THE Spiritual Fishing. A SERMON Preached in Cambridge by that Reverend and judicious Divine, Mr SAMVEL HIERON. Printed by the true Copy written with his own hands a little before his decease.  LUKE 5. Verse. 10. The last words of the Verse. Henceforth thou shalt catch Men. 
AT LONDON Printed by JOHN BEALE, for widow Helme, and are to be sold at her shop under St Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet. 1618.   

¶ To the Worthy, Religious, and Virtuous Lady, the Lady MARGARET YELUERTON, Wife to the much honoured, Sir HENRY YELUERTON Knight, the King's Attorney General, continuance of all happiness.  
Madam,  
NO sooner came this Sermon unto my hands, (the Author whereof for his approved zeal, worthily deserved the title of an eminent Light and Ornament of our Church) than I vowed the dedication thereof unto your Ladyship; Nor may it seem unworthy your favourable acceptance (the principal aim of my expectance) in regard of that singular testimony which all men that have been conversant in his Works, do give of the Author, being such a one as neither affection could corrupt, nor affectation transport; but of that spirit, as he was zealous with a good conscience, making humility his path to glory. In a word, (Madam) his former Labours (now reduced into one Volume) have been ever countenanced by some choice Patrons: Nor may this (being equal with most of the rest) claim less prerogative than the rest. Thus wishing you that benefit for which it was intended, to the glory of God, whereto it is directed, I rest,  
Your Ladyships respectively, J. B.   

To the Christian Reader▪  
CHristian & courteous Reader, being moved by such who had interest in bringing to light this Sermon, that I would prefix some small Epistle, I would not hang back from performing so small a kindness. And two considerations especially swayed me to write a few lines in this kind. The first whereof is the Author's great deserts towards the Church of God; great in teaching, great in writing. Many a man there is, who having learnedly, judiciously, and plainly taught the truth of God, having taken heed to the ministery which he received in the Lord, to fulfil it, and that in preaching alone; not withstanding he hath left his memorial blessed upon earth, even in that regard and naked respect. But if there be one man of a great company, who as he taught religiously and powerfully in his life, so beside in his life he did write to the comfortable edification of the Church, and yea also left after his death other things to be published for the behoof of God's Saints, without question such a worthy may well have double honour put upon him. Many such deserving instruments, hath God raised up in our Church exceeding both for mouth, and pen: among the last of which, the Author of this Sermon need not to be ranked. 
Pro. 31. 31.  His works praise him in the gates as Solomon speaketh of the virtuous Woman's deeds. The second and third, nay the fifth and sixth editions of certain Treatises written by him, though in a dumb, nevertheless with a moving rhetoric, speak effectually to his commandation. In the second place, that did not a little encourage me, that this Sermon (if much affection have not dazzled some eyes) may well be esteemed amongst one of the chief he did deliver. It was preached in a famous University, in a most learned, & full auditory, it was heard with attention (his godly voice, & sanctified gesture enlivening the hearers:) afterwards it was spoken of with reverence and affection; as both hearing it, and hearing of it, I can truly avouch, it was his farewell Sermon to his Mother University, although not (I suppose) in the Author's intent, yet in the event: the Lord often directing matters▪ otherwise then for the present we dream of. Receive therefore Christian Reader this Sermon, sound for edification, sweet for application, showing Ministers their duty, showing people theirs, and therefore not unwelcome to add good either teachers, or learners. Thus wishing thee all blessing from God in this and all other like furtherances of thy devotion, I recommend thee to the Lords mercy, beseeching him for Christ his sake, to fulfil every honest desire of thy heart.  
Thine in our common Saviour, E. C.   

THE Spiritual Fishing. Text, LUKE 5. ver. 10. The last words of that verse, Henceforth thou shalt catch men.  
WHereas here our Saviour translates this phrase of Fishing, or catching, from an ordinary and inferior course, unto a more heavenly and spiritual business, even to the winning of souls; it gives very direct occasion to handle these things.  
First, The state of the world, which is as the Sea.  
Secondly, the state of the Church, which is as a Ship or Boat in the Sea.  
Thirdly, the state of men by nature, who be as Fishes ranging after their own disposition, uncaught.  
Fourthly, the state of Ministers, who be as Fishers.  
Fiftly, the state of the Gospel preached, which is the hook, or bait, or net to take souls.  
These things are not strained or forced, but arise out of the place directly. For sith Peter and the rest must change their course, and fall to a new kind of Fishing; what is the Sea which they must launch out into, but the World? what is the Boat, but the Church in which they labour, & to which they seek to gather souls? what is the booty they must seek for, but the sons of men? and what are they but so many Fishers? or what is their net, but the Gospel, the word of Salvation which they Preach? Of every of these I will speak something, and that briefly.  
That the state of the World, is as the Sea, it is plain by these places; Before the throne there was a Sea of glass like unto Crystal (
a Reu. 4. 6. ), In that day the Lord with his sore and great and mighty sword shall slay the Dragon that is in the Sea (
b ay▪ 27. 1. ): And the state of the World is as the Sea in a fourfold respect; 
The State of this World compared to the Sea in 4. respects.  first, because of the general unstableness of the things thereof. The unsedlednesse of that vast creature the Sea is well known. It is in continual motion (it cannot rest 
c Isai. 57 20.  it) ebbs and flows perpetually: sometimes (at a Springtide) it swells to that bigness, that the banks cannot contain it; sometimes again, it falls back so low, that a man must go far from the bank before he can come near it. It is (under God) chiefly governed by the Moon, than the which there is no one thing more subject unto change, it being never beheld two nights together in one proportion. Thus is the World, whether we look upon the general states of Kingdoms, or the personal estates of particular men, either for their goods or for their bodies, we see nothing but a continual alteration: Crowns are translated from head to head, and Sceptres pass from one hand to another; fenced Cities are made heaps, and walled Towns become as the ploughed fields: they which were once fastened as a nail in a sure place, and having set their nests on high, dreamt of nothing but perpetuities for them & theirs, are suddenly thrown out of all, and rolled and turned like a ball (
d Is. 22. 18: ). The great houses are smitten with breaches (
e Àm. 6. 11. ) & the wide dwellings and large chambers, sieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion (
f jer. 22. 14. ), are in a moment left without an inhabitant (
g Is. 5. 9 ). Haman is to day the second in the Kingdom, but stripped of all, is hanged up to morrow (
h Hest. 7. 10. ). This year is jerusalem the Princess among the Provinces, but the next year made tributary (
i Lam. 1. 1. ); her nobles which did erewhile put on scarlet, do now embrace the dung 
k Lam 4. 5. . Now doth Nabuchadnezzar walk in his royal palace of Babel, priding himself in his outward state; but while the word was in the King's mouth, a voice came down from Heaven, saying, O King Nabuchadnezzar, to thee be it spoken, thy Kingdom is departed from thee, 
l Dan. 4. 26. etc.  etc.: Yesterday jobs cattle went out by their thousands, he had both sons and daughters to do him honour, and servants at his command: to day here is not a hoof to be seen in his ground, not a child to call him blessed, not a lad left to attend him. This is the uncertainty of this ebbing and flowing World, the fashion of it goeth away 
m 1. Cor. 7. 31 .  
2. Because of the tumultuousness of it: who is ignorant of the storms and grievous tempests which are at Sea? There especially men see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep: For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, and it lifteth up the waves thereof 
n Psal. 107. 24. 25. . The World is a fit pattern hereof, in respect of the continual stirs and troubles that are in it: Nation against Nation by wars, man against man by divers kinds of contentions, of every one that lives therein is the saying of job verified, Man that is borne of a woman is full of trouble 
o Chap 14. 1. , Man is borne unto travail, as the sparks fly upward 
p Chap. 5. 7. . It was the punishment which God laid upon him, that in sorrow he should eat his bread all the days of his life 
q Gen. 3. 17. : and albeit some have a more calm passage then some others have, or like jonas 
r Chap. 1. 5.  can lie and sleep, when others are tossed with the storm, yet none can live without some vexation; he is not always carried with full sails to the end of his desires.  
3. The world resembles the Sea by the oppression that is in it. At Sea the lesser fishes are a prey to the great ones; and in the World, the rich and mighty swallow up the poor 
s Am. 8. 4. : one man bites and devours another 
t Cal. 5. 15. ; Manasseth, Ephraim; Ephraim, Manasseth 
u Is. 9 21. . To this pertains that of the Prophet, That men are made as the fishes of the Sea 
x Hab. 1. 14.   
4. In respect of the sway the Devil bears in it. Observe what is in the Psalm, The Sea is great and wide, there is that Leviathan whom the Lord hath made to play therein 
y Psal. 104. 26 . Now look how this monster domineers in the Sea, so doth Satan here in the World: therefore he is called the God of this World 
z 2. Cor. 44. , and said to work in the children of disobedience 
* Ephes. 2. 2. : And to justify this comparison, as the World is called the Sea, so is the Devil Leviathan 
a Is 27. 1. . Thus we see how the World is compared to the Sea: The state of the Sea is uncertain, so is the World; it is tempestuous, so is the World full of tumult: In it the great fishes devour the less, so in the World the poor and weak are a spoil to the mighty: Leviathan takes his pleasure in the Sea, so doth Satan rule and bear sway in the World.  
To press forward the counsel of S. john, 
Use.  Love not the world neither the things that are in the world 
b 1. Epist. 2. 25   
The Doctrine now delivered, affords a strong reason to enforce it: For where there is so much uncertainty, so much confusion and trouble, such oppression and cruelty, where the Devil beareth such exceeding sway; what is there to be found worth delighting in? A man imagines himself sure in respect of his outward estate; at an instant comes as it were a wave and washeth away all: he promiseth peace and quietness to himself; suddenly ariseth a storm, and puts him to a trouble which he thought not of: much ado shall he have to escape the hands of the oppressor, be he as he will; nay, the better and holier he is, so much the more that great Leviathan that old serpent hath him in continual chase. Mark and consider, oh ye men of the earth, all whose striving and plotting and plodding is for the world; consider what it is upon which you dote and with which you are enamoured so exceedingly; it is even a very Sea of uncertainties and bottomless Ocean of confused vexation, the very hold & kingdom of the devil. We hunt after it, but where is our assurance when we have got it? or what have we procured to ourselves, but vanity and vexation of spirit? The further we wade into it, the further are we from the Lord: for the amity of the World is the enmity of God 
c jam. 4. 4. , and the more business we have in it, in the greater hazard we are to be drowned in perdition & destruction 
d 1. Tim. 6. 9 . Happy were it for us if the meditation of this point touching the proportion which is betwixt the World and Sea, were able to unglue and untwist our affections, which are so nearly tied unto it, and to stir us up like passengers by Sea to long for the Haven, and to strive for that eternal rest, a kingdom not of uncertainty, but which cannot be shaken; a place not of trouble, but where shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall be any more pain 
e Reu. 21. 4. . There the prince of darkness cannot endanger; for the Lamb is the light of it 
f ver. 23. , and God himself shall be all in all to those that dwell therein 
g 1. Cor. 15. 28. . This is the Use.  
THe next thing is touching the Church: The state thereof in the World is like the state of a Ship or Boat upon the Sea; 
The state of the Church in this world, compared to a ship or boat upon the Sea.  And that especially in this respect: Because it is subject to continual toss.  
Of travailers by Sea it is said, that they are tossed too and fro, and stagger like drunken men, and all their cunning is gone 
h Psal. 107 27 . Not unlike to this is the state and condition of God's Church. It fareth with it, as with the Ship jonas was in; There was a mighty tempest in the Sea, so that the Ship was like to be broken 
i Chap. 1. 4. : or which the Disciples were in; There arose a great tempest in the Sea, so that the Ship was covered with waves 
k Mat. 8. 24. . Such was the state of the Church of old, the members whereof complained, how the waters had almost drowned them, and the stream had gone over their soul 
l Psal. 124. 4. . And David as a man experienced in such storms, crieth out to God 
m Psal. 69. 1. , Save me, for the waters are entered, even to my soul: and deliver and take me out of the great waters 
n Psal. 144 7. . And as it was with the Ship in which Paul was so exceedingly hazarded, that they saw neither Sun nor Stars in many days 
o Act. 27. 20. : so the Church of God, is often driven into that extremity, that it is for a time, even deprived of all ordinary comfort, and seems to be without all hope of any more refreshing. Hence are these complaints of the Church, O God why hast thou put us away for ever? Why is thy wrath kindled against the sheep of thy pasture? think upon thy congregation &c. 
p Psal. 74. 1 2. ; and wilt thou be angry with us for ever? and wilt thou prolong thy wrath from one generation to another? wilt thou not turn again &c. 
q Psal. 85. 5. 6 . Thus David as a travailer in this Ship, cried out, Will the Lord absent himself for ever? and will he no more show favour 
r Psal 77. 7. ? And Heman the Ezrahite; Lord why dost thou reject my soul, and hidest thy face from me 
s Psal. 88 14. ? It is a law that cannot be broken, that the chosen of God must thorough many afflictions enter into the kingdom of God 
t Act. 14. 22. ; God hath so appointed for his own glory.  
First, the troubles of his Church and the afflictions of his people, do make his power and mercy to be known; even as the skill of a Pilot, is most to be seen in a storm: My power is made perfect through weakness 
u 1. Cor. 12. 9 . The Lord bringeth matters to an exigent, and suffereth them to come to the very brink of hazard, that so his might and goodness in the delivery of his servants may be the more apparent. When the Church of Israel was in a wonderful strait, the Sea before them, the mountains on both sides, the enemies at their heels, Now (saith God) I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host: the Egyptians also shall know that I am the Lord 
x Exod. 14. 4. .  
2. For their good: first, It makes them to look upward with the greater fervency. David saith of ordinary passengers by Sea, that when they mount up to the heaven, and descend to the deep, so that their soul melteth for trouble etc., than they cry unto the Lord in their trouble &c. 
y Psal. 107. 28. . The Mariners with jonas when the storm was up, down were they upon their knees, and every man cried unto his God 
z Ioans 1. 5. . And so the swelling waves of afflictions, do not quench but kindle the devotion of God's servants▪ In their affliction they will seek me diligently 
a Hosea 5. 15. . Secondly, it makes them long so much the more for the Haven (where they would be.) Note Paul's daily dying, and the continual troubles which he was exposed unto, made him long to be dissolved 
c Phil. 1. 23. , and to be as glad when his time of departing was at hand 
d 2. Tim. 4 6. , as the poor weatherbeaten Mariner is to see the land. Thirdly, it makes the deliverance when it comes to be the more esteemed 
e Psal. 107. 30. , When they are quieted they are glad, and double welcome is that refreshing which comes at the very pinch of necessity. The redeeming of David's life from the grave, the raising him up from the very mouth of the pit, made him to vow with himself never to forget 
f Psa. 103. 2. 4.   
This serves to admonish all that fear God, 
Use 1.  what they must make provision for, if they will be saved. By their profession, they are entered into the Church of God, not as into a Garden of pleasure, where they may adventure to say every one to his soul, Soul, live at ease, eat, drink, and take thy pastime 
g Luke 12. 19 ; but as into a Ship, a house of continual motion, where though there may be calmness for a time, the Sun shining out, the winds laid, and the Sea smooth, yet it is wisdom to be in continual expectation of a storm. God hath not called us unto case and quiet, but to the cross. Many things are to be endured betwixt our setting out here, and our arrival at the Land of Promise. Many storms to be gone through, many rocks and sands to be adventured by, many Pirates seeking the spoil of our souls to be grappled with, before the haven of Rest can be entered into. The ignorance, or the inconsideration of this point hath deceived many. They may thus fitly be shadowed out. Some fresh travailer standing upon the shore in a fair day, and beholding the Ships in their beauty lie ready rigged and trimmed in the Harbour, thinks it a gallant thing to go to Sea, and will need adventure; but being out a league or two, and feeling by the rocking of the Ship his stomach begin to work and grow sick, and his soul even to abhor all manner of meat; or otherwise a storm to arise, the wind and the water as it were conspiring the overthrow of the vessel, and every sea carrying in it the face of death; forthwith reputes his folly, and makes vows, that if he can once recover the shore, he will bid an eternal farewell unto all such voyages. Thus, there be who in the calm days of peace, when Religion is not overclouded by the times, that will needs join themselves to the number of God's people, they will be as earnest and forward as the best. But when a tempest begins to appear, and the Sea to grow rougher than at the first entry, the times alter, trouble is raised, and many cross winds of much opposition and gainsaying begin to blow, they are weary of their course, and will needs be set ashore again, resolving never to thrust themselves into any more adventures. How needful then is it that Christians should often remember, how by Christ's speech here, the Church is necessarily resembled to a Ship? enter not into it, to be a guide or a passenger, a Minister, or a professor, unless thou resolutely make provision for a storm. Till the end of the voyage there is no rest to be looked for: wherein notwithstanding this may be for a comfort, that this Ship (the Church of God) hath a privilege which none hath else, no not the greatest Galleon or Argosy under heaven; It may be tossed, but can never be drowned, Though the waters of the sea rage and be troubled, and the mountains shake at the surges thereof; God is in the midst of it, therefore shall it not be moved, God shall help it very early 
h Psal. 46▪ 3. 5. . It is as the Ark of Noah, which (because God had shut it upon Noah) therefore it was borne up even amidst the waves 
i Gen. 7. 16. 17 ; or as the Boat in which Christ was 
k Mat. 8. 24. 26 , which was well-near covered with waters, yet at an instant, by the command of him which is the Lord of the Sea, there followed a gracious calm. Christ is the Pilot, and (as was said of Paul) God hath given to him all that sail with him 
l Act. 27. 24. , and he will give them eternal life, and they shall never perish 
m john 10. 18. .  
The second use serves to teach us (because the Church of God is as a Ship in this sea of the world) the necessity of furnishing ourselves with such things as appertain to this spiritual voyage: 
Use 2  not to insist upon many, two things especially must be looked too. First, That we be diligent in observing the direction appointed by God, for the true guidance of our course. The Seamen have their Card and their Compass, they have the Sun and Stars, and the motions of heaven to direct them. That which our course must be guided by is the word of God; it is like the pillar that went before the host of Israel according to the moving or standing whereof they ordered all their journeys. Hither may be referred that of Peter 
n 2. Epist. 1. 19 , We have a most sure word of the Prophets, to which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. It is an allusion to a Sea-course: when the Admiral hangs out a Lantern, and all that come behind steer to that. We cannot wander if we be led by this light: It is that good Spirit which David prayed to be led by unto the land of righteousness 
o Psal. 143. 10. . What other Load-star of custom, or opinion or fashion of the times men attend upon, they must needs run upon the rocks and make shipwreck of the faith. Secondly, That we take with us the knowledge and faith of God's promises. It is called the Anchor, Hebr. 6. 19 This is our stay, in the day of tempest; I know whom I have believed 
p 2. Tim. 1. 12. : such an one cannot be moved, for his heart is fixed, and believeth in the Lord 
q Psal. 112. 7. . The promises being either not known or not applied, the soul is tossed without rest, and must needs be overwhelmed with despair. This Anchor being tied to the soul by the strong cable of a li●ely faith, gives comfort unto it in the greatest storm.  
THE third thing is concerning the state of men. 
The state of men by nature compared to fishes in the Sea, ranging after their own disposition▪ t uncaught. Doctrine.  The fish to be catched out of this Sea, and to be brought into this Ship, are men, Thou shalt catch men from henceforth. From whence this is gathered:  
That we are all by nature in the state of condemnation. This is clear out of this place. By this fishing, or catching (the very substance of the Ministers office) is meant, a bringing of men into the way of life. Now then, in as much as we are all by nature uncaught (otherwise why should Christ send out his Apostles to take us?) it followeth, that we are all by nature without grace, even in the very gulf and jaws of eternal woe. This is easily proved by the Scriptures; All flesh hath corrupted his way upon the earth 
r Genes. 6. 12. . The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that would understand and seek God. All are gone out of the way: they are all corrupt, there is none that doth good, no not one 
s Psal 14. 2. 3. . All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way 
t Isa. 53. 6. : By nature the children of wrath aswell as others 
u Ephes. 2. 3. ; without Christ, and were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and were strangers from the Covenant of Promise, and had no hope, and were without God in the world 
x Verse 12. : Unwise, disobedient, deceived, serving the lusts etc. 
y Titus 3. 3.  Destruction and calamity are in our ways 
z Rom. 3. 16. .  
And well in this are we compared unto the fish: For as the fishes skip and play and take their pleasure in the sea, and are unwillingly taken in the net, and labour to get out, and being in the boat, would feign, if they could, leap back into the sea; so naturally we take pleasure in our sinful ways. It is a pastime for a fool to do wickedly 
a Prou 10 23. . The net of the Gospel must enclose us; of ourselves we abhor it, and to the death will not come within the compass of it; and being entangled, we desire still to be loosed, and to return again unto our wont course. This is the very true state of us all. We neither are in the state of grace by nature, neither do we desire it. We be plunged into a sea of misery, and in our own disposition we would never forsake it.  
It were well for us, if we could learn by this to see ourselves what we be, and what we would ever be, if we were lest to the swinge of our own affections. Nature hath (as it were) spawned us forth into this worldly sea: and as itself lieth in wickedness 
b 1 john 5 19 , so do we drink iniquity like water 
c job 15. 16. . It is sweet unto us in our mouth, and we hide it under the tongue, we savour it, and will not forsake it, but keep it close in the mouth 
d job 20. 12. 13 . We neither know the means of our salvation, nor affect it when it is offered. Either the Scripture is false, or this is true. How happy were we if this could humble us! it would make us afraid of following our own thoughts, or of being led by the sway of our own hearts. Our not knowing the misery of our own estate, is the cause of all the security, of all the profaneness, of all the boldness in sin, of all the contempt of God's word which is in the world at this day. This place among others, is as a glass to show us what we are; strangers from salvation, and as far from any inclination to it as a fish is from a will and desire to be caught.  
THe fourth thing is of the state of the Minister. 
The state of ministers, who be as Fishers.  here are two things: First, the state of the ministery: Secondly, the labour, business and work of the ministery. Of the first thus we see:  
That it is no superfluous or needless function, 
Doctrine 1.  but a calling of great necessity for the winning and saving of men's souls. This is evident out of this place. The Lord intending the conversion of some, and being able divers ways to accomplish his purpose in that behalf, yet hath thought it good to single out this means among all the rest, even by man to catch man, and by his ministery to bring souls into his Kingdom. This is that which the Apostles, saith, Ephe. 4. 11. 12. He gave some to be Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the repairing of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry. The Saints which belong to the election of grace, being scattered up on the earth here and there, his pleasure is by Paul and Timothy to gather them together unto himself. They be the Lords Labourers to bring in his Harvest 
e Matt. 9 38. , his Workmen to advance his building 
f 1 Cor. 3. 9 , his Shepherds to take heed unto his flock 
g Acts 20. 28. , the Stars in his right hand to give light unto his Church 
h Revel. 1. 20. . There being thousands of souls to be saved in jury, the Lord will have them to be brought in by Peter's ministery 
i Acts 2. 41. : Philip must be sent to catch the Samaritans and the Eunuch 
k Acts 8. . In Corinthus there was a great draft (I have much people in this City:) therefore there Paul must go to work 
l Acts 18. 10. . here is the necessity of the calling.  
To reprove their profane and wretched opinion, 
Use  who think, that among all the professions which are at this day in the world, that of the ministery may best be spared. It is strongly thought by many, that it were no danger or prejudice to men's souls, though there were no Minister at all to instruct them. O say some, what need they trouble themselves? Every man must answer for his own soul; and if we do not as we should, we shall bear the blame.  
Thus they would shift off all dependence upon the ordinance of God, and lay an imputation of superfluity upon that calling, by which it is the pleasure of God to save those that believe. This one place is sufficient to stop their mouth; For I may truly avouch it out of the words here, that (ordinarily) there is no more hope of a man's salvation without an able and industrious Minister, than there is that the fish in the Sea will of itself come ashore, and offer itself unto us without the labour of some, to go out into the deep with boats and nets to bring them in. Henceforth thou shalt catch men.  
Secondly, thus: 
Doctrine 2..  That the calling of the Minister is noidle calling, but a calling of labour, a calling of much business and of great employment.  
The Ministers are fishers, whether that be not a profession of much labour, judge you. To make the thing itself manifest, this is worthy to be observed; That the most names given in the Scripture to men of this calling, do betoken labour; Seers 
m 1. Sam. 9 9 , Watchmen 
n Ezech. 3. 17. , Ambassadors 
o 2 Cor. 5. 20. , Labourers 
p Matth. 9 38. , Disposers 
q 1. Cor. 4. 1. , Husbandmen 
r Mar. 12. 2. , Seeds men 
s 1. Cor. 3. 9 , Shepherds 
t john 10. 2. , Criers 
u Lu. 3. 4. . There is no title given them, but implieth action, yea and industry very great. It is a worthy work 
x 1. Tim. 3. 1. , their Maintenance is with that condition 
y 1. Thes 5. 13 1. Cor. 9 14. ; otherwise no title, no name nor show can free them from Contempt 
z Matth. 5. 13 .  
It meeteth with two evils in Ministers; first, the idleness which hath overtaken some that are called to this busy profession; They are such as the Prophet reproveth, 
Use 1.  Watchmen that are blind, that have no knowledge, that are dumb dogs and cannot bark: that lie and sleep and delight in sleeping 
a Isa. 56. 10. . I take no pleasure in laying open the nakedness of men of mine own coat: yet God forbid that I should use my tongue to the licking of their sores, which prove the very bane of God's Church, and do make it lie like the field of the sluggard, or as the garden of the idler. Secondly, the spirit of greediness which (is to be feared) is in many. They can never have enough &c. 
b Isa. 56. 11. . They go out to catch, yet not souls to God, but preferments to themselves, and are still fishing for advancement. They have not learned that of the Apostle: I seek not yours, but you 
c 2. Cor. 12 14 ; It is not your favour which I do affect, it is not your wealth which I seek for, it is your salvation which I endeavour. This is the honour of a man's ministery, the glory and crown of his calling.  
It overthroweth the common fancy of the 
Use 2.  people, who account the Ministers calling to be an idle and a lazy calling; we get our livings easily in the conceit of some, and it is no sin nor pity (in their understanding) to defraud us; and how usual is it in the mouths of many, to say, We must labour for them? I confess, that as some use it, it is a calling of excessive idleness, if they be such as feed themselves, and feed not the flocks 
d Ezech. 34. 1 , such as take away the key of Knowledge 
e Lu. 11. 52. ; but consider it in it own nature, and as it ought to be performed, we shall find it to be a service of greater business. Let Peter, or any successor of Peter busy himself (as he must) sometimes in preparing, sometimes in mending, sometimes in casting abroad, sometimes in drawing in his net; no man shall have any just cause to twit him with idleness, or to say, That because he is a Minister, therefore he hath an easy occupation.  
THe last thing is, That the net in which men must be taken, 
Doctrine.  is the preaching of the Gospel.  
Christ here acquainting them generally with his purpose how to employ them, 
The state of the Gospel preached, compared to a hook, bait, or net, to catch men's owls.  after changed the phrase when it came to the point of execution; and he which now spoke of fishing; told them afterwards of preaching, Matth. 10. chapter verse 7. of Teaching the nations 
f Matt. 28. 19 , of Declaring the Gospel to every creature 
g Mar. 16. 15. , of Feeding his sheep 
h john 21. 15. : and Christ himself compareth the Gospel to net 
i Matt. 13. 47. . The comparison agreeth fitly after this manner:  
The preaching of the Gospel is like to a net; first, in the general drift and use: the use of a net is to take fish: the drift of preaching is to bring in souls. Secondly, in the ordering of it: It is not the net lapped up together that bringeth in the draft, but haled out at length and spread forth that encloseth the fish: It is the opening and unfolding of the Gospel, the stretching it out by preaching which doth encompass souls. There may a fish or two hang in the net being let down on a heap, but that is a chance, and is no wise adventuring. The word read, and so brought in (as it were) in gross, may (by the mercy of God) take some; but we have no warrant from hence to make a rule general. Again, it is need that the net be strong, otherwise the greater kind will break through, and make all the labour and charge to be in vain; so it is meet that the Doctrine be well strengthened out of the word of God, that it be well proved, that it be well pressed and applied, that the consciences of the hearers may be convicted, and that they may see it is God, and not man with whom they have to do. For a man shall meet with many froward and wilful and violent natures, that will not be held in, but when they feel themselves within the net will cry, Let us break their bands, and cast their cords from us 
k Psal. 2. 3. ; so that even a kind of violence may be used to keep them from destruction. Thirdly, in the success of it. Many a draft the poor Fisherman makes and taketh nothing, yet he leaveth not off: many a time is the net of preaching shot forth, and yet none converted thereby: so it pleaseth God to exercise the patience of his servants; yet still the work must be followed, and the Lords leisure must be waited for. Often doth the net enclose many, which yet after break away; and many are at first drawn in by the power of the Gospel, which yet afterwards slide back and return again to their old profaneness. There is much brought in in the Net, which yet is good for nothing when it is got: There come in frogs, and weeds, and a great deal of trash, which in the end is cast away, though for the love of the fish there were no little pains in drawing it in: so, as it is showed Matth. 13. 47. etc. many hypocrites and reprobates are gathered into the outward society of the Church by preaching, and so are let alone like weeds until the day of harvest, Matth. 13. 30. Thus as our calling is to be fishers, so our Net is preaching.  
It shows plainly, 
Use.  that all the enemies and adversaries of preaching, are enemies to the good and salvation of men's souls. This is the Net, and without this I will not fear to say, that surely men shall perish in their sins. The devil that great hunter after souls, laboureth by his instruments, even with the very spirit of his hellish policy, to disgrace this course, to suppress it, to put it down, to draw men from affecting it. He knoweth it to be the means to abridge his kingdom, he feareth the pulling of some soul or other out of his clutches at every Sermon. Let us not suffer ourselves to be cozened by his wiles. Let me that am a Minister remember the Service I am called to, even to catch men, to win souls, let me be ever plying this business; and you (Beloved) when the Lords Net is cast in among you, run not from it, grudge not at it, press and strive to be brought within the compass of it, otherwise you shall continue within the sea of this world still, and shall never be saved. Fishes do die if they be taken; we can not escape eternal death if we be not caught. The hook may be sharp, but the bait is sweet, and it will seem a yoke to our nature, to be knit up (as in a Net) and to be restrained from our own wont carnal liberty; but let us look to the end, which is the salvation of our souls. (* ⁎ *)  
FINIS.