The peril of the times displayed. Or The danger of mens taking up with…

4. That there is so much of Contempt cast upon the Gospel Ministry: The Lord ⟨p. 100⟩Jesus Christ hath appointed a Ministry for the outward Dispensation of his Gospel unto men, and for the promoving of Godliness among them; and hath made it an ordinary necessary medium to this gre•• end, according to that, Rom. 10.14. How shall they believe in whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a Preacher? and how shall he Preach except he be sent? and for this reason, there is a good esteem to be had for this Ordinance of his, by all that would approve themselves pious. It is true, there is a difference to be acknowledged between the work it self, and the persons that are employed in it. As to the persons in the Ministry; though it be scarcely probable that men should profit by their Ministration, whiles they despise their persons, or entertain a low and a base esteem for them, and therefore it is said of the better times, Isa. 52.7. how beautiful are the fe•t of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace? &c. yet certainly when God hath put them in this Service, and hath made them both wise and faithful in the discharge of their work, they are to be well accounted of ⟨p. 101⟩for their works sake. When therefore their zeal for the glory of God, and their fidelity in not shunning to declare the whole counsel of God to men, makes them to be scorned and reproached, it bodes ill: and such carriages to them, speaks in his language, 1 King. 22.8. I hate him, for he doth not Prophesy good concerning me, but evil. But this must be confessed, that the work it self is an Ordinance of Christ; and when men grow weary of the thing, look upon it as a needless charge, had rather live without a Ministry, than to bear the burden of it; or count so meanly of the work it self, that they think any one fit enough to be employed in it, who is so bold as to thrust himself upon it, though he hath nothing else to commend himself to it, but noise and nonsense; and those that are both able and faithful are despised; as also, when men think it no great matter to neglect their attendance on the Dispensation of the Ordinances by them, every small occasion is enough to make an excuse of, from Coming to the House of God: or if men do come, and afford their bodily presence there, yet they little