Hence learn, what kind of Ministry is ⟨p. 4⟩like to do most good, namely, That which works upon the Consciences of men. John Baptist did lift up his voice like a Trumpet, he preached the Doctrine of Repentance with power, Mat. 3. 2. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand: He came hewing and cutting down mens sins, and afterwards preached Christ to them. First, He poured in the Vinegar of the Law, then the Wine of the Gospel. This was that preaching made men studiously seek after Heaven: John did not so much preach to please, as to profit; he chose rather to discover mens sins, than to show his own eloquence. That is the best looking-glass, not which is most gilded, but which shows the truest face. That Preaching is to be preferred, which makes the truest discovery of mens sins, and shows them their hearts. John Baptist was a burning and a shining light; he did burn in his Doctrine, and shine in his Life; and from that time men pressed into Heaven. *Peter (who was filled with a spirit of zeal) having humbled his hearers for their sins, and opened to them a Fountain in Christs Blood, they were then pricked at their ⟨p. 5⟩heart, *Act. 2. 37. 'Tis the greatest mercy to have a Soul-searching Ministry. If one had a desperate Wound, he would desire to have it searched to the bottom. Who would not be content to have their Souls searched, so they may have them saved?
Hence learn, what kind of Ministry is ⟨p. 4⟩like to do most good, namely, That which works upon the Consciences of men. John Baptist did lift up his voice like a Trumpet, he preached the Doctrine of Repentance with power, Mat. 3. 2. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand: He came hewing and cutting down mens sins, and afterwards preached Christ to them. First, He poured in the Vinegar of the Law, then the Wine of the Gospel. This was that preaching made men studiously seek after Heaven: John did not so much preach to please, as to profit; he chose rather to discover mens sins, than to shew his own eloquence. That is the best looking-glass, not which is most gilded, but which shews the truest face. That Preaching is to be preferred, which makes the truest discovery of mens sins, and shews them their hearts. John Baptist was a burning and a shining light; he did burn in his Doctrine, and shine in his Life; and from that time men pressed into Heaven. *Peter (who was filled with a spirit of zeal) having humbled his hearers for their sins, and opened to them a Fountain in Christs Blood, they were then pricked at their ⟨p. 5⟩heart, *Act. 2. 37. 'Tis the greatest mercy to have a Soul-searching Ministry. If one had a desperate Wound, he would desire to have it searched to the bottom. Who would not be content to have their Souls searched, so they may have them saved?
- *Johann Christun & poe•itentiam praedicante, po•lus mag•o imp•tu accurrit ad oblatam gra•. M• sterus.Johanne Christun & poe•itentiam praedicante, po•lus mag•o imp•tu accurrit ad oblatam gra•. M• sterus.
- *[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
