The Gospel Ministers Maintenance Vindicated, Section 3
Motives to preſs the Duty of the Miniſters Maintenance, with an Anſwer to other Objections.
1. COnſider well, and remember that your Paſtors are the Miniſters; nay, the Ambaſſadours of Jeſus Chriſt; ſuch who repreſent his Sacred Majeſty, and have his Commiſſion, for what they act and do in his Name, and diſpenee the Myſteries of God to you, according to their Duty; therefore the Lord Jeſus will account that done to Himſelf, which is done to his Miniſters: He that receiveth you (ſaith he) receiveth me, and he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me, Mat. 10.40. Luke 10.16. If the Name and Authority of Chriſt will beget an aw in you,or his Matchleſs and Unſpeakable Love Influence your Souls; there is no doubt but his word will abide upon you, and cauſe you to diſcharge the Duty we have preſſed upon your Spirits. If you acknowledge a Religious Reſpect and Reverence due to the Son of God, exerciſe it in a humble Obedience to his word; and if you Love him and value his Goſpel, treat not his Miniſters in an unworthy manner: Have you not called them off from other Buſineſs? And are they not your Servants? And is not from thence a Goſpel Maintenance due to them from you, as is the wages of your other Servants? Tho we fear ſome give more to the meaneſt Servants in their Houſe, than they to give to the Miniſters of Chriſt.
2. 'Tis evident, they have a great Charge committed to their Truſt, they watch for your Souls, as they who muſt give an account, Heb. 13.17. And therefore you ought to conſider them, and pity them, and endeavour to aſſiſt them, and put them into the beſt Capacity you are able to do, that they may make full proof of their Miniſtry, and be free from the Blood of all Men; 'tis the Buſineſs of your own Salvation, and concern of your precious and immortal Souls, that your Miniſters are imployed in; and therefore 'tis much more your own Intereſt than his, and from hence ought to make Conſcience of your Duty; for if they can't give their account with Joy, that will not be profitable for you: And how can they give an acccount of Joy concerning you, when you have neglected one great and indiſpenſible Duty, by which means they were rendred unable to perform their VVork, as became them? Nor can indeed the Miniſtry ever be effectual to your Souls, if you be not ſincere in Obedience under it: Beſides, as one obſerves, will you be leſs Careful for your Souls, and their Eternal wellfare, than for your Bodies, and the Comforts of a Temporal Life? Can you be content to lay out your Strength and Subſtanceto provide for theſe, and neglect the other? Is it not ſad, ſaith one to conſider, How many there are among Profeſſors, that live in this World, as if there were no Truth in the report of that which is to come, and have the meaneſt eſteem of the moſt neceſſary means of Salvation? viz. The Word and Ordinances of Chriſt, and a Goſpel Miniſtry; ſome can expend perhaps an hundred Pounds per Annum, more or leſs, for Ornaments or Delights to Adorn a frail Carcaſe, but will grudg half ſo much for the poor Saints, or to the ſupport of the Worſhip of the Goſpel, and his ſinking Intereſt.
3. Conſider how many Temptations and Soul diſcouraging VVeakneſſes your Miniſters lye under continually, both from within and without, if ſenſible of the greatneſs of their VVork; and of their own inſufficiency: You know not their Fears, their Cares, their Tears, and how hard they are put to it to keep up in their VVork, finding ſuch ſtrong Oppoſitions made againſt them by the Enemy, continually, ſo that you had need to Strengthen, Comfort, and Incourage them, as much as you can; and not to add to their Sorrow, and make them ſerve you in wants and neceſſities.
4. We might tell you alſo what the Apoſtle ſays in reſpect of his Liberty as a Miniſter, in forbearing to Work at all: Will any of you ſay your Miniſters muſt labour and provide for themſelves, when God hath Ordained the contrary; and alſo when the Apoſtle ſaith, he had power to forbear Working? See 1 Cor. 9.6. Or I only and Barnabas, Have we not power to forbear Working? We certainly (as well as the reſt of Chriſt's Miniſters) if we will run out to the utmoſt end of the Line of our Liberty in things, without having regard to your Circumſtances, might forbear Working with our Hands, and expect that thoſe among whom we Labour ſhould maintain it. So the Annotators render it. Now, you would think this a hard thing, ſhould any of your Paſtors make uſeof their Liberty; yet if they ſhould do it, provided they were Faithful in their Work and Office, knowing alſo your Ability, we would know whether any of you could charge them with Sin, as we know you may and ought other Perſons, who work not and though the Apoſtle did ſometimes Work, it was of choice, and to prevent the glorying of thoſe falſe Apoſtles, and for ſome other Reaſons, which upon ſpecial Circumſtances for that time he mentioneth, and yet he accounts it amongſt his Afflictions.
Queſt. Ought a Paſtor or Miniſter to make Terms with the Church about his Maintenance, before he take the Charge of them?
Anſw. We aſſert for no ſuch thing, he is to take the Charge freely, and of a ready Mind: But we ſay there is as indiſpenſable a Duty lies upon the People to provide Carnal or Temporal good Things for him, as there lies upon him to provide Spiritual good Things for them, and to give him Grounds to Believe they will be Faithful to Chriſt and to him, in their duty upon that account.
Queſt. But what ſhall that Church do, who are not able to allow a ſufficient Maintenance to their Paſtor?
Anſw. We have a Three-fold Anſwer to this Queſtion.
Firſt, If through the Poverty of the Church they cannot provide for their Miniſter, they may make their Caſe and Circumſtance known to other Siſter Churches, and deſire their Aid and Aſſiſtance herein; but if they can have none, and the Church do their Duty to the utmoſt themſelves, and yet they are not able to ſupply his Neceſſities, then he muſt be contented to ſuffer with the Church. But
2. If God Bleſs a Congregation with a plentiful Portion of this Worlds Good, it is their Duty to make their Miniſters a Party with them in theirFlouriſhing Condition (and as a late Author ſaith) Conſidering the Place and Imployment he is in, and the Service he attends, it would be extreamly unworthy to think they have done enough, if his preſſing Neceſſities be anſwered; whilſt they themſelves abound in Superfluities. But if the Congregation be poor, and there is no helps to he had, then their Miniſter muſt and ought to be content to be poor with them; yea, rejoyce to approve himſelf a Miniſter of Chriſt, (as Paul did) by Hunger and Nakedneſs, if the Providence of God call him thereto; but whilſt it is in the power of their Hands to provide better for him, God expects it from them; and let none deceive themſelves, GOD is not mocked, nor will he ſuffer his Commands to be ſlighted and evaded, without rendring a juſt rebuke to the Offender, For whatſoever a Man Soweth that ſhall he Reap. Yet neceſſity is laid upon Chriſt's Miniſters, and woe be to them if they Preach not the Goſpel.
3. It may deſerve our moſt mature Conſideration, whether a People may ſafely conſtitute themſelves into a Church State, when not able to provide for a Miniſtry, eſpecially as the Caſe may be circumſtanced; for poſſibly they might very well joyn themſelves to another Congregation near unto them, and be a great help to ſuch a Church, being Imbodied with them. And this we do ſay, For a People to put themſelves into a Church State, is one of the moſt weightieſt Things in the World, and ought with as great Care and Conſideration to be done; we concluding in ſome places where there are many Churches near to each other, it would be far better for ſome of thoſe ſmall and inſufficient Societies to unite themſelves to ſome other Congregation; and by that means the weight of thoſe Indiſpencible Duties and Obligations that are incumbent on them, would with much more eaſe be borne and anſwered, to the Honour of Chriſt, Reputation of the Goſpel,and their own Edification: Moreover, if all Chriſtians ought to conſider whether they may or ought to put themſelves into a Church State, except they have Perſons fitly qualified and furniſhed with Gifts and Graces for the Miniſtry; which if they may not ſafely do, then by the ſame parity of reaſon ought they to conſider whether they may proceed therein, if they know their own Inſufficiency in reſpect of their making a Goſpel Proviſion for their Maintenance, unleſs they live remote from any other Church, and ſo neceſſity put them upon their ſo doing.
Obj. But is not this to build, that which you your ſelves have deſtroyed, viz. Have you not diſclaimed against ſuch who Preach for Hire?
Anſw. We never went about we hope to deſtroy any Inſtitution or Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt, as the Miniſters Maintenance is, as has ſufficientlybeen proved. But for Men to Preach for Hire, to make that their End, we mean in Preaching the Goſpel, we ſtill utterly diſclaim any ſuch Practice, and ſay 'tis a low, carnal, and haſe End and Deſign, and unworthy of any Chriſtian Man.
2. We have always diſowned, or do diſclaim againſt Tythes or the Tenths of Mens Increaſe, declaring that they are not the right of any Goſpel Miniſters by the Law of Jeſus Chriſt, or the due of the Miniſters of the New Teſtament, by the appointment of the Lord Jeſus; being only a Moſaical Rite, and that Law to be Abrogated, as Aarons Prieſthood is.
3. We have always diſowned and declared againſt ſuch Miniſters, who uſe to ſtrive to compell Men by outward force to Pay them what they call their dues, it looking ſo much like an Antichriſtian Spirit and Practice, and not agreeable to the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt; were Love to Chriſt, and the ſence of Duty, we find ought to bethe only prevailing Argument to excite and provoke every Man to his Duty in this great Caſe. Moreover you muſt take heed you are not prejudiced againſt your Dutys from miſtaken and falſe Concluſions; becauſe ſome will not Preach unleſs you put into their Mouths, and ſo make a meer Trade of Preaching. VVill you not anſwer the requirement of God to thoſe who are the Faithful Miniſters of his Word? Becauſe ſome will not relieve their Poor, unleſs they are forced to do it, Will you diſown your Duty to the poor Saints, and not relieve them, but Object and ſay, 'tis too much like the National practice? Or, do you not like Preaching after that manner, i. e. with a Text, Doctrine, Reaſons, and Application; becauſe ſuch, and ſuch do ſo, whom you diſown, and cannot have Communion with. Let all ſuch weak Objections be avoided, and mentioned no more for ever.
Object. You have we fear ever done it; for though we do belive 'tis the duty of the Churches to allow to their Paſtors a comfortable Maintenance, who are low in the World, and ſo expoſed to the diſtracting Cares of this Life, and thereby hindred in the diſcharge of their Duty in the Miniſtry. Yet for rich Men who need it not, to have an allowance, we ſee no reaſon for that.
Anſw. We Anſwer, It is not an act of Charity (to Miniſters that are poor) we plead for, But we have proved it is an Ordinance of God, he hath been pleaſed to Ordain, that thoſe who Preach the Goſpel ſhould live of the Goſpel: 'Tis their due as they are Chriſts Miniſters; He is their Portion now, as well as formerly under the Law, and have therefore as much right to it, as you have to your Inheritance; and from hence he willed them when he firſt ſent them out, to take no Money in their Purſes, &c. And therefore the State of ſuch you ſpeak of, can't exempt you from that Ordinance, nor your duty to them; beſides, is it fitting (think you) that ſuch Miniſter who have Eſtates ſhould waſte their Subſtance, and injure their Children in their Faithfulneſs to Chriſt in Preaching the Goſpel, and in the ſervices of your Souls: For their Work is ſuch, that it calls for all their time and uttermoſt dilligence (in a right diſcharge of their Duty therein) and therefore thereby they are prevented of Improving what they have, for the future comfort and advantage of their Families: Nay, and we have heard to our great trouble, how ſome worthy Men, who have Laboured fully to improve their Miniſtry (through the Peoples neglect of their duty to them) have in proceſs of time ſunk in their Eſtates, and in Truth have been brought to a low Condition; for 'tis rare to ſee a Paſtor of our Churches to abound in Riches: Tho ſome (Bleſſed be God) may be indifferent well topaſs in the World: now to expoſe a rich man to Poverty, or to let a poor man ſhift for himſelf under wants and neceſſities, are Evils much of the like nature: and for a prevention of both, God hath ordered it ſo, that neither of theſe things ſhould, or ought to be. Therefore this neglect (in ſhort) expoſeth Miniſters to Temptations (conſidering the moral Duty that lies upon them, in common with other men to provide for their Families) namely, to content themſelves in doing but one part of their Work, viz. to Preach a Sermon or two in the Week, &c. Now our deſires are that they may all be wholly ſequeſtred to the Lord's Work and Service; and not be other ways imploying themſelves, when they ſhould be Preaching the Kingdom of God, but to Labour to fulfill their Miniſtry they have received of the Lord, ſo that they may have their Accounts to give up with Joy in the Day of Chriſt.
Object. But our Church is ſmall, and our Paſtor can't take up all his time in the Lord's Work.
Anſwer. We Anſwer, If he wants work, who will hinder him from following of his ſecular Buſineſs, provided he doth faithfully and fully diſcharge every part of the duty of his Place and Function? But do not the Neighbouring Villages, and places adjacent want the Goſpel, having no Bread for their Souls, and this too by reaſon ſuch Paſtors are unconcerned in this matter? and by which means 'tis doubtleſs that the Glorious Goſpel is no more promulgated up and down in dark and blind corners of this Nation, nor the Church increaſes no more; Beſides do not many poor Sinners daily periſh hereby for want of Knowledg? Brethren, 'tis not for our ſelves, but for the Lord, and his ſinking Intereſt that we plead for; it grieves our Souls to hear what cries there are in many partsof this Kindom for want of Bread, ſome being forc'd, we hear, to go twelve or ſixteen Miles to hear a Sermon; now if Miniſters of Churches made it their whole Buſineſs to Preach the Word, and concern themſelves for the promoting of the Truth, it would not be as it is at this very time; nor can we think it ſhould be otherwiſe, unleſs we had a travelling Miniſtry (which we fear we ſhall hardly find) unleſs Paſtors and Teachers in the reſpective Churches were taken off of all Incumbrances, and ſo give themſelves up to the Miniſtry of the VVord.
God has done great things for us, and hath opened a mighty door, and ſhall not we do ſome great thing for Him? The Caſe, Bleſſed be the Lord, is much altered: You may come now into any Town and none dare forbid you, (if any one will but entertain you) and Preach the Goſpel; And ſhall we not take care to anſwer this Mercy; and do what we can that the poor Blind VVorld may be Inlightened, and brought to the ſaving Knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt? If the preſent Providence of God be not anſwered by a due Improvement to his Glory, and the furtherance of the Goſpel: VVe may ſay with Solomon, Why is there a price in the Hand of a Fool, ſeeing he hath no Heart to it, Prov. 17.16. By this time we hope you may more clearly underſtand us, and what we drive at, and earneſtly deſire to ſee accompliſhed, viz. That Miniſters may not only bear that Name, but with all Faithfulneſs do the VVork, they are called to; 'tis not to preſs our People to Miniſter to ſuch Preachers who are Idle and Negligent in their Buſineſs, whoſe Hearts and Hands are in the VVorld, and eagerly purſue their own ſecular Affairs, and matter not what becomes of the Intereſt of Jeſus Chriſt.
No, 'tis to encourage the Faithful and Labourous Perſon, who is willing to give himſelf up to the Lord, in the Diſcharge of that great Turſtcommitted to him, and to Labour indeed in Chriſt's Vineyard; it is in truth … ſhame for a Miniſter to receive the Lord's VVages, and not do the Lord's VVork; ſome there are in the World …hat do not deſerve the Name of Mini…ers they doing the VVork of the Lord ſo deceitfully.
Our Churches alſo are 'tis like in ſome places in the Country but ſmall, and …re like to be ſmaller, if the Miniſtry … not awakened to become more Labourous: Are there not ſuch in ſome Towns, who are hardly known by the Inhabitants to be Miniſters at …ll, they are ſo little concerned in Preaching, they are better known to be Farmers, Yeomen, and Tradeſman, then Preachers of the Goſpel; they are in…angled ſo in the Affairs of this Life, …hat they have but little time to mind …he great Work they are called to: We would ask ſome Miniſters, whether …hey could not do much more, Preach oftner, and in more Places, and take greater Pains, to promote the Goſpel, and gather in Souls to Chriſt, than they do? Certainly they will and muſt ſay, yea, we might; VVhy what is the reaſon of your not doing it? Ought we not with Mary to do what we can? VVe conclude, this Omiſſion of Duty either ariſes from the evil of your own Hearts, or elſe from the Remiſneſs and Neglect of the People, in Reſpect of their Duty to you. (1.) It may ariſe from the Evil in your own Hearts, in that you have not or do not eſpouſe the Intereſt of Jeſus Chriſt, equal with, or above your own: Can any be contented in doing a little Service for Chriſt, tho his Intereſt ſinks in their Hands; whilſt they thrive in their own concerns, and grow Rich in the VVorld: Lord, what will become of ſuch Miniſters in the day o… Judgment? Can they think to loo… Chriſt in the Face with Comfort, tha… have been ſuch ſlothful Servants; bu… God forbid there ſhould be any among us who mind more thei… own trifling Affairs, than the grea… VVork and Buſineſs of their bleſſed Lord and Maſter? Is this the making full Proof of your Miniſtry you have received of the Lord? Chriſt's Miniſters are called Labourers, but we fear ſome Labour but little, unleſs it be at their own work: ſhould you be as Remiſs in your own Affairs, as poſſibly you are in the Lords, you would find quickly a decay in your Eſtates, and be in a ſinking Condition in the World; which 'tis like, would ſoon ſtartle you, and ſtir you up to greater Care and Induſtry; and ought you not to be as conſiderate in the great concernment of Chriſt, his Goſpel and Churches? We take it not upon us to reprehend any of you but in Love (as fellow Servants may do) to caution you; pray remember, you have the moſt ſacred Intereſt and Matters of Jeſus Chriſt committed to your Truſt; 'tis the greateſt Charge in the World, and you and we muſt be cal…ed to an Account, if Souls periſh in their Sins, and the Watchman gives not ſuitable warning, the Blood of thoſe Sinners God will require at the Watchman's Hands, Zeck. 3. Miniſters ought to be the Light of the World, they ſhould ſhine therefore in Life and Doctrine, to all round about where they live, that the People may know they have a Noah, a Preacher of Righteouſneſs amongſt them. But
2. This grand fault may ariſe from the Peoples Remiſneſs of Duty to their Miniſters; for hark, do we not hear many worthy and faithful Paſtors crying out? Alas Brethren, we are no more in the Lord's VVork, no more in Preaching, in Viſiting, &c. Becauſe our Families would ſuffer want, and what is neceſſary for them; we ſhould gladly make the Goſpel our whole Buſineſs, and not only watch over, and feed our own Flocks, but Preach the Goſpel up and down in Towns and Villages, lying near us, if we knew how our VVives and Children might be provided for; for ſhould we neglect that great Moral and indiſpenſible Duty, how would the Holy Name of God be reproached? Alas, our Souls are bowed down in us, we muſt confeſs, we have daily calls to Preach, in this and that place, where to this day there has hardly been any Meeting; but we are not able to do it, and therefore, we are forc'd to ſend to London, that ſome Miniſters might come down into our Parts, to Anſwer that great Call and Cry of Men and VVomen, for want of the Bread of Life.
This is a hard Caſe indeed, i. e. for the Servants of Chriſt to have the due ſenſe of the greatneſs of their work upon their Hearts, but cannot diſcharge it according as they ſee there is a Call and Occaſion, by Reaſon the People neglect their Duty to them: But however, do what you can, and venture out, God will provide for you, and move upon the Hearts of ſuch you Preach the Goſpel to, or ſome other way provide for you: Improve this preſent Liberty, and do not letthe Lord's Houſe lie waſte: Remember, Neceſſity is laid upon you, and wo be to you, if you Preach not the Goſpel, be not Unbelieving, but truſt the Providence of God; great things he expecteth from us, who has ſo gloriouſly and graciouſly appeared for us, and for the Land of our Nativity.
Nevertheleſs, Let none miſtake us; we do not ſay, 'tis unlawful for Preachers to VVork or follow Callings; but as Preaching doth not make VVorking unlawful, neither ſhould any VVorldly Buſineſs hinder Preaching, therefore when working with our Hands will further the Goſpel, we may VVork; we have a Call ſo to do (which was once Paul's Caſe) but when working at Trades and Callings, does palpably tend to the hinderance of the Promulgation of the Goſpel; we muſt give over ſuch VVorking, and wholly give up our ſelves to Preaching &c. 'Tis but to make an Expediment, if the People ſhould fail you: You know your Liberty, he that Laboured withhis Hands, hath by that Example ſet the Conſciences of Miniſters at Liberty, to provide for the Neceſſities of this Life, by other Imployments, when they cannot Live of the Goſpel; but this very thing Paul accounted amongſt his Afflictions; and certainly, it muſt needs be a ſore Grief and Exerciſe to any Godly Preacher in this Reſpect, i. e. when he hears People calling him, one Day to this Town to Preach, and another Day to that, and he finds he cannot Anſwer neither of their Calls, through the Neceſſities of his Famly; and the truth is, all do readily grant, that no poſitive Duty can Diſcharge a Man from the Obligations of that pure Moral and Univerſal Duty of providing for his Families.
Brethren, you know when the Harveſt proves catching, and the Painful and Laborious Harveſt-men are taken off of their Buſineſs, then they may do a little VVork for themſelves, but when 'tis good Harveſt weather, and the Harveſt is great, and the Labourersbut few, they muſt ſtick to it and Labour hard.
Even ſo when the late Storms of Perſecution were upon us, many of Chriſt's Spiritual Harveſt-men were much hindred and taken off of their Work, and did may be imploy themſelves otherwiſe, in their other Affairs (few being willing to open their Doors to them;) but now the Providence of God has opened a great Door for the Goſpel, and ſent us Bleſſed Harveſt Weather, and the Labourers alas! being alſo very few, though the Harveſt is very great: How ought we to ſtick to our Buſineſs?
There was never certainly ſuch a Call to Miniſters to Work for God as there is now; therefore that Servant that will not do his beſt at ſuch an Hour, is like the Son (that Solomon ſpeaks of) that Sleeps in Harveſt and ſo cauſeth Shame. And as a wiſe Husband-man will not neglect a fit opportunity of gathering in his Corn, upon preſumption ofmuch fair Weather to come: So ought not we to loſe the preſent Seaſon for gathering in Souls to Chriſt, not knowing how ſoon Clouds may riſe, and another Storm overtake us, when we cannot Work for God as now we may; and if you have not ſuch Incouragement as you ought to have from the People, yet remember when Night comes, the Lord Jeſus will well reward you for all the pains you take in his Work; yet ſince our Saviour ſaith the Labourer is worthy of his Hire, we can't think any (when they conſider the Matter a little better) will any way obſtruct, or hinder you in your Buſineſs through their neglect of Duty to you.
Object. But doth not Chriſt tell his Diſciples? As they had freely received, ſo they ſhould freely give.
Anſw. We Believe this Text is not taken, or underſtood according to the meaning of our Saviour; for it cannot mean that Chriſt's Miniſters ſhould receive neither Money, Meat, or Clothes, whilſt they are imploy'd in his Work and Service, becauſe in the very next Verſe he bids them Provide neither Gold nor Silver, nor Braſs in their Purſes, nor two Coats, nor Scrip for their Journey; becauſe he plainly intimates all ſuch things they were worthy of, and might expect them from the People to whom they Preached. Therefore 'tis an horrible abuſe put upon the Text, to take the Words in that Senſe; as if our Bleſſed Maſter ſhould forbid his Servants to receive a Maintenance from the People; for then indeed they might have ſaid, Lord, If we muſt Preach ſo freely as not to receive any thing, it behoveth us to provide well for our Journey; but ſince they were forbid to do ſo, it is clear that could not be our Saviours meaning: Beſides, ſuch a Sence is directly oppoſite or repugnant to thoſe other Precepts the Lord Jeſus hath laid down by his Apoſtles in the Epiſtles; wherein it is poſitively aſſerted (as you have heard) that He that is taught in the Word ought to Communicate to him that Teacheth in all good things, 1 Tim. 5.18. And that they who Miniſter at the Altar ſhould partake of the Altar; God having Ordained that he that Preaches the Goſpel, ſhould live of the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 9.14. Therefore we rather are of the Opinion (in reſpect to this Text) with a late worthy VVriter; The Doctrine (ſays he) they were to Preach, they were Impowered to Confirm with Miracles; which (ſay they) He gives them a Charge they ſhould Work freely, without receiving any Reward for them; that the Miracles might not be uſed to their private Profit, but to the End they were appointed of God, which was the Confirmation of their Doctrine.
2. It may alſo teach us that Miniſters ought not to make a Bargain with the People, or deſire to know what they ſhall have before they enter on their Work; for he who would approve himſelf a true Miniſter of JeſusChriſt, o… … not to Preach for Hire or filthy …cres ſake, i. e. that ought not to be the thing he aims at; that's a low and baſe deſign, but as you know Churches provide and ought to provide for the Poor; yet ſhould any ſeek to come into your Communion meerly for a Maintenance, you would ſay he or ſhe that did ſo, were no better than Hypocrites, and (may ſay truly) yet that would not free you from communicating to poor Faithful Chriſtians. Even ſo, if ſome deceitful and carnal Perſons ſhould undertake the Work of the Miniſtry for filthy Lucres ſake, and not in Love to Chriſt, and to promote his Intereſt and Glory, they, doubtleſs act contrary to this Precept of Chriſt. But yet nevertheleſs, the Church i… bound to communicate and allow a comfortable Maintenance to her Faithful Miniſters; and as he freely, and of a ready Mind, and for Chriſt's ſake, Preaches the Goſpel, and is bound ſo to do if he will approve himſel… Faithful; ſo in like manner are the People and Churches of God bound freely and of a ready mind to Miniſter to them, if they would ſhew to all they are Faithful Chriſtians, ſuch who have an equal reſpect to all Chriſts Commands and Deſire, to the utmoſt of their Abilities, to further and not hinder the promulgation of the Goſpel in the World.
But by the way it is plain, had it not been the practice of the Goſpel Churches in the Apoſtles time, to allow their Paſtors a Maintenance, what room was there for the Apoſtle to caution any Miniſter or Elder not to undertake the Work for filthy Lucres ſake, but of a ready mind. Moreover, very remarkable is it to conſider how the Prieſts of God under the Law were to receive that Portion Jehovah gave them: They were not (as Mr. Ainſworth noteth) To receive it after a baſe or ſervile manner, but as Gifts due to the Lord, and to them from him: The Hebrew Canons (ſaith he) ſhew the Iſraelites were to give them their Portion with Honour; and it was unlawful for the Prieſts or Levites to ſnatch away the Heave-Offering, or the Tithes; yea, ſaith he, if they did but ask their Portion with their Mouth it was unlawful. Read his Annotation on Numb. 18. v. 12. And then on Deut. 18.3. He ſaith again, the Prieſt might not violently take the Gifts, nor ask them with his Mouth, but he received them when they were given him with Honour.
This may teach us two things. Firſt, that Chriſt's Servants ought to take heed they ſhew all true and real Zeal and Love to Chriſt, when they undertake his Work and Service; and not to ſhew ſuch a ſervile and baſe Spirit as to demand their Portion that God has Ordained for them, but leave it to the free will Offering of the People. Secondly, It may alſo teach Churches to ſee they do neither withhold the Miniſters Portion from them, nor give it them grudgingly, or in an unbecoming manner, but to hand out to them what they need with due reſpect and honour, they being worthy of it, and are to receive it as their part and portion from God, and as they are His Stewards and Faithful Labourers, by Virtue of a Divine and Holy Law: Nay, and the Lord's People ought to be as careful in diſcharge of this Duty to Chriſt's Miniſters now, as the Iſraelites were to the Levites; tho' as we have already ſaid, their Portion is not the Tithes of Mens Increaſe, nor the Firſt Fruits, which Law is Abrogated. Yet ſaith Reverend Ainſworth, 'The Equity of that Law remaineth perpetually, as the Apoſtle obſerveth, Do you not know that they which Miniſter about Holy things, live of the things of the Temple; and they that wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar: Even ſo hath the Lord Ordained, &c. 1. Cor. 13.14. Becauſe the Miniſters of God then were injoyned to attend on His Service, he would not have them cumbred with worldly Affairs,leaſt (ſaith he) they ſhould be hinddred from doing their Duties; as it is Written, No Man that Warreth intangleth himſelf with the Affairs of this Life, that he may pleaſe him who hath called him to be a Soldier. 2 Tim. 3.4. From hence God hath ordered it thus for them.' Moreover, the Hebrews ſay from hence 'twas Levi was not counted meeet to have Inheritance in the Land of Iſrael, or Spoils with his Brethren, becauſe he was ſeparated to Serve the Lord, and to Inherit him, and to teach his ſtrait Ways, and his Just Judgments unto the People: therefore was he ſeparated from the ways of the World; they wage not War, as the reſt of Iſrael do, neither do they Inherit nor Earn for themſelves with the Strength of their Bodies, but they are the Lords Power (or Substance) as it is Written, Deut. 13.11. Bleſs Lord his Power; and the Bleſſed God earneth for them, as it is Written Numb. 18.20. I am thy Part and thine Inheritance. Maim. Treat. of the Releaſe and Jubilee, c. 13. f. 12.
The reaſon of the ſame Law, 'tis evident of neceſſity does remain; the Work of Miniſters is great now, and 'tis as Holy and as Honourable as ever, and the neglect of a Faithful diſcharge herein, as great a Sin as it was then; and God's People have as great, nay, greater Benefit and Divine Profit by the Miniſtry of the Goſpel, than thoſe had who lived under the Law; beſides Chriſt's Servants have the ſame need of it: moreover, our People are delivered from other great Burdens and vaſt Charges that the People of Iſrael were continually at; and therefore how unjuſt and unreaſonable a thing is it to with-hold a fit and convenient Lively-hood from them. Nay, and we muſt ſay, that which any with-hold from the Servants of God, is the Lord's, and none of theirs; for he lays claim to part of their Subſtance, as that which He has Ordained to his own ſpecial ſervice and uſe of His Faithful Miniſters.
Queſt. May every one then that Preaches expect an Allowance, though they Preach but now and then.
Anſw. That muſt be left to the Wiſdom and Conſideration of the Church; who ought to conſider the Perſons Circumſtances, with the Call he hath to Preach, &c. But principally it belongs to thoſe who are ſet a part to that Work, whoſe Strength and Time is taken up about the great Affairs of Chriſt and the Goſpel.
Thus we have indeavoured to diſcharge our Duty as touching this great Work, and have we hope Anſwered all the material Objections any have to bring, or urge againſt the Miniſters Maintenance: But ſince we have a little Room we ſhall add ſome brief hints further, to ſhew the great charge and work of a true Goſpel Miniſter,and ſo conclude; that all may ſee how needful a thing it is, that every one take care to diſcharge their Duty in this matter to them, whereby alſo the Juſtneſs and Righteouſneſs of the Law, and appointment of God herein, may yet further appear to all.