Use 1

USE I.

Hence how much do they mistake who think the work of the ministry to be an easy employment? Many there be that undervalue it, and account it a small matter, and [illegible] to those in this office who give occasion to have it so thought, by their supine negligence: who with the sluggard, let their field be grown over with nettles, for want of care and tendance. But certainly, they that with any conscience study their duty, and endeavor to be as much as they can in the discharge of it, find it to be far otherwise. Paul thought the care of the churches, to be more than all the trouble and difficulty that he met with otherwise (2 Corinthians 11:28). Well then might he in the serious contemplation of it cry out, who is sufficient for these things? Certainly, without a great deal of special assistance from the Spirit of God, they cannot in any competent measure discharge their duty acceptably: it would be a burden too heavy for an angel to stand up under; what then is a weak man to undertake it? Well might Moses, and Jeremiah decline it, and had not God himself promised to be with them, it had been madness in them ever to have engaged in it. That promise of Christ to his disciples, was very necessary and seasonable to back his solemn charge he had given them withal (Matthew 28:19, 20).