My first design was, to offer a few plain thoughts to the clergy of our own church only. But upon farther reflection, I see no cause for being so _straitened in my own bowels_. I am a debtor to all: and therefore though I primarily speak to them with whom I am more immediately connected, yet I would not be understood to exclude any, of whatsoever denomination, whom God has called to _watch over the souls of others, as they that must give account_.
In order to our giving this account with joy, are there not two things which it highly imports us to consider, _first_, What manner of men ought we to be? _Secondly_, Are we such, or are we not?
I. And, _first_, If we are _overseers over the church of God, which he hath bought with his own blood_, what manner of men ought we to be, in _gifts_ as well as in _grace_?
(1.) To begin with _gifts_, and 1. with those that are from _nature_. Ought not a minister to have, _1st_, A good understanding? A clear apprehension, a sound judgment, and a capacity of reasoning with some closeness? Is not this necessary in an high degree for the work of the ministry? Otherwise how will he be able to understand the various states of those under his care? Or to steer them through a thousand difficulties and dangers, to the haven where they would be? Is it not necessary, with respect to the numerous enemies whom he has to encounter? Can a fool cope with all the men that know not God? And with all the spirits of darkness? Nay, he will neither be aware of the devices of _Satan_, nor the craftiness of his children.
_2dly_, Is it not highly expedient that a guide of souls should have likewise some liveliness and readiness of thought? Or how will he be able, when need requires, to _answer a fool according to his folly_? How frequent is this need? Seeing we almost every where meet with those empty, yet petulant creatures, who are far _wiser in their own eyes, than seven men that can render a reason_. Reasoning therefore is not the weapon to be used with them. You cannot deal with them thus. They scorn being _convinced_; nor can they be _silenced_, but in their own way.
_3dly_, To a sound understanding, and a lively turn of thought, should be joined a good _memory_: if it may be, _ready_, that you may make whatever occurs in reading or conversation, your own; but however, _retentive_, lest we be _ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth_. On the contrary, _every scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven_, every teacher fitted for his work, _is like an housholder who bringeth out of his treasures things new and old_.
2. And as to _acquired endowments_, can he take one step aright, without, first, a competent share of _knowledge_? A knowledge, _1st_, of his own office; of the high trust in which he stands, the important work to which he is called? Is there any hope that a man should discharge his office well, if he knows not what it is? That he should acquit himself faithfully of a trust, the very nature whereof he does not understand? Nay: if he _knows_ not the work God has given him to do, he cannot _finish_ it.
_2dly_, No less necessary is a knowledge of the _scriptures_, which teach us how to teach others: yea, a knowledge of all the scriptures; seeing scripture interprets scripture; one part fixing the sense of another. So that whether it be true or not, that every good textuary is a good divine, it is certain, none can be a good divine who is not a good textuary. None else can be _mighty in the scriptures_; able both to instruct, and to stop the mouths of gainsayers.
In order to do this accurately, ought he not to know the literal meaning of every word, verse and chapter, without which there can be no firm foundation on which the spiritual meaning can be built? Should he not likewise be able to deduce the proper corollaries, speculative and practical, from each text; to solve the difficulties which arise, and answer the objections which are or may be raised against it; and to make a suitable application of all, to the consciences of his hearers?
_3dly_, But can he do this, in the most effectual manner, without a knowledge of the _original tongues_? Without this, will he not frequently be at a stand, even as to texts which regard practice only? But he will be under still greater difficulties, with respect to controverted scriptures. He will be ill able to rescue these out of the hands of any man of learning that would pervert them: for whenever an appeal is made to the original, his mouth is stopt at once.
_4thly_, Is not a knowledge of profane _history_ likewise, of antient customs, of chronology and geography, tho’ not absolutely necessary, yet highly expedient for him that would throughly understand the scriptures? Since the want even of this knowledge is but poorly supplied by reading the comments of other men.