*

receives a place to arise, and becometh a holy birth, and geniture in man; and is that divine air, in and by which man's soul and spirit comes to be leavened; and by waiting therein, he comes to be accepted in the sight of God, to stand in his presence, hear his voice, and observe the motions of his holy Spirit."

MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS.

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Page 43, his 10th charge, is in these words: "The Quakers teach that ministers ought not to receive money for "preaching the gospel, thereby contradicting what the apostle saith, even so hath "the Lord ordained that they which preach "the gospel should live of the gospel. "they live up to their doctrine in this, it "would be an high recommendation for "them; but alas! it is not so for they "take money and say they do not, which "looks like untruth."

Did

This is a singular charge; first, to blame

*Note this passage is the only authority Hibbard refers to for his second charge against the Quakers>

f Cor. ix. 14.

us for teaching that ministers ought not to receive money for preaching, saying, it is contrary to what the apostle saith, and then to assert, that it would be an high recommendation to us did we live up to this doctrine, though contradicting the apostle. But, let us hear what our Saviour says on this subject, when he sent forth the twelve apostles to preach; namely, "freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass, in your purses-for the workman is worthy of his meat." Here we have, from the highest authority, clear directions for the conduct of ministers in this respect. And all that is provided is accommodations while travelling and so engaged in the ministry as to be prevented from attending to their temporal concerns. This we adopt in our practice. Nor do we believe, that Paul intended any thing more than this as relates to the accommodation of ministers, when he told the Corinthians, they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. And this supposition is fully confirmed by Paul's other declarations on this subject, viz." I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves

Mat. x. 8, 10:

me.

know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with 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.". The same apostle, we find, wrought at tent-making, even when out in the service of the ministry: and, speaking of himself, and fellow labourers, says, " and labour, working with our own hands."-again, Labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you."

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We conceive there is nothing in all these passages, or any other part of the New Testament, that will warrant paying ministers for preaching; and, therefore, we decline doing it, either directly or indirectly.

Let us now take a full view of the apostle's declaration, above noticed: "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

h Acts xx. 33, to 35.
k1 Cor iv. 12.

i Acts xviii. 3.

1 Thes. ii. 9.

preach the gospel, should live of the gospel."

I conceive this declaration of the apostle, hath also a more deep and excellent meaning, than the accommodation of these bodies even as the priests, the ministers of the Lord, under the law, had a certain portion of the offerings reserved to them, so, likewise, the ministers of the gospel are made partakers of that which is committed to them to communicate to the people; and as the portion of the priests formerly was of the same nature and kind with the offering, so, as the offerings of a gospel minister are of a spiritual nature, such also must his portion or reward be: and this reward, which the true gospel ministers experience, as far transcends the portion of the priests formerly, as the gospel is more excellent than the law.

Preaching is only efficacious in proportion as it is attended with the influence of the holy spirit. Human learning and eloquence are not essential to gospel ministry. Had they been so, surely Christ would not have chosen such as fishermen and tax gatherers for the glorious work of propagating his gospel. And seeing the christian religion is the same now as ever, and the object of it

J

the same, we believe that no other means are now necessary to qualify for the vocation of a minister: and, therefore, we never put our children to any study for literary acquirements to qualify them for the ministry; believing those who have a right qualification, receive it immediately from Christ; and having freely received, they are bound to give the same freely. And our ministers, when not called forth to labour in the gospel, apply themselves to different occupations for their own and families support, like the rest of their brethren. We consider them upon equal ground with the other membersof society, entitled to the same privileges in all our meetings for discipline, and no more.

Our ministers make no rules for their own, or the society's government; but are subject to the same regulations that govern the imembers at large; and these are concluded on by the yearly meeting, which is composed of our members without distinction.

Hibbard alleges, pages 43 and 44," They "take money and say they do not, which

"looks like untruth. But when we hear "their explanation we must not judge them "quite so.

The reader may hear their de