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 I 
 
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March 23. 1651. 
 
 THis Polemicall Treatife, inti- 
 tled, Vindiciz Minifierii E* 
 vangelici, is in my judgment foim- 
 pregnable(as tending to correft the 
 (hamefull abufe of thefe Times, 
 wherein men, having no Calling, 
 prefumptuoufly take upon them the 
 Oifice of Gods Minifters, and to 
 preach publiquely unto the people) 
 and (b judicioufly and fufficiently 
 handled, that I approve it worthy 
 to be printed and published, 
 
 fobnT>owname. 
 
S VIHDICI& I 
 
 &dlNI$?E%ll EVANGSUd-l 
 
 
 % A Vindication of the great Ordinance of God * 
 | viz. A G o S P E L-M I K I s T R Y 5 In which ^ 
 
 theft enfuing Queflions are fhortly difcuft, X 
 
 iJtfhetker under the Gofpel there be fetch afun&ion at the Minijlry, g 
 viz. frme particular perfons appointed to preach the Word and ad 
 minifi:r the Sacram.-xitj. 
 ♦ j 2 Whether no more b* required far this fun&ion , to authorize men 
 \ ordinarily to preach i interpret^ and apply Scriptures, then t bat they 
 1 have gifts^and bt defer ed to ex^dje them, 
 
 !? 9. Whether tbofe that ordinarily p. i C b , open and apply Scriptures , 
 muft be fit apart by J he Fresbytery. 
 4 Whether the laying on of the hands of the *~*tbytery can be omitted 
 
 in ScripturaU Ordination without fin. 
 5. Whether Chri feigns that mal{e a conjeimee of hearing ih , Word of ' 
 Gjd^can without fin hear fitch preach ^open^or apply Scriptures ^ - are 
 not ordiinedybut tneerly gifted men^&c. 
 In which, 
 5 The Affirmative part of the firft and third queftions, and the Ne« 
 ♦> gative part of the three others ismaintained,and the judgements of former 
 ^ Divines in them held forth -, And all the confiderable Arguments on the 
 «j£ contrary parts brought by Anabaptifts i Socinimi i Ertjli«ns % Sepa.mifis^t^xt 
 Ǥ> anfwcred,and what is already angered to them by zmcby^Amius^hemm ^ 
 *£ tim i Matyr>C*lvin i RHthefford i Gillelpy)SetmM< i znd. others,is gathered up and jjy 
 ^ presented, together with the Authors own opinion and anfwer, where he X 
 *g> hat h judged it needfull to adde any thing. ^» 
 
 <♦ By Jsbn£dlings. M. A. & Preacher of Gods word in Norwich. <8* 
 
 ^ Neque probtmus dogma Anabaptifticum unicuiqut Heir t fungi MiniJicrio^Zancbius j£ 
 ^ in quartum pra?ceptnm,p.777.v.plura 772.^/? ighur dogma fedhioi urn & d'mbo- ^ 
 ♦$> licvm, dogma. Atmbaptifticum de hominibtujine difcrimine permit tendis funftiontm 4> 
 «£ Ecclejiafticam Jufcipere, & Ecclefiam docere.lbid. 
 
 +> 
 
 
 t 
 
 +fr 
 
 Rom. 10 14, 1 5. HnwfkxU tbty beare without a Preacher ? and hew {ball they £ 
 <* preach except thy befent f £ 
 
 * Lw^PrintecTfor RicbSTemUns&t the fign of thTSun and Bible % 
 neer Pye-corner. 1651. n. V 
 
/ 
 
To all in the Nation, that defire 
 
 to walkc in their Relations^ as becomes 
 the Gofpell of the Lord Jefus Chrift ; 
 whether they be fuch as are to take care 
 for the fending forth of Labourers into 
 the Lords TJiaeyard, or more private 
 Chriftiansj whether fuch as be more emi- 
 nently gifted, and conceive themfelves fit 
 to teach others, or fuch as crely defire to 
 be taught according to the truth of the 
 Gofpell. 
 
 Honoured and beloved in the Lord 9 
 
 T is the opinion of fome,That the 
 Originall caufeof all the mife- 
 ries of the fonncs of men, was 
 an ambition in Adam and Eve to 
 be above their Maker^That they 
 afpired to an equality with him 
 is plain jGen. 3. v. 5. this itch of pride and ambition 
 hath run in through our firft Parents blood, into 
 
 a the 
 
To the Keader* 
 
 the veines of every foule. There was never in the 
 world any Will- worfhip, but a fpirituall Chym'ijl 
 that will trace it into its neft, will finde it callow 
 in thefe caufes^ever fince the devil befotted man, 
 he hath had a vanity to think himfelfe wifer then 
 God. Hence it is, that the fons of men have been 
 continually giving Lawes to themfelves , and it 
 hath been the fence in (hort of every corrupt 
 heart continually : We will not have this God to reign 
 over us. Princes corrupted have difdained to 
 make him their Counsellor , and corrupt Priefts 
 have difdained to take him for their High-Triejl, 
 yea there is not the meaneft worme but hath an 
 higher opinion of the imaginations of his owne 
 hearty for the guide of his waies, then of the Word 
 of God ^ and fcornes too to make that a light to his 
 feet^ and a Xanthome to his paths. Reafon is the 
 great Idoll of corrupt foules 5 fome fpeake plaine 
 and tell us there is no other God but what dwels 
 in us, and Reafon is he 5 the moft fpeake it in ef- 
 fect : For how few is there either amongft Prin- 
 ces or people,that will vaile their Reafon to a di- 
 vine precept? and in truth whoever cannot doe it 
 advanceth himfelf above him who is called God, 
 andadoreth himfelfe inftead of his Maker, and 
 is as much an Idolater as he that boweth downe 
 to a graven Image. This fin is the fountaine of all 
 Difovedience , and the originall of all quarrels be- 
 twixt God and man: Man quarrels with God 
 becaufe he will not let him rule himfelfe 5 and 
 God with man, becaufe man will not let him rule 
 
 over 
 
7o the Trader. 
 
 over him. God hath begun to contend 5 and will I 
 feare yet contend more with the policies of the 
 Earth/or not fubmitting to the righteaufneffe of 
 his Lawes, fo much carnall wifdome as is mixt in 
 a Nations Laws, which is contrary to the divine 
 wifdome of the great Law-giver,fo much rotten- 
 neffe there is in the bones of that Nation. Carnall 
 f elide pleads for toleration for the idolater and 
 Blafyhemer^ for leagues with idolaters^ f or firengthe- 
 ningof Nations. If the Law of God fpeaks other- 
 wife we mayj^re., but God {hall finite us for it 5 
 we may make leagues^ but they fhall not Jiand. I 
 never looke to fee a Nation eftablifhed in peace, 
 till Mofes his five Books be to the Rulers of it in- 
 ftead otBra&on^nd Coo^andJuJl/nian^&c.Thote 
 that examine will finde that all the pleadings of 
 corrupt hearts againft the Judiciall Law (fo far as 
 it is an Appendix to the Morrallj For the pattern 
 of Lawes to Nations are founded in this itch of 
 corruption, to advance ourowne reafon above 
 the Lords will. 
 
 But if in the ordering of policies and Common- 
 wealths D and our particular con verfattons^ our 
 proud hearts will needs give Lawes to our felves, 
 yet one would think there mould be fo much in- 
 genuity left in man, as to be dire&ed by the Lord 
 in thofe things which concern his Worfhip , yet 
 l even in this man could never put the neck of his 
 Reafon under the Lords feet. No fooner had 
 the Lord given the Jewes a rule for his Worfhip, 
 and forbidden them a worshipping of him by 
 
 a 3 graven 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 graven Images 9 but their reafon telling of them 
 that an Image would put them better in mind of 
 Jehovah,they bow down to a Calfe , Exod.32. In 
 Ihort , there was no Idolatry or Will-worfhip 
 which we have read of, but was brought in upon 
 this fcore. Hence it was that the Jewes under the 
 Gofpell fubmitted not to the right eoufnejje ofChrift. 
 From hence was the Apoftacy and Idolatry of the 
 latter times^All the fopperies of the Romijh Church 
 are founded upon this foundation 3 All thejuper- 
 Jiition of the Prelates^the Altar- worfhip^&c. was 
 rooted here. Why kneeling rather thenjitting at 
 the Lords Table? but becaufe reafon told them it 
 was the more reverent pofture. Thus man would 
 never be content that the Lordfhould give Laws 
 to his own houfe , like a fullen fervant, that will 
 not let his Matter rule his own Family by his own 
 wilL>and according to his own pleafure. 
 
 In all ages there have been fome or other of 
 corrupt hearts, who upon this fcore have corrup- 
 ted the Do&rine, Worfhip, or Difcipline of the 
 Church. And hence it is that there hath been fo 
 frequent need of Reformations. 
 
 The worke of which hath onely been to purge 
 the Church of Chrift from the fluttery of carnall 
 reafon , to reduce againe the wifdome of corrupt 
 hearts 5 and to bring it in obedience to the wifdome 
 which is from above ? which is accounted folly 
 with men. 
 
 This was the great Worke which Cod put in- 
 to our Parliaments hands intheyeare 1641,8a:. 
 
 And 
 
To the Reader, 
 
 And it was but time for fome to undertake it 3 
 when there was fcarce a pot of Manna, in the 
 Lords Arkg, but a tender confcienced Chriftian 
 tailing was ready to cry., Death is in the pot. 
 
 Our Doftrine was corrupted with Popijh^Armi- 
 nian^and Socinian principles 5 I mean the Doftrine 
 preached in all parts of the Nations. 
 
 Our Worjhip polluted with Romifh cringings 9 and 
 Altar-worfhippingsjixvi 2l fardell of unwritten Ce- 
 remonies. 
 
 Our Difcipline tainted both in the head and 
 heart. The Officers Apocryphal in their very names 3 
 inftead of Evangelicall PaJiors^eachers^Elders^nd 
 Deacons 9 we had uncircumcifed Archbifbops^Prch- 
 ticMBiJhops^rriejis, together with a rabble of An- 
 tichriftian Chancellor sfommiffaries^ DeansJPrebends^ 
 Cantons fihorijlersfroBors^singing-nten^c. And for 
 their Adminiftrations 3 inftead of excommunica- 
 ting drunkards fornicators^ 8cc. we had in every 
 Parifh-church ringing with Excommunications z- 
 gainft godly Minifters and people that could not 
 fubmit to their Will- wor(hipfmigs 3 and approve 
 their abominations. 
 
 And fuch as were their a&ions fitch were their 
 perfons. Wickcdnefle went forth from thePrieft 
 into the whole Land 5 who more lewd and pro- 
 phane then thofe that were to be examples of 
 holinefle in purity of Life and Doftrine ? 
 
 It pleafed our Worthies ailembled in Parlia- 
 ment to fet their (boulders to the Lords worke, 
 and to begin to cleanfe his houfe* 
 
 To 
 
To the Racier. 
 
 To this end godly Minifters were reftored , and 
 fcandalous Popifti Priefts reje&ed (For what is the 
 fait that hath loji its favour good for Jbut to be thrown on 
 the dunghill) Apocrypha 11 Officers were taken a- 
 way,and their irregular aftings forbidden^A lear- 
 ned and godly Aflembly was chofen to confuk 
 and advife concerning a Dire&orj/for IVerjhip , a 
 ccnfejjion ofFaith^and a form ofDifapline. After a 
 long time, and many ferious debates, all of them 
 were prefented to them, and by their Civill San- 
 ation ratified and confirmed. 
 
 And that the form of found Do&rine might be 
 kept, andEcclefiafticall adminiftrations purely 
 and regularly adminiftred , it pleafed the Par- 
 liament further to take care that the Aflembly 
 fliould confult the Scriptures concerning the 
 Will of God , for the regular Ordination and ap- 
 pointing of fuch as fhould minifter in the things 
 of God, both preaching the Word, andadmini- 
 ftring Sacraments, &c. and at laft to eftablifti an 
 Order for the Script ur all Ordination of fuch as flmdd 
 be authorized to Eceiejiajlicall Adminijirations 5 prOr 
 hibiting any not fo ordained from ufurping the 
 facred Office of the Miniftry,&c. 
 
 But behold ! troubles multiplying in the Nati- 
 on^ and the fervants care of the Chmch fleeping, 
 The Enemy (that alwaies fiftieth in troubled wa- 
 ters) foweth tares. The fame meafure which Lu- 
 ther reforming in Germany met with, did our Re- 
 formers in England meet with alfo , from men of 
 the fame principles. 
 
 To 
 
1 o the Reader. 
 
 To obftruft the Reformation of England in 
 Doftrine, the De vill muftred up a Legion of An- 
 tinomians Anabaptijis^ Ar mini am Antiirinitari- 
 ans Avians 9 as if all the routed companies of E- 
 bron^Cerinthus^Vhotinus^ I akntinus^ Telagius^ Ser- 
 vetus^Stoik^Mu/rcer^IohnaLeyden^ Arminius D had 
 met at a generall rendezvous in England^ and lif- 
 ted themfelves under Befi^fiokes^ Bedle^ Ery, &c. 
 and all the Eamihjis^ and Libertines - Antinomi- 
 ansfac. which were routed in New England^ were 
 againe lifted nnder feverall Chieftaines in this 
 Nation. 
 
 To obftruft the Reformation of worfiip and Di- 
 fcipline^how many feverall Colours were difplayed 
 ofSeftaries 9 the moft pleading againft all Govern- 
 ment of the Church for the licentious liberty of 
 their hearts^that would have the old condemned 
 Atheifticall Decree revived 3 Vt liceat quo quifque 
 velit RituDeum colere^ that every one might wor- 
 (hip God after the imagination of his own heart. 
 
 And in order to the effecting of this 9 the Devill 
 could devife no better ftratagem than the declai- 
 ming of the Minifteriall EunUion. Tobefiegethis 
 Caftle( which wetruftthe Envious one will fin de 
 fcituated upon a rock ) Satan mufters up Troops 
 oiErafiians^ and Socinians 9 and Ana baptijis, thefe 
 proclaime D That the world hath bin cheated with 
 the Notion of a Minifteriall calling. Every Chri- 
 ftianisa Triefi to the moft high God 5 and hath 
 authority to preach and adminifier Sacraments^ 
 there needs no other calling but gifts^r .But this 
 
 b being 
 
 * 
 
To the deader. 
 
 i. 
 
 being the notorious defigne of Satan and his In- 
 struments (having formerly iadeavoured in vain 
 to corrupt) now to deftroy theMiniftry, I {hall 
 defire you but to obferve how Satan hath mana- 
 ged his Plot. 
 
 He hath ftirred up fome to broach Doctrines to 
 thkeffett? That the Miniftry is needlejfe, all the 
 Lords people are Prophets, this was Korahf lan- 
 guage, Num. 16. Aaron and Mofes took upon them 
 too much, all the Lords people are holy. 
 
 Another party he hathfet to endeavour the with- 
 drawing of their maintenance } thus lulian the Apo- 
 ftate thought to make an end of the Miniftery 5 
 thus the Devil would ftarve out his enemies that 
 he cannot take by ftorme 3 to this purpofe how 
 many petitions have beene prefented, (though 
 blefled be God he hath hitherto ftopt our Rollers 
 ears againft them)for taking away of tythes, and 
 that their fpight was againft a livelihood for the 
 Miniftry, is plainer for you never yet heard thofe 
 Petitioners petition that firft another way of 
 maintenance might be fetled, yet thefe(innocent 
 men!) would not deftroy the Miniftry, no they 
 would onely ftarve them^not ftab them^no,onely 
 fuck way their bloud. 
 
 A third party Satan fets to diCcredit their Do- 
 Urine 5 thefe trumpet it abroad that the Minifters 
 preach lies, their Doftrine isfalfe, and to this 
 end they Print and Preach, and wreft the words 
 of their Teachers, and cavill at the expreffions 
 which they doe not underftand. 
 
7 o the %e#dtr. 
 
 A fourth p'OjtfZ he hath^ is tofet a party to (hare 
 i heir conjcicnces upon civil/ accounts 5 thus ihe accu- 
 fers of the three children chaigtd them, 2 hey re- 
 gard not thee King \ thus the Princes charged 
 Daniel^ Dan.y. And where is the place that Sa- 
 tan hath not fame lying in Ambufcado in,for this 
 End? to fill the Eares of thofe in Authority with 
 tolicitations againft the Minifters of the Gofpell, 
 i hey are they that trouble Ijr del } That keepe the 
 people jromyeeld/ng obedience'*. Till they be remo- 
 ved no quiet muft be expefted, &c. 
 
 A fifth pro jc<5 he hath, // to lead, he Minifters 
 oftheCojpell with opprobrious termes 5 this is like 
 the benumming of the flefh, in order to the cut- 
 ting off of the Joynt : whofe Eares do not tingle 
 with hearing every filthy mouth reviling thepre- 
 tious fcrvants of Chrift with the termes ofPrieJis^ 
 Baals Triefis^ Black^coats^ Incendiaries^ &c. 
 
 A fixth projed is , A generall ufurpation of the 
 Office 5 hence is proclamcd, and pra&ifed too , a 
 liberty for any one to prophecy^ as they call it,if he 
 have but gifts ^ and it is an eafie inference. If 
 they may preach they may adminijier Sacraments too$ 
 and then what need any Minifters ? This is the 
 great defign of Satan this day. And he that run s 
 may read now nimbly and clofe he profecutes it. 
 The Lord rebuke him 5 Truly he prevailes fo far. 
 That, 
 
 1. He hath made many Profejfors^ acquainted with 
 the re ayes ofGod^fubjcnbe to his Creed. 
 
 2. Ike faith of many ethers begins to faile^ they 
 
 b 2 are 
 
 6. 
 
To the Keader* 
 
 are ready to think, The great Ordinance of the 
 Miniftry will be prevailed againft , and their eyes 
 pall no more fee their Teachers. 
 
 It is not my way to deale in Controverfiall 
 points, nor do I at all delight in it. But,, that I 
 might uphold the faith of Profeffors againft the 
 malice of Satan,and if it were poffible, convince 
 others that they kick againft the pricks. 
 
 I have been willing to croffe my Genius to dis- 
 charge my duty in this enfuing Treatife, which 
 may poffibly cure prejudice if it be read without 
 it. And I hope there is fo mucb ingenuity yet left 
 in the hearts of the Profeffors of England , that 
 have been mifguided in thefe erroneous times, 
 that if it be made appeare to them from Scripture 
 that the Miniftry is a GofpelUOrdinance , which muft 
 continue till Chriji come. 2. That Gifts do not \ make 
 aMinifter. 3. Thattvhofoeveris a true Minifter of 
 the Go fpell muft be folemnlyfet apart to the wor>ke by 
 a Prefbytery. They will be then very tender of en- 
 deavouring to pluck the ftars out of Chrifts right 
 hand, to undermine the Lord Jefus Chrift in his 
 great Ordinance for converfion of fpules 5 and al> 
 fo take heed of ufurping that office which none 
 ought to take to himfelf. 
 
 However, I am confident I fhall fupport the 
 faith of fome that begin to doubt that the Lord is 
 about to root out the Miniftry , &c. If I have made 
 it good (as I hope I have) that the preaching of 
 thofe that have only gifts ^ and are deft red U exercife 
 themes a fin, and warrantable by no Scripture 5 
 
 then 
 
7o the %eader. 
 
 then let Socinians and Erajiiansdo it, and Armini- 
 ans and Socinians do it, but furely none that feare 
 the Lord will prefume to do it. Let me particu- 
 larly addrefle my felf to feverall forts. 
 
 you that are to take care that the x people be taught 
 the GoJpellofChriJi in truth and fincerity 5 remem- 
 ber that you are the fervants of Chrift in this 
 work 5 you are to take care that Preachers be difper 
 fed into the corners of the Nation, and how flail 
 they preach except they befentfThat the Magiftrates 
 Million is fuflicicnt to authorize a Preacher was 
 never the Doftrine of any Church of Chrift, 
 nor hath it the leaft footing in Scripture. Let Ti- 
 mothy and Titu*^ let the Presbyteries prove and try, 
 and by fajiing andpraying^and laying en of hands fax. 
 apart able and faithfull men,and commit the Gof- 
 pell to t;hem$ and then do youjirittly charge them 
 to Preach in Jeajon and out oijeafon in the feverall 
 Cities of England 5 otherwife you may fend fuch 
 as the Lord hath forbidden his houfe, fuch as the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift will neither be with, nor blefs, 
 but fay of them, They ran before they were fent. 
 We read in the old Teftament of none that fat up 
 Priefts out of Gods order , but they alfo fet up 
 new Gods , and erefted a new Worflip 5 I am confi- 
 dent your Soules would tremble at the thoughts 
 of the latter abomination. Jefus Chrift hath 
 made you overfeers of his houfe., he lookes you 
 fhould fee that his Myfteries be difpenfed, but it 
 is his order that they fhould be dealt out by Ste- 
 wards. O let not the great Ordinance of the Mi- 
 
 b 3 ftry 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 i ftry fuffer by your permiffion. If it be not Chrift 
 | Ordinance, let the very name be forgotten^but if 
 it be. Their names (ball be written m duji that un- 
 dermine it. There is a want of faithful! Teachers 
 in the Nation that are learned, and fo accompli- 
 (hed as it were to be wifh-'d thofe were that muft 
 ftop the mouths of gain-layers. I know not but 
 private Chriftians well experienced in the wayes 
 of God, and found in the faith, mayfupply the 
 defeft: Eut let them go in to the (heepfold by 
 Chrifts doore 5 let them take authority to do it 
 in Chnfts order, and then let them go and the 
 Lord be with fAe/tfjthere may be a want of Captains 
 in y c ur Army , and many private Souldiers may 
 be fit for the places , but you will expeft they 
 (hould take Commiffions before they take the 
 places.lt is an ill fign that thofe that wil not ftand 
 d tryall are confeious to themfel ves,that for fome 
 fok&'m faith or manners they will not be found 
 faithfiill. The Church of Chrift is not yours, but 
 his; and he muft give Laws to it, and concerning 
 the officers in it. 
 
 In the next place let me fpeak to 
 You that are in military employments } you have 
 been lookt upon as thofe that have in an eminent 
 manner ferved the intereft of the Lord in England 
 & have put your lives in your hands for the Land 
 of our nativity,you are the ftrength of the nation 
 in Creature Eyes. Doubtleffe the feare of the 
 Lord dwels in many of your bofomes. O let not 
 your Swords be lifted up againft the Lo*d Jefus 
 
 F * Chrift 
 
7o the "Reader. 
 
 Chrift in this great Ordinance^Have not many of 
 you been brought in to JefusChrift by the Mi- 
 niftry of England? Have you not heard their Do- 
 ftrine with power and rejoyced in it ? Have you 
 not feen the Lord bleffing their Labours with the 
 converfion of diany foules > Have you not feene 
 the Lord fruiting thofe that have been the ene- 
 mies of Godly Minifters even by your hands ? 
 Have you not profeffed much to let up the King- 
 dome of Chrift (Deare and valiant friends! ) 
 Chrifts kingdome mud be ruled by his own Offi- 
 cers, and by his own Lawes. Hath the Lord emi- 
 nently gifted any of you that are Colonels .and Cap- 
 taines 9 or other officers and Souldiers ? Why 
 might you not have a Pafior and Teache* in every 
 Company } Why might not every Company be a 
 Church of Chrift? Why might not you have 
 Elders 3 and Deacons, andaot in Church-order ? 
 Hath the Lord giftedyo* ? Why may you not be 
 folemnly fet apart to the work of the Miniftry, 
 by fatting and pray errand imposition of hands? How 
 fhould Chrift then inarch with you > The Ark^ of 
 the Lord (hould be ainongft you, and you would 
 carry the Kingdome of Chrift into the field to fet 
 it in Battell againft the Kingdome of Antichrift ? 
 While you ad out of this order , and give every 
 one leave to exercife his gifts., I befeech you con- 
 fider, I. Doe no h you breaks Chrifts order f How (hall 
 they preach that are not fent ? 2. Is it not pojfible 
 that mxny lefmted Soph/Jiers under the proteUion of 
 liberty may creep inland by their fubtlely fteale in 
 
 undifcerned 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 undifcerned poifon into the fouls of many?0 that 
 as you have pretended that the intcreft 3 and King- 
 dome of Jefus Chrift is your intereft , and preci- 
 ous in your eyes,fo that you would let it appeare 
 by a tenderneffe of every piece of Gofpell order, 
 especially of what is of fo great a concernment as 
 this is. Doubtlefle that place, Rom. 10. 14, 15. 
 Evinceth that zfent-pre aching Mini fiery is the ordi- 
 nary meanes of converting foules to Iejus Chrifi. 
 
 Let me now fpeak to you my Brethren that are 
 private Christians, whom the Lord hath endued 
 with more eminents gifts than other sjihat the Lord 
 feemes to have markt you out for fome greater 
 fervice than in family relations. 
 
 Hath the Lord created in you a dejire to the work, 
 of a Bifhop £ If it be regular , it is not onely to the 
 work, but to the office 5 and if any dejire the office 
 of a BtfbopJ?e dejires a good things I Tim. 3.1. 
 
 My friends ! my hearts defire and prayer to 
 
 God, is, that the number of Labourers in Gods 
 
 Vineyard might be ten times as great as it is, for 
 
 truly the harvefi is great , and the Labourers arefew? 
 
 only let none venture in that cannot anfwer Inch 
 
 a queftion as this 3 by what authority doji thou thefe 
 
 things D or who gave thee this authority $_ All that I 
 
 (hall beg of you is, That you would not run before 
 
 you arejent$ this is all the block I (hall lay in your 
 
 way, all the ftopl (hall make in your journey. 
 
 It is the Ordinance of God that thofe that take upon 
 
 them to preachjnterpret, and apply Scriptures D fhould 
 
 not only be gifted^ and defired^ but jolemnly Jet apart 
 
 by 
 
7 hie Xttdcr. 
 
 byfajiing and prayer ^and laying on of ike hands of the 
 i resbytery ? Obferve but this order, and goe and 
 preachy nd the bleffing of the Lord be with you : 
 I am miftaken if there be any true principled Pref- 
 bytcrianJ^that in ftead of hindring you, would not 
 rejoyce to be imployed in fending you out(with 
 refped to the place whither you goe ) it would 
 be the joy of our hearts to fee the empty places 
 of the Nation,and thofe that are filled with Vopifh 
 fcandalous Minifters , filled with fuch Paftors as 
 feare the Lord, and have a competent meafure of 
 Minifteriall gifts , though they be not foaccom- 
 plifhed D as thofe who have been bred up in the 
 Schooles of Learning.Onely Erethrenjnzke a cen- 
 fcience of undertaking that ferious worke in 
 Chrifts order ^ that you may preach like thofe 
 that have authority, not as thofe that rxnne before 
 they are fent. Let me but propound a few things to 
 be considered by you. 
 
 Confider, That you have no cleare Scripture precept 
 or prejident to warrant you : your practice is Apocry- 
 phall 5 this you will finde made good in the enfu- 
 ing Treatife } indeed many Scriptures are pre- 
 tended D but if you duly weigh them, you wil find 
 none concluding your cafe , bring your praftice 
 totheLawandtotheTejiimtny , aiidyouwill finde 
 there is no light in it. The Gofpel knows no Prea- 
 chers,but either had an extraordinary^ or an ordi- 
 nary Miffion : It is a known rule , that Contenti- 
 ons Christians jhonld undertake no civill anions for 
 which they have not either a generally or particular] 
 
 c warrant] 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 2. 
 
 I Cor.8.2. 
 
 warrant in the Word of God. But in things relating 
 totheWorfhipofGod it is a Generall m!e 9 (in 
 which our Brethren and we have long fince 
 agreed , That nothing ought to be done without an 
 exprefs warrant in the Gojpell. Now let but one in- 
 ftance be produced out of the New Teftauient of 
 any private Chrijiians not endued with [the extraordi- 
 nary gifts of the Holy Ghoji which are nowceafed^ that 
 in a time when ordinary Preachers might be had or 
 at any time y in an orderly Gofpell-Church (not difyer- 
 fed) undertookjhe worh^ efordinary preaching^ opening 
 and applying Scripture ^ being neither Apoftle Evange- 
 lijl 9 Prophet y Paftor, nor Teacher. 
 
 Secondly^ confiderhow dangerous a thing it is 
 toufurpe an office 5 that Preaching is an A& of 
 Office, you will find proved in the enfuing Trea- 
 tife it belongs to the office, iTim.^.i. of a Bi- 
 (hop, 1 Tit. 5.9. How dreadfully did the Lord 
 witnefleagainftiC^r^ , Dathan^ and Abiram for 
 attempting this violation of his order } The in- 
 ftances of San! and Vzzah for ufurping the Priejis 
 Office are fuch as may make tender fpirited Chri- 
 mans tremble 3 yet they might have as much to 
 fay as our brethren have from 1 Pet. 2.9. where 
 Cnriftians are called a Royall priejlhood , for the 
 Lord had tbld that whole Nation,E.xW.i 9.6. that 
 they fhould be a Kingdom of Priejis^ and a holy Ntf- 
 tion. 
 
 Thirdly, Is it not harmlcjfeto learned (My Bre- 
 thren) are any of you fo taught tfaat you need no 
 Teacner } He that thinketb he knoweth any things 
 
 knoweth 
 
To the Trader. 
 
 
 knoweth nothing as he ought to know tf (faith the Apo- 
 ftle.) David thonght it honourable enough for 
 him to be a door-keeper in the houfe of the Lara. Is 
 it not eafier to receive then to give fuck? Who 
 afpireth to the Crown,but he that knows not the 
 
 3uiet of a Sub je&s head above a Princes ? who 
 efires not rather to be a Sojourner then to rule a 
 great Houfe,but thofe that never tried the latter? 
 for. 
 
 Is it not hard to teach ? My beloved friends ! we 
 are with you in much feare and trembling 5 and 
 when we have confulted the original^ weighed the 
 coherence of a Text, compared our thoughts with 
 the thoughts of many other Divines, and chiefly 
 compared a Scripture with other Scriptures, yet 
 are we trembling , and fee caufe to cry unto the 
 Lord with St. Jnftin (before our In terpfetations 
 of Scripture, FacDomine^ Grant Lord that we may 
 may neither be deceived our f elves in the nnderjianding 
 of thy will 3 nor deceive others byfalfe interpretation 3 
 It is one of the greateft pieces of High Treafoa 
 againft the Almighty to adulterate the Coyne of 
 his Word, and wreft his meaning : If we had no- 
 thing elfe to doe but to confult the Originally to 
 compare Scripture with Scripture, and to con- 
 sider the coherence, ( which are neceflary to any 
 true interpretation of Scripture ) and then to 
 caft our thoughts into order, that we might com- 
 municate them to you 3 we (hall finde it a worke 
 impoflible to be difpatcht in fo little time as we 
 know is the all you can fpare from your neceilary 
 
 c 2 cal- 
 
To the Keader. 
 
 callings 3 efpccially confidering there lies a duty 
 upon you towards your Families , that they may 
 not be Ignorants while you are teachers of others, 
 left you prove worfe then Infidels-^when the Apo- 
 ftle cried out, Who is Jufficient for thefe things ? can 
 we thinke he thought every man was Sufficient ? 
 Surely none will fay they have their Sufficiency 
 from immediate revelationfor although the Lord fo 
 Supplied the neceffities of his Primitive Church, 
 it wil yet be hard to prove that in the age we live 
 in(being bleft with ordinary meanes) God (b dis- 
 covers himfelfe to any in the negleft of them. 77- 
 mothy was commanded ( in order to his accom- 
 plifhmentfortheMinifteriall worke) to meditate 
 upon Pauls wftrds 9 to give himfelfe wholly up to his bufi- 
 neffejthat h'tf profiting might appear e to all. It is much 
 to be feared^ that thofe who in thefe daies begin 
 their preachings with. The vifion of the Lord, arc of 
 the number of thofeJjfer.23.16. that make the people 
 vaine fpeakjng the vifion of their own hearty and not 
 out of the month of the Lord, ver. 27. Which thinke to 
 caufe the Lords people to forget his name by their dreams 
 which they tell every man to his neighbour. But further 
 Chriftians I 
 
 Doth not your praBice argue that you are too much 
 taken with the conceit of your own parts .<? This,0 this 
 is the great fin of our Age. Parts are advanced 
 inftead of Grace, and Grace is Swallowed up in 
 parts ^ this was the great fin of the Church of Co- 
 rinth 5 the fpot that Spoyled their beauty ? the fin 
 that laid their glory in the dnft' this made them 
 
 call 
 
lo the Trader* 
 
 call in queftion Pauls Miniftry a and Apoftlelhip. 
 The Apoftles were fooks for Chrifts fake D but they 
 were wife in Chrift D the Apoftles were weake^but 
 they were ftrong 5 the Apoftles were defptfed, but 
 they were honourable? the Apoftles were poore 
 empty fellows, but they were fulland rich. That 
 famous Church abounding in many gtfts^utterance 
 knowledge &c. and their knowledge puft them up 
 to think higher of themfelves then they ought , and 
 this ended in an heaving <*f the Miniftry ^to thruft it 
 out of the Church , as may be difcerned by the 
 Epiftle oidemens to them, wherein he vindicates 
 the Office of the Miniftry. —Apoftoli nobis a Chrifio 
 Evangelizaverunt, Je\v* Chrift us a Deo mi J] us enim 
 eft Chrijius a Deo &c. " The Apoftles, faith he, 
 cc preached the Gofpel to us, being fent from 
 cc Chrift 5 Chrift was fent from God, the Apoftles 
 cc from him 3 and both was done orderly,according 
 €C to the will of God 3 for they receiving com- 
 cc mands,and by the refurreftion of Chrift.being 
 "fully ascertained, andcoi^firmed by the Word 
 <c of God , in a certaine confidence from the holy 
 cc Ghoft, they fet upon their worke, declaring 
 cc that the Kingdome of God was come,and prea- 
 "ching the Word in Cities, and Regions, &c. 
 • c and appointed Elders, and Deacons over thofe 
 that believed. The Apoftles (faith he) knew 
 cc from our Lord Jefus Chrift,that there would be 
 cc a contention concerning the Miniftry , and for 
 "this reafon they appointed the Officers afore- 
 cc faid , and left Officers , and Offices defcribed 
 
 i Cor.4.6,7,8, 
 10. 
 
 c 3 
 
 <c 
 
 for 
 
 Clemens in Ep. 
 *d Corinth>vrho 
 lived within 
 1 1 3 ycers after 
 Chrift* 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 x for the Church afterwards, that approved men 
 cc might fucceed them when they were dead in 
 "their places, and execute their Offices: and 
 cc (faith he) for fuch as are fo appointed by them, 
 cc or of other famous men their Succeffors with 
 "the confent of the Church} who haveferved 
 u the Fold of Chrift humbly , and blamelefly, 
 cc without difturbing it, &c. and who of a long 
 " time have had a good report of all, we judge 
 c< that they cannot be put out of their office with- 
 cc out injury. Thus he to that Church which was 
 then mutiningagainft itsMinifters, asappeares 
 by another elaufe of thatEpiftle, where hetels 
 them. It wasafhameful thing that the famous 
 Church of Corinth fhould Contra presbyteros fedi- 
 tionem mover e, raifeafedition againft Minifters 5 
 & bids them who laid the firft foundation of that 
 fchiftnc in obedientiajybditi cjiote presbyteris^ to be 
 obediently fubjed to their Elders, and bowing 
 the knees of their hearts to be inftru&cd in re- 
 pentance,^, all along his Epiftle he makes their 
 iin of Ecclefiafticall fedition to be the Daughter 
 of their Pride jn regard of their own parts & abi- 
 lities., d v r. And truly, to cure the Spirituall itch 
 that is in many after the minifteriall Fun&ion, 
 there needs no more than humility be prefcribed 
 to take down the tympany of their conceited, & 
 difeafed gifts 5 the humble foule will ftartle at fo 
 great a work, and cry out, Lord let me be taught, 
 as for the workeof teaching , *w 7 ™m rk !***©-, 
 who is fufficimt for thefe things. 
 
 Have 
 
lo the Trader. 
 
 Have you gifts 9 and is there no other way to im- 
 prove them? The woman that hath gifts is yet 
 commanded to keep filence in the Church 3 ancl to 
 learne of her hufband at home $ her Hufband is a 
 Teacher there 5 O that you would thus lay out 
 your gifts,teach your wives, and teach your chil- 
 dren and fervants, and leave publike teaching to 
 publike Officers 5 Do you/ometimes meet together ? 
 And is there no other profitable exercife to fpend 
 your time in but this ? I can remember fourteene 
 or fifteen yeares fince when thepower of Godli- 
 nefle was more a great deale in fafhion than it is 
 now } and the world Was more fiill of mortified, 
 humble, ftrift walking Chriftians, that I (though 
 little more than a child then) wat often atfuch 
 meetings, where one or other ufually repeated 
 one or more Sermons (lately heard) and fome 
 others prayed , there was a great deale more fruit 
 feen of fuch fpending their time in private mee- 
 tings than our late (prophecyingj meetings have 
 produced 5 Chriftians then made not fo much 
 fliew of gifts 3 but a great deale more fhew of 
 grace than they now do^then they kept Merchants 
 Jhops, now but Tedlers fialls , where every trifling 
 bit of Ribband is fet forth. Further yet my Bre- 
 thren. 
 
 Enquire and fee, hath not this pra&ioe beene 
 generally condemned by all the Churches rfChriJi^ by 
 the mojl old Orthodox pHritans and Vvn-ronformijls ? 
 I do not fay their Judgement « were infallible, 
 but humble Chriftians will rather think they may 
 
 be 
 
Te the Reader* 
 
 2 Sam. 18. 2 *« 
 
 If Chriftians that pretend to Chrift would take 
 heed what they heare, they would alfo be confcien- 
 tious whom they heard} for can a man gather grapes 
 of thi files ^ or figs of thornes ? Surely a little reafon 
 would tell a Chriftian that he that ftiould be 
 heard mudbc faithfull and able to teach y found in 
 thefaith^ one that preacheth with authority one that 
 hath meditated upon thofe things be preaches, 
 and given up himfelfe wholy to them 5 not one that 
 errs in the fundamental truths ofchri]i 3 not one that 
 runs before he is fent ,who can fpeak nothing from 
 Chr/Ji tothefoule, no more than Ahimaaz could 
 to David(who onely ran by permiffion)but when 
 he came there could fay nothing. Surely they 
 would not fpend that time which fhould be fpent 
 in a confeientious waiting upon the publike Or- 
 dinances of Chrift j in hearing fuch, as neither 
 have time to meditate upon what they fpeak ? nor 
 give up themfelves wholly to their work. Did 
 Chriftians make a confeience how they heard y fure- 
 ly they would not goeout to heare^aking this 
 onely their end 5 to hear what they wilt fay that Jfcea^ 
 to make themfelves matter of laughter and dif- 
 courfe, yet this is all the account I finde the moft 
 can give of their hearings of this nature.My deare 
 Friends ! as a man mocks another^ Co will you mjck^ the \ 
 Almighty in his Ordinance s^Take heed this be not 
 afnare and mine to your immortal! Soules. 
 
 I know I have writ in a perilous time, and at a 
 great difadvantage 5 what the Father complained, 
 that the whole world was turned 4rrian may be 
 
 turned) 1 
 
7 the %eader. 
 
 turnd upon us. This Ordinance is every where 
 fpoken againft 5 The Mimftry both in the name 
 and thing is grown a derifton and an abomination $ 
 The cry of our Age is for liberty fo much, that the 
 moft are for Gods Inclofures to be made Com- 
 mons. Our Age is much for Vniverjalities [ Uni- 
 | vcrfallfr^£/j?#g,and.Univerfall hearings and no 
 wonder, when eyen Jefus Chrift is made an Vni- 
 verfall Redeemer D that petty Vniverfalities fhould 
 beinfafhion too} no wonder that in this Age, 
 that hath been fo full of State Levellers 3 there 
 (hould be a Fa&ion of Church Levellers alfo : 
 But hearken to the Lord by his Prophet, Jer. 25. 
 3 2. Behold I am againfl them that prophecie falfe 
 dr tames ( faith the Lord ) who are they ? verf 3 1 . 
 Thofe that ufed their tongues, and faid, Ue faith, 
 ver. 21. Thofe that were notfent, yet ran, againft 
 thefe the Lord witneffeth} thofe that do tell them, 
 and caufc my people to erre by their lies , and by their 
 lightnefle, yet Ifent them not, neither commanded 
 them, therefore they pall not profit this people at all, 
 faith the Lord. For the Prophets themfelves, God 
 is againft them (he faith) for their preaching it 
 fould not at all profit the people^ and why? (ihere- 
 fore (faith the Text) becanfe they prophecied , yet he 
 jentthem not, nor commanded them.Hza.ve and trem- 
 ble you that feare the Lord, and yet are fo ready to 
 facrifice your ears to thofe thatha ve no authority 
 from God to your foules^you go out to heare un- 
 der the curfe of God, having this affurance, that 
 their preachingfljall not profit at all^ tell me then no 
 
 A 2 more 
 
T« the Keader. 
 
 more what frceet truths you hearc, how much is got 
 by hearing fuch an exercife, how much you learn, 
 &c. Here's the Word of the Lord againft this de- 
 ceit of their hearts, znA. your fancy of profiting is but 
 a diabolicall delu/ion. 
 
 I am fenfible enough that by this Treatife I 
 have endeavoured to ftrenghen an Ordinance of 
 Chrift which xnoti thrnk^ falling , but befides that, 
 I am of another beliefe fmaugre all the rage and 
 malice of hell) it cannot enter into my thoughts 
 that the Jiars that are fallen from Heaven fhould 
 have fo maligne a reflex,powerfull influence as to 
 pull down thofe jiars which the Lord Chriji hath 
 declared himfelfe to hold in his right hand : I fay, 
 befides this I am fatisficd in what I have done, 
 with the fpeech that Luther was fometimes wont 
 to encourage timorous Melanchton with. Si nos 
 Ruemus^ruetChrijiusunafcilicet illeregnator mundi, 
 &ejio mat, mallemegocumChrtfto ruereqnam cum 
 dejarejiare.l 'here have I fet my reft } If the Mini- 
 ftery fals, Chrift muft fall too, and his Word and 
 Kingdom muft fall : Even Chrift the great Ruler 
 of the world, and I had rather perifh with Chrifij 
 than (to ftand, with Hereticks and blafphemers) 
 out-live the Kingdom of Chrift in England. Pof- 
 fibly it may be refolved fo here, that if fome may 
 have their wils it (hall fall : But as Luther faid, 
 Longe aliter inccdoj&c. the refolutions of men,and 
 of the eternall God will be found differing in the 
 end concerning this matter. 
 
 Reader,I (hall defire thee not to read this book 
 
 with 
 
7o the %eader. 
 
 with Expectation of any thing new.In my ftudying 
 the cafes I find that all the weapons of our Ad- 
 verfaries are the rufty tooles that the Anabapiijls 
 had in Luthers times,and I have returned thee Cal- 
 vin, and Peter Martyrs^ and Zanchy^ and Chemnitius 
 his anfwers, (hields which they were never able 
 to pierce. Thofe rufty Arguments were filed o- 
 ver againe in the Low-countries by Erafttts ? and 
 Socinm^ and anotherf of a better fpirit than either 
 of them , however the Lord fuffcred him in fome 
 things to mifcarry) viz,. Mr Robinfon, and they 
 were againe repelled by learned and holy Mr Ru- 
 therford^ Gillefpy, &c. The Devill in our Age hath 
 (hewed himfelfe more blockhead than ever, for I 
 know not whether any one new Argument hath 
 been produced. It is good forchriftianstofee 
 how the fame fpirit worketh ftill, andbeginsto 
 be out of breath ? but(poffibly that Ages belt wea- 
 pons to defend their caufe was their tongues) I 
 have not troubled the Reader with many quota- 
 tions of Authors, for, 
 
 1. For the Ancient Fathers, none that lookes 
 into them and finds their Epiftles Ad epifcopos, 
 Presbyteros^ Diaeonos^ clernm & plebemjdWt will find 
 their Judgements full enough for a Miniftry di- 
 ftinft from gifted Brethren. 
 
 2. For n opiJh writers 5 all that know any thing 
 of them know that they make Ordination a Sa- 
 ciament, and Cdfo/tfin fome fenfe profeffeth he 
 could alfo call it fo 3 (fo reverent an opinion had 
 he of it.) 
 
 A 3 3.For 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 3. For Lutherans: I found many of them quoted 
 by Y^x.seaman^ which hath fpared me the trouble. 
 Some few Calvrnijis I have madeufeof, but in- I 
 deed I have been fparing 5 becaufe I know our 
 Brethren would appealeto Cefar, if I had brought 
 them before Fejim, they would have appealed to 
 the Rule 5 thither therefore have I defired they 
 fhould goe^even to the Law and to the Tefiwiony^na 
 may the Lord en joyn their conferences never to 
 depart from that court till they be convinced of 
 this 3 and every Truth. 
 
 I have not endeavoured to deceive by the So- 
 phiftry oiLogic^ nor the deceitfulnefle otRheto- 
 ric^Naked truth is moft Lovely and defirable to 
 thofe who have a defigne to efiall/Jh not to con- 
 found^ to do good and not toy educe their hearers : 
 This I muft profeffe to be my defign. 
 
 Poflibly what is done may be anfwered with 
 a fcorne or jeere D for that is a trick the Devill 
 hath taught his Difciples in this Age 5 Sam. Ri- 
 chardfonfhall anfwer the London- Minijiers 9 and 
 Kate Childly (hall lay on tongue upon Mr Ed- 
 wards. (I could fhew you that this is but an old 
 piece of flight too, no new trick of the Devill, 
 I for indeed he is but playing over his old fooles 
 games again.) 
 
 Reader D if thou wilt anfwer foberly 3 through the 
 leave of godj (hall give thee as ferious a reply as 
 I can 5 if otherwifej Thai judge thee confcience-con- 
 dzmned^ and only fpread thy railing paper before 
 the Lord D and fay^The Lord rebuke thee. 
 
 I 
 
7o the %tader. 
 
 I have no more to adde t but to beg of thee to 
 weigh what thou readeft without prejudice, to 
 try it by the Scripture, and Co to pra&ice as thou 
 dareft to juftifie thy praftice before the Lord Je- 
 fus at his day of appearing. I reft, 
 
 The meaneft of the Meflengers of the 
 
 Lord Jefus Chrift in the fervice 
 
 of the Gofpelp 
 
 
 Jo. Collins. 
 
PilUlv. Infti. 
 
 n.io. 
 
 Vid.Aret»Vrobl 
 theol. loc.6$. 
 
 h r*d.Chem*a. 
 be. com. pan. 
 30.12p.130, 
 
 ill* 
 
 Vld.BHC*nm. 
 loc.com de Mi~ 
 ni/ierio'q^up. 
 502. Parens \a 
 Rom.io,x/ # i4. 
 38 i.e. 
 
 VuLl.M*rtyr t 
 loc.com.de.3\ii- 
 nifterio. $28. 
 frd.Bftcbtn.loc. 
 comJt Mwift. 
 q.4$.Chemnit, 
 loc.cm.ptn.30* 
 150, 
 
 Vid.zmbiiim. 
 inqna.r^rtcep' 
 tum.p.j6%.777 
 Heq. probmus 
 dogma Anchap 
 tijl. unicuifs 
 Meere fungi Mi- 
 wjttrio &c. 
 
 Vindici<e Minifierii Evdn^elici. 
 
 you have the queftion fhortly 
 
 continue in the Church 5 
 hus. 
 
 Whither according to the word of God and Gofiell of C hrifi 
 it if necejfary under the Gofpefl that there fhottld be eertaine 
 per fans , to whom it (bould peculiarly belong to Minifier in 
 the €hurch,andto difpenfi out Go/pel Ordinances* 
 
 And to thequeftion thus ftated, I anfwer ?ofitive!y. 
 
 lb at it U the will of God , that to the end of the world, 
 there fbould be eertaine perfbns appointed,to whom of right it 
 (bottld peculiarly belong to Minifier in the Church, and to 
 difpenfe out G of peU ordinances to the people, 
 
 I have here not many adverfaries, nor very confidera- 
 ble, but fome I have t> Anahaftifts , and Swenc\fildians, 
 and Socinians , and fome Ecafhans , and Seekers in our 
 age. Thefe all cry out with one mouth, that the world 
 if abufed with a company of men that call tbemfehes Mini" 
 fiers, and with a notion of a Minified a U caUingfoc. that 
 there is no fuch matter ; but we (ball all be taught of the 
 herd j and all the Saints are Vriefi t to the mofi high God, 
 and every one muft teach hvs brother, &o I find the que- 
 stion (poken to by divers holy learned men , Aretius, 
 Zmcby, Gilleffy, &c. 
 
 I (hall indeavour to give you the fumme of what they 
 have faid , and poffibly adde fomething more , and en 
 large upon fomething they have hinted to prove the 
 Proportions. 
 
 I. From tbeveyL*w of Nature , what is Univerfally 
 written in the hearts of all, is generally concluded truth, 
 it is an argument is ufually brought to prove, that there 
 is a God , beeaufc Nature hath imprinted a Notion of a dl 
 vine Nature in all -, Co that (faith Mr. Turchat^) though 
 there have been Nations found out that have wanted 
 Kings, Lawes, Osder , &e. Yet there was never any 
 found output worshipped fame God or ether* Nor can there 
 (I believe) be produced an mftance of any Nation (what 
 God foever they worfhipped , or in what order foever) 
 
VindicU Minifierii EvangtUci. 
 
 but they had likewifefct officers for that worfhip •, the 
 Scripture tels us of the Priefts of Baal 9 Vagon, MidUn> of 
 the South fay ers *nd Diviners, and Priefts of Egypt and Ba 
 byhn; thofe that read , Fwchas his Pilgrimage, and A- 
 lexander ab Alexandro geniales dies , and Godwins Ami" 
 quities, will find inftances enough of this. 
 
 It is a principle, that the Lord hath writ, and is in the 
 Nature of all ( who have not difputed out their naturall 
 Itght) if, that there is a god , and that this God is to be ivor- 
 (hippedh fo that there arefome to befet apart , n>bofe office it 
 fhouldbe to Minitfer in the things of God, fo that 1 may ar- 
 gue foixa Miniftry with the Apoftle. Doth not nature itfelfe 
 teach^&c. 
 
 Nor is thrs a Principle of corrupt Nature; for we (ball 
 find it a piece of order , which God hath alwayes obter- 
 ved from the beginning of the world (faith Zancby) mn 
 cujus licuitejfe Sacerdoti, every one might not be a Prieft, 
 but the Priefl-bood belongeth to the firftborne ; and we 
 read of Melthijedich 9 who was calFd a Frieft of the mo ft 
 high God fien. 14. 18. Under thel*w>, the Priefthood 
 retted in the tribe of Levi , and the Priefts and Levites 
 were Gods miniftry then, Heb. 7. 1 2. Ihe Priefthood tvat 
 changed^ the office of Minifters was not taken away, but 
 changed. Indeed the office of the Migh-Frieft was al 
 I together a 7)/>« of Chrift and abrogated 5 but the Frieft* 
 fowtfwasaTypeofaperpetuall Miniftry under the Go 
 (pell; and though the offering Sacrifices be cealed, and 
 the name Friefts ceafed ; yet even after the comming of 
 Chrift, itpleafedhimalfotoye*^rr/^e/0r this work, 
 Before Chrift came hhn Baptift was the only Gofpell 
 Preacher we read of j him the Apoftle calls the Lords 
 Mcffengen Chrift fent out the Seventy, not all his difci- 
 plesj but the Seventy, Luk. 10. i.and the 12. Math* 10. 
 i, 2 . 3. when he was to afcend up to heaven, he gives the 
 twelve Commiflion, Mat. 28 19^20. Go f "reach andBap* 
 rife, when one of them failed, they did not all take his 
 
 B 2 office. 
 
 Gen.47'22,26. 
 
 zmbyinqutr- 
 jrr*CtptW,I.A* 
 P-77I. 
 
 Gcn.i4.1S. 
 
 Luke io.it 
 Mat.io.1,2, 3. 
 Mac.»8. 19,20. 
 
Afts I.2f,2*. 
 
 A#s 6. 6. 
 Afts 14,23. 
 
 1 Tim.$.x2. 
 1 Titus p. 
 
 VideGilltfpy 
 
 Mi(ctll*q*c.i> 
 
 p.2. 
 
 Vindicioe Minifierii Evangtlici. 
 
 office,but they choie one. Acts 1 . 25.26. to takgpaftin bit 
 Minifiryand Apoftlefhip j they appointed feven others, 
 forue of which were Preachers A cf/, 6* 6. Acts, 14. 23. 
 Paul and Bzrn abas ordained Elders in ihe Churches. Paul 
 writes both to limotby, mdlim, i.Tim.<$.22. \Tiu 
 9. to do It: accordingly we read the Primitive Churches 
 trom the Apoftles time downward , continually fet fome 
 apart for this work ; nor was this (acred office (as dl- 
 ftinft from the people ) ever denied till fome furious A* 
 uabaptiftS) Ecafiam^, Socinians. y & feparatifis troubled the 
 world with their idle fanfies 5 now whether that order 
 which the Lord alwayes cauled to be obferved in his 
 wor(hip> which Chrift eftablifhed and obferved , which 
 the Apoftles obferved and all their fuccefFors', be the or- 
 der of Chrift., oe that which indeed is ho order ; but the 
 Branfick notion of idle heads , tending to the confufion 
 of all Gofpell Churches, and Church order, to the 
 bringing of the worlhip of God into contempt, to the 
 difhonouring the preciou? names ol 'God by Errors and 
 blafphemies. Let every foberGhriftian judge. But left 
 fome fhould think thefe Arguments not concluding fully 
 enough,! mall ad Je Come others. 
 
 ihai din met fh n>h ; cii , and to which there are many 
 laftingpflt mifes made , %h tt mnft be , and continue 
 
 dlkhofe promt fii tb fulfilled. This cannot be denyed, 
 for there (hali not one tittle rfthe wordpafe away , ail fhall 
 be fulfilled, the promifes rnuft be tea and Amen, none fbaUfay 
 that ibt promips are ofnme effe&. 
 
 But I fhall prove. 1. That there are promifes of fuch 
 an order of perfons as Miniflers made to Gofpell 
 Churches. 
 
 2. That there are promises made to them, who (hall 
 be in that office and work. 
 
 1. I fhall prove , that the Lord under the old Tefta- 
 ment, promised to his Churches under the New Teftai 
 ment, SLcertaine order of perfons diilinft ttom the multitude 
 
V indicia Minijterii Evangeaci. 
 
 of believers, who (bou'd Preach the Gofpell to tbzm, &c. ler* 
 3» 1 5- And I will give you Pajiors according ti my owne 
 heart, who (ball fe:d you with knowledge and under ft an ding; 
 now that this promife is to be fulfilled under-the Go- 
 fpell, befidiS the current of cxpofitors , you may plainly 
 fee by ver. \-j. At that time , all Nations (ball he gathered 
 unto it to the nam: oftbe Lord to Hurufakm h and v. 16. It 
 relates to a time 5 when the Jewidi worfhip mould be a- 
 bolifhed , and they fhould fay no mire the Ark, oftbe Co- 
 venant oftbe Lord , mrfbouldit come into tbeir minds , nor 
 (bouldtbey remember it, you have another promife, a Ier. 
 234 And I will fit up foepbeardi over them . which fhall 
 feed tbem£rc*M\ the (heep (hould not be (bepbeards ; but 
 the Lord will let up (bepbeards over tbem , fome that 
 (hould be in office to feed them 5 now that this promife 
 referres to the time of the Gofpell you may plainly fee 
 by v. 5 6 7. 1 might inftance in divers others , as Ifay 30. 
 20. Volanus faith that, Minifterium Evangelii eft gloria il- 
 Up^omiffi, * Iffy 60. 1. the Gofpell is that promifed glo- 
 ry. If.60.1. and that that place If 66.19.20. is to be un- 
 denloodofthe Apoftles who were the firft Gofpell Mi- 
 nifters: Thus 1 have (he Wed that the Miniflry f confi- 
 der d as an office J is a promifed Bleffing, which God 
 ha Ji engaged his word for , to the Gofpell Churches, 
 and it is plaine from Ifaiab, cb.66 v. 20, 2 1. that it fhall 
 laft till the Jewes be called , for out of them , the Lord 
 promifeth to chufe him. Church officers, Vruftsand 
 Levies, v. 21. So that except we will make thefe promi- 
 Ces of none erfeft, the office of the Miniflry mud con« 
 tinuc. 
 
 Secondly, we find a Lafting promife made to tbem, 
 Math. a8.2 o. I will be rx>itb you to the end of tbi world ; it 
 is a command and promife primarily made to the Apo- 
 ftles, and next to them to all that {hould fucceed tbem 
 in the wor\of the Miniftry , as the moft judicious expofi 
 tors expound it ; and though fome play upon the word 
 
 B3 
 
 <-?, 
 
 Vide OccoUm- 
 paiium ad he. 
 Vide Piftator. 
 ad loc. 
 Engli/h Anno. 
 
 Jer.23.4. 
 
 *Efaytfo, r. 
 Pol.Symag.Lz. 
 
 P-5*4,5$5. 
 If.65.ip,2o. 
 If.66. 10,21. 
 Homine Sace)~ 
 dotum (f Levi- 
 tarumfigniftat 
 fe ex carport tC' 
 clejttqiue ex 
 gentibus colli, 
 gitwriaturum 
 Minifiros & 
 dotlottt &c. 
 Vide 'Brentium 
 *d loc. 
 
 Vid. Calvin. 
 InJli.l$.Seti.6. 
 en Sanftum. 
 inviolatam & 
 perpetuam 
 legem &c. 
 Nee vobifcum 
 tanrum,fed & 
 robis mortnis 
 cumveftrisfuc- 
 ceffionibus : 
 Pare** ad loc. 
 Vid. Mr.Grten- 
 hillfecond part 
 expofi t. on 
 Exe. ep. ded. 
 P4. 
 
tfttMr.Grew 
 
 bill. ibid. 
 
 Are.* 
 
 y.d.Ztnch.tn 
 
 quintan prx» 
 
 ctpt.p.TJi. 
 
 VidV.Mwtyr. 
 
 toc.com.p.52%. 
 
 2.F. 
 
 Epb,4.H. 
 
 Arg-5, 
 
 tfd.Luiher.td 
 lot. 
 
 Vindiciti Minifierii Evangelic*. 
 
 mtZv<&, and would have it only fignitie a preient age ; yet 
 there is no ground for it, if they confider how it is ufed 
 generally in Scripture, &c. Mr. Greenbill in his Epiftle 
 to his (econd part of his expoiitions on Eztkjel hath no- 
 ted, that God hath annexed to the Miniftry , Converfion, 
 Regeneration, Addition offinners to the Church ; and to hint' 
 filfe, faith, the perfecting of the Saint/, &u. Now furely, 
 theft are things God will be doing to the end of the world. 
 Butl proceed to another argument. 
 
 What Godhathfet up inhti Churchy for the perfecting of 
 the Saints, for the wor\oftht Minifiry,for the edifying of the 
 body ofChrift, tiU we aU come in the unity of the faith , and 
 the knowledge of the Son of God, unto the meafurffffthefta- 
 turtofthefnlnefeofChnfi. That muft continue till the 
 Saints be perfected ; and tiB we be aU come in the unity of 
 the faith , and the hpowledge of the Son of God unte the me a- 
 fure ofthefiature ofthefulneffe offbrift. 
 
 But there is a certaine order ofperfons in office^whom God 
 hath fet in his Church for tbst end. 
 
 The Propofition is plaine , hecaufe the meanes cannot he 
 feparatedfrom the end, for which God bath appointed them. 
 
 And it is as plaine, Epb. 4. 1 1. that God hath Cetfime 
 ApoftleS) andfome Trophets^ and feme Evangelifts , andfomt 
 Favors, andTeacbers for thefe ends, v. 12. therefore they 
 rnuft continue till thefe ends be accomplished; now com 
 pare that place with, 1 Cor. 12. 29. and you (hall find 
 that but fome are appointed for this work , are all Apo 
 files f are all Prophets ? are all Teachers ? 
 
 For what fbould not have been, God in his word weuldnot 
 htvemade aprovifion. But God in his word hath pro- 
 vided by (everallGofpell precepts for the maintenance 
 of Gofpell Preachers , Gal. 6 6. Let him that is taught in 
 the word) communicate to him that uacheth in all good 
 things, 1 Jim. 5. lj* Thofe that labour in thie word and 
 Doftttne, are efpecially worthy of double honour, 
 v. 1 8. you (hall fee what a part of that honour is , 1 Cor, 
 
Vindict£ Miniftcrii Evangeiici. 
 
 9. ^4. the Lord bath ordain d, that tbofe who Preach tbe 
 Gofpell,fbou j dlive on tht GofpeB. Surely if there had been 
 none whofe office it mould have been to have Preacht 
 the Gofpeli , the Lord in his word would not have pro* 
 vided a maintenance for them. 
 
 If there were to be no fuch office under tbe GofpeU, the a- 
 poftle would not have (aid , 1 Tim. 5 . 1. That if a mm 
 de fires the office of a Bifhop , he de fires a good w>*r^ ; now 
 what the office of a Biffiop was, you (hall fee, I, Taws, 9. 
 it was to exhort, and cmvince gainfiyers. Let none un- 
 derftand by the office of a Bifliop there , the office of a 
 Lordly Prelate j but the office of a Preaching Presby termor 
 the Biffiop (Taith the Father) was no more in the primi* 
 tive Church; then. Primus inter P re fbytcros, the firfta» 
 mongft the Preaching Elders ; and fo Authors that are 
 Orthodox agree. 
 
 the neaffity of this divine Ordinance aptg ares further, by 
 tbe ufe that God bimfelfmade of it* God himfelfe lends 
 Cornelius to Peter to be inftrufted in the way of the 
 Lord, ABs, 10. 3. An^ Paul to Ananias, Acts 9. 6. Yet 
 that was a time, when the holy Ghoit was given in a 
 greater meafure then-ever it was fince ; and Paul had an 
 extraordinary call from heaven , this is Mr. Calvins Ar- 
 gument- 
 
 Cbrift himfelfe tookjint tbe office upon him ofhimfelfe(fz\th 
 Ztncby,) fo the Apoftle argues, Heb. 5, 4, 5 . he had an 
 extraordinary call from God : which plainly argues, 
 that thole that take that office upon them, mud have one 
 call or other extraordinary , or ordinary. 
 
 J f this office had not been to have continued in the Church, 
 
 L the Apfile would not have defcribed the qualifications of 
 
 fuch as were to undertake it, as he doth both, I'titus^, 6, 
 
 7, 8, p. and 1T/W.3. 1.^3. this is Zanchyes Argument, 
 
 and?. Martyrs. 
 
 I fit had not been to have been a landing office,but to have 
 ceated with the Apoftles , theApoftie would not have 
 required 
 
 VilV tecum ad 
 toe* 
 
 Arg. 6. 
 
 rfret. Problem> 
 theol.hc.62. 
 M42. 
 
 AtetiMtBHtb** 
 nm. P. Martyr. 
 CtlvinU) &c, 
 
 Arg. 7. 
 Cdvin. Inflit. 
 /.4.C.3. /*#.$• 
 
 Arg. 8. 
 
 VilZdKcb. in 
 qumum pr*m 
 aft Mil. 
 
 Arg. 9. 
 Vii. zmh.xb. 
 VilPeuMmt 
 
 lccejm.$i9'*t' 
 
 Arg. 10. 
 lancbim fold. 
 
8 
 
 Arg.n. 
 ' Zancby. 
 Ibid. 
 
 Cum omnia 
 juxtamanda- 
 turn Apofioii 
 ordinc fieri 
 debeant ifti* 
 omnia mifcere 
 vellenr, aique 
 confundere, 
 quod eft unicu 
 diaboli ftudiu 
 cui nihil aque 
 difpIicec,potif- 
 fimum in rebus 
 divinis quam 
 re&a ordinata- 
 que inftitutio 
 PMirtyr. he. 
 
 *H«c minifterii 
 Ecclefiaftici 
 neceffiras fun-' 
 datur qucniam 
 Deus non vuic 
 nunc cacli.rus 
 ecclefix Joqui, 
 fed per precc. 
 nes vcrbi. 
 
 P*rf«fic'Rom. 
 io. 14,15. 
 
 Calvin jnftit. 
 
 Mr. GitLefpy 
 MifcelLQaeiil 
 ons,c i.p.j. 
 
 Vindicis Mimfitrti Evangelic*. 
 
 required limothy to have laid hands fuddsnly en none, 1 Tim. j 
 5. 22. ("of which place more hereafter) thhisZamhya 
 argument. 
 
 Againe (faith Zmchy) the Apoftle fayes, iGr. 14. 
 %%+Godis not the author of confufion ; now it every one 
 might Preach , what confufiou would there be in the 
 Church of Chrift? Qudis obfecro fades effet Ecckfia fi ibi 
 fine ordine viveretur, ad minifnrium curreretur , & quod In- 
 tent liceret. Whac manner of face would the Church of 
 Chrirthave, if in it every one might runne upon the 
 work of the Miniitry, and do what he lifted > 
 
 Arg. 12. If beating be nee? ffary , and afmd'mgCtdi* 
 nance and duty , then a Minifiry is 5 this is plaine from 
 IO. Rom. 15. How fhall they heare without a Treacher I 
 andbowjhatl be Preach except he befent ? * In fhort , who- 
 foever heares, muft hearty either from God, or /Inge's , or 
 Mm\ now , that the Lord fpeaketh in thefe latter times, 
 not by himfelfe immediatly, nor by Angels \ but by his 
 Son, in his Gofpell, nnd by his fervants, extraordinary or 
 ordinary, is plaine from Eph. 4.J 1. 1 2. And Mr. Calvin, 
 and others give (everall reafbns fo ? it. But that hearing 
 is a (landing necefTary duty, is plain from J/^55.3. Heare 
 andyourfouks (hall live, R0.10.I7. Faith comes by bear- 
 ing j and bearing by the word of God,v* 1 8. and faith &e 
 Apoflle^how (hall they heare without a Treacher ? and how 
 foalt they Preach, except they be fent . So that if hearing be 
 necefTary ; fent Preachers are necefiary . 
 
 Arg. 1 3 . Mr. Gilkffy argues further^** the Gifpellis to 
 be Preached to all Nztion%Mat.24 .4. 1^.24. 47. and all 
 the world over, and to every creature ; and it is the or- 
 dinary means to fave them that believe, Ko. 10.14 Now, 
 the G.fptll will not he thus Preacbt 5 nor all the EleU brought 
 in tiUChrifi comes \ therefore the Preaching of the Gof» 
 pell muft continue, and the preachers of it. 
 
 The fame reverend Author, further argues from Luke 
 12.42. and from 1 Jim 6 1 4. and from Rev. 2.2 43 2 5. and 
 
 further 
 
 
V indict A Mini) 
 
 ***$> 
 
 lid, 
 
 inqu* tamp/*- 
 upturn. 
 
 further ^ that it huhe priviledge of the new Uumfaltm^ 
 only to be without a Temple, &c. Btv. 2 1,2*. 
 
 Zjj?cbj* C 4. in quartern pweptum intorceth Argu- 
 ments, to prove the necefTity of this calling in the 
 Church. 
 
 1. From the end of it, which is perpetual!. 
 
 2 . From the Material! canfe of the Adimfiry* 
 
 3. From tbt tficacy of their Prayers. 
 
 4. From Ghrifif Freaehing^ to Adam an WEve in Fara- 
 dife. 
 ArttvM al/b, hath another Argument , drawn a nofri 
 
 ImbeciBitate. from our weakneffe : we can, faith he, ntver 
 be fare of our faith and falvation , if we be not fare , de 
 doftrini dccnti*m, concerning the dc&rine of thofe 
 that teach us '■> of which , faith he , we cannot be fare, 
 if we be not fare they hare a lawfull call ; this feemes 
 like the Apoftles arguing Ro. 10. 14. but lfhall not infill 
 upon it. 
 
 hominibus fine difcrimine pcrmictendi funftionem Ecclefiafticani Su» r cipcie,&Eccle 
 fiam doccrci ibid. 
 
 1 (hall add no more Arguments, to prove the truth of 
 it y except 1 had more confiderable adverfaries then I 
 I have \ and thoft that there are, had more confiderable 
 Arguments then they have yet been able to produce: what 
 they have let us heare a little. 
 
 Firft,they tell us,that Ier. 31.34. It is faid , that th y 
 [heuldnot any mere teach their neighbour , but aU Jbculd b. 
 taught of God. 
 
 This Argument I find Io«g fince anfwered by Buchan. 
 and lately, by Mr. GiBefpy. 
 
 1 . The Prophet onely meanes in that place, that under 
 the Gofpcll,the Saints mould not onely be taught by the 
 
 V\d.Am.VuV+ 
 th<9l. let. 6$. 
 Zxnib.w qii*rt> 
 fraapt.ijz. 
 Eft *»gi r or dog- 
 ma (tdi iofu/n 
 & diabolicum, 
 dogma ana 
 ba^fticumde 
 
 Buctw.loc.cM, 
 q.if.dcM.nfi. 
 497.. 
 
 Non aorcm 
 vulr qnod ctf- 
 fct omnis do 
 
 flrina,fruftra enim effent dcftor«,fcc. Vide OecoUmp.td lot. Vid.Enghfh Annt-adltc- 
 Idcirco prxdixi me vobis non ut ignorantibus Scribcre,8cc.^r;*».in 1 Jo. 1, 7. 
 
 C teaching 
 
 tne *jroipcn,tnc oaincs mouia notoneiy oe taugnt oy tne 
 Miniftryofthewordj but (hould alio have the inward 
 
 Ob. J, 
 
10 
 
 Vide QUefpy 
 
 <34/tt/.Queft. 
 
 P4. 
 
 Primo loquitur 
 
 comparate,&c. 
 PtrcHtinHoft 
 am 6,6, 
 Ob.2. 
 
 So!. 
 
 >Artt. Problem, 
 
 tkeol,lo6.6$, 
 
 $46. 
 
 Ob.$. 
 
 Sol 
 
 Vid.ArttMd. 
 V\l Pi'tttm in 
 Ro.10.14 1^» & 
 dMs>*d he. 
 
 Vindicia Minifterii Evan^elici, 
 
 etcbingof»befpirit,z$ 1 Is, 2. 27. fo Gen, 3a. 28. God 
 ayes, 7 by nam: fball m more be calTd Jacob, but it fvall\ 
 be calltdKrael ; yet his name was cali'd Jacob, many a 
 time after that : but he had a further name of Honour 
 coo * fo when the Lord promifed , that the time feould 
 come when they (hould not teach their neighbours $ his 
 meaning only was, that the time fkould come, when his 
 children mould not only be caught by men, but by bit 
 Spirit alfb 5 fo 1 lo, 2.27. 'tis to be underftood, where 
 the Apoftle tells them, they have no need any one (hould 
 ceach them. 
 
 2. (S?ith Mr. GitJejfy) It U to be under jleod compara- 
 
 tively, as God (aid, ttof. 6,6, be would have mercy 
 and not facrifice* 
 
 3. Or thirdly, faith he,the meaning is, that they /hould 
 
 not be taught by men m Ignorant, as the Law is 
 faid not to be made fir s righteous man, 2 Tim* I* 9. 
 
 Secondly they fay, God can teach ut other wayes, though 
 we have not friefis t &e* 
 
 This Argument was long fince anfwered by Annus. 
 It is true God can doe fo ; but it is not the Queftion, 
 what God can doe by an extraordinary power » but what 
 he will doe ? God could have taught the Jewes without 
 Friefls and LevUes, and have planted the Gofpell without 
 Apoftles, yet he made uft of them. 
 
 Thirdly they objeft , That we have many inftances of 
 r uch as were enligtned , and converted without an ordinary 
 Mini fiery, 
 
 Gods extraordinary workings argue not , but this iSi 
 bis ordinary way, that faith fbtuld come by hearing ofPrea-i 
 chers ; according to Rom. 10. 14. we doe not deny but a* 
 mongft the heathens who have not Preachers andOrdM 
 nances , there may be fome that have G jds marke for hiij 
 Iheep: but this is not Gods ordinary way. 
 
 2* this Argument will conclude as well agaittft all Or 
 dtnanceu 
 
 Fourthl 
 
VindicU Mmijte it Evdttgcltci* 
 
 II 
 
 Sol i. 
 
 Vii.ftuiMvt 
 
 loc.com.$i9,i.b. 
 
 Vide Lbtmmt. 
 
 oc.com.p.$o, 
 
 130.&. 
 
 Mr. GrUefpy 
 
 Mtfcell.QyeSt. 
 
 p. 6. 
 
 fide Lorinum. 
 
 tdloc p. 21 7, 
 
 Fourthly they tel II us, 1 Pet. 2.9- All the Saints arc 0b.< 
 calYdaRyailFriefibood, &c. And Co Rtv. t6. He bath 
 made us Kings and Priefis to God, 
 
 1. Truth : and as much was faid to the JeweS, Exod. 
 
 19 6. Yet all the Jewes were not Prieftsto offer 
 up ordinary Sacrifices in the Temple 5 or to teach 
 in the Synagogues. 
 
 2. They have other Sacrifices, to offer be fides Prea- 
 
 ching, 1 Pet*. 5. Spirituall Sacrifices, accepta- 
 ble to God by Chiit •, fee what thefe Sacrifices 
 areXo.12.1. Pfal.1i.lj. Pfal 141. 3. Heb. 5. 
 
 7. ReV) 8. PpZ.50.14.23. He£.i$.i5. ffo/. 4. 
 
 iS.He*.i3.ict. 
 
 3. By the fame Text they are Kings too, a Rfiyall\Prieft* 
 hood', what ? the A//V, and the Scoter , both belong to 
 them? beware of Popes ! takes heed of Levelling both 
 Church and State. Thefe anfwers I find both in Peter 
 Martyr ,and Mr. GWefpy, and they are fufficient. 
 
 Jf there be a necejfiy of a Afinifteriall calling ; then there Ob. 5 . 
 was alwayes one in the Church 5 and what is this but a Po 
 pifh fucceffion, &c. 
 
 Our believing a perpetual! Ministry, doth not oblige us 5^ 
 to btlitve, either a UneaU , or vifible Juccejficn , that was al- ' yua Gil/tfpy 
 voayespure, no more then cur believing a perpetuall ibid. p.$* 
 Church, doth oblige us to believe a perpetuall viliblc .Wd.zaMtb.ii$ 
 pure Church. \l?6. M .t.m 
 2. Mr. Rutherford, goes very neere te prove a vifible 
 fjjcceflionofProteftantMinilters: I meane fuch 
 as held the ProteftantDocVine", from theApo 
 ftles dxyttVid. Rutherford, Divine Right p. 2 3 o* 
 23 1,232,2 33. 234,80:, 
 But Cbrift forbad hit Difciples fuperiority 5 they muft not q^ 
 be call'd Rabbi, they are cquall. L v4 * 
 
 «ifoj /6i jubtt covert y vownatim veto a. (luttaojfeftatione foftuofi tititli Rabbi Sub^i 
 ttmratm/mbUionem omnem intclltpt. Partus ad Maf. 2 3. 
 
 C 2 >*«/: 
 
 quortvm pre- 
 ceptm. 
 
Vid.P.Mwtyr. 
 cm place 529. 
 
 1*. v.; 
 
 Non igitur 
 Chriftus im- 
 probac ciculos 
 per fe, fed am- 
 biciose aftefta- 
 cospraefercim 
 ab iis qui in* 
 [ digni func: 
 
 Ai l<)€. 
 
 Viniicie Minifterii Ev/tn%tlici< 
 
 Anf. 
 
 1. This Argument holds as well againil Chri- 
 ftiaa Magistracy as Gofpcli Miniftry. 
 2* PeUr Mtttyr anfarers it truly, that Ghrift there 
 fjrbsd anbitiov md afre&arion of domination amongft 
 hisDifciples; but not the orderly Superiority of Pa- 
 ftori ow the flock •, for we read elfewhere of fome, that 
 the Lord hath &t over his people, who mil ft be had in 
 honour for their workes fake, 
 •aliudeft Minifterii dignita$,ali ud Miniftrorum ambicio. VidePtreum 
 
 QUEST. II. 
 
Vindici* Minifterji Evangetici, 
 
 
 Qqest. IL 
 
 Whether private ordinary per Cons ( though gifted 
 and c air d (i.e. dejtred') may ordinarily 
 preachy and interpret ^ and apply Scripture sin 
 the puhlique affemblings of Churches (^accor- 
 ding to any Scripture warrant) without afo- 
 lemnfetting apart to the office. 
 
 £|p£EJ^Eforelcometo make a pofitive determina' 
 H w)jMtion of this Queftion, it will be necefTary, 
 H ifSfcl hat * ^ ou ^ dcHftr the queftion fiom 
 ^ l^^/^the jealoufies , that fome fober Chriftians 
 w5?2^£^may have of it, and from the advantages 
 that others would feek and catch at by mifinttrpntation 
 of it. I (hall firft therefore fhew you what the queftion 
 is,not what I contend not for, and cleare the queftion 
 from miftakes, both in referenct to the Subject and dif. 
 puted A&. 
 
 I. The Queftion is nor, wbtther fitch m have not beene 
 brought up in the Vaiverfity, and art well ve'ftd in School- 
 learning mjypreacb^&cy No, this is not that which we 
 difpute, though we thiuk that Paul was not the more 
 unfit for preaching,for fitting at GamtlitVs feet ; yet we 
 fay an Univerfity breeding is not abfolutely neceflary, 
 though withall we muft tell thofe that fo decry univer- 
 I fity breeding , aud humane learning , that An nan babet 
 
 13 
 
 yid&Hcaxi.lic. 
 em.i.2i,deMi- 
 wfterii. p-49 1 ' 
 
 m* 
 
*4 
 
 a roecaphor 
 cither taken 
 from wreftlers, 
 that pluck 
 thofe they 
 wreftle with, 
 firft one way, 
 then another , 
 or from Chy- 
 micks, that 
 torture natural 
 bodies to ex- 
 trad that out 
 of them which 
 God never put 
 in them, or 
 from tortures 
 which put an 
 innocent body 
 upon the rack, 
 and make him 
 fpeake that 
 which he never 
 thought. 
 V,d. Leith. 
 Critic* 
 Veluti tor- 
 mencis ad hi- 
 bris rabesic 
 de Scripturis 
 queftiones ut 
 non quod Veri- 
 tas exigit fed 
 quod voiunc 
 cxpnnunt. 
 Lmnut in 
 2 Pet. 3. 1 6. 
 
 Vindicia liittifttrii Evangtlici. 
 
 inimicum preter ignorantem. Learning yet never had any 
 enemies , but ftich as were ignorant themfelveg. And 
 the Apoftle tells us , that in Pauls Epiftles , there are 
 fome things hard to be under flood , which they that are 
 unlearned and unfl able* wrefl as they Ate other Scriptures 
 to their own dfir uBions y 2 Pet. 3 . 16. There are two forts 
 of perfons that wreft Scriptures. 1 The unlearned ', they 
 wreft them through ignorance* %. The unfiMe , men of 
 crotchicall head?,that fancy new notions , thcfeufually 
 wreft Scriptures, out of the wantonnefle of their fancies 
 not being Content with the plaine meaning:, butindea* 
 vouring to make the Scripture ferve the notion of their 
 wild fancies ; we have inftances enough of both. Thofe 
 that are unlearned , how ftrange notions -they produce 
 fometimes, what nonfenle? what unmethoclicall dif- 
 courfes? what ftrange interpretations of Scripture we 
 have from them ? what ftrange notions they produce for 
 truths? 1 could Xnftance thus in one lately who in a 
 great congregation undertooke to handle his Text, 
 Neither Logically , nor Theologically , but P ' arapbraftically \ 
 and the fame perfon undertaking to prove, that lohn the 
 beloved Vifciple wrote the Revelation, proved it thus: A/o- 
 fes was the beloved of God in the old Ttfiament i Co be had 
 the honour to write the jirjl Bookjhere 5 and Lhn being the 
 be loved Vifciple in the new Tefiament , wrote the Ufl booke 
 I there \ had this notion been hammer'd into a Syllogifme, 
 ■ it would have concluded ftrangely ; and the Argument 
 i would have run mad. But though we fay that Lear- 
 ning is a good meane , and qualification for a Preacher , 
 yet we hold it not absolutely neceffary ; we fay, if one 
 be proved, and examin'd, and found to have fbmc com- 
 petent meafure of knowledge ; and a found judgement 
 in the waves of God, though he be not adorned with 
 Schoole learning as others, yet he may be fet apart for 
 the work ©f the Miniftry 5 and this hath been the pra- 
 ctice of our Churches. I remember when myfelfe was 
 
 ordained 
 
 
Vindiciti Minifiet ii Evanj^elicL 
 
 ordained, there were Come ordained under the No* 
 tion of Students in Divinity , which was expounded by 
 the Prefbytery, fuck as had not been bred up in the Vni* 
 verfity , but by their own induftry had got fome compe- 
 tent knowledge in the myfteries of God , 8cc. But this 
 is not the Queftion ; only, I have hinted thus much to 
 let our Brethren know, that we do not idolize learning, 
 though we honour it , and doe not defpife it ; but look 
 upon it as the ordinary way to inable a man outward- 
 ly to interpret Siipture and underftand the tongues, 
 and to enable him to Preach methodically and perfua- 
 fively, &c. 
 
 Sscondly, the §>u>ftion is not what perfons extraordina- 
 rily called *nd qualified by the extraordinary gifts of the bo* 
 ly Gboft might doe in th *t time ; the Holy Ghoft fiipplyed 
 by an extraordinary diipenfation to foch, what muft 
 now be procured by ordinary meancs and induftry * and 
 therefore I conceive it an irregular arguing , becaufe the 
 Difciples or the Apoftlcs upon whom the Holy Ghoft 
 fell in the dayes of Pentecoft , or to whom the Holy 
 Ghoft was given in that extraordinary manner, ("to fit 
 them for their extraordinary work in the firft plantati- 
 on of the Gofpell) might Preach, interpret, and apply 
 Scripture, therefore now private Difciples not fo gifted, 
 infpired, qualified, &c. may lawfully Preach, interpret 
 and apply Scriptures : this is no better argument, then if 
 one mould argue,that becaufe Peter faid to the lame man, 
 A&s 35. In the r.ame ofJ*fm Cbrtft f Nazareth , rife 
 np and to tike ; therefore a private Saint may doe fo now. 
 The folly of inch lop;ick would ealily appear , If it were 
 brought to a£ra$icali Syllogifme , it is no argument, 
 what httb bitn done mjy be done ; a Schoole-Boy can find 
 out the fallacy of ftich a proportion. This therefore is 
 not the Que-Hon Nor, 
 
 Third! yj \ he Queftion, Whether none may Preach that 
 are not fokmuy jet apart, by the laying en if the bands of the 
 
 Prejbytery. 
 
 M 
 
 2. 
 
 Vid. zmb. in 
 quAUkm pra- 
 ceptumjy.%. 
 Diftinguen- 
 dum eft inter 
 vocationem 
 mcdiaram,& 
 immediatam, 
 inter ecclefiam 
 plantararn, & 
 conftitattm & 
 non planraram 
 8c conftiruewi 
 f», Mirtjr. 
 
i6 
 
 Vindicia Minijttrri Rvawgtlhi. 
 
 Prefbytery. 1 intend not here to difput e concerning any 
 particular ceremony, uted in ordinatim (of that hereaf 
 ter.) Though if our Brethren would be coole , we durft 
 undertake ( and I fhall modeftly anon J argue even the 
 neceflity of that to a Scriptural! Ordination $ and cannot 
 look upon it ag an ufeleueCeremonie, but muft wonder 
 a little , that our brethren that profefle Co much drift- 
 nefle inobferving Scripture Rules and prefidents in a&s 
 of inflituted worfcip or tending to it , can make fo light 
 a matter offo many plaine Scripture prefidents in this 
 thing ; we think there is as much, yea much more Scrip- 
 ture for this (derided) Ceremony, then either for fit* 
 ting at the Jable^ in partaking the Lords Supper , or par* 
 taking of it in tbt Evening ; though we dare not con- 
 demne our Brethren that practice both thefe, but doe 
 our felves generally joyn with them in the former.l (ball 
 (peak fomething Collaterally here to that Ceremony, 
 of Impofition of hands, and more directly hereafter j but 
 I (hall not lay the ftrefleof this queftion upon it 5 for 
 I know there have been fome learned and eminent men, 
 have lookt upon it as a thing indifferent, though I could 
 have wifh'd they would have left us their reafons to be 
 (ian'd as well as their judgements to be credited. 
 
 Nor is this queftion concerning the pcrfons by reborn be 
 tbat if to befint mt at a Preacber of the Go/ptM mnfl be ordai, 
 ned and fit apart for tbat tvorkj whether a fingle Prelate be 
 enough, or whether it muft be done by the Prefbytery , or 
 the people; though I am confident of the middle opinion, 
 and conceive that the laying on of the bands of the Prefby- 
 Pry hath more warrant in Scripture, then the fingle 
 Prelates impofition of hands hath , abundantly more 
 then the People j impofition of bands hath , which hath not 
 the leaft (hadow in Scripture ; for though fome of our 
 brethren ( put to hard fhifts it fcemes) produce that 
 place, N*>»&. 8. 10. Where the people were to lay their 
 hands on the Levitts , yet (befides that we hope onr bre. 
 
 tbrcn 
 
 
Vindicia Minificrii Evangdici. 
 
 thren can diftinguifh betwixt Levites and Priefts, and Go- , 
 fpel-minijiers^znd betwixt that impofnion of bands, & a </<?- 
 jpcl-ordinariox ; we hope our Brethren will rather deftrt 
 tliat weak proofe , then allow us fuch kind of proofes as 
 we could bring fronuhe conftkution , and order of the 
 Jewifh Church , fot the proofe of a Nationall Church 5 
 and many other things in reference to Church order, 
 which our brethren will not allow us. But this is not 
 the queftion here, though 1 (hall fpeake fomething to 
 this hereafter, and here Collaterally $ 'but the queftion is 
 \xtt y xt>bether fuch gifts as Cbriftians are now ordinarily gif* 
 ted with) mtbtut any fokmn fitting apart of the perfonfo gif 
 ted> be enough to capacitate one for the Preaching of the Go- 
 fpeU crdinarily, &c. For the particular right oflmpifeti. 
 on of bands , I fiippofe that there hath been more alrea- 
 dy fpoken for that , then our brethren have yet beene 
 able, or ( to ipeak modeftly) at leifure to anfwer. Nor is 
 the queftion, 
 
 Whether fuch a* intend the Mini fry, and are to befeta>- 
 part for it, may not preachy &c. lb at their abilities may be 
 I tried, approved and judged* Such are not to be inclu 
 ded under the Notion of private perfons 5 and befides 
 there is a plaine implicit Scripture. allowance for fuch 
 to preach a while for the triall of their gifts in that pre* 
 cept, 1 Jim, 5. 2a. Where timothy is charged to lay 
 bands fitddenly on none '-, he was to prove them firft, and to 
 make triall of their gifts , and for as much as not only 
 Timothies, and the Prefbyteries approbation of a Pa- 
 ftor of a Church feemes neceflary, but alfo the 
 Churches approbation , to whieh he is to be aMinifter, 
 it fsemes neceflary he mould exercise his gifts for triall 
 fake. Yet not without the approbation of the Frefbyte* 
 ry (faith learned * GiBefpy, ) nor ordinarily tanquam ex 
 officio(yihh whom h learned Countryman agrees) and 
 
 D there 
 
 17 
 
 Quum forma 
 veterispopuli 
 nihil ad nos 
 pertineac con- 
 fulendi fundi 
 bri novi tefta- 
 mentijViden- 
 duii;que quid 
 hacdereibi 
 doceaturj de- 
 inde forma 
 quoqueveteris 
 Ecciefi* nobis 
 | infpicienda in- 
 deque difcen- 
 dum aquibus 
 eligendi funt 
 Min'iflri.Zancb* 
 in qumurn prt- 
 cept.jZo. 
 
 So did the Ca- 
 tfcbfl^oi old 
 (faichtfV**.) 
 
 *Gitttfpy Trea- 
 
 iifenfMifcell. 
 
 Queft.f.$.p.4$. 
 
 Rutherford's 
 
 peaceable pie.: 
 
 p.i+3. 
 
i8 
 
 5. 
 
 HotanAum eft 9 
 #*c.dupiicem 
 vocationem 
 effe neceilari- 
 am, &c. 
 Zanckwt in 
 qui' turn p <€- 
 ttpf.778. 
 
 6* 
 
 Vid.?M*np. 
 hc.c9m.S29* 
 
 Vinrlici£ Minifierii Fvm^elici^ 
 
 thereis a plaine Scripture allowance for it in the betoit 
 mentioned precepts. This therefore is not the queftion, 1 
 but the queftion is concerning fuch as neither are fcta* 
 part , nor do intend to be ordained and fet apart for the 
 work of the Miniftry , whether they may ordinarily 
 preach, interpret, and apply Texts and Scriptures,&c. 
 
 Nor yet is the queftion. 
 
 Whether the folemm ordiining, and fitting fine apart 
 to the ordinary preaching of the G^Jpell, be the only thing ne* 
 ceffary to m*k* one a preacher of the Gojpell : we gram it is 
 but uhimws a&mf, the laft and p?rfeftive aft : he muft be 
 fentfrom God, and qualified by him, both with Minifies 
 riall graces, and gifts, Titus 1 . 9. 7. 1 Tim. 3-i>2,3. 
 Let not therefore any fly out, and tell us that we Ido» 
 Jifce ordin ation,ov that we hold that the Presbyters hands 
 make a Minifter of the Gofpell, we fay no fuch thing : 
 we hold that he mu ft be inwardly qualified with graces 
 and gifts fit for the work , that he mult ("if he be a paftor 
 in a Church) be chofen and called to the work . and (be« 
 ing thus inwardly qualified and ele&ed and called to the 
 work) he mull be examined, tried, and proved , and then 
 fet apart : and we fay that the Presbyters may aft an ordi^ 
 nation rnantt errante, with an erring hand , as well as in 
 Church cenfures clave err ante, with a mijlal^ing Key : we 
 plead only for ordination , and folemne letting apart of 
 theperfon to the work as ncceffarium , that which is ne» 
 ceffary , not as that which is unhe necejfarium the onely 
 thing needfull, this it not the Queftion. No nor yet is 
 the Queftion, 
 
 What may lawfully be dme in extraordinary cafes , where 
 there are no Minifters regularly ordained, nor a pojfibility of 
 regular ordinatim, as in cafe, a company of private 
 Christians mould fuffer fhipwrack , and be caft upon 
 India, and forced to abide there, doubtlefle in fiich a cafe 
 asthsinow : thofe that are girted among ft them might 
 preach ; and in fuch a cafe if the people mould by fafting 
 
 «nj 
 
V indicia Mtnijre iiEvm&tlici* 
 
 and prayer fee one apart tor a conilant Preacher. I 
 know nothirg could be faid again ft it, or now in cafe of 
 perfection, if a Church (hould be difperfed, and banifhed 
 into Countries , where the Gofpcll is not preached, 
 nor no regular Miailte. obtained toMinffter to them in 
 the things uf God s and they are not able poflibJy Go ga 
 ther together snl redd? any where together, to aft in 
 Church order; this is Cafw prtter* eguhrif a prxterre- 
 gulir cafe 5 and much may be done in *uch cafts, that is 
 not lawfuil in an ordinary way', when the difpen(ati« 
 onsoiGod, putnotChriitians upon fiich neceffities, 
 becauft Zipporab in a cafe of necdlity circumcifed her 
 own child. I fuppofe none will argue it was lawfuil 
 for the Hebrew women , ordinarily to circumciie trutr 
 own children. The Learned know what hath been de- 
 termined upon fuch caies , in cafe of Midwife* j Bapti- 
 zings, &c. And fuch was the cafc, ABs 8. 4- When the 
 perfecution had difperftd the Church at Hierufalem, 
 that Come were forced this way, and fome another ; and 
 all had not a Church officer with them , nor were they 
 at liberty, to aft in Church order , though fomething 
 elfc, (hall alfo anon be (poke to that place. Bnt the que- 
 ftion is here of what, in ordinary cafes is unlawful!. Nor 
 yet is it theprelent queftion. 
 
 What Cbrifiians may doe in their private families , whe- 
 ther they may not there read the Scriptures, and observe 
 whatGoddifcovcrsto them of the fence and meaning 
 of them ; and if they will apply what they read prafti 
 cally to their fervants and children i I have nothing to 
 fay againft any Chriftians Co doing 5 but conceive th'y 
 may have fome warrant from Vent. 6. 6,7 Every 
 Chriftian is a JCwg, Prieft , and Prophet in bti Family 5 
 and as I hope none will argue that, becaufe every 
 Chriltian is a ruler in his Family, therefore he hathau» 
 thority to be an officer in the Church; fbl conceive the 
 Argument will be judged a non ftquitur , very weak, that 
 
 D 2 (hall 
 
 l 9 
 
 Vd.Ptt.9Aat 
 toc,com.p.$i9* 
 
 I a. 15. 
 
 1 Qua? a dcofi- 
 untexcraordi- 
 
 I nem,anniiiare 
 
 j dtberr.us non 
 
 I imirari. 
 Ibid. 
 
 Yec other lear- 
 ned men a* 
 Ruthe.fo fl,8cc. 
 Thinkc thar in 
 fuch cafes thofc 
 Bapci&n* were 
 nuU. 
 
 Vid'Ckenmit. 
 toe. torn p.} % . 
 130. 
 
 Hate ad gene- 
 ra lem vocatio 
 nempertinen't 
 Vid.Vtt (Mxa. 
 loc.com. $29' 
 
20 
 
 Vindici£ Minifizrii Fv;tn?ilici % 
 
 (hall conclude, thac b:caufe ic may be lawfull , for a pri 
 vate Chriftian to read 5 and as far as he is able , to open i 
 and apply Scriptures in his own family , and to obferve 
 what truths God {bail discover to him , from the plaine 
 letter ofthern,therefore it is lawfull for him, to doe it 
 in the publike affemblings of the Church orCongre 
 gation; yetwiehall, we cannot think it fit that every 
 Mafterof a family fhould undertake even there to dig 
 into the deeps; and to unty the difficulties of Scripture 
 ("except he be one whom God hath indued with gifts 
 fitting for fiich a worke , who either is skili'd in the O- 
 riglnall tongues, or is able to compare and weigh 
 Scripture with Scripture ; and by ftudying to find out 
 the drift of the Holy Gbojh'm that Scripture ; and to un- 
 derftand the method of the Penman , and the argument 
 of it.) It would be much more fafe , and advantageous 
 (doubtlefle) for Ghriftians in whofe hearts God hath 
 kindled ftch azeale , as to fpend fome time with their 
 Families to read Scripture ; and to enlarge upon what 
 they read , to take fbme paines to confiilc the Commen- 
 taries and exprftions of able Divines ("with many of 
 which in our own language , this Age is bleft ) and to 
 weigh their interpretations with their own thoughts ; 
 and compare them with the Doctrine offaitb , and im- 
 partially debating them in their owne thoughts f if they 
 judge their interpretations found, ) rather to be con- 
 tent , to let their family have the benefit of them by tel- 
 ling them tothem,or reading them to them, then to de» 
 vi(e interpretations of their own , left they pervert the 
 Scriptures to their own deftrucYions , and their families 
 too, 2?tu%. 16. But it is not the queftion here, what 
 a private Chriftian that is gifted, may doe in his own 
 private family ; nor is there a like reafon for his doing 
 it there, as in the affemblings of a Church or Congre- 
 gation ; he is by Gods Ordinance a teacher there 5 nor is 
 there the like danger upon his adventure, for heel 
 
 is 
 
Vindici<e Minijferii Evangettci. 
 
 21 
 
 8 
 fiiPet.&UYt. 
 he. com. p. 5 ip . 
 
 is there in his proper place,and a&ing in his right fphere, 
 and may expe&moreof the influence of Gods bleding 
 jnd aflirtance upon him there, a&ing according to Gods 
 order then in the Pulpit, or publike meetings of. the 
 Church and Congregation, where he will be out of his 
 fight place,and breaking Gofpell-order. But this (\ fay} 
 is not the QuefHon. Nor Laftly, 
 
 Is the Qpeftion , whether a Chriftianm iy not privately 
 exhort bk brother ? nor whether Chriftians may not private- 
 ly meet together , and tell one another their experiences^ what 
 God hath dmefor their fouks , nor whetbsr a privzte Chi- 
 lian if be be gifted, (though not fa apart to the worJ^oftbe 
 Miniftry) may not write an exposition upm a Text of Scrip, 
 ture, or a whole Book^ 0T mort tfk* w *£ ? and by his pen teach 
 hit brother - ? No, the queftion is only of interpreting 
 Scriptures , taking Texts , railing Doctrines , and ap» 
 plying of them in a publike meeting, and congregati- 
 on of people 5 forweeafily grant thefe private afts of 
 Chriilians. 
 
 That a private Chi iftian may exhort his brotber,i£he be 
 an ancient Chriftian, and meets with a young convert,he 
 may call upon him to be carefull of the vanities of youth, °'' cm \$29 
 to take heed to his walking that he fcandalizeth not the 
 Gofpell of Chrift. A private Epheiian might fay even to 
 Arcbippm, take heed to thy Miniftry 5 we have many pre- 
 cepts for this in Scripture. 
 
 That if a company of Chriftians occaftonally meet toge* 
 ther *, if me of 'them wi!l y he may , titbir repeat a Sermon, he 
 hath he**d to them, or h gin and relate to them , what God 
 hath done for hi* fettle , and call upon them to ftand faft; 
 this one another , and a third may doe by way of dif- 
 courfe ; doubtlcfle private Chriftians may meet together, 
 'conferre, relate experiences, repeat Sermons, &c. Wee 
 doe not only allow all this, bat think it our duty to re- 
 joyce, when we heare of thofe that feare the Lord ; meei 
 ting thus often together, and freaking one to another , (pro- 
 vided 
 
 Vid.Pet.OUrt. 
 
22 
 
 V indicia Mimjterii Evangelic*. 
 
 Queft, 
 
 Ttfttio. 
 Negat. 
 Vid rhtmnui* 
 turn toe. com, 
 
 Vid.BHeanum. 
 l6C.com,p.io34. 
 deM:nifter.^. 
 lAret. Problem* 
 
 ibeoLioc 6$ 
 
 Vii.Calvin.In-* 
 
 vided it be not in a time when they (hould be attending 
 the publike Miniftry of the word) or other publike mee* 
 tings of the Church. 
 
 lhat if a Cbrifiian be gifted, with gifts of learning, &e. 
 He may lawfully write difcourfes upon SubjeUs in Divinity , 
 and Commentaries upon Scripture , and teach by his pen* 
 we can rejoyce in the labours of our brethren this way 
 who are not ordained Minifters. But this is not the 
 qucftion 5 our quehion is only , touching Preaching viva 
 voce, with a lively voyce, as it it an Ordinance of God to be 
 adminiftred in the pubiil^e affemblings of people. And 
 having now laid bare the rootes of the queition 5 and 
 (hewed you what it is not : 1 (hall in the next place 
 (hew you what it is , and you may take it thus truly da- 
 ted. 
 
 Whether it be lawfullfor any Chriftian , (how -well gifted 
 
 foever though dt fired) if not approved , and foknen* 
 
 lyfet apart 9 for the w§rk^ of the Miniftry in orderly 
 
 Churches, and at ordinary times (being not endued 
 
 with th'fi extraordinary gifts of the Holy Gboft which 
 
 the Apdftks and primitive Vifciples and Cbriftians 
 
 bad) in the publikf affemblings of the Church or Cen- 
 
 gregation, ordinarily to interpree Script me ^tak^e 'texts, 
 
 and raife obfervationsfrom tbem,andmakg application 
 
 oftbem, &c. 
 
 This is the queftion truly ftatedito which, 1 (hall take 
 
 leave, to deliver my opinion, and I hope the truth of 
 
 Ghriit in it. 
 
 That, it is Sinfull andunlawfullf&r any private perfins, 
 (how wellfifted foever ) the extraordinary gifts of 
 the Holy Gbvft being now ceafed) being not folemnly 
 fet apart for the Worh^of the Miniftry, in orderly 
 Churches at the publik^ meetings of the Church, and 
 Congregation, to tak$ upon them ordinarily topreach 
 the Gofpell, to interpret Scriptnres, to ta\e Texts, o* 
 pen and apply tbem,&c. 
 
 This 
 
Vindicitf Minifterii Evan^eHci. 
 
 This Pofition with the help of God I (ha I J indeavour 
 to make good to any that are not prejudiced in Judge- 
 ment, nor fb puft up with the overweening opinion and 
 apprefienlion 3 or di&ates, that they are refolved to be 
 blind to truth. 
 
 i. I (hall by reafon, and Scripture Arguments 3 prove 
 
 it (infull and unlawful!. 
 2. I (hall indeavour to anfVer (uch cavils , and ob- 
 jections as have been brought for Arguments in 
 the affirmative. 
 Not to obferve Go fall- order in a&f ef Infiituted worfbip it 
 
 finfuU, andu^lawfull. 
 But for private Cbriftiansborv well gifted feever to Preach 
 ordinarily , to open and apply Scriptures inpublilfe affemblies 
 without a fitting apart for the worrit for tbem 9 Not to obferve 
 Gojpell-order^&c. Ergo. 
 
 The Major none will deny, the Minor I prove. 
 To adventure ujpi* adwinifkring a G,Jf>ll-0 d'mance with* 
 outfucb a miffion as Gifyctt* precepts require y and G&fteti prrji- 
 dents bold forth fucb fhmld have at adventure upon fucb ad- 
 miniftrathnsyi* not to obferve G jfteB-order* 
 
 But for (uch ordinarily te pre jch^and interpret ' 3 an4 apply 
 Scrip'u r es,7* for them to adventure to adninifter a GojpeB- 
 Ord'fn mce witbnut fucb a mifpon^at Gjpell precepts nquie 9 
 and GojpeB- prefidents bold forth, fucb (hou !d have , vrh $ ad- 
 venture upon fucb adm'wi ft rations. Ergo. 
 
 The Major none will deny. The Minor 1 prove. 
 thofe that undertake to preach the GnjpeB 9 to interpret and 
 apply Scriptures 9 meerely by vertue of their inward grace y 
 and naiu v all gift s+andele&ion and calling oftbepeoplt 9 
 undertake the adminifiring of a GojpeB- ordinance with' 
 out fucb a mifjion, at GjpeU precepts require 9 and Go- 
 fieB prefidents hold forth fitch* fbould have at admin'u 
 fter a G fpell- Ordinance. 
 B$tt fucb Chrifiians undertake to preach , interpret , and 
 metrly by vertue of their inward grace 9 natter all gifts 9 eltBion 
 x *ndc*B of the people. Ergo, 
 
 2 3 
 
 . Precept* Dom- 
 ini fmtbifarum 
 confideranda. 
 7 — '4u*<t*m 
 (tnt Jpeeitli* 
 Mmijlris ten- 
 tarn uai*.qn*te 
 eft quod prtdi- 
 cttiontm Evan' 
 ge'it concern*, 
 Mufculut in cap. 
 
 Hnmiob*nnis 
 f.804. 
 
 Arg. 1. 
 
24 
 
 Vindicite Minifierii Evangelic*. 
 
 Tit>u5. 
 
 • 
 
 Ergo, They undertake it without fuch a million as 
 Gofpell precepts require , and Gofpcll presidents j 
 hold forth, fuch fhould have as adminiiler aGo* j 
 fpel- Ordinance. 
 
 The Major is to be proved, which I thus prove. 
 
 IfGoffel precepts require^and Gofyellprefidznts hold forth ^ 
 that thofe that preach the Gojj>eB fhould hi fides their inward 
 graces and gifis^ and eletfion, and call s he fokmnly fet apart 
 for the preaching of it , then the inward graces and gifts, 
 and the election and call of the psople, are not all the 
 Gofpell requires. 
 
 But GofptB-prectpts require , and Gofyell prefidents hold 
 forth 9 thai thofe that are to preach the Gofpell , fhould not 
 only have inward gifts ■> and gr aces ^ and an outward call and 
 election 3 but alfo that they fhould bcfolemnlyfet apart for that 
 work* 
 
 The Major cannot be denycd,if we take the word call 
 only to cxprefle the defire of the people. 
 
 The Minor I fliali prove in both the branches of it. 
 
 FirftV Jw* Gojpellprecepts requirejkat thofe that Prtach the 
 Gofpell fhould not only be fuch as have grace and gifts , and 
 flwuldbe able to teaeh 9 andehofen^ and defiredto it; but alfo 
 that they fhould be folemnly jet apart for the worI^ 9 and ap- 
 pointed to it. This I fhall firft prove , and then 1 (hall 
 prove. 
 
 That GofpeU.prefidents alfo hold forth, that fuch as prea* 
 chedthe Gofpell , had be fides tbeir inward gifts and graces^ 
 andihe election and defire of others , afolemne fetting apart 
 to that great worke. 
 
 1. I fliall (hew you Gofpell-precepts : I fhall only in 
 ftanceiu three, the firft (hall be that, iT itus 5. 1. F 
 this caufe left I thee in Creet^ thatjhou fbouldtt fet in ordi 
 thofe things which are wanting , and ordaine Elders in eve: 
 City 5 af I had appointed thee. 
 
 The Apoftle there appoints Titus. 
 
 I. that there fhould be Elders in every City. 
 
 2.Th 
 
Vindici£ Minifierii Evangelic/. 
 
 25 
 
 2. That he mould ord aine them. 
 
 1 . There fhould be Elders [not gifted brethren onely] 
 but Elders ; what is here meant by EM±rj ,you lhall fee o 
 pened^.7.8 9. a 2>ij7jw/>, one trut fhould overfee, and take 
 care of the Churchy tyewzrd of God, v*i . Thofe ibatfii uld 
 be able-) b) exhortation, and found doctrine Jboth to exhort and 
 convince gain fay ers ; I fuppofe none will tell us there, that 
 by Elders are meant. Elders in refpcft o£age 9 (time mutt 
 make them, not litus,) nor yet Civil! Afagijlratcs (for 1 
 feare they prove Titus a Pope with authority to make 
 Emperours.)By Elders therefore are meant officers in the , 
 Church,and v.9 . Preaching is fet out, as their work, the | 
 work of their officerThere muft be fuch Elders,and Hitut 
 is bid Kd-ra^oai to ordain them ; what is the meaning of 
 that? 
 
 1. The meaning cannot be, tbat be fhould give th^m gifts 
 and graces that was out of his power, except by 
 gift we mean an authority to preach. 
 
 2. The meaning is not meerly that be (h^uld elect fome 
 
 to be Elders, for Election of officers belongs to 
 the whole Chutch , Acts 6.6. Beiides the word 
 cannot be fo tranflated. 
 
 3. If Saint Paul had though t gifts enough to ma^e a Prea- 
 
 cher, it had been enough for him to havefent to litus, 
 to give erder that all that bad gifts fhould exhort and 
 convince gainfay ers ; but here is another A& re- 
 quired of Ti/tt*,ordain EJders -, what is the mea- 
 ning of that? 
 The originall word is *aMmpi 9 it (Ignitieth to appoint 
 j and fet fome over ethers, as officers ,RuIers, Scapula, Contti* 
 tuo,pr£ficio h Thus it is generally taken amongit Greeke 
 writers. Dtmoftbenes^ Ifacrates^ Zetto/bon, &c. But it is 
 mod inquirable , how it is taken in the New Teilarhent 
 ufually; and we mall rmde iheHoJy Ghoft generally 
 ufmg it in this fence, Qdatth* 24.45,47. M*ttb.2%.2\, 
 23. Luhf 12.14,42. Acts 6.3. Acts 7. 10.27,35. H^.5.1. 
 
 E H;b. 
 
 Vid. Ztnch. in 
 quttnum fr<e- 
 ceptm. 
 
 Lexicar. 
 Leigh Critica. 
 Stefbai 
 
76 
 
 Vindicid Miniflerii Evangelic*. 
 
 The Ajfltryifri 
 proved to be 
 
 9&fuLlg£n 
 
 Dr. Seam m, p. 
 
 5,7,8,9,&c. 
 
 Kccnt?fao$), 
 
 Heb.j.2%. Hzb.i.j Indeed it is iifed in another fenfe, 
 Kom.^.i^.Ia>nef^.6.A&s 17.15, Jams 44. 2Pf*.i.8. 
 But the fenfe that it is ufed in there, will not helpe at all, 
 for, I T&*r is the n stive and mojl proper fignificMtionofthe 
 vortd, 2. It if generally thus ufed in Scripture phrafe. 
 3 . 'there is no other Scripture- acceptation of it which mil 
 ferve this place* 4. // is phim that the Apoftle here meanes 
 th*t Titus fhould ft fome as. Officers over others , by the fol- 
 lowing verfeSj where thofe whom he was to ordaine are 
 called Bifhops^Stewards, v. 1 1 . Now thefe are names of 
 Office and Authority > thofe that defire to be (atisfied 
 more in the vindication of that place may read Dr. Sea - 
 man. Now if you (hall defire to know how Titus mould 
 &*7WMW ordaine thefe Elders , it is »ot fo clearly expreft 
 there as in other places : But it is plaine enough, A&s 
 6*v.%. Where the Apoftle bids the Difciples Uo\e out 
 honcft men y &c. whom they might appoint over that bull 
 nefle 3 the Originall word is the fame; now the Difciples 
 v.$» approved the Apoftles motion , and chofe fome; 
 now after what manner did the Apoftles appoint them 
 over the bufineffe? v.6$ They fajled and prayed , and lay d 
 their hands on them* This Text in Titus is plaine enough. 
 The Apoftle commands Titus to give fbme authority, 
 to appoint and ordaine fome to preach the Gofpel, that 
 might be in Office to that worke ; here is a Minifteriall 
 miffion plaine, and judged fo necefTary, that Saint Paul 
 leaveth Titus behind him in Crete>on purpofe to doe the 
 worke. This appointing is an aft of Titus and the Pref 
 bytery^not of the people. Titus is here mentioned onely, 
 but the Presbytery is mentioned , I Tim. 4. 14. And the 
 Apoftles, Acts 6.6. If every gifted brother without any 
 folomne appointment, but being meerely elected and 
 defired by the people , might have publikely exhorted 
 and convinced gainfayers, and have been SLB>(bop 9 a 
 Steward Titus might have gone away with P*w/,but it 
 feems it was not the doftrine ofthofe times. This Scrip- 
 
 rure 
 
V indicia Mini ft a ri Evmgelitu 
 
 ture precept concerning the fending out of Preachers in 
 Crete, you fee requires more of thole that were to be lent 
 out, then that they (hould have graces and gifts , and be 
 chofen and defiredto it : it requires that they fhculd be 
 ordaind by 7im, &c« 
 
 A fecond Scripture- precept which I will inftance in, 
 is , i Ttm^ ,2 2. Where Saint Paul gives a precept to Ti- 
 mothy : Lay bands fuddenly on no nun* In which you 
 have: 
 
 1. A n implicit command, that Timothy fhouldlay bands 
 
 onfome, 
 
 2. An explicite precepted* hefhouldlay bands fuddenly 
 
 27 
 
 on nrne. 
 
 Two things muft be enquired, i . Who they are that Ti- 
 mothy is commanded not to lay hands fuddenly upon. 
 
 3. What the Apottle means, when befayes, Lay bands fud* 
 denly on none ? i. Who doth the Apoftle there meane, by 
 None ? this will be plaine enough , by confidering the 
 context. The Apoftle had in that Chapter been giving 
 Timothy feveral Rules concerning the ordering of Church 
 affaires,?. i J. He rels him, that the Elders that ruled mil 
 fbould he accounted worthy of double honour 9 efpeciaHy fuch 
 at laboured in the Word and Vottriw* (So then,thofe that 
 labour in the Word and VoBrine muft be Elders ) theft are 
 worthy of double honour. Maintenance is meant in 
 part, v. 1 8. The Apoftle proves it by Scripture,P«tf.25. 
 4. Mattb. 10 10. They are the Oxtn that tread out the 
 Come, their mouthes mnfi not be muzzfed', they are la- 
 bourers , and they are worthy of their hire, v. 1 9. He char* 
 geth him againft thefe Elders not to receive a fingk aeon- 
 fation, v 2 it He chargeth him not to prefer one before ano- 
 ther, by partiality, v. 22. Lay hands fuddenly en none* It is 
 plaine his meaning is, Lay hands fuddenly on none that 
 are to be Elders , that are to labour in the Word and 
 doctrine. 
 
 Bat fecondly , What is meant by laying on of hands r 
 
 E 3 Surely 
 
28 
 
 Vindiciti Minijfrrii Ev*n$tlicin 
 
 Vide Lorinum. 
 in Aft.c.6.v.6. 
 Vide Qimni* 
 turn lot. com. 
 
 \Vid.dret*VrobL 
 I theol. loc.6$. 
 p.$$8. 
 
 Surely it is not vnzmtottvUlent laying vn jf bands , nor 
 an ordinary laying bands upon any, fas a man may lay 
 his h ind upon a Scoole or Table, ;but it is meant of Come 
 fignifizziive aStion : to find out therefore what is meant, 
 let us confuk the Scriptures, and fee in what cafes this 
 hyUgmofkandtrvMufedi and then compare them all 
 withdiis Text, and fee which lutes it. It is already noted 
 | by the Learned*, that laying on of hands was ufed in 
 Scripture. 
 
 InBlejJing by fuperiours,thus &W.48. 14. Iaeob Blef- 
 fing Epbraim and Mantffes , laid his hands upon them, 
 Co Msttb 9 1?. 15. Chrift laid his hands on the little chiN 
 dren. 
 
 In th jetting apart of a Sacrifice to God, Num.S 1 2» It 
 was commanded that the Levites mould lay their hands 
 on the Sacrifice. 
 
 In giving the Holy Gboft , ABs 8. 1 7, i£. ABs 19 6. 
 A8j$. i5# and no where el(e that I know, in Scripture 
 is mention made of the ufe of it upon that account. 
 
 In difienfing mt the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Gbofi, 
 as in bea!ing> Acts 2S. S. ABs 8.19. Ghrift in healing 
 ufed it, Luc 4 40. Mjt.6. 5. Mar. 5 .5.23. 
 
 Laftly. Tt was ufed in the fetti ng apare of one to an office, 
 either in the Magiftracy , £0 Adofis ufed it to Iofbuab 
 Num. 27- 23. OrMiniftry ; and fo the Apofllesufedit, 
 Acts, 6. 6. And the Church o£ Antioch in. ordaining Paul 
 and Barnabas, Acts 13.2. 
 
 I doe not find in Scripture, that laying on of hands 
 was ufed upon any other occasions ; now let us enquire 
 what the Apoftle meanes here in his precept to 'timothy y 
 Lay bands fuddenly on none-, either 1. Blefft none fuddenly, 
 or. It He alt none fuddenly) or. 3. Set no Sacrifice apart to 
 Sod fuddenly . Surely none will (ay aray of theft is meant $ 
 Sacrifices fwirh their rite*) were ceafed , and none can 
 give any reafbn or para] ell Scripture , to warrant either 
 of the other ; therefore the Apoftle muft meane either. 
 
 i.Di 
 
Vindicia Minifttrii Evangelicr. 
 
 I. DHpenic not out the Holy Ghofi , fuddenly t) atj 9 or 9 
 2 Or d tine none to be officers in the Church fir State fuddenly y 
 or elfe a new tenfe mull be found warranted by no Scrip- 
 ture. 
 
 i . Surely his meaning is not Vijpmfi out the Holy Gfoft 
 fuddenly to any. For, 
 • I Ic doth not appeare,that Timothy had any fucb fewr. 
 
 The Apoftles indeed had, Acts 8. lj.Actj 19. 6. gut 
 Timothy though he was an extraordinary officer was no 
 Apoftle. 
 
 2» We doe not read of any fucb cautions in giving the Hcly 
 Gboft , it was an Ac! of the Apoftles in which they were 
 guided (doubtleflTe) by an extraordinary decerning 
 fpirit. 
 
 3 . ihe ohferving the coherence of the wards with tbofi be- 
 fire y wiB mafy it plaine (of which before.) 
 
 4, Obiervc how the fame phrafe is ufed in other places of 
 thofe Epiftles to Timothy ', I Tim. 4. 14 Neglect not the gift 
 which was given thee by Prophecy , and the laying an of the 
 hands of the Presbytery 5 we read no where that the Holy 
 Ghoft was given by the laying on of the hands of the 
 Presbytery ; indeed Paul joyned in this aft, 2 Tim. 1 . 6. 
 And he was an Apofile^ but the Apoftle plainly fayes, that 
 this gift was given him (not only .by the laying on of 
 his hands, but) by the laying on of the hands of the Prefbytery 3 
 this could not be the Holy Ghoft. 
 
 Nor is it any thing to tbepwpofe if any (hall object , that 
 here was more then an ordinary ordination , for the 7,xt 
 jpeafys of a gift given by the laying on of hands ; now none 
 will fay, that the laying on of hands of the Presbyters , gives 
 an inward giff. 
 
 I doe nt hpow why we may not fay that the gift of prea* 
 thing it in am in by verttte of his Ordination. 
 
 All the bufmeffe lyes upon dHtinguilhing upon thole 
 twotermes. 1. Gift. 2. Is in thee. 
 
 I. If we meane by the gift, thofe inward gifts of know- 
 ledge 
 
 29 
 
 Pid.Zaitb. 
 S*qM*ri.pr** 
 
 cepc.7j2. 
 
 Ob. 
 
3 o 
 
 Quidm intelll* 
 gi volant ij>[um 
 ordinem, &c. 
 VidSftium.ati 
 loc 
 yidCdvin. l-^ 
 
 PiA.Culvmi 
 Commm.nd lot. 
 
 t Vlndici£ Mintjierii EvAngtlicu 
 
 hdge> and judgement invmtion^&c* Which make th s gra- 
 cious perfon fie for a preacher ; indeed we cannot lay 
 that ordination, the laying on of the hands of the Pret- 
 bytcoy gives the(e gifts : But if we take j^W/u* girt 
 for facuhaf extern a, an outward power and authority to 
 preach. 
 
 This is a gift, or for the Office it felfe which is a gift, 
 and a great gift,and a free gift: this gift is given by ordi- 
 nati >n , it is a great and noble , and honourable gift ; 
 which God hath betrufted his Ghurch in giving out, 
 Dr.Seaman tels us th&t offices are called X^s'^^^^fs^ cal- 
 led gifts, Epb* 4 8. and power and authority , grace, Rom.i 2. 
 3 . And he is not alone in his opinion. 
 
 2 . But fappofe we take gift for fome inward qualifica* 
 tien that (bould internally fit one for the rvorkj Yet the gift 
 though it be not put into the foule , by laying on of 
 hands, and Ordination : and though Ordination doth 
 not conferre it by a phyficall power , yet it may be (aid 
 to be in a Mimfier by it 9 for it is but the generall opinion 
 of Divines , and an ordinary Notion , that when God 
 calls any to anyplace of Office and trufi , and they come into it 
 upon hi^taB regularly J)e even in their inauguration fits them 
 for the workup by giving them a ntw Jpirit 3 and quickping 
 up their natural! gifts, &c* difyofing them to their prefent 
 implayment. Thus when Saul was chofen King,you read, 
 that the Spirit ofGodrefied on him. The Bread and Wine 
 in the Sacrament, doth not by a phyficall power ftreng* 
 then, quicken, and comfort the foule, but it is Gods Or- 
 dinance , and by the partaking of that aright , ( God 
 concurring with his own Ordinance ) the foule is often 
 quickned, comforted, ftrengthned, &c. And thus there 
 might be a gift in timothy by Ordination. God hearing 
 the prayers, and anfwering the fafting and prayer of his 
 Church, when Timothy was fet apart for the work of the 
 Miniftry , might , and doubtlefle did upon his Ordina- 
 tion, quicken, and heighten up his parts , and gifts and 
 
 graces ; 
 
Vindici£ Minifterii Evangelic*. 
 
 graces h and fo the gift was faid to be in him by the lay- 
 ing on of hands,as caufa Infirummtalvs the Inttrumentall 
 caufe to procure from God,a quickening^ heigh uning^and 
 incnafing bis gifts and graces* So much may (erve to an- 
 fwer that cavill. 
 
 But 1 fuppole every judicious Chriftian wil grant me, 
 that the Apoftles meaning in that place, i ltm.% 22. is, 
 Set none apart by ordination , for officers in the Church to la- 
 bour in the Word and VoBrine. as v. 17. That which 1 
 inferre is this , lhat there is a precept concerning fuch as 
 were to be ILlders , and labour in the Word andDo&rinejbat 
 they jhould have hands laid upon them by Timothy ; that is, 
 be folemnly fit apart by Timothy, &c to the worh^ of the 
 Minifiry \ though they were gracious , and gifted , and 
 chofen, and called This was not all, theymuftbefet 
 apart 3 1 thinke it is plaine enough to every fober Chri- 
 ftian. 
 
 A third Precept I fliall indance in, is, from the Holy 
 Ghoft himfelfe, Acts 13.3. The ftory was this: Paul and 
 Barnabas were to goe out to preach the Gofpel ordina- 
 rily , they were Apoftlesj and fo not tied up to ordinary 
 rules : yet God calls to the Church of Antiocb^tofeparau 
 thefe two for the mrk& to which God had called them ', what 
 doth the Church doe? what onely elefl: them? v. 3. Ihey 
 fafted and prayed ', and layd their hands on tbem> and fent 
 them away j not that all the multitude laid on hands, 
 other places cleare that, 1 Tim.4. 1 4. Acts 6.6. That the 
 laying on of the hands was onely the worke of the Apo* 
 files and Presbytery* Let none fay that this was Gods order 
 for Apoftles onely 3 and not for ordinary Preachers,that 
 Figlcafeis too thin. 
 
 For I. That fuch afohmn Ordination was not necejfary to 
 confiitute an /fyw/?/*isplaine,for Acts U26. Matthias was 
 meerly chofen by Lott. 
 
 2. Their being Apoftles , makes but the Argument a 
 fortiori better. If God in his wifdom thought it fit that 
 
 his 
 
 31 
 
 Vilchemh. 
 loc.com.p.}'. 
 p. 137. 
 Si icaque hoc 
 faftum eft in 
 eoqui imme- 
 diate fuit voca- 
 tus,quanto ma- 
 gi s id facere 
 debet in voca- 
 tionibus me- 
 dians. 
 
 Vii.CdvinAn- 
 flit.l.t.fecJ.il, 
 Quorfum eft 
 h4?c fegregatio 
 &c. 
 
 So C*/vmand 
 
 Chemuitiui ut 
 fupn. 
 
3 2 
 
 Vindici& Wnifierii E van gdid. 
 
 1 his Apoftles that were moft eminently gifted and indued 
 f with the Holy Ghoft,(houldyet be folemnfy fet apart to 
 ! the work ofthe Miniiiry . how much more r< quiike is it 
 | of thofe who have no fuch gifts and endowments ? 
 Let none fay Faul preached before,^/ p. This was not 
 therefore neccflJry to make him a Preacher,iftheyplcafe ! 
 to look, Acts 915. They may fee an extraordinary com- | 
 miflion authorifing Faul to preach , yet though he had j 
 this extraordinary commiflion for example fake* and 
 that the Lord might fhewus, what Gofpel order he 
 would have obferved of Churches in order, Ads 13 5. i 
 The Lord commands this f olemne fetting apart of the 
 Apoftles to his Minifteriall worke : And befides,it may 
 be obferved, that the Church was then difperfed. Acts 8. 
 1,2. Thus now I have made good my firft task: That 
 Scripture -precepts require^hat facb as were to preach the Gnfyel 
 ordinarily , be fides their inward gifts and graces, and their 
 election and call, they fhouldalfo hi felemnlyfet apart, and by 
 ordination appointed and Jem out for that work^. 1 come to 
 the fecond thing, to prove, 
 
 2. Ihat Scripture pre fidents every where bold forth , that 
 Jueh as went out to preach the Gofpel, and did ordi- 
 narily preach, be fides graces and gifts I and 'Election 
 and call,were alfo ordained: i. & folemnly fit apart by 
 fafting and prayer , and impefition of hands for that 
 
 Work- 
 
 The firit Preachers of the Gofpel, had befides inward 
 gifts and graces , an outward miflion, Matib. 28. 19. 
 Ghrift faid to them.Gfle therefore and teach aS Nations bap. 
 ; tizing them ; Chrift did not onely implicitly bid them 
 gne and teach ,] by giving them gifts and graces, but fpeaks 
 CO them,g< e and prsacb.But Acts 6. You have more officers 
 choien , fome of which were to preach the Gofpel! ; 
 Stephen was a preacher. Acts 7. and Philip, Acts S.5 . i 
 Now thefe were full of the Holy GbuU and -wifdome, 
 verfe 3. cbofen,\ecfe 5. prefented to the Apoftles , v.6.\ 
 
 AndJ 
 
Vindici& Minifierii Evangtlici. 
 
 33 
 
 And by them ordained by Prayer and imp^fitim of hands. , ^ z 
 Paul and Barnabas were fo fet apart, Afts 1 3. 3>4,5- And ^ r ^ w p** 
 in all the Churches, Aets 14* 23. £//&/•/ were crdainedby ceptum.1p.772. 
 Paul and B arnabas by Pray or and f aft ing $ now what the 
 office of thefe Elders was; fee 1 Tzw. 5. 17. and -/4cm 20 
 17.28. In fliort,wewant a plaine Scripture prefident of 
 any, how well gifted foever , and furnifhed with grace, 
 though elected, and defired , that yet ordinarily under- 
 took to Preach the Gofpell , being not fo folcmnly fet 
 apart to that work : And hence it neceflarily followes, 
 that thofe that undertake this worke, not fo ordained 
 and fet apart,are neither warranted in their undertaking 
 by any Gofpell • precept, or prefidents ; for both GeJpeB- 
 precepts and prefidents , require this folemne fitting apart 
 for the work,and hold forth; that thofe that undertooke 
 this worke were , beiides their inward gifts and graces, 
 fo fet apart and fblemnely ordained j therefore their un- 
 dertaking is finfull , being a breach of that Gofpell or- 
 der, which God hath left us recorded , and according to 
 which we ought to walk, And fo I have ditpatcht my 
 ! firft argument , to prove the finfulnefie of that practice 
 by any how well gifted and qualified foever , if not thus ( 
 folemnely let apart , ordained and appointed to that 
 I work j I (hall leave this and proceed to a (econd argu- 
 ment. 
 
 My (econd argument is this. 
 
 For any t$ taty upon them acts of office being no officers is Arg. 2. 
 finfull and unlaw full. 
 
 But for private perfins how mil gifted and qualified foever 
 and though elected and called^ (i. e. defired) to tah$ upm them 
 to Preachy interpret and af ply Scriptures^ ii for them that are 
 no officers to take upon them Acts of office. 
 
 Ergo. It is finfull and unlawfull. 
 
 The Major is plaine, for 1 Cor. 7. 20. Every one is to 
 ah idt in the calling to which he is called , I Cor. 12, 1 4. v. 
 To the end the Apoftle proves it at large , that the Mem- 
 
 F bers 
 
34 
 
 1)iiiici& Winijierii Eytmt*elici. 
 
 bers oaghc to keep their places, &c. #>. 12. 4. ^/ all 
 Mcmhirs in the bjdy bays not an office , fa neither have all 
 in the Church. 
 
 The Minor it plaine , poffibly feeme may deny two 
 things hinted in it, and fay, 
 
 l ? Tb at pnv tie per fins if wtll gifted, and elected and cah 
 led arePreacbingEldirs ', officers in the Church 
 as to that act. But 
 
 I difp roved this in the profecution of my former argu- 
 ment,by (hewing you that fomethmg more by Scripture^ 
 precepts, and preiidents, was required to make an officer, 
 as to that office of Preachers. 1 rather think therefore it 
 will be denyed. 
 
 2. That Ordinary preachings interpreting, and applying 
 Scripture /, are Acts of office ; and that ordinary 
 Preachers are officers* 
 
 This I (hall prove by two or three arguments, for I 
 conceive the Cards Controverji* , the very hinge of the 
 controverfie is this , whether Ordinary Preaching be an 
 act of office, I (hall make it out I hope. 
 
 I. Arg. 'the proper acts of Elders, Bifhops , Stewards of 
 theMyfteriesofGod'y Heralds , Ambaffadors of God, watch- 
 men, extraordinary Deacons , Prophets, Pafiors , Teachers, 
 are scss of officer s\ and acts ofoffize. This is plaine enough ; 
 for thefeare all names of office, in Scripture phra(e, and 
 in uftiall acceptation, 1 Tim. 3. 1. 1 Hm.^.iol Acts 6.6> 
 For Heralds, Ambaffadors, watebmm, Stewards, we know 
 in our ufuall acceptation , they are names of office 5 for 
 Prophets, Paftors, and teachers it is plaine, that they were 
 officers, Eph* 4. IT. 1 Cor. 12, 28* Except we will deuy 
 Ap^ks and Evangelifts (with whom they are ranktj to 
 be officers. 
 
 But ordinary Preaching, Interpreting, and applying Scrip' 
 tares are acts , and proper acts of Elders and Bi (hops. I Tim. 
 5 . 17. Titm 1.5 .9. Acts 20. i7.28.Of StewaridL, Tittts 1 . 
 7.9. I Cw^.u Of Heralds*, iTim»2.j. 2 Tim. 1. H. 
 
 (where | 
 
Vindui& Minifrtrii Evangelic*. 
 
 35 
 
 (where the Originall word K^g tranflated a Preacher 
 lignifieth a Crjfr,or HeraId,J of Paftcrj and 7<tfe&fr/,Jcr. 
 3. 15 >2^. 2. And I fuppofefor Teacherj none can deny it* 
 except they can tell us what the office of teacher (elk /n^ 
 and deny the very lignificancy of thcname,which carries 
 the duty in it* 
 
 Ergo. Thefe acts are the acts of cfficers, and afts of Of* I 
 flee ; and except private perfons though gifted, 
 and eleftcd, and call'd, be officers , they cannot 
 lawfully doe them. 
 But 1 fhall further prove that ordinary preaching is an 
 aft of office. 
 
 2. Arg. If Baptizing be an act of office , which an officer 
 
 onely can doe, then Preaching is* The reafon is 
 
 plaine. 
 
 For, Chrift in the fame commiffion authorized thofe 
 
 to Baptize^ whom he authorizeth to T reach y Matth.28. 
 
 19,20. 
 
 But Baptizing is an act of office^ rrbich an officer onely can 
 
 doe. This our Brethren confeffe. 
 Ergo. Preaching is an aft of office, and cannot be law- 
 fully done by thofe not in office. 
 I mu ft confeffe,! have often wondred 3 thatanyofour 
 Brethren are fhy at Baptizing^nd confeffe that one gifted 
 cannot lawfully baptize ; and yet dare venture lo boldly 
 upon the other minifteriall aft , which is in the fame 
 Commidion, and firft mentioned in it, A4attb.2%. 19,20. 
 And upon which Saint Paul feem'd to lay more weight 
 then upon Baptizing , 2 Cor. I. 1 7. This is my fecond ar 
 gument againft the lawfulnefle of publique preaching; 
 tor fuch perfons as are not folemnly ordained, and fet 
 apart for that worke, as well as outwardly elected and <k» 
 fired to the work, and inwardly gifted. I come to a third 
 Argument. 
 
 Arg. 3. Ihit Tenent that doth neeifarily tend to make 
 the great ordinance of the AdinifiiHaU function frnflrantnuf | 
 
 ¥ 2 and\ 
 
3 6 
 
 VilEfHum.a& 
 toe. 
 
 Vindicia Minifitrii Evangelic?, 
 
 andufeftffe, *f to its chief* acf, cinm fa a Scripture truth* 
 That a AiinifteriaU functUn , is a great Gofpel-ordi- 
 nance ; which God hath infticuted in his Church. I 
 fuvealready mide good by feveral arguments ; norwas 
 iceverdenyedbyany conSderable perfons : Now 3 (ure- 
 ly none will fay^but ifGod hath ordained a Miniftery,he 
 hath done it for fome ends, it' he hathordain'd the fun* 
 ction, there are Comz a&* to be done by thofe in that fun- 
 ction, audwhatfoeyerTe^** makes the fun&ion of no 
 ufeastothefeaft*, oranyofthemmuftbe iinfull; for 
 it is a dangerous thing but to make an ordinance of God 
 fruftraneous and ufeleffe. 
 
 But this Tenent, 'that any gi fed pzrfon if defied, and 
 defiredhy the people mty ordinarily P reach ^open^ interpret and 
 apply Scripture , dith mcejftrilytend to m*k$ this great ordh 
 nance of the MinifteriaUfun&imfruftraneow, and of no ufe 
 as to its chief e act. 
 
 To prove this, 1 need doe no more then prove. < 
 i . That to make a Gofpell'Minifterjaccording to Go - 
 fpelUinftitution, fomething more is requifite , then gifts 
 and electim, and adefire from ike people : this I have already 
 done in my firft argument. 
 
 2. 7bat ordinary Preaching, interpreting , and applying 
 Scriptures, is eht chief e Act of the Minifteriall function* 
 
 3. That a Mimfari all function , is ufeleffe as to this 
 a& 3 if every gifted perfon may doe it ; this laft is evident 
 enough ; for what need any particular perfbns be by the 
 Ordinance of God appointed, to doe that which all 
 may doe > 
 
 To prove the fecond, that ordinary Preaching opening, 
 and applying Scripture , if the chief e act of the Minityeriall 
 fun&ion, ©oftrve but on« or two things. 
 
 1. It is the firft a& in the Minifteriall Commiflion, 
 Alith, 28 19 Go Preach and Btptizs all Nations; fi r ft 
 Preach, then Baptize. 
 
 2. It feemes Saint Paul Co lookt upon it, 1 Cor. i. 17. 
 
 Chnft 
 
Vindicia Minifterii Evangelic*. 
 
 Cbrifl ffaich he)fent mi not to baptize, but to preach theGof 
 pel; intimating, that though he had authority to baptize 
 and accordingly did it, yet the main work he had to do, 
 was to preach the Gofpel; he lookt upon that as the chief 
 aftofhisMiniftry. 
 
 Let none fay that Paul fpeaks there as an Apoftle^nd it 
 was inded the main aft of his Apoftlefhip,for : 
 
 I . It is plain, that it rvas not the diftinUive a& of bis A 
 poftlejhip , fir fi hi* Vaiverfall governing and ordering the 
 Churches , was his chiefe and diftinftive work. Prea- 
 ching was h is aft as a Minifter poiUbly upon this account 
 both in I 7/W.2.7, and 2 Tim. 1. 1 u Paul faith he was ap- 
 pointed a Treacher , and an Apafilejkc, Hit Apoftlefhip 
 included the Minifteriall paftorall afts of Paftors and 
 Teachers. Befides, 
 
 3 .If '? reaching the Gvffiel be not the chiefe a& of a Minifter, 
 he hath no adlpropir to him , but adminiftring the Sacra- 
 ments ; for the Elders (fay we,) the members ( fay our 
 brethrenjhave as much to doe in government of the Churchy 
 as he, and for private exhorting^c. That alfo belongs to 
 them ; and we (hall defire but one place of Scripture to 
 prove , that the adminiftring of Sacraments is more the 
 peculiar act of the Minifter then preaching. 
 
 T>oubt\effc preaching the Gofpel^opening Scriptures ^exhor* 
 ting^cmvincinggtinfayers is the chiefe act of the Miniftryj 
 therefore there is a greater charge laid upon Timothy for 
 this then for any other Minifteriall act. 2 Tim. 4. 2. 
 Preach the rpord^be in ft ant infeafon and out of feafon^rebu^ 
 exhort, &c. 
 
 Now if every gifted Chriftian may doe this,what need 
 any Mi nifty as to this act ? what need there be any parti- 
 cular perfons appointed by God to doe that, which all 
 may doe > I proceed to a fourth Argument. 
 
 What things muft not (by Scripture warrant) onely be Ar g-4» 
 communicated to others in fublikf affemblings , by 
 faitbfull men , who jhaU be able to teach other J j 
 
 and 
 
 37 
 
 Pra?dicandi 
 munus eft pri- 
 us,potius,diffi- 
 cilius & magis 
 neceflarium. 
 ViL Pvenm id 
 he. 1 Com. 17. 
 
38 
 
 * Epifcopi ed 
 funt inftituti 
 uc tueamur ca 
 quae in Lvan- 
 gclio & S. Ute- 
 ris continen- 
 tur>quas fie tu- 
 enda fufcipiant 
 ut illis non ad- 
 dant nova. 
 Vet.iMm. loc. 
 
 WJ72.p.52<. 
 
 Immo fibi crcdi 
 vctanc fi con- 
 tra divinas 
 Scripturasali- 
 quid proferanc 
 ibid.- 
 
 Z)indici£ Miniftern Evangdicu 
 
 and to whom fucb tbi?/gsfhall be committed by limo 
 tbies ; tbofe tbings private per 'fens , to rvhem fitcb 
 tbings arc not fo committed according to Scripture* 
 warrant ought not inPublikg afftmblings fotocont' 
 municate* 
 But the truths of the Gofpell , are fucb as according to 
 Scripture'tv arrant areonelyto be communicated to e* 
 tbers by fucb as being faithful ,and able toteacb other / 3 
 and have tbofe things committed to them by Timo» 
 thies 3 and private per font are notfuch y to whom fucb 
 things are committed* 
 
 Ergo. It is unlawfull fir fucb to communicate them 
 in that manner* 
 The Major is plain. The Minor is to be proved. 
 And I ftiall prove it by that places Tim.2,2 . And the 
 tbings that thou bafi beard of me amongfi many n>itneffes^the 
 fame commit thou to faitbfull men , wbofhaU be able to teach 
 ethers, I (hall a little open that place. There arc feverall 
 things in it worthy of our taking notice o£ 
 
 1. That according to Goftell order s in GoffeU- Churches 
 there fbould be fome to teach > and others to be taught. So faith 
 the Apoftlc, 1 Cou 1 2 ,,29. Are aU teachers ? Now accor 
 ding this principle it is pofljble that all rhay be teachers 
 in a Church; for if all be gfttd, and gifts forthwith 
 make a teacher 3 all may be teachers very well. Nay 3 if 
 all doe but think they have gifts good enough , all will 
 be teachers| 3 if gifts only make a teacher j and to avoid 
 this I fuppofe our brethren who are more fober, fay 
 thofe that teach, muft not only have gifts , but the call of 
 the Church^ but they have not told us yet where there is 
 any warrant in Scripture, for the particular Members of 
 a Church to make a teacher by calling him to teach 
 them. But further yet. * Ic is plain e from that place that 
 tbofe thatteatb others mufi be able to teach and faith fu%\ not 
 unlearned and unliable men rnot fucb as bad need be 
 taught tbemfelves^rvbat are the principles ofreiigion^no they 
 
 muft. 
 
1)indici<e Minifierii Ev**gtlici. 
 
 — - — i - . _, 
 
 muitbe™Vj/fakhfuIlmen,and t&tot fufficicnt able men 
 coo, that ar e teachers. Th irdly, 
 
 Thofe faitbfull able mm, muft Pntcb old truths, 
 Apoftolicall truths , Pauls do&rine* 7bofe tblngs which 
 thou baft beard of me, not novell fancies. I doubt whether 
 the M'idmiry Do&rines, and many more notions which 
 w« heare in thefe dayes, be to be found in Pants Epiftles, 
 yea or no. 
 
 Thefe able andfaithfuVmin, before they teach othirs muft 
 havt aTimithy ortimothUi cwnh the GofpsI to them;it is 
 not enough that they are gifted, faith full, dr^.But Timothy 
 is to commit the things to them he heard of Paul. 
 
 The queftion is what is meant there by committing, 
 what Paul meant, when he bid Timothy Commit , what he 
 had heard of him to faithful i and able men,the original! 
 word ufed is &&fi>6 a «^7iS»f/Jt/.ItfignirieSj 
 
 1. Sometimes meerly to propound a thing to others, and 
 fet it before thern,thus often, Math.1^,2^ v. 31. Mar 8. 
 6,j.Lul{9 16. io.cb$* Lul^ii, 6. Acts 16. 34. Acts 17. 
 3. 2 Cor. 10.17. 
 
 2. Sometimes to commit a thing as in truji, when a thing 
 is committed to form and not to others , Co Luk^ 12 .48. So 
 Chrift committed his fptrit to his Father, LdJ^.23. 4 6.and 
 fo Acts 14. 23. Acts 20. 31. fo Paul committed the charge 
 to Timothy], I Tim 1. 18. fo 1 Pei.\. 19. The fufTering 
 Chriftian wet t > commit their foules to God. Criticks 
 note it properly fignifieth to commit a thing to the pa- 
 tronage, managing,care and cuftody of fbme -, Now in 
 one of thefe (enfes the word is to be taken here. 
 
 Either Timothy was to lay open doctrinaBy fuch things 
 as he had heard from Paul (viz.*) The truths of the 
 Gofpel of Chrift} or el(e he was to commit them tojome 
 
 1 (that is) to appoint fome to whom he might intruft 
 thofe truths with,as publike Treafwers, to difpenfe them 
 out ; to whom it (hould peculiarly belong to deliver 
 them out. 
 
 ; If 
 
 39 
 
 V'id. Leitb. 
 Critic. 
 
Vide Beim in 
 A&*. c.i 4.1 $.* 
 
 x x/i^.Dcpofuum 
 ipfius fidei 
 commiflum. 
 
 Vindiciti Minifierii Rvangtlici. 
 
 IS timothy were oncly to commit them tofemeQihat is)to 
 declare them to fome^ fet them before their eyes, what 
 meanes the reflxiftion offaithfuUmen>& men able to teach 
 others. Surely Timothy was to preach thofe truths , not 
 onely to fuch as were faith full , but to fuch as were *«« 
 faithfuByth&t they might learne to be faithful! ; not one- 
 ly to fuch as were able to teach others , but to fuch as 
 were to be taught themfelves. Therefore it muft follow,, 
 that it is the other committing that is meant. Timothy 
 was to look out faithfull men , and fuch as were able to 
 teach others ; and to authoi ize them to that worke, and 
 commit the truths of God into their hands as trufiees , to 
 deliver them out to others 3 as it was written of old , the 
 Friefts HpsfhalJ prejerve knowledge j (b timothy was to de- 
 left fome wh.fe lips fha'dpreferve knowledge ; and to thofe 
 he was to commit the word of knowledge y giving them 
 an outward miffion and authority^ to deale out the truths 
 of Ghrift to the people, , So that you fee, it was not e- 
 nough that fome were *'w , faithfull , gracious , and 
 iwoi able in refpeft of parts : or that they fhould be 
 called by the people ; but this is the Gofpei order, ti- 
 mothy muft commit the things he heard from Paul to them ; 
 and then they were to teach others 5 and without this, 
 though they were faithfull and able , yet they were not 
 to aft j and 1 pray note. It was not enough for them to 
 fay fiod had committed thofe things to them ; timothy muR 
 commit them to them. But I fhall proceed to a fifth argu- 
 ment. 
 
 Who fever may Lawfully preach the GoJpeB, and interpret 
 Scriptures 9 ordinarily^ &c. may warrant ably require a main' 
 tenance competent for them , of the Church to which they fo 
 preachy &c. 
 
 But all thofe members in a Church that are giftedyCarmot 
 require a competent maintenance of the Church in which they 
 are 9 according to Scripture rules* Therefore they cannot 
 lawfully preach the Gofpei ordinarily. 
 
 The 
 
Vindici£ MmifteriiEvangelici. 
 
 4* 
 
 The Major is plain. 
 
 What is their due by Gofyel warrant , and they are worthy 
 cf 3 they may reqtdre?But they that preach theGofpelare worthy 
 of fuch a maintenance , and it it their due* Ergo, 
 
 The Major cannot be denied. The Minor I prove» 
 
 I . Ik at they are worthy of fuch a maintenance, I Tim 5 . 
 1 8. Bflatth.iOtlo. hWGofpel labourers are worthy ff their 
 hire. 
 
 But they are GofpeMabourers. Ergo, It is their due. 
 They are the Oxm that tread out the Come , their mouthts 
 are not to be muzzled, i Tim 5. iS. Gal. 6:6, He that if 
 taught in the word, is hound to communicate to him that Ha 
 cheth, in all good things. Thofe that ferve at the Altar muft 
 live upon the Altar-, theGofpel fpeaketh plaine enough to 
 this,that thofe that preach the Goipel,that admin iter in 
 Spiritual things,that are to teach others 3 &c. may require 
 a competent maintenance for themfeJves as the due of 
 their pains. 
 
 But will any fay, that God hath appointed fuch a 
 
 Gofpel order , that the ungifted brethren fhould main- 
 
 J taine all thofe that are gifted? or , that a Church fhould he 
 
 tied up to that duty, which no Church is able to perfbrme. It 1 
 
 wil nothing at all helpe to (ay They doe not re- ' 
 
 quire any fuch thing. — The queftion it, whether they 
 may not require it of a Church, that is able, and ought ts 
 have it tco . ? If they may and ought to have it, theri 5 this 
 is the Ordinance of God, that all the ungifted brethren 
 fhould maintaine thofe that are gifted. Suppofe now a 
 Nation were parceldout into as many Churches as pa- 
 rimes : and that in every of thefe Churches there were 
 fome gifted ; poflibly in one there might be ten rich] 
 mm, godly, but meanly gifced ; and twenty pwre men y 
 but well gifted, will any-one lay , that jit is Gods On I 
 dinance and Will, that thefe ten rich men fhould allow ! 
 a competent livelihood to the Twenty others, negfetting 
 their callings to exercife their gifts , and to teach the 
 
 G flock > 
 
 1 Cor 9.13,14. 
 
 In numero 
 enim uc eft, 
 ambitio atque 
 temeriraSjMi- 
 nifteria fibi 
 vendicarent, 
 cum divino 
 jure his qui la 
 borantinverbc 
 alinaenta de- 
 beantur, non 
 poflenc omni - 
 bns,qui opera- 
 rentur fuffice- 
 it.Btt.CMa y 
 hecom. $x8.H. 
 
44 
 
 IfidRuthtrfotd 
 due Right of 
 Prcsbycers. 
 
 Vid.GMefpy 
 
 Af//afc.Q.ieft. 
 
 p.40. 
 
 Vindici£ Minifitrii fLvrngtlici* 
 
 If it be to be underitood ot an Ordinary mifjion by God 
 1 he §lwftion is againe. Whether it be to be underftood of 
 an immediate mifjion, or a mediate miffion. 
 
 For an ordinary immediate miffion, we were to feek for 
 ic till the author of «JW?£>i found it out to be, an ordinary 
 gifting ofperfons by God. But that all that have gifts, 
 are not fent by God , it is plaine enough. By many 
 gifted blajfcbemers and heretic ^s , and lewd wretches , con- 
 cerning whom to fay God hath fent them to preach for 
 the begetting of faith in foules,is little lefle then Blaf- 
 phemy. 
 
 And befides,if this (ending be enough, Mr. Gillefy 
 well argues,thac there is no need of the peoples electing or 
 chafing^ Co that we muft find fbmething elfe, to be meant 
 by (ending there. 
 
 And it muft neceflarily be meant you fee 
 Of a fending that it not ee a fed, for the Apoftle is there 
 (peaking of the ordinary meanes, of falvation which are 
 to continue to the end of the world. 
 
 2 Of a mediite mijfi<mfrom God, not of a (ending by 
 Gods immediate file aef y explicitly (peaking from heaven 
 to preachers faying, go preach, or implicitly bidding them 
 go, by giving them gifts and a defire to go* ft ill the Que. 
 ftion is, By what meanes . ? or by whofe acts they muft be 
 fent) as Gods ir/ftruments ? furely all will fay by fuch 
 Instruments, i&Gbriftin hk gejpell hath appointed, in 
 his flead Jo u fend, or thus : It muft either be by the chili 
 power, or by theChureh : is the meaning this, that none 
 can preach but fuch as are fent by the chill magiftrate ? 
 then for 3ooyeares after Chrift none might Lawfully 
 preach but the Apoftles, which I fuppofe none will dare 
 to fay. 
 
 The meaning then muft be, that none can preach hut fuch 
 are fent hy the Church : and ftill the queftion is. 
 
 1 Whether they muft befentby the whole Church, or byfome 
 particular per fens ? 
 
 Though 
 
Vindicid Minifierii Ev&ngeHci. 
 
 Though this might be eafily refolved by 2 Tim. 4. 14. 
 Afts 6.6.that the Presbytery of the Church rs to fend them, 
 yet I fhall not here iniift upon it. If they muft be fent, 
 they muft be more then gifted , that is plaine enough : 
 and the Church muft fend them, either the Presbytery of 
 the Church, or the whole Church muft fend the m There 
 muft be an aft of the Church, concurring to make a law- 
 ful 1 preacher. 
 
 The nextqueftion h,&hether the Churches choofing and 
 defiringone of their brethren to preach, be a fending yea or no, 
 and the fending there meant yea or »<?.That it is not,I prove. 
 
 I From the ufuall acceptation of the fer>»e[fending] fup • 
 pofe you have a bufinefle to be difpatchc at Tor^?, you 
 chute one to goe, and defire him to goe, is this (ending 
 of him? furely you doe more then this, you give him 
 order, and command to go, and you do not fay he is fent, 
 because you have choten him, askt his willingnefle, &c. 
 till you have committed your bufinefle to him, and au- 
 thorized him to goe, though he hath legs and an borfi 9 znd 
 a good mind to g§ , and you have chofen him , yet he is not 
 tent, and mew me in (cripture phrate , where tent can be 
 expounded, chofen, or defired to goe , and that is the whole 
 meaning. 
 
 2 Befides , the prea hing there, is the preaching 
 Ktifuajoifl®* of one that is an herald and pub lifheth a thing m 
 an Herald, in an open pi ace, now when a Prince or State 
 fends an herald , doe thay onely chute a man at armes and 
 defire him *0g*/they alfo give him his folemne inftrufti- 
 onsand authorize him to goe. 
 
 Thus we h ave found what is meant by (ending. Afc- 
 gatively it is not , being gifted or meerely chofen and 
 defired to the work , there muft be fome thing more, 
 to concur to (cnding,viz. a commijjimating oftheperfon to 
 the ttrorkj now this muft be done by fuch per(bns,as have 
 .authority from Chi ift to doit, and in fuch manner, 
 |and forme, and by fuch rites, and ceremonies , as ac- 
 cording 
 
 45 
 
 Vide Lei^b 
 
 Critic** 
 
 
4* 
 
 See more Ar- 
 guments in 
 Rutherford's 
 due right of 
 Presbytery a. 
 p.2;$.&28i. 
 Vide GiUefpy 
 SWi/tt/.Queft. 
 cap.$.p«33, 
 
 38. 
 
 Arg,7- 
 
 Thofe that de- 
 fire the judge- 
 ment of for- 
 mer Divines, 
 both Luther ms 
 and Cdvinifls, 
 concerning the 
 neceflity pf 
 ordinations, 
 let them look 
 Mr. Scamm 
 Vindications, 
 p.iy.ad. 29.P. 
 
 VidMr Semens 
 Vindication. 
 Harm. Confef. 
 
 Vide Corpu 
 Confef. fidclv 
 5>,6o.p.i3i. 
 
 I79,&c. 
 
 Vindici<e hiinifterii Evangdicn 
 
 cording to Gofpell»preiidents have becne formerly 
 ufed, (this is Chrifts common law, ) and according 
 to Gofpell precepts (thefe are Chrifts Statute law)in the 
 cafej and except thole that preach be thus feut, the 
 Apoftle knew, not, how they foould preach , that J 
 is , (b as to )uftifie their act , or expect any blejfing 
 from God upon them in their work^. I (hall adde no more 
 to that Argument, the Apoftles Interrogation implies a 
 Negation. 
 
 There are feverall other arguments produced by Iear* 
 ned Gillefi y , as I. From the law of nature, 2 from 
 that place Heb. 5. 4. and 3 from that place Heb. 6. 
 1.2. But I (hall not enlarge upon them, I (hall oneiy 
 mention one Argument more , which alfo will onely 
 be a probabili. 
 
 It u likely that that tenet which the Churches of Chrift in 
 all ages have rejected , and that practice which the Ghnr- 
 ches ofGhrifi in all ages , have decried and avoided^ is not 
 a truth of Chrift , it is not probable if it were, that Chrift 
 would have hidden it from his Churches , much leffe 
 have eftablifhed their judgements in a truth direftly con 
 trarytoit, viz. That the Ministry , an ordained Mini- 
 fry , is aftanding office to which belongs the preaching of the 
 GojptU. Indeed fome truths maybe hidden yet, but 
 doubt whether in any one truth (especially fo neceffary) 
 as this God hath Jufered all his people to erre, all this while. 
 But the Churches of Chrift in all ages , have rejected this 
 opinion and practice. Yea and held the clean contrary 5 
 and at this day, all the Churches in the world re j eft it, 
 but (thofe in England, and (but (bme of thofe neither) 
 that are called independent Churches ) excepting, ex/r 
 rninian and Socinian congregations , and Anabapiifticall 
 companies (not worthy of the name of the Churches 
 of Chrift.) Enquire into the pra&ife of the Churches 
 of God, in Scotland, France, Helvetia , Germany , the N*« 
 therlmds , the Churches of Chrift in HewEngland, &o 
 
 and 
 
%)indici<e Minifterii Ev&ngdicu 
 
 and let their judgements be askc , and their practice 
 inquired 3 yea,andof all the Presbyterian Churches in 
 England^ which as they treble the number many 
 times over the other Churches 5 fo we may, (we ftp* 
 pofe without boafting ) fay , and fpeake modeftly, 
 that they haue as learned Godly P afters and eminent 
 Cbrifiians in them , as any of our Brethrens Congrega- 
 tions have i who are of diflenting judgements and pra- 
 ctice from us in this point. Now that the fpirit 
 fhould guide our brethren into this truth, and it fhould 
 be hidden from all but themfelves,(eemes very improba- 
 ble. For the proofe of this,if you will pleafe to perufe 
 Cwpuf & fyntagma confeffionum fidei , or Mr. S tomans 
 abridgement of it in this point, in his anfwer to J>*r? £>?, 
 they maybe fatisfied. But I (hall not enlarge more up- 
 on this , for when I have faid as much as I can , our 
 Brethren will tell me I have proved their practice , but 
 Singular, not finfuU, and we live in an age that makes 
 many presidents* and followes very few. I therefore onely 
 propounded the Argument , as probable , not ne ceffarily 
 convincing. 
 
 I remember I made a promife to fpeake fbmething to 
 fuch Arguments as are brought , to juftifie this pra- 
 ctice. 
 
 Thefe are brought either, 
 
 1. From Script we precepts, or (difpeafatioas at leaftj 
 
 or, 
 
 Or, 
 
 2. From Scripture presidents 
 ). Apart ratione* 
 4. From Reafon, not prove fo anon. 
 I will begin with the firft fort,fuch as are from Scrip- 
 ture /**<#*/, where there is a command given for 
 them to Prophefie and exhort and pr each $lc. 
 The firft fort of Scriptures are thofe where the Apo- 
 ftle lay a charge upon all Chriftians, to Exhort and 
 quicbgn one anothtr^and provoke out another to love and good 
 
 workfi : 
 
 47 
 
 Oi.i. 
 
48 
 
 V indicia Minifierii Evangelic?. 
 
 Stl. 
 
 Vid.YttZMxt. 
 
 17- 
 
 V\d. Ztncb. in 
 qutrtum p*<e* 
 upturn p. 7 69. 
 Vid.Rutberford 
 due Right. 
 p.297., 
 Ob. 2. 
 
 M. I. 
 
 z. 
 
 w^/,f#^.3.l3.H^.iOt24 5 &c.Toall thefe I anfwer. 
 
 If we fteere this argument into a fyllogifticall format 
 will run on ground prefentlyjitmuit be thus. 
 
 If every private Christian msy (according to §cripture)ex- 
 bort b'u brother^and provoke and quicken him to Uve y 
 and good worthy then be may phbiiqwly preach, open 
 and apply Scripture. 
 The argument halts already ; he may exhort his bro- 
 ther pi ivately 5 and provoke his brother,and quicken him to 
 love and good workes, and yet not preach. I told you in 
 the beginning this was notthequeiiion. 2.Thefe Scrip- 
 tures would ferve as wel to prove it the duty of thofe that 
 are not,as thoft that are gifted ,it is a common duty upon \ 
 all Chriftians. 
 
 But the Scripture is plain>that he that bath a talent muft 1 
 improve ityAdat.2^.2^^0 or be condemned for hiding it. 
 I, We know Jlbtologia par abolica nonefi argumentativa^ 
 there is no great truft to arguments for pofitive truths 
 from parabolicall expreflions $ what talents are there 
 meant is not expreft. 
 
 2. If it be meant of minifteriall talents,Mr.£i%5>y well 
 noteSj that it mill prove a perpetttall Miniftry , Luke 1 9. 19. 
 Occupy till Icome 9 and a called Miniftry 9 Mat* 2 5 . 1 4, 1 5. 
 the Lord called his (ervants. 
 
 3 . (Saith Mr. Gillefpy ) it will prove that women may 
 preneb too* 
 
 4« The Servant muft improve but bit talent $ the gift of 
 preaching is not(as we have provedjevery gifted brothers 
 talent 5 the talent of preachings is a minifteriall office and 
 authority ,not gifts meerly. 
 
 5 . For gifts , they are indeed a talent 3 but is there no 
 other way of improving them>but in pnblique preaching / 
 he that hath them muft improve them in his jphere^ every 
 man that hath a talent of wifcJome muft not improve it 
 by taking upon him to govern a City without a call and 
 authority to if. 
 
 Bu* 
 
VindicU Mimfterii Evangelici. 
 
 45> 
 
 But it is prophefied concerning the Gofpell time*;, 
 That God would powre out his fpirit upon alifiejh } dr their 
 fo,.nes and their daughters Jhould prophecy then old men 
 fhould dream dreams, and their young men (houldfee vifi- 
 ons. And alfo upon the fervants, and upon the handmaids 
 tn thofe dales willlpowre out my fpir it,] ocl 2.28. 
 
 If this text prove that God promiled that in his Go- 
 fpell Church, perfons not ordained to the worke, 
 fhould preach, &c. 
 
 1 . It proves, that all perfons fhould doe it, whence 
 comes then the diftinftion or gifted perfons only 
 doing it? all fie (h fhould do it, all forts of peribns,and 
 then who fhould be taught. 
 
 2. It proves that women alfo fhould Propbcjie, your 
 daughters (hall prophelie. 1/.2S. the handmaids, 
 verieto. 
 
 3. It feem* to fpeak, for preaching afleeptoe, or at 
 
 leaft pre aching from dreams and vifions, 
 
 4. It is plain, that there the Vrophct foretold only what 
 jhould happen in an extraordinary time under the 
 Gofpel % in the daies ofPentecoft, as you may cafily 
 fee by the ftpoftle Peters application ofittothe 
 preienttime, Atts 2.17. 
 
 5 . I might add that according to that place, Preachers 
 need not fo much as elettion, or the call of the 
 Church, but you have the true meaning of it. 
 
 But there are a fourth fort of Scriptures, which are 
 much relied upon, viz. fuch as fpeak concerning Prophe- 
 fiing. Rom. 12.6. iCor.141. 1 Cor. 14.24. 31,30. 
 
 1 Cor. 14. 5. 1 Cor. 14.3,4,5. The Argument is this 
 
 — -Gofpel prophefying u ordinary preachings and ordinary 
 interpreting* But the Gofpel holds forthfkat every one 
 that hath gifts ought toprophejie and may prophefe. 
 
 Ergo they may ordinarily preach. 
 Nowtothislanfwer. 
 
 That the proportion is httzfiojpcl prophefying fpoken 
 
 H of 
 
 Ob. 4. 
 
 Sol, 
 
5° 
 
 VindicU SMiniflerii EDangelici. 
 
 G ■errannsta 
 i Or.i*. 
 
 Rutherford 
 Peaceable 
 
 GiUcSft Mifcel. 
 q.c.f. p.69. 
 Vid, MrSe*- 
 maits Vindica- 
 tion- in his 
 anfwerto 
 Cb'Uknden. 
 Vid.BHcanum. 
 /af.cow.p.487. 
 inq.t4.&p. 
 4 88.q.i8. 
 Vid. Unt. 
 Problem.theol, 
 
 $.6i.p.g4i. 
 CalvA+.lnftit. 
 Sed. 4. 
 Propheta? fine 
 omni ope hu- 
 man a rcpenre 
 aflatu Sp. Sci. 
 concicati lo- 
 quebancur. 
 Pet. Martyr. 
 
 b. 8.. 
 
 of in thofe pUces is not ordinary preaching and, ttuetfre- 
 tin g°i c Script ares. 
 
 1 his I could prove by the confent of expositors; fome 
 of which I rtiall hint, as Arctins, Calvm, Martyr^&io- 
 dat^kHth^rford^Baines^Dickson^GiRejpy.gerard.PareM^ 
 Bueanus, Zanchy, Eftms, Aquinas* (or the Ancients) 
 Cbry{oftonje % The9phjlatt > Tkcedoret,&Ct 
 
 But I (uppofe our Brethren will except againfl this 
 ]urj. I (hall therefore indeavour to prove by Scripture 
 arguments, comparing Scriptures with Scriptures, that 
 by Prophets and prophecying in the new teftament is 
 not meant, the ordinary preaching and exhorting of (or- 
 dinarily) gifted perfons, and here I fhalldo little more, 
 then give you liimmarily whatthofe two learned men 
 have laid already, Mr Rutherford and Mr Gtllefpy, 
 
 1. The Apoftlc difttnguifoetb Prophets from Pafiors 
 
 and Teaehersibothin Eph.41 1,12. and 1 Cor. 
 12,28,19. 
 
 2. The Apoftle in all thofe three places Jet them next 
 Apoflles^above Evangcli(ls i &Pafters ) & Teachers: 
 and is that the place of gifted Brethren thinke we? 
 
 3 They are Enumerated m all thofe three places a* 
 mongfi officers of the Church. 
 
 4. They are mentioned with a note of Angularity, 1 
 Cor. 12.29.30.^7* aft prophets? are atl teackers,&*o 
 
 5. Prophets in all the oldandnewteftament.y^w/jfc 
 fome in office peculiarly cal'd and fent. 1 ^w.3.20. 
 
 iSa.22.5«A&.i$.i.A6T.2i.io,ii.A&.li.27 5 28. 
 6*. Thefe Prophets fpeakjy extraordinary revelation, 
 1 Cor. 1 4. 26.^.30. 
 
 7, The jipoftle plainly diftinguifhetb, this prophecymg 
 from the word of knowledge and the word ofwtf- 
 dom. 1 Cor. 12.8,9,10, 1 1* 
 
 8. The word prophecying u generally nfed in the new 
 tefiamentfor that which ts extraordinary & by revela- 
 
 .*'**, Mat.**.68.Rcvti,3. A<3.2 1.9. Luke i,6~7.Rev. 
 
 22. 
 
Vindici* Miniflerii Evangelici. 
 
 22.10.1p. Rev.io.ii.Mar.7.6*. 1 Pet.i. 10. Iud. 14. 
 Luk,i76* 7 .28.Matt.ii.26\i4.5.Matt.i3.57.Matt.7. 
 22.A&.1P.6.&C.I0.11.51. 1 Tim. 1. 18. 
 p.Itis reckoned as one of the r Arc ft gifts theApofl/es had, 
 1 Cor. 1 3.2. 1 Cor. 14* 1 6* preferred before the gift of 
 tongues, 1 Cor. 14. 1,2. 
 
 10. Paul compareth htmfelfwith thefe Prophets. 1 Cor. 
 
 14-37- 
 
 1 1. The formal effett, (faith Mr. Rutherford^ of publike 
 
 edifying, comfort ingfohvinci fig, converting fouls are 
 ajcrtbed to thefe prophets, 1 Cor.14. v.i.3.4»5, 12.24. 
 
 25.31- 
 
 12. Laftly (faith he) the Apoftle in the 1 3 and 1 4 ch. 
 of that firfc Epiftle to the Corinthians,^/^ btttfet down 
 right rules for the ufe of the offices which he hadfet down 
 to be the offices then in the Church, 1 Cor, I 2.28.29. 
 
 By all this it plainly appears , that thofe places about 
 prophets and prophecyings,wili not ferve our brethrens 
 tunijto prove their ordinary preaching,opening and ap- 
 plying Scriptures. 
 
 Tor thofe prophets it appears were officers in the 
 Church and extraordinary officers, whofe cal was extra- 
 ordinary ,and whole bw^ was extraordinary ,and whofe 
 abilities were more then ordinary gifts ,evcn extraordina- 
 ry revelations, 
 
 I muft confefs there are fome reverend divines of ano- 
 ther judgement , but their reafons arc to be weighed. 
 I muft profefs, that to me it is as cleer as the light , that 
 thofe Ttxts are to be underftood of extraordinary of- 
 ficers in the Church. Our brethren have many things 
 to object > they ate all antwered either by GiUejpy in his 
 Mtfcellaneous Queftions, p. 74. &c. Or, in Mr.Ruther- 
 fords Peaceable Plea,p.7^0. Or,his Due Right of Pre f 
 bjttrj,ap.29'i.adp, 305. Poflibly fome, who may have 
 objections in their bsads , have not their Books ready to 
 fatisfie them. I have therefore pickt out of them , their 
 
 H 2 judicious 
 
 Vid.zanck.+.U 
 771. in quar* 
 prastptum* 
 
5 * \ Vindicu5MinilUrii BvangelicU 
 
 Olvi. 
 
 Vid.GiRtfpy 
 
 Ob. 
 
 2. 
 
 y'td.Kutht%(oYd 
 dueDight.p* 
 
 Ob. 3. 
 
 judicious anfwers j and rake them fhortly. 
 
 Ob. 1 . Firft they (ay, ludas and Silas were call'd Pro- 
 phets, Adts 15.32. And they exhorted, yet the) were oat 
 of office \ the j are calCd Brethren, v. 22. 
 
 An. 1 . Silas was an Evangdift , he went about with 
 j Paul, AUs 16. Preaching the Gofpell every where, 
 through Amphipolis dzApollomato The ff atonic a, All; A*l 
 1.4, To Berea. v. iq. He was an extraordinary officer. 
 
 2. What though they be call'd brethren , jet they are 
 
 call'd the chief among ft theBrethren- t onc that was chofen 
 
 to travel! with Paul was call'd a Brother, iCor:%* 1 8. A~ 
 
 \ polios is call'd a brother, 1 Cor, 16.12* Yet he is a preach- 
 
 i ing Minifter Pauls fellow labourer, 1 Cor. 3. 5. Ttmothy 
 
 I the Evangelift is cali'd a Brother, 1 Cor.i.u &c. 
 
 Oh*2.The witneffes are faidto prophefy, Rev»i 1.3. Now 
 ! private ChrtfiiaKS are the Lords witneffes again fi Anti- 
 ! chrifi, not Minifters only ; therefore they may prophefie . 
 Anf. 1. It is the opinion of Reverend Divines, that by 
 the two witneffes are meant LMin'tflers^ fo Ju- 
 nius,. Cooper, Parens , &c, 
 2. What prophefy ing is there meant, is not clear. 
 3. It lies upon them that bring this objeftion to prove, 
 I. That by witneffes there are not to be meant: fome 
 particular per fens extraordinarily \ or ordinarily gift' 
 ed and fent. 2. That their prophefying ss or- 
 dinary peaching, in orderly Churches consti- 
 tuted, 
 Ob. 3. I Cor. 12.7. // is fat d the Manifeftxlion of 
 Spirit is given to every one to profit wit hall j therefore all 
 may prophefie. 
 
 -r4.Read on firft. The Apoftie tells you in the very next 
 words, that in your fenfe the manifeftation of the [pint 
 u not given to every one* To one is given by the Spirit the 
 'word ofwifdomjo another the word of knowledge , by the 
 fame jpirit 9 &c>- v. 1 o . To another prophefy ; where note, 
 1 . That the Spirit hath not given to any one all gifts 
 
 bm 
 
V indicia Minifierii Evangelic i, 
 
 bnt this gift to one-fic another to Another-, the manifefta- 
 tion of the Spirit is given in one kjnd or other to ail. 
 
 2. Obfervc that prophefy is diftinguxfh'd from the word 
 of knowledge, by which it is plain -, that prophecying is 
 not exhorting by the word of knowledge, &c. 
 
 Fourthly they ob/ecl, the Apoftle faith , yon may all 
 prophefy one by one $ that all may learn and all may be com- 
 forted, I Cor.14.51. 
 
 1. So the Scripture faith drift died for all - y this is an 
 arrow out of the Arminian Quiver. But it will not fiy 
 home; for, 
 
 2. Surely none might prophecy, but thofe that were 
 prophets, 1 Cor. 12.29. ^yf re all prophets 1 
 
 .3. It is fure enough women might not , x Cor, 14 34. 
 Yet all brings them in too. 
 
 4. It is plain enough , all of the men d>d not prophefy ^ 
 I Cor. 12. s. 
 
 5. It muft be meant all yon y that have the gift of pro- 
 phefe and are called to it, &c Theft were all ex- 
 traordinary officers. 
 
 Fifthly, they ebje&,that the places cannot be meant 
 of extraordinary officers •, for, 1 Cor. 14. 26. It is faid, 
 every one of you hath a Pfalm, hath a Dottrine , hath a 
 Tonguejnath a Revelation^ hath an interpretation. 
 
 An, 1 . What one in the Church hath, every one hath, 
 that \sfinaltter and objective for his good and ben: fit; So 
 Ltth i5.2p.lt is faid Dives Brethren had Mofes and the 
 prophets. 
 
 So Eph.i.ytWc have redemption yet are no redeemers , 
 fo in many other places (which Mr.GilleJpj quotes,) the 
 ApolUefheweshowthe Aclsor their officers were all 
 for their good and advantage. 
 
 2. By this Text, every gifted brother might compole 
 
 new Pfalms, fpeak revelations and firange tongues 
 as well as prophefie. 
 3 By this Text there is not only a liberty of prophefjing 
 
 H 3 (in 
 
 5J 
 
 Oj. 4: 
 
 t her ford.? ^9f 
 And GiUc/py. 
 
 p. 7*;77. 
 
 Ob f. 
 
 GiRefpy,p-77> 
 
54 
 
 Vid.GiUefpy 
 ibid. p 7?. 
 
 Ob.6. 
 
 GiUefpy 80. 
 
 Ob. 7. 
 
 GiUefpy Si, 
 
 Vid. Mr. 7(u- 
 tberford peace- 
 able Plea 3 iJ4. 
 
 0£,8. 
 
 [ VindiciA Minifterii Evangelici. 
 
 (in our brethrens fence) granted, but it is positively (aid 
 ! they all had the fe gifts, but that this is not the Apoftles 
 I meaning is plain, 1 Cor. 12.20. -Are all prof bets ? do all 
 ' Jp 'eakjwith tongues ? and I Or. 14. J. Pd#/ wiflieth that 
 
 they coDld all prophecy, and jpeakjritb tongues,by which 
 
 it is plain fome could not. 
 
 4. £^fr; one can only be * very ene of your prophet s\ for 
 thofe that were not prophets could not prophecy. 
 
 5. The Arminians and Umvcrfalifts too, keep a great 
 deal of ftir with this terme every one \ now it is plain 
 from other Scriptures,that every one is taken butforfom. 
 If. 9.17. Every one of you is an Hypocrite. Eph.5.3 5. Let 
 evjry one of you inparticularfo love his B?//£,&c.Sure the 
 Apoftles meaning was not that thofe who had no wives 
 (hould love their wives, 1 Cor. 1. 12. Everyone of yon 
 faith, I am e/i?aul \ and I am of \A 'polios \&c. The Apo- 
 ftles plain meaning is,that one (aid he yvas of Paul 5 and 
 one (aid I am of Apollos, &c. 
 
 But further they fay. The gifts -which are required in a 
 Prophet ,arcfttch as men ordinarily might bave,&c,iCor 9 
 1 4.3. 26. Such as tend to Edifie, &c. 
 
 SoL 1 . This is a begging of the que ft ion s we (Icny it. 
 
 2.1t is no proof,becauie the Apoftle faith, that the end 
 of prophecying is Edtficathn, 1 Cor. 14. 23. 6. Extra- 
 ordinary gifts were given for Ed>fication } md extraordi- 
 nary officers as well as ordinary. 
 
 But they object, that -we muft not deftre extraordinary 
 gifts now, 1 Cor. 1 4. 1. The Apoftle bids them deftre they 
 maj prophecy. 
 
 An. 1. So he bids therfl defire other fpirituall gifts, is 
 the gift of tongues, &c. 
 
 2. Though we ( now thefe extraordinary gifts are 
 ceafed) cannot defire them, and pray in f^th for them, 
 they might ; they were promifed gifts to the iivii plan- 
 tation of the Church, and not then ceafed. 
 
 Rut thefe prophets were to be ya dged,ex amine d & tried, 
 
 therefore 
 
VindicU Minifterii EvangelicL 
 
 therefore they were not extraordinary, I Com 4.2$. 32. 
 t An. Nonfequitur, It doth not follow,*/^ Bereans are 
 commended for trying the apo files doftrinc y yet they 
 we're extraordinary officers • and the Lord bidding 
 his people beware of falfe Prophets, Mat. 24. 11, 
 24. gave a liberty for trying Prophets. 
 But thefe texts cannot be meant of extraordinary prophets 
 for there could not he fuch a number of the in one church* 
 An. This Argument is no way conclufive. 
 2. 'the Church of Corinth was very famous ^and aboun- 
 ded in all knowledge and utterance } and came behind 
 inn* gift, 2 Cor.8. 
 But extrordtnary Tropbets, were infallible and coxld 
 not crre;now thefe werefuch.as the Church might judge, 
 lC0r.14.2p.32. 
 
 An. This Mr.Rutherfordcils a filly argument,/^ all 
 
 Spirits are to be tried by the word, 
 2, Extraordinary Prophets might erre : Samuel did fo 
 in calling Eltab the Lords anointed 5 and Nathan 
 in fetting David on work to build the temple, E- 
 lias was miftakoi, when he faid he was left alone 
 inffrael; fo did the prophecy imgdifciples erre, 
 A& .2 1 «4.in telling Paul he fliould not go up to ]c- 1 
 rufalem* 
 ?. So far as they were guided by the holy Ghofh (faith 
 Gillefpy)lhey could not erre, bn they might have 
 their own mi flakes and errors. See more Rut her - 
 fords peaceable plea. 251,252.25 3. 
 But the Apoftle difiinguifheth p^opheff from Mimflry, 
 Ko,i 2, 6 yj.therf ore they that prophe fie d were out of office. 
 An. 1. The Apoftle in diftinguiftiingpr^f^rHg- from 
 Minifiry there ,doth but diftinguifh extraordinary of' 
 fictfrom ordinary. So GtHefpj> and he citetb Goma- 
 tus with him. 
 2. The whole ftreagth of the argument lying upon 
 that fuppofition, that the Apoftle there fo diiUn- 
 guiftieth 
 
 55 
 
 GiUify ibid. 
 Acts 17. 11, 
 
 o:>. 9 , 
 
 Rulbcrford due 
 r/gto.p.301. 
 
 Ob. 10. 
 
 Rutherford 
 peaceable plea. 
 
 GiUeJpy Mlfcc. 
 
 q- p.82. 
 
 Ob. 11. 
 
5<* 
 
 VwiicU Miniflerii E<vmgelicL 
 
 Ob. it, 
 
 Rutherford due 
 
 Right.p.301., 
 
 jo*. 
 
 Ob. 13, 
 
 GillejpyMifccl- 
 queft.7?. 
 
 yidJPLRutber- 
 fordi due right 
 30*. 
 
 rid. Dr Sea- 
 man. 
 
 'TTCLfCtcPia.- 
 
 S-74«P«ajo. 
 
 Fifth Arg. 
 
 guifheth it lies uponthofe that bring the argument 
 to prove it. 
 But the Apoflle in 1 Cor. 1 4. Forbidding women to pro- 
 phefle \ licenfeth the brethren that were men. 
 
 An. 1. Truth, he licenfeth fomemen,^/^. Such as Are 
 prophet j,but not all. The Lavves of France '(faith Mr Ru- 
 therford) forbid a womans fitting on the throne ; doe 
 they therefore licenfe all French men to ufurpe it? 
 
 2. fSaith Mr Rutherford) women muft notadmini- 
 (ler the Sacraments, dorh it therefore follow that all 
 
 1 men may f But further they fay, 
 
 In for bidding women to prophefy 9 he plainly Jbeweib that 
 
 he fpeaketh not of extraordinary prophefying 5 for women 
 
 pt opheteffes might fpeak^in the Church, Ex. 1 5 .20. Jud.4. 
 
 24. Miriam and Deborah fo prophefied, and Anna t Luk. 
 
 2.36. and thole -^^2.17, 1 8. 1 CV.11.5. 
 Anf % 1 . But where do wefindythat after the Churches 
 
 in the Gofpelwere orderly conflttmeA •, women prophetcf- 
 fesfpake in the Church f none of the quoted places prove 
 1 *'/, except it be, 1 Cor. 1 1.5. 
 I 2. For that place, 1 0.11.5. Whereit is faidaw*- 
 
 man that prajethfir prophefyeth with her head covercd,di- 
 j (honours th her head ; it is to bee understood of a woman 
 
 that joynes in praying or prophefying. 
 
 3. If that place, 1 Cor. 1 1.5. provethit,itmuftbee 
 meantfby their own confeflion) of extraordinary pro- 
 phefying, orelfe it proves nothing j and if prophefying be 
 foto bee expounded there ; furely they will allow the 
 fame cxpofition in the 1 2, and 14. Chapters 5 and then 
 what is become of our brethrens argument. 
 
 Thus I have done with what our brethren have to fay 
 inthe defence of thofe places ; which fpeak of new Te- 
 ftament prophets, and prophefying, which they V 01 ^ 
 havegtfted ferfons preaching,&c I haften to their fifth 
 argument from Scripture precepts. 
 
 A fifth objection which they make of this fort is 
 
 from 
 
VindicU Minifterii EvangelicL 
 
 57 
 
 from, i Pet. 4.1 0,1 1 .As every one hath received the gift, 
 evenfo wtntfter the fame one to another, as good Stewards 
 of the manifold graces of God -^ If any man Jpea^let him 
 fpeakjhe Oracles of God. 
 
 For this place of Scripture, and the underftahding of 
 it,obferve, 
 
 I. That here is not only a hberty granted^ ut a duty c*- 
 jojned \fo that by this text, (if it were for the purpofe) 
 gifted perlons were bound to preach, yea and that 5 
 
 2. Without ElcBton and calling ; for the Churches 
 negleft of their duty , muti not make him negleft his ; 
 according to this place he is bound to do it, whether 
 they defire it or no 3 which I fuppofe will not be gran- 
 ted. 
 
 3. Dr. Seaman rightly anfwers this t that every one is to 
 ufe his gift -with refpett to the gift itfeif and to his place 
 and catling, the meaning can be no more then this. Let 
 every one that hath received a gift, in his place and cal- 
 ling ufe that gift, by Miniftring it to another ; the Mi- 
 nifter in the Aflembly, the private perfon in his family ; 
 otherwite, 
 
 It wtll prove that women may preach too) it is note- 
 nough to fay no, they are foy bidden in another placebo are 
 all not ordain'd implicitly at lead as I have proved. 
 
 4. By gift it is very probable may be meant office. For, I 
 I . He [ayes it mufi be admimftredas Stewards. 2. J he 
 
 Afofile inftancing in particulars,^. 1 i.Inftanccth in two 
 aftsefoffice,exhorting and miniftring, Rom. 12. 8. By 
 Which place faith Dr. Seaman > this is to be expounded. 
 And if fo, the meaning is only this.- As any one hath 
 received any office in the Church, folet him Minifter 
 the fame as a faithful Steward who is intruded by his 
 Matter ; and then it makes nothing to our bretbrens 
 purpofe,til they prove that they have received that gift, 
 and be in office to Minifter, &c. It is no more then this, 
 you that are m offcejbt diligent as faithful Stewards of the 
 I irace 
 
 Sol. 
 
 Vid.D. Seaman 
 Vindica.in an. 
 to cb'i&tnden. 
 
 J£ii*re,*/hc- 
 ther that text, 
 1 Pff.4.10,11. 
 be not chiefly 
 to be under- 
 stood of giving 
 Almes ; & the 
 gift fpoken of 
 benottbu 
 nor Ids goods j 
 the context 
 feemes mod 
 to favour that 
 interpretation 
 r.M.Rutbiford 
 due Right of 
 Presbytery. 
 
V indict a SMiniflerii Eyangelicu 
 
 0!>. r< 
 
 Sol. 
 
 Vid.Rutheyfoxd 
 due Right. 
 28r. 
 
 Ruth* ford due 
 
 grace vf God neglect not ycur office, but mini ft er w it to e- 
 thtrs-, and io I have di (patent thofe Arguments which I 
 ranked under the firft head. Such as are drawn from 
 Scripture- precepts, promifes, ordifpentations, &c. I 
 come to the fecon<i,z//*. Such as are drawn from Scrip- 
 ture-prefidents. Wefnd (fay our brethren) examples in 
 Scripture of thofe that were gtf ted and exercifed their 
 gtft j \&c t Their firft inftance is, that 
 
 Eldad and Me dad prophefied tn the Camp , and 
 MofesJ aid, would God all the Lords people were prophet /, 
 Num. 1 1.26,27,28,29,30. 
 
 This inftance is much relied on, but upon very fmail 
 |ground,as youfhall fee by confidering, firft, 
 
 1. That this is but an inftance from the order of the 
 Jewifti Church (if prophefying there were an ordina- 
 ry work)you would be angry if we fhould fay t The Jews 
 hadanattonaH Churchy her efore we may have although 
 wee conceive it a truth, yet you will not granfeus that, 
 but tell us Church order is fince altered ; and for our in- 
 ftituted worfhip we muft look to new Teftament order, 
 Butfecondly, 
 
 2. Frophefying and preaching are two things even un- 
 der the Gofpeljto be fure, prophefying in the old Te- 
 ftament* far and rudely differs from preaching in the 
 new, you may fay as much for Ifaiah 9 Jeremiah, &c. as 
 for Eldad&nd Medad; but if you do, your conclufion will 
 run mad, by that timeyou have made it* 
 
 3 . The J ewes fay Eldad and Me dad were of the 70. 
 Elders, uponwhom waspowred out ofthefpirit ofprophc- 
 fte, that was on Mofes. 
 
 4. However ( faith Mr Rutherford) they had not only a 
 nak§d and bare revealtng to them of the viftons ofGodfim 
 4* extraordinary impulfive Commandemtnt from God, 
 fetting them en all ten to prophepe. 
 
 5. For Mofes his wijh,he doth not wifh,would all the 
 Lords people were Priefts : the Priefthood was zftand- 
 
V indicia Miniflerii Eyangelicl 
 
 \ing office, to which there was to be a iblemne admif- 
 fion ; but a Prophet was an extraordinary perfon 
 extraordinarily infpired by God ; and Mofes might 
 wifh that all the Lords people were Prophets ; we 
 wiftithe fame, or at Icatt could wi(hit,if we thought 
 fuch Prophccymg were not ceaftd\ and yet we durft 
 net wifh that all the brethren that have gifts would ex- 
 
 \ erctfe them, 
 
 A fecond objection is that, i Chron* 17.7,8,9 Tehofii- 
 phatfent to the Prince s^to tfach tn the Cities of Judah, 
 and they t aught ^yet were not ordained, 
 
 I. This is again a proof from the Jewifh order, 
 which you will not (land to but where it fervesyour 
 turns. 
 
 a. They were fern itfeems by Jehofopbat, they had then 
 Come thing more then gifts ', or then the eletlion and call of 
 the people. 
 
 3. Mr. Seaman mtes > that their teaching was not 
 preachingjbut giving religious charges as fudges of Af- 
 fix* Qiould do. 
 
 4. (SaithMr. Seaman} thefewere Princes, not the 
 low eft of the people. 
 
 5 . He fent the Levites with the Princes>and Priefts too 
 v. 8. It is the opinion of cxpolitorSj that the Priefts and 
 
 I the Levites taught the people : The Princes went with 
 them, for their better reception and authority $ non emm 
 ufurparuntfibi funtlionem altenam (faith LavAter )they 
 did not ufurp,tbe Priefts and Levites calling • there were 
 five Princes, nine Le vites,and two Priefts , and after the 
 enumeration of the Priefts and Levites , it is faid, They 
 taught in Judab, and they had the Book, of the Law of the 
 Lord with them. 
 
 A third inftance they bring is that, A els 8. 1 4. Where ' 
 it was Iaid,that after the perlecution at Hteruf.lemjhey i 
 that wtre fcattcrtd abroad, "went every where preaching 
 the wordy and Afts n. 19, 20. 
 
 59 
 
 Ob. 
 
 Vld.Ruiherjord 
 due Right 
 
 yld.Lavater 
 ad he. 
 
 Vid. Mr.^a- 
 iberf$rd Peace- 
 able Plea. p. 
 
 Vid. Mr.Sea. 
 WMi Vindica- 
 tion in hi* an- 
 fwer 10 Coil- 
 lendtn. 
 
 Ob. 
 
 
 I 2 
 
 An. I. 
 
6o 
 
 Sol. 
 
 yid.D.Seamart \ 
 Ibid. 
 
 Rutherford 
 peaceable Plea 
 25:7. Due 
 
 Vidt GiUefpy 
 mifctUaneous 
 
 Ibid. 257* 
 
 Ob. 4; 
 
 Sol. 
 
 yid.D.Sca- 
 mam Vindica- 
 tion, lb. 
 
 Cbemnkwloc. 
 
 Saith Apollos 
 was vecatui 
 Mdkti. 
 
 VindicU SMiniflerii E^vmgelich 
 
 j4n. 1. But how d*th it Appear, that thofe that preached 
 were not ordained. Lakes hlencc in it proves it not. 
 
 2. Philip,*?/;*? was one of them, and the only one named, 
 v. 5. was ordained, ^5is6 t S. and -< A8s 21.8. ex- 
 pre fly cali'd an Svangelift. 
 
 3. Butfupfofe they were not ordained. The cafe was ex- 
 traordinary ,f or it was a tirfte of perfecution 5 they were 
 difperfed/r^w the Apo files, &c.This was excepted,be- 
 fore I ftated the queftion. Dr. Seaman fayes, this is no 
 better argument then ifonefhould argue. —*Becauf& 
 when there was no Ktng in Israel, every one did as itfeem- 
 edgood in his own eye ^therefore SubjeUs at any time may 
 do fo. 
 
 4. Mr. Rutherford notes, that it is the opinion of many 
 grave Divines, that thofe were the feventy difciples y not 
 private profejfors. 
 
 A fourth inftancc is that of Apo llos, Atts 18.24,25, 
 26. He they fay was not ordain'd, and he preached, &c. 
 But it is aniwered. 
 
 1. It was in the Synagogue, not in a Gofpel Church. 
 Dr. Seamzn anfwersthis, that it is but an inftancc ohbe 
 liberty given by the J ewes j or, rather taken where was 
 no Church in being. 
 
 2. How will it be proved (faith Mr. Gdleffy) that Apol- 
 los being one of Johns difciples had no Commijfisn from 
 John to Preach. 
 
 3. (Saith he,) Apollos feemes to be more then a gifted 
 brother, for he is ranked with Paul and Peter, iCor.l. 
 it. He is call'd a Minifter , 1 Or. 3.5. Put all toge- 
 ther. 
 
 Apollos was * Difciple of John, mighty in the 
 Scriptures y Eloqnent, inftrufted tn the way of the Lerd } 
 fervent in the jpirit 3 and it doth not appear he was ordain- 
 ed j and he Preacht and taught others in a place where 
 were no Miniflers ; therefore thofe that we are fure are 
 not orda'med % and have not fuch gifts may f reach or dinar i- 
 
 *h 
 
VindicU Mittifterii Evangelici. 
 
 6\ 
 
 ly in places where Chrtft is known* Is this a good conclu- 
 sion think we ? 
 
 Sixthly they tell us-,The Pharifees, and Lwjcrs y and 
 Scribes, taught pub likely among ft the levees yet were nei- 
 ther Prieftsnor Levites. 
 
 An. I. They were officers in the fewifh Church, Mat.23. 
 iz, 13114, They fate in Mofes Chair i therefore Chrift 
 bade his Difciples hear them. 
 
 7. Ob. Chrift at twelve jears old went into the Tern* 
 ple,a*dAskt que ft ions • now it is plain , they did not take 
 him for an officer, for a Prophet extraordinary* 
 
 An. I . What they took^ him for is no great matter > it is 
 fare enough he was a "Prophet 9 and a great Pro- 
 phet* 
 
 2. It was but their finfull liberty they gave, ( not ac* 
 knowledging Chrift a Prophet,) to permit it. 
 
 3. It is plaine he was taken for an extraordinary 
 Prophet, Luke 3.21,22,23. L/^4. 14, 15,15, 
 John 3. 2. 
 
 Chrift feat out his twelve Difciples, and the [event y to 
 Preach ; yet they were not pfficers,for Eph. 4. io» Till he 
 afcended up on high ; he gave not hh gifts tomen % &c. 
 
 An. 1. They had (omething more then gifts , and a 
 cail ; Chrift bid them go 5 they had an extraordinary 
 million. 
 
 3 .They were not Apoftles in office to preach to all Nati- 
 ons till after Chrifts refurrettton ; for he then gave them 
 their Commiflion , Matth. 2 8. 1 9 . But it is plaine they 
 were in office to preach before \v\ludea,Chrtft lent them 
 immediatly, CMatt* 10. Luke 10. 
 
 3. That they were in fome fenfe apoftles is plain, 
 for Iudas had an Apoftlephip, Aft. 1. 25. Yet he was not 
 alive, to take his Ccmmiflion after Chrifts refut regi- 
 on, 
 
 4. That place Eph. 4. 10, ir. only implies , thdt the 
 full d'tfpenfation of the Spirit was after Chrifts a[cen(ion, 
 
 I 3 Chrift, 
 
 Ox $, 
 
 Rutherford 
 Due Kighr, 
 
 Ob. 7 . 
 
 yi.Rutherfo/d* 
 Ibid. 
 
 Ob,*. 
 
 V'id. Wither ford 
 ib. 187. 
 
 188. 
 i 9 u 
 
6z 
 
 Ob 9 , 
 Luke 8.3?. 
 
 Rutherford. 
 
 Ob. 
 
 10. 
 
 Rutherford jl 
 
 Ob. u. 
 
 Arcl \nobl. 
 thcol.iw, 
 
 P. Marty Joe * 
 com» 5 18. 
 
 Gille/py Mifcel. 
 qu.p.to, 
 
 Zwcte In 
 
 <l !i *'f.p«ecept. 
 P-769- 
 
 Ob. ii, 
 
 VindicU Minifterii Eyangelici. 
 
 Chrift bids the difpojfefed mart, go fhew forth the great 
 things God had done for him , and he went and preached 
 them, jet he was not in office 5 therefore peribns out of 
 otfice may preach, &c. 
 
 ^ So/. 1. thrift, bid htm do it, he had an extraordinary 
 CommifTion. 
 
 2. He was authorized onely tojpeake of the Miracle 
 wrought. 
 
 3. He was authorized but to fpeak his experiences to 
 his ownhoufe. 
 
 4. He pubiiilied it further, CMar.9. 20. But hehad no 
 fuch CommiiTion from Chrift. 
 
 -Further they object. 
 
 The Samaritane woman Pre ached , Jo. 4.2 8. And many 
 belicved>v. 39. 
 
 An. 1. If this holds for our Brethren ,women may f reach. 
 
 2. There was wo consumed church nor ordinary prea- 
 chers. 
 
 3 . She did but occafionlj declare one point of the Gof- 
 pel. Eut we read that the houfe of Stephanas ordained 
 them ft Ives , to the ministry of the Saints , therefore we 
 
 *maydofo. 
 
 An. This argument I find anfwered bydiverfe, take 
 the anfwers given to it (hortly. 
 
 1 . Many underftand by the Miniftry of the Saints there 
 mini finng to the poor : which is lb called 2 Cor. 8. 
 4. 2 Cor. p. 1 2. thus GilUffj, and Aretius. 
 
 2. Others fay, by their ordaining themielyes is meant 
 
 no more,then that they gave up themfeives to it, and 
 
 de fired the office of their own accord, as 1 Ti m . 3 . 1 . 
 
 and Ifaiah laid Ifai. 6 8. here ami, fend me , fo 
 
 Zanchius , yet they were fent after this , as Zan- 
 
 chy argues. 
 
 j.Cyprian tivCb.Novatianus inEccIe/ia nee Epifcepus eft, 
 
 nee computari pot eft, qui Evangeltca & Apoftolica tradi- 
 
 tione cmempta,(nemini fucccdens) afeipfo ordinatuseft. 
 
 Habere 
 
VindicU Minifterii E^angelici. 
 
 *} 
 
 Habere namque ant ttnere Ec cleft am ^ullo modopotefi 
 qui ordinate in ecciefia non eft, Cypr. Epilh that is, 
 
 Novation is no Bijlvp, nor to be fo lookt upon, who ; 
 contemning the Evangelical!, and ApoflottcaU tradition j 
 (fftcceeding nonej hath ordtiwd himielfe ; for none can 
 have or hold a Church, who is not ordained in the 
 Churchy this was the judgement of the primitive Chur- 
 ches, concerning thole that are felfe ordained preachers : 
 But I haften to an end. One objection I have flipt, I wil ! 
 take it up at laft. 
 
 Alaftinftanceisthat ofPanl Acls p. zndBarnabas, Ob. 13, 
 &C.If Paul and Barnabas before they were ordained prea 
 
 ched, then gifted perfonsmay without ordination, 
 
 Nego confeqnentiam. 
 
 1. Vzulhadan extraordinary Commiffion>he and Bar- Sol. 
 nabas too were Ap&fl/es, and needed not ordinary ordi- 
 nation, A8 j 9 15. 
 
 2. Ads p. I 7. Paul was filled with the holy qhoft be- 
 fore he pre ache d t wefuppofe allgifed brethren are not fo. 
 
 3. Paul and Barnabas were afterwards ordained, 
 Afts 13.34. Thefe are all the inftances they have from 
 Scripture prcfidents. I come to the third head of argu- 
 mentsdrawn, A pari ratione, fo they have two or three 
 inftances. 
 
 If probationer Syfnch as intend the m'tniftry may preachy 
 then gtfied brethren may preachykut we confefs they fay \ 
 that fnch as intend the m/niftry may preach a rvhtle to a 
 Chnrch to exerctfe and try their gifts. This they think is 
 argnmentHm ad homines , the ftrength of it lies in this, 
 becaufe fuch expetlants before they arc ordained are no 
 more then gifted brethren 9 end what they may lawfully | 
 do,by the fame reafon others that are of the fame ranke 
 With them may do. But I ani wer. 
 
 1. Tbisis out ofthequeftion, I excepted againftitat sd.i< 
 firft. 
 
 2. There is not the like reafon, for the fcripture com* 1 
 
 mands, 
 
 A,g. 1. 
 
($4 
 
 f r id.Ru'.herJord 
 Due Right* 
 p.231.305. 
 
 Arg.-i, 
 
 Sol. 
 
 VidMtkerford 
 Due T(%ht, 
 p.30*. 
 
 VindicU Minifierii Ennangelici. 
 
 Arg.3. 
 
 mands,thatthey fhouid be firft proved , and then tried t 
 and that hands (hould not be laid en themfuddenly, now 
 to this end their preaching is neceflary, 
 $ They fhould not f reach ordinarily without acrobat ion, 
 
 4. They arefuch as have fet apart themfelves wholly to 
 
 that work^ and defire the office, and being approved 
 by the Presbytery, onely preach for their tryalt, till 
 they have a full approbation, and then be ordai- 
 ned, where now is par ratio f 
 A Second inftancethey think to choke us with is, 
 that effelUwesofCottedges, thus they argue ; 
 If a Bate he lour of Artsjnay common-place tn a Co Hedge- 
 chappel t though not ordain* d y t he agtf ted brother may law- 
 fully preach though not ordainedy&c.the reafon is,becaufe 
 till he be fet apart,he is no more then zgifted per (on. 
 
 But the lawfulncfs of the former, we confefle they 
 fay— —Ergo. Fan rattone y they will extract of us they 
 think a confeffion of the latter. But alas,the comparifon 
 halts,and if we lay this gifted brother and Colledg- fellow 
 and their acts together, we (hall fee it. 
 1. 1 never knew,that Commonplacing call' d pre aching* 
 
 2. Neither is it in the thing fi , but a metre fchlafttck^ 
 
 Ex ere I ft* 
 
 3. Neither is it done in a conflitutedChurch>as an ordi- 
 nance of God to them t but in thefchools of learning . 
 
 4 Neither is it ordinarily done by any one\nor ought it to 
 be done on the Lords day in time appointed for pub- 
 like ordinances. 
 
 5 . Befides,it is done by them that intend the Minifiry for 
 their probation and triall before they go out to an or' 
 df nary preaching of the GofpeL 
 
 6. If any do it upon other account, or in any other way y 
 or to any other end^ Let them fpeak for themfeives/we 
 have nothing to fay fdr them, 
 
 A third argument they draw from this head, a pari ra- 
 tioned this: If a Mafter of a family may open fcripture & 
 
 atth 
 
VindicU Miniflerii Evangelici 
 
 * 
 
 Sol. 
 
 PUP. Martyr. 
 
 17. 
 
 lbii, 
 
 apply it in his family* and a private Chnfitan may exhort 
 bis brother,then pari raiionefy the fame reafonfhty may 
 do the fame afts to many> if to five, then to ten, if to ten 
 then to twenty, if to twenty then to a hundred, it to a 
 hundred then to a thouiand . 
 
 Bnt this we deny, and the p ar ratio of it too j and to 
 juftifie our denyall we lay : 
 
 i. If there be a hundred in his family he may :butie- 
 
 condly, 
 
 2. If they be out of bis family, he atts out of his (phcre 9 
 he hath Gods command to teach his brother privately, 
 and to teach his family, God hath call'd him to it, and he 
 is in his place, Deut.6.6. warrants him 3 Abraham was 
 to teach his family, &c. But no Scripture warrants his 
 doing the like to a Congregation, there is not the like 
 Scripturall reaibn,though there feeme to be the like car- 
 nail reafon. 
 
 3. It is one thing for Cbriftians to exhort one another, 
 and another thing for them to preach to their families t and 
 to preach one to another ^he that preacheth doth it ex effi* 
 ciofpectalu delegationis^ by office,&c. as an aft of office 
 with authority, the Preacher interprets the word, (laith 
 ^\ % Rutherford)the private perfon doth but ufe y accomodatc > 
 
 and apply the fenfe & interpretation of the word to lots atts £* r , f * l~ ™' 
 ofadmonijbingi rebukjng, comforting his brother >&C. 
 
 I am now come to ipeak to the laft ibrt of arguments 
 which are brought from rationall grounds, and are not 
 argumenta ad hommem, but Hand upon their owne bot- 
 tomesf though rotten ones in this cafe,) z^.Carnall rea- 
 fon. 
 
 Firft they argue from the end of Ordination: The end 
 of it fay they i is but to publifh the calling «f a LMini/fer ; 
 
 Ergo,(o he be publifhed and cal'd^it is no matter for 
 Ordination. 
 Not too much haft friends 1 
 
 I. Ordination is not a meer publishing of one to be Mini' 
 k _ fter 
 
 P.259,&c. 
 
 Ar 
 
 '£- 
 
 Sol. 
 
66 
 
 VindtiU Miniflerii B<vangelicL 
 
 Arg i. 
 
 Sol. 
 
 fterfcut it is the Ordinance of God for the conflitutionol 
 i'uch an Officer as a Gofpell- preacher, it is that without 
 which he is no Gofpeil-preacher, though he may be a 
 Gofpell- Cbriftian, and gifted too. 
 
 a. If it were only a pubiifhing one to be a Minifter j 
 yet one csuld not lawfully execute the office of a 'Mtnifter 
 without it- 9 for we mud keep Gods order. $ .This Argu- 
 ment would have ferved to have exexfed Uzzah, both for 
 touching the Ark^and carrying it on a Cart jwhwhe fkould 
 hav: carried it ov hisfhoulders,for which Godfmote him y 
 i Chron. 13.10^.2.15. 2. 12. i3.The endofthat com- 
 mand was as Numb 4. f 4, 1 5 .ch.y^.Only that the Ark, 
 ("Would be cat ry ^reverently • what matter whether it 
 was carryed on a Cart, or on their {hou/ders. Whether 
 they touched it or the Priefhonly, yet it is exprtfly (aid, 
 x Chron.r$, io. 1 Cbron.i$> 13. that for thefc "two 
 breaches of Gods order U^z^ah died ; God will have his 
 ends done by his meancs and in his order. It is a dange- 
 rous thing for us,when God hath prefcribed us an order 
 forhisworfhiptomake our felves wifer then God, by 
 arguing from carnall reafon anecdlefoefTe of obferving 
 pundilioes, as we thinke, which he hath commanded. 
 
 1 he Hebrewes fay well 5 Non eft minimum iota Le- 
 gis a quo non magnt monies pendent, there is not the 
 leaft tittle of the Law, but is very weighty 'and confide- 
 rable. . 
 
 Whatfoever fub ft ant tall all belongs to the making a Mi- 
 nifler, or is folemniz^edin Ordination is done m Election, 
 — Ergot hofe that are eletted need no Qrdination t tbcyzre 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 1 . It is falfe to fay , that whatfoever fubflantiall at! be- 
 longs to the making of a Mmifter, or is felemniz,ed in or* 
 dination is done in EleUton. The wjfion of the Presbjtery 9 
 is a SubftantiaUaEl which muft goe to make a Minifter 
 of Chrift, and this is not in Election. 
 
 2. Suppofe it weretrne, thztzW fubftant i all aft s are 
 
 done 
 
V indie U Mimfterii Evangclici* 
 
 done in Election ; yet in the adminiftring Ordinances of 
 God, all circumft ant iaM alls are considerable. 
 
 3 . But it is a rotten diftin&ion, to diftinguifh oifub- 
 ft am tail and circumftantiallaUs^ in bufinelles relating to 
 Gods worjhipy in which we mult have an eye to every 
 tittle of Inltitution; if any fay all necetfary ads are done 
 in the peoples Eletlion^t is falle ; and no better then Peti- 
 tio prtnctpii in Logick. 
 
 4. However, Gifts alone doe not qualtfie-Jor that h no 
 a&, neither fublkntiall nor other wife. 
 
 v But faith another ; 
 
 What venue doe jou think. a Vriefts hands Ganhav e in 
 them ? that the laying ott ofthemfhould make a Preacher, 
 that thejfhouldgive authority to preach the Gojpelttwhat 
 are they, what is their AH: ? 
 
 I. Thus, Prophane wretches and Apsftates blajpheme 
 all the ordinances of Chrift: what vertuc is thcze faith one, 
 in waterjhtt the child fhould be baptised? cannot yotijif 
 you have a mind to it,fprinkle your chikis face at home 
 with water / or what vertue is there in the bread and 
 wme in the Lords Supper,that you fhould make a bufines 
 of confeience to prepare your felves,&c? It is true,there 
 is no great Phyficall venue in any of thefc, ner in the 
 Prefbyters Afrs in Ordination; but they are all Gods Or- 
 dinances, which he hath appointed for his worfhip 5 and 
 which without blafphemy thou canft not revile,npx with- 
 out breach of Gofpcll-duty negled; the weight of thefe 
 things lyes upon this, that they are Gods Ordinances,and 
 who art thou that blafphcmcft ? 
 a.MinifterSrfr* but men^ more then others in their na- 
 lurall capacity % m& fubjcd to like infirmities;but in their 
 mwstteriall capacity ,they are the ftewards of the myfteries 
 of God; officers in his Church whom he hath authorized 
 to thofe ads $ and to fet apart others, they arc betrufted 
 from Chrift with that power. 
 
 If none muft preach but thofe that are fet apart by the 
 ki Pref 
 
 D ffert Rlcftjo 
 ab ordinattone, 
 quia ilia pr*a- 
 ditybac fubfe- 
 qjtitur^c. 
 Vid.Zmch.in 
 quart *m pra- 
 ctpuim*7i%. 
 
 Arg. 4 . 
 
68 
 
 VindieU Miniflerii Eyangelici. 
 
 Presbytery and ordained by them y then preaching is at an 
 end\for there are no Prejbyters to ordaincjbutfuch as have 
 their authority thcmfelves from Rome, which is a falfe 
 Ch*rch t andnone could have true ordination from it ; and 
 therefore cannot give it to others. 
 
 But to this Popiftv Argument, I (hall fpeake when I 
 come to handle that queftion; By whom Goftell-preachcrs 
 mufi befet apart , which I now haftcn to. 
 
VindicU Minifterii Evangelici. 
 
 — i • ■ * 
 
 &&&&&&&&&&&& fiyyyidiJiwAiA 
 
 Queft. Ill- 
 
 Whether thofe that are te be fet apart for the 
 
 vork of ordinary preaching and difpen- 
 
 fing out the myfteries of Cjod mufl be fet 
 
 apart by the Presbytery, that is f by other 
 
 Miniflers in Office. 
 
 N the difcuffing of this queftionj {Kail 
 oblerve the fame method which I 
 obferved in the former. 
 
 i. I (hall tell you negatively, what 
 I contend not for, and truly ftate the 
 Queftion. 
 i. I {hall prove the Affirmative. 
 3. IJkaUaHfrverobjeftiotts. 
 
 Firft, the Queftion rcachetb not to cafes of xcceffitj 
 wher there can be no preaching, if there be not a liberty 
 granted for fome to preach ordinarily tbatare not formal- 
 ly ordained .• As if a company of Chriftians fhould be by 
 providence caft amongft Heathens by fhipwracke, ha- 
 ving no lawfully ordained Miniflers with them, nor no 
 Presbyters to ordain them. Doubtlefle, in iuch cafes 
 fomething may bee done that in other cafes is not 
 warrantable, the people may fet one of the Brethren 
 (doubtlcfle J in fuch a cafe apart by ?*fting and Prayer ; 
 or if they have one Minifter with them, and there bee a 
 neceflity of ordaiaing more,doubtleflt>he alone may lay 
 his hands upon iome of the Brethren, and appoint them 
 
 K to 
 
 65 
 
66 
 
 S:cM R (ft her. 
 Divine right. 
 p.187. 
 
 See Zcinch. 1.4. 
 780,781^781, 
 
 4? 
 
 
 Qtjeft.S:ated. 
 
 Prop. 
 
 Ntgamus ab Ec- 
 clejfd,fuxta 
 ordiwm a Cb/l- 
 Jlo inji'UHtum, 
 no fires pracones 
 non mitti •, ordo 
 trim is eft ut 
 P*(ltrcseleg.in- 
 iuuvtcenim & 
 
 VindicU x!Minifterii Eyangelici. 
 
 to the work. Ja^fenius thinks that in iuch cafes they 
 fhould wait for an immediate extraordinary Call from 
 Heaven: But Voziixs> and Rutherford, and the moll fo- 
 ber Divines yield the contrary. 
 
 2. The Qaeftion teacheth not fo far as to call in questi- 
 on the I aw f wine /of their Ordination, who were ordained 
 by Btfhips, with other Presbyters, without doubt their 
 Ordiriation is valid^or. thePrslates inthat Ac* a&ed but 
 as a Presbyter, and his Ordination of Minifters was a 
 PresbyterialLAcl. 
 
 :?.The Question is nor 3 to whom EUH ion or Calling of 
 a Paftor belongsat is concerning Ordination ,z>/'*,.tbe fo- 
 lemnc fetttng apart of him that is chofen and ea/lcdby 
 Falling and Prayer and Impofition of hands. 
 
 4. Trie Queftionis not, Whether thofe that ordain a 
 Mtniftermuft be the Presbytery of the next Freeing or 
 C/afis, ©r all of the fame Claffis / The diftin&jon of 
 CiatTis is a bufinels of Ordef > I know no fober man but 
 will (ay any competent number of lawfull ? ordainedj fix- 
 ed Minifters,where-everthey dwel(joyning together) 
 may ordain a Minifter , yet ^ttgnfime and Cyprian tell 
 us,itwasthepraSiceof the Church in thofe times, to 
 take Proximos Epifcopos^ the next Minifters. So then the 
 Queftionis, 
 
 Qaeft. To whom the work of fitting om apart by fa- 
 lling and prayer, &c to the office of the Minifiry belongs, 
 whether to the Civtl Magiflrate^ or the whole Churchy 
 or to a Bifaop or the Presbyters . ? The Proportion I 
 maintain, is this, 
 
 That the work of letting one apart that is ehofen.and 
 called, and approved,and tried to the Office of MinKtry 
 by Fafting,and Prayer, and Impofuion of hands,belongs 
 to a company of lawfully ordained Minifters : I will 
 prove it but by one Argument. 
 
 Arg. This workjbelongs onl) to thofe who can by Scrip- 
 ture Precepts orPrefidents be warranted in the domg^ofin 
 This none will deny. But | 
 
VindicU Minifterii Eyangelici. 
 
 But a company of lawfully ordained Minifters only 
 can by Scripture Precepts or Presidents be warranted in 
 doing of it, Ergo 
 
 i . Let me prove that they are warranted. 
 
 %. That others are not. 
 For the firft,That they are warranted ^See i Tim .4. 1 4 
 Neglett not the gift wc h u in thee by laying on of the hands 
 of the Prefbytery* It is not by the laying on of the hands 
 of the Civtl Magifirate^nov yet by the laying on or the 
 hands of the People, but of the Pre/by t(ry* What is 
 meant by Presbytery theru\ Authors generally agree, 
 that it is Nornen Collcclivum , a Collective name, and 
 (igniries more than one Presbyter ; To be lure the mul- 
 titude ciBeleevcrs was never called thePresbytery,and 
 the Civill Magistrate would think it aterme of disho- 
 nour if we iho^ild expound it to be meant of them. 
 
 Secondly, if you look bochin the 1 Tsm. 5. it.Timo- 
 thy is commanded to Uj hands fuddenly on no man , and 
 //..T 5 intu is left in Cre.e, that he might ordatne EU 
 dtrsin even City. If the multitude of Beieevers might 
 have done it.Tnw might have gone away with Paul; 
 will it follow,that becaufe Timothy and Titus were 
 todoit, thtrefoiealin le Bifhopmay doit. Forfirft, 
 U U nut Evident there were any other Officers befdes Ti- 
 mothy and Citds.- And befiaes, lecondly, Timothy and 
 the Prefbi:e>ymay be meant, though he alone be menti- 
 oned. So Paul in one place tells him,that the gift was in 
 him by the laying on of his hands, 2 77»*.i.6.yet I Tim. 
 4. i+. 'Pauls hands were not alone, but there was the 
 hands of the Presbytery too. 
 
 Thirdly, Look into the practice of the Apoftles, by 
 whom were Church- Officers ordained in thofedaies, 
 Atts6> 6. Atts 14. 23. Paul and Barnabas— ordained 
 the Elders in every City. Now we never read, that 
 there was any precept for the multitude of Bcleevers to 
 ordain, nor any prefident of it, as is already noted, 
 
 K 2 both 
 
 67 
 
 mutant ur a 
 Pusbyteno Ec- 
 clefia. Pare us 
 in dub.ad Ko. 
 «o»i*,*44. 
 See ZJvch.'m 
 
 787. 
 S^Pet.Vyntag. 
 
 1-Mf? £ 
 
 I Sec Calv. ad 
 
 I tof.S04. 
 , Eflutm ad he. 
 1 Govanus ad Ice. 
 Aquinas ad Lqc. 
 
 2, 
 
6% 
 
 'tcli'im Plw, 
 p 3 g. 6. ; 
 T^jtthfrfordsai- 
 vine R'ghc. 
 pag.i33; 
 Z. web. A ret. 
 Calvin. Mart. 
 Bitcan.Polw- . 
 
 VindicU JTIAinitterii En^angdici. 
 
 Arg. i. 
 
 Sol. 
 
 See D.Martyr. 
 
 i com $29. 
 
 See M. Rut her. 
 
 Divine right, 
 
 190. 
 
 See ZAncbl. 
 
 Sol. 
 
 SjI. 
 
 I both by Matter Wtckins, and Matter Rutherford* 
 And to all thele I might add the Judgement of all So- 
 
 1 ber Divines, & of the Churches or Chrift every where, 
 butl {hali'fparethatj for firft, D. Seamanhzth done it to 
 my hands 5 and fecondly, Our Brethren will except 
 againft them as incompetent Judges. The Scripture is 
 an even witnefs betwixe us both 5 and how that fpeaks 
 you have heard. I (hould prove that none others are 
 warranted : but affirmant incumbit prebatio, I fhall do 
 this in anfwering Objections which they bring from 
 Scripture. 
 
 There are many Objections brought again!!: this, and 
 moll: of them are already anfwered by abler Pens. I fhal 
 do little more than colled their anfwers and give you 
 them together. 
 
 The power of the Keyes is given to the multitude of 
 Beleevers. Now to whom the Keyes behng, to them Or- 
 dimtion belongs, &C 
 
 1. This is but a running into another Q^eftion , to 
 whom belong the power of the Keyes ? 
 
 2. It is generally denied, that Chrift gave the Keyes to 
 any as beleevers to exeicifeit, nordotfr that place, Mat, 
 1 6*.1 6,17,18. prove it. 
 
 Arg. 2. The multitude of Beleevers Ordained Matt hi- 
 as.AB. 1. 24, 2 1>&c To this M.Rutherford anfwers. 
 
 1* It is faid/he multitude chofe them, not that they 
 ordained him. 
 
 2. CMary was amongft them, ver. 1 4. butfurejhe dtd 
 not make an Apoftle too. 
 
 3. Ver. 23. Thofe words they appointed two are to be 
 referred to the Apoftles, asmayeafily be collefted by 
 comparingver. 17,18,19,20,21,22. 
 
 AcT. 13.3. The Church ordained Paul and Barnabas. 
 I. This is Gratis diftum, it will hardly be proved. 
 2.The Text faith,there were Prophets in the Church 
 oiAmiochjiZx.i. and they minifired to the Lord, ver. 2. 
 
 and 
 
VindicU Miniflerii Evangelici, 
 
 and to them the holy Ghofl: faid , Separate me Paul and 
 Barnabas, and V. 3. When they hadFafled and Prayed, 
 and laid their hands en them, 
 
 A&. 14. 23. The Apo flies ordained Elders by the lift- 
 ing up of the hands of the people 5 the word fignifies no 
 more, as Bez,a, &c. 
 
 1 . That the word xtt$oToviteLrlet in tnat P^ acc ^gnifies 
 no more than the raeer lifting up of the peoples hands, 
 to teftific their content, is fpoken without proof. 
 
 2. ft is certain \th at tt is generally ufed by Ecclcfiafli* 
 call Writers for Jmpo fit ion of hands. Vide Seamans vin- 
 dication^. 35. Leigh, Critica Sacra in N. Teff. 
 
 3. Though Beza thinks other wife, yet he doth not dc' 
 termiae it, nor give reafons for his Judgement; you may 
 fee what learned M Seaman hath noted for the defence 
 of Bcz>%. Ibid.j6 t jy. 
 
 4. Laftly, (YaithM. Rutherford) that place doth only 
 prove, that Paul and Barnabas ordained Elders with the 
 confent and fufrage of the People: Which is our very 
 Do&rine. 
 
 The Apo firles bade thf Church look, out feven men, 
 Atls 6. 
 
 1. Right: But it folio vjsjpphom we may appoint over this 
 bufinefs, we, [[not you.] 
 
 2. They looked them our,znd chofe them y ver. 5. they 
 fet them before the Apoftles,b\& the Apoftles prayed and 
 laid their hands on them. 
 
 3. This is right Prefbyterian Dothine , the Church 
 (hall chufe and prefent^ the Presbytery fhall or dame. 
 
 Cyprian gives the power of Ordination to the Multi- 
 tude, and faies, Plebs velmaximepoteslaiem habet , vel 
 dignos Sacer dotes eltgendi-y vel tndignos recufandi \ That 
 is, the Multitude have the chief power of chuling wor- 
 thy Priefts,and rejecting the unworthy. 
 
 1 . If this were for our Brethrens turn it would do them 
 little goodjfor we could ivj^Nonficfuit &b tmtw, Chrift 
 ■ K 3 and 
 
?o 
 
 Cyfr'ian.Ep £8. 
 
 Num.io.iji 
 
 Vindici* Miniflcrii Eipangelici* 
 
 an J his Apoflles never faid fo ; Chtiftisour rule^pt Cj- 
 vrian. But 
 
 2. Cyprian faith nothing to their purpofe. The place 
 which they quote I indeed find inCjpr/an, in his 63. Ep. 
 Ad Clerum & Plebes in 'Hijpania, wherein he returns 
 an ant wer to the Spanifh Churcn,writing to him for bis 
 Judgement or w hat they had done for the calling out ©f 
 two fc andalousPr iefts, Marttalis zndBaflideSym whofe 
 ftead they had choien Sabtnm and Felix ; wherein the 
 leather approves the Fael: , and ("hews the danger of a 
 Churches receiving Ordinances from icandalous. Mini- 
 fters,and therefore declares they had done well in ca- 
 tting out thole two ; and then adds, quando ipfe maximc 
 habeat poteftatem, &c. That to the church belongs 
 the power of carting out icandalous Miniltcrs, and chu- 
 fing others: But withall Cyprian goes on in the verv next 
 words expounding himfelf. Quod & tpfum vtdemix, dc 
 divtna author it ate defcendere^ut Sacerdos plebe prafewe, 
 fab omnium oculis dele gat ur , & dignut at que idoncus 
 publico judicio ac tefttmonio comprobetur. Saith he, we 
 have it from Divine Authority, that the Priti-t iT.ould be 
 chofen the Church being prefent, and that he be appro- 
 ved of by their publike approbation and teliimony ; and 
 he goeth on inft ancing in that oi'Num 20.25 where the 
 Lord commands Mofes to take Aaron and Eleaz,ar his 
 Son, and to carry them to Mount Hor, and there in the 
 prefence of the Congregation he was to (trip Aaron of 
 his Garments, and to put them upon Eleaz*%r hu Son y 
 ve.27. Cyprian further expounds himfelf by that inftance 
 A&s 6. where (faith he) the Aportles called together 
 the Multitude,^?. So that if we will give Cyprta n leave 
 to expound himfelf, his meaning is no more than this: 
 That in the 6 ho ice sf Paftors to C ongregattons the Mul- 
 titude fhould hwe as much to do , as they had in Numb. 
 10 ij.m&ABsq 5,6. Andlpray,what wasthatf^^- 
 fes was to make Eleaz,ar hisPrieft in the prefence of the 
 
 whole 
 
VindicU Miniflerii E<vangelicL 
 
 7i 
 
 whole Congregation : And Afts 6 the Multitude chofe ] 
 out feven, andyW them before the Apoftles* 
 
 But neither of thefe come near the bufinefs in hand ; 
 we willingly yield, I. That Ordination fhould bepra- 
 fe?:te pie b^ \n the ipxetenceoi the whole Church j that 
 as Mofes put A ar ons Garment t on Eieaz,ar in the fight of 
 the Congregation : So the Presbytery fhculd lay their 
 hands on the Minifter , and ordain him prtfenteplebc'm 
 the prefencc of the Church ; The queftion is , whether 
 the People be to put Aarons Garment on Eleaz.Ar f Wc 
 grant they fhould be there when it Is put on.2. We grant 
 that the Multitude is to lookout for their Minilter, whom 
 the Presbyter (hould ordain, as Aft. 6^^* 3. That they 
 fhould prefent them before the Presbytery/ his is ail Cy- 
 prian fayes. Our queftion is, when all this is donc,who 
 mud do that AcT v«ch the Apoflles did f Aft. 6. 6.Set the 
 Officer apart by Prayer and Fafting , a*d Imposition of | See Vam iy l 
 hands. Cyprian never faid the People fhould do this ;\ji B notntJncyp 
 nay,mark a little further what he faith in the fame Epi- " 
 ftle. Propter quid dil } igenter.de \r adit tone dtvma & Apo- 
 ftoiicaobfervatione obfervandum eft ,ac tenendum, quod 
 apnd noi quoque &fere per Provincial umverfas tenetur y 
 ut ad ordinations rite ceiebrandxs , ad earn plebzm ctii 
 prapofittts ordivawr Epffcopi cjnfUem Province proximi 
 qutfque convcmaKt> & Epifcttpns dele gat ttr piebe pr<e/en~ 
 i e y qutfingulorum vitam piemffime novit , & unius cu- 
 jufque aft urn de ejus convof .*t tone per jpextt. h> e. What 
 was of Divine Tradition and Apoft olicall praclice mud 
 be carefully held* and obfet ved,that to the ceiebrating of 
 an Ordination rightly , all the neereft Bifhops or the 
 fame "Province fhould meet together at that Church to 
 which he is to be ordained,& there the Bifhop orMini- 
 Iter fhalbe appointed in the preferxe of the Church, &c* 
 And the fame Cjfrian in another place tells us oraBi- 
 fhop made a fedecim coepifcopi^ by Sixteen other Si- |j?°J|^j£ dt 
 (hops. I have been a little large in this vindication of jb^ rf.L7.a0). 
 Cyprian, 
 
 Ep.n. 1© p. 
 163. b. 
 
 £)/>/. Ep.$i. 
 
7* 
 
 Ar£, 6. 
 
 Sol, 
 
 Divine Right. 
 P. 197. 
 
 Arg. 7 . 
 
 Sol. 
 
 Arg. 8. 
 
 Sol. 
 
 VitidicU Miniflerii Enuangelicu 
 
 CyprianbccmCe though I find it anfwercd by others,yet 
 I thought more might be laid to vindicateCj-pri*«in this 
 than others bad yet taken notice of; and I fuppofe our 
 Brethren will quote this place no more to juftifie a po- 
 pular Ordination. I go on to another Objedion. 
 
 Ordination is a w or k^of Church Power; now no Church 
 hath power over another, therefore no Presbytery hath 
 power over another Church to ordatne them Mini" 
 fiers. 
 
 i. This is running into another Queftion, Whether 
 a Subordination or Churches be a peece of Gofpel order 
 or no. 
 
 2. If the Pafior of a Church may not aft any ail of his 
 Office to any of another Church, wee would be faine fa- 
 ti&fied how any Paftor may adminifter either of the Sa- 
 craments to any that are not their own Members? that is 
 an Adl of Office too. 
 
 3. We beleeve that the Pa/for of one Church m<Ly per- 
 form ABs of Office to any Church* 
 
 4. A Pafior of a Church joynes in Ordination of a Mi- 
 nster to another Church fiot as he is a Paftor to fuch 4 
 Church, but as he is an Officer offefus Chrifi^nd a Mi- 
 nifler of the Gofpel. 
 
 If the ^Multitude may do the greater Att , {which is 
 EUciton) then they may perform Ordtnatton whivh is 
 the lefs. 
 
 1. "this is to advance our carnal! reafon agatnfi Scrip" 
 ture Precepts and Prefidents ; They may do only what 
 Gods Word warrants them in doing. 
 
 2. Ordination is a greater Aft; than Election* It was 
 the Apoftles Ad every where. 
 
 The Ifraelites laid their hands en the Levites, 
 Num.8. 10. 
 
 1. Impofition of hands is then proved on all fides, 
 
 2. It is no Argument ( which our brethren will allow 
 I of) to argue from the Order of the lew fh Churches to 
 
 the 
 
VindicU Minifterii Evangelici* 
 
 the order ofGoftcl-Churches } our Brethren muft pay no 
 coine which they will not take. 
 
 3. Surely all the whole Congregation did not lay their 
 b*»ds>thzn there were fome that were their rcprefenta- 
 tives; hence is proved a reprefentative Church, faith 
 Mr, Rutherford. 
 Their laft, which is their Achillean Arguments this, 
 If it beneceffary that thofe that are law full Preachers, 
 be lawfully ordained by a lawfull Presbytery ; Then it will 
 folio w,that there can he now none lawfully Or darned ;for 
 whence had they that Ordaine them thetr Ordination f 
 From the Bijhops, and they from Rome. Rome is no true 
 Churchy and hath no true Minifiry } and thofe that were 
 not Aiinifiers tbemfelves, could not make others* 
 
 So that now we have no true Mtnifters , none truly 
 ordained. 
 
 ThisArgument they think like the Sword ofGoliatb- 
 None to it; there is already fo much fpoke to it that I 
 can add no more,but only give you what others have faid 
 
 1. This is the old Cloak that the Papifts thought to 
 have forced us back to Rome by. But, 
 
 2. If this Argument be good, I hope our Brethren 
 will be all baptised again : For, tf they were no Mini- 
 fters that Baptised them, thetr Bapttfme is nuS • if they 
 were Minifters^ they had as much to do to Ordaine as to 
 Baptise. 
 
 3. If this Argument be good,/ hope our Brethren wiH 
 gather their Churches new again ; for what had a com' 
 pany of unbaptiz,ed perfons to do to combine together to 
 make a Church and call Pafiors ? 
 
 4. Suppofe the Reformers had no Or dm At ten But the 
 call of the People , it was aplasn cafe of necefflty , and 
 they had power doubtiels toreftore that Ordinance to 
 the Church again, 
 
 5. It is thought by many learned and judicious men, 
 that though the Ordination of RomifhPrieftsjas Priefts, 
 
 L be 
 
 7\ 
 
 See Mouther, 
 Divine Right. 
 
 p. 199* 
 Arg. ?. 
 
 Sol. 
 
 See GUlefpy. 
 Mifcel.queft. 
 p. 6z 9 6 h 
 
74 
 
 Sec Seamam 
 Vind.p.5i 3 5t. 
 Sec M. Ruber. 
 Divine Kight. 
 
 Arg. io. 
 
 Sol. i # 
 
 See chemnjoe. 
 WW.3.P.134. 
 
 See ZanchAn 
 4 . pr*c.7*t, 
 
 Vindici* Minifterii Evangelici. 
 
 be a nullity, yet their Ordination to the Office of Prea- 
 ching the Word", &c t is not io. 
 
 tf . Though the Church of Rome be a falfe Church,yct 
 there may be fomething in it true. 
 
 7. The Prelates ordained not as Lord Prelates, hut at 
 Presbyters wtth other '^Presbyters. 
 
 But the Civ ill Magi/irate is to fend out Preachers ; 
 /tfjehoibphat fent the Princes to teach in the Ctties of 
 Judah 5 the Boo^ of the Law-was committed to the Civill 
 Magiftrate : So our refaming Princes fent out fttch as 
 -were gifed to preachy &C. 
 
 I« The Civill Magiftrateis to take care that the Gojpel 
 be Preached^ but not to authorise any by Ordination to 
 do it. 
 
 1, To the ioftance of Jehofaphat I (pake before. 
 
 3.The end of the giving of the Book^ofthe Lib?, was not 
 that the Magiftrate fhould Preach out of it s btft, 1. That 
 he fhould learn out of it. 2. That he fhould command 
 the Priefts and Leviies to teach the people out of it. 
 
 4* The Magiftrate is to fend out P'reackers y that is, to 
 take care they be fent out by fuch as are to Ordaine 
 them. 
 
 5. The Magiftrate is to command them that Preach to 
 preach the Gojpel of Chrifl truly ^ as the Kings of Ifrael 
 charged the Levites, iChron. 10,9. 
 
 6. If I miftakenot, thus only did religions Prices 
 fend out fuch as were gifted : or eHe it was a cafe of w~- 
 ceffity, when the Church was to be new conftituted,be- 
 ing altogether corrupted, and out of order. 
 
 7. The Magiftrate is to commandthofe that are in Of- 
 fice to do their Office, and to refrain thofe that do it not 
 regularly ; to punidi fuch aspreacb lies in the n.<meofthe 
 Lord 5 but as it cannot be proved, that any Godly Magi- 
 ftrates in //^/ordinarily made Priefts or Levites; io 
 neither can it be proved, that Christian Maciftrates un- 
 der the Gofpell can make Preachers in Ofljce by their 
 mi (Hon. Buu' 
 
VindicU Minifterii E^vangelici. 
 
 But Jehofaphat) Htz>ekiah y and Nehemtah preached, 
 2 Cbro.19.6,9,10* 2 Ghro.79 4,5.yet they were nor Or- 
 dained. 
 
 To this Argument M.^wfor/Wanfwers fully in his 
 Divine Right, p. 284, 285. 
 
 1. The fe Sermons were ad made in an extraordinary 
 defection of the Tr/efts. 
 
 2. 77?*/ were Sermons of extraordinary infiintt and 
 divtne Impul/ion, as they were Prophets. 
 
 3. Princes as Chrifiians and gifted with learning may 
 ccca(ionally,as the nurfing Fathers of the Church, upon 
 fome extraordinary exigent, as at the meeting of States, 
 or the going out of an Army to Battel!, make ufe of the 
 Word of God to exhoi t the people to Gencrail duties of 
 Religion and J uftice,dv. but what is this to ordinary 
 Preaching. 
 
 4. Nehemiah was a Prophet, and an Author of Ca- 
 nonick Scripture ; yet (faith M. Rutherford) we read not 
 of his Preaching at all. 
 
 Thefe are the chief of the Arguments I meet with ; 
 the Reader may fee divers more produced and anfwer- 
 ed in that Learned Rutherfords Divine Right of Presby- 
 tery, p. 285, 286, 287, e£v. Iftialladd no more to this 
 third Queftion. 
 
 Whether thofe tkat are fet apart for the Ordinary 
 Preaching of tke Gofpell, inoft be fet apart and 
 ordained by the Presbytery. 
 
 Li 
 
 Queft. 
 
 75 
 
 Arg. ii. 
 
 Sol. 
 
 Sec M.Rutber. 
 Difinc right, 
 P. i8y. 
 
76 
 
 V indicia SMinifterii EvMgelicu 
 
 SeeBe^ion 
 
 A&. 14.^5. 
 Sec Pol.Syata, 
 
 Ant.frobltm, 
 
 Quod mult is in 
 locU fit ejefta 
 ma cum aiiU 
 ceremony nun- 
 quamprobavi 
 nee probare pof. 
 fum.Z&nch.'m 
 4* pra?C7g9, 
 Scecalvwjnft, 
 
 1.4. Sea. 16, 
 
 Confiae au- 
 UtnAc.fuit 
 hie folmnu ri- 
 
 Queft. IIII. 
 
 Whether it be neceffary in the Ordaining of 
 one to the Office of the Miniftry 5 that the 
 perfon Ordained be Ordained by Imfofiti- 
 on of hands 7 yea or no I 
 
 Mutt confefs I Have in my own weak 
 Judgment been more remifs, as to the 
 necttfity of this Rite in a lawful! Or- 
 dination than now I i'ee eaufe, or durft 
 ] be j and I cannot think that in an or- 
 _' derly Ordination it can without Sin be 
 omitted.iknowtherehave been many eminent Divines 
 that have been more remifs in it, as Bez,a,Pota*w, and 
 Aretiw, BHchAnu$ i Chemnitins&\& diverfe others 5 but 
 they all fpeak very tenderly of it >as that which was the 
 rite ufed by C£r//?,andthc Jpojlles^nti the Patriarchs. 
 But withali,the mod have been as zealous for it,as Peter 
 Mart?r i /oc.com.p.$2$,B t E.D . H/er.Z*ncbifis.iK $nm. 
 precept. 784,785. Calvinus, Bncerns f quoted both by 
 M.Seam4H i p%7.Ca[vJnftitM>c^JtZ t - 16 < Wattexjl.2. 
 
 But Authorities are worth little on either fide, I fhall 
 rather give you my reafons. 
 
 Reafi ^TbiswastheConftantpradiceof the Apo- 
 ftles,^0.6\ 6. All. 13.3. ^#.14.23. iTtm. 5 .22. 
 1 Tim 4. 14. 2 Tim 1.6. they ordained thus,and I kno w 
 no other Copies, I am fure no better that wc are to fol- 
 low- 
 
VindicU Miniflerii Evangelic! . 
 
 77 
 
 low. I know nothing can be anfwered to that Argu- 
 ment, A* the Afoftles ordained Gofpel Preachers, fo they 
 ought to be ordained ; but they alwaies in their Ordinati- 
 o ns made ufe of Impojitton of hands, 
 
 2. Nay, fecondly,77><r7 did not only make ufe ofit> but 
 they exprejithe whole Aft of Ordination by ft 3 which 
 fhould argue it a material thing, i Tim. 5.22. 1 Tim. 4. 
 H.Jtts 14,23. i Tim. 1.6. 
 
 3. In its relating to GoJpel-tV'orJhip it if dangerous not 
 tokeep clofe to our Coppy. God muffc give rules himfelf for 
 his Houfe, and when we have them we muft not judge 
 themnecdlefs, and fay the thing may be done without 
 them. 
 
 4. It is a Rite that hath much in it. 
 
 1. Certos de officio reddebat \ It aflfured and fealed up 
 the Office/ faith Aretius)<kx by this figne the party re- 
 ceives plenam docendi poteftatemji full power to preach. 
 I wonder to read that, and find him within a few lines 
 before call it libera certmoma^kxzz ceremony. 
 
 2. Saith Aretitss, it Signifies, that the Minifters Suffi- 
 ciency is from God, in whofe name hands are laid upon 
 htm. 
 
 ^ It is a ftgn to them of the Pre fence ef god with 
 them, P/<*/. 139. 5»&c they are under the protecting 
 hand of God. 
 
 4. It isafignof Gods heavy hand will be upon them 3 
 if they do the Lords work negligently, //i.5.25 • 1 King, 
 5.7 p Ez,ra 3.17,18. 
 
 5. Saith AretitUj Admonet G fiber nation is dvi*<e, it 
 admomOieththeMinifter, thathe is to take his Rules 
 from God, his Orders from him, God is togoverne 
 him,^. 
 
 6. Polanus adds another reafon, viz,. That he that is 
 Ordained might know he was now given up to the Lordy 
 and to his Church. And 
 
 7. That the dignity of the Miniftry might be commen- 
 L 3 _____ ded 
 
 * 
 
 See /rtt.Prob. 
 7bcoLl. 6 ?. 
 p. Itorfi. 
 Sec Pol.Synt. 
 1. 2. p. 841. 
 
 SecHitr.Zwc, 
 M.786. 
 See Bucban. 
 loc.de minlfle. 
 q. 40. 
 
78 
 
 Vindicu SWiniflerii Eyangelicu 
 
 See FiW. ib. 
 SizZ-iiiLb. ib. 
 
 Tbco!Joc.6$. 
 Szt Dion. Acco, 
 
 p. t-9 
 
 Cbem.loc.am. 
 
 de Ecclefia, 
 p. 138 b. 
 StzAntM'al'de 
 voc.Vafio.p^o 
 Sec Lorinui 
 on Aft.tf 6. 
 Note that the 
 Paj-iCls gene- 
 rally hold it a 
 Sacrament ; 
 And M. Calv, 
 l.^inftit.c. $. 
 hath luch an 
 opinion of it, 
 that in fome 
 fence he con- 
 fcfleth he 
 could fo call 
 
 Arg, 
 
 ded to the Church ; that the Church might look upon 
 him as one let apart by God, and given, and lent by God 
 to them* 
 
 8. It was ajignthat the Lordweuld give him gifts of 
 his Spirit fit for his work. 
 
 Concerning the fignificancy of this right you miy 
 read more, ChemxitJoc.com.de Ecclefta^. 1 37,1 38,1 3 9. 
 VCi&Catv. 1. 4. lnftrt. c. %.feB. 16. &c. \o,jeH. 20. 
 
 5. A fifth reafon I have for it,is the General practice 
 of the Churches ofChrifi in aH ^ges. Are tuts tels us, it 
 is Vet us confuetudo d P atria* char urn temporibns dutta , 
 a Chnslro obfervata % ab ApoftolU Ecclefa rclitta , & 
 hod* ufurpata ; an ancient Cuftome obierved by Chrift 
 and his Apoftlcs, and the Patriarchs after them, and in 
 ufe in his time. It were endlefs to produce all the Au- 
 thorities might be produced. Chemnuins witneffeth, it 
 was the practice of the Lutheran Churches. What was 
 the Pradice of the Tjgurine Churches you may under- 
 ftand by Peter Martyr ; and what the Calviwftsjudg- 
 ments are in it you may know from what I have before 
 cited out of. him: It is poffible fome Churches might 
 have a lower opinion of it, but I fay, The mod of the 
 Churches of Chrift have conftantly retained it. It were 
 an eafic matter to produce a cloud of WitnefTes : But I 
 fuppoietbofe that are againft me in this know, that all 
 Antiquity (almoft,) is againft them. \ 
 
 Let me therefore anfwer what Objections they have 
 againft the retaining of this Rite : which we hear was 
 diligently pra&ifed by the Apoftles, and retained by the 
 Generality of the Churches of Chrift fince. And Khali 
 not ipend much time, but refer the Reader to that judi- 
 cious trad? of D. Seaman, wherein he largely vindicates 
 the ufc of this right from the Objections made againft 
 it. I will only Anfwer one which I hear moftly urged 
 againft it. 
 
 The Apoftles gave the holy Ghoft bj Impofition of 
 
 hands, 
 
V indicia Miniflerii Evangelici. 
 
 bandit if jo* can bring m any Presbyters can conferre the 
 holy Ghofl bj laying on of their hands, rte (hall fubmit to 
 an Impofttion of hands. 
 i.D.Seaman anfwers this Argument various waysf.69. 
 
 2. But if there be any Jence in it, tt is this, that being 
 the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghofl are ceafed,thex- 
 
 J fore this Ktte is alfo ceafed which was went to be mfed in 
 ' the giving of thole gifts. 
 
 3. If this be all, by the fame Argument, Praying fhould 
 beccafed too,becaufe Act. 8.17. Peter and John Prayed 
 that they might receive the Holy Ghofl . and having 
 Prayed, v. I p. they laid their hands on them,and they re- 
 ceived the Holy Ghofl h ye.g t *nd B apt tfme too,{ or Aft*ip* 
 6. when they were Baptized they laid their hands on 
 them and they received the Holy Ghofl, 
 
 4. It is tructwice we read that the Apoftles laid tfeeir 
 hands on foine and they received the Holy Ghofl^Alb. 8. 
 I7.^#.i9.&yea,and a third time, Aft. 9, i 7 .But we can 
 ftiew our Brethren an Or d nation in which Imyofitton of 
 hands was ufedlo them that had received the H. Ghelt, 
 ^#.i4.3./Whad received the Holy Ghoft by the im~ 
 poficion of Ananias hands, Aft t 8. i^.The feven that were 
 chofen were full of the H. Ghofl before they were cho- 
 fen,^#,6.5 .yet theApodles ordained them to their Of- 
 fice by impofttion of hands, Acl. 6. 6. So that it is plain 
 that the Apoftles ufed irnpofition of hands inOrdmation 
 when thofe that were ordained,yet did not receive the 
 Holy ghofl, tor they had before received him. 
 
 So that although the Holy G^oft be not now to be gi- 
 ven by the irnpofition of the bands of any, yet this lb- 
 lemnc right of Ordination is not to be omitted by thofe 
 that make a confeience of walking according to Apo- ' 
 ftolical Rules and Pra&ices^for the A poll lesthemf elves 
 did not omit it towards thofe that had before received 
 the holy Ghcll,nor can any without fin do it.- 
 
 There is yet one practical Queltjon more which I dial 
 fpeak ro in a few words. Queft. 
 
 79 
 
8o 
 
 VtndicU Minifteru B<vangelici. 
 
 Queft. V. 
 
 Whether Qhriftians may lawfully hearfucb 
 preach as are not Minifters, butmeerely 
 gifted per Jons defredto exercife their gift? 
 Whether they may attend without Sin upon 
 fuch Preaching ,negle6ling others lawfully 
 Ordained? Jindlohether they can look up- 
 on the preaching of fuch unordained per* 
 fons a** a publike Ordinance of God from 
 which they may expett a blefiing for their 
 Joules ? 
 
 Efore I (hall potitively determine this 
 Qoeftion , I (hall clear it from mi- 
 ftakes 5 to which purpofe obferve thefe 
 things* 
 
 There is an hearing which is a ttattt- 
 rallaBion, it is thea&of the Sensi- 
 tive part of our Souls, with which we help our felves 5 
 thus a man hears a tale that is told y and hears News in 
 the Exchange : with this hearing a man ferves himfelf, 
 either for profit orpleafure,hearing fuch things as pleafe 
 his Fancy, and tend to his information in the affairs of 
 the World s this is not the hearing fpoken of; but there 
 is an Rearing , which is our duty and homage to God. 
 
 God 
 
8t 
 
 *. 
 
 VindicU Miniflerii E<vangelici. 
 
 God hath laid, Hear and your fouls fh all live, J fa. 75.3 
 as Chrift muft be \\zwd.I will ra> fey ou up a Prophet ,taitn 
 God, him (hall you hear, Thus Chrift bids his Difciples 
 Hear them which fit in CMofes his Chair. The Queftion 
 is concerning this,whether a Chrift tan in hearing a gifted 
 Brother (that is not ordained ) payeshis homage of hea- 
 ring to God ? Whether he may hear him upon that ac- 
 count, that Faith may be wrought tn his foul , which 
 comes by Hearing, Rom* 1 o. 1 7. 
 
 // is one thing for Chriftians to go to hear fuch when 
 they cm hear none elfe 5 in fuch cafes you have heard 
 they may preach, and we may hear : But it is another 
 thtngjvhen M'tniflers preach tn the time of thofe publikjs 
 Ordinance s^hen Christians may be there to hear them % 
 to If end time in hearing thofe that are not fent of God y 
 and in the mean time negled the liftning to thofe that 
 are fent by him • this is a Contempt of the Ordinance of 
 God, and a profaning of his holy Day. 
 
 There is a difference betwixt hearing one preach that 
 is not ordained* when hepreacheth for triad to a Churchy 
 that he may be approved : thus you have heard they may 
 preach $ and another thing , r • hear fuch as are runners 
 and nQtfent,nor dejired to be fent ,otberwi(e than by their 
 own Naturall Inclination and Pride. 
 
 It is one thing to do this Ignorantly, and in Simplici- 
 ty ofheart,when Chriftians do not know but fuch a one 
 whom they hear is lawfully ordained, and another thing 
 for Chriftians to do \tprefumptuoufly and ivantou/yyyjhm 
 they do know he is not ordained, and yet will venture! 
 to fatisfie their itching Ears , and to fulfill the wanton 
 denies of their corrupt hearts. 
 
 Having prcmifed thefe things, the Pofition which I 
 (hall maintain is this, 
 
 That it u finfull and unlaw full {or any Chriftians on the p r 
 Lords daiesy or at any other times, when they may attend 
 upon the preaching of Mtnifters in Office^ and in fuch 
 LM places 
 
82 
 
 Arg i. 
 
 Amu q'h book 
 ofOnfeience^ 
 
 
 See Baims ad 
 
 to;. 
 
 VindicU SM witter ii E^angelici. \ 
 
 places where there Are lawfully fent Miniflers , to fpend 
 their time in going to hear gifted men not fem y andordatn 
 preachings opening) and applying Scriptures, and no leffe 
 than a Contempt of the Lord Jefus Ghrift. This I (hall 
 endeavour to make good by thefe Arguments s 
 
 It is the dutjof all confc tent ious Chriftians to [etthem- 
 felves under fome particular Mimfter as their Paftor 3 and 
 to hear them conft ant typhis is Gods Ordinance. D. Ames 
 proves, that it is the duty of all Chriftians to fit them- 
 [elves under fome P aft or, and to /oyn in a Church. 
 i. Becaufeof Gods Infit tut ion , M 'At. 18.17. 
 
 2 , The Flock mufi b? under an over fight \ nAtk* 1823. 
 Aft* 20. 28. If we be of the Flock of Chrift we muft 
 have a Shepheard who (hall feed us in Chrifts ftead, 
 
 3. For our perfection and edtficaiionjo which end Ta- 
 fters were gizen,Eph. 4, 1 1,1-2. 
 
 Now thefe Paftors are to preach conflantly s fo faith 
 the Apoftle to Timothy, Preachy be inftant in feafon and 
 em of feafon 5 &c. and ^#.2o.2o.efpecialIy on the Lords 
 day they fhould not omit to preach forenoon and after- 
 noone : Paul preached all that day. AH. 2©. 7. D. Ames 
 notes, That to the SanElification of that day , exerdfis of 
 publike werfhip in a Church wettconftitutcd, and enjoying 
 h?r liberty y ought to be he Id forth before and afternoon^ni, 
 doubtlefs,the pra&ice is irregular of fuch as are Paftors, 
 who (if they be ablejneglecl preaching the whole Sab- 
 bath upon any account whatfoever. 
 
 Now it is the duty of Private Chriftians who have fit 
 themfelves under Paftors ,net to negletb them when they 
 do preach* For 
 
 1 . To what purpofi elfe made they choice of him ? 
 
 2. He hath a particular over- fight ever thsm^ tsftb. 
 20.28. 1 JVf.5.2. 1 Thefil.12. Heb*i$. 17,24. 
 
 3. Chriftians ownVaftorsJhave a more ejpectaldijpenfatien 
 of the Grace of God given them tothem-ward. Eph.%,2. 
 This is M.BatHes his note on the place, and ((aith hej 
 
 it 
 
VindicU Minifterii Evangelici. 
 
 if this were well confidered it would cure in us.—- That 
 affe&ation of the confluence of fir angers -when our hearts do 
 net fo fervently embrace cur tfn^&c.and ^.35 2. It fliould, 
 faith he, Inftrutl people to depend cfpecially on theft who 
 arefet over them for thofe are they who are fur ntfhed from 
 God in an eminent manner with grace towards them y they 
 are foolifh Pigeons that know not their own Lockers , and 
 fooltjhfheep that know not their Shefheards vsice^idfoo- 
 lifhpeople that know not their Altntfter. 
 
 4. A P afters more efpecial tie to his own flock jhen *»<?- 
 t her t All* 20. 2 8. argues, that they are more effect ally tied 
 tohtm> he is appointed to feed them. 
 
 Now then lay thefe together. 
 
 Private gifted Brethren not ordained are noPaftors in 
 Office (that you have heard) it is the duty of all Chri- 
 ftians to put themfelves under the care or one Paftor or 
 other, for God hath not any where approved of any Va- 
 grant Chriftians. This Paftor is conftantly upon the 
 Lords day to preach before & after Noon) (if he be able,} 
 they are tyed in conicience to hear him rather than any 
 other: and it follows, that it is fin in them at the(e 
 times to hear, I .Such ordinarily as are not their P 'afters : 
 2. Such as are no Paftors at all , but felf-created Prea- 
 chers, ib as to neglect their Paftors. But I iuppofe this 
 will be ani wercd. 
 
 That the liberty pleaded for is not in the time when 
 their own Paftors preachy but when they do not , cither 
 not being able to preach twice on theLords day,or ibme 
 other occafions intervene. 
 
 That then it ft: ernes it is as lawful for Chnftiar^ to hear 
 gifted brethren as any except their own Paftors* 
 
 It will be rcquifite therefore that, 1 Having; made my 
 proof thus far, That it is not Uw full for Chriftians that 
 have chofe themfelves Paftorj, and fct thtmfelves down 
 under them (as all Chriftians fhould do ) when their Pa- I 
 ftors ( who are properly to feed them , ind watch over | 
 
 M 2 A their 
 
 «i 
 
 1 Per.52,3, 
 
84 
 
 VindiciA Mtniflerii Evangelici; 
 
 Arg. i. 
 
 Jgvxfiiic'at 
 noapoterint, 
 quid ita ? &c. 
 Pat em ad loc. 
 
 ^poflolm hie 
 diffuil de Or- 
 ganu fide'i & 
 \jaiutk adulio- 
 rum& qmdem 
 Q( dinar its tfui- 
 bm uti vccejje 
 eft, qulcunque- 
 fAlutem uff 
 ft ant. 
 
 — Ncqxc cwm 
 Vcm gratiam 
 fuam mediis ita 
 adflrinxit qnin 
 abfque ill is con- 
 fins earn pojf/i't 
 quibus vtlit. 
 Pareus iu dubiis 
 
 their fouls) preach* to neglett them 9 to go to hear them . 
 that are not their Paflors % &c, I mail by my ether Argu- 
 ments prove, 
 
 That (pat the cafe J that your own Payors d^not preach 
 at that ttme,yet tfyou be in places ^and it be at a time when 
 you may conveniently hear other Preachers fent 9 yen can* 
 not I awfully ffyeciallj on the Lords d^yjoear thofe that are 
 notfevt but meerly have gifts, &c. 
 
 I prove it by that place, Rom.\o.\% . How fhall they be- 
 leeve on him tfwhom they have not heard , and how fhall 
 they hear without a Preacher, and how. fhall they preach 
 except they be fent, . 
 
 The Apollles interrogation's a plain Negation , and 
 as much as if he (hould lay , They cannn beleeve on him 
 bfwhom theyhave not heard, and they cannot hear with* 
 out a Preacher \ and none can preach so them except they 
 befent. This -is plain in that Text, That thofe that go to 
 heart as hearing is an aft ofworfhtp , mufl go to this in* 
 tent, that they might beleeve. Every Chnft tan > [hould 
 hear to this end that he might beleeve. Secondly, Thus 
 they cannot hear without a Preacher, M$v<r<rovT®-j ^With- 
 out an Herald ; the very word fignifies one in Office, a 
 Preacher, it is poffible that the Lord whais not tyed to 
 the ordinary means may create Faith in the ibul other- 
 wife,but Preaching of Minillers in Office is Gods ordi- 
 nary means. Waldus the Father of the Waldenfes reports 
 that he was converted by (eeing one dye fuddeniy , but 
 none will therefore fay, that fudden deaths are the Or- 
 dinance of God to convert fouls j it is poflible, that 
 fomtimes by private Chriftians conference,^, a Chri- 
 ftian may be convened, but the ordinary means of con- 
 verting louls is authoritative Preaching. How fhall they 
 hear without a Preacher ! why, a man may hear a Tale 
 that is told by his Neighbour without a Preacher j but 
 the Apoftle (peaks of luchan hearing asfhould beget 
 Faith , and by which Faithis ordinarily begotten in the 
 
 foul. 
 
VindicU Minifterii Eyangelici. 
 
 foul. Such an hearing as a man may go, out to with fo- 
 lemne Preparation and ferious expectation that God 
 Qiould begin and encrcafe faith in his foul by . Now thus 
 none can hear without a Preacher ; and it followes, 
 None can preach except thej be fe fit ' s vjhnt fending is ther 
 meant you heard before at large,t© be furefomthing eUe 
 is meant befides £//>/, and a defire of the Church,* for 
 the Apoftle prefently inftanceth in the^^/^,whobe- 
 fides their inward gifts, were/***, as you heard before ; 
 and they had not the call of the people nei4her, therfore 
 that could not be the fending meant, but they had a mil- 
 lion, fome of them extraordinary , fome ordinary too, as 
 Paul&z. The lefult of the Argument is this : 
 
 // is Jinf till for Chrtfiians to go out to hear Gads word 
 fromfuch as are not appointed by God to Preach fer the 
 begetting faith tn the Sou/ } when they may hear fnch as 
 are appointed by God for the begetting and encreafing 
 Faith. 
 
 The reafon is plain, becaufe they either make void 
 the end of hearings? op about to obtain it that way by 
 which it ordinarily car.not be attained. 
 
 The End of hearing is not tofatisfie an itching Ear, 
 but that Faith may be wrought in thy foul and encreaft. 
 Now if thou goeit to hear upon any other account thou 
 finneft. And in hearing thoie that are not ordained and 
 fent, thou either negleSeft this End, and io mockcit 
 God in his. Ordinance j or, 
 
 Thou goes} abont to obtaine this End by weans which 
 I God never appointed > for God never appointed perions 
 meerly gifted to preach, and authorized them to be his 
 inftrumentsfor the ordinary begetting and encreafn:g 
 Faith. Now it is fin and prefumption to thy foul to neg- 
 led ordinary means, and exped a mercy in an extraor- 
 dinary way; and 1 dare lay that God never yet wrought 
 / upon any ioul in an extraordinary way> at a time when it 
 wilfully neglected his ordinary means > many fouls have 
 I been 
 
 85 
 
 1. 
 
85 
 
 Argr, j. 
 
 g4- 
 
 Vindicti Miniflerii E<vangelick 
 
 Cerium e(i ex 
 verbaDei ncmr 
 ncm m [Eccltfitl 
 
 been thus perverted, I doubt much whether ever any 
 one ibul converted yea or no fincerely to God. 
 
 It is fin for thee or me fo to hear as I cannot fray in 
 faith for a blejjing uf on the Word heard* This is plaine 
 enough. 
 
 But thofe that in the negleEi of thofe that aye authori- 
 se d, andfent , and anointed to f reach , go to hear fuch 
 as are not fo fent and appointed ^fo hear that they cannot 
 praj in faith for a bleffmg upon what they hear. This is 
 clear $ for we can pray in faith for nothing for which 
 we have not a promt 'fe. But (hew me one promife in all 
 the Book of God where God hath engaged himfelf to 
 follow the labours of thofe that break his Order, and run 
 before they are fent with his bleffing f if there be none, 
 thou canft not pray for a blefling upon them to thy foul, 
 &pray inTaith,for the Promife is the objed of thy Faith 
 
 In infiituted worfhip what is not commanded or warran* 
 ted by example isfinful:Bnt hearing is infiituted worjhip, 
 that none will deny 3 and the hearing of fuch as are not 
 fent, is not warranted either by Scripture Precept orprefi- 
 dent y >8rgo It is finfull. 
 
 Tor PrefidentSytht Scripture hath not one as you have 
 heard,but thofe that pre ac he dytithzt were fuch as had an 
 extraordinary or ordinary miffion. 
 
 Tor Precepts we have not any , the Sheep hear the 
 Shepheards v vice, f oh, ie.i> The people were to hear 
 Timothy ', i Tim. 4. 1 6*. The Gentiles were to hear Paul^ 
 Atts 1 5.7. The Scribes and Thurifies were to be heard, 
 Mat.2 3 . 5 .but it was becaufe they fate mMofesfeat^.i. 
 Mofes and the Prophets wereto be heard, Mat.\6. 31. 
 But for hearing of every one that hath gif ts 3 there is not 
 the lead word for it. Nay, 
 
 /// mifiake not, we a>e commanded not to hear them, 
 Jer.23.16. Thus faith the God of ho(is. Hearken not to 
 the Prophets that prophecy unto you, they make you va/n s 
 they jpeak^a vifim of their own hearts, and not out of the 
 
 mouth 
 
VindicU Miniflerii Eyangelici. 
 
 month of the Lord j now look v.2i.who tbcfe Prophets 
 are, I have not fern thtfe Prophet s 3 jet they ran, I have 
 not Jpoken to tkcm,)et theyprojhecied : v. 2*. they were 
 fuch as laid , / have dreamed, I have dreamed , we have 
 revelations revelations, Sec. See the like, Jer. 27.14, 1 5. 
 It is certain, faith Chemnitius, from the Word of God, 
 that none is to be heard in the Church who is not law- 
 fully called, either immediately or mediately, yea, faith 
 he, Churches ought not, and cannot with any benefit to 
 their fouls hear fuch as have not the tokens of an order- 
 ly calling. 
 
 Arg. 6. For Chrifiians unnecejfarily to run their 
 fouls upon temptations , and out of the promife of Gods 
 I bleffirg is finfull and unlaw full. This none will deny. 
 
 ButnowforChrifiianstojfend their time in hearing 
 fuch as are meerly gifted perfons, and have nothing to do to 
 preach , when they may better jpend it in hearing fuch as 
 arefent with cuthority.is forChriflians to run out of Gods 
 £te flings, and upon temptauon. This I fhaii eafily prove. 
 
 1 . They run out of Gods blejfivgjot there is no promife 
 made by God to fuch preachers or hearers, but on the 
 contrary ,tbofe that run before they are (ent are threatned 
 
 2. They run upon temptations jThis I (ball make out to 
 you by confidering two things : 
 
 I . Thofe at any ttme that leave Gads ordinary means, 
 and take fuch as are extraordinary^ both tevpt God , and 
 run upon temptations thimfelves : now that preaching of 
 fuch as are fent is the ordinary means of converting 
 Souls, I have (hewed you from, Rom. 1 2. 14, 1 5. 
 
 Bufrfecondly, There ca?jfca*ce be inft*ntft produced 
 of any that went about this woik^ r.ot orderly fent, but the 
 Lord left them to their own Hearts that they piophccted 
 lies in the nam* of the Lord, ar.d were r.ot or to us fa Ife tea- 
 chers, though men of eminent parts ; The pm we read 
 of were the Prophets, Jer. 25.ll. they ran before they 
 were lent, v. 25. they prophecied lies in the name of the 
 
 Lord 
 
 87 
 
 auiundum efle : 
 qui non legit nne 
 Jit vmtmjfcvt 
 idfaft'im (h 
 
 ue y wt 
 mediate. 
 ImmiUctltfa 
 nondibem,-uc 
 pojfuntcum 
 fruOk andhe 
 eoi qui mn i Ja . 
 bent legitime 
 vocatmnu Uf- 
 monia. 
 
 deEccUf.p, 
 129-1. 
 
88 
 
 W 
 
 Arg. 6. 
 
 V indie U SMinifterii Eyangelicv 
 
 Lord> yea, the deceits of their own heart. It is not idly 
 con/enured by many, that the Lord gave up Ong(n to 
 erre fo many waies is he did, for this neglect, of under- 
 taking the work of ordinary preaching out of Gods or- 
 der j fotNovatian (who Cyprian faith ordain'd himfelf ) 
 the Learned know his grofs Herefies. The Anabaptifts 
 m Germ Any were felf ordained Preachers too, how 
 many deteftable do&rines they embraced, any one that 
 reads Bullinger y SleydanMc will fee. Our time is full of 
 thefe men, and where is almoft any of them, though 
 found profeiTors before, but are tainted, cither with Ay- 
 mimanpi PopifbyOU Antinomian t or Anabaptifiicall Te- 
 nets,and thole that live longer wil fee it every d&y more 
 and morc.Nor are there wanting many thoufand lad in- 
 ftances in our daies,of per ions that feemed Profeflfors, 
 yea, and zealous Profeffors,that have fuckt in Principles 
 or Apoftacy, both from truth and holinefs, from thefe 
 Preachers whofe word eats as doth a Canker , ( faith the 
 Apoftle ; 
 
 For Chn ft tans to partake of other mens fins, and en" 
 courage them in finning, is finfnll and unlawful^Rev. \ 8.4. 
 Eph* 5 . 7. But for Chriftians to hear thofe that are not 
 fent 9 U to partake of their (ins , and to encourage them in 
 fmn'mg. Ergo- This is plain, for I have already pro- 
 ved, that it is fin in them fo to preach. Now preaching 
 and hearing are Relatives. I partake of their fin in hea- 
 ring wilfully f thofe that know fin in preaching. His 
 preaching is a/?»,and fo a work ofdarknefs,with which 
 I ought to have no fellowship, Ephe^.i I. 
 
 Be fides, fuch Chriftians Encourage them in preachings 
 (and fo in finning j// being their fin to preach: For if they 
 had no hearers they would not p reach long to the walls, 
 itching Ears of hearers feed the itching humours of 
 thefe Preachers. 
 
 I fhall only addc one Caution, which I forgat before, 
 viz,. Though ImpefitfBof htnds be a Rite which was 
 
 conti- 
 
V indicia Mwiflerii Evangelici. 
 
 continually ufed by the Apoftles and Evingdifts, and the 
 Primitive Churches ; upon which accormt I conceive it 
 cannot without fin be omitted in him that defiresthe Of- 
 fice of a Z>//Z?0/>,fApoftolicall practice being of the nature 
 of a Goipell-injundion to us,as in caic oh he alteration 
 of the Sabbath.) 
 
 Yet if one hath given up himfelfc to the workc of the 
 Miniftry,and be called by a Church, and examined, pro- 
 ved, tried and approved, and then iolemnly ftt apart to 
 the work by the falling and prayer of the Prefbjuer;, in 
 the prcfence of the Congregation,though he hath notf in 
 his Ordination} fuch imposition of hands ^iiher in regard 
 the Church ufeth not that right y *or in regard of iome 
 Scruples in his cwne breaft about it > yet 1 dare not lay, It 
 is unlaypfullto heare fnch a one preachy for the mainc re- 
 quifitc in Ordination is a Solemne fetting apart of the ptr- 
 fon bjfafitng and prayer of the Preftjttry, in the pre fence 
 of a Church ; yet to take away this (cruple from Cbrifli- 
 ans, it were to be defired,that thofe that defire the Office 
 of Mwifters would confidcr what they doc in flighting 
 that ApoUolicall Ritepnd consider bow ill they can pre- 
 tend confeience in a thing for which they have not the 
 lead place of Scripture that can be an occaiion of (cruple 
 to them, 
 
 FINIS. 
 
^ 
 
 VI 
 
 
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 % 
 
 
 W w jm i T^ 
 
 7/ 
 
 -A^^—As^ M, 
 
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 a'.ifud ■ 
 
 SEiM^:i 
 
 r **/.. .