N01684:31
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. › Application 2: USE. II.
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.
USE. II.
PEOPLE had need be careful that they don't provoke God to give them such a Ministry as will be like unsavoury Salt. Sometimes God doth leave a People to such a Ministry. Isai. 56.10. His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, that cannot bark; sleeping; lying down, loving to slumber. Jer. 2.8. The Priests said not where is the Lord, and they that handle the law knew me not, and the Pastors have ⟨p. 18⟩transgressed against me. Zech. 11.15, 16. The Lord said to me, take unto thee the instruments of a foolish shepherd, for I will raise a shepherd in the land, that shall not visit that which is cut off, &c. When God doth so it is in a way of punishment. It is a sign that such a People have greatly offended God, this is one way whereby God pours out his displeasure upon a provoking People, and when he doth so, they are like to grow more and more corrupt. The Scribes and Pharisees were such Ministers, they were blind guides, and the guide and the people both fell into the ditch; therefore you should avoid such sins as may bring this judgment. There is often a suitableness between the sin & the punishment. You may do it;