3. There are duties also belonging hereunto which are conse- quential unto actual hearing; whose discharge is required to free us from the guilt of the evil reproved; as,-—
(1.) A due examination of what is new or doubtful in the things delivered unto us. When the gospel itself was first preached, and so was new unto them to whom it was delivered, the Bereans are
560 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [cHAP. Vv.
commended for examining what was delivered unto them by the Scriptures which they had before received, Acts xvii 11. And in case of things doubtful is the command given us, to “ try all things, and to hold fast that which is good,” 1 Thess, v. 21; as also to “try the spirits,” 1 John iv. 1, or what is taught under pretence of any spiritual gift whatever. Not that any thing is spoken to encourage that cavilling humour which so abounds in some as that they will be excepting and-disputing against every thing that is delivered in the dispensation of the word, if not absolutely suited to their senti- ments and conceptions, or because they think they could otherwise, and it may be better, have expressed what they have heard; which kind of persons well may be reckoned amongst the worst sort of unprofitable hearers, and such as are most remote from subjecting their consciences unto the authority of God in his word, as they ought. We may therefore give some rules in this matter; as,— [1.] Some things there are which are such fundamental principles of our profession, that they ought to be so far from being exposed unto a doubting examination, that they are part of that rule whereby all other doctrines are to be tried and examined, as those also by whom they are taught, 2 John 9-11. And, [2.] Other doctrines also there are, so evidently deduced from the Scripture, and so manifest in their own light, carrying the open conviction of their truth along with them, as that they ought not at any time to be made the matter of a doubtful trial. Only what is delivered concerning them may be compared with the Scriptures, to their further illustration and confirmation. [3.] Neither ought what is delivered by any faithful, approved minister of the gospel, whose way, and course, and doctrine, and zeal for the truth, have been known, be lightly called into question; nor, without manifest evi- dence of some failing or mistake, be made the matter of “ doubtful disputations.” For whereas every man is obnoxious unto error, and some we have found, after a long course of their profession of the truth, to fall actually into such as are perilous to the souls of men, if not pernicious, it is not meet that any thing which they teach should, on just occasion, be exempt from a sober trial and examina- tion; so whereas such ministers of the gospel as those mentioned have the word of truth committed unto them by Christ himself, and his promise of direction in the discharge of their duty, whilst they behave themselves as his stewards and dispensers of the mys- teries of God, what they declare in his name is not lightly to be solicited with every needless scruple. Wherefore this duty, which in some cases and seasons is of so great importance, may in other cases and at other seasons be less necessary; yea, a pretence of it may be greatly abused to the ruin of all profitable hearing. When errors and false teachers abound, and when, by our best attendance
VER. 11.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 561
unto the rule, we cannot avoid the hearing of them sometimes; or when things new, uncouth, or carrying an appearance of an opposi- tion to the analogy of faith, or those doctrines of the gospel wherein we have been instructed and settled, are imposed on us; it is neces- sary we should stand upon our guard, and bring what is taught unto a due examination. But where there is a settled approved ministry, and the things delivered evidence in a good manner their own con- sonancy unto the Scripture and analogy of faith, a disposition and inclination, under pretence of trying and examining what is de- livered, to except against it and dispute about it, is the bane of all profitable hearing.
(2.) Let us be sure to learn what we are learning. The apostle com- plains of some who are “ ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,” 2 Tim. iii. 7. Of this sort are many still amongst us. And hence it is that, after they have been long under the means of instruction in sound truth and knowledge, they are ready to hearken after and greedily embrace any fancy that is con- trary thereunto. The reason hereof is, because they did not learn what they were so long in learning. To learn any truth as we ought, is to learn it in its proper principles, true nature, and peculiar use; to learn it in the respect it hath unto, and the place it helds in the system of gospel truths; so to learn it as to get an experi- ence of its usefulness and necessity unto a life of holy obedience. Unless we thus learn what we hear, in its compass and circum- stances, it will not prove an “ingrafted word” unto us, and we shall lose the things which we seem to have wrought. Our duty herein may be reduced unto heads: [1.] That we learn doctrinally what respect every truth hath unto Christ, the centre of them all. [2.] Practically what influence they have into our obedience and holiness. [3.] A diligent heedfulness to retain the things which we have heard is also required hereunto. But this hath been suffi- ciently spoken unto, chap. ii. 1, where it is expressly enjoined us, The like also may be said concerning meditation and holy con- ference; whereof see chap. iii. 12. [4] A diligent care to avoid partiality in obedience unto what we hear. All men, it is hoped, design to obey in some things, most in most things, but few in all. God blamed the priests of old that they were “ partial in the law,” Mal. ii. 9. Either they taught not men the whole law, and therein the whole of their duty, but reserved such things from them as, if known and practised, might turn to their own disadvantage ; for they had learned in those days to “ eat up,” and so to live on, “the sin of the people,” Hos. iv. 8: or they taught them according as they knew they would be pleased to hear, therein accepting their persons, as the words seem to import. And for this God says he would make them “contemptible and base before all the people.” It shall be no