g at the chief heads and grounds of Doctrine, which he is to
raise from it.

HOW THE TEXT IS TO BE HANDLED.

"In Analysing and dividing his Text, he is to regard more the order of
matter, then of words; and neither to burden the memory of the hearers
in the beginning with too many members of Division, nor to trouble their
minds with obscure terms of Art.

"In raising Doctrines from the Text, his care ought to bee, First, that
the matter be the truth of God. Secondly, that it be a truth contained
in or grounded on that Text, that the hearers may discern how God
teacheth it from thence. Thirdly, that he chiefly insist upon those
Doctrines which are principally intended, and make most for the
edification of the hearers.

"The Doctrine is to be expressed in plaine termes; or if any thing in it
need explication, is to bee opened, and the consequence also from the
Text cleared. The parallel places of Scripture confirming the Doctrine
are rather to bee plaine and pertinent, then many, and (if need bee)
somewhat insisted upon, and applyed to the purpose in hand.

"The Arguments or Reasons are to bee solid; and, as much as may bee,
convincing. The illustrations, of what kind soever, ought to bee full of
light, and such as may convey the truth into the Hearers heart with
spirituall delight.

"If any doubt, obvious from Scripture, Reason, or Prejudice of the
Hearers, seem to arise, it is very requisite to remove it, by
reconciling the seeming differences, answering the reasons, and
discovering and taking away the causes of prejudice and mistake.
Otherwise, it is not fit to detain the hearers with propounding or
answering vaine or wicked Cavils, which as they are endlesse, so the
propounding and answering of them doth more hinder than promote
edification.

"Hee is not to rest in generall Doctrine, although never so much cleared
and confirmed, but to bring it home to speciall use, by application to
his hearers: Which albeit it prove a worke of great difficulty to
himselfe, requiring much prudence, zeale, and meditation, and to the
naturall and corrupt man will bee very unpleasant; yet hee is to
endeavour to perform it in such a manner that his auditors may feele
the Word of God to be quick and powerfull, and a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart; and that if any unbeleever or
ignorant person bee present, hee may have the secrets of his heart made
manifest, and give glory to God.

HOW THE MESSAGE IS TO BE AP