A31961:735
An Exact collection of farewell sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy,…An Exact collection of farewel sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy,…
An Exact collection of farewell sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy, Mr. Watson, Mr. Jacomb, Mr. Case, Mr. Sclater, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Jenkin, Dr. Manton, Mr. Lye, Mr. Collins : to which is added their prayers before and after sermon as also Mr. Calamy's sermon for which he was imprisoned in Newgate : his sermon at Mr. Ashe's funeral and Dr. Horton's and Mr. Nalton's funeral.An Exact collection of farewel sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy, Mr. Watson, Mr. Jacomb, Mr. Case, Mr. Sclater, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Jenkin, Dr. Manton, Mr. Lye, Mr. Collins : to which is added their prayers before and after sermon as also Mr. Calamy's sermon for which he was imprisoned in Newgate : his sermon at Mr. Ashe's funeral and Dr. Horton's and Mr. Nalton's funeral.
London : s.n., 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
3. Must Pastors love their People? then you see from hence, what should be the grand object of the Pastors affection, i. e. the people; not what the people have; this is great inquiry, what is the benefice worth? What's the preferment? Do they pay well, &c. Whereas we should not seek so much the Fleece as the Flock, we should not take oversight of a Congregation for love of their pay, but of their souls; nor, 'tis an excellent good living, as one said I have heard of, Let me have their Tithes, and let their souls go to the Devil; but as the Apostle, I seek not yours, but you, 2 Cor. 12. 14. And I hope there be many hundreds can say, it hath been the peoples souls they have more loved and affected, than any thing what the people had.
3. Must Pastors love their People? then you see from hence, what should be the grand object of the Pastors affection, i. e. the people; not what the people have; this is great inquiry, what is the benefice worth? What's the preferment? Do they pay well, &c. Whereas we should not seek so much the Fleece as the Flock, we should not take oversight of a Congregation for love of their pay, but of their souls; nor, 'tis an excellent good living, as one said I have heard of, Let me have their Tythes, and let their souls go to the Devil; but as the Apostle, I seek not yours, but you, 2 Cor. 12. 14. And I hope there be many hundreds can say, it hath been the peoples souls they have more loved and affected, than any thing what the people had.
4. Once more; We must love them, and love them tenderly, Why, and yet leave them? Yes my beloved, We are so to love our people, as to venture any thing for them but our own damnation. I come not here to throw firebrands. I bless God I have a most tender affection for all my Brethren in the Ministry; and though I am not satisfied my self, yet I condemn no man, I believe there be many of them do as conscientiously subscribe, as deny to subscribe. I protest in the fear of God I cannot subscribe; perhaps it is because I have not that light as others have; for he that doubts (saith the Apostle) is damned: My beloved, I hope you would not have us sin against God and our Consciences. It is not my living that I desire, but my office to serve my Lord and Master, but if we should (to keep communion with you) lose our communion with God; this is the ready way to have all our labour and pains lost; but as David said (and oh that I could speak it with as good hopes as David) Zadok, carry back the Ark of God, if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and show me both it and his habitation: but if he thus say, I have no delight in thee, behold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him,