Page:Events & appearances of the present times.pdf/8

( 8 ) church of Christ; because, the holy communion of the established churches, are more conformed to the spirit and principles of the nation, than the spirit of grace and the simple principles of christianity. Teachers and pastors are admitted into the churches established by law, by the leading powers of the nations, and according to the rules of national policy, and not called by the flock of Christ, as the only judges who know his voice and will not follow strangers. The ministers in establifhed churches are supported by the nations and not by the milk of the christian flock; though the labourers have a legal right to their hire, yet I see no other reason for any gospel minister having an established tiend, or salary, but a greed of filthy lucre.

To speak of tiends is Jewish, where a a whole tribe, or twelve, were employed; in the christian dispensation all is plain and simple; one person in proper conveniency may teach and administer all the gospel ordinances to one thousand, at least; three or five hundred can come to one minister, how unjust, that he should live to the tenth income