IT is not out of Presumption (the Lord he knoweth) that I make this Address unto you, as if I were worthy to bespeak, much less instruct Such and So many, but from a sincere Love to mens souls, attended with a profound Respect unto you all. 'Tis you, that have the charge to bring this our Husbandman to Heaven: from his care and labour most of your subsistence comes; You are strictly bound by all Laws Divine and Humane, to help them to live in Heaven, ⟨image 3⟩that help you to live on earth; nay, you are obliged by express †Scripture to give your selves wholly to this business, and you must certainly give an exact account of your Stewardship, God knows how soon. Now I only undertake to be your Remembrancer, and my own Monitor in these two main things: 1. That we would often consider the Great End of our worthy Ministry, which is not, to please men, but Christ Jesus the Lord; not to obtain applause from the Vulgar, or respect from Great Men, or to make ample worldly provision for our selves, but we are purposely sent from God, to save mens souls from death, and to carry (if it be possible) all our flock with us to Heaven. Let us revive this often upon our souls, especially when we are casting the Net of the Gospel among a Sea of Sinners in our actual ⟨image 3⟩Ministration, wherein we must consider that our Husbandmans soul is as precious to God, as the soul of a greater man, and should the rather be holpen, because he wants often the benefit of Education, Learning and Ingenuity to help himself. O let's think before their Passing-bell do startle us, whether we have done our utmost for the saving of the Man or Woman that is now sailing for eternity. 2. That in our retired thoughts we duly weigh, and then put in practise the fittest Means to accomplish this great End. 1. In Sermons, what Texts and Subjects are most needful to ground them, to awaken them, to convert them, and to strengthen them; what Method is most useful to clear the will of God to them, and settle it in their memories, what words and affections are most effectual to declare their duty, and ⟨image 4⟩persuade them to it: In short, how we may so paint to the life Grace and Glory, that the people may fall in love with them, and purchase them at any rate; and then so describe Sin and Hell, that they may tremble to think of them, and go from the Ordinances with their hearts penetrated, amazed, melted and changed.
IT is not out of Presumption (the Lord he knoweth) that I make this Address unto you, as if I were worthy to bespeak, much less instruct Such and So many, but from a sincere Love to mens souls, attended with a profound Respect unto you all. 'Tis you, that have the charge to bring this our Husbandman to Heaven: from his care and labour most of your subsistance comes; You are strictly bound by all Laws Divine and Humane, to help them to live in Heaven, ⟨image 3⟩that help you to live on earth; nay, you are obliged by express †Scripture to give your selves wholly to this business, and you must certainly give an exact account of your Stewardship, God knows how soon. Now I only undertake to be your Remembrancer, and my own Monitor in these two main things: 1. That we would often consider the Great End of our worthy Ministry, which is not, to please men, but Christ Jesus the Lord; not to obtain applause from the Vulgar, or respect from Great Men, or to make ample worldly provision for our selves, but we are purposely sent from God, to save mens souls from death, and to carry (if it be possible) all our flock with us to Heaven. Let us revive this often upon our souls, especially when we are casting the Net of the Gospel among a Sea of Sinners in our actuall ⟨image 3⟩Ministration, wherein we must consider that our Husbandmans soul is as precious to God, as the soul of a greater man, and should the rather be holpen, because he wants often the benefit of Education, Learning and Ingenuity to help himself. O let's think before their Passing-bell do startle us, whether we have done our utmost for the saving of the Man or Woman that is now sailing for eternity. 2. That in our retired throughts we duly weigh, and then put in practise the fittest Means to accomplish this great End. 1. In Sermons, what Texts and Subjects are most needful to ground them, to awaken them, to convert them, and to strengthen them; what Method is most useful to clear the will of God to them, and settle it in their memories, what words and affections are most effectual to declare their duty, and ⟨image 4⟩perswade them to it: In short, how we may so paint to the life Grace and Glory, that the people may fall in love with them, and purchase them at any rate; and then so describe Sin and Hell, that they may tremble to think of them, and go from the Ordinances with their hearts penetrated, amazed, melted and changed.
- †1 Tim. 4. 15. [Greek or Hebrew]1 Tim. 4. 15. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉
