Theol. That is so in truth. For they ought to be the guides, governors, shepherds, and watchmen over the people of God. And therefore for them to neglect their duties and charges, is a most horrible thing, sith it concerneth1 the hurt of many. Therefore well said the Heathen Poet: A magistrate, or a Minister, may not be lazy and slothful, to whom the nursing of the people is given in charge, and of whom many things are to be cared for.
⟨p. 176⟩What a lamentable thing therefore is it, when Magistrates are profane, irreligious, popish, vicious, and negligent in the duties of their calling? And how much more lamentable is it, when Ministers neglect their studies, slack preaching, and prayer, and give up themselves, some to covetousness, some to pride, some to husbandry, some to other worldly affairs, and some to spend their time idly in Laverns, Ale-houses, gaming, rioting, and lewd company? Would to God therefore that both these kind of public persons would cast off idleness and sloth; and with diligence, faithfulness, care and conscience, perform the duties of their places. For it is an excellent thing for any to be a good man in his place: As a good Magistrate, that ruleth well, that governeth wisely, which favoureth good men and good causes, and defendeth them: which also setteth himself against bad men and bad causes, and punisheth them sharply and severely: which moreover maintaineth virtue, even of a very love he beareth unto it in his heart: and punisheth vice of a very zeal and hatred against it: and not for his credit only or to please some, or because he must needs do it, and can do no less, or for any such sinister respect: but even of a love to God, a care of his glory, a conscience of duty, and a fervent zeal against ⟨p. 177⟩sin. So likewise, it is a notable thing for a Minister to be a good man in his place; to be studious in the law of God, diligent and painful in preaching; and that of a love to God▪ a zeal of his glory, deep pity and compassion toward the souls of the people, seeking by all means possible to win them unto God▪ carrying himself in all his actions amongst them, wisely, religiously, unblameably, and in offensively.
Theol. That is so in truth. For they ought to be the guides, gouernours, shepheards, and watchmen ouer the people of God. And therefore for them to neglect their duties and charges, is a most horrible thing, sith it concerneth1 the hurt of many. Therefore well said the Heathen Poet: A magistrate, or a Minister, may not be lazie and slothfull, to whom the nursing of the people is giuen in charge, and of whom many things are to be cared for.
⟨p. 176⟩What a lamentable thing therefore is it, when Magistrates are prophane, irreligious, popish, vicious, and negligent in the duties of their calling? And how much more lamentable is it, when Ministers neglect their studies, slack preaching, and prayer, and giue vp themselues, some to couetousnesse, some to pride, some to husbandrie, some to other worldly affaires, and some to spend their time idlely in Lauerns, Ale-houses, gaming, rioting, and lewd company? Would to God therefore that both these kind of publike persons would cast off idlenesse and slouth; and with diligence, faithfulnesse, care and conscience, performe the duties of their places. For it is an excellent thing for any to be a good man in his place: As a good Magistrate, that ruleth well, that gouerneth wisely, which fauoureth good men and good causes, and defendeth them: which also setteth himselfe against bad men and bad causes, and punisheth them sharpely and seuerely: which moreouer maintaineth vertue, euen of a very loue he beareth vnto it in his heart: and punisheth vice of a very zeale and hatred against it: and not for his credit only or to please some, or because he must needs doe it, and can doe no lesse, or for any such sinister respect: but euen of a loue to God, a care of his glory, a conscience of dutie, and a feruent zeale against ⟨p. 177⟩sinne. So likewise, it is a notable thing for a Minister to be a good man in his place; to bée studious in the law of God, diligent and painfull in preaching; and that of a loue to God▪ a zeale of his glorie, déepe pity and compassion toward the soules of the people, séeking by all meanes possible to winne them vnto God▪ carrying himselfe in all his actions amongst them, wisely, religiously, vnblameably, and in offensiuely.
- 1Homer. Iliad. 2.
