A30241:2725
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.
Sermon 111: That a Gospel-Ministry is to continue to the end of the world. And for what ends▪
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.
4. God hath appointed it to propagate and defend the truth, to confute and put all errors and heresies to silence. Therefore it's a qualification required in the Minister, That he be able to convince gain-sayers, Tit. 1.9. You see the Apostle in some of his Epistles is not only practical, but didactical, and therein confuting those errors that molested the truth, even in her Infancy; for this end they are called Guides and Salt; yea they are Shepherds to keep off the wolves that would subtly devour the sheep; We are to watch against profaneness, and also against errors. The Apostle useth that phrase of a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, both in matter of corrupt manners, as also corrupt Doctrine, Gal. 1. and therefore would have the Churches of God purged from both.
4. God hath appointed it to propagate and defend the truth, to confute and put all errours and heresies to silence. Therefore it's a qualification required in the Minister, That he be able to convince gain-sayers, Tit. 1.9. You see the Apostle in some of his Epistles is not only practical, but didactical, and therein confuting those errours that molested the truth, even in her Infancy; for this end they are called Guides and Salt; yea they are Shepherds to keep off the wolves that would subtilly devour the sheep; We are to watch against prophaneness, and also against errours. The Apostle useth that phrase of a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, both in matter of corrupt manners, as also corrupt Doctrine, Gal. 1. and therefore would have the Churches of God purged from both.
Lastly, The Ministry is appointed for spiritual Government in the Church, to admonish those that are disorderly, to cast out profane and obstinate sinners. For this end they have the spiritual Keys of the kingdom of Heaven vouchsafed to them, and in the due administration thereof, God hath promised his gracious confirmation. Hence it is, that they are called Governors, Rulers, Pastors; all which demonstrate, that a Ministry is not only in doctrinal publication of the word of God, but in a spiritual governing and ordering of people to supernatural ends. Indeed the Apostle saith, This power is given us for edification, not destruction,