , stand to it , be instant in it , first , with Earnestnesse ; secondly , with Diligence . This in generall : more particularly , Be instant in season , out of season : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : I will bee briefe in both . In season ; the word may be vnderstood two wayes : 1. It may be taken for the ordinary set time appoynted and set apart for this exercise : The ordinary time set apart by God himselfe for this duty , is the Sabbath day , the Lords day : And then to Preach the Word , is to Preach it in season . The Sabbath was , and the Lords day is a signe of sanctification vnto the people of God ; neuer are the meanes of sanctification so properly in season as then . This season did our Sauiour and his Apostles vsually obserue . Before his resurrection they went into the Synagogues and taught vpon the Sabbath dayes : After his resurrection , they met together euery first day of the weeke , vpon the Lords day , as at the day of Pentecost , and at other times . And this season the Ministers of the Gospell are to obserue after a speciall manner . In this there is a difference betwixt the word of God and that Mannah which came downe from heauen in the wildernesse ; that fell vpon euery day of the weeke except the Sabbath , this spirituall Mannah neuer falleth so seasonably as then . 2. In season : that is , at such times and seasons when the Word may be most acceptable , most profitable vnto the hearers . There are certaine seasons when the Word is likely to finde better acceptance and entertainment , to take place rather than at other times : as , viz. when men are humbled vnder the hand of God , when the heart is broken vnder some great affliction or other , whether present or feared , that is a season when the Word is like to finde easier passage , and to make a deeper impression : So againe , when the heart is warmed and melted with the fresh apprehension of some new mercy , that is a season when the Word is likely to finde a wide and effectuall doore opened to it to let it into the soule : So againe , there are certaine seasons when some particular doctrin is more seasonable , than others ; As to minister comfort and consolation to an afflicted deiected soule : when the heart is pricked , wounded , when the spirit is broken vnder the apprehension of sinne and Gods wrath due to it , then to preach , comfort is like the powring in balsome into a bleeding wound , or like a showre of raine falling vpon the new mowne grasse , it is a word in season . Now Ministers should obserue , and watch , and apply themselues to these seasons . We know what commendation the Wiseman giueth of words thus spoken in season , How good is a word in due season ? And againe , A word spoken fitly , ( Super rotissuis saith the originall , spoken vpon his wheeles ; that is , with a due concurrance and obseruation of all circumstances , of time , place , person , and the like , which are as the wheeles vpon which our words and speeches should runne ) is like apples of gold with pictures of siluer , both delectable & profitable . Herin should the wisdome of the Ministers of the Word be exercised in taking hold of these opportunities to improue them for the best aduantage , that they may minister a word in due season . They must be instant in season ; and a. Out of season . What , is the Word euer out of season : that which seasoneth all other things , is that euer vnseasonable ? Ans. In it selfe , in truth it is not ; but in the opinion of men , in the eye of carnall reason , in the iudgement of flesh and blood it seemeth sometimes to be out of season . Out of season three wayes , in three respects : 1. In respect of the speaker : 2. In respect of the hearer : 3. In respect of both . First , in respect of the Speaker , the Minister himselfe , the Preaching of the Word seemeth to bee out of season , when his ease , his pleasures , his profits , his worldly imployments , some vnnecessary auocations or other , draw him another way . When there is no constraint , no necessity of Preaching , the Law of the Land requires it not , neither is there any benefit , but perhaps danger likely to accrew to himselfe by Preaching ( as in times of persecution ) then it may seeme to him to bee out of season . In respect of the Hearers , when their Farmes , their Oxen , their particular calling , domesticall imployments , perhaps sports , pastimes , recreations draw them another way : When they cannot repayre to the hearing of the Word without some paines , without some hardship in respect of the season , the weather , ( * as it falleth out this morning , ) or otherwise , then the Preaching and hearing of the Word , seemeth to them to be out of season . Thirdly , to both Speaker and Hearers it may seeme out of season . When it is preached not onely at the set ordinary times , vpon the Sabbath , the Lords day , but also at other times , vpon other occasions , vpon the weeke day ; then flesh and blood will be ready to think it as a showre of raine in the midst of Haruest , out of season . Now at these times , which to carnall reason may seeme vnseasonable , must the Ministers of the Gospell stand vp to the worke of their ministery , take all occasions , all oportunities , and aduantages of Preaching publikely , of instructing priuately . Thus did our Sauiour and his Apostles , they went about , Preaching : as they went into the Synagogues on the Sabbath dayes , so they tooke all other occasions on the * weeke day to instruct the people publikely , beside their teaching from house to house : And here is our warrant for this religious exercise , into which , I haue this day made an entrance . It may seeme , perhaps , to some to bee out of season , being in the weeke day , when men should attend vpon their particular callings , and other imployments : If it doe , yet we dare not neglect it : the Spirit of God here giueth vs a warrant for it , nay , layeth a charge vpon vs to embrace the occasion , to take hold and make vse of this aduantage which God and authority haue put into our hands : here is our Commission , Preach the Word , &c. I haue dwelt long vpon the doctrinall part of the Text , perhaps you may thinke too long . All this time you may say , what is this to vs ? To make you amends in that which remaines , giue me leaue to turne my speech now wholly vnto you . The doctrine hath beene ours ( I wish we may make it ours by practise ) the application shall be yours . You see what charge it is which the Spirit of God here imposeth vpon vs : Preach the VVord , bee instant in season , out of season : Doe but turne the tables , the Charge is yours ▪ Heare the VVord , be instant in season , and out of season : This charge hath many parts ; to set it on the better , I will breake it in pieces . First , Heare the VVord : Preaching and Hearing are Relatiues : If there lye a necessity vpon vs to Preach , by the same rule there lyeth a necessity vpon you to Heare : Hee that ordained vs to Preach the Gospell , hath also ordained you to heare the Gospell : And therefore let me exhort you , in the name and feare of God , to attend vpon this ordinance of God : I call it his ordinance : and so it is as well in the hearer , as in the speaker : Faith commeth by hearing , and hearing by the word of God. Hearing , by the word of God ; that is , by his ordinance , by his commandment , as Mr Beza most naturally interprets the word . Attend vpon it therefore , and that because it is his ordinance . There is a great deale of force and strength in this argument , to perswade men to attend vpon the hearing of the Word preached , because it is Gods owne ordinance . A man may alwayes expect to finde God when he seeketh him in his owne way . Then may a man comfortably assure himselfe of a blessing , when hee seeketh it in the ordinance of God , in that way which God himselfe hath chalked out , and appointed for that end and purpose . It is the ordinance of God that maketh euery thing to bee vsefull vnto vs , that maketh euery comfort to bee comfortable , that maketh euery meanes of our good to be helpefull and seruiceable to vs : Why doth bread nourish vs more than the grasse of the field ? It is Gods ordinance , There is a word of command that goeth along with the one , and not with the other , which hath ordained , appointed , and set it apart for that particular vse , and hath giuen it a speciall efficacy for that end and purpose . Now such a word there is in this ordinance of God , the Preaching and the hearing of the Word : God hath , in his counsell and purpose , set it apart , as the onely ordinary meanes for the beginning , increasing , perfecting the worke of grace in the hearts of his chosen , and so to be his power vnto saluation ; and hath giuen it a speciall efficacie for this end and purpose . Surely , if men did but seriously consider , and certainely beleeue this , they would wait and depend vpon it with more confidence , with more assurance of successe . What is the maine reason why men make so little account of it , and reape so little benefit by it . Amongst others , this I take to be the principall , they doe not esteeme it , nor attend vpon it as Gods ordinance , but as mans ordinance . If they come to the hearing of the Word , they looke vpon it with a squint eye , they come to it out of some base , by , sinister respect , and not in obedience to God , to wait vpon him in the vse of his ordinance : And this it is that hinders the fruit , the efficacy of it , that they doe not finde the arme of the Lord reuealed to them in this ordinance . This day you haue heard it , that Preaching , and so by necessary consequence , Hearing , is the ordinance of God himselfe ; and therefore bee exhorted to submit and to subiect your selues vnto it , to come to it , to wait , attend , depend vpon it as his ordinance . And secondly , bee not offended with the simplicity of this ordinance of God : You see that our Preaching is confined to one subiect , from which it may not swarue or stray ; viz. The VVord : Christ , and the Gospell of Christ ; we must know nothing else amongst you : Doe not you desire to know or heare any thing else from vs : This is the property of Saint Peters new borne Babe , one borne againe of water and the spirit , to desire the sincere milke of the Word : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : Milke that is pure as it commeth from the breast , without the mixture of any thing else with it . If wee feed you with this sincere milke be not you nauseated with it , take heed of loathing of it : A sincere heart will desire after sincere milke : So much longing after mixture in the Preaching of the Word , as a man shall finde in his heart , so much insincerity is in it . If we preach the bare Word to you , if we present Christ vnto you , and naked Christ , without the cloathing of humane wisedome , the wisedome of words , as Saint Paul calleth it ; bee not you offended at it . Wee must Preach Christ as Saint Paul preached him , Christ crucified : Now he was crucified naked ; euen so must we preach him vnto you . This is the excellency of preaching , not to set forth Christ vnder a veyle , as it was in the time of the Law , but to lay him naked , that euery one may see him with open face : So to present Christ vnto the eares and hearts of the hearers , as Saint Paul himselfe presented him vnto his Galathians , to draw him out to the life , to crucifie him before them : so to present him , as he was presented to the eyes of the Iewes , when they saw him hanging vpon the Crosse. Be not offended therefore with the simplicity of Christ , and the doctrine of Christ , we must Preach nothing but this Word . Be instant ; wee must , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , stand vp to the worke , so must you in your place and station . Be instant , and that as we must be instant : 1. With Earnestnesse : 2. With Diligence . 1. Be earnest about this worke : It is good to bee earnest ( or zealously affected ) alwayes in a good thing : Sure I am , you cannot be earnest , or zealous in a better cause than this ; It is Gods cause , it is the Churches cause , nay , it is your owne cause , a cause that concerneth you neerely , your soules cause , your welfare , your happinesse , your life and liuelihood , your saluation depends vpon it : If euer you will be earnest in any cause , be zealous in this . Be earnest , 1. With your selues ; 2. With others . 1. With your selues , and that both to stirre vp your selues to the duty , and in the duty . First , bee earnest to stirre vp your selues to the duty : great need of earnestnesse in exciting and stirring vp your selues this way . For 1. there is a naturall auersnesse in euery man , that sets him off from the duty : Flesh and blood finde no taste , no relish in this ordinance of God , the Word purely preached : This is one of those things of God , of which Saint Paul speaketh , That the naturall man receiueth not , discerneth not , vnderstandeth not : Great need therefore to vse all holy meanes to quicken and to excite spirituall appetite . And 2. Besides this naturall auersnesse , you shall finde many pull-backes , many auocations , many lets and impediments to draw you aside , to hinder you . Those in the Gospell ( which I named before ) are too common ; Farms , Oxen , domesticall affayres , ciuill imployments . The worlds businesse will steale away the time from Gods businesse : Our bodies will seeke to starue our soules ; our particular callings will ingrosse all the time , that there shall be little left for the generall . 3. Besides these auocations , you must make account to meet with many discouragements : It may be taunts and reproaches from prophane and wicked men ; it may bee an ouerly countenance from friends and alliance : some dust or other Satan will bee ready to stirre vp to blinde your eyes withall , that you should not see to finde the way to the house of God , to attend vpon this his ordinance . Great need of earnestnesse to excite and stirre vp your selues , that you may ouerlook all these seeming lets , impediments , discouragements . Secondly , be earnest to stirre vp your selues in the duty : as there is a naturall auersnesse in vs to the duty , to keepe vs from it , so there is a naturall slothfulnesse , deadnesse , dulnesse , wearinesse , which will be ready to seyze vpon vs in the duty , to make vs performe it carelesly , formally , negligently : The best of Gods people haue often experience of this malady in themselues . Sometimes our bodies will be disposed to drowsinesse and sleepinesse ( as it was with Eutichus at Saint Pauls Sermon ) and that perhaps rather now than at any other time ; but oftner our hearts , our soules : I sleepe , but my heart waketh , saith the Spouse . In hearing of the Word , wee may often inuert the sentence , I wake , but my heart sleepeth : Our bodies are present , but our soules , our hearts , are absent . Great need to awaken our selues , that we may heare , and heare with attention ; that we may watch vnto hearing , as the Apostle exhorts the Colossians concerning prayer , That ye should continue in prayer and watch in the same : So , continue in hearing , and watch in the same : Watch lest we should bee ouertaken with this spirituall deadnesse and drowsinesse , which is so ready to creepe vpon the soule , to come ouer the heart , to bind vp the senses , the affections of it . Our Sauiour reproueth his Disciples that they could not watch with him one houre , when as he himselfe was yet absent from them . The reproofe will lye as iustly against vs if we cannot stirre vp our selues to watch with Christ one houre , especially when as Christ himselfe is present with vs , and that after a speciall manner , as he hath promised to be in the midst of this his ordinance . And therefore when we draw neere vnto God in this part of his worship and seruice , let vs in his feare , as in his presence , awaken our hearts , intend our spirits , that we may attend vnto what the Lord shall say vnto vs. It is Lydiaes commendation , after that God had opened her heart and wrought effectually vpon her , she attended to the words that Paul spake . Thus should Christians attend vpon the Word ; euen hang vpon the lips of the speaker , as the Babe doth vpon the brest : watch euery word to take it before it fall to the ground . Thus should Christians bee earnest with themselues , in stirring vp themselues to the duty , in the duty . They that will take the kingdome of heauen , dispensed by the Ministers of the Word , they must take it ( as they did in the dayes of Iohn the Baptist ) with violence . 2. As you must be earnest with your selues about this worke , so also with others , and that both with God , and with man. First , Be earnest 1. with God : It is he that holdeth the bottles of heauen , the clouds in his hand , that causeth it to rayne vpon one place and not vpon another : It is hee that watereth his owne inheritance , his garden , his Church , where , and when , and how it pleaseth him . And therefore forget not to be instant and earnest with him : 1. That he would send forth faithfull labourers into his haruest , such as may be indued with ministeriall abilities for the discharge of this worke : 2. That hee would giue liberty vnto them , that hee would set open for them a dore , a wide dore of vtterances : 3. That he would giue efficacy to their labours : that he would not onely set open a wide , but also an effectuall dore ; that the Gospell may haue free passage in their mouths , and in the hearts of the elect people of God : Ability , liberty , efficacie in the dispensation of the Gospell , depends all vpon God himselfe : And therefore be you instant with him , that hee would bee pleased to water your inheritances with this dew of heauen : It is Achsaes request ( I remember ) to her father Caleb , that seeing he had giuen her the South-Country , hee would giue her the springs of water also . God hath allotted vnto you in this Island , a seat pleasant enough , euery wayes accommodated with all other requisite conueniences : you want nothing but the springs of water , springs of those waters , those liuing waters , flowing out from the Sanctuary . Be instant with your God , your heauenly Father , that hee would strike the rocke for you , that he would giue vnto you these Springs from aboue , that hee would more abundantly refresh and make glad your dwelling places with these liuing waters : be instant with God. 2. Bee instant also with Men about this worke , and that both with the Ministers themselues , and others ; with the one to Preach , the other to heare the Word , both to attend vpon this ordinance of God. 1. Be earnest first with vs the Ministers of the Word , to put vs forward vpon this seruice : It is not only your liberty , but a part of your duty to put vs in mind of our duty , whom God hath set ouer you : Say to Archippus , it is Saint Pauls charge to the Colossians , it is a principall part of our duty to preach the Word , if wee neglect it , grow slacke and remisse in it , as it was the case of that Angell of the Church of Ephesus : Bee you instant with vs , put vs in minde of it , stirre vs vp to it : Wee are but men , and therefore subiect to forget you and our selues , to forget our duty , though we haue neuer so much cause to remember it : Ionas falleth asleepe in the hold of the ship , in the midst of that stresse , when hee should haue been praying for himselfe and those that were with him . Thus it fareth , many times , with the Ministers of the Word , wee are subiect to a supine forgetfulnesse , to bee rockt asleepe with the profits and preferments of the world , whilst , in the meane time , our flockes , our charges , nay , our selues too are in eminent danger . Let vs craue that fauour from you , that in this case you would play the Marriners part , that you would awaken and stirre vs vp to the discharge of our duty , which concerns you and our selues so neerely , Stirre vs vp : but how ? Why , 1. by Christian exhortations , friendly aduice and counsell . Awaken vs by word of mouth : Herein onely obserue three Cautions ; that this be done , 1. with loue , 2. with wisedome , 3. with a due respect to our places and callings . With loue , that it may be without bitternesse , without any tincture of priuate spleene against our persons : dip your reproofes and exhortations in oyle , they will driue the better ; with wisedome , with a due poyzing and weighing of all circumstances , as time , and place , and the like , as also a due consideration of our strength and ability , for the discharge of this duty : with respect vnto our callings and functions : It is Saint Pauls charge to Timothy ; Rebuke not an Elder , but exhort him as a Father : Tart and masterlike reproofs out of your mouths , though we deserue them , yet doe not become you . Exhort vs as Fathers : Thus stirre vs vp by exhortations : And , 2. Stirre vs by incouragements : what incouragements ? Why , not onely verball , but reall incouragements ; viz. 1. Competency of meanes and maintenance , sutable to our paines and charge : Take heed of being accessary to the staruing of this ordinance of God and your owne soules , by muzling the mouth of the Oxe : Let them that wait vpon and serue at the Altar , liue , and liue comfortably by the Altar : 2. by giuing due honour and respect to our places and callings . Though our persons , perhaps , deserue little , yet our callings are honourable . Paul himselfe was of a mean presence ( His bodily presence was weak , ) of a low stature , of a meane personage , but his function challenged respect : 3. By accepting our labours , lending vs your presence , your eares , your hearts , your liues , giuing entertainment to the worke of our minister : No incouragement to the Ministers of the Word like vnto this ▪ When the people are 1. ready to receiue the Word at their mouthes ; the one as ready to heare , as the other to speake : When they hang vpon the Priests lips for knowledge . This is e●en like sucking of the breast , which maketh the nurse to giue downe the milk more freely , more plentifully , euen whether she will or no : It is the want of this sucking of this sincere milk that hath made so many dry breasts in the Church of God : that hath disheartned and discouraged so many forward and hopefull instruments in the Church , if not to the stopping of their mouthes , yet at the least to the damping of their spirits , to the quelling of the life and power of their Ministery . And 2. when they profit by the Word , grow and thriue in grace by it . No such incouragement to an Husbandman as when he seeth his tillage to prosper , no such incouragement vnto a nurse , as when shee seeth her childe battle and thriue ; it maketh them thinke no paines too much : Whereas on the contrary , a barren soile , and a starueling nursery kill the hearts of both . No incouragement vnto the Ministers of the Gospell like vnto this , when they finde the worke to thriue and prosper in their hands ; when they see that the seed which they sow is not cast away , when they see that their labor which is not vain in the Lord , is not in vaine neither in the hearts and liues of the hearers . This will make vs stand vp to the worke , watch when we should sleepe ; labour when we could be content to be at ease and quiet ; thinke no paines too much . Thus stirre vp the Ministers of the Word , be instant and earnest with them . And 2. be instant with others , priuate persons , neighbours , friends , acquaintance ; stirre them vp to wait and to attend vpon this ordinance of God , with more diligence , with more care , with more conscience : Come , let vs goe vp to the house of the Lord : Philip calleth Nathaniel : The woman of Samaria fetcheth her neighbours to come vnto Christ : Thus should priuate Christians excite and stirre vp one another , labour by friendly exhortations , perswasions , incouragements to bring their friends and neighbours to meet with Christ in this his ordinance : This will be our comfort another day , that we haue euery one of vs , in the seuerall places and stations wherein God hath set vs , bin instant & earnest in the cause of God , zealous and forward for the furtherance & propagation of the Gospel . Be earnest : And 2. be Diligent in this worke ; The diligent hand maketh rich , saith the Wise-man . It is no lesse true in spirituall than in temporall riches . Doe you desire to be rich in grace and holinesse , the best riches ; attend , wayt vpon this ordinance of God with diligence , with cōstancy . If God be not weary of speaking , be not you weary of hearing . Frequent the house of God vpon all occasions . What euer the world thinks and speakes of it , it is no disgrace to be accounted a frequenter of Sermons , so that other necessary duties be not neglected : Christians must be like the Bee that goeth from flower to flower , to gather a little honey from euery one to carry to the hiue , to make vp the store . We shall haue need of a stocke , a store of grace , and therefore let vs goe from flower to flower , ( I speake the more liberally and freely , because in these parts there is not the like feare of surfetting of the Word Preached , of erring on the right hand by an vnwarrantable running from Sermon to Sermon , to the neglect of mens particular callings , as may seeme to be in some other parts of the kingdome ) imbrace euery occasion which the Lord offereth in the publike Ministry of his Word , for the gathering of honey , the gathering of grace to carry home to the hiue , to lay vp in the heart , to make vp a stocke , a store against the winter , against hard times , euill dayes , the dayes of triall , sicknesse , death : We shall then finde all to be little enough , and therefore whilest our Summer of health , and liberty , and peace lasteth , vp and be doing ; euery day be increasing of the store ; get something from euery Sermon , from this which you haue this day heard ; if you carry away nothing else , yet carry away this resolution , that by the grace of God inabling you , you will endeuour to make better vse of all the publike means of grace which God shal hereafter in this or in any other place afford vnto you . One flowre will not load a Bee , neither will one Sermon , though neuer so excellent , load the head and heart of a Christian to make him rich in grace : And therefore be Instant , as Earnest , so Diligent . This is the third Vse : to draw towards an end in the fourth place : Be instant in season : And that 1. at the set ordinary times , set apart for this Exercise ; the Sabbath day , the Lords day , then goe forth to gather this heauenly Mannah , to make your prouision for the weeke ensuing . Then may you expect a speciall blessing from God in attending vpon this holy exercise , because as the exercise it selfe is Gods owne ordinance , so the day also is set apart by the like ordinance , for that exercise : 2. Be instant in season ; viz. At those speciall times and seasons when the Lord is pleased to fit and to dispose you vnto the duty , after a speciall manner . There are certaine seasons , certaine gales of grace ( as we may call them ) which the experience of euery Christian can informe vs of , when the Lord is pleased to breath more kindly , more sweetly , more effectually vpon the heart and soule , to the quickening and inlarging of it , than at other times : Sometimes when it is kindely humbled and broken vnder some affliction , either outward or inward ; sometimes when it is warmed , and suppled , and melted with the fresh apprehension of some new mercy , especially with a clearer glimpse of the light of Gods countenance , a more full and rauishing apprehension of the vnspeakeable loue and fauour of God in Iesus Christ : Sometimes againe , it is after a secret and vnexpressable manner moued , and inclined , and moulded to a more chearefull , a more acceptable performance of all dutie . Now these are seasons which should be very pretious in the eyes of Christians , which they should not let slip without a speciall improuement : take hold of them , make vse of them , as for other duties , so for this : When the wind blowes , whilst the Spirit of God breatheth vpon the soule with a fresher gale in sweet motions , inclinations , affections , resolutions , hoyse vp the sayle , make vse of that aduantage , in hearing and applying of the Word ; to heare it with more frequency , with more power , with more life , with more intention of Spirit : Thus in season . 5. And lastly , Be instant out of season : And that 1. At other times , beside the set , the ordinary time , set apart by God himselfe ; vpon the weeke day , as well as vpon the Sabbath day , when God shall offer a fit occasion . The word in it selfe is not , cannot bee out of season at any time . The Word is the bread of life , shadowed out ( amongst other mysteries ) by the Shew-bread vnder the Law , which signified not onely Christ himselfe , but all other spirituall repast which the Church hath with , and before God , and the meanes of their repast . Now bread , we know , is neuer out of season : All other meats , almost , haue their times and seasons when they are in season , out of season , but bread is alwayes in season . The like we may say of this ordinance of God , the Word preached , it is neuer out of season : Some other ordinances of God there are , as holy and religious fasting and feasting , humiliation and thanksgiuing , they haue their times when they are in season and out of season . But this exercise of Preaching of the Word , it is alwayes in season , on the Sabbath day , on the weeke day ; as the Shew-bread stood vpon the Table in the presence of God , vpon the weeke day as well as vpon the Sabbath : No time vnseasonable to appeare before the Lord in this ordinance of his . 2. Out of season ; when it may seeme to flesh and blood to be something vnseasonable , and that in respect of other occasions which may draw vs aside from it : If those occasions be not important , if they be such as may either bee neglected altogether without any great preiudice to our selues or others , or such as may be dispatched sooner , or deferred longer ; in this case let the lesser giue place to the greater . If it be with some small detriment to thy selfe in outward respects , yet remember what Dauid saith to Araunah ; he will not offer a sacrifice vnto God of that which cost him nothing : Borrow a little from thy body , thy estate , thy worldly imployments , to bestow it vpon thy soule : Make bold a little with other occasions , to purchase some time for God and his worship and seruice . 3. And lastly , Be instant out of season , euen then when thou findest thy selfe vnfit & indisposed vnto the duty : yet euen then when thou findest a present indisposition hanging about thee , attend vpon this ordinance of God : It is a Word of life , a quickening Word , as well to put life into the soule , and to stirre it vp when it is dead , as to preserue and increase it : It is an Anabaptisticall frenzie that Christians should neuer attend vpon this or any other duty , but when the spirit moueth them : Wee often see ships riding a long time in a road stead , when they might bee in the hauen ; wherefore is it ? that they may bee in the winds way ( as we say ) to take the first oportunity that shall bee offered : Euen thus should Christians anchor , as it were , in the house of God , euen then when they seeme to be becalmed , that they cannot stirre and moue themselues about holy duties as they were wont to doe , yet euen then ride it out , wait vpon God in the vse of this ordinance : though vnfit for the present , bemoane and bewayle thy vnfitnesse , looke vp vnto God for life , and seeke it from him in thy attendance vpon this ordinance . This is Gods owne command ( as for vs to Preach ) so for you to Heare the Word , to be instant in season , out of season . FINIS : Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A16895-e1300 Diuis . Doct. Verse 1. Mat. 23. 4. 1 Cor. 9. 161 ▪ Mar. 10. 7. Mark. 16. 15. 1 Cor. 1. 17. What Preaching is . Psal. 19. 1. Wherein the office of the Ministers of the Word consists . 1 Sam. 12. 23. Ier. 15. 19. Neh. 8. 8. Preaching defined . The signification of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Preach . Ministers are Criers , Heralds . Mat. 3 3. 1 Tim. 2. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 11. They must deliuer the will of God to All. 2 King. 18. 27. Marke 16. 15. Esay 55● 1. Reu. 1. c. 2● c. In the name of God. Mat. 21. 9. Luk. ●●● . 17. Mat. 7. 23. Boldly . Ezek. 3. 8 , 9. Mat. 7. 29. Tit. 2. 15. Faithfully . 1 Cor. 11. 23. Acts 20. 17. 1 King. 22. 14. Plainly . 2 King. 18. 26 , 27. Neh. 8. 8. Act. 2. v. 6. Calu. in loc . v. Esa. 40. 6. The Word taken two waies . 1. For Christ himselfe . Are in text . Ioh. 1. 1. Gen. 3. 15. Ioh. 1. 18. 2. The Gospel ▪ Acts 15. 7. Ioh. 6 68. Ephes. 1. 13. Mat. 13. 19. Act. 13. 26. The subiect of Preaching , is Christ and the Gospell . Acts 8. 5. Acts 9. 20. 1 Cor. 1. 23. 1 Cor. 3. 2. Mark 1● . 15. Mat. 3. To preach Christ , and the Gospel of Christ , consisteth in foure parts . Luk. 24. 27. Act. 2. 22. to 37 2 Cor. 5. 19. 20 Rom. 10. 8. 1 Ioh. 3. c. ver . 23. Act. 16. 31. Cal. 4. 19. Reas. Rom. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 18. Ministers must be instant two wayes : Earnest , and that With themselues . Reas. 1. Zach 3. 1. Ier. 20. 9. Vers. 10. Others . Luk. 14. 33. Iude 23. Esa. 55. 1. Ministers must be diligent . Acts 18 25. Eccles. 11. 6. 1 Cor. 3. ● . Acts 6. 4. In season , ta● he●● . 2. wayes . For the set time , the Lords day . Exod. 31. 13. Ezek. 20. 12. Mark. 6. 2. Luk. 4. 16 , &c. Act. 13. 14. Act. 2. Act. 20. 7. Other special oportunities . Prou. 15. 23. Prou 25. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Out of season So the Word seemeth to be three wayes . In respect of the Minister . Hearer . * A snowy morning . To both . Luk. 8. 1. vlt. Mark. 20. * Luk. 19. 47. Act. 2. 46. Act. 12. 42. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : v ▪ d. Bezam in an . not . in margintransl . Engl. The peoples duty in fiue parts . Vse 1. Heare . Rom 10. 17. Bezannot , inl●cum . Matth. 4. 4. Esa 53. 1. Vse 2. The Word ; without offence at the simplicity of it . 1 Pet. 2. 2. 1 Cor. 1. 23. Gal. 3. 1. Vse 3. Be instant two wayes , Earnest . Gal. 4. 18 With themselues , exciting them . seues , To the duty . Reas. Why , 1 Cor. 2. 14. In the duty . Act. ●0 . 9. Cant. 5. 2. Col. 4. 2. Ma 〈…〉 Ma 〈…〉 Act. 16. 14. Mat. 11. 12. Be earnest with othe●● and that With God Amos 4. 7. For three things . Mat. 9. 38. Col. 4. 3. 2 Thes. 3. ● . Iosh. 15. 19. Be instant with men : and that Ministers themselues , to stirre them vp to their duty . Col. 4. 17. Reu. 2. 4. Ion. 1. By Christian exhortations , wherin three cautions . 1 Tim. 5. 1. By incouragements , chiefly reall in three things . 2 Cor. 10 10. Be earnest with others Psal. 122. 1. Ioh. 11. Ioh. 4. Diligent . P●ou . 10. 4. Vse 4. In season ; 2. wayes . 1 Cor. 16. 2. Vse 5. Out of season three waies . 2 Sam. 24. 24.