N01152:39
The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in…
The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in an unconverted condition. Showed in a sermon preached at Northampton, the 17th. Decemb. 1707. being the time of the sitting of the Inferior Court. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton. ; Imprimatur, J. Dudley.The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in an unconverted condition. Shewed in a sermon preached at Northampton, the 17th. Decemb. 1707. being the time of the sitting of the Inferiour Court. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton. ; Imprimatur, J. Dudley.
printed by B. Green. Sold by Samuel Phillips, 1708
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.
3. Officiating in the work of the Gospel Ministry: If a man do know himself to be Unregenerate, yet it is lawful for him to administer Baptism and the Lords Supper. The blessing of this Ordinance does not depend upon the Piety of him that doth administer it. Christ knew Judas to be Unregenerate, yet he let him as well as the rest of the Disciples to administer Baptism: Joh. 4. 2. Jesus baptized not but his Disciples. If men be destitute of Regenerating Grace, yet they may administer Gods Ordinances in such a manner as may be for the glory of God, and the Edification of his People. It is most ⟨p. 14⟩desirable upon all accounts that they who Officiate in the work of the Ministry, be holy and gracious men: but men that are destitute of Grace are not prohibited in the word of God to administer the Ordinances of God, if such may Preach surely they may administer Sacraments. Paul speaks of Preaching as a greater work than administering. Baptism, 1 Cor. 1. 17. And we may argue that it is greater than administering the Lords Supper.
3. Officiating in the work of the Gospel Ministry: If a man do know himself to be Unregenerate, yet it is lawful for him to administer Baptism and the Lords Supper. The blessing of this Ordinance does not depend upon the Piety of him that doth administer it. Christ knew Judas to be Unregenerate, yet he let him as well as the rest of the Disciples to administer Baptism: Joh. 4. 2. Josus baptized not but his Disciples. If men be destitute of Regenerating Grace, yet they may administer Gods Ordinances in such a manner as may be for the glory of God, and the Edification of his People. It is most ⟨p. 14⟩desirable upon all accounts that they who Officiate in the work of the Ministry, be holy and gracious men: but men that are destitute of Grace are not prohibited in the word of God to administer the Ordinances of God, if such may Preach surely they may administer Sacraments. Paul speaks of Preaching as a greater work than administring. Baptism,