N01685:15
The presence of Christ with the ministers of the Gospel, opened & applied in…The presence of Christ with the ministers of the Gospel, opened & applyed in…
The presence of Christ with the ministers of the Gospel, opened & applied in a sermon preached at Swampfield, January 1st. 1717[/]18. Being the day of the gathering of the church, and the ordination of the Reverend Joseph Willard their pastor. / By Solomon Stoddard, A.M. & Pastor of Northampton.The presence of Christ with the ministers of the Gospel, opened & applyed in a sermon preached at Swampfield, January 1st. 1717[/]18. Being the day of the gathering of the church, and the ordination of the Reverend Joseph Willard their pastor. / By Solomon Stoddard, A.M. & Pastor of Northampton.
printed by B. Green, 1718
Title page typeset from the transcription.
The Presence of CHRIST WITH THE Ministers of the GOSPEL. › 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. To strengthen them against Temptation. The Calling of a Minister lays him open to great Temptation, especially through' a Spirit of Fear to neglect his duty; sometimes he is called to Preach such Truths as will be offensive to some, and stir up their displeasure and opposition; sometimes to give such Reproofs as will be taken very hardly by some Men, they will stomach it that they are reflected upon; sometimes he is under a necessity to deal with some Men, that don't know how to bear it. And there is danger of being out-bid with a Spirit of Fear; some are his Friends and he is loth to offend them, he has a dependence upon some, and it is dangerous crossing them: in such cases he needs a great deal of help from Christ to strengthen his Love and his Faith, that he may be bold to do his duty. When Jonah was sent to cry against Nineveh because of their wickedness, his fear mastered him, so that he fled to Tarshish, Jon. 1.2, 3. He was terrified to think what usage he should ⟨p. 7⟩meet with all, and to avoid the anger of Men exposed himself to the anger of God. Faithfulness may expose them to great Sorrows, the fear of which sometimes makes to be unfaithful. Paul begs prayers on that account Eph. 6.19, 20. And for me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the Mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an Ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
2. To strengthen them against Temptation. The Calling of a Minister lays him open to great Temptation, especially thro' a Spirit of Fear to neglect his duty; sometimes he is called to Preach such Truths as will be offensive to some, and stir up their displeasure and opposition; sometimes to give such Reproofs as will be taken very hardly by some Men, they will stomach it that they are reflected upon; sometimes he is under a necessity to deal with some Men, that don't know how to bear it. And there is danger of being out-bid with a Spirit of Fear; some are his Friends and he is loth to offend them, he has a dependance upon some, and it is dangerous crossing them: in such cases he needs a great deal of help from Christ to strengthen his Love and his Faith, that he may be bold to do his duty. When Jonah was sent to cry against Nineveh because of their wickedness, his fear mastered him, so that he fled to Tarshish,