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

Always to remember you. This is the fourth praise of his diligence, which shows it to be well followed; wherein we noted his Fidelity, in the assiduity of his Preaching. Now this duty cannot be performed by any Minister of the Gospel, without a constant abiding among his own. When we learn, that a president should be Resident. Some have their Poole lying in the Country, yet they are still angling about the Court. But they answer it with the Proverb; no fishing to the sea, no service to the King. Indeed the Apostles were Ubiquitaries, but Ministers must be Residentiaries. Now there is a distinction of parishes and charges: therefore let every man Take heed to that flock, over which the holy Ghost hath set him, Act. 20.28. And Paul left Titus in Crete, to ordain elders to every City, Tit. 1.5. Residence is two-fold; Personal and Pastoral. It is not so much the Personal, as the Pastoral residence, that is required Jure divino. A Minister may be Pastorally resident, though not Personally; in watching over the peoples souls; and feeding them immediately by himself so much as he can, and mediately by as good as himself when he cannot. Another may be Personally resident, yet not Pastorally; when he is amongst them, and doth not diligently preach unto them. There may be a just non-residence, when the Church hath employed a man about public busyness. Yea, it may be also just; when it is necessary; Pro vita & viatico; for the ⟨p. 248⟩recovery of health, or needful maintenance, to keep himself from hunger and unrelieved penury: nature it self allows it. Herein every mans own conscience is his best direction. But they that preach altogether by an Attorney, are like to be saved altogether by an Attorney. As they wholly feed the flock Per vicarios, by their deputies: so shall they go to heaven Per vicarios, by their deputies. Some cannot endure to be resident in any place: but he that loves to be a runagate, not seldom proves a runagate: the wandering star is swooped down by the dragons tail, not fixed by the hand of CHRIST, Always. The business of a Minister is like the Husband-mans, and that is compared to a ring, because it is endless. Esa. 62.6. I have set watchmen, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence: for Jerusalems sake we have no rest.