N01684:19
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.
(2.) BY Vice. Evil practices frequently gain ground among them: the lusts of Mens hearts hurry them into bold transgressions. There be bad examples and small means of restraint, and so evil practices get head. Many times People grow knavish and injurious one to another; they have their ways of deceit and oppression that mightily prevail Jer. 6.6. She is wholly oppression in the midst of her. Sometimes they fall into ways of Drunkenness, and lie at the Tavern, and are pouring in strong Drink, they can't work without it, nor play without it, nor make bargains without it. Hos. 3.1. They love Bottles of Windfall into ways of wantonness and rudeness. Sin abounds in all professing Countries.
Consider, 2. HOW Ministers are to preserve a People from Corruption.
1. THEY are to do it by their Preaching. Ministers are God's Messengers or Ambassadors, ⟨p. 9⟩sent to publish the Gospel. Mar. 16.15. Preach the Gospel to every creature, i. e. every humane creature. This is the principal part of their work. 1 Cor. 1.17. Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel Therefore they are called Preachers. 1 Tim. 2.7. I am ordained a Preacher. Other services are to be done occasionally, but this is the constant service that they must addict themselves unto.