A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Doct. That Ministers of Jesus Christ, are to apply themselves and their Doctrine to several sorts and ages of men that they have to deal with.

Doct. That Ministers of Jesus Christ, are to apply themselves and their Doctrine to several sorts and ages of men that they have to deale with.

So St. John here carves out several portions for Fathers, for young men, and for Babes, so Paul, Tit. 2.1. to 10. so when John the Baptist had pressed a necessity of Repentance, first came the people and asked, Master, what shall we do, and then the Publicans, and Soldiers, what shall we do? and he answered them; according to their several conditions, Luk. 3.10. to 14.

So St. John here carves out several portions for Fathers, for young men, and for Babes, so Paul, Tit. 2.1. to 10. so when John the Baptist had prest a necessity of Repentance, first came the people and askt, Master, what shall we do, and then the Publicans, and Souldiers, what shall we doe? and he answered them; according to their several conditions, Luk. 3.10. to 14.

Use 1. To teach Ministers, in all their studies, to provide a several portion, for the several conditions of mens souls; one thing may be fit for Fathers which will not be fit for young men and Babes; they should therefore labour to provide every one a portion; Ministers should look at their people, not as if they were all of one mould and frame; people come to the Congregation, as men to a market, they come not to buy all things that are good, but what may be most for their use; so Ministers may set down many good things before people, but if they do not seem to belong to them, they regard them not, but in a special wise will retain that which particularly belongs to them; therefore let Ministers be exhorted, to cast such Precepts, Exhortations, Admonitions, Reproofs, before the people, as may suit with their several conditions.

Ʋse 1. To teach Ministers, in all their studies, to provide a several portion, for the several conditions of mens souls; one thing may be fit for Fathers which will not be fit for young men and Babes; they should therefore labour to provide every one a portion; Ministers should look at their people, not as if they were all of one mould and frame; people come to the Congregation, as men to a market, they come not to buy all things that are good, but what may be most for their use; so Ministers may set down many good things before people, but if they do not seem to belong to them, they regard them not, but in a special wise will retain that which particularly belongs to them; therefore let Ministers be exhorted, to cast such Precepts, Exhortations, Admonitions, Reproofs, before the people, as may suit with their severall conditions.

Use 2 To teach all hearers, as to listen to all, so especially to listen and attend to those things, which more especially concern them, and belong unto them, old men to what belongs to them, young men to what is their portion; it is true, no Doctrine but may fit every one present; as a young man may become an old man, and so have use of what belongs now to old men, but especially attend to those things which for the present belong unto you; and you must not think it too much, if Ministers come to particularize, it is your Crown to be particularized, you take it kindly when you are bidden to a Feast, and the master of the Feast, not only sets on the whole lump before you, but carves out a particular piece for you, so you ought to take it kindly, and as a careful part in the Minister, if he dispense a particular portion to you; yea, you ought to make known your estate unto him, or else you fall in your duty.

Ʋse 2 To teach all hearers, as to listen to all, so especially to listen and attend to those things, which more especially concern them, and belong unto them, old men to what belongs to them, young men to what is their portion; it is true, no Doctrin but may fit every one present; as a young man may become an old man, and so have use of what belongs now to old men, but especially attend to those things which for the present belong unto you; and you must not think it too much, if Ministers come to particularize, it is your Crowne to be particularized, you take it kindly when you are bidden to a Feast, and the master of the Feast, not only sets on the whole lumpe before you, but carves out a particular piece for you, so you ought to take it kindly, and as a careful part in the Minister, if he dispence a particular portion to you; yea, you ought to make known your estate unto him, or else you fall in your duty.

3 From the duty he tenders unto them, he writes unto them all, I write unto you Fathers, I write unto you young men, I write unto you Babes; from hence observe this point of Doctrine.

3 From the duty he tenders unto them, he writes unto them all, I write unto you Fathers, I write unto you young men, I write unto you Babes; from hence observe this poynt of Doctrin.

Doct. It is the duty of all sorts, and ages of Christians, to be conversant in reading of the Scripture.

To what end doth he write to old men, if old men do not read what he writes? and so young men and Babes, it was the charge put upon the very Kings of Israel, Deut. 17.19. that they should read the book of the Law all the days of their lives, and when they have not opportunity to read, then let them meditate on the word, Psal. 1.2.

To what end doth he write to old men, if old men do not read what he writes? and so young men and Babes, it was the charge put upon the very Kings of Israel, Deut. 17.19. that they should read the book of the Law all the dayes of their lives, and when they have not opportunity to read, then let them meditate on the word, Psal. 1.2.

Reas. There is great use of reading of the Scriptures.

1 It helps Knowledge much, 1 Tim. 3.15.

2 It helps to make a right use of what we hear; yea it sets such an edge on the Word heard, that though the preaching did not so throughly affect, yet by reading, they come to quicken Faith, Act. 17.11, 12. though the Word prepared their hearts, and made them attentive; yet till again they read, and revised, and meditated on what they had heard, their Faith was in suspense, but after they saw the agreement of his public Doctrine with the word, then many of them believed, not that God doth ordinarily beget Faith by reading, without hearing; but when we have heard, reading exceedingly quickens our spirits and Faith.

2 It helps to make a right use of what we hear; yea it sets such an edge on the Word heard, that though the preaching did not so throughly affect, yet by reading, they come to quicken Faith, Act. 17.11, 12. though the Word prepared their hearts, and made them attentive; yet till againe they read, and revised, and meditated on what they had heard, their Faith was in suspence, but after they saw the agreement of his publick Doctrin with the word, then many of them beleeved, not that God doth ordinarily beget Faith by reading, without hearing; but when we have heard, reading exceedingly quickens our spirits and Faith.

3 There is a further benefit from reading the Word, Deut. 17.19.20. a man shall find himself thereby framed to the fear of God, to humility, &c. that day a man neglects reading of the Word of God, he shall find his spirit more loose and unbridled, less conscionable, he doth not stand in awe so much.

3 There is a further benefit from reading the Word, Deut. 17.19.20. a man shall find himselfe thereby framed to the fear of God, to humility, &c. that day a man neglects reading of the Word of God, he shall find his spirit more loose and unbridled, lesse conscionable, he doth not stand in awe so much.

4 It is a means to confirm us, and establish and help our memories, and stir us up to holy duties.

4 It is a means to confirm us, and establish and help our memories, and stir us up to holy dutyes.

5 It makes the Word more ready in times of temptation, what a marvellous use our Saviour made of the Word, when Satan tempted him? Ephes. 5.17. a man in temptation, will find need of many passages of Scripture.

6 Lastly, another use of reading the Scriptures is, that our joy may be full, 1 John 1.4. reading doth fill our hearts with comfort and consolation, not that reading is sufficient to salvation, no ordinance roots out another, Rom. 10.17. Faith comes by hearing, but though that especially begets faith, yet for sundry other Graces, reading is of special use, at least to quicken and stir up grace; we do not read that God ever blessed reading alone to beget Faith, for God doth not usually bless it alone, but when it is joined with hearing the Word preached; in any congregation where there is only reading of the Word, what one soul is begot to God, comes on to Faith, to Gods fear, to humility, to patience, &c. not but that in such places be found good Christians, but it is, because they go abroad, otherwise it fares with reading, as with the Eunuch, that knew not what he read, Act. 8.30, 31. till Philip declared the interpretation. But yet I say, you old men read, and you young ⟨p. 94⟩men read, and you Children read, and it is a great fault to neglect it, and put it over wholly to little Children, as a petty childish exercise; but what, doth St. John write only to Babes? no, but he writes to young men, and therefore they are to read what he writes; and to old men, and therefore they are to read what he writes, when God laid the charge upon the Kings of Israel, Deu. 17.19. he did not impose it only upon Babes, but whatsoever their employment be, whether they be in war, or sitting in the seat of Judgment, they must let no day pass without reading the Law; no person, but let him read; we shall understand the Word better, and the better remember it, we shall be more stirred up to fear God, to keep his Law, we shall be the better furnished against many temptations, which otherwise will prevail against us; In a word, seeing he wrote to them that they might learn to walk as Christ walked, hence you may comfortably expect, by reading the Word, by laying it up, by praying for a blessing, you may be helped to walk even as Christ walked.

6 Lastly, another use of reading the Scriptures is, that our joy may be full,