Address to Ministers

Reverend Brethren, — The communication of the heavenly evangelical light, for the glory of our Redeemer in the conversion, edification, and salvation of men’s souls, is that which we are Ijoiiiid. to by many oblio:ations, as Christians, and as ministers of Christ for His Church, and therefore must needs be solicitous thereof; and it is that which the Spirit of grace, where it abideth, doth proportionably dispose the heart to desire: by convictions of the excellency and necessity of this work, and of our own duty in order thereto, and by the excitation of undeserved grace, our hearts are carried out to Ions; after a more o-eneral and effectual illumination and saving conversion of the inhabitants of this county in which we live; which, while we were but entering upon a consultation to promote, it pleased God, without our knowledge of it, to put the same thoughts into the hearts of others. The natives of this county of “Worcester, who dwell in London, meeting at a feast, (as is their yearly use.) collected a sum of money for the setting of eight poor boys to trades, and towards the maintaining of a weekly lecture, and have committed the execution of this last to our care; and upon consultation with their stewards, and among ourselves, both they and we are satisfied, that a moveable lecture, on the Lord’s elay, is the Ukeliest way for the improvement of their charity, to the attainment of their ends; — for many people through poverty cannot, and many through negligence will not come to a week-day’s lecture; experience telleth us, that such are usually attended but little by those that have the greatest heed; — and thus the benefit may extend to more than if it were fixed in one place.

AYe have therefore desired our reverend and dear brethren, Mr Andrew Tristram, minister at Clent, Mr Henry Oasland, minister at Bewdley, and Mr Thomas Ijaldwin, minister at Wolverley, and Mr Joseph Treble, minister at Lencli, to undertake this work, and that each of them will be pleased, every fourth Lord’s day, to preach twice in those places where they shall judge their labours to be necessary; and as we doubt not but their own congregations will so far consent for the good of others, so we do hereby request of you our brethren, that when any of them shall offer their labours for your congregations, in preaching the said lecture, you will receive them, and to your power further them in the work. For as we have no thoughts of obtruding their help upon you without your consent, so we cannot but undoubtedly expect, that men fearing God, and desiring their people’s everlasting good, will cheerfully and gratefully entertain such assistance. And w-e hope that none will think it needless, or take it as an accusing the ministry of insufficiency; for the Lord doth variously bestow His gifts. All that are upright are not equally fitted for the work; and many that are learned, judicious, and more able to teach the riper sort, are yet less able to condescend to the ignorant, and so convincingly and fervently to rouse up the secure, as some that are below them in other qualifications; and many that are nble in both respects, have a barren jieople; and the ablest have found by experience that God hath sometimes blessed the labours of a stranger to that which their own hath not done. We beseech you, therefore, interpret not this as r.n accusation of any, which proceedeth from the charity of our worthy countrymen in London, and from the earnest desires of them and us to further the salvation of as many as we can. And that you may have no jealousies of the persons deputed to this work, we assure you that they are men, orthodox, sober, peaceable, and of upright lives, happily qualified for their ministerial work, and zealous and industrious therein; and so far from being likely to sow any errors, or cause divisions, or draw the hearts of people from their own faithful pastors, that they will be forward to assist you against any such distempers in your flocks. Not doubting, therefore, but as you serve the same Master, and are under the same obligations as we, so as many as are heartily addicted to His service will readily promote so hopeful a work, we commend you and your labours to the blessing of the Lord.

Your Brethren and Fellow-labourers in the Work of the Gospel,

Kidderminster —

In the name, and at the desire of the Ministers of this Association,

EicHARD Baxter.
John Boraston.
Jarvis Bryan.

Evesham —

In the name of the Ministers of this Association,

Giles Collier.
George Hopkins.
John Dolphin.