And thus have I showed, that it is a great sin in the 1Minister to undertake this calling, when through ignorance he is unable to teach the people: the like may be said of those, who having knowledge and learning do not instruct the people; either through idleness, carelessness, covetousness, ambition or want of a good conscience. For howsoever they have never so great a measure of knowledge, yet if we speak of such knowledge, as is required to the office and function of a Minister, they have only so much as they make use of in 2their Ministry; and therefore if they use little or none at all, they have little or none of that knowledge which is required of them. The Lord requireth not only that the Priests head, but also his lips should preserve knowledge, and that the people from his mouth should seek instruction. Mal. 2. 7. 3Not only that they have the profound knowledge of the learned, but that they have the tongue of the learned, to minister 4a word in time to him that is weary, as it is Isaiah. 50. 4. Not only that they have the talent; but also that they use the talent. Not only that they have store of provision, but also that they do distribute it to the relieving of Gods people: which duty if they neglect, they are no better then ignorant Ministers; nay they are worse, if we respect their own minds, and full as bad if we respect the peoples benefit. They are worse in themselves, for they are more to be condemned, who can instruct them and will not, then they that would and cannot, for they are like unto rich but hard-hearted cormorants, who having their barns and garners full of ⟨p. 153⟩corn, let the people famish for want of food, or at least like Monopolists, having engrossed these spiritual commodities, they will not utter them but at excessive rates; either when they are largely feed, or hope thereby to attain unto great credit or preferment. Where as the other let the people perish for want of provision, and furnish not the market because their ware-houses are empty. The ignorant Ministers are in themselves dark and cannot give light; the idle learned Ministers have light indeed, but whereas they should set it in the Candlestick of the Church, they hide it in their studies, as under a bushel, and will not lighten others: they are like blind eyes, which cannot guide the people in the paths of Gods truth;
And thus haue I shewed, that it is a great sinne in the 1Minister to vndertake this calling, when through ignorance he is vnable to teach the people: the like may be sayde of those, who hauing knowledge and learning doe not instruct the people; eyther through idlenes, carelesnes, couetousnes, ambition or want of a good conscience. For howsoeuer they haue neuer so great a measure of knowledge, yet if we speake of such knowledge, as is required to the office and function of a Minister, they haue only so much as they make vse of in 2their Ministerie; and therefore if they vse little or none at all, they haue little or none of that knowledge which is required of them. The Lord requireth not only that the Priests head, but also his lips should preserue knowledge, and that the people from his mouth should seeke instruction. Mal. 2. 7. 3Not onely that they haue the profound knowledge of the learned, but that they haue the tongue of the learned, to minister 4a word in time to him that is weary, as it is Esay. 50. 4. Not onely that they haue the tallent; but also that they vse the tallent. Not onely that they haue store of prouision, but also that they doe distribute it to the relieuing of Gods people: which duety if they neglect, they are no better then ignorant Ministers; nay they are worse, if wee respect their owne mindes, and full as bad if wee respect the peoples benefit. They are worse in themselues, for they are more to bee condemned, who can instruct them and will not, then they that would and cannot, for they are like vnto rich but hard-harted cornemorants, who hauing their barnes and garners full of ⟨p. 153⟩corne, let the people famish for want of food, or at least like Monopolists, hauing ingrosed these spirituall commodities, they will not vtter them but at excessiue rates; eyther when they are largely feed, or hope thereby to attaine vnto great credit or preferment. Where as the other let the people perish for want of prouision, and furnish not the market because their ware-houses are empty. The ignorant Ministers are in themselues dark and cannot giue light; the idle learned Ministers haue light indeede, but whereas they should set it in the Candlestick of the Church, they hide it in their studyes, as vnder a bushell, and will not lighten others: they are like blinde eyes, which cannot guide the people in the pathes of Gods truth;
- 1The greatness of their sin who having knowledge do not teach the people.The greatnes of their sinne who hauing knowledge do not teach the people.
- 2Idle Ministers as bad as ignorant Ministers.
- 3Mal. 2. 7.
- 4Esa. 50. 4.
