who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23. To suffer for the Truth ought to be the Joy and Comfort of him that has undertaken to be the Minister of Truth How much then do they forget their Vocation who upon meeting with Discouragements lose all Comfort and repent of their Labor Whom we preach warning every Man and teaching every Man in all Wisdom that we may present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. The only design of an Apostolic Teacher is to form Jesus in every one of his Flock and to make all perfect in him Say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Col. 4. 17. They who consider not well the Duties of their Charge will soon neglect them Fulfil the Duties of the Ministry of Jesus Christ What Pastor do's not tremble at this Word Your selves Brethren know our Entrance in unto you that it was not in vain But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated as ye know at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much Contention For our Exhortation was not of Deceit nor of Vncleanness nor in Guile But as we were allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel even so we speak not as pleasing Men but God which trieth our Hearts For neither at any time used we flattering Words as ye know nor a Cloak of Covetousness God is Witness Nor of Men sought we Glory neither of you nor yet of others when we might have been burdensome as the Apostles of Christ But we were Gentle among you even as a Nurse cherisheth her Children So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only but also our own Souls because ye were dear unto us For ye remember Brethren our Labor and Travel For laboring Night and Day because we would not be chargeable unto any of you we preached unto you the Gospel of God Ye are Witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children that ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory 1 Thess 2. 1. Every Word a Lesson to Preachers What a Mercy to the World if they would study and follow this Spirit Be not thou therefore ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord nor of me his Prisoner but be thou Partaker of the Afflictions of the Gospel according to the Power of God 2 Tim. 1. 8. Great Courage is necessary for standing by the Truth and the Ministers of it Hold fast the form of sound Words which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us 2 Tim. 1. 13. Great Fidelity requir'd of the Pastors of God's Church The Holy Ghost promis'd to them for this end Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life 2 Tim. 2. 3. I suffer trouble as an evil Doer even unto Bonds but the Word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the Elects sake v. 9. To suffer with Courage all Difficulties is the Obligation of a Pastor And if he suffer as a Criminal as this is most humbling so it brings him nearer to the Resemblance of Jesus Christ They are of the World therefore speak they of the World and the World heareth them 1 Jo. 4. 5. Unhappy Teachers whose Character this is CHAP. XXXVI Of the Flock Q. WHat Directions do's the Gospel give to the Flock in Regard of those whom God has put over them A. It speaks very particularly to them but that I may end this last Chapter with such Instructions as the Gospel gives I will first set down some Injunctions of God in the Old Law which as it was a Figure of the New so it may lead us to such Duties as God expects from the Flock in this better Constitution which is the Church of Christ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian Woman whom he had married And they said hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses Hath he not spoken also by us And the Lord heard it Wherefore then were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses And the Anger of the Lord was kindled against them and he departed Num. 12. 1 8. God shews his displeasure against those who murmur at such as he has set over them And all the Children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron And the Lord said unto Moses How long will this People provoke me Surely they shall not see the Land which I sware unto their Fathers neither shall any of them that provoked me see it Num. 14. 2 11 23. Great are the Judgments of God upon those who murmur against such as are over them Now Korah and Dathan and Abiram took men and they rose up before Moses with certain of the Children of Israel two hundred and fifty Princes of the assembly famous in the Congregation Men of renown And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said unto them Ye take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation are holy every one of them and the Lord is among them Wherefore then lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord And when Moses heard it he fell upon his Face And he spake unto the Congregation saying Depart I pray you from tbe Tents of these wicked Men and touch nothing of theirs lest ye be consumed in all their Sins And the Earth opened her Mouth and swallowed them up and their Houses and all the Men that appertained unto Korah and all their goods And there came out a fire from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty Men that offered Incense Num. 16. 1 26 32 35. The Congregation being holy Exempts them not from their Obedience enjoin'd The Authority of Princes of the Congregation Men Famous and of Renown is not enough for questioning the Authority of Moses and Aaron whom God had commanded all to hear and obey Their offering Incense to God is not accepted while divided from Moses and Aaron they are under the guilt of Disobedience Thou shalt come unto the Priests the Levites and unto the Judge that shall be in those days and enquire and they shall shew thee the Sentence of Judgment And thou shalt do according to the Sentence which they of that place which the Lord shall chuse shall shew thee and thou shalt observe to do according to all that
PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF THE GOSPEL OFFER'D For the Help of all who desire to live Disciples of Jesus Christ Printed in the Year 1700. THE PREFACE I Offer not the following Collection as any thing new it has a much better commendation from the Prinpal Contents which being a part of the Sacred Text stands in need of no other Title from which to raise its value It is the word of God that is enough And as far as it contains this I can boldly recommend it I press I importune all who have a true Faith in Christ to the Reading and Study of it because it is that which the Spirit of God speaks to Man and Man can have no hopes of Life Eternal but by hearing and following this Word of Life But are not all provided with this in a more Authentic Form in their Bibles which they have by them It is true but while all are thus provided and generally well-read in this Sacred volume yet when I look upon the Method of the Christian World and consider the common Practice of Believers I see such a Vniversal Departing from what the Word of God teaches that I cannot but fear they either are not serious in what they profess or do not take it for their Rule or observe not what it enjoyns or at least do not remember what belongs to them This fear which I could wish it were not so reasonable as it seems to me has prevailed on me to lay this short Collection before them wherein I not only put them in mind of the Gospel being their Rule and of the necessity of observing it but likewise by reducing the Texts under particular Heads have provided against all the Objections of Giddy Vnthinking Tempers of Sloth and Ill Memory in the opportunity of seeing at one glance the Principal Directions which the Gospel gives them according to their several Duties and different Circumstances of Life And tho' something of this has been already done by another hand yet observing still such a general corruption among Christians that they as boldly live on in the practice of what the Gospel condemns as if they knew of no such Rule I cannot but think there 's Reason enough for this Repetition in again laying their Rule before them and putting them in mind of the necessity of their making it a Practical Rule to them It is a reveal'd Truth That there is no Salvation but thro' Christ and it is another Truth upon the same Foundation That there can be no Hope thro' Christ but by keeping his Words and observing his Law His Words and his Law are the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Gospel then must be the Rule to all those who hope in Christ and such as follow it not observe not the condition he has propos'd for having a part in his Promises Is this true Then what an unhappy World what a wretched Age are we in where the Gospel is so far from being the Rule even to those that believe it that it is as generally transgressed or neglected as if there was no dependance on it Where what it strictly commands is no more regarded and what it condemns no more avoided than if its Doctrine was fabulous its Heaven was a Fiction and its Hell no more than a Dream Is not this true in all the ways of Pride Intemperance Prodigality Covetousness Love of the World and our selves Is not this true in all kinds of Frauds Over-reaching Injustice Animosities Detraction Dissention Malice c. Is not this too generally true in all that belongs to Eating Drinking Cloathing and Conversing Have not all in these Particulars departed from their Rule Are not these Evils as industriously promoted and encouraged among Christians as by any unbelieving Nation whatever What People in the World are more Vain Proud Fraudulent Malicious and greater Lovers of themselves than they Where do's it appear that Humility Charity Meekness Self-denial Moderation and Forsaking the World are the Christian Law and the conditions for obtaining everlasting Hapiness Who can say in these and infinite other Points that Christian Practice has any regard to the Gospel And yet at the same time our common Profession is That the Gospel is our Rule it teaches the way of Life and we can have no hopes of Life but by doing what it teaches And have not Christians then great reason with their most serious application to study this Rule and see what it recommends as necessary and what it disapproves that so they may no longer be false to their Profession in departing from the Gospel which they acknowledge to be the Guide to Bliss that they may walk in all the ways of the Lord keep his Ordinances and observe his Statutes that they may have no confidence or peace but in such Practices only as are approved by the Word and therefore most agreeable to the Will of God This is certainly as a general so the greatest interest of all and ought therefore to be their principal business For clearness and expedition I offer this summary of Gospel Rules which being ranked under several Heads may be easily consulted by all Capacities and will possitively declare to them what is the Will of God and in all circumstances of Life discover how far the Gospel approves or disapproves This can be the only sure way of standing against ill Customs and not being carried away by the authority and number of offenders nor letting the World take place where God only ought to be heard If there appears any thing difficult in the following Rules I am not to answer for that I propose the Gospel as I find it and having put all Christians in mind that this is the Rule which they profess I here with all Charity conjure them not to despise it but to take their Directions from thence of all that is Lawful Just Holy and Well-pleasing to God for if the Gospel be Life to those that follow it it must be their Condemnation who observe it not PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF THE GOSPEL CHAP. I. Of the Christian's Rule Q. WHAT is a Christian A. A Christian is one that believes in Christ and professes to live according to the Doctrin of the Gospel Q. What then is the general Duty of a Christian A. To do what he professes that is to consider in every thing that the Gospel is his Rule to examin diligently what it teaches and make it the general Endeavor of his whole Life to do in all things as this directs Q. Is this a strict Obligation upon all or may it be omitted without a Fault A. It is such an Obligation that it cannot be omitted wilfully without Sin and to live in the general Neglect of it is to be out of the way of Salvation Q. Why so A. Because the Gospel is the new Law which Christ has left for all to keep that believe in him and to neglect this is to neglect Christ to despise it is to despise him Q. And is
him not having mine own righteousness which is of the law but that which is thro' the Faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by Faith that I may know him and the power of his Resurrection and the fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable unto his death Phil. 3. 7. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 35 38. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain Phil. 1. 21. I have learned in whatever state I am therewith to be content Phil. 4. 11. Seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Set your affection on things above not on things on the earth For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 1 2 3. These are some amongst infinite other Directions which the Gospel gives for regulating of the Inward Man Were they prescribed to the Apostles only or to some Particular Persons or States there might be a just excuse for such as observe them not but being writ to the Faithful of all States and Conditions they are to be observ'd by all that believe in Christ And in this may Christians make the truest Judgment of the state of their Souls For if this be prescrib'd to all all are bound to labor in bringing their Souls to this happy disposition and they who are not solicitous in this whatever their Faith be have not the Spirit of a true Disciple CHAP. IX Of loving our Neighbor Q. WHAT directions do's the Gospel give as to the Love of our Neighbor A. Such as are very particular and strict in the Charge Hear some of them Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thy self On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets Mat. 22. 37 39 40. A new Commandment I give unto you That ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Jo. 13. 34 35. These things I command you that ye love one another Jo. 15. 17. This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Jo. 15. 12 14. Let love be without dissimulation Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honor preferring one another Rom. 12. 9 10. By love serve one another for all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thy self But if ye bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not consum'd one of another Gal. 5. 13 14 15. Owe no man any thing but to love one another For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law For this thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not kill Thou shall not steal Thou shalt not bear false witness Thou shalt not covet and if there be any other Commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying namely Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thy self Love worketh no ill to his Neighbor therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13. 8 9 10. As touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of God to love one another And indeed ye do it towards all the brethren which are in Macedonia But we beseech you brethren that ye increase more and more and that ye study to be quiet 1 Thes 4. 9 10 11. Above all things have fervent Charity among your selves For Charity shall cover the multitude of sins 1 Pet. 4. 8. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light and there is none occasion of stumbling in him But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness 1 Jo. 2. 10. Whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his brother 1 Jo. 3. 10. We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren he that loveth not his brother abideth in death Whosoever hateth his brother is a murtherer and ye know that no murtherer hath eternal life abiding in him 1 Jo. 3. 14 15. If we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a liar This Commandment have we from him that he who loveth God love his brother also 1 Jo. 4. 12 20 21. Tho' I have the gift of Prophecy and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge and tho' I have all Faith so that I could remove Mountains and have no Charity I am nothing And tho' I bestow all my goods to feed the Poor and tho' I give my Body to be burned and have not Charity it profitteth me nothing Charity suffereth long and is kind Charity envieth not Charity vaunteth not it self is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in the truth beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things 1 Cor. 13. 2 3 4 c. Thus the Christian's Rule directs as to this Point Whoever expects Salvation thro' Christ must hear his Word and make it his daily business to observe it Christ himself has said it Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Jo. 15. 14. CHAP. X. Of loving our Enemies Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to the love of our Enemies A. It speaks positively in this Point I say unto you Love your Enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you That ye may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh the Sun to rise on the Evil and on the Good and sendeth Rain on the Just and on the Vnjust For if ye love them which love you what reward have ye Do not even the Publicans the same And if ye salute your Brethren only what do you more than others Do not even the Publicaus so Be ye therefore Perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is Perfect Mat. 5. 44 c. I say unto you which hear love your Enemies do good to them which hate you Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also As you would that men should do to you do ye also to them likewise For if ye love them which love you what thank have ye For Sinners also love those that love them And
Voice Jo. 10. 1. They are to consider their Vocation I am the good Shepherd The good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep But he that is an Hireling and not the Shepherd whose own the Sheep are not seeth the Wolf coming and leaveth the Sheep and fleeth And the Wolf catcheth them and scattereth the Sheep The Hireling fleeth because he is an Hireling and careth not for the Sheep I am the good Shepherd and know my Sheep and am known of mine Jo. 10. 11. They are to employ and give their Life for the good of their Flock Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordain'd you that ye should go and bring forth Fruit and that your Fruit should remain Jo. 15. 16. They are to remember the end of their being call'd Jesus saith to Simon Peter Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these He saith unto him yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee he saith unto him Feed my Lambs He saith to him again the second time Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me He saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my Sheep Jo. 21. 15. The Love of Jesus the necessary Preparation for taking charge of their Flock As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the Work whereunto I have called them And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their Hands on them they sent them away Acts 13. 2. Good Dispositions for undertaking the Care of the Flock Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood For I know this that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock Also of your own selves shall Men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three Years I ceased not to warn every one Night and Day with Tears Acts 20. 28. Vigilance and Fidelity necessary for Pastors This is a true Saying if a Man desire the Office of a Bishop he desireth a good Work A Bishop then must be blameless the Husband of one Wife Vigilant Sober of good Behavior given to Hospitality apt to Teach not given to Wine no Striker not greedy of filthy Lucre but Patient not a Brawler not Covetous one that ruleth well his own House having his Children in Subjection with all Gravity for if a Man know not how to rule his own House how shall he take Care of the Church of God Not a Novice lest being lifted up with Pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil Moreover he must have a good Report of them which are without lest he fall into Reproach and the Snare of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 1. Necessary Qualifications of Pastors If thou put the Brethren in Remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good Minister of Jesus Christ nourished up in the Words of Faith and of good Doctrin whereunto thou hast attained But refuse profane and old Wives Fables and exercise thy self rather unto Godliness For Bodily Exercise profiteth little but Godliness is profitable unto all things having Promise of the Life that now is and of that which is to come Let no Man despise thy Youth but be thou an Example of the Believers in VVord in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity Till I come give attendance to Reading to Exhortation to Doctrin Neglect not the Gift that is in thee which was given thee by Prophecy with the laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all Take heed unto thy self and unto thy Doctrin continue in them For in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 4. 6 12. Excellent Instructions 1. To be nourish'd by Faith 2. To avoid Fables 3. To follow Piety 4. To give good Example 5. To Read and Teach 6. Not to neglect Grace 7. To Meditate 8. To be watchful over themselves and their Flock Lastly To persevere in Duty Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father and the younger Men as Brethren the elder Women as Mothers the Younger as Sisters with all Purity 1 Tim. 5. 1. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by Partiality Lay Hands suddenly on no Man neither be Partaker of other Mens Sins Keep thy self pure v. 21. How strict a charge against all kind of Partiality Them that Sin rebuke before all that others also may fear v. 20. Public Sin to be reprov'd in Public O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy Trust avoiding prophane and vain Bablings and Oppositions of Science falsly so called VVhich some professing have erred concerning the Faith 1 Tim. 6. 20. They are faithfully to keep what is deliver'd avoid unprofitable Disputes Hold fast the form of sound VVords which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us 2 Tim. 1. 13. Thou therefore my Son be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus And the things that thou hast heard of me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a Soldier 2 Tim. 2. 1. They are to be strong in Grace Faithful Deliverers of the Truths receiv'd Courageous in all the Difficulties of their Ministry Not engag'd in worldly Affairs Of these things put them in Remembrance charging them before the Lord that they strive not about Words to no profit but to the subverting of the Hearers Study to shew thy self approved unto God a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth But shun prophane and vain Bablings for they will encrease unto more Vngodliness Flee also youthful Lusts but follow Righteousness Faith Charity Peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure Heart But foolish and unlearned Questions avoid knowing that they do gender Strifes And the Servant of the Lord must not strive but be Gentle unto all Men apt to Teach Patient in Meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God Peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth and that they may recover themselves out of the Snare of the Devil who are taken Captive by him at his Will 2 Tim. 2. 14 22. They are to banish Disputes of Words 2. Be Irreproachable in their Lives 3. Dispence
wrote Letters by them after this manner The Apostles and Elders and Brethren send greeting unto the Brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with Words subverting your Souls saying Ye must be Circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such Commandment It seemed good unto us being assembled with one accord to send chosen Men unto you For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things Act. 15. 22. The Apostles and Elders assembled having determin'd the Question propos'd to them send their Resolution to the Faithful and recommend it upon the Authority of the Holy Ghost and of themselves When they were dismissed they came to Antioch And when they had gathered the multitude together they delivered the Epistle which when they had read they rejoiced for the consolation Act. 15. 30. The Resolutions of the Apostles assembled are receiv'd by the Faithful and this with joy and comfort And as they went through the Cities they delivered them the Decrees for to keep that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem And so were the Churches established in the Faith and encreased in number daily Act. 16. 4. The Decrees of the Apostles and Elders of the Church were deliver'd to the Faithful so were the Churches establish'd Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood For I know this that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Therefore watch Act. 20. 28. The Pastors of the Church by the Ordinance of the H. Ghost are the Overseers of the Flock and are to Feed it and by their watchfulness is it to be secur'd from the Errors of perverse Men. Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia after what manner I have been with you at all Seasons serving the Lord with all Humility of Mind and with many Tears and Temptations which befel me by the lying in wait of the Jews And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you but have shewed you and have taught you publickly and from house to house Act. 20. 18. They that teach the Flock are to persevere in their Duty with Patience and Humility amidst the Difficulties of their Charge They are not to dissemble the Truth but give Instructions in Families as well as in Public Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the Blood of all Men For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the Counsel of God v. 26. The guilt of their Blood is upon Pastors who perish because they have not been put in mind of their Duty And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified I have coveted no Man's Silver or Gold or Apparel Yea you your selves know that these hands have ministred unto my necessities and to them that were with me Act. 20. 32. They who Teach ought to Pray for the Flock and be as little a Burthen to them as they possible can I am Debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians both to the wise and to the unwise Rom. 1. 14. They who Teach do well in offering their Labor to all Partiality ought not to be mixt with their Charity I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth v. 16. They ought not to be asham'd of the Truth Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel not with wisdom of words lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect 1 Cor. 1. 17. Simplicity more becoming the Gospel than humane Eloquence And I Brethren when I came to you came not with excellency of Speech or of Wisdom declaring unto you the Testimony of God For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified And my Speech and my Preaching was not with enticing Words of Man's Wisdom but in Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power 1 Cor. 2. 1. We are Laborers together with God 1 Cor. 3. 9. Let a Man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God Moreover it is required in Stewards that a Man be found faithful 1 Cor. 4. 1. The Dignity of Preachers is very great their Fidelity ought to be so too But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you of Man's judgment 1 Cor. 4. 3. They are not to be Solicitous what Men say of them Who goeth to warfare any time at his own charges Who planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock Say I these things as a Man or saith not the Law the same also For it is written in the Law of Moses Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn. Doth God take care for Oxen or saith he it altogether for our sakes For our sakes no doubt this is written That he that ploweth should plow in Hope and that he that thresheth in Hope should be Partaker of his Hope If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things If others be Partakers of this Power over you are not we rather Nevertheless we have not used this Power but suffer all things lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple And they which wait at the Altar are Partakers with the Altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel But I have used none of these things 1 Cor. 9. 7. It is allow'd Preachers to live by their Function but not to make a Trade of it S. Paul however made no use of this Allowance and this is more Perfect Though I be free from all Men yet have I made my self Servant unto all that I might gain the more To the Weak become I as Weak that I might gain the Weak I am made all things to all Men that I might by all means save some 1 Cor. 9. 19 22. A Condescendence of Charity proper for those that teach Now Brethren if I come unto you speaking with Tongues what shall I profit you 1 Cor. 14. 6. Preaching or Teaching in an unknown Tongue can do no good to the Hearers The Word of God