Plea for Scripture Ordination, To the reader – Errata
TO THE READER.
THE indispensible use of a Gospel Ministry must appear to such as at all consider, the ignorance of Mankind in the way of Eternal Life, the innate aversion to the terms of Reconciliation with God, the Mystery of Gospel Revelations, the subtle and unwearied Attempts of Seducers against the Truth, the backwardness to improvement in Grace and a Life according to the Rules of Christianity, which even they discern, who are not utter Strangers to the Impresses of a Divine Power, by the Word, in the illumination of their Minds, and renovation of their Wills. Yea further, who would sustain the Labour and Hazards of this holy Calling, or attend thereto with an assiduity requisite to the ends thereof, if not by Office obliged? Nay, how would it enervate our Pleadings with Sinners, and abate that Assurance given to Believers by the Word and Sacraments, if we did not transact between God and them, as cloathed with the Authority of Ambassadors, delegated by Christ thereto, and supportted by his Presence and Power in our Administrations?
The Lord Iesus, as Head of the Church, promiseth and dispenseth Gifts suitable to the Ministerial Office, and renders them so essential thereto, as that none can be duly admitted to this Trust, who are not in some good degree fit to teach, divide the Word aright, convince Gain-sayers; yea credibly appearing devoted to God, and concerned for the Salvation of Men. No Ordainers can dispense with the want of these; nor is the Ministerial Office conveighed by the greatest Solemnities to any Man void of these Qualifications; though the best accomplished may awfully say, foreign, 2 Cor. 2. 16.
The same holy Instituter of this Office …ath wisely provided against Intruders; and also for the encouragement of such as are capable, by subjecting Probationers ordinarily to the Enquiry and Iudgment of Men fit, and authorized to determine of their Call and Endowments, and to invest them in the Office of a Presbyter, by Fasting and Prayer, with imposition of Hands: the Authority and Obligations of which Office are in the Scriptures adjusted by Christ, and can admit of no Change at the Will of the Ordainers.
Reason directs that the Ordainers should be fit to judge of the necessary Qualifications of such as are proposed to this Charge: The Scriptures determine that the Ordainers be such as are invested and exercised in the same holy Office. And who so capable to judge, or likely to be careful and faithful in their Admissions? These are appointed to make a Minister, though Churches are to elect who so approved shall be their Minister: Pastors invest in the Office, though the People do appropriate the more stated and usual Employment of the Officer. Confusion and a degenerate Ministry must ensue Mens attempting the Ministry, if they get but a good conceit of themselves, or that particular Churches assume the sending forth Preachers, or making Ministers for themselves, unless in Cases very extraordinary.
The Reverend Author in the following Treatise hath no design to reflect on Episcopal Ordination, nor to raise any unseasonable Debates among Protestants. But being in a peculiar manner assaulted as an Vsurper of the Ministerial Office, because separated thereto by the imposition of no Hands besides those of Presbyters. He herein affirms, and I think with great Iudgment and Evidence proveth, That Presbyters, though no Prelates, are authorized by the Lord Iesus to Ordain fit Persons to the Office of Presbyters, and that the Ordination of such is valid. Many have successfully engaged in this Debate heretofore, yet thou wilt find some very considerable Addition to what occurs in most other Authors. It's not unworthy the Animadversion of all concerned for the meer being of Religion, that there is a general Attempt this day, not only against the Exercise of the Ministry in an aptitude to its end, but against the very Office of the Ministry: many that widely differ in other things, do yet center herein. The fordwardness of some to nullifie the Mission of their Brethren, conduceth as much thereto as any thing, except the Personal Faults of Ministers. Such decisions of the Subject in debate, yields no small Advantage to the Romish Hierarchy, whiles most Protestants are unchurched, and their Holy Administrations arraigned as Nul…ities: A Notion that never obtained in the English Church till the Grotian design received Patronage here, and that to subserve purposes as little propitious to our Civil Rights, as to Religion it self. The Increase of Purity, Self-denial, Light and Love, would soon decide Cases more important; and render the Vitals of Christianity more secure, which are now so variously exposed.
Octob. 14. 1693. I am thy Servant in our common Lord, Daniel Williams.
ERRATA.
PAge 65. l. 4. r. Writers. ibid. l. 18. r. occasionally. p. 91. l. 2. r. excluduntur. p. 100. l. 7. r. 100.
Through a Mistake of the Printer Chap. VI. Is made Chap. V. and Chap. VII. is made Chap. VI. and so unto the end of the Book. So Arg. V. is made Arg. IV. and Arg. VI. is made Arg. V. and so forward unto the last.