§ 5. THESE Reflections upon and Abuses of this Sacred Order of Men, are sufficient, to make the most professed Libertine blush. Who is there that can see all this, the MINISTERS, by whom they expect to be brought home to CHRIST, thus audaciously insulted, thus vilely trampled upon, and impiously buffoon'd, by the profane Sons of Corah, and tamely & silently bear it. 'Tis this amazes, & alarms us, and we think it a Duty indispensably ⟨p. 5⟩incumbent upon us, more thoroughly to enquire into the Characters of our MINISTERS, whether they are worthy of these Barbarous Reflections, yea or no? We cannot answer the neglect of this; if we should, our Consciences would one Day, as a Flaming Witness flush our Guilt in our Faces. We are their People, and hope by their precious Ministry to be brought home to GOD, & Everlasting Life; and therefore we are bound to appear in their Just Vindication; and rescue our Children, and our Neighbours from the deadly Poison, which these Children of the Old Serpent would infuse into them. And here first, We cannot but admire the Moderation, and consummate Patience of our PASTORS, amidst these outrageous and provoking Abuses & Scandals. They shine with an Unshaken Constancy, and still go on to Minister in those very parts of their Office, that ten Thousand difficulties have conspired to obstruct them in. Their Discharge of their Public Ministry is too well known, to need a Report of ours, and their Prayers & Sermons proclaim them, to be Workmen that need not be ashamed. Their Printed Labours are incontestable Testimonies of their Abilities; and speak an excellent Spirit breathing in them. Their nine Lectures upon Early Piety, Preached in so remarkable a Time, that it plainly shou•d, GOD was with them: These (if nothing else) recommend them to the Love & Esteem of all good People; and we do not wonder to see the Devil so earnest in his revenges upon them. Their Pastoral Visits are wisely, painfully & faithfully managed; and if we enquire into their more private Conversation, we find them shining Instances, of the most refined ⟨p. 6⟩Virtue & Religion. They are always ready to do Good, and Rejoice in all Opportunities for it. Never are they addressed by any in Affliction, but they administer Comfort, and the Afflicted find the Bowels of a Father in them; and their Liberalities are also truly extraordinary.
§ 5. THESE Reflections upon and Abuses of this Sacred Order of Men, are sufficient, to make the most professed Libertine blush. Who is there that can see all this, the MINISTERS, by whom they expect to be brought home to CHRIST, thus audaciously insulted, thus vilely trampled upon, and impiously buffoon'd, by the profane Sons of Corah, and tamely & silently bear it. 'Tis this amazes, & alarms us, and we think it a Duty indispensibly ⟨p. 5⟩incumbent upon us, more thoroughly to enquire into the Characters of our MINISTERS, whether they are worthy of these Barbarous Reflections, yea or no? We cannot answer the neglect of this; if we should, our Consciences would one Day, as a Flaming Witness flush our Guilt in our Faces. We are their People, and hope by their precious Ministry to be brought home to GOD, & Everlasting Life; and therefore we are bound to appear in their Just Vindication; and rescue our Children, and our Neighbours from the deadly Poison, which these Children of the Old Serpent would infuse into them. And here first, We cannot but admire the Moderation, and consummate Patience of our PASTORS, amidst these outragious and provoking Abuses & Scandals. They shine with an Unshaken Constancy, and still go on to Minister in those very parts of their Office, that ten Thousand difficulties have conspired to obstruct them in. Their Discharge of their Publick Ministry is too well known, to need a Report of ours, and their Prayers & Sermons proclaim them, to be Workmen that need not be ashamed. Their Printed Labours are incontestable Testimonies of their Abilities; and speak an excellent Spirit breathing in them. Their nine Lectures upon Early Piety, Preached in so remarkable a Time, that it plainly shou•d, GOD was with them: These (if nothing else) recommend them to the Love & Esteem of all good People; and we do not wonder to see the Devil so earnest in his revenges upon them. Their Pastoral Visits are wisely, painfully & faithfully manag'd; and if we enquire into their more private Conversation, we find them shining Instances, of the most refined ⟨p. 6⟩Virtue & Religion. They are always ready to do Good, and Rejoice in all Opportunities for it. Never are they addressed by any in Affliction, but they administer Comfort, and the Afflicted find the Bowels of a Father in them; and their Liberalities are also truly extraordinary.
