1Such should improve the time (that God hath given them from the Grave) in right Preaching of the Word, and Administration of the Sacraments unto the People: God hath not spared them to Eat and Drink, and Sleep, and live at Ease; but to be painful in their Work. God hath laid (in this time) some of his Ministers in the Dust; and, they are silent in the Grave, whilst others have opportunity to speak for God, in Preaching to the People: and, God doth expressly charge them so to do, 2 Tim. 4.1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his kingdom. Vers. 2. Preach the Word, be instant in season, and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine: and, there is a woe unto them, if they do not Preach the Gospel, 1 Cor. 9.16. and are described to be such as are apt (as well as able) to Teach, 1 Tim. 3.2. And if they do forbear to warn Men of their sins, those Men shall die, but God will require their blood at their hands, Ezek. 3.18. And though God (in Judgment to a People) may make his Ministers dumb, and cause their Tongues to cleave to the roof of their mouths, that they should not be Reprovers to them, because of their sin, Ezek. 3.26. Yet, such ⟨p. 171⟩as are dumb, through Ignorance, that they cannot, or through Negligence, that they will not speak to Men to save their Souls, is a great charge of God against them, Isa. 56.10. His Watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb Dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Vers. 11. Yea, they are greedy Dogs, which can never have enough: and they are Shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter. Vers. 12. Come ye, say they, I will fetch Wine, and we will fill our selves with strong Drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. And God sharply reproveth such for this neglect, Ezek. 34.2. Son of Man, Prophesy against the Shepherds of Israel, Prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the Shepherds, Woe be to the Shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves, should not the Shepherds feed the Flock? Vers. 3. Ye eat the Fat, and ye clothe you with the Wool; ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the Flock. Vers. 4.
1SUch should improve the time (that God hath given them from the Grave) in right Preaching of the Word, and Administration of the Sacraments unto the People: God hath not spared them to Eate and Drink, and Sleep, and live at Ease; but to be painful in their Work. God hath laid (in this time) some of his Ministers in the Dust; and, they are silent in the Grave, whilest others have opportunity to speak for God, in Preaching to the People: and, God doth expresly charge them so to do, 2 Tim. 4.1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his kingdom. Vers. 2. Preach the Word, be instant in season, and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine: and, there is a woe unto them, if they do not Preach the Gospel, 1 Cor. 9.16. and are described to be such as are apt (as well as able) to Teach, 1 Tim. 3.2. And if they do forbear to warn Men of their sins, those Men shall die, but God will require their blood at their hands, Ezek. 3.18. And though God (in Judgment to a People) may make his Ministers dumb, and cause their Tongues to cleave to the roofe of their mouthes, that they should not be Reprovers to them, because of their sin, Ezek. 3.26. Yet, such ⟨p. 171⟩as are dumb, through Ignorance, that they cannot, or through Negligence, that they will not speak to Men to save their Soules, is a great charge of God against them, Isa. 56.10. His Watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb Dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Vers. 11. Yea, they are greedy Dogs, which can never have enough: and they are Shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter. Vers. 12. Come ye, say they, I will fetch Wine, and we will fill our selves with strong Drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. And God sharply reproveth such for this neglect, Ezek. 34.2. Son of Man, Prophesy against the Shepherds of Israel, Prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the Shepherds, Woe be to the Shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves, should not the Shepherds feed the Flock? Vers. 3. Ye eate the Fat, and ye cloath you with the Wool; ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the Flock. Vers. 4.
- 1Preaching.
