Clavis cantici, or, An exposition of the Song of Solomon

It's determined it must be a thousand: which saith, 1. It is not •ree to Ministers to call for, or to accept of what they will▪ or what men will, as enough for Christ's due; he must determine himself what he will have, and none other, and he hath determined it. 2. There can be no alteration of the terms which Christ hath set down and imposed, it's definite in it self what every one must bring. Again 2. It's peremptoriness appears in this, that every one, none excepted are put at for this rent: This is the great article in all their lea•es, fruit, fruit. Obs. 1. Every Minister of the Gospel hath a weighty trust put on him, in reference to the Churches edification. 2. Ministers right discharging of their trust, may have much influence on a peoples thriving, and Christ's getting of his rent from amongst them. 3. All Christ's Ministers have every one of them the same commission, for the same end, and every one of them should endeavour fruits proportionable thereto. 4▪ The Lord hath every Ministers fruit, as to the event, determined, as well as their duty is appointed them. 5. Though all Ministers have not alike success, in respect of the number of souls brought in by their Ministry; yet, where there is honesty and diligence, the Lord will account it a thousand, as well as where the fruit is more: Therefore are they alike in his reckoning, though not in the event. O! but an unfruitful Minister, and unfaithful also, who, beside what fruit a common Christian should render, ought to render a thousand for his Ministry, will be much in Christ's debt, when he shall reckon with him! Let Ministers consider well this double reckoning.

It's determined it must be a thousand: which saith, 1. It is not •ree to Ministers to call for, or to accept of what they will▪ or what men will, as enough for Christ's due; he must determine himself what he will have, and none other, and he hath determined it. 2. There can be no alteration of the terms which Christ hath set down and imposed, it's definit in it self what every one must bring. Again 2. It's peremptorinesse appears in this, that every one, none excepted are put at for this rent: This is the great a•ticle in all their lea•es, fruit, fruit. Obs. 1. Every Minister of the Gospel hath a weighty trust put on him, in reference to the Curche edification. 2. Ministers right discharging of their trust, may have much influence on a peoples thriving, and Christ's getting of his rent from amongst them. 3. All Christ's Ministers have every one of them the same commission, for the same end, and every one of them should endeavour fruits proportionable thereto. 4 The Lord hath every Ministers fruit, as to the event, determined, as well as their duty is appointed them. 5. Though all Ministers have not alike successe, in respect of the number of souls brought in by their Ministery; yet, where there is honesty and diligence, the Lord will account it a thousand, as well as where the fruit is more: Therefore are they alike in his reckoning, though not in the event. O! but an unfruitful Minister, and unfaithful also, who, beside what fruit a common Christian should render, ought to render a thousand for his Ministery, will be much in Christ's debt, when he shall reckon with him! Let Ministers consider well this double reckoning.