Meantime you are sensible, love does not forbid, but rather require plainness of speech. Has it not often constrained you as well as me, to lay aside not only disguise, but reserve also? And _by manifestation of the truth to commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God_? And while I endeavour to do this, let me earnestly entreat you, for the love of God, for the love of your own soul, for the love of the souls committed to your charge, yea, and of the whole church of _Christ_, do not bias your mind, by thinking _who_ it is that speaks; but impartially consider, _what_ is spoken. And if it be false or foolish, reject it: but do not reject _the words of truth and soberness_. My first design was, to offer a few plain thoughts to the clergy of our own church only. But upon farther reflection, I see no cause for being so _straitened in my own bowels_. I am a debtor to all: and therefore though I primarily speak to them with whom I am more immediately connected, yet I would not be understood to exclude any, of whatsoever denomination, whom God has called to _watch over the souls of others, as they that must give account_. In order to our giving this account with joy, are there not two things which it highly imports us to consider, _first_, What manner of men ought we to be? _Secondly_, Are we such, or are we not? I. And, _first_, If we are _overseers over the church of God, which he hath bought with his own blood_, what manner of men ought we to be, in _gifts_ as well as in _grace_? (1.) To begin with _gifts_, and 1. with those that are from _nature_. Ought not a minister to have, _1st_, A good understanding? A clear apprehension, a sound judgment, and a capacity of reasoning with some closeness? Is not this necessary in an high degree for the work of the ministry? Otherwise how will he be able to understand the various states of those under his care? Or to steer them through a thousand difficulties and dangers, to the haven where they would be? Is it not necessary, with respect to the numerous enemies whom he has to encounter? Can a fool cope with all the men that know not God? And with all the spirits of darkness? Nay, he will neither be aware of the devices of _Satan_, nor the craftiness of his children. _2dly_, Is it not highly expedient that a guide of souls should have likewise some liveliness and readiness of thought? Or how will he be able, when need requires, to _answer a fool according to his folly_? How frequent is this need? Seeing we almost every where meet with those empty, yet petulant creatures, who are far _wiser in their own eyes, than seven men that can render a reason_. Reasoning therefore is not the weapon to be used with them. You cannot deal with them thus. They scorn being _convinced_; nor can they be _silenced_, but in their own way.