The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Inference 5.

* 1.1And as it will serve us for a test of Doctrines, so it serves for a test of Ministers, and hence you may Judge who are authorized, and sent by Christ the great Prophet, to declare his will to men. Surely, those whom he sends have his Spirit in their Hearts, as well as his words in their Mouths. And according to mea∣sures of grace received, they faithfully endeavour to fullfil their Ministry for Christ, as Christ did for his Father, as my Father hath sent me, (saith Christ) so send I you, Joh. 20.21. They take Christ for their pattern in the whole course of their Ministration, and are such as sincerely endeavour to imi∣tate the great Shepherd, in these six particulars following.

• First, Jesus Christ was a faithful Minister, the faithful, and true witness, Rev. 1.5. He declared the whole mind of God to men. Of him it was Prophetically said, Psal. 40.10. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart, I have de∣clared thy faithfulness, and thy Salvation, I have not con∣cealed thy loving kindness and thy truth from the great con∣gregation. To the same sence, and almost in the same words, the Apostle Paul professed in Acts 20.20. I have kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, and vers. 35. I have shewed you all things. Not that every faithful Minister doth in the course of his Ministry, anatomize the whole body of truth, and fully expound and apply each particular to the People, no, that is not the meaning, but of those Doctrines which they have opportunity of opening, they do not out of fear, or to accommodate and secure base low ends, withhold the mind of God, or so corrupt and abuse his words, as to

• subject truth to their own or other mens Lusts. They Preach not as pleasing men, but God, 1 Thes. 2.4. For if we yet please men, we cannot be the servants of Christ, Gal. 1.10. Truth must be spoken, though the greatest on earth be offended.
• Secondly, Jesus Christ was a tender hearted Minister. Full of compassion to souls. He was sent to bind up the broken in heart, Isa. 61.1. He was full of bowels to poor sinners. He grieved at the hardness of mens hearts, Mark 3.5. He mourned over Ie∣rusalem and said, O Ierusalem, Ierusalem, how oft would I have gathered thy Children as a Hen gathers her brood under her wings! Matth. 23.37. His bowels yearned, when he saw the multi∣tude as Sheep having no Shepherd, Matth. 9.36. These bowels of Christ must be in all the under Shepherds.* 1.2 God is my witness (saith one of them) how greatly I long after you all in (or after the pattern of) the bowels of Christ Iesus, Phil. 1.8. He that shews a hard heart, unaffected with the dangers and miseries of souls, can never shew a commission from Christ to autho∣rize him, for ministerial work.
• Thirdly, Jesus Christ was a laborious painful Minister, he put a necessity on himself to finish his work in his day. A work infinitely great, in a very little time, Ioh. 9.4. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work. O how much work did Christ do, in a little time on earth! He went about doing good, Acts 10.38. He was never idle. When he sits down at Iacobs Well, to rest himself being weary, presently he falls into his work, Preaching the Gospel to the Samaritaness. In this must his Ministers resemble him. Striving according to his working, that worketh in them mightily, Col. 1.28, 29. An idle Minister seems to be a con∣tradiction in adjecto, as who should say, a dark light.
• Fourthly, Iesus Christ delighted in nothing more than the success of his Ministry. To see the work of the Lord prosper in his hand, this was meat and drink to him. When the seventy returned, and reported the success of their first Embassie; Lord, even the Devils are subject to us through thy name. Why, saith Christ; I behold Satan fall as lightning from heaven. As if he had said, you tell me no news, I saw it when I sent you out at first. I know the Gospel would make work where it came. And in that hour Iesus rejoyced in Spirit, Luk. 10.17, 18, 21. And is it not so with those sent by him? Do'nt they value the

• success of their Ministry at an high rate? it is not (saith one) the expence, but the recoyling of our labours back again upon us, that kills us. Ministers would not die so fast, nor be gray-headed so soon, could they but see the travel of their Souls. My littlle Children (saith Paul) of whom I travel again in birth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, till Christ be formed in you, Gal. 4.19. As for those that have the name of Shepherds only, who visit the flock only once a year, about shearing time: who have the instruments of a foolish Shepherd (••f••rcipes & mulctra) the shears and pail, Zech. 11.15. Woful will be their condition, at the appearing of this great Shepherd.
• Fifthly, Iesus Christ was a Minister that lived up to his Doctrine. His Life and Doctrine harmonized in all things. He pressed to holiness in his Doctrine, and was the great Pattern of holiness in his Life, Matth. 11.28. Learn of me, I am meek and lowly. And such his Ministers desire to approve themselves, Phil. 4.9. What ye have heard, and seen in me, that do. He Preacht to their eyes, as well as ears. His Life was a Comment on his Doctrine. They might see holiness acted in his Life, as well as sounded by his lips. He Preacht the Doctrine, and lived the Application.
• Sixthly, Lastly; Iesus Christ was a Minister that minded and maintained sweet, secret communion with God, for all his constant publick labours. If he had been Preaching and healing all the day, yet he would redeem time from his very sleep to spend in secret Prayer, Matth. 14.23. When he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a Mountain apart to pray; and was there alone. O blessed pattern! Let the keepers of the Vineyards, remember they have a Vineyard of their own to keep. A Soul of their own that must be lookt after; as well as other mens. Those that in these things imitate Christ, are surely sent to us from him, and are worthy of double honour. They are a choice blessing to the people.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 5.
• * 1.2

  In, pro in∣star.