plicity and purity of the Gofpel, which requires us to worship the FATHER in the Name of CHRIST*. For these, and fuch like reafons, which are not founded upon fcruples relating to ceremonies, confidered in themselves, but upon a regard to what I apprehend the important principles of truth and christian liberty, I think it my duty, confidered either as a Minister, or a private Christian, to diffent from the Church established by Law †. By exercising my Miniftry among the Proteftant Diffenters, (which I defire to do peaceably, and in brotherly love to those of the Establishment, and all other Denominations) Ι appear publickly in behalf of the natural rights of men and chriftians; keep my own mind more open to conviction from reafon and the word of God, endeavour to promote the pure worship of the Gofpel, and can better use those means which I judge conducive to the great ends of religion. QUESTION IV. As an higher object of inquiry still, and as I doubt not but you can affign the most laudable motives and ends, will you acquaint us with those that have the principal influence upon your mind, in inclining you to ingage and proceed in the christian Ministry, rather than in any of the most neceffary, lawful, and profitable fecular imployments, for which abilities might equally qualify you? your AN * John xiv. 13, 14. xv. 16. xvi. 23, 24. 26. Eph. iii. 21. Matth. x. 32, 33. &c. Mark viii. 38. Luke ix. 26. xii. 8, 9. ANSWER. Though I judge many other imployments lawful and honourable, yet the facred Miniftry appears to me above all, to afford advan tages for promoting the scheme of God's righteous and beneficent government, and answering most compleatly the principal ends for which we are all fent into this world, viz. to improve our own natures in holiness, and affift others in improving theirs. The confideration of which, I truft, has had the principal influence in determining me to ingage, and chearfully to proceed, in the work of the chriftian Ministry, rather than the most profitable fecular imployment, in which I might, perhaps, with equal application have fucceeded. QUESTION V. Will you confider yourself, in what you are doing, as coming under a folemn obligation of attending, with a confcientious diligence and fincerity, to all the great duties and purposes of the chriftian Ministry, in the various occafions and circumftances wherein divine Providence may direct you; of preferving an exemplary behaviour in your life, of living in harmony with your Brethren, as far as in you lies, in inoffenfiveness and peace with your fellow chriftians of other Denominations, and in christian charity and benevolence towards all men, utterly disclaiming all perfecuting principles and practices in every degree and and kind? And as difficulties and difcouragements may arife, fome of which may be forefeen, and others not, may we not hope, that you have confidered this, and that you ftand prepared and determined in your own mind, in humble dependence upon the divine affiftance, to acquit yourself with integrity in the fervice of your and our great Lord and Judge, that you may be approved by him at his appearing, and, as a good and faithful fervant, enter into your Master's joy? ANSWER. I confider myself as a disciple and Minifter of Jefus Chrift; and would be looked upon as publickly acknowledging myself under the moft facred obligations to obey his laws, to profefs his religion, and to the utmost of my ability, promote the interest of his kingdom, which is a kingdom of purity, peace, and love, to the end of my life. Though gratitude obligeth me to acknowledge, that through my fituation in this Society, and the countenance and friendship of those with whom I have been, and am principally connected, I have experienced few difficulties, and may hope for further peace and comfort from the fame means; yet I am not infenfible that difficulties generally attend a faithful discharge of the ministerial office, and that various difcouragements may arise in the courfe of Providence. But I trust that by attending with prudence to the duties of of my station, and paying a due regard to the advice of my worthy Brethren in the Miniftry, and other chriftian friends, efpecially by humbly imploring the affiftance of God, I fhall be furnished with wifdom and fortitude fufficient for every exigency; enabled to maintain my fidelity, difcharge my duty with diligence and fuccefs, and finith my courfe with the joyful expectation of a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge will give unto all his faithful fervants, at the great day of retribution. With a view to which important ends, I defire the further prayers and inftructions of you my Fathers in the Miniftry. |