Use 1 1LET me crave liberty to speak a word to the Elisha's, my Reverend and Honoured Brethren in the Ministry. You are engaged in a glorious service, God hath put great Renown upon you; he hath entrusted you with two the most precious jewels, his TRUTHS, and the SOULS of his people; never was this honour conferred upon any Angel to convert souls; What Princely Dignity can parallel this? The Pulpit is higher than the Throne; for a truly constituted Minister represents no less than God himself. 2 Cor. 5.20. As though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. Give me leave to say as the Apostle, Rom. 11.13. I magnify my Office. Whatever our Persons are, the Office is Sacred: The Ministry is the most honourable employment in the World; Jesus Christ hath graced this calling by his entering into it; other men work in their Trade, Ministers work with God. 1 Cor. 3.9. [Greek or Hebrew] We are labourers together with God. O high honour! God and his Ministers have one and the same work, they both negotiate about souls: Let the sons of the Prophets wear this as their Crown and Diadem; but while I tell ⟨p. 13⟩you of your Dignity, do not forget your Duty: Imitate this blessed pattern in the Text, the Lord Jesus, who seeing be multitudes, he went up and taught. He took all occasions of preaching; sometimes he taught in the Temple, Mark 14.49. sometimes in a Ship, Mark 4.1. and here upon the Mount; his lips were a Tree of life that fed many: How often did he neglect his food, that he might feast others with his Doctrine! Let all the Ministers of Christ tread in his steps; make Christ not only your Saviour, but your Sampler; suffer no opportunities to slip wherein you may be helpful to the souls of others; be not content to go to heaven your selves, but be as the Primum Mobile, which draws other orbs along with it; be such shining Lamps, that you may light others to heaven with you: I will conclude with that of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 15.58. Therefore my Beloved Brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Use 1 1LET me crave liberty to speak a word to the Elisha's, my Reverend and Honoured Brethren in the Ministry. You are engaged in a glorious service, God hath put great Renown upon you; he hath entrusted you with two the most precious jewels, his TRUTHS, and the SOULS of his people; never was this honour confer'd upon any Angel to convert souls; What Princely Dignity can parallel this? The Pulpit is higher than the Throne; for a truly constituted Minister represents no less than God himself. 2 Cor. 5.20. As though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. Give me leave to say as the Apostle, Rom. 11.13. I magnifie my Office. Whatever our Persons are, the Office is Sacred: The Ministry is the most honourable imployment in the World; Jesus Christ hath graced this calling by his entring into it; other men work in their Trade, Ministers work with God. 1 Cor. 3.9. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 We are labourers together with God. O high honour! God and his Ministers have one and the same work, they both negotiate about souls: Let the sons of the Prophets wear this as their Crown and Diadem; but while I tell ⟨p. 13⟩you of your Dignity, do not forget your Duty: Imitate this blessed pattern in the Text, the Lord Jesus, who seeing be multitudes, he went up and taught. He took all occasions of preaching; sometimes he taught in the Temple, Mark 14.49. sometimes in a Ship, Mark 4.1. and here upon the Mount; his lips were a Tree of life that fed many: How often did he neglect his food, that he might feast others with his Doctrine! Let all the Ministers of Christ tread in his steps; make Christ not only your Saviour, but your Samplar; suffer no opportunities to slip wherein you may be helpful to the souls of others; be not content to go to heaven your selves, but be as the Primum Mobile, which draws other orbs along with it; be such shining Lamps, that you may light others to heaven with you: I will conclude with that of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 15.58. Therefore my Beloved Brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
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