Whether by this Recess you do not neglect the fairest opportunity that ever you had, or may have, 1in all your lives, to honour the God that sent you, to save sinners, build up Saints, and everlastingly to vindicate the Reputation of Christ's Ministry, and further your own Peace and Comfort here, and ⟨p. 17⟩Glory hereafter? Never had you so clear and so loud a Call to hazard your selves for God, and thereby to prove your integrity before him, and resolution for him, and to give public Testimony of your Zeal, and the ardour of your Love to his Name, as now. Never had you such an open and effectual door for the doing good to souls, whether for Conversion or Edification. Now the hearts of the People cleave to you more than ever, if you lose them not by your own neglect. Now they see the difference between the Precious and the Vile; between the Hay and Stubble of the present materials, and the Gold and Silver that you did build with; between the burning and shining Lights, and the stinking and loathsome Snuffs. O how erect are their ears! and their hearts long, and their mouths water (as we say) and their souls wait for your words. We seem to see the thronging crowd, the willing people, *watching at the gates of Wisdom, waiting at the posts of her doors, looking when you will speak, that they might be refreshed; when your †words will distil as the dew, and drop as the showers *upon the mowen grass, or parched ground. We see them gathering about you, and saying with them, †Behold, we are all here ready to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Now may the Messenger of the Lord indeed say, They *waited for me as the rain, and they opened their mouths wide as for the latter rain. How hungry are their souls? how do they hang upon your lips? how far will they travel? how early will they rise? how hard will they venture (expertis ⟨p. 18⟩credit, glory be to God, we speak what we know) to get a wholesome meal, to enjoy God in the pure and powerful Administration of his Ordinances. Verily the Field is even white to the Harvest. O how great is the pity, that at such a time you should have your hands out, and not thrust in your Sickle. The People seem ready to catch at your words, as Benhadad's servants, as soon as they dropped from 7the mouth of the King of Israel.
Whether by this Recess you do not neglect the fairest opportunity that ever you had, or may have, 1in all your lives, to honour the God that sent you, to save sinners, build up Saints, and everlastingly to vindicate the Reputation of Christ's Ministry, and further your own Peace and Comfort here, and ⟨p. 17⟩Glory hereafter? Never had you so clear and so loud a Call to hazard your selves for God, and thereby to prove your integrity before him, and resolution for him, and to give publick Testimony of your Zeal, and the ardour of your Love to his Name, as now. Never had you such an open and effectual door for the doing good to souls, whether for Conversion or Edification. Now the hearts of the People cleave to you more than ever, if you lose them not by your own neglect. Now they see the difference between the Precious and the Vile; between the Hay and Stubble of the present materials, and the Gold and Silver that you did build with; between the burning and shining Lights, and the stinking and loathsome Snuffs. O how erect are their ears! and their hearts long, and their mouths water (as we say) and their souls wait for your words. We seem to see the thronging croud, the willing people, *watching at the gates of Wisdom, waiting at the posts of her doors, looking when you will speak, that they might be refreshed; when your †words will distill as the dew, and drop as the showers *upon the mowen grass, or parched ground. We see them gathering about you, and saying with them, †Behold, we are all here ready to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Now may the Messenger of the Lord indeed say, They *waited for me as the rain, and they opened their mouths wide as for the latter rain. How hungry are their souls? how do they hang upon your lips? how far will they travel? how early will they rise? how hard will they venture (expertis ⟨p. 18⟩credite, glory be to God, we speak what we know) to get a wholsome meal, to enjoy God in the pure and powerful Administration of his Ordinances. Verily the Field is even white to the Harvest. O how great is the pitty, that at such a time you should have your hands out, and not thrust in your Sickle. The People seem ready to catch at your words, as Benhadads servants, as soon as they dropped from
- 1Quest. 14.
- *Pro. 8. 34.
- †Job 29. 21, 22.
- *Deut. 32. 2
- †Act. 10. 33
- *Job 29. 23.
- 71. Kings 20. 33.
