2. Observe again, That those Truths which we understand 1already▪ they had need be pressed again, and revived upon us, See 1 John 2. 21. Our Knowledge is but weak, the eye of the mind is opened by degrees; our Memories are weak, and commands must be repeated to a forgetful Servant; our Affections are slow, not easily wrought up to the love of good things. When the Wedge will not enter with one blow, we follow it home with blow upon blow: Well then we say, 1. Repetitions are lawful for you, 'tis a sure▪ thing, Phil. 3. 1. Christ in the Gospels, and Paul in the Epistles do often repeat the same passages: Till you be affected with them, we must inculcate necessary Principles again and again: God speaketh once, yea twice, when men regard it not, Job 33. 14. Consider men are dull to conceive, slow of heart to believe: The way to pierce the hard stone, is by often dropping: apt to forget heavenly Truths: Leaky Vessels must be filled again, Heb. 2. 1. We must repeat, to make shame more stirring. Peter was troubled when Christ said the third time, Lovest thou me, John 21. 17. Let this which hath been said prevent censure, look upon it as a providence, when the same Truth or Sermon is presented again, Surely I have not meditated enough of this truth, I am not enough affected with it, therefore the Lord hath again brought it to my thoughts, or there is some new temptation that I shall meet with, that I may find the need of this old Truth, &c. 2. That it is a spiritual disease, a Surfeit of Manna, when men must still be fed with new things; no truths are too plain for our mouths, or too stale for your ears; the itch of novelty puts men upon ungrounded subtleties, and that maketh way for error, or hardness of heart, though you hear nothing but what you are acquainted with be content; they were carnal people that complained they had nothing but the old Burden, Jer. 23. 33, 34. Take heed of the Athenian itch, many times it argueth guilt: ⟨p. 250⟩we cannot endure to have an old sore rubbed again; as Peter was troubled when Christ spake to him the third time (as I noted before) that his Apostasy should once more be revived. 3. It may justify two duties of great use, Meditation, and Repetition in our Families. Meditation, for 'tis good to remember Truths that we do already know. Once hath God spoken, and twice have I heard it, Psal. 62. 11.
2. Observe again, That those Truths which we understand 1already▪ they had need be pressed again, and revived upon us, See 1 John 2. 21. Our Knowledge is but weak, the eye of the mind is opened by degrees; our Memories are weak, and commands must be repeated to a forgetful Servant; our Affections are slow, not easily wrought up to the love of good things. When the Wedge will not enter with one blow, we follow it home with blow upon blow: Well then we say, 1. Repetitions are lawful for you, 'tis a sure▪ thing, Phil. 3. 1. Christ in the Gospels, and Paul in the Epistles do often repeat the same passages: Till you be affected with them, we must inculcate necessary Principles again and again: God speaketh once, yea twice, when men regard it not, Job 33. 14. Consider men are dull to conceive, slow of heart to believe: The way to pierce the hard stone, is by often dropping: apt to forget heavenly Truths: Leaky Vessels must be filled again, Heb. 2. 1. We must repeat, to make shame more stirring. Peter was troubled when Christ said the third time, Lovest thou me, John 21. 17. Let this which hath been said prevent censure, look upon it as a providence, when the same Truth or Sermon is presented again, Surely I have not meditated enough of this truth, I am not enough affected with it, therefore the Lord hath again brought it to my thoughts, or there is some new temptation that I shall meet with, that I may find the need of this old Truth, &c. 2. That it is a spiritual disease, a Surfet of Manna, when men must still be fed with new things; no truths are too plain for our mouths, or too stale for your ears; the itch of novelty puts men upon ungrounded subtleties, and that maketh way for errour, or hardness of heart, though you hear nothing but what you are acquainted with be content; they were carnal people that complained they had nothing but the old Burden, Jer. 23. 33, 34. Take heed of the Athenian itch, many times it argueth guilt: ⟨p. 250⟩we cannot endure to have an old sore rubbed again; as Peter was troubled when Christ spake to him the third time (as I noted before) that his Apostacie should once more be revived. 3. It may justifie two duties of great use, Meditation, and Repetition in our Families. Meditation, for 'tis good to remember Truths that we do already know. Once hath God spoken, and twice have I heard it,
- 1Observ. 7.
