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Mr. Fletcher, when regret was expressed at his limited sphere on his first entrance into the Ministry, remarked with his characteristic piety—‘If God does not call me to so much public duty, I have more time for study, prayer and praise.’ Cox’s Life of Fletcher, p. 24. Compare also Quesnel on Gal. 1.17-19.—‘The primitive Bishops had places of retirement near their cities, that they might separate themselves from the world; lest in teaching others, they would neglect themselves; lest they would lose the spirit of piety themselves, while they were endeavouring to fix it in others.’ Bp. Wilson’s Sacra Privata. Indeed this appears to be the ordinary course of Ministerial preparation. Moses in Midian—(Exod. 2.15; 3.1.) John the Baptist in the desert (Luke 1.80; 3.2.)—Jesus in Nazareth (Matt. 2.23.) were trained in retirement for their public work.