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prayer_n than_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v etc._n etc._n if_o we_o have_v the_o same_o spirit_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o holy_a person_n who_o example_n we_o read_v or_o hear_v of_o these_o thing_n will_v quicken_v and_o assist_v we_o for_o so_o the_o apostle_n argue_v 2_o cor._n iu_o 13._o we_o have_v the_o same_o spirit_n of_o faith_n according_a as_o it_o be_v write_v i_o believe_v and_o therefore_o have_v i_o speak_v we_o also_o believe_v and_o therefore_o speak_v and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o move_v we_o and_o excite_v we_o to_o follow_v they_o in_o their_o faith_n and_o obedience_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o we_o be_v not_o partaker_n of_o the_o same_o spirit_n 2._o not_o only_o as_o to_o duty_n but_o let_v we_o consider_v they_o for_o our_o encouragement_n and_o comfort_n whatever_o difficulty_n we_o may_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o christian_a race_n the_o consideration_n of_o these_o example_n may_v encourage_v our_o faith_n and_o patience_n and_o perseverance_n they_o find_v the_o sweetness_n of_o dependence_n upon_o god_n and_o the_o success_n of_o a_o life_n of_o faith_n and_o have_v gracious_a answer_n to_o prayer_n and_o suitable_a help_n in_o every_o time_n of_o need_n they_o can_v set_v to_o their_o seal_n that_o god_n be_v true_a and_o the_o scripture_n true_a and_o never_o any_o word_n of_o he_o in_o which_o they_o regular_o trust_v do_v ever_o fail_v they_o and_o be_v it_o no_o encouragement_n for_o we_o to_o be_v able_a to_o say_v lord_n our_o father_n trust_v in_o thou_o and_o be_v deliver_v they_o trust_v in_o thou_o and_o be_v not_o ashamed_a they_o cry_v to_o thou_o and_o thou_o do_v answer_v they_o they_o have_v tell_v we_o what_o thou_o do_v for_o they_o how_o good_a be_v god_n and_o faithful_a how_o wise_a and_o gracious_a the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v try_v in_o six_o and_o in_o seven_o trouble_n they_o find_v it_o true_a and_o we_o that_o live_v in_o the_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n have_v a_o great_a cloud_n of_o witness_n than_o other_o we_o have_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o have_v go_v before_o we_o they_o can_v tell_v we_o what_o they_o have_v find_v of_o the_o false_a cavil_n slander_n and_o objection_n of_o unbelief_n of_o the_o folly_n and_o disingenuity_n of_o our_o carnal_a fear_n of_o the_o fraud_n of_o the_o devil_n suggestion_n of_o the_o certain_a accomplishment_n of_o god_n promise_n and_o a_o good_a issue_n of_o all_o event_n if_o we_o wait_v on_o the_o lord_n and_o keep_v his_o way_n and_o as_o to_o many_o of_o they_o we_o may_v observe_v with_o what_o admirable_a patience_n they_o endure_v great_a trial_n sharp_a pain_n and_o long_a exercise_n without_o murmur_a and_o without_o faint_v than_o ever_o yet_o we_o have_v know_v how_o diligent_a heavenly_a and_o fruitful_a be_v some_o of_o they_o under_o less_o advantage_n and_o help_v than_o we_o the_o example_n of_o the_o poor_a may_v shame_v many_o of_o the_o rich_a the_o example_n of_o some_o 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the_o lord_n and_o several_a of_o they_o in_o one_o church_n make_v use_n sometime_o of_o the_o one_o name_n sometime_o of_o the_o other_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v call_v the_o head_n the_o husband_n the_o shepherd_n the_o lord_n of_o his_o church_n which_o import_v authority_n and_o the_o church_n be_v his_o body_n his_o spouse_n his_o flock_n his_o family_n and_o household_n and_o his_o minister_n be_v call_v ruler_n of_o his_o household_n mat._n 24.45_o when_o he_o be_v about_o to_o leave_v the_o world_n he_o declare_v that_o all_o power_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v commit_v to_o he_o and_o commission_v his_o apostle_n to_o make_v disciple_n by_o baptise_v and_o teach_v promise_v his_o presence_n with_o they_o therein_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o when_o he_o ascend_v up_o on_o high_a he_o give_v gift_n to_o man_n as_o part_v of_o his_o dowry_n not_o only_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n who_o be_v empower_v by_o miracle_n as_o a_o divine_a 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order_n and_o rule_n and_o government_n among_o themselves_o as_o well_o as_o every_o other_o company_n and_o society_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n but_o that_o which_o i_o argue_v from_o this_o text_n be_v this_o that_o they_o who_o preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v to_o guide_n oversee_v and_o rule_v their_o own_o flock_n according_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o work_n and_o your_o servant_n for_o jesus_n sake_n they_o pretend_v not_o to_o dominion_n over_o your_o faith_n or_o to_o be_v lord_n or_o owner_n of_o the_o flock_n but_o to_o be_v helper_n of_o your_o joy_n by_o their_o care_n the_o sheep_n be_v to_o be_v say_v guide_v preserve_v heal_v and_o bring_v home_o they_o be_v ruler_n over_o christ_n household_n but_o not_o by_o secular_a force_n and_o rigour_n not_o to_o compel_v man_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n otherwise_o than_o by_o truth_n and_o love_n by_o instruction_n and_o persuasion_n and_o declare_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n you_o be_v not_o to_o obey_v minister_n as_o civil_a magistrate_n that_o rule_n by_o the_o sword_n but_o thankful_o receive_v the_o truth_n they_o teach_v and_o the_o mercy_n they_o offer_v our_o weapon_n in_o the_o christian_a warfare_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o spiritual_a to_o edification_n not_o destruction_n not_o coercive_a but_o ministerial_a we_o be_v to_o instruct_v and_o warn_v to_o reprove_v and_o exhort_v with_o faithfulness_n and_o seriousness_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o with_o his_o authority_n which_o as_o it_o be_v another_o thing_n from_o the_o power_n of_o a_o etc._n *_o see_v dr._n hammond_n paraphrase_n and_o annotation_n on_o 1_o pet._n 5.1_o 2_o 3._o act_n 11.30_o act_n 20.28_o heb._n 12.7_o 17._o 1_o tim._n 1.17_o 1_o thes_n 5.12_o tit._n 3.10_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o etc._n etc._n magistrate_n so_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o order_n and_o institution_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v very_o different_a from_o the_o private_a counsel_n and_o admonition_n of_o one_o friend_n to_o another_o the_o same_o work_n be_v not_o do_v with_o the_o same_o authority_n efficacy_n certainty_n or_o order_n by_o a_o private_a hand_n as_o by_o public_a officer_n for_o in_o this_o case_n you_o be_v oblige_v to_o submit_v yourselves_o in_o the_o lord_n to_o whatever_o be_v make_v know_v to_o you_o to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n reveal_v in_o his_o word_n it_o be_v true_a if_o we_o exceed_v our_o commission_n you_o be_v not_o to_o receive_v we_o but_o if_o we_o keep_v to_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n he_o that_o despise_v our_o message_n despise_v not_o man_n but_o god_n you_o know_v how_o earnest_o the_o apostle_n admonish_v to_o this_o purpose_n 1_o thes_n 5.12_o 13._o we_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n to_o mind_v they_o who_o labour_n among_o you_o and_o preside_v over_o you_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o lord_n i._n e._n in_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o according_a to_o his_o order_n and_o that_o admonish_v you_o and_o to_o esteem_v they_o more_o than_o exceed_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o love_n for_o their_o work_n or_o office_n sake_n and_o let_v the_o elder_n who_o rule_v well_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n or_o recompense_n as_o the_o original_a word_n often_o signify_v 1_o tim._n 5.17_o 18._o i_o may_v be_v blame_v by_o some_o for_o say_v thus_o much_o but_o there_o be_v certain_a season_n when_o it_o be_v expedient_a at_o least_o not_o unfit_a for_o a_o man_n to_o praise_v the_o country_n or_o the_o family_n to_o which_o he_o belong_v or_o the_o society_n to_o which_o he_o be_v relate_v and_o therefore_o i_o here_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o magnify_v my_o office_n though_o i_o shall_v become_v a_o fool_n in_o glory_v 2_o cor._n 12.11_o as_o to_o the_o institution_n commission_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o ministry_n it_o be_v not_o of_o man_n or_o by_o man_n but_o by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o god_n the_o father_n who_o raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a gal._n 1.1_o they_o receive_v their_o ministry_n from_o the_o lord_n col._n 4.17_o he_o make_v they_o overser_n act_n 20.28_o timothy_n be_v call_v the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n 2_o tim._n 2.24_o minister_n by_o their_o office_n be_v as_o it_o be_v his_o menial_a servant_n that_o approach_v near_o to_o his_o person_n than_o other_o and_o be_v employ_v in_o his_o particular_a business_n they_o be_v steward_n over_o the_o house_n and_o family_n of_o god_n tit._n 1.7_o luke_n 12.42_o which_o be_v no_o mean_a station_n they_o be_v call_v precedent_n guide_n ruler_n shepherd_n planter_n husbandman_n pastor_n ambassador_n for_o christ_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n angel_n of_o the_o church_n builder_n of_o his_o church_n etc._n etc._n by_o baptism_n to_o initiate_v disciple_n unto_o christ_n and_o by_o the_o other_o sacrament_n to_o confirm_v they_o to_o feed_v they_o with_o the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n to_o intercede_v for_o they_o in_o prayer_n to_o bless_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n to_o convey_v his_o message_n instruction_n counsel_n and_o comfort_n to_o they_o which_o without_o his_o institution_n and_o appointment_n they_o can_v no_o more_o do_v than_o a_o messenger_n can_v carry_v a_o pardon_n to_o a_o condemn_a person_n which_o his_o prince_n never_o send_v no_o man_n take_v the_o honour_n to_o himself_o but_o he_o that_o be_v call_v of_o god_n 2._o they_o be_v describe_v to_o be_v such_o as_o have_v speak_v unto_o you_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o feed_v the_o flock_n by_o sound_a doctrine_n serious_n study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o diligent_a preach_v of_o the_o word_n be_v no_o little_a part_n of_o the_o
business_n of_o a_o gospel-minister_n simon_n peter_n love_v thou_o i_o feed_v my_o sheep_n feed_v my_o lamb_n as_o steward_n of_o the_o household_n they_o be_v to_o provide_v for_o the_o family_n as_o shepherd_n to_o feed_v by_o teach_v and_o it_o be_v in_o great_a wisdom_n and_o mercy_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o our_o bless_a lord_n have_v appoint_v some_o person_n on_o purpose_n to_o devote_v themselves_o to_o this_o work_n that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a and_o establish_v the_o waver_a and_o comsort_v the_o sad_a and_o recover_v the_o backslider_n to_o awaken_v warn_v convince_v and_o encourage_v other_o in_o the_o christian_a warfare_n and_o whatever_o some_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o need_n of_o preach_v now_o as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o in_o all_o age_n this_o be_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v and_o be_v wont_a to_o bless_v for_o the_o conversion_n and_o salvation_n of_o soul_n 1_o cor._n 1.21_o it_o please_v god_n now_o as_o well_o as_o former_o by_o the_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v to_o save_v they_o that_o believe_v and_o it_o be_v the_o commission_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o the_o ministerial_a office_n that_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n and_o this_o not_o only_o to_o plant_v a_o church_n but_o to_o carry_v on_o its_o growth_n it_o be_v for_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o saint_n and_o for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v be_v needful_a to_o convert_v and_o believer_n and_o real_a saint_n and_o be_v so_o there_o be_v something_o still_o lack_v to_o their_o faith_n and_o comfort_n and_o they_o have_v need_v to_o be_v put_v always_o in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o do_v know_v that_o they_o may_v be_v root_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o truth_n 1_o pet._n 2.12_o it_o be_v wonderful_a to_o observe_v how_o our_o saviour_n rather_o choose_v to_o convert_v man_n by_o the_o preach_a and_o miracle_n of_o his_o apostle_n than_o by_o his_o own_o how_o he_o will_v not_o full_o convert_v paul_n without_o the_o ministry_n of_o annanias_n though_o he_o speak_v to_o he_o from_o heaven_n himself_o and_o reason_v with_o he_o against_o his_o persecution_n how_o he_o will_v not_o full_o convert_v cornelius_n and_o his_o household_n without_o the_o ministry_n of_o peter_n though_o he_o send_v a_o angel_n to_o direct_v he_o to_o a_o teacher_n nor_o will_v he_o convert_v the_o ethiopian_a eunuch_n without_o the_o ministry_n of_o philip_n nor_o the_o gaoler_n without_o the_o ministry_n of_o paul_n and_o silas_n though_o he_o wrought_v a_o miracle_n to_o prepare_v for_o his_o conversion_n our_o lord_n know_v the_o necessity_n that_o the_o infant_n of_o his_o family_n have_v of_o such_o nurse_n and_o he_o will_v keep_v up_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o own_o officer_n who_o he_o have_v appoint_v for_o such_o a_o end_n and_o use_v how_o much_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v upon_o the_o minister_n and_o teacher_n of_o the_o word_n and_o how_o little_a the_o beauty_n and_o glory_n of_o religion_n can_v ever_o be_v keep_v up_o in_o the_o world_n if_o minister_n do_v not_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n will_v very_o easy_o appear_v to_o such_o as_o consider_v how_o religion_n have_v decline_v and_o be_v lose_v by_o the_o ignorance_n and_o unfaithfulness_n and_o negligence_n of_o those_o that_o aught_o to_o have_v preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o the_o denial_n or_o contempt_n of_o the_o ministry_n have_v always_o be_v accompany_v with_o the_o growth_n of_o atheism_n infidelity_n and_o profaneness_n how_o solemn_o do_v the_o apostle_n charge_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n act_v 20.28_o 30._o take_v heed_n unto_o yourselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n and_o to_o warn_v every_o man_n lest_o they_o be_v pervert_v by_o false_a teacher_n etc._n etc._n and_o how_o express_o to_o the_o like_a purpose_n be_v they_o require_v to_o labour_n with_o their_o utmost_a strength_n in_o this_o work_n 1_o tim._n 1.17_o 1_o cor._n 16.16_o 1_o thes_n 5.12_o they_o be_v to_o give_v themselves_o continual_o to_o prayer_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n act_v 6.4_o and_o how_o needful_a be_v it_o that_o they_o shall_v do_v so_o who_o be_v to_o unfold_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o other_o to_o teach_v they_o what_o they_o must_v know_v believe_v and_o do_v avoid_z and_o hope_v for_o who_o have_v so_o many_o difficulty_n to_o explain_v and_o so_o often_o need_v the_o tongue_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o a_o good_a share_n of_o prudence_n to_o speak_v a_o word_n in_o season_n to_o acquaint_v their_o hearer_n with_o their_o several_a malady_n and_o remedy_n danger_n and_o duty_n to_o hold_v forth_o the_o excellency_n of_o christ_n so_o as_o to_o make_v he_o receive_v and_o obey_v admire_v and_o love_v and_o to_o be_v diligent_a in_o such_o work_n in_o season_n and_o out_o of_o season_n manage_v all_o as_o under_o a_o awe_n of_o god_n and_o with_o sincere_a compassion_n and_o love_n to_o soul_n suppose_v the_o word_n of_o god_n here_o to_o be_v the_o write_a word_n i_o need_v not_o inquire_v curious_o how_o much_o of_o divine_a revelation_n or_o the_o write_a word_n be_v then_o extant_a when_o the_o apostle_n write_v this_o epistle_n which_o be_v think_v to_o be_v about_o the_o fifty_o seven_o or_o fifty_o eight_o year_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n while_o he_o be_v a_o prisoner_n at_o rome_n and_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o his_o first_o imprisonment_n there_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n seem_v to_o be_v then_o write_v save_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n and_o his_o revelation_n and_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v to_o be_v explain_v and_o apply_v by_o preach_v and_o that_o this_o be_v a_o principal_a part_n of_o a_o minister_n work_n they_o therefore_o who_o pretend_v to_o the_o ministerial_a office_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o christ_n and_o yet_o either_o despise_v or_o neglect_v the_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n one_o will_v think_v either_o do_v not_o understand_v their_o office_n or_o be_v not_o faithful_a to_o it_o 3._o another_z thing_n concern_v these_o decease_a minister_n the_o apostle_n mention_n be_v their_o exemplary_a faith_n they_o will_v not_o have_v be_v propose_v as_o pattern_n with_o respect_n to_o faith_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v famous_a and_o exemplary_a as_o to_o the_o clearness_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o the_o soundness_n of_o their_o doctrine_n follow_v their_o faith_n doubtless_o he_o mean_v it_o of_o such_o who_o as_o to_o knowledge_n and_o firmness_n of_o persuasion_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o fruitfulness_n in_o suitable_a effect_n do_v in_o spirit_n and_o practice_n show_v themselves_o believer_n they_o will_v not_o otherwise_o have_v be_v name_v as_o fit_a example_n for_o the_o people_n to_o follow_v as_o to_o their_o faith_n you_o find_v minister_n be_v exhort_v to_o take_v heed_n to_o their_o doctrine_n 1_o tim._n iu_o 16._o and_o to_o continue_v therein_o that_o they_o may_v save_v themselves_o and_o they_o that_o hear_v they_o and_o to_o speak_v the_o thing_n that_o become_v sound_a doctrine_n 1_o tim._n vi_o 3._o they_o be_v to_o keep_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a and_o to_o feed_v the_o people_n with_o the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n for_o if_o the_o doctrine_n which_o shall_v promote_v faith_n and_o holiness_n shall_v be_v deprave_v by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o true_a christianity_n shall_v spread_v and_o flourish_v or_o be_v preserve_v and_o continue_v what_o need_n have_v we_o to_o beg_v that_o god_n will_v give_v and_o continue_v such_o pastor_n after_o his_o own_o heart_n as_o may_v feed_v his_o people_n with_o good_a knowledge_n and_o sound_a understanding_n they_o must_v hold_v fast_o the_o faithful_a word_n that_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a by_o sound_a doctrine_n to_o exhort_v and_o convince_v gainsayers_a tit._n 1.6_o 9_o chap._n 2.1_o such_o speech_n that_o can_v be_v condemn_v that_o he_o who_o be_v of_o the_o contrary_a party_n may_v be_v ashamed_a and_o how_o comfortable_o and_o useful_o may_v they_o preach_v to_o other_o who_o be_v firm_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o say_v who_o believe_v and_o live_v the_o truth_n they_o deliver_v this_o be_v a_o great_a help_n to_o minister_n in_o their_o work_n and_o a_o great_a