holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Tit. 1. 7, 8, 9.

Q. What is incumbent on such to do?

A. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God: Acts 20. 28.

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Pet. 5. 1, 2, 3.

Q. Though they be not to lord over the flock, yet is there not a respect due to them in their place?

A. Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1 Tim. 5. 17.

Q. Albeit then, among true Christians, every one that believeth, is to have the witness in himself, being persuaded in himself by the Spirit; yet is there not also a real subjection to be to one another in the Lord?

A. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 1 Cor. 14. 32.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. Heb. 13. 17.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their works' sake. 1 Thes. 5. 12, 13.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder ; yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble. 1 Pet. 5. 5.

Q. How ought true teachers to minister in the church? A. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the

manifold grace of God. If any speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 4. 10, 11.

Q. I perceive then, that every true minister of the church of Christ, is to minister of the gift and grace of God, which he hath received: but some are of the judg ment, that natural wisdom or parts, and human learning, are the qualifications which are of absolute necessity for a minister; but grace they judge not to be so absolutely necessary, but that one may be a minister without it: what saith the scripture in this case?

A. A bishop must be blameless, sober, just, holy, temperate. Tit. 1. 7, 8.

Q. Methinks it is impossible for a man to be blameless, just, holy, sober and temperate, without the grace of God: so that if these qualifications be absolutely necessary, then surely, that without which a man cannot be so qualified, must be necessary also: but what saith the scripture, as to the necessity of natural wisdom, and human learning?

A. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. 1 Cor. 1. 20, 21.

Q. It seems then, the preachings of the true ministers are not gathered together by wisdom and learning: it hath been supposed that a man must be greatly skilled in learning, to make a good sermon? What is the apostle's judgment in the case?

A. For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Cor. 1. 17.

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling: and my speech, and my preaching, was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; that your faith should

not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2. 3, 4, 5.

Q. I perceive the apostle lays far more stress upon the demonstration and power of the Spirit in a preacher, than upon human literature: ought ministers then to preach as the Spirit teacheth them?

A. Also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. 1 Cor. 2. 13.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2. 4. Q. Is it Christ then that speaketh in and through his ministers?

A. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father, which speaketh in you. Mat. 10. 20.

For it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mark

13. 11.

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour, what ye ought to say. Luke 12. 12.

Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 2 Cor.

13. 3.

Q. What is the apostle's mind of that human learning, which some cry up so much, and think so needful in a minister?

A. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit; after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the word, and not after Christ. Col. 2. 8.

O Timothy! keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called. 1 Tim. 6. 20.

Q. Though true ministers speak not by the natural wisdom of men; yet, is their testimony altogether void of wisdom?

A. Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory. 1 Cor. 2. 6, 7.

Q. What is the reason, that man by his natural wisdom is not capable to minister in the things of God?

A. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man, which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2. 11, 14.

Q. These scriptures do sufficiently hold forth, that the true call to the ministry is from God; that which maketh a true minister, is the gift and grace of God; that the true and effectual preaching of a faithful minister is such, as is from the inward teaching and leading of the Spirit of God: But what say the scriptures touching the maintenance of ministers ?

A. Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Gal. 6. 6.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power, but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar, are partakers with the altar: even so hath the Lord. ordained, that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel. 1 Cor. 9. 11 to 14.

For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn; and, the labourer is worthy of his reward. 1 Tim. 5. 18.

Q. I perceive by these scriptures, that there lieth an obligation upon the saints, to help with outward things, such as truly minister unto them spiritual; but this seems to be voluntary: Ought not therefore true ministers to preach, whether they be sure of this or not? What saith the apostle of himself in this case; and what adviseth he others?

A. But I have used none of these things, neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me; for it were better for me to die, than that any man should

make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel, for if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me, what is my reward then? verily, that when I preach the gospel, I make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 1 Cor. 9. 15 to 18.

I have coveted no man's silver or gold, or apparel. Yea, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring, ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive. Acts 20. 33, 34, 35.

Q. It is observable, that the apostle every where makes special mention among the qualifications of teachers, that they be not given to filthy lucre: what ought we then to think of those teachers, who will not preach without hire? yea, that will by violence take from those who receive no spirituals from them? Are they like to be the ministers of Christ? or what else saith the scripture of such?

A. Yes, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough; and they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter. Isa. 56. 11.

As

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, woe be to the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves: Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock. I live, saith the Lord God, surely, because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock; but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock. Ezek. 34. 2, 3. 8.

Thus saith the Lord, concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they