2 The duties which are required of Ministers by virtue of their embassy,1 committed unto them,2 are two: one general, the other particular: that respecteth their conversation; this their ministration. The general is, to carry themselves worthy of the dignity and excellency of their place: we see that Ambassadors of earthly kings are very circumspect over their carriage, behaving themselves gravely, soberly, honourably, showing themselves to be men of wisdom, able to discharge so weighty a function, & that in a double respect, namely in regard of their own credit, & of their Masters honour. So ought Ministers of the word to behave themselves as becometh the Ambassadors of the great Lord of Heaven: all Christians are commanded to walkd worthy of the Lord, who hath called them,e worthy of the Gospel, whereby they are called,f worthy⟨p. 540⟩ of the vocation whereunto they are called: if all Christians, how much more Ministers whose particular calling hath an eminency above all. To this purpose tendeth that exhortation of Saint Paul to Timothy, gBe thou an example of believers in word, in conversation, &c. Otherwise as they disgrace themselves, and make themselves to be thought unworthy of their place, yea to be despised, so also they dishonour their Master, as Hophni and Phinehas did; whereupon God said,h they that despise me shall be despised.
2 THe duties which are required of Ministers by vertue of their ambassage,1 committed vnto them,2 are two: one generall, the other particular: that respecteth their conuersation; this their ministration. The generall is, to carrie themselues worthy of the dignitie and excellency of their place: we see that Ambassadours of earthly kings are very circumspect ouer their cariage, behauing themselues grauely, soberly, honourably, shewing themselues to be men of wisdome, able to discharge so weighty a function, & that in a double respect, namely in regard of their own credit, & of their Masters honor. So ought Ministers of the word to behaue themselues as becōmeth the Ambassadors of the great Lord of Heauen: all Christians are commanded to walked worthy of the Lord, who hath called them,e worthy of the Gospel, wherby they are called,f worthy⟨p. 540⟩ of the vocation whereunto they are called: if all Christians, how much more Ministers whose particular calling hath an eminency aboue all. To this purpose tendeth that exhortation of Saint Paul to Timothy, gBee thou an example of beleeuers in word, in conuersation, &c. Otherwise as they disgrace themselues, and make themselues to bee thought vnworthy of their place, yea to bee despised, so also they dishonour their Master, as Hophni and Phinias did; whereupon God said,h they that despise me shall be despised.
- 1Duties of Ministers.
- 2Obser. 17. 1 Worthy walking.
- dCol. 1. 10
- ePhil. 1. 27
- fEphe. 4. 1.
- g1 Tim. 4 12▪
- h1 Sam. 2. 30.
