Secondly, More particularly concerning ministers, whose office is of public use and influence, what is to be observed in fixing their station and place of service ? Ministers are to be considered either as altogether free, or else as already related to some congregation and particular place.
1. If free already, the case is the more easy, these things make a call.
[1.] A fair invitation from those that have power to call ; providence is to be observed in stirring u]:> the hearts of men. Besides authori- tative mission, there is nn election or call from the people, as Christ had his ordination from God and election from the church ; as Hosea i. 11, ' Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head,' compared with Eph. i. 22, ' And give him to be the head over all things to the church.' It is notable that in Paul's vision the call is not managed by God, but by a man of Macedonia : Acts xvi. 9, ' And a vision appeared to Paul in the night : there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us.' Only if a people be not in a capacity to choose, then an authoritative mission is enough, and we must preach whether they will hear or whether they will forbear ; as Paul and Barnabas were sent from the elders of Antioch to go to the gentiles, Acts xiii.
[2.] When there is a universal concurrence of sweet providences removing all rubs and difficulties, there is a clear call of providence. Sometimes there is a call from a people, which a man cannot close with unless he should break through the hedge, and then a serpent will bite him. Sometimes there may be an inclination, and providence ma)' hinder : Acts xvi. 7, ' They assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not.' God himself may cast some bar in his providence in our way. Or Satan may hinder • 1 Thes. ii. 18, ' Wherefore we would have come unto you (even I Paul) once and again, but Satan hindered us.' Satan hinders by stirring up opposition against
VeR. S.] sermons upon HEBREWS XI. 247
the ministers of the gospel. Or the greater necessities of other people may hinder us : Eom. xv. 22, ' For which cause ' (speaking of his preaching- the gospel where it had not been preached) ' I have been much hindered from coming to you.' But then it is not every inclination of our own hearts which is sufficient, but an inclination spiritually raised by the instinct of the Holy Ghost, after prayer; not upon secular encouragements of plentiful revenues, or a fatter portion in the world. It is upon my heart to live and die with you.
2. About removes from one place to another, take these rules. —
[1.] It is not simply unlawful. Ministers are not so fixed, as that they cannot remove upon no accounts ; if so, raw and inexperienced })ersons might happen to supply the greatest places. Churches are bound to spare to others out of their plenty ; as the elders at Antioch sent some of their company to preach to the gentiles, Acts xiii. We are ministers of the catholic church rather than of any great con- gregation ; and where there is greatest necessity, or greatest aptness and proportion of gifts, there are our jiains to be bestowed. Greatest necessity and opportunity : the good shepherd runneth after the lost sheep, and leaveth the rest in the fold ; and where greatest measure of gifts. God fitteth every light to every socket.
[2.] Whenever it is done, it must be with great advice and caution, and upon an urgent call, by which you may clearly gather that God hath called you to preach the gospel to them. The call had need be urgent : whatever concurreth to an ordinary call must be double. It must be upon much seeking of God, clear evidence, consent of others, a spirit purged from secular interest, the consent of the church you leave gained, as much as may be, that they may deny themselves,
[3.] It is most comfortable when driven away by providence rather than our own choice, as by defect of maintenance — that is a negative or privative persecution, in which case we may fly to a another city ; or by violence of unreasonable men, that have not faith ; or upon con- tempt : Acts xix. 9, ' When divers were hardened and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them ; ' so Mat. xiv. 15, ' This is a desert place, and the time is now })ast ; send the multitude away.' You are free of their blood if they will not hear. Your rule is, Mat. x. 14, ' Whosoever shall not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.'
Thirdli/, For gentlemen who travel to get knowledge and experience.
1. It must not be undertaken upon light grounds. It is a great adventure, and it is a sin to tempt God to protect us by casting our- selves upon great hazards for so small a reason as for mere pleasure and curiosity, or pride and vain glory, to learn exotic fashions or the like.