Imatges de pàgina
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Ps. cx. 3, 4. A people of willingnesses in the day of thy armies, the beauties of holiness will not be sufficient to make any a people of willingnesses, unless God make it a day of his armies. So, 2 Cor. x. 4. "The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds." The ministry is a kind of militia, 1 Tim. i. 18. But that it becomes conquering to souls, and for the subduing them to God, is from God alone. Three things I shall hint here.

1. Regeneration or the new nature, which is ordinarily by the ministry of the word, as the instrument, is spoken of in Scripture, as God's gift. See how he challenges it as his prerogative to give it. Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: From all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." We see here that it is God that does it, and that he does it in a way of gift. He does not say, that he will give it upon such or such terms or considerations, but he will give it: He must vouchsafe it; if ever persons have it, it must be freely, without any money, without any price.

2. Particular graces, which are ordinarily by the ministry of the word as the means, are said in Scripture to be given by God. Several of these might be instanced in. As,

Saving knowledge, it is said to be given, and to be given by` God. So our Lord tells his disciples, Matt. xiii. 11. "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to them it is not given." It is the mercy and goodness of God that makes the difference among persons, as to this; between those that remain blind as they were born, and those whose eyes were opened and are made to see. So, Jer. xxiv. 7. "I will give them (saith God) an heart to know me." "He that gives the natural light for the guidance of our bodies, does also give the spiritual light for the conduct of our souls."

And as saving knowledge, so true faith, is said to be given to us by God; it is called the gift of God, Eph. ii. 8. And it is said to be given to us to believe, Phil. i. 29. i. e. by the Father of lights, the God of all grace: And our Lord declares, that no man can come unto him, except the Father which had sent him, draw him, except it were given unto him of his Father, John vi. 44, 65. It points out a divine power exerted upon the soul, by which it is made obedient to the heavenly call, and enabled to close with Christ as he is offered in the gospel.

And as true faith, so evangelical repentance, is said in Scripture, to be given us by God. If peradventure God may give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth, 2 Tim. ii. 25.

God granted unto the Gentiles repentance unto life, Acts xi. 18. There is no repentance unto life, but what is granted by the living God; no repentance to salvation, but what is given by the God of salvation. The word of itself cannot do this, unless God strike with that hammer, it will never break the rock in pieces: unless the Spirit manage that sword, it will never prick men to the heart. Thus particular graces, which are ordinarily by the gospel ministry, are said in Scripture to be given by God.

3. Regeneration or conversion, hath such terms or titles put upon it in the word of God, as speaks it to be wholly from his gift, or to depend entirely upon the divine blessing. As particularly,

It is sometimes spoken of as a resurrection from the dead. The natural man is spiritually dead; but when grace comes into a man, he is quickened and made to live. He is then quickened who before was "dead in trespasses and sins," Eph. ii. 1. The hour is then come in which the dead is made so to hear the voice of the Son of God, "as to live," John v. 25. But who can quicken or raise the dead, but God only? How could our Saviour have come out of the grave without the power of God to raise him? And such a power does God put forth when he brings us out of the grave of sin, and enables us to believe in Christ, Eph. i. 19, 20. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.

Once more, it is sometimes called a new creation. There is in regeneration or conversion such a change as amounts to this. The phrase is frequently used. "You are his workmanship in Christ Jesus created to good works," Eph. ii. 10. “The new man is after God created in righteousness and true holiness," Chap. iv. 24. But who can create, but God? this is certainly a work of Omnipotence, proper and peculiar to him, and incommunicable to any creature. In short, creation is taken more strictly or more largely. If we consider it in the first sense, for the making of a creature out of nothing, thus regeneration may fitly be styled a creation; in this work God calls those things which be not as though they were, Rom. iv. 17. Or if we consider creation more largely, for a making a thing out of unfit and indisposed matter; how unfit, indisposed and averse are we when God bestows his grace upon us? Truly, of unwilling he makes us willing; so that this work can be effected only by a divine power, whatever use and improvement God makes of the ministers of the gospel in effecting of it.

Thus that the ministers of the gospel are advantageous and effectual in the converting any soul, is wholly from the gift of God, depends entirely upon the divine blessing.

I might say,

2. That the ministers of the gospel are advantageous and effectual for the edification or building up of souls, is wholly from the gift of God, this also depends entirely upon the divine blessing. The same hand that planted grace in the soul, under the gospelministry, must also water and dress it, under that ministry, or it will not flourish and grow up to perfection. As God is the author of nature, and natural things have their dependence upon him, in all their progressive motions; so he is the author of grace, that grace depends upon him in all its progressive motions, from one degree to another, till it comes to be completed in the heavenly world. God is pleased to use and improve ministers of the gospel for the edifying the body of Christ," Eph. iv. 12. And the word is called, "The word of God's grace, which is able to build us up," Acts xx. 32. And Christians may be said sometimes "to edify one another," 1 Thess. v. 11. And to "build up themselves in their most holy faith," Jud. v. 20. But yet all is from God, all depends upon his blessing; whatever means he makes use and improvement of. Thus, and in this sense, except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it, Ps. cxxvii. 1. I might illustrate and clear this up by saying,

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That souls come to be more knowing and learned under the gospel-ministry, is from the gift of God. Thus the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding, Job xxxii. 8. Thus he giveth wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding," Dan. ii. 21. See how the apostle expresses this in his prayer for the Ephesians: Chap. i. 17, 18. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."

So also, that souls come to be more confirmed and established under the ministry of the word, is from the gift of God. 1 Cor. i. 7. "Our Lord Jesus Christ who shall confirm you to the end." 1 Pet. v. 10. "The God of all grace who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus stablish, settle you."

So likewise, that souls come to be corroborated and strengthened in grace, under gospel dispensations, is from the gift of God. "I bow (says the apostle) my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family of heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man," Eph. iii. 14-16. And this was the matter of the apostle's prayer for the Colossians, Chap. i. 11. Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power. '

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Again, that souls come to increase and grow in grace, under the means which God affords them, is from his own gift. If any thrive under the gospel-ministry, it is not by their own, but by the increases of God, Col. ii. 19. The apostles go to Christ, "Lord, increase our faith," (Luke xvii. 5.) or add to our faith. Moreover, that any experience quickening grace under the ministry of the word, is from the gift of God. How often does David pray to God for quickening, Ps. cxix. And the spouse, the gracious church, prays to Christ that he would draw her, Cant. i. 4. He must put his hand in at the hole of the door, before a drowsy, though gracious soul will stir at his call, Cant. v. 4. Agreeably the Psalmist says, that he would run the way of God's commandments, when God should enlarge his heart, Ps. cxix. 32.

And to add no farther here, that souls come to be complete and perfect at last, is wholly from the gift of God. Jesus the author and finisher of faith, Heb. xii. 2. He that begins the good work in us, is the performer, the finisher of it, until the day of Jesus Christ, Phil. i. 6. It is, in short, the God of glory, that must make us perfect, as the apostle Peter prays, 1 Pet. v. 10. Both grace and glory are God's gift, Ps. lxxxiv. 11. But I shall not enlarge on these things, but proceed to make some

APPLICATION

In a few particulars, and I must but little more than name what might be largely insisted on.

I. Is God pleased to make use of the ministers of the gospel in the converting, and for the edification, and building up of souls? Then their work is a very great and awful work. I am doing a great work, said Nehemiah, Chap. vi. 3. Truly, the ministers of the gospel are concerned in a great work. It is soul work; the conversion, and edification of these: and this is of vast importance. If a man (says one) were only a keeper of cattle, of sheep, or swine, the charge would not be so great: If the wolf should now and then carry one away, the loss would not be so much. But the ministers of the gospel have the charge of souls, one of which is of more worth than the whole world. O how may this make us, whom God has put into the ministry, fear and tremble! It is enough to make us bestir ourselves: As the apostle once said, 2 Cor. v. 11. "Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men." And especially considering how that if any perish through our neglect, their blood will be required at our hands, Ezek. iii. 17, 18. Happy will he be that shall be able to say, as Acts xx. 26, 27. "I am pure from the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare all the counsel of God."

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II. Hence, people should endeavor to choose such for their ministers, whose labors they may hope God will bless for the conversion and edification of souls. It is certain that those who are vested with the ministerial office ought to be men of peculiar qualifications; men of learning. The work calls for the most eminent accomplishments: and whether grace be essential to a minister of the gospel, or not; it is certainly a most desirable qualification. And I may add, singularly useful in a minister, both for the performing his duty, and the success of his work. This is absolutely necessary, for a minister's saving himself, and most useful in order to his saving of others. I fully accord with those whose sentiments are, that none should be devoted to, or vested with this holy office, but such as there is reason to hope are by nature, study, yea and grace prepared for it, and are like to be faithful in it. Lay hands suddenly on no man. These also should first be proved, yea, and found such, as we may judge will be faithful to their trust. "The same commit thou unto faithful men, who shall be able to teach others," 2 Tim. ii. 2.

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III. Hence, the faithful ministers of the gospel ought more than a little to be accounted of, and esteemed. There is double honor due to them that rule well, and labor in the word and doctrine, 1 Tim. v. 17. The apostle's words are very emphatical: 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their works' sake. The words in the Greek carry such an emphasis as cannot well be expressed in the English; importing esteem and love, even to an hyperbole. And since God makes such use and improvement of them, in the converting and edification of souls: why should it not be so? It is not to be looked upon as strange, that the apostle speaking of the preacher's being so instrumental in the matter of faith, does upon it add, "As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things," Rom. x. 14, 15. It is pity that any of them should be despised or undervalued. Sure I am, that He that employs them takes notice of it, and accounts the indignities, or affronts that are done unto them, as done unto himself." He that heareth you, heareth me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth me, and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me," Luke x. 16.

IV. We may infer a reason why Satan is so maliciously set against the ministers of the gospel. So he has been, and so he is, and so he is like to be. He that was at Joshua's right hand to resist him, is at every faithful minister's elbow to oppose him: so he is when the minister is in his study; so he is when the minister is in the pulpit: and who can tell all the stratagems, all the

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