A Way to Zion Sought out and Found for Believers, Treatise · Objection 1
Objection.
But baptisme with water must needs be ceased, The object, that it isceased because men preached no… infallibly, as the Apostles did, answered.because none may baptise with water, but he that teacheth the Gospell in pure spirit, infallibly, as the Oracles of God; he must be such a Disciple as they to whom the commission was given, which could teach infallibly, and worke Miracles. To this purpose Mr. Saltmarsh to Mr. Knollis, pag. 328. & 174: Men speake not Scripture, nor the word of truth originally, nor infallibly, as the Apostles did.
1. Answ. Then Mr. Saltmarsh had no more commission to preach then to baptise, for he saith, All men preach upon a lower account now, then they did then, and not in that pure anoynting. By what commission did he preach then?
2 I answer, He that may preach may baptise, Matth. 28. (i e.) so preach, as by his Ministry to beget faith in Christ, as Philip, Acts 8. and many other examples.
For if none may preach, and baptise, but infallible men, That men not infallible may preach, proved.then see what will follow.
1 That he that affirmeth this tenet was no preacher of the Gospel, †In the Title page.as he stileth himselfe, because not an infallible man; for he that may not baptise, may not preach: And this appeareth from Mat. 28. ult. teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you: And he commanded them to preach, as well as baptise.
2 That Christ hath promised his presence to none that preach, and baptise, except they were infallible men; for upon this, that they goe and teach, and baptise, he promiseth; And loe, I am with you alway. And none can teach now, say some of them; none can preach infallibly, say all: then there is no expectation of Christs presence, and then it will follow, that none of these men have any of Christs presence with them in their preaching. So that by their owne doctrine, they doe deliver Visions of their owne hearts, and not the minde of Christ; then how can they be beleeved when they say, it is of God.
3 Then none can now beleeve, because none can so preach as to beget faith, or not preach at all; for when preaching ceaseth faith must cease; for faith commeth by hearing the Word preached, Rom. 10.14.17. For there have bin no preachers say some, no infallible men that preach by commission saith another, since the Apostles age, but that is not so; for there have been beleevers in all ages, as I have proved at large before; therefore there have been preachers in all ages, yet not infallible men.
4 It doth not follow, that men speake not infallibly, because some men differ from them in Judgement: [for if so, then Paul, and other Apostles might have been taxed for no infallible men, for divers opposed them.
5 Every Beleever that hath a gift to preach, can preach some truths infallibly; even such as are for the begetting of faith in Christ, and obedience to him. 1 Cor. 8.6. Luke 1.35. 1 Tim. 2.6. … Tim. 1.15. Act. 4.11.12. Mar. 16.16. Rom. 3.24.That there is one God; That Christ is the Sonne of God, the one Mediator betwixt God and man; That he came into the world to save sinners; That there is no name given by which men can be saved but by him; That he that beleeveth shall be saved; That men are justified freely, by the Grace of God. These are infallible truths, and many other, which a Disciple may preach.
6. I shall prove, that fallible men may preach the Gospell, and have done it. What say you to Apollo, Act. 18. whom Aquila, and Prissila took to them and expounded the way of God more perfectly to him? It seemeth he was too short, and might be taught more perfectly: Yet this man was a Gospel Preacher, by whom so…e of the Corinthians beleeved, 1 Cor. 3.5.as well as by Paul. So that rule, 1 Thess. 5. Prove all things, &c. sheweth that fallible men may preach, and the Saints may heare them; for saith he, Despise not prophesyings; but he is a fallible man that I deny hearing: Why (saith he) Try all things, and bold fa…t that which is good. Infallible men must needs deliver that which is good. Therefore this sheweth that fallible men may Preach, or Prophesie: And he that can so preach as to make Disciples, may baptise, Mat. 28.
Object. But it is but declaring their Judgements (say some) declaring their experiences say others. And Mr Salm Page 246, 247. saith,
All conference, or discovery, in letter, or speech, is meer witnessing to the Lord, and the discovery of God of what we are taught not any Ministery as formerly, for teaching.
I answer, What preaching is.where hath any fall…ble man more warrant to declare his judgement then he hath to preach? where doth the Scripture mention any such thing? Paul in 1 Cor 7.40. declared his judgement, but this man preached. And saith Iohe, That which we have SEEN and HEARD DECLARE we unto you: And that man Preached.
2 Declare their judgements, their experiences, witnessing to God, call it by what name you will, is preaching.
1 Consider, That preaching is teaching, Maith 28.18. with Mark. 16 15.
2 Publishing a thing, is preaching …. 10.36, 37. That which he calleth preaching peace by Jesus Christ, he calleth Ver. 37 publishing. That word I say, which was published So R…m 10 15. How beautifull are the fect of them that preachth. Gosp…ll of p…ce, as it is written? And where i… i…wr…tten: Isa. 52.7. And there it is, that publisheth peace. Againe looke to Psal. 40. …. I h… PREACHED rightcousvesse in the great Congreg…ion; And what them I have not REFRAINED my lips, O Lord thou knowest, I have NOT HID, I have DECLARED, I have NOT CONCEALED, &c. 1 Iohn 1.3. That which we have seene and heard, DECLARE we unto you. So that we see by these Scriptures, Declaring, Net refraining the Lips, Not hiding, Not concealing, is Preaching. And so speaking their experiences, is Preaching. See Act. 4.17, 18, 19. That which the Councell calleth speaking or teaching in the Name of Christ, They call Chap. 5.28. Teaching; and that Peter calleth Speaking, Chap. 4.20. And speaking their experiences; We cannot but SPEAKE the things we have heard and seen. And witnessing to God, Chap. 5.32. And we are his witnesses; Therefore he argueth they must speake, or preach, seeing God had commanded them to witnesse to Christ, &c. So that you see, it is one and the same thing to teach, preach, declare, witnesse to God, Speake the truth, &c. For can these men declare their experiences, or witnesse to God, and publish, or declare nothing? and Reveal nothing? and not speake? If not, 1 Tim. 6.4, ….they doe preach. but that men are sicke about words, as Paul speaketh to Timothy, whereof commeth envy, railings, backbitings, evill surmisings, perverse disputings, &c.