THE Spirituall Fishing. A SERMON Preached in Cambridge by that Reuerend and Iudicious Diuine, Mr SAMVEL HIERON. Printed by the true Copie written with his owne hands a little before his decease.
AT LONDON Printed by IOHN BEALE, for widow Helme, and are to bee sold at her shop vnder St Dunstans Church in Fleet-street. 1618.
¶To the VVorthy, Religious, and Vertuous Lady, the Lady MARGARET YELVERTON, Wife to the much honoured, Sir HENRY YELVERTON Knight, the Kings Atturney Generall, continuance of all happinesse.
NO sooner came this Sermon vnto my hands, (the Author whereof for his approued zeale, worthily deserued the title of an eminent Light and Ornament of our Church) then I vowed the dedication thereof vnto your Ladiship; Nor may it seeme vnworthy your fauourable acceptance (the principall aime of my expectance) in regard of [Page] that singular testimony which all men that haue been conuersant in his Works, doe giue of the Author, being such a one as neither affection could corrupt, nor affectation transport; but of that spirit, as he was zealous with a good conscience, making humility his path to glory. Jn a word, (Madam) his former Labours (now reduced into one Ʋolume) haue been euer countenanced by some choice Patrons: Nor may this (being equall with most of the rest) claime lesse prerogatiue then the rest. Thus wishing you that benefit for which it was intended, to the glory of God, whereto it is directed, J rest,
To the Christian Reader▪
CHristian & curteous Reader, being moued by such who had interest in bringing to light this Sermon, that I would prefix some small Epistle, I would not hang backe from performing so small a kindnesse. And two considerations especially swaied mee to write a fewe lines in this kinde. The first whereof is the Authors great deserts towards the Church of God; great in teaching, great in writing. Many a man there is, who hauing learnedly, iudiciously, and plainly taught the truth of God, hauing taken heed to the Ministerie which hee receiued in the Lord, to fulfill it, and that in preaching alone; not withstanding he hath left his memoriall blessed upon earth, euen in that regard and naked respect. But if there bee one man of a great companie, who as he taught religiously and powerfully in his life, so besides in his life he did write to the comfortable edification of the Church, and yea also left after his death other things to be published for the behoofe of Gods Saints, without question such a worthy may well haue double honour put vpon him. Many such deseruing instruments, hath God raised vp in our Church exceeding both for mouth, and penne: among the last of which, the Author of this Sermon need not to [Page] be ranked.Pro. 31. 31. His workes praise him in the gates as Salomon speaketh of the vertuous Womans deeds. The second and third, nay the fift and sixt editions of certaine Treatises written by him, though in a dumb, neuerthelesse with a mouing rhetorick, speake effectually to his commandation. In the second place, that did not a little encourage me, that this Sermon (if much affection haue not dazled some eies) may well bee esteemed amongst one of the cheife he did deliuer. It was preached in a famous Vniuersitie, in a most learned, & ful auditory, it was heard with attention (his godly voice, & sanctified gesture enliuening the hearers:) afterwards it was spoken of with reuerence and affection; as both hearing it, and hearing of it, I can truely auouch, it was his farewell Sermon to his Mother Vniuersitie, although not (I supose) in the Authors intent, yet in the euent: the Lord often directing matters▪ otherwise then for the present wee dreame of. Receiue therefore Christian Reader this Sermon, sound for edification, sweete for application, shewing Ministers thier duty, shewing people theirs, and therefore not vnwelcome to ad good either teachers, or learners. Thus wishing thee all blessing from God in this and all other like furtherances of thy deuotion, I recommend thee to the Lords mercie, beseeching him for Christ his sake, to fulfil euery honest desire of thy heart.
THE Spirituall Fishing. Text, LVKE 5. ver. 10. The last words of that verse, ‘Henceforth thou shalt catch men.’
WHereas heere our Sauiour translates this phrase of Fishing, or catching, from an ordinary and inferiour course, vnto a more heauenly and spirituall businesse, euen to the winning of soules; it giues very direct occasion to handle these things.
First, The state of the world, which is as the Sea.
Secondly, the state of the Church, which is as a Ship or Boate in the Sea.
Thirdly, the state of men by nature, who be [Page] [...] [Page 1] [...] [Page 2] as Fishes ranging after their owne disposition, vncaught.
Fourthly, the state of Ministers, who bee as Fishers.
Fiftly, the state of the Gospell preached, which is the hooke, or baite, or net to take soules.
These things are not strained or forced, but arise out of the place directly. For sith Peter and the rest must change their course, and fall to a new kind of Fishing; what is the Sea which they must lanch out into, but the World? what is the Boate, but the Church in which they labour, & to which they seek to gather soules? what is the booty they must seeke for, but the sonnes of men? and what are they but so many Fishers? or what is their net, but the Gospell, the word of Saluation which they Preach? Of euery of these I will speake something, and that briefly.
That the state of the World, is as the Sea, it is plaine by these places; Before the throne there was a Sea of glasse like vnto Chrystall (Reu. 4. 6.), In that day the Lord with his sore and great and mighty sword shall slay the Dragon that is in the Sea (I▪ 27. 1.): And the state of the World is as the Sea in a fourfold respect;The State of this World compared to the Sea in 4. respects. first, because of the generall vnstablenesse of the things thereof. The vnsedlednesse of that vast creature the Sea is well knowne. It is in continuall motion (it cannot rest Isai. 57. 20. it) ebbes 1 and flowes perpetually: sometimes (at a Springtyde) it swels to that bignesse, that the bankes [Page 3] cannot containe it; sometimes againe, it falles backe so low, that a man must goe farre from the banke before hee can come neere it. It is (vnder God) chiefly gouerned by the Moone, then the which there is no one thing more subiect vnto change, it being neuer beheld two nights together in one proportion. Thus is the World, whether wee looke vpon the generall states of Kingdomes, or the personall estates of particular men, either for their goods or for their bodies, wee see nothing but a continuall alteration: Crownes are translated from head to head, and Scepters passe from one hand to another; fenced Cities are made heapes, and walled Townes become as the plowed fields: they which were once fastened as a nayle in a sure place, and hauing set their nests on hie, dreamed of nothing but perpetuities for them & theirs, are suddenly throwne out of all, and rolled and turned like a ball (Is. 22. 18:). The great houses are smitten with breaches (Àm. 6. 11.) & the wide dwellings and large chambers, sieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion (Ier. 22. 14.), are in a moment left without an inhabitant (Is. 5. 9.). Haman is to day the second in the Kingdome, but stript of all, is hanged vp to morrow (Hest. 7. 10.). This yeare is Ierusalem the Princesse among the Prouinces, but the next yeare made tributarie (Lam. 1. 1.); her nobles which did erewhile put on scarlet, do now embrace the dung Lam 4. 5.. Now doth Nebuchadnezzar walke in his royall palace of Babel, priding himselfe in his outward state; but while the [Page 4] word was in the Kings mouth, a voice came downe from Heauen, saying, O King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee bee it spoken, thy Kingdome is departed from thee, Dan. 4. 26. &c. &c.: Yesterday Iobs cattell went out by their thousands, he had both sonnes and daughters to doe him honour, and seruants at his command: to day heere is not a hoofe to bee seene in his ground, not a childe to call him blessed, not a ladde left to attend him. This is the vncertainty of this ebbing and flowing World, the fashion of it goeth away 1. Cor. 7. 31.
2 2. Because of the tumultuousnesse of it: who is ignorant of the stormes and grieuous tempests which are at Sea? There especially men see the workes of the Lord and his wonders in the deepe: For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy winde, and it lifteth vp the waues thereof Psal. 107. 24. 25.. The World is a fit patterne heereof, in respect of the continuall stirs and troubles that are in it: Nation against Nation by warres, man against man by diuers kindes of contentions, of euery one that liues therein is the saying of Iob verified, Man that is borne of a woman is full of trouble Chap 14. 1., Man is borne vnto trauaile, as the sparks fly vpward Chap. 5. 7.. It was the punishment which God layed vpon him, that in sorrow hee should eate his bread all the daies of his life Gen. 3. 17.: and albeit some haue a more calme passage then some others haue, or like Ionas Chap. 1. 5. can lye and sleepe, when others are tossed with the storme, yet none can liue without some vexation; he is not alwaies caried [Page 5] with full sayles to the end of his desires.
3. The world resembles the Sea by the oppression 3 that is in it. At Sea the lesser fishes are a prey to the great ones; and in the World, the rich and mightie swallow vp the pooreAm. 8. 4.: one man bites and deuoures anotherCal. 5. 15.; Manasseth, Ephraim; Ephraim, Manasseth Is. 9. 21.. To this pertaines that of the Prophet, That men are made as the fishes of the Sea Hab. 1. 14.
4. In respect of the sway the Diuell beares in 4 it. Obserue what is in the Psame, The Sea is great and wide, there is that Leuiathan whom the Lord hath made to play therein Psal. 104. 26. Now looke how this monster domineeres in the Sea, so doth Sathan heere in the World: therefore he is called the God of this World 2. Cor. 44., and said to worke in the children of disobedience Ephes. 2. 2.: And to iustifie this comparison, as the World is called the Sea, so is the Diuell Leuiathan Is 27. 1.. Thus we see how the World is compared to the Sea: The state of the Sea is vncertaine, so is the World; it is tempestuous, so is the World full of tumult: In it the great fishes deuoure the lesse, so in the World the poore and weake are a spoile to the mightie: Leuiathan takes his pleasure in the Sea, so doth Sathan rule and beare sway in the World.
To presse forward the counsell of S. Iohn, Ʋse. Loue not the world neither the things that are in the world 1. Epist. 2. 25
The Doctrine now deliuered, affoords a strong reason to enforce it: For where there is so [Page 6] much vncertaintie, so much confusion and trouble, such oppression and cruelty, where the Diuell beareth such exceeding sway; what is there to be found worth delighting in? A man imagines himselfe sure in respect of his outward estate; at an instant comes as it were a waue and washeth away all: he promiseth peace and quietnesse to himselfe; suddenly ariseth a storme, and puts him to a trouble which he thought not of: much adoe shall he haue to escape the hands of the oppressor, be he as he will; nay, the better and holyer he is, so much the more that great Leuiathan that olde serpent hath him in continuall chase. Marke and consider, oh ye men of the earth, all whose striuing and plotting and plodding is for the world; consider what it is vpon which you dote and with which you are enamoured so exceedingly; it is euen a very Sea of vncertainties and bottomelesse Ocean of confused vexation, the very hold & kingdome of the diuell. We hunt after it, but where is our assurance when we haue got it? or what haue we procured to our selues, but vanitie and vexation of spirit? The further we wade into it, the further are we from the Lord: for the amitie of the World is the enmitie of God Iam. 4. 4., and the more businesse we haue in it, in the greater hazard we are to be drowned in perdition & destruction 1. Tim. 6. 9.. Happy were it for vs if the meditation of this point touching the proportion which is betwixt the World and Sea, were able to vnglue and [Page 7] vntwist our affections, which are so neerely tyed vnto it, and to stirre vs vp like passengers by Sea to long for the Hauen, and to striue for that eternall rest, a kingdome not of vncertaintie, but which cannot be shaken; a place not of trouble, but where shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall be any more paine Reu. 21. 4.. There the prince of darkenesse cannot endanger; for the Lamb is the light of it ver. 23., and God himselfe shall be all in all to those that dwell therein1. Cor. 15. 28.. This is the Vse.
THe next thing is touching the Church: The state thereof in the World is like the state of a Ship or Boate vpon the Sea; The state of the Church in this world, compared to a ship or boat vpon the Sea. And that especially in this respect: Because it is subiect to continuall tossings.
Of Trauailers by Sea it is said, that they are tossed too and fro, and stagger like drunken men, and all their cunning is gonePsal. 107 27. Not vnlike to this is the state and condition of Gods Church. It fareth with it, as with the Ship Ionas was in; There was a mightie tempest in the Sea, so that the Ship was like to be brokenChap. 1. 4.: or which the Disciples were in; There arose a great tempest in the Sea, so that the Ship was couered with wauesMat. 8. 24.. Such was the state of the Church of old, the members whereof complained, how the waters had almost drowned them, and the streame had gone ouer their soule Psal. 124. 4.. And Dauid as a man experienced in [Page 8] such stormes, cryeth out to GodPsal. 69. 1., Saue me, for the waters are entred, euen to my soule: and deliuer and take mee out of the great waters Psal. 144 7.. And as it was with the Ship in which Paul was so exceedingly hazarded, that they saw neither Sunne nor Starres in many daies Act. 27. 20.: so the Church of God, is often driuen into that extremitie, that it is for a time, euen depriued of all ordinary comfort, and seemes to bee without all hope of any more refreshing. Hence are these complaints of the Church, O God why hast thou put vs away for euer? Why is thy wrath kindled against the sheepe of thy pasture? thinke vpon thy congregation &c. Psal. 74. 1 2.; and wilt thou be angry with vs for euer? and wilt thou prolong thy wrath from one generation to another? wilt thou not turne againe &c. Psal. 85. 5. 6. Thus Dauid as a trauailer in this Ship, cryed out, Will the Lord absent himselfe for euer? and will he no more shew fauour Psal 77. 7.? And Heman the Ezrahite; Lord why dost thou reiect my soule, and hidest thy face from me Psal. 88. 14.? It is a law that cannot be broken, that the chosen of God must thorow many afflictions enter into the kingdome of God Act. 14. 22.; God hath so appointed for his owne glory.
1 First, the troubles of his Church and the afflictions of his people, do make his power and mercy to be knowne; euen as the skill of a Pilot, is most to be seene in a storme: My power is made perfect through weakenesse 1. Cor. 12. 9.. The Lord bringeth matters to an exigent, and suffereth them to come to the [Page 9] very brinke of hazard, that so his might and goodnesse in the deliuery of his seruants may be the more apparent. When the Church of Israel was in a wonderfull strait, the Sea before them, the mountaines on both sides, the enemyes at their heeles, Now (sayth God) I will get me honour vpon Pharaoh, and vpon all his host: the Egyptians also shall know that I am the Lord Exod. 14. 4..
2. For their good: first, It makes them to looke vpward with the greater feruency. Dauid sayth of ordinary passengers by Sea, that when they mount vp to the heauen, and descend to the deepe, so that their soule melteth for trouble &c, then they cry vnto the Lord in their trouble &c. Psal. 107. 28.. The Mariners with Ionas when the storme was vp, downe were they vpon their knees, and euery man cryed vnto his God Ioans 1. 5.. And so the swelling waues of afflictions, do not quench but kindle the deuotion of Gods seruants▪ In their affliction they will seeke me diligently Hosea 5. 15.. Secondly, it makes them long so much the more for the Hauen (where they would be.) Note Paules dayly dying, and the continuall troubles which he was exposed vnto, made him long to be dissoluedPhil. 1. 23., and to be as glad when his time of departing was at hand2. Tim. 4 6., as the poore weather-beaten Mariner is to see the land. Thirdly, it makes the deliuerance when it comes to be the more esteemedPsal. 107. 30., When they are quieted they are glad, and double welcome is that refreshing which comes at the very pinch of necessity. The [Page 10] redeeming of Dauids life from the graue, the raysing him vp from the very mouth of the pit, made him to vow with himselfe neuer to forget Psa. 103. 2. 4.
This serues to adm̄onish all that feare God,Vse 1. what they must make prouision for, if they will be saued. By their profession, they are entred into the Church of God, not as into a Garden of pleasure, where they may aduenture to say euery one to his soule, Soule, liue at ease, eate, drinke, and take thy pastime Luke 12. 19.; but as into a Ship, a house of continuall motion, where though there may be calmenesse for a time, the Sun shining out, the winds layd, and the Sea smooth, yet it is wisedome to be in continuall expectation of a storme. God hath not called vs vnto case and quiet, but to the crosse. Many things are to be endured betwixt our setting out here, and our arriuall at the Land of Promise. Many stormes to bee gone through, many rocks and sands to be aduentured by, many Pirats seeking the spoyle of our soules to be grapled with, before the hauen of Rest can be entred into. The ignorance, or the inconsideration of this point hath deceiued many. They may thus fitly be shadowed out. Some fresh trauailer standing vpon the shore in a faire day, and beholding the Ships in their beautie lye readie rigged and trimmed in the Harbor, thinks it a gallant thing to goe to Sea, and will need aduenture; but being out a league or two, and feeling by the rocking of the Ship his stomacke begin to [Page 11] worke and grow sicke, and his soule euen to abhorre all manner of meat; or otherwise a storme to arise, the wind and the water as it were conspiring the ouerthrow of the vessell, and euery sea carrying in it the face of death; forthwith repents his folly, and makes vowes, that if he can once recouer the shore, he will bid an eternall farewell vnto all such voyages. Thus, there be who in the calme dayes of peace, when Religion is not ouerclowded by the times, that will needs ioyne themselues to the number of Gods people, they will be as earnest and forward as the best. But when a tempest begins to appeare, and the Sea to grow rougher then at the first entry, the times alter, trouble is raysed, and many crosse winds of much opposition and gainsaying begin to blow, they are weary of their course, and will needs be set ashore againe, resoluing neuer to thrust themselues into any more aduentures. How needfull then is it that Christians should often remember, how by Christs speech here, the Church is necessarily resembled to a Ship? enter not into it, to be a guide or a passenger, a Minister, or a professor, vnlesse thou resolutely make prouision for a storme. Till the end of the voyage there is no rest to be looked for: wherein notwithstanding this may be for a comfort, that this Ship (the Church of God) hath a priuiledge which none hath else, no not the greatest Gallioun or Argosy vnder heauen; It may be tossed, but can neuer be drowned, [Page 12] Though the waters of the sea rage and bee troubled, and the mountaines shake at the surges thereof; God is in the midst of it, therefore shall it not be moued, God shall help it very early Psal. 46▪ 3. 5.. It is as the Arke of Noah, which (because God had shut it vpon Noah) therefore it was borne vp euen amidst the wauesGen. 7. 16. 17; or as the Boate in which Christ wasMat. 8. 24. 26, which was welneere couered with waters, yet at an instant, by the command of him which is the Lord of the Sea, there followed a gracious calme. Christ is the Pilot, and (as was sayd of Paul) God hath giuen to him all that sayle with him Act. 27. 24., and he will giue them eternall life, and they shall neuer perish Iohn 10. 18..
The second vse serues to teach vs (because the Church of God is as a Ship in this sea of the world) the necessity of furnishing our selues with such things as appertaine to this spirituall voyage:Ʋse 2 not to insist vpon many, two things especially must be looked too. First, That we be diligent in obseruing the direction appointed by God, for the true guidance of our course. The Sea-men haue their Card and their Compasse, they haue the Sun and Stars, and the motions of heauen to direct them. That which our course must be guided by is the word of God; it is like the pillar that went before the host of Israel according to the mouing or standing whereof they ordered all their iourneyes. Hither may be referred that of Peter 2. Epist. 1. 19., We haue a most sure word of the Prophets, to which ye do well that ye take heed, as vnto a light that [Page 13] shineth in a darke place. It is an allusion to a Seacourse: when the Admirall hangs out a Lanterne, and all that come behind steere to that. We cannot wander if we be led by this light: It is that good Spirit which Dauid prayed to be led by vnto the land of righteousnesse Psal. 143. 10.. What other Load-star of custome, or opinion or fashion of the times men attend vpon, they must needs run vpon the rocks and make shipwrack of the faith. Secondly, That we take with vs the knowledge and faith of Gods promises. It is called the Anchor, Hebr. 6. 19. This is our stay, in the day of tempest; I know whom I haue belieued 2. Tim. 1. 12.: such an one cannot be moued, for his heart is fixed, and belieueth in the Lord Psal. 112. 7.. The promises being either not knowne or not applied, the soule is tossed without rest, and must needs be ouerwhelmed with despaire. This Anchor being tyed to the soule by the strong cable of a li [...]ely faith, giues comfort vnto it in the greatest storme.
THE third thing is concerning the state of men.The state of mē by nature compared to fishes in the Sea, ranging after their owne disposi iō ▪t vncaught. Doctrine. The fish to be catched out of this Sea, and to be brought into this Ship, are men, Thou sha't catch men from hence-forth. From whence this is gathered:
That we are all by nature in the state of condemnation. This is cleere out of this place. By this fishing, or catching (the very substance of the Ministers office) is meant, a bringing of men into the [Page 14] way of life. Now then, in as much as we are all by nature vncaught (otherwise why should Christ send out his Apostles to take vs?) it followeth, that we are all by nature without grace, euen in the very gulfe and iawes of eternall woe. This is easily prooued by the Scriptures; All flesh hath corrupted his way vpon the earth Genes. 6. 12.. The Lord looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men, to see if there were anie that would understand and seeke God. All are gone out of the way: they are all corrupt, there is none that doth good, no not onePsal 14. 2. 3.. All we like sheepe haue gone astray: we haue turned euery one to his owne way Isa. 53. 6.: By nature the children of wrath aswel as others Ephes. 2. 3.; without Christ, and were aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel, and were strangers from the Couenant of Promise, and had no hope, and were without God in the world Verse 12.: Vnwise, disobedient, deceiued, seruing the lusts &c. Titus 3. 3. Destruction and calamitie are in our waies Rom. 3. 16..
And well in this are we compared vnto the fish: For as the fishes skippe and play and take their pleasure in the sea, and are vnwillingly taken in the net, and labour to get out, and being in the boate, would faine, if they could, leape backe into the sea; so naturally wee take pleasure in our sinfull wayes. It is a pastime for a foole to do wickedly Prou 10 23.. The net of the Gospell must enclose vs; of our selues we abhor it, and to the death will not come within the compasse of it; and being entangled, we desire still to be loosed, and to returne againe [Page 15] vnto our wonted course. This is the verie true state of vs all. We neither are in the state of grace by nature, neither doe we desire it. We be plunged into a sea of miserie, and in our owne disposition we would neuer forsake it.
It were well for vs, if we could learne by this to see our selues what we be, and what we would euer be, if we were lest to the swinge of our owne affections. Nature hath (as it were) spawned vs forth into this worldly sea: and as it selfe lieth in wickednesse 1 Iohn 5 19, so do we drinke iniquitie like water Iob 15. 16.. It is sweete vnto vs in our mouth, and we hide it vnder the tongue, we sauour it, and will not forsake it, but keepe it close in the mouth Iob 20. 12. 13. We neither know the meanes of our saluation, nor affect it when it is offered. Either the Scripture is false, or this is true. How happy were we if this could humble vs! it would make vs afrayd of following our owne thoughts, or of being led by the sway of our owne hearts. Our not knowing the miserie of our owne estate, is the cause of all the securitie, of all the profanenesse, of all the boldnesse in sinne, of all the contempt of Gods word which is in the world at this day. This place among others, is as a glasse to shew vs what wee are; strangers from saluation, and as farre from anie inclination to it as a fish is from a will and desire to be caught.
THe fourth thing is of the state of the Minister.The state of ministers, who be as Fishers. Heere are two things: First, the state of the [Page 16] Ministerie: Secondly, the labour, businesse and worke of the Ministerie. Of the first thus we see:
That it is no superfluous or needelesse function, Doctrine 1. but a calling of great necessitie for the winning and sauing of mens soules. This is cuident out of this place. The Lord intending the conuersion of some, and being able diuers waies to accomplish his purpose in that behalfe, yet hath thought it good to single out this meanes among all the rest, euen by man to catch man, and by his ministerie to bring soules into his Kingdome. This is that which the Apostles, saith, Ephe. 4. 11. 12. He gaue some to be Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Euangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the repairing of the Saints, for the worke of the Ministery. The Saints which belong to the election of grace, being scattered vp on the earth here and there, his pleasure is by Paul and Timothie to gather them together vnto himselfe. They be the Lords Labourers to bring in his Haruest Matt. 9. 38., his Workemen to aduance his building 1 Cor. 3. 9., his Shepheards to take heed vnto his flocke Acts 20. 28., the Stars in his right hand to giue light vnto his Church Reuel. 1. 20.. There being thousands of soules to be saued in Iurie, the Lord will haue them to be brought in by Peters ministerieActs 2. 41.: Philip must be sent to catch the Samaritans and the Eunuch Acts 8.. In Corinthus there was a great draught (I haue much people in this Citie:) therefore there Paul must goe to workeActs 18. 10.. Heere is the necessitie of the calling.
To reproue their prophane and wretched opinion,Vse [Page 17] who thinke, that among all the professions which are at this day in the world, that of the Ministerie may best be spared. It is strongly thought by many, that it were no danger or preiudice to mens soules, though there were no Minister at all to instruct them. O say some, what neede they trouble themselues? Euerie man must answer for his owne soule; and if we do not as we should, we shall beare the blame.
Thus they would shift off all dependance vpon the ordinance of God, and lay an imputation of superfluitie vpon that calling, by which it is the pleasure of God to saue those that beleeue. This one place is sufficient to stop their mouth; For I may truly auouch it out of the words heere, that (ordinarily) there is no more hope of a mans saluation without an able and industrious Minister, then there is that the fish in the Sea will of it selfe come ashoare, and offer it selfe vnto vs without the labour of some, to go out into the deep with boates and nets to bring them in. Henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Secondly, thus:Doctrine 2.. That the calling of the Minister is noidle calling, but a calling of labour, a calling of much businesse and of great employment.
The Ministers are fishers, whether that be not a profession of much labour, iudge you. To make the thing it selfe manifest, this is worthie to be obserued; That the most names giuen in the Scripture to men of this calling, doe betoken labour; [Page 18] Seers 1. Sam. 9. 9., Watchmen Ezech. 3. 17., Embassadours 2 Cor. 5. 20., Labourers Matth. 9. 38., Disposers 1. Cor. 4. 1., Husbandmen Mar. 12. 2., Seedes men 1. Cor. 3. 9., Shepheards Iohn 10. 2., Cryers Lu. 3. 4.. There is no title giuen them, but implieth action, yea and industry very great. It is a worthie worke 1. Tim. 3. 1., their Maintenance is with that condition1. Thes 5. 13 1. Cor. 9. 14.; otherwise no title, no name nor shew can free them from ContemptMatth. 5. 13.
It meeteth with two euills in Ministers; first, the idlenesse which hath ouertaken some that are called to this busie profession; They are such as the Prophet reproueth,Ʋse 1. Watchmen that are blinde, that haue no knowledge, that are dumbe dogges and cannot barke: that lie and sleepe and delight in sleeping Isa. 56. 10.. I take no pleasure in laying open the nakednesse of men of mine owne coate: yet God forbid that I should vse my tongue to the licking of their sores, which prooue the very bane of Gods Church, and doe make it lie like the field of the sluggard, or as the garden of the idler. Secondly, the spirit of greedinesse which (is to be feared) is in many. They can neuer haue enough &c. Isa. 56. 11.. They goe out to catch, yet not soules to God, but preferments to themselues, and are still fishing for aduauncement. They haue not learned that of the Apostle: I seeke not yours, but you 2. Cor. 12 14; It is not your fauour which I doe affect, it is not your wealth which I seeke for, it is your saluation which I endeuour. This is the honour of a mans ministerie, the glorie and crowne of his calling.
It ouerthroweth the common fancie of theVse 2. [Page 19] people, who account the Ministers calling to be an idle and a lazie calling; we get our liuings easily in the conceit of some, and it is no sinne nor pitty (in their vnderstanding) to defraud vs; and how vsuall is it in the mouthes of many, to say, Wee must labour for them? I confesse, that as some vse it, it is a calling of excessiue idlenesse, if they be such as feede themselues, and feede not the flockes Ezech. 34. 1, such as take away the key of Knowledge Lu. 11. 52.; but consider it in it owne nature, and as it ought to be performed, we shall finde it to be a seruice of greater businesse. Let Peter, or anie successour of Peter busie himselfe (as he must) sometimes in preparing, sometimes in mending, sometimes in casting abroad, sometimes in drawing in his net; no man shall haue any iust cause to twit him with idlenesse, or to say, That because he is a Minister, therefore he hath an easie occupation.
THe last thing is, That the nette in which men must be taken, Doctrine. is the preaching of the Gospell.
Christ heere acquainting them generally with his purpose how to employ them,The state of the Gospell preached, cō pared to a hooke, baite, or net, to catch mens oules. after changed the phrase when it came to the poynt of execution; and he which now spake of fishing; told them afterwards of preaching, Matth. 10. chapter verse 7. of Teaching the nations Matt. 28. 19., of Declaring the Gospell to euerie creature Mar. 16. 15., of Feeding his sheepe Iohn 21. 15.: and Christ himselfe compareth the Gospell to [Page 20] netMatt. 13. 47.. The comparison agreeth fitly after this maner:
The preaching of the Gospell is like to a net; first, in the generall drist and vse: the vse of a net is to take fish: the drift of preaching is to bring in soules. Secondly, in the ordering of it: It is not the net lapped vp together that bringeth in the draught, but haled out at length and spread forth that encloseth the fish: It is the opening and vnfolding of the Gospell, the stretching it out by preaching which doth encompasse soules. There may a fish or two hang in the net being let downe on a heape, but that is a chaunce, and is no wise aduenturing. The word read, and so brought in (as it were) in grosse, may (by the mercy of God) take some; but we haue no warrant from hence to make a rule generall. Againe, it is neede that the nette be strong, otherwise the greater kinde will breake through, and make all the labour and charge to be in vaine; so it is meete that the Doctrine be well strengthened out of the word of God, that it be well prooued, that it be well pressed and applyed, that the consciences of the hearers may be conuicted, and that they may see it is God, and not man with whom they haue to do. For a man shall meete with many froward and wilfull and violent natures, that will not be held in, but when they feele themselues within the net will cry, Let vs breake thier bands, and cast their cords from vs Psal. 2. 3.; so that euen a kinde of violence [Page 21] may be vsed to keep them from destruction. Thirdly, in the successe of it. Many a draught the poore Fisherman makes and taketh nothing, yet he leaueth not off: many a time is the net of preaching shot forth, and yet none conuerted thereby: so it pleaseth God to exercise the patience of his seruants; yet still the worke must be followed, and the Lords leisure must be waited for. Often doth the net inclose many, which yet after breake away; and many are at first drawne in by the power of the Gospell, which yet afterwards slide backe and returne againe to their old profanenesse. There is much brought in in the Net, which yet is good for nothing when it is got: There come in frogs, and weeds, and a great deale of trash, which in the end is cast away, though for the loue of the fish there were no little paines in drawing it in: so, as it is shewed Matth. 13. 47. &c. many hypocrites and reprobates are gathered into the outward societie of the Church by preaching, and so are let alone like weedes vntill the day of haruest, Matth. 13. 30. Thus as our calling is to be fishers, so our Net is preaching.
It shewes plainely,Vse. that all the enemies and aduersaries of preaching, are enemies to the good and saluation of mens soules. This is the Net, and without this I will not feare to say, that surely men shall perish in their sinnes. The diuell that great hunter after soules, laboureth by his instruments, euen with the very spirit of his hellish policie, [Page 22] to disgrace this course, to suppresse it, to put it downe, to draw men from affecting it. He knoweth it to be the meanes to abridge his kingdome, he feareth the pulling of some soule or other out of his clutches at euery Sermon. Let vs not suffer our selues to be cosined by his wiles. Let me that am a Minister remember the Seruice I am called to, euen to catch men, to win soules, let me be euer plying this businesse; and you (Beloued) when the Lords Net is cast in among you, run not from it, grudge not at it, presse and striue to be brought within the compasse of it, otherwise you shall continue within the sea of this world still, and shall neuer be saued. Fishes doe die if they be taken; wee can not escape eternall death if we be not caught. The hooke may be sharpe, but the baite is sweet, and it will seeme a yoake to our nature, to be knit vp (as in a Net) and to be restrained from our owne wonted carnall liberty; but let vs looke to the end, which is the saluation of our soules. (*⁎*)