The truly blessed man

1. Touching the nature of it, it is properly a making use of these truths for helping a Christians practice. But more particularly, there are two general parts of teaching: viz. Doctrinal and Applicatory which are not to be confounded, but put into due subordination. The first is Doctrinal, consisting in laying open the Truth, so as the understanding may apprehend it, and be made to give its assent to it; we must have a conception and a conviction of it, and this must go before application, being to prepare for it: and therefore to fall to application before the truth be explained, and proved, ⟨p. 424⟩is to make confusion. The second is Applicatory, which takes the Truth so laid open and improves it for our benefit in the Service of God; and this hath to do.

1. With the practical understanding. For, besides that the understanding is to be used for discerning the Truth commended to us, it is also to be improved in judging of the goodness of the Truth so exhibited, and accordingly commend it to the will for practice: this is made by Information, or drawing practical inferences from the general truth, which are for our Instruction; and this improvement may be made of every Gospel Truth.

2. With the Will and Affections; for goodness is the proper object of the will, which exerts it self by the affections. And here Application serves to Reprove us for our neglects, by convincing us of them, and showing the sin and danger in them, and rousing us to reform what is amiss. Hence there are uses of Conviction and Reprehension. It serves also to guide us to the right doing of Duty, and keeps us from turning aside. To Direct, quicken, and encourage us; and finally to corroborate and animate us in our Serving of God, and hence Consolation is hither to be referred: and we shall find all these in the Word of God.