The Wells of Salvation Opened, Section 2
SECT. II.
Vse 1. FOr Reproof, doth God make use of Ministers to preach the Gospel rather than Angels? this then may reprove,
1. Such as take upon them to preach, and are no Ministers.
2. Such as take upon them to be Ministers, and are no Preachers?
3. Such as blemish their Ministry by an ungodly Conversation.
4. Such as will hearken to the Devil rather than to Ministers, though God doth employ them to preach rather than Angels.
1. This reproveth such as take upon them to preach the Gospel, and are no Ministers. And here let none mistake me, as if I spake against the preaching of any that are true Ministers of Jesus Christ, whether they be set apart for the work and office in the Episcopal or Congregational, or Presbyterian way: But I speak against the preaching of them which are no Ministers, and have no call nor commission for this work. The Angel is sent here to Cornelius, but he doth not preach the Gospel to him; yea he did not dare to do it, because he had no commission; for if the Angel had received a commission to preach, he would not have dared to have forborn: None will d…ny that the Angel had gifts sufficient, if that had been commission; but because he did not preach, it is a sign he had no commission; and if the Angel did not dare to preach when he was not commissioned, how dare uncommissioned men to do it? I speak not only of the preaching of such as are lamentably deficient in gifts (except in their own conceit) but also of the preaching of them which have good gifts (which might well and regularly be made use of in a private way) but they are of other callings in which they are commanded to abide, if they would abide with God, 1 Cor. 7.24. How dare they to entrench so far upon the office of the Ministry, as to do that which is one of the chiefest parts of the work of the Ministry, namely, to preach the Gospel? If any such should read these lines, and have an honest design in what they do, and suppose they do well herein; let them seriously consider whether they be not under a temptation of the Devil, and think of these sad consequences which have been, and may be the fruit of such mens preaching.
1. The bringing of the Ministry of Christ into disesteem. Do not such persons themselves for the most part, do not their hearers slight true Ministers? and will not this one day be accounted a slighting of Jesus Christ himself, whose Ambassadours and Representatives they are? and will such be able to give a good account hereof, who have been the occasion?
2. The weakening the hands of Christs faithfull Labourers, whom all should endeavour to encourage and strengthen in their arduous employment. I could tell you of a Lay-man, one Mr. Bernard in Wiltshire, who hath been eminently instrumental to bring much light into a corner which before was very dark, where some thousands do relish the Word and Ordinances, so that they will travail many miles to hear good Sermons, and it is judged that some hundreds in those parts have been really converted; and this work hath been effected not by Mr. Bernards preaching himself▪ though in gifts he do exceed many who intrude upon the Ministerial employment, but by calling able Ministers to preach, and standing by them, which hath (through Gods blessing) exceedingly promoted the work; whereas, if he had entrenched upon the office of the Ministry, and taken upon him to preach himself, I am perswaded he would have had as ill success as others; and we should not have had that cause of glorifying God for him, and for what hath been done by his means.
3. The encouraging of ungifted persons to preach, who in their own conceits have as good gifts as themselves, and may plead as good authority: as also the encouraging erroneous persons privily to broach false Doctrines unto the corrupting of the mindes of the hearers; and by consequence the introduction of confusion, and tearing the Church of Christ, which in the issue may prove its de…ruction.
I know that Lay-preachers will plead the practice of the Apostle Paul, who wrought in his Trade of Tent-making, whilest he was a Preacher of the Gospel. I grant that Paul was a Tent-maker, but he was called and ordained to be a Minister; and though he did practise his trade after this, yet I do not remember that he did it more than once, which was amongst the Corinthians, and that upon a special occasion, that he might preach the Gospel freely, and be like some false Teachers who boasted herein: but when did he do it again? Did he not receive maintenance from other Churches without working for his living? besides, he had extraordinary gifts by immediate inspiration, which none now may hope to obtain without the use of ordinary means. But whatever Pauls practice was, he doth never make mention of it for an example, which other Ministers should imitate him in; for when he writeth to Timothy a Minister, he enjoyneth him from the Lord to spend his whole time about his Ministry, and not in any other calling; he exhorteth him to give himself to reading, and meditation, and doctrine, to be in these things wholly, as the original word doth signifie. Moreover, the other Apostles, however they were at first Fisher-men by trade, yet when they were called to be Fishers of men, they leave their Nets, and after Christs ascension they would not so much as take upon them the work of Deacons to minister unto Widdows, why? read the reason, Act. 6.4. that they might give themselves continually to Prayer, and Ministry of the Word. Surely then it is the will of God that such as take upon them to preach, should give themselves to the Ministry of the Word, and not follow other callings. They have work enough to do in the Ministry, if they employ themselves therein conscienciously, for their whole time, had they more time than they have, they had not need to be diverted by worldly businesses; they finde it hard enough to attend upon the Lord without much distraction, that have none of these secular employments: what an unsutable frame must they be under that follow another calling all the week, and come reeking from the world, and engage to speak to people in an extemporaneous discourse? Is the Lord pleased with such Ministrations? If the Lord doth not strike such persons dead, who do thus presume to entrench upon the Levites Office, as he did Vzzah, who might have pleaded a greater seeming need of his help when the Ark did shake, and was ready to fall, than they can do, 2 Sam. 6.6, 7. Yet they are in danger of a greater spiritual Judgement than natural death, namely of being smitten with spiritual deadness; some wither strangely within, when they make a glorious outward flourish. Yet God forbid that the door of employment in the Ministry should be shut against all those that at first have been bred up in other callings; for if any L…ymen that be holy, and knowing, and have gifts and hearts for this employment, do leave their other calling, and dedicate themselves wholly to the work of the Ministry, and be tryed, and set apart according to the Rule, I should not be against their preaching; but I am verily perswaded that such transgress the rule, that take upon them to preach whilest they follow other callings. Let such examine themselves wherefore it is that they continue in their other callings; is it not from a carnal and worldly motive? is it not because worldly emolument cometh in this way? But would it not be more for their advantage, if by breaking off their trade they gained less Estate for themselves, and more souls for Jesus Christ? Let them either leave their other calling, or leave their preaching; if they have not a livelihood but by their trade, why may they not trust God for provisions as others have done? Hath not the Lord appointed that people should maintain their Ministers, and communicate unto them in carnal things who receive spiritual things, things of more worth from Ministers?
But some will pretend an extraordinary commission and call from God to preach, and this they think will bear them out in their preaching though they be no Ministers; b…t let such take heed they be not under a delusion of Sathan herein: To caution such therefore against such delusions, I shall give you a Relation which Mr. Vavasir Powel did s…nd in a Letter to a friend of his in the City, when himself was in Prison; the words which I transcribed my self out of the Letter written with his own hand are these.
Concerning that Delusion in Kent (a Relation of which I had and still should have in the Countrey in writing, under the godly mans own hand and some other brethren) though I do not remember all the circumstances, yet the substance of it was this. There was one Iohn Moody a godly man, under Bapt. (I suppose first joyned to Mr. Kyff ▪ in London) being in bed one night there appeared a great light in his Chamber, and a Voice spake to him thus: Iohn Moody, arise, and go preach my Gospel in the West, for my people perish for want of knowledge there. To which Iohn Moody answered, I am not fit to preach, I want gifts. The Voice answered again, I will give thee gifts, and fit thee▪ Moody replyed, I am a poor man, and have no means to maintain me therein. The Voice said, Meet me at such a place (and so nam'd both time and place) and I will supply thee with silver and gold, and so departed. The next day Iohn Moody acquainted one or more of his Christian acquaintance; and they fearing it was a delusion, advised him to be very carefull what he did, and disswaded him from going, counselling him if it came again, he should ask who he was, and particularly, whether he was Iesus of Nazareth (for it was he that had power to send out Ministers.) The Devil came again either the next night, or within few nights after, in the same manner, asking him, Why he did not go upon his message. Iohn Moody asked him who it was that sent him; the Voice answered, I am God. But saith he, Art thou Iesus of Nazareth. The Voice said again, I am God. Then Iohn Moody resolutely answered, If thou be not that Iesus that suffered at Ierusalem, and that sits at the right hand of God in Heaven, I will not go. Thereupon the Devil departed, making a great noise, and taking part of the top of the house away with him. This was the substance, and the thing undoubtedly true.
Thus far are the very words of Mr. Powels Letter. Now if this Man had not questioned this thing, but gone into the West to preach, he and others who heard the relation, might have judged that it was an extraordinary call and commission which this man had from Heaven, and that with seeming greater grounds than what others pretend for their extraordinary commissions; whereas upon further search, you perceive it was the Devil was sending a good man out of his way; if he being no Minister had then preached upon this sending, he had been a Messenger of the Devil, and not a Messenger of Jesus Christ. For my part, I cannot believe that any are called and commissioned by Christ to preach, unless they can show their call and commission in the Scripture; Take heed then (my Beloved) especially you which are young, that if gifts encrease you be not puffed up with pride, and begin first to undervalue Christs Ministers, and think you can do their work better your selves, and so venture to transgress Scripture-rules by preaching without commission and Scripture-warrant; very dangerous may the consequences of such preaching be, as I could give some instances. God hath appointed one Office for this work of Preaching, and that is the Office of the Ministry; and though he have Angels about him full of wisdom and knowledge in the mysteries of salvation, yet he doth not employ them in the work, but qualifieth and calleth some men unto it; and if Angels which are not Ministers of the Gospel must not preach, much less may men do it who are not Ministers.
2. This reproveth such as take upon them to be Ministers, and are no Preachers. God maketh use of Ministers to preach the Gospel rather than Angels, therefore they ought to preach, or they are unworthy to be Ministers. Such as call themselves Ministers, but are ignorant and unskilfull in the work of preaching, which Ministers are called unto; such as take upon them to be teachers of others, and have need to be taught themselves which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God, and are children, yea babes in understanding, being unacquainted with the Word of righteousness and mysteries of salvation: Such who know not how to divide the Word of God aright, and give every one his portion; whose Sermons are like wood, and hey, and stubble, without any silver, or gold, or precious stones of spiritual, heavenly and soul-saving doctrine; who give men chaff instead of corn, and stones instead of bread; who fill their Sermons with frothy wit, or husky quotations of Authors, or knotty School-notions, and distinctions, or secret, bitter invectives, and scorpion-slings and lashes at the power of godliness, instead of convincing, soul-edifying truths, which may administer grace unto the hearers; they will have a fearfull account to give unto the great Shepheard, when he shall appear to make inquiry concerning the flock committed to their charge, and shall charge upon them the guilt of the blood of so many souls as have perished through their neglect. Are there not many such Ministers at this day in England that can neither pray without a book, nor preach without a book; I do not speak of those Ministers who road their own Notes which they have studied in their Closets, but of them which read others Notes, as if they were their own unto the people. It is not long since I spake with a Bookseller, who hath sold many Manuscript Sermons unto such, who signified plainly enough unto him the use they intended to put them unto. Yea some have been so audacious as to preach out of the Printed Books of others, as is well known both in the City and other places; yet, however such as cannot make their own Sermons are not fit to be Ministers of the Gospel, they may by reading good wholsom Sermons of others be more beneficial to the people, than those who without acquaintance with the Word, preach their own, but it is such raw, crude, indigest…d, unprofitable matter, as raiseth blushes in the cheeks of the judicious, and rendereth them ridiculous unto the most that hear them. Surely, no Angel from Heaven would have directed a Cornel…us to send for such Ministers to preach the Gospel unto him.
3. This reproveth such who blemish their Ministry by an Vngodly Conversation; when God honoureth Ministers so as to imploy them to preach the Gospel, rather than Angels, God doth expect that they should be Angelical in their Doctrine, and Angelical in their Lives; some there are that be so in their Doctrine, but their Lives are so loose and intemperate, that they both cast a blot upon their Function, and invalidate their Doctrine, yea are hereby instruments of hardening the wicked more effectually than if they could not preach at all. I have heard of a woman who sate under the Ministry of one who preached very powerfully, but lived very wickedly, whereupon she was tempted to Atheisme; of which she gave this reason to him upon demand of the cause, that it was from himself, That when she heard him preach so like an Angel, and saw him live so like a Devil, she was thence prone to believe that there was no God. We read of the wickedness of Eli's Sons, who were Priests, which made the offering of the Lord to be abhorred, 1 Sam. 2.17. And so the drunkenness, uncleanness, covetousness, oppression, and profaneness of many in our dayes, who call themselves Ministers, maketh the administration of Gods Ordinances by such persons to be abhorred by many serious and sober-minded Christians. None are more honourable than such Ministers as tread in their Masters steps, as are holy and exemplary in their conversition: But wicked Ministers of all others are the vilest and most contemptible; they are spots and blemishes in the body of the Church; they are the scum, the filth, and off-scouring of the pot; the foam and froath of the water; they are Trees without Fruit, Salt without savour, Candles without light; they are a deep pit, full of mire and dirt; they are Clouds without rain, for whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
4. This reproveth such as will hearken to the Devil rather than to Ministers, though God employeth them to preach the Gospel rather than Angels.
1. And first this reproveth them that hearken to the Devil when he perswadeth them to sin, and will not hearken unto Ministers who perswade them to accept of Jesus Christ: Such as readily open the door when Sathan knocks, though he be their enemy, and intend their ruine; but shut the door, and deafen the ear against the calls of Ministers in the Name of Christ, though they be their friends, and seek their salvation: Such are perswaded by the Devil to wound themselves by sin, to drink sweet po…son which will introduce eternal death, and suffer themselves to be drawn in the Chains of Sathan, in the broad way to Hell, but will not hearken to Ministers, who are spiritual Physicians, and would endeavour the cure of their deadly wounds, who are spiritual Guides, and would lead them in the way to Heaven. None in the world are such fools as those persons who are Satans slaves, and led captive by him in the cords of their own lusts: They are blinded and deluded, the Devil putteth the greatest cheat upon them, and beguileth them (worse than children are beguiled) of such things, that when their eyes are opened at the last, and they perceive what they have lost by their sins, which the Devil hath drawn them unto, and that their loss is irreparable; and when they are awakened to feel the pain and torment which the Devil by sin hath brought them unto, and they see that now it is unavoidable, and though so intollerable, yet will be eternall; they will then be ready to tear themselves to pieces for their folly and madness, that they should hearken to the Devil, and not hearken to Christs Ministers: that when the Devil proffered only Counters, but Ministers Gold, that which is more precious than fine Gold; when the Devil proffered Pebbles, Ministers the Jewel of the greatest price; when the Devil proffered Pictures, such as all worldly vanities are, but Ministers proffered Deeds of Conveyance to a great Inheritance, even a conveyance of the eternal Inheritance by the deed of the King of Heaven. O the folly and sottishness of sinners! that they should choose the former, and refuse the latter; that they should sow the windes all their dayes, grasp a shaddow, pursue a F…ather, follow lying vanities, through Satans perswasions, and hereby not only neglect and miss of mercy which Ministers brought to their doors; but also run headlong into the flames of everlasting burnings, when Ministers warned them so frequently hereof, and entreated them so earnestly to close with Christ, who alone could deliver them; they will then perceive too late and rue to no purpose their desperate madness in complying with Satans temptations, and neglecting the calls and counsels of Christs faithfull Ambassadours.
2. It reproveth such as hearken to the Devil when he perswadeth them unto damnable errours, and will not hearken to Christs Ministers, who would teach and establish them in the soul-saving truths of the Word. Satan doth appear many times like an Angel of light, 2 Cor. 11.14. not as the Angel did to Cornelius, to direct men unto Christs Ministers, but to draw them away, endeavouring the subversion of the Ministry and Ordinances of Christs Institution. Satan hath his Ministers, who appear like Ministers of righteousness, when indeed they are Wolves in Sheeps cloathing, who by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple, Rom. 16.18. who are deceived themselves, and labour to deceive others: First endeavouring to prejudice them against Christs Ministers, and then privily bringing in damnable heresies, wresting the Scripture to their own and others destruction. Where people do turn away their ears from the truth, and open them to their errours and delusions, when they forsake and cannot endure the sound teaching of Christs Ambassadours, but with itching ears are delighted with the pretended new discoveries of false Teachers, and greedily drink in the poyson of their false doctrines, and follow the p…rnicious waies of such as are given up to the efficacy of errour to believe lyes; they chuse the Devil for their Teacher, instead of Jesus Christ by his Ministers, and then you may easily guess whither he is like to lead them.