§. XIX.
3. The Church’s Method was to speak by Revelation.Thirdly, This is contrary to the Method and Order of the Primitive Church mentioned by the Apostle, 1 Cor. xiv. 30, &c. where in Preaching every one is to wait for his Revelation, and to give Place one unto another, according as Things are revealed; but here there is no waiting for a Revelation, but the Preacher must speak, and not that which is revealed unto him, but what he hath prepared and premeditated beforehand.
4. The Spirit is shut out by Priests from being the Teacher.Lastly, By this Kind of Preaching the Spirit of God, which should be the chief Instructor and Teacher of God’s People, and whose Influence is that only which makes all Preaching effectual and beneficial for the edifying of Souls, is shut out, and Man’s natural Wisdom, Learning, and Parts set up and exalted; which no Doubt is a great and chief Reason why the Preaching among the Generality of Christians is so unfruitful and unsuccessful. Yea, according to this Doctrine, the Devil may preach, and ought to be heard also, seeing he both knows the Truth, and hath as much Eloquence as any. But what avails Excellency of Speech, if the Demonstration and Power of the Spirit be wanting, which toucheth the Conscience? We see that when the Devil confessed to the Truth, yet Christ would have none of his Testimony. And as these pregnant Testimonies of the Scripture do prove this Part of Preaching to be contrary to the Doctrine of Christ, so do they also prove that of ours before affirmed to be conformable thereunto.