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

R. 2 2. The end of the Ministry is to bring men to the knowledge of God in a saving way,¹ because of the nature and property of it, which is wholly supernatural; The Word is commanded to be preached not for any natural or civill ends, but spiritual and supernatural; When they followed Christ because of the Loaves, it was a low and unworthy motive; It should have been because of their souls, and because of the bread of life to feed their souls; If thou regardest a Ministry or comest to hear, for any other end but divine and supernatural; If it be for custom or to keep up thy good repute amongst men, this is to be carnal; this is to be a worm and no Christian, for God hath given these Officers to the Church, and commanded a diligent dispensation therein for sublime and holy ends, to enlighten thy mind, to soften thy heart, to spiritualize thy affections, to reform thy life, even to polish and preserve thee, that thou mayest be a stone of glory in the heavenly Jerusalem; Say then, thou dost nothing if this supernatural improvement be not made of it; Thus also it is for the Preacher, if he preach to show his Learning, to make himself admired, to satisfy any corrupt end, This is also low and unworthy; Malo ut me reprehendant ⟨p. 169⟩grammatici, quam non intelligant populi, yet oh how prone are corrupt and insincere motives to creep in, few being able to say with Paul, That they handle the Word of God sincerely as of God, and in the presence of God; Let then the nature of the work raise up our hearts, it's sublime and supernatural in its use; It's holy merchandizing or trading for mens souls, and therefore so often called by that glorious Title.

R. 2 2. The end of the Ministery is to bring men to the knowledge of God in a saving way,¹ because of the nature and property of it, which is wholly supernatural; The Word is commanded to be preached not for any natural or civill ends, but spirituall and supernaturall; When they followed Christ because of the Loaves, it was a low and unworthy motive; It should have been because of their souls, and because of the bread of life to feed their souls; If thou regardest a Ministry or comest to hear, for any other end but divine and supernatural; If it be for custome or to keep up thy good repute amongst men, this is to be carnall; this is to be a worm and no Christian, for God hath given these Officers to the Church, and commanded a diligent dispensation therein for sublime and holy ends, to enlighten thy minde, to soften thy heart, to spiritualize thy affections, to reform thy life, even to polish and preserve thee, that thou maist be a stone of glory in the heavenly Jerusalem; Say then, thou dost nothing if this supernatural improvement be not made of it; Thus also it is for the Preacher, if he preach to shew his Learning, to make himself admired, to satisfie any corrupt end, This is also low and unworthy; Malo ut me reprehendant