OF SPIRITUAL BIINDEDNESS. 22g thing more uncouth, absurd, and shameful, nothing more opposite to the intimation of the wisdom and will of God, in his dealings with those first and most honorable dispensers of it, than for such persons to seek and follow greedily after secular advantages, in worldly powers, riches, wealth, and honor. Hence there hathbeen, in former ages, an endeavor to separate suchpersons as were by any means dedicated to the ministry of the gospel from all secular dignities and revenues. Yea, some maintained, that they were to enjoy nothing of their own, but were to live on alms, . or the free contributions of thepeople.. But this was quickly- condemned as heresy, in Wickliff and others. Yet another sort set up, that would pretend thereto, as tothemselves, though they would not oblige all others to the same rule. This produced some swarms of beg- ging friars, whom they of the church, who were in possession of wealth and power, thought meet to laugh at and let alone ; of late years this contest is at an end. The clergy have happily gotten thevictory, and esteem all due to them, that they can by any ways obtain; nor is there anygreater crime, than for aman to be otherwise minded. But these things are not our- present concernment. From the beginning it was not so. And it is well if, in such away, men are able to maintain the frame of mind inquired after, which is life and peace. Thirdly. God continues to cast contempt on these things, bygiving always incomparably the greatest por- tion of them to the vilest men, and his own avowed enemies. This was a temptation under the old cove- nant, but is highly instructive under the new. None willjudge those things to be of real value, which 'a wiseman casts out daily unto swine, making little or 20
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