A47561:53
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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This also agrees with what the same great Apostle saith, Gal. 6.6. Let him that is taught in the Word, Communicate to him that Teacheth in all good Things: Is not this think ye a Precept? Is not this ⟨p. 23⟩directly laid down, as other great and dispensable Precepts and Duties are, •e Ephes. 4.23. Let him that stole, steal […] more; but rather, let him Labour with •s Hands: Let no corrupt Communicati• proceed out of your Mouths, &c. and •ain, Ephes. 5.33.—Let every one of •u in particular so Love his Wife, &c. •ou can under no pretence avoid these •eat Duties; nor can you plead to be •cused; and pray doth not the same •oly Spirit, and ever blessed God, inn and require you (in the same form […] Speech) who are taught in the Word, […] Communicate to him that Teacheth […] all good Things. Shall such who •ave always showed much Zeal for the •red Ordinances and Institutions of •us Christ, and plead for a Universal Obedience; justify themselves in the neglect of so plain a Precept, Christ •h, then are ye my Friends, if you do •atsoever I have commanded you; pray […] this great Ordinance then be thought •on, and have equal regard by you; […] a Gospel Institution and Appointment ⟨p. 24⟩of Jesus Christ we argue fo• that so you may stand complete in t whole Will of God: You know what David saith, then I shall not be ashamed whe I have a respect to all thy Commandments Let him that is taught in the Word, Communicate to him that teacheth in all good things, that is, every one according a God hath blessed him with the good things of this World; God would no have his Faithful Ministers want any good thing to make their Lives comfortable to them;) if so be it be in the Power of those who are taught to communicate it to them. The Precept (saith our late Annotators) is concerning th Maintenance of Ministers, which is fit expressed by the Term Communicate because, as the People distribute to their Ministers things Temporal, so the Ministers distribute things Spiritual: The good things here mentioned are Temporal good things such as may be Useful to the Teacher for t uphold Himself and Family. The Text teacheth us, that it is the Will of God tha Ministers should be maintained at th