Aarons Bells, Sermon
A Fruitfull Sermon preached by a faithfull ſervant of God, & minister of the goſpell at a generall viſitation.
The text Col. 4.17.
And ſay to Archippus, take heede to the miniſterie, which thou haſt received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
AFter the Apoſtle Paul in the first part of the Epiſtle had ſett downe the ſumme of the Chriſtian doctrine, & therein ſhewed what Chriſt was, both concerning his perſon, & his office, & how we are made partakers of the benefits of both; & in the ſecond part thereof had diſputed with the falſe Apoſtles, & confuted their falſe doctrine & corruptions: & in the third place had ſett downe precepts concerning manners & exhortations to a Chriſtian, adding in the end of all, freindly & brotherly ſalutations: he comes to admonish them of a duty which they were to performes to Archippus their miniſter, in theiſe words. Say to Archippus take heede to the ministerie &c. It appeareth by theiſe words that Archippus was a miniſter of the church at Coloſsia; & becauſe he was negligent in his dutye, or at leaſt not ſo diligent & faithfull as both he should & might have beene, he therefore willeth the Coloſſians to admonish him of his fault, & to ſtirre him vp to a carefull diſ-ſcharge of his miniſterie. Say to Archippus take heede to the ministerie &c. As if he should have ſaide: be vigilant & circumſpect, be carefull & watchfull, diligently conſider, & marke earneſtly what thy calling is, & of what great accounte it is: it is the miniſterie, the preaching of the word, the inſtructing of the people, which thou haſt received, not of man, but of the Lord: both, of the Lord who is the authour of the miniſterie, & for the Lord who is the end of the miniſterie. Thou haſt received it by his grace, thou haſt received it for his glory; let not this grace be in vaine in thee, let not this glory be neglected by thee but ſo walke in thy miniſterie that thou fulfill it: abſolve & perfect, & finiſh, & diſcharge that charge, which is layde vponupon thee. The ſumme then of theiſe words is a rouſing of negligent miniſters: wherein we may note two things: first, the perſons commanded to doe this duty. Secondly, the manner how, namely by exhortation, wherein obſerve two things further.
First, wherevnto they muſt exhort him to a fulfilling of his miniſterie. Secondly, the reaſon whereby they ſtirre him vp to the ſame drawne from the authoritie of God who is the authour of the miniſterie. Thou haſt received it in the Lord.
Say to Archippus:] who muſt ſay to Archippus thus, namely the Coloſsians to whome Paul writeth. Therefore it is the dutye of the people to admonish the miniſter of his miniſterie,Doct. 1. & to put him in mind of the diſcharge of his dutye if he be negligent therein. For otherwiſe Paul might have admonished Archippus himſelfe by writing vntounto him ſome particular letter, but in that he biddeth the Coloſsians to doe it, he sheweth it a dutye belonging to the people to iogg their miniſter in the ellbowe as it were, to put him in mind of his charge, & bid him remember his office & miniſterie & by exhortation to excite & ſtirre him vp to a faithfull diſ-charge of his dutye.
A ſtrange & vnreaſonable doctrine may ſome men ſaye; for what should the stones come tumbling out of the quarrie, and ſaye to the builder come cutt me and ſquare me, and hew me thus? or should the tree come dauncing out of the wood and ſay to the Carpenter cutt me and plaine me, or frame me thus, or thus; that I may be fit for the building? what shall the sheepe come to the ſhepheard and put him in mind of his dutye? So, should the people come and admonish the miniſter, and tell him of his miniſterie? right even ſoe;1. Pet. 2.5. for they are no dead ſtones that lie in the quarrie, but as Peter calleth them they are living stones which can turne themſelves to the hammer, and trees of righteouſnes (as the Prophet calleth them) which offer themſelves to the Carpenter: Eſa. 61.3.they are reaſonable sheepe, Rom. 12.…which can bring their cauſe to the Shepheard. Their ſoules are committed to the care of the miniſter to be taught and inſtructed, and comforted, and therefore as they regard their owne ſoules and ſalvations, they muſt regard the miniſters dutye. As was the caſe of that ship which was covered with waves when Christ was a ſleepe, ſuch is the caſe of a congregation when the miniſter is idle and negligent, as lulled a ſleepe in the cradle of ſecuritie. The diſciples feared leſt through Christs ſleepeing, they should have been drownea: and that congregation may feare leſt through their Paſtours negligence, it be damned. Therefore as then the diſciples, in love of their lives went to Christ and a woke him: ſo it behooveth the people for love of their ſoules to goe to their Paſtour, and awake him, and ſtirre him vp that he looke about him. In other matters we are carefull to put him in mind with whome we deale to deale faithfullie with vsus, and shall we be leſſe carefull in this which is the maine pointe? In the hand of the Miller we looſe but our meale, of the Farrier but our horſe, of the Taylour but our garment, of the Lawyer but our money, of the Phyſition but our bodyes: but in the hands of an vnfaithfull miniſter a man looſeth his ſoule and his everlaſting portion in heaven. If then we ſay to the Miller, looke to my meale: to the Farrier, have a care of my horſe: to the Taylour, ſpoyle not my garment: to the Lawyer, tender my caſe: to the Phyſition, regard my health: how much more should we ſay vntounto the minister (if he be vnfaithfull) looke to ourſoules & take heede to the ministerie which thou hast received in the Lord.
2. Kings 4 3….[When the Shunamites ſonne was dead shee went to the Prophet to tell him of it that he might come and reſtore her dead ſonne to life againe: the Prophet ſent his ſervant Gehazi, with a ſtaffe but shee would not be content with that but tooke holde of him and would not leave him, but he himſelfe muſt come. As carefull as the Shunamite was for her dead child: ſo carefull ought the people to be for their dead ſoules: as shee went to the Prophet to have her dead ſonne rayſed: ſo muſt they to their miniſter to have their dead ſoules quickened. As shee did not content her ſelfe with the Prophets ſervant but tooke hold of the Prophet hinſelfe ſo muſt the people not content themſelves with ignorant ſubſtitutes of others, but take hold of the Paſtour himſelfe and he shall have enough to recover their dead ſoules to life, though he goeth himſelfe, and putteth mouth to mouth.
This being the dutie of the people toward their miniſter to bid him take heede to his miniſterie what if I should expoſtulate with you that are to your minister, as theiſe Coloſsians to Archippus? Vſe.Tell me you that complaine of your miniſter that he is ignorant, or negligent, or vnfaithfull, did you ever ſay vntounto him take heed to thy miniſterie! did you ever ſtirre him vp, and incite him therevnto? alas no! your owne conſciences tell you that you have failed heerein! & there hath been both in the miniſter toward you: & in you toward the miniſter, a careleſnes by conſent each with other: he, not regarding whither he did diſ-charg his miniſterie or no: and you, not careing whither you did admonish him or no, and thus Archippus hath been long a-ſleepe becauſe the Coloſsians did not awake him. Thus the miniſters have neglected their dutyes becauſe you have not ſaid to them as heere the Coloſsians muſt ſay to Archippus take heed to the miniſterie &c.
Say to Archippus]
The Coloſsians muſt admonish Archippus and Archippus muſt be content to be admonished of the Coloſsians. Therefore.
The minister muſt not refuſe to be admonished,Doct. 1. & put in mind of his dutye by the people whome he should teach: but as it is his dutie to teach others, ſo he muſt shew himſelfe teachable, and willing to be inſtructed of others: ſtill remembring though honourable his calling be, excellent his authoritie, great his power, yet he is not exempted from lawes, nor priviledged from the admonition of his people, but both may and when occaſion is offered muſt be admonished, even of them that are as inferiour to him, as the Coloſsians were to Archippus. 2. Kings 5As when Elisha commanded Naaman to wash himſelfe ſeven times in Iordan he turned about in a ſnuffe, & went away in diſpleaſure, but his ſervant came vntounto him and ſaid: Father if the Prophet had commanded thee a greater matter, wouldſt thou not have done it? how much more, when he ſaith vntounto thee wash and be cleane. Then went he downe & washed himſelfe,2. Kings 5.13.14. and was clenſed. Surely if this noble man had diſdeined the admonition of his ſervant, he would have continued a leaper ſtill, and had never been cleenſed: ſo if the miniſters in the pride of hearte should ſcorne the admonition of their poore Parishioners, ſurely they should continue negligent ſtill, and would never be reformed. Therefore as he with a good hearte endured the voyce of his ſervants, and did as they counſelled him: So shall it be good for you (men and brethren as many as are negligent in your duties) to heare the admonition of your people, and to obey them. Moſes that man of God, though indued with the H. Ghoſt, though magnified with the guift of workeing wonders, though acquainted with policie, and managing matters of ſtate, as may ſeeme by his bringing vp in Pharaohs courte, yet diſdeined he not to be better inſtructed in the manner of good government by Iethro, Exod. 18.17.inferiour to himſelfe. The eye cannot ſaye to the foote I have no neede of thee, nor the head to the hand I have no neede of thee, nor the Pastour to the people in matter of admonition, I have no neede of you. Away then with that proud, haughtie and diſdeinfull mind that is not ashamed to be negligent in his miniſterie and yet ſcorneth to be admonished of his people, and to be put in mind of his miniſterie? awaye then with theiſe ſcornefull ſpeeches (the very ſignes & tokens of a proud hearte) shall I be reprooved by him? or shall a taylour or ſhooe-maker come and tell me my dutie? a hatter or mercer or ſuch like, admonish me of my miniſterie? why, I doubt not but among theiſe Coloſsians, there were both taylours and ſhooe-makers, and of moſt occupations, and yet doeth Paul will them to tell Archippus of his dutie: & without doubt he would faine have Archippus contented there withall.
Therefore let vsus of the miniſterie ſend home this pride to the Eldest ſonne of pride, the beast of Rome, Vſe.that man of ſinne that child of perdition, whoe ſitteth in his chaire of miſcheife, mooveth like an oracle, and both thinketh in his heart, and ſpeaketh with his mouth, that no man may ſay to him: Domine quid it à facis! Sir, why doe you thus? let vsus rather remember that Apollos though an eloquent man & mightie in the ſcriptures, though fervent in ſpirit, and a diligent Preacher, yet he refuſed not to be taught more perfectly the waye of the Lord by Aquila and Priſcilla: Act. 18, 25.26.an handy craft man, a poore tent-maker, nay of Priſcilla a woeman, and wife of Aquila. And if he was contented to be taught, & inſtructed of them in his dutye, let none of vsus diſdeine to be admonished, or ſtirred vp in his dutye by thoſe that are committed to our charge.
Thus much of the perſons admonishing and ſuch as are to be admonished; now of the admonition it ſelfe. Take heede to the miniſterie which thou hast received in ye Lord.
This miniſterie which he muſt take heede vntounto, conteineth all the dutyes of the miniſters of God, which may be referred to theiſe generall heads.
Mat. 28.19.20.Firſt to the preaching of the word. Goe pteach the Goſpell, have a care and regard that all the commandements be kept teaching them to obſerve all things whatſoever I commande you.
Secondly to the adminiſtration of the Sacraments. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the H. Ghoſt.
Thirdly, to private inſpection by reprooveing Sinners by admonishing, exhorting, by comforting the afflicted & thoſe which are caſt downe, & all to this end, that the elect whome ſinne hath looſened, & disjoynted from Chriſt their head, may be reſtored to their place againe: joyned both to Chriſt their head by the Spirit, and one to another by love, which is it Paul ſpeakes of Epheſ. 4.12.
That alſo (ſaith he) the bodie of Chriſt may be edified and built vp, and come vntounto a perfect man in Chriſt. Which shall then be, when all the elect shalbe gathered together by the miniſterie of the word: which the Apoſtle there calleth the worke of the miniſterie, not an idlenes, but a worke, not a lordlines, but a miniſterie.
This dutye may further be ſeene by the titles which are given to the miniſters in the Scriptures.Epheſ. 4.…. They are Paſtours and therefore their dutye is to feede the people of God that dependeth vponupon them.
1. Cor. 3.9They are Huſband-men and therefore in duty muſt till Gods ground, and ſowe his ſeede.
… 1.17.They are VVatchmen and therefore muſt give the people warning of enſuing danger.
… Cor 4.1They are diſpencers of the myſteries of God to deliver that to the people which they have received of him. Called ſtewards of Gods howſe,… 12.… and therefore muſt give everie man his portion of meate in due ſeaſon.
They are the light of the world, Mat. 5.14.and therefore their duty is to shine forth by heavenly doctrine to enlighten Gods people.
They are the Salt of the earth, Mat. 5.13.and therefore their dutie is to ſeaſon with wholeſome doctrine, the weake ſoules that bend to corruption.
They are builders, 1. Cor. 3.10and therefore muſt edifie the body of Christ, the howſe of God.
They are Captaines, Heb. 13.17.and therefore it is their part to fight Gods battailes: and as good leaders and cheifeteines to inſtruct Gods people well in this ſpirituall warfare.
They are called Embaſſadours, Eph. 6.2…and therefore their dutye is to declare Gods meſſage to the people.
And all this is but their ministerie, now for the fullfilling and diſ-charge of this miniſterie, two things are required.
Firſt Knowledge.
Secondly faithfullnes.
Firſt that he be able, and ſecondly that he be carefull, and diligent to teach Gods people. Concerning the firſt, the miniſter of God muſt not be onelyonly as a Spence or store-howſe, wherein God hath layd vp knowledge, as a good howſe-holder doeth Corne in a garner, ſignified by that in the Prophecie of Malachie, Mal. 2.7.that the Preiſts lips muſt preſerve knowledge, and for want thereof God hath divorced him from the honour of the miniſterie, and hath pronounced him to be no Preiſt for him, becauſe thou haſt refuſed knowledge,Hoſ. 4.6. I will alſo refuſe thee thou shalt be no Preiſt to me.
But he muſt have the wiſdome of a wiſe ſteward,Luc. 12.24. that knowes how to give Gods children, or howſehold, their portion of meate in due ſeaſon as Christ ſpeakes: miniſtring milke to thoſe that are but babes, and yonglings in Chriſt, and ſtrong meate to thoſe of riper age.
2. Tim. 2.15.He muſt be one that can divide the word of truth aright, being as skilfull in divideing the word of God, as the Levites were in cutting a broad the beaſt for ſacrifice, whence that phraſe of divideing the word ſeemes to be borrowed. He muſt not onelyonly be learned himſelfe,1. Ti. 3.2. but which is more, apt and fit to teach others as Paul ſpeakes. This skilfulnes of the miniſter in teaching others was ſignified in the old Teſtament, not onelyonly by that urim & Thummim on the breſt-plate to ſignifie his knowledge and holines:Ex. 28.30. but alſo by the bells which did hang on the skirts of the Preists garments▪ Ver. 33.meaning as by the Pomegranates he should ſmell ſweetely with the odours of a good life, ſo by the bells that he should ſound vntounto others by preaching of true doctrine, by the ſound of which bells he was to be heard when he went into the holy place, & when he came out vponupon paine of death. And what els in the N. Teſtament did the H. Ghost in the likenes of tongues ſignifie? he deſcended vponupon the Apoſtles, not in the likenes of hands,Act. 2.3. whereby to overcome the world by wordly feare, nor of feete, whereby to flee from the rage of perſequuting ennimies, nor of eyes and eares fitt inſtruments to learne: but in the likenes of tongues, to teach the people their dutye in being the tongues of God to them. And what els doe all their names declare, being ſo many arguments to enforce this pointe? For how can they be called light, if being darke themſelves they cannot ſend out the blaze of true th to enlighten others? Or ſalt of the earth, if being vnſavourie themſelves they cannot ſeaſon & preſerve Gods people from ſinne and corruption? Or Pastours if they cannot feede the flocke of Chriſt with the foode of life? Or Huſband-men and cannot plowe Gods ground, and ſowe his feede? Or Stewards if they cannot, or doe not rule his howſehold? Or Meſſengers and Ambaſſadours if they cannot ſpeake in his name and declare his meſſage, and ambaſſage vntounto his people? Or builders if they cannot build vp Gods ſpirituall howſe? Or Capteines if they knowe not how to fight Gods battailes. Neither let any man thinke that if a miniſter be able to reade he hath ſufficient knowledge,Mat. 9.36. and that bare readers are ſufficient miniſters, Chriſt greived to ſee the multitude diſperſed as sheepe without Shepheards, and yet had they Moſes read in their Synagogues even every Sabaoth day, and the Prophets, as may be gathered by Luke in the Acts.Act. 13.
Implying that readers were no ſufficient Pastours, for els the Iewes in their Synagogues (as we have in our churches) had not ben without Paſtours and ſo not ſo miſerable, as he greived they were, when he conſidered what was requiſite in a miniſter, namely to bring back that which is gone a ſtraye, and to preſerve from daunger, to heale the broken, to bind vp the wounded, and the like. For which cauſe he ſends his Apoſtles, by their preaching to performe that which they by their reading, could not doe. And if to have the law and the Prophets read had been enough, then had the Iewes knowne Chriſt, for Moſes wrote of him Ioh. 5.39.46.Ioh. 5.39, 46.
And among the Prophets, Eſay ſo plainely that Ierome ſticks not to call him an Evangelicke and yet the noble-man when he read Eſay could not vnderſtand,Act. 8.30.31. but he was in neede of Philip to come & preach vntounto him, and to inſtruct him. And if this inſtruction did not neede, but that the ignorant by bare reading, might vnderſtand the meaning of the word (which yet is impoſſible) yet theiſe of greateſt knowledge may, and often be ſo overtaken, and ſurprized with paſſions & infirmities, that they have neede of others (by applying of the word) to heale their diſeaſes. Whither Moſes were read in Davids time we cannot certainely affirme, yet certaine it is that David whoſe whole delight and ſtudy was in the law of God as appeares Pſal. 119. was well skilled therein: ſo that his knowledg would ſerve him to conclude, that he hath committed murder and adulterie, and as ſure as God lived, was the child of God and yet he had need of Nathan to applye this word vntounto him, and to tell him he was the man. 2. ſam. 12.So that we ſee how neceſſarie it is that a miniſter should have, not knowledge to read onelyonly (for that children, and woemen have) but to preach, and alſo to apply the word to the ſoules and conſciences of the hearer.
Vſe.The more lamentable is the ſtate of the church in whome-ſoever the fault lieth, whither in them that should provide ſufficient living, and will not, as it is in ſome Parishes, or in them that should make ſufficient miniſters, and doe not as in ſome Bishops: or in them that should preſent able Paſtours, and care not, as in ſome Patrones. But in whomeſoever the faulte is, lamentable is their ſtate, that are yet as sheepe without a shepheard, as an army of ſimple Souldiours without a conducteur. If the eſtate of Iſrael was in danger, when through the tyrannie of the Philistines, even in the dayes of battaile, there was neither ſpeare, nor ſword found in the hand of any of the people, but onelyonly in the hand of Saul, and Ionathan: how, not dangerous, 2. ſam. 13.22.but almost deſperate, is the eſtate of any thouſands of our people, who not onelyonly themſelves are vn-armed of the knowledge of God, but even Saul & Ionathan toe, even the leaders and Commanders want the armour of God, and skill how to vſe it, even the miniſters themſelves want the knowledge of Gods word, and skill how to preach it.Numb 4.2. What marvell then though the people perish? The Lord commanded that the Arke should be carried by none but Levites, for ſo he ſpeaketh, and David repeates it, none (ſaith he) ought to carry the Arke of the Lord but the Levites. 1. chro. 15 2.For the Lord had choſen them to beare the Arke of the Lord, and to miniſter to him for ever, therefore when this ordinance of God was not obſerved, but the Arke was put vponupon the Cart, and drawen by Oxen, the Oxen did shake it,2. ſam. 6. and the Arke of God had almoſt fallen to the ground: right ſo hath God commanded that the care of the church should be vponupon the shoulders of preaching ministers onelyonly, and if this ordinance be not obſerved, but neglected, (as we ſee it is) and the arke be drawne by oxen, the care of the church be committed to ignorant men, voyde of ſound knowledge, skandalous to the word, the diſ-grace of the miniſterie, the bane of religion, and the shame of the church, what may we looke for, but the daunger of a great downe-fall, ſurely the oxen will shake it.
Pharaoh ſo feared the hurt, and regarded the good of his Cattell, as that he thought none fitt to be their ruler, but men knowne to be men of activitie,Gen. 4.7. for ſo he ſpeaketh, if thou knoweſt that there be men of activitie, make them rulers over my cattell: ſpeakeing to Ioſeph concerning his brethren. And shall Pharaohs cattell have men of activitie, and shall not Gods people have men of knowledge? will Pharaoh have none to be his Cow-heards but men skillfull in that trade? and shall we thinke men of no learning fit to guide, and teach Gods people, which is a trade of trades and an art of artes? If we be to travell we ſeeke the cheifeſt men of skill to direct vsus, if to goe by ſea, we deſire the beſt Pilot to conduct vsus, if we be ſicke we wish for the moſt excellent Phyſitian to cure vsus: and shall we be ſo ſence-les, and infatuated, as to thinke any miniſter (be he never ſo ignorant) good enough to teach vsus? if you thinke ſo, then looke and behold the miſerie that is vponupon the mounteine of Samaria, behold the blacke countreyes of ignorance yet among vsus, voyde of the light of Gods word! how many of our land are compaſſed with confuſion of hellish darknes as a people vowed to deſtruction! how many be like dragons and ſerpents in the deepe caves of the earth! how many ſleepe in ignorance like Molles and battes in the holes! how many as the Aſsyrians in Samaria, who know not the manner of the God of our land, whoſe eſtate is blacke and a diſmall day vponupon them, vnleſſe God ſend them Pastours after his owne heart, which may feede them with knowledg, and vnderſtanding; the want whereof let the Popish idolatrie and groſſe ſuperstition, let the heathenish, prophane, and palpable blindnes of the common people, their vnreverent, & irreligious behaviour in things concerning God, let their Sybaritical feaſts and banquets conſecrated to Flora, Criſpin, Clement and Bacchus, and ſuch bouzing drunken Patrones, let the exceſſe, and moſt lothſome vomit of whitſon-ale, and Pentecost Lords; let the entrance of poperie into England againe, with a maine ſtreame, as of the Romanes into Ieruſalem, ſpeake and cry alowde in your hearts and eares: and moove you to inward pitty and compaſſion of Gods church. And as for you which entred into this calling, and have not knowledg to diſ-charge your calling, I ſay not as the Coloſsians to Archippus, take heed to your miniſterie, but take heede of the danger, which you incurre by ſtarveing Gods vnſpotted lambs, with golden fleeces. Remember, that you have not the charge of oxen, sheepe, but of the moſt brittell, and dangerous things in the world, even the ſoules of men that are ready to be mooved by every temptation: of tho moſt choyce and precious things in the world bought with the greateſt price, even the blood of Chriſt, whoſe charge is ſo great that the Apoſtle well weighing the ſame, crieth out as a man vnderunder a heavy burden; and who is ſufficient for theiſe things? 2. Cor. 2.16.and if he being qualified from above, haveing excellēt guifts of the ſpirit, did ſo highly eſteeme of the ſame, as to judge himſelfe inſufficient for al that: what baſe conceite had you of the miniſterie? how eaſy did you deeme it to be, when you entred thereinto! no man will preſume to teach an art before he have learned it himſelfe. Conſider how you diſ-grace the miniſterie, and the profeſſion of divine ſtudies, by your ignorance. For as in times paſt the people haveing a Ghost in great admiration, thought that to be wanting in the religion, which was wanting in him; ſo the people which follow you to be inſtructed by you, ſeeing the lamentable lookes of your ignorance, thinke that to be wanting in the miniſter, which is wanting in you. Conſider the great danger both of your ſelves, and the people whome by your ignorance you keepe in continuall ignorance, and therefore both may feare that fearfull doome pronounced by Chriſt. mat. 15.14.If the blind leade the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. If Bezaleel and Aholiah when they were to worke in the tabernacle, had not knowledge enough (though they were work-men before) but had neede to be filled with the Spirit of God in wiſdome,Exod. 31.2.3, 6. and vnderſtanding, in knowledg and workman-ship: then much more thinke you in the ſecrets of your hearts, what knowledge is required of you who worke not in an earthly Tabernacle, but in the building vp a temple for God to dwell more ſpeciallie in, even in the hearts of the people, in reareing vp a chaire of eſtate for Chriſt Ieſus to ſitt & rule in, even in the conſciences of men, and in frameing a ſchoole for Chriſt to teach even in the ſoules of men? Sitt downe and conſider that which Chriſt shewed, before you entred into this calling, to be conſidered of, whither you be ſufficiently armed to meete your enimies that come againſt you: if not, let not ten shekels and a ſute of apparel, and meate and drinke, which was the wages Micha gave to his wandring curate, Judg. 17.10.that went vp and downe to ſeeke a ſervice, nay let not a thowſand times ſo much prevaile with you to incourage you heerein, as the feare of that fearefull ſpeech terrifie you: when you admonish not a wicked man of his wickednes. Nay, that wicked man shall die in his ſinns, but his blood will I require at thy hands.Ezek. 3.18. So that if any perish through ignorance, your ſoule ſtandeth for their ſoules, both shall go to hell together, therefore take heede to your ministerie.
The ſecond thing which the miniſterie requireth at a miniſters hand, is, not onelyonly that he be skilfull, but alſo faithfull & watchfull, which,Luke 12.42. Act. 20.20. Tim. 4.2. as Chriſt commanded in a Steward that gives his howſe-hold meate in due ſeaſon, ſo Paul practiſed as a faithful Steward, teaching openly, and in every howſe, laying it to the charge of Timothie, with witnes, ſaying: I charge thee before God, and before the Lord Ieſus Christ, Who shal judge the quicke, and the dead at the day of his appearing, and in his kingdome.
Preach, that is his office, be instant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, that is the time. In ſeaſon to them that will, out of ſeaſon to them that will not. How? reproove exhort, correct, with al long-ſuffring, and doctrine, that is the manner.
And this duty Chriſt enjoyned Peter vntounto,Ioh. 21.1. he ſayth not, be thou a Paſtour, or a Bishop, or a Prelate, but feede thou becauſe many Paſtours in name, are but idoles in deede, which either devoure them, or fleece them,Mat. 9.3. but feede them not. Therefore ſayth Chriſt the harveſt is greate, and there are, what few few Prelates, few miniſters, or few learned men? no, but there are few labourers, few workemen.
Wherevnto ſerveth that of the Apoſtle. If any man deſireth the office of a Bishop, or a minister he deſireth a good worke a good dutie, not a good dignitie, not a good delight, not good riches, not good revenews, but a good worke.
And to this end were Aaron, and his ſonnes anointed, not onelyonly to be Preists to the Lord and to ſtand as many do like Cyphres in Augrum; but to execute the Preiſt-hood and as the phraſe is often repeated, to ſerve in the Preiſts office before the Lord. So that, a miniſter muſt not onelyonly be skilfull in his miniſterie, but faithfull and diligent, and painefull, in his miniſterie: and conſider the faithfulnes of Iacob in keeping Labans sheepe I was (ſaith he) conſumed with heate, and the froſt by night, and my ſleepe departed from mine eyes. If he be ſo carefull for Labans sheepe: how much more carefull & watchfull should we be for the sheepe of Gods fold and feare neither the pinching cold of adverſitie, nor the parching heate of perſequuting Tyrants to procure their good.
1. Chr 18: 14.15.16.We may reade in the booke of Chronicles, that in Davids howſe there were Officers appointed to everie charge: particular Officers for his treaſures, for his sheepe, for his vines &c. that no man should be oppreſſed with too great charge, but that everie man should be carefull, and faithfull in his place. So in Gods howſe hath he appointed particular officers. And what are Davids treaſures to the Lords? Gods treaſure is Davids heart, and Davids treaſure but duſt: David himſelfe one of Gods sheepe▪ and Davids sheepe ſimple beaſts: David is a branch of Gods vine, and Davids vines but vanitie.
…ſe. 2.Then this is just reproofe to all ſuch to whome the Lord hath given gifts fit to teach & yet are negligent, and idle, and ſlothfull, and will not teach being like faithles Capteines who receive continuallie the Lords pay, and yet never fight the Lords battailes whoſe knowledge is wrapt vp in an idle braine without practiſe as Go…ahs ſword in cloth without uſe.2. ſam. 12.5. Prov. 11.26, If the people curſe him that with-drawes his Corne from the market: how much more shall they be curſed, who by keepeing the corne of Gods word, from the congregation of his people, bring vponupon themſelves ſo fearefull a ſinne? Who when as they should by preaching the word, distill on the people, as the dew vponupon the graſſe, and as the raine vponupon the hearbes, (like clowdes which ſweate themſelves to death) vanish away in vanitie, like brests without milke, and clowdes without water, who when they should in the wombe of the church, begett many children of glory to God, deſerved to be fined of our Gouvernours as the old and ſingle men of Rome were by their Cenſors caſt out becauſe they brought no children to the common-wealth.
And now hearken what the Lord ſaith to the idle of idole shephearde. Thus ſaith the Lord God vntounto the shepheards of Iſrael that doe feed themſelves:Ezek. 34.2. should not the shepheards feed the flockes? therefore ſaith the Lord I wil come againſt the shepheard, and will require my sheepe at their hands: and his blood that dieth without warning will I require at the watch-mans hands. For what, should the Porter ſleepe when the theefe ſeekes to enter? Or the Pilot be careles when the ship is in danger? Or the Capteine ſecure when the enimie is at hand? Or the miniſter be negligent, when his people be ignorant, and like to perish for want of viſion? and the devill readie to deſtroye at all advantages? Far be it! for what were this, but even to betraye Gods people into the hands of Pirats, theeves, and robbers?
But what shall we ſay to them that have a cure of ſoules in one place, and live in another: like fugitive Capteines forſake their Enſigne and Company at Barwicke & flee to Dover who being with Ionah commanded for Niniveh, ſ…e to Tar…hish: who being placed in the countrie, run to the univerſitie. Who leave their charge, as the Ostrrich doeth her Eggs in the earth,Job 39.17. and ſands: forgetting that either the ſoote might ſcatter thē, or the wild beaſt breake them shewing her ſelfe cruel to her yong ones, as if they were not hers: & is with feare, as if shee travailled in vaine: Or at the leaſt, leaved her eggs, as the Cue…ow doeth, to be hatched of a ſparron, or ſome other bird. Do they not every howre feare leſt God should meete thē where they are, & haſt vntounto thē as Eliab did to David, 1. ſam. 17.28.why cameſt thou downe hither? & with whome hast thou left thoſe few sheepe in the wildernes? Or feare they not leſt that befall them which befell David, who when he fought Gods battailes as the ſworne Capteine of God, was ſecured from the ambushes of Satan and fortified againſt the corruption of his owne nature, but when he gave vp the administration to others, without juſt cauſe and ſate himſelfe downe to reſt in Ieruſalem, and was not reſident in his Campe: then was the H. Ghoſt not reſident in his heart but he fell into thoſe groſſe ſinns of adulterie and murder. Or lastly feare theiſe not loſt in their abſence their unlearned and for the moſt part ungodly Vi-Curates should bring a great ſinne & conſequently a great punishment as Aaron the firſt Vicar of the Synagogue as Pariſienſis calleth him (tho a Vicar of Gods owne chuſing) brought on Iſrael who when Moſes had ben abſent from them but onelyonly fourtie dayes, and not as he doeth add in the Court with a Prince, nor in the Pallace with a Bishop, but in the mount with God: at his returne he found the fooles of Iſrael dauncing a Morice-dance about a Caife. Conſider then how ignorance irreligious poperie and prophanenes, creepeth into the charges of thoſe men who are abſent not fourtie dayes onelyonly as Moſes was but fourty weekes together: not with God in any calling of his, as the ſame Moſes in the mount, but like enough either in the Court, or in the Pallace as was ſpoken before out of Pariſienſis: or els where regarding little their duty Gods glory, or the peoples gooe.
And to theiſe may be added thoſe, who ſeeking their owne, and not that which is Ieſus Chriſts, are content to live, and waxe rich with the ſpoyle of the church, and the deſtruction of Gods people. They who are Capteines of two armies, Pilots of two ships, shepherds of two flocks, Paſtours of two churches yea and more toe, when a Godlie painfull man, making conſcience of his dutye, grones vnderunder the burden of one but they travailing at one time with two children,Gen … ▪ harder to bring forth then Iacob and Eſau were, cry not out in ſence of any paine, as Rebekah did ſeing it is ſo why am I thus? but thinke that their preſence in one place excuſeth their abſence in the other, and the rather, becauſe they ſupply that by their Vicars, or Curates; which in their owne preſence they cannot diſ-charge. But conſider I beſeech you as many as be heere faulty in this particular is your abſence excuſed becauſe by others your places are ſupplyed? what then is the election of miniſters but a ſcorne, and mockerie (as Dominicus Soto ſpeaketh writing hereof at large.Lab. 10.) If a man may take a benefice and diſ-charge it by an other man? and ſeing Chriſt ſendeth you as Labourers, Teachers, not ordeiners of Labourers and Teachers in your places,De vit… Cap. 22. what is it as Pariſienſis ſpeaketh writing much to to this purpoſe, but as if a man should marry a woeman vnderunder hope to obteine iſſue of her, but by another man?
what is it but a croſſe practiſe to that of the Samaritan, and of Christ: Luke 10.35. Ioh. 21.15 Joh. 19.26of whome, the former did not commit the care of the wounded man, to the Inn-keeper, till he was to depart himſelfe. The Lord did not commit his sheepe to Peter, nor his mother to Iohn, till he was now ready to commit his ſoule to God, and his body to the ground: as Alphonſus de Castro diſcourſing hereof at large, ſpeaketh: vntounto whome it you be not yet reſolved hereof, you may add Buffus and Dumeus de ſacris Eccleſiasticis ministerijs: but eſpeciallie Dominicus Soto, who prooveth this NON-RE ſidencie to be vnlawfull by the law of nature, by the law of man, by the law of God: by Councells by Fathers whome he reckons vp. And, if I did want matter, many more things might heere be ſpoken from him: but I onelyonly repeate that ſentence of Damaſcene (which he he hath) in an Epiſtle of his, which he calleth a golden Epistle: where (I take it) he compareth thoſe that leave their charge to others, to cruel harlots, that ſet forth their children to nurſe, the ſooner, to fulfill their inordinate luſts: So do they ſet forth their charges to others, that they may go whither they will the more freely: and intangle themſelves in ſecular affaires. To conclude, what is it but to ſend Gehazi with a staffe, that can never recover a dead ſoule to life?
You, your ſelves muſt put mouth to mouth, and preach the word vntounto them; you muſt put eyes to eyes, and enlighten their minds; you muſt put hand to hand, and show them all good examples, in your owne perſons; which if you will not do, but ſtill thinke your Curates preſence can excuſe your abſence,Ezek. 44.1. then go to the Prophet Ezekiel and put your finger in the print of the Prophets ſpeeche that you may not ſtill be vnfaithfull, but beleeve: that it fully concerneth you: You have not kept the ordinances of my holy things ſaith God but you have ſet others to take the charge of my Sanctuarie. As if he should have ſaide: you have received the oblation of my holy things: but you have not kept the ordinances of my holy things, and as if you were the Lords of my heritage, you have put others vnderunder you, to take the charge of my Sanctuarie, which yourſelves should have diſ-charged.
Thus doeth the Lord plainely reproove you, for ſubstituting others vnderunder you: and therefore may you juſtly feare that which Claudius Eſpencaus, a Papist, is bold to write, which I am even a-frayd to ſpeake: that God shall ſerve you heareafter, as you ſerve him now: you shall be ſaved by your vicars, but damned in your owne perſons. And now further, men and brethren, if that blind buzzards onelyonly which know not the price of ſoules, were guilty of this ſinne, I would not have marveiled: or if the purple Cardinall of Rome onelyonly, with that accurſed rabble of that Romish Court, were guilty of this ſinne, I would have held my peace: but that learned men, men of judgment and vnderſtanding, which reade and profeſſe to know the Scriptures, and theiſe words pronounced againſt them, no milder then gall and worme-wood; should be ſo ſore blinded, by that love of the world as to ſeeke their owne eaſe, their owne proffit, their owne pleaſure: but not that which is Ieſus Chriſts, not his glory, nor the ſalvation of his people. ò ye heavens be ashamed at this! & thou ò earth conceale not this iniquitie! Crye out thou hunger-starved-ſoule, as the Soules of the ſlaine, vnderunder the altar: let not your tongues cleave to the roofe of your mouth, vntill the Lord, holy and true, avenge your blood, on them that ſlay you, as beaſts in the middeſt of the ſtreete! and thou blood of the ſoule al-ready dead: dead in reſpect of any ſpiritual vegetation, and dead in everlaſting malediction, never be dryed vp, but cry lowder, then the blood of Abel againſt Kaine for vengeance, againſt this ſinne! and you that are the Lords faithfull ministers on earth, regard the ſoules, and ſalvations of Gods people, and let them be as deare to you, as they were to him that bought them, with no leſſe deare a price, then the price of his owne blood. And you Fathers, and brethren, who in the miniſterie live in this cittie, and have now long nayled your eares, to the doore-poſts thereof; I ſay not as Bishop Latymer ſometime ſaid, to his fellow-Biſhops, let the example of the Devill moove you, who is ever diligent, and never Non-re ſident in his great Parish, but I humbly beſeech you, if there be any place for beſeechig left, let the commandement of Gods word moove you, who willeth you to looke to your calling, and abide in that; let the example of Chriſt, and regard to his glory, moove you, who himſelfe came to ſeeke the loſt sheepe, and finding it, put it vponupon his shoulders, and himſelfe brought it home: let the example of the Levites, and all good over-ſeers incite you, oh let the ignorance of the people, and dread to murder their ſoules which Chriſt hath purchaſed with his blood, provoke you: yea, let the care of your owne quiet, and the peace of your owne conſciences, which shall heareafter greivouſly rue it, enjoyne you: and let the aſſured perſuaſion of Gods goodnes, who hath promiſed to mainteine you, and will performe it, conſtreine you to redreſſe all vnfaithfulnrs: and thinke on thoſe temptations which hold you therein; are they not groſſe, and ſuch as the shame of the world might shift of? how much more should Gods ſpirit prevaile heerevnto! thinke on the gaine you get by ſpirituall promotions, joyned with ſpirituall …ſtructions, are they not more shame-full, and infa…s, then the gaines of the uſurer and promotour? let … be enough that there be thoſe in hell al-ready, who …urſe the day that ever you were borne, through whoſe cruelty they are fallen into theiſe vnſpeakable torments: and from hence forth take heede to your miniſterie and to the faithfull diſ-charge of your duty.
Let it never be ſaid that you loved the Lord, as Laban loved Iacob, onelyonly to get riches by him, or as Saul loved David, to get honour by him, and not for any love to the perſon of Iacob, or David; but let your love be ſeene by your paines in the miniſterie of Chriſt Ieſus.
Let it never be ſaid, that a good benefice is as a white marke in a greene medowe, ſeene a farr of, and faire to shoote at, but let it be ſaid, that the ſoules and ſalvations of Gods people, is the thing you aime at. Remember this admonition, take heed to the ministerie, forget not that of Paul in his Viſitation Sermon at Epheſus;Act. 20.28.29. Take heed to your ſelves and to all the flock whereof the H. Ghoſt hath made you overſeers to feed the church of God which he hath purchaſed with his owne blood.
Take heede to the ministerie thou hast received in the Lord. Archippus did receive his miniſterie in the Lord: that is, of the Lord. Therefore he did not thruſt himſelfe into the miniſterie, but had his calling of God, and his example is to be marked of all the miniſters of the word:Doct. That they have not onelyonly a calling from man but a calling from God: as all the Prophets of God had: all the Apoſtles of Chriſt had: whoſe commiſsion vntounto them, was a brazen wall, to ſecure them: and as a fortreſſe, and rocke to ſtand vponupon. If they have a calling from God, they shall ſee a ſeale of their miniſterie i… the converſion of ſome ſoules at leaſt; but if t… have received their miniſterie from man, & not front the Lord,Ezek. 13.6. they receive a curſe in ſted of a bleſſing, a woe is denounced againſt them: and their people continue without proffit: as God sheweth in the Prophecie of Ieremiah: ſaying I will come against them that Propheſy falſe dreames & I ſent them not, Ier. 23.32.nor commāded thē therefore they bring no proffit to this people, ſaith the Lord, therefore the people are not bettred, their ſoules are not converted, their lives are not amended, God is not glorified, becauſe they came, and God ſent them not, they had a ministerie, but not of the Lord: but ſaith God in the ſame chapter, verſ 22.if they had stood in my counſel, and had declared my word, to my people: then, they should have turned them from their evill way, and from the wickednes of their inventions. Behold a bleſſing that should have followed their labours, if God had ſent them. Reade,1. Kings. 22. 2 King 3. jer. 6.14. Amos 7. Pſam. 12. Mat 14 and conſider, what made Micajah ſo confident with Ahab? what made Elisha, a worme of the earth, ſo bold with Jehoram? what made Ieremie, ſo plaine with Preist and Prophet? what made Amos ſo stout againſt Amaziah? what made Nathan ſo free with David? what made Iohn Baptist ſo zealous, to reproove Herod? what did open the mouthes of the Apostles, and made them ſpeake the word with all boldnes of ſpeech, but this warrant of their callinge. They had their minifierie not of man but of God.
Theiſe are the faithfull miniſters of God, whome God hath called, and armed from above, to this ſervice.
Theiſe are they, to whome he hath given Crownes of authority, and lincks of iron to bind the Princes, and nobles of the earth: the reſt have no courage, no power, no zeale at all, whome the Devill feareth not, but eſpying the wants of their commiſsion, Act. 19.15. uſe.ſayth to them, as he once did, to the Sonns of Sceva: Ieſus I acknowledge, and Paul I know, but who are yee? let every minister that heareth me this day, enter into his owne heart, and examin his inmoſt affection, and try whither he hath received his miniſterie of the Lord, or no: which he hath not, unleſſe he hath gifts, in ſome tollerable meaſure, to diſ-charge that miniſterie: for God ſendeth no blind guides, unleſſe it be in judgment to punish the people. We reade in the booke of Eſiber, that none might come into the preſence of the King, unleſſe the King did hold out his golden Scepter vntounto him: how shall they then be punished of the Lord, that come, not into Gods preſence, but into Gods place, where God himſelfe is; even the Father, full of Majeſtie, the Sonne of God, replenished with glory, and the H. Ghoſt great in power: and preſume, to take the place vponupon them, without any warrnt from the Lord? They are the vipers of the church, which ſtay not the appointed time of nature, but breake out of their mothers bellyes, before their time, tho their mother pay for it. They will not ſtay, till God openeth them a doore, but will run in another waye.what will you give me? what ſhall J give you And Iudas with his quid vos dabitis mihi? on the one ſide: and Simon Magus with his quid ego tihi dabo? on the other ſide: make wicked bargaines together; and without any calling from God, enter into the charge of Gods people. But let them looke, that they who ſet them a-worke, pay them their wages.
As many as have their miniſterie of the Lord, can ſay as Paul did, when the Goſpell was committed vntounto him, you know of the grace which was given vntounto me: but for the reſt, we ſee the miniſterie in them, but we know no grace in them, neither in their word, nor worke.
VVhichWhich thou hast received of the Lord, or in the Lord. Hence we learne againe. That the Lord is the author of the ministerie.Doct. 4.
It was he that ſent forth Prophets, and Apostles, and Evangelists, Epheſ. 4.11.12.13.as extraordinary, and for a time: and it is he which ſends forth ſtill both Pastours, and teachers, which be ordinarie, and forever, as Paul sheweth.
1. cor. 4.1. 2. cor. 5.20And therefore are they called ſervants, and ministers of Chriſt, and Ambaſſadours for Chriſt: to whome, not man, but God, did commit the ministerie of reconciliation.
uſe. 1 Heere then is excellent matter for miniſter and people. For minister, he hath received his miniſterie of the Lord: and therefore he muſt give account of his miniſterie, to the Lord.
Take heed (ſaith Paul to the Elders of Epheſus) to your ſelves, and to the flocke whereof the H. Ghost hath made you Overſeers: not man, but the H. Ghoſt to whome you shall be accounteable for all the flocke and therefore take heede to the charge.
This should be as a thowſand Spurrs to our ſides to moove vsus to the performance of our dutyes, when we conſider the Majestie of him, who hath commited the ministerie vntounto vsus: when we conſider, the price of ſoules, that depend vponupon vsus: when we thinke on that account. which we, one day muſt make: when Peter shall come before God, with his converted Iewes: and Paul with his Gentills; Andrew with Achaja; John with A…iaz Thomas with India. Whome shall we bring with vsus? what ſoules shall we preſent to God as our Crowne, and our glory? where shall we find the ſeale of our miniſterie? or, if we have none, by reaſon of our negligence and ignorance; how shall we dare, to appeare before the Lord, the fearfull judge, of quicke and dead; when he shall ſay; come give an accounte of thy ſteward-ship.
Secondly; the miniſterie should hence learne, this uſe. 2 leſſon of inſtruction: that becauſe the Lord is the authour of this miniſterie; therefore they muſt in their miniſterie, ſeeke the Lords honour; and not their owne: they muſt ſeeke to enlarge Gods church, and not their owne livings; to winn glory to God, and not gaine to themſelves: for, they have received their miniſterie in the Lord; by his grace, and for his glory.
A juſt reproofe, to thoſe, who in the miniſterie aime not at this end; nay, whoſe conſciences tell them, they thought not therevpon; but on their owne eaſe, ſuch, and ſuch a benefice, ſuch a prebend-ship, ſuch a common, ſuch a Bishoprick, ſuch credit, & countenance in the world: & intend this end in their ministerie, & not the other.
A juſt reproofe of thoſe, who preach themſelves, & not the Lord: ſpeaking to the eare, & not to the conſcience: ſeeking, rather by a painted eloquence, to ſet forth themſelves, & to get the name of Schollers, and learned men; then to ſet forth the knowledge of the trueth: being like to adulterers, (as Gregorie cōpareth them) who delight in the company of woemen, not ſo much to get children, as to ſatisfy their owne beaſtly luſts: So do theiſe, delight to preach, now and then; once a monethmonth once a-quarter, or ſo: but not ſo much to gett children to God, as to ſatisfy, their owne vainglorious humour: as he, that commeth into the feild, to fight with a poſie of flowres, in ſtead of a ſword: & a plame of fethers in ſtead of a buckler: commeth more like a Carpet-knight, then a man of armes: ſo may we rightly judge him, that commeth into Gods place, with curious phraſes, and invented words, of mans wiſdome, thereby to get applauſe of the ſimple: rather like a wanton man-pleaſer then a faithfull Preacher.
uſe. 3 Thirdly; let all faithfull ministers, comfort themſelves herein; tho men be againſt them, yet, they have their calling, from the Lord: he will backe them, and beare them out: he will give power vntounto them. They are ſtarrs in Gods right hand; God will defend them. Feare not therefore, the faces of men; ſeeke not to pleaſe men,Gal. 1.10. for, if you doe, (as Paul ſpeakes) you cannot be the ſervants of God. You have your ministerie from the Lord, ſeeke therefore, to approove your ſelves, not to the wicked, but to the Lord, who will defend, Revel. 11.3.4.5.6.7and give power vntounto you, as he promiſeth, to his two witneſſes, in the Revelation.
Now, for the people: here is alſo a leſſon for them to learne: the Lord is the authour of the ministerie, therefore, honourable is their calling, & they are to be had, in ſingular accounte, for their works ſake: not, for their livings ſake, nor degrees ſake, nor, their perſons ſake, nor, their freinds ſake: but, for their works ſake. The worke of their calling, their honourable calling. For this cauſe, 2. Tim. 3.1….the minister is called, the man of God, as if he should ſay, Gods Embaſſadour and legate, and lieutenant, on earth. If then, it be an honourable thing, to be a Princes Embaſſadour; how much more, to be Gods Embaſſadour,Revel. 3. revel. 12.4 King of heaven, and earth? Therefore, called Angells, and Starrs, to shew, the excellencie of their calling: which Paul conſidering, he cryes out in a wonder: how beautifull are the feete, that is, the comming of them,rom. 10.15 which bring glad tidings of peace? As if, he should have ſaid, I cannot expreſſe, how beautifuil, and excellent, how lovely, and amiable, their comming is. See what accounte, Elizeus made of, Elias; who being taken vp, Elizeus looketh after him, and cryeth out: Oh the Charriots of Iſrael & the horſmen thereof! ſignifying, that Elias being gone,2 King. 2.12. the very beauty, and ſtrength of Iſrael, was gone.
If this were well regarded, then the miniſterie of God, would be more regarded, leſſe deſpiſed, leſſe diſ-graced, more honoured, more reverenced, more eſteemed then it is: but for want of this conſideration, the miniſters of God are accounted now a dayes, as the Apoſtles were before them;1 cor 4.13 the very filth and off-ſkouring of the world: the very off alls, and refuſe, of mankind. And, if by our dishonouring God, in our places, and our unfaithfull walking, in our calling, God hath juſtly dishonoured vsus, and made vsus baſe, and vile; abject, and contemptible, in the ſight of the people; let vsus blame our ſelves: but if any, doe eſteeme thus, of Gods miniſterie, and account, the calling of his miniſters, dishonourable; they dishonour, not vsus, but God, whoſe meſſengers, and Embaſſadours, we are: as God ſaid to Moſes:Num. 14 17. 1. ſam. 8.7 they have not murmured againſt thee, but me: and, ſo he ſaid to Samuel: they have not rejected thee, but they have caſt me away, from being King over them. Let them remember, that fearefull ſpeech; he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me. Chriſt, shall take that dishonour, done to his miniſter, as done to himſelfe. And therefore, if David would not put vp that diſ-grace which was offred to his meſſengers by Hanun: certeynely, Chriſt will not put vp that diſ-grace, which is offred, to his meſſengers, and miniſters. Wherefore, I heere dare, all Papiſts, Atheiſts, Libertines, Newters, Machiavells, and, all prophane Epicures whoſoever, to contemne the miniſters of God: if thou dareſt dishonour them, diſ-grace them, mocke them, and laugh at them: Call them, peſtilent fellowes, as Tertullus did: and troublers of the ſtate, as Ahab did Elias, a troubler of Iſrael: Call them mad-fellowes, as Eraſtus did,Act. in his mad moode: Call them, railing preachers, ſeditous preachers: aſſure they ſelfe, who ever thou art, that; thus thinkeſt in thy heart: or, ſpeakeſt with thy mouth: the Lord, of whome, we have received our miniſterie, shall not forget this contempt: but, tho baſe be our perſons, poore be our livings, dishonourable be our eſtimation: he shall remember, and he shall revenge it. And therefore, feare to vilify, any of thoſe, who have their miniſtery from the Lord. Men we are, as you are: and that is for your good, for you could not heare the voice, of God himſelfe, and live: or, of any of thoſe bleſſed; and glorious Angels of his. Sinfull we are, as yee are: and that is, becauſe we are men.
Mortall we are, as you are: and that is, becauſe we are ſinfull. Yet ſtill, tho men, ſinfull, and mortall, we are the meſſengers of God, and Ambaſſadours of Chriſt. If you love vsus not, in regard of our perſons, yet love vsus, in regard of our office: we are indeed, but earthen veſſells; but we have pretious treaſures in vsus: if, you eſteeme vsus not, becauſe we are veſſells, and of earth, yet honour vsus, for the treaſures ſake. Our miniſterie is not ours, but the Lords, we, and thrice wee be to him, that ſcorueth it.
The laſt thing, comes to be conſidered,Doct. 5. in this verſe. That thou fulfil it. It is heere required of the minister, that, he thinke it not enough, to diſ-charge his duty, coldly, and perfunctorily, and for fashion (as it were) but, he muſt ſett himſelfe to it, earneſtly, zealouſly, and fervently, that he may even fulfill it: that he may, as Paul ſpeaketh, make his ministery fully knowne: 1. Tim. 4.and, approove himſelfe, the true minister of Christ: and make it appeare, by all meanes, that it is his hearts deſire, to fulfill his ministery: So did Apollos, preaching fervently, & teaching diligently, the things of the Lord. Firſt, he ſpake fervently, and then taught: noting thereby, that many ſpeake, who do not teach, becauſe they ſpeake not fervently, as Apollos. Thus did Paul, burne in Spirit, and then, he teſtified to the Iewes, that Ieſus was the Lord. Thus did Chriſt preach:…oh. 7. of whome, the Phariſes meſſengers, gave this teſtimony, and ingenuouſly confeſſed; never man ſpake like this man: becauſe, he ſpake zealouſly, and with authority, and,mat. 7. not coldly, and faintly as did the Scribes.
Tho a man, had all knowledg, of all Fathers, tongues and arts, yet unleſſe he have zeale,Act. 2. he can never fulfill, the miniſtery of Chriſt. Therefore, did the H. Ghoſt deſcend, in the likenes of cloven tongues, like fire; to ſignify a zealous, a hott, preaching miniſterie. Iohn was a burning, as well as a shining light:ioh. So muſt we burne with zeale, if we will fulfill the miniſterie.
If this be ſo, what shall we ſay, of theiſe cold, comfortles uſe. 1 diſcourſes, and morrall-philoſophy-lectures, (rather then Sermons) without zeale, of formall-preaching miniſters, which shame the heate, by which men should be quickened; being as Bernard ſpeakes luciferi, but, not igniferi, having, ſome light of knowledge, in their heads, but, no fire of zeale, in their hearts, who, ſpeaking the word of God, do weaken the power thereof, by dulnes, and f…a…nes of Spirit; bringing forth their doctrines, as many woemen do their children; still-borne, without ſence, without feeling, without motion; uſing doctrine, without application; application, without zeale, like men without ſoules, or Images without lives. Such were, the intollerable cold, collations, of the Scribes, and Phariſes, whereby, they did looſe their Auditours, and, made their Synagogues, deſolate: and ſuch are the Sermons, of thoſe miniſters, whoſe minds are drowned, in wordly matters, whoſe ſpirits are frozen, and pittifully benummed, with woldlines, and ſenſuality.
And, ſo dull are their owne hearts, by want of holy meditation, that, they have no life, in their ministerie, nor power in their preaching, more, then when, a little boy,2. tim. 1.6. ſaith grace. Wherefore, as Paul bids Timothy, to stirr up, anadſopurem.the graces of God in him; to blow them, as it were with bellowes, as, the Greeke word, imports: ſo muſt we, and endevour, to Godly vehemency; in our preaching, that, we may enforce our doctrine, to the hearts of the hearers, and, may make our miniſterie, knowne to Gods people.
And lastly; that our ministerie, may be fulfilled; let vsus be,1. Tim. 4.12. to them that beleeve, as Enſamples, in word, in converſation, in love, in ſpirit, & in purenes, as Paul ſpeaketh to Timothy: let vsus labour, to be unreprooveable, and without blame, that, we ſett an edge, on our Sermons, … may, by our owne life, authorice our doctrine; let us first, be confirmed, as Peter was, and ſtrengthen others; let vsus first, obſerve the commandements of God, & then teach them others to obſerve; let vsus first, labour to be the ſervants of God, as Paul was, and then, the Apostles of Ieſus Chriſt; let vsus have in our brest-plate, both urim, and Thummim, both knowledg, and holines, and, in the outmoſt borders, of our garments, let there be, both, bells, and pomegranates toe, both, ſoundnes of doctrine, and ſweetnes of converſation. Take away the reproch of the people, that hath, a great while taken vp,rom. 2. that ſpeech; Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thy ſelfe?
You are in the face of the people, a fault in you, is, as a staine in the face, and a blow in the eye: as moſt perſpicuous, ſo moſt dangerous, in the hand, the glove may cover it: in the feete, the shooes may cover it: in the body, the clothes may cover it: in a child, his age: in a woeman, her ſexe: in a private man, his ignorance may excuſe it: in you, that muſt be Enſamples to others, in all kind of converſation, nothing can excuſe it. Therefore, if there be heere, any lizards, that, do wipe out with their tayle, the print of their feete, made in the duſt: any preacher, who, by the uncleane tayle, of a looſe life, wipes out the print, of true doctrine; if any have Iacobs voyce, and Eſaws hands, if any, that carry the bellowes of preaching in the one hand, to kindle, and the water of ungodlines, in the other, to quench it: let them not deceive themſelves, by their preaching, their ministery, is not fulfilled, and therefore, they shall have their portion, with that ſervant, that knowes his maſters will, and doeth it not.
And now to Conclude all, I ſay vntounto all take heed to your miniſterie: for the devill your adverſary, [there is his dread] as a lyon, [there is his power] as a rouring lyon [there is his deſire to hurt] goeth about, [there is his induſtrie] and ſeeketh [there is more then ordinary diligence, not what, but, whome, he may devoure: Even the ſoules of men, that is his preye. His force, very greate, his wiles, and advantages, not unowne, his malice experienced, his cruelty, ſuch as as hell can afforde; therefore, take heede to your miniſterie. The wicked, your enimies, are Eagle-eyld, to looke into you, and ſpye you, as narrowly, as the Romans did Cato, or the Phariſes, Chriſt; to find a fault, and having found, either your ignorance, or, your negligence, or, the pride of your ambition, or, your covetouſnes, they have enough, to talke of, with joy on every ale-bench. Others ſee your faults, and weepe, in ſecret, for your ſinns, that Gods glorious goſpel, that ſweete oyntment, should be carried in ſuch filthy boxes, as ſome of you are. Take heede to your miniſterie you have received in the Lord: you have received of the Lord: to him, you muſt give account, you have received it for the Lord, to him you muſt performe your dutye, shame not him, that hath called you, walke worthy of the Lord, approove your ſelves, as workmen, that need not, to be ashamed, in fulfilling this your miniſterie: for, if you have bene faithfull, there is layd vp for you, a Crowne of glorye, which, God, the righteous judge, shall give you at that day: if unfaithfull, go many fathomes, deeper into hell, then other men, becauſe you have bene, the Soule-murderers of them, whome you should have ſaved. Thus, as the Coloſsians muſt ſay to Archippus, ſo I to you, every one, take heede to your miniſterie, which you have received in the Lord that you fulfill it.
Even ſo good Lord, grant vntounto the miniſterie, of thy choſen ones all gifts, fit for their calling, give vntounto them, increaſe of knowledge, give them faithfulnes give them zeale, that they may teach thy people, in thy trueth!
And reforme, all them; that either, for ignorance cannot: or, for negligence, will not; or, for fearfulnes, dare not; or, for wickednes, and ungodlines, ought not, to preach thy word: that true Paſtours, being placed in, among thy people, which may feed them, with knowledg, and vnderſtanding, thy church may grow vp, in perfect beauty, to the glory of thy name! Amen!
FINIS.
End of the text · Samuel Hieron, Aarons Bells (1623)