Predicate do not live for ever There is a threefold life whereof we read in the holy Scripture viz. A Temporal life or a life of nature a Spiritual life or a life of Grace and an Eternal life or a life of Glory In the two latter sences the faithful Prophets of God shall live for ever The life of grace which they are partakers of here shall never be destroyed but will terminate in a Life of Glory and that Life of Glory which the Saints shall live above will be of an everlasting duration But the Spirit of God in the words of my text speaks of a Temporal Life or a Life of nature to which a Period must be put In this sence the Prophets do not live for ever From the words thus explained I shall present you with the following observation Doct. That they who minister about holy things are not exempted from a Temporal Death Or That ministers are liable to and must undergo a Temporal Death The Prophets do they live for ever If they do not live for ever they must certainly die I need not Insist long upon the Proof of such an undeniable Proposition Have not all God's Ministers who lived in Preceeding ages fallen by the stroke of Death Is not Moses gone to the House appointed for all living who is stiled the Prophet by way of eminence Hosea 12.13 Who was the Prince of the old Testament Prophets an eminent type of the Great Apostle of our Profession with Respect to his Prophetical Office as appears from Deut. 18.18 Compared with Act. 3.22 What is become of that famous Prophet who came in the spirit and Power of Elias who was the Morning Star that ushered the Sun of Righteousness into this World did not he set in a Gloomy night of Death Where are the Apostles of our Lord those Heraulds that first Proclaimed the glad tidings of Peace to the Rebellious world are not they gone down to the dark and silent grave Do not we frequently see the King of terrours hewing down those who are Pillars in Jehovah's Temple with his fatal Ax. In the farther Prosecution of this Point I shall proceed in the ensuing method 1. To shew you more particularly what that Death is which they who Minister about holy things are liable to and must certainly undergo 2. To assign some general Reasons why they must die as well as other men 3. To assign some particular and special Reasons of their death 4. To give you some Account of the time when God usually calls them out of this world 5. To make some Improvement and Application of the whole 1. I shall shew you more particularly what that Death is which they who Minister about holy things are liable to and must undergo 1. Negatively Neither they nor any of the Children of men are liable to or shall undergo a natural death of the Soul Though the Souls of wicked men are subject to a Moral Death which Consists in a Privation of felicity and blessedness yet they are not subject to a Physical Death which Consists in a Privation of Existence or Life when men die their Souls depart from their Bodies they do not die or sleep with their Bodies When their Bodies return to the Earth from whence they came Their Souls return to that God as a Judge from whom they came forth as a Creatour Otherwise it would be in the Power of man to kill the soul as well as the Body which our Saviour denies Math. 10.28 Fear not them which can kill the Body but cannot kill the Soul Death's fatal dart cannot pierce this Immortal Being Death may break the Cabinets but cannot touch that rich Jewel which is Inclosed therein It dissolves that earthly Tabernacle wherein the Soul resides but cannot destroy it 's noble Inhabitant The Soul is a spiritual Immaterial and therefore an Immortal Everliving substance If the Soul sleeps with the Body I know not how our Lord's Promise to the Penitent theif This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Luk. 23.43 could be accomplish't nor what Reason can be assign'd for the Apostle Paul's desire speedily to depart out of the world Phil. 1.23 I might produce many Arguments to establish this assertion But I cannot enter upon a large discussion of this controversy at this time 2. Affirmatively There is a two fold death which they who Minister about holy things are liable to and must undergo as well as other men viz. A death of the man and a death of the Body 1. A death of the man Which Consists in a separation of the Soul from the Body As the union of the Soul with the Body is the Life of the man So the separation of the Soul from the Body is the death of the man When the Soul is Joyned to the Body we begin to live when it is divorced from the Body then we die Death's fatal stroke breaks in sunder the Ligament wherewith the Soul and Body are tyed together and Rends these Intimate Companions from each others Embraces 2. A death of the Body This is inseparable from a death of the man The Soul is the Principle of the Bodies Life and Motion while it continues in it and therefore when it takes it's flight from it it ceases to be a living Creature and becomes a lifeless lump of clay This death of the Body consists in a Cessation of the Circulation of the Blood and Spirits which are the Animal Soul of man Thereby the Body is deprived of it's strength and vigour of it's Motion and Activity and of it's comeliness and Beauty Death makes a great alteration in this Curious structure It tyes the most voluble tongue fetters the most active and nimble hands and feet It introduces paleness into the most ruddy face and dimness into the most sparkling eyes 2dly I Proceed to assign some general Reasons why Ministers must die as well as other men In general because it is appointed for all men once to die Heb. 9.27 This is a statute Law of Heaven which never was never will be repealed but shall be fully executed The Law is universal and therefore none can plead an exemption from the execution of it They who give Laws to men are subject to this Appointment of God No Priveledges either Temporal or spiritual can give the Children of men a Protection from death's arrest If it be objected that some have past by not through the Gates of death for Enoch was Translated and Elias mounted up to Heaven in a fiery Chariot and they who remain alive upon Earth at the coming of the Lord from Heaven shall not sleep but be changed It may be replyed that some Particular exceptions do not destroy a general Rule besides the foremention'd Persons either did or shall undergo a change equivalent to a Death But more Particularly Ministers must die as well as others 1. Because they as well as others descended from the first Adam by whose transgression death was entailed upon all
his natural off-spring and Posterity In this one man all sinned and therefore death passed upon all men Rom. 5.12 That apple which our first Parents ate in Paradise hath brought a fatal surfeit upon all their Posterity Tho the Godly are delivered from a spiritual and eternal death yet they are liable to a Temporal death Tho they are delivered from Temporal death as a Penal evil yet they are liable to it as a natural evil Death is not the effect of nature but the fruit of sin Had man Persevered in his holiness he should have continued in a state of Immortality Sin opened the door to let death into the world for death enter'd by sin Rom. 5.12 Yea it is observable that the sentence of Temporal death pass't upon man Immediately after a deliverance from spiritual and eternal death by the seed of the Woman was promised to him And this sentence began Immediately to be executed with respect to that necessity of Dying which man was brought under and those Bodily distempers the seeds of which were then Introduced to him 2. That they may appear before the Judge of all the Earth to give an account of the Actions of their Lives to him That Judgment which will ensue upon death is one Reason of our Dying We must depart out of Life that we may appear before the Divine tribunal in the next Life Ministers are the subjects of the heavenly King and therefore they must give an account to him as well as their hearers We who declare and expound the Divine Law to you press you to yeild obedience to it must be Judged by this Law our selves and come under a strict examination with respect to our observation of and obedience to it We who perswade you have or ought to have some knowledge of this part of the Lords terrours even the future Judgment as that which we are liable to our selves Cor. 2.5 10 and 11. 3. I proceed to assign some special and particular Reasons why Ministers must die And they will be such as have a peculiar reference to their station and employment 1. They must die that they may give an account how they have discharged that office which they are called to and that trust that is Reposed in them Ministers are stewards of the manifold grace of God and therefore must give an account of their stewardships They have peculiar gifts bestowed upon them to fit and qualifie them for their work therefore they must give an account how they have Improved and laid them out in the service of that Lord from whom they received them Ministers are Christ's Embassadours whom he sends to deliver the message of Life and salvation unto Rebellious sinners and to treat with them about a Reconciliation to their offended Soveraign They must therefore Return unto their Lord to give an account how they and their message were received and entertained in and by the world how they have managed and behaved themselves in the execution of their office and what success their Embassy hath had They are Labourers sent to work in the Church which is God's vineyard and Husbandry and therefore they must return to the master of the vineyard and the Lord of the harvest that they may give an account what work they have done therein They are the shepherds wherewith Christ the great shepherd of the sheep hath intrusted his little flock therefore they must give an account what care they have taken of them They are Gods Watchmen whom he appoints to watch over Souls and therefore they must be accountable for 'em Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as those that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Tho all men have a great account to give yet Ministers have the greatest 2. They must die that they may be eased of those burthens that lie upon them and delivered from those Troubles and Afflictions which they are frequently exercised with in this life Indeed they are so many and great that well might the Apostle say 1 Cor. 15.19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable We Christians of all men we Ministers of all Christians I shall mention some of them that you may see what cause you have to pity and pray for your Ministers 1. The laboriousness of their Work Know them who labour among you and admonish you 1 Thes 5.12 they who labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. 5.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who labour to weariness It is a work that is attended with much inward pleasure and delight to those whose hearts are duly engaged in it but yet much study and much preaching too is a weariness to the Flesh It is a labour that spends the Vitals and consumes the Oil which should preserve the Lamp of Nature It is such a labour as makes Old Age and Youth often meet together The Jews took Christ to be about 50 years Old when he was little above 30 Joh. 8.57 and some assign this reason for it that he had so enfeebled his body with his laborious exercises that he seemed older than he really was Other Callings are but Exercises to Nature but the Ministers work debilitates Nature The Minister like the Candle wastes while he shines But at death he rests from his labours 2. The discouragements which they meet with in their work 1. From themselves How often have they aking hearts and weeping eyes when they consider the weight importance and difficulty of their work and their own insufficiency for it Says the Apostle Who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 It is true God hath promised to assist them but their faith is sometimes at a low ebb as well as the faith of others When their faith is so unactive that they cannot with this spiritual Eye behold an Omnipotent Arm stretcht forth for their support they are ready to sink under their pressure 2. From others Even those who are professed Friends to that work which they are engaged in How often are they reflected upon for their fidelity in the discharge of their duty How often are Professors ready to account Ministers their Enemies because they tell them the Truth How apt are they to fly in their Faces if they do but touch any of their Lusts with the Sword of the Spirit How often are they deserted by men for declaring the whole Counsel of God! We have an instance of this in the great Apostle of our profession because he preached a Doctrine which did not lie level with the carnal Reason of his Auditors Joh. 6. Many of his Disciples from that time went back and walked no more with him 66. v. It is a great discouragement to labour hard and not to have our labour accepted It is true we should look above the dispraise of men to the praise
are his Embassadours to make Offers and Tenders of Salvation to poor sinners and intreat them to be reconciled to him in vain and to no purpose When Men rebelliously stopt their Ears against his Gospel Calls and slights those compasionate Invitaons which he gives them by his Prophets he calls them home unto himself 3. When desolating Judgments are hastily advancing towards and make a near approach unto the places wherein they live Noah that famous Preacher of righteousness enter'd into the Ark but a few days before the old World was destroyed by the Deluge God frequently calls his Servants into the Chambers of Death when an overflowing scourge is coming The setting of these Lights in the World portends a gloomy night These Righteous Men are often taken away from the Evil to come tho few observe and lay it to heart 4. I shall now make some improvement and Application of the whole And that 1. By way of Information 2. By way of Exhortation 3. By way of Consolation 1. By way of Information 1. Are the Ministers of Christ mortal men then this may inform us what cause we have to admire the goodness of God intreating with us by them Should the great Jehovah treat with us immediately we should be forc'd to say with the Israelites Let not God speak with us least we die Exod. 20.19 Nor could we in our mortal state bear to converse with those glorious Angels who continually behold his face and stand before his August Throne but God in compassion to our weakness treats with us by men like our selves such who tho they are in God's stead are also form'd out of the Clay whose terrour shall not make us afraid neither shall their hand be heavy upon us as Elihu says to Job 33.6.7 who can from the acquaintance they have will their own hearts tell us the baseness of ours and with whom we may converse with the greatest familiarity 2. Are Ministers mortal men This may inform us that we ought not to Idolize them honour and respect them we must but Idolize them we must not tho they are men highly dignified by God yet they are mortal men still tho they are sent to proclaim the Promise of Everlasting Life yet they are liable to a temporal Death Tho the rich treasures of Spiritual Gifts and Graces are pouer'd into these Vessels yet they are but earthen ones and will soon be broken by the blow of God's hand tho these goards are very delightful to us and we find great refreshment in sitting under their shadow yet the worm of Death will soon make them to wither 3. Must Ministers Die and give an Account of their Ministry unto God Then how diligent and laborious should they be therein Surely they should endeavour to bring as much Glory to the reverend and holy Name of God and to do as much good to the precious Souls of Men as they can while they Live for when they Die they can do no more when Death hath seised upon them they can no more proclaim the glad Tidings of Peace to the rebellious World they can no more inform the Ignorant quicken the Slothful convince Gain-sayers perswade the Disobedient strengthen the Weak or comfort the Disconsolate Moreover they should be excited to Diligence in their Work by that awful Account which they must give e're long to their Lord. Will a prudent Servant loyter in the day time who knows that his Master will take an account of his Work at night Oh! how little do some who enter on the work of the Ministry consider that dreadful Account that they have to give unto the Judg of all the Earth when they depart out of this World Ministers must be accountable for those Souls which are lost by their unfaithfulness and negligence as appears from Ezek. 33.6 And therefore the Apostle Paul charges Timothy to be diligent in his Work as he would answer it unto the Judg both of quick and dead at his appearance and his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 2. 4. Must the Ministers of the Gospel die and give an Account of their Ministry Then how unreasonable is it for the People to be offended with them for their faithfulness and Eagerness in the discharge of it It may be you are ready to think them too sharp in reproving Sin too earnest in pressing duty and too severe in urging the threatnings of the Divine Law but consider they do it for their own sakes as well as for yours that if they cannot deliver your Souls yet they may deliver their own 5. Must the Minister of the Gospel Dye that they may rest from their labours be eased of their Troubles and receive their reward Then it is a great peice of self-denial in a Minister that is satisfied in his fitness for Death to be willing to Live We have an instance of this in the Apostle Paul who tho upon his own Account he desired to depart and to be with Christ yet for the sake of the Church he was willing to abide longer in the flesh 1 Phil. 23.24 2. By way of Exhortation Have a care that you do not hasten the Death of your Ministers It is true their days are determined by that God in whose hand all our Times are but you may be instrumental to shorten their Lives and that not only by putting them to death as wicked persecutours have â—ften done but by other means 1. By over valuing of them If you give that honour to them which belongs only to the Lord of the Prophets you will provoke him to take them away from you if ye fall down and Worship these bright and glittering Stars no wonder if the Father of lights remove them from your sight If you advance them to God's Throne he will quickly lay them in the dust 2. By undervaluing them by slighting and contemning their Persons their Gifts or their Message If you do not prize your Mercies when you Enjoy them God will make you to know the worth of them in the want of them if you despise God's Ambassadors it is time for him to recal them Moreover hereby you will wound their Souls and break their Hearts and why will you bring their heads with sorrow to the grave who have so great a regard to your welfare 2. Look upon your Living Ministers as dying men and that to these two ends and purposes 1. That you may moderate your Affections towards them The consideration of the vanity and frailty of all created objects should wean our Hearts and Affections from them and this consideration should have the same influence upon us with respect to Gospel Ministers Why should we set our eyes our hearts upon those who are not for they will soon take to themselves wings and fly away from us into an invisible world Secondly that you may make the utmost improvement of them while they continue with you endeavour to get as much good as you can from them while they live for when they are