2. That in all this the Laity are not innocent, but must thank themselves for the evil that befalleth them; and that on two notable accounts: 1. Because they have ordinarily the choosing of the dignified and beneficed Churchmen, and they have but such as they choose themselves: They think it is their wisdom as well as piety, to make the Honour and Profit so great, as shall be a very strong bait to Pride and Covetousness: And when they have so done, the Proudest and most Covetous will certainly be the Seekers; and that with as much craft and diligence, as an ambitious mind can use their parts to: And he that seeketh (by himself and friends) is likest to find: And the more humble and heavenly any one is, and consequently most honest, and fit to be a Pastor of the Church, the further he will be from the Seekers way! So that except it be where the world hath Rulers so wise and strangely pious, as to seek out the worthy who seek not for themselves, its easy to prognosticate what kind of Pastors the Church will have: And verily they that choose them, are the unfittest to complain of them. Whereas if the Churches maintenance were such, ⟨p. 26⟩as might but prevent the discouragements of such as seek the Ministry for the works sake and for the love of souls, that so Students might not make it a Trade for wealth, but a self-denying dedication of themselves to God, the Churches would be accordingly provided; And they that intend the saving of souls, would be the Candidates, (by their own and their Parents dedication) as now they that intend a Trade to live and serve the flesh by (in an honourable way) are too great a part of them. Or men might be further rewarded ex post facto for their Merits, without being tempted to study principally for that reward. And if we will needs have carnal men, let us not wonder if they live carnally. And if the carnal mind be enmity to God, and neither is nor can be subject to his Law, Rom. 8. 6, 7. we may easily prognosticate how Christs enemies will do his work, and guide his Church, and whether their wills and ways will be such as the conscionable can conform to.
2. That in all this the Laity are not innocent, but must thank themselves for the evil that befalleth them; and that on two notable accounts: 1. Because they have ordinarily the choosing of the dignified and beneficed Churchmen, and they have but such as they choose themselves: They think it is their wisdom as well as piety, to make the Honour and Profit so great, as shall be a very strong bait to Pride and Covetousness: And when they have so done, the Proudest and most Covetous will certainly be the Seekers; and that with as much craft and diligence, as an ambitious mind can use their parts to: And he that seeketh (by himself and friends) is likest to find: And the more humble and heavenly any one is, and consequently most honest, and fit to be a Pastor of the Church, the further he will be from the Seekers way! So that except it be where the world hath Rulers so wise and strangely pious, as to seek out the worthy who seek not for themselves, its easie to prognosticate what kind of Pastors the Church will have: And verily they that choose them, are the unfittest to complain of them. Whereas if the Churches maintenance were such, ⟨p. 26⟩as might but prevent the discouragements of such as seek the Ministry for the works sake and for the love of souls, that so Students might not make it a Trade for wealth, but a self-denying dedication of themselves to God, the Churches would be accordingly provided; And they that intend the saving of souls, would be the Candidates, (by their own and their Parents dedication) as now they that intend a Trade to live and serve the flesh by (in an honourable way) are too great a part of them. Or men might be further rewarded ex post facto for their Merits, without being tempted to study principally for that reward. And if we will needs have carnal men, let us not wonder if they live carnally. And if the carnal mind be enmity to God, and neither is nor can be subject to his Law, Rom. 8. 6, 7. we may easily prognosticate how Christs enemies will do his work, and guide his Church, and whether their wills and wayes will be such as the conscionable can conform to.
