The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

19. It also stablisheth a perpetual office, even the sacred Ministry, for the fuller and surer communication of all this good forementioned. In which observe these particulars, which show the greatness of this benefit. 1. The persons called to it, must (by Christs appointment) be the wisest and best of men that can be had. 2. The number of them is to be suited to the number of the people, so that none may be without the benefit. 3. Their work is, to declare all this forementioned Goodness and Love of God to man, and to offer them all this grace and mercy; and to teach them to be holy and happy, and to set before them the everlasting joys. 4. The manner of their doing it must be with humility, as the servants of all; with tender love, as Fathers of the flock; with wisdom and skill, lest their work be frustrate; with the greatest importunity, even compelling them to come in, as men that are loth to take any denial; and with patient enduring all oppositions, as those that had rather suffer any thing, than the peoples souls shall be unhealed, and be damned; and they must continue to the end, as those that will never give up a soul as desperate and lost, while there is any hope: And all this must be seconded with their own example of holiness, temperance and love, Acts 20. 2 Tim. 2.24, 25. Matth. 22.8, 9.

19. It also stablisheth a perpetual office, even the sacred Ministry, for the fuller and surer communication of all this good forementioned. In which observe these particulars, which shew the greatness of this benefit. 1. The persons called to it, must (by Christs appointment) be the wisest and best of men that can be had. 2. The number of them is to be suited to the number of the people, so that none may be without the benefit. 3. Their work is, to declare all this forementioned Goodness and Love of God to man, and to offer them all this grace and mercy; and to teach them to be holy and happy, and to set before them the everlasting joyes. 4. The manner of their doing it must be with humility, as the servants of all; with tender love, as Fathers of the flock; with wisdom and skill, lest their work be frustrate; with the greatest importunity, even compelling them to come in, as men that are loth to take any denyal; and with patient enduring all oppositions, as those that had rather suffer any thing, than the peoples souls shall be unhealed, and be damned; and they must conrinue to the end, as those that will never give up a soul as desperate and lost, while there is any hope: And all this must be seconded with their own example of holiness, temperance and love,