Chapter 5. Other Rules to furnish the Judgement in respect of Matter, Method, Expression

The second kinde of Rules for the attaining of this Gift, are such as concerne the furnishing the Judgement both in respect of Matter. Method. Expression. Answerable to these three defects that men usually complain of, Namely

1. Drynesse, or emptinesse for want of Matter,

2. Confused, tumultuary repetitions, or digressions for want of Order.

3. Crude, unseemly, improper phrase, for want of fitting Expression.

Whereas on the contrary each of these may be remedied if a man be furnished with

1. A treasury of Matter. This will help us in the inlarging of our affections, preventing empty and needlesse repetitions, making the mouth to speak, from the abundance of the heart.

2. A fitting Method will teach us how to guide and regulate our thoughts, that they may be delivered in their true place and order, without unseemly hudling, or impertinent digressions.

3. An expertnesse in proper phrase and expression will inable a man so to deliver his thoughts, as that they shall make reflexion back upon his own heart, and have more powerful efficacy upon others.

Now for the fitting of the judgement in these respects, there are these directions to be observed.

1. For the supply of Matter; a man should be carefull to keep by him, some register of the most remarkable passages of his life, both in respect of Gods dealing with him, amd his carriage towards God. Having severall Catalogues, or Common-place-heads, unto which the emergencies of these divers natures may be distinctly reduced. This I conceive to be the meaning of those places that speak of watching unto prayer and thanksgiving;¹ which do not only signifie a diligence in respect of the act or exercise of this dutie, but likewise a care of improving in the habit, or gift of it; A vigilancy in observing and gathering up fit matter for our Confessions, Petitions, Thanksgivings, according as our daily occasions, and the severall conditions of our lives may require. Mark your sins and defects, your sufferings and wants, your mercies and enjoyments; make a distinct register of them that you may have them in readiness upon any special occasion.

‘Tis usuall for younger students to be very carefull in gathering of Common-place books, for other matters, (of which notwithstanding, when they come to riper judgements they will finde but very little use.) But now of how much greater advantage would it be, if they were but diligent to collect under proper references any such particular matter, or expressions in Prayer, wherewith at any time they finde themselves to be more especially affected?

It would very much conduce to the promoting of this gift, if men would first propose to themselves, some brief Systeme or Logicall frame (as suppose this that follows, or the like) containing distinctly, the chief parts to be insisted upon in prayer. And then use each of these as a severall head of reference by way of common-place, to which they might reduce any more pertinent observable passage which they shall either hear or read. This course industriously observed, might probably in a short space raise a man to a great abilitie in this kinde, and would be a good meanes to preserve the memory of such passages, as we have at any time experimented, to be more especially quickning and efficacious upon our own hearts, which otherwise we are so easily apt to forget.

If any shall object that this course will require much studie and care; ‘Tis considerable that no eminent gift in any kinde, is attained without proportionable diligence. He that would be expert in any other common ability, whether pleading, disputing, &c. must apply himself to those Arts and exercises whereby they are to be learnt; and therefore much lesse should a man grudge his pains in such a weighty businesse, of more then ordinary consequence.

Men that would be thought wary and thriving in the world, are thus observant of their temporall estates, keeping Books of accompt for their revenues and expences. And why should not those who would be thought truly religious, be as watchfull and observant of their spirituall conditions?

2. For Method, though there may be several kindes of it, yet that is to be esteemed the best, wherein these rules are most closely observed. Namely, 1. That it be Comprehensive, and take in all the parts· 2. That generals be mentioned first, and particulars after. 3. That things of the same kinde and nature be put together; and this should be observed in all the parts of Prayer.

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