A31961:988
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.
Ans. I answer, No: 'tis of God, and not of us: we are indeed subjects of the Ministry, the Recipients thereof, persons employed in the Work, and therefore are said to be workers together with God, 2 Cor. 6. 1. but the power and efficacy thereof is from God alone: Paul and Apollo are but Ministers, 'tis God that giveth the blessing; 'tis not of us in two respects. 1. 'Tis not merited by us, 'tis not of our deserving, nor of our procuring; 1. 'Tis not of our deserving; the best and most accomplished do not merit it: I receive a mercy (saith Paul) to be faithful: he accounted it a mercy to be employed, and to be faithful therein. 2. 'Tis not of our procuring, we do not obtain it by our own ⟨p. 430⟩power, as Peter said in the recovery of the lame man, It is not by any power and holiness of ours, that this man is restored, &c. And so it is not our gifts and industry only, that will make our Ministry powerful; and therefore in this Work let us be looking up to God, and desire him to assist us, as Moses said, If thou goest not, O Lord, up with us, wherefore should we go hence? so say I, if the presence of God be not with us, what can we do?
Ans. I answer, No: 'tis of God, and not of us: we are indeed subjects of the Ministry, the Recipients thereof, persons employed in the Work, and therefore are said to be workers together with God, 2 Cor. 6. 1. but the power and efficacy thereof is from God alone: Paul and Apollo are but Ministers, 'tis God that giveth the blessing; 'tis not of us in two respects. 1. 'Tis not merited by us, 'tis not of our deserving, nor of our procuring; 1. 'Tis not of our deserving; the best and most accomplisht do not merit it: I receive a mercy (saith Paul) to be faithful: he accounted it a mercy to be employed, and to be faithful therein. 2. 'Tis not of our procuring, we do not obtain it by our own ⟨p. 430⟩power, as Peter said in the recovery of the lame man, It is not by any power and holinesse of ours, that this man is restored, &c. And so it is not our gifts and industry onely, that will make our Ministry powerful; and therefore in this Work let us be looking up to God, and desire him to assist us, as Moses said, If thou goest not, O Lord, up with us, wherefore should we go hence? so say I, if the presence of God be not with us, what can we doe?