The Pulpit Guarded, Part 3

The Pulpit Guarded · Part 3

p. 46Allegations out of the New-Testament for Lay-Preaching, Answered.

The first Allegation.

FRom the example of Christ: If hee disputed in the Temple, and preached in the Synagogues without a Call:R… binson ag. …. p. 38. then Lay-men, that have gifts, may likewise preach without a Call: and this is the Argum…nt of their Achilles; If it were (saith he) the received order in Israel, of old, for men out of Office, to speake and teach in publick, how was Jesus the son of Mary admitted to dispute in the Temple with the Doctors, Luke 2. 42, 46. and to teach and preach in the Synagogues so commonly as hee did? Matth. 9. 35. Luke 4. 16, 17.

Answ: All Christs actions are not for our imitation; hee did many things which wee may not,Vivendum est …egibu…, non … Weems. …ewith Syn. …art 1. p. 266. cannot doe; wee must live by Rules, and be led by them, and not follow any ones example against or besides the Rule; for that which was lawfull in Christ to doe, may bee unlawfull in us.

p. 472. 'Tis true Christ disputed with the Doctors at twelve years old, but hee did not preach to them. Disputing is one thing and Preaching is another.

3 Christ was called extraordinarily, and sent by his Father to Preach glad tidings to the meek.H…e pro…sus ex…r…ordinarium …uit. Beza …nnot. Maj. in 1 Cor. 14. 29. V. Beza in loc.1 Cor 14:29 Ioh: 20. 21. As my Father sent me: (who sends our Lay-Prophets, I have told you before;) and the People took him for a Teacher sent of God; for it was a faishion amongst the Jews (as reverend Diodate on the place observes) that if any one did come to their Ecclesiasticall meetings, who was known to have some gift of understanding in the holy Scripture,Joh. 3. 2. wee know that th…u art a Teacher come from God, &c.John 3:2 which was read every Sabbath day, Act: 13. 27. and 15. 21. they would intreat him to make them partakers of it for their common Edification. So that it appears that the People took him for a Prophet, a famous Prophet.

Luk: 4. 14. 15.Galilae & alij, propter doctrinam & miracula caeperun… p…aeclare, h… norific… seu gl…riose de ipso se…tire & I…qui, magnam ip si … tribuere, ac cum revetentia in singul…ri honore ipsem habere. There went out a fame of him thorow all the Regions round about, and hee taught in their Synagogues, being glorified of all, both for his Doctrine and his Miracles; and this was the ground of that liberty granted him in the Synagogue.

Now let our Artificers and Lay-Prophets shew such a life, such Doctrine, such Miracles as Christ, and I know no man will envy their Teaching.

4 The Question still will bee, whether Christ ta…ght publiquely before hee was thirty, and before hee was baptized, or after? The most received and approved opinion is, that he did not observe this custome of publique Preaching in the Synagogues, till the time of his Ministery, Ioh: 18. 20 This the Learned gather from Luke 4. 14. that Jesus (after his Baptism) returned in the power of the Spirit to preach in Galilee, Chemnit. in loc. &c. p. 451.foreign, (i. e.) in potentia, robore, vi spiritûs q. d. Iesus à baptizmo potenti impulsu Spiritûs S. reversus est in Galilaeam, &c. … Lap. And 'tis improbable that Christ would Preach all these Sermons from Matth: V. A Lap. in Luc. 4. 61.Luke 4:614. to Matth: 13. before hee entred on the Ministery (which they must grant that hold this opinion:Stella in Luci 4. p. 151.) for hee Preached at Capernaum and Galilee, and the places adjacent, and after comes to Nazareth, Matth: 13. 54. Luk: 4. 16. hee was bred there, and so his low and private kind of life being known to them, hee comes last to them.

5 Let us grant it,Rutherf. Due right, p 286. Gal. 6. 16. foreign.Gal 6:16 that 'twas the practice of the Jewish Church to admit all gifted Artificers, &c. to Preach; yet this corrupt and irregular practice of theirs, can bee no president to us, who are to walk by Rule, and the Canon of the word, and not by such disordered examples.

p. 48The second Allegation.

Secondly,Robinsons Pl…a, p. 39. They alledge the example of the Apostles, Mat: 10. 1, 5, 6, who Preached before they were sent; and the 70 Disciples Preach, yet were not men in Office, Luke 10.

Answ: The Apostles were men in Office and not Lay-Preachers. 1 They had their Call from the first election of Christ. 2 They had Commission from him before his Resurrection: Matth: 10. 7. he gives them power; v: 5, 16. he sends them & commands to go. True, they had a larger Commission granted after Christs resurrection; then 'tis Goe to all Nations, Matth: 28. 19. before 'twas, Rather goe to the lost Sheep of the house of Israel; they had a further confirmation after, and greater measure of Gods Spirit to lead them into all truth; As a Justice of Peace may be put into Office, and yet receive a further confirmation; yea,See this point mo…e …ully debated by R…ve …end Mr. …. p. …87, &c. and a greater means to perform his place.

3 Christ calls them Apostles before his resurrection, Matth: 10. 2. Now the names of the twelve Apostles were these.

4 The power of the Keys was committed to them, both Doctrine and Discipline, Ioh: 20. 23.

5 Which strikes the nayl dead,…oh. 42. They had power to Baptize, which no man out of O…fice hath, our Bretheren themselves being Judges.

2 That the 70 Disciples were Pastors in Office, is clear, Luk: 10. Christ appointed other seventy also and sent them out: As hee had before sent forth the twelve,foreign, de…igno, …, & constituo, … eigh. now also hee sends forth these, and Satan falls like Lightning before their powerfull Preaching, v: 17, 18. So that Ch…ists appointing these was a designation to a publique Office, as the Originall signifies,V. Leigh's comment … N T Luk 10. … Ruthe…f. p. …2.Luke 10 a creating and ordering of them, as that pious and industrious Critick, to whom the Church of God oweth very much, hath well observed.

The third Allegation.

Obj: The Scribes and Pharises were not Pastors in Office, yet they Preached, Ergo, private-gifted. Bretheren may Preach.

A…s…: …You doe w…ll to rank your selves amongst Scribes and Pharises▪ l…ke Lettice, like Lips; R…m acu tetigistis; you have hit the nayl on the head: since you can have no help from true Apostles, now you p. 49flee to false ones. This is Petitio principii, a beggerly begging of that which is to be proved.

1. You must prove that the Scribes and Pharisees were not Pastors in Office. So we did (say you) at the Disputation, thus: All Priests were to be of the Tribe of Levi. But the Scribes and Pharisees were not of the Tribe of Levi: Ergo, they were not Priests, and so by consequence not men in Office.

A. We desired you to prove your minor, viz. That the Scribes and Pharisees were not of the Tribe of Levi; which you did, thus:

Paul was a Pharisee, but not of the Tribe of Levi: Ergo no Pharisees were of the Tribe of Levi.

A. We replyed, that this was but one particular instance, and so could not make a rule, no more then one Swallow can make a Spring: besides you were told, A particulari ad universale non valet consequentia; because one man is blind, ergo all men are blind; because one Lay-Preacher is a Caviller, ergo all are Cavillers; because one nayling Preacher is ignorant, ergo all are ignorant, &c. This was your Bakers Logick, and it savours of the Peel.

But to clear this doubt,Multi ex Scribis & Pharisaeis erant Sacerdotes vel Levitae. A Lap. I shall give you one place that plainly proves the Pharisees to be Priests and Levites, Ioh. 2. 19. compared with v. 24. The Jews sent Priests and Levites from Hierusalem: and who were they? v. 24. They that were sent, were of the Pharisees▪ So then you see they were Pharisees,Per cathedram Meton. intelligi… honorem, gradum, dignitatem, auctoritatem docendi & jubendi, quam apud Judaeos habuit Moses, quàm Scribae Mosen acceperint. yet of the Tribe of Levi.

2. Giving▪ though not granting, that they were not of the Tribe of Levi, yet that they were not bare gifted men, but Preachers in Office, is clear, Mat. 23.

Secondly, They sit in Moses Chayr, (i. e.) had the ordinary Office of Teaching the people committed to them: they were Doctors of the Law; and Christ bids the people, Hear them.

3. The Priests were to be of the Tribe of Levi, but the Scribes and Pharisees were Prophets; and these might be of any Tribe, as Ieremah was, and other extraordinary Prophets.A Lap.

The fourth Allegation.

Acts 7. Stephen being a Deacon, and no Pastor in Office, yet Preached, Ergo, un-officed men may preach.

Answ. We must distinguish of Deacons: 1. Some were called extraordinarily, as Philip, Acts 8. who was an Evangelist, Acts 21. 8. he was not self-called, but by a speciall Commission from the Spirit he goes from Ierusalem to Samaria▪ and thence called by an Angel to p. 48instruct and baptize the Eunuch. An Angel calls Philip, but these men want men and Angels to bring them in.

2. Others were called Ordinarily,Diaconi bene fungentes Officio acquirunt libertatem & auct…ritatem, ut bomines etiam potentes non curent: sed liberè …a quae fides Christi exigit, profite. antur, doceant, arguant & proficiant. A Lap. when by improving their talent, the Church had experience of their industry, ability, and piety, they were promoted to be Pastors, 1 Tim. 3. 13. They that have used the Office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree; that is, they make themselves fit and worthy to be promoted to higher degrees in the Churches service.

3. Stephen's was no Sermon; but being accused of blasphemy, he makes an Apologetical Oration for himself, and a Confession of the Faith before his persecutors: and if this be Preaching▪ then those women-Martyrs in Queen Maries time that did confess and profess the Truth before their adversaries were Preachers.

The fifth Allegation.

Act. 8. 4. They that were scater'd abroad went everywhere Preaching the Word. Robinson, p. 46, &c.Hence they gather that all that can may Preach.

These were not the Apostles (say they:) for ver. 1. They stayed at Hierusalem, Ergo, They were private Christians that did Preach. Hence the Socinians gather that Vocation and Ordination are needless; because they do not read that these were sent or ordained.

This is that foreign, their Argumentum decumanum, nodus decumanus, their Achilles invincibilis, See more fully on …is, T. Workman against Lay-preach. p. 9, 10. … Antidote, p. 38, &c.their strong hold; which being pulled down they are left naked.

A. This is a non sequitur: Because they that were dispersed preached, Ergo, All that can may Preach.

For, 1. It cannot be proved that all these dispersed were private m…n out of Office:Seaman Diatrib. Preface. Argumentum ab authoritate negante, sed non ab authoritate negativâ, valet in Theologicis. Ut, non meminit hujus rei Scriptura, ergo non est admittenda. Prid. Philip was one of these scattered and dispersed ones, who was an Evangelist, v. 5. &c. therefore they were not all private men: there were besides the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and the seventy Disciples; they might be some of these, and not private professors.

2. The Apostles might give them a Commission to Preach when they went thence, Act. 15. 22, 23.

Obj. The Text doth not say so.

A. Ab authoritate negativè, nihil concluditur. Arguments drawn from silent authority, conclude nothing. We do not read of Adams Faith or Repentance; it doth not therefore follow that he had no Faith and Repentance. We do not read of his Sacrificing, observing the Sabbath, or performing any pious exercise; yet we cannot in the judgement p. 49of Charity conclude that he omitted these things. We read of no Parents that Melchizedek had; it doth not therefore follow he had none, &c.

3. Did not the Lord give them Commission by immediate revelation, giving them the spirit of Prophecie, and so calling them extraordinarily (as he did many in those Primitive times?) This I think I can prove from the Text: and if so, you are gone: for extraordinary examples make no ordinary Rules. Though God permit the Israelites to rob the Egyptians, yet I may not steal.

1. I prove their extraordinary Call,Ex…raordinar…am vocationem non temerè damnant Apostoli, sed ex effectis judicant. Beza Piscat. by the extraordinary Effects of their Preaching, Acts 11. 21. And the Hand of the Lord was with them▪ and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 1. The Hand of the Lord was with them, as it was wont to be with extraordinary gifted Prophets. Thus the Scripture usually speaks of the Prophets. 2 King. 3. 15, Thus, the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha; i. e. the Spirit of Prophecie. So Ezek. 3. 14. The hand of the Lord was strong with me. Rutherf. Due Right, p. 293, &c.Luke 1. 66. & 5. 17, by the hand of the Lord is meant the mighty power and assistance of God in miracles, and inward working in the hearers accompanying their Ministery.Manus est Symbolum energiae, index rei, & instrumentum operationis. Vide Greenhil in loc. So Deod. large Annot. Chrysost. Oecum. & à Lap. Deus suâ potenti manu aderat eis ad faciendum miracula in confirmationem fidei, ad praedicandum tant â sapientiâ & efficacia, ut multos Gentiles converterent ad Christum.

2. The extraordinary number of converts,Perk. 1 Vol. p. 761. their great and quick harvest, shews more then ordinary assistance. To this assents Reverend Perkins. Some (saith he) the Lord calls by special instinct▪ and extraordinarySingulari Dei impulsa hoc factum. Cal. inspiration of the Spirit. The dispersed preached without any outward Call, no doubt by the instinct of the holy Ghost as appears, in that the Hand of God was with them. And whereas false Prophets oft plead an extraordinary Call, he sets down marks, by which we may discern their Illusions from Gods Call. I. Extraordinary Calling never takes place, but when Ordinary calling fails; and that is at two times especially: 1. In the founding and planting of a Church. So Apostles and Evangelists were called extraordinarily. 2. In times of universal Apostacie, when the Church is ruined and defaced. II. You may know them by their Doctrine.Bucan. loci, p▪ 540, &c. III. By their lives. IV. By their Gifts: whom God calls extraordinarily, he endows with extraordinary knowledge, courage, &c.

Lastly,Privilegium non tollit legem. I answer by way of Concession, giving, though not granting your desires. Say these were private Christians, yet I shall clear all by asking you two questions.

p. 521. Q When did these dispersed Disciples of the Apostles, though not Apostles, Preach?

A. Not in times of Peace and settlement, but in times of sore pesecution▪ when Steven was stoned, and the Church was scattered about, and forced to flee up and down, Act. 8. 1, 2, 3. 4. Very Emphatical is the word Therefore, ver. 4. Speaking before of the persecution of the Church, and of the stoning of Steven, the Holy Ghost infers, Therefore those that were scattered, Preached; implying, that had not that persecution been, and the Apostles constrained to abide at Ierusalem, with their converts, those men might not have done what they did. Are our times such? are our Stevens stoned, our flocks scattered and dispersed our Ministers all banished and gone? &c. If so▪ then you that have gifts may supply their room,P…tet hoscum …yprios Evangelist … Evangeli, Zas…e Gent…libus. A Lap. Quum Antiochena Eccl…sia per Ministr…s extraordinem vocatos plantata sit; non est in quod in plantandis Ecclesii, semper ordinariam vocationem requiramus. &c.

2. Q. Where did they Preach?

A. Not at Hierusalem, a planted, setled, constitured Church, v. 1. but at Phenice, Cyprus, Antioch, &c. amongst heathens, infidels and Idolators, where no Church was planted, as appears, Act. 11. 19, 20. they Preach at Antioch to the Grecians, who were Gentiles and Heathens without Christ, and without God in the world, as appears Rom. 1.

That may be lawful in Ecclesia constituenda in an unplanted Church, in the begining of a Reformation, when no rule is set, no Ministers, no Magistrates, no Teaching, no knowledge, no Ordination can be had, none to ordain &c. which is utterly unlawful in Ecclesia constituta, in a planted, constituted Church, where there is a setled Ministery, setled Ordinances setled Worship, according to the Rule, &c. Here must be Election, Probation Ordination. Full to this purpose is that quotation of that ingenuous and studious Gentleman:Piscat. in Act. 11. 20.Acts 11:20 Lay-men may Preach upon occasion to Churches disordered, and to persons not yet gathered to any Church.Leigh Com. on N. Test. Those which were dispersed upon the pesecution of Steven, did publish the Gospel where there was no Church.Acts 11. 20.Acts 11:20 But how eminent soever mens abilities are,The foreign and thing in question is n…t whether a gifted man may preach in an untlanted, but in a planted Church. how well soever known to themselves or the world, to undertake the instruction of the people without publike Order, in publike Assemblies, is a thing that no Scripture, no time, no custom of the Primitive Church will allow. Thornedike Service of God at Relig. Assemb. cap. 11.

Now let us gather up all, and put it into a Parallel, that our gifted brethren may the better see how neer they come to their pattern.

p. 53The Parallel.

By this time I hope I have levelled your strong Hold, and laid him in the dust. I now march on to the rest.

The sixth, a Fort.

Acts 13. 14 15. Paul and Barnabas coming into the Synagogue, the Rulers sent to them (not as Apostles, which they acknowledged not, but onelyonly as men having gifts) that if they had any word of exhortation, they should say on.

A. Paul and Barnabas were men in Office true and faithful Prophets and Apostles, and so had Commission to teach the Nations wheresoever they went. 'Tis a non-sequitur, Because men in Office were desired by the Rulers to exhort, Ergo, Men out of Office may do so.

2. They were known to be Teachers in Office, and (in all probability) were so reputed by the Rulers of the Synagogue: having heard the fame of their Preaching and Miracles, which might easily come from Cyprus to Antioch, they desire a word of exhortation from them, v. 14. Act. 14. 1. They were known Prophets.

3. This was practised in corrupt times, and times of great confusion. So the learned Apollonious acknowledgeth, that in corrupt times especially it was permitted to some out of Order, to teach and exhort; but p. 52they were alwayes such as had testimony of their gifts, and of whom there was a general opinion of their mission, extraordinary or ordinary, by reason of the Doctrine they preached, and the works they did. Thus at Nazareth Christ was permitted in the Synagogue to read and explain the writings of the Prophets, Luke 4. 16. as one who by reason of his Majesty and miracles did everywhere obtain audience, as reverend Beza here noteth; by which right he taught both in the Temple, and everywhere; wherefore also the ordinary Doctors demanded of him by what Authority he did is, Mat. 21. 23. So we find that Paul and Barnabas were allowed, (Act. 13. 15.) publikely to speak and exhort in the Synagogue at Antioch, as being such whose fame was already known to those of Antioch; for they had before this time for a whole year preached the Word of God to many there, and brought many to the Faith of Christ, &c.

But observe his conclusion: But in the practice of the New Testament, none but Prophets by Gifts and Office, either ordinary or extraordinary, were permitted publikely in the Assembly of Beleevers to preach the Word of God in Christs Name, &c. Thus he.

What have we to do with Jewish corrupt Customes? We are to wal… by Rule, and not by such new Lights. The liberty given in their Synagogues, can be no president to us, no more then the custome of persecuting the godly, and casting them out of their Synagogues.

Let's sum up all. 1. Because Paul and Barnabas, who were men in Office, preached; Ergo, such as are not in Office, may preach. 2. Because such as were known to be Teachers, and were famous, preached; Ergo, such as are unknown Teachers, and infamous, may preach. 3. Because the Jews had a custome, in corrupt times to call forth gifted men to speak in their Synagogues; Ergo, we must leave the Word, and follow their superstitious customes. This is sure some Shooe-makers Logick: it's set upon the Last, and stretcheth well.

The seventh, a Tower.

The example of Apollos, Act. 18. 24 25, &c. An eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, taught diligently, &c. Because he preached without a Call, Ergo, Gifted Brethren may preach without a Call.

This is a Tower,Hic dignus vindice nodus. a strong Tower▪ in our Brothers conceits; here they triumph (though it be before the Victory:) Apollos, Apollos preached without a Call, &c. But let us approach neer it, and we shall discern p. 53this Tower to be a Tower of Babel. too weak and sandy a foundation for their high and haughty building: Like the Apples of Sodom, glorious to the eye; but touch them, and they fall to dust and ashes.

And therefore I answer,Ubi similes causae & circumstantiae, ibi locum habet exemplum. Weems Iewish Synag. 1 part. p. 265, &c. 1. This is an Example, but no Precept: examples may not be followed, without observation of the like causes, and like conditions. Now I doubt not but I shal prove your case & Apollos's to be different; and then this instance will do you no good. In following examples, (saith a very learned man) we must mark four things: 1. How they did it. 2. When they did it. 3. Where they did it. 4. Why they did it. These will give some light in this business.

1. We will inquire who it was that Preached?By Grace. This may have a relation to Apollos, who by his authentical Ministery called Grace, Rom. 1. 5. & 15. 15.Rom 1:5Rom 15:15 Apollos. What was he? A Minister. How is that proved? 1 Cor. 3. 5. Who is Paul? and who Apollo? But Ministers, &c. He is in terminis, expresly called a Minister.

Obj. He was ordained afterwards.

A. You may do well to prove that. Affirmanti incumbit probatio: Qu…d enim non lego, nec credo. Where the Scripture hath not a Tongue to speak,1 Cor. 3. 10. Deodat.1 Cor 3:10 we must have no ears to hear.

2. He was a coadjutor to Paul, Zanchy in Eph. 4. 11.Eph 4:11and therefore oft joyned with him, 1 Cor 3. 6, 22. and 1. 1. 12. and 4. 6. and 16. 12. Paul may plant, Apollo water; Bucan. loci, p. 525.q. d. I Paul first planted and preached the Word, Apollos came after me, and by his Ministery expounded the same Doctrine of Christ to you,Formatus …uit à natura, informatus curâ, confirmatus praxi, in iis quae sunt Domini. Prid. and so watred what I had taught. Hence the learned Zanchy ranks him with Evangelists; Timothy, Titus, Silvanus, Apollos: these were not tyed to any one place, but were assistants to the Apostles, to water what they had planted.

3. What were the gifts and endowments of the Minister? Surely▪ more then ordinary; few in all the Scripture so highly commended for endowments and abilities, as he. Such as God calls extraordinarily, he gifts extraordinarily.

The Text tells us he was an eloquent man; he was both prude…t and eloquent, he had skill in the words, and could expound well; he had good elocution to express … Exposition. Matter well habited, is more acceptable.

Mighty in the Scriptures (i. e.) well instructed and grounded in them, and endowed with a singular grace of Gods Spirit, to propound, expound, and perswade them to men.

Instructed in the way of the Lord; He had learned the coming of Christ into the world, and his Doctrine, when Iohn the Baptist had taught obscurely and imperfectly of it; but had not participated of the p. 56clear and large Declaration which Christ and his Apostles had made of it.

4. Fervent in spirit. He was no cold, dead Teacher; but he taught powerfully, livelily, experimentally.

5. He taught diligently: he was no idle, Strawberry-Preacher.

6. He doth not preach his own fancies, but the things of the Lord, viz. the Baptism of Iohn, (i. e.) the Doctrine which Iohn the Baptist had delivered concerning Christ, and had sealed to his Disciples by Baptism.

7. He teacheth boldly in the Synagogues, not fearing the face of man.

8. Observe his rare Humility: he doth not disdain (though he were a man of singular abilities) to be taught what he knew not of mean persons; an humble man can learn of the meanest; a little child shall lead him, Isa. 11. 6. to see a Master in Israel sit by an Aquila, a Tentmaker, and a Priscilla his wife, and to be instructed by them, to learn of his Auditors, was no less an act of meekness then of wonder; but a wise man looks more at the Counsel then the Counsellor; he regards not so much who, as what the instruction is; an Abraham can hearken to the Counsel of Sarah, and Iob of his servants.

9. He hath the approbation of the Church of God for his abilities, ver. 27. The Brethren of the Church of Ephesus write Letters commendatories in his behalf to the Disciples at Corinth to receive him.

10. His Teaching was operative and fruitful; he did not labour in vain: For, 1. he furthered the faith of Beleevers and helped them much. 2. He was able to convince gain-sayers, vers. 28. he convinced, he mightily convinced the Jews, and that not privately, for fear of opposition but he undertakes them publikely; and this he doth not by weak humane inventions, but by the Scriptures, (out of Isaiah, Daniel, the Psalms, Moses and the Prophets) he doth Theologically demonstrate, and infallibly conclude, that this Jesus the Son of Mary was the true Messias promised to the Fathers, &c.

Thus you have seen this good man in his colours; how like our gifted Brethren are to him, we shall see in the Parallel.

The second Quaere will be▪ When he preached?

A. 'Twas in a time when Churches were planting, in the Primitive times, when God gave extraordinary gifts, and poured out the Spirit of Prophecie in abundance, for the gathering and perfecting of his Church, &c.

p. 552. 'Twas in a time when that corrupt custom was in practice among the Jews, of giving liberty to some (though not in Office) to preach.

3. I answer by way of concession: Should we grant that Apollos was not a man in Office, yet 'twill not help you: for this is but an instance (as a judicious Divine well observes) of the liberty given by the Jews, or taken, when as yet there was no Church in being. Take in all the commendations of the man, and, in a like juncture of time, others of like abilities may do the like.

I come now to the Parallel, that our Brethren may see how like, or rather how unlike they are to their Pattern, and, as they conceive, their Patron.

Deliberandum est de remedio praesertim cum non Cynthius, sed Apollos aurem vellat.

p. 56The eighth is a Bulwark.

1 Cor. 14. 1, 31. where the Apostle exhorts them to desire spiritual gifts▪ but rather that they might prophesie; and tels them, vers. 31. they may all Prophesie, &c. Hence our Brethren conclude, that all that have Gifts may Prophesie in publike.

Our gifted Brethren build very much upon this Text; and being pursued, they run hither for shelter; but in vain, being meerly deluded with the word All, as if the Apostle had commanded all the Godly promiscuously to preach, when he speaks onelyonly to Prophets, as the context clearly shews.

The Question then will be, who are meant by this word, All v. 31. Ye may all Prophesie.

A. 1. I answer Negatively, It cannot be meant of all the Saints collectively; for then women, who have gifts, should preach, who yet are forbidden. Secondly, private Professors are nowhere commanded to leave their Callings, and go study Arts and Sciences, that so they may be Preachers; but are commanded to abide in their Callings 1 Cor. 7. 20. Thirdly, then all should Baptize; (for Christ hath joyned Preaching and Baptizing) and then what need Christ give Pastors and Teachers? Are all Prophets? 1 Cor. 12. 29.

2. I answer positively, By all is meant, all such as are Prophets: the Text is clear, v. 29. Let the Prophets speak two or three, &c. v. 30. If any thing be revealed, &c. They were extraordinary Prophets, and spake by immediate revelation, without study: then follows, v. 31. For ye may all Prophesie, i. e. all you that are gifted and called to be Prophets; for so it follows, v. 32. The spirits of the Prophets, i. e. the Doctrine of every Prophet, must be subject to the examination adn censure of the other Prophets; and therefore (saith the Apostle) every Prophet may speak in publike, to the end that he may be discerned and approved by the rest. General words must be confined to the particular Argument of the speech: So that the word all must be confined to the Prophets; Prophets▪ Prophets, all ye that are Prophets may preach, but these were Prophets by Gift and Office; therefore they might and did preach publikely in Christs Name in the Assembly: So that the Apostle speaks not of all Beleevers in common, nor of any in the Congregation promiscuously but of the Prophets lawfully called to instruct the …hurch of God. And 'tis worth observing▪ that the word Prophet is never given to any in the Old Testament, or the New, but onelyonly to Ministers p. 57and men in Office; and therefore our Saviour expresly distinguisheth a Prophet from a righteous man, Mat. 10. 41.

q. d. All you that are Prophets, and have the gift of Prophecie, and extraordinary revelations, so that you can dextrously open hard Prophecies ex tempore, without any study, and interpret Prophetick Scripture to edification, &c. whilst these miraculous and extraotdinary Gifts endure▪ ye may, all that have them use them.

2. It appears they were Prophets, because the duties of Prophets are ascribed to them, v. 3▪ 4, 5, 12, 24, 25. they must interpret, convince, confute edifie▪ &c. all which are the duties of a Prophet.

Thus its clear, that the…e were Prophets; and if so▪ this place cannot help our Brethren; for thus they must argue hence: Because Prophets who were men in Office, yea, extraordinary Prophets, did preach: Therefore, we gifted Brethren, who are no Prophets, nor men in Office, may preach. Hoc est dialectica Independentica.

Obj. T. P. Objected, that these were ordinary, not extraordinary Prophets.

A. Habemus confitentem reum; you have betray'd your cause: for if these were Prophets, as you confess they were, and I have proved from the Text; then unless you can prove your selves to be Prophets, and men in Office, this place will no whit availe you.

But secondly, I shall easily prove them to be extraordinary Prophets …rom the Text, v. 30. If any thing be revealed▪ &c. They preached …xtemporary Revelations; they were able by the singular revelation of the Spirit to give the sence of Prophetick Scripture, without study or pains Gal. 1. 12. and sometimes they would foretell things to come, as Agabus, Act. 11. 27. and the four daughters of Philip. In the beginning of the Gospel and first planting of it, the Lord was pleased to confirm it by extraordinary gifts of miracles, Healing, Tongues, Interpretation, Prophesying, and foretelling things to come. These were temporary, and to endure onelyonly in those primitive times; they are now ceased; so that he's a miracle that should desire now such miracles. Fully to this purpose is that of a learned man: The grace of Prophesying under the New Testament was of immediate revelation and inspiration of the Holy Ghost to all purposes, as under the Old. V. 30, If revelation be made to another that …i…teth by, let the first hold his peace to shew us that some were in…pired upon the very point of time with the truth of matters in debate at their Assemblies, as 2 Chron. 20. 14. Act. 13. 2. Thus he.

These Prophets are set amongst extraordinary Offic…rs, Eph. 4. 11.

p. 58Three things T. P. objected against this Answer.

1. That these could not be Extraordinary Prophets, because (v. 29.) their Doctrine was to be tried.

Answ. Vide Ruther…. Pl… for Pres…. p. 250, &c.This trying and judging did not consi…t in calling them to account, as for the truth of that which the holy Ghost inditeth; but to consist in the judging the meaning and consequence of things inspired, which even the persons from whom they came though not ignorant thorowout, yet were not able of themselves to sound to the bottom.

2. An Extraordinary Prophet (though in penning Scripture infallible, yet) in other points might erre. Aaron erred, Exod. 32. 4. Peter erred about the calling of the Gentiles, Acts 10. 15. and Gal. 2. 14, The Apostles were ignorant of Christ's Resurrection, and his Sufferings▪ &c. and therefore they were commanded to try the spirits; and Luke commends the Bereans for trying the doctrine of a Paul and Silas▪ Acts 17. 11. for although these Prophecies were infused by the holy Ghost that cannot erre, yet all things are not revealed to one; and that which is not revealed to one, is oftentimes revealed to more, and sometimes in a clearer manner. There might be also something mingled with that which the Prophets received: and it might so fall out, that that which they added of their own, by way of confirmation, illustration, or application, might be justly▪ subject to censure: withal, it must be tried and judged by others, whether the Prophecies proceed from the inspiration of the holy Spirit,Vide Large Annot. and according to the Rule of Faith, Isa. 8. 20.

2. 'Twas objected, that these could not be Extraordinary Prophets, because (v. 3.) they spake to edification, exhortation, and comfort, as Ordinary Prophets did.

A. The Answer is easie: The Extraordinary Prophets, as Amos, Isaiah, Ezekiel, &c. did preach to edification, exhortation, and comfort▪ as well as the Ordinary.

3. 'Twas objected, Hoc aliquid nihil est nuci cass… simillimum, quod si cultro veritatis ape…iat…r, nihil intus inveni…tur nis… vani…as & inanitas.that the Apostle forbidding women, did give liberty to men to preach.

A. I see you will play at lowe game before you will …it out. I answer therefore by way of concession, and grant that the Apostle forbids women and enjoyns men to preach: but what men? Not all gifted men in general, but all men gifted, and called to be Prophets, as I have clearly proved▪ p. 57.

2. If you will argue fitly from this place▪ it must be thus: The Apostle forbids all women▪ gifted or ungifted, to preach; There fore all men, gifted or ungifted,Hoc foreign. are allowed by the Apostle to preach. No doubt but then we should have good Preaching!

p. 593. No woman may administer the Sacrament;He that desires fuller satisfaction on this Text' let him peruse reverend M. Rutherf. Due Right of Presb. p. 297 and Workman ag. Lay-preach. p. 14, &c. therefore, any man may.

I shall conclude this Point in the words of a Reverend Divine. It's granted (saith he) that all Orders Officers, or Members of the Church above Ministers, may preach as well as they, whether ordained, or uno…dained; as Apostles▪ Evangelist▪ and Prophets. For Prophets▪ such as are under the New Testament, they are always placed next unto the Apostles and before Pastors & Teachers 1 Cor. 12. 28, 29. Eph. 4. 11. In the Primitive times there were many such;Thorndike on Rel. Assem. c. 5. yea▪ many in one Church, as at Antioch and Corinth: whether these were ordinary or extraordinary, it is easie to judge, by the continuance or discontinuance of them in the Church in after-ages▪ an at present. If there be any so gifted by the holy Ghost, above ordained persons, that they are worthy to take place of them, and of Evangelists; let them by all means have the liberty of their Gifts, and their proper denomination: I think ordinary Ministers should give them the right hand of fellowship, and place. As for any kinde of Prophets or Prophesying in the publike Congregation belowe Ministers and their Ministery, there is none to be found in any enumeration of Scripture, either in Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. or Eph. 4. where we were most like to finde it: and therefore it is still with me resolved, that the Prophets and Prophesying which we read of, 1 Cor. 14. was extraordinary. He that believes three kindes of Prophets under the new Testament let him distinguish them. Thus he.

I shall gather up all into a Parallel▪ because Logick doth not please you.Contraria juxta se …osi…a magis elucescunt.

The ninth Objection.

Rom. 12. 6, 7, 8. Having the… gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether Prophecie, let us prophesie, &c. Hence they gather, that all that have the gifts of Prophecie, may pr… phe…ie, &c.

A. 'Tis granted, that they who have the gift of Prophecie may prophe…ie; and they that have the gift of Ministery (or Deaconship) must do the duty of a Deacon. But who are they that have this gift? They that are Prophets by Office, and not those that have abilities onelyonly, as one very well observes;M. Wo…km…n ag. Lay preach p. 2, 3, &c. and this will appear more fully by the context and p. 60scope of the chapter. Having exhorted to duties of piety in general v 1▪ 2. he comes, v. 3 to 9. to particular duties of Ecclesiastical persons and Officers viz. That they should not be proud of their spi…itual gifts (whi…h in those days abounded) but to think soberly and self-denyingly of themselves.

2. He sets down a disti…ct and perfect enumeration of all the standing Off…cers in the Church, and exhorts them to discharge the duties of their sev…ral Functions, v. 6, 7, 8. These Off…ces are reduced to two general heads: 1. Prophecie; (not the extraordinary gift of foretelling future things,P…opheti…m non vid…u… in…elligere facu…tem d…vinandi even…us fu…uros qua ē accepe…a…tvet…res Prophet… & q…id…m n… vi post Christum, ut Agab s, & …. &c. but the ordinary, in the right understanding and interpreting of Scripture.) Under this are contained, first, he that Teacheth i.…. the Doctor or Teacher; Secondly, he that exhorteth, i. e. the Pastor. Under Ministery are comprised, 1. He that giveth▪ i. e. the Deacon; 2. He that ruleth, i. e. the ruling Elder. So then, by Prophecie, here, is not meant the extraordinary gift of interpreting Scripture by Revelation without study, (which were it so yet could it not help you) but the ordinary gif… of Preaching and expounding Scripture by an ordinary Minister and set Church-O…ficer, of which the Apostle is here speaking, who must give himself to exhortation and teaching: and this is that Prophesying which we are comm…nded to prize,qu… p…ae i…it de ordinariis & p…rp…u…s h…ud dubio ch…rismatis: sed r…ctam S…ripturarum Pro…etica rum i…telligentiam & … plicandi fac… tatem, &c. 1 Thes. 5. 20. Despise not Prophesying, i. e. Preaching by men in Office, by sent Prophets.

Now let us see what they can gather hence. Because Pastors and Teache…s, who were Prophets and men in O…fice are commanded to Prophe…ie and expound the word, &c. Therefore private gifted persons, who are not men in O…fice may Prophesie and expound the Word. This is Kneading-trough-L…gick.

The tenth Objection.

1▪ Cor. 11. 5. Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth wi…h her head covered &c. Here (say they) were women that did Prophecie. Par&us. Vide Leigh Comment. loc.Now if gifted women did Prophecie, then much more may gifted men. …hus Mi…am, Anna and H…lda Prophesie, 2 King. 22. 14. and Deborah. Iudg. 4. 4. and Philips four daughters. So Rom. 16. 1, 3▪ 7. Ph…be a servant of the Church Aquila and Priscilla my helpers, Egoloq…or de a…i…, hi dis…ep…nt de cepis. Andr…n cus and Junia of note among the Apostles &c.

A. Here's Chalk for Cheese. We speak of ordinary gifted men in Office,Ex…a…rdin…y … cannot m…k… an ord…ary Rule. and they flee to women that were called extraordinarily, as Miri…m, Hulda &c.

As for Ph…be, she was a Diaconess to minister to the …ck, and not a Pra…dicantess to preach, or have Peters keys jingling at her girdle.

p. 61Aquila and Priscilla▪ by their private instruction and admonition, were foreign, adjutores mei▪ my helpers. And so not onelyonly men▪ but women should teach their children, servants and neighbours the way of the Lord, Pro. 1. 8. & 6 20. & 31 1, 26. Act. 18. 26. T it. 2. 3. 2 Tim. 1. 5. Yea, a woman in her husbands absence (and presence too, if he be not able) may teach her children, pray with the family &c.

As for that place,Being in the Church whilst the act of Preaching is performed Deod. 1 Cor. 11. 5. the words are not be taken actively for womens preaching▪ but passively for their attending on praying and prophesying with reverence, and joyning with such as pray or prophesie▪ and going along with them in their heart.

2. We must distinguish of Prophecying.So Pisca…or in locum. 1. There is Prophecying which is Preaching and Expounding Scripture;Vide Leigh's Comment in locum. And the large Annotat. Engl. and thus (say some) these women did not Prophesie. 2. Prophecying is taken for any publishing and Singing the praises of the Lord in Psalms and Hymns. So Psal. 68. 11 The Lord gave the Word, great was the company Annunciatricum, of She-Preachers and publishers of Gods praise:V… Ainsworth, in Psal. 68. 11. Sic A Lap. in loc.Ps 68:11 In those dayes▪ after the obtaining of some great Victory▪ the women were wont to sing Songs unto God; as Miriam. Deborah, &c. and so the word Prophesie is oft used in Scripture, Numb. 11. 1 Sam. 10. 5. 2 Chron. 25. 1, 2, 3.

3. Suppose I should grant (as many judicious Divines do and I conceive it to be the most natural and genuine sense) that women in those Primitive times were inspired with an extraordinary spirit of Prayer and Prophecie; according to that promise,Apostolis loquitur de mulier…bus spi…i…u precum & Prophetiae …, &c Par… in l…c. Ioel 2. 28. I will pour my Spirit in those days on my handmaids,V. … in locum. and they shall Prophe. This was their practice;Duplicivitio l…bor bin…: 1 Quod ape…to…cap…e incede…e…t. 2. Q…od … loquerentur. Pet. but they failing in the manner, and abu…ing thir liberty, the Apostle enjoyns them silence in publike for ever, 1 Cor. 14. 34 35. Let Your women keep …ilence in the Churches; for 'tis not permitted for them to speak: and tels them 'tis a shame, because not onelyonly against a positive Law, but against the Order of Nature. In 1 Tim. 2. II, 12. he prohibits their publike teaching, and that for two reasons: I. In respect of mans precedency in his Creation, ver. 13. For Adam was first formed and then Eve; M…tryr▪ in l… ▪the woman was made after the man, and for the man; and therefore for her to take upon her the Office of Teaching, or to usurp Authority over the man; what were it but to invert the courte and order of Nature? 2. From the womans priority in her de…ection: Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Adam was not deceived, viz. not p…imarily; he was not first deceived, but the woman, &c. 2. Not immediately by the Serpent as the woman was▪ but by the means of the womans solicitations and intici…g▪ p. 62to whom he yeelded ex amicabile quadam benevolentiâ; out of a loving and indulgent affection towards her▪ &c. B…in…l. Looking…gl…ss▪ p. 2, 3.as a very reverend Divine hath well observed. Taking upon her to be a Teacher at first she became a Seducer and undid all her posterity: hence she is suspended from Publike teaching for ever.

The eleventh Objection.

1. Cor. 16. 15 16. The house of Stephanas addicted themselves to the Ministery of the Saints &c. Hence the Anabaptists ignorantly gather, that a man may call himself to Preaching, and needs no ordinary Call to the Ministery.

A. 1 It doth not appear that the house of foreign were Ministers and Preachers,foreign signif. servato gradu & statione in qua quis …ollocatus …uerit, …e…e opibus cum …fficio conjun…ctis addicare, q. d. eos sesequidem totos ultrò …anctorum ministerio devorisse, legitime tamen vocatos, &c. but rather Deacons and Church-Officers who did serve and administer to the necessities of the Saints, in collecting and distributing alms for their support; and to this end they freely gave up themselves (as being lawfully called to that ministery and service) …, to the service of the Saints: they were not compelled or hired to it, but (which was their glory) they chearfully and spontaneously gave themselves to the the service of the Saints, to succour the poor, to harbour strangers and exiles, to attend the sick and languishing Saints, &c.

2. Take it which way yo please either for the service of the Ministery, or of the Presbytery, or Deaconship, still this is the sun that they being lawfully called did freely give up themselves to the service. Those Anabaptists (the fire-brands of Societies,Leigh Critic. as one rightly stiles them, that make these Saints to call themselves do make the Scripture to contradict it self:Tumofficium docendi tum quamvis Functionem Ecclesiasticam denotar. Leigh. Quodvis fignificat Ministerium. Aurenius Problem. p. 25. Anabaptist… omnis ordinis tubatores. for it tells us, No man may take this honour to himself without a Call. Eph 4. II. Christ gave some Pastors, &c. they did not un of themselves, &c.

Obj. The Apostle (v. 16.) commands them to submit themselves to such: Ergo, they were Gifted Preachers.

A Had you concluded,Par. Si Scriptur… per Scripturas explicamus, nibiltic, pro Anabaptistarum … inveniemus. herefore sure they were Gifted Officers, you had hit the Nail on the head. Had they been usurpers, the Apostle would never have enjoyned subjection, i. e. reverence and honour sutable to their Offices and submission to their pious admonitions and godly exhortations q. d they have spent themselves to further you and submitted themselves to the meanest for your good; therefore, do you spend your selves for them, and submit your selves to all acts of love and kindnels for their good. This submission must be mutual, Eph. 5. 21

The twelfth Objection.

Heb. 5. 11, 12. When for the time ye ought to have been Teachers, &c. Here (say they) the Apostle blames them because they were not all Teachers.

p. 63A. The fallacy lieth in the word Teachers; there are two sorts of Teachers. 1. Some are publike Teachers, who teach as Officers, authoritatively by vertue of a call. Rom 12. 7. these Teachers must attend on Teaching. Now the Apostle doth not blame them because they were not such Teachers: for he blames women and children, as well as men, for being dull of hearing, &c.

2. Others are private persons, who must teach in a private way; and these the Apostle blames,Oportebar vos post tam longā institutionem esse doctores; at in primis pietatis elementis quasi alphabeta…ii iyrones ab…duc haeretis: imò quasi infan…ei estis, quibus …ac in…illari, non solidum cibum ingeri, nec… e…. Par. in loc. that when for the time they might have been to full of knowledge▪ that they might have been Teachers of others in a private way, by exhortation, admonition, counsel, and reproof, &c. yet they had need of milk, and to be taught their Catechism, when considering the great means of knowledge, which they had long enjoyed, they might have been fit for stronger meat.

The thirteenth Objection.

1 Pet. 2. 9. Ye are a Royal Priesthood. Rev. 3. 1 0. and 1. 6. And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on earth. Exod. 19. 6. All Priests must teach; but all Believers are Priests; Ergo, all Beleevers may teach.

Answ. The fallacy lies in the word Priest. We read in Scripture of two …orts of Priests. 1. Some were Priests by Office,Est fallacia Aequivocationis, seu Homonymiae, insunt 4 termini. and these were to offer Sacrifice, and teach the people, &c. these are called a …ituall Priesthood: this is swallowed up by the Priesthood of Christ.

2. There is a Royal Priesthood proper to all Believers, who are called Priests comparatively. 1. The Priests, the sons of Levi, are said to come neer to God, Deut. 21. 5. So Believers by saith have boldness and access of God, and draw nigh to him. 2. In respect of the Sacrifices they offer, viz. Prayer and praise, Psal. 116. 17. 2. Good works,V. Owen Du…y of past. & peop. p. 19, 20, &c. Heb. 13. 15. 16.

3. Themselves, they must slaughter their sins, and mortifie the old man, and offer up their souls and bodies in sacrifice to God; and so they are Kings spiritually, because they raign over …in and Satan.

4. In respect of the common anointing. Priests were anointed;Nos omnes & reges & …cerdotes spiritualiter. P. Matt. so all believers have an unction, even the Spirit of God, which shall lead them into all truth, 1 Ioh. 2. 20. and being thus taught, they may, and must teach others privately according to their places and stations, the way of the Lord; but not publikely; for then the whole body should be eye, &c.

2. A. I shall shew the weakness of this Argument per iaem, thus: The Office of a King is to Rule: but every beleever is a King; Ergo.

p. 64… …o ye not get into the Throne, put on your Kingly Robes,… p. 8. take state upon you, ride on with King Iohn a Leyden the Taylor, who had fifteen wives, and at last came to hanging? &c.

The fourteenth Objection.

1 Pet. 4. 10, 11. As every man hath received the … even so minister the same one to another. &c.Robi s…against Yates 49. 50, &c. Every … the Talent which God hath given him. Mat. 25. else G… will take it from him and curse him. Thus they argue:

All that have gifts must use them. But many private men have gifts; Ergo, they must use them.

Answ. Antidote, p. 31, 32, &c. V. p. 2. Rutherf. Due Right, p. 294.All that have gifts must use them, true; but where? not ministerially and publikely, for then many women who have excellent Gifts should be Preachers; but privately, in that sphere and place where God hath set him; publick persons must use their Talent publickly, and private persons by private instruction, admonition, and in their Families.

This place onelyonly enjoyns every man to be helpful in his place according to the Gifts which God hath given him; but are no command for Laymen to turn Preachers: Having spoken of the use of Gifts in general, v. 11. he descends to two particulars, v. 12. First▪ to the gift of Prophesie: Secondly, the ministring according to our abilities.

The fifteenth Objection.

Revel. 11. 3. the two witnesses Prophesie; not onelyonly the Clergy, but all the faithfull.

Answ. 1.Theologia symbolica non e…t Argumentativa. Borrowed speeches make no grounded Arguments.

2. These witnesses consisted both of Pastors and people; the Pastors witnessed by publike preaching against Antichrist, and private persons by making an open confession and profession of the truth against him;V. Rutherf. Due Right, p. 295. and so many women were Martyrs, yet no Preachers; and this is that Peter commands, 1 Pet. 3. 15. to be ready to make confession of the truth, not preach.

The last Objection is a Skeleton.

A penniworth of their small reasons,Hac reci…âsse est re…u…âsse. … Pet. 3. 15. Jam. 5. 19, 20.Jas 5:19Jas 5:20 a parcell of bare bones, the very naming them is confutation sufficient; as 1 Cor. 1. 27, 29. God hath chosen the foolish things &c. Ergo, Lay-men may preach.

1 Cor. 7. 16. What knowest thou O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? and 1 Cor. 12. 11. and 1 Thes. 5. 11. command private instruction; and Phil. 2. 15▪ 16.

Luk. 8. 39. Christ having delivered the man possessed, bids him go, p. 65and shew how great things God hath done for him; and he went and preached;Robins. against Yates, p. 42, &c. published it, saith our Translation.

A. 1. He had Christs command to do so.

2. He onelyonly tells … Christ had done for him,V. Rutherf. Due Right, p. 291. which in a large sense may be called Preaching: yet 'tis one thing to publish a mi…acle, and another thing to be a ….

Obj. Robinson obje…s, the word is commonly used for preaching which Luke … sets down.

A. foreign, propr…ē, alta v…ce … m…re c…amare, &c. Leigh ….The word in the Original signifieth also to publish (…s our Translation hath it) and as an Her…lsd to deliver a m…tter in open … in the hearing of a multitude that many may take …tice of it; as that Noble Critick who hath do…e …orthily in Ephra…a▪ and therefore is deservedly famous in our Bethlem▪ hath well ob…e…ved; and in his Comment on this place; Christ comm…nds him to report it as the work of God, &c.

Lastly, they … the ex…mple of the …om…n of S…maria, Robins. Plea, p▪ 44, &c.Ioh. 4. 28▪ 29 &c. She preached Christ to her Neighbors; Ergo, they may do so too.

A▪ Now they have no help from men▪ they flee to women▪ but in vain: for this woman did not take upon her to teach them, or convert them her self; but seeketh onelyonly to bring them to Christ by whom she was converted. 'Tis one thing to preach▪ and another thing to bring tidings of a Saviour, as this woman and the Shephe…ds did.

2. Admit she had preached, yet where was it? in Samaria, amongst Heathenish Neighbours, where no … was yet planted: And here we grant that in such … a woman may occasionally declare the Gospel in … no ….

Now because a woman may publish Christ in an unplanted Church, Ergo▪ Gifted men may preach in a …l…nt…d, is such Logick, as none but such Gifted men as you are, will u…e.

I should now conc…ude;… but th… was one thing more …bjected viz. That our Min…stery w…s Antichrist…n: of which o…e … then I have done.

Object. Your Ministery is A…ichristi…n; you are … Divines, Egyptian Enchanters, …ug…rs limbs of the D…vil … covetous lordly sed…tious … the troubl… … … riest ring-leaders to Babylonish confusion, trained up in … Hea…h… ism▪ vain Philosophy, ung…dly Ar…s; Legal … Lions persecutors of the Saints; y…ur maintenance antichri…ian lik… Simon the Sorcerer; Priestly S…rib…s and Pharisees, Hypocrites▪ &c p. 66A whole load of such ignominious titles you may finde in a little Pamphlet of one * Collyer, Carbone notandus.a very dangerous Sectary.

Answ. Lo this is the Livery we must look for from the ungrateful world … 'Tis no new thing: Mat. 5. 11, 12. Thus did they persecute and revile the Prophets which were before us: let us not fret, but rejoyce,Gratias ago Deomco, quod d…gnus sim q…m mundus o…erit. Hier. Z…ch. 13▪ 6. and with those Apostles, esteem it our honour to be dishonoured for Christ. Had they been enemies, we could the better have born it; but these are the wounds with which we are wounded in the house of our friends; those that not many years ago were ready to pull out their own eyes for our good, now forsake us, and are ready to pull out ours.

God is beholding to us for the kindness which we shew to his Embassadours.To be derided by Egyptians, is t…eatned as a misery, H…s. 7. ult. but to be reproached by Professors, is very g…i…ous. If David were so displeased with Hanun, for abusing his servants, 2 Sam. 10. 45. surely then the Righteous Lord will not alwayes …ndure the indignities which are done to himself; for he that despiseth you, despiseth me. But he will arise, and smite thorow the loyns of them that rise against him, and of them that hate his Embassadors, that they rise not up again. Though Moses bear the reviling of Miriam, yet the Lord will not;D…ut. 33. 11. while he is dumb, God speaks; while he is deaf, God hears and stirs. The more silent the patient is, the more shrill will the wrong be.

And whereas they say our Ministery is Antichristian, because we were ordained by Antichristian Bishops: We answer; This is easily said, but not so easily proved; for, 1. we have our Ordination from Christ by Bishops and Presbyters; we receive it not so much from them▪ as from Christ our Lord and theirs. His sevants we are, and in his Name do we execute our Ministerial Functions, and not in the Bishops. The Authority of the Presbytery is onelyonly Ministerial service▪ whereby it restifies, declares, and approves of those whom God approves and calls.

2. Neither were the Bishops which ordained us, Antichristian; which I prove thus: Those who by their life and doctrine have witnessed against Antichrist, could not be Antichristian. But our Bishops (since the Reformation) have witnessed against Antichrist: Ergo. Witness our Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper Latimer, Farrar, Iewel▪ Pilkington, Sands, Babington, A…bot, Davenant, Hall, Morton Vsher &c.

3. Consider they were Ministers, and did ordain us not quâ Lord Bishops▪ but qudâ Presbyters, and had other Presbyters to joyn with them; so that our Ordination from them is valid, and may in no wise be disclaimed. 4. Many of them were able Ministers, and painful Preachers; no man can truly a…firm, that all our Bishops were wicked and Antichristian, many of them were men fearing God.

p. 675. Admit some of them have been Popish and wicked yet we must not condemn all the Apostles for one Iudas; A particulari ad universale, ab …ypothesi ad thesin, non v… let consequentia. Duci vul… ▪ non cogi vult… Vide Append. ad Ius divinum, p. 265, &c.there have alwayes been de facto, some evil Officers and Ministers in the Church. Hophni and Phine as, Scribes and Pharisees, some envious and perverse Teachers, Acts 20. 29, 30. Phil. 1. 15. yet the wickedness of such Ministers did not null their acts, Mat. 23. 23. their Ordination, as well as their Teaching, was valid, notwithstanding their personal wickedness; the Leprosie in the hand doth not hinder the growing of the corn: Elijah may not refuse his bread,Rutherf, Due Right, p▪ 205. 206, &c.☜ because brought by a Raven. Suppose they be wicked, Antichristian, Heretical, &c. that ordain, yet our Ministery is firm.

Now since man is a rational creature,Sadeel Op…ra, p. 541, &c. and is easier led then forced, I shall briefly use some Arguments to convince the judgement,Hom▪ disp. p. 115 Zanc. in quar…. praecept. p. 703, 704, &c. and refer you to larger Treatises for fuller satisfaction.

1. Arg. Those whose Ordination was right for substance, (though it fail in some circumstance, yet) is valid: But our Ordination was right for substance;Bern. against Sep. p. 129. Prid. fascic. p. 245, &c. we had the inward Call, and the outward; we were examined for our life and Learning, and approved of; we had imposition of hands by Elders, with Prayer and Exhortation to diligence in our places;Perk. 1 Vol. p. 760, 761, &c. the Bible is given to us with a command and Authority to preach the Word, and dispence the Sacraments. We having these substantials, the failing in some circumstantials cannot invalidate the action.Mornay on the Church, chap. 11. p. 365. A man that hath a mole on his face, yet is a man still, &c.

2. Arg. If the Baptism of Ministers in times of darkest Popery was true Baptism (because right for substance,R…thb. ag. Sep. p. 39. Shall Ordinat. be thought more necessary to the being of a Minister, then Baptis… is to the being of a …h… istian? &c. we distinguish between a defective Ministery and a fals Ministery, as we do betw…en a man that is lame or blinde, and a man that is but the picture of a man, &c. though corrupted with many superstitious Ceremonies) then the Ministers also were true Ministers, (for substance, though some corruptions were mixed with it) else their Baptizing had been invalid, and no better then a Midwives Baptizing. But 'tis acknowledged that their Baptism was effectual: Therefore their Ordination was effectual. If no Reformed Church did ever re-Baptize such as were Baptized by them, why should Ministers be re-ordained, more then re-Baptized?

3. Arg. If the Papists disclaim us, as having no Call from them, the our Calling cannot be Antichristian: but they disclaim us from having any Call from them. So that one of you two must needs erre: The Papist saith, we are no Ministers, because not called by the Pope: The Separatists say we are no Ministers, because we have our Call from the Pope. As Paul set the Pharisees and Sadduces at variance to help himself,B…ll ag. Can, p. 4, 5, 24, 29, 35, 41, 72, 102, Act. 23. 6, 7. so I shall leave the Papist and the Separatist to reason this case, whilst I step forth to the fourth Argument.

p. 684. Arg. If your Ordination be Antichristian,Quis tul…rit Gracchos▪ Bernard against Sep. p. 144, &c. then cannot you (with modesty) …ccuse us. But your Ordination is Antichristian: Ergo.

The Minor I prove. That Ordination which is contrary to the Rules of Christ is Antichristian.Vide Rutherf. Plea, p 78, 79. and 124, 125, &c.☜ But your Ordination is contrary to the Rule of Christ: Ergo. The Minor I prove. You allow the people to ordain Ministers, and private persons to ordain Pastors: but Christ commands Pastors to Ordain Pastors. As the Priests were Ordained by Priests▪ Ezra 6. so the Apostles by Christ, Ioh. 20. 21. Bishops and Elders by Apostles Act. 14. 23. 1 Tim. 4. 14. Tit. 1. 9. Shew one precept or president if you can, that ever private persons did Ordain a Pasto….

2. If your Ordination by Plebeian Artificers be valid, then (à fortior… ) our Ordination by Learned, Orthodox godly. Divines, will be valid.

5. Arg. Those Ministers which are elected, proved, ordained by the Presbytery, according to the mind of Christ, cannot be Antichristian. But our Ministers Now are elected, proved, ordained by the P…esbytery, according to the mind of Christ: Ergo.

6▪ Arg. Those Ministers which are diametrically opposite to the Priests and Shavelins of Antichrist, cannot be Antichristian. But our Ministers are so: E…go.

This will appear by the ensuing Parallel.

as your selves can witness: for, consider whether you did not receive the work of conversion from sin unto God, which you presume to be wrought in you first of all▪ in these publike Assemblies from which you now separate. And if once you found Christ walking amongst us, how is it that yo do now leave us? Are we less, and not rather more reformed then we were? If the presence of Christ, both of his power and grace be with us, why will you deny us your presence? Are ye holier and wiser then Christ? Is not this an evident token that we are true Churches, and have a true Ministery, because we have the Seal of our Ministery, even the conversion of many sons and daughters unto God? Doth not the Apostle from this very ground, argue the truth of his Apostleship? p. 691 Cor. 9. 2. Is it not apparent that our Ministers are sent by God▪ because their Embassage is made successful by God for the good of Souls? Did you ever read of true conversion ordinarily in a false Church? Will the Lord concur with those Ministers whom he sends not? Doth not the Prophet seem to say the quite contrary?Vid. That excellent satisfactory Vindication of the Presbyterial Governm. by the Synod of London, Nov. 2. 1650. p. 141, &c. Ier. 23. 21, 22. And therefore either renounce your conversion, or be converted from that great sin of seperating from us; for 'tis a greaat aggravation of your sin, that you seperate from us in a time of Reformation: whilst publike Authority hath been at work to find out Gods way, private persons have taken their advantage to set up their own. Whilst the one hath been reforming, the other▪ instead of joyning with them to strengthen their hands, have been withdrawing and separating themselves and others from them. And what, Separate from a Reforming Church! A Church that professeth so much willingness and readiness to be conformed to the Rule of the Word! Brethren, let me tell you, There is more in this circumstance, then haply some have been or are aware of. When God is coming towards a Church, then to run from it! When God is turning his face towards it, then to turn our backs upon it! When God is building it up, then to be active in pulling it down! This is a sad thing; and surely if rightly apprehended, must sit sadly upon the spirits of some.

Had it been some yeers since, when God seemed to have been about to depart from us, when Innovations and Corruptions were breaking in upon us, then to withdraw, then to forsake the Church, (however I dare not avouch it for a work so transcendently meritorious as some conceive of it, yet) I grant it tolerable. But now to do it, now that (as them…selves conceive of it) the Church is coming up out of the wilderness now that she begins to boyl out her scum, now that she begins to be more refined and reformed; now to forsake her, truely this is no small aggravation to this desertion.

For Mariners at Sea to forsake their ship when she is ready to sink, (though possibly it may be an errour and over-sight in them so to do, yet) it is pardonable. But if the ship shall begin to rise and float again, so as they see apparent hopes that with a little pumping and baling she may be saved, now to leave her, (much more to cut holes in her sides) their owners will give them little thanks for it. Some yeers since, the Church of God amongst us seemed to be in a sinking condition; then to leave her▪ might be pardonable. But now, now that through the merli of God she begins to be somewhat floatsome and boyant, so as aycttle industry and pains in the pumping & purging, may free her and save her, shall we now de…ert her? (that I do not say cut holes in her sides.) Surely, p. 70surely,Lond. Vind. of Pre…. p. 140. never was Separation from this Church …o unwarrantable as it is at this day: warrantable it never was since she was a true Church. In the last Age an error it was,Ame…us unitat…m, …imea…mus separatione…. Aug. a S…hism; and that not onelyonly Mr. Ainsworths more rigid, but Mr. Robinsons more moderate Separation, so accounted and censured at all hands; Surely then at this day it cannot be warrantable. Make the fairest of it, an unadvised Separation it is: As a judicious and pious Divine (in that satisfactory and elabora…e Tract against this sin) hath fully proved;M. Brinsly Ar…raign. of Sep. p. 31, 32. whose words being so suitable and seasonable to this purpose, I could not but for thy good transcribe. and with them so fully and clearly expressing my minde, I shall conclude.

I have now finished my work, and well-nigh my time together. It was far from my thoughts (the Lord he knows) ever to have published a Tract of this nature; but being openly challenged to make it good, I fell to study the point; and upon perusal of Authors, I found that some had done excellently in answering Objections, but omitted Arguments which confirm the Thesis: Others had some Arguments, but omitted the answering of Objections; some answer to some Objections▪ others to other some; but here thou hast seventeen Arguments to convince the judgement; an Answer to above thirty Objections, even all that eve… my little reading could attain, with References to larger Tracts, which handle any point more fully. Cover all the Solaecisms, Barbarisms, and imperfections, with the mantle of love; consider 'twas the work of successive hours, redeemed from rest and recreations, framed in the midst of double imployment▪ besides personal Trials, &c.

If thou reap any benefit, give God the glory, who hath brought this light out of darkness, and the good out of the oppositions of our Brethren: If thou see any imperfections, defects, weaknesses, &c. as I am conscious to my self of many) yet let not, O let not the Truth of God suffer through my weakness and failings,Me me adsum qui …eci, in me convertite ferrum. but ascribe them to me, even to me, to whom of due they belong: I am very well content to decrease, so his glory may increase; let my name perish, so his may flourish; let me dye, so my Gods honour may live, I have enough.

Now to the onelyonly wise God,Domine Deus, quaecun que dixi de tuo, agnoscant & tui; si qua de meo, & tu ignosce & tui. Aug. who hath given both heart and hand, will and deed, the way and the work, be given all praise and glory from Angels, men, and every creature, from henceforth and for ever. Amen. Amen.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Hall, The Pulpit Guarded (1651)