THE Suitableness of this Pas­sage to the present Solem­nity, and to the Mournful Occasion of it, is sufficiently apparent. The Direction here given, concerning the Peoples Duty, with respect to their Ministers, is entire, and [Page 2]may be understood without exami­ning the Context. One would think it very easie to determine, of what Ministers the Apostle speaks, whether such as were yet alive, or such as were dead; did not our Translation favour their Opinion, who would make the Original Word a Participle, rather than a Substantive, ( [...];) contrary to the more general Sense of most Learned Interpreters and Cri­ticks, who read the Words thus, Be mindful of your Guides, or Rulers, and remember them who have had the Rule over you; i. e. who have been, and were your Spiritual Guides. That 'tis of these he speaks, is ma­nifest by what follows; Who have spoken to you the Word of God; or have been your Instructors in the Faith; and who have kept the Faith, and finished their Course: For he advi­ses them to follow their Faith, and to consider the happy End and Exit of their Conversation.

AS to the Duties unto Deceased Ministers here mention'd, it cannot [Page 3]be denyed, but they are applicable in part to other Good Men, departed this Life: For when private Chri­stians dye in the Lord, we are not to forget them, and are obliged to imitate their Faith and Patience; and to that end, to consider their Conver­sation in this World, and how they got safe into another. But the Apostle speaks here of their Pastors and Teach­ers, the Ministers of the Gospel, and such of their Spiritual Guides as were departed this Life. With respect to these, we have two things to con­sider. First, The Account that he gives of them, as to their Persons. Secondly, The Duty of surviving Chri­stians towards them, after their Death.

1. FIRST, As to their Persons, the Apostle gives us an account of them in four Things. 1. As to their Name, They are Guides and Rulers, [...]. 2. They have spoken to you the Word of God, have been Preachers of the Everlasting Gospel. 3. He te­stifies their Exemplary Faith, propo­sing [Page 4]them as Patterns. 4. Their Con­stancy and Perseverance in Faith and Holiness to the last; Considering the End of their Conversation.

2. HAVING thus described their Persons, he mentions three Duties to­wards them. 1. To Remember them. 2. To Follow their Faith. 3. As a Motive and a Means thereto, to Con­sider their Conversation, and the happy End of it; Remember them who have had, &c. I shall first explain these several Particulars in the Text, in the order mentioned; and then Apply my Discourse to the Solemn Occasion of this Assembly, viz. the Breach which God hath made amongst you, by the Death of my Reverend and worthy Bro­ther.

1. FIRST, As to the Persons here described: They are called Rulers and Guides, for so the Original Word im­ports; such as have the Guidance and Instruction of others, by Autho­rity or Office. It is sometimes used for Civil Rulers, sometimes for Ecclesi­astical; and for the General of an Ar­my, [Page 5]for the Captain of a Regiment, for the Governour of a Town, and some­times for a Principal Person amongst others, Acts 15.22.

THE Sacred Writers make use of this Word, for such as were establish­ed to feed the Flock of Christ, and had the Over sight of Particular Churches, so Ver. 17. Obey them that have the Rule over you, and submit your selves; for they watch for your Souls, as they that must give an account; the like 24. ver. Salute all them that have the Rule over you, and all the Saints; 'tis doubted, whether St. James, who was Bishop of Jerusalem, was then alive; and more, whether the Apostle di­rects this Epistle to all the Churches in Judea, or only to the Converted Jews in Jerusalem. I shall not go about to decide it. 'Tis plain, that these Ru­lers, these Warchmen are the same, who in the Text had spoken the Word of God, or preach'd the Gospel.

TO this purpose we find that Cle­mens Romanus, who is the most An­tient Writer of the Christian Church, [Page 6]next the Apostles, (the same Clemens who is mentioned by the Apostle him­self, Phil. 4.3.) in his Epistle to the Corinthians, useth this very word very frequently for ¹ Gospel Ministers, Bishops, such as preach'd the Word of God, and were over 'em in the Lord, and several of them in one Church, making use sometimes of the one Name, sometimes of the other,

OUR Blessed Saviour is called the Head, the Husband, the Shepherd, the Lord of his Church, which imports Au­thority; and the Church is his Body, his Spouse, his Flock, his Family and Houshold; and his Ministers are cal­led Rulers of his Houshold, Mat. 24.45. When he was about to leave the World, he declared that all Power in Heaven and Earth was committed to him, and commissioned his Apostles to make Disciples by baptizing and teach­ing, promising his presence with them [Page 7]therein to the end of the World: And when he ascended up on high, he gave Gifts to Men, as part of his Dowry, not only Prophets, and Apo­stles, and Evangelists, who were em­powered by Miracles as a Divine At­testation, to prove their Authority to reveal and publish the Rule of Faith and Life, but Pastors and Teachers, to open and apply the Rule they sealed and delivered.

HE hath determined in his Word, that every Church should have a Pa­stor, one or more; he hath stated the Nature of the Ministerial Office and Power, to proclaim Repentance and Remission of Sins, to turn Men from the power of Satan to God, to edifie the Body of Christ, and to ga­ther, feed and govern the Churches of Christ, to rule as well as teach the Flock, to judge who should be publickly taken into the Church by Baptism, or cast out; to rebuke those that are disorderly, and see that all things be done to the Edification of the Church, to bind over the impe­nitent, [Page 8]who are contumacious, to the Bar of Christ, and reject 'em from the Communion of the Church, and to absolve the penitent, and comfort 'em, and by themselves, or others, to look after the Poor, and visit the Sick, &c. He hath described the Persons that he would have to be such Officers, by their requisite Qualifications; he did not appoint a necessary Work to be done, and leave it to the wide World who should do it: And that will help to determine, who are the in­dividual Persons, that are fittest accord­ing to Christ's Description.

I DISPUTE not, whether there hath not been, and ought not to be, a distinction of Powers and Persons in Ecclesiastical Government, or whether an absolute Equality must not neces­sarily be attended with very ill con­sequences; or whether Ministers do not need Order, and Rule, and Go­vernment among themselves, as well as every other Company and Society of Men in the World. But that which I ar­gue from this Text, is this, That they [Page 9]who preach the Gospel, are to Guide, Oversee and Rule their own Flock, ac­cording to the Holy Scripture.

THEY are the Servants of Christ in his Work, and your Servants for Jesus sake. They pretend not to Do­minion over your Faith, or to be Lords or Owners of the Flock, but to be Helpers of your Joy; by their care the Sheep are to be sed, guided, pre­served, healed and brought home. They are Rulers over Christ's Hous­hold, but not by secular Force and Rigour, not to compel Men to the Faith and Obedience of the Gospel, otherwise than by Truth and Love, by Instruction and Perswasion, and declaring the Mind of Christ in his Word. You are not to obey Mini­sters as Civil Magistrates, that rule by the Sword, but thankfully receive the Truths they teach, and the Mercies they offer. Our Weapons in the Christian Warfare are not Carnal, but Spiritual, to Edification, not destructi­on, not coercive, but ministerial: We are to instruct and warn, to reprove [Page 10]and exhort with Faithfulness and Se­riousness, in the Name of Christ, and with his Authority, which as it is ano­ther thing from the Power of a ² Ma­gistrate, so by vertue of the Order and Institution of Christ, it is very different from the private Counsel and Admonitions of one Friend to another. The same works are not done with the same Authority, Efficacy, Cer­tainty or Order, by a private hand, as by publick Officers. For in this case you are obliged to Submit your selves in the Lord, to whatever is made known to you to be according to the Will of God, revealed in his Word. 'Tis true, if we exceed our Commis­sion, you are not to receive us, but if we keep to the Words of Christ, he that despiseth our Message, Despi­seth not Man, but God. You know how earnestly the Apostle admonishes to this purpose, 1 Thes. 5.12, 13. We beseech you, Brethren, to mind them who [Page 11]labour amongst you, and preside over you, [...], in the Lord; i. e. in the things of the Lord, and according to his Order; and that admonish you, and to esteem them more than exceedingly, [...], in love, for their Work or Office sake: And let the Elders who rule well, [...], be counted worthy of double Honour, or Recompence, as the Original Word often signifies, 1 Tim. 5.17, 18.

I MAY be blamed by some, for say­ing thus much; but there are certain Seasons, when it is expedient (at least not unfit) for a Man to praise the Country or the Family to which he belongs, or the Society to which he is related: And therefore I here take the Liberty to Magnifie mine Office, tho' I should become a Fool in glorying, 2 Cor. 12.11. As to the Institution, Com­mission, and Authority of the Mini­stry, it is not of Men, or by Man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead, Gal. 1.1. they received their Ministry from the Lord, Col. 4.17. he makes 'em Over­sers, [Page 12]Acts 20.28. Timothy is called the Servant of the Lord, 2 Tim. 2.24. Ministers by their Office are as it were his Menial Servants, that approach nearer to his Person than others, and are employed in his particular Busi­ness. They are Stewards over the House and Family of God, Tit. 1.7. Luke 12.42. which is no mean station. They are called Presidents, Guides, Rulers, Shepherds, Planters, Husbandmen, Pa­stors, Ambassadors for Christ, and the Glory of Christ, and the Ministers of his Spiritual Kingdom, Angels of the Churches, Builders of his Church, &c. By Baptism to initiate Disciples unto Christ, and by the other Sacrament to confirm them, to feed 'em with the sincere Milk of the Word, to in­tercede for them in Prayer, to bless them in the Name of Christ, to con­vey his Messages, Instructions, Coun­sels and Comforts to 'em, which with­out his Institution and Appointment they could no more do, than a Mes­senger can carry a Pardon to a con­demned Person, which his Prince ne­ver [Page 13]sent. No man taketh the Honour to himself, but he that is called of God.

2. THEY are described to be such as have spoken unto you the Word of God. To feed the Flock, by sound Doctrine. Serious Study of the Holy Scriptures, and diligent Preaching of the Word, is no little part of the Bu­siness of a Gospel-Minister. Simon Peter, lovest thou me? Feed my Sheep, feed my Lambs. As Stewards of the Houshold, they are to provide for the Family; as Shepherds, to feed by Teaching. And it is in great Wis­dom and Mercy to the Souls of Men, that our Blessed Lord has appointed some Persons on purpose to devote themselves to this Work; that they may be able to instruct the Ignorant, and establish the Wavering, and com­sort the Sad, and recover the Back­slider; to awaken, warn, convince and encourage Others in the Christi­an Warfare. And whatever some pretend, that there is no such need of Preaching now, as there was in [Page 14]the Infancy of the Church; yet in all Ages, this is the ordinary Means, which God hath appointed, and is wont to bless, for the Conversion and Salvation of Souls, 1 Cor. 1.21. It pleaseth God now, as well as former­ly, by the foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe. And it is the Commission of our Saviour for the Ministerial Office, that they Preach the Gospel to every Creature. And this, not only to plant a Church, but to carry on its growth; it is for the perfecting of the Saints, and for the edifying of the Body of Christ. The Ministry of the Gospel may be need­ful to Converts, and Believers, and real Saints, and is so, there being something still lacking to their Faith and Comfort. And they had need to be put always in Remembrance of the things they do know, that they may be rooted and established in the Truth, 1 Pet. 2.12.

IT is wonderful to Observe, how our Saviour rather chose to Convert Men by the Preaching and Miracles [Page 15]of his Apostles, than by his own; how he would not fully convert Paul with­out the Ministry of Annanias, tho' he spake to him from Heaven himself, and reasoned with him against his Persecution; how he would not fully convert Cornelius and his Houshold, without the Ministry of Peter, tho' he sent an Angel to direct him to a Teacher, nor would he convert the Ethiopian Eunuch, without the Mini­stery of Phillip; nor the Goaler with­out the Ministery of Paul and Silas, tho' he wrought a Miracle to prepare for his Conversion. Our Lord knew the Necessity that the Infants of his Family had of such Nurses, and he will keep up the Honour of his own Officers, whom he hath appointed for such an End and Use.

HOW much the Welfare of the Church depends upon the Ministers and Teachers of the Word, and how little the Beauty and Glory of Religion can ever be kept up in the World, if Ministers do not la­bour in the Word and Doctrine, will [Page 16]very easily appear, to such as consi­der, how Religion has declined and been lost, by the Ignorance, and Un­faithfulness, and Negligence of those that ought to have Preached the Go­spel of Christ: And how the Denial or Contempt of the Ministry hath al­way been accompanied with the growth of Atheism, Infidelity, and Pro­phaness. How solemnly does the Apo­stle charge the Elders of the Church of Ephesus, Acts 20.28, 30. Take heed unto your selves, and to all the Flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers, to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood, and to warn every man, lest they be perverted by false Teachers, &c. And how expresly to the like purpose, are they required to labour with their utmost strength in this Work, 1 Tim. 1.17. 1 Cor. 16.16. 1 Thes. 5.12. They are To give themselves continu­ally to Prayer, and the Ministry of the Word, Acts 6.4.

AND how needful is it that they should do so, who are to unfold the [Page 17]Mind of God to others; to teach them what they must know, believe and do, avoid, and hope for; who have so many difficulties to ex­plain, and so often need the Tongue of the Learned, and a good share of Prudence, to speak a Word in Season: To acquaint their Hearers with their several Maladies and Remedies, Dan­gers and Duties, to hold forth the Ex­cellency of Christ, so as to make him receiv'd and obey'd, admired and lo­ved; and to be diligent in such Work in season, and out of season; mana­ging all, as under an Awe of God, and with sincere Compassion and Love to Souls.

SUPPOSING the Word of God here to be the Written Word, I need not enquire curiously, how much of Di­vine Revelation, or the Written Word, was then extant, when the Apostle wrote this Epistle, (which is thought to be about the fifty seventh, or fifty eighth year of our Blessed Lord, while he was a Prisoner at Rome, and towards the end of his first Impri­sonment [Page 18]there.) All the New Testa­ment seems to be then written, save the Epistles of St. John, and his Reve­lations, and the Second Epistle of St. Peter. 'Tis certain, that the whole Word of God in the Holy Scriptures, is to be explained, and applyed by Preaching, and that this is a princi­pal part of a Ministers Work. They therefore who pretend to the Mini­sterial Office, according to the order of Christ, and yet either despise, or neglect the Preaching of the Word, one would think, either do not under­stand their Office, or are not faithful to it.

3. ANOTHER Thing concerning these Deceased Ministers the Apostle mentions, is, their Exemplary Faith. They would not have been proposed as Patterns, with respect to Faith, if they had not been Famous and Exem­plary, as to the Clearness of their Minds, and the Soundness of their Doctrine. Follow their Faith. Doubt­less he means it of such, who as to Knowledg, and firmness of Perswasion, [Page 19]concerning the Truths of the Gospel, and fruitfulness in suitable Effects, did in Spirit and Practice, shew them­selves Believers. They would not otherwise have been named, as fit Ex­amples for the People to follow, as to their Faith. You find Ministers are exhorted to Take heed to their Do­ctrine, 1 Tim. IV. 16. and to continue therein, that they May save themselves, and them that hear them, and to speak the things that become sound Doctrine, 1 Tim. VI. 3. They are to keep the Doctrine of the Gospel pure and un­corrupt, and to feed the People with the sincere Milk of the Word. For if the Doctrine, which should pro­mote Faith and Holiness, should be depraved by the Ministers of the Word, how is it possible that true Christianity should spread and flou­rish, or be preserved and continu­ed? What need have we to beg, that God would give and continue such Pastors after his own Heart, as may feed his People with Good Know­ledge and Sound Ʋnderstanding. They [Page 20]must hold fast the faithful Word that they have been taught, that they may be able, by sound Doctrine to ex­hort, and convince Gain-sayers, Tit. 1.6, 9. Chap. 2.1. Such Speech that cannot be condemned, that he who is of the contrary party may be asha­med. And how comfortably and use­fully may they preach to others, who are firmly perswaded of the Truth of what they say; who believe and live the Truths they deliver? This is a great help to Ministers in their Work, and a great Advantage in order to Success.

THESE here, whose Faith is men­tioned, were also Exemplary in all the Fruits of Faith: They lived up to the Doctrine they preached, and therein others are exhorted to follow them. They represented in a Holy Life, the Doctrine they taught, and so glori­fied him, in whose Name they dis­pensed it. By Humility and Meekness, Moderation and Self-denial, Zeal for the Glory of God, Mortification of Corrupt Affections, Contempt of the [Page 21]World, Readiness for the Cross, Con­descension and Patience towards All, Heavenly-mindedness, &c. In all things, Ministers should show them­selves Patterns of good works, and be Examples unto Believers in Word, in Conversation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity, Tit. II. 2, 7. 1 Tim. IV. 12.

THIS is the most likely Method to have Success: ‘For tho' it may now and then possibly fall out, that the Seed of Divine Truth, ³ like Corn sown by a Leprous Hand, may grow up into some fruit; yet how small is the Good, that is wrought by his Doctrine, in comparison of the great Hurt that is done by the dissolute Life of such a Minister? Is it likely, that he, that in the Pulpit pleads for Honour unto the Person of Christ, for Obedience to his Commands, and Faith to be ex­ercised in his Promises, and when he is out of it, contradicts all that he [Page 22]hath said, by a sensual practice; is it likely he should ever win many Dis­ciples to Christ? Will Men ever hearken to such, who decry Drun­kenness, and Wantonness, and Cove­tousness, &c. as the way to De­struction, and yet turn not their own feet from walking therein? will they not say, Physician, heal thy self? or thou Hypocrite, First cast the Beam out of thine own Eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the Mote that is in thy Brothers Eye.’

HOW can He be a Pattern to Be­lievers, in those Graces he is a Stran­ger to? How can he kindle Heaven­ly Affections in the Souls of others, when he feels nothing himself? How can he speak of Divine Truth, accord­ing to the Excellency, and Necessity, and Importance of it, if he doth not believe, and live, and obey it himself? We may as well think, that a Here­tick may teach you the Truth, as well as the Orthodox; and a Schis­matick teach you Unity and Peace, as well as a Catholick Peaceable Pa­stor; [Page 23]or a Man ignorant of Regene­ration, and the Grace of God, may teach you that which he knoweth not himself; or an Enemy to Piety and Charity, teach you to be Pious and Charitable, as well as any other. The voice of Jacob will do little good, if the Hands be the Hands of Esau. They that are unholy, and unexperi­enced as to real Godliness, they have a secret Enmity in their Hearts against that Holiness, which they should daily preach, which is a Clog at their Feet, and a Gag in their Mouths, as to some Truths and Duties. They will some way or other harden, and embolden others in their Sins, as well as make themselves, and the Offer­ing of the Lord contemptable, by shewing, that they do not believe what they say. How can you think they should lead you in the way of Holiness, who never walked i [...] [...] them­selves? or guide you to [...], and conduct you in the Chri [...]War­fare, who are Servants of the World, the Devil, and the Flesh, against [Page 24]whom they must Exhort you to Fight.

HOW dreadful will be the Account and Portion of such Evil Stewards, and Unfaithful Guides, who preach to others, and yet perish! As the Men that were employed to build the Ark of Noah, yet were not saved in it. He that winneth Souls is wise; but it is he only, that shall do, as well as teach the Commandments, who shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven, or ever come there. The Judge himself hath told us, that many in his Name may have prophesied, and preached, and cast out Devils, and yet shall be disclaimed, as Workers of Iniquity. And it is certainly more easie to make ten good Sermons, than to practice one; and to expose and declaim against all Sins, than to re­linquish any.

HOW terrible is that known passage of Chrysostom, with relation to this? Saying, ‘That he is perswaded, that very few of those who are entrusted with the Gospel, and Care of Souls, [Page 25]are likely to be Saved; and that he apprehends the far greater part will be damned. For this Work, saith he, requires a Soul more than ordina­ry; He had need have a thousand Eyes in his Head, and have them all awake, &c.’ How severe are the Psalmists Words, and how upbraid­ing of Ungodly Ministers, Psal. 50.16, 17. What hast thou to do, to de­clare my Statutes, or that thou shouldst take my Covenant into thy Mouth? see­ing thou hatest Instruction, and castest my Words behind thee. How must such a Man be confounded in Preach­ing against his own Sins, and pro­nouncing Damnation against himself? And with how little Success can he pray for the People of his Charge, when he himself is not reconciled to God. S [...] for the Elders of the Church, when sick, saith the Apostle, and the Prayer of Faith shall save the Sick, but 'tis the servent Prayer of a Righteous Man, James V. 14, 15.

4. HE mentions their Constancy and Perseverance in Faith and Holiness, [Page 26]'till the happy End, and Exit of their Conversation. And this he exhorts them to Consider, to review, to reflect upon; and that not transiently, but with deep Attention; not once only, but again and again. To consider what their Carriage and Deportment hath been in publick, and in private; what was their Behaviour in every Relation and Condition, as keeping a good Con­science, both towards God and Man; and this not for a start, for a little while, for a few Years only, and then drew back or turned afide: But con­sider The End of their Conversation. How they finished their Course with Joy. Their Beginning, and Progress was commendable, and their latter End was answerably good and safe, desi­rable and happy, either by a natural death, in the Peace of God, or with the Crown of Martyrdom by a vio­lent one.

I SHALL not need to enquire, how far the Apostle may here refer to the Death of the first Martyr Stephen, and of James the Son of Zebbedee, who [Page 27]both exercised their Ministty at Jeru­salem, and suffered Martyrdom there, as 'tis thought did the other James, the Brother of our Lord, several years before the date of this Epistle to the Hebrews.

II. LET us consider what is the Peoples Duty to such their Deceased Ministers and Pastors. It is threefold. 1. To Remember them. 2. To Imi­tate them in Faith and Holiness. 3. In order to this, to Consider seriously, and often their Conversation, and the hap­py End of it.

1. REMEMBER your Spiritual Guides, who have had the Instructi­on and Conduct of your Souls, and faithfully discharged their Office. Re­member them, so as to be thankful to God for their Gifts and Graces, and for all the Flelp and Assistance, you had by their Doctrioe and Example, while they lived, and for all the Good­ness and Grace of God towards them, in enabling them to do or suffer his Will, with their Supports, Perseve­rance, [Page 28]Assistances, Encouragements, and Victory. Remember them, so as to bewail your Loss, and lay to Heart their Removal. Remember how much more you ought to have va­lued their Ministry, and how much better you might have improved it; (the very thoughts of what you would do, if God would again have tryed you in that kind, might herein be your Help.) Remember what Coun­sels, what Warnings and Reproofs, what Encouragements and Consolati­ons, you have ever had by their means. Remember with what an Awe of god they were wont to Pray, with what a Zeal for Christ, and Love to Souls, they did use to Preach; with what humble Condescension, Meekness and Charity, and unblameable Conversa­tion, they lived in this World.

REMEMBER them in your Thoughts and Affections, and in your Words and Actions; so as on all fit Occasi­ons to express your Love to their Memory. Be ready to shew that you do not forget them, by your conti­nued [Page 29]Respects and Kindness to the Living, for the sake of the Dead: I mean, the many despised Widows, and Fatherless Children of Worthy Mi­nisters. Think often of them, how God honoured them, to bring ma­ny Souls to Christ, and to build up Others: How successfully they mana­ged, and comfortably finished their Work. Think what, and where they now are, what they are delivered from, what they enjoy, how they are employed, &c. Don't be afraid to think often of your Deceased Mini­sters, and Friends: 'Tis a plain Duty, and a help to many Duties, to have our Conversation in Heaven with Christ, and the Spirits of Just Men made perfect. To think of our Holy Relations and Acquaintance, and espe­cially Ministers, who are got safe to Heaven: It may assist and animate us, in our Spiritual Warfare. And much of the Comfort of the Life of Faith depends upon it. They are part of the Family of Christ, to which we are adjoined, if by Faith we are [Page 30]united to him, Heb. XII. 22, 23. We have no reason to believe, that they Forget us whom they have left be­hind; and certainly there is none, why we should Forget them. Let us remember them with Pleasure, Ho­nour, and Love; and speak of them with Respect and Gratitude.

CAN we think with Pleasure of such a Friend or Minister, of such an Acquaintance or Relation, whom we tenderly love, that is many Miles di­stant from us, here upon Earth; and shall we be unmindful of those who are in Heaven? It should be a Com­placential Thought, to consider, that such a Father or Grand-father, such a Husband or Wife, such a Child or Brother of yours or mine, are now with Christ, in the Bosom of his Love in glory. That such a Minister of Christ, who was my Spiritual Father, or by whom I was edified, streng­thened, or comforted for many Years, hath overcome, and is at Rest, has fought the good Fight, and finished [Page 31]his Course. While we are following after, they have attained: While we are in Tears and Conflicts, they are in Joy and Glory: While we are waiting at the door, they are enter­ed within the Vail. 'Tis our Duty to Remember them. And,

2. TO Follow their Faith, that is, the Doctrine they preached, be­lieved, professed, and obeyed; or their found Doctrine, and Practical Godliness. Or their Faith may be considered, as regarding Doctrines to be believed and professed, Promises to be embraced and depended on, and Precepts to be obeyed. Such a Faith, as realized the other World to them, and help'd to crucifie them unto this. Such a Faith, as was the Evidence of things unseen, whereby they were enabled to walk in Self-denyal, Pa­tience, and stedfast Obedience, 'till they came to the End of their Faith and Hope. In short, we must follow them, as holding the Mystery of Faith in a pure Conscience, and expressing [Page 32]the Power of it in a fruitful Conver­sation.

YOU see, in what it is your De­ceased and Holy Friends, and Mini­sters are to be followed, it is in their Faith, and in the Principal Actings and Fruits of it, so far as they kept The Example of Christ in their Eye, and followed him, for no farther does the Apostle require it, 1 Cor. XI. 1. the Pattern of Christ is propos'd for Imitation in all Ages of the Church: We are no less obliged to it, than the Apostle who prays for the Philippi­ans, that the same Mind might be in them, that was in Christ, Phil. 11.5. And therefore have we boldness in the day of Judgment, says another Apostle, because We are in the World, as he was in it, 1 John IV. 17.

OUR Lord is the only Infallible and Supream Pattern, whom tho' we cannot follow in his Miracles and Me­rits, and what was peculiar to him as Mediator; yet hath he set us an Ex­ample, that we should tread in his [Page 33]steps, in Obedience to his Father, in Zeal for his Glory, in Submission to his Will, in Patience under Suffering, &c. He gave us an Example of Sub­jection to Parents, Obedience to Ma­gistrates, Painfulness in Preaching, Frequency in praying, and in going up and down the World doing good, in Forgiving Enemies, in Charity to all Men, &c.

AS to all other Examples, tho' there may be some things Imitable, there are others, wherein we should be cau­tioned not to do the like; as in Noah and Lot, David, and Solomon, &c. Even St. Peter was a Rock, and an Ex­cellent Apostle; but we should split upon that Rock, if we should follow him in all his ways: If we follow him into the High Priests Hall, if we imitate him in making bold with Temptation, instead of following Christ, we may be brought to deny him. Therefore St. Paul expresly cautions us, how far we are to follow his Example, Phil. IV. 8. Finally, my [Page 34]Brethren, whatsoever things are honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; if they have any vertue, any praise, think of these things, which you have both learn­ed and received, and heard, and seen in me, do these things, and the God of peace shall be with you.

HOWEVER, granting the Life of Christ only be a perfect Copy, yet the good Examples of our Brethren, and Fellow-Christians, are a merciful Help, and Assistance to us in the way to Heaven. We see by their Faith and Patience, that our Duty is pra­cticable. That they who dwelt in such Bodies as we, and were surrounded with the like Temptations, and had as many Hindrances and Difficulties, and no more, or better Assistance or Encouragement than we, have yet been enabled to please and glorifie God, and are got safe to Glory. We are not the Forelorn Hope, not the first Assailors in the Spiritual Warfare, we are not set in the Front of the Battle; many of our Fellow Christians [Page 35]have lived and dyed in the Faith, have overcome the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, in that very way, that we are called to do it.

MANY of our Fellow Soldiers have fought the Good Fight, gained the Victory, and received the Crown. Their Example tells us, that the Diffi­culties and Conflicts that we fear, are no other than they have experienced. They complained as much we can, of inward Corruption, and outward Temptation; of an unfaithful World, and a busie Devil, and a desperately wicked Heart; and yet by the Grace of God they have Overcome. We have a Cloud of Witnesses, among our parti­cular Friends and Acquaintance, whom we have known and loved, whom we have seen and heard, with whom we have convers'd and discours'd: And it is a great Encouragement, to consider we are to follow Them. For why should we be disheartned, as if that were Impobssile to us, which the Grace of God hath enabled them to do and suffer?

TIS one great Design of God's Gifts, and Graces to Some, that they may instruct and edifie Others. The path of the just in this sense, is a shining Light: We are to Shew forth the Word of Life in our Conversation, that we may direct others in the way: And by our Zeal, we are to provoke many.

AND when the Precept is exem­plified into Pattern, and the Com­mands of Christ made legible in the Lives of Christians, we are the more encouraged to obey. This hath more Influence than meer Law, and naked Authority. We find that Examples strangely affect us, and the Lives of Holy Persons, writ with Truth, and Judgment, and Caution, have a sin­gular Advantage to attract our Imi­tation. When Charity and Humili­ty, Self-denial and Patience, Piety and Devotion, are characterized in the Practice and Actions of the Saints, they are written as it were with Light, notwithstanding some mixture of Dark­ness, from Humane Passions, and Failings, [Page 37]for which in all Men there must be Al­lowance. That Holy Examples are apt to affect the Mind more deeply than Holy Laws alone, is evident by the Malice of the Devil, and his In­struments against the Holy Scriptures, exemplified in the Godly, more than against the Scriptures themselves; they can better bear the Precepts of a per­fect Rule, than the imperfect practice of them in a Holy Life. They have burnt Martyrs, that could endure good Books.

SUCH Examples may be of Use, both to Quicken and Enoourage us.

1. TO quicken and excite our Di­ligence, to this purpose the Apostle makes mention of them, Chap. VI. 12. Be not sloathful, but be ye followers of them, who by Faith and Patience in­herit the Promises. To cure the Sloath and Laziness of Christians, he saith this, and to stir them up to Holy Di­ligence; with this Encouragement in the following Words, that if they fol­low [Page 38]their Guides in their Faith in Christ, they will find him an Un­changeable, never failing Saviour: For it is added, Jesus Christ, the same yester­day, to day, and for ever. i.e. He will certainly receive, forgive, assist, pre­serve, and save them, as he did their Deceased Guides. If we follow them, we shall find the same Comfort, and meet with the same Reward.

HOW may the Temper, and Spi­rit, and Carriage, of such Exemplary Christians, shame our Negligence? Their Humility and Zeal, their Gra­vity and Seriousness, their continual Awe of God, and Apprehension of his Eve, their constant Watchfulness over Hearts, Words and Actions, may be considered to humble and shame us: When I think how diligently they improved their Talents, how faithful­ly and fervently they attended their Work, how their Hearts were in it, and how much they did in a little time, and how God was with 'em in abundant Success, it should shame and [Page 39]quicken me. ‘Do I pray, or preach, or live at that rate of Seriousness, Integrity, Self-denial, and Devo­tedness to God, as they? Durst they have indulged themselves, and pleased themselves, and allowed themselves the Liberty which I take: Were they guilty of such Omissions and Neglects as I am? Am not I more slight and formal, seldom and heartless in Prayer, than they were wont to be, &c.’

IF we have the same Spirit of Faith, with the Holy Persons, whose Ex­amples we read or hear of, these things will quicken and assist us, for so the Apostle argues, 2 Cor. IV. 13. We hav­ing the same spirit of Faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe, and there­fore speak. And if they do not move us, and excite us to follow them, in their Faith and Obedience, it is a sign that we are not partakers of the same Spirit.

2. NOT only as to Duty, but let us consider 'em for our Encouragement and Comfort. Whatever Difficulties we may meet with in the Christian Race, the Consideration of these Ex­amples may encourage our Faith, and Patience, and Perseverance. They found the Sweetness of Dependance upon God, and the Success of a Life of Faith, and had gracious Answers to Prayer, and suitable Help in every time of need: They could set to their Seal that God is true, and the Scrip­ture true; and never any Word of his, in which they regularly trusted, did ever fail them. And is it no Encou­ragement, for us to be able to say, Lord, our Fathers trusted in thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were not ashamed; they cryed to thee, and thou didst answer them: ‘They have told us what thou didst for them: How Good was God, and Faithful, how Wise and Gracious! The Word of the Lord is tried, in six and in seven Troubles they found it true.’

AND we that live in the latter Ages of the World, have a greater Cloud of Witnesses than others; we have the Benefit of the Experience of all the Saints, that have gone before us. They can tell us what they have found, of the false Cavils, Slanders and Objections of Unbelief; of the Fol­ly and Disingenuity of our Carnal Fears, of the Fraud of the Devil's Sug­gestions, of the certain Accomplish­ment of God's Promises, and a good Issue of all Events, if we wait on the Lord and keep his Way.

AND as to many of them, we may observe, with what admirable Pati­ence they endured greater Trials, sharper Pains, and longer Exercises, without Murmuring, and without Fainting, than ever yet we have known. How Diligent, Heavenly and Fruit­ful were some of them, under less Ad­vantages and Help than we? The Ex­amples of the Poor may shame many of the Rich: The Examples of some [Page 42]young Converts, may shame Old Dis­ciples: Religious Children may shame many Parents. There are younger Brethren, by whom the Elder are out­gone. Such who were new-born but lately, who exceed them that were in Christ many years before.

HAD not they, whose Faith you are exhorted to follow, the like Temp­tations as you meet with? Have not you the same Rule to walk by, the same Promises, Assistances and Encou­ragements in the way to Heaven? Are your Wants to be supplied, Dis­eases to be cured, Difficulties to be conquered, Burdens to be endured, more, or greater, or other, than what they met with? And was not Death the Passage to Glory, as to all of them, and sometimes by Lingering, Painful Sickness, An­tecedent to dying? Therefore you may, and should take Heart by their Examples, and follow their Faith.

HOW you should do so, I will sum [Page 43]up in ⁴ better Words than my own. ‘Let us fix upon the same Ends, to Glorifie God and Enjoy him; let us choose the same Guide and Captain of our Salvation, let us believe the same Gospel, and build upon the same Promises, let us obey and trust to the same Spirit of Holiness and Comfort; let us live upon the same Truths, and exercise the same Gra­ces, and watch against the same Sins and Corruptions; let us choose, prefer and use, the same Company, and other helps and means of Grace, and under all the Trials and Temp­tations of this Life, act the same Faith, and Patience, and Hope unto the End; and we shall finish our Course as they did, and inherit the Promises as they do.’ In order whereto,

III. LET us consider the End of [Page 44]their Conversation. Be mindful of your Deceased Ministers, that you may observe the happy End of their Conversation, and so be assisted to follow their Faith. Their Conversa­tion and Course of Life was agree­able to their Faith, agreeable to the Doctrine they believed and taught, and their End was answerable: They lived in the Faith, and they dyed in the Faith, The End of their Conversa­tions; an End attended with Victory and Deliverance, the same Word that is used for Escape, 1 Cor. X. 13. Con­sider what Difficulties they met with, and yet did overcome; their Faith did not fail, their Hope did not perish, their Courage did not faint. They en­dured to the End, and finished their Course, came off with Victory, and are got safe to Everlasting Rest.

THE Consideration of this, their happy End, knowing what they were, and what we are, should encourage us to Follow them. It ought to raise our Desires and Hopes, fix our Reso­lutions, [Page 45]answer our Doubts, scatter our Fears, make Death less formi­dable, and the thoughts of Heaven more familiar, and so excite and for­ward our Preparations for it: That following their Faith, we may with them at last receive the End of our Faith and Hope, the Salvation of our Souls.