Section 2: The beatitudes by Thomas Watson | AskReformation

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:54p. 14¶2

Branch. 2 2. Not only hear the Word preached, but encourage those Ministers who do preach. 1. By liberal maintaining of them. Though I hope all who have Gods Urim and Thummim written upon them, can say as the Apostle, 2 Cor. 12.14. I seek not yours, but you; yet that Scripture is still Canonical, 1 Cor. 9.14. So hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. Are not labourers in a Vineyard maintained by their labours? saith Peter Martyr; And the Apostle puts the question, Who plants a Vineyard and eateth not the fruit of it? 1 Cor. 9.7. Hypocrites love a cheap Religion; they like a Gospel that will put them to no charges; they are content so they may have golden bags, to have wooden priests. How many by saving their purses have lost their souls! Julian the Apostate robbed the Ministers, pretending conscience; I need not tell you how vengeance pursued him. Is it not pity the fire on Gods Altar should go out for want of pouring on a little golden oil? David would not offer that to God which cost him nothing, 2 Sam. 24.24.

Branch. 2 2. Not only hear the Word preached, but encourage those Ministers who do preach. 1. By liberal maintaining of them. Though I hope all who have Gods Urim and Thummim written upon them, can say as the Apostle, 2 Cor. 12.14. I seek not yours, but you; yet that Scripture is still Canonical, 1 Cor. 9.14. So hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. Are not labourers in a Vineyard maintained by their labours? saith Peter Martyr; And the Apostle puts the question, Who plants a Vineyard and eateth not the fruit of it? 1 Cor. 9.7. Hypocrites love a cheap Religion; they like a Gospel that will put them to no charges; they are content so they may have golden bags, to have woodden priests. How many by saving their purses have lost their souls! Julian the Apostate robbed the Ministers, pretending conscience; I need not tell you how vengeance pursued him. Is it not pity the fire on Gods Altar should go out for want of pouring on a little golden oyle? David would not offer that to God which cost him nothing, 2 Sam. 24.24.

:55p. 14–15¶2

2. Encourage Gods Ministers by your fruitfulness under their labours; when Ministers are upon the Mount, let them not be upon the Rocks. What cost hath God laid out upon this City! never I believe since the Apostles times was there a more learned, orthodox, powerful Ministry than now; Gods Ministers are called Stars, Rev. 1.20. In this City every morning a Star appears, besides the bright constellation on the Lords day; Oh you that feed in the green pastures of Ordinances, be fat and fertile; you that are planted in the Courts of God, ⟨p. 15⟩flourish in the Courts of God, Psalm 92.13. How sad will it be with a people that shall go laden to Hell with Gospel-blessings! The best way to encourage your Ministers, is, to let them see the travel of their souls in your new birth. It is a great comfort when a Minister doth not only woe souls, but win souls, Prov. 11.30. He that winneth souls is wise. This is a Ministers glory, 1 Thes. 2.19. For what is our joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye? A successful Preacher wears two crowns, a Crown of righteousness in heaven, and a Crown of rejoicing here upon earth; Are not ye our Crown?

2. Encourage Gods Ministers by your fruitfulnesse under their labours; when Ministers are upon the Mount, let them not be upon the Rocks. What cost hath God laid out upon this City! never I believe since the Apostles times was there a more learned, orthodox, powerful Ministry than now; Gods Ministers are called Stars, Rev. 1.20. In this City every morning a Star appears, besides the bright constellation on the Lords day; Oh you that feed in the greene pastures of Ordinances, be fat and fertil; you that are planted in the Courts of God, ⟨p. 15⟩flourish in the Courts of God, Psalm 92.13. How sad will it be with a people that shall go laden to Hell with Gospel-blessings! The best way to encourage your Ministers, is, to let them see the travel of their souls in your new birth. It is a great comfort when a Minister doth not only woe souls, but win souls, Prov. 11.30. He that winneth souls is wise. This is a Ministers glory, 1 Thes. 2.19. For what is our joy, or crown of rejoycing? are not even ye? A successeful Preacher wears two crowns, a Crown of righteousnesse in heaven, and a Crown of rejoycing here upon earth; Are not ye our Crown?

:58p. 15–16¶2

2. Pray that God will go forth with their labours; for else they toil and catch nothing. Gods Spirit must fill the sails of our ministry^*. It is not the hand that scatters the seed which makes it spring up, but the dues ⟨p. 16⟩and influences of heaven: So it is not our preaching, but the Divine influence of the Spirit that makes grace grow in mens hearts: We are but Pipes and Organs, it is Gods Spirit blowing in us that makes the Preaching of the Word by a Divine Enchantment allure souls to Christ. Ministers are but Stars to light you to Christ, the Spirit is the load-stone to draw you. All the good done by our Ministry, is per virtutem & efficaciam Domini^*. Oh then pray for us, that God will make his work prosper in our hands; this may be one Reason why the Word preached doth profit no more, because people pray no more; perhaps you complain the Tool is dull, the Minister is dead and cold; you should have whetted and sharpened him by your prayer; if you would have the door of a blessing opened to you through our Ministry, you must unlock it by the key of prayer.

2. Pray that God will go forth with their labours; for else they toyle and catch nothing. Gods Spirit must fill the sails of our ministry^*. It is not the hand that scatters the seed which makes it spring up, but the dewes ⟨p. 16⟩and influences of heaven: So it is not our preaching, but the Divine influence of the Spirit that makes grace grow in mens hearts: We are but Pipes and Organs, it is Gods Spirit blowing in us that makes the Preaching of the Word by a Divine Enchantment allure souls to Christ. Ministers are but Stars to light you to Christ, the Spirit is the load-stone to draw you. All the good done by our Ministry, is per virtutem & efficaciam Domini^*. Oh then pray for us, that God will make his work prosper in our hands; this may be one Reason why the Word preached doth profit no more, because people pray no more; perhaps you complain the Tool is dull, the Minister is dead and cold; you should have whetted and sharpned him by your prayer; if you would have the door of a blessing opened to you through our Ministry, you must unlock it by the key of prayer.

*Cathedram habet in caelo qui corda docet in terra. Austin.
*Bucer.