actual_a investiture_n in_o our_o nature_n of_o aâ—…_n power_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n matâ—_n 28.18.19.20_o and_o jesus_n come_v anâ—_n speak_v unto_o they_o say_v all_o power_n 〈◊〉_d give_v unto_o i_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n go_v you_o therefore_o teach_v all_o nation_n &_o â—…_n and_o lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o even_o 〈◊〉_d the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n amen_o also_o after_o his_o bless_a and_o glorious_a ascension_n and_o sit_v on_o the_o throne_n of_o the_o majesty_n in_o the_o heaven_n heb._n 8._o â—_o angel_n and_o authority_n and_o power_n be_v make_v subject_a unto_o he_o 1_o pet._n 3._o &_o 22._o do_v by_o his_o apostle_n give_v commandment_n and_o direction_n for_o the_o continuance_n hereof_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o his_o second_o come_v without_o sin_n unto_o salvation_n heb._n 9.28_o as_o act_v 14.21,22,23_o after_o they_o have_v by_o their_o ministry_n be_v blessed_v with_o the_o conversion_n of_o many_o soul_n they_o take_v care_n to_o direct_v they_o into_o the_o duty_n of_o church_n communion_n and_o by_o their_o suffrage_n ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n so_o the_o apostle_n give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o leave_v titus_n in_o crete_n he_o not_o have_v opportunity_n after_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o they_o to_o put_v thing_n into_o due_a order_n tit._n 1.5_o that_o he_o shall_v set_v in_o order_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v or_o leave_v undo_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_z or_o â—…e_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n that_o be_v church_n in_o every_o city_n as_o before_o act_v 14._o who_o be_v call_v elder_n bishop_n or_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n name_n significative_a of_o theâ—…_n authority_n office_n and_o work._n 2._o christ_n be_v now_o in_o heaven_n and_o a_o extraordinary_a call_v be_v cease_v the_o scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a and_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n through_o all_o age_n he_o have_v commit_v this_o care_n to_o herself_o according_a to_o the_o power_n give_v to_o she_o who_o be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n to_o provide_v minister_n for_o her_o own_o edification_n in_o obedience_n to_o his_o command_n and_o rule_v give_v in_o his_o word_n as_o he_o shall_v see_v good_a to_o bless_v she_o with_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o ability_n in_o order_n to_o the_o fit_v they_o for_o this_o work_n the_o father_n also_o have_v covenant_v to_o give_v his_o spirit_n in_o the_o gift_n and_o grace_n of_o it_o and_o promise_v that_o the_o word_n he_o have_v put_v into_o christ_n mouth_n and_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v upon_o he_o shall_v never_o depart_v from_o he_o nor_o his_o seed_n seed_n for_o ever_o likewise_o have_v according_a to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n the_o church_n have_v be_v under_o blessed_v she_o as_o with_o his_o grace_n so_o with_o all_o needful_a spiritual_a gift_n eph._n 4.7.11_o for_o the_o perfect_a the_o saint_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o the_o edify_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o whilst_o there_o be_v a_o church_n millitant_a saint_n on_o this_o side_n perfection_n any_o of_o the_o member_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n on_o earth_n those_o spiritual_a gift_n needful_a to_o their_o present_a state_n shall_v be_v give_v and_o be_v among_o they_o for_o the_o support_n of_o the_o great_a ordinance_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n 3._o and_o as_o its_o the_o church_n duty_n to_o seek_v these_o spiritual_a ability_n and_o improve_v they_o when_o they_o be_v give_v to_o these_o great_a and_o holy_a end_n so_o she_o must_v walk_v regular_o herein_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o rule_v give_v by_o christ_n in_o this_o case_n who_o have_v lay_v down_o the_o qualification_n both_o negative_a and_o positive_a of_o all_o such_o as_o ought_v to_o be_v call_v to_o this_o great_a work_n and_o trust_v of_o minister_a by_o office_n 1_o tim._n 3.1_o to_o 9_o tit._n 1.6.9_o we_o have_v no_o warrant_n to_o put_v any_o into_o the_o ministry_n otherwise_o save_o such_o as_o be_v here_o describe_v and_o competent_o fit_v for_o it_o for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n of_o old_a in_o the_o church_n to_o put_v any_o into_o the_o ministry_n but_o those_o who_o god_n appoint_v by_o the_o rule_v give_v to_o they_o so_o it_o can_v be_v no_o less_o evil_a for_o the_o church_n now_o to_o call_v any_o forth_o into_o office_n but_o such_o who_o be_v qualify_v as_o god_n word_n direct_v and_o now_o as_o christ_n have_v make_v this_o grant_n of_o power_n to_o the_o church_n of_o choose_v she_o own_o officer_n for_o her_o edification_n so_o he_o have_v leave_v rule_n for_o she_o who_o and_o how_o to_o choose_v as_o we_o say_v before_o so_o likewise_o he_o have_v lay_v down_o those_o special_a duty_n of_o the_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n who_o be_v to_o take_v the_o oversight_n feed_v govern_v go_v in_o and_o out_o before_o they_o act_n 20.17,18_o 1._o pet._n 5._o and_o 2._o 4._o when_o the_o church_n have_v have_v a_o trial_n of_o the_o meetness_n and_o ability_n of_o any_o person_n or_o person_n for_o this_o work_n and_o service_n they_o be_v by_o election_n and_o choice_n solemn_o to_o set_v he_o or_o they_o a_o part_n by_o prayer_n and_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n act_n 14.21,22,23_o act_n 6._o by_o which_o a_o new_a relation_n arise_v of_o a_o elder_a and_o a_o church_n a_o pastor_n and_o a_o flock_n this_o must_v be_v therefore_o by_o the_o mutual_a voluntary_a act_n of_o each_o other_o by_o which_o the_o duty_n of_o each_o relation_n become_v bind_v upon_o they_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v the_o pastor_n duty_n now_o to_o watch_n feed_v and_o govern_v the_o flock_n and_o to_o give_v himself_o up_o to_o it_o it_o be_v the_o church_n duty_n to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o he_o in_o the_o lord_n to_o love_n reverence_n and_o administer_v free_o to_o he_o 1_o pet._n 5.1,2,3,4,5_o heb._n 13.7.17_o how_o great_o then_o must_v those_o church_n be_v to_o blame_v that_o unconcerned_o live_v in_o the_o neglect_n of_o so_o great_a a_o duty_n upon_o which_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o her_o wellbeing_a so_o much_o depend_v as_o well_o as_o gospel_n order_n for_o although_o the_o essence_n and_o be_v of_o a_o church_n depend_v upon_o its_o institution_n in_o respect_n both_o of_o matter_n and_o form_n a_o competent_a number_n of_o believer_n may_v by_o mutual_a agreement_n lie_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o gospel_n church_n but_o they_o can_v be_v a_o church_n organical_a without_o officer_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v place_v there_o for_o the_o orderly_a exercisâ—…_n of_o his_o authority_n commit_v to_o she_o to_o neglect_v this_o be_v to_o despise_v the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n who_o best_o know_v whaâ—_n be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n and_o for_o her_o edification_n in_o this_o state._n 2_o to_o slight_v his_o goodness_n in_o so_o useful_a and_o beneficial_a a_o institution_n 3_o it_o be_v a_o contempt_n put_v upon_o his_o authority_n as_o king_n of_o saint_n who_o have_v in_o his_o sovereign_a right_n in_o and_o over_o the_o church_n ordain_v it_o so_o to_o be_v for_o the_o church_n good_a and_o wellbeing_a second_o as_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o neglect_n of_o this_o duty_n so_o there_o shall_v be_v great_a care_n take_v that_o we_o answer_v the_o will_n of_o god_n herein_o wherein_o his_o name_n and_o honour_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v in_o respect_n of_o his_o love_n to_o and_o care_n of_o his_o church_n therefore_o the_o greaest_a diligence_n shall_v be_v take_v that_o the_o rule_n he_o have_v give_v be_v due_o observe_v and_o application_n make_v of_o the_o qualification_n lay_v down_o in_o respect_n of_o all_o such_o that_o be_v call_v unto_o office_n the_o outward_a call_n be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o church_n the_o acceptation_n of_o the_o person_n so_o call_v be_v a_o obediential_a act_n of_o he_o to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n but_o neither_o of_o these_o can_v be_v regular_a where_o there_o be_v not_o at_o previous_a indication_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o bestow_v those_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o qualification_n as_o may_v render_v he_o competent_o fit_a to_o the_o discharge_v of_o his_o office_n and_o work._n now_o in_o a_o church_n undue_a proceed_n herein_o they_o discover_v their_o own_o weakness_n if_o not_o ignorance_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o rule_n itself_o and_o injure_v the_o person_n so_o call_v in_o lay_v the_o weight_n of_o so_o great_a a_o work_n upon_o he_o who_o be_v not_o furnish_v with_o spiritual_a ability_n to_o discharge_v it_o &_o thereby_o expose_v the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o reputation_n of_o his_o gospel_n in_o the_o world_n which_o shall_v be_v dear_a unto_o we_o and_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o
needs_o be_v a_o great_a mystery_n but_o so_o it_o be_v here_o for_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v the_o great_a and_o clear_a knowledge_n of_o these_o mystery_n as_o any_o ever_o have_v in_o the_o world_n yet_o declare_v they_o know_v but_o in_o part_n and_o see_v but_o in_o part_n dark_o as_o through_o a_o glass_n ver_fw-la 13.9.12_o it_o be_v such_o a_o mystery_n that_o he_o that_o think_v he_o know_v any_o thing_n know_v nothing_o as_o he_o ought_v to_o know_v what_o a_o mystery_n be_v that_o of_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n that_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v join_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o both_o make_v but_o one_o christ_n what_o a_o mystery_n be_v there_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n 1._o that_o a_o man_n shall_v go_v out_o of_o himself_o and_o be_v carry_v above_o himself_o to_o believe_v thing_n impossible_a to_o man_n natural_a reason_n that_o he_o shall_v seek_v for_o justification_n by_o the_o righteousness_n and_o obedience_n of_o another_o for_o a_o man_n as_o one_o will_v think_v to_o have_v a_o great_a store_n of_o holiness_n and_o good_a work_n and_o yet_o throw_v it_o as_o it_o be_v all_o away_o and_o be_v dead_a to_o it_o in_o point_n of_o trust_n and_o dependence_n be_v to_o natural_a man_n a_o strange_a mystery_n 2._o to_o believe_v when_o every_o thing_n be_v opposite_a to_o it_o to_o work_n for_o life_n and_o oppose_v some_o sin_n a_o natural_a man_n be_v ready_a to_o do_v but_o to_o believe_v in_o christ_n for_o life_n and_o holiness_n to_o rely_v on_o his_o do_n his_o work_n his_o merit_n this_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n can_v understand_v but_o be_v natural_o averse_a to_o nay_o and_o satan_n also_o oppose_v it_o and_o the_o world_n mock_v at_o it_o and_o account_v it_o foolishness_n 3._o that_o a_o man_n shall_v believe_v and_o not_o see_v nay_o believe_v as_o abraham_n do_v in_o hope_n against_o hope_n be_v a_o mystery_n yet_o may_v be_v there_o be_v some_o great_a mystery_n than_o this_o which_o a_o minister_n be_v to_o study_v in_o respect_n of_o christ_n the_o mediator_n his_o work_n office_n glorious_a covenant_n ordinance_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o his_o work_n be_v a_o difficult_a work_n 2._o it_o be_v difficult_a in_o that_o it_o call_v for_o the_o great_a care_n and_o exactness_n imaginable_a every_o thing_n must_v be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o holy_a pattern_n set_v by_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n there_o must_v be_v no_o add_v to_o no_o diminish_n from_o nor_o alter_v of_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o least_o without_o eternal_a hazard_n and_o danger_n 3._o it_o be_v difficult_a and_o very_a hard_a in_o that_o it_o call_v for_o the_o great_a strength_n that_o the_o most_o strong_a in_o grace_n and_o wisdom_n can_v arrive_v unto_o it_o require_v all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a soul_n to_o be_v exert_v or_o put_v forth_o to_o a_o right_o discharge_v thereof_o 4._o it_o call_v not_o only_o for_o all_o our_o strength_n but_o also_o all_o our_o time_n and_o diligence_n a_o slothful_a or_o idle_a person_n be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v a_o minister_n it_o be_v a_o work_n that_o must_v be_v follow_v continual_o let_v the_o time_n be_v what_o they_o will_v preach_v the_o word_n be_v instant_a in_o season_n and_o out_o of_o season_n reprove_v exhort_v with_o all_o long_o suffer_v and_o doctrine_n be_v not_o slothful_a but_o diligent_a fear_v no_o face_n regard_v no_o threat_n respect_v no_o man_n person_n reprove_v all_o impartial_o be_v not_o fawn_v nor_o flatter_v preacher_n nor_o like_o those_o who_o rather_o vent_v their_o own_o passion_n than_o pursue_v the_o end_n of_o instruction_n and_o reformation_n of_o soul_n and_o this_o be_v a_o hard_a work_n to_o do_v 5._o it_o be_v difficult_a work_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v against_o they_o and_o the_o grand_a obstruction_n they_o meet_v withal_o 1._o from_o their_o own_o heart_n the_o flesh_n be_v weak_a though_o the_o spirit_n indeed_o be_v willing_a many_o time_n that_o it_o be_v ready_a to_o say_v with_o peter_n master_n pity_v thyself_o why_o do_v thou_o spend_v thy_o time_n thy_o strength_n and_o wear_v out_o thy_o poor_a body_n at_o this_o sort_n less_o may_v do_v etc._n etc._n beside_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o minister_n who_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o work_n cause_v he_o oft_o to_o tremble_v in_o consideration_n of_o his_o unfitness_n and_o unworthiness_n for_o such_o a_o sacred_a undertake_n and_o employment_n 2._o from_o sin_n in_o dwell_v sin_n and_o other_o humane_a frailty_n alas_o they_o be_v man_n of_o like_a passion_n and_o infirmity_n with_o other_o 3._o from_o satan_n he_o be_v a_o implacable_a enemy_n to_o they_o and_o to_o their_o work_n hence_o he_o raise_v up_o all_o the_o opposition_n against_o they_o imaginable_a to_o hinder_v they_o in_o their_o business_n or_o take_v they_o off_o of_o it_o or_o make_v they_o remiss_a and_o negligent_a in_o do_v it_o we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a say_v paul_n of_o his_o device_n 2_o cor._n 2.11_o 4._o from_o the_o world_n 1._o by_o reproach_n and_o contradiction_n of_o ungodly_a man_n 2._o by_o heretic_n and_o false-teacher_n with_o these_o they_o be_v force_v to_o fight_v and_o many_o time_n be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o as_o paul_n when_o he_o engage_v those_o evil_a beast_n at_o ephesus_n 5._o last_o by_o persecutor_n always_o the_o heat_n of_o this_o battle_n fall_v upon_o christ_n poor_a minister_n they_o be_v the_o mark_v these_o wicked_a archer_n shoot_v at_o hence_o they_o like_v paul_n be_v oft_o in_o bond_n and_o prisoner_n for_o christ_n sake_n now_o put_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o and_o be_v it_o not_o needful_a think_v you_o that_o your_o poor_a minister_n be_v think_v upon_o and_o encourage_v by_o you_o as_o christ_n have_v appoint_v but_o we_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o only_a conclude_v all_o with_o one_o word_n to_o our_o fellow_n labourer_n brethren_n let_v we_o strive_v to_o double_v our_o diligence_n and_o show_v to_o all_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o our_o work_n be_v upon_o our_o spirit_n and_o though_o we_o have_v not_o that_o encouragement_n from_o the_o people_n that_o god_n have_v ordain_v yet_o remember_v we_o serve_v a_o good_a master_n beside_o a_o necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o we_o we_o must_v preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o let_v we_o be_v content_v with_o that_o state_n and_o portion_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v our_o great_a business_n to_o approve_v ourselves_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n in_o labour_n in_o watch_n in_o fast_n by_o pureness_n by_o knowledge_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o love_n unfeigned_a by_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n by_o the_o armour_n of_o righteousness_n on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o on_o the_o left_a by_o honour_n and_o dishonour_v by_o evil_a report_n and_o good_a report_n 2_o cor._n 6.5,6,7,8_o possible_o we_o may_v be_v reproach_v and_o sensure_v for_o what_o we_o have_v do_v and_o say_v in_o this_o small_a tract_n but_o shall_v it_o be_v so_o we_o matter_n it_o not_o since_o we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o our_o conscience_n that_o our_o design_n be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o promote_a his_o bless_a gospel_n in_o the_o nation_n and_o the_o good_a of_o his_o poor_a church_n and_o also_o because_o we_o know_v we_o have_v the_o sure_a word_n of_o god_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o plead_v for_o wherefore_o whilst_o we_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o all_o it_o be_v not_o the_o hire_n the_o wages_n etc._n etc._n that_o we_o aim_v at_o but_o contrariwise_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o ever_o bless_a god_n and_o to_o witness_v to_o the_o sanction_n of_o every_o one_o of_o his_o just_a and_o most_o holy_a precept_n we_o can_v be_v without_o peace_n in_o our_o own_o soul_n finis_fw-la
we_o say_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v man_n can_v arrive_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o light_n and_o knowledge_n in_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n and_o mystery_n of_o christ_n so_o as_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n as_o they_o ought_v unless_o they_o dedicate_v and_o give_v themselves_o up_o by_o prayer_n and_o meditation_n to_o the_o diligent_a search_n and_o study_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o can_v be_v do_v unless_o some_o time_n be_v spend_v which_o divers_a man_n can_v spare_v without_o a_o due_a allowance_n for_o their_o pain_n and_o loss_n of_o time_n and_o this_o we_o say_v too_o be_v nothing_o less_o nor_o more_o than_o what_o god_n have_v ordain_v and_o direct_o appoint_v in_o this_o matter_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o we_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v but_o to_o proceed_v eleven_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o the_o people_n to_o contribute_v towards_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o ministry_n may_v be_v further_o demonstrate_v and_o 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