A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

I will not be negligent.] [Greek or Hebrew]. This is the second praise of his diligence: i• is well furthered by his Sedulity. Negligence of good duties is in all men damnable, in a Minister execrable: in others robbery, in us Sacrilege. Cursed is he th•• doth the Lords business negligently, saith the Prophet. God was so careful to avoid negligent Ministers under the Law; that the Levites were to bear no office till five and twenty, and to cease again at fifty: not sooner than the first age, Propter imbecilitatem mentis; For the disability of their mind: not longer than the latter terme, Propter infirmitatem corporis; For the infirmity of their body. There is not a Calling of a greater labour: Qui temerè eligit, non intelligit; He that rashly chooseth it, never understood it. If a man knew the weight of it, it would take away his stomach. It brings a man from a quiet, to a laborious life: I have much ado to look to my own soul,¹ how shall I look to the souls of others? It is indeed lawful to s•e to be in the Ministry;² as Paul says, If any man desire the office, he desireth a good work: it is then lawful to desire, therefore lawful to express that desire. But let him think of the Account:³ To watch for souls, as one that must give account. Some have observed upon CHRISTS calling of those four Apostles, in the 4. of Matthew; Simon, Andrew, James, and John. That Simon signifies Obedient; Andrew, Couragio••, James, a Supplanter: and John, the Grace of God. And that a Minister of the Gospel should be accordingly qualified: he must be obedient as Simon, courageous as Andrew, and a supplanter of sin as James, and manifest the power of the grace of God as John. There belong to him, Infusion, Diffusion, Effusion, and power of Confusion. Infusion of knowledge, diffusion of grace, effusion of doctrine, confutation of error. Saint Paul was so diligent in this office, that he was called The wing•• Husbandman: one writes of him, that Terra citius deficeret; quàm studium praedica• di: the earth might sooner have wanted room for him, than he neglected through the earth preaching. Now, too many make the Ministry, a matter of Policy to raise themselves; and once gotten up, though no Bishop suspend them, they p themselves to silence: ambition shuts up many lips. They see and say, that a pai full Teacher seldom comes to preferment.