Thus Gods children, both Ministers and Auditors are not always alike, either in their faith, or the fruits of faith. They have their waxings and wanings as the Moon, their settings and risings as the Sun, their ebbings and flowings as the Sea, and their springing and falling as the leaf. And (as they that are troubled with an intermitting ague) they have their good and bad days; Sometimes you shall see them as heavy as lead. 1, by reason of the weather. 2, their complexion. 3, some grief. 4, some sin committed. 5, some good omitted. 6, some means of salvation not used. 7, some sin not repented of▪ 8, or not fully repented of. 9, unthankfulness for benefits. 10, pride of gifts. 11, to provoke them to pray. 12, that they may see what they are when God leaves them: and not to presume upon their own strength. At other times observe with what delight of heart, cheerfulness of countenance, volubility of speech, nimbleness of wit, strength of memory, and dexterity of the whole man they go about every good thing: and what is the cause of all this? God putteth into them his good spirit, and maketh all things as it were possible unto them. He that knoweth not this, be he Minister or Auditor, knoweth little of the Christian combat. Is this so? 1, humble thy self under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt thee in due time. 1. Pet. 5. 7. 2, despair not, though sorrow come in the evening, joy may come in the morning: they that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. 3, censure not, when men are not alike cheerful in divine duties: especially Ministers, who oftentimes partly for their own sin, and partly for the sins of their auditors, who either pray not for them, or love them not, or grace them not, or are not worthy of the best things, are put to silence. Augustine reporteth of himself, that at his meditations of many sermons he was often most cheerful: in the Pulpit on the sudden heavy. And I heard once a godly man in the like case, speak thus to his auditors. I was never so humbled as this day the Lord hath humbled me in my ministry, because you have not assisted me with your prayers. A willing, patient, loving, and charitable auditory setteth an edge upon the zeal of the Preacher. 4, art thou dull? wait for this quickening▪ for in coming it will come, and will not tarry.
Thus Gods children, both Ministers and Auditors are not alwayes alike, either in their faith, or the fruites of faith. They haue their waxings and waynings as the Moone, their settings and rysings as the Sun, their ebbings and flowings as the Sea, and their springing and falling as the leafe. And (as they that are troubled with an intermitting ague) they haue their good and badde dayes; Sometimes you shall see them as heauie as lead. 1, by reason of the weather. 2, their complexion. 3, some griefe. 4, some sinne committed. 5, some good omitted. 6, some meanes of saluation not vsed. 7, some sinne not repented of▪ 8, or not fully repented of. 9, vnthankfulnesse for benefits. 10, pride of gifts. 11, to prouoke them to pray. 12, that they may see what they are when God leaues them: and not to presume vpon their owne strength. At other times obserue with what delight of heart, cheerefulnesse of countenance, volubilitie of speech, nimblenesse of wit, strength of memorie, and dexteritie of the whole man they goe about euery good thing: and what is the cause of all this? God putteth into them his good spirit, and maketh all things as it were possible vnto them. Hee that knoweth not this, bee hee Minister or Auditor, knoweth little of the Christian combate. Is this so? 1, humble thy selfe vnder the mightie hand of God that he may exalt thee in due time. 1. Pet. 5. 7. 2, despaire not, though sorrowe come in the euening, ioy may come in the morning: they that sowe in teares, shall reape in ioy. 3, censure not, when men are not alike cheerefull in diuine duties: especially Ministers, who oftentimes partly for their owne sinne, and partly for the sinnes of their auditors, who either pray not for them, or loue them not, or grace them not, or are not worthie of the best things, are put to silence. Augustine reporteth of himselfe, that at his meditations of many sermons hee was often most cheerefull: in the Pulpit on the suddaine heauie. And I heard once a godly man in the like case, speake thus to his auditors. I was neuer so humbled as this day the Lord hath humbled mee in my ministery, because you haue not assisted mee with your prayers. A willing, patient, louing, and charitable auditorie setteth an edge vpon the zeale of the Preacher. 4, art thou dull? waite for this quickening▪ for in comming it will come, and will not tarie.
