The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

§. 179. Of Ministers walking worthy there place.

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 walk^d 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,