N01667:214
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. › USE.
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.
4. If GOD shall be so gracious as to Call you to the Work of the Ministry, make that your Work. You may not make it to be a [Greek or Hebrew], but your [Greek or Hebrew], a by-work, but your only work. This is not my Advice, it is Apostolical. 1 Tim. 4.13, 15. Give attendance to Reading, meditate on these things, give thy self wholly to them. It was Mr. Perkins Motto, Minister Verbi es, hoc age. Since you are a Minister of the word, whatever you do be sure you mind that work. Your Work and Warfare is Spiritual. You should not entangle your selves with the affairs of the World, if you would please Christ who has made you his Soldiers. The Work of the Ministry is Work enough for One Man. Let his accomplishment be never so Eminent. That People is guilty of a crying Sin, which does not Maintain ⟨p. 136⟩their Teacher (if he has an heart to lay himself out for the good of their Souls) so Comfortably and Honourably, as that he may have nothing to do, but to attend the Work of the Lord, which his Sacred Office does oblige him unto. There was a time when the House of God was forsaken by the Ministers of it, who fled every one to his Field, because their Maintenance was Sacrilegiously with-held from them. Nehemiah at that time the Religious Governor of the Province of Judea, was much offended, not at the Ministers who were necessitated to leave their Sacred Employment, but at those who did not support them therein, Neh. 13.10, 11. For a Minister of the Gospel whose Work is a Spiritual Husbandry, 1 Cor. 3.9. to neglect that, and betake himself to his Farm, if it is done of choice, is evil. It is no better when he involves himself in Merchandizing, and in driving of Bargains. Mercator intemplo, has ever been disallowed. And it is worse when they entangle themselves in Law-Suits. For a Man to be Sacerdos in foro, is very unbecoming his Profession. Let every Man choose to abide in his Calling. Let Ministers of the Gospel spend as little time as may be in fruitless and Complemental Visits: but let them keep close to their Studies. Blessed Mr. Mitchel once the famous Pastor of the Church ⟨p. 137⟩