The Amendment of Life — Jean Taffin

The Amendment of Life · Jean Taffin

Of the duety of the Paſtor and Minister of Gods woord, to his congregation. Chap. 8.

IT now remaineth that wee ſpeake of the duties of the Paſtors and Miniſters of Gods worde to their Congregations, and of their congregations vntounto them, As concerning the Paſtors dutye, the ſame may be referred to the principall end of their vocation, togither with whatſoeuer is requiſite thereunto. This end is the ſaluation of the ſoules, redeemed with the bloud of Ieſus Chriſt, as the Apoſtle writing to Timothy doth note, ſaying: Take heed vntounto thy ſelfe and vntounto learning, 1. Tim. 4.16.continue therein, for in doing thus thou ſhalt ſaue both thy ſelfe and them that heare thee. This is their principall end, euen to ſaue ſoules: and indeed S. Paul applieth to his Miniſtery this ſentēce of Eſay, ſpoken in the perſon of the Lord: I hauehave ordained thee to be a light to the Gentiles, Eſay. 49.62. Acts 13.47. 1. Cor. 3.1. Acts 13.26, Rom. 1.16. 2. Cor, 5.18.that thou maiſt be a ſaluation to all the ends of the earth. True it is that God onelyonly is the Sauiour, alſo that he can ſaue without the miniſtery of men, but it pleaſeth him ſo to vſe their ſeruice, that S. Paul therfore calleth the Miniſters of the word coadiutors and workemen with God: therefore the doctrine that they preach is tearmed the worde of ſaluation, and the power of God to ſaue all that beleeue: likewiſe where the holy miniſtery is called the miniſtery and word of reconciliation with God, the ſame is only to teach vsus, that where we be by nature the children of wrath, and conſequently in death: the ende of the holy miniſtery is to withdraw & ſaue vsus, by reconciling vsus to God, and making vsus acceptable to him in his welbeloued ſonne.

2 Heerto muſt we alſo referre the ſaying of S. Paul, that Ieſus Christ gaue ſome to be Apoſtles, Eph. 4.11.ſome to be Prophets, ſome Euangeliſtes, ſome Paſtors and teachers, for the gathering togither of the Saintes, for the worke of the ministery, and for the edification of the body of Christ. For ſinne, by ſeperating vsus from God, did engender this curſed diſsipation, wherein eueryevery one being a pray vntounto Satan, runneth and caſteth himſelfe headlong into death and euerlaſting deſtruction. But the end of the miniſtery tendeth to aſſemble from this diſsipation the elect in Ieſus Chriſt, to make them pertakers of that ſaluation that is in him. And this doth the other ſimilitude of the building of the body of Chriſt confirme: for as they which are ſeperate from Chriſt our life, are in death: ſo the meanes to reuiue and ſaue them reſteth in this, that we be builte and engraffed into the body of Chriſt, that we may be ſaued in him, and thereupon doth S. Luke ſay that by the preaching of the Apoſtles God did dayly adde to his Church ſuch as ſhould be ſaued: In this ſence alſo are Miniſters called Fathers,Acts 2.42. engendring children to God, becauſe he vouchſafeth ſo to vſe their miniſtery,1. Cor. 4.15. that they who by nature are the children of the deuill, doe become the children of God, and heires of euerlaſting ſaluation. The principall end therfore of the holy miniſtery is to withdrawe men from death and deſtruction,Cipri. in his Ser. of fall. and to make them partakers of ſaluation and life euerlaſting. And therfore as S. Ciprian ſaith, The ſhepheard can receiue no greater hurt, then in the hurte of his flocke: and this doth S. Paul ſufficiently ſhew in his owne perſon, ſaying: I feare least when I come, 2. Cor. 12.20.I ſhall not finde you ſuch as I would, and least my God abaſe me among you, and I ſhall bewaile many of them which hauehave ſinned alreadye, and hauehave not repented of the vncleannes, and fornication, and wantonnes which they hauehave committed.

3 And indeede as they which ſhalbe ſaued by their miniſtery, ſhalbe, as S. Paul calleth them, their crown,Phil. 4.1. glorie & ioy in the day of the Lord, & they that ſhal win moſt to righteouſnes ſhal ſhine as the Starres for euer: ſo contrariwiſe,Dan. 13.3. the bloud of ſuch as ſhall periſhe through their owne negligence ſhall be required at their handes, as the Lord doth proteſt by the Prophet Ezechiell, ſaying: Sonne of man, I hauehave eſtabliſhed thee to be a ſcoute ouer the houſe of Iſrael, thou ſhalt giuegive eare to the worde of my mouth, Ezech. 3.17.and ſhalt warne them from me. When I ſhall ſay to the wicked, thou ſhalt ſurely dye, and thou giueſt not him warning, neither doſt admoniſh him to departe from his wicked way, that he may liue: the ſame wicked man ſhall dye in his iniquitie, but his bloud will I require at thy handes. Heb. 13.17. Proſper of Contemplatiue life. li. 1.God alſo eſtabliſheth Paſtors ouer his flocke, as the Apoſtle ſaith, vponupon condition to be accomptable vntounto him for them in the day of iudgement. If he, ſaith a good old father, to whom the diſpenſation of the word is committed, be afraide or aſhamed to reproue offenders, albeit for himſelfe he lead a holy life, yet ſhall hee periſhe through his ſilence. And ſo what ſhall it auaile him not to be puniſhed for his owne ſinne, when he ſhal be puniſhed f r the ſinnes of others.

4 Now, to ſatisfie this end of the ſaluation of men by the miniſtery, the firſt & principall duty conſiſteth in preaching the worde of God,Rom. 1.16. which S. Paul therfore calleth the power of God to ſaluation to all that beleeue, and this is it that hee teacheth in the ſentence before alleadged, ſaying: Take heed vntounto thy ſelfe and vntounto learning, for in doing thus thou ſhalt ſaue both thy ſelfe and thoſe that heare thee. The ſame maye wee alſo note in the other ſentence,1. Tim. 4.16. where the Lord ſaith, I hauehave ordained thee a light to the Gentiles, that thou maist be a ſaluation to the ends of the earth. Acts 13.47.And truely how are the miniſters the light of men to ſaue them, but by preaching Chriſt: alſo if it be ſo that we be ſaued by faith, & that faith commeth by hearing the word of God: likewiſe that we cannot heare without a preacher: It followeth the duty of the miniſter is to preach, & ſo to ſaue.Rom. 10. Marc. 16.15. In this ſence doth Chriſt commaund his Apoſtles to goe & preach throughout the world: adding this, that he that beleeueth & ſhalbe baptiſed, ſhalbe ſaued: for this cauſe doth S. Peter commaund them to feede the flock of Chriſt cōmitted vntounto thē.1. Pet. 5.2. And S. Paul ſo earneſtly cōmendeth this duty to Timothy, and in his perſon to al Miniſters.2. Tim. 4.2. Preach the worde, ſaith he, be inſtant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, improue, rebuke, exhort with all long ſuffering and doctrine, yea, he adiureth him in the name of God and of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who ſhall iudge both the quick and the dead in his apparition and kingdome,2. Tim. 4.1. to employe himſelfe in this duetie: whereby he declareth that they cannot neglect this dutie, but they muſt hainouſlye offend God, and feele the vengeance of the ſoueraigne Shepheard of the ſheep, whē he ſhal appeare in iudgement, as S. Paul alſo ſaith: Woe be to me if I preach not. The ſame Apoſtle ſaith, If any man deſireth to be a Biſhop, 1. Cor. 9.6. 1. Tim. 3.1.he deſireth an excellent worke. But all titles and profeſsions be knowen by the workes proper vntounto them, as hee is knowen to be a tailor that cutteth out and ſoweth garmentes, he a ſhoemaker that maketh ſhoes, hee a phiſition that imploieth himſelfe in curing of ſickneſſes, and ſo of others. And ſo likewiſe is a Biſhop, a Paſtor, and a Miniſter knowne, in that he preacheth and teacheth the word of God.

5 Howbeit, as the Phiſition who ordeineth a potiō, which in liew of health procureth death, is not a Phiſition, but a murderer: ſo is it with the Paſtors that doe preach lyes in ſtead of trueth, and the inuentions and traditions of men in ſtead of Gods word: and therfore did Ieſus Chriſt enioyne his Apoſtles to teache men to obſerue all that he had commaunded them,Mal. 28.20. and the ſame doth Ieremy note,Ier. 1.6, ſaying: The Lord ſtretched foorth his hand and touched my lips and ſaid vntounto me, Beholde I hauehave put my words in thy mouth. The ſame doth the Lord alſo teach to Ezechiel, ſaying: Sonne of man, I hauehave made thee a watchman ouer the houſe of Iſrael: Ezech. 3.17. and 33.7.Thou ſhalt hearken to the woorde of my mouth, and ſhalt warne them from me. This duety is very plainely and expreſſelye by the Lord commended vntounto al Prophets and Miniſters, in that ſpeaking to Moſes, he ſaith:Deut. 18.18. I wil raiſe them vp a Prophet like vntounto thee from among their brethren, and I will put my woordes into his mouth, and he ſhall ſaye vntounto them all that I ſhall commaund him. 1. Cor. 11.23.It is therefore their duety to propound nothing to the Church either in doctrine, or for the ſeruice of God, but what they hauehave receiued from the Lord, according to the rule that S. Saul preſcribeth to himſelfe & proteſteth,Iere. 3.15. ſaying: What I hauehave receiued from the Lord I doe deliuer to you, Marke 7.9.and heereto muſt wee referre that fauourable promiſe that God made to his people, ſaying: I will giuegive you ſhepheards after mine owne hart, that ſhall feede you in knowledge and vnderstanding: Ezech. 22.28and indeede the onelyonly worde of God is the knowledge and vnderſtanding of man, and therefore Chriſt condemneth the Scribes and Phariſees, who in ſteed of Gods commaundements taught the traditions of men: as alſo by Ezechiel he reproueth ſuch falſe Doctors, ſaying: Her Prophets hauehave daubed them with vntempered morter, ſeeing vanytyes and diuining lyes vntounto them, ſaying, thus ſaith the Lord God, when the Lord had not ſpoken.

6 As they are therefore to reiect the doctrine of men, and to teach the pure woorde of God, ſo muſt they behaue themſelues therein in all reuerence and pietye, as if God ſpake by them, without mixing any prophane matters:1. Pet. 4.11. and applying eueryevery thing to his right end, that is to edifie: and the ſame doth S. Peter note, ſaying: If any man ſpeake, let him ſpeake according to the word of God.

7 Moreouer the miniſter being ſuch a one as S: Paul requireth, namely, fit to teach, muſt ſo preach, that cutting out directlye and skilfully the bread of Gods worde,1. Tim. 3.2. as the houſholder cutteth out bread to his children, the Church may therwith be nouriſhed and edified. In correſpondence whereof, it is his duty not only to teach, but alſo to comfort the afflicted hartes, to exhort ſuch as are ſlack, to ſtrengthen ſuch as are weake and fainte, and to helpe vp thoſe that are fallen: yea, he muſt accommodate himſelfe to the weaknes of his auditorye, and after the example of the Apoſtle,Gregory miniſter milke to ſuch as are not capable of ſtronger meate: alſo as ſaith a good father, beware of teaching high miſteries to yong hearers, leaſt preaching without fruite, he miniſter occaſion to thinke that he preacheth rather for oſtentation of his knowledge, then to ſeek the edification of the Church: and therfore it is alſo the miniſters duetie to inſiſt eſpecially vponupon arguments and matters neceſſarye and profitable to the Church, euen as the myners, who when they finde a vaine of golde or ſiluer, will not willingly leaue it, but continue and follow it to an end.

8 Moreouer, as all ſcripture is giuen by inſpiration from God, and is profitable to teach, to improue, to correct, and to instruct to righteouſnes: 2. Tim. 3.16.ſo ought the Paſtors to be inſtructed and ſtrengthened, that they may be able not onelyonly to teach, but alſo as S. Paul ſaith,Tit. 1.9, to conuince thoſe that withstand the ſame doctrine, and to reduce ſuch as are gone aſtray, into the way of ſaluation. For as the office of the Phiſition conſiſteth in 2. points: firſt, to preſcribe things meet for the health, and to preuent diſeaſes: and ſecondly, to cure ſuch as fall into any ſickneſſe: ſo it is the office of the Paſtor in ſuch ſorte to accomodate his doctrine, that it may ſerue to preuent the ſnares & ſtumbling blockes of ſinne, alſo to reproue, redreſſe, and comfort ſuch as are fallen: and as the curing of the plague requireth more forcible and violent medicines, then the preuenting therof: alſo as it is neceſſary to hauehave more helpe to pull a man out of the water when he is fallen in, then to holde him from falling in: euen ſo muſt the Paſtor vſe more ſharpe and vehement admonitions in the rayſing vp of ſuch as are fallen into ſinne, then in preuenting the fall: neither is he to imploy himſelfe in his function ſlightly, and as it were for a faſhion, but as S. Paul proteſteth of himſelfe, where he ſaith: Remember that in three yeeres ſpace, Acts 20.31.night and daye, I neuer ceaſed to warne euerye one with teares: ſo muſt hee be carefull, diligent, and conſtant to teach and admoinſh.

9 And albeit many times the Paſtor doe perceiue no great fruit of his labours, yet muſt he not faint. Phiſitions, albeit when they hauehave tryed many receipts for recouery of a ſicke perſon, they perceiue no amendment, yet do they not deſiſt from viſiting him, and continuing the employmēt of their art, ſo long as there is any hope of life: the like cuſtome are the Paſtors to vſe for the ſoule, as the Phiſition doth for the bodye, and ſtill to perſeuere in due admonitions, exhortations, and conſolations, in hope that finallye God will bleſſe their conſtancy in this duetie. When a man taketh vponupon him to fell a great Oake, with 40. or 30. of the firſt blowes, it may ſeeme that he loſeth his labour, becauſe the tree wil not ſtirre, but ſtand ſtiffely without ſtooping: yet in continuance it commeth at length downe, and ſo ſheweth the effect of the firſte blowes conioyned with the laſt. Ieſus Chriſt, as Chriſoſtome very aplty noteth,Chriſoſt. vpō Iohn. choſe Fiſhermen to be his Apoſtles, for as Fiſhermen doe often caſt their nettes into the Sea and take nothing, yet are not diſcouraged, but caſt ſo long vntill they light vponupon ſome fiſh: ſo are the fiſhers of men patientlye and conſtantlye to proceede in their duties, in hope that it wil be with thē as it was with S. Peter, who, when he had taken nothing all the night,Iohn, 21. yet notwithſtanding ſo much labour loſt, did againe caſt forth his nets at the commandement of Ieſus Chriſt, and took a great multitude of fiſhes.

10 And albeit the incredulity and obſtinacy of man ſhould make their conſtancye and labour vtterly vnprofitable in their behalfs, yet ſhould they not loſe their labours with God, for firſt as S. Paul proteſteth of himſelfe, they are free from the bloud of thoſe that periſh: as God alſo ſaide to Ezechiel.Acts 20.26. Ezech. 33.9. When thou ſhalt admoniſh the vnbeleeuer to turne from his waies, if he returne not from his waies, hee ſhall dye in his iniquitie, but thou hast deliuered thy ſoule. Beſides, our zeale and obedience in this reſpecte is a ſacrifice of ſweete ſauour before God, as S, Paul alſo ſaith, that they which preache the Goſpell are a ſweet ſauour in Chriſt, euen in thoſe that periſh:2. Cor. 2.15. becauſe thereby they are made the more in excuſable in the iudgement of God.Eſay 49.4. And therefore albeit wee thinke that we hauehave laboured for nothing, and waſted our ſtrength in vaine and for nothing, as Eſay ſaith, yet let vsus be content with this, that as he addeth, our iudgement is with the Lord, and our worke in the ſight of God. The husbandmen whē they are diſapointed of their expected harueſt, hauehave not anye to recompence their loſſe but all is gone, both ſeede and labour: but notwithſtanding the labour of the Miniſter doth not profite with men, in reſpect of their incredulitie, yet hath hee his reward in heauen. And indeed as the falſe Prophet, that hauing endeuoured to ſeduce and diuert the faithfull from the truth, but through their conſtancye cannot compaſſe his purpoſe, is notwithſtanding worthy to be puniſhed: ſo the true Paſtors whē they hauehave conſtantly emploied thēſelues to reduce thoſe that be ſtraied, into the way of ſaluation, albeit in reſpect of this conſtancy they cānot profite, yet are they worthie their hire & recompence in the ſight of God. As therefore the ſprings doe not ceaſe from giuing forth their waters, or the riuers their ſtreames, albeit no man come to take vp any, or to ſayle vponupon them: ſo muſt not the Miniſter ceaſe from preaching, admoniſhing and reprouing, albeit in manner no man make profite of his doctrine and admonitions.

11 Moreouer, albeit many times it fall out that the Paſtors by preaching, admoniſhing, reprouing, and threatning with Gods iudgements, do incurre the diſpleaſure of ſome, yet muſt they not therefore faint, but remember what God commaundeth to Eſay, ſaying: Cry out with open throat, ſpare not, lifte vp thy voyce as a trumpet, ſignifye to my people their offences, Eſay 58.1.and to the houſe of Iacob their ſinnes. As alſo they are to this purpoſe to marke what the Lord ſaide to the Prophet Ieremy: Gird vp thy loynes and ariſe, that thou maiest tell them all the thinges that I commaund thee, feare them not, leaſt peraduenture I treade thee downe in their ſight. Iere. 1.17.It is verye dangerous ſaith Hierome, to deſiſt from preaching the worde of God for any of theſe three thinges, for feare, ſloth, or ſlatterye: yet doe we not ſay that they muſt crye out like mad men, and ſeek glory in bolde reprehenſions. When the Apoſtles ſaid vntounto Ieſus Chriſt,Luke 9.54. Lord wilt thou that we commaund that fire come down from heauen and conſume theſe Samaritans, that deny thee l…dging as Elias did, he anſwered,2. King. 10.12 ye wot not of what ſpirite ye are: euen ſo there are ſome that think to imitate the Prophets, in bitter and ſharpe reprehenſions, but they are not led by the like ſpirite: For they doe it either to purchaſe a reputation of zeale, and to be thought ſuch as will ſpare none,2. Tim. 1.7. or for ſome other peruerſe paſsiō. God ſaith S. Paul, hath not giuen to vsus the ſpirite of feare, but of power, of louelove, and of a ſound minde: thereby ſhewing, that Paſtors truely muſt not feare the apparance of perſons to diſſemble their ſins and offences, but muſt be ſtrengthned by the ſpirite of Chriſt, to diſcouer and open their wounds that they may be healed: But to this power and boldneſſe let them ioyne on the one ſide, diſcretion and ſoundnes of minde, whereby to be able to yeeld a reaſon of their power and boldenes: and on the other ſide ſuch louelove and charitie, that their reprehenſions and threatnings may proceede from a hart not prouoked, bitter, or flowing with reuenge: but as hauing compaſsion on ſuch as doe amiſſe, and ſeeking by louelove to reclaime and reduce them into the waye of ſaluation. Being thus diſpoſed, let them ſound forth Gods iudgementes,Eſay. 50.7. with all holye boldeneſſe, ſaying with Eſaye, The Lord God is my helper, and therefore I ſhall not be confounded: for I hauehave hardened my countenance as a ſtone, and I know that I ſhall not be confounded: yea, let them remember the proteſtation of Micheas, ſaying:Mich. 3.8. I am full of power by the ſpirite of the Lord, and of iudgment, and of ſtrength to declare vntounto Iacob his tranſgreſsions, and to Iſrael his ſinne.

12 This holy conſtancy muſt remaine in the ſeruantes of God, to the end that in the defence of the trueth againſt ſuch as would oppreſſe it, they may ouercome all ſlaunders and reproches wherwith the Deuill ſeeketh to quaile their hartes or otherwiſe to hinder the trueth of their faith and zeale. Thus when the Apoſtles had told Ieſus Chriſt that the Scribes & Phariſees were offended, and murmured becauſe he ſaide:Mat. 15.12. It is not that which entreth at the mouth that defileth the man, he proceeded and ſhewed thē, that they muſt not for that deſiſt from teaching and defending the truth and purenes of doctrine. So S. Paul declareth, that whē Peter came to Antioch,Gal. 2.11. he reſiſted him to his face, for he deſerued to be reproued in that by his exāple he enduced the Gentiles to playe the Iewes. And by his writinges wee may perceiue how earneſtly hee oppoſed himſelfe agaynſt thoſe falſe Apoſtles that ſought to mixe the neceſsitie of the ceremonies of the lawe with the doctrine of the Goſpell.Theodo. Eccl. hiſt l. 2. c. 16 & 17. Wonderfull alſo was the conſtancie of Athanaſius Biſhop of Alexandria, in defending the Godhead of Chriſt againſt the Arrians, whoſe furious perſecution and moſt impudent ſlanders he ouercame, and was therefore iuſtly tearmed, The bulwarke of the truth. Him dyd Liberius Biſhoppe of Rome moſt vertuouſly ſecond in this conſtancie: for being moſt ſharply vrged both by the reproches and threatnings both of the Emperor Conſtantius, of Euſebius the Eunuch, and of Epicterus the Biſhop, to ſubſcribe to the condemnation of Athanaſius: after many couragious anſweres to the inſtances of the Emperour, he choſe rather to be baniſhed, than not to defend the iuſt cauſe of Athanaſius. And this his conſtancie (thus much by the waie) dyd the Romane women followe, who when they had procured the Emperour to call him home agayne, vnderſtanding that hee ſhould be ioyned in the miniſtery with Felix, who had bin aduanced to his place, did with one conſent crie out, One God, one Chriſt, one Biſhop: and thereupon Felix withdrew himſelfe from Rome.

13 Baſil the great, whom Theodoret tearmeth,Theod. Eccle. hiſt. l. 4. c. 19 The light of the world, ſhewed the like vertue. For when the Emperour Valens, an Arrian, had expelled the faithfull paſtors out of all the Churches, and was come to Ceſarea in Cappadocia, where Baſil was Biſhop, the gouernour of the towne ſent for him, and hauing honourablie receiued him, hee ſpake louingly vntounto him, and exhorted him to frame himſelfe to the time, and not to bring ſo many Churches into daunger for ſome ſmall difference in doctrine, promiſing him in the Emperours name, all friendſhip, and great benefites. But hee ſtoutly anſwered, that ſuch perſwaſions were fit for yong men that toke pleſure in ſuch things, but that ſuch as are brought vp in holy learning, cannot indure that one title of the truth ſhoulde bee endangered: yea, that they vſe not to refuſe anie kind of death in defence of the truth. And heereupon dyd Denis Biſ…oppe of Alexandria iuſtly condemne both the deede of Nouatus, who ioyned with thoſe that denyed that there was anie place for repentance or ſaluation for ſinners, and his excuſe, when hee alleadged that hee was inforced and compelled thereto. And to this purpoſe is the Epiſtle that hee wrote vntounto him verie notable. Denis wiſheth health to his brother Nouatus, If thou wert, as thou ſaieſt,Euſc. Ecc. hiſt. l. 6. c. 45 forced agaynſt thy will, thou mayſt now ſhew it, in returning with thy will. It had beene better to hauehave indured all things, rather than to hauehave brought a ſchiſme into the church. Martirdome for preſeruing the Church from diuiſion, is no leſſe glorious than the ſame that is ſuffered for not communicating in Idolatrie: yea, in my opinion, it is worthie greater glorie, becauſe it is a greater matter to ſuffer for the preſeruation of the vniuerſall Church, than for the ſauing of one ſoule. Now therefore, if thou perſwadeſt the brethren, and euen compelleſt them to reunite themſelues with the Church, that notable action will be accounted greater than the former fault: yea, as the fault ſhall not bee imputed, ſo the duetie and power to reduce them to concord ſhall be commended. Yet if it ſhall happen that they reſt ſo obſtinate, that thou canſt not induce or perſwade them, at the leaſt hauehave a care to ſaue thy owne ſoule, by retiring from them.

14 It is another caſe, when the queſtion concerneth thinges indifferent in Gods Church. For therein wee muſt much relent, and rather accomodate our ſelues than trouble the Churches, or bring in anie ſchiſme.Euſeb. Eccle. hiſt. l. 5. c. 26. And therefore when Victor Biſhoppe of Rome had excommunicated all the Churches in Aſia, becauſe they celebrated the feaſt of Eaſter vponupon the fourteenth daie of the Moone, contrarie to the cuſtome vſed in the Latine churches, where it was holden, as it yet is, vponupon the daie of the reſurrection. Irenaeus Biſhop of Lyons (albeit himſelfe alſo allowed the celebration vponupon the daie of the reſurrection) did iuſtly reproue him, and wrote to him a notable Epiſtle, wherein he alledged the example of his predeceſſor Anicetus, and of Polycarpus, S. Iohns diſciple, who when he came to Rome, and could not by Anicetus bee induced to alter the cuſtome receiued from Saint Iohn in the Churches of Aſia: neither could induce Anicetus to receiue his cuſtome, they notwithſtanding remained vnited, and ſealed their agreement wyth the holy communion.

15 If the paſtor for the faithfull diſcharge of his dutie in defence of the truth be wronged or ſlaundered, euen of ſome of his owne flocke, the rather muſt he beare it, & ſeeke to cure & reduce them to amendement of lyfe. And in deed, albeit a ſicke bodie, troubled in minde, ſhould ſpit in the phiſitions face, yet would he not bee ſo diſpleaſed, as to forſake and giuegive him ouer for it: Likewiſe albeit the nipples of a womans breſt ſhould be ſo ſore, that ſhe could not ſuffer her child without great pain to take them, yet would ſhe indure all to ſuckle her child: euen ſo muſt paſtors deale with theyr flockes, and hauehave patience, as S. Paul requireth them. For hee exhorteth Timothie to preach the word, to reproue,2. Tim. 2.24 2. Tim. 4.2 2. Cor. 6.4 & to chide with all patience. And in another place he ſaieth, In all thinges let vsus approue our ſelues as the ministers of Christ, in much patience.

16 Againe, when the Phiſition hath preſcribed ſome potion or other receit for the cure of the ſicke man, returning the next daie, he enquireth of the operation thereof, and feeleth his pulſes, that hee may learne his diſpoſition, and thereafter order himſelfe: ſo it is not inough that the paſtor preach, reproue, exhort, and comfort the Church, but he muſt alſo ſeeke to vnderſtand how eueryevery member thereof is diſpoſed, and what his preaching hath wrought in them. In this ſenſe are they tearmed Biſhops, which is as much to ſaie, as ouerſeers or watchmen, to hauehave their eies vponupon thoſe whom the Lord hath committed to their charge. And this is it that God noteth, ſaying to Ezechiel, I hauehave made thee a watchmā ouer the houſe of Iſrael. Ezech. 3.14 Heb. 13.17 Acts 20.Hereby are they warned to watch ouer the flocke which the Lorde hath committed vntounto them: as the Apoſtle ſaith, that they watch ouer the ſoules, as men that are to giuegive account vntounto God. As alſo Saint Paul ſaith, Looke to your ſelues, and to the whole flocke that the Lord committed to you.

17 In this conſideration, they ought after the example of Ieſus Chriſt, to know their ſheep,Ioh. 10.14 & 27 & chiefly to marke whether they heare their voice in diligent frequenting of their ſermons, and communicating in the holy ſupper of the Lord. For as at a feaſt, when one that ſitteth at the table eate…h nothing, wee vſe to demaund whether he be well or no: ſo if anie of thoſe that are committed to the paſtors charge, doo not eate of the ſpirituall foode vntounto him offered, it is to bee feared leaſt he bee craſed, or not well at his eaſe, and therefore without delaie, the paſtour is to hearken out the cauſe, and diligently to ſee to his cure, and to procure him an appetite. Secondly, as Ieſus Chriſt requireth that his ſheepe ſhould not onelyonly heare his voyce, but alſo follow him: ſo is it the paſtors duetie to learne, whether his auditours doo followe the doctrine preached vntounto them: and to that end he is to viſit his ſheepe,Ioh 10.27 to ſee whether they bee inſtructed in the knowledge of the principall points of doctrine required to ſaluation, whether they perſeuere in the truth, whether they profite in pureneſſe of lyfe and holy conuerſation: yea, and to that effect hee is to take example in the care and diligence of ſome parents towardes theyr children that go to ſchoole, whome they cauſe to ſaie theyr leſſons, or looke vponupon theyr writing, and by ſuch examination trie and ſee whether they profite or no: But finding them to bee neglygent and faultie, they reproue, admoniſh, and exhort them to their dutie. For ſo muſt the good and faithfull paſtours deale with theyr ſheep: following the example of Saint Paul, who viſited the churches, and thereby enquired of their eſtate. As alſo hee wrote to the Theſſalonians, ſaying: Yee are witneſses, and God alſo, how holily and iuſtly, and vnblameably wee behaued our ſelues among you that beleeue. As you know how that wee exhorted you, Acts 15 36 1, Theſ, 2, 10and comforted, and beſought euerie one of you, as a father his children, that ye would walke worthie of God, who hath called you to his kingdome and glorie. And this doeth hee alſo proteſt to the Elders of the Church of Epheſus, ſaying: I hauehave kept from you nothing that was profitable, Acts 20, 20but hauehave taught you openly and throughout your houſes, witneſsing the repentance towardes God, and faith in our Lord Ieſus Christ. Heereto alſo ſhould wee bee moued by the threatnings of the Lorde againſt the paſtours of Iſrael, where hee ſayth▪ Iere, 23.2Becauſe yee hauehave not viſited my ſheepe, beholde I will viſite vppon you the maliciouſnes of your actions. And as a good ſhepheard ſeketh his loſt ſheep, a ſurgeon bindeth vp the wounds, a phiſition trieth all medicines for the cure of the ſick, and a father ſeeketh all meanes to reclaime his vnthriftie ſonne into the ryght waie: euen ſo are the miniſters of the word bound to al theſe & the like duties toward the members of their Church And in caſe they be negligent herein, they ſhall ſurely feel the iuſt reproofe & vengeance of God, as wee reade of the paſtors of Iſrael, to whome by the Prophet Ezechiel he obiecteth, ſaying: The weake hauehave ye not ſtrengthned, the ſicke hauehave yee not healed, neither hauehave yee bound vp the broken, nor brought againe that which was driuen awaie, neither hauehave ye ſought that which was loſt.Ezech, 34, 4

18 Agayne, as it is the paſtors duetie not onelyonly to preach the word, but alſo to adminiſter the Sacraments: ſo are they carefully and faithfully to beare themſelues in the vſe and adminiſtration of the ſame, to the glorie of God, & the edification of the Church. Firſt, as concerning the outward forme of adminiſtration as well of Baptiſme as of the holy Supper of the Lord, they are to followe the ordinance of Ieſus Chriſt himſelf: that alwayes they may with a good conſcience proteſt with Saint Paule, where hee ſpeaketh of the holy ſupper, and ſaie, that they hauehave deliuered to the Church the ſame that they receiued from God. And as for thoſe whome they ſhould admit to the Sacrament: concerning Baptiſme, they ought to baptiſe the children of the Chriſtians,1, Cor. 11, 23 as in olde time the children of the Iewes were circumciſed by the expreſſe commandement of God. But if anie who being growen in yeeres, hauehave not bene baptiſed, but craue Baptiſme: him ought they firſt to catechiſe and inſtruct: and heerein in olde time they were greatly exerciſed, whē the Church was to be gathered from among the Gentiles: as wee reade of Origen, that hee vſed extreame diligence in catechiſing: ſo that conſidering the great number that came to him to bee inſtructed, whereby hee had ſcarce leaſure to breath, (for from morning till euening, one after another,Euſ lib. 1. c. 15 they came to bee catechiſed) that hee might the better performe this dutie with ſome eaſe, he choſe Heraclas to catechiſe the nouices, while himſelfe inſtructed ſuch as were ſomwhat entered into the knowledge of the doctrine.

19 Saint Auguſtine hath written a whole Tract of the manner how to catechize the firſt beginners in Chriſtian religion:Auguſtine of Catechiſing the ignorant c. 7.19. &. 26. Idem. ca. 8. & 9. Idem cap. 1 &. 15. And the ſame ſhould all miniſters of the worde diligently reade, to the end to learne what they are chiefly to teach in catechiſing. Alſo howe to teach each one according to his calling, that is, the learned after one manner, and the ignorant and ſimple after another. The ſame which hee writeth of the dutie of Catechiſing, which was in vſe in his dayes, might at this daie make vsus to bluſh for ſhame, conſidering the ſmall inſtruction now practiſed among Chriſtians, euen by thoſe of the reformed Churches. And this I ſpeake not in reſpect of the adminiſtration of Baptiſme (for it is giuen to babes) but becauſe that afterward there is ſuch neglect of the inſtruction in the heauenly doctrine, whereby they might make profyte of theyr baptiſme, and bee prepared to the participation in the holye ſupper of the Lord. And in deede, as in olde time they inſtructed the new conuerts to Chriſtianitie, ſo long that they were able to make confeſsion of theyr faith before the Biſhoppe and the people, that they might bee baptiſed: ſo they that were baptiſed in their infancie, when they came to the age of diſcretion, were by theyr parents preſented to the Biſhoppe to bee examined, according to the forme of the Catechiſme then in vſe, and to make like confeſsion of theyr Chriſtianitie, as dyd the Heathen conuerts at theyr baptiſme. And when theſe children had thus made profeſſion of theyr faith, the Biſhoppe layde his handes vponupon them, and prayed to God to giuegive them his holie ſpirite, and ſo diſmiſſed them.

20 It were to bee wiſhed, that the lyke order were perfectly re-eſtabliſhed, and better obſerued in the reformed Churches, that thereby youth might bee inſtructed, and conſequently better prepared to receiue the holy communion. As alſo for thoſe, who hauing profeſſed another doctrine and religion, doo deſire to ioyne with the reformed Church, and to bee admitted to the communion: It is meete the miniſter ſhould hauehave ſome knowledge of theyr inſtruction and manners, to the ende hee might receiue ſuch as are capable, catechiſe thoſe that need inſtruction, & admoniſh others who by theyr offenſiue conuerſation doo ſhew themſelues vnworthie to be admitted to the holy ſupper of the Lord. But as for ſuch as are alreadie admitted as members of the Church, & communicants in the holy ſupper, they are to bee exhorted according to the doctrine of S.1, Cor. 11, 28 Paul, to proue themſelues, & ſo to be ſtill receiued, vnles by ſome ſcandalous behauior, ſhewing themſelues rebellious againſt admonition, and giuing ſmall likelyhood of amendement, they manifeſtly doo declare, that they doo vnworthily eate and drinke of the Lo…des cup to theyr owne condemnation.

21 To alleadge that by offering themſelues to the Lords table, they teſtify that they will allow the doctrine and liue like Chriſtians: as the onelyonly example of Iudas crieth out to the contrarie, ſo will experience declare that there may bee abuſe.Luke 22.21 1. Cor. 11.29 Heb. 13 And therefore ſeeing that they which communicate vnworthily, do eate & drink their iudgement, the miniſters that are to render account to God for the ſoules to them committed, muſt not, ſo neere as they may, admit anie to communicate vnworthily to his damnation: for otherwiſe themſelues alſo ſhould bee guiltie of their bloud before God,Chriſoſt. vponupon Mat. hom. 3. and of the prophaning of the holy ſupper of the Lord. And therfore was S. Iohn Chriſoſtom bitterly offēded with ſuch prieſts and paſtors, as for feare of the mightie and rich, durſt not put back anie that came. Their bloud (ſayth hee) ſhall bee required at your hands, if you feare mortal man, he wil deſpiſe you: if you fear God, man will honor you. Let vsus not be therfore terrefied with ſcepters, diadems, or purple, for here hauehave we a greater power. For my part, I will rather offer my bodie to the death, and ſuffer my bloud to be ſhed, than I will be partaker in ſuch pollution. Saint Ambroſe ſhewed himſelfe verie conſtant & reſolute in this dutie,Zozom. Eccle. hiſt. l. 7. c. 24 Zozom. Eccle. hiſt. l. 6. c. 34 when he put the Emperor Theodoſius from the cōmunion: yea, euen thruſt him out of the Church, becauſe of the innocent bloud that at his commandement was ſhed at Theſſalonica. As alſo we reade of the Emperor Philip, the ſucceſſor of Gordian, who beeing a chriſtian, and purpoſing to ioyne with others, at the laſt watch of Eaſter, was by the Biſhop commaunded to ioyne with the penitents, becauſe of many euils which he had committed, whereto hee readily obeyed, confirming his deuotion by action, as Euſebius ſaith.

22 As therefore the modeſtie and piety which theſe men (albeit Emperours) dyd ſhew, in taking this cenſure and repulſe in good parte, ſhould be an example to all princes and magiſtrates, not to infringe vnderunder colour of theyr greatnes, the orders of the Church: but rather to ſubmit themſelues for the defence of the ſame: ſo is it the duetie of the paſtours to bee diſcreet and moderate, and not raſhly, or wythout a ſure ground to anie vſe ſuch libertie and authoritie. And as in the meane time they muſt not for feare or faint heart omit anie thing that God requireth at the handes of a faythfull paſtour in the fulfilling of his charge: ſo muſt they ſtill remember the ſaying of Saint Paule,2. Cor. 10.8 & 13, 10 confyrmed by his owne example: That the power which they hauehave receiued from the Lorde, muſt tende and ſerue to edification, not to deſtruction.

23 In correſpondence heereof Saint Auguſtine giueth this counſell, that if the paſtours cannot purge and amend all faultes among theyr flocke, as themſelues coulde deſire:Augu. againſt Parm. l. 2. c. 1. & l. 3. c. 1. &. 2 yet muſt not they therfore giuegive ouer theyr calling, or trouble the Church wyth deſperate rigor. For whoſoeuer, as hee addeth, doth correct ſo much as hee may by reproouing, or that which hee cannot correct, hee excludeth wythout breaking the vnitie, or that which cannot bee excluded wythout diſſention, hee reprooueth, yet beareth wyth all: The ſame is exempt from the curſe, and is not guiltie of the ſinne. And the reaſon hee deliuereth in another place, ſaying: That the order and courſe to maintaine good gouernment in the Church, muſt alwayes hauehave regarde to the vnitie of the ſpirite by the bonde of peace. Thus, ſayth hee, doeth the Apoſtle commaund vsus to doo, and dooing otherwiſe, our remedie by correction is not onelyonly ſuperfluous, but alſo pernicious, and conſequently, looſeth the nature of a remedie. And going on, hee ſayth Hee that ſhall carefully conſider theſe thinges, wyll neuertheleſſe vſe ſeueritie: yet ſo as to preſerue vnion, and not to infringe the bonde of peace or concorde, by vſing intemperaunce in his correction. Well doeth hee confeſſe, that thoſe Paſtours which are neglygent to admoniſh, reproue, and correct t…e badde,Ephe. 4.3. are guiltie in the ſight of God. And wythall hee addeth, that hee which is a publyke officer, and may excommunicate the wicked, but doth it not, ſinneth to his owne condemnation: As alſo he willeth, that all bee done with diſcretion. And laſtly hee concludeth with Saint Cyprian, whome hee alleadgeth, ſaying: let man therefore correct what hee may with merciemercy: That which hee cannot, let him patiently beare, and mourne for it in louelove. Hee alſo giueth this counſell, that if a whole nation bee infected wyth one ſinne, the ſeueritie muſt be moderated with merciemercy: for, ſaith hee, to make a ſeparation, is but badde and pernitious counſell, & commonly hath euill ſucceſſe. Yea, it rather troubleth the good that are weake, than amendeth the bad that are obſtinate in theyr ſinne.

24 The paſtor is alſo in dutie to take care for the afflicted ſheep, whether in viſiting, to comfort and ſtrengthen theyr patience and faith: or in prouiding that they may be releeued and ſuccoured in theyr want and neceſsitie. Firſt, as concerning the viſitation of the ſicke, If euerie faythfull man bee therein to imploie himſelfe, as Ieſus Chriſt teacheth, ſaying: I was ſicke and yee viſited mee, howe much rather ought they to exerciſe themſelues therein, to whome the ſoueraigne paſtour Ieſus Chriſte hath commended the health of ſoules? For as men ordinarily at ſuch times, feeling the anguiſh of theyr ſicknes, and hauing ſome apprehenſion of death, are moſt troubled wyth impatience, miſtruſt, and other temptations and daungerous aſſaultes, wherein the deuill practiſeth his vttermoſt indeuours: ſo hauehave they at that time eſpeciall neede of the preſence of their paſtors. And therefore as the midwife haſteth to a woman in trauell, to helpe her forth with her childe, and the more that her paines increaſe, the more ſhee helpeth and imployeth her ſelfe to procure the happie deliuery of her fruit: euen ſo ought the paſtours to haſten to the ſicke of theyr folde, to comfort and ſtrengthen them. In briefe, to help them to deliuer vp their ſoules to God in the faith of Ieſus Chriſt. And in deede, if they that are ſicke in bodie, hauehave neede of the phiſition for theyr bodyes, much more doo they ſtand in neceſsitie of theyr paſtors for the health of theyr ſoules. And therefore ſuch as are negligent in this dutie, do purchaſe to themſelues the curſe that almightie God hath pronounced agaynſt the wicked ſhepheards of his people, ſaying: Wo vntounto the pastors of Iſrael that feede themſelues, but feed not their flock, the weake yee hauehave not strengthned, Ezech. 34.2the ſicke ye hauehave not healed, neither hauehave yee bound vp the broken. Eſay hearing that Ezechias king of Iuda was ſicke,2. King. 20 Ruffin Eccle. hiſt l. 1. c. 4. dyd viſite him: and it ſeemeth that Paphnutius emploied himſelfe herein, for Ruffin writeth of him, that by praying to God for them, he healed many that were ſicke.

25 As it is the dutie of paſtors to viſit the ſicke, ſo muſt they be carefull to helpe the want and neceſsitie of the poore. And this Saint Paule ſayeth,Gal. 1.10 2. Cor. 8. & 9 was by the Apoſtles eſpecially commended to him, namely, to hauehave care of the poore: As alſo he proteſteth that he was diligent herein, and that doth the Epiſtle that hee wrote to the Corinthians manifeſtly confirme. It is the glory of the Biſhop, ſayth Saint Hierome, to prouide for the neceſsitie of the poore. And writing to Nepotian, when hee hath reproued the ſuperfluitie vſed in his time in adorning their Churches,Hierom in his Epiſtles. he commendeth Exuperius, Biſhoppe of Tholouſe who then liued, in that hee adminiſtred the Sacrament of the bodie of Ieſus Chriſt in a ſmall wicker basket, and the Sacrament of his bloud in a glaſſe: but withall, taking order that no poore man ſhould ſtarue. Like zeale and charitie dyd Cyril, Biſhoppe of Ieruſalem alſo practiſe: For when in a time of famine hee was not able otherwiſe to releeue the neceſsity of the poore, he ſolde all the ornaments and veſſels of the Church to diſtribute in almes. Saint Ambroſe ſeeing himſelfe blamed by the Arrians for breaking the ſacred veſſels,The Tripartite hiſt. l. 5 Ambr. in his booke of duties. l. 2. c, 28 to paie the ranſome of priſoners taken by the Infidels, maketh his excuſe, or rather by an exhortation worth the memorie, approueth his action, ſaying: He that ſent the Apoſtles without golde, aſſembled alſo the Churches without golde. The Church hath gold, not to hoord vp, but to diſtribute and helpe in time of need. To what end ſhould wee keepe that which is to no vſe? Knowe we not how much ſiluer and golde the Aſſyrians tooke out of the temple of the Lord? Is it not more meete that the paſtor ſhould make money of it to help the poore, than that a Church-robber or theefe ſhoulde carrie it awaie? Wyll not God ſaie? Why haſt thou ſuffered ſo many poore to ſtarue, when thou haddeſt golde wherewith to buy them foode: Why haſt thou ſuffered ſo many poore people to be lead into captiuity, and haſt not redeemed them? Why haſt thou killed ſome: It had bene better to hauehave preſerued the veſſels of liuing creatures, then of dead mettals. What anſwere may we make to all this? For, if we ſaie, I feared the Church ſhould hauehave wanted ornaments: God wil anſwere, The Sacraments craue no gold: & as they are not bought with golde, ſo doo they not agree with golde. The redemption of priſoners is the ornament of the Sacraments.

26 Socrates writeth of Atticus the Biſhoppe, that hee was ſo affectionate and carefull to the poore,Socrat. Eccle. hiſt, l, 7, c, 25 that hee prouided not onelyonly for the poore of his owne pariſhes, but alſo ſent money to the Townes rounde about, to releeue the want of theyr poore. This Biſhoppe writing to Calliopius, and ſending to him three hundred peeces of golde to diſtribute to the poore, exhorted him to diſtribute it to thoſe that were aſhamed to begge, but not vntounto ſuch as for fylling theyr paunches, gaue themſelues wholy to beggerie. Whereto hee alſo addeth, that in the diſtribution of this money, hee ſhould not tie himſelfe to thoſe onelyonly that profeſſed Chriſtianitie: but that hee ſhoulde lykewiſe hauehave a care to feed the hungrie, & not to neglect ſuch as hetherto had not conſented to Chriſtian religion. And as it ſeemeth, hee heerein taught vsus to practiſe the commandement of Saint Paule, namely, to doo good vntounto all, but eſpecially to the houſeholde of faith. Gal. 6.10 Tripart. hiſt. l. 11. c. 16 Socrates Eccl. hiſt. l. 7. c. 21Yet dyd Acace, Biſhoppe of Amyde goe farther, for hee ſeeing a number of Perſian priſoners among the Romanes in great neceſsitie, called together his Cleargie, and when hee had made vntounto them an excellent exhortation, wherein hee declared, that God needed neyther diſhes nor cups, becauſe hee neyther eateth nor drinketh, hee made money of all, wherewyth hee payed theyr raunſomes and furniſhed them of all theyr neceſsities for theyr returne to theyr king: who ſo wondered at ſuch a benefite, that hee intreated and obtayned of the Emperour Theodoſius, that hee might bee ſent to ſee him. And in deede, this was a teſtimonie of great charitie, thus to releeue euen the enemyes.Cyprian Epiſt. 36. of the new edition. Cyprian alſo declared a maruellous zeale, care and charitie in this poynt, as wee may perceiue in many of his Epiſtles. But among the reſt, writing to the Cleargie of his Dioceſſe, hee ſayth, Bee verie carefull for the widdowes, the ſicke, and the poore: yea, if there bee anie ſtraunger among you, releeue him wyth my portion, which I hauehave lefte wyth Rogatian our companion in Prieſthood.Epiſt. 5 Agayne, as concerning the releefe as well of thoſe, who hauing freely confeſſed the truth, are in priſon, as alſo of ſuch who beeing afflicted wyth neede and pouertie, doo neuertheleſse perſeuere in the truth: I beſeech you let them not want anie thing.Epiſt. 6 Agayne, Bee euen as carefull as yee may of the poore, who abiding ſteadfaſt and conſtant in the faith, hauehave not forſaken the flocke of Chriſte: that by your dilygence they maye bee prouided of all their neceſsities, leaſt the ſame which the tempeſt of perſecution coulde not worke in them, be brought to paſſe by the neceſsitie that may enforce them. And as hee ſayth in another place, Leaſt there ſhoulde bee anie want as concerning care for thoſe that want nothing belonging to glorie, in that they hauehave conſtantly confeſſed Ieſus Chriſt.Epiſt. 57 Thus wee ſee therefore howe carefull paſtours ought to bee of the widowes, the ſicke, the needie, and ſuch as are priſoners for the faith.

27 But becauſe no man is able to diſcharge all dueties required in paſtours: Moreouer, that theyr labour, lyberalitie, and fauour is in vaine wythout Gods bleſsing, they are ſpecially to imploye themſelues in feruent and continuall prayer, wherein they are chiefely to craue his holye ſpirite, together wyth all the gyftes and graces thereof requiſite for the due diſcharge of theyr miniſtery, whether for the preaching of the worde, or for anie other parte of theyr office and duetie. And in deede, if no man can call Ieſus Chriſt Lorde, but by the holie Ghoſt, who, I praie you, is able to open his lippes to preach foorth the myſteries of the heauenly doctrine, wythout the aſsiſtance of the ſame holy Ghoſt? Who can bee in conſtancie, wiſedome, zeale, and charitie ſufficient to guide the houſe of God, and to maintaine orders in the ſame, but hee in whome the Lorde worketh moſt mightily? At the verye ſame inſtant, ſayth Auguſtine, that the paſtour goeth to preach, before hee open his lippes to giuegive his tongue lybertie to ſpeake, let him lifte vp his thirſtie ſoule vntounto God,Aug. of Chriſtian doctrine l. 4. c. 15 and ſo water the people wyth the ſame which himſelfe hath dronke, and poure foorth vppon his flocke that that hee is full of: for albeit a man may ſaie much of all things appertaining to faith and charitie, and after diuerſe manners: yet what man is hee that knoweth what is fit and neceſſarie for the time preſent, eyther for vsus to ſpeake, or for others to heare from vsus, but onelyonly hee who ſeeth and knoweth the heartes of all? Or who is it that maketh vsus to ſpeake that which wee ſhoulde, and in manner as wee ought, but onelie he in whoſe handes both our wordes and our ſelues do remayne? And therefore as it is true, that hee that woulde both know and teach, ought carefully to learne what hee is to teach, and to ſtudie howe to vtter it well, as beſeemeth a preacher: ſo neuertheleſſe, hee muſt thinke euen at the verie inſtant when hee is to preach, that it beſt beſeemeth a miniſter to remember the ſame which our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt hath ſpoken, namely, that wee ſhoulde not take care howe or what to ſpeake, for it ſhall be giuen vsus euen when we are to ſpeake: Alſo, that it is not wee, but the ſpirite of the Father that ſpeaketh in vsus. If therefore the holie ſpirite ſpeaketh in thoſe that ſuffer tribulation and perſecution, and are deliuered for Ieſus Chriſt his ſake: why not alſo in thoſe that doo teach them that learne Ieſus Chriſt. And in another place the ſame Auguſtine alſo ſayeth: That hee that is to preach,Aug. of Chriſtian doctrine l. 4. c. 30 Heſter 14.13. ought to praie vntounto God to put good wordes into his mouth: For if Queene Heſter, when ſhee was to ſpeake to king Aſſuerus for the bodily health of her Nation, prayed vntounto God to giuegive her conuenient wordes: how much rather ought the Preacher to praie vntounto God to giuegive him grace to ſpeak well, when hee is to preach the word and doctrine of the euerlaſting ſaluation of the people?

28 Saint Paul an Apoſtle and choſen veſſell, endued with excellent giftes, dyd verie well knowe that himſelfe ſtoode in neede of Gods aſsiſtance, whereby vertuouſly and faithfully to imploye himſelfe in his calling: and therefore reſted not vponupon his owne prayers onelyonly, but alſo heartely dyd commende himſelfe to the praiers of the faithfull. For writing to the Epheſians hee ſayeth, Praie for me, that vtterance may bee giuen vntounto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to publiſh the ſecrets of the Goſpel, Ephe. 6.19whereof I am the Ambaſsadour in bondes, that therein I maye ſpeake bold…ye as I ought to ſpeake. Howbeit this alſo is not yet ſufficient, vnleſſe wythall hee praie vntounto God to bleſſe thoſe giftes and graces which hee imparteth to his ſeruantes: for otherwyſe hee laboureth in vaine. I hauehave planted (ſayth Saint Paule) Apollo hath watered, 1. Cor. 1.6but it is God that giueth the increaſe: Hee that planteth is nothing, neither hee that watereth, but God who giueth the increaſe. The Paſtour muſt therefore praie vntounto God, firſt that he vouchſafe to giuegive him grace that hee may duely preach his worde, and vertuouſly beare himſelfe in all thinges appertaining to his miniſterie. Secondly, by his holie ſpirite to bleſſe the workes of his ſeruantes, fructifying them to his glorie,Aug. of Chriſtian doctrine l. 4. c. 16 Acts 6.4 and to the edification of his Church. And heereuppon doth Saint Auguſtine ſaie, that as hee that is to preach, muſt ſeeke to bee heard willingly, and with vnderſtanding, and obedience: ſo muſt hee weet, that hee ſhall the ſooner attaine hereto by praiers vntounto God for meanes to ſpeake well: and that therefore he is to praie both for himſelfe and for his hearers. In this conſideration dyd the Apoſtles diſcharge themſelues from ſeruing the tables, ſaying: As for vsus, wee will giuegive our ſelues to prayer, and to the ministration of the worde. Heere doo they ioyne prayer wyth the miniſtration of the worde, yet not onelyonly that God may giuegive them grace to preach well, but alſo that he vouchſafe to bleſſe their labours, and to giuegive them increaſe, and generally that he preſerue the whole Church vnderunder his protection, and to multiply his graces to the ſame.

29 To this proſperitie of the Church was Saint Paule verie zelous and affectionate, when in his prayers hee ſo feruently and often did commend them to the Lord. As almoſt in all his Epiſtles, next vntounto thankes vntounto God for his graces poured vppon thoſe to whom he writeth, he addeth his heartie prayers to God for them. And Ieſus Chriſt the great ſhepheard, dyd many times praie vntounto God his Father for his Church: yea, hee ſpent euen whole nightes in prayer. The miniſters of the woorde therefore, whenſoeuer they perceiue anie tokens of Gods wrath againſt the Church, are eſpecially, as it were, to oppoſe themſelues, and to turne the ſame awaie by feruent prayer. Thus dyd Moſes in olde time oppoſe himſelfe, when the almightie God proteſted that hee woulde roote out his people, becauſe of the golden Calfe that they had made and worſhipped. Of ſuch efficacie were his praiers,Exod. 32.11. that God in ſaying, Suffer mee and I will roote out this rebellious people, gaue to vnderſtand, that hee was by the prayers of Moſes, as it were, euen ſtopped from executing his wrath agaynſt the people. And this doeth Dauid note, commending Moſes for ſuch a dutie. For God ſayde that hee woulde deſtroie them: But Moſes his choſen,Pſalm 106.23 ſtood in the gappe to turne awaie his wrath, leaſt hee ſhoulde hauehave made an ende of them. Heere hee ſheweth that the ſinnes of the Church are as a breach in the wall of a Citie, readie to bee taken by the enemie and deſtroyed: Alſo, that the feruent prayers of the Paſtours are the true meanes to repayre the breach, and keepe faith with the enemy.

30 The Prophet Amos was not wearie of this dutie:Amos 7.2 For when God by viſion dyd twice ſhew him the calamities that hee would inflict vppon his people for theyr ſinnes, he ranne to the breach by prayer, ſaying: O Lorde God, ſpare I beſeech thee, for who ſhall raiſe vp Iacob, for hee is ſmall. And then hee addeth, that the Lord repented his threatning, and ſayde: It ſhall not bee ſo. This is the fruit of prayer. And in this reſpect doth the Lord by his Prophet Ezechiel, reprooue the paſtours of Iſrael, and obiect vntounto them that hee looked for ſome one of them to ſtoppe vp the gappe, or to ſtande in the breach againſt him for the lande, that hee ſhould not deſtroie it, but hee found none.Ezech, 22.30 The Prophet Elizeus calleth Elias, the Chariot of Iſrael, and the horſemen thereof. Thereby ſignifying, that hee was the ſtrength of Iſrael, and by his zeale and feruent prayers to God, was he to them as theyr Chariots and horſemen. This is deliuered vntounto vsus as in a table:2. King. 2.121 Whereas Ioſua fought againſt Amelech, ſo long as the handes of Moſes were lyfted vp vntounto the Lorde, Ioſua had the better, and ouercame his enemies: and contrarywiſe, when his handes were downe, Amelech preuayled. Woe bee therefore to all neglygent and ſlouthfull paſtours in this dutie: for it is a great ſinne in them not to turne awaie the wrath of God from the people, when by theyr praier they may. And this doth the Prophet Samuel acknowledge: for when the people of Iſrael confeſſed, that to theyr other ſinnes, they had alſo added this treſpaſſe, that they had craued a king, and therefore beſought Samuel to praie for them, that God ſhould not ſlay them in his wrath:1. Sam. 12.19 & 23. God forbid, ſayth hee, that I ſhoulde ſinne against the Lorde, or ceaſe to make interceſsion for you. Seeing then that the prayers of the paſtours are ſo neceſſarie and profytable, as well for the diſcharge of theyr duties and purchaſing the bleſsing of God to theyr labours, as alſo to turne awaie the wrath of God from theyr flocke, and to keepe the ſame in proſperitie: they are not in any thing more diligently and feruently to imploy themſelues, then in praier and ſupplication, which alſo is the principal meanes to nouriſh and encreaſe them in godlines, good conſcience, zeale, diligence, and fidelitie.

31 By the premiſes it playnly appeareth, that the office of the miniſterie is ſufficient to employment, albeit the paſtors intrude not into polytick affayres, and other matters that may anie whyt withdrawe them from theyr vocation. And to this purpoſe is the proteſtation of the Apoſtles verie notable. They were fulfylled wyth the holie Ghoſt:Acts 6.2 yet doo they proteſt that it is not meete that they ſhoulde bee drawen from theyr charge, by miniſtering at the tables of the poore, and therefore they appoynted ſeauen notable men to employe themſelues in that duetie: wythall adding, that for theyr partes, they woulde giuegive themſelues vntounto prayer, and to the miniſtration of the worde. And in deede, as the husband mannes minde and care is euer vppon tillage, ſowing, and reapyng, and the marriners vponupon theyr ſhippes, windes and hauens, ſo muſt the thoughtes, mindes, and affections of the miniſters of the worde, runne onelyonly vppon the inſtructing, comforting, exhorting, edefying: and to bee ſhort, vppon the ſauing of the ſheepe of their folde. And heereto muſt wee referre the ſaying of Saint Paule, No man that warreth entangleth himſelfe with the affayres of this lyfe, 2. Tim. 2.4becauſe hee woulde pleaſe him that hath choſen him to bee his ſouldier. For if hee that is enrouled to ſerue in the warres, ſo ſoone as hee heareth the Drumme, muſt forſake wife and children, houſe, ſhoppe, and all other affayres, that nothing may hinder or wythdraw him from the ſeruice of his Captaine: much rather ought they whome the ſoueraigne king hath inrouled for the ſpirituall warfare, and the holy miniſterie of the word, keepe themſelues from all politike affayres, and ſuch as belong not to theyr vocation, to the end wholy to ſerue & pleaſe Ieſus Chriſt.

32 Yet many times it falleth out otherwiſe, and the way is very ſlipperie. Some Miniſters doo thinke that vnleſſe they ſet theyr handes to politike affayres, euen to the warres, that the Church cannot ſtande: Euen as in olde time Vzzah imagined that the Arke of God muſt needs hauehave fallen,2. Sam. 6.6. had not he ſtretched forth his hande to holde it vp. But as God was wroth wyth him, for going beyonde his vocation, and ſlewe him: ſo let the miniſters of the worde feare, and that iuſtly, leaſt God confounde them in theyr Miniſterie, for vndertaking aboue theyr calling: and employing themſelues faythfully in theyr charge, let them commende the preſeruation of the Church to the chiefe and ſoueraigne protectour thereof, and neuer thinke to keepe it vpright by paſsing the boundes of theyr vocation: beſides, it is a common proue…be, Hee that gripeth too much, catcheth nothing. Againe,

The minde that many things intend,

To each apart the leſse both bend.

A brooke ſufficient to driue a mill or carrie a boate, beeing cut into many ditches, wyll not bee able to doo eyther: euen ſo the paſtor that medleth with many occupations, is vnprofitable for anie: and therefore the fruite of ſuch preſumption muſt finally turne to ruine and confuſion.

33 The Miniſters of Gods woorde are alſo in duetie ſo to beare themſelues in theyr charge, that they may bee regarded and loued of theyr congregations, to the ende theyr doctrines, admonitions, exhortations, and all oth…r partes of theyr miniſterie, maye hauehave the more credite, and be receiued wyth greater affection. Learne, ſayth Saint Bernard, to bee mothers, not Lordes ouer the ſheepe of your folde: Studie rather to bee loued than feared: And when yee muſt vſe ſeueritie, let it bee fatherlyke, not tyrannous: Suppreſſe bytter ſpeeches, and preferre your pappes in offering the ſweete milcke of the ſame. A Biſhoppe, ſayth an auncient Father, muſt beware that he growe not into contempt, through too much mirth and facilytie, neyther into hatred, by exceſsiue and vnreaſonable ſeueritie. Saint Paule grewe into ſuch fauour wyth the Galathians, that him ſelfe beareth them witneſſe,Gal. 4.15. 1. Theſ. 2.7 Theodor…t Ec. hiſt l 4. c. 14 that if they could, they woulde euen hauehave pulled forth their eyes to giuegive him. And hee proteſteth, that towardes the Theſſalonians hee was as tender as the nourſe that tenderlye nour…eth her children. Euſebius Biſhoppe of Samo…ate was ſo beloued of his Church, that when hee entered into the riuer of Euphrates, in obedience to fulfil the baniſhmēt wherto the Emperour Valence inioyned him, almoſt the whole Towne by boats followed him, & finding him, did with teares inſtantly intreat him to returne. But when they coulde not preuayle, they offered him money, garmentes, and all other thinges neceſſarie and conuenient for his voyage. And after their returne home to the towne there was not any one, of whatſoeuer calling, that would come to the preaching of the Arrian Biſhoppe, ſubrogated into his place, ſo that ſeeing himſelfe alone in the Church without any auditor, he departed thence confounded.

34 This louelove and affection of the Church towardes her paſtor, is ingendered and eſpecially increaſed, when hee ſealeth and confirmeth his doctrine by his conuerſation and lyfe conformable to the ſame, ſhewing himſelfe in action to bee the portraiture of a good and faythfull paſtour: for as vertue is alwayes loued, ſo is it loued of thoſe for whoſe good and eternall ſaluation the ſame is imployed. And therefore the paſtour is not ſo much to ſtudie and labour for anie thing, except the truth of the doctrine, as in his life and conuerſation to bee a good example to his flocke. And heereto doeth the Apoſtle Saint Paule exhort Timo…hie, ſaying: Bee to the beleeuers an example in worde, 1. Tim. 4.12. Titus 2.7in conuerſation, in louelove, in ſpirite, in faith, and in pureneſse. Yea, the ſame exhortation doeth hee alſo vſe to Titus, ſaying: In all thinges ſhew thy ſelfe an example of good woorkes, 1. Pet. 5.3 Math. 5.4with vncorrupt doctrine, with grauitie, integritie, and with the wholeſome worde which cannot bee reproued, that hee which withstandeth may bee aſhamed, hauing nothing co…cerni…g vsus to ſpeake euill of. And euen the verie ſame doth the holy Apoſtle Saint Peter alſo in one worde require, where hee willeth the paſtors to be examples to theyr flocke: yea, euen this doth our Lord and ſauiour Ieſus Chriſt teach, where hee ſayeth: You are the light of the worlde. Let your l ght ſo ſhine before men, that they may ſee your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen: For as in a darke euening one goeth before with a torch or lantern for others to followe, ſo the life and conuerſation of the Paſtors ought to be as a burning torch to guide others in the way of ſaluation and life euerlaſting.

35 True it is (ſaith Auguſtine) that Paſtors may ſomewhat profite by ſaying, albeit they doe not …hat which they ſaye,Auguſtine of Chriſt. doct. lib. 4. cap. 27. but they ſhould profite much more, if themſelues would doe as they teach others: for ſuch as doe ſeeke excuſes for their wicked liues, doe finde enow in their Paſtors which liue not as they teache, and ſay, if not with mouth, yet in hart: why dooſt thou command that which thy ſelfe wilt not do? and this is the cauſe that men hearing them will not obey them, euen becauſe themſelues doe not obey the word that they preach, and therfore the people doth cōtemne both the Preacher and his doctrine: to be ſhort, where the Apoſtle ſaith to Timothie, Let no man deſpiſe thy path, hee addeth the meanes how to auoide contempt, ſaying: Be vntounto vnbeleeuers an example in conuerſation and louelove. And truely as S. Auguſtine ſaith,Aug. of Chriſt doct. l. 4. c. 27, and cap. 29. The life of the teacher is of more waight to procure obedience to the doctrine, then is his facility of ſpeaking and vtterance. And againe, let him that hath not the gift of eloquence in vtterance, ſo conuerſe, that the example & patterne of his good life, may ſtand in ſtead of vtterance. What we are in profeſsion ſaith S. Ambroſe,Ambroſe of the dignity of Prieſthood Cap. 3. let vsus ſhewe rather by worke then by name, to the end the name may agree with the action, and the action with the name: and ſo the name be honourable euen when the action is horrible. Neither let an abhominable life be conioyned with an honourable calling, let vsus not make a ſhew of doouiſh wordes, and ſerpentine deeds: let not vsus, who in profeſsion are Paſtors, be poſſeſſed with woluiſh crueltie: rather let this be the full ſcope of our meaning, euen to ſpeake as we thinke, and to thinke as we ſpeake, that ſo there may be good concord and harmony between the word and the life. To this doth S. Hierom alſo exhorte, ſaying: Let not thy workes confound thy words, leaſt when thou ſpeakeſt to the flock ſome one ſhould in hart reply,Hierom. in epiſt to Nepotian. Why doſt not thou that which thou teacheſt? let there be, ſaith he, a good accord between the mouth, the hart, and the handes of the Preacher.

36 The Eccleſiaſticall hiſtorye doth teſtifie of Iohn Chriſoſtome, that he being in life of a heauenly conuerſation,Zozom. in Eccle. Hi. l. 8. c. 2. & l. 6. c. 3. did inſinuate the zeale of his vertue to his hearers: for his words being adorned with good workes, ſeemed worthie to be beleeued, which without them would hauehave bene ridiculous: and ſurely the wicked life of the teacher doth make his owne worde to accuſe him, and therefore ſaith S. Auguſtin,Proſper in his ſentences out of Aug. Theodoret Ec. hiſt. l. 4. c. 5. to ſay well and to liue euill, is no more but with his owne tung to condemne the ſpeaker. To this purpoſe is the oration of the Emperor Valentinian in the Synode after the death of Auxētius the Arrian, very notable. You that are brought vp in the holy ſcriptures, ſaith he, can not be ignorant what manner of man he ought to be that is to be eſtabliſhed in the dignitye of a Biſhop: alſo that in duty he is to inſtruct the people, not by his doctrine onelyonly,Decretals diſt 63. cap. Sac…o. but alſo by his good maners & holy conuerſation, whereby he may be an example of all honeſty and vertue, and ſo the exerciſe of his charge may be a teſtimonie and ſeale to his doctrine. In this ſence hauehave the Emperors Charles and Lewes, ſpeaking of the election of Biſhops, decreed, that without accepting of perſons, they ſhall elect ſuch as they ſhall finde to be endued with knowledge and holines of life, to the end they may profit their flock as well by example of life, as by doctrine.

37 And indeed the firſt degree of abuſe, ſaith S. Auguſtin, is this: A skilfull Preacher deuoid of good workes, euen one that careth not for perfourming that in action,Aug. of the 1…. degrees of Abuſe. deg. 1. which he teacheth with his lippes: for they that heare his doctrine, do ſoon contemne his words when they ſee that his workes agree not with his doctrine. Neither ſhall the Preacher hauehave any effectuall authoritie, vntil the efficacie of his workes doe print it in the harts of his hearers. Let the Paſtors therefore remember, that as faith without works is dead, ſo is their doctrine of no force, where it is not accompanied with holines of life. And ſuch Paſtors are like vntounto the man that with one hand doth pull vp that which the other hath planted: or that with one hand plucketh downe that which the other hath built. If the Paſtor be learned,Bernard vponupon the Cantic. ſaith S. Barnard, yet a bad man, it is to be feared that his barrē life hurteth as many as his profitable doctrin doth help: And the bad life of the Paſtor is the calling of the doctrine into queſtion,Rom, 2.14. ſcorne & contempt, & cōſequently giueth occaſion to blaſpheme the name of God, as S. Paul admoniſheth vsus.

38 True it is, that Ieſus Chriſt exhorteth vsus to obſerue and doe the things which the Scribes and Phariſies that ſit vponupon Moſes chaire,Mat. 23. that is, that teach the doctrine of Moſes, doe ſaye vntounto vsus: but not to doe their works,Galat. 2.11. when they doe not as they ſay. But ſuch is mans infirmitie, that euil examples doe more ſtirre vsus to doe euill, then good doctrine to doe well. And to this purpoſe we are to note the phraſe that S. Paul vſeth, where he reproueth S. Peter, becauſe that before the comming of the Iewes hee did eate with the Gentils, and at their comming he withdrew himſelfe. If thou being a Iewe liueſt as the Gentils, why constraineſt thou the Gentils to doe like the Iewes? He ther ſheweth that the example of S. Peter was of ſuch efficacy, that thereby he enforced the Gentils to followe his diſsimulation: and he alſo noteth, that euen Barnabas was induced thereto. If then the example of the Paſtors be ſo mighty both in good and euill, let them diligently labour that their conuerſation may be conformable to their doctrine, and ſo they may be of double edification to the Church of Chriſt. Let them ſaith S. Hierom,Hierom. vponupon this, if any deſire to be a Biſhop. conceaue the truth in their mindes, and ſound it forthwith their lippes, and in all their conuerſation, to the end that whatſoeuer they ſay or do, may be a doctrine or inſtruction to the people: let the Paſtors therfore take heed that their life and conuerſation be not contrarye to their doctrine, leaſt they make their miniſterye vnprofitable, and hurte more by their bad liues, then they profite by their good doctrine, by drawing the people after their example to imitate their euil works: finally bring the heauenlye doctrine into contempt, and giuegive occaſion to blaſpheme the name of God. And withal let thē remēber what Chriſt ſaith:Mat. 5.19. He that ſhal teach & obſerue the commaundements of God, ſhalbe called great in the kingdome of heauē: but that cōtrariwiſe he wil ſay to thoſe that hauehave preached his goſpel & wrought miracles, but hauehave not ſealed their doctrine with good workes: Depart from me ye workers of iniquity.Mat. 12.23.

39 Among other the vices which the Paſtors for auoiding of euil example, are to ſhun, is couetouſnes, the root of al miſchiefe in all men, but chiefly in the Paſtors and Miniſters of Gods worde: and therefore doth S. Paul expreſſely ſay, A Biſhop muſt not couet after diſhoneſt gaine. And S.1. Tim. 3.3. 1. Pet. 5.2. Peter exhorteth the Paſtors to feede their ſheep, not in hope of diſhoneſt gain, but with a willing minde. This aduertiſement is the more neceſſary, becauſe it is a cōmon vice, as Eſay obiecteth to the Paſtors of his time, ſaying:Eſay 56.11. The Paſtors hauehave no vnderſtanding, they are all gone aſtray, eueryevery one followeth after couetouſnes. S.Tit. 1.11. 2. Pet. 2.3. Paul likewiſe complaineth of ſome that for diſhoneſt gaine did ſubuert whole families. And S. Peter foretelleth, that there ſhalbe ſome that for couetouſneſſe ſhall make marchandiſe of ſuch as are redeemed with the bloud of Chriſt. As therfore this vice is vtterly vnworthy the ſeruant of God: ſo that it might be the rather abhorred, he hath puniſhed it in ſome, in moſt fearefull maner. Iudas an Apoſtle being couetous, became a ſacriledgious perſon, and hauing ſolde, betrayed, and deliuered his maſter Ieſus Chriſt,Iohn 12.6. Act. 8. did to his eternall damnation hang himſelfe. Simon Magus ſeeking to make profite of the gifte of the holy Ghoſt, and to that end offering to buye the grace of God, was accurſed by God and ſo blaſted, that the purchaſe and ſale of ſpirituall graces and promotions,1. Sam. 12.15. Acts. 20.25. 1. Theſ. 2.5. is now by his name tearmed Symony. Contrariwiſe, Samuell both by proteſtation and by the teſtimony of the people, ſheweth how free he was from couetouſneſſe, As alſo S. Paul proteſteth to the Epheſians, that he neuer coueted the ſiluer or golde of any man, and in his Epiſtle to the Theſſalonians he taketh God to witnes,1. King. 17.4.6. Mat. 10.42. that he was not moued by any couetouſnes to imploy himſelfe in his vocation. Let all Paſtors therfore, renouncing this vice, repoſe themſelues vponupon the ſoueraigne Paſtor, that ſet them on worke, and be aſſured that he wil carefully prouide for their maintenance, euen albeit hee ſhould therein employ Elias rauen. And Ieſus Chriſt who hath promiſed mightely and euerlaſtingly to reward him, that ſhal hauehave giuen but a glaſſe of colde water in the name of a Diſciple, doth ſufficiently declare what care he taketh of thoſe that employ themſelues in his ſeruice.

Aug vponupon Iohn. hom. 57 2. Cor. 12.7.40 But as couetouſneſſe is moſt dangerous, and vtterlye vnworthy the Paſtors and Miniſters of Gods word, ſo there is no other vice more ſlippery and pernitious to this eſtate then ambition. It is ſafer, ſaith S. Auguſtin, to heare the word, then to preach it, for he that heareth it, learneth to humble himſelfe: but he that preacheth it, is in dāger of exalting himſelf. S. Paul, albeit an excellent veſſell,Luke 12.24. doth confeſſe that himſelfe was in danger of being exalted aboue meaſure through the abundance of reuelations that he had. And the Apoſtles did queſtion and ſtriue who ſhould be chiefe among them. And indeed as wormes doe vſually breede in ſatte Cheeſe, ſo they that in moſt plenty hauehave receiued the graces of God, are moſt ſubiect to this curſed ambition. And ſometimes, ſuch is the force of this fire, that it conſumeth all the vertues that are in man, caſting him headlong through ambition, to maintain al falſe doctrine, to raiſe vp ſciſmes in the Church of Chriſt: to moue ſtrife and debate, to enterpriſe to expell good and faithfull Paſtors, yea to the end to attain to his wicked entēt. to ioyne euen with thoſe whoſe liues and doctrine he doth not approue: And of ſuch iniquitie or rather impietie wee hauehave but ouer many examples in the Eccleſiaſticall hiſtories,Ruffin in his Ec. hiſt. l. 1. c. 1. yet ſhall it be inough to alledge the onelyonly example of Arrius, who as Ruffin writeth, extremely coueting after glory, praiſe and nouelties, began to propound his wicked opinions concerning the paſsion of Ieſus Chriſt, whereof enſued great perſecution againſt the faithfull Paſtors, and a ſciſme no leſſe pernitious, then generall and of long continuance among Chriſtians. For the reforming therefore of ſo common and dangerous a vice, let all Paſtors remember what S. Paul ſaith: What bringeth thee into reputation? What haſt thou that thou hast not receiued? 1. Cor. 4.….If thou hast receiued it, why doſt thou boaſt as if thou hadst not receiued it? yea let them know that God imparteth to them his grace, not that they ſhould be exalted & pulled vp with pride, but that himſelfe might by them be exalted and glorified: neither let them forget what Ieſus Chriſt hath proteſted, ſaying:Mat. 23.12. He that exalteth himſelfe ſhalbe brought lowe. But let them imitate the modeſtie and humility of S. Paul, who ſaith: We hauehave not ſought praiſe of men, 1. Theſ. 2.6.neither of you nor of others. And throughout the whole courſe of their miniſtery, let them leuell onelyonly at this, to aduance the glorye of God, the kingdome of Chriſt, & the ſaluation of men: and ſo to content themſelues with the incorruptible crowne of glory, which as S.1. Pet. 5.4. Peter ſaith, they ſhall receiue in heauen, when the ſoueraigne Paſtor ſhall appeare.

42 The example of concord and louelove among the Paſtors, is alſo of great fruit and edification to the Church, and their coniunction indeed maintaineth the Elders and Deacons in vnion: and the vnion of thoſe that hauehave the conduct of the Church, doe continue the members thereof in peace: where contrariwiſe diſſention among the Paſtors engendreth ſtrife among thoſe that doe aſsiſt them in the gouernement of the Church, beſides that from their diuiſions doe ordinarily proceede ſciſmes among the members thereof. For when the heads are at iarre, they hauehave their partakers. The proſperitie and peace of the Church doe ſometimes breede like inconueniences:Ruffin in his Ec. hiſt. lib. 1. cap. 1. and 2. as we reade that in the time of Conſtantine the great, the Biſhops aſſembled in the counſaile of Nice to condemne the error of Arrius, were more bitter in preferring complaints one againſt another, then carefull to vnite themſelues to beat downe the error of Arrius and to defend the trueth: but the Emperour perceiuing it, called for all their libels of accuſations and complaints, and without reading them, caſt them all into the fire. So to ceaſe all quarels, that all occaſion of ſtrife being as it were quenched, they all in liew of fighting one againſt another, might ioyne togither to defende the truth of the Godhead of Chriſt.Euſeb. in the life of Conſtant. lib. 2. and lib. 1. Euſebius ſpeaking of the ſame time, doth more largely declare, that the Biſhops being at great ſtrife, their Churches were alſo deuided among themſelues. The Emperour Licinius very wel vnderſtood how neceſſary the coniunctiō & vnion of the paſtors is for the peace & proſperity of the Church. For he taking vponupon him to ſubuert the chriſtian faith, could find no readier way but to ſtop the good vnion and agreemēt of the Biſhops & Paſtors, ſtraigthly prohibiting all communication between them, and all eccleſiaſticall and Synodall aſſemblies.

43 Inaſmuch therefore as their vnion and concord is of ſuch importance for the good of the Church: let them ſhun all diſſention, and ſo maintaine peace and ſincere louelove among themſelues, that as when one of our eyes turneth aſide, the other turneth the ſame way: ſo all their conſultations, affections and deedes may ioyntlye and in a holy harmony, tend to one ſelfe end, euen to the glorye of God and the edification of his Church. And to this end let them employ themſelues in the affaires of the Church euen with one ſelfe ſhoulder, as the Prophet Sophony ſpeaketh: who by that ſimilitude ſheweth,Sophany. 3.9. that as they that ioyntly do beare the maſſe of a Ship, or any other great peece of timber vponupon their ſhoulders, doe employe themſelues in a ioynt labour, and all tende to one ſelfe thing: ſo the Paſtors ought to be ioyned and vnited in the affaires of the Church of Chriſt, that happely they may aduaunce and finiſh their worke, to his glory.

44 For the maintaining therefore of this ſo neceſſary peace and concord, among the Paſtors: among other thinges, it is requiſite that they beare one with another, and be not ſoddenly prouoked: but be ready to pardon and to be recōciled, in caſe the kingdome of Chriſt may thereby be aduanced. S. Paul hearing that ſome preached Chriſt vponupon contention and not ſincerely,Phil. ….1…. as weening to adde affliction to his bondes, reioyced, becauſe therby Chriſt was preached. We read of great enmitie betweene Seuerian and Chriſoſtome both Biſhops,Socrates in his Eccleſ. Hiſt. lib. 6. cap 11. which was augmented by a wicked ſlaunder of Serapion, for he taking part with Chriſoſtom, would not ſalute Seuerian as a Biſhop. Wherupon Seuerian in diſpleaſure ſaid, If Serapion dye a Chriſtian, Chriſt was not made man: Hereof did Serapion accuſe Seuerian to Chriſoſtome, as if hee had ſaide onelyonly, Chriſt was not made man: whereupon Chriſoſtome driue him out of the towne, but he was called againe by Eudoxia the Emperors wife, who laboured diligently to reconcile thē: this when ſhe could not obtaine at the hands of Chriſoſtom ſhe finally ſo followed the matter, that her ſonne Theodoſius falling at his feete, with many exhortations, praiers and adiurations, obtained that hee receaued Seuerian to reconciliation. Now had there beene no enmity betweene them, Serapion would hauehave ſaluted Seuerian as a Biſhop: Had Seuerian bene moderate, he had not vſed ſuch wordes: Had Serapion borne with him, hee had not vſed ſuch a wicked ſlaunder againſt him: and had not Chriſoſtom bene falſely incenſed & prouoked, he would not hauehave driuen him away before he had knowen the truth, nor yet would not hauehave beene ſo hardly entreated to be reconciled.

45 For this time we will be content with this briefe deduction of the principall duties of the Miniſters of the word, exhorting them to employ themſelues faithfully and in holines: as alſo we do with them, beſides the premiſes, to remember that the holye Apoſtle Saint Paul making as it were a ſummary or abſtract of al that is to be required of a Biſhop or a Paſtor,1. Tim 13.2 doth ordeine that hee ſhould bee vnreproueable, as a guide in the houſe of God: the husband of one wife: not ſelfewilled, watchfull, ſober, modest, harborous to ſtrangers, apt to teache, not giuen to wyne, no ſtriker, not giuen to filthy lucre, but gentle, no fighter, not couetous, one that loueth goodnes, wiſe, righteous, Tit. 1.8.holy, temperate, holding faſt the faithfull worde, according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhorte with holeſome doctrine, and improue them that ſay againſt it: one that can rule his owne houſe honeſtlye, 1. Tim. 3.4.hauing children vnderunder obedience with all reuerence, for if any cannot rule his owne houſe, how ſhall he care for the Church of God? True it is, that the Apoſtle heere teacheth what qualities doe beſeeme him that is called vntounto the miniſterye, yet withall hee teacheth all Paſtors what vertues ſhould be in them, and what vices they ought to ſhunne, for their happye employment in the Lords woorke. Let them therefore to that purpoſe remember what in another place the ſame Apoſtle Saint Paul writeth to Timothy, ſaying:2. Tim 4.5. 1. Tim. 1.18. 1. Tim. 6.4. Watch thou in all things, ſuffer aduerſitie, doe the worke of an Euangeliſt, make thy worke fully knowen Again, Do the dutie of a good ſouldier with faith and a good conſcience. Again, Shun queſtions and ſtrife in words, whereof commeth enuie ſtrife, raylings, and ſurmiſes, vaine diſputations of men of corrupt mindes, and destitute of truth: 2. Tim. 1.12. 2. Tim. ….15.and accompt Godlynes a great gayne: from ſuch ſeperate thy ſelfe, and followe after Godlynes, righteouſneſſe, faith, louelove, patience and meekeneſſe, fight the good fight of faith, laye holde of eternall lyfe: And againe. Keepe the true patterne of the holeſome wordes which thou hast hearde of me, in faith and louelove, which is in Christ Ieſus. Againe, Studye to ſhewe thy ſelfe approoued vntounto God, a woorkeman that needeth not to be aſhamed, deuiding the worde of truth aright. Let ſuch alſo as deſire to employ themſelues vertuouſlye, in holyneſſe and proſperouſly in this vocation, read and continually meditate the exhortation of S.Act 20. Paul to the Elders, that is, to the Biſhops and Paſtors of Epheſus, and generally all his Epiſtles, but eſpecially, as S.Auguſtine of Chriſt. doct. lib. 4. cap. 16. Auguſtin doth expreſſely exhorte, the three written to Timothy & Titus, whereout we hauehave taken the aduertiſements before mentioned. So ſhall they finde as well in his perſon as in his writings, a moſt liuely and excellent patterne of all that is requiſite for a true and faithfull Paſtor. To conclude, that they may the more couragiouſly and conſtantly beare themſelues, let them alſo think vponupon the promiſe of S.1. Cor. 3.8. Paul, who ſaith: EueryEvery man ſhalbe rewarded according to his labour, and they, as Daniel ſaith, that winne moſt to righteouſneſſe, Dan. 12.3.ſhall ſhine as ſtarres for euer and euer. Neither let them forget what S. Peter promiſeth, ſaying: When the ſoueraigne ſhepheard ſhall appeare, they ſhall receiue the incorruptible crowne of glory. Now let vsus goe on to the duties of the Church to her Paſtors.

The Amendment of Life, Book 3 · Chapter 8

p. 385Of the duety of the Paſtor and Minister of Gods woord, to his congregation. Chap. 8.

Of the duety of the Paſtor and Minister of Gods woord, to his congregation. Chap. 8.