SERMON I.
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THE F
U N T A
N OF LIF Ε .
SERMON I.
Opens the EXCELLENCY of the SUBJECT.
ICOR. ii. 2. For Ideterminednot toknow any thing among you, Save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
T HE former verſe contains an apology for the plain and familiar manner of the apoſtle's preaching, which was not(as he there tells them) with excellency ofſpeech, or ofwisdom ; i. e. he ſtudied notto gratify their curioſitywith rhetorical ſtrains, or philoſophical niceties.
In this he gives the reaſon, " for I determined not to know any thing among 66 you, fave Jeſus Chrift," &c. * " I determined not to know" †.] The meaning is not, that hefimplydeſpiſed, or contemned all other ſtudies and know-
ledge; but ſo far only, as they ſtandincompetition with, or oppoſition tothe ſtudy andknowledge of Jesus Chrift. And it is as ifhe ſhould ſay, it is my ſtated, ſettled judgment ; not a hafty,inconfideratecenfure,butthe product and iſſue ofmymoſt ſerious and exquifite enquiries. After Ihave wellweighedthe
* Νοπ τεκνολογειν, sed θεολογείν, i. e. Not to teach arts and ſciences,but religion.
†"Εκρινα [Ekrina] Signifies, to eſteem much, or account the best; bythis, however, he does not deſpiſe or condemn all other knowledge, exceptwhen it is compared with the knowledge ofChrift, c.
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The Fountain of Life.
SERM. I. caſe, turned it round, viewed it exactly on every ſide, balanced all advantages and diſadvantages, pondered all things thatare fittocome into conſideration about it; this is the refult and final determination, that all other knowledge, how profitable, how pleaſant foever, is not worthyto be named in the fame day with the knowledge of Jesus Chriſt.
This therefore I refolve tomakethe ſcope and end of my miniſtry, and the end regulates the mean ; ſuch pedantic toys, and airy notions as injudicious ears affect, would rather obſtruct than promote my grand deſign amongyou : Therefore, wholly waving that way, I appliedmyſelftoa plain, popular, unaffected dialect, fitted rather to pierce the heart, and convince the confcience, than to tickle thefancy.
This isthe ſcope ofthe words,inwhich threethings fall under conſideration ; First, The ſubject-matter of his doctrine, to wit, Jesus Chrift.
" I determined toknow nothing," i. e. to ſtudy nothing myfelf, to teach nothing to you, but " Jeſus Chriſt."
Chrift ſhall be the centre to which all the lines of my miniſtry ſhall be drawn.
I have ſpoken and written of many other ſubjects inmy fermons and epiſtles, but it is all reductively the preaching and diſcovery of Jesus Chriſt : of all the ſubjects in the world, this is the sweetest ; if there be any thing on this fide heaven, worthy our time and ſtudies, this is it.
Thus he magnifies his doctrine, from the excellency of its fubject-matter, accounting all other doctrines but airy things, compared with this.
A Secondly, We have here thatſpecial respect or confideration of Chrift, which he ſingled out from all the rest of the excellent truths of Chriſt, to ſpendthe main ſtrength ofhis miniſtry upon; and that is, Christ as crucified: and the rather, becauſe herebyhe wouldobviate the vulgar prejudice raiſed against him upon the account of his croſs ; " For Chrift crucified was to the Jews a ſtumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness," chap. i. 23.
This alſo beſt ſuited his end, todraw them on to Chrift; as Chriſt above all other ſubjects, ſo Chriſt crucified above all things in Chriſt : There is therefore a great emphasis in this word, " and him crucified" *.
Thirdly, The manner in which he diſcourſed this tranſcendent ſubject to them, is alſo remarkable ; he not only preached
Chrift crucified, but he preached him affiduouſly and plainly :
He preached Chriſt frequently ; " andwheneverhe preached * Vehementem habet έμφασιν [emphaſin] quod adjecit, & hunc crucifixum.
Pet, Martyr inloc.
SERM. I.
The Fountain of Life.
" of Chriſt crucified, he preachedhim in acrucified ſtile *."
This is the fum ofthe words; to let themknow that his ſpiritwas ſo intentuponthis ſubject, as ifhe neither knew, or caredtoſpeakofanyother : Allhis fermons were ſo full of Chrift, that his hearers mighthave thought he was acquainted with no other doctrine.
Hence obſerve, Doct. That there is no doctrine more excellent in itself, or more neceſſary to bepreached and ſtudied, than the doctrine of Jesus Christ, andhim crucified.
All other knowledge, how much ſoever it be magnified in the world, is andought to be eſteemed but droſs, in comparifon ofthe excellency of theknowledge ofJesus Chriſt, Phil. iii. 8.
" Inhim arehid all the treaſures of wisdom and knowledge,"
Col. ii . 3. † Eudoxus was ſo affected with the glory of the fun, that he thought he was born only tobehold it ; much more ſhould a Chriſtian judge himself bornonly to behold anddelight in the glory of the Lord Jeſus .
The truth ofthis propoſition will be made out by a double confideration of the doctrine of Chriſt .
First, Let it be confidered abſolutely, and then theſe lovely properties with which it is naturally clothed, willrender it ſuperior to all other ſciences and ſtudies.
1st, The knowledge of Jesus Chriſt is the very marrow and kernel ofallthe ſcriptures; the ſcope and centre of alldivine revelations : Both teſtaments meet in Chriſt . The ceremonial law is full ofChriſt, and allthe gospel is full ofChriſt : Thebleſſed lines of both teſtaments meet in him ; and how they both harmonize, andſweetlyconcenter in Jeſus Chriſt, it is the chiefſcope ofthat excellent epiſtle to the Hebrews, to diſcover ; for we may call that epistle the ſweet harmonyofboth teſtaments.
This argues theunſpeakable excellency of thisdoctrine, the knowledge whereofmuſt needs therefore be a key to unlock the greatest part of the facred ſcriptures : For it is in the underſtanding of ſcripture, much as it is intheknowledge men have in Logic and Philoſophy ; if a ſcholar once come tounderstand the bottomprinciple, upon which, as upon its hinge, the controverſy turns,
E 2 * Chriftum crucifixumftylo crucifixo prædicabat.
†He that prefers anyknowledge on earth, to this facredandhea- -venly knowledge, prefers traſh toa treasure.
Davenant on Coloff. chap. ii. ver. 3.
The Fountain of Life.
SERM. I. the true knowledge of that principle ſhall carry him through the whole controversy, and furnish him with a ſolution to every argument : Even ſo the right knowledge of Jesus Chrift, like aclue,leads youthrough the whole labyrinthofthe ſcriptures.
2dly, The knowledge ofJeſus Chriſt is a fundamental knowledge; andfoundations are moſt useful, tho' leaſt ſeen.
The knowledge of Chriſt is fundamental to all graces, duties, comforts, and happiness.
(1.) It is fundamental to all graces: They all begin in knowledge ; Col. iii 10. " The new man is renewed in know66 ledge." As the old,fo the new creationbegins in light; the opening of the eyes is the firſt work ofthe Spirit : And as the beginnings ofgrace, foalltheafter improvements thereofdepend upon this increaſing knowledge, 2 Pet. iii. 18. " But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour." See how theſe two, grace and knowledge, keep equal pace inthe foul ofa Chriſtian; inwhatdegree the one increaſes, the other increaſes anfwerably.
(2.) The knowledge of Chriſt is fundamental to allduties ; theduties, as well as graces of Chriftians are allfounded in the knowledge of Chriſt.
Muft a Chriſtian believe ? That he can never do without the knowledge ofChriſt :
Faith is ſo much dependant on his knowledge, that it is denominated by it, Ifa. liii. 11. "Byhis knowledge ſhall myrighteous fervant ju ſtify many;" andhence, Johnvi. 40. feeing andbelieving are made the fame thing.
Would aman exerciſehope inGod? that he canneverdo without theknowledge ofChriſt, for he is the author of that hope, 1Pet. i. 3. he is alſo its object, Heb. vi. 19. its ground work and fupport, Col. i. 27. And as you cannot believe or hope, ſo neither can you pray acceptably, without a competent degree of this knowledge.
The very Heathen could fay, Non loquendumde Deofinelumine, i.e. Men mustnot ſpeak ofGod without light : The true wayofconverfing with, and enjoyingGod in prayer, is byacting faith on him through a Mediator: So much comfort and true excellency there is in it, and no more. O then, how indiſpenſible is the knowledge of Chriſt, to all thatdo addreſs themſelves toGodin anyduty!
(3.) It isfundamental to allcomforts: All thecomfortsofbelievers are ſtreams from this fountain.
Jeſus Chriſt is the very object matter of a believer's joy, Phil. iii. 3. " Our rejoicing is
" in Chrift Jefus.". Take away the knowledge of Chrift, and a Chriſtian is the moſt ſad and melancholy creature in the world :
SERM. I.
The Fountain of Life.
Again, let Chrift but manifeſt himself, anddartthe beams of his light intotheir fouls, it will make them kiſs the ſtakes, fing in flames, andſhout in the pangs ofdeath, as men that divide theſpoil.
Lastly, This knowledge is fundamental to the eternalhappineſsoffouls : As we can performno duty, enjoy no comfort, fo neither can we be ſaved without it, John xvii . 3. " This is life
" eternal, to know thee the only trueGod, and Jeſus Chriſt " whom thou hast ſent." And, ifitbe life eternaltoknowChrift, thenit is eternal damnation tobe ignorantofChrift : As Chrift is the door that opens heaven, ſoknowledge is the key that opens
Chriſt.
The excellent gifts, and renowned parts of themoral Heathens, tho' they purchased tothem great efteemandhonour amongmen, yet left them in a ſtate ofperdition,becauſe ofthis greatdefect, They were ignorant ofChriſt, 1 Cor. i. 21. Thus you feehow fundamental the knowledge of Chriſt is,eſſentially neceſſary to all the graces, duties, comforts andhappiness of fouls.
3dly, The knowledge of Chriſt is profoundand large ; all otherſciences are but ſhallows ; this is a boundless, bottomleſs ocean:Nocreature hath aline longenough tofathom thedepth ofit; there is height, length,depth andbreadthaſcribed to it,
Eph. iii. 14. yea, it paſſeth knowledge.
There is * " a mani- " foldwisdom ofGod inChriſt," Eph. iii. 10. Itisofmany forts andforms, ofmany folds and plights : It is indeed ſimple, pure and unmixed with any thing but itſelf, yetit is manifold inde grees,kinds and adminiftrations: Tho' ſomething of Chrift be unfolded in one age, and ſomething in another, yet eternity it. ſelfcannot fully unfold him. Iſeeſomething,faid Luther,which bleſſedAuſtin ſawnot; and thoſe that come after me, will fee thatwhich I ſee not. Itis in ſtudyingof Chriſt, as in theplanting ofa new diſcovered country ; at firſt men ſitdownby the fea-fide, upon the ſkirts and borders of theland; and there theydwell, but bydegrees they ſearch farther and farther into theheartofthecountry: Ah, thebeſtofus areyetbut uponthe borders of this vast continent !
4thly, The study of Jesus Chriſt is the moſt noble ſubject that ever a foul spent itſelf upon; thoſe that rack and torture theirbrains upon other ſtudies, like children, weary themselves at a low game ; the eagle plays at the fun itſelf. The angels ſtudy this doctrine, and ſtoop down to look into this deep
* Πολυποίκιλος σοφία Θεῖ, Multiformisfapientia Dei.
Caryl in Jobxi.6.
The Fountain of Life.
SERM. I. abyſs.
What are the truths diſcovered in Chriſt, but thevery fecrets that from eternity lay hid in the boſom ofGod ? Eph. iii. 8, y. God's heart is openedto men inChriſt, John i. 18. this makes the goſpel ſuch aglorious diſpenſation, becauſe Chriſt is fogloriously revealed therein, 1 Cor. iii.9. andthe ſtudying of Chrift in the goſpel, ſtamps ſuch aheavenlygloryupon the contemplating foul, verſe 18 .
5thly, Itis the moſt ſweetandcomfortable knowledge; to be ſtudying Jeſus Chriſt, what is itbutto be digging among all theveinsand ſprings ofcomfort? and the deeper you dig, the moredothoſe ſprings flowupon you. How are hearts raviſhedwith the diſcoveries ofChriſt in thegoſpel ? what extafies meltings, tranſports, dogracious fouls meet there ? Doubtleſs,
Philip's extafy, John i. 45. ἐυρήκαμεν Ιησῶν, " We have foundJe- " ſus," was far beyondthat of Archimedes. Abeliever could fit from morning to night, tohear diſcourſes of Chriſt ; "His
" mouth is moſt ſweet," Cant. v. 16. * Secondly,Let uscompare this knowledge with allother knowledge, and thereby the excellency ofit will farther appear.
1. All other knowledge is natural, but this wholly ſupernatural, Mat. xi. 27. " No manknoweth the Son, buttheFather ;
" neitherknowethany the Father, ſave theSon, andhetowhom- " foever the Son willreveal him. "
The wiſeſt Heathens could never make a diſcovery of Chriſt by their deepeſt ſearches into nature ; the moſt eagle-eyed philoſophers were but children in knowledge, compared with the moſt illiterate chriftians.
2. Other knowledge is unattainable by many : All the helps and means in the world would never enable fome Chriſtians to attainthe learned arts and languages ; men of the beſt wits, and moſt pregnant parts, are moſt excellent in theſe : but here is the mystery andexcellency of the knowledge of Chrift, that men ofmoſt blunt,dull and contemptible parts attain, through the teaching of the Spirit, to this knowledge, in which the more acute and ingenious are utterlyblind, Mat.xi. 25. " I thank
" thee,O Father, Lordof heaven and earth, becauſe thou haft " hid theſe things from the wife and prudent, and haft reveal- " edthemuntobabes." I Cor.i. 26, 27. " You see yourcalling,
66 brethren,howthatnotmany wiſe men after the fleſh,notma- *Every diſcovery ofthy truth is, above all, the pleaſanteſt, moft raviſhing and delightful, and even invites and offers itſelf to every oneof its own accord : What exquiſite pleaſure is there in that, which lies concealed within the inmoſt receſſes ofyour heart, and is ſhut up, as it were, with locks and bars ?
Brightman on Cant.
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The Fountain of Life.
" nymighty, not manynoble are called: butGod hath choſen " the fooliſh things ofthe world, to confound the wife," &c.
3. Other knowledge, though you ſhould attain the highest degree of it, would never bring you to heaven, being defective andlameboth inthe integrity ofparts, the principal thing, viz .
Chriſt, being wanting; and in the purity of its nature : for the knowingHeathens grew vain intheir imaginations, Rom. i. 21 . and in the efficacy and influence of it on the heart and life,
They held the truth in unrighteousness ; their luſts were ſtrongerthan their light, Rom. i. 18.
But this knowledge hath potent influences, changing fouls into its own image, 2 Cor. iii.
18. and ſo proves a ſaving knowledge unto men, 1 Tim. ii. 4.
Andthus I have in a few particulars pointed out the tranſcendency oftheknowledgeofChriſt.
The uſe of all this I ſhall giveyou in a few inferences, on which I ſhall not enlarge, the whole being only preliminary to the doctrine of Chriſt ; only for the preſent I ſhall hence infer,
Inference 1.
* The ſufficiency of the doctrine of Chriſt, to make men wiſeunto ſalvation.
Paul defired toknow nothing elfe ; and, indeed, nothing elſe is ofabſolute neceffity to be known : A little of this knowledge, if ſaving and effectual upon thy heart, willdo thy foul more ſervice, than all the vain ſpeculation and profound parts that others ſo much glory in.
Poor Chriſtian, be not dejected, becauſe thou ſeeſt thyself out ſtript and excelledby fomany inother parts of knowledge: ifthou know Jefus Chriſt, thou knoweſt enough to comfort and ſave thy foul.
Many learned philoſophers are now in hell, and many illiterate Chriſtians in heaven.
Inference 2.
Ifthere be ſuch excellency inthe knowledge ofChriſt, let it humble all, both faints and ſinners, that we have no more of this clear and effectual knowledge in us, notwithstanding the excellent advantages we have had for it.
Sinners, concerning you I may fighand ſay with the apostle, 1 Cor. xv. 34. " Some
"havenottheknowledge of Chriſt, I ſpeak thistoyour ſhame."
This, O this is the condemnation. And even for you that are inlightned in this knowledge, how little doyou know of Jeſus
Chriſt, in comparison of what you might have known of him?
*He is completely learned,who has learned the goſpel ; but that perſon is quite foolish and mad,whoſeeks for ſaving knowledge any where elfe; for here is a large fieldofſuch knowledge; here allthe treafures ofit.
Davenant on Coloff.
The Fountain of Life.
SERM. I.
What a shameis it, that you should needtobe taught thevery first truths, **when for the time you mighthave been teachers
"ofothers?" Heb. v. 12, 13, 14. " That your minifters cannot " fpeak untoyou as ſpiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto
" babes in Chriſt," 1 Cor. iii. 1, 2. O how much time is ſpent inother ſtudies, invain difcourſes, frivolous pamphlets, worldly employments ? how little in the fearch and ſtudy of Jerus
Chrift?
Inference 3.
Howfad is theircondition that have aknowledge of Chrift, and yet as to themselves ithadbeenbetter theyhad never had it * ! Many therebe that content themselves with an unpractical, ineffectual, and merely notional knowledge of him ; of whom the apostle faith, " It hadbeenbetter forthem not to " haveknown," 2 Pet. ii. 21.
It ſerves only to aggravate finand miſery : forthough it benotenough to ſave them, yet it puts fome weak reſtraints upon fin, which their impetuous lufts breaking down, expoſes them thereby to a greaterdamnation.
Inference4.
Fourthly, This may inform us by what rule tojudge both miniſters and doctrine.
Certainly that is thehighest commendation ofaminiſter, tobe an able minister of the New Teſtament; not ofthe letter, butof the Spirit, 2 Cor. iii. 6. He is thebeſt artiſt, that can moſt livelyandpowerfully diſplay Jefus Chriſt before the people, evidently ſetting him forth as crucifiedamong them; and that is the beſt fermon, that is moſt fullofChriſt, not ofart and language. Iknowthataholydialect wellbecometh Chriſt's minitters, they ſhouldnot be rude andcareleſs in language or method; but ſurely the excellency ofa fermon lies not in that, but in the plaineſt diſcoveries and livelieſt applications ofJesusChriſt.
Inference 5.
Let allthat mind the honourof religion, or thepeace and comfortof their own fouls, wholly ſequeſter and apply themſelves to the ſtudy of Jeſus Chriſt, andhim crucified.
Wherefore ſpendwe ourſelves upon other ſtudies,when allexcellency, Iweetness and deſirableneſs is concenter'd in this one ? Jeſus
Chriſt is fairer than the childrenofmen, the chiefeſt amongten thouſands, asthe apple-tree amongthe trees of the wood;"
Quaefaciunt divifa beatum, in hoc mixta fluunt : Theſe things which ſingly ravishand delightthe fouls ofmen, are all found
* Vide Zanch, in Eph. iv. p. 161. de duplici cognitioneChrifti.
SERM . I.
The Fountain of Life .
conjunctly in Chriſt.
O what a bleſſed Chriſt is this * ! whom toknow is eternal life.
Fromthe knowledge ofJesus Chrift do bud forth all the fruits ofcomfort, andthat for all feaſons and conditions.
Hence Rev. xxii. 2.he is called " the tree of life, "
65 which bears twelve mannerof fruits, andyields its fruit every month ; and the very leaves ofthis tree are for healing." In Chriſt ſouls have, (1.) Allneceſſaries for food and phyſick .
(2.) All varieties of fruits, twelve manner of fruits ; a diſſinct ſweetneſs in this, in that, and in the other attribute, promiſe, ordinance.
(3.) In him are theſe fruits at all times, he bears fruit everymonth ; there is precious fruit inJesus Chriſt, even in the black month ; winter fruits as well as ſummer fruits.
O then ſtudy Chriſt, ſtudytoknow him more extenſively.
There be many excellent things in Chriſt, that the moſt eagle-ey'd beeverhath notyet ſeen : Ah! 'tis pity that any thing of Chriſt ſhould ly hidfrom his people. Study to know Chriſt more intenfively, to get theexperimental taſte and livelypowerofhisknowledge upon your hearts and affections : This is the knowledge that carries all the ſweetness and comfort in it. Chriſtian, I dare appeal to thy experience, whether the experimental taſte ofJefus Chriſt, in ordinances andduties, has not a higher and ſweeter reliſh than any created enjoyment thou ever taſted in thisworld ?
O thenfeparate, devote, and wholly give thyſelf, thy time, thy ſtrength to this moſt ſweettranſcendent ſtudy.
Inference 6.
Lastly, Let me cloſe the whole with adouble caution ; one to ourſelves, whoby our callings and profeſſions are the minifters ofChriſt; another to thoſe that fit under thedoctrine of Chrift daily.
First, If this doctrinebethe most excellent, neceſſary, fundamental, profound, noble, and comfortable doctrine †, let us then take heed leſt, while we ſtudy to beexact in other things, we be found ignorant in this. Ye know 'tis ignominious, by * I am fure, (faith aholy one), the ſaints at their beſt, are but ſtrangers to the weight and worth of the incomparable ſweetneſs of Chriſt ; he is ſo new, ſo freſh in excellency everyday to thoſe that fearch more and more intohim, as ifheaven could furnish as many new Chriſts (if I may ſo ſpeak) as there are days betwixt him and us ; and yet he is one and the ſame ſtill: O, we love an unknown lover, whenwe love Chriſt.
+ Peritum effe, et fine doctrina pietatis periturum : i . e. To be ſkill'd inother things,andnot in the goſpel, is to perish. Augustin.
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SERM. I. the common fuffrage ofthe civiliz'd world, for anyman tobe unacquainted with his own calling, or not to intend the properbuſineſsofit : 'Tis our calling, as the Bridegroom's friends, towooandwinfouls to Chriſt, toſet him forth to the people as crucified among them, Gal. iii. 1. to preſent himin all his attractive excellencies, that all hearts may be ravished with his beauty, and charmed into his arms by love : We must alſo be able todefend thetruths ofChriſt againftunderminingheretics, to inſtil his knowledge into the ignorant, to answer the cafes and ſcruples of poor doubting Christians. How many intricateknorshave we to unty ? What pains, what ſkill is requifite for fuch as are imployed about our work ? And ſhall we ſpend our precious time in frivolous controverfies, philoſophical niceties,dryandbarren fcholaftic notions * ? Shall we ſtudy every thing but Chriſt ? revolve allvolumes but the ſacred ones ?What is obfervedeven of Bellarmine †, that he turnedwith lothing fromſchool divinity, because itwanted the ſweetjuice ofpiety, maybe convictive to manyamongus,who areoftentoo much in lovewith worſe imploymentthan whathe is ſaid tolothe. Olet theknowledge of Chriſt dwell richly inus.
Secondly, Let us fee that our knowledge of Chriſt be not a powerleſs, barren, ‡ unpractical knowledge : O that, in its paffage from our understanding to our lips, it might powerfully melt, ſweeten, and raviſh our hearts ! Remember, brethren, aholycalling never ſaved any man, without aholy heart ; ifour tonguesonlybefanctified, our wholeman must be damned. " We
" and our people must bejudgedby the fame goſpel, and ſtand at the famebar, andbefentenced ontheſame terms, and dealt
" with as ſeverely as any other men : We cannot think to be " favedby ourclergy, or tocome off with a Legit ut clericus,
" when there iswanting the Credit et vixitut Chriftianus ;" as *We are not to ſtudythe niceties ofrhetoric, ſo much as plainneſs and perfpicuity ; nor are we to ſpeak in a high florid ſtrain, as orators ; but with the earneftness and zeal, and fincerity of the apoſtles; we are not to talk fine things, but what may convince the underſtanding, and touch the heart.
+ Quod a studiis fcholafticæ theologiæ averteretur fere naufeabundus, quoniam fucco carebant liquidæ pietatis, Faligat. in vita
Bel .
† Beware, leſt , while the tree of knowledge daily flourishes and thrives, the tree of practice ſhouldbecomebarren,or bear no fruit.
Takeheed thatye reſt not fatisfied in the gifts ofthe Spirit, andbeginto think nothing ofthe Spirithimself, the beſtgift.
Ford. amb, Sacr. p. 35.
SERM. I.
The Fountain of Life . aneminent * divine ſpeaks. O let the keepers ofthe vineyard look to andkeep their own vineyard : we have aheaven to win or lofe, as well as others.
Thirdly, Let us take heed that we withhold not our know. ledge ofChriſt inunrighteouſneſs from thepeople. Othatour lipsmaydiſperſe knowledge, and feed many. Let us take heed of the napkin, remembring the day of account is at hand t.
Remember, I beseech you, the relations wherein you ſtand, and the obligations reſulting thence : Remember, the great
Shepherd gave himself for, and gave you to the flock; your time, your gifts are not yours, but God's: Remember the pinchingwantsoffouls, who are periſhing forwant of Chriſt; and iftheirtongues do not, yet their neceſſities do beſpeak us,as theydidJofeph,Gen. xlvii. 15. " Whereforeſhouldwedie
" inthy prefence ? Give us food, thatwe may live andnotdie."
Eventhefea monstersdraw forth their breasts totheir young ones, and ſhall we be cruel ! cruel to ſouls ! Did Chriſt not think it toomuch to ſweat blood, yea, to die for them ? and ſhallwe think it much to watch, ſtudy, preach, pray, anddo what we can for their ſalvation ? Olet the ſame mind be in youwhich was alſo in Chriſt !
Secondly, To the people that fit under the doctrine of Chriſt daily, andhavethe light of hisknowledge ſhining round about them.
First, Take heed ye do not reject and deſpiſe this light.
This may be done two ways : First, When you deſpiſe the means of knowledge by flight andlow eſteems of it.
Surely, ifyou thus reject knowledge, God will reject you for it, Hoi. iv. 6. it is adeſpiſing of the richestgift that ever Chriſt gave to the church: andhowever itbea contempt and (light that begins low, and seems only tovent itſelf upon the weak parts, in artificial diſcourſes, and untaking tones and geſtures of the ſpeakers ; yet, believe it, 'tis adaring finthat flies higher than you are aware, Luke x. 16. " He that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me; and he that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me."
Secondly, You deſpiſe the knowledge of Chriſt, when you deſpiſe the directions and loving constraints of that knowledge ; when you refuſe tobe guided byyour knowledge, your light
F2 * Gildas Salvianus, p. 27.
+ We may apply to miniſters what Tacitus ſpeaks ofmagiſtrates , Itanati eftis, ut bona malaque veftra ad rempublicam pertineant, i. e. On your good or bad conduct depends the good or ill ofmany.
Tacit. Annal. lib. 4 .