N05154:35
Christ the great example of Gospel ministers. A sermon preached at Portsmouth, at the…Christ the great example of Gospel ministers. A sermon preach'd at Portsmouth, at the…
Christ the great example of Gospel ministers. A sermon preached at Portsmouth, at the ordination of the Reverend Mr. Job Strong, to the pastoral office over the South Church in that place, June 28. 1749, / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton.Christ the great example of Gospel ministers. A sermon preach'd at Portsmouth, at the ordination of the Reverend Mr. Job Strong, to the pastoral office over the South Church in that place, June 28. 1749, / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton.
Boston: printed by T. Fleet, 1750
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.
Ministers should follow their Master in his Zeal, so wonderfully mixed and tempered with Gentleness and Condescension in his dealing with Souls; preaching the Gospel to the Poor, and taking a gracious Notice from Time to Time of little Children. And they should imitate their Lord in his following the Work of the Ministry, not from mercenary Views, or for the sake of worldly Advantages, but for God's Glory, and Men's Salvation; and in having his Heart engaged in his Work; it being his great Delight, and his Meat to do the Will of his Father, and finish his Work, John iv. 34. and having his Heart set on the Success of his great Undertaking in the Salvation of Souls; this being the Joy that was set before him, for which he run his Race, endured the Cross, and despised the Shame; his Delight in the Prospect of the eternal Salvation of Souls, more than countervailing the Dread he had of his extreme Sufferings. Many Waters could not quench his Love, neither could the Floods drown it, for his Love was stronger than Death; yea, than the mighty Pains and Torments of such a Death.
Ministers should follow their Master in his Zeal, so wonderfully mixed and temper'd with Gentleness and Condescension in his dealing with Souls; preaching the Gospel to the Poor, and taking a gracious Notice from Time to Time of little Children. And they should imitate their Lord in his following the Work of the Ministry, not from mercenary Views, or for the sake of worldly Advantages, but for God's Glory, and Men's Salvation; and in having his Heart engaged in his Work; it being his great Delight, and his Meat to do the Will of his Father, and finish his Work, John iv. 34. and having his Heart set on the Success of his great Undertaking in the Salvation of Souls; this being the Joy that was set before him, for which he run his Race, endured the Cross, and despised the Shame; his Delight in the Prospect of the eternal Salvation of Souls, more than countervailing the Dread he had of his extreme Sufferings. Many Waters could not quench his Love, neither could the Floods drown it, for his Love was stronger than Death; yea, than the mighty Pains and Torments of such a Death.