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

First, Because there is a necessity of the presence of godly men in the world, that they may promote the Kingdom of God, and bring others to the knowledge of God. This is especially true of the Apostles,¹ as Apostles, and so of all those that have any Office and Ministry in the Church of God. These are as necessary as the Sun to the world, as the Stars in a dark night, as salt to season and preserve from putrefaction, and even all believers in a private way are to use their gifts for the reducing of others; and by their examples to give such a glorious light, that others may glorify God in the day of their visitation, but this doth principally relate to them, as Apostles, had they been immediately carried up to Heaven, where would have been the leaven put into the three pecks of meal? Where the mustard-seed sown, that would grow up into a great Tree? If the Apostles were the Planters and Founders of the Church, it was necessary that they should continue for some time in the world; The world was a wilderness, that could not immediately be made a garden; It was the Devils habitation, he could not suddenly be disposest: So that God having service for his people to do, no wonder if they must continue in this valley of misery. Paul speaks fully to this Phil. 1.14. To abide in the flesh is necessary for you, but for him it was better to be dissolved, and to be with Christ; and between these two, he was in a great straight: So certainly, it were better for the people of God, especially for the Ministers of the Gospel, who are like Uriah in the fore-front of the battle, and exposed to more hatred, to be with Christ in Heaven, there they shall be free from all this virulence, and oppositions of the ungodly, but yet if we regard the world, and the people with whom they live, then their life and presence is very necessary. This then is the first reason Gods people have work to do, a course to finish, and so they must not look to have wages before they have laboured in the Vineyard.

First, Because there is a necessity of the presence of godly men in the world, that they may promote the Kingdom of God, and bring others to the knowledge of God. This is especially true of the Apostles,¹ as Apostles, and so of all those that have any Office and Ministry in the Church of God. These are as necessary as the Sunne to the world, as the Starres in a dark night, as salt to season and preserve from putrefaction, and even all believers in a private way are to use their gifts for the reducing of others; and by their examples to give such a glorious light, that others may glorifie God in the day of their visitation, but this doth principally relate to them, as Apostles, had they been immediately carried up to Heaven, where would have been the leaven put into the three pecks of meal? Where the mustard-seed sown, that would grow up into a great Tree? If the Apostles were the Planters and Founders of the Church, it was necessary that they should continue for some time in the world; The world was a wildernesse, that could not immediately be made a garden; It was the Devils habitation, he could not suddenly be dispossest: So that God having service for his people to do, no wonder if they must continue in this valley of misery. Paul speaks fully to this