The Beatitudes, Discourse · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
The Introduction into the enſuing Diſcourſe.
THE bleſſed Evangeliſt Saint Matthew, the Penman of this Sacred Hiſtory was at firſt by profeſſion a Publican or gatherer of Toll *Publicani aut vectigaliarii. Cael. Rhod. Antiq.; and Chriſt having called him from the Cuſtom-houſe, made him a gatherer of ſouls. This holy man in the firſt Chapter ſets down Chriſts birth and Genealogy; in the ſecond his dignity; a Starre uſhers in the Wiſemen to him, and as a King he is preſented with Gold and Frankincenſe and Myrrhe, ver. 9, 11. In the third Chapter the Evangeliſt records his Baptiſme; in the fourth his tentations; in the fifth his preaching; which Chapter is like a rich mine, every veine hath ſome gold in it. There are four things in this Chapter which offer themſelves to our view.
1. The Preacher.
2. The Pulpit.
3. The Occaſion.
4. The Sermon.
1. The Preacher.1. The Preacher. Jeſus Chriſt. The beſt of Preachers.
He went up.] He, in whom there was a combination of vertues, a conſtellation of beauties; He whoſe lips were not only ſweet as the hony-comb, but did drop as the hony-comb; his words an Oracle, his works a Miracle, his life a Pattern, his death a Sacrifice, He went up into a mountain and taught. Jeſus Chriſt was every way enobled and qualified for the work of the Miniſtry.
1. Chriſt was an intelligent Preacher. He had the Spirit without meaſure, John 3.34. and knew how to ſpeak a word in due ſeaſon, when to humble, when to comfort. We cannot know all the faces of our hearers, Chriſt knew the hearts of his hearers, He underſtood what Doctrine would beſt ſuit with them; as the huſbandman can tell what ſort of graine is proper for ſuch a ſoyle.
2. Chriſt was a powerful Preacher, He ſpake with authority, Matth. 7.29. He could ſet mens ſinnes before them, and ſhow them their very hearts, John 4.29. Come ſee a man which told me all things which ever I did. That is the beſt Glaſſe not which is moſt richly ſet with Pearle, but which ſhows the trueſt face; Chriſt was a Preacher to the conſcience, He breathed as much zeal as eloquence; he often touched upon the heart-ſtrings. What is ſaid of Luther, is more truly applicable to Chriſt, He ſpake as if he had been within a man. He could drive the wedge of his Doctrine in the moſt knotty piece; He was able with his two-edged ſword to pierce an heart of ſtone. Never man ſpake like this man, John 7.46.
3. Chriſt was a ſucceſſeful Preacher; He had the Art of converting ſouls. John 10.40. Many beleeved on him; yea, perſons of rank and quality, John 12.42. Among the chief Rulers many beleeved. He who had Grace poured into his lips, Pſalm 45.2. could pour grace into his hearers hearts; He had the Key of David in his hand, and when he pleaſed did open the hearts of men, and make way both for himſelf and his Doctrine to enter. If he did blow the Trumpet his very enemies would come under his Banner, upon his Summons none durſt but ſurrender.
4. Chriſt was a lawful Preacher; as He had his Unction from his Father, ſo his Miſsion, John 8.18. The Father that ſent me bears witneſſe of me. Chriſt (in whom were all perfections concentred, yet,) would be ſolemnly ſealed, and inaugurated into his Miniſterial as wel as Mediatory Office; if Jeſus Chriſt would not enter upon the work of the Miniſtry without a Commiſſion, how abſurdly impudent are they who without any warrant dare invade this holy Fuction! There muſt be a lawful admiſſion of men into the Miniſtry*Nemo in Eccleſia debet publice concionari niſi rite vocatus. Auſtin.. Heb. 5.4. No man taketh this honour to himſelf, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Our Lord Chriſt as he gave Apoſtles and Prophets which were extraordinary Miniſters, ſo Paſtors and Teachers which were initiated and made in an ordinary way, Epheſ. 4.11. and He will have a Miniſtry perpetuated, Matth. 28.20. Lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world. Sure, there is as much need of Ordination now, as in Chriſts time, and the time of the Apoſtles, there being then extraordinary gifts in the Church which are now ceaſed.
Object. 1. But why ſhould not the Miniſtry lye in common? Hath the Lord ſpoken only by Moſes? Num. 12.2. Why ſhould not one preach as well as another?
Anſw. Becauſe God (who is the God of order) hath made the work of the Miniſtry a ſelect diſtinct Office from any other. As in the body natural the members have a diſtinct office, the eye is to ſee, the hand to work; you may as well ſay, why ſhould not the hand ſee as well as the eye? becauſe God hath made the diſtinction, He hath put the viſive faculty into the one, and not the other. So here, God hath made a diſtinction between the work of the Miniſtry and other work.
Queſt. Where is this diſtinction?
Anſw. 1. We finde in Scripture a diſtinction between Paſtor and People, 1. Pet. 5.2. The Elders (or Miniſters) I exhort, Feed the flock of God which is among you. If any one may preach, by the ſame rule all may, and then what will become of the Apoſtles diſtinction? Where will the flock of God be if all be Paſtors?
2. God hath cut out the Miniſter his work which is proper for him, and doth not belong to any other. 1 Tim. 4.13. Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, give thy ſelf wholly to them; or as it is in the Greek, foreign, be thou wholly in them. This charge is peculiar to the Miniſter, and doth not concern any other. It is not ſpoken to the Tradeſman that he ſhould give himſelf wholly to Doctrine and Exhortation, no, let him look to his ſhop; it is not ſpoken to the plough-man that he ſhould give himſelf wholly to preaching, no, let him give himſelf to his plough. It is the Miniſters charge; the Apoſtle ſpeaks to Timothy, and in him, to the reſt who had the hands of the Presbytery laid on them; and 2 Tim. 2.15. Study to ſhew thy ſelf approved, a workman that needeth not to be aſhamed, foreign, rightly dividing the word of truth. This is ſpoken peculiarly to the Miniſter. Every one that can read the Word aright, cannot divide the Word aright. So that the work of the Miniſtry doth not lye in common, it is a ſelect, peculiar work. As none might touch the Arke but the Prieſts; none may touch this Temple-office but ſuch as are called to it.
Object. 2. But if a man hath gifts, is not this ſufficient? I anſwer, no; as grace is not ſufficient to make a Miniſter, ſo neither gifts. The Scripture puts a difference between gifting and ſending, Rom. 10.15. How ſhall they preach unleſſe they be ſent? If gifts were enough to conſtitute a Miniſter, the Apoſtle ſhould have ſaid, How ſhall they preach unleſſe they be gifted? but he ſaith Unleſſe they be ſent; As in other callings gifts do not make a Magiſtrate; The Attorney that pleads at Bar may have as good gifts as the Judge that ſits upon the Bench, but he muſt have a Commiſſion before he ſit as Judge. If it be thus in matters Civil, much more Eccleſiaſtical and Sacred; which are as Bucer ſaith, Maximi mementi, things of the higheſt importance. Thoſe therefore that do uſurp the Miniſterial work without any ſpecial deſignation and appointment, do diſcover more pride than zeale. They act out of their ſphere; and are guilty of Thievery; they ſteal upon a people: And as they come without a Call, ſo they ſtay without a Bleſſing. Jer. 23.32. I ſent them not, foreign therefore they ſhall not profit this people at all. And ſo much for the firſt, the Preacher.
The Pulpit.2. The Pulpit where Chriſt preached: foreign, He went up into a Mountain.
The Law was at firſt given on the Mount; and here Chriſt expounds it on the Mount. This Mount as is ſuppoſed by Hierom and others of the Learned, was Mount Tabor. It was a convenient place to ſpeak in, being ſeated above the people, and in regard of the great confluence of hearers.
3. The occaſion.3. The occaſion of Chriſts aſcending the Mount; foreign, ſeeing the multitude.
The people thronged to hear Chriſt, and he would not diſmiſs the Congregation without a Sermon, but ſeeing the multitude he went up. Jeſus Chriſt came from heaven as a Factor for ſouls, he lay legend here a while, preaching was his buſineſs; the people could not be ſo deſirous to hear, as he was to preach; he who did compaſſionate faint bodies; Matth. 15.32. did much more pity dead ſouls; it was his meat and drink to do his Fathers will, John 4.34. And ſeeing the multitude, he goes up into the Mount and preacheth. This he did not only for the conſolation of his hearers, but the imitation of his Miniſters.
Doctr. From whence obſerve: Doctr. That Chriſts Miniſters according to Chriſts pattern muſt embrace every opportunity of doing good to ſouls; praying and preaching, and ſtudying muſt be our work 2 Tim. 4.2. Preach the Word, be inſtant in ſeaſon, foreign; ut omnem ſcil. arripiant concionandi occaſionem.out of ſeaſon*. Peter ſeeing the multitude, lets down the Net, and at one Draught catcheth three thouſand fouls: Acts 2.41. How zealouſly induſtrious have Gods Champions been in former Ages, in fulfilling the work of their Miniſtry; as we read of Chryſoſtom, Auſtin, Baſil the great, Calvin, Bucer, and others, who for the work of Chriſt were nigh unto death. The Reaſons why the Miniſters of Chriſt (according to his pattern) ſhould be ambitiouſly deſirous of all opportunities for ſoul-ſervice, are
1. Their Commiſſion: God hath intruſted them as Ambaſſadors: 2 Cor. 5.20. Now you know an Ambaſſador waits for a day of Audience, and as ſoon as a day is granted, he doth faithfully and impartially deliver the mind of his Prince: Thus Chriſts Miniſters having a Commiſſion delegated to them to negotiate for ſouls, ſhould be glad when there is a day of Audience, that they may impart the mind and will of Chriſt to his people.
2. Their Titles. 1. Miniſters are called Gods Seeds-men, 1 Cor. 9.11. therefore they muſt upon all occaſions be ſcattering the bleſſed ſeed of the Word: The Sower muſt go forth and ſowe; yea, though the ſeed fall upon ſtones (as uſually it doth) yet we muſt diſſeminate, and ſcatter the ſeed of the Word upon ſtony hearts, becauſe even of theſe ſtones God is able to raiſe up children to himſelf. 2. Miniſters are called Stars; therefore they muſt ſhine by Word and Doctrine in the Firmament of the Church. Thus our Lord Chriſt hath ſet them a pattern in the Text: Seeing the multitude, he went up into the Mountain; here was a light ſet upon an hill; the bright Morning Star ſhining to all that were round about. Chriſt calls his Miniſters, Lux Mundi, the light of the World, Matth. 5.14. therefore they muſt be always giving forth their luſtre; their light muſt not go out till it be in the ſocket, or till violent death as an extinguiſher put it out.
3. Chriſts Miniſters muſt anſam arripere, catch at all occaſions of doing good to others, in regard of the work which they are about, and that is ſaving of ſouls; what a precious thing is a ſoul*foreign. Macar.? Chriſt takes as it were a pair of ſcales in his hands, and he puts the world in one ſcale, and the ſoul in the other, and the ſoul out-weighs: Matth. 16.26. The ſoul is of a noble original, of a quick operation; 'tis a flower of eternity; here in the bud; in heaven, fully ripe and blown. The ſoul is one of the richeſt pieces of Embroidery that ever God made; the underſtanding beſpangled with light; the will inveſted with liberty; the affections like Muſical Inſtruments tuned with the finger of the Holy Ghoſt. The ſoul is Chriſts Partner, the Angels Familiar; now if the ſouls of men are of ſo noble an extract, and made capable of glory, oh how zealouſly induſtrious ſhould Chriſts Miniſters be to ſave theſe ſouls! if Chriſt did ſpend his blood for ſouls, well may we ſpend our ſweat: It was Austins prayer that Chriſt might find him at his coming, aut Precantem, aut Praedicantem; either Praying, or Preaching: What a ſad ſight is it to ſee precious ſouls as ſo many Pearls and Diamonds caſt into the dead Sea of Hell?
4. The Miniſters of Chriſt ſeeing the multitude, muſt aſcend the Mount, becauſe there are ſo many Emiſſaries of Satan who lie at the catch to ſubvert ſouls: How doth the Old Serpent caſt out of his mouth floods of water after the woman to drown her? Revel. 12.15. What floods of Hereſie have been poured out in City and Country, which have over-flown the banks, not only of Religion, but Civility. Ignatius calls Error, the invention of the Divel; and Bernard calls it, dulce venenum, a ſweet poyſon: Mens ears like Spunges have ſucked in this poyſon: Never were the Divels Commodities more vendible in England than now; a fine tongue can put off bad wares; the Jeſuit can ſilver over his lyes, and dreſs error in truths Coat; a weak brain is ſoon intoxicated; when flattery and ſubtilty meet with the ſimple, they eaſily become a prey: The Romiſh Whore enticeth many to drink down the poyſon of her Idolatry and filthineſs, becauſe it is given in a golden Cup, Revel. 17.4. If all who have the plague of the head ſhould dye, it would much increaſe the Bill of Mortality; Now if there be ſo many Emiſſaries of Satan abroad, who labour to make Proſelytes to the Church of Rome, how doth it concern them whom God hath put into the work of the Miniſtry, to beſtir themſelves, and lay hold on all opportunities, that by their ſpiritual antidotes they may convert ſinners from the error of their way and ſave their ſouls from death! Jam. 5. ult. Miniſters muſt not only be Paſtores, but Praeliatores; in one hand they muſt hold the bread of life, and feed the Flock of God; in the other hand, they muſt hold the Sword of the Spirit, and fight againſt thoſe errors which carry damnation in their front.
5. The Miniſters of Chriſt ſhould wait for all opportunities of ſoul-ſervice, becauſe the Preaching of the Word hath ſo many Remora's that hinder the progreſs and ſucceſs of it; never did Pilot meet with ſo many Euroclydons and croſs winds in a Voyage, as the ſpiritual Pilots of Gods Church do when they are tranſporting ſouls to heaven.
1. Some hearers have bad memories, Jam. 1.25. Their memories are like leaking Veſſels; all the precious wine of holy Doctrine that is poured in, runs out preſently: Miniſters cannot by ſtudy find a truth ſo faſt as others can loſe it; if the meat doth not ſtay in the ſtomack, it can never breed good blood; if a truth delivered doth not ſtay in the memory, we can never be as the Apoſtle ſaith, Nouriſhed up in the words of faith, 1 Tim. 4.6. How often doth the Divel, that Fowle of the Aire, pick up the good ſeed that is ſown*Verbum Dei, ſuffurante Diabolo memoriâ excidit.! If Thieves ſteal away peoples money, they tell every one, and make their complaint they have been Robbed; but there is a worſe Thief they are not aware of! How many Sermons hath the Devil ſtollen from them! how many truths have they been robbed of, which might have been ſo many death-bed cordials! now if the Word preached ſlides ſo faſt out of the memory, Miniſters had need the oftner go up the preaching Mount, that at laſt ſome truth may abide, and be as a nail faſtened by the Maſters of Aſsemblies.
2. The Ears of many of our hearers are ſtop't with earth; I mean, the cares of the world, that the Word preached will not enter; according to that in the Parable, Hearing they hear not, Matth. 13.13. We read of Saul, his eyes were open, yet he ſaw no man, Acts 9.8. A ſtrange Paradox! and is it not as ſtrange that mens ears ſhould be open, yet in hearing hear not *Fanus pecuniae funus anima.? They mind not what is ſaid: Ezek. 33.31. They ſit before thee as my people ſitteth, but their heart goeth after their covetouſneſs. Many ſit and ſtare the Miniſter in the face, yet ſcarce know a word he ſaith; they are thinking of their wares and drugs, and are often caſting up accounts in the Church. If a man be in a Mill, though you ſpeak never ſo loud to him, he doth not hear you for the noiſe of the Mill. We preach to men about matters of ſalvation, but the Mill of worldly buſineſs makes ſuch a noiſe, that they cannot hear; in hearing they hear not. It being thus, Miniſters who are called ſons of thunder, had need often aſcend the Mount, and lift up their voice like a Trumpet *…. 58.1.; that the deaf ear may be ſeringed and unſtopped, and may hear what the Spirit ſaith to the Churches, Revel. 2.7.
3. Others, as they have earth in their ears, ſo they have a ſtone in their hearts. Zach. 7.12. They made their hearts as an Adamant ſtone, leſt they ſhould hear the Law. The Miniſters of Chriſt therefore muſt be frequently brandiſhing the Sword of the Spirit, and ſtriking at mens ſins, that if poſſible, they may at laſt pierce the heart of ſtone. When the earth is ſcorch'd with the Sun, it is ſo hard, and cruſted together, that a ſhowre of rain wil not ſoften it; there muſt be ſhowre after ſhowre before it will be either moiſt or fertil; ſuch an hardned piece is the heart of man naturally; it is ſo ſtiffned with the ſcorchings of luſt, that there muſt be Precept upon precept, Iſa. 28.10. Our Doctrine muſt diſtill as the dew, as the ſmall rain on the tender herb, and the ſhowers upon the graſs, Deut. 32.2.
6. Chriſts Miniſters according to the example of their Lord and Maſter, ſhould take all occaſions of doing good, not only in regard of Gods Glory, but their own Comfort. What triumph is it, and cauſe of gladneſs, when a Miniſter can ſay on his death-bed, Lord, I have done the work which thou gaveſt me to do, I have been trading for ſouls! When a Miniſter comes to the Mount of glory, the heavenly Mount, it will be a great comfort to him that he hath been ſo often upon the preaching Mount. Certainly if the Angels in heaven rejoyce at the converſion of a ſinner, Luk. 15. how ſhall that Miniſter rejoyce in heaven over every ſoul that he hath been inſtrumental to convert? every convert gained, as it ſhall adde a member to Chriſts body, ſo a jewel to a Miniſters Crown, Dan. 12.3. They that are wiſe, or as the Original carries it, foreign They that are Teachers ſhall ſhine (not as Lamps or Tapers, but) as Stars; fulgebunt ſicut Stellae; not as Planets, but fixed Stars in the firmament of glory for ever.
And though Iſrael be not gathered, yet ſhall Gods Miniſters be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, Iſa. 49.5. God will reward them, not according to their ſucceſs, but their diligence *foreign. Chryſoſt.. When they are a ſavour of death to men, yet they are a ſweet ſavour to God. In an Orchard, the Labourer that Fells a Tree, is rewarded as well as he that Plants a Tree; the Chyrurgions Bill is paid though the Patient dye.
SECT. 1.
Uſe 1 Firſt,LET me crave liberty to ſpeak a word to the Eliſha's, my Reverend and Honoured Brethren in the Miniſtry. You are engaged in a glorious ſervice, God hath put great Renown upon you; he hath entruſted you with two the moſt precious jewels, his TRUTHS, and the SOULS of his people; never was this honour confer'd upon any Angel to convert ſouls; What Princely Dignity can parallel this? The Pulpit is higher than the Throne; for a truly conſtituted Miniſter repreſents no leſs than God himſelf. 2 Cor. 5.20. As though God did beſeech you by us, we pray you in Chriſts ſtead, be ye reconciled to God. Give me leave to ſay as the Apoſtle, Rom. 11.13. I magnifie my Office. Whatever our Perſons are, the Office is Sacred: The Miniſtry is the moſt honourable imployment in the World; Jeſus Chriſt hath graced this calling by his entring into it; other men work in their Trade, Miniſters work with God. 1 Cor. 3.9. foreign We are labourers together with God. O high honour! God and his Miniſters have one and the ſame work, they both negotiate about ſouls: Let the ſons of the Prophets wear this as their Crown and Diadem; but while I tell you of your Dignity, do not forget your Duty: Imitate this bleſſed pattern in the Text, the Lord Jeſus, who ſeeing be multitudes, he went up and taught. He took all occaſions of preaching; ſometimes he taught in the Temple, Mark 14.49. ſometimes in a Ship, Mark 4.1. and here upon the Mount; his lips were a Tree of life that fed many: How often did he neglect his food, that he might feaſt others with his Doctrine! Let all the Miniſters of Chriſt tread in his ſteps; make Chriſt not only your Saviour, but your Samplar; ſuffer no opportunities to ſlip wherein you may be helpful to the ſouls of others; be not content to go to heaven your ſelves, but be as the Primum Mobile, which draws other orbs along with it; be ſuch ſhining Lamps, that you may light others to heaven with you: I will conclude with that of the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15.58. Therefore my Beloved Brethren, be ye ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foraſmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
SECT. 2.
Secondly,LET me turn my ſelf to the Flock of God, Uſe 2 If Miniſters muſt take all opportunities Branch. 1 to preach, you muſt take all opportunities to hear. If there were twice or thrice a week a certain ſum of money to be diſtributed to all comers, then people would reſort thither; now think thus with your ſelves, when the Word of God is preached, the bread of life is diſtributed, which is more precious than thouſands of gold and ſilver, Pſal. 119.72. In the Word preached heaven and ſalvation is offered to you; in this Field the Pearl of price is hid: How ſhould you flock like Doves to the windows of the Sanctuary! Iſa. 60.8. We read, the gate of the Temple was called beautiful, Acts 3.2. The gate of Gods houſe is the beautiful gate; lye at theſe poſts of wiſdomes doores, Prov. 8.34.
Branch. 2 2. Not only hear the Word preached, but encourage thoſe Miniſters who do preach. 1. By liberal maintaining of them. Though I hope all who have Gods Urim and Thummim written upon them, can ſay as the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 12.14. I ſeek not yours, but you; yet that Scripture is ſtill Canonical, 1 Cor. 9.14. So hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Goſpel ſhould live of the Goſpel. Are not labourers in a Vineyard maintained by their labours? ſaith Peter Martyr; And the Apoſtle puts the queſtion, Who plants a Vineyard and eateth not the fruit of it? 1 Cor. 9.7. Hypocrites love a cheap Religion; they like a Goſpel that will put them to no charges; they are content ſo they may have golden bags, to have woodden prieſts. How many by ſaving their purſes have loſt their ſouls! Julian the Apoſtate robbed the Miniſters, pretending conſcience; I need not tell you how vengeance purſued him. Is it not pity the fire on Gods Altar ſhould go out for want of pouring on a little golden oyle? David would not offer that to God which coſt him nothing, 2 Sam. 24.24.
2. Encourage Gods Miniſters by your fruitfulneſſe under their labours; when Miniſters are upon the Mount, let them not be upon the Rocks. What coſt hath God laid out upon this City! never I believe ſince the Apoſtles times was there a more learned, orthodox, powerful Miniſtry than now; Gods Miniſters are called Stars, Rev. 1.20. In this City every morning a Star appears, beſides the bright conſtellation on the Lords day; Oh you that feed in the greene paſtures of Ordinances, be fat and fertil; you that are planted in the Courts of God, flouriſh in the Courts of God, Pſalm 92.13. How ſad will it be with a people that ſhall go laden to Hell with Goſpel-bleſſings! The beſt way to encourage your Miniſters, is, to let them ſee the travel of their ſouls in your new birth. It is a great comfort when a Miniſter doth not only woe ſouls, but win ſouls, Prov. 11.30. He that winneth ſouls is wiſe. This is a Miniſters glory, 1 Theſ. 2.19. For what is our joy, or crown of rejoycing? are not even ye? A ſucceſſeful Preacher wears two crowns, a Crown of righteouſneſſe in heaven, and a Crown of rejoycing here upon earth; Are not ye our Crown?
3. Encourage your Miniſters by praying for them. Branch. 3 Their work is great, it is a work will take up their head and heart, and all little enough; it is a work fitter for Angels*Opus Angelicis humeris formidaudum. Eraſm. than men. foreign? Who is ſufficient for theſe things? 1 Cor. 2.16. Oh pray for them. Chriſt indeed when he aſcended the Mount, and was to preach, needed none of the peoples prayers for him; He had a ſufficient ſtock by him, the Divine nature to ſupply him; but all his under-officers in the Miniſtry need prayer. If Saint Paul who abounded in the graces of the Spirit, and ſuper-natural revelations, did beg prayer, 1 Theſ. 5.25. then ſurely other Miniſters need prayer who pretend not to any ſuch revelations. And pray for your Miniſters,
1. That God will direct them what to preach, that he will cut out their work for them, Jonah 3.2. Go preach the preaching that I bid thee. It is a great matter to preach ſuitable truths; theſe are acceptable words, Eccleſ. 12.10.
2. Pray that God will go forth with their labours; for elſe they toyle and catch nothing. Gods Spirit muſt fill the ſails of our miniſtry*Cathedram habet in caelo qui corda docet in terra. Auſtin.. It is not the hand that ſcatters the ſeed which makes it ſpring up, but the dewes and influences of heaven: So it is not our preaching, but the Divine influence of the Spirit that makes grace grow in mens hearts: We are but Pipes and Organs, it is Gods Spirit blowing in us that makes the Preaching of the Word by a Divine Enchantment allure ſouls to Chriſt. Miniſters are but Stars to light you to Chriſt, the Spirit is the load-ſtone to draw you. All the good done by our Miniſtry, is per virtutem & efficaciam Domini *Bucer.. Oh then pray for us, that God will make his work proſper in our hands; this may be one Reaſon why the Word preached doth profit no more, becauſe people pray no more; perhaps you complain the Tool is dull, the Miniſter is dead and cold; you ſhould have whetted and ſharpned him by your prayer; if you would have the door of a bleſſing opened to you through our Miniſtry, you muſt unlock it by the key of prayer.