Sacrilegious desertion of the holy ministry rebuked, and tolerated preaching of the gospel vindicated,…Sacrilegious desertion of the holy ministery rebuked, and tolerated preaching of the gospel vindicated,…

IV. If any difference between you cannot be composed, instead of troubling the people about it, quietly refer it to some indifferent Arbitrators. Is there not a wise man among you? Must Abraham's and Lots Servants, separate them for a Well? Must Paul and Barnabas part for different censures of another mans omission? Shall Christians, Protestants, Ministers, the Teachers of Love, and Concord and Patience, be so weak, so selfish, so bad, such contradicters of their daily Doctrine, as not to be able to carry on Christs work in peace; nor to make an amicable composure of their differences? If you are Christians indeed, the difference is not who shall have the most followers, applause or honour, but who serveth God and saveth souls, in the right and true effectual way? And may not prayer and consultation reconcile such a controversy? For my own part I am conscious of pride and selfishness; Yet I can confidently say, that when I had a Pastoral charge, where I needed many Assistants, if I had known where that man lived whom the people would have loved, honoured and profited by, more than my self, I would have rid night and day to get him to be the man: And when I have heard my Neighbour Ministers that were younger men (I can scarce forbear naming ⟨p. 131⟩them) preach much more affectionately and profitably than my self, I have sate under them with tears of joy. But alas, What hath ten years silence of such men, deprived the souls of the poor people of! I never […] it meet with Saint Francis and the Fry••s, to abase my self by going naked, or by taking on me to be an Awfe, or by filthiness, or ridiculous behaviour; As if Heaven and a Swinesty were most like: (See Foulis his History of Popery.) But I have thought it my duty to cast away deliberately and knowingly much of my Reputation, even with Religious people, by the discharge of such duty as I knew would do it; Believing that Reputation is one thing to be resolutely denied for Christ, and that he that saveth his honour shall lose it, and he that loseth it for Christ shall have everlasting honour.

IV. If any difference between you cannot be composed, instead of troubling the people about it, quietly refer it to some indifferent Arbitrators. Is there not a wise man among you? Must Abrahams and Lots Servants, separate them for a Well? Must Paul and Barnabas part for different censures of another mans omission? Shall Christians, Protestants, Ministers, the Teachers of Love, and Concord and Patience, be so weak, so selfish, so bad, such contradicters of their daily Doctrine, as not to be able to carry on Christs work in peace; nor to make an amicable composure of their differences? If you are Christians indeed, the difference is not who shall have the most followers, applause or honour, but who serveth God and saveth souls, in the right and true effectual way? And may not prayer and consultation reconcile such a controversie? For my own part I am conscious of pride and selfishness; Yet I can confidently say, that when I had a Pastoral charge, where I needed many Assistants, if I had known where that man lived whom the people would have loved, honoured and profited by, more than my self, I would have rid night and day to get him to be the man: And when I have heard my Neighbour Ministers that were younger men (I can scarce forbear naming