An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Secondly, none teacheth like God; that is, so mildly, so moderately, so condescendingly to the condition and capacity of those with whom he hath to do. Christ said (John 16.12.) I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now; and therefore I will not say them now, I will not burden you beyond your strength. I know what lessons, what instructions you are fit for, and I will give you only these and no mo•e, till ye are better prepared to receive them; I will give you only milk because ye are children, and so not able to digest-stung meat.

Secondly, none teacheth like God; that is, so mildly, so moderately, so condescendingly to the condition and capacity of those with whom he hath to do. Christ said (John 16.12.) I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now; and therefore I will not say them now, I will not bu•den you beyond your strength. I know what lessons, what instructions you are fit for, and I will give you only these and no mo•e, till ye are better prepared to receive them; I will give you only milk because ye are children, and so not able to digest-st ong meat.

Thirdly, none teacheth like God, so patiently and meekly. There is nothing doth more provoke the passion of a teacher, than the untowardness and dullness of those that are taught. It was a very good Rule given by one of the Ancients, he that will teach children, must in a manner be a child; He must consider what they are, and form himself to their condition, else she will never have the patience to teach them. O with what patience doth the infinite and only wise God teach his children! (Isa. 28.9, 10.) He giveth line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. Here is the patience of God; He doth not say, if ye cannot take it now, I will teach you no more; No, saith God, I will give precept upon precept, and line upon line; though former precepts have not been received, yet I will give you more, here a little and there a little, ye shall have another little to the former little. God was forty years tutoring and teaching the Israelites in the wilderness, to fit them for the possession of Canaan. These three years, saith Christ, have I come looking for fruit, and all that while he was teaching them, to make them fruitful; nor was he hasty then, but upon the intercession of the vineyard-dresser, waited one year more. O the patience of God in teaching!