N01667:198
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. Where there is a Call to the Ministry there is an Inclination to Serve God in that Work. There have been those who have been adorned with admirable Knowledge and other Ministerial qualifications, but no inclination to improve their Talents in that Work, they choose rather to Serve God and Christ in some other Calling. A sign that the Lord does not Call them to the Work of the Ministry. Not but that a Man who has a Call thereunto, may from a sense of the awfulness of the Work, and his own insufficiency be ⟨p. 121⟩for some time very unwilling to engage in it, as we see in the Prophet Jeremiah, God said to him, I have Ordained thee to be a Prophet to the Nations; What me! (says he) I am a Child I cannot speak. I am a Young Man, and not fit to undertake so great an Office; but God by his power over-came the unwillingness of the Prophet, Wherefore he says, Thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed, Jer. 20.7. Thus if God calls a Man to the Ministry, he will over power him, and make him buckle to the work, yea, to desire it. 1 Tim. 3.1. If a man desire the Office of a Bishop, has desireth a good work; That is to say, an excellent and an honourable work. But this desire ought to proceed not from Carnal but Spiritual Motives. Not because he would have the honour of such an Office; not for a Benefice, as too many take up the Ministry only to make a Livelihood of it. Which does not agree with the Apostles Exhortation, 1 Pet. 5.2. Feed the flock of God, taking the over-sight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. He does not do his work of a ready mind, who is driven to it by necessity, or drawn to it by Covetousness. When an earnest desire to glorify God, and to promote the Interest of Christs Kingdom, and the Salvation of Souls shall incline a Man to desire the work of the Ministry, it is a sign that Christ has called him to it.
2. Where there is a Call to the Ministry there is an Inclination to Serve God in that Work. There have been those who have been adorned with admirable Knowledge and other Ministerial qualifications, but no inclination to improve their Talents in that Work, they chuse rather to Serve God and Christ in some other Calling. A sign that the Lord does not Call them to the Work of the Ministry. Not but that a Man who has a Call thereunto, may from a sense of the awfulness of the Work, and his own insufficiency be