A11850:198
Christs counsel to his languishing church of SardisChrists counsell to his languishing church of Sardis
Christs counsel to his languishing church of Sardis. Or, The dying or decaying Christian, with the means and helps of his recovery and strengthening. By Obadiah Sedgwick, B. of D. late preacher to the inhabitants of S. Mildreds Bread Street, LondonChrists counsell to his languishing church of Sardis. Or, The dying or decaying Christian, with the meanes and helpes of his recovery and strengthening. By Obadiah Sedgwicke, B. of D. late preacher to the inhabitants of S. Mildreds Bredstreet, London
London: printed by Thomas for L. Fawne, 1640
CHRISTS COUNSEL to His languishing CHURCH.CHRISTS COVNSELL to His languishing CHURCH.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2 Another, is by way of ministry and office: this concerns the Pastors of flocks, who should consider the estate of their sheep, and if they find any to wander, to reduce them into the way of truth; if any to be weak, to bear them up in their arms with comfort, if any to be pining and decaying, to stir them up by holy reproofs and pious counsels and directions for all the ways of a speedy and safe recovery; and many interpreters think this the principal strengthening meant and intended in this place.
2 Another, is by way of ministery and office: this concerns the Pastors of flockes, who should consider the estate of their sheepe, and if they finde any to wander, to reduce them into the way of truth; if any to be weake, to beare them up in their armes with comfort, if any to be pining and decaying, to stirre them up by holy reproofes and pious counsels and directions for all the waies of a speedy and safe recovery; and many interpreters thinke this the principall strengthening meant and intended in this place.
3 A third by way of personal duty, and so the decaying Christian strengthens himself, when being awakened, and excited, and assisted by the Spirit of Christ, he applies himself unto, and continueth in the use of all holy and raising means, whether private or public, or both, until God again strengthens what he hath wrought in him.
3 A third by way of personal duty, and so the decaying Christian strengthens himself, when being awakened, and excited, and assisted by the Spirit of Christ, he applies himselfe unto, and continueth in the use of all holy and raising meanes, whether private or publicke, or both, untill God againe strengthens what he hath wrought in him.
This strengthening is partly