effectual_a work_n in_o every_o part_n make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n unto_o the_o edify_n of_o itself_o in_o love_n eph._n four_o 15._o therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n he_o most_o earnest_o exhort_v the_o corinthian_n to_o unity_n and_o warn_v they_o to_o beware_v of_o division_n c._n 1._o v._n 10._o now_o i_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n by_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o you_o all_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o division_n among_o you_o but_o that_o you_o be_v perfect_o join_v together_o in_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o same_o judgement_n and_o that_o this_o earnest_a exhortation_n may_v appear_v the_o more_o reasonable_a he_o proceed_v to_o demonstrate_v unto_o they_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o that_o which_o at_o least_o be_v one_o and_o it_o may_v be_v a_o principal_a cause_n of_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o they_o which_o in_o st._n jude_n phrase_n v_o 16._o be_v their_o have_a man_n person_n in_o admiration_n because_o of_o advantage_n and_o in_o st._n paul_n ch_n 4._o v._n 6._o their_o being_n puff_v up_o for_o one_o against_o another_o one_o will_v be_v of_o paul_n another_o of_o apollo_n a_o three_o of_o cephas_n and_o a_o four_o be_v too_o wise_a or_o too_o good_a in_o his_o own_o conceit_n to_o be_v teach_v of_o man_n and_o will_v therefore_o confine_v christ_n to_o his_o own_o party_n that_o he_o may_v be_v teach_v of_o god_n only_o st._n paul_n with_o all_o plainness_n inform_v their_o understanding_n in_o the_o truth_n that_o faith_n may_v take_v good_a root_n and_o for_o this_o it_o may_v be_v his_o speech_n seem_v contemptible_a 2_o cor._n 10.20_o what_o might_n some_o say_v can_v this_o dry_a preach_n signify_v give_v we_o a_o awaken_n preacher_n apollo_n with_o a_o flood_n of_o eloquence_n water_v what_o st._n paul_n have_v plant_v and_o what_o be_v all_o this_o may_z other_o say_v but_o a_o vainglorious_a ostentation_n of_o art_n let_v we_o have_v plain_a reason_n or_o scripture_n without_o all_o this_o flourish_a of_o word_n o_o how_o hard_o a_o task_n have_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n in_o a_o corinth_n in_o a_o populous_a and_o wealthy_a town_n where_o much_o people_n be_v there_o be_v always_o much_o variety_n of_o temper_n and_o humour_n and_o where_o be_v much_o ease_n and_o leisure_n and_o plenty_n of_o all_o thing_n there_o will_v be_v also_o much_o pride_n and_o wantonness_n and_o curiosity_n and_o what_o paul_n or_o apollo_n be_v sufficient_a to_o deal_v with_o all_o these_o every_o one_o humour_n or_o fancy_n be_v his_o idol_n and_o if_o god_n himself_o will_v not_o minister_v to_o it_o he_o be_v offend_v every_o one_o will_v limit_v god_n in_o his_o own_o work_n to_o such_o instrument_n as_o he_o find_v himself_o most_o affect_v with_o not_o consider_v what_o he_o be_v here_o tell_v that_o though_o paul_n himself_o plant_v and_o apollo_n water_n yet_o neither_o be_v he_o that_o plant_v any_o thing_n neither_o he_o that_o water_v but_o god_n that_o give_v the_o increase_n well_o then_o if_o we_o believe_v st._n paul_n the_o whole_a virtue_n and_o efficacy_n of_o man_n ministry_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o conversion_n and_o salvation_n of_o sinner_n be_v from_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n neither_o paul_n plant_n nor_o apollos_n water_v nor_o all_o the_o unwearied_a endeavour_n of_o the_o most_o accomplish_a preacher_n can_v make_v we_o good_a christian_n and_o bring_v we_o to_o heaven_n without_o the_o special_a grace_n of_o god_n this_o be_v it_o that_o i_o will_v at_o present_a earnest_o commend_v to_o your_o most_o serious_a thought_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o very_a plain_a truth_n and_o stand_v not_o in_o need_n of_o a_o elaborate_a proof_n but_o the_o as_o plain_a and_o necessary_a consequent_n of_o it_o be_v not_o i_o fear_v sufficient_o ponder_v by_o we_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v think_v it_o not_o unseasonable_a at_o this_o time_n to_o mind_v you_o of_o they_o i_o intend_v therefore_o by_o god_n help_n i._o for_o the_o prevent_n of_o all_o mistake_v brief_o to_o illustrate_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o these_o word_n ii_o for_o the_o help_n of_o such_o as_o may_v need_v it_o to_o point_v at_o some_o of_o the_o use_v we_o shall_v make_v of_o it_o i._o for_o the_o prevent_n of_o all_o mistake_v i_o shall_v brief_o illustrate_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o these_o word_n and_o this_o i_o hope_v may_v be_v sufficient_o do_v in_o the_o show_v you_o these_o four_o thing_n viz._n 1._o what_o every_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o do_v 2._o what_o one_o minister_n may_v be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o another_o 3._o that_o all_o which_o the_o best_a can_v do_v be_v in_o itself_o of_o no_o efficacy_n 4._o that_o the_o efficacy_n of_o all_o be_v of_o god_n only_o but_o before_o i_o enter_v upon_o this_o it_o will_v be_v fit_a to_o tell_v you_o what_o i_o suppose_v and_o take_v for_o grant_v of_o the_o person_n here_o speak_v of_o which_o be_v this_o 1._o that_o they_o have_v a_o sufficient_a call_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o sacred_a ministry_n and_o authority_n to_o exercise_v the_o same_o and_o be_v no_o bold_a intruder_n who_o run_v before_o they_o be_v send_v 2._o that_o they_o be_v furnish_v with_o a_o competent_a stock_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n and_o understand_v the_o thing_n they_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o minister_v unto_o other_o and_o be_v not_o blind_a leader_n of_o the_o blind_a 3._o last_o that_o they_o have_v at_o least_o such_o a_o faculty_n of_o expression_n and_o elocution_n as_o that_o they_o may_v be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o they_o be_v to_o instruct_v and_o that_o they_o and_o their_o hearer_n be_v not_o barbarian_n to_o each_o other_o these_o thing_n suppose_v because_o i_o know_v not_o how_o he_o shall_v be_v account_v a_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o want_v they_o i_o be_o now_o to_o show_v 1._o what_o every_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o do_v and_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v qualify_v as_o abovesaid_a may_v both_o plant_v and_o water_n and_o do_v the_o whole_a work_n of_o god_n so_o far_o as_o he_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o instruct_v man_n with_o it_o and_o to_o work_v himself_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o man._n all_o minister_n of_o christ_n may_v and_o ought_v catechise_v and_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a and_o exhort_v the_o know_n strengthen_v the_o weak_a and_o establish_v the_o waver_a comfort_v the_o afflict_a encourage_v the_o timorous_a and_o lift_v up_o the_o deject_a awake_v the_o sleepy_a spur_v on_o the_o lazy_a and_o warn_v the_o confident_a rebuke_v the_o wicked_a correct_v the_o erroneous_a and_o direct_v the_o doubtful_a terrify_v the_o presumptuous_a and_o reprove_v the_o scorner_n they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o god_n and_o to_o give_v to_o every_o one_o his_o portion_n in_o due_a season_n give_v milk_n to_o babe_n and_o strong_a meat_n to_o they_o who_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v it_o they_o may_v preach_v the_o word_n plain_o and_o constant_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n due_o and_o reverent_o pray_v for_o all_o man_n both_o public_o and_o private_o fervent_o and_o devout_o in_o short_a they_o may_v exercise_v the_o whole_a ministry_n of_o reconciliation_n which_o christ_n have_v commit_v unto_o they_o behave_v themselves_o as_o example_n to_o the_o flock_n whereof_o they_o be_v make_v overseer_n show_v themselves_o pattern_n of_o good_a work_n and_o make_v other_o see_v in_o their_o holy_a conversation_n the_o narrow_a way_n to_o heaven_n these_o thing_n i_o say_v all_o who_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v call_v minister_n of_o the_o holy_a gospel_n of_o christ_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o do_v and_o these_o be_v indeed_o great_a thing_n and_o they_o who_o do_v they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v set_v at_o nought_o and_o despise_v but_o to_o be_v esteem_v very_o high_o in_o love_n for_o their_o work_n be_v sake_n and_o so_o no_o doubt_n of_o it_o they_o will_v be_v if_o as_o it_o there_o follow_v 1_o thess._n 5.13_o we_o can_v once_o again_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o be_v at_o peace_n among_o ourselves_o they_o be_v god_n minister_n by_o who_o man_n may_v believe_v v_o 5._o his_o servant_n send_v forth_o to_o invite_v we_o to_o heaven_n and_o eternal_a blessedness_n his_o attorney_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v to_o seal_v unto_o we_o in_o his_o name_n the_o mercy_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n they_o can_v tell_v we_o word_n whereby_o we_o and_o our_o house_n may_v be_v save_v act._n 11.14_o by_o take_v heed_n unto_o themselves_o and_o to_o their_o doctrine_n they_o may_v both_o save_v themselves_o and_o they_o that_o hear_v they_o 1_o tim._n 4.16_o they_o be_v labourer_n
work_n of_o man_n our_o neck_n be_v too_o stiff_a to_o bend_v our_o will_n too_o sturdy_a to_o yield_v vicious_a habit_n and_o custom_n too_o deep_o root_v to_o be_v pluck_v up_o fashionable_a sin_n too_o impudent_a to_o be_v put_v out_o of_o countenance_n our_o lust_n too_o rebellious_a and_o imperious_a to_o be_v subdue_v and_o tame_v by_o man_n reason_v and_o persuasion_n the_o strong_a man_n arm_v that_o have_v get_v the_o possession_n will_v be_v too_o strong_a for_o all_o man_n and_o will_v keep_v the_o possession_n he_o have_v get_v in_o spite_n of_o all_o that_o can_v be_v do_v till_o the_o man_n who_o be_v god_n too_o come_v upon_o he_o and_o disarm_v he_o the_o strong_a bold_v of_o satan_n within_o we_o will_v not_o be_v cast_v down_o by_o the_o little_a battery_n of_o man_n tongue_n and_o though_o we_o that_o be_v minister_n must_v never_o hold_v our_o peace_n but_o lift_v up_o our_o voice_n like_o trumpet_n though_o we_o must_v not_o cease_v to_o cry_v aloud_o though_o we_o spare_v not_o but_o shout_n till_o these_o earthen_a vessel_n of_o we_o crack_n and_o fall_v in_o piece_n the_o wall_n of_o this_o curse_a jericho_n will_v not_o be_v so_o blow_v down_o none_o but_o he_o who_o voice_n shake_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n can_v rend_v the_o stony_a heart_n of_o sinner_n which_o be_v the_o last_o thing_n to_o be_v now_o show_v viz._n 4._o that_o the_o efficacy_n of_o all_o be_v of_o god_n only_o whoever_o plant_v or_o water_v god_n give_v the_o increase_n all_o be_v as_o good_a as_o nothing_o and_o labour_n in_o vain_a without_o he_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n in_o the_o build_n of_o his_o church_n and_o to_o make_v they_o worker_n together_o with_o and_o under_o himself_o and_o their_o great_a business_n it_o be_v to_o beseech_v we_o not_o to_o receive_v this_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o vain_a 2_o cor._n vi_o 1._o he_o have_v put_v his_o word_n into_o their_o mouth_n and_o his_o seed_n into_o their_o hand_n they_o be_v make_v his_o seeds-man_n and_o go_v forth_o to_o sow_v by_o his_o command_n but_o still_o the_o seed_n itself_o and_o all_o the_o prolific_a virtue_n of_o it_o the_o skill_n and_o activity_n of_o the_o sower_n the_o goodness_n of_o the_o ground_n the_o warmth_n and_o the_o rain_n the_o growth_n and_o harvest_n be_v all_o of_o he_o who_o must_v soften_v the_o highway's-side_n who_o must_v add_v depth_n of_o earth_n to_o the_o stony_a ground_n who_o must_v root_v up_o the_o thorn_n and_o the_o briar_n who_o must_v fright_v away_o the_o devour_a bird_n it_o be_v god_n alone_o the_o father_n of_o spirit_n that_o can_v create_v a_o right_a spirit_n within_o we_o restrain_v our_o thought_n from_o wander_v abroad_o and_o the_o devil_n temptation_n from_o enter_v in_o and_o prevail_a it_o be_v he_o only_o that_o can_v empty_v our_o heart_n of_o care_n and_o the_o love_n of_o riches_n and_o the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n which_o choke_v the_o good_a seed_n he_o it_o be_v that_o can_v make_v the_o heart_n good_a and_o honest_a and_o prepare_v and_o enable_v it_o with_o due_a attention_n and_o affection_n to_o receive_v and_o with_o serious_a meditation_n to_o cherish_v the_o seed_n sow_v and_o with_o constancy_n of_o resolution_n to_o bring_v any_o fruit_n to_o perfection_n though_o minister_n be_v send_v to_o invite_v we_o to_o christ_n yet_o have_v christ_n himself_o tell_v we_o joh._n vi_fw-la 44._o saying_n mo_z man_n can_v come_v to_o i_o except_o the_o either_o draw_v he_o it_o be_v god_n as_o st._n paul_n say_v 2_o cor._n two_o 14._o that_o make_v manifest_v the_o savour_n of_o his_o knowledge_n in_o every_o place_n he_o that_o by_o the_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v save_v they_o that_o believe_v 1_o cor._n 1.21_o he_o open_v lydia_n heart_n to_o attend_v to_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o paul_n act_v xuj_o 14._o st._n paul_n say_v he_o labour_v more_o abundant_o than_o they_o all_o yet_o he_o add_v not_o i_o but_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o be_v with_o i_o 1_o cor._n xv_o 10._o indeed_o our_o bless_a saviour_n have_v send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n to_o a_o very_a unhopeful_a work_n send_v the_o lamb_n to_o convert_v the_o wolf_n a_o few_o poor_a contemptible_a man_n to_o make_v disciple_n all_o nation_n have_v he_o not_o promise_v himself_o to_o be_v with_o they_o matth._n xxviii_o and_o the_o great_a encouragement_n that_o st._n paul_n have_v to_o abide_v preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o such_o a_o town_n as_o corinth_n lay_v in_o those_o word_n of_o christ_n act._n xviii_o 8._o i_o be_o with_o thou_o and_o i_o have_v much_o people_n in_o this_o city_n and_o therefore_o fear_v not_o he_o have_v prepare_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n as_o the_o book_n to_o be_v write_v in_o and_o then_o he_o make_v use_v of_o st._n paul_n tongue_n as_o the_o pen_n of_o a_o ready_a writer_n and_o this_o writer_n be_v god_n himself_o i_o say_v he_o heb._n viij_o 10._o will_v put_v my_o law_n in_o their_o mind_n and_o write_v they_o in_o their_o heart_n therefore_o say_v the_o apostle_n to_o these_o corinthian_n 2_o cor._n three_o 3._o you_o be_v manifest_o declare_v to_o be_v the_o epistle_n of_o christ_n minister_v by_o we_o write_v not_o with_o ink_n but_o with_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o live_a god_n who_o shine_v in_o our_o heart_n to_o give_v the_o light_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o face_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 2_o cor._n four_o 6._o indeed_o to_o give_v light_n to_o our_o dark_a mind_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n from_o blind_a they_o be_v the_o work_n of_o he_o alone_o who_o at_o first_o bring_v light_n out_o of_o darkness_n he_o alone_o can_v make_v we_o new_a creature_n that_o be_v christian_n who_o breathe_v into_o our_o dust_n the_o breath_n of_o life_n and_o make_v we_o men._n with_o what_o treasure_n then_o soever_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o instruct_v any_o of_o we_o that_o we_o may_v dispense_v they_o unto_o you_o yet_o still_o both_o you_o and_o we_o must_v know_v that_o we_o have_v this_o treasure_n in_o earthen_a vessel_n that_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n may_v be_v of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o we_o 2_o cor._n four_o 7._o i_o have_v hold_v you_o i_o fear_v too_o long_o in_o the_o illustration_n of_o so_o plain_a a_o truth_n trinitatem_fw-la i_o shall_v therefore_o conclude_v this_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n with_o those_o word_n of_o st._n augustine_n upon_o st._n john_n gospel_n god_n give_v the_o increase_n not_o by_o they_o but_o by_o himself_o this_o be_v a_o work_n which_o be_v above_o not_o only_o the_o meanness_n of_o man_n but_o the_o height_n of_o angel_n nor_o do_v it_o at_o all_o belong_v to_o any_o other_o but_o to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o husbandman_n that_o be_v the_o ever_o bless_a trinity_n the_o doctrine_n thus_o clear_v ii_o for_o the_o help_n of_o such_o as_o may_v need_v it_o i_o will_v point_v at_o some_o of_o the_o use_v we_o shall_v make_v of_o it_o and_o true_o methinks_v they_o lie_v very_o obvious_a both_o to_o preacher_n and_o hearer_n we_o be_v this_o day_n by_o the_o good_a providence_n of_o god_n enter_v upon_o a_o there_o exercise_n wherein_o our_o whole_a design_n and_o business_n be_v to_o minister_v as_o god_n shall_v enable_v we_o to_o the_o good_a of_o your_o soul_n far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o to_o beguile_v you_o with_o entice_a word_n with_o fair_a speech_n to_o deceive_v the_o simple_a or_o with_o feign_a word_n to_o make_v merchandise_n of_o you_o expect_v not_o to_o have_v your_o head_n fill_v with_o airy_a notion_n or_o your_o curiosity_n feed_v with_o fine_a speculation_n and_o fear_v as_o little_a to_o have_v your_o mind_n perplex_v with_o doubtful_a disputation_n least_o of_o all_o let_v any_o jealousy_n possess_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v be_v entertain_v with_o splenetic_a and_o virulent_a invective_n against_o man_n and_o party_n these_o thing_n become_v not_o we_o nor_o will_v they_o profit_v you_o we_o seek_v not_o you_o for_o ourselves_o but_o you_o for_o god_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o i_o may_v say_v it_o in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o my_o brethren_n who_o be_v engage_v on_o this_o service_n of_o your_o faith_n that_o we_o preach_v not_o ourselves_o but_o christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n and_o ourselves_o your_o servant_n for_o jesus_n sake_n that_o we_o have_v no_o ambition_n to_o exercise_v a_o dominion_n over_o any_o man_n faith_n but_o earnest_o desire_v may_n god_n of_o his_o goodness_n make_v we_o so_o happy_a to_o be_v helper_n of_o your_o joy_n it_o be_v god_n honour_n and_o your_o happiness_n and_o both_o these_o in_o the_o revive_n of_o
a_o sincere_a and_o unaffected_a christian_a piety_n now_o languish_v even_o to_o death_n among_o we_o that_o we_o sole_o aim_v at_o but_o alas_o what_o be_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v attempt_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o we_o be_v nothing_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o of_o ourselves_o towards_o so_o weighty_a a_o work_n all_o our_o sufficiency_n must_v be_v of_o god_n the_o sense_n of_o this_o direct_v i_o to_o the_o choice_n of_o this_o subject_a as_o most_o proper_a to_o humble_v we_o and_o instruct_v you_o to_o humble_v we_o i_o say_v in_o consideration_n of_o our_o utter_a insufficiency_n for_o the_o important_a work_n which_o lie_v upon_o we_o and_o to_o instruct_v you_o how_o notwithstanding_o all_o our_o weakness_n you_o may_v be_v sure_a to_o reap_v some_o profit_n by_o the_o weak_a of_o we_o all_o and_o true_o i_o the_o rather_o hope_v for_o god_n blessing_n upon_o our_o endeavour_n when_o i_o consider_v with_o what_o unanimity_n and_o cheerfulness_n of_o mind_n my_o reverend_a brethren_n have_v consent_v to_o this_o service_n it_o will_v now_o much_o confirm_v this_o hope_n if_o you_o shall_v be_v please_v worshipful_a and_o belove_a not_o only_o to_o countenance_v we_o with_o your_o presence_n and_o attention_n but_o to_o assist_v we_o with_o your_o devout_a prayer_n 1._o and_o therefore_o next_o to_o the_o humble_v of_o ourselves_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n as_o nothing_o without_o he_o unable_a to_o serve_v either_o he_o or_o you_o without_o his_o special_a assistance_n and_o because_o of_o our_o manifold_a sin_n most_o unworthy_a of_o that_o also_o the_o first_o use_v which_o i_o very_o hearty_o desire_v you_o to_o make_v of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v to_o help_v we_o with_o your_o daily_a fervent_a prayer_n at_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n for_o the_o pardon_v of_o our_o sin_n and_o the_o sanctify_a of_o our_o soul_n and_o the_o supply_n of_o all_o our_o defect_n that_o in_o simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n not_o with_o fleshly_a wisdom_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n we_o may_v have_v our_o conversation_n in_o the_o world_n and_o more_o abundant_o to_o youward_n at_o this_o time_n not_o handle_v the_o word_n of_o god_n deceitful_o but_o by_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n commend_v ourselves_o to_o every_o man_n conscience_n in_o the_o fight_n of_o god_n that_o god_n will_v open_v unto_o we_o a_o door_n of_o utterance_n that_o we_o may_v open_v our_o mouth_n bold_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n may_v have_v its_o free_a course_n and_o be_v glorify_v with_o you_o therefore_o man_n profit_v so_o little_a by_o the_o ministry_n because_o they_o so_o seldom_o or_o so_o cold_o address_v themselves_o in_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o his_o blessing_n upon_o it_o whilst_o we_o bestow_v so_o much_o more_o time_n in_o hear_v than_o we_o do_v in_o pray_v as_o be_v the_o far_o easy_a task_n of_o the_o two_o it_o may_v be_v fear_v we_o expect_v more_o from_o man_n than_o we_o do_v from_o god_n and_o though_o we_o may_v carry_v the_o sermon_n home_o we_o leave_v god_n blessing_n behind_o we_o therefore_o 2._o because_o we_o be_v nothing_o and_o all_o the_o increase_n be_v of_o god_n let_v we_o take_v heed_n how_o we_o depend_v so_o much_o on_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n who_o be_v nothing_o as_o to_o attend_v too_o little_a in_o their_o ministry_n upon_o god_n who_o do_v all_o whilst_o you_o be_v please_v to_o afford_v we_o your_o ear_n be_v sure_a that_o you_o give_v god_n your_o heart_n neither_o regard_v you_o what_o we_o say_v any_o far_a than_o we_o speak_v as_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n imitate_v the_o thessalonian_n in_o this_o who_o when_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o they_o hear_v of_o st._n paul_n and_o other_o receive_v it_o not_o as_o the_o word_n of_o man_n but_o as_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o effectual_o work_v in_o they_o that_o believe_v 1_o thess._n two_o 13._o come_v with_o a_o desire_n and_o resolution_n to_o hear_v god_n himself_o speak_v to_o you_o by_o what_o mouth_n soever_o he_o shall_v speak_v and_o be_v sure_a of_o it_o the_o word_n will_v be_v mighty_a and_o prevail_v it_o be_v a_o very_a lamentable_a thing_n to_o see_v in_o what_o extreme_n we_o be_v apt_a to_o lose_v both_o god_n and_o ourselves_o first_o because_o neither_o paul_n nor_o apollo_n be_v any_o thing_n without_o god_n or_o in_o comparison_n of_o god_n therefore_o some_o very_o rash_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o they_o and_o that_o the_o ministry_n of_o such_o man_n be_v of_o no_o use_n in_o the_o church_n but_o all_o be_v to_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n only_o and_o it_o be_v true_a that_o our_o chief_a teacher_n be_v god_n himself_o but_o if_o we_o will_v be_v teach_v of_o he_o we_o must_v submit_v ourselves_o to_o be_v teach_v by_o he_o as_o it_o please_v he_o to_o teach_v we_o and_o not_o as_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v teach_v what_o though_o the_o very_o best_a instrument_n be_v able_a to_o do_v nothing_o by_o its_o self_n out_o of_o the_o workman_n hand_n yet_o even_o a_o indifferent_a one_o may_v do_v much_o when_o manage_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o skilful_a workman_n i_o shall_v only_o desire_v one_o thing_n to_o be_v grant_v i_o by_o he_o that_o resolve_v to_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n alone_o without_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n ordain_v to_o teach_v and_o i_o think_v it_o a_o very_a reasonable_a request_n that_o before_o he_o thus_o put_v it_o to_o the_o venture_n whether_o he_o shall_v be_v teach_v or_o no_o he_o be_v first_o very_o sure_a that_o god_n will_v as_o well_o as_o that_o he_o can_v so_o teach_v he_o or_o that_o he_o have_v not_o ordain_v the_o ministry_n of_o man_n in_o his_o church_n or_o that_o he_o will_v mere_o to_o humour_v he_o change_v his_o ordinary_a method_n and_o cancel_v his_o own_o ordinance_n it_o be_v certain_o god_n alone_o that_o give_v the_o increase_n in_o the_o field_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o man_n be_v not_o so_o unreasonable_a or_o confident_a as_o to_o expect_v and_o rely_v upon_o a_o good_a harvest_n from_o god_n without_o the_o labour_n of_o the_o husbandman_n why_o then_o shall_v they_o expect_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n without_o the_o labour_n of_o the_o ministry_n till_o god_n give_v they_o some_o better_a assurance_n of_o it_o than_o yet_o he_o have_v do_v we_o must_v not_o indeed_o stint_v god_n power_n as_o though_o he_o can_v not_o work_v without_o this_o or_o that_o instrument_n and_o yet_o neither_o must_v we_o slight_v his_o institution_n and_o neglect_v his_o ordinary_a method_n he_o that_o will_v pluck_v god_n instrument_n how_o mean_a soever_o they_o seem_v out_o of_o his_o hand_n and_o not_o give_v he_o the_o glory_n of_o magnify_v his_o strength_n in_o the_o weakness_n of_o man_n though_o he_o do_v not_o thereby_o disable_v god_n from_o work_v yet_o do_v he_o enough_o to_o provoke_v he_o not_o to_o work_v other_o there_o be_v who_o in_o another_o extreme_a seem_v to_o make_v god_n himself_o almost_o nothing_o and_o the_o minister_n all_o such_o be_v they_o who_o place_n the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n in_o hear_v many_o sermon_n and_o when_o they_o have_v hear_v enough_o be_v apt_a to_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o they_o have_v serve_v god_n well_o enough_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o be_v very_o attentive_a with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o affection_n and_o it_o may_v be_v a_o great_a deal_n too_o much_o admiration_n to_o the_o preacher_n and_o to_o talk_v much_o of_o he_o and_o of_o his_o excellent_a sermon_n and_o yet_o all_o the_o while_n be_v as_o regardless_o of_o god_n and_o address_v as_o little_a to_o he_o for_o his_o blessing_n as_o though_o they_o have_v hear_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o he_o nor_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o he_o it_o be_v very_o well_o if_o god_n be_v not_o too_o often_o thus_o put_v off_o with_o a_o vain_a show_n of_o worship_n and_o if_o the_o preacher_n have_v not_o all_o but_o only_o what_o in_o the_o covet_a reputation_n of_o hearer_n and_o professor_n we_o catch_v at_o for_o ourselves_o of_o the_o honour_n which_o be_v due_a unto_o he_o the_o delight_n which_o many_o of_o we_o take_v seem_v to_o be_v too_o much_o in_o the_o mere_a plant_n or_o sow_v and_o if_o that_o be_v do_v according_a to_o our_o own_o opinion_n artificial_o we_o be_v mighty_o please_v and_o if_o not_o more_o offend_v and_o we_o count_v all_o the_o time_n lose_v as_o in_o sad_a truth_n it_o be_v which_o we_o have_v spend_v in_o hear_v the_o harvest_n and_o increase_n be_v the_o thing_n that_o of_o all_o other_o we_o least_o think_v of_o as_o though_o we_o hear_v only_o for_o hearing_n be_v