The Faithful Shepherd, Chapter 2
CHAP. II. Of the lawfull entrance of a Miniſter into the Miniſterie, and alſo into his charge and place.
WE ſee it is no diſgrace for any to be a Miniſter of the Goſpell, and is a calling woorthie of any qualified in the excellenteſt maner; yet is not euerie one woorthie of it, not fit for it: but ſuch as are called and ſent of God, being furniſhed with gifts in ſome meaſure to be able to diſcharge the office of a Teacher, and alſo ſtirred vp with a godly affection to deſire the ſame.
Thus being ſent of God, the Church by examinationA Minister muſt be ſent of God, and called of the Church. muſt, or they to whom the authoritie of the Church is committed▪ trie thee and approouing thee by finding thee endued with ſuch gifts as is neceſſarie for a Miniſter, muſt call and inſtitute one lawfully preſented to a Paſtorall charge to take care ouer the flocke. Wee may not take it vponupon vsus before we be called: if any runne before the Lord call, as many doe for profit, eaſe, and honour, we may condemneLuk. 24. Act. 1. ourſelues for haſte, and goe without expectation of good ſpeed. God appoints none but he prepareth them before, and giueth them gifts to performe their dutie. Conſidera (ſaith S. Ierom) Sacerdotum eſſe officium de lege interrogantibus Ierome on Haggai.reſpondere: Si Sacerdos eſt, ſciat legem domini; ſi ignorat▪ ipſe ſe arguit non eſſe Sacerdotem domini. So as an vnfit man, ignorant and vaine, may be mans Miniſter, but none of Chriſts meſſenger.
Againe, if we ruſh in without authoritie of the Church, it is preſumption, contempt of Superioritie, breach of order, the nurſe of confuſion, the mother of ſchiſme, and bane of Churches peace: Begin well, and better hope there is to end well. Firſt let vsus take our warrant, and then proceed in commiſſion, and aime at a right end. Let true zeale mooue thee for Gods glorie, the aduancing of Chriſts kingdome, to conuert ſinners, and to build the bodie of Chriſt, to open the eies of the blinde, and to turne them from darkneſſe to light, from Sathan vntounto God, to the edifying of the bodie of Chriſt, and ouerthrow of the power of darkneſſe. BeginCauſes moouing to the Miniſterie. not for profit, for feare of pouertie, nor for eaſe, becauſe thou art loth to labour, neither for honour to be had in eſtimation. The chiefe ends, let them be firſt in thine intention; Seeke God and not thy ſelfe, leſt with Iudas thouEph. 4. 11. 12. finde thine owne deſire, comming for the bagge, and ſo loſe Gods bleſſing. There is a proper end of eueryevery thing. The Lord ſhewes why he hath appointed Paſtors for his Church: if we intend any other thing ſiniſterly, ſeeking by it, which it in Gods appointment aimeth not at, it is to abuſe hypocritically holie things by a deceitfull heart; as Ieſabell did a faſt for Naboths vineyard; but ſuch hearts ſhew themſelues actiuely thorow idleneſſe, conetouſneſſe, or proud aſpiring afterwards.
When God hath furniſhed, and the Church approoued,The Miniſters gifts must fit his place. then as Gods gifts come freely, ſo purchaſe not at anie hand a place by Symonie: Neither chuſe it after thy appetite for the beſt Benefice, but after thy gifts, as thou maiſt moſt profit a people.
A man may bee a fit Miniſter of Chriſt, yet not meet for eueryevery Congregation; few ſo qualified: a milde and a ſoft ſpirit to a meeke companie; a lowe voice to a little auditorie, els ſome few heare, and the reſt muſt ſtand & gaze: an vndauntable minde to ſtubborne perſons; Duris nodis durus exhibeatur cuneus; a loud voice to a great aſſembly, to a more learned Church a better Clerke; and one of leſſe vnderſtanding to a ruder ſort: Ioine like vntounto like, that Paſtor and flocke may fit together, for their beſt good.
The congregation reapes ſmall benefit where the Preachers gifts fit not for the place: Therefore as wee muſt hauehave conſcience to enter into the Miniſterie rightly; ſo muſt we be verie reſpectiue to ſettle our ſelues with a people conueniently, for our beſt comfort and their more edification.