A26686:43
A call to Archippus
A call to Archippus, or, An humble and earnest motion to some ejected ministers (by way of letter) to take heed to their ministry that they fulfil it.
London : s.n., 1664
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A Call to ARCHIPPUS: or, an humble and earnest Motion to some Eject… › Questions
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.
Do you say, This is a carnal Argument?
We answer, 'Tis true, he is but an Hypocrite, that 1looks no higher than the approbation of men, yea the best of men; But yet we add, that the Affections of God's People, is a very choice and special Mercy. He that hath their hearts, shall have their prayers; and is that a little thing? But these are little, to that we would especially answer, and that is; He that hath the Peoples Esteem and ⟨p. 19⟩Affections, for the Lord's sake, hath the directest way in the world to their hearts, and the fairest advantage possible to serve God's Interest upon them, and further his Work in them, which every gracious Minister must needs value above all this worlds goods, as that upon which the success of his Ministry, for winning and furthering souls, doth wonderfully depend.
- 1Quest. Answ.
Once again; Never had you such an opportunity in your lives, fore ver to put to silence the slanderous tongues of Seducers, as now; they have vilified you as Hirelings, Flesh-pleasers, that will go no further in Religion than will stand with your own Advantage: O now or never confute them. What a loud refutation of their calumnies would your engaging to purpose in the work of God be at such a time as this? All sorts of men have been ready to take up prejudices against us, as Self-seekers, and such as looked little further than their Maintenance. Now pluck up these prejudices by the roots: now show you can serve the Lord for nought. What lewd lies will all these imputations appear to be, if the Lord stir you up to holy an activity? We can but touch upon your own advantage, as indeed, we cannot dwell upon any thing, having so much to say in a little. When had you such an advantage to get settled Assurance and Peace as now? You can tell us better then our selves, (who yet blessed be God, speak what we have seen and felt) that the most self-denying services are the best evidences, and so bring in greatest comforts. When was there such a time to lay up treasure in Heaven as now? You know the massiest Crown is for them that endure the hardest service.