(2.) As for the Ministers of the Gospel; all they who understand, and attend unto their Office and Duty, must acknowledge; that they are under the strictest, and most forcible engagements in the World, to lay out themselves entirely, and (to the uttermost of their Capacity) to serve the Lord Jesus, and to help forward the enlargement of his Kingdom. And yet, it is not the Duty, and Work of every ordinary Minister to go up and down the World, to preach the Gospel, for the Conversion of ⟨image 126⟩the Heathen, as the Apostles, and Evangelists did. [Rom. xv. 20. Yea, so have I strived to preach the Gospel, where Christ was not named.] Because they are commanded by Christ, to attend upon their proper flocks, Act. xx. 28. 1 Pet. v. 1, 2. But, what Measures they are to take farther, or what Methods, they are to pursue, to promote the spreading of the Gospel, is indeed, a very Christian, and noble enquiry. At the debate whereof, I should most gladly stand, as a silent Learner, and not presume to be a Director. However, I hope, it will be excusable, if I offer one thing to the Consideration of those whose Piety, and Learning may challenge a due esteem in the Hearts of all that fear God. We have had among us, Committees for the Encouragement, and Increase of Trade. And what if there were some to consult, How the Gospel might be propagated? The Papists have at Rome their Congregatio de propagandâ Fide. Their design may be very ill, while they contrive not, How that Faith, which was once delivered to the Saints, may be propagated; but how the Leaven of their own Superstition may be diffused, and especially, How the Popes Kingdom may be enlarged. And yet, to deliberate, How the Gospel of the Grace of God, may be carried into the dark corners of the Earth for the Conversion, and Salvation of them who are ready to perish, and so the Kingdom of Christ get ground in the World, is, I am sure, a most holy, and excellent design; and so I recommend this also to the Prayers of Godly, private Christians.
(2.) As for the Ministers of the Gospel; all they who understand, and attend unto their Office and Duty, must acknowledge; that they are under the strictest, and most forcible engagements in the World, to lay out themselves entirely, and (to the uttermost of their Capacity) to serve the Lord Jesus, and to help forward the enlargement of his Kingdom. And yet, it is not the Duty, and Work of every ordinary Minister to go up and down the World, to preach the Gospel, for the Conversion of ⟨image 126⟩the Heathen, as the Apostles, and Evangelists did. [Rom. xv. 20. Yea, so have I strived to preach the Gospel, where Christ was not named.] Because they are commanded by Christ, to attend upon their proper flocks, Act. xx. 28. 1 Pet. v. 1, 2. But, what Measures they are to take farther, or what Methods, they are to pursue, to promote the spreading of the Gospel, is indeed, a very Christian, and noble enquiry. At the debate whereof, I should most gladly stand, as a silent Learner, and not presume to be a Director. However, I hope, it will be excusable, if I offer one thing to the Consideration of those whose Piety, and Learning may challenge a due esteem in the Hearts of all that fear God. We have had among us, Committees for the Encouragement, and Increase of Trade. And what if there were some to consult, How the Gospel might be propagated? The Papists have at Rome their Congregatio de propagandâ Fide. Their design may be very ill, while they contrive not, How that Faith, which was once delivered to the Saints, may be propagated; but how the Leven of their own Superstition may be diffused, and especially, How the Popes Kingdom may be enlarged. And yet, to deliberate, How the Gospel of the Grace of God, may be carried into the dark corners of the Earth for the Conversion, and Salvation of them who are ready to perish, and so the Kingdom of Christ get ground in the World, is, I am sure, a most holy, and excellent design; and so I recommend this also to the Prayers of Godly, private Christians.
