Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

But this is not all. Ministers ought not only to preach Christ, but likewise to live him. What good are those pretended Ministers like to do, in whatever Place, Country or Nation they are to be found, who are scandalous and profane? Grant that some of them preach well, I would fain know whether that be enough, either to save themselves or those that hear them. What such men seem to build up by their Doctrine, they pull down by their Practice. Let any rational man judge, whether they are like to convince and persuade others, who do lead self-contradicting lives. How can they prevail with others to be sober, who will sit and quaff, and be drunk themselves? With what face can they persuade others to possess their vessels in Sanctification and Honour, who are unclean and filthy themselves? In short, how are they like to lead others in the way everlasting, who do themselves turn aside to crooked paths with the workers of Iniquity? Oh that therefore care might be taken by all those who are invested with Power, and have the oversight of such things as these, that those and none but those may be set as spiritual Guides and Leaders over the several Flocks and Congregations in the Land, as may without blushing say to their hearers, Walk so as ye have us for an Example, and be ye Followers of us even as we are of Christ.

But this is not all. Ministers ought not only to preach Christ, but likewise to live him. What good are those pretended Ministers like to do, in whatever Place, Countrey or Nation they are to be found, who are scandalous and prophane? Grant that some of them preach well, I would fain know whether that be enough, either to save themselves or those that hear them. What such men seem to build up by their Doctrine, they pull down by their Practice. Let any rational man judge, whether they are like to convince and perswade others, who do lead self-contradicting lives. How can they prevail with others to be sober, who will sit and quaffe, and be drunk themselves? With what face can they perswade others to possess their vessels in Sanctification and Honour, who are unclean and filthy themselves? In short, how are they like to lead others in the way everlasting, who do themselves turn aside to crooked paths with the workers of Iniquity? Oh that therefore care might be taken by all those who are invested with Power, and have the oversight of such things as these, that those and none but those may be set as spiritual Guides and Leaders over the several Flocks and Congregations in the Land, as may without blushing say to their hearers, Walk so as ye have us for an Example, and be ye Followers of us even as we are of Christ.