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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62906 A discourse on 2 Cor. III. 6 ... by Samuel Tomlyns ... Tomlyns, Samuel, 1632 or 3-1700. 1699 (1699) Wing T1858A; ESTC R37158 25,093 52

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Rejoyce There is a great deal of difference between Lamps and Stars Lamps must have Oil to feed them else they will go out but faithful Ministers are compared to Stars Rev. 2.1 These will shine though they have no supplies or contributions from below The World is very ungrateful to Christs laborious Servants and afford them but a slender and starving Maintenance yet they do not cease to Preach and shine to the World 6. This ability consists in their being certain and fully assured of the Doctrine they Preach They have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the Living God John 6.68 69. Our Gospel saith Paul came to you in much assurance as ye know what manner of Men we were among you for your sake Paul did evidence by his fervent Preaching and his importunate pleading with them that he was fully assured of the Truth Excellency and Importance of the Gospel 7. The ability of Ministers consists in their boldness and courage to suffer and Patience in sufferings 1 Thes 2.2 Paul saith after we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much contention The Rulers and Elders of the Jews saw the boldness of Peter and John was not this high courage and strong boldness that the Apostles should divide the World and take every own his share of it to manure for God to conquer for Christ to build a House and Temple of God upon 2 Cor. 10.13 4.15 The Apostle speaks of this measure and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the measure of the Rule that God had divided unto us and that he did not stretch himself beyond his measure 2 Cor. 10.14 and that he did not boast of things without or beyond his measure This was strange boldness to divide the World and to seize and take every one his Lot and share to subdue the Nations to God And the Patience of the Apostles was invincible in all their Tribulations they rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name sake Acts 5.41 Paul rejoyced if he was offered on the Service and Sacrifice of the Philippians Faith Phil. 2.17 Bonds and Afflictions did not move Paul neither did he account his life dear unto himself that he might finish his course with Joy and the Ministry that he had received of the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20.24 I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus Acts 21.13 Paul and others did glory in Tribulations 8. Ministers are able when they take care of themselves and of their own Souls Paul saith to the Elders of Ephesus take heed to your selves and to the Flock of God over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers Acts 20.28 Gospel-officers are said not only to have eyes before that is to look to God and behind to look after the Flock committed to them Rev. 4.6 but they are also said to have eyes within Rev. 5.8 to look to themselves and to watch over their own Souls The Apostle Paul was so circumspect and exact that he could call God to Witness as to his private actions and the principles of them and he could call men to Witness as to his publick Actions and Conversation God is witness and ye also how Holily justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe 1 Thes 2.10 9. Ministers should be diligent and laborious Being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted to you not the Gospel of God onely but also our own Souls because ye were dear to us as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children 1 Thes 2.8 I kept back nothing that was profitable to you but have shewed you and have taught you publickly from house to house by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with Tears Acts 20.20.31 2 Tim. 4.2 Luk. 14.23 They should be instant and pressing on Souls in Season and out of Season and compel guests to come into Christ feast They should labour to bring Sacrifices to the Spiritual Temple Isa 66.20 And to present a beautiful Bride to the Son of God 2 Cor. 11.2 1 Col. last 10. A door of Utterance is requisite to make an Able Minister of the New Testament Paul desires the Prayers of the Ephesians that Utterance might be given to him that he might open his Mouth boldly to make known the Mystery of the Gospel Again he begs Prayers of the Colossians that God would open to him a door of Utterance To speak the Mystery of Christ Ministers must not only be large Cisterns to hold a great deal of the Spiritual Waters of the Sanctuary but also be fit Pipes to conveigh the Spiritual Waters unto others Vse of Exhortation If God makes men able Ministers of the New Testament we should lift up our Eyes and Soules to God and earnestly beg him to fulfil his Promise to us that he will give Pastors according to his own heart to feed his Flock with knowledge and understanding Jer. 3.15 Sue to Christ to give Gifts from Heaven such as become a Glorified Saviour to bestow even Officers filled with the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Ghost Seek for such Ministers as Apollos was 1. He was Instructed in the way of the Lord Acts 18.25 He was not Rude Ignorant or Unskilfull in the VVord of Righteousness but was well Taught the way in which God comes to us and the way by which we are to come to God and enjoy Communion with him 2. He was Fervent in Spirit It is this Holy fire that must burn and shed abroad the sweet savour of the Knowledge of God And this is wonderful that Christ's Ministers should overcome and Triumph by spreading abroad the Sweet Savour of the Knowledge of God that they should conquer by a Perfume 3. Apollos Taught diligently the Doctrine of Christ he pleaded for God and wooed for Christ he was not slothful and negligent How earnest is the Sun in running of its Race How swift are the Stars in their daily motions to give Light to the VVorld even so should Ministers be The promoting of the Kingdom of God is much carried on by a skilful able and powerful Ministry that is not only Light but also Fire such as will be not only Shining but Burning Lights 2 Cor. 4.6 God must shine into their hearts to enable them to give forth the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God to others Matth. 3.11 this will make Ministers shining Lights And it is also Requisite and Necessary that Christ should Baptize his Officers with the Holy Ghost and with Fire and this will render them Burning Lights They are the best
to fetch back and bring home straying Sheep and to cause them Isa 29.19 though deaf and dead John 5.25 to hear his voice John 10.16 We cannot sincerely enter into Covenant with God till God in a great measure hath executed his Covenant in us whence Miracles of Grace is to be wrought on us that Gifts of Grace might be received by us Till we have new hearts and spirits given to us we shall but flatter God and lie to him in all our seeming Service Psal 79.36 37. Hos last It is bad to lie to God in all our Confessions of Sin and Petitions for Grace and Mercy We must not therefore stay in the Exacting Letter of the Law but have Recourse to the Living Testament of Christ The Law saith be Holy Deut. 20.7 But it is Christ that Sanctifies Heb. 2.11 and as an everlasting Father doth propagate and derive a new Divine Nature to us Isa 9.6 2 Pet. 1.4 We are bid to Love God but it is Christ that Circumcises the Heart 2 Col. 11. To Love God he cuts off the Vnclean and Filthy Foreskin of Sinful Self-love and Baptizes with his Spirit as with Fire Deut. 30.6 to inflame our hearts with Love towards and zeal for God Matth. 3.11 We are charged to acquaint our selves with God Job 22.21 but the Promise must help us here All Zions Children shall be Taught of God and shall all know me from the greatest to the least Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.39 He that hath heard and learned of the Father comes to Christ John 6.44 45. We are enjoyn'd to keep God's Precepts diligently Psal 119.4 but God hath promised to Write his Laws in our hearts Jer. 31.33 We ought to live to and walk with God yet it is by virtue of his Spirit put into us and causing of us to walk in his Statutes and to keep his Commandments Ezek. 36.27 All the Earth is called on to Fear God Psal 33.8 but that we may do it God must put his Fear into our hearts Jer. 32.40 We ought to Repent but it will never be except God doth take away the heart of Stone and give a heart of Flesh Mark 1.15 Ezek. 36.26 Faith it self is comprised in and given by Christ's Testament to know God and Christ containes Faith in it Jer. 31.34.17 John 3. By his Knowledge that is by Believing on him Christ Justifies many Isa 53. Chap. 11. 4. Consider the Excellent and Glorious Power that executes this Testament 2 Cor. 4.7 Ephes 1.19 God saith he will be our God and we shall be his People Jer. 3.33 God cannot be our God if Idols are not cast out if Enemies are not dethroned if Rivals and Competitors are not put from their nearness to and intimacy with the Heart and this the mighty Power the glorious arm of God only can effect And we can never be Gods People if our blindness be not cured our enmity conquered if our Minds be not renewed and our Wills inclined to choose God for our chief good and only portion Christ knocks and it is he that must open the door Rev. 3.20 Acts 16.14 It is he that calls Isa 55.5 And must enable us to Eccho to his call to say we are the Lords Isa 48.5 and that he is our God Zech. 13. last 5. Consider the consolation that may be drawn from this Testament that we are so safe that there is no condemnation to us Rom. 8.1 because Gods sword hath awaked against Christ Zech. 13.7 Our debt was exacted of him our Curse was executed on him and that spiritual things are made so sure to us by Christs death that is past and by his Testament that is confirmed and made irrevocable that there can be no detracting from its free Promises or adding barder and heavier terms to it Gal. 3.15 There is no disanulling or adding to it God promises to pour Waters on him that is thirsty and floods on the dry ground Isa 44.3 4. The Heavenly Husbandman will improve and inrich dry and barren ground If the overflowing of Nilus makes Egypt fruitful therefore we read of the Harvest of the Kiezr Isa 23.3.4 that Harvest that is caused by the River much more can the Spirit as the River of God make us fruitful 3. I would exhort you to make sure your own concern in an Interest in this Testament of Jesus Christ be is risen from the dead to woo and espouse Souls to himself Rom. 7.4 If you be joined to the suerty of the Testament and be Married to the Testator all the Riches of this Testament shall be yours God with Christ gives all things Rom. 8.32 Eccho to Christs call and open at his knock let in the Heir of all things and he will bring in his Righteousness his Riches his fullness with him Christ will come in and order our Thoughts our Wills Affections and subdue all to himself Isa 9.7 Psal 47.3 Christ will execute justice and Judgment Jer. 23.5 he will execute justice He will do God right in raising up fallen bringing back straying alienate sinners to God Isa 49.56 And he will execute judgment in destroying Satan and his works Heb. 2.15 1 John 3.8 Though there were many Creatures in the Earth yet Adam was counted to be alone till a VVoman was made for him to set his love on So though you have abundance of Creature enjoyments yet count your selves to be alone till you Know Love and Marry Jesus Christ 3. Express your gratitude and thankfulness to God and Christ for this Testament Paul saith Brethren we are debters Rom. 8.12 Never were any such great debters as believers are to God and Christ you were Reconciled when Enemies justified when Vngodly Rom. 5.2 Rom. 4.4 Righteousness hath looked down from Heaven Psal 55.11 And Bread hath been rained down from Heaven when it should have sprung up and grown out of the Earth How wonderful is it that Enmity should be slain Isa 61.1 Isa 49.9 Isa 49.24 Ephes 2.16 and yet Enemies be spared and reconciled That Sin should be condemned Rom. 8.3 yet Sinners be pardoned Col. 2.13 That Christ came to destroy Satans work only John 1.38 but to heal revive and set at liberty those that were the workmanship of God he releases Prisoners and delivers those that were lawful Captives Heb. 2.18 Rom. 8.2 They are turned from the power of Satan to God and made free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 Children of wrath might have been made Vessels of wrath have been filled up with Gods fury and have been dashed to pieces by that Rod of Iron that is in Christs hand In the Law if a Husband was Arrested for debt his VVife and Children might be sold to pay the debt Matth. 15.25 and to free the Husband and Father But what Grace is this that Christ who is the Everlasting Father and Husband of the Church should be sold to pay our debts As Eve was hid in Adam and by a Divine Power Isa 9.6 2. Cor. 11.2 brought forth