A Guide to Godliness, Book 5 · Chapter 5
CAP. V.
Of the meanes whereby we may be inabled to leade a godly life: and firſt, of the miniſtery of the Word.
§. Sect. 1 That if we will leade a godly life, we muſt vſe the meanes inabling vsus vntounto it.
VNtoUnto the rules of direction, which helpe and further vsus in the duties of a godly life, wee are to adde the conſideration of certaine ſpeciall meanes reſpecting practice, whereby wee may be the better inabled to performe them. For as God in his Decree hath ordained the ends at which we muſt chiefly aime, that we may attaine vntounto them; ſo alſo the meanes which conduce vntounto theſe ends. As for example; hee hath propounded his glory as the ſupreme end of all things; and withall, diuers meanes whereby it is aduanced and magnified, as our faithfull ſeruice and obedience to his Commandements, faith in Chriſt, and ſuch like. He hath ordained vsus to ſaluation, and that we may attaine vntounto it, hee hath linked his Decree to this end by certaine ſubordinate cauſes and meanes, as Creation, Redemption, Effectuall calling, Iuſtification, Sanctification, and Preſeruation. Hee hath decreed that we ſhould liue our naturall life vntounto our appoynted time, but withall, that we ſhould vſe the meanes of food, clothing, ſleepe, phyſick, by which it is preſerued and maintained. And thus alſo as hee hath ordained that we ſhould liue the life of grace, ſo likewiſe that wee ſhould vſe the helpes and meanes which hee hath appoynted for the beginning, continuing, and finiſhing of it: which if wee neglect, wee can hauehave no more hope of attaining vntounto it, whatſoeuer faire pretences wee make of our feruent deſires to atchieue this end, then of comming to happineſſe, being deſtitute of holineſſe, without which, the Apoſtle telleth vsus, Heb. 12. 14.we ſhall neuer ſee God; or of liuing to old age, without the vſe of the meanes, meate, drinke, and apparell; or of liuing to Gods glory, when as we delight in the workes of darkneſſe, and ſhine not in the light of an holy life. The which as it muſt make vsus carefull to vſe all good helpes appoynted by God for the inabling vsus vntounto the duties of a godly life; ſo our ſecond care muſt be, that wee vſe them as meanes, and not ſupreme and principall cauſes, but relying our ſelues chiefly vponupon God, his wiſedome, and goodneſſe, power, and promiſes, the death and Reſurrection of Chriſt effectually applyed vntounto vsus by the holy Spirit, let vsus vſe theſe meanes, as being his ordinances which hee hath appoynted to ſerue his prouidence, yet without putting our truſt and confidence in them, as ſufficient in themſelues to conferre grace, or to inable vsus vntounto the duties of a godly life; ſeeing without the chiefe Worker aſſiſting vsus in the vſe of them by his holy Spirit, they are able to doe nothing; and contrariwiſe, if they be wanting, he is all-ſufficient without them, to make vsus liue holily in this world, and happily in the life to come. Now theſe meanes are either ordinary, and in continuall vſe vponupon all occaſions; or extraordinary, and to be vſed but at ſome times, when ſome ſpeciall cauſes mooue vsus vntounto them; and both of them either publike or priuate, or elſe mixt, and to be performed ſometimes publikely in the Congregation, and ſometimes priuately by our ſelues, or with others. The publike meanes are the miniſtery of the Word, the Sacraments and prayer. The which admit of a double conſideration in reſpect of their diuers relations to ſeuerall ends. For as they are duties performed vntounto God, that wee may glorifie him by doing vntounto him ſeruice in them, they are parts and branches of piety and a godly life, in which ſenſe we hauehave already intreated of them; but as they helpe and further vsus for the begetting and increaſing in vsus of all ſpirituall graces, and the inabling of vsus vntounto all other Chriſtian duties, they are the meanes of a godly life, in which ſenſe we are now to ſpeake of them. Wherein they may be reſembled vntounto coyne and treaſure, the which is not onelyonly a part of our wealth, but alſo the meanes of purchaſing and procuring houſe, lands, goods, and all other riches: or vntounto the hand, which in one relation is a part or member of the body, but in another reſpect, an inſtrument and ſpeciall meanes for the preſeruing and nouriſhing of all our other parts.
§. Sect. 2 That the miniſtery of the Word is a chiefe meanes of our ſpirituall life.
The firſt meanes of a godly life, is the miniſtery of the Word; the which is the ordinary meanes of begetting vsus to the life of godlineſſe, and of beginning in vsus all ſpirituall and ſauing graces, by which, as inward cauſes, we outwardly mooue in all Chriſtian and holy duties. Of raiſing vsus from the death of ſinne, and cleanſing and purging vsus from the guilt and corruption of it; and alſo of ſo quickening and reuiuing vsus, that we are inabled to performe the actions of holineſſe, and to bring forth the fruits of a godly conuerſation. Thus the Apoſtle calleth it, Gods Rom. 1. 16.ſtrong power, whereby hee pulleth vsus out of the ſtate of death, into the the ſtate of life and ſaluation; and the Apoſtle Peter, The immortall and incorruptible ſeed, which begetteth vsus vntounto God, liuing and abiding in vsus for 1. Pet. 1. 23.euer. And hence it is that the Miniſters of the Word are called our ſpirituall 1. Cor. 4. 15.fathers, who beget vsus vntounto God, becauſe being diſpenſers of the Word of grace, they are inſtruments and meanes of our Regeneration. Thus our Sauior ſaith, that the houre was comming, yea euen then was, that Joh. 5. 25.the dead ſhould heare his voyce, and liue; that is, thoſe which were dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes, ſhould be quickened, and hauehave their part in the firſt Reſurrection, by vertue of his Word preached; for at this death and Reſurrection that whole diſcourſe aimeth. And as we hauehave firſt our ſpirituall life from the miniſtery of the Word, ſo alſo our cleanſing and ſanctification from the corruption and filth of ſinne, whereby we are wholly diſabled vntounto all holy duties of a godly life. For ſo our Sauiour telleth his Diſciples, that they were cleane, through his Word which hee had ſpoken vntounto Ioh. 15. 3.them. By which meanes he deſireth his Father, in his holy Prayer, to ſanctifie them more and more. Sanctifie them with thy truth; thy Word is truth. Ioh. 17. 17.So the Apoſtle ſaith, that our Sauiour gaue himſelfe for his Church, that hee Epheſ. 5. 26.might ſanctifie and cleanſe it with the waſhing of water by the Word; and implyeth elſewhere, that we cannot ordinarily hauehave faith, by which the iuſt man liueth, but by the preaching and hearing of the Word. How can they Rom. 1. 17.beleeue in him of whom they hauehave not heard? and how ſhall they heare without a Preacher? And after expreſſely affirmeth; That faith commeth by hearing, and 10. 14, 17.and hearing by the Word of God. And in another place he intimateth, that we cannot put off the old man, and being renewed in the ſpirit of our minds, Epheſ. 4. 21, 22.put on the new, which after God is created in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe, vnleſſe we hauehave firſt heard Chriſt, and been taught by him, in the miniſtery of his Word. But here we muſt take heed, that we doe not attribute our new birth and ſpirituall cleanſing vntounto the Word preached, as hauing in it any inherent power to giuegive life and grace in it owne nature, or as it is by man preached vntounto vsus, (for then all that heare it, would be quickened vntounto holineſſe and new obedience, whereas common and wofull experience teacheth vsus, that after the Goſpell hath been long preached in diuers places, the greateſt number remaine vnregenerate and dead in their ſinnes,) nor yet as vntounto a principall and chiefe cauſe of reuiuing vsus; for this were to make an Idol of it, by attributing vntounto it Gods prerogatiues and peculiar Math. 23. 9.actions; who alone is able to regenerate vsus, as hee onelyonly could firſt create vsus. But we are to attribute this vertue of giuing ſpirituall life to the Word preached, not as comming from man, but as it is the Word of God, and his holy ordinance which hee hath inſtituted and ſanctified to this vſe of giuing ſpirituall life, and the begetting and increaſing of his graces in vsus. By vertue of which ordination, and the bleſſing of God vponupon it, the Word receiueth all its power and vigour to quicken and preſerue our ſpirituall life; euen as by the ordinance of God, and his bleſſing, wee receiue our naturall life by generation, and the preſeruation of it by food and clothing, which in themſelues exceed not other creatures in their vertue for theſe vſes, but onelyonly ſo far forth as God by his bleſſing inableth them vntounto them. The which if he withdraw, our meate will not nouriſh Math. 11. 21. Luk. 12. 47.vsus, but rather become our bane and poyſon; and the Word preached will be ſo farre from being a Word of life and ſaluation, that it will become the ſauour of death vntounto death, to our deepe condemnation. In which regard 2. Cor. 2. 16.wee muſt not reſt in the preaching and hearing of the Word, as in the deed done, for the begetting of Gods graces, and beginning in vsus the life of godlineſſe: (for thus it is onelyonly the Spirit that quickeneth, making the Ioh. 6. 63.ſame Word, and at the ſame time, effectuall vntounto ſome for theſe ends, by an inward, ſecret and powerfull operation, which for want hereof is heard of others without any profit) but vſe it as Gods ordinance, vntounto which his bleſſing is promiſed, and doth ſo ordinarily accompany it, in the harts of all thoſe that vſe it in obedience to God, and deſire to profit by it for the former ends, that we may as well hope for ſpirituall life by feeding on this food, as for the preſeruing of naturall life by meate and drinke, ſeeing both alike are Gods ordinance, and by his power he is effectuall in the one as well as the other. And ſo contrariwiſe the neglect of this meanes, when God giueth it, doth take away all hope of the ſpirituall life of grace; ſeeing we tempt the Lord in refuſing the meanes, and deſpiſing his ordinance; like thoſe, who pretending that they reſt vponupon Gods ſole power and promiſe for the preſeruing of their liues, ſhould vtterly refuſe to eate or drinke. Againe, whereas I ſay, that the preaching of the Word is the ordinary meanes of life and grace, when the Lord granteth it vntounto vsus, we are to beware that we doe not limit Gods power vntounto it, as though hee could not any other way quicken, ſanctifie and ſaue vsus. For he is able, without all meanes, to doe all theſe by the ſole and ſecret worke of his holy Spirit, being ſuch an All-ſufficient workman in himſelfe, that he needeth not the helpe of any inſtruments; as we ſee in his ſanctifying and ſauing of elect Infants, dying whileſt they are vncapable of outward meanes; for euen in them theſe two goe together, ſeeing the rule is generall, that without holineſſe no man ſhall ſee the Lord. And hee is able to ſanctifie other Heb. 12. 14.meanes for theſe vſes, (as he ordinarily doth where the publike miniſtery and preaching of the Word is wanting) as the reading of the Word, priuate catechizing, holy conferences, inſtruction, exhortation, admonition, good examples, extraordinary bleſſings ſtrangely conferred, ſharpe afflictions, and by them great and vnuſuall humiliations, the Lord vſing his corrections as an hand to lead vsus to our ſinnes, which hauehave brought them vponupon vsus. And therefore as when we hauehave the Word, wee may heare diligently, in hope of Gods bleſſing vponupon his owne ordinance; ſo when we are depriued of this ordinary meanes of life and ſaluation, we are not to deſpaire and caſt away all our confidence, ſeeing the Lord is able, either without meanes, by the ſole operation of his holy Spirit, to worke his owne worke of grace and ſanctification in vsus, or to make other meanes, more weake in themſelues, as powerfull and effectuall vntounto vsus as the other, yea will aſſuredly doe it, rather then hee will faile of any part of his promiſe, which he hath made vntounto all thoſe who truſt and depend vponupon him for life and ſaluation.
§. Sect. 3 That it is the ordinary meanes of our new birth, and of working Gods graces in vsus.
Secondly, as the miniſtery of the Word is the ordinary meanes of our new birth, and of beginning in vsus Gods ſpirituall graces, whereby we are 1. Pet. 2. 2.inabled to moue in the duties of a godly life; ſo alſo of our ſpirituall growth from ſtrength to ſtrength, and of increaſing Gods graces where they are begun; according to that of the Apoſtle Peter; As new borne babes deſire the ſincere milke of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. Neither are we to thinke that the Word read, either by our ſelues or others, is ordinarily ſufficient to worke in vsus grace and godlineſſe; for if faith (as I hauehave ſhewed) commeth by hearing the Word preached, then alſo the life of faith, and fruits of ſanctification which ſpring from it, all which are nouriſhed and increaſed by the ſame meanes whereby they were firſt begun in vsus. Neither are we to diſpute of the excellency and power of other means in themſelues, or compared with this, ſeeing neither this, nor any other worke by any inherent vertue in themſelues, but as they are Gods ordinances, which by his bleſſing attaine to their ends, and are made powerfull and effectuall by the inward operation of his holy Spirit, to worke and increaſe grace and ſanctification in vsus. And therefore ſeeing the Lord hath ordained in all ages, not onelyonly that his Word ſhould be read for the edification of his people, but alſo that it ſhould bee expounded to their vnderſtanding, and applyed to their particular vſe, (as we ſee in the example of the Prieſts in the dayes of Nehemiah, who cauſed the people to vnderſtand Nehem. 8. 8, 9.the Law, and not onelyonly reade the Booke of Gods Law diſtinctly, but alſo gaue the ſenſe, and cauſed them to vnderſtand the reading: And in the practice of our Sauiour Chriſt and his Apoſtles, who when the Law and Luk. 4. 18, 19.Prophets were read to the people, contented not themſelues therewith, but expounded and applyed them to their vſe, according to the cuſtome Act. 13. 15.of thoſe times) let not vsus therefore take vponupon vsus to bee wiſer then God, ſuppoſing that we can doe his worke better by tooles of our owne chuſing, then by the meanes and inſtruments which hee hath ordained and ſanctified, ſeeing nothing can bee done in this ſupernaturall worke of grace, without Gods bleſſing, which we may expect with moſt aſſurance in the vſe of his owne ordinances. So that if either wee deſire the new birth of grace, or being borne, to grow therein from one degree to another, let vsus conſcionably vſe the miniſtery of the Word to both theſe ends. Neither let vsus thinke that being once regenerate, we may grow vp of our ſelues by ſole vertue of thoſe principles then infuſed vntounto vsus, and need no further the miniſtery of the Word to preſerue vsus in that ſtate and being. For as the child new borne, cannot long continue in life by vertue of his naturall heate and moyſture, and much leſſe can grow in ſtrength and ſtature to a perfect man, vnleſſe hee receiue daily nouriſhment; ſo neither can we ſubſiſt in our ſpirituall ſtate and being, and much leſſe grow in grace vntounto a perfect age in Chriſt, vnleſſe our ſoules be duly nouriſhed with ſpirituall food, the Word of God, which is not onelyonly the immortall ſeed of which we are begotten, but our Manna and meate; milke for babes, and ſtrong meate for men growne to riper age. Eſpecially ſeeing to our naturall defects and ſinfull corruptions, which as inward impediments hinder the growth of grace in vsus, there are added the outward aſſaults of our malicious enemies, the world and the diuell, who by their tentations will keepe vsus from thriuing and increaſing, vnleſſe what is diminiſhed by their malice, bee ſupplyed plentifully by our ſpirituall nouriſhment. Neither doe I thus magnifie the miniſtery of the Word, to derogate any thing from other excellent means, as prayer, Sacraments, the reading of the Scriptures, and the reſt, but am ready to giuegive vntounto them their deſerued praiſe in their owne place. For howſoeuer, in the firſt acts of Regeneration, the preaching of the Word is the chiefe, if not ſole meanes of our new birth; For how ſhall they call vponupon him in whom they Rom. 10. 14.hauehave not beleeued? and how ſhall they beleeue in him of whom they hauehave not heard? and how ſhall they heare without a Preacher? yet in our ſpirituall growth, the other are no leſſe neceſſary for the increaſing of Gods graces in vsus, eſpecially prayer, which is an ordinary and moſt powerfull meanes to preuaile with God, for the obtaining of whatſoeuer is wanting vntounto vsus, although we cannot pray with hope to be heard, vnleſſe we pray in faith, as the Apoſtle Iames teacheth vsus, and we cannot ordinarily hauehave faith, till firſt it be wrought in vsus by the preaching of the Word. And therefore let vsus not ſet theſe meanes of grace, to contend together for eminence and excellency, and much leſſe magnifie one of them to exclude another, but acknowledging all to bee excellent and neceſſary in their place and time, let vsus carefully ioyne them all together, that being nouriſhed in our ſoules with this plenty and variety of food, we may grow vp the faſter in all grace and godlineſſe.
§. Sect. 4 What is required in the Miniſter, that by his preaching he may further the people in the duties of godlineſſe.
Now that the Miniſtery of the Word may be an effectuall meanes of grace, and of ſtrengthening vsus vntounto all holy duties of a Chriſtian life; there are ſome things required, both to the right preaching and hearing of it. VntoUnto the former, there are ſome things neceſſary in the perſon of the Preacher, and ſome things in the act and execution of his Miniſtery. In the perſon, there muſt be skill to diuide the Word aright, not onelyonly giuing a true ſenſe of it to all, but to apply a fit portion vntounto all ſorts of hearers; and a great meaſure of wiſedome and vnderſtanding, through the outward helpes of ſtudy and learning, and the inward illumination of Gods Spirit, that he may bee able to inſtruct thoſe which are ignorant; according to that in the Prophet Malachy; The Prieſts lips ſhould keepe Mal. 2. 7.knowledge, (namely, as Ioſephs corne in the ſtore-houſes for the common vſe, and not a cloſe Priſoner, with whom none may bee admitted to conferre, ſauing his Iaylour) and the people ſhould ſeeke the Law at his mouth. VntoUnto which knowledge and skill, there muſt bee added induſtrious diligence, whereby he is ready to preach the Word in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, reprouing 2. Tim. 4. 1, 2.and rebuking, with all long ſuffering and doctrine, although hee ſeeth ſmall fruit of his labours. For though the Miniſter be neuer ſo rich in the ſpirituall treaſures of learning and knowledge, yet if miſer-like, he doe not communicate them, but locketh them vp in his owne braine; the poore people are neuer the better, but may periſh in their ignorance, euen as he Ezek. 33. 8.ſhall doe in his ſloth and vnfaithfulneſſe. Thirdly, he muſt hauehave his heart affected with ſincere louelove of the people, whereby hee is mooued in all 1. Pet. 5. 1, 2.things to ſeeke their good, and to preferre their ſaluation before his owne priuate profit. The which louelove in the teacher, will make way in the hearts of his hearers, not onelyonly for his inſtructions and comforts, but alſo his admonitions and reproofes, ſeeing they come not out of any ſpleene, but out of meere louelove, and feruent deſire of ſauing their ſoules. In the act and execution of his Miniſteriall function, he is to ſpeake nothing but Gods Truth, as from him, and as before him, in his pure ſight, which diſcerneth all errour, and in his glorious preſence, who hateth and abhorreth all vanity and hypocriſie: And that not after his owne manner, chiefly ayming to magnifie himſelfe in the oſtentation of his owne learning and gifts, but in the demonſtration of the Spirit, aboue all deſiring and indeuouring to glorifie God in the ſaluation of his hearers.
§. Sect. 5 That the word muſt be preached powerfully and plainely.
Whereunto theſe two things are required; namely, that he preach the Word powerfully & plainly; powerfully to the conſciences of all, & plainly to the capacity (as much as in him lieth) of thoſe which are moſt ſimple. Of both we hauehave the Apoſtle Paul for our patterne, who though he were moſt learned aboue all other the Apoſtles, both in arts and tongues, and all other learning of the Iewes, yet came not in excellency of ſpeech, nor the 1. Cor. 2. 1, 2, 4.inticing words of mans wiſedome, but in demonſtration of the Spirit and of power; deſiring to know nothing (that is, to make ſhew of no other knowledge) ſauing Ieſus Chriſt and him crucified; and preferring fiue words ſpoken to the vnderſtanding 1. Cor. 14. 19.of his hearers, aboue ten thouſand in an vnknowne tongue. Yea, we hauehave heerein our Sauiour Chriſt himſelfe, as our Precedent, who preached the Word, not like the Scribes and Phariſes (after a ieiune and Scholaſticall manner) but with all power and authority. And though hee were the wiſedome of his Father, in whom all treaſures of knowledge and learning were Col. 2. 3.hid; and the word of his Father, exceeding in ſound eloquence both men and Angels, yet preached the Word in a plaine phraſe and humble manner of ſpeech, not reſpecting what hee was able to ſpeake, but what his Diſciples were able to heare, conceiue, and carry away; like a louing and Mar. 4. 33. Ioh. 16. 12.carefull nurſe, chawing the harder and ſtronger meate in his mouth, that they might the better receiue it, whilſt he explained more difficult points, by eaſie and familiar ſimilitudes. Neither had hee onelyonly care of more thorowly informing thoſe who were men growne in knowledge, by teaching them the high and hidden myſteries of his Kingdome, but alſo of Ioh. 3. 3, 4, 5.inſtructing his little children and yong nouices in the firſt principles of true Religion, as it was propheſied of him by Eſayas, All thy children ſhall Eſa. 54. 13.be taught of the Lord, and great ſhall be their peace. And like a faithfull and Ioh. 6. 45.carefull Shepheard, hee did not onelyonly apply himſelfe to feed his whole flock, but extended his care and louelove chiefly to his yonglings, gathering his Eſa. 40. 11.Lambes with his arme, and carrying them in his boſome, and gently leading thoſe which were great with yong. The which care and charge, when hee was to aſcend on high, hee deputed to the Apoſtle Peter, and in him to all the whole Miniſtery, that they ſhould feed his tender Lambes, as well as his older and ſtronger Sheepe. And therefore though the ouer-wiſe Grecians account the ſimple preaching of Chriſt crucified, fooliſhneſſe; and the learned 1. Cor. 1. 23.Doctors of the world make themſelues ſport with this eaſie plaineneſſe: Let all that truely feare God, chuſe rather to imitate Chriſt and his Apoſtles in their courſe of preaching, labouring to ſpeake vntounto the capacity of the meaneſt and ſimpleſt, ſeeing the charge of their ſoules is commended vntounto them by our great Shepheard, as well as theirs who are of greateſt vnderſtanding, and the ſoules of all being alike deare vntounto God, they ſhall giuegive account of one as well as of another, of the little Lambes, as well as of the Rammes of the flocke. And ſeeing we muſt not only take care for our ſelues, that wee may goe to heauen alone, but are appointed Captaines and Leaders of Gods Armies, wee muſt not skorne plaine wayes, wherein all our company may goe with vsus, the weake and ſicke, as well as the ſtrong and healthy; and mount aloft in learned diſcourſes and Scholaſticall ſpeculations (as it were vponupon the Alpes) which are no leſſe high aboue their capacity, then cold and heartleſſe, giuing no warmth to their zeale and deuotion; or trauell in the craggy and rough wayes of knottie controuerſies, needleſſe genealogies, and abſtruſe difficulties, where wee ſhall leaue all our hearers afarre off behind vsus: but chuſe rather ſuch faire wayes and beaten paths, as will bring vsus and our company with vsus, with moſt ſpeed and ſafety to the end of our iourney. For though heereby we cannot commend our ſtrength and ſwiftneſſe, though we outrun others that hauehave ſet out before vsus, becauſe they go in mountainous wayes, & farre about, yet we ſhall commend our wiſedome and prudence, in that we hauehave choſen the faireſt and neereſt way. And ſurely if an vnpartiall view were taken of ſeuerall congregations, and iuſt tryal made, whether thoſe hauehave beſt thriuen in the Chriſtian growth, who hauehave bin diligently fed with ordinary food and daily bread, or thoſe who are ſometimes feaſted with a banket of delicate diſhes; I doubt not but it would be found, that as ſometime Daniel Dan. 1. 15.and his fellows, that fed vponupon plaine pulſe, which God had ſanctified to their vſe, were fatter and in better liking then they that did eate the portion of the kings meate: ſo thoſe people and Pariſhes would be found more thriuing Chriſtians, both in knowledge & practice, who are fed with the pulſe of plaine Preaching, & with wholſome, though homely food, becauſe they can feed vponupon it, and better diſgeſt it, then others that hauehave a kingly portion of abſtruſe learning, wit, and eloquence, ſometimes (though rarely) allowed vntounto them, ſeeing they are meates of too hard diſgeſtion for their weake ſtomakes, cauſing crudities, humorous and ill-concocted conceits, and ſeldome affording any wholeſome nouriſhment.
§. Sect. 6 Of the duties of the people, reſpecting the Miniſtery of the Word.
The conſideration whereof, as it ſhould effectually moue Gods Miniſters to take ſuch a courſe in their preaching, as is moſt fit and profitable for 1. Cor. 9. 22.their hearers, and denying themſelues, and the praiſe of their great learning and gifts in the worke of their Miniſtery, to become as weake to thoſe that are weake, that they may gaine them to Chriſt; ſo alſo ſhould it moue the people, who deſire to bee built vp in ſauing knowledge, and in the practice of all holy duties belonging to a godly life, to affect ſuch teachers, as being learned and ſufficient, doe conſcionably apply themſelues to their capacity, for their inſtruction and edification. To which purpoſe, they muſt ſtriue with God in their feruent prayers, that he will ſend ſuch labourers into Mat. 9. 38.his harueſt; and in humility and ſubmiſſiue obedience, as their place and calling wil permit, labour by earneſt ſuite with ſuperiour Magiſtrates ouer Church and Common wealth, and eſpecially with Patrones and diſpoſers of Church-preferments, that they will prouide and ſet ouer them ſuch faithfull and painefull Paſtours, as will feed them with food conuenient for the preſeruing of their ſoules in ſpirituall life, and the nouriſhing and increaſing of Gods graces in them; not fooliſhly affecting and admiring (as it is common with thoſe that are moſt ignorant) ſuch teachers, as deſiring the praiſe of their great learning, more then the ſaluation of their peoples ſoules, doe moſt exceed the ſhort reach of their ſhallow capacities; like vntounto cold ſtomacks, which hauehave a greedy appetite after meates of hard diſgeſtion, but when they hauehave receiued them, for want of naturall heate turne them into wind, which affecteth their braine with noyſome vapours, and are not able to conuert them into any wholeſome nouriſhment. Secondly, their care muſt be, as much as in them lyeth, and the neceſſary preſeruation of their ſtate will ſuffer them, to place themſelues vnderunder ſuch a Miniſtery, as will helpe them forward in their ſpirituall thrift and growth of grace, and counting (according to Maries choyce, and our Sauiours approbation) this one thing neceſſary, let them preferre it before all worldly Luk. 10. 42.things; as fertile ſoyles, good ayre, well-ſeated houſes and ſhops fit for trading, delightfull walkes and proſpects, and plentifull prouiſion for houſe-keeping; which without the other, may make full purſes and Barnes, but hearts empty of all grace and goodneſſe; healthy and well-liking bodies, but hunger-ſtarued, leane and ſickly ſoules. Thirdly, they muſt ioyne their coſt with their care, and like the wiſe Merchant, eſteeme this Mat. 13. 44, 45.precious pearle and hid treaſure, aboue all other their poſſeſſions; they muſt, if it be in their power, purchaſe it at any rate, ſeeing it only can make them truely rich, according to the counſell of the Wiſeman; Buy the truth, Pro. 23. 23.and ſell it not; thinking that part of their wealth well ſpared, which ſerueth as a meanes to bring them vntounto the right vſe of all the reſt, and to inrich their ſoules with the incomparable treaſures of Gods ſauing graces, whereby they are ſtrengthened to the wiſe performance of all Chriſtian duties. Fourthly, hauing Miniſters, though not eminent and excellent in their gifts, yet of ſome good towardlineſſe and willingneſſe to grow vntounto more perfection, they muſt giuegive them no diſcouragements, by their bitter cenſures, awke and froward carriage, backwardneſſe to pay vntounto them their right, or running from them vponupon eueryevery ſlight occaſion to heare others; but rather they muſt nouriſh and cheriſh the good things which they ſee in them, that they may increaſe more and more, by ſhewing all louelove and kindneſſe, due reuerence and reſpect; eſpecially by regarding them in the worke of their Miniſtery, and hearing them with all diligence, conſtancie, and attention. For by thus drawing the breſts of their ſpirituall nurſes, they ſhall bring downe their milke, and cauſe it to increaſe and abound, at leaſt, to a ſufficiency of nouriſhment, whereas if it be not ſucked, it will curdle in the breſt, and make them heart-ſicke to be thus neglected, or elſe in ſhort time turne backe, and quite drying vp, leaue vntounto them no nouriſhment at all. Finally, when God hath prouided for them ſuch as are eminent in their gifts, and painefull in their Miniſtery, labouring in word and doctrine, and going out and in before them as good guides in their gouernement, and holy example, they muſt not grudge to giuegive them the double honour of reuerence and maintenance, and together with the heauy waight of their Miniſtery, ſuffer them to lye gaſping and groning vnderunder the burthen of pouerty and contempt, but giuegive them all good incouragement, not thinking much, that thoſe who impart vntounto them heauenly treaſures, ſhould be 1. Cor. 9. 11.partakers with them of their earthly bleſſings: but eſpecially, they muſt labour to profit by their paines, in knowledge and fruitfull obedience, which is the ioy of their hearts, the life of their life, and the Crowne of 2. Cor. 3. 1. Phil. 4. 1.their Miniſtery; leſt when they ſee that they ſow all their good ſeed in barren ſoyles, and with the Prophet, and our Sauiour Chriſt himſelfe, hauehave iuſt cauſe to complaine, that they hauehave laboured and ſpent their ſtrength in Eſa. 49. 4.vaine, they be forced to make choyce of better and more fruitfull grounds, and to imploy their labours in ſome other place, where they may more glorifie God, and receiue more ioy and comfort to their owne hearts.