[1.] There is sometliing obvious and lies uppermost in all truths, that is soon understood, and this we put into catechisms. We must teach as able to bear : Mark iv. 33, ' And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.' Indeed, afterwards we come to dig into the mines of knowledge, and to dive deeper, as choice metals do not lie on the surface, but in the bowels ; therefore we should not content ourselves with a superficial search, but dig as for treasure in a mine : Prov. ii. 4, 'If thou diggest for her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures/ So Paul, 1 Cor. iii. 1,2,' And I, brethren, could not speak unto you us unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ : I have fed you with milk, and not with strong meat ; for hitherto ye were not able to bear
VeR. 130.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 349
it, neither yet now are ye able.' By milk, lie meaneth the plain handling of the doctrines of Christian religion, according to the capacity of those that are weak in knowledge ; and by meat, the more exact and curions handling those points. Our weakness enforceth that we begin with the one, but we must go on to the other, for several reasons. Partly because we are to grow in knowledge, as well as other graces : 2 Peter i. 5, ' Give all diligence to add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge.' Besides that knowledge that maketli way for faith and virtue, there is a knowledge to be added to it, a great skill in divine things. Partly because those obvious truths will be better improved and retained when we look more into them : -after notions do explain and ground the former. First we receive the truth, and after we are rooted and grounded in it: Col. i. 23, 'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.' A half light makes us very unsettled in our course ; but when we grow judicious, have a fuller and clearer apprehension of truths, we are the more confirmed against the error of the wicked ; whereas otherwise light chaff is carried about with every wind. Partly because the more we understand a truth, the more dominion it liatli over our faith and practice ; for God beginneth with the understanding, and grace is multiplied by knowledge : 2 Peter i. 2, ' Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the know- ledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.' A truth simply understood hath not such operation and force as when it is soundly and thoroughly understood. Love aboundeth with judgment : Phil. i. 9, ' And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and in all judgment.'
[2.] There are first principles and fundamental doctrines that must be first taught in a plain and easy way. I say, some things are initial and fundamental, others additional and perspective ; we must regard both — the one in our entrance, the other in our growth. The one are called the first principles of the oracles of God, Heb. v. 12, &c., partly because they arc first in order, and first to be taught and learned ; partly because they are chief and fundamental truths of the gospel, upon which the rest depend, most conducing to salvation : the foundation laid well, the building will stand the stronger. They are reckoned up, Heb. vi. 1, 2, 'Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God, of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.' In the general he calls them the principles of the doctrine of Christ. The doctrine of Christ is the sum of religion ; he that hath learned it well hatli learned all. In ])articular, repentance from dead works is made the first, or that a sinful creature must turn to God by Christ before he can be happy. The next is faith towards God, believing the promises and privileges of the gospel, and depending on him till they be ac- complished. Indeed, in these two is the sum of religion sometimes comprised : Acts xx. 21, 'Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, anil faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.' So Acts v. 31, 'Him hath God raised up to be a prince and
350 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXLIII.
a saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.' Doctrine of baptism is the initiating ordinance, what it signifieth, to what it obligoth. Laying on of liands, the way of Christ's officers entering the church. Kesurrection and last judgment bindetli all. Again, because the prime truths are few and clear, ignorant and un- learned people may know them ; they are milk, babes and ignorants may swallow them, as most easy of digestion, God's end in the scripture being to guide his people to true hap[)iness. Those truths that are necessary to this end are few and clear, and plainly set down, that he that runneth may read them. Though we reach not other points, yet if we get but to this door, there is a great deal of profit.