ority and terror cannot; it
will melt that which a stronger power cannot break. The story of Elijah, 1
Kings xix. may give some representation of this. The Lord was not in the
strong wind, nor in the terrible earthquake, nor yet in the fire, but in
the calm still voice. The Lord hath chosen this way of publishing his
grace in the gospel, because the sum of it is love to sinners, and good
will towards men. He holds it forth in the calm voice of love, and those
who are his ambassadors should be clothed with such an affection, if they
intend to prevail with men, to engage their affections. O! that we were
possessed with that brotherly love one towards another for the salvation
one of another; especially, that the preachers of the gospel might be thus
kindly affectioned towards others, and that you would take it thus, the
calling you off the ways of sin as an act of the greatest love. But then
consider the equality of this obligation, for there is nothing pressed
upon you but what lieth as heavily upon them that presseth it. This debt
binds all. O! that the ministers of the gospel could carry the impression
of this on their hearts, that when they persuade others they may withal
persuade themselves, and when they speak to others they may sit down among
the hearers. If an apostle of so eminent dignity levelleth himself in this
consideration, "therefore, brethren, we are debtors,"--how much more ought
pastors and teachers to come in the same rank and degree of debt and
obligation with others. Truly this is the great obstruction of the success
of the gospel, that those who bind on burdens on others do not themselves
touch them with one of their fingers, and while they seem serious in
persuading others, yet withal declare by their carriage that they do not
believe themselves what they bear upon others, so that preaching seemeth
to be an imposture, and affections in persuading of others to be borrowed,
as it were, in a scene, to be laid down again out of it. But then again,
there is a misconceit among people that this holy and spiritual walking is
not of common obligation, but peculiar to the preachers of the gospel.
Many make their reckoning so, as if they were not called to such high aims
and great endeavours. But truly, my beloved, this is a thing of common
concernment. The Holy Ghost hath levelled us all in this point of duty, as
he hath equally exalted all in the most substantial dignities and
privileges of the gospel. This bon