A position against vainglorious, and that which is falsly called learned preaching

The Position .

IN ordinarie Preaching vnto Christian Congregations to alleage Authorities of men whether Philosophers , Poets , or Divines ; or to vse Latin , or other languages besides the vulgar , is vnprofitable , vnreasonable , and vnlawfull .

This is proved and confirmed by 7. Reasons .

First , the example of Christ is the best patterne for vs to follow in all ordinary things , especially in the works of our Ministery : yea if heerein we willingly depart from this rule , doubtles we can not want sinne .

But their maner of Preaching who vse Humane Authorities and Latin , &c. is not like Christes . For all men know Christes whole course of teaching the Iewes , how familiar and plaine , and yet how Divine & sound it was : even without all shew or suspicion of such lightnes , curiositie , & ostentation , as some now in their foresaid allegations and manner of teaching do vse .

Therefore thus ought all Preachers to do likewise ; viz. after the example of Christ . And that other maner of teaching ( which some vse ) wanteth not sinne .

Second : The Apostles example & practise is like heerevnto . And as in other pointes , so even heerin doubtles we ought to follow them , as we see that they follow Christ .

But in that forenamed maner of teaching which some now vse , neither is their example and practise followed . For all their ordinary Preaching and Writing to the Churches was in great simplicitie , their wordes were all vulgar , their Authorities were all Canonicall : whiche the whole course of the Apostles Actes and Epistles doth testifie . And particularly Paul witnesseth the same of himselfe , saying : * * 1. Cor. 2.1 . I came not to you with excellency of wordes or of wisedom , [ but ] shewing to you the testimony of God . ldquo ldquo vers. 4 Neither [ stood ] my word and my preaching in the intising speach of mans wisdom . But this maner indeed he heere insinuateth to have ben then the vse and maner of the false teachers .

Obiect . Some will say , that the Greeke or Hebrue propriety of speach wil need sometime to be waighed . And then doubtles the wordes are to be shewed and considered in the originall language .

Answ. I answer , in handling controversies this sometimes indeed is profitable . But heere we speak of Ordinary Preaching to Christian Congregations . In which , by thus doing this profitablenes very seldome appeareth , or rather truly never . For in such ordinary places so exact discussing of controversies hath no vse , as experience sheweth vs . Especially , that wee should neede to vse many wordes in a strange tounge .

Obiect . If any say ; Paul vsed sometime Heathen authorities : as Act. 17.28 . Tit. 1.12 .

Answ. We answere ; He did so in deed : which yet nevertheles was but very seldom , even this twise only . Otherwise in all the multitude of his Preachings and Writings that are extant , he never vsed any other Authorities then Canonicall . Which teacheth vs , how rarely and how vnwillingly in doctrine we are to vse any other allegations , then such as have in themselves absolut Veritie . That to the Corinthians 15.33 . ( though it be found so written in Menander a Poet , yet ) the Apostle citeth it only as a common Proverbe , as a truth out of question , and vulgarly knowen : not as a testimonie from any Humane Author . 2. In those two places before obiected he dealeth directly with the Heathens and Vnbeleevers ; that if any thing would move them , they might be convinced by their owne Prophets . Wherefore these touch not our present question which now we have in hand . For now our question is onely concerning ordinary instruction to Christian Congregations . 3. He citeth these Poets in these 2. places in no other language then that only which was vulgar , and which the common sort vnderstood and knew right well . But with vs the common people vnderstand not , only they admire and wonder at the deepe learning and incomprehensible knowledge of such rare Doctors .

Therefore it still remaineth , that this curious and vain ostentation of strange tongues and Humane authorities ought to be shunned by all sound and modest Preachers in their ordinarie teaching of Christians . Contrariwise , the Apostles plainnes and simplicitie is to be alwayes followed and imbraced , which was their constant order and practise .

If God ( as it were ) debased himselfe and would not speak vnto vs in his Maiestie as the Divine excellency of his word required that he should , but chose a familiar meanes to teach vs by even the Ministery of men , that is of our brethren like vnto our selves : and all for this that our simple capacities might comprehend , and be comfortably instructed in the mysterie of his will . Then surely in all reason ought Men , who are Gods Ministers , to imitate the Lorde heerein : viz. not to affect a profound , mysticall , and strange kinde of teaching , but to labour for wordes and matter easie and familiar to the capacities of the simplest .

But thus * * Deut. 18 15 , -19. it pleased GOD ( as it were ) to abase himselfe in the teaching of his people .

Therefore , &c.

Whatsoever is a stong inducement to make many to thinke that the simple worde of God without the adding of Mens Authorities is not sufficient , nor the best meanes for doctrine to salvation , that same is very scandalous and vnlawfull .

But the alleaging of Fathers and Philosophers , &c. as beeing the best way of ordinary teaching , is a strong inducement to make men think that the simple word of God is not a sufficient rule , nor the best meanes for doctrine to salvation . Which experience proveth to much in a number of all sortes of men .

Therefore that vse is very scandalous and vnlawfull .

When the hearers cannot proove & see whether the thinges which are Preached be so or no , then that order of Preaching is bad and not to be vsed . For questionles in all sound and profitable teaching that speciallie ought to be provided for , ( which we see * * Act. 17-11 . the Apostle had care of ) that the hearers may be able by themselves to search and see whether that which they heare be so or no.

But when strange toungs are vsed , authorities and sentences of Fathers and Philosophers alleaged , then the ordinary hearers cannot prove and see whether those things are so or no , which are said .

Therefore this order of Preaching is evill , and not to be vsed .

That maner of teaching wherein all that is said may be vnderstood by all , is better then that wherein many things vttered cannot be vnderstood by all , but only by som who are extraordinary and learned hearers .

But when Fathers and Philosophers & strange languages are vsed , many vnderstand not that which yet they foolishly admire . Contrarily when the words are familiar and the matter Canonicall , then all vnderstand , both the learned and vnlearned , and may receave edification .

Therefore this way of teaching is the best , and the other the worst .

Lastly , All the Ancient godly Fathers themselves ( like as the later also ) did precisely keepe this maner of teaching , and altogeather shunned the other : namely Augustin , Chrysostom , Nazianzen , Leo , &c: as appeareth in their ordinary Sermons or Homilies which they made to the people .

Therefore in all reason it seemeth , the contrary vse to speake Latin to vs English , to cite Authorities of men in ordinary Preaching , is a great fault in Ministers , and in no wise to be allowed .

H.I.

If any speak , let him speak as the word● of God .

1. Pet. 4.11 .