Fri.-Sabbath, 7/12-14/19 Devotion

In order to help God's people prepare for their high and holy privilege of Sab-bath worship and rest, let us consider these excellent words of the Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs, from the outstanding book, entitled, "Gospel Re-mission":

"Though we ministers of Christ preach against the vanities and profits of this word, this is neither the main thing nor the right method of preaching to work upon the hearts of people, nor the great end of Christ's ascension. He did not give [preaching] gifts principally for these things, but that men should be able to reveal the great doctrine of pardon of sin.

"Ministers need not [create a fuss] to get esteem and love, and to make them-selves honorable among the people. If they did but apply themselves to preach this great doctrine God has set them about—that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their sin—they cannot but gain honor in the hearts of those to whom God has appointed this mercy."