Precious Treasure in Earthen Vessels, Application
APPLICATION.
USE. I. Is the Goſpel a Treaſure, Learn what great reaſon we have to Bleſs God that we enjoy the Diſpenſation of the Goſpel. The People of God in this Land have been highly favoured in this regard. God hath given us his Statutes and his Judgments. We have dwelt in Goſhen, where the Light of the Goſpel hath ſhone round about us. God hath from time to time rais'd up ſuch as have been able Miniſters of the New Teſtament, and have diſpenſed the Goſpel Treaſure as Faithful Stewards of the Myſteries of God. O that we could in a right manner Bleſs, God for this unſpeakable Gift. O that we could in a due manner prize and improve it! We are lifted up to Heaven in this reſpect, The Lord of His Infinite Mercy grant that we may not be caſt down the lower into Hell, for neglecting the great Salvation offered to us in the Goſpel. The Lord humble us for all that Contempt of the Goſpel, which hath been found among us; The Lord help us to be Zealous and Repent, before He come and remove our Candleſtick out of its place, and put out our Light in Obſcure Darkneſs.
USE. II. Is the Goſpel a Treaſure, Learn that we ſhould highly eſteem it, and above all things ſeek to be Enriched with this Treaſure. We ſhould eſteem Gods Word above Thouſands of Gold and Silver, and ſeek for it as for hid Treaſures. We ſhould hide it in our Hearts, and lay it up there with great care and diligence, as we keep the moſt precious Things. We havethat Advice, Prov. 23.23. Buy the Truth, and ſell it not. We ſhould be willing to part with all, that we may obtain this Treaſure. If we do in a right manner receive and embrace the Truths of the Goſpel, they will enrich our Souls to all Eternity. If we lay up the Word of God in our Hearts, it will be an ineſtimable Treaſure, out of which we ſhall bring forth good things. When we hear the Word, it ſhould be with heedful care and diligent attention, that it may dwell in us richly in all Wiſdom.
USE. III. We ſhould highly Eſteem the Miniſters of the Goſpel for their Works ſake. Though they are Earthen Veſſels, and their Bodily preſence may be weak; yet are they worthy of Eſteem, inaſmuch as they are betruſted with a Precious Treaſure, which they diſpenſe unto us, 1 Theſ. 5.12, 13. And we beſeech you Brethren to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admoniſh you; and to eſteem them very highly in love for their works ſake. How beautiful are the feet of him that bringeth good Tidings! Wonderful is the Condeſcenſion of God in ſpeaking to us by Men like our ſelves, wheſe Terrors need not make us aſraid: Let us take care that this doth nor bread in us a contempt of theſe Meſſengers, or their Meſſage.
USE. IV. This conſideration ſhould keep Goſpel. Miniſters in an Humble Dependent frame. They are Earthen Veſſels, frail, infirm, ſinful Creatures. And therefore it becometh them to be cloathed with Humility. They muſt not be high-minded, but fear. God honours them indeed by betruſting them with ſuch a Treaſure: But then they are in themſelves, feeble, mortal Men. Certainly then they ſhould beware of Pride, eſpecially of Spiritual Pride. It highly concerns them to watch againſt all high thoughts, and proud imaginations. In an humble ſenſe of their own nothingneſs they ſhould depend intirely upon God, and glorify Him by a full and free Acknowledgment that they firſt receive from Him whatever they give to Him: 1 Cor. 15.10. — Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
USE. V. Are the Ministers of the Goſpel Earthen Veſſels, This Conſideration ſhould excite and quicken them to improve their Time in their Lords Service with the greateſt Diligence. Theſe Earthen Veſſels will ſhortly be broken to pieces by the ſtroke of Death, and then the Opportunities which they now enjoy for diſpenſing the Goſpel Treaſure, will be at an end. Certainly then Goſpel Miniſters ſhould be not … in Buſineſs, but fervent in Spirit ſerving the Lord. It neartly concerns them to lay opt themſelves for the Glory of Chriſt, and the Good of Souls committed to their Charge. They ſhould be inſtant in Seaſon, and out of Seaſon. They ſhould Study, Pray, and Preach, as ſenſible that their time of Miniſtration will ſhortly expire. And that they muſt in a little time appear before their Judge, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, to give up their Account. They ſhould ſtand with their Loins girt, and Lamps burning, as thoſe that wait and watch for the coming of their Lord.
USE. VI. This Conſideration ſhould excite us to give all diligence that we may get much Good from the Ministers of the Goſpel while they are continued with us. In a little time you will ſee their Faces no more, hear them ſpeaking to you no more. O then attend on their Miniſtry with care and diligence. A little while the Light is with you, improve it diligently while you enjoy it.
USE. VII. Are the Miniſters of the Goſpel Earthen Veſſels, Then the People of God ſhould do all that in them lies, to Strengthen and Incourage them in their Work. Particularly, They ſhould Pray Earneſtly to God for them. They ſhould pity them under their Infirmities, and beware of doing any thing unneceſſarily, that ſhould grieve and wound their Spirits. They ſhould ſpeak comfortably to thoſe that teach the good knowledge of the Lord; and do what they call to lighten their Burdens, and help them forward in their Work. They ſhould not be ſevere in Cenſuring them for their infirmities; but rather compaſſionate their condition, and treat them with the Spirit of Meekneſs. Particularly, they ſhould Pray Earneſtly to God for them, and for the Succeſs of their Miniſtry. They ſhould make their fervent Supplications to the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, who hath been touched with a feeling of our Infirmities, That he would ſuccour and ſupport them; that He would hold them up as Stars in His Right Hand, and furniſh them with all thoſe Gifts and Graces which may be needful, in order to their diſpenſing that Heavenly Treaſure which is committed to them: That both the Teachers, and thoſe that are taught, may Rejoyce together in the Day of Chriſt.
Let me entreat and beſeech you therefore, Brethren, to Pray to God for His Bleſſing upon all His Servants in the Miniſtry; and in an eſpecial manner to ſtrive together with me in your Prayers to God for me, That I may be ſupported, notwithſtanding all my Infirmities: And that ſince it hath pleaſed God to take my Paſtor and my Father from my head; He would graciouſly give unto me His Holy Spirit in propertion to the Work that now lies upon me, Pray for me that I may not be alone, but may enjoy more of the Preſence of CHRIST with me; That GOD with whom is the Reſidue of the Spirit, would give me thoſe Divine Influences and Aſſiſtances which are needful.
I have been with you hitherto in weakneſs and fear; and it hath pleaſed God to Bereave this Flock while I am yet Young and Tender: Pray to God that the Strength of CHRIST may be made perfect in my Weakneſs, and that His Grace may be ſufficient for me; That I may have reaſon to ſay with the Apoſtle, Moſt gladly will I glory in my Infirmities, that the power of Chriſt may reſt upon me. Pray for me, that I may know how I ought to behave my ſelf in the Houſe of God; That I may be inſtructed to turn many to Righteouſneſs; that I may come to you at all times in the fulneſs of the Bleſſing of the Goſpel of Chriſt; and be enabled to Save my ſelf, and them that hear me.
USE. VIII. Learn that all the Glory of the Succeſs of the Miniſtry must be aſcribed to God, and not to Men. It is our duty to comply with the Bleſſed God in this His Holy Deſign. He puts this Treaſure into Earthen Veſſels for this very end, that the Excellency of His Power may be ſeen, and adored. And therefore when the Goſpel doth run, and is glorified, we muſt fall down before the Throne of Grace, and aſcribe Honour and Wiſdom, Mercy and Power to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Diſpenſers of the Goſpel are only Miniſters by whom we believe, even as the Lord gives to every Man. We muſt not look upon them, as if by their own power they wrought thoſe wonderful Works, which are effected by the Preaching of the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 3.7. Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the Increaſe. God is all in all, and therefore He muſt have all the Praiſe.
USE. IX. Is the Goſpel Treaſure in Earthen Veſſels; Learn, that when theſe Veſſels are broken, we ſhould deeply reſent and bewail it. When God comes and removes ſuch as did faithfully keep, and diſpenſe this Treaſure; we ſhould ſee His Hand which is ſtretched out againſt us, and humble our ſelves under it.
Now God hath in His Providence very lately given us a Demonſtration of the Truth of this His Word in Two awful Inſtances; viz. In the Removal of Two Eminent Perſons, The Reverend Mr. WILLIAM BRATTLE, *Mr. Brattle Expired, Febr. 15, 1716, 7.and the Reverend Mr. ERENEZER PEMBERTON, by Death. I would mention the Name of the Worthy Paſtor of the Church of Chriſt in Cambridge with great Reſpect and Honour. His diligent Care of his Flock, and Parental Tenderneſs to the Students of the College, muſt not be forgotten. Nor may I paſs by in Silence the many other Charitable and Worthy Deeds done by Him. But my preſent Province will not permit to enter into ſo large a Field. To Return therefore to the Mournful Subject which hath been the Occaſion of my preſent Meditations.
It hath pleaſed the Holy GOD, in whoſe Hands our Times are, to lay this Congregation under the awful Rebukes of His Soveraign Providence by breaking an Earthen Veſſel in which He had laid up much Precious Treaſure, Treaſure with which we were enriched.
We have a peculiar ſhare in the great Loſs which the Churches of Chriſt in this Land do thereby ſuſtain. It becomes us therefore to be humbled under the mighty Hand of God.
In a particular manner, as I have eſpecial Reaſon, ſo I deſire to be deeply humbled under this awful Blow, whereby much of our Strength and Beauty are conſumed.
I am ſenſible how unfit I am to give ſo Great a Man His Character; And this hath been already done by Elder and much Abler Hands.
However the Relation I ſtand in will not permit me to be wholly Silent. Give me leave therefore to make ſome Eſſay to pay a Tribute to the Memory of the Deceaſed, whoſe Praiſe is in theſe Churches. I ſhall endeavour to do it with a ſincere aim at His Glory, who is the Father of Lights from whom cometh down every good and perfect Giving.
It pleaſed God to furniſh him with Eminent Gifts and Endowments. And He is juſtly Celebrated as a Great Schokn, an Excellent Divine, and a good Chriſtian.
Might I preſume to look upon my ſelf as a competent Judge of Learning, and Learned Men, I would ſay, He was a very great Proficient in the Study of the Liberal Arts and Sciences.
He had a great Natural Capacity, a Large and Comprehenſive Genius. And by hard study and great Induſtry had amaſs'd a rich Treaſure of Learning. I ſuppoſe few in theſe Corners of the Earth have been better acquainted with Books and Men.
He Read much, and had an Excellent Faculty of digeſting what he Read, and of making it his own. He had the Powers of Reaſorning and Arguing in an high Degree. He was a great Maſter of Speech, and was very happy in imparting his Sentiments to others. And we may now take up our Lamentation and ſay; Behold the Lord, the Lord of Hoſts, taketh away — The Prophet, and the Prudent, — And the Eloquent Oratour.
Theſe Rich Talents which His Lord beſtow'd freely upon him, he Conſecrated to the Work of the Miniſtry: and devoted to the Service of Chriſt in His Temple; to how good Purpoſe, ye are Witneſſes. He did not hide his Lords Talents in a Napkin; but Occupied with them, Labouring in the Word and Doctrine. He did Spend, and was Spent in his Maſters Service. He was an Able Miniſter of the New Teſtament; a Scribe inſtructed to the Kingdom of Heaven; and brought forth out of his Treaſure things New and Old. He was highly eſteemed for the Pertinency, Fervency, and Copiouſneſs of his Expreſſion in Prayer. His Diſcourſes were Elaborate. The Subjects of them were well Choſen, the Method was Accurate, the Style Strong and Maſculine. They were excellently well ſuited to make his Auditors wiſer and better; and he Delivered them with extraordinary Fervour.
I account it a great Favour of God that I enjoy'd the Benefit of his Miniſtry ſo long.
His Deeds of Charity are now mentioned for a Memorial of him. The Lord grant that his Seed after him may be bleſſed!
He had a well Inſtructed Family. And took care to Worſhip God in his Houſe. His Repeated Requeſts in his Family Devotions were, that there might be a Bleſſed Intercourſe with Heaven.
It pleaſed God in His Holy Providence to Exerciſe him with ſtrong Pains, and that of long continuance, under which he was enabled to expreſs himſelf with a becoming Submiſſion and Reſignation to the Soveraign Diſpoſal of God. And I look upon it to be truly Wonderful, that under ſuch frequent Returns of diſtreſſing Maladies, he was Strengthned and Spirited in ſo great a meaſure, to perform his Miniſterial Labours in the Houſe of GOD. Herein Gods Power was Obſervably magnified in Him.
It is a Comfort and Refreſhment to us that this bright Lamp of the Sanctuary went out at laſt in a Sweet Perfume; that I may borrow the Phraſe us'd by him in his Excellent Diſcourſe on this Subject above a Year agoe. *October 23. 1715..
Theſe were ſome of his Laſt Words. I thank God, who hath given me a good Hope through Chriſt. Notwithſtanding my many Infirmities; both in Publick, and Private; through His Grace, I have been Enabled to be Sincere and Upright before Him. And I can now look for an Houſe not made with Hands Eternal in the Heavens, when this Houſe of my Earthly Tabernacle is diſſolved. And this Hope is built only upon the Merits of Christ, who hath Suffered ſo much for me; Who Died, and is Riſen again, and Lives for ever, to make Interceſſion for me. And upon this Foundation is built my Hope for my Self, my Family, my Church, and the whole Iſrael of God. And I thank God who hath Enabl'd me, in a Dying Hour, to Expreſs this my Hope.
Thus our Worthy Paſtor being Dead yet Speaketh. The Voice of God in the Removal of this his Servant, in almoſt the Middle of his Days, Crieth to us; and O that we were Wiſe to Hear and Underſtand it. The Lord grant that this ſore Rebuke of His Providence may be Sanctified to impreſs on our Minds thoſe Great and Important Truths which he hath Spoken to us in the Name of the Lord.
The Lord help us to Remember how we have received and heard. The Lord help us to bear in Mind how Fervently and Affectionately this his Servant did Beſeech us in Chriſts ſtead to be Reconciled unto God. We have by him been often call'd upon to Come, and accept of the Bleſſings of the Goſpel of Chriſt; and Warned of our Danger of negiecting the Goſpel Invitations; Particularly in the laſt Sermon which he Preached to us, which was from that Solemn and Awakning Subject, Lord's Day, January 20. 1716, 17. P. M.Mat. 22.5. — But they made light of it, and went their way, one to his Farm, and another to his Merchandize. O that I could clinch the Nail which was then driven by the Strong and Skilful Hand of the Maſter of this Aſſembly; that theſe Words of Wiſdom might be as a Nail faſtened in a ſure place. O let not Worldly Buſineſs, Cares and Interests, prove fatal impediments in hindring you from Entertaining the Offers of the Goſpel. O do not make light of theſe Invitations, and go one to his Farm and another to his Merchandize. But now, To Day while it is called to Day, Hear the Voice of Gods Word and Providence, and harden not your Hearts. O do not Treaſure up Wrath againſt the Day of Wrath, by Deſpiſing and Rejecting the Offers of the Goſpel; But now make haſte to Chriſt and make ſure of an Intereſt in Him, who is the Pearl of great Price. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt now Speaks to you, as Rev. 3.18. I counſel thee to buy of me gold tryed in the fire, that thou mayſt be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayſt be cloathed, and that the ſhame of thy nakedneſs do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eye-ſalve, that thou mayſt ſee.
O that ſuch as have hitherto been deaf to theſe Calls, might now have their Ears opened, hear the Voice of the Son of God, and Live.
The Lord humble us all for our Barrenneſs under the Means of Grace, and help us to ſearch and try our ways, and to return to the Lord.
The Lord enable us to ſee and know the things which belong to our Peace, before they are hid from our Eyes. May we be helped to cry mightily to God for our ſelves and this whole Land, that He would not ſhut up the Doors, nor put out the Lamps of His Houſe. *2 Chron. 29.7..
The Lord Sanctify this Afflictive Diſpenſation to us all, and in particular to the Bereaved Family. May God give them Beauty for Aſhes, the Oyl of Joy for Mourning, the Garment of Praiſe for the Spirit of Heavineſs. The Eternal GOD be their Refuge, and underneath let be the Everlaſting Arms. Let God be the Husband of the Widow, and the Father of the Fatherleſs. The Lord ſpeak comfortably to His Handmaid, and Graciouſly ſay to her, Thy Maker is thy Husband. Bleſſed be God who made her ſuch an Help meet to His Servant deceaſed, under his ſtrong Pains, and long continued Illneſſes, and therein a Publick Bleſſing. The Lord graciouſly Reward her Labours of Love. Let the Everlaſting Father be a Father to the Orphans.
The Lord take care of this Bereaved Flock, and ſupply all our wants according to His Riches in Glory by Chriſt. May the Great Shepherd of the Sheep who Lives for ever, Lead and Feed this Flock, and make all needful Proviſion for it at all times; That they may go in and out and find Paſture. The Lord help us to make haſte to Chriſt, who is the Rock of Ages, on whom the Church is Built.
To Conclude, The Lord Bleſs you, and keep you. The Lord make His Face to ſhine upon you, and be gracious unto you: The Lord lift up His Countenance upon you and give you Peace.
And now Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an Inheritance among them which are Sanctifyed.
FINIS.
End of the text · Joseph Sewall, Precious Treasure in Earthen Vessels (1717)