Mr. Gay's SERMON At the ORDINATION of Mr. Joseph Green, At Barnstable, May 12 th. 1725.
MINISTERS ARE MEN OF LIKE PASSIONS WITH OTHERS. A SERMON Preach'd at Barnstable, May 12, 1725. The Day on which a CHURCH was gathered in the East Part of the said Town, AND Mr. Joseph Green was Ordained Pastor of it.
By Ebenezer Gay, A. M. And Pastor of a Church in Hingham.
BOSTON. Printed by B. GREEN. 1725.
TO THE READER.
THE Excellent Sermon, which you have here put into your hands. (I'm told) met with great and due Applause from a numerous & judicious Audience, in the Preaching of it: and I doubt not will have equal Acceptance, in the Reading. It is a Sheaf of First Fruits from my worthy Brother, by the [...] of the Press; and I believe will be found very good, even like the Pigs that are first ripe, and can't fail of a singular Relish with all such as have their Senses exercised to discern what is good, and to approve the Things that are excellent. [...] at the great Importunity of so many, who tasted the Sweet & Benefit of it in the Hearing, for a further Publication thereof, an order to many others having a share with them. I'm persuaded the governing Aim of the Author in this Discourse was to give GOD the Glory of His surprising Goodness & Wisdom in the Method He has chosen, of instructing [...] People by Men of like Passions with Themselves, and to lead [...] a just & pious Application of a Thought, which it may be has seldom and [...] but Few had its proper Weight & Improvement. [...] bless GOD, who directed His Servant to such a Text, and [...] these Meditations upon it, and dispos'd him to give ' [...]m the Publick—It is not the design of this Preface to enter into the [...] of the Reverend Auth [...], or give a Recommendation of his Performance. His Modesty F [...]r [...]ids the former; as well as my own, the [...] are needless—However, I must be allow'd to say, That we have a Subject here treated of that is very instructive hath to Ministers & People. It was certainly the best [...] was preached, as well as for the Occasion. It seems to [...] [...] spoken [Page] The Preacher sought out acceptable Words, faithful Sayings, and worthy of all Acceptation. Here we have a Variety of the wisest Lesson [...]e'd to us; many just & seasonable Caveats & Admonitions given; with weighty & moving Exhortations; which if well entertained & apply'd, wou'd be of no common service, to promote the great Interests of Religion, the Designs of the Evangelical Ministry.—And here also we are taught how to make use of this Subject for our Consolation in several Cases. Here Auditors are told how they may apply it to compose their Minds, to sit quietly under the Administrations of such as are not altogether agreeable to their Wishes. And here also Ministers are put in mind, to apply it for their Support & Encouragement, under the dark Prospect of an Unsuccessful Ministry. An inexpressible Grief this! But we must eye the Hand of GOD in it. If we have Success it is not to be ascrib'd to our own Power or Holiness. For who is Paul? and who is Apollos? But Ministers by whom Men believe, even as the Lord giveth to every Man. So then neither is he that planteth, any thing; nor he that watereth: but GOD—▪To Him we shou'd give all the Glory of our Success. And when deny'd that, if we are faithful, we may take Comfort in this; knowing that we are but Men, Men of like Passions with others; and that with Men it is impossible.
Tho' (suffer me to add) we shou'd be very jealous of our selves in this Case, and examine strictly into our own Temper & Conduct; lest by any means we shou'd have been accessory to our own Unsuccessfulness and deceive our selves with a groundless Presumption of our unblamable Fidelity. Ministers are too often the faulty Causes (at least in conjunction with their People) of their want of Success. We are Men subject to like Passions with others. The brightest Angels of the Churches are but Spirits in Flesh; and have in them the same Principles of moral as well natural Corruption, common to others. And by their own Infirmities, They too often grieve the Holy Spirit, and provoke Him to deny His Blessing on their Endeavours. And as to many of Us, 'tis to [...]e fear'd, we may justly charge our selves with th [...]se Personal S [...]n [...] which do deservedly provoke GOD to frown on our Minister, and blast our Labours. I desire to smite on my own Breast in the [...], and wish we may all (especially, such of us as [...] Youth, the Age of Levity & indiscretion) examin whether [...] not [...] & Miscarriages, that [...] not [...] of us ch [...]ge our selves with [...] Ignorance; [...] shameful Negligence; with [Page] a scandalous want of necessary Boldness & Resolution in the Cause of GOD; or with criminal Imprudence; with very culpable Defects, in point of Conduct; with very sensible Defects in Grace, in true Holiness, and the Power of Godliness; having little of the Love of GOD in us, little of the Faith of CHRIST, or Fellowship of the SPIRIT; little compassion to Souls; little Regard to another World; little of the Spirit of Devotion, cold in our Prayers, formal in our Administrations, &c.—. And now if this be our true Character, have we not abundant Reason to condemn our selves as the guilty Instruments of our own Unsuccessfulness! O Melancholy Reflection!— Would to GOD we may all bring our selves under a solemn Trial, try our own Spirits, and prove our own Works; repair all our too evident Defects, and study more to shew our selves approved unto GOD, Workmen that need not to be ashamed—. Thus will the most fatal Impediments to our Success be happily removed; and we may more groundedly expect the Divine Blessing on our Ministry, and the more comfortably reflect on the want of it. O that both Ministers & People may sincerely unite in Lamenting after GOD, and in vigorous Endeavours to recover His Favour & Presence, by removing the Grounds of His Controversy, and Withdraw from us!
But I will no longer detain the Reader from his better Entertainment in the following Discourse.—I shall only add my humble Wi [...]hes, for the worthy Author, that he may long be continu'd a rich Blessing in the Place (which so rejoyces in his Light at present) and see the Fr [...] of his Labours (of this in particular) to his great Joy.—Also for our dear Brother, at whose Ordination it was P [...]h'd, That he may enter into (and long continue in) his Ministry, with the fulness of the Blessing of the Gospel of Peace. Finally, [...] the good People over whom he is set; That they may every [...] receive him in the LORD with all Gladness, and make their Profiting by him, appear to all Men. Our Lord JESUS say AMEN to these best of Wishes; the same that I desire of my Friends, for my self, Who a [...] the Unworthiest of Ministers,
AN ORDINATION SERMON.
THIS Chapter is a Continuation of the History of Paul & Barnabas, their united Endeavours to Gospellize the Pagan World. We have an account that their Preaching in Iconium was at first remarkably successful. A great Multitude both of the Jews, and also of the Greeks, believed their Report. But there (as in every other place) Satan had his active Instruments to oppose them. The unbelieving Jews maliciously & industriously sought to render those holy Preachers of the Word, and all who embrac'd the Christian Doctrine, vile & contemptible in the Eyes of the Gentiles. The Enemy of Souls and Father of Lies never devis'd a more effectual way to hinder the progress of the Gospel, than to prejudice the Minds of People against the faithful Dispensers of it, by representing Zion's Nazarites in a Visage blacker than a Coal. Notwithstanding the ill treatment which these Apostles met with, yet they for a [Page 2] long time abode in that City speaking boldly in the Lord. A Minister is not presently to go from a People, nor Cowardly to spare them in declaring the Counsel of God, when there are many among them unreasonably disaffected to him. But when Paul and Barnabas saw the whole City in Confusion, and that there was a Murderous design on Foot against them, then they fled into other Cities: as CHRIST Commandeth, or at least alloweth his Ministers to do, Mat. 10. 23. When they persecute you in this City, then flee ye into another: And as GOD opens to them a door of Escape out of one Place, so he doth a door of Opportunity in another. Paul and Barnabas coming to Lystra, Preached the Gospel there, and wrought a Miraculous Cure for the confirmation of their Doctrine, and to the astonishment of all who beheld it. A poor Cripple, who had been so from his Mother's Womb, and never had walked, Hearing Paul preach, was so affected with the Sermon, that he believed, the Speaker could not only say, but do great things, in the Name of Christ Jesus the Lord, whom he preached. The Apostle looking Stedfastly and Compassionately upon him, perceived by the Spirit of discerning, that he had faith to be healed. He therefore with a loud voice said unto the lame Man, Stand upright on thy feet. He doubtless said this in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth: The Word was sent forth from him; for by it the Cripple was immediately and perfectly healed, which he discovered by leaping & walking. And so an ancient Prophecy which relates to Gospel-times, was liter [...]ly fulfilled: Isa. 35. 6. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart. This wonderfull work [Page 3] was very surprising to the People who saw it and occasion'd an idolatrous Admiration of the Instruments of it: They lift up their voices, saying in the speech of Lyca [...]nia, The Gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. They thought that the Gods whom the Nations worshipped, were come down in the Appearance of Men, and had done this extraordinary Cure. They pretended to know which of the Heathen Deities these Persons were: Barnabas they called Jupiter; and Paul M [...]rcurius, because he was the Chief Speaker. Probably Barnabas was one of a more Majestick Countenance and Deportment than Paul; therefore he was taken for Jupiter, the Supreme God, according to the Pagan Theogonie: and Paul speaking more than Barnabas, he was look'd upon as Mercury, the Interpreter of the Gods, the God of Eloquence. The People being so fully persuaded of the Divinity of these Persons, they presently resolved to honour them as Gods. Then the Priest of Jupiter which was before their City, (i.e. whose Statue and Temple were erected before the Gate of the City: Jupiter being accounted the Guardian and President of the City) the Priest of that Idol brought Ox [...]n and Garlands to adorn the Victim with, and would have done Sacrifice with the people. As soon as Barnabas and Paul perceiv'd this, they manifested a great displeasure at it and detestation of it, They rent their Clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Si [...]s, why do ye these things? They were earnest and Zealous to suppress the Idolatry of the foolish people. They rebuk'd them sharply for attempting to deif them. And to convince them of the Absurdity of giving [Page 4] Divine Honours unto them, they said, We also are Men [...] like passions with you.—We, the Apostles of Jesus, the Ministers of the Gospel, who Preach and do wonderful works in Christ's Name, are not Gods, as Ye ignorantly suppose us to be, although we are in God's stead. And it is a gross abomination to do such Service unto th [...]se who by Nature are no Gods. Neither are we Angels by Nature, though we are so by Office; and therefore are far from deserving of Religious Worship. We are Men, and but Men; Creatures of the same Nature with you unto whom we Preach: we are Men of like passions, both physical and moral, bodily and mental. We are not impassible and immortal as GOD is, but frail and mortal as Ye are. ‘We are subject to the same Infirmities of the humane Nature, and liable to the same Calamities of the humane life’ Therefore it is Blasphemous Folly in you to call us Gods, and to Sacrifice unto us as such.
The DOCTRINE which may at this time be Illustrated and Applied is this, viz.
THE Gracious GOD hath in infinite Mercy vouchsaf [...]d a Revelation of his Nature and Will, of Man's Duty and Happiness; and in his adorable Wisdom he hath appointed and improved Men to Publish the same unto their Fellow-Creatures. The Law was given by M [...]ses, the Man of God, Joh. 1. 17. He declar'd it to the People. Indeed the [Page 5] Israelites are said to have received it by the disposition of Angels, Act. 7. 53. But this intends no more than that the holy Angels were present at the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. The Original Word, which is here rendred Disposition, is of the [...]ral Number, and (as Just Criticks have observ'd) signifieth Companies dispos'd together or [...]e [...] in order. The Chariots of God were twenty thousand, even thousands of Angels, when he came down to Sinai: And so the Israelites did receive the Law among the Hosts of Angels. And this may be the meaning of the Law's being ordained, and spoken by Angels, Gal. 3. 19. Heb. 2. 2. That the glorious Angels attended the Lord in his delivering of it on the Mount. But God authorised Men to be the standing Teachers of the Law. Moses and the Prophets were Men Jam. 5. 17. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are. The Priests, the Ministers of the Lord, were taken from among men, Heb. 5. 1. Even Melchisedec was so, notwithstanding he was without Father, without Mother, without descent, i. e. his Genealogy was not known. The Law made Men High Priests which had Infirmity, Heb. 7. 28. And the Gospel likewise Constituteth such the Ministers of the New Testament. Men were some of those purchased Gifts, which our Lord ascended into Heaven to receive for, and give unto men. GOD doth not personally or immediately declare his Will to us; nor send his Angels, those Ministring Spirits, in this way, to Minister unto the [...]rs of Salvation; but he Commissionateth Men, and those not perfect, to this Sacred Office of Preaching the Gospel, 2 Cor. 4. 7. We have this treasure [Page 6] in earthen vessels. The rich treasure of the Gospel is put into brittle Vessels: it is brought unto poor perishing Sinners by frail Men like themselves.
NOW, althô we cannot see to the bottom of any of God's Counsels, yet there are some obvious Reasons of his appointing Men of like passions with others, to the Ministry of the Word, which do Justify the Wisdom, and display the Goodness of GOD herein, and much of the Duty both of Ministers and People may be learn'd herefrom. Let the following Reasons therefore be weighed.
1. GOD appoints Men of like passions with others to be the Ministers of his Word, because he will treat with us about the things which belong to our everlasting peace, in such a familiar way, as is most accommodate to the Humane Nature. He knoweth our frame: Remembreth that we are dust, and suits his Dispensation accordingly. It is an Instance and Argument of the Condescending Goodness of GOD that he doth not preach Personally unto us, nor send his Glorious Angels; but Men of the same Nature & of like passions with ourselves, to reveal his Will unto us, and to treat with us about our spiritual and everlasting concernments. The Consideration of the weakness of the Humane Nature in its present state of Imperfection and Mortality, determin'd the Alwise and Gracious GOD to this method of dealing with us for our Instruction and Salvation.
IF the Great and Dreadful GOD should speak Personally unto us, how could our weak faculties [Page 7] bear the overwhelming Glory and Majesty, in which it becomes him to speak? When JEHOVAH thundred on the Mount, and the Highest gave his voice from Sinai, the People could not endure. And so terrible was the sight of the Mount burning with fire, and the sound of the Trumpet waxing louder and louder, and the voice of words, that Moses himself cryed out, saying, I exceedingly fear and quake. And the People entreated that they might not hear the voice of the Lord again, least they should die; but that Moses, and not God, would speak with them. And GOD approved of their Request. Should the Lord come down in such Splendid Equipage, and Preach the Gospel to us in the like Divine Glory, we should be no more able to endure, than the Israelites were at the Promulgation of the Law. We should be so troubled at his Presence, that we could not hearken to his Doctrine. The Terror of his Majesty would hinder the Attention of our Minds, and put us into the greatest Confusion.
OR if GOD should send his Holy Angels (which are Infinitely Inferior to him in Glory) to Preach unto us; yet the Lustre of Seraphim would dazzle and confound, rather then inform and edify us. Manoah's Wife said unto him, a man of God came unto me, and his Countenance was like the Countenance of an Angel of God, very terrible, Judg. 13. 6. An Angel brought the first Tidings of a Saviour's Birth, but his Appearance was so bright and glorious that the poor Shepherds were amazed: Luke 2. 9. [...] the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the Glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they [Page 8] were sore afraid. GOD therefore considers our frame, and sends Men clothed with Flesh and Infirmities, and not Angels inrobed with light and glory, to preach unto us, that so knowledge and faith might in a familiar way be instill'd into our Minds and Hearts. And the Preacher can say unto the Hearer, as Elih [...] did unto Job, (Job 33. 6, 7.) Behold I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the [...]ay. Behold my Terror shall not make thee afraid [...] neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
2. MEN of like passions with others are appointed to be Ministers, because such can be Examples unto the [...]lock. It is very requisite that the Preachers of Religion should be Patterns of it. An Exemplary Life of Gospel-Obedience is an Excellent means to bring People to the Knowledge & Practice of true Godliness.
THIS is the shortest and easiest way of Instruction: And without this our Preaching is commonly in vain. The Mind is soonest and most sweetly informed of the nature and worth of Virtue, when it is represented by good Example. This way of Teaching is adapted to the lowest Capacity. It is difficult for some Understandings, clearly to apprehend; for some Memories, long to retain; and for some Judgments, rightly to apply, the Rules of Holy Living, when they are only Doctrinally prescrib'd: But when they are Exemplified in a Sober, Righteous and Godly Conversation, all this becomes easy. A Traveller, who hath only oral directions given [Page 9] him concerning his way; is in greater danger of wandring out of it, than if he had a [...] guide to go before him. It is easier to learn to write by looking on a fair Copy, than by hearing the Discourses of the most accurate Scribe.
AND as good Example is useful to inform Men of their Duty, so it is likewise to incline and engage them to the performance of it. Examples do more forcibly strike the Affections, and influence the Practice of Men, than Precepts do. The Beauties of H [...]liness are never set off with so great advantage, as when they are display'd in a regular and upright, a holy and heavenly Conversation. Virtue dressed up in all the artificial Ornaments of Speech appears not so lovely and charming, as when by a Religious Life it is exhibited in its Natural Graces. All the Oratory of the Pulpit don't commend it to Persons Esteem, so much as doth a plain representation of it in a well order'd Conversation. Suadet Loquentis Vita, non Oratio. The holy Life of the Speaker hath a more persuasive energy in it than his moving Expression. Such as obey not the word, may be won by the Conversation. In this way the believing Wife (who is not allowed to speak in the Church) may gain the unbelieving Husband, whom the Preacher cannot, (1. Pet. 3. 1.) It is therefore necessary, that he who Preacheth to others, and presseth holy Duties upon them, should be an Example to his Hearers; agreable with that Divine Injunction, 1. Tim 4. 12. Be thou an Example of the Believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
[Page 10] AND consequently a Minister must be a Man of like passions with others. Indeed we are to be Imitators of Angels, and ought to do the will of God on Earth, as they do it in Heaven. But were the holy Angels sent to preach the Everlasting Gospel, they could not be so complete and encouraging Examples to us, as they may be who are of the same Nature, and of like passions with us.
ANGELS could not set us a Pattern complete and intire in all the parts of it. For we have Bodies as well as Spirits: and it is a Christian's daily Exercise to keep under his body, and bring it into subjection. Humane Virtue consists in acting agreeably to the Humane Nature in its primitive constitution; that is, Right Reason's maintaining a proper Dominion over the Brutal part. But how could Angels (which are Spirits only) be Examples of Virtues, which consist in the due government of Sensitive Appetites? Could they be Patterns of Temperance, Chastity, and the like? None can by their Example teach us how to behave our selves in the circumstances of men, unless they communicate with us in the passions and circumstances of the Humane Nature.
FURTHER, the Example of Angels would not be so Encouraging, as that of Men, who are of like passions with us. For Angels, who excel in strength, to be constant, exact and universal in their Obedience; for them, whose Nature is pure and perfect, to shine as Lights in the World; what great Encouragement would this afford to weak and polluted Creatures, that they shall attain to the [Page 11] high pitch of Virtue and Holiness, which is required of them? Would the illustrious Virtue of Spotless Angels provoke the Emulation of fallen Creatures? If Men that are sensible of the Weakness and Impurity of their Nature, should hear Angels vehemently inculcate the precepts of Religion, and propound their own Pattern as a Motive to Conformity, would they not think that such Rules were calculated only for the Angelical Nature? and that such great and difficult Duties were impracticable to Men? Would they take any pains to write after an Angel's Copy! But when they see the Doctrines of their Preachers, who are Men like themselves, in some good measure exemplified in their Lives, this raiseth their Hopes, excites & enlivens their Endeavours. To see Men which have the same weak and depraved Nature that they have, Men Compassed with Infirmities, and assaulted with Temptations as they are, yet by the Help of Divine Grace (which is offered to all) surmounting the difficulties of a Christian Course, this is a great Encouragement unto them, to engage & continue in it: for this is a Convincing Evidence that the Things enjoyned them are not utter Impossibilities. The Apostle thus excites Christians to fervent Prayer: Jam. 5. 16, 17. Pray for one another—. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and He prayed earnestly, and effectually.
3. MEN of like passions with others are appointed Ministers of the Gospel, because such are equally Concern'd with the People in the Message which they bring, and the things which they teach. Infinite Wisdom [Page 12] saw it best, that the important Truths of the Gospel should as necessarily relate to the Preacher's, as to the Hearer's welfare: that the eternal Interest of Ministers, as well as of People, should be wrapped up in them; and therefore the former must be Men of like passions with the latter. Since Ministers are Men, the weighty Matters which they come to publish unto, and treat with others about, do as nearly concern their own Souls as their Hearers.
AND this gives a considerable advantage to their Ministry: for by reason hereof, People may with greater Confidence Commit their Souls to the Care of their Ministers; knowing that if they are wise for themselves, they will be faithful unto those whom they take the oversight of. Ministers being Men, if they imbibe & vent any Error, they poison their own Souls as well as their Hearers. If they gather wild Gourds, instead of wholesome Herbs, for the Pot, they endanger their own Lives as much as Their's whom they are to feed. If the spiritual Guides mislead people, they will inevitably fall with them into the ditch of perdition; yea, they'll be plunged deepest in Hell. If the spiritual Watchmen do not stand alway upon their guard, and be not attentive to espy & give notice of approaching Dangers, they are as likely to be taken away by the sword as others. So that their Interest is the People's Security. This is an Argument persuading us of their Integrity and Faithfulness; and renders our Confidence in them more reasonable. Our spiritual Pilots do not stand on the shore, looking upon us, and only Calling to us in a Sea of Dangers; but they embark with us, and venture their Souls with ours in the same Bottom [...]
[Page 13] AND Ministers being as Men so deeply concern'd in the things, which they are to treat of, this doth excite them to Earnestness of Affection in Preaching unto, and striving with others for their Salvation. 1 Thes. 2. 8. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own Souls, because ye were dear unto us. An Ambassador of Christ ought to deliver his important Messages in a lively manner, with an agreeable Fervour. He is to communicate not only light to the Understanding, but also [...]eat to the Affections: to be a burning as well as a shining light. And in order to this, it is requisite that his own heart should be warm, and that he should speak as One whose Lips are touched with a coal from the Altar. For in preaching "there is intended a Communion of Souls": and the Impression, which divine Truths make on the heart of the Preacher, is apt to be Communicated to the Hearer's Now Ministers being Men of like passions with others, and so equally Concern'd with them in the important Truths which they preach, they have the Advantage of another order of Creatures, uninterested in these Matters of infinite Consequence, to be affected therewith themselves, and so to treat of them, as to move the affections of others "Passions are the best Orators". And what hath a greater tendency to excite them in the Speaker's breast, than for him to see himself equally Concern'd with his Hearers, in the Truths which he preacheth, relating to an [...] World? "This giveth Accents of Vehemency to his Exhortations." 2 Cor. 5. 19, 20. [...] [...]ath Committed unto us (hath put in us, who are earthen [Page 14] vessels) the Ministry of reconciliation. Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did BESEECH you by us: we PRAY you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
4. MEN of like passions with others are made Ministers because such may have Experience of the things which they preach unto others. Ministers being Men of like passions with others, they have not only a Speculative knowledge of, but also an Experimental acquaintance with those great things, which they are to instruct the people in. Their own Experience teacheth them the Corrupt Inclinations & Dispositions of the vitiated Nature in all Men. Prov. 27. 19. As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. ‘The hearts of all Men living are in regard of natural Corruption, as like one to another, as the shadow of a Man's face in the water, is like to the face whose shadow it is.’ So that from what Ministers, who are Men, observe in themselves, they are able to speak unto others of the depravity and deformity of their Souls by Nature, and to affect them with a sense thereof. Altho' self-acquaintance doth not fully, yet it doth in a great measure inform them, how deceitful & desperately wicked the Carnal heart is; and in what ways it opposeth the Work of Grace; and so they are the fitter Instruments of Conversion. And altho' the regenerating Operations of the divine Spirit are very mysterious, (the Wind blowing where it listeth: and no Man can tell whence it cometh, and whither it g [...]th,) yet such as are born again (& thus Angels could not be) are the better qualified to relieve others, groaning [Page 15] under the pang [...] of the New-birth. Psal. 51. 13. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be Converted unto thee. Such may conduct Men to Christ and Holiness, by those Methods in which they were brought thereunto themselves Gal. 1. 15, 16. When it pleased God, who separated me from my Mother's Womb, and Called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Ministers being Men of like passions with others, they know what it is to be assaulted & foiled by Temptations; They are not ignorant of Satan's devices; and therefore may the better direct others how to stand against the Wiles of the Devil. Luk. 22. 32.— When thou art Converted, strengthen thy Brethren They know what it is to be afflicted inwardly & outwardly: Knowing therefore the Terrors of the Lord, they are the fitter to perswade men. And from their own experience of divine Consolations are the more meet Helpers of others joy: They will the more naturally care for their State, and be more able, with the Tongue of the learned to speak a word in season unto weary Souls. 2 Cor. 1. 4. Who Comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to Comfort them which are in any trouble, by the Comfort wherewith we our selves are Comforted of God.
5. MINISTERS are Men of like passions with others, because they are to discharge the Sacred Office with great Condescention & Compassion. Ministers ought to stoop to the Capacities, and to bear with the weaknesses of People. 1 Thes. 2. 7, 11. But we were gentle among you, even as a n [...]rse cherisheth [Page 16] her children: you know, how we exhorted & comforted, & charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. They should feed them with Milk, when they are not able to bear strong meat: & must speak to them after the manner of men, because of the Infirmity of their flesh. They should pity them under all their Infirmities; and sympathize with them under all their Afflictions. These Servants of God must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. They must, if a Man be overtaken with a fault, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering themselves, le [...]t they also be tempted. They ought also to deny themselves for their Hearers good: and to make themselves Servants unto all (as Paul did) that they may gain the more: willing to be made all things (that are lawful) to all men, that they may by all means save some. This I do (says the Apostle) for the Gospel's sake, that I may be partaker thereof with you. They should please all Men, so far as they can without displeasing GOD: and comply even with some humours of a People, for their spiritual advantage. ‘They should take upon them every Man's Affection, and accommodate themselves to every Man's temper.’ 2 Cor. 11. 28 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended and I burn not?
NOW that Ministers might with such Gentleness, Condescention & Compassion behave themselves in their Office, it is convenient & requisite that they should be Men of like passions with others: That they should have experience of the frailties & infirmities of the humane Nature in their own persons. [Page 17] This softens their hearts, and teacheth them Compassion towards others. Heb. 5. 1, 2. For every high Priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both Gifts & Sacrifices for Sins: who can have Compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is Compassed with Infirmity.
MINISTERS are liable to the Temptations, Griefs, & Miseries of their Brethren, that so they might pity them & sympathize with them, and not be too harsh & severe in dealing with those that are fallen into error & sin. As Dr. Edwards observes, 'GOD hath made the Speaker subject to the same Infirmities with his Hearers, that by this Means there may be a bridle on his Tongue, to Check him from an inordinate & too bitter inveighing against the offences of others.
6. MINISTERS are Men of like passions with others, because they are sometimes called to Suffer for the Gospel which they preach. The great Prophet, whom GOD raised up to us, of our Brethren, sealed his Doctrine with his blood. And those whom Christ sends to preach the same doctrine, He sometimes will have, in attestation of the Truth of it, to lay down their Lives. Hereby Ministers have given the highest pledge of their Integrity, and have been gloriously instrumental of Propagating the Gospel, and strengthning the [...]aith of Believers. The victory, which the primitive Preachers obtain'd over the Devil, was partly by means of their dying for the Gospel. Rev. 12. 11. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their Testimony; and they loved not their Lives unto the [Page 18] death. ‘This their Courage & Zeal help'd to Confound their Enemies, and to Convince many of the Spectators, and to Confirm the Souls of the faithful.’ In this way (in which Angels could not) Ministers, being Men of like passions with others, may promote the Gospel, and help the faith of GOD's Elect: and they should readily & chearfully do so when Called thereto. Phil. 2. 17. Yea, and if I be offered upon the Sacrifice & Service of your faith, I joy, and rejoyce with you all.
7. MINISTERS are Men of like passions with others, because GOD will have all the Success of their Work to redound to the honour of his own Name. GOD's Glory is the Supreme Reason and ultimate Aim of all his Dispensations. This he intendeth and advanceth by ordaining of imperfect Men to the work of the Ministry. Great and marvellous things are done by means of the Word preached. Hereby the Eyes of blind Sinners are opened; hard hearts are softened, dead Souls are quickned; Satan's strong Holds are cast down, and his kingdom demolished. Miserable Souls are rescued out of his hands: and Believers are defended against his rage & strength: The Saints are built up: The body of Christ is edifyed: Till we all c [...]me in the Unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Now the Glory of these great Effects doth belong unto GOD: and that it might the more evidently & undeniably appear so, He hath commissionated weak imperfect Men to be the Preachers of his Word. Indeed were the [Page 19] Mighty Angels the Ministers of the Gospel, th [...]se things could not be accomplished by all their powers: yet the honour thereof is more effectually secur'd to the Name of the Lord of Ho [...]s, by his employing & succeding of frail impotent Men, in this glorious Work. 2 Cor. 4. 7. We have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us. The Ministers of the Gospel are in respect of their weakness, fitly compared to Babes & Sucklings: and in their weakness GOD's Strength & Praise are perfected, to the greater Confusion of his Enemies. Psal. 8. 2. Ou [...] of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings [...]st thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and avenger.
THUS you see in some measure, how the Wisdom and the Goodness of GOD, in appointing Men of like passions with others, to be the Ministers of the Gospel, are display'd, & do approve themselves to our Understandings—. And now what Influence this Dispensation of GOD ought to have upon the Hearts & Conduct both of Ministers & People; what use of the Doctrine is to be made, and what abuse thereof is to be guarded against by us; I proceed to shew, under the
APPLICATION.
1. ARE Ministers Men of like Passions with others? Hence it is unreasonable for people to look [...]or absolute Perfection in them. They are Men, and not Angels by Nature: and are in the State of Common Imperfection. The wisest of them know and prophesie but in part: and the Best of them practice [Page 20] but in part, what they do know & teach. After all their laborious study of the Scriptures, their knowledge is defective, and what is wanting, cannot be numbred. After their highest Improvements in Vertue & Holiness, their Graces are all Imperfect; and what is lacking to them, will not be fully supply'd in this World. After all their painful endeavours for the good of Souls, they cannot say, We have done all that which was our duty to do. Faults & failures they will have; and if people won't receive them as Ministers, with these, they must refuse all such whom GOD sendeth unto them. To reject them, because they are not perfect, is to impeach the Wisdom & Goodness of GOD, from whom they receive their Commission.—It is a common saying,— The Best must have their Grains of Allowance. And the frailty of humane Nature is to be consider'd in Ministers, as well as in other Men. Not but that Sin committed by them, hath its peculiar Aggravations: and gross Miscarriages are more odious in them, than in others: And if they fall into scandalous Enormities, they unfit themselves for the sacred function, and may not execute the same, till by a visible Repentance they are recovered. Yet their Sins of Infirmity, and of daily surreption, ought not to be pried into, with Eagle ey'd Malice: nor expos'd, to their disgrace, when they are no other than such as are common to Humanity. Their Failings should be cover'd with the Mantle of Christian Charity: an Accusation must not be received against them, unless supported by two or three Witnesses. Ministers have the same depraved Nature, which their people have; and the Tempter most violently [Page 21] assaults them, as knowing ‘What a Rout he may make among the Common Soldiers, if the Leaders fall, before their Eyes.’ Therefore People should forbear all invidious Reflections, & harsh Censures. They should not insult over, nor inveigh against their Ministers for every little failing, as they are too apt to do: but should always manifest a tender pity of their Infirmities, and not labour to expose and aggravate those faults in them, which may be no other nor greater than the Spots of God's Children.
2. ARE Ministers Men of like passions with others? Hence People are to be caution'd against a Superstitious Reverence of their Persons. The words of our Text were at first spoken to convince People of the sin & folly of this. There is an idolatrous Admiration of Men's Persons, which we ought to beware of. People are guilty of this, when they ascribe Divinity, Infallibility, or Angelick Perfection unto their Ministers: When with an implicit faith, & blind obedience, they believe whatever their Teachers say, & practice what they bid them do, without examining whether they speak according to the Law & the Testimony. People give undue Respects to Ministers, when they cry them up as the Ablest & Godliest Men in the World, not acknowledging & praising the Father of Lights, from whom every one receiveth his Gifts and Graces, according to his measure. People are to be caution'd against this evil: for they who bestow undue Commendations on some of Christ's Ministers, do pour unjust Contempt on others. They are commonly Murmurers, Complainers, who speak [Page 22] great sw [...]lling words, having Mens Persons in Admiration, because of Advantage, Jude, 16. And GOD may be provoked to blast a Minister's Gifts, when he seeth a People idolize him; and to deny him success, when they are ready to give the Glory of it to the weak Instrument, and not to the Almighty Agent. And the Air of popular extravagant Applause is very infectious. It tends to puff up Ministers with pride, and so to make them fall into the Condemnation of the Devil. And such as over-value a Minister, do commonly the soonest under-value him. The Hearts of Men are disposed to Extremes and do easily pass from one to the other: undue Respects are usually follow'd with unjust Complaints. They who deify Ministers one day, are apt to vilify them the next, often they who Cry H [...]sann [...], soon change their note, & say, Crucify, Crucify.—Brethren, we need and ask your Prayers for us, more than we deserve or desire your Praises of us: let us have the former, and we can do without the latter.—And yet,
3. PEOPLE must take heed of despising Ministers, because they are Men of like passions with themselves. Although Ministers in respect of their frail Condition, are on a level with the rest of Mankind yet in regard of their Office, they are distinguish'd and di [...]nified by GOD. He puts honour upon them, above what he doth on others, by adm [...]t [...]ing them to a nearer attendance upon him. They are his Domesticks, his Special Servants: They are the Messengers of the Lord of Hosts: The Ambassadors of the King of Kings. They come in [Page 23] GOD's Name, and speak in Christ's stead: they represent his Person, & negotiate the Affairs of his Kingdom. We should therefore hold such in reputation, and account them Sacred and Venerable. Because of their Office & Employment, Men should set a high value on them, and pay a deference to them. 1 Thes. 5. 12, 13. We beseech you, Brethren, to know them which are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to est [...]em them very highly in love for their works sake. It might shame many professed Christians to be told with what respect & reverence Heathens have treated those of their Priestly Order. Among the Romans, if principal Magistrates (saith a Learned Writer) did meet with one of Vesta's Priests, they caused immediately their Ensigns of Authority to submit, and they themselves respectfully gave place, as if they meant to confess them in a manner their Betters. Nor did those of the highest Dignity in the Common-Wealth, scornfully disdain, but rather ambitiously affect, to be admitted into the College of Priests. And the Sacerdotal Robe hath been often dy'd with Purple. Now surely the Office and Persons of CHRIST's Ministers, the Stewards of the Mysteries of God, are more honourable; and Heathens may rise in Judgment against those, who despise the same. And where the contempt & ill usage of Christ's faithful Ambassadors terminate. People may see in Luke 10. 16. He that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.
4. ARE Ministers Men of like Passions with others? Let not this prejudice the due reception of [Page 24] the Truth, which they Preach. Many seek to excuse their Disregard of the Message, by their dislike of the Messenger. Persons are too prone to think that Ministers being imperfect Men, will justify their neglecting to hear or obey the Word. When Sinners will not give Entertainment to the Gospel, then they find fault with the Preachers of it; and are ready to flatter themselves, that this will bear them out, in the neglect of the great Salvation; and such will always have something to object. Matt. 11. 16, 17, 18, 19. Whereunto shall I liken this Generation? It is like unto Children sitting in the Markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced: We have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a Devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber, a friend of Publicans and Sinners. Persons that approve not of the method, which GOD hath chosen, to reveal his Will, and to treat with Sinners about their Eternal Happiness, would quarrel at any other dispensation, which they may now think would be better and more effectual. If GOD should humour their Peevishness, and send perfect Men, or glorious Angels, to Preach unto them, this would not avail. Luke 16. 30. 31. Nay Father, Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be perswaded, though one rose from the Dead. People should take heed of despising the rich Treasure of Gospel-light and Grace because of its [Page 25] being put into Earthen Vessels. The Treasure it self is not the less valuable, by reason of the meanness of the Vessel, in which it is brought to us. Although the Preachers of the Gospel are Men, yet we ought to receive it not as the word of m [...]n, but (as it is in truth) the Word of God, 1 Thes 2. 13.
5. ARE Ministers Men of like Passions with others? The cons [...]eration of this should keep them Humble. Pride is a chief part of the Devil [...]s Image upon Man. We all brought it into the World with us, and the best are not wholly free from it until they leave the World. No Men have stronger Temptations to Pride than Ministers have: and it is in none so unseemly and intolerable, as it is in them, who are most strictly oblig'd to resemble the Great Teacher, who was meek and lowly in heart. They ought therefore to be very watchful against this Evil: and the consideration, that they are men of like passions with others, may be a good Preservative from it. This should make them to abase themselves, when they magnify their Office. ‘This should keep them from being Concei [...]ed, either in any Prerogatives belonging to their function, or in any Abilities bestowed on them for the execution thereof.’ This Title, Son of Man, was frequently given to Ezekiel, (who was often among Angels, and enjoy'd the high Visions of GOD) that so he might not forget, that he was subject to the Imperfections of Mortal Nature. Paul had a Thorn in the flesh given him, some trouble or temptation, to put him in mind that he was flesh, a weak and frail man, le [...]t he should be exalted above measure, [Page 26] through the abundance of the Revelations, 2 Cor. 12. 7. Let Ministers duly Remember that they are Men of like passions with others: then will they humbly seek to GOD thro' Jesus Christ, for the a sufficient Aids of his Grace, in every work, which they undertake, for the honour of GOD's Name, & the good of Souls: Then they will not arrogate to themselves the glory of any success, which they may have: Then they will patiently bear contempt & obloquy, which they must expect to be loaded with: and will study to approve themselves as the Ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, &c. Then they will not Lord it over God's heritage: They will not take state upon themselves, and carry it with a Supercilious Haughtiness towards their People; but will be affable and easy of access, and ready to stoop unto any service, whereby they may profit the Souls of their Hearers, and may be able to make that appeal which the great Apostle did, Act. 20. 18, 19. Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all Humility of mind.
6. ARE Ministers Men of like Passions with others? This may yield them some Comfort, when they are unsuccessful in their work. It is an inexpressible Grief to faithful Preachers of the Word, to see that they labour in v [...]in, and spend their strength for nought. It occasions great sorrow and continual heaviness to their Spirits: God is their Record. It makes them ready to wish with the weeping Prophet, Jer. 9. 2. Oh that I had in the [Page 27] Wilderness as lodging place of wayfaring men, that I might leave my people, and go from them: for they be all Adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. They tremble, le [...]t their Unsuccessfulness should be owing to some Unfaithfulness in them; and so they should have their hands stained with the blood of lost Souls, and their ears fill'd with the doleful cry thereof for ever. But if upon strict Examination, they have ground to hope that they have obtained Mercy to be faithful, it may comfort them to think that it was not in their power to render the Word & Ordinances, which they administred, effectual; they being frail & impotent Men. The ablest Minister (our Lord Jesus excepted, who was more than a Man) never could do this. From the blood of the s [...]ain, from the [...]at of the mighty, the Bow & Sword of the greatest Warriours under Christ, have often returned empty: It is not to be wondred at then, that ours do so. Unless the BREATH come, and breathe upon the s [...]ain, we cannot make them live: but must prophesie, to no purpose, upon dry bones. If the Lord reject our People, they will be reprobate Silver, and the Founder must melt in vain. And GOD may justly Send a Minister to an obstinate irreclaimable People with that dreadful Commission; Isai. 6. 9, 10. Go and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes: le [...]t they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert and be healed.
7. THE Truth which hath at this time been spoken to, might serve to quiet & compose the Minds [Page 28] of Persons, who Sit under the Ministry of One not in all respects Agreable to their Desires. It is readily granted, that no Man should account it a matter of Indifferency, what Preacher he commits his precious immortal Soul unto, to be instructed, and guided in the way to eternal Bliss. For altho' the Efficacy of any One's Ministry depends upon the blessing of Heaven, and GOD can save Persons by Means least suited to the End; yet it is the ordinary Practice of his Sovereign Grace, to do most for & upon the Souls of Men by the fittest Means. But notwithstanding this, if by the disposal of the wise providence of GOD, a Man is placed under the Ministry of One, in whom there is not every thing that he may wish for; yet this Consideration, that all Ministers are Men of like passions with others, might serve to compose his Mind to a quiet and dutiful submission to the Ordinance of GOD, and may keep him from being Contentious. When there were envyings, [...]rifes & divisions in the Church of Corinth about their Ministers; one saying, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos; the Apostle propounded this, which we have been treating on, to their serious Consideration: 1 Cor. 3. 5. [...]ho then is Paul, and who is Apollos; but Ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? They were no more than Instruments, used by the GOD of all Grace. Such whom we account the best Ministers, cannot be the Authors, and those whom we may think inferiour to them, may be the Instruments, or Faith & Salvation to us. When a Person's Inclinations are not answer'd in the Settlement of a particular Minister (competently qualified) over him, Methinks he [Page 29] should silence Discontent thus, ‘GOD's Thoughts are not as Man's; and he may intend more good to my Soul, and to the Souls of my Children, by the Ministry of one, not every way pleasing to me, than should have been obtain'd by another's, which I more highly valued. GOD might see that I had too raised Expectations from Man, and too great a dependance upon Means, and therefore I am denied those which I apprehended most suitable, & others (tho' they should be really weaker) may be greatly bless'd to me, when they are the best that I can peaceably enjoy, and be attended upon from a sense of duty to GOD, in obedience to his Will, an with dependance upon & Prayer for his Blessing.’ 1 Cor 12. 31. Covet earnestly the best Gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
8. ARE Ministers Men of like passions with others? Hence a suitable Provision ought to be made for their outward Subsistence. They are not Angels by Nature, but Men; and are not here clothed with spiritual Bodies, as the Saints will be in the Resurrection-World. They now stand in need of Food & Raiment, as well as others. They are Men, and should live as Men. They ought to be liberally Supplied, by those among whom they labour, with the Necessaries & Conveniences of humane Life.
THIS is requisite to their Comfortable fulfilling of their Ministry.
HOW can they well discharge their Office, whose Minds are depressed & discomposed with the Griefs and Cares, which unavoidably attend a state of Penury? Do not pinching Wants dispirit Men, and [Page 30] unfit them in a great measure for any publick Service? Certainly Ministers being Men, they need outward Encouragement to their work; that he that ploweth, should plow in hope, 1 Cor. 9. 10. That Exemplary Reformer King Hezekiah thought this necessary for the Priests under the law, they being taken from among Men. 2 Chron. 3 [...]. 4. He commanded the People that dwelt in Jeru [...]alem, to give the portion of the Priests, and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord: ‘that is, That they might be heartned to study, to teach, to perform all the duties required of them by the div [...]e Law—.’
AND a necessitous Estate is accompanied with many Temptations to Unfaithfulness. Not that Ministers are free from such, in a plentiful Condition: neither will their outward Circumstances, whatever they be, excuse their Unfaithfulness. Yet when People keep their Ministers poor & low, they Strongly tempt them to Negligence & Cowardice, to Discontent & Worldliness, to Flattery and unworthy Courses: and let them consider whose work they are doing, while they tempt their Ministers unto such Evils.
BUT supposing a Minister be faithful (as we trust many are) while oppressed with Poverty, yet it is not likely that he should be so Successful. For his indigent beggarly condition procures him the contempt, even of those, who are the faulty causes of it. How highly soever the affected Poverty of mendicant Friers hath been reputed & reverenced among the Papists; yet experience sheweth, that the poverty of Protestant Ministers is that for which their [Page 31] Persons are often despised, and their Instructions, Reproofs & Exhortations disregarded. It is an ancient observation, Eccl. 9. 16. The poor man's Wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The Brightest Lights are very much obscur'd, to the Eyes of the World, by the interposing Cloud of Poverty. Not only the Grandees of the Earth, but the very Abjects are prone to contemn even very worthy Ministers, for their mean outward Circumstances. If the Preacher's Condition (faith one) be not, as well as his Pulpit, somewhat elevated above the lowest Station, few will mind his words or obey him.
AND since Ministers are Men of like passions with others, they ought to be provided with something of a worldly Estate to transmit to their Posterity. A parental Affection and provident Care for their Children is allowable in them, as well as in others. They do not shew themselves Christians, but inhumane & worse then Infidel Parents, who take no care to provide for their Children, whom they expect to leave in the World, 1 Tim. 5. 8. Ministers are endued with humane Resentments, and it must be grievous unto them, to think that their Families will be left by them some of the most destitute on Earth—.
THUS from GOD's appointing men of like passions with others to be the Ministers of his word, unanswerable Arguments may be drawn to prove that a liberal Maintenance should be afforded them. And the People who complain of this as an insupportable Burden, do Constructively Murmur against GOD for sending to them frail Men, and not Angels, or unbodied Spirits, to Minister unto them in holy things. [Page 32] If there were nothing to be found in the BIBLE concerning this Duty of People towards their Ministers, yet if they would but wash off the dirt, which blinds the Eyes of natural Reason, they might easily read it in the very frame of humane nature. But say I these things as a man? or saith not the Law, yea and the Gospel, the same also? 1 Cor. 9. 8.
9. ARE Ministers Men of like Passions with others? We may hence learn, that it is a tremendous Charge which they undertake. If we consider the weakness of the Shoulders, on which so heavy a Burthen is laid, we must see & own that the Pastoral Charge is solemn, yea dreadful. The Work of the Ministry is not less difficult & dangerous, than it is honourable to those who are employed in it. It is a Charge like that, in 1 Kings 20. 39. which a Minister hath given him of every Soul committed to his Pastoral Care,— Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life.—To watch for Souls, as they that must give account, is no easy task. Arduous & Important are the Duties belonging to the Ministerial Office.—Whoever engageth in it, must give himself continually unto Prayer. He must offer up Public Prayers, such as may, if possible, express the Desires of every silent Suppliant, whose Mouth he is unto GOD. He must not cease day nor night praying in secret for his People, that they may be saved. The state of every Soul under his care, must, so far as he can know it, be by him made mention of at the Throne of Grace.—A Minister of the Word is solemnly adjured to Preach the word, in season and out of season; and so to reprove, [Page 33] rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. He is by assiduous Study to Prepare Orthodox, Judicious & Seasonable Discourses for his Hearers, & be always furnished with beaten Oyl for the Sanctuary, that his light may shine therein. He is to propound & explain the great Mysteries of Godliness, and to press the necessary Duties of Christianity. He is to shew unto people their transgressions: to cry aloud, without fearing of any face, or sparing of any Sin. He is to alarm sleepy Sinners, and to refresh weary Souls: to change his voice, & speak sometimes in the thundring accents of the Law's threatnings, & sometimes in the sweet strains of Gospel-promises.—He is to administer the Sacraments to the duly qualified for the reception thereof.—He is to guide & govern all under his Inspection, by the Laws of the great King, whom GOD hath set on his holy hill. Ecclesiastical Authority, which he is vested with, must be exercised by him in loosing & binding, as there shall be occasion. The holy Discipline, which Christ hath instituted, must with Courage, Prudence & Impartiality be managed by him.—He is in his private converse to instruct and admonish, to warn & exhort: to resolve the scrupulous, to comfort the dejected; to confute the erroneous; to establish the wavering; to seek the lost, & bring back the straying sheep. He is to visit the sick, & help them to improve their Affliction, & prepare for their Death. He is as the Pilot of Souls, to direct them, when launching into the Ocean of Eternity, that they may not dash against the Rock of Presumption on one hand, or of Despair on the other.—Such like are the weighty Duties [Page 34] which a Minister hath to perform. This is the Work which he must do, maugre all the opposition of Earth & Hell. He must be sincere & faithful in all this, or he incurs a punishment more dreadful then Tongue can express, or Heart imagine.—And now is not this a Work that might employ the strength of mighty Angels? and yet it is required of weak & imperfect Men. Who is sufficient for these things? Not a glorified Saint; not an Angel of God; much less is frail Man in the state of common Impotency. The Ministerial Charge is a burden too heavy for any Creature of himself to stand under. Onus angelicis humeris formidandum. And if the Shoulders of Angels wou'd shrink & tremble under it, well may theirs, who are frail Men, which are crushed before the Moth. There is no Man who knows himself, & what the Work of the Ministry is, but will undertake it with fear and trembling, when he is called thereto. It is an Argument of wretched Ignorance and Self-conceit, for a man to intrude himself into this hard and hazardous Office. Unqualified Persons, who presume that they are fit for this work, & vain-gloriously seek to be improved in it, never rightly consider'd the nature & difficulty of it. There is no thinking Man engageth in it, but with a deep sense of the vast disproportion that there is betwixt his Duty and his Strength; and is ready to Apologize with the Prophet, Jer. 1. 6. Ah, Lord God, behold, I cannot speak, for I am a Child. And the longer faithful Men are exercised in this function, the more insufficient they find themselves for it, and the greater are their fears of miscarrying in it; and they would sink under this Burthen, were [Page 35] not the divine Aids, which are mercifully promised, congruously afforded. [We have that great and precious Promise of Christ, to encourage us, Matth. 28. 20. Lo [...] I am with you alway. And we may improve it to our Consolation, under all our Infirmities, that CHRIST, who in his humbled State here on Earth, was a Man, of like passions with us, and in all things made like to his Brethren (Sin only excepted) is even now n his exalted State touched with the feeling of our Infirmities. He considers our frame, and remembers that we are but Dust. And having himself experienced the frailties of humane Nature, when he was sent in the likeness of Sinful flesh, he is most tenderly concerned for us, sympathizes with us, makes all necessary allowances, and is ever ready to succour us. Wherefore let us be daily looking unto JESUS, and consider him, le [...]t we be wearied and faint in our Minds.]
10. ARE Ministers Men of like Passions with others? We hence infer the Necessity of their TAKING HEED unto Themselves. Act. 20. 28. Take heed therefore unto your selves.—Now O ye Priests, this Commandment is for you, Mal. 2. 1. Ministers being Men of like passions with others, they need take heed to themselves, as well as to their fl [...]ks. They are appointed to be the vigilant Overseers of others Souls: To watch over all Committed to their Care, le [...]t they should continue in the State of Nature, or fall into Sin, and so into everlasting ruin. But while they are looking to the Souls of others, they should not forget their own. If they are (as they ought to be) Regenerate Persons, yet Sin [Page 36] dwelleth in them, and retains much of its strength, tho' it hath lost its plenary dominion; and the Graces of the Best are weak & imperfect: And they may be overtaken, and over-born by the suddenness and violence of Temptations, so as to fall foully, to the great dishonour of GOD's Name, discredit of Religion, Reproach of the Ministry, and Damage of other Men's Souls. They, as well as others, have a Corrupt Nature within, and a busy Adversary without, to guard against. Their treacherous Hearts will betray them, and their subtil Temper beguile them, into great & scandalous Sins, if they do not take heed to themselves.
THE Ministers of Christ are Sons of Adam, Children of Men, and by Nature Children of wrath, even as others: And notwithstanding their high Office, may fall finally, and perish for ever. Judas was an Apostle, and yet the son of Perdition. A Man may authoritatively & profitably preach unto others, and yet be himself a rejected Wretch at last. And if he be so, there will not in Hell be found a more miserable Creature than He. The hottest part of the fiery Lake will be the portion of graceless, ungodly Ministers. Surely then such as watch for the Souls of Others, need watch over their own. Men. Brethren & Fathers in the Ministry, should we not daily consider, that we have Souls of our own as we as Others, to take Care of! That we have a Hell to avoid, and a Heaven to obtain for, our selves, as well as to help Others to do so? That we must stand at the same Bar with our People, and that the righteous GOD, who Judgeth every Man according to his works, will not be less strict [Page 37] with us than with them; but if we be unholy Men, notwithstanding our holy Calling, our Doom will be heavier, our Damnation greater, than that which our ungodly Hearers shall receive! Let us frequently revive and impress this serious Meditation on our hearts; and preserve in them a deep sense of the great need we have to take heed to our selves, and let us work out our own (as well as labour for Others) Salvation with fear & trembling. The Consideration that we are Men of like passions with Others, should instigate us to that personal Circumspection, which blessed Paul used; 1 Cor. 9. 27. I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I my self should be a Cast-away. So he exhorted Timothy, 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed unto thy [...], and unto thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, thou shalt both save thy self, and them that bear thee.
THUS we, in some measure, see how the Truth, which hath been explain'd, ought to be improved both by Ministers and People.
AS for a Particular Application thereof unto my worthy Brother, who is now to be Ordained a Minister of the Gospel, it is doubtless already made by himself, as the things which concern his Duty and Peace, have (in a poor manner) been suggested by his unworthy Monitor.
WE trust that he will be a JOSEPH unto his BRETHREN, whom he is to feed with the Bread of Life; and that GOD sendeth him here to preserve their Souls from Perishing.
[Page 38] THE Lord make him a fruitful Bough, even a fruitful Bough by a well, grafted into the Tree of Life, and always GREEN, and flourishing in the Courts of our God: that under the refreshing shadow of his Ministry, weary Souls may sit down with great delight, and that the Fruit which shall continually drop from him, may be sweet to their taste, and nourish them to Eternal Life.— If the Archers do sorely grieve, and shoot at him, and hate him, yet let his Bow abide in strength, and the Arms of his hands be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob: from thence is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel!—May the Blessings, which prevail to the utmost bound of the everlasting bills, be on the Head of Joseph, and on the Crown of the [...]ead of Him that is to be separated from his Brethren, or to be the Nazarite among them.
I shall now Conclude with a Brief Address unto the People of GOD, who have called this Servant of his to Minister in holy things unto them.
HONOURED and DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD,
WE heartily rejoyce with you this Day in the Manifestation of the Divine Favour to you, after the long Frowns of Heaven you have been under, respecting the Settlement of Gospel-Ordinances in this [...]ace.
YOU have here built a house to the Name of the Lord▪ have provided a Habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob: [though not without the Noise of [Page 39] Metaphorical Axes and Hammers, which is matter of Humiliation and Penitent Reflexion.] And the Ark of the Covenant is now with Religious Solemnity to be brought into this Tabernacle: the Worship of God in all the Ordinances thereof is to be set up in this House. ARISE, O LORD, into thy Best: thou, and the Ark of thy Strength. Let thy Priests be clothed with Righteousness: and let they Saints shout for Joy.
YE also YOUR SELVES are to be Erected and Consecrated a Spiritual Temple unto GOD. Upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Corner-Stone, Ye are to be fitly framed together: and in Jesus Christ built together for an Habitation of God, through the Spirit. LIFT up your [...]eads, [...] [...]pe [...]ates, and be ye lift up, ye Everlasting [...]oo [...]s, and the King of Glory shall come in.
AND as a pledge, that the Lord God will dwell among you, our ascended Saviour, the Glorious Head of the Church, this Day bestows a precious Gift upon You: A Pastor (we trust) according to his own heart. Therefore do Ye Receive him with Thankfulness and Joy.—You have heard that the Alwise and Gracious GOD consults his own Glory, and his People's Advantage, in Ordaining of Men subject to like passions with others, to the Ministerial Office, and may not you be rationally assur'd, that you shall be well supplied with the [Page 40] Food that is proper for your Souls, since he is JOSEPH YOUR BROTHER, whom GOD appointeth Steward of his Family, to give to every one of you his Portion in due season.
LET me warn you against a Captious prying into, and a Malicious divulging and aggravating of Humane Infirmities and Failures, which he is liable unto with the rest of his Brethren.—Let the Time and the Breath, which too many are apt to spend in Censuring of their Minister, be rather improved by You in earnest Prayers for your's. Live in Peace, as with one another, so especially with your Minister, and be not like the People Characteriz'd, Hos. 4. 4.
LET the Nature of the thing, and the express precepts of the Gospel concerning it, be the Rule to your Consciences, directing of you in the Affair of his Maintenance, rather then any obligation you may by promise have laid your selves under unto him.
ATTEND upon his Ministry, as GOD's Institution, and with Prayer for GOD's Blessing; and so will it be profitable unto you.
In fine, SEE that you imitated the believing Galatians, in their Affection to, and Reverence for their Minister, who was a Man of like Passions with them, and compassed with Infirmities; which kind and dutiful Behaviour of theirs towards him, be mentions to them, Gal. 4. 13, 14. YE know how through Infirmity of the flesh, I preached the Gospel [Page 41] unto you at the first. And my Temptation which way in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected, but received me us an ANGEL OF GOD, even as CHRIST JESUS.
LET us all the Exhorted & Excited so to demean our selves in the Sacred Relation of Pastor and People, as that when we shall (as within a few Years we all must) be taken from the Ministry and Ordinances of Christ on Earth, we may go unto Sion which is above, unto the Glorious City of the LIVING GOD, the Heavenly Jerusalem; to the General Assembly, and Church of the first-born which are written in Heaven to GOD the Judge of all and to an innumerable Company of Angels, and to the SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.