With the hopes of this, let us rouse up and fortify our drooping
hearts gainst the mockings and troubles we may expect for th^ sake of the gospel. What bowels of compassion ought we to put on, when we speak to such men of saving their souls, and shunning perdition, into which they may quickly fall, but who, in the mean time, have not the least thought about these things themselves ? A famous author in Amesius * complains, ' That the words of hfe
* in some preachers and teachers lips die away, as to any power or
* efficacy : For so coldly and unconcernedly do they deliver the « word of God, that it seems to die in their lips. Hence, as they
* themselves are cold and dead preachers, so they leave their hear-
* ers in a cold and dead frame. I knew one who left Paris for
* this reason, because he said, he was more and more benumbed
* with the lectures and sermons he heard from day to day ih that « city ; and was afmid, that if he staid much longer there, his soul
* would have perished with spiritual cold : wherefore he joined ' himself to lively ministers, as unto Hve-coals, that so by conver- < sing with them, he might nourish and increase an holy flame in
Lift up your eyes and behold the fields white, and ready to harvest ; see how you are on every side surrounded Avith crowds of poor hungry souls, with open mouth and earnest looks begging spi- ritual bread from you. If we have the bowels of the chief Shep^ herd in us, let us feed his sheep. Some are almost worn out with old age and various troubles : others lessen the majesty of scripture by insisting much on things of little moment, and fill the ears of the multitude with a vain noise of words, or tickle them with smooth speeches. In such a situation, if you, who are furnished with all kinds of gifts, and have so full and fair opjwrtunity, do not burn with zeal to God, and love to souls, I tremble to look forward to the dreadful end of you all.
IV. Lastly^ I will conclude with a few things which I thought necessary for students of Theology^ and candidates for the ministry, who have at this needful time willingly devoted themselves to this service, or are about to do it : We nave long borne the burden and heat of the day ; we are veteran soldiers almost worn out. The next age will possibly produce more tractg-ble minds, and men of gentler dispositions than our times afford.
I congratulate you on account of your birth, especially if your natural birth be, or shall be ennobled and sanctified by regenera- tion ; and this is the more reasonable, because all our famous chronologers and searchers into times, who have bestowed much time and pains in that study, are big with expectation, like a wo- man big with child, past the time of her reckoning, who therefore
" — 1> ' •■ ' — •■ — — — — _— _ — I ■ — - • ■■
• Cases of Conscience, book 3. p. 16.
expects her pains to come upon her every hour. It is very proba- ble, that the day which all the prophets foretold, and all good men have, as it were, with outstretched neck, been eagerly looking for, is now at hand*
Do you, therefore, ye brave youths, the hope and desife of the reviving church, with eagerness lay hold on this favourable oppor- tunity of enriching your minds with all necessary gifts and endow- ments. Keep yourselves close night and day at your studies and most fervent prayers : He will make the best divine, that studies on his knees. And how shall we contend for the truth, or de- fend it against the adversaries, if we are destitute of gifts ? Nei- ther a good disposition, nor the charms of eloquence, nor a grace- ful gesture, nor good manners, can compensate for the want of gifts.
But on the other hand, beware, brethren, lest while the tree of knowledge every day thrives and prospers, the tree of life alone should languish and become baiTen, as an excellent divine * speaks very pertinently. Take care you put not that last, which should be first ; and that, again, first, which should be last. Measures so perniciously preposterous will be fatal to the whole work of con- version. A head well instructed is much to be desired; but a sanctified heart is absolutely necessary. " Covet earnestly the best *' gifts, and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way," 1 Cor. xii. 31. For gifts, let them increase ; but grace, let it outshine them all. Let these words of the great apostle take deep root in your hearts, 1 Cor. ix. 27. " But I keep under my body, and bring <* it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preach- *' ed unto others, I myself should be a cast-a-way." For what will it profit, to be learned and damned ? It is one thing to be learned in the truths of Christ, another to be taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.
Continually bear in mind this serious warning of our learned countryman Reynolds -f-, ' Let us not think much of ourselves,
* though God should have adorned us with the finest gifts of na-
* ture, with a lively genius, with an elegant diction, much read- ' ing, long experience of things, skill in the arts, languages and
* sciences, solidity of judgment, quickness of understanding, al-
* most like that of angels, unless at the same time he add to all,
* the gift of his Spirit to help us to know and delight in the hea- ' venly mystery. For though by the exercise of those shining ac-
* complishments, we may procure to ourselves the favour and
* esteem of men, though from thence great advantage may re-
* dound to the learned world, and to the church of Christ, yet
f S> Ford, Ambitio sat. f AruTnaiis Hotm*
' do thev not all tend to obtain for us either the favour of God, ' or the reward of heavenly happiness.' May God give you mi- nisterial and sanctifying gifts, that you may approve yourselves to be defenders of Christ and his rehgion, and firm opposers of his enemies.
But it is time to close this unpohshed and homely letter, which, however, I hope you will favourably accept as a testimony of that respect due to you from
Your fillow-servant in
the gospel of Christy
X HE worthy author of the discourse emitted herewith, is one whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the churches. His other books have made his name precious and famous in both Eng~ lands. Nor can my testimony add any thing to one every way greater than myself. Nevertheless, a singular providence having cast my lot to be at present in this great city ; I could not withstand the importunity of them who desired a few Prefatory lines to mani- fest the respect I owe to this renowned and learned man.