The duty of Gospel-ministers to preserve a people from corruption. Set forth, in a…

Consider, 2. HOW Ministers are to preserve a People from Corruption.

1. THEY are to do it by their Preaching. Ministers are God's Messengers or Ambassadors, ⟨p. 9⟩sent to publish the Gospel. Mar. 16.15. Preach the Gospel to every creature, i. e. every humane creature. This is the principal part of their work. 1 Cor. 1.17. Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel Therefore they are called Preachers. 1 Tim. 2.7. I am ordained a Preacher. Other services are to be done occasionally, but this is the constant service that they must addict themselves unto. 2 Tim. 4.2. Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season. And it is upon that account especially, that double honour is due unto them. 1 Tim. 5.17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they that labour in the word and doctrine. The Word of God duly Preached is the special means to advance the work of sanctification. Joh. 17.17. Sanctify them by thy truth, thy word is that truth.

(1.) BY instructing them in the Principles of Religion, and the Rules of God's Word. The light of nature teaches Men some things concerning God and His Attributes, and it teaches them the difference concerning many things that are morally good and evil; but this light shines but dimly, and the characters that are written in the heart are much blurred and obliterated, and they have need to have those things clearly inculcated. But the way of Salvation by Christ is a thing of pure revelation. Natural reason is utterly silent about