The truly blessed man

7. Hence the primary end of all the Gospel Ordinances is to help men in this. And though eventually they prove a Savour of Life to some, and of Death to others, yet but for the former they had not been promulgated. Though Christ proves a corner stone to some, and a stumbling stone to others, yet the direct end of his coming into the world was the former, 1 Tim. 1.15. There is a powerful providence in ordering the coming of the Gospel in regard both of times, and places, and we find not that God suffered it to come any where but where ⟨p. 451⟩he had some to bring in to Christ; it was that they might so come to know God, and the way to life. Besides, the very nature of the Gospel Ordinances, and of the work allotted to the Gospel Ministry show what is the business thereof: God tells us what Pastors after his own heart are to do, Jer. 3.15. Paul tells us what his Ministry was for, Act. 26.18. This is it that Christs faithful Servants travail for; and if they miss in it, they complain that they labour in vain.

7. Hence the primary end of all the Gospel Ordinances is to help men in this. And though eventually they prove a Savour of Life to some, and of Death to others, yet but for the former they had not been promulgated. Though Christ proves a corner stone to some, and a stumbling stone to others, yet the direct end of his coming into the world was the former, 1 Tim. 1.15. There is a powerful providence in ordering the coming of the Gospel in regard both of times, and places, and we find not that God suffered it to come any where but where ⟨p. 451⟩he had some to bring in to Christ; it was that they might so come to know God, and the way to life. Besides, the very nature of the Gospel Ordinances, and of the work allotted to the Gospel Ministry shew what is the business thereof: God tells us what Pastors after his own heart are to do,