First, The opposition of enemies from abroad. Secondly, The obstinacy and stubbornness of the hearts they work upon. Satan is a jealous prince, and will raise all manner of outcries and oppo- sition against those heavenly Heralds, that come to proclaim a new prince in his dominions, and -vnthdraw his miserable subjects from their cursed allegiance to him. What is it to preach the gospel (saith Luther) but to drive the fury of the world upon the head of that preacher ? But this would be easily supportable, did our work but prosper upon the hearts of our hearers. But this, alas ; is the killing consideration of all ; we know the worth of souls, and how great a service it is to save them from death, James v. 20. We also know the terrors of the Lord, which excite our utmost en- deavours to persuade men, 2 Cor. v. 11. We feel the compassions of Christ stirring in our bowels, which makes us long after their salvation, Phil. i. 8. We preach, we pray, yea, we travail again, as it were, in birth until Christ be formed in them. Gal. iv. 19. And when we have done all, we find their hearts as iron and brass, Jer. vi. 28. We mourn in secret when we cannot prevail, and oft times our hands hang down with discouragement, and we are ready to say with the prophet, Jer. xx. 9. We will speak no more in
his name. But here is our relief, under all discouragements from abroad and at home ; the work is Christ's, the power is his, he is with us, and we are workers together with him. There was a time when three thousand souls were born to Christ, at one sermon, it may be now three thousand sermons may be preached and not a soul converted : yet let us not be discouraged, a time of eminent conversion is promised, and to be expected in these latter days, Ezek. xlvii. 9. when the Uving waters of the gospel shall make every thing to hve whither they come ; and when the fishers, i. e. the ministers of Christ, shall not fish with angles as now they do, taking now one, then another single convert, but shall spread forth their nets, and inclose multitudes at a draught ; " when they shall fly " as a cloud, and as doves to their windows." God now opens a door of opportunity beyond expectation ; O that the hearts of mi- nisters and people were suitably enlarged, and the people made wil- ling in the day of his power.
Infer. 4. Hence we also iTifer the great dignity of the ministerial office^ and the suitable respect and hcmour due to all Christ s faithful ministers. The Lord Jesus himself is represented by them, they stand in his stead, 2 Cor. v. 20. his authority is clothed upon them ; the honour and dishonour given them redound to the person of Christ. The Galatians received Paul as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus, Gal. iv. 14.
Yet how have their persons and office been vilified and despised in this degenerate age ! how many learned, pious, laborious, peace- ful ministers of Christ have, in this age, been hunted up and do>vn in the world as wild beasts, been made the filth and off-scouring of all things unto this day ? 1 Cor. iv. 13. The word signifies that dirt and filth which scavengers rake together in the streets, to be carried to the dunghill. No doubt but Satan drives a great design in this to invalidate their ministry, discourage their labours, and break their hearts : but Jesus Christ will support us under all these abuses, wipe off the dirt thrown at us for his name's sake, and re^ serve some of us for better days.
Infer. 5. Is Christ present in his ordinances, what a strong en^ gagement then lies upcm you all to attend and wait assiduously upon the ministry of' the word, and to bring all yours that are capable^ there to zvait upon Christ with you .^ We read in the days of Christ'* flesh, when he performed his miraculous cures upon the sick, what thronging there was after him ; how parents brought their children, masters their servants, pressing in multitudes, untiling the house to let down their sick to liim, Luke xii. 1. Ah, shall men be so ear- nest for a cure for their bodies, and so indifferent for their souls ? It is true, the Spirit of Christ is not tied by any necessity to act always with the word ; he acts as an arbitrary agent, John iii. 8^
The wind hloweth where it listeth ; but it is engagement enough to wait continually upon his ordinances, that he sometimes graciously and effectually concurreth with them. It is good to lie in the way of the Spirit ; and there is a blessing pronounced upon them that wait continually at his gates, Prov. viii. 34. O therefore neglect no season within our reach ; for who knows but it may be the sea- son of hfe to thy soul !
Infer. 6. What an unspeakable loss is the loss of the gospel, see- ing the presence bf Christ comes and goes with it ? When the gos- pel departs, the Spirit of Christ departs with it from among men ; no more conversions in God's ordinary way, are then to be expected : well therefore might the Lord say, Hosea ix. 1^. Woe to them when I depart from them. The Spirit may, in some sense, depart, whilst the ordinances are left standing for a time among the people ; but then expect no such blessings or benefits from them. But when God takes away ordinances and the Spirit too, woe indeed to that people; and are there not sins amongst us presaging such a judg- ment .? O England ! reflect upon thy barrenness under it ; where be the fruits answerable to such precious means ? The gospel is a golden lamp, the graces of the Spirit communicated by it are golden oil ; as in that stately vision, Zech. iv. Will God maintain such a lamp, fed with such precious oil, for men to trifle and play by .^
And no less ominous and portentous is that bitter enmity to the gospel, and the serious professors of it, which (I cannot speak with- out horror) is every where found among us ; this great hatred brings on the days of visitation, and the days of recompence, with ja swift and dreadful motion upon any people, Hosea ix. %