The Wells of Salvation Opened, Section 11 – Section 12
SECT. XI.
4. THE Fourth thing is to shew, Why Ministers must tell people Words whereby they may be saved.
Reas. 1. Because they have a Commission to do it. Mark 16.15, 16. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the World, and preach the Gospel unto every Creature; He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned. They are the words of our Saviour, who being the King and Head of the Church, had power to make Church-officers, and to give Commissions; he commissioneth his Apostles in the first place to preach the Gospel of salvation, and in them all his other succeeding Ministers unto the end of the World, with whom he promiseth to be, so long as the Sun should endure, Math. 28.20. Ministers they are Christs Ambassadours, 2 Cor. 5.20. and they have a Commission from Heaven to declare the glad tydings of salvation, to give notice to the World out of the Word, of the Saviour which God hath provided for fallen, lost sinners, and the way of salvation by him; to make known the Covenant of grace which the Lord hath made with men through his Son, and the exceeding great and precious promises of pardon, and grace, and salvation; all which promises are yea and Amen in Christ, who hath purchased with his blood whatever is promised in the Covenant. Ministers have a Commission to preach the Gospel, and they may do it authoritatively, and they ought to do it, it being their duty, and the great work they have to do in the World.
Reas. 2. Because the Lord hath qualified them for this work, not only by bringing them into a state of salvation, but also by pouring forth his Spirit more plentifully upon them, and bestowing ministerial gifts upon them, utterance in preaching, prayer, &c. for this end, that they might shew men the way of salvation.
Reas. 3. Because they must give an account of the souls which are committed to their charge, and wo be to them if they do not preach the Gospel, 1 Cor. 9.16. Ministers that neglect to shew men the way of salvation will have a fearfull account to give, they draw upon themselves the guilt of the blood of Souls. They are the Lords Watchmen, and if they do not blow the Trumpet, and tell sinners of their sin and danger, and how they may be saved by Jesus Christ, sinners indeed will dye in their sins, but their blood will the Lord require at the Watchmans hands, Ezek. 33.8. Knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord, we perswade men, saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 5.10. knowing the terrour of the Lord, not only in respect of the people which we preach unto, how terrible the Lord will be unto them at the last day, if they be found under the guilt of sin; but also knowing the terrour of the Lord in respect of our selves, how terrible the Lord will be unto us, …f we be found unfaithfull, we perswade men to endeavour their salvation, and to flee from the dreadfull wrath which is to come.
Reas. 4. Because by telling people words whereby they may be saved, Ministers may be instrumental not only to save themselves, but also to save them that hear them. God is most glorified in the salvation of Souls, and it is the greatest glory of Ministers to be made instrumental herein; it is better to be the Father of one Soul, than to be Heir to the largest Revenues upon the Earth: But if they be instrumental to turn many to Righteousness, they shall receive a Crown of glory which fadeth not away, at the appearance of the great Shepheard, 1 Pet. 5.4. they shall shine not only as the brightness of the Firmament, but also like Starrs for ever and ever, Dan. 12.3.
SECT. XII.
Vse 1. ARE Ministers to tell People Words whereby they may be saved? Hence learn what a Priviledge such People enjoy, that have liberty to hear such Ministers as are faithfull in declaring the glad tydings of salvation. We read of some temporal blessings which render a people subordinately happy, Psal. 144.12, 13, 14, 15. when their Sons spring and grow up like pleasant Plants in their Garden; when their Daughters are like the polished Corner-stones of a Palace; when their Garners are full and replenished with all manner of store; when their Sheep increase in their Fields by thousands and ten thousands; when their Oxen are strong to labour, when there is a hedge about their substance without any breaches; when there is no complaining in the streets through wrong and injury; happy are the people saith the Psalmist that are in such a case; but far more happy are the people that enjoy spiritual priviledges, that hear the joyfull sound of the Gospel, that have Ministers to shew them how they may be saved from eternal death and wrath which they have deserved, and by sin are exposed unto.
Moreover, you may here learn the reason why so many people, especially those who most seriously and earnestly desire and endeavour their salvation, choose to hear Ministers preach rather than others; because they are commissioned by the Lord to preach the Word of salvation, and their Ministry is most likely to be effectual: Others may preach without a Commission the same words and do no good, for want of Gods blessing; It is not the bare speaking the words of salvation that will bring salvation, but the revelation of Gods arm and operation of his Spirit with the Ministry of the Word: As when our Saviour raised Lazarus from the dead, he cryed with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth, and he that was dead received life, and came forth, Ioh. 11.43, 44. Others could have spoken the same words as our Saviour, and cryed over the grave with as loud a voice, Lazarus come forth, but with no effect; the dead man would have remained still in the state of the dead, whatever any man could have spoken or done; but when our Saviour spake the words, the dead man was quickened; there went forth a vertue and efficacy, a divine power and spirit with our Saviours words which raised him from the dead; so uncommissioned persons may entrench upon the work of the Ministry, and preach the Gospel, speak words of salvation, and cry to sinners to leave their sins, to arise from their spiritual death, to come forth from their graves, they may exhort them to repent and believe, that they may be saved, and yet none of their words be likely to take impression, and effect a saving change in the heart, because being out of Gods way they cannot expect Gods blessing; but Ministers are qualified and commissioned for the work, and through Gods blessing there is a life and power goeth along with their preaching, which maketh it effectual for salvation: no wonder then if such as are led by the Spirit do choose to hear Ministers preach (refusing others) that they may be safely guided by them in the way of life and salvation.