2t2 SERMONS upon Sernl.25. If any Man think that he (íoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he might to know: Bet if any Man love God, the fame 43. 'known of him. Doft thou pra&ife what thou knoweft ? This is a new Hint fromGod to humble thee, to quicken thee ; God leech that I do not live up to my Knowledg, and therefore the fame Truth is returned. Preachers fhould hear Sermons, as Prophets ftudied their own Prophecies, as Godly, as Prophets, there is difference between the Man and the Prophet. Or elfe for want of Affection. In Mufick, if a Man hear an excellent Leffon, he would hear it again ; the fecond hearing is fweetea to a gracious Heart. If it be grievous to any, it is to us that do more deeply confider it, and weigh it before it is brought. if it be not grie- vous to us, it is Cafe to you. It is a great wantonnefs and gluttony, when Men can- not endure to eat twice of one Difh. Vfe 2. It ferveth to encourage yon in your private ExerciCes of Rehearfing and Meditation, this is chewing the Cud. Pfal. 62. t 1. God hath fpoken once, twice have I heard this, that Power belongeth to God ; it was often revolved in the Mind. The Meat is taken into the Mouth, and Digeflion is afterward. Repetition is the outward Help, Meditation the inward ; Confcience preacheth over the Sermon again to the Heart. 21fe S. To Minifters, not only to ftudy new things, but to inculcate thofe that are of a common ufe. Jude q. I will therefore put yam in remembrance, the ye once knew this. We are not to content your Curiofity, but to provide for your Benefit ; not to pleafe the Athenian, but to profit the Chrifiian. We are not Cooks, but Phyficians. People do not remember half we preach, or they lofe their Affettions. Chrift often repeateth the fame Sentences, fo do the Apoftles. You may repeat the fame things, only with there Cautions : r. That it be in Matters mainly neceffary. There are Come Banding Dillies at Chrift's Table. 2. That it be with variety of Enforcement, to avoid tedíoufnefs,"tikes uanú,s, there are feveral Notions to help us ; every time we fhould have new Thoughts, Adoro plenitudinem Sacra Scripture, that all be fubjetted to Profit, not a cover to Lazinefs. There is much of God's Providence to be obferved, in inclining the Heart; not only the Efficacy of the Spirit in quickning Gifts is to be regarded, but the Power of his Providence in determining the Thoughts. Much of God is to be Peen in the choice of the Subje &. But let us look upon the words more particularly ; the Reafons of this Repetition, with refpe& to the Difciples, or to God. Firf?, With refpe& to the Difciples : it is repeated in their Ears for their Comfort and Infru &ion ; They are not of the World, even as I am not of the World. It either noteth their outward Condition, or their inward Temper and Conftitution, or both ; they have little of the World's Refpe&, and the World half little of theirs. Gal. 6. 54. The World is crucified to me, and I unto the World ; A dead Man hanging on the Croft, is a miferable and ignominious Spe&acle. I defpife the World, and the World defpifeth me, as a crucified Man is made an Objea of Shame and Scorn. Paul fought not after the World, nor did the World feek after him : All the Honours, Pomps, Delights, which the Worlddoteth upon, were as a Crucified Man, in whom there is no Form and Comelinefs, why he fhould delire them; thus they are to a gracious Eye. Both Senfes are taken, and the Patern will agree to both, ChriB's Spirit, Chrift's Life. t. Take it for their Conftitution and Temper of Mind, They are not of the World, as I am not of the World. Chrift repeateth it again in the hearing of the Difciples. Obferve ; That tre can never enough be cautioned againft the World. We had need to be preffed often and often in this Matter. 1. Becaufe of our pronenefs to it. The Love of the World is natural to us : We need it in part, and we love it more than we need ir. There are feveral Reafons ; partly, becaufe Worldlinefs is a part of Original Sin, it is a Difeafe we are born with. The Commandment that forbiddeth the Original of Sin, faith, Thou fhalt not covet. It is hard for any to fay they are not tempted to Covetoufnefs, it is their Nature. Partly, by Cullom ; we are daily converfant about the Things of the World, our Affe &ions receive
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=