actual Investiture in our Nature of aâ—… Power in Heaven and Earth Matâ— 28.18.19.20 And Jesus came anâ— spake unto them saying All Power 〈◊〉 given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore Teach all Nations â—… And lo I am with you always even 〈◊〉 the End of the World. Amen Also after His Blessed and Glorious Ascention and Sitting on the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Heb. 8. â— Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3. 22. Did by His Apostles give Commandment and Direction for the continuance hereof to the end of the World and his Second Coming without Sin unto Salvation Heb. 9.28 As Acts 14.21,22,23 After they had by their Ministry been blest with the Conversion of many Souls they took care to direct them into the Duty of Church Communion and by their Suffrages Ordained them Elders in every Church So the Apostle gives this as the Reason Why he left Titus in Creete he not having opportunity after Preaching the Gospel to them to put things into due Order Tit. 1.5 That he should set in Order the things that were wanting or left undone by the Apostle and Or â—…e Elders in every City that is Church in euery City as before Acts 14. who are called Elders Bishops or Pastors and Teachers Names significative of theâ—… Authority Office and Work. 2. Christ being now in Heaven and an extraordinary Call being ceased the Scriptures being a perfect and standing Rule to the Church through all Ages he has committed this Care to her self according to the Power given to Her who is the Pillar and Ground of Truth to provide Ministers for her own Edification in Obedience to his Commands and Rules given in his word as he shall see good to Bless her with Spiritual Gifts and Abilities in order to the fitting them for this Work the Father also has Covenanted to give his Spirit in the Gifts and Graces of it and promised that the Words he has put into Christs Mouth and the spirit that is upon him shall never depart from him nor his seeds seed for ever Likewise has according to the Circumstances of time the Church hath been under blest her as with his Grace so with all needful Spiritual Gifts Eph. 4.7.11 For the perfecting the saints for the Work of the Ministry for the Edifying the Body of Christ So that whilst there is a Church Millitant Saints on this side Perfection any of the Members of Christ Mystical Body on Earth those Spiritual Gifts needfull to their present State shall be given and be amongst them for the Support of the great Ordinance of the Ministry and for the good of the Church 3. And as its the Churches Duty to Seek these Spiritual Abilities and improve them when they are given to these great and Holy Ends so she must walk regularly herein in obedience to the Rules given by Christ in this Case who hath laid down the qualifications both Negative and Positive of all such as ought to be called to this great work and Trust of Ministring by Office 1 Tim. 3.1 to 9. Tit. 1.6.9 we have no warrant to put any into the Ministry otherwise save such as are here discribed and competently fitted for it For as it was a sin of Old in the Church to put any into the Ministry but those whom God appointed by the Rules given to them so it can be no less Evil for the Church now to call any forth into Office but such who are qualified as God's Word directs and now as Christ hath made this grant of Power to the Church of choosing her own Officers for her Edification so he hath left Rules for her who and how to chose as we said before So likewise he has laid down those special Duties of the Officers in the Church who are to take the oversight Feed Govern Go in and out before them Acts 20.17,18 1. Pet. 5. and 2. 4. When the Church has had a Tryal of the meetness and Abilities of any Person or Persons for this work and service they are by Election and Choice solemnly to set him or them a part by Prayer and Laying on of Hands Acts 14.21,22,23 Acts 6. By which a new relation ariseth of an Elder and a Church a Pastor and a Flock This must be therefore by the mutual voluntary acts of each other by which the Duties of each relation becomes binding upon them according to the Laws of Christ It is the Pastors Duty now to Watch Feed and Govern the Flock and to give himself up to it It is the Churches Duty to submit themselves to Him in the Lord to Love Reverence and Administer freely to him 1 Pet. 5.1,2,3,4,5 Heb. 13.7.17 How greatly then must those Churches be to blame that unconcernedly live in the neglect of so great a Duty upon which the Edification of the Church and her Well-being so much depends as well as Gospel Order For although the Essence and Being of a Church depends upon its Institution in respect both of Matter and Form A competent number of Believers may by mutual agreement lay the Foundation of the Being of a Gospel Church but they cannot be a Church Organical without Officers which the Lord hath placed there for the orderly Exercisâ—… of his Authority committed to her To neglect this is to despise the Wisdom of Christ who best knows whaâ— is for the good of His Church and for Her Edification in this State. 2 To slight His Goodness in so useful and beneficial an Institution 3 It s a contempt put upon his Authority as King of Saints who has in his Soveraign Right in and over the Church Ordained it so to be for the Churches Good and Well-being Secondly As there should not be a neglect of this Duty so there should be great care taken that we answer the Will of God herein wherein His Name and Honour is so much concerned in Respect of his Love to and Care of his Church therefore the greaest diligence should be taken that the Rules He has given be duly observed and Applications made of the Qualifications laid down in respect of all such that are called unto Office The outward Call is an Act of the Church the acceptation of the Person so called is an Obediential Act of him to the Will of God but neither of these can be regular where there is not at previous indication of the Mind of God in bestowing those Spiritual Gifts and Qualifications as may render him competently fit to the Discharge of his Office and Work. Now in a Churches undue proceeding herein they discover their own weakness if not Ignorance in respect of the Rule it self and injure the Person so called in laying the weight of so great a Work upon him who is not furnished with Spiritual Abilities to discharge it thereby expose the Honour of Christ and Reputation of His Gospel in the World which should be dear unto us And we have reason to
we say 'T is not to be thought men can arrive to that degree of Light and Knowledg in the deep things of God and mystery of Christ so as to preach the Gospel as they ought unless they dedicate and give themselves up by Prayer and Meditation to the dilligent search and Study of the Word of GOD which cannot be done unless some time be spent which divers men cannot spare without a due Allowance for their pains and loss of time And this we say too is nothing less nor more than what God has Ordained and directly Appointed in this Matter in the New Testament as we have sufficiently proved But to proceed Eleventhly The great Duty of the People to contribute towards the publick Worship of God and the Ministry may be further demonstrated and the Evil and Sin in their neglect of it evinc'd from the Consideration of that sharp reproof and severe Judgments of God brought against and denounced upon the People of Old upon this very account so Mal. 3.8 Will a Man rob God Yet ye have robbed me The evil of this People lay in this i. e. In that they did not faithfully bring into his House all those Riches and good Things which by the Law and Requirement of God they ought to have done for the carrying on and management of the Service of the Temple and publick VVorship of God they through Covetousness or a base Carnal and Self-seeking Spirit did retain and keep back part of these Tythes and Offerings for their own Use or to inrich themselves and did not yield them up to the Use and End God had appointed them And this the People might do i. e. rob God viz. in with-holding from the Priests of the Lord what was appointed or ordained for them And also this the Priests might do whilst they took too much and more than what was their due Allowance or take the VVages and not do the VVork which was appointed for them However to keep back or retain part or the whole of what God has ordained and commanded to be brought into his House for the carrying on and well Management of his publick VVorship The Lord calls it a robbing of him And certainly God hath as great Care and has made as Honourable Provision for the Gospel Church and his VVorship and Interest now under this Dispensation as he had then and has appointed or ordained that his People bring into his House now so that nothing may be wanting for the Honourable management and carrying on the VVork of the Gospel and the Ministration therefore in any Respect Nor can this be done without Charge And if the Lords People shall so seek their own Things as not to concern themselves for the Interest of Christ but retain or through Covetousness keep back that which his Church VVorship and publick Interests calls for and by which means his blessed Interest should sink and languish in their Hands who were intrusted with it certainly they will be and are looked upon as great robbers of God now as those were then of whom the Prophet speaks Would to God this were considered which of the Nations as if God should say have robbed their Gods But blush ye Jews for ye have robbed me and therefore ye are cursed with a curse your Sin your Sacriledg of which you are guilty hath so provoked me and the curse shall abide upon you so long as ye abide and continue in this sinful Course strange that you dare Sin whilst I am punishing you for this Iniquity so the Annotators will you go on in your Sin whilst you are under the Judgment and Curse of your God Bring ye all the Tithes into my Store-house that there may be Meat in mine House and prove me now herewith saith the Lord of Hosts If I will not open the Windows of Heaven and pour you out a Blessing that there be not room enough to receive it vers 10. Though we do not say God hath brought the like curse now yet we fear the Lords People in England both in City and Country are under just Rebuke in retaining that from God for the Use of his Publick Worship Service and Ministry which he Requires and Commands them to bring in and lay up in his Spiritual House and hence it is he is provoked and seems to bring a blast instead of a blessing upon us we fear we have Cause to say and cry out with our Apostle All seek their own and none the things that are Jesus Christs Phil. 2.21 Do you think the Service of Gods House can be carryed on without any Charge or is God less careful of his Church and Ministry under the Gospel than he was under the Law. The first Church that was planted after the Ascention of Christ were so Zealous and Piously inclined to the Service of the Gospel that they seemed to give up all they had for the publick Interest of Christ and sold their Possessions which thing you are not required to do you may keep your own Propriety in your Goods Lands and Possessions but yet nevertheless ought you to consider your ways and not let the Interest of Christ and the Gospel to sink under your Hands Will you dwell in your Ceiled Houses and let this House i.e. The Lord's House lye wast Especially considering 't is the Lord's Time we are verily perswaded in which he is a going about to build it and add to the glory of it What proof have you given O ye Christians and Members of the Churches that you love Jesus Christ more than Father or Mother yea more than Son and Daughter Which if you do not our Saviour saith ye are not worthy of him and what Demonstration can we see of this thing whilst you thus pursue the World and indeavour to lay up nay and daily do part with so many Hundred of Pounds to such a Son and to such a Daughter and yet can't spare the Twentieth Part thereof for Christ his Church and Publick Ministry Our Souls mourn and grieve to see what an Earthly and Covetous Spirit is got into the Professors of this Age and fear that that Zeal is much gone for the Truth and fervent Love to Christ which was once amongst those who were his People does it not appear so Whilst some of the Churches seem to be contented with any nay the meanest Gifts that are amongst them provided they can have them without any Charge rather than they will seek out and indeavour for an Able and Honorable Ministry because of that great expence and cost they fear then they shall be at As also whilst Careless and mind not what want of Faithful Labourers there may be abroad in other Places and Churches so that they are provided themselves As likewise do not give proper and meet Incouragment for the raising up and continuing of an Able Ministry for the time to come These things are Lamentable and great ground of Mourning and bitter Tears Know ye therefore this and
they are prevented of Improving what they have for the future comfort and advantage of their Families Nay and we have heard to our great trouble how some worthy Men who have Laboured fully to improve their Ministry through the Peoples neglect of their duty to them have in process of time sunk in their Estates and in Truth have been brought to a low Condition for 't is rare to see a Pastor of our Churches to abound in Riches Tho some Blessed be God may be indifferent well to pass in the World now to expose a rich man to Poverty or to let a poor man shift for himself under wants and necessities are Evils much of the like nature and for a prevention of both God hath ordered it so that neither of these things should or ought to be Therefore this neglect in short exposeth Ministers to Temptations considering the moral Duty that lies upon them in common with other men to provide for their Families namely to content themselves in doing but one part of their Work viz. to Preach a Sermon or two in the Week c. Now our desires are that they may all be wholly sequestred to the Lord's Work and Service and not be other ways imploying themselves when they should be Preaching the Kingdom of God but to Labour to fulfill their Ministry they have received of the Lord so that they may have their Accounts to give up with Joy in the Day of Christ Object But our Church is small and our Pastor can't take up all his time in the Lord's Work. Answer We Answer If he wants work who will hinder him from following of his secular Business provided he doth faithfully and fully discharge every part of the duty of his Place and Function But do not the Neighbouring Villages and places adjacent want the Gospel having no Bread for their Souls and this too by reason such Pastors are unconcerned in this matter and by which means 't is doubtless that the Glorious Gospel is no more promulgated up and down in dark and blind corners of this Nation nor the Church increases no more Besides do not many poor Sinners daily perish hereby for want of Knowledg Brethren 't is not for our selves but for the Lord and his sinking Interest that we plead for it grieves our Souls to hear what cries there are in many parts of this Kindom for want of Bread some being forc'd we hear to go twelve or sixteen Miles to hear a Sermon now if Ministers of Churches made it their whole Business to Preach the Word and concern themselves for the promoting of the Truth it would not be as it is at this very time nor can we think it should be otherwise unless we had a travelling Ministry which we fear we shall hardly find unless Pastors and Teachers in the respective Churches were taken off of all Incumbrances and so give themselves up to the Ministry of the VVord God has done great things for us and hath opened a mighty door and shall not we do some great thing for Him The Case Blessed be the Lord is much altered You may come now into any Town and none dare forbid you if any one will but entertain you and Preach the Gospel And shall we not take care to answer this Mercy and do what we can that the poor Blind VVorld may be Inlightened and brought to the saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ If the present Providence of God be not answered by a due Improvement to his Glory and the furtherance of the Gospel VVe may say with Solomon Why is there a price in the Hand of a Fool seeing he hath no Heart to it Prov. 17.16 By this time we hope you may more clearly understand us and what we drive at and earnestly desire to see accomplished viz. That Ministers may not only bear that Name but with all Faithfulness do the VVork they are called to 't is not to press our People to Minister to such Preachers who are Idle and Negligent in their Business whose Hearts and Hands are in the VVorld and eagerly pursue their own secular Affairs and matter not what becomes of the Interest of Jesus Christ No 't is to encourage the Faithful and Labourous Person who is willing to give himself up to the Lord in the Discharge of that great Turst committed to him and to Labour indeed in Christ's Vineyard it is in truth â— shame for a Minister to receive the Lord's VVages and not do the Lord's VVork some there are in the World â—hat do not deserve the Name of Miniâ—…ers they doing the VVork of the Lord so deceitfully Our Churches also are 't is like in some places in the Country but small and â—re like to be smaller if the Ministry 〈◊〉 not awakened to become more Labourous Are there not such in some Towns who are hardly known by the Inhabitants to be Ministers at â—ll they are so little concerned in Preaching they are better known to be Farmers Yeomen and Tradesman then Preachers of the Gospel they are inâ—angled so in the Affairs of this Life â—hat they have but little time to mind â—he great Work they are called to We would ask some Ministers whether â—hey could not do much more Preach oftner and in more Places and take greater Pains to promote the Gospel and gather in Souls to Christ than they do Certainly they will and must say yea we might VVhy what is the reason of your not doing it Ought we not with Mary to do what we can VVe conclude this Omission of Duty either arises from the evil of your own Hearts or else from the Remisness and Neglect of the People in Respect of their Duty to you 1. It may arise from the Evil in your own Hearts in that you have not or do not espouse the Interest of Jesus Christ equal with or above your own Can any be contented in doing a little Service for Christ tho his Interest sinks in their Hands whilst they thrive in their own concerns and grow Rich in the VVorld Lord what will become of such Ministers in the day oâ— Judgment Can they think to looâ—… Christ in the Face with Comfort thaâ— have been such slothful Servants buâ— God forbid there should be any among us who mind more theiâ— own trifling Affairs than the greaâ— VVork and Business of their blessed Lord and Master Is this the making full Proof of your Ministry you have received of the Lord Christ's Ministers are called Labourers but we fear some Labour but little unless it be at their own work should you be as Remiss in your own Affairs as possibly you are in the Lords you would find quickly a decay in your Estates and be in a sinking Condition in the World which 't is like would soon startle you and stir you up to greater Care and Industry and ought you not to be as considerate in the great concernment of Christ his Gospel and Churches We take it not upon us to reprehend any of
needs be a great Mystery but so it is here for the Apostles who had the greatest and clearest Knowledge of these Mysteries as any ever had in the VVorld yet declare they knew but in part and saw but in part darkly as through a Glass ver 13.9.12 'T is such a Mystery that he that thinks he knows any thing knows nothing as he ought to know VVhat a Mystery is that of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus That the Nature of Man should be joined to the Divine Nature of God and both make but one Christ What a Mystery is there in the Doctrine of Faith 1. That a Man should go out of himself and be carried above himself to believe things impossible to Man's Natural Reason that he should seek for Justification by the Righteousness and Obedience of another for a Man as one would think to have a great store of Holyness and good Works and yet throw it as it were all away and be dead to it in point of Trust and Dependance is to Natural Men a strange Mystery 2. To believe when every thing is opposite to it To Work for Life and oppose some Sin a Natural Man is ready to do but to believe in Christ for Life and Holyness to rely on his Doings his Works his Merits this the Heart of Man can't understand but is naturally averse to nay and Satan also opposeth it and the World mocks at it and accounts it Foolishness 3. That a Man should believe and not see nay believe as Abraham did in hope against hope is a Mystery Yet may be there are some greater Mysteries than this which a Minister is to Study in respect of Christ the Mediator his Work Offices Glorious Covenant Ordinances and Providences of God in the World and therefore his VVork is a difficult VVork 2. 'T is difficult in that it calls for the greatest Care and Exactness imaginable every thing must be done according to the Holy Pattern set by Christ in the Gospel there must be no adding to no diminishing from nor altering of any thing in the least without eternal hazard and danger 3. 'T is difficult and very hard in that it calls for the greatest strength that the most strong in Grace and Wisdom can arrive unto it requires all the Powers of the whole Soul to be exerted or put forth to a right Discharge thereof 4. It calls not only for all our strength but also all our Time and Diligence a slothful or Idle Person is not fit to be a Minister 't is a work that must be followed continually let the times be what they will Preach the Word be instant in season and out of season reprove exhort with all long Suffering and Doctrine be not Slothful but Diligent fear no Faces regard no Threats respect no Mans Person reprove all impartially be no fawning nor flattering Preacher nor like those who rather vent their own Passion than persue the end of Instruction and Reformation of Souls and this is a hard Work to do 5. 'T is difficult Work in respect of the opposition that is made against them and the Grand Obstructions they meet withal 1. From their own Hearts the Flesh is weak tho the Spirit indeed is willing many times that it is ready to say with Peter Master pity thy self Why dost thou spend thy Time thy Strength and ware out thy poor Body at this sort Less may do c. Besides The Heart of a Minister who is sensible of the Nature of his Work causes him oft to tremble in Consideration of his Unfitness and Unworthiness for such a sacred Undertaking and Imployment 2. From Sin in dwelling Sin and other Humane Frailties alas they are Men of like Passion and Infirmities with others 3. From Satan he is an Implacable Enemy to them and to their Work hence he raises up all the Opposition against them imaginable to hinder them in their Business or take them off of it or make them Remiss and Negligent in doing it we are not Ignorant saith Paul of his devices 2 Cor. 2.11 4. From the World 1. by Reproaches and Contradictions of Ungodly Men 2. By Hereticks and False-Teachers with these they are forc'd to fight and many times are hard put to it as Paul when he ingaged those evil Beasts at Ephesus 5. Lastly By Persecutors allways the heat of this Battle falls upon Christ's poor Ministers they are the Mark these wicked Archers shoot at hence they like Paul are oft in Bonds and Prisoners for Christ's sake Now put all these things together and is it not needful think you that your poor Ministers be thought upon and incouraged by you as Christ hath appointed But we shall say no more only conclude all with one VVord to our Fellow Labourers Brethren let us strive to double our Diligence and shew to all the sense of the greatness of our work is upon our Spirits and tho we have not that incouragement from the People that God has Ordained yet remember we serve a good Master Besides a Necessity is laid upon us we must Preach the Gospel and let us be contented with that State and Portion we meet with in the World 't is our great Business to approve our selves the Ministers of Christ in Labours in Watchings in Fastings by Pureness by Knowledge by the Holy Ghost by Love unfeigned by the Word of Truth by the Power of God by the Armour of Righteousness on the Right Hand and on the Left by Honour and Dishonour by evil Report and good Report 2 Cor. 6.5,6,7,8 Possibly we may be reproached and sensured for what we have done and said in this small Tract But should it be so we matter it not since we have the Testimony of our Consciences that our Design is the Glory of God and the promoting his Blessed Gospel in the Nation and the good of his poor Churches and also because we know we have the sure Word of God to confirm the Truth of what we plead for VVherefore whilst we make it appear to all 't is not the Hire the VVages c. that we aim at but contrariwise the Honour of the ever blessed God and to VVitness to the Sanction of every one of his Just and most Holy Precepts we cannot be without Peace in our own Souls FINIS