A Humble Acknowledgment of the Sins of the Ministry of Scotland, Title page – Preface
A Humble ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE SINS OF THE MINISTERY OF SCOTLAND.
Printed in the year 1653.
THE PREFACE.
ALthough we are not ignorant, that mockers of all sorts may take occasion by this Acknowledgment of the Sins of Ministers, to strengthen themselves in their prejudices at our persons and Callings, and turn this unto our reproach, and that some may misconstrue our meaning therein, as if we did thereby intend to render the Ministery of this Church base and contemptible, which is far from our thoughts, We knowing and being perswaded in our selves, that there are many able, godly and faithful Ministers in the Land; yet being convinced that we are called to humble our selves, and to justifie the Lord in all the contempt that he hath poured upon us: That they who shall know our sins, may not stumble at our judgments: We have thought it our duty to publish this following Discovery and Acknowledgment of the corruptions and sins of Ministers, That it may appear how deep our hand is in the Transgression, and that the Ministers of Scotland have no small accession to the drawing on of these judgments that are upon the Land.
Only in this following Acknowledgment we desire it may be considered, That there are here enumerated some sins, whereof there be but some few Ministers guilty, and others whereof moe are guilty, and not a few, which are the sins of these whom the Lord hath keeped from the more grosse corruptions herein mentioned; And that it is not to be wondered at, if the Ministery of Scotland be yet in a great measure unpurged, Considering that there was so wide a door opened for the entering of corrupt persons into the Ministery, for the space of above thirty years under the tyranny of Prelats, and that also there hath been so many diversions from, and interruptions of endeavours to have a purged Ministery in this Land.
THE SINS OF THE MINISTERY.
First, such as are before their entry to the Ministery.
1. LIghteness and prophanity in conversation, unsuitable to that holy Calling which they did intend, not throughly repented of.
2. Corrupt education of some in the Prelaticall and Arminian way, whereby their corruptions and errors were drunken in, and abilities improven, for strengthening and promoving the same, not repented of.
3. Not studying to be in CHRIST, before they be in the Ministery; nor to have the practicall knowledge and experience of the Mystery of the Gospel in themselves, before they preach it to others.
4. Neglecting to fit themselves for the Work of the Ministerie in not improving prayer and fellowship with God, education at Schools and opportunities of a lively Ministery, and other means, and not mourning for these neglects.
5. Not studying self-denyall, nor resolving to take up the Crosse of CHRIST.
6. Negligence to entertain sight and sense of sin and misery, not wrestling against corruption, nor studying of mortification and subduednesse of spirit.