N05154:53
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.
It will be our great Honour that we are called to this Work of Christ, if therein we follow him; for therein we shall be like the Son of God: But if we are unfaithful in this Office, and don't imitate our Master, our Offence will be heinous in proportion to the Dignity of our Office, and our final and everlasting Disgrace and Ignominy proportionably great; and we who in Honour are exalted up to Heaven, shall be cast down proportionably low in Hell.
Let us further consider, that our following the Example of Christ in the Work of the Ministry, is the way to enjoy the sensible joyful Presence of Christ with us. The Disciples had the Comfort of Christ's Presence and Conversation by following him, and going where he went. When we cease to follow him, he will go from us, and we shall soon loose Sight of him.
Our being conformed to Christ's Example, will also be the way for us to be conformed to him, and partake with him in his Privileges: 'Tis the way for us to have his Joy fulfilled in us. Christ in doing the Work which the Father appointed him to, obtained a glorious Victory over his Enemies, and having spoiled Principalities and Powers, triumphed over them. If we imitate his Example, it will be the way for us in like Manner to conquer Principalities and Powers, yea, to be much more than Conquerors: It will be the way for us always to triumph in Christ Jesus. It will be the way for us to obtain Success in our Ministry, and actually to be made the happy Instruments of the Eternal Salvation of Souls. Christ has not only told us, but shown us the Way to Success in our Business, and the way to Victory over all that oppose us in it. And our imitating Christ in our Ministry, will be the way for us to be Partakers with him in his Glory; the way for us in like manner to be approved, ⟨p. 24⟩and openly honoured and rewarded by God; the way to be brought to sit with Christ on his Throne, as he is set down with the Father on his Throne. And as Christ is now exalted to shine as the bright Luminary and Glory of Heaven, so our following his Example, will be the way for us to be exalted to shine with him, as the Stars forever and ever.