64. Saint Pauls Legacy. Prov.27Io. 700171, .1.1aeololp. him, and not delight in change of Minifters, as men doe in change of horfes, leaft they be deceived at laft. Thine crone riend,ard thj fathers riend,faith Solomon,forfake not :As friends, io Minitiers, are not like houles and garments, commenda- ble and to be defined for their newneífe, but like Wives, for their long continuance and experience we liewe of their faithfulnefle and labours. And fince the continuance of able2 \linifters is fo uncer- taine, it fhould be our care to make our beft ufe of them while we doe enjoy them : men buy while the Mart lafieth, men walk while the light fhineth, men enter while the gate is open, and every man thould hive to furnifh his foule, to draw nigh to God, to enter into Chrift, while God affords an able Minifter to guide and bring us home to Chrift Je fus. But this word, lralete, is commonly expounded by ano ther word, Gaudete, rejoice yee, and then the meaning is this: If fo be that yee follow the councell which bath been given you, beleeve the doftrine which hath been taught you, and conforme your felves unto the Rules which have been pre - 'cribed to you,then you (hall have matter and caafe of great joy. And hence note, That the full and thorough conforming of our felves to the dot-Hine of Gods Melfengers, Miniiiers great joy and gladneffe, though they depart from us. The Ifraelites had great joy in that they had followed the fi ery Pillar, though at length it left them, it brought them into the land of Canaan. The Wije men had matter of great joy in the Starre, though at length it was no more a light unto them ; becaufe before it left them, it brought them unto Chrift. The Traveller hath great joy in the guide, though at length he ceafe to be any more a guide unto him; becaufe before he forfook him, he brought him unto his home, at leaft led him farre in his way, and diewed him how to walk aright unto his journeys end. Man that throughly conformes himfelf to the do&rine of Gods f Minifter, bath matter of great joy within him, though the Minifter of God at length leave him ; be- caufe before he leaves him, he hash prefented and opened Chrift unto him, and brought him home to Chrift, by workin
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=