c. he may be burnt for all that therefore he must be active and stirring he must run from place to place and call out for helpe and must worke even in the fire and bestirre himselfe as for life in the use of all meanes whereby the fire may be quenched so if Grace be not acted it s not all a mans praying and crying c. that will profit him or better him grace must be exercised or all will be lost prayers lost teares lost time lost strength lost soule lost c. 1 Tim. 4. 7 8. But refuse prophane and old wives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make a faire excuse fables shift them off as the word is sett them by say thou art not at leisure to attend them make a faire excuse as the word notes tell them thou hast business of an eternall concernment to look after and exercise thy selfe rather unto Godliness or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not to be taken in a sense wherein little signifies nothing at all but as when it is set in comparison and opposition to some greater matter as here in opposition to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for all things Let the Patient take such or such a potion that in its selfe is good yet if it want such or such a particular ingredient it workes not it do's no good 't is so here lay aside thy upper Garments as runners and wrastlers doe to which the Apostle alludes and bestirre thy selfe lustily for says he in the 8 ver Bodily exercise profits little but Godlinesse is profitable unto all things and hath the promise of this life and of that which is to come The Babylonians are said to make 360 severall Commodities of the Palme Tree but what are those hundred Commodities to those thousands that attend holiness that attend the exercise of grace nothing makes a man rich in spiritualls like the frequent and constant actings of grace In the fourth of the Heb. 2. The word did not profit them that heard it because it was not mixt with faith He doth not speake there of unbeleevers but of those that had Grace in the habit but not in the exercise and therefore the word did not turne to their Accounts they heard and were never the better and what was the Ground of it why it was because they did not exercise Faith upon the word the words that fell from the Preachers lips into their ears were a sweete potion but they did not worke kindly because there wanted the Ingredients of faith faith is one of those Glorious Ingredients that must make every Sermon every truth worke for the souls advantage nothing will worke for a beleevers good for his gaine if his graces lie asleepe Sixthly Because it is the end of all the Dignity and Glory that God hath conferr'd upon his people therefore they must exercise and Improve their Grace In the 1 Pet. 2. 9. But ye are a chosen Generation a Royall Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar people that ye may shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvelous light Ye are a chosen Generation that is a pickt people the dearely beloved of his soule such as he first chose for his love and then loves for his choice A Royall Priesthood a holy Nation a peculiar people The Greeke is A people of purchase such as comprehendeth as it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were all Gods gettings his whole stocke that he makes any reckoning off That ye may shew forth or as 't is in the Greek that ye may hopos tas aretas exaggeilete preach forth that ye may publikely declare the vertues of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light that ye may so hould forth the vertues of him that hath conferr'd all this Dignity and Glory upon you as to excite others to Glorifie your father which is in heaven You know the picture of a deare Friend is not to be thrust in a Corner but in God himselfe is wronged by the injury â—hat is done to his Image The contempt is done to the King himselâ— that is done to his Image or Coyn. As Suetâ—nius wriâ—es some Conspicuous place of the house why our Graces are the very Image of Christ they are his picture and therefore to be held forth to open view These Candles must not be put under a bushell but set up in a Candlesticke Jewels are to ware not to hide so are our Graces It was a Capitall Crime in Tiberius dayes to carry the Image of Augustus upon a ring or coin into any fordid place and shall not Christians be more mindfull and carefull that their Graces which are Christs Image be no wayes obscured but that they be kept alwayes sparling and shining Christs glory and thy comfort oh Christian lies much in the sparkling of thy graces Pearles are not to be thrust in mudd walls or hung in swines snoutes but to be hung on the breasts Seventhly Gratious soules must exercise their Grace because the more Grace is exercised and improâ—ed with the more Psal 40. 7 8 Psal 119. 97 â—8 99 100 103 104 111 112. ease and delight will all religious services be performed When grace is improved and exercised gracious services are easily performed As the more naturall strength is exercised and improved with the more ease and pleasure are all bodily services performed so the more grace is acted and improved with the more ease and delight all Christian services are performed Such soules finde wages in their very worke they finde not Rom. 6. 22. onely for keeping but also in keeping of his commands there is Psal 19. 11. great reward all the wayes of the Lord are wayes of pleasantnesse Prov. 3. 17. Pâ—al 65. 11. to them and they finde that all his pathes drop marrow and fatnesse Ah Christians as ever you would have the services of God to be easie and delightfull to your soules looke to the exercise and Improvement of your Graces and then your worke will be a joy Eighthly You must exercise and improve your gifts and graces because the more grace is improved the more God will be Abrahams saith made him rejoyce and obey Heb. 11. Faith is as the spring in the watch that moves the wheeles not a grace stirs till faith sets it on worke Rom. 4. 3. c. honoured In Rom. 4. 19 20 21. And being not weake in faith he considered not his owne body now dead when he was about an hundred yeares old neither the deadnesse of Sarahs womb he staggered not at the promise of God through unbeleefe but was strong in faith giving glory to God and being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to performe He gave glory to God But how did he give glory to God was it a dead habit of faith that set the Crowne of honour upon the head of God no it was the lively actings of his faith
A comparison from the seale of a Ring the foâ—m of which is imprinted in the wax Image why the Lord Jesus beares the Image of his father Heb. 1. 3. He is the brightnesse of his fathers glory and the expresse Image of his person You prize others for their wisedome and knowledge such a one is a very wise man you say and therefore you prize him and such a one is a very knowing man and therefore you prize him why all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge are in Christ Col. 2. 3. In whom saith he speaking of Christ are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge The truth is all those perfections and excellencies that are in all Angels and men they all centre in Christ they are all epitomized in Christ All the Angels in heaven have but some of those perfections that be in Christ All wisedome and all power and all goodnesse and all mercy and all love c. is in no glorified Creature no not in all glorified creatures put together But now in Christ all these perfections and excellencies meet as all water meets in the sea and as all light meets in the Sun Others you prize for their usefulnesse the more usefull persons and things are the more you prize and value them The Lord Jesus Christ is of universall use to his people why he is the right eye of his people without which they cannot Chrâ—st is quâ—quâ—d appetib â—e aâ— Oâ—igen speaks whatever we can desire If we hunger and â—hâ—â—st he is pâ—bxlum animâ— the food of the soule see and the right hand of his people without which they cannot doe c. He is of singular use to all his people he is of use to weak Saints to strengthen them and he is of use to doubting Saints to resolve them and he is of use to dull Saints to quicken them and he is of use to falling Saints to support them and he is of use to wandring Saints to recover them In prosperity he is of use to keep his Saints humble and watchfull spotlesse and fruitfull and in adversity he is of use to keep them contented and cheerfull All which should very much ingage our hearts to prize this Christ Againe We prize things as they suite us why Christ is not onely a good but a sutable good Christ is light to inlighten John 1. 8 9 Phil. 5. 14. us and he is life to inliven us he is riches to supply us and he is rayment to cloath us he is a staffe to support us and he is a sword to defend us he is bread to nourish us and he is water to refresh us and wine to cheere us and what would we have more Christ may well be compared to the Trees of the Sanctuary Ezek. 47. 12. which were both forme at and for Medicine Fourthly Yet once more that this may stick upon us let us consider That where we are highly prized there we highly prize Why the Lord Jesus Christ doth exceedingly prize every believing soule yea even such poore weak Saints that many swell'd soules slight and despise as persons of no worth because they want that light and knowledge and those parts and gifts that others have Well Christians remember this Christ prizes you as the Apple of his eye Zech. 2. 8. he prizes you as his Jewels Mal. 3. 17. He prizes you as his portion Deut. 32. 9. The Lords portion is his people He prizes you as his Glâ—ry Isa 46. 13. He prizes you as his Ornaments Ezek. 7. 20. He prizes you as his Throne Jer. 40. 21. He prizes you as his Diadem Isa 62. 3. He prizes you as his Friends John 14. He prizes you as his Brethren Heb. 2. 11 12. He prizes you as his Bride Isa 62. 5. He prizes you above his Fathers bosome for he leaves that to doe you service John 16. 28. Yea he prizes you above his very Life he layes downe his life to save your soules John 10. Now oh who would not highly prize such a Christ that sets such an invaluable price upon such worthlesse soules Fifthly and lastly consider That your high prizing of Christ will worke you to value the least things of Christ above the greatest worldly good 'T will make you value the least nodd of Christ the least love-token from Christ the least good look from Christ the least good word from Christ the least truth of Christ c. above all the honours treasures pleasures and glories of this world Psal 119. 72. The Law of thy mouth is better then thousands of gold and silver Luther would not take all the world for one leaf of the Bible And oh that a serious consideration of these things might work all your hearts to a high prizing of the Lord Jesus The next Use that we shall make of this Point is this If Christ be so rich then trust to Christ Who will not trust a rich man Every one strives to trust a rich man The rich hath many friends Why the Lord Prov. 14. 20. Jesus Christ is very rich Will you be perswaded to trust him O trust him with your best treasures with your choycest Interpreters differ aâ—ont the pawne or pledge which the Apostle committed to Gods custody One saith Iâ— was his soule A second saith It was himself which is all one A third saith It was his works A fourth saith I was his sufferings A fifth saith I was his salvation Without doubt 't was all that was neare and deare to him Jewels with your names soules estates relations The Apostle was excellent at this 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know him saith he in whom I have believed that he is able to keepe that which I have committed unto him untill that day I have committed my soule to him and my life to him and my name to him and all my mercies and injoyments to him The child cannot better secure any precious thing it hath then by putting it into the fathers hands to keep Our mercies are alwayes safest and surest when they are out of our hands when they are in the hands of God We trust as we love and we trust where we love where we love much we will trust much much trust speaks out much love if you love Christ much surely you will trust him much That was a notable bold expression of Luther Let-him that dyed for my soule see to the salvation of it I have committed my soule to him I have given it up into his hands who is my life who is my love and let him look after it let him take care of it in securing of that he secures his owne glory Oh that Christians would trust in this rich Christ for a supply of necessaries Is Christ so rich and will you not take his word that he will not see you want Will you trust a rich man upon his word and will you not trust a rich 1 Christs promises are ever performed 2 Cor. 1. 20. â— His
here rendred Peace signifies the quietnesse and silence of his mind he did not hold his tongue onely for many a man may hold his tongue and yet his mind and heart may kick and swell against God but his very mind was quiet and still there was a heavenly calme in his Spirit he was dumb and silent because the Lord had done it So in Acts 10. 33. We are all here present before God to heare all things that are commanded thee of God We are not here to heare what may tickle our eares or please our fansies or satisfie our lusts no but we are here to hear what God will say our hearts stand ready pressed to subject themselves to whatever God shall declare to be his will we are willing to heare that we may doe that we may obey sincerely and universally the good pleasure of our God knowing that 't is as well our dignity as our duty so to doe There are three things in an humble soule that doe strongly incline it to duty The first is Divine Love The second is Divine Presence The third is Divine Glory The Dove made use of her wings to fly to the Ark so does an humble soule of his duties to fly to Christ Though the Dove did use her wings yet she did not trust in her wings but in the Ark So though an humble soule does use duties yet he does not trust in his duties but in his Jesus But now proud hearts they hate the truth they cry out Who is the Lord that we should obey him And what are his Commandements that we should submit to them I but an humble soule falls under the power of truth and counts it his greatest glory to be obedient to all truth A fifth property of an humble soule is this An humble soule lives not upon himselfe nor upon his owne actings but upon the Lord Jesus and his actings Poore men you know they doe not live upon themselves they live upon others they live upon the care of others the love of others the provision of others why thus an humble soule lives upon the care of Christ the love of Christ the promise of Christ the faithfulnesse of Christ the discoveries of Christ he lives upon Christ for his Justification Phil. 3. from ver 7. to 10 He lives upon Christ for his Sanctification Cant. 4. 16. Awake O North winde and come thou South blow upon my Garden that the spices thereof may flow out And he lives upon Christ for his Consolation Cant 2. 3. As the Apple-tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the Sons I sate downe under his shaddow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my tast And he lives upon Christ for the performance of all holy actions Phil. 4. 13. I can doe all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Gal. 2. 20. I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himselfe for me An humble soule sees in Christ * Plenitudo abundantiae and plenitudo redandantiae Omne bonum in summo bono All good is in the chiefest good Christ is quicquid appetibile as Origen speaks whatever we can desire Isa 58. 2. 7. Luke 7. 4 5 6 7. 6 Property A proud heart resists and is resisted this is duro durum flint to flint fire to fire Job 13. 25. An humble soule blesses God as well for crosses as mercies as well for adversity as for prosperity as well for frowns as for smiles c. because he judges himself unworthy of the least rebukes from God a fullnesse of Abundance and a fullnesse of redundancy and here his soul lives and feeds An humble soul sees that all his stock is in the hands of Christ his stock of Graces his stock of Comforts his stock of experiences are in the hands of Jesus Christ who is the Great Lord Keeper of all a Believers Graces and of all his Comforts and therefore as Children live upon them in whose hand their stock is be it a Brother or a Friend Why so an humble soule sees its stock is in the hand of the Lord Jesus and therefore he lives upon Christ upon his love and his provision and his undertakings c. But now proud hearts live not upon the Lord Jesus Christ they live upon themselves and upon their owne duties their owne righteousnesse their owne actings as the Scripture evidences Christ dwells in that heart most eminently that hath emptied it selfe of it selfe Christ is the humble mans Manna upon which he lives and by which he thrives A sixth Property of an humble soule is this He judges himselfe to be below the wrath and judgements of God An humble soule looks upon himselfe as one not worthy that God should spend a rodd upon him in order to his reformation edification or salvation As I am unworthy saith an humble soule that God should smile upon me so I am unworthy that he should spend a frowne upon me Job 13. 25. Wilt thou break a leafe driven too and fro and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble Why I am but a leaf I am but a little dry stubble I am below thy wrath I am so very very bad that I wonder that thou shouldst so much as spend a rod upon me What more weak worthlesse slight and contemptible then a leafe then dry stubble why Lord sayes Job I am a poor weak and worthlesse Creature I wonder that thou shouldst take any paines to doe me good I can't but count and call every thing a mercy that is lesse then hell So David in 1 Sam. 24. 14. After whom is the King of Israel come out after whom dost thou pursue after a dead Dogg after a Flea The language of a humble soule when God begins to be angry is this Lord I can blesse thee that thou wilt take any paines with me but I humbly acknowledge that I am below the least rodd I am not worthy that thou shouldst frowne upon me threaten me strike me or whip me for my internall and eternall good But proud hearts think themselves wronged when they are afflicted they cry out with Cain Our punishment is greater then we can beare Gen. 4. 13. 7 Property Another Property of an humble soule is this An humble soule doth highly prize the least of Christ The least smile the least good word the least good look the least truth the least mercy is highly valued by an humble soule The Cananitish woman in the 15 of Matthew sets a high Vers 27. Faith will pick an Argument out of a repulse and turn discouragements into incouragements Luther would not take all the world for one leaf of the Bible such a price he set upon it from the sweet that he found in it Song 1. 3. John 10. 4 5. Psal 27. 4. Mat. 9. 20. 21. Acts 24. 14. 1 Cor. â—9 22. Austin
what thou wouldest have as you may see in Ephes 1. 13. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel of your salvation In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy spirit rf Promise The Originall runs thus In whom believing you were sealed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 While faith is busied and exercised about Christ and those varieties of glories and excellencies that are in him the Lord comes and by his spirit seales the life and love and glory of them Thus by Divine assistance I have dispatched the first thing viz. The deciphering of weake Christians The second thing that I propounded for the further opening and clearing of this Point was To hold forth to you those things that tend to support comfort and uphold weak Christians And truly I must needs say that if ever there were a time wherein weak Christians had need of support I verily believe this is the time wherein we live for by the horrid prophanenesse of men on the one hand and the abominable loose and rotten Principles of others on the other hand the hearts of many weak Christans especially are sadded that God would not have sadded and their spirits wounded and grieved that God would have comforted and healed and therefore I shall dwell the longer upon this second thing And the first thing that I shall lay downe by way of Support is this 1 Support He that loâ—kt upon the brazen Serpent though with a weak sight was healed a throughly as he that lookt upon it with a stronger sight A weak faith is a joynt possessor though no faith can be â— joynt purâ—haser of Christ That the weakest Christians have as much interest and propriety in Christ and all the fundamentall good that comes by Christ as the strongest Saints in the world have Weak Saints are as much united to Christ as much justified by Christ as much reconciled by Christ and as much pardoned by Christ as the strongest Saints 'T is true weak Christians cannot make so much improvement and advantage of their interest in Christ as strong Saints can they have not that power that wisedome that spirituall skill to make that advantage of their interest and propriety in Christ as strong Saints have Yet have they as much interest and propriety in the Lord Jesus and all the fundamentall good that comes by him as the strongest Saint that breaths The sucking Child hath as much interest and propriety in the father and in what is the fathers as the Child that 's growne up to age Though the young Child ha's not that skill nor that power nor wisedome to improve that interest to his advantage as he that 's growne up in years hath It 's just so here A soule weak in grace hath as much interest in the Lord as the strongest Saint hath though he hath not that skill to improve that interest And is not this a singular comfort and support Verily were there no more to bear up a poor weak Saint from fainting under all his sins and sorrowes and sufferings yet this alone might doe it c. The Second Support and Comfort to weake Saints is this That God doth with an eye of love reflect upon the least good 2 Support that is in them or done by them And is not this a glorious Comfort and Support that the Lord looks with an eye of love upon the least good that 's in you or done by you You cannot have a good thought but The least Star gives light the least drop moystens God looks upon that thought with an eye of love Psal 32. 5. I said I would confesse my sin and thou forgavest mine iniquity I said it in my thoughts that I would confesse my sin and thou presently meeting me with pardoning mercy forgavest mine iniquity So in Mal. 3. 16. And there was a Book of Remembrance written for them that feare the Lord and that thought upon his name They had but some thoughts of God and God reflects upon those thoughts with an eye of love Isa 38. 5. I have heard thy prayers I have seene thy teares Tears we look upon but as poor things and yet God looks upon them as Pearles and therefore he puts them into So in Ps 6. 8. One observes that there are 2 strong things in Tears 1 Deorsum fluunt coelum terunt They drop downward and fall to the earth yet they teach upwards and pierce the Pereâ— 2 Muliae sunt loquuntur They hold their peace yet cry very loud his Bottle as the Psalmist speaks There is not a bit of bread nor a drop of drink thou givest but God casts an eye of love upon it Mat. 25. 35 36. There is not a desire that arises in thy soule but the Lord takes notice of it Prov. 10. 17. Thou hast heard the desire of the humble Weak Saints are full of desires their whole life is a life of desires they are stil a breathing out holy desires Lord Pardon such a sin and give me power against such a sin and strength Lord to withstand such a Temptation and grace Lord to uphold me under such an Affliction c. and the Lord hears and answers such gracious breathings and longings It was holy Jewell's desire That he might dye Preaching and God lookt with an eye of love upon his desire and he had it It was Latimer's desire That he might shed his heart blood for Christ and God lookt with an eye of love upon the breathings of his heart and he had it The Israelites did but groan and God lookt upon their groans with an eye of love he comes downe he makes his Arme bare he tramples upon their proud Enemies and by Miracles he saves them O weak Christian Is not this a singular comfort that the Lord reflects with an eye of love upon your thoughts upon your desires upon your tears and upon your groanings c. What though others slight you what though others take no notice of you yet the Lord casts an eye of love upon you Some think its very strange that God should set downe in Scripture the story of Jacob a poor Countrey-man Gen. 31. that he had a few Ewes and Lambs streaked and spotted and yet take no notice of the great Emperours and Kings of the Earth nor of their great actions and Warlike designes in the world But this is to shew that tender love and respect that God bears to his Children above what he does to the great ones of this World God is more taken with Lazarus patcht Coat then with Dives silken Robe c. A third thing that I shall propound for the Support and Comfort of weak Saints is this Consider the Lord looks more upon your Graces then he 3 Support doth upon your weaknesses Or thus The Lord will not cast away weake Saints by reason of the weaknesses that cleaves to their persons or services In 2 Chron. 30. 18
him what tasts what sights and what incomes thou hadst and how bravely thou didst bear up by the strength of his everlasting armes that were under thee c A sixth Duty that is incumbent upon strong Saints is To take heed of making weake Saints halt and goe lame in a way of holinesse or of keeping them off from the ways of God or of turning them out of the wayes of God That 's the meaning of that Scripture as I conceive Luke 17. 2. And of that Mat. 18. 10 Take heed that ye offend not one of these little ones for their Angels doe alwayes behold the face of my father You are apt to slight them because they are weak in grace and holinesse and so you are apt to cause them to halt but take heed of this they have glorious glistering Courtiers that doe attend them therefore take heed that you don't offend them for their Angels as so many Champions stand ready to right them and fight for them A man were better offend and anger all the Devils in hell and all the Witches in the world then to anger and offend the least of Christs little ones If Caine doe but lower upon Abell Gen. 4. God will arraigne him for it Why is thy countenance cast downe If Miriam doe but mutter against Moses God Num. 12 14. will spit in her face for it That is a very dreadfull word Mat. 18. 6. Take heed how you offend one of these little ones you make nothing of it but saith Christ take heed for it were better that a Mill-stone A huge Mill-stone as the Greek word signifies such a one as an Asse can but turne about This kind of punishment the greatest Malefactors among the Jewes were put to in those dayes saith Jerom and he cast into the middle of the sea so it is word for word in the Greek the middle being deepest and furthest off from the shore rendring his estate most miserable and irrecoverable Seventhly It is the Duty of strong Saints to sute all things to the capacity of the weake To sute all their prayers and all their discourses to the capacity of the weak Paul was good at this To the weake I became as weake Paul he was a man as strong in naturall and acquired parts as any living and he knew how to word it and to carry it in as lofty straines as any that breathed yet who more plaine in his Preaching then Paul It hath many a time made my heart sad to think how those men will answer it in the day of Christ that affect lofty straines high notions and cloudy expressions that make the pâ—aine things of the Gospel dark and obscure Many Preachers in our dayes are like Heraclitus who was called The Darke Doctour they affect sublime notions obscure expressions uncouth phrases making plaine truths difficult and easie truths hard They darken councel with words without knowledge Job 38. 2. Studdied expressions and high notions in a Sermon are like Asahels Carkasse in the way that did onely stop men and make them gaze but did no wayes profit them or better them 'T is better to present truth in her native plainnesse then to hang her eares with counterfeit Pearles That 's a remarkeable Scripture 1 Cor. 3. 1 2. And I brethren could not speake unto you as unto spirituall but as unto carnall even as unto Babes in Christ I have fed you with milke and not with meat for hitherto ye were not able to bear it neither yet now are ye able The Apostle did not soare aloft in the Clouds and expresse the Mysteries of the Gospel in such a dark obscure way as that poor Creatures could not be able to pick out the mind of God in it No but he suted all his discourses to their capacities and so must you Eightly It is your duty to labour to strengthen weak Saints against sin and to draw them to holinesse Argumentatively When a strong Saint comes to deale with one that 's weak and would strengthen him against sin he must doe it Argumentatively and when he would draw to holinesse he must doe it Argumentatively 1 John 2. 1 2. compared with Ch. 7. 9. My little Children these things write I unto you that you sin not What things were those he wrote Mark Chap. 1. 7. If we walke in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sins Here he fenceth them against sin by one of the strongest and choycest Arguments that the whole Book of God affords by an Argument that 's drawne from the soules Communion with God And then in vers 9. If we confesse our sins he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse If any man sin we have an Advocate with the father Here the Apostle labours to strengthen weak Saints Argumentatively even by the strongest Arguments that the whole Book of God affords So vers 12 13. I write unto you little Children because your sins are forgiven you for his names sake c. So in vers 18. Little Children it is the last times and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time So in ver 28. And now little Children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming If ye know that he is righteous ye know that every one that doth righteousnesse is borne of him You see in all these Scriptures how the Apostle labours to strengthen weak Saints in a way of holinesse and to fence them against wayes of wickednesse Argumentatively and so must you this being the ready way to convince them and to make a Conquest upon them c. The Ninth Duty that lyes upon strong Saints is To cast a Mantle over the infirmities of the weake Now there is a three-fold Mantle that should be cast over the infirmities of the weak There is a Mantle of Wisedome Parisensis said sometimes concerning trifles It is said he as if a man should see a Fly or a Flea on a mans forehead and for that should presently take a Beetle to knock him on the head to kill the Fly A Mantle of Faithfullnesse And a Mantle of Compassion which is to be cast over all the infirmities of weak Saints First Strong Saints are to cast a Mantle of Wisedome over the infirmities of weak Saints They are not to present their sins in that uglinesse and with such aggravations as may terrifie as may sink as may make a weak Saint to despaire or may drive him from the Mercy-seat or as may keep him and Christ asunder or as may unfit him for the discharge of Religious duties It is more a weaknesse then a virtue in strong Christians when a weak Saint is fallen to aggravate his fall to the uttermost
about him are very bad Some say that Roses grow the sweeter when they are planted by Garlick Verily Christians that have gloriously improved their Graces are like those Roses they grow sweeter and sweeter holier and holier by wicked men The best Diamonds shine most in the dark and so doe the best Christians shine most in the worst times Sixthly Such turne their principles into practice They turne their speculations into power their notions into spirit their glorious inside into a golden outside Psal 45. 13. Seventhly Such as have made a considerable improvement of their gifts and graces Have hearts as large as their heads Whereas most mens heads have outgrowne their hearts c. Eighthly Such are alwayes most busied about the highest things viz. God Christ Heaven c. Phil. 3. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 2 Cor. 4. ult Rom. 8. 18. Ninthly Such are alwayes a doing or receiving good As Christ went up and downe doing good Mat. 4. 23. Chap. 9. 35. Mark 6. 6. Tenthly and lastly Such will mourne for wicked mens sins as well as their owne O the teares the sighes the groanes Psalm 119. Jer. 9. 1 2. 2 Pet. 2. 7 8 9. that others sins fetch from these mens hearts Pambus in the Ecclesiasticall History wept when he saw a Harlot dressed with much care and cost partly to see one take so much paines to goe to hell and partly because he had not been so carefull to please God as she had been to please a wanton Lover I have at this time onely given you some short hints whereby you may know whether you have made any considerable improvement of that grace the Lord hath given you I doe intend by Divine permission in a convenient time to declare much more of this to the World I shall follow all what ha's been said with my prayers that it may help on your internall and eternall welfare EPHES. 3. 8. The Vnsearchable Riches of Christ NOw the next Observation that we shall begin with is this That the Lord Jesus Christ is very Rich. And the second will be this That the great businesse and worke of the Ministry is to hold forth to the people the Riches of Christ We shall begin with the first Point at this time namely That the Lord Jesus Christ is very rich For the opening of this Point we shall attempt these three things 1 To demonstrate this to be a truth That the Lord Jesus is very rich 2 The Grounds why he is thus held forth in the word to be one full of Vnsearchable Riches 3 To shew you the Excellency of the riches of Christ above all other Riches in the world And then the Use of the Point For the first That the Lord Jesus Christ is very rich First Expresse Scripture speaks out this truth He is rich in goodnesse Rom. 2. 4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodnesse that is ready to be imployed for thy internall and To chreston His native goodnesse c. eternall good c. Againe He is rich in wisedome and knowledge Col 2. 3. In whom speaking of Christ are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Christ was content that his riches should be hid from the world therefore doe not thou be As man is an Epitome of the whole world so is Christ of all wisedome and knowledge c. angry that thine is no more knowne to the world What is thy one mite to Christs many millions c. Againe He is rich in grace Ephes 1. 7. By whom we have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his grace Againe He is rich in glory Ephes 1. 18. That ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints So in Chap. 3. 16. That he would grant unto you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthned with might by his spirit in the Nec Christus nec coelum patitur hyperbolem Neither Christ nor heaven can be hyperbolized inner man So in Phil. 4. 19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus The riches of glory are unconceiveable riches Search is made through all the bowells of the earth for something to shadow it by The riches of this glory is fitter to be believed then to be discoursed of as some of the very Heathens have acknowledged But secondly As expresse Scripture speaks out this truth That Christ is very rich so there are eight things more that doe with open mouth speak out Christ to be very rich First You may judge of his riches by the dowry and portion his father hath given him In Psal 2. 7. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee aske of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession He is the heir of all things all things above and below in heaven and earth are his Heb. 1. 2. God hath in these last dayes spoken to us by his Son whom he hath appointed Heire of all things Christ is the richest Heire in heaven and earth Men cry up this man to be a good match and that and why so but because they are great Heires Ah! but what are all the great Heires of the world to this Heire the Lord Jesus Joseph gave Portions to all his brethren but to Benjamin a Portion five times as good as what he gave the residue So the Lord scatters Portions among the Sons of men he gives brasse to some gold to others temporalls to some spiritualls to others but the greatest portion of all he hath given into the hands of Christ whom he hath made the Heire of all things Rev. 11. 15. And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever So in Chap. 19. 11 12. And I saw heaven opened and behold a white Horse and he that sat upon him was called faithfull and true and in righteousnesse he doth judge and make war His eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many Crownes Mark that what are Princes single Crownes and the Popes tripple Crowne to Christs many Crownes Certainly he must be very rich that ha's so many Kingdomes and Crownes waite but a while and you shall see these Scriptures made good c. Secondly You may judge of his riches by his Keeping open house for the reliefe and supply of all created creatures both in heaven and in earth Crassus was so rich that he maintain'd a whole Army with his owne Reâ—enues â—ut what is this to what Jesus does c. Psal 145. 16. You look upon those as very rich that keep open house for all commers and goers why such a one is the Lord Jesus Christ he keeps
will not indure sound doctrine but after their owne lusts shall they heap up to themselves teachers having itching eares This Age yea this City is full of such slight light mad soules that love nor like nothing but what 's empty and airy Jnnius confesses That in his time there was one confest that he had spent above twenty years in trying Religions pretending that Scripture Try all things and hold fast that which is good 'T is sad to see how many in our dayes under pretences of Angelicall attainments make it their businesse to inrich mens heads with high empty airy notions instead of inriching their soules with saving truths if these are not strangers to that wisedome that is from above I know nothing Prov 11. 13. He that winneth soules is wise The Hebrew Velokeahh He is the best Preacher not that tickles the ear but that breaks the heart Non qui aures â—eâ—ige it sed qui corpupigerit word signifies to catch soules by using all Art and industry as Fowlers doe to take Birds No wisedome to that which wins soules from sin and the world and that wins soules to Christ and holinesse no teaching to this Remember this you will never be rich in grace if you care not who you hear nor what you hear That Christ that commands you to take heed how you hear commands you also to take heed who you hear And every soule won to God is as a new Pearl added to a Ministers Crowne c. But you will say to me How should we know which is a soule-inriching Ministry that so we may waite on it Take these three Rules First Judge not of a soule-inriching Ministry by the voyce of the Minister nor by the multitude of hearers that follow him nor by his affected tone nor by his Rhetorick and flashes of wit but by the holinesse heavenlinesse and spirituallnesse of the matter Some Preachers affect Rhetoricall straines they seek abstrucities Many Ministers are like empty Orators that have a flood of words and a drop of mâ—tter Multa loquuntur nihil diâ—unt and love to hover and soare aloft in dark and cloudy expressions and so shoot their Arrowes over their hearers heads instead of bettering their hearers hearts Gay things in a Sermon are onely for men to gaze upon and admire What are high straines and flashes of wit new-minted words and phrases but like gay weeds and blew-bottles to the good Corne Truth is like Solomons Spouse All glorious within She is most beautifull when most naked as Adam was in Innocency Non quanta elâ—quentia sed quanta evidentia Aug. The Oracle would have Phillip of Macedon use silver Lances in winning an impregnable Fort c. but Ministers must not use golden sentences strong lines froth of wit It is Iron and not gold that killeth in the Incounter it is the steele Sword not the golden that winneth the field c. Secondly Judge of it by its revealing the whole Councell of God the whole will of God revealed in his word In Acts 20. 27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole Councell of God Some there be that make it Optimus textâ—arius est optimus Theologus their businesse onely to advance the glory of Christ and to darken the glory of the father and some cry up the glory of the Father and yet cast clouds and darknesse upon the glory of the Son and what dirt and scorne is cast upon the spirit by many vaine blasphemous persons in these times is notoriously knowne and if these men are not far from declaring Agluâ—aidas never relished any dish better then whaâ— was distasted by others So doe serious experienced Saints relish those very truths best that such corrupt teachers distast most c. the whole Councel and will of God I know nothing Christ must be held out in all his Offices for they all tend to the inriching of poore soules to the adding of Pearls to a Christians Crowne And cleerly 't is sad to consider how many there be that cry up one Office and cry downe another Some cry up the Kingly Office of Christ but mind not his Propheticall Office and some cry up his Propheticall Office but trample upon his Kingly Office and some cry up both his Kingly and Propheticall Office and yet make slight of his Priestly Office Christians fixe your selves under his Ministry that gives the Father his due the Son his due and the Spirit his due that makes it his businesse to open the treasures and the riches both of the one and the other and to declare to you the whole will of God for many there be Rom. 1. 18. that with-hold the word in unrighteousnesse and that will onely acquaint you with some parts of the will of God and keep you ignorant of other parts whose condemnation will be great as well as just c. Melius est ut nos reprehendant gramatici quam ut non intelligunt populi Aug. in Psalm 138. Christ and his Apostles laboured to make men Christians not Criticks Thirdly and lastly You may judge of it by its coming neerest to the Ministry of Christ and his Apostles There was no Ministry so soule-inriching and soule-winning as the Ministry of Christ and his Apostles Oh the thousands that were brought in by one exercise Let men of frothy wits say what they will there are no Preachers to these that come neerest in their Ministry to Christ and his Apostles Loquamur verba Scripturae c. said that incomparable man Peter Hamus Let us speake the very words of Scripture for so did Christ the Prophets and Apostles let us make use of the Language of the Holy Ghost and for ever abominate those that prophanely disdaine at the stately plainnesse of Gods blessed Booke and that thinke to correct the Divine wisedome and eloquence with their owne infancy and Sophistry Gods holy things ought to be handled with fear and reverence rather then with wit and dalliance Spirituall nicenesse is the next degree to unfaithfullnesse No Ministry to that which comes neerest to Christ c. The Third Direction is this If ever you would be rich in grace be rich in spiritualls then keepe humble Psal 25. The humble he will teach his way and the meeke he will guide in judgement James 4. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble He sets himselfe in battell array against the proud as the Greek ha's it but he gives grace to Antitassetai the humble He poures grace into an humble soule as men doe water or wine into an empty vessel Of all soules humble soules doe most prize spirituall riches of all soules they most improve spirituall riches of all soules they are most fearfull of loosing spirituall riches In Isa 57. 15. Thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity with him will I dwell that is of an humble and contrite spirit and that trembles
so contemptuous and odious in the eyes of many people in this Nation but the ignorance loosenesse prophanenesse and The soules oâ— Friests I may say of Ministers must bâ— puâ—er then the Sun beams saith Chrysostome Juel Bucer and Bradfâ—rd were famous examples for holinesse basenesse of those that are the dispencers of them Unholy Ministers pull downe instead of building up Oh the soules that their lives destroy These by their loose lives lead their flocks to hell where themselves must lye lowermost A Painter being blamed by a Cardinal for putting too much red upon the visages of Peter and Paul tartly replyed That he painted them so as blushing at the lives of those men who stiled themselves their Successors Ah! how doe the lewd and wicked lives of many that are called and accounted Ministers make others to blush Salvian relates how the Heathen did reproach some Christians who by their ungodly lives made the Gospel of Christ Salvianus de G. D. l. 4. to be a reproach Where said they is that good Law which they doe believe Where are those rules of godlinesse which they doe learne They read the holy Gospel and yet are unclean they heare the Apostles writings and yet are drunke they follow Christ and yet disobey Christ they professe a holy Law and yet doe lead impure lives As this is very applicable to many professors in these dayes so 't is applicable to many Preachers also I have read of a scandalous Minister that was struck at the heart and converted in reading those words Rom. 2. 21. Thou which teachest another teachest thou not thy selfe If this Treatise shall fall into any such hand Oh that it might have the same operation Wicked Ministers doe more hurt by their lives then they doe good by their doctrine I have read of a Gentlewoman that turned Atheist because she lived under a great learned Doctor that preached excellently but lived very licentiously The Heathen brings in a young man who hearing of the adulteries and wickednesses of the Gods said What doe they so and shall I stick at it So say most when their teachers and leaders are lewd and wicked what doe they such and such abhominations and shall we stick at it When one deboist in life among the Lacedemonians stept up and gave good counsel they would not receive it but when another of a better life stept up and gave the same counsel Chrysostome Preached so feelingâ—y and so affectionatly that his heaâ—ers thought they had as good be without the Sun in the Firmament as Chrysostome in the Pulpit they presently followed it The application is easie Every Ministers life should be a Commentary upon Christs life nothing wins and builds like this Eighthly Ministers must preach Feelingly experimentally as well as exemplarily they must speak from the heart to the heart they must feele the worth the weight the sweet of those things upon their owne soules that they give out to others 1 John 1. 1 2 3. That which was from the begining which we have heard which we have seene with our eyes which we have locked upon and our hands have handled of the word of life For the life was manifested and we have seene it and bear witnesse and shew unto you that eternall life which was with the father and was manifested unto us That which we have seene and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the father and with his Son Jesus Christ The highest Mystery in the Divine Rhetorick is to feele what a man speaks and then speak what a man feeles Praxiteles exquisitely drew love taking the pattern from that passion which he felt in his owne heart 'T was said of Luther That he spake as if he had been within a man Ministers must so Preach to the people as if they lived in the very hearts of the people as if they had been told all their wants and all their wayes all their sins and all their doubts no Preaching to this no Preachers to these Ministers should not be like Caesars Souldier That digg'd a Fountaine for Caesar and himselfe perished for want of water Yet many such there be in these dayes that digge and draw water out of the Wels of Salvation for others and yet themselves eternally perish by their non-drinking of the waters of life If they are Monsters and not to be named among men that feed and feast their servants but starve their wives then what monsters are they that feed and feast other mens soules with the dainties and delicates of Heaven but starve their owne No misery no Hell to this Ninthly As Ministers must Preach the word feelingly experimentally so they must Preach the word Rightly they must divide and distribute the word according to every ones spiritual estate and condition they must give Comfort to whom comfort belongs and counsel to whom counsel belongs Isa 40. 1 2. Isa 50. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 10 11 12. and reproof to whom reproof belongs and terror to whom terror belongs 2 Tim. 2. 15. Study to shew thy selfe approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth Or word for word Rightly cutting into parts the word of truth Some say the Metaphor is Geâ—hard Perkâ—ns c. taken from the Priests of the Old Testament who having slaine the Beasts that were to be sacrificed did joynt and divide the same in an accurate manner Others say 't is a Metaphor taken from a Cutter of Leather who cutteth off Châ—ysost Bulling â— Tâ—eâ—phyl c. that which is superfluous when he cutteth out Raines and Thongs So in the handling of the word Questions that are superfluous and unprofitable ought to be cut off and that only is to be held forth that makes for the hearers instruction edification and consolation Others say the Metaphor is taken And if Galen could say That in anâ— tomizing â—ans braine Physiâ—ians must carry themselves as men do in the Temple how much more mâ—st Ministers doe so in dividing the word of life from the cutting and squaring out of the Streets and High-wayes and seting out the bounds of mens Lands and Possessions Others by Cutting the word of truth aright understand the raising of right Instructions by following the rule of the word onely as a Plow-man that draweth or cutteth a right furrow in the ground To divide the word aright is to cut out saith Calvin and others to every one his portion as a Parent cutteth out bread to his Children or a Cooke meat to his Guests A generall Doctrine not applyed is as a sword without an edge not in it selfe but to the people who by reason of their owne singular senselesnesse and weaknesse are not able to apply it to their owne estates and conditions Or as a whole loaf set before Children that will doe them no good A Garment fitted for all bodies is fit for no body
and that which is spoken to all is taken as spoken to none Doctrine is but the drawing of the bow Application is the hitting of the mark How many are wise in generals but vaine in their practical inferences such Preachers are fitter for Rome then England soules may goe sleeping and dreaming to Hell before such Preaching ere such Preachers will awaken them and shew them their danger Oh that therefore the people were so wise as that when sin is reproved judgements threatned mercies promised and Christ freely and fully offered they would apply all to their owne soules This is the misery of many in our dayes they come to Sermons as Beggars come to Banquets carrying nothing but the scraps away with them Tenthly They must Preach the word Acceptably as well as rightly Eccles 12. 10. The Preacher sought to find out Bikkesh ni Pâ—hil from Bakash signifies an eaâ—nest vehement seeking c. acceptable words or words of delight as the Hebrew ha's it and that which was written was upright even words of truth Ministers words should be Divinely delectable and desirable they should Divinely please and Divinely profit they should 'T was a fiâ—e commendation given by Quintiliian of Thucydides Thucydides writes thick and quick close clear he is solid sâ—ccint seâ—tentious and judicious Divinely tickle and Divinely take both ear and heart A Minister should be a weighty speaker he should cloath his Doctrine in such a comely lovely dresse as that he may by it slide insensibly into his hearers hearts Ministers should cloath their matter with decent words The leaves give some beauty to the Tree Good matter in an unseemly language is like a bright Taper in a sluttish Candlestick or like a faire body in unhandsome cloaths or like a gold-ring on a Leprous hand Truth saith one loves to be plaine but not sluttish as she loves not to be clad in gay colours like a wanton strumpet so not in lowsie raggs like a nasty Creature Aarons bels were golden bels Dulce sonantes sounding pleasantly and not as sounding brasse or tinkling Cymbals Holy Eloquence is a gift of the Holy Ghost and may doubtlesse as Acts 18. 24. well as other gifts of the spirit be made prudently usefull to the setting forth of Divine truth and the catching of soules 2 Cor 12. 16. by craft as the Apostle speaks surely where it is it may be made use of as an Aegyptian Jewel to adorne the Tabernacle Lactantius hath well observed That Philosophers Orators Lib. 5. cap. 1. and Poets were therefore very pernicious in that they easily insnared incautious minds with sweetnesse of speech Therefore Basil Bucer were curt and concise full and clear in their discourses his advice is Even in delivering the truth of Christ to sweeten the speech for the winning of them to Christ who will neither heare nor read nor value nor regard the truth except it be pollished and trimmed up in a lovely dresse In the last place and so to adde no more as they must Preach the word acceptably so they must Preach the word Constantly they must not lay downe the Bible to take up the sword as some have done for worldly advantages 1 Cor. 7. 20. 24 Acts 6. 2. they must not leave the word to serve Tables as others have done upon the same account they must not change their black Clokes for scarlet Clokes they must abide and continue in their places and imployments they must neither change their work nor their Master Acts 6. 4. But we will give our selves continually to pray and to the Ministry The Shew-bread stood all the week before the Lord â—o shew that Preaching is not out of season on any day of the word They would not assigne their charge to some Surrogates or Deputies that themselves might live at ease No they were peremptorily resolv'd to hold on to continue in these two choyce duties Prayer and Ministry of the word So in Chap. 26. 22. Having therefore obtained helpe of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying no other things then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come 1 Tim. 4. 15 16. Meditate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 En toutois isihi Spend thy â—me in them upon these things give thy selfe wholy to them that thy profiting may appear to all or in all things Take heed unto thy selfe and unto thy doctrine Continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thy selfe and them that heare thee 2 Tim. 3. 14. But * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mene. Abide keep hy station â—hou wilt be put to 't thou wilt meâ—â— with earthquakes continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them Eccles 12. 9. And moreover because the Preacher was wise he still taught the people knowledge yea he gave good heed and sought out and set in order many Proverbs Hosea was four-score years a Prophet to Israel and yet did not convert them yet notwithstanding all discouragements he continued constant and that with abundance of freshnesse and livelinesse Chrysostome compares good Pastours to Fountaines that Châ—ysost in Mat. Hom. 15. ever send â—â—rth waters or Conduites that are alwayes running though no Paile be put under Erasmus saith of Hierom Minima pars noctis dabatur somno minor cibi nulla otio He allowed least time for sleep little for food none for idlenesse It best becomes a Minister to dye Preaching in a Pulpit Now if this be so Then by way of Use let me say That this truth lockes very sowrely and wishly upon all those that Preach any thing rather then Christ The Lord be mercifull to them how have they forgotten the great work about which their heads and hearts should be most exercised to wit the bringing in of soules to Christ and the building up of soules in Christ where doe we find in all the Scripture that Christ his Prophets or Apostles did ever in their Preaching meddle with businesses of State or things of a meer civil concernment My Kingdome is not of this world Who ha's made me a Judge sayes Christ I hope it will not be counted presumption in me if I shall propound a few Rules for such to observe that are willing to Preach Christ to poore soules I will onely propound three And the first is this If you would Preach Christ to the people according to the Rules last mentioned then You must get a Christ within you There 's nothing that makes a man indeed so able to Preach Christ to the people as the getting a Christ within him And 't is very observeable that the great Rabbies and Doctours that want a Christ within they doe but bungle in the work of the Lord in the Preaching of a crucified Jesus and were it not for the help of Austine Chrysostome Ambrose and Tertullian c. what sad dead and
of humane doctrines Sixthly Humane doctrines make men servants to the humours and corruptions of men They make men pleasers of men rather then pleasers of God Yea they make men set up themselves and others sometimes in the roome of Christ and sometimes above Christ I hope these few short hints may prevaile with some to fall in with this counsel that so they may the better Preach the Lord Jesus to the people And so much for this Doctrine EPHES. 3. 8. Vnto me who am lesse then the least of all Saints is this Grace given that I should Preach among the Gentiles the Vnsearchable Riches of Christ. HAving spoken much concerning Ministers Duty I shall now speake a little concerning their Dignity and so finish this Text. Vnto me who am lesse then the least of all Saints is this Grace given that I should Preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ This grace this favour this honour is given to me that I should Preach c. I look not upon it as a poor low mean contemptible thing but as a very great honour That I should Preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ The Observation that I shall speak a little to is this That the Office of a Minister or Preacher is honourable For the understanding of this Point Premise with me two things First That by a Minister I understand one that is qualified according to Gospel Rules and that is internally called by God and externally called by the people of God to the Ministeriall Office The second thing that I would have you Premise with me for the understanding of the Point is this That the common Apellation of those that are set apart for the Preaching of the Gospel in the New Testament is DIAKONOI Ministers So in 1 Cor. 3. 5. 2 Cor. 3. 6. Chap. 6. 4. Chap. 11. 15. 23. 1 Tim. 4. 16. And in divers other places the word Minister is a Title of Office service or administration given frequently to the Preachers of the Gospel As for the names of Ambassadors Stewards and the like wherewith they are often honoured they are figurative and given to them by allusion onely These two things being Premised we shall now proceed to the opening of the Point And in the first place I shall prove That the Office of a Minister is an honourable Office And then in the second place I shall shew you What honour is due to them And then in the third place I shall shew you How you are to honour them And then in the last place we shall bring home all by A word of Application Christians Give me leave to tell you this by the way That since the Gospel hath shined in England a godly faithfull painfull Ministry was never more subtily and vehemently struck at by men that make a faire shew and by men of corrupt opinions and wicked lives This Age affords many Church-Levellers as well as State-Levellers Some there be that under that notion of Plucking up corrupt Ministers would pluck up by the very roots the true Ministry But God ha's and will be still too hard for such men if they will be Monsters God will be sure to be Master His faithfull Ministers Revel 2. 1. are stars that he holds in his right hand and men shall as soon pull the Sun out of the Firmament as pull them out of the hand of God Now considering that there is such a spirit abroad in the world I hope no sober serious Christians will be offended at my standing up to vindicate the Honour of a godly faithfull Ministry In order to which I shall first prove that the Office of a Minister is honourable and to me these following things speak it out First The severall Names and Titles that are given to them in Scripture doth speak them out to be honourable They are called Fathers Stewards Ambassadours Overseers and Angels as you all know that know any thing of Scripture To spend time to prove this would be to light Candles to see the Sun at noon Secondly Their worke is honourable Their whole work is about soules about winning soules to Christ and about building soules up in Christ and to these two heads the main work of the Ministry may be reduced The more noble the soule is O anima Dei insignita imagine desponsaâ—a fide donata spiritu c. Bernard O Divine soul invested with the Image of God espouseâ— to him by faith c. the more honour 't is to be busied and exercised about it Jam. 5. 20. Let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sins Let him know That is let him take notice that an honourable and glorious work is done by him The soule is the immediate work of God the soule is the Image of God the soule is capable of union and communion with God the soule is more worth then a world yea then a thousand worlds Christ prayed for soules and wrought Miracles for soules and wept for soules and left his fathers bosome for soules and bled out his heart blood for soules and is gone to heaven to make provision for soules yea he is now a making intercession for soules All which speaks out the excellency of their Office whose whole work is about soules The Jewes say of Moses his soule That it was sucked out of his mouth with a kisse Soules are deare and sweet to God A third thing that speaks out this truth is this They are fellow-labourers with God They are co-Co-workers with God in the salvation of sinners And this is a mighty honour to be a fellow-labourer with God to be a co-worker with God 1 Cor. 3. 9. For we are labourers together with God Who would not work hard with such sweet company Who Mat. 5. 14. John 5. 35. Maâ— 5. 13. Mark 9. 49 50. would not affect prize love and honour such service Ministers are called the light and salt of the world because they inlighten blind soules and season unsavoury soules and so save them from corruption and perdition Oh! to be joyned in any work with God is an honour beyond what I am able to expresse The Senate of Rome accounted it a diminution of Augustus Caesars dignity to joyne any Consuls with him for the better carrying on the Affaires of the State Oh but our God doth not think it a diminution of his dignity that even his poore despised servants should be fellow-labourers and co-workers with him in the salvation of soules Fourthly The honourable account that the Lord hath of them in this imployment speaks out this truth That their Office is honourable In Mat. 10. 41 42. compared He that Kings and Princes have their Ambassadors in very high account so ha's God his receiveth you receiveth me he that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward And