340 Dotiok Hortot'S Sermei2 fhould be emollte4 above meafore Cor. se 7. A thorn ,nts ir;ven him, &c. Ctis twice repeated, Cothin the beginning and end of the verfe) - that fo this thorn in the flefh, might keep out pride in the heart, that fo they may have a more low, meek , and humble frame of ,fpirit , and thereby fitted and prepared for greater fervices. And 4.That they may be alfo moreconformable to thole theyhave to deal with. Ifrael defires Mofes to fpeak to them (and aot God) why ? hecaufe he was like unto them , and would therefore companionate them ; from whom they therefore defired to receive the Commands of God. Thus it pleafeth God to deal withhis fervants, that as they may piety thofe they have to deal with, fo likewife to draw the affe- aims of their peopleunto them, to make them more loving, and the more to attend on their Ministry, feeing they are fo fleeting and go- ing away ; it pleafed God that Epapheoditter fhould be lick even to death, to endear the Philippians more to him, chap. 2. 2 -. 2 8. that their love and tendernefs maybe drawn forth the more by the difco- very ofhis frailty. Let us improve this. life I. Firlt, as to Knifrers, fee how the condition is with us in. our Calling ; We are Earthen Vefels, taken out ofdust : We fliould often confider our frailty, to make us more humble, more meek, and: snore companionate to others, more diligent in doinggood, that we may make amends for our frailty and natural weakneffes that areupon us We mutt not think much of it, it-beingno more than in former- times : was the condition of the Aponles themfelves, they were Earthen Veffels, they had fuch weakneffes, men fubjeft to the like pas ions as we. ilfe- 2. Secondly, As for thepeople, this may improve in all the notions and confiderationsofan EarthenVeffel. .- Flea, In regard of the meannefs ; you mutt not effeem the Gof- Tel according to the Veffel, according to the difparagement of the Veffel ; a Veffel ofdifhonour in refpea of its matter, may be a Vef- fel ofhonour in regard of the Gold that is in it ; thofe .Nlembers of the body that are weak, and in themfelves lefs honourable, we afford agreat deal ofhonour upon them, in decking and doodling them So the Minifters work and employment, and the Doarines they bring, are excellent and of great ufe ; when all is done, wehave that we ferve for : according to the employment we are put to, we- are 'ionourable, though outwardly mean : Wicked and blfe men are called fiiii terra,, theyare fons of the t,irth, Job 3Q. 8. Child; era affeols, yea children ofhafe men ; they are viler than the earth,. i.e. Menofno accouut (as one faith) the earth groans under' fuch ingra- cr . ow
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=