Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
doctrine_n	holy_a	scripture_n	tradition_n	3,735	5	9.1394	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80737	Knovvledge & practice, or, a plain discourse of the chief things necessary to be known, believ'd, and practised in order to salvation. Drawn up, and principally intended for the use and benefit of North-Cadbury in Somersetshire, / by Samuel Cradock, B.D. & Pastor there: sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.	Cradock, Samuel, 1621?-1706.	1659 (1659)	Wing C6751; Thomason E1724_1; ESTC R209799	322,548	715

as a Letter written by the hand of God from Heaven unto us If an Angel should bring us a letter from Heaven we should highly value it and regard it The Bible is a message sent from Heaven to acquaint us with the mind of God If we own the divine authority thereof let us read it with reverence and due regard 2. Beg the Spirit of God that endited the Scripture that inspired and infallibly guided and assisted the pen-men thereof to open thy eies to illuminate thy mind and to encline thy heart to a full belief and perswasion that it is the very Word of God and to bring over thy will to a sincere obedience and compliance with the will of God therein revealed 3. Remember that all things necessary to mans salvation are either expresly set down in the Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced there-from Unto which nothing is at any time to be added either by new revelations or traditions of men it being a perfect Canon a perfect rule of Faith and life St. John who outlived the rest of the Apostles sealed up the Canon Rev. 22.18 19. which was a great mercy to the world For God saw what a liberty man enclin'd to in divine things and therefore needed to be tyed up to a rule which here is given us There is enough delivered in the Scripture to make us wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 What should a Christian desire more and the Apostle tels us we ought to give heed thereto till the day-star arise in our hearts that is till we have full communion with Christ Mr. Manton on Jude For our reward in Heaven is expressed by the morning-star Rev. 2.28 To him that over-cometh I will give the morning-star 4. Take notice that those things that are necessary to be known believed and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other that not only the learned but the unlearned also in a due use of the ordinary means God hath appointed may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them If there arise any question about the true and full sense and meaning of any Scripture it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly The certain rule of interpreting the Scripture is the Scripture it self The Scripture saies Camero is so penn'd that they that have a mind to know may know They that have a mind to wrangle may take occasion enough of offence and justly perish by the rebellion of their own reason for God never intended saith he to satisfie men of a stubborn and perverse wit And Tertullian long before him hath told us that God hath so disposed the Scripture that they that will not be satisfied might be hardened 5. And lastly Remember that the supream Judge by which all con●rove●sies of Religion are to be ●ried all decrees of Councils opinions of ancient writers doctrines of men and private spirits are to be examined in whose sentence we are to rest can be no other than the Holy Spirit of God speaking in and by the Scriptures for what the Scripture saies God speaks by it Isa 8 20. To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them John 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me V. 4● For had ye believed Moses ye would have believed me for he wrote of me Acts 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so V. 12. Therefore many of them believed also of the honourable women which were Greeks and of men not a few Luke 16.29 Abraham saith unto him they have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them V. 31. And he said unto him if they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts V. 20. Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation V. 21. For the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus V. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse V. 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works Luke 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Deut. 17.18 And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a Copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites V. 19. And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the daies of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these statutes to do them Psal 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Psal 119.9 Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word V. 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths V. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding unto the simple Psal 147.19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his Judgments unto Israel V. 20. He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as for his Judgments they have not known them Praise ye the Lord. Mat. 4.4 But he answered and said it is written man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God V. 7. Jesus said unto him it is written again thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God V. 10. Then he saith unto him get thee hence Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone Luke 24.27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself V. 44. And he said unto them these are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things

who is a Spirit infinitely Glorious and being One in Nature is yet Three in Persons or Subsistences The Father The Son and The Holy Ghost These are Three and One after a wonderfull and mysterious manner The Father God The Son God And the Holy Ghost God and yet not three Gods but one God Secondly His Properties or Attributes God is Eternal or without any Beginning or End Omnipotent or Almighty Omnipresent or every where present Omniscient or All-knowing Infinitely Wise Holy Just Mercifull Thirdly His Works which are principally two 1. Creation 2. Providence I. Creation Concerning which we must know 1. That God made the world and all the Creatures therein both visible and invisible by his Almighty power and Created them all very good 2. The chief of his Creatures are Angels Men. 3. All the Angels were at first made holy and happy Spirits Some continued in their obedience to God and are still Angels of Light Others fell from God through Pride or some other sin and are become Devils of Darknes Concerning the Creation of Man see farther in the next Chapter II. Providence As God Created the World and all the Creatures therein by his Almighty Power So he upholds directs disposes and governs them all by his Providence Nothing so Casual but he disposes of it No Agent so free as to be exempted from his Controule No affliction or Evil of Punishment but he hath a hand in it But as for sin he neither is nor possibly can be the Author or Approver of it CHAP. II. Concerning Man COncerning Man we are to know and understand these three things 1. The happy Condition in which he was made 2. His Fall 3. The way of his Recovery by Christ 1. The Holy and happy estate in which God created man at first Namely after his own Image in Knowledge Holinesse and Righteousnesse with Dominion over the Creatures here below writing his Law on mans heart requiring perfect obedience from him and giving him power to perform it promising the continuance of him in that happy estate if he obeyed and threatning him with death if he disobeyed which is called the Covenant of works 2. The miserable Condition into which man threw himself by sin Our first Parents by the temptation of Sathan disobeyed God broke his righteous Law and Commandement and thereby cast themselves out of the Favour of God became the Slaves of Satan and liable to the curse of the Law and brought a great depravation of soul and body upon themselves And such as our first Parents were such must their posterity needs be For who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean says Job Chap. 14.4 They having lost the Image of God themselves the holinesse and happinesse in which they were made could not conveigh it to their posterity So that the nature of man is now become corrupt prone to evil backward to good And this miserable condition is derived to us from Adam by our immediate Parents and as men come to be born in several Ages and generations so they actually participate of the sap that comes from the first root we being therefore all of us in so bad a Condition by nature and by custome and practice in sin having made our selves much worse and more abominable in the sight of God more guilty and liable to his wrath we are to know and consider that this woful state of sin and misery is by no means to be rested in But seeing we are fallen into so lamentable a condition we must speedily endeavour to get out of it And therefore let us remember that without Conversion there is no hope of Salvation Except a man be born again and made a new Creature he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God 3. The blessed way found out and appointed by God for mans Recovery out of this miserable state which is by the undertaking and mediation of his onely Son CHAP. III. Concerning the Mediator between God and Man COncerning the Mediator between God and man Christ Jesus We must know and understand these seaven things 1. What manner of person he was He was God and Man in the same person The Eternal Son of God The second Person in the Trinity took to himself our humane Nature a humane soul and body and united it after a wonderfull manner to his Godhead And so God and Man became one person 2. How he became man He was born about sixteen hundred and odd years ago of the Virgin Mary who was of the seed of Abraham and of the Family of David as was foretold in the Scriptures being Conceived in her by the Almighty power of the Holy Ghost without the help of man and without sin and was Called Jesus Christ 3. How he Lived He Lived about three and thirty years here upon Earth a most holy innocent sinless Life performing perfect obedience to the Law of God And as the great Prophet of God who was promised Deut. 18.15 Acts 3 22. he declared his Fathers will in his heavenly discourses and Sermons and wrought many miracles to confirm his doctrine and to prove himself the true Messias and the Eternal Son of God 4. How he Died Being betrayed by Judas forsaken by his Disciples scorned and rejected by the World through the malicious prosecution of the Jews and unjust sentence of Pilat he was Condemned to be Crucified and being tormented by his persecutors and having conflicted with the Terrors of Death and felt and born Gods wrath He endured the painful shameful and cursed death of the Crosse there as a Priest offering up himself a Sacrifice to God and a Ransome and Propitiation for our sins 5. What became of him after his Death He being buried rose again the third day and after Fourty days continuance on the earth in which time he frequently appeared to his Disciples and others teaching the things appertaining to the Kingdome of God he ascended into Heaven and is now in Glory with the Father where he intercedes for and presents the Merits of his Death and Sufferings in the behalf of all them that unfeignedly repent of their sins and do truly beleeve on him And being made King and Head of his Church and Lord of Angels and Men he shall come from Heaven again in great Glory to judge the quick and the dead at the Last day 6. What was the End and Intent of Christs Coming into the world The chief End and Intent of his Coming into the world was to save Lost and undone sinners to procure their pardon reconciliation with God by his Merits to Sanctifie their Natures by his Holy Spirit and to bring them to everlasting Life And to this end he appointed his Ministers to preach the Gospel unto the world and instituted the two Sacraments Baptism and the Lords Supper to signifie and keep in remembrance the great and inestimable benefits of his Death and Sufferings 7. What they are effectually Called unto and through the assistance of the

the seed of David according to the flesh V. 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead Col. 2.3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge John 3.34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him Heb. 1.9 Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the oile of gladnesse above thy fellows Col. 1.19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulnesse dwell Acts 10.38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed with the Devil for God was with him 3. How he Lived He Lived about three and thirty years here upon Earth a most holy innocent sinless Life performing perfect obedience to the Law of God And as the great Prophet of God who was promised Deut. 18.15 Acts 3.22 he declared his Fathers will in his heavenly discourses and Sermons and wrought many miracles to confirm his doctrine and to prove himself the true Messias and the Eternal Son of God 1 Pet. 2.22 Who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth Heb. 7.26 For such an High Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the Heavens Heb. 4.15 For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Psal 40.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me V. 8. I delight to do thy will O my God yea thy Law is within my heart Gal. 4.4 But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law Mat. 5.17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill Rom. 5.19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Deut. 18.15 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren like unto mee unto him ye shall hearken Acts 3.22 For Moses truly said unto the Fathers a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you John 15.15 Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you John 2.11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth his Glory and his Disciples beleeved on him V. 23. Now when he was at Jerusalem at the Passover in the Feast day many beleeved in his name when they saw the miracles which he did John 6.14 Then those men when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did said this is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world John 10.41 And many resorted unto him and said John did no miracle but all things that John spake of this man were true John 15.24 If I had not done among them the works which no other man did they had not had sin but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father John 5.36 But I have greater witness than that of John for the works that the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witnesse of me that the Father hath sent me John 10.25 Jesus answered them I told you and ye beleeved not the works that I do in my Fathers name they bear witnesse of me V. 37. If I do not the works of my Father beleeve me not V. 38. But if I do though ye beleeve not me beleeve the works that ye may know and beleeve that the Father is in me and I in him John 14.11 Beleeve me that I am in the Father and the Father in me or else beleeve me for the very works sake Acts 2.22 Ye men of Israel hear these words Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and Signs which God did by him in the midst of you as ye your selves also know 4. How he Died Being betrayed by Judas forsaken by his Disciples scorned and rejected by the World through the malicious prosecution of the Jews and unjust sentence of Pilat he was Condemned to be Crucified and being tormented by his persecutors and having conflicted with the Terrors of Death and felt and born Gods wrath He endured the painful shameful and cursed death of the Crosse there as a Priest offering up himself a Sacrifice to God and a Ransome and Propitiation for our sins Matth. 26.3 Then assemhled together the Chief Priests and the Scribes and the Elders of the People unto the Palace of the High Priest who was Called Caiaphas V. 4. And Consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty and kill him V. 47. And while he yet spake Lo Judas one of the twelve came and with him a great multitude with swords and staves from the chief Priests and Elders of the people V. 48. Now he that betrayed him gave them a signe saying whomsoever I shall kisse that same is he hold him fast V. 49. And forthwith he came to Jesus and said Hail Master and kissed him V. 50. And Jesus said unto him Friend wherefore art thou come then came they and laid hands on Jesus and took him V. 56. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled then all the Disciples forsook him and fled V. 57. And they that laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiphas the high Priest where the Scribes and the Elders were assembled V 59. Now the Chief Priests and Elders and all the Councill sought false witnesse against Jesus to put him to death V. 60. But found none yea though many false witnesses came yet found they none at the last came two false witnesses V. 61. And said this fellow said I am able to destroy the Temple of God and to build it in three days Mark 14.61 But he held his peace and answered nothing again the High Priest asked him and said unto him art thou the Christ the Son of the blessed V. 62. And Jesus said I am and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven V. 63. Then the High Priest rent his Clothes and saith what need we any further witnesses V. 64. Ye have heard the blasphemy what think ye and they all condemned him to be guilty of death Mat. 26.67 Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him and others smote him with the palmes of their hands

risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Acts 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls Acts 16.33 And he took them the same hour of the night and wash d their stripes and was baptized he and all his straightway Acts 8.37 And Philip said if thou beleevest with all thine heart thou maiest and he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God V 38. And he Commanded the Chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him Gal. 3 14. That the blessing of Abrah●m might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the spirit through Faith Acts 2 38. Then Peter said unto them repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost V. 39 For the promise is to you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall Call 1 Cor. 7.14 For the unbeleeving husband is sanctified by the wife and the unbeleeving wife is sanct●fied by the hu●band else were your Children unclean but now are they holy Mark 10.13 And they broug●t young Children to him that he should touch them and his Disciples rebuked those that brought them V. 14. But when Jesus saw it he was mu●h displeased and said unto them suffer the lit le Chi●dren to come to me and f rbid them not for of such is the ●ingdome of God V. 15. Verily I say unto you whosoever shall not receive the Kingdome of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein V. 16. And he took them up in his armes and put his hands upon them and blessed them Luke 7.30 But the Pha●isees and Lawyers rejected the Counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him Acts 8.13 Then Simon himself believed also and when he was baptized he continued with Philip and wondred beholding the miracles and signs which were done John 3 5. Jesus answered verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Eph. 5.25 His bands love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it V 26. That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Lords Supper Mat. 26.26 And as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to his Disciples and said take eat this is my body V. 27. And he took the Cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying drink ye all of it V. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins V. 29. But I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the Vine untill that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdome Mark 14.22 And as they did eat Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave to them and said take eat this is my body V. 23. And he took the Cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them and they drank all of it V. 24. And he said unto them this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many Luke 22.19 And he took bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave unto them saying this is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me V. 20. Likewise also the Cup after Supper saying this Cup is the new Testament in my blood which is shed for you 1 Cor. 11.20 When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper V. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread V. 24. And when he had given thankes he brake it and said take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me V. 25. After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying this cup is the new Testament in my blood this do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me V. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come V. 27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ V. 17. For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread V. 21. Ye cannot drink the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Devils ye cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the table of devils 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Acts 20.17 And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech untill midnight 1 Cor. 5.6 Your glorying is not good know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump V. 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened for even Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us Acts 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand soules V. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers 2 Thes 3.6 Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us V. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this Epistle note that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed V. 15. Yet count him not as an enemy but admonish him as a brother 7. What they are effectually Called unto and through the assistance of the Spirit of God enabled to perform that shall receive Remission of sins by Christ They that shall be made partakers of that great and inestimable benefit the Remission of all their sins by Christ are effectually called and enabled by the assistance of his Grace unfeignedly to believe the

praise of them that do well 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all' Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men V. 2. For Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and Honesty Exod. 22.28 Thou shalt not revile the Gods nor curse the Ruler of thy people Acts 23.5 Then said Paul I wist not Brethren that he was the High Priest for it is written thou shalt not speak-evil of the Ruler of thy people CHAP. XV. Of the Duties of people towards their Pastours and Ministers HAving spoken of the Duties of Children to their Natural Parents and of Inferiours to Magistrates their civil Parents I come now to those of people to their Ministers their Spiritual Parents Thus St Paul tels the Corinthians 1 Cor. 4.15 That in Christ Jesus he had begotten them through the Gospel And the Gallatians Chap. 4.19 That he travels in birth of them till Christ be formed in them Their Duties to them are these four First To esteem them very highly in love for their work sake as the Apostle commands 1 Thes 5.13 And surely this will seem very reasonable if either 1. The Nature of their work be considered or 2. Who it is that employes them I. Their work is of all others most excellent No Calling or employment more honourable than the rescuing of precious Souls out of the hands of Satan and from endlesse perdition II. 'T is a great and an hard work They are 1. To instruct the people to feed them with knowledge and understanding Jer. 3.15 And teach them the right way to Salvation 2. To pray for them To be the Lords remembrancers and their Sollicitors in the Court of Heaven 3. To be an Example to the Flock in a holy and unblameable life and conversation 4. To visit the sick 5. To labour the setling the distressed Conscience 6. To watch over the Flock to preserve them 1. From corrupt Doctrine 2. From a corrupt Conversation And to this end to endeavour the reclaiming the disorderly by admonitions and such other Censures as Christ hath left in the Church Their work therefore is such as ought in all reason to procure them love and esteem it being of so great advantage to the world Josephs Office in delivering out corn in a time of Famine made him justly honoured by the Egyptians How worthy an employment is it then to deliver out the Manna of Gods Word the food of life to the souls of men who without it are in danger to perish everlastingly 2. Consider who it is that employes them They are Ambassadors for Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 Ambassadors by the Law of Nations are to be treated with a respect answerable to the quality of those that send them Therefore Christ tels his Disciples when he sends them out to preach He that despiseth you despiseth me he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luke 10.16 It seems 't is a worse businesse than people ordinarily consider to despise the Ministers of Christ Let those think of this who make it their design and sport to put affronts upon the persons and to deride the Calling of the Ministers Certainly there will be a strict account requir'd of all that derision slanders reproaches and hard usage the faithful Ministers of Christ do meet with in the discharge of their places and calling And further if it be Christ that employes them then let those consider seriously of it who dare presume to exercise the Offices of this sacred function without being lawfully Call'd thereto What is this but as if a man on his own head should go as an Ambassador from his Prince The Apostle saies of the Priests of the Law which yet are inferiour to those of the Gospel That no man takes this honour to himself but he which was call'd of God Heb. 5.4 Certainly they that usurp sacred Offices for which they are not duly fitted and to which they were never lawfully call'd will be able to give but a very sad account to God when he reckons with them for this their presumption Let me advise such to read the story of Corah in Numb 16. Who being arrogant and ambitious would needs take upon him the Priesthood and he and his accomplices rise up against Moses and Aaron and their plea is all the Congregation are holy ye take too much upon you Wherefore lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord So that we see this levelling humour is no new thing in the world To make head against Moses and Aaron to oppose Magistracy and Ministry you see was Corahs sin Take heed of imitating him lest you perish likewise in the gainsaying of Corah Jude v. 11. You may read the sad end of him and his Company Num. 16.32 And so much of the first Duty people ought to pay to their Ministers They ought to love and esteem them Secondly They ought to pray for them that they may be furnished with all those Graces and Gifts and blessed with such assistances of Gods Spirit as may enable them to discharge that holy Calling faithfully and successefully Of this I have spoken more P. 323. Thirdly They ought conscientiously to attend upon their Ministry and submit to their Spiritual guidance and direction really endeavouring to grow in knowledge and Grace thereby Obey them saith the Apostle Heb. 13.17 that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls c. Whatsoever they out of Gods Word shall make manifest to be his Will and Command is to be obeyed seeing 't is not they but God requires it according to that of Christ He that heareth you heareth me Luke 10 16. And this whether it be delivered by way of publick preaching or private exhortation for in both so long as they keep them to the Rule which is Gods Word they are the messengers of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2.7 People therefore must labour to grow in Spiritual knowledge and Grace answerably to the means of Grace afforded them and thereby strengthen the hands and encourage the heart of their Minister in his work The proficiency of the people in knowledge and holiness is the Crown and rejoycing of every Faithful Minister and though God will not reward him according to his successe but his sincerity and industry yet nothing more troubles him then to see his multiplied pains not answered with desired successe Let people therefore look to it that they bring forth the fruits of the Gospel that is preached to them The Husbandman laies his ground fallow when he sees it will not bring forth Corn so as to quit charges The Kingdom of Heaven saies our Saviour shall be taken away from you and given to others which will bring forth the fruits thereof Mat. 21.43 'T is just with God to take away the means of Grace from a people when he sees they live unprofitably under them Fourthly Seeing