Clavis exousiasichē [sic]

The rather,

4. Because those called of God, must also have a call from man: for the usual livery of Gods special Servants, are twofold,

• 1. Missio.
• 2. Vocatio.

Christ by his Spirit sends, and calls, and those he imploys in his service, he calls; and whom he calls, he cloathes; gives as well ability of doing, as authority to do. And where both these meet, they are sweet∣ly fitted, and graciously furnished for this Separate me, for this work whereunto they are called.

I shall stand no longer upon the confirma∣tion of the Doctrinal part of my Thesis.

I have four terms in it, that I must first explicate, before I shall come to the Appli∣catory part of it, which is the chief business

I have from my Text, to every soul here this day.

I must of necessity but touch upon each of the terms of my Thesis.

For I must not leave my Errand undone: I have a message from Christ, a threefold Errand.

The first to my Reverend Brethren, and my self.

The Second, to these our Brethren, who are this day to be separated for this weighty work.

The Third, Errand I have, is to all of you, who are our Auditors, and Spectators of the work we are met about.

And to each, a seasonable and suitable word, when I come unto them.

The first term in my Doctrinal Thesis, is what the work is whereunto these are called.

I answer, It is

• 1. A difficult work.
• 2. It is a desperate work.
• 3. It is a Dead work.
• 4. It is a destroying work.
• 5. It is a different work.
• 6. It is a daily work.
• 7. It is a despised work.
• 8. It is a dying work.
• 9. It is a divine work.

First, it is a difficult work, and that in four regards: for,

• 1. It is a seeking, work.
• 2. It is a searching work.
• 3. It is a spiritual work.
• 4. It is a spacious. work.

First, it is a difficult work, for it is a seek∣ing work, to seek out lost sinners, lost sons, lost sheep, lost souls, lost in hell; and this is that which makes the work hard.

2. It is difficult, for it is a searching work, to search out hidden things, and hidden mysteries, the mysteries of a hidden kingdom, of a hidden life, Col. 3.3. and this makes the work difficult.

3. It is a difficult work, for it is a spi∣ritual work, a supernatural work, a work above nature; it is soul-work, it is work about the soul, work about the inward man, soul-saving work, and this is difficult.

I confess Gods Ministers are but the In∣struments in the hand of Christ; for all in∣ternal work, is Gods work, this in-work is Gods work, Job 23.16. It is God that maketh the heart soft; but yet the Ministery is an instituted means, and therefore should accomplish this so difficult a work, because instituted by Christ.

4. It is a difficult work, for it is a spa∣cious

work; it calls the whole man to the work, soul and body, head, heart and hand; soul and sense, eyes and ears, all parts and powers are called forth to this work, and that to weariness: Much study is a weariness to the flesh; and therefore a dif∣ficult work.

Secondly, this work is a desperate work, we are called to work not only works of pain, but peril. We fight, and often faint in fight∣ing, for it is against enemies that are not one∣ly wily and witty enemies, but are wilful and wicked enemies, that are head-strong ene∣mies, and heart-strong enemies, and hand-strong enemies, that except Christ come by his Spirit to help us, in this desperate work all our labor is lost, and longings lost, and layings out lost, and all our strength spent in vain to most of our people; our work is to fight against Principalities and powers, the Rulers of the darkness of this world, Ephes. 6.12. and therefore a desperate work.

Thirdly, This our work is a dead work: we are to preach to dead souls, to dead hearts; that are dead in sin and trespasses, Eph. 2.2.

Our work is to fetch dead souls to life: To raise Lazers out of their graves, our work is about the life and death of the soul.

Fourthly, This our work is a destroying

work; for it will either destroy sin, or the sinner; it is the destroying pain of our work, that all we do, is as if it were almost destroy∣ed: It is a destroying work, for it turns hearts into stones, and makes many worse than they were.

Oh what a destructive condition are those souls in, that our work shall prove their destruction, by their wilful neglect and con∣tempt of it.

Fifthly, This our work is a different work, from the work of all other men, in the world no one is called forth to such a work, as a Minister of Jesus Christ: for the ef∣fects of our work is far different from all other works of other men: for our work makes a difference, 1. Of men. 2. In the manners of men. 3. In the hearts of men. 4. In the heads of men. 5. In the hands of men.

It works in different places, and in diffe∣rent persons, and in them differently, making some better, and some worse.

It works in places as far different as hea∣ven and hell, and in hearts that are as far different as light and darkness.

Sixthly, This our work is a daily work: its our every days work, the Lords day∣work, and the labourers day-work.

May conceit, that the work of a Minister is but a little, on the Lords day, and then he may rest; but alas these men are mightily mistaken, for our work hardly admits of any intermission.

Our work must smell of the candle, wee must have our night studies.

When you are at your rest, we are at our work, when you sleep we are awake, our work is a vigilant work, wee wax white with work, and watching.

We are commanded to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vigi∣lant; 1 Tim. 3.2. our work is either read∣ing, or praying, or else meditating, or sigh∣ing, or groaning, or mourning, or studying your good, and your life becomes some of our deaths, with our daily and continual working.

Seventh, This our work is a despised work, it is the greatest work under heaven, and the least regarded in the world, subject to the scorn of wicked men, and contempt of the world.

Eightly, This our work is a dying work, wee like Rachell, dye in travel, to bring forth Sonnes, and Daughters to Jesus Christ.

It is our death, that our work dies in any of our people.

Ah Christians, how much of our work is like water, spilt upon the ground.

It is heart-dying to us, that our work dies in your hearts.

The Apostle Gal. 4.19. tells the Galae∣tians, that hee travelled in birth, till Christ were formed in them: but alas how many false births, and abortive births are produced by our work, that hath wrought in some of our people, only a form of godlinesse, but not the life, and power of it? and this is a dying work both to them, and us.

Ninthly, This our work is a divine work, It is the work of God in us, by his Spirit. Christ rules, and calls our men here and there to this work, to minister to the souls of men: It is a work of divine, and spirituall concern∣ment to the souls eternity.

This is the first tearm, in my doctrinal Thesis, I shall be briefer in the rest.

The second tearm is, what the inward call is by the Spirit.

The Holy Ghost, said, separate me Barnabas, and Saul.

I Answer. This call is from God: by his spirit, and only known (as I Humbly conceive) by these three Requisites, which if found in

these our Brethren, or in any else called forth to this work, we may with an humble confidence be perswaded, that they have this inward call: and that the Holy Ghost hath said, Separate mee these men for the work, whereunto I have called them.

• The first Requisite is,
• Pure intentions.
• 2 Pious affections.
• 3 Personal qualifications.

First Pure, and zealous intentions: The first and highest Attractive, that draws the thoughts and intentions of any to undertake this burden, must be the glory of God, and the edification of his Church, to bring souls to Jesus Christ. There must bee no consult∣ing with flesh and blood, about this weighty work

If either profit or preferment, honour, or ease, have any thing to do in our intentions, (as they have in too many) then wee may conclude, that such are not called by the Spi∣rit.

Second Requisite is pious, and cordial af∣fections; a godly affection to do good, with our abilities we should have mountains of love in us, and wear them all, and wast them all away in love to Christ, and to his people, 2 Cor. 12.15. I will gladly spend, and be spent for you, though the more abun∣dantly

I love you, the lesse I am beloved.

Hee whom love calls to this labour, is called of God, and his work shall pros∣per.

Third Requisite is personal qualificati∣ons; and those are three-fold.

• 1 Humanity.
• 2 Humility.
• 3 Honesty.

First, Humanity; God sends not headlesse, or heartless, or handlesse men, to this work, for hee either finds them fit in some measure, or makes them fit for this work.

And that First in Person, Second, in Parts, both in life, and learning.

They must have the indowments and the perfections of both natures, the outward man, as well as the inward man; one called of God by his Spirit, must be not only peritus in re∣ligione, sed castus moribus: not only skill∣ful in the Doctrin of Religion, but also regu∣lar in all civillities of humanity: grace takes not nature away but regulates it, refines it, and reforms it.

Religion doth not throw civilities out of doors, (as some of the quaking faction do) but entertains it, as a suitable ornament▪ to grace, and as a necessary qualification for Ministers, which requires they bee of a civil

deportment to all men, so far forth as may stand with the honour of their persons, and places.

Secondly, Humility. Such as are called of God, by his Spirit, are humble, they check, and chide their own abilities, by their own under∣valuing of them.

They take this office and calling upon them, cum timore, et reverentia, suscipere, et se excusare, with fear, and reverence, and excusing of themselves, as unworthy, and un∣able for it, thus Moses, Jeremy, and o∣thers.

Thirdly Honesty. Whom God calls by his spirit to this work, must be of an upright life & conversation, towards all men, both towards those without, and within, to good and bad.

Such as are called of God, must not only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, sed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: not only talk aright, but walk aright, hee must not only teach the way to heaven, but tread, and trace the way to heaven.

His Doctrin must bee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, A speech quickned with the actions of an upright life.

For there is no life in Doctrine, where there is not Doctrine in the life.

Gods Ministers must teach the eyes, as well as the ears of the people.

For we have not so much, nor so great a work to do with their ears, as with their eyes; for their eyes are more intent upon what we practice, than upon what we preach:

Boni mores praedicantium, sal eorum Doctrinae. The honest and upright life of a Minister, is the salt that seasoneth all his do∣ctrine.

The sins of Teachers, are the Teachers of sin; and a Minister of a dishonest life, is the vilest creature in the world.

A Turk, or Tartar, a Jew, or Jesuit, Popish, or Prophane, are not so vile as such a one.

It is a fearful speech of Chrysostome, of a wicked Minister, Quis unquam Clericum lapsum penitentem vidit? Who ever saw a Minister recover himself, after his fall, by repentance? some, not many, and but very seldom.

But those who walk unblameably, are called of God, even those that have these pure intentions, these pious affections, and these personal qualifications of humanity, humility, and honesty: we may with an hum∣ble confidence be assured, that the Holy Ghost hath said unto us, Separate me these men, for the work whereunto I have called them.

The third Term in my Doctrinal The∣sis, holds forth the outward call by Separati∣on.

Presbyterial Separation is an external call of persons to the work of Christ, and a Mini∣sterial privilege: It is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Mini∣sterial Power.

And this Authoritive Separation, is in the Ministery, Acts 6.6. The Apostles prayed, and laid their hands on them: which we call Ordination, or Clavis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Key of Ordination.

Election may belong to the people, but in Ordination, Pastors have been still actors and ordainers, as Acts 1.26. & 6.6. Tit. 1.5.

In this business, there is onely required, the silent approbation of the godly.

Election follows Ordination, and is but an approbation of a called person to his Mini∣stery, to such a particular Congregation.

The Juridical power is in the Presbytery, to judge of, and examine those who are to preach the Word of God, that so false Teachers and Unworthy men, might be kept from creeping into the Church of Christ.

For wicked men, such as are meerly na∣tural and prophane, or hypocrites in heart,

would never consent to the call of a holy Mi∣nister of Jesus Christ.

And besides, these are not capable in their choice, to judge of such, but may either out of prejudice, or ignorance, or out of a pro∣phane heart, deny consent to his Ministery, whom God hath called, and said, Separate me such a one to the work whereunto I have called him.

For my part, I cannot be perswaded or satisfied in this one thing, that ever any one not called by the Church, and that is out of office and orders, and intrudes upon this holy calling, should ever convert souls, or bring any to heaven.

Dissenting judgements there are of some of our Brethren, about this, Separate me, even concerning the form of this Separation, and Ordination. But I intend not to wade into this business, or meddle with this Con∣troversie: Our practise is approved, and sufficiently cleared to the satisfaction (I hope of all here, or of the most) that desire unity and order in the Church of Christ; and therefore I shall leave it, with this one ad∣ditional requisite belonging to it, which is, Probation, 1 Tim. 3.10. Hiprobentur, let them first be proved.

And this hath been our form of proceed∣ing,

in setting apart, and separating those, whom hitherto we have laid our hands on, and sent forth to the work whereunto they have been called, and that both of their abilities and deportments.

And the rather,

For as a wise Master of a Family, will not commit matters of moment, to any one Servant, till he hath first made proof of his ability to do it, and also of his faithfulness in doing it,

Multo magis necessarium est eos probari quibus comittenda est cura sanctae Congre∣gationis. Hiperius.

Much more fit is it, that those be tryed and proved, to whom is committed the care of souls in the Church of Christ.

A word of the fourth Term, which is the form of this outward call by Separation.

And when they had prayed.

Prayer is a duty for all undertakings of Christians, especially in an undertaking of that nature, and high concernment, as this in my Text, and as we are this day come about.

2. By fasting: This was a duty for ex∣traordinary undertakings, and more than or∣dinary

occasions, such as this is we are now about.

3. By Imposition of hands: which con∣tains the species of their Consecration.

In conferring of holy Orders, a double po∣sture hath anciently been observed:

First, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Imposition of hands, in token of Consecration, Acts 8.17.

2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the holding up of hands, in sign of confirmation, Acts 14.23.

And in this Ceremony is held forth the offering of them up to God, for the work whereunto the Holy Ghost. hath called them.

And this outward call, though it be not of men, yet it is by men, and necessary to so holy a function.

And all such as come not in by this door, are but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, new illuminates, lately dropt out of heaven, that yesterday were but Dolts and Dunces, but to day are Doctors and Divines.

Yesterday, with Saul, were seeking their fathers Asses, and to day are gotten a∣mong the Prophets, 1 Sam. 10.16. like the Nightingale,

Vox, & preterea nihil;

a voyce, and nothing else: or like the Came∣lion, all lungs, and no heart.

All their learning is by Revelation, they

pray, and preach, and all by the Spirit; whereas all are but the visions of their own hearts, the fancies of distempered spirits, and meer chymera's of sin-sick brains, which they rather feign than know, and foolish unstable souls rather follow, than believe, or trust.

But those called of God, and by men, are such as know God, and themselves, who have a feeling of that spirit, who teacheth them to know God, and God to know them, and them to know themselves: Of these the holy Ghost hath said to us,

Sepa∣rate me these men, for the work whereunto I have called them.

I have now done with the Doctrinal part of my Thesis, and shall fall upon the Ap∣plicatory part, and be brief in it.

I hava a threefold Errand from Christ, to all here this day, suitable to your three∣fold Stations, Relations, Places and Per∣sons.

My first Errand is to you, my Reverend Brethren, and my self, who have this Com∣mand in my Text enjoyned us,

To separate these our Brethren, for the work where∣unto they are called.

My second Errand is, my Brethren, to you who are this day to be Separated from

other persons and imployments, to this weighty work.

And my third Errand, is to all of you Christian Auditors and Spectators to this Religious crowd and throng, who are this day Spectators, to behold; and Auditors to hear, how this work is performed both by them and us.

In all of which (I hope) you will be both Approbationers, to approve it; and Peti∣tioners with us to the Throne of grace, and help us by your prayers, for a blessing on them.

And pray all your Amens unto it.