of no Man to be no Brawler but Gentle shewing all Meekness unto all Men Tit. 3. 2. And the Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all Men apt to teach patient in Meekness instructing those that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2. 24. Thus speaks the Rule and by it are commended to us Gentleness Meekness Moderation Patience and by the same are forbid all Passion undue Anger Roughness Quarrelling Impatience with our Neighbor c. These are Evils the former are to be our Ornaments What then must be judg'd of all such as take Exceptions at every accident who easily Fret fall into Passion use reproachful Language will bear nothing excuse nothing but let every trifling Occasion be enough to disturb their own Peace and their Neighbors Do these follow the Gospel It is too evident they do not and therefore are under a strict Obligation of daily laboring to bring themselves to a more Christian Temper If Nature be difficult yet Grace is more powerful and by this all Difficulties may be overcome and those who strive not to gain this Victory are without Excuse CHAP. XIV Of Humility and Pride Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to Humility and Pride A. It declares the great Value of the one and the Mischiefs of the other so that whatever be the Judgment of the World yet 't is plain what is the Judgment of the Gospel and there can be no Excuse for those who do not follow it Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5. 3. Take my Yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in Heart and ye shall find Rest unto your Souls Mat. 11. 29. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little Child the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18. 4. They which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and their great Ones exercise Authority upon them But so it shall not be among you But whosoever will be great among you shall be your Minister And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be Servant of all For even the Son of Man came not to be minister'd unto but to minister and to give his Life a Ransom for many Mar. 10. 42 c. All their Works they the Pharisees do for to be seen of Men They make broad their Phylacteries and enlarge the Borders of their Garments and love the uppermost Rooms at Feasts and the chief Seats in the Synagogues and Greetings in the Markets and to be called of Men Rabbi Rabbi But be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are Brethren Neither be ye called Masters for one is your Master even Christ But he that is greatest among you shall be your Servant And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted Mat. 23. 5 c. He hath regarded the low Estate of his Handmaiden for behold from henceforth all Generations shall call me blessed He hath scatter'd the Proud in the Imagination of their Hearts he hath put down the Mighty from their Seats and exalted them of low Degree Luk. 1. 48 51. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself God I thank thee that I am not as other Men are Extortioners Vnjust Adulterers or even as this Publican I fast twice in the Week I give Tythes of all that I possess And the Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his Eyes unto Heaven but smote upon his Breast saying God be merciful to me a Sinner I tell you This Man went down to his House justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Luk. 18. 11. And thou Capernaum which art exalted to Heaven shalt be thrust down to Hell Luk. 10. 15. Be not high minded but fear for if God spared not the natural Branches take heed lest he also spare not thee Rom. 11. 20. Mind not high things but condescend to Men of low Estate be not wise in your own Conceits Rom. 12. 16. That ye might learn in us not to think of Men above that which is written that no one of you be puffed up for one against another For who maketh thee to differ from another And what hast thou that thou didst not receive Now if thou didst receive it why do'st thou glory as if thou hadst not receiv'd it We are made a Spectacle unto the World and to Angels and to Men. We are Fools for Christ's sake but ye are wise in Christ we are weak but ye are strong ye are honorable but we are despised We are made as the Filth of the World and are the Off-scouring of all things unto this Day 1 Cor. 4. 6 c. Let nothing be done thro' Strife or Vain-Glory but in Lowliness of Mind let each esteem other better than themselves Let this Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no Reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men and being found in fashion as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name Phil. 2. 3 5 c. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the Earth Eph. 4. 9. Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved Bowels of Mercies Kindness Humbleness of Mind Meekness Long-suffering Col. 3. 12. Yea all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with Humility for God resisteth the Proud and giveth Grace to the Humble Humble your selves therefore under the mighty Hand of God that he may exalt you in due time 1 Pet. 5. 5 6. Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up Jam. 4. 10. In the last Days perillous times shall come for Men shall be Lovers of their own selves Boasters Proud Vnthankful Fierce Despisers of those that are Good Heady High-minded 2 Tim. 3. 1 c. I beseech you to walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called with all Lowliness and Meekness with Long-suffering Eph. 4. 1 2. God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen that no Flesh should glory in his Presence He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 27. For not he that commendeth himself is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10. 18. Ye are they which justifie your selves before Men but God knoweth your Hearts
Directions in the Gospel for Persons of this Rank A. Some Instructions there are which it may not be improper for these to consider which I will set down here but they being likewise concern'd in the next Chapter I must recommend that to their perusal Ye see your Calling Brethren how that not many wise men after the Flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are That no Flesh should glory in his presence But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption That according as it is written he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 26. God makes not choice of Persons from their Greatness Wisdom or Nobility he chose the contemptible things of this World to confound all Confidence and Glory except that which is in God alone My Brethren have not the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory with respect of Persons For if there come unto your Assembly a Man with a gold Ring in goodly Apparel and there come in also a poor Man in vile Raiment and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay Cloathing and say unto him sit thou here in a good place and say to the Poor stand thou there or sit here under my Footstool Are ye not then Partial in your selves and are become Judges of evil Thoughts Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him But ye have despised the Poor Do not rich Men oppress you and draw you before the Judgment-seats Do not they blaspheme the worthy Name by the which ye are called Jam. 2. 1. To be Partial in the Respect of Persons the Spirit of God disapproves Humane Greatness has no Preference with God To be Honorable in the Gospel-scheme is to do that which the Gospel most recommends and for which a Soul shall find Honor with God They who do this are truly Honorable Some additions may be here made out of the Old Testament David went out whithersoever Saul sent him and behaved himself wisely 1 Sam. 18. 5. A vertuous and prudent Conduct is a sure Step to Honor this cannot fail of being valued But great Titles Retinue and Riches join'd with a light Head and Indiscretion help to make a Person more remarkably Contemptible The King David said and where is thy Master's Son And Ziba said unto the King behold he abideth at Jerusalem For he said to Day shall the House of Israel restore me the Kingdom of my Father Then said the King to Ziba behold thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth 2 Sam. 16. 3. A Servant thus made his Court to the King by falsly accusing his Master and disgracing him with his Prince Such a Step to Honor is base only fit for a treacherous Servant and cannot be attempted without Infamy And Barzillai said unto the King how long have I to live that I should go up with the King unto Jerusalem 2 Sam. 19. 34. To retire from Court and public Business for making a Preparation for Death is Christian Discretion Solicitude of Business and Variety of Engagements are not a Help for dying well Persons so taken up do not leave the World but are torn from it Why boastest thou thy self in Mischief O mighty Man The Goodness of God endureth continually Thy Tongue deviseth Mischiefs like a sharp Razor working deceitfully Thou lovest Evil more than Good and Lying rather than to speak Righteousness Thou lovest all devouring O thou deceitful Tongue God shall likewise destroy thee for ever Psal 52. 1. There is Meanness in Boasting in Malice in Detraction and Lying which is not consistent with true Honor. Where there is Quality there ought to be an Abhorrence of all that is thus Base and nothing can be more degrading than to be familiar with it What are then Titles State and Birth where there is a Familiarity with Lying Detraction Malice and Vanity Such may make a Shew at a Distance but more nearly examin'd they are certainly Contemptible Without Repentance their Fate must be to be despis'd and trampled on by Devils Seest thou a Man diligent in his Business He shall stand before Kings he shall not stand before mean Men Prov. 22. 29. Sloth is unbecoming all States and where is the Honor of being a Drone Industry with a low Birth is more Honorable than useless Quality Is he Idle and Lazy Say no more whatever his Blood be he is Infamous Daniel purposed in his Heart that he would not defile himself with the Portion of the King's Meat nor with the Wine which he drank Therefore he requested of the Prince of the Eunuchs that he might not defile himself Dan. 1. 8. True Greatness of Mind not to transgress the Law of God in Compliance with the King Such Fidelity proof against Interest and Flattery is truly Honorable But what degree then of contemptible Meanness is in all those who knowing their Duty to God and the Honor of their Nature have not Strength of Mind to withstand ordinary Attempts but surrender upon every Breath of Flattery or Reproach They make the King glad with their Wickedness and the Princes with their Lies They are all Adulterers Hos 7. 3. This was the Provocation of Israel Hear this word ye Kine of Bashan that are in the Mountain of Samaria which oppress the Poor which crush the Needy which say to their Masters bring and let us drink Amos 4. 1. This was the Crime of the great Ones of Israel Oppression and Excess Wo to them that are at ease in Zion and trust in the Mountain of Samaria ye that put far away the evil Day and cause the Seat of Violence to come near that lye upon Beds of Ivory and stretch themselves upon their Couches and eat the Lambs out of the Flock and the Calves out of the midst of the Stall that chant to the Sound of the Viol and invent to themselves Instruments of Music like David that drink Wine in Bowls and anoint themselves with the chief Ointments but they are not grieved for the Affliction of Joseph Therefore now shall they go Captive with the first that go Captive and the Banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed The Lord God hath sworn by himself saith the Lord the God of Hosts I abhorr the Excellency of Jacob and hate his Palaces Therefore will I deliver up the City with all that is therein Amos 6. 1 3. The Prophet reckons up the Provocations of Israel their Life of Ease of Oppression of expensive
Luk. 16. 20. Ye see your Calling Brethren how that not many wise Men after the Flesh not many Mighty not many Noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen 1 Cor. 1. 26. Moreover Brethren we do you to wit of the Grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia How that in a great Trial of Affliction the Abundance of their Joy and their deep Poverty abounded unto the riches of their Liberality For to their Power I bear record yea and beyond their Power they were willing of themselves praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the Gift Ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that tho' he was Rich yet for your sakes he became Poor that ye thro' his Poverty might be Rich 2 Cor. 8. 1 9. Let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ who being in the form of God thought it not Robbery to be equal with God But made himself of no Reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men And being found in fashion as a Man he Humbled himself and became Obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him Phil. 2. 5. Godliness with Contentment is great Gain For we brought nothing into this World and it is certain we can carry nothing out And having Food and Raiment let us be therewith content But they that will be Rich fall into Temptation 1 Tim. 6. 6. Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee So that we may boldly say the Lord is my Helper and I will not fear what Man shall do unto me Heb. 13. 5. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty Hand of God that he may exalt you in due time casting all your Care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5. 6. Let the Brother of low Degree rejoice in that he is exalted Blessed is the Man that endureth Temptation For when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 9 12. Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2. 5. Not that I speak in respect of Want for I have learned in whatsoever State I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound Every-where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things thro' Christ which strengtheneth me Notwithstanding ye have well done that ye did communicate with my Affliction Phil. 4. 11. These things saith the First and the Last which was dead and is alive I know thy Works and Tribulation and Poverty but thou art Rich. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have Tribulation ten Days Be thou Faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 8. Some additions out of the Old Testament I would seek unto God and unto God would I commit my Cause He saveth the Poor from the Sword from their Mouth and from the Hand of the Mighty So the Poor hath Hope and Iniquity stoppeth her Mouth Job 5. 15. The Lord also will be a Refuge for the Oppressed a Refuge in times of Trouble And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee For thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Psal 9. 9 10. The Needy shall not alway be forgotten the Expectation of the Poor shall not perish for ever v. 18. Why standest thou afar off O Lord Why hidest thou thy self in times of Trouble The Wicked in his Pride doth persecute the Poor Let them be taken in the Devices that they have imagined Arise O Lord O God lift up thine Hand forget not the Humble Wherefore doth the Wicked contemn God He hath said in his Heart thou wilt not require it Thou hast seen it for thou beholdest Mischief and Spite to requite it with thy Hand The Poor committeth himself unto thee thou art the Helper of the Fatherless Lord thou hast heard the Desire of the Humble Thou wilt prepare their Heart thou wilt cause thine Ear to hear To judge the Fatherless and the Oppressed that the Man of the Earth may no more oppress Psal 10. 1 12 17. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my Fears This Poor Man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his Troubles The Angel of our Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them O taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the Man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints For there is no want to them that fear him The Righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their Troubles The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all He keepeth all his Bones not one of them is broken The Lord redeemeth the Soul of his Servants and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate Psal 34. 4 6 17. Trust in the Lord and do good so shalt thou dwell in the Land and verily thou shalt be fed Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the Desires of thine Heart Commit thy Way unto the Lord and he shall bring it to pass Rest in the Lord and wait patiently Fret not thy self because of him who prospereth in his Way for evil Doers shall be cut off but those that wait upon the Lord they shall inherit the Earth A little that a righteous Man hath is better than the Riches of many Wicked The Lord knoweth the Days of the Vpright and their Inheritance shall be for ever They shall not be ashamed in the evil Time and in the Days of Famine they shall be satisfied The Steps of a good Man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his Way Tho' he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his Hand I have been young and now am old Yet have I not seen the Righteous forsaken nor his Seed begging Bread Psal 37. 3 7 16 18 23. Why art thou cast down O my Soul And why art thou disquieted within me Hope in God for I shall yet praise him who
worthily the Word of God 4. Suppress corrupt Discourse 5. Subdue their own Passions and follow the Spirit of the new Man 6. Decline impertinent Contentions 7. Be Meek to all and ready to give their Help 8. Be moderate in Reproving and Arguing Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them and that from a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee Wise unto Salvation thro' Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrin for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works 2 Tim. 3. 14. They are to be stedfast in Faith knowing in the Holy Scriptures make use of these for the Conduct of themselves for instructing correcting and leading others in Ways of Piety and Justice I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the Quick and the Dead at his appearing and his Kingdom Preach the Word be instant in Season out of Season reprove rebuke exhort with all Long-suffering and Doctrin For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrin but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching Ears And they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth and shall be turned unto Fables But watch thou in all things endure Afflictions do the Work of an Evangelist make full proof of thy Ministry 2 Tim. 4. 1. They are to employ their Preaching Reproof Prayer Threats and Patience for the Salvation of their Flock They are to be Watchful bear patiently the Troubles of their Ministry and by discharging all Duties fully satisfie it For this Cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in Order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee If any be Blameless the Husband of one Wife having faithful Children not accused of Riot or Vnruly For a Bishop must be Blameless as the Steward of God not Self-willed not soon Angry not given to Wine no Striker not given to filthy Lucre but a Lover of Hospitality a Lover of good Men Sober Just Holy Temperate holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrin both to exhort and to convince the Gainsayers Tit. 1. 5. Qualifications of such as undertake this Charge These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authority Let no Man despise thee Tit. 2. 15. They are to exhort and reprove as having Authority Their Conduct ought to be such as to be despis'd by none Avoid foolish Questions and Genealogies and Contentions and Strivings about the Law for they are unprofitable and vain A Man that is an Heretick after the first and second Admonition reject Knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself Tit. 3. 9. They are to decline unprofitable Disputes and declar'd Hereticks The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder and a Witness of the Sufferings of Christ and also a Partaker of the Glory that shall be revealed Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the Oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready Mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but being Ensamples to the Flock And when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall reeeive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 1. The true Shepherds not for their own Interest but for the Good of the Flock watch over it they lead it without lording it and are themselves an Example to it Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die For I have not found thy Works perfect before God Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a Thief Revel 3. 2. Thus speaks the chief Shepherd to all those who under him have taken upon them the Care of his Flock and from whom should they learn the Obligations of their Charge but from him Happy they who give ear to him §. II. As to Teaching the Flock Jesus came and spake unto them saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 19. The Commission for teaching and preaching Christ must be from Christ and no other Confidence of teaching Truth but from him As ye go preach saying The Kingdom of heaven is at Hand Heal the Sick cleanse the Lepers raise the Dead cast out Devils freely ye have received freely give Mat. 10. 7. They are to be dis-interessed Do all good and not look for a Reward from Man but from God He that heareth you heareth me And he that despiseth you despiseth me And he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luk. 10. 16. Christ speaks to his Flock by those whom he has set over it and appointed to teach Christ is injur'd in the contempt of them In the day-time he was teaching in the Temple and at night he went out and abode in the Mount that is called the Mount of Olives Luk. 21. 37. They who teach others are to have their time of frequent Retreat from the World I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive Jo. 14. 16. When the Spirit of Truth is come he will guide you into all Truth Jo. 16. 13. No Security of Truth from Learning but from the Spirit of God What Gratitude due from the Flock to God whilst those who were to Teach it were to be led by this Spirit Then the Twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve Tables Act. 6. 2. To be engag'd in temporal Affairs is a hindrance to those who are to Teach When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small Dissension and Disputation with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question Act. 15. 2. And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter V. 6. When Questions arise they are not determin'd by Paul and Barnabas but are referr'd to the Apostles and Elders of the Church who assemble and consider of it Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen Men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas and
who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23. To suffer for the Truth ought to be the Joy and Comfort of him that has undertaken to be the Minister of Truth How much then do they forget their Vocation who upon meeting with Discouragements lose all Comfort and repent of their Labor Whom we preach warning every Man and teaching every Man in all Wisdom that we may present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. The only design of an Apostolic Teacher is to form Jesus in every one of his Flock and to make all perfect in him Say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Col. 4. 17. They who consider not well the Duties of their Charge will soon neglect them Fulfil the Duties of the Ministry of Jesus Christ What Pastor do's not tremble at this Word Your selves Brethren know our Entrance in unto you that it was not in vain But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated as ye know at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much Contention For our Exhortation was not of Deceit nor of Vncleanness nor in Guile But as we were allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel even so we speak not as pleasing Men but God which trieth our Hearts For neither at any time used we flattering Words as ye know nor a Cloak of Covetousness God is Witness Nor of Men sought we Glory neither of you nor yet of others when we might have been burdensome as the Apostles of Christ But we were Gentle among you even as a Nurse cherisheth her Children So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only but also our own Souls because ye were dear unto us For ye remember Brethren our Labor and Travel For laboring Night and Day because we would not be chargeable unto any of you we preached unto you the Gospel of God Ye are Witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children that ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory 1 Thess 2. 1. Every Word a Lesson to Preachers What a Mercy to the World if they would study and follow this Spirit Be not thou therefore ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord nor of me his Prisoner but be thou Partaker of the Afflictions of the Gospel according to the Power of God 2 Tim. 1. 8. Great Courage is necessary for standing by the Truth and the Ministers of it Hold fast the form of sound Words which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us 2 Tim. 1. 13. Great Fidelity requir'd of the Pastors of God's Church The Holy Ghost promis'd to them for this end Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life 2 Tim. 2. 3. I suffer trouble as an evil Doer even unto Bonds but the Word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the Elects sake v. 9. To suffer with Courage all Difficulties is the Obligation of a Pastor And if he suffer as a Criminal as this is most humbling so it brings him nearer to the Resemblance of Jesus Christ They are of the World therefore speak they of the World and the World heareth them 1 Jo. 4. 5. Unhappy Teachers whose Character this is CHAP. XXXVI Of the Flock Q. WHat Directions do's the Gospel give to the Flock in Regard of those whom God has put over them A. It speaks very particularly to them but that I may end this last Chapter with such Instructions as the Gospel gives I will first set down some Injunctions of God in the Old Law which as it was a Figure of the New so it may lead us to such Duties as God expects from the Flock in this better Constitution which is the Church of Christ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian Woman whom he had married And they said hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses Hath he not spoken also by us And the Lord heard it Wherefore then were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses And the Anger of the Lord was kindled against them and he departed Num. 12. 1 8. God shews his displeasure against those who murmur at such as he has set over them And all the Children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron And the Lord said unto Moses How long will this People provoke me Surely they shall not see the Land which I sware unto their Fathers neither shall any of them that provoked me see it Num. 14. 2 11 23. Great are the Judgments of God upon those who murmur against such as are over them Now Korah and Dathan and Abiram took men and they rose up before Moses with certain of the Children of Israel two hundred and fifty Princes of the assembly famous in the Congregation Men of renown And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said unto them Ye take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation are holy every one of them and the Lord is among them Wherefore then lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord And when Moses heard it he fell upon his Face And he spake unto the Congregation saying Depart I pray you from tbe Tents of these wicked Men and touch nothing of theirs lest ye be consumed in all their Sins And the Earth opened her Mouth and swallowed them up and their Houses and all the Men that appertained unto Korah and all their goods And there came out a fire from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty Men that offered Incense Num. 16. 1 26 32 35. The Congregation being holy Exempts them not from their Obedience enjoin'd The Authority of Princes of the Congregation Men Famous and of Renown is not enough for questioning the Authority of Moses and Aaron whom God had commanded all to hear and obey Their offering Incense to God is not accepted while divided from Moses and Aaron they are under the guilt of Disobedience Thou shalt come unto the Priests the Levites and unto the Judge that shall be in those days and enquire and they shall shew thee the Sentence of Judgment And thou shalt do according to the Sentence which they of that place which the Lord shall chuse shall shew thee and thou shalt observe to do according to all that