Moreover, you may here learn the reason why so many people, especially those who most seriously and earnestly desire and endeavour their salvation, choose to hear Ministers preach rather than others; because they are commissioned by the Lord to preach the Word of salvation, and their Ministry is most likely to be effectual: Others may preach without a Commission the same words and do no good, for want of Gods blessing; It is not the bare speaking the words of salvation that will bring salvation, but the revelation of Gods arm and operation of his Spirit with the Ministry of the Word: As when our Saviour raised Lazarus from the dead, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth, and he that was dead received life, and came forth, Joh. 11.43, 44. Others could have spoken the same words as our Saviour, and cried over the grave with as loud a voice, Lazarus come forth, but with no effect; the dead man would have remained still in the state of the dead, whatever any man could have spoken or done; but when ⟨p. 84⟩our Saviour spake the words, the dead man was quickened; there went forth a virtue and efficacy, a divine power and spirit with our Saviours words which raised him from the dead; so uncommissioned persons may entrench upon the work of the Ministry, and preach the Gospel, speak words of salvation, and cry to sinners to leave their sins, to arise from their spiritual death, to come forth from their graves, they may exhort them to repent and believe, that they may be saved, and yet none of their words be likely to take impression, and effect a saving change in the heart, because being out of Gods way they cannot expect Gods blessing; but Ministers are qualified and commissioned for the work, and through Gods blessing there is a life and power goeth along with their preaching, which maketh it effectual for salvation: no wonder then if such as are led by the Spirit do choose to hear Ministers preach (refusing others) that they may be safely guided by them in the way of life and salvation.
Moreover, you may here learn the reason why so many people, especially those who most seriously and earnestly desire and endeavour their salvation, choose to hear Ministers preach rather than others; because they are commissioned by the Lord to preach the Word of salvation, and their Ministry is most likely to be effectual: Others may preach without a Commission the same words and do no good, for want of Gods blessing; It is not the bare speaking the words of salvation that will bring salvation, but the revelation of Gods arm and operation of his Spirit with the Ministry of the Word: As when our Saviour raised Lazarus from the dead, he cryed with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth, and he that was dead received life, and came forth, Ioh. 11.43, 44. Others could have spoken the same words as our Saviour, and cryed over the grave with as loud a voice, Lazarus come forth, but with no effect; the dead man would have remained still in the state of the dead, whatever any man could have spoken or done; but when ⟨p. 84⟩our Saviour spake the words, the dead man was quickened; there went forth a vertue and efficacy, a divine power and spirit with our Saviours words which raised him from the dead; so uncommissioned persons may entrench upon the work of the Ministry, and preach the Gospel, speak words of salvation, and cry to sinners to leave their sins, to arise from their spiritual death, to come forth from their graves, they may exhort them to repent and believe, that they may be saved, and yet none of their words be likely to take impression, and effect a saving change in the heart, because being out of Gods way they cannot expect Gods blessing; but Ministers are qualified and commissioned for the work, and through Gods blessing there is a life and power goeth along with their preaching, which maketh it effectual for salvation: no wonder then if such as are led by the Spirit do choose to hear Ministers preach (refusing others) that they may be safely guided by them in the way of life and salvation.
