Again in Particular; It is the work and duty of the Ministers of the Gospel, to make Application of the Grace of Christ whereof they are Stewards to the Flocks committed to their Charge, and that according to the especial state and condition of all especial wants which may any way be known unto them. The way of their Application of this Grace, lies principally in the Administration of Gospel Ordinances. Therein are they to declare, unfold, tender, and apply the Grace of Christ according unto the wants of his Disciples, the good of whose souls they watch for in particular. These wants are very far from being the same, and in the same degree in and unto every Congregation, or unto any one Congregation at all times, or unto all Persons in any Congregation, which is easily discerned by a faithful and skilful Guide. The especial Application then mentioned according to the Rule of the Gospel, and special Addresses unto God in the Name of the Flock, with respect to the especial wants of all or any of them, belongs to that edification, which ⟨p. 65⟩Christ hath appointed for his Church. Now how this duty can be attended unto in the observance of a prescribed Form of Liturgy, from whence it is not lawful to digress, is beyond my understanding to apprehend. I confess men who scoff at Edification, and deride spiritual Gifts, who thinks all Religion to consist in the Observation of some carnal Institution, who neither know nor care to come to an acquaintance with the spiritual […] poor souls, nor do tremble at the threatenings of Christ pointed against their negligence and ignorance, Ezek. 34. 4. that suppose the whole Baptized World converted to God, and Preaching its self on that account less necessary then formerly at the first Plantation of the Gospel; that esteem the doubts and temptations of Believers as needless scruples, and their sedulous endeavours to grow in Grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ labour lost in hypocrisy; that perhaps do envy at, and are troubled with the light and knowledge of the People of God, and suppose they can discharge the Duty of the Ministry by a bare reading of the Service Book to their Parish, by themselves, or some Hired by them so to do, without once enquiring into the spiritual Condition of them, the care of whose souls they plead to be committed to them, may think light of this Consideration;
Again in Particular; It is the work and duty of the Ministers of the Gospel, to make Application of the Grace of Christ whereof they are Stewards to the Flocks committed to their Charge, and that according to the especial state and condition of all especial wants which may any way be known unto them. The way of their Application of this Grace, lyes principally in the Administration of Gospel Ordinances. Therein are they to declare, unfold, tender, and apply the Grace of Christ according unto the wants of his Disciples, the good of whose souls they watch for in particular. These wants are very far from being the same, and in the same degree in and unto every Congregation, or unto any one Congregation at all times, or unto all Persons in any Congregation, which is easily discerned by a faithful and skilful Guide. The especial Application then mentioned according to the Rule of the Gospel, and special Addresses unto God in the Name of the Flock, with respect to the especial wants of all or any of them, belongs to that edification, which ⟨p. 65⟩Christ hath appointed for his Church. Now how this duty can be attended unto in the observance of a prescribed Form of Liturgy, from whence it is not lawful to digress, is beyond my understanding to apprehend. I confess men who scoffe at Edification, and deride spiritual Gifts, who thinks all Religion to consist in the Observation of some carnal Institution, who neither know nor care to come to an acquaintance with the spiritual 〈…〉 poor souls, nor do tremble at the threatnings of Christ pointed against their negligence and ignorance, Ezek. 34. 4. that suppose the whole Baptized World converted to God, and Preaching its self on that account less necessary then formerly at the first Plantation of the Gospel; that esteem the doubts and temptations of Believers as needless scruples, and their sedulous endeavours to grow in Grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ labour lost in hypocrisie; that perhaps do envy at, and are troubled with the light and knowledge of the People of God, and suppose they can discharge the Duty of the Ministry by a bare reading of the Service Book to their Parish, by themselves, or some Hired by them so to do, without once enquiring into the spiritual Condition of them, the care of whose souls they plead to be committed to them, may think light of this Consideration;
