[ 1044] The Ministers duty.
IT is reported of the Nobles of Polonia,* 1.1 that when the Gospel is read, they clap their hands upon their swords, and begin to draw them out; intimating that by that Ceremony their resolution to defend the faith, and willingnesse to hazard their lives for the Gospels safety:* 1.2 Thus God hath given every Minister a sword to slay Agag and all his Cattle, originall impurity, and all his droves of unhallowed thoughts; he must maintain the Faith, by preaching truth, and confuting errour; by commending virtue, and disparaging vice; by confirming the weak, and con∣founding the obstinate; by proving of Orthodox conclusions, approving Innocency and goodness, improving labour and pains, reproving sinne and prophanenesse; If he do otherwise, he is not Praeco but Praedo, not a Pastor but Impostor; not a keeper, but a deceiver of the People.