A47561:121
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
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
2. It may also teach us that Ministers ought not to make a Bargain with the People, or desire to know what they shall have before they enter on their Work; for he who would approve himself a true Minister of ⟨p. 106⟩Jesus Christ, o• […] not to Preach for Hire or filthy acres sake, i. e. that ought not to be the thing he aims at; that's a low and base design, but as you know Churches provide and ought to provide for the Poor; yet should any seek to come into your Communion merely for a Maintenance, you would say he or she that did so, were no better than Hypocrites, and (may say truly) yet that would not free you from communicating to poor Faithful Christians. Even so, if some deceitful and carnal Persons should undertake the Work of the Ministry for filthy Lucre's sake, and not in Love to Christ, and to promote his Interest and Glory, they, doubtless act contrary to this Precept of Christ. But yet nevertheless, the Church i• bound to communicate and allow a comfortable Maintenance to her Faithful Ministers; and as he freely, and of a ready Mind, and for Christ's sake, Preaches the Gospel, and is bound so to do if he will approve himself ⟨p. 107⟩Faithful; so in like manner are the People and Churches of God bound freely and of a ready mind to Minister to them, if they would show to all they are Faithful Christians, such who have an equal respect to all Christs Commands and Desire, to the utmost of their Abilities, to further and not hinder the promulgation of the Gospel in the World.
2. It may also teach us that Ministers ought not to make a Bargain with the People, or desire to know what they shall have before they enter on their Work; for he who would approve himself a true Minister of Jesus⟨p. 106⟩Christ, o• 〈…〉 not to Preach for Hire or filthy •cres sake, i. e. that ought not to be the thing he aims at; that's a low and base design, but as you know Churches provide and ought to provide for the Poor; yet should any seek to come into your Communion meerly for a Maintenance, you would say he or she that did so, were no better than Hypocrites, and (may say truly) yet that would not free you from communicating to poor Faithful Christians. Even so, if some deceitful and carnal Persons should undertake the Work of the Ministry for filthy Lucres sake, and not in Love to Christ, and to promote his Interest and Glory, they, doubtless act contrary to this Precept of Christ. But yet nevertheless, the Church i bound to communicate and allow a comfortable Maintenance to her Faithful Ministers; and as he freely, and of a ready Mind, and for Christ's sake, Preaches the Gospel, and is bound so to do if he will approve himsel