An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

First,¹ That it is the work of the Priest to contend against men for their sin. That is the proper work of a Priest, to strive with men against their sin. They are the salt of the earth and so they should have some acrimony in them. In 1 Tim. 3.3.² It is said indeed of the Minister of God that he should be [Greek or Hebrew] mo striver. A Minister of God should be one that is in office to look to the souls of people and he should be no striver; How will you say then that he should strive? That is,³ he should never strive with men for his own ends, for his own ways, no brawler, no striver, no adulterer but one of a quiet and gentle spirit, that should pass by wrongs done unto himself; but when he comes for God he should be a striver; All faithful Ministers should be strivers when they come in Gods cause. ⁴Oecolampadius writing to his fellow Ministers, I remember he hath a notable expression, Let not our zeal and anger (saith he) burn when we are scorned our selves and reproached our selves, but when the Truth is in danger, and the Name of God i• in danger, then let our heat arise, then let us strive. This indeed is the Character ⟨p. 76⟩of a true godly Minister, that he is in his own cause, gentle, yieldable, but when it comes to the cause of God, the heat riseth in his face, and there he hath zeal and fervency, there he will strive and contend with men in the ways of their sin.

First,¹ That it is the work of the Priest to contend against men for their sin. That is the proper work of a Priest, to strive with men against their sin. They are the salt of the earth and so they should have some acrimony in them. In 1 Tim. 3.3