THE Diſpenſation of the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, Men, Brethren and Fathers, in ſeveral important reſpects, far excels in Glory the Moſaic Diſpenſation. This the Apoſtle had obſerved and clearly proved in the preceding Chapter, and from thence draws the juſt Concluſion in our Text, Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, we faint not.

Here we may obſerve ſeveral Things.

1. We have the Goſpel Miniſtry refer'd to, call'd, This Miniſtry.

2. Here are ſome engag'd in this Work: WE HAVE this Miniſtry. They are put in Truſt with the Goſpel 1 Theſ. ii. 4..

3. This is to be acknowledged as a Mercy from God: As we have RECEIVED MERCY, Some Expoſitors chuſe to join this Sentence with the laſt Clauſe, thus; as we have received Mercy, we faint not.

Theſe underſtood the Mercy here intended, to be, that of Miniſters being kept from fainting under their Trials.

Others join the two firſt Sentences in our Text together thus, Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy. They conceive the Mercy here ſpoken of is that of being call'd and employ'd in the ſacred Work. Beza's Judgment in particular is mentioned in the Continuation of Poole's Annotations, in theſe Words; The Traducers of this great Apoſtle took Advantage from his great Trials and Afflictions, by reaſon of them, to conclude him no ſuch Man, as he was by ſome repreſented; and the Apoſtle upon that takes Advantage to magnify his Office. God (ſaith he) having intruſted us with ſo glorious a Miniſtration, as I have proved that of the Goſpel to be, according to the Meaſure and Proportion of Gifts and Graces, which God hath beſtowed upon us, or by reaſon of that infinite Grace and Mercy, which God hath ſhewed us, in calling us to ſo honorable a Station and Office, though we meet with many Adverſaries, many Afflictions, many Difficulties, yet we bear up, and ſink not under them, nor faint in our Spirits becauſe of them.

Thus far he. In this Senſe I propoſe to conſider the Words of our Text.

4. We may obſerve, that great Difficulties muſt be expected in the Work of the Goſpel Miniſtry, or there would be no Danger of Fainting.

Again, that we ought not to faint under theſe Difficulties and Trials, but ſhould be able to ſay, through Grace, with the Apoſtle, we faint not.

And further, that an excellent Argument againſt Fainting in this Work, may be drawn from the Goſpel Miniſtry itſelf, and the ſeveral Motives, that relate to it. Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, we faint not.

Laſtly, That faithful Miniſters are kept from Fainting, by theſe precious Truths and Motives ſet home with divine Power on their Souls; hence they can ſay with the Apoſtle, We faint not; otherwiſe we ſhould ſurely faint.

I might comprize theſe important Obſervations in a general One, and lay it down as the Foundation of the preſent Diſcourſe; but as that would open too large a Field for this Opportunity, I ſhall confine myſelf to the Conſideration and Improvement of theſe two Things, viz. The Mercy of being call'd to the Work of the Goſpel Miniſtry, and ſome of the Reaſons and Arguments which are adapted to guard againſt extreme Diſcouragements, and to excite to active and perſevering Diligence and Faithfulneſs in the Work.

And here I would humbly and earneſtly intreat my reverend Fathers and Brethren (with others of God's People preſent) to lift up your Hearts with Faith and Fervency to the God of all Grace and Fulneſs in Jeſus Chriſt, that I may be enabled ſo to ſpeak on theſe Heads, and you ſo to hear, as that our Souls may be much quickened and animated in our Work, in order to the ſaving Good of many Souls, and the Advancement of the Divine Glory in the World.

I am, according to the Method propos'd,

1. To conſider it as a Mercy to faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, that they have this Miniſtry, that they are call'd to this Work. We have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, ſaith our Text. God in his Mercy is ſet forth by an excellent Divine, as God willing to ſuccour ſinful Men in their Miſery. And how is this remarkably manifeſted to, and experienced by ſuch of the ſinful miſerable Sons of Men, as are prepared for, and improved in the miniſterial Work. Thus the Apoſtle Paul, with reſpect to the glorious Goſpel of the bleſſed God, which was committed to his Truſt, ſays, I thank Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the Miniſtry 1 Tim. i. 11, 12..

Indeed, when Men ruſh into the Miniſtry, without the Qualifications which the Word of God requires; they act a moſt fooliſh Part, and a Part moſt dangerous and pernicious, both to themſelves and others: But when they are endow'd with thoſe Qualifications, and withal ſet apart to the ſacred Work by Faſting and Prayer, and the laying on of the Hands of the Preſbytery Acts xiv. 23. 1 Tim. iv. 14. they may well be drawn out in Thankfulneſs to God and Chriſt, on the Account, and ſay, This is a Mercy, a great Mercy, confer'd on us unworthy, vile and ſinful Duſt, that unto us is committed the Miniſtry of Reconciliation 2 Cor. v. 18, 19..

This the Ambaſſadors of Chriſt juſtly eſteem a Mercy, as it reſpects themſelves, as it reſpects others, and as they may thus in an eminent Degree promote the Divine Glory in the World.

1. As it reſpects themſelves.

What a Mercy is it to be call'd to a Work, which is calculated to promote their Increaſe of Grace as well as Gifts? And what a Comfort muſt it be to the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, to conſider, that their general and particular Callings do happily coincide and ſubſerve each other? Their general Calling, the Care of their own Souls, their particular Calling, the Care of others Souls. The more cloſely they walk with God themſelves, ſo much the more faithful and engag'd they are in their Work, and the more likely to be ſucceſsful; and on the other Hand, the more faithful they are in their Work, through Grace, ſo much the more they grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt 2 Pet. iii. 18.. So much the more their Souls proſper and are in Health Epiſt. of John v. 2. and ordinarily the more they enjoy the Conſolations of the Divine Spirit, which are not ſmall, the more their Light ſhines before others, and they adorn their Profeſſion, and the more they are attemper'd to the heavenly State, and prepared for eternal Glory.

'Tis true they are from ſeveral Quarters beſet at times with Temptations, perhaps more ſo than others; as Officers in an Army are more aim'd and pointed at by the Enemy than private Soldiers; but theſe Temptations their great Lord and Leader wiſely permits, to prove them, and bring them to know more of themſelves, that they may take root downwards, in order to bear Fruit upwards; he ſhews them thus their own Inſufficiency, and leads them to depend upon his All-ſufficiency in the New Covenant, and hereupon they find him a very preſent Help in Trouble Pſal xlvi. 1.: They are thus humbled and purified, and made more meet for their Maſter's Service, more watchful and circumſpect, more patient and reſign'd under Trials and Sufferings, and more diligent in their Work, and probably more ſucceſsful too; and this is a great Mercy,

Again, the Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, are to give themſelves to reading, to Meditation and Prayer; and how may they thus, through the divine Bleſſing, grow apace, both in doctrinal and experimental Knowledge, yea, I may add, in every Chriſtian Grace and Virtue? And is not this a great Mercy?

It is a further Comfort and a Mercy too, that we, who have this Miniſtry, may be preaching to ourſelves, as well as praying over the Sermons we prepare for, and preach to others; yea, we may ſee more clearly the beautiful Harmony and Connection of divine Truths, as well as feel more of the happy Effects of them; while we are attending on the Expoſition of ſacred Scripture, and when catechiſing our People, or making Preparations therefor.

In the Adminiſtration of divine Ordinances, eſpecially the Sacraments of the New Teſtament, how may we reap much Profit and Pleaſure ourſelves, through Grace, ſee more of the Faithfulneſs, Grace, Holineſs, and other Perfections of our God and Saviour; and grow more holy, comfortable and fruitful.

In our Paſtoral Viſits we may often, through Divine Aſſiſtance, caution and comfort, direct and edify others and ourſelves at the ſame Time,

And in the Diſcipline of God's Houſe, while we endeavour to reclaim others, we may be not a little guarded and benefited ourſelves: We may be led to ſee much of the Aggravations and Evil of Sin, the Snares that lie thick around, the conſtant Neceſſity of Watchfulneſs and Prayer, and of living by Faith on God in Chriſt; that we may as Chriſtians, and as Miniſters, bring forth much Fruit.

In a Word, every Part of the miniſterial Work is in ſome reſpect or other adapted to promote our increaſing Conformity to the Perfections and Will of God in our Hearts and Lives: Is it not then a Mercy, a great Mercy, that we have been call'd to this Work? We have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy.

Though it is a difficult, yet it is alſo a delightful and uſeful, as well as honourable Work; and it is a Mercy, not only with reſpect to us, but alſo,

2. With reſpect to others.

It is truly adapted, both in the public and private Parts of it, as a Means to promote the beſt, the everlaſting Intereſts of all our Hearers; but Men are hardened by Sin and Unbelief, and blinded by Satan and the World: They hate the Light, and will not come to the Light, leſt their Deeds ſhould be reproved John iii. 20.. And nothing ſhort of the Almighty Energy of the Holy Ghoſt, will make the Word effectual to ſaving Purpoſes; well may the Regenerate then be ſaid to be born of the Spirit John iii. 5, 8.. By Grace we are ſaved, through Faith, and that not of ourſelves, it is the Gift of God: Not of Works, leſt any Man ſhould boaſt Eph. ii. 8, 9.. But as the Spirit makes Uſe of the Word, ſo we are ſaid to be born again by the Word of God, and begotten through the Goſpel 1 Pet. i. 23. 1 Cor. iv. 15.. And Faith is ſaid to come by Hearing, and Hearing by the Word of God; for how ſhall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how ſhall they hear without a Preacher? and how ſhall they preach, except they be ſent Rom. x. 17, 14, 15.? The Apoſtle was not aſhamed of the Goſpel of Chriſt, for, ſays he, it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth Very juſt then is the Concluſion drawn by the pious and ingenious Watts, Should all the Forms that Men deviſe, Aſſault my Faith with treach'rous Art, I'd call them Vanity and Lies, And bind the Goſpel to my Heart. ; and to theſe we are the Savour of Life unto Life, through rich Grace, although to others the Savour of Death unto Death Rom. i. 16. 2 Cor. ii. 16..

We are call'd in the miniſterial Work, as Inſtruments to inſtruct the Ignorant, to convince the Erroneous, to reclaim the Vicious, to awaken the Secure, to rouze the Slothful, to ſap the Foundation of Hypocrites, and to ſhew the Self-righteous their extream and deſtructive Folly; and though this is truly hard Work, yet it muſt be done in God's Strength, and when done and bleſt, very uſeful.

It is further uſeful and pleaſant withal, to direct enquiring Souls to Chriſt, to win them over to him, through his all-powerful Grace, that they may receive him in his moſt glorious Perſon and precious Benefits, as he is offer'd in the Goſpel: And what a Mercy is this both to us and them.

Again, we are call'd as Inſtruments, to build up the Saints in Faith, and Holineſs, and Comfort. We are to comfort them in their Trials from within and without, with the ſame Conſolations, wherewith we ourſelves are comforted of God. And is it not a Favour to be made thus uſeful to God's People? We were call'd in our Work to carry the Lambs in our Boſom, and gently to lead thoſe that are with Young, after the Example and under the Influence of the great, the chief Shepherd Iſa. xl. 2.. We are to give Milk to Babes, as well as ſtrong Meat to the more grown 1 Cor. iii. 1, 2. to ſtrengthen the Weak, to fix the Wavering, to guide the Doubting, to quicken the Backward, to ſuccour the Tempted, to direct Believers to be ſtrong, not in the Grace they have received, but in the Grace which is in Chriſt Jeſus; and to be engaged, through Grace, in improving the Comforts they enjoy, as Encouragements and Means to an higher End, even Holineſs and the Divine Glory. Thus our Work, the miniſterial Work is adapted, and thus it is bleſt to the Benefit of many Souls: We may juſtly ſay then, We have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy: Eſpecially ſince,

3. We may, with Divine Aſſiſtance, by and in this Work, in an eminent Degree promote the Divine Glory in the World.

How is the Glory of God and Chriſt and true Religion manifeſted by our Increaſe in Gifts and Grace, in Holineſs and Uſefulneſs Thence it appears in ſome Meaſure what a Maſter we ſerve, what a God we worſhip, what a Saviour we preach and offer, what a Religion we profeſs and recommend.

My Brethren, certainly God is the greateſt and beſt of Beings; ſurely then, the ſetting him forth to be, or manifeſting him as ſuch, is the greateſt and higheſt End that can be: This is his Glory, this End is worthy of a God, and this is the higheſt End of all his Friends, Children and Servants: This End, the Work of the Miniſtry, is wonderfully ſuited and bleſt to promote: What a Mercy is it then to any of us vile, apoſtate and periſhing Sons of Men, to be brought home to Chriſt, and call'd to this ſacred Work. We have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy.

I would here make two Remarks on this Head, before we paſs to the next.

1. We may plainly ſee, that we who are in the Miniſtry, have no reaſon to think highly of ourſelves, no reaſon to be proud and Vain-glorious. We ſhould indeed take Care to magnify our Office, and in no Inſtances or reſpects to under-act the ſacred Character; but at the ſame Time, the Language of each of our Souls, muſt be that of Job, Behold I am vile Job xl. 4. It is a divine as well as wiſe and juſt Remark made by one of the greateſt Maſters of Thought in the laſt Age, that Perſons of Quality and Character ought to have two Setts of Thoughts by which to regulate their Conduct: By the one they are to view themſelves in their State of diſtinguiſhing Elevation, which is not from Nature, but arbitrary Eſtabliſhment; by the other they are to take a Proſpect of themſelves in their natural Condition of Infirmity and Equality, with the reſt of Mankind. (And I may here add, of Sin and Miſery▪ Pemberton's Election Sermon, p. 1.. The Temper of our Minds, and the Tenor of our Lives, ſhould be humble and holy. How ſhould we be clothed with Humility, as it were from Head to Foot, who are Miniſters of the meek and lowly Jeſus: How ſhould we watch and pray againſt Pride, hate and ſhun this vile Monſter and this dangerous Snare, this awful Condemnation of the Devil. Let us often think, for our Humiliation, What have we, that is in any Meaſure good and valuable, that we have not received? And again, what have we that we have not miſimproved? And as to the Goſpel Miniſtry, it will be a ſpecial Guard againſt Pride, to realize, through Grace, how we came by it, namely, by meer undeſerved Mercy, and ſhall we be proud of Mercy? We have this Miniſtry only as we have received Mercy. Where is Boaſting then? It is excluded.

2. Hence we may obſerve Ground of peculiar Encouragement in the Work of the Miniſtry amidſt all the Difficulties that attend it. We have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy; and is it a Mercy we have it, and ſhall we be diſcouraged with it? Shall we be diſcouraged with Mercy? Therefore let us not faint.

With this Thought we come by an eaſy Tranſition, to the

2. General Head, under which I am to conſider and ſet before you ſome of the many Reaſons and Arguments inducing to Faithfulneſs in the Miniſterial Work: And here,

1. The Command in God's Word ſhould powerfully and conſtantly engage to be faithful and not faint in this great Work. This Command we have in theſe Words Mat. xxviii. 19, 20. Acts xx. 28. 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2, 5, Go ye and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt: Teaching them to obſerve all Things whatſoever I have commanded you. And in another Place, Take heed to yourſelves, and to all the Flock, over which the Holy Ghoſt hath made You Overſeers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchaſed with his own Blood. And again, I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhall judge the Quick and the Dead at his Appearing, and his Kingdom: Preach the Word, be inſtant in Seaſon, and out of Seaſon; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all Long-ſuffering and Doctrine. Watch thou in all Things, endure Afflictions, do the Work of an Evangeliſt, make full Proof of thy Miniſtry. With many other Paſſages to the ſame Purpoſe. Surely, my Brethren, the Mind and Will of the Lord, infinitely glorious in himſelf, and withal our Maker, Preſerver, and Governor, Benefactor and Redeemer, thus revealed in his Word, ſhould engage us, through Grace, to chearful, conſtant and faithful Obedience. Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, let us not faint.

2. The Example of Chriſt ſhould animate us in the miniſterial Work.

Here we have a perfect Pattern to copy after. The bleſſed Jeſus diſcover'd from Time to Time the moſt ardent Love to God and Man in his more public and private Tranſactions and Miniſtrations, and ſought not his own Glory, but the Glory of him that ſent him; ſo ſhould we, through his Grace.

How zealous and couragious was he, and yet how prudent and diſcreet? How plain and pungent, and yet how compaſſionate, how regardleſs of the Flatteries or Frowns of the World? how meek and lowly of Heart? how faithful in the Diſcharge of perſonal and relative Duties? how holy and pure? how reſigned to his Heavenly Father's Diſpoſal? how frequent and fervent in Prayer, and how laborious in his beloved Work? John xi. 4. John iv. 34. I muſt work, ſays he, the Works of him that ſent me, while it is Day. And again, My Meat is to do the Will of him that ſent me, and to finiſh his Work.

How willing was he to do and ſuffer what he was call'd to, even to the Death? Oh Sirs! Let the ſame mind be in us, that was in him: Wherefore, holy Brethren, Partakers of the heavenly Calling, let us conſider the Apoſtle and High Prieſt of our Profeſſion, Chriſt Jeſus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as alſo Moſes was faithful in all his Houſe Heb. iii. 1, 2.. Let us not then be weary or faint in our minds, or flag in the more difficult Part, or latter Stages of our road; but may we ſay, and ſpeak it with Truth, Seeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy [of the Lord] we faint not.

3. The Example of Chriſt's faithful Servants in the Miniſtry ſhould animate us in the Work. 'Tis true, my Brethren, the beſt of Chriſt's Miniſters are imperfect in the preſent State, and therefore not to be propos'd as perfect Patterns for Imitation; but we are to be Followers of them, even as they are of Chriſt 1 Cor. xi. 1.; ſo far as they are ſo, and no farther. How encouraging is it to obſerve them, while attended with a Body of Sin and Death, and aſſaulted by Temptations from the World and the Devil, as we are; yet, through Grace, approving themſelves ſincere, and in a good Degree engag'd in their Work.

What a lovely Example is ſet before us in our Text, and the following Verſe; Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, we faint not: But have renounced the hidden Things of Diſhoneſty, not walking in Craftineſs, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifeſtation of the Truth, commending ourſelves to every man's Conſcience in the Sight of God. And again, in the ſame Epiſtle, We do all Things, dearly Beloved, for your Edifying 2 Cor. xii. 19.. Our Exhortation, ſaith this great Apoſtle of the Gentiles, in another Epiſtle 1 Theſ. ii. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10. was not of Deceit, nor of Uncleanneſs, nor in Guile, but as we were allowed of God to be put in Truſt with the Goſpel, even ſo we ſpeak, not as pleaſing Men, but God, which trieth our Hearts. For neither at any Time uſed we flattering Words, as ye know, nor a Cloke of Covetouſneſs; God is Witneſs. Nor of men ſought we Glory, neither of you, nor yet of others: Being affectionately deſirous of You, we were willing to have imparted unto You, not the Goſpel of God only, but alſo our own Souls, becauſe Ye were dear unto us. Ye are Witneſſes, and God alſo, how holily, and juſtly, and unblameably we behaved ourſelves among You that believe: And elſewhere Acts xx. 26, 27, 18, 20, 31, 24.. I take You to record this Day, that I am pure from the Blood of all men; for I have not ſhunned to declare unto You, the whole Counſel of God. Ye know how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto You, but have ſhewed You, and have taught You publickly and from Houſe to Houſe. Remember that by the Space of Three Years, I ceaſed not to warn every one Night and Day with Tears. Again ſpeaking of Bonds and Afflictions abiding him, he ſays, But none of theſe Things move me, neither count I my Life dear unto myſelf, ſo that I might finiſh my Courſe with Joy, and the Miniſtry which I have received of the Lord Jeſus, to teſtify the Goſpel of the Grace of God.

Oh! how willing have the faithful Servants of the dear Redeemer been in the primitive Times, and ſince, to keep under their Bodies 1 Cor. ix. 27. to live near to God, to ſpend and be ſpent in the Service of Chriſt and of Souls; and even when call'd to it, to ſeal the Truth with their Blood.

We have great reaſon, my Brethren, to bleſs God, that a conſiderable Number of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, in Great-Britain and America have, in our Day, been much engag'd in the Cauſe of God; among theſe may be reckon'd godly Mr. Whitefield, whoſe indefatigable and ſucceſsful Labours, for almoſt twenty Years together, ſhould be improv'd for the Encouragement and Quickening of all truly engag'd in the ſacred Work; whoſe Name is juſtly very dear to us: May God Almighty always keep him, with other his Servants, humble; bleſs them, and make them Bleſſings, and that more and more abundantly, to the Praiſe of his Glory in Chriſt Jeſus.

While we are muſing on theſe Things, let the Fire of Divine Love and Zeal be enkindled in our Breaſts, and burn vigorouſly, that we may be ſweetly conſtrained to ſay, Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, we faint not, and, throngh Grace, we will not faint.

4. The Example of the holy Angels, ſhould quicken us in our Work. They are Meſſengers of the Lord, as their Name imports; in ſeveral reſpects their Work and ours reſemble each other; no Wonder then, that Miniſters of the Goſpel are called Angels Rev. i. 20.. It may further be intended by this Appellation, that we ſhould be excited, as far as the Imperfections of the preſent State admit, to an Imitation of the holy Angels, who are ſaid Mat. xviii. 10. Dan. ix. 9, 21. Pſ. c. iii. 20, 21. Pſal. xxxiv. 7. Luke xv. 10. always to behold the Face of our Father which is in Heaven, and fly with winged Zeal to execute his Commands, encamp round about thoſe that fear the Lord, for their Comfort and Deliverance, and rejoice at the Converſion of Sinners, &c.

Are the Angels heavenly-minded, zealous and faithful in their Work, let us be ſo in ours, through Grace; Therefore, ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, let us not faint.

5. The Induſtry and Malice, Subtilty and Succeſs of the Devil in his Attempts to ruin Mens Souls, ſhould engage us the more in faithful Endeavours, that they may be reſcued and ſaved; or in other Words, ſhould quicken us to Diligence in our Work.

We are not ignorant of Satan's Devices 2 Cor. ii. 11.: Let us then be concerned, that we, and others, eſpecially thoſe under our immediate Care, may be guarded againſt them.

The Drift of the Spirit of God, in order to the recovery of poor captive Souls out of the Snare of the Devil, is to counter-act, and to guard againſt his Devices 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. comp. with Acts xxvi. 17, 18.. The Miniſters of the Goſpel, as Workers together with God 2 Cor. vi. 1. are engag'd as Inſtruments to guard againſt the ſame Devices, and are eſpecially concern'd that Souls may not receive the Goſpel of the Grace of God in vain 2 Cor. vi. 1. 1 Pet. v. 8.. Our Adverſary the Devil, as the Apoſtle Peter obſerves, as a roaring Lion, walketh about, ſeeking whom he may devour.

Is the Devil, the Enemy of all Good, an Adverſary to Souls? Shall not we Miniſters of the Goſpel be Friends to them?

Is he, with his Inſtruments, ſet with Boldneſs, like Lions, againſt Souls? Sha'n't we be couragious as Lions in going through all Difficulties to promote their ſaving Good? Does he roar with Malice and Wrath againſt Souls? Sha'n't we cry with Fervency to God for them, and cry aloud to them with Bowels of Pity and Compaſſion, and beſeech them to be reconciled to God? Does the Devil walk about, ſeeking whom he may devour, and that with awful Succeſs, and ſhall we ſtick at any Pains, Night or Day, in public or private, at home or abroad, in the Buſineſs of our Calling as Miniſters, which is to ſeek whom we may as Inſtruments ſave from the Jaws of this devouring Lion, and guide to the regions of Glory? If we, Brethren, ſhould faint, the Devil will not; Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy. let us not ſaint.

6. The Worth of Souls ſhould engage Miniſters of the Goſpel to Faithfulneſs in their Work. The great Worth of Souls makes the Devil ſo eager to deſtroy them.

This makes the holy Angels engag'd for their Good; this cauſes Joy in Heaven on their Converſion. Here are two Worlds at Strife; about what? about earthly Crowns and Scepters? no! theſe are Trifles. About what then? The Souls of Men, whoſe Worth is exceeding great. What are all the Kingdoms of the World, and Glory of them, in Compariſon with the Soul? If you put theſe in one Scale, and the Soul in the other, they come up light as Vanity itſelf.

Our Bleſſed Saviour has determined this Point, both by his Words and Practice; by his Practice, when he pour'd Contempt on the World; but laid down his precious Life, and ſhed his Heart's Blood, to redeem and ſave periſhing Souls:—By his Words, which are theſe Mutthew xvi. 26. What is a Man profited, if he ſhall gain the whole World, and loſe his own Soul? Or what ſhall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul?

Oh! Shall we not be engaged then, agreeable to the Deſign of our Commiſſion, and from a Senſe of the Worth of Souls, in the moſt painful and faithful Endeavours, through divine aſſiſting Grace, to open Mens Eyes, and to turn them from Darkneſs to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God, that they may receive Forgiveneſs of Sins, and Inheritance among them that are ſanctified by Faith which is in Chriſt. Therefore, beloved Brethren, ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, let us not faint.

7. Mens Care and Pains about Things of leſs Worth, ſhould engage and animate us in our Work A Soul immortal, ſpending all her Fires, Waſting her Strength in ſtrenuous Idleneſs, Thrown into Tumult raptur'd, or alarm'd, At ought this Scene can threaten, or indulge, Reſembles Ocean into Tempeſt wrought, To waft a Feather, or to drown a Fly. Night Thoughts. . How will Men riſe up early, and ſit up late Pſalm cxxvii. 2. and eat the Bread of Sorrow and Care, in order to obtain earthly Enjoyments, which periſh in the Uſing. What Pains will Men take, yea, what Hazards will they run, in purſuit of "glittering Gems, gaudy Honors, and ſhining Duſt," which after all are Vanity? How will Men be at vaſt Expence and Labour, ſome Way or other, to pleaſe and pamper their Bodies, which yet muſt ſoon moulder into their kindred Duſt; and ſhall not we be as much, nay more concern'd about their precious Souls, that muſt ſurely live forever, either in a State of Happineſs, or Miſery Beware what Earth calls Happineſs; beware All Joys, but J •• s that never can expire. Who builds on leſs than an immortal Baſe. Fond as he ſeems, condemns his Joys to Death. Night Thoughts. ? Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, let us never faint.

Again, the Sufficiency of Divine Grace held forth to us in the precious Promiſes of God's Word, ſhould comfort and animate us in our Work. Many and great are our Trials and Difficulties from without and within, and they often meet and join their Forces; we may well ſay then, Who is ſufficient for theſe Things 2 Cor. ii. 16.? And we ſhould ſurely ſink, had we not a more than human Prop, at ſuch a Time, a divine Support; ſuch as Paul had given him, when afflicted with a Thorn in the Fleſh, the Meſſenger of Satan to buffet him: When in this Diſtreſs, he beſought the Lord thrice, he had this Anſwer 2 Cor. xii. 9, My Grace is ſufficient for thee, for my Strength is made perfect in Weakneſs. How is it with Paul now? he is kept from fainting, he is refreſh'd, he even rejoices and triumphs, and gives God the Glory; Moſt gladly therefore, ſays he, will I rather glory in my Infirmities, that the Power of Chriſt may reſt upon me. Again he tells us elſewhere, where Phil. iv. 13. He can do all Things, through Chriſt, which ſtrengtheneth him; ſo may we too, living by Faith on the ſame Mediator of the New Covenant, which is well ordered in all Things, and ſure: Let us then truſt in the Lord for ever; in the Lord Jehovah is everlaſting Strength Iſa. xxvi. 4.. But what need I enlarge? Have we not the expreſs Promiſe of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt to his faithful Miniſters Mat. xxviii. 20. Lo, I am with you always, even unto the End of the World. Therefore, ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, and theſe Supports and Encouragements, as we have received Mercy, we faint not.

Furthermore, ſurrounding Dangers join'd to the laſt Conſideration, ſhould engage us to Faithfulneſs in our Work. Indeed Dangers in themſelves tend to damp and diſcourage, but when they meet with a Mind prepar'd for them, they ſerve to quicken and animate. This is remarkable in Perſons of a martial Spirit; I may inſtance in Alexander the Great, who in a Time of great and uncommon Peril, breaks out into this Expreſſion, Hoc eſt periculum, par animo Alexandri: This is a Danger fit for the Spirit of an Alexander to encounter.

As the Devil would fain ruin Souls, ſo he would fain keep Miniſters of the Word from being faithful; and often ſtands at their Right-hand to reſiſt them Zech. iii. 1.. The remains of Corruption within us, give great Strength to his Temptations; and the Difficulty and Danger is increas'd by the World; I mean by the Fears and the Hopes of the preſent State. Oh! what Need have we to live near to God, that we may be well ſupplied and fortified againſt theſe Aſſaults; and likewiſe ſtrength'ned and engaged through Grace, to pluck Souls as Brands out of the Burning, and to uſe ſkilfully and faithfully thoſe Weapons of Doctrine and Diſcipline, which are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of ſtrong Holds 2 Cor. x. 4. the ſtrong Holds of Sin, eſpecially Licentiouſneſs and Self-righteouſneſs, and of Satan and the World, who are join'd in a moſt diſmal and dangerous Confederacy.

Again, the Dangers that at preſent ſurround our Land and Nation, ſhould deeply affect us, and engage us in encreaſing Zeal, Labours and Faithfulneſs.

We are indeed bleſt with very great Privileges both civil and ſacred, under the Smiles of indulgent Heaven, and the mild and juſt Adminiſtration of the beſt of Kings, who may well be ſtiled a Father of his People; but the haughty, perfidious and cruel French, with their Confederates, are bent upon rending theſe Privileges if poſſible from us; upon deſtroying our Lives, or, which ought to be much dearer to us, our Liberty and our Religion.

An holy and righteous God, tho' he has favour'd us with ſome remarkable Inſtances of undeſerved Goodneſs and Succeſs in the Eaſt and North; for which we ought ſurely to return him our moſt grateful Acknowledgments in Heart, Lip and Life; yet becauſe of the many and grievous Sins of this Land and Nation has ſuffer'd our Enemies to gain ſome Advantages againſt us, eſpecially in our late awful Defeat to the Weſtward.

Thus we ſee in ſome Meaſure what we are when left to ourſelves; but Wo will be indeed to us if God depart from us Hoſ. ix. 12. and a Deluge of Popery, Tyranny and Slavery overwhelm us.

Our Danger is evidently much encreaſed by the aforeſaid terrible Frown of Divine Providence; but what makes our Caſe moſt of all dark and diſmal is this, viz. Our continuing in general ſtupid and unreform'd, unbelieving and impenitent under this late awful Judgment, added to the Drought, and to other Judgments ſent before, as well as under the many and great Mercies and Privileges we have long enjoy'd, and long abus'd and miſimprov'd, which the Lord in his Providence therefore loudly threatens to take from us, to withdraw his gracious Influence and Protection at once, and what would then be left behind, but Darkneſs and Perplexity, Confuſion and Horror, Deſolation and Miſery?

In this Day of Darkneſs and Gloomineſs, my Brethren, we ſhould be deeply humbled and penitent ourſelves, and faithfully promote others being ſo. In this Day of imminent Danger, let us not fail to ſound the Alarm with Faithfulneſs and Compaſſion, with Plainneſs and Pungency. Let us cry aloud, and not ſpare Iſa. lviii. 1. let us ſhew to our People, and the People of this Land and Nation, their Tranſgreſſions and their Sins, Sins againſt God's Law and againſt his Grace, &c. and let us, through Grace, be more faithful than ever in our Labours, both in public and private for the good of dear precious Souls: And how ſhould we Brethren withal, as Daniel ſucceſsfully did Dan. ix. 3, 20. ſet our Face to the Lord God, to ſeek by Prayer and Supplication, with Faſting and Humiliation, and confeſſing our Sin, and the Sin of our People.

Thus let us ſtand in the Gap, as well as on the Watch Tower: For Zion's Sake we will not hold our Peace, and for Jeruſalem's Sake we will not reſt, until the Righteouſneſs thereof go forth as Brightneſs, and the Salvation thereof as a Lamp that burneth Iſa. lxii. 1.. Therefore ſeeing we have this Miniſtry, as we have received Mercy, we faint not, and, thro' Grace, we will not faint.

Several other Arguments engaging to Faithfulneſs in the miniſterial Work, might here be conſidered, but as I would not be tedious, I purpoſe to mention them more briefly in a concluding Addreſs, and paſs now to the