194 C H A P.Z. An Expofition vpon the fecond V a R.14. prepares vs a people to Chrifl, the Gofpell makes vs fo, Zahn 1.'7. Of the fecond: In what manner propounded ? Ref. Preached vntovs. What call we preaching? Refp. Not euery telling a faire tale in a pulpit ; or finging a piece of defcant vpon a Text : But the 1 openingand interpreting of the do6trine of the Gofpell : and 2 the applying of it to tie flare and vie of the hearers. Compare thefe Scrip- tures, 11eh.8.8. Luk. a4.2y, 3 2. Io6 3 3.23. 2 Tim. 4.2. 1 C or. s 4.24, 25. Whither this be done publiquely e fug. geffu in the Congregation, or in private Conference; de Scripta or memoriter: with a fet Text or without, matters not ro the nature of preaching. But that this is the meane ordinary of vocation, the meane ordinaryfine quo non,Scriptures are plentifull,Rom. o.14,t 7. How Jh ill they heare to belieue without a preach- er ? i Cor. 1.21. It pleated fod 6y foolifbneffe ofpreaching to face them that belieue. Hence the charge fo firit },to Ti- mothy dehuered with(folemnefl adiuration, to preach the word, a Tim.4.1,a. and woe to vs, to whom the difpenfati- on is committed, if we preach not the Gofpell, 1 Cor.9. fee alfo Ezech.3.18. 34.2. But is not reading the Scriptures to the people preach- ing? Refp. In large fenfe it is xxv ,s, a publike proclai- ming of the word of God. But fhall we fay that preach- ing which in firitl fenfe Scripture fo cals ?for fhame,when `Paul bids Timothie preach the word, meanes he, read it difiiutlly ? fee his owne explication , and drawing that whole into parts, 2Tim.4.2. when he commands tofiudy to fhow himfelfe approued,a workman that needs not be alha- med,: ment he reading diflinttly? a Tim. 2.15. rather right diuiding the word. When Chrifl afèended on high,and çaue t gifts to men, fitting them to the worke ofthe minis`ierie in their feuerall degrees, was this a;nongfi their habili- ments ? Miflake not as ill would vilifie publique Reading : I know it Gods ordinance,vfefull and efficacious to the ends whereto its affigned : And haue fo farre expreffed my iudge-
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