§. 25. But let it be considered, 1. That partly for the honour of qualified persons, and partly that all the Church might in season have the help ⟨p. 8⟩of all mens gifts, they were so far in the ancient Churches from having so few as Dr. Hammond and Petavius imagine, that they multiplied Officers, and dignified, and so employed a great part of the Church that had useful gifts: Insomuch that a most credible Witness shortly after, even Gregory Nazianzen, saith, Orat. 1. Pag. 45. that by the intrusion of men for dignity and maintenance, The Church-Rulers were almost more than the Subjects. The words are [Greek or Hebrew], &c. Of others I am ashamed, who when they are no better than others, (and I wish they were not much worse) thrust themselves upon the most holy Mysteries, as we say, with unwashen hands and profane minds, and before they are worthy to approach to holy things, ambitiously enter the Vestry it self (or Chancel) and press and thrust themselves about the holy Table, as if they judged this Order not to be an example of Virtue, but an occasion and help of getting maintenance, and not to be an Office liable to give Account, but a Command in which they may be free from Censure: Who being miserable (or pitiful persons) as to Piety, and unhappy as to Splendour, that is, low in the World and Parts) do now in number almost exceed those whom they are over (or are to govern). [This would make one suspect that there were then many Ruling Elders that preached not; but it's plain they had an Office about the Sacraments.] Therefore this Evil increasing and getting strength with time, it seems to me that they will have none under them to rule, (or guide) but that all will turn Teachers and will Prophesy, instead (as was promised by God) of being all taught of God: So that of old the History and Parable said, Saul also is among the Prophets. For there neither now is nor ever was so great plenty of any other thing as there is now of these frequent Shames and Criminals; for other things, as they have their flourishing time, have also their decay. And though to repress their impetuousness be a work above my strength, yet certainly to hate it and be ashamed is not the least part of Piety.
§. 25. But let it be considered, 1. That partly for the honour of qualified persons, and partly that all the Church might in season have the help ⟨p. 8⟩of all mens gifts, they were so far in the ancient Churches from having so few as Dr. Hammond and Petavius imagine, that they multiplied Officers, and dignified, and so employed a great part of the Church that had useful gifts: Insomuch that a most credible Witness shortly after, even Gregory Nazianzen, saith, Orat. 1. Pag. 45. that by the intrusion of men for dignity and maintenance, The Church-Rulers were almost more than the Subjects. The words are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, &c. Of others I am ashamed, who when they are no better than others, (and I wish they were not much worse) thrust themselves upon the most holy Mystories, as we say, with unwashen hands and prophane minds, and before they are worthy to approach to holy things, ambitiously enter the Vestry it self (or Chancell) and press and thrust themselves about the holy Table, as if they judged this Order not to be an example of Virtue, but an occasion and help of getting maintenance, and not to be an Office lyable to give Account, but a Command in which they may be free from Censure: Who being miserable (or pitiful persons) as to Piety, and unhappy as to Splendour, that is, low in the World and Parts) do now in number almost exceed those whom they are over (or are to govern). [This would make one suspect that there were then many Ruling Elders that preach'd not; but it's plain they had an Office about the Sacraments.] Therefore this Evil increasing and getting strength with time, it seems to me that they will have none under them to rule, (or guide) but that all will turn Teachers and will Prophesie, instead (as was promised by God) of being all taught of God: So that of old the History and Parable said, Saul also is among the Prophets. For there neither now is nor ever was so great plenty of any other thing as there is now of these frequent Shames and Criminals; for other things, as they have their flourishing time, have also their decay. And though to repress their impetuousness be a work above my strength, yet certainly to hate it and be ashamed is not the least part of Piety.
