A77845:20
Paul's last farewell, or A sermon, preached at the funeral of that godly and…Paul's last farewel, or A sermon, preached at the funerall of that godly and…
Paul's last farewell, or A sermon, preached at the funeral of that godly and learned minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Thomas Blake. By Anthony Burgess, pastor of the church at Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire. With a funeral oration made at Mr. Blake's death by Samuel Shaw, then schoolmaster of the Free-School at Tamworth.Paul's last farewel, or A sermon, preached at the funerall of that godly and learned minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Thomas Blake. By Anthony Burgesse, pastor of the church at Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire. With a funeral oration made at Mr. Blakes death by Samuel Shaw, then schoolmaster of the Free-School at Tamworth.
London: printed for Abel Roper, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
That a faithful discharge of the ministerial Office doth bring unspeakable comfort to such as can upon just grounds assume this to themselves; From this faithfulness we see often Paul receiving a great deal of comfort. 2 Tim. 4. 6, 7, 8. The time of his departure was at hand; doth not this then make him afraid? how shall he give an account concerning the improvement of his talents? No, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, &c. We have the like glorious profession made by this holy Apostle, Thess. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. which is an excellent Copy for every Minister to write after, to live and breathe from thence; and in this he is so clear, that he saith, Ye are witnesses, and God also, how ⟨p. 6⟩holily, justly and unblameably, we have behaved our selves amongst those that believe. But yet let none think that Paul doth thus magnify inherent grace, to exclude imputed grace, for 1 Cor. 4. 4. Though he saith, he knoweth nothing by himself, yet he concludeth, I am not thereby justified, but he that judgeth me is the Lord, he knew more evil in Paul, then Paul him self could do, and certainly, so great is this ministerial work, that Paul himself cried out, Who is sufficient for these things? Chrysostom hath very discouraging passages, as if few Ministers could be saved, but his meaning must be, because few are careful, zealous, and diligent; Otherwise such as Chrysostom himself, that is said to fear nothing but sin, and those that by their Doctrine and life, turn many from iniquities, shall have more then ordinary glory in heaven; To amplify this, I shall in some particulars or Characters describe how, or when the Ministry is faithfully discharged, what is ingredient thereunto, or constituent thereof; And first there is required an inward experimental savoury work of grace upon the Ministers own heart, that thereby he may more affectionately and cordially deal with others; when we know the terror of the Lord, and the love of Christ experimentally, this maketh us able in the work of the Ministry, 2 Cor. 5. 1•. I do not say that the Office of a Minister is null, if he be not a regenerate man, or as if he were no Minister, or might not be useful in the Church of God, but as to himself, he cannot faithfully discharge this Office, so as to obtain a crown of glory hereafter,