[ 1582] The Ministers calling, to be owned from God.
VVHen the Danites asked the Levite in Mount Ephraim, Who brought him thither? and what he made in that place? he made no other answer, but that Micah had hired him, and dealt well with him, &c. he knew well enough that he put himself there, sought for the place himself, It was main∣tenance that brought him thither: His own Conscience told him, He was an Hireling, he came not in by the door, but at the Window, he could not say that the Lord brought him thither.* 1.1 And thus it is, that no Man can be said to enter into the Ministery in a right way, but by God; he must have his letters of Or∣ders from him, his Institution and Induction from him, he must not intrude into Gods heritage,* 1.2 It must not be gain that makes him take up a Living, not ad∣vantage that makes him chop and change, he that doth so, never went to Christ f••r approbation; And whereas it is said of the Apostles, that the Rulers and El∣ders perceived, that they had been with Iesus; no Man by his life or doctrine can perceive that he had been with Iesus, that ever he had any allowance from him, and yet he will be crowding into the Ministry.