Chap, 3 3. An Expofition upon the Boob of J o o. Verf. 23. niary.Few that dedicare themfelves toChrifis fervice in publish- ink the Gofpel, for the faving of fouls ; there is ( I fay ), but one of a thoufand that isdedicated to that work. For Firfi, Móf}are unwillingto meddle wfth that calling, be- caufe of the laborioufnefs of it ; interpreters are theywho labour inthe word and doacine, and not only fo, but they mull -give a aria account toChrifl of their labours. Some good men have . declined the minifiery, being. terrified both with theweight of thework, and the firicînefs of the account, and doubtlefs ( were we duely fenfible) it might make the ablefl Minitiers tremble every hour oftheday,to think what a burdenof care and account_ lyeth upon them, who are fet towatch over fouls. Secondly, Others -will notenter into this calling, becaufe as the labour isgreat, and the account aria, fo the reward, as from man, is fmall ; it doth not lead to riches, and greatnefs in the World, comparatively with other callings ; though there be a comfortable competence allowed to the Minitiers of the Gofpel, yet there is not much of the world to be expe&ed by them, yea theyare charged not to look for much, or not ro doe their worke for filthy lascre, brat ofa ready mind (t Pet. 5. 2, ) Thirdly, M the reward is fmall, fo the oppofition is grear, Mi- niflers are often perfecuted, and reproacht,and the more faithfull anddilligentthey are,the more they are oppofed and reproached. Topreach the Gofpel fullyas it fhould be preachr, is to provoke thoufands, and bring the World about our eares. No marvell then if the meffengers and interpreters . of it be not many, if they be &tit as one among a thoufand. Thus you fee what hinders the generallity of metz from medling with that work:. 'Tis but one among a thoufand that will engage in a work upon there hard termes, or that prx-apprehending them, . hath faith and felf- denyal enough to fwallow andovercome theri,, Again, Confider thofe that outwardly bear the naine and Ti- Ile of the Miniflersof Chrifl, and you will find that among them, they whoare true and faithful' to theirtru(i, arc upon thematter, butone amonga thoufand. As there are but few Miniflers among -many men, fo there are but few Miniflers among , many that are true and right interpreters. Doe. but take out or fever there five forts fromamong them who pretend tobe Miniflers, and.ihen it' willToone appear that the interpreters in truthare but fewamong manyof thofe that are fo, inTitle.., Firfta' 3Sr
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