N01667:191
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.
Thus we see that Ministers of the Gospel have a Work to attend, and what that Work is. I might have added, that there is Suffering (as well as doing) Work which they must expect a peculiar share in. When Persecution ariseth they must look to be set in fore-front of the hottest battle. It is the saying of one of the Ancients, Non est Minister Christi, qui non est ad mille mortes Paratus.
Thus we see that Ministers of the Gospel have a Work to attend, and what that Work is. I might have added, that there is Suffering (as well as doing) Work which they must expect a peculiar share in. When Persecution ariseth they must look to be set in fore-front of the hottest battel. It is the saying of one of the Ancients, Non est Minister Christi, qui non est ad mille mortes Paratus.
We proceed to a Second Proposition, which is, That there are some who are by the Lord Jesus Christ called to this Work.
When it is said, That Christ has given such to his Church, it implies that they have a Call from him to accept of that Office, and to undertake the work of it. It is true, that there are some who undertake the Work without a Call. Such were the false Prophets in the Church of Israel, of whom the Lord says, I have not sent these Prophets, yet they ran, I have not spoken to them, yet they Prophesied, Jer. 23.21. But this ought not to be. The Apostle says, No man takes this honour to himself; that is to say, No Man that does as he ought to do, but he that is called of God as ⟨p. 118⟩was Aaron, Heb. 5.4. It is not good to Usurp the Ministerial Office. All that are Called there-unto have their Call from God and from the Lord Jesus Christ.