4. It is the sin that hath corrupted the sacred Office of the Ministry throughout most of the Christian Churches in the world: And thereby caused both the Schisms and Cruelties, and the decay of serious godliness among them, which is their present deplorable case. Ignorant persons are like sick men in a Fever: They lay the blame on this and that, and commonly on that which went next before the paroxysm; and know not the true cause of the disease: We are all troubled (or should be) to see the many minds, the many ways, the confused state of the Christian Churches, and to hear them cry out against each other. And one layeth the blame on this party or opinion, and another on that: But when we come to our ⟨p. 443⟩selves, we shall find that it is, The worldly mind that causeth our calamity. Many well meaning friends of the Church do think how dishonourable it is to the Ministry, to be poor and low, and consequently despicable; and what an advantage is it to their work, to be able to relieve the poor, and rather to oblige the people, than to depend upon them, and to be above them, rather than below them. And supposing the Pastors to be mortified, holy, heavenly men, all this is true; and the zeal of these thoughts is worthy of commendation. But that which good men intend for good, hath become the Churches bane. So certain is the common saying, that Constantine's zeal did poison the Church, by lifting up the Pastors of it too high, and occasioning those contentions for grandeur and precedency, which to this day separate the East and West. When well-meaning Piety hath adorned the office with wealth and honour, it is as true as that the Sun shineth, that the most proud, ambitious, worldly men, will be the most studious seekers of that office; and will make it their plot, and trade, and business, how by friends, and observances, and wills, to attain their ends: And usually he that seeks shall find: when in the mean time the godly mortified humble man, will not do so; but will serve God in the state to which he is clearly called: And consequently, except it be under the Government of an admirably wise and holy Ruler, a worthy Pastor in such a wealthy station, will be a singular thing, and a rarity of the age;
4. It is the sin that hath corrupted the sacred Office of the Ministry throughout most of the Christian Churches in the world: And thereby caused both the Schisms and Cruelties, and the decay of serious godliness among them, which is their present deplorable case. Ignorant persons are like sick men in a Feaver: They lay the blame on this and that, and commonly on that which went next before the paroxism; and know not the true cause of the disease: We are all troubled (or should be) to see the many minds, the many waies, the confused state of the Christian Churches, and to hear them cry out against each other. And one layeth the blame on this party or opinion, and another on that: But when we come to our ⟨p. 443⟩selves, we shall find that it is, The worldly mind that causeth our calamity. Many well meaning friends of the Church do think how dishonourable it is to the Ministry, to be poor and low, and consequently despicable; and what an advantage is it to their work, to be able to relieve the poor, and rather to oblige the people, than to depend upo• them, and to be above them, rather than below them. And supposing the Pastors to be mortified, holy, heavenly men, all this is true; and the zeal of these thoughts is worthy of commendation. But that which good men intend for good, hath become the Churches bane. So certain is the common saying, that Constantines zeal did poison the Church, by lifting up the Pastors of it too high, and occasioning those contentions for grandure and precedency, which to this day separate the East and West. When well-meaning Piety hath adorned the office with wealth and honour, it is as true as that the Sun shineth, that the most proud, ambitious, worldly men, will be the most studious seekers of that office; and will make it their plot, and trade, and business, how by friends, and observances, and wills, to attain their ends: And usually he that seeks shall find: when in the mean time the godly mortified humble man, will not do so; but will serve God in the state to which he is clearly called: And consequently, except it be under the Government of an admirably wise and holy Ruler, a worthy Pastor in such a wealthy station, will be a singular thing, and a rarity of the age;
