Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

§. 50. Nor will the Clergies corruption allow either unqualified or▪ uncalled Men to thrust themselves into the Sacred Office, as if they were the Men that can do better, and must mend all that is amiss. Such have been tried in Licentious Times, and proved, some of them, to do more hurt than the very Drunkards, or the ignorant sort of Ministers, that did but read the holy Scriptures. Pride is too often the reprehender of other Mens Faults and Imperfections, and would make other Mens Names but a stepping-stone to their own aspiring Folly: As many that have cried out against bad Popes and Prelates, that they might get into the places, have been as bad themselves when they have their Will: No wonder if it be so with the proud revilers of the Ministry.

§. 50. Nor will the Clergies corruption allow either unqualified or▪ uncalled Men to thrust themselves into the Sacred Office, as if they were the Men that can do better, and must mend all that is amiss. Such have been tryed in Licentious Times, and proved, some of them, to do more hurt than the very Drunkards, or the ignorant sort of Ministers, that did but read the holy Scriptures. Pride is too often the reprehender of other Mens Faults and Imperfections, and would make other Mens Names but a stepping-stone to their own aspiring Folly: As many that have cryed out against bad Popes and Prelates, that they might get into the places, have been as bad themselves when they have their Will: No wonder if it be so with the proud revilers of the Ministry.

§. 51. There is need therefore of much Wisdom and holy care, that we here avoid the two extremes; that we grow not indifferent who are our Pastors, nor contract the Guilt of Church-corruption, but mourn for the reproach of the solemn Assemblies, and do our best for true and needful ⟨p. 22⟩Reformation, that the Gospel fail not, and Souls be not quietly left to Satan, nor the Church grow like the Infidel World; and yet that we neither invade nor dishonour the sacred Office, nor needlessly open the nakedness of the Persons, nor do any thing that may hinder their just endeavours and success; we must speak evil of no man either falsely or unnecessarily.