A35535:1548
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the book of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus near the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the booke of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus neare the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1661
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.
The Ministers of Christ are the interpreters of the mind and good will of God toward poor sinners.
They interpret the mind of God as to peace and reconciliation, as to grace and salvation, as well as to duty and holiness of conversation. 'Tis the nicest and hardest thing in the world to interpret the mind of God aright to a sinner, to bring his heart to a closing with the great truths, and promises of the Gospel; he that can do this skilfully is worthy the name of an interpreter. The Apostle saith of him who is but a babe in Christ and useth milk (that is, lives upon the lower and more easy principles of faith) he is unskilful in the word of righteousness (Heb. 5.13.) that is, he knows not how to make out and manage for his own comfort the doctrine of free grace through the alone righteousness of Jesus Christ. And therefore, as first, God himself is the author and fountain of this grace; as secondly, Jesus Christ is the purchaser or procurer of the fruits of this grace to sinners; as thirdly, the effectual worker of our hearts to receive this grace, as also the witness-bearer and sealer of it to our souls is the holy Spirit; as fourthly, the word of the Gospel is the Charter, and Covenant of this grace: so fifthly, the Ministers of Christ are the interpreters of this grace; and they are, or ought to be skilful in this word of ⟨p. 377⟩righteousness. Their skill and duty is first to explain what the Covenant is, and rightly to lay down how the sinners reconciliation to God is wrought. Secondly, to make a suitable and seasonable application of it, or to bring it home to the souls and consciences of poor sinners, as they find their state to be. And as the Ministers of Christ are Gods interpreters to his people, so they are the peoples interpreters unto God. They are the former, two ways; First, by opening the mind of God to his people; Secondly, by urging and pressing them to receive it both for their direction and consolation. They are the latter four ways: First, by laying open and spreading the peoples wants, and weaknesses before God. Secondly, by confessing their sins, and transgressions to God. Thirdly, by entreating the Lord for them, or by praying for mercy, pardon, and forgiveness in their behalf, for sins committed. Fourthly, by giving thanks in their name for mercies received. Thus they are first, Gods mouth to the people in preaching & declaring the Gospel; Secondly, the peoples mouth to God in prayer and thanksgiving.