First, hereby he would give us to understand, how hard a thing it is, to find an able and godly Minister, for if ⟨p. 98⟩there were not a great scarcity of such men, the Lord needed not ask this question. But some will object against this, that there are in many Christian Churches so many Ministers, as they cannot all be maintained, but some go up and down, undisposed, and unprovided for. I answer, this is too true in all ages: there were Wandering Levites in the Old Testament, which went up and down and offered their service, and served for 10. shekels of silver, and a suit of apparel, and meat and drink:1 but this calamity was upon the Church of the Jews, never but then, when there was no King in Israel, and every one did that which was good in his own eyes. If therefore there be any in our Church, & in Christian Nations, which go up and down, and offer their service at such rates, it is much more miserable,2 seeing now there are kings in Israel: and therefore it is no reason that every man rob the Church, as it shall please his covetous mind. But ceasing to enquire whether thi• be so or no: and ⟨p. 99⟩if it be so, leaving the reformation thereof to those Churches and States whom it may concern: I answer, for the matter in hand, that this may be so, and yet the Lord may complain as here he doth. Whom shall I send? for the Lord meaneth not such as bear the name of Levites or Priests in the old, or of Ministers in the new: for there were always more of them: who, some for preferment sake, some for their ease, and some for a refuge how to live, are willing to enter that function, and accordingly in that calling, seek not the Lord, but themselves, and their own ends.
First, hereby hee would giue vs to vnderstand, how hard a thing it is, to finde an able and godly Minister, for if ⟨p. 98⟩there were not a great scarcitie of such men, the Lorde needed not aske this question. But some will obiect against this, that there are in many Christian Churches so many Ministers, as they cannot all bee maintained, but some goe vp and downe, vndisposed, and vnprouided for. I answere, this is too true in all ages: there were Wandering Leuits in the Olde Testament, which went vp and downe and offered their seruice, and serued for 10. shekels of siluer, and a sute of apparell, and meate and drinke:1 but this calamitie was vpon the Church of the Iewes, neuer but then, when there was no King in Israel, and euery one did that which was good in his owne eyes. If therefore there bee any in our Church, & in Christian Nations, which goe vp and downe, and offer their seruice at such rates, it is much more miserable,2 seeing now there are kings in Israel: and therefore it is no reason that euery man rob the Church, as it shal please his couetous minde. But ceasing to enquire whether thi• bee so or no: and ⟨p. 99⟩if it bee so, leauing the reformation thereof to those Churches and States whom it may concerne: I answere, for the matter in hand, that this may be so, and yet the Lorde may complaine as here hee doth. Whom shall I send? for the Lord meaneth not such as beare the name of Leuites or Priestes in the olde, or of Ministers in the newe: for there were alwayes more of them: who, some for preferment sake, some for their ease, and some for a refuge how to liue, are willing to enter that function, and accordingly in that calling, seeke not the Lord, but themselues, and their owne ends.
- 1Judges 19.18. & 17.8.6.Iudges 19.18. & 17.8.6.
- 2Judg. 17.6.Iudg. 17.6.
