A30242:538
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.
1First, Make it a real and conscientious matter, to pray unto God to give increase. As to the woman our Saviour said, According to thy faith, so be it unto thee: So according to thy prepared prayer saith God, this Sermon, and this duty shall be blessed unto you. As your cruise is fitted, so will God pour in oil. If we then complain, that the Ministry works no more notable effects, that it makes no more transcendent alterations, judge whether the blame lie not on thy own self. Prayer is that which moveth with God. Prayer is that in which the Sermon rolled, produceth suitable operations. The Word of God is a two-edged sword; but prayer maketh it penetrate, that sets God on work, and God sets his Word on work. A man much in prayer, is always much in profiting. As the Preacher is to pray (Christ prayed much in the night, as he taught much in the day) so the hearer he also must pray much.
1First, Make it a real and conscientious matter, to pray unto God to give increase. As to the woman our Saviour said, According to thy faith, so be it unto thee: So according to thy prepared prayer saith God, this Sermon, and this duty shall be blessed unto you. As your cruise is fitted, so will God pour in oil. If we then complain, that the Ministry works no more notable effects, that it makes no more transcendent alterations, judge whether the blame lie not on thy own self. Prayer is that which moveth with God. Prayer is that in which the Sermon rolled, produceth sutable operations. The Word of God is a two-edged sword; but prayer maketh it penetrate, that sets God on work, and God sets his Word on work. A man much in prayer, is alwayes much in profiting. As the Preacher is to pray (Christ prayed much in the night, as he taught much in the day) so the hearer he also must pray much.
- 1Directions, how to hear the Word.
Secondly, Exercise strong and divine acts of faith, this will make the Ministry something to thee. The Word profited not, because it was not mingled with faith,