N01685:85
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.
3. Humane inventions are not like to keep the Church pure. In Old England many Ceremonies are attended under an apprehension that they are for decency and to increase Devotion. And in New-England some methods are taken to prevent Corruption & promote Edification. But it don't become Men to reflect upon the wisdom of God, as if they had understanding to mend His Institutions.
5 Obj. The taking away the power of the Brethren, seems to exalt the Minister too much, and to degrade the People as if they were very insignificant Persons; Whereas some Ministers are weak, and some of the Brethren be Men of very good Abilities.
A. 1. The Ministers of the Gospel are hereby no more exalted than the Ministers of the Jewish Church; neither are the People debased any lower than the People of the Jewish Church. The Tribe of Judah was very honourable, yet it is said that of it, No man gave attendance at the Altar, Heb. 7.13.
2. This doth no more exalt the Minister or debase the Brethren, than the confining of Preaching to the Minister. Preaching seems to be a Service of more dignity than governing, yet People don't take it hardly that the Minister only has the liberty of the Pulpit. It is no great honour to an able Brother, to have as good a Vote in the Church as a Man that can neither Write nor Read. If any of the Brethren be Men of Ability, there are other ways wherein they may use their Talents; and if the Minister have five times the Ability as some others, he will not think much to be debarred a Vote in Civil Affairs.