his_o wrath_n upon_o they_o and_o their_o family_n for_o keep_v up_o humane_a invention_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o god_n so_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o true_a privilege_n and_o interest_n of_o his_o church_n but_o this_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o clear_v far_o in_o the_o progress_n of_o this_o discourse_n iii_o next_o if_o these_o be_v the_o only_a term_n and_o condition_n on_o which_o man_n will_v gratify_v the_o church_n that_o she_o subject_n herself_o and_o her_o spiritual_a liberty_n to_o such_o a_o yoke_n of_o slavery_n as_o this_o privilege_n import_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o church_n will_v be_v better_o without_o such_o favour_n than_o with_o they_o iv_o if_o there_o be_v once_o a_o reasonable_a competency_n settle_v upon_o the_o church_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o her_o pastor_n and_o other_o pious_a and_o necessary_a use_n or_o if_o what_o be_v once_o settle_v and_o sacrilegious_o take_v from_o she_o be_v again_o restore_v and_o that_o faithful_o administrat_fw-la without_o dilapidation_n and_o misapplication_n there_o will_v be_v but_o little_a need_n of_o encouragement_n for_o any_o far_a addition_n it_o have_v be_v observe_v in_o all_o age_n that_o excess_n in_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v more_o fatal_a to_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o the_o church_n than_o any_o defect_n can_v be_v too_o much_o tend_v to_o introduce_v a_o depravation_n of_o life_n and_o manner_n in_o churchman_n and_o by_o a_o necessary_a connexion_n also_o a_o corruption_n in_o worship_n and_o doctrine_n if_o worldly_a riches_n have_v be_v proper_a for_o advance_v the_o work_n of_o the_o gospel_n our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v lord_n of_o all_o have_v never_o be_v so_o scant_o in_o his_o allowance_n to_o his_o disciple_n and_o apostle_n it_o be_v a_o old_a observation_n that_o when_o the_o church_n have_v but_o lignei_fw-la calices_fw-la she_o have_v aurei_fw-la episcopi_fw-la and_o when_o she_o get_v golden_a chalice_n she_o get_v wooden_a bishop_n or_o pastor_n the_o sense_n be_v easy_o understand_v though_o it_o be_v not_o exact_o literal_a so_o true_a it_o be_v that_o religio_fw-la pepper_v it_o divitias_fw-la &_o filia_fw-la matrem_fw-la devoravit_fw-la religion_n bring_v forth_o riches_n and_o the_o daughter_n devour_v the_o mother_n v._o last_o to_o say_v that_o the_o denial_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o patronage_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o discouragement_n be_v but_o the_o fallacia_fw-la non_fw-la causae_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la for_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o which_o be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o people_n discouragement_n in_o the_o bestow_n of_o their_o good_n for_o pious_a use_n be_v the_o scandalous_a and_o sacrilegious_a mismanagment_n of_o the_o uncontraverted_a patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n by_o misapply_v it_o contrary_a to_o its_o design_n and_o nature_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o sort_n of_o man_n under_o heaven_n so_o guilty_a as_o many_o of_o the_o patron_n be_v the_o lord_n himself_o tell_v his_o servant_n moses_n no_o devouted_a thing_n that_o a_o man_n shall_v devout_a unto_o the_o lord_n of_o all_o that_o be_v have_v both_o of_o man_n and_o beast_n 28._o levit._fw-la 27_o 28._o and_o of_o the_o field_n of_o his_o possession_n shall_v be_v sell_v and_o redeem_v and_o much_o less_o sacrilegious_o rob_v every_o devouted_a thing_n be_v most_o holy_a unto_o the_o lord_n deo_fw-la dicata_fw-la say_v amandus_n polanus_fw-la ei_o sacra_fw-la maneant_fw-la 2._o polanus_fw-la in_o danel_n cap._n 1._o v._n 2._o nam_fw-la si_fw-la be_v zelus_fw-la in_o rege_fw-la idololatrico_fw-la scilicet_fw-la nebuchadnezare_n fuit_fw-la ut_fw-la censuerit_fw-la vasa_fw-la deo_fw-la israelis_fw-la sancta_fw-la non_fw-la alio_fw-la quam_fw-la in_o svi_fw-la dei_fw-la seu_fw-la potius_fw-la idoli_fw-la fanum_fw-la infereuda_fw-la multo_fw-la magis_fw-la christiani_n magistratus_fw-la bona_fw-la illa_fw-la quae_fw-la tempore_fw-la papatus_fw-la deo_fw-la dicata_fw-la fuerunt_fw-la usibus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la relinquere_fw-la debent_fw-la imo_fw-la quanto_fw-la magis_fw-la episcopos_fw-la id_fw-la facere_fw-la decet_fw-la i_o e._n that_o which_o be_v once_o devout_v to_o god_n aught_o to_o remain_v holy_a to_o he_o for_o if_o the_o zeal_n of_o a_o idolatrous_a prince_n to_o wit_n nebuchadnezar_n oblige_v he_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o holy_a vessel_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n be_v not_o to_o be_v otherways_o dispose_v of_o but_o for_o the_o service_n of_o his_o own_o god_n or_o rather_o his_o idol_n temple_n much_o more_o ought_v a_o christian_a magistrate_n to_o leave_v these_o good_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n which_o in_o the_o time_n of_o popery_n be_v consecrat_v for_o pious_a use_n etc._n etc._n see_v and_o compare_v this_o with_o ezra_n 1.7.8_o where_o all_o these_o vessel_n be_v return_v to_o their_o right_n and_o proper_a use_n our_o own_o rollock_n inveigh_v very_o sharp_o against_o the_o sacrilege_n of_o this_o nation_n in_o his_o time_n in_o misapply_v to_o the_o use_n of_o private_a person_n what_o be_v take_v from_o the_o popish_a church_n and_o cit_v such_o as_o be_v guilty_a to_o answer_v it_o before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o the_o sovereign_n and_o impartial_a judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n dan._n rollock_n in_o dan._n and_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o though_o they_o slight_a and_o neglect_v his_o warning_n it_o shall_v be_v a_o stand_a witness_n against_o they_o to_o render_v they_o inexcusable_a etc._n etc._n and_o our_o famous_a and_o worthy_a reformer_n mr._n knox_n who_o testimony_n i_o value_v above_o a_o thousand_o other_o in_o a_o letter_n date_v in_o august_n 1571._o direct_a to_o the_o general_a assembly_n at_o stirling_n speak_v his_o mind_n very_o free_o on_o this_o subject_n with_o all_o the_o earnestness_n &_o sincerity_n of_o a_o person_n that_o be_v look_v very_o short_o to_o step_v over_o the_o threshold_n of_o time_n into_o eternity_n take_v his_o own_o word_n because_o say_v he_o the_o daily_a decay_n of_o my_o natural_a strength_n threaten_v i_o with_o a_o sudden_a departure_n from_o this_o valley_n of_o misery_n therefore_o of_o love_n and_o conscience_n i_o exhort_v you_o yea_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n i_o charge_v and_o command_v you_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o the_o flock_n of_o god_n and_o that_o with_o the_o like_a uprightness_n and_o strength_n in_o god_n you_o gainstand_v the_o merciless_a devourer_n of_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n if_o man_n will_v spoil_v let_v they_o do_v it_o to_o their_o own_o peril_n and_o condemnation_n but_o communicate_v you_o not_o with_o their_o sin_n of_o whatsoever_o state_n they_o be_v neither_o by_o consent_n nor_o by_o silence_n but_o with_o public_a protestation_n make_v know_v to_o the_o world_n that_o you_o be_v innocent_a of_o such_o robbery_n which_o will_v ere_o it_o be_v long_o provock_n god_n vengeance_n on_o the_o committer_n of_o it_o etc._n etc._n and_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o experience_n of_o many_o family_n in_o scotland_n may_v confirm_v this_o religione_fw-la mutatâ_fw-la say_v a_o learned_a lawyer_n &_o sic_fw-la statu_fw-la priori_fw-la inverso_fw-la hoc.t._n finkel_n hoc.t._n patronus_fw-la curabit_fw-la ut_fw-la bona_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la &_o piis_fw-la usibus_fw-la legata_fw-la non_fw-la tantum_fw-la preserventur_fw-la &_o augeantur_fw-la sed_fw-la ad_fw-la usum_fw-la alium_fw-la aeque_fw-la pium_fw-la convertantur_fw-la puta_fw-la ad_fw-la cultum_fw-la alium_fw-la divinum_fw-la ad_fw-la salutem_fw-la rei_fw-la publicae_fw-la ad_fw-la conservandum_fw-la ministerium_fw-la ad_fw-la sum_fw-la scholarum_fw-la pauperes_fw-la juvandos_fw-mi nosocomia_n condenda_fw-la etc._n etc._n i._n e._n when_o there_o be_v a_o alteration_n of_o religion_n and_o by_o consequence_n a_o inversion_n of_o the_o former_a state_n of_o affair_n a_o patron_n ought_v to_o take_v care_n that_o the_o good_n of_o the_o church_n and_o what_o be_v leave_v for_o pious_a use_n be_v not_o only_o preserve_v and_o augment_v but_o that_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o other_o as_o pious_a use_n as_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o a_o lawful_a manner_n for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o common_a wealth_n for_o the_o maintain_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o the_o use_n of_o school_n the_o help_n of_o the_o poor_a the_o build_n of_o hospital_n etc._n etc._n vi_o i_o may_v add_v the_o joint_a testimony_n of_o our_o own_o church_n in_o her_o book_n of_o discipline_n etc._n etc._n &_o many_o other_o thing_n but_o this_o be_v a_o head_n that_o i_o have_v but_o accidental_o fall_v upon_o and_o a_o subject_a that_o will_v lead_v i_o our_o a_o great_a length_n and_o much_o far_a than_o the_o design_n of_o this_o discourse_n will_v allow_v i_o shall_v leave_v it_o such_o as_o desire_v far_a information_n may_v find_v enough_o and_o too_o much_o to_o satisfy_v their_o curiosity_n in_o the_o public_a record_n of_o the_o nation_n they_o may_v also_o consult_v the_o learned_a sir_n henry_n spelman_n tractat_fw-la de_fw-la non_fw-la temerandis_fw-la ecclesit_n and_o his_o large_a work_n of_o teith_n they_o may_v also_o see_v d._n forbes's_fw-fr gemitus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la
uni_fw-la ex_fw-la minmis_fw-la hisce_fw-la meis_fw-la fratribus_fw-la fecistis_fw-la mihi_fw-la fecistis_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v a_o man_n seem_v to_o design_n jesus_n christ_n for_o his_o heir_n when_o he_o ordain_v his_o good_n to_o be_v distribute_v to_o the_o poor_a for_o when_o a_o beggar_n receive_v alm_n christ_n himself_o stand_v by_o and_o stretch_v forth_o his_o own_o hand_n with_o he_o for_o in_o as_o much_o say_v he_o as_o you_o do_v it_o to_o the_o least_o of_o my_o brethren_n you_o do_v it_o to_o i_o etc._n etc._n xiii_o but_o to_o clear_v this_o yet_o far_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o any_o right_n a_o patron_n can_v pretend_v to_o give_v a_o pastor_n to_o his_o maintenance_n be_v quoad_fw-la the_o pastor_n but_o a_o groundless_a pretence_n and_o so_o a_o supper_n vacaneous_a and_o useless_a grant_n the_o pastor_n right_o to_o his_o maintenance_n be_v full_o establish_v in_o his_o person_n by_o his_o lawful_a call_n to_o the_o ministry_n and_o his_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o it_o so_o that_o unless_o the_o patron_n will_v pretend_v that_o he_o can_v put_v a_o minister_n in_o a_o spiritual_a capacity_n and_o so_o claim_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n which_o be_v indeed_o christ_n power_n commit_v to_o his_o minister_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o election_n he_o can_v give_v he_o no_o right_n to_o his_o maintenance_n but_o such_o as_o will_v be_v superfluous_a for_o as_o abundantia_fw-la non_fw-la vitiat_fw-la so_o neither_o do_v it_o strengthen_v or_o confirm_v a_o right_n and_o though_o what_o the_o patron_n give_v shall_v be_v grant_v to_o be_v a_o confirmation_n yet_o it_o can_v give_v no_o new_a right_n confirneatio_fw-la enim_fw-la nihil_fw-la novi_fw-la juris_fw-la addit_fw-la sed_fw-la antiquum_fw-la jus_o tantum_fw-la roborat_fw-la it_o be_v the_o pastor_n spiritual_a capacity_n 5.18_o mat._n 10.10_o gal._n 6.6_o 1_o tim._n 5.18_o and_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o that_o only_a which_o give_v he_o a_o full_a and_o unquestionable_a title_n to_o his_o wage_n fourteen_o next_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v very_o natural_o that_o if_o what_o a_o man_n have_v once_o give_v away_o and_o devote_v to_o the_o lord_n for_o pious_a use_n be_v no_o more_o he_o that_o give_v it_o then_o certain_o the_o founder_n of_o a_o benefice_n can_v expect_v to_o retain_v to_o himself_o and_o much_o less_o to_o his_o heir_n and_o successor_n a_o negative_a interest_n in_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o so_o little_a use_n and_o advantage_n and_o so_o much_o prejudice_n to_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o though_o such_o act_n of_o favour_n and_o charity_n as_o be_v free_o and_o gratuitous_o bestow_v on_o the_o church_n seem_v to_o plead_v more_o for_o the_o right_n of_o patronage_n than_o such_o as_o be_v do_v per_fw-la modum_fw-la debiti_fw-la or_o for_o satisf_v of_o a_o moral_a duty_n and_o obligation_n to_o which_o the_o donor_n or_o founder_n be_v previous_o engage_v yet_o there_o be_v none_o who_o perform_v such_o act_n out_o of_o the_o singleness_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o from_o a_o true_a principle_n of_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o a_o sincere_a motive_n of_o compassion_n to_o their_o poor_a brethren_n that_o will_v sciens_fw-la volens_fw-la wit_v and_o willing_o desire_n or_o expect_v a_o privilege_n so_o useless_a and_o yet_o so_o hurtful_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o fly_n in_o the_o appothecaries_n ointment_n xv._o the_o three_o sort_n of_o benefactor_n to_o wit_n those_o who_o confer_v favour_n on_o the_o church_n partly_o per_fw-la modum_fw-la debiti_fw-la and_o partly_o per_fw-la modum_fw-la eleemosynae_fw-la partly_o by_o way_n of_o debt_n and_o partly_o by_o way_n of_o alm_n and_o free_a charity_n be_v such_o person_n as_o have_v some_o civil_a interest_n and_o estate_n within_o the_o bound_n where_o the_o kirk_n lie_v but_o not_o the_o whole_a and_o therefore_o their_o building_n or_o dote_v of_o a_o kirk_n be_v neither_o whole_o duty_n nor_o whole_o charity_n but_o part_n of_o both_o they_o be_v indeed_o previous_o oblige_v thereto_o but_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o do_v it_o alone_o and_o without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o bound_n for_o bear_v their_o share_n of_o the_o common_a burden_n see_v he_o that_o so_o dot_n or_o build_v be_v but_o one_o of_o many_o have_v interest_n and_o those_o benefactor_n can_v as_o little_a as_o the_o former_a expect_v to_o be_v gratify_v with_o the_o privilege_n of_o patronage_n for_o the_o reason_n already_o mention_v for_o if_o neither_o he_o who_o act_n in_o such_o matter_n whole_o per_fw-la modum_fw-la debiti_fw-la nor_o he_o who_o act_n whole_o and_o entire_o per_fw-la modum_fw-la eleemosynae_fw-la can_v with_o any_o reason_n assume_v or_o expect_v such_o a_o privilege_n then_o also_o by_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n he_o who_o act_v in_o bestow_v such_o favour_n on_o the_o church_n partly_o the_o one_o way_n and_o partly_o the_o other_o have_v as_o little_a if_o not_o less_o ground_n than_o either_o of_o they_o to_o expect_v or_o assume_v the_o same_o xvi_o there_o be_v a_o four_o fort_n of_o benefactor_n if_o they_o deserve_v the_o name_n and_o those_o be_v such_o as_o do_v their_o good_a deed_n mere_o out_o of_o ostentation_n and_o from_o a_o pharisaical_a principle_n of_o vaâ—h_a glory_n &_o to_o be_v see_v of_o man_n to_o gain_v the_o applause_n of_o the_o world_n and_o not_o to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n those_o man_n bestow_v their_o favour_n where_o there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o need_n seldom_o or_o never_o consult_v how_o or_o where_o they_o may_v place_v they_o with_o most_o advantage_n for_o the_o public_a good_a but_o satisfy_v themselves_o if_o they_o can_v place_v they_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o they_o may_v bear_v most_o bulk_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world._n this_o be_v a_o truth_n so_o undeniable_a that_o it_o be_v certain_o from_o this_o vanity_n that_o the_o monastry_n nunnery_n abbacy_n pryory_n cloister_n etc._n etc._n both_o in_o this_o and_o other_o nation_n before_o the_o reformation_n from_o popery_n and_o in_o other_o popish_a country_n to_o this_o day_n be_v endow_v with_o so_o many_o rich_a live_n that_o in_o some_o place_n they_o possess_v near_o or_o above_o a_o three_o of_o the_o whole_a land_n in_o other_o near_o a_o full_a half_n as_o the_o devotion_n as_o it_o be_v then_o term_v or_o rather_o the_o superstitious_a folly_n of_o a_o simple_a and_o ignorant_a people_n and_o the_o influence_n and_o interest_n of_o a_o cheat_a and_o idle_a clergy_n incline_v they_o thus_o many_o churchman_n turn_v in_o effect_n to_o be_v temporal_a prince_n and_o general_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o legislative_a power_n and_o exercise_n of_o the_o government_n of_o these_o nation_n become_v very_o large_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o great_a interest_n and_o authority_n they_o enjoy_v by_o such_o ample_a revenue_n and_o possession_n which_o be_v the_o true_a criginal_n of_o make_v the_o clergy_n the_o three_o estate_n in_o the_o convention_n and_o geveral_a council_n of_o stâ—te_n both_o in_o these_o land_n and_o else_o where_o lut_v those_o benefactor_n if_o they_o may_v be_v so_o name_v be_v so_o full_o expose_v by_o our_o bless_a lord_n in_o that_o 6._o of_o matth._n and_o elsewhere_o 6._o matth._n 6._o that_o it_o will_v be_v needless_a to_o insist_v any_o far_a upon_o they_o and_o certain_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n less_o than_o any_o of_o the_o former_a deserve_v any_o trust_n or_o privilege_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n their_o vanity_n and_o self-seeking_a which_o be_v the_o principal_a or_o rather_o the_o only_a motive_n and_o design_n of_o all_o their_o action_n deserve_v much_o rather_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n than_o any_o encouragement_n by_o trust_v they_o with_o a_o power_n that_o they_o be_v utter_o incapable_a to_o manage_v with_o any_o measure_n of_o wisdom_n or_o discretion_n which_o be_v quality_n that_o man_n of_o such_o a_o vain_a and_o ostentive_a humour_n be_v seldom_o or_o never_o bless_v with_o xvii_o as_o for_o the_o last_o sort_n of_o benefactor_n to_o wit_n such_o as_o from_o a_o opinion_n of_o merit_n confer_v such_o good_a office_n on_o the_o church_n think_v thereby_o to_o deserve_v life_n and_o happiness_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o go_v about_o to_o establish_v their_o own_o righteousness_n by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n it_o be_v little_a wonder_n that_o such_o man_n who_o do_v so_o high_o injure_v and_o rob_v our_o bless_a lord_n and_o only_a saviour_n of_o the_o honour_n of_o that_o complete_a ransom_n and_o satisfaction_n pay_v by_o he_o to_o divine_a justice_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o his_o
hand_n there_o be_v no_o stratagem_n that_o ever_o satan_n devise_v that_o have_v have_v worse_o and_o more_o effectual_a influence_n for_o destroy_v that_o reverence_n and_o free_a submission_n which_o people_n owe_v the_o send_v servant_n of_o the_o lord_n than_o this_o device_n of_o patronage_n have_v have_v xviii_o and_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o for_o when_o people_n see_v themselves_o disappoint_v of_o a_o person_n more_o worthy_a and_o acceptable_a on_o who_o they_o have_v set_v their_o eye_n for_o a_o pastor_n and_o another_o obtrude_v upon_o they_o in_o his_o place_n mere_o by_o the_o patron_n be_v election_n to_o who_o they_o never_o consent_v and_o a_o legal_a force_n put_v upon_o both_o they_o and_o the_o presbitry_n to_o receive_v the_o person_n present_v and_o to_o give_v he_o the_o maintenance_n due_a to_o their_o lawful_a pastor_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a so_o long_o as_o man_n be_v man_n and_o subject_a to_o passion_n and_o weakness_n but_o that_o the_o effect_n of_o such_o untoward_a method_n shall_v be_v to_o produce_v a_o very_a cold_a backward_o and_o unchearful_a submission_n and_o obedience_n to_o such_o pastor_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o more_o alienates_v man_n mind_n and_o affection_n than_o such_o course_n and_o love_v be_v the_o main_a ingredient_n in_o reverence_n and_o that_o the_o great_a ground_n of_o a_o cheerful_a and_o hearty_a submission_n be_v it_o any_o wonder_n to_o see_v this_o a_o mise_a where_o there_o be_v so_o much_o pain_n take_v to_o destroy_v that_o which_o breed_v it_o or_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o a_o people_n can_v be_v persuade_v that_o a_o pastor_n be_v send_v of_o god_n for_o their_o good_a when_o they_o see_v that_o he_o have_v step_v out_o of_o god_n way_n and_o have_v not_o enter_v by_o the_o right_a door_n of_o christ_n appointment_n xx._n beside_o all_o this_o the_o whole_a nation_n can_v witness_v that_o this_o method_n of_o force_v minister_n upon_o people_n without_o or_o against_o their_o consent_n and_o inclination_n have_v have_v very_o sad_a and_o scandalous_a effect_n by_o raise_v of_o riot_n and_o tumult_n to_o the_o great_a hazard_n of_o both_o party_n as_o well_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o entry_n as_o afterward_o beside_o the_o loss_n and_o trouble_v the_o people_n sustain_v by_o subsequent_a prosecution_n at_o law_n upon_o that_o account_n many_o other_o instance_n may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o gross_a abuse_n and_o scandal_n occasion_v by_o this_o corrupt_a and_o useless_a privilege_n but_o these_o may_v suffice_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v no_o savoury_a employment_n to_o rake_v into_o such_o a_o dunghill_n of_o corruption_n xx._n only_o i_o can_v omit_v to_o observe_v that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a effect_n of_o the_o unwarrantable_a mixture_n that_o appear_v in_o such_o a_o call_v to_o the_o ministry_n for_o beside_o the_o bad_a influence_n this_o may_v have_v on_o people_n to_o raise_v a_o just_a distaste_n and_o prejudice_n in_o their_o mind_n against_o such_o minister_n it_o can_v but_o also_o be_v very_o hurtful_a to_o a_o minister_n himself_o in_o mar_v his_o confidence_n and_o obstruct_v his_o comfort_n in_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o his_o function_n when_o he_o see_v himself_o disable_v especial_o in_o time_n of_o trial_n and_o persecution_n to_o behave_v in_o the_o discharge_n of_o his_o trust_n with_o that_o vigour_n and_o confidence_n that_o become_v a_o send_v servant_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o a_o workman_n that_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o this_o purpose_n 4.1_o 2_o tim_n 2_o 15._o 2d_o cor._n 4.1_o there_o be_v a_o passage_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n in_o the_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n very_o remarkable_a where_o he_o find_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o not_o faint_v in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o difficulty_n upon_o the_o assurance_n he_o have_v of_o his_o have_v receive_v the_o call_n of_o his_o ministry_n from_o no_o other_o hand_n but_o that_o which_o have_v be_v the_o fountain_n of_o mercy_n to_o he_o have_v receive_v this_o ministry_n say_v he_o as_o we_o have_v receive_v mercy_n therefore_o we_o faint_v not_o and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o general_o in_o all_o the_o epistle_n direct_v to_o the_o several_a church_n the_o writer_n still_o begin_v with_o his_o title_n of_o apostle_n servant_n of_o christ_n elder_n etc._n etc._n thereby_o intimate_v that_o their_o great_a ground_n of_o confidence_n and_o comfort_n in_o deliver_v the_o message_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v found_v on_o the_o assurance_n they_o have_v of_o their_o lawful_a call_n to_o the_o ministry_n xxi_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o the_o experience_n of_o several_a minister_n in_o this_o church_n for_o though_o some_o of_o they_o be_v both_o faithful_a and_o diligent_a in_o their_o duty_n to_o the_o entire_a satisfaction_n of_o their_o people_n yet_o when_o they_o come_v to_o discover_v the_o sinfulness_n of_o their_o entry_n by_o this_o unwarrantable_a method_n of_o patronage_n they_o have_v be_v keep_v under_o long_a and_o sad_a exercise_n of_o spirit_n and_o put_v to_o serious_a and_o deep_a humiliation_n before_o the_o lord_n ere_o they_o can_v attain_v to_o any_o measure_n of_o confidence_n that_o they_o be_v authorize_v of_o god_n to_o deliver_v a_o message_n in_o his_o name_n or_o can_v get_v their_o conscience_n bring_v to_o any_o calm_a and_o quiet_a from_o the_o fear_n of_o be_v under_o the_o guilt_n of_o such_o as_o run_v unsent_a or_o can_v think_v they_o have_v a_o good_a right_n to_o that_o peace_n which_o our_o bless_a lord_n leave_v as_o his_o last_o and_o farewell_n token_n to_o his_o disciple_n and_o in_o they_o to_o all_o his_o send_v servant_n 20.21_o john_n 20.21_o as_o the_o natural_a and_o kindly_a effect_n of_o their_o lawful_a call_n to_o the_o ministry_n peace_n be_v unto_o you_o say_v our_o bless_a lord_n as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o so_o send_v i_o you_o xxii_o and_o many_o minister_n who_o have_v sit_v down_o with_o too_o much_o satisfaction_n as_o to_o such_o a_o call_v and_o way_n of_o entry_n have_v be_v make_v to_o see_v that_o such_o of_o their_o brethren_n and_o people_n as_o have_v skill_n to_o discern_v the_o spirit_n and_o know_v the_o voice_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o send_v servant_n have_v thought_n of_o they_o very_o different_a from_o their_o own_o these_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v in_o such_o pastor_n but_o very_o little_a of_o that_o assistance_n and_o support_n which_o the_o lord_n ordinary_o vouchsafe_v to_o bestow_v on_o his_o own_o ambassador_n send_v upon_o such_o a_o weighty_a and_o important_a errand_n as_o the_o delivery_n of_o a_o message_n of_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n to_o a_o people_n in_o his_o name_n xxiii_o other_o have_v but_o too_o much_o endeavour_v to_o stifle_v and_o bear_v down_o the_o check_n of_o their_o conscience_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o have_v find_v themselves_o very_o much_o straighten_a to_o own_o &_o avow_v as_o a_o faithful_a pastor_n shall_v that_o they_o have_v a_o warrant_n and_o commission_n to_o speak_v to_o their_o people_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o if_o at_o any_o time_n they_o venture_v upon_o it_o their_o conscience_n will_v stare_v they_o in_o the_o face_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o their_o people_n do_v with_o too_o much_o reason_n suspect_v their_o sincerity_n in_o it_o see_v their_o entry_n be_v not_o by_o the_o right_a door_n but_o that_o in_o some_o one_o or_o more_o step_n they_o have_v clumb_v up_o another_o way_n xxiv_o and_o as_o in_o time_n of_o trial_n and_o difficulty_n the_o check_n of_o a_o man_n conscience_n do_v ordinary_o turn_v more_o sharp_a and_o uneasy_a so_o at_o such_o time_n especial_o the_o comfort_n of_o such_o minister_n as_o enter_v by_o patron_n have_v prove_v very_o faint_a and_o cold_a and_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v but_o little_a wonder_n that_o such_o as_o have_v no_o spark_n to_o warm_v they_o at_o in_o this_o case_n but_o these_o of_o man_n kindle_v have_v this_o from_o the_o lord_n hand_n that_o they_o shall_v lie_v down_o in_o sorrow_n 50.11_o esay_n 50.11_o confidence_n and_o comfort_n in_o these_o matter_n especial_o be_v mutual_a support_v and_o strengthen_v of_o each_o other_o and_o there_o be_v no_o such_o ground_n in_o the_o world_n for_o both_o as_o that_o calm_a serenity_n of_o mind_n and_o peace_n of_o conscience_n which_o flow_v from_o the_o assurance_n a_o man_n have_v of_o have_v regulate_v his_o action_n especial_o when_o they_o relate_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o god_n and_o his_o church_n by_o the_o divine_a and_o unerring_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n xxv_o and_o though_o many_o pious_a and_o worthy_a person_n have_v enter_v to_o the_o ministry_n in_o this_o method_n yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o