Certain Observations, Section 13
SECTION. XIII.
IT is the duty of all the ſervants of God, to keep themſelues unſpotted of the world, eſpecially in the ſervice of God, which Satan chiefly ſeek to corrupt, as being the image and face of God.
Wherefore having ſhewed before what, men are to avoid; now it remains to ſhew whom. And herein firſt of Reading Miniſters, the bane of many ſoules; and in ſpeaing of them to ſhew: 1 their unlawfulnes: 2 Their nullity: 3 That they are not to be joyned withall, nor maintained in that calling.
Arguments to proue their unlawfulneſſe.
1 In the time of the old Teſtament, Prieſts and Levits were to teach the people, to diſcern betwixt the clean and unclean, &c. therfore in the time of the new Teſtament, wherin there is more abundance of ſpirit promiſed, and more plentifull declation of Gods will, the Miniſters ought to be able to teach Gods people twixt good and evill.
This argument holds firm, ſince the Lord hath as great care of his Church now as then; and is as carefull to hauehave them avoide ſin.
2 Where viſion faileth the people periſh, Prov. 29.18, theſe men are no Seers, nor hauehave any viſion but darkneſſe and night.
3 They are dumb doggs, Iſa. 56, that cannot barke, blinde watchmen, ſhepheards that cannot underſtand. What a liuely deſcription of a reading Miniſter here is? He cannot underſtand what paſture is good or fitting for the people; he is a blind Watchman that can foreſee no danger, nor plague comming, when they doe hear Wolues are towards and amidſt the flock; yet they hauehave no mouthes to bark and fright them away. Let no man be ſo bold as to cavill at the Scriptures which are ſo plain, that he which runnes may reade them.
4 They cannot divide the Word rightly, which is the chiefe work of the Miniſter of the Word, 2 Tim. 2.15, which who ſo cannot doe at all, is none of Gods workmen: they who cannot, nor will ſtudy to doe well, and righteouſly, are none of the Lords ſervants.
5 They cannot defend the truth, nor ſtop the mouths of gain-ſayers, which every Miniſter ought to doe, Tit. 1. Elſe how ſhall errours and hereſies be prevented? and to runne to others in this caſe, will yeeld ſmall releefe; conſidering the unwillingneſſe of the moſt to be taught, or take any paines at leaſt to ſeek inſtruction.
6 The Lord thruſts out Labourers, not Loyterers into the Harveſt, ſuch men as doe ſome execellent work for the good of his Church, Math. 9, Eph. 4, 1 Tim. 3.1. Theſe men are idle, their work is not ſo excellent, nor is it ſpeciall, and proper.
7 The Shepheard that hath nothing more then the Sheep hauehave, cannot poſſibly keep the ſheep well, for then ſheep might keep themſelues, and the calling of God is unprofitable. Theſe hauehave not ſo much as many ſheep.
8 They are not fit to meddle with the ſoule, to ſeek it in time; being diſtempred, they cannot ſhew man Gods righteouſneſſe, neither pray for him; they cannot ſeek that which is loſt, nor bring back that which is driven away; nor heale the ſick. Now Miniſters are chiefly ſent thus to benefit the ſoule. And if they cannot help in time of diſtreſſe, they are miſerable comforters, like Iobs friends.
9 A Min…ſter muſt preach and be inſtant, in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, 2 Tim. 4.2. Hence it is plain what preaching is, namely, an expounding and applying of the word of God, to build up the people of God, improving errour, rebuking ſin, and exhorting upon ſound doctrine. Are men ſo blind that they cannot ſee the truth in this, but would make reading, preaching?
10 2 Tim. 2.25.26, Miniſters muſt inſtruct with meekneſſe ſuch as are contrary minded, proving &c. It is plain hence, the Miniſter muſt be able to inſtruct all that are miſled through errour, and inſtruct them in the right way: 2 That mens ſalvat…on depends upon the right applying of the Word.
11 The word thus barely read, hath not the power and majeſty that is mentioned in Scripture, neither that efficacy and power in converting ſoules: which argues it is not the arm of God.
12 Miniſters are the Lords Embaſſadours, and Stewards: theſe men cannot ſpeak nor ſue to the ſoules for Chriſt, to beſeech men to receiu him: neither can they be faithfull unto their Lord. They are the ſhame and diſhonour of Chriſtian Churches, as though the Spirit of God were not purchaſed by Chriſt for the furniſhing of men for his Church. It is in effect to deny Chriſts victory over the enemy of our ſalvation, 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3.
13 He that winneth ſoules is wiſe; theſe are not wiſe.
I ſuppoſe none will vouchſafe to Reply for theſe, that hauehave any ſpark of piety to God, or pitty towards his people. OnelyOnly ſome Non-reſidents, that keep poore underlings; or greedy Patrones; or Popiſh Atheiſts, that would hauehave the light of the Goſpell die; or poore ignorant people that never knew what the Goſpell meant; or men that would liue at their own wils in all licentiouſneſſe; theſe happily would undertake the plea againſt Chriſt. But it were better their tongue ſhould cleau to the roof of their mouth, then they ſhould once dare goe about the overthrow of Chriſts Miniſtry. Heare therfore and conſider, that it may goe well with you.
Having ſhewed the inſufficiency, now follows the nullity of theſe men; which the rather I inſiſt upon, becauſe many would be content, if they were inſufficient, being Miniſters (carnall men, never ſo much regarding how the Lord is ſerved:) But being no Miniſters in Gods acceptance, I hope it will work upon them.
1 Therfore Hoſ. 4.6, God pronounceth them none to him: (that is in his acceptance) they are none whom God pronounceth to be none: reading M…niſters are pronounced none (in the ſenſe mentioned) by the Lords own mouth, wh…ch cannot lie. Who are you therfore, oh ye Prelats that ye dare admit of ſuch! Or who are you, ô yee people, that ye are contented with ſuch as cannot come to the Lord for you, whoſe prayers are not accepted by the Lord for you! This Argument is firm and cannot be gainſaid; For if the authority of man be enough to diſplace whom God hath ſent, ſhall not the Lords authority much more diſplace whom man onelyonly hath ſent?
2 He which wants either the nature, or eſſentiall property of a Miniſter, is not a true Miniſter; for the nature and property of things cannot be ſevered from the things themſelues. But reading Miniſters want either the nature, or at leaſt the eſſentiall property of a Miniſter: This appears, becauſe the Miniſter is the Meſſenger of the Lord of Hoſts, Mal. 2.7, and his lipps ſhould preſerue knowledge. To teach the people is an eſſentiall property and difference twixt the Miniſter and people. Whence it alſo appears that there is no difference amongſt Gods Miniſters for the ſubſtance of their Calling. For each one is the Meſſenger of the Lord of Hoſts. 2 He which is not a Meſſenger is no Miniſter, for that is common to all. 3 He whoſe lippes doe not preſeru knowledge is no Meſſenger. Who ſees not that the Reading Miniſter differs in the ſubſtance of his Calling? 2 That he hath no Meſſage. 3 That his lippes doe not preſeru knowledg, but looſe it rather. How dare yee counterfeit therfore the Lords place any of you whom the Lord hath not ſent?
3 Chriſt hath not gifted nor appointed for the good of his Church, Reading Miniſters, therfore they are none of his. For he is the King of his Church, and men can no more bring in Readers then Friers amongſt the people of God. 2 Miniſters run becauſe they are ſent by him. 3 Chriſt will bleſſe none but ſuch as he ſends. That reading Miniſters are not gifted, nor appointed, it is plain from Eph. 4, where all are reckoned up that are allowed by Chriſt: which place is left as a rule of trying Miniſters. Try them by their office, and uſe of the ſame.
4 Math. 28.19.20, Miniſters muſt goe and teach making others Chriſts Diſciples, and teach them to obſeru what he hath commanded. Reading Miniſters hence are none: for he that hath no authority from Chriſt, hath none; for he hath all authority in earth as well as in heaven: Reading Miniſters are not ſent by Chriſt. 2 They cannot ſo teach as others may be made the diſciples of Chriſt. 3 They cannot teach the converted to keep the Ordinances of Chriſt unto the end of the world, which is added, leſt any ſhould think, that either men converted, and Churches planted ſhould not need the Miniſtery of the Word, or that in ſome times of ſcarcity, men may put in Readers.
5 Math. 24. He that is not faithfull, nor wiſe, is not ſet over the family of the Lord, to giuegive them their portion in due ſeaſon: But Reading Miniſters are not faithfull nor wiſe, neither know mens portions, neither the portion of one nor another; for they cannot diſcern twixt a civill man, and the child of God; neither know the portion of the weak nor of the ſtrong; neither can they giuegive each one their portion in due ſeaſon. This is plain by Experience.
6 Whom the Holy Ghoſt hath not ſet over the people he is none: but theſe are not ſet over by the Holy Ghoſt; for there is no rule nor example to warrant them. This Argument is grounded on Acts 20.28, where the Holy Ghoſt is the Author of the Miniſtery. 2 The perſons are Elders, that are and ought to take heed to themſelues and others. 3 Are to feed and govern the Church of Chriſt; which doth not agree to the order of Reading Miniſters.
7 He who is a Biſhop of God, muſt be apt to teach; but theſe are not; for they hauehave no Miniſteriall gift, nor hauehave they the form of wholeſom doctrine. This Argument is grounded upon Pauls Canons, 1 Tim. 3.1.
His wrok, who is a Miniſter, is ſo excellent, that who is ſufficient for theſe things? But reading miniſters hauehave no ſuch work of excellency, but any yong Scholler may be ſufficient for this work.
Every true Miniſter is ſucceſſor to the Apoſtles in the ſubſtance of their Calling, which is teaching the whole counſell of God to that Congregation they are ſet over by the Holy Ghoſt: But theſe Readers are ſucceſſors to dumb Dogs, and blind guides. All divine relation is grounded either on the nature of the thing, or ſome divine Inſtitution, which indeed is the proper ground. To be a Miniſter is a Divine Relation, and hath no ſuch ground in theſe men.
Object. 1. Theſe are ſent by the Church, therfore they hauehave authority.
Anſw. It is the priviledge of Chriſt by his Spirit, to ſend forth Miniſters, as may appear, Math. 28, compared with Acts 20.28: 2 the Church hath no authority againſt the Word, this is againſt the Word to hauehave ſuch Miniſters: 3 the Church hath no more authority in Ordination then in Excommunication, but Ioh. 9, whom men had unjuſtly excommunicated, the Lord abſolved.
Object. 2. Theſe are called dumb dogs, therfore Dogs.
Anſw. The argument is not firm, from the name to the thing: For, the divill raiſed up by the witch of Endor, is called Samuel: 2 they are ſo called, that it may be known to whom the Holy Ghoſt ſpeaketh.
From hence it is plain how unlawfull a thing it is to joyn with Reading miniſters, in any miniſteriall duty, either praying, or adminiſtring the Sacraments; For,
1 All worſhip done to the Lord muſt be juſtifiable by the Word, and warranted by ſame: But this worſhip is not. There is no place of Scripture to proue the lawfulneſſe of this ſervice done by a Reader. This argument is ſtrong. For the Scripture is a perfect rule for all things, but eſpecially for the worſhip of God. And to uſe another worſhip then can be warranted, is to ſin againſt the Lord; and to follow blind devotion without judgement, which brings us to death.
2 It was the ſinne of Ieroboam that as he deviſed a new worſhip, ſo new Prieſts of the loweſt of the people. This is both a new worſhip never known in the Church, t…ll Antichriſt got in, to hauehave onelyonly a ſ…t form of prayer; and they are of the loweſt of the people that are miniſters of it, wherfore it is but as Ieroboams worſhip.
3 Chriſt is not there by his inſtitution, gifts nor ſpirit, which is the very life of Chriſtian duties. And the ſervants of God muſt be where their Maſter is; which is, where m…n are gathered together in his name; which is, by his inſtitution, and gifts, and preſence of his holy Spirit.
4 Theſe are no true Miniſters, as is proved before, therfore not ſafe to joyn with them: that which they doe is not pleaſing to God, they having no Calling therunto, it is like the ſacrifice of Core and Dathan, and the ſacrifice of Ʋzzah.
5 Men cannot thriue, nor grow in grace by ſuch exerciſ…s, that hauehave grace already: they cannot come to ſee the…r miſery, nor be ſt…rred up to r…nue the…r …ep…ntance, that hauehave this grace already, nor can they keep the Sabboth hereby. W…tn…ſſe the exper… ence of poore Chriſtians …n this caſe, t…at are ſpirituall, and can judge of th…ngs: theſe being wells, and clouds without water.
6 Men cannot poſſibly be fitt…d to …eceiu the Lords Supper by ſuch a M…niſtery: for th…s requires that each ſhould b… able to examine himſelfe, which none can doe but ſuch as are taught the g…ounds of Relig…on. 2 Men ſhould be ſt…rred up to this duty, being all ſo backward, as is pla n in the practiſe of the Cori…t…ans, which theſe m…n cannot doe. Now what dang…r it is to receiue the Lords Supper unwo…thily, you may ſee, 1 Cor. 11, What good or benefit can a man hauehave by a dumb Dog, or a blinde Gu…d…?
7 The people ſhould ſeek the law at his mouth, whoſe lippes preſe u knowledge, Mal. 2, and goe to that ſhepheard that can feed them, and that Watchman that can admoniſh them of danger; but th…ſe mens lips doe not preſeru knowledge.
8 Theſe make no difference, having no diſcerning, but reade Apocryphall writings, and all that is in their way, wh…ch being directly aga…nſt the Word, command…ng Chr…ſt on…ly to be hea…d; how can men joyn in the ſame w…th any comfo…t?
9 Men hard…n the …gnorant in this ev…ll way, and g…ue offence both to the b…nd Min…ſt…s and people, mak…g as t…ough this were ſ…fficient to ſalvat on.
10 Men by this p…oclaine the…r ſmall accou…t of Gods own Ord…nances, which they might enjoy by the ſame pa ne…, coſt, o… removall, or …lſe profite themſe…ues more in pr…vate.
You therfore, dear br…thren, that liue under ſuch, conſid…r wh…t you do…; you liue as Athi…ſts indeed upon the ma…te…. For what are your prayers, and rec…iving of Sac…am…nts, which you th nk is the beſt ſerv ce of God, but a provoking of the Lord to anger? That you ſ…ould dare to ſend ſuch a l…me and bl nde m…ſſ…nger to the Lord of Froſts, and ſuch ſacr…fices withall comming from the drowned in ignorance and ſuperſt…t…on: and that you ſhould put the Lords name upon ſuch a M…niſter which is not ſ…t, nor allowed by him? Doe you n…t depriue your ſelu…s of thoſe excellent and p…ec…ous treaſures in the Goſpell of Chriſt, becauſe you want a man to preach them? Ep…eſ. 3, Doe you not hereby …ndanger and looſe your ſoules, which liue in ignorance? 2 Theſſ. 2. Doe you know the anger of the Lord will be upon you for this? Hoſ. 6. Would you chuſe for the bodies ſake, ſuch a Phyſitian as hath no skill at all, nor any good report to hauehave cured any under his hand? Or ſuch a Counſellour, as could not adviſe, but reade you a ſtatute, or book-caſe, at all adventures? Would you truſt your ſheep with an Idoll-ſhepheard, that cannot tend them? And will ye make ſo ſmall account of your ſoules, thus to paſſe them over? O return and ſeek the Lord, ye hauehave hitherto ſitten in ignorance, and in the ſhadow of death: you never knew what the Goſpell meant, nor what a God the Lord is: witneſſe the baſe and wicked conceiving of him, and carriage towards him in publique and private. Wherfore let this moue you to provide you a man of underſtanding, that may be able to f…ed you. Turn you therfore from all your evill wa…es, that yee may be brought to Sion, the place where the Lord will be found, and ſeen of all his people. Let none be ſo hardy as to maintain theſe in their Callings.