Calamy, Horton, Manton - BX9327 .F28 1663

4t the Funemi of Mr. Nalton. 547, veSelsi viz.: men of Ira lty, 6-.c. we are apt to be difourag,ed ,- and to think hardly that we are follo,iv-ed with fo many weakneffes , t: at xYe have a hard matter, that when we have taken fucks pains- in the workof the Ntrilitry, we ;1-o.i1d be thus rewarded ; but this fhould fatisfie as, the more vsie:ikneife in us, the greater honourwill come to Curia: This..Tre.4rare lye have in ear. hen !i.e./re/4, that the excellency or the power may be ,of God, .1:id not of us. The weaker the Veffel , the more honour will re..oLind to Cilii1.1% FIrt.lerinore,Th's tni,, take otl: the fervants of Chrift from uni,vil- lifigheffeunto tho:".e works and performances which G-)d calls them unto, by reason of their : Thus it is when God cals to - any work or employmeLL c e fervants of God are apt to plead their o inaoi ty ; :JI(TeS laye3 he is not eloquent; Jeremiah fayes he is 'a child ; lidab fayes Le is a man of unclean lips : Thus we have Lehi delays, their excuses, where4 they endeavour to dif- charge themfelves from that Work that God calls them unto , by their own weakneff, &c. but God refufes filch excuses ; for who Makes the blind to fee, the dummy to speak, but ;God ? it is he that touched lf,iahs Lips, it is lie that laid to 3- eremi,th, a) not fay thou art a Child, for I havefent thee, &c. This I fay tun is a conlizlerati- on may encourage letn.aers In the hi Work , tat the weaker they are, the ilonour and glory will redo;!nd to Chrift; fir he fail unto me- ( faith the Apostle) ;V), Grace is fuffif lent for thee for my firength zs made perfea in rfeaknefe : Not that ; t is an encouragement or argu- ment for any-to take upon ti em the great work of the Miniftry. without lufficient qualifications and abilities : But where t e;.e is not that degree of ability as is delired, where there is a true fenliblenels of their weaknelfe, this may be an encouragement to them , that God delighteth to thew his power in, them,, that by fo much the - more they areweak, fo much honour he will gain. For aconclulion, it comes to this, viz,. That vie lay no ftreffe upon anyoutward things. There is no ftreffe or happineife in ti..efe. outward things ; thole that feem tobe of fome cimceiimient,iaS itrength of body-, -and o- ther outwardqualifications that are ofremarit ;.yet . confider, they are fading and tranfitor!, ; t fhtY.11,. teach us in the enjoyments Of outward things, a great cieal of iirmid T:lougii we are Veffels of Gold in regard of trea ure.and improvement. , yet in regard ; of our (elves we are Velfel; of fo&k ak be in refpe:I ofhu- Let us loo!c; upon ,:111.-ti :e° thin is ;;ven to us of God, ven for this very ;end , 7.at-,.emay.benloreferviceable to him-sand hia people.. So

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