I know that Lay-preachers will plead the practice of the Apostle Paul, who wrought in his Trade of Tent-making, whilst he was a Preacher of the ⟨p. 13⟩Gospel. I grant that Paul was a Tent-maker, but he was called and ordained to be a Minister; and though he did practise his trade after this, yet I do not remember that he did it more than once, which was amongst the Corinthians, and that upon a special occasion, that he might preach the Gospel freely, and be like some false Teachers who boasted herein: but when did he do it again? Did he not receive maintenance from other Churches without working for his living? besides, he had extraordinary gifts by immediate inspiration, which none now may hope to obtain without the use of ordinary means. But whatever Pauls practice was, he doth never make mention of it for an example, which other Ministers should imitate him in; for when he writeth to Timothy a Minister, he enjoineth him from the Lord to spend his whole time about his Ministry, and not in any other calling; he exhorteth him to give himself to reading, and meditation, and doctrine, to be in these things wholly, as the original word doth signify. Moreover, the other Apostles, however they were at first Fisher-men by trade, yet when they were called to be Fishers of men, they leave their Nets, and after Christs ascension they would not so much as take upon them the work of Deacons to minister unto Widows, why? read the reason, Act. 6.4. that they might give themselves continually to Prayer, and Ministry of the Word. Surely then it is the will of God that such as take upon them to preach, should give themselves to the Ministry of the Word, and not follow other callings. They have work enough to do in the Ministry, if they employ themselves therein conscientiously, for their whole time, had they more ⟨p. 14⟩time than they have, they had not need to be diverted by worldly businesses; they find it hard enough to attend upon the Lord without much distraction, that have none of these secular employments: what an unsuitable frame must they be under that follow another calling all the week, and come reeking from the world, and engage to speak to people in an extemporaneous discourse? Is the Lord pleased with such Ministrations?
I know that Lay-preachers will plead the practice of the Apostle Paul, who wrought in his Trade of Tent-making, whilest he was a Preacher of the ⟨p. 13⟩Gospel. I grant that Paul was a Tent-maker, but he was called and ordained to be a Minister; and though he did practise his trade after this, yet I do not remember that he did it more than once, which was amongst the Corinthians, and that upon a special occasion, that he might preach the Gospel freely, and be like some false Teachers who boasted herein: but when did he do it again? Did he not receive maintenance from other Churches without working for his living? besides, he had extraordinary gifts by immediate inspiration, which none now may hope to obtain without the use of ordinary means. But whatever Pauls practice was, he doth never make mention of it for an example, which other Ministers should imitate him in; for when he writeth to Timothy a Minister, he enjoyneth him from the Lord to spend his whole time about his Ministry, and not in any other calling; he exhorteth him to give himself to reading, and meditation, and doctrine, to be in these things wholly, as the original word doth signifie. Moreover, the other Apostles, however they were at first Fisher-men by trade, yet when they were called to be Fishers of men, they leave their Nets, and after Christs ascension they would not so much as take upon them the work of Deacons to minister unto Widdows, why? read the reason, Act. 6.4. that they might give themselves continually to Prayer, and Ministry of the Word. Surely then it is the will of God that such as take upon them to preach, should give themselves to the Ministry of the Word, and not follow other callings. They have work enough to do in the Ministry, if they employ themselves therein conscienciously, for their whole time, had they more ⟨p. 14⟩time than they have, they had not need to be diverted by worldly businesses; they finde it hard enough to attend upon the Lord without much distraction, that have none of these secular employments: what an unsutable frame must they be under that follow another calling all the week, and come reeking from the world, and engage to speak to people in an extemporaneous discourse? Is the Lord pleased with such Ministrations?
