A30242:330
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The first is by corrupting the lives and conversations of the Ministry, making them profane and scandalous, by which means all Religion comes to be abhorred. Thus Hophnes and Phinehas Eli's sons, because of their tyrannical violence and uncleanness, it's said the people abhorred the sacrifice of the Lord, 1 Sam. 2.14. So that a profane Minister is like a poisoned fountain, where all must drink; he doth not only damn his own soul, but draweth others to hell with him. Thus in the Old Testament, the corruption of the whole Church did in a great measure arise from the profaneness of the Priests. Hence in the New Testament it's so carefully required in a Minister, that he be blameless, a lover of good men, 1not given to any gross sin: so that the Devil cannot have more service ⟨p. 55⟩done him, nor destroy the kingdom of Christ more, then by the scandalous and profane lives of Ministers; this hardens the people, this makes them contemn exhortations: whereas let a Minister walk holily, though their love to lusts will make them hate them, yet in their consciences they cannot but fear and reverence them, as Herod did John Baptist, because he was a just man, Mark 6.20
The first is by corrupting the lives and conversations of the Ministery, making them prophane and scandalous, by which means all Religion comes to be abhorred. Thus Hophnes and Phinehas Elyes sonnes, because of their tyrannical violence and uncleanness, it's said the people abhorred the sacrifice of the Lord, 1 Sam. 2.14. So that a prophane Minister is like a poisoned fountain, where all must drink; he doth not only damne his own soul, but draweth others to hell with him. Thus in the Old Testament, the corruption of the whole Church did in a great measure arise from the prophaness of the Priests. Hence in the New Testament it's so carefully required in a Minister, that he be blameless, a lover of good men, 1not given to any grosse sinne: so that the Devil cannot have more service ⟨p. 55⟩