N01667:182
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.
2. A principal Work belonging to a Minister of God, is, to Endeavour the Conversion of Sinners. They are called the Bridegrooms friends, ⟨p. 107⟩Joh. 3.29. Christ is the Bridegroom, his Ministers are said to be his Friends; for it is their work to woo, and if possible to win Souls for Christ. King David was not an ordinary Minister, nevertheless a Minister of God he was; he was a Prophet, and he says, I will teach Transgressors thy ways, and Sinners shall be converted to thee, Psal. 51.13. Levi did as became his relation, when the law of Truth was in his Mouth, and he did turn many from iniquity, Mal. 2.6. As for the Primitive Preachers of the Gospel, this was their main design, and God made their Labours wonderfully Successful. Acts 11.21. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord, Peter had the Jews for his more peculiar Province, the Apostleship of the Circumcision was committed to him, and the Lord taught Effectually by him. We read of near upon three thousand Jews Converted by one Sermon which he Preached at Jerusalem, Act. 2 41. Paul endeavoured the Conversion of the Gentiles; Christ from Heaven having given him a Commission to that work, saying, I send thee to the Gentiles to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, Act. 26.18. And he was an happy Instrument of Converting we know not how many thousands. The Miraculous Success of the Apostles and their Successors in Converting the Gentile World was Prophesied of by Ezekiel, who says, ⟨p. 108⟩That Fishers shall stand from Engedi even unto Eneglaim, and spread forth nets, and the fish taken in the net, would be exceeding many, Ezek. 47.10