A30241:2369
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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. You are in the use of your gifts privately to carry your selves so as not thereby to neglect the public Ordinances; To think that such private Admonitions or Exhortations, or seekings to God are enough, we see how the Apostle joineth them together, Heb. 10.24, 25. when he exhorted them to provoke one another to do good, he addeth, not forsaking the Assembly, as the manner of some was; Even in the Apostles days, when there was such purity of Church Ordinances, and admirably gifted Officers and Gods presence with them, yet they were not to forsake the Assemblies, and observe how the Apostle bringeth them in upon the improving of their gifts in a private way, as if it were a great Temptation, when we employ them respectively to others, thereby to neglect the public Ordinances.
1. You are in the use of your gifts privately to carry your selves so as not thereby to neglect the publike Ordinances; To think that such private Admonitions or Exhortations, or seekings to God are enough, we see how the Apostle joyneth them together, Heb. 10.24, 25. when he exhorted them to provoke one another to do good, he addeth, not forsaking the Assembly, as the manner of some was; Even in the Apostles daies, when there was such purity of Church Ordinances, and admirably gifted Officers and Gods presence with them, yet they were not to forsake the Assemblies, and observe how the Apostle bringeth them in upon the improving of their gifts in a private way, as if it were a great Temptation, when we employ them respectively to others, thereby to neglect the publike Ordinances.
2. Though private improvement of Gifts be lawful to Parents, Masters, and one Christian to another, yet take heed that thereby you do not jostle out the Office of the Ministers, or because of your gifts to neglect the public Office Christ hath appointed, for the devil is busy both ways either by profane sottishness and ignorance, to make men despise the Ministry, or by self-conceit and pride of their own abilities; This the Apostle also provides against,