Rom. 12.7.

I

more to follow the Example here propofed, and the Charge, that is here given, which are plain and eafy to be understood, than to be contending about things that are more doubtful; the good Lives and the faithful Labours of Apoftolical Bishops, would have contributed more both to the edifying and healing of the Church, than all their Arguments or Reasonings will ever be able to do.

4

St. Paul reckoning up to the Romans the feveral Obligations of Chriftians, of all Ranks, to Affiduity and Diligence in their Callings and Labours, among others he numbers thefe, Minifters let us wait on our Miniftring, or be that teaches on Teaching, be that ruleth with Diligence. In his Epiftle to the Corinthians, as he ftates the Dignity of the Clergy in this, that they ought to be accounted of as the Minifters of Chrift, and Co4.2. Stewards of the Mysteries of God; he adds,

that it is required in Stewards that a Man be found faithful. In that Epiftle he fets down that perpetual Law, which is the Foundation of all the Provifion that has been made Cor.9.14 for the Clergy, That the Lord hath ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. But if upon that, the Laity have looked on themselves as bound to appoint fo plentiful a Supply, that the Clergy might have whereon to live at their Eafe and in

Abun

"

Abundance; then certainly this was intended, that they being freed from the Troubles and Cares of this World, might attend continually on the Miniftry of the A&s 6. 4. Word of God and on Prayer. Those who do that Work negligently, provoke the Laity to repent of their Bounty, and to defraud them of it. For certainly there are no fuch Enemies to the Patrimony and Rights of the Church, as thofe who eat the Fat, but do not preach the Gospel, nor feed the Flock. Hap py, on the other Hand, are they, to whom that Character, which the Apoftle affumes to himself, and to Timothy, does belong; Therefore feeing we have received this Miniftry, 2 Cor. 4 as we have received Mercy we faint not: but 1, 2. have renounced the bidden things of Dishonesty, not walking in Craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by Manifeftation of the Truth, commending our felves to every Man's Confcience in the Sight of God. In the Epistle to the Ephefians we have the Ends of the Inftitution of all the Ranks of Clergy-men fer forth in thefe Words. He gave fome Apostles, and fome Prophets, and Jome Evangelifts, and fome Paftors and Teachers: 4 Eph.11. for the perfecting of the Saints, for the Work of the Ministry, for the edifying the Body of Chrift; till we all come in the Unity of the Faith, and of the Knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man, unto the Measure of the Stature, D

of

12, 13..

of the Fulnefs of Christ. In thefe Words we fee fomething that is fo vaft and noble, fo far above thofe flight and poor Perforfmances, in which the far greater Part do top eafily fatisfy themselves; that in Charity to them we ought to fuppofe that they have not reflected fufficiently on the Importance of them. Otherwife they would have in fome Sort proportion'd their Labours to thofe great Designs for which they are ordain'd; and would remember the Charge given tobthe Coloffions to fay to Archippus, who it feems was remifs in the 4 Col. 17. Difcharge of his Duty, Take heed to the Miniftry which thou baft received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

940

The Epiftles to Timothy and Titus are the Foundation of all the Canons of the Churchs In thefe we have the

and Deacons, as wearacters of Bishops

as

Duties ing to thofe Functions, fo particularly fet forth, that from thence alone, every one who will weigh them well may find fufficient Inftruction, how he ought to behave himself in the House of God. In thefe we Lee what Patterns thofe of the Clergy ought 1 Tim. 4. to be in Word (or Doctrine) in Converfation, 12,13, 14, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, and in Purity; they ought to give Attendance to Reading, to Exhortation, and to Doctrine; that is, both to the Inftructing and Exhorting of their Peo

15, 16.

ple.

་

1

ple. They ought not to neglect the Gift that was given to them by the laying on of Hands, they ought to meditate on thefe things, to give themselves wholly to them, that fo their Profiting may appear unto all; and to take heed to themSelves and their Doctrine, and to continue in them for in fo doing they fhall both fave themSelves and thofe that hear them. Thofe that govern the Church are more particularly charged, before God, the Lord Jefus, and the 1 Tim. si Holy Angels, that they obferve thefe things with- 21, 22. out preferring one before another, doing nothing by Partiality, by domeftick Regards, the Confiderations of Friendship, Interceffion, or Importunity; and, above all, that they lay Hands fuddenly on no Man; to which are added Words of great Terror, Neither be thon Partaker of other Mens Sins: Keep thy Self pure. Which ought to make great Impreffion on all thofe with whom the Power of Ordination is lodg'd, fince they do plain ly import, that fuch as do ordain any rafhly without due Enquiry, and a ftrict Examination, entitle themselves to all the Scandal they give, and become Partners of their Guilt; which, if well confider'd, must needs make all fuch as are not paft feeling, ufe great Care and Caution in this facred Truft. Bishops are the Depofitaries of the Faith, which they are to keep pure, and to hand down faithfully according to thefe

Words,

2 Tim. 2. Words, And the Things which thou hast heard 2,3,4. of me among many Witnesses, the fame commit.

;

thou to faithful Men, who may be able to teach others alfo. Upon this he prepares the Bishops for Difficulties, to endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jefus Chrift. And according to that Figure, fince thofe that go to War do not carry unneceffary Burdens with them which may encumber or retard their March, he adds, No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life, that he may pleafe him who bath chofen him for a Soldier. Upon this it is that all thofe Canons, which have been made in fo many Ages of the Church against Church-mens meddling with Secular Affairs, have been founded than which we find nothing more frequently provided againft, both in the Apoftolical Canons, in thofe of Antioch, in thofe made by the General Council of Calcedon, and in divers of the Councils of Carthage: But this Abufe had too deep a Root in the Nature of Man to be easily cured. St. Paul does alfo in this Place carry on the Metaphor, to exprefs the Earneftnefs and Indefatigablenefs of Clergymens Zeal; that as Officers in an Army were fatisfied with nothing under Victory, which brought them the Honours of a Triumph, fo we ought to fight, not only fo as to earn our Pay, but for Maftery, to spoil and overcome the

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