N01668:31
A sermon wherein is showed, I. That the ministers of the Gospel need, and…A sermon wherein is shewed, I. That the ministers of the Gospel need, and…
A sermon wherein is showed, I. That the ministers of the Gospel need, and ought to desire the prayers of the Lord's people for them. II. That the people of God ought to pray for his ministers. : Preached at Roxbury, October 29. 1718. When Mr. Thomas Walter was ordained a pastor in that church, by his grand-father, Increase Mather. D.D. : [Seven lines of Scripture texts]A sermon wherein is shewed, I. That the ministers of the Gospel need, and ought to desire the prayers of the Lord's people for them. II. That the people of God ought to pray for his ministers. : Preached at Roxbury, October 29. 1718. When Mr. Thomas Walter was ordained a pastor in that church, by his grand-father, Increase Mather. D.D. : [Seven lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland for J. Edwards, 1718
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Ministers are Blessings by the ⟨p. 14⟩Sermons which they Preach. Thereby they are Instruments of Converting Sinners, and so of saving Souls from Death. It may be there is a Minister, that many Souls will bless God that ever they knew him, because He has been their Spiritual Father. Sometimes God has blessed one Sermon for the Conversion of many. One of Peters Sermons Converted Two Thousand. Such Conversions are rare: yet I remember I have read concerning Luther, that by one Sermon he Converted a whole Town from Popery, to embrace the Protestant Religion. There are Ministers now living that many Thousands have been Edified by their Ministry. It may be there are many Hundreds in a Congregation, and there is a Sermon Preached which all that hear it will remember something, which they will be the better for it as long as they live. Holy Ministers of God are Blessings by their Example as well as by their Doctrine. A Minister of the Gospel should be able to say to his Hearers, do not only as I say, but as I do: Follow my Example and it will lead you to Heaven. Phil. 3. 17. Brethren be followers together with me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example. It has been said, Ministri vita est Cynosura, the Ministers Life should be like the Pole Star, to direct those that are Sailing to Heaven in a right course. Indeed Ministers (tho' Good Men) may err, and then they ought not to be followed. Only Christ is an unerring Example, and it is impossible that He should Error ⟨p. 15⟩Sin because He is God as well as Man. Ministers are to be followed so far as they follow Christ, and no further. 1Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. When a Faithful Minister of the Gospel comes to a People he does not come empty handed, but with both hands full of Blessings. Rom. 15. 29. I am sure when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.
Ministers are Blessings by the ⟨p. 14⟩