A26955:583
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at Dunstan's-West and published in answer to the accusations of some and the desires of others / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R. White for F. Tyton, 1662
THE Mischief of Self-ignorance, AND Benefit of Self-acquaintance. › Part
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.
I answer, God speaketh by his word and spirit: His word is to be delivered, expounded, and applied to you by his Ministers: If therefore you will have it from God, you must not refuse his own appointed ordinary means. The spirit comforteth by the promise: As in Conversion God useth not to do it by the spirit, without, but in, and by the Ministry of the word; so also in all our directions, and satisfaction and comfort afterwards. As he that will run from the Ministry of the word, because it is God that must convert, doth indeed run from ⟨p. 424⟩God, and is not like to be converted: so is it in point of assurance, and consolation. The Teachers of the Church [are to be accounted of as the Ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God, 1 Cor. 4.1. by whom the people have believed, 1 Cor. 3.5. not having dominion over their faith, but being helpers of their joy, 2 Cor. 1.24. who are comforted in all their tribulations, that they might be able to comfort them that are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith they themselves are comforted of God, v. 4. They are to be faithful and wise stewards, whom the Lord maketh Rulers over his household to give them their portion of meat in due season, Luk. 12.42. Thus Christ hath given authority to his servants, and appointed to every man his work, Mark. 13.34. and given Pastors and Teachers to his Church, for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God to a perfect man, Eph. 4.11, 12, 13. These therefore being Christs officers, and this their appointed work, we must receive so much of Gods mercies by their hands, as belongeth to their office to administer. [If there be a messenger ⟨p. 425⟩with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness; then God is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom: