N01684:18
The duty of Gospel-ministers to preserve a people from corruption. Set forth, in a…
The duty of Gospel-ministers to preserve a people from corruption. Set forth, in a sermon preached at Brookfield, October 16. 1717. Being the day wherein the church was gathered, and Mr. Thomas Cheney, was ordained Pastor. / By Solomon Stoddard, A.M. and Pastor of Northampton.
Boston: printed for Samuel Phillips, 1718
Title page typeset from the transcription.
The Duty of GOSPEL-MINISTERS to preserve a People from Corruption. › DOCTRINE.
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.
(1.) BY Formality. Where the Worship of God is set up, Men don't readily loose the form, but it is a frequent thing to loose the power of Godliness. It is an easy thing to carry on Praying, to attend Public Worship, and to attend duties of Religion on the Sabbath: this may be done, though their hearts are violently set upon the World, and they be ⟨p. 8⟩under great prevailings of evil affections: but it is very cross to nature to mortify corruptions, and to exercise themselves in self-denial; give their hearts to God, and to be rejoicing in the righteousness of Christ. Many times People that retain the name of living loose the life of Religion, Rev. 3.1. People are wont to grow lukewarm, Rev. 3.15. The spirit of Religion doth decay by degrees.
(1.) BY Formality. Where the Worship of God is set up, Men don't readily loose the form, but it is a frequent thing to loose the power of Godliness. It is an easy thing to carry on Praying, to attend Publick Worship, and to attend duties of Religion on the Sabbath: this may be done, though their hearts are violently set upon the World, and they be ⟨p. 8⟩under great prevailings of evil affections: but it is very cross to nature to mortify corruptions, and to exercise themselves in self-denial; give their hearts to God, and to be rejoycing in the righteousness of Christ. Many times People that retain the name of living loose the life of Religion, Rev. 3.1. People are wont to grow lukewarm, Rev. 3.15. The spirit of Religion doth decay by degrees.