The defects of preachers reproved in a sermon preached at Northampton, May 19th. 1723

and remember that GOD is able to give to you help in that matter. Lament it before GOD, & Pray Night & Day for your Preacher, that the LORD will enlarge him with Grace and Ministerial Gifts; and do what you can to Advantage him in his great Work.

It ma• […] his Abilities are clouded, his Spirit is sunk & •ow by Refractory Persons of his Flock, or by his low Maintenance for himself & his Family. In order to his encouragement (in case of disorders by Stubborn Persons) say to him, as Shechaniah did to Ezra, Ezra 10.4 Arise, for this matter belongeth unto thee, we also will be with thee: be of good Courage— And look into his Outward state, if it be low, disadvantageous, sow more Liberally of your Earthly things, in order to his help & in order unto & in hope of Reaping more plentifully of his Spiritual good things. Moreover, Entreat him as a Father, to strive & Pray for Enlargement in his work. Don't entertain such low thoughts of him as to neglect to improve ⟨p. iii⟩him as your Spiritual Counsellor & Guide, to help in difficult and darksome Cases, and to Spiritual Fruitfulness and to the pleasure of Piety. Try what Improvements will do, to your own and his advantage, As the Improvement of a Bodily Physician is the way of increasing his Skill, so is the Improvement of a Spiritual Physician. Look that in your Converse or Visits, you be not too prolix or tedious, so as to occasion his or your mispence of & loss of Time.

It ma• 〈…〉 his Abilities are clouded, his Spirit is sunk & •ow by Refractory Persons of his Flock, or by his low Maintenance for himself & his Family. In order to his incouragement (in case of disorders by Stubborn Persons) say to him, as Shechaniah did to Ezra,