N00129:354
Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy
Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy: delivered in several sermons on solemn occasions: / by Mr. Samuel Willard Pastor of the Church of Christ at Groton. ; [Eight lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Samuel Green, 1673
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.
The Watchman i. e. the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah owns his Office, though they put it upon him as a scoff and mockery, but •he is not ashamed of it in the least. Hence
Doct. The Ministers of God are not ashamed of their Office, though the world seem to despise and flout at it. Let the men of the world think never so undervaluingly of the Place and Work they are in, they yet prize and esteem it.
Reas. 1. Because it is an Office instituted by God, and therefore will be defended, and vindicated by him: he owns them, though the world despise them, and he will take upon him to plead the Cause of his despised Ministers.
Reas. 2. Because it is a high and honourable Office, though despised: let the world look upon it with an eye of disdain, yet it is in it self a dignity, an honour; Ministers are Ambassadors from God to men, 2 Cor. 5. 20 now the Majesty of the Prince is represented in the Ambassador, God looks that part of his own honour is engraven upon this Office, Ministers therefore have no reason to be discouraged by the contumelies of the world.