The Fourth Corollary

If the Church be God's husbandry, then those who are employed in ministerial work ought to be men of great judgment and experience in soul affairs; for these are the laborers whom God, the mystical husbandman employs and entrusts about his spiritual husbandry. Should husbandmen employ ignorant persons, that neither understand the rules, nor proper seasons of husbandry, how much would such workmen damage and prejudice him? He will not employ such to weed his fields, as know not wheat from tares; or to prune his trees, that think Midsummer as fit for that work as December; much less will God. He qualifies all that he sends, with wisdom for their work. His workmen approve themselves workmen indeed, such as need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). As Bezaleel was furnished with wisdom, before he was employed in Tabernacle work, so Christ instructs his servants, with skill and insight, before they are employed in ministerial work. He gives them a mouth and wisdom (Luke 21:15), endows them with power from on high: as Christ was filled abundantly with the Spirit for his work, so according to proportion, are those that are sent by him (John 20:21-22). As my Father has sent me, so send I you. And as for those who run before they are sent, and do not understand the mysteries of the gospel, I shall say no more of them, but this; Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.