II. It is of use to us unworthy Ministers of Christ who yet survive. 1. It calleth loudly to us to work while it is day, for our night is near when we cannot work: Death will shortly silence us all more effectually, than men have done. Do Gods work prudently, do it patiently, peaceably, and in as much concord and true obedience as you can: But be sure you do it, whoever forbid it, or be against it, as long as God or your selves have not rendered you uncapable. Whatever silencers say against it, Necessity is upon you: God calls for it: Souls call for it: The charge is dreadful, 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2. your Vows call for it: Satan's malice, and the number of Soul-betrayers and murderers must provoke you: our time is short: Souls are precious: Christ the chief shepherd dearly purchased them, and will judge you according to your works: It will not justify your neglect to say, Men forbade me: Sufferings were prepared for me: Bishops and famous Divines wrote learned Books to prove that preaching was to me a ⟨p. 34⟩sin, and that I was bound to forbear it when forbidden. 2. And it telleth us that we as well as others must prepare for the sharpest trials from God. No thorn in the flesh so sharp and painful, which we may not feel. No death so violent or sudden but we may undergo. Love and hatred are not known by outward events, prosperity or adversity. A great difference Solomon acknowledgeth between the good and the bad, the righteous and wicked, him that sacrificeth (or worshippeth God) and him that doth not; him that sweareth (perjuriously or profanely), and him that seareth (such) an Oath: some are loved of God, and some are hated: And this difference is manifest in such disposals, even of prosperity and adversity, as tend to their greater holiness and happiness, which shall manifest the difference fully and for ever. But outward events manifest it not in themselves: All such things come alike to all: yea, the Cross is more laid on the godly, than the wicked. O therefore away with the two Disciples desires of Church-preferment and worldly dignity, and prepare to drink of Christs Cup, and be baptized with his baptism, Eccles. 9. 1, 2, 3. Matth. 20. 22, 23. Learn daily how to bear slanders and persecutions from men, even from Christian Teachers; and how to lie in fleshly pains night and day, and how to die:
II. It is of use to us unworthy Ministers of Christ who yet survive. 1. It calleth loudly to us to work while it is day, for our night is near when we cannot work: Death will shortly silence us all more effectually, than men have done. Do Gods work prudently, do it patiently, peaceably, and in as much concord and true obedience as you can: But be sure you do it, whoever forbid it, or be against it, as long as God or your selves have not rendered you uncapable. Whatever silencers say against it, Necessity is upon you: God calls for it: Souls call for it: The charge is dreadful, 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2. your Vows call for it: Satans malice, and the number of Soul-betrayers and murderers must provoke you: our time is short: Souls are precious: Christ the chief shepherd dearly purchased them, and will judge you according to your works: It will not justifie your neglect to say, Men forbad me: Sufferings were prepared for me: Bishops and famous Divines wrote learned Books to prove that preaching was to me a ⟨p. 34⟩sin, and that I was bound to forbear it when forbidden. 2. And it telleth us that we as well as others must prepare for the sharpest tryals from God. No thorn in the flesh so sharp and painful, which we may not feel. No death so violent or sudden but we may undergo. Love and hatred are not known by outward events, prosperity or adversity. A great difference Solomon acknowledgeth between the good and the bad, the righteous and wicked, him that sacrificeth (or worshippeth God) and him that doth not; him that sweareth (perjuriously or prophanely), and him that seareth (such) an Oath: some are loved of God, and some are hated: And this difference is manifest in such disposals, even of prosperity and adversity, as tend to their greater holiness and happiness, which shall manifest the difference fully and for ever. But outward events manifest it not in themselves: All such things come alike to all: yea, the Cross is more laid on the godly, than the wicked. O therefore away with the two Disciples desires of Church-preferment and worldly dignity, and prepare to drink of Christs Cup, and be baptized with his baptism, Eccles. 9. 1, 2, 3. Matth. 20. 22, 23. Learn daily how to bear slanders and persecutions from men, even from Christian Teachers; and how to lie in fleshly pains night and day, and how to die:
