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

Use of Instruction. What it is to preach Christ, even to set him up in all this glorious fullness; To represent him in all these Offices and Perfections for us. It's true (indeed) there are few people that can prize him, that can see the glory of these Properties. They admire nothing but the pleasure of si•ne, and the glory of the world. Therefore our work is not so often to set forth the beauty of Christ, as the foulness of sin, and the torments of Hell. We like John P•p•ist, are to prepare a people for Christ; to cast down high mountains; to wound and break the heart of sinners; to take them off from all false foundations. The ignorance, stubbornness, and stupidity of most hearers, do call for the two-edged sword to wound and cut, not for balm and oil to be poured in their wounds. But yet certainly, this is our main work, to preach Christ in this his heavenly glory. Although, to speak properly, (as is to be showed in time) to preach Christ, is to preach also all the duties, all the threatenings, all the Commands Christ required. To preach Repentance, is to preach Christ; but we take it most strictly in this place. Oh then, that our Auditories were such, to whom Christ in all his glory might be displayed; such as we might have into this Wine-cellar every day; such as might be invited to this Banquet, and heavenly Feast that the Gospel hath provided. A people that know the the need of Christ; that desire and thirst after Christ: That say with the Church, I will hold him, and will not let him go. Bernard did not like to read Tully's Works in all his eloquence, because he did not find Christ there. How shouldst thou in all prayers, duties, conference, still desire to enjoy Christ? Saying with the Church, I am sick of love.

Ʋse of Instruction. What it is to preach Christ, even to set him up in all this glorious fulnesse; To represent him in all these Offices and Perfections for us. It's true (indeed) there are few people that can prize him, that can see the glory of these Properties. They admire nothing but the pleasure of si•ne, and the glory of the world. Therefore our work is not so often to set forth the beauty of Christ, as the foulness of sinne, and the torments of Hell. We like John P•p•ist, are to prepare a people for Christ; to cast down high mountains; to wound and break the heart of sinners; to take them off from all false foundations. The ignorance, stubbornnesse, and stupidity of most hearers, do call for the two-edged sword to wound and cut, not for balm and oyl to be poured in their wounds. But yet certainly, this is our main work, to preach Christ in this his heavenly glory. Although, to speak properly, (as is to be shewed in time) to preach Christ, is to preach also all the duties, all the threatnings, all the Commands Christ required. To preach Repentance, is to preach Christ; but we take it most strictly in this place. Oh then, that our Auditories were such, to whom Christ in all his glory might be displayed; such as we might have into this Wine-celler every day; such as might be invited to this Banquet, and heavenly Feast that the Gospel hath provided. A people that know the the need of Christ; that desire and thirst after Christ: That say with the Church, I will hold him, and will not let him go. Bernard did not like to read Tully's Works in all his eloquence, because he did not find Christ there. How shouldst thou in all prayers, duties, conference, still desire to enjoy Christ? Saying with the Church, I am sick of love.