A30242:405
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.
First, The Ministry is the only ordinary way that God hath appointed, either for the beginnings or increase of grace. For the beginnings, Thus Faith is said to come by hearing, Rom. 10.17. And God hath begotten us by his Word, Jam. 1.18. And for the increase, Eph. 4. You may there see it is for the completing of us in a full stature in Christ. Thus as the ordinary way for a mans life is by outward food, and sustenance; so the ordinary means of all spiritual life is by the Ministry of the Word. Indeed some propound particular cases, as of Infants wh• cannot hear, or of deaf men, or of some persons by unexpected calamities cast where no Ministry is to be had; but we do not now speak of extraordinary ways, we know God did feed the Israelites with Manna from heaven, when they could have no ordinary food; but in Gods ordinary way, unless thou expect a miracle, the Ministry is the instrumental public means. Indeed the godly example of others, and afflictions, these may much prepare the heart, but the Ministry that is the proper instrumental cause.
First, The Ministery is the only ordinary way that God hath appointed, either for the beginnings or encrease of grace. For the beginnings, Thus Faith is said to come by hearing, Rom. 10.17. And God hath begotten us by his Word, Jam. 1.18. And for the encrease, Eph. 4. You may there see it is for the compleating of us in a full stature in Christ. Thus as the ordinary way for a mans life is by outward food, and sustenance; so the ordinary meanes of all spiritual life is by the Ministery of the Word. Indeed some propound particular cases, as of Infants wh• cannot hear, or of deaf men, or of some persons by unexpected calamities cast where no Ministery is to be had; but we do not now speak of extraordinary wayes, we know God did feed the Israelites with Manna from heaven, when they could have no ordinary food; but in Gods ordinary way, unless thou expect a miracle, the Ministery is the instrumental publique meanes. Indeed the godly example of others, and afflictions, these may much prepare the heart, but the Ministery that is the proper instrumental cause.