“Faithful ministers are the defense, the strength, and ornament of the church. The Apostle considers himself as one set for the defense of the gospel. And to manifest that this is the province of every minister, it is required as a qualification for the office, that they may be able, by sound speech, both to exhort, and convince gainsayers. It is expected in a peculiar manner from them, that they should endeavor to make up the hedge, and stand in the gap. To interpose between an offended God, and a sinful people; and intercede for them as Moses often did for Israel.” — Samuel Finley, Faithful Ministers the Fathers of the Church: A Sermon Preached at Fogs-Manor on Occasion of the Death of the Reverend Mr. Samuel Blair (1752)