A47561:108
The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first…
The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first asserted, and the objections against a Gospel maintenance for ministers, answered. Also, the dignity, necessity, difficulty, use and excellency of the ministry of Christ is opened. Likewise, the nature and weightiness of that sacred work and office clearly evinced. Recommended to the baptized congregations, by several elders in and about the City of London.The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first asserted, and the objections against a Gospel maintenance for ministers, answered. Also, the dignity, necessity, difficulty, use and excellency of the ministry of Christ is opened. Likewise, the nature and vveghtiness of that sacred vvork and office clearly evinc'd. Recommended to the baptized congregations, by several elders in and about the City of London.
London : printed, and are to be sold by John Harris at the Harrow, in the Poultry, 1689London : printed, and are to be sold by John Harris at the Harrow, in the Poultrey, 1689
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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.
Answer. We Answer, If he wants work, who will hinder him from following of his secular Business, provided he doth faithfully and fully discharge every part of the duty of his Place and Function? But do not the Neighbouring Villages, and places adjacent want the Gospel, having no Bread for their Souls, and this too by reason such Pastors are unconcerned in this matter? and by which means 'tis doubtless that the Glorious Gospel is no more promulgated up and down in dark and blind corners of this Nation, nor the Church increases no more; Besides do not many poor Sinners daily perish hereby for want of Knowledge? Brethren, 'tis not for our selves, but for the Lord, and his sinking Interest that we plead for; it grieves our Souls to hear what cries there are in many ⟨p. 93⟩parts of this Kingdom for want of Bread, some being forced, we hear, to go twelve or sixteen Miles to hear a Sermon; now if Ministers of Churches made it their whole Business to Preach the Word, and concern themselves for the promoting of the Truth, it would not be as it is at this very time; nor can we think it should be otherwise, unless we had a travelling Ministry (which we fear we shall hardly find) unless Pastors and Teachers in the respective Churches were taken off of all Incumbrances, and so give themselves up to the Ministry of the Word.
Answer. We Answer, If he wants work, who will hinder him from following of his secular Business, provided he doth faithfully and fully discharge every part of the duty of his Place and Function? But do not the Neighbouring Villages, and places adjacent want the Gospel, having no Bread for their Souls, and this too by reason such Pastors are unconcerned in this matter? and by which means 'tis doubtless that the Glorious Gospel is no more promulgated up and down in dark and blind corners of this Nation, nor the Church increases no more; Besides do not many poor Sinners daily perish hereby for want of Knowledg? Brethren, 'tis not for our selves, but for the Lord, and his sinking Interest that we plead for; it grieves our Souls to hear what cries there are in many parts⟨p. 93⟩of this Kindom for want of Bread, some being forc'd, we hear, to go twelve or sixteen Miles to hear a Sermon; now if Ministers of Churches made it their whole Business to Preach the Word, and concern themselves for the promoting of the Truth, it would not be as it is at this very time; nor can we think it should be otherwise, unless we had a travelling Ministry (which we fear we shall hardly find) unless Pastors and Teachers in the respective Churches were taken off of all Incumbrances, and so give themselves up to the Ministry of the VVord.