N01685:3
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.
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.
The Presence of CHRIST WITH THE Ministers of the GOSPEL.
MATTHEW XXVIII. 20. — And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World, Amen.
CHRIST JESUS in the 18th Verse acquaints the Disciples with His own Authority: All Power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth. And then He Exercises His Authority in Commissionating them. And first, He tells them to whom they shall go. viz. To all Nations, as they had Opportunity. They were forbidden formerly to go to the Gentiles. Mat. 10.5. Go not into the way of the Gentiles, & into any City of the Samaritans enter ye not; but now He takes off that prohibition, tho' they were first ⟨p. 2⟩to offer the Gospel to the Jews. Paul & Barnabas told the Jews, That it was necessary that the Gospel should first be spoken to them, Act. 13.46. Secondly, Here be the several Offices which they are to Attend. (1) They were to make Disciples. We render it, Teach the word is [Greek or Hebrew], Disciple all Nations. They were to bring them to the acknowledgement of Christ & the Profession of the Gospel. (2) They were to Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son & of the Holy Ghost. This is a Seal of the Covenant that succeeds in the room of Circumcision, Representing our being washed from our Sins in the blood of Christ: This must be applied to all Disciples Adult and Infants. (3) They must teach them all rules of Obedience. This comprehends the whole Law of God both Moral & Instituted, what ever was their duty to practice, that was the duty of the Disciples to Preach. This work that He sets them about was attended with much difficulty, considering the corruption of Nature, and the prejudices that both Jews & Gentiles were under; therefore He encourages them that He will be with them. He would have them take special notice of it, Lo, I am with you. Mind here, 1st. What He promises, that is, His Presence. He was about to remove to Heaven, but he tells them, He will