N01685:68
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.
2. The Persons spoken of: who are the Ministers of the Gospel Church. They are compared to the Sons of Zadock, for he speaks of those that have the charge of the Sanctuary, that are to teach the People, and to carry on the Public Worship. And several Rules are given to them to observe, that were given of Old to the Levitical Priests; as being clothed with Linen Garments, not drinking Wine when they enter into the inner Court, or Marrying a Widow, not coming at any dead Person.
2. The Persons spoken of: who are the Ministers of the Gospel Church. They are compared to the Sons of Zadock, for he speaks of those that have the charge of the Sanctuary, that are to teach the People, and to carry on the Publick Worship. And several Rules are given to them to observe, that were given of Old to the Levitical Priests; as being clothed with Linen Garments, not drinking Wine when they enter into the inner Court, or Marrying a Widow, not coming at any dead Person.
3. The Duty incumbent on them; in Controversy they shall stand in judgment, and the shall judge it according to my judgments. This must be restrained to Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Controversies, such as belonged unto the Priests of Old. In these Controversies they were to be the judges; others had nothing to do to invade this Office. Others might not stand in judgment. It is usurpation of a power that don't belong to them, to take upon them to judge in Controversies. And these Ministers must judge; whatever other business they have, they may not neglect this. God expects this Service from them, and they do not the work of their Office if they do omit this. The judging in these Controversies is an act of Authority & Office power, and none but those that are Officers in the Church may take this work upon them.
3. The Duty incumbant on them; in Controversy they shall stand in judgment, and the shall judge it according to my judgments. This must be restrained to Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Controversies, such as belonged unto the Priests of Old. In these Controversies they were to be the judges; others had nothing to do to invade this Office. Others might not stand in judgment. It is usurpation of a power that don't belong to them, to take upon them to judge in Controversies. And these Ministers must judge; whatever other business they have, they may not neglect this. God expects this Service from them, and they do not the work of their Office if they do omit this. The judging in these Controversies is an act of Authority & Office power, and none but those that are Officers in the Church may take this work upon them.