N05154:40
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.
2. Ministers of the Gospel are in some Respects called and devoted to the same Work and Business that Christ himself was appointed to. Ministers are not Men's Mediators; for there is but one Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus: They are not our Priests to make Atonement and work out Righteousness for us; for Christ by one offering has perfected forever them that are sanctified: They are not Lords over God's Heritage; for one is their Master, even Christ. But yet Ministers of the Gospel, as Christ's Servants and Officers under him, ⟨p. 17⟩are appointed to promote the Designs of that great Work of Christ, the Work of Salvation. 'Tis the Work that Ministers are devoted to; and therefore they are represented as Co-workers with Christ. 2 Cor. vi. 1. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain. Christ is the Saviour of the Souls of Men; Ministers also, are spoken of in Scripture as saving Men's Souls. 1 Tim. iv. 16. In doing this, thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee. Rom. x. 14. If by any Means I may provoke to Emulation them which are my Flesh, and might save some of them. 1 Cor. ix. 22. That I might by all means save some. And whereas 'tis said Obad. 21. Saviours shall come upon Mount Zion; Ministers of the Gospel are supposed to be there intended.
The Work of Ministers is in many Respects like the Work that Christ himself was appointed to, as the Saviour of Men; and especially the same with the Work which Christ does in his Prophetical Office; only with this Difference, that Ministers are to speak and act wholly under Christ, as taught of him, as holding forth his Word, and by Light and Strength communicated from him. Christ himself after his Baptism, followed the Work of the Ministry: He was a Minister of the true Sanctuary, (