rich_a treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_n a_o sermon_n preach_v jan._n 1._o 1662._o 3._o at_o the_o funeral_n of_o that_o reverend_a and_o faithful_a servant_n of_o jesus_n christ_n mr._n james_n nalton_n late_a minister_n of_o god_n word_n at_o st._n leonard_n foster-lane_n by_o t._n horton_n d.d._n your_o father_n where_o be_v they_o and_o the_o prophet_n do_v they_o live_v for_o ever_o london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1663._o to_o the_o reader_n courteous_a reader_n i_o do_v here_o present_a unto_o thou_o a_o sermon_n preach_v by_o a_o reverend_n and_o learned_a minister_n in_o this_o city_n at_o the_o funeral_n of_o that_o faithful_a godly_a and_o true_o conscientious_a minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n mr._n james_n nalton_n who_o name_n be_v as_o a_o precious_a ointment_n pour_v forth_o unto_o all_o the_o godly_a in_o this_o nation_n he_o be_v one_o of_o those_o precious_a son_n of_o zion_n of_o who_o the_o world_n be_v not_o worthy_a eject_v by_o man_n but_o now_o take_v into_o a_o better_a live_n by_o the_o great_a bishop_n of_o soul_n surely_n england_n sin_n be_v very_o great_a and_o heinous_a that_o have_v turn_v god_n and_o man_n against_o we_o our_o teacher_n be_v throw_v into_o corner_n by_o man_n and_o call_v away_o from_o we_o by_o god_n oh_o that_o our_o eye_n can_v run_v down_o with_o river_n of_o tear_n but_o who_o lay_v this_o to_o heart_n the_o righteous_a be_v despise_v reject_v and_o take_v away_o but_o no_o man_n regard_v it_o if_o our_o wrestle_a jacob_n our_o moses_n in_o the_o gap_n our_o pray_a elijah_n our_o weep_a jeremiah_n be_v call_v home_o lord_n what_o will_v become_v of_o england_n who_o prayer_n will_v be_v instrumental_a to_o remove_v those_o judgement_n incumbent_n and_o prevent_v those_o which_o be_v imminent_a if_o the_o mourner_n in_o zion_n cease_v from_o among_o we_o sure_o than_o it_o be_v not_o only_a our_o duty_n but_o our_o safety_n to_o pray_v for_o and_o consequent_o bewail_v the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n who_o be_v our_o father_n the_o chariot_n &_o horseman_n of_o england_n for_o who_o sake_n this_o nation_n be_v keep_v from_o the_o judgement_n of_o sodom_n &_o gomorrah_n yet_o guilty_a of_o great_a abomination_n i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o but_o commend_v this_o sermon_n to_o thy_o read_n and_o entreat_v that_o candour_n from_o thou_o that_o if_o thou_o find_v any_o errata_fw-la in_o word_n or_o phrase_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o seem_v imperfect_a not_o to_o impute_v it_o to_o the_o reverend_a and_o learned_a dispenser_n but_o to_o the_o transcriber_n hereof_o so_o i_o commend_v thou_o to_o god_n far_o well_o rich_a treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_n etc._n etc._n 2_o cor._n 4.7_o but_o we_o have_v this_o treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_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 there_o be_v nothing_o so_o excellent_a or_o complete_a in_o this_o world_n but_o have_v its_o diminishment_n and_o qualification_n and_o something_o that_o do_v disparage_v it_o and_o abate_v of_o the_o excellency_n thereof_o not_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n only_o but_o spiritual_a thing_n in_o some_o sort_n as_o to_o enjoy_v they_o and_o partake_v of_o they_o in_o this_o life_n have_v their_o inconvenience_n and_o disparagement_n annex_v and_o be_v mingle_v with_o something_o that_o abate_v of_o their_o worth_n a_o instance_n of_o which_o we_o have_v here_o in_o this_o present_a scripture_n which_o the_o apostle_n paul_n signify_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n he_o have_v in_o the_o verse_n before_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o the_o great_a privilege_n that_o both_o minister_n and_o other_o have_v in_o have_v the_o glorious_a gospel_n viz._n the_o light_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o face_n of_o jesus_n christ_n shine_v into_o our_o heart_n the_o consideration_n of_o which_o be_v of_o great_a encouragement_n to_o we_o yet_o add_v this_o as_o a_o qualification_n of_o it_o viz._n but_o we_o have_v this_o treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_n &c_n &c_n that_o which_o do_v qualify_v it_o be_v that_o this_o excellent_a treasure_n have_v its_o conveyance_n through_o weak_a and_o mean_a person_n man_n of_o frailty_n and_o mortality_n in_o the_o word_n there_o be_v two_o main_a part_n i._n the_o dispensation_n itself_o ii_o the_o account_n of_o it_o i._o the_o dispensation_n itself_o this_o treasure_n we_o have_v in_o earthen_a vessel_n etc._n etc._n ii_o the_o account_n of_o it_o 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 i_o shall_v begin_v with_o the_o first_o the_o dispensation_n itself_o which_o have_v two_o blanch_v 1_o the_o depositum_fw-la the_o thing_n lay_v up_o 2._o the_o repository_n in_o which_o this_o treasure_n be_v lay_v up_o first_o the_o depositum_fw-la or_o thing_n lay_v up_o which_o be_v a_o treasure_n and_o what_o be_v this_o treasure_n but_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o gospel_n be_v a_o treasure_n according_a to_o a_o twofold_a consideration_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o 1._o matter_n of_o it_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o 2._o ministry_n of_o it_o both_o make_v up_o a_o treasure_n the_o matter_n of_o it_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v rich_a thing_n and_o the_o conveyance_n of_o it_o the_o ministerial_a gift_n and_o ability_n by_o which_o the_o gospel_n be_v administer_v do_v make_v up_o the_o treasure_n it_o be_v a_o treasure_n in_o both_o respect_n 1._o in_o respect_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o therefore_o it_o be_v we_o read_v of_o the_o riches_n of_o christ_n of_o the_o riches_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o scripture_n make_v mention_n of_o three_o thing_n wherein_o the_o gospel_n be_v agreeable_a to_o a_o treasure_n 1._o a_o treasure_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o dignity_n and_o worth_n it_o be_v not_o a_o company_n of_o pebble_n though_o many_o that_o will_v make_v up_o a_o treasure_n a_o treasure_n consist_v of_o thing_n of_o worth_n and_o dignity_n and_o thus_o be_v the_o gospel_n in_o it_o be_v contain_v excellent_a and_o admirable_a truth_n the_o mystery_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n bring_v glad_a tiding_n of_o peace_n and_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n in_o christ_n there_o we_o have_v the_o gift_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n there_o we_o have_v glory_n and_o immortality_n etc._n etc._n and_o those_o thing_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v administer_v to_o we_o there_o be_v no_o science_n in_o the_o world_n bring_v such_o treasure_n as_o this_o 2._o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o treasure_n for_o variety_n abundance_n and_o plurality_n it_o be_v not_o one_o thing_n of_o worth_n but_o many_o that_o make_v up_o a_o treasure_n if_o few_o yet_o much_o worth_n must_v be_v comprehend_v in_o they_o so_o in_o the_o gospel_n we_o have_v the_o manifold_a wisdom_n of_o god_n the_o rich_a treasure_n of_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n the_o gospel_n though_o it_o be_v but_o one_o for_o substance_n yet_o it_o be_v many_o for_o improvement_n it_o be_v a_o chain_n of_o many_o link_n one_o faith_n but_o divers_a article_n of_o it_o so_o it_o be_v a_o treasure_n in_o that_o respect_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o treasure_n for_o its_o closeness_n we_o do_v not_o open_v a_o treasure_n to_o every_o one_o but_o it_o be_v keep_v close_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o secret_a mystery_n hide_a not_o reveal_v to_o every_o one_o it_o be_v not_o discover_v to_o carnal_a worldly_a man_n though_o it_o may_v be_v reveal_v to_o they_o in_o the_o outward_a proposition_n yet_o not_o in_o the_o spirituality_n of_o it_o but_o where_o shall_v wisdom_n be_v find_v and_o where_o be_v the_o place_n of_o understanding_n say_v job_n ch_n 28._o v._n 12._o the_o peace_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o treasure_n hide_v in_o the_o field_n not_o find_v by_o every_o one_o 2._o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o treasure_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o it_o so_o the_o apostle_n hint_n it_o be_v not_o only_a light_n but_o a_o shine_a light_n which_o have_v shine_v into_o our_o heart_n to_o give_v the_o light_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v a_o treasure_n in_o this_o respect_n viz._n in_o the_o discovery_n and_o shine_v of_o it_o the_o conveyance_n the_o several_a gift_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o ministry_n by_o which_o the_o gospel_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o make_v up_o a_o treasure_n and_o as_o the_o ministry_n be_v a_o treasure_n so_o the_o opportunity_n and_o advantage_n thereof_o be_v thus_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o ministry_n thereof_o be_v precious_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v esteem_v and_o make_v use_n of_o by_o we_o we_o shall_v high_o account_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o put_v a_o high_a value_n on_o it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o treasure_n yea_o it_o
of_o assembly_n etc._n etc._n eccl._n 12.11_o so_o our_o word_n shall_v have_v a_o force_n and_o power_n in_o they_o this_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v be_v mighty_a and_o powerful_a to_o the_o beat_n down_o of_o strong_a hold_n etc._n etc._n use_v 2._o second_o in_o reference_n to_o hearer_n see_v the_o ministry_n be_v powerful_a you_o must_v then_o submit_v yourselves_o to_o the_o power_n of_o it_o many_o people_n be_v sermon_n proof_n and_o think_v to_o stand_v it_o out_o against_o the_o power_n of_o the_o word_n but_o if_o it_o come_v in_o power_n to_o the_o conscience_n they_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v it_o as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o they_o in_o the_o gospel_n they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o resist_v the_o spirit_n by_o which_o he_o speak_v viz._n stephen_n and_o for_o those_o that_o desire_v the_o conversion_n of_o other_o what_o course_n shall_v be_v take_v by_o they_o for_o that_o end_n but_o by_o good_a counsel_n instruction_n prayer_n and_o good_a example_n to_o endeavour_v to_o convince_v they_o and_o more_o especial_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o word_n and_o administration_n thereof_o which_o god_n have_v sanctify_v for_o this_o end_n so_o much_o for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o gospel_n viz._n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n etc._n etc._n i_o come_v to_o the_o second_o 2._o the_o author_n of_o it_o 1._o positive_o it_o be_v of_o god_n and_o 2._o negative_o it_o be_v not_o of_o we_o first_o positive_o it_o be_v of_o god_n and_o that_o in_o all_o the_o consideration_n of_o it_o in_o the_o full_a extent_n of_o it_o it_o be_v of_o god_n so_o the_o ministerial_a gift_n the_o performance_n of_o it_o and_o the_o success_n of_o it_o be_v all_o from_o god_n first_o ministerial_a gift_n be_v from_o god_n it_o be_v he_o that_o make_v we_o able_a minister_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v say_v the_o apostle_n paul_n diversity_n of_o gift_n to_o one_o be_v give_v the_o word_n of_o wisdom_n to_o another_o the_o word_n of_o knowledge_n by_o the_o same_o spirit_n etc._n etc._n 1_o cor._n 12.4,5,6_o it_o be_v god_n that_o bestow_v every_o good_a gift_n second_o the_o performance_n also_o be_v from_o god_n his_o grace_n concur_v and_o assist_v therein_o the_o habit_n and_o the_o act_n be_v both_o from_o he_o god_n give_v gift_n to_o man_n and_o he_o enable_v they_o to_o dispense_v they_o ministerial_a employment_n be_v not_o only_o for_o general_n but_o particular_a application_n and_o so_o need_v not_o only_o general_a but_o particular_a assistance_n that_o i_o may_v be_v enable_v say_v st._n paul_n to_o fulfil_v the_o work_n etc._n etc._n the_o lord_n stand_v by_o i_o and_o strengthen_v i_o that_o my_o preach_v may_v be_v full_o accomplish_v it_o be_v god_n that_o make_v the_o work_n powerful_a efficacious_a and_o successful_a alas_o when_o we_o have_v use_v our_o best_a endeavour_n all_o the_o success_n be_v from_o he_o he_o must_v make_v it_o effectual_a it_o be_v say_v our_o saviour_n go_v about_o do_v good_a for_o god_n be_v with_o he_o incline_v he_o to_o the_o work_n and_o assist_v he_o therein_o so_o he_o be_v with_o all_o his_o servant_n their_o gift_n employment_n and_o success_n thereof_o be_v all_o of_o god_n not_o of_o we_o obj._n but_o it_o may_v be_v object_v be_v all_o from_o god_n and_o nothing_o from_o we_o be_v we_o not_o say_v to_o concur_v with_o he_o and_o be_v not_o then_o the_o power_n partly_o we_o ans_fw-fr i_o answer_v no_o it_o be_v of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o we_o we_o be_v indeed_o subject_n of_o the_o ministry_n the_o recipient_n thereof_o person_n employ_v in_o the_o work_n and_o therefore_o be_v say_v to_o be_v worker_n together_o with_o god_n 2_o cor._n 6.1_o but_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n thereof_o be_v from_o god_n alone_o paul_n and_o apollo_n be_v but_o minister_n it_o be_v god_n that_o give_v the_o blessing_n it_o be_v not_o of_o we_o in_o two_o respect_n 1._o it_o be_v not_o merit_v by_o we_o it_o be_v not_o of_o our_o deserve_n nor_o of_o our_o procure_n 1_o it_o be_v not_o of_o our_o deserve_n the_o best_a &_o most_o accomplish_a do_v not_o merit_v it_o i_o receive_v mercy_n say_v paul_n to_o be_v faithful_a he_o account_v it_o a_o mercy_n to_o be_v employ_v and_o to_o be_v faithful_a therein_o 2._o it_o be_v not_o of_o our_o own_o procure_n we_o do_v not_o obtain_v it_o by_o our_o own_o power_n as_o peter_n say_v in_o the_o recovery_n of_o the_o lame_a man_n it_o be_v not_o by_o any_o power_n and_o holiness_n of_o we_o that_o this_o man_n be_v restore_v etc._n etc._n and_o so_o it_o be_v not_o our_o gift_n and_o industry_n only_o that_o will_v make_v our_o ministry_n powerful_a and_o therefore_o in_o this_o work_n let_v we_o be_v look_v up_o to_o god_n and_o desire_v he_o to_o assist_v we_o as_o moses_n say_v if_o thou_o go_v not_o o_o lord_n up_o with_o we_o wherefore_o shall_v we_o go_v hence_o so_o say_v i_o if_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n be_v not_o with_o we_o what_o can_v we_o do_v and_o further_o when_o we_o do_v partake_v of_o any_o measure_n of_o ability_n see_v where_o we_o must_v determinate_a it_o not_o unto_o we_o lord_n not_o unto_o we_o but_o unto_o thy_o name_n be_v all_o the_o glory_n we_o must_v not_o sacrifice_v to_o our_o own_o net_n nor_o give_v the_o honour_n to_o our_o own_o industry_n but_o whole_o give_v the_o praise_n to_o god_n because_o the_o excellency_n be_v of_o god_n 2._o but_o in_o the_o second_o place_n if_o you_o look_v upon_o the_o word_n reflexively_a or_o as_o have_v their_o connexion_n to_o the_o word_n go_v before_o and_o so_o they_o will_v agree_v and_o hold_v together_o and_o thus_o you_o may_v read_v they_o therefore_o be_v this_o treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_n that_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n may_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o we_o if_o it_o be_v in_o angel_n or_o have_v we_o never_o so_o strong_a body_n yet_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n will_v not_o be_v so_o clear_o see_v as_o it_o be_v now_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o poor_a frail_a vessel_n here_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n here_o be_v the_o lustre_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n most_o manifest_v for_o so_o much_o the_o more_o apparent_o it_o will_v be_v see_v to_o be_v from_o god_n by_o so_o much_o the_o weak_a the_o instrument_n be_v that_o be_v employ_v by_o god_n therefore_o if_o any_o thing_n do_v act_n beyond_o its_o own_o power_n it_o must_v have_v some_o foreign_a power_n for_o the_o produce_v such_o and_o such_o act_n therefore_o when_o we_o see_v any_o great_a mat_n do_v by_o poor_a frail_a and_o contemptible_a person_n of_o earthen_a vessel_n this_o do_v plain_o show_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o man_n therefore_o look_v from_o man_n to_o god_n it_o be_v god_n that_o do_v these_o thing_n we_o shall_v overlook_v earthen_a vessel_n we_o shall_v i_o say_v overlook_v man_n that_o be_v these_o earthen_a vessel_n and_o look_v to_o god_n that_o make_v the_o ministry_n powerful_a in_o such_o conveyence_n as_o these_o be_v furthermore_o it_o may_v satisfy_v we_o of_o the_o ministry_n in_o that_o we_o be_v vessel_n viz._n man_n of_o frailty_n etc._n etc._n we_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v discourage_v and_o to_o think_v hardly_o that_o we_o be_v follow_v with_o so_o many_o weakness_n that_o we_o have_v a_o hard_a matter_n that_o when_o we_o have_v take_v such_o pain_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n we_o shall_v be_v thus_o reward_v but_o this_o shall_v satisfy_v we_o the_o more_o weakness_n in_o we_o the_o great_a honour_n will_v come_v to_o christ_n this_o treasure_n we_o have_v in_o earthen_a vessel_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 the_o weak_a the_o vessel_n the_o more_o honour_n will_v redound_v to_o christ_n furthermore_o this_o may_v take_v off_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n from_o unwillingness_n unto_o those_o work_n and_o performance_n which_o god_n call_v they_o unto_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o weakness_n thus_o it_o be_v when_o god_n call_v to_o any_o work_n or_o employment_n the_o servant_n of_o god_n be_v apt_a to_o plead_v their_o own_o inability_n moses_n say_v he_o be_v not_o eloquent_a jeremiah_n say_v he_o be_v a_o child_n jonah_n say_v he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o unclean_a lip_n thus_o we_o have_v their_o delay_n their_o excuse_n whereby_o they_o endeavour_v to_o discharge_v themselves_o from_o that_o work_n that_o god_n call_v they_o to_o by_o their_o own_o weakness_n etc._n etc._n but_o god_n refuse_v such_o excuse_n for_o who_o make_v the_o blind_a to_o see_v the_o dumb_a to_o speak_v but_o god_n it_o be_v he_o that_o