we Reprove and Rebuke and threaten for sin God he threatens when we Exhort for Duties to be performed Graces to be improved God he Exhorts when we Invite and perswade and Comfort by the Word God he Comforts and therefore those things which Gods Ministers befeech or Command in the Name of Christ people ought no otherwise to receive them then if Christ Jesus himself stood by and commanded them Therefore as Christ was content to be Baptized of John Matt. 3.13 so be you content to be instructed of us And they that think themselves too wise to be taught by us let all such remember that God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise 1 Cor. 1.27 Let them think us those Fools whom God hath chosen to confound them And all such as account our Preaching foolishness we grant it unto them that perish For the Preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness but unto us that are saved it is the Power of God and the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1.18,24 We are Labourers together with God saith the Apostle and of believers in general saith he Ye are Gods Husbandry Tillage Field or Building 1 Cor. 3.9 which ought to be closely united to one another in the service of God Therefore they ought not to be rent into parties one from another But the Ministers are the Builders to build men up in Faith and Holiness and in the Comforts of the Holy Ghost Not for that we have dominion over your Faith but are helpers of your Joy 2. Cor. 1.24 And that the fear of God might be in every Heart and the worship of God in every Family as so many Temples or Sanctuaries Fourthly Though all Believers in general be the Servants of God yet the Ministers are the Stewards and Dispencers of the blessed mysteries of Salvation Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 The Magistrate is as it were a Fingers of Gods Hand the Minister a Steward in his House though in a large sense all are the Lords Ministers Saith Luther A Master of a Family hath something to do a Magistrate more and a Minister most of all Fiftly Ministers are called Stars for that they must shine in the Firmament of the Church here shine others and out-shine all others as Stars of the first magnitude yea as the Sun it self When God set the Sun in the Firmament he bad him shine there so when God sets a Minister in a place he expects he should shine in his Ministry The Heavens declare the glory of God Psal 19.1 now how do they do it but to the Eyes of men and by the Tongues of men for whom they were made For as a mans Tongue is his glory so it should especially be for the glory of his God But for a Minister God hath promised most divine assistance that he will be with his mouth Exod. 4.12 and saith Christ to his Disciples It is not ye that speak but the Holy Ghost Mark 13.11 Yet that extraordinary Promise was most proper to the times of the Primitive Persecution A Ministers work is in a most special manner to Trumpet forth the praises of his God to shine in the firmament of the Church here and to out-shine the Sun in the Kingdom of his Father hereafter They that be wise shall shine and they that turn many to righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 First wise for the salvation of their own souls that when they have Preached unto others they themselves may not become cast-aways 1 Cor 9.27 Like those Carpenters that built the Ark to save others and were drowned themselves Or like Porters of Great mens Gates that let in others but lodge without themselves Secondly Gaining of others saving himself and them that hear him 1 Tim. 4.16 Timothy must save himself and them that hear him and then this is a pledge of our glory the Promise is clear they that turn many to Righteousness shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever Ministers are like Lamps which consume themselves to give light unto others And from hence some do strongly imagine that the blessed Apostle had a peculiar regard and respect unto Ministers in that 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens q. d. dye when you will heavenly mansions are ready for you Joh. 14.2 your eternal happiness and blessedness is secured which being so those Ministers which are ready to say with Peter they will dye for Christ O what pains then should they take for him Ministers are the Light of the world in the places where they live Matt. 5.14 and where they are wanting their People sit in Darkness and in the shadow of Death Luke 1.79 that is they are Blind and Ignorant Dead in trespasses and sins Ephes 2.1 rophane without all the Life of grace in them they are abominable in the Eyes of God and all their actions are odious unto him they are under the power of Satan and under the wrath of God Though it is true that Christ is the true Light of the World as well as the true Salt of the Earth yet it is as true that Gods faithful Ministers are the Salt of the Earth Matt. 5.13 to make people savoury both in heart and life so that a constant painful faithful powerful Minister Preaching to the Consciences of men there will be such an efficacious effect of this that even wicked men cannot so easily sin against God Sixtly Ministers are called Angels Rev 2.1 now Angels are Spirits spiritual substances as the Psalmist speaks he maketh his Angels Spirits they are spiritual creatures their Communion their Food their Affections their minds are Spiritual so a Minister though he is a body yet he is a spiritual man If you say so is every Believer I answer But a Minister is a spiritual man in a more special manner as one that comes nigh unto God his Office and Imployment is Spiritual Divinity being of all Arts the supreme most noble and master-piece proceeding in a special maner from God himself treating of God and Divine matters and tending and leading men to God 1. Vse For Exhortation to Ministers that they would be careful to teach the People If people perish for want of knowledge shall Ministers escape who are negligent in teaching be sure of it both smart together they for their Ignorance these for their Negligence such Ministers have their doom in that Scripture Hosea 4.6 Because thou hast rejected knowledge I will reject thee whose office it was to instruct admonish reprove intreat and by all means to turn the people from their evil ways O that such men would be pleased to consider that the best service they can do the greatest honour they can attain unto is to be
Happiness is it fit and rational for Dust and Ashes to Dispute and to be angry with the Judge of all the Earth Gen. 18.25 And for poor Wormes to rebel against their Maker at whose Presence both Heaven and Earth doth tremble Here 's Gods great Condescention because of the weakness of our apprehension And if there be humility of greatest Poverty yet here is an attestation of preatest glory That no man might be offended but rather stand astonished with an holy admiration at the infinite grace wisdom mercy and goodness of God First That his own Son God blessed for ever should assume humane nature to save us to unite a Clod of Earth unto his Divine Person That Christ should give this World so glorious so magnificently great and so happy a Visitation Greater Condescention then if some great Prince should go into an Hospital to look on a lothsome diseased Creature Here 's superabundant love of God in Jesus Christ which transcends all the degrees of Comparison And then that God should entreat wooe and beseech us by the Ministry of his Ambassadors that we would save our selves from everlasting ruine That God should look upon all the Children of men in their fallen lost sinful and miserable Condition with such pity and compassion who have made themselves liable to eternal Wrath which they understand not which they are not able to bear That God out of his infinite grace and wisdom should find out and provide a way and means of Salvation For the Children of men his professed Enemies In the words we have these particulars to be considered First The Apostles illation drawn from the Premisses by which the Text hath his Coherence with the precedent verses And presents us with this instruction That we are not bound to accept matters of Religion meely without all reason and probable inducements Secondly the assertion of the Subjects by plain Enunciation We are Ambassadours Thirdly the honourable Dignity of these Ambassadours they are for Christ Ambassadours of Christ Fourthly the Authority of God the Father confirming this excellent Dignity as though God did beseech you by us and as if Christ himself stood by and prayed men We pray you in Christs stead Fiftly here is res considerata modus considerandi The Gospel Embassie it self Secondly the way and manner of Gospel Ministers delivering of Gods Message and Errand unto the People and that not in a way of severity and rigour but beseeching and intreating to be reconciled to God Now the Doctrinal truths which are to be Collected and deduced hence are these First that the Foundation of our eternal Salvation is laid by God in Christ God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself Secondly Gods Ministers have their Commission from Heaven they come in the Name of the great King of Heaven and Earth and are his Commission-Officers Thirdly that God who might come in flaming Fire to consume us in a moment cometh to us in the greatest Mercy Tenderness and Condescention Praying and Beseeching us to be reconciled unto him Fourthly that God and Man are at a great distance Fiftly Reconciliation unto God was the most glorious work that ever was wrought and the most blessed word that ever was heard But I must not think to grasp all these But the truth that I intend to insist upon is this That it is the great Honour and Dignity of the Ministers of the Gospel to be the Ambassadours of Jesus Christ But I will first speak something of their Duty and then Secondly of their Dignity Thirdly of mans reconciliation to God in the Application The words of my Text as you have heard are an illative Conclusion drawn from the Premises vers 19 there is set forth the Reconciliatiation on Gods part He though Pars laesa the Party greatly and grievously injured and offended the greatness of an offence growing from the dignity and excellency of the person offended and this makes it Crimen laesa majestatis so hainous and Capital high Treason indeed against the Crown and Dignity of Heaven yet contrives and designs this great work of Reconciliation God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself namely by his Merit and Intercession for as the greatness of the injury grows from the dignity of the person offended because there the worth of the offended person is hurt so the worth of him that makes satisfaction doth grow from him that makes satisfaction because here the yielding of honour is looked into which depends upon the Dignity of him that yields the honour And hath committed unto us the word of attonement or reconciliation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shewing that a Minister of the Gospel should have the Doctrine of Reconciliation first fixed and placed in his own heart and so speak from his own heart to the hearts of others and comfort others with those comforts wherewith he himself hath been comforted of God When a man is no stranger unto those things he delivereth unto others how many are there who onely have a humane knowledge of divine things There is nothing more easie saith Bishop Hall Cent. 2. Med. 91. then to say Divinity by rote and to discourse of Spiritual matters from the Tongue or Pen of others but to hear God speak it to the Soul and to Feel the Power of Religion in our selves and to express it out of the truth of experience within is both rare and hard All that we feel not in the matters of God is but hypocrisie and therefore the more we profess the more we sin Luther felt what he spake and had experience of what he wrote and being to speak of our Justification by Faith in Christ saith he In my heart this one Article reigneth even the Faith of Christ from whom and unto whom all my divine studies have recourse to and through continually Saith S. Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and who is sufficient for these things Who is sufficient for the ministry of Life Who hath fit and particular qualifications for such places for matters of such weighty and great importance for so great a charge as is committed to them If a man were to paint the Sun or to limn out the nature of a Soul who could instruct him what Colours he must use It is not enough that men have publick vote for publick places but they must have suitable Endowments He that thinks to act for God must have qualifications from God There must proceed a mission and Commission or else whosoever runs abroad had better have staid at home 1 Tim. 3. The Apostle lays down their particular qualifications who shall be fit for such places and he would have us look to whom he hath qualified That our most Reverend Bishops most instructed in the Government of the Church and most highly dignified in it should take great heed whom they bless Such as may know how to behave themselves in the Church This calling by man is not to be despised For it is not enough
A SERMON Preached at the Visitation held at High Wickham in the County of Bucks May 16. 1671. WHEREIN The Ministers Duty is Remembred Their Dignity Asserted Man's Reconciliation with God urged By Samuel Gardner M. A. and Chaplain to His Majesty â—…ch the Word be instant in Season out of Season Reprove 〈◊〉 Rebuke Exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine 2 Tim. 4.2 â—…ed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find 〈◊〉 so doing Matth. 24.46 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…d who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 LONDON â—…ted by T. Ratcliff and N. Thompson for Nath. Ranew at the Kings Arms in S. Pauls Church-yard 1672. To The Right Reverend Father in God WILLIAM By Divine Providence Lord Bishop of LINCOLNE All Felicity and Coelestial Happiness My Lord YOV may most justly Wonder at this attempt why I the meanest of so many should expose my self unto Publick view and the manifold Censures which will inevitably follow hereupon Secondly In this my bold address unto Your Lordship in the Dedication with so poor and barren a Sermon upon so rich and fruitful a Text wherein so many glorious things should be insisted on But my fear is most the Censure of God and that I may be afraid to Censure others I confess it 's better to be haled in by force of others unto great Duties then over hastily to rush upon them Your Lordship knows right well That Forwardness argues Insufficiency They are modest beginnings which give hopeful Proceedings and happy Endings Yet when I considered that Servant was Condemned of Evil that gave God no more then his own which he had received Matth. 25.27 Though but one Talent yet ought to have improved it Then with neglect of Censure contented to learn to be Contemned I adventured to send forth this Plain Sermon into the World seconded with many desires that the Blessing of Heaven may go along with it under Your Lordships Patronage I Design nothing of Controversie I inveigh not against any one I would give no offence neither to the Jevv nor to the Gentile but especially to the Church of God 1 Cor. 10.32 Nor yet to gratifie such as are accustomed to humane flourishes oftentimes contracting Itching Ears do begin to loath the simplicity of the Gospel and vvill not indure sound Doctrine 2 Tim. 4.3 The efficacy of the Holy Spirit doth more appear in a naked simplicity of words then in too much Elegancy and Neatness Hence Saint Paul saith that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rude in Speech yet not in Knovvledge 2 Cor. 11.6 Your Lordship is not ignorant that the two great Pillars upon which the Kingdom of Satan is erected and by which it is upheld are Ignorance and Errour The first of these is so far from being the Mother of all Devotion that Saint Bernard saith it is Mater omnium Vitiorum Bern. de ordine vitae Through the Power of the Gospel and our careful Government holy Discipline we shall be much delivered from these Mischiefs Your Lordship hath now a large Opportunity for Gods glory and the Churches good to further and honour the truth of the Gospel in the Power and Purity of it while the Church of God shall be favoured with Your life and happy continuance amongst us The Lord stretch out his holy Arm together with you in that great Charge committed to you and make your Lordship as great a blessing as faithful a favourite unto Piety as great a supporter and encourager of the faithful Ministers of the Gospel and the most sincere and Godly of your Lordships Diocess as ever did Preceed you or ever shall Succeed you And then give you a full and an ample reward that your last translation may be to a never fading Crown and such choice delights as never entred into the heart of man to conceive The Lord of Heaven and Earth bless your Lordship with many and happy days and grant you true Felicity Thus craving your Lordships pardon for my presumption I subscribe my self Your Lordships Humble Servant in all duty and faithful Service Samuel Gardner Reverend and dear Sir HAving lately had a happiness to hear a Sermon read by a Reverend Friend which not long since you Preached at a Visitation concerning the Dignity and Duty of Gospel Ministers I could do no less then signifie to you how much I was affected therewith and how much I desire You would make it Publick being perswaded that through the Blessing of God much good would accrew both to Ministers and private Christians into whose hands it may come who cannot but be both delighted and edified by reading it and learn thereby the one to be more painful in Preaching and the other more careful in Hearing and both more Consciencious in living regularly Howsoever your Work and Labour of love in so Learned and Powerful dispensation shall be rewarded Nor do I fear as he who read your Sermon seemed to do That any of the dissenting Brethren that are truely pious and peacable will take the least offence at any passage therin Which is all at present from your unworthy Brother Friend and Servant John Bryan Toddington Sept. 6. 1671. Ministers Dignity and Duty A Sermon Preached at the Visitation held at High Wickham in the County of Bucks May 16. 1671. 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then We are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us We Pray you in Christs stead be ye Reconciled to God THE great Ambassadours of Kings and Princes in this inferiour World Command Respect and Reverence from all beholders And what innumerable multitudes are there whose highest Ambition it is to feed their Eyes in viewing and beholding their goodly and comely Order both in their access for Audience and also in their retedure Here the Solemnity is more honoured a greater Presence promised unto the end of the World Matth. 28.20 The very Attendance more glorious in nature then our selves Heb. 1.14 The Place more beautiful and amiable the things more rich and excellent sublime and spiritual An inestimable treasure is now presented which excelleth all the Riches of the Earth the unsearchable Riches of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Riches that hath no footsteps which cannot be traced out that is the propriety of the Word Though we are men of like Passion with your selves that Preach unto you that ye should turn from Vanities unto the living God which made Heaven and Earth c. Acts 14.15 for that you are no more able of your selves to hear God speaking to you immediately in his own Wisdom then Israel in whose eyes the glory of God was like devouring Fire and they as stubble before him Exod. 20.19 Therefore let it content you that you have this Heavenly Treasure though in Earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor 4.7 And seeing it is the pleasure of the Almighty God to have it so for his own Glory and your eternal