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

First, To preach the Nature of God and his Attributes; of Original sin, of Conversion, of Justification; as also about Christ and his Offices. These are the New things, and the Old And as God made the most necessary things first, and the ornaments in the world afterwards, so are we. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, begins with the knowledge of God by the creatures, then Original sin, afterwards Justification and Sanctification, and then proceeds to Election. It's an excellent Rule of Nazianzen, We are not to preach of every thing, to every man, at every time, in every place; but in prudence, to dispense as Auditors are able to bear it: So did our Saviour.

First, To preach the Nature of God and his Attributes; of Original sinne, of Conversion, of Justification; as also about Christ and his Offices. These are the New things, and the Old And as God made the most necessary things first, and the ornaments in the world afterwards, so are we. Paul in his Epistle to the Romanes, begins with the knowledge of God by the creatures, then Original sinne, afterwards Justification and Sanctification, and then proceeds to Election. It's an excellent Rule of Nazianzen, We are not to preach of every thing, to every man, at every time, in every place; but in prudence, to dispence as Auditours are able to bear it: So did our Saviour.

¹A second part of this Doctrinal Key, is, To preach comfort, and dispense the grace of God in the Gospel. But here is much wisdom required, that be doth it not to unbroken and impenitent sinners. To preach a Saviour to those that do not find themselves lost, to commend a Physician to those that find themselves whole, to pour oil, where there are no wounds, is to pervert all order. Ho every one that thirsteth, saith our Saviour, Joh 7.37. And, Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, Mat. 11.28. The Spirit of God, convinces the world of sin, and then of righteousness. Oh but how much unwise and unfaithful preaching is there in this respect? How many are there, that strengthen wicked mens hearts, and make them not sad, whom God would have made sad? That daub with untemppered mortar, that say to every profane man, if he do but cry, Lord have mercy upon me, Be of good comfort, thy sins are forgiven thee. It's this daubing, and soothing up people in their wickedness, striking out all fear of hell and damnation, that makes them wallow like swine in their filth. To such to preach no comfort, but the Law and Threatenings; but to those that are broken in heart, a tongue of the learned is required to speak a word in season. How careful was Paul, that the incestuous person should not be overwhelmed with grief,