N05154:37
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.
1. They should follow his Example, because he is their Lord and Master. Christ as he is a divine Person, is the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and so one of infinite Dignity, to whom our supreme Respect and Adoration ⟨p. 16⟩is due; and on that Account he is infinitely worthy that we should regard, not only his Precepts, but Example. The infinite Greatness and Honourableness of his Person recommends his Virtues, and a Conformity to them as our greatest Dignity and Honour.
Christ is more especially the Lord of Christians; who are therefore under special Obligations to follow him. He is their Shepherd, and surely the Flock should follow their Shepherd. He is the Captain of their Salvation; and it becomes Soldiers to follow their Captain and Leader. He is their Head; not only their Head of Rule and Authority, but their Head of Influence and Communication, their vital Head, and Christians are Members of his Body: But Members, as partakers of the Life and Spirit of the Head, are conformed to the Head.
But Christ is still in a more peculiar Manner the Lord and Master of Ministers of the Gospel, as they are not only Members of his Church, but the Officers of his Kingdom, and the dignified Servants of his Family. 'Tis the Manner of a People to imitate their Prince, but especially the Ministers of his Kingdom, and Officers of his Household. 'Tis the Duty of the whole Army to follow their General, but especially of those Officers that have a Commission under him.
But Christ is still in a more peculiar Manner the Lord and Master of Ministers of the Gospel, as they are not only Members of his Church, but the Officers of his Kingdom, and the dignified Servants of his Family. 'Tis the Manner of a People to imitate their Prince, but especially the Ministers of his Kingdom, and Officers of his Houshold. 'Tis the Duty of the whole Army to follow their General, but especially of those Officers that have a Commission under him.