N01685:32
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. Add this likewise, That He hath made good this Word many times Eminently. The Apostles had great Success in one Country and another. ⟨p. 23⟩Acts 14.1. They so spake that a great Multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. Acts 19.20. It is said, So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. This success in the Primitive times is represented, Rev. 6.2. Behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer. There were many in those days that suffered Martyrdom: Rev. 12.11. They loved not their lives unto the death. So in succeeding Ages when they broke off from Popery, many were Converted by the Ministry, and Sealed the Truth with their blood. And in our days several Ministers have had Eminent Success, and God has given a great blessing to their labours: And many of them have given great Evidence of their real Conversion by their holy lives, and the great comfort which they had in a dying day. Many Ministers may say by Experience, as 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
USE, III. Ministers should do what they can that they may have the Presence of Christ with them. It is true, that Christ acts somewhat arbitrarily in this matter: yet there are rules to be attended that you may engage the Presence of Christ with you; and it is well worth the while to take care in this matter. It is a great comfort & encouragement to a Minister to see the Presence of Christ with his labours. It is a smile upon him; though it be no certain sign of Sincerity, yet therein God smiles on him: It is an honour to him. When God sets his Seal to his Ministry, God owns him in his work.