Christ_The_Example_Of_Minsters - Christ The Example Of...

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Christ The Example Of Minsters
Preached at Portsmouth, at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Job Strong, June 28, 1749.
Jonathan Edwards
John 13:15, 16
For I have given you an example, that he should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
The servant is not greater than his lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
I. Then, I would show wherein ministers of the gospel ought, in the work of their ministry, to follow the
example of their great Lord and Master, Jesus Christ ................................................................................... 3
First, in general, ministers should follow their Lord and Master in all those excellent virtues, and in that
universal and eminent holiness of life, which he set an example of in this human nature ........................ 3
Second, more particularly should ministers of the gospel follow the example of their great Master, in
the manner in which they seek the salvation and happiness of the souls of men ...................................... 4
Ministers should imitate their great Master in his fervent prayers for the good of the souls of men ........ 4
Ministers should follow the example of Christ in his diligence and laboriousness in his work . .............. 5
Ministers should follow the example of Christ, in his readiness not only to labor, but suffer, for the
salvation of souls, to spend and be spent for them .................................................................................... 5
Ministers should follow their Master in his zeal, so wonderfully mixed and tempered with gentleness
and condescension in his dealing with souls, preaching the gospel to the poor, and taking a gracious
notice from time to time of little children . ................................................................................................ 6
II. Thing proposed in the handling of this subject, which was to give some reasons why ministers of the
gospel should follow the example of their great Lord and Master, Jesus Christ ........................................... 6
First, they should follow his example, because he is their Lord and Master ............................................ 6
Second, ministers of the gospel are in some respects called and devoted to the same work and business
that Christ himself was appointed to . ........................................................................................................ 7
Third, the example of Christ is most worthy of ministers’ imitation ........................................................ 7
Fourth, 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 . ............................................................................................ 8
III. I now proceed, as was proposed, in the third place, to apply what has been said to myself, and others
that are employed in this sacred work of the gospel ministry, and to such as are about to undertake it, or
are candidates for it; and particularly to him that is now to be solemnly set apart to this work in this place.
....................................................................................................................................................................... 8
It is not only our great duty, but will be our greatest honor, to imitate Christ, and do the work that he
has done, and so act as coworkers with him .............................................................................................. 9
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 ........................................................................... 10
IV. And last thing at first proposed, viz. to show what improvement should be made of what has been