Page images
PDF
EPUB

privately, and to enjoin them to do it: holding this for true generally, that public prayer alone to such persons is no prayer at all.

I have given thee only these lineaments of his mind, and thou mayest fully serve thyself of this book, in what virtue of his thy soul longeth after. His practice it was, and his character it is, his as author, and his as object: yet, lo, the humility of this gracious man! He had small esteem of this book, and but very little of his poems. Though God had magnified him with extraordinary gifts, yet said he, "God has broken into my study, and taken "off my chariot-wheels; I have nothing worthy of God." And yet this lowliness in his own eyes doth more advance their worth and his virtues.

I have done, when I have besought the reverend fathers, some cathedral, ecclesiastical, and academical men, (which ranks the modest author meddles not with,) to draw ideas for their several orders respectively. (Why should papists (as Timpius) be more careful or painful in this kind than we?) If it do no other good, yet will it help on in the way of repentance, by discovery of former mistakes or neglects; which is the greatest, if not the only good that can now probably be hoped for out of this tract: which being writ nigh twenty years since, will be less subject to misconstruction. The good Lord prosper it according to the pious intent of the author, and hearty wishes of the prefacer; who confesses himself unworthy to carry out the dung of God's sacrifices.

[blocks in formation]

29.

in contempt.

with his churchwardens.

30. The parson's consideration of Providence.

31. The parson in liberty.

32. The parson's surveys.

33.

34.

35.

library.

dexterity in applying of remedies.
condescending.

36. The parson blessing. 37. Concerning detraction.

A

PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE;

OR THE

COUNTRY PARSON,

HIS CHARACTER, AND RULE OF HOLY LIFE.

CHAP. I.

Of a pastor.

A PASTOR is the deputy of Christ for the reducing of man to the obedience of God. This definition is evident, and contains the direct steps of pastoral duty and authority. For first, man fell from God by disobedience. Secondly, Christ is the glorious instrument of God for the revoking of man. Thirdly, Christ being not to continue on earth, but, after he had fulfilled the work of reconciliation, to be received up into heaven, he constituted deputies in his place, and these are priests. And therefore St. Paul in the beginning of his Epistles professeth this; and in the first to the Colossians plainly avoucheth, that he fills up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh, for his body's sake, which is the church: wherein is contained the complete definition of a minister. Out of this charter of the priesthood may be plainly gathered both the dignity thereof, and the duty: the dignity, in that a priest may do that which Christ did, and by his authority, and as his vicegerent. The duty, in that a priest is to do that which Christ did, and after his manner, both for doctrine and life.

CHAP. II.

Their diversities.

pre

OF pastors, (intending mine own nation only, and also therein setting aside the right reverend prelates of the church, to whom this discourse ariseth not,) some live in the universities, some in noble houses, some in parishes residing on their cures. Of those that live in the universities, some live there in office, whose rule is that of the apostle, Rom. xii. 6. Having gifts differing, according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching, &c. he that ruleth, let him do it with diligence, &c. Some in a preparatory way, whose aim and labour must be not only to get knowledge, but to subdue and mortify all lusts and affections; and not to think, that when they have read the fathers, or schoolmen, a minister is made, and the thing done. The greatest and hardest paration is within: for, Unto the ungodly saith God, Why dost thou preach my laws, and takest my covenant in thy mouth? Psalm 1. 16. Those that live in noble houses are called chaplains, whose duty and obligation being the same to the houses they live in, as a parson's to his parish, in describing the one, (which is indeed the bent of my discourse,) the other will be manifest. Let not chaplains think themselves so free as many of them do, and, because they have different names, think their office different. Doubtless they are parsons of the families they live in, and are entertained to that end, either by an open or implicit covenant. Before they are in orders, they may be received for companions, or discoursers; but after a man is once minister, he cannot agree to come into any house, where he shall not exercise what he is, unless he forsake his plough, and look back. Wherefore they are not to be over-submissive, and base, but to keep up with the lord and lady of the house, and to preserve a boldness with them and all, even so far as reproof to their very face, when occasion calls, but seasonably and discreetly. They who do not thus, while they remember their earthly lord, do much forget their heavenly: they wrong the priesthood, neglect their duty, and shall be so far from that which they seek with their over-submissiveness and cringeing, that they shall ever be despised. They who for the hope of

[ocr errors]
« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »