A53678:596
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth chapters : wherein together with the explication of the text and context, the priesthood of Christ ... are declared, explained and confirmed : as also, the pleas of the Jews for the continuance and perpetuity of their legal worship, with the doctrine of the principal writers of the Socinians about these things, are examined and disproved / by J. Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
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.
I say without this earnest and fervent desire after the profiting and Salvation of our people, we shall have a cold and ineffectual Ministry among them. Neither is it our sedulity or earnestness in Preaching that will relieve us, if that be absent. And this desire proceeds from three Principles, and that which pretends thereto and doth not so, is but an Image and counterfeit of it. And these are, (1) Zeal for the Glory of God in Christ. (2) Real Compassion for the Souls of men. (3) An especial Conscientious regard unto our Duty and Office with respect unto its Nature, Trust, End and Reward. These are the Principles that both kindle and supply fuel unto those fervent desires for the good of our people, which oil the Wheels of all other Duties and speed them in their course. According as these Principles flourish or decay in our minds, so will be the acceptable exercise of our Ministry in the sight of Christ, and the profitable discharge of it towards the Church. And we have as much need to labour for this frame in our Hearts, as for any thing in the outward discharge of our Duty. We must in the first place take heed unto our selves, if we intend to take heed to the Flock as we ought, Acts 20. 28. And herein especially do we, as we are charged, take heed to the Ministry we have received that we do fulfil it, Col. 4. 17.
I say without this earnest and fervent desire after the profiting and Salvation of our people, we shall have a cold and ineffectual Ministry among them. Neither is it our sedulity or earnestness in Preaching that will relieve us, if that be absent. And this desire proceeds from three Principles, and that which pretends thereto and doth not so, is but an Image and counterfeit of it. And these are, (1) Zeal for the Glory of God in Christ. (2) Real Compassion for the Souls of men. (3) An especial Conscientious regard unto our Duty and Office with respect unto its Nature, Trust, End and Reward. These are the Principles that both kindle and supply fuel unto those servent desires for the good of our people, which oyle the Wheels of all other Duties and speed them in their course. According as these Principles flourish or decay in our minds, so will be the acceptable exercise of our Ministry in the sight of Christ, and the profitable discharge of it towards the Church. And we have as much need to labour for this frame in our Hearts, as for any thing in the outward discharge of our Duty. We must in the first place take heed unto our selves, if we intend to take heed to the Flock as we ought,