The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

2. How sinfulness, for both these are in the Doctrine. And both these Paul intends in calling them carnal. Ignorance is an impediment to our preaching, in these particulars:

First,¹ The more eminent and sublime mysteries of the Gospel about Christ and his righteousness, we cannot so frequently preach upon, but these things which may be known of God by the natural light of conscience, and by the works of Creation. There are things known of God, partly by natural light of conscience, especially if furthered with Education; and things by supernatural Revelation, and Authority of the Scripture merely; such is the whole Doctrine about Christ and his Offices. Now this later sort of matter, which is the marrow and life of all preaching, many of our Congregations, as they now stand corrupted with blindness and ignorance are not prepared to receive it. For generally people know no more than what may be known of God, by the common principles of reason, and what their Parents have taught them by tradition; but for acquaintance with the truths of the Gospel, which are revealed to us in the Scripture, they have but a glimmering about them, if any apprehension at all. When Peter had made that Confession of Christ, Thou art the Son of the living God; Christ saith, Flesh and blood had not revealed this to him, Mat. 16.17. Now most people have no more knowledge, no more apprehension in matters of Religion, than what flesh and blood revealeth to them. We that are Ministers, and have occasion to enquire into the knowledge of people, have cause thus to complain. Heb. 5.19. a notable place, Every one that is a babe, is unskilful in the Word of righteousness, that is, in the Mystery of the Gospel: so that to preach much of Christ, till people be prepared by knowledge, or fitted by principles for him, is to throw seed on the ground before it be ploughed.

First,¹ The more eminent and sublime mysteries of the Gospel about Christ and his righteousnesse, we cannot so frequently preach upon, but these things which may be known of God by the natural light of conscience, and by the works of Creation. There are things known of God, partly by natural light of conscience, especially if furthered with Education; and things by supernatural Revelation, and Authority of the Scripture meerly; such is the whole Doctrine about Christ and his Offices. Now this later sort of matter, which is the marrow and life of all preaching, many of our Congregations, as they now stand corrupted with blindness and ignorance are not prepared to receive it. For generally people know no more than what may be known of God, by the common principles of reason, and what their Parents have taught them by tradition; but for acquaintance with the truths of the Gospel, which are revealed to us in the Scripture, they have but a glimering about them, if any apprehension at all. When Peter had made that Confession of Christ, Thou art the Sonne of the living God; Christ saith, Flesh and blood had not revealed this to him,