A47561:134
The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first…
The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first asserted, and the objections against a Gospel maintenance for ministers, answered. Also, the dignity, necessity, difficulty, use and excellency of the ministry of Christ is opened. Likewise, the nature and weightiness of that sacred work and office clearly evinced. Recommended to the baptized congregations, by several elders in and about the City of London.The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first asserted, and the objections against a Gospel maintenance for ministers, answered. Also, the dignity, necessity, difficulty, use and excellency of the ministry of Christ is opened. Likewise, the nature and vveghtiness of that sacred vvork and office clearly evinc'd. Recommended to the baptized congregations, by several elders in and about the City of London.
London : printed, and are to be sold by John Harris at the Harrow, in the Poultry, 1689London : printed, and are to be sold by John Harris at the Harrow, in the Poultrey, 1689
Title page typeset from the transcription.
The Great and Weighty Work of a True Gospel Minister opened.
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.
As sweet smells, which are to some pleasant and comfortable (saith a Worthy Author) yet are to others pernicious and deadly; so it is with the sweet savour of the Gospel; the report which we in all places make of Christ, to some (through their unbelief, and hardness of their Heart, and fondness of their Lusts) proveth; but the Savour of Death unto Death, hardening their Hearts to their Eternal Ruin and Destruction; but to such who (being ordained to Eternal Life; believe our Report, and) embrace the Gospel, and live up to the Precepts and Rule thereof; our Preaching proves a Cause ⟨p. 118⟩of Spiritual and Eternal Life to which that leadeth; but O how great a work is this! What Man? What Angel, is sufficient for it? O it is a mighty Work to Preach the Gospel, as we ought to Preach it; it is that by which Faith cometh, How shall they believe on him, of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear, without a Preacher? And how shall they Preach, except they are sent? Rom. 10.14. i. e. Unless they have an extraordinary or ordinary Mission, i. e. either from God more immediately (which Call is long since ceased) or else, by the Election of the Church, and Ordination of the Elders, or Presbytery; this is necessary in all Regular Ministers: How else can they duly or profitably in the Name and Authority of Christ, preach the Word of Life? Brethren, (you who are Christ's true Ministers being orderly called to this sacred Work,) your Preaching hath attendance, either to save, or eternally to condemn the Souls of Men; and with what trembling then,⟨p. 119⟩ought this Work to be undertaken and performed; you are entrusted with Men's Souls, and must be accountable for them; especially, such who are committed to your Charge; did we consider it, and duly ponder upon it in our Minds, certainly, we should have little else to think upon, nor trouble our Heads and Hearts about, it would be sure cause us to be more Serious, and Laborious, we are persuaded, than we are: What shall we do, if through our Neglect and Remissness in this great Work, any should die and perish in their Sins? Mind what God saith in that of Ezek. 3.18. Unto his Watchman, When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely dye, and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his way, to save his Life, the same wicked man shall die in his Iniquity, but his Blood I will require at thine Hand;