The saints everlasting rest, or, A treatise of the blessed state of the saints in their enjoyment of God in glory wherein is shewed its excellency and certainty, the misery of those that lose it, the way to attain it, and assurance of it, and how to live in the continual delightful forecasts of it and now published by Richard Baxter ...

* 1.1SECT. VI.

5. ANother sort that have special opportunity to this work, of helping others to heaven, is, The Ministers of the Gospel: As they have, or should have more ability then others, so it is the very work of their calling; and every one expecteth it at their hands, and will better submit to their teaching, then to other mens. I intend not these instructions so much to teachers, as to o∣thers, and therefore I shall say but little to them: and if all, or most Ministers among us were as faithfull and diligent as some, I would say nothing. But because it is otherwise, let me give these two or three words of advice to my Brethren in this office.

1. Be sure that the recovering and saving of souls, be the main end of your studies & preaching. O do not propound any low and base ends to your selves. This is the end of your calling, let it be also the end of your endeavors.* 1.2 God forbid that you should spend a weeks study to please the people; or to seek the advancing of you own reputations. Dare you appear in the Pulpit on such a business, and speak for your selves, when you are sent, and pretend to speak for Christ? Dare you spend that time, and wit, and parts for your selves? And wast the Lords day in seeking applause, which God hath set apart for himself? O what notorious sacriledge is this! Set out the work of God as skilfully and adornedly as you can: But still let the winning of souls be your end, and let all your studies and labors be serviceable thereto. Let not the window be so painted, as to keep out the light; but alwayes Judg that the best means, that most conduceth to the end. Do not think that God is best served by a neat, starched, laced Oration: But that he is the able, skilful Minister, that is best skilled in the art of instructing, convincing, perswading, and so winning of souls: and that is the best Sermon that is best in these. When you once grow other∣wise minded, and seek not God, but your selves, God will make you the basest and most contemptible of men, as you make your selves the most sinfull and wretched. Hath not this brought down the Ministery of England once already? It is true of your reputa∣tion, as Christ saith of your lives; They that will save them shall lose them. O let the vigor also of your perswasions shew, that you are sensible on how weighty a business you are sent. O Preach with that seriousness, and fervor, as men that believe their own doctrine; and that know their hearers must either be prevailed with, or be damned. What you would do to save them from E∣verlasting burning, that do, while you have the opportunity, and price in your hand: that people may discern that you are in good sadness, and mean as you speak: and that you are not stageplayers, but preachers of the doctrine of Salvation. Remember what Cicero saith, that if the matter be never so combustible, yet if you put not fire to it, it will not burn: And what Erasmus saith, that a hot Iron will pierce when a cold one will not; And if the wise men of the world account you mad, say as Paul, * 1.3 If we are besides our selves, it is to God: And remember that Christ was so busie in doing good, that his friends themselves begun to

lay hands on him, thinking he had been besides himself, Mark. 3.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 6.
• * 1.2

  Act. 20. & 26.18.
• * 1.3

  Amlingus was much used to that saying, when he was reproached for his zeal. Si in∣sanimus, Deo insanimus.