Watchmen are not for themselves, but for the Flock, for the whole Flock, Town, Parish, or Army, where they are set as Watchmen. | V. So a Minister is appointed to watch not only himself, but God's Flock, the whole Flock that is committed to his Charge; yea, every Member of the Church: he is to look after the poorest, as well as the richest; and not seek theirs,1 but them.
VI. Watchmen are to give an account of the time of the Night. Men go to the Watchman to enquire; he says, 'tis such or such an Hour: Watchman, what of the Night? 2&c. The Morning cometh, and also the Night. | VI. So Christ's faithful Ministers are to give an account of the Night; they ought to be well-skilled in the Times, to show what Israel ought to do. O that our Watchmen had more Knowledge upon this account! that they could but tell how long! Paul told the Romans, 3the Night was far spent, and the Day was at hand. Our Watchmen begin to speak after the same manner: The Morning cometh, the Morning of that longed-for Day of Christ's Kingdom; and the Night, that eternal Night of Babylon's Ruin.
VII. Watchmen are exposed to Danger, and much Hardship; they are oftentimes set upon, and basely abused in the Night, whilst they are upon their Duties, by evil, quarrelsome, and mischievous Persons, and endure many cold Blasts. | VII. So the Ministers of the Gospel are often set upon whilst they are upon the Watch. See how it befell Peter and John, Acts 4. and Stephen, chap. 7. and the great Minister of the Gentiles, St. Paul himself, Acts 16. whilst he was preaching Christ: The Magistrates rent off their Clothes, and commanded them to be beaten; and when they had laid many Stripes upon them, they cast them into Prison, &c.
VIII. Watchmen many times, through their Care and Diligence, by discovering approaching Evils, prevent much Danger and Misery from falling upon Men. Some by this means have been delivered from being burnt in their Beds, when a violent Fire hath broken out suddenly in the Night; they cry out, Fire, Fire, to awaken People when they are asleep. | VIII. So Christ's Ministers, by opening the State and miserable Condition of poor Sinners to them, and of the Necessity of speedy Repentance, in turning to the Lord, and closing with Jesus Christ, have prevented great Danger that was near them, (I mean, as Instruments in the hand of God.)
Watchmen are not for themselves, but for the Flock, for the whole Flock, Town, Parish, or Army, where they are set as Watchmen. | V. So a Minister is appointed to watch not only himself, but God's Flock, the whole Flock that is committed to his Charge; yea, every Member of the Church: he is to look after the poorest, as well as the richest; and not seek theirs,1 but them.
VI. Watchmen are to give an account of the time of the Night. Men go to the Watchman to enquire; he says, 'tis such or such an Hour: Watchman, what of the Night? 2&c. The Morning cometh, and also the Night. | VI. So Christ's faithful Ministers are to give an account of the Night; they ought to be well-skill'd in the Times, to shew what Israel ought to do. O that our Watchmen had more Knowledg upon this account! that they could but tell how long! Paul told the Romans, 3the Night was far spent, and the Day was at hand. Our Watchmen begin to speak after the same manner: The Morning cometh, the Morning of that longed-for Day of Christ's Kingdom; and the Night, that eternal Night of Babylon's Ruine.
VII. Watchmen are exposed to Danger, and much Hardship; they are oftentimes set upon, and basely abused in the Night, whilst they are upon their Duties, by evil, quarrelsom, and mischievous Persons, and endure many cold Blasts. | VII. So the Ministers of the Gospel are often set upon whilst they are upon the Watch. See how it befell Peter and John, Acts 4. and Stephen, chap. 7. and the great Minister of the Gentiles, St. Paul himself, Acts 16. whilst he was preaching Christ: The Magistrates rent off their Clothes, and commanded them to be beaten; and when they had laid many Stripes upon them, they cast them into Prison, &c.
VIII. Watchmen many times, through their Care and Diligence, by discovering approaching Evils, prevent much Danger and Misery from falling upon Men. Some by this means have been delivered from being burnt in their Beds, when a violent Fire hath broken out suddenly in the Night; they cry out, Fire, Fire, to awaken People when they are asleep. | VIII. So Christ's Ministers, by opening the State and miserable Condition of poor Sinners to them, and of the Necessity of speedy Repentance, in turning to the Lord, and closing with Jesus Christ, have prevented great Danger that was near them, (I mean, as Instruments in the hand of God.)
- 12 Cor. 11.28. & 12.14.
- 2Isa. 21.12.
- 3Rom. 13.10, 11.
