The Ministry of the Word being a Calling above all others of greatest weight, 1as set up by the ever blessed God, for the payment of himself the deserved praise of his Curious, Eternal, and Infinitely wise purpose; and for the payment of the Lord Jesus Christ, the precious fruits of his bloody Passion; by the turning of sinners from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God: In which he is pleased to commit to men (duly qualified, and rightly called) the Word of Reconciliation, and commandeth them in his name, as his Ambassadors, to offer terms of peace, and to persuade and beseech rebellious sinners, with all earnestness and faithfulness (as they would not have the blood of their peoples souls required at their hands) to accept of, and submit to those Articles of Grace and Pardon. I wish in general, That since my God hath counted me faithful, put me into the Ministry, and entrusted me with that which so nearly relateth to his own glory, and which so highly concerneth the Eternal felicity of precious souls, 2That I may take heed to my self, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost-hath made me Overseer, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. In particular I wish, That I may know experimentally, what Regeneration meaneth, before I travel with others ⟨p. 499⟩till Christ be formed in them; that I may dissuade from compliance with sin, and persuade to an hearty acceptance of the Saviour, not by hearsay, or at second hand, but upon my own knowledge of the bitterness of the former, and the goodness and sweetness of the latter. Let me not like some Cooks, dress that meat for others, which I eat not of my self: Let not my Sermons be (as Minerva) the children of my brain, but the travel of my soul, that I may serve my God with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son; and as a true Vessel of the Sanctuary, have within me a savour of that water of life, which I pour out to others. It is doleful to fall into Hell, from under the Pulpit: But ah how dreadful is it to drop thither out of it! Doth not my heart tremble to think, that it is possible for me, like the unbelieving Spies, to coast the Heavenly Canaan, to commend it to others, and yet never to possess it my self! that whilst I preach to others, I my self may be a Cast-away! Lord, let me so exalt thee in my heart, as my chiefest good; in my life, as mine utmost end;
THe Ministery of the Word being a Calling above all others of greatest weight, 1as set up by the ever blessed God, for the payment of himself the deserved praise of his Curious, Eternal, and Infinitely wise purpose; and for the payment of the Lord Jesus Christ, the precious fruits of his bloody Passion; by the turning of sinners from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God: In which he is pleased to commit to men (duly qualified, and rightly called) the Word of Reconciliation, and commandeth them in his name, as his Ambassadors, to offer terms of peace, and to perswade and beseech rebellious sinners, with all earnestness and faithfulness (as they would not have the blood of their peoples souls required at their hands) to accept of, and submit to those Articles of Grace and Pardon. I wish in general, That since my God hath counted me faithful, put me into the Ministery, and entrusted me with that which so nearly relateth to his own glory, and which so highly concerneth the Eternal felicity of precious souls, 2That I may take heed to my self, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost-hath made me Overseer, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. In particular I wish, That I may know experimentally, what Regeneration meaneth, before I travel with others ⟨p. 499⟩till Christ be formed in them; that I may disswade from compliance with sin, and perswade to an hearty acceptance of the Saviour, not by hearsay, or at second hand, but upon my own knowledge of the bitterness of the former, and the goodness and sweetness of the latter. Let me not like some Cooks, dress that meat for others, which I eat not of my self: Let not my Sermons be (as Minerva) the children of my brain, but the travel of my soul, that I may serve my God with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son; and as a true Vessel of the Sanctuary, have within me a savour of that water of life, which I pour out to others. It is doleful to fall into Hell, from under the Pulpit: But ah how dreadful is it to drop thither out of it! Doth not my heart tremble to think, that it is possible for me, like the unbelieving Spies, to coast the Heavenly Canaan, to commend it to others, and yet never to possess it my self! that whilest I preach to others, I my self may be a Cast-away! Lord, let me so exalt thee in my heart, as my chiefest good; in my life, as mine utmost end;
- 1The Introduction.
- 2Acts 20.28. The properties of a Minister. He must be, 1. Gracious.
