gospel_n be_v convey_v this_o be_v agreeable_a to_o what_o go_v before_o some_o false_a teacher_n in_o corinth_n please_v themselves_o with_o eloquent_a and_o entice_a word_n of_o worldly_a wisdom_n and_o so_o endeavour_v to_o render_v paul_n preach_v despicable_a in_o regard_n of_o the_o plainness_n of_o it_o therefore_o say_v the_o apostle_n we_o have_v this_o treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_n h._n e._n familiar_a conveyance_n that_o so_o we_o may_v easy_o understand_v it_o thus_o i_o have_v explain_v this_o earthen_a vessel_n and_o so_o have_v do_v with_o the_o first_o considerable_a part_n viz._n the_o dispensation_n itself_o this_o treasure_n we_o have_v in_o earthen_a vessel_n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o viz._n ii_o the_o account_n of_o this_o dispensation_n that_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n may_v be_v of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o we_o which_o word_n may_v be_v consider_v two_o way_n 1._o either_o absolute_o as_o lie_v in_o themselves_o or_o 2._o connexively_a to_o the_o word_n before_o go_v 1._o take_v they_o absolute_o as_o they_o lie_v in_o themselves_o and_o two_o thing_n be_v exhibit_v 1._o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o ministry_n itself_o call_v power_n 2._o the_o author_n and_o original_a of_o it_o lay_v down_o two_o way_n positive_o of_o god_n and_o negative_o not_o of_o we_o 1._o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o ministry_n thereof_o call_v power_n there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o power_n and_o efficecy_n in_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v in_o its_o nature_n powerful_a and_o efficacious_a so_o the_o ministry_n of_o it_o rom._n 1.16_o i_o be_o not_o ashamed_a of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n for_o it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n to_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v see_v 1_o cor._n 2.4_o paul_n preach_v be_v in_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v call_v the_o arm_n of_o god_n power_n the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n eph._n 6.17_o it_o be_v quick_a and_o powerful_a and_o sharp_a than_o any_o two-edged_a sword_n pierce_v even_o to_o the_o divide_v asunder_o of_o the_o soul_n and_o spirit_n etc._n etc._n heb._n 4.12_o and_o many_o other_o place_n we_o may_v conceive_v it_o to_o be_v so_o according_a to_o the_o various_a effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o it_o viz._n as_o to_o 1._o conviction_n 2._o coversion_n 3._o consolation_n 1._o it_o be_v powerful_a in_o regard_n of_o conviction_n it_o be_v a_o word_n of_o conviction_n and_o one_o part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v by_o the_o spirit_n co-operation_n to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o sin_n to_o open_a man_n eye_n to_o show_v they_o the_o vileness_n of_o their_o way_n to_o discover_v such_o course_n to_o be_v sinful_a the_o conscience_n be_v awaken_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n herein_o it_o be_v powerful_a and_o efficacious_a there_o be_v divers_a instance_n in_o scripture_n how_o powerful_a the_o word_n have_v be_v in_o point_n of_o conviction_n in_o foelix_n the_o apostle_n paul_n preach_v to_o he_o of_o righteousness_n and_o judgement_n to_o come_v etc._n etc._n he_o tremble_v the_o judge_n on_o the_o bench_n tremble_v at_o the_o word_n deliver_v by_o the_o prisoner_n at_o the_o bar_n sa_o powerful_a be_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n as_o to_o discover_v our_o sinfulness_n so_o the_o disciple_n go_v to_o eman_n their_o heart_n burn_v within_o they_o when_o our_o saviour_n open_v to_o they_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n so_o it_o be_v with_o st._n peter_n auditor_n act_n 2._o they_o be_v prick_v in_o the_o heart_n when_o they_o hear_v tha_z he_o do_v preach_v to_o they_o in_o the_o power_n and_o demoustration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o plain_o discover_v that_o sin_n that_o they_o be_v more_o especial_o guilty_a of_o and_o when_o they_o hear_v that_o they_o be_v prick_v in_o the_o heart_n etc._n etc._n 2._o it_o be_v a_o word_n of_o conversion_n also_o conviction_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o conversion_n be_v another_o sometime_o man_n may_v be_v convince_v but_o yet_o have_v no_o change_n wrought_v in_o they_o therefore_o conversion_n be_v another_o work_n it_o be_v a_o turn_a man_n from_o darkness_n to_o light_n from_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n to_o god_n etc._n etc._n to_o receive_v a_o inheritance_n among_o they_o that_o be_v sanctify_v herein_o be_v the_o word_n powerful_a viz._n in_o regeneration_n i_o have_v beget_v you_o by_o the_o word_n to_o a_o lively_a hope_n etc._n etc._n of_o his_o own_o will_n have_v he_o beget_v you_o etc._n etc._n 3._o it_o be_v a_o word_n of_o comfort_n and_o consolation_n it_o be_v a_o powerful_a word_n and_o able_a to_o comfort_v the_o heart_n and_o the_o ministry_n be_v very_o effectual_a herein_o when_o set_v on_o by_o the_o spirit_n to_o quiet_a satisfy_v and_o pacific_a the_o conscience_n of_o man_n which_o declare_v the_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o whosoever_n sin_n be_v forgive_v must_v needs_o be_v comfort_v indeed_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o forgive_v sint_fw-la yet_o they_o can_v speak_v a_o word_n of_o comfort_n in_o season_n by_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o promise_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n go_v along_o with_o they_o and_o then_o they_o be_v not_o only_o declarative_a but_o operative_a where_o i_o say_v it_o please_v god_n to_o bless_v and_o sanctify_v the_o word_n it_o be_v effectual_a for_o the_o quiet_v of_o the_o mind_n for_o pacify_v of_o the_o conscience_n and_o settle_v of_o the_o trouble_a soul_n thus_o you_o see_v how_o powerful_a the_o ministry_n be_v and_o see_v it_o be_v so_o this_o shall_v teach_v we_o how_o to_o behave_v ourselves_o under_o it_o it_o be_v powerful_a in_o itself_o and_o powerful_a in_o its_o dispensation_n and_o have_v none_o of_o that_o weakness_n mention_v before_o of_o the_o dispenser_n of_o it_o i_o be_v with_o you_o say_v s._n paul_n in_o much_o weakness_n and_o in_o fear_n and_o intremble_v 1_o cor._n 2.3.4_o and_o my_o speech_n be_v in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n these_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v contradictory_n but_o it_o be_v answer_v the_o word_n be_v powerful_a in_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n though_o deliver_v by_o one_o of_o humane_a weakness_n as_o before_o be_v declare_v this_o spiritual_a power_n we_o shall_v look_v at_o and_o labour_v after_o which_o power_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o matter_n of_o elocution_n the_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n nor_o in_o matter_n of_o voice_n which_o indeed_o be_v a_o good_a thing_n and_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n a_o quick_a and_o powerful_a delivery_n be_v of_o great_a efficacy_n and_o power_n for_o the_o set_n home_o of_o truth_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o make_v a_o powerful_a ministry_n for_o a_o whisper_n in_o the_o ear_n may_v cause_v a_o thunderbolt_n in_o the_o conscience_n the_o power_n lie_v first_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n the_o matter_n consist_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o condition_n of_o mankind_n the_o certainty_n of_o judgement_n the_o necessity_n of_o christ_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o grace_n and_o privilege_n thereof_o etc._n etc._n these_o carry_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o power_n and_o efficacy_n with_o they_o when_o they_o be_v careful_o and_o frequent_o dispense_v and_o god_n spirit_n go_v along_o with_o they_o so_o they_o become_v powerful_a for_o the_o ministry_n consist_v not_o in_o empty_a notion_n and_o speculation_n that_o will_v only_o tickle_v the_o sancie_n but_o never_o reach_v the_o conscience_n moral_a discourse_n though_o they_o be_v of_o great_a use_n yet_o if_o we_o rest_v in_o they_o they_o leave_v we_o as_o they_o find_v we_o evangelical_n truth_n which_o be_v manifold_a be_v to_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o ministry_n now_o as_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o ministry_n must_v be_v powerful_a so_o the_o expression_n must_v be_v powerful_a there_o shall_v be_v sutableness_n of_o expression_n to_o the_o matter_n h._n e._n with_o gravity_n sobriety_n affection_n etc._n etc._n strong_a line_n make_v but_o weak_a preach_n and_o take_v away_o the_o efficacy_n but_o deliver_v truth_n in_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o in_o power_n that_o be_v most_o effectual_a when_o we_o speak_v feel_o and_o from_o our_o heart_n it_o come_v then_o through_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o lord_n with_o it_o with_o power_n this_o be_v then_o to_o learn_v we_o of_o the_o ministry_n viz._n 1._o use_v let_v we_o be_v careful_a that_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o ministry_n be_v powerful_a so_o that_o the_o handle_n and_o dispense_n thereof_o be_v powerful_a that_o so_o it_o may_v come_v home_o to_o the_o conscience_n thus_o we_o shall_v deal_v with_o all_o the_o word_n of_o the_o wise_a be_v as_o goad_n and_o as_o nail_n fasten_v by_o the_o master_n
be_v a_o treasure_n in_o the_o want_n of_o other_o treasure_n they_o be_v rich_a that_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o it_o silver_n and_o gold_n have_v i_o none_o say_v s._n peter_n to_o the_o cripple_n but_o such_o as_o i_o have_v i_o give_v it_o thou_o this_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o minister_n though_o it_o may_v be_v poor_a in_o respect_n of_o themselves_o yet_o be_v rich_a to_o other_o these_o excellent_a riches_n be_v commit_v to_o we_o and_o according_o we_o must_v not_o only_o make_v use_n of_o they_o ourselves_o but_o make_v they_o know_v to_o other_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o treasure_n not_o for_o we_o to_o keep_v up_o but_o to_o discover_v reveal_z and_o manifest_v to_o other_o to_o give_v the_o light_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n we_o have_v indeed_o this_o treasure_n but_o not_o for_o ourselves_o only_o but_o for_o other_o so_o we_o be_v to_o keep_v it_o to_o preserve_v and_o maintain_v it_o but_o so_o as_o to_o be_v diligent_a to_o impart_v what_o be_v commit_v to_o we_o for_o the_o edification_n of_o other_o every_o scribe_n instruct_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n as_o a_o good_a householder_n bring_v forth_o thing_n new_a and_o old_a the_o gospel_n be_v a_o treasure_n therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o carry_v ourselves_o answerable_a to_o it_o as_o 1._o we_o must_v labour_v for_o it_o be_v diligent_a in_o the_o search_n of_o it_o dig_v for_o it_o as_o for_o hide_a treasure_n lift_v up_o thy_o voice_n for_o understanding_n etc._n etc._n prov._n 2.2,3,4_o dig_v for_o it_o you_o know_v there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n take_v and_o labour_v use_v to_o get_v worldly_a treasure_n what_o will_v not_o man_n venture_v for_o it_o they_o will_v go_v over_o sea_n and_o land_n go_v through_o sire_n and_o water_n expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o danger_n for_o earthly_a treasure_n make_v unto_o themselves_o friend_n of_o the_o mammon_n of_o unrighteousness_n pass_v away_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o time_n and_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o care_n for_o it_o 2._o esteem_v this_o treasure_n this_o heavenly_a wisdom_n this_o evangelical_n knowledge_n even_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n labour_v to_o understand_v it_o and_o have_v the_o efficacy_n wrough_fw-mi upon_o your_o heart_n 3._o rejoice_v in_o it_o how_o do_v man_n rejoice_v in_o earthly_a treasure_n so_o shall_v we_o as_o the_o merchant_n in_o the_o gospel_n when_o he_o have_v find_v the_o pearl_n of_o prize_n rejoice_v exceed_o so_o we_o ought_v as_o be_v make_v partaker_n thereof_o i_o rejoice_v at_o thy_o word_n even_o as_o one_o that_o have_v find_v great_a spoil_n say_v david_n so_o shall_v we_o rejoice_v always_o in_o this_o treasure_n it_o be_v say_v of_o those_o that_o sit_v under_o john_n baptist_n ministry_n that_o they_o rejoice_v but_o for_o a_o while_n and_o that_o be_v the_o condition_n and_o misery_n of_o many_o the_o city_n of_o samaria_n when_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o gospel_n it_o be_v say_v they_o have_v great_a joy_n act._n 8.9_o 4._o be_v careful_a to_o keep_v and_o preserve_v it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o treasure_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v treasure_n it_o up_o in_o our_o heart_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o it_o will_v keep_v we_o it_o keep_v as_o chrysostome_n say_v the_o house_n where_o it_o be_v other_o treasure_n can_v secure_v themselves_o but_o if_o we_o keep_v this_o treasure_n it_o will_v secure_v we_o discretion_n shall_v preserve_v thou_o and_o understanding_n shall_v keep_v thou_o prov._n 2.11_o thus_o you_o see_v the_o excellency_n of_o this_o spiritual_a wisdom_n so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o thing_n considerable_a in_o the_o first_o branch_n viz._n the_o depositum_fw-la the_o treasure_n the_o second_o thing_n considerable_a be_v the_o repository_n h.e._n earthen_a vessel_n or_o vessel_n of_o earth_n earthen_a pitcher_n these_o be_v the_o repository_n but_o we_o have_v this_o treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_n etc._n etc._n earth_n be_v a_o word_n of_o diminution_n and_o disparagement_n and_o that_o in_o three_o regard_n 1_o in_o regard_n of_o its_o meaness_n and_o baseness_n 2_o in_o regard_n of_o its_o foulness_n and_o pollution_n 3_o in_o regard_n of_o its_o frailty_n and_o transitoriness_n it_o be_v pass_o away_o in_o all_o these_o respect_n these_o earthen_a vessel_n in_o the_o text_n be_v to_o he_o understand_v the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o outward_a man_n be_v so_o call_v and_o be_v so_o according_a to_o this_o threefold_a notion_n i._o in_o regard_n of_o their_o meanness_n their_o outside_n be_v mean_a either_o for_o person_n or_o sometime_o for_o estate_n body_n &_o outward_a deportment_n this_o be_v the_o condition_n you_o know_v of_o the_o first_o minister_n of_o christ_n mean_v and_o ordinary_a person_n outward_o god_n make_v use_v of_o nay_o our_o master_n our_o bless_a lord_n and_o saviour_n be_v mean_a in_o regard_n of_o his_o humane_a birth_n and_o reckon_v of_o by_o most_o man_n according_a to_o his_o birth_n and_o parentage_n so_o it_o be_v with_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v in_o their_o person_n general_o base_a mean_a low_a and_o according_o render_v despicable_a to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n ii_o in_o regard_n of_o foulness_n and_o pollution_n minister_n be_v call_v earthen_a vessel_n they_o have_v many_o weakness_n they_o be_v man_n subject_a to_o the_o like_a passion_n as_o other_o it_o be_v true_a the_o minister_n of_o christ_n have_v great_a advantage_n than_o other_o in_o regard_n of_o their_o education_n knowledge_n gift_n and_o employment_n be_v more_o free_a from_o those_o desilement_n and_o snare_n that_o other_o be_v entangle_v in_o yet_o through_o the_o remainder_n of_o the_o flesh_n in_o they_o they_o have_v many_o infirmity_n so_o satan_n watch_v they_o more_o than_o other_o lay_v more_o snare_n for_o they_o in_o regard_n of_o their_o part_n and_o employment_n so_o that_o they_o be_v more_o subject_n to_o his_o temptation_n than_o other_o satan_n have_v a_o desire_n to_o sift_v they_o as_o the_o apostle_n peter_n as_o wheat_n because_o he_o know_v they_o will_v draw_v many_o after_o they_o so_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v subject_a to_o many_o weakness_n and_o infirmity_n sometime_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o man_n even_o the_o most_o vicious_a and_o malicious_a first_o he_o change_v they_o and_o then_o make_v use_n of_o they_o as_o instrument_n of_o glory_n the_o apostle_n paul_n be_v a_o vessel_n of_o election_n to_o carry_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n unto_o the_o gentile_n yet_o in_o time_n past_o a_o great_a persecutor_n so_o it_o please_v god_n to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o that_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n may_v be_v of_o god_n etc._n etc._n iii_o minister_n be_v call_v earthen_a vessel_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o frailty_n and_o mortality_n of_o their_o person_n and_o earthen_a vessel_n be_v soon_o crack_v and_o break_v minister_n be_v subject_a to_o many_o infirmity_n of_o body_n this_o heavenly_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n shine_v often_o through_o lantern_n of_o glass_n which_o be_v soon_o break_v minister_n have_v weak_a and_o frail_a body_n timothy_n have_v his_o bodily_a infirmity_n and_o trophimus_n be_v leave_v sick_a at_o miletum_n 2_o tim._n 4.20_o and_o epaphroditus_n be_v sick_a nigh_o unto_o death_n phil._n 2.27_o and_o paul_n have_v need_v of_o luke_n the_o phyician_n probable_o in_o regard_n of_o his_o weakness_n thus_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n be_v subject_a to_o many_o infirmity_n beside_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o text_n there_o be_v other_o reason_n why_o god_n will_v have_v it_o so_o 1_o that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o compassionate_a and_o more_o sensible_a of_o the_o weakness_n of_o other_o for_o likeness_n of_o condition_n breed_v sympathy_n of_o affection_n man_n be_v apt_a to_o pity_v those_o in_o the_o like_a condition_n with_o themselves_o so_o our_o lord_n take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o that_o he_o may_v pity_v we_o he_o take_v flesh_n and_o blood_n upon_o he_o he_o be_v tempt_v in_o all_o thing_n like_v unto_o we_o but_o without_o sin_n that_o so_o he_o may_v succour_v those_o that_o be_v tempt_v so_o his_o servant_n many_o of_o they_o be_v much_o tempt_v which_o may_v breed_v in_o they_o a_o sympathy_n of_o affection_n to_o other_o that_o be_v in_o such_o a_o condition_n 2._o god_n will_v have_v it_o so_o that_o minister_n may_v have_v the_o more_o experience_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o preach_v to_o other_o concern_v a_o afflict_a condition_n those_o that_o have_v have_v no_o sickness_n or_o other_o affliction_n can_v preach_v from_o experience_n of_o such_o truth_n that_o concern_v such_o a_o condition_n they_o can_v preach_v so_o feel_o and_o savoury_a as_o other_o when_o they_o have_v be_v under_o affliction_n they_o