§. 58. Of mens dulnesse in hearing.
THe other part of the transition followeth in these words, Seeing ye are dull of hearing, or slow in ears. The Greek word translated * 1.1 dull, properly signi∣feth slow, or slothfull, and so it is translated Heb. 6. 12. The Greek Epithete is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to an b 1.2 Asse, a slow beast: to an c 1.3 old man, and to d 1.4 water running 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
The other word translated hearing doth signifie ears, for it is of the Plural num∣ber, and is translated ears, Mark 7. 35. Acts 17. 20. They who are ready, wil∣•…•…, and forward to hearken to a thing, are said to be f 1.5 swift to hear, Jam. 5. 19. Contrarily they who are negligent and carelesse, are said to be slow in their ears,* 1.6 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in hearing. Hereby we see that their want of knowledge was through their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 default: So as, That dulnesse of understanding, which men by their own 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bring upon themselves, makes the mysteries of the Word to be more 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then otherwise they would be. This is the reason that moved Christ to reprove his Disciples for not understanding what he spake, Matth. 15. 16. & and 16. 9. Luke 24. 25. Iohn 3. 10. So the Apostles, 1 Corinth. 3. 1. 2 Pet. 3. 16.
This affords matter of humiliation to all such as understand not the Word, and the mysteries contained therein: For it sheweth, that they have been slothfull and carelesse about exercising themselves in Gods Word: and thereby they have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 themselves dull in hearing, dull in conceiving.
Let them therefore lay the blame, not upon Gods Word, but upon themselves: for take away dulnesse from mens understanding, and the Scriptures will appear to be much more easie then to many they appear to be.
Of the perspicuity of the Scripture, and of means to finde out the sense and meaning thereof, See The whole Armour of God, Treat. 2. Part. 8. on Ephes. 6. 17. §. 3, 7, 18, 21.
This phrase g 1.7 hard to be uttered, shews, that hearers dulnesse keeps Ministers from a full and clear expressing of the mysteries of the Word. They know not how to speak to their hearers, 1 Cor. 3. 1.
Hereby they are forced to passe over sundry mysteries, or to expresse them in such low terms as may seem more fit for dull capacities, then for divine mysteries. This further aggravates that fault of dulnesse in hearing.