The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first…

Sixthly. But to proceed. (Since we are pleading the Case in point of Equity and just Right, let it be Considered:) You do not choose such Men to be your Pastors, or Ministers, who are of the lowest of the People; but such as may be allowed to have a share of Parts, Common Prudence, and Abilities for Business with other Persons: and some of them could manage Trades, or fall into other Employments, and get Estates as well as you, if they were not Devoted to a better Service: And must (as one observeth) they needs be devoted to Necessities and Miseries, in the same Hour that they enter upon the Ministry. This ought not to be; GOD hath Ordered the Case otherwise in his Wisdom, Certainly (all will Confess) tis ⟨p. 43⟩the Duty of a Minister, as well as other Men to provide for his Family, as much as lies in him; or take Care of his Wife and Children that they may not be exposed to a Thousand Miseries and Temptations when he is gone: For though a Covetous raking Temper, worse becomes a Minister of all Men in the World (yet as the Author before cited Noteth) we greatly mistake our selves to think he must divest himself of that due Affection of an Husband to his Wife, or of a Father toward his Children; or that those Fruits thereof which are Justly esteemed Commendable in others, should be thought in him to be a Fault: And is it not sad (Judge you) That they must be constrained to one of these Dilemma's? i. e. Either to neglect the full and Faithful Discharge of their Duty to Christ and his Church, or else Neglect their poor Families by fulfilling their Ministry, and doing the work of Pastors, according to the Nature of that Sacred Office. But ⟨p. 44⟩as to him who is poor (and must ge• his Bread before he Eats it) wh• thinks he can Discharge both these Duties well enough, tis to be feared he does never a one of them as he ought Moreover, 'tis good for him to consider the reason of that Law of the ever Blessed God, who hath otherwise Ordained. Yet let every Servant of Christ use his own Freedom, and act and do, as he thinks may most promote the Glory of God, and Good of the Church, and the Increase thereof; so that he may give a good account of himself in the Day of Christ.

Sixthly. But to proceed. (Since we are pleading the Case in point of Equity and just Right, let it be Considered:) You do not chuse such Men to be your Pastors, or Ministers, who are of the lowest of the People; but such as may be allowed to have ashare of Parts, Common Prudence, and Abilitys for Business with other Persons: and some of them could manage Trades, or fall into other Imployments, and get Estates as well as you, if they were not Devoted to a better Service: And must (as one observeth) they needs be devoted to Necessities and Miseries, in the same Hour that they enter upon the Ministry. This ought not to be; GOD hath Ordered the Case otherwise in his VVisdom, Certainly (all will Confess) tis the