1. Make that use of Ministers while they live, that you will wish you had made of them when they are dead. We read Luke 17.20. the Pharisees demanded of Christ, when the Kingdom of God should come: they expected the Messiah, but would not own Christ to be He; they reckoned he would come in more stately manner; ⟨p. 29⟩Christ was in their eye contemptible: but Christ saith, Verse 22. The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. q. d. As much as you overlook me now, you would be glad I would make the same offer hereafter. Luke 19.42. Oh that thou hadst known, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace: but now they are hid from thine eyes. How many are ready to fancy, could they have the scattered excellencies of all Ministers meet in one, that the same man were a Moses for Prayer, a Paul for Preaching, a John Baptist for frighting sinners to repentance, a Barnabas for comforting drooping Converts; an Apollos for convincing gainsayers; a Jeremiah for weeping over the incorrigible; in short, could you have such a one, as there's never a one in the world, then you would attend his Ministry, love his converse, take his counsel, follow his example, be glad of his help towards Heaven; though by the way, you are miserably mistaken in all this: for you have Moses and the Prophets, Christ and his Apostles, and faithful Ministers that watch for your souls, as those that must give an account, if you benefit not by these, Christ tells you plainly, neither would you be persuaded, though a Saint from Heaven, or a damned Person from Hell should tell you what may be enjoyed, or what must be suffered in those places, Luke 16.31. Christians, the Lord hath told us, that the wisdom of God sends us those faithful Ministers who deserve the ⟨p. 30⟩best, but receive the worst entertainment, Luke 11.49. Be not so proud, as to think your wisdom could contrive a better method of salvation, or fitter persons to publish it: make use of the helps God affords you, while they live, that you may not be ready to go to the Devil to speak with that Samuel when dead, whom you slighted while alive.
2. Make that use of Ministers while you are well, that you will wish you had made of them when you are sick. Oh what alteration doth one hours heart-sickness make in mens thoughts!
1. Make that use of Ministers while they live, that you will wish you had made of them when they are dead. We read Luke 17.20. the Pharisces demanded of Christ, when the Kingdom of God should come: they expected the Messiah, but would not owne Christ to be He; they reckoned he would come in more stately manner; ⟨p. 29⟩Christ was in their eye contemptible: but Christ saith, Verse 22. The dayes will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the dayes of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. q. d. As much as you overlook me now, you would be glad I would make the same offer hereafter. Luke 19.42. Oh that thou hadst known, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace: but now they are hid from thine eyes. How many are ready to fancy, could they have the scattered excellencies of all Ministers meet in one, that the same man were a Moses for Prayer, a Paul for Preaching, a John Baptist for frighting sinners to repentance, a Barnabas for comforting drooping Converts; an Apollos for convincing gainsayers; a Jeremy for weeping over the incorrigible; in short, could you have such a one, as there's never a one in the world, then you would attend his Ministry, love his converse, take his counsell, follow his example, be glad of his help towards Heaven; though by the way, you are miserably mistaken in all this: for you have Moses and the Prophets, Christ and his Apestles, and faithful Ministers that watch for your souls, as those that must give an account, if you benefit not by these, Christ tells you plainly, neither would you be perswaded, though a Saint from Heaven, or a damned Person from Hell should tell you what may be enjoyed, or what must be suffered in those places, Luke 16.31. Christians, the Lord hath told us, that the wisdom of God sends us those faithful Ministers who deserve the ⟨p. 30⟩best, but receive the worst entertainment, Luke 11.49. Be not so proud, as to think your wisdom could contrive a better method of salvation, or fitter persons to publish it: make use of the helps God affords you, while they live, that you may not be ready to go to the Devil to speak with that Samuel when dead, whom you slighted while alive.
2. Make that use of Ministers while you are well, that you will wish you had made of them when you are sick. Oh what alteration doth one hours heart-sickness make in mens thoughts!
