The Use and Practice of Faith, Appendix

The Use and Practice of Faith · Appendix

p. 585AN APPENDIX Concerning The Converting of others TO THE FAITH.

They that be wiſe ſhall ſhine as the brightneſs of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteouſneſs, as the ſtars for ever and ever.

WHere the Prophet Daniel foretelling the greateſt troubles that ever befel Gods People from the beginning of the World (which ſome underſtand of the great Perſecution under Antiochus Epïphanes; and others of the laſt and great Perſecution under Antichriſt; and others underſtand it of both: and indeed, the firſt was a Type of the latter) p. 586I ſay, the Prophet foretelling the greateſt troubles that ever befel Gods People, he foretels alſo (as was needful for their ſupport at ſuch a time) the greateſt comforts and encouragements that could be.

Firſt, in the very time of their troubles.

And ſecondly, in the iſſue and fruit of their troubles.

Firſt, in the time of their troubles: and that is, in the glorious appearance and aſſiſtance of the great General of the Field, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Angel of the Covenant, pleading the Cauſe, and fighting the Battels of his Servants. Here's the comfort; though there be no troubles like their troubles, yet there is no Saviour like their Saviour, ver. 1. And at that time ſhall Michael ſtand up, the great Prince, which ſtandeth for the children of thy people, and there ſhall be a time of trouble, ſuch as never was ſince there was a nation.

Secondly, in the iſſue and fruit of their troubles: As no troubles like their troubles, ſo no deliverance like their deliverance.

Which is ſet forth,

1. In the glorious Reſurrection of all the faithful to life Eternal, in theſe words, viz. And at that time thy people ſhall be delivered, every one that ſhall be found written in the Book: and many of them that ſleep in the duſt, ſhall awake, ſome to everlaſting life.

2. In the ſpecial glory that is promiſed to thoſe that lay forth themſelves in a ſpecial work; viz. in the Converſion of others to the Faith, v. 3. And they that be wiſe ſhall ſhine as the brightneſs of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteouſneſs, as the ſtars for ever and ever.

Explication.

They that be wiſe] Some reade it, that make others wiſe, or cauſe them to underſtand.

So, They that turn many unto righteouſneſs] i. e. they that turn men to the righteouſneſs of faith, (as Interpreters p. 587do expound it) they that are inſtruments of others Converſion, they ſhall ſhine as the ſtars for ever and ever. As if the Prophet had ſaid, 'Tis poſſible the rage of Antichriſt in the night of Perſecution, may burn hotteſt of all againſt the Teachers of the Word, and ſuch as draw others to the knowledge of Chriſt, becauſe they ſtand as it were in the fore-front of the Battel: yet let them be no whit diſcouraged, for as the ſtars ſhine brighteſt in the darkeſt night, ſo ſhall they ſhine, that are called Stars, Rev. 1.20. and all ſuch as labour in Converſion of others, they ſhall ſhine as the ſtars for ever and ever.

You may behold in the words, 1. The Deſcription and Commendation of the moſt excellent Work: 2. The Intimation or Propoſal of the moſt excellent Reward; and the latter ſet down as an encouragement to the former.

1. The Deſcription of the moſt excellent Work; They that turn many unto righteouſneſs.

2. The Intimation or Propoſal of the moſt excellent Reward; They ſhall ſhine

As the Firmament

As the Stars

for ever and ever.

Take the reſult of both in this one Propoſition: The turning of men unto Righteouſneſs,Doctr. or the Converſion of Souls to the Faith, as it is the moſt excellent Work, ſo it ſhall certainly be crowned with the moſt excellent Reward. They that be wiſe, &c.

I. Branch. 'Tis an excellent Work.

1. The turning of men unto Righteouſneſs, the Converſion of Souls to God, is the moſt excellent Work.

It is an excellent Work indeed, by Prayer and other means to heal a ſick body: Jam. 5.15. The prayer of faith ſhall ſave the ſick, and the Lord ſhall raiſe him up. Yea, p. 588but it is a far more excellent Work to heal a ſick and ſinful Soul, ver. 19. Brethren, if any of you do erre from the truth, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth the ſinner from the errour of his way, ſhall ſave a ſoul from death, and ſhall cover a multitude of ſins. This is an excellent Work indeed; and it is that excellent Work that was ſo much in Davids eye, he was marvellous earneſt with God, to help him in the work of his own Converſion, or in the renewal of his Repentance▪ and why ſo? that he might be the better fitted to convert others to God. Pſal. 51.13. Then will I teach tranſgreſſors thy ways, and ſinners ſhall be converted unto thee. This was the great and noble deſign of David, the Converſion of Souls: He deſired, though he could not make God amends, yet to take a holy Revenge upon Satan, by drawing Subjects from him to God. And indeed, it appears to be a moſt excellent Work in many reſpects.

For,

Reaſ. 1 Firſt. it is a difficult Work, and all excellent things are difficult.It is a difficult work. Its an eaſie matter to damn a Soul: Facilis deſcenſus averni: We go down the hill, and ſo down to Hell, faſt enough; but it's the hardeſt matter in the world to ſave a Soul.

Pſal. 22.29.Ps 22:29'Tis too hard for a man to convert himſelf: No man can keep alive, or quicken his own Soul. 'Tis too hard for a man (by his own power) to convert another; 'tis too hard for the Parent to convert the Childe; 'tis too hard for a gracious man to infuſe grace into another: There's no party within to joyn in the carrying on of that work. Rom. 8.7. The carnal minde is enmity againſt God. And there is Satan without, oppoſing and withſtanding, Act. 13.8. Suppoſe any Soul to be born again, certainly it is born not of blood, nor of the will of the fleſh, nor of the will of man, but of God, Joh. 1.13. There is God in the work, if ever it be done. All the Miniſters under heaven cannot convert a Soul, without the help of God: and p. 589therefore it is a difficult work, and therefore it is an excellent work alſo.

Reaſ. 2 Secondly, (which follows upon the former) it is a Work of great skill and wiſdom, It is a Work of great skill. 1 Cor. 2.4. Col. 4.4.1 Cor 2:4Col 4:4and therefore an excellent Work. The moſt skilful works, are accounted the moſt excellent works: But this is a work of the greateſt skill and wiſdom in the world; and therefore it is ſaid, They that be wiſe ſhall ſhine as the brightneſs of the firmament. And others reade it, They that make others wiſe: and it may well be read both ways, for they that make others wiſe, are truly wiſe themſelves, eſpecially ſuch as are beſt fitted for the work: and therefore Solomon tels you, He that winneth ſouls, is wiſe, Prov. 11.30. Or, he that catcheth Souls out of the ſnares of the Devil, and its own deceitful heart, and fetcheth them within the compaſs of Gods Net, he is a wiſe fiſher of men, he is a wiſe man indeed.

Every fool can caſt away a Soul, but he is a wiſe man that wins a Soul. As it was ſaid of Daniel, (ſo it may be ſaid of ſuch) Excellent wiſdom was found in him, Dan. 2.12.

The world indeed judgeth them fools,Note, and their preaching fooliſhneſs, (1 Cor. 4.10. We are fools for Chriſts ſake) but the God of wiſdom pronounceth them wiſe: and of the two, it is far better to be Gods wiſe man, and the worlds fool, than to be the worlds wiſe man, and Gods fool: For not he whom man, but whom the Lord commendeth ſhall be approved, 2 Cor. 10.18.

He is wiſe that winneth Souls, and they that are wiſe ſhall ſhine as the brightneſs of the firmament.

Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, it is a Work of the greateſt Love and Compaſſion, and therefore an excellent Work. 'Tis true,It is a Work of greateſt love, the Gift of Miracles, and the Gift of Tongues, are excellent Gifts: but what are theſe to the Gift of Charity. 1 Cor. 13.1. Though I ſpeak with the tongues of Men and Angels, and have not Charity, I am become as ſounding p. 590braſs, and as a tinkling cymbal. And of all other Charity, that is moſt excellent, that is exerciſed towards the Souls of poor Creatures. 'Tis true, 'tis a good thing to be charitable towards the bodies of the needy, to deal out bread to the hungry, and to clothe the naked, Iſa. 38.7. But when all is done, that's the moſt excellent Charity, that is beſtowed upon the moſt excellent part, the Soul. Otherwiſe, a man may give all his goods away to the poor, and yet have no Charity for all that, 1 Cor. 13.3. And therefore, look as God commends his love to us in this, that his principal care was for the good of our immortal Souls, ſo ſhould we alſo in this particular commend our love one to another.

That's moſt certain, Soul-friends are the beſt and trueſt friends in the world; and Soul-compaſſion is the beſt compaſſion that can be ſhewed. Jude ver. 22. And of ſome have compaſſion, making a difference, and others ſave with fear, pulling them out of the fire. It is an act of the greateſt compaſſion that can be imagined, to pull a Soul out of Hell-fire, whether it be by fair means or by foul: Is not ſuch a Soul as a brand ſnatch'd out of the fire? Zech. 3.2. O bleſſed! for ever bleſſed be that hand, that ſnatches any ſuch brand out of the flames of eternal fire! It is a work of the greateſt love and compaſſion, and therefore the moſt excellent Work.

Reaſ. 4 Fourthly, it is the moſt excellent Work, becauſe it aims at the moſt excellent End (and we know it is the End that crowns the Action.It aims at the moſt excellent End.) But the winning of Souls to God, aims at the moſt excellent End. For 'tis ſuch a work as brings moſt glory to God, and moſt good to the Creature, and therefore muſt needs be a moſt excellent Work.

1. It brings moſt glory to God.1. It brings moſt glory to God: and this is the great end of all ends. Prov. 16.4. The Lord hath made all things for himſelf, or for his own glory. Now this bleſſed End is the main iſſue of this bleſſed Work.

'Tis true, God will have glory even in the perdition of p. 591ungodly men; and therefore it's added in the ſame place, Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. The Lord hath made all things for himſelf; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. But the Argument is very ſtrong: If God have glory even in the deſtruction of ſome men, how much more hath be glory in the Salvation of others? Rom. 9.23. He makes known the riches of his glory in the veſſels of mercy. O the admirable riches of Free-grace ſhining forth in this work of God, in the Converſion of Souls! It glorifies all Gods Attributes, and magnifies every part of his Name.

It glorifies his Love, it diſcovers the bredth, and length, It glorifies his Love.and depth, and height of the love of Chriſt, which paſſeth knowledge, Eph. 3.18, 19.

2. It glorifies his Power. The Pſalmiſt ſays,His Power. Who knows the power of thy wrath? Pſal. 90.11. But we may ſay, Who knows the power of thy Grace? God puts forth as great power in the Converſion of a Soul, as in the Raiſing of a dead body, as raiſing the body of Jeſus Chriſt, Eph. 1.19, 20. as great a power as in the making the World: and therefore the Work of Regeneration is called a Work of Creation: Eph. 10. For we are his workmanſhip, created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good works.

3. It glorifies his Wiſdom,His Wiſdom. the manifold Wiſdom of God: Though we preach Chriſt to ſome a ſtumbling-block, and to others fooliſhneſs, yet unto all ſuch as are called and converted, as Chriſt becomes the Power of God, ſo alſo the Wiſdom of God, 1 Cor. 23.24.

4. It glorifies the Word of his Grace.The Word of his Grace. Though the Word of the Lord be reproached, whilſt people ſlight both the threatnings and the Promiſes of it (as if God would do neither good nor evil) yet it is marvellouſly glorified in the Converſion of Souls, whilſt the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God, in pulling down ſtrong holds of Satan, in the unſanctified wit and will of man. In this reſpect we are to pray, that the Word of the Lord p. 592may run and be glorified, 2 Theſſ. 3.1. Thus God glorifies his Word.

His Kingdom.5. God glorifies his Kingdom: for what's the honour of a King, but the multitude of his Subjects? Prov. 14.28. Now the Converſion of Souls, is nothing elſe but the addition of ſo many Souls to the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, and this makes much for the honour of it. Thy Kingdom come, is the next Petition to Hallowed be thy Name, to ſignifie, that Gods Name is then moſt hallowed, when his Kingdom is moſt enlarged. David (we know) took not a little content in numbring of his People (and ſurely, the ſin lay not ſo much in the bare numbring of them, as in his carnal confidence in them.) We are ſure Jeſus Chriſt takes a great deal of content in the numbring of his Subjects, he keeps a Liſt and Roll of their Names. No ſooner is a Soul converted, but preſently his Name muſt be entred into the Church-book in the beſt ſenſe: Pſal. 87.4, 5, 6. This man was born there; and of Zion it ſhall be ſaid, This and that man was born in her, and the Higheſt himſelf ſhall ſtabliſh her (her Charter is ſealed by the King of Heaven) The Lord ſhall count when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. Thus God glorifies his Kingdom. The Converſion of Souls is ſuch a Work as brings moſt glory to God.

2. It brings moſt good to the Creature.Secondly, it is ſuch a Work as brings moſt good to the Creature; and that not onelyonly to the creature converted, but to many others alſo that have cauſe to rejoyce in their converſion

1. To the converted.1. To the Creature converted: His Converſion is a means of his Salvation; and that not of his Body onelyonly, but of his precious Soul alſo. He that knows not how to prize a Soul, let him weigh the price of a Soul in the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt; let him look upon Chriſt crying, ſweating, bleeding, dying, and all to ſave Souls. Now he that converts a ſinner ſaves a ſoul, ſaith S. James: and he ſaves it from death, from the firſt Death, and from p. 593the ſecond Death alſo, Jam. Chap. 5. ver. 20.

Nay, he reſtores ſuch a Soul to life, to a better life than ever the Creature enjoyed before: and therefore it is ſaid. Prov. 11.30. The fruit of the righteous is as the Tree of Life, and he that winneth Souls is wiſe: Comparing ſuch a man as makes it his work to convert Souls, to the Tree of Life planted in the Garden of Paradiſe; and that in many Particulars.

1. Becauſe it was Gods planting, and grew not out of the Earth of its own accord: So is a righteous man a piece of Gods ſpecial husbandry; for true Grace grows not up in any by natural Propagation, but is of Gods particular Plantation.

2. Becauſe it was more excellent than other Trees, and therefore placed in the midſt of the Garden: So is the righteous more excellent than his neighhour, Prov, 12.26. whatever the world accounts of him.

3. In regard of the fruit of it.

For,

1. As that one Tree bare divers kinds of Fruits, and bare thoſe Fruits at all times of the year, Rev. 22.2. So doth a righteous man, he bears divers kinds of Fruits, and that at all times, Pſal. 106.3.

2. As the Fruit of that Tree was a ſpecial means to preſerve the life of thoſe that took it (therefore called, The Tree of Life) So is a righteous man a ſpecial means, under God, to preſerve the Life of others, and therefore alſo called a Tree of Life;Ʋt ſupra. The fruit of the Righteous is as the Tree of Life. Nay, in ſome reſpect it is more excellent than the Tree of Life in Paradiſe: for that did but preſerve a man from death, ſo long as he continued in his uprightneſs: but this hath power (in the ſtrength of Chriſt) to raiſe up a ſinner from the dead. The dead ſhall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear ſhall live, Joh. 5.25. They ſhall live the moſt excellent life, they ſhall ſo live, as never to taſte of the ſecond death: and p. 594therefore it is ſuch a Work as brings moſt good to the creature converted. Yea, and

Converſion brings good to others that ſee the Converſion It rejoyces 1. The Miniſter.Secondly, it brings good to many others alſo, that have cauſe to rejoyce in their Converſion.

As,

1. How doth it rejoyce him that (under God) is made an inſtrument of that happy work. Solomon tells us no leſs than three or four times in the Proverbs, that a wiſe Son maketh a glad Father, Prov. 10.1. & 15.20. & 23.24, 25. And if this be true in ſome ſenſe of natural Parents, and natural Wiſdom, how much more is it true of Spiritual Parents, and Spiritual Wiſdom? If the natural Parent ſo ſoon forgetteth all her ſorrow, Joh. 16.21.John 16:21for joy that a man-childe is born into the world; how much more do Spiritual Parents (whom God makes Inſtruments of the New-birth) forget all their ſorrow, whilſt they were labouring and wreſtling with God by Prayers and Tears many years together, for the Converſion of ſuch a poor Soul? I ſay, how much more doth ſuch an one forget all his ſorrow, and rejoyce with exceeding great gladneſs, for joy that a Spiritual childe is born and brought forth into the Kingdom of God?

How doth the Apoſtle rejoyce to call Timothy his natural Son in the faith? and to call the converted Philippians his dearly beloved, and longed for, his joy, and crown of rejoycing in the Lord, Phil. 4.1. Never did natural Parents rejoyce more in their natural children, than Spiritual Parents do rejoyce in their Spiritual children. And if God would pleaſe ſo to bleſs my Labours this day, as to make me a poor Inſtrument of begetting one Soul to Jeſus Chriſt, I ſhould think it an hour well ſpent: I ſhould have cauſe to bleſs God to all Eternity for this days work. O remember, I beſeech you remember! whilſt you ſtout it, and ſtand it out againſt God, as you grieve the Spirit of God: ſo you grieve the Spirits of your Miniſters, that deſire to be faithful; you compel them to give up their p. 595accounts with grief, and not with joy. Heb. 13.17.Heb 13:17But when you come in, and believe and obey, they can ſay with S. John, in Ep. 3. v. 4. I have no greater joy, than to hear that my children walk in the Truth; to hear that ſuch an one that was awhile ago an enemy to God and all goodneſs, is now made a friend, a favourite, a childe.

For indeed,Converſion brings a great bleſſing to the inſtrument. this is ſuch a work as brings a great Bleſſing along with it: And that,

1. From God, Mat. 5.9. Bleſſed are the peace-makers, for they ſhall be called the children of God: and ſurely, if they that make peace betwixt man and man, much more they that make peace betwixt God and man (betwixt God and the Souls of poor ſinners) may well be accounted and called Bleſſed.

2. There's a bleſſing alſo from Man. If the children of natural Parents, how much more ſhall the children of Spiritual Parents riſe up and call them bleſſed, Prov. 31.28. O bleſſed be God (ſays a poor Soul) that ever I heard ſuch a man preach and diſpenſe the Word of Life. I was before in the very gall of bitterneſs, and bond of iniquity; but bleſſed be God for ſuch an Inſtrument, that under Jeſus Chriſt was a means to work upon my heart, and to draw me out of that wretched condition. And thus the bleſſing of him that was ready to periſh comes upon the Spiritual Parent (as Job ſpeaks) and therefore it is great ground of joy.Job 29.13.Job 29:13

Secondly,2. The Church of God. This is that which doth exceedingly rejoyce the Church of God in general: for whoever be the particular Father, under God, of any mans Converſion, that's moſt certain, the Church of God is the true Mother. Zion is daily travailing in pain for the bringing forth of Gods elected ones. And never had any Mother in the world more joy in the birth of a childe, than the Church of God: Jeruſalem which is above, and is free, and is the Mother of us all, Gal. 4.26. hath joy in the happy birth of new converted Souls. Oh! how ſhe hugs them in her p. 596arms, and dandles them upon her knees, ſuckles them at her breſts, as the Lord ſpeaks, Iſa 66.11, 12. Then ſhall ye ſuck, and be ſatisfied with the breſts of her Conſolation: —ye ſhall ſuck, ye ſhall be born upon her ſides, and be dandled upon her knees: As one whom his mother comforteth, ſo will I comfort you, and ye ſhall be comforted in Jeruſalem. 'Tis a comfort to the children, 'tis a comfort to the Mother: no doubt 'tis a great joy to both.

3. The particu…ar Society.3. 'Tis joy to the particular Society and place where they live (if they underſtand themſelves) the Family, the Town, the City, the Kingdom where they live, fares the better for ſuch.

'Tis moſt true, impenitent ſinners are very evil Inſtruments in any Society whereever they come: They are the Jonas's, the Achan's, the Ahab's, the troublers of Iſrael whereever they live; they bring plagues and judgements upon others, as well as upon themſelves: One ſinner deſtroys much good, Eccl. 9.18. But it is as true on the other ſide, an humble gracious converted Soul brings a bleſſing with him whereever he comes: Laban is bleſt for Jacobs ſake; Potiphar is bleſt for Joſephs ſake; and Zoar is ſpared for Lots ſake; and Sodom had been ſpared too for ten righteous perſons (if they had been found there:) The poor godly wiſe man delivers the City, Eccl. 9.15. The innocent deliver the iſland, and it is delivered by the pureneſs of his hands, Job 22.30. and therefore 'tis joy to the particular ſociety and place where they live.

4. The Angels.4. 'Tis joy to the bleſſed Angels of Heaven. As 'tis joy to the Terreſtrial Angels, the Miniſters of the Churches: ſo 'tis joy to the Coeleſtial Angels, thoſe bleſſed miniſtring Spirits, who are ſent forth to miniſter for them that ſhall be heirs of Salvation, Heb. 1. laſt. Thoſe glorious creatures, as they delight to pry into the Myſtery of Chriſt, and to preach the Goſpel (for the firſt Sermon that was ever preached after the birth of Chriſt, was preach'd by an Angel, Luk. 20.10.) So they do no leſs delight in p. 597the converſion of Souls by that Ordinance. Luk. 15.7. So likewiſe I ſay unto you, there is joy in heaven in the preſence of the Angels of God, over one ſinner that repenteth. Wouldſt thou rejoyce Heaven and Earth at once? Oh be converted thy ſelf, and travail in the Converſion of others.

Look as thoſe damned Spirits (the Angels of Darkneſs) rejoyce in the deſtruction of Souls (Your adverſary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about, ſeeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet 5.8.) O how Hell it ſelf is moved, and enlargeth her ſelf at the approach of ſuch new-comers as theſe? Iſa. 5.14. & 14.9. So thoſe bleſſed Angels of Light do no leſs rejoyce in the Converſion of Souls.

5. Nay, Fifthly,5. Inferiour Creatures. 'tis that which after a ſort doth rejoyce the very inferiour Creatures; they do far more readily and cheerfully ſerve the godly than the wicked: For however they do (indeed) ſerve the luſts of wicked men, yet it is but a kinde of raviſhment, and forced ſervice. They are made ſubject to vanity in it,Rom. 8.20.Rom 8:20 becauſe impropriated from their firſt inſtitution in the ſtate of Integrity: For they were appointed at firſt to ſerve the Sons of God by Creation; Note.and therefore (in this kinde) they do rejoyce to ſerve the Sons of God by Regeneration: yea, they do even groan to be made partakers of that liberty, that being delivered out of the former bondage of ſerving the luſts of ſinful men, they might ſerve no other but the Sons of God, Rom. 8.19. And thus we ſee it is a moſt excellent Work, becauſe it aims at the moſt excellent End.

Reaſ. 5 Fifthly, 'Tis the moſt excellent Work, becauſe it is a Work that is moſt pleaſing to Jeſus Chriſt: and ſurely,It is moſt pleaſing to Jeſus Chriſt. that is the moſt excellent Work, that is moſt excellent in the account of Jeſus Chriſt.

And I pray, why was Chriſt content to be born in a Stable among the Beaſts, and to live as a ſervant and a ſlave, and to die amongſt the moſt notorious Malefactors? p. 598Nay, why did he riſe again from the Grave, and aſcend on High? but that he might give gifts unto men, for the work of the Miniſtery, for the Converſion of Souls, for the perfecting of the Saints, Epheſ. 4.12? And when Chriſt once ſees this Work going forward, it does him good at the very heart. O now (ſays Chriſt) I have enough, now that I ſee of my Spiritual ſeed, now that I ſee of the travail of my Soul, I am ſatisfied, Iſa, 53.11. O now I judge all my pains and coſt well beſtowed: I do not repent me of one drop of my Blood, that was ſhed for the Redemption of my deareſt People. For why did Chriſt neglect his own Body and Soul? but to ſave the Bodies and Souls of others.Simile. Writers report of the Pellican, that ſhe ſprinkles of her own blood upon her young ones when they are dead, whereby they revive and recover their former life. Whether this be true or no, I know not: But this I am ſure of, He that compares himſelf to the Pellican, Pſal. 102.6. he doth ſo, he revives his people by his own blood, by the blood of ſprinkling; and when they are thus revived, O this life of theirs is (as it were) the life of Chriſt himſelf! Now I live, (ſaith Chriſt) if ye live, if ye ſtand faſt in the Life of Faith.

Reaſ. 6 Sixthly, 'Tis the moſt excellent Work, becauſe it is the moſt Honourable Work; It is the moſt honourable Work.and it is the moſt Honourable Work,

1. Becauſe in this Work a man hath the moſt honourable fellow-labourers; not onelyonly the Angels of Heaven, (as we heard before) but the God of Heaven: Jeſus Chriſt himſelf was a Miniſter and Preacher (as well as a Purchaſer) of the New-Covenant. Hence we are ſaid in this great Work to be fellow-labourers, and fellow-workmen together with God himſelf, 1 Cor. 3.9.

2. 'Tis an honourable Work, becauſe 'tis converſant about the moſt excellent Object, The Souls of men (one Soul being more worth than all the world.)

They that are imployed in ſecuring the Eſtates of men, p. 599as Lawyers and Magiſtrates) or in preſerving the Bodies of men (as Phyſicians are) or in preſerving the Honours of men (as Heralds and Hiſtorians are) I dare not ſay, but they have a lawful and an excellent Calling: yea, but not ſo excellent as thoſe that are ſpecially imployed in the converſion and ſalvation of the Souls of men.

Look as thoſe men that were imployed in the Tabernacle in all cunning work of Silk, and Purple, and fine-twined Linen, of Silver and Gold and Precious Stones, they had a more honourable ſervice, than ſuch as were imployed in Goats-hair, in Rams-skins, and Badgers-skins: So ſuch as are imployed for the good of Souls, have a more honourable ſervice, than ſuch as are imployed for the good of mens Eſtates, Bodies, or Names. That's the moſt excellent Work, that is imployed about the moſt excellent Object.

What is the Body, or what is the outward Eſtate of a man, in compariſon of his Soul? Nay, what are all the goods in the world, to be laid in the Balance with the Soul? the whole Globe of the Earth, with all the glory of it (in compariſon of this) is lighter than vanity. He that well knew the worth of both, hath ſaid it, What ſhall it profit a man to gain the whole world, and loſe his own ſoul? Mat. 16.26. And if the loſs of a Soul be ſo great a loſs, then the gain of a Soul muſt needs be as great a gain.

Doubtleſs, the Salvation of Souls is the moſt excellent Work, becauſe it hath the moſt excellent Object.

3. It is the moſt excellent Work, becauſe it works the moſt excellent Changes, converting from ſin to righteouſneſs, from hell to heaven, Act. 26.18.

II. Branch. It hath the moſt honourable Reward.

Reaſ. 7 And laſtly, It is the moſt excellent Work, becauſe it hath the moſt excellent Reward (and this brings in the ſecond part of the Doctrine.It hath the moſt excellent Reward.)

p. 600The Doctrine was this:

The turning of men unto Righteouſneſs; or, The Converſion of Souls, as it is the moſt excellent Work, ſo it ſhall certainly be crowned with the moſt excellent Reward.

And what's the Reward? To ſhine as the firmament, and as the ſtars for ever and ever. And this proves it to be the moſt excellent Work: for God ſhall reward men according to their works; though not according to the merit of their work, yet (of his Free-grace) according to the nature of their works.

Such is Gods method of Retribution, that as you may reade mens ſins in their puniſhment: ſo you may behold the excellency of the work in the glory of their Reward. As works of darkneſs ſhall be puniſhed in the place of utter darkneſs: ſo ſuch as have been (as John Baptiſt was) burning and ſhining lights in the work of the Miniſtery, they ſhall ſhine as the glorious lights of Heaven for ever and ever. They did ſhine as ſtars here, Rev. 1.20 & 12.1. therefore they ſhall ſhine as ſtars hereafter.

O how ſhould the conſideration of this great Reward, quicken us up in the performance of the VVork (for to that end doubtleſs it is ſpoken.)

'Tis true, we ſhould labour in the Converſion of Souls, were there no reward at all: how much more then, when it brings ſo great advantage every ways? not onelyonly to the perſon converted, but to him alſo that is the Inſtrument of his Converſion? They ſhall ſhine as the brightneſs of the firmament, and as the ſtars for ever and ever.

O what a garland of Glory is put upon the Head of theſe Conquerours! Beloved, ſuch as conquer but a Kingdom or two, they think they gain much; and ſometimes they are ſo lifted up, they know not what ground they ſtand upon (though the VVord tells us, they are ſet in ſlippery places) But (how do you think) they would p. 601glory, if they ſhould conquer all the world? And yet for my own part, if I could but conquer one Soul, and bring it home to Jeſus Chriſt, I ſhould think I had cauſe (in the ſtrength of God) to out-glory all ſuch men: one ſingle Soul (as we heard) being more worth than all the world: When all is done, Soul-Converters are the greateſt Conquerors under Heaven. Thanks be to God, which always, and in every place, cauſeth us to triumph in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 2.14.

He is the beſt Conqueror indeed, that brings the moſt Subjects unto Jeſus Chriſt, and he ſhall have the beſt Reward: His head ſhall be compaſs'd with a Crown of Glory. And thus have we ſeen the Truth of this Doctrine, The turning of men, &c.

Ʋſe 1. Of Information. Ʋſe 1

The firſt Uſe,Information of the dignity of the Miniſtery. is to Inform us of the Dignity of that Calling, whoſe proper work it is to convert Souls; I mean, the Calling of the Miniſtery. If the Life of Faith be ſuch an excellent Life, then that Calling, whoſe ſpecial work is to convert others to the Faith, muſt needs be an excellent and honourable Calling.

I confeſs, I could willingly have ſpared this Uſe (wherein Miniſters may ſeem to ſeek themſelves) were not God himſelf deſpiſed in the contempt of his Servants.

And Oh that we could bewail it with tears of blood,Note. that even ſome of thoſe that cannot deny (if they have any grace at all) but that God wrought upon their hearts by the Miniſtery of the Word, ſhould now go about to diſclaim their Parents, contemning both the Miniſtery of the Word, and the word of thoſe Miniſters, whom ſometimes they received as Angels of God; yea, even as Chriſt Jeſus! Gal. 4.14. living above Ordinances, contemning the Word and Meſſengers of God, under pretence of magnifying the Spirit of God.

But this is no new thing. It was juſt thus in the Apoſtles p. 602time, he was fain to uſe this very Argument, 1 Cor. 9.2. If I be not an Apoſtle to others, yet doubtleſs I am to you: for the ſeal of mine Apoſtleſhip are ye in the Lord. As if he ſhould ſay, If you be true Converts, I am a true Miniſter: for you had no other Converſion, but by the Miniſtery of that Word which I preached to you.

I will therefore preſs this Uſe, with that ſolemn Charge of ſame the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 4.1. Let a man ſo account of us, as of the Miniſters of Chriſt, and Stewards of the Myſteries of God.

I confeſs, there is a reſpect and honour due to all thoſe that labour in the Converſion of Souls (as private Chriſtians, by their private Admonitions Exhortations, Counſels, Prayers, &c. wherein they may be ſingularly helpful to the Miniſters of God:) But principally this is due to thoſe whoſe peculiar work and calling it is to convert Souls, to turn them from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan to God. He therefore that deſpiſeth, deſpiſeth not man but God, who hath given unto us his holy Spirit, 1 Theſſ. 4 8.

Ʋſe 2 Ʋſe 2. of Reproof.

Reproof ofSecondly, this Reproves many. If the Converſion of Souls be ſuch an excellent Work: then it Reproves

1: Them that ſlight this workFirſt, Such as ſlight this Work, and make no account of it, as if it were not worth the while to Convert Souls.

1 Sort.1. Such as Cloiſter up themſelves in a ſolitary Monaſtical life, as a ſtate of greater perfection. Though they profeſs the Faith, yet they bring forth little fruits of it, they are all for Contemplation, little for Action; all for themſelves, little for others, in the propagation of the Faith. Let others ſink or ſwim, all's one to them: So they may ſave their own Souls, they care little what becomes of others.Gen. 4.Gen 4 But this is not the voice of Faith, to ſay, Am I my Brothers keeper?

2 Sort.2. Such are to blame, who though they have many opportunities, p. 603in regard of their frequent converſe with men: yet they take not thoſe advantages to win Souls.

They can compaſs Sea and Land, and take all poſſible advantages to win Proſelytes, and to win diſciples to themſelves, to win men to their Opinions, but not to win them to the Faith; to win wealth, and to win friends, and to win credit and honour, but not to win Souls.

How many of theſe, whilſt they ſeem to lay ſiege againſt a ſinner, make uſe onelyonly of ſuch carnal weapons of humane Eloquence and fleſhly Wiſdom, whereby they take onelyonly the out-works of mens fancies to win them to themſelves, but never uſe ſuch weapons as ſtrike to the heart and conſcience, and are mighty through God, 2 Cor. 10.2.2 Cor 10:2to the pulling down of ſtrong holds, and to the taking of the Caſtle of their Hearts, to win them to Jeſus Chriſt.

All that labour is but vain, that tends not to the Converſion of Souls.

Secondly,2. Them that ſtrive not to win Souls by ſuch means as God hath appointed. it Reproves ſuch as ſtrive not to win others to the Faith by fair means (or by ſuch means as God hath appointed) Gen. 9.27. but force them to the Faith by fear and terror. Indeed, they rather force them from the Faith, than to the Faith: Fides non cogitur; Faith cannot be forced, when we have done all we can. Fire and Faggot are Arguments from Rome, and Argumets from Hell, rather than from Heaven. To devote Hereticks (as They call them) to deſtruction, becauſe they believe not, is an argument of a ſtrange ſpirit.

You read, Luk. 9.54. becauſe the Samaritans would not receive Jeſus Chriſt, preſently the Diſciples (James and John) were fire and towe againſt them; nothing will ſerve their turn, but that fire muſt immediately come down from heaven to conſume them: But in ſtead of incouragement, they meet with a check from Chriſt, ver. 55. But he turned and rebuked them, and ſaid, Ye know not what manner of ſpirit ye are of; for the Son of Man is not come to deſtroy mens lives, but to ſave them.

p. 604Certainly, they are of ſtrange ſpirits, that would ſend men quick to Hell, becauſe they will not be perſwaded to go in their way to heaven. But this is the way to deſtroy Souls, and not to ſave them.

3. Them that neglect this duty.Thirdly, It Reproves ſuch as do utterly neglect this great duty of winning Souls unto God. And ſurely, if they are wiſe that labour to win Souls, they muſt needs be fools that do wittingly and willingly neglect it. And yet many ſuch there are in the world, ſuch as never ſpeak a word from one end of the year to another to their Neighbors, or to their Friends; nay, hardly to their Children, Servants or Yoke-fellows, to draw their Souls to the ſaving knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt.

O cruel Husbands, and cruel Fathers! may ſuch Wives and ſuch Children ſay; as Zipporah ſaid to Moſes, A bloody husband haſt thou been to me. And ſurely, if he that hath power to ſave a man from temporal death, and doth not, is no better than a murtherer; Then he that (for ought be knows) might ſave a man from Spiritual and Eternal death, and doth not uſe the means (in the compaſs of his Calling) he is no better than a Soul-murtherer in the ſight of God: His blood (ſays God) will I require at thy hands; thy life ſhall go for his life, and thy ſoul for his ſoul, Ezek. 33.7, 8.

4. Them that pervert from the Faith.Fourthly and laſtly, Much more then are they to be Reproved, who are ſo far from converting others to the Faith, that they do what they can to pervert them. In ſtead of drawing others to God, they drive them from God; and if they draw them any ways, they draw them farther into ſin: Such men as they, do the very office of the Devil himſelf.

Look as thoſe that win Souls to God, are fellow-workers with God: ſo thoſe that deſtroy Souls, are no better than fellow-workers with the Devil; they are Tempters under him, and act the Devils part: Prov. 1.11. Come, ſay they, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent p. 605without a cauſe, &c. Caſt in thy lot among us, and let us all have one purſe.

Such men as theſe think it not enough to be Thieves, and Drunkards, and Adulterers, and Blaſphemers, and Contemners of Gods Ordinances, themſelves; but do what they can to draw others to the ſame ſins, and to make them ſevenfold more the children of Satan than themſelves.

What? are your own ſins too light, that you do thus cry for more weight? not to eaſe your pain, but to increaſe it? for ſuch as are partakers of other mens ſins, ſhall certainly be partakers of other mens judgements, Rev. 18.4.

Oh! that there ſhould be ſuch an itch in this Spiritual Plague-ſore, to infect others to make them as ſinful and as miſerable as themſelves.

O hear, and fear and tremble, thou that makeſt it thy work to tempt others ſo ſin againſt God. For if they ſhall not eſcape, that have not furthered the Salvation of others, where ſhalt thou appear, that haſt furthered the damnation of others, and ſent them poſt to Hell? I ſay, where ſhalt thou appear, unleſs thou repent and be deeply humbled for this thy ſuperlative wickedneſs? And ſurely, if ever thou doſt repent, thou wilt be ready to admoniſh thy fellow-Drunkard, or Adulterer, or Blaſphemer, that they may become partners with thee in thy Repentance, that have been partners with thee in thy ſin.

The penitent Thief upon the Croſs had but a little time to turn him in; and yet a good part of that little,Note. he ſpent in labouring to gain the Soul of his fellow-Thief: Luk. 23.40. Doſt not thou fear God, ſeeing thou art in the ſame condemnation?

Be aſſured of this, that as the gain of Souls is the beſt of all gains: So the blood of Souls, of all other blood, will lie the heavieſt upon the Conſcience of ſuch as are guilty of it.

p. 606Ʋſe 3 Ʋſe 3. Of Exhortation.

Exhortation to convert Souls.The third Uſe may be for Exhortation.

1. To all ſorts of Chriſtians in general: and then

2. In special, to thoſe whoſe Office and Function calls upon them more importunately to labour in the Converſion of Souls.

Branch. 1. In general to all.Firſt, To all in general (for we muſt not think it is the Miniſters work alone) For what knoweſt thou, O wife, whether thou ſhalt ſave thy husband? or how knoweſt thou, O man, whether thou ſhalt ſave thy wife? 1 Cor. 7.16. And what knoweſt thou, O Chriſtian, whether thou ſhalt ſave thy Neighbor? Do what thou canſt in a wiſe way, it may be God may ſecond thy endevours, thy Reproof, or thy Exhortation, by his own Spirit.

The poor Woman of Samaria was an Inſtrument, under God, of drawing on her Neighbors to the ſaving knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt, Joh. 4. And what doſt thou know, but God may bleſs thy endevours with the like ſucceſs?

And therefore, whilſt others ſpend time in idle diſcourſe (for he that is of the earth, Joh. 3.31.John 3:31speaketh of the earth) let Chriſtians ſpend their time in Exhorting, and Comforting, and Edifying one another, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Theſſ. 5.11.

Branch. 2. In particular to Miniſters.And if all in general, then ſurely Miniſters of all others. Miniſters in a ſpecial manner ſhould aim at the Salvation of Souls, becauſe the great end of their Commiſſion from God, is to take Curam animarum, the Care of Souls, to turn men from darkneſs to light, from the power of Satan to God, Act. 26.18.

Note.It was an excellent ſaying of him that was in this place before me (and deſerved to be ſo in every reſpect) in his Book of the Loadſtone, Chap. 8. ſays he, If God would give a Chriſtian his wiſh, eſpecially a Miniſter of the Goſpel, and ſay to him, as ſometime he ſaid to Solomon, when p. 607he offered a thouſand burnt-offerings at Gibeon, Ask what I ſhall give thee, 2 Chron. 1.7. what ſhould he deſire either before, or more than this, viz. than that he might receive a large portion of that Magnetical vertue from God, which was beſtowed upon Peter and Paul, and other Primitive Preachers, whereby they drew many thouſand Souls to the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt, and the world went after him.

Therefore let all ſorts of Chriſtians (in their place and ſphere) eſpecially Miniſters of the Goſpel, labour in the Converſion of Souls.

Motive 1 Shall I give you ſome Motives? The Reaſons may be Motive enough. For of all works, it is the moſt excellent,The excellency of Converting Souls. and men generally delight to be imployed in excellent works. Men will do and dare any thing, to become great in the world: but this is the onelyonly way to become great in the ſight of the Lord. Luk. 1.15. He ſhall be great in the ſight of the Lord, (ſays the Angel, ſpeaking of John the Baptiſt) And why great? Mark! ver. 16. Many of the children of Iſrael ſhall he turn to the Lord their God. Converſion of Souls to God, makes men of great account in the ſight of the Lord.

Motive 2 Secondly, conſider, This is a main end of our Calling, The end of the Miniſtery.and of all thoſe Miniſterial Gifts we receive from Jeſus Chriſt, for the better diſcharge of our Calling. He gave all for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Miniſtery, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt, Eph. 4.12, &c. He gave not theſe Gifts, that we might gain profit or applauſe to our ſelves, but that we might gain Souls to him.

Motive 3 Thirdly, conſider, The Converſion and Salvation of Souls, coſt the blood of the deareſt Soul that ever was,Souls coſt the blood of Chriſt and that is the blood of Jeſus Chriſt. Therefore ſhould Miniſters take ſpecial heed in feeding of their flock, and in the Salvation of thoſe Souls which Chriſt hath purchaſed with his own blood, Act. 20.24.

p. 608Motive 4 Fourthly, If we be negligent herein, it will coſt us our own blood:Elſe it will coſt our blood. If we neglect our duty (our duty) they may die in their iniquity, but their blood ſhall be required at the Miniſters hands, Ezek. 33.8, 9.

Motive 5 Fifthly, Not onelyonly the Precept, but the Example of Jeſus Chriſt,Example of Chriſt. doth preſs us to this duty of Converſion of Souls. He was a diligent and conſtant Preacher himſelf, and it was his very meat and drink to take occaſion of converting Souls, Joh. 4.

He is the good Shepherd, that ſeeks up his loſt ſheep, and when he hath found it, he lays it on his ſhoulders rejoycing, and bringeth it home, that others alſo may rejoyce with him, Luk. 15. Nay, it was the very laſt work that Chriſt commended to us by his Example, when he took his leave of us, and left the world. He converted the poor Thief at the laſt gaſp; as if Chriſt had ſaid, This work is the very end of my Death, that poor ſinners might live and be converted. And this work I commend upon my death to all my friends, if you love me, do as I have done in my laſt farewel: Let this be your work, to convert Souls to God; I have given you an example, that you ſhould do as I have done before you.

Motive 6 Sixthly, This is the beſt and trueſt Teſtimony of our unfeigned love to Jeſus Chriſt,Beſt ſign of love to Chriſt. Joh. 21.15, 16, 17.

Upon Chriſts threefold Interrogation, Loveſt thou me? and Peters threefold Profeſſion of his love to Chriſt; you have Chriſts threefold Injunction:

Feed my Lambs,

Feed my Sheep,

Feed my Sheep:

As if the feeding of Souls, the ſaving of Souls, were the trueſt teſtimony of our love to Jeſus Chriſt.

Motive 7 Seventhly, This is alſo the beſt teſtimony of our thankfulneſs to Jeſus Chriſt for our converſion,Teſtimony of our thankfulneſs to Chriſt. when we endevour the converſion of others. It was that which David promiſed to God in a grateful acknowledgement of Gods p. 609mercy in the pardon of his own ſins, Pſal. 51.13. Then will I teach tranſgreſſors thy ways, and ſinners ſhall be converted unto thee: As if he ſhould ſay, Lord, if thou wilt convert me, I will endevour alſo the converſion of others unto thee.

Motive 8 Eighthly, We ſhould labour the converſion of others, becauſe we our ſelves were once in the ſame condition with thoſe that are yet aliens from the Common-wealth of Iſrael.Remembrance of our own condition.

God commands his People to pity ſtrangers, becauſe themſelves were ſometimes ſtrangers in the Land of Egypt: So, ſhould we not pity ſuch as are ſtrangers to God, becauſe we our ſelves were ſometimes ſo?

I have heard of many a Drunkard and looſe liver, who being once converted, would ever after pity thoſe in the ſame condition, admoniſhing of them, and viſiting them in their ſickneſs, and ſaying, Well, what do I know but ſuch an one may belong to God as well as I? What do I know but God may change his heart as well as mine? This is the Apoſtles Argument, Tit. 3.2, 3. Shewing all meekneſs to all men, for we our ſelves alſo were ſometimes fooliſh, diſobedient, deceived, ſerving divers luſts and pleaſures, &c. But afterwards the kindneſs and love of God our Saviour towards us appeared, &c. As if he ſhould ſay, Let us therefore be pitiful to the Souls of others, as God ſhewed mercy to us, who ſometimes were as vile and ſinful as any others. And theſe are the Motives.

Queſt. But ſome may ſay, What means ſhould I uſe for the Converſion of Souls?

Anſw. I anſwer, Firſt, make ſure thy own converſion.Means for the converſion of others. 1. Being converted a mans ſelf. Luk. 22.23. And when thou art converted, ſtrengthen thy brethren.

Then the Word comes in a lively manner.

That that comes from the heart, is moſt likely to go to the heart: Every life begets like to it ſelf.

Propagation of kinde, is natural to every Creature; p. 610and ſo it is in Spiritual Life: They that have this new Life, deſire to beget others to God.

I will not deny, but an unconverted man may convert another, but 'tis very rare: God uſually delights to make uſe of ſuch as are converted themſelves; and they have as great a delight to do the work, Phil. 2.20. Tim thy— who will naturally care for your eſtate: And why ſo? becauſe Timothy was his natural ſon in the faith.

Mean 2 Make uſe of the Word: for that's the power of God to ſalvation, Make uſe of the Word.Rom. 1.16. and the incorruptible ſeed, 1 Pet. 1.23. The ſword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, Eph. 6.17. God delights not to work by other means, though men be never ſo eloquent; and therefore ſay of that, as David of the Sword of Golias, 1 Sam. 21.9. There's none like that: So may we ſay of the two-edged Sword of the Word of God, that Sword, There's none like that, in the cutting down of ſin, and the ſtone out of the heart.

Mean 3 Go out in Gods ſtrength: 2 Cor. 10.4. The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God, Go in Gods ſtrength.to the pulling down of the ſtrong holds of Sin and Satan.

Therefore be as diligent in Prayer, as in Preaching, if thou wouldſt convert Souls. 'Tis our duty to labour, but when all's done, the ſucceſs is from God; He that planteth is nothing, 1 Cor. 3.1 Cor 3nor he that watereth, but God that giveth the increaſe. Therefore be as earneſt for Spiritual children, as Rachel was for the children of her Womb, Gen. 30.

He onelyonly can help Miniſters to teach profitably, Eph. 6.19. And for me, that utterance may be given me, that I may ſpeak, &c.

He onelyonly can help People to hear with profit: Pſal 48.17. I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit.

Mean 4 Look to thy Life, as well as to thy Doctrine, if thou wouldſt convert Souls.Teach by Life. 1 Tim. 4.16. Take heed unto thy ſelf, and to thy Doctrine, for in ſo doing, &c. People obſerve p. 611what a mans hand ſpeaks, as well as what his tongue ſpeaks. Surely, ſay they, if this man were in earneſt, he would do as he ſpeaks.

Mean 5 Obſerve the Diſpoſition of thoſe with whom thou dealeſt, and become all things to all men, Obſerve diſpoſitions. 1 Cor. 9.22.1 Cor 9:22ſo far as thou canſt with a good conſcience, that thou maiſt win ſome, 1 Cor. 9.19, &c. As Fiſhers bait their hook according to the ſeaſon and kinde of the fiſh they are to take.

For Miniſters are called Fiſhers of men, and in that reſpect had need beg wiſdom of God, that we may ſo caſt forth the hook, and the Net of the Word, that we catch men.

Mean 6 If thou wouldſt convert men from their ſins,Convincing of ſin. labour firſt to convince them of ſin: that's Chriſts method, Joh. 16.8. that they may be wounded for their ſins; for, the whole have no need of the Phyſician, but the ſick.

Mean 7 Hold forth the Promiſe of Grace, and of Chriſt. In the Promiſe, offering Mercy,Hold forth Chriſt in the Promiſe. with all the freeneſs and openneſs of heart that may be, to all that are willing to receive him wholly and intirely: Joh. 1.12. To as many as received him, he gave power to be called the children of God, &c. Rev. 22.17. Let him that will, come, and take of the water of life freely.

What doſt thou know, but whilſt thou art ſpeaking to the ear, God may ſpeak to the heart by his Spirit? Act. 10.44. While Peter yet ſpake theſe words, the Holy Ghoſt fell on all them which heard the Word.

Mean 8 Work every part of the Word: firſt upon thy own heart; do not onelyonly work it into thy head,Work the word on thine own heart. but work it into thy heart: Ezek. 3.1. Son of Man, eat that thou findeſt, eat this roll, and go ſpeak, &c. As Nurſes put into their own mouthes firſt.

Ʋſe 4. Of Exhortation. Ʋſe 4Exhortation to Miniſters to preach in a Soul-ſaving way.

Exhortation to Miniſters to preach in ſuch a way, as is moſt fit to win Souls; to preach in a Soul-ſaving way: p. 612not to ſtroke the ear, but to ſtrike the heart. O thirſt for Salvation of Souls!

Teach in ſuch a way, as is moſt ſutable to the opening and unfolding of heavenly Myſteries.

Chriſt findes fault with the Scribes and Phariſees, that they ſhut up the Kingdom of Heaven before men: Mat. 23.13.Matt 23:13So do they that either preach not at all, or preach above the ordinary capacity of ordinary people (who have Souls to ſave as well as other men) we ſhall be no better than Barbarians to them,1 Cor: 14. if we preach in a Language they underſtand not, which may be as well in ſome kinde of Engliſh, as in Latine or other Language.

Therefore we ſhould remember, the uſe of Language is juſt like the uſe of a Key, which is nothing elſe, but aperire quod clauſum eſt, to open that which is ſhut: and therefore we do not eſteem that the moſt excellent Key, which is made of the moſt excellent Metal, but that which is made of the beſt and fitteſt form, in reference to the opening of the Lock: So we ſhould not eſteem that the moſt excellent preaching, that is made up of the fineſt and braveſt ſtile, but that which is fitteſt for the opening of the underſtanding, by convincing the judgement; and alſo for the opening of the heart, by working upon the affections.

Ʋſe 5 Ʋſe 5. Exhortation to the People.

To People, twofold.1. To be willing to be wrought upon, and to be converted.

2. To be willing to attend upon ſuch means, as is moſt proper for the effecting of that great Work.

1. To be willing to be wrought upon.Firſt, To be willing to be wrought upon, and to be converted.

For if it be ſuch an excellent thing to be an Inſtrument of others Converſion, then it muſt needs be excellent to be converted.

O remember the vaſt difference betwixt a man in the ſtate of Nature, and in the ſtate of Grace; betwixt a man p. 613converted and unconverted. O remember, whilſt you are unconverted, you are in a ſtate of

Darkneſs,

Enmity,

Death.

But when once converted, in a ſtate of

Light,

Peace,

Life.

Motives.

1. When ye are unconverted, ye are in a ſtate of Darkneſs, Eph. 5.8. Once darkneſs, &c.

1. Darkneſs of Ignorance, Epheſ. 4.18.

Alas! they know nothing,

1. Of themſelves and their miſerable condition by nature, Rev 3.17. I counſel thee to buy of me eye-ſalve, &c.

2. Of Chriſt, in a Soul-ſaving way, Epheſ. 2.12. Without Chriſt, &c.

2. Darkneſs of Sorrow: at leaſt when unconverted perſons lie down in the Grave. Iſa. 50. laſt. They ſhall lie down in ſorrow.

2. In a ſtate of Enmity, Epheſ. 2.3. Children of wrath as well as others, Joh. 3.36. God is an enemy to unbelievers, and to be ſure they are enemies to God. Rom. 8.6, 7. The carnal minde is enmity againſt God, &c. O what a dangerous condition this is! It were better to have all the world enemies to us, than God. Remember what God ſaith, Ezek. 22.14. Can thy heart endure, or thy hands be ſtrong in the day that I ſhall deal with thee?

3. In a ſtate of Death: Epheſ. 2.1. Dead in ſin, and liable to death for ſin; to a firſt death, and a ſecond death: and this of all terribles is the moſt terrible.

p. 614But ſecondly, when once converted, thou art in a ſtate of

Light,

Peace,

Life.

Mal. 4.2.Mal 4:21. In a ſtate of Light. Epheſ. 5 8. Ye were once darkneſs, but now are ye light in the Lord. The Sun of righteouſneſs doth ariſe with healing in his wings: Healing the darkneſs of

Ignorance,

& Sorrow.

True Light and Heat come both together.

2. In a ſtate of Peace. Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by faith, we have peace with God: It is better to have God to be our friend, than to have all the world beſide.

3. In a ſtate of Life. Luke 15. laſt, This thy brother was dead and is alive. And thus the juſt lives by his Faith the moſt excellent life that can be deſired. Therefore come in, and be willing to be wrought upon, &c.

Obj. If you ſhall ſay (as they in Jeremy) There is no hope, I am ſo great a ſinner, God will never ſhew mercy to me: It were preſumption for me to offer to lay hold on the Promiſe.

Anſw. Look to the Pattern of great ſinners, converted on purpoſe to incourage others to come in to Chriſt. Did Manaſſes, or Mary Magdalen, or Paul, preſume when they did believe? 1 Tim. 1.13. I was a blaſphemer, a perſecutor, injurious, &c. and v. 16. How be it for this cauſe I obtained mercy, that in me firſt Jeſus Chriſt might ſhew forth all long-ſuffering, for a pattern to them that ſhould hereafter believe.

OnelyOnly be humbled for thy ſins, and accept of Chriſts Righteouſneſs; go not about to eſtabliſh thine own, Rom. 10.3.

p. 615Remember, As no man is accepted for his own Righteouſneſs, but Chriſts: So no man is rejected for his own unrighteouſneſs, but for his final impenitency and unbelief. Therefore be perſwaded to come in.

Accept of mercy while God offers mercy: Do not draw back, when God is drawing of you. I hope you have ſome good thoughts,Act. 26.Acts 26 ſome good deſires in your hearts. You are almoſt perſwaded: O be not onelyonly almoſt, but altogether.

Perhaps ſome of you are even upon the very pangs of the New-birth: O let not Spiritual difficulties cauſe you to draw back, as Ephraim did, Hoſ. 13.13.

O ſtrive! O pray! The Kingdom of heaven ſuffers violence. O be earneſt with God, and bemoan your backwardneſs! Jer. 31.18. I have ſurely heard Ephaim bemoaning himſelf thus, Thou haſt chaſtiſed me, and I was chaſtiſed as a Bullock unaccuſtomed to the yoke: Turn thou me, and I ſhall be turned, &c.

Pray God to open the everlaſting doors, &c. Pſal. 24 ult. O yield to God when he perſwadeth, when he beſeecheth! When Chriſt and Satan are Suitors and Competitors, do not put off Chriſt, and yield to Satan. Be not cruel to your own fleſh, and enemies to your own Souls,

Remember how you rejoyce

Angels,

The Churches,

Chriſt himſelf,

Your own Hearts.

Therefore be perſwaded, &c.

Secondly,2. To be willing to attend upon ſuch means as are proper. Be willing to attend upon ſuch means as are moſt proper for the effecting of that great Work: To attend upon a Soul-ſaving Miniſtery. God complains by the Prophet Jeremy, that as the falſe Prophets did Prophecy ſmooth things, and falſe things; ſo his People did love to have it ſo, Jer. 5 laſt.

p. 616That ſame Athenian itch in the people, to hear ſome new ſtrange thing, Act. 17.Acts 17doth too often draw forth an Athenian ſcratch from the ſpeaker, to tell what they ſo much deſire to hear, Act. 17.21. But 'tis wiſdom in both, to be converſant in the pattern of wholeſom words: To give and receive that Spiritual food, which may not ſo much pleaſe the palate, as nouriſh the perſon to Life Eternal.

Doubtleſs, he preaches beſt, and he hears beſt, that preaches and hears to the Salvation of the Soul. Many thouſand Souls in heaven ſhall bleſs God for ever for the plain and powerful preaching of the Word. And many thouſand Souls in hell ſhall complain to all Eternity, that their hurt was ſoon healed and skinned over with ſilken language, and ſoft words, as the Prophet Jeremy ſpeaks.

Ʋſe 6 Ʋſe 6. Of Thankfulneſs.

Of Thankfulneſs.Of Thankfulneſs, in caſe

1. We our ſelves are converted.

2. If any by us or by our means be converted.

1. If we be converted our ſelves.Firſt, if the converſion of Souls be ſuch an excellent Work; Be thankful if we our ſelves be converted. 1 Tim. 1.13, 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, inviſible, the onelyonly wiſe God, be honour and glory for ever. This ſhout of Praiſe follows upon the acknowledgement of Pauls Converſion: and it were eaſie to ſhew, how thoſe Attributes have an influence on Converſion. Eternity is little enough to praiſe God for ſuch a Mercy. Luk. 10.20. Rejoyce not in this, that the spirits are ſubject unto you; but rather rejoyce, that your Names are written in heaven. Pſal. 33.34. Sing unto him a new ſong; play skilfully with a loud noiſe, for the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done in truth. (This for Converting of thy Soul.)

The life of heaven, is nothing elſe but a life of Thankfulneſs for this unſpeakable mercy. God might have rejected us as fire-brands of Hell for ever.

p. 617Queſt. But how ſhall I know that I am converted, and effectually called, that I may be thankful?

Anſw. If thou art turned to righteouſneſs, thou art turned from ſin, Act. 26.18. Perfecta contrarietas nullum medium admittit.

Ob. There is ſin in the beſt.

Anſw. True, there is ſin in the beſt, but not with allowance.

Obſerve: Sin is caſt out of its Throne, though not out of the Man in a regenerate perſon: Rom. 6.18. Being made free from ſin, ye became the ſervants of righteouſneſs. There's no ſin with peaceable poſſeſſion: The ſtrong man armed is caſt out.

Secondly, There is a love of, and endevour after Righteouſneſs and Holineſs: 1 Joh. 3.3. Every one that hath this hope, purifieth himſelf, even as he is pure. We were redeemed, Luke 1.75. that we ſhould ſerve him in holineſs and righteouſneſs all our days.

It is in fieri, though not fully perfected.

Thirdly, By reſolved reliance upon God. Job 13.15. Though he kill me, yet will I truſt in him; at leaſt earneſtly deſire ſo to do.

Fourthly, By renouncing all other Confidences. He that lays hold on God, lets go all his other holds: God hath knock'd off his hands and his heart from other things. Pſal. 44.5, 6. Through thee will we puſh down our enemies, through thy Name will we tread them under, that riſe up againſt us: for I will not truſt in my bowe, neither ſhall my ſword ſave me. Hoſ. 14.3. Aſhur ſhall not ſave us, we will not ride upon horſes, neither will we ſay any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our God: for in thee the fatherleſs finde mercy. He that turns to God, renounceth all other confidence; yea, even his own Righteouſneſs: Rom 10.3. They that eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, have not embraced the righteouſneſs of God. So they that are turned to Gods Righteouſneſs, are turned from their p. 618own, i.e. from truſting to it in point of Juſtification.

Fifthly, By the Teſtimony of Gods Spirit, and our own regenerate Spirit: Rom. 8.16. For the Spirit it ſelf beareth witneſs with our Spirits, that we are the Sons of God; at leaſt teſtifying to us in point of Holineſs, if not in point of Comfort.

Sixthly, By the Spirit of Prayer, and Supplication, and Adoption: Rom. 8.15. Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. None of Gods children are born tongue-ty'd.

Seventhly, By our Love, or working of our love to a threefold object: for Gods People partake of Divine Nature. 2 Pet. 1.4. and this Divine Nature is diſcovered in nothing more than in a way of love, 1 Joh. 4.16.

1. To God and Jeſus Chriſt as our chief portion. Pſal. 119.57. Thou art my portion, O Lord, I have ſaid that I would keep thy words: 1 Pet. 2.7. Ʋnto you which believe, he is precious.

2. To the Word of God, which was an inſtrument to beget us to God: 1 Pet. 1.23. Being born again, not of corruptible ſeed, but of incorruptible ſeed by the Word of God, 1 Pet. 2.2. As new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby.

3. to our fellow brethren, that are begotten with us as children of the ſame womb and loyns, that have Father and mother the ſame. 1 Joh. 5.1. Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him alſo that is begotten of him. 1 Joh. 3.14. We knew that we have paſſed from death unto life, becauſe we love the brethren. If we ſee theſe marks of our converſion, and ſpiritual cleanſing we are commanded as the leper upon the like diſcovery of their cleanſing to preſent our offering of praiſe as a teſtimony of our unfeigned thankfulneſs.

If he hath cauſe to be thankful that receives a change from ſickneſs to health,Mat. 8.4.Matt 8:4 from poverty to riches; how much more is he bound to be thankful that is changed from ſin p. 619to righteouſneſs, and from death to life.

Secondly, not only ſo,2. Thankf. If we have bin inſtruments of others converſion. but we ſhould be very thankful alſo if God hath made us inſtruments of others converſion: for they that turn men unto Righteouſneſs, &c. Is the work ſuch an excellent work that the angels admire it? And is the reward ſuch an excellent reward that the very luſtre of the heavens is little enough to reſemble it? How ſhould we then be thankful, if God hath made us inſtruments of others converſion! If God hath bleſt our Admonitions, Exhortations, Examples, Prayers, as private men: Eſpecially Miniſters.Or if God hath bleſt any of our indeavours in the publick miniſtry to that happy end.

1. We ſhould be thankful that God hath let us in ſuch a calling. We deſerved not to be ſo much as door-keepers in his houſe.

2. Thankful that Chriſt hath in any meaſure gifted us for the diſcharge of our calling: for t'was he that did aſcend to give gifts unto men: Eph. 4.12.

3. Thinkful, eſpecially, that God doth bleſs our endeavours in the exerciſe of thoſe gifts to the converſion of ſouls: for, how many men of great gifts and parts do fiſh all night and all day too, yea many dayes and years and catch nothing, though they caſt out the net of the word many thouſand times?

Therefore be thankful, that God ſhould vouchſafe to imploy any of us, in ſo honorable work and ſervice who deſerved not to waſh the feet of his ſervants. That God ſhould crown our poor weak indeavours with the converſion of ſouls.

If God hath ſo honoured us,Give God in Chriſt the honour of converſion. let us put the honour back upon him, yet not we, but Jeſus Chriſt may be admired among the people.

As they ſaid of their bodily cure, Act. 3.12. So ſhould we of the converſion of a ſoul; Why look ye ſo earneſtly on us? as though by our own power or holineſs we had made this man to walk? No: The God of Abraham Iſaac and p. 620Jacob hath glorified his ſon Jeſus Chriſt,—and his name, through faith in his name, hath made this man ſtrong, whom ye ſee and know. Yea the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect ſoundneſs in the preſence of you all.

Miniſters are but Trumpets.Alas, we are but trumpets (Iſai 58.1. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet) and therefore if God breath not in us, we are as dead as others are, neither can we raiſe others from the dead.

Tis true indeed the dead ſhall be raiſed in the laſt day by the ſound of the trumpet; but not by the power of the trumpet it ſelf, but by the power of him that ordained it. So thoſe that are dead in ſin ſhall be raiſed in the mean time by the trumpet of the goſpel, but not by the power of the goſpel it ſelf, or of the publiſher of it but by the power of that God who appointed the fooliſhneſs of preaching for the converſion of ſouls, 1 Cor. 3.5, 6. Who is Paul? and who is Apollo, but the miniſters b…y whom ye believe; Paul may plant, and Apollo may water, but it is God along that giveth the increaſe.

If God therefore be the ſtrength of his ſervants in the converſion of ſouls, there is good reaſon he ſhould be their Praiſe, we have cauſe to bleſs God, if any riſe up and call us bleſſed we might have been ſo far left, to partake in other mens ſins, that others might have riſen up and called us curſed.

Ʋſe 7 Therefore let God have all the glory, if any of us have been made inſtruments of the converſion of any: Thus Paul. 1 Tim. 1.12. I thank Chriſt Jeſus our Lord who hath inabled me, for that he hath counted me faithful putting me into the miniſtry.

Of comforts to them that are Inſtruments of others Converſion.Ʋſe 7. Of Comfort.

Comfort to thoſe that are inſtruments of others converſion in the midſt of all diſcomforts they meet withall from the world for to that end (as we told you in the beginning) is this argument brought: Be it ſo, that thoſe that perform p. 621this Spiritual piece of ſervice for God and the Church in the converſion of Souls, do meet with more than ordinary oppoſition and contempt from the world: yet let this be their comfort, their reward and encouragement from God is more than ordinary. What if ſtones fly about Stevens ears upon earth, ſo long as heaven is opened to him, and he can ſee the glory of God, Acts 7.56.Acts 7:56and Jeſus ſtanding at the right hand of God, this makes amends for all.

And truly, this Text is as the opening of Heaven to thoſe that labour in the converſion of Souls.

It may be the lot of ſuch to be made with the Apoſtles, the very filth of the world, and the off-ſcouring of all things, 1 Cor. 4.13.

But what of that? the more they ſuffer, the more they ſhall be glorified. The adverſaries Reproaches ſhall be turned into Crowns of Glory; and therefore they may ſay with Job, 31.31. If mine adverſary ſhould write a book againſt me, yet would I take it and binde it as a Crown upon my head.

This therefore (I ſay) may be matter of comfort againſt all that diſcomfort which the Miniſters of God meet withall. I plead not for all that are called by that Name, who wear a garment, or a name to deceive, who prophecy of wine and ſtrong drink; who ſeek themſelves, and ſeek the fleece more than the good of the flock: Let ſuch bear their own burthen. But I ſpeak of ſuch as are faithful, and ſeek the things of Jeſus Chriſt.

Let wicked men ſpit out their gall and ſpleen againſt Gods faithful Meſſengers: Let them rail and revile, and caſt dirt upon their faces, &c. God himſelf ſhall undertake to wipe away all reproaches and all their tears; when ſhame, everlaſting ſhame ſhall cover their adverſaries: Then, they that be wiſe ſhall ſhine as the brightneſs of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteouſneſs, as the ſtars for ever and ever.