N01685:17
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.
4. To Succeed their Labours. They need to be prospered in their labours, that there may be a Reformation wrought in the Land; that those corrupt Practices which bring down the Judgment of God may be put away: And in order to this, they need the help of God. It is God's work to prepare Men to Reform. 2 Chron 29.36. And Hezekiah rejoiced & all the People, that God had prepared the People, for the thing was done suddenly. There is need of Divine help that the labours of Ministers may be prosperous for the Comforting of Disconsolate Saints: Sometimes they are like Rachel, Refusing to be comforted. There is need of the Presence of Christ with Ministers for the Awakening of Sinners and bringing them to Christ. Ministers will Preach to no purpose if God do not send His Spirit. Ministers can't open blind Eyes, nor raise dead Men to Life. Job. 16.7, 8. If I depart I will send the Comforter unto you, and when he is come, be will reprove the world of Sin, of Righteousness, and of Judgment. It is God that adds Efficacy to the Ordinances. 2 Cor. 10.4. The weapons of […] are mighty through God to the pulling ⟨p. 9⟩down of strong holds. It is God that casts out Devils. It is Christs work to build up His Church. It is a Divine work to make the Arrows of the word stick in the Hearts of Men. Ministers may waste their Spirits, tire their Brains, and weary their Bodies to no purpose, if God don't add the operation of His Spirit. If God do not give His Blessing to their labours, they may take up that complaint, Isa. 49.4. I have laboured in vain, and spent my strength for naught and in vain. Men can remain sottish and unbelieving under the best means. It is God that takes away the heart of stone and gives an heart of flesh, Ezek. 11.19. Ministers may take pains and write their Sermons, but it is God only that writes the Law in the hearts of men. Jer. 31.33. It is His Voice that raiseth dead souls,