CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Obs.¹ That all Governors who have a Charge over others are above all things to watch and pray for the spiritual good of those they are betrusted with; Let the same bowels and spirit be in you which was in the Lord Jesus; Oh be more afraid lest your Children, your Servants should any ways sin against God, and so endanger their souls, then of any outward misery, desire rather to make them great in Heaven, then here upon the Earth; As we see Christ here, so we may read of many godly Governors that have been diligent in this Point; Moses though he had much ungrateful usage from the people, yet how constant in praying for them, how greatly troubled when they had sinned, and when God offered to make him great, he refused to have it upon such terms as should prejudice the people: Samuel also though he for all his good Service was rejected by the people, yet he saith, God forbid I should cease to pray for you, 1 Sam 12.23. Paul he was a spiritual Governor, and in all his Epistles you see his fervent prayers for the spiritual good of the Churches, yea, the care of all was upon him, he was tempted in every mans temptation, and it was his Crown and joy, yea, life it self; If they stood steadfast in the Faith; Abraham also and Joshua, you see the care they had that their Family, Children, and Servants should fear the Lord, and this is so great a matter that God takes special notice of it in Abraham, and therefore will hide nothing from him. Gen. 18.19. We see from thence that this is so acceptable to God, that he admits such into his choicest Secrets, and reveals himself more to such then others, I know him, saith God, and that by this, he will not suffer his Children and Household to do what they list, but he will command them to keep the way of the Lord; To set this upon our hearts, for all wickedness and impiety doth commonly arise in Inferiors from the neglect of Superiors, and the waters cannot be sweet as long as the Springs are bitter.

Obs.¹ That all Governours who have a Charge over others are above all things to watch and pray for the spirituall good of those they are betrusted with; Let the same bowels and spirit be in you which was in the Lord Jesus; Oh be more afraid lest your Children, your Servants should any waies sinne against God, and so endanger their souls, then of any outward misery, desire rather to make them great in Heaven, then here upon the Earth; As we see Christ here, so we may reade of many godly Governors that have been diligent in this Point; Moses though he had much ungrateful usage from the people, yet how constant in praying for them, how greatly troubled when they had sinned, and when God offered to make him great, he refused to have it upon such terms as should prejudice the people: Samuel also though he for all his good Service was rejected by the people, yet he saith, God forbid I should cease to pray for you, 1 Sam 12.23. Paul he was a spiritual Governour, and in all his Epistles you see his fervent praiers for the spiritual good of the Churches, yea, the care of all was upon him, he was tempted in every mans temptation, and it was his Crown and joy, yea, life it self; If they stood stedfast in the Faith; Abraham also and Joshua, you see the care they had that their Family, Children, and Servants should fear the Lord, and this is so great a matter that God takes special notice of it in Abraham, and therefore will hide nothing from him.