N01667:193
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.
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. Gal. 1 1. Paul an Apostle not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father. The Apostles, (excepting Matthias and Barnabas) had their Call immediately from Christ without any Man being concerned in their Call; Paul peculiarly had his Call to the Apostleship from Christ since his Ascension to the Right hand of God in Heaven. Pastors and Teachers are not thus Called. But notwithstanding they are Called by Men, their Office and Ministerial Authority is not of Men. No Man, nor all the Men in the World, have power to make any Officer in the Church besides what Christ himself has Instituted. Men commonly say, Such an One is our Minister, but it would be more proper to say, He is Gods Minister, and Christs Minister. 1 Thes. 3.2. Timotheus our Brother and Minister of God. 1 Tim. 4.6. A good Minister of Jesus Christ. Your Pastor has his Call by you, but not of you as the Institutor of it. Archippus was a Teacher in the Church of Colossians. To him it was said, Take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it. Fulfilling the Ministry implies doing whatever belongs to that Ministry, Praying, Preaching, Governing, Exercising the discipline of Christ, administering the Sacraments of the New Testament. ⟨p. 119⟩