Haw Pa l iors /beuld demean in Scbt[rns. 3 t 5 . DIRECT. I. Let it be our ftrit care to know and do our owes duty , for the frengthening and unì-. tin of the people : when we tee their weaknefs anddivi fons , let to firft examine and judge our felves, and lament andreform our ownnegleUs. THat the flateof the flocks loth ufually fol= low the mate of the Paflors, is known by the experience ofail the Churches, in all ages and places of the world. Where there is a holy, faith- ful, able, diligent, concerdaut Minifiry, there is ufually a reformed and agreeing people. And where there is an ignorant, lazy, formal, ungod- ly and contentious Mi.niftery, there is either a people divided , or elfe agreeing in ignorance, formality and .ungodlinefs. At leaf" iffuck a Mi-. niflry have been long among them. And we need no other proof of this, and of the chief caufe of the peoples divifìons and mi- flakes, than the accufations and charges of the Miniflers again{{ each others On every fide it is the Pat-tors of the flocks that are accufed , by thofe of theadverfe party, as the chief offenders. One fide faith, It is you that teach the people er-. roars, and p~t fcruples into their minds, and lead them into contempt of order and authority ! And the other fide faith, It is you that proud( y ufurp
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