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Ministers to be acquainted with the state of Mens Souls. [ 1490]
MEn are careful that the Physitian should be well and throughly acquainted with the Constitution of their bodies,* 1.1 before he administer any Physick un∣to them; And their case shall be fully known to their Lawyer, before he come to plead it; Nay, if their ••aylor come but to make them a Suit of Cloaths for their bodies, he must be sure to take exact measure: Thus solicitous are Men in corporal things; and it would be better with them in their spiritual estates, did they but know them that labour amongst them, such as are set over them in the Lord. Would they but acquaint themselves with their Ministers,* 1.2 it would much advantage their poor Souls. Da••id knew this well, and though he was a Prophet himself, yet he kept three Seers and Prophets about him,* 1.3 Nathan,* 1.4 Gad, and Ieduthun; the reason was, that they might know him well, and so far observe his wayes, that they might do more good by their Ministery; For in∣deed, How is it possible, that they that are strangers to Men, and know not their wayes, should ever apply the doctrine so particularly, or meet so well with their speciall and beloved Sins, as they would the more exactly do, were they better acquainted with them.