N01685:33
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.
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. 1 Cor. 9.2. The Seal of my Apostleship are ye in the Lord. When God is present with his labours He makes him a blessing; which was part of the happiness of Abraham: God tells him, I will bless thee and thou shalt be a blessing. Gen. 12.2. Dr Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, in his old Age expressed himself in this manner, That he had born many honourable Offices, but if he did know that he had been an instrument to Convert one Soul to God, it would be more comfort to him, than all the Offices that he had sustained. To be useless is a reproach, to be an instrument to do hurt is a curse, but to be an instrument of good is a great ⟨p. 25⟩honour. Let Ministers then be careful to get the Presence 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 & incouragement 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. 1 Cor. 9.2. The Seal of my Apostleship are ye in the Lord. When God is present with his labours He makes him a blessing; which was part of the happiness of Abraham: God tells him, I will bless thee and thou shalt be a blessing.