Beware of that vain affectation of finding something new and strange in every text, though ever so plain. It will not so much shew our parts (which such men aim at) as our pride, and wantonness of wit *. These new projectors in divinity are the fittest matter out of which to shape, first a Sceptic, after that an Heretic, and then an Atheist. § 8. There are divers texts that have a double sense; either historical and literal, or typical and allegorical. So those places concerning the brazen serpent †; Jonah in the whale's belly ; Abraham's two wives and sons, Sarah and Isaac, Hagar and Ishmael §; the law concerning the muzzling of the ox that treads out the corn ||; in all which there is some typical allusion primarily intended. Allegorical interpretations may lawfully be used also, when there is no such natural reference, but merely a fitness, by way of similitude, to illustrate any doctrine. St. Paul gives an example for this T. But here we must observe these qualifications: we must use them sparingly and soberly; they must be short and pertinent, not forced and far-fetched; and they must be useful, not for airy and unprofitable notions, as they are more proper for illustration than for proof.** $9. 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 basis, by which the whole frame of Scripture may be more easily apprehended. The other historical books that fol * Bishop Reynolds on Self-Denial. + Num. xxi. 9. John iii. 14. 2 Cor. ii. 13, 15. Eph. iv. 32. ** Our author, in his Preface, very justly complains" that some men divert their hearers with little tricks about words and phrases, or amuse them by pretending to discover some deep mystery in every metaphor or allegory of Scripture; which are such pitiful shifts, as men who understand the true reason of things ought to be ashamed of." In exposing these pitiful shifts, Dr. Stennett has done good service to the churches, in his excellent Sermons on the Parable of the Sower. low will explain themselves. The Psalms, most of them, in their occasions and historical grounds, refer to the books of Samuel. The Prophets are ordinarily divided into three ranks, those that prophesied before the captivity, who refer to the history in the books of Kings and Chronicles, especially the second book; those that prophesied in the captivity, concerning whose times there is but little mention in the historical parts of canonical Scripture; and those that prophesied after the captivity; unto whom the history of Ezra and Nehemiah hath some reference ; — and so in the New Testament, the Epistles, many of them, refer to the story of the Acts of the Apostles. As for the ranking and succession of the books in Scripture, they were not written in the same order as they are placed. The right apprehension of these general notions concerning the proper times and order of several books, may be one good help to the true interpretation of Scripture. * § 10. Next to the unfolding of any abstruse and difficult 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 should be reduced into their natural meaning. As for the division of the text †, it will be needless, unless either the explication of terms, or the deduction of doctrines from the several parts require it: that common practice of dissecting the words into minute parts, and enlarging upon them severally, is a great occasion of impertinency, and roving from the chief sense. § 11. 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 wresting of Scripture into im There are few expositors of note who do not, in their Prefaces to the several books of Scripture, attend to the circumstance of Chronology. Usher's Annals of the Old and New Testament is a book of great and deserved reputation on this head. + Meaning a grammatical, metaphysical, or any other formal division of the text, before coming to the subject: a fault we often meet with in some valuable as well as other writings. proper truths may easily occasion the applying of them to gross falsehoods. - These observations may be of several kinds, either mediate and more remote, or immediate and principal. Of the first kind are such as are raised from the occasion, connection, manner, circumstances, order, or denomination of the text; as, whether it be a precept, exhortation, threat, promise, petition, deprecation, similitude, &c. All which may afford several hints of instruction, fit sometimes to be taken notice of: though these points should be only touched upon briefly, by the bye; and those only insisted upon largely which we conceive to be most agreeable unto the principal immediate scope of the Holy Ghost in that Scripture. These observations must be laid down in the most easy perspicuous phrase that may be, not obscured by any rhetorical or affected expressions; for if the hearers mistake the chief subject, all that follows will be to little purpose. The doctrine being mentioned (if there be any necessity) we may briefly clear the inference of it, by shewing its necessary dependence on the text. § 12. After this it will be convenient, in the most brief and plain expressions, to state the true sense and meaning of that subject we propose to insist upon *. The method of which will be various, according to the different nature of the subjects. 1. If it be doctrinal, concerning some proposition to be known or believed, this is to be explained (when there is occasion for it) by distinguishing the terms, and shewing in what sense they are to be understood, substituting words that are plain and proper, for such as are obscure and figurative; and by shewing with what limitations each word is to be taken. * The method now recommended is clearly exemplified by President Edwards. Perhaps, no modern author follows the plan of composing sermons here proposed more generally and explicitly than the writer now mentioned. What were the moral and spiritual effects of his preaching, few of my readers, I presume, need information. After all, the young composer may find the popular sermons of Dr. Doddridge, and especially those of Mr. Robert Walker, more improving models. 2. If it be practical, concerning some virtue or duty to be done, or vice to be avoided, this may be explained by discussing the different names or appellations whereby things are expressed, in order the more accurately to distinguish betwixt them. Upon which account it may be proper, in some cases, to inquire in what various equivocal senses such words are used, and the synonymous terms, or such other kinds of words or phrases as are used to express the same thing, which sometimes will very much contribute to unfold the nature of it. Again, in treating of duty we should discuss the nature of the thing; where the principal heads of matter are, (1.) The causes or properties by which a thing is to be defined. Some things are capable of a two-fold cause, moral and natural. That is said to be the moral cause of a thing, which, according to the several laws of divine justice, deserves that thing as its proper recompense. - That is said to be a natural cause, which, by its own proper efficacy, produces the effect. (2.) The kinds or parts by which a thing is to be divided, for the better comprehending of its true extent, and the subordinate species or branches belonging to it; and. (3.) The opposites and affinities, by which a thing is to be illustrated. The explaining of which will very much contribute to fix in our minds true notions concerning the nature of things. § 13. (ii.) The text, and the doctrine or subject to be insisted upon, being thus opened and explained, the next thing to be provided for is the confirmation of it; which ought to be connected by some plain and brief, but natural transition, that so the method may be the more perspicuous. Confirmation, in doctrinal matters, may be managed either by positive proofs, or the removing of objections;by positive proofs, that is, divine and human testimony, but especially the authority of Scripture, relating either to some direct affirmation or negation, or to some evident or probable consequence. The Scriptures can best inform us what is true and false; yet human records can sufficiently acquaint us with matters of fact, telling us what is new, and what is ancient, &c.; but, in the managing of this part, care is to be taken that Hagar, the hand-maid, do not out-brave her mistress Sarah; that blear-eyed Leah be not preferred before beautiful Rachel. To stuff a sermon with citations of authors, and the witty sayings of others, is to make a feast of vinegar and pepper; which are. healthful and delightful, being used moderately as sauces, but must needs be very improper and offensive to be fed upon as diet. Proofs from reason should be of so much perspicuity and strength, as may be sufficient to convince the judgment; in the pressing of which, men ought to be very cautious not to lay more weight upon the conclusion than the premises will bear; not to represent that as a necessary consequence, which is at best but highly probable. The neglect of this often proves very prejudicial to truth, by. working in men prejudices against it, instead of gaining them over to it. When a proposition is confirmed by positive proofs, the next thing to be done is the removing of doubts and objec tions that may be made against it; in the doing of which, such doubts only ought to be taken notice of as are most obvious and material; and much caution is to be used that the answer be made as plain and full as the objection. § 14. In practical points, the proofs from divine testimony are capable of these three heads for enlargement, precepts or prohibitions, commendations or dispraise, promises or threats. To one of which all the pertinent Scriptures may be reduced. -- 1. The precepts or prohibitions. The affirmative precepts enjoining such a duty, or the negative ones prohibiting what is contrary to it. It is a sufficient foundation of duty, when one who hath dominion over us, and a just right or power to command us, requires any thing from us; because in such cases our obedience and subjection are due as a natural homage. Now, in Deo omnia jura et omnes tituli concurrunt; and upon what account soever any man may be supposed to be in a superior relation to another, so as to challenge subjection from him,-upon infinitely more hath God a right to command and govern He is our Maker, our Redeemer, our King, our Father, our Master, our Husband, our Patron and Bene us. |