how to avoid or to meet them To be exercised in the word is the way to attaine true wisdome which the worldly wise never meet with except he deny his earthly wisdome and become simple as a babe a very fool humble lowly harmelesse not examining things by the weak rule of his crooked reason but suffer himself to be guided by Gods Word although the same seem never so foolish Then will he finde indeed that the word which the men of this World despise as foolish hath more wisdome in it then all the World They shall acknowledge that which in their esteem formerly was but weak and of no power or efficacy to salvation to be more strong and powerfull then all conceited eloquence 3. The third name or title of the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 visitations statutes precepts commissions charges committed unto men carefully to be observed the transgressions whereof God hath threatned to visit and punish This is the reason of the name The effects or excellencies of these statutes are these two They are right And rejoyce the heart being the fifth and sixth excellencies of the word 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from a word signifying right or straight even and plain and therefore pleasing the eye and so the heart things crooked rough and uneven doe displease Gods word is right communicating to us the straightest rule of life It leads us not per Ambages in ways farre about but in the directest line to heaven whosoever keepeth the same cannot choose but enjoy a quiet and therefore a rejoycing heart and joyfull conscience The doctrine taught in the Chuch is plain and perspicuous having noe knotty and obscure quirks in it leading out of the way into precipices But to the contrary humane doctrines are various doubtfull of inextricable labyrinths out of which the wit of man is not able to get Heavenly doctrine especially that of the Gospel freeth the Conscience formerly entangled removeth all doubts scruples perplexities and anxieties of mind contracted by humane learning It doth bring them into the right way to the safe haven of rest which cannot but rejoyce the heart And this is the sixth excellencie or effect of the word of God belonging especially to the Gospel For this only makes the heart joyfull and appeaseth the conscience before God which no humane learning can doe neither the law by reason of our corruption which it rather stirreth then appeaseth And although it be the doctrine of the Cross yet it is joyned w th such comforts which keep up the heart and make it overcome at last all difficulties The fourth name or title of the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precepts commanding or forbidding with authority and power to binde or giving advice by way of perswasion and direction the two excellent effects are purity and light It commandeth that which is good so plainly and forbids that which is bad that it may not be hidden except it be from those who are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded their eies lest the Gospel of Jesus Christ should enlighten their minds 2 Cor. 4.3 4. The seaventh excellency of the word is to be pure having no dregs of corrupt opinions mixed with it nor admitting any wickednes Humane learning is many ways defiled even in these things wherein they seeme most wise men in their lawes should discover most wisdome yet in them also they appear but meer men as is plain in the lawes of the Spartans admitting adultery the Lacedemonians permitted theft and other filthines But the Law of God is pure allowing no wickednes and the Gospel is not only pure but sheweth also and discovereth the fountain wherein we may wash and cleanse our selves The Eighth Excellency of the word is to enlighten the eies The heavenly doctrine revealed in the word drives away all darknesse of the mind ignorance of God doubtfullnes carnall security diffidence and other motions swerving from the Law of God It openeth the eies of our mind to see our filthines to perceive the greatnesse of our sins and miseries and holdeth out a present remedy when in the mean while they without the Church are oppressed with the greatest blindnes neither knowing nor understanding their evils much less seeking to get out 5. The fifth name or title of the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feare reverence piety to God-ward expresseth her selfe a reverentiall feare the Excellencies are purity and perpetuity enduring for ever The fear or reverence that is thereligion and worship prescribed in Gods word is cleane from all filthinesse because God requires to be worshiped in spirit and truth and with pure hands But mans wisdome which is attained by meditation upon the creatures may come to the acknowledgment of a God but who that God is vvhat he is and how he is to be served or worshiped here they are divided Some of those destitute of the word faine a plurality of Gods serving him rather like beasts or divells then men by their humane sacrifices and all manner of abhominable lusts But Gods word is pure allowing no multitude of Gods but one only and prescribing a pure and clean worship spirituall and besitting his nature The tenth excellency of the word is duration The heavenly doctrine is still one and the same in substance by reason of its spirituall purity which admitteth of no variation much lesse corruption and therefore must of necessity abide forever All humane inventions have not only varied but came at last to nothing 6. The sixth and last title of the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Judgments because 1. The word doth contain Gods judiciall sentence concerning our thoughts words and workes Then 2. Secondly according to the word we shall all be judged 3. Thirdly And according to the word we are to judg of our thoughts words and deeds The two excellencyes are truth and righteousnes the word doth declare Gods truth and righteousnes in his providentiall administration of all things The Eleaventh excellency of the word is truth that is that doctrine which is the rule of mans life given him by God hath neither falshood nor vanity in it and therefore according to the same we order our life and conversation other instructions given by man are full of error falshood and deceit so that those that follow that crooked rule must needs be much out of the way The Twelfth and last excellency of the word is righteousnes there is nothing in the word you may find fault with but is absolutely perfect whereas humane lawes ordinances and statutes are unjust and filthy allowing that which is wicked and forbidding oftentimes that which is good But the word of God with it's testimonies doctrines precepts and commandements teaching the fear of God is altogether just and righteous happy therefore is that nation where God hath been pleased to gather a Church for himself is pleased to continue the same this is it Moses presseth to the Israelites Deut.
his feet 3. The third place we give to the permission of the fall and sinne having given him not impotentiam cadendi an impotencie to fall but potentiam non cadendi a power not to fall if he pleased which he abusing brought himselfe and all mankind into death and misery by transgressing the command given him and so becommeth a mean to set forth Gods justice and mercy his justice in punishing this rebellion with eternal fire and his mercy in giving his only begotten sonne that whosoever of the now lost off spring of Adam should believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life as a gift of his infinite mercy Iohn 3 16 17 18. but he that believed not should be condemned because he beleeved not in the name of the only begotten Sonne of God And this is a third way whereby God sets forth the outward glory of his Justice and infinite mercy 4. A fourth way is consisting in the free gift of his word and ministry to acquaint lost man with his forlorne estate and to discover a way how to get out of the same The law is given to discover the first and the Gospel shew's a way how to get out 1. 1. the Law The word of the Law taketh place first which being preached doth first bring man to a sight of sin Rom. 3.20 Chap. 7.7 Rom. 3.20 discovering to man his manifold defects and swervings from the law 2. After this it proposeth Gods curse due to sinne Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 3ly Whence ariseth anxiety Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 fear and that grief the Apostle calleth according to the world 2. Cor. 7.10 4ly By all which acts man is prepared to entertain the grace of the Gospel which is appointed for sinners 2. Cor. 7.10 Mat. 9.13 1 Tim. 1.13 for them who labour and are heavy laden Mat. 11.28 Mat. 9.13 Mat. 11.18 For those who are poore and of a contrite spirit Isa 66.2 Then the Gospel taketh the second place 2 the Gospel which Offereth to the sinners contrite with the sense and feeling of their sinnes and Gods wrath for the same the grace of God in Christ revealing the mystery which was kept secret since the world began Rom. 16.25 chap. 10.16 Rom. 16.25 shewing how by faith they may become partakers of the same cap. 10.16 Then secondly the Gospel begetteth faith as an effectuall and powerfull instrument Rom. 1.16 by the word preached and heard Rom. 1.16 chap. 10.17 cap. 10.17 and thus Thirdly it applyeth grace to the beleever according to Christs promise Joh. 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you Ioh. 5.24 he that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life From this ariseth in our hearts Ioy because being justified by faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 Rom. 5.1 Griefe for discovering by the Gospel so great a mercy of God the Father towards us man cannot but grieve and be ashamed of those sins wherewith he hath offended him This is a far other griefe from that of the world which therefore the Apostle calleth the griefe according to God 2 Cor. 7.10 2 Cor. 7.10 Bringing with it a new man in mind will affections and all his actions from evill to good Psal 34.15 Ps 34.15 And here again the Law becomes subservient to the Gospel For seeing this change is not to be wrought after mans pleasure but according to the will of God expressed in his Law Isa 8.20 Ezc. 20.18.19 Mat. 15.8.9 Col. 2.8.18 Psal 119.105 Ier. 31.33 Rom. 6. Isa 8.20 Ezek. 20.18 19. Mat. 15.8 9. 2 Col. 8.18 Therefore the Law here offers it self again to be a Rule to us in this new life Psal 119.105 Jer. 31.33 Rom. 6. Thus it plainly appeareth that God Almighty doth all for man For man 1. All things were created Psal 8. Even Angels to be his Ministers Heb. 1.14 2. Heb. 1.14 Gods Son devested himself for man came down from Heaven submitted to that shamefull death of the Crosse to redeem him Phil. 2.6 7 8. Phil. 2.6 7 8. 3. For mans sake God hath committed to writing his will in his Law and Gospel That so man might See his deformity by sin Rom. 7.7 and punishment deserved to seek for mercy That man might secondly Get faith to lay hold on Christ to be saved by him from the evill of sin and punishment And lastly to Gather men into a society or Company who should be his peculiar people Tit. 2 13. zealous of good works Which people called out of the World and believing in Christ make up his body spirituall the Church of which he is the head And thus wee see all was done for the Church CHAP. II. The Nature and Members of this mysticall body of the Church THe Church according to these premises is an assembly or Company of men whom God by his Word and Spirit calleth out of the State of sin to the State of grace and glory God calls men ordinarily by men his Ministers who are his Ambassadors beseeching and praying men in Christs steed to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 The Church then is a number of Called and calling doth make up this Assembly we call the Church From this Act of calling the Church hath her name in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Congregation or Company called together in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from calling out namely of some from others Ioh. 15.19 Chap. 17.6 vers 14. I have chosen you out of the World because they were given him out of the World And being thus called out they are no more of the World They are now to be a particular peculiar Assembly or Company distinguished from the former Gen. 12.1 Thus was Abraham called out of Ur of Chaldea Paul out of the Assembly of Pharisees others yea all out of the Company and state of sinners the power of darknesse Col. 1.13 Act. 26.18 Col. 1.13 The power of Satan Act. 26.18 To be of the number of Gods people who are in the state of grace to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 2 Pet. 3.9 To Gods Kingdome 1 Thess 2.12 1 Thes 2.12 We may observe here by the way the high dignity of every one effectually called he is by calling intitled to the Kingdome and glory of God an high or supernaturall calling Phil. 3.14 Phil. 3.14 An heavenly calling Heb. 3.1 Heb. 3.1 Compare Chap. 12.22 Chap. 12.22 23. 23. The Church then properly is the Assembly of the Lord or the Lords Assembly This Assembly hath Christ loved and given himself for her Eph. 5.25 Eph. 5.25 He hath purchased the same with his own bloud Act. 20.28 Act. 20.28 Her he purifieth and bestoweth eternall life upon Eph. 5.23 Eph. 5.23 The matter therefore of the Church is an
Assembly of men elected and called 1 Pet. 1.1 2. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Thess 1.1 2 3. Rom. 8.28 If the Church be 1. An Assembly one alone cannot be a Church as Elias conceived 1 King 19.10 For one is not a people flock a multitude of believers 1 King 19.10 a holy nation City of God the Congregation of the just as the Church is said to be 1 Pet. 2.9 Chap. 5.2 3. Eph. 2.19 Act. 4.32 2. The Church again is an Assembly of men not of Angels who neither are men nor chosen or called as men 3. Thirdly the Church is a Company or Assembly of the elect or chosen 1 Pet. 1.2 Rom. 8.28 29 30. 4. Fourthly It is an Assembly of men elected and called therefore it is not sufficient to be elected calling is required also Election appoints them but calling makes them actuall members declares them Thus Paul by destination was a member of the Church in his Pharisaisme even then when he persecuted the Church But by calling he became an actuall member Gal. 1.15 To the contrary whereas excommunicated persons and such as are newly come into the Churches pale to be instructed but are not as yet baptized may be elected called as may appear by the example of those who were excommunicated by the Jewish Church Iohn 9.22 Of the Thief on the Crosse Luke 23.43 And Cornelius Act. 10.2 34. These therefore may be also members of the Church and are indeed as many as have true faith Children also and mad men belong to the Church Outward by Condition of their birth which causeth them to be called holy or Saints being born of faithfull parents either one or both 1 Cor. 7.14 Secondly they belong to the Church inward or invisible by the gift of inward calling Rom. 11.29 By which known to the Lord are those who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 2 Tim. 2.19 Those who are deaf may not onely be partakers of the inward but also outward calling not by hearing indeed but by sight as often as Christ Crucisied is set forth to the faithfull in the Gospel and Sacraments Gal. 3.1 CHAP. III. What it is that makes the Church with her true markes THat which gives being to this holy Assembly the Church is that the same is called by the word and spirit of God out of the State of sin into the state of grace All and every member of the Church are such by calling Thus Abraham is called out of Vr of the Caldeans Paul out of Pharisaisme all that are Members of the Church by being called out of the state of sin into the state of grace Outwardly by the word whereby also are called evē these that are not elected Mat. 20.16 and 22.14 Inwardly by the holy Spirit according to Gods purpose Rom. 8.28 and of election Chap. 9.11 belonging onely to the elect Rom. 11.29 2 Pet. 1.10 Hence is the Church called and said to be 1. Visible according to outward calling by the word being sensible or subject to sense And 2. Invisible in respect of the inward calling by the Spirit not being sensible or subject to sense onely known to him who calleth 2 Tim. 2.19 The Lord knoweth who are his and is also discerned by those who are called Rev. 2.17 For none knoweth that new name in the white stone saving him that hath received it Christ therefore saith the Kingdome of God commeth not with outward observation or shew but is within Luk. 17.20 21. that is in secret Psalm 45.13 The Kings Daughter is all glorious within and so we confesse in our Creed to beleeve the Church and faith is of things not seen Heb. 11.1 Yet the Church is visibly known by a marke purely divine the word which marketh out the Church two ways infallibly and sensibly 1. Infallibly because the Church is a body or company of those who embrace the word of God and every company or body embracing the word of God is the Church according to Christs word Joh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods word and vers 31. If you continue in my word then are you my Disciples indeed Chap. 10.27 My sheep hear my voyce and v. 5. they know not the voyce of strangers 2. Secondly the visible Church is known sensibly by the word which may be seen read and heard The preaching of the word and profession of the same as also the use of the Sacraments are secondary markes together with order discipline flowing from the former which is purely divine But these are of a mixt nature partly divine and partly humane in respect of mans help in the administration of the same whence they are more or lesse pure and incorrupt according to the dispensers of the same CHAP. IV. Of the Prerogatives of the Church HAving shewed the nature of the Church in the next place let us view the priviledges and dignities of the same for God hath graced this Assembly we call the Church with special prerogatives above all assembly's in this vniverse all must be subservient to her Kings must be nursing Fathers and Queens nursing mothers Isa 43.23 These dignities may be considered either in 1. Generall Isa 54.1 we read of the enlargment and advancement thereof under the name of a tent wherein anciently they dwelt the stretching out the Curtains the lengthning of the cords the breaking forth on the right hand and on the left inheriting the Gentiles and making the desolate Cities to be inhabited what meaneth it but the enlargement of the Church Christian consisting joyntly of Jew and Gentile There was a time when it did belong to the Jews and to those that did joyn with them but now Christ hath broken down the partition wall and hath laid all the world common Eph. 2 13. now he hath enlarged the Church and spread it all the world over This is that Peter speakes of Act. 10.34 Of a truth I perceive that God is no accepter of persons but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousnes is accepted of him see Mat. 8.11 The particular dignities and priviledges of the Church are these 1. First the Church is Christs body namely mysticall whose head and very soule is Christ quickning the same with his spirit Eph. 1.22 23. Hence whatsoever is done to any of the Church he taketh it to himself Act. 9.4 Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Membris adhuc positis in terris caput clamat in coelis non dicebat quid persequeris fideles meos August Serm. 11. de anct Whilest his members were as yet on earth the head cries out in heaven and he saith not why persecutest thou my faithful ones but why persecutest thou me 2 Secondly the Church is Christs Love Ps 45.20 Eph. 5.31 Spouse Sister and Queen Daughter of a King yea his Wife This is a neere relation and partaking A man shall be joyned to his Wife saith the Apostle and they two shall be one flesh This is an ineffable mystery the
The Mill-stones are named but for an instance forbidding all others of like sort as pots which they boyl Meat in c. 4. Fourthly we are cruel to the poor if we withdraw our Corn from them Prov. 11.26 Hee that withdraweth Corn the people will curse him he who withholdeth Corn holdeth as it were the gracious hand of God yea puts it back by his covetousnesse when God in bounty hath stretched it forth to a Land and therefore by diminishing plenty to the people they most justly pull down upon themselves the curse of the people But he that selleth Corn lengthneth as it were the reach of Gods arme and enlargeth his bounty sent unto a Country Wherefore the prayers of the people shall fetch down a blessing upon his head from heaven Now what is said of the Countryman concerning his Corn let the Citizen also mark concerning his wares Non vincat honestatem utilitas sed honestas utilitatem Let not profit overcome honesty but let honesty overcome profit Seaventhly and lastly 7ly cruelty may be used and exercised by those that are in any place of authority even a petty Constable and Tything man especially if he conceive himself in favour with some he or she great one then where the sheeps-skin will not serve the Foxes must supply and if that be discovered then is he as a roaring Lyon and a raging Bear Prov. 28.15 The right which he pleadeth is nothing but his Office the mercy which he sheweth is onely where he cannot exercise more cruelty the help which he affordeth is to expect worse usage The mischief of wickednesse is great where it is joyned with power 3. 3ly The third provoking sin is Cruelty exercised against his immediate servants his Saints and Ministers onely under that notion If God be provoked with these and the like cruelties against beasts and ordinary men how greatly is he incensed against that cruelty which is exercised against his immediate servants his saints the righteous and upright in the Land who walk uprightly with God and Man not turning to the right hand nor to the left who shew their holynesse by their upright and just dealing not in mimicall gestures and words Yet there are some worse then infidels even next to Devils who hate all those in whom they see the least goodnesse even for their vertues and graces such they most dislike reproach traduce shun and avoid keeping company with any other though never so vile but stand in direct opposition to the Godly The Heathens after Christs time did cry out against his followers Christians were the causes of all publike plagues and calamities If Nilus did not overflow the field if the Heavens staid the Earth quaked if famine encreased by and by the poor Christians are cast to the Lyons But his Ministers they are the thornes in the sides of many now a dayes they are accounted the scum and off-scouring of the World their Message and Persons alike spitefully rejected by men of an Anabaptisticall spirit who having never found or felt their spirituall misery dream nothing but perfection and conceive themselves not to stand in need of them Carry he himself never so peaceably meekly even to the loosing of the halfe of his livelihood having no dealing with any in the matters of the World I speak by experience Yet he is a man of strife a man of contention whom every one curseth Jer. 15.10 If we threaten we are cruel Law preachers if wee promise we slatter if mild we are fearfull and so despised and trampled on by every unworthy Asse If bold we rail prove we by arguments undeniable we wrest Scriptures and are Sophisters Our assability is lightnesse our austerity madnesse Nothing can please them who resolve not to be pleased Harvest is done the reapers must be discharged and as for the time to come we will have such as will be contented with handfulls of barly peeces of bread Ezek. 13.19 This some hope for who I hope will misse their hope But no marvell the quality and matter of their doctrine is so opposite to mans corrupt nature that there upō it is exasperated to enmity against it self and the publishers thereof There goeth besides with their Ministery a kind of gall and wormewood to men unreformed The two edged sword in their mouth searcheth to the discovery of the most hidden and best beloved corruptions Hence Elias by his doctrine troubles Israel 1 King 18.17 Paul is accused by Tertullus to be a pestilent fellow and mover of sedition Christ himself the great Doctor of the world is accounted a Sorcerer Samaritane drunkard glutton deceiver divel an Enemy to Caesar and a troubler of the publike peace It must needs be very good which Satan and his instruments hate and persecute so much 4. The fourth grand sin provoking God to wrath is the Contempt of his Word God hath made this Covenant with any Nation who will acknowledge him for their God that if they will hear his voice indeed and keep his covenant then they shall be his chief treasure above all people a Kingdome of Priests and a holy Nation But how did his people of old keep his and their Covenant They took no heed at all to this Covenant Law or word of the Lord but accounted it as a matter of no consequence Every one followed that way he liked best Somtimes they heard it more for a Custom then any purpose to amend things amiss Wherefore the Lord grieved that ever he gave them his word Certainly in vain made he it his Law the pen of the Scribes is in vaine as if be should say the Law is enacted in vaine and by appointment of God put in writing by Scribes thereunto assigned for the use of his people in regard of any use they made of it or benefit that thence redounded to them by it because it was by them no whit regarded Jer. 8.8 And by his Prophet Isa 65.2 I have stretched out my hand all the day unto a rebellious people which walked still in a way that was not good God did labour from time to time to reclaime them and to reduce them to the regard of his word and covenant he had made with them but in vaine they followed not the motions and directions of the word and spirit but their own mind and lust Therefore now he was fullie resolved to reject them as not his children but the seed of the Adulterer and of the Whore Isa 57. that is not begotten by his word and spirit but such as forsooke God their rather had Satan for their father Thus they of old and are we better Is not the vvord disesteemed by most as nor worth the hearing but only that the Law and custome is so Doe not men in the generall proclaim it openly in their practices that they will not be controuled but doe as they see best Are not men in wordly matters witty and of great apprehension and judgment yet as blind
giving the brad and his Executioner gave the Cup but remembring one in Prison in the midst of this action hee goeth out and beheads him with his own hand Being returned he ordaines eight and twenty Apostles to Preach the Gospel through the World Who comming abroad were apprehended and executed as Rebells for sowing discord After a long siege famine dayly increasing one of his Queanes discovering her Husbands deceit lost her head After he Prophesied concerning the Cities deliverance but in vain the City betrayed by two was taken Rothoman perished in the tumult King Iohn Cnipperdolling were apprehended and torn in pieces with fiery tongs their carcases were put into Iron Cages and so hanged from the Top of an high Tower for a warning to us and succeeding Ages The Prayer BLessed Lord God who hast made all for the glory and honour of thy most holy name and the good of thy Church which is thy spouse and dear one under her feet thou hast put all in an especiall manner but that which surpasseth all is the Committing to her the oracles of thy word a favour not afforded to every no not to any Nation in that clearnesse as unto us By this wee cannot but take notice of thy love to us in bringing us into thy Church and adding us to them that shall bee saved Lord suffer us not to flatter our selves by reason of the outward luster of thy favours into security cause us to remember thy processe with Shilo Ierusalem and those famous Churches of Asia Teach us thankfullnesse whom thou hast reserved for these times of so clear revelation Oh give us grace to consider the rocke out of which we were hewen our forefathers the Gentiles from whose loynes we all descended O let it be a shame to us in the dayes of so clear light and revelation to be found in the wayes of darknesse as Gentiles in the vanity of our mind having our cogitations darkned Give us grace to make this our chiefest care to please thee with a double diligence in the duties of our calling Generall and particular and so redeem our former time mispent Grant wee may acknowledge thy speciall favours thou hast afforded unto us before others in bringing us into thy Church and unity of faith O leave us not to levity or instability of Judgement in matters of faith let us not be hurried about weathercock-like with every blast of vain doctrine establish our hearts that we may hold fast the confession of faith without any so much as wavering and grow in grace and while means continue in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ Good Lord open the eyes of those that are seduced that they may see give them hearts to bewail and forsake schisme heresy and infidelity that so they may come out of the snare of the divell and fly from the wrath to come Blesse our Governours supreame and subordinate Be thou a Protector to him and us all Grant they may use their power for the incouragement of those that do well and the terrour of evill doers that we under them may lead a peaceable and quiet life in all Godlinesse honesty And because that all who labour for the settlement of Christ's Church meet with opposition Satan and his Instruments are tormented by them Lord be thou pleased to enable and strengthen them make them men of another Spirit Give them humble Spirits that thou mayest delight in them and they that are now met in that Counsel of the Nations may not seek their own glory but be content to stoop for any service of thy Church and people and think no office too mean Give them loving hearts full of invention how to glorify our God further the good of his servants in spight of flesh and bloud that they may evidence to all the World by the fruitfullnesse in their places that they are good Christians living for others and not onely for themselves Let thy Thummim and Vrim be upon thy holy ones Open O Lord a door of Utterance to every faithfull Minister giving him inward faculty and fitnesse all those gifts which may fit him for thy Ministry give him a mouth and wisdome which all his adversaries which are encreased shall not be able to gainsay or withstand none is fit of himself all sufficiency is of thee who dost make able Ministers Open a door to thy word to passe remove all lets and obstacles of Satan the World and the flesh Give thy Gospel a free course Open the heart of every hearer that thy word may enter give him the Spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of the same enlighten the eyes of their understanding that they may know the hope of their calling and the riches of that glorious inheritance of the Saints Perfect the good work thou hast begun in us to the day of the Lord Jesus and confirme us blamless to the end So be it FINIS