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v^

o

THB

/A3U

MEFORMEB FASTOM;

*
A DISCOURSE ON THE

PASTORAL OFFICE.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

AN A P*P E N D I X,

CONTAINING

HINTS OF ADVICE TO STUDENTS

FOR THE MINISTR n

AND TO ^

TUTORS OF ACAREMIES.
Written by the Reverend and Fiou*

Mr. RICHARD BAXTER,

, Abridged and reduced to a new Method
By SAMUEL PALMER.

» p.

THE SECOND EDITION^ CORRECTED*

lldnDon:

PHINTXD BY «• COU'CHMAN, TH AOPMORTON-STlllZTy

FOR WILLIAM BAYNES, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1808;

1 808

PREFACE

By tire CoM^iLEii of this Abridgneiit^*

MR. Baxter's pra£Ucal writings have gene*
rally been efteemed, by pious readers, in
proportion as they have been known ; and it is a
favourable omen that they have of late rifen confi*
derably in price. His Gildas Salvianus^ or Re*
FORMED Pastor, is a work peculiarly intereft-
ing to chriftian minifters. of all denominations, and
confequently to the people of their charge.

The occafion on which it was compofed, was
as follows: the aflbciated minillers in Worcefler-
fhire and the adjacent parts, agreed to aflemble at
Worcefter, December 4, 1655, to keep a day of
fafting and prayer, particularly with a view to an
engagement into which they had entered, to ei^ert

* This Fre&ce is nOw confiderably fliortened.

A 2 themfelyes

iv P R E F A C £•

tlicmfelves more than they had done, in their mi-
hiflefial duty, and particularly in that of perfonal
inftruftion. On this occafion they requefted Mr.
Baxter to preach to them. He accordingly drew
up the fubftance of this difcourfe on the paftoral
office. But being prevented, by the increafe of a
painful diforder, from meeting his brethren, they
united in defiring him to publifli what he had pre-
pared, which he did with confiderable enlarge-
ments.

He himfelf, as he^ tells us, towards the clofe,
'* apprehended this to be one of the greateft and
bell works, that he ever put his hand to," and
he had the pleafure to find it eminently ufeful.
In the account given of his publications, in his
Life, lie fays, ** I have great caufe to be thankful
to God, for the fuccefs of that book, as hoping
many thoufand fouls are the better for it, in that
it prevailed upon many minifters to fet upon
that work, which I there exhorted them to.
Even from beyond the feas, I have had letters
of requeft, to direft them how they might con-
duft that work, according as that book had con-
vinced them, it was their duty."

Dr. Bates, in his fuheral fermon for Mr.
Baxter y after a high encomium on his other works,
pronounces the Reformed Paftor <* An accomplifli-

ed

i

PREFACE, V

ed model of an evangelical minifter ;" and he
adds, from his intimate acquaintance with the
author, ** The idea of a faithful minifter deline-
ated in that book^ was a copy taken from the
life ; from his own zealous example."

Many other teftlmonies to the excellence and
ufefulnefs of this piece, from competent judges,
might eafily be produced ; but that of Dr. ZJ^rf-
dridge will ferve inftead of a thoufand, as few mi-
nifters ever afted more coftformably than himfelf
to the rules here Uid down *. In the cbara£ter
given of authors in his Leftures on the Minifterial
Office, the Doftor has the following paflage con-
cerning The Reformed Paftor. '* It is a moft ex-
traordinary performance, and fliould. be read by
every young minifter before he takes a people
'* under his ftated care ; and I think the praftical
part of it fhowld be reviewed every two or three
years : for nothing has a greater tendency to
.*' awaken a minifter to that zeal in his work, for
** want of which many good men are but fhadows
"of what, by the bleffing of God, they might be,
" if the maxims and meafures laid down in that
^' incomparable treatife were ftrenuoufly pur-

** fuedt-"

But
• See OrtonU Life of Doddridge.

f The above paflage is omitted in Dr. WiUiaviui^i editioa of
T^t^ Doddridgt*s Le&ures, from whence it may be prefumcd

A 3 thr^*

t<

t<

€t

i€

vi PREFACE.

But valuable as this work is, it partakes of tlie
faults common to mod of the writings of the age^
and of Mr. Baxter's in particular: prolixity , want
of juii method, frequent repetitions, long digref-
{ions, &c. which render his compofitions far lefs
agreeable to modern readers than they ptherwife
would have been. Of thefe he himfelf was very
fenHble, and on a review of his works he lament ai
them as the eiFed of the great hade in which he
ufually wrote, in confequence of his many other
engagements, and the disorders to which he was
fubje£i;, by reafon of which he viewed himfelf a&
ftanding continually on the borders of the grave.
Confidering all which, it is wonderful he wrote fo
much and fowell as he did. On account of ^the
^bove circumftances, Mr. Baxter's works admit of
bd^g abridged to great advantage, as feveral of
them have been by Mr. Fawcett, one of his
fucceflfors, who imbibed much x)f his fpirit, and
clofely followed his fteps. The Reformed Paji^r
as much needed abridgment as any of the author's
writings. This I at firft undertook for private ufe
only ; but feveral judicious friends, to whom I had
lent the copy, ftrongly recommended the publica-
tion of it.

tlttt he had not a complete copy of them. Indeed the author
oever prepared or intended them for publication, and the MS.
eoptei greatly vary.

It

preface; vii

It vfill t>c proper here, to give the reader fome
account of the manner in which this work has been
executed. What was foreiglii or redundant, is
omitted ; fentences that were too long, are Ihort-
ened or divided ; the conftruftion of fuch as were
obfcure, is made plainer by tranrpofition ; and ob-
folete or uncouth words and phrafes, are changed.
But the greateft liberties have been taken with rf ^
gard to the method, which is almoft wholly new,
for the fake of leifening the number of fubdivi-
(ions, and bringing into one point of view all the
author's thoughts on the fame fubjeds, which
were fometimes fcattered in three or four different'
parts of the treatife ; fo that many paflages, and
whole heads of difcourfe, are tranfpoied with free-
dom. But the reader may be aflured, that great
care has been taken to preferve the author's ideas^
and that no additions have been made, except in
the Titles of the Chapters, but where the con«
nexion required the infertion ^f a few words,
which are diftinguifhed by [crotchets.] In (hort,
thb is as really Mr. Baxter's work, as that pub«
lifhed by himfelf.

The Appekdix is principally an abftraft of the
aothor's Counfel to Toung Men^ taken from the 4th
Vol. of his Works, p. 16, &c. ~ It is introduced
here, not merely as having fome connexion with
the fubje A of this Treatife ; but, becaufe the au.

A 4 tfaor

vlu PREFACE.

thor had given fotne valuable hints to Students and
Tutors^ in the Reformed Pajior^ which could not
properly be brought into this abridgment, but in a
fupplementary form. They are both here inter-
woven together.

Some parts of this work are greatly difpropor-
ttoned to others, and feveral matters of great im-
portance are but juft mentioned, e, g. Part II.
Chap. I. But the reader (hould recolle£t, that
the author did not propofe this (to ufe his own
words) " as a directory for the whole minifterial
** work," his chief objefl: being to recommend a
more HxxOt attention to the duties of private infpec*
tion^ and perfonal inftrudion.

It is probable, that many readers will think,
that fome things here retained, on thefe heads^ are
either unneceflary, or impradicable in moft places,
in the prefent day. But what thefe are, the edi-
tor apprehends it is the Reader's bufinefs, and not
his^ to determine. That may be needlefs, or im-
poflible in fome places and circumftances, which
in others may be eafy and ufeful. If, to particu-
lar perfons, any thing here retained ihould appear
impradicable, or even imprudent, it is hoped that
they «will not . on this account throw afide the
book r nor, becaufe they cannot do every thing
here enjoined, determine to do nothing. The au-
thor's

P R E F* A C E. ix

tbor'sdireAions may be applied to fome good pur-r.
pofe, though not juft in the particular way he
propofcs. Much more might certainly be done
than generally is done, in regard to that perfonal
inftrudtion which he fo ftrongly recommends, and
fo diligently praAifed ; efpecially by the pious
Eftabliihed Clergy, who have generally more of
that influence over their people which Mr. Baxter
had, than Diflenting Minifters commonly poi^efs.
However, diiFerent fituations and circumftances
muft be allowed to make a confiderable differ-
ence; of which minifters are left to judge for thcm-
felves, and to a£t accordingly.

S. P.

Hackney^
Jan. J 3, 1766.

A I POSTSCRIPT

POSTSCRIPT

TO THIS NEW EDITION.

THE §(xvmr fdition of tlii» Work, having Kaon
fnany year$ out of piuit, mi diificuli to bo
procured, I have been fre^^otly urged to publiih
a new one. This I at length determined upon
doii^i and had revifed the copy for that purpofe ;
but was induced to defift, by the publication of
another abridgment of the fame work, by the late
Mr, Rutherford, a v^ry worthy minifler in Mr.
fFffiey's connexion, whofe laft declining days were
employed in preparing it for the prefs ; not know-
ing, it (hould feem, that any other iimilar work
had ever been undertaken. It was expe£ted that
this of his, would have fuperfeded the republica-
tion of mine. But though it is doubtlefs a valua-
ble performance, the fize is fo little reduced, and
the pious editor has added fo many other pieces to
it, that, with the memoirs of his own life, it is in'
Saft made larger than Mr. Baxter's original work.
On this account, feveral minifters were of opinion,

that

POSTSCRIPT TO THIS MEW EDITION. Xl

that there was ftill fufficient reafon for reprinting
my abridgment. I have, therefore, after delay-
ing feveral months for the other to circulate, com-
mitted it to the prefs, without any material altera*
tion. I have, however, carefully revifed the
book, and made fuch corre<^ions, as it might be
fuppofed, a work printed at fo early a period of
life, might require. A very few ihort paiTages
have been inferted from Mr. Rutherford's edition;
as alfo a few brief Notes ; but very little is omit-
ted, though I have in fome places further com-
prefled the language. On the whole, I flattered
myfelf, that thofe of my brethren, who efpoufed
the Woric as iirft publifiied, will think it improved
in this edition, and will concur with the editor^ in
wi(hlng its fuccefs.

Hackney^ ^
March 27, i8o8.

A 6 EXTRACTS

EXTRACTS

FROM TH«

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

PERHAPS the freedom with which the follow-
ing treatife is written may be thought by fome
to need an apology. It may be faid ** That I ought
not to have fpoken fo plainly and (harply ; efpecially
againft the sins ofminifters, inadifcpiirfepublifh-
cd to to the world : at leaft that it fhould have been
done in another language, and not in the ears of the
▼ulgar, when fo many are endeavouring to bring
the minift y into contempt, and our jpeople are too
prone to hearken to their fuggeftions." I anfwer,
Jt has not been infinuated that all miniders are
guilty of the feveral faults that have been Cenfured :
and thofe who are not guilty are exprefsly excepted.
There are many humble men who are willing to
know their fins that they may forfake them, uii
iheif duty that they may perform it. As to others^

where

XIV EXTRACTS FROM

where the fin is open in the fight of all the world,
it is in vain to hide it ; the attempt will but aggra*
vate our guilt and ihcreafe our fhame. If the
minifters of England had finned only in I^tin, I
would have made ffaift to admonifli them in Latin,
or elfe have faid nothing to them ; but if they will
fin in Englijb, they muft hear of it in EngUJh, If
we will not find out our fin, it will furely find
out us. Unpar^opfd guilt wfU never let us reft,
though we are at ever fo much care and coft to
hide it. ' He that covereth his fins fliall not prof-
' per; but whofo confefleth and forfaketh them
' fliall find mercy.' If we be too tender of our-
fclv^s and }oth to confefs, Go4 will b^ loft temi^r
of u«, and will indite our cQnfef&on^ for ua. He
win either force our confciences to confefs, or his
judgments will procl^um our iniquities to the worlds.
Indeed the tongues of many are alreaidy at work
to proclaim Qur fin. Becaufe we will not fpeak
the truth, they will fpeak more than the truth*
The world knows that we are finners : as noi)^
CM fupppfe us perfeS, fo our particular (ins ar^
tQQ apparent to the world. And is it not fit th^
they ibould fee that we are penitent finners ? Penif.
tent confelfion and fpeedy reforiqation are the
means to filence our adverfaries, as well a$ tg re^i-
pair our credit with wife and godly inen.

If any who have fet their hands tp tlu^ facrec}

work,^

THE author'^ P&KFACE. XV

work> give themfelves up to fclf-feekiog, negli*
gence, pride, and other fins, it is neceflary to ad->
monifli them. If we could fee them reform with'*
out reproof, we would gladly forbear to publi(h
their faults. But if reproof itfelf is ineiFe£luaI,
it ia time to ibarpen the remedy. To bear with
the vices q( miiufters, is to haftefi the ruin of the
church; for nothing contributes more to the un«
doing of the people than the depravity of theif
Guides ; nor can we more effedually promote s
fefopmation» than by endeavouring to reform tho
Leaders of the church. For my part, I have
lierein done as I would be dooe by. I do not
idame my brethren, as fome others do, to make
them contemptible and odious; but to heal thofq
evils that wouU make them fo. It is npt to inf*
dulge my own inclination, for I difpleafe myiell
as much as I do fome of them; and would ra««
Aer have the eafe and peace of filence if it might
coafift with duty. It is merely the neceiQty of
aaeq's fouls, and the profperity of the churchy
which forces me to this arrc^nce and immoder*
ty, if it may be called fuch. When the honou;r
«f God and the everlafting bappinefs of fo many
iperfons are concerned, who that has a tongue can
be filent ? If thpufands of you were ia a leaking
jQiip, and thofe who fliould pump out the water
add ftop the leaks were fporting, or quarrelling,
fir ileepingy or only favouring themfelves in their

labour.

XVi EXTRACTS PROM

labour^ to the hazard of you all, would you not
call them to their work ? If you ufed fharpnefs
with the flothfuly would you think that man in his
fenfes who took it ill ? who accufed you of pride,
felf-conceit, or want of good manners for talking
fo faucily to your fellow workmen ? If they
charged you with diminifhing their reputation,
would you not fay, " The work muft be done,
or we are all dead men! The fhip is ready to
fink ; and do you talk of reputation i Had you
rather hazard yourfelves and us than hear of
your floth ?" — This, brethren, is the cafe with
us. The work of the Lord muft needs be done.
Souls muft not pefifti whilft you mind your world*
ly buflnefs, take your eafe, or quarrel with your
brethren ; nor muft we be lilent, for fear of feem-
ing uncivil, while men are haftened by you to
perdition. If you had chofen fome other calling,
and only had finned by yourfelves, and perilhed
alone, it had not been fo neceflary tt moleft you ;
but if you will enter into an office which is for
the neceflary prefervation of us all, fo that by
letting you sUone in your fins we tnuft give up
the church to apparent hazard, do not blame us
if we talk to you more freely than you would
have us to do. There is no bearing with your
remiflhefs. How much foever it may difpleafe
you, take it how you will, you muft be told of
h ; and if that will not do, you muft be told of

it

THE author's preface. XVll

It more clofely ftill. — If you have fo much greater
bnfinefs that you cannot ordinarily have time to
do the minifterial w^ork, you (hould not under-
take the office ; for minifters are men * feparated
* to the Gofpel of Chrift, and muft give them-
' felves wholly to thefe things/

TO THE LAY-READER.

I dare not -let this work come into^our hands,
without a word of caution and advice, left you
fhould mifunderftand, or mifapply it.

Do not entertain any unworthy thoughts of
your paftorsy becaufe we here confefs our own
fins, and aggravate them in order to our humi-
liation and reformation. You know that we are
men and not angels, whom God has put into the
office of your fpiritual guides ; and you know
that we are imperfeft men. Let Papifts and
others pretend to finlefs perfeftion, we dare not
do it, but confefs that we are finhers. And we
fliould heartily rejoice to find the figns even of
imperfeft fincerity in them that make fo confident
a pretence as this ; nay, if in fome of them, we
could find common honefty, and a freedom from
the crying abominations of the ungodly ; fuch as
cruelty, lying, dandering, &c. Yet fome of thefe

peo- ■

aiviii £XTRACTS FEOV

i

people, becaufe we confcfs that we have finned
in negledling the work of the Lord, pretend to
prove** us deceivers from our own confeiEon «
whereas God faith, ^ If we confefs our fins, he
' is faithful and juft to forgive us our fins;' but
that ' he that faith be hath no fin deceiveth bim^
' felf, and the truth is not in him. — For our
parts, we believe that ' in many things we offend
* all.' We profefs to know but in * part ; to
' have our treafure in earthen veflels ;' and to
be infufficient for thefe things [about which we
arc employed:] fee therefore that you love and
imitate the holinefs of your paftors [as far as you
difcern it] but take not occafioa of difefteeming
or reproaching them for their infirmities.

Beware of thofe (particularly the Papifts) whofp
defign is to unfettle ypu in matters of religion,
and, in ord^r to it, to bring you firft to fufpe£t>
and then to contemn and rejcft your teachers. —
Let me warn y^u, as you love your fouls, that
you ke^p clofe to fcripture and a faithful Mi-
niftry. And let me tell you, that notwithftand-
ing all thoff fins of ours which are here con-
fcfled, the known world hath not a more able,
faithful, godly miniflry than Britain hath at this
day.. If at the Synod of Dort the Ckricus An-
glicanus was called the Stupor mundi* (before all

* The EngUIh clergy were called the wonder of the world.

thofe

TRB AIFtHOIt'S PJIEFACE. J^ll

thofe ignorant and fcandalous iQen were caft out)
what may we call it nnu ?

Brethren, let me deal freely with you* Thff
ungrateful contempt of a faithful Minidry, i«i th^
ihame of thoufands in this land ; and if a tho-
rough repentance prevent it noty they (ball hetter
know in Hell, whether fuch minifters were their
friends or foes ; and what they would have don^
for them if their counfel had been heard. [We
are told concerning the Jews thatj when * they

* mocked the meifengers of God, and defpifed

* his words, and abufed his prophets, the wrath
^ of the Lord rofe ag^infl his people, till there

* was no remedy ♦.'—Shall minifters ftudy, and
prdachy and pray fpr you, and fhall they be de-
fpifed ? — When they Jiave the God of heaven
and their own confcience to witnefs that they
defire * not your's but you v* that they are * wilU

* ing to fpend and be fpent' for your fakes ; that
all the wealth in the world would not be regarded
by them in comparifon with your falvation ; apd
that all their labours and fufferings are for your
welfare ; if yet they ihall be requited with your
contempt and fcorn, or difcouraged by your
unteachablenefs — fee who will prove the lofers in
the end. When God himfelf fball juftify and

* 2 Chroo, xxxvi. 16.

commend

XX EXTRACTS FROM

commend them with a * Well done good andf
' faithful fervant/ let thofe that reproached,
defpifed, and condemmed them, defend their faces
from fhame, and their, confciences from the accu-
fations of horrid ingratitude, if they can !

Let me advife you to obey your faithful teach-
ers, and improve their help for your falvation
while you have it. Take heed that you refufe
not to learn when they are willing to teach.
Particularly fee to it that you refufe not to fiib-
mit to them in this duty of private inJiruEfiGny
which is more efpecially recommended in this
treatife. Gi^ to them when they defire you, and
be thankful to them for their help ; and at other
times, when you need their advice, go to them
and a(k if of your own accord. Their office is, to
be your guides in the way to life. If you feek not
their direftion, it feems that you either defpife
falvation itfelf, or elfe are fo proud as to think
yourfelves fiifficient to be your own direSors.—
Shall God,* in mercy, fend you leaders to guide
you in the way to glory, and will you ftoutly
fend them back, or refufe their aflidance, and
fay, -" We have no need of their direftion ?"— Is
it for their own eafe or profit that they trouble you,
or is it not for your everlafting gain ? Remember
what Chrift hath faid to his meffengers, — * He that
' defpif3th you, defpifeth^^me.' If your obftinate

' refufal

-A

THE author's preface. XXl

refufal of their inftruftion caufe theiji to bear
witnefs againft you in Judgment, look you to it
and anfwer it as you can. F9r my own part, I
would not be then in your cafe for all the world.
If you read this Book, remember that the
duty which you find to belong to minifters, doth
alfo fhew what belongs to yourfelves ; for it cannot
be our duty to teach and admonifli, if it be not
yours to hear and learn.

/

/

CONTENTS.

JtSSA

CONTENTS.

Introduction. Page«

PART I.

Of the Duty of ChriJTtan Mlnlften with re-

gardtO THEMSSIVES ..---..........., q

? A R T 11.

Of the Duty of fiated Mintfiert with refpea
to their PsoFiE -'........ jg

C H A P. I.

Of a Mintfter's fiated Public fFork: Preach-
'ȣ.! Prayers and adminijlering the Sacra-

CHAP. IL

Of perjonal InfpeSfion and private Injirudiion . 39

CHAP. III.

Of feveral particular Cafes and Characters y to
be regarded both in Preaching and> private

CHAP

CONTENTS.
C H A P. IV.

Of Catechifing: with particular DireStions in
refermctta it .-.*-. ---....-.-.-.... Page 75

CHAP. V.

Arguments for perfonal InftruHiony particularly
by catechifing in the Manner recommended *. . . 87

C H A p. VI.
Of Church Difcipline 108

CHAP. VII.

Of the Motives to Pajioral Fidelity in ge-
neral .•.........^. *......-..... ..••-. 126

CHAP. VIII.

Of the OhjeSfions to this Courfe of Minifierial
Duty y particularly perfonal InJiruSf ion 136

CHAP. IX.

Mifcellaneous DireSiions refpeBling the whole
Minifierial Work «. 1 j6

CHAP. X.

TAr Conclufon ; being a particular Application
of the u/^0/^.. .................. ........ 204

APPENDIX.

Containing Hints of Advice to Students for
the Miniflry^ and to TvTOKS of Academies,^ 217

THE

— ——iW—— —————— »

THE

REFORMED PASTOR.

ACTS XX. 28,

Take heed therefore te ymrf elves, and tg <iU ihe flocif
■over which the Holy Ghoji. hoA tnade you werfeerss-
to feed tht church of Gsd, which he hath purchafed
with his own blood.

Reverend and dearly-beloved Brethreni,

IF the people of our charge muft teach, admo-
niih and * exhort one. another daily;* no doubt
teachers themfelves may do it, as brethren in ofSce,
as well as in faith, witholit any fupereminence in
power or degree. We have the fame fins to mor*
tify, and the fame graces to be quickened and cor-
roborated, as they have. We have greater works
than they have to do, greater difficulties to over-
come, and no lefs neceffity is laid upon us. We
have therefore need to be warned and awakened, if
not inftrufted, as well as they. So that, I confefs,
I think we (hould meet together more frequently,
if we had nothing to do but this. And we fliould

B deal

a ~ INTRODUCTION.

deal as plainly and clofely with one another, as the
moft ferious among us do with our Flocks ; left, if
they only have the fharp admonitions and reproofs,
they only fliould be found and lively in the faith.
This was Paul's judgment, I need no other
proof of it, than this i^oufing, heart-melting ex-
hortation to the Ephefian elders, A fhort fer-

mon, but not foon learned. Had the bifhops and
teachers of the church but thoroughly learned it,
(though to the negleft of many a volume which
has taken up their time and helped them to greater
applaufe in the world) how happy had it been for
the church and for themfelves !

I fhall now touch upon no part of it but my
Text. The perfons here addrefled under the
charaders of overjeers or bijhopsy were officers ap-
pointed to teach and guide thie Ephefian church in
the way to falvation j and are the fame that in the
17th verfe are called Elders. So that all who
ftatedly officiate in the fame work and capacity, as
the Paftors of a particular church, may confider
themfelves as included. — The exhortation here ad-
dreifed to fuch, confifts of two parts.

The First is— That they fliould take heed to
themselves:

The Second — ^That they fliould take heed to
all the FLOCK i to feed the <:hurch of God.

The

Part I Of a Mmijier's ptrjonal Duty. %

The Motives to which are — ^their own en-
gagement and relation as overfeers — the au- .
thority of him who called them to the office ;
the Holy Ghoft — the dignity of the objed ;
the church of God — the tender regard of
Chrift to ity and the price he paid for it ; he
purchafed it with his own blood«

PART THE FIRST.

Of the Duty of Chrljlidn Mlnijlers with regard t$

THEMSELVES.

'TPHE apoftle in the firft place exhorts the paf-
^ tors or overfeers of the churches of Chrift to
* take heed to themf elves* The word in general
denotes, applying the mind to any thing with ftri£l
and clofe attention. Here it flgnifies, diligently to
watch over ourfelves ; our own coiiduft and be-
haviour, our heart and life : all our tempers, words,
and a£tions. I fhall briefly ihew you wherein this
muft be done, and give fome reafons for this part
of the work. But for the fake of brevity, I (hall
adjoin the application to the explication. And I
befeech you, brethren, let your hearts- attend, as
well as your underftandings.

B2 I. Above

4 The Neceftty of Part I.

I. Above all, fee to it that a working of faving
grace be thoroughly wrought on your own fouls.

Take heed to yourfelves left you be ftrangers to
the eflfedlual working of that gofpel which you
preach ; and left, while you proclaim to the world
the neceftity of a Saviour, your own hearts ftiould
negleft him, and you ftiould mifs of an intereft in
him and his faving benefits. Be that firft, your-
felves, which you perfuade your hearers to be ;
believe that, which you d^ily perfuade them "to
believe ; and heartily entertain that Chrift and
Spirit, which you offer to them.

You have a heaven to win or lofe yourfelves,
and fouls that muft be happy or miferable for ever ;
it therefore concerns you to begin at home, and
take heed to yourfelve^. It is poftible (though an
j unufual thing) that preaching' well may fucceed to
I the falvation of others without the holinefs of your
own hearts and lives ; but it is impoffible it ftiould
lave your own fouls. Though it he promifed to

* them that turn many to righteoufnefs' that they
^ fliall ftiine as ftars,' it is on fuppofttion that they
be firft turned to it themfclves. Believe it. Sirs,

* God is no refpeder of 'perfons.' A holy calling
. will not fave an unholy man. God never did fave

any man for being a preacher, nor becaufe he was
an able preacher ; but becaufe he was a juftified,
fandified man^ and confequently faithful in his

matter's

Part I. a truly religious Charailer.' 5

mafter^s work. , Nor can it be reafohably expefted
that he fhoiild fave any for ofFering falvation to
others, w^ile they refufe it themfelves ; or for
telling others thofe truths which they themfelves
ncgleft and abufe. If you ftand at the door of the .
kingdom of grace to light others in, but will not
go in yourfelves, you fliall knock at the gates of .
glory in \'ain. Many a preacher is now in hell, I

i

who called upon his hearers a hundred times to :
life their utmoft care and diligence to avoid that I
place of torment* Preachers of the gofpel muft
be judged by the gofpel : — muft be fentenced on
the fame terms, and dealt with as feverely as other
men. ' Many at that day fhall fay, Lord, have

* we not prophefied in thy name ?* Who fhall be
anfwered, * I never knew you : depart from me

* ye workers of iniquity.* And what cafe can be
more wretched than that man's, who made it his
very trade and calling to proclaim falvation, and
help others to attain it, and yet after all is excluded
from it himfelf ? ^

It is a dreadful thing to be an unfanflified pro-
feflTor ; but much more to be an unfanclified
Preacher. Do not you, who know this to be your
charafter, tremble when you open the Bible, left
you ftiould read there the fentence of your own
condemnation ? When you pen your fermons, you
are drawing up indidments againft yourfelves.^
When yoii are arguing againft fin,, you are aggra^

B a vatiog

6 The unhappy Condition Part L

vating your own. When you proclaim to your
hearers, the riches of Chrift and his grace, you
publifh your own iniquity in rejefting th«m, and
your own unhappinefs in being deftitute of them.
What can you devife to fay to your hearers, but
for the moft part, it will be againft your own fouls?
If you mention hell, you mention your own in-
heritance. If you defcribe the joys of heaven,
you defcribe your own mifery in having no right to
them. O wretched life ! that a man fliould ftu^y
and preach againft himfelf, and fpend his days in
a courfe of felf-condemning ! A gracelefs unex-
perienced preacher is one of the moft unhappy
creatures upon earth.

Yet he is ordinarily, the moft infenfible of his
unhappinefs. He has fo many counters, that feem
like the gold of faving grace, and fo many fplendid
ftones that refemble the chriftian's jewels, that he
is feldom troubled with the thoughts of his po-
verty ; but thinks * he is rich and wants nothing,
' while he is wretched and miferable, poor and
^ blind and naked.' He is acquaintod with the
holy fcriptures ; he is exercifed in holy duties ; he
lives not in open difgraceful fins ; he ferves at
God's altar ; he reproves other men's faults, and
preaches up holinefs of heart and life ; and there-
fore can hardly ' fufpeft himfelf to be unholy.
How awful the delufion of fuch ! how aggravated
their mifery !— to pcrifti with the bread of life in

their

Part L of unconverted Minijiers. 7

their hands, while they offer it to others !— How
deplorable! that thofe ordinances of God, fliould
be the occafion of their delufion, which are the
appointed means of conviction and falvation! —
that while they hold the looking-glafs of the gof-
pel to others, and fhew them the true face of their
fouls, they fliould turn the back part of it towards
themfelves, where they can fee nothing !

Verily it is the common danger and calamity of
the church, to have unregenerate and unexperi-
enced paftors ! Many men become preachers, before
they are chriftians \ are fandtified by dedication to
the altar as God's prieds, before they are fan£tified
by hearty dedication to Chrift as his difciples. Thus
they worfhip an unknown God ; preach an unknown
Saviour; an unknown Spirit; an unknown ftate
of holinefs, and communion with God ; and a
future glory that is to them unknown, and to be
unknown to them for ever.

And can it be expe£led that fuch perfons fliould
prove any great bleflings to the church ? How
can it be imagined ttiat he is likely to be as fuc-
cefsful as others, who dealeth not heartily and
faithfully in his work ? Who never foundly believeth
what he faith, nor is ever truly ferious, when he
feemeth mod diligent ? And can you think that any
unfan£tified man can be hearty and ferious in the
minifterial work ? It cannot be. A kind of feriouf-
nefs indeed he may have ; fuch as proceeds from a

B 4 common

% Vncomjerted Mmtjfen Part !•

common opinion that the word is true: he may be
aftuated by a natural fervour, or by felfifli ends :
but the ferioufnefs and fidelity of a found believer,
who ultimately intends God's honour and men's
falvation, he cannot have.

O Sirs ! all your preaching and perfuading of
others will be but dreaming, and trifling hypocrify^
till the work be thoroughly done upon yourfelves.
How can you conftantly apply yourfelves to a
work from which your carnal hearts are avcrfe ?
How can you, with ferious fervour, call upon poo'r
finners to repent and come to God, who never did
either yourfelves ? How can you follow them with
' importunate folicitations to forfake fin, and betake
themfelves to a holy life, who never fe?t the evil
of the one, or the worth of the other ? And let
me tell you, thefe things ;<te' never well known
till they are felt ; and that he who feels them
not himfelf, is not likely to fpeak feelingly df
them to others, or to help others ta feel them.

He that does not fo (Irongly believe the word of
God and the life ta come,, as to take off his own
heart "from the "vanities of this world, and briiYg
him, with refolution and diligence, to feck his own
falvation, cannot be expedled to be faithful in
feeking the falvation. of other men. He that dares
to damn himfelf, will dare to let others alone in the
"way to damnation. He that, with Judas, will
fell his mailer for fUver, will not fcruple to make

Part I. mf fiiefy fi Se fuccefsfuf. ^

inerchandize of the flock. We may well expeft
that he will have no pity on others^ who is thus
wofully cruel to himfelf ; and furely he is not to
be trufted with other men's foukyWhois unfaithful
to his own. It is a very unlikely thfng that he
will fight againft Satan with all his might, or do
'any great harm to his kingdom, who- is himfelf »
fervant of Satan and a fubjeil of that kingdom j
or that he will be true to Chrift, wha is in cove-
nant Ydth. his enemy. What prince will choofe
the friends and voluntary fervant s of his enemy to
lead his armies in war againft him? Yet alas I
many preachers of the gofpel are enemies to the
work of the -gofpel which ^hey preach. O how
many fuch traitors have been in the charch of
Chrift in all ages, who have done more againft him
under his colours, than they could have done itv
the open field! Though many of thefe men feem
excellent preachers, and cry down fin as loudly asr
others, yet it is a!l but an affeded fervency, and
commonly but a mere ineifedtual bawling^ A trai-r
terous commander, who fhooteth nothing againft
the enemy but powder, may caufe his guns to*
make ad great a reptkt as theirs that are loaded
with bullets ; but he doth not hurt the enemy by
rt. So one of thefe men may fpeak as loud and-
with as much fee ming fervency as others ; but he will
feldom do any great execution againft fin and Satan^

B^ No

lo Wtchd Mtniften admontjhed** Part L

No man can fight well but where he hates, or is
very angry \ much lefs againft thofe whom he
lovesy and loves above all. So that you fee, an
unfan&ified man, who loves the enemy, is very
unfit to be a leader in Chrift's avmy \ and he is
very unlikely to engage others to renounce the
world and the flefli,^ who ckaveth to them himfelf
as his chief good.

If fuch a wretched man would take my counfel,
he fhould make a (land, and call his heart and life
to an account. He fhould fall a preaching awhile
to himfelf, before he preach to others any more.
He fhould confider, whether * he that names the
' name of Chrift' fhould not * depart from all ini.-

* quity?' Whether, ^ if he regards iniquity in his

* heart, God will hear his prayers?' And ,whe*
ther a wicked preacher * fhall fland in the judgr

* ment, or a finner in the afTembly of the jufl ?'
When fuch thoughts as thefe have entered into his
foul, and kindly wrought upon his confcience, I
would advife. him next, to go to the congregation,
and there preach over Origen's fermon on PJalm
1. 16, 17. * But to the wicked^ God faith. What

* haft thou to do, to declare my flatutes, or that

* thou fhould'ft take my covenant into thy mouth ?

* Seeing thou hateft inftrufiion, and haft caft my

* words behind thee.' When he has read this

text, I would have him fit down (as Origen

did)

Part I. ^altfications requlfitefor a Mtnifter, t i*

did*) and expound and apply it by his tears ; then
make a free confeflion of his guilt before the af-
fembly, and deflre their prayers to God for par-
doning and renewing grace ; that hereafter, he may
preach a Chrifl whom he knows, may feel what
he fpeaks, and may commend the riches of the
gofpel by experience.

II. Take heed to yourfelves, that you be not
deftitute of the neceflary qualifications for your
work.

And oh ! what qualifications are requifite for a
man that hath fuch a charge as ours ! He niuft not
be a babe in knowledge that will teach men all
thofe things which are necefTaryto falvation. How
many difBculties in divinity are there to be opened ;
yea, about the very fundamentals of religion!
How many obfcure texts to be expounded ! How
many duties to be done, wherein ourfelves and
others may mifcarry, if in the matter, the end, the
manner, and circumflances of them, they be not
well informed ! How many fins, and fubtle temp-
tations muft we direct our people to avoid ! J^ow
many weighty, and yet intricate, cafes of confcience
have we frequently to refolve ! How many ftrong

•

* This refers to his being compelled to offer mcenfe to an
Idol, for which he was excommunicated by tbe Church* See
CiarA*s Lives oftht Fathers, £d.

B 6 holds

1 a ^alijicatiom fequijke fof a MtnijUf^ Part f ^

holds have we to beat down ! What fubtle, dilU
gent, and obftinate refjftance muft we expeft fro^^
thofe we have to deal with ! We cannot make'
a breach ifi their groundlefs hopes and carnal
peace, but they have twenty fhifts and feeming
reafons to make it up again ; and as many enemies,
wnder the appearance of friends, that arc ready to?
help them. We difpute not with them upon equal-
terms ; but we have children to reafon with, who
canfiot underftand us. We have wilful, unreafon^
'able/ diftraSed men to deal with ; who when they
are filenced, are not at *11 the more convinced ; but
when they Can give you no reafon, will give yoti^
their refolution. We have multitudes of raging
paffions and contradifting enemies to difpute againft
at once ; fo that whenever wfr go about the con'-^
verfion bf a finner, it is as if we were to difpute in-
a noify crowd.

Dear brethren ! what mert fhould we be in flcill^
refolution, and unwearied diligence, who have fa
much to do, [and fo much to hinder us in doing,
it !] Did Paul cry out, ' Who is fufHcient fotf
* thfefe things V And fhall'Wf be catelefs or lazy,*
as if we were fufficient ? * What manner of per--
« fohs ought we to be' not only * in all holy con-
^ verfation and godlinefs,' but in all knowledge,r
refolution, and diligence !

To preach a fermon, I think, is not the hardeft
, part of our work. And yet what ikill is neccifary

to

Pan r. Mad Confefuenct dfu Dejictency. fj

to make plain the ttuth ; to convince the hearers f
to let irrcfiftible light into their confciences, and
tcep it there ; to drive the truth mto their minds^
and anfwer every objedioa that oppofes it ; and at
the fame time,- to do all thir with regarJ to the
language and manner^ fo as bcft becomes our work ;,
as is moft fuitable to the capacities of our hearers ^
and fo a» to honour that great God, wbofe melFage
we deliver, by our delivery of it !

It is a lamentable cafe, that, in a meflage frorty
the God of heaven, of cverlafting confequence to
the fouls of men, we fliould behave ourfelves fo,.
as that the whole bufinefs fhould mifcarry in ouy
hands : that God fhould be di/honoured j his-
work difgraced ; and finners rather hardened than-
converted, through our weafcnefs or negledl. How
tftetx have carnal hearers gone jeering home, at the^
palpable and diflionourable failings of th^e preacher f
How many fleep under us, becaufe our hearts and
tongues are fleepy, and we bring not with us fkill

and zeal enough to awaken them ! Brethren, do-

you not fhrink and tremble under a fenfe of thfe
greatncfs of your work ? Will a common meafure
of ability and prudence ferve for fueh a tafk as -
yours ? — Neccflity may indeed caufe the church to
tolerate the weak ', but woe to us if we tolerate
and indulge our own weaknefs*

Do not reafon and confcience tell you, that if
you dare venture on fo high a work as this, yoii
flrould fpare no pains to be fit for the performance

^r

14 NeceJJtty of Diligence. Part I.

of it ? It is not now and then an idle tafte of (ludies.
that will ferve to make an able divine. I know
that lazinefs has learned to argue, from the infufE-
ciency of all our ftudies, that the Spirit muft
wholly and alone qualify us for, and aflift us in
our work. But can we reafonably think that God,
having commanded us to ufe the means, would
warrant us to negled them ? Will he caufe us to
thrive in a courfe of idlenefs ? Or bring us to
knowledge by dreams ? Or take us up to heaven
and fhew us his counfels, while we are unconcerned
about the matter f Strange ! that men ihould dare,
by their finful lazinefs, thus to quench the fpirit !
God has required us that we ' be not flothful in
* bufinefs, but fervent in fpirit, ferving the Lord/
Therefore, brethren, lofe no time : ftudy, pray,
difcourfe, and praftife ; that by thefe means your
abilities may be increafed.

Befides the compofition of fermons, how many
other things ihould a miniiler underfland ! What
a great defe£l would it be to be ignorant of them ;
and how much fhall we mifs fuch knowledge in
our work ! In order to gain a competent meafure
of knowledge, a variety of books mull be read,
[and. well digefted.] Experience will teach you,
that men are not to be made learned or wife, with^
out hard (ludy and unwearied diligence. Shall
we then be indolent ? "Will neither the natural
defirc of knowings nor the fpiritual defire of know-
ing

Part I . NiceJJity of Diligence. t g

ing God and things divine, nor the confcioufner$
of our ignorance arid weaknefs, nor a fenfe of the
importance of our minifterial work, keep us clofe
to our ftudies, and make us diligent in feeking
after truth ?

We fhould the rather take heed to our qualifi«
cations, becaufe fuch works as ours put men more
upon the ufe and trial of their graces, than thofe
of other perfons. Weak gifts and graces may car-
ry a man through an even and laudable courfe of
life, who is not exercifed with any great trials.
Small ftrength may ferve for eafier works, and
lighter burdens: but if you will venture on the
great undertakings of the Miniftry ; if you will
engage againfl ' principalities and powers, and fpi*

* ritual wickednefles', in order to refcue captive
finners from the dominion of Satan, and lead on
the troops of Chrift in the face of all their ene-
mies, common abilities will not be fullicient. The
tempter will make his firft and fharped onfet on
YOU. He bears you the greateft malice, who are
engaged to do him the greateft mtfchief. He has
found, by experience, that to * fmtte the (hep-

* herd,* is the moft effeftual means to * fcatter

* the flock.' You therefore fhall have his nioft
fubtile infinuations, inceflant foltcitations, and vio-
lent affaults. So that you muft expeft to come off
with greater fhame and deeper wounds, than if you
had lived a common life^ if you think to go

through

1 6 Ueccfftfy tif DiVigenu. Part T^

through fuch things as thefe >Vith a carelefs fowl.
We have fcen many perfons that lived a private life,
in good reputation for parts and piety, who, when
they have takerv upon them either the magiftracy,
or military employment^ where the work was fu-
pcriot to their abilities, have met with feandal and
Hifgrace. ^ So alfo have we feen fome private chrif^
tians of good efteem, who having thought todf
highly of their abilities, and thruft themfelves into-
the miniftcrial office, have proved weak and empty

■ men, and have become fome of the greateft burdens
to the church. ' They might, perhaps, have done
God more fervice, had they continued in the highet
rank of private men, than they did among the
loweft of the miniftry. If then you will venture
into the midft of dangers, and bear the burden of
the day, • take heed to yourfelves.*

This care and diligence is now the more re-
\ quifite for minifters, becaufe the neceffity of the
I cfhurch forces fo many from our places of educa-
\ tion fo very young, that they are obliged to teach

■ and learn together. It were very defirable that
the church fliould wait longer for their prepara-
tion, if it were poffible ; but I would by no means
difcourage fuch young perfons as are drawn out by
mere neceffity; if they are but competently quali'-
fied, and quickened with earneft dcfires of menV
falvation, to clofe ftudy, and great diligence in thei»
work.^— — And this is ncceflary \ for if the people

take

Part I. Proper Ends to be kept tn plew. tj

take them to be ignorant, they will defpife their
teaching, and think themfelves as wife as they.
The loweft degree tolerable in a minifter, is to be
- f^P^^ vulgus fideltum^ It will produce fome degree
of reverence, when your people know that you
are wifer than themfelves.

If you are confcious that you are none of the
mofl able minifters, and defpair of being reverenced
for your talents, you Ijave the more need to ftudy
and labour for their increafe. That which you
want in natural ability, you'muft make up in other
qualifications ; and then you may be as fuccefsfui
as other pcrfons.

III. Take heed to yaurfelves, that your endj
in undertaking and difcharging the minifterial ofSce
are good and honmirable.

The ultimate end of our paftoral overfight, is
that which is the ultimate end of our whole lives t
viz. to pleafe and glorify God. With this is con-
nefted the honour of Chrift, the welfare of the
church, and the falvation of our people : their
fandlification and hdy obedience ; their unrty, or-
der, beauty, ftrength, prefervation, and increafe.

The whole minifterial work muft be managed
purely for God, and the good of fouls, without
any private ends of our own. Thi* is our fince-
rity in it. None but the upright make God their
end;^> or do all or any thing heartily, for his honour..

As.

i8 Proper Ends to be kept in View. Part I,

As for other perfons, they choofe the miniftry
rather thai> any other calling, either becaufe their
parents devoted them to it ; or becaufe it is a
pleafant thing to know ; and this is a life wherein
they have the moft opportunity to furnifti their
intellefts with all kinds of fcience ; or becaufe it
is riot fo fatiguing to the body, (loving to favour
the flefli) or becaufe it is accompanied with fome
degree of reverence from men ; and they efteeqi j^
an honourable thing to be leaders and teachers ;~
to have others depend on them, and * receive the
* law at their mouth ;' or becaufe it affords them a
comfortable maintenance. For fuch ends as thefe
do many undertake the miniftry ; and were it not
for fome or other of thefe, they would foon give
it over.

Now can it be expeded that God (hould greatly
folefs the fervices of fuch (men ; (ince it is not for
him that they preach, but for themfelves ; their
own eafe or advantage ? No wonder if he leave
them to themfelves for the fuccefs. A wrong end
fpoils all our work with regard to ourfelves, how
good foever it may in itfelf be. They that under-
take this as a common work, to make a trade of it,
in order to their. fubfiftence in the world, will find
that they have c^oferi a bad trade, though it be a^
good employment. Self-denial is of abfolute ne«
ceflity in every chriftian ; but of double neceflity
in a Minifter, as be hath a double fan£tijtication or

dedication

^ Part I . Neceffity of a good Example. s g

dedication to God ; and without felf-denial he can-
not faithfully do God any fervice. Hard ftudies,
much knowledge, and excellent preaching, if the
end be not right, are but more glorious, hypocriti-
cal finning.

IV. Take heed to yourfelves, left you fall into
thofe fins you preach againft, and left, by your ex-
ample, you contradift your doftrine.

Will you make it your bufinefs to magnify God,
and when you have done, difhonour him as much
as others ? Will you proclaim Chrift's governing
power, and yet rebel againft it ? Will you preach

his laws, and then wilfully break them ? If fin

be evil, why do you commit it ? If it be not, why
do you diifuade men from it ? If God's threaten-
ings are true, why do you not fear them ? If they
are falfe, why do you needlefsly trouble men with
them ? * Thou that teacheft another, teacheft thou

* not thyfelf ? Thou that makeft thy boaft of

* the law, through breaking the law, difhonoureft
' thou God?' It is a palpable error in thofe
miniftcrs, who make fuch a difproportion between
their preaching and their living, that they will
ftudy hard to preach accurately, and ftudy little or
not at ail to live accurately. They Jlre loth to
mifplace a word in their fermons,' but they make
nothing of mifplacing their afFe£lions, words, or
anions in the courfe of their lives. They are fo
nice in their compofitions, that they feem to look

upon

so The Danger aj falling into Sin, Part L

upon it as a virtue in them to preach fcldom, that
their language may be >the more polite ; and all
the rhetorical writers they can meet with are prefled
to ferve them for the adorning their ftyle ; but
when it comes to matter of pradlice, how little do
they regard what they faid ? What a difference is
there between their pulpit-fpeechcs and their fami-
liar difcourfe ! They that are moft impatient of
barbarifms and folecifms in a fermon, can too eafily

tolerate them in their converfation. Surely^

brethren, we have great caufe to take heed what
we doy as well as what wc/ay. A praftical doc-
trine muft be praftically preached. We muft
ftudy as hard how to live well, as how to preach
well. If the faving of fouls be your end, you will
certainly attend to it out of the pulpit, as well as;
in it ; you will live for it, and contribute all your
endeavours to attain it. If you intend the end of
the miniftry only in the pulpit, it feems you take
yourfelves for minifters no longer than you are
there : and if fo, I think you are unworthy to he
cfteemed fuch at all. — You have very great need
of the ftrifteft care over your conduct ; for

1 . You have the fame depraved nature and finful
inclinations as others. There arc, in the beft of
us, the remnants of pride, unbelief, felf-feeking,
hypocrify, and other fins. How fmall a matter
may caft us down, by enticing us to folly, enkind-
ling Qur paffions, perverting our Judgments,

abating

Parti. Sins of MlniJIers highly aggravated. 21

abating our refolution, and cooling our zeal !
Without great care, our treacherous hearts may
fome time or another deceive us ; and thofe fins
that feem to lie dead, may revive.

2. RemembeV too, that as you have the fame
evil difpofitions as other perfons, you are expofed
to temptations peculiar to yourfelves ; particu-
larly (as- has been already obferved) from the great
enemy of fouls ; who obtains a very great conquefl,
if he can make a minifter unfaithful, and tempt
him into fin. Do oot gratify your grand adver-
fary, nor give him an occafion to infult and
triumph.

3. Many eyes are upon you, and therefore
many will obferve your falls. The eclipfes of the
fun by day-time, are feldom without many wit-
nefles* If other men may fin without great ob-
fervation, you cannot. While you are * as lights
^ fet upon an hill, you cannot be hid.* The light
of your doftrine will expofe your evil doings.
Live therefore as thofe who remember that the
world looks on you with the quick fighted eye of
malice, ready to find the fmalleft fault ; to aggra-
vate and divulge it ; yea, to make faults where
there are none.

4. Take/ heed to your conduS, becaufe your
fms are attended with more heinous aggravations .
than thofe of other men. It was a faying of king
Alphonfus, " that a great man cannot commit a

" fmall

£2

Sins of Mintfters highly aggravated. Part I.

" fmall fin." We may with more propriety fay,
that a learned m^n, and a teacher of others, cannot :
or at leaft, that that fin is great when committed
by him, which would be efteemed fmaller in
another perfon. — Your fins are committed againft
greater knowledge than the fins of moft others can
be. They difcover greater hypocrify, and carry in
them greater treachery. You are laid under more
folemn obligations to abftain from them than
other men, and you enjoy fuperior advantages for
fo doing.

5. Take heed of falling into fin, becaufe the
honour of your Lord and Mafter is concerned.
As you may do him more fervice, fo you may do
him more diflervice than others. The nearer men
(land to God, the greater diflionour does he receive
from their mifcarriages. A heavy judgment was
threatened and executed on Eli and his houfe, be-
caufe they * kicked at his facrifice and offering ;*
and we are told, * the fin of the young men was

* great before the Lord,' becaufe on account of
their prophane behaviour, * men abhorred the

* offering of the Lord.' The aggravation of their
fin was, that it ^ caufed the enemies of the Lord

, * to blafpheme ;' which circumftance provoked
God toxical more fliarply with David^ with refpeft
to his crime, than otherwife he would have done.
Never give finners occafion to fay, " there goes a
** covetous, or a drunken prieft :" or to refleft,

when

Part I. Their Succefs hindered thereby, 23

when they fee you, that ** notwithftandrng all
** your talk, you are as bad as they." * Offences
* will come : but woe to the man by whom they

. * come.' You- * bear the ark of the Lord ;' you
are intrufted with his honour ; and dare you
let it fall ? Take heed, in the name of God, of
every word you fpeak, and of every ftep you take.
God will indeed wipe off all the difhonour that "
may be cafl upon him ; but you will not fo eafily
remove the fhame and forrow from yourfelves.
Once more

6. Take heed to your condu£l, becaufe the
fuccefs of all your labours does very much depend
upon it. If you unfay by your lives, what you
fay with your lips, you will prove the greatefl hin-
derers of your own work. It greatly prevents our
fuccefs, that other men are all the week contra-
dlfting to the people in private, what we have
been fpeaking to 'them from the word of God, in
public ; but it will prevent it much more, if we
contradi<5k it ourfelves ; if our actions give our
words the lie. This is the way to make men
think that the word of God is but an idle tale.
Surely he that means as he fpeaks, will do as he
fpeaks. One improper word, one unbecoming ac-
tion, may blaft the fruit of many a fermon.

Say, brethren, in the fear of God, do you regard
the fuccefs of your labours, and wifh to fee it upon
the fouls of your hearers^ or do you not ? If you

do

S4 5r-&^ Succefs ofMlniJiers. P^t 1.

do not, why do you ftudy and preach, and call
yourfelves* the minifters of Chrift ? If you do>
furely you cannot eafily be induced to fpoil your
own work. You do not much regard the fuccefs
of it, if you are willing to fell it at fo cheap a
rate, as for the indulgence of any fin. Long
enough may you lift up your voices againft fin, be-
fore men will believe there is any fuch harm in it,
or fuch danger attentiing it as you talk of, if they
fee you commit it yourfelves. While men have
eyes as well as ears, they will think th^y fee your
meaning as well as hear it; and they are much
more ready to believe what they fee than what they
hear. All that a preacher docs is a kind of preach-
ing« When you live a covetous or carelefs life ;
when you drink or game, or wafte your time, &c.
hy your pradlice you preach thefe fins to your
people. They will give you leave to fpeak againft
thefe things in the pulpit as much as you will, if
you will but let them alone afterwards, and talk
and live as they do ; for they take the pulpit to
be but as a ilage ; a place where preachers mud
fliew themfelves and play their parts ; where you
; have liberty for an hour to fay v^hat you pleafe.
They will not much regard it, if you do Dot flie^,
by your condudt amongft them, that you meant as
you faid.

Confider further, fince the fuccefs of your la-
bours depends on the grace and bleffing of God,

whether

Part I. requires Life and Vigour in Religion. 25

whether you will not by your fins, provoke him
to forfake you, and blaft your endeavours ; at lead
with regard to yourfelves, though he may in fomc
meafure blefs them to his people. Once more,

V* Take heed to yourfelves, that your graces
be maintained in Ufe and in action.

For this end, preach to yourselves the fer-
mons you ftudy, before you preach them to others.
If you were to do this for your own fakes, it would
lie no ioft labour. But I principally recommend It
on die public accouilt, and for the fake of the
church. When yotir minds are in a holy frame,
your people are likely to partake of it. Your
prayers and praifes and dodrine will be fweet and
heavenly to them. They are likely to feel it when
you have been mych with God. That which is
on your hearts moft, will be moft in their ears. I
confefs, I mud fpeak it by lamentable experience,i
that I publifh to my flock the diftempcrs of my
foul. When I let my heart grow cold, my preach-
ing is cold ; and when it is confufed, my preaching
is confufed alfo. And I have often obferved, in \
the beft of my hearers, that when I have grown
cold in preaching, they have grown cold accord-
ingly. The next prayers I have heard from them,
have been too much like my fermons. You cannot
decline and negleS your duties, but others will be

C lofers

\

s6 Immediate Preparation for the Pulpit, Part L

lofers by it as well as yourfelves. If we let our

love decreafe, and if we abate our holy care and

watchfulnefs, it will foon appear in our doctrine.

If the matter fhew it not, the manner will ; and

our hearers are likely to fare the worfe for it.

Whereas^ if we could abound in faith and love

and zealy how wpuldthey overflow to the refreshing

of our congregations ! and how would this appear

by increafing the fame graces in our people!

Watch therefore, brethren, over your own hearts.

Keep out lufls, and worldly inclinations ; and keep

ipp the life, of faith and love. Be much at home^

and be much with God. If it be not your daily

ferioos bufinefs to ftudy your own hearts^ to fubdue

corruptions, and to walk: with God, all will go

amifs with you, and you will Aarve your audience.

Or if you have an afFeSed fervency^ you cannot

exped any great blefling to attend it.— Above

ally be much in fecret prayer and meditation. There

you muft fetch the heavenly fire, that muft kindle

your facrifices.

But befides this general courfe of watchfulnefs
for oufffelves and others, methinks a minifler fhould
take fome. fpecial pains with his own heart, juft be-
fore he goes to the congregation. If it be cold
THEN, how is he likely to warm the hearts of his
hearers ? Go then to God, efpecially, for life.
Read fome rouiing awakening book ^ or meditate

on

Part I, Immediate Preparatim for the Pulpit. «y

on the vaft importance of the fubje6l on which you
are to fpeak; and on the great neceflity of your
peoples fouls ; that thus you may go in * the zeal
' of the Lord, into bis houfe*/

* With a yiew to the objeCI above recommended by Mr*
Baxter, Dr. Doddridge frequemly read a pafTage from this work
of his, on the Lord's day morning previous to his going out to
preach ; and fome other minifien have experieiiced the utilitf
^ doing the Cune«

The End of the First Part;

Ca PART

[ 88 ]

PART THE SECOND.

Of the Duty of Jiated Minifters with
refpeSt to their People.

HAyiNG (hewed you, as it was firft neccflary,
what we muft be, and what we znuft do for
our own fouls, I proceed to the

SECOND branch of the exhortation : ' Take
• heed unto all the flock over which the Holy
' Ghoft hath made you overfeers, to feed the church
« of God/

Here it is neceifarily fuppofed, That every flock
fiiould have their own paftor, and every paftor his
own flock. It is the will of God, that chriftians
ihould ' know their teachers that labour among
' them, and are over them in the Lord.' Paulzni,
Barnabas ' ordained elders in every church.'
Though a minifter be an officer in the univerfal
church, yet he is in an efpecial manner the over-
seer of that particular church which is committed
to his care. When we are -ordained minifters,

without

Part II. The Exhortation explained, "ft^

«

without a fpecial charge, we are licenced and com-
manded to do our beft for ail, where we are called
to exercife ^ but when we have undertaken a par-
ticular charge, we have reftrained the exercife of
our gifts and guidance efpedally to that : fo that
we fliould allow others no more of our time and
help than our own flock can fpare. From this
relation of paftor and flock, arife thofe duties which
we mutually owe each other.

It is further implied^ that our flocks fhbuld be
no larger than we are capable of overfeeing, or
taking the care of. The nature of the paftoral
work is fuch as requires it to be done by the paftof
himfelf.

By the flock or church is tneant that particular
fociety of chriflians of which a bifliop or elder has
the charge ; aiibciated for perfonal communion in
God's public worfliip, and for other mutual affift*
ance in the way to falvation. The word TQt{Mfm
properly fignifies a little flock.

What is meant when we are exhorted 7roiii«vei¥
rvjV 6}iHKyi(ricaf feems to be, not only to fied the
church, a$ it is tranfiated ; nor merely to rule it,
as fome underftand it ; but to perform every branch
of the paftoral overfight. In a word, it xspaftorem
agere ; to do the work of a Paftor or Shepherd to
the flock : The feveral branches of which fliall
now be confidered^

C 3 CHAP-

80 7%i grand Deftgn Part II.

CHAP. I.

Of a Minifter'sjiated public Work : Preaching; Prayer;
and adminijtering the Sacraments,

o

NE of the moft important and moft excellent
parts of our work is

I. The public preachikg of the Word*
[Here we fhall fuggeft a few thoughts on the <le«
iign of preaching-— the manner of it — the pronun-
ciation— i»and the compofition of fermons.]

1. Of the Design of Preaching.

The grand defign of preaching is» to fhew men
their trueft happinefs^ and to dired them how to
attain it. -«- It is the great work of chriftian minifters
to acquaint men with God, and that glory which
all his chofen people fhall enjoy in his prefence ; to
ihew them the certainty and excellence of the pro-
mifed felicity in the life to come, compared with
the vanities of the prefent world, that fo we may
turn the ftream of their thoughts and afFe£tions ;
bring them to a due contempt of this world, and
put them upon feeking that durable treafure. This
is the work about which we are to treat with men,
day after day ; for could we once bring them to
propofe a right end, ^nd fet their hearts unfeign-

edly

Chap, 1, of preaching the Go/pel, 31

edly on God and heaven, the greatcft part of our
bufinefs would be done.

Having fhewn thenni the right end, our next
work is to acquaint them with the right means of
attaining it. We muft firft teach them the evil and
danger of fin ; then we muft open to them the
great myfteries' of redemption ; — the perfon, na-
tures, incarnation, life, fufFerings, death, refurrec-
tion, afcenfion, interceflion, and dominion of the
bleffcd Son of God. As alfo, the conditions imi.
pofed on us ; the duties he has commanded u« ;
the everlafting torments he has threatened to the
finally impenitent ; the rich treafury of his blef-
(ings and grace ; the tenour of his promifes, and
all the privileges of the faints. We muft recom*
mend to them a life of holinefs and communion
■with God. We muft excite them to, and dired
them in, the performance of all the fpiritual dutie^
which the gofpel requires. At the fame time wc
muft difcover to them the deceitfulnefs of their
own hearts ; the many difficulties and dangers they
will meet with ; cfpecially we muft fliew them the
depth of Satan's temptations, and affift them againft
all thefe. We muft reveal and recommend to them
the great and gracious defigns of God, in his works
of creation, providence, redemption, juftification,
adoption, fandification, and glorification. In a
word, we muft teach them as much as we can, of
the whole works and word of God. And what

C 4 two

ga Great Skill and Fervency Part 1 1 ►

two volumes are here for a minifter to preach upon!
How great, how excellent, how wonderful ! AH
chriflians are the difciples or fcholars of Chrift :
the church is his fchool : we are his ufhers ; the
Bible is his grammar : this it is we mud be daily
teaching them. The Papifls would teach them
without book, left they fhould learn hereftes from
the word of truth; but our bufmefs is not to teach
them without book, but to help them to underftand
this book of God.

2. Of the Manner of Preaching.

Preaching is a work which requires greater (kill^
and efpecially greater life and zeal, than any of us
commonly bring to it. It is no trifling matter to
ftand up in the face of a congregation, and deliver
a meflage of falvation or damnation, as from the
living God, in the name of the Redeemer. It is no
eafy thing to fpeak fo plainly that the moft ignorant
fnay underftand us ; fo ferioufly that the .deadeft
heart may feel, and fo convincingly that contradid^
ing cavillers may be filenced. — Certainly, if our
hearts were fet upon the work of the Lord as they
ought to be, it would be done more vigoroufly than
by the moft of us it is. Alas I how few minifters
preach with all their might, or fpeak about everlaft-
ing joys and torments in fuch a manner as may
make men believe that they are in earneft ! It would
make a man's heart ache to fee a number of dead

and

Ckap. I. effifaiinl t9 gQod PreacSing. Si

and (kewfy Tinners fit uitder a minifter, without:
having a word that is likely to quicken or awakeA
them. The blow often falls fo light, that hard-
hearted perfons cannot feel. Few minifters will fo
much as exert their voice and ftir themfelves up to
an earncft delivery. Or if they fpeak loud and \
earneftly, oftentimes they do not anfwer it with |
earneftnefs of matter ; and then the voice does but /
little good. The people will efteem it but mere
bawling if the matter does not correfpond; On the
other hand^ it would grieve one to hear what ex- ^
cell^nt fobje^s fome miniflers treat upon, who yet
let them die in their hands for want of a clofe /
and lively application ; what fit nnatter they have
for convindSig finners^ and yet bow Uttle they make
rf it.

O firs? how plain, how clofe, how feribus
ftould we be in delivering a meifage of fuch im-^
portance as ours, when the everlafting life or
death of men are concerned in it ! Methinks we
are no where fo much wanting, as in ferioufnefs ;,
yet nothing is more unfuitable to our bufinefs^
than to be (light and duU. What! fpeak. coldly
for God, and fof the falvation of raci> f Can* wp,
believe that our people muft be converted or con-
denmed, and yet can we fpeafc to them ict a: drowfy
tone ? In the name of God,, brethren^ awaken;
your hearts before you come into the pulpit ;. that
when you are there you may be fit to waien tH©

C 4 hearts

34 Terventy in Preaching recommended^ Part II.

hearts of finners. Remember^ that they muft be
Awakenedy or damned : but furely a fleepy preacher
is not likely to awaken them» Though you grve
the holy things of God the higheft praifes in
^ords, if you do it coldly, you will unfay by your
manner all that you have faid. It is a kind of
contempt of great things, efpecially fo great as thefe,
to fpeak of them without great affedion and fer-
vency, * Whatfoever our hand findcth to do,
(certainly then in fuch a work as preaching for
men's falvation) we ihould ' do it with all our
* might.' Though I do not recommend a con^-
ftant loudnefs in your delivery, (for that will make
your fervency contemptible) yet fee to it, that you
have a conftant ferioufnefs ; and when the matter
requires it (as it ihould do in the application, a<t
lead) then. * lift up your voice and fpare not* your
fpirits. Speak to your hearers as to men that
muft be awakened either here or in hell. Look
upon your congregation with ferioufnefs and com*.^
paffion ; and think in what a (late of joy or tor>.>
ment they muft be for ev^r ; and that furely will
make you earneft, and melt your hearts for them.
Whatever you do, let the people fee that you are
in good earneft. You cannot foften men's hearts
by jefting with them, or telling them a fmooth
tale, or patching up a gawdy oration. They will
not caft away their deareft pleafures, at the drowfv-
xequeft of one who feems not to mean as he

fpeaksj^

Chap. I. Fervency in Preaching recommended. 35

fpeaks, or to care much whether his requcft be
granted or not.

Let us then roufe up ourfelves to the work of
the Lord* Let us fpeak to our people as for tlieir
lives, and * fave them as by violence^ pulling them
' out of the fire.* Satan will not be charmed oat
of his pofleffions ; we mud lay fiege to the fouU
of iinners, which are his chief garrifon ; muft play
the battery of God's ordnance againft it, afid play
it clofe, till a breach is made ; not fuiFering them
to make it up again. As we have reafonable
creatures to deal with, we muft (ee to it that our
fermons be all convincing ; and that we make the
light of fcripture and reafon fhine fo bright in the
faces of the ungodly, that unlefs they wilfully fhut
their eyes, it may even force them to fee. A fcr-
mon full of mere words, while it wants the light
of evidence, and the zeal of life, is but an image,
or a welUdrefled carcafe. In preaching, there is
intended a communion of fouls between us and
our pec^le ; or a communication of fomewhat from
ours to theirs. We muft endeavour to communi-
cate the fulleft^ light of evidence, from our under-
ftandings to theirs \ and to warm their hearts, by
enkindling in them holy aifedions fronx our own.
The great things which we are to commend to our
hearers, have reafon enough on their fide, and lie
plain before them in the word of God. We (hould
therefore be fo furnifhed with a proper ftore of

C 6 evidence,,

g6 Of Pronunciation and Comfojiifan. P^rt !!»

evidence, as to come as with a torrent upon their
underdandings, and bear down all before us. With
our dilemmas and expoftulations, we ihould endea-
vour to bring them to a nonplus, that th^y may be
forced to yield to the power of truth ; to fe^ that
it is great iind will prevail.

3. Of the PRaNUNCIATlON.

A great matter with mod of our hearers, lies in
the pronunciation and toiiie of the voice. The
beft matter will not move them uiJefs it be
novingly delivered^ When a man has a reading or
declaiming tone, and fpeaks like a fchool-boy fay-
ing a leiTon, or pronouncing an oration, few are
inuch afieded witb any thing that he fays. The
want of a familiar tone and exprei&on, is as great
a defed in the delivery of moft of us, as any thing
whatever : in this refpe£l therefore we ihould be
careful to amend. Let us guard againft all affe£la-^
tion, and fpeak as familiarly to our people as i£
iHt were fpeaking to any of them perfonally.

4* Of the Composition of Sermons.

In the ftudy of our fermons we are apt. to be toa
negligent ; gathering only a few naked heads, and
not confidering of the moft forcible expreifions ta
fct them home to men's hearts. We muft ftudy
how to convince and get within men, and how to
bring each truth to the quick ; not leaving all this

to

Chap. J. Of public Profer, 3j

to our extempore promptitude^ unlefs it b« |i| cafe^
of neceffity*.

Next to preachingi aBOthcr very importa|;it pafj
of our public work i«, . ,

II. To guide our people, and be their mout^
to God in the prayers and ^praises of. the
church ; as alfo to blefs them in the nanie of the
JLord.

This facerdotal part of our office is not the kaft ;
nor ought it to be thru ft into a corner, as it too
frequently is. A very coniiderable part of God's
public fervice, was wont in all ages of the churchy
till of late, to confift in praifes and euchariftical a6ts
of communion. The Lord's day was kept as a
day of thankfgiving, in the hymns, and common
rejoicings of the faithful ; in fpecial commemora-
tion of the work of redemption, and the happy
condition of the gofpel church. Though I am as
apprehenfive of the neceffity of preaching as moft
perfons, yet I think it ought not to prevent our
folemn prayers to, and praifes of God, from em-
ploying more of the Lord's day than they generally

* Mr. Baxter was ufed in general to write his fermons at /

length, as moft of our old divines did. In fome place ki his I

writings, he acknowledges and laments it, when, he negle£led \

this, as the efFe6l of indolence, and. as produ£Uve of unhappf |

confeqaences. Some excelkoit dire^ons fof the compofitioa }
of fcnnons may be feea in DiMridgc's Prtodiing Lt&ures,

do-

38 Ofpuhltc Prayer y Baptifm, &c. Part II.

do. Ourwodhip fliould be as evangelical as our
dodrine. [Now as it is our bufinefs to lead the
devotions of our people on fuch folemn occafions,
iirc ought to take heed that we do it with fiich pro-
priety and fervour as will be conducive to their real
edification.] *

Another part of our paftoral work is

«

III. The adminiftration of the facred myfteries^
or the feals of God's covenant, baptism> and
the LoRD*s SUPPER.

Some minifters totally negleft thefe ordinances ;
others adminifter them in ^ very carelefs manner j
and a third fort lay a very undue ftrefs on trifling
circumftances relating to them, and make them a
matter of much contention, even in that ordinance,,
in which union and communion, are fo much pro-
fefled, [We not only ought carefully to avoid afl

* It is much to be wifbed that Mr. Baxter had enlarged a
little on the fubjcft of public prayer ; which, though a
part of divine worlhip of peculiar importance, is often worfc
performed than any other. Sec fome too* juii complaints on
this head in the Evang, Mag, for June 1807. Mr. Baxter
greatly excelled in prayer; of which one evidence^ appears in
his Reformed Liturgy, and in the forms which he drew up for
families. Thefe are introduced in A CoUeBion of Family Pray*
trSy and they are fome of the beft in the volume, from which
young miniliers might derive much affiQance«

thefie

Chap. II. Ofperfonallnfpe£fion. j^

thefe faults^ but take peculiar pains rn the admini-
ftration of thefe ordinances, for the edification of
the church*.]

CHAP. II.

Ofperfonal InfpeSfion and private InliruBlon.

WE are commanded to * take heed to all
* the flock ;' that is, doubtlefs, to every in-
dividual member of it. To which end, it is
necelTarily fuppofed that we fhould know every
perfon that belongs to our charge ; for how can wfc
take heed to them if we do not know them ? We
muft labour to be acquainted, as fully as we can,
not only with the perfons, but with the ftate of all
our people, — their inclinations, and converfations ;
what are the fms they are mod in danger of ; what
duties they negleft, both with refpeft to the matter
and the manner ; and to what temptations they are
peculiarly liable. If we know not the tempera-
ment or difeafe, we are likely to prove unfuccefsful
phyficians.

* See on this head Dvidfidge\ Lefiures— Af<2/on's Student
9Dd FjaftQx— and OrtqrC^ Lieitters to DiiTenting Mioiftexs*.

Being

40 Of private lnfp<Si9n. Part 11^

Being thus acquainted with all the flock, we
muft do the work of a paftor towards every indivi-
dual. And one would imagine, that all reafonable
men would be fo well fatisfied in, regard to this,
that nothing need be faid to recommend it. Does
not a careful (hepherd look after every individual
iheepy and a good phyfician attend every particular
patient ? Why then fhould not the ffaepherds and
the phyficians of the church take heed to every
individual member of their charge ? Chrift himfelf^
the great and * good (hepherd,' who has the whole
dock to look after, takes care of every individual ;
like him whom he defcribes in his parable, who
< left the ninety-nine fiieep in the wildernefs, ta
« feek after one that was loft.' Paul * taught

* th« people publicly, and from houfe to houfe/
He * warned every man, and taught every man,

* that he might prefent every man perfeS in

* Chrift Jefus.' We are to * watch for fouls, as

* thofe that muft give an account' how we have
done it. Heb. xiii. 17.

To thefe and a variety of other fcriptures, which
might be quoted to our prefent purpofe, I might
add many palTages from the ancient councils, frotn
whence it appears that fuch a perfonal infpe£iion.
was the praftice of the moft ancient, times. I
fliall only mention one from Ignatius^ " Let
V afTemblies be often gathered j feek after (or

^* inquire

Chap. 1 1. The Ignorant to he InJlruQed. 41

** inquire of) all by name; defpife not feryant-
** men or maids," Ignat, ad Polyc.

To mention a few particulars :

1. We fhould ufe all the means we can to
in(lru£t the ignorant in the matters of their fal-
vation.

We (hould ufe our own mod plain, familiar
words in difcourfing with them, and fhould give or
lend them fuch books as are fit for them. We
fhould perfuade them to learn catechifms ; and
dire^ fuch as cannot read, to get help of their
neighbours, whom we fhould exhort to give them
their affiflance ; efpecially fuch as have the beft
opportunities for it,

£• We fhould be ready to give advice to fuch as
come to us with cafes of confcience ; efpecially
that great cafe which the Jews put to Peter, and
the jailer to Pajul and Silas, * What mufl we dp
* to be faved ?*

A minifter is not only to be emplayed in public
preaching to his people, but fhould be a known
counfellor for their fouls, as the lawyer is for. their
eflates, and the phyfician for their bodies, No^
that a ipinifler (any more than a phyfician, or
lawyer) ihould be troubled with every triflif^ matr
ter about which others can advife them as well.
But every man that is in doubts and difficulties
about matters of importance, fhould bring his cafe

to

4^ Cajei of Confcience to be refoJved, Part II,

to his minifter for refolution. Thus Nicodemus
came to Chrift, as it was ufual with the people to
go to * the prieft, whofe lips were to preferve

* knowledge, and at whofe mouth they were to

* afk the law, becaufe he was the mefienger of the

* Lord of Hofts.' Mai. ii. y,-^ Since the people

are grown too much unacquainted with the office
of the miniftry, and their own duty herein, it be-
longs to us to acquaint them with it, and to prefe
them publickly to come to us for advice in cafes of
great concernment to their fouls. What abun-
dance of good might we do, could we but bring
them to this. But how few are thete who heartily
prefs their people to it ! A fad eafe, that men's
fouls fhould be injured and hazarded, by the total
negleA of fo great a duty ; and that minifters
Ibould fcarcely ever tell them of it and awaken
them to it ! Were they but duly fenfible of the
need and importance of it, you would have them
more frequently knocking at your doors, to open
their cafes, to make their complaints, and to alk
your advice. I befeech you then, put them more
upon this ; and perform your duty carefully Vhen
they feek your help.

To this end it is very neceffary, that we (hould
be acquainted with praflical cafes, and efpecially
with the nature of true grace, fo that we may
affift them in trying their dates, and refolve the
main queftion, which concejiis their everlafting

life

Chap / 1 1 . Regard to Families recommended. 43

life or death. One word of feafonable, prudent
advice, given by a minifter to perfons in neceflity,
has fometimes done that good which many fermons
have failed of doing.

3. We fhould have an efpecial eye upon fa*
MI LIES, to fee that they be well ordered, and
that the duties of each relation be well per-
formed.

The life of religion, and the welfare and glory
of church and ftate, depend much upon family
government and duty. If we fuffer the. negled
of this, we undo all. What are we likely to do
towards the reforming a congregation, if all the
work be caft upon us alone, and mailers of fami-
lies negleft that neceffary duty of theirs, by which
they are obliged to help us ? If any good be begun
by the miniftry in any foul, a carelefs, prayerlefs,
worldly family is likely to ftifle^ or very muck
hinder it. Whereas if you could but get the jculers
of families to do their part ; to take up the work
where you left it, what abundance of good might
be done by it ! Do all that you can therefore to
promote this bufinefs, if ever you defire the true
reformation and welfare of your parifhes.

To this end, get information how every family
is condudled, and how God is worfliipped in it,
that you may know how to proceed. Go now and
then among them, vhen they are mod at leifure,
and aik the mafter of the family whether he prays

with

44 Rigard to Families recommended. Part II.

with them and reads the fcripture* Labour to con-
vince fuch as negled this, of their iin. Pray
with them before you go, to give them an ex-
ample how you would have them pray, and get
them to promife that they will be more confcien-
tious therein for the future, — If you find any
finable to pray in tolerable expreffions, through
ignorance or difufe, perfuade th^m to ftudy their
wants, and get their hearts affe£led with them.
Advife them frequently to vifit thofe neighbours
who ufe to pray, that they may learn ; and in the
mean time recommend it to them to ufe a Form of
prayer, rather than omit the duty. It is neceflary
to mod illiterate people who have not been brought
up where prayer has been ufed, to begin with a
Form ; becaufe otherwife they would be able to do
nothing. From a fenfe of their inability, they wilt
wholly negleft the duty, though they defire to per-
Form it. Many perfons can utter fome honeft
requefts in fecret, who will not be able to fpeak
tolerable fenfe before others ; and I will not be
one of them who had rather the duty were wholly
negle£ted, or prophaned and made contemptible^
than encourage them to ufe a Form, either recited
by memory, or read.— Tell them however, that it
is their fin and fhame to be fo unacquainted with
their own necefiities, as not to know how to fpeak
to God in prayer, when every beggar can find
words to aik an alms ; and that this Form is only

to

Chap. II. Peculiar Regard due to Families^ 45

to be ufed, till they can do without it ; which they
ought to endeavour after, that their expreflions
may be varied according to their neceflities and
obfervations. * '

See that befides the Bible, they have 'fome pro-
fitable moving books in every family. If they
have none, perfuade them to buy fome of a low
price. If they are not able, either give thefn.
or procure for them fuch as are likely to be of the
greateft ufe to them. Engage them to read in the'
evening, when they have leifure, but efpecially on
the Lord's day ; and by all means perfuade them
to teach their children to read. Particularly, dired
them how to fpend the Sabbath ; how to difpatch
their worldly bufinefs, fo as to prevent ertcuiri-
brances and diflraAions ; and when they have at-
tended public worihip, how to fpend their time in
their families. The life of religion, among poor '
people efpecially, depends mnch upon this, be- 7^
caufe they have very little time befides this to fpare.
If they lofe this, they lofe all, and will remain

ignorant and brutifli. Perfuade the mafter of

the family, every Lord's day evening, to caufe all
his family to repeat fome catechifm to him, and
give him an account of what they have learned
that day in public— If you find any who cannot
fpend the time profitably at home, advife them to
take their families to fome godly neighbour that

can.

If

46 Ofvifitlng the Sick. Part 1 1 .

If any in the fainilj are known to be uhruly,
give the mafler a fpecial charge concerning them,
and make him underftand what a fm it is to connive
at, and tolerate them««— If you can thus get heads
of families to perfonn their duty, they will fave
you much pains with the reft, and greatly promote
the fuccefs of your labours. You cannot expe£l a
general reformation, till you procure family re-
fermation. Some little obfcure religion there may
be, in here and there one ; but while it flicks with
(ingle perfons, and is not promoted by thefe focie-
tieSf it does not profper, nor promife much for
future increafe.

4« Another part of our minifierial overfight lies
in VISITING the sick^ and helping them to pre-
pare for a fruitful life, or a happy death.

Though this be the bufinefs of all our lives and
theirs, yet a time of ficknels requires extraordi-
nary care both in them and us. When time is
almoft gone, and they muft be now or never recon-
ciled to God and poflefled of his grace, oh ! how
does it concern them to redeem their few remain-
ing hours, to * lay hold on eternal life!' And when
we fee that we fliall have but a few more days or
hours with them, in which to fpeak to them in
reference to their eternal ftate, what man that is
not an Infidel, or to the lafl degree flupid, would
not be with them^ and do all that he can in that

fhort

Chapy II. Attendance on the Ski and Dying. 47

fliort fpace for their falvation ! Will it not awaken
us to compailion, to look upon a languifhing man,
and think that within a few days his foul will be
in heaven or in hell ? — So great is the change made
by death, that it fhould awaken us to the greateft
fenfibility to fee a man fo near it ; and it fhould
excite in us .the deeped pangs of companion, to do
the office of inferior angels for the foul, before it
departs from the flefh, that it may be ready for
the convoy of fuperior angels, to tranfmit it to the
prepared glory. When a man is almoft at his
journey's end, and the next ftep puts him into
heaven or hell, it is time for us to help him, if we
can, while there is hope.

As the prefent n§ceifity of fick perfons fhould
induce us to take that opportunity, for their good,
fo fhould the advantage which ficknefs and the
forefight of death afFordeth for it. There are few
of the floutefl hearts but will hear us on their
death-beds, though they fcorned us before. They
will then be as tame as lambs, wha before ^ere as
untradable as mad-men. I find not one in ten of
the mofl obflinate fcornful wretches in the parifh,
but whenthey come to die, will humble themfelves,
confefs their faults, feem penitent, and promife, if
they fhould recover, to reform their lives. With
what refolution will the worft of them feem to
caft away their fins, exclaim againfl their follies,
aiid the vanities of the world, when they fee that

death

48 Attendant M Ae Sick and Dying. Part IL

death is in earned with them i I confefs it is very
common for perfons at fuch a feafon to be frightened
into ineiFedual purpofes, but not fo commcm to
be converted to fixed refolutions. Yet there are
fome exceptions. That there are fafiWf fhould
make both them and us the more diligent in the
time of health ; and that there are at^f (hould
beftir us at laft, in the ufe of the laft remedies.

It will not be ufelefs to our/ehes to read fuch
leAures of mortality. Surely it will much try
the faith and ferioufnefs of miniders or others, to
be about dying men. They will have much op»
portunity to difcern whether they themfelves are
in earned about the affairs of the world to come.
* It is better to go to the houfe of mourning, than
^ to }he houfe of feafling ;' for it tends to make
the* heart better when we fee the end of all the
living, and what it is that the world will do for
thoTe who fell their falvation for it. ^- It will excite
us the better to confider the ufe of faith and holi-
nefs, which cannot prevent us from dying, any
more than others, but which may enable us to die
better than they. — ^To render your vifits to the fick
the more ufeful, take the following dire£lions.

Stay not till their (Irength and underftandings be
gone, and the time fo ihort that you fcarcely know
what to do, but go to them as foon as you hear
they are fick, whether they fend for y6u or not.—*
When the time is fo ihort, that there is no oppor*

tunity

Chap . II. Dire5iions for vifiting thi Ski* 49

tunity to attempt the change of their hearts in that
diflind and gradual way which is ufual with others^
we muft be fure to dwell upon thofe truths which
are of the greatefl importance, and which are the
mod likely to efFeft the great work of their con-
verfion. — Shew them the certainty and glory of
the life to come ; the way in which it was pur-
chafed ; the great fin and folly of neglefting it in
time of health ; yet the poffibility that remains of
obtaining it, if they do but clofe with it heartily as
their happinefs, and with the Lord Jefus. Chrift,
as the way thereto ; abhorring themfelves for their
former evil, and unfeignedly refigning up them-
felves to be juftified, fandlified, ruled, and faved
by him. Shew them the fufEciehcy and neceffity
of the redemption by Jefus Chrift, and the fulnefs
of the Spirit^ which they may and muft be par-
takers of ; the nature and neceffity of faith, re-
pentance, and refolutions for new obediehqe,
according as there (hall be opportunity. Labour,
.upon conviiSion and deliberation, to engage them
by folemn promife to Chrift, that if their lives are
fjpared, they will yield him fuch obedience *•

* In Mr. Baxter's wofks (Vol. I. p, 511, &c.) there 13
** A form of exhortation to the godly and the ungodly in their
** ficknefs," centaining excellent direflions on this head. —
Since this was written, the piece referred to has been printed,
in a fmall volume, entitled, InftruSwn and Confolaiion to the
Agedf the SicAf and tAc Dying* Burditt. Pr. s«,

D U

50 Sinners to be reproved, ^ Part I L

If they recover, go to them purpofely to remind
them of their promifes, that they may reduce them
to praftice. If, at any time afterward, you fee
ihem remifs, go to them again, to put them in
mind of what they formerly faid. This is often
bi great ufe to fuch as recover ; it has been the
means of converting many a foul. It is neceflary
I therefore, that you vifit them whofe ficknefs is
not mortal, as well as them that are dying. You
will hereby have fome advantage to bring them
to repentance and newnefs of life, as you will
afterwards have this to plead againd their fins*
When the emperor Sigifmund afked the biftiop of
-Colen *' What was the way to be fared r" he
anfwered him, ** That he muft be what he pro-
^* mifed to-be, when he was laft troubled with the
** ftone or the gout."

5. It is the duty of minifters to reprove and
•dbnonifh fuch as have been guilty of notorious and
Icandalous fins.

Before we bring fuch matters to the congrega-
tion, (of which hereafter) it is ordinarily fit for the
minifler to try what he himfelf can do more pri-
vately, to bow the fmner to repentance. A great
deal of (kill is here required, and a difference muft
be made according to the various tempers of the
offenders. But with the moft, it will be neceffary
to fall on with the greateft plainnefs and power ;
to iliake their carelefs hearts, and fliew them the

evil

Chap. II. and i^^d Men encmragei. 51

evil of fin ; its fad efFedis ; the unkindnefs, un-
rekfonablenefs, unprofitablencfs, and other aggra-
vations that attend k ; what it is they have done
^gainft God, and themfelves.

6. We ought to give due ;encouragement tO
thofe humble, upright, obedient chriftians, jwbo
profit by our .teaching, and ar& ornaments to tbeit
profeffion.

We (hould, in the eyes of all the flock, put fome
difference between them and others, by our more
ffpecial familiarity, and other teftimonies of our
approbation of, and rejoicing over them, that fo
we may both encourage them, and excite others to
imitate them. God's graces are amiable and ho-
nourable in all, even in the pooreft of the flock.
The fmalleft degrees muft be cherifhed and encou-^
raged ; but the higheft, more openly honoured,
and propofed to imitation. They who flight the
mofl: gracious becaufe they are of the laity, while
they claim to themfelves the honour of the clergy,
as they fhew themfelves proud and carnal, take the
ready way to debafe themfelves, and to bring their
office into contempt. If there be no honour due
to the real fandlity of a chriftian, much lefs to the
relative fanftity of a pailor ; nor can he reafonably
cxpeft it fhould be given him.

Da ^ CHAP.

S9 ' Unconverted Sinners Part I !•

CHAP. III.

■

f)/ Jeveral particular cafes and characters ^ to he r/-
garded both in preaching and private dijcourje.

*T7r TE are next to confider our minifterial work
' ^ ^ (both in publicand in private) in'reference
to the feveral qualities of the objeft.

I. The firft part of it lies in bringing unfound
profeffors to fincerity, that they who before were
chriftians in name only, may be fuch indeed.

Though we be not abfolutely certain that this
€r that man in particular is unfound and unfan6li-
fied, yet as long as we have a certainty that many
fuch attend upon our miniftrations ; and fince we
have a great probability that this is the charafter
t)f fome that we can name, we have ground enough
to go upon, in treating with them for their con-
verfion.

Alas ! the mifery of the unconverted is fo great,
that it calls loudeft for our compaffion. They

* are in the gall of bitternefs, and the bond of

* iniquity/ They have no part or fellowftiip in
the pardon of \fin, or the hope of glory. We have
therefore a vyrork of great neceffity to do for them ;
even to * open their eyes, to turn them from dark-

* nefs unto light \ from the power of Satan unto

« God,

Chap. III. ObjeSfsofthegreateJi'CompaJJion. 53

\

' God, that they may receive the forgivenefs df

* fins, and an inheritance among the fanSified- by
^ faith in Chrift ;' — to foften and opea their hearts,,
to the entertainment of the truth, * if peradven-

* ture God will give them repentance, to the ac-

* knowledging of it, that they may efcape out of

* the fnare of Satan, who are led captive by him at
' his wiir.'

It is fo fad a cafe to fee men in a ftate of dam-
nation, that methinks we fliould not be able to let
them alone, either in public or in private, whatever
other work we have to do. I confefs I am forced
frequently to negle£l: thjit which would tend to the
further increafe of the godly, and what may be
called * ftronger meat,' bccaufe of the lamentable
ncceflity of the unconverted. — Who can talk of
cdntroverfies, or nice uhneceflary points,, or even
truths of a lower degree of neceflity, however ex-
cellent, to gratify certain hearers of higher fan-
cies, (who look for rarities, and expeft to have
their ears pleafed) while he fees a number of igno»
rant, carnal, miferable finners, before him, who
muft be changed or damned ? Methinks I even fee
them entering upon their final woe ! Methinks I
hear them crying out for the fpeedieft help ! — If
they have not hearts to feek or aik for help them-
felvcs, their mi/ery fpeaks the louder. As Paul's
(pirit was ftirred within him, when he faw the
Athenians fo addided to idolatry, methinks it

D 3 Ihould

^4 ' Toung and weal Chrtjiians Part II,

ihould cafl: us into one of his paroxyfms, to fee
fuch numbers of men in the greateft danger of
being everlaflingly undone. If by faith we did
indeed look upon them as within a ftep of hell, it
would more efFeftually untie our tongues, than
Croefus's danger did the tongue of his fon. He
. that will let a finner go down to hell for want of
! fpeaking to him, has infinitely lefs efteem for fouls
than the Redeemer of them had ; and lefs for his
neighbour, than rational charity will allow him to
have for the greateft enemy. Oh ! therefore,
brethren, whomfoever you neglefi, negleft not
the moft mifcrable. Whatever you pafs over,
forget not poor fouls, who are under the condem*
nation and curfe of the law, and who may every
hour expeft the infernal execution, if a fpeedy
change do not prevent it. Oh ! call after the
impenitent with the greateft importunity, and dili-
gently purfue this great work of converting fouls,
i whatever elfc you leave undone !

II. The next part of our minifterial work, id
for the building up thofe who are already converted.
And here our work is various, according to the
various conditions of fuch,

i. Many of our flock are young and weak ;
though of long ftanding, yet of fmall proficiency or
ftrength.

Indeed

Chap. III. need to he improved. 55

Indeed this is the mod common condition of the
godly: mod of them ftop at very low degrees of
grace ; and it is no eafy thing to get them higher.
To bring them to higher and ftrifier opinionSy is
eafy enough ; but to increafe their knowledge and
gifts, is not eafy \ and to increafe their graces is
the hardeft of all.

A ftate of weaknefs in grace is of very bad con-
fequencc. It abates confolation and delight in
God, and makes perfons lefs ferviceable to God
and man. Th«y diihonour the gofpel, they do
but little good to any about them, or to themfelves.
And as they live to but little profit, they are un-
willing, and too unfit, to die. How diligent then
ihould minifters be to cherifh and increafe th«
graces of God's people ! The ftrength of chriflian*
is the honour of the church. When men are ki*
flamed with the love of God ; live by a lively ope*
rative faith ; fet light by the profits and honours of
the world; love one another with a pure heart
fervently ; can bear, and heartily forgive a wrong 5
fuffqr joyfully for the caufe of Chrift \ walk in*
offenfively in the world ; ftudy to do good,, wilirng
to be the fervants of all for this end ;. becoming all
things to all men that they may win tbem ; yet
abftaining from the appearance of evil j and fca-
foning all their anions with a fwcet mixture of
prudence, humility, zeal, and heavenly fpirituality 5
O what an. bonour arc they to thcic pjcofeflion !

D 4 what

56 Regard due to dijlempered Part II.

what ornaments to the church ! how excellently
ferviceable to God and man ! The world would
fooner believe that the gofpel is indeed a wbrk of
truth and power, if they could fee more of thefc
efFefts of it upon the hearts and lives of men.
They are better able to read the nature of a man's
religion in his life than in the Bible. Thofe that

* obey not the word, may be won by the conver-

* fation' of fuch as thefe. It is therefore a necef-
fary part of our work, to labour after the polifhing
and * perfefting of the faints,' that they may be
ftrong in the Lord, and fitted for their matter's
ufe.

2. Another fort of converts, who need our
affiftance, are fuch as labour under fome particular
diftemper, or fuch as are often overcome by fome
particular luft, which keeps their graces under,
and makes them temptations or troubles to others,
and burdens to themfelves.

Alas ! there are too niany fuch perfons as th^feJ
Some are efpecially addi£led to pride ; fome to
worldlinefs ; fome to this or that fenfual defire ;
and- many to fudden anger or violent paflions.-*—
Now it is our duty to give our affiftance to all
thefe. We fhould labour, by difTuafions ,and clear
difcoveries of the odioufnefs of their fin, and by
fuitable direSions about the way of remedy, to
help them to a fuller conqueft of their corruptions.
We are the leaders of Chrifl's army agaihft th^

powers

Chap .III. and declintng Chrljitans. 57 .

powers of darknefs, and we muft refill all the
works of darknefs, wherever we find them, though
it be in the children of light. We muft be no
more tender of the fins of the godly, than of the.
ungodly ; nor ought we any more to befriend or
fayour them. In proportion as we love their per-
fons above others, fhould we exprefs it, byop-

pofing their fins. We muft expert to meet.

with feme tender perfons among them (efpecially.
when iniquity ha& got to any head, and many have
indulged it) who will be as pettiih, and as impatient
of reproof, as fame worfe menr; nay they will
intereft piety itfelf with their faults, and fay that
a minifter who preaches againft them, preaches,
agaihft the godly. But the fervants of Chrift muft.
do their duty, notwithftanding men's peevifhnefs,
and muft not fo far * hate their brother,' as to for-
bear the plain rebuking of him, and * fufFer fin to^

* lie upon his foul.'

3. A third fort of perfons who require our re-
gard, are declining chriftians,.who have either
fallen into fome fcandalous fin, or have abated:
their zeal and diligence, and difcover that they have

* loft their former love.*

As the cafe of backfliders is very fad, our dili--
gence muft be great for. their recovery. It is fad'
to themfelves, to have loft fo much of their life
a&d peace and ufefulnefs \ and to have become fo
ferviceabic to Satan and his caufe. It is fad to us,

D5 . to>

^8 Regard due to declining Part 1 1 .

to fee that all our labour is come to this ;— that
when we have taken fo much pains with men, and
have entertained fuch hopes concerning them, all
fhould be fo far fruftrated. It is faddefl of all to
think that God (hould be fo abufed by thofe whom
he hath fo loved, and for whom he has done fo
much ; that the enemy (hould have obtained fuch
an advantage over their graces ; and that Christ
ihould l?e fo * wounded in the houfe of his friends ;*
—that the name of God Ihould be evil fpokcn of
through them, and that thofe who fear him (hould
be reproached for their fakes. — Beddes, the con-
dition of fuch perfons is deplorable, as a partial
backfliding has a tendency towards a total apoftacy,
and would end in it, if fpecial grace were not to
prevent. The worfe the condition of fuch chriftians
is, the more lies upon us for their effeSual reco-
very. We (hould * reftore thofe that are over-
• taken with a fault, i^ the fpirit of meeknefs ;*
and yet fee to it, that the fore be thoroughly
fearched and healed, what pain foever it coft. We
Jhould efpecially look to the honour of the gofpel,
and fee that fuch perfons rife by fuch free and full
confc(rions, and by fuch expreffions of true re-
pentance, that fome reparation may be made to
the church and their holy profefTion, for the wound
of dilhonour they had given both, by their fin*
Much (kill is required to the reftoring of fucb
fouU.

4, Our

CHap. rrr. andtmpudChrlJltant. sg

4. Our affiftance is alfo neceffary for fuch
•f our people as have fallen under fome great

TEMPTATION.

Every mihiftep therefore y. Ihould Have. much in*,
fight into Satan's wiles. We, of all perfons, fliould
*- not be ignorant of his devices.' We fhould be*
acquainted with the great variety of them ; with'
the cunning craft of his inftruments> * who lie ia
* wait to deceive/ and with all the methods ufcd'
by the grand deceiver. — Some o£ oup people lie-
under temptations to ersor ; efpecially the youngs
the unfettle^ the felf-conceited,. and fuch as zm.
moft converfant with feducers. Young> raw, un-
grounded chiiftians, are commonly of their mindl
who have mod intereft in their eiteem^. and moft
opportunity of familiar converfation to draw them^
kito their way. And as they are tinder, erroneous:
perfons want not the fparks o£ zeal to fet them, on
fi.re. A zeal for error and opinions of 'our own i^-
natural ; it is eafily kindled and kept alive ; thougii
it is far otherwife with a fpiritual zeal for God-
How much prudence and induftry then is neceffary
for a paftor,. to preferve the flock firom being cos»
rupted with noxious conceits ; and efpeciaUy fuch.
as lie under peculiar temptations^ to them*.

Others are under temptations to worldly-mind^
ednefs ; others to intemperance ; others ta luiL
Some to one fin^ and fome to another. A faithful!
paftor therefore^, fliould have his eye upon alt bids

JO 6 fl^^ -

6o Dlfconfolate and lively Chriftians. Part 11.

flock ; fhould labour to be acquainted with their
natural difpofitions \ with their bufinefs in the
world \ with the company they live in, or are moft
converfant with ; that fo he may know where
their temptations lie, and endeavour fpeedily, pru-
dently, and diligently to help them, both by his
public preaching and private difcourfe.

5. Another branch of our minifterial work, is
to COMFORT the difconfolate ; and to fettle the
peace of our people's fouls, on fure and lading
grounds. To which end, the quality of their
complaints, and the courfe of their lives had need
-to be known ; for all perfons muft not have ^
the fame confolations, who have the fame com-
plaints *.

6* Strong and lively Chriftians alfo have need
of our affiftance ; partly to prevent their tempta-
tions and declenfiens, or to preferve the grace they
have ; partly to help them to a further progrefs
and increafe ; and partly to direiSl them in the im-»
provement of their graces for the fervke of Chrift
and the affiftance of their brethren : as alfo to
encourage them (efpecially the aged, the tempted,
and the afflifted) to perfeverve, that they * may
* receive their crown**

* The author's reafon for his brevity on this head, was, that
he had particularly treated of it in his other works, (fee Vol. I.
p. 281, 477, and his DinBions for fpiritual Qnnfort^ Vol. 11.
p. 846). He refers alfo to other authors^ particularly to B(d^
UflCs Injiru&i(ms for right Comforting^

III. Thof

Ch. III. Doubtful Characters how- io.be treated* 6t

III.' Thofe whofe chara£l:ers are doubtful
are alfo to be regarded both in our public and pri«
vate difcourfes.

There are fome of pur flock who, by a profefled
lyillingnefs to learn and obey, make it probable that
they may have true repentance and faith, who yet,
by their ignorance or lukewarmnefs, or by fomc
uneven walking, will occaiion us fears as great as
our hopes, or greater, with regard to their prefent
fafety. We may fee occafion to doubt the word,
though we have not ground to charge them with
being unconverted and impenitent perfons. I think
that half who come to me are of this fort, among
whom I almoft dare pronounce ten to one to bp
unregenerate. It may put fome younger minifters
to a difficuly to know what they fhould do with
this fort of people, where they have no fufficient
grourwi to pronounce them godly or ungodly, what-
ever their fears or hopes may be.

A would advife you to be very cautious how
you pafs too hafty or abfolute cenfures on any
that you have to do 'with ; becaufe it is not aa
eafy matter to difcern that a man is certainly
gracelefs, who profeffes to be a chriftian. Befides,
we may difcharge our duty with regalrd to fuch.
,perfons, >vithout an abfolute conclufion concerning
their real charaders. With regard to fuch let the
following faints fufSce,

Keep

62 Douhtful CharaSfers and Part Tlr

Keep them clofe to the ufe of public and private
means. ■ ■ Be often with the lukewarm and
carelefs, to admoniih and awaken them ; for this
purpofe take the opportunity of ficknefs, which

will bow their hearts and open their ears. iSec

that they fpend the Lord's day, and order their
families, aright. — Draw them off from the temp-
tations to, and occafions of fin.— Chirge them
to come to you for help when their minds are
diftreifed, to open to you their temptations and
dangers before they are fwallowed up by them.—
In your preaching, and your difcourfe with them,^
ftrike at the great radical fins ; felf-feeking, car-
nality, fenfuality, pride, worldly-mindednefs, infi-
delity, &c. — Prefs them to read the fcriptures, antf
other good books ; and diredl them to fuch as ara
moft likely to awaken them. — Engage their godly
neighbours to have an eye over them« — Keep up
difcipline in the church to awe them.— But efpe*-
cially maintain the life of grace in your own fouls,,
that it may fo appear to them in all your fermons,.
that every one who comes cold to the aifembly,
may have his mind properly affeded before he.
departs.

[There is another fort of men,, whom you will'
probably meet with, in regard to whom it may not
be improper here to add a few hints of advice,,
namely,]

IV. Opi.-

Cli . 1 1 1 . litigious Perfont how to be treated. 63

IV, Opinionated perfons ; who being tainted
with pride and felf-conceit, are more ready to
teach, than to be taught ; — who rather than receive
inftruftion from you, will quarrel with you, as
ignorant and erroneous.

The prefervation of the unity and peace of your
congregations, very much depends on your right
dealing with fuch perfons as thefe. To cure them
of their conceits, and to prevent others being in-
fcfted with them, take thefe directions.

1. If any fuch perfon fliould fall in your way in
any of your private conferences with your people,
and by his impertinence fliould drive to divert you
from better difcourfe, tell him that the meeting
was appointed for another ufe, and that you think
it improper to pervert it from that. However let
him know, that you do not fay this to avoid any
trial of the truth, but that you will, at any other
time, give him fatisfaftion, or receive inftru£tion
from him.

2. When you meet him with fuch an intent,
alk him fuch queftions as appear to be of great
importance, but take care to throw fome difficulty
in his way, and be fure tb put him moftly upon-
defining or diftinguifliing. If he difcover his
ignorance in the cafe propofed, endeavour to hum-
ble him under a fenfe of his pride and prefumption,
in going about with a teaching, contentious beha^

viour.

I

64 • Self-conceited captious People f Part I L

viour, while he is fo ignorant in things of fuch
great moment. At the fame time, fee to it that
you be able to give him information with regard to
thofe points, wherein you find him ignorant.

3. Take care to difcern the fpirit of the man.
If he be a fettled perverfe fchifmatic, quite
tranfported with pride, humble him as much* as
you can before other perlons. But if you find him
godly, and there is hope of his reftoration, only do
this in a private manner.. Do not let fall any
bitter words that would tend to his difparagement.
We mull always be as tender of the reputation of
good men, as our fidelity to them and the truth
will permit. We muft * reftore fuch with the
* fpirit of meeknefs.* There is little hope of doing
them any good, if you once exafperate them, and
difaffeS them towards you.

4, If you come to debate any controverfy with
fuch perfons, tell them that feeing they think them-
felves able to teach you, it is your defire to learn.
When they have fpoken their minds in their didta-
torial manner, let them know, that they have faid
nothing new to you ; that you had confidered of it
all before, and that if you had feen divine evidence
for it, you had received it long ago : that you are
truly willing to receive all truth, but that you.
have far better evidence for the dodrines you have
embraced than they have for the contrary. If
they defire to hear what your evidence is, tell them,

that

Chap. III. how to be dealt with, 65

that if they will hear as learners yVfith impartiality
and humility, freely entertaining the truth, you
will communicate your evidence to them in the

beft manner you can. When you have brought

any one to this, (hew him your reafons againft the
grofleft imperfedions of his own difcourfe, and
then give him a few of the cleared texts of fcrip-
ture in fupport of your fentiments. When you
have done, lend him fome Book that bed defends
the truth in queftion ; deiire him to perufe it care-
fully, and to bring you a fober folid anfwer to it
if, after the perufal, he judge it to be unfound.
And if you can, fallen fome one of the moft
ftriking evidences on him before you leave him.
If he refufe to read the book, endeavour to con-
vince him of his unfaithfulnefs to th^ truth and to
his own foul.

But above all, before you part, fum up the
truths wherein you are both agreed. A(k fuch 2|
perfon whether he fuppofe that you may obtain
falvatibn if you live according to your own faith ?
And if he will allow that you may, whether they
who are h far agreed (hould not live in love and
peace, as children of the fame God, and heirs of
the fame kingdom ? Whether, notwithftanding
your fmaller difference, you are not bound to hold
communion in public worfhip and church relation,
and to walk together in the fear of God ? And

whether

66 How to deal with Fart II.

-whether it be not fchifm to feparate for the fake
of fo fmall a difagreement,

5. In order to preferve the church from fucb
an infedion it is defirable, that the minifter be fo
far fuperior to the people, as to be able to teach
them, and keep thtm in* awe, and manifefl their

weakheffes to themfelves and others. The truth

IS (a truth which cannot be hid) it is much owing
to the weaknefs of minifters, that our poor people
run into fo many faSiom. When a proud feducer
has a nimble tongue, and a miniiler is fo dull 09
ignorant as to be confounded by him in company,
it brings him into contempt, and overthrows th^
VFeak, who judge his to be the bed caufe, that
talks in the mod confident, plaufible, and tri-^
umphant manner.

6. Endeavour frequently and thoroughly to po£^
fefs your people's minds with the nature, neceffity,
and daily ufe of the great unqueftionable principles
of religion, and of the great fin and danger of a
perverfe aeal about the lower points ; efpecially
before the greater are well underftood. Convince
them of the obligations we are all under, to main-
tain the unity and peace of the church*

If any fmall, but hurtful, controverfy fhould.
arife, in order to divert them from it, do you raife a
greater yourfclf ; which you have better advantage
to manage, and which is not likely to make a di*
vifion. Let qontentious perfons know that there

are;

Ch. III. and ^each to captious Hearers. 67

are greater difficulties than theirs, firft to be re-
folved. Go and converfe with the perfons whom
you perceive to be aiFe£led with any noxious con*
eeits, as foon as pbffible. When a fire is kindling,
refift it in the beginning, and make not light of the
fmalleft fpark.

7. Preach to fuch au<Btors as thefe, fome higher
points of dodrine, [about which they need in-
formation.] Feed them not always * with milk,*
but fometimes with • ftrong meat ;' for it exceed-
ingly puffs them up with pride, when they hear
nothing from minifters, but what they already
know, and can fay themfelves. This it is that
makes them think themfelves as wife as you, and
as fit to be teachers, and it is this that hath fet fo
many of them on preaching : for they believe
that you know no more than you preach. — How-
ever, do not negleft the great fimdamentals of reli*
gion, nor wrong other perfons for their^ fakes.

8. Be fure to preach as little as poffible againft
fuch perfons as thefe. Never in a dircft manner
oppofe their feft by name, or any reproachful titles ;
for fuch people are ordinarily very tender, proud,
paffionate, and rafli ; fo that they will but hate you,
and fly from you as an enemy, and fay that you
rail at them. Without mentioning tbem, lay the
grounds clearly and foundly, which muft fubvert
their errors. If you are obliged at any time to
deal with them dh-eftly, handle the controverfy

thoroughly.

68 How to condu^f private Meetings, Part .11.

thoroughly, peaceably, and convincingly. Be not
however, long upon it ; do not fay all that can be
faid ; but choofe that vrhich they can have the
lead pretence to quarrel v»rith, and omit what
would require more trouble to defend,

9. Keep up private meetings, and draw thefe
perfons in among you : manage them prudently^
and by this means you may keep them from fuch
meetings among themfelves as will promote divi-
iions. Profeffors very commonly will have private
meetings ; which, if well conducted, are of great
ufe to their edification ; but if not, will be of bad
confequence.

In the management of them for the prefen^
purpofe, obferve the following rules. Be fure that
you gjve a condant attendance. Let hot the
exercifes of the meeting be fuch as encourage
private men's oflentation of their gifts, but fuch
as tend to the edification of the people. . Do not
let private men preach or expound fcripture ; nor
let every one fpeak to queftions of his own pro*
pofihg. Repeat [the fubflance of] the fermons
you have preached ; call upon God in prayer, and
fing his graife. Yet let there be fome opportunitjc
for the people to fpeak. When you have done
repeating, give them liberty to propofe any difB-»
culties they want to have refolved, refpeftin^ the
fubjeft in hand, or any other. If you perceive
any of them bent upon the exercife of their abilities

for

/

Chap. Ill, and ufe the People's Gifts. 6y

for oftentatioiiy be not too fevere upon them, but
mildly let them know, that it is for their good,
and the edification of the church, that you oppofe
it. However,

it>. Make ufe of your people's gifts to the ut-
-terilaoft, as your helpers, in their proper places,
in an ordinary way, and under your guidance.
This may prevent them from ufing them in a dif-
orderly way, in oppofition to you. It has been a
great ciufe of fchifm, that minifters have con-
temptuoufly refufed to make ufe of private men's
talents for their afliftance, and thruft them too far
from holy things. The good work is likely to go
on but poorly, if none but minifters are employed
in it. By a prudent improvement of the gifts of
ithemore able Chriftians (none of which God gave
to be buried) we may receive much help from them.
For inftance :

Urge them to be diligent in teaching, cate-
chizing, and praying with their own families.
Recommend it to them to ftep out now and then,
to their ignorant neighbours, to catechize and in-
ftrudt them, in meeknefs and patience. Defire
them to go often to impenitent and fcandalous fin-
ners, and to endeavour, with all poflible (kill and
earneitnefs, yet alfo with love and patience, to
reform them, to convert, and fave their fouls.
Acquaint them with their duty of watching over
each other in brotherly-love ; of admonilliing

and

yo How to preferve Peace Part II.

and exhorting one another dafly. If any of
them walk diforderly, to reprove them, and \t
they prevail not^ ' to tell the officers of the
church/ that they may be further dealt with, as
Chrift has appointed. — At your private meetings
employ them in prayer. In fome cafes, fend them
to vifit particular perfons in your ftead, when you
are prevented from going. Let fome of them be
chofen to reprefent, and be agents for the church,
in affairs of importance relating to it. Let fuch
as are fit, be made fubfervient officers, I mean
Deaconsy that they may afford you help in a regular
way ; and then they will difcern themfelves obliged
by their relation, to maintain the unity of the
church, and the authority of the miniftry. But
be fure that they be men competently qualified for
the office.

I am perfuaded, if miniflers had thus ufed the
abilities of their ableft members, they might have
prevented much of the divifion, diflraftion, and
apoftacy, that have befallen us ; for they would
then have found work enough upon their hands,
for higher parts than theirs, without invading the
miniftry ; and would have feen cauCe to bewail the
inequality of their abilities to the work which
belonged to them. Experience would have ccmi*
vinced and humbled them- more than our words
will do.

11. Still

C hap • III. and prevent Divtjions. 7 i

11. Still keep up chriftian love and familiarity
even with thofe that have begun to warp and make
divifions : lofe not your intereft in them while you
have any thoughts of attempting their recovery.

If they withdraw into feparate meetings, follow
them, and enter into a mild debate as to the law-
ful'nefs of it. Tell them that you have a mind to
hear what they have to fay, and to be among them
for their good, if they will give you leave, for
fear they ihould nm to further evil. You will
thereby prevent much reviling, and the venting of
further errors, and by a moderate gentle oppofition
of them, may in time, convince them of their
folly : and by this means, if any feduters come
from abroad to confirm them, you will be ready to
oppofe them, and fo you will at leaft do much to
prevent the increafe of their party.

Miniders themfelves have occadoned many of
the divifions in England, by contemning thofe that
have withdrawn into feparate meetings ; by talking
againft them, and by reproving them in the pulpit,
while they have been entire ftrangers to them, or
have fhunned their company ; and in the mean
time have given feducers an opportunity to be
familiar with them, and to do what they pleafed
with them without contradi6lion — Oh that mi-
nifters had been lefs guilty of the errors and fchifms
that they talk againft ! But it is eafier to chide
fedlaries in the pulpit, and fubfcribe a teftimony

againil

7 a Exctl Opponents in what is good^ Part 1 1 .

againft them, than to play the ikilful phyfician for
their cure, or to do the tenth part of our duty to
prevent or heal their diforders. I am not finding
fault with prudent reprehenfions of them in pub-
lic ; but I think too many of us have caufe to fear,
left we do but publickly proclaim our own fhame,
by our negligence or weaknefs ; and left, in con-
demning and teftifying againft them, we teftify
againft and condemn ourfelves.

12. In order to preferve.your church from di-
vifions, and to keep your people from running after
irregular, libertine preachers, be fure that you
never let thefe authors of fchifm out-do you in any
thing that is good.

As truth fliould be more effeSual for fanftifica-
tion than error, if you give them this advantage,
you give them. the day, and all your difputations ,
will do but little good. Weak people judge all
by the outward appearance and by the efFefts, not
being able to judge of the doftrine itfelf. They
think he has the beft caufe, whopi they take to be
the beft man. I extend this rule both to dodlrine
and to life. e. g. If a* libertine preach Free-grace^
do you preach it up more effeftually than he : be
much upon it, and make it more glorious, on right
grounds, than he can do on his wrong. If on the
like pretence he magnify the grace of Lovcy do
not contradia him in the affirmative, only in the
negative and deftrudivc part : but go beyond him,

and

Chap. III. "Excel Opponents in what is good. 73

ind preach up the Love of God, with its motives
and eiFeds, more fully and efFedually than he can
do, on the corrupt grounds on which he proceeds ;
or elfe you will make all the filly people believe,
that the difference between you and him is^ that
he is for Free-grace, and for the Love of God, and
that you are againft both. So if an enthufiaft
talks of the Holy Ghoft, as the light and witnefsf
and law within us, do you fall upon that fubje£t
too, and do that well which he does ill. Preach
up the office of the Holy Spirit ; his indwelling
and operations ; the light and teflimony and lavr
within us, better than he does. — You muft dwell
upon thefe things in your preaching, as well as he ;
for the people will take no notice of a fliort con-
cefGon. I might mention many more instances to
this purpofe, but thefe will be fufficient to fhew
what I mean : the fum of which is, that preaching
TRUTH is the moft fuccefsful way of confuting
error. Further,

We fliould be careful that feducers do not ex*'
eel us in the Praftice of religious duties, any mbi:e
than in defending any facred truths. — Do any of
them exprefs a hatred of Tin, and a deilre of
church-reformation ? We fliould much more. Do
they, when they meet together, fpend their time iq
religious difcourfe, inftead of vain jangling ? Let
us do fo much more. Are they unwearied in pro*
pagating their opinions? Let us be much more
diligent in propagating the truth. Will they con-

E defcend

74 Meeknefs and Patience recommtnded. Part 1 1 .

defcend to the meaineft, and creep into houfes
to lead captive the fillleft of the flock ? Let us
iloop as low, and ht as diligent to do them
good. Are they loving to theif party, and con-
temners of the world ? Let us be lovers of all:
efpecially of all the faints. Let us < do good to
' all, efpecially to thofe of the houfehold of faith.'
Let us love an enemy as well as they can do a
friend. Let us be more juft than they \ more
merciful than they ; more humble, meek, and pa*
tient than they ; * for this is the will of God, that

• by well-doing, we put tofilence the ignorance of

* foolifh men.*— There is no virtue wherein your
example will do more to abate men's prejudices,
than humility, meeknefs, andfelf-denial. Forgive
injuries, and * be not overcome of evil, but over-

* come evil with good.' Imitate our blefTed Lord,

• who when he was reviled, reviled not again/
Take not up carnal weapons againft your enemies,
but overcome them with kindnefs, patience, and
gentlenefs. If you believe that Christ was more
imitable than Casfar or Alexander, and that it is
inore glorious to be a chriftian than a conqueror,
or to be a man than a bead, contend with charity
and not with violence. If we thus excel thefe
men in a holy, harmlefs, righteous, merciful, fruit-
ful, and heavenly life, as well as in foundnefs of
do&rihe, * by our fruits we fhall be known ;' and
the weaker fort of people will fee the truth, in this
refledion of it, who cannot fee it in itfelf. Then

our

Chap, IV. Of Cateehlftng. 75

our * light will fo {hine before men, that they may
be led to glorify our father who is in heaven ;' and
^ven * they that obey not the word, may, without
* the word, be won by the converfation' of their
teachers. — Oh how happy had England been;
how happy had all the churches 4)een, if the mi-
nifters of the goTpel had taken thefe courfes I this
would have done more againft error and fchifm,
than all our exclaiming^ againft them hath done^ or
thaa all the force of the magiftrate can do.

CHAP. IV.

<y Catechising*: w/VA peculiar Dire^hns in

reference to //•

T70R the better management of this work, the
•^ following dire£lions may be of fervice : — they
are of two kinds, viz. for bringing your people to
comply with your defign, — ^and for executing it in
the moft acceptable and yfeful manner,

* By Catechifing, the author meant, not only hearing perfons
repeat, and expounding to them, a Form qftuords^ containing
the principles of religion; but propoOng to them fanilias
^uefiions, inorderto judge of their knowledge and difpoGtioni,
fo at. to be the more capable of giving them fuitable infiruc*
iiont and admonitions. And this method he recommends noi
only with refpc£l to childien, but thofe who are come to years
of maturity,

£e I. In

^ 8 How to prepare the People Part 1 1 •

I. In order to bring your people to comply
with this method of inilru&ion, it will be a matter
of vaft importance to behave yourfelves, through
the main courfe of your miniftry, in fuch a manner
as may convince them of your ability, and your
un&igned love to them. When people are iatisfied
that a minifter.is qualified for hi^work, and intends
no private ends of his own, but merely their good,
they will more readily ftoop to his advice, and be
perfuaded by him.

Suppofing this general preparation, the next
thing to be done is, to convince your people of the
benefit and neceffity of this method of in{lru£tion,
for the good of their fouls,— —In order to this, it
may be proper to preach fome plain and ferious
fermons, to fhew the benefit and neceffity of an
acquaintance with divine truths in general, parti-
cularly the great principles of religion ; and that
perfons advanced in life have equal need to be
inflnided in them with others, and in fome
refpefls greater. — Make them underfland that this
is not an arbitrary bufmefs of your devifing or
impofing, but that neceffity is laid upon you to
look to every member of your flock, according to
your ability, and that if you negled to do it, they
may ' perifh in their iniquities, and their blood be
* required at your hands.*

When

Chap. IV. for the fFcri of Catechtjing. 77

When this is done, furnifh every family that
needs it with a catechifra, or fee that they furnifh
themfelves.. Take a catalogue of the names of all
thofe whom you intend thus to. inftruft, that you
may know whom to expeft, and who fail to give
their attendance. — Deal very gently vvith them,
and take off all difcouragements as efFeftually as
you can.. Do not infift upon every perfon's com-
mitting the catechifm to memory ; but, where they
labour under peculiar difficulties, only exhort them
to read it often, and get the fubflance of it into
their minds and hearts. — If any perfons will not
fubmit to be thus inflrufted by you, go and expof*
tulate with them ; know what* their reafons are ;
apd convince them of the fiofulnefs and danger of
contemning the rhelp that is offered them. — Souls
are fo precious,,, that ,we fliould not lofe one for
want of labour ; but fhould follow them whiU
there is any hope, and not give them up as defper

rate tilt there be no remedy*.

II. Havlne

• ** Ignorant (buls (rays"Mr. Gurnal) feel no fuch fmart as
to put them upon inquiring for a phyfician. If the miniAer
day till they fend for him to inflru6l them, he may fooner hear
the bell go for them than any meffcnger come for him. You
mu(l feek them out, and not cxpefk that they will come tp you.
Thefe are a fort of people that are more afraid of their remedy
than their difeafe, and ftudy more to hide their ignorance than
to have it cured. It fhould make us pity them the more becaufe
ibey caa pity themfelvei fo' little.-^— It is an unhappinefs to

£ 3 fomt

^8 Particular Dtreaionf Part I L

II. Having brought your people to comply with
this iind of inftruftion, the next thing to be. corv-
lidered is, how you fhould deal the moft cfFcdIuairy
with them in the work.

And I muft fay that I think it 1$ a much eafiet
matter to compofe and preach a good fermon, than
to deal rightly with an ignorant man for his inftruc-
tion in the principles of religion. This work will
try the abilities and tampers of minifters ; it will
fliew the difference between one man and another,
more than pulpit-preaching can do. Good bifhop
Usher obferves, *^ As the laying of the foundation
** (killfully, is a matter of the greatefl importance
" in the whole building, fo it is the very mafter-
•' piece of the wifeft builder. Thus the apoftle
" Paul conceived of it when he faid. According
•* t9 the grace of God given to mcy as a luife mafler
** builder^ I laid the foundation. The negled of
** this, is the fruftrating the whole work of the mi-
•* niftry."— The direftions which I think fhould
be obferved in the managuig this work are the
following.

Tome of us, wlio have to do with a nultitttdei that we cannot

attend on them, as their needs reqiure but let us look to it,

that though we cannot do what we fliould^ we be not uranting
in what we may.*'— dtrWi Ckriftan Armour , p. 835. quoted
by the author at the end of his preface* The whole paffiige is
worth reading.

t. When

Chap^ IV, for Catechijing^ jj

i. When your people, one family or more,
come to you, (which perhaps it will be bell for
them to do *) begin your work with a fhort pre-
face to remove all difcouragements, and to prepare
them for your inftru£lions, e.g. ** It may perhaps
appear to fome of you (my friends) an uncommon
and troublefome budnefs^ which I now put you
upon : >ut I hope you will not think it needlefs*
Had I thought fo, I fhould have faved you and
myfelf this labour. But God has told me in his
word,, how great a thing it is to haye the charge of
Fouls, and that the blood of them that perifh will
be required at the hands of fuch minifters as negle6t
them \ fo that my confcience will not fuifer me to
be fo guilty of fuch a negledl, as I have been.
The Lord only know$ how long you and I may be
together ; it therefore concerns me to do what I
can for your falvation, and my own, before I leave
you and the world. I hope you will be glad of
help in fo needful a work, and not think much

•

* Mr. Baxter, in his preface, tells us what was hit
method: V At the delivery of the catechifms (fays he) I take
a catalogue of all the perfons of underftanding in the pari(h ;
the clerk goes a week beforehand to every family to tell them
ivhen to come, t, g. One family at eight o^clock, the next at
nine, the next at ten, &c." — It will generally be allowed that in
the prefent day, there are few places in which this method
would be practicable. And mod will judge ift.far preferable^
la every view, for a minifter to go from houft to houfc, £o.

F 4 of

8o Particular Dire^hns Part 11.

of it that I put you to this trouble, when even the

trifles of the world cannot be gotten without much
greater.

2. In general, take each perfon alone, and
difcourfe with him out of the hearing of the reft ;
for fome do not like to be queftioned before others,
and cannot anfwer you with freedom. However,
let none be prefent but thofe of the fame family,
or thofe with whom they are familiar. I find by
experience that, in general, people will bear plain
and clofe dealing about their fin, their mifery, and
their duty, when you have them alone, better than
when others are prefent.

3. As for thofe that commit a catechifm to
memory, it may be proper at the beginning o(
thefe exercifes, to take an accoimt of what they
lave learned, and to hear them repeat the anfwerg
to each queftion.

4. When you form queftions of your own to
propofe to them, be careful of the following things.
— Let them be fuch as they may perceive to be of
great importance, and of the neareft concernment
to themfelves : e, g, ** What do you think be-
comes of men when they die ? Do you believe
that you have finned ? What doth fin deferve P —
What remedy hath God provided for faving finful
and miferable fouls ? Hath any one fuffered for fin
in our ftead ? Who are they that God will pardon ?
What change muft be made on all that will be

faved ?

Chap. IV. for Cafechjfing, Ki

faved ? And how is it made ? Where is our chief
happinefs^ and what muft our hearts be moft fet

upon ?" Take heed of afking them any nice,

doubtful, or difficult queftions. — Be very cautious
how you put them upon definitions or defcriptions :
fo contrive to bring the predicate into your quef-
tions, that they may perceive what you mean.
e. g. " What is God ? Is he flefli and blood as
wc are, or is he a fpirit ?'* — Look not after words
but things ; and often leave them to a bare yes, or
no ; for there are many elderly and even godly
people who cannot fpeak their minds in any
tolerable exprcflions. — If you find them at a lofs,
and unable to anfwer you,, do not drive them on
too hard, or too long, left they {hould imagine
that you only intend to puzzle and difgrace them.
When you perceive them troubled that they cannot
anfwer, take off their burden by anfwering the
queftion yourfelf ; and then do it thoroughly and
plainly, that they may underftand it before you
leave them.

5. When you have done what you think necef-
fary in trying their knowledge, proceed to inftrudl
them further. This rauft be done according to
their feveral charaQers. If the perfon be a pro-
feflbr, fall upon fomething which you apprehend
he moft needs : either explain fome doftrine,. or
lay the foundation of fome duty which you have
eafon to think he neglefts, &c. If the perfpn be

E 5 grofsly

82 Particular Dire^ions Part II.

grofsly ignorant^ give him a plain familiar fum-
iriary of the chriftian religion ; for though he may
have it in the catechifm^ a more familiar way of
difcourdng upon it, may help him better to under-*
(land it. If you pferceive he does not underftand
you, go over it again ; then aik him whether he
does or not \ and endeavour to leave it fixed in his
memory.

6. , If you fufpe£l any to be ungodly, whether
they be grofsly ignorant or not, make a prudent
inquiry into their ftates. The leaft offenfive way
of doing it will be, to take your occafion from fome
article in the catechifm which they have repeated :
#. g. ** Though I have no defire needlefsly to pry
into the fecrets of any, yet becaufe it is the office
of a minifler to give advice to his people in the
matters of falvation, and becaufe it is fo dangerous
a thing to be miftaken, where life or death eternal
are depending, I would entreat you to deal faith-
fully, and tell me whether you ever found this
great change upon your hearts ; whether you live
in this or that fin ; or, whether you perform this
or that duty, &c."— — If any fuch perfon- tells you
he hopes he is converted, fhew him, in the plaineft
manner, what true converfion is ; then renew and
enforce the inquiry. Afk him fuch queflions as
thefe: ** Can you truly fay, that all the known
fins of your paft life are the grief of your heart ?
I'hat you have felt ypurfelf undone by them }

That

Cliap. IVV for Cdtichljihgi Sj;

That you Have gladly entertained the hews of a
Saviour, and have caft your foul upon Chrift alone
for falvation? — Can you fay from. your heart that
you hate the fihs which ycki formerly loved, and:
that you now love that holy life for, which once you*
had no relifli?— -Do you live in. the. practice o£
any known fin, or in the negledk of any known
duty ? — Is the main couci^ and; the- bent of your
whole life to pleafe God,, and enjoy him forever?"
*— Mention particularly fome of thofe duties which,
you moft fufpeft him to? omit,, and aflc him whe-
ther he performs them; efpecially prayer^ in the
family, and in.fecret;, as alfo how he fpends the:
Lord's day ?•

7. If yoti difcern an apparent probability that:
the perfon is in an unconverted ftate, your next
bufinefs is to labour, with all your fkill and power,,
lo bring his heart to a fenfe of his condition. Ad—
drefs him in fome fuch manner as this.— ^* Truly
friend, the Lord knows I have no mind to^mak^
your cafe worfe than it is, nor to occafion you any
unneceffary fear or trouble ; but I fuppofe you
would take me for an enemy, and not a faithful
friend, if I fhould flatter you, and not tell you
the truth. I much fear that you are yet a ftrangcr
to the liew and divine life. If you were a chriftiaa
indeed, you would not have lived in fuch a fin,
&c- &c. Alas ! What have you been doing \ How
have youfpent yqur time, that you are- fo ignorant,
and fo unprepared for death if you fhould now be

£ 6 oalled.

84 Particular DireSfions Part II.

called to it? If you had died^ in an unconverted
ftate, what had become of you, and where had
you now been?" — ^Herc be very earned; if you
get not the heart you get nothing. That which
does not afFeft is foon forgotten.

Let this be followed with a pra£lical exhortatiofi
concerning the nature and neceftity of clofing with
Chrift, and the ufe of every proper means, for the
time to comcy to avoid former fms. Speak to them
to this effeft. — " I am heartily forry to find you
in fo fad a cafe, but fhould be more fo to leave you
in it. Let me therefore entreat you, for the Lord's
fake and for your own fake, to regard what I fhall
fay to you. It is a great mercy that you was not
cut oiF in your natural ftate ; that you have yet
life and time ; efpecially that there is a fufEcient
remedy provided for you in the blood of Chrift,
There is yet a poflibility of your being converted
and faved. Let me then entreat you, not to reft in
your prefent condition, fmce, if you do, you muft
perifli for ever. Think ferioufly of the vanity of
the world ; the awful nature of eternity ; and the
importance of religion. Without any delay, ac-
cept of the falvation offered in the gofpel, and clofe
with the Lord Jefus Chrift who offers it to you.
Jlefolve immediately againft your former fms, and
be diligent in the ufe of all God's appointed means,
till the great change of regeneration be wrought.
Becaufe you cannot effect this chiinge yourfelf,

betake

Chap. IV. for Catechiling. 85

betake yourfelf daily to God in prayer, and beg of
him to efFedl it, as well as pardon your fins. Avoid
carefully all temptations to fin and occafions of it.
Forfake your evil companions, and join the com-
pany of them that fear God. Efpecially fpendthe
Lord's day in holy exercifes, both in public and
in private. Lofe not any time, but efpecially, lofc
not that mod precious time which God has given
you to be inftrufted by him, and prepared for your
latter end." — Be fure, if you can, to get a promife
from fuch perfons that they will attend to your
advice. Afk it folemnly ; reminding them of the
prefence of God \vho hears their promifes, and
will require the performance.

8. Through the whole of thefe exercifes, fee
that your manner, as well as matter, be fuited to
the end. Make a difference according to the dif-
ference of the perfons you have to deal with.
With the dull and obftinate, you muft be earneft
and fevere: with the tender and timorous, you
muft mildly infi ft upon direftion and encourage-
ment. With the young, you muft reprefent the
fhame and evil of fenfual pleafures, and the ne-
ceflity of mortification. With the aged, you muft
difgrace the prefent world ; you muft reprefent
the nearnefs of their change \ and the aggravations
of their fins, if they live and die impenitent*
With your inferiors, you may be very free ; with
your fuperiors and elders, you muft fpeak with

more

86 Particular Dtre^ftont Part IV.

moye reverence. To the rich, the nature and ne-
ceility of felf- denial mufl be opened : to the poor^
#e muft (hew the great riches of glory propofed to
them in the gofpel.

The evil and danger of thofe fins muft.he thfilled-
on, to which each one's age, or fex,. or tempera-
ture of body, or employment, in the world> does
moft incline them. Be as condefcending, familiar,
and plain as poflible with thofe of the weakeft ca-*
pacities. Give them the fcripture proofs of alL
that you fay, to convince them that it is not you
only, but God, by you, who fpeaks to them. Be.
ferious in all, but efpecially in your applications, .
I fcarcely fear any thing more than left fome care-.
lefs minifters will hurry over this work fuperfici--
ally, and deftroy this, as they do all. other. duties,,
by turning it into a mere formality ; prepofing a
few cold queftions, and giving a few. cold words of
advice, without any life and feeling in themfelves,
or any likelihood of producing any feeling in the
hearers. But furely he that values fouls, and
knows what opportunity is before him, will aA.
accordingly.

To this end, it will be of confiderable import-
ance that both before, and in the work, we take
great pains with our own hearts; efpecially to
ftrengthen our belief of the truth of the gofpel^
and the invifible glory and mifery which are to
come. This work will greatly try the ftrength of

our

Chap. V. fir Catechifihg^ ' 87

our faith. A fuperficial chriftian will- feel his zeaL«
quite fail him (efpecially when the duty is grown
common) for want of a belief in the things he ift
treating of, to keep it alive. In the pulpit, from
the prefs, and in public afts, where there is room,
for oftentation, the hypocritical minifter will give
you his beft : but an afFefted fervency and hypo-
critical ftage-aftion will not hold out long in fuch
duties as thefe : the)r are other kind of men that
muft effedlually perform them. — We (hould en-
deavour to prepare ourfelves for this bufinefs par-
ticularly by private Prayer. And, if the time will,
permit, it will be beft to begin and end thefe exer-
cifes I am recommending with a fliort prayer with,
our people.— Laftly; if God has given you ability^
extend your charity to the poorer fort before they
part from you, for their relief, and for the time
that is thus taken from their labours ; efpecially
for the encouragement of thofe that make the beft
proficiency.

CHAP. V.

Arguments for perfonaJ Iriftrulftony particularly by

familiar Catechijing.

IT miift, indeed, be acknowledged that the me-
thod of inftruftion which has been propofed is
attended with many difficulties and difcourage-
1 ments.

88 Difficulty of perfonal hftruSf ion. Part IK

m^nts. Many arife both from our people, and
from ourfelves. — There is in us much dulnefa
and lazinefs ; fo that it will not be eafy to bring us
to be faithful in fo hard a work. We have alfo a
bafe man-pleafing difpofition, which will fufFer us
to let men go quietly to hell, left we fhould lofe
their refpeS. We are more ready to venture oa
the difpleafure of God, and their everlafting mifcry„
than draw upon us their ill- will ; and are fo carnal
that we dare not be faithful for fear of lofing our
income, or bringing ourfelves into difficulties..
Many of us have a foolifh bafhfulnefs, whi^h
makes us backward to begin this great work. We
are fo modeft, truly, that we blufh to fpeak for
Chrift, or contradid the devil, or attempt to fave
a foul ; while w« are lefs afhamed of far mere
ihameful works. We are commonly too unfit for
this bufinefs by reafon of our unfkilfulnefs : we
know not, as we ought, how to deal with an igr
norant worldling for his falvation : how to get
within him and win upon him; nor how to fuit
our addrefles to men's feveral conditions and tem-
pers. But the greateft impediment of all is, that
we ourfelves are too weak in the faith, and feel
too little of the power of religion upon our fouls.
Our belief of divine truths and invifible things is fo
feeble, that it will hardly excite in us fo.kind, re-
folute^ and conflant a zeal as is neceilary for this
work.

Befides

Ch. V. OhJiacUs from the People, 89

Befides thefe difEcuIties from ourfelves, we have
too many to encounter from our people. Many of
them will fcorn to come to us to be taught, ima-
gining they are too good to be catechifed, or too
old to learn. Many are fo dull that they will
keep away, as afliamed of their ignorance ; or, if
they come, you will find it a hard matter taget
them to underftand you ; and yet more difficult to
work upon their hearts, fo as to produce a faving
change ; which is our principal end, and without
which our labour is almoft loft. — Oh what a rock
is a carnal heart ! How ftrongly will it refift the
moft powerful perfuafions, and with what uncon-
cern will finners hear of everlafting life and death !
And. even when you have made fome defirable im-
preflions upon them, if you have not a fpecial care
over them, their hearts will foon return to their
former hardnefs, and their old companions and
temptations, wilt work off all again. Thefe are
doubtlefs great difcouragements ; but in a neceffary
work, they fhould excite us to the greateft dili-
gence. Confider the benefits to be expeded from
It, — and the obligations we are under to perform it.

I. Let us confider the benefits which may rea-
fonably be expefted from this method of private
inftrudion.

1. It is attended with the moft excellent advan^
tage for informing the judgment, and changing the

"^wiU

9© Benefits ofperfonal InJlrvUlon Part II.

will of the ignorant and ungodly. It will tend
greatly to inform the underftanding, to have the
fum of chriftianity in the memory. The bare
words will be but of little advantage, yet when
the words are plain Englifh, he who has them by
rote, is much more likely to know the truths con*
tained in them than another. Such forms of found
words (though fome deride all catechifms as un-
profitable) may be of admirable ufe ; efpecially as
we fliall have an opportunity, by perfonal con*
verfe with thofe who have committed them to me-
mory, to try how far they underftand them ; to-
explain to them what they do not underftand ; and>
to infift on thofe particulars which we apprehend
each perfon has moft need to hear..

In fome refpeds private inftruftibn has the pre^^
ference to preaching^ What other argument need.

• i(

Private, fVeqaent^ Q>iiritQa] conference (fiiith Dr. EHm^
tumd J.httmt^n fellow-chriftiant, but efpecially between the
Prefbyter and thofe of his charge, particularly in the difcuflion
of every man's fpecial (ins, infirmities, and inclinations, may
prove very ufeful and advantageous (in order to fpiritual direc*^
tions, reproof and comfort) to the making the man of God
pejffed. And to tell the truth, if the pride and felf-conceit of
€bme, the carele^riefs of others, the balhfulnefs of a third
fort, the naufeating and inftant fatiety of any good in a fourth,
if the follies of men and the artifices of Satan, had not put this
pra£lice quite out of fafliion. among us, there is no doubt but.
IBore good might be done by miniflers this way9 than is now

done.

Chap. V. e&mpareiwith thofe of Preaching. , 9 1

We than our own experience ? I feldom deal with
men on this grtat bufinefs, in private fcrious con-
ference, but they go away with fome feeming
convidlions, and promifes of new obedience ; and
fometimes with a deep remorfe, and affefting
fenfe of their condition. Yea, I have found (and
1 doubt not but you have experienced the fame)
that an ignorant fot, who for a long time had been
sin unprofitable hearer, has got more knowledge
and remorfe of confcience, in half an hour's clofe
converfation, than he did by ten years public
preaching. I know ihat is the moft excellent
means, becaufe we therein fpeak to many at once ;
but this private way of preaching is ufually far
more effeilual, for many reafons. e.g^ We
have the beft opportunity to imprint religious
truths upon the heart, when we can fpeak to each
one's particular neceffity, and can fay to the fin-
her, * Thou art the man ;' when we can mention
his particular cafe, and addrefs him in regard to it
with familiar importunity. If any thing in the

done by any other means, even than by that of public preach-
ing, which is now almoft folely depended upon : it being, z%.
Qaintitian (aith, (comparing public and private inftrudion of
youth) a more likely way to fill narrow mouthM bottles (and
fuch' are the moft of us} to take them fingle in the hand, and
pour water into them, than to fet them altogether, and throw
ever fo much water upon them.** Dtk Hammond on thi p9iocr
cftht kiy%^ Ch. iv. \ 104.

world.

9 3 Benefits ofperfonal Inflru^f^n Part IL

world IS likely to do our people gpqd, ijt is this*
They will underftand a familiar fpeech, who bear
^ a fermon as if it were nonfenfe, Befidesi, .they
have far greater advantage for the application- of \t
to themfelves. By this means, you .will hear their
objcSions, and know where Satan has the moft
advantage over them, or what is it that.refiiis the
truth ; and fo may be the more able effe<5ually
to convince them* We can here anfwer their
pleas, drive them to* a Hand, and urge them to dif-
cover their refolutions for the future. — rAgain i in
private, we may fpeak in a much plainer manneij
than we can in public. The plaineft preacher can
hardly fpeak plain enough in the pulpit, to m^kq
the illiterate underftand him.. I have oftejn been
furprifed tq find how grofsly ignorant many arq
who have been my hearers fcvcral years ;, who are
as unable to. anfwer fome of the plaineft queftions.
as if they had never heard the gofpel in .their. lives.
In public we cannot ufe fuch homely exprefEons^
nor fa many repetitions as their dulnefs requires ;
but in private we may. In public our fpeeches are
long : we quite over-run their underftandings and
their memories ; fo that they are confounded and
unable to follow us. One thing drives out another,
fo that they know not what we . have been faying :
but in private we may take our work gradatiniy and
take our hearers with us as we go. By fhelf an-
fwers to our queftions we may fee how' far they go
with us, and what we have next to do. In pub-

lic>

Cft.- V» comp^rtd with thofe of Preaching. 93

lie j 'by our fpeaking ahfUy we lofe their atten-
tfon ; but when they are interlocutors we can ea-
fily caufe them to attend. I conclude therefore,
that pubiic preaching will not be fuiEcient, nor
cfFedlual for the converfion df fd many, as this me-
thod. Long may you ftudy and preach to little
purpose, if you negkft private inftruAion.

2, This work, if well managed, will be the
means of the moft orderly building up thofe that
are converted, and eftablifhing them in the faith.

It hazards the whole work, or at lead very
much hinders it, when we do it not in a proper
order. How can you build if you do not lay a
good foundation ? It is owing to the negleft of
this, that there are fo many deluded novices in re-
ligion, and that fo many are. labouring in vain ;

* .ftiU learning, without coming to the knowledge

* of the truth;' like thofe that would read before
they have learned-the letters. This makes fo ma-
ny fall away, or to be * fliaken by every wind of
^ doQrine.' Thefe fundamentals are what muft
lead men to further truths ; thefe they muft build
upon ; thefe muft aftuate all their graces, and -
animate all their duties ; thefe muft fortify them
againft particular temptations. He that knows
thefe well, knows as much as is neceffary to make
him happy. He that knows thefe beft, is the moft
underftanding chriftian. He that knows not thefe,
knows nothing. The moft godly people, there-
fore,

94 The particular Advantage Part II*.

fore, in your congregation will find it worth their
while to be thus inftru£led. If you would edify
and well eftablifli them, be diligent in this work.

3. Private inftruSion will tend to make our
preaching better underftood and regarded*

When you have acquainted perfons with the
principles, they will more eafily perceive what you
are aiming at ; it will prepare their minds and open
the way to their hearts ; whereas without this you
may lofe the moft of your labour ; and the mora
pains you take in accurate preparations, the lefir
good you will do.

4. Ety this means you will become familiar with
your people ; which is no inconfiderable advantage%

The want of this is a great impediment to the
fuccefs of our labours. By diftance and ftrange-
nefs, abundance of midakes between miiiifiers and
people are occaiioned. Befides, familiarity tends
to beget thofe afFedions which may opei^ their ears
to further teaching. When we are familiar with
them they will be encouraged to ufe freedom in
opening their doubts to us, for our refolution. But
when a minifter knows not his people, or is as firange
to them as if he did not, it muft be a great hinder*
ance to his doing them any good.— By this fami«
liarity we fhall be better acquainted with each per-
fon's temper and fpiritual ftate, and fo fhall know
'better how to watch over them, how to preach
to, and difcourfe with them ; how to lament form-
er

Ch. V. 4)fperfonal In/iruSiion. 95

or Tejoioc over them ; and how to pray to God

on their behalf. We fliall hereby be the better

enabled to help them againft temptations, and pre-
vent their falling into any hurtful errors ; of which
they are in great danger while their paftors are (Iran-
gers to them, and feducers are very familiar with
them.— >Once more ; this familiarity with our peo-
ple will better fatisfy us in the adminiftration of the
Lord's fupper ; as we fball hereby better know who
are fit, and who are unfit for it. Whereas many
will quefiion a miniiler j who examines his people in
order to this ordinance, by what authority he does
it, and will not fubmit tp fuch an examination, the
fame work will be done in fuch a <:ourfe as this, in
an unexceptionable manner.

5. This method will better inform the people
concerning the nature of the miniflerial office, or
awaken them to a better attention to it.

It is common for men to think that our work is
nothing more than to preach well, to baptize, ad-
minifter the Lord's fupper, and vifit the fick ; they
are therefore unwilling to fubmit to more ; and
through a common negle£t, minifters are become
fuch flrangers to their own calling, that they think
of doing nothing more. They have hundreds of
people to whom they never fpoke a word perfon-
ally for their falvation. Nay, the omiffion of per-
fonal inftruftion is grown fo frequent, even among
pious and able men, that the difgrace of it is aba^

ted.

^6 The particular Advantaged Part 11,

ted, and a man may be guilty of it without any
diflionour or obfervation. — Shew the world then,
by your praflice, what the nature of our office is ;
and I hope that you will fee the time, when ne-
gleft of perfonal overfight will be taken for as fcan-
dalous an omiffion, as preaching but one part of the
day would now be cfteemed. — In overthrowing the
errors of Popery many have run into the contrary
extreme ; left they fhould feem to favour auricular
confeffion, they have neglefted all perfonal in-
ftruftion, I am part doubt that the popilh auricu*
lar confeffion is a finful novelty ; but I muft fay
(though fome will think it ftrange) that our negledl
of perfonal inftruftion is much worfe. Let us, by
our praftice, (hew carelefs minifters, as well as
our people, the importance and neceffity of this
duty.

Further ; as this courfe will acquaint the people
with our duty towards them, it will alfo inform
them of theirs towards us ; and then they will be
more likely to difcharge it better. This I men*
tion not for our own fakes only, but becaufe their
falvation is much concerned in it. If they do not
know what our office is, viz. that it is one great
branch of it to admoniih and inftruft them with
regard to their particular cafes, it is no wonder if
they negleft to apply to us for our help, to their
own prejudice. The matter is now come to this
pafs, that if we exhort them to come for inftruc-
1 tiQn,

Chap . V . ^ ptrf9nal tnfiruSIion 97

tion, or b^gin to difcourre with them about their
fouls, they queftion our authority, and look upori
us as proud, pragmatital perfons, who would bear
rule over their confcienecs. They in general dtf-
cover no more wifdom nor gratitude, than if they
were to quarrel with a perfon for quenching the
fire when- thtir houfes were burning ; or if, wheii
one offfefed to fave them from drowning, they
(hould aflc him by what authority he did it. — ^And
what is it that has brought ouf people to thi^
ignorance of their duty, but our ne^eft of cfurs ?
Where it is the cuftom (as among the Papifts)
they arc willing to confefis all their fins to the
prieft ; but among us they diWain to be queftioned
or inftru6led, becaufe it is not the cuilom. — l^^t
us then by our diligence in this work endeavour
to make it become a common thing ; and thus we
Ihall facilitate the minifterial fervice to the hext
generation. If we can but eftablift this cuftom,
our fucceflbrs in the miniftry will reap the fruit of
our labours^ as their work will be eafier to them ;
and thus we may be fhe means of faving many
fouls in ages to come, as well as in the prefent*.

* " Perfaapf you vrhb'find a people rude and ignorant (like
ftones in the quarry, or trees unhewn) may not bring the work
to fuch perfe£lion in your days as you deiire. Yet, as David
did for Solornn, you may, by your pains in teaching and in-
ftfuftiftg, prepare materials for another who fhall rear the
Temple. GurmUf ttbifapra.

F 6. Ano-

98 The particular Advantages Part II.

6, Another confideratle benefit of private in-
ftru£lion (efpecially by catechifms) is, that it will
keep our people from much of that vanity, which
now pofleffes their minds and takes up their time.

, When workmen are employed in their (hops,
almoft all their taik is vanity ; and children are apt
to learn foolifh fongs and idle (lories, and thus fill
their minds with filth and rubbifh, which occafions
them to lofe much time, and to be guilty of many
idle thoughts and words. Now when they have a
catechifm to learn, and know that they muft give
an account of it, niuch of their time and thoughts
will be better employed. It will particularly find
them, and heads of families, profitable employment
for the Lord's- Day.

7. As the method of inftruftion I am recom--
mending is, by fuppoCtion, very extenfive, we
have reafon to expedl the moft extenfive benefits
from it.

It has a more e^ellent defign^ and therefore we
may hope it will fiave more important efFeSs, than
our accidental conferences with here and there a
particular perfon, In fuch occafional difcourfes, I
obferve minifters fatisfy themfelves to have fpoken
fome few good words, but feldom fet themfelves,
n fo plain and fo clofe a manner, to convince men
of their fin and mifery, and their need of mercy,
as in this purpofely appointed work, we fliall have
an opportunity of doing*

In

Chap. V. $f perfonal InJiruSfion. '99

In fhort, fo weighty and excellent isihis duty,
that the chief part of church-reformation is behind
without it, and confifts in it. We are apt to look
upon a reformation as what is to be wrought im*
mediately by God, without confidering, that it is
to be efFeSed by our means. But this we have no
warrant to do : in order to it, we muft ufe our un-
wearied endeavours, and particularly muft be dili-
gent in catechifing and perfonal inftruftion; for
this is likely to do more towards efFed'ing fuch a
reformation as we have long prayed and hoped for,
than every other means without it. Brethren, all-
that our forefathers have been doing for the good
of the church, and for a true reformation, for fo
many years, was but to prepare the way for yoii
to come in and do the work. They have opened
you the door, and at a great expence of labours*
and fufFerings, have removed many of your impe-
diments. And will you now ftand ftill or loiter ?
God forbid ! Have they fpent fo much time in
fencing the vineyard, in weeding and pruning it,
to make it ready for your hands, and will you now
fail, who are fent to gather in the vintage ? In the
name of God, take heed that you do not fruftrate
then Idbours, their prayers, and their hopes !

8. The diligent profecution of this work will
do fome good to minifters themfelves.

It will be the beft cure for their idlenefs and lofs
of time, in unneceflary difcourfes, journies, or other

F ^ recreations ;

^00 Of .a Mmifter't Ohligathn Part II.

recreations : and at the fame time, wi^'cut offt^aC
fcandal which attends th^m.r— -Befides, it will tend
to fubdue our own corruptions, to increafe our own
graces, and confequently to procure much peace to
our own confciences. and much comfort when our
time and actions come to be reviewed. This con*
ftant employment of our minds and tongues a^nft
fin, and in the caufe of Chrift and holinefs, will,
do much more towards habituating us to overcome
our carnal inclinations, than all the auflerities of
Monks and Hermits, who addi^i themfelves to un*
profitable folitude, and ' hide their mailer's talents/
-—Not to mention what an excellent means this
will be, to take us, as well as our people, from
vain controverfies, and difcourfes upon lefler mat*
ters of religion, and thus to cure thofe unhappy
contentions which too often prevail among our-
felves. — Having thus confidered the advantages of
perfonal inftruaion, I (hall now

II. Point out the obligations minifters are un*
der to the pradice of it.

1. The neceflity of this duty may be argued
from the regard you owe to the glory of God in
the fuller fucccfs of the gofpel.

God is mod honoured and pleafed when mo(l
fouls are faved ; for he hath fworn that. ^ he hath
< no pleafure in the death of a finuer, but had ra-

' ther

ChaJ). V. fo perfonal [nJfruSfion. loi

* ther that he return and live.' How gladly then
fhould you take this courfe which will mod effec-
tually promote this end !— O brethren ! if we could
generally fet this' work on foot in all the parilhes of
England, and profecute it ikilfully and zealoufly,
what a glory would it put upon the face of the
nation, and what honour would redound to God
thereby ! If our common ignorance were thus ba-
niflied, and our vanity and idlenefs turned into the
ftudy of the way of life, and every family employed
in learning catechifms, and fpeaking of the word
and works of God, what pleafure would God take
in our cities and countries! He would dwell in
bur habitations and make them his Relight. If we
increafe the number or ftrength or the faints, we
tltereby increafe the honour of the King of faints :
Chrift will be honoured in the fruits of his blood«
fhed. And the Spirit of grace will alfo be glorified
jii the fruit of his operations. And do not thefe
ends require us to ufe the means with diligence }

si, I may urge this duty, from the general obli-
gation we are all under to do good ; and from the
regards we owe to the welfare of our people.

Every chriftian is obliged to do all the good he
can for the falvation of others \ but every minifter
is doubly obliged, becaufe he is *feparated to the

* gofpel* of Chrift, and is to * give hiinfelf up

* wholly to that work.' It is needlefs Xb make
any further queftion about our obligation, when

F3 vip

lot Of a Minijier's Obligation Part II.

we know in general that we are obliged to do all
that is neceffary for the converfion and falvation of
our people, and that this work (as has been al-
ready fhewn) is needful to thefe ends. Of thefe
furely we cannot doubt : let us not then any longer
negleft fo reafonable and neceflary a duty. If the
faving of fouls,— of your neighbours' fouls, — of
many fouls, from everlafting mifery be worth your
labour, up and be doing ! If you would be the fa-
thers of m^ny new-born unto God, if you would
fee the travail of your fouls with comfort, and be
able to fay at laft, ".Here am I and the children
** that thou haft given me," be diligent in this
bleffed work. If it would rejoice you to prefent
your converts * blamelefs and fpotlefs to Ghrift,'
and to fee them among the faints in glory, praifing
the Lamb before his throne, be glad of this fingular
opportunity that is offered you. * What is your

* hope and joy and crown of rejoicing?' Are not
your faved people * in the prefence of Chrift Jefus

* at his coming ? Yea doubtlefs they are your glory
*„ and your joy.' If you are the minifters of Chrift
indeed, you will long for ' the perfeding of his

* body, and the gathering in of his eleft.' Your
hearts will be fet upon it, and you will ^ travail as

* in birth for thegi till Chrift be formed in them ;*
and will take all favourable opportunities, as the

funTfliine days in a rainy harveft, in which it is.

>

"unreafonable and inexcufable to be idle. Nay, if

Chap. V. to perfonal' InJlruSfkrr. 103

you have but a fpark of chriftian compaffion in you,
it will appear worth your utmoft labour to * favc

* fouls from death and to cover a multitude of

* fins/

O remember when you are talking with the
unconverted, that there is an opportunity in your
hands to fave a foul ! to rejoice the angels in hea-
ven! to rejoice Chrift himfelf! and to increaf«
the family of God ! There is not a finner whofc
cafe you (hould not fo far compaffionate as to be
willing to relieve him at a much dearer rate than

[by the labour here recommended.] Can you

fee finners as the wounded man by the way, and
unmercifully pafs by ? Can you hear them cry to
you as the man of Macedonia to Paul in his vifion,
^* Come and help us," and yet refufe your help ?
Are you intrufted with an hofpital, where one
languifhes, and another groans,^ crying out, " Oh
'* help me! pity me for the Lord's fake!" and
where a third is raging mad, and "would deftroy
himfelf and you, and yet will you ftill fit idler —
If it be faid of him that relieveth not men's bodies^
how much more juftly of him that will not relieve
their fouls y * Whofo feeth his brother have need,

* and fhutteth up his bowels of compaffion from
< him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?*
You are not fuch hard-hearted men — fuch mon-
Iters, but you will pity the naked,, the imprifoned^
or thofe that are tormented with grievous pain or

F 4 ficknefs ;.

^^4 ^f ^ Minlfter's ObUgdhon l^art l\\

ficknefs : and will you not pity a hard-hearted
finner, who muft be excluded the prefence of tht
Lord, (if a thorough y fpeedy repentance prevent it
not] and lie under his remedilefs wrath ?— •What
(hall I call the heart of that man who will not pity
fuch a one ? The heart of an Infidel ! a heart oi
ilone ! a very rock or adamant ! Surely if he be*
lieved the mifery of the impenitent, it would b^
impoflible for him hot to pity them. Can yon
tell men^ in the pulpit, that they fhall certainly be
damned except they repent, and yet have ito fyity on
them when you have fo proclaimed their danger ?
And if you do pity them, will you not do thus mUck
for their (alvation ?

What if you heard finners cry aft^r you in the
ftreets-— '' O fir ! have pity on me, and afcnrd me
your advice ! I am afraid of the everlafting wraA
of God ! I know I muft (hortly leave this world,
and I fear left I (hould be miferable in the next !"—
What if they came to your ftudy door and cried-^
<' Oh pity us ! O help us, left we (hould be t<^*
mented in the flames of hell"— -and would not leave
you till you had told them how to efcape the wtath
of God ; could you find in your hearts to drive
them away without advice? I am confident you
could not. Wh} fuch perfons, alas ! who do not
thus cry for help, are the moft miferable* The
hardened finner, who cares leaft for your advice,
needs it moft. He that has not fo much life as to

fe9l

Chap. V. to perjonal InftruGtUn. 105*^

feel that he is dead> nor (bmuch light as to .fee his
danger, nor fo much fenfe as to pity himfelf, this
is the man that Is mod' to be pitied. O how can
you walk and talk and be merry with fuch^ people, .
wh6n you know their cafe? Methinks when you:
look them in the face, and think of. their future
mlfery, you fhould break forth into tears> as- the.
Prophet did when he looked upon Mazael, and.
then fall on with, the mod importunate exhorta-
tions! 'When you come to vifit them in their laft.
ficknefs,. will it not wound your hearts to fee them
ready to depart into mifery, without your having,
ever dealt ferioufly with them for their recovery ?
©then, for. the Lord's fate, and for. the fake of
fiich poor fouls, have pity on them ! Beftir your-,
feives, and fpare no pains that may conduce to theirv
falvation.

^ Our obligation to this kind of inftruftion ap--
pears,t>oth from fcripture examples and precepts.

We have Ghrift's own example, . who ufed this
iriterlbeufory preaching both to his difciples and to •
the Jews.; , and we have the examples of the A'po-
(lies who did the like.. Indeed this was their ordi-
nary way of preaching : and when they, made a;
fpeech of any length, the people and they dif-.
courfed : it out in the conclufion. TJius Peter,
preached to the Jews ; (Afis ii.) and to Cornelius \
and his friencis ; (A£ls x.J Thus Philip preached to.
the Eunuch 5 (Adsix.) and thus Paul preached to*

F.5. thiJ.

106 Of a Adimjler's Obligation Bart II,

the Jailer.; (ASs xvi.) Thus, as he tells us, he

* preached privately to thofe of reputation, left he
*. fliould have run and laboured in vain*'. That-
c^rneft charge of his to Timothy, no doubt, includes
it : * I charge thee therefore before God and

* the Lord Jefus Chrift, &c. preach the w^ord, be
' inftant in feafon, and out of feafon; reprove^

* rebuke, exhort, with all long-fuffering and doc-

* trinet.' [Some other paffages t<i> the fame pur*
pofe were before quoted : vid. p. 40.] But I muft
further tell you.

4. This minifterial fidelity is neceffary to youl
own welfare, as well as your people's.

You can no more be faved without that fidelity
which belongs to you as miniftersj than your peo*
pie can without that which belongs to them as
chriftians. If you care not for others, at leaft care
for yourfelves. Oh ! what a dreadful thing is it to
anfwer for the negleft of fuch a charge as ours !
What fin more heinous than the betraying of
fouls ! That threatening (fo often referred to) is
enough furely to make us tremble ; * If thou warn
' not the wicked, &c. their blood will I require at
^ thy hands.' I am afraid, nay, I am paft doubt,
that the day is near, when unfaithful minifters will
yfifh they had never knovyrn their charge ; but that
they had been employed in the meaneft occupa*
tions, inftead of being paftors of Chrift's; flock ;

* Gal. ii; 8. t a Tim. iv. 1, 9.

when

Obap* V. to perfonal InflruSfim. «>7

when befides all the reft of their fins, they (hall
have the blood of fo many fouls to anfwer for^
Oh brethren ! our death, as well as our people's, is
near at hand ; and certainly death is as terrible to an
unfaithful paftor as to any. When we fee that we
muft diej and there is no remedy ; that no wit,
ncH: learning, nor popular applaufe, can avert the
ftroke or delay the time ; but that, whether will-
ing or unwilling, our fouls muft be gone into that
world we never faw, where our perfons and worldly
circumftances will not be refpefted — Oh L then for
a clear confcience, that can fay, ^^ I have not livod
to myfelf, but to Chrift ; I fpared not my paia^ f ,
I hid not my talent ; I concealed not men's mifery,
aor* the way of their recovery ;; * I have, fought a

* good fight, I have finiflied my courfe, I htve kept

* the faith ; and henceforth there is laid up for uie

* a crown of righteoufnefs !" Let us then bedtli-
gent in doing good to others and to ourfelves> that
we may end our days with this glorious triumph:
Let us take time while we may have it ; and/ work

* while it is day, for the night cometh whejrein no
< man can work.' If you would prepare for a
comfortable death, and a glorious reward^ ** gird;

* up the loins of your minds, and quit yourfelves.
*• like men.' If you would be * bleffed with thofe

* that die in the Lord,* labour now, that. you may

* rieft from your labours' then ; and do fuch.wprk^-
9fi you would wiih to * follow you.'

* F 6 €HAP:.

io8 CfCiunb Difciflm. Part

CHAP. VI. '

Of Church DifclpUn^.

THE next part of our over-fight is the u(e of
CHUKCH DisciPLi^B. Thifr confiftft (afteir
private reproofs, which were confidered above) of
the following particulars ^^^ ^

I. Publicly reproving oflfenders.-*-To condaft
shi^rinthe moil ufeful mamitr thefe things muft be
obfierved.

»

1* The accufations of none (not even the beflf
in the cliurcb) ihould be taken without proof. A

* N. B. The ambor, in treadng^ tikis fubjed» goes on the
fuppofition that difeipline is to be extended to all thai are
in what he calls a chttFch-fiate, i. €. not only thofe who are
admitted to the Lord's table, but thofe who have acknow-
ledged their relations to the paQor as his charge, by giving
him their names; after having regularly *' pafled from an in-
fent to an adult flate, by confirmation ;*' the nature and the
grounds of which rite he has confidered at large, ia a treadfe
called ** Confirmation and Refiauration.'* See his works, VoK
IV. p. 854.) However, in this Abridgment, what was pecu^
Var to the author's ideas of a church is generally omitted^
and this chapter is, for the moft part, accommodated to any
mode of government which chriftiaa chorchet h^ve com-
monly adopted*

minifter

CHap, VI . fGfputlic Reproof: 1*9

minifter (hoald never make himfelf a part]^, before
he has fufficient evidence of the cafe. It is better
to let man^ vicious perfons g^ unptitiifhed and
without cenfure, when we want full evidence
againft thetUi than to cenfure one unjuflly : whteh
we may eafily do if we go upon bold prefumptions
alone : and that will bring upon a paftor the fcan-
dal of partiality and unrighteous dealing, ^(^hich
will make all his reproofs and cenfures become
contemptible.

2. Let there be therefore a private meeting of
chofen perfons (the officers, and fome delegates of
the church on their behalf) to have the hearing of
all fuch cafes, before they are made public. They
may meet ^ together once a month, at fome certain
place, that (among other ends) they may be ready
to receive what charge fhall be brought againft any
member of the church ; that it may be confidered
whether it be juft, and- that' the offender may be
dealt with there firft. If the fault be not of s
public heinous nature, and the party fhall there
proi^fs repentance, that may fuffice. But if it be
otherwifey and the perfon remain impenitent, he
iiuifl < be reproved before alt/

3. Great caution and prudence muft be exer«
cifed in- fach proceisdings; left we do more harm
than good; But 'let it be' fuch chk'iftian prudence
as orders duties aright, and* directs thbm to^heif
proper ends, and not lueh carnal' prudence as fhall

cne*— -"*-

€tO QfpuBlie Reprfof. ' Part IT;

enervate or exclude them. It may therefore be
proper for young miniilers to confult with others^
for the more cautious proceeding iii fuch work.

4* In the performance of it, we (hould always
deal humbly, even when we deal moft ftiarply ;:
that we may make it appear it is not from any
lordly difpofition, nor an aft of revenge, but a ne^
ceflary duty^ which we cannot in cohfcience avoids
It will therefore be proper publicly to difclaim all
animofities, and (hew the people the commands of
God obliging us to what we do.

II. . With public reproof muft be joined an ex-
hortation of the perfon to repentance, and to a pub«
lie profeffion of it for the fatisfaftion of the church*

As the church is bound to avoid communion with
fcandalous ioipenitent finners, fo when they have
had evidence of their fm, they muft alfo fee fome
evidence of their repentance.;, for we cannot know
them to be penitent without evidence. And what
evidence is. the church capable of, but their profef-
fion of repentance .firft, and their aftual reforma-
tion afterwards ? Both which muft be expected and
demanded of them. Both in our public reproofs
and exhortations we fhould be very cautious of giv-
ing offence : in order to avoid which we fhould
proceed in fome fuch manner as this ;

^^ Friends and brethren. Sin is fo evil and dan^^

gerou^

Chap, VI. A Fspn fir public Reproof. m

gerous a thing, that God has commanded us ta

* exhort one another daily, left any be hardened

* through the deceitfulnefs of iX\ and not ^ hate

* our brother in our heart, but in any wife rebuke

* our neighbour and not fufFer iin upon him.' Our
Lord exhorts us, " if our brother offend us, to tell
^ him of his fault ; and if he will not hear us, ta
' take two or three' perfons with us to reprove
him ; ^ and if he will not hear them, to tell the.

* church ; and if he will not hear the church, to

* efteem him as a heathen or publican.' Thofa

* that fin,' we are commanded to * rebuke before

* all, that others alfo may fear,' and * if they re-
^ pent not, to avoid them, and not fo much as eat

* with them.** Accordingly, having heard of the
fcandalous pra£lice of M. N. of this churchy and
having received fufEcient proof that he hath com-
mitted the odious fin of ***. We have ferioufly
dealt with him in private' to bring hitn to repent*
ance: but to the grief of our hearts perceive that
he ftill remains impenitent, (or lives in the fame
fin.)* We therefore judge it our neccflary duty to
ufe this further remedy which Chrift hath com-
manded us to try. And I do earneftly befeech him
for the fake of his own foul, and require it of him,
as a meffenger of Jefus Chrift, as he will anfwer
the contrary at the bar of God, to remain no longer

♦ Lev. xix. 17. Matt, xviii. 15 — 17; 1 Tim. v. 80. • •
aThcK iiit.6, 12, i|. 1 Cor* v. u, 13. . . >

ftout

1 1 sr Prayer to Be JoihetfUirtB piiSlii Reproof. Part IF.

(lout and impenitent, but urifeignWly to confefc
and lament his fin before God and this congrega--
tion. This defire I here publffli, not out of any
ill will to his perfon, (as the Lord kiiow's) hut ini
obedience to Chrift, a!ncl in lo've to his foul ; wifh-
ing that, if poflible, he may be faved from his fin,,
from the power of Satan, and the everlaftihg wrath
of God ; and that he may be fp^eedily recbnciled to
him, and his church." To this'purpofe Ihoiild.
our public admonition proceed : and in fonie cafes,,
where the finner efteems his fin to be fmall, it;
will be neceflary to fet it in its proper light, and !
cfpecially to quote fome texts of fcripture which,
aggravate and threaten it.

III. To our reproofs and^ exhortations fliouief.
be added the Prayers of the church.

We fliould pray both for thofe that have been
reproved; and thofe that have been rejefted, that
they niay repSilt and bfe reftored. We are ^om-.
mkilded * to pray always, and in all things ; for all.
* men, arid iii all places;' fo great a bufinefs as
this, therefore, ought not to be done without ' it. .
We Ihould earne/lly joih together in prayer to God
that he would open the fihner's eyes ; that he would
fbften his heart, and' faVe hini froni' impfejiitency
and eternal death* Th^ we. have not his requeft
crconfent; is no reafon ag^inft it ; fdr't&at is bis

very

Chap. VI • Method ofnceversng the Pinitent. i 1 3

very difeafe, and the malignity of it. If the per-
fon refufes to be prefent to receive our admo-
nitioHy it will be proper to deiire the prayers of the
congregation for him. And let us be very earneft
in our prayers, that the congregation may be ex-
cited to join v^ith us. Who knows but God may
bear fuch' prayers, and that they may be more
effedual than our exhortations ? However, the
people will thereby perceive that we did not make
light of fin, and that we do not preach to them in
mere cuftom or form.— —When the finner is thus
admooiihed and prayed for, if it pkafe the LoM
to open hi^ eyes and give him repentance, our next
duty is,

I V» To proceed for fak foil recovery : wheri
d^efe thinp muft be ohferved.

We muft not difcourage him by too much feve*
rity, nor yet by too much haftd and lenity palliate
the offence, and fmk the ideas of difcipline. We
muft urge him to be ferious in his humiliation^
till he be truly fenfibie of his fin ; for it is not
a vain formality that we are to exped, bdt the re-
covering and faving of the foul. We fhould en-
deavour to bring him to beg the communion and
prayers of the church ; and to promife that he will
moft carefully avoid the fin into which he has fallen,,
for the time to come. After this wq muft tell him

of

114 Method of recovering the Ptniient. Part IL

of the riches of Gbd's love, and the fufficiency bf
Chrift's blood, for the pardon of his fin ; and ac-
quaint him that we are authorized, as the meffen-
gers of the Lord, to affure him that, if his repent-
ance be fincere, he is pardoned. — ^We fliould then
charge him to perfevere, and perform his promifes ;
to avoid temptations, and continue begging mercy
and ftrengthening grace,— Hereupon we fliould ex-
hort the church, that they imitate Chrift in forgiv-
ing, and that they retain the perfon in (or receive
him again into) communion ; that they never re-
proach him, with his fin, but forgive and forget as
Chrift does. We have ho warrant to rip up old
matters, or to make that public again which has
ceafed to be fo.-— After this we ihould give God
thanks for the offender's recovery fo far, and pray
for his confirmation and future prefervation.-^— Thi
next part of difcipline ia

: V. RejeSing from the churches communion
thofe who, after fufBcient trial, remain impenitent.

Exclufion from church communion, is of cfivers^
kinds and degrees, - of which I fliall not here treat-
That which is moft commonly to be pra^lifed
among us, is only to forbid an offender communion
vrith us, or tp infii£t a temporary exclufion, called
fiifpenfiori, till it fliall pleafe the Lord to give him

repentance

i.^

Chap, VI . 0/ Excommumcatiax^ rij

repentance [or till he fhall difcover very evident
marks of impenitence.] We have^ indeed, no ex-
prefs dire£tions in fcripture how long we ihould
ft ay to try whether the finner be fo impenitent as
to be neceffarily and entirely excluded ; we muft.
therefore follow the general diredions, with fuch
diverfity as the cafe and charafter of the perfon, and*
former proceeding fliall require ; this being left .to
the difcretion of the church, who muft always con-
tinue to pray for, and exercife patience towards^
the offender, till he manifeft himfelf obftinate in his
fid. Where a perfon has openly finned but once^
or twice, a profeflion of repicntance .may fuffice ;,
but if he be accuftomed to fin, and has pftea broken
his promifes of amendment, then we muft require,
an a£li|al reformation. He that will refufe either
to reforni,.or tp make a profeflion of repentancp^
muft be confidered as living in the fin ; for a hein-
ous .fin, but. once, commifted, is morally continued
in till it be f epented of ; and a mere forbearing o£
the aft is not fuf6ci,ent. — [If the church, after
having waited a proper time, cannot difcern in the
perfon any figns,of genuine repentance,] they muft
then proceed* to excommunication. The minifter
muft pronounce him unworthy of communion, and
authoritatively charge the people in the name of the
Lord,, to avoid communion with fuch . a perfon ;
and muft deny him thofe ordinances and privileges
which do not belong to him. . And as far a$ this

^ aft

1 1 6 Qmnh^Dtfrtfltne vindicated. Part 1 1 .

aft of the paftor is not contrary to the word of
God, the people arc in duty bound to fall in with

it. However, it will be proper to pray for the

repentance and reftoration even of the excommuni-
cate ; and, if God Ihould give them repentance,
they are gladly to be received into the communion
of the church again. — So much for the nature of
church-difcipline : and fure I am, if well under-
ftood, much of the paflforal work and authority
confifts in it.

There are many, I know, who woula fct opert
the doors of the church, would pluck up the hedgeii
and lay the vineyard common to the Wildernefs.
Nay; (which is very amazing) fome who are
efteemed godly divines, reproach, as a feft, thofe
faithful paftors who will not give the facrament tct
all the parift, and who maintaia difcipline in their
churches, uiider the name oi Sacramentariabs and
Difciplinarians ; as. the impure ufed' to reproach,
the godly by the name of Puritans. But was not
Chrift himfelf the leader of thefe DifcipHhalrians ?
He inftituted dffcipKne, and commanded the parti-
cular afts of it, [as hath already been proved, from
Matt, xviii. See p. iii.^ Chrift made his mini--
fters the rulers of his church, and put the keys of
the kingdom into their hands'; and he requires the
people to ^ fubmit to them, and obey them in the
< Lord.* Hib. xiii. 17..

Agtceible to theft fcriptutes, was the priiiaice ot

the.

Clup. VI. Oiurch-Difcipline vindiiaiid. (17

the aoci<;nt church for many years after Chrift ; in
which difcipline was exercifed much more vigo-
toudy than among any of us, even in the heat of
l^eathen perfecuiions, as well as under cbriltian
magidrates, till felhlbnefs and foroiality caufed
them to be remifs in this and oth^r duties together ;
as may be feen in the ancient canons and Ofprlan't
e^iQXts. Difcipline was not then taken to be a
ufele& thing*; nor would it>appear fuch now, if it
were, Ihewed in iu llrength and beauty, by a vigo-
rous pra&ice. 1 know that when the church

b^an to be tainted with vain inventions, the word.
D'tfc'ipUne changed its iignification for various cf
their own rules of life, and auflere impofitions ;
but it is fcir the ancient and truly chriftian difcipline
alone thai I am contending. Tliere is no room to
dotibt whether this be our duty, nor whether we
are unfaithful as to the performance of it. It is
certainly no lefs our.4uty becaufe our brethren of
late have made fo little confcience of it. ■ And
what are the hinderances that now keep theinini-
ftera of England front the difchargc of it P

1. Some obje£t, " That we Ihall he guilty of

* Difcipline cB cuDoi fpn, reiinaculuin fideS,
bluuri), "fbmei k cuiri men turn bonz iadolis, mi
laij &cit in Chri&o muitrc fcmpcr, ic jugitor Dt
promifla calefiia et divini przmia pcivenjre : Hi
falubrs eft, et idverlari ac ncgligcrc lethale. Cypj
p. t£j. See CabmCt Infiil. Lib, IV, cap, IB. S '

i 1 8 Afifwer to ObjeSfions iPart 1 1 .

'< defaming meriy by thus publiQiing their crimes."
I anfwcr in the words of Bernard , " Cum car-
<< puntur vitia, et inde fcandalum oritur^ ipfi fibi
<* fcandali caufa efl:^ qui fecit quod argui debet ;
*< non ille qui arguit. Non ergo timeas contra
>^ charitatem efle, fi unius fcandalum multorum
*' recompenfaveris pace. Melius eft enim ut pe-
" reat unus quam uniras." Bernard /up. Cantic.
Many of us who would be afliamed to omit preach-
ing or praying, half fo much, have not confidered
what we do in wilfully nieglefting this duty. . We
draw down the guilt of men's crimes upon our own
heads> when we do not ufe God's means for the
cure of them*.

«. Others will fay " There is little likelihood
that public perfonal reprehenfion (hould do any
good to offenders, becaufe they will be but enraged
by the fhame." I anfwer in the words of Philo a
Jew, " We muft endeavour as far as we are able'
" to fave thofe from their fms who will certainly -
<< periih by them ; imitating good phyficians, who
** when they cannot fave a fick man, do yet wil-
** lingly try all means for cure, left they feem to
" want fuccefs through their own negligencet."
I further anfwer, It ill becomes the ignorant crea-

• Qui non corrigit refecanda committit, Grec.

Si quid' me fcis fecifle incite aut iraprobc, fi id non accufas,
tH ipfe objurgandus es. Ft aut.

t Philo dc (acrif. Abel et Cain.

turc

Chap. yi. agmnjl Church ^DtJcipUne. fij*

ture to implead the ordinainces of God as ufclefs,
God can render his own ordinances fuccefsful, or
elfe he would never have appointed them. Befides,
church-difcipline feems to be well calculated for
ufefulnefs. It tends to the fhaming of fin, and the
humbling of the finner ; to manifefl the holihefs of
Chrift, of his doSrine, and his church before all
the world.--* What method fhould be taken with
offenders if /lot this? Mu ft they be given up as*
hopelefs? That were cruel: and other means arc ^
fuppofed to have been ufed without fuccefs. ■-
The church of Chrift has found this method to be
fuccefsful, even in times of perfecution, when, if
ever, carnal reafon would have told them to forbear ^
it, for fear of driving away their converts.— But
befides all that has been faid, let it be remembered,'
that the principal ufe of this public difcipline, is
not for the offender himfelf, but for the church.
It tends greatly to deter others from the like crimes,'
and fo to keep our churches and worfliippure*.

3. Some will fay, " That this method will but
rcftrain men as hypocrites and not convert them." •
I anfwer. Who knows how God may blefs his or- *
dinances? It is true repentance to which offenders '
are exhorted, and which they profefs : whether
they truly profefs it or not, who can tell but God \

* Vitia tranrmittit ad poderos, qui prsfentibus culpis ignof*
cit, — ^Bonis nocet qui malis parcit. Si M £ c a.

However

ato Attfwer h ObjeSfhm Part 1 1.

However if it only reftrains perfons, that is a bene«
fit not to be contemned. It is of fome importance
t)iat fin be difgraced ; and fb far the chufch acquit
thenifelves. But the grand objeAion againft difci-
pline, a$ far as I can learn, is

4, The difficulty of the work, and Utit- trouble
or fuffering you ase likely to bring upon your(elve»
by lU ** We cannot, fay you, publicly reprehend
one Tinner, but he will highly refent it, and bear U9
midice fior it. We can. prevail with very few to
make a public profeflion of repentance ; and if
we excommunicate them, that will enrage them the^
more. If we were to -deal with all the obftinate
finners in the pariih, in the msmner you advife, it
would be dangerous living among them: or we
fhould be fo hated, that our labours would become
quite unprofitable to them. Duty therefore ceafes
to be duty, becaufe the hurt that would follow
would be greater than the good." — Bjut are not
thefe reafons as valid againft profeffing and defend-
ing Chriftianity in fome times and places, as now
;^ainft dilcipline? Chrift has told us * that he
* came not to fend peace ?' and that < the world wilL
Vhate us.' — Many of his fervants have met wkh
more difficulty in doing their duty thaawe can ex-
peA ; which yet did not^ prevent their faithful dif-
charge of it. If We did our duty faithfully as mini*
fiers, we fbould now. find much the fame lot among
profefied chriftians, as our predeceflbrs did among

infidels.

C hap .VI. againjt Church- DlfcipUne, 1 2 1

infidels. — But if you cannot fuffer for Chrift, why
did you * put your hands to his plough?' Sfou
ought * firft to have fat down and counted the
^ coft.' This makes the miniflerial work fo un-
faithfully done, becaufe it is fo carnally under-
taken. Many enter upon it as a life of eafe and
honour from men, and therefore they refolve to
attain their ends, whether right or wrong. — As for
your making yourfelves incapable of dping men any
good, if you thus publicly admonifh th^em; I an«
fwer, that reafon is as valid againft plain preaching,
or private reproof, pr- {ainy other duty for which
wicked men will hate us. God will blefs his own
ordinances to do good, or elfe he would not }iave
appointed them. By this means good may pofEbly
be done to the offender, and even to tl^e excommu-
nicate. I am fure it is God's means ; and the laS
means we can «fe ; it were therefore perverfe to
negle£l it. However, other pcrfons^ both within
fnd without the church, may receive good by it,
though the offender himfelf receive none : and God
will certainly have the honour when his church is
ihus mahifeftly diftinguiflied from the world. But
let me tell you, there is not fuch * a lion in the
* way,' as you may imagine ; nor is difcipline fo
ufelefs a thing. I blefs God, upon the fmall, and
too late, trial I have made of it myfelf, I can fay
hy experience it is not vain ; nor are the hazards

G of

12« Difcipline may be exercifed Part II#

of k fuch as may excufe our negleft. — To the laft
obj^^lion many have added,

^. '^ That it is a vain thing to attempt the ufe
of difcipline in the church, unlefs it were efta-
blifhed by fecular power, and all the people were
forced, under a penalty, to fubmit to it ; wheteas
every man has liberty to defpife our cenfures, and
to abfent himfelf when he ihould appear before the
church." — Here let me aft. How did the church of
Chrift fubfift before the days of Confiantine^ without
the help of the civil magiftrate ? And how was dif*
cipline exercifed for three hundred years together,
"when the prince did not fo much as give protedion
€)r toleration to chriil&ns, but even perfecuted then»
to death ? Yet then was the church in its beft ftate,
and its difcipline the mod pure and powerful. Are
the keys of Chrift's church fo unfit and ufelefs,
that they will not open and fhut without the ma-
giftrate's help! If they have contrafted any ruft,
we may thank ourfelves, who have let them lie IB
long without ufe. But let me add, that the inter*
pofition of the civil magiftrate with our difcipline,
would do more hurt than good : it would but cor*
rupt it by the mixture, and make it become a mere
human thing. Your government is all to work
upon the Confcience ; and the fword cannot reach
that. It is not a defirable thing to have repent-
ance fo obfcured by mere forced confciffions, that

you

r'

Cbap. VI. without the Maglftrate's Aid. 1183

you cannot know when perfons mean as they
fpeak. I confefsy if the civil power had forced
men to thofe public confeflions of fin and profef-
iions of repentance, to which I have perfuaded
them by the light of God's wofid, it would have left
me, and I believe the church too, v^ry much dif-
fatisfied with them ; imagining they cmly complied
becaufe they were compelled.'^^I am the lefs forry
that the magiftrate doth not interpofe, on account
of that blind zeal which To much prevails amongft
us. Perfons of every party lay fuch a ftrefs upon
many opinions of their own, as if life or.de^th de*
pended upon them ; making fuch a great outciy
againft whatever are called earors by their own
fed, without knowing what they are» that if the
fword were in fuch envious, angry hands, there
would be little quiet to the church. This may
poflibly make the magtftrate think fit to let u$
fight it out with our naked fifts, and not to put
fwords into our hands ti^f we know better how to
ufe them. As long as he does not prevent ou^
exercifing that kind of difcipline which has now
beei) recommended, I feiar not but, by the blefling
of God, a prudent, refolute, unanimous minidry
will, in general, be able to bring perfons to fubmit
to it, fo as to anfwer very important purpofes.

I fhall conclude this fubje£t with earneAiy re-
quefting my brethren in the miniftry fpeedily and
laithfuUy to put ;ln execution all the unqueftipnable

G a part

4»4 T^^ ^t^ Confequences Part II.

part of the difcipline for which I have been con-
tending.

1. Confider how finful the negle6l of it ]%, and
'how dangerous with refpeft to yourfelves. It is
indeed % fad cafe that good men, under fo much
liberty, fliould fatisfy themfelves fo long in the
negled of fo great a duty. It is, I own, a trouble*
fome and painful work, and calls for fome felf' de-
nial, as it will expofe us to the difpleafure of the
wicked. But dare we prefer our carnal eafe, or the
love of wicked men, before our duty to Chrift our
mafter ? Can fuch flothful fervants look for a good
reward ?

2. The negleft of difcipline has a ftrong ten-
dency to the . deluding of fouls ; by making men
think that they are chriftians when they are not,
becaufe they are not feparated from fuch as are ;
and by making fcandalous (inners think their (in
tolerable becaufe it is fo tolerated by the paftors of
the church. We hereby corrupt Chriftianity itfelf
in the eyes of the world, and do our part to make
them believe, that to be a chriftian is only to be of
fuch or fuch an opinion, and that the chriftian re-
ligion requires holinefs no more than the falfe relU
gions of the world.

3. By the negleft of difcipline you encourage
feparation. If you will not by this means didin-
guiih between * the precious and the vile,' the peo-
ple will do it by withdrawing from you ; which

many

Chap. VI. rf neglecting DifcipHne. x 25

many honeft chriftians will think they are neceffi-
tated to do. Nor can you wonder, if you keep a
number of fcanialous Tinners in your cliurches,
that fome timorous fouls fliould run out of them,
as out of an edifice whicli they apprehend ready to
fall. I have known many who have feparated
merely on this account.

4. By this neglect we do much to bring the
wrath of God upon ourfelves and our congrega-
tion, and fo to blaft the fruit of our labours. If
* the angel of the church of Thyatiray* was re-
proved for fuffering feducers in it, and thofe who
joined with them were fo feyerely threatened,
furcly we deferve reproof on the fame ground, for
fuffering open, fcandalous, impenitent (inners
among us, and have reafon to fear the execution, of
this threatening upon our churches.

But againft all that I have faid in behalf of dif*-
cipline you will plead, *' Our people are not ready

for it : they will not yet bear it." But is. not the

«

meaning of this, that you will not bear the trou-.
ble and hatred which it will occafion ? I befeech
you, in order that you may make, a comfortable,
account to tne chief fhepherd, and, that* you may
not be found unfaithful in the houfe of. God, that
you do «iot ihrink from duty becaufe of the trouble
that may attend it. Remember for your encourage-
ment, that the moft coftly duties are ufually the
moil comfortable; and you may be fure that Chrtil
will bear the coil.

G3 CHAP.

26 Motives to Paftoral Fidelity. Part II.

CHAP. VII.

Of the Motives to Paftoral Fidelity in general.

HAVING pointed our and recommended the
feveral pars of the minifterial officTe, we pro-
ceed to confider the Motives to a diligent per-
formance of them. The Lord grant that they may
work upon us all according to their truth and im-
portance !

I. The nature of our Office obliges us to take
heed to all the flock : we are ftyled overseers.

And for what elfe are wc ovcrfeers* ? *To be a
bifhop or paftor is not to be fet up^ as an idol for
the people to bow to ; or to be (what the apoftle
calls the Creti^ns^ * evil beads, flow bellies ;' to
live to our flefhly delight and eafe ; but it is to be
the guide of fmners to falvation. It is a fad thing
that men fhould undertake a calling of which they
know not the nature. Do thofe perfbns know and
confider what they have undertaken, who live in
eafe and pleafure ? who have time to take their fu-
perfiuous recreations, and fpend it in loitering, or
in vain difcourfes, when fo much work lies upon
their hands ? Brethren, do you confider where you

* Epifcopus eft somen qaod plus ofcris quam^honoris figai*

ficat. Polyd. Viig. p. 840.

* ftandy

Chap. VII. The Nature of our Office requires it. 127

ftand, and' what you have taken upon you ? Yo»
have, under Chrift, undertaken a band of his fol-
dters "* againft principalities and powers, and fpiri-
* tual wickednefles in high places.' You muft lead
theiti on in the fliarpeft conflifts ; you muft ac-
quaint them with the enemy's ftratagems and af-
faults 5 you muft watch yourfclves, and keep them
watching. If you mifcarry, they and you niay pe-
rifli. You have a fubtile enemy ; and therefore
you muft be wife : you have a vigilant enemy,
therefore you muft be vigilant : you have a mali-
cious, violent, anc] unwearied enemy \ and there-
fore you muft be refolute, courageous, and unwea-
ried. You are in a crowd of enemies, encompaflfed
with them on every fide ; fo that if you do not tak«
particular heed to every one of them, you will
quickly fall.

Oh ! wha^ a world of Work have yoo to do !
Had you but one ignorant perfon to teach, though
wilting to learn, what an arduous ta(k would it be !
How much more if that perfon were as unwilling
as ignorant ! But to have fuch multitudes of thefe
as moft of us have, will find us work indeed \
How much wickednefs have we fometimcs to con-
tend againft in one - foul ! and what a number oi
fiich wicked perfons have we to deal with ! What
deep rooting have their fins taken, and under
what difadvantage muft truth come to them ! What'
ftrangers are they to the heavenly meflage we
bring* them ! They frequently know not what you

G 4 fay»

128 J^iligence enforced from the Nature Part II.

fay, though you fpeak to them in the plained lan-
guage. And when you think you have done them
fome good, you leave your feed among the * fov^ls

* of the air.' Wicked men are at hand to contradict,
all that you have faid ; who will cavil at and flan-
der you that they may difgrace your meflage, and
that they may deride and fcorn them away from
Chrift : thus they quickly extinguifli the good be-
ginnings which you hoped you had feen. They
ufe indeed weaker reafons than yours \ but fuch as
come with more advantage, being taken from things
which they fee and feel, and which are befriended
by the flefli. Befides, they are more familiarly
and importunately urged. You fpeak but once to
a finncr for ten or twenty times that the meffengers
of Satan do. Moreover, how eafily do the ^ cares
"* and bufineffes of the world choke and devour the

* feed,' which you had fown, and how eafily will a
frozen carnal heart, though it had no external ene-
mies, extinguiOi thofe fparks which you have been
long in kindling ! Yea, for want of fuel and fur-
ther help, they will go out of themfelves. Among
wbat abundance of diftempers, lufts, and pailions
do you caft your words, where they are likely to
meet with but a poor entertainment ! And when
you think your work doth happily fucceed, feeing
men under trouble, confefling their fins, promifing
reformation, and living as new creatures and zea-
lous converts, they will often prove unfound j to
have beeii but fuperficially changed ; to have taken

up

Chap. VII i and Privileges •/ our Office. i£g>

up net\r opinions, and new company, without a new
heart. O how many perfons, ^fter fome confider*
able change has taken place, are deceived by the
profits, the honours, or the pleafures of the world,
and ^ again entangled in their former lufts V Nay,
how foon do even the graces of the faints- them-
£elves languiih, if you negle£l them ; and how
eafily are they drawn into fhameful ways, to the
difhonour of the. gofpel, as well as their own lofs
and forrow ! O brethren, what a field of labour is
before us ! there is not a perfon you can fee, but
may find you work ! — Elxert yourXelves then with
all your might. In order to quicken you the more^
let me beg you to attend, to. the following, confi-
derations.

1,. Confider the pifice of an overfeer was yourr
own voluntary undertaking. No man is forced to
be an overfeer of the church : does not common
honeily then require yop tp be true to. your truft ?

«• Confider. the- honmif: conneded with your,
office, as an encouragement tp labour. A great
honour indeed it is, to be. the ^ ambafladors of God,'
and the inftruments of men's converfiop and falva-
tion; to * fave fouls from death and cover.a.mul-.
^ titude of fin*/ For minifter^ to ftrive for prcr.
cedency, and>fill thfi world wi(h wide contentions,
about the dignity and fuperiority of their office,,
fhews that they forget the nature and work of .that
office th^y. ftrive about. The honour is but tbq.

G 5 appendix.

I

1 gd Diligence urged from the Privilegas Part II,

appendix to the work. If minifters would faith-
fully and humbly lay out themfelves for Chrift and
his church, without thinking of titles and reputa-
tion, they would have honour whether they would
or not ; whereas by gaping after it they lofe it.

3. Coniider that you have many privileges be-
longing to your office, which fhould engage you to
diligence in it. It is no fmall thing that you are
maintain^ by other men's labours. This is for
your work, that you may not be taken oiF from it,
but that you may * give yourfelvcs wholly to thefe
* things,' and not be forced to negle6l men's
fouls, while you are providing for your own bodies*
Either do the work, or take not the maintenance.
, Befides, it ought to be confidered as a great privi-
lege to be bred up to learning, while many others
are brought up at the, plough and cart ; to be fur-
niflied with fo much delightful knowledge, when
the world lies in ignorance ; and to converfe with
learned men about fublime and glorious things,
while many others are converfant with none but
the moft vulgar and illiterate. Efpecially think
what an excellent privilege is it, to live in ftudying
and preaching Chrift ! to be continually fearching
into his myfteries, or feeding on them ! to be daily
employed in contemplating the blefled nature,
works, and ways of God ! Others are glad of the
leifure of the Lord's day, and now and then an
hour befides, when they can lay hold of it ; but we

may

Chap. VII. t>fthe Paftoral Office. 1 3 1

may keep a continnal Sabbath. We may almoft
do nothing elfe but ftudy and talk of God ana
glory; engage in a6ls of prayer and praife, and
drink in facred and faving truths. Our employ-
ment is all fublime and fpiritual. Whether we
are alone, or in company, our bufinefs is for ano-
ther world. O that our hearts were but more
difpofed for this work ! what a blefTed joyful life
ihould we then live ! How fweet would the ftudy
be to us ! how pleafant the pulpit ! and what de-
light would our conferences yield ! What excellent
helps do our libraries afford ; where we have fuc^
- a variety of wife filent companions, whenever wei
pleafe ! Surely all thefe, and more fuch privileges
attending the miniftry, befpeak our unwearied dili-^
gence in the work. Once more,

4. Confider the intereft which all the faithful
fervants of Chrift have in their mafter's regards.
You are related to Chrift as weH as to the flock^
and he is related to you. If therefore you are
faithful in your work, you ar« not only advanced,,
but fecured by the relation. You are * the ftew-
* ardsof his myfteries,' and the rulers of his houfe-^
hold : and he that intrufted you with his work will
maintain you in it. But then * it is required of ai^
' fteward that a man be found faithful.' Be true
to him, and never doUbt of his being true to you..
Do you feed his flock ? He will fooner feed you as
he did Elijah^ than forfake you. In the midft o£

C 6. enemi^Sj,

J3i The Holy Spirit appoints Paftors Part 1 1 .

enemies, he will * give you a tongue and wifdom
• which none (hall refill. ' ii you willingly put
your hand to his plough, he will wither the hand
that is {(retched out againft you. His faithful mi-
niniders have always had large experience of his
care. He who knows that he ferves a God who
will never fufFer any man lo be a lofer by him,
needs not fear what hazards he r^tns in his caufe :
and he who knows that he is feeking a prize which,
if obtained^ will infinitely exceed his cod, may
boldly engage his whole eftate on it, and fell all he
has %o purchafe fo rich a pearl. The next

II. Motive to fidelity, is taken from the Per-
ibn by whom minifters are invcfted with their of-
fice :— * the flock over which the Holy Ghost
* hath made you overfeers.'

This divine agent is faid to make biihops or paf-
tors, not merely becaufe he has determined in his
word that there fliall be fuch an office — what the
work and power fliall be — and what fort of perfons
ihall receive it ; but alfo becaufe he qualifies men
for the office j diredls thofe that ordain them, to
difcem their qualifications \ and dire£ts them and
the people themfelves, in fixing them over a
particular charge. Thefe were done in the firft
ages of chriftianity, in an extraordinary manner by
infpiration^ fiut:> when men are rightly called,

they

Chap, VII. over the Church of God. 133

they are now as well as then^ made overfeers of
the church by the Holy Ghoft, /• e, by the ordi-
nary influences of the lime Spirit. What an obli-
gation then is laid upon us by our call ! If our com-
miffion be from heaven, it is not to be difobeyed.
When Paul was called by the voice of Chrift to
preach the gofpel, he ' was not difobient to tlie
* heavenly vifion.' When the apoftles were called
by our Lord, from their fecular employments^ they
immediately left their friends and houfes, and trade,
and ally and followed him. Though our call be
not fo immediate or extraordinary, it is from the
fame Spirit, and therefore ought to be as readily
obeyed. It is not a fafe courfe to imitate Jonah^
in turning our backs upon the commands of God.
If we negled our work, he has a fpur to quicken-
us. If we run from it, he has meflengers enow to
overtake us, to bring us back and make us do it ;
and certainly it is better to do it at firft than at laft*
Another motive is

III. What is derived from the dignity of the
Objsd, viz. * the Church of God.'

It is that church for which the world is upheld ;
which is fandiiied by the Holy Ghoft; which is
united to Chrift ; and which is his myftical body.
That church with which angels are prefent ; and on
which they attend as ^ miniftering fpirits ;' whofe

yery

134 ^^ Price paid f9r the Church. Part II.

▼ery ' tittle ones have their angels beholding the

* face of God in heaven.* O virhat a charge is it
that we have undertaken ! And (hall we be unfaith-
ful to it ? Have we the ftewanffliip of God's owa
family, and ihall we negle£l it ? Have we the con-
dud of thofe faints who are to live for ever with
God in glory, and (hall we omit our duty to them ?
God forbid f Are the fouls of men thought meet
by God to fee his face, and live for ever in his pre-
fesice ? and are they not worthy of your utmoll
coft and labour ? Do not think fo meanly of the
church of God^ as if it deferved not your higheft
regards. Were you the keepers of fwine or fheep,
you would fcarcely let them go, and fay they were
not worth looking after ; efpecially if they were
your own : dare youthen negleA the feuLs of vii'tn^
even the church of God \ — Remember Chrift

* walks among them : the prailes of the moft h^h
' God are in the midft of them. They are a chofenr

* generation ; a fan£tified, peculiar people ; a royal

* priefthood, an holy nation ; to fhew forth the

* praifes of him that called them/ What an ho-
nour is it to be one of them, though but a * door-
' keeper in the houfe of the LordT Surely then to
be the Prieft of thefc priefts, and the Ruler of thefe
kii^Sy is fuch an honour, fuch a noble employ-
ment, ais multiplies your obligations to diligence
and fidelity.

IV. The

Chap. VI I. A Motive for Fidelity to if. 135

IV, The laft motive to take heed to the flocks
and feed the- church of God, is, the Pkic£ that
"^as paid for it.

It is fpoken of as ' purchafed by his owir
BLOOD:' /. e. by the blood of Christ, whoii^
Jtere exprefsly called God. God the Son &i
purchafe the church with his own blood. What
an argument is here to quicken the negligent, and
to condemn tbofe that will not be quickened!
What! (hall we defpife the blood of Chrift? Shall
we think it was ihed for fuch as are not worthy our
care i The guilt of negligent paftors is certainly-
great, (ince, as much as in them lies, they make
the blood of Chrift to be ihed in vain. They
would lofe him thofe fouls, whom he has fo dearly
bought. Whenever we feel ourfelves grow dull
and carelefs, let us imagine we heard the blefled
Saviour arguing with us to this cffeGt: ** Did I
die for thofe fouls, and wilt not thou look after
them ? Were they worth my blood, and are they
not worth my care ? Did I come down from hea-
Ten to earth ^ to feek and to fave them that were
* loft,' and wilt thou not go to the next dooi or
ftreet or village to feek them ? How fmall is thy
labour or condefceniim in companfon with mine 1
I debafed myfelf to this ; but it is thy honour to be
fb employed. Have I done and fuffered fo much
for the falvation of men, and was I willing to mak»

thee

136 OhjeS^ions againji perfonal Infpe£fim Part IK

thee a co-worker with me, and wilt thou refufe
the little that lies upon thy hands V

Every time we look upon our congregations, let
us remember that they are purchafed by the blood
of Chrift, and regard them accordingly. Let us
often think in what confufion a negligent mini&eit
will be at the laft day,, to have the blood of-tbe fon.
of God pleaded againfi him-; and to hear Chrift
(ay *^ Thou didft make light of the purchafe of my.
blood ; and canfl thou now hope to be. faved by It
thyfelf?"~0 brethren! fince Chrift will bring
his blood to plead [at God's righteous bar] let it
now effe&ually plead with us to do our duty, left.
^L fliould then plead againft us to our. damnation !

CHAP. VIIL.

Of the Obj ECTIONS to this courje of minijieridl Duty^
particularly perfonal InfiruSiidn.

TT is a hard cafe that fo good a raafter as ours,
•*• in fo good a workj fhould have fervants fo bad
as to plead againft their duty when they fhould
praftife it ; efpecially that good men fhould be fo
backward to k as to need many words to excite
them to the diligent performance of it. Yet. alas !
this is too common 'a cafe. I have no great fear
of oppofition from confcience^ or unbiafled reafon^

but

X

Chap. VIII. Jiattd and tmfwered* 137

but only from univillingnef^, and from reafon bi-
ased by the flefh. To what has been faid about
perfonal inftruftion fome will objeft,

!• " That their congregations are fo large that
it is impoflible for them to know all their hearers ;
much more to take heed to every individual.

But let me aik fucb perfons — Was it neceffary
for you to take upon you fuch a charge ? If not,
how durft you undertake what you knew your-
felves unable to perform ? If it was in a manner.
neceiTary, might you not have procured fome aflift-
ance h Have you not, or could not you get a tnain-
tenance fufficient for yourfelves and another to
help you ? What though it would not fupport
you in affluence^ is it not more reafonable that you
ihould pinch your flefl) and families, than negle£t
the fouls of fo many of your flock ? With me it is
unqueftionable, that it is your duty, if you can, to
live upon part of your falary, and allow the reft to
a competent afliftant. Do not many families in
your parifli live on Iqfs than you would then have !
Have not many able miriifters been glad of lefs,
with liberty to preach the gofpel \ Can your parish-
ioners endure damnation better than you can po-
verty ? What do you call yourfelves minifters of
the gofpel, and yet efteem the fouls of men fo little,
as that you had rattier they ihpuld eternally perifh,

than

138 No frhate Studies will excufe Part !!•

than that you and your families fliould live in a
low condition ? If you have but * food and rai*

* ment/ you ought 'therewith to be content/
Would you have more than is fufEcient to enable
you for the work of God ? * A man's life confift-
' eth not in the abundance of things which he pof*

* feffes.' If your clothing be warm, and your,
food whol'efome, you may be as well fupported to
do God's work, as if you enjoyed the greateft af-
fluence. He that has thefe, has but a poor excufe
ibr hazarding men's fools, that he may enjoy more
of this world's good. Remember how firongiy:
our bleiTed mafter recommends felf-denial to all his
fbrvantff. They that will not exercife it, are fa
far from being his minifters, that they axse not hisr
true difciples.-^If your circumftances are fuch that
proper afiiftance cannot be procu^red, then your
fliould undertake your charge with liniitation. But
do not omit the work of perfonal overfight entire-
ly, becaufe you cannot do it with alh take thir
courfe with as many as you are able, and put your
godly neighbours, efpeciially parents and mailers o£
families, upon doing the more.

11. Some may objeA that "The courfe recom*^
mended will require too much time^ dnd will not
allow fo much as is neceflTary for minifters (young
men efpecially) to follow their ftodks, and im-*
prove their own abilities,"

I anfwer ;

Ghap. Vin. negk^ing Men's Souls, 135

I anfwer; the perfons whom I am perfuading
to this work, arc fuppofed to underftand the fub-
fiance of the chriftian religion, and to be able to
teach others: and the addition of lefs neceflary
things, is not to be prefierred to the communication
of what are fundamentally neceflary, I highly va-
lue common knowledge, and would not encourage
any to fet light by It ; but I value the faving of
fouls more. That which is immediately neceflary
ought to be done whatever elfe is left undone. It
is a very defirable thing for a phyfictan to be well
ftudied in his art ; but if he would be inquiring'
even into the moft ufeful fubjeds when he (bould
be looking to his patients ; and fhouM teH them
that he has not time to give them advice, becaufe
he muft follow his own ftudies, I fbculd efteetn
that man a prepofterous ftudent, who thus prefer^
red the means to the very end itfelf. Indeed f
fliould think fuch a phyiician to be but a ctvtl kind
of a murderer. — Men's fouls may be fared whhoof
your knowing [many of thofe things which have
been the fubjed of fcholaftic debates^] Get well
to Heaven, and help your people thitlier, and you
ihall know all thefe things in-^i moment, and a
thoufand more, of which now, by all yoor ftudies^
you cannot gain a certain knowledge^

Confider further, if by the diluent frz&Uc tft
mimfterial duties, you are prevented ac«)iiiring an
extenfive knowledge, you will hereby \mft*rft$

nMf4

1 4© Diving Knowledge moji ufeful: Part II.

more in that which is moft excellent. If you know-
not fo many things as others, you will know the
moft important matters better than they. And a
little of this kind of knowledge, is worth all the
other knowledge in the world. When I am loot-
ing heaven-ward, gazing towards the inacceffible
light, and afpiring after the knowledge of God, and
find my foul fo dark and diftant, and confider how
little I know of God, and how much he is out of
nay reach, I find this the moft killing and grievous
ignorance. Methinks I could willingly exchange all
the other knowledge I have, for one glimpfe more
of God and the life to come. Now by frequent
ferious conyerfation about everlafting things, by di-
ligently inftrudling and catechifing your people,
you will gain more of this kind of knowledge, than
can be gained by any other means ; and thus you
will really grow wifer than thofe that fpend their
time in any other way whatever. As Theology is
a pra£tical fcience, the knowledge of it thrives beft
in a pradical courfe. Laying out here, is a means
of gathering in ; an hearty endeavour to commu-
nicate and do gooil is one of the greateft helps to our
own proficiency. ' So that by this means you are
likely to become more. able paftors of the church,
than private ftudics alone can make you. Partico-
larly it will be an excellent means to help you in
preaching; for. when you are well acquainted with
your people's cafes, you will know what to preach

upon.

Ch» VI n. human y may be attained atfo. t^i

upon. An hour's converfation will furnifh yon
with as much matter as an hour's ftudy. As he win
be the beft phyfician and lawyer, fo he alfo will be
the beft divine, who adds praftice and experience
proportionable to his ftudies; whereas that man
will prove a ufelefs drone, who rcfufes God's fer-
vfce all his life, under a pretence of preparing for
it ; and lets men's fouls pafs on to perdition, while
he pretends to be ftudyinghow to recover them, or
getting more ability to help and favethem.
V However let me add> that though I efteem reli-
gious knowledge the chief, I would have you to
acquire other knowledge too. The other fcienccs
may be very ufeful, and indeed fubfervient to this:
and you may have competent tim^ for both. Lofe
none upon vain recreations and amufements ; trifle
not away a minute ; confume none in needlefs fkep ;
do what ydu do with all your might; and then
fee what time you may command. If you fet apart
two days in a week for the work of perfonal in*
ftru6iion, you may find time enough for your com-
mon ftudies out of all the reft. Duties are to be
taken together: none are to be negleded that can
be performed, but the greateft fliould always be
preferred. But if there wen; fuch a cafe of necef-
fity, that we could not read or ftudy for ourfelves^
and inftrudt the ignorant too, I would throw by
all the libraries in the world rather than be guilty

of

44« Ifhai Ricnations necejfary; Part II.

of the perdition of one foul : at leaft I know that
this would be my duty.

III. It will be objeded by many, '' This courfe
will deftroy our health, by continually fpending i

our fpirits, without allowing time for necei&ry re* 4

creations."

«

I anfwer, we may do our^luty, and have time
for neceflkry recreations too. An hour or half an
hour's walk before meat, is as much recreation as
is neceifary for the weaker fort of ftudents. I have
reafon to know fomething of this by long experi-
ence. Though I have a body which has languifhed .
under great weakneifes many years, and which re-r
quires me to take as much exercife as alm<^ any

. perfon in the world, yet I have found .the above
proportion fufficient. It is undoubtedly our duty
to ufe as much exercife as is neceifary for the pre«P
fervation of our health ; fo far our work requires
it : otherwife, for one day's work we fhould lofe
the opportunity of many ; and this may be done
very confiftently widi all the duties I have been re-
commending.

y As for thofe men that limit not their recreations
to ftated hours ; who muft have them, not to fit
them for their work, but to pleafe their voluptuous
humpur, fuch fenfualifts have need to fiudy the na»

ture

Ch. VIII. and what muft he avoided. 143

ture of chriftianity better ; to learn the danger of
' living after the flefh/ and to get more mortifica*
tion and felf-denial before they preach to others. If
you muft have your pleafures> you fhould not have
put yourfelves into a calling which requires you jto
make God and his fervice your pLeafurc, and which
reftrains you fo much from carnal gratifications.
fio you not know that the chriftian warfare con*
lifteth* in the combat betweeii the flefh and the
fpirit ? That the very difierence between a chriftian
and a wicked man is, that the one * lives after the
^ fpirit, mortifying the deeds of the body/ and the
other < lives, after the fleih V and that to over-
come the fiefh is the principal part of that victory,
on which the crown of life depends? If notwith-
standing this you muft have your pleafures, then for
Ihame give over preaching of the gofpel and the
profeffion of chriftianity, and profefs yourfelves to
be what you are; for as you * fow to the flefli, fo
*■ of the- fleih fhall you receive the wages of cor*

* niption.' Does fucb an one as Paul fay, * I
^ keep under my body and bring it into fubje£lion

* left, that by any means, when I have preached

* toothers, I myfelf fhould be caft away?' And
have not fuch flnners as we are need to do the fame ?
And have not we much more cadfe to fear being
i^aft away? — Some recreation is undoubtedly law-
ful, namely fuch as tends to iit us for o\ir work,
fiut for a man to be fo far in love with his ples^«

fures

144 Proper Recreations for Students, Part II.

furcs as, for the fake of them to waile his prccioii«
time, and negleft the work of God for men's fal-
vation, (efpecialiy to plead for this as necciTary) is
a degree of wickednefs inconfiftent with the fidelity
of a common chriftiaii ; much more with that of a
chriftian Minifter. Such wretches as arc * lovers
* of pleafure more than lovers of God, ' are more
fit to be cad out of chriftian communion, than to
be the chief in the church : ^ from fuch' we are
commanded * to turn away.'

Recreations for a ftudent, mud be efpecialiy for
the exercife of his Body, fmce he has continually
before him « variety of delights to the Mind : and
they muft be ufed, as whetting is by the Mower,
only as far as is neceffary to his work.
: Let it be further confidered ; The bufmefs I am
recommending is not of fuch a nature as is likely
much to impair our health. It is true, it muft be
ferious ; but it will not fo much fpend our fpirits,
as excite and revive them. Men can talk all the
day long about other matters, without any preju*
dice to their health: why then may not we talk
with. men about their falvation without any great
detriment to ours ? I only mean on the fuppofitton
that we have a tolerable meafure of health and
ftrcngth.-^But, fuppofing the worft; let me afk.
What have we our time and firength for but to
lay them out for God? What is a candle made
for but to be burnt? Burnt and wafted we muft

be ;

Chap. V' III. Our Duty of the mod Importance, i^j

be ; and is it not more reafonable that it fliould be
in lighting men to heaven, and in working for
God, than in living to the flefli ? How little dif-
ference is there between the pleafure of a long life
and a fliort one, when both are at an end ! What
comfort will it be to you at death, that you length*
ened your life by fhortening your work ? Our life
is to be eftimated according to the end and bud*
nefs of it; not according to the mere duration*
He that works much, lives much. What Seneca
faid of a drone, may be applied to an indolent mi*
nifter, Ibi jacety non ibi vhtt; et dtu fuit, non dm
vtxit. Will - it not comfort us more at death to
review a fhort time faithfully fpent, than a long
life unfaithfully ?

As for viflts and civilities, if they can anfwer
greater ends than our minifterial employments, you
may break the fabbath, or forbear preaching for
them. But if not, how dare you make them a
pretence for neglefting any other duty ? Mud God
wait on your friends ? What though they arc Gen-
tlemen or Lords, muft they be fcrvcd before Him ?
Or is their difpleafure or cenfure more to be
feared than his ? It will be but a poor excufc at
the laft day for neglefting men's falvation, ** that
fuch a gentleman, or fuch a friend would have takc/t
it ill had you not waked on them/' * U yon yut

< feek to pleafe men, you arc no \(Jt\v/r th<j («r-

< vants of Chrift.' He that darci to waOc Im* tUm

H i»

146 ^^^ needlefs wafte of Time Part II.

in compliments, little confiders what he has to do
with it. Oh that I could but improve my time
according to my convi£iion of its importance I
He that hath looked death in the face as often as I
have done, will know how to value it, I profefs
I am aftoniflied at thofe minifters that can find
time tQ hunt, or {hoot, or bowl, or ufe other re-
creations two or three hours, yea days together !—
that can fit an hour at once in vain difcourfe, and
fpend whole days in complimental vifits, or jour-
neys to the fame purpofe ! Good Lord ! what do
fuch men think on, when fo many fouls about
them cry for their help, and when the fmalleft
pariih has work enough to employ all their dili-
gence, night and day ! If you have no fenfe of the
worth of fouls ; of the value of that blopd which
was filed for them, of the glory fet before them^
and of the mifery to which they are expofed, then
you are no Chriftians ; and therefore very unfit to
be Minifters. If you have^ how dare you, like
idle gofiips, chat and trifle away your time, when
fo many and fuch great works call for it ?

O precious time! how fwiftly does it pafs awayl
how foon will it be gone ! What are the forty years
of my life that are paft ? Were every day as long as
a month, methinks it were too fliort for the work
of a day. Have we not loft time enough in the
days of our vanity that we have any now to lofe ?
Never do I come to a dying man, v^ho is not ut-
terly

Chap. VI IL to be carefully avoided, 147

terly ftupid, but he better fees the worth of time
than others generally do. O then, if they could
call time back again, how loud would they call !
What would they give for it ! Can we then afford
to trifle it away ? Is it poffible that a man of any
true compaflion and honefty, or any concern about
his minifterial duty, or any fenfe of the ftridlners
of his account, fhould have time to fpare for idle-
nefs and vanity ? May a phyfician in the time of
the plague take any more relaxation than is necef.
fary for his life and health, when fo many are ex-
pefting his help in a cafe of life or death ? If his
pleafure be not worth men's lives, certainly yours
is not worth men's fouls.

Do not reply, " This is a hard faying, who
can bear it ? God does not require minifters to make
drudges of themfelves." Surely thofe men are
not likely to honour God, and promote his fer-
vice, who have fuch bafe thoughts of it ; nor can
they delight in holinefs who account it a flavifh
work. Our Lord fays, * He that denieth not him-
^* felf, and taketh not up his crofs to follow him,
• cannot be his difciple.' But thefe men count it
a flavery to labour hard in his vineyard, at a time
when they have all accommodations and encourage*
ments. If they had feen the diligence of Chrift in
doing good, when he negledled his meat to talk
with one woman, and when he was fo zealous in
preaching as to * have no time to eat bread,' they

H 2 would

1^8 Self "denial in doing Good Part II.

would have been of the fame mind with his carnal
friends who went to lay hold of him, and faid * he

* is befides himfelf.* If they had feen him all day
in preaching and healing, and * all night in prayer

* to God,' they would have told him that he made
a flave of himfelf, and that God did not require fo
much ado. I cannot but advife fuch men to fearch
their own hearts, and inquire whether they un-
feignedly believe that word they preach. If you
do Sirs, how can you think any labour too much
for fuch weighty ends? If you do not, fay fo, and
get you out of the vineyard : go with the prodigal
to keep fwine, and do not undertake the feeding of
Chrift's flock.

Do you not know that it is your own benefit you
grudge at i The more you do, the more you re-
ceive : the more you lay out, the more you have
coming in. The exercife of grace ncreafes it.
And is it a flavery to be more with God, and to
receive more from him, than other men ? It is the
chief folace of a gracious foul to be doing good, and
receiving good by doing it. Hereby alfo we are
preparing for fuller receivings hereafter. We put
out our talents to ufury, and by improving them,
(hall make five become ten. They who efteem
the fervice of God as flavery, juftify the profane
who look upon all diligent godlinefs in that light,
and hereby aggravate their fin : and while they thus
debafe the work of the Lord, they do but debafc

themfelves.

Chap. VIII. our Duty and our Prrutkge. 149

themfelves, and prepare for a greater abafement at

laft.

IV. Perhaps fome may fuggeft " that if we
make fuch fevere laws for minifters, the church
will foon be left without them, as few parents
will choofe fuch a burden for their children, and
many will be difcouraged from undertaking it*'*

I anfwer ; the carnal and felf feeking may be
difcouraged, but not thofe that third after the win-
ning of fouls, who are devoted to the fervice of
God and have * taken up the crofs to follow the
* Lamb.' Chrift would not forbear telling the
world of the abfolute neceflity of felf-denial fot
fear of difcouraging nien from his fervice, but on
the contrary declares that he will have none but fuch
as will fubmit to it, and that thofe who will not come
on thefe terms may go their way, and fee whether
he wants their fervice more than they want his pro-
teSion and favour. — Thefe laws which you call
fevere, are not ours, but what Chxift has made and
impofed. If I ftiould conceal or mif- interpret them,
thatwould not relax them, nor excufe you. He who
made them knew why he did it, and will expeft
the performance of them. And he will take care
for a fupply of paftors. He has the fulnefs of
the fpirit, and therefore can give men hearts to
do the duty he has impofed. He that has under-

H 3 taken

tgo Oppojitton muft not difiourage Part II.

taken the work of our redemption, will not lofe all
his labour for want of inftruments to carry on his
work. He will provide his people with * pallors

* after his own heart, who (hall feed them with

* knowledge ;' who will * feek not theirs, but

* them ; and willingly fpend and be fpent for their

* fake.* What do you think that Chrift can have
no fervants, if fuch as you with Demas ' for-

* fake him and turn to the prefent world?' If you
diflike his fervice you may feek a better where you
can find it, and boafl of your gain in the conclu-
fion ; but do not threaten him with the lofs. Look
to yourfelves as well as you can, and tell me at
the hour of Death, or at the Judgment-day, who
had the better bargain ; whether Chrift had more
need of you, or you of him. It will not fervc
your turn to run out of the vineyard, on pretence
that you cannot do the work ; he can follow you
tod overtake you, as he did Jonah, with fuch a
ftorm as fliall lay you * in the belly of hell.' To-
tally to caft oiF duty becaufe you cannot endure to
be faithful in the performance of it, will prove
but a poor excufe at lad.

V. But the ftrongeft objeftion of all feems to
be ** that few people will fubmit to be fo freely
dealt with by theur mimfters, but will make a (bom
at our motion/'

Chap. VII r. Chrijl's faithful Mtnifters.. t^t

It cannot be denied^ that too many people are
obftinate in their wickednefs \ that * fimple ones

* love fimplicity, that fcorners delight in fcorning,

* and that fools hate knowledge.' But I wifli it
were not too much owing to minifters, that a great
part of our people are fo obdinate and contemptu-
ous. If we did but (hine and burn before them as we
ought; were our fermons and our lives more con-
vincing; did we fet ourfelves to do all the good
we could do ; were we more humble and meek^
more loving and charitable ; and did we let them
fee that we do but little efteem any worldly things
in comparifon with their falvation, much more
might be done than is done ; the mouths of many
would be ftopped, and the wicked would be more
tra&able and calm..— However, the worfe they
are, the more are they to be pitied, and the
more diligent fliould we be for their recovery.
Their wilfulness will not excufe us from our duty..
If we do not offer them our help, how do we know
who will refufe it ? Offering it is our part ; accept-
ihg is theirs. If we offer it not, we leave them ex-
cufable, becaufe then they do not refufe it ; but
we leave ourfelves without excufe. If they refufe
oar help when it is offered, we have done our part
and delivered our own fouls. But if fome refufe
it, others will accept it; and the fuccefs, with re-
gard to them, may be fuch as to reward all our
Ubour,, though it were much more. . AH are not<

^ H.4^ wrought

Ig2 Perfonal InJlruSltoH Part II.

wrought upon by public preaching ; but we muft
not therefore give it over as unprofitable. In a
word, there is nothing from God or from right
reafon to make us backward to any part of our
work; though from the world, the flefli,and the devil,
we (hall have much, and perhaps more than we
yet expefl. But if, againft all temptations and dif-
ficulties, we have recourfe to God, and look on
his great gbligations on one fide, and the hopeful
efFefts and rewards on the other, we fliall find but
little caufe to draw back or faint *.

* The author, in his preface to the sd Edition, has a re-
markable paffage concerning his own experience on this head.
** I find (fays he) that we never took the righteft courfe to
demoliih the kingdom of darknefs till now. I wonder at my*
felf that I was kept from fo clear and excellent a duty fo long.
But the cafe was with me, as I fuppofe it is with others : I wat
convinced of my duty, but my appreheniions of it were too
fmall, and the difficulties of it too great. Thus was I detained
in delays, which I befeech the Lord of mercy to forgive.
Whereas upon trial, I find the difficulties to be nothing to what
I imagined ; and I experience the benefits and comforts of the
work to be fuch, that I would not wilh to have neglected it, for
all the riches in the world. We fpend Monday and Tuefday
(from the morning almoft to night) in the work; taking about
fifteen or fixteen families in a week, that we may go through
the parifh (in which there are above eight hundred) in a year.
And I cannot fay that one family hath yet refufed to come to
me ; or that many perfons have fliifted it offi And with re-
gard to moftof them that come, I find more outward figns of
fuccefs than from all my preaching to them*"

VI. But

Chap. VIII. as neceffkry now as ever: 1^3.

VI. But to all that I have faid,. many will an-
fwer, ^^ You build too niuch on PauVs teaching
from houfe to houfe, and other paffages of the
fame kind. Thofe times, when the churches were,
firft planting, required more diligence than ours:
fhew us fome paffage of fcripture which requires
from us all that you have prefcribed ; and efpc-
daily which obliges us to fet apart two days in the:
week for it." I reply

1. I do not make it a minifter's duty abfoluteiy
to go up and down from houfe to houfe to each,
perfon in the parifli, or of his charge ; nay, I would
not fo much as advife you to this without neceflity :,
but firft call the people to come to you at your own-
houfe, or at the Veftry, or wherever you pleafe,,
fo that you will but give them that perfonal inftruc-
tion, on a proper inquiry into their ftates, which
their circumftances require. And then go to thofo
that will not come to you, if they will confent ta
it, and if you are able. For my own part, I can-
not go from houfe to houfe without the apparent
hazard of my life. And I think it more for the
people's benefit to accuftom them to attend their
paftor, (and it is much more for his) than for him.
to hunt up and, down after them, fcarcely knowing
where or when. But men's obftinacy. may make
that neceflary which is inconvenient.

2. It is not on thefe texts in queftion,. or any

H. 5 other>,

J54 Private Inftru^ion Part II.

otheri that I wholly ground this duty: though
fuppofing there were no more than the general
command of ' taking heed to all the flock,'
Airely this were fufficient to convince you that
you (hould take as particular care of every indi-
vidual as you can. Muft I turn to my Bible to
fliew a Preacher where it is written th^t a man's
foul is of more worth than a world ? Or that
both we and all we have are God's? Or that it
is inhuman cruelty to let fouls go to hell for fear
we and our families (hould live fomewhat the har»
der? In a word, the queftion is, Whether you arc
not bound to do the beft you can to fave the fouls
of all your people ? Do this and I defire no more.
But do you think in your confcience that you do
the beft you can, if you negle£l to exhort, inftru^,
and catechife them ?

3. To fay the prefent times require lefs diligence
than the days of the apoftles, favours of a man
locl^t up in a ftudy and unacquainted with the world.
Good Lord ! Are there fuch multitudes round about
us who are ignorant of the firft principles of re-
ligion ? Are there fo many thousands drowned in
prefumption, fecurity, and fenfuality ? So many
drunkards, worldlings, haters and fcofFers of a
holy life ? So many dull, ignorant, fcandalous pro-
feflbrs ? So many troublers, feducers, and dividers
of the church ? And yet is the happinefs of our
times fo great that wc may excufe ourfelves from

perfonal

Chap. Villi ahJuays neceffarj. 155

pexfonal inftruSion as unneceflary ? Look more
without, and I warrant you that you will not fee
caufe to fpare your pains for want of work? What
confcientlous miniiter finds not work enougti to do^
from one end of the year tothe^ochery though he has \
not an hundred fouls to take care of \ It is true
there are more profeflbrs of chriftianity :in our day
than in the apoftle's : but are the ungodly the lefs ,
miierable far that pjofeffion, or the more fo ?

4» As to the objeftion that relates to the pjopor*- -
tion of time to be allotted for.this work, I anfwer.
What if God only bidsAis to *pray without ceafing,!
will you approve of thofe who negleft prayer,
becaufe they are not commanded to pray morning
and night, orinthe family ? Set times are as need-
ful • for the conftant performance of this duty, as
for your private or family duties, your leAures or
your ftudies. Whenjou have fliewed me a writ-
ten precept for.thefe, or for preaching twice on the
Lord's-day, then I will fhew you more than one
for the things in queftion* However, I prefume
not toimpofe an unneceflary taflc on. any, but leave,
it to your prudence to difcern and determine thcj
feafons and other circumftances of .your duty, .

H 6* C H AiP.

156 fUjot Subjeefs to be moft injjfled on. Part 1 1 .

CHAP. IX.

MifceUaneous Dire£ftons refpeSfing the whoU mini^

ftertal Work *.

HAVING fpoken of the matter of our
work, we are next to fpeak of the man-
ner ; not of each part diftinftly, but of the whole
in general. Here take the following diredions.

I. Through the whole courfe of your miniftry
infill moft upon the greatcft, moft certain, and
moft neceffary things.

I f we can but teach Chrift to our peopk, we
teach them all. Get them well to heaven, and
they will have knowledge enough. The plained,
and moft commonly acknowledged truths, are what
men live moft upon ; thefe are the great inftruments
in deftroying fin, and in raifing the heart to God.
We fliould always have our people's neceflities in
our eye. To remember that * One thing is need-
* ful,' will take us off from needlefs orxiaments, and
unprofitable controverfies. Many other things are

♦ N. B. " The fins of miniftcrs," which the author had
pointed out in a diflind feries of particulars, are introduced in
this; as many of the thoughts in both necefiarily coincided,

defirabic

Chap. IX. Necejfaries preferahle to Nsvelttes. 15.7

defirable to be known, but thefe mufl be known, or
elfc our people are undone for ever. Neceflity
fhould be the great difpofer of a minifter's (ludies
and labours. If we were fufficient for every thing,,
we might undertake every thing, and take in order
the whole Encyclopedia. But life is fliort and we
are dull. Eternal things are neceifary, and the
fouls which depend on our teaching are precious.

I confcfs that neceflity has been the condudlor of
my ftudies, and my life. It choofes what books I
fliall read, and when, and how long. It choofes
my text and makes my fermon, both for matter
and manner, as far as I can keep out my own cor-
ruptions* Though I know that the conftant ex-
pectation of death has been a great caufe of this with
regard to myfelf, yet I fee no reafon why the moft
healthful man fhould not make fure of the necefla-
ries firll ; confidering the ihortnefs and uncertainty
of all men's lives. Who can, either in ftudy,
preaching, or life, be employed about foreign mat-
ters, when he knows that this or that muft be
done ? As the foldier fays, Non diu di/putandum^
fed celeriter et fortiter dimicandum ubi urget necfffitaSy
fo much more may we, as our buiinefs is more
important. Doubtlefs this is the beft way to redeem
time, to fpend it only on neceflfary things : and I
think it is the way to be moft profitable to others ;
though not always to be moft pleating and applaud-
ed \ becaufe through men's frailty, that is too true

which

158 Necejfaries Jbmild be mJUnJifted on. Part TI*

which Seneca complins of, Nova potius miramuK
quam magna.

A preacher, muft be often upon the fame things,
becaufe the matters of neceflity, are few. This we
fh'ould not avoid,, tafatisfy fuch as look for novel*
ties, though we ihould clothe the fame neceflaries
with a grateful variety,, in the manner of our deli-.
vering them. Neceflaries are common and obvi«
ous; for fuperfluities we may wafte our time and
labour, and often to no purpofe. The great vo-
lumes and tedious controverfies that fo much trou--
ble us and wafte our time, are ufually made up
more of opinion than neceflary truths*. —You
would choofe thofe authors to read for yourfelves,
which tell you what you know not, and treat of
the moft neceflary things in the cleared manner,^
though it be in the moft barbarous language, rather
than thofe which moft learnedly, and in the moft
elegant language, tell you that which is falfe and
vain, et magna conatu nihil dicere t P And furely you

.* Neceflxtas brevibiu clauditur terminis; Opinio nuUis.

Marsil. Ficinus.

f Sunt qui fcire volant eo £kie tantum ut fciant, et tar*
pis curiofitas efi ; et font qui fcire volunt ut fcientiam foam
vcndant; et turpis qaeflus eft: funt qui fcire volunt ut
fciantur ip(i, et turpis vanitas eft:** fed funt qui fcire volant
ut sdificentur; et prudentia eft : et funt quoque qui fciie
volunt ut icdificent; et Cuaritas eft.

Berkard, Serm. in Cant. 26.

ihould

Chap. IX. Plain Language recommended. 159

fhould aft on the fame principle in teaching other
men, as in fiudying for yourfelf. They are com-
monly empty, ignorant men, deftitute of the mat-
ter and fubftance of true learning, who are over,
curious about words and ornaments ; who afFe£t to
be efteemed what they are not, having no other
way to procure that cfteem ; whereas the oldeft,
moft experienced, and mod learned men, abound
in fubftantial verities, ufually delivered in the
plaineft drefs.

II. All our teaching fhould be as plain and
intelligible as we can make it.

This beft fuits a teacher's ends. He that would
be underflood, muft make it his bujinefs to be un-
derftood, by fpeaking to the capacities of his hear-
ers. Truth loves the light, and is moft beautiful
when moft naked. He is an enemy that hides the
truth ; and he is a hypocrite who does this under a
pretence of revealing it. Highly ornamented fer-
mons are like painted glafs in windows, which
keeps out the light, and are too often the marks of
hypocrify. If you would not teach men, what do
you in the pulpit ? If you would, why do you not
fpeak fo as to be underftood? For a man purpofe-
ly to cloud his matter in ftrange words, and hide
his mind from the people whom he pretends to in-
ftru€l, is the way to make fools admire his pro-
found

1 6o Different Cafes require different Treatment, Payt 11^

found learning, but wife men, his folly, pride, and
hypocrify. — Some perfons purpofely conceal their
fentiments, through a pretence of neceflity, be-
caufe of men's prejudices, and the unpreparednefs.
of common underftandings to receive the truth.
But truth overcomes prejudice by mere light of
evidence. There is no better way to make a good
caufe prevail, than to make it as plain and as tho-
roughly underftood as we can; this will properly
difpofe an unprepared mind. He that is not able
to deliver his matter plainly to others (I mean as
plainly as the nature of it will bear, and fuppofing
them to have capacities for underftanding it) fhews.
that he has not well digefted it himfelf.

III. We fliould always fuit our inftruftions,.
and our behaviour,^ to the capacities and circum-
ftances of thofe with whpm we haye to do.

Our work muft be carried on prudently, orderly,
and by degrees. Milk muft go before ftrong meat.
The foundation muft be laid before we can build
upon it. Children muft not be dealt with as men
at age,. A perfon. muft be brought into a ftate of
grace before we can expeft from him the works of
grace. The fte wards of God's houfehold muft
* give to each their portion iq due feafon.' We
muft not go beyond the capacities of our people,
nor teach them the perfedion, who hav.e not learnt

the

.Chap. IX. Humility recommended, 161

the principles. — There muft be a prudent mix-
ture of feverity and mildnefs, both in our preach-
ing and difcipline : each muft be predominant ac-
cording to the quality of the perfon, or the matter
we have in hand. If there be no feverity, our re-
proofs will be defpifed ; if it be all feverity, we
ihall be efteemed ufurpers of dominion.

IV. Every part of our work muft be managed
with great HUMILITY.

Pride is one of the moft heinous, and yet one
of our moft palpable fins. It difcovers itfelf in
many by their drefs : it choofes their cloth and their
falhion, and drefles their hair and their habit ac-
cording to the tafte. And I wifh this were all, or
the worft : but alas how frequently does it go with
us to our ftudies ! How often does it choofe our
fubjeS, and how much oftener our words and
ornaments ! Sometimes it puts in toys and trifles
under a pretence of laudable embelliihments, and
often pollutes inftead of polifhing. It makes us
fpeak to our people what they do not underftand,
[^merely to difplay our learning.] It takes off the
edge of a difcourfe under a pretence of filing off the
roughnefs and fuperfluity. If we have a plain and
cutting paflage, it throws it away as too ruftical or
ungrateful. Now though our matter be of God,^ if
our dreifing and manner and end be from Satan (a$

is

i6ft How Pride in Miniflers Part 1 1.

is the cafe when pride has the ordering of it) we
have no great reafon to expe£k fuccefs. Yet thus
does pride make many a man's fermon. And when
they have compofed the difcourfe, it goes with them
into the pulpit ; it forms their tone, it animates their
delivery, it takes them off from what would be
difpleafing, and direds them in the purfuit of vairv
applaufe. In (hort, inftead of feeking God's glory,
and denying themfelves, it makes them, both in
ftudying and preaching, to feek themfelves and deny
God. When they fliould alk, ** What fliall I fay,
and how Ihall I fay it, to pleafe God beft, and do^
moft good," pride makes them aft, " What fhall
I fay, and how (hall I deliver it, to be thought a
learned, able preacher, and to be applauded by all
that hear me ?" When the fermon is done, pride
goes home with them, and makes them more eager
to know whether they were applauded, than whether
they did any good to the fouls of men. Were it
not for ihame, they could willingly aft people how
they liked them, to extort their commendations^
If they perceive that they are highly thought of,
they rejoice as having attained their end : if not,
they are difpleafed, as having loft the prize.

But this is not all : fome minifters are fo fet tipon
a popular air, and having the higheft place in the
efteem of men, that they envy the abilities and
names of their brethren who are preferred to them ; .
as if all were taken fronx their praife, that is given

to

Chap. IX. commonly dlfcovers itjelf. \(>^

to another's, and as if God had beftowed his gifts
upon them as the mere ornaments of their perfons,
that they might walk as men of reputation in the
world ; and as if all the gifts of other minifters
were to be trodden down and vilified, if they fhould
ftand in the way of their honour. Strange ! that
one workman fhould malign another, becaufe he
helps him to do his mafter's work ! Yet how com-
mon is this heinous crime among men of ability
and eminence in the church! They will fecretly
blot the reputation of fuch as oppofe their own,
and will at lead raife fufpicions, where they can-
n<yt fatten accufations. Nay, fome go fo far as to
be unwilling that any minifters abler than themfelves
Ihould come into their pulpits, left they fhould be
applauded above themfelves. It is a furprifing thing
that any man who has the leaft fear of God, fhould
fo envy his gifts in others, as that he had rather his
carnal hearers fhould remain unconverted, than that
they fhould be converted by another perfon who
may be preferred to himfelf. Yet this fin does fo
prevail, that it is difficillt to get two minifters to
live together in love and quietnefs, unanimoufly to
carry on the work of God: unlefs one of them be
greatly inferior to the other, and content to be
fo efteemed, and to be governed by him, they are
contending for precedency, envying each other's in-
tereft, and behaving with ftrangenefs and jealoufy
towards one another, to the fhame of their profef-
fion, and the injury of their congregations. Nay,

fo

164 Haw Pride dif covert itf elf : Part 11-

fo great is the pride of fomc ininifters, that whe»
they might have an equal affiftant, to further the
work of God, they had rather take all the burden
upon themfelves, though more than they can bear,
than that any ihould (hare with them in their ho-
nour, or left they (hould diminifti their own inter-
eft in the people.

It is owing to pride that many minifters make
fo little proficiency : they are too proud to learn*
It is through pride alfo that men fo magnify their
own opinions, and are as cenforious of any that
differ from them in leffer things, as if their fenti-
ments were the rules of the churches faith. While
we cry down papal infallibility,, too many of us
would be Popes ourfelves, and would have every
thing determined by our judgments, as if we were
infallible. And fo high are our fpirits, that when
any reprove or contradift us, (though not without
fufficient reafon) we are commonly impatient both
of the matter and the manner. We love the man
that will fay as we fay, and promote our reputation^
though in other refpefts he be lefs worthy out
^fteem : but he is ungrateful to us, who differs from
us, and contradicts us, and plainly tell us of our
faults ; efpecially in relation to our public per-
formances. Many, through their pride, imagine
that all thofe perfons defpife them who do not ad-
mire all they fay, and fuhmit to their judgments in
the moft palpable miftakes. Thus have they dif-
honoured themfelves by, idoli^dng their honour, aod

publicly

Chap. IX. The Sinfulnefi and Danger of It, 165

publicly proclaimed their own ftiame. From pride
proceed all the envy, contention, arid unpeaceable-
nefs of minifters, which are the hinderances to all
reformation : all would lead, but few will follow
or concur. Yea, hence proceed fchifms and apo-
ftacies, as did former perfecutions, arrogant ufur-
pations, and impofitions. In (hort, it is pride at
the root that nourifhes all our other fins, and this
virtually contains them all.

Give me leave, brethren, to expoftulate with you
and my own heart with regard to this fin, that we
may fee the evil of it and be reformed. Pride is
the fin of devils ; the fir/l born of hell ; it is that
wherein the devil's image does principally confift.
It is an intolerable evil in a man that is fo much
engaged againft him as we are. Pride ill becomes
thofe that are to lead men in fuch an humble way
to heaven. We had need to take care, left when
we have brought others thither, the gate fhould
prove too ftraight for'ourfelves. God, who thruft
out a proud angel, will not there entertain a proud
preacher as fuch. The very defign of the gof-
pel tends to felf-abafement. The work of grace
is begun and carried on in humiliation. Humility
is not the mere ornament of a chriftian, but it is an
effential part of the new creature. All that will be^
Chrift's difciples muft come to him and learn of him :
their leflbn is, to be * meek and lowly in heart.*
How many admirable precepts and examples has

our

i66 Pride unbecoming Minijitr 5 » Part 11.

our Lord and mafter given us to this end ! Can we
cnce conceive of him as wafhing and wiping his
fervants feet, and yet be haughty and domineering !
Sh^Il he converfe with the meaneft, and fhall we
avoid them as contemptible, and think none but
the rich and honourable fit for our fociety ! Many
of us are oftener found in the houfes^ of gentlemen,
than in the poor cottages of fuch as mod need our
help ; as if we had taken the charge only of the fouls
of the rich. Methinks we fliould remember our title
as Ministers, [which fiffixfiQf* fervants.'] We
ihould not fpeak proudly or difrefpe£tfully to any,
but (hould carry ourfelves meekly and courteoufly
to all, remembering that we are obliged to be
* the fervants of all.' We ihould not be ftrange
to the pooreft and meaneft of the flock, but
Ihould * condefcend to men of low eftate,' as our
equals in Ghrift. Familiarity improved to holy
ends is necefTary, and may do abundance of good ;
and furely a kind winning carriage is a very cheap
way of doing it. We fliould fo teach others, as
to be ready to learn of any ; thus we may both
teach and learn at once * : not proudly venting

* We may fay of miniftcrs in general what Augujline faid
of the aged of them ; »* Etfi magis dccet docere quam dif-
qere, magis tamen decet difcere quam ignotare.**

" Ab omnibus libcntcr difcc quod tu nefcis: quia humi-
litas commune tibi facere potefi, quod natura cuique proprium
fecit, fapienter omnibus eris, fi ab omnibus difcere volueris :
qui abr omnibus accipiunt, omaibu( ditiores funt.*^ Hugo.

our

Chap. IX. 7T}e Folly of Pride expojed, 167

pur own conceits, and difdaining all that any way
•contradidl them/ as if we, having attained the
height of knowledge, were defiined to the chair,
and all other men were to~ fit at our feet.

Alas, brethren ! what is it that we have to be (b
proud of? Of our bodies? They are made of
the fame materials as the meaneft of our fellow-
creatures. Is it of our graces ? The more we are
proud of them, the le(^ have we to be proud of,
fince much of the nature of grace is in humility.
Is it of our learning and abilities ? Surely, if we
have any knowledge at all, we mud know much
Teafon to ,be humble. If we know more than
t>thers, we muft know more reafon to be humble
than they do. But how little is it that the moft
learned know, in comparifon with what they are
ignorant of ! And to know how ignorant we are,
and how far things are beyond our reach, one would
imagine, could be no great caufe of pride.

It is our very bufinefs to preach humility ; it is
therefore very unfit that we fhould be proud* Muft
we ftudy and preach humility, and muft we not pof-
fefs and praSice it ? A proud preacher of humility,
is at leaft a felf*condemning man. And I befeech
you to confider, whether it will fave us to fpeak
well of the grace we do not poflefs ; whether fin-
cerity can confift with allowed pride, and whether
we can be faved without humility, any more than
without temperance or chaftity.

Confider

i68 Minljlers much expcfed to Pride » Part II>

Confider further, brethren, I befeech you, what
baits there are in the miniflerial office, to entice to
vanity, and what temptations to pride lie in our
way, that you may be more upon your guard
againil it. What a fnare may it prove, to have
the fame of godly men, and of learned zealous
preachers! How pleafing is it to have the people
crowd to hear us, and to be able to command their
judgments and afFedions ! Efpecially to be renown-
ed through the land for the highefl fpiritual excel-
lencies ! To have the people plead for us as their
felicity, and call us the pillars of the church of
God, and their fathers, ^ the chariots and horfe-

* men of Ifrael!' Alas! brethren, a little grace
will ferve to make you join with the forwardeft
of thofe men that have thefe inducements ; nay
pride may do it without any fpecial grace *. O
therefore be jealous of yourfelves, and in all your
ftudies be fure to ftudy humility. * He that ex-

* alieth himfelf (hall be brought low : whereas

* A Jcfuit, who had been employed twenty years in the
milfions of Canada, owned privately to his friend, that, while
he did not believe in the being of a God, he had faced death
twenty times for the fake of the religion which he preached to
the favages with great fuccefs. His friend, hereupon, repre-
lented to him the inconfiftency of hiz zeal : <* Ah I" replied
the miffionary, << you have no idea of the pleafure which is felt
V in commanding the attention of twenty thoufand people,
'* and in perfuading* them to what we believe not ourfelves*"
D* A L E M B s T 's Account of the Jefuits* £d.

' he

Chap. IX. Strioufnefsmd Reverence nemrnunded. 169

^ he that hmnbleth himfelf fliall be exalted/ I
commoidy obferve, that almoft all men^ both good
and bad, loathe the proud, and love the humble ;
fo far does pride defeat' its own ends* We have
caufe to be the more jealous of ourfelves, becaufe
pride is a vice which is moft deeply rooted in us,
and with as much diftcuity as any extirpated from
the fouL

V. In every part of our work, we fliould be
ferious, afFedionate, zealouf , ajid reverent.

The iipportance of our matter condemns colct*
nefi^ and fleepy dulnefs. Our fpirits (hould be well
awakened, that we may be fit to awaken others.
If our words be not iharp and piercing, they will
hardly be felt by ftony hearts. To fpeak (lightly:
and coldly about heavenly things, is as bad as to
fay nothing of them.

AH our work tnuft be managed reverently^
as becomes them that believe the prefence of
<jrod ; not treating holy things as if they were
common. The more of God appears in our du-
ties; the more authority will they have with men.
Reverence is that affe£tion of the foul which pro-
ceeds from deep apprehenfions of God, and de-
iTQtes that the mind is much converfant with him*
To manifeft irreverence about the things of God,
is fo far to manifeft hypocrify, and that the heart

I agrees

170 AH our Worhjhould be done reverenfly^ Eart II.

agrees not with the tongue. I know not how it is
with other perfons ; but the moft reverent preacher,
who fpeaks as if he faw the face of God, does
more afFed niy heart, though with common words,
than an irreverent man with the moft accurate pre-
parationSy though he bawl it out with ever fo much
feeming earneftnefs. If reverence be not equal to
fervency, it has but little eiFe£t. Of all prfaching
in the world I hate that moft which tends to make
the hearers laugh, or to afFed their minds with
fuch levity as stage-plays dc^ inftead of affect-
ing them with an holy reverence of the name of
0od *. We (hould fuppofe, when we draw near
him in holy things, that we faw the throne of God,
and the millions of glorious angels attending him,
that we may be awed with his majefty, left we
profane his fervice and take his name in vain.

VI. All our work fliould be done spiritual-
ly ; as by menpoflefled of the Holy Ghoft, and
aduated by him.

* Docente in ecdefia te, non clamor populi, fed gemitos
fufcitetur : Lacrymae auditorum laudes tus funt. Je rom»

" It will fpoil all our admonitions to fpeak of things immo*
** ral in a ludicrous jefling way. They judge very ill that
'* think the progrefs of fin is to he flopped by a laugh or
** a jeft. This is certainly a yfiing which is not c9nveni«M
£ph, ▼• i|« WaiGHT on tht Decdtfubufs o/Sin^ p. sog.

Wc

••

*

Chap« IX. and in nffiriiual Manner. ' 171

We fliottld be men that ^ favour the things of-

* the fpirit/ There is in fome loien's preachii^ a
fpiritual ftrain which fpiritual hearers can difcem
and reliib*; whereas in others, this facred tinfture'
is fo wanting, that even when they fpeak of fplri- '
tual things, the manner is fuch as if they were
common matters. Our evidence and ornaments
ou^t to be fpiritual: rather borrowed from the /
fcriptures {with a cautious fubfervient ufe of human
wxitings) than from the authority of AriftotU^
or any other men. * The wifdom of the world'
muft not be magnified againft ^ the wiCdom of God.'
Philofophy muft b<B taught to fioop and ferve, while
faith bears the principal fway. The great fcholars
in Arijiotk's fchool, muft take heed of glorying
too much in their mafter^ and defpifmg thofe
who are beneath them, left they themfelves prove
lower in the fchool of Chrift, and ^ leaft in the

* kingdom of God,* while they would appear great
in the eyes of men. As wife a man as any of
them ' would glory in nothing but in the crofs of

* Chrift, and determined to know nothing but him

* crucified*.' The moft learned men fhould think
of this. Let all writers have their due efteem, but
compare none of them with the word of God. We

* Deus primo collegit indoStos: pofi modum philofophos,
ct non per oratores docuit pifcatortfs, fed per pifcatoresi Tube-
gitoratores. Gr£G. M. Moral. L. 33,

I 2 will

17ft In M we mufl iiftever Part II.

^11 not rdFufe their fervice, but we tnuft abhor
them as competitorv. God is the bed teacher of
\6s own nature and will. It is the fign of a dif-
tempered heart, when a perfon lofes the relifh for
fcripture excellency. There is in a fpiritual heart
a connaturality to the word of God, becaiife this
was the means of his regeneration. The word is
that feal which made all the holy imprefliohs diat
are in the hearts of true believers, and ftainpt the
image of God upon them ; they muft therefore love
that word as long as they live.

VII. The whole of our miniftry muft bexarried
on in a tender lo v e to our people. .

We muft let them fed that nothing pleafes us
but what profits them ; that what does them good,
does us good, and that nothing troubles us more
than their hurt. ** Bifliops (as Jferom fays) are
" not lords, but fathers ;" and therefore muft be
afFefted towards their people as their children : yea
the tendereft love of the mother ihould not fur-
pafs theirs. We muft even * travail in birth for
' them till Chrift be formed in them.' We Aould
convince them that we care for no outward thing,
not money, nor liberty, nor credit^ nor life itfelf,
in coraparifon with their falvation. When your
people fee that you vnfeignedly love them, tkey

will

,€3l3p. IX. an lijgftqpt^ Lfive h mr People. ij^

vtrill hear an^. thing, i^d bear wn^ thing*^. We
ourfelves fluwdcl put up wkfa a blow guren us in
love, fooner than with a hard -word given us in
dinger and malice. Moft men juc^e of advice, as
thej judge of ihf afieftion of him who gives it.
O therefore fee to it that you feel a. tender love to
your people in your breads, and let them feel it in
youf fpeecfaes, and fee it in your conduft. Let
them fee that you * fpend and are fpent for their
^ fakes \ that all you do is not for any ettds of
your own, but for them. To this end, works of
I charity will be neceiEuy, as far as your circum-
{tSemcm allow* [Of which more hereafief .]
' Be fure that yoor love be not carnal^ flawing
from pride^ and that you do not appear as one thit
is a fuitof for himfelf, rather than for Ckrift ; wbo
doves becaofe he is beloved, or pretendb it thort be
inay be. Take heed' diat you. d» not connive at
men's fins under a pretence of love ; for that were
to contradid the very nature and ends of h t«
Fciendlhtp muA* be cemented by piety. A wicked
.man can bq no true friend* If you befriend the
fins of the wicked, you ihew that you are fucfa
yourfelves. By favo4tring their fin you difcover
your enmity ta God ; and then bow can you love
your brother. If you be their beft friends, telp

^ Btligc et die quodomque voles. Ave.
f Amici vitta fi ferai, facis tua. Ssnsca.

I 3 them

tli^m againft their worft enemtesi.^ ' Pretend not to
love them if you favour their fins, and do not feek
their falvation. .vDo not think all fliarpneft iacpn*-
iSftent with love. Parents will corred .their chi^
dren, and God himfelf, will ^ cbaften every fon
* that he lavcth ♦.

VIII.. Tak^ care that your worhily and fieflily
intereftsy do not too much prevail againft the inte^
reft'Of Chrift and the good of fouls.

Never be guilty of temporizing for the fake, of
gain. It is one of the greatell. reproaches upon the
ininiftry^ that fo tnany pf us do fo mucKfuit them^
.fdivestothe party that' is m oft likely to fiiitrtfaeir
ehdsy and promote their woddly advantage. This
.dften occa&ons our enemies to fay, that reputstion
* and. preferment are our religion and our reward.
Ncverl et a regard to your worldly intereft prevent
your diCcharge of any part of your duty,, even
though the moft di&greeable to^ your people, ancT
though it ihould hinder them from paying their
dues. I find, alas ! that money is too ftrong an^ ar-
gument for fome minifters to anfwer, who can
proclaim * the love of it to be the root of aH -evil^*
and can make long orations on. th^dangerof cove^-

* Melius eft cum fevcriate dtligere, quam cum leiikatfr
decipere. Aug.

oufnefs..

Chap, IX, Works of Charity recommended. 1^5

oufnefs. If it were fo heinous a fin in Simon Ma^
gus to offer to buy the gifts of God with. money,
what i^uil it be to s-ell his gifts, his caufe, and
the fouls 6f men for money ! and what reafon have
iJuch to fear, lell * their money perifli with them!'
Be fure that your concern about your temporal
intercft, does not prevent your Works of Charity.
Bare Words will hardly convince men that you
have any love to them. Works of charity do mod
powerfully remove men's prejudices, and open their
ears to the words of piety. If they fee that you
are addi&ed to do goody they will more ^afily be^
lieve that you are good, and that it is good to
.which you would peifuade them. Go to tjiie poor
to fee what they want, and at once (hew- your com-
panion to foul and body. Buy them catechifms
and other fmall books that aie likely to do them
good. Stretch your purfe to the utmoft of your
power, and do all the good you can.. I would
put no one upon extremes: it isdoubtlefs every
man's duty to * provide for thofe of his own houfe.*
But minifters fliould educate their children a& other
peifons in low circumftances do, . that they may be
able to get their own livings in fome honeft trade
or employment, without other great provifion.
Yo(j are bound to educate them fo as they may be
capable of doing the mod fervice for God; but
not to leave them rich. You ihouki not forbear
neceflary works of charity, merely to make a larger

I 4 provifiop

176 Stlf'dtnM mciffiuj. Part II.

provifion for them • A truly charitable felf-denying
heart, that hath devoted itfelf and all it hath to
God> would be the beft judge of due proportions ;
would fee which way of expence is likely to do
God the greateft fervice^ and would cheerfully take
that.

I would not have men lie under temptations to
incontinency • ;— but if minifters muft marry, they
fliould marry fuch as can maintain themfelves and
their children, and fo devote as much as they can
' of the churches means, to the churches fervioe.
But in this cafe, flefli and blood make even good
men fo partial, that they fometimes look upon du*
ties, and duties of great importance, to be extremes.
The flefli will tell us that we muft have a compe*
tency : toA many pious men's competency is but
little below the rich man's rates. If they be not
clothed with the beft, and fare not ' fumptuoufly

* every day,* they have not a competency. Bre-
thren, thiidc not of being rich. < Seek not great

* things for yourfelves,' or your pofterity. A man
that preaches an immortal crown of glory, muft
tiot feek much alfter tranfitory vanity. He that
teaches others the contempt of riches, muft himfelf
contemn them, and fliew it by his life. He that

* Tlie aatbor here has • paflagie in lavoar of celibacy, which
was ilbon^ jaMcniMc, and therefore it in tbia editioa
MltuA.

recommends

Chap. IX. The Inip&rtance of Liberality. tjj

recommends felf-^lenial and moitificatiofi, muft
pra£tife thefe bunfelf in the eyes of the worid, if
he would have his dodrine profper. Att chrifti-
ans, with all they have, are confecrated to their

* mailer's ufe:' but Miniftets, as they are doubly
devoted to God, are doubly obliged to * honour

* him with their fubftance.' That man who has
any thing in the world fo dear to him that he can-
not fpare it for Chrifl:, if he calls for it, is no true
chriilian. What if you impoverifh yourfelves to .
do others good, will it be lofs or gain ? If you be-
lieve that God is your fafeft purfe-bearer, and that
to expend in his fervice is the greateft ufury, Ibew
your people that you do believe it. Do not take it
as an undoing to * .make to you friends of the
^ Mammon of unrighteoufnefs, and to lay up for.

* yourfelves treafures in heaven,' though you leave
vonrfelves but little on earth.

O what abundance of good might mimfters do, .
if they would but live iaa contempt of the. world ; ,
the riches, and glories of it, and expend all they
have for their matter's ufe ! . This would unlock
more hearts for the reception of their do6lrine than
all their oratory will do. Without this, fingularity
in religion will feem but hypocrify, and perhaps is.:
nothing more. Though we need not. do as the
Papifts, who betake themfelves to monaderies, and .
caft away all their property, yet we muft have no-*
thing but what we have for. God. Thctworicl

1-5 perhaps

178 Necejfttj of Patience y Part II.

perhaps will expe£l more from us than we have ;
but if we cannot anfwer the expectations of the un-
reafonable, let us do what we can to anfwer the
expe&ations of God, and to fatisfy confctence and
good men. Thofe that have a large income muft
increafe their charity in proportion. If you are
not able to do many a£ts of charity, ihew that you
are willing, if you had ability, by doing that fort
of good you can.

IX. Let me recommend to you the cultivation
and exercife of Pat i en C£ as a neceifary concomi-
tant of your work.

We muft bear with many abufes and injuries
from thofe for whom we are doing good. When
we have ftudied for them and prayed for them ;
when we have exhorted and befought them with
all condefcenfion ; when we have given them all
we are able ; have fpent ourfelves for them, and
tendered them as if ttiey had been our children, we
muft expeft that many will requite us with fcorn,
hatred, and contempt ; that they will caft our kind-
nefs in our faces with difdain, and take us for their
' enemies becaufe we tell them the truth ;' and that

* the more we love themj the lefs fhall we be be-

* loved.' All this muft be patiently endured, and
ftill we muft unweariedly hold out in doing them
good \ ^ in meeknefs inftruding thofe that oppofe

* themfelvcs,

Chap.. IX. and of a peaceabk Temper^ 179

' themfelves, if peradventure God will give them
*. repentance.' Though they fcornfuUy rejeft.our
.teaching, and bid us look to ourfelves, ftill we
muft perfevere. We have to deal with di{lra£led
men, who will fly in the face of their phyfician;
but we muft not therefore negle£t the cure. He
is v€ry unfit to be a phyfician who will be driven
away from a frantic patient by foul words. It
is not to be expeded that fools ihould make u» as
gr^eful returns for our care over them as wife men.
But, alas! how fadly do moft minifters come off
in this part of their trial ! WJien Tinners reproach
and ilander them for their love, what heart-rifings
will there be ! How will the remnants of the old
Adam (pride and pailion) ftruggle agginft the
meekncfs and patience of the new man !.

X. Ill all our work we ihould be as P£:AC£t-
ABLE as we can: we ihould ftudiouily promote
union and communion among ourfelves, and the
unity and peace of the churches commixed to oux-
care.

We muft be feniible how neceflary this is to the
profperity of the whole church ; the ilrcngxbening
of the common caufe ; the good of the. particular
members of our flock, and the further enlargement
f the kingdom of Chrift. Minifters therefore ihould
feel very fenfibly when the church is wounded, ?aui

I 6 ^ ihould

^8o ASvvj^ if a peaeetAU Temper. Part II.

flioold be fo far from being leaders in divifions, that
they Ihould confiderit as an important part of their
work to prevent and heal them. They fliould not
only hearken to motions for unity, but fhould ftudy
day and night to find out means to clofe breaches;
and ihould alfo.propofe and profecute them. In*
ftead jof quarreliii^ with our brethren, we fliouM
combine againft the common enemy.

Moil miniilers will fpeak for unity and peace ;
but how feldom do we fee them addided to promote
it! Too commonly they are jealous of it, and are
even the inilruments of diviiion. The Papiils have
fo long abufed the name of Catholic Churchy that
in oppoiition to them, many either put it out of
their creed, or only retai^i the name, while they
underiland not, or coniider not the nature of the
thing, and behave not as members of that body. Of
the multitude that fay they are of the catholic
church, it is rare to meet with men of a catholic
fpirit. They do not duly regard the whak church,
but look -upon their own party as if that were the
whole. Moil of them will pray hard for the proi^
perity of their fed, and rejoice and give thanks
when it goes well with them, thinking that the hap-
pinefs of the reil confiils only in turning to them^
but if any other party fufFer, they little regard it ;
as if it were no lofs to the church at all. Nay, be«-
caufe they are not of their mind, they wiih for,
and are glad to hear of their fall^ imagining that is

the

Chap. IX« Tm JeUkm fmni ammg Minifters . 181

the way to the diuiches rifing. If they differ not
among thenfeWes, they are but little troubled at
differing from others, though it be from almoft all
the chiiftian world. The peace of their party they
take for the peace of the church ; no wonder there-
fore if they are concerned to carry it no further.

Few grow zealous of peace, till they grow old,
or have much experience of men's fpirits and prin-
ciples, when they fee better the true ftate of the
church and the feveral differences in it ; and then
they begin to write their Irentcums^ to leave behind
them when they are dead, as witnefles againft a
wilful, felf-conceited, ui^eaceable world. Many
of thefe are extant at this day *. It often brings a
man under a fufpicion either of favouring fome
herefy, and of needing an indulgence to his own
errors ; or of having abated his zeal for the truth,
if he does but attempt a pacificatory work : as if
there Were no zeal hecefiary for the great funda-
mental truths, and for the unity and peace of the
church, but only for parties, and for fome parti-
cular dodrines.

We have as fad divifions among us in Eng-
land, as moft nations have known : but is tbo

* See efpecially Ha1i.'s excellent treatife called " The
Peace-maker," and his "Pax Terns," which deferve to be
tranfcribed upon all our hearts.— To thefe the Editor bega
leave to add, Bmnffft Irenicam } written by the author of Tkt
Chrifian OraUny*

difference

iSa Of unhappy Divtftons among Mlnifters Part 1 1.

difference between the feveral denominations of
Proteftants fo great that we might not come to an
agreement ? Were we but heartily willing, I know
we might. I have converlied with fome moderate
men of all parties, and I perceive by their concef-
fions, that a union were an eafy work. If we could
not in every point agree, we might eaflly leifen our
-differences, and hold communion upon our agree-
ment in the main; determining on the fafefl: way
for managing our few and fmall differences,, without
the danger or trouble of the church. Ta the fhami^
of all our faces be it fpoken that this is not done.
Let each party flatter themfelyes asthey pleafe,
this will be recorded to the (hame of. the minifteis
of England as long as. the gofpel abides in the
world.

We confefs the worth of peace; we. read and
preach on thofe texts, that Conunand u^ to ^ fol^
^ low peace with all men,' &c. .and yet we, fit ftill
and negle£b it as if it was not worth looking after.;
and too many will cenfure and reproach any that
endeavour it, as if holinefs and peace were fo fal-
len out that there were no rec(H)ciling them ^ when
yet we have found by long experience that concord
is a fure friend to piety, and that piety always tends
to concord. We have feen to our forrow, that
where the fervants of God flioutd have lived toge-
ther as of one heart and voice, promoting each
other's faith and holinefs; and rejoicing together in

the

Chap. I X. The Evils ofDiJcord. 18 J

the hope of fiiture glory, they have, on the con-
trary, lived in iQutual jealoufies, drowned holy love^
in bitter contentions, and ftudied to difgrace and
undermine one another, and to increafe their own
parties^ by right or by wrong,

Thi& fin of difcord among minifters is accom-
canied with many heinous aggravations. We have
feen how errors and herefies breed by it, as dif-
cord is bred and fed by them. Nor have ^e
ourfelves only fcorched in this flame, but we have
alfo drawn our people into it, fo that they are fal-
len into feveral parties, and have turned much of
their ancieht piety into vain opinions, difputes, and
animofities.. And (which is worft of all) the com-
mon ignoraht people take notice of it, and not only
deride us, but become hardened againft religion^
If we go aoout to perfuade them to be religious,
they fee fo inany parties, that they know not which
to join with, and think that it is as well to belong
to none at all as to join any, fince they know not
which is the right. Many poor carnal wretches
think themfelves in the better cafe, while they hold
to their old formalities, and we hold to nothing.
Did we but agree among ourfelves in the main,
nnd do as much of God's work as we could in con-
current imanimity, our words would have fome au-
thority with them, and we fhould be in a greater
capacity to do t;hem good. But if our tongues and
hearts be divided, no wonder if our work prove

more

184 The Evil ef a^ Party Spirtt. Part II.

more like a Babel than the Temple of God. It
is not ftrange that the people (hould defpife tis, if
we defpife one another. Some minifters, by their
bitter opprobrious fpeechcs of others, have more
eifedlually done the devil's fervice, under the name
of ORTHODOxv and zeal for the truth,
than the malignant fcomers of godlinefs could pof-
fibly have done. The matter is come to this pafs,
that there are few men of note, of any party, but
who are fo publicly reproached by the other par-
ties, that the ignorant and wicked rabble, who
fhould be converted by them, have learnt to be
orthodox, and to vilify and fcorn them.

Miftake me not: I do not flight orthodoxy,
or jeer at the name, but only expofe the pretences
of devilifh zeal in pious, or feemingly pious men.
I know that many of thefe reverend calumniators
think that they laudably difcover that foundnefs in
the faith, and that zeal for the truth, which others
want ; but I will refolve the cafe in the words of
the Holy Ghoft : * Who is a wife man, and en-

* dowed with knowledge among you? Let him

* (hew out of a good converfation his works with
< meeknefs and wifdom. But if you have bitter

* envying or ftrife in your hearts, glory not, and

* lie not againft the truth ; this wifdom defcendeth

* not from above, but is earthly, fenfual, and de-

* vilifli ; for where envying and ftrife is, there is
? confttfion and every evil work. The wifdoin

* that

Chap. IXi. The common Caufn ofDhnJions. 185

* that is from above is firft puffe, and then peace*
^ able, gentle, and eafy to be entreated, full of
^ mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
' without hyprocxify ; and the fruit of righteouf«>

* nefs is fown in peace for them that make peace.'
yames iii. 13 — 18. I befeech you read thefe words
again and again, and ftudy them well.

The mod common caufe of our divifions aivd
impeaceablenefs is, men's high efteem of their own
opiaions. This works various ways: i. g. by fet-
tii^ them upon feeking after novelties. Some ar«
as bufy in their inquiries after new dodrines as if
the fcriptures were not perfed, and are for mak*
ing new articles of £Mth, and finding out new wayi
to heaven. The body of Popery came in at dus
door. — Pride occafions divifions lik«wife, by put«>
ting a higher rate upon f(Mne truths than the church
of Chrift had ever done ; by makiiig that to be of
abfolute certainty, and of neceiEty to falvation^
which bad not before been received, or but as a
doubtful point, and of a lower nature, which fom^
were for, and fome were againft, without any
great mutual cenfure. But divifions are mcMre
efpecially occafioned, when the pride of men'a
hearts makes them fo over-value their own concep-
tions, and to be fo confident that they and their
own fed are in the right, as to exped all others
to be of their mind, and fo cenforious as to coti*
demn ail that differ frooi their party* Hereupon

x86 Dhifton: among MinifterT. Part IP.

arife fuch breaches in afFedion and communion as
there are. And it ufually happens that this confi-
dence docs but betray men's ignorance, and fliew
that many make up in paflion what they want in
reafon; zealoufly condemning what they little un-
derhand. It is far eafier to fay that another man
is erroneous and rail at him as a deceiver, than to
give a juft account of our own belief. And I have
obferved it is the trick of fome that can fcarcely
give a reafon for any controverted* part of their
creed (nor it may be of the fundamentals) to re-
proach thofe that differ from th«m as unfound^ in
order to get the name of orthodox divines.

Many take up their opinions ortly in compliance
with their feveraf parties ; looking more who be-
Beves them, than what they beReve, or on what
grounds ; and too many take up even the truth it-
felf in a fa<^on ; and therefore they muft fpeak
againft thofe that they hear fpeak againft their par-
ty-. How many hot difputes have I heard, which
the difputants have been forced to manifeft they
underftood nothing about! Nay, they will often
drive alt to damnatory conclufK>n&, when they da
not underfland one another's meaning, and are un-
srt>le, if you call upon them for it, to give a defi-
Akion of [the terms they themfelvesufe.] Thus
ciawe fMTOceed, in a contentious xeal, to cenfure
our brethren, and divide the church •

I entreat of you brethren, be very tender^ of 4he

unity

Chap. IX. ♦ Means ta prevent tim, i^

unity and peace, not only of your own parties,
but of the v*rhole church. To this end, keep clofe
to the ancient fimplicity of the chriftian faith, the
'foundation and centre of catholic unity. Do not
Tealily introduce any novelties in the church either
in faith or practice. Some have already introduced
fuch phrafes, at leaft, even about the great poinfs
of faith, that there inay be reafon to reduce them
;tcr tbe primitive patterns.

• A great ftir is made in the world about the Teft
'of.aLtrue chriRian church, with which we may
hold coomninion. And indeed the true cenife df
our continued unhappy divifions, is the want, of
^difcerning the centre of our unity, and the terms
•«n* whidi we may: unite; which, is a gceat pit}S,
Ifjsce this w^s ohce fo eafy a matter, till the ai»-
xient Teft was thougbt infuificient. The faith of
^he Papifts is too large for all men to agree upon,
'or iodeed for themfelves, if it were not enforced
with ai^omcntJs drawn from the fire and the halter.
And maoy Proteftants do too much imitate them in
<the. tedious .length of their fubfcribed Confeffion^,
atKi new impofitions. We may talk of peace 9^
ilong as we live^ but we ihall tiever obtain it tilKwe
eSitvxo to the apoftoUcal fiaapUoity^ We muft s|l^
hsx the arrogance of thetn ih^t fr^Qle.ne.w^ engine^
Btp y^x^dk and .t«arthh.churd» of G<iti9 nocteir pre-
tence of obviating errors and maintaining the tculh*
. Wc rauft let no man's-, writipgsj or the judgment

of

1 88 Mfam U pr^vtnt Difcordy Part IK

of any party, be made the Teft of truth. If we
thnifl into it all the canons of former councik
about matters of order, difcipline, and ceiemomes^
or gather up all the opinions of the Fathers for the
three or four firil ages, none of thefe will ever
ferve to found a catholic union upon. The Scrip«
lure-fufficiency muft be maintained, and nothing
beyond it impofed on any. If PapiAs, or others^
call upon us for the ilandard of our reUgioa, we
muft fhew them the Bib&£ tadier than. any Con*
feffioDs of churches, or writings of mem More
lines would meet in this centre than aie likely
to meet in any other.

' I know it is faid '^ That a man may fiibfcrihe
the S€rq)ture i^id the anpient creeds, imd yet mati^
tain Herefies:'' To which I ajifwer, fo be may
«ny other teft which you yourfelVes ftiall contrive;
and while you make a.fnare to catch Heretkrs, it^
flead of a left for the churches commumon, you
will mils your end : the Heretic, by the ftippert-
nefs of bis CMifcience, will get thsougb, and the
tender chriftian may poffibly be en&ared. Two
things are neceflary to obviate Herefies, vis. tin
Law, and the good execution of k, God iiath
made the former, which; both for fpn£s and phrtfe,
is fufficlent : let us 4}Ut do our pavt vfk tile dilm ^c-
^ution of ji, knd we Aall do all ' tha;i beion§s
to us.

This I would recdminend to all my brethren, as

neceflary

^hap. IX. undprom9te Peace in the Church. 18^

necef&ry to the churches peace ; that you learn to
diftinguifh between certainties and uncertainties ;
between neceffaries and unneceflaries ; between ca-
tholic truths and private opinions ; and lay the
Arefs upon the former inftead of the latter. Unite
in ncceflary truths, and tolerate tolerable failings*
Bear with one another in things that may be borne
with, and do not make larger Creeds or more ne-
ceffaries than God has done. In order to this,
learn to fee the true ftatc of controverfies, and re-
duce them to the point where the difference lies,
inftead of making them greater than they are.

Lay not too great ftrcfs upon thofe controverted
opinions, which have good men, and efpecially
which have whole churches, on both fides ; much
lefs on fuch controverfies as are ultimately refolved
into philofophical uncertainties ; as fome unprofit-
able difputes about Free-will; the manner of the
Spirit's operation on the mind ; the divine decrees,
&c. &c. But efpecially lay not any ftrefs upon
controverfies which are of no importance ; which,
if they were anatomized, would appear to be
merely verbal : of which fort (I fpeak confident^
upon certain knowledge) are many that now make
a great ncife in the world, and rend the church ;
though the eager contenders do not difcern, and
will not believe it.

He that fliall live in that happy day when God
will heai hrs broken churches, will fee all that I

am

1^ Extremes to be avoided. Part II.

am pleading for reduced to praSice. Moderation
will take place of dividing zeal ; the Scripture-fuf-
iiciency will be maintained ; and all human Con-
feilions and comments will be valued only as fub-
fervient helps. Till that time comes, we cannot
expedl healing truth will be entertained, fmce there
are not healing fpirits in the leaders .of the church ;
but when the work is to be done^ the work-men
will be fitted for it ; and blelTed will be the agents
in fo glorious a caufe !

But becaufe the love of unity and truth, of peace
and purity, fhould go together, we muft avoid
the two extremes, both in dodrine and difcipline.
One extreme in Dodlrine is making new addi-
tions : [this we have already confidered.] The
other is, hindering the progrefs of knowledge : this
we commonly run into by avoiding the former. It
muft be confidered, therefore, how far we may im*
prove, and not be culpable innovators*. And (i.)
our knowledge muft increafe extenfively. We muft
endeavour to know more truth, though we muft not
feign more. Much of fcripture will remain un«
known to us when we have A)ne our beft. Though
we ftiall find out no more Articles of faith which
muft be^ explicitly believed by all that will be
faved, yet we may' find out the fenfe of more,
texts, and fome do£brinal truths not contrary to
the former, but fuch as befriend them and are con-
nected with them« And we may find out more

the

^

Chap. IX. Growth in Knowledge fends to Peace. %gi

the order of truths, and how they ftand in refpeft
to one another ; and fo we may fee more of the
true method of theology than we did, which will
give us a great light into the thing itfelf, (2,) Our
knowledge muft alfo grow JuhjeHioely and inten^
lively. And this is the principal growth to be
Ibught after. We (hould endeavour to know the
fame great and neceffary truths with a founder and
clearer underftanding ; by getting more and ftronger
evidences of them, and a clearer and deeper appre-
henfion of the fame evidence : for one that is (trong
in knowledge fees the fame truth as in the day-
light, which the weak fee as in the twilight. 'To
all this mud be added, the fuUeir Improvement of
the truth received, to its proper objeS.

With refpea to Church-communion alfo, we
_ fliould carefully avoid extremes, and endeavour to
preferve purity as well as peace. As on the one hand
we fhould difcourage the unnecefiajy feparations of
pTjoud mep, (either becaufe the churches do not fall
in with their opinion, or becaute they are not fa
neformed in difciplineas they would have them, or
(b ftri£t as they ihould be) fo on the other hand
we ihould guard againft the negleft or relaxation
of difcipline, to the corrupting of the church, the
encouragement of wickednefs, and the cpnfounding
of the kingdom of Chrifl: with that of Satan.

XL In order to promote unity and concord in

the

«9* OfAfficlatiom^Minifters. Part II.

the churches, and to further each other in the work
of the Lordi let me befeech you to maintain Meet*
tngs for c^mrrtunion among yourfelres*

Do iiot grow ftrange to one another, but incor-
porate and hold all chrtftian correfpondence. Dif-
tance breeds ftrangenefs, and foments dividing ftames ,
and jealOufies, which communion will prevent or
cure. It is the chief plot of our enemies to divide
lis in order to wieaken vs: let us not confpire with
them. Cherifh not heart-burnings, nor continue
tmcharitable didances. If dividing has weakened
you, uniting muft recover your authority and
ftrength. Get together then and confult for peace.
If you h^ve any diflike to any of your brethren, or
to their coriduft, manifeft it by a free debate with
them. ^If you will but keep together, you may
>come to a better underftanding of each other, or
at leaft correft yourfelves. The fcripture com-*
mands all chridians to be * of one mind, and to pre-
' ferve the unity of the fpirit in the bond of peace,*
and obliges minifters to * be one even as^ Chrift and
* the Father are one.* You cannot be ignorant
that the unity of minifters is their honour, as well
as their duty, and that much of their ftrength with
the people lies in it; nor, that conftant communion
and correfpondence is necefTary in order to it.
Minifterial comraunicm is as much a duty as chrif-
tian communion*

Indeed

Ctiap. IX. Affhciathnsufeful toMinifters* 193

Indeed minifters have need of one anothef, and
muft improve the gifts of God in one another. If
you are humble men, you will think that you have
need of the advice and affiftance of your brethren.
The felf-fufficicnt are the mod deficient : the proud
are commonly empty men. There are many
young, raw minifters who ^fpecially need the help
that fuch communion may afford them, and the
advice of more grave experienced men, for carry-
ing on. the work of their miniftry. And many
others are fo humble and fenCble of their deficien-
cies, that they would be loth to be deprived of it.
That may fometimes be fpoken by a man of inferior
parts which came not into the minds of wifer men.
Few minifters are fo weak but they may fome-
times improve thofe that are wifer than themfelves.
And thofe that are endowed with greater parts,
TviJl have an opportunky to do greater good with
them [in fuch aflbciations] than they could other-
wife do. If you are above advice or any help to
yourfelves [that will not excufe your abfence, forj
your brethren have the more need of you by how
much the lefs you have of them.
.^ But remember thefc aflemblie's are not merely
for your own benefit and mutual edification, but
the church and the common good require them.
You owe duty to your neighbour churches, as well
as minifters ; and by carrying on le£l;ures, or con*
ferences, you will have an opportunity of confult*

K in^

194 Difference trir Sentiment Part II.

ing for the common good, and of |>romoting your
common work. Do not (hew yourfelves contemn-
ers or negle^lers of fuch a neceflary bufinefs.

Let none draw back that accord in the fubflan-
tials of faith and godlineft. Yea though fome
fhould think themfelves neceflitated to feparate in
public worftiip from the reft, methinks if they be
chriftians indeed^ they fhould be willing to hold as
much communion with each other as they can, and
to confult how to manage their differences to the
lead difadvantage to the chriflian caufe, and the
common truths which they all profefs to own and
prefer. Though they cannot change their minds
about thofe opinions which hinder their union, it
might reafonably be expelled of every party among
Ufi which profefs themfelves chriftians, that they
fhould value the Whole before a Part, and there-
fore not fo perverfely feek to promote their own
parties as to hinder the common good of the church.
And methinks a little humility fhould make men
afhamed of that common conceit of unquiet fpirits.
That the welfare of the churches depends upon
their opinions. If they are indeed a living part of
the body, the hurt of the whole will be fo much
their own, that they cannot defire it for the fake
of any party or opinion whatever. If. that evil
fpirit * whofe name is Legion' has fuch ^ower over
the hearts of any that they will quarrel at the pa-
cificatory endeavours of others^ who. liunger after

the

Chap, tX. JbouU n9t prevent Communiirt. 195

the healing of the church, and rather hinder them
than help them on, I muft fay, how diligently fo-
ever they may preach, and how pious foever they
may feem to be. If this way tends to their everlaft*
ing peace, and if they be not preparing forrow for
themfelves, I am a ftranger to the way of peace.

It is pad doubt that differing brethren may well
join in recommending to the ignorant people the
truths that they are agreed in. Archbifliop UJber
made a motion for this in Ireland even to the Pa<-
pifts themfelves. " But (fiiys he) through the jea-
loufies which diflradions in matters of religion
have bred amohgft us, the motion had fmall
eiFeft, and fo between us both, the poor people
are ftill kept in miferable ignorance, knowing
the grounds neither of the one religion nor the
other*." This is very much the cafe among us
in England. It is rare to find any, though differ-
ing only in the point of Infant-baptifm, that will
calmly, and without fraudulent defigns of fecretly
promoting their own opinions by it, entertain and
profecute fuch a motion for the common good ; as
if they had rather chriilianity ihould be thruft out
of the world, or kept under, [than that their own
notions fliould not be propagated.] Well, let any
perfon or party pretend what they will of zeal and

* Sennon before King J»mcs at Wanflcad, on the unity of
the church. ,

K % holinefsy

jg6 OhjeElUni agalnjl AJfociatlom Part IT,

holincis, I will ever take the Dlvldatur for an
ill fign. The 'true mother abhors the divifion of
thexhrld; and the true chriftian prefers the com-
mon intereft of chriftianity to that of a faftion or
opinion, and would not have the whole building
endangered rather than that one peg ihould be driven
in otherwife than -as he would have it.— -Do not
thervnegleft thefe brotheidy meetings for the ends
that have been mentioned, nor yet attend them
unprofitably, but improve them to your mutual edi-
fication, and for the efre6lual carrying on the good
9i the churches.

Do not ^flc why you cannot -do your duty to God
and your people atliome, without traveUing many
miles to a meeting of minifters; nor plead that
you have bufinefs of your own to do, when you
Ihould be doing the work of God; nor imder a
pretence of loving to live privately, prefer your own
eafe to God's fervice. — Some of thofe indeed that
cxcufe themfelves are carelefs and fcandalous men:
we ihould have no defire of their company, nor ad-
mit it, fbut upon their repentance -and ^reformation,
— Some are. empty men, and are afraid their weak-
nefs Ihould be known: but they cannot conceal it
by their folitude, whereas they might do much to
heal it by communion with their brethren. — As
for thofe that are averfe to affociating with us be--
caufe ove are not of their party, let it .be cenfidered
that by fuch communication they might give or

jeceire

Chap. IX. ofMinifters anfwered,^ 197

l^eeeive better information \ or at 'lead carry on fo
much of God's work in Unity as we are agreed in.
Let us refolve,. by the. grace of God, to adhere to
more catholic principles and pradlices, and to have
communion with all godly chriftians that will have
communion with us. But fome objeft to attend-
ing thefe aiTociationSy

1. Becaufe, they fay, '* A few men commonly
do all, and the reft do but follow them." — lan-
fwer ; There is no one in our affociations that pre-
tends to any authority over his brethren; cither
civil coercive power, or ecclefiaftical diredlivc
power. If any have fo much power as you fpeak
of/ it feems to be but the power of Truth in them,
and fuch as light hath againft darknefs. And per-
haps thofe that you call the leaders of the reft, find
themfelves to need the help of thqfe whom you fay
they lead, more than, you do theirs. But if you
do indeed think that thefe leading minifters miflead
the reft, there is the more need of the prefence of
fuch as you who dlfcern it, and who may do much
to undeceive them,

ii. I hear many fay, ** Under pretence of aflb-^
ciating, you will but fall into a multitude of frac*
tions. Not two counties can agree upon the fame
term« ; and why ihould we join with any of them
till there be a greater likelihood of union among
themfelves?" — An uhreafonabie and felf-condemn-
ing objedion. Are they more divided who aifoci-

K 3 ate.

ipS Ohje£fioni to Affhciations an/we red. Part II.

ate, than you who are fingle and go every man his
own way ? But wherein does this diverfity confift,
which you complain of?. I fee none [that fliould
prevent communion.] The truth is, this objeftion
is commonly made by men that place the unity of
the church in what God never placed it in. We
muft not be united becaufe we fubfcribe not the
fame form of words, and agree not in every cir-
cumftance or expreffion ; nor (hall we ever be
united while unity is placed in fuch indifferent
things. There are no greater dividers of the church
in the world than thofe that over-do it in pretend-
ing to unityy and lay the unity ot" the church upon
that which will not bear it. There is no poflibi-
lity of bringing all to be of every formalift's opi-
nion, and to ufe every gefture or form of words
that he (hall impofe. ' Unneceflary impofitions will
occafion contention ; whereas, where all are left to
their liberty, I never hear of contention or offence.
In the prefent cafe we do not intend, by our a(fo-
elating, to tie one another to new forms and cere<-
monies, por to make new terms of union for the
churches: all parties may join with us without de*
ferting their principles*.

If any affociations fubfcribe to fuch things a$

♦ What was added here relating to the agreement fubfcribed
by the miniftejf* in thc^ Worcefteifhire Aflbciation, is now
omitted, as being too local, and hardly confident with the au-
thor's plan of union.

you

Chap. IX. How to render AJfociations trfefuk 199

you cannot in confcience agree to, propofe the rea-
fons of your dilTent, and beg leave to except thofe
articles with which you are diflatisfied, without
unneceffarily withdrawing from your brethren's
communion; of which, if they be peaceable men,
they will readily admit. But if they would force
you to fiibfcribe againft your judgment, or elfe hold
no communion with you, then they exclude you,
and you do not exclude yourfelves. But I hope
no aiTociations among us will be guilty of fiich a
praftice.

XII. [Let all endeavour to make thefe aflbcia-
tions as ufefiil as poflible to each other, and fub-
fervient to the intereft of religion in general.]

Quarrel not, my friends, upon points of prece-
dency, or reputation, or any intereft of your own.
No man will have fettled peace in his mind, or be
peaceable in his place, that proudly envies the pre-
cedency of others, and fecretly grudges at theni
that feem to cloud his parts and name. One or
other will ever be an eye-fore to fuch men. There
is too much of the Devil's image in this fin, for a
humble fcrvant of Chrift to entertain. — Be not too
fenfible of injuries, nor malce too great a matter oF
every offenfive word or deed. At leaft do not let
it interrupt your concord in God's work: that were
to wrongs Chrift and his chucch becaufe another has

K 4 wronged

^aoo IVeJb&ulddo Good wherever we cam* l^art 1 1.

wronged you. If you be of this impatient humour
you will never be quiet : for we are all faulty, and
canndi live together without wronging one another.
Proud, over tender men are often hurt by their
own conceits; like a man that has a fore, who
thinks that it fmarts the more when he imagines
fome body hits it. They will often think that a
man jeers them or means them ill, when it never
came into his thoughts. — Till this self be taken
down, we (hall every man have a private intereft
of his own, which will lead us all into feparate
ways, and fpoil the peace and welfare of the church.
While every man is for himfelf and his own repu-
tation, and ^ all mind their own things,' no won*
-dcr if they * mind not the things of Chrift.*
[Concur together ^s brethren to promote the com*-
mon caufe, and be ready to do good when ever
you have an opportunity for it.] If we are fieartily
devoted to the work of the Lord, let us com-
paflionate the congregations about us that are un-
provided for, and endeavour to help them to able
minifters, [confulting with each other for this
purpofe.3 In the mean time, we ihould ftep out
jiow and then to their affiftance, when the bufinefs
of our own particular charge will give us leave.
A ledure ih the joiore ignorant places, purpofely
for the work of converfion, carried on by the moil
lively, afFedion^te preachers, might be very ufe-
ful where conftant means are wanting. [In thefe

aiTociations,

I

Chap, IX. KtepupDefireofSuceefs. fioa

aflbciations, plans might be advantageoufly formed
for fuch a purpofe.]

XI I L In your whole minifterial work keep
up conftant dedres and expectations of success.

If your hearts be not fet on the end of your la-
bours^ if you do not long to fee the converfion and
edification of your hearers, and (ludy.and preach
in hope, you are not likely to fee much fuccefs.
It is a fign of a falfe felf-fecking heart, when a
perfon is contented to be ftill doing, without fee-
ing any fruit of his labour. I have obferved th^t
God feldom bleifes any man's work fo much as
his - whofe heart is fet upon the fuccefs of it.
Let it be the property of a Judas to have more
jegard to tbt hag than to the bufmefs. Leave it
to fuch worldings as he to be fatisfied, if they have
their falary, and the applaufe of the people ; but
iet all that preach for Chrift and the falvation of
men,bedifratisfied till they have the thing they preach
for. He never had the right ends of a.preachfer in
view, who is indifferent whether, he obtain them
or not; who is not grieved when he miiTes them.,
and rejoiced when he. can-fee the defired iifue.
When A man only ftudies what to fay, and how to
fpend the hour with commendation,, without look-
ing any more after it, .but to know what the peo-
ple think of his abilities, and holds on thus from

K 5 year

aott " Moft Comfofiivhenfuccifsful. Part II.

year to year, I muft needs think that he preaches
for himfelf ; that he drives on a private tmde of his
own ; and that when he preaches ChriA, he preaches
not for Chrift, how excellently foever he may fcem
tp do it.

I know that a faithful minifter may have com*
fort when he wants fuccefs. • Though Ifrael be
' not gathered, our reward is with the Lord,*
Our acceptance is not according to our fruit, but
according to our labour. But then be who longs
not for the fuccefs of his labours, can have none
of this comfort, becaufe he is not a faithful la*
bourer. This is only for them whofe hearts arp
fet upon the end, and are grieved if they mif&-4t.
This is not the full comfort that we muft deiire,
but only what may quiet us if, notwithftandiffg
ourutmoft care, we fail af the reft. What if God
will accept tbe phyfician though the patient die }
He muft ftill work in compafllon, and do his ut«-
moft to fave his life. We labour not for our own
reward, but for other men's falvation. — I confef$»
for my part, that I wonder at fome ancient reverend
men, who have lived thirty, or forty, or fifty years
with an unprofitable people, where they have been
fcarcely able to difcern any fruit of their labours^
that they can with fo much patience continue there.
I fhoiild not be eafily fatisfied to fpend my days in
fuch a manner, but fbould fufpe£t that it was th&
will of God I ihould go fome where elfe, that ano*

ther

Chap, tX. In aUwemuft depend upmChriJi. s^

ther perfon might come there, better fuited to them,
and more ufeful among them. Once more,

XIV. Our whole work muft be carried on

• *

under a dejep fenfe of our own infufiiciency, and
in a pious, believing dependance upon Christ.

We muft go to Him for light, and life, and
ftrength, who fends us on our work. When we
feel our faith weak, and our hearts grown dull,
and unfuitable to fo great a work as that we have
to do, we muft have recourfe to the Lord, atid
pray that we mzy not go to perfuade others to
believe, with an unbelieving heart of our own ; or
.to plead with finners about everlafting life and
death, while we have but a faint belief and feel-
ing of thefe things ourfelves ; but that, as he has
fcnt us forth to his work, he would furnifh us
with a fpirit fuitable to it. Prayer muft carry on
our work as well as preaching. He preaches not
heartily to his people, who doth not often pray
for them. If we prevail not with God to give
them faith and repentance, we are unlikely to.
prevail with them to believe and repent. Paul
gives us his example in this refpe£l, who tells us
that he{)rayed for .his hearers * night and day ex*
< ceedingly.' Since our own hearts and thofe of
our people are fq far out of order as they be, if

K 6 we

ft04 Nuijfity rfHumiliatm Part I L

wc prevail not with God to help and mend them,
we are likely to make but unfuccefsful work.

CHAP. X.

Thi Conclujion of the Work; being a particular Ap-
plication of the whole.

REVEREND and dear brethren; let us now
humble our fouls before the Lord for our
pail negligence, and implore his afliftance for the
time to come. Indeed w;e cannot expe£l the lat-
ter without the former. If God will help us in
our future duty, he will certainly firft humble us for
our paft fin. He that has not fo much fenfe of his
faults as unfeignedly to lament them, will hardly
have fuflicient to make him reform them.-^Shall
we deny, or excufe, or extenpate our fins while
T^e call our people to fuch free confeffions ? It is
too common with us to expe£t that from them
which we do little or nothing of ourfelves. Too
many labour for other men's fouls while they feem
to forget that they have any of their own to re-
^ard. They a£t as if their part lay only in calling
for repentance, and the hearer's in repenting: theirs
in crying down Hn, and the people's in forfaking
* it t

_ k

Cbap. X. firpaftSimandfiegUSi. sa^

it : theirs in preaching jiuty, and the hearer's in per-
forming it. If we did but ftudy half fo much to
aiFe6l and mend our own hearts, as we do to afFe6t
and mend thofe of our people, it would not be
with many of us as it is. It is much too little that
we do for their humiliation, but I fear it is much
lefs that we do for our own. It is a fad thing that
fo many of us have preached our hearers aflecp ;
but it is worfe ftill if we have (ludied and preaclied
ourfelves afleep ; and have talked fo long againft
hardnefs of heart, till our hearts are grown hard
under the noife of our own reproofs! — Is it not
better to give God glory by a full and humble con-
feflion, than in tendemefs of our own glory to ieek
for fig-leaves to cover our nakednefs? and to put
God upon building that glory which we have de-
nied him, on the ruins of our own which we have
preferred to his ?

It is certainly our duty to call to remembrance
our manifold fins, efpecially thofe that are mofl
obvious, and fet them in order before God and
our own faces, that he may 'caft them behind •his
'back:' to deal plainly and faithfully with our*-
felves, in a free confeilion, that he who is ' faith-
' ful and juft may forgive us our fins ; and to judge
' ourfelves that we may not be judged of the Lord :'
fortheyonly, whether paftors or people, who 'con-
* fefs and forfake their fins ih^l find mercy; he
' that hardeneth his neck ihall fall into mifchief/

Sins

M)6 ConJiJtrattaitt U $xcite Riftnlance Part II.

Sins i^cnly committed arc more dilhonourable to
uswhcn we hide (hem than -when we confefs
them. It is the Sin, and not the confefHon of it
that is our dilhonour. We have committed them
before the fun, fo that they cannot be hid: at^
tempts to cloak them increafe the guilt and Hiame.
Truly humble miniilers, will rather be difpofad
to lament their guilt in the face of their congre-
gations! It will not be amifs to look back, and
imitate the fervants of God in ancient times, in
their confefllons. We find in fcripture that tlie
Guides of the church did confefs their own fins as
well as thofe of the people. See the example of
Ezra; he confefled the fins of the prieds, ' calling
' himfelf down before the houfe of God.' So did
thfe Levitcs. So did Daniel. And God exprefsly
required * the Priefts, the Miniflers of the Lord to
' weep' as well as others •.

I think if we confidcr well the duties that have
been explained and recommended, and at the fame
tiine, the manner in which we have performed
them, we cannot doubt whether we have caufe
for humiliation. He that reads this one exhorta-
tion of Paul from whence the text is taken, and
compares his life with it, is Ihipid and hardened in'
JoBii if he be not laid in the dult before God^

ra ix. 6, j, lo> Neb, ix. ga-^Sf. Dan. Ik. etx
. Jfl— 17.

bewailing

Chap. X , and to pticken us im mir future fFork. feo/

bewailing his great omiffions ; and forced to fly to
the blood of Chrift, and his pardoning grace. O !
What caufe have we all to bleed before the Lord^
that we have been minifters fo many years, and
yet have done fo little, efpecially by private con*
ferenoe, for the faving of men's fouls! Had we
done our duty, who knows how many fouls might
have been brought to Chrift, and how much hap-*
pier we might have been in our parilhes ? And
why did we not do it ? Many impediments were
doubtlefs in our way ; but if the greateft had not
been in ourfelves,-— in our darkhefs and dulnefs,
our indifpofition to duty, and our divifions, much
more might have been done for God than has yet
been done. We have Hnned, and have no juft
excufe for our fin. The fin is great becaufe our
duties were great. We fhould therefore be afraid
of excufing ourfelves too much. The Lord- of
mercy forgive us, and all his minifters, and lay not
any of our minifterial negligence to our charge !
Oh that he would cover all our unfaithfulnefs, and
by ' the blood of the everlafting covenant' wafli
away our guilt of the blood of fouls ! that ' when
< the chief (bepherd (hall appear, we may ftand
^ before him in peace,' and may not be condemned
for fcattering of his flock.

And now,, brethren, what have we to do for the
time to come, bujt to deny our lazy contradiAing
flelb, and roufe up ourfelves tp the great bufinefii

in

to8 ConJiJerations to exciii Part II.

in which we are employed ? ' The harveft is great,
' the labourers are too few' — the loiterers and
contentious hinderers are many — ^The fouls of men
arc prccious-r-The mifery of finners is great— The
future torment to which they are near is greater- —
The joy to which we ought to help them is incon-
ceiveable — ^Thc beauty and glory of tlie church is
defirable — ^Our diiEculties and dangers are many
and great — ^The comfort that attends a faithful
ftewardihip is greater — But that which attends a
full fuccefs is inexpref&ble — And the honour con-
ferred upon us who are called to be co-workers
with God/ and to fubferve the blood- flied of Chrift
for the falvation of men, is illuftrious beyond com*
parifon — * The fields now feem white fqr harveft ;'
for the preparations that have been made for us are
great — The feafon for working is now more warm
and calm than moft ages have been — We .have
carelefsly loitered in our work too long — The pre-
fent time is pofting away. : while we are trifling,
men are dying, and pafllng in hafte to the eternal
world! — ^And is there nothing in all this to awaken
us to our duty, and to engage us to fpeedy and un-
wearied diligence ? Is it poffible for a man to be
too careful and laborious under all thefe motives
and engagements ?

Were but our fouls clearly and deeply impreflej
with the very important truths we preach, efpe-
ciaily thofe that relate to a future worlds O what

a change

Chap. X . to greaUr Zeal and Diligence. 209

a change would it make in our fermons, and in our
private difcourfe ! If we did but know what it is
for the foul to pafs out of the flefli, to go before a
righteous God, and enter on a (late of unchange*
able joy or torment^ and with what amazing thoughts
dying men apprehend thefe things, how differently
would fuch matters be difcourfed of ! Oh the gra*
vity, the ferioufnefs, the inceflant diligence thefe
things require ! I know not what others think of
them ; but for my own part, I am afhamed of my
Aupidity, and wonder at myfelf that I deal no
more with my own and other men's fouls, as be*
comes one that looks for the great day of the
Lord ; — that I can leave room for almoft any
other thoughts or words, and that fuch afloniffi-
ing matters do not wholly take me up ! I feldon^
come out of the pulpit, but my confcience fmites
me that I have been no more ferious and fervent.
It accufes me not fo much for want of elegance
or human ornaments, nor for letting fall an un-
handfome word ; but it alks me — V How couldeft
thou fpeak of everlafting life and death with fuch
a heart ? How couldeft thou preach about heaven
and hell in fo carelefs and ile^py a manoer ? Doft
thou believe what thou fayeft? Art thou in earneft
or in jeft ? How cahft thou tell people that fin is fo
evil a thing, and that its confequences are fo dread*
ful, without being more afFe£ted with it ? Shouldfl
thou not weep over finners, even till thy tears in«

terrupt

» 10 Confiderations to excite Part II,

terrupt thy words ? Shouldft thou not * cry aloud,
* and fliew them their tranfgreffions,' and fhouldft
thou not entreat them to repent and believe, wkh
the utmoft importunity ?*' — Such is the peal that
confcience rings in my ears, and yet my drowfy foul
will not be awakened. What a dreadful thing is
a fenfelefs, hardened heart ! Lord fave us from
the plague of infidelity, and hardnefs of heart ! or
how fhall we be fit inftruments of faving others
from it ? and do thou that on our fouls, which thou
wouldft have us do on the fouls of others !

I am even confounded to think what diflFerencc
there is between my apprehenfions of the life to
come in a time of ficknefs and at other feafons.
O brethren, if you had convcrfcd with death as
often as I have done, and a^ often received the
fentence in yourfelves, you wouW have an un-
quiet confcience, if not a reformed life with re-
gard to minifterial diligence. You wouM have
fomething within you that would often aflc you'
fuch queftions as thefe: ** Is this all thycompaf-
fion for loft finners? Wilt thou do no more *to
« feek and fave them ?' Is there not fuch and fuch
an one'-N-are there not many round about thee,
who are yet the vifiblc fons of death? What haft
i thou faid to them, or done for their recovery ?

I Shall thoufands die and go to hell before thou wilt

i fpeak one ferious word to prevent it? Will they

not there curfe thee for ev^r that thou <Hdft j^o more

in

C hap. X . to greater TLeal and Diligence. fill

in time to fave them?" Such cries of confcience
are daily in my ears, though the Lord knows I have
too little obeyed them. I confefs that I feldom hear
the bell toll for one that is dead, but confcience
afks me, "What hadft thou done for the faving of
that foul before it left the body ? There is one more
gone into eternity ; what didft thou do to prepare
him for it V — When you are laying a corpfe in the
grave, how can you help refledling with yourfelves
to this purpofe: ** Here lies the body, but where
is the foul ? What did I do for it before it depart-
ed ?-^ It was part of my charge ; what account cam
I give of it ?"

O firs! is it a fmall matter to anfwer fuch quef-
tions as thefe ? It may feem fo now ; but th«
hour is coming when it will appear otherwife. * If
< our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our

* hearts,' and will condemn us more. Wc ma^
plead the caufe with confcience, and either bribe it,
or endure its fentencej but God is not fo eafily
dealt with, nor his fenteftce fo eafily bornel

* Wherefore we receiving (and preaching) a king-

* dona which cannot be moved, let us have grace

* whereby we may ferve God acceptably with re-

* verence and godly fear ; for our God is a con-

* fuming fire.'

Let me befeech you, brethren, on the behalf of

. Chrift, for the fake of the church, of the immortal

f(;^l$ of men, and for your own fouls fake, that

you

tifl 7'he Guilt of unfaithful Minjjler 5. VdXt IT.

you prefently and efFeftually fct about the work
which I have been principally recommending^
Hearken to God and the calls of duty, if you would
have peace of confcience. I know that carnal wit
never wants words, nor a (hew of reafon, to gain-
fay that truth and duty which it abhors. It is eaiier
to cavil againft duty than to perforno it. But con-
fider how the matter will appear on a death-bed,
and what account you will give to God at the gr^al
day. Confcience will not own thofe reafons in a
dying hour, which now it feems to admit. There
is not that comfort to be had for a departing foul in
the view of negleftcd duty, as of a life wholly de-
voted to the fervice of God ; and I am confident
my arguments will appear (trongeft at laftj what-
ever they may do now.

O think how dreadful and aggravated our final
condemnation will be, if we live and die wilful ne-
gleders of the great work we have undertaken !
Our parents that deftined us to the miniftry — our
tutors that educated us for it — our learning and
miniderial gifts—- our voluntarily undertaking the
care of fouls — all the care of God for his church
— all that Chrift has done and fuiFered for it — ^all
the precepts, promifes, and threatenings of the holy
fcriptures — all the examples of prophets, apoftles,
and preachers there recorded — and all the books in
our ftudies that tell us of our duty, or any way affift
us in it, will rife in judgment againft us ! — ^All

the

X^ap . X . The Author* s Apology for his Plainnefs. 213

Ac fcrraons that we have preached, to convince
men of the danger of fin, of the torments of hell,
and the joys of heaven ; to quicken them in their
duty, or to reprove their negleft— all the maintc-
jiance we take for our fervice — all the honour we
receive from the people— and the minifterial privi-
leges we enjoy — all the witnefs we have borne againft
the negledls of minlfters — ^all the judgments and
mercies of God with which we have been acquaint*
^— ^all the fervent prayers of God's people that
have heen 'offered on our account — and finally, all
our vows, prpmifes, and refolutlqns for diligence
iii OUT work, will at the laft great day aggravate our
condemnatien, if we are found unfaithful in our
mafter's fervice.

Truly, brethren, if I did not apprehend the
matter to be of exceeding great moment to your-
felves, to your people, and to the honour of God,
I "Would not have troubled you -with fo many words
about it, nor have prefumed to fpeak fo fharply as
I have done* But in an affair -ef life and death,
men are apt te forget their reverence, courtefy, and
compliments, commonly called good manners, for
my part, I apprehend this to be one of the greateft
and beft works that I ever put my hand to in tny
whole life. * I verily believe you will agree whh
me herein ; and if you do, you will not think me
too prolix, or too plain and fevere. As for my^
Jelf^ fpare not ; -tread me as dirt in the ftree^ts ;

a 14 The whole fumtned up in Part II;

let me be as Tile in your eyes as you pleafe, fo that
you will but hearken to God and reafon, and do
your duty for the falvation of men. What am I
but a fervant of Chrift ? and what is my life worth,
but to do him fervice ? Whofe favour can recom-
pence for the ruins of the church ? And who can
be filent while fouls are undone ? Not I for my
part, while God is my mailer, his word my rule, his
work my bufmefs; and the fuccefs of it, for the
(aving of fouls, my end. I know myfelf unworthy
to be your monitor ; but a monitor you muft have ;
and it is better to hear of our fm and our duty from
any body, than not at all. Receive the admoni-
tion, and you will fee no caufe, in the monitor^s
umvorthinefs, to repent of it. But remember, if
you rejedl it, the unworthieft mefffcnger may bear
that witnefs againft you which will ihame and
condemn you.

To conclude * : Let us fet before us the exhorta-
tion^ and the example given us in our text and con-
text, and learn our duty from thence. This one
paiTage of Scripture better deferves a whole year's
lludy, than mod things about which ftudents are apt
to fpend their time. O brethren, write it on your
fludy doors, or fet it as your copy in capital letters
.continually before your eyes* Could we but learn

* This lafl excellent paflage is tranCpofed from the midQ of
tlfie original work, at it fecmed bed adapted to form the beft
poiHble concluGoo,

two

Ch. X . PauVs Addrefs h the Epheftan Elders. jt 15

two or three lines of it, what preachers (houW we
be ! Here we are taught — Our general bufinefs ;
SEtiviNO THE Lord — Our fpecial workj tak-
ing HEED TO OURSELVES AND ALL THE

FLOCK — The fubftance of our doSrine ; repent-
ance TOWARDS God, and faith in our
Lord Jesus Christ — The places and manner
of our teaching ; publicly, and from house
TO house— The objeft and internal manner;

WARNING lEVEllY ONE, NIGHT AND DAY,

avith all humility of mind, and with
TEARS — £The faithfulnefs and integrity that are
requifite ; I have kept back nothing

that was profitable unto you : I AM

pure from the blood of all men, for

I HAVE NOT shunned TO DECLARE THE

WHOLE COUNSEL OF God] — The innocence and
felf-denial ^o be ufed ; I have •Ooveted no
man's SILVER OR GOLd— The patience and re fo-
lution to be exercifed ; none of these things

MOVE ME, NEITHER COUNT I MY LiFE DflAR

unto myself, so that i might finish my
course with joy, and the ministry
whichIhave received of theLordJesus^
•—And once more. The motives to engage us to
all this; The Holy Ghost, has made us
OVERSEERS; the church We feed is the church
of God, which he hath purchased wit9
HIS own blood.

Write

«i6 SuTtimary efthe ijohale.

Write this upon your hearts, and it will ^o
yourfelves and the church more gdod than twenty
years fludy of thofe lower things which often
employ your thoughts-; which, though they get
you greater applaufe in the world, yet, if feparated
from thefe, will make you ^ but founding brafs,
* and tinkling cymbals/

The End of the Refqjimed Pastor.

APPENDIX ;

i «'7 ]

APPENDIX;

CONTAINING

Hints of Advice to Students * for
the Miniftry, and to Tutors of
Academies.

^^F what great importance the chara£l:er of the
^-^ clergy is to the church and the falvation of
men, thoufands have found to their joy and happi-
nefs; and 1 fear, thoufands more to their forrow
and deftruftion. Of what confequence, then, the.
difpofition of Candidates for the miniftry is,
needs not many words to (hew. . It is of unfpeak-
able importance, whether they prove good or bad.
God, wh« has inftituted the facred office, and
who, by his Spirit, qualifies men for it, ufually
'works according to their qualifications. As in the
natural world he operates according to the fitnefs of
natural fecond caufes, fo in the moral world, ac-r

* Much more on the fame fubjed, may be foand in other
cf our Autlipr's writings; See particularly Vol. I. p. B54 &
f i4, et feq. where may be feen a long catalogue of books.

L cording

ti8 Cbmparifan bifwtin faithful

Wording to the fuitablenefs of moral caufes. Holi-
nefs, though in many refpefls it Be a fupernatural
work, is ufually wrought by holy means. Able
and faithful tninifters therefore are wry great blef-
iings. They are the * lights of th^ world, and
* the fait of the earth.' Never was the gofpel
well propagated or continued in any country but
by their means. God ufes them as his inftruments
for convincing, converting, edifying, comforting,
aind living of fouls. Herein they are co-workers
with Chrift the great Saviour of fouls, and widi the
Holy Spirit, who regenerates and fan£lifies them.
How many thou&nds of happy fpirits in heaven
will for ever rejoice in the cfFeSs of their labours,
and Uefs God for them ! In a word, churches,
ilates, and kingdoms are chiefly bleiTed and pre-
ferved by the faithful part of the miniftry. They
a«e the means of fubduing ^ fm which is the de-
^ ilruSion of a people,' and promoting * righteouf-
^ nefs which exalteth a nation.'

On the other hand, unfaithful and wicked minif-
ters are the worft and mod hurtful men. Though
they may be farniflied with the fame notions aind
'words as godly teachers are, (though this is not
ufually the cafej yet they will be greatly wanting
in that ferious delivery, which is ordinarily necef-
£iry to make the hearers ferious chriiUans. That
feldom reaches the heart of the heaier, wiiich
ttomes not from the heart of die fpescker. Con-

fiant

App. ^nd wicked Mifiift^n. ai^

ftant experience tells us haw diflPerent is the fiiccefs
of reading or faying a pulpit leflbn, in a dull, or
merely affefted manner^ and that of the judicious,
ferious explication and application of well ckofen
matter, which the experienced preacher well un«
derftands, and which he utters from the feeling of
his foul. Neither the love of a benefice, nor of
applaufe,. will make a man preach in that manner
which the lore of God, the lively belief of heaven
•and hell, and the defire of faving fouls, w31 do*
If a Rage-hypocrite ihould learn the art of preach-
ing with an affeded fervency and feeming zeal,
yet art and paint will not reach the power and
beauty of nature; nor will it hold out fo long.
AiFeflation ufually betrays itfelf ; and when it is
difcerned, the hypocrite is lothed. ^ut if he
(hould carry on his ftage-afFe6tation with plaufi-
ble art, the reft of his minifterial work will not
be difcharged in a manner anfwerable to it. Since
it is from men that he expcds his reward, ia
their fight only he appears in his borrowed glory ^
in his private converfation and condud, he makes
a different figure. He will not fet himfelf to in-
ftrud the ignorant, to lave men from their fins,
and raife their minds to heaven, by praying with
them, by holy difcourfe, and heavenly deport-
ment: he will not be at much coft or labour to
do any kind of real good.

But alas! by far the greateft part of unexperi-

L 2 enced

ifio Mtfchiefs done by ungodly Mlnlfters.

cnced preachers have not fo much as the hypocrite *»
Teeming zeal and appearance of religion to cloke
their fins, and profit their people. The mif-beha-
viour of fuch, is- likely to make them exceedingly
hurtful. By their ignorance, ambition, covetouf-
nefs, and other fins, they render themfelves con-
temptible in the eyes of many, and by that means
render the church and all religion fo too. A fcan-
dalous clergy will be a fcorned clergy ; and a fcorn-
cd clergy will prepare for the fcorning and deftruc-
tion of true religion. Alas ! what wretched work
have hypocritical, unexperienced, proud, worldly,
voluptuous, ignorant minifters been making in mod
chriftian nations, thefe fourteen hundred years !
Wo! wo! wo! to the church that hath fuch paf-
t.ors! that hath wolves inftead of {hepherds ! Wo
to the land that hath fuch ! Wo to the princes and
ftatcs that follow fuch counfqllors! Wo to the
fouls that are fubverted by them ! From a corrupt
clergy have fprung the greateft calamities of the
church in all places to this day.

And let it be remembered, the fins of fuch men
will not prove lefs mifchievous to themfelves than
to others. Their guilt is aggravated by their per-
fidious violation of their baptifmal and ordination
vows, as well as by their nearnefs to God in their
office ; and they are condemned out of their own
mouths. Such perfons are with greater difficulty
brdught to repentance than otjiers; becaufe by wit

and

Ap?. Difficulty of their Converjton. 221

and ftiidy they have bended that doftrine to defend
their fin, which fliould be ufed to bring them to
repentance ; or becaufe pride will not fufFer fuch
perfons as they are, employed in fo holy an office,
and poflelTed of fuch titles, learning, and reputa-
tion, to fuppofe themfelves in an unholy ftate ; and •
whoever accufes them of fin or reproves them for
it will be reprefented as an enemy to the church.
Their ulcers are as a noli me tangercy and fret as a
gangreeh unremedied. Their profanation of holy
things makes them worfe, and more impenitent
than other men ; partly as they have more notori-
oufly forfeited the grace of God which fhould work
repentance in them, and have caufed him in right-
eous judgment to forfake them ; and partly as they
have hardened their own hearts, by long abufe of
that truth which fliould have fanftified them. For
when perfons have Ipng * imprifoned the truth in
* unrighteoufnefs,' and long played, as hypocrites,
with what they profefled to believe, cuftom will fo
harden them, that their knowledge will have little
power on their hearts.

And now do I need fay any more to fhew young
men defigned for the miniftry, of what importance it
is that they be well qualified for it ? God can, and
fometimes does, turn wolves into faithful fhcpherds,
and convert thofe, who while they were unconvert-
ed themfelves, undertook to convert others ; but this
i not ordinarily to be expedled. Firft notions lie

L 3 ^ deepeft.

»ft The Minlfterial Office

deepeft> and maikt way for others that are connedcd
with them. Falfe opinions^ as well as true, are.
ufually linked together, and the chain is not eafily
call off or broken. Thofe that have received
errors have alfo received their defenfatives. Thefe
are like the fliell-fifli, which carry their houfe about
with them. They that have received them, have ftu-
died what to fay for them, but not what can be faid
againft them. But fuppofing that you have ever fo
true notions in your heads, if they come not with
power upon your hearts^ and do not make you
new, fpirttual, and holy men, they will not qualify
you to propagate faith and holinefs. Now it is that
jrou mufi get thofe eminent qualifications of know-
If dge and holinefs, which you are afterwards to uie \,
tat bow can you ufe what you have not ? Though
fome prudent hearers will encourage fuch young:
men as they think are hopeful, yet moft will judge^
of perfotis and things as they find them. The igno-*
Bant, dry, and lifeleis orations of unexperienced
preachers^ will not be efteemed by fuch as know,
what judgment and ferioufnefs that facred work
requires* Few will praife, or feed on unfavoury
food, merely to flatter and praife the cook. Then
when you find yourfelves flighted, your refentment
will rife agaipft thofe that flight you becaufe they
are not contented with your unholy trifling, but all
jour cnmky will turn againft yourfelvesj and,, like

that

App. Jhouldhi undfrfaiin mth Cautionm 22^

that of Satan againft the members of Chrifi> will
be but felf-tormentiDg.

Let me then f^rioufly caution all perfons againft
being too hafty in refolving for the facred miniftry.
I would not difcourage pious^ prudent deflres and
purpofesy but I mujft fay, that many parents, in
this refpe^Sl, prove greatly injurious to the church.
I do not mean only worldly men, who look upon
the miniftry merely as a trade to live by, and fend^,
their fons to the univerfity in order to their worldly
maintenance and preferment ; but even honeft godly
parents, who ignorantly think it a good work to
defign their children for the miniftry, and call it
** devoting them tp God,*' without duly ^onfider-
ing whether they are likely to be fit for it or nqt^
When the children of fuch perfons have been
fome years at the univerfity, they think a living it
their due. Ordained they muil bq ; wha); elfe hav^
they ftudied £or ? It is now too late to change their
purpgfe, when they have beea. at fo many years
coft and labour to prepare for the miniftry. The]^
arc too old, or too proudj, or too idle, to go tg
aiiy ma^ual^ labourj^ and have not time or opppri-
tunity to prepare for any other learned profeflioOi.
So that there is no way left but, for a benefice, to
become church-moyntebanks, or fpiritual quacks,
:^id undertake thcipaftoral charge pf fouls; though
they fcarcely know what fouls are, for what they
were madci. 01 whither they are going ; at leaft,

L 4 how

flS4 Salifications aljolutely neceffary

how they muft be condu<5led and prepared for t!ieir
cndlcfs ftate. And bad as they are, they can find
perfons bad enough to recommend and otdain them.
'How deplorable is the cafe of the poor people's
fouls over whom they are to prefide !

In order to prevent any from intending the work
of the miniftry who are not qualified, I will briefly
mention the neceflary qualifications for It. The
work is fo high, and mifcarrying in it is of fuch
dreadful confequehce, that no one (hould be rc-
folvedly devoted to the miniftry who hath not the
fpllowing endowments.

* 1. A good natural capacity. It (hould be fome-
what above the ordinary degree. Grace fuppofes
nature ; and by fanflifying it, turns it the right
way ; but does not ufe to make wife teachers of
natural drones, or weak-headed lads who have not
fenfe enough to learn.

2. A competent readinefs of fpeech. One who
cannot readily fpeak his mind in common things,
is not likely to have that fluent delivery which is
neceflary to a preacher.

3. He muft be hopeful for godlinefs. He muft
be captivated by no grofs fin. He muft not only
have a love to learning, but religion ; to the word
of God, and good company ; to prayer, and good
books. He muft (hew that he has a ferious con-
cern about his foul, and the life to come ; that
his confcience is under fome eflfedtual convidions

of

App. !n Students for the Minlflry* 1125

of the evil of fiiiy and the excellence and necellity of
a godly life. The youth that hath not thefe quali-
ficationsy ihould not be devoted to the miniilry.
To devote an incapable, ungodly perfon to fuch an
holy work, is worfe than of old to have offered to
God the unclean for facrifice. To do It under pre-.
tence of hoping that he may have grace' hereafter,
is a prefumptuous profanation, and worfe than to
deflgn a c.oward to be a foldier, or a wicked, unfuit-
able perfon for a partner in life, In hope that they
may become fit afterwards.

If therefore your parents have been fo unwife
as to dedicate that to God which was unfit for
his acceptance, it concerns you quickly to look
better to yourfelves, and not to run into the con-
fuming fire. You ought to be confcious of your own
-condition. If you know that you want either
natural capacity, or readinefs of fpeech, or ferious
piety and hcart-devotcdnefs to God, do not meddle
with that calling which requires all thefe.

Perhaps you will fay, '*What Ihall we do with
ourfelves ? We have gone fo far, th^t we are fit
for nothing elfe." I anfwer \ You are lefs fit for
the miniflry than for any thing. That which re-
quires the highed qualifications, will mofl fhahie
and condemn you if you want them. If you are
not fit for Phyfic or Law, feek for fomething elfe»
You had better become Servants, or turn to the
bafeil employments, than to run into the fad cafe

L 5 ^ ©f

S26 UngtiJly Students unfit fit MiHiJIefs.

of Hcphni and Phineas; or of Nadab and Ahihuy to
the utter undoing of yourfelveS, and to the lofs
and danger of many others. — But remember, if
your unfitnefs be your Ungodlin^s^ whether you
are minifters or not, you will be for ever mifera-*
ble, unlefs your hearts and lives be changed.
When that is done, I would not difcourage you ;
but (believe me) it is far better to be a cobler or
a chimney-fweepor, or to beg your bread, than to
be an ungodly minlfter, though with the greateft
pfefermentls, riches, and applaufe.

Perhaps parents will fay, "If we devote none
to the miniftry till godlinefs appears in them, few
wUl be fo devoted^ (lace children feldom difcover
much favour of religion ; and. fome turn out bad,
who when young> promifed exceeding well." I
anfwer ; Children cannot be expe£ted to (hew thstt
underftanding in religion which men may ; but if
they difcover not a love to it, a confcientious regand
to God's authority, and the life to come, and a dif^
like of ungodlinefs and fin, you have no reafon to
prefume tbey will "be fit for the miniftry. You can
judge but upon probabilities ; if they prove bad af«-
ter an hopeful profeflion, it will not be chargeable
upon you. But we all know that a hopeful youth
is a great preparation to an honeft age.

Let me now drop a few hints of advice to fuch
young men, as have ground to hope they are quali*
/Led for the facred oiEce.

I. Be

J. :^c careful [^s f^ a$ 4q?ciKJ«^ upon ypur-
klwQ$ *] in the choice of your Tf'utors.

Choofe not a teacher who prefers human wifdoni
to divine, or who is of a worldly, ambitious mind ;
who is faftious 2|nd uncharitable, or violent for
any party ; but one that bears a good report among
the fober and impartial, as a perfon of a chriftiari
catholic charity ; who loves good men ; who is
willing to do good to*all, and is defirous of main-
taining unity and jpeace ; one that will make it his
budnefs to explain the Scripture, to teach you the
will of Qpd, and how you may pleafe him and
be faved.

n« Abhor (loth and idlenefs.

When you are at common fchools, you|* matter
drives you on by fear ; but when you are inaUnivcr^
fity, and^re at riper age, you are trufled more with
yourfelves ; fo that if you will not be carried on
^ith conftant pleafure and the love of knowledge,
the flefh will prefer its eafe, and you will proceed
fo (lowly as tp arrive at no high degree of learning.
Then when you have gone through your ftudies, an^
are called out to the ufe of your knowledge, your
emptinefs and ignorance will foon appear. It is
not your canonical habit, norfeven, nor feventeep

«

* This advice more partknlarly belongs to Fisrents and
«thei«i idM> biiTC Hm c^re pf you|fa.

L 6 years

i

22$ Students mufl abhor Smjuali4y

years fpent in the Univerfity, nor the title of Maf-
ter of Arts, or Doftor in Divinity, or Bi(hop,
which will pafs with men of fenfe for knowledge,
diligence, humility, patience, and charity; nor
that (without thefe) will do the work to which you
are devoted. Believe it, the high and neceflary ac-
complifhments of a true divine, are not eafily of
fpeedily attained.

N

III. Fear and fly from fenfviality and fleihiy
Luils.

While your bodies are not fatigued with labours,
nor your thoughts taken up with wants and cares ;
while you are entirely at ^afe, and your ftudies are
arbitrary, flefhly appetites have time and opportu«
nity to folicit your fancies^ to incline you to inter-
rupt your bufinefs and think about matters of (tti-^
fual delight ; eithei: with what to pleafe the p^latd
in eating or drinking, or needle fs aod hurtful re-
creations, or to read romances, play-books, and
other corrupting vanities. Let me add, idfe fcho«
lars are far more ftrongly haunted, than poor la-
bou/'y^, and afflifted perfons are, with tempta-
tions to felf-poUution and other filthy lufts. And
if thefe fhould prevail, alas I you are undone !
They will offend God, difpel his grace, wound
and fcare your confciehCes, defiroy alt fpiritual af-
fc^ions and delights^ and turn down your hearts

from

A p p* and all tvil Company^ %tg

from heaven and holinefs to filth and folly^
Beafls will not be fit for the pleafures or the work
of. faints. Away therefore from idlenefs. Pam«
per not the flelji with fuhicfs or delights. Ab-
hor all timd-wafting ncedlefs recreations. Away
cfpecially from the baits of flefhly Itifts. Be no mord
indifferent or unrefolved herein^ than you would be
about drinking poifbn, or wilfully going among
thieves and murderers. Prefume not on your own
ftrength : he is fafeft that is furtheft from danger*
Gunpowder mufl not {land near the fire.

■ IV. Make a prudent choice of your companions X
cfpecially your bofom-friends.

Love and familiarity will give them great advan«
tage over you. If they are wife, they will teach yotl
wifdom. If they are holy and fpiritual, they will
be drawing you towards God, and fettling your
averflon from fin and love to holinefs. But if they
are worldly and ambitious, they will be filling your
heads with ambitious and worldly projedls. If they
are ungodly hypocrites) having only the name of
chridians, they will be oppofing or deriding ferious
godlinefs ; and will plead for the formalities of
religion as better than fpiritual devotion. If they be
Jiardened fmners, they will try to make you fucb,
by revilings or plaufible cavils againft the things
and perfons that are contrary to their carnal incli-
nations

t30 CgiHjtiom agedn^ A^tfihitipnf

options and intejcefts ; and by emdeavquring to pofn
fefs your minds with falfe opinions of God's people,
111 company is ^ dangerous fnare \ but wife and
religious companions are great ^leilings. Though
the merciful providence of God does ufually choofe
them for us^ it is only fo as that we muft be faith-
ful choofeis for OMrfelves.

V. Watch with gre^t fes^r againft ambition an4
worldly ends.

The roots of thefe mortal fin? are bred in us,
and lie very deep. They often live, and even re^n,
where they are little fufpe^ed ; but wo to him that
is conquered by them» * Ye cannot ferve God and

* Mammon. Thf love of the world is enmity

* ^Igaidft God.' How many, having efcaped thf
temptations of floth and fenfuality, have been over-
come by this ! Alas ! lipw does thi^s dream c^rry
down the moft pregnant wit^, into the gulf of per-
dition ! Yea fonftc, whp feemed very humble and
mortified, while they h^d o^ great temptation,
when wealth and honour .h^v.e b^nfet before tjhczn,
have loft their virtue bef9i)e t^y y^^xfi, aw^^.
Worldly iaterefl has fo biafled thf ir ^nderftaivjlaj:^,
that they have taken truth for erf pr, and ^i^ror for
.truth; duty for fin, and finfJorAvty, l,f yw be
the fenrants.of the fleih and iUlo yfm^i WQ b^ ^

App, and Self^Confidence. ag^l

you when your mafters turn you off, and you
receive your wages !

VI. Another earneil warning which I muft give
you, and all young men, is to guard againft an
unhumbled underdanding, raihly confident of it9
own apprehenfions.

This is the offspring of ignorance and pride,
and is one of the moil common and pernicious
maladies of mankind. Among a multitude of
perfons that difBsr from each other, how few are
not obftinately confident that they are in the right (
even youths of twenty years of age. Oh dread
this vice, and fufpedl your own underftandings*
Be humble ; take time ; try and hear before you
judge. Labour for knowledge ; but take not upon
you to be fure where you are not ^ doubt and try
till you are. Thoroughly ftudy the nature and
evidences of the chriAian faith and do6trine. Do
not haften too foon or too confidently over thefc
hard controverfies, as if your judgment of them at
maturity would certainly have no change ; but
ftill fuppofe that greater light, by loi^r fludy,
may caufe you to alter your opinions about fuch
matters of difficulty.

VII. W^ith regard to your fludies, let me ex-
hort you to begin with pradical divinity,

Firft

S3^ PrhBical Dhtnity Jhould he

Firft fettle your fouls in a fafe condition for life
and death, and take God and heaven for your
hope and all. If you do not fo, you are not chrif-
tians indeed. But if you be here fixed by the grace
of God, you w^l know what to choofe and what
to do. It will teach you to refer all worldly things
to fpiritual and heavenly ends, and to ' count all

* things but lofs for Chrift,' and for that ^ one thing

* needful, which fhall never be taken from you/
This will fave you from the greateft evils, and give
your minds continual peace ; even that * pe^ce of

* God which paffes all underflanding.' Deal not
fo fooliflily as to wafte many years in inferior arts
and fciences, before you have iludied bow to pleafe
God and be faved.

I unfeignedly thank God, that by ficknefs and
his grace, he taught me early how to die; and
by that means, how to live : that he inclined
me to ftudy the holy fcriptures, and many prac-*
tical, fpiritual, Englijh books, till I had fome«
What fettled the refolution and peace -of my own
foul, before I had gone far in human learning, I
then found more leifure and capacity to take in
fubfervient knowledge in its proper time and place;
Indeed I had loft mod of my Audies of philofophy
and controverfial divinity, if I had fallen on them
too young ; or elfe (hould have formed very crude
notions about thofe things^ which require a riper
judgment*

Read

App. ihefirji and principal Study. 233

, Read fuch books as contain the eifential prin-
•ciples of religion, and treat of them in the moft
^lain, afFeftionate, and praflical manner ; tending
to deep impreflionsj renovation of the foul, and
fpiritual experience ; without which you will want
the eflential qualifications for your future work.
The art of theology, without the power, confift-
ing of holy life, light, and love, is the very con-
ftitution of the hypocrite.

Oh that all our Undents for the chriftian miniftry
would think of thefe things ? What a poor bufi-
nefs is it to fpend their time in knowing a little
of the Works of God, and fomc of thofe names that
the divided tongues of the nations have impofed on
them, and not know the Lord himfelf, nor exalt
him in their hearts, nor be acquainted with that
one renewing work which would make them happy.
They do but * walk in a vain Oiew>' and fpend
their lives like dreaming men, while they fo bufy
their wits and tongues about an abundance of names
and notions, and are Grangers to God and the life
of faints. This they will acknowledge, if' ever
God awakens them by faving grace. They make
themfelves a world of bufinefs about nothing, while
they are wilful ftrangers to the primitive, indepen*
dent, neceflary Being, who is ' all in all.' No*
thing can be rightly known, if God be not known,
nor is any iludy managed to any great purppfe
while Ged is not ftudied. We know little of the
creature, till we know it as it refpedls its Creator.

Single

•34 ^^ Knowledge of God fundamental.

Single letters and fyllablcs uncompofed arc non-
fenfe. Such broken fyllables arc all creatures:
as feparated from God they fignify nothing. He
that overlooks the * Alpha and Omega,' and fees
not him in all, fees nothing at all. It is one thing
to know the creatures as ArifiotUy and another to
know them as a chriftian.

To fee God in his works, and to love and con-
verfe with him, was the employment of man in
his ftate of innocence ; and this is fo far from
ceafing to be our duty now, th^t it was the work,
of Chrifl to bring us back to it. The moft holy
man are the moft excellent ftudcnts of God'«^
works ; nay none but the holy can rightly know or.
fiudy tb^em. * His wcH-ks are great, and fought out
* a£aU fudi pcrfons^ who have pleafure therein:*
not for themfelves, but for him that made tbenu
To fee and admire, to reverence and adore, to love
and del^ht in God as appealing to us in his worksj,
and purpofely to perufe them for thofe ends, this is
the tmc and only phtlofophy : this is the right (anc<^
tification of your fludies. Theol(^y * (when y(»^
are fufficiently acquainted with wovds and thing^^
to underfland the principles of it) muft lay th^
foundation of all your ftudies, and muft le^ tb^
way in thcni all. — Once more,

* That is, praOkal divinity. Controverfial is ftudicd
5vith moll advantage after other fciences, logic, madiefaadcs,
&c. £o.

VIII, Let

A pp. AJtrious Addrefs fy Tutors. 8.35

VIII. Let me advife you not to beg^n the ex-
crcife of your miniftry too boldly, in large or judi-
cious auditories*

«

Overmuch confidence indicates pride, ignorance
of your imperfedions, of the greatnefs of your work>
and the dreadful majefty of God* Settle at firft,.
if you can, a competent time, in the houfe of
fome ancient experienced paftor, who has a fmall
chapel in th^ country and wants affiftance. There
you. may learn a& well as teach ; and learil, by his
pra&ice, what you muft pra&ife» By preaching,
W few years to a fmall, ignorant people, where you:
need not fear critical judgments, you will acquijra
boUnefs of fpeech, and freedom of utterance, with-
out diat feryile ftudy of words, and commUting;
your notes to memory, which will be tirefome,/
time- wafting, and Ufelefs, Thus you will be better
prepared for more public places, if you Oiould b^
called to them, than you are, ever likely to be by
continuing among fcholars in the univerfity, or by?
ferving as chaplains in great men's houfes*

After tbefe dire£ii$ns Jo Students for the minijlryf.
It may not be amijs to add a few brief hinU

To TUTORS of ACADEMIES.

And I do in zeal for the good of the church, and
their own fuccefs in their moft ncceffary labours,

propofe

ft36 A ferious Addrefs to

propofe it to the confideration of all pious Tutors,
•whether they ihould npt, as early and as diligently
read to their pupils, or caufe them to read, the
principal parts of praSical divinity, as any of the
fciences ? And- whether thefe fhould 'not go to-
gether from the very firft? It is well that they
hear fermons; but that is not enough. If they
have need of private help in Philofophy, befides
public le£lures, much more in Theology. I muft
prefume to tell you (pardon the cenfure from one
fo unfit for it, confidering the neceffity of the cafe)
that it is a grand error, and of dangerous confe-
quence, in our chriftian Academics, that young
men ftudy the Creature before the Redeemer, and
fet themfelves to Metaphyfics and Mathc'matics
before Theology ; fince no one who has not the
vitals of Theology is capable of going beyond a
fool in Philofophy ; and all that fuch perfons do,
is but * doting about queflions, and oppofition of
• fcience, falfely fo called*.' If Tutors would
make it their principal bufinefs to acquaint their
pupils' with the dodlrine of life, and labour to fet
it home upon their hearts; and fo conduft the reft
of their inftrudlions, that it may appear they are
intended only as fubfervient to this, it might be the
means of great happinefs to the fouls of men, the
church of Chrift, and the common weal. But

♦ 1 Tim, vi, 20, ei.

when

App. Tutors of Academies. 237

vrhen languages and philofophy ingrofs almod all
their time and thought, and inflead of reading phi-
lofophy like divines, they read divinity like philo-
fopherSy this it is that blafts fo many in the bud,
and pefters.the church with unfanSified teachers.
Hence it is that we have fo many worldlings to
preach the invifible felicity, and fo many carnal
men to declare the myfteries of the fpirit: I with
I might not add, — and fo many Infidels to preach
Chrift, or fo many Atheifts to preach the living
God.

Let tutors then begin and end with the things of
God; reading God to their pupils in every thing.
Let them fpeak daily to their hearts, about thofe
things which muft be wrought in their hearts, or
they are undone. You are preparing them for the
fpeclal fervice of God ; and muft they not firft
have the faving knowledge of him whom they afe
to ferve? Oh! think with yourfclves what a dread-
ful thing it will be to their own fouls, and what a
mifchief to the church of God, if they come out
from you with carnal hearts, to fo fpiritual and fo
great a work! If you fliould fend but one half of
them forth on a bufinefs for which they are unfit,
what grievous work will they make in the church
and in the world t Whereas if you are the means
of their true convcrfion*, not only ^hey themfelves,

but

* The author confidercd himfelf as addrelCng tutors of col^

«S8 AdJrefs to Tutors.

but many fouls to whom they (hall preach, will
haTe-ocxafion to blefsyoui and to blefs God for
your zeal and diligence; yea perhaps for one fea-
fonable word* When once their hearts are fuita-
bly aiFe^ed with the dodrine which they ftudy and
preachy they will both ftudy and preach it more
heartily, than could otherwifebe e)cpeAed. Their
own experience will direct thena to the fitteft fub-
jefts ; will furnHh them with the beft matter ; and
will quicken them to fet it home. And let me
obferve, that the beft of our hearers will feel and
favour fuch experimental preachers ; who ufually
Icfs regard others, whatever may be their other
accomplifhments.

4fgei^ where be knew many unconverted yoaths were admitted
as fiudent<| which, it is hoped, in private academies is not
. ihe caTe.

THE END*

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