with decency and respect, performing real acts of civility and kind offices, doing them in an obliging way, and with a willing mind, and in a graceful and becoming manner. And who fees not how necessary thefe things are, to recommend our perfons, and our best endeavours for the good of fouls? These are things acceptable to God, and approv'd of men, and do not only prevent blame and offence, but conciliate love and honour to the miniftry. Such facility, gentleness, and goodness, give freedom of accefs, and infinuate, like oil, into the affections, and are attended with proportionable fuccefs: Whereas on the contrary, morofeness, and aufterity of carriage (efpecially where affected) in men otherwise very good, raise prejudices against their perfons, and obftruct the good effects, of their best defigns and endeavours. But I haften, and fhall befpeak your patience only, whilft I mention one particular more; namely, 5. Love unfeigned. Now fhould I fay, that by this we are to understand that fincere, fervent affection wherewith the minifters of Chrift should mutually embrace each other, I might perhaps not come up to the apoftle's full defign, but I think should not be much befide my prefent purpofe, which is to remove all blame from the miniftry. Now fhould the fervants of the Lord, who, above all others, are obliged to be united in the firmeft bonds of brotherly love, be defective herein; much more should they indulge to mutual animofities, and fierce oppofition; this would be a great of fence, and their miniftry would be blamed. I am fure, there never was more reason for them to walk in love, than in this degenerate age, wherein fo many enemies are fo reftlefs in their endeavours to divide, that fo they may deftroy them, and then rejoice in their ruin. But to fay no, more of this, by love the apostle means hearty good will to all mankind, efpecially to thofe who are committed to their care and conduct, that so they may fee, they feek not theirs, but them, Love demonftrating it felf in a general concern for the fouls of men, labouring after the falvation of the meaneft creature for whom Chrift died, and condescending to inferior Offices, for their fpiritual good: Love discovering it felf in a follicitude to inftruct the ignorant, recover the erroneous, reform the wicked, encourage the good, comfort the broken hearted hearted, and imparting all fpiritual bleffings to them in Chrift Jefus, praying for, and bleffing them, in his Name: Love manifefting it self, in vifiting the fick, relieving the needy, comforting the fatherless and the widow, forgiving the injurious, cenfuring the obftinate with pity and tender compaffion; I fay fo diffufive, fincere, fervent a love to the fouls of men, would not fail of correfpondent returns of love; and where there is mutual love, there will be no great difpofition either to give, or to take offence. I have now gone through the things I proposed to speak to, and though much more might have been added, and several inferences and conclufions drawn from what hath been faid, yet (holy fathers and brethren in our Lord Jesus) I fee I have but just time to exprefs the moft fincere and fervent defires of my foul: That the great God, the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, would be continually present with you, in the management of that great and honourable truft which he hath committed to you: That he would go on to inspire you more and more, with the fpirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit Bb 4 of of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and the fear of our Lord: That he would direct, fupport, and comfort you in all your labour of love, and make you happy inftruments in his own hands of turning many unto righteousness, whereby ye may fhine as stars in the firmament for ever and ever. Amen. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invifible, the only Wife God, be honour, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |