The Ministers Calling full of labour and toil. [ 1796]
THe Vocation of an Husbandman admits of little or no Vacation from his daily labour,* 1.1 the end of one work is but the beginning of another, every season of the year bringeth its several travel with it; And the harvest Labour∣ers are of all other the sorest Labourers,* 1.2 no labour more toilsome then theirs: Such is the Calling of every Faithfull Minister, Hath he broke up the fallow ground of his Peoples hearts, then must he sow the pretious seed therein? Hath he sowed seed, then he must water what he hath set and sowed; yea, tares and weeds will grow, and soon sprowt up, sleep he never so little, and therefore great need of daily weeding; so that surely the sweat of the Ministery (be it followed as it ought) exceeds the sweat of other Callings, and with the sorest labour doth the Mi∣nister eat his bread in the sweat of his brows,* 1.3 his Calling is not easy but painfull and laborious; as it is an honour so it is a burthen, and such an one too as requi∣reth the strength of Angels to bear it.