The Reformed Pastor

Chapter 1

5. A free confession is a condition of a full remission; and when the sin is

public, the confession should also be public. If the ministers of England had sinned only in Latin, I would have made shift to admonish them in Latin, or else have said nothing to them. But if they will sin in English, t

Chapter 2

6. Too many who have undertaken the work of the ministry do so

obstinately proceed in self-seeking, negligence, pride, and other sins, that it is become our necessary duty to admonish them. If we saw that such would reform without reproof, we would gladly forbear the publishing of t

Chapter 3

5. It is past doubt, that we should perform this great duty to all the people,

or as many as we can; for our love and care of their souls must extend to all. If there are five hundred or a thousand ignorant people in your parish or congregation, it is a poor discharge of your duty, now and then to

Chapter 4

6. It is no less certain, that so great a work as this is should take up a

considerable part of our time. Lastly, it is equally certain that all duties should be done in order, as far as may be, and therefore should have their appointed times. And if we are agreed to practice, according to thes

Chapter 5

1. See that the work of saving grace be thoroughly wrought in your own

souls. Take heed to yourselves, lest you be void of that saving grace of God which you offer to others, and be strangers to the effectual working of that gospel which you preach; and lest, while you proclaim to the world

Chapter 6

2. Content not yourselves with being in a state of grace, but be also careful

that your graces are kept in vigorous and lively exercise, and that you preach to yourselves the sermons which you study, before you preach them to others. If you did this for your own sakes, it would not be lost labor;

Chapter 7

3. Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine, and

lest you lay such stumbling-blocks before the blind, as may be the occasion of their ruin; lest you unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues; and be the greatest hinderers of the success of your own labors.

Chapter 8

4. Take heed to yourselves, lest you live in those sins which you preach

against in others, and lest you be guilty of that which daily you condemn. Will you make it your work to magnify God, and, when you have done, dishonor him as much as others? Will you proclaim Christ’s governing power, a

Chapter 9

1. Take heed to yourselves, for you have a heaven to win or lose, and souls

that must be happy or miserable for ever; and therefore it concerneth you to begin at home, and to take heed to yourselves as well as to others. Preaching well may succeed to the salvation of others, without the holiness

Chapter 10

2. Take heed to yourselves, for you have a depraved nature, and sinful

inclinations, as well as others. If innocent Adam had need of heed, and lost himself and us for want of it, how much more need have such as we! Sin dwelleth in us, when we have preached ever so much against it; and one d

Chapter 11

3. Take heed to yourselves, because the tempter will more ply you with his

temptations than other men. If you will be the leaders against the prince of darkness, he will spare you no further than God restraineth him. He beareth the greatest malice to those that are engaged to do him the greates

Chapter 12

4. Take heed to yourselves, because there are many eyes upon you, and

there will be many to observe your falls. You cannot miscarry but the world will ring of it. The eclipses of the sun by day are seldom without witnesses. As you take yourselves for the lights of the churches, you may exp

Chapter 13

5. Take heed to yourselves, for your sins have more heinous aggravations

than other men’s. It was a saying of king Alphonsus, that ‘a great man cannot commit a small sin,” much more may we say, that a learned man, or -- 38 of 198 -- a teacher of others, cannot commit a small sin; or, at lea

Chapter 14

6. Take heed to yourselves, because such great works as ours require greater

grace than other men’s. Weaker gifts and graces may carry a man through in a more even course of life, that is not liable to so great trials. Smaller strength may serve for lighter works and burdens. But if you will vent

Chapter 15

7. Take heed to yourselves, for the honor of your Lord and Master, and of

his holy truth and ways, doth lie more on you than on other men. As you may render him more service, so you may do him more disservice than others. The nearer men stand to God, the greater dishonor hath he by their misca

Chapter 16

8. Lastly, Take heed to yourselves, for the success of all your labors doth

very much depend upon this. God useth to fit men for great works, before he employs them as his instruments in accomplishing them. Now, if the work of the Lord be not soundly done upon your own hearts, how can you expect

Chapter 17

SECTION 1 — THE NATURE OF THIS OVERSIGHT

Having showed you, What it is to take heed to ourselves, I am to show you, next, What it is to take heed to all the flock. It was first necessary to take into consideration, what we must be, and what we must do for our o

Chapter 18

1. It is here implied, that every flock should have its own pastor, and every

pastor his own flock. As every troop or company in a regiment of soldiers must have its own captain and other officers, and every soldier knows his own commander and colors; so it is the will of God, that every church sh

Chapter 19

2. When we are commanded to take heed to all the flock, it is plainly

implied, that flocks must ordinarily be no greater than we are capable of overseeing, or ‘taking heed to.’ God will not lay upon us natural impossibilities: he will not bind men to leap up to the moon, to touch the stars

Chapter 20

1. We must labor, in a special manner, for the conversion of the

unconverted. The work of conversion is the first and great thing we must drive at; after this we must labor with all our might. Alas! the misery of the unconverted is so great, that it calleth loudest to us for compassio

Chapter 21

2. We must be ready to give advice to inquirers, who come to us with cases

of conscience; especially the great case which the Jews put to Peter, and the gaoler to Paul and Silas, ‘What must we do to be saved?’ A minister is not to be merely a public preacher, but to be known as a counsellor for

Chapter 22

3. We must study to build up those who are already truly converted. In this

respect our work is various, according to the various states of Christians. (1) There are many of our flock that are young and weak, who, though they are of long standing, are yet of small proficiency or strength. This,

Chapter 23

4. We must have a special eye upon families, to see that they are well

ordered, and the duties of each relation performed. The life of religion, and the welfare and glory of both the Church and the State, depend much on family government and duty. If we suffer the neglect of this, we shall

Chapter 24

5. We must be diligent in visiting the sick, and helping them to prepare

either for a fruitful life, or a happy death. Though this should be the business of all our life and theirs, yet doth it, at such a season, require extraordinary care both of them and us. When time is almost gone, and th

Chapter 25

6. We must reprove and admonish those who live offensively or

impenitently. Before we bring such matters before the church, or its rulers, it is ordinarily most fit for the minister to try himself what he can do in private to bow the sinner to repentance, especially if it be not a

Chapter 26

7. The last part of our oversight, which I shall notice, consisteth in the

exercise of Church discipline. This consisteth, after the aforesaid private reproofs, in more public reproof, combined with exhortation to repentance, in prayer for the offender, in restoring the penitent, and in excludi

Chapter 27

1. The ministerial work must be carried on purely for God and the salvation

of souls, not for any private ends of our own. A wrong end makes all the work bad as from us, how good soever it may be in its own nature. It is not serving God, but ourselves, if we do it not for God, but for ourselves.

Chapter 28

2. The ministerial work must be carried on diligently and laboriously, as

being of such unspeakable consequence to ourselves and others. We are seeking to uphold the world, to save it from the curse of God, to perfect the creation, to attain the ends of Christ’s death, to save ourselves and ot

Chapter 29

3. The ministerial work must be carried on prudently and orderly. Milk must

go before strong meat; the foundation must be laid before we attempt to raise the superstructure. Children must not be dealt with as men of full stature. Men must be brought into a state of grace, before we can expect fr

Chapter 30

4. Throughout the whole course of our ministry, we must insist chiefly upon

the greatest, most certain, and most necessary truths, and be more seldom and sparing upon the rest. If we can but teach Christ to our people, we shall teach them all. Get them well to heaven, and they will have knowledg

Chapter 31

5. All our teaching must be as plain and simple as possible. This doth best

suit a teacher’s ends. He that would be understood must speak to the capacity of his hearers. Truth loves the light, and is most beautiful when -- 72 of 198 -- most naked. It is the sign of an envious enemy to hide the

Chapter 32

6. Our work must be carried on with great humility. We must carry

ourselves meekly and condescendingly to all; and so teach others, as to be as ready to learn of any that can teach us, and so both teach and learn at once; not proudly venting our own conceits, and disdaining all that an

Chapter 33

7. There must be a prudent mixture of severity and mildness both in our

preaching and discipline; each must be predominant, according to the quality or character of the person, or matter, that we have in hand. If there be no severity, our reproofs will be despised. If all severity, we shall

Chapter 34

8. We must be serious, earnest, and zealous in every part of our work. Our

work requireth greater skill, and especially greater life and zeal than any of us bring to it. It is no small matter to stand up in the face of a congregation, and to deliver a message of salvation or damnation, as from

Chapter 35

9. The whole of our ministry must be carried on in tender love to our

people. We must let them see that nothing pleaseth us but what profiteth them; and that what doeth them good doth us good; and that nothing troubleth us more than their hurt. We must feel toward our people, as a father t

Chapter 36

10. We must carry on our work with patience. We must bear with many

abuses and injuries from those to whom we seek to do good. When we have studied for them, and prayed for them, and exhorted them, and beseeched them with all earnestness and condescension, and given them what we are able

Chapter 37

11. All our work must be managed reverently, as beseemeth them that

believe the presence of God, and use not holy things as if they were common. Reverence is that affection of the soul which proceedeth from deep apprehensions of God and indicateth a mind that is much conversant with him.

Chapter 38

12. All our work must be done spiritually, as by men possessed of the Holy

Ghost. There is in some men’s preaching a spiritual strain, which spiritual hearers can discern and relish; whereas, in other men’s, this sacred tincture is so wanting, that, even when they speak of spiritual things, the

Chapter 39

13. If you would prosper in your work, be sure to keep up earnest desires

and expectations of success. If your hearts be not set on the end of your labors, and you long not to see the conversion and edification of your hearers, and do not study and preach in hope, you are not likely to see muc

Chapter 40

14. Our whole work must be carried on under a deep sense of our own

insufficiency, and of our entire dependence on Christ. We must go for light, and life, and strength to him who sends us on the work. And when we feel our own faith weak, and our hearts dull, and unsuitable to so great a

Chapter 41

15. Having given you these concomitants of our ministerial work, as singly

to be performed by every minister, let me conclude with one other, that is necessary to us as we are fellow-laborers in the same work; and that is this, we must be very studious of union and communion among ourselves, an

Chapter 42

SECTION 3 — MOTIVES TO THE OVERSIGHT OF THE FLOCK

Having considered the manner in which we are to take heed to the flock, I shall now proceed to lay before you some motives to this oversight; and here I shall confine myself to those contained in my text. -- 80 of 198 -

Chapter 43

1. The first consideration which the text suggesteth to us, is drawn from our

relation to the flock: We are overseers of it. (1) The nature of our office requireth us to ‘take heed to the flock.’ What else are we overseers for “Bishop” is a title which intimates more of’ labor than of honor,’ says

Chapter 44

2. The second motive in the text is drawn from the efficient cause of this

relation. It is the Holy Ghost that hath made us overseers of his Church, and, therefore, it behoveth us to take heed to it. The Holy Ghost makes men bishops or overseers of the Church in three several respects: By quali

Chapter 45

3. The third motive in the text is drawn from the dignity of the object which

is committed to our charge. It is the Church of God which we must oversee – that Church for which the world is chiefly upheld, which is sanctified by the Holy Ghost, which is the mystical body of Christ, that Church with

Chapter 46

4. The last motive that is mentioned in my text, is drawn from the price that

was paid for the Church which we oversee: ‘Which God,’ says the apostle, ‘hath purchased with his own blood.’ Oh what an argument is this to quicken the negligent, and to condemn those who will not be quickened to their

Chapter 47

SECTION 1 — THE USE OF HUMILIATION

Reverend and dear brethren, our business here this day is to humble our souls before the Lord for our past negligence, and to implore God’s assistance in our work for the time to come. Indeed, we can scarcely expect the

Chapter 48

1. One of our most heinous and palpable sins is PRIDE. This is a sin that

hath too much interest in the best of us, but which is more hateful and inexcusable in us than in other men. Yet is it so prevalent in some of us, that it inditeth our discourses, it chooseth our company, it formeth our

Chapter 49

2. We do not so seriously, unreservedly, and laboriously lay out ourselves in

the work of the Lord as beseemeth men of our profession and engagements. I bless the Lord that there are so many who do this work with all their might. But, alas! how imperfectly and how negligently do the most, even of

Chapter 50

3. Another sad discovery that we have not so devoted ourselves and all we

have to the service of God as we ought, is our prevailing regard to our worldly interests in opposition to the interest and work of Christ. This I shall manifest in three instances: (1) The temporizing of ministers. I wo

Chapter 51

4. We are sadly guilty of undervaluing the unity and peace of the whole

Church. Though I scarcely meet with any one who will not speak for unity and peace, or, at least, that will expressly speak against it, yet is it not common to meet with those who are studious to promote it; but too comm

Chapter 52

5. Lastly, We are sadly negligent in performing acknowledged duties, for

example, church discipline. If there be any work of reformation to be set afoot, how many are there that will go no further than they are drawn! It were well if all would do even that much. And when a work is like to pro

Chapter 53

SECTION 2 — THE DUTY OF PERSONAL CATECHIZING AND

INSTRUCTING THE FLOCK PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED Having disclosed and lamented our miscarriages and neglects, our duty for the future lies plain before us. God forbid that we should now go on in the sins which we have conf

Chapter 54

PART I

MOTIVES TO THIS DUTY Agreeably to this plan, I shall proceed to state to you some motives to persuade you to this duty. The first reasons by which I shall persuade you to this duty, are taken from the benefits of it: The

Chapter 55

1. It will be a most hopeful means of the conversion of souls; for it unites

those great things which most further such an end. (1) As to the matter of it; it is about the most necessary things, the principles or essentials of the Christian faith. (2) As to the manner of it: it will be by private

Chapter 56

2. It will essentially promote the orderly building up of those who are

converted, and the establishment of them in the faith. It hazardeth our whole work, or at least much hindereth it, if we do it not in the proper order. How can you build, if you first not lay a good foundation or how can

Chapter 57

3. It will make our public preaching better understood and regarded. When

you have instructed them in the principles, they will the better understand all you say. They will perceive what you drive at, when they are once acquainted with the main points. This prepareth their minds, and openeth a

Chapter 58

4. By means of it, you will come to be familiar with your people, and may

thereby win their affections. The want of this, with those who have very numerous congregations, is a great impediment to the success of our labors. By distance and unacquaintedness, abundance of mistakes between ministe

Chapter 59

5. By means of it, we shall come to be better acquainted with each person’s

spiritual state, and so the better know how to watch over them. We shall know better how to preach to them, and carry ourselves to them, when we know their temper, and their chief objections, and so what they have most n

Chapter 60

6. By means of this trial and acquaintance with our people’s state we shall

be much assisted in the admission of them to the sacraments. Though I doubt not a minister may require his people to come to him at any convenient season, to give an account of their faith and proficiency, and to receive

Chapter 61

7. It will show men the true nature of the ministerial office, and awaken

them to the better consideration of it, than is now usual. It is too common for men to think that the work of the ministry is nothing but to preach, and to baptize, and to administer the Lord’s supper, and to visit the s

Chapter 62

8. It will help our people better to understand the nature of their duty toward

their overseers, and, consequently, to discharge it better. This, indeed, were a matter of no consequence, if it were only for our sakes; but their own salvation is much concerned in it. I am convinced, by sad experience

Chapter 63

9. It will give the governors of the nation more correct views about the

nature and burden of the ministry, and so may procure from them further assistance. It is a lamentable impediment to the reformation of the Church, and the saving of souls, that, in most populous towns, there are but one

Chapter 64

10. It will exceedingly facilitate the ministerial work in succeeding

generations. Custom, as I said before, is the thing that sways much with the multitude; and they who first break a destructive custom, must bear the brunt of their indignation. Now, somebody must do this. If we do it not

Chapter 65

11. It will much conduce to the better ordering of families, and the better

spending of the Sabbath. When we have once got the masters of families to undertake that they will, every Lord’s day, examine their children and servants, and make them repeat some catechism and passages of Scripture, th

Chapter 66

12. It will do good to many ministers, who are too apt to be idle, and to mis-

spend their time in unnecessary discourse, business, journeys, or recreations. It will let them see that they have no time to spare for such things; and thus, when they are engaged in so much pressing employment of so hi

Chapter 67

13. It will be productive of many personal benefits to ourselves. It will do

much to subdue our own corruptions, and to exercise and increase our own -- 136 of 198 -- graces. It will afford much peace to our consciences, and comfort us when our past lives come to be reviewed. To be much in prov

Chapter 68

14. It will be some benefit, that by this means we shall take off ourselves

and our people from vain controversies, and from expending our care and zeal on the lesser matters of religion, which least tend to their spiritual edification. While we are taken up in teaching, and they in learning the

Chapter 69

15. And then for the extent of the aforesaid benefits: The design of this

work is, the reforming and saving of all the people in our several parishes. For we shall not leave out any man that will submit to be instructed; and though we can scarcely hope that every individual will be reformed an

Chapter 70

16. It is like to be a work that will reach over the whole land, and not stop

with us that have now engaged in it. For though it be at present neglected, I suppose the cause is the same with our brethren as it hath been with us, namely, that inconsiderateness and laziness, which we are here bewail

Chapter 71

17. Lastly, Of so great weight and excellency is the duty which we are now

recommending, that the chief part of Church reformation that is behind as to -- 138 of 198 -- means consisteth in it; and it must be the chief means to answer the judgments, the mercies, the prayers, the promises, the

Chapter 72

1. Let me notice the difficulties in ourselves.

(1) In ourselves there is much dulness and laziness, so that it will not be easy to get us to be faithful in so hard a work. Like a sluggard in bed, that knows he should rise, and yet delayeth and would lie as long as he

Chapter 73

2. Having noticed these difficulties in ourselves, I shall now mention some

which we shall meet with in our people. (1) Many of them will be obstinately unwilling to be taught; and scorn to come to us, as being too good to be catechized, or too old to learn, unless we deal wisely with them in pu

Chapter 74

1. This duty is necessary for the glory of God. As every Christian liveth to

the glory of God, as his end, so will he gladly take that course which will most effectually promote it. For what man would not attain his ends? O brethren, if we could set this work on foot in all the parishes of Englan

Chapter 75

2. This duty is necessary to the welfare of our people. Brethren, can you

look believingly on your miserable people, and not perceive them calling to you for help? There is not a sinner whose case you should not so far compassionate, as to be willing to relieve them at a much dearer rate than

Chapter 76

3. This duty is necessary to your own welfare, as well as to your people’s.

This is your work, according to which, among others, you shall be judged. You can no more be saved without ministerial diligence and fidelity, than they or you can be saved without Christian diligence and fidelity. If, t

Chapter 77

1. What cause have we to bleed before the Lord this day, that we have

neglected so great and good a work so long; that we have been ministers of the gospel so many years, and done so little by personal instruction and conference for the saving of men’s souls! If we had but set about this b

Chapter 78

2. And now, brethren, what have we to do for the time to come, but to deny

our lazy flesh, and rouse up ourselves to the work before us. The harvest is -- 149 of 198 -- great, the laborers are few; the loiterers and hinderers are many, the souls of men are precious, the misery of sinners is g

Chapter 79

PART 2

OBJECTIONS TO THIS DUTY I shall next answer some of those objections, which may be made to the practice I have been recommending. OBJECTION 1: We teach our people in public; and how then are we bound to teach them, man b

Chapter 80

PART 3

DIRECTIONS FOR THIS DUTY -- 175 of 198 -- It is so great a work which we have before us, that it is a thousand pities it should be destroyed in the birth, and perish in our hands. And though I know that we have a knott

Chapter 81

1. The chief means of all is this, for a minister so to conduct himself in the

general course of his life and ministry, as to convince his people of his ability, sincerity, and unfeigned love to them. For if they take him to be ignorant, they will despise his teaching, and think themselves as wise

Chapter 82

2. Supposing this general preparation, the next thing to be done is, to use

the most effectual means to convince them of the benefit and necessity of this course to their own souls. The way to win the consent of people to anything that you propose, is to prove that it is good and profitable for

Chapter 83

3. When this is done, it will be very necessary that we give one of the

catechisms to every family in the parish, whether rich or poor, that so they may be without excuse: for if you leave it to themselves to buy them, perhaps the half of them will not get them; whereas, when they have copie

Chapter 84

4. Be sure that you deal gently with them, and take off all discouragements

as effectually as you can. -- 180 of 198 -- (1) Tell them publicly, that if they have learned any other catechism already, you will not urge them to learn this, unless they desire it themselves: for the substance of al

Chapter 85

5. Lastly, If all this will not serve to bring any particular persons to submit,

do not cast them off; but go to them and expostulate with them, and learn what their reasons are, and convince them of the sinfulness and danger of their neglect of the help that is offered them. A soul is so precious th

Chapter 86

1. When your people come to you, one family or more, begin with a brief

preface, to mollify their minds and to take off all offense, unwillingness, or discouragement, and to prepare them for receiving your instructions. ‘My friends,’ you may say, ‘it may perhaps seem to some of you an unusua

Chapter 87

2. When you have spoken thus to them all, take them one by one, and deal

with them as far as you can in private, out of the hearing of the rest; for some cannot speak freely before others, and some will not endure to be questioned before others, because they think that it will tend to their s

Chapter 88

4. Then choose out some of the weightiest points, and try, by further

questions, how far they understand them. And therein be careful of the following things: (1) That you do not begin with less necessary points, but with those which they themselves may perceive most nearly concern them. F

Chapter 89

5. When you have done what you see cause in the trial of their knowledge,

proceed next to instruct them yourselves, and this must be according to their several capacities. If it be a professor that understandeth the fundamental principles of religion, fall upon somewhat which you perceive that

Chapter 90

6. Whether they be grossly ignorant or not, if you suspect them to be

unconverted, endeavor next to make some prudent inquiry into their state. The best and least offensive way of doing this will be to prepare them for the inquiry by saying something that may mollify their minds, and convi

Chapter 91

7. If, however, you have, either by former discovery of gross ignorance, or

by these later inquiries into his spiritual state, discerned an apparent probability that the person is yet in an unconverted state, your next business is, to employ all your skill to bring his heart to a sense of his co

Chapter 92

8. Conclude the whole with a practical exhortation, which must contain two

parts; first, the duty of believing in Christ; and secondly, of using the -- 192 of 198 -- external means of grace for the time to come, and the avoiding of former sins. For example: ‘My friend, I am heartily sorry to

Chapter 93

9. At the dismissing of them, do these two things:

(1) Mollify their minds again by a few words, deprecating anything like offense. For example: ‘I pray you, take it not ill that I have put you to this trouble, or dealt thus freely with you. It is as little pleasure to m

Chapter 94

10. Have the names of all your parishioners by you in a book; and when

they come and repeat the catechism, note in your book who come, and who do not; and who are so grossly ignorant as to be unfit for the Lord’s supper and other holy communion, and who not: and as you perceive the necessit

Chapter 95

11. Through the whole course of your conference with them, see that the

manner as well as the matter be suited to the end. And concerning the manner observe these particulars: (1) That you make a difference according to the character of the persons whom you have to deal with. To the youthful

Chapter 96

12. Lastly, If God enable you, extend your charity to those of the poorest

sort, before they part from you. Give them somewhat towards their relief and for the time that is thus taken from their labors, especially for the encouragement of them that do best. And to the rest, promise them so much