Self-denial opened and applied in a sermon before the Reverend Assembly of Divines on…Self-deniall opened and applyed in a sermon before the Reverend Assembly of Divines on…

1. The prejudices and jealousies which men are apt to conceive against us. Some look upon us as if we did drive a design, and affect a domination, and fought great things for our selves. Very many likewise have an evil eye upon the outward condition and prosperity of the Ministers; they are apt to object unto us, and very ready to lay plots, and subscribe Petitions against us in the matter of our maintenance. Meaner raiment, courser diet, narrower harbour, every way magis curta supellex judged good enough, and much fitter for us. In these and the like cases it becomes us, and it is our duty to maintain and vindicate Jura Ministerii and decentiam Statûs; ⟨p. 40⟩we cannot without unworthy cowardice betray the rights which belong unto our places. The Apostle Paul doth magnify his office, and so in our degree and proportion must we;¹ and he will plead for double honour in behalf of those who labour in the Word and Doctrine,² and so may we. Only because these are things which concern our own order, and so we may by prejudice be mis-judged in the discharge of such duties as these, as if we did seek and serve our selves; Let us do it with such tenderness, as that we may stop the mouths of those who watch for occasion against us; and by our humility, meekness, innocency, wisdom, contempt of the world, and all the pleasures and vanities thereof, using it as if we used it not, without vanity, without levity, without excess, by our bounty and charity, and ministering to the necessities of the Saints, and making all our substance appear to have written on it, Holiness to the Lord, we may put to silence the ignorance of foolish, and the calumnies of envious men.

1. The prejudices and jealousies which men are apt to conceive against us. Some look upon us as if we did drive a designe, and affect a domination, and fought great things for our selves. Very many likewise have an evil eye upon the outward condition and prosperity of the Ministers; they are apt to object unto us, and very ready to lay plots, and subscribe Petitions against us in the matter of our maintenance. Meaner rayment, courser diet, narrower harbour, every way magis curta supellex judged good enough, and much fitter for us. In these and the like cases it becomes us, and it is our duty to maintaine and vindicate Iura Ministerii and decentiam Statûs;