APplication is that, wherby the doctrine rightlie collected is diuerslly fitted according as place, time, and person doe require. Ezek. 34. 15. I will feede my sheepe, and bring them to their rest, saith the Lord. 16. I will seeke that which is lost, and bring againe that which was driuen away, and will bind vp that which was broken, and will strengthen the sicke. Iude 22. And hauing compassion of some in putting difference. 23. And saue other with terror, pulling them out of the flame.
The foundation of Application is to know whether the place propounded be a sentence of the Law, or of the Gospell. For when the word is preached there is one operation of the Law, and another of the Gospell. For the Law is thus farre forth effectuall, as to declare vnto vs the disease of sinne, and by accident to exasperate and stirre it vp: but it affords no remedie. Now the Gospel, as it teacheth what is to be done: so it hath also the efficacy of the holy Ghost adioyned with it, by whom we being regenerated, we haue strength both to beleeue the Gospell, and to performe those things which it commaundeth. The Law therefore is the first in the order of teaching: and the Gospell second.
It is a sentence of the Law, which speaketh of perfect inherent righteousnes, of eternall life giuen through the works of the Law, of the contrarie sins, and of the curse that is due vnto them. Gal. 3. 10. So many as are of the workes of Law, are vnder the curse; for it is written, cursed is he whosoeuer abideth not in all things, which are written in the booke of the Law to doe them. Matth. 3. 7. O generation of Vipers, who hath fore-warned you to flee from the anger to come? 10. And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees: therfore euery tree, which bringeth not forth good fruit, is cut vp ([…]) and cast into the fire.
A sentence of the Gospell is that, which speaketh of Christ and his benefits, and of faith being fruitfull in good workes: as, Iohn 3. 16. So God loued the world, that hee gaue his onely begotten Sonne, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish but haue euerlasting life.
Hence it is that many sentences, which seeme to belong to the Law, are by reason of Christ to bee vnderstood not legally ([…]) but with the1 qualification of the Gospell. Luk. 11. 28. Blessed are those which heare the word of God and keepe it. Deut. 11. This commandement which I command thee this day, is not hidden, nor set a farre off, but it is by thee in thy month and in thine heart. This sentence which is legall in Moses, is euangelicalll in Paul: Rom. 10. 8. Psalm. 119. 1. Blessed are those that are perfect in the way, who walke in the law of Iehouah. 2. Blessed are they that keepe his testimonies and seeke him with their whole heart. Iohn 14. 21. Hee that hath my commandements, and keepeth them, is he that loueth me: he that loueth me shall be loued of my father. 23. If any man doe loue me, hee will keepe my word: and my father doth loue him, and we will come vnto him, and wee will dwell with him. Gen. 6. 9. Noah was a iust and vpright man in his time: Noah walked with God2 continually. Gen. 17. 1. I am the strong God, omnipotent, walke alway before me and be vpright.
The waies of Application are chieflie seuen, according to the diuers condition of men and people, which is seuenfold:
I. Vnbeleeuers who are both ignorant and vnteachable
These men in the first place are to bee prepared to receiue the doctrine of the word. 2. Chro. 17. Iehosaphat sent Leuites throughout the cities of Iudah to teach the people and to bring them from Idols.
This preparation is to be made partly by disputing or reasoning with them, that thou maist throughly discerne their manners and disposition, and partly by reprouing in them some notorious sinne, that being pricked in heart and terrified, they may become teachable. Act. 17. 17. Hee disputed in the Synagogue with the Iewes, and with them that were religious, and in the market place with whomsoeuer he met. Act. 9. 3. Now as hee iournied it came to passe, that, as hee was come neere to Damascus, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heauen. 4. And hee fell to the earth and heard a voyce saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5. And he said, Who art thou Lord? And the Lord answered, I am Iesus of Nazaret, whom thou doest persecute: it is hard for thee to kicke against the pricks. Act. 16. 27. Then the keeper of the prison awoke out of his sleepe: and when he saw the prison doores open, he drew out his sword, and would haue killed himself, supposing the prisoners had bin fled. 28. Then Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Doe thy selfe no harme, for we are all here. 29. Then he called for a light, and leaped in, and came trembling, and fell downe before Paul and Silas. 30. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I doe to be saued? 31. And they said, Beleeue in the Lord Iesus and thou shalt be saued, and thine household. Act. 17. 22. And Paul stood in the midst of Marsstreete, and said, Ye men of Athens, I see that in all things ye are1 too superstitious. 23. For as I passed by and beheld your deuotions, I found an altar, wherein was written, Unto the vnknowne God; whom ye then ignorantly worship, him shew I vnto you. 24. God, that made the world and all things in it, seeing that he is Lord of heauen and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.
When now there is hope that they are become teachable and prepared, the doctrine of Gods word is to be declared to them generally in some common termes or ordinarie points. Act. 17. 30. And the time of this ignorance God regarded not, but now he commandeth ([…]) all men euerie where to repent. 31. Because hee hath appointed a day, in which hee will iudge the world in righteousnes by that Man whom he hath appointed, whereof hee hath assured all men, in that hee hath raised him from the dead.
If they shal approue this doctrine, then it is to be opened to them distinctly & in euery particular; but if they shall remaine vnteachable without hope of winning them, they are to be left. Matth. 7. 6. Giue not that which is holy vnto dogges: neither cast your pearles before swine, lest they tread them vnder their feete, and turning againe all to rent you. Prou. 9. 8. Reprooue not a scorner, lest hee hate thee. Act. 19. 9. But when certaine men were hardned, and would not obey, speaking euill of the way of the Lord before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the Disciples from them.