N05154:45
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.
And then these amiable Exercises of Virtue in Christ, were exhibited chiefly in the Things which he did in that Work wherein Ministers are called to act as Co-workers with him. The bright and glorious Example of Christ that is set before us, is chiefly in what he did during the three Years and half of his public Ministry; and in the Devotion, Heavenly-mindedness, Humility, Patience, Meekness, Forgiveness, Self-denial and Charity, which he exercised in the Labours and Sufferings he went through for the good of the Souls of Men: And therefore is especially set for the Imitation of those who are set apart that they may make it the whole Business of their Lives to seek the same good of Souls.
And then these amiable Exercises of Virtue in Christ, were exhibited chiefly in the Things which he did in that Work wherein Ministers are called to act as Co-workers with him. The bright and glorious Example of Christ that is set before us, is chiefly in what he did during the three Years and half of his publick Ministry; and in the Devotion, Heavenly-mindedness, Humility, Patience, Meekness, Forgiveness, Self-denial and Charity, which he exercised in the Labours and Sufferings he went through for the good of the Souls of Men: And therefore is especially set for the Imitation of those who are set apart that they may make it the whole Business of their Lives to seek the same good of Souls.
4. Ministers should follow that Example of Christ which has been spoken of, because if they are fit for Ministers, and are such as have any Right to take that Work upon themselves, Christ has set them this Example in what he has done for their Souls. I have given you an Example, (says Christ in the Text) that you should do as I have done TO YOU. Ministers should be animated in this Work by a great Love to the Souls of Men, and should be ready to spend and be spent for them; for Christ loved them, and gave himself for them: He loved them with a Love stronger than Death. They should have Compassion to Men under their spiritual Miseries, as Christ had Pity on them. They should be much in Prayer for the People of their Flock, considering how Christ prayed and agonized for them, in tears of Blood. They should travel in Birth with the Souls that are committed to their Care, seeing their own Salvation is the Fruit of the Travel of Christ's Soul. They should exercise a meek and condescending Spirit to the mean and weak and poor, and should as it were wash the Feet of Christ's Disciples; considering how