OF Pastors (intending mine own Nation only, and also therein setting aside the Reverend Prelates of the Church, to whom this discourse ariseth not) some live in the Universities, some in Noble houses, some in Parishes residing on their Cures. Of those that live in the Universities, some live there in office, whose rule is that of the Apostle; Rom. 12.6. Having gifts differing, according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministring, or he that teacheth, on teaching, &c. he that ruleth, let him do it with diligence, &c. Some in a preparatory way, whose aim and labour must be not only to get knowledge, but to subdue and mortifie all lusts and affections: and not to think, that when they have read the Fathers, or Schoolmen, a Minister is made, and the thing done. The greatest and hardest preparation is within: For, Unto the ungodly, saith God, Why dost thou preach my Laws, and takest my Covenant in thy mouth? Psal. 50.16. Those that live in Noble Houses are called Chaplains, whose duty and obligation being the same to the Houses they live in, as a Parsons to his Parish, in describing the one (which is indeed the bent of my Discourse) the other will be manifest. Let not Chaplains think themselves so free, as many of them do, and because they have different Names, think their Office different. Doubtlesse they are Parsons of the families they live in, and are entertained to that end, either by an open, or implicite Covenant. Before they are in Orders, they may be received for Companions, or discoursers; but after a man is once Minister, he cannot agree to come into any house, where he shall not exercise what he is, unlesse he forsake his plough, and look back. Wherfore they are not to be over-submissive, and base, but to keep up with the Lord and Lady of the house, and to preserve a boldness with them and all, even so farre as reproofe to their very face, when occasion cals, but seasonably and discreetly. They who do not thus, while they remember their earthly Lord, do much forget their heavenly; they wrong the Priesthood, neglect their duty, and shall be so farre from that which they seek with their over-submissivenesse, and cringings, that they shall ever be despised. They who for the hope of promotion neglect any necessary admonition, or reproofe, Sell (with Judas) their Lord and Master.

Herbert begins with the general work of ministry, taking time to comment briefly on the work in the different settings before dealing specifically with the work of the pastor of a church. In doing so he reminds us that the ordained minister is the same position, although the different tasks and contexts require specific applications of the ministry of Word and Sacrament.

Two things stand out to me, ‘The greatest and hardest preparation is within’. Herbert points out that a minister cannot think their education, reading the Church Fathers and the Scholastic Theologians (Schoolmen) is all the preparation that is needed, but rather they must work to ‘subdue and mortifie all lusts and affections’. As Jeff commented in a previous post ‘Perhaps as deputies, the first men and women we reduce to obedience is ourselves?’ I find especially interesting that Herbert writes this in context of discussing the work of Professors as Ministers serving by teaching in higher education.

The other noteworthy advice is about chaplains, but applicable to all in ministry. The minister is not to be subservient to his charge. This would be particularly tempting to a chaplain of a wealthy family, but Herbert reminds us that although we serve our people (whether a congregation or a household) we ultimately serve God and should not back down from speaking and doing what God requires even at the risk of offending those who pay our salary. To not offer reproof when necessary for fear of losing a position or for the ‘hope of promotion’ is to betray the true Lord we serve.

(The photo is Rural Church by Richard Lowkes)