Baxter - Houston-Packer Collection BX5151 .B3 1659

(z,9 ) the work. Many able painfull Miniflers of Civil} , that thirfl for mens falvation, do go up and down among the ignorant or weak, andpreach in feafon and out of feafon , notwithflanding the burden of their particular flocks , which they faithfully bear. 9.33 ,And the parts and gracesofthefe men do win them audi- ence and-rcfped where they come, without any Humane Au- thority to awe men. In almofl all parts of our Countrey we have either fettled or movable Leflures : and when do we lee a thin Congregation before a lively rowling Minifler , or any manof great ability in the work ? No,but we fee theTemples crowded ; and find that the people reverence and hearken to fuch men as there, in whom the Spirit ofGod appears. 9. 34Yea and theMiniflers themfelves will confult with the Wife, and Love thegood,and learnof chore that are ableff to teach them : and imitate the ablelt preachers as ricer as they can. So that I may truly fay, that there is a certain kind of Natural, or rather,fpiriival Epifcopacyeverywhere exercifed in the Church. A great light that burneth and fhineth above others, will draw the eyes ofmany to it : and if it be let on a hile it will hardly be hid. Calvin was no Prelate ; andyet his Gifts procured him that Intereft, by which he prevailed more then Prelates for the conformity ofthe minds of many to his own. There is fcarce a Country but hath force able judicious Minifter, who hath the In>ereff of a Bithop with the reft ; though he have no higher an office then themfelves. Gods Graces deferve and will procure refpeFt.Even inCivil Councils,Courts,Committees, we fee that force one of leading parts, is theHeadofthe reft though their authority be equal. 35. And incited the conveniences and inconveniences are fuch on both fides, that it is not an eafie matter to determine, Whether appointed Vi/tsrs or Superintendents, be more defirable then the,/e eArbitrary Irifstors that have the Natural.Epifcopacy ofInterefi procuredby theirmeer abilities.On the one fide,ifMagi- firates appoint loch Vifitors, the people, yeaand many Minifters will the more eafily fubmit, and hear ,and obey, and moreunani- rioufly concur, then if we offer our aflìftance without any fuch appointment : Thats the convenience : But then heres the in- convenience:Thc Magiftrate may choofe an unworthy man, and then

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=