A pleasant walk to heaven, through the new and living way, which the Lord Jesus consecrated for us, and his sacred Word reveals unto us. Published by Claudius Gilbert, B.D. minister of the Gospel at Limrick.

Application may be made hereof very usefully.

1. BY way of Instruction in vindication of the Ministry and Ministers of Christ. They are appointed and blessed of him, as a special means towards the foresaid end, and therefore most maligned and opposed by the common enemy, Christs ordinances are his Charets of state, wherein he rides in progress among men, to dispense his gifts and graces unto them. His Ministerial servants are peculiarly entrusted

therewith, as Instruments and stewards under him, by whom he brings home his people to himself, to build them up in him∣self. The many honorary Titles which his Word discribs them by, setting forth their office, denote their Duty to the effecting thereof. The same Engine which is mounted by notional Spirits, against Christs Institutions, would as easily level the Magistrates civil constitutions. When men cease to be weak and sinfull, they shall then cease from needing such helps, and not till then. Evangelical worship must conti∣nue in force, till every one of Gods Elect be perfectly brought to the full measure of the stature of Christ. The Ministry was given for that purpose by the Lord Jesus, as the choise Product of his Ascension. Both the Office and the Officers are peculiarly set in the Church by God himself, that his People may never want sufficient means for effectual quickning in their Christian walk. The holy Ghost makes them Overseers, who being by him duly qua∣lified, are orderly called to rule in the Church, after due probation and approbation. Such shepheards as come in at his door he blesses to his People; the rest he accounts but Thiefs and Robbers, who intrude themselves into the Lords flock in an ill manner, and to an ill end. Confusions in his Church are as distastefull to him, as they are destructive to his. Himself makes the difference between Rulers and those that are ruled, whilst he forbids them Lordly-dominion and arbitrary dictates; he commands them to look to their charge with all Authority in his name and strength, requiring their flocks to shew their observance and Christian obedi∣ence, according to his Word. If every one were left to his own Will, How soon would Anarchie and desolation ruin Church and State? All will become slaves, whilst all do strive to rule and tyrannize; none studying to obey. Good Intentions will excuse no man from the sin and Judgement of irregular Usurpations. Ʋzzah and Ʋzzias met with sad stroaks in their bold invasions of the Sacerdotal Work. Co∣rah and his company of pretended Saints, Jeroboam and his self called Priests, ruined themselves and followers by their illegal Intrusions, if any that are called Ministers, prove a blot to their Profession, by their ignorance, sloth

or scandall, good reason they should be reckoned with, as they do deserve, but little cause that Christs faithfull ser∣vants should suffer for their sake. If any thing be found to be unscriptural, that hath been used about any Ordi∣nance of his, the fault may be mended without imparing of his Institutions. If any cannot find benefit by Christs appointmenss, let them blame themselves and not him, nor his. Is the Spirit of the Lord restrained? Doth not his Word do good to them that walk uprightly? As all Chri∣stians need mutual quickning, that they may walk worthy of their vocation, it becomes them to mind and observe that Gospel-ministration, which Christs spirit sanctifies so glorious∣ly to the enlightning and enlievening of all his chosen, accord∣ing to his Word.

2 It speaks convinction to all that are careless and un∣willing to give or receive this quickning helpfulness. This is a common and sad miscarriage among Christians, and the best find much cause to blame themselves for their guilt thereof. As its our sin, it should be our sorrow that we do so much evil, and so little good, we receive not friendly Admonitions in a friendly way; thereby discouraging those that would help us with seasonable advise. Our sores must needs wrankle for want of dressing, and our ill humors cannot but increase and distemper us for want of purging. We are more ashamed to hear of our faults, then to commit them, and more rea∣dy to neglect our duty, then to hear of it. Should it not shame us to find self still so prevalent in us against others good, and against our own, by thus shrivelling up our minds and hearts, our tongues and hands, that this singu∣lar charge cannot be discharged? Sinfull bashness makes us still unwilling to offend others by our faithfull dealing; and selfish Love makes us as ready to be offended at their faith∣full dealing. Christ was full of bowels, and cloathed with them; we are empty and destitute thereof. David desir∣ed to be smitten by the seasonable reproof of the righte∣ous, esteeming it to be a precious Balm that should not hurt his head: Why should any of us be of another mind? Are not the wounds of a friend more faithfull then the

kisses of an enemy? Why should any be counted our ene∣my for telling us the Truth, as Paul was among the foolish Galathians? Why should we be backward to receive and and give that Christian help by mutual reciprocations, which our abilities annd opportunities challenge clearly from us? Let it grieve us that we have so often grieved the Lords Spirit, in grieving his friends by sinfull silence, neglects and offences. Lets be ashamed, that Heathens and Turks, Jews and Papists should out-strip us in the demonstrations of mutual helpfulness. What Bunglers are we at this noble Trade? How untowardly and unskilfully do we go about it? Are not we often like foolish Chirurgions, mistak∣ing the Case, and wronging the Cure? Do not we usu∣ally run into extreams of fond pitty, or cruel Austerity? Are not we found too indulgent, or too impatient, too mild or too harsh? Should we not be humbled for our im∣prudence and ignorance, our rashness and unhandsomness, our passion and pride, our sloath and frowardness about this choice work.