The Gospel Minister’s Maintenance Vindicated.
Wherein, A Regular Ministry in the Churches, is first Asserted, and the Objections against a Gospel Maintenance for Ministers, Answered.
Also,
The Dignity, Necessity,
Difficulty, Use and Excellency of the Ministry of Christ is opened.
Likewise,
The Nature and Weightiness
of that Sacred Work and Office clearly evinc’d.
Recommended to
the Baptized Congregations by several Elders in and about the City of London.
1 Cor. 9.14. Even so hath the Lord Ordained that they who
Preach the Gospel shall live of the Gospel.
2 Cor. 2:16. And who is sufficient for these things
Hanserd
Knollys, William Kiffin, William Collins, John Harris, George Barret, Richard
Adams, Benjamin Keach, Isaac Lamb, Edward Man, Leonard Harrison, Hercules
Collins.
London. Printed and are to be sold by John Harris, 1689.
To the Congregations of
Baptized Believers in England and Wales, Grace, Mercy and Peace be
multiplied through the saving Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Beloved
Brethren,
We have read and considered of this
ensuing Treatise and do conclude it may
be of great profit to the Churches of Jesus Christ; we fearing some Congregations have not duly weighed and considered, of their indispensible Duty to the Ministry; in respect of providing
such a Maintenance, for those who
Labour amongst them, and are over them in the Lord, as they ought to do, by
which means (it may be feared that) many of them may be hindered or obstructed
in attending on their Work, in serving of Christ and his People, as the Nature
of their sacred Imployment and Office
requires, and the present Day especially calls for, and as the Lord himself hath also Ordained: Therefore, our earnest Desires are, that our Brethren, both Ministers
and Members, would be pleased to get this little Book, and both Read and well Weigh
what is said therein, without Prejudice, both in Respect of a Regular Ministry, the Ministers Maintenance, and the Greatness and Difficulty of their Work; and now, that it may be blessed by JEHOVAH, to the Great and Good Ends
it is designed, is and shall be, the Hearty Prayers of us, your Brethren, in
the Faith and Fellowship of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hanserd Knollys, William Kiffin, William Collins, John
Harris, George Barret, Richard Adams, Benjamin Keach, Isaac Lamb, Edward Man,
Leonard Harrison, Hercules Collins.
London, July, 30, 1689.
The Contents of the chief Things insisted on in the ensuing Treatise.
The Contents of the chief Things insisted on in the ensuing Treatise.
A Regular Ministry Asserted.
Pag.[1]
Christ himself in his own
Person first settled the Ministry in a most solemn manner.
Power left to particular congregations to choose their own Ministers
Churches ought to take care that they choose Men to Office, that are
competently qualified, according to 1 Tim. 3.1,2,3. And Tit. 1.6.9.
Churches after Election and Tryal of their Ministers ought solemnly to
ordain them by Prayer and Imposition of Hands.
Churches undue Proceedings in
the choice of Elders, dishonorable; and an hinderance to the Gospel.
Every Congregation that neglects their Duty in providing a fit
Maintenance for their Pastors, is able, is dishonourable, and a scandal to
Religion.
Ministers Maintenance Asserted, strange that any should doubt of it.
The Scriptures urged, to prove an indispensible Duty, to provide a comfortable
Livelyhood for Faithful Ministers.
13 Arguments to prove this
Duty.
1. Christ would not have his Disciples when he first sent them out, waste
their own Substance, whilst imployed in his Work.
2. God has positively ordained, or appointed his Ministers a comfortable
Maintenance under the Gospel.
Ministers Maintenance not now
by Tithes, as it was under the Law.
No Denying or avoiding the
Duty of Ministers Maintenance.
3. Ministers commanded to attend wholly on their Work.
Nothing but real Necessity,
will admit him to dispence with the contrary, all his time little enough.
Pastors must visit their
Members, go from House to House.
4. Ministers that follow Trades, &c. exposes them to Reproach,
therefore if possible to be avoided.
5. Ministers Maintenance, proved by the Law and Light of Nature, as well
as by the positive Law of Christ.
6. Ministers not unable to follow Trades, some could do it, and provide
for themselves, and get Estates as well as others; therefore ought not to suffer
for taking that sacred work upon them.
Ministers are as much bound
to provide for their Families as other Men.
7. Shewing what great Provision God made for his Ministers under the Law,
proving the Equitableness of the same Law remains still.
As great Reason for the
People to provide for their Ministers under the Gospel; nay, greater in some
Respects, than for them under the Law.
8. Elders or Pastors must be given to Hospitality; therefore, if Churches
are able, and they poor, they ought to put them into a capacity to shine in
that Virtue.
9. This duty urged from the Honourableness of it, it frees Members from
the sensure of Covetousness; one part of that double Honour due to Elders that
Labour in the Word, proved to be Maintenance.
10. Argued for, from the said Effects and Inconveniences that attends the
neglect of it.
It lays a Discouragement in
the way of good Men, to give themselves to
Study and Dedicate
themselves to take part in the Ministry.
This neglect hinders Ministers in their Study, they having not time, and
so preach no better, its necessary for Ministers to have store of Useful Books,
and Time also.
11. Neglect to Ministers and the concern of God’s House, is a robbing of
God, and may bring a blast upon Men’s Estates.
12. A shame to God’s People, to suffer the Heathens and Papists to do more
to uphold Idolatry, than they do to uphold the true Worship of the Living God.
13. Ministers will be left wholly without excuse, if they do not faithfully
fulfil their Ministry, when the Congregations sufficiently provide for them
One Minister took off of
Worldly Business, may do more in promulgating the Gospel, than several others
who are not.
Motives to Press this duty.
Motive 1. Ministers represent Christ, what done to
them is done to him.
Motive 2. Ministers being intrusted with our Souls, we
ought to take care they want nothing that is necessary for their Bodies.
Motive 3. Ministers
being exposed to many Temptations and Discouragements, a great Motive why not
to be left to serve in wants and necessities.
Motive 4. Ministers may forbear working if they will,
provided the Church can provide for them, and they faithfully discharge their
Duty.
Quest. May a Pastor make Terms with a Church about his Maintenance, before he
take charge of them? Answered.
Quest. What shall that Church do that is not able to provide for her Pastor? Answered.
Quest. Have not you disclaimed against such who Preach for Hire? A Threefold Answer given.
Obj. Is there any Reason that Rich Men that are Pastors should have an
Allowance? Answered.
Obj. Our Church is Small, our Pastor cannot take up all his Time in
Spiritual Service. Answered.
The Reason why some Churches are small may be, because Ministers are no
more Labourious in Preaching the Gospel up and down in the adjacent places
where they Live, which some can’t do because not in capacity. The present Liberty to be improved. Idle and Slothful Ministers not to be maintained.
Two Reasons of some Pastors Remisness in Preaching, or Labouring no more.
Ministers may Work with their Hands, and ought so to do when it will
tend to the furtherance of the Gospel.
A great Harvest now, and good Weather therefore, Ministers ought to
Labour hard.
Freely you have received, freely give. Answered.
Ministers not to Preach for Hire, i.e. to
propound that as their end.
The Congregations ought to give the Ministers their Portion, with
Respect and Honour.
Ministers Work now as great and weighty as those was under the Law,
like Necessity of their Work, ‘tis as Honourable, neglect as dangerous as then:
People now as great Benefit by the Ministry, or more; from Hence, the same
Reason for their Maintenance as under the Law.
May he that Exercises his Gift but now and then, expect an Allowance
from the Church. Answered.
The Weightiness of the Ministers Work opened.
Their Work is Honourable, they are in a high Sphere, intrusted with the
big best concerns in the World.
They Workers with Christ.
May be in danger of losing the Souls of Men.
They must have a Regular Call.
Ministers intrusted with the Charge of the Church.
Their Work difficult in 5 Respects.
Advertisement.
Reader,
Whereas,
in the 38th Article of
Religion (called The Thirty Nine
Articles of the Church of England;) ‘tis said, The Riches and Goods of Christians are not
common, as touching the Right, Title, and Possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsly
boast. We look upon ourselves
to declare, (that if there were in the last Age, in Germany, or elsewhere, any People bearing that Name, who Asserted
any such thing;) we know none called Anabaptists
in England, nor anywhere else, who
hold that absurd or rotten Principle; but do testifie our dislike and abhorrence of it, and verily believe, as
‘tis intimated in the said Article, That
the Goods, Riches, and Possessions of all Christians, as touching the right and
title of the same are their own, as the Holy Scripture witnesses, Acts 5.4. Yet notwithstanding we also
believe and teach, that every man ought
of such things as he possesseth liberally to give Alms to the poor according to
his Ability, as is also there asserted.
Having this opportunity, we thought it not amiss to publish this to
clear our selves and our Brethren, from the scandal, which possibly some may
cast upon them since these Articles (by reason of a late Act of this present Parliament) are more generally known and
examined by many People.
A Regular Ministry in the Church Asserted.
GOD
in his Infinite Goodness having by his present Providences, not only given us
respite from our former Sufferings, but we trust begun that great and glorious
work of the Churches Deliverance, so long the hope and expectation of all that
truly love and fear the Lord; we cannot but look upon our Selves concerned to
endeavour to make a due improvement of that Mercy and Goodness that is
attending us herein; and taking into consideration the Condition of the Church
of Jesus Christ, we cannot but be concerned with, and afflicted for the late
present wants She lies under in respect to the Ministry, God having of late
Years removed so many able and pious Men, and seems to be near the removing
many more by Age and Bodily Infirmities.
This with other things put us upon the Consideration how much the honour
of Christ, the reputation of his Glorious Gospel in the World; as likewise, the
Good and Well-being of the Churches[2]
depends upon a regular and orderly Ministry, and the Continuation thereof; And
so the Churches[3] to
be under a supine neglect herein is very sad.
First, Either in not endeavouring after and calling forth such a regular and
stated Ministry, according to Gospel Institution at all; or,
Secondly, To be so weak and
inadvertent as to call forth such as are not so duly furnished and qualified
for it; or,
Thirdly, Suffering such, as are
called forth to the great Work under competent abilities, to lye under
unsupportable Burthens, must needs be greatly blameable before our Lord Jesus
Christ, the great Bishop and Shepherd of our Souls, as well as highly negligent
of their own Edification and Well-being.
1. To proceed, it cannot be denied but
Christ hath, and ought to have, a stated and regular Ministry in the Churches,[4]
according to his own Institution: Who himself, when he entered upon his
Ministry, here on Earth, did call forth Apostles and Disciples to bear that
part of the Work with him, which he called them to, and fitted them for: See Mark, 3.13. to the 19. Christ
went up into a Mountain, and called to him whom he would, and they came to him,
and he ordained Twelve that they should be with Him, and that he might send
them forth to Preach; to whom He gave the Name of Apostles, Mat. 10.2. Luke
6.13. Which he did with great Solemnity
and Invocation to the Father (for he
continued all Night in Prayer to God) and
when it was Day he chose the Twelve and Named them Apostles. After which he
appointed other Seventy, and sent them
forth by Two, and Two, before His Face, to every City and Place &c.
which were labourers with Him in the Harvest, V.2. And He commanded them to
give themselves up to the Work he had called them to, and not take Care what
they should Eat or Drink, For the
Labourer (saith he) is worthy of his
hire. Ver. to 14. Here our Lord
Jesus Christ Himself did institute and lay the Foundation of the Gospel
Ministry in His own Authority; and accordingly takes care for the continuance
of it after His Death and Resurrection, and actual Investiture in our Nature of
all Power in Heaven and Earth, Matt. 28.18.19.20.
And Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying, All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth. Go ye therefore Teach all Nations, &c.
And lo I am with you always, even to the
End of the World. Amen. Also after His Blessed and Glorious Ascention, and
Sitting on the Throne of the Majesty in
the Heavens. Heb. 8.1. Angels, and
Authorities, and Powers being made subject unto him. 1 Pet. 3. & 22.[5] Did by His Apostles give Commandment and
Direction for the continuance hereof to the end of the World, and his Second Coming without Sin unto Salvation. Heb.
9.28. As Acts 14.21,22,23. After they
had by their Ministry been blest with the Conversion of many Souls, they took
care to direct them into the Duty of Church Communion; and by their Suffrages, Ordained them Elders in every Church. So
the Apostle gives this as the Reason, Why he left Titus in Creete; (he
not having opportunity after preaching the Gospel to them) to put things into
due Order. Tit. 1.5. That he should set
in order the things that were wanting (or left undone by the Apostle) and Ordaine Elders in every City: that
is the[6]
Church in every City, as before, Acts 14
who are called Elders, Bishops, or
Pastors, and Teachers; Names
significative of the Authority, Office and Work.
2. Christ being now in Heaven, and an
extraordinary Call being ceased, the Scriptures being a perfect and standing
Rule to the Church through all Ages, he has committed this Care to her self,
according to the Power given to her, who, is the Pillar and Ground of Truth, to provide Ministers, for her own
Edification, in Obedience to his Command and Rules given in his word, as he shall see good to
Bless her with Spiritual Gifts and Abilities, in order to the fitting them for
this Work; the Father also has Covenanted to give his Spirit in the Gifts and
Graces of it, and promised that the
Words he has put into Christ’s Mouth, and
the Spirit that is upon him, shall never depart from him, nor his see, for
ever: Likewise has according to the Circumstances of time the Church hath
been under, blest her as with his Grace so with all needful Spiritual Gifts. Eph. 4.7.11. For the perfecting the saints for the Work of the Ministry, for the
Edifying the Body of Christ. So that whilst there is a Church Millitant,
Saints on this side Perfection, any of the Members of Christ Mystical Body on
Earth, those Spiritual Gifts needful to their present State, shall be given,
and be amongst them, for the Support of
the great Ordinance of the Ministry, and for the good of the Church.
3. And as its the Duty of the Churches[7]
to Seek these Spiritual Abilities, and to improve them when they are given to
these great and Holy Ends; so they[8]
must walk regularly herein, in obedience to the Rules given by Christ in this
Case; who hath laid down the qualifications both Negative and Positive, of all
such as ought to be called to this great work and Trust of Ministring by Office
1 Tim. 3.1. to 9. Tit 1.6.9. we have no warrant to put any
into the Ministry otherwise, save such as are here discribed, and competently
fitted for it: For as it was a sin of Old in the Church to put any into the
Ministry, but those whom God appointed by the Rules given to them so it can be
no less Evil for the Church now, to call forth into Office, but such who are
qualified as God’s Word directs; and now, as Christ hath made this grant of
Power to the Churches[9]
of choosing their[10]
own Officers for their[11]
Edification; so he hath left Rules for her,[12]
who, and how to chose, as we said before: So likewise he has laid down those
special Duties of the Officers in the Church, who are to take the oversight,
Feed, Govern, Go in and out before them. Acts
20.17,18. 1 Pet. 5. and 2.
4. When the Church has had a Tryal of
the meetness and Abilities of any Person, or Persons, for this work and
service, they are by Election and Choice solemnly to set him, or them apart, by
Prayer, and Laying on of Hands. Acts 14.21,22,23. Acts 6. By which a new
relation ariseth of an Elder, and a Church, a Pastor, and a Flock: This must be
therefore by the mutual voluntary acts of each other, by which the Duties of
each relation becomes binding upon them, according to the Laws of Christ: It is
the Pastors Duty now to Watch, Feed, and Govern the Flock, and to give himself
up to it; It is the Churches Duty to submit themselves to Him in the Lord; to
Love, Reverence, and Administer freely to him. 1 Pet. 5.1,2,3,4,5. Heb.
13.7.17. How greatly then must those
Churches be to blame, that unconcernedly live in neglect of so great a Duty,
upon which the Edification of the Church, and her Well-being so much depends,
as well as Gospel Order: For although the Essence and Being of a Church depends
upon its Institution in respect both of Matter and Form: (A competent number of
Believers may by mutual agreement lay the Foundation of the Being of a Gospel
Church,) but they cannot be a Church Organical without Officers, which the Lord
hath placed there for the orderly Exercises of his Authority committed to her;
To neglect this, is to despise the Wisdom of Christ, who best knows what is for
the good of His Church, and for Her Edification in this state. 2,[13]
To slight His goodness in so useful and beneficial an Institution. 3, Its a contempt put upon his Authority, as
King of Saints, who has in his Sovereign Right, in and over the Church,
ordained it so to be, for the Churches Good and Well-being.
Secondly,
As there should not be a neglect of this Duty, so there should be great care
taken that we answer the Will of God herein, wherein His Name and Honour is so
much concerned, in Respect of his Love to, and Care of his Church; therefore
the greatest[14]
diligence should be taken that the Rules He has given be duly observed, and
Applications made of the Qualifications laid down, in respect of all such that
are called unto Office: The outward Call is an Act of the Church; the
acceptation of the Person so called, is an Obediential Act of him to the Will
of God, but neither of these can be regular, where there is not a previous
indication of the Mind of God, in bestowing those Spiritual Gifts and
Qualifications, as may render him competently fit to the Discharge of his
Office and Work.
Now in a Churches undue proceeding
herein, they discover their own weakness, if not Ignorance, in respect of the
Rule it self, and injure the Person so called, in laying the weight of so great
a Work upon him, who is not furnished with Spiritual Abilities to discharge it,
& thereby expose the Honour of Christ, and Reputation of His Gospel in the
World, which should be dear unto us.
And we have reason to reckon that some
Churches not walking so regular herein, has been one cause of the want of that
Reputation, which otherwise they might have gained amongst the Saints, and in
the World, observe what Moses said to
Israel, Deut. 4.6. Keep therefore,
and do them, for this is your Wisdom and your Understanding in the sight of the
Nations, which shall hear of all these Statutes; and say, Surely this great
Nation is a wise and understanding People.
Who otherwise were the least of all Nations. We ought with far greater reason to take heed
we deviate not from the Laws of the Son of God, who deserves greater Honour
than Moses, which he hath given to
His Church, under the Gospel Dispensation; If in the choice of Deacons, Acts 6.3. They were to look out from amongst themselves Men of honest
Report, full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom, to be set apart to that Work:
How much more in the choice of Pastors or Elders whose Work requires greater
spiritual Abilities to a right discharge thereof?
For Churches therefore to be so
unconcern’d, whether they have Officers or not, according to Gospel Rule, or so
overly[15]
in the Choice of those they call into such high stations amongst them whether
they are competently qualified or not, are greatly blameable.
Thirdly,
In the next place we conclude, It is very dishonourable to God, and a reproach
to our Sacred Religion for the
Churches when they have called forth such Pastors and Ministers, who are
competently qualified according to the Rule of the Gospel, to let them lye
under those unsupportable burdens, of worldly Snares and Incumbrances; without
providing for them, according to the Ordination of our Lord Jesus Christ in the
New Testament.
________________________________________________________________________
The Gospel
Minister’s Maintenance Vindicated.
And
indeed, it seems to us a thing Grievous as well as Strange, that any People
should be so clouded in their Understandings, as in the least to doubt, whether
it should be a Duty or not that the Churches[16]
should allow a Meet and Due Maintenance to their Faithful Pastors and Teachers:
Yet, we hear there are not only some who have doubts about it, but others, who
seem to Object, and stiffly argue against it as if it were Unlawful, if not
Antichristian, for Ministers to receive a Yearly, or Quarterly Allowance from
the Churches, amongst whom they are placed, and imployed as Labourers; which
Conceit cannot be without its sad Effects and Consequences; and if they are not
convinced of this Mistake and error the sooner, may in a little time appear to
the more palpable Detriment, and Prejudice of the Gospel, and Reproach of
Profession, which is indeed too Visible or Manifest already; therefore are we
stirred up in Love, to Christ and his Blessed Interest, and as a Prevention of
the Evil and Danger threatened upon the Account of this Defect and Remisness of
Duty, to Write this short Treatise.
Our main Business at this time, is not
only to Assert the Minister’s Maintenance to be an Institution of Christ; but
also, to prove it so to be, and that to with-hold it from them by a Church, who
is able comfortably to provide for them, is a great and crying Sin, and will be
attended (we fear unless prevented by an unfeigned Repentance and Reformation)
with severe Judgment from the Holy God, who will not always bear with the
Ignorant, much less the willful neglect of his own Holy Law, contained so expresly
in his sacred Word, and that we may do this the more effectually, we shall in
the first place cite those Scriptures upon which we ground the Truth of what we
Assert and Plead for.
Matt. 10.9,10. Provide neither Gold, nor Silver, nor Brass in your Purses¾nor Scrip for your Journey, neither Two Coats, neither Shoes, nor
Staves, for the Work-man is Worthy of his Meat.
1 Tim. 5.17. Let the Elders who
Rule well be accounted worthy of double Honor, especially they who labour in
the Word and Doctrine, For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the Mouth of the Ox that treadeth the Corn, for
the Labourer is worthy of his Reward.
Gal. 6.6. Let him that is taught
in the Word, communicate to him that teacheth him in all good Things; be not
deceived, God is not mocked, for what a Man soweth, that shall he reap. v.7.
1 Cor. 9.7. Who goeth a warfare at anytime at his own Charge? Who planted a
Vineyard, and eateth not of the Fruit thereof?
Who feedeth a Flock, and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock? V.9. Iws it not written in the Law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the Mouth of the Ox
that treadeth out the Corn, doth God take Care for Oxen? V.10. Or saith he it altogether for our
sakes? For our sakes no doubt, this is
Written, That he that Ploweth, shall Plow in Hope; and he which Thrasheth in
Hope, shall be made partaker of his Hope.
V.11. If we have sown unto you
Spiritual Things, is it a great Thing, if we shall Reap your Carnal Things? v.13. Do you
not know, that they which Minister about Holy Things Live of the Things of the
Temple; and they that w3ait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar. v.14.
Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they
which Preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.
We will Appeal to all Mens Consciences in the Fear of God, whether
there is any Duty lies more clear and evident in express Words in the Holy
Scripture than this doth; and yet how strangly are some good Christians at a
loss about it, and are hardly brought to receive it as an indeispensible Duty,
or else to a Faithful Discharge of their duty herein. Our Work is before us, we shall therefore
proceed, to open (as the Lord may help us,) the Mind of God in these places of
Holy Scripture, and give you the Sense of them, First, it appears that as soon as our blessed Saviour sent forth his Ministers
to Preach the Gospel, as we have shewed, Matt. 10.7,8,9,10. He Discovered this part of His Will and
Pleasure. I.e. That they should not
spend, or waste their own Substance; they are forbid to take either Gold or
Silver, &c. which Words clearly intimate, that they might have both Gold
and Silver, and more Coats, and Shoes too; but they were not to take them with
them, in their Journey, being sent forth to Preach the Kingdom of God.
Obj. But some possibly may Object it was but a temporary Precept, being the
Will of God concerning them, for that short Journey at that time.
Answ. We Answer, it seemeth to us manifestly to declare the absolute Will and
Pleasure of Christ, that his Faithful Labourers should be provided for by the People
with all things Necessary appertaining to this Life, and not only then, but
also in all succeeding Ages; and we find our Worthy Annotators directly agree with us herein, though may be, some
things contained in the place might be temporary: Take what our late Annotators say upon the Text,[17]
Our Saviour designed to give them (saith
he) an Experience of the Providence of
God, and to teach them to trust in it; as also, to teach People that the
Labourer is worthy of his hire, and that God expecteth, that his Ministers
should not live of their own, but upon the Altar, which they serv’d; so as at
once he taught his Disciples not to be Covetous, nor overmuch Sollicitous, and
the People to provide for those who Ministred to them in things Spiritual. Besides those other absolute Precepts of
like Nature, given to all by the Spirit of Christ in the Apostles, contained in
several Epistles, to sufficiently prove this to be the Mind and Intention of
our Saviour in this place.
Secondly, That we may put it out of all doubt, We shall now come to consider of
the sacred Appointment of God in this matter: If it appear to be nothing
less, nor more, than what the Lord has Ordained, viz. That his servants who are called forth to Preach the Gospel
and take Care of his Churches, should have a fit and suitable Maintenance
(according as the State and Ability of the Churches may be, to whom they
belong, and whose Servants they are) than we hope there is none will object or
argue against it any More.
And that this is the Will, and Sacred
Appointment of the Lord, is very evident in the fore-cited place. 1 Cor. 9.14.
and in diverse others. Even so hath the
Lord ordained that they that Preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel. Truly
the Lord hath not Ordained that his Servants and Ministers under the Gospel
should have Tythes, or the Tenth of every Members increase, as he formerly
appointed under the Law; yet nevertheless he hath taken Care of them and
Ordained that they should live of the
Gospel, not (unless Necessity requires) that they should live on the Labor of their Hands, in common with
other Men, and pray observe, ‘tis not said the Church has Ordained it, nor we
tha Apostles have Ordained it; but the Lord hath Ordained it, or it is the Holy
Appointment or Sacred Precept of Jesus Christ, for the Support and Comfort of
his Painful and Faithful Servants; he and his People have called forth to
Preach his blessed Gospel , but some may yet say, how has he Ordained it.
Answ.
Pray observe, So hath the Lord Ordained, let us look a little back, and
take notice of the Scope and Coherence of the place; the Apostle hath a
Reference to what preceeds, Do ye not
know, that they that Minister about Holy things, live of the things of the
Temple; and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar: So hath
the Lord Ordained, &c. That is,
‘tis God had a Ministry under the Old Testament. Namely, the Priest of the tithe of Levi; and he Ordained and appointed a
Comfortable Livelyhood for them, as Numb.
18.20. Deut. 10. 9. And
18.1. So as they needed not to Labor (as
other Men) with their hands to get Bread to eat; even so hath the Lord Ordained
and appointed, that those who Preach the Gospel should have likewise a
Comfortable Livelyhood or Maintenance now under this Dispensation, that they
may be delivered from the Incumbrances of this life, and so not hindered or
obstructed in their Holy and most Sacred Imployment, with secular Affairs. God’s
Will (saith our late Annotators) is the same, under the New Testament, that
is also under the Old, i.e. It is not
as to the People a matter of Liberty, so as they may chuse whether they will
maintain their Ministers or no, there is an Ordinance of God in the Case, it is
the Will of God, that those who are taken off from Worldly Imployments, and spend
their time in the Study and Preaching of the Gospel should have a livelyhood
from their Labours[18].
This also agrees with what the same great Apostle saith, Gal. 6.6. Let him that is taught in the Word
Communicate to him that Teacheth in all good Things. Is not this think ye a Precept? Is not this directly laid down, as other
great and indispensable Precepts and Duties are, see Ephes. 4.23. Let him that stole, steal no more; but
rather, let him Labour with his Hands: Let no corrupt Communication proceed out
of your Mouths, &c. and again, Ephes.
5.33.¾Let every one of you in particular so Love his Wife, &c. You can under no pretence avoid these great
Duties; nor can you plead to be excused; and pray doth not the same Holy
Spirit, and ever blessed God, injoin and require you (in the same form of
Speech) who are taught in the Word to Communicate to him that Teacheth in all
good Things. Shall such who have always
shewed much Zeal for the sacred Ordinances and Institutions of Jesus Christ,
and plead for a Universal Obedience; justifie themselves in the neglect of so
plain a Precept, Christ saith, the are ye
my Friends, if you do whatsoever I have commanded you; pray pray ye this
great Ordinance then be thought upon, and have equal regard by you; ‘tis a Gospel
Institution and Appointment of Jesus Christ we argue for that so you may stand compleat in the whole Will of God: You know what David
saith, then I shall not be ashamed when I
have a respect to all thy Commandments.
Let him that is taught in the Word, Communicate to him that teacheth in
all good things, that is, every one according as God hath blessed him with
the good things of this World; God would not have his Faithful Ministers want
any good thing to make their Lives comfortable to them. The
Precept (saith our late Annotators) is concerning the Maintenance of Ministers, which is sith expressed by
the Term Communicate because, as the
People distribute to their Ministers things Temporal, so the Ministers
distribute things Spiritual: the good things here mentioned are Temporal good
things such as may be Useful to the Teacher for to uphold Himself and
Family. The text teacheth us, that it is
the Will of God that Ministers should be maintained as the Charge of the
Church, to which they Administer; and it is but an Act of Justice, for they do
but Communicate temporal things, to those who Communicate to them much more
valuable things: Be not deceived, God is not mocked, &c. The Apostle addeth this (saith our Annotators) to terrify those who find out vain and
false Excuses to save their Purses; he adviseth them not to cheat themselves,
for tho they might deceive Men, yet they could not deceive the All-seeing, and
Heart-searching God, &c.[19]
Thirdly,
But to proceed, Ministers are commanded
to attend wholly, upon their Sacred Calling in their Ministry, and are required
not to intangle[20]
themselves in the Affairs of this Life; for certainly, what Paul willeth Timothy to do in this respect, in him he requireth all Ministers to
do the like; and altho’ every Christian in many respects may be compared to a
Souldier, yet in this place, 2 Tim.
2.4. The Apostle only alludes to those in the Ministry, or such who are
Spiritual Officers in Christ’s Army, they ought to take heed who go forth in
that Warfare, they intangle not themselves with the affairs of this Life, i.e. in Trades and Callings, which other
Christians are allowed to follow: and the reason is offered that they may please him who hath chosen
them to be Soldiers. And hence ‘tis that same Apostle in another place exhorts
Timothy, and so all other Ministers
(who the Church calls forth to that great Work) to give himself up to Reading, to Exhortation, to Doctrine, and to the
Study of the Word; Meditate on these things (saith he) give thy self wholly to them,
that they[21] profiting may appear to all.
Nothing doubtless, but real necessity may dispense with the contrary,
but whole time and strength is little enough to be imployed in the Work and
Service he is called to. Let these things
be the business of thy Thoughts, and take care of them, be in them; so it is in
the Greek (as our Annotators observe), Let
them be thy whole Work.[22] He must, saith one, give himself up to
the Ministry of the Word and Prayer, and continue in reading Meditation,
&c. as a Man wholly devoted unto
Gospel Service; and is therefore by his Call to the Ministry secluded from
those ways and means of providing for his own Subsistance, as Trades and
Secular Employments of others furnish them with; that his Mind by the cares of
Worldly Business may not be diverted from the Study of God’s Word, and care of
Souls, which the duty of his Station engageth him to. And if he may not expose himself to the
careful Thoughts that accompany worldly Business, though tending tp his Profit;
certainly it is no way meet that he should be left to conflict with the Thorny
Cares of a necessitous Condition, whilst those he Ministers to have means to
prevent it: doubtless the Holy God Ordained the Ministers Maintenance upon the
most weighty Grounds and Reasons; some of which, blessed be His Name, he hath
not concealed or hid from us; and this we say seem to us to be one among the
rest, viz. That his Mind and Thoughts
might not be diverted from his Work with Earthly Things.
Fourthly, And not in respect of
himself upon this account only, but also to prevent that occasion of Scandal,
that we see daily is ready to attend Men who follow Trades and Secular
Employments in the World; for let Christian Men be never so careful and
circumspect in their Callings and Commerce with Men, we find by daily
experience how subject they are to fall under the clamours of some ungodly and
envious People, they lying in wait for their halting; and if it be a Minister
or Pastor of a Church that is a Trading Person, be sure they will (if be
possible) watch him so that he shall not escape their reproachful Tongues
though it be not in the least deserved and hereby his Hands are not only made
weak, but his Spirits are grieved, and his Ministry made (tho unjustly)
contemptible. We find from hence very
necessary, that the Pastors of our Churches and Teachers too if possible,
should be freed from all such Insnarements; and cannot but observe the Wisdom
of God in respect of His Holy Ordinance: i.e.
in ordaining a Support and Livelyhood for His Servants another way, so that
they might not be brought under Infamy
and reproach; and that thereby also the Word of God might the better Run
and be Glorified. These two Arguments we
cannot but Judge are weighty, namely; 1. The work of the Ministry, especially
in the Hands of a Pastor, being so great, that it doth require his utmost
attendance, or all his whole time and strength, as it must needs appear to
every Man who soberly and seriously considers it in its Parts: ‘Tis true a Man
may bear that Name, and Discharge that Sacred Office in part, nay, and as well
as he can, considering his circumstances in the World, and thereby have in part
peace in his Mind; but tis another thing to discharge the duty of this Calling
as he ought and as the Sanction of
the Office calls fro, to the Honour of the Holy Name of God, and Credit of
religion; for we conclude to Preach one or two Sermons in a Week is the least
part of his Work, and the least indeed if his matter be not so well prepared
and digested; that he may shew himself a
Workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, that
so every one may have their portion of Meat in due Season; which Timothy might do, St. Paul advises him to careful and diligent
Study: But how such poor Men can do
this, who are forc’d to follow their Trades hard every Day in the Week, to get
Bread for their Families, we see not?
But besides the great Work of giving themselves up to Reading,
Meditation, and labourious and diligent Study and Preaching of God’s Word. There is another great Duty lyes upon tham
which is, Visiting the Members of the Church under their Care, so that they may
know that State of their Flock; yea
go from House to House: And if this be not done, How can they so well know what
Food to Administer or Hand forth unto some poor Souls they have committed to
their Charge? Where the Work of Visiting
is neglected, we conclude one main Part of the Pastors Business lies undone;
and what an account they will have to give of the Souls of Men and Women to
Jesus Christ, We know not, if they be amiss here: or what an account the Church
can give if they are out of a capacity to discharge this great Trust, through
neglect of their Duty to them. They (saith the Apostle) Watch for your Souls, as such as must give
account. Heb. 13.17. And then
Secondly, the Credit and Honour of their Ministry, in respect of what we before
mentioned, ought to be considered; for if the Preacher hath Blots and Stains
upon him, through the necessities he may be in, in respect of the things of
this World, by not having his wants supplyed, but it is involved in Debt, or
exposed to the breach of his Word in the way of Trading. What weight or power think you, will his
Ministry have upon the Consciences of Men?
For it necessarily makes room for the old Proverb, Physician heal thy self; and it is as a prevention of those evils, i.e. for the good, Health, and
Well-being of the Souls both of Pastors and People here and hereafter. We conclude that God has been pleased to
Ordain and so to provide for his Servants in the Ministry, as we have shewed;
but this is not all; For
Fifthly, According to the Law and Light of Nature, the Church is obliged to
provide for her[23]
Ministers, as to the matter of Equity and Justice; and from hence the
Apostle argues the Point with the Corinthians
1 Cor. 9.7. &c. Who goeth a Warfare at any time at his own
Charge? Who Planteth a Vaineyard, and eateth not of the Fruit thereof? Or who
Feedeth a Flock, and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock. None that Lifts an Army expects that his
Souldiers[24]
should maintain themselves without Pay: The Ministry is a Spiritual Warfare,
undertaken at the Command of Christ, and by the Call of the Church for the
service of their Souls; and ‘tis as reasonable that Ministers should receive a
supply of outward things from them as that a Soldier should receive Pay from
his Captain at the charge of the Common-wealth, for whose Good and Safety he
enters upon that Military Employment.
Again the Apostle argues the equitableness of it further; Shall a Man Plant a Vineyard and not Eat of
the Fruit thereof? The Preaching of the Gospel is like a man planting a
Vineyard; the Church is compared thereto in Scripture, Isa. 5.1.2. The Plants are
the Lords, but he useth Ministers Hands in the Planting of them and none planteth
a Vineyard but expectation of some Fruit from thence, none Imployeth his
Servant to Plant but he doth (and ‘tis but Just he should) uphold him with Food
and Raiment, he doing his Work. The
Church also, as the Apostle intimates, is compared to a Flock; And now who
Feedeth a Flock, either personally, or by his Servants, but he eateth, or
alloweth his Servant to eat of the Milk of the Flock, which it is his Work to
keep and feed? By these three Instances
commonly known to Men, the Apostle sheweth the reasonableness that the
Ministers of the Gospel should be maintained by the People to whom they
Minister; he plainly intimating that it is inconsistent with common Justice to
deprive a man of the Fruit of that Vineyard which is planted and manured by his
own Labour. And such is the case between
a Minister and his People; it is not (as one well observes)[25]
your Charity that we ask for them, but Justice and Right, which the very Light
of Nature as well as God’s Word clearly sheweth: They are Imployed in your Service, and do
that Business for yoy in which your Eternal Happiness is concerned; they take
care to provide Bread for your Souls, and of right therefore should live upon
your charge, and you ought to see that neither they, nor their Families want
Bread, nor any thing necessary for their Bodies: Nay, and since they Sow or Impart unto you Spiritual
Things, Is it a great thing if they shall reap your carnal things? Have you not (as if the Apostle should
say) better things from them, than they partake of from you? St. Paul
(as our Annotators note) argueth the reasonableness of Ministers maintenance from their People, they giving them quid
pro quo, a just Compensation for such allowance, yea
that which is of much more value; for there is a great disproportion between
things Spiritual and things Carnal; the former much excelling the latter, so
that the People have the advantage, they receiving things far more excellent
from Christ’s Ministers, than his Ministers receive of them:[26] They communicate Gold and precious Stones,
and Pearl; and do receive from the People that which comparatively is but as
Brass or Copper; And yet shall this seem a great thing? Will you, as if the Apostle should say,
Grudge them a due portion of your Temporals, when you receive so plentifully
from them of choice Heavenly or Spiritual things? How unreasonable a thing is this?
Obj.
But some may be will Object the
things they communicate, viz. Those
Spiritual Things are not their own but the Lords, and imparted to them to hand
out for the good of others; And therefore the Case is different.
Answer.
It is against the Apostle you raise this Objection:
But will you see how you are mistaken?
Pray what more Right or Property have you to your Carnal Things, than
they have to their Spirituals? Are not
their Spiritual Things their own as much as your Carnal Things are your
own? Hath the Lord made you any other
than Stewards of your worldly Things; And must not you be Accountable to him
for them, if you do not lay them out as he hath Commanded you? For the good of others come your Carnal
Things, even your Wooll and your Flax. Hos.
2.9. is as much the Lords, as the Ministers.
Knowledg, and other Spiritual Gifts are the Lords; and it doth as much
behove you to see that you Communicate to others of your Worldly or carnal
Things: We mean to the Poor Saints and
Ministers of the Gospel, as it behoveth them to Preach or Communicate Spiritual
Things to you; and therefore the Case is not different: Besides, you forget how poor Ministers oft
times wast their strength, and consume their Bodies, being brought to utter
Weakness in their outward Man, in their painful Studies and Labours, in
Preaching the Word, thereby Communicating Spiritual Things to you: And is not that (we mean health &c.) more
in worth (and their own too) than all you have or can Communicate to them? Sure their strength, and the health of their
Bodies together with the expence of their Time, you will say, is as much their
own, as any thing you can call yours; And is it then a great thing they should
be supplyed from you with all things necessary for this Life Besides, in point
of Equity our Saviour as well as the Apostle calls Ministers Labourers; and you
all will readily say, The Labourer is
worthy of his Hire. How then is it
that any should seek ways, and excuses to avoid their Duty herein to their
Spiritual harvest Men? we must tell you
again, tis Jesus Christ who saith tis their due, and that they are worthy of it
and He hath Ordained that they should have it; so that you cannot with hold it
from them without Sin, nay such Sin that it is not only against the Law and
Light of Nature, but the express Law of Jesus Christ: And we must tell you, That if the keeping
back, or defrauding the Hire of your Labourers who have Reaped down your Corn
Fields, be so great an Evil, that their Cry enters into the Ears of the Lord of
Sabbaths, and doth provoke and stir up the justice of God to a severe
vengeance, for their daring Boldness and cruel Oppression of the poor: What think you will be the Effects of the Cry
of Christs painful Spiritual Harvest-men, who Labour to gather in his Divine
Corn, should you withhold from them their just Right upon this Account; by
which means they may be exposed, especially some of them, to Heart Disquieting,
and Soul Afflicting Snares in the World, and their poor families want such
things as are necessary for them, when it is in the power of the Peoples hands
plentifully to supply them: We must in
discharge of our Duty at this time be plain with every Man, that we may deliver
our own Souls and theirs too, from so great a Sin as such an neglect as that is
does appear to us to be, and will to all, if seriously Consider’d, and laid to
Heart.
Object. May be some will Object our Ministers do not need it, nor desire it of
us, they can live without it.
Answ.
So perhaps some of your Harvest-men that
Reap down your Fields may be well to pass in the World and can live without
their Hire and just due &c. Yet will that be a good Plea (think you) to
seek ways or means to with-hold their wages from them? So, and in like manner say we the Ability of
your pastors in respect of the things of the Worlds, doth not excuse you from
the discharge of your duty to them, according to the Just Law of God, and
Equitableness of the Case. Yet certainly
they (if of Paul’s Spirit) will
refuse to receive any thing lest it should lessen their esteem in their
Ministry; tis left to their Liberty, they may chuse whether they will receive
it or not: But though they may dispence
with their Right if they please, as Paul
did sometimes through his great Zeal and Love to the Gospel; yet cannot you
dispence with your Duty, you have no Warrant so to do: Yet we can’t but greatly commend those
Pastors of the Churches, who can and do without receiving any thing, serve
Christ and his People, and resolve (being Blessed with the good things of the
world) not to make the Gospel Chargeable, or a Burden to any; but yet we would
have you sensible of your Duty, and look upon your selves to be Debtors to
them, and esteem of them the more: But do these Pastors who are Rich, Able, and
Willing to serve the Churches for nothing, sequester or give themselves up to
the Work of the Ministry, and faithfully discharge that Trust, as another who
is taken off of Secular Employment? But
may be, though they do[27]
like other Labourers, yet if they did
not receive it from you, they could Distribute it to the Needy, or to help
other poor Ministers who serve other Churches, whose Poverty may be such, that
they cannot allow a sufficient Maintenance to their Pastor. And therefore whether it may be necessary for
you to with hold it from them, or for them to refuse it, is worth
Consideration.
Sixthly But to proceed. (Since
we are pleading the case in point of Equity and just Right, let it be
Considered:) You do not chuse such men to be your Pastors or Ministers, who are
of the lowest of the People; but such as may be allowed to have ashare[28]
of Parts, Common Prudence, and Abilitys for Business with other Persons; and
some of them could manage Trades or fall into other Imployments, and get
Estates as well as you, if they were not Devoted to a better Service: And must (as one observeth)[29]
they needs be devoted to Necessities and Miseries, in the same Hour that they
enter upon the Ministry. This ought not
to be; GOD hath Ordered the Case otherwise in his Wisdom. Certainly (all will Confess) tis the Duty of
a Minister, as well as other men to provide for his Family, as much as lies in
him; or take Care of his Wife and Children that they may not be exposed to a
Thousand Miseries and Temptations when he is gone: For though a Covetous raking Temper, worse
becomes a Minister of all Men in the World (yet as the Author before cited
Noteth) we greatly mistake ourselves to think he must divest himself of that
due Affection of an Husband to his Wife, or of a Father toward his Children; or
that those Fruits thereof which are Justly esteemed Commendable in others,
should be thought in him to be a Fault:
And is it not sad (Judge you) That they must be constrained to one of
these Dialema’s? i.e. Either to
neglect the full and Faithfull Discharge of their Duty to Christ and his
Church, or else Neglect their poor Families by fulfilling their Ministry, and
doing the work of Pastors, according to the Nature of that Sacred Office. But as to him who is poor (and must get his
Bread before he Eats it) who thinks he can Discharge both these Duties well
enough, tis to be feared he does never a one of them as he ought: Moreover, ‘tis good for him to consider the reason
of that Law of the ever Blessed God, who hath otherwise Ordained. Yet let every Servant of Christ use his own
Freedom, and act and do, as he thinks may most promote the Glory of God, and
Good of the Church, and the Increase thereof; so that he may give a good
account of himself in the Day of Christ.
Seventhly, The Lord hath not left me to argue this only from general Principles of
Reason, and common Equity, but to put the Matter beyond dispute (as we have
already shewed) hath subjoyned His express Command. And may not in the next place, that Provision which God was pleased to make for his
Ministers in the time of the Law, be of great use to us, and full of
Instruction upon this account? Nay, and
ought we not to consider it, sith the Apostle argueth 1 Cor. 9.13. for a Gospel Maintenance from thence. Do ye
not know, that they which Minister about Holy things, live of the Things of the
Temple; and they which serve at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar? It appears this is a duty still; and tho’
the mode or manner of the Maintenance of the Ministers of God under the Law,
was quite different to this under the Gospel, yet the reason and equitableness
of the thing abides: Ministers were then provided for by the Lord; so he has
ordered they should Live comfortably now under the Gospel. We find God did then no sooner separate the Levites to the Service of the Sanctuary,
but he by Law provided for their Subsistence:
And though they were but one Tribe in Twelve, yet the Tenth of the Increase of the whole Land
was given to them, besides the first Fruits and Offerings, and diverse other
Advantages; so that their Lot and Portion might equal, yea exceed that of their
Brethrens. This indeed is Abrogated;
Gospel Ministers have no Divine Right to the Tenths of men’s Increase; nor can it be thought to be any Burden to
provide a comfortable Livelyhood for our Ministers, were but our Senses rightly
exercised to discern how Good and Gracious God appears to us under the Gospel
Dispensation, in easing our People from those vast and great Expence and
Charges which the Lord’s People were required to be at under the Law: For we
shall soon perceive if we consider, that the charge of the Worship of God, and
the Ministry &c. now is comparitively little or nothing, to what there was
under that Dispensation; though Men did endeavour now to come up to their duty
for as one observes,[30]
he thought he could make it appear, That
the Fifth Part of their Estates was Yearly to be spent in Things relating to
Temple Service. And we know not but
he might say right: And yet we cannot be
unsensible of the excellency of the Gospel Ministry, above the Ministry, of the
Law; And what great Blessings and Priviledges upon many Accounts we have above
them? One would think these things were
enough to stir up all Faithful Christians to leave their Disputings, and
heartily with a cheerful Mind be ready to contribute towards the defraying the
moderate Charge of a Gospel Ministry, in
such a manner it may give reputation to our Sacred Profession; certainly the
Labourer is still worthy of his Hire; and every one will say, not less worthy
because he Labours under the Gospel, than they who Laboured under the Law.
Eighthly, An Elder, or a Pastor of a Church, is under a special Charge to Use
Hospitality, and to set[31] himself a Pattern of Charity, and other good Works, that
so he may better adorn his Profession.
This is his Duty, and if he fails herein, he loses some part of those
most excellent Virtues in which he ought to shine: but if he be Poor, and left
to the thorny cares of this World, and the Church not administring so to him,
as to put him into a Capacity to answer this requirement of the Gospel, where
will the fault and blame lie? Therefore
since he ought to be a patern of Hospitality and Charity; we argue, ‘tis
doubtless the indispensible Duty of the People to whom he Ministers, to be
concerned to the uttermost of their Abilities to make him capable of giving
Proof of this Grace, by the Exercise of it as there may be Occasion.
Ninthly, We also argue for this Duty from the Consideration of the
Honourableness of it, when ‘tis faithfully discharged; it being one of
those things, which is Honest, Just,
Pure, Lovely, and of good Report,
there is both Vertue and Praise attends it, Phil. 4.8. First of all, How
can Men think you are the People you profess your selves to be, viz. Such who endeavour to Walk
Blamelessly in observing all the Ordinances and Commandments of the Lord Jesus
whilst you neglect this so plain and undeniable an Institution, even such a
one, that ‘tis expresly said, So God hath
Ordained it, &c. Whay are you so Zealous for some other Precepts and
Remiss Here? Doth not the same Gos who
commandeth you to Repent, to Believe, and to be Baptiz’d, and to Love one
another; command you also to Communicate to your Ministers in all good
things? How is it then? That any can be
so partial in the Law of Jesus Christ.
2.
This will in a great measure deliver you from that reproach of
Vovetousness: What can any People think
should be the cause why Christians should suffer their Ministers to want what
is necessary for them, when they themselves are so full? Unless it be from the Spirit of this World;
which is a Sin too often laid at the doors of the Professors of this Age: Would
to God there was no cause or ground for it.
3. Hereby the People will also raise
the Reputation and Honour of the Ministry, and shew their great esteem of them,
which well agrees with the Exhortation of the Apostle; Let the Elders that Rule well be accounted worthy of double Honour,
especially they who Labour in the Word and Doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not
Muzzle the Mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the Corn: For the Labourer is
worthy of his Reward. 1 Tim. 17.18.[32]
By double Honour here is meant as some
conclude, Reverence or Honourable Esteem
for Christ’s Sake whose Ambassadors they are said to be, and so represent His
Most Sacred Majesty.
2.[33] Maintenance. And ‘tis evident this cannot be excluded in
this place considering the Connextion of the Words following; for the Scripture
saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that
Treadeth out the Corn, and the Labourer is worthy of his Reward. This verse, saith our Annotators, maketh evident, That Maintenance is part of the double
Honour that is due to such as Labour in the Word and Doctrine.[34] This
then must be granted it tends to the Honour of Christ’s Ministers; but ‘tis so
evident to all, that those Persons, let them be of what Perswasion soever, if
they should leave their Ministers to the wide World to shift for themselves,
and though Poor, take no care of them; instead of honouring of them, they would
cast a slight and contempt upon them: and hence ‘tis that others also for their
following of some Trades, do lay them under great reproach, which the Churches
to whom they belong, if able, might and ought[35]
to deliver them from. We are perswaded
there are some rich Members in most Congregations, that would not indure that
any of their near Relations should fall under such, or the like Circumstances,
or be exposed to such Inconveniences, because of the Dishonour they Judge it
would be to them; People knowing they are Wealthy and Great in the World, and
able to do considerable for such near Kindred, or else all would say they have
no favour nor esteem for them. And shall
Men shew greater favour and respect to their Carnal relations than to Christ’s
Ambassadors? This surely ought not to
be.
Tenthly, Further to Evince this great Duty, It may not be amiss to consider of other
great Inconveniences that do follow the neglect of it. There aresome Ministers in the Churches who
were brought up to Learning, and who are utterly uncapable to follow Secular
Trades and Callings: now if Provision be
not made for these men what will become of them? How is it possible they and their Families
should live? Besides, what Incouragement
is here given to others who are Young, whom God hath Graciously indowed with
considerable Gifts and are willing to give up themselves to the Ministry? And for their better Accomplishment endeavour
after a Knowledg of the Tongues, &c. which we all confess is very good and
serviceable, though not of absolute necessity in a Minister: Who will apply himself (we say) to gather,
and lay up those stores of solid Learning, which oft-times in the Defence of
the Truth against Opposers, has been found very profitable, when he can expect
nothing but Poverty and Distress thereby:
Nay furthermore, may not this neglect quite deter and Godly Young Men to
exercise their Gifts, in order to serve the Churches in after times, when Death
shall call away those Labourers the Churches have now amongst them, should they
see the present Ministry slighted, and not provided for: Or what ground have we to expect a Blessing
by the Providence of God, to attend the Churches in respect of an Able and
Honourable Ministry in time to come, when His great Ordinance is slighted and
neglected, which He in Wisdom hath Ordained for an Encouragement upon this very
account. In his own Way we may look for
a Blessing, but not out of it.
Nay to be plain with you, Have not
some in a few Years last past seen to their great trouble and grief, how this
neglect and ommission of Duty hath laid (divers hopeful young Men who were
indued with excellent Gifts for the Ministry) under great Temptations, even so
far as to refuse utterly the exercise of their Gifts to the Profit and
Edification of the Churches; lest in process of time they should be called
forth to a Pastoral Charge, and thereby be exposed to Snares and Poverty in the
World; as perhaps some poor Ministers and Pastors have been and may be daily
still are; especially they considering and laying to Heart the Care and Charge
their Parents have been at with them, in putting them forth to good Trades and
Callings, whereby they knew with the Blessing of God they might (if they gave
themselves up with a due and necessary Diligence and Industry to follow those
Trades) live well in the World, and sufficiently provide for themselves (and
their Wives and Children, if they saw good to Marry) in after-times? And by
this very means the Churches (may be to their great loss and detriment) have
been deprived of those great helps which a faithful discharge of Duty to the
present Ministry, may prevent for time to come.
Also, do we not see at this very time what a sad pass some Congregations
are come to already, for want of useful helps in the Ministry, both in City and
Country; some Pastors (nay many of them) being grown very Ancient, and almost
become unserviceable, and not like to continue long: And though the Harvest is great, yet O! how
few are the Labourers amongst us, and fewer they are like to be, if care be not
taken in the discharge of this indispensible Duty to the present Ministry: Nor is it a strange thing that Godly Men
should fall under such a Temptation which we before mentioned, considering this
great Evil and neglect of Duty herein:
Since we find of Old in the Holy
Scripture the very same Snare and
Temptation many of the Priests and Ministers of the Lord fell under. Pray read and carefully consider Nehemiah 13.8,9. Especially the 10
Verse. And I perceived that the Portions of the Levites had not been given
them; for the Levites and the Signers that did the Work, were Fled every one to
his Field. Now ‘tis evident that
through the like Evil and Neglect of the People to the Levites and Ministers of
God, in not giving them that due allowance or maintenance God had Ordained for
them, they left their work and service every one of them, and betook themselves
to secular Employments, viz. To labour
in the Fields and manure their Land, or gather in their Corn, which according
to the Law others were to do for
them. Nor did good Nehemiah (as we can find) reprove or blame the Levites for so doing: Nor indeed, what
reason was there he should? Considering
‘tis a Moral Duty for every Man to provide for himself and Family; and he that
does not do it, the Apostle shews is
worse than an Infidel, and hath denyed the Faith. But he contended sharply with the People,
especially with the Rulers; saying Why is
the House of God forsaken? That is,
the Work of the House of the Lord: And he gathered them together and set them
in their place. Verse 11. They had
not only injured the Levites, as our
Annotators observe upon the place, in
withholding their Dues, but also occasioned the neglect of GOD’s House and
Service, &c.[36] And he
gathered them together: That is, say they, from their several Possessions
in the Country, in which they were dispersed, and restored them to the Exercise
of their Office. And Them, saith the Text, brought
all Judah the Tithe of the Corn, and
the new Wine, and the Oyl unto the Treasuries. Verse 12. We cannot slightly pass by this matter, for
the Evil and danger of the Sin of the Churches upon this account, doth as
palpably appear in this Case, as in any we have mentioned. How can we expect in ordinary way to have an
Able Ministry raised up; or those who
are now imployed in the Work of the Gospel carry on that Work, to the Honour of
GOD, Comfort of His People, and to the Credit or our Sacred religion, if a
Gospel Incouragement be not given them?
True, we may perhaps have Preachers; some may be willing to Exercise
their Gifts, but is it fit think you, to call such to Preach publickly, who
have scarcely one Hours time to prepare themselves for the Work; or may be have
not meet and proper Indowments or Qualifications for that Holy and Sublime
Service. What is it (Judge you) that
causes the Ministry to be slighted and neglected in some places, but the want
of such a Ministry that may
honourably carry it on? And who shall we
blame? What would you have poor men to
do, that have (may be) no time to spare to give themselves up to the Study of
the Scriptures, nor no useful Books and proper helps to improve and assist them
in their Study: or if they have, yet
their circumstances in the World will not afford them so much leisure from
their worldly Business, to read and meditate upon the Word, so as well to
digest what they have to deliver to the People.
Come, think and say what you please; tis not without diligent and
continued Study, that the deep things of God can be searched out, and so
proposed, as to inrich the minds of people with clear and solid Knowledge: He that is not indowed with the clear Light
and Understanding of Divine Truths, or the mystery of the Gospel himself, How
can he Feed others as they ought to be Fed with the Knowledg of those Sublime
and Soul inriching Mysteries? A little Knowledg and Study ‘tis true (as one
observes) may furnish a man with such a Discourse as may please some weak
Christians that Judg of a Sermon by the loudness of the Voice and affectionate
Sentences, or can fancy themselves to be Fed with good Doctrine, when perhaps
‘tis but with the Ashes of Jingling Words and cadency of Terms. But alas! (saith he) the seeming warmth of
Affection that is stirred up by such means, is as short Liv’d as a Land Flood
that hat no Spring to Feed it.[37] He that will do the Souls of his people good,
and approve himself a Pastor after God’s own Heart, must endeavour to Feed them
with Knowledg and Understanding, that the people may learn and come to
understand those things which were hid, and not opened or known to them before;
and so strive to maintain a constant Zeal and Affection in them, by well
informing their Judgments, and such an opening of the mind of God from the
Scriptures, as may command their Consciences.
And this is not to be expected, but from him that Labours in his Study,
as well as in the Pulpit: But (saith He)
mistake me not; we know the success and fruit of all Studies and Labours of men
that preach the Gospel, is from the Grace and Power of the Holy Ghost, but the
assistance of the Spirit is to be expected by the use of means, and in the way
of our Duty. And now from the whole,
this is that we say, ‘Tis not to be thought men can arrive to that degree of
Light and Knowledg in the deep things of God, and mystery of Christ, so as to
preach the Gospel as they ought, unless they dedicate and give themselves up by
Prayer and Meditation to the dilligent search and Study of the Word of GOD,
which cannot be done unless some time be spent, which divers men cannot spare
without a due Allowance for their pains and loss of time. And this we say too, is nothing less nor more
than what God has Ordained and directly Appointed in this Matter in the NewTestament,
as we have sufficiently proved: But to
proceed,
Eleventhly, The great Duty of the People to contribute towards the publick Worship
of God, and the Ministry may be further demonstrated and the Evil and Sin in
their neglect of it evinc’d, from the Consideration of that sharp reproof, and
severe Judgments of God, brought against, and denounced upon the People of Old,
upon this very account, so Mal. 3.8.
Will a Man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me: The evil of this
People lay in this, i.e. In that they
did not faithfully bring into his House all those Riches and good Things, which
by the Law and Requirement of God they ought to have done, for the carrying on
and management of the Service of the Temple, and publick Worship of God; they
through Covetousness, or a base Carnal and Self-seeking Spirit, did retain and
keep back part of these Tythes and Offerings for their own Use, or to inrich
themselves, and did not yield them up to the Use and End God had appointed
them: And this the People might do, i.e.
rob God, viz. In with-holding from
the Priests of the Lord what was appointed or ordained for them: And also this the Priests might do, whilst
they took too much, and more than what was their due Allowance, or take the
Wages, and not do the Work which was appointed for them. However, to keep back, or retain part, or the
whole, of what God has ordained and commanded to be brought into his House, for
the carrying on, and well Management of the publick Worship, The Lord calls it a robbing of him: And certainly God hath as great Care, and has
made as Honourable Provision for the Gospel Church, and his Worship and
Interest now, under this Dispensation, as he had then; and has appointed or
ordained that his People bring into his House now, so that nothing may be
wanting for the Honourable management and carrying on the Work of the Gospel,
and the Ministration therefore, in any Respect:
Nor can this be done without Charge;
And if the Lords People shall so seek their own Things, as not to
concern themselves for the Interest of Christ, but retain, or through
Covetousness, keep back that which his Church, Worship, and publick Interests
calls for, and by which means, his blessed Interest should sink and languish in
their Hands, who were intrusted with it; certainly, they will be, and are
looked upon, as great robbers of God now, as those were then, of whom the
Prophet speaks.
Would to God this were considered;
which if the Nations (as if God should say) have robbed their Gods: But blush ye Jews, for ye have robbed me, and therefore ye are cursed with a
curse; your Sin, your Sacriledg, of which you are guilty hath so provoked me,
and the curse shall abide upon you, so long as ye abide, and contimue in this
sinful Course; strange that you dare Sin, whilst I am punishing you for this
Iniquity (so the Annotators) will you
go on in your Sin, whilst you are under the Judgment and Curse of your God?[38] Bring
ye all the Tithes into my Store-house, that there may be Meat in mine House,
and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts; If I will not open the Windows of Heaven, and
pour you out a Blessing that there be not room enough to receive it, vers.
10. (Though we do not say) God hath
brought the like curse now; yet we fear the Lords People in England, both in City and Country, are
under just Rebuke in retaining that from
God, for the Use of his Publick Worship, Service and Ministry, which he
Requires and Commands them to bring in, and lay up in his Spiritual House; and
hence it is he is provoked, and seems to bring a blast instead of a blessing
upon us; we fear we have Cause to say, and cry out with our Apostle, All seek their own, and none the things that
are Jesus Christs, Phil. 2.21. Do
you think the Service of Gods House can be carryed on without any Charge, or is
God less careful of his Church and Ministry under the Gospel, than he was under
the Law. The first Church that was
planted after the Ascention of Christ, were so Zealous and Piously inclined to
the Service of the Gospel, that they seemed to give up all they had for the
publick Interest of Christ, and sole their Possessions, which thing you are not
required to do; you may keep your own
Propriety in your Goods, Lands and Possessions; but yet, nevertheless ought you
to consider your ways, and not let the Interest of Christ, and the Gospel to sink under your
Hands: Will you dwell in your Ceiled Houses; and let the House; i.e. The Lord’s House lye wast? Especially, considering ‘tis the Lord’s
Time, we are verily perswaded in which he is going about to build it, and add
to the glory of it; What proof have you
given, O ye Christians and Members of the Churches! That you love Jesus Christ more than Father
or Mother, yea, more than Son and Daughter?
Which if you do not, our Saviour saith ye are not worthy of him; and
what Demonstration can we see of this thing, whilst you thus pursue the World,
and indeavour to lay up, nay, and daily do part with so many Hundred of Pounds,
to such a Son, and to such a Daughter; and yet can’t spare the Twentieth Part
thereof for Christ his Church and Publick Ministry? Our Souls mourn and grieve to see what an
Earthly and Covetous Spirit is got into the Professors of this Age, and fear
that that Zeal is much gone; for the Truth and fervent Love to Christ, which
was once amongst those who were his People; does it not appear so? Whilst some of the Churches seem to be
contented with any, nay, the meanest Gifts that are amongst them, provided they
can have them without any Charge, rather than they will seek out, and indeavour
for an Able and Honourable Ministry, because of that great experience and cost
they fear then they shall be at: As
also, whilst Careless and mind not what want of faithful Labourers there may be
abroad in other Places and Churches, so that they are provided themselves: As likewise, do not give proper and meet
Incouragement for the raising up, and continuing of an Able Ministry for the
time to come. These things are
Lamentable and great ground of Mourning and Bitter Tears: Know ye therefore
this, and believe it, that God is offended, and may justly blast you in your
Trades, and Worldly Substance, if he hath not already, because you do not lay
this evil to Heart; and that which you think ye saye this way, may bring a
blast upon all you have; and while you look for much, ye may carry in little,
and that which you do gain and bring home, may be put into a Bag with Holes, Hag. 1.6. pray Read the 6.[39]
v. Ye looked for much, and lo it came to
little, and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why, saith the Lord of Hosts? Because of mine House that is waste, and ye
run every Man to his own House. Many
Persons we have amongst us, meet us daily with great Disappointments, Losses,
and manifold Afflictions, diverse manner of ways, and wonder at it, and are
troubled at the Thoughts; but we fear do not lay to Heart, nor consider from
whence it is, nor the chief Cause thereof;
which possibly may be, because you have not discharged your Duty to
Christ, for the promoting of his blessed Gospel, and Interest in the World; but
have shewed much more Love to, and Care of your own Houses, and Concerns than
for the House and Church of God: God may
say of you, O ye Professors! You have
toiled and been at great Cost and Labour;
and have expected, hoped, and promised your selves great Increase; but you have clearly discerned, and were
sensible that it answered not your Expectation,
much of it dwindled into very little; you were loofers, and went
backward still, which you have not regarded nor laid to Heart; but have let my
House lie as it were waste; nothing was too much in your Eyes to lay out on
your own Houses and Buildings to Adorn and Beautifie them; nor did you grudge
to provide Sumptuous Provision and Apparel for your Selves, and for your Sons,
and Daughters: Nay, have idlely and in
superfluities expended much Treasure to gratifie your Lust, and yet have let my
poor Children and Faithful Ministers want such things that were Necessary for
them, and not been concerned to encourage and able and painful Ministry, that
the perishing Souls of Sinners up and down in the Nation might have the Bread
of Life; and from hence is it that your Trades fail, and your Labours bring in
but little increase. But if once you
reform your doings or[40]
shew your Zeal for the Gospel and Love to me, and act as becomes a People
professing my Name; you shall see you shall not be losers by it; for I will open the Windows of Heaven, and pour
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it: Nay saith he, Prove me now if I do not do it.
We conclude, the Judgment on the one hand for such an Evil and Neglect
of Duty herein, and Mercies and Blessings promised on the other hand, may be a
great Argument to provoke you to a Faithful Discharge of those Obligations that
lye upon you in this matter. If you have
a Dasire to be blest in your Bodies, Souls, and Estates, take Care of God’s
House, and bring in your Stores, that there may be Provision for his Poor, and
for his Ministers. But if you neglect
this Duty, and persue the World, and prefer your own Houses and Things above
those great Things of God and his Gospel, you may look for a blast.
Twelfthly, Consider the Zeal of the Heathen of Old, and that of the Antichristian
Party of latter Times; the former spared no Cost nor Pains to Beautify and
Garnish their Idols, they lavish Gold out
of the Bag, &c. Isa. 46.[41] They took it by handfuls as it were, and
never sold it, as some conceive, not
mattering what Cost or Charge they were at; sith it was for the Adorning
of their Gods: The Goldsmith spreadeth it over with Gold, and casteth Silver
Chains. Isa. 40.10.[42] He is (saith
the Prophet) so impoverish’d that he hath
no Oblation, that he can hardly procure Money sufficient to buy the meanest
Sacrifice for his Gods; he is so Zealous for his Idols that he will one way or
another find Money to procure the choicest Materials, saith the Annotators, and
get the help of the best Artist to make it, &c.[43] Did they shew such Zeal for, and Love to
them who were no Gods: And shall not
such be ashamed and blush, who have been so niggerly and sparing to help on the
Service and Worship of the True and Living God?
They would have the best Artist,
and most Curious Workman to do their
Business, though they impoverished themselves; but some of you, we fear, can be
contented with very unskilful Men, to
carry on the Work of the God of Heaven, rather than be at the Charge to
distribute of your Treasure for the better Improvement of them which you imploy, or to procure such
who you have not amongst your selves; and as for the Papists, you cannot be Ignorant what vast Treasure they have from
time to time freely bestowed on their Church, and large Revenues appointed for
their Priests &c. and have they not
commonly when they come to dye; besides all this, left large Legacies for
Spiritual Uses, as they call them, and all to carry on their filthy
Idolatry. But how little hast thou, O
Professor parted with to this day, for the upholding the Church of God, and
carrying on the Ministration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Thou hast shewed that Zeal for the True God,
which some have shewed for a False One:
For that Care of, and Love to the True Worship of God, which others have
shewed for Idolatry: May not these
Carnal and Antichristian heathens one Day rise up in Judgment against you?
Obj. But may be you will Object and say, ‘tis no
marvel the Papists give so plentifully because they think to merit Heaven
thereby.
Answ. What Then? Will not you do as much for the Honour of
God, and to promote his Interest in the World, as thou wilt do for the
Salvation of thine own Soul? If thou
hast Eternal Life meerly of Grace, or through the Favour and Mercy of God, and
Merits of Jesus Christ? How much the
more should this lay thee under an Obligation to be Bountiful and Liberal, to
further and carry on, and promote the Gospel and the Glory of God in the
World? Or have you a mind to betray your
own Sincerity? Doth not Grace teach you
better Doctrine, even to prefer the Honour of God, above whatsoever is dear to
you on Earth.
Thirteenthly,
This will render your Ministers inexcusable, if they do not faithfully
discharge their Duties in every Respect, to God and his People; we mean, when
you discharge your Duties to them, according to the Law of Christ, and Rule of
Justice and Righteousness: What will
they have to say, to excuse their Remisness and Omissions in a painful studying
Meditation, and preaching the Word, and in visiting the Flock, when you have
freed them from all manner of worldly Snares and Incumbrances, and comfortably
provided for them all good things? But
on the contrary, if they come forth unprepared, and feed you with Food that
hath little Soul Nourishment in it: How can you blame them? For if they never go about all the Year to
know the State of the Flock as their Duty is, have they not a ready Answer and
Excuse? i.e. What shall become of our poor Families? What can you say to them? Can you excuse them from indispensible
Duties? And say we will be contented
with what Service you are able to do, and all to save your Purses: the Lord open your understandings, and shew
you the great Evil there is in this neglect, in not complying with the Will of
God, in communicating all good Things to them, who Preach the Gospel to
you. And is it not from hence there is
such a complaint in some parts of the Country, for want of the saving Food of God’s Word? We hear daily what a blessing those
Elders and Ministers are of to the People whereabouts they live, who are
provided for by the Churches, over what others be who are not taken off of
their secular Affairs, being not maintained by the People; one Minister may do more than several such do
or can do. Besides when once you come
to acquit yourselves, as good Christians ought in this Case; with what Comfort
may you be able to give up your Account to Christ? And with Joy and much Soul Peace lye down,
not only in your Beds; but also in your Graves, when you come to Dye.
Motives to
press the Duty of the Ministers Maintenance, with an Answer to other Objections.
Consider well, and remember that your
Pastors are the Ministers; nay, the Ambassadors of Jesus Christ; such who
represent his Sacred Majesty, and have his Commission, for what they act and do
in his Name; and dispense the Mysteries of God to you, according to their Duty;
therefore the Lord Jesus will account that done to Himself, which is done to
his Ministers: He that receiveth you (saith he) receiveth me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth me, Mat. 10.40. Luke 10.16. If the Name and Authority of Christ will beget an aw[44] in you, or his Matchless and Unspeakable Love
Influence your Souls; there is no doubt but his word will abide upon you, and
cause you to discharge the Duty we have pressed upon your Spirits. If you acknowledge a Religious Respect and
Reverence due to the Son of God, exercise it in a humble Obedience to his word;
and if you Love him and value his Gospel, treat not his Ministers in an
unworthy manner: Have you not called
them off from other Business? And are
they not your Servants? And is not from
thence a Gospel Maintenance due to them from you, as is the wages of your other
Servants? Tho we fear some give more to
the meanest Servants in their House, than they to give to the Ministers of
Christ.
2. ‘Tis evident, they have a great
Charge committed to their Trust, they
watch for your Souls, as they who must give an account, Heb. 13.17. And therefore you ought to consider them, and
pity them, and endeavour to assist them, and put them into the best Capacity
you are able to do, that they may make full proof of their Ministry, and be free from the Blood of all Men; ‘tis
the Business of your own Salvation, and concern of your precious and immortal
Souls, that your ministers are imployed in; and therefore ‘tis much more your
own interest than his, and from hence
ought to make Conscience of your Duty;
for if they can’t give their
account with Joy, that will not be profitable for you: And how can they give an account of Joy
concerning you, when you have neglected one great and indispensible Duty, by
which means they were rendered unable to perform their Work, as became
them? Nor can indeed the Ministry ever
be effectual to your Souls, if you be not sincere in Obedience under it: Besides, as one observes, will you be less
Carefull for your Souls, and their Eternal wellfare, than for your Bodies, and
the Comforts of a Temporal Life? Can you
be content to lay out your Strength and Substance to provide for these, and
neglect the other? Is it not sad, saith
one to consider, How many there are among
Professors, that live in this World, as if there were no Truth in the report of
that which is to come, and have the meanest esteem of the most necessary means
of Salvation? viz. The Word and Ordinances of Christ, and a
Gospel Ministry; some can expend perhaps
an hundred Pounds per Annum, more or less, for Ornaments or Delights to
Adorn a frail Carcase, but will grudg half so much for the poor Saints, or to
the support of the Worship of the Gospel, and his sinking Interest.[45]
3. Consider how many Temptations and Soul
discouraging Weaknesses your Ministers lye under continually, both from within
and without, if sensible of the greatness of their Work, and of their own
insufficiency: You know not their Fears,
their Cares, their Tears, and how hard they are put to it to keep up in their
Work finding such strong Oppositions made against them by the Enemy, and
continually so that you had need to Strengthen, Comfort, and Incourage them, as
much as you can; and not to add to their Sorrow, and make them serve you in
wants and necessities.
4. We might tell you also what the Apostle says in
respect of his Liberty as a Minister, in forbearing to Work at all: Will any of you say your Ministers must
labour and provide for themselves, when God hath Ordained the contrary; and
also when the Apostle saith, he had power to forbear Working? See 1 Cor.
9.6. Or I only and Barnabas, Have we not power to forbear Working? We certainly (as well as the rest of
Christ’s Ministers) if we will run out to
the utmost end of the Line of our Liberty in things, without having regard to
your Circumstances, might forbear Working with our Hands, and expect that those
among whom we Labour should maintain us.
So the Annotators render
it.[46] Now, you would think this a hard thing,
should any of your Pastors make use of their Liberty; yet if they should do it,
provided they were Faithful in their Work and Office, knowing also your
Ability, we would know whether any of you could charge them with Sin, as we
know you may and ought other Persons, who work not and though the Apostle did
sometimes Work, it was of choice, and to prevent the glorying of those false
Apostles, and for some other Reasons, which upon special Circumstances for that
time he mentioneth, and yet he accounts it amongst his Afflictions.
Quest. Ought a Pastor or Minister to make Terms
with the Church about his Maintenance, before he take the Charge of them?
Answ. We assert for no such thing, he is to take the
Charge freely, and of a ready Mind: But
we say there is as indispensable a Duty lies upon the People to provide Carnal
or Temporal good Things for him, as there lies upon him to provide Spiritual
good Things for them, and to give him Grounds to Believe they will be Faithful
to Christ and to him, in their duty upon that account.
Quest. But what shall that Church do, who are not
able to allow a sufficient Maintenance to their Pastor?
Answ. We have a Three-fold Answer to this Question.
First, If through the Poverty of
the Church they cannot provide for their Minister, they may make their Case and
Circumstance known to other Sister Churches, and desire their Aid and
Assistance herein; but if they can have
none, and the Church do their Duty to the utmost themselves, and yet they are
not able to supply his Necessities, then he must be contented to suffer with
the Church. But
2. If God Bless a Congregation with a plentiful
Portion of the Worlds Good, it is their Duty to make their Ministers a Party
with them in their Flourishing Condition (and as a late Author saith) Considering the Place and Imployment he is
in, and the Service he attends, it would be extreamly unworthy to think they
have done enough, if his pressing Necessities be answered; whilst they
themselves abound in Superfluities. But
if the Congregation be poor, and there is no helps to be had, then their
Minister must and ought to be content to be poor with them; yea, rejoyce to
approve himself a Minister of Christ, (as Paul
did) by Hunger and Nakedness, if the Providence of God call him thereto; but
whilst it is in the power of their Hands to provide better for him, God expects
it from them; and let none deceive themselves, GOD is not mocked, nor will he suffer his Commands to be slighted
and evaded, without rendering a just rebuke to the Offender, For whatsoever a Man Soweth that shall he
Reap.[47] Yet necessity is laid upon Christ’s
Ministers, and woe be to them if they Preach not the Gospel.
3. It may deserve our most mature Consideration,
whether a People may safely continue themselves in a Church State, when not
able to provide for a Ministry, especially as the Case may be
circumstanced; for, possibly they might
very well joyn themselves to another Congregation near unto them, and be a
great help to such a Church, being Imbodied with them, And this we do say, For
a People to put themselves into a Church State, is one of the most weightiest
Things in the World, and ought with as great Care and Consideration to be done;
we concluding in some places where there are many Churches near to each other,
it would be far better for some of those small and insufficient Societies to
unite themselves to some other Congregation;
and by that means the weight of those Indispensible Duties and
Obligations that are incumbent on them, would with much more ease be borne and answeres,
to the Honour of Christ, reputation of the Gospel, and their own
Edification: Moreover, if all Christians
ought to consider whether they may or ought to put themselves into a Church
State, except they have Persons fitly qualified and furnished with Gifts and
Graces for the Ministry; which if they
may not safely do, then by the same parity of reason ought they to consider
whether they may proceed therein, if they know their own Insufficiency in
respect of their making a Gospel Provision for their Maintenance, unless they
live remote from any other Church, and so necessity put them upon their so
doing.
Obj. But is
not this to build, that which you yourselves have destroyed, viz. Have you not disclaimed against such who
Preach for Hire?
Answ. We never went about we hope to destroy any
Institution or Ordinance of Jesus Christ, as the Ministers Maintenance is, as
has sufficiently been proved. But for
men to Preach for Hire, to make that their End, we mean in Preaching the
Gospel, we still utterly disclaim any such Practice, and say ‘tis a low,
carnal, and base End and Design, and unworthy of any Christian Man.
2. We have always disowned, or do disclaim against Tythes or the Tenths of Mens Increase, declaring that they are not the right of any Gospel Ministers by the Law of Jesus Christ, or the due of the
Ministers of the New Testament, by
the appointment of the Lord Jesus; being only a Mosaical Rite, and that Law to be Abrogated, as Aarons Priesthood is.[48]
3. We have
always disowned and declared against such Ministers, who use to strive to
compell Men by outward force to Pay them what they call their dues, it looking
so much like an Antichristian Spirit and Practice, and not agreeable to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ; were Love to
Christ, and the sence of Duty, we find ought to be the only prevailing Argument
to excite and provoke every Man to his Duty in this great Case. Moreover you must take heed you are not
prejudiced against your Dutys from mistaken Conclusions; because some will not
Preach unless you put into their Mouths, and so make a meer Trade of
Preaching. Will you not answer the
requirement of God to those who are the faithful Ministers of his Word? Because some will not receive their Poor,
unless they are forced to do it, Will you disown your Duty to the poor Saints,
and not relieve them, but Object and say, ‘tis too much like the National
practice? Or, do you not like Preaching after that manner, i.e. with a Text, Doctrine, Reasons and
Application; because such, and such do so, whom you disown, and cannot have
Communion with. Let all such weak Objections be avoided, and mentioned no
more forever.
Object. You have we fear ever done it; for though we
do believe ‘tis the duty of the Churches to allow to their Pastors a
comfortable Maintenance, who are low in the World, and so exposed to the
distracting Cares of this Life, and thereby hindred in the discharge of their
Duty in the Ministry. Yet for rich Men
who need it not; who have an allowance, we see no reason for that.
Answ. We Answer, It is not an act
of Charity (to Ministers that are poor) we plead for, But we have proved it is
an Ordinance of God, he hath been pleased to
Ordain, that those who Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel: ‘Tis
their due as they are Christs Ministers;
He is their Portion now, as well as formerly under the Law, and have therefore
as much right to it, as you have to your Inheritance; and from hence he willed
them when he first sent them out, to take
no Money in their Purses, &c.
And therefore the State of such you speak of, can’t exempt you from that
Ordinance, nor your duty to them; besides, is it fitting (think you) that such
Ministers who have Estates should waste their Substance, and injure their
Children in their Faithfulness to Christ in Preaching the Gospel, and in the
services of your Souls: For their Work
is such, that it calls for all their time and uttermost dilligence (in a right
discharge of their Duty therein) and therefore thereby they are prevented of Improving what they have,
for the future comfort and advantage of their Families: Nay, and we have heard to our great trouble,
how some worthy Men, who have Laboured fully to improve their Ministry (through
the Peoples neglect of their duty to them) have in process of time sunk in
their Estates, and in Truth have been brought to a low Condition; for ‘tis rare
to see a Pastor of our Churches to abound in Riches: Tho some (Blessed be God)
may be indifferent well to pass in the World:
now to expose a rich man to Poverty, or to let a poor man shidt for
himself under wants and necessities, are Evils much of the like nature: and for a prevention of both, God hath
ordered it so, that neither of these things should, or ought to be. Therefore this neglect (in short) exposeth
Ministers to Temptations (concerning the moral Duty that lies upon them, in
common with other men to provide for their Families) namely, to content
themselves in doing but one part of their Work, viz. To Preach a Sermon or two in the Week, &c. Now our desires are that they may all be
wholly sequestred to the Lord’s Work and Service; and not be other ways
imploying themselves, when they should
be Preaching the Kingdom of God, but to Labour to fulfill their Ministry they
have received of the Lord, so that they may have their Accounts to give up with
Joy in the Day of Christ.
Object. But our Church is small, and our Pastor
can’t take up all his time in the Lord’s Work.
Answer. We Answer, If he wants work, who will hinder
him from following of his secular Business, provided he doth faithfully and
fully discharge every part of the duty of his Place and Function? But do not the
Neighbouring Villages, and places adjacent want the Gospel, having no Bread for
their Souls, and this too by reason such Pastors are unconcerned in this
matter? and by which means ‘tis doubtless that the
Glorious Gospel is no more promulgated up and down in dark and blind corners of
this Nation, nor the Church increases no more; Besides do not many poor Sinners
daily perish hereby for want of Knowledg?
Brethren, ‘tis not for our selves, but for the Lord, and his sinking
Interest that we plead for; it grieves our Souls to hear what cries there are
in many parts of this Kingdom for want of Bread, some being forc’d, we hear, to
go twelve or sixteen Miles to hear a Sermon; now if Ministers of Churches made
it their whole Business to Preach the Word, and concern themselves for the
promoting of the Truth, it would not be as it is as this very time; nor can we
think it should be otherwise, unless we had a travelling Ministry (which we
fear we shall hardly find) unless Pastors and Teachers in the respective
Churches were taken off of all Incumbrances, and so give themselves up to the
Ministry of the Word.
God has done great things for us, and hath opened a
mighty door, and shall not we do some great thing for Him? The Case, Blessed be the Lord, is much
altered: You may come now into any Town
and none dare forbid you, (if any one will but entertain you) and Preach the
Gospel; And shall we not take care to answer this Mercy; and do what we can
that the poor Blind World may be Inlightened, and brought to the saving
Knowledge of Jesus Christ? If the
present Providence of God be not
answered by a due Improvement to his Glory, and the furtherance of the
Gospel: We may say with Solomon, Why is there a price in the Hand of
a Fool, seeing he hath no Heart to it, Prov. 17.16. By this time we hope you may more clearly
understand us, and what we drive at, and earnestly desire to see accomplished, viz. That Ministers may not only bear
that Name, but with all Faithfulness do the Work, they are called to; ‘tis not to press our People to Minister to
such Preachers who are Idle and Negligent in their Business, whose Hearts and
Hands are in the World, and eagerly pursue their own secular Affairs, and
matter not what becomes of the Interest of Jesus Christ.
No, ‘tis to encourage the Faithful and Labourous
Person, who is willing to give himself up to the Lord, in the Discharge of that
great Trust committed to him, and to Labour in Christ’s Vineyard; it is in truth a shame for a Minister to
receive the Lord’s Wages, and not do the Lord’s Work; for some there are in the World that do not
deserve the Name of Ministers they doing the Work of the Lord so deceitfully.
Our Churches also are ‘tis like in some places in
the Country but small, and are like to be smaller, if the Ministry is not
awakened to become more Labourous: Are
there not such in some Towns, who are hardly known by the Inhabitants to be Ministers
at all, they are so little concerned in Preaching, they are better known to be Farmers, Yeomen, and Tradesman[49],
then Preachers of the Gospel; they are intangled so in the Affairs of this
Life, that they have little time to mind the great Work they are called
to: We would ask some Ministers, whether
they could not do much more. Preach oftener, and in more Places, and take
greater Pains, to promote the Gospel, and gather in Souls to Christ, than they
do? Certainly they will and must say,
yea, we might; Why what is the reason of
your not doing it? Ought we not with Mary to do what we can?[50] We conclude, this Omission of Duty either
arises from the evil of your own hearts, or else from the Remisness and Neglect
of the People, in Respect of their Duty to you.
(1.) It may arise from the Evil
in your own Hearts, in that you have not or do not espouse the Interest of
Jesus Christ equal with, or above your own:
Can any be contented in doing a little Service for Christ, tho his
Interest sinks in their Hands; whilst they thrive in their own concerns, and
grow Rich in the World: Lord, what will
be come of such Ministers in the Day of Judgment? Can they think to look Christ in the Face
with Comfort, that have been such slothful Servants; but God forbid there should be any among us
who mind more their own trifling Affairs, than the great Work and Business of
their blessed Lord and Master? Is this the making full Proof of your Ministry you
have received of the Lord? Christ’s Ministers are called Labourers, but we fear some Labour but
little, unless it be at their own work:
should you be as Remiss in your own Affairs, as possibly you are in the
Lords, you would find quickly a decay in your Estates, and be in a sinking
Condition in the World; which ‘tis like, would soon startle you, and stir you
up to greater Care and Industry; and
ought you not to be as considerate in the great concernment of Christ, his
Gospel and Churches? We take it not upon
us to reprehend any of you but in Love (as fellow Servants may do) to caution
you; pray remember, you have the most sacred Interest and Matters of Jesus
Christ committed to your Trust; ‘tis the
greatest Charge in the World, and you and we must be called to an Account, if
Souls perish in their Sins, and the
Watchman gives not suitable warning, the Blood of those Sinners God will
require at the Watchman’s Hands, Zeck. 3 [sic.]. Ministers ought to be the Light of the World,
they should shine therefore in Life and Doctrine, to all round about where they
live, that the People may know they have a Noah,
a Preacher of Righteousness amongst them.
But
2. This grand
fault may arise from the Peoples Remisness of Duty to their Ministers; for
hark, do we not hear many worthy and faithful
Pastors crying out? Alas
Brethren, we are no more in the Lord’s Work, no more in Preaching, in Visiting,
&c. Because our Families would suffer want, and what is necessary for
them; we should gladly make the Gospel
our whole Business, and not only watch over, and feed our own Flocks, but
Preach the Gospel up and down in Towns and Villages, lying near us, if we knew
how our Wives and Children might be provided for; for should we neglect that
great Moral and indispensible Duty, how would the Holy Name of God be
reproached? Alas, our souls are bowed
down in us, we must confess, we have daily calls to Preach, in this and that
place, where to this day there has hardly been any Meeting; but we are not able to do it, and therefore,
we are forc’d to send to London, that
some Ministers might come down into our Parts, to Answer that great Call and
Cry of Men and Women, for want of the Bread of Life.
This is a hard Case indeed, i.e. for the Servants of Christ to have the due sense of the
greatness of their work upon their Hearts, but cannot discharge it according as
they see there is a Call and Occasion, by Reason the People neglect their Duty
to them: But however, do what you can,
and venture out, God will provide for you, and move upon the Hearts of such you
Preach the Gospel to, or some other Way provide for you: Improve this present Liberty, and do not let the Lord’s House lie waste: Remember,
Necessity is laid upon you, and wo
be to you, if you Preach not the Gospel, be not Unbelieving, but trust the
Providence of God; great things he expecteth from us, who has so gloriously and
graciously appeared for us, and for the Land of our Nativity.
Nevertheless, Let none mistake us; we do not say, ‘tis unlawful for Preachers to
Work or follow Callings; but as Preaching doth not make Working unlawful,
neither should any Worldly Business hinder Preaching, therefore when working
with our Hands will further the Gospel, we may Work; we have a Call so to do (which was once
Paul’s case) but when working at Trades and Callings, does palpably tend to the
hinderance of the Promulgation of the Gospel:
we must give over such Working, and wholly give up our selves to
Preaching &c. ‘Tis but to make an
Expediment, if the People should fail you:
You know your Liberty, he that Laboured with his Hands, hath by that
Example set the Consciences of Ministers at Liberty, to provide for the
Necessities of this Life, by other Imployments, when they cannot Live of the
Gospel; but this very thing Paul accounted amongst his Afflictions;
and certainly, it must needs be a sore Grief and Exercise to any Godly Preacher
in this respect, i.e. when he hears People calling him, one Day to this Town to
Preach, and another Day to that, and he finds he cannot Answer neither of their
Calls, through the Necessities of his Family[51]; and the truth is, all do readily grant, that
no Positive Duty can Discharge a Man from the Obligations of that pure Moral
and Universal Duty of providing for his Families.
Brethren, you know when the Harvest proves catching,
and the Painful and Laborious Harvest-men are taken off of their Business, then
they may do a little Work for themselves, but when ‘tis good Harvest weather,
and the Harvest is great, and the Labourers but few, they must stick to it and
Labour hard.
Even so when the late Storms of Persecution were upon us, many of Christ’s Spiritual Harvest-men were much hindred and taken off of
their Work, and did may be imploy themselves otherwise, in their other Affairs
(few being willing to open their Doors to them;) but now the Providence of God has opened a
great Door for the Gospel, and sent us Blessed Harvest Weather, and the
Labourers alas! being also very few, though the Harvest is very great: How ought we to stick to our Business?
There was never certainly such a Call to Ministers
to Work for God as there is now; therefore that Servant that will not do his best at such an Hour, is like the Son (that Solomon speaks of) that
Sleeps in Harvest and so causeth Shame.
And as a wise Husband-man will not neglect a fit opportunity of
gathering in his Corn, upon presumption of much fair Weather to come: So ought not we to lose the present Season
for gathering in Souls to Christ, not knowing how soon Clouds may rise, and
another Storm overtake us, when we cannot Work for God as now we may; and if you have not such Incouragement as you
ought to have from the People, yet remember when Night comes, the Lord Jesus
will well reward you for all the pains you take in his Work; yet since our Saviour saith the Labourer is
worthy of his Hire, we can’t think any (when they consider the Matter a little
better) will any way obstruct, or hinder you in your Business through their
neglect of Duty to you.
Object. But doth not Christ tell his Disciples? As they had freely received, so they should
freely give.
Answ. We believe this Text is not
taken, or understood according to the meaning of our Savious; for it cannot
mean that Christ’s Ministers should receive neither Money, Meat or Clothes,
whilst they are imploy’d in his Work and Service, because in the very next
Verse he bids them Provide neither Gold
nor Silver, nor Brass in their Purses, nor two Coats, nor Scrip for their
Journey; because he plainly intimates all such things they are worthy of,
and might expect them from the People to whom they Preached. Therefore ‘tis an horrible abuse put upon the
Text, to take that Words in that Sense; as if our Blessed master should forbid
his Servants to receive a Maintenance from the People; for then indeed they
might have said, Lord, If we must Preach so freely as not to receive any thing,
it behoveth us to provide well for our Journey;
but since they were forbid to do so, it is clear that could not be our
Saviours meaning: Besides, such a Sence
is directly opposite or repugnant to those other Precepts the Lord Jesus hath
laid down by his Apostles in the Epistles;
wherein it is positively asserted (as
you have heard) that He that is taught in
the Word ought to Communicate to him that Teacheth in all good things, 1
Tim. 5.18. And that they who Minister at the Altar should partake of the Altar;
God having Ordained that he that Preaches the Gospel, should live of the
Gospel, 1 Cor. 9.14. Therefore we
rather are of the Opinion (in respect to this Text) with a late worthy
Writer; The Doctrine (says he) they
were to Preach, they were Impowered to Confirm with Miracles; which[52]
He gives them a Charge they should Work freely, without receiving any Reward
for them; that the Miracles might not be used to their private Profit, but to
the End they were appointed of God, which was the Confirmation of their
Doctrine.[53]
2. It may also teach us that Ministers ought not to
make a Bargain with the People, or desire to know what they shall have before
they enter on their Work; for he who
would approve himself a true Minister of Jesus Christ ought not to Preach for
Hire or filthy Lucres sake, i.e., that
ought not to be the thing he aims at;
that’s a low and base design, but as you know Churches provide and ought
to provide for the Poor; yet should any
seek to come into your Communion meerly for a Maintenance, you would say he or
she that did so, were no better than Hypocrites, and (may say truly) yet that
would not free you from communicating to poor Faithful Christians. Even so, if some deceitful and carnal Persons
should undertake the Work of the Ministry for filthy Lucres sake, and not in
Love to Christ, and to promote his Interest and Glory, they, doubtless act
contrary to this Precept of Christ’s.
But yet nevertheless, the Church is bound to communicate and allow a
comfortable Maintenance to her Faithful Ministers; and as he freely, and of a
ready Mind, and for Christ’s sake, Preaches the Gospel, and is bound so to do
if he will approve himself Faithful; so in like manner are the People and
Churches of God bound freely and of a ready mind to Minister to them, if they
would shew to all they are Faithful Christians, such who have an equal respect
to all Christs Commands and Desire, to the utmost of their Abilities, to
further and not hinder the promulgation of the Gospel in the World.
But by the way it is plain, had it not been the practice
of the Gospel Churches in the Apostles time, to allow their Pastors a
Maintenance, what room was there for the Apostle to caution any Minister or
Elder not to undertake the Work for filthy Lucres sake, but of a ready mind. Moreover, very remarkable is it to consider
how the Priests of God under the Law were
to receive that Portion Jehovah gave them: They were not (as Mr. Ainsworth noteth) To receive
it after a base or servile manner, but as Gifts due to the Lord, and to them
from him: The Hebrew Canons (saith he) shew
the Israelites were to give them their Portion with Honour; and it
was unlawful for the Priests or
Levites to snatch away the
Heave-Offering, or the Tithes; yea, saith he, if they did but ask their Portion with their Mouth it was unlawful. Read
his Annotation on Numb. 18. v.
12. And then on Deut. 18.3. He saith again, the Priest might not violently take the
Gifts, nor ask them with his Mouth, but he received them when they were given
him with Honour.[54]
This may teach us two things. First, that Christ’s Servants ought to take
heed they shew all true and real Zeal and Love to Christ, when they undertake
his Work and Service; and not to shew
such a servile and base Spirit as to demand their Portion that God has Ordained
for them, but leave it to the free will Offering of the People. Secondly, It may also teach Churches to see
they do neither withhold the Ministers Portion from them, nor give it them
grudgingly, or in an unbecoming manner, but to hand out to them what they need
with due respect and honour, they being worthy of it, and are to receive it as
their part and portion from God, and as they are His Stewards and Faithful
Labourers, by Virtue of a Divine and Holy Law:
Nay, and the Lord’s People ought to be as careful in discharge of this
Duty to Christ’s Ministers now, as the Israelites
were to the Levites; tho’ as we have
already said, their Portion is not the Tithes
of Mens Increase, nor the First
Fruits, which Law is Abrogated. Yet
saith reverend Ainsworth, “The Equity
of that Law remaineth perpetually, as the Apostle observeth, Do you not know that they which Minister
about Holy things, live of the things of the Temple; and they that wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar: Even so
hath the Lord Ordained, &c. 1 Cor. 13.14. Because the Ministers of God then were
injoyned to attend on his Service, he would not have them cumbred with worldly
Affairs, ‘least (saith he) they should be hindred from doing their Duties; as
it is Written, No Man that Warreth
intangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life, that he may please him who
hath called him to be a Soldier. From hence God hath ordered it thus for
them.” Moreover, The Hebrews say from hence ‘twas Levi was not counted meet to have Inheritance in the Land of Israel, or Spoils with his Brethren, because he
was separated to Serve the Lord, and to Inherit him, and to teach his strait
Ways, and his Just Judgments unto the People: therefore was he separated from
the ways of the World; they wage not War, as the rest of Israel do; neither do they Inherit nor earn for
themselves with the Strength of their Bodies, but they are the Lords Power (or
Substance) as it is Written, Deut. 13.11.
Bless Lord his Power; and the
Blessed God earneth for them, as it is Written Numb. 18.20. I am
thy Part and thine Inheritance. Maim.
Treat. Of the Release and Jubilee, c. 13.f.12.[55]
The reason of the same Law, ‘tis evident of
necessity does remain; the Work of
Ministers is great now, and ‘tis as Holy as Honourable as ever, and the neglect
of a faithful discharge herein, as great a Sin as it was then; and God’s People
have as great, nay, greater Benefit and Divine Profit by the Ministry of the Gospel, than those had who lived under
the Law; besides Christ’s Servants have the same need of it: moreover, our
People are delivered from other great Burdens and vast Charges that the People
of Israel were continually at; and
therefore how unjust and unreasonable a thing it is to with-hold a fit and
convenient Lively-hood from them. Nay,
and we must say, that which any with-hold from the Servants of God, is the
Lord’s, and none of theirs; for he lays claim to part of their Substance, as
that which He has Ordained to his own special service and use of His Faithful
Ministers.
Quest. May
every one then that Preaches expect an Allowance, though they Preach but now
and then.
Answ. That must be left to the
Wisdom and Consideration of the Church; who ought to consider the Persons
Circumstances with the Call he hath to Preach, &c. But principally it belongs to those who are
set a part to that Work, whose Strength and Time is taken up about the great
Affairs of Christ and the Gospel.
Thus we have indeavoured to discharge our Duty as
touching this great Work, and have we hope Answered all the material Objections
any have to bring, or urge against the Ministers Maintenance: But since we have a little Room we shall add
some brief hints further, to shew the great charge and work of a true Gospel
Minister, and so conclude; that all may see how needful a thing it is, that
every one take care to discharge their Duty in this matter to them, whereby
also the Justness and Righteousness of the Law, and appointment of God herein,
may yet further appear to all.
The Great and Weighty Work of a True Gospel Minister
opened.
The Nature and Weightiness of the Work
of the Faithful Servant of Christ, together with the necessity and difficulty
of it, we shall consider in its parts in a brief and compendious manner.
First, ‘Tis a Holy and sublime
Office; he is placed in a very high Sphere[56]
and Station, hence called the Ambassador of Christ; What higher Dignity can be
conferred on Man? The greatness of the
Prince whose Messengers they are, sets forth their Dignity; they are in
Christ’s stead Imployed in the great Affairs of His Spiritual Kingdom; and have received Authority from Him, and are
also prepared and qualified for this Sacred Work by Him, and indeed therefore
ought to be blameless, as the Stewards of
God: And hence it is that those who
are said to receive them, receive Him; and those who despise them, despise Him.
O! with what Holy Fear, Dread, and Reverence ought they to enter upon this Work
and Office, least they should dishonour their great and glorious Prince and
Heavenly Soveraign, whom they represent!
Is it not a weighty thing to be made the Mouth of Christ?
2. Nay, and
this is not all, they are intrusted with matters of the highest moment in the
World, Christ having committed the Management of his Glorious Interests, and
great concerns he has on Earth into their Hands; they are sent to treat with poor Sinners
about Eternal Matters, even the Eternal Life, or Eternal Death and Damnation of
their Precious and Immortal Souls, in and about these things Ministers of the
Gospel are Fellow Workers together with Christ. 2 Cor. 6.1. Though but as
Instruments, serving him as the principal Agent, and efficient Cause: He trod
the Wine-Press of his Fathers Wrath
alone; but in the Application of the purchase of Man’s Salvation, he admits
of Fellow-workers, tho the internal Work be his, i.e. the effects of his Spirits upon the Souls of those whose
Hearts are changed; yet there is a
Ministerial part which lyeth on the faithful Discharge of the Minister’s Duty,
which consisteth partly in Exhortations,
Motives and Arguments, by the Ear
conveyed to the Soul; and thus Ministers
may be said to be Workers together with Christ, and without him they can do
nothing, they are Workers, but they must have Christ Work with them, or they
will find that they Labour in Vain.
But is it not think you a high and most sacred Place
and Office thus to be imployed? May not
every one of us say, who are sufficient for these things, for we are unto God (saith the Apostle) a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that
perish, 2 Cor. 2. for that God
whom we serve, will not Judge of us, nor reward us according to our Success (as
a worthy Author observes) but according to our Faithfulness and Diligence in
his Work, we give (as if Paul should
say) a good savour by our Doctrine unto all, and our Labours are a sweet savour
in the Nostrils of God, whatever effects they have upon the Souls of Men; God
accepteth of our Labours, as to good Men, to whom we are Instruments of Eternal
Life and Salvation; and though others despise the Gospel, and refuse the sweet
sound thereof; yet as to them also, we are a sweet savour in the Nostrils of
God, tho Israel be not saved, saith
the Prophet, yet I shall be glorious; it is not through any neglect in us, as
to our duty if any perish, but from their own Willfulness and Rebellious
Hearts. To the one, we are the savour of Death unto Death, and to the other,
the savour of Life unto Life. And who is
sufficient for these things. ver. 16.
As sweet smells, which are to some pleasant and
comfortable (saith a Worthy Author) yet are to others pernicious and deadly; so
it is with the sweet savour of the Gospel; the report which we in all places
make of Christ, to some (through their unbelief, and hardness of their Heart,
and fondness of their Lusts) proveth; but the Savour of Death unto Death, hardning their Hearts to their Eternal Ruine and
Destruction; but to such who (being ordained to Eternal Life; believe our
Report, and) imbrace the Gospel, and give up to the Precepts and Rule thereof;
our Preaching proves a Cause of Spiritual and Eternal Life to which that
leadeth; but O how great a work is this!
What Man? What Angel, is
sufficient for it? O it is a mighty Work
to Preach the Gospel, as we ought to Preach it;[57]
it is that by which Faith cometh, How
shall they believe on him, of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear, without a
Preacher? And how shall they Preach,
except they are sent? Rom. 10.14. i. e. Unless they have an extraordinary
or ordinary Mission, i.e. either from
God more immediately (which Call is long since ceased) or else, by the Election
of the Church, and Ordination of the Elders, or Presbytery; this is necessary
in all Regular Ministers: How else can
they duly or profitably in the Name and Authority of Christ, preach the Word of
Life? Brethren, (you who are Christ’s
true Ministers being orderly called to this sacred Work,) your Preaching hath
attendancy, either to save, or eternally to condemn the Souls of Men; and with
what trembling then, ought this work to be undertaken and performed; you are intrusted with Men’s Souls, and must
be accountable for them; especially , such who are committed to your
Charge; did we consider it, and duly
ponder upon it in our Minds, certainly, we should have little else to think
upon, nor trouble our Heads and Hearts about, it would be sure cause us to be
more Serious, and Laborious, we are perswaded, then we are: What shall we do, if through our Neglect and
Remisness in this great Work, any should die and perish in their Sins? Mind what Gos saith in that of Ezek. 3.18. Unto his Watchmen, When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt
surely dye, and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked
from his way, to save his Life, the same wicked man shall die in his Iniquity,
but his Blood I will require at thine Hand;
tho some do prophanely scoff and deride, yet must we speak to them, and
warn them, until it do appear they are such as will turn again and rend us, Men must be told their Sins, and their
Dangers, that so we (as instruments in God’s Hand) may preserve their Souls,
and recal them at once from Sin and Death, the Man who is not warned, will
certainly die in his Sins, his Ignorance will not be sufficient to prevent his
Ruin and Damnation; but if Ministers admonish him not, warn him not, that will
involve them also under Guilt and Danger, God will punish such Ministers and
Watchmen, who possibly might have saved those perishing Sinners, however they
ought to have warned them, And
Hence how Careful was St. Paul, see Acts 20.26.
that ye might be pure from the Blood of all Men; he appeals to the Church of Ephesus, in that matter, they knowing
his great Care, Faithfulness, and unwearied Industry, upon every Respect; and
shews that no Soul had been lost through his default, he having sincerely, and
in all simplicity declared to them the way of Life, and perswaded them to walk
therein, and had not kept back any part of the Will and Mind of Christ from
them, but had shewed them the whole Counsel of God, and ceased not for three Years (which was all the whole time he was
amongst them) to warn every on Night and
Day with Tears. Acts 20.31. The
precious Worth of the Immortal Souls of Men lay upon the Spirit and Conscience
of this Blessed Apostle: And in this he
laid forth himself as an Example for all true and faithful Ministers, who are
injoyned elsewhere to follow his Steps.
If one Soul be worth more than all the World; How great is the charge of
Christ’s Ministers, that have many souls committed to their Care and Trust? But
2. This is not all, they are Intrusted with that
Holy, High, and Peculiar Interest which Jesus Christ hat here below, which is
dearer to him than Ten Thousand Worlds;
He is gone into Heaven, and hath left His great Concerns He hath here on
Earth to them to mind and look after and take the care of: For the good of which , and to carry it on,
and for the perfecting of it: He hath
shed His most Precious Blood, and given His Holy Spirit to them in the Gifts and
Graces of it, and appointed them a Livelyhood, without being incumbred with worldly
Business; and hath also promised them a Crown of Glory at last, if they abide
Faithful to the end, assuring them that they, and all others who turn many to
Righteousness, shall shine as the Stars for ever more. Dan.
12.2,3.
3. They are not only Stewards of the Mysteries of God, 1 Cor. 4.1. But also Intrusted
with the charge and care of his Churches, and Holy Doctrine of the Gospel;
Ministers are the Stewards of Christ’s House:
Moreover, It is required in
Stewards, that a Man be found Faithful, 1 Cor. 4.2. Especially such Servants who are entrusted
with their Masters Goods, to be dispenced out to others: Now the Faithfulness of such Stewards lies in
their giving to every one their due Portion, according to their Masters order,
and not detaining any thing from others which he hath ordered them to
have; the same in quality, not Water instead of Wine, nor Dross instead of
Gold: not Mens Inventions and Traditions, instead of his Holy Sacraments and
Sacred Institutions. And the same
for quantity; not now and then a small Portion, but as Christ hath provided
plenty, so they should plentifully hand forth to all His Servants: And they also must be Faithful to cherish and
strengthen the Weak, and heal with all Skill and Tenderness the wounded and
sickly Ones of Christs Family, and every way improve their Masters Money, and
do what they can to gather in Souls to him:
For one chief End of Gospel Ministry is for the gathering together of
the Saints; as well as for the Edifying the Body of Christ; therefore in every
place where there is a Door opened for them, they must work hard whilst there
are any Sinners to be called into the Vineyard, and must not leave their
Masters Business to follow their own; especially when they know not but Christ
hath much People in and about the place where they live, who are to be brought
into His Fold.
Secondly, The necessity and usefulness
of their Work and Ministration is opened by divers other Metaphors: viz. They are
called Shepherds; What would soon
become of the Sheep, if the Shepherd should be careless, they will quickly go
astray, &c. the Wolf would devour
them. They are called also Guyides, and
of Old Seers and Watchmen; being set to discover and give warning of approaching
danger.
The Greatness and Labouriousness of their Work, is
set forth by their being called Planters,
Builders, and Labourers.
The Dignity and
Honourableness of their Work and
Office is set forth by their being called Fathers,
Angels, Ambassadors, Stars and Rulers: Now from the whole it must needs appear
to all, that the Ministers Work is hard and difficult: We may well say, Who is sufficient for these things?
‘Tis such a Work that it caused some of God’s Servants of Old to
undertake it with much Trembling; nay it made Moses to cry out, Send by
whom thou wilt send. Exod. 4.13.
‘Tis so hard and difficult, that a man with all his
acquired Parts is not sufficient for it; nay, a Saint with all his Spiritual
Gifts and Graces is not able to perform it without fresh supplies of renewed
Strength every Day.
But to proceed, the difficulty of the Ministers Work
lies in these respects following.
First, In regard of themselves
who are Imployed in it.
1. They are but Men; Son of Man I have made thee a Watchman. And as they are men, so commonly they are not
the wisest and most learned in respect of humane Parts and Knowledg
neither. You see your Calling Brethren.
2. Man at best is but a Worm, he is a poor
dark-sighted Creature, we (saith the
Apostle) know but in part.
3. Man at best with all his Accomplishments, is
attended with Weakness and carries about with him, a Body of Sin and Death. Rom. 7.
4. Man at best with all his Heavenly Graces, hath
but small Skill, and short Experiences.
5. Man at best is subject to great Discouragements,
and lyable to many grievous Temptations.
Secondly, The difficulty of their
Business, lies in the Work it self, the Ministers Imployment is hard, and no
ways easie. Because,
1. ‘Tis a Mysterious Work, what Mysteries are
greater than those a Minister is to study, and dive into? Without
Controversy, great is the Mystery of Godliness.
1 Tim. 3.16. But we speak the
Wisdom of God in a Mystery, even the hidden Wisdom. 1 Cor. 2.7.
That which the most wise, and knowing in the same
Art, can reach or understand but part of, must needs be a great Mystery; but so
it is here, for the Apostles who had the greatest and clearest Knowledge of
these Mysteries, as any ever had in the World; yet declare, they knew but in part, and saw but in part,
darkly, as through a Glass. ver. 13.9.12. ‘Tis such a Mystery, that he that thinks he knows any thing, knows
nothing, as he ought to know.
What a Mystery is that of the Incarnation of our
Lord Jesus? That the Nature of Man
should be joined to the Divine Nature of God, and both make but one Christ.
What a Mystery is there in the Doctrine of
Faith? 1. That a Man should go out of
himself, and be carried above himself, to believe things impossible to Man’s
Natural Reason, that he should seek for Justification, by the Righteousness and
Obedience of another; for a Man (as one would think) to have a great store of
Holyness, and good Works, and yet throw it (as it were) all away, and be dead
to it in point of Trust, and Dependance, is to Natural Men a strange
Mystery. 2. To believe when every thing
is opposite to it: To Work for Life, and
oppose some Sin, a Natural Man is ready to do; but to believe in Christ, for
Life and Holyness, to rely on his Doings, his Works, his Merits; this the Heart
of Man can’t understand, but is naturally averse to; nay, and Satan also opposeth
it, and the World mocks at it, and accounts it Foolishness. 3. That a Man should believe and not see;
nay, believe as Abraham did, in hope,
against hope is a Mystery.
Yet, may be there are some greater Mysteries than
this which a Minister is to Study, in respect of Christ the Mediator; his Work,
Offices, Glorious Covenant, Ordinances, and Providences of God in the World,
and therefore his Work is a difficult Work.
2. ‘Tis difficult, in that it calls for the greatest
Care and Exactness imaginable, every thing must be done according, to the Holy
Pattern set by Christ in the Gospel; there must be no adding to, no diminishing
from, nor altering of anything in the least, without eternal hazard and danger.
3. ‘Tis difficult and very hard in that it calls for
the greatest strength that the most strong Grace and Wisdom can arrive unto, it
requires all the Powers of the whole Soul to be exerted or put forth to a right
Discharge thereof.
4. It calls not only for all our strength, but also
all our Time and Diligence; a slothful or Idle Person is not fit to be a
Minister, ‘tis a work that must be followed continually, let the times be what
they will; Preach the Word, be instant in
season, and out of season, reprove, exhort, with all long Suffering, and
Doctrine; be not Slothful, but Diligent, fear no Faces, regard no Threats,
respect no Mans Person, reprove all impartially, be no fawning nor flattering
Preacher; nor like those who rather vent their own Passion, than persue the end
of Instruction, and Reformation of Souls; and this is a hard Work to do.
5. ‘Tis difficult Work, in respect of the opposition
that is made against them, and the Grand Obstructions they meet withal.
1. From their
own Hearts, the Flesh is weak, tho the Spirit indeed is willing, many
times, that it is ready to say with Peter,
Master, pity thy self; Why dost thou spend thy Time, thy Strength, and ware
out thy poor Body at this sort? Less may
do &c.
Besides, the Heart of a Minister (who is sensible of
the Nature of his Work) causes him oft to tremble, in Consideration of his
Unfitness, and Unworthiness for such a sacred Undertaking and Imployment.
2. From Sin,
in dwelling Sin, and other Humane Frailties; alas, they are Men of like Passion
and Infirmities with others.
3. From Satan,
he is an Implacable Enemy to them, and to their Work; hence he raises up all
the Opposition against them imaginable, to hinder them in their Business, or
take them off of it, or make them Remiss and Negligent in doing it, we are not Ignorant (saith Paul) of his devices. 2 Cor. 2.11.
4. From the
World, 1. By Reproaches and Contradictions of Ungodly Men, 2. By Hereticks
and False-Teachers, with these they are forc’d to fight, and many times are
hard put to it, as Paul when he
ingaged those evil Beasts in Ephesus.
5. Lastly, By
Persecutors, allways the heat of this Battle falls upon Christ’s poor
Ministers; they are the Mark these wicked Archers shoot at; hence they like Paul are oft in Bonds, and Prisoners for
Christ’s sake.
Now, put all these things together, and it is needful
(think you) that your poor Ministers be thought upon, and incouraged by you, as
Christ hath appointed? But we shall say
no more, only, conclude all with one Word to our Fellow Labourers. Brethren,
let us strive to double our Diligence, and shew to all the sense of the
greatness of our work is upon our Spirits; and tho we have not that
incouragement from the People that God has Ordained; yet, remember we serve a
good Master: Besides, a Necessity is
laid upon us, we must Preach toe Gospel; and let us, be contented, with that
State and Portion we meet with in the World; ‘tis our great Business to approve
our selves the Ministers of Christ, in
Labours, in Watchings, in Fastings, by Pureness, by Knowledge, by the Holy
Ghost, by Love unfeigned, by the Word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the
Armour of Righteousness, on the Right Hand, and on the Left; by Honour, and
Dishonour; by evil Report and good Report, 2 Cor. 6.5,6,7,8. Possibly, we may be reproached, and sensured
for what we have done, and said, in this small Tract. But should it be so, we matter it not, since
we have the Testimony of our Consciences, that our Design is the Glory of God,
and the promoting his Blessed Gospel in the Nation, and the good of his poor
Churches; and also, because we know we have the sure Word of God to confirm the
Truth of what we plead for: Wherefore,
whilst we make it appear to all, ‘tis not the Hire, the Wages, &c. that we
aim at, but contrariwise, the Honour of the ever blessed God, and to Witness to
the Sanction of every one of his Just and most Holy Precepts, we cannot be
without Peace in our Souls.
FINIS.
[1] In the original, each of
these topics was followed by a pagination notation.
[2] Errata: original reads: “Church.”
[3] Errata: original reads: “Church.”
[4] Errata: original reads: “Church.”
[5] Sic.
[6] Errata: original omits “the.”
[7] Errata: original reads: “the Churches duty.”
[8] Errata: original reads: “she.”
[9] Errata: original reads: “Church.”
[10] Errata: original reads: “her.”
[11] Errata: original reads: “her.”
[12] No change is noted on the Errata page for this pronoun.
[13] This “2” appears
unexpectedly in the text, but is not a typographic error, as a “3” shortly
follows. Apparently a “1” is implied
prior to the words “To neglect this, is to despise the Wisdom of Christ . . .
.”
[14] Original reads, “greaest.”
[15] The word “unconcern’d” may
be implied at this place in this sentence.
This would fit both the immediate context in the sentence, and the
context of the section in which the statement is made.
[16] Errata: original reads: “Church.”
[17] In Margin: “Continuation of
Mr. Poole’s Annotations.” The quote may be found in context in Matthew
Poole, A Commentary on the Holy Bible (McLean, Va.: MacDonald Pub. Co.,
n.d.), 3:44, on Matt. 9:10.
[18] Cf. Poole, 3:568, on 1 Cor.
9:14.
[19] Cf. Poole, 3:660, on Gal.
6:6&7.
[20] Errata: original reads “contangle.”
[21] Sic.
[22] Cf. Poole, 3:783, on 1 Tim.
4:15.
[23] Errata: original reads “their.”
[24] Sic.
[25] Much of this section is
taken over from N[ehemiah] C[oxe], A Sermon Preached at the Ordination of an
Elder and Deacons in a Baptized Congregation in London (London: Tho.
Fabian, 1681). See for example pg.
38-9. The material is rearranged to some
degree in The Gospel Minister’s Maintenance Vindicated, but much of it
is taken verbatim from Coxe.
[26] Cf. Poole, 3:567, on 1 Cor.
9:11. The author(s) of The Gospel Minister’s Maintenance
Vindicated seem to have altered the latter part of the comments of Poole.
[27] Errata. Original reads
“are.”
[28] Sic.
[29]Cf. Coxe, Ordination
Sermon pg. 39, 37. The material is rearranged
to some degree in The Gospel Minister’s Maintenance Vindicated, but much
of it is taken verbatim from
Coxe.
[30] Coxe, Ordination Sermon,
41.
[31] Errata. Original reads “let himself be.” This is a direct quote from Coxe’s Ordination
Sermon, pg. 38, where the phrase reads “to set in himself a pattern . . .
.”
[32] Sic. The proper reference is
1 Tim. 5.17&18.
[33] This “2.” evidently refers
to the second implication drawn from the cited text.
[34] Cf. Poole, 3:786, on 1 Tim.
5:18.
[35] Original reads “ough.”
[36] Cf. Poole, 1:906, on Neh.
13:11.
[37] Cf. Coxe, Ordination
Sermon pg. 42-3.
[38] Cf. Poole, 2:1026, on Mal.
3:9.
[39] The text clearly states the
“6” verse, but the verse quoted is the 9th verse. It may be that the 9 was inverted by the
printer in the original.
[40] Errata. Original reads
“and.”
[41] Properly Isa. 46:6.
[42] The reference is
incorrect. The correct reference is Isa.
46:19.
[43] Cf. Poole, 2:414, on Isa.
40:20.
[44] Sic.
[45] Cf. Coxe, Ordination Sermon, 44-45. The first part of the quote is exact, the
latter part is slightly paraphrased.
[46] Cf. Poole, 3:566-67, on 1
Cor. 9:6.
[47] Cf. Coxe, Ordination
Sermon, 36. All of the material
after 2. up to this point is from Coxe.
[48] This objection is made
against the State system of supporting the ministers of the Church of England
by means of an obligatory tithe, collected as a tax from the citizens. For an early expression of the Particular
Baptists’ rejection of this practice, see Benjamin Coxe’s letter to Richard
Harrison, printed in Association Records of the Particular Baptists of
England, Wales and Ireland to 1660 ed. B.R. White, (London: The Baptist
Historical Society, 1971), 43-50.
[49] Sic.
[50] Presumably, this is a
reference to Luke 10:38-41.
[52] Errata, original adds “say they.”
[53] Cf. Poole, 3:43, on Matt.
10:8. The quotation is slightly altered.
[54] Henry Ainsworth, Annotations
on the Pentateuch and the Psalms (Ligonier, Penn.: Soli Deo Gloria, 1991
reprint), 2:59; 2:276.
[55] This is a confusing
collation of passages from Ainsworth, 2:56 and 2:275. The reference within the quotation marks is
incorrect and should read “1 Cor. 9.13.14.”
The quotation marks above are as in the original text, ending in a
strange place, not after the first citation from Ainsworth, but in the middle
of the second. “Maim.” is the Jewish
author Maimonides.
[56] In the original, the
heading at the top of pages 1-13 reads “A
Regular Ministry Asserted;” on pages 14-113, the left pages are headed by
the words “The Gospel Minister’s” and
the right pages by the words “Maintenance
Vindicated.” From page 114 (which
begins at this point in the text) through the end of the book (page 132), all
pages are headed by the words, “Minister’s
Work is Great.” Page 116 is an
exception, reading “The Gospel Ministers.” The word “Ministers”
on pages 115, 117-131 is written without the apostrophe.
[57] Cf. Poole. 3:607, on 2 Cor.
2:15-16. The quotation is slightly
altered at several points. All of the
material from the words “2 Cor. 2” in
the preceding paragraph is closely based on Poole.
