A34165:604
A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…
A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers.A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers.
London : s.n., 1663
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.
First, From that Principle within, that teacheth love; Grace doth not fire the heart with passion, but with compassion; Grace in the heart of a Minister files off that ruggedness that is in his spirit; making him loving and courteous. Paul once breathed out persecution, but when Grace came, this Bramble was turned into a spiritual Vine, twisting himself about the souls of his People with loving embraces.
Secondly, There will be this ardent love in a Ministers heart, from the spiritual relation that is betwixt him and his People; he is a spiritual Father, and shall we think him to be without bowels? 1 Cor. 4.15. Though you have ten thousand Instructors, yet have ye not many Fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel. Some he begets unto Christ, others he builds up in Christ. Doth not a Father provide cheerfully for his Children? Can a Father see bread taken from his Child, and not have his heart affected with it? Is it not a grief to a Parent to see his Child put out to a dry Nurse?
Secondly, There will be this ardent love in a Ministers heart, from the spiritual relation that is betwixt him and his People; he is a spiritual Father, and shall we think him to be without bowels? 1 Cor. 4.15. Though you have ten thousand Instructers, yet have ye not many Fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel. Some he begets unto Christ, others he builds up in Christ. Doth not a Father provide cheerfully for his Children? Can a Father see bread taken from his Child, and not have his heart affected with it? Is it not a grief to a Parent to see his Child put out to a dry Nurse?
Thirdly, There should be this ardent love and affection in all Gods Ministers, for this reason, because this is the liveliest way to do most good; knotty and stubborn hearts will soonest be wrought upon with kindness. The fire melteth the hardest metal: the fire of love, with Gods blessing, will melt the most obdurate sinner. A Boanerges, a Son of consolation; who comes in the spirit of Love, is the fittest to do a piece of Gospel-chirurgery, to restore and put such a one in joint again that is taken with a fault,