The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Thirdly, If thou wouldst have God give the increase, come not prepossessed with thy own righteousness; with thy own good heart. Our Saviours preaching had no success, though in him were the Treasures of all wisdom, because his Hearers were those that justified themselves. The humble he will teach his way. Laodicea, that thought she wanted nothing, was furthest from cure. Do not think I am well enough already; I need no change. Say, oh my soul, What art thou come hither for to day! Is it not to see that evil and folly in thy flesh, thou never perceivedst? Art thou not yet to lay the very foundation of godliness? It makes all out of order?

Thirdly, If thou wouldst have God give the increase, come not pr•possessed with thy own righteousness; with thy own good heart. Our Saviours preaching had no success, though in him were the Treasures of all wisdome, because his Hearers were those that justified themselves. The humble he will teach his way. Laodicea, that thought she wanted nothing, was furthest from cure. Do not think I am well enough already; I need no change. Say, oh my soul, What art thou come hither for to day! Is it not to see that evil and folly in thy flesh, thou never perceivedst? Art thou not yet to lay the very foundation of godliness? It makes all out of order?

Use 1. Is it God that giveth the increase? Then we Ministers are not to be inordinately cast down, if people receive no divine stamp on them. If we water not; If we plant not; then, woe be to us: But when both is done, yet if there be no increase, that is our misery, not our sin. God will give to every Minister according to his work not according to his success. I have laboured more abundantly, saith Paul. He doth not say, he had success more then all others. Did not the Prophets; yea, Christ himself complain for want of this spiritual increase? It cannot but grieve us, to see people damn themselves: Yet, How can we hinder a wilful people from destruction?

Use 1. Is it God that giveth the increase? Then we Ministers are not to be inordinately cast down, if people receive no diuine stamp on them. If we water not; If we plant not; then, wo be to us: But when both is done, yet if there be no increase, that is our misery, not our sinne. God will give to every Minister according to his work not according to his success. I have laboured more aboundantly, saith Paul. He doth not say, he had success more then all others. Did not the Prophets; yea, Christ himself complain for want of this spiritual increase? It cannot but grieve us, to see people damn themselves: Yet, How can we hinder a wilfull people from destruction?