to the Heavenly Canaan: Thus we shall come in the Lord's Time to experience the Substance of those Types and Figures, under that Legal Difpenfation, to be fubftantially and spiritually fulfilled in our own Minds, by the Operation of the Spirit of our Lord Jefus Chrift, the Subftance and Foundation of all True Religion and Ministry that is really profitable to the Hearers.

Fourthly, Now this Work of Preparation by the Spirit being thus begun, and carried on, is a fhorter or longer Time in accomplishing, fo as the Parties thereby may be qualified to receive a divine Inspiration to minifter from to others, according to the Will of him that calleth; and when it happeneth to be but a fhort Time, between Perfons beginning to be serious and religious, and the Time that fuch. Perfons commence Minifters (labouring according as they apprehend themfelves to be called to that Work for the Good of others) it may happen, that some of their Hearers, forming their Judgment respecting the Worthiness or Unworthiness of the Parties fo concerned, from their past Conduct, while in fo vile a State, may conclude, How can fuch be fit to teach others, who themfelves but the other Day were guilty of fuch Follies as are inconfiftant with a true Minifter to touch with? Thus in fome Respect it was with that great Apoftle of the Gentiles, viz, Saul, afterwards Paul.

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Fifthly,

Fifthly, For we find, while he was in the very Heat of perfecuting the Church, and breathing out Threatnings against the Brethren, fo that they were afraid of him; as appears when Ananias was commanded of the Lord, during that peculiar Vifitation which at that Time he was under, to go to his Affiftance; Ananias's Anfwer was, I have heard by many of this Man, (Saul) how much evil he hath done to thy Saints at. Jerufalem, and here he hath Authority from the Chief Priests to bind all that call on thy Name. But the Lord faid unto him, Go thy Way, for he is a chofen Veffel unto me.

Then Ananias went his Way, having this fpecial Call to vifit Saul. But it plainly appears, that this good Man could not eafily believe Saul's fo fudden and short Change, from an open Oppofer and Perfecutor of the Faith,

and faithful Profeffors and. Followers of the Son of God, to be an open Profeffor and Preacher of the fame Faith and Doctrine with them he fo perfecuted: And as this was the Cafe of Saul, it has been the Cafe, in fome degree, of others of later Date; that is, their fudden Change from a vain Converfation to be Preachers against it, hath fo narrowed up their Way in the Minds of fome of their Hearers, that at the fame Time (fome of them that haye wifh'd well to the Caufe of Religion) fuppofing fuch Preachers wou'd be a Means of Stumbling to many, have therefore in a Zeal that has been without true Confideration and right Judgment,

not giving Time for Trial, whether what they have heard was of God or the Creature, (as not minding Gamaliel's Counsel) wou'd pull them down before they could fee whether they were right or wrong.

To prevent this rafb judging, it is needful, that the Hearers be careful to judge nothing before its Time, but let every fuch Perfon have the Opportunity to make full Proof of their Ministry, that it may appear, whether what they do in the Way of Miniftring, be of God or of themfelves: If it be right, it will be felf-evident, and carry with it that which in Time will give Satisfaction to fuch who have doubted of the Miniftry of fuch Perfons, whether they were right or no; and their Hearts will be fill'd with Charity to wards them.'

Sixthly, Now if we confider the Thing right, this raf judging is very dangerous and hurtful, greatly tending to the dif couraging of young Minifters; for this cenforious and critical Temper is a great Block in the Way, and may hinder fome from coming forth in that Gift, tho' they may be rightly concerned therein; and fome that may make a little Appearance that Way, may be put to Silence e'er they have had Time fufficient to make or to give full Proof of their Miniftry: This Temper therefore ought carefully to be watched against, and have a timely Curb and Discou

ragement

ragement in every Mind, viz. every Hearer ought in Fear to request of God to be direct ed aright in Judgment, that under a pretended Care to promote the Caufe of Religion, they may not in a blind Zeal be inftrumental to discourage so useful a Gift.

37.

Seventhly, Now we find this critical Temper, that was fo apt to judge without Judgment, and to find Fault without Cause, our Lord did frequently reprove when it appeared, as may be feen in the Inftance of the Woman, whofe Penitence and Humi- Luke vii. liation induced her to wash her Master's Feet with her Tears, and wipe them with her Hair. Whofe Demonftration of Love to our bleffed Lord, (when Simon was ready to cenfure him for admitting) he by a very lively Comparison commended, and in the Application thereof fmartly reproved the want of Judgment, as well as Charity of that Pharifee, who did fo little for him himself, and yet was fo ready to find Fault with her; and by that Means rather brought him to juftify what he had before condemned. Which is often the Cafe of Self Righteous Profelors, who are fo apt (without just and mature Confideration) to judge thofe, who from vile and ungodly Sinners may fuddenly become purified by the Work of the Spirit, and by the fame may be fitted and required (tho' fome may be apt to think it too foon) to come up in publick Service for God; whilst themfelves, who have not loved so much, B 2

nor

nor been fo zealous to follow divine Conviction, are lingering behind in the Work; and yet these are moft apt and ready to judge and cenfure those who are more faithful, and thus fuddenly brought into Obedience, as too hafty and forward.

And alfo in his Anfwer to those who cenfured him for Eating and Drinking with Publicans and Sinners, he plainly declared the End of his Coming, which was the Reason of his Conduct in that, as well as other Refpects.

Eighthly, From all which it appears, that it has happened fometimes, the more Vile and Wicked any one hath been before Conviction, the more Thorough and Quick hath their Converfion been: They to whom much is given, love much; and the more they love, the more hearty and zealous they are to go on with the Work unto which they are called; and having known the Terrors of the Almighty for Sin, are the more earneft to perfwade Men; and I dare not fay, but that fuch may in their Zeal and Warmth of Spirit, a little stretch (at times) beyond their Authority; but when they do, they no fooner retire to their Gifts, but they find fufficient Smart for it in their own Minds: But this begets them Enemies; and because they appear wrong in Part, they muft by fome be concluded wrong in the Whole; which is an unwarrantable Conclufion to make on any Perfon,

Ninthly,