2. As to the Design, Ministers must have a sincere design in preaching the word of salvation; like the Apostle Paul with his fellow-Ministers, 2 Cor. 2.17. But we are of sincerity as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. They preached neither corrupt doctrine, neither had they corrupt designs, but were sincere in their preaching, as of God, as sent of God, as Ambassadors of God, the great King of Heaven; as in the sight of God, who searched the heart, and could discern what their aims were unto whom they endeavoured to approve themselves; as in Christ, as in the room of Christ, as Christ preached when he was upon the earth; or as in Christ, as those which were ingrafted into Christ, and had an interest in Christ themselves, and therefore did sincerely endeavour the bringing of others to him. The chief design of Ministers in preaching, should be the glory of God, and the salvation of them that hear them. 1. The glory of God above all should sway with them, not their own glory and esteem, nor of men sought we glory, 1 Thes. 2.6. They must sincerely endeavour the magnifying, not of their own name, but the name of God; and the promoting not of themselves, but of their Master in the esteem of men: If some kind of discourse would advance their Lords name and honour, though their own reputation should hereby be lessened amongst some, they must use it; and if on the contrary they could gain much honour to themselves by some kind of preaching wherein they might appear in great flourish of words, and ⟨p. 66⟩give delight to the fan•y by the ostentation of their wit and ingenuity; but their Masters were not like to be glorified, nor the souls of their hearers soundly edified, they ought herein to deny themselves. 2. Ministers must design in their preaching, the salvation of their hearers; they must not use the Word as a clo•k for covetousness, and design the gaining of filthy lucre to themselves; but the gaining of souls to Jesus Christ; they must not endeavour to make a gain of their hearers; a gain of their souls they ought to endeavour after, but not a g•in of their estates, as the Pharisees, who made long prayers, that they might devour Widows houses▪ they must not chiefly seek any profit, or earthly emolument unto themselves, but the profit of their hear•rs, that they might be saved. When the Apostle was crafty, as he tells the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 12.16.
2. As to the Design, Ministers must have a sincere design in preaching the word of salvation; like the Apostle Paul with his fellow-Ministers, 2 Cor. 2.17. But we are of sincerity as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. They preached neither corrupt doctrine, neither had they corrupt designs, but were sincere in their preaching, as of God, as sent of God, as Embassadours of God, the great King of Heaven; as in the sight of God, who searched the heart, and could discern what their aims were unto whom they endeavoured to approve themselves; as in Christ, as in the room of Christ, as Christ preached when he was upon the earth; or as in Christ, as those which were ingrafted into Christ, and had an interest in Christ themselves, and therefore did sincerely endeavour the bringing of others to him. The chief design of Ministers in preaching, should be the glory of God, and the salvation of them that hear them. 1. The glory of God above all should swey with them, not their own glory and esteem, nor of men sought we glory, 1 Thes. 2.6. They must sincerely endeavour the magnifying, not of their own name, but the name of God; and the promoting not of themselves, but of their Master in the esteem of men: If some kind of discourse would advance their Lords name and honour, though their own reputation should hereby be lessened amongst some, they must use it; and if on the contrary they could gain much honour to themselves by some kind of preaching wherein they might appear in great flourish of words, and ⟨p. 66⟩give delight to the fan•y by the ostentation of their wit and ingenuity; but their Masters were not like to be glorified, nor the souls of their hearers soundly edified, they ought herein to deny themselves. 2. Ministers must design in their preaching, the salvation of their hearers; they must not use the Word as a clo•k for covetousness, and design the gain•ng of filthy lucre to themselves; but the gaining of souls to Jesus Christ; they must not endeavour to make a gain of their hearers; a gain of their souls they ought to endeavour after, but not a g•in of their estates, as the Pharisees, who made long prayers, that they might devour Widdows houses▪ they must not chi•fly seek any profit, or earthly emolument unto themselves, but the profit of their hear•rs, that they might be saved. When the Apostle was crafty, as he tells the Corinthians,
