The True Christians T est, Part 2 · Meditation 17
MEDITAT. XVII. Of Chaplains.
THE Employment of a Chaplain is accounted Honourable, by vertue of the Relation that they bear to Princes, or Peers, or Perſons of great Eſtate of Quality: But it ſeems to be more Honourable, upon the account of the Relation th… they bear to the great God, whoſe Agents and … they are. For as the Paſtors and Rectors of … and Pariſhes are accounted God's … even by Scripture Authority; ſo theſe … may well …e accounted his Nuncio's or Envoys, and their duty, no doubt, is to deliver Errands from God, to them that are called gods, but muſt die like men. And they ſeem to have a greater advantage, and a fair…r oppartunity of doing Good, than their Brethren.
If Timothy, who, for ought I can perceive, was no Chaplain, was yet charg'd to charge the Great and Rich to be Humble and Religious; much more is it the Duty of theſe, who may have the care of their Prince or Patron, when the Biſhop or the Paſtor cannot. And to be the Inſtrument of converting one Prince and his Court, yea, or one Peer and his Family, to the ſerious and diligent Service of God, of how great Honour and Uſe would this be! Oh that all our Chaplains would propound to themſelves the Prophet Nathan for their pattern; and his ſucceſs in bringing David to Repentance would be for their Encouragement.
It is not fit indeed to be ſo Clowniſh, as to ſay to Princes, Ye are wicked; but yet it is fit enough to ſay, Ye are the men, with Nathan; and with Elijah, Ye are the troublers of Iſrael. And the ſame Elihu ſays, It is not fit to give flattering Titles to men. I would fain know of theſe men, if they do not charge their Patrons, and warn them, who ſhall; and where their Blood will be required, if they die in their Sins?
I hope there are many upright men in this Relation in the World, who deſign not ſo much to live upon their Patrons, as that their Patrons may live to God; to ſanctifie their Tables, rather than to be fed at them.
But if there be any that prefer Eaſe and Secular Advantage, before the Diſcharge of a good Conſcience; that ſeek to be accepted of their Patrons, more than to approve themſelves to God, their great Maſter, the Sacredneſs of their Function will not excuſe them from being Lovers of the World.
What then ſhall we think of thoſe, That becauſe One puts into their Mouths and Purſes, are ſilent, and ſay nothing, or to no purpoſe, in matters that ought to be ſpoken loud and often, plainly and frequently; and ſo for a Bribe, betray the Souls of them, whom they are entertain'd on purpoſe to preſerve; or, as the Text ſpeaks, Tranſgreſs for a morſel of Bread. That ſtand by and ſee the Sinful, Senſual, Proud, Covetous, Prophane Converſation of their Patrons, and of their Families and Retinue, and never yet ſo much as once Expoſtulate with them, as Eli, Why do ye ſuch things? Nor ſoftly whiſper in their Ears, Nay, my Brethren, do not ſo wickedly. Such a Chaplain was Amaziah, who propheſied at Bethel.
And what of thoſe, that do plainly encourage their Patrons to Pride, Idleneſs, Exceſs, Oppreſſion, and to a Formality and Indifference in Religion; perſuading them, that ſo much Strictneſs and Exactneſs does not become their Quality; magnifying an Half-faced Devotion for perfect; and that for a very good Deed, which they know is done by halves?
And what of thoſe, who run into the ſame Exceſs of Riot, the ſame Senſuality, it may be into the ſame Prophaneneſs too, for Compliance-ſake, and to humour thoſe upon whom they have dependance?
Such a Chaplain was the young Levite of Bethlehem Judah, who, for a Suit of Apparel, and about Twenty ſhillings a Year, and his Victuals, did not ſtick at any Idolatry that his Maſter Micah was given to, Judges 17.
In any way to prefer Self-Entertainment or Advancement, or the Humouring, Pleaſuring, or Gratifying of Men, before the Exerciſe of Grace, the uſing of a good Conſcience, the Reformation of Sin, the Promotion of Godlineſs, and the Advancement of the Glory of God, is a Symptom of a Worldly Mind; though it be found amongſt Paſtors of Congregations, or Chaplains of Families.