The Pastors Charge and the Peoples Duty, Chapter 4

The Pastors Charge and the Peoples Duty · Chapter 4

p. 51CAP. IV. The firſt part of the Paſtor's Charge, viz. To Feed the Flock.

THE next Ʋſe that I ſhall make of this Doctrine, ſhall be of Exhortation; which I ſhall direct

1. To Paſtors.

2. To People.

1. To Paſtors. Reverend! and Beloved! Gods Providence, and your Call having laid this duty upon me, the unworthieſt and unfitteſt of all my Brethren; I dare not but be faithful, according to my meaſure, both to my ſelf, and to you: as my own Monitor, and your Remembrancer.

Are we indeed ſome of thoſe, to whom the Charge of Feeding and Governing the Flock of Chriſt, both his Lambs, and his Sheep, is committed? O let us then take heed to the Miniſtry, p. 52which we have received in the LORD, that we fulfil it. You know whoſe Admonition this was, and to whom, it was ſent, Col. 4.17. Nor need I tell you, that it as much concerns us, as ever it did Archippus. The Miniſtry which we have received in the LORD. In the Name, and by the Authority, and in the Houſe of the LORD; and the concerns of his Houſe. Or from the LORD, and for the LORD: that we fulfil it; diſcharge every part of it with fulneſs of diligence, fidelity, and care, to the utmoſt of our Underſtanding and Power, with all impartiality, aſſiduity, and perſeverance to the end. But this is yet too general. The Object of our Charge, you ſee, is double. foreign, The Lambs, and the Sheep, and ſo is the Act double; foreign, Feed and Rule, as was before expounded.

I ſhall firſt conſider the Object, and then ſute my Exhortation according to the Act that reſpectively concerns it. And,

1. The Lambs. The younger ſort, p. 53both in reſpect of Age, and in reſpect of Grace. Here I would fain ſpend ſome time; but conſidering to whom I am ſpeaking, I can the more contentedly contract my ſelf. Sirs! you ſee, our LORD will not have theſe neglected; but hath given them firſt in his Charge to us. Feed my Lambs. Every wiſe Shepherd is wont to be very fond of his Lambs, and knows 'tis his Intereſt ſo to be, and ſhould not we? Our LORD himſelf the Great Shepherd, gathers them with his Arm, and carries them in his Boſom, and ſhould not we do ſo? He ſhew'd a peculiar delight he had in Little Ones, while he was here in the Fleſh, Mat. 19.13, 14. Mar. 10. 13, 14. Luk. 18.15, 16. ch. 9.47, 48. Mat. 21.16. And ſhould not we be herein, like our LORD and Maſter?

1. Then, let us take them as one ſpecial, I had almoſt ſaid, the only hopeful part of our Charge; I mean, as to converting work, and put them into our daily Prayers and Interceſſions at the Throne of Grace, if ſo be there may be hope in our End, and the next p. 54Generation may be better than their Fathers have been. There are ſome, who are Ignorantly enough influenced by Anabaptiſtical Principles, that will hardly allow the Lambs, in this ſenſe, to be any part of our Charge. I ſhall not meddle with that Bone of Contentìon now, and hope there are no Delirìums of this kind in any of our Brains. Tho' thoſe that are under their firſt Convictions, and are young in the Faith, may, improperly, be called Lambs, yet theſe are they, who, in Scripture Language, are ſaid to be with Young, and are plainly diſtinguiſhed from the Lambs, Iſa. 40.11. 'Tis ſtrange that any, but the Devil, ſhould quarrel at this part of our Work.

2. As part of our Charge, let us take all proper and rational Methods, that lye within our reach, and their capacity, to teach and inſtruct them in all the neceſſary points of the Chriſtian Religion, both Doctrinal and Practical. This was the Command of God by Moſes, and the conſtant practice of the Conſcientious in that Church. And p. 55herein the firſt and pureſt, the beſt ſettled and moſt thriving Churches of the Gentiles have been exemplarily diligent, and eminently ſucceſsful; nor was there ever any Age more plentifully furniſhed with ſuch helps, and plain Catechiſtical Syſtems of ſound words to this purpoſe, than is the Age we live in, which, if diligently and duely improv'd, may yet ſave us a Remnant, and be as a Nail given us in his Holy Place: a happy preſage of a work of Reformation, if not in this, yet in the next Generation. But here theſe five words of caution may be neceſſary.

1. That their memories be ſo imploy'd, as not to be over burden'd, a due regard being had to that inſuperable difference, which Nature hath made in the diſtribution of this Faculty. Tho' ſloth or dullneſs ought not to excuſe, yet the burden ſhould not be made too heavy. We muſt drive as Jacob did, Gen. 33.13. as the weak and tender of the Flock can bear. Prudence muſt be applied here.

p. 562. That they do not reſt in the bare exerciſe of Memory, as Children are exceeding apt to do; but that our beſt endeavours to be uſed, to conveigh the Notions of Divine Truths, as they are capable, into their Underſtandings, which will be no little help and advantage to a weak Memory. And herein ſhould our skill and condeſcenſion appear in plainneſs and familiarity of expreſſion; yet with that ſeriouſneſs, ſweetneſs, and gravity, as doth become our Perſons and Office. And in order hereto, an account ſhould be taken of them, by ſuch other eaſie queſtions, as are not formally learnt, but plainly included in, and may readily be anſwered by what is ſo learnt, for the trial and exerciſe of their Intellectuals. Of which kind alſo we have made ready to our hands, the uſeful labours of divers, who have travell'd in this Province, on that excellent Compendium of Theology, compos'd by the Reverend Aſſembly of Divines at WEST MINSTER: and which hath deſervedly obtain'd the general acceptance of all the Orthodox in the Proteſtant Churches.

p. 573. Becauſe we know, that the Devil will be Catechizing the Heart, in theſe Young Ones, while we are Cathechizing the Ear, and the common Underſtanding; and will be digging his Countermines againſt us, in the hidden parts of the Soul, and doubling his Fortifications on the Ground of a depraved Nature; we ſhould endeavour, with all our Holy Art, to make them ſenſible of their particular and real concern in theſe things of God, and of their Souls; ſo that their Conſciences may be awaken'd and rouz'd, and the happy Foundations of a ſerious, as well as early Religion be laid in them. And perhaps we may find greater ſucceſs herein than we are aware of, or are apt to hope for. Conſcience is as natural to them as Reaſon, and ſhould be nouriſh'd up with it, and as we find in all other things, the younger, the more tender, and eaſie to be wrought upon. Tho' Fear be ſaid, by the Atheiſtical Philoſopher, to be that which firſt made, that it (in their ſenſe) fancied and imagined, God, in the World; yet were it not for this Connatural Principle of Conſcience, Fear p. 58would not make that clear and abiding Impreſſion on the Rational Nature, as it doth. Unleſs we manage our work with them ſo, as is proper to effect the grand Deſign of their Converſion, we do nothing to any good purpoſe; but loſe our propereſt and moſt acceptable time of doing their Souls that good, for which they may bleſs God for us in the upper World.

4. We ſhould reſt with them, in the Doctrinal, or Theoretical part; but eſpecially inſiſt on the Practicals of Religion; and with ſuch plain and ſuitable applications, as are more obvious to their weak Underſtandings; that ſo they may come to perceive the end and uſe of their Inſtruction and Knowledge, and a Harmony may be form'd in them betimes, & abovo, between their Principles and their Practices Which is the moſt hopeful way to obviate that common Cavil of the World againſt Early Piety, grown into a Proverb, A young Saint, and an old Hypocrite.

5. Our Carriage towards them, and p. 59Care for them ſhould in all reſpects be ſuch, as may engage their Affections; which are naturally more early and readily exerted, than acts of Judgment and Underſtanding; that they may, as ſoon as poſſible, come to taſte the ſweetneſs of the ways of God. By ſuch an advantage as this, you know, it is, that our Enemy, the Devil, is wont to be beforehand with us; by inflaming the ſenſual Appetite, and engaging the Affections, and corrupting the Will with the carnal pleaſures of Sin, and the Luſts of the Fleſh, before the Judgment is enlightned, or the Conſcience awaken'd to diſcern, and to reſiſt the Temptations, wherewith he is too hard for them. Herein then it is good policy to prevent him. When we have gotten the Hearts of our Little Ones, with what pleaſure, and zeal, and innocent emulation will they go on in their work, which will make it much the eaſier both to themſelves, and to us. I could enlargehere; but that I know to whom I am ſpeaking, Verbum ſatis ſapientibus.

2. The other part of our Charge are p. 60the Sheep; and here, as I have ſaid, is double work. Theſe muſt both be Fed, and Rul'd.

1. They muſt be Fed. 'Tis my comfort, that I am now ſpeaking to ſuch, as God hath made both able and apt ſo to do; and who, I hope, have no need of my Directions in it, or Spurs to it. Wherefore I ſhall only hint at ſome few more general heads of the things you much better underſtand than my ſelf.

1. They muſt be fed with wholeſome Food; The ſincere Milk of the Word, foreign, ſound, pure, and inadulterated Doctrine, Divine and Scripture Truths; the Bread of Life, of Heavens preparing; and not the viſions of our own Hearts. Unwholeſome Food breeds Diſeaſes, and ſometimes ends in Death. The Shepherd were as good ſtarve his Flock, as poiſon it. O how dangerous then is blindneſs, or giddineſs, or ſelf-will in a Spiritual Guide! What need have we with unprejudiced minds, to ſtudy the Holy p. 61Scriptures, to take heed of raſhneſs, or ſingularity in the …otions that we eſpouſe? To Watch and Pray for that Spirit of Truth, which is promiſed us of God to guide us into all Truth, that we do not gather wild Gourds, inſtead of wholeſome Herbs for the Pot? Miſtakes in matters of Doctrine, wherein the Life of Souls is concerned, are of very evil conſequence.

2. They muſt be fed with plain Food. The plaineſt food, ſo that it be wholeſome, clean and duely prepar'd, is the moſt healthy and nouriſhing. The true Subſtantial Houſhold-bread is fitteſt for the Houſhold of God. Not Airy Notions, nor doubtful Queſtions of Polemical, or State Divinity, which foment Factions and vain janglings, and fill our Auditors with Wind and Aſhes. How jealous was the Apoſtle of the Churches which he had planted in the plainneſs and ſimplicity of the Goſpel, leſt any ſhould ſpoil them thro' Philoſophy? Col. 2.8. The Churches of Chriſt have been but little beholden to School Divinity, which hath proved but as a Garment p. 62of Linnen and Woollen, or as an Ox and an Aſs in Gods Plough. Alas! my Brethren, our poor Auditors, for the moſt part of them, can't digeſt theſe quaint Terms and critical diſtinctions; they are Husks and Stones to them, and not Bread; that which may nouriſh, or at leaſt pleaſe us, will choak them; what may be Orthodox in it ſelf, and in our ſublimer ſenſe, may be Heterodox, and worſe to them, becauſe they can't reach it: and this may be one reaſon among others, why our LORD choſe not his Apoſtles out of the Schools of the Learned, but from among the Fiſher Boats and poor Mechanicks; that the ſimplicity of the Goſpel might not be loſt in the Airy Clouds of vain Philoſophy. Neither doth the affected curioſity of flo…id, enticing words of man's Wiſdom, become our Sacred Function. Theſe are things too carnal, to be bleſt with the demonſtration of the Spirit, and of Power. 'Tis true, a genuine elegance of Speech, and readineſs of utterance is a gift, that deſerves not to be deſpiſed, but the more it is, or ſeems to be affected, or ſtudied, p. 63the more it looks like a vain Pomp of Words, and loſes both its value and efficacy.

3. Their Food muſt be ſuitable and ſeaſonable; elſe it will breed a Nauſeam, flatulent Crudities. and Surfeits. Herein is ſeen very much of the Wiſdom and Faithfulneſs of a Steward, to give to the Houſhold, their meat in due ſeaſon, Mat. 24.45. With what ſtrength of Argument doth Paul cloath this advice of his to Timothy, 2 Tim. 2.15. Study to ſhew thy ſelf approved unto God, a Workman that needeth not to be aſhamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth, aptly and ſeaſonably applying to every one his Portion. A word fitly ſpoken, foreign ſuper rotis ſuis, rotunde, rempeſtive, & quibus modis dici debet, with the prudent obſervation of preſent circumſtances, is like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver. Nothing can be more lovely, or acceptable. This is ſpoken of Chriſt, as one eminent part of the glory and excellency of his Goſpel Miniſtry, Iſa. 50.4. The LORD GOD hath given me the Tongue of the learned, that I know how to ſpeak a word in Seaſon to him that is weak. A healing word to the broken in Heart; p. 64a word of Inſtruction to the Ingnorant; of Conviction to the Secure; of Confutation to Seducers; of Reduction and Confirmation to the Seduced, and Weak; and of Terrour to the Obſtinate and Impenitent, and to all theſe, ſo ſeaſonably, ſuitably, and prudently, that it may not be the caſting of Pearl before Swine. To this end a Paſtor muſt ſtudy Men and Things, as well as Books and Notions. Muſt know, and obſerve, and ſute himſelf to the ſtate of his Flock; and the particular tempers of thoſe whom he hath to do. Of ſome have compaſſion, making a difference. And others ſave with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the Garments ſpotted by the Fleſh, Jud. 22.23. What will heal one, will but exaſperate another; and what will inflame one will but awaken another; and what will be hearkened to at one time, will be rejected at another. Herein is need of your Wiſdom, Fidelity, Patience, and indefatigable Induſtry.

4. Their Food muſt be gently cleanſing and healing; like the Leaves of the Tree of Life, which were for the healing of the Nations; Rev. 22.2. The LORD p. 65knows, the Flock is feeble and ſickly; daily liable to a thouſand diſeaſes and diſaſters. When-ever we walk among them, we hear their complaints; or, which is worſe, we ſee, to our grief, the evident ſymptoms of the foul and dangerous diſeaſes they lye under, and hardly ſenſe enough to complain. Their Food muſt be Medicinal, as well as Nouriſhing. We had need to be Phyſicians, as well as Shepherds: Yea, all the Shepherds of Chriſt's ſending are ſo. Men will not commit the Care of their Flocks to ſuch, as can only drive them, and fleece them; but to ſuch as underſtand what is healthy and beſt for them, and what their common Maladies are, and how to cure them: And is not Chriſt as tender of his Flock, as Men are of theirs? See Ezek. 34. per totum. There you may read what God ſays in this caſe, both of his Shepherds, and of his Sheep: The diſeaſed have ye not ſtrengthened, neither have ye healed that which was ſick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken—but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them; v. 4. Therefore I am p. 66againſt the Shepherds; and I will require my Flock at their hand, and cauſe them to ceaſe from feeding the Flock; v. 10. O my Brethren! the Charge of our LORD's Flock is tremendouſly great and weighty: Immortal Souls are of an ineſtimable value. And if we conſider the preſent State of the Churches; the lamentable Breaches, and Spiritual Diſeaſes of all kinds, that are upon them, and the great Diſpleaſure that is ſignified from Heaven againſt them; how can it but kindle our Compaſſions, and quicken our Zeal, not only to bewail the hurt of the Daughter of Zion; but to apply all thoſe proper Remedies, that lye within our reſpective capacities; and humbly to implore the Divine Aſſiſtance, to make all our Medicines and Methods ſucceſful? But in dangerous and complicated Caſes, how wary and very watchful muſt that Phyſician be, that makes Conſcience of ſhedding Blood! Healing without cleanſing, will but make them the more rotten; and cleanſing without healing, will exaſperate the ill humours, and caſt them out of one Diſeaſe p. 67into another, and perhaps worſe. But I deſign not, and hope I need not to multiply words to you, my Brethren, who are fitter to give, than to receive Advice in this caſe, from ſuch a one as I. And all this muſt be done;

1. Impartially; both as to Perſons and Things. An allowed partiality is inconſiſtent with ſincerity; and as great a ſtubling block, in ſome caſes, as we can lay before the feet of thoſe, that are apt to ſtumble. I know 'tis hard to Fleſh and Blood, to walk upright on ſo uneven a ground as we have, now a long time, been treading; and cannot but dolefully reſent the Temptations that too many are expoſed to, thro' the hard circumſtances of their conditions in the World. Though all that looks like partiality, be not ſo; Prudence directing, and that with warrant from Scripture, to make a difference, and not to uſe the ſame Meaſures with one, as with another; yet the ſelfiſh Spirit of Envy, Cenſoriouſneſs and Ignorance, that is in the World, is always ready to take offence, where there is none p. 68given. It concerns us therefore, that with holy watchfulneſs and unbyaſſed reſolution, abandoning all baſe Reſpects, and private Intereſts, we ſo comport our ſelves in all caſes, and towards all perſons, as that our hearts may have no cauſe to reproach us ſo long as we live.

2. Experimentally and Practically. Thou that teacheſt another, teacheſt thou not thy ſelf? Our Sermons, in their moſt preſſing and practical Applications, ſhould be firſt, and eſpecially Preacht to our own hearts; that from the heart, they may warmly reach the hearts of our Hearers. Like good Nurſes; we ſhould firſt taſte and chew the Meats that we feed our Children with. 'Tis ſhameful and dreadful, for one that is called a Miniſter of Chriſt, to be able to ſpeak of Spiritual things only by hear-ſay, or by Books. Every Scribe which is inſtructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an houſholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treaſure things new and old, Matth. 13.52. foreign, the good Treaſure, or Treaſury p. 69of the heart; as cap. 12.35. A Jewel in the head, and Poiſon in the heart, is worſe than a Toad in God's Eye. Turpe eſt doctori, &c. The Miniſters of Chriſt muſt be Enſamples to the Flock, 1 Pet. 5.3. And wherein? In Word, in Converſation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity, 1 Tim. 4.12. Their Lives muſt teach, as well as their Lips. They muſt Lead, as well as give the Word of Command; that they may be able to ſay, Be ye followers of us, as we are alſo of Chriſt.

3. Prudently. The imprudent management of a Truſt, is one way of betraying it. Thoſe that live in a Subtil and Serpentine Age, had need to be wiſe as Serpents. Who then is a faithful and wiſe Servant? foreign, Matth. 24.45. Where theſe Qualifications are well met, they make the happieſt conjunction in the Heavens of the Church. A Man may be learned, and yet not prudent; witty, and yet not wiſe; honeſt, and yet not diſcreet; good Scholars, and yet no good Pilots; zealous, but not according to knowledge. p. 70'Tis pity that Chriſtian Prudence ſhould be abuſed; that ſo noble and generous a Virtue ſhould be enſlav'd, and degenerate into Vice; or that which is ſo eminently uſeful, and abſolutely neceſſary, ſhould get an ill name. But tho' it do indeed too often deſerve to be ſo cenſured; yet it is apparent enough, that thoſe that have the leaſt ſhare of it, are the moſt forward, and the moſt unreaſonable in their uncharitable Cenſures. 'Tis as natural and common for the weak (who are worſt able, and have leaſt reaſon) to Judge; as it is for the ſtrong, to Deſpiſe. It concerns us then to be very wary that we ſteer aright between the two Extreams in this caſe. Let our Prudence be founded in an holy Integrity, and exerciſed with due regard to the Rules of Charity; and then we need not value the Cenſures of Men, nor fear any juſt Cenſures of Conſcience.

4. Diligently. An Office of great Truſt and Importance, requires great diligence. Where there are many Enemies, there muſt be the more watching. p. 71No Office in the World is of like importance to this Are Princes God's Vicegerents upon Earth; the Repreſentatives and Upholders of his Authority amongſt Men? It is but in Temporalibus, & circa Sacra. The Faithful Miniſters of Chriſt are his Ambaſſadors, repreſent his Perſon, and execute his Office, in the concerns of an higher nature. Better there were neither Princes, nor People, nor Sun, nor Moon, nor Stars, nor Viſible Heavens, nor Earth, than that there ſhould be no Goſpel Preacht to fallen Man; no way of Salvation opened by and thro' a Saviour; and no Means diſcovered of eſcaping the Miſeries, and obtaining the Happineſs of that Eternal State in the next Life. Better no Temporal Kingdom of Men, than no Spiritual Kingdom of Chriſt in the World. Nor is there any other Office, or Intereſt in the World that hath ſuch, and ſo many Enemies. That Spirit of Malignity which was breathed from Hell, thro' that crooked Serpent in Paradiſe, hath leavened the whole Maſs of Mankind, and is ſtill working in the Children of Diſobedience. p. 72The Dragon and his Angels are engaged in this War; Enemies that never ſlumber nor ſleep; that never tire, nor deſert. The Earth is full, and the Air is full; yea not only the Heathen World, but the Church it ſelf is full of theſe Enemies. And more ways they have to make their Aſſaults, and to proſecute their Deſtructive Counſels, viſibly and inviſibly, by force and by fraud, than it is eaſie to enumerate, or to diſcover. And alas! what are we in oppoſition to ſuch an Enemy, but as Iſrael before the Syrians, like two little Flocks of Kids, but the Syrians filled the Countrey? 1 King. 20.27. How many ways might I eaſily enlarge on the greatneſs of this Importance? But I will not pretend to inſtruct my Inſtructers. Where the Enemies are mighty, and many, and vigilant, the ſtrength, or ſtratagems to oppoſe them ſmall, the time ſhort, the conſequence everlaſting, and the loſs irrepairable, there is need of Diligence.

5. Couragiouſly. The Miniſtry is a Warfare; a Service of hardſhips and p. 73hazards. Courage becomes a Souldier; much more an Officer. The Coward is not far from a Traitor. They are commonly principl'd alike, and there is but the odds of a Temptation between the one and the other. Courage is the Life of a Souldier, and one of the ſureſt Pledges of Victory. When God ſent forth his Servant Joſhua, and gave him a Commiſſion to lead his People over Jordan, to their promiſed Poſſeſſion; though he had aſſured him of his ſpecial Preſence with him; yet knowing what is in the heart of the beſt of Men, he ſaw it needful to inculcate this Charge on him, no leſs than three times in one ſhort Speech; Joſh. 1.6. Be ſtrong and of a good Courage. Only be thou ſtrong and very couragious. Verſ. 7. Have not I commanded thee? Be ſtrong, and of a good Courage; be not afraid, Verſ. 9.

This may ſerve to caution us, both of giving way to our own fears; and of preſuming on our own ſtrength. Bold Peter was as eaſily overcome, as one of a more daſtardly ſpirit could have been. My Dear Brethren! I know I need not read you a Lecture p. 74of Chriſtians Courage. You have ſeen the high and terrible hand, wherewith our God hath led us theſe thirty years, thro' many Temptations and Tryals of Affliction, that have befallen us in this Wilderneſs: We will not ſpit on God's Rod now, nor aggravate our paſt Sufferings to the reproach of the guiltieſt of Inſtruments; but will here ſet up to the LORD, our Eben-ezer, who hath hitherto helped us. And from the times that have paſſed over us, let us receive inſtruction for whatſoever doth yet abide us. 'Tis neceſſary that our Faith and Patience have foreign, their perfect work, their perfecting and crowning work: O let not the preſent Calm effeminate our Courage, nor tranſport it to any wrathful Indecencies; but let us preſs on, with our Loyns always girt in the way of our duty, if the will of God be ſo, prepared with an unſhaken reſolution for hotter Services, and ſorer Tryals, than yet we have been called unto.

6. Compaſſionately. O Sirs! what Object is there in the World, that ſo cries p. 75for our pity and help, as the wretched Soul that is periſhing by his own hands? That is ready to ſtarve, and die eternally for want of Bread? That is blind, and running on ignorantly, and preſumptuouſly on everlaſting deſtruction, and ſporting with his own damnation? That is caught in the ſnares of the Devil, and cannot eſcape? Or, that is held on the torturing Rack of a ſelf-condemning Conſcience? That is plung'd in the amazing Horrours of Deſpair, and would give all the World for one glimpſe of hope, whoſe groans and complaints are able to break an heart of Flint? And is it not with ſuch as theſe that we have to do? Are not the moſt of Men in one or other of theſe Extreams? either ſenſleſs, or raving? too confident, or too diffident? Are not ſuch as theſe to be pitied? How can our bowels but be in pain for them? Have we our ſelves had the experience of ſuch a caſe, and can we make light of it? Yea, the Relation wherein we ſtand towards them, calls for our compaſſion, as we are their Fathers, their Nurſes, their Shepherds, p. 76their Phyſicians. And what a pattern of Compaſſion have we in our deareſt LORD and Maſter! wherein it is our Duty and Glory to imitate him, as Paul did, Phil. 1.8. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jeſus Chriſt. The leſs of Compaſſion, the more like the Devil.

7. Patiently. We are hence called of God, as Souldiers, to militate in the Kingdom and Patience of Jeſus Chriſt; and we muſt expect to endure hardneſs, as our LORD, for our ſakes, and for our Example hath done before us, No ſort of Men in the World have more need of Patience, than we; and that not only with relation to them without; but to them within. From thoſe without; what ſcorn and contempt, what ſlanders and reproaches, what envy and oppoſition, what plottings and perſecutions, and railing and rage muſt we look for? How hard and how long muſt we labour to recover one dead Soul to life? What difficulties muſt we break thro' to reſcue one poor Sheep out of the Dens of the Thieves, or of p. 77the Beaſts of Prey? O what need have we of Patience, to deal with blind, proud, graceleſs, hardened Sinners! Would we give the World the Journals of our Warfare; we might produce a Piece of the ſame kind with that of the Apoſtle; 2 Cor. 11.23, &c. But beſides thoſe things that are without, that which cometh unto us daily, the Care of the Churches committed of God to us: How many weak ones? how many froward, paſſionate, ſelfiſh, luke-warm and diſorderly ones have we to exerciſe our Patience with? When God's time was come, according to his Promiſe, to lead that froward, murmuring, unſtable People out of Egypt, he choſe one of the meekeſt and patienteſt Men then upon Earth to do it, Numb. 12.3. Is not this one of the moſt glorious and uſeful Pieces of our Spiritual Panoply, both as Chriſtians, and as Miniſters? Which is given us in particular Charge? 1 Tim. 6.11. Titus 2.2. And which we ſhould keep bright by daily exerciſe? O what ſad work ſhall we make, if Impatience once get the Reins of us? And hath not long Experience to p. 78our ſorrow tought us, that whatever the provocations be, fretting, and ſtorming, and paſſionate youthful heats, or capricious repartees, are a poor kind of revenge, and as unſucceſsful, as it is an irrational way to help it. A man's prevailing Paſſion is his weakneſs; which, if one have charity for himſelf, he will be careful to ſuppreſs and conceal: much leſs ſhould he, that is a Teacher of others, defile the Pulpit with the proclamation of it.

8. Laſtly, Perſeveringly. He that hath put his hand to God's Plow, muſt not look back. Tho the work be hard and painful, the difficulties great, the diſcouragements many; yet we muſt hold up, and hold on, and hold out, knowing that we ſhall reap in due ſeaſon, if we faint not. We, unto whom this ſacred Office is, according to Scripture Order committed, have our Ears bored to the Poſts of God's Sanctuary, for ſervice, durante vitâ; nor can any Creature or Authority upon Earth legally diſſolve this Bond, or ſuperſede this Commiſſion, unleſs it be in caſe of a Criminal forfeiture, p. 79as was that of Abiathar, 1 Kings 2.26, 27. or of a Natural or Moral Incapacity of diſcharging the Duties, and anſwering the Ends of the Office. The Reaſon is plain; becauſe the Office and Commiſſion is primarily, and fundamentally from God, and not from man. Neither may any one that is lawfully called to, and inveſted with it, voluntarily deſert, or alienate himſelf from it, without the dreadful guilt of Sacrilege, Apoſtacy, and Perjury: A diſpenſation of the Goſpel is committed unto me, ſays St. Paul, and a neceſſity is (thereby) laid upon me; therefore, Wo unto me, if I preach not the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 9.16, 17. As for any particular Exceptions in ſome rare and extraordinary caſes:**See Mr. G. T. Paſtor's Care and Dig. p. 14. Wherein it may be lawful for a man to lay aſide his Miniſterial Function. I ſhall not here mention, nor ſhall I now examine how far, and in what caſes it is both lawful, prudential, and expedient for the Churches peace and ſafety, to give way to the torrent of a Tide, and for a ſeaſon to ſuſpend the ordinary acts, and exerciſe of the Miniſtry; which is p. 80a caſe that hath been, and for ought we know, or for ought we have at God's hands deſerved, may again be.

But I ſhall wave this Queſtion, unleſs I were particularly call'd to it, and ſhall conclude this Chapter, with the Sixth Petition of our LORD's Prayer: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; foreign.