N01667:171
Practical truths, plainly delivered
Practical truths, plainly delivered: wherein is showed, I. That true believers on Jesus Christ, shall as certainly enjoy everlasting life in heaven, as if they were there already. II. That there is a blessed marriage between Jesus Christ the son of God, & the true believer. III. That men are infinitely concerned, not only to hear the voice of Christ, but that they do it, to day. IV. The work of the ministry, described, in an ordination sermon. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Seven lines of Scripture texts]Practical truths, plainly delivered: wherein is shewed, I. That true believers on Jesus Christ, shall as certainly enjoy everlasting life in heaven, as if they were there already. II. That there is a blessed marriage between Jesus Christ the son of God, & the true believer. III. That men are infinitely concerned, not only to hear the voice of Christ, but that they do it, to day. IV. The work of the ministry, described, in an ordination sermon. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Seven lines of Scripture texts]
printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1718
The Work of the Ministry described, in an Ordination Sermon.
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 Work of the Ministry described, in an Ordination Sermon.
EPHESIANS, IV. 12. — For the Work of the Ministry.
IN the Preceding Verse, the Apostle declares, that the Lord Jesus Christ has given to his Church a variety of Ministers and Officers. Some that were Extraordinary and Temporary, and are long since ceased, viz. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists. An Apostle was one that had seen Christ and received a Commission immediately from him. The Prophets here spoken of are not the Prophets of the Old, but of the New Testament; such as Agabus, and some others mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. An Evangelist was one that did accompany the Apostles, and Assist them in Preaching the Gospel. Such were Mark, Luke, Timothy, Titus, Silas, Apollos, &c. But besides these, Christ has given to his Church ⟨p. 104⟩a Ministry which is to be perpetual. A stated standing Office, Namely that of Pastors and Teachers. It is Observable, that it is not said some Pastors, and some Teachers, as it was said some Apostles, and some Prophets, which seems to intimate that the Pastoral and the Teaching Office are the same. Every Pastor is to be a Teacher, and every Teacher that is so in respect of Office is to feed his Flock, and is in that respect a Pastor. In this Verse the Work of the Ministry is described from that which is the principal end of it. Some suppose a Trajection in the words, and that the Verse runs thus. For the Work of the Ministry, for the perfecting the Saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ. That's the End for which Christ has instituted the Ordinance of the Ministry. In the next Verse, The Ministry is described from the duration of it. It shall continue until we all come into the unity of the Faith. The Elect of God are dispersed throughout the World in Places very distant from one another; but the day will come when they shall all come together, and then they shall be of One Faith, not only as to the Fundamental Articles of Religion, but in lesser points also. In a future World it will be so, where there will be no need of a Ministry, and until then, it shall continue. From the Words in Consideration with the Context, the Doctrinal Truth before us, is,