Troposchēmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. K

Inferences.

ANd now to conclude with this Head, from the Whole we may infer these Par∣ticulars following:

1. That a true Minister of Christ, is one that is truly converted, a gracious, holy, and sincere Person, one that hath the experience of the real Work of God upon his own Heart.

2. A Member of a true constituted Church, i. e. a Community of godly Christians, that have given up themselves in a solemn Covenant, in the Fear of God, to walk in Fellowship and Communion together, according to the Rule of the Gospel; amongst whom the Word of God is truly preached, and the Ordinances duly and in a right manner administred.

3. That he ought to be chosen by the Church, according to the Direction left by the Apostle, 1 Tim. 3.1, to 6. Tit. 1.5, to 9.

4. That he ought to be a discreet Person, endued with considerable Gifts and Abilities by the Holy-Ghost.

5. If called to be a Pastor or Elder, he ought to be ordained by the laying on of hands of the Presbytery, or Eldership. 1 Tim. 4.14.

6. That he ought to be very laborious, and give himself wholly to the Work of the Ministry; making the Word of God in all things his Rule.

7. That he ought to have a comfortable Maintenance allowed him by the Church, to which he belongs, if they are able to do it: That this is their Due by Divine Right, tho not a forced Maintenance, otherwise than Love to God, his Truth, and People, whose Duty forceth them to allow their Ministers a Competency.

Secondly; We may infer, That the Work of a Minister of Christ is no easy, but contrariwise a very hard and difficult Work: Who is sufficient for these things? So hard, that many of Christ's Servants of old undertook it with much trembling, which made them cry out, Send by whom thou wilt send, &c. So hard, that a Saint with all his natural Parts is not sufficient for it; nay, a Saint with all his acquired Parts is not sufficient for it; nay, I may say, a Saint with all his spiritual Gifts, Graces, and Endowments, without fresh Supplies of new Strength, is not sufficient for it.

Thirdly; It informs us wherein the Difficulty of the Ministers Work doth lie; and that,

1. In respect of themselves, who are employed in it. (1.) They are but Men: Son of Man, I have made thee a Watchman; and they commonly none of the wisest and most learned in the esteem of the World neither. (2.) Man at the best is a dark∣sighted Creature: We know but in part. (3,) Man at best is attended with Weak∣nesses, and carries a Body of Sin and Death about with him. (4.) Man at best hath but small Skill, and short Experience. (5.) Man at best is subject to great Discou∣ragements, and liable to Temptations.

2. In respect to the Work it self, a Minister's Employment is very hard and diffi∣cult. (1.) 'Tis a mysterious Work; what Mysteries are greater than those a Minister

is to study and dive into? Without Controversy, great is the Mystery of Godliness, &c. (2.) 'Tis difficult, in that it calls for the greatest Care and Exactness imaginable: Add not to his Word, &c. (3.) In that it calls for the Strength of his whole Soul. (4.) In that it is a Work that consisteth in divers Parts; there are many Things in which a Minister ought to be well instructed, as appears by what hath been said. (5.) In that it is a Work which calls for much Diligence; a slothful or idle Person is not fit to be a Minister. 'Tis a Work that must be followed continually: Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, exhort, with all Long-suffering and Doctrine.

3. Tis a difficult Work, in respect of the Opposition that is made against them, or from those grand Obstructions they meet with, 1. From their own Hearts; 2. From Sin; 3. From Satan; 4. From the World, (1.) By Reproaches and Contra∣dictions of the Ungodly; (2.) By Hereticks, and False-Teachers; (3.) From Perse∣cutors, &c.

Fourthly; We may infer from what hath been said in opening these Metaphors, That Gospel-Ministration is of absolute Necessity.

1. Because God hath ordained Preaching as the ordinary Means for the Conversion of Sinners: Faith cometh by Hearing, and Hearing by the Word of God.

2. God hath gifted, and graciously endowed some Men, on purpose for this Work.

3. He hath given plain Directions to his People, how and whom to chuse and ordain, &c.

4. The Necessity further appears, by considering the Nature of the Similes and Metaphors we have opened: Sinners are in Arms against God; and these are his Ambassadors, by whom he treats, and offers Terms of Peace to them. Christ de∣signs to espouse Sinners to himself, and these are his Spokes-men, by whom he effects this glorious Enterprize.

Fifthly; It shews also, That the Ministers Function is a most noble and honou∣rable Employment; and that all due Respect, Esteem, and Obedience ought to be given to them.

Sixthly; We may infer, That many who pretend themselves to be Christ's true Ministers, are none of his Ministers, but rather a Shame and Reproach to that vene∣rable Name, Work, and Office.

Seventhly; Let us learn from hence to bless God, that we have so many able and worthy Ministers of Christ in our Land. O let us pray for them, and desire God to send more of these Labourers into his Harvest. Pray ye the Lord of the Harvest, &c.

Eighthly; It sharply reproves many Churches and Professors, for the great Neg∣lect of their Duties towards their Ministers: What a Day do we live in! How is Christ's Interest, Ministers, and poor Saints, forgot, slighted, and neglected! O that God would raise up some to cry aloud, and spare not, but lift up their Voice like a Trumpet, to shew God's People their Transgressions, and the House of Jacob their Sins!

Notes

• 1 Tim. 4.14.
• 2 Cor. 2.16 Exod. 4.13 Jer. 20.9.
• 1 Cor. 1.27.
• 1 Cor. 13.9 Rom. 7.
• 1 Tim. 3.16.
• Rom. 10.17.