A53678:1120
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth chapters : wherein together with the explication of the text and context, the priesthood of Christ ... are declared, explained and confirmed : as also, the pleas of the Jews for the continuance and perpetuity of their legal worship, with the doctrine of the principal writers of the Socinians about these things, are examined and disproved / by J. Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
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.
4. It is indeed supposed unto the Disadvantage of this way, that by means thereof Ministers do become obnoxious unto the, People do depend upon them, and so cannot deal so uprightly and sincerely with their Consciences as they ought to do, left they incur their Displeasure, wherein they are too much concerned. It were easy to manifest with how many more and greater Inconveniences the other way is attended, were we now comparing of them. And in Truth it is a vain thing to look for or expect any such Order and Disposal of these things, as should administer no Occasion for the Wisdom and Graces of them concerned, nor would such a way be at all Useful. I say therefore, that God hath Established mutual Duty to be the Rule and Measure of all things between Ministers and People. Hereunto it is their wisdom and Grace to attend, leaving the Success unto God. And a Minister may easily conclude that seeing his whole Supportment in Earthly things with respect unto his Ministry, depends on the Command of God on the Account of the Discharge of his Duty, if he have respect thereunto in his work, or so far as it is Lawful for him to have, that the more sincere and upright he is therein, the more assured will his Supportment be. And he who is enabled to give up himself unto the work of the Ministry in a due manner, considering the Nature of that work, and what he shall assuredly meet withal in its Discharge, is not in much danger of being ⟨p. 130⟩greatly moved with this pitiful consideration of displeasing this or that man in the Discharge of his Duty.
4. It is indeed supposed unto the Disadvantage of this way, that by means thereof Ministers do become obnoxious unto the, People do depend upon them, and so cannot deal so uprightly and sincerely with their Consciences as they ought to do, left they incur their Displeasure, wherein they are too much concerned. It were easie to manifest with how many more and greater Inconveniencies the other way is attended, were we now comparing of them. And in Truth it is a vain thing to look for or expect any such Order and Disposal of these things, as should administer no Occasion for the VVisdom and Graces of them concerned, nor would such a way be at all Useful. I say therefore, that God hath Established mutual Duty to be the Rule and Measure of all things between Ministers and People. Hereunto it is their wisdom and Grace to attend, leaving the Success unto God. And a Minister may easily conclude that seeing his whole Supportment in Earthly things with respect unto his Ministry, depends on the Command of God on the Account of the Discharge of his Duty, if he have respect thereunto in his work, or so far as it is Lawful for him to have, that the more sincere and upright he is therein, the more assured will his Supportment be. And he who is enabled to give up himself unto the work of the Ministry in a due manner, considering the Nature of that work, and what he shall assuredly meet withal in its Discharge, is not in much danger of being