§. 31. We have notoriously all these sorts of Ministers in the world. 1. Carnal, proud and worldly hypocrites, who are enemies to that which is against their pride and worldly interest: These contend malignantly against Godliness. 2. Ignorant, idle, fleshly drones, that eat and drink and mind the world, but meddle not much with controversies. 3. Professors of Religious zeal, who espouse some singular dividing way, and turn all their studies to make good their mistakes; who have laudable abilities perverted by prejudice, error and interest. 4. Honest Preachers that serve God in practical preaching; but being but half studied in some controversies, are yet as forward and busy in disputing, censuring and reproving dissenters, as if they knew as much as the cause requireth. I would all these would meddle with no controversies, but what great necessity in plain and certain cases calls them to. 5. We have many humble truly Godly men, who as they are conscious that they are not well studied for controversy, so they meddle not with it but lay out themselves in preaching the truths that we all agree in, and do God and his Church much service in quietness and peace: These are the men that the Church is most beholden to. 6. Some are judicious and very fit for controversy, but too cold in the practical part of Religion. 7. Some excellent holy men (like Augustine) have so digested the matter, as to be able to defend the truth against all adversaries and live accordingly. Only these two last sorts should be employed in such disputes.
§. 31. We have notoriously all these sorts of Ministers in the world. 1. Carnal, proud and worldly hypocrites, who are enemies to that which is against their pride and worldly interest: These contend malignantly against Godliness. 2. Ignorant, idle, fleshly droans, that eat and drink and mind the world, but meddle not much with controversies. 3. Professors of Religious zeal, who espouse some singular dividing way, and turn all their studies to make good their mistakes; who have laudable abilities perverted by prejudice, error and interest. 4. Honest Preachers that serve God in practical preaching; but being but half studied in some controversies, are yet as forward and busie in disputing, censuring and reproving dissenters, as if they knew as much as the cause requireth. I would all these would meddle with no controversies, but what great necessity in plain and certain cases calls them to. 5. We have many humble truly Godly men, who as they are conscious that they are not well studied for controversie, so they meddle not with it but lay out themselves in preaching the truths that we all agree in, and do God and his Church much service in quietness and peace: These are the men that the Church is most beholden to. 6. Some are judicious and very fit for controversie, but too cold in the practical part of Religion. 7. Some excellent holy men (like Augustine) have so digested the matter, as to be able to defend the truth against all adversaries and live accordingly. Only these two last sorts should be imployed in such disputes.
