MINISTERS COMP:.REtl TO RULERS. Book IV. Mejfengn·s 1-iji:.g early, and fending them, &c. But they mocked tbe M'.ffingers of God, and defpifed hiJ fVord, and mifufed his i'rupbets, until the fVrath of tbe Lord aroje again./f his People, till there was no Remedy, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 15, 16. I · N F E R E N C E S. I. TI-llS fl1ews what great Dignity God harh conferred upon his faithful Minifl~rs; and this Title fhould procme an honorable Efteem of them in the Hearts of all Perfons to whom they are fent. And this is more neceff.1ry to the good Succefs of their Mdfage, than is generally thought ; though it is evident, what 1'v1initters fpeak t1pon this SubjeCt is mif-confirued, as if they herein rather fought themfelves, than ·to befriend the Gofpel, or advance the Honor of their M after. Men are ready to interpret it as a Fruit of their Pride, and an Afl'etl:ation they have of fame outward Grandeur, and wordly Pomp, which they deogn to gain by fuch a magnificent Tirle. The Apofile himfelf was fenfible of this, and yet would not defift to magnify his Offi ce; and therefore faith he, L et Menfo account of us, as Minijlers of Cbrijl, a;zd Stewards of the MJfteries of God, and that they fhould judge nothing before the 'Ii;;;e, 1 Cor. iv. 5· Objefl. But fame may fay, If God will ufe Ambajfadors to treat ""ith Sinners, why ·doth he not ufe Angels? &c. Anfw. I. The Apofile anfwers this: We have this 'Ireajitre in Earthen Vejfels, that the Excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us, 2 Cor. iv. 7· 2. Mini!ters being Men, have the Advantage many ways above Angels for this Work. (I.) They are more concerned themfel ves in the Mdl:tge they bring, than Angels are: What greater Argument for a Man's Care than his own lnterell:! (2 .) They have a more deep Senfe arifing in their Hearts, upon the account of the Tempta– tions they are fubjetl: to, &c. ('!-) The Sufferings which Minifters meet with for the Gofpel's fake, are of great Advantage to their Brethren; had Angels been rhe Am– balfadors, they could not have fealed to the Truth of their DoCtrine with their Blood, t:hey cannot die, &c. (4.) Befides, the Prefence of Angels might terrify and affrighten us, their Glory is fa great, &c. II. This !hews, that Minifiers have a fpecial Commiffion: How }hall they preach, except they are fent? R am. x. They mull: have a lawful Call to this Office, as Ambalfadors have. Ill. Let poor Sinners from hence be perfuaded to hearken to them, and carefully 'receive the Melfage Minifiers bring from the great God, and accept of Terms of Peace, and clofe in with Jefus Chrift. IV. It fhews the wonderful' Love of God, and the great Care he hath of Mens Souls. V. It fhews what an intolerable Affront is offered to the Majefiy of Heaven by thofe that abufe or deride the Minillers of the Gofpel; and much greater, by them that perfecute and imprifon them for delivering their M elfage. Paul was an Ambalfa– dor in Bonds, &c. VI. It fhews the Weight and Importance of the Preacher's Melfage; it is not a flight or ileevelefs Errand they come ·about: I Jet before you this Day L ife and Death, f)eut. XXX. I s-Hear, and your Souls .Jhall live. He ibat believeth not, the Wrath of God abideth on him, 'john iii. 36. Go into all the World, and preach tbe Gofpel to e·very Creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, fha/1 be fawd ; but he that belie~·eth not, jhalt I1C damned, Mark xvi. I 5, r6. MINIsTERs COMPARED TO RuLERs. Remember them which have the Rule owr )'O!l, u·ho have fpoken unto yott the Word of God, &c. Heb. xiii. 7· MINISTERS of the Gofpel are Rulers or Governors, &c. ~ULER~ PARALLEL I. RULERS are Men in high I. so Mipifiers are the chief of God's People, Place, endued with Power fuch as have great Power committed to them, and Authority over others; it is a as_the Dep uties and Amball'adors of Chrifr. Name of Dignity. 2 ll. So
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