A DISCOVERY After some search of the SINS OF THE MINISTERS, Because of which (as we conceive) the Lord is angry, and hath almost made his Ministers and Ordinances vile and contemptible.  
BY THE BRETHREN OF THE PRESBYTERY Of KILMARNOCK.  
Printed Anno Dom. 1651.   

A DISCOVERY After some search of the Sins of the MINISTERS,  
Because of which (as we conceive) the Lord is angry, and hath almost made his Ministers and Ordinances vile and contemptible.  

I. SECTION.  
I. IN relation to our calling to the Ministry; Entering to the Ministry without the knowledge of Gods sending. 2. Not seeking Con●●●nations and seals of our mission in the Consciences of the People, or in our own further growth and fitting for the Mnistery.   

II. SECTION.  
II. In relation to Preaching. 1. Going out with little preparation, trusting to gifts and parts, and growing lazy in preparing to speak to edification. 2. Where pains is taken for preparation, trusting to it, whereby God is provoked to blast good matter well ordered and worded.  
III. Neglect of Prayer. 1. In study and preparation, the ●atter we bring forth, is not seriously recommended to God, 〈◊〉 be quickened to his People. 2. In our Prayers for assistance, being more set upon assistance to the Messenger, nor to the Message which we carry, not caring what become of the Word, if we be with some measure of assistance and liberty carried on in the duty. 3. Neglect of Prayer for the fruit and blessing of the Word which we have preached, that it may receive the early and latter rain. 4. Neglect of applications to God for the knowledge of his mind in debateable matters.  
IU. Not meaning and aiming every word we speak to edification, but bringing forth many things in the Name of th● Lord, which are not aimed at profit.  
V Speaking rashly and by guess in the Name of the Lord things that are plausible; and in many things not bringing from the Lord, th●t which we speak; a sin pointed at by the Lord, in his disappointing that which so many spoke confidently of the success of our Army, against those that have invaded us.  
VI Too much frequent and unnecessary speaking of public transactions in Sermons, neglecting to set forth the excellency of Christ, the new Covenant, etc.  
VII. Preaching against public sins, neither in such a way, nor for such an end as we ought, for the gaining of souls, and drawing Men out of their sin, but rather because it is of our concernment, to say something, and have a byblow or wipe at them, reproving the evils of the time to please men.  
VIII. Want of bowels in preaching toward them who are in hazard to perish.  
IX. We preach not as before God, but as to men, as doth appear, by the different pains of our preparation, to speak to our ordinary Hearers, and to others to whom we would approve ourselves.  
X. Too much eyeing our own credit and applause, and being tickled with it when we get it, or unsatisfied when it is wanting.  
XI. Neglect of endeavours to have our hearts affected with the power, either in preparation, or delivering of the Word which we preach at ordinary and extraordinary occasions; but for most part preach, as if we ourselves were not concerned in the Message which we carry to the People.   

III. SECTION.  
In relation to the Judicatories of the Church, and their Constitutions. 1. Idolising the Authority of Assemblies, so that no difference from their conclusions have been accounted tolerable, because of which, God hath spotted our Assemblies.  
II. Not making Conscience of keeping and waiting the meetings of Church-Judicatories, but wearying of the expense and attendance, because of which, divers things therein treated of, have been miscarried.  
III. hasty concluding of Acts, and pressing obedience thereunto, without convincing grounds, held forth from the Scriptures, for satisfying the Consciences of the Lords People.  
iv Neglect of making application to God, for the knowledge of his mind, in debatable things, before they pass into conclusions  
V Wearying to hear men fully, who present doubts, and to weigh all the arguments that can be presented for the negative, before the affirmative be taken into consideration.  
VI Impatience to wait for clear and deliberate bringing of matters to a conclusion, with passionate hasting to carry things by a plurality.  
VII. Binding the People of GOD, with straight and binding Acts, in things unnecessary.  
VIII. Blind following of leading men in Judicatories, without persuasion of the matter, and oftentimes with a hint and doubting of Conscience smothered.  
IX. Want of Faithfulness and tenderness, both in bringing in, & holding in persons, in the ministry, not trying the reality of the Work of God, in those that enter into the Ministry.   

iv SECTION  
In relation, to the exercise of Discipline, and drawing forth the Censures of the Church. 1. Partiality in the administration of Censures, with respect of persons, not using the like faithfulness and zeal towards the high and low.  
II. Not making use of the Ordinances of Discipline, for the gaining of Souls, but turning it in a mere civil punishment, and in the administration thereof, becoming either luke warm, or without a spirit of meekness.  
III. Mocking of repentance, by teaching formality therein to offenders, hardening them in their sins, by accepting bare forms without evidences of repentance, and loosening when we were persuaded, that Christ did not lose, turning the profession of repentance into a State Engine, to step to employment and preferment.  
iv Want of tenderness in testifying of the conversation and repentance of Ministers and people, giving testimonials to gratify men, or to shift ourselves and Congregations of infectious persons.  
V Want of exact carefulness and faithfulness in debarring from the Lords Table, the ignorant and scandalous.  
VI Unequal dealing with the poor and rich, in admitting to, or suspending and debarring from the Lords Table.  
VII. Want of Bowels and Compassion to the parties on whom Discipline is exercised, and imperious kind of boasting of them.   

V SECTION.  
In relation to our way of performing Ministerial duties. 1. Laisines in going about duties, not improving our time and Talents, to do all the good we might amongst the people of GOD.  
II. Want of delight in going about the duties of our calling, doing them not for Christ's sake and love to the flock, looking on them as burdens.  
III. Satisfying ourselves with public reproving of public sins, and neglecting the gaining-way of private dealing with the Consciences of sinners.  
iv A groff carnal way of handling the matters of Christ.  
V Carrying on some Ordinances, and neglecting others equally warranted, and almost being diligent in no duty bu● Preaching.  
VI Not studying to be acquainted with the condition o● the people, that we may apply ourselves to the variety o● their estates.  
VII. Turning all duties and Religion into forwardness i●●●e Cause of GOD, and under colour of that, neglecting duties and the power and life of Godliness.  
VIII. Neglect of pains to fit us more for our calling, after we have acquired a habit of preaching, as if we need not to grow in fitness for all the duties of our calling.  
IX. Partiality in visiting the sick; if they be poor, we go once, and when sent for, if rich; and of better rank, more frequently, and unsent for: And in examination, passing by great folks often.  
X. Performing the duties of Preaching and public Prayer, as parts of trial, and not as worship done to GOD.   

VI SECTION.  
In relation to our walk and conversation Personal faults. 1. Earthly mindedness, caring immoderately for the things of this life, and following too eagerly the bettering of stipends. 2 Want of hospitality and charity, to the members of Christ. 3. Want of sobriety in all things suitable to the Times. 4. Slighting of the beating of the Lords word, hearing the word from others, only to censure and try their gifts, and not as Christians, that should hear and make use of it. 6. Envying the gifts and graces of God in others, or discouragement in our Duties, because of our short upcomming to others, in whom Gifts, and Graces shine; undervaluing and slighting the sincerity of Grace in others; because they be inferior to ourselves in Gifts. 7. Pride showing itself in not stooping, and condescending to the Infirm; but disdaining Christ's work in them; because of some Infirmities that we ●an observe in them. 8. Not enduring admonition or reproof from ministers, or such of the people of God, as observe something in us that are contrary to tenderness, and give Offence. 9 Loss of tenderness and diligence after we are Ministers, unto which some had before attained. 10. Being very little in secret Prayer, and converse with God; and excusing ●his within ourselves; with being much taken up with other Duties. 11. Neglect of accurate studying of the Scriptures. 12. Vain Imitation of other men. 13. Neglect of frequent reflecting upon our own state, and walk with God.   

VII. SECTION.  
In our walk in our Families, not being patterns to the flock in holiness and diligence, but rather ill examples of lightness in our conversation, and slighting of duties. 1. By superficial performing of Worship by starts, and not setting apart time for the deliberate going about it. 2. Reading of the Scriptures rashly and inconsiderately, and not as men that should be acquainted with the mind of GOD in all his Word. 3. Neglect of the instruction and edification of our Families; so that none (more than our own) are worse looked too. 4. Little or no time set apart in our Families to mourn for the guiltiness of the Land, and the backsliding of the time. 5. Deep hypocrisy in pressing upon others, to do that in their Families, which is utterly slighted by ourselves.   

VIII. SECTION.  
In our walk among the people of our charge. 1. Unfruitfulness, not studying to converse with the people of GOD for their edification. 2. Carnal familiarity with wicked and natural people, out of the duties of our calling, whereby they are hardened in sin, by finding the Minister like themselves, however he speak to them in Public. 3. A straingenesse, and upkeeping of ourselves from such as 〈…〉 whereby they are made to keep back a profitable freedom with us. 4. Neglect of spiritual fellowship with the people of GOD, and not putting them to pray with us. 5. Unwillingness to entertain spiritual purpose and discourse; yea many a time slighting and shuffling it out, when it's cast in by others. 6. Speaking our own words on the Sabbath-day, and countenancing the same in others. 7. Not daring to reprove sin, and appear zealous and tender before the wicked.   

IX. SECTION.  
In our walk in the company of Ministers, very unprofitable, and oftentimes hurtful one to another, and being an offence to the Lords people. 1. Neglect of prayer, and every thing that may edify. 2. Shifting of prayer and other duties when we are called to it. 3. Ordinary driving away our time in carnal rejoicing and lightness, sporting and jesting one with an other, and censuring, etc. 4. Want of freedom and love to reprove and admonish one another in serious tenderness; and if any freedom be used, it is in a jest, and an up-cast, which draws on alienation, when things observed in another doth stick with us, and are kept up or told in such a way. 5. Ordinarily we converse together as Ministers, but not as Christians; speaking only of things pertaining to our Calling, and of nothing pertaining to our Souls, and their condition. 6. Turning all Christian duties into Ministerial duties: We speak of them as things that are with out us, and as if they did not concern ourselves; In a word, We are not good Ministers, because we are not good Christians: This is the root of all the corruptions of our calling.   
FINIS.