into Heaven it self by the Blood of Christ The invisible World is more discovered 2. This Covenant and Testament is ordered in all things 2 Sam. 23.5 it is so wisely ordered as that it meets with all our Objections and may silence them It meets with our doubts and fears and may banish them It meets with all our wants and supplies them It is so ordered that there is a Legacy suited to all the Noble and Principal faculties of our Souls 1. God Promises concerning his Elect People that they shall all know him from the greatest to the least Isa 31.34 Here is a Legacy of Light and Knowledg to the understanding 2. God promises Pardon that he will be merciful to Unrighteousness and will remember Sins and Iniquities no more in the same Text. Here is a Legacy to the Conscience It is Pardon that doth quite Conscience and establish its peace 3. There is a further Legacy that God will write his Law in the Heart and put it into the inward parts this is a pretious and noble Legacy to the Will to renew byass and rectify it 3. This Testament hath the strongest confirmation Of old God gave his Oath to shew the immutability of his Counsel Heb. 6.17 19. That the Heirs of Promise might have strong Consolations but now the Son of God hath bled and his Testament is established by his own death Heb. â— 15 4. What can we look for if we are not interested in this Testament A day of Wrath Vengeance and Destruction will be our portion We shall be stript and deprived of all Good and be loaded and burthened with all Evil We shall be felled down as barren Trees for the Fire be vinnowed as chaff out of the Floor into the Furnace and be silled up as Vessels of Wrath. 1. Vse Of Information This shews us how Excellent and Honourable the Office of Christs Ministers is that they are imployed and conversant about the Testament of the Son of God that they are to open its Fulness Explain and discover its Riches and to urge and press Men to lay hold of it They are to warn Men of their danger out of Christ and to press Men to fly into the City of Refuge and sit down under the shadow of Christ and so to flee from the wrath to come They are to beseech Men through the Mediator to be Reconciled to God and to woo Men to be Espoused to Christ 2 Col. 13. They are to set forth the free Grace of God in forgiving giving all Trespasses and in giving liberally and largely according to his Divine Power he gives all things that appertain to Life and Godliness 2 Pet. 13. Rom. 8.32 And freely with Christ gives all things also 2. Vse If Gospel-officers are Ministers of the New Testament this may Reprove such as call themselves and would be accounted Ministers of the New Testament yet only Preach and press Moral Duties and build up a Natural Religion but seldom or very little touch on the great Principles and Truths of the Gospel as if there were no Testator or New Testament They urge Duty but they little themselves understand and therefore are very unable to Reveal to others How Men shall recover Life and Righteousness attain Power and Strength and to partake of the Eternal Inheritance They Treat of the New Covenant as if it were only a Mistress to command Work and not as a Mother to give Life and Strength As if Christ was little more than a Political Head to make Laws and exact Obedience to them and not a Natural Head to give Life and influences to his Members to enablthem to obey 3. Vse Are Christs Officers Ministers of the New Testament Then 1. This should encourage Ministers to Preach and People also to Hear 1. This should encourage Ministers to Preach the Gospel cannot be wholly Preached in vain Jesus Christ must have Sons to bear up his Name Psal 72.17 and Heirs to possess his Goods and Inheritance He that sowed in Tears must reap in Joy he must see his seed and the Travel of his Soul and be satisfied God's Promises to Christ must be fulfilled and executed that he shall have the Heathen for his Inheritance the utmost parts of the Earth for his Possession God's great Servant must receive a great and glorious Reward for his Work All King's must fall down before him as Worshippers all Nations must serve him Psal 72.10 11. When Ministers Preach the Gospel the Hand of the Lord is with them Acts 11.21 to open hearts to break the Rock in pieces to draw Men to Christ to subdue them to his Kingdom and Government As Christ speaks in so he works with his Ministers when they Preach Christ ingrafts the Word 2 Cor. 13.3 with Mark 16. last Jam. 1.21 And when they Teach the Spirit writes an Epistle and powerfully impresses the Doctrine of the Gospel on Mens Souls the Wilderness must be manured and Sowed The Meal of Men must be Levened Christ will come forth as a deliverer and turn Men from Ungodliness Rom. 11.26 He will Circumcise the Heart to love him and Baptize with the Spirit make Men free from the Law of Sin and Death 2 Col. 11. Matth. 3.9 Rom. 8.2 Psal 110.3 and render them a willing People in the day of his Power Isa 9.6 He will beget a Holy seed as an Everlasting Father and quicken Souls dead in Sins and Trespasses as he is the Resurrection and the Life 2. This should perswade and incourage Men to hear and listen to the Ministers of the New Testament It is very necessary that Men should bâ— rescned and delivered from the Covenant oâ— Works from a killing Letter and a Ministry oâ— Condemnation O listen to the Ministers of thâ— New Testament lay hold of it do not makâ— light of all that Christ hath purchased and bequeathed Do not continue Spiritually poor oâ— be shut out of the Kingdom and come short of thâ— Glory of God Do not satisfy your selves witâ— momentary Enjoyments till you are driven out 〈◊〉 this Earth and turned into Hell Attend on thâ— dispensation of the Gospel it is clothed and anâ—mated with the Spirit this is a Seed so powerful that is changes the Soul It is a writing thaâ— alters the Table and turns a Heart of Stone inâ—â— a Heart of Flesh 2 Cor. 3.3 The Gospel is 〈◊〉 Glass that changes the Spectators and transformâ— them into the glorious Image of God 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 last The Holy Ghost is as a Tongue of fire oâ— them so that they do not speak cold words bâ—â— they throw Coals into the bosomes of Sinners anâ— cast chaines of light and love about Souls Cant. 6 7. Isa 45.14 They sow but God makes tâ—â— Seed to take root and grow 2 Cor. 3.6 7. Minâ—sters do call Sinners to come out of their Prisoâ— but Christ opens the door Acts 16.14 They bâ— Sinners to rise and come out of their Graves Epâ— 5.1 but it is Christ that breathes Life into theâ—
Ministers that Preach what they have Tasted and Experienc'd Christ in the 7th of St. Iohn v. 38th saith He that believes on me out of his belly shall flow Rivers of Living Waters This phrase out of his Belly is to be observed he that hath drank of Christ's Spiritual VVaters out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living VVaters that which hath satisfied and delighted him shall flow out to the Refreshment of others O how earnest and importunate should Christians be at the Throne of Grace that God would furnish the Church with a skilful and active Ministry Aaron was to have Golden Bells and Pomegranates on the Hem of his Garment round about Exod. 28.33 24 35. The Pomegranates might point at the Sweet Savour of Christ's Death and Sacrifice And this was to be sounded out by the Apostles Preaching as Golden Bells Justin Martyr doth apply these Bells to the Apostles and Gospel Ministers in his Dialogue with Tryphis the Jew These do depend on the Garment of Christ as High Priest of the Church They are by Preaching to sound out the Sufferings and Death of Christ to the World Solomon made a Molten Sea that contained a great quantity of Water and it was put upon Twelve Oxen three of which looked to each of the Quarters of the World And this Sea seems to point out the Blood of Christ and its abundant Merit and the Twelve Apostles as so many Spiritual Oxen were to bare and carry this Sea of Blood into the several parts of the World by the Preaching of the Gospel that Soules might be washed in this Spiritual Sea the Great Trumpet was to be blown Isa 27. last the Spiritual Jubilee was to be Proclaim'd and Who should do this but the Ministers of the Gospel Christ was to be lifted up Isa 49.22 Isa 11.10 Isa 53.1 2 Cor. 2.14 as a Standard and to stand as an Ensign to draw perishing sinners together to seek Righteousness and Salvation in him A Report was to be made of Jesus Christ the sweet Savour of his Knowledge was to be shed abroad And who are fit Spiritual Incense-Pans or Vessels to bear the Name of Christ before the World but the Ministers of the New Testament Though these are but as little Children in the Eye of the World because of mean Quality and Degree as to their outward State yet such Little Children shall be enabled by the Power of God to Lead Herds of those that have been Lions Tygers and Bears but now become Tame and Gentle Creatures Isa 1.6 7. They are to Reclaim Men from their Savage Cruel Barbarous Nature and Manners and to Reduce them to the Meekness and Gentleness of Christ They are to Hew Sinners out of the Common Quarry they are in to Fish and draw them out of the Dead Sea Ezek. 17.10 11. to cut them out of the Wild Olive not to be Burnt but to be Grafted they are to out the Navel of Sinners Ezek. 16.4 and to separate them from Old Adam They are to beget Men in Christ 1 Cor. 4.15 they are to Ingraft Men into Christ and to Espouse them to Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 They are to encourage the Dejected and Disconsolate In this sense the Breasts of the Church are as the Clusters of the Vine they contain excellent Wine of Consolation Isa 66.11 Soules may suck and be satisfied with the Breasts of her Consolation Cant. 7.8 They are to strengthen the weak hands to confirm the Feeble Knees to say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong and fear not Isa 35.3 4. They are to Feed Strengthen and Nourish Soules The Breasts of the Church are as Towers Cant. 8.10 The same Hebrew Word is used to fignifie a Pulpit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Migdal The Pulpits of Ministers are the Churches Breasts whereby Soules are Fed and Nourished Not only their Lips but their Souls must Preach Therefore it is put in the Feminine Gender Cokeleth Eccles 1.1 So Psal 68.11 They that Publish it is also put in the Feminine Gender to intimate it is Souls that must Preach There is need of a Mighty Power to work in Ministers that they may Pray Fervently Preach and Exhort Zealously 1 Col. last Have large and capacious Soules that may have room for all the concerns of the Church and be suitably affected with the Burdens Temptations Afflictions Soul-Troubles and Distresses of every particular Christian to Watch over the Members of the Church to care for them to Instruct Warn Reprove to deny themselves to spend and be spent for Christ O what a Presence Assistance and Powerful Influence of the Spirit doth this Require to fit and enable Ministers for the full Discharge of their Office O therefore wrestle with God cry mightily to him to Raise up such Able Ministers of the New Testament that may be filled with the Spirit and Preach in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power 1 Cor. 2.4 And be earnest to rescue Souls from the Power of Darkness and to Translate them into the Kingdom of God's dear Son That they may be Pens in the Hand of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.3 to Write the Doctrine of the Gospel in the Mindes and Hearts of Men that their Mouthes may be a Sword in the hand of the Spirit to wound the Old Man to Death Ephes 6.17 Jer. 23.29 And that the Word they Preach may be a Hammer in the Hand of the Spirit to break the Rocky Hearts of Men in Pieces and as a Fire to burn up the Dross of Men and inflame their Soules with Love to and Zeal for God FINIS BOOKS Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three-Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chapel THE Fountain of Life opened or a Displaâ— of Christ in his Essential and Mediatoral Glory containing Forty two Sermons on various Texts Wherein the Impetration of our Redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun carried on and finished by his Covenant Transaction mysterious Incarnation solemn Call and Dedication blessed Offices deep Abasement and Supereminent Advancement A Treatise of the Soul of Man wherein the Divine Original excellent and immortal Nature of the Soul are opened its Love and Inclination to the Body with the necessity of its Separation from it considered and improved The Existence Operations and States of separated Souls both in Heaven and Hell immediately after Death asserted discussed and variously applied Divers knotty and difficult Questions about departed Souls both Philosophical and Theological stated and determined The Method of Grace in bringing home the Eternal Redemption contrived by the Father and accomplished by the Son through the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect being the second Part of Gospel Redemption The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Providence its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated all the Methods of Providence in our course of Life opened with Directions how to apply and improve them Navigation spiritualiz'd or a New Compass for Seamen consisting of Thirty Two Points of pleasant Observations profitable Applications serious Reflections all concluded with so many spiritual Poems c. A Saint indeed the great Work of a Christian A Touchstone of Sincerity or Signs of Grace and Symptoms of Hypocrisie being the second Part of the Saint indeed A Token for Mourners or Boundaries for Sorrow for the Death of Friends Husbandry spiritualiz'd or the Heavenly use of Earthly Things All these Nine by Mr. John Flavell Sermons and Discourses on several Divine Subjects by the late Reverend and Learned David Clarkson B. D. and sometime Fellow of Clare-Hall Cambridge Folio Of Thoughtfulness for the Morrow With an Appendix concerning the immoderate Desire of foreknowing Things to come Of Charity in reference to other Mens sins A Sermon directing what we are to do after a strict Enquiry whether or no we truly Love God A calm and sober Enquiry concerning the Possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead A Sermon preach'd on the late Day of Thankâ—giving Decemb. 2. 1697. To which is persixâ— Dr. Bates's Congratulatory Speech to the Kingâ— All these Eleven by Mr. John Howe The Good of Early Obedience or the Adâ—vantage of bearing the Yoke of Christ betimeâ— Octavo The Almost Christian or the false Professoâ— Tried and Cast Duodecimo Spiritual Wisdom improved against Temptatâ—on Duodecimo The Vision of the Wheels seen by the Propheâ— Ezechiel Quarto A Sermon of Unity or Two Sticks made one Quarto All Five by Matth. Mead Pastor of Church of Christ at Stepney Discourses upon the Rich Man and Lazaruâ— Octavo Three last Sermons of Mr. Cruso To which 〈◊〉 added a Sermon on Novemb. 5. 1697. Octavâ— Both by Tim. Cruso M. A. His Funeral Sermon preach'd by Matth. Meaâ— Quarto The Life and Death of Mr. Philip Henry Miniâ—ster of the Gospel at Whitchurch in Shorpshire whâ— died June 24. 1696 Recommended by Dr. Bates David Jones's Sermon in Ember-Week preacheâ— before the University of Oxford The Qualifications requisite towards the Râ—ceiving a Divine Revelation A Sermon preacâ—ed in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul Januaâ—â— the 2d 1699. Being the First for this Year 〈◊〉 the Lecture Founded by the Honourable Robeâ— Boyle Esq By Samuel Bradford M. A. Rector 〈◊〉 St. Mary le Bow
particulars First Who is the Testator Answer This must needs be he that by his Death doth confirm and establish the Testament and this is proper to the Son of God he is the only Mediator of the New Testament He procured it and gave force to it by his Sufferings and Death Luke 22.29 Christ speaks of himself as bequeathing and acting as a Testator 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I bequeath I dispose unto you a Kingdom Budaeus in his Comnentary on the Greek Tongue doth confess and acknowledge that this is Verbum Testamentale a word commonly used by the Grecians in making their Wills The Father is said to dispose a Kingdom to the Son the Son to us The Father hath made Christ heir of all things Heb. 1.2 He hath given him a Name above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow But in this God hath an eye and a respect to the Humiliation and Sufferings and Death of Christ because he became obedient to the Death of the Cross therefore God hath exalted and glorified him The Death of Christ seems to be the ground of the Fathers legacy to Christ and of all that Jesus Christ bequeathes and disposes to us Secondly In a Testament there must be an Estate to be disposed of and the Testator must have propriety and be interested in this Estate else he cannot dispose it Christ saith All things that the Father hath are mine John 16.15 Therefore Christ hath good right to dispose of them Testators do dispose of two sorts of things Money and Goods and Houses and Lands the Graces Christ bestows may be compared to Money and Goods The Glory he bequeathes is set forth by an Eternal House 2 Cor. 5.1 with Heb. 9.15 and an Everlasting Inheritance First Jesus Christ bequeathes Grace and a new Nature A new Heart will I give unto you a new Spirit will I put within you Ezek. 36.26.31 I will put my Law into your inward parts and write it in your hearts Jer. 33. The Law is put deep into the Soul and it is written for Perpetuity never to be blotted out and it is diffused through the Soul it spreads into the understanding and it is rooted and prevails in the Will The Soul is poor blind dead and all its Faculties are perverted and disorderly without this new Heart without the Law of God written in the Mind and Will How full large and comprehensive is Christs Testament It doth not only make Heirs but also raises up Children which no other Testament doth or can do True Believers are Children of the Promise Rom. 9.8 Isaac was born of the free and powerful Promise of God This was the word of Promise At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a Son Rom. 9.9 God would make an effectual visit he would put forth his Power in an excellent and extraordinary way and so Sarah should conceive though barren and Isaac tho' old be born So God comes to Souls dead in sins and Trespasses he beams in light and breathes in life and so they are Regenerated and born to God The Covenant of Grace the Testament of Christ is Sarah a Mother of which we are born and as there are Children of Promise that derive Grace and a new Nature from the Promise so there are Heirs of Promise Heb. 6.17.19 That do inherit the Kingdom and Eternal Glory by virtue of the free Promise God is said to Promise the Kingdom and to Promise Eternal Life Jam. 2.5 Tit. 1.2 Here are the Riches and fulness of this Testament that Christians are Children of the Promise and so partake of Grace and are Heirs of the Promise and so do inherit the Kingdom of Glory Thirdly Where there is a Testament there must be Legatees and Heirs Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Testament that those that are called may receive the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance Heb. 9.15 The Civil Law gives this description of an Heir that he is vocatus ad hereditatem one that is called to the Inheritance by the Testament of a dead Man Vid pacium If Christ had not died as a Testator there would have been no Inheritance to be enjoyed and there would have been no call to a Heavenly House and Possession How many are there in the World that were never called at all and others are not effectually called the Jews at this day are like such as the Civil Law calls Abdicati such as for Provocations given are disinherited the Gentile Heathen World are like such as the Civil Law calls Praeteriti such as are passed by and slipt over but such may come in for a share in the Fathers Goods and lay claim to his Inheritance the blind desolate Heathen World shall be called and converted The desolate Cities shall be inhabited Isa 54.3 And the desolate Heritages shall be inherited Isa 49.8 For the clearer explication of things I shall shew 1. Who are the Heirs 2. What they are Heirs of 3. How they became Heirs 1. Who are Heirs I Answer The Sons the Children of God there are some that are predistinated to the Adoption of Children Ephes 1.5 Christ is to gather together into one that is into one Kingdom City Family Body the Children of God that are scattered abroad John 11.52 These Sons these Children shall be Heirs the Inheritance is limited and restrained unto them to sit on the right and on th◠left hand of Christ in his Kingdom is not his to give but to whom it is prepared of his Father Matth. 20.21.23 That supplement but it shall be given to them should be wholly left out and the words be thus rendred To sit at my right hand and my left is not mine to give but to those for whom it is prepared of my Father Christ would give places in his Kingdom but he was limited by the decree of the Father to give to those he had predistinated to the Adoption of Children and so had prepared the Inheritance and Kingdom for them 2. What are Christs People Heirs of I Answer 1. Of the Kingdom Tit. 2.5 2. Of the World Rom. 4.13 1. They are Heirs of the Kingdom they shall have a Mansion in God's House John 14.2 3. They shall have a Lot and Inheritance in the Heavenly Kingdom in Emmanuels Land and Country Dan. 12. last Col. 1.12 They shall sit in the Throne with Christ and Reign in Life for evermore Rev. 3.21 Rom. 5.17 2. They are Heirs of the World God gave Abraham the Land of Canaan by Promise and this was a pledge and earnest of all Earthly Portions and Possessions given to Believers by God's free grace and bounty Wicked Men may be Possessors of and dwellers in the World but it is Believers that are Heirs of the World and have a Spiritual Right and Title to it Godliness hath the Promise of the Life that now is and of that which is to come Tim. 1.4.8 He hath given meat to them that fear him He will ever
Though Christs Ministers are many times pooâ— yet they make many Rich 2 Cor. 6.10 Thâ—â— are Deacons of Christs Testament They aâ—â— hands by which Jesus Christ gives forth his Almes and distributes Spiritual Gifts O come and hear the Gospel this may be the day of your Visitation A new Leaven may be laid in your Meal and a new Byass may be put on your Wills for over to incline your Hearts towards God That word may be ingrafted that may better and ennoble your stock and enable it to bring forth â—ruit to God The Lord Jesus may speak that with a strong hand to thy Soul that Man speaks 〈◊〉 with a weak hand to thy Ear. God saith to Hoses that he would stand on the Rock and he â—â—ould smite it and it should give forth Water â—â—od 17.6 If God had not been there Moses â—ould rather have struck Fire out of the Rock â—â—an have drawn out Water from it But because God stood on the Rock it did cleave and â—â—eld Water abundantly when Moses smote it 〈◊〉 this my incourage Ministers to smite the Rocky â—â—arts of men with the Rod of the Word that God that Christ will be there to cleave the Rock â—â—d to turn the Flint into a Fountain of Water 〈◊〉 114. last God's hand goes along with his â—â—sign Isa 49.22 When Christ Curcified is reached then God lifts up a standard and disslays an Ensign and this cannot be in vain for â—hen God so lifts up his hand to the Gentiles â—hat they presently bring Zions Sons in their arms â—nd carry her daughters on their shoulders that â—hey may be joined with and to the Church Christ by the Gospel opens blind Eyes Isa 42.7 â—sal 110.3 Psal 47.3 And by this Rod of â—is strength he subdues disobedient and Rebellious souls While Ministers do open the Riches of Christs Testament he opens the understanding of Men to perceive and discern the Fulness and Glory of this Testament Luke 24.45 Christ takes away the vail from the Heart unstops the deaf Ear and takes away the Heart of stone Though Ministers may seem but poor contemptable men yet they bring Treasure in Earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 There is a hidden Treasure and a Pearl of price to be found in the dispensation of the Gospel Christ executes his Testament and dispenses the Treasures of his Grace by the Preaching of the word of Life and of the Gospel of Salvation The Gospel is the Arm of the Lord and the Ministration of the Spirit and of Power so that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and the deaf shall hearken to the word of Life Isa 53.1 John 5.25 Isa 29.18 3d. Doctrine It is God that makes Men able Ministers of the New Testament 1st God the Father fits Men to be Laborers and thrusts them forth notwithstanding all difficulties and discouragements into his Harvest It is not every one that is fit to pluck secure Sinners out of the fire and compel them to come unto the Feast Judes Epistle 23. Luke 14.23 It is God the Father that must qualify for this noble and hard work 2dly The Son of God makes able Ministers of the New Testament Eph. 4.11 12. He gave Gifts to Men Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers Christ gave them from Heaven when he ascended up on high and poured down the Spirit from on high Psal 68.18 with Isa 32.15 By the Holy Ghost he furnished them with Light Life Zeal for the discharge of their Office 3dly The Holy Ghost gives the inward call and fits Men with Gifts and Graces for the fulfilling of their Ministry The Holy Ghost is said to make overseers of the Church Acts 20 28. 1. Question Wherein doth this ability to be Ministers of the New Testament consist What is requisite furniture to make Men able Ministers Answer 1. They must have the word of Knowledge and of Wisdom 2 Cor. 12.8 The word of Knowledge is a skill to open explain and vindicate the great Principles of the Gospel the very Foundations of our Holy Religion And the word of Wisdom seems to signify an ability and dexterity to apply the word sutable to the various Conditions and Exigences of Souls to divide and apply it aright that every Hearer may have his proper portion 2. This ability consists much in Spiritual Experience of the Power of the Word on their own Souls and Consciences When Ministers themselves taste that the Lord is gracious to them 1 Pet. 2.3 that he hath Reconciled them to himself 2 Cor. 5.18 when they have been cast down and raised up When they have been wounded and healed When they have tasted the bitterness of Sin and the sweetness of the Grace of Christ Paul when Christ called him from Heaven was three days blind and did neither Eat or Drink during this time Paul seems to be under great anguish and anxiety of mind for his former Enmity to Christ and Persecuting of his Church at this time Saul did know the Terror of the Lord how Terrible God would be to him if he did not faithfully Preach the Gospel and how Terrible the Lord would be to others if they did not listen to it Embrace and Receive it 3. This ability consists in love to Christ the Love of Christ constrains us because we thus judge that if one dyed for all then were all dead The Apostle had a Spiritual mind and did rightly judge of things that if Christ died for us all then we were all Spiritually dead else we needed not that Christ should die for us yea if Christ died for us all then this was as effectual for our Redemption and deliverance as if we had all died yea we all died in him and with him O how should this heighten affection to and inflame Love towards Christ How should Ministers bestir themselves to gain Souls to Christ that hath so much obliged them 4. This ability consists much in tender compassions and pitty to perishing Souls Christ awakens the pitty of his Disciples when he bids them to go to the lost Sheep of the House of Israel Matth. 10.6 Jeremiah saith if the Jews would not hear him his Soul should weep in secret places his Eyes should run down with Tears Jer. 13.17 Paul served God with many Tears and ceased not night and day to warn the Ephesians with Tears Acts 20.19 31. He tells the Philippians with with Tears that there were some among them that were Enemies to the Cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 And he wrote a Letter to the Corinthians with many Tears 2 Cor. 2.9 5. This ability consists in great Self-denial 2 Cor. 12.15 I will very gladly spend and be spent for you though the more abundantly I love you the less I be loved I if I am offered on the service and Sacrifice of your Faith I therein rejoyce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If my blood be poured out as a Drink-offering to promote the Service and Sacrifice of your Faith do therein
Rejoyce There is a great deal of difference between Lamps and Stars Lamps must have Oil to feed them else they will go out but faithful Ministers are compared to Stars Rev. 2.1 These will shine though they have no supplies or contributions from below The World is very ungrateful to Christs laborious Servants and afford them but a slender and starving Maintenance yet they do not cease to Preach and shine to the World 6. This ability consists in their being certain and fully assured of the Doctrine they Preach They have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the Living God John 6.68 69. Our Gospel saith Paul came to you in much assurance as ye know what manner of Men we were among you for your sake Paul did evidence by his fervent Preaching and his importunate pleading with them that he was fully assured of the Truth Excellency and Importance of the Gospel 7. The ability of Ministers consists in their boldness and courage to suffer and Patience in sufferings 1 Thes 2.2 Paul saith after we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much contention The Rulers and Elders of the Jews saw the boldness of Peter and John was not this high courage and strong boldness that the Apostles should divide the World and take every own his share of it to manure for God to conquer for Christ to build a House and Temple of God upon 2 Cor. 10.13 4.15 The Apostle speaks of this measure and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the measure of the Rule that God had divided unto us and that he did not stretch himself beyond his measure 2 Cor. 10.14 and that he did not boast of things without or beyond his measure This was strange boldness to divide the World and to seize and take every one his Lot and share to subdue the Nations to God And the Patience of the Apostles was invincible in all their Tribulations they rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name sake Acts 5.41 Paul rejoyced if he was offered on the Service and Sacrifice of the Philippians Faith Phil. 2.17 Bonds and Afflictions did not move Paul neither did he account his life dear unto himself that he might finish his course with Joy and the Ministry that he had received of the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20.24 I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus Acts 21.13 Paul and others did glory in Tribulations 8. Ministers are able when they take care of themselves and of their own Souls Paul saith to the Elders of Ephesus take heed to your selves and to the Flock of God over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers Acts 20.28 Gospel-officers are said not only to have eyes before that is to look to God and behind to look after the Flock committed to them Rev. 4.6 but they are also said to have eyes within Rev. 5.8 to look to themselves and to watch over their own Souls The Apostle Paul was so circumspect and exact that he could call God to Witness as to his private actions and the principles of them and he could call men to Witness as to his publick Actions and Conversation God is witness and ye also how Holily justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe 1 Thes 2.10 9. Ministers should be diligent and laborious Being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted to you not the Gospel of God onely but also our own Souls because ye were dear to us as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children 1 Thes 2.8 I kept back nothing that was profitable to you but have shewed you and have taught you publickly from house to house by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with Tears Acts 20.20.31 2 Tim. 4.2 Luk. 14.23 They should be instant and pressing on Souls in Season and out of Season and compel guests to come into Christ feast They should labour to bring Sacrifices to the Spiritual Temple Isa 66.20 And to present a beautiful Bride to the Son of God 2 Cor. 11.2 1 Col. last 10. A door of Utterance is requisite to make an Able Minister of the New Testament Paul desires the Prayers of the Ephesians that Utterance might be given to him that he might open his Mouth boldly to make known the Mystery of the Gospel Again he begs Prayers of the Colossians that God would open to him a door of Utterance To speak the Mystery of Christ Ministers must not only be large Cisterns to hold a great deal of the Spiritual Waters of the Sanctuary but also be fit Pipes to conveigh the Spiritual Waters unto others Vse of Exhortation If God makes men able Ministers of the New Testament we should lift up our Eyes and Soules to God and earnestly beg him to fulfil his Promise to us that he will give Pastors according to his own heart to feed his Flock with knowledge and understanding Jer. 3.15 Sue to Christ to give Gifts from Heaven such as become a Glorified Saviour to bestow even Officers filled with the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Ghost Seek for such Ministers as Apollos was 1. He was Instructed in the way of the Lord Acts 18.25 He was not Rude Ignorant or Unskilfull in the VVord of Righteousness but was well Taught the way in which God comes to us and the way by which we are to come to God and enjoy Communion with him 2. He was Fervent in Spirit It is this Holy fire that must burn and shed abroad the sweet savour of the Knowledge of God And this is wonderful that Christ's Ministers should overcome and Triumph by spreading abroad the Sweet Savour of the Knowledge of God that they should conquer by a Perfume 3. Apollos Taught diligently the Doctrine of Christ he pleaded for God and wooed for Christ he was not slothful and negligent How earnest is the Sun in running of its Race How swift are the Stars in their daily motions to give Light to the VVorld even so should Ministers be The promoting of the Kingdom of God is much carried on by a skilful able and powerful Ministry that is not only Light but also Fire such as will be not only Shining but Burning Lights 2 Cor. 4.6 God must shine into their hearts to enable them to give forth the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God to others Matth. 3.11 this will make Ministers shining Lights And it is also Requisite and Necessary that Christ should Baptize his Officers with the Holy Ghost and with Fire and this will render them Burning Lights They are the best