The way to the highest honour a funeral sermon, on John XII, 26, preached…The way to the highest honour a funeral sermon, on John XII, 26, preach'd…

The Work of a Minister is not like the Work of an Artificer: A Statuary with long Labour cuts the Marble to form it into a noble Image, but he leaves his work at his Pleasure; and when he resumes it, the Matter being durable, 'tis in the same state towards finishing as when he left it. But the Heart of Man is of a strange Nature, hard as Marble and fluid as Water; Heavenly Impressions are with difficulty made in it, and easily defaced. When by many Prayers and Tears, many tender Addresses of Ministers the Heart is softened, and the Image ⟨p. 38⟩of Christ, the Lineaments of his Divine Graces and Virtues are first drawn in it, without a continual Eye and Attendance upon the Work, how soon are those blessed Beginnings spoiled, and the carnal Lusts regain the Heart? How hard is it to prevail with Men to enter into the narrow Way, and to preserve them from defiling Lapses in it, or woeful Excursions into the pleasant ways of Sin, and to bring them safely to Heaven? The solemn Adjuration of the Apostle to Timothy should excite Ministers with the most watchful Care and useful Diligence to attend their Work: I charge thee before the Lord Jesus Christ, ¹who shall judg the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: Preach the Word, be instant, in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine. What Opiate can stupefy the Conscience ⟨p. 39⟩of idle Ministers so as not to be awakened by these ardent Expressions? How can they appear before the most High, and Everlasting Judge? What will be a sufficient Defence before his enlightened Tribunal? What Apologies will screen them from his fiery Displeasure? Will their Ignorance, or Abundance, or Slothfulness excuse the neglect of their Duty? They may deceive themselves with vain Allegations to palliate their Negligence, but God will not be mocked. If in the last Judgment those who neglected to feed the Poor with material Bread to support their Bodies, shall be placed with the Reprobates at the Left Hand of Christ, how can those whose Office it is to dispense the Bread of Life to Souls, and neglect to feed them, escape Condemnation?

The Work of a Minister is not like the Work of an Artificer: A Statuary with long Labour cuts the Marble to form it into a noble Image, but he leaves his work at his Pleasure; and when he resumes it, the Matter being durable, 'tis in the same state towards finishing as when he left it. But the Heart of Man is of a strange Nature, hard as Marble and fluid as Water; Heavenly Impressions are with difficulty made in it, and easily defac'd. When by many Prayers and Tears, many tender Addresses of Ministers the Heart is softened, and the Image