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

On our parts, who are the field to be tilled, there are these things:¹

1. 12. On o•• part.

First, A willingness to have the Word of God prepare and wound our souls; even tearing our heart to pieces, that so the Word as seed, may fructify. This is that the Scripture calls, ploughing up the fallow ground, Jer. 4.3. That is, when the Law and Threatenings of the Word enter into our very bowels; is like the Plough, that makes deep furrows in the heart. Oh then, that the secure, confident, and quiet heart, that hath thus many years lain quiet and at ease, feeling no grief nor trouble, may at last be wounded and cut asunder! This is not an acceptable pleasing work to you, but very necessary it is: Could the ground be sensible, it would feel the plough making torments and rents in the bowels of it. Thus it is here; the Law of God, the Word of God, that comes like a two-edged sword in thy bowels; that bloweth like a strong tempest, and shakes thy sins at the very root. Oh, expect not healing, and peace and comfort, till you have been thus disquieted! Do not then quarrel at the Word of ⟨p. 116⟩God, but rather bless him for the power of it, when it changeth the whole face of a Congregation; filleth thee with many sad and anxious thoughts; sends thee home enquiring, Lord, what shall I do? What will become of me? The Psalmist complains of wicked men, They made long furrows upon his back; but this is happy, when the word makes deep furrows in thy heart; otherwise, it's but sowing upon the high-way, which comes to no good.

First, A willingness to have the Word of God prepare and wound our souls; even tearing our heart to pieces, that so the Word as seed, may fructifie. This is that the Scripture cals, plowing up the fallow ground,