The application of redemption

First, We must learn to bottom our Application upon ¹the blessed Word of the Lord rightly apprehended, and opened plainly by undeniable Evidence. Then our Application will come with uncontrollable power to the Conscience, when it comes guarded with Authority and […] of the Truth; and men cannot but give way to those Reproofs, when they cannot gainsay the evidence of Gods mind and Counsel therein. That however carnal hearts will secretly be weary of them, yet they will not dare openly to oppose them, because they perceive that they must oppose the Counsel of God. plainly dispensed therein, and in their own Conscience also. Therefore I have ever judged it most seasonable, if I would pursue a sinful course breaking out, not by the by to pull it into a discourse, but to take a Text on purpose, wherein it is plainly condemned. That the people may hear God in his Word speaking before we speak; this is to show our Commission before we do Execution, and this will stop mens mouths. Never ⟨p. 205⟩balk any thing that is in the Text, never wrest any thing out of the Text that is not there, for that savours too much of a mans own spirit or passion, or private ends, all which must be avoided as much as Hell. If any man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God, 1 Pet. 4. 11. not our fancies, or passions, or conceits, but let Gods Oracles be heard only.

First, We must learn to bottom our Application upon ¹the blessed Word of the Lord rightly apprehended, and opened plainly by undeniable Evidence. Then our Application wil come with uncontroulable power to the Conscience, when it comes guarded with Authority and 〈…〉 of the Truth; and men cannot but give way to those Reproofs, when they cannot gainsay the evidence of Gods mind and Counsel therein. That however carnal hearts wil secretly be weary of them, yet they wil not dare openly to oppose them, because they perceive that they must oppose the Counsel of God. plainly dispensed therein, and in their own Conscience also. Therefore I have ever judged it most seasonable, if I would pursue a sinful course breaking out, not by the by to pull it into a discourse, but to take a Text on purpose, wherein it is plainly condemned. That the people may hear God in his Word speaking before we speak; this is to shew our Commission before we do Execution, and this wil stop mens mouths. Never