A64984:26
The death of ministers improved. Or, an exhortation to the inhabitants of Horsley on…
The death of ministers improved. Or, an exhortation to the inhabitants of Horsley on Gloucester-shire, and others, on the much lamented death of that reverend and faithful minister of the Gospel, Mr. Henry Stubs By Tho. Vincent, John Turner, Rob. Perrott, M. Pemberton. To which is added a sermon upon that occasion, by Richard Baxter.The death of ministers improved. Or, an exhortation to the inhabitants of Horsley on Glocester-shire, and others, on the much lamented death of that reverend and faithful minister of the Gospel, Mr. Henry Stubbs By Tho. Vincent, John Turner, Rob. Perrott, M. Pemberton. To which is added a sermon upon that occasion, by Richard Baxter.
London : s.n., Printed in the year 1678
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.
First, Are there not many unconverted persons, whom your Minister after all his Soul travel and pains in Preaching hath left unconverted? Are there not many grossly ignorant persons with you, notwithstanding all his Catechizing and instructions? Are there not many openly vicious persons, notwithstanding all his reproofs and admonitions? Are there no profane persons among you, no swearers? Are there no unclean persons, no adulterers? Are there no intemperate persons, no drunkards? Are there no unrighteous persons, none that are fraudulent in their dealings? And amongst those who are civilized and outwardly reformed, are there none among you, who are secretly wicked? none who are covetous, under the reigning power of that sin which is inconsistent with the power of godliness? Are […] ⟨image 12⟩[…] ⟨image 12⟩⟨p. 20⟩there no hypocrites among you, painted Sepulchres, rotten at heart, whatever your outward show and profession of Religion is? Are there not too many among you who mind your Bodies, but neglect your Souls? who make provision for your flesh, but neglect your Salvation? Alas! Alas! What is like to become of you who are still unconverted, and have not been wrought upon effectually by such Preaching, such a Ministry, now this Minister is removed? If you were not converted whilst you had such powerful means, are you now like to be converted, when the means are gone, and you are never like to have such powerful means of grace again? Did not your Minister whilst alive call upon you frequently, and that with earnestness and importunity that you would repent, and turn from your evil ways presently, and that you would not delay, lest God should leave off calling you, and take away the means of your conversion from you? And hath not God left off calling you now by his mouth? And if you should not be effectually called at all, if you should not be converted whilst you live (which now seems very unlikely to be) better had it been for you that you had never been born; better you had been Dogs, or Swine, or Worms, or Toads, rather than Men and Women with immortal ⟨p. 21⟩Souls, because of the dreadful miseries coming upon you, which inferior Creatures will escape. Without Conversion, there is no Salvation; without Repentance and Faith in Jesus Christ, and love to God and a holy life, there is no escaping the Damnation of Hell.