The Fountain of Life Opened

Lastly,¹ Let me close the whole with a double caution, one to our selves, who by our callings, and professions are the Ministers of Christ: another to those that sit under the Doctrine of Christ daily.

1. 1Infer. 6.

First, If this Doctrine be the most excellent, necessary, fundamental,§(1.) profound, noble, and comfortable Doctrine, let us ⟨p. 10⟩then take heed lest while we study to be exact in other things, we be found ignorant in this:¹ ye know it's ignominious by the common suffrage of the civilized world, for any man to be unacquainted with his own calling, or not to intend the proper business of it. It's our calling (as the Bridegrooms friends) to woo and win souls to Christ: to set him forth to the people as Crucified among them, Gal. 3.1. to present him in all his attractive excellencies that all hearts may be ravished with his beauty, and charmed into his arms by love: we must also be able to defend the truths of Christ, against undermining Heretics; to instill his knowledge into the ignorant, to answer the cases and scruples of poor doubting Christians. How many intricate knots have we to untie? what pains, what skill is requisite for such as are employed about our work? and shall we spend our precious time in frivolous controversies, Philosophical niceties, dry and barren Scholastic notions? shall we study every thing but Christ? revolve all Volumes but the Sacred ones! what is observed even of Bellarmine, that he turned with loathing from School Divinity, because it wanted the sweet juice of piety; may be convictive to many among us, who are often too much in love with worse employment, that what he is said to loath. Oh let the knowledge of Christ dwell richly in us.