Ministers Compared to Trumpeters

    MINISTERS COMPARED TO TRUMPETERS

    "Cry aloud, spare not, lift, up thy voice like a Trumpet" Isa 58:1.

    "Blow ye the Trumpet in Zion," Joe 2:1.

    "If the Trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle?" 1Co 4:8.

    MINISTERS may fitly be compared to Trumpeters, as divers worthy men have observed, from these and some other texts of scripture: they were the priests of the Lord in the time of the law, that blew the Trumpets, &c.

    METAPHOR

    I. A Trumpeter ought to have skill, and be well instructed to blow a Trumpet, before he take upon him that employ.

    PARALLEL

    I. So a man ought to have much wisdom, and be well instructed in the mysteries of the Gospel, and also with the work, care, and office of a Minister, before he take upon him that great employ. Ministers ought to be experienced men.

    METAPHOR

    II. A Trumpeter ought to be one that is strong to blow, for that weak and defective men cannot sound a Trumpet.

    PARALLEL

    II. So Ministers ought to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, endued with much of the Spirit, that they may lift up their voices like a Trumpet.

    METAPHOR

    III. A Trumpeter is called to that place and office by the captain, or chief commander of the troop. A man is not to force himself upon a troop, and say, I will be your Trumpeter; but must be tried, listed, and orderly entered into that troop.

    PARALLEL

    III. So every true Minister must have a call to that place and function, by Jesus Christ; that is, to say, ought to be a person well-gifted and qualified for the work, and that in the judgment of the Church, and there to be chosen and called forth by them: "How shall they preach, except they be sent?" Ro 10:15. A man, or member of a congregation, must not force himself upon a Church or people, and say, I will be your preacher, I have a gift, and can serve you; but must be tried by the Church, who is the competent judge of his fitness for that work, and so be orderly admitted.

    METAPHOR

    IV. One or two Trumpeters usually belong to every troop of soldiers.

    PARALLEL

    IV. Every particular Church hath one or more Ministers, or Gospel-preachers belonging to it.

    METAPHOR

    V. A Trumpet is to sound to prepare men to battle.

    PARALLEL

    V. So the Gospel is to be preached, to prepare and fit souls to fight the spiritual battle, against sin, Satan, the flesh, and the world.

    METAPHOR

    VI. A Trumpeter ought to know all the distinct notes or sounds he is to sound; sometimes to sound a call, sometimes an alarm, sometimes a march, sometimes a battle, &c. There are many certain and distinct sounds, and every soldier, as we have elsewhere showed, ought to be well acquainted with it, and to know them all. "If the Trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?"

    PARALLEL

    VI. So a Minister is sometimes commanded to sound an alarm: "Blow the Trumpet in Zion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain," Joe 2:1. They are to pronounce wrath and judgment, to thunder as it were from mount Sinai, to rouse up the slothful and secure sinner, or drowsy professor; and sometimes a call to duty, to assemble the people to fast and cry mightily unto the Lord: "Blow the Trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call the solemn assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breast," &c. Joe 2:15-16.

    METAPHOR

    VII. A Trumpeter by blowing his Trumpet in the day of battle, is of great use to an army; the sounding of the Trumpet greatly encourages and animates the heart of soldiers.

    VII. So a true Minister, by preaching the Gospel, is exceeding useful to God's Church, in the day of trial, &c. How doth an enlivening and an awakening sermon put spirit and courage into the hearts of Christians, and make them fearless, and valiant for the truth.

    METAPHOR

    VIII. A Trumpet usually goes before the troop or army, sounding his Trumpet; he is often exposed to danger.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. So the ministers of the Gospel should be as he-goats before the flock, they are the leaders of the people: Ministers are often greatly exposed.

    METAPHOR

    IX. A Trumpeter is to keep sounding all the while an army is engaged; nay, not only to sound his Trumpet, but to sound it loud also.

    PARALLEL

    IX. So a Minister must preach always, in season, and out of season, whilst the saints and Church of God are militant. "Necessity is laid upon me, and woe is me, if I preach not the Gospel," 1Co 9:16. Yea, and it must be preached publicly.

    METAPHOR

    X. Some Trumpeters have silver Trumpets; nay, God commanded Moses to make two silver Trumpets, to call the assembly; and these were for Eleazar and Ithamar, the two sons of Aaron.

    PARALLEL

    X. So "the tongue of the righteous is as choice silver," Pr 10:20. Ainsworth, speaking of two silver Trumpets, that were to be made of beaten work, Nu 10. saith, it signifies the labour of the Ministers, of giving themselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word; "the words of the Lord are pure words, as silver," &c., Ps 12:6.

    METAPHOR

    XI. A Trumpeter makes sometimes sweet music with his trumpet, Many love no music like the rare sounding of a Trumpet.

    PARALLEL

    XI. So a Minister makes sweet music sometimes in preaching of the Gospel in the ears of men. "And lo,thou art unto them as a very lovely song, of one that hath a lovely voice, and can play well on an instrument," Eze 33:32.

    INFERENCES.

    I. MINISTERS must cry aloud, and spare not, they must lift up their voice like a Trumpet: they must be endued with courage, not fearing the face of men, sparing none, but reprove and warn great and rich men, as well as the poor.

    II. They must be men of wisdom, that know how to sound distinctly, "rightly dividing the word of truth," lest by their uncertain sound great detriment befal Christ's spiritual soldiers.

    III. Hence let all the saints magnify God, for that they have, and do yet hear the joyful sound, by which they have been called to engage in the spiritual warfare, and thereby animated to a perseverance in the same to the end.

    IV. Also hence it may be inferred, that as the saints are spiritual soldiers, so it is their great concern to observe the sounding of these spiritual Trumpeters with the silver Trumpets, that they may be always ready to make good their ground in an evil clay: "And having done all, to stand. Stand therefore," &c., Eph 6:13-14