Page:Brief historical relation of the life of Mr. John Livingston Minister of the Gospel.pdf/68

( 68 ) houſe, but I will have certain other officers? Or, would the master of a private family take it well, if another ſhould come and appoint him ſervants? Some think ſuch an officer a ſtrengthening of the civil powers greatly, but truly dominion in church-men hath been the greatest enemy that ever civil powers had; and if ye will go upon theſe terms, ye cannot avoid a pope. But you will perhaps ſay. May not miniſters be ſilent? What need have they to endanger their miniſtry, their family, and every thing elſe, by ſpeaking things that they had better forbear? Can they not hold themſelves ſatified with preaching faith and repentance? In ſo far, my friends, you ſay well; Faith and Repentance are very comprehenſive duties; and I confeſs I never delighted to hear a man, the moſt part of whoſe preaching is what they call, on the public, and meddling with State matters: But there are times and ſeaſons wherein a man’s ſilence may bring a curſe upon his head; As ſuppoſe there is a beſieged city, and a watchman with a guard let at the West-port, with a commiſſion to found the trumpet whenever he ſees any danger; according as it is in Nehemiah iv. and in the iii. and xxxiii. chapters of Ezekeil. Well, he ſeeth the enemy coming on; but, inſtead of holding by his inſtructions, he marches all his force to the Eaſt-port, which is the far ſtronger, and where there is no imminent danger; there he ſtands where there is none to oppoſe him, and in the mean time, the ſtation he was placed in, is deſerted, and the enemy comes in as a flood: Juſt ſo is it with the man who will preach only againſt popery, and meddle with no other controverſies; and it may be if popery come along, as indeed we have reaſon to believe it will be the next trial, then he will preach you good moral doctrine. Now, Can the man who believes ſo, be accounted Faithful? or can he look for a glad ſight of on his death-bed? When his Maſter ſhall ſay, Ha Sir, I know you well enough, ye did ſpeak indeed but never in a miſter; ye did ſpeak, as they uſe to ſay, when none ſpeired at you, ye were ſtout then; but when my cauſe came in hand, and when ye ought to have borne up my banner, ye would not; Therefore get you gone." And having ſo ſaid, he cloſed with prayer.