9. Some so great strangers to Scripture, that except in their publike Ministerie, though they read many things, yet they are little conversant in the Scripture, and in meditation thereof. A dutie incumbent to all the people of God. _In our Callings._ 1. Corrupt entry into the Ministrie in former times, and following the course of defection, though forsaken, yet never seriously repented: as also present entring into the Ministery, as to a way of living in the world, and not as to a spirituall calling. 2. Helping in, and holding in of insufficient and suspected men, who favour the things of this life and keeping the door straiter on them whom God hath sealed, then upon these who have lesse evidence of the power of grace and holinesse. 3. Partiality in favouring, and speaking for the scandalous, whether Ministers or other persons, teaching them how to shift and delay censures. 4. Silence in the publike cause, not labouring to cure the disaffection of people, not urging them to constancie and patience in bearing of publike burdens, nor to forwardnesse in the publike Cause; whereby Malignants are multiplied: yea some are so grosse herein, that even in publike Fasts little or nothing is to be heard from them sounding this way. 5. Some account it a point of wisdome to speak ambiguously: some incline to justifie the wicked cause, uttering words which favour of disaffection: and all their complaining of the times, is in such a way as may steal the hearts of people from liking of good Instruments in this work, and consequently from Gods Cause: yea, some reading publike Orders, are ready to speak against them in their private conferences. 6. Idlenesse, either in seldome Preaching, as once on The Lords day, or in preparation for publike duties, not being given to reading and meditation: others have but fits of paines, not like other Tradesmen continually at their work. 7. Want of zeal, and love to the conversion of souls, not being weighted with the want of successe in reclaiming of sinners, nor searching in themselves the cause of not profiting, preaching _ex officio_; nor _ex conscientia officii_. 8. Self-seeking in preaching, and a venting rather of their wit and skill, then a Shewing foorth of the wisdome and power of God. 9. Lifelesnesse in preaching, not studying to be furnished by Christ with power; and so the ordinance of God teacheth not to the conscience: and thereto belongeth the not applying of the doctrine unto the auditory and times. 10. The indiscreet curing of the indiscretion of pious people and Ministers, whereby godlinesse hath gotten a deep wound, and profanitie hath lifted up the head, contrary to that wise and gracious order set foorth in the Generall Assembly holden at _Edinburgh_, 1641. 11. Little care to furnish our Armie, either abroad or at home with Ministers; One of our grievous sins and causes of our calamity.