2 50 The Gofpel of the Sin-Offering. worfe than in other Men ; and that efpecially in two Refpe&s, which are both hinted in theText. r. Becaufe of their anointing or feparation unto Office,. whereby they eland nearer to God than others do, being to Minifter to him in biz Holy things. 2. Becaufe their Sins and Errors have ufually a very pernicious Influ- ence-upon the People, either td feduce or fcandalize them. Many will be ready to follow their pernicious ways. Hence fome read and un- derhand the words, verf. 3. If he Sin, to eagle the People to err, or to bring publick judgments upon them. Hence many are fo apt to plead ; Such a Minifter thinks it lawful, and fuch a one does it, and why may not I ? See i Sam. 2. 17, 24. how the Sins of Minifters do fcandalize the Peo- ple, caufing them to tranfgrefs force of them in like manner, and o- thers to abhor and defpife the Ordinances of the Lord : And this makes Minifters Sins great before the Lord. But People fhould confider, that an anointed Prteft may Sin and Err, and their Errors oftentimes do much hurt. This is a fecond, Inftrucaion. '3 The whole Church may err, verf. 13. This is another Aflértion of the Papifts, That their Church cannot err.: A orange and wonderful Affertion. Did not the whole Church err, when they crucified Chrift ? And they did err Fundamentally ; yet the jeers were then the only true Church and People of God in the World. Therefore it is very unfafe to pin your Faith upon the Churches Sleeve, or upon the Miniflers Sleeve either : For both Church and Minifter may err. It is not fafe to be led meerly by Multitude or by Example; Exod. 23. 2. Thou (halt not follow a multi- tude to do Evil, neither (halt thou %peak in a Caufe to decline after many to roreft judgment. Yea, a true Church may in Time err fo far, and degenerate fodeep- ly, as that they may ceafe to be a Church. As the Church of the zeros for Inftance. The Lord bath faid unto the Houfe of Ifrael, as be threatned by the Prophet -Holea, Lo- ruhamab and Lo-ammi. I will not have Mercy on you ; and you are not my People, Hof. r. 6, 9. and Cap. 2. 2. Plead with your Mother, plead : for fhe is not my Wife, neither am I her Husband. The Church of the two Tribes alfo, are now in the fame Condition with the other Ten. Zech. r t. 10. And I took my Staff, even Beauty, and cut it afunder, that I might break my Cove- nant winch I had made with all the People. The meaning is, that he would difcovenant and unchurch them ; but yet he will at left rettore %hem. But would yon-fee an Inftanëe of a Church which God bath rete and.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=