Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 1 · Sermon 3

Three Decades of Sermons · Decade 1 · Sermon 3

p. 49The wiſeſt Preacher: Set forth in a SERMON

Upon Prov. 11. latter part of verſ. 30. He that winneth ſoules is wiſe.

THe Areopagites had a cuſtome that ſuch SERM. 3. at St Maries OXON. Aprill 16. 1648as pleaded before them ſhould pleade foreign, without prefacing and without paſſion. For paſſion of my own let it be diſcarded altogether: All my deſigne is this, to be inflamed with zeale to the glory of God, and ſo to be tranſported with a paſſion of love towards your ſoules, as to winne them to Jeſus Chriſt. And for prefacing I looke upon all ſlattering Apologies as ſuperfluous, and beneath the dignity of that worke I have in hand. The words read are a ſacred Proverb, or a divine ſelect Aphoriſme deciphering forth in a Character the truely wiſe man. Not the foreign of Greece, nor the Philoſophers of old, not the accurate Linguiſts, not the eloquent Orators, nor the learned Rabbies, nor Machiavilian Politicians, not an elixar and quinteſſence drawn forth out of all the elaborate volumes of Philoſophers and Orators can denominate the author truely wiſe, in a ſpirituall and Theologicall acception; My ground 1 Cor. 2. 14.1 Cor 2:14is from the Apoſtle 1 Cor. 2. 14. foreign &c. compared with 1 Cor. 3. 19. But here the ſpirit of God foreign p. 50celebrates the praiſes, and ſtampes a character of wiſdome upon him that winneth ſoules, He that winneth ſeues is wiſe.

You know that Proverbs for the moſt part are entire ſentences, without connexion or dependance on the precedent words: yet Context.here (And) in the front of the text denotes a relation to what went before: ſo that the precedent and ſubſequent parts of this verſe referre each to other. You have a rare deſcription of the righteous man: ſuch a one whoſe heart is upright with God, is reſembled to a tree of life; Alluding to the tree of life in Paradiſe. As that was of Gods own plantation, and had the preheminence of other trees, ſo the graces of a godly man are of Gods own plantation: None are borne holy, but created ſo. Grace is no plant that naturally growes in our Gardens, but is a plant of our heavenly fathers plantation. And as the tree of life had the preheminence of John 15. 5.John 15:5other trees; ſo the godly over all other men. And its obſerved by a judicious commentator on the place: That the ſcope of this Proverbe Proverbil ſumma recidit ut diſcant homines quo pretio virum juſtū aeſtimare convenit, Carthw…. Ehp. 5. 4.is to inhance the eſteeme of the righteous man. Though Godly men be held at a cheape eſteeme, and are accounted the ſcumme of the world; yet the Allegory in the text gives in Gods Probatum eſt of them, that they are as a tree of life. And further its ſaid the fruit of the righteous (i. e.) the words and actions, the counſell, example, life and converſation of a righteous man are the pretious fruits which the tree of life doth beare: His words are ſavory, miniſtring grace to the hearer: Hee's grave and edifying in his diſcourſe: His converſation is exemplary, ſuch as adornes his profeſſion: In a word, the fruite of a righteous man is pretious fruite. And if you would have a taſt of it, here you may gather one of the choiceſt that growes on this tree, and that is to win ſoules, The fruite of the righteous, &c.

Now the text preſents you with the moſt choice and excellent fruite of a righteous man, the winning of ſoules. The text is an entire categoricall propoſition conſiſting of a ſubject, praedicat, & copula.Diviſion. 1. The Perſon.

Or rather. 1. Here's a perſon ſet down definitely. It may be applied to the Miniſters of God eminenter, for it's their peculiar office and maine deſigne to gaine ſoules to God, yet not excluſivè: It's every ones dutie to doe all the offices of love they can, and eſpecially to conſult and endeavour the mutuall good of each other ſoules.

p. 512. Here's the worke ſet downe, to win, or take in, or gaine ſoules. 2. The Worke.The Metaphor may be drawn from a ſouldier, who hath fought valiantly and won the field: ſo muſt he that wins ſoules take up armes againſt the fleſh, the Devill, and the world, againſt principalities, and powers, and ſpirituall wickedn…ſſe in high places. And this ſpirituall ſouldier muſt never give over, 'till he returne away with the trophies of victory.

Or elſe the Metaphor may be tooke from a fowler, who takes fowles in a net: So he that will winne ſoules muſt ſpread the net of the Goſpell: And if the government of ſoules (as Gregory ſaith) Artium Ars eſt Regimen Animarum. Greg. de Paſtor curâ. 3. The Object ſoules.be of all other arts the excellent'ſt certainly the winning of ſoules muſt be a ſuperexcellent Art, all other arts the excellent'ſt.

3. Here's the object, ſoules, immortall, heavenly-borne-being-ſoules, the image of God, the very breath of God inſpired in our creation, of more value then all the world, the purchaſe and ranſome of Jeſus Chriſt: The excellency of this noble object, makes the victory more glorious, and the conquerour more renowned. To winne a ſtrong caſtle, a towne, a kingdome is the glory of the conquerour: but to winne a ſoule to God is a farre greater glory: It's the gallanteſt piece of ſervice in all the world to winne ſoules to Jeſus Chriſt.

4. And laſtly, Here's the commendation, high Elogium, or a ſacred 4. The Commendation.Panegyrick, which is given to him that doth this great worke: He is wiſe: It's a great queſtion where wiſdome is to be found, Job 28. 12, 13. the determination of all is verſ. 28: The feare of the Job 28. 12, 13. 1 Cor. 1. 20.Job 28:12Job 28:131 Cor 1:20Lord is wiſdome, &c. and its a great queſtion with Paul, 1 Cor. 1. 20. where is the wiſe, where is the ſcribe? Now both theſe queſtions may be reſolved from the text, its a point of wiſdome to gaine ſoules, and hees a wiſe man that's a practitioner in this ſoule ſaving art: This is the wiſe man; a man of a pretious anointing, an interpreter one of a thouſand, whoſe eyes are in his head, whoſe wiſdome is taught of God. And the declaration of this wiſdome is that Argument whereon I fix as a word ſpok…nin due ſeaſon, which can never be enough taught, never enough learn'd: The Lord make it as profitable as it is ſeaſonable. The words of the text in terminis are a doctrine: But in relation to what went before, thus I ſhall propound it to you. Doctrine.

That it's a choice fruit of wiſdome, to win ſoules unto God. For my more methodicall progres in unfolding this point, I ſhall propoſe p. 52theſe familiar heads of diſcouſe.Method.

1. To aſſert this poſitive truth, and give in the proofe thereof.

2. Deſcribe the Character of him who is likelieſt to win ſoules:

And 3ly, Draw forth ſome inferences of practiſe as may beſt conduce to the better ordering of your lives and converſations. Thoſe ſhall conſtitute the doctrinall part of my text, this laſt, the uſe and application: and theſe ſhall be the bounds and limits of my enſuing meditations.

I reſume the enlargement of the firſt head propounded. And for proofe of the point, I ſhall conſider it under a double demonſtration foreign and foreign: for the foreign, that it is ſo: The Apoſtle James diſtinguiſheth 1. Head. foreign, That it is ſo Jam. 1. 15, 17.Jas 1:15Jas 1:17of a twofold wiſdome, Earthly, and Heavenly, and by their fruits you may know them, James 1. 15, 17. Now humane earthly wiſdome hath no part nor portion in this worke: It's above the ſphere and cognizance of ſecular learning to reveale the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt. A man may attaine unto as great knowledge as ever Ariſtotle or Plato had, and yet be an Ignoramus in the myſtery of Chriſts reconciliation: ſuch a mans naturall parts are too good to goe to hell with him, he ſhall be degraded of them before, and ſo ſhall miſcarry to all eternity. The wiſdome that we ſpeake of is divine wiſdome, ſuch alone as can make us wiſe unto ſalvation. This is not taught in Ariſtotles Lycaeum, nor Zenoe's Stoa, or Plato's Academy, but only in the ſchoole of Jeſus Chriſt: He then muſt be foreign, a man taught of God who is a good proficient in this ſoule winning art. To drive this ſpirituall trade, to negotiate for ſoules, to be inſtrumentall in the converſion of ſoules, It's the greateſt worke in all the world. Now that this is ſuch an excellent peece of wiſdome, I ſhall prove it by an induction of particulars: ſuch as have put it in practiſe themſelves, are fitteſt to give teſtimony to this truth.

Firſt, and above all, I ſhall inſtance in him who is the wiſdome of his Father, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſtiled a Counſellor for his wiſdome. He was employed about his Fathers buſineſſe, Luke 2▪ 40. And what was his buſineſſe, but to ſave that which was loſt? Matth. 18. 11. He profeſſeth that he was ſent to the loſt ſheep of the houſe of Iſrael, Matth. 10. 6. He came to call ſinners to repentance, Luk. 5. 32. You may read the great employment of Chriſt in his Miniſtery, Luk. 4. 18. Chriſt went about doing good, ſpeaking of the things of the p. 53Kingdome: Chriſt is our peace, Epheſ. 2. 4. And the great myſtery of the Goſpell is declared in this work of reconciliation. Next to inſtance in the Apoſtles, however in the Judgment of the Councell, Acts 4. 13. foreign, yet theſe the Lord made inſtrumentall to confound the wiſdome of the wife. By their Miniſtry the Lord converted multitudes of ſoules, 3000 at one Sermon, Act. 2. 41. Further, I'le inſtance in Paul whoſe deſire was tranſcendent for their ſalvation, Rom. 10. 1. See his proteſtation, 1 Cor. 2. 2. See his judgment, 1 Cor. 1. 20, 21, 23. Compare this with the firſt of Cor. 2. 6, 7, 8. Paul that great Doctor of the Gentiles, bred up at the feet of Gamaliel, a man of great learning, gives Chriſt the preheminence, & undervalues every thing for Jeſus Chriſt. foreign, Phil. 3. 8. Be they the moſt exquiſite Arts and Sciences, riches, honours, pleaſures in their greateſt eſtate and confluences, yet in compariſon of Chriſt he ſets upon them this brand of infamy foreign. Luther had ſuch high eſteeme of Chriſt and ſuch a regard unto precious ſoules as he profeſſeth—ſatius eſt conturbari Lutheri loc. com. Adveniat verbum Dei, adveniat, et ſi ſexcentum habuiſſemus ora, ciſummitteremus omnia, Baldaſſar Miniſt. Germ. Acts 17. 34.Acts 17:34& collidi totum terrarum orbem, quam Chriſtum non praedicari, &c. Baldaſſar (Miniſter of Germany) profeſt, Let the Word of God come, let it come, if I had 600 necks I would ſubmit unto it. Tis verified by experience what Luther was wont to ſay: Praedicare verbum Dei, nihil aliud eſt, quam derivare in ſe furorem totius inferni & ſatanae. Yet God in his wiſdome hath ordained this for a medium to convert ſoules. And where the word of God is preached in ſincerity, the meſſengers meete with the ſame entertainment as Paul at Athens, though ſome mocked and accounted him a babler, yet others cleaved unto him. Here then my Brethren is a point of wiſdome to follow the example of Chriſt, his Apoſtles and ſervants. It was their wiſdome to beget ſoules unto God; It was their principall buſineſſe, according to their commiſſion, to open their eyes, to turne them from darkneſſe unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Acts 28. 18. Goe you and doe likewiſe. It's a ſound gloſſe upon the text, Ex his colligitur &c. Hence we gather wherein conſiſts the Cartwright in locum.true praiſe of Miniſters, not in others applauding of them, and ſetting forth their parts, but here's their wiſdome and knowledg indeed, in converting ſoules unto God: So judicious Carthwright.

2. I proceed to the other demonſtration foreign Here my taske foreign Why it is ſo. Arguments.will be in laying downe ſome Arguments for confirmation of the p. 54truth: The Arguments i'le caſt into 4 heads.

1. In reſpect of God.

2. In reſpect of the Object.

3. In reſpect of the worke.

And 4ly, In reſpect of the reward.Arg. 1. In reſpect of God.

1. In reſpect of God. God hath a tender care of his own glory: and this muſt be the end of the whole creation. And above all, the reaſonable creature muſt act in every thing for the attainment of the laſt end, the glory of God. Now wherein is God more glorified, then in the converſion of ſoules. Its ſaid, John 15. 8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye beare much fruit. And amidſt variety of good fruit, this is one of the moſt ſweet and acceptable to God, to pluck a ſinner out of the Devils ſnare, and convert him to Jeſus Chriſt. And this ſhould be the ſole end and deſigne of every one that enters into the Miniſteriall function to promote the glory of God in ſaving of their own ſoules, and thoſe that heare them: when this end is firſt in thine eye, and accompanied with a conſciencious ſedulity in the exerciſe of the meanes, thou mayeſt expect the bleſſing of God crowning thy endeavours with good ſucceſſe. And ſuch a perſon is a man of wiſdome, who is ſo highly honoured by God as to be an inſtrument to convert but one ſoule unto God.Arg. 2. In reſpect of ſoules.

The ſecond Argument is in reſpect of the object, ſoules, and that rationall ſoules endowed with noble faculties, the underſtanding and the will the very breath of God, Gen. 2. 7. The peculiar creation of God, not ex traduce, not by propagation, it's God that formeth the ſpirit of man within him, Zech. 12. 1. And God is terminus a quo & ad quem both, Eccl. 12. 7. The ſpirit ſhall returne unto God that gave it. The ſoule is immateriall and ſpirituall, a Heavenly borne being, not made of the earth as the body was, but infuſed by creation, and created by infuſion: and though the body moulder into A nima creando infunditur, & inſundendo creatur. Aug.duſt and ſee corruption, yet the ſoule runs parallel with the longeſt line of eternity. Men and Divels banding together cannot kill the ſoule. And hereupon againſt perplexing feares and cares, Chriſt gives a ſeaſonable caution, Matth. 10. 28. Feare not them, which kill the body, but are not able to kill the ſoule, but rather feare him, which is able to deſtroy both body and ſoule in Hell.

Now then in the third place in reſpect of the excellent work, Arg. 3. In reſpect of the w…r…e.employed upon ſo noble an object as an immortall ſoule, the wiſdome p. 55of the worker will be more enhaunc't. We muſt know that God is the ſole efficient cauſe of the ſalvation of a ſinner, man onlyan inſtrument ſubſervient to Gods commands. To preach, pray, conſerre, & meditate is the Miniſters duty, but the ſucceſſe is the work of God. We are earthen veſſels encompaſſed with infirmities, men of like paſſions, but in the weakneſſe of the inſtrument, the ſtrength of God more eminently appeares; and God works by weake meanes, men of meane preſence and low eſteeme amongſt men, that no fleſh may glory …n his preſence, and all the honour may redound to God. But the Lord had never any ſpeciall ſervice but he raiſed up perſons of ſuitable ſpirits for the performance of it. Bezaleel and Aholiab were filled with wiſdome for building of the tabernacle: God raiſed up the ſpirits of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zacharie, Zerubbabel for the reedifying of the temple. And now adaies God raiſeth up men of heroicall ſpirits both of the Magiſtracy and Miniſtry, to carry on the worke of reformation both in Church and State, maugre all the hoſtile oppoſitions, plots and projects of Sanballats and Tobiahs, even all Jeſuiticall Malignantfactions, which are the Peſts and Gangrenes of the kingdome, Remora's and obſtructions of reformation. That propheſy doth afford many hopes againſt in any feares, Dan. 9. 25. The ſtreet ſhall be built againe, and the walls in troublous times. Thus then I argue. To conquer potent enemies, to ſubdue places of great ſtrength, and reduce them to outward obedience, is an argument of wiſdome in the conquerours: but to ſubdue unruly affections, to conquer mens ſpirits, to winne ſoules unto Chriſt, this muſt be a higher piece of wiſdome indeed.

4. And laſtly, In reſpect of the reward, the excellency of this wiſdome ſhines forth more clearly. He that gaines a ſoule doth Arg. 4. In reſpect of the reward.an excellent worke ſo James ſets it forth, James 5. 19, 20. Brethren, if any one of you do erre from the truth, and one convert him: let him know that he which converteth a ſinner, from the errour of his way, ſhall ſave a ſoule from death, and ſhall hide a multitude of ſins. The very worke it ſelfe is ſometime counted a reward, the work and the reward are uſed asſynonymous termes, Iſay 49 4. Yet ſurely my judgm…nt is with the Lord, and my work with my God. And beſides no man ever did, nor ſhall ever goe away a looſer by Gods ſervice: God keeps the wages 'till afterwards: Here we may have an earneſt, part of payment, but the great ſumme is reſerved for another world. p. 56And they that honour God in bringing converts to the Goſpell, and making Proſelytes to Jeſus Chriſt, they are highly honoured of God. Them that honour me (ſaith God) I will honour, 1 Sam. 2. 30. And what honour God will one day put upon them, you may read, Dan. 12. 3. And they that be wiſe ſhall ſhine as the brightneſſe of the firmament, and they that turne many to righteouſneſſe, is the ſtars for ever and ever: ſuch honour hath all his Saints. When Andrew ſhall come in with Achaia, by him converted to the truth, John with Aſia, Thomas with India, Peter with the Jewes, and Paul with the Gentiles, and all the Miniſters of the Goſpell, and others whom God hath made inſtrumentall in this great ſervice: when theſe ſhall be able to ſay, Behold Lord, here we are, and the children which thou haſt given us, then will the Lord ſay to them, well done good and faithfull ſervants, enter into your maſters joy.

And thus I have diſpatcht the firſt head propounded, in the ſecond 2. Head. The Characters of him that win neth ſoules. Charact. 1. He muſt abound in love.place I am to give in the character of him who of all others is likelieſt to win ſoules, how ſuch a one ſhould be qualified, I ſhall repreſent unto you in theſe enſuing Characters.

1. He muſt abound in the grace of love, his heart muſt be enflamed with ſeraphicall love unto Jeſus Chriſt. It's a paſſage frequently uſed in Ignatius Epiſtles, foreign, my love is crucified. It's an excellent ſaying in Paul, 2 Cor. 5. 14. foreign, the love of Chriſt conſtrains us. A faithfull Miniſter acts altogether from a principle of love to Jeſus Chriſt. He prayeth, preacheth, giveth almes, faſteth, watcheth, and hee's indefatigable in his labours, and what's the reaſon or ground of all, Becauſe the love of Chriſt conſtrains him. Then onelyonly are we upon ſure grounds, when the love of Chriſt is that primum mobile that ſets all the other orbes in their motion, and where there's a principle of love to Jeſus Chriſt, there will be ſhed abroad mutuall love towards our brethren: ſuch love was unparalleld in Moſes, who wiſh'd himſelfe blotted out of the bo…ke of life, Exod. 32. 3. And in Paul, who wiſhed himſelfe an Anathema for the Jewes, Rom. 9. 3. Here's ſoule love indeed beyond compare. O what an ardent affection and tender compaſſion ought Miniſters to have to the ſoules of their people! Love to their ſoules will make them runne through fire and water, grapple with beaſts of Epheſus, ſons of Anak, even Herculean labours. But where's love to the fleece onelyonly, Mercenary p. 57hopes of promotions, dignities, carnal intereſt, all ſuch ſelf-ends and ſiniſter reſpects, will be but as ſo many Ignes fatui, to lead men away into dangerous and deſtructive ways: It's onelyonly love to the ſoul that will ſet thee a working to good purpoſe. And further, he that is thus ſet on fire with love to Chriſt, and to his Brethrens ſouls; muſt be a man of ſuch wiſdom, as to temper all his counſels in love: In all his Meditations and Exhortations, Love is one main Ingredient in the compoſition: He abhors ſin in any, and reproves it; but whileſt he hates the ſin, he loves the perſon; and whileſt he endeavors to ſlay and utterly to deſtroy the ſin, he would gladly be inſtrumental to ſave the ſoul of the ſinner: This is the rule which the Apoſtle gives, Eph. 4. 15. foreign, ſome render it ſpeaking, ſome following, ſome, doing the truth: But if the Engliſh word may be admitted, it's rendred moſt ſuitable to the Original, truthing of it in love.

2. He muſt be a man of a willing minde: God expects his offering Charact. 2. A man of a willing minde.of the willing hearted, Exod. 35. 5. And the people are commended for willingly offering themſelves, Judg. 5. 2. The queſtion was asked, 1 Chron. 29. 5. Who then is willing to conſecrate his ſervice to the Lord, and it's ſaid, v. 6. Then the chief of the Fathers, and the Princes of the tribes of Iſrael, &c. offered willingly: And Gods people are a willing people, people of willingn…ſſe, Pſalm 110. 3. Every one ſet apart for the Miniſtry muſt have ſuch a Spirit as Amaſiah the Son of Zichri had, who willingly offered himſelf unto the Lord: And this was as eminent in Paul, And I will very gladly ſpend 2 Chro. 17. 16. 2 Chro. 12. 15.2 Chr 17:162 Chr 12:15and be ſpent for you: Neceſſity and conſtraint may not put any upon a Miniſterial Function, Quaſi ultimum refugium, not an Advowſon purchaſed by the Father, and intended for the Son; nor an Impropriator, who intends his Son for his Subſtitute at a venture. A ſtrange Soloeciſm (ſaith Mr. Bolt…n, that holy man of God) a Lay-Rector and not Preach, nor a Collegiate Education, by Statute, enjoyning at ſuch a ſtanding to enter into Orders, whereas, alaſs, many venter thus upon this calling, who have neither heart nor hand to put forth to the work, but onelyonly that they might keep their places: I ſay, none of thoſe can be a ſufficient warrant in point of conſcience to take upon them ſo high a Calling: This Calling muſt be took upon choice and ſerious deliberation: It muſt be willingly entred upon, and willingly performed: No thinking of putting p. 58thy hand to the Plough, and looking back, ſuch are not fit for the ſervice of the Lord: This muſt be thy reſolution, come good report, come evil report, honor, diſ honor, proſperity or adverſity, I will give my ſelf up to God (as Hannah gave Samuel) for a loan all the days of my life.

3. He muſt be a man of a meek ſpirit, ſuch a ſingular ſpirit was Charact. 3. A man of a meek ſpirit.in Moſes, Numb. 12. 3. And beyond all parallel in Chriſt: He propounds himſelf the pattern of our imitation, Matth. 11. 29. How muſt the ſervant of the Lord be qualified, 2 Timothy 2. 24, 25. And the ſervant of the Lord muſt not ſtrive, but be gentle unto all m…n, apt to teach, patient, in meekneſs inſtructing thoſe that oppoſe themſelves: And how muſt an erring brother be dealt withal, you may obſerve the rule Gal. 6. 1. foreign, &c.

4. He muſt be a man of zeal and courage in the cauſe of God: Every Charact. 4. He muſt be a man of zeal and courage.thing is beautiful in its ſeaſon: There's a ſeaſon for meekneſs, and a ſeaſon for zeal. Moſes, who was meek in his own cauſe, yet was highly tranſported with zeal in the cauſe of God: Some are Boanergeſſes, Sons of Thunder, and others are Barnabaſſes, ſons of conſolation: It's obſerved, that notwithſtanding many failings, there's ſome good ſpoken of all the Churches of Aſia, onelyonly Laodicea Rev. 3. 16, 19.Rev 3:16Rev 3:19excepted, becauſe they wanted zeal, they were luke-warm, neither cold nor hot, and therefore God will ſpew them out of his mouth: Wherefore God commands the Angel or Miniſter of the Church, v. 19. Be zealous, and repent: He that will gain ſouls, muſt have his heart boyling in zeal to Gods glory. Paul, when he came to Athens, and obſerving their Superſtition, was not afraid of the Philoſophers encounter; neither was he mealy-mouthed for all their reproaches, but tells them plainly to their faces, Ye men of Athens, I Acts 17. 22.Acts 17:22perceive that in all things ye are too ſuperſtitious: Sin muſt not be connived at, though in Athens, nay rather the more to be reproved, becauſe in ſuch a place, eminent for Learning, more is given, and more is to be required; and he that knoweth his maſters will, and doth it not, ſhall be beat…n with more ſtripes. Who can refrain ſpeaking in the cauſe of God, unleſs he be ſpiritually ſtupified, and have a dumb Devil within him? It was Luthers brave reſolution, to go to Melch. Ad. in vira Lutheri.Wormes, and preach the Goſpel, though every tile was a Devil to oppoſe him: However zeal may be cenſured for phrenzy, its but the ſame Livery that Feſtus beſtowed on Paul: And thou mayeſt urge Pauls p. 59Apology, I am not mad, but ſpeak forth the words of truth and ſoberneſs: Act. 27. 24, 25.Acts 27:24Acts 27:25And reſolve with David, if to be zealous for God, be accounted vileneſs, reſolve to be more vile.

5. He that would win ſouls, muſt be a man of knowledge: Charact. 5. He muſt be a man of kn…wledge.Where God gives a calling, he furniſheth men with a competent meaſure of gifts for the diſcharge thereof: Blinde guides, Ignoramuſſes, are none of Gods ſending: They run before they are ſent: Prophets were called Seers, and the Prieſtslips ſhould preſerve knowledge. As the Mal. 2. 7.Mal 2:7Prieſt under the Law, ſo the Miniſter under the Goſpel, muſt be a man of knowledge: How ſhould the Miniſter be able to grapple with the Hydra of Hereſies, to contend for the Faith, to convince gain-ſayers, unleſs he be a man of knowledge? There's much uſe of ſecular Learning: Arts and Sciences are Hand-maids to Divinity: As long as they keep their diſtance, they contract a good eſteem; but if the Hand-maid will have the preheminence of her Miſtreſs, 'tis high time ſhe ſhould be caſheered: And there's exceeding great uſe of Nurſeries of Learning, and Schools of the Prophets: But here's the knowledge, which above all others you muſt get, even the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt. All the Fathers, and Schoolmen, and philoſophers, though in their due place they muſt be reverenced, yet all their Learning put together, cannot make you gainers of Souls: Its Chriſt alone that can do it: He can infuſe Divine knowledge, and give you eye-Salve, as he promiſeth Rev. 3. 18. He can give you that Ʋnction whereby you ſhall know all things. This is a rare 1 Iohn 2. 20.1 John 2:20knowledge, to know how to gain a ſoul: This onelyonly is to be learnt in the School of Jeſus Chriſt.

6. He muſt be a man Orthodox in judgement, one that hath the Charact. 6. He muſt be a man Orthodox in judgement.Spirit of diſcerning, to underſtand the ways of God, able to diſtinguiſh truth from falſhood; otherwiſe, being blinde and ignorant, the blinde leading the blinde, both muſt fall into the ditch. God goeth not forth with the Miniſtry of falſe Teachers: They may deceive ſouls, but cannot gain them, unleſs in that ſenſe which is ſaid that the Scribes and Phariſees did, which compaſſed ſea and land to gain a Proſelyte, and when he is made, he becomes ſeven Matth. 23. 15.Matt 23:15times worſe the childe of the devil then before. Such a gain is a dreadful loſs, not a winning, but a deſtroying of ſouls: It ſhould therefore be our principal buſineſs to ſtudy the Scriptures, and to be well grounded in the truth, to be ſtedfaſt, and ſetled in the faith, not being p. 60carried about with every winde of Doctrine, by the ſlight, of men, and cunning craftineſs, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, Eph. 4. 14. There are three emphatical words in the Text, foreign from foreign a Dye; counterfeit Teachers, imitate counterfeit Gameſters, they can cog a Dye, foreign every work, any trick, any ſhift, foreign a wiley art of legerdemane: To be fenced againſt theſe, what need have we to pray for a ſpirit of diſcerning to know the truth, and to have our hearts ſtabliſht with grace, as the Apoſtle exhorts, Heb. 13. 9.

7. He muſt be a man of an holy life, and exemplary converſation: 7. He muſt be a man of a boly life.Concionatoris vita, Concionis anima: Gregory de Paſtorali curâ, tells us, Neceſſe eſt ut eſſe munda ſtudeat manus, quae diluere aliorum ſordes curat, That hand muſt be clean that's imployed in wiping of others filthineſs. The Exhortation is urgent, Iſa. 52. 11. Be ye clean that bear the veſſels of the Lord. A good life is a good Commentary upon a good Sermon. The Apoſtle is earneſt in his Exhortations, Rom. 2. 21. Thou that teacheſt others, teacheſt thou not thy ſelf, &c. Miniſters lives ſhould be ſtanding Sermons, their whole converſation a pattern of Piety: They are Beacons ſet upon an Hill, the eye of the whole Countrey is upon them; As the godly obſerve: So the eye of the wicked watch▪ for their halting, ready to make them an offender for a word. It's a common obſervation, that the contention of Abrahams and Lots Herdſmen, hath a greater aggravation becauſe the Canaanite was then in the Land: The obſervation of the wicked, Gen. 13. 7.Gen 13:7is not a ſmall motive to engage us unto circumſpect walking: The very breathings of a Miniſter ſhould be ſpiritual, full of grace in his lips, miniſtring grace to the hearers; his words ſavory, tending to edification; his carriage ſerious, grave, exemplary, adorning his Profeſtion, as becometh the Goſpel: What an efficacy hath a good Phil. 1. 27. foreign.Phil 1:27Sermon, when its backt with an holy life and converſation? We ſhould therefore pray for a ſerious, heavenly frame of ſpirit.

8. He that would win ſouls, muſt be a man of induſtry: This is Charact. 8. He muſt be a man of induſtry.that Apoſtolical Character, To be a work-man that needeth not to be aſhamed, 2 Tim. 2. 15. Chriſt admits no Truants in his School, no Droans in his Hive, no Loyterers in his Vineyard: It's ſaid, The lab…r…r, not the loyterer, is worthy of his hire. Miniſters are in Scripture called Paſtors, Seers, Watch-men, Work-men: Its a palpable contradiction, for to be a Paſtor and not to feed, a Seer, and to be p. 61blinde; a Watchman, and to ſleep, and a Work-man to be idle. Pharaoh bids Joſeph ſet any of his Brethren, that were men of activity, over his cattle; and much more ought they to be men of activity who are to be ſet over ſouls: No induſtry, no labor like that of the brain; I ſhould rather ſay, that of the heart, for the heart labor is the beſt labor of a Preacher of the Goſpel: There's no reſting from our labors, till we come to Heaven; we read of Pauls labors in wearineſs and painfulneſs, in watchings often, &c. you read 2 Cor. 11. 27.2 Cor 11:27often of foreign and foreign in Chryſ…ſt…m…s Homilies: Some of Calv…ns excellent Commentaries were read every day: Let not ſuch as hope to gain ſouls to indulge their eaſe: 'Tis a dangerous thing to be a lover of eaſe: Leave off dallying and procraſtinating, and ſall a working; wrap not thy Talent in a napkin, but improve it induſtriouſly, to the glory of God and advantage of ſouls.

9. He that would win ſouls, muſt be a man of diſcretion, that Charact. 9. He muſt be a man of diſcretion.knows how to ſpeak a word in due ſeaſon: He muſt have skill in this ſoul-trade, when to give a Corraſive, & when a Cordial, when ſtronger, when gentler Phyſick muſt be preſcribed: There are Lambs as well as Sheep; Babes as well as ſtrong men; broken hearted as well as hard hearted, and a ſuitable remedy muſt be applyed: He muſt ſpeak war where God would have him, and ſpeak peace where God would have him: O how faithful ought he to be in the diſcharge of his Function, he muſt divide to every one their portion, mercy to whom mercy, and judgement to whom judgement belongs: Thus was the Prophet Iſaiah qualified, for, ſaith he, The Lord God hath Iſa. 50. 4.Isa 50:4given me the tongue of the learned, that I ſhould know how to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to him that is weary: Gregory de paſtorali cura, a Book Gre…: de Paſtorali curâ.worthy of our reading, inſiſts largely upon this particular; how proud and how humble perſons, how merry, how ſad perſons, how angry, how meek perſons, &c. are to be admoniſhed, that ſo remedies may be applyed ſuitable to the ſore: This wiſdom we muſt pray for, and put it in practice throughout the whole courſe of our Miniſtry.

10. and laſtly, He that would win ſouls, muſt be a man of an Charact. 10. He muſt be a man of an humble ſpirit.humble ſpirit: Love was the firſt I mentioned, Humility the laſt, but not the leaſt: Love muſt lead the van, and Humility brings up the rear, and then there's great hope of a ſouls conqueſt: The Apoſtle exhorts, foreign Be ye cloathed with p. 621 Pet. 5. 7.1 Pet 5:7humility: The word foreign (as Henſius and Pollux obſerves) ſignifies veſtimentum humile, a mean Garment which ſervants wore, and it was a badge of humility: Let's put on Humility as a garment, this let us always wear, never put it off. Next to the R…be of Chriſts righteouſneſs, it's the beſt garment in all the world. When God gives thee parts, and thou art proud of them, this ſpiritual pride will be thy ruine: But when thou haſt good parts, and an humble ſpirit, thou art put in a capacity of ſaving thine own ſoul, and thoſe that hear thee: For God gives grace to the humble, and pours moſt precious liquor into empty veſſels. I have read a Story of one that ſaw in a viſion many ſnares of the Devil ſpread upon earth, he ſat down and mourned, and ſaid within himſelf, Who ſhall paſs through theſe? whereupon he heard a voice anſwering, Humility ſhall paſs through them. Humility will paſs through Caut-ropes, Gins and Pit-ſolds, which the Devil lays in the way. O beware of Pride, and above all pride, of ſpiritual pride! It's that dead fly that mars many, a Box of precious …yntment: It's like that wilde gourd that ſpoild the pottage, and cauſed them to cry out, Eſt mors in olla. Take notice how God bleſſeth the labours of many of meaner parts, who are humble and watchful, when as many of greater parts, poſſeſt with Luciferian pride of ſpirit, are curſt in all their undertakings.

Thus you have heard him ſet forth in his proper colours, and decyphered in legible Characters, who of all others is likelieſt to win ſouls.

Q. But what, if notwithſtanding a man in ſome good meaſure thus Q.qualified cannot reap the fruits of his pains, nor obtain the ſeal of his Apoſtleſhip?

I Anſwer, That muſt be our ſtay and ſupportation, Iſa. 40. 4. A.Then I ſaid, I have labored in vain, I have ſpent my ſtrength for naught, and in vain, yet ſurely my judgement is with the Lord, and my work with my God: It's ſaid, Rev. 22. 12. And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every one according as his work ſhall be: It's not ſaid, according to the fruit, but according to the work: It may be our ſad affliction, for which our hearts muſt bleed, that we labor all night, and catch nothing, yet at the word of Chriſt we muſt let down our net. Though we plough amongſt rocks and ſow amongſ thorns, yet if there be a willing minde it will be accepted: God will accept p. 63the will for the deed: Let us then be conſcientious and conſtant our duty, and leave the ſucceſs to God.

And thus far for the Doctrinal part of the Text.

The third and laſt head propounded, is, To draw from the premiſes 3. Head. Application.ſome inferences of practice, which is the particular Application I promiſed you, of which in a few words, and I ſhall put a period to my diſcourſe.

Three Inferences I ſhall onelyonly draw from this Doctrine, for Humiliation, Exhortation, and Direction.

1. For Humiliation: Here's juſt cauſe of deep Humiliation, that Ʋſe 1. For Humiliation.we are ſo little acquainted with this precious fruit ſpecified in the Text, of winning ſouls. It was a ſaying, Few Confeſſors of great men are ſaved, which a Learned Divine renders in equivalent terms, Few great Mr. Calamyes Sermon on Ioſh. 24. 15.Josh 24:15mens Chaplains come to Heaven: Few Miniſters are skilled in this ſoulſaving art, & they that are beſt skill'd, yet have cauſe enough of Humiliation: I well know, and ſhall ever acknowledge, that to ſave a ſoul is the peculiar work of the great God, yet Gods Meſſengers are accounted his mouth unto his people: And the word of God, is the power of God unto ſalvation. We have a weighty duty lying upon us, Ier. 15. 19. Rom. 1. 16.Jer 15:19Rom 1:16and we have great cauſe every one to be humbled to the duſt, that we come ſhort of our duty: And if they that labor all the day in Gods vineyard, and are faithful in the work, have cauſe to be humbled for their unprofitableneſs, O how ſhould they lay it to heart, and ſigh even to the breaking of their loyns, who leave the Sheep with Mercenaries in the Wilderneſs, whil'ſt themſelves fare luxuriouſly, and live with Dives deliciouſly every day. Peradventure they give their flock a viſit at Sheep-ſhearing time, once a year, as the High Prieſt entred into the Temple, and then with blood: and indeed a Non-Reſident is a ſoul-murderer, who maintains his bravery with the price of blood. Fathers and Brethren, I love not to lay out my Mothers nakedneſs, but my heart burns in love to your ſouls; and I hope and pray, that a through Reformation may go on and proſper, and that under no pretence whatſoever, Non-reſidency may be diſpenſed withal for the future, it being Materia pr…rſus indiſp…nſabilis. For this ſin the Scarlet Gowns ought to come down in the duſt, and wear Sack-cloth: Statute Tolerations, Diſpenſations, for ſuch and ſuch Dignities, local Statutes in Colledges, diſpenſing for ſuch a Lecture, and for a Living under ſuch a value, all theſe will p. 64prove but ſorry fig-leaves to cover thy nakedneſs: Will any of theſe …leas ſerve thy turn at the Audit of the great Judge of Heaven and Earth? Will they ſtop the cry of blood? It was ſaid in Suetonius, Quintili Vareredde l…giones, ſo will it be ſaid, Steward, give an account of thy Stewardſhip, Sheep-herd, give an account of thy flock, Iſa. 56. 10.Isa 56:10where then will dumb dogs, (as the Holy Ghoſt ſtiles them) and Idol Shepherds appear? They will wiſh, that th… hills might fall upon them, and the mountains cover them from the face of the Lamb.

In the ſecond place, ſuffer I beſeech you, (my Brethren) the Ʋſe 2. For Exhortationword of Exhortation: I beſeech you, by the mercies of God, in the bowels of Jeſus Chriſt, above all your gettings, get this wiſdom to gain ſouls. In general, it concerns every one to do all the offices of Heb. 10. 24.Heb 10:24love they can, and to conſider one another, to prov…ke to love and to good works: Let Parents do this for their Children, Tutors for the in Scholars, (they are Pro-parents for the time) Maſters for their Servants, one Friend, one Neighbor for another: Let any one indifferently learn this Art, and put it into practice: Theſe Scriptures I commend to your ſerious conſiderations, and continual practice: one is, Levit. 19. 17. Thou ſhalt not hate thy brother in thine heart, thou ſhalt in any wiſe rebuke thy neighbor, and not ſuffer ſin upon him: Another is, Mal. 3. 16. Then they that feared the Lord, ſpoke often one to another, and the Lord hearkned and heard it, and a Book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his name: A third, is Heb. 3. 13. Exhort one another daily, whileſt it is called to day, leſt any of you be hardened through the deceitfulneſs of ſin.

And in a peculiar and ſpecial manner I addreſs my Exhortation unto my Brethren of the Miniſtry, in the Language of the Apoſtle, foreign: I put you in remembrance 2 Tim. 1. 16.2 Tim 1:16to ſtir up your gifts: Let not good parts be blaſted, or lie ruſty for want of uſing: If ſuch yet remain here unpurged (would there were none) who keep their Paſtoral Livings, and their Founders maintenance, living here at eaſe, let the Flock ſink or ſwim: I recommend thoſe dreadful Imprecations unto their ſaddeſt thoughts, Zech. 11. 17. Woe to the Idol Shepheard that leaveth the flock, the ſword ſhall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm ſhall be clean dryed up, and his right eye utterly darkned: And 1 Cor. 9. 16. Wo is unto me if I Preach not the Goſpel. And for ſuch as are ſet apart for this Calling, p. 65and as yet have not a Paſtoral cure, a particular determination, ad hic & nunc, know that you are Miniſters of Chriſt, ordained into the univerſal Church, (that's my Judgement) for the benefit of the Church of God in general; be not idle, and lazy, ſaying, No man hath hired us: Begin betimes, and conſecrate your ſtrength and marrow to God: And if the firſt-fruit be holy, the whole lump will be ſancti…ied. Neighbor Villages ſtand in need of your charity: many poor ſouls ready to ſtarve, cry as earneſtly for ſpiritual bread, as poor Priſoners for corporal bread: And the want of a ſetled Miniſtry, in ſeveral places, is occaſioned by a ſcandalous maintenance. Give me leave to be importunate in my ſuit, and preſs your duty farther, from th…ſe moving conſiderations.

1. Conſider your high and weighty Calling, what a great honour it is to be a Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt: You are called Ambaſſadors, Conſid. 1. The Miniſters weighty calling. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Matth. 5. 13.2 Cor 5:10Matt 5:13now Ambaſſadors muſt purſue the Inſtructions of their Commiſſions, and your principal inſtruction is, to beſeech people to be reconciled to God: You are the ſalt of the earth, and if the ſalt looſe its ſavour, wherewith ſhall it be ſalted: You are lights, and lights muſt not be put under a buſhel; you are Stewards, and Stewards muſt be faithful; you are Laborers, and Laborers may not eat the bread of idleneſs.

2. There's a price put into your hands, you have abilities and opportunities, Conſid. 2. A price put into the hands of Miniſters.health, and ſtrength, and if God be pleaſed to give you hearts, the buſineſs would be ſoon done, and well done: you have helps of Learning, helps of an ingenuous Education, helps of frequent Preachers, dividing the Word faithfully amongſt you: theſe are as ſo many prizes put into your hands to get wiſdom, the Lord give you an heart to make a ſpiritual improvement of them.

Two places of Scripture (drawing to a cloſe) I would gladly faſten upon your thoughts: The one is, Eccl. 9. 10. What ſoever thy hand find th to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor kn…wledge in the grave whither thou goeſt: The other is, John 9 4. I muſt work the works of him that ſent me, whilſt it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work.

Thirdly and laſtly, Conſider the ſtrictneſs of your account at the Conſid. 3. From the day of accompt.day of Judgement: Then the Lord will ſay, Give account of thy Stewardſhip: Shepheard, give account of thy Flock: Watch-man, haſt thou looked to thy Watch? Laborer, haſt thou wrought in my p. 64duplicate page p. 65duplicate page p. 66Vine-yard? The conſideration of the day of Judgement, the day of viſitation ſhould awaken your ſpirits, and put you upon a carefull proviſion againſt that day.

Ʋſe 3. In the laſt place, let me cloſe up all with a word of direction, Ʋſe 3. …or direction.and I have done, according to that little experience I have (and the Lord forgive me that I have no more) I'le commend a few rules of direction to you.

1. Give your ſelves to Divine Meditation: This was Moſe's practice Direct. 1. To meditate. 1 Tim. 4. 13.1 Tim 4:13in the Mount, Iſaac's in the Field, and a duty preſcribed by Paul to Timothy: Meditate upon theſe things: Meditation is, as it were, the wing of the ſoul to carry it unto Heaven, and herein a Miniſters Profeſſion hath advantage of all others: By doing, he receives good: by meditating to inſtruct others, he gains knowledge for himſelf: by holding forth light to others, he enlightens himſelf. This life of Meditation, is an Heaven upon Earth, by it we have communion with God, and are admitted into the Prelence Chamber, ſo that ſuch as are well skill'd in this Divine Art, can ſay experimentally, as John did, And truly our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with the Son Jeſus 1 John 1. 3.1 John 1:3Chriſt.

2. Be m…ch in Prayer, Bene oraſſe, eſt b…ne ſtuduiſſe: So Bernard, Rule 2. To be much in Prayer.He ſtudieth beſt, that prayeth beſt. Pray for thy ſelf, and pray for thy Brethren: pray that God would warm thy heart, that thou mayeſt warm theirs. Many run from Commentator to Commentator, when as they ſhould be upon their knees: I diſ-allow no good helps, but commend the uſe of them, yet principally thou muſt ſtudy the Scriptures, and ſo Preach a Sermon, as thou maiſt apprehend it to be the fruit of thy Prayers: then Miniſter and people are likelieſt to do moſt good upon one another, when they mutually joyn in fervent Prayer one for another.

3. Beware of Preaching thy ſelf, froth of Wit, fragments of Rule 3. Preach not froth of wit.Poets, affected Phraſes, forc't interpretations of Scripture. I have read, that when Bernard one day Preached a learned eloquent Sermon, and the next day a plain and profitable Sermon, he ſaid, Heri Bernardum, h…die Jeſum Chriſtum: Yeſterday I preacht my ſelf, to day Jeſus Chriſt.

4. Labor to Preach Jeſus Chriſt: Preach that which may moſt Rule 4. Preach Jeſus Chriſt.conduce to the knowledge of Chriſt crucified, which may moſt advance the Kingdom of Chriſt. Buſie thy ſelf in ſhewing the people p. 67the way to Heaven, the neceſſity of the knowledge of Chriſt, the neceſſity of holyneſs, faith and repentance. Chriſt crucified, is that Ʋnum Neceſſarium, which above all others we muſt deſire to know, and inſtruct others in the knowledge of it.

5. Let thy Preaching be from the heart, from an experimental knowledge Rule 5. Preach from the heart.of the love of God in thine own ſoul, that ſo thou mayeſt comfort others, with thoſe comforts wherewith thy ſelf hath been comforted in particular. A ſpeculative Divine, that Preacheth meerly from the ſtrength of parts, from a brain knowledge, doth little good: and why? Becauſe (as Reverend Latimer uſed to ſay) d…ſt ignis, de…ſt ignis, There wants fire, there wants heat. What cometh onelyonly from the head, commonly reacheth no farther then the head, but what cometh from the heart, will go to the heart. A Miniſter ſhould Preach every Sermon to himſelf firſt, before he preacheth it to his people, that ſo he may comfort others, with thoſe comforts wherewith he himſelf hath been comforted.

6. Know thy people well, and converſe with thy flock: There's Rule 6. A Paſtor ſhould know his Flock.more work to be done beſides Preaching: Thou muſt not be a ſtranger to any that will bid thee Ged-ſpeed, viſit them, confer with them, and ſee how they profit. The rule I go by, is, Prov. 23. 22. Be thou diligent to know the ſtate of thy flock, and lock well to thy h…rd.

Seventhly and laſtly, and with this I ſhall conclude, Be diligent Rule 7. Be diligent and watchful.and watchful, ſtill with Habakkuk be upon thy Watch-tower: Be not wearied in thy work: In due ſeaſon thou ſhalt reap, if thou faint not: ſhake off all drouſineſs and ſpiritual ſlumber: Watch over thine own ſoul, and over thoſe whereof thou art an over-ſeer. It pleaſed God to reveal the glad tidings of a Saviour, unto Shepheards who were watching their flocks by night: And whileſt thou art watching over thy flock, Chriſt may call thee to eternal Glory. And bleſſed are they, whom when Chriſt comes he findes ſo doing.