Page:Divine shepherd, or, The good minister's care over the flock of Jesus Christ.pdf/24

 Lastly If our fore father ſuffered ſo great a famine of the world, that they were ready to faint and to periſh for want of preaching minister, then let us have a great care that we do not provoke God to take away this inestimable bleſſing from us. For at preſent, bleſſed be God for it, we have the bible in our own language: and we have in few miniſters that catechiſe as well as preach out of it, that we may be edified when we are in church: but if we make light of this unſpeakeable mercy, we cannot poſſibly have it long. Nay, further, if we come to church, and do not come there with our ſouls as well as our bodies; that is, if our ſouls do not think upon what the ministers ſay to us out of God's ward, but do think of our worldly buſineſs; If our ſouls be wandering and roving abroad whilst the minister is preaching, praying for then we provoke God to take away the goſpel from us; for thus faith the Lord, Iſa xxix.13.14 For as much as this people draw bear to me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their hearts far from me: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder. For the wiſdom of the wiſe men ſhall periſh, and the understanding of the prudent men ſhall be hid. And therefore, whenever you come to church with your mouths and with your lips ; but leave your hearts and ſouls at home, or ſuffer them to wander and rove abroad, and to mind a thing, ſave only what God's ministers ſay to you out of God's own word; then have a care, have a great care, that the wiſdom of your wiſe men do not periſh, and the understanding of your prudent men do not hide: And the goſpel, which is the word of life: the goſpel, which is the word of ſalvation: the goſpel, which is the word of God, be not taken away from you for ever, and given to others that will make better uſe of it. From which dreadful judgement, good Lord, deliver us all for Christ's ſake.

Now to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be

aſcrib'd all Dominion, Praiſes and Worſhip, for

evermore. Amen.