A30242:628
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.
1That the Ministers of the Gospel are workers with God, for the conversion of mens souls. So 2 Cor. 6.1.
- 1Observ. Of the Ministers being workers with God.
In what sense they are (you have heard) not by immediate producing of any spiritual effects, but by the external application of the Ministry to the people. As Gehezi carried his Masters staff, and touched the child with it, but that did no good, till Elisha came himself. God in Creation did use no instruments at all. Yea, some Schoolmen dispute, That no creature can be used as an instrument in Creation, because it cannot work, but about something, whereas the form of Creation is nothing. But in these divine effects, which are also a spiritual creation, and no less impossible to humane power, God will have the Ministry as a necessary antecedent means unto the conversion of men. Hence the Scripture doth so often attribute this mercy unto the preaching of the Word, yea and increase of grace afterwards.
In what sence they are (you have heard) not by immediate producing of any spiritual effects, but by the external application of the Ministry to the people. As Gehezi carried his Masters staff, and touched the child with it, but that did no good, till Elisha came himself. God in Creation did use no instruments at all. Yea, some Schoolmen dispute, That no creature can be used as an instrument in Creation, because it cannot work, but about something, whereas the forme of Creation is nothing. But in these divine effects, which are also a spiritual creation, and no less impossible to humane power, God will have the Ministry as a necessary antecedent means unto the conversion of men. Hence the Scripture doth so often attribute this mercy unto the preaching of the Word, yea and increase of grace afterwards.