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

First, In preaching of them after Scripture Authority, when they are conveyed unto you, as having the stamp and Authority of God. The Prophets came with, Thus saith the Lord; and this like thunder may make the stoutest trees to tremble. The sayings of any men in the world, though never so eminent, are not brought in religious matters for confirmation, but illustration: And it's a great proficiency in hearers, when they affect and delight in such preaching Austin while a Marcionite, and a great Humanist, had much ado to delight in the Scripture, because he did not find such humane eloquence; but when he came to find the words thereof like fiery darts and arrows in his soul, then he was ravished with the excellency of it.

First, In preaching of them after Scripture Authority, when they are conveyed unto you, as having the stamp and Authority of God. The Prophets came with, Thus saith the Lord; and this like thunder may make the stoutest trees to tremble. The sayings of any men in the world, though never so eminent, are not brought in religious matters for confirmation, but illustration: And it's a great proficiency in hearers, when they affect and delight in such preaching Austin while a Marcionite, and a great Humanist, had much ado to delight in the Scripture, because he did not find such humane eloquence; but when he came to find the words thereof like fiery darts and arrows in his soul, then he was ravished with the excelle•cy of it.

Secondly, It's to preach them with Scripture gravity and solidity. As the Oracles of God, 1 Pet. 4.11. he doth not say [Greek or Hebrew], as the words, but [Greek or Hebrew], as the oracles; implying the power and efficacy of Gods Spirit upon us, a• having more of divine inspirations than humane acquisitions. The more of mens wits, fancies and conceits, the less of God, and so carrieth the less reverence and awe. And this the Apostle doth greatly aim at: Those false teachers came with cunning and enticing words, and so deceived; whereas the Apostle speaketh to the contrary, That the Gospel came unto them not in humane eloquence, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of the power of God. Indeed humane parts, and humane arts, they are to be used but as servants, not as mistresses. It's Austins allusion, concerning Cyprian, The Israelites took gold, and jewels, and earrings from the Egyptians, and turned them to their own use; and so we may take humane abilities and excellencies, and make them contribute to the Gospel; only they must not be affected, nor made the principal. As the flowers that may be in a Corn field, all the ploughing and sowing was not for them, but for corn. Christs truths you see are precious stones, and they need no painting.