Now whereas in all Churches, Auditories, or Congregations, there is so great a variety of Hearers with respect unto their present Attainments, Knowledge and Capacities, so that it is impossible that any one should always, or indeed very frequently accommodate his matter and way of Instruction to them all; it were greatly to be desired that there might be, as there was in the Primitive Church, a Distribution made of Hearers, into several Orders or Ranks, according as their Age, or means of Knowledge do sort them, that so the Edification of all might be distinctly provided for. So would it be, if it were the work of some separately to Instruct those who yet stand in need to be taught the first Principles of the Oracles of God; and of others to build up towards Perfection those who have already made some Progress in the Knowledge of the Gospel; or the same work may be done by the same persons at several Seasons. Nor doth any thing hinder, but that those who are strong, may be occasionally present at the Instructions of the weak; and the latter at the Teachings of the former, both to their great Advantage. In the mean time, until this can be attained, it is the Duty and Wisdom of a Minister, to apply himself in the Doctrine he Preacheth, and the manner of his Delivery, unto the more general State of his Hearers, as by him it is apprehended or known. And as it will be a trouble unto him who esteems it his Duty to go forward in the Declaration of the mysteries of the Gospel, to fear that many stay behind, as being unable to receive and digest the Food he hath provided; so it should be a shame to them, who can make no Provision but of things trite, ordinary and common, when many perhaps among their Hearers, are capable of feeding on better or more solid Provision. Again, (2) The Circumstances of the present Time are duly to be considered by them who would Preach Doctrine that should be Seasonable unto their Hearers. And these are many, not here to be particularly insisted on. But those especially of known public Temptations, of prevalent Errors, and Heresies, of especial Opposition and hatred unto any important Truths, are always to be regarded. For I could easily manifest that the Apostle in his Epistles, hath continually an especial respect unto them all. Neither was a due consideration hereof ever more necessary, than it is in the Days wherein we live.
Now whereas in all Churches, Auditories, or Congregations, there is so great a variety of Hearers with respect unto their present Attainments, Knowledge and Capacities, so that it is impossible that any one should always, or indeed very frequently accommodate his matter and way of Instruction to them all; it were greatly to be desired that there might be, as there was in the Primitive Church, a Distribution made of Hearers, into several Orders or Ranks, according as their Age, or means of Knowledge do sort them, that so the Edification of all might be distinctly provided for. So would it be, if it were the work of some separately to Instruct those who yet stand in need to be taught the first Principles of the Oracles of God; and of others to build up towards Perfection those who have already made some Progress in the Knowledge of the Gospel; or the same work may be done by the same persons at several Seasons. Nor doth any thing hinder, but that those who are strong, may be occasionally present at the Instructions of the weak; and the latter at the Teachings of the former, both to their great Advantage. In the mean time, until this can be attained, it is the Duty and Wisdom of a Minister, to apply himself in the Doctrine he Preacheth, and the manner of his Delivery, unto the more general State of his Hearers, as by him it is apprehended or known. And as it will be a trouble unto him who esteems it his Duty to go forward in the Declaration of the mysteries of the Gospel, to fear that many stay behind, as being unable to receive and digest the Food he hath provided; so it should be a shame to them, who can make no Provision but of things trite, ordinary and common, when many perhaps among their Hearers, are capable of feeding on better or more solid Provision. Again, (2) The Circumstances of the present Time are duely to be considered by them who would Preach Doctrine that should be Seasonable unto their Hearers. And these are many, not here to be particularly insisted on. But those especially of known publick Temptations, of prevalent Errors, and Heresies, of especial Opposition and hatred unto any important Truths, are always to be regarded. For I could easily manifest that the Apostle in his Epistles, hath continually an especial respect unto them all. Neither was a due consideration hereof ever more necessary, than it is in the Dayes wherein we live.
