1Secondly, it is a word of reproof, suffer me to deal plainly in this kind, if particular application be so powerful, and so profitable, let me speak a word of my self, and to my fellow-brethren. It falls heavy on us that are not willing to practice the same, but rather oppose it in others that desire to do it, this plain and particular application, ⟨p. 71⟩is accounted a matter of silliness, and want of wisdom, and rashness, and a thing which befits not a pulpit, but a mans words must be sweet, and toothsome, and he must have a tender hand over men whosoever they be, be they never so profane. Nay, I dare say, if the Devil himself were here, he […] not be troubled, ministers must lay bolsters under mens heads, and sow pillows under their elbows, that they may sit easily, and not trouble drunkards, and adulterers, but let them be still in their sins, and so let them go down to hell, this is that which the Devil loves and takes much content in. And it is certain, if he could prevail, no other course should be taken up: if a great man be present, or a patron that we look for a living from, (if my ears had not heard it, I could not have believed it) it is strange to think how they daub this over. If their sins be so gross that all the Congregation would cry shame, if he did not reproof them, what will they say? reprove you we will not, we dare not, but beseech you and desire you as every man hath his infirmity, a word to the wise is sufficient, &c. I blame my self so far as my base fear possesseth me, but brethren, what will become of preaching in conclusion, if this may take no place in the hearts of people; and yet notwithstanding all this, there is one thing to be considered, if there be but any upright hearted minister, or sincere Christian that is more exact then ordinary, what will the carnal ministers do, though they have no reason ⟨p. 72⟩in the text, no ground in the word, to warrant them? though they cannot condemn a poor Christian upon good grounds, yet they will invent new ways, and wrest the Text to dishonour Gods name, and then in all bitterness they can vent themselves against faithful Christians, and conscionable ministers: and hence the hands of the wicked are strengthened, and the hearts of Gods people are much daunted; and the Gospel of Jesus Christ prevails not in the heart of such as it is preached unto.
1Secondly, it is a word of reproofe, suffer me to deale plainly in this kinde, if particular application be so powerfull, and so profitable, let me speake a word of my selfe, and to my fellow-brethren. It falls heavy on us that are not willing to practice the same, but rather oppose it in others that desire to doe it, this plain and particular application, ⟨p. 71⟩is accounted a matter of sillinesse, and want of wisedome, and rashnesse, and a thing which befits not a pulpit, but a mans words must be sweet, and toothsome, and he must have a tender hand over men whosoever they be, be they never so prophane. Nay, I dare say, if the Devill himselfe were here, he 〈…〉 not be troubled, ministers must lay bolsters under mens heads, and sow pillowes under their elbowes, that they may sit easily, and not trouble drunkards, and adulterers, but let them be still in their sins, and so let them goe downe to hell, this is that which the Devill loves and takes much content in. And it is certaine, if he could prevaile, no other course should be taken up: if a great man be present, or a patron that we looke for a living from, (if my eares had not heard it, I could not have beleeved it) it is strange to thinke how they daube this over. If their sinnes be so grosse that all the Congregation would cry shame, if he did not reproofe them, what will they say? reprove you we will not, we dare not, but beseech you and desire you as every man hath his infirmitie, a word to the wise is sufficient, &c. I blame my selfe so farre as my base feare possesseth me, but brethren, what will become of preaching in conclusion, if this may take no place in the hearts of people; and yet notwithstanding all this, there is one thing to be considered, if there be but any upright hearted minister, or sincere Christian that is more exact then ordinary, what will the carnall ministers doe, though they have no reason ⟨p. 72⟩in the text, no ground in the word, to warrant them? though they cannot condemne a poore Christian upon good grounds, yet they will invent new wayes, and wrest the Text to dishonour Gods name, and then in all bitternes they can vent themselves against faithfull Christians, and conscionable ministers: and hence the hands of the wicked are strengthened, and the hearts of Gods people are much daunted; and the Gospell of Jesus Christ prevailes not in the heart of such as it is preached unto.
- 1Use 2.Vse 2.
