A25467:1065
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.
London: printed by J.A. for John Dunton, 1683
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 9: Quest. By what means may Ministers best win Souls? SERMON IX.
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.
1. The exceeding height and excellency of this End is to be laid to heart. It is a wonder of condescendence, that the Lord will make use of men in promoting it. To be workers together with God in so great a business, is no small honour. The great value of mens Souls, the greatness of the misery they are delivered from, and of the Happiness they are advanced to, with the manifold Glory of God shining in all, makes the work of saving men great and excellent. Preaching the Gospel and suffering for it, are Services that Angels are not employed in. Mean and low thoughts of the great End of the Ministry, as they are dissonant from Truth, are also great hinderances of due endeavours after the attaining the End.
2. The great difficulty of saving Souls must be laid to heart. The difficulty is undoubted. To attempt it, is to offer violence to mens corrupt Natures, and a storming of Hell it self, whose Captives all sinners are. Unless this difficulty be laid to heart, Ministers will be confident of their own strength, and so miscarry and be unfruitful. Whoever prospers in winning Souls, is first convinced that it is the Arm of Jehovah only can do the work.
2. The great difficulty of saving Souls must be laid to heart. The difficulty is undoubted. To attempt it, is to offer violence to mens corrupt Natures, and a storming of Hell it self, whose Captives all sinners are. Unless this difficulty be laid to heart, Ministers will be confident of their own strength, and so miscarry and be unfruitfull. Whoever prospers in winning Souls, is first convinc'd that it is the Arm of Jehovah only can do the work.
3. The duty of winning Souls must be laid to heart by Ministers. That it is their principal work, and they are under many Commands to endeavour it. It's a fault to look on Fruit only as a reward of endeavours; so it is indeed and a gracious one; but it should be so minded as the End we would strive for,