A61661:82
The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God
The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God by Solomon Stoddard ...
London: printed for Ralph Smith, 1700
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.
Ministers are not bound to observe any particular method in their Preaching, they may Preach either by expounding some Portion of Scripture, or by raising a Doctrine from a particular Text, and applying of it, or by explaining of a Catechism, or in any other profitable way. Ministers have Power to Catechise their hearers, not only that they may know their fitness to participate at the Lords Table, but also in order to their growth in knowledge, tho it may be presumed that many Persons are inquisitive and studious, yet there are many others who are not to be confided in, and the Minister hath Power by Virtue of his Pastoral charge, to see that they Learn; reason dictates this to be a most suitable method, as in the Learning of Arts and Languages, so in the Learning of the way of salvation, the most proper and profitable ways of teaching, are to be used by Ministers.
Ministers are not bound to observe any particular method in their Preaching, they may Preach either by expounding some Portion of Scripture, or by raising a Doctrine from a particular Text, and applying of it, or by explaining of a Catechism, or in any other profitable way. Ministers have Power to Catechise their hearers, not only that they may know their fitness to participate at the Lords Table, but also in order to their growth in knowledge, tho it may be presumed that many Persons are inquisitive and studious, yet there are many others who are not to be confided in, and the Minister hath Power by Virtue of his Pastoral charge, to see that they Learn; reason dictates this to be a most suteable method, as in the Learning of Arts and Languages, so in the Learning of the way of salvation, the most proper and profitable ways of teaching, are to be used by Ministers.
A fourth part of Worship is Baptism; this is an ordinance appointed by Christ himself to be a perpetual Ordinance in the Christian Church, It was published by John before, by Virtue of an Institution, but afterwards declared by Christ, to be a standing ordinance in the Church.