A31961:954
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.
'Tis passing away in all respects; these earthen vessels in the Text, is to be understood, the Apostles and Ministers of Jesus Christ, in regard of their outward man are so called, and are so according to this threefold notion.
I. In regard of their meanness; their outside is mean, either for person, or sometimes for estate of body, and outward deportment. This was the condition (you know) of the first Ministers of Christ, mean and ordinary persons outwardly God made use of. Nay our Master, our blessed Lord and Saviour was mean […] regard of ⟨p. 419⟩his humane birth, and reckoned of by most men according to his birth and parentage. So it is with the servants of Christ, they are in their persons generally base, mean, low, •nd accordingly rendered despicable to the eyes of the World.
I. In regard of their meanness; their outside is mean, either for person, or sometimes for estate of body, and outward deportment. This was the condition (you know) of the first Ministers of Christ, mean and ordinary persons outwardly God made use of. Nay our Master, our blessed Lord and Saviour was mean 〈…〉 regard of ⟨p. 419⟩his humane birth, and reckoned of by most men according to his birth and parentage. So it is with the servants of Christ, they are in their persons generally base, mean, low, •nd accordingly rendred despicable to the eyes of the World.
II. In regard of foulness and pollution; Ministers are called earthen Vessels, they have many weaknesses, they are men subject to the like passions as others. 'Tis true the Ministers of Christ have greater advantages then others, in regard of their education, knowledge, gifts, and employments, being more free from those defilements and snares that others are entangled in: yet through the remainders of the flesh in them, they have many infirmities: so Satan watches them more then others, lays more snares for them in regard of their parts and employments; so that they are more subject to his temptations then others. Satan hath a desire to sift them (as the Apostle Peter) as wheat, because he knows they will draw many after them: so that they must needs be subject to many weaknesses and infirmities. Sometimes God makes use of the worst sort of men, even the most vicious and malicious; first he changeth them, and then makes use of them as instruments of glory. The Apostle Paul was a Vessel of Election to carry the name of Christ unto the Gentiles: yet in times past a great persecutor. So it pleaseth God to make use of such, that the excellency of the power may be of God, &c.