4. What you do, do it resolvedly, and that in God's strength, not in your own. Expect opposition from within, from without. From within, a proud heart, apt to mutter: 'tis a low, mean piece of drudgery. No, but rather the most Doctor-like part of our work, and such as cannot accurately be performed, without a clear insight into the greatest depths of Religion, and a proportionable gift of ready Exposition: The lowest Principles of Religion are the highest Mysteries. Again, the tender shoulder that shrugs, and enters its Plea against the burden, as being too troublesome a weight to be added to the Load of our other Lords-day-labours. Neither will this prevail with you, Brethren; we are confident you are not only able, 1but apt to teach. 'Tis your joy to spend your selves, and be spent in the utmost service of your God and his Church. You will not be much concerned in the consuming of your Oil, so you may lend your Light. To such gracious Souls as yours, there is, there can be no greater burden than the sense you have of the heaviness of your people in hearing. But from without, the general averseness of young ones is pleaded; as a grand obstruction. As to that, you are so well seen in spiritual Logic, as to fetch meat out of this Eater, and will easily conclude, that this averseness ⟨p. 227⟩in young ones from this exercise of Catechizing, is not the least Argument of its singular usefulness. The more unwilling the Patient is to have his Wound opened, searched, plastered and bound, the more eager the compassionate Chirurgeon is to give relief. The more unwilling they are to present themselves to be Catechized, the more reason have we to press them to it by the greatest violence of persuasion.. Lastly, let not want of success discourage: Your Heavenly Master you know hath assured you that your labour is not, 2shall not be in vain in the Lord. God takes the measures of his servants, not from their success, which is his sole work, but from their sedulous and faithful endeavours, which is their duty. Go you on to plant and water, let the great Lord of the Vineyard alone to give the increase. And know,3 you are a sweet savour unto God; and though Israel be not gathered, but you seem to have spent your strength in vain, yet surely your judgment is with the Lord, and your work and wages with your God, Isa. 49.4.
4. What you do, do it resolvedly, and that in God's strength, not in your own. Expect opposition from within, from without. From within, a proud heart, apt to mutter: 'tis a low, mean piece of drudgery. No, but rather the most Doctor-like part of our work, and such as cannot accurately be perform'd, without a clear insight into the greatest depths of Religion, and a proportionable gift of ready Exposition: The lowest Principles of Religion are the highest Mysteries. Again, the tender shoulder that shrugs, and enters its Plea against the burthen, as being too troublesom a weight to be added to the Load of our other Lords-day-labours. Neither will this prevail with you, Brethren; we are confident you are not only able, 1but apt to teach. 'Tis your joy to spend your selves, and be spent in the utmost service of your God and his Church. You will not be much concern'd in the consuming of your Oyl, so you may lend your Light. To such gracious Souls as yours, there is, there can be no greater burthen than the sense you have of the heaviness of your people in hearing. But from without, the general averseness of young ones is pleaded; as a grand obstruction. As to that, you are so well seen in spiritual Logick, as to fetch meat out of this Eater, and will easily conclude, that this averseness ⟨p. 227⟩in young ones from this exercise of Catechizing, is not the least Argument of its singular usefulness. The more unwilling the Patient is to have his Wound open'd, searcht, plaister'd and bound, the more eager the compassionate Chirurgion is to give relief. The more unwilling they are to present themselves to be Catechiz'd, the more reason have we to press them to it by the greatest violence of perswasion.. Lastly, let not want of success discourage: Your Heavenly Master you know hath assured you that your labour is not, 2shall not be in vain in the Lord. God takes the measures of his servants, not from their success, which is his sole work, but from their sedulous and faithful endeavors, which is their duty. Go you on to plant and water, let the great Lord of the Vineyard alone to give the increase. And know,3 you are a sweet savour unto God; and though Israel be not gather'd, but you seem to have spent your strength in vain, yet surely your judgment is with the Lord, and your work and wages with your God, Isa. 49.4.
- 12 Tim. 2.14. 2 Cor. 12.15.
- 21 Cor. 15. last.
- 32 Cor. 8.12. 1 Cor. 3.6, 7. 2 Cor. 2.15.
