N05154:43
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.
3. The Example of Christ is most worthy of Ministers Imitation. His Example was perfect, without Error, Blemish or Defect; and therefore worthy to be made our Rule, and to be regarded and followed without Exception, Limitation or Reserve; unless in those Things which he did that were proper to his peculiar Office. Christ's Virtue was not only perfect, but was exercised in those Circumstances, and under those Trials, that rendered his virtuous Acts vastly the most amiable of any that ever appeared in any Creature whether Man or Angel. If we consider the Perfection of the Virtue that Christ exercised, his Virtue did exceed that of the most eminent Saints, more than the purest Gold exceeds the meanest and foulest Oar: And if we consider the Manner of its Exercise, and the Trials under which it was exercised, and the blessed Fruits it has brought forth, so his Virtue exceeds that of all other perfectly innocent Creatures, and even of the brightest Angel, as the Sun in its Glory exceeds the Stars.
3. The Example of Christ is most worthy of Ministers Imitation. His Example was perfect, without Error, Blemish or Defect; and therefore worthy to be made our Rule, and to be regarded and followed without Exception, Limitation or Reserve; unless in those Things which he did that were proper to his peculiar Office. Christ's Virtue was not only perfect, but was exercised in those Circumstances, and under those Trials, that render'd his virtuous Acts vastly the most amiable of any that ever appeared in any Creature whether Man or Angel. If we consider the Perfection of the Virtue that Christ exercised, his Virtue did exceed that of the most eminent Saints, more than the purest Gold exceeds the meanest and foulest Oar: And if we consider the Manner of its Exercise, and the Trials under which it was exercised, and the blessed Fruits it has brought forth, so his Virtue exceeds that of all other perfectly innocent Creatures, and even of the brightest Angel, as the Sun in its Glory exceeds the Stars.
And this Example was set us in our own Nature, and so is especially fitted for our Imitation. There was in the Man Christ Jesus, who was one of us, and dwelt among us, such Exercises of Virtue as became our State and Circumstances in the World, as those who dwell in frail Flesh and Blood, and as Members of humane Society, and dwellers