A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE

OR,

THE COUNTRY PARSON

HIS CHARACTER, &c.

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 containes the direct steps of Pastorall Duty and Auc-
tority. 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 hee 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 [v.24]
to the Colossians plainly avoucheth, that he fils up that which
is behinde of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh, for his Bodie's
sake, which is the Church. Wherein is contained the complete
definition of a Minister. Out of this Chartre of the Priest-
hood 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 auctority, 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.