A44693:31
A sermon on the much lamented death of that reverend and worthy Servant of…
A sermon on the much lamented death of that reverend and worthy Servant of Christ Mr. Richard Adams, M.A. sometime fellow of Brazen-Nose College in Oxford, afterwards, minister of St. Mildred Bread Street, London, more lately, pastor of a congregation in Southwark, who deceased Febr. 7th, 1697/8 preached, February the 20th, 1698 / by John Howe.A sermon on the much lamented death of that reverend and worthy Servant of Christ Mr. Richard Adams, M.A. sometime fellow of Brazen-Nose Colledge in Oxford, afterwards, minister of St. Mildred Breadstreet, London, more lately, pastor of a congregation in SOuthwark, who deceased Febr. 7th, 1697/8 preached, February the 20th, 1698 / by John Howe.
London: printed by S. Bridge for Tho. Parkhurst, 1698
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.
2. We are to consider the temper and disposition it self, of serious Christians, and of the faithful Ministers of Christ especially, in reference to this State of the Objects. And it is made up of Two Things, 1st. Desire, and 2d. Estimation, or Judgment, that is the measure of the former, and according whereto that desire is directed.
1. This Desire is [Greek or Hebrew], intense desire, earnest desire, the fervour of desire. That is, As to my self, and as to ⟨p. 18⟩any concern of mine, I do most earnestly desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, [Greek or Hebrew] signifies not less than that, And then
1. This Desire is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, intense desire, earnest desire, the fervour of desire. That is, As to my self, and as to ⟨p. 18⟩any concern of mine, I do most earnestly desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 signifies not less than that, And then
2. The Judgment that is made of the case, unto which this desire is conformable. That is, that to be with Christ is far better, far better! It is a strange Emphasis, that is used in the Greek Text, to express this: For there are Two Comparatives, [Greek or Hebrew]; more better, with a mighty Surplusage besides in the word conjoined [Greek or Hebrew]. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ; which is better better, by much; or incomparably better; better above and beyond all comparison. One Comparative would not serve the turn, but he adds another, and then superadds a vast surplusage over & above. This is the Judgment of the case, according to which this desire is directed and measured.