A47561:157
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.
3. 'Tis difficult and very hard in that it calls for the greatest strength that the most strong in Grace and Wisdom can arrive unto, it requires all the Powers of the whole Soul to be exerted ⟨p. 129⟩or put forth to a right Discharge thereof.
4. It calls not only for all our strength, but also all our Time and Diligence; a slothful or Idle Person is not fit to be a Minister, 'tis a work that must be followed continually, let the times be what they will; Preach the Word, be instant in season, and out of season, reprove, exhort, with all long Suffering, and Doctrine; be not Slothful, but Diligent, fear no Faces, regard no Threats, respect no Mans Person, reprove all impartially, be no fawning nor flattering Preacher; nor like those who rather vent their own Passion, than pursue the end of Instruction, and Reformation of Souls; and this is a hard Work to do.
4. It calls not only for all our strength, but also all our Time and Diligence; a slothful or Idle Person is not fit to be a Minister, 'tis a work that must be followed continually, let the times be what they will; Preach the Word, be instant in season, and out of season, reprove, exhort, with all long Suffering, and Doctrine; be not Slothful, but Diligent, fear no Faces, regard no Threats, respect no Mans Person, reprove all impartially, be no fawning nor flattering Preacher; nor like those who rather vent their own Passion, than persue the end of Instruction, and Reformation of Souls; and this is a hard Work to do.
5. 'Tis difficult Work, in respect of the opposition that is made against them, and the Grand Obstructions they meet withal.