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Christians to esteem them very highly in love for their works' fake.

And then for their right to an honourable maintenance, St. Paul affures all Chriftians, that the Lord himself ordained, That they which preach the gospel fhould live of the gospel. And therefore, when we tell people of the great fin of defrauding the minifters of God, and of denying the rights which the laws of God and man have appointed them, we are doing our duty as faithfully as when we fet before them the fin of stealing, of adultery, or of any other breach of the commands of God, which will be followed by a curse in this life, and, if not repented of, with damnation hereafter.

I fhall detain you no longer than while I conclude this difcourfe with these following obfervations:

In the first place, you will observe how neceffary it was, that the church of God should appoint certain times, which should be folemnly obferved by all Chriftians, for begging of God to fend faithful paftors to ferve in the facred miniftry, fuch as may, both by their life and doctrine, fet forth the glory of God, and fet forward the falvation of men. And every man would do well, before he reproaches any clergyman for his conduct, to afk himself this queftion; Have I myself done my duty, and joined with the church of God to pray for all fuch as are called to

the

the ministry, that they may live worthy of their vocation?

In the next place, we must beg all that hear us to confider, that the contempt of God's ministers will end in the contempt of God himself, of his word, his worship, and of every thing that belongs to him.

In fhort; Chriftians' refpect for their pastors, and the minifters of God, ought to be very great, as they expect God's bleffing; but then the minifters of God ought to make it their great endeavour to deserve this respect, by a fober, prudent, ferious, godly, and pious life and converfation; ever remembering, that by a mean, light, and foolish conduct, unbecoming the dignity of one who calls himself, and ought to be, God's ambaffador to men, he will render the miniftry contemptible, and cause men to be guilty of that difrefpect and fin which he complains of.

Laftly. We fhould all confider, that a man may have a lawful call to the ministry, and as fuch ought to be obeyed in things pertaining to God, and yet, for want of anfwering the ends of his calling, he may oppose the great and gracious defign of God, who would have all men to be faved.

May God of his great mercy preferve this church from fuch pastors; and give all those who have been, or are to be, ordained to his immediate fervice, grace, that in the exercise of their ministry they may depend upon

God,

God, ever pray for his guidance and bleffing, and be inftruments of bringing glory to God, and many fouls to falvation, through Jefus Christ.

To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

SERMON

SERMON XC.

PREACHED AT AN ORDINATION.

THE DUTIES OF MINISTERS AND PEOPLE.

I COR. iv. I.

LET A MAN SO ACCOUNT OF US, AS OF THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST, AND STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD MOREOVER, IT IS REQUIRED IN STEWARDS, THAT A MAN BE FOUND FAITHFUL.

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HE duties which belong to us as Minifters of Chrift, and Stewards of the myfteries of God, and to you, as you are the flock committed to our charge, and as we are over you in the Lord; thefe duties are so great, and fo neceffary to be known and remembered, that one cannot well omit fuch an occafion as this, of repeating, and recommending them to your ferious confideration, as well as to our own.

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Let a man, faith the apoftle, (that is, let every Chriftian) account of us, as of the minifters of Chrift. Account of us; that is, esteem and treat us, not as their minifters or fervants, but as the minifters of Christ. Account

of

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