water. So is the minister's work.
others: what good they do to others, is more incidental than purpeseful, Rom. 3:12. How far must they then be mistaken, who think the wicked of the world the most useful in the place where they live! They may indeed be useful for carrying on designs for Satan's interest, or their own vain glory; but really to lay out themselves for God, they cannot.
III. Ministers are fishers by office; they are catchers of the souls of men, sent "to open the eyes of the blind, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God," Preachers of the gospel are fishers, and their work and that of fishers agree in several things.
1. The design and work of fishers is to catch fish. This is the work that preachers of the gospel have taken in hand, even to endeavour to bring souls to Christ. Their design in their work should be the same. Tell me, O my soul, what is your design in preaching? for what end do you lay the net in the water? is it to show your gifts, and to gain the applause of men? Oh, no! Lord, you know my gifts are very small; and had I not some other thing than them to lean to, I had never gone to a pulpit. I confess, that, for as small as they are, the devil and my corruptions do sometimes present them to me in a magnifying glass, and so would blow me up with wind. But, Lord, you know it is my work to repel these, motions. An instance of this see in my Diary.
" Jan. I, 1699. I had more than an ordinary measure of God's presence and help in preaching. In the morning in secret I was earnest with God for it, but had a temptation to think that God would leave me, which perplexed me sore. When I was coming home from the Sermons, Satan fell to, afresh again, the contrary way, tempting me to pride. It came three times remarkably on me, and was as often repelled by that word 'What do you have that you have not received?'"
2. Their work is hard work; they are exposed to much cold in the water. So is the minister's work.