N01684:39
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 3: USE. III.
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.
LET this be the care of Ministers. Ministers must do their Office in being the Salt of the Land. We find great complaint of the Jewish Ministers before the Babylonish Captivity, in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. And after the Captivity in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi. Ministers must not only be careful that they don't corrupt the Land by evil manners and false Doctrine; but also that they don't by their negligence suffer the People to corrupt themselves. It is a great fault in Ministers when they don't diligently study the mind of God, but spend their time in visits and worldly business. 1 Tim. 4.15. Meditate upon these things, give thy self wholly to them. And it is very blameable in them, when they Preach things that they have not duly studied. And it is a great sin in them, when they are afraid to deal faithfully, and to bear a testimony against the sins of the Land. If the Land be corrupted by their default, they will bring down the Anger of God upon themselves: if they countenance the sins of the Land, if they do not their duty for the preventing the sins of the Land, they will make themselves partakers of other ⟨p. 22⟩Mens sins; and it will be a dreadful thing for God to charge the sins of the Land on them. As, Mal. 2.8. Ye have caused many to stumble at the law. But if they be serviceable according to their place, to keep the Land from being corrupted, God will reward them for it: He will be ready to acknowledge their service. As, Mal. 2.6. The law of truth was in his mouth, iniquity was not found in his lips, he walked with me in peace and equity; and it will be a great honour and comfort to them, that they have been instruments of the holiness of the Land: when the Sons of Levi are purified, the offerings of Judah will be acceptable to God. As, Mal. 3.3, 4.
LET this be the care of Ministers. Ministers must do their Office in being the Salt of the Land. We find great complaint of the Jewish Ministers before the Babylonish Captivity, in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. And after the Captivity in Ezra, Nehemiah, and