A30242:401
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
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.
Thirdly, The Ministry is a means to beget Faith and Conversion, as it is accompanied with Arguments to convince the understanding and Consciences of men, as also with Arguments of terror, or joy to move the affections. For this you must know, that although the Ministry works not by any inward power, as natural Causes; yet it is very suitable to work upon men, by propounding Arguments and Motives. And these being powerfully set home by God, make a wonderful alteration, by conjunction of the judgment. So we may read of Paul, that he did by several Arguments, prove and demonstrate that Jesus was the Cstrist: So, that they could not gainsay him. Whereupon, they did either believe, or prove obstinate opposers.
Thirdly, The Ministry is a meanes to beget Faith and Conversion, as it is accompanied with Arguments to convince the understanding and Consciences of men, as also with Arguments of terrour, or joy to move the affections. For this you must know, that although the Ministry works not by any inward power, as natural Causes; yet it is very sutable to work upon men, by propounding Arguments and Motives. And these being powerfully set home by God, make a wonderfull alteration, by conjunction of the judgment. So we may read of Paul, that he did by severall Arguments, prove and demonstrate that Jesus was the Cstrist: So, that they could not gainsay him. Whereupon, they did either believe, or prove obstinate opposers.
If you ask then, How comes the Ministry to be thus Instrumental? The Answer is,
If you aske then, How comes the Ministry to be thus Instrumental? The Answer is,
By a potent and strong conviction of the Conscience, declaring Grounds out of the Scripture. So that the Ministry is called the Candlestick which holds out the light. The Word (indeed) is a two-edged Sword, dividing into the inwards: But there must be an hand to wield and govern it. The word is an hammer, but there must be an arm to strike it home. And certainly, it's a wonder of wonders, that people should be led in such captivity and slavery to their lusts, that though they sit and hear, and are convinced, yet they believe not How often have we demonstrated out of the Word, that thy lusts and dissoluteness, are