Ecclesiastes, or, A discourse concerning the gift of preaching as it fals under the rules of art shewing the most proper rules and directions, for method, invention, books, expression, whereby a minister may be furnished with such abilities as may make him a workman that needs not to be ashamed : very seasonable for these times, wherein the harvest is great, and the skilful labourers but few / by John Wilkins ... | Early English Books Online | University of Michigan Library Digital Collections

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ECCLESIASTES, Or the Gift of Preaching.

IT is the end of all Sciences and Arts to direct men by certain Rules unto the most compendious way in their knowledge and practice; those things of which in our selves we have only some imper∣fect confused notions being here∣in fully and clearly represented to our view, from the discoveries that other men have made after much study and long experience. And there is nothing of greater consequence for the advance∣ment of Learning, then to find out those par∣ticular advantages which there are for the short∣est way of knowing and teaching things in every profession.

Now amongst all other callings, this of Preach∣ing, being in many respects one of the most weighty and solemn, should therefore have its Rules and Canons, whereby we may be directed

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the easiest, readiest way for the practice of it.

Besides all those Academical preparation s by the study of Languages, Sciences, Divinity, with which men should be qualified, and predisposed for this Calling, I say besides all these, there is a particular art of preaching, to which if Ministers did more seriously apply themselves, it would ex∣treamly facilitate that service, making it more easie to us, and more profitable to others.

There are two abilities requisite in every one that will teach and instruct another:

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
...〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

A right understanding of sound doctrine; and an a∣bility to propound, confirm, and apply it unto the edification of others. And the first may be without the other. As a man may be a good Lawyer, and yet not a good Pleader; so he may be a good Di∣vine, and yet not a good Preacher.

One chief reason why divers men, otherwise of eminent parts, are herein so slow and unskilful, is, because they have not been versed in this study, and are therefore unacquainted with those proper Rules and directions, by which they should be guided in the attaining and exercise of this Gift.

It hath been the usual course at the University to venture upon this calling in an abrupt over-ha∣sty manner. When Schollers have passed over their Philosophical studies, and made some little entrance upon Divinity, they presently think themselves fit for the Pulpit without any farther enquiry, as if the Gift of Preaching and sacred O∣ratory were not a distinct Art of it self. This would be counted a very preposterous course in other

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matters, if a man should presume of being an O∣ratour because he was a Logician, or to practise Physick because he had learnt Philosophy: And certainly the preheminence of this profession a∣bove others, must needs extreamly aggravate such neglect, and make it so much the more mischie∣vous by how much the calling is more solemn.

Now there are several Treatises of many learn∣ed men, both Protestants and others, who have written particularly and largely upon this very subject, concerning the Art of Preaching, where∣in they have laid down such various helps and rules, as they from their own practise and long ex∣perience have found most useful. Among whom, these are some of the most eminent, and common.

* Bowles De Pastore.
Hen. Alsted. Theologia Prophetica,
Frid. Baldvini Institutio ministrorum.
Rich. Bernard. The faithful Shepheard.
Joh. Clark. Oratoriae sacrae 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Lamb. Danaei Methodus S. Scripturae in concion••∣bus tractandae.
Hen. Diest De ratione studii Theologici.
Des. Erasmi Ecclesiastes.
Nichol. Hemingius De Pastore.
Barth. Keche••••anus De Rhetorica Ecclefiastica.
Geor. Laetus De ratione concionandi ad Method. Anglican.
Will. Perkins Concerning the Art of Prophesie.
Casp. Strasonis Technologia Theologica.
...De methodo concionandi Anonym.
Jo. Segobiensis De praedicatione evangelica.
Abra. Sculteti Axiomata concionandi.

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Will. Zepperus De arte	habendi	conciones.
	audiend••

Besides these, there are above forty other Au∣thors, who have writ particularly upon this subject, recited by Draudius in his Bibliotheca classica under the head of Concionatorum instructio, pag. 132. To which may be added the directions to this purpose so briefly and fully comprehended in the Directo∣ry, besides those many other discourses wherein these things have been largely handled on the by, though not chiefly intended. In all which, ma∣ny learned men have laid down various rules, which to them according to their several Genius's and observations seemed most useful.

And we must not doubt but that in this as well as in all other professions, every days experience may yeeld some farther advantage, by discovering yet more facile compendious directions to furnish a man for this calling. And that is the inquiry which is aimed at and attempted in this following discourse.

This service of preaching may be considered un∣der a double notion, as a

Duty.
Gift.

It is here insisted upon only in the second sense, and may be thus described.

'Tis such an expertnesse and facility in the right handling and dividing the Word of Truth, as may ap∣prove us to be Workmen that need not to be ashamed.

It does require both	Spiritual	abilities.
	Artificial

1. Such spiritual abilities as must be infused from above, whereby our judgment and affections shall

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be made experimentally acquainted with all those sacred Truths, that we are to deliver unto others. The onely way for the attaining of these, is by Prayer, an humble heart, and a holy life.

2. Such artificial abilities as are to be acquired by our own industry. And these are either more general, as skill in all those Arts and Languages, which are required as predispositions. Or more particular and immediate, for the act of Preach∣ing, or making Sermons, to which the chief helps are these three;

Method.
Matter.
Expression.

Each of these do contribute mutual assistance unto one another. A good method will direct to proper matter, and fitting matter will enable for good expression.

By Method I understand an Art of contriving our discourses in such a regular frame wherein e∣very part may have its due place and dependence: which will be a great advantage both to

Our selves.
Our hearers.

1. To our selves, and that both for Invention and Memory A man may more easily finde out things, when in stead of seeking for them at ran∣dome he can have direct recourse unto all those places and heads from whence they may be most naturally collected. And more easily retain them, when they are linked together and not scattered; Method being as a chain, in which if a man should let slip any one part, he may easily recover it again,

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by that relation and dependence which it hath with the whole.

2. And so for benefit of the hearers likewise, who may understand and retain a Sermon with greater ••ase and profit, when they are before-hand ac∣quainted with the general heads of matter that are discoursed of. 'Tis but a bad rule in Alsteà, where he advises to conceal, & alter the method for variety sake. Crypsis dispositionis tollit fastidium auditoris. This may be true of itching curious hearers, but not of such as regard their own profit and edification.

An immethodical discourse (though the mate∣rials of it may be precious) is but as a ••eap, full of confusion and deformity; the other, as a Fabrick or building, much more excellent both for beauty and use.

There might be divers kinds of Methods pre∣scribed, according as mens own fancies and the va∣riety of subjects and occasions shall require. But that which our gravest Divines by long experience have found most useful, is this of Doctrine and Use.

This in the nature of it, is very easie, and there∣fore most natural, being generally applyable unto any subject. In the true latitude of it, 'tis as full and comprehensive as any other, taking in all such noti∣ons as are any way useful or proper. In the branches and gradations of it, 'tis very Logical, putting ho∣mogeneous things together, handling generals first, and particulars after.

The principal scope of a divine Orator should be to

Teach clearly.
Convince strongly.
Perswade powerfully.

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Sutable to these, the chief parts of a Sermon are these three;

Explication.
Confirmation.
Application.

Each of these may be farther subdivided and branched out according to this following Analysis.

1. Explica∣tion is ei∣ther of the

Text by
- Unfolding difficulties in the sense, for which we are to con••ider
  - The phrase it self according to the
    - Originall
    - Translations.
  - The cirum∣stances of the place.
    - Persons
      - Who,
      - to whom.
    - Occasion.
    - Time.
    - Place.
    - Scope or end.
    - Context.
  - The Analogy of Faith.
  - Other parallel or like Scriptures.
- Distinguishing ambiguous
  - Words.
  - Phrases.
- Dividing of the Text, which must not be
  - Needlesse.
  - Obscure.
Doctrines deduced from it, by
- Clearing their inference.
- Shewing the latitude of every
  Truth. According to their severall Branches.
  Duty. Degrees.

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2. Confir∣mation by

Positive proofs from
- Scripture, in
  - Notionall truths by
    - direct
      - Affirmation.
      - Negation.
    - evident consequence.
  - Practicall truths by
    - precepts.
    - examples.
- Reason, to convince in
  - Doctrinall points from the nine Topicks.
    - Cause, Effect.
    - Subject. Adjunct.
    - Dissentan. Comparats.
    - Name. Distribution.
    - Definitions.
  - Practicall truths from the two generall heads of
    - Necessity.
    - Equity.
- Solution of such doubts and Quaeries as are most
  - obvious, and materiall.

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3. Application, which is either

Doctrinall for our information
- More generall in some truth to be acknowledged.
  - Didacticall instruction.
  - Elencticall confutation.
- More particular of our own estates to be ex∣amined by Marks, which are commonly either
  - Effects.
  - Properties.
...Practicall
- Reproof, which hath two parts,
  - Disswasive from
    - The aggravation of the sin.
    - Threats denounced.
    - Judgments executed.
  - Directive, wherein concerning
    - Impediments that hinder.
    - Means to pro∣mote, more
      - Remote.
      - Immediate.
- Consolation by
  - Promises.
  - Experience.
  - Removing of scruples.
- Exhortation, to be amplified by
  - Motives to excite the affections from
    - Profit.
    - Danger
  - Means to direct the actions,
    - Generall.
    - Speciall.

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Besides those more essential parts recited in this Scheme, which belong to the very nature and sub∣stance of a Sermon; there are other lesse principal parts also (not to be neglected) which concerne the external form of it: Such as these;

Preface.
Transitions.
Conclusion.

The first thing to be entred upon in this Fabrick or Method, is the Porch or Preface, which is not always necessary in every common structure; but only when some extraordinary occasion does require it, or by reason of some special re∣ference, which the Text may have to that particu∣lar time and auditory. And then it should be clear and p••rtinent, short as being a thing on the by, and such as may quicken attention unto the fol∣lowing discourse.

The most general and effectual matter for a Preface, is (that which was so commonly used by the Prophets of old) to perswade the hear∣ers that it is The Word of God which is spoken to them, which concerns their everlasting happi∣nesse, and is able to save their souls; That the Mi∣nisters do but stand in Christs stead; That our re∣ceiving or despising of them shall be reckoned as done unto Christ himself: Which being beleeved and considered, will be a strong engagement upon the hearers, unto those three qualifications which are the chief ends of prefacing, namely to make them

Favourable.
Teachable.
Attentive.

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The next thing to be done is the opening of the Text, according to its proper sense and meaning; To which purpose we may give some brief Analy∣tical explication of the Chapter, or at least so much of it as may serve to clear the Text, and shew the dependence of it on the coherent words.

All Scriptures are either manifest or Cryptical and obscure. Matters that are absolutely necessary to salvation, are exprest in the first of these. Other truths whether Historical, Doctrinal, or Practical, may be sometimes involved in doubtful difficult expressions.

In the unfolding of which, we must observe; that if the natural & most obvious signification of the words, do manifestly disagree with other per∣spicuous Scriptures, then we are to seek for some other meaning, which must always be consonant with the words and other circumstances of the place.

In the finding out of this, we are not so much to consult with our own fancies; for no prophesie in Scripture is of any private interpretation, but with the Holy Ghost himself, who best understands his own meaning.

All difficult expressions should first be exami∣ned according to their original and most authen∣tick translations, which will give much light to the true meaning of them. Though it will be need∣lesse to mention any various readings, translati∣ons, or interpretations of Scripture to a vulgar au∣ditory, because it is apt to stagger them, and to raise doubts; rather then to confirm and settle them; But we should pitch upon that, which up∣on

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serious consultation, we conceive in our own judgments to be most congruous and pertinent.

The circumstances of the place will help much to illustrate any difficulty of it. The Rabbies have a saying, Nulla est objectio in Lege, quae non habet solutionem in latere, that is, there is not any doubt in the Law, but may be resolved by the context.

We must be careful that all our interpretations be agreeable with the Analogy of faith, and other parallel Scriptures. The consulting of these, will be a good means to preserve us from perverting the Word of God by any dangerous heretical impo∣sition.

Beware of that vain affectation of finding some∣thing new and strange in every text, though ne∣ver so plain. It will not so much shew our parts (which such men aim at) as our pride, and wanton∣nesse of wit.

These new projectors in Divinity are the fittest matter out of which to shape, first a Sceptick, af∣ter that a Heretick, and then an Atheist.

There are divers Texts that have a double sense,

Historical and Literal.
Typical & Allegorical.

So those places concerning the Brasen Serpent, Numb. 21. 9. Iohn 3. 14. Ionah in the Whales belly, Ionah 1. 17. Matth. 12. 40. Abraham two wives and sonnes, Sarah and Isaac, Hagar and Ish∣mael, Gen. 21. Galat. 4. 22. The Law concerning the muzeling the Oxe that treads out the corne, Deut. 25. 4. 1 Cor. 9. 9. In all which there is some typical allusion primarily intended.

Allegorical interpretations may lawfully be used

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also, when there is no such natural reference, but meerly a fitnesse by way of similitude to illustrate any doctrine. Saint Paul gives example for this, 2 Cor. 3. 13, 15. Ephes. 4. 32.

But here we must observe these three qualifications; there must be,

Raritas.
Concinnit as.
Utilitas.

1. We must use them sparingly and soberly.

2. They must be short and pertinent, not forced and farre-fetcht.

3. They must be usefull, not for aery and un∣profitable notions, being more proper for illustra∣tion then for proof.

It will be a great help for the understanding of the books of Scripture, to know their several times, references, and order.

The five books of Moses are as the first bases, by which the whole frame of Scripture may be more easily apprehended.

The other Historical books that follow will ex∣plain themselves: The Psalms do most of them, in their occasions and historical grounds, referre to the books of Samuel.

The Prophets are ordinarily divided into three ranks, 1 Those that prophesied before the captivi∣ty, who referre to the history in the books of Kings and Chronicles, especially the second book. 2 Those that prophesied in the captivity, concerning whose times, there is but very little mention in the Histo∣rical parts of Canonical Scripture. 3 Those that prophesied after the captivity, unto whom the Hi∣story of Ezra and Nehemiah hath some refe∣rence.

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And so in the New Testament, the Epistles do many of them referre unto the story of the Acts of the Apostles.

As for the ranking and succession of the books in Scripture, they were not writ in the same order as they are placed. But they are set down rather according to their bulk and largenesse, then their true order.

1. Those that were before the captivity are to be reckoned according to this succession,

Obadiah	in the reign of	Ahab. 1 Kings 18. 3.
Ionah		Ieroboam. 2 Kings 14. 25.
Amos	in the dayes of	Uzziah
Isaiah		Iotham
Hosea		Ahaz
Micah		Hezekiah
Nahum
Ioel	about the time of	Manasseb
Habakkuk		Iosiah
Zephaniah		Iehoiakim
Ieremiah

2. In the captivity there prophesied	Ezekiel
	Daniel

3. From the return out of captivity, till our Saviours coming is reckoned 559 yeers. About the 18 yeer of this began Haggai and Ze••hariah, and not long after Malachi.

And so in the New Testament though the lar∣ger Epistles are placed first, yet they were not written so. 'Tis probable that they were compo∣sed according to this order,

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1 Thess.
Romans.	1 Corinth.
1 Tim.	2 Corinth.
Titus.
2 Thess.	Philip. Coloss. Galat. Ephes. Hebr.
Philemon.
2 Tim.

So for the Canonical Epistles, that of Iames is thought to be written first, then those of Peter, then Iude, and lastly Iohn.

Thus likewise for other particular books, that of the Psalms, some conceive that the 108. should be first, where David doth stirre up and prepare himself to this work, of making Psalms: O God, my heart is ready, I will sing and give praise. And the 72. Psalm the last, because it concludes with this passage, The prayers of David are ended. The ordering of them is not jure divino, though it be of very great antiquity, for Saint Paul doth ex∣presly quote the second Psalm, Act. 13. 13.

The right apprehension of these general noti∣ons concerning the proper times and order of se∣veral Books, may be one good help to the true in∣terpretation of Scripture.

Next to the unfolding of any abstruse and dif∣ficult sense, we are to consider likewise, the very words and phrases, amongst which, if there be any ambiguous, they must be distinguished and applied according to their proper signification in the text; Tropes and figures being explained in their natu∣ral meaning.

As for the division of the text, it will be need∣lesse, unlesse either the explication of Terms, or the

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deduction of Doctrines from the several parts, do require it. That common practice of dissecting the words into minute parts and inlarging upon them severally, is a great occasion of impertinen∣cy and roving from the chief sense.

The text having been thus unfolded, the next thing to be done is the inferring of Observations from it, which should always follow from the words by a strong Logical consequence. The wre∣sting of Scripture unto improper truths, may easily occasion the applying of them unto grosse false∣hoods.

These Observations may be of several kinds, either

Mediate and more remote,
Immediate and principal.

Of the first kind are such as are raised from the occasion, coherence, manner, circumstances, order, denomination of the text; As whether it be a pre∣cept, exhortation, threat, promise, petition, de∣precation, similitude, &c. All which may afford several hints of instruction, and are not to be pas∣sed over without notice. Though these points should be only touched at briefly on the by; and those only insisted upon largely, which we con∣ceive to be most agreeable unto the principal im∣mediate scope of the Holy Ghost in that Scri∣pture.

And these observations must be laid down in the most easie perspicuous phrase that may be, not obscured by any rhetorical or affected ex∣pressions; for if the hearers mistake in that, all that follows will be to little purpose.

The Doctrine being mentioned (if there be a∣ny

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necessity) we may briefly clear the inference of it, by shewing its necessary dependence on the text.

Then (if the matter be capable of it) we may farther inlarge it in its several branches and de∣grees, by shewing the full latitude and extent of every truth or duty.

The Text and the Doctrine being thus opened, we should in the next place descend to the confir∣mation of it. Remembring always to connect these several parts by some plain and brief transi∣tion, that so the method may be the more per∣spicuous.

Now here are two sorts of proofs	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

The Quod sit, and Cur sit, that 'tis so, and why it is so. The first is properly from Testimony, either

Divine.
Humane.

Divine Testimony is either from some Scripture	Precept.
	Example.

1. For Precepts, it will be needlesse to heap up many proofs; But 'tis enough to suggest two or three of the most pertinent places, with some brief explication of them.

2. For Examples, it is a rule, exempla mag is mo∣vent imparia. There may be much advantage in the inequality of examples: Lillies, Sparrowes, Pismires, Heathens.

Testimonies of Fathers, Decrees of Councels, consent of Churches, Confession of adversaries,

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may all be of good use if they are sutable to the matter and auditory. Testimonies of Heathen men may be proper to shew a truth agreeable un∣to natural light.

Though Scripture can best inform us, what is true and false; yet humane Records can tell us what is new, and what is ancient.

But here we must be carefull that we do not let Hagar the handmaid out-brave her Mistresse Sa∣rah: that we do not preferre bleer-eyed Leah be∣fore beautifull Rachel. To stuffe a Sermon with citations of Authors, and the witty sayings of o∣thers, is to make a feast of vinegar and pepper, which may be very delightfull being used mode∣rately as sauces, but must needs be very impro∣per and offensive to be fed upon as dyet.

The Reasons of the Doctrine should be such as may convince the judgment concerning the reaso∣nablenesse of any truth or duty, which are herein distinguishable from the Motives, belonging to the Application, because these refer properly to the convincing of the judgment, those to the ex∣citing of the affections.

In practicall matters, the generall heads from whence the reasons are deducible, are these

two,	Necessity,
	Equity: which are capable of very many subordinate branches.

In other notionall doctrinall points, the 9 To∣picks, to which we are directed in Logick and Rhetorick, may be good helps for the invention of proper arguments.

When we have confirmed the Proposition by

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positive proofs, the next thing to be done is the removing of such doubts and queries, either from carnall reason, or ambiguous Scriptures, as are most naturally emergent, and proper.

Not that any evident position or consequence from Scripture does need all this proof in it self, but the better to instruct us in the agreement and harmony of sacred Writ, and the more power∣fully to convince the judgment, which in some cases will be apt to find out shifts and evasions, whereby to delude it self and escape conviction, whereas we shall embrace any doctrine, with a stronger assent, and rest upon it with the whole bent of the affections, when it comes in upon us with a full stream of evidence. But here we are to remember that the too long insisting on a confes∣sed truth, is apt to nauseat and flat the atten∣tion.

Having thus passed over the doctrinall part in the explication and confirmation of the words, we are in the next place to descend unto the application of them, which is the life and soul of a Sermon, whereby these sacred truths are brought home to a mans particular conscience and occasions, and the affections ingaged unto any truth or duty.

The Application is frequently mentioned by se∣verall Authors, according to a double acception; sometimes it is taken more strictly, as it is distin∣guished from the Uses, and refers onely to those particular passages of them, which do more espe∣cially concerne the present time and auditory. Sometimes it is taken more largely, as it compre∣bends

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all the Uses that are inferred from the do∣ctrine. And so I understand it in this place.

In the inlarging of this we are to observe this caution, That the several heads or Uses we are to insist upon, must not here be handled, in a generall notionall way, as in the doctrinall parts, but in such a home and applicatory manner, as may have some peculiar reference unto the hea∣rers.

The cheif Rules or Canons that concerne this part are these two.

1. Every Scripture does affirm, command, threaten, not only that which is expressed in it, but likewise all that which is rightly deducible from it, though by mediate consequences.

2. An example hath the force of a rule. All of them being written for our learning. But then we must be carefull to examine and discern whe∣ther the example be extraordinary or ordinary, according to which the application must be pro∣perly made.

The Apostle tels us that the whole Scri∣pture is given by inspiration from God, and is profitable 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for Doctrine, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for redargution, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for cor∣rection, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for instruction in righteous∣nesse, that the man of God may be perfect, being perfectly instructed in every good worke, 2 Tim. 3. 16.

In that place all the Uses to which Scripture may be applied, are briefly set down.

Application is either	Doctrinall.
	Practicall.

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Doctrinal application, is for our information in some truth to be known or beleeved, which must follow from the doctrine before delivered and confirmed, by a natural Logical consequence, as that doctrine does from the text.

And this is of two kinds,	Didactical.
	Elenctical.

1. Didacticall, in some positive truth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is commonly stiled, a Use of Information, and should consist of such pertinent doctrinall truths, as will most properly follow from the Observation: In the deducing of these it would be an endlesse businesse to take in all those inferences that are remote or collaterall: But we should pitch upon some few that are more principal and immediate. Where those Logical directions may be usefull, concerning the colle∣cting, 1. Of a generall from a speciall, as Rom. 4. 3, 4. 2. The lesse from the greater, as ••ohn 10. 25. Rom. 8. 32. 3. The greater from the lesse. 1 Cor. 9. 9, 10. 4. The effect from the case. Heb. 2. 8. 5. The cause from the effect. ••ohn 6. 45. &c.

2. Elencticall, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in some contro∣verted point, which is usually called a Use of con∣futation, for the refuting of such erroneous posi∣tions as do subvert the truth.

Where it will be needlesse to raise up any old obsolete errors, as now lie dead and do not trou∣ble the Church: but we should take notice only of such as being pertinent to the subject in hand,

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do most infect the present times and places where∣in we live.

And here we ought to be specially carefull that we manage these polemicall discourses, 1. With solid pressing arguments, making our answers as clear as the objections; for if these be plain, and those perplexed, in stead of confuting we shall rather confirm the error.

2. With much meeknesse and lenity in differen∣ces, not fundamental, 2 Tim. 2. 25. Soft words and hard arguments being the most effectuall way to convince.

Another part of this applicatory information may be for the discovery of our own particular estate and conditions, in regard of our assent unto any truth or practice of any duty, where we are to try our selves by marks or signes, and these for the most part are in the nature of

Effects,
Properties,

which are the surest demonstrations of the nature of any thing.

Practicall application is either, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

1. For correction of manners, commonly stiled a Use of Reproof, terror, dehortation, to dis∣swade and fright men from any sinfull course. In the urging of this, there is much prudence to be exprest in distinguishing betwixt sins of infirmity, and sins of wilfulnesse and frowardnesse; and ac∣cordingly proportioning the severity of our re∣proofs.

This is generally to be observed, that in all re∣prehensions, we must expresse rather our love then

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our anger, and strive rather to convince then to exasperate. Though, if the matter do require any speciall indignation, it must be the zeal of a dis∣pleased friend, rather then the bitternesse of a provoked enemy. 'Tis too much levity to check men in an Ironicall geering way, and 'tis too much rashnesse to reprove men in a furious revengefull manner.

This Use should be more especially directed a∣gainst those particular sins of the times and places wherein we live. And because in it self, it may be very displeasing unto the guilty hearers, which will much prejudice the power and operation of it; we should therefore sweeten it by some gentle insinuations, wherein it might appear that it pro∣ceeds from our affection and care of their welfare. That there is a necessity of insisting upon it, both from our duties, and their danger.

The proper heads for ampli∣fication of this Use are twofold,

Disswasive.
Directive.

1. Disswasive may have these three heads.

First, the agrravation of the sinne.
Secondly, the threats denounced against it.
Thirdly, the judgments executed upon it.

All which are further capable of many subor∣dinate amplifications, by comparing one sinne, with others that are like or lesse. By mentioning the evill effects, consequences, adjuncts, facility, or difficulty, indignity, or any other argument that may breed in us shame and detestation of the sinne, compassion of our own selves, repentance for our offences past, and greater vigilancy for the future.

Page 24

2. The Directive part, should mention the im∣pediments that hinder, and such means or helps whereby we may be inabled to avoid and over∣come any sinne. 'Tis not enough for the Physiti∣an to inveigh against the malignity or danger of a disease, but his chief care must be, to direct unto the remedy and cure of it. And for this the pre∣scriptions must be various, according to the se∣verall kinds of offences. But this directive part is reducible also under the Use of Exhortation, on∣ly here is the difference, that in this place it does properly belong to Disswasion, in the other to Perswasion.

2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Instruction in righteousnesse unto every good Work, may include

Consolation
Exhortation.

1. A Use of Consolation is, when we apply the comforts that arise from any doctrine unto the particular state and consciences of our hearers. This is one main end of the Scriptures, which were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. And it should be the speciall care of a Mi∣nister, to attend 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, unto Consolation, (as that word may signifie) like a wise Physitian to apply Lenitives and Cordials, where the condi∣tion of the Patient does require it, as well as Corrosives and Purges.

This Use may be amplified by these three heads.

1. By the promises that are made in Scripture.
2. By the experience of others.
3. By removing of such doubts and scruples, as

Page 25

an afflicted soul might suggest.

In all afflictions whether outward or inward, we should endeavour to chear up the faith of the dejected hearer, by proposing sutable comforts, by raising his thoughts from sense to faith, from present things to future. Pressing upon him the consideration of Gods wise providence, by which all things are disposed for the best. His sure pro∣mises in Christ, by whom we may certainly en∣joy plentifull redemption and eternall glory. And though for the present the way of piety may seem to be full of trouble and opposition, yet 'tis most safe in the issue, and the day of redemption does draw nigh, when those that are good shall be delivered from all their sufferings, and every man shall receive according to his work.

2. Exhortation, is for the exciting and quick∣ning of our affections unto any grace or duty. 'Tis so principall a part of Preaching, that Acts 13. 15. all that was to be spoken is called Ex∣hortation. The cheif end of an Orator is to per∣swade, (say the Philosophers) Finis Oratoris est persuasio. And therefore that Preacher, who in his discourses does only flourish in generall noti∣ons, and does not drive at some particular argu∣ment, endeavouring to presse upon his auditory, the beleife or practise of some truth or duty, is like an unwise Fisher, who spreads his net to the em∣pty aire, were he cannot expect any successe of his labours.

This Use hath two common heads of amplification,

Motives, to perswade.
Means, to direct.

Page 26

1. Motives should be such, as do most pro∣perly and powerfully work upon the affections, and therefore are derivable from those two generall places, of

1.	Benefit in doing it.	Honestum.
		Utile.
		Iucundum.
2.	Hurt or Danger in neglecting it.	Malum.
		Inutile.
		Amarum.

which are capable of very many subordinate bran∣ches, and these may sometimes be the more effe∣ctually pressed, by adding to them some affectio∣nate conjurements and obsecrations, like those of the blessed Apostle, Ephes. 4. 1. I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God. 2 Tim. 4. 1. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Iesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, &c.

2. Means or directions, should consist of such particulars, as may best conduce to the attaining of any grace, or the performance of any duty. And these may be either,

1. Generall; as, Prayer, seeking it from God who is the foundation of all good. Setting apart some solemn time for our more particular enquiry after it. Improving our abilities and opportunities to this purpose, &c.

2. More Speciall, according as the nature of se∣verall subjects shall require, and Scripture or ex∣perience direct.

These are the chief Uses to which Scripture may be applyed. They are frequently mentioned un∣der more and different names, but they are all re∣ducible

Page 27

to these heads: it is not necessary they should be all insisted upon in every Sermon, but only such of them as may be most sutable to the Text, and seasonable to the time and audi∣tory.

The Conclusion should consist of some such mat∣ter as may engage the hearers to a serious remem∣brance and consideration of the truths delivered, that they may revolve upon them, and be carefull to renew that impression, which has thereby been made upon their souls by conference and medita∣tion. To which purpose, as the milder affections, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, do best sute with the introduction, which must insinuate into the love and attention of the hearers; so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, more eager and vehement affections will best become the conclusion, as sup∣posing then that we have wonne the cause we did contend for, convinced and perswaded the audi∣tory beyond all opposition.

And therefore here it will be proper to recapitu∣late some of the most effectuall arguments, which may leave the hearers moved and stirred up in their affections.

Thus much briefly concerning the most easie method and true logick of a Sermon, which was the first thing proposed to be discussed, and be∣ing rightly understood, may be a very great help to facilitate this service of Preaching.

The next generall head to be insisted upon is, concerning the invention of matter, where there are two things considerable;

1. The seasonablenesse of it to the time and auditory.

Page 28

2. The pertinency of it to the text, or subject we are to treat of.

The first of these must be left to the prudence of the Minister in distinguishing of times and emer∣gencies, in applying himself to the severall condi∣tions and necessities of his hearers; whether they are to be taught and instructed in some necessary truth, or to be excited unto some necessary duty; To which purpose he must consider, whether the generality of his hearers be either ignorant or know∣ing, whether enemies to Religion, or professors of it, whether meerly formall, or truly pious, whe∣ther more chearfull and zealous, or more cold and sluggish: According to which variety, his Do∣ctrine and expressions must be variously suited. To use the same matter and manner in all audito∣ries, is as if a Shoo-maker should make all his ware of an equall size for children and men, great and little, there being as much difference betwixt the inward gifts and necessities, as betwixt the outward statures. As in other invitations we carve that to the guests which is most suitable to their severall palats and appetites: So in these spiritu∣all feasts, we should be carefull to fit our prepara∣tions unto the capacity and edification of the hea∣rers. This is the meaning of the Holy Ghost, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, rightly to divide the word of truth, when like a faithfull Steward he does proportion his dispensations according to the exigencies of the Family, when like a wise Physitian he does fit his prescriptions according to the severall ne∣cessities of his Patients. This is to have the tongue of the Learned, which knows how to speak a word in due season.

Page 29

2. The matter must be pertinent and naturall un∣to the subject we are to insist upon; for want of skill in the invention of this, many men (especi∣ally young beginners) are very apt to complain of much drynesse and slownesse in their compo∣sures, and to take any hint of flying out into im∣pertinent amplifications, not being able to inlarge themselves, and keep close to their Text.

Now there is a threefold remedy against this:

Prayer.
Reading.
Meditation.

By the first we must be prepared and directed, both in our judgments and affections. By the se∣cond we may inform and furnish our selves with materials. By the third we may digest them into the most proper way for the edification of others. Lectio inquirit, oratio postulat, meditatio invenit, contemplatio degustat, (saith a Father,) Prayer does desire, Reading does enquire, Study and Meditation do discover and digest.

1. Prayer. That God would direct and inable us for the particular service that lies upon us. It was a usuall saying of Luther, Benè orasse est benè studuisse; He alwayes found himself in best tem∣per for study, when he had first composed his thoughts, and raised up his affections by prayer: And certainly the weightinesse of the service may

Page 30

justly deserve this preparation. For if Queen Esther, if Nehemiah, being to speak unto an earthly King for the temporall safety of their peo∣ple, did first prepare themselves this way, much more then should Ministers, who are to be Em∣bassadors from the great God concerning that weighty businesse of mens eternall salvations.

2. Reading. It was the Apostles advice to Ti∣mothy, 1 Tim. 4. 13. Give attendance to reading, And he sayes, that it is the study of the Scriptures, that must make the man of God perfect, throughly furnished, 2 Tim. 3. 17. If this were necessary in those Primitive times, when men were extraordi∣narily inspired with speciall gifts: much more now, when we cannot exspect any immediate in∣fusion, but must apply our selves unto the natu∣rall proper means of attaining any ability.

3. Meditation and study, 1 Tim. 4. 15. Medi∣tate on these things, give thy self wholly to them; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Be in them, which phrase implies much intention and industry in our studies. De∣mosthenes would have such a one branded for a pernicious man to the Common-wealth, who durst propose any thing publikely which he had not before-hand seriously pondered. What im∣pudence is it then in the great businesse of salvati∣on, when a man appears before the Church, An∣gels, God himself, to discourse in a loose irreve∣rent manner, so as to nauseat and flat the devoti∣on, and attention of the hearers, to prostitute the esteem and authority of that sacred ordi∣nance.

Let such rash persons consider, Qualis sit res

Page 31

ovile Christi, quam pulchra & Deo grata fit ovium Christi societ as, in cujus medio Dominus ille est, cui sol & luna famulantur, cui adsunt ministri ejus millia millium & decies centena millia; Quantae molis est regnum Christi erigere, & Satanae palatia demoli∣ri, &c.

But now because amongst those helps of inven∣tion which fall under the rules of Art, this of Reading is one of the principall, therefore it will deserve a more large and particular considera∣tion.

There are two things which in our reading and study may be of great advantage. 1. Good Books. 2. A right Method and series of matter to be first and most exactly inquired into.

There is no externall help more effectuall to di∣rect a man unto pertinent usefull matter, upon all subjects and occasions, then a weli contrived Li∣brary, whe••ein upon any emergent doubt or diffi∣culty, he may have recourse unto the advice of other grave and learned men, who (it may be) have bestowed a great part of their time and stu∣dy, in the resolution of that particular businesse which he hath occasion to inquire into.

There are many men whose naturall parts would extremely improve and grow very eminent, if they had but the knowledge and help of such Authors, as are most suitable to their genius and imployment, whereas on the other side their abi∣lities are much damped and kept low, whilest they are confined only to a scant ill chosen Li∣brary.

There is as much Art and benefit in the right

Page 32

choyce of some Books with which we should be most familiar, as there is in the election of other friends or acquaintance with whom we may most profitably converse.

And this knowledge of Books; as it is in it self a very specious part of learning, making oftentimes more pompous shew then the knowledge of things, so is it likewise of very great use and ad∣vantage. For the attaining of this, the most proper effectuall way is by our own study and ex∣perience in the works of severall Authors; But because that is a businesse of vast industry and much time, scarce consistent with the frequent re∣turnes of publike service required of a constant Preacher, unlesse he be before-hand qualified for this, by his education and leisure at the Universi∣ty; therefore there is another help to expedite our enquiry in this kind, namely, the perusall of such Books as do give a particular account of all Authors, the times when they lived, the Works they have published, with the several subjects they have insisted upon; Their Editions, Translations, corruptions, their esteem and authority; of which kind there are severall Writers, both Protestants and Papists. Such are these Discourses:

Pauli Bolduani Bibliotheca Theologica.
Georg. Draudii Bibliotheca Classica,
Eufebius de scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis.
Gesneri Biblioth. cum Simleri supplemento.
Hieronymus de Scriptoribus Ecclesiast.
Fabiani Iustiniani Index Universalis.
Johan. Molani Biblioth. Materiarum.
...

Page 33

Photii Biblioth.
Possevini Apparatus sacri.
Sexti Senensis Biblioth
Trithemius de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis.
Dav. Tossani Synopsis de patribus.
Gilberti Voetii Biblioth. Theolog.

Amongst whom there are some that go by an Alphabeticall order of the Authors names, as Pho∣tius, Sextus Senensis, Possevine, &c. Others ob∣serve an Alphabeticall order in setting down the severall matters and subjects they insist upon, as Bolduanus, Draudius, Gesner, Iustinianus, &c. So that if a man would know either what subject any particular Authors have treated upon, or what Authors have treated particularly upon any sub∣ject, he may in them see references to this pur∣pose.

These are esteemed the most advantageous helps for the understanding of Books in generall: but more particularly the Authors which are most proper and usefull for the study of a Divine, are reducible to these three heads.

Those which concern the study either of	Scripture.
	The Body of Divinity.
	Antiquity.

The understanding of Scripture being one of the chief businesses of a Minister to which all his other studies are subordinate;

'Tis to be supposed therefore in the first place that he is provided with the Old and New Testa∣ments, both in their originals and most authen∣tick Translations.

Page 34

The chief Translations of the Bible may be distinguished into those which are either in

the	Learned	Language.
	Vulgar

The Translations of the Old Testament into the Learned languages, are chiefly of five heads.

1. Into Chalde, commonly called the Targum or Chalde paraphrase, which in the Historicall Books do, for the most part render the true sence of the Originall; but in the Hagiographa is ex∣ceeding full of mistakes, and do seldome come near the right meaning.

2. Into Greek, the chief of which is the Septua∣gint by the 72 Interpreters, (as the Tradition goes) which hath been alwayes esteemed ofgreat autho∣rity and repute.

The other great Translations by Aquila, Sym∣machus and Theodosio, are now lost, excepting only some few fragments of them which yet re∣maine.

3. Into Arabick, This Translation hath been formerly published onely for some parts of the Bible as the Pentateucb, Psalmes, and is by some learned men rejected as being ignorantly done, not from the Originall, but out of some other Translation and by some corrupt copy. It hath since been published for the whole Bible in the King of France his late edition.

4. Into Syriake. This hath been esteemed for genuine and faithfull.

5. Into Latine, of which version there are severall kindes, but the chief of them are these five.

Page 35

1. The Vulgar commonly ascribed to S^t. Hie∣rom, though there be great reason to doubt ofit.

2. Pagnines Translation, which is of good antiquity and esteem, published Anno Dom. 1523. Altered by Arias Montanus in the Interlineary Bible.

3. The Tigurine Translation, begun by Leo Iuda, and finished by other reformed Divines, Anno Dom. 1543. published by Robert Stephens, 1557. with Notes annexed which he ascribes to Vatablus.

4. The Translation of Sebastian Castalio, which is for the most part very elaborate and subtile, but not without too much affectation of Elegance, published first Anno Dom. 1551.

5. The Latine Version which is in most com∣mon use amongst us, being performed by those learned men, Fran. Iunius, and Eman. Tremelius, with very great diligence and judgment.

The Translation of the New Testament into the learned languages, are either into

Syriack.
Latine.

1. The Syriack is of good antiquitie and esteem, but was heretofore defective in some Books, name∣ly the 2^d. and 3^d. Epistle of John, the 2^d. of Peter, Iude and the Apocalypse, which have been lately supplied by M^r. Pocock.

2. The Latine Translations, are chiefly of three kinds, namely. 1. The Vulgar. 2. Erasmus. 3. Beza, which are all commonly known, and in their se∣verall kinds of good repute.

Page 36

Now for the translations of the Bible into our own vulgar tongue, there are some of these so ancient as Henry the 8^th his time, by M^r. Tindall and Matthewes; but these Translations were not so much from the Originall Hebrew and Greek, as from some other Latine Version, and therefore are not esteemed of any great authority.

The English Translations that have been of most common use and greatest repute, are these three.

1. The Geneva Translation, so stiled because it was finished in that place by some English exiles in Queen Maries time, being first published, Anno Dom. 1560.

2. The Bishops Bible in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths reigne, by Arch-bishop Parker and others, which because it was not so exact and carefully done, too often following the Greek rather then the Hebrew, and so liable to divers mi∣stakes, (as may appear in the reading Psalmes of the Leiturgie,) therefore King Iames caused ano∣ther most exact Translation to be made of it in his time, which is by way of distinction called

3. The Kings Bible, being that which is now in common use amongst us.

The Various editions of the Bible in the learned languages, have been so multiplied, that 'tis not easie (if possible) to recite them. Amongst those that are esteemed either of greatest Antiquity, E∣legance, or Correctednesse, I still mention some of the chief.

1. The Hebrew with other Translations anne∣xed is of severall kinds and editions.

Page 37

The Complutensian in Spaine containing the Hebrew, Greek, Latine, together with the Tar∣gum upon the Pentateuch, in sixe Tomes fol. Anno Dom. 1515.

Munsters edition with his Latine Version, and some Notes out of the Rabines, Printed at Basil. Anno Dom. 1534.

The King of Spaines Bible, Printed at Ant∣werp, 1571. in 8. Tomes fol. Containing the Hebrew Text, the Septuagint, the Chalde Para∣phrase and Vulgar, with a Latine Translation of the 70 and Targum. And for the New Testa∣ment, the Originall Greek, the Vulgar and Syri∣ack Versions,, together with a Latine Translati∣on of the Syriack by Guido Boderianus. Besides an Interlineary Bible and a large Apparatus. All very elegantly and correctedly Printed.

Vatablus his edition in 3 vol. fol. 1586. contain∣ing the Hebrew, the Septuagint and Latine.

The King of France his Bible, lately printed at Paris, containing all that is in the King of Spains edition, excepting onely the Interlineary Bible and the Apparatus, and having further added The Samaritan Pentateuch and a Translation of it, a Syriack Translation of the Old-Testament, and an Arabick Translation of the whole Bible, with Latine Translations to each of them. A ve∣ry pompous magnificent work, had the Corre∣ctor bestowed as much diligence and skill, as the Publishers did cost.

2. The edition of the Hebrew Text without Translations, are likewise of divers kinds.

By Plantine with much truth and exactnesse

Page 38

both in fol. 4^o—8^o—with and without points at severall times.

By Robert Stephens at Paris in 4^o in a very fair large Character, and after very elegantly and most correctedly in 16^o.

By Hutter in a faire elegant Character, which distinguisheth the radicall and servile, the defici∣ent and quiescent letters. Hamburgh. 1587.

By Buxtorfe, with large Rabinicall Notes and Comments. Anno Dom. 1618.

3. The Septuagint distinct from the Originall Text, is printed at Rome, and after, both at Frank∣ford and Paris with a Latine Translation, and the fragments of the old Greek Interpreters, Aquila Symmacus and Theodosio, which fragments may likewise be had distinct in Drusius his fragmenta Veterum, augmented with severall other explica∣tions and Annotations of his own.

4. The New Testament for the cheif edition of it hath been mentioned before, besides which there are very many others that are commonly known.

Next to these there are some other Discourses that in their severall kinds may be very usefull. Amongst these some are

1. Preparatory.
2. Principall and more direct.

1. Those may be stiled Preparatory, which lay down rules and directions for the profitable read∣ing, and right interpretation of Scripture; such as these.

Ferdin. de Escalante, Clypeus Concionatorum.
Wolfang. Franzius de Interp. S. Script.
...

Page 39

Salom. Glassii Philologia sacra.
And. Hyperius de S. Script. Lectione.
Flacii Illyrici Clavis Scripturae, pars secunda.
Jo. Euseb. Nierembergius de origine Scripturae.
And. Rivet. Isagoge.
Nicol. Serrarii Prolegom. Biblica.
Ludov. de Tena Isagoge.
Michaelis Waltheri officina Biblica.

2. The Books that do more principally and directly tend to make a man a good Textuary, may be reckoned up under these three heads:

1. Concordances.
2. Commentaries.
3. Reconcilers.

1. Concordances are of very great use, both for the unfolding of difficult Texts, by referring to parallel Scriptures, and to inlarge upon any Theme with the most proper quotations, as also for the directing of us unto such Texts of which we have onely some confused imperfect remem∣brance.

These are of two kinds, for	Words.
	Things.

Concordances for words are those which reckon up the severall places wherein such a word is mentioned.

Page 40

These are either for the

Originall
- Old Testam.
  - Hebrew. Buxtorfius.
  - Chaldee, in some places of Dan. & Isa. Martin. Trostius:
- N. Testam. in Greek.
  - ...Hen. Stephanus.
  - Lucii Lexicon. N. T.
Translations
- Old Testament into Greek by the Sep∣tuagint. Conrad. Kircherus.
- N. Testam. into Syriack. Mart. Trostius.
- Both into
  - Latine. Hen, Stephanus.
  - English. Cotton. Newman.

A Concordance of things does summe up all the pertinent Scriptures unto any particular head or common place, which drive at the same sense, though it may be of different words. Some of these are in Latine, as,

Allotti Thesaurus.
Berchorii index moralis.
Pet. Eulardi Concordantiae morales.
Marlorati
- ...Thesaurus.
- ...Enchridion.
Dan. Tossani Index.
Georgii Viti Doctrinale Bibliorum.

There are some others of this kinde in our English Tongue:

Mr. Bernards Thesaurus Biblicus.
The Fort-Royall of the Scriptures.
Clarks Holy Oyle.
Wilsons Dictionary.

Unto these may be added those Treatises that handle the severall acceptions of words and phra∣ses in Scripture: as

Page 41

...Flacii Illyrici Clavis Scripturae.
Mr. Leigh's Critica Sacra.
Petri Ravanelli Bibliotheca sacra.

Commentators are either upon some particular	Matter.
	Books.

Those I stile Commentators upon matter who do insist upon the explaning of some peculiar sub∣ject, dispersedly contained in the severall parts of Scripture. Such are those that handle,

Scripture Philosophy, as,

Valesius de sacra Philosophia.
Levinus Lemnius de Plantis sacris.
Franc. Rueus de Gemmis sacris.
Wolf. Franzius Hist. Animalium Sacr.
Joan. Bustamantinus de Animalibus S. Scripturae.

Scripture Chronology, as,

Hen. Alstedii Chronologia sacra.
Hugh Broughtons Consent.
Laur. Codomanni Annales S. Scripturae.
Mr. Lightfoot, his Harmony.
S^r. Walter Raleighs History.
Jac. Saliani Annales, à Creatione ad Christum.
Jos. Scaliger de Emendatione Temporum.

Scripture Geography, or Topography, as,

Jo. Adamannus de situ terrae sanctae.
* Christ. Adricomii Theatrum terrae sanctae.
...

Page 42

...
David Chytraei, Itinerarium totius S. Scrip.
Chronic.
Mr. Fuller, Holy Land.
...The Travels of the Patriarchs.

Scripture Measures and Weights, as,

Boizardus.
Dav. Chytraeus.
Rob. Cenalis.
Pet. Ciaconius.
Epiphanius.
Hulsius.
Johan. Mariana.
Occho.

The Proverbiall expressions either used or alluded to in Scripture, or Adagialia Sacra. as,

Martin Delrius.
Johan. Drusius.
Andreas Schottus.
Joach. Zehner.

The Allegories in Scripture,

Isidor. Hispalensis de Alleg.
Hieron. Laureti Silva Alleg. totius Scripturae▪
Ottomarus Luscinius.
Roberti Holcot Alleg. utrius{que} Testamenti.

The Schemes and Tropes used in Scripture.

Beda.
Cassiodorus.
...

Page 43

Flacius Illyricus, in parte secunda.
Barthol. Westhemeri Tropi insigniores ex utro∣que Testamento.

There might be divers other the like subjects in∣stanced in, but these are some of the chief: Now in all difficulties that referre to any of these heads, a man may expect more full satisfaction from those Authors that purposely insist upon them, then from others who do more promiscuously com∣ment at large.

Commentators upon the Books of Scripture are very numerous, and of various kinds: I shall mention only some of those whose names are most common and most eminent.

Upon the whole Bible.

* ENglish Annotat.
...Hugo Cardinalis.
* Deodate Annot.
* Hugo Grotius.
...Io. de la Hay.
...Nicol. Lyranus.
...Mariana.
...Steph. Menochius.
* Pareus.
...Conrad. Pellicanus.
...Pisc••tor.
...Eman. Sa.
...Iacob. Tir••nus.

On the Pentateuch.

Hen. Alstedius.
Benedict. Aretius.
...* Henry Ainsworth.
Iac. Bonfrerius.
Io. Brentius.
Tho. de Vio Cajetanus.
* Iohan. Calvinus.
Seraph. Cappo à Por∣recta.
Catena Veterum.
...

Page 44

David Chytraeus.
Joh. Drusius.
* Paulus Fagius.
Ferus.
Gregorius Magnus.
...Arth. Jackson.
Cornel. à Lapide.
Oleaster.
Fab. Paulutius,
Piscatoris Questiones.
* August. Steuchus Eu∣gubinus.
* Theodoret.
* Tostatus.

On Genesis.

Tho. Aquinas.
Augustinus.
Jo. Chrysostom.
Cyrillus Alexan.
Mart. Delrio.
Benedict. Fernandez.
Ioh. Gerhardus.
Io. de la Hay.
D. Hieronymus.
Mart. Lutherus.
Aug. Marlorat.
* Pet. Martyr.
Wolf. Musculus.
Ioh. Mercerus.
Marinus Mersenius.
Origenes.
David Pareus.
Ben. Pererius.
* And. Rivet.
Victorin. Strigelius.
...* An. Willet.
Lod. Ystella.
Hulder. Zuinglius.

Upon Exodus.

Jo. de la Hay.
Iansenius in 15. prior cap.
Arth. Lake in cap. 19.
* Lorinus.
Christoph. Pelargus.
Balthazar Paez. in 15. p. cap.
Benedict. Pererius. in 15. p. cap.
* And Rivet.
...* An. Willet.
Hulder. Zuinglius.

Page 45

On Leviticus.

Cyrillus Alexand.
* Jo. Lorinus.
Origenes.
Christoph. Pelargus.
Pet. Serranus.
...* An. Willet.

On Numbers.

...Guil. Attersoll.
Francis. Iunius.
* Iohan. Lorinus.
Origenes.
Christ. Pelargus.

On Deuteronomy.

* Io. Lorinus.
Mart. Luther.
Christoph. Pelargus.
August. de Quiros.
* Jo. Wolfius.

On Josuah.

Augustinus.
Bonfrerius.
Brentius.
Cajetanus.
* Calvinus.
Carthusianus.
Chytraeus.
Drusius.
Jo. Ferus.
...Arth. Jackson.
Lavaterus.
Corn. à Lapide.
...Jo. Mayer.
* And. Masius.
Cosm. Magalian••s.
Arias Montanus.
Origenes.
* Nicol. Serrarius.
Rupertus.
* Theodoret.
* Tostatus.
Hugo de S. Victore.
* Io. Wolfius.

Page 46

On Judges.

Augustinus.
Iac. Bonfrerius.
Io. Brentius.
Mart. Bucer.
Tho. de Vio. Caieta∣nus.
Chytraeus.
Io. Drusius.
Io. ••erus.
Corn. à Lapide.
Ludo. Lavater.
...Jo. Mayer.
* Pet. Martyr.
A••ias Montanus.
Cosma. Magalianus.
Pellicanus.
...Rich. Rogers.
Nic. Serrarius.
* Theodoret.
* Tostatus.
Hugo de S. Victore.

On Ruth.

Gab. Acosta.
Ven. Beda.
Iac. Bonfrerius.
Io. Brentius.
Tho. à Vio Caietanus.
Chytraeus.
Ioh Dr••sius.
Lud. Lavater.
Corn. à Lapide.
...Jo. Mayer.
Pellicanus.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
Nic. Serrarius.
Topshell.
* Tostatus.
* Theodoret.
Hugo de S. Victore.

On Samuel.

Io. Brentius.
Tho. de Vio Caietanus.
* Io. Calvinus.
Dion. Carthusianus.
Ioh. Drusius.
Hieronym••s.
Corn. à Lapide.
* Pet. Martyr.
...

Page 47

Mendoza.
...Jo. Mayer.
Origenes.
Pellicanus.
Nic. Serrarius.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
Victor. Strigelius.
* Theodoret.
* Tostatus.
Hugo de S. Victore.
* An. Willet.

On the Kings.

Io. Brentius.
Cajetanus.
Carthusianus.
Io. Drusius.
Corn. à Lapide.
* Pet. Martyr.
...Jo. Mayer.
Origenes.
Pellicanus.
Nic. Serrarius.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
Victor. Strigelius.
* Theodoret.
* Tostatus.
Hugo de S. Victore.

On the Chronicles.

Caietanus.
Carthusianus.
Hieronymus.
Corn. à Lapide.
Lud. Lavater.
...Jo. Mayer.
Nic. Serrarius.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
* Theodoret.
* Tostatus.

On Ezra.

Ven. Beda.
Io. Brentius.
Cajetanus.
Lavàterus.
Corn. à Lapide.
...Jo. Mayer.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
Hugo de S. Victore.

Page 48

On Nehemiah.

Beda.
Brentius.
Cajetanus.
Ferus.
à Lapide.
Lavaterus.
...Jo. Mayer.
...Mr Pilkinton.
Nic. Serrarius.

On Esther.

Brentius.
Caietanus.
Drusius.
Io. Fevardentius.
Lavaterus.
Corn. à Lapide.
...Jo. Mayer.
Pet. Merlinus.
Raba••••s Maurus.
Nic. Serrarius.
* Gasp. Sanctius.

On Job.

Ambrosius.
Tho. Aquinas.
Augustinus.
Beda
Ioh. Bolducus.
Io. Brentius.
* Ioh. Calvinus.
...* Jos. Caryl.
Catena 24. Graec. Doct.
Io. Cocceus.
Balth. Corderius.
Ioh. Drusius.
Io. Ferus.
Gregorius Mag.
Lud. Lavaterus.
* Io. Mercerus.
Pet. Merlinus.
Origenes.
* Io. de Pineda.
* Aug. Steuchus Eugu∣binus.
* Gasp. Sanctius.

Page 49

On the P••almes.

Ant. Angelius.
...Hen. Ainsworth.
Alex. de Ales.
Amesius.
Tho. Aquinas.
Augustinus.
Beda.
Bellarminus.
Fred. Baldvinus.
Bonaventura.
Bucerus.
Cajetanus.
* Calvinus.
Carthusianus.
Catena Graec. Doct.
Euthymius.
Eusebius Caesariensis.
* Io. Foord.
Gilb. Genebrardus.
Gregorius M.
Gregorius Nissenus.
Hieronymus.
Corn. Iansenius.
Pet. Lombardus.
* Io. Lorinus.
* Mollerus.
* Marloratus.
Ar. Montanus.
* Wolf. Musculus.
* Muis.
Rob. Rollocus.
Abra. Scultetus.
Theodoretus.
Viccars.

On the Proverbs.

Ro. Baynus.
Ven. Beda.
Cajetanus.
* Tho. Cartwright.
...Jo. Dod.
Hieronymus.
Rob. Holcot.
Iansenius.
...Jermin.
A Lapide.
Lud. Lavater.
Luther.
Melacton.
* Io. Mercerus.
* Salazar.

Page 50

On Ecclesiastes.

Beda.
Bonaventura.
Io. Brentius.
...Hugh Broughton.
* Tho. Cartwright.
Cajetanus.
Io. Ferus.
...Tho. Granger.
Hieronymus.
Iansenius.
Lavaterus.
Lorinus.
Lutherus.
* Mercerus.
Melancton.
...* Will. Pemble.
Io. de Pineda.
Fra. Sanchez.
Serrarius.
Tolle••arius.
Hugo de S. Victore.

On the Canticles.

...Hen. Ainsworth.
Hen. Alsted.
Anselmus.
Tho. Aquinas.
Pet. Arboreus.
Beda.
Bernardus.
...Tho. Brightman.
Carthusianus.
Catena Grae. Patrum,
...Jo. Cotton.
Foliot.
Mart. Delrius.
* Mich. Ghisler.
Gregorius M.
Gregorius Nissen.
Hieronymus.
Lutherus.
Io. Mercerus.
Origenes.
De Ponte.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
Paulus Sherlogus.
* Theodoretus.

On Isaiah.

Tho. Aquinas.
Did. Alvarez.
Beda.
Io. Brentius.
...

Page 51

Hen. Bullingerus,
Cajetanus.
* Calvinus.
Cyrillus Alex.
Euseb. Caesari.
* Fran. Forerius.
Hieronymus.
Cor. à Lapide.
Lutherus.
* Marloratus.
Hen. Mollerus.
* Wolf. Musculus.
Mich. de Palatio.
Hect. Pintus.
August. de Quiros.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
Abra. Scultetus.

On Jeremiah.

Tho. Aquinas.
Io. Brentius.
* Io. Calvinus.
A Castro.
* Pet. à Figueiro.
* Mich. Ghislerius.
Hieronymus.
A Lapide.
Maldonatus.
Origenes,
* Sanctius.
* Theodoretus.

On the Lamentations of Jeremiah.

Gab. Acosta.
Tho. Aquinas.
Bonaventura.
...Broughton.
* Io. Calvinus.
Mart, Delrius.
Ferus.
* Pet. à Figueiro.
Hieronymus.
Cor. à Lapide.
Io. Maldonatus.
* Pet. Martyr.
Melancton.
Origenes.
Hector Pintus.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
* Theodoret.
* Dan. Tossanus.
John Udall.
Hugo de S. Victore.
Hulder. Zuinglius.

Page 52

On Ezekiel.

* Calvinus.
Carthasianus.
Georgius Mag.
Hieronymus.
Iunius.
A Lapide.
Lavaterus.
Maldonatus.
Origenes.
Hector Pintus.
* Amand, Polanus.
Pellicanus.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
Pet. Serranus.
* Theodoretus.
* Villalpandus.
Steph, Zegedinus.

On Daniel.

Hen. Alsted.
Tho. Aquinas.
...Broughton.
Bullingerus.
* Calvinus.
Carthusianus.
Hieronymus.
Fran. Iunius.
Cor. a Lapide.
Lutherus.
Maldonatus.
Melancton.
* Parker.
Ben. Pererius.
Hect. Pintus.
Amand. Polanus.
Rollocus.
* Sanctius.
* Theodoretus.
Io. Wingandus.
...* An. Willet.

On the 12 minor Prophets.

Beda.
* Calvinus.
Carthusianus.
Cyrillus Alex.
Drusius.
Steph. Fabritius.
Pet. à Figueiro,
Hieronymus.
...

Page 53

Hemmingius.
Cor. à Lapide.
Arias Montanus.
Fran. Rivera.
* Gasp. Sanctius.
* Io. Tarnovius.
* Theodoretus.

On Hosea.

Io. Brentius.
Hiero. Guadalupensis.
Lutherus.
* Io. Mercerus.
Hen. Mollerus.
Da. Pareus.
Am. Polanus.
* And. Rivet.
Imman. Tremelius.
Theophylactus.
* Hieron. Zanchius.

On Joel.

Johan. Faber.
Lutherus.
* Mercerus.
Pareus.
Hugo de S. Victore.

On Amos.

Io. Brentius.
Lutherus.
* Io. Mercerus.
Pareus.
Mat. Quadratus.
Ruffinus.

On Obadiah.

Mar. Lutherus.
* Mercerus.
...Edw. Marbury.
* Io. Rainoldus.
Hugo de S. Victore.

Page 54

On Jonah.

...* B^P. Abbot.
Gab. Acosta.
Pet. Baro.
Io. Brentius.
Jo. Fevardentius,
Fran. Iunius.
* B^P. King.
Lutherus.
* Jo. Mercerus.
Jo. Treminius.
Theophylactus.

On Micah.

Io. Brentius.
* Da. Chytraeus.
Lutherus.

On Nahum.

* Da. Chytraeus.
* Ludo. Crocius.
Lutherus.
Hector Pintus.
Theophylactus.
Io. Winkelmannus.

On Habakkuk.

* Chytraeus.
Lutherus.
Theophylactus.
Winkelmannus.

On Zephaniah.

* Martin. Bucerus.
Lutherus.
Io. Winkelmannus.

On Haggai.

Frid. Baldvinus.
Jo. Ecchius.
...

Page 55

Phil. Melancton.
David Pareus.
Winkelmannus.

On Zechariah.

Frid. Baldvinus.
* Da. Chytraeus.
Lutherus.
Phil, Melancton.
...* Will. Pemble.
Jo. de Reyroles.
Balth. Willius.

On Malachi.

Gab. Acosta.
Frid. Baldvinus.
Da. Chytraeus.
Io. Martinus.
Melancton.
Hen. Mollerus.
Amand. Polanus.
Aug. de Quiros.
...Will. Sclater.
...* Rich. Stock.
Winkelmannus.
Balth, Willius.

Upon the New Testament.

Ben. Aretius.
* Theod. Beza.
...* Tho. Cartwright.
Carthusianus.
Drusius Annot.
* Erasmus.
...Fulk.
Gregorius M.
* Heinsius.
Fla. Illyricus.
Cor. à Lapide.
Marloratus.
Zach. Muthesius.
Alph. Salmeron.
Dan. Tossanus.

Upon the 4 Gospels.

Tho. Aquinas,
Ben. Aretius.
Augustinus.
Sebast. Barradius.
...

Page 56

Io. Brentius.
* Luc. Brugensis.
Mart. Bucerus.
Cajetanus.
* Calvinus.
...* Cartwright.
* Chemnitius.
Catena Au••ea.
Ad. Contzen.
Lud. de Deiu.
Io. Gerson.
Nic. Go ranus.
Hie••onymus.
* Cor. Iansenius.
Maldonatus.
...Jo. Mayer.
Arias Montanus.
Aloysins Novarinus.
Guido de Perpiniano.
Rupertus.
Alphon. Salmeron.
Scultetus.
Theophylactus.
Dan. Tossanus.
...Jo. Trap.
Hugo de S. Victo••e.

On Matthew.

Anselmus.
Aquinas.
Alphon. Avendanus.
Augustinus.
* Ferus.
Rod. Gualtherus.
Cl••ud. Guilliaudus.
Hieronymus.
Hilarius.
Phil. Melancton.
Melo.
* Musculus.
Aloys. Novarinus.
Origenes.
Pareus.
A Ponte.
Rob. Stephanus.
Sibelius.
Dan Tossanus.
* Tostatus.
...Ward.

On Mark.

Albertus M.
Beda.
Lamb. Daneus.
Io. Ge••son.
...

Page 57

Angel del Pas.
Rob. Stephanus.
Io. Winkelmannus.
Vitale Zuccolo.

On Luke.

Ambrose
Beda.
Bonaventura.
Catena Graec. Pat.
Isid. Cla••us.
Hier. Guadalupensis.
Gas. Melo.
Origenes.
Rob. Stephanus.
* Did. Stella.
* Fran. Tollet.
Vit. Zuccolo.

On John.

Aquinas.
Bonaventure.
Catena Gr. Patrum.
Chrysostomus.
Cyrillus Alex.
Hemingius.
* Io. Ferus.
Lutherus.
Melancton.
* Musculus.
Origenes.
Hieron. Osorius:
Michael de Palatio.
Ben. Pererius.
Chr. Pelargus.
Ribera.
* Rob. Rollocus.
* Fran. Tollet.
Paul. Tarnovius.

On the Acts.

Dan. Arcularius.
Beda.
Brentius.
Bullingerus.
Cajetanus.
* Calvinus.
Catena Vet. Pat.
Chrysostomus.
...

Page 58

Ioach. Camerarius.
Lud. de Dieu.
* Io. Ferus.
Gregorius M.
Rod. Gualtherus.
* Nic. Gorranus.
Co••. à Lapide.
* Lorinus.
Malcolm.
...Jo. Mayer.
Alos. Novarinus.
Oecumenius.
Alph. Salmeron.
Tho. Stapleton.
Theophylactus.
Dan. Tossanus.
...Joh. Trap.

Upon the Epistles.

Ambrosius.
Anselmus.
Aquinas.
Beda.
Bullingerus.
Cajetanus.
* Calvinus.
Chrysostomus.
* Dav. Dickson.
* Guil. Estius.
Nic. Gorranus.
Rod. Gualtherus.
Ben. Iustinianus.
And. Hyperius.
* Cor. à Lapide.
Pet. Lumbardus.
...Jo. Mayer.
* Musculus.
Oecumenius.
Beat. Remigius.
* Theodoretus.
Theophylactus.
Dan. Tossanus.
...Joh. Trap.
Hugo de S. Victore.
Conrad. Vorstius.

On the Epistle to the Romans.

Augustinus.
Frid. Baldvinus.
Io. Brentius.
Mart. Bucerus.
Adam. Contzen.
Lud de Dieu.
* Io. Ferus.
Marcil. Ficinus.
Ioh. Gerhardus.
Gomarus.
...

Page 59

* Pet. Martyr.
Phil. Melancton.
* Wolf. Musculus.
Origenes
* Da. Pareus.
Elnath. Parr.
Ben. Pererius.
Rob. Rollocus.
Ab. Scultetus.
Dominic. Soto.
...Stapleton.
* Fran. Tollet.
...And. Willet.
...Wilson.

On the Epistles to the Corinthians.

Frid. Baldvinus.
* Pet. Mart. in Prim.
Phil. Melancton.
* Wolf. Musculus.
Tho. Morton in Prim.
* Dav. Pareus.
...Gul. Sclater.
...Tho. Stapleton.
Geor. Wenrichius.

To the Galatians.

Augustinus.
Frid. Baldvinus.
Io. Brentius.
Lutherus.
* Musculus.
* Da. Pareus.
...* Will. Perkins.
Rob. Rollocus.
Adam Sasbout.
Io. Wigandus.
Io. Winkelman.

To the Ephesians.

...* Paul Bain.
Frid. Baldvinus.
Mart. Bucerus.
* Lud. Crocius.
Lubinus.
* M••sculus.
Aug. de Quiros.
Rob. Rollocus.
Adam Sasbout.
Ab. Scultetus.
...

Page 60

* Hieron. Zanchius.
Geor. Wenrichius.

To the Philippians.

...Hen. Airay.
Frid. Baldvinus.
Io. Brentius.
* Gomarus.
Lubinus.
* Musculus.
Ad. Sasbout.
Scholanus.
Io. Au. Velasquez.
* Hieron. Zanchius.

To the Colossians.

Frid. Baldvinus.
...* Nic. Bifeild.
Tho. Cartwright.
* Io. Davenant.
...Ed. Elton.
Melancton.
* Musculus.
de Quiros.
Rollocus.
Sasbout.
* Hieron. Zanchius.

To the Thessalonians.

* Io. Gomarus.
Io. Iewel in Prim.
* Musculus.
Rollocus.
...* Will. Sclater.
Pet. Steuartius.
* Zanchius.
Zuinglius.

To Timothy.

Alex. Ales.
Frid. Baldvinus.
Lamb. Danaeus.
* Claud. Espencaeus.
Ant. Fayus.
Io. Gerhardus.
Cosma Magalianus.
Melancton.
...

Page 61

* Musculus.
Ad. Sasbout.
* Ab. Scultetus.
Lud. Soro. Major.

To Titus.

Alex. Ales••••s.
* Lud. Crocius.
* Claud. Espenc••us.
Cos. Magalianus.
Ad. Sasbou••.
* Ab. Scultetus.
Lud. Soto-Majo••.
...* Tho. Taylor.

To Philemon.

* Attersol.
Brentius.
Danaeus.
...* Dan. Dyke.
Fra••. Fevardenti••••••
* Gomarus.
Phil. Pareus.
Ab. Scultetus.

On the Hebrews.

...* Da. Dickson.
Io. Gerardus.
* Gomarus.
* An. Hyperius.
Polyc. Lyserus.
David Pareus.
Mic. de Palatio••
Fran. Ribera.
Sasbout.
Scultetus.
* Ludov. de Tena••

On the 7 Canonicall Epistles.

Hen. Alsted.
* Tho. Aquinas.
Beda.
Bullingerus.
Cajetanus.
* Calvinus.
* Estius.
Faber. Stap.
...

Page 62

Nic. Goran.
Rod. Gualther.
Nic. Hemmingius.
Corn. à Lapide.
Salmeron.
Dan. Tossanus.
Mat. Turnemannus.

On the Epistle of James.

* Brochman.
Didac. Daza.
Fran. Fevardentius.
* Ia. Laurentius.
Lorinus.
...* Jo. Mayer.
Dav. Pareus.
Balt. Paez.
Aug. de Quiros.

On the Epistles of Peter.

* Amesius.
Tho. Adams. in Ep. 2.
* Nic. Bifeild.
Clemens. Alex.
Io. Gerardus.
* Gomarus.
* Iac. Laurentius.
Lutherus.
Dav. Pareus.
Scholanus.
Io. Winkelman.
Turnemannus.

On the first Epistle of John.

Augustinus.
Clemens Alex.
* Lamb. Danaeus.
* Io. Ferus.
* Io. Lorinus.
Turnemannus.
* Zanchius.

On the second Epistle.

Clem. Alexand.
* Danaeus.
...

Page 63

Io. Iac. Grynaeus.
* Io. Lorinus.
...Ed. Pocock.

On the third Epistle.

* Lamb. Danaeus.
* Io. Lorinus.
...Ed. Pocock.

On the Epistle of Jude.

Iac. Bolduc.
Clemens Alex.
* Danaeus.
Fevardentius.
Hyperius.
Fran. Iuniu••.
* Lorinus.
Lutherus.
...Sam. Oates.
...* Will. Perkins.
Aug. de Quiros.
Phil. Pareus.
Sasbout.
* Sibelius.

On the Revelation.

Alabaster.
Albe••tus. M.
Alcazar.
Alsted.
Anselmus.
Augustinus.
Beda.
...* Brightman.
Ioach. Camerarius.
Dav. Chytreus.
...Will. Cowper.
...Dent.
Lud. de Dieu.
...Forbes.
Ioh. Gerhardus.
Gorranus.
Io de la Hay.
A Lapide.
Laurentius.
Casp. Melo.
...* Mede.
Napier.
...Perkins in 3. pr. cap.
Ribera.
Tossanus.
Viegas.

Page 64

Amongst all these Commentators, it would be too great presumption, for any private man to compare them, or say which is best; Since there is scarce any one so well acquainted with all of them, as to be able to passe such a censure. And besides, amongst those that are commonly known, there are but few that agree in the same judge∣ment, one preferring this, and another that. And therefore it will be safest to give only some general character of them.

Some of the Interpreters are more especially eminent for their authority, and antiquity, as the Comments of the Fathers; Ambrose, Augustine, Bernard, Chrysosto••e, Cyril Alex. Eusebius, Gre∣gary the great, Gregory Nissen, Hierom, Hilary, Origen, Theodoret, Theophylact.

Amongst the later writers, some are eminent for their Orthodox sound judgments, proper and usefull matter. So the Protestant Commentators in general: as Alsted, Baldvin, Brentius, Bucer, Bullinger, Calvin, Chemnitius, Danaeus, Drusius, Ge∣rard, Hyperius, Iunius, Lavater, Luther, P. Mar∣tyr, Melancton, Mercer, Moller, Musculus, P••reus, Piscator, Rivet, Rolloc, Scultet Tarnov. Zanchy, &c.

More especially our English Divines, whose abilities and genius's (when they apply themselves this way) do for the most part raise them up a∣bove the common pitch of other Writers. As may appear in the works of Ainsworth, Ames, Baine, Byfeild, Brightman, Cartwright, Davenant, Mayer, Perkins, Sclater, Willet, &c.

Amongst the Popish Interpreters, some are more eminent for their subtilty and rational learn∣ing

Page 65

in the explaining of Scripture; such were gene∣rally those Schoolmen who have undertaken to comment upon it, as Albert••s M. Alexand. de A∣les, Aquinas, Bonaventure, Cajetan, Carthusian, Da∣za, Estius, Mich-d•• Palatio, Dominic. Soto, &c.

Others amongst them are eminent for solid pi∣ous matter, in practical things and points not con∣troverted, as Ferus, Iansenius, Brugensis.

Others of them are useful for their various col∣lections, and observations out of former Writers, as many late Jesuits and others, as Gorran, à La∣pide, Lorinus, Maldonat, Masius, Mendoz••, Pererius, Pineda, Ribera, Saimeron, Sanct. Serrarins, Tolet, &c.

Besides these Commentators upon the several ••ooks, there are others that have commented up∣on particular parcels and texts of Scripture. Of which kinde the Homilies of the ancient Fathers are the first and most eminent, as those of Au∣gustine, Bernard, Chrysostome, Chrysologus, Grego∣ry, &c.

As for the common Postillers they are for the most part rejected by our gravest most judicious Divines, as being generally uselesse and empty. But there are some amongst them of better e∣steem, as

Protestants.	Papists.
D^r. Boys.	Besseus.
Dietericus.	Coppe••stenius.
Iac. Laurentius.	Fonseca.
Stumphius.	Gal. Inchino.
Zepperus.	Labata.
	Mussus.

Page 66

To which may be added those discourses of this kinde upon occasional subjects. As,

Georg. Grossii Thesaurus concionum omnige∣narum, nempe Catecheticarum, Praeparatori∣arum, Eucharisticarum, Nuptialium, Fu∣nebrium, Anniversariarum, Paenalium, Au∣spicatoriarum, Valedictoriarum, &c.

Pontani Conciones funebres ex variis autoribus collectae.

Io. Noviomagi penu concionum tum nuptiali∣um, tum funebrium.

Io. Geminiani Conciones funebres.

A collection of English Funeral Sermons, stiled, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

'Tis the common opinion that amongst all such kinde of works, our English Sermons and Trea∣tises are most elaborate and useful. It was the judgment of a very learned man, That if the choyce and best observations, which have been made disper∣sedly in our English Sermons (leaving out the large∣nesse of exhortations and applications thereupon) had been set down in a continuance, it would be the best work in Divinity that has been written since the Apostles times.

And certainly there is either some special em••∣nency in their writings, or else there is some pecu∣lar genius in men of the same Country, which makes their notions seem unto one another more proper and acceptable.

Amongst our English Divines, these are for Sermons and practical divinity some of the most eminent:

...

Page 67

B^P Andrews.
M^r Attersoll.
M^r Ball.
M^r Bifeild.
B^P Bilson.
M^r Bolton.
M^r Burroughs.
M^r Caryll.
B^P Cooper.
M^r Cotton.
M^r Dod.
B^P, and M^r Downham.
...
M^r Dan: Dyke.
Jerem:
D^r Featly.
M^r Gataker.
M^T Tho Goodwin.
D^r Gouge.
M^r Greenham.
B^P Hall.
M^r Harris.
M^r Hieron.
M^r Hooker.
D^r Iackson.
B^P Lake.
M^r Mayer.
B^P Morton.
M^r Pemble.
M^r Perkins.
D^r Preston.
D^r Reinolds.
M^r Rogers.
D^r Saunderson.
D^r Sibbs.
M^r Smith.
D^r Taylor.
B^P Usher.
M^r Whateley.

Thus much concerning the two first kinds of Books that tend to make a man a good Textuary, namely Concordances and Commentators. The third sort that was nominated is Reconcilers.

Those are called Reconcilers, which do purpose∣ly insist upon the unfolding and reconciling of such Scriptures, as seem opposite to one another: of which kind are,

Althameri Conciliatio locorum pugnanti••m.
Alba in difficilioraloca.
Augustinus.
Gerardi Bergomensis. Conciliatio. V. T. cum. N.
Cameron.
...

Page 68

Cumerani conciliatio loc. pug.
Estius in difficiliora loca.
lunii Parallela.
Menasseh Ben. Israel Conciliatio.
Maimonides Doctor Perplexorum.
Pelargi Quaestiones.
Scharpii Symphonia Prophetarum.
Spanhemii dubia Evangelica.
Mich. Waltheri Harmonia totius Scriptur••.

In which Authors a man may justly expect to find the great difficulties of Scripture more exact∣ly discussed and unfolded then in other Commen∣tators.

To these may be added ••uch Criticall discourses as do make more particular enquiry after those dif∣ficult Texts that are dispersed in severall parts of Scripture. Such are

...Arnoldi Bootii Annotationes Sacrae.
...Angeli Caninii disquisitiones.
...Fulleri Miscellanea.
M^r. Gregories Observations upon some passa∣ges of Scripture.
Mr. Medes Diatribe.

These are the severall kinds of Treatises that do more immediately tend to the explaining of Scripture, and to make a man a good textuary.

2. There are some other very useful discourses, which treat of the body of Divinity, and these are,

Page 69

Either

...Pos••••ive, as,
- 1. Catechismes.
  - Latine.
  - English.
- 2. Common places
  - Epitomes.
  - More Large.
- 3. Casuists.
...Polemicall.
- Schoolmen, upon the
  - Sentences.
  - Summes.
- Particular Controver∣sies about
  - ...Discipline
    - Episcopacy.
    - Presbytery.
    - Independency.
  - Doctrine with the
    - Papists.
    - Lutherans.
    - Socinians.
    - Arminians.
    - Anabaptists.
    - Antinomians.

1. Catechismes are of very great variety and of excellent use, even for the best Divines, to set before them the Analogy of faith, by which all doctrines must be tried, and the most fundamen∣tall principles of Religion, wherein they ought chiefly to instruct their hearers. These are so ge∣nerally known, that I shall need to mention but few of them: in Latine there is, Amesius, and Ur∣sinus. In English there is M^r Bals Catechisme, Mr. Bains Cathechisme, Mr. Cartwritghts Cate∣chisme, Mr. Crooks Guide, B^P Ushers Catechisme, &c.

Page 70

2. The usuall Common places of Divinity are Systematically handled by these Authors,

Amesius.
Alsted.
Calvinus.
Keckerman.
Piscator.
Tilenus.
Trelcatius.
Wendelinus.
Wollebius, &c.

They are more largely insisted upon in these following discourses.

Altingii Loc. Com.
Aretii Problemata.
Brochmannus.
Chemnitii Loci communes.
Danaei Isagoge.
Gerardi Loci Com.
P. Martyris Loci Com.
Musculi Loci Com.
Polani Syntagma.
Wallaei Loci Com.

Besides these, there are other kinde of Com∣mon places, wherein the matter is Alphabetically disposed of under severall heads, from which a man may be supplyed with the most common ob∣servations and notes upon any simple Theme. And though these are by many men rejected as occa∣sions of idlenesse, yet they may be sometimes ve∣ry usefull, both for learned men to recall such no∣tions of which they retain only some confused remembrance: and for others also, who have not leisure or reading sutable to their imployment:

Page 71

of this kinde amongst the Protestants, there is

Gruteri Polyanthea.
Magiri Polymnemon.
Zuinger
Beyerlink

Amongst the Popish writers.

Labatae Apparatus.
Langii Polyanthea Novissima.
Busaei Viridarium.
Peraldi summa virtutum & vitiorum.

Besides these Treatises of positive divinity there are some other Writers that are stiled Mysticall Divines, who pretend to some higher illuminati∣ons, and to give rules for a more intimate and comfortable communion with God. And these of late have been by some much cryed up and followed. But they do in the opinion of many sober and judicious men, deliver only a kinde of Cabalisticall or Chymicall, Rosicrucian Theologie, darkning wisdome with words, heaping together a farrago of obscure affected expressions and wild allegories, containing little of substance in them but what is more plainly and intelligibly deliver∣ed by others. Some of the cheif amongst them are these,

De Avila.
Blosius.
Barbinson.
Behem.
Climachus.
Hen. Harphius.
Thom. à Iesu.
Barth. Riccius.
...

Page 72

Jo. Rusbrochius.
Fran. Sales.
Ioh. Thaule••us.
Wigelius.

3. The study of Casuists may be very usefull for a Preacher in respect of practicall divinity. Amongst them, these are some of the most emi∣nent.

...Hen. Alstedius.
...Guil Amesius.
...Ir. Azorius.
...Frid. Baldvinus
...Mart. Bona••ina.
...Lud. Candidus.
B^P Hall.
...Diana P••normitana
...Vincent. Filliucius.
...Barth. Keckerman.
Will. Perkins.
...Raynerus de Pisis.
...Tho. Sanchez.
...Greg. Sayru••.
...Silvester.
...Fran. Toll••••.

Unto these may be subjoyned those Authors which have treated particularly of the

Lords Prayer.
Creed.
Decalogue.
Sacraments.

which are generally much of the same nature and use with the Casuists.

On the Lords Prayer.

...B^P Andrews.
Aquinas.
...Babington.
...Bains.
Calvinus.
Cyprianus.
Lam. Danaeus.
...Dent.
...Dod.
Gregor. Nyssen.
...Greenwood.
...Dr Gouge.
...

Page 73

Dr. Hen. King.
...Jo. Mayer.
Martinus.
...Will. Perkins.
Alpb. Salmeron.
Hier. Savanorolla.
Hug. de S. Victore.
Lud. Vives.

On the Creed.

...Tho. Adams.
Hen. Alsted.
Aquinas.
Augustin••s.
...Babington.
...N. Bifeild.
Calvinus.
Cyprianus.
Danaeus.
Dr. Jackson.
Lutherus.
...Mayer.
Martinus.
...Perkins.
Del. Paz.
Zanchius.

On the Decalogue.

Hen. Alsted.
...B^P. Andrews.
Aquinas.
...Babington.
Calvinus.
...Jo. Dod.
...Elton.
Ioh. Gerson.
Lutberus.
...Jo. Mayer.
Pet. Martyr.
Martinus.
Melancton.
Musculus.
...Will. Perkins.
And. Rivet.
Jo. Vossius.
Hieron. Zanchius.

On the Sacraments.

Pet. de Alliaco.
Ambrosius.
...Will. Attersol.
Gerardus.
Martinus.
Guil. Parisiensis.
Greg. Sayrus.
Guil. Snecanus.
Paulus Tarnovius.
Wilhel. Zipperus.

Page 74

Besides the Authors of Common places, and the Schoolmen that comment on the fourth book of the Sentences, who do largely treat upon this subject.

Amongst the Writers of Controversies, the Schoolmen are in the first place considerable, who dispute over the whole body of Divinity in many nice and subtile Questions. And though this kind of learning do not deserve so much of our time and study, as they themselves bestowed up∣on it. A great part of it being but as cobwebs, fine for the spinning, but uselesse. And he were an unwise man who having bread and wine hanging on either side of him (the wholesome nutriment of the Old and New Testament) would notwith∣standing be continually gnawing upon a flint∣stone: yet because they were men of acute fancies and great searchers into the more abstruse and in∣tricate parts of Divinity, therefore they are not to be wholly neglected, but in many things may be very usefull.

Amongst these, the two chief are	Lumbard.
	Aquinas.

Peter Lumbard is the first, who is therefore called the Master of the Sentences, his Books be∣ing as the Text which are wholly Commented upon by

Gul. Altissiodorensis.
Alex. de Ales.
Tho. Aquinas.
Gab. Biell.
Dio Carthusianus.
Durand.
Estius.
Ockam.
...

Page 75

Bonaventura.
Jo. Capreolus.
Scotus.

The first book of the Sentences does treat of God, his Nature, Names, Properties, &c. This is commented upon particularly by

Pet. de Alliaco.
Greg. Areminensis

The second book of the Sentences does treat of the Creatures, Angels, Men, Originall sin, Free-will, &c. Upon which these are some of the most eminent Commentators.

Marsilius Inguen.
AEgidius Romanus.
Archangelus Rubeus.

The third book does speak of Christ his Incar∣nation, Passion, Merits, of Faith, Hope, Charity, and other graces; upon this there is

Pet. de Alliaco.
Io. de Rada.

The fourth book does insist upon the Sacra∣ments, Resurrection, Judgment, and state after this life. Upon this there is

Adrianus.
Ricardus de Media villa.
Dom. •• Soto.

Page 76

As these books of Sentences, so the Summes of Aquinas are likewise made choise of by the School∣men as another text upon which to inlarge them∣selves. These are Commented upon by

Rod. de Arriaga.
Dominicu•• Bannez.
Fran. Cumel.
Tho. à vio Cajetanus.
Fran. de Lugo in primam partem.
Did. Ruiz.
Fran. Suarez.
Greg. de Valentia.
Gab. Vasquez.

Particular Controversies about Discipline, are of three sorts; those that concern

1. Episcopacy.
2. Presbytery.
3. Independency.

Concerning Episcopacy there are these Authors:

Pro.	Con.
B^P. Bancroft.	Paul Bayn.
B^P. Bilson.	Cather wood his Altare Damascenum.
D^r. Burges.
B^P. Downham.	Tho. Cartwright.
Mason.	M^r. Parker.
B^P. Whitgift.
B^P. Hall.	SMECTYMNUUS.

Page 77

D^r. Heylin.	Walo-Messalinus, by Salmasius.
D^r. Taylor.

Concerning Presbytery.

Pro.	Con.
Apollonius.	The forecited Discour∣ses that are for Epis∣copacy.
Gersom Buceri Amica Collatio cum Georg. Downham.	Issachars Burden.
The divine right of Church-government, by the London Mini∣sters.	A Declaration concer∣ning Church govern∣ment and Presbyte∣ries.
M^r. Bailies Vindication.	D^r. Bramhill Warning against the Scots dis∣cipline.
Answer to D^r. Bramhill.
M^r. Pagets defence of Church-government
M^r. Rutherford.
Answer to the Reasons of the dissenting Bre∣thren.	The Reasons of the dis∣senting Brethren.
Salmasius de Apparatu ad Primatum Papae.	Saravia de gradibus mi∣nistrorum.
Gellius Snecanus.	Grallae ab Anonymo.
M^r. Gillis••y Assertion of government in Scot∣land.	Matth. Sutliv. de Pres∣byterio.

The debate concerning Independency is but of late years, and hath scarce been treated of in any of the learned Languages. There are these Authors

Page 78

For it.

Against it.

Amongst the Brownists, Ainsworth, Cann. Rob∣binson, in several parts of their Writings.

M. Ball, Tryall of the grounds tending to se∣paration.

Apollonius.

Apologeticall Narra∣tion.

Spanhemius.

Vindiciae Clavium.

M^r. Cottons Keyes of the Church.

M. Edwards	Reasons:
	Antapology.

M. Baylies Disswasive.

The way of the Chur∣ches in N. England.

D^t. Stewards	Conside∣rations.
	Duply.

M^r. Ioh. Goodwins an∣swer to the Antapo∣logy.

M. Hudson, concerning the essence and unity of the Catholique Church.

M. Mathers and M. Tomsons Answer to M. Hearl.

M. Hearl. The indepen∣dency on Scriptures of the independency of Churches.

M. Wells, his Answer to M. Rathband.

The 32 Questions.

M. Rathbands relation of Church courses in N. Eng.

Particular Controversies about Doctrine are very numerous and of severall kinds: The six be∣fore mentioned are in these times most common and generall.

Page 79

1. The Papists.

For them.	Against them.
	Amesius.
Becanus.	Chamierus.
	Chemnitius.
Bellarminus.	Morney.
	Pareus.
Stapleton.	Perkins.
	Rivetus.
Grego. de Valentia.	Tilenus.
	Whitaker, &c.

There are besides some mixt disputes of this kinde in our English tongue, wherein the Argu∣ments pro and con are put together; as,

Abbot and Bishop.
Chillingworth and Knot.
Iewell and Harding.
Reynolds and Hart.
White and Fisher, &c.

2. The Lutherans.

Pro.

Con.

Eckhardi Fasciculus.

Bezae Colloquium Mon∣tisbelgartense.

Io. Him∣melii.	Calvi. Baptis.
	Mateol. Calv.

Lud. Crocii Examen Matth. Hoe.

Matth. Hoe Calvinista∣rum descriptio.

Lamb. Danaei Resp. ad Nic. Selneccerum.

Page 80

Pro.

Con.

AEgid. Hunii.	Calvini confut.
	Cal. Iudaizans.

Hildebrandi Orthodoxa Declaratio.

Conrad. Schlusselburgi Theologia Calvinistarū

Dav. Paraei Orthodoxus Calvinus.

3. The Socinians.

Pro.	Con.
Socinus.	Christ. Becmanni Exercitati∣ones Theologicae cont. Socinū
Crellius.
Hieron. Moscharow.	Bisterfeldius.
Smaltius.	Jo. Botsacci Anti-Crellius.
Volchelius.	Abr. Calovius de Haeres. Socin.
Picesius.	D. Cheynels History of Socin.
Goslavius.	Dr. Cheynell of the Trinity.
Ostorodius.	Grotius de Satisfact. Christi.
Jonas Slictingius.	Iunius de divinitate Filii.
Catech. Racoviensis.	Sib. Lubertus con. Socinum.
	Martini Synopsis Photinianis.
	Jacob. ad Portum.
	Stegmanni Photinianismus.
	Paul. Tarnovius de Trin.
	Thalei Anatome Samosatenis.

4. The Arminians.

Pro.	Con.
Arminii opera.	Amesius con. Grevencho∣vium.
Apologia Remonstran.
Bertii Collatio Hagiensis.	Amesii Coronis.
Castellio.	Acta Synod. Dordracen.
Consessio Remonstran∣tium.	M. Bayly's Antidote ag. Arminianisme.

Page 81

Pro.

Con.

Corvinus contra.	Bogarman∣num.
	Tilenum.
	Molineum.

B^P. Davenant Animad∣versions on M. Hoard.

D^r. Featly Pelagius redi∣vivus.

M. Hoards Gods love to mankind.

B^P. Hutton.

Latius de Pelagianis.

Scripta Synodalia Re∣monstrantium.

Molinaei Anatome Ar∣minianismi.

Vorstius contra Piscato∣rem.

Twissi Vindiciae.

Videlius de Arcanis Ar∣minianismi.

Thomson.

Abbot.

5. The Anabaptists.

Pro.

Con.

There is scarce any Book of note in de∣fence of all the opi∣nions that are held by this Sect.

Cloppenberg. Gangraena, Lucae Osiandri Enchiri∣dion.

Io Wigandus.

Ios. Symlerus.

For that particular a∣gainst Paedobaptisme, it hath been of late much debated by M. Tombes his

*M. Bayly.

M. Blake.

M. Cook.

M. Cotton.

M. Marshall	Sermon.
	Answer.

Exercitation.

Examen.

M. Geree.

Apology.

M. Hussey.

M. Laurence.

D^r. Featly.

Vanity of childish Ba∣ptisme.

M. Baxter.

Page 82

6. The Antinomians.

Pro.

Con.

I know not of any Au∣thor who does Scho∣lastically maintain a∣ny of these points. They who are com∣monly cited for it, are

M. Geree against Doct. Crisp.

History of Antinomians.

Lutheri disputationes tres contra Antinom.

William Hinde, concern∣ing the office and use of the morall Law.

D^r. Crisp. Sermon.

M^r. Eaton	Honycomb.
	Dead faith.

D^r. Taylor, The use of the Law.

Iohan. Islebius Agricola.

* M. Sedgwick.

Ro. Town. The Asserti∣on of grace.

M. Gataker.

M. Ant. Burgesse.

M. Tho. Bedford.

The third kind of Authors proper for a Divine, are such as concern the study of Antiquity. Under which head the Authors upon these several sub∣jects may be reduced, namely concerning

1. Jewish Learning.
2. The Heathen Moralists.
3. The writings of the Fathers.
4. Ecclesiasticall History.
5. Councels.
6. Confessions.
7. Heresiologies.
8. Lives.
9. Martyrologies.

Page 83

1. For Jewish Learning.

Buxtorfii Tiberias?
- Lexico-Rabinicum.
- Synagoga Judaica.
Cuneus de Repub. Hebraeorum.
Le-Empereur clavis Talmudica.
Pet. Galatinus.
D^r. Goodwins Jewish Antiquities.
Maimonides de legibus Hebraeorum.
Ariae Montani Antiquitates Iudaicae.
Pagnini Thesaurus, cum Mercero, &c.
Schekhardi
- Examen Comment. Rabinicorum.
- De Iure Regum apud Hebraeos.
Seldeni
- De jure Gentium libri.
- Uxor Hebraica.
M^r. Lightfoot the
- ...Temple service.
- ...Temple.

2. The Heathen Moralists.

The two chief Authors in this kind are Plato and Aristotle, men of clear reason and profound judgments, whose works are sufficiently known. But besides these, there is.

Antoninus.
Epictetus.
Hierocles.
Maximus Tyrius.
Plotinus.
Salustius. Gr. L.
Seneca.
Simplicius.
Stobaeus.
Plutarchus.

Page 84

Seneca in traducendis vitiis salsus est & elegans, ac vehemens etiam. De moribus nemo foelicius scrip∣sit quam Plutarchus, c••jus libelli digni sunt qui ad verbum ediscantur, è quibus Basilius & Chryso∣stomus multa videntur hausisse.

Unto these may be added those Authors that treat concerning Naturall Divinity, The Religi∣on of the Heathen, or the Light of Nature, And the use of reason in sacred matters, and the like, such as

Coelius secundus.
Collius de Animabus Paganorum.
Lipsii manuductio ad Stoicam Philosophiam.
Marinus de cognitione hominis quoad lumine na∣turali attincre potest.
Musaeus de usu principiorum philosophiae & ra∣tionis.
Raimundi de Sabundis Theologia naturalis.
Nic. Videlii Rationale Theologicum.
Io. Vossius de Theologia Gentili.

3. The Writings of the Fathers.

The ancient Fathers are usually reckoned up, according to the Age and Centuries wherein they lived.

The 1. Century.

Clemens.
Ignatius.
Dionysius Areopagita.
Polycarpus.

The 2^d. Century.

Iustin Martyr.
Athenagoras.
Irenaeus.

Page 85

The 3^d Century.

Tertullianus.
Theophilus Antiochenus.
Clemens Alexandrinus.
Origenes.
Gregorius Thaumatur∣gus.
Cyprianus.
Arnobius.
Lactantius.

The 4^th. Cent.

Eusebius Caesariensis.
Athanasius.
Hilarius.
Cyrillus. Hierosol.
Basilius.
Gregorius Nazian.
Epiphanius.
Ambrosius.
Gregorius Nyssenus.
Theodoretus.
Hieronymus.
Chrysostomus.

The 5^th. Cent.

Augustinus,
Cyrillus Alexan,
Chrysologus.
Salvian.
Prosper.
Fulgentius.

The 6, & 7^th. Cent.

Gregorius Magnus.

The 8^th. Cent.

Beda.
Damascenus.

The 9^th. Cent.

Nicephorus.

The 10^th, 11^th, 12^th. Centuries.

Theophylactus.
Anselmus,
Bernardus.
Pet. Lumbar▪ dus, &c.

Divers other of the lesser Fathers, See in Biblio∣theca Graec. Patrum.

Page 86

Many of the most eminent amongst these are thus charactered and censured by Erasmus.

Basilius, dilucidus, pius, sanus, suaviter gravis, & graviter suavis, nihil habens affectatae loqua∣citatis.

Athanasius in docendo mirus.

Chrysostomi scripta popularia sunt, & adimperitae multitudinis aures animosque accommodata.

In Gregorio Nazianzeno, multum est acuminis, vehementiae satis.

Tertullianus durus est, tametsisalsus in confutan∣dis h••reticis, nasutus in traducendis vitiis.

Cyprianus, apertus, vehemens, serius, nec infeli∣citer fluens.

Ambrosius habet, argutias, & sententias affecta∣tas, saepe etiam subobscuras.

Hieronymus, adomnem dicendi facultatem apposi∣tus, ardens in concitandis affectibus.

Augustinus in genere extemporalifoelix est & ar∣gutus, sed dulcior est quam gravior.

Gregorius Pontif. Rom. simplex & pius.

Prud••ntius, licet carmine scripsit, multum spirat Ch••istianae facundiae.

Bernardus, festivus, jucundus, nec segnis in mo∣vendis affectibus.

In the reading of the Fathers there is much caution to be used, for the distinguishing of their spurious imposed works, from such as are true and genuine. To which purpose, there are particular directions set down at large in these Tracts.

...

Page 87

Bellarminus de Scriptor. Ecclesiasticis.
Coci censura quorundam scriptorum.
Doctor James his censure.
M. Perkins his demonstration of the Probleme.
Riveti Critici sacri specimen.

Many of the Fathers are Logically contracted by Scultetus, in the Medulla Patrum, as also M. Rous in his Mella Patrum, which may be very usefull both for those who intend with profit to read any of them over; and for others also, who have not means or leisure to peruse them at large.

4. Ecclesiasticall History.

This subject is variously treated of, either brief∣ly in Epitomes, or more at large; either more ge∣nerally for a long succession of times, or more par∣ticularly for some few ages.

Epitomes.

Jo. Micrelii Syntagma Histor. Ecclesiast.
Dav. Parei Epitome.
Sympsons History of the Church.
Spondani Epitome Baronii.
Conrad. Hornei. Compend. Histor. Ecclesiast.

More large.

Baronius.
Centuriatores.
Dorotheus.
Evagrius.
Eusebius.
Iosephus.
Nicephorus▪
Ruffinus.
Socrates.
Sozomen.
Sulpitius Severus.
Theod••retus.

Page 88

Unto which may be added Bishop Mounta∣gue's Apparatus, and Io. Forbesii Instructiones Hi∣storico-Theologicae.

...Hospiniani Historia Iesuitica.
...Mornaei Historia Papatus.
...Luào. Lucii historia Jesuitica.
...B^P Usher de Britannicarum Ecclesiarum primor∣diis.
Samson Lennard's history of the Waldenses & Albigenses.
B^P Parkers Antiquitates Britannicae. By Iosseline.
...Goldasti, Histor.

The continuation of the sacred story from Ne∣hemiah to Christ by D^r Mayer at the end of his English Comments lately published.

5. Councels.

Counsels are either	General	in	Large.
	Particular		Little.

Concilia generalia. Binii. Gr. Lat. 10. vol.

Romae 4. vol.
Crab. 3. vol.
Caranzae Epitom.
Longii à Coriolano Epitom. Concil.
Concilia Gallicana. Sermond.
Britannica. Spelman.
Hispanica. Garcia.
Balsamon in concilia.
Zonaras in concilia.
Synodus Ephesina.

Page 89

Iustelli codex Canonum. Ecclesiae Universae.

The Councel of Trent	History.
	Review.

Unto which may be subjoyned as being very usefull and something of this nature, the Canon Law, Corpus juris canonici.

6. Confessions.

Corpus Confessionum.
Confessio Augustana.

Besides many other Confessions of particular Churches, which according to the various light and severall occasions of those times wherein they were framed, do comprehend the chief heads of Religion.

7. Heresiogies.

Augustinus.
Damascen.
Epiphanius.
Petrei Haeresiologia.
Alph. à Castro.
Guido Carmelita.
Irenaeus.
Schlusselburgii Catal.
Leontius de Sectis.
Io. Pontani Catal. Haeret.
Vincentius Lyrinensis.
Philastrius.

8. Lives.

Rob. Barns, and Io. Baleus de vitis Pontificum.
Ioan. Bismarcus.
...

Page 90

Theod. Bezae Icones virorum illustrium.
...The Glory of their times, or the lives of the Fathers.
M. Clarke, The Lives of the Fathers.
Govanus de vitis Patrum Occident.
Halliox. de vit. & script. patrum 1 & 2^di▪ saeculi.
Hieronymus de illustribus Ecclesiae doctoribus.
Lippomannus de vitis Sanctorum.
Melchior Adam. de vit. Theol. Germ.
Georgius Major.
Platina de vitis Pontificum.
Rosweydus de vitis Patrum Orientis.

9. Martyrologies.

Baronii Martyrologium.
Eulardi Martyrol.
Martyrologium Romanum.
—Gallicanum.
Monumenta Martyrum.
...Book of Martyrs.

These are the severall kinds of books which are most proper and usefull for a Preacher; and these are some of the most eminent Authors in each kind. It would be expedient for a Minister to be provided at least with one of each sort, unto which he might have recourse upon all doubts and enquiries of that nature. And this may be one speciall advantage for the invention of mat∣ter.

The second help proposed for this purpose, was

Page 91

a right method and series of matter to be first and most exactly inquired into. When a man studies over the chief heads of the whole body of Divi∣nity, according to some naturall method and de∣pendence; by which means the several parts will give mutuall light to one another, and the better inable a man to see into the principles and bot∣tome of things. And when he has thus delibe∣rately passed over the whole, he may afterwards with the more facility inlarge himself upon any particular text or subject as occasion shall require.

Our chief collections in the study of these heads may be contrived under the form of Ser∣mons. Every Sermon containing either one or more of them, according to the nature of seve∣rall subjects.

There is a twofold series or order, that may be observed in the matter of our Sermons;

Exegeticall.
Methodicall.

Exegeticall, is when a man goes on in a conti∣nued course of unfolding some particular book or chapter, which (though it be of very great use, yet) is not so proper for a young Divine to begin withall.

Methodical, is when we propose a certaine Scheme or designe of matter to be orderly insi∣sted upon under several heads.

This again is twofold,	Catechisticall.
	Scholasticall.

Catechisticall does referre to those plain and most obvious principles of Religion, laid down in the Catechisme, contained under those four ge∣nerall heads.

Page 92

The	Creed.
	Commandements.
	Lords Prayer.
	Sacraments.

The distinct unfolding of which may be of great advantage, and has heretofore been esteem∣ed a very good Method both for Ministers and people.

Scholasticall method, or that which is by way of Common place, is more particular and com∣prehensive then the former, taking in all those chief heads, that are insisted upon, either in the Schoolmen or the Common-place-writers.

These Schemes of matter are various accor∣ding to severall mens fancies and apprehensions. But amongst all, that is to be esteemed the best, which is most naturall for the order, and most com∣prehensive for the extent of it.

There are divers learned men, who in Analy∣zing the whole body of Divinity, have contrived the Scheme of it under 52 heads, according to the number of weeks in a yeer, so that in that space one who is a constant Preacher, might go through all of them. To which purpose, see Mr. Crooks Guide; B^P Ushers Catechisticall Doctrine, where the whole substance of Divinity is dispo∣sed under so many severall heads of matter, and severall pertinent Scriptures for texts to each of them.

But amongst the rest there is a very full elabo∣rate frame proposed by Doctor Staughton, which takes in, (what is much neglected amongst other

Page 93

Protestant Writers) the most profitable points handled amongst the Schoolmen, who were great searchers into Divinity, and their writings in many things very usefull. This frame of his is largely set down in his third Sermon upon 2 Tim. 1. 13.

Where he represents the whole body of Divinity under the notion of an AEdifice or building, wherein there are two things considerable.

The	Frontispice or Porch.
	Fabrick or pile.

In the Frontispice he proposeth four generall heads, which are premised as the praecognita to this series.

In the Fabrick there are two stories, and in each story two rooms.

In the first story is contained the chief princi∣ples to be known or beleeved,

Either more	Generally,	in each of these 12. heads.
	Particularly,
In the second story, things for practise,	Duties,	in each 12 parti∣cular heads.
	Helps,

In all 52. But in some of these the method seems obscure and involved, especially towards the latter part of it.

Besides this, there are divers other draughts and Systems of Divinity in several other Authors, Amesius, Trelcatius, Tilenus, Wollebius, &c. To which may be added Bishop Downhams Abstract, a bookof singular use for direction in this kind;

Page 94

out of these it is easie for any one to compose such an Analysis as shall be most sutable to his owne apprehension, and that is certainly most proper for every one, which he himself shall frame. For instance and illustration, consider this model which is collected from the Authors above named.

In Divinity two things are considerable,

The Praecognita or generals to be premised concerning
- Happinesse, Psal. 4. 6. Micab. 4. 5.
- Religion, Eccles. 12. 13. Act 24. 14.
- Church, M••tth. 16. 18.
- Scripture, 2 Tim. 3. 16.
The Parts con∣taining things to be
- Known and be∣leeved con∣cerning
  - God, Vide A.
  - Man, Vide C.
- Done and pra∣ctised, com∣manded in the
  - Law, vid. I.
  - Gospel, vid. V.

Happinesse.

Upon this subject, See at large the Moralists. A∣quinas 1^a 2^dae. The Com∣mentators upon Eccle∣siastes.

M. Reynolds his three Treatises.

Doctor Staugh ton	Happines of man:
	Righteous mans
	plea to happiness.

Rob. Bolton, Discourse of true happinesse.

Jo. Downhā concerning the vanity of all worldly things. Spiritual warfare

Page 95

Religion in generall.

The controversies against Turks, Jewes, the Apo∣logies of the Fathers for the Christian Religion against the Heathen.

Phil. Mornaeus	Deveritate
	Christianae
Hug Grotius.	Religionis.

Ed. Brerewoods Enqui∣ries.

Mr. Pagets Christiano∣graphy.

S••. Edwin Sands Relation of the state of Religion.

Church.

The Common places. Con∣troversies about Disci∣pline.

Dr. Feild, Of the Church.

Dr. Jackson.

B^P. Morton.

Jo. Randall.

Dr Preston, The Chur∣ches.	Dignity.
	Duty.

Scripture.

Jo. Goodwin. The di∣vine authoritie of the Scriptures assertd.

The Common places: Con∣troversies betwixt us and the Papists. Those pre∣paratory discourses for the study of Scripture mentioned before.

Fra. Roberts Key of the Bible.

Jo. Weems, Exercitati∣on proving the necessity, majesty, integrity, per∣spicuity of the Scriptures.

His Christian Synagogue concerning the diverse reading, right pointing, translation, collation of Scripture.

Ed. Leigh, Of the autho∣rity, editions, versions, end, properties, interpre∣tation of Scripture.

Sa. Hieron. Dignity of the Scripture.

Nic. Byfeild, Directions for private reading of the Scripture.

B^P. Jewell. Treatise of the holy Scripture.

Jo. White. The way to•• the tree of life, in sundry directions for our profi∣table reading of the Scriptures.

Page 96

A. Things to be known and be∣lieved concer∣ning God, in

Himselfe
- Essence set forth in his
  - Name, Exod. 3. 14.
  - Attribiutes.
    - First
      - Incommu∣nicable
        Simplenesse, 1 John 1. 5.
        Infinite nesse.
        Immensity, 1 Kings 8. 27.
        AEternity. 1 Tim. 1. 17.
      - Communicable
        Love, Mercy,
        Exod 34. 6.
        Wisdome, Power, &c.
        ••ob 36. 9.
    - Arising from the first.
      - Perfection.
      - Glory.
      - Blessednesse.
- Persons
  - Father, Sonne, Holy Ghost,
    - Matth. 28. 19. 1 John 5. 7.
His actions and works
- ...Immanent,
  - His generall coun••ell and decree concer∣ning all things, Ephes. 1. 11.
  - Partic. of reas. creat. Praedest.
    - Election, Rom. 9. 23.
    - Reprobation 2 Tim. 2. 20.
- Transient, vid. B.

Page 97

God.

The Common places Schoolmen, Lumbard li. 1. Aquinas p. 1.

Dr. Preston. Treatise of the divine Essence and Attributes.

Ed. Leigh. Treatise of Divinity.

Sam. Hieron. Back parts of Jehovah.

Dr. Jackson. Treatise of the divine Essence and Attributes.

Tho. Morton. Treatise of the Nature of God.

The Name of God.

Jerem. Borough's, Lord of Hosts.

Jos. Mede. Sanctification of Gods Name.

Attributes.

Dr. Preston, as before.

Item, concerning Gods all-sufficiency.

Rich. Stock. Treatise of Gods Attributes.

The Trinity.

The Socinian Controver∣sies. Lumbard li. 1. A∣quin. p. 1.

Dr. Cheynell.

Hugh Broughton.

Ben. Austin.

Hils Collection out of Zanchy de tribus Elo∣him.

Gods decrees in ge∣nerall.

Lumbard li. 1. Common places.

Ed. Leigh. Treatise of Divinity.

Predestination.

Common places. Armini∣an controversies.

Gomarus de praedesti∣natione.

M. Cotton & D. Twisse.

M. Pe••kins. Treatise of the manner and order of Predestination.

Jo. Ailward.

Jo. Veron. Apology for Predestination.

Page 98

B. The Transient workes of God do refer either to.

...Nature
- Creation
  - generall things
    - AEthere∣all, Gen. 1.1.
    - Elemen∣tary, Gen. 1.1.
  - particular
    - Angels, Coloss. 1. 16.
    - Men, Gen. 2. 7.
- Providence
  - Common, in the order of Nature, Psal. 135. 6.
  - Speciall in the gui∣dance of humane affaires.
    - Small and Great, Mat. 10. 29.
    - Casuall and Neces. Pro. 16. 33.
    - Evill and Good, A∣mos. ••. 6.
Grace contriving our redemption by Christ, who in thatwork may be co••sidered ac∣cording to his
- ...Offices
  - Regall, Psal. 110. 1. Isa. 9 6.
  - Priestly, H••b. 5. 1. & 9. 24
  - Prophetical, Isa. 61 1.
- ...States
  - Humi∣liation.
    - Nativity, Luk. 2. 11.
    - Incarnatiō, 2 Tim. 3. 16
    - Passion, 1 Pet. 3. 18.
  - Exalta∣tion.
    - Resurrection Act. 2. 24
    - Ascension, Eph. 4. 8.
    - Session, 1 Pet. 3. 22.

Page 99

Creation.

Common places. Lumbard. lib. 2. Aquinas p. 1. Commentators on Ge∣nesis.

Geo. Walker. Treatise of the externall works of God.

Tho. Jackson.

Providence.

Tho. Jackson.

Gul. Pemble, de providen.

Geo. Walker, of God actu∣all Providence.

D^r Hackwels Apology.

D^r Gouge. The extent of Gods Providence.

Jo. Veron Treatise of Di∣vine Providence.

Jo. Wilkins The beauty of Providence.

Redemption.

The Arminian and Soci∣nian controversies.

Stalham, against univer∣sall redemption.

M^r Jo. Owen, The death of Christ.

Spanhemii Exercitationes de Gratia Universali.

Christs Offices.

M. Reynolds, on the 110. Psal.

D^r Fowns Trisagion.

Christs states of	Humiliation.
	Exaltation.

Lumbard lib. 3. Aquinas p. 3.

B^P Usher.	of Christs Incarnatiō.
M. Casaub.

D. Jackson. The humilia∣tion of the Son of God.

Th. Goodwin, Of Christs Death, Resurrection, A∣scension, &c.

B^P Andrews, B^P Lake, Doct. Don, &c.

Nativity and Passion Ser∣mons.

B^P Bilson.	of Christs sufferings
Hen. Jacob.

Page 100

c. Things to be known and be∣leeved concer∣ning Man may referre to his severall

Parts.
- Body, its naturall
  - Perfections, 1 Cor. 11 7.
  - ...
    Infirmities, as Affliction, Psal 103 14.
    Mortality.
- Soul, its
  - ...
    Nature Spirituall. Ecclef. 12. 7.
    Immortall,
  - ...
    Facul∣ties, Understanding, And here of Free will.
    Will, Acts, Habits
    Affections, Virtues, and
    Memory. Vices in ge∣nerall.
    Conscience,
States.
- In this life,
  - Inno∣cence
    - Covenant of works, Gal. 3. 20.
    - ...
      Sacraments, the Tree of Life, Gen. 2. 9. 17.
      Knowl.
  - Fall, vid. D.
  - Restauration, vid. F.
- After this life, vid. H.

Of man in generall.

Lumbard li. 2.

Jo. Weems, The portrai∣ture of the image of God in man, in his

Creation.
Restauration.
Glerification.

Ant. Nixon, The dignity of man.

Afflictions.

B^P Hall, Balm of Gilead.

M^r Hughs, Dry rod blos∣soming.

Jo: Downham, Spirituall warfare.

Paul Bain, comfort and instruction in afflictions.

Page 101

Mortality.

M^r Perkins, Treatise of dying well.

Manchester, al Mondo. A Contemplation of death and immortality.

Rob: Harris	Samuels funeral
	Barzillai.

Sam: Hieron. Useful me∣ditations on mortality, on Phil: 1, 2, 3.

Will: Cowper, Defiance to death.

Divers Funeral Sermons collected into one Volume stiled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

M. Byfeild, Cure of the fear of death.

Sam: Crook, Death sub∣dued.

Immortality of the soul.

Aquinas p. 1. The Philo∣sophical discourses de Anima.

P: Morney, Translated.

Sir Kenelm Digby.

Jo: Jackson, Defence of the souls immortality.

Passions.

Aquinas, 1^a 2^dae.

M. Reynolds, Treatise of the passions.

Will: Fenner, Treatise of the affections.

Tho. Wright, The passi∣ons of mind.

Conscience.

The Casuists.

M. Perkins, A discourse of Conscience.

Sam. Ward, Balm from Gilead.

Jerem. Dyke, Will: Fen∣ner, D. Hammond.

M. Harris

Judas his misery on Matth. 27. 3.
S. Pauls
- ...Exercise,
- ...Confidence
Acts 21. 16.
Get, keep, and use a good conscience, on Heb. 13. 18.

Richard Bernard, Chri∣stian see to thy conscience.

* M. Sheffeild. a good con∣science the strongest hold.

Page 102

Free-will.

The Casuists, Arminian controversies.

Common places. Lumbard lib. 2.

M. Perkins. Treatise of Gods free grace, and mans free-will.

Jo. Bradford, Dialogue of Predestination and Free-will.

Jo. Veron. Treatise of Free-will.

D. In the Fall of man, there is considerable the

...Sinne,
- Originall, Rom. 5. 18, 19. & 7. 7. Psal. 51. 5.
- Actuall
  - Weaknesse, Rom. 7. 19.
  - Malice, Psal. 19. 13. Heb. 6. 4.
...
Punishment Death, Temporall, Rom. 5. 12.
Spirituall,
Eternall.

Page 103

Of Sinne.

P. Lumbard lib. 2.

M. Reynolds, Sinfulnesse of sin.

Tho: Goodwin, Aggra∣vation of sin.

M. Byfeild, rules and di∣rections about our sins.

Of Original sinne.

The Common places: Ca∣suists: Arminian con∣troversies: Lumbard lib. 2. Aquinas 1^a 2^dae.

D^r Sibs, The dead man, or the state of every man by nature, on Ephes. 2. 1

W. Teelinck, Pauls com∣plaint against his natu∣rall corruption.

Sins of	Weaknesse.
	Wilfulnesse.

Sam. Hoard, of presum∣ptuous sins.

Jerem. Dyke, of quench∣ing the Spirit.

D^r Hammond.

D^r Preston, The Saints infirmities.

The sin against the holy Ghost.

Lumbard li. 2. Casuists.

Will: Bradshaw.

D^r Donne, on Matth. 12. 31.

Sebast: Benefield.

Jo: Denison.

Henry Hoddesdon.

Jo: Meredith, The sin of blasp••eming against the holy Ghost.

The punishment of sin.

The Common places. Ca∣suists.

D^r Gouge, 3. Arrows.

See after, de quatuor Novissimis.

Tho: Beard, Theater of Gods judgments.

Page 104

E. In our re∣stauration there is conside∣rable

The Covenant of Grace, Gen 3. 15. Gal. 3. 2. 1.
Vocation into foederal Communion, the admini∣strations whereof have been various under
- The old Testament,
  - Which enjoyns some things peculiar to the jews, as
    - A Church, the Ceremonial;
    - A Nation, the Judicial Law.
  - Wherein the Doctrine of the Gospel is
    - Offered more obscurely, Heb. 1. 1. & 10. 1.
    - Sealed
      - Ordinarily in the
        Sacrifices, Heb. 9. 9.
        Sacra∣ments
        Circumcision, Gen. 17. 10.
        Passeover, Exod. 12••.
      - Extraordinarily inva∣rious Types, 1 Pet. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 1.
- The New Test.
  - Teaching more plainly, Heb. 1. 2. Rom. 16. 25, 26.
  - Sealing in the Sa∣craments of
    - Baptisme, John 3. 5.
    - The Supper, 1 Cor. 11.
Justification, Vide F. Sanctification, Vide G.

Page 105

The Covenant of Grace.

Dr. Preston.

Jo. Cotton.

Jo. Ball. Treatise of the Covenant of Grace.

Peter Bulkley. The Gos∣pel Covenant.

B^P. Downham, of the Covenant of Grace.

Rob. Harris. Treatise of the Covenant.

Cameron de triplici foe∣dere.

The	Ceremoni∣all	Law.
	Judiciall

Aquinas 1^a. 2^ae.

Jo. Weems Expositi∣on of the	Ceremon.
	Judiciall.

Sacrifices and Types.

M. Guild. Moses and Aaron unvailed.

D. Taylor, of Types.

Sacraments in generall.

Common places: Lumbard lib. 4. Aquinas p. 3. The particular Treatises upon this subject menti∣oned before, pag. 73.

The New Testament.

D. Reynolds. on the 110. Psal. concerning the ex∣cellency and power of the Gospel.

D. Sibs. The excellency of the Gospel above the Law, on 2 Cor. 3. 17, 18.

Baptisme.

Lumbard lib. 4. The controversies about Pae∣dobaptisme, mentioned before, pag. 81.

M^r Rogers.

D. Burgesse. Of Baptis∣mall regeneration.

Jo. Down. Treatise of the faith of Infants.

Sam. Hieron. Baptizing of the Eunuch, on Acts 8. 36, 37.

The Lords Supper.

Jer. Dyke. The worthy Communicant.

Page 106

M. Rogers.

M. Dod.

D. Preston.

Sam. Bolton.

Will. Pemble. Intro∣duction to the Sacra∣ment.

Will. Bradshaw. A pre∣paration to, and recei∣ving of Christs body and blood.

Tho. Morton. Treatise of the Lords Sup∣per.

D. Gouge. of the Lords Supper.

D. Reynolds Meditati∣on of the Lords Sup∣per.

Will. Cowper, prepara∣tive.

Will. Fen∣ner.

Punishment of unwor∣thy Com∣municants. Duty of Commun.

M. Cudworth. A di∣scourse concerning the true notion of the Lords Supper.

Jo. Down. Against Tran∣substantiation.

Phil. Goodwin.

F. Justifi∣cation is wrought

Instrumentally by Faith, Rom. 10. 10.
Efficiently by Christ, his obedience.
- Active, Matth. 3. 15.
- Passive, 1 Pet. 2. 24.

Page 107

G. Sanctifica∣tion is con∣siderable according to its

Parts.
- ...
  Mortifica∣tion Denying our selves. Mat. 8. 34.
  Taking up our crosse.
- Vivification
  - Renovation of the John 33. Tit. 3. 5.
    - Faculties.
    - Habits.
- Progresse and Increase in grace. 2 Pet. 1. 5. & 3. 18.
Priviledges.
- Liberty, from
  - The Law
    - Ceremoniall, Gal. 5. 13.
    - Morall, Rom. 10. 4.
  - Sinne, 1 John 5. 18.
- Joy, 1 Pet. 1. 8.
- Peace, Rom. 5. 1.

Of Justification.

Common places. Contro∣versies betnixt us and the Papists.

B^P. Downham, Io.

Will. Pemble.

M. Forbes.

Jo. Goodwin.

Rich. Baxter. Aphorisins of Justification.

Sanctification.

D. Prestons Saints qua∣lifications.

Jo. Downham, Spirit••∣all warfare.

The Tracts that set down generall directions for a Christians walking with God, as

M. Scudder, the Chri∣stians daily walk.

Rob. Bolton, Directions for walking.

M. Brinsley. True watch.

Paul Bain, directions,

Practise of piety, &c.

Page 108

Mortification.

D. Pre∣ston.	Sins overthrow.
	Treatise of hu∣miliation.
	Golden Scepter.

M. Cotton. Sins deadly wound: on Acts 2. 37.

M. Woolfall: of Morti∣fication.

Rob. Bolton. Helps to humiliation.

Self-denyall.

D. Reynolds: on Matth. 16. 24.

M. Hooker.

Jer. Bur. roughs.	Self-denyall.
	Moses his choise

D. Preston. Treatise of Self-denyall.

Taking up the Crosse.

D. Hammond.

Those that write on the Beatitudes, ver. 11.

Vivification.

M. Wheatleys New birth.

B••. Cowpers Anatomy of a Christian.

Sam. Hieron, old and new man: on John 3. 6.

Tho. Morton. Treatise concerning Regeneration.

Dr Taylors	New Creature.
	Kings bath of Regeneration.

Progresse in grace.

Tho. Goodwin. Growth in grace.

D. Taylor. The Saints progresse.

Ob. Sedgwicks. Christs counsell to his languish∣ing Chu••ch.

Christian liberty.

Geor. Downham. Trea∣tise of Christian liberty.

D. Saunderson: on 1 Pet. 2. 16.

Sam. Bolton. True bounds of Christian freedom.

William Pemble	Slavery of sinne.
	Benefit of Gods service.

Joy.

M. Gataker: on Ps. 97. 11.

Will. Cowper. Heaven opened.

D. Donne: on Psal. 32. 10, 11.

Peace of Minde.

See Assurance: Deser∣tions.

Rob. Harris. Blessednesse of a sound spirit: on Pro. 18. 14.

Page 109

H. Mans state after this life.

Resurrection, 1 Cor. 15. 52. John 19. 25, 26.
Judgment
- Particular, Heb. 9. 27.
- Generall, Acts 17. 31.
  - States
    - Salvation, Joh. 5 29.
    - Damnation, Dan. 12. 2.
  - Place.
    - Heaven, Psal. 16. 11.
    - Hell, Rev. 20. 15.

I. Duties required in the Law, are ei∣ther

More Generall as be∣ing conducibleto e∣very duty, in respect of the
- Manner, with
  - Sincerity, Rom. 6. 17.
  - Readiness, 1 Chro. 28. 9.
  - Zeal, 1 Kings 19. 10.
  - Constancy, Rev. 2. 10.
- Means;
  - Prayer, 2 Cor. 3. 5.
  - The word, Rom. 10. 17.
  - Good company, Psal. 119. 115.
More Speciall comman∣ded in the
- 1 Table, our du∣ty to God.
  - Internall worship. 1 Com. Vide K.
  - Externall in the
    - 2^d Vide L.
    - 3^d Vide M.
    - 4^th Vide N.
- 2 Table referring unto
  - Acts or intents concer∣ning
    - Speciall ranks of men, 5. Vide O.
    - All per∣sons
      - Life, Com. 6. Vide P.
      - Chastity, Com. 7. Vide Q.
      - Goods, Com. 8. Vide R.
      - Name, Com. 9. Vide S.
  - The very motion without consent, Com. 10. Vide T.

Page 110

The 4 last things.

The Common places. Lumbard lib. 4. Aqui∣nas in supplemento par∣tis 3^ae.

Rob. Bolton.

Baxter. The Saints rest.

Resurrection.

B^P Lake.	Sermons for Ea∣ster.
B. Andrews.
D^r Donne.

Judgment.

Greenwood: The gene∣rall judgment.

Sam. Smith: Great Assise.

Will. Fenner: The judg∣ment of the world passed by Saints.

Will. Attersoll: Gods trumpet sounding the A∣larum.

Joseph Mede: The pro∣phesie of S. Peter, con∣c••r••ing the day of Christs second coming.

Sincerity

D^r Preston. Of mans up∣rightnesse.

M. Gataker: on Psal. 97. 11.

M. Hooker: on 2 Tim. 3. 5.

D^r Sander∣son: on	1 Kings 21. ••9.
	Gen. 20. 6.

Hitherto may be referred the Tracts of Hypocrisie: as, Sam. Torshels Hypocrite.

Sam. Hieron. Discovery of hypocrifie, Mat. 3. 10.

B^P Hall. The Hypocrite, on 2 Tim. 5. 3.

Readinesse and Watch∣fulnesse.

M. Gataker: on Mar. 13. 37.

Joh. Downham: Against Sec••••ity.

D^r Sibs: Gods inquisition, on Jer. 8. 6, 7.

Sam. Hieron: The reme∣dy of Security.

Will. Fenner: Christs a∣larum to drowzy Saints.

Jo. Rogers: Discourse of Christian watchfulnesse.

Page 111

Zeal.

D^r Burgesse: Fire of the Sanctnary.

M^r Bowles: on Joh. 2. 17.

D^r Sibs: Violence victori∣ous, on Mat. 11. 12.

M^r Greenham: on Rev. 3. 19.

Constancy or Perse∣verance.

Aquinas 2^a 2^ae. Common places.

D^r Benefeild Gomarus

de perseve rantia.

M^r Gataker: on Rev. 2. 10.

Ob. Sedgewick: on Rev. 3. 2, 3.

Prayer.

D^r Preston: Saints dai∣ly exercise.

Rob. Harris: Peters in largemnt.

Tho. Goodwin. Return of Praye••s.

Tho. Ball	about set formes.
Jo. Cotton
Gifford	about read prayer,
Greenwood

Jos. Mede.

Hearing and Reading the Word.

M^r Mason.

Jer. Dyke of the right

eating & di∣gesting

the word

B^P Andrews, on James 1. 22.

Joh. Downham, Trea∣tise of the force and effi∣cacy of reading.

Good Company.

Joseph Beutham: The society of the Saints.

Sam. Torshell.

Page 112

K. The first Commande∣ment does

Prohibit,
- Atheisme, Heb. 11. 6.
- Poluthe••sme, Deut. 6. 4.
- Heresie, Tit. 3. 10, 11.
- A postacy, Heb. 10. 26.
- Errors, James 1. 16.
Injoyn
- Knowledge, John 17. 3.
- Remembrance, Eccles. 12 1:
- Love, Deut. 6. 5.
- Trust, P••ov. 3. 5.
- Hope, Psal. 146. 5.
- Fear, Isa. 51. 12, 13.
- Gratitude, 1 Thess. 5. 18.
- Humility, Mic. 6. 8.
- Patience, Lam. 3. 39.
- Obedience, 1 John 5. 3.

Of the Moral Law in generall.

The Common places: Ca∣suists. Aquinas 1^a 2^ae.

Controversies against the Antinomians, mentio∣ned, pag. 82. Commen∣tators on the Decalogue, pag. 73.

D^r Reynolds. The use of the Law.

Jo. Weems: Of the Mo∣rall Law.

Atheisme or Polu∣theisme.

See the Treatises before, concerning Gods Essence and Attributes. p. 97.

Smiths Arrow.

Mart. Fotherby: Atheo∣mastix.

Jo. Weems: Treatise of the Atheist.

Heresie.

Aquinas 1^a 2^ae. The Tracts of Heresie men∣tioned, p. 97. Many par∣ticular Sermons ••pon this subject, as M. Ob. Sedgewick, M. Cran∣ford, Mr. Vines, Mr. Clark, &c.

Page 113

Apostasie.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

Will. Pemble.

Tho. Goodwin: The danger of relapsing.

D^r Featly: on Ezek. 18. 24.

M^t Mede: The Aposta∣sie of the latter times.

Error.

Sam. Bolton: Tract con∣cerning Errour.

Jer. Burroughs Irenicum.

B^P Davenant: Exhorta∣tion to communion.

Knowledge and Re∣membrance of God.

M^r Perkins. A declarati∣on of the true manner of knowing Christ crucified.

Will. Pemble. Mischief of ignorance.

D^r Featley: on 1 Cor. 2. 2.

Pet. Molinaeus, de cog∣nitione Dei.

Love	to God.
Gratitude

Lumbard lib. 3. Aqui∣nas 2. 2^dae.

D^r Preston. Of Love,

Will: Pemble. The Chri∣stians love.

M^r Pink. Tryall of a Chri∣stians love.

D^r Sanderson, 1 Tim. 4. 4

D^r Donne: on 1 Cor: 16. 22.

Trust and Hope in God.

Lumbard lib. 3. Aqui∣nas 2. 2^dae.

M^r Harris. Davids com∣fort at Ziglag.

Fear of God.

Lumbard lib. 7.

M^r Greenham. Of Gods fear.

D. Donne. on 1 Pet. 1. 17.

Will. Case. The nature & necessity of godly fear.

Humility.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae. Sibelius de humilitate Davidis in Psal. 131. Commen. on the Beatitudes.

Page 114

M. Cawdrey. Humility the Saints livery.

D. Featley: on Matth. 5. 3.

B^P Hall. The fall of pride; on Pov. 29. 23.

Patience.

Aquinas 2. 2^ae. See Affli∣ctions. Drexelius.

Will: Cowper. Praise of patience.

M. Young.

L The second Command∣ment does

...Prohibite
- Idolatry, Psal. 97. 7.
- Will-worship▪ Col: 2. 23.
- Superstition, Acts 17. 22.
- Traditions, Coloss: 2. 8.
- Witchcraft, Exod. 22. 18.
- Schisme, 1 Cor: 11. 18.
- Confusion, 1 Cor: 11. 21.
Injoyn right worship in respect of the
- ...
  Manner Deut: 12. 32.
  Means John 4. 24.
- Sorts.
  - Ordinary
    - Prayer, 1 Thess. 5. 17.
    - Preaching, Mal. 2. 7.
    - Sacraments.
    - Discipline, Mat: 18. 17.
  - Extraord.
    - Fasting, Lev. 23. 29.
    - Feasting, Esther 9. 22.

Page 115

Idolatry.

Jo: Weems, Treatise of the Idolater.

M. Perkins. Warning a∣gainst the Idolatry of the last times.

Superstition and Will-worship.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

D. Hammond Treatise of

Superstition▪ Will-worship.

Witchcraft.

M. Perkins, Discourse concerning the damned Art of witchcraft.

Jo. Weems, Treatise of the Magician.

King James, his Daemo∣nology.

Jo. Cotta. Tryall of witch∣craft.

Scots discovery of witches.

Schisme.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

Greg: Martin: Treatise of Schisme.

Tract concerning Schisme. Anonym.

M. Brinsley.

Of Prayer: See before. pag. 111.

Preaching.

M. Perkins: The Calling of Ministers, declaring their dignity and duty.

D. Stoughton. Preachers.	dignity.
	duty.

Sam: Hierō.	Bargain of salt▪
	Spiritual fishing.
	Preachers plea.
	Dignity of preaching

Ol. Bowles, de Pastore Evangelico.

Of the Sacraments and Discipline.

See divers discou••ses men∣tioned before.

Of Religious Fasts.

Various Se mons upon this occasion, especially those before the Houses of Pa: liament.

The Tracts of Mortifica∣tion.

M. Hildersham.

M. Mason, of the	Christian	fast,
	Epicures

Page 116

M. The 3^d Com∣mandement does

Prohibit more particularly the abuse of
- Oathes, Jer. 4. 2.
- Vowes, Num. 30. 2.
- Lots, Prov. 16. 33.
Injoyn the san∣ctifying of Gods
- Names, D••ut. 28. 58.
- Attributes, 1 Pet. 3. 15.
- Word, Psal. 15. 16, 17.
- Works, Psal. 58, 10, 11.
- Religion, Ephes. 4. 1.

N. The 4^th Commandement concer∣ning the set time of worship, its

Institution, Gen. 2. 3.
Observance, Isa. 58. 13
Change, Rev. 1. 10.

O. The 5^th Com∣mand. con∣cerning the duties of se∣••erall rela∣tions

Magistrates, 1 Tim. 3. 2.	Subjects, Rom. 13. 1.
Ministers, 1 Pet. 5. 2.	People, Heb: 13. 17.
Parents, Ephes. 6. 4.	Children, Ephes: 6 1.
Masters, Coloss. 4. 1.	Servants, 1 Pet: 2. 18.
Husband, Ephes. 5. 25.	Wife, Ephes: 5. 24, 33.
Noble and rich, 1 Tim. 6. 17.	Poor, 1 Sam: 25. 8.
Aged, Tit. 2. 2, 4.	Young, Levit, 19. 32.

Page 117

Of Oaths and Perjury.

Lumbard lib. 3. Aqui∣nas 2. 2^dae.

B^P Andrews: on Jer. 4. 2.

Jo. Downham: Treatise against Swearing.

D. Saunderson, de Iura∣mento.

Of Vowes.

The Common places: Ca∣suists: Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

Of Lots.

M. Gataker: of lusory Lots.

...Treatise.
Answ. and reply to M. Bamford.

Joh. Down: Defence of the lawfulnesse of lots in gaming.

Of the Sabbath.

Brerewood, and Byfeild.

D. Twisse: The morality of the fourth Comman∣dement.

M. Leigh: Primrose.

Jo. Sprint: M. Ironside.

M. Cawdrey, & M. Palm∣er. Sabbatum redivivum.

B^P White, &c.

Politicall duties.

B^P Bilson, of subjection.

B^P Halls Politicks.

Sam. Hieron: on Luke 20. 25.

Upon this subject see ma∣ny particular debates of these times: as,

D. Fearn: The fuller answer.

Scripture and reason.

The Treatise of Monar∣chy, &c.

Oeconomicall duties.

M. Perkins: Of the right manner of ordering a fa∣mily according to Scri∣pture.

M. Dod: Of houshold go∣vernment.

Tho: Paget: Demonst••a∣tion of family duties.

B^P Halls Oeconomicks.

D. Gouge: Domesticall duties.

M Whate∣ley	Bride bush.
	Care cloth.

M. Gataker: on	Prov. 18. 22 19 14.
	Col: 3. 18.

Sam: Hieron: on	Mat 9 15,
	Ruth 4. 11. 12,

Page 118

P. The 6. Com∣mandement concerning our own and our ne••gh∣bours per∣son, and life, does

...Probibit
- Roots,
  - Unjust Anger, Matth. 5. 25.
  - Hatred, 1 John 3. 15.
- Fruits,
  - Inward desire of revenge, Rom. 12 19
  - Outward in
    - Words, reviling, Mat. 5 22.
    - Deeds to the
      - Body, Lev. 24 19. Gen. 9 6.
      - Soul by scan∣dall, Matth. 18. 6.
...Command
- Friendship, Prov. 27. 9.
- Mercy, Gal: 6. 10.
- Placablenesse, Ephes. 4. 26.
- Meeknesse, Ephes. 4. 32.
- Overcoming evill with good, Rom. 12. 21.

Q. The 7 Com∣mandement, concerning chastity, does

Prohibit all unchastity in the
- Kindes,
  - Inward, in desire, Mat. 5. 28.
  - Out∣ward,
    - Uncleannesse, 1 Cor. 6. 9.
    - Fornication, 1 Cor. 6. 9.
    - Adultery, Heb: 13. 4.
    - Diorce, Mat. 19. 9.
    - Incest, 1 Cor: 5. 1.
    - Polygamy, 1 Cor: 7. 2.
    - Rape, Deut. 22. 25.
    - Sodomy, Rom. 1 26, 27
    - Bestiality, Lev. 18. 27.
- Meanes,
  - Idlenesse, 2 Sam. 11. 2.
  - Intemperance, 1 Pet: 4. 3.
  - Neglect of marriage, 1 Cor: 7. 2. 9.
- Signes,
  - Immodesty, 1 Tim. 2. 9.
  - Bad
    - company, 2 Cor: 5 9.
    - places, Job 31. 6.
Injoyn a care of our
owne chastity in the kinde.
means.
neighbours signes.

Page 119

Concerning Anger and Hatred••

The Commentators on se∣verall parts of the Pro∣verbs. Plutarchus. Se∣neca de ira.

M. Greenham, of Anger.

Jo: Downham, Treatise against Anger.

Of Murther.

M. Sym. Lifes preserva∣tive.

D^r Donne, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Scandall.

Common places, Casuists, Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

Jer: Dyke, Mischiefe of Scandals.

M. Tombes, Treatise of scandalizing.

D. Hammond, Of Scan∣dall.

Friendship.

The Moralists. Commen∣tators on the Proverbs.

Cicero	de Amicitia.
Danaeus

Mercy and Peaceablenes

Comments on the Beati∣tudes.

D. Donne, on Rom. 12. 20

Of Whoredome.

The Casuists at large.

Jo: Downham, Treatise of Whoredome.

D. Preston, on Colos. 3. 5

Of Divorce & Polygamy

Lumbard lib. 4. Aquinas in Supplem. p. 3.

The Casuists.

Wigandus de divortiis.

Beza de Polyg. & divor.

Edm. Bunny, Of Divorce for adultery and mar∣rying again.

M Milton	Treatise.
	Vindication.
	Tetrachordon.

Dove.

Intemperance.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

Page 120

Junius, The drunkards character.

M. Harris, The drunkards c••p, on I say 5. 11.

Jo: Down: against drun∣kennesse.

Vowing ag: Marriage.

Lumbard lib 4.

Peter Martyr, de caelibatu contra Richardum Smith. Angl.

Jo: Down.

R. The 8^th Com∣mandmét con∣cerning our own, and our neighbours goods, does

...Prohibit
- Theft, Levit. 19. 13.
- Oppression, Prov. 14 31.
- Deceit, 1 Thess. 4. 6.
- Sacriledge, Prov. 20. 25.
- Usury, De••t. 23. 20.
- Bribery, Prov. 29. 4.
- Prodigality, Luke 15. 13.
...Injoyn
- Just dealing, ••evit. 25. 14.
- Diligence in our callings, Eph. 4. 28.
- Frugality, John 6. 12.
- Liberality, Prov. 11. 25.
- Almes, Luke 12. 33.
- Hospitality, 1 Pet. 4 9.
- Restitution, Exo. 22. 5. Lev. 6. 4. 5.

Of Sacriledge and Tythes.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

B^P Andrews.

Sir James Semple.

B^P Carleton.

M. Selden.

Rob. Tillesly.

Steph. Nettles.

Sir Henry Spelman.

P. H. Treleinie.

Page 121

Usury.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae. Salmasius.

Rog: Fenton, Treatise of Usury.

Tho: Wilson, Discourse of Usury.

Ro: Bolton, Discourse with M. S.

D^r Holmes.

Bribery.

Jo: Downham, Treatise against Bribery.

Justice and Equity.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

M. Perkins, Treatise of Christian Equity.

D^t Saundersons Sermons ad Magistratum.

D^r Donne, on Rom. 13. 7

Diligence in Callings.

M. Whateley, Redempti∣on of time.

M. Perkins, Treatise of Callings.

D^r Saunderson, on 1 Cor. 7. 24.

Liberality and Almes.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

Jo: Downham, Plea for the poor.

Will: Whateley, The poor mans Advocate.

B^P Andrews:	on 1 Tim. 6. 17.
B^P Hall:

Rob: Harris, The old Re∣ligion.

Hospitality.

Caleb: Dalechamp, trea∣tise of Christian Ho∣spitality.

Restitution.

The Casuists.

Aquinas 2. 2^dae.

Page 222

S. The 9^th Com∣mamdment concerning Fame, &c. speeches, does

Prohibit all
- Slaundering, Prov. 15. 3.
- Credulity, Psal. 15. 3.
- Hearing Talebearers, Prov. 25. ••3.
- Censuring, Matth. 7. 1.
- Sinister suspitions, 1 Cor. 13. 5.
- Flattery. Prov. 27. 14.
- Silence in defending, 2 Tim. 4. 16.
Injoyn a care of
- The name of
  - Our selves, Phil. 4. 8.
  - Neighbours, Mat. 1. 19.
- Our spee∣ches that they be
  - Deliberate, James 1. 19.
  - Profi∣table,
    - Gods glory, Ephes. 5. 4.
    - Good of others, Col. 4. 6.

T. The 10^th Com mandment concerning motions with∣out consent, does

...Prohibit
- Covetousnesse, Heb. 13 5.
- Self-love, 2 Tim. 3. 2. 1 Cor. 10. 24.
- Evill thoughts, Prov. 24. 9.
- Envy, Prov. 23. 4.
...Injoyn
- A pure heart, 1 Tim. 1. 5.
- Watchfulnesse over our thoughts, Prov. 4. 23.
- Contentednesse, Phil. 4. 11.

Page 123

Of Lying.

Common places: Casuists: Lumbard lib. 3. Aqui∣nas 2. 2^dae.

Jo: Downham: Treatise against Lying.

Of Slandering Tale∣bearers, Credulity, Flattery.

See the Comments on ma∣ny places of the Proverbs.

Censures and Suspitions

B^P Hall: on John 7. 24.

D^r Saunderson: on Rom. 14. 3.

Care of our names and credit.

M. Greenham: on Prov. 22. 1.

M. Gataker: on Eccles. 7. 1.

Care of our words.

The Comments on many places of the Proverbs.

M. Bolton, his directions for a comfortable walk∣ing with God.

M. Perkins: Treatise con∣cerning the government of the Tongue.

Covetousnesse.

D. Preston: Remedy a∣gainst covetousnesse.

D. Stoughton: Baruchs sore gently opened.

Rob: Harris: Remedy a∣gainst covetousnesse.

Jer: Dyke: A counterpoy∣son against covetousnes

Self-love.

M. Rogers History of Naaman.

M. Dyke, of the heart.

B^P Hall, the great Impo∣stor: on Jer. 17. 9.

Jo: Downham: Spiritual warfare.

Thoughts.

Tho: Cowper: Govern∣ment of Thoughts.

Tho: Goodwin: Vanity of Thoughts.

Page 124

M. Perkins: Treatise of mans imaginations.

M. Cotton. The Christi∣ans charge: ••n Prov. 24. 3

Will. Fen∣ner.
...The use and bene∣fit of divine me∣ditations.
...The Arraigne∣ment of vain and evill Thoughts.

Contentation.

D. Taylor.

B^P Hall.

Hen. Mason.

M. Burroughes.

V. The Gospel, (asiti distin∣guished from the Law, which was the co••diti∣on of the first Cov••∣nant) does require

Faith, which is,
- Historicall, James 2. 19.
- Salvificall.
  - 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; And here of Desertions, Ps. 51. 12. J••b 6. 4.
  - 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 2 Pet. 1. 10.
...R••pentance
- The parts
  - Search into sinne, Lam. 3. 40.
  - Godly sorrow, 2 Cor. 7. 10.
  - Confession, Prov. 28. 13.
  - Reformation, Isay 1. 16, 17.
- Thetime, Late repentance, 2 Thess. 2. 10, 11.

Of Faith.

Lumbard lib. 3. Aqui∣nas 2. 2^dae.

Joh. Wilson, some helps to Faith.

Tho. Ball.

D. Preston.

M. Pemble.

Page 125

D^r Jackson.

Jo. Down.

Jo. Cotton	The life of Faith.
Sam. Ward

Ezek: Culverwell. Trea∣tise of Faith.

Tho: Goodwin: Encou∣ragements to Faith.

M. Per∣kins	on the 11^th chap. to the Hebrew.
	Grain of mu∣stard seed.

Tho: Shepheard. The sound Beleever.

Desertions.

Jos. Sy∣monds The	case	of a deser∣ted soul.
	cure

D^rSibs	Souls Conflict.
	Bruised Reed.

M. Greenham, comforts for afflicted consciences.

Ro. Bolton. Instructions for afflicted consciences.

Rob. Yarrow. Soveraign comforts.

Jo. Haiward. Strong hel∣per.

Tho. Goodwin. Child of Light.

Will. Whateley: Oyl of gladnesse.

Of Doubting

B^P Babing∣ton.	Combate be∣tween flesh and spirit.
M. Perkins:

D. Saunderson: on Rom•• 14. 23.

Assurance.

Nath. Cole. The godly mans assurance.

M. ••reen∣ham.	Marks of a righteous man.
	Sure signes of election.

Will. Perkins. Treatise declaring whether a man be in the state of grace or not.

Another Treatise resol∣ving this case of consci∣ence, How a man may know whether he bee the childe of God.

Page 126

Sam: Hieron	Tryall of adoption, 1 John 3. 10.
	Spirituall sonneship 1 Joh. 3. 1.
	The spirituall mans task. 1 Thess. 5. 19.

M. Byfeild:	Signes of a godly and wicked man.
	Assurance of Gods love, and mans sal∣vation.

Tim: Rogers. The righ∣teous mans evidence for heaven.

M. Roberts, Beleevers Evidences.

Will. Whateley. Gods husbandry.

Drexelius. The Christi∣an Zodiack.

Repentance.

D^r Taylor. Dan: Dyke.

M^r Stock. Ar. Dent.

M. Per∣kins	Exhortation to repentance.
	Of the nature and practise of repentance.

D^r Pre∣ston	Judas his re∣pentance.
	Pauls conver∣sion.

The Tracts of conversion, as Jo: Cotton, the way of life, or the whole work of conversion.

Tho: Shepheard. The sincere convert.

M. Hoo∣ker, the Souls	Preparation.
	Humiliation.
	Vocation.
	Exaltation.
	Union.
	Implantation.

Those that comment on the 51. Psal, as B^P Lake.

Will: Cowper. Sam: Hieron. Mr. Hilder∣sham, &c.

D. Hammond. Of late Repentance.

William Fenner. Dan∣ger of deferring repen∣tance.

Page 127

Though this Analysis does not deserve to be much commended, as being in some respects de∣fective, and besides the rules of Art, yet it may serve for instance and direction to others, in the finding out a better. The severall particulars may be used as Common-place heads, unto which to referre the collections of our reading.

Now (I say) when a Minister hath thus di∣stinctly passed over the substance of Divinity un∣der such heads as these: it will be very easie for him afterwards to inlarge himself upon any par∣ticular subject or text with naturall pertinent matter.

There are some other helps of invention to which the Art of Rhetorick does direct, according to the subject we are to handle,

whether
- Demonstrative
  - Praise
  - Dispraise.
- Deliberative
  - Perswade.
  - Disswade,
- Judiciall
  - Accuse.
  - Defend.

For each of which there are severall Topicks, but 'tis supposed that every Minister is acquainted with those things in his preparatory studies, and therefore I forbear any further mention of them.

Page 128

Thus much of the two first helps unto the gift of Preaching,

Method.
Matter.

The third and last to be insisted upon is concer∣ning Expression; In which there are two things considerable,

Phrase.
Eloquution.

The phrase should be plain, full, wholesome, affectionate.

1. It must be plain and naturall, not being darkened with the affectation of Scholastic all harshnesse, or Rhetoricall fluorishes. Obscuri∣ty in the discourse is an argument of ignorance in the minde. The greatest learning is to b•• seen in the greatest plainnesse. The more clearly we understand any thing our selves, the more easily can we expound it to others. When the notion it self is good, the best way to set it off, is in the most obvious plain expression. S. Paul does of∣ten glory in this, that his preaching was not in wisedome of words, or excellency of speech; not with inticing word: of mans wisdome, not as pleasing men, but God, who tryeth the heart. A Minister should speak as the oracles of God, 1 Pet. 4. 11. And it will not become the Majesty of a Divine Embas∣sage, to be garnished out with flaunting affected eloquence. How unsuitable is it to the expecta∣tion of a hungry soul, who comes unto this or∣dinance with a desire of spirituall comfort and in∣struction,

Page 129

and there to hear only a starched speech full of puerile worded Rhetorick? How properly may such a deceived hearer take up that of Seneca? Quid mihi lusoria ista proponis? Non est jocandi locus, ad miseros vocatus es, op••m te latu∣rum naufragis, captis, aegris, intentae securi subje∣ctum pr••stantibus caput, quo diverteris? quid agis? 'Tis a sign of low thoughts and designes, when a mans chief study is about the polishing of his phrase and words. Cujuscunque orationem vides politam & sollicitam, scito animum in pusillis occupa∣tum. Such a one speaks only from his mouth, and not from his heart.

2. It must be full, without empty and needlesse Tautologies, which are to be avoided in every solid businesse, much more in sacred. Our ex∣pressions should be so close, that they may not be obscure, and so plain, that they may not seem vain and tedious. To deliver things in a crude confu∣sed manner, without digesting of them by previ∣ous meditation, will nauseate the hearers, and is as improper for the edification of the minde, as raw meat is for the nourishment of the body.

3. It must be sound and wholesome, not tainted with any erroneous corrupt doctrine, or the affe∣ctation of novelty. False opinions do many times insinuate themselves by the use of suspicious phra∣ses. And 'tis a dangerous fault, when men can∣not content themselves with the wholesome fo••me of sound words, but do altogether affect new light and new language, which may in time destroy practicall Godlinesse and the power of Rel••∣gion.

Page 130

4. It must be affectionate and cordiall, as pro∣ceeding from the heart, and an experimentall ac∣quaintance with those truths which we deliver. Quod procedit è corde redit in cor: 'Tis a hard mat∣ter to affect others, with what we are not first af∣fected our selves. Praecipuum ad persuadendum est amare quod suades, Amanti pectus ipsum sugge∣rit o••ationis ardorem. 'Tis said of Iohn the Bap∣tist, that he was a burning and a shining light. Ar∣dere prius est, Lucere posterius; Ardor mentis est, ••ux doctrinae. This is to speak in the evidence and demonst••ation of the spirit and of power. There is a common relation to this purpose, of divers lear∣ned men, who having a great while, with much argument and strength of reason, contended with another about perswading him to be bapti∣zed, he being learned also, could still evade all their arguments. At length a grave pious man amongst them, of no note for learning, stands up and bespeaks him with some downright affectionate expressions, which wrought so effe∣ctually upon the other, that he presently submit∣ted; yeelding this reason, Donec audiebam ra∣tiones humanas, humanis rationibus repugnabam; caeterum simul atque audivi Spi••itum loquentem, cessi Spiritui. And 'tis storied of Iunius, before his conversion, that meeting once with a Coun∣try-man as he was in a journey, and falling into discourse with him about divers points of Religi∣on, he observed the plain fellow to talk so expe∣rimentally, with so much heartinesse and affe∣ction, as made him first begin to think, that sure there was something more in those truths, then

Page 131

his notionall humane learning had yet discovered: which occasioned his more serious inquiry into them, and afterwards his conversion. Such great power is there in these cordiall expressions.

As for the manner of composing Sermons, it will not be convenient for one that is a constant Preacher, to pen all his discourses, or to tye him∣self unto phrases: When we have the matter and notion well digested, the expressions of it will easily follow. Whereas to be confined unto par∣ticular words, besides the great oppression of the memory, will likewise much prejudice the opera∣tions of the understanding and affections. The judgment will b•• much weakned, and the affections dulled, when the memory is overmuch burdened and vexed. A man cannot ordinarily be so much affected himself, (and consequently he cannot so easily affect others) with things that he speaks by rote; as when he takes some liberty to prosecute a matter according to his more im∣mediate apprehensions of it, by which many par∣ticulars may be suggested, that were not before thought of, when he doth expatiate upon any subject, according to the workings of his owne affections, and the various alterations that may appear in the auditory. And then besides, this liberty will breed a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, such a fitting confidence, as should be in that orator, who is to have a power over the affections of others, which such a one is scarce capable of, who shall so servilely tye himself to particular words and expressions, from which he dares not vary for fear of being out.

Page 132

But a man cannot expect a good habit of preach∣ing thus, without much study and experience. Young beginners should use themselves to a more exact and elaborate way, when a good stile and expression is first learned by penning, it will af∣terwards be more easily retained in discour∣sing.

In the elocution there are two ex∣tremities to be avoided: too much

Boldnesse.
Fear.

1. Against too much rashnesse and boldnesse, con∣sider the speciall presence of God, and Angels, the solemne dignity of those sacred mysteries with which we are intrusted, the weighty businesse of saving souls. And who can be sufficient for these things? It was a usuall saying of Luther, Et si jam senex, & in concionando exercitus sum, tamen timeo quoties suggestum conscendo. And he found by experience, that when he was most distrust∣full of his own preparations, then were his la∣bours accompanied with some speciall blessing and efficacy. And on the other side, when hee was most confident, then he failed most.

2. Against too much fear, Consider, it does not become the businesse we are about, we should speake the word with boldnesse, God has promised his assistance, that his strength shall appear in our weaknesse, It does not become the

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dignity or excellency of our calling, we are the Angels, the Ambassadors of God, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, his fellow-workers, And besides, this timerousnesse in the speaker will much hinder the efficacy and power of the word on the hearers. In brief, the most propermanner of eloquution is with mod∣esty and gravity, which will best sute with our calling and businesse.

To conclude. The observation of these helps and directions, together with frequent diligent practise, will as farre (as Art can effect) quick∣ly produce a good habit, and by consequence a facility.

FINIS.

Facul∣ties,	Understanding,	And here of	Free will.
	Will,		Acts, Habits
	Affections,		Virtues, and
	Memory.		Vices in ge∣nerall.
	Conscience,

Mortifica∣tion	Denying our selves.	Mat. 8. 34.
	Taking up our crosse.

David Chytraei,	Itinerarium	totius S. Scrip.
	Chronic.

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ECCLESIASTES, Or the Gift of Preaching.

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Scripture Philosophy, as,

Scripture Chronology, as,

Scripture Geography, or Topography, as,

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Scripture Measures and Weights, as,

The Proverbiall expressions either used or alluded to in Scripture, or Adagialia Sacra. as,

The Allegories in Scripture,

The Schemes and Tropes used in Scripture.

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Upon the whole Bible.

On the Pentateuch.

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On Genesis.

Upon Exodus.

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On Leviticus.

On Numbers.

On Deuteronomy.

On Josuah.

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On Judges.

On Ruth.

On Samuel.

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On the Kings.

On the Chronicles.

On Ezra.

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On Nehemiah.

On Esther.

On Job.

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On the P••almes.

On the Proverbs.

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