The way of the Spirit in bringing souls to Christ set forth in X sermons on John 16:7, 8, 9, 10 and chap 7:37 / by Mr. Thomas Allen, late pastor of a church in ... Norwich.

To the Reader

HAving a sight of these Sermons before they went to the press, I thought fit to speak something of them, and something of the Author.

1. As to these Sermons, The design of them is excellent. First, they shew that the Holy Ghost in bringing Souls to Christ, doth first convince them of sin, so making them to feel their need of Christ, working in them to hunger and thirst after him, prize him above all, and count all things loss and dung in com∣parison of him. Secondly, In these Sermons is excellently set forth the fulness and righ∣teousness of the Lord Jesus, whereby he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him. Thirdly, here is set forth how freely Christ admits sinners to come unto him that they may have life, not standing upon a∣ny merit or worthiness in us, but only works our hearts to a sense of our own vileness and unworthiness, and by a secret work of his Spi∣rit draws the humbled and convinced sinner to take of the water of life freely.

Possibly some may meet with a few passages in some of these Sermons, that they may not clearly understand, Let such consider that these Notes were neither intended nor prepa∣red by the Author for the Press, but taken in short hand from the mouth of the Preacher, in

which case there must be great allowance. Likewise some may think the Author did incul∣cate things too much, and was not so concise and sententious as were to be desired. In an∣swer to that, I would say, that in my poor judgment I always looked upon it as one of the many excellent gifts of God bestowed upon him, that he had a great dexterity in clearing and urging things with variety of expressions. As he was a heart Christian, so he was a heart Preacher, and those things that are to be wrought upon the hearts of the hearers are to be sufficientey cleared to their understand∣ings, and earnestly set home to their Souls and Consciences, though God can set in with a short hint to convert a soul, and enlarge that with great light and power upon the hearer, that was not sufficiently cleared and urged by the Preacher, yet truly 'tis an excellence in a Preacher to set forth the truths of God plainly and fully with power and authority in the name of Christ.

2. As to the Author of these Sermons, that burning and shining light Mr. Thomas Allen (now with Christ) I must needs say something (having such an opportunity) of the exceeding grace of God in him.

1. I will speak of him as a Christian. He was one that obtained mercy to fear the Lord

from his youth, and soon grew up to sueh a mea∣sure of grace as to be one of the highest form in Christs school, he attained to be more than one of the children or young men in Christ, even to be one of the Fathers, one of the most grown and most experienced Christians, full of Faith, and of the Holy Ghost. His heart was much aw∣ed with a holy reverence of God, he was a man of a tender conscience, fearful to offend God, Christ was exceeding precious to him, he made him all his salvation, and all his desire, he was full of holy zeal, valiant for the Truth, he had a heart for God, and a tongue for God upon all occa∣sions. In communicating to others necessities he was so free, that usually he did beyond his estate, he was every way eminent in grace, adorning the Gospel with a holy & fruitful conversaion.

2. As a Minister, he was very able and faithful, he was an excellent Preacher, plain and powerful in his doctrine, and though he was a learned man, yet he preached without all ostentation, he did not confound his hearers with obscure terms and fantastical expressions, but endeavoured to set forth the Truths of God in the most plain and convincing way to the consciences of men. He preached not himself, but Christ, he was not desirous of vain glory. In his preaching he was not in jest, playing with his Text and with the souls of men (as

the manner of some is) but was in sober sad∣ness and good earnest to bring souls to Christ, and build them up in him. He was eminent in self-denial, he made not the Ministry a trade to get mony, his design was not to make him∣self rich in the World, but to make others rich in grace. In those places in which he laboured he might say with the Apostle that he sought not theirs, but them, not their goods, but their good. It's no dishonour to a Minister of Christ to live of a little, and to leave but little when he dyes: Proud, lordly, self seeking, high living Ministers no way suit the Gospel of Christ; (which was first preached by a company of poor men, without any worldly splendor, who went through wonderful hardships and difficulties in fulfilling the Ministry which they received of the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. 6.4, 5. 2 Cor. 11, 23, 24, &c.) but are rather like the Merchants of Babylon, who grow rich and great with the abundance of her delicacies, Rev. 18.3.11.12

Another thing that I would mention of this worthy man was his marvellous condescension in private discourses to his brethren in the Ministry, who were much inferiour to him in age and gifts, not standing upon his own great worth, never exalting himself, but preferring them above himself, hearing their judgments in any matter with as great reverence and

respect as if they had been his Superiors. Surely his humility was extraordinary, and a notable example to all that knew him.

As he was a Scribe instructed to the King∣dom of God in all points of the Doctrine of Religion, so he was expert in all Questions about Church-discipline above many; for which he had been much advantaged by living so long in New-England, and having there such intimate acquaintance with those famous men Mr. Bulkly, Mr. Hooker, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Shephard, and others there, who lived in his heart when they were dead, and he de∣lighted to speak, and to relate some remarkable passages of them.

One thing more I would take notice of in this man of God, he was full of compassion to those that were under violent temptations, and terrors of Conscience, and very judicious to direct them in the way to find rest unto their souls.

Whil'st I commend this Servant of Jesus Christ, let none be offended, as if I thought or spake of man above what is meet, I know in∣deed there is in these days a kind of man-wor∣ship, a crying up this man and the other, and having their persons and preaching in admi∣ration without cause, when in the mean while who almost cryeth up the Lord Jesus, and

maketh him all in all? Therefore let me be so under∣stood in all that I have said, that I mention these ex∣cellencies of this Servant of God not to cry up a piece of clay, but for the glory of Christ, who put all this treasure into an earthen vessel, and to quicken us that are alive and remain to follow such an holy example and pattern as Christ hath shewn us in his grace be∣stowed upon him.

To conclude, when we have considered the graces and excellencies of the Servants of Christ, we should turn our eyes presently to Christ himself to admire him, and prayse him. He came from above, and is a∣bove all, greater than all both men and Angels, We hath a name above every name. The best Ministers must decrease, go off the stage, and ly in the dust: but he must increase, and be yet more glorious in the eyes of Angels and men. The best Ministers are but under-shepherds to that good, great, chief Shepherd, and Bishop of our souls. It is he that brings the ma∣ny sons to glory, he is the one Mediator, Saviour, Redeemer, and Head of the Church. Ministers are but Stewards to this high Lord and King, Labourers for this Lord of the harvest, Ʋnder-rowers to Christ the Master Pilot of the Ship of the Church. Blessed are those Servants that are faithful to him our high and most excellent Lord Jesus, our good Lord and Master, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Martin Fynch.

Grimsby, August 26, 1674.