differing in the manner and form yet are one in the substance and do the manner and form so much change the business when the same in substance See Act. 9. 29. chap. 17. 17. Where Paul disputed among the Grecians and that in their Synagogues and in the market daily with them that met him See vers 18. what it was he disputed about he preached to them Jesus and the Resurrection c. Paul disputed with the devout persons about their Idolatry and preached the true God and Christ Jesus unto them and thus did Christ dispute in the Temple and preach to the Doctors and that to their amazement to I query the difference in substance between spending an houres time in speaking to a Congregation or in spending so much time in asking questions and answering doubts and thus presenting the same truth though in another form I suppose this would be the most profitable way of preaching sometimes if it were used Thirdly Christ you say was called extraordinarily and sent by the Father to preach glad tidings to the meek Joh. 20. 21. Answ He that sent Christ Jesus extraordinarily sends the Lay-Prophets as you deridingly call them ordinarily and according to their measure it is work their work to preach the glad tidings of Jesus Christ 2. You say The people took him for a Teacher sent from God for it was a fashion amongst the Jews that if any one did come to their Ecclesidstical viz. Church meetings who was known to have some gift of understanding in the holy Scripture c. They would intreat him to make them partakers of it for their common edification I answer It seems by your own confession that the Jews and Jewish Doctors Scribes and Pharisees and Hypocrites for all give consent none opposes had more honesty and love to the truth and humility in them then you Parsons of the Nation who will admit of no such fashion no gift nor light shall shine forth amongst you but that which shines forth in and by you and if that be darkness how great is you darkness who will admit of no light but darkness therefore wo to you worse then Scribes and Pharisees c. 3 You say The fame of Christ went out through all Regions c. Luk. 4 14 15. And doth not the fame of many of your preaching brethren both for life and doctrine go forth c. And is it not your work Priest-like to defame and reproach them with lyes and scandals witness your Looking-Glass for Anabaptists You say Let Artificers and Lay-Prophets shew such a life such doctrine such Miracles as Christ you know no man that will envy them I answer You are mistaken you would envie them the more for it is their life and doctrine conformable to Christ which is the cause why you envie them because they are more free from covetousness then your selvs will not take Tythes or a stinted allowance more free from pride will not exalt themselves above the people and set themselves in the room of Christ more free from idleness will not be ashamed to follow their Callings and preach and dispute forth truth too more free from Antichristiansm they will not dare not make the world the Church and ignorant carnal souls Christians take the charge or cure of souls as you call it viz of Parishes so deluding them but chuse rather with Christ to go from place to place preaching the Doctrine of the Gospel for conversion of ignorant souls not for to establish them in their ignorance they preach Justification by Christ without any preceding creature qualification and holiness following as a frute of this faith Now who comes nearest in life and doctrine unto Christ your selves or the preaching brethren and yet you envie them for want of that which in your selves is very rarely to be found out of thine own mouth shalt thou be condemned c. Dost thou envie the Lay-Prophets for want of that which thou hast not thy self nay for want of that which shines forth more eminently in them then in your selves viz. life and doctrine conformable to Christ c. 4. Your Question still is Whether Christ taught publikely before he was thirty years of age and before he was baptized c. Answer You have heard that he disputed before and that for substance is one with preaching and that he did it publikely in the Temple c. 5. You say If you grant that it was the practise of the Jewish Church to admit of all c. yet this corrupt and irregular practise can be no president for us I answer You call that corrupt and irregular which the Scriptures do not nay that which the Scripture justifies both by president and precept as you have heard already not only of Christ but of Saul immediately upon his conversion Act. 9. 20. the scattered brethren Act. 8. c. But Sir It s no wonder to hear you crying out so much upon irregularity and disorder of the orderly Christians and that for their order when your selves walk at such a vaste distance from all Scripture or spiritual order The second Allegation Secondly They alledge the Example of the Apostle Mat. 10. 1 5 6. This with your third and fourth Allegation I shall pass over in silence judging them to be inventions of your own brain rather then Allegations of your preaching brethren It s true something might be said as to the second and fourth But Sir we are not driven to such necessity as to press those Arguments for confirmation of the Truth in hand I shall therefore rather proceed to maintain those which are more clear and full to the purpose And as for the third the examples of the Scribes and Pharisees your brethren in iniquity we need not them to maintain the cause but rather leave them to your selves their Scholars and Imitators in their evil ways The fifth Allegation Act. 8. 4. They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word c. Hence they gather that all that can may preach c. You seem to scorn at this strong hold as if you could pull it down with ease but soft you Sir not so easily done as said You say First it cannot be proved that all these dispersed were private men out of Office Philip was one of these dispersed ones who was an Evangelist vers 5. Hence you conclude that they were not all private men there were Apostles Prophets the seventy Disciples c. they might be some of these c. I answer First That Philip is not called an Evangelist before this time of persecution for he was one of the Deacons for the poor newly elected chap. 6. 5. and Deacons you say may not preach their Office is not to that end yet Philip preaches not as a man in Office as an Evangelist for that he was not unless his preaching did Evangelize him for he preached Christ unto them vers 5. That was the glad tidings of remission of sins by Jesus Christ
which is the intention of the word Evangelist from Evangelion a Cryer or Publisher of good news So that if he was now an Evangelist it was his preaching and publishing of the Gospel made him so And whereas you say there were Apostles Prophets c. I say and the Scripture saith that the Apostles were at Jerusalem not scattered And as for Prophets and Evangelists you read of none before this scattering time As for the seventy Disciples they were not men in office their time was limited them and their mission ended at least at the death of Christ for the twelve might not preach after that by vertue of any former mission but were to stay at Jerusalem in the last mission until they had received power from on high therefore if the Seventy were amongst them or any of the Seventy that is nothing for your purpose who indeavor to darken truth with words that so you may delude the simple Yet thirdly It s said That all the Church were scattered c. And if you will have Evangelists and Prophets which the Scripture mentions not and the Seventy or part of them which is nothing to your purpose yet were these all the Church was there not 3000 converted at one Sermon Act. 3. and many more after who walked in sweet fellowship and yet must all these needs be Apostles Prophets c. in your sence if some of them were such dare you affirm that they were all such the Scripture being so apparantly clear to the contrary every circumstance weighed Is not your own Argument a non sequitur because there were 12 Apostles and Philip was afterwards an Evangelist and there were seventy Disciples once Comissioned which mission was ended at the death of Christ the whole Church was scattered except those Apostles and none else you own therefore it might be Apostles Prophets c. The Apostles not scattered but still at Jerusalem no Prophets nor Evangelists we read of before this the Seventy non-Commissioned a goodly Argument or Answer for those who have no eys to see nor hearts to understand Secondly The Apostles you say might give them Commissions Answ And they might not give them Commissions You mention Act. 15. 22 23. because the Apostles sent two chosen men of the Church to the Gentils upon special occasion therefore they might mission all these This is one of your own Conclusions and it looks like your self there is but little Logick or Retorick in it you raise an Objection The Text not doth say so and seem to Answer it Arguments drawn from silent Authority conclude nothing And Sir Your own Argument it is that is drawn from silent Authority they might mission them the Scripture is silent your Argument concludes nothing but indeed it s like all the rest you instance amongst other Examples Melchisedech we read of no Parents that he had it doth not follow say you therefore that he had none c. A learned and deep conclusion Doth not the Scripture say he was without Father without Mother c. Heb. 7. 3. Thirdly You say Did not the Lord give them commission by immediate Revelation c. To prove this you produce the extraordinary as you call them Effects 1. The hand of the Lord was with them Act. 11. 21. And dare you say that the hand of the Lord is not with the preaching brethren c. 2. The extraordinary number of converts their great and quick harvist shews it I say In this likewise hath the Lord manifested his approving and calling of the preaching brethren the great number of Converts from Antichristian and Babylonish ignorance and confusion the the hand of the Lord hath been with them and a quick harvest there hath been through grace your selves it is that most evidently and eminently prove your selves Non-called of the Lord upon this account no hand of the Lord hath been with you no Converts drawn to Christ by you but take your Parishes and your Tythes souls perish for want of knowledge and if you make two or three in your Parish a little zealous and formal in Antichristian wayes you bless your selves make them the seal of your Apostleship immediatly Lastly you say by way of Concession giving though not granting c. you will clear all by asking two questions 1. When did these dispersed Disciples preach c. you answer in times of persecution therefore those which were scattered c. implying that if they had not been scattered they had not preached Now you think you have hit the nayl upon the head but Sir a word by the way 1. Did or could persecution make that to be lawfull which you say in it self is sinfull and unlawfull is it first sinfull and unlawfull in your deep judgement and yet lawfull in persecution This is Logick contrary to your own practise you do that in fear of persecution which you would never do in love without and leave undone that you would have done you could cease preaching of Lectures afternoon-Sermons c. in the Episcopal time for fear of persecution before it came not preach the more as you confess the preaching brethren did but I suppose it would have been sinfull for you to have preached if persecution had come 2. I answer Have not your preaching brethren preached in times of persecution too have not there been many Sauls that have breathed out threatnings against them and would not these priestly Pharisees as gladly as ever Saul to Stevens have consented unto their death nay have they not sought after it as Esau the blessing with tears But yet blessed be him who is in the bush they cannot obtain their desires Yet of late daies have not many been imprisoned the Churches scattered c. and then upon your own account is it not a time for the brethren to preach c Your second Quaere is Where did they preach You answer Not at Jerusalem a planted settled constituted Church but amongst the Heathens c. You say That may be lawful in an unplanted Church c. which is utterly unlawful in a planted constituted Church c. I answer 1. That it s undoubtedly lawfull in a constituted Church for the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 14. Ye may all prophosie one by one that is in a constituted Church and God gives gifts to men to profit withall others as well as themselves And they are undoubtedly none of the Churches of Christ who deny the free operation of the Spirit of Christ in the brethren they are such as quench the Spirit and despise prophesying 2. I answer That the publike preaching of the brethren in this Nation is not in constituted Churches of Christ neither in Ministers Members nor in Manners in Doctrine Worship or Discipline but of Antichrist and the Devil for his servants you are to whom you obey c. therefore its lawful and a fit time for them to preach for the gathering of the Saints out of Babylon and Confusion and that upon your own account
warrant the lawfulnes of the thing that the like may be done But Sir I cannot but take notice of your simplicity and contradictory spirit you contradict your own self For first You say there is neither precept nor president in the Scripture yet here you have produced a president and example your self gross mistake But it s just like all the rest of your preaching do and undo contradict upon every occasion To clear your business you quaere first Who it was that preached Apollos 2. What was he A Minister How is that proved 1 Cor. 3. 5. Who is Paul who Apollos but Ministers c I answer first its true he was a Minister by way of gift and so are all the gifted brethren nay all believers are Ministers for a Minister is the servant of the Lord and so are all the Saints As every one hath received the gift so let him minister and upon this account was Apollo a Minister and no other at that time neither can you prove that he was any other after you produce 1 Cor. 3. 5. which was a long time after this preaching and that Scripture doth not prove him a Minister in office as you pretend neither but a little to discover your jugling with the Truth as if you were blind or did think others to be as blind as your self you pretend to make much for your self in the first and second That he was a coadjutor with Paul c. But Sir do you believe that he was so when he first preached Nay Sir its evident the contrary for he was a stranger not only to Paul but to the rest of the brethren ver 27. 2. He was instructed but only in the baptism of John and needed an Aquila and Priscilla to teach him the way of the Lord more plainly And was he an ordained Minister think you and yet ignorant of the way of the Lord and the doctrine of Christ knowing but the baptism of John who ordained him think you Away therefore with your blind Sophistry you may as well reason that because you are a man now you were one an hundred years ago because Apollos was a Minister and might be so in office 1 Cor. 3. 5. therefore he was so before he was known of the brethren or knew the way of the Lord or the baptism of Christ only the baptism of John a likely conclusion c. 3. You ask What were the gifts of this Minister c. 1. An eloquent man 2. Mighty in the Scriptures 3. Instructed in the way of the Lord 4. Fervent in spirit 5. Taught diligently 6. The things of the Lord 7. Bold in the Synagogues All these I doubt not if you were not blind but you might in a measure see in your preaching Brethren c. 8. Rare humility he doth not disdain to be taught what he knew not of mean persons far differing from the pride of you parsons who scorn to hear or learn from your Brethren puft up with pride and self conceitedness of your own worth knowledge excellency c. 9. His teaching was operative fruitful c. he did not labour in vain c. So is your preaching Brethrens work they labour not in vain though to your grief and pain that makes you fret again c. Your second query is When he preached You answer 1. 'T was in a time when Churches were planting c. So are the Churches now planting and God gives gifts extraordinary comparitively with your selves for the gathering and building of the Saints 2. 'T was in a time when the corrupt custom was in practice among the Jews I Answer 1. You have often called it a corrupt custom when the Scripture calls it not so you have a very foul mouth to cry out so much corruption where the Scripture is silent and the custom was in it self commendable both in the Old and New Testament 2. By way of concession to give what is not granted Put case that it was a corrupt custom was Apollos corrupt in his practice for he was no Minister in office as is clear was he corrupt for his preaching out of Office in making use of his opportunity If you durst be so bold for shame I make no question but you would account him a corrupt Sectarian-fellow for his labour 3. You answer by way of concession that Apollos was not a man in Office it twill not help for this was but an instance of the liberty given by the Jews or taken when given And were they not both corrupt one for giving the other for taking You conclude Take in all c. and in like juncture of time others of like abilities may do the like Now is the like juncture of time gathering of Saints out of Babel from Antichristianism now is the like liberty now may gifted Brethren take that liberty c. Now given Parallel The Parallel 1. Apollos was a man of extraordinary Abilities 1. These most of them have ordinary from the Spirit of Christ 1. You selves have not ordinary from the Spirit but are enemies unto it 2. He is called a Minister and was a Preacher 2. These are Ministers and Preachers according to the measure of their gift 2. Your selves are neither Ministers nor Preachers in the Spirit but enemies to both 3. He was a helper to the Apostles 3. These are helpers on of the same work both in conversion and building 3. Your selves are Enemies to both strive to keep Souls in blindness for base and self-ends 4. He was Eloquent 4. So are the Brethren they have the tongue of the Learned and know how to speak a word in season 4. Your selves are loquent ignorant in this Mystery want this tongue are enemies unto it 5. He was mighty in the Scripture 5. So are the Preaching Brethren able to confound you in all your Philosophy c. 5. Your selves in Scripture ignorant to its ways and rules are enemies in Arts and Sciences mighty so spoiling Souls Col. 2. 8. 6. He taught the things of God 6. So do your Brethren according to the Scripture 6. You teach your own fancies the imaginations of your deceitful hearts 7. He taught frequently 7. So do your Brethren as opportunity is offered 7. You firely to confound them in their practice if you could 8. He taught boldly and openly in the Synagogues 8 So do the Brethren in the most publike places in the face of all men 8. You envy and publikely cry out against this their just and honest Practice 9. He was very humble and lowly 9. So are the Brethren not exalting themselves above the people willing to learn 9. Your selves are proud exalting your selves above the people scorning to learn 10. He had the approbation of the Church 10. So have the Preaching Brethren 10. Your selves want that for you are enemies and persecuters of the true Church 11. He convinced and converted many 11. So have and do the Brethren daily 11. You pervert seduce and lead blind-fold to perdition many
delusion 4. These could expound Prophetick Scripture 4. So can the Preaching brethren to your terror and amazement 4. You wrest them and darken them for your own ends 5. These subjected their prophesy to the judgement of the rest 5. So do the preaching brethren 5. You are puft with pride none may question what you say be it never so false 6. The Spirit of those was subject to them 6. So it is in the preaching brethren 6. But you are subject to your spirit of pride none may speak but your selves yet know not what prophesy is 7. These spake by two or three the others judged 7. So do the preaching brethren 7. But you speak all your selves but permit none to judge The ninth Objection Rom. 12. 6 7 8. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us whether prophesy let us prophesy c. Hence they gather that all that have gifts of prophesy may prophesy c. Your answer 'T is granted that they who have the gifts of prophesy may prophesy c. But who are they that have this gift they that are Prophets by Office and not those who who have abilities only c. I have answered this already That there is no Office of Prophesy but Gift only and they that have abilities may prophesy the Gift is given them for that end You say It will appear more fully in the context and scope of the Chapter having exhorted to duties of Piety in general ver 1 2. he comes ver 3. to 9. to particular duties of Ecclesiastical persons and Officers viz. that they should not be proud of their Gifts c. Sir it were well if you who so account your selves c. could learn that lesson but Sir you very much fail in your interpretation for the Apostle speaks to the whole Church throughout the whole Chap. and in these verses mentioned ver 3. he speaks to the whole Church Let no man think of himself c. He doth not say let no Ministers in office think c. but no man Let no man be proud or lifted up with his gift to think more highly then he ought of himself but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith Mark as God hath dealt to every man you say every Minister in Office the Scripture saith every man c. ver 4 5. the Apostle relates to the whole Church We being many are one body c. What Sir do you suppose that none are the body of Christ the Church but the Priests or do you not see your ignorance that its the whole body the Apostle here speaks of 2. You say He sets down a distinct and perfect enumeration of all the standing officers in the Church c. To which I answer 1. That all your wisdom and Logick have not cannot distinguish these Officers 2. He enumerates the various gifts in the whole Church though officers are not excluded yet there is no office but depends upon gift else no Office And 1. He mentions Prophets Whether prophesie let us Prophesie c. that is let those who have that Gift make use of it for the good of the Church That this is the intention of the Scripture note first that the Apostle is speaking to the whole as you have heard Verse 5. 2. The terms under which it s express'd that is 1. Prophesie according to the proportion of faith answering ver 3. according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith Hence note that its every mans liberty nay duty to prophesie according to the proportion of Faith c. 3. See Verse 7. There if anywhere you have the Office or Ministry Let us wait on our Ministring c. The first is a Gift without Office according to the proportion of Faith the other is an office to be waited on though office depends upon Gift likewise You confess That this is not the extraordinary but ordinary Prophesying And why this ordinary more then that 1 Cor. 14. 31. But Sir it is not your understanding of the Scripture that makes you give the right Interpretation of it but because it suits best with what you drive at for that I perceive is your great work to make the Scripture speak to your own purpose be it what it will You conclude Now let us see what they can gather hence because Pastors and Teachers who were Prophets c. men in Office are commanded to Prophesie and Expound the Word therefore private persons may c. this is kneading trough Logick I answer Where did you read your Logick in Scripture that Prophets were called Pastors or Pastors and Teachers called Prophets but that you can say any thing make the Scripture to say any thing for your own ends And this is Logick learnt from your father the devil Read and apply Joh. 8. 44. The tenth Objection 1 Cor. 11. 5. Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head covered c. Hence say they were women that did prophesy If gifted women did prophesy much more may gifted men thus Miriam Anna and Hilda prophesied 2 King 22. 14 c. This I suppose is a Scripture of your own invention in this place there are enough more to the purpose then this for I should be unwilling to do as your self turn the Scripture every way for your own ends yet Sir I shall a little trace you in this that so your pride and folly may appear You say Here is chalk for cheese we speak of ordinary gifted men and they flee to women that were called extraordinarily c. And how prove you that Sir Is there ever such a word in the Text 1 Cor. 11. 5. he saith pray or prophesy was it extraordinary praying too I wonder you left out that As for Phebe Rom. 16. 13. You say She was a Diaconess to minister to the sick and not to preach or have Peters Keyes jingling at her girdle I thought Sir you were very loth to lose the Keys having been Peters successors so long but I wonder how you got them from your father the Pope who sayth he keeps the chair still Aquila and Priscilla were helpers to Paul Rom. 16. 3. that is say you by their private instructions But who told you so that it was by their private instructions and why not publike as well as private So you say Not only men but women should teach their children servants neighbours the way of the Lord. Prov. 1. 8. 6. 20. Act. 18. 26. Tit. 2. 3. Confess the truth sometimes that out of your own mouth you may be condemned this is all we plead for that its the duty of the Saints according to the measure of their gift and proportion of faith to teach the way of the Lord to children neighbours any as opportunity is offered but I suppose you have a secret reservation or relation to that word private c. and why private Sir Is it lawfull in private
briefly run through it 1. Owning confirming their own principles wherein your ignorance and wo will appear in calling light darkness and darkness light 2. In discovering your folly and falshood in charging them with things they never owned wherein your envy and malice will appear The first Tenent I must speak to in its parts 1. That Infant-Baptism is childish and needless Answ It 's truth and that upon a double account 1. As relating to the subject the Childe who is to be baptized not understanding what is to be done neither the use and end of it and I suppose you cannot but grant that on the Infants part there is nothing but childishness from first to last Object The Infants of the Children of Israel were as uncapable in the understanding of the mysterie of Circumcision as Infants are now of Baptism yet they were by the command of God to be circumcised Answ To this I shall return a threefold answer 1. It s truth that one part of Circumcisions mysterie viz. the Circumcision of the heart was as far from the capacity of Infants as the mysterie of Baptism is now Yet 2. As Circumcision was a type and sign in the flesh of Christ who was to come of Abrahams seed and was to continue till Christ and Grace was come there was not such a capacity required for this was a Jewish and legal type as all the rest of their external Worships and Sacrifices were leading to or representing of the coming of Christ in the flesh but this of Baptism a lively representation and manifestation of the souls faith and knowledge of Christs being already come both in the flesh and in the Spirit without him and within him as likewise a visible demonstration to the world of the souls owning this Christ thus come for him in him by his Spirit c. this is not to be found within the capacity of Children Infants But 3. There was a command for that of Circumcision but none for that of Baptism and the command is it that gives the party a capacity of submission to the thing commanded Infants of Abrahams naturall seed were commanded to be circumcised Infants of the spirituall seed children of the faith of Abraham are commanded to be baptized Mar. 16. 16. Act. 8. 37. with Gal. 3. from the 26. to the end Secondly It s childish as relating to the Administrators and truly I think this is the most moderate term that you or I can give it for Childish relates to ignorance or want of knowledge but I am afraid that in many of you its wilfulness Childishness relates to ignorance Paul saith When he was a child he understood as a child c. And in malice be ye children but in understanding be ye men Your childish ignorance consists in not understanding the command of your Lord and the mysterie of his Covenant only to and with the spirituall seed those in whose hearts his Law is written not distinguishing between Law and Gospel Covenant of Moses and Covenant of Christ Jer. 31. 32 33. The Ordinances Subjects and Commands of the one and of the other Deut. 18. 15. Act. 3. 22. 2. Childish ignorance wilfulness and untowardness falling out with your brethren to whom God hath given more understanding in the mystery of his will reproaching scandalizing Truth it self like children rejoycing in the counter the bauble something like the Truth suffering your selves to be cheated by the Devil and deluded out of the Truth it self And it being such a childish thing hence it follows it s a needless thing no need of that which flows from ignorance no need of that which is not required its will-worship and formerly you had so much reason and Religion in you as to say that any thing done in the worship of God which had no command was will-worship but now when it concerns your selves it seems the case is altered 3. And that none must be Baptized till they come to perfect age and can wake confession of their Faith And is this such a strange thing with you who profess your self a Minister of the Gospel as that you make it such a dangerous Tenent as to scorn it and to account those who hold and practise it such dangerous Sectaries as you do was not Christ himself baptized at thirty years of age the Eunuch by Philip Act. 8. and those of John who came and confessed their sins and those converted at Peters Sermon and yet dare you to reproach this practice would you not account Christ and his Apostles Anabaptists if they were now living Object That was the first plantation of the Churches but now the Churches are planted therefore Infants are to be baptized Answ Was there one Rule for them in the infancy and another for you now If any such thing pray produce it let us see the Scripture but if no other Rule or Command to you then was to them be ashamed and tremble for ever to reproach this Principle and Practice unless you be resolved to deny Christ and to be the great Antichrist sitting in the seat of God exalting your self above all that is called God 4. That Infant-baptism came from the Pope and the Devill And I pray from whence came it else First it came not from Christ it is nowhere reckoned amongst his sayings or the Apostles Writings Therefore first it came from the Pope as your Calling did and you brought it from Rome with you therefore it was well confest by a man of your Coat once discoursing about Infants-baptism that it came from Rome its true said he it came from Rome so did we for all was involved up in the Romish Religion but we are come forth and bring out our Ordinances with us and so refine them that they are now no longer the Ordinances of Rome but of Christ were they once the Ordinances of Rome and now of Christ a strange change when the truth is that they are but Anabatized or nick named with the name of the Ordinances of Christ they are as much and as truly the Ordinances of Rome as ever this is such an evident truth as that he that runs may read it Secondly it came from the Devil I say not because it came from Rome for the Pope possibly may hold some Truth but if it came not from Christ then it came from the Devil and out of that bottomless Pit mentioned in Revelations of mans inventions The Devil and mans deceitful heart joyning and juggling together forms up something in the likeness of truth this is that mystery of Iniquity mentioned in Scripture something like truth but is not truth therefore wisdom is required for the understanding of it not your University Wisdom Arts and Sciences but that Wisdom which is from above which is pure peaceable c. The second Tenent you lay to their charge is That all gifted persons may preach without Ordination This likewise is such an evident and undoubted Truth to all men living in the Light
you must do all and monopolize all to your selves when you have no more to do with the Office of a Minister nor have no more Calling to it then Korah and his Company or the Devil himself I prove it thus First Those who usurp the Office of the Ministery to themselves and have no more Call unto it either according the letter or the Spirit then Korah and his Company are guilty of Korah's sin but the Ministery of the Nation have no more Call unto it then Korah had Ergo They are guilty of Korah's sin 1. They have no Call according to the letter by a right Ordination for that they have lost in Rome long since and now have brought forth the carkass the form only and like children bless themselves with that as if they had found some great pearl Secondly There is no Call from the Spirit they then should live in the Spirits light and not in the darkness of the Devil and do the Spirits work build up the Saints encourage them in exercising their gifts for their mutual good and building up not hinder them and reproach them for so doing bear their weakness cover their infirmities reprove with meekness and love not belye them scandal them falsly accuse them like the Devil And whereas you say 'T is dangerous for men to preach without a Call and 't is dangerous for people to bear such I say its truth but gifted brethren do not preach without a Call their gift and opportunity is their Call But you it is that preach without a Call for the gift in most of you it is a stranger and you are strangers unto it and believe it the punishment will be great the earth will cleave and swallow you up in conclusion To what you have added in your third Edition I add this Answer You say Remember Hind c. Sir Are you so impudent as to reproach Saints and Truth with particular mens sins and faults Might you not upon the same account reproach Christ himself behold one of his own Disciples betray him and Peter denying him an old trick of the Devil to reproach truth withall If I should deal thus with you as justly I might I could tell you of a zealous Preacher of your tribe one Williams of Munton in Somersetshire got his servant with Child and was outed by the Committee of that County and another of Chard in the same County very zealous and like your self preached bitterly against Sectaries yet got one of his nearest friends daughter with Child and was outed likewise by the Committee another very near the same place did the like And upon this account it may easily be made manifest that there are not a filthyer Generation of Adulterers and Devils in the Nation then your own Coat You say That for it he hath been cast out of his gathered Church A discovery of their integrity they cannot bear them that do evil that say they are Jews and are not but you entertain drunkards whore-mongers prophane all sorts in you Congregation both of Priests and people and never cast them out a demonstration that you are no Church of Christ but the Synagogue of Satan a Cage of unclean and hateful birds Argument II. If none may Preach but such as are sent then every gifted brother may not preach but none may preach but such as are sent Ergo. Every gifted brother may not preach Your Argument in the Minor I grant but the Major I deny that although its true none can preach according to the intention of that Scripture Rom. 10. 15 viz. for the working of faith and converting of souls yet it doth not follow that every gifted brother may not preach for every gifted brother is sent to preach according to the measure of the gift received And your grand mistake in this Argument is in the word sent whereas that word sent relates to the internal power of the Spirit in the Saints by which they are enabled to speak a word in season to the very soul you understand it to be an outward mission or sending a poor and low interpretation The mission you say implyes three things Election by the Churches Probation and Examination by the Presbytery separation by Ordination of the Presbytery First Election by the Church But by what Church not your Parochial Provincial or National Church The New Testament never knew such a Church nor Christ in the New Testament never did never will own such a Church a company of ignorant prophane carnal creatures both Priest and people yet have gotten the name of a Church and Ministery blessing themselves in that name and yet are ignorant what it is for a Church of Christ to whom Election belongs are a company of Believers Saints gathered out of the world by the power of the Lord in the Ministry of the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 2. Act. 2. 47. chap. 4. 32. But you are Enemies to this Church rail reproach persecute they are the object of your scorn and malice I grant that where such a Church is Election belongs to them yet I say a man may be sent to preach though not elected by the Church Act. 8. 1. 4. The whole Church being scattered preached and I suppose none dare say that all of them were Elected and Ordained for I said before there is a preaching by way of gift and office and preaching by gift only and it s the Churches joy to see her Members gifted and exercised in this way But as for your selves as your Church is no true Church nor your Ministry no true Ministry so you fail likewise in your Election by that Church for you are in your way first ordained and then you are sent to your Churches Parishes whether they will or no and you take them by violence if you have a minde to their Tythes you will be their Minister though never elected by them and afterward if you have a Call to another place for your advantage you will leave them again and imbrace the second and the third too it may be yet you dare be so bold as to tell of your electing by the Church where as first it is no Church but a Parish consisting for the most part of ignorant carnal souls and secondly you press your selves upon them whether they will or no for the most part where then is your Election by the Church of Christ thus you fail in the first part of your mission non-Election by a Church of Christ and then I pray who sent you Your second is Probation and Examination by the Presbytery the Scripture you produce is 1 Cor. 14 32. For the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets c. A learned interpretation of this Scripture the spirits of those who are to be ordained to preach must be subject to the examination and probation of the Presbytery when there is not the least hint or intention of such a thing in the words for the Apostle saith Ye may all prophesie one
by one what all the Presbyters Nay all the Prophets but who are they All the gifted brethren See ver 34. none are prohibited but women Let your women keep silence for they are not permitted to speak but men are permitted Obj. The Lord intends Prophets only and it s said in another place 1 Cor. 12 29. Are all Apostles Are all Prophets c The interrogation implies a negation all are not Prophets Answ 1. All are not Prophets Secondly All that have the gift of Prophesie are Prophets and may speak and ought to speak for the edifying of the Church as in its place I shall let you see more at large Now if all that have the gift of Prophecy that is to speak to the edifying of the Church may Prophecy ver 3. then this may occasion confusion some may say and you say so too Nay saith the Apostle the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets For God is not the author of confusion but of peace c. That is when one Prophet or gifted Brother hath spoken and another hath any thing revealed let the first hold his peace but how can he hold his peace the spirit of Prophecy is strong and violent and men cannot contain themselves its like fire within them Numb 11. 25. 1 Sam. 19 20. to the end But saith the Apostle there is no such thing in this prophesying For the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets that is they are able to contain themselves and be silent while another speaks c. else it would occasion confusion But God is not the author of confusion but of peace So that the sum of all is That he that is a Gospel-Prophet can contain himself and be content to hear another speak as well as himself c. By all which it appears that a man may be sent and may Preach or Prophesie without such an approbation or examination as you speak of else those Acts 8. acted unlawfully in preaching without any such Probation But to return to your selves you come short of any such probation by the Presbytery its true there was a Presbytery in the primitive times but what is that to you who know no true Church nor Ministry but are enemies unto it you have only Popish forms amongst you without the power the name of Church Ordinances Ministers but are indeed and in truth enemies to Church Ordinances Ministers reproach them persecute them and are for the most part a pack of cheaters and deluders of the people for your own advantages I own probation by such a Presbytery the Scripture speaks of before admission to office although still I say men may Preach as gifted Brethren without any relation to office but as for your Presbytery it was conceived in Hell brought forth in Rome and yet lives and pants for breath in England but its end is to be burned See Esai 65. from 11. to 16. Your Third in your mission is Separation by ordination of the Presbytery which thing I own as relating to persons in Office by a lawful Presbytery yet still I have two exceptions 1. Not that Ordination to office ever did or shall where its right prevent the gifts of the Brethren No Sir it was not the end for which it was appointed 2. You have no such Presbytery therefore no such ordination you have yours by succession from the Pope only you have of late altered the name from Bishop Priest and Jesuite to Presbyter but the nature is not changed as deeply ingaged and inraged against the truth as any Jesuite in Rome and I assure you I should as freely accept of the Prayers and the hands of a pack of Jesuits as of yours as relating to this of Ordination But to return to the word Sent where it seems the force of your Argument lieth wherein you are so much mistaken you judge it to be the outward mission consisting of Election Probation Ordination whereas indeed and truth it hath the least relation to it if any at all my grounds are these 1. From the nature of the word and work the word Sent in those high things of God relates to God and his sending immediate So Christ was the Sent of the Father to do the Fathers work thus was Paul an Apostle one sent not of men neither by man but by Jesus Christ Gal. 1. 1. and he was sent not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 17. so the word and work joyned together it being a heavenly work preaching of the Gospel it s a heavenly sending that is here intended 2. The manner of expression the interrogation which as you say and it s granted implies a strong negation how can he preach except he be sent He cannot preach c. that is he cannot preach in the Spirit and power of the Lord to the conversion and building up of souls except sent by Jesus Christ in the power of the spirit and if so sent he can preach and doth preach though all the world say him nay and you being so much mistaken in the truth no wonder you have such a company of Divines as you are pleased to call them all the Ministry of the Nation are sent by your account for you have all one manner of call and sending according to the outward form if one be sent then all are sent and think you did the Lord ever send forth such a company to preach his Gospel of idle drunken whoring proud covetous envious ignorant profane persons as the most part of them are nay and some too such dunces sots that all their wit cannot make a Sermon in your way of Sermon making yet these have the same sending with you And this I must tell you that if God inlighten any of your profession in the Truth they renounce this kind of sending trample it under feet return it from whence it came But to return men can preach by your mission but they cannot preach unless sent of God to convert Souls in the power of the internal sending But to proceed to the third Argument If this be such an outward mission or sending as you imagine then it makes all other preaching unlawful for its such a sending as that there is no preaching without it how can he preach then What the Apostle writ to the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 14. You may all prophesie one by one was unlawful and the preaching of scattered brethren Acts 8. was unlawful the preaching of Paul Acts 9. 20. immediately after his conversion before he was separated to the work of Ministry Chap. 13. 2. was unlawful and he had cause to repent it if what you affirm were truth but he rejoices in it Gal. 1. 15 16 17. No sooner was Christ revealed in him but he preaches him he went not up to Jerusalem to them that were Apostles before him c. But to the great objection that lieth in the way against you That gifting is sending and all gifted persons are sent
or building that they might inform others in the same truth they themselves are informed or comfort others with the same comfort they themselves are comforted But you who boast so much of your sending you come indeed and are not sent for first you come not in at the door but in at the window the door is Christ and his Spirit and there is no other door that admits to preaching see 1 Cor. 12. there are many Gifts and Works and operations but still the same spirit who worketh all in all But you have found out another way your Popish Ordination and none must preach but such just as the Pope and the Prelates so your selves walk in the same steps you are the Theives and Robbers that climb in at the window or some other way a hole you have made for your selves to creep in at and secondly the end of your coming in is to steal rob and to carry away to enrich your selves with the worldly gain the fat Tythes of the peoples labors and encrease but those who come in by the door Christ they dare not do it nay they dare not but like honest and true men disery and discover the thief and the robber that so he may be known and avoided And as for Wolves who are they but such a devour the sheep I send you forth saith Christ as Lambs among Wolves it s the property of Wolves to devour the Lambs how have the Popish Wolves devoured let Queen Maries daies witness Episcopall Wolves let the Prelates daies witness Presbyterian Wolves let latter times if they could have prevailed they would have suckt the blood of almost all the Lambs of Jesus Christ in this Nation ere this Possibly you may account us Wolves because in word and writing we discover your baseness and unrighteous waies be not mistaken Sir Light cannot but discover Darkness but there is no spirit or principle of persecution in us we desire not the Magistrate to meddle with you or to hinder you from preaching if you turn not Traytors to the State the Wolves it is that bite and devour that make the Lambs their prey but the Lambs are meek patient suffering not biting and devouring c. But stay awhile go not off triumphing If what you say be truth That the gifted brother was silent at this Argument yet believe it it was not the light that shined in it that overcame him but your cunning sophistry in reasoning but believe it your own Argument will burn up all your sending in conclusion and then you shall consess that gifted brethren may preach the Gospel You say Goliah fled but you are mistaken I suppose rather it was little David and at present great Goliah gets the victory Goliah with his Armor of proof University stuff c. but Goliah must be routed in the end Now to your third Argument If all that have gifts may preach then all that have gifts may baptize but all that have gifts say you may preach ergo all that have gifts may baptize In my answer to this Argument I shall pass by what the gifted brethren answered as you make mention with so much reproach and scorn as if you had sate a long time in Scorners chair for mine own particular I grant the truth of your Argument That gifted brethren may preach and may baptize and give the Supper too and that I have to do is to make good this principle which I doubt not but I shall with much light and evidence of Truth and then this Argument is routed and blown away with the wind of truth as the morning dew before the Sun My Arguments are these First John the first preacher of Repentance and baptizer in the water to the washing away of sin by the blood of Christ yet had no speciall mission nor did any miracle John 10. 41. but by divine inspiration according to the measure he had received so he preached and so he baptized its true he was prophesied of before and sent in a speciall manner to prepare the way of the Lord c. yet he did his work in an ordinary way as a gifted brother if you will have it so not extraordinarily gifted and sent See John 1. 31. he preached Christ and baptized into his name and knew him not like many an honest soul that are speaking of Christ and preach of him too when they have but shattered and shallow apprehensions of him there being such a worth in him that a soul that hath had but a sight of him and an interest in him cannot but declare him as the woman of Samaria John 4. The second ground is from John 4. 1 2. The Disciples of Christ then were the ordinary Christians the alone Church of the Gospel Christ the Head Pastor and Shepherd yet it is said that Christ baptized not but his Disciples compare this Scripture with Act. 10. to the latter end Peter commanded them to be baptized not that he did it himself but commanded them and it s very probable that there were some gifted preaching brethren with him who did the work and the like assistance might he expect when the 3000 were converted and added to the Church Acts 2. and Acts 8. The scattered brethren went preaching the Gospel and Chap. 11. The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned to the Lord and the same who converted them baptized them if they were at all baptized for they gathered them into Church-fellowship But the Apostles hearing of it sent Barnabas to confirm and strengthen them which he did ver 23. not baptize them Thus it appears that preaching Disciples may baptize not that they must Paul was sent not to baptize but to preach yet seeing he was sent to do the greater he might do the lesser and did it too Object This is that will breed confusion in the Church no need of Officers if any gifted brother may administer Ordinances Answ Which shall be my third Argument too That Officers Pastors and Teachers are not for the being of the Church and Ordinances they are both before them and without them but they are rather for the wel-being of the Church there is nothing to be done in the Church no Ordinance to be administred but a gifted brother may do it with the approbation of the Church but because of conveniency and order therefore some men are chosen forth to act in behalf of the whole for the good of the whole not that such men thus chosen should usurp such power and authority to themselves as to set up themselves above all and stifle the grace and workings of the Spirit in others its time then to dethrone them again and the work of a Pastor or Teacher doth not consist all in preaching and baptizing as Priests now adaies think but in knowing the state of the flock in watching in reproving in admonishing in rebuking with authority in the Spirit and power of the Lord There is no one thing
lye 1. Idleness in that you could spare so much time and leisure to read such a lye Saints work is to redeem the time 2. Ignorance in relating as well as reading not knowing that the relating of lyes and falshoods is no work for Saints but dishonourable to Truth 3. Vanity vain minds to delight in reading and relating such abominations 4. Malice in making use of a lying Story to dishonour Saints and Truth But if it be a son of your own begetting as me thinks it looks exceeding like your self remember that all lyars must have their portion in the Lake that burneth in the fire that is not to be quenched and this lye do you apply in scorn to the Baptists But give me leave to tell you that its your selves that are indeed the great swallowers you tell of an Ox but you can swallow the tenth of the whole Nation if you had it not only Corn and Hay but the Lambs Calves Pigs and Geese Eggs and leggs if not tails and all and yet not content was there ever such swallowers in the world beside think you be judge your self in time 1. Absurdity This is that will confound all Callings and Societies c. then every Souldier that hath a Commanders gift may be a Commander and a General without a Call c. then farwell all Answ You make use of Comparisons not consistent with the thing in hand those varieties of stations amongst men must have variety of distinct Callings to it but this of Preaching and Prophesying is that which all the brethren that have gifts are called to as I have often proved that in the Church all may Prophesy that have the gift and yet no confusion but peace and order and indeed it s nothing else but your ignorance and your pride in being afraid of such an equality with your Brethren as the Scripture presents you with 2. Then every gifted boy and woman should preach c. To this I have answered you already 3. Then all may preach and deliver the Supper c. To this I have likewise answered already 4. This would open a flood gate to all Errors Heresies c. I wonder what people in the world more full of Errors Heresies and Blasphemies then the Pope and your selves who have confined all preaching to your selves no way like this to nourish ignorance and nuzzle up people in blindness and abominable Worships 5. Then all vain glorious Hypocrites c. would turn Preachers c. the emptiest barrels make the loudest sound c. And is it otherwise now amongst your selves Who hold their heads highest who makes the greatest sound who thinks they have Gifts beyond all others Is is not your selves and would you not exclude all beside your selves had you so much power empty barrels making great sounds but being try'd there is nothing but vanity and pride And whereas you say All vain glorious Hypocrites would turn Preachers I would have you to know that the Saints have a Spirit of discerning and if they finde such persons they exclude them therefore this is no way to set up vain-glorious Hypocrites it is that Spirit of discerning God hath given to them that makes them discover so much Hypocrisie amongst you 6. Then the Church of Christ which is his Body would be monstrous all eye all ear all head c. contrary to that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 12 14 15 28 29. Answ No truth in your conclusion For 1. I say not that all have Gifts but all that have Gifts may Preach there are some in the Body that have not those Gifts or do not exercise them 2. I say that to those who do exercise them the Gift is different Diversities of Gifts yet the same Spirit and diversities of operations yet the same Lord c. As there are diversities of Members yet the same Body And so 3. Diversities of Callings some Apostles that is sent for the gathering of Churches some Prophets gifted brethren in the Church exercising for the edifying of the Body of Christ Pastors and Teachers for to feed and watch yet not to hinder but rather to further and incourage the Prophets Deacons to see to the necessities of the poor c. Thus you see or may see that this order is so far from making a Monster that it sets every member to do his office in his place every one to exercise his Gift in the Body according to the measure he hath received But you it is who make a monster in all its parts a filthy corrupt leprous body without or at best with rotten false painted artificial members leggs arms c. without a head Jesus Christ never was never will be Head to such a Body and your are the men the Ministers that form up and present him with such a body and then cry it up boasting of this Body dance about this ill-favoured Calf and cry out against the true Churches to be monstrous Bodies when your selves are the Monsters all the while 7. If this be tolerated it will make both Ministry and Ministers contemptible c. Answ I thought where I should take you at last Oh you love Honour as well as your Profit to have the cap and knee and to be called of men Rabbi then it goes gallant and pleaseth the heart of a proud Pharisee but you are mistaken this is not the way to make Ministers vile but the alone way for them to be esteemed of as the Ministers of Christ when they walk according to the Truth and endeavour not the dethroning of any to exalt themselves and this is that hath made you dishonourable in the eyes of Christians your pride and vileness in this particular You say The toleration of such irregularities is not so small an error as some imagine c. Alas Sir do you want the power of the Civil Magistrate to exalt you into the throne it seems it matters not what becomes of Souls let them be ignorant let them sink let them perish so your Honour may be upheld you care not c. You 'l make it a matter of consideration and concernment to the Civil Magistrate to oppose the way and Truth of Christ for your own self ends and interests The sixth Argument Every Preacher must be able in some good measure above ordinary Christians not only to divide the Word aright 2 Tim. 2. 15. Soundly to interpret and give the true sence and meaning applying the same to edification but he must be able also to convince gain-sayers Tit. 1 9. But every Gifted Trades-man Nailer Taylor c. is not able to divide the Word aright nor to convince a learned adversary and gainsayer Ergo. The Major you say is clear of it self the Minor you pretend to prove which I deny your proof is this Those who want learning both Humane and Divine cannot be sound Interpreters nor solid Disputants but most of our Gifted artificers want learning both Humane and Divine Ergo. Sir I question what you
is that its your selves who are the intruders pretending your selves Ministers of the Gospel when you know not what it is but are in deed and truth the Peoples Lords and Masters You say the power of the keys is given to you and the power of remitting and retaining sins and not to the body of the Church I answer The power of the keys is given neither to Church nor Minister to retain and remit that is proper only to God to Christ who have the keys of Hell and Death and open and no man shuts and shut and no man opens You would fain dethrone the Pope and take the power of pardoning out of his hand if you could But it is the power of the Gospel that remits sins where it comes in power it brings pardon and peace where the Gospel comes in power and is believed and received it remits sins but where it is not received there sin is retained So that it s not the word or authority of a Priest but the power and grace of Christ that remits sins The twelfth Argument If the work of the Ministry be an exceeding weighty and laborious work then every private man though he have some gifts is not fit for it but the work of the Ministry is an exceeding weighty and laborious work c. Hence the Apostle puts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on it 2 Cor. 2. 16. Who is sufficient c. and every man is not fit to be a Carver to a King I answer You are still harping upon one string you love reiterations and tautologies many of your Arguments being one and the same in substance you only alter the terms that so you may make up the number I have often answered that though every gifted brother is not fit to be a Minister in office yet every gifted brother is fit to communicate according to the gift he hath received and notwithstanding it is both a laborious and weighty Calling yet neither of them in those who are Ministers indeed shall prevent but rather encourage that which you so much oppose So in Paul and in Peter who excelling in the work of the Ministry excelled likewise in this the encouraging of the Saints in the performance of their duty in this particular 1 Cor. 14. 1 Pet. 4. And were you what you profess your self to be you durst not to have done what you have in opposing this truth of Christ The thirteenth Argument That way which was first invented by Socinians Anabaptists Arminians the enemies of Gods grace to destroy the truth may not be practised by Christians c. but this toleration of all gifted brethren to preach was first invented by Socinians Anabaptists Arminians to destory the truth c. Answ Dare you be so impudent and bold as to belye the Saints with so much venome as 1. To give them such reproachfull terms for their owning and professing truth 2. To call them enemies to Gods grace when they hold it forth in its purity 3. That they were the first Inventers of this practise and that to destroy the truth when it was the Lord Jesus in and by his servants the Apostles did command it therefore in your next lay your blame where it is Call Christ and his Apostles Socinians Anabaptists c. because they both practised and commanded that for which you would hang if you could your Brethren that practice the like Believe it Sir you had need be disburden'd of this Book and your pretended Ministry too before you meet the Lord Jesus when he comes to Judg the Earth He will say then As for mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them bring them hither and slay them before me Luke 19. For Sir I would have you know that in substance you call Christ and his Apostles Socinians Anabaptists Arminians c. and enemies to Truth for they were the first Inventers of this practice you so much oppose Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 14. 1 Pet. 4. The fourteenth Argument They which have no promise from God of Divine assistance cannot comfortably or succesfully undertake a work but private persons turning Preachers without a Call have no promise of Divine assistance Ergo They cannot comfortably and succesfully undertake the work The Major granted the Minor grounded on Mat. 28. 20. Lo I am with you to the end c. The Promise is made to the Apostles and their Successors And who are they your selves think you Say you not there are no Apostles now how are you their Successors then or do you their work which was to Disciple first then Baptize Nay how then why Baptize or sprinkle first and hate reproach persecute the true Disciples everafter yet are you the Apostles successors or rather are you not of the Bastard brood of Rome whose name is changed but not the nature But to your Minor 1. Where are the Saints called private persons in Scripture or Lay-men This is but a trick of your own to make your selves the more publick but if the Saints viz. Gifted brethren are commanded to and commended for exercising according to their gift then they have a promise and may expect a blessing and success in that work but they have a command 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. and commendation 1 Cor. 14. 6. for exercising in that gift Ergo they may with comfort expect success and a blessing in it The promise Mat. 28. 20. is for them I will be with you c. so long as you are doing what I command you and what I commend unto you And I will never fail you nor forsake you Heb. 13. 5. while you do that I command you and commend unto you c. The fifteenth Argument That way which breeds Disorder Errour and Confusion is not the way of God but toleration of private persons out of Office to Expound and Interpret Scripture in publike is away that breeds Errour and Confusion Ergo 'T is not of God Answ 1. The Major you say is clear therefore to your Minor The toleration of such uncalled Preachers breeds Errour It s granted but this doth not hinder the preaching of Gifted Brethren who are called to exercise their Gifts but indeed it s the uncall'd Preachers viz. your selves that have bred the Errour and Confusion in this Nation 't is proved by woful experience You it is that have stirred up the Nation to the zeal of Persecution and you it is in all Ages that have been the cause of War and Blood and you it is that at present if mercy prevent not endeavour to kindle a fire in it that will devour it and you it is that bring in such ignorance darkness and errours as that there is not any one truth that can appear in its purity but you cry out against it giving it some contemptible Nick name or other that so it may not take with the people but you will have but little thank of Christ one day for it And 2. If some do Preach and practice things tending to
loosness and prophaness lay not the blame upon the practice of the Truth but let it light where it is So that it s not the preaching of Gifted Brethren that brings in Errour but the preaching of uncalled and ungifted ones such as your selves are that brings in Errour and it s the preaching of Gifted ones that will be a means of its discovery and bringing out The sixteenth Argument If the Church be Gods House and Family then no man may presume to exercise any Function there without a Call from God but the Church is Gods House and that God should appoint Officers and Order in his own House is but reason Granted but this is the order of Gods House That all his Children should communicate each to other according to the Gift as I have already proved and it s the order of the Devils house to destroy this order of the Lords Jer. 11. 21. The seventeeneth Argument from the Rise of it That which springs from pride and self conceitedness cannot be good but this kind of Preaching springs from pride and self conceitedness Ergo It cannot be good The Major is granted that the Minor is true You say you judge by their actions you judge of springs by their streams and trees by their fruit But are you so ignorant bold and impudent as to judge of Saints for doing their Duty its their duty to Preach and Prophesie and in Humility and Obedience they act in it not taking the Office but exercising the Gift as they have received having freely received they freely give But it s your own preaching that flows from pride and self conceitedness you that would preach and none else we hinder none from preaching that hath the Gift your selves it is who usurp the Office by reason of your imaginary gifts being never called to it by God or man according to the Truth You it is who thrust your selves in by violence whether the people will or no the dry keck and bramble it is indeed who desire to rule that is the reason so many of the honest Party have left you because of your driness and emptiness and that is the reason you are so much troubled for want of the ruling scratching persecuting power but your preaching Brethren desire not to rule unless over their corruptions nor to scratch unless they could by the power of Truth scratch away your Ignorance Envy and Pride against the Lord and his Truth c. it s the irregular using of Gifts which is when men would by that means stifle all except their own this flows from Pride The eighteenth Argument If Christ at his Ascension gave only some to be Pastors and Teachers then all Gifted men may not Teach but Christ at his Ascension gave only some to be Pastors and Teachers Ephes 4. 11. 1 Cor. 12. 28 29. Ans If a gifted Brother should have brought forth such a gross and palpable untruth you would have thought it had been for want of learning the very Scriptures you produce to prove it being so evident against youâ— your falshood lieth in the words only Pastors and Teachers see the Scriptures God hath set some in his Church 1. Apostles 2. Prophets 3. Teachers c. how dare you be so bold as to say only Pastors c 1. Apostles That is men sent for the gathering of the Saints 2. Prophets That is Gifted brethren Prophesying according to the measure of Faith And 3. Out of these Prophets are taken Pastors and Teachers no Prophet no Pastor nor Teacher c. Thus briefly the falacy of your Argument is made manifest the gift is for all I will pour out my spirit upon all c. The nineteenth Argument That which hath neither precept nor president is neither commanded nor commended in the Word of God may not be tolerated in the Church of God But this kinde of Preaching by Gifted Brethren hath neither precept nor president in all the Word of God Ergo it may not be tolerated in the Church of God You conclude This new found Officer a gifted Preacher out of office is not to be found in the Bible I have already proved this truth that it is commanded and commended there is both Precept and President 1. Precept They shall declare the glorious majesty of thy Kingdom to the sons of men Psal 145. 11 12. As every one hath received so let them administer Commended 1 Cor. 14. 5 6. 2. President All the Prophets in the Old Testament acted sutable to the gift it was no Office viz. Prophesie but a gift 1. In the New Testament the scattered brethren Act 8. and Paul Acts 9. 20. straight way he Preached he never looked for an office as you dream and the truth is I can scarce imagine that you are so ignorant of this truth as you seem to be but that others might rest themselves quiet and satisfied in what you say Let your ignorance in presenting such gross untrue conclusions that this Preacher is not to be found in the Bible be recanted and repented of for shame The twentieth Argument From the practice of all Reformed Churches That which is condemned in all the Churches of God and is contrary to their practice ought not to be tolerated in our Church but this practice of private mens Preaching without a Call is condemned by all the Churches of God and is contrary to their practice Ergo. As for the Major and the Minor your Churches and your old Divines are no rule for me to walk by nor to any others who have their eyes in their heads no further then they follow Christ the Spirit and the Scripture The Spirit in the Scripture is the rule of Saints and this I am sure the custom of the Churches in the Scripture is contrary to your customs their custom was That Preaching brethren should both Preach and Prophesie 1 Cor. 14. 31. And for those who will be contentious against this truth there was nor is no such custom in the Churches of the Lord therefore keep the example of your Churches and Divines to your self who walk not according to the rule if any man walk not according to this rule it is because there is no light in him Isai 8. 20. Thus have I briefly run through your Pulpit-Guard and doubt not but that I have Routed you in all your Twenty Strong Holds that now the way being opened again the Gifted brethren may come in to your Pulpit without sin or shame As for your Indictment against the Lay-Prophet as you call him it is so ridiculous so poor and low not being accompanyed with common reason the Jury you pretend to call are your Witnesses the evidence you call it You have lost your self in the very form no wonder if you are lost in the matter you forsake the Scripture and flie to Apostatized Churches or rather to those who call themselves Churches Jews and are not but we have examined them and found them lyars you calling old Divines men of
the same Principle with your Church I wonder you left out your Mother Church of Rome she could have spoken as much in the case as both you and they all have done You produce Ordinances Scots Covenant c. and why not the Spanish Inquisition too Seeing you are upon this account you might have raked to the bottom and have brought in all the forces of the King of Darkness to this great day of Tryal But Sir your Judge Jurates Evidence and all are too low and weak to amaze or amuse your preaching Brethren It seems you have considered and wisely brought in the Councel of Trent for one in your third Edition and that though last in name yet I suppose first in being and father to all the rest of your Jurates witnesses And here before I pass because you begin to Judge I shall let you see not mine but the Scriptures judgment upon the false Prophets of the Nations who prophesie lyes in the name of the Lord smiting others in the face saying Which way went the Spirit of God from me to thee The Judge is Christ himself who is not only both Lord Judge and King of Saints Isai 33. 22. but of the world too Isa 99. 1. The false Prophets of the Nation that set themselves against the Lord and his Anointed is the Prisoner to be tryed The Witnesses are 1. The Scriptures the Old and New Testament 2. Reformed Churches who walk suitable unto the Scripture 3. Deluded Souls 4. Publike peace and weal of Nations Judge Cryer Call the Prisoner to the Bar. Cryer False Prophet come forth hold up thy hand heart thy Indictment Thou art here Indicted by the name of False Prophet or Ministry that hast a long time stood up and prophesied lyes unto the Nations in my name under what title or term soever thou hast been distinguished whether Cardinal Prelate Jesuit Presbyter or Priest thy name is False Prophet in deed and truth thou art here accused for high Crimes against the Lord and his People against the peace of Nations c. Judge Art thou guilty or not Answ Not guilty Judg. Call the Evidence 1. Scriptures come in what say you against the Prisoner at the Bar He is here Indicted by the name of False Prophet and thou art called to speak thy knowledge of him Dost know him by that name Scripture Yea my Lord I know him by that name long since Rev. 16. 13. 19. 20. who hath deceived them who dwell on earth and my Lord I have many things to say against this Prophet although he hath sate a long time as queen thinking that he shall see no sorrow and hath made use of me to confirm him in his wayes and to establish the men of the Earth so much the more firm in these delusions therefore I can speak the more experimentally of him First although it s written in me that thy people are a selected severed people from the World to worship thee in Spirit and Truth and that the wicked have nothing to do to take thy name in their mouth while they hate to be reformed yet this false and lying Prophet hath deluded souls all along many hundred of years forming them up with the out-side of a profession without the truth and power made them Christians though deluded ones before they knew thee or ever heard of thee I ruth and plain-dealing in this kinde he hath ever been inveterate against And I have done my part my Lord to inform him of his error but he would not believe me but give me the lye wrest my words at his pleasure for his own ends he hath likewise been an enemy to the peace of thy people of thy family because they could not joyn with him in his Babylonish Worships and say Amen to his deceits He hath alwayes ill requited thy Servants and hath abused my Sayings for that end and notwithstanding I have informed him that its only by thy Spirit men come to the knowledge of the mystery of thy will yet he hath always opposed this truth looking after it in the bottomless Pit of his own inventions In a word my Lord he hath been a Traytor to thy Crown and Dignity pretending a desire that thou shouldest Reign but that which he looked after was to reign himself abusing me and my Sayings Isa 9. 6 7. to exalt himself So sitting in thy seat exalting himself above thee over the conscience of thy people And so in deed and truth what ever his pretence is He is the false Prophet the Antichrist that was to come into the world This shall suffice at present my Lord though I could say much more if time would permit but I shall give way to the other Witnesses Judge Call in another Witness Christian Churches and Saints come in give your Evidence against the Prisoner at the Bar who is arraigned by the name of False Prophet Churches My Lord We have much to say against him for we know him by woful experience It s true my Lord he hath past under the name of thy Ministry in Office but he hath been far from the nature of thy Ministry which is meek peaceable and loving longing to convert souls unto thee and whatever his pretence hath been or is he hath been is a deadly Enemy to us thy Disciples and Followers and hath been swoln with the enmity against the Seed of the Woman no sooner could we receive any of thy truth but he fell a quarrelling with us and inventing reproachful nick names for us that so he might make us appear odious before the world his deluded Church if we come to see into the freeness and fulness of thy grace in justifying sinners and saving of souls without any relation to any thing done by us he immediately endeavors to reproach us with the odious name of Libertine if we come to see into the Law of the Gospel which is a Law of love and that Christ is the Judge King and Law-giver to the Saints that we have all the Law in him from him for righteousness and for Rule he then called us Antimonians if we separated from the world in their Babylonish wayes and worships according to thy-will and command he then branded us for Separatists if we practised Baptism according to thy written Word he then called us Anabaptists if we held forth that the power of thy law of love shed abroad in the hearts of thy people and written in thy Scripture was sufficient to keep them from sin and to carry them on in a way of holy walking with thee and that thou acceptest of no obedience but that which flows from this principle of love then he called us the Family of Love as if that had been reproach enough to be of that Family And divers other false Titles and Terms hath he reproached us withall He hath been a man of as beastly language against thy Truth and Saints as ever breathed on the Earth Besides we could no sooner come
not but who are blind as my Messenger Thou False Prophet that pretendest thy self to be my Messenger and Minister yet most blind of all Who blind as thee pretending to open the eye and seest not thy self opening the ear but hearest not thy self vers 19. 20. Therefore first that thou mayst yet know there is mercy with me for the worst of sinners that I may be feared I advertise thee to kiss the Son least he angry if his wrath be kindled but a little Oh blessed are they then that trust in him Psal 2. Be not obstinate against my truth and servants any longer resolve not to break my bonds and cords of love and grace any longer If thou hear and obey there is yet the kiss of love for thee but if thou be still rebellious and persist in thine obstinacy my Sentence is that thou with that Beast before whom thou hast wrought miracles and deceived them that dwell on the Earth shall be taken both alive and cast into the Lake of fire burning with brimstone Rev. 19. 20. Now you say You proceed to Answer all the Cavils Scruples and Arguments which are brought in defence of Lay Preachers in which I shall trace you and finde you too light The first Objection Gen. 18. 19. The Lord commends Abraham for teaching his Family Ergo private persons may be preachers You say This was a long Cutlers Argument and that its like their Logick c. But believe it it s an Argument that hath more weight and perpetuity in it then your long Gownes although this is not an Argument much made use on for this purpose therefore I shall say the less to it in this place only give a hint or two that the weakness of your conclusions may appear 1. You say That was his Family and its one thing for a man to instruct and teach his Family and another thing to preach But stay a little Sir is it lawfull for a man to teach his Family and is it unlawfull for him to teach others May he not teach the same to others as he teacheth his Family Is it unlawfull for him to teach the way of God to others Was there ever the like heard of in this world It s lawfull for a preaching brother to preach and teach the way of God to his Family but not to others for preaching is but a speech or speaking of words and this I must do to my Family or nothing at all and this I may do it seems but not to others the reason rendred is because God commanded it but it seems if God had not commanded it then it had been unlawfull for a man to teach his Family too as if the law of Grace did not teach to do good to all Soul as well as Body others as well as Family but its evident there is a time when every man shall teach not only his Family but his brother and his neighbour too saying Know the Lord that is teach the knowledge of the Lord Jer. 31. 34 which was or is a condition preceding a glory that was to be revealed Now Sir if you and your Churches do all know the Lord from the least to the greatest and have no need of teaching let us know it when you come forth next in publike but if not be ashamed and silent for ever thus to mince and wrest Scripture to your own ends For till then they shall teach every man his brother in the constituted Churches for believers are all brethren and every man his neighbour so much is clearly implyed in the Scripture And thou shalt not suffer thy brother to sin but shalt reprove him and tell him his fault c. And comfort one another with the same comforts with which you your selves have been comforted 2 Cor. 1. 5. 2. You say If it be granted that Abraham did preach publikely yet it will not be any advantage because he was a Patriarch and a Prophet Gen. 2. 7. which Title is never given to any one in all the Scripture but only to one in office You are mistaken much in this likewise For first I say Prophesie is not an office but a gift so it was in the old so in the new Testament They prophesied according to the measure of the gift received and no further and I say that the Name or Title of office or officer is not given to a Prophet in all the Scripture because it is a gift and not an office Hence I conclude contrary to yours that as prophesie is a gift and Abraham and the rest of the Prophets did prophesie according to the measure of the gift received both in the old and new Testament So may every Nayler Taylor Artificer having received the same Spirit according to their measure prophesie and preach forth the truths of God for the good of others If it be objected That prophesying was an extraordinary gift and that spirit given but to few I answer In the time of the Law it was so but in the Gospel dayes it is not so prophesying in the Gospel it is to speak to edification exhortation and comfort 1 Cor. 14. 3. which is proper to all the brethren as in the same Chapter none exempted but women ver 34. and they may prophesie too though not in the Church or at least by permission of the Church 1 Cor. 11. 5. all men that have the gift may teach in the Church 1 Tim. 2. 12. its implyed by the womans prohibition the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesie and this is given to the brethren Rev. 19. 10. and he that can speak experimentally of the work of Christ for him in him and testifie his worth and work to others is a Prophet and may nay ought to declare this Jesus to others every spirituall man is a Prophet but the Saints are all spiritual therefore all Prophets 1 Cor. 14. 37. If any be ignorant of this let him be ignorant Wherefore my brethren covet to prophesie c. ver 38 39. The second Objection From Numb 11. 25. to 30. Eldad and Medad prophesied and Moses wisheth that all the Lords people were Prophets Ergo All that have gifts may prophesie and preach In answer to this first you say That this was an extraordinary spirit of prophesie Grant it to be so yet the spirit of prophesie in the Gospel is ordinary and proper to all the Saints it s poured out upon them all and accordingly they may prophesie 2. The spirit of prophesie here spoken of was a spirit of Government as appears by the Context ver 16 17. you had done very well to have produced one Scripture in the Bible if you could that saith the spirit of government is a spirit of prophesie Blindness with a witness Do you not know that Moses was a prophet as well as a prince and Leader of the People and that spirit of prophesie that was upon Moses was given likewise to the Seventy I make no question but that they
it s a greater work to gather souls out of your delusions then out of Heathenisme and downright Idolatry In conclusion you gather up all in a parallel in which I shall a little trace you too that so you may in your colours appear to the world The Parallel 1. Those dispersed had extraordinary gifts 1. Your gifted brethren have ordinary by the same Spirit 1. But your selves have neither but what you gain from Universities and men 2. Those had an immediate Call 2. The brethren immediate by the Spirit mediate by the Church and Saints 2. But you have neither for you are enemies to them both 3. These converted many souls 3. So the brethren convert many 3. But it s you who pervert and delude with Antichrists forms customs c. 4. The hand of the Lord was with them 4. So the hand of the Lord is with the brethren 4. But the hand of the Lord is against you and that makes you gnaw your tongus for pain and not repent of your deeds 5. Those preached the word of God 5. So do the brethren the Gospel of Salvation and in it the Law of righteousness and of love 5. But you preach the Law and your selves through ignorance not knowing what you affirm or say 1 Tim. 1. are enemies to the Gospel in its righteousness in its rule 6. These preached in time of persecution 6. So do the brethren and of peace too 6. You persecute and permit no time of peace for the Saints in your wils and desires 7. Those preached in unplanted Churches amongst Heathens 7. So do the brethren or at least in constituted Antichristian Churches which is the greater task to undo that which you have done 7. You are enemies to Churches planted according to Gospel rule and preach to build up Antichristian constituted Churches in Antichristian invented forms ordinances c. I suppose you may now notwithstanding your vain confidence if mercy enlighten you see the weakness and invalidity of your Answers and Parallels how far short you come of levelling the strong hold it s yet as strong as ever I now pursue you in the Rear upon your march unto the rest The sixth a Fort and so you will finde it boast not scorn not Acts 13. 14 15. Paul and Barnabas coming into the Synagogue the Rulers sent to them not as Apostles but as men having gifts that if they had any word of exhortation they should say on You answer 1. That Paul and Barnabas were men in office c. and had commission to teach the Nations c. I answer 1. That Prophets as I have already proved were not men in office but in gift and as for the Apostleship of Paul he owned it not in way of office as from men Gal. 1. and he preached before this in Chap. 13. by way of gift you dare not deny it and the separating and sending of them was not that they were ever the more impowered to any office for they had been at the work before but the Lord said Separate me Saul and Barnabas to the wark whereunto I have appointed them that is let them not abide in the Church but go forth to the work appointed for them preach to the world where was most need so that it was no new work or office but a going on in the work of the Lord in the gift of the Spirit which was not of man or by man but by Jesus Christ 2. You say They were known to be teachers in office and all to the end of this second is but probability known to be preachers in office when the Scripture mentions no such thing when they had never seen them before its likely and for ought you know had not heard of their fame but undoubtedly they did not know them to be men in office for they were unbelieving Jews and Gentiles zealous it seems of the Law and knew not what Gospel-office meant but rather in all places almost persecuted the servants of the Lord accounting them Sectaries like your selves therefore they could not know them to be officers 'T is a non sequitur that unbelievers men ignorant of the Gospel should know Gospel-officers that unbelievers should take those they never saw before for Gospel-officers and the Text it self is clear for they speak unto them to exercise their gifts not as men in office upon your own account but they sent unto them saying Ye men and brethren c. that is any of you men and brethren that have any word of exhortation to the people say on c. 3. You say This was practised in corrupt times c. that in corrupt times it was permitted for some out of order to preach c. as you say Apollonius confesseth c. you conclude that we are not to follow Jewish corrupt customs but to walk by rule c. I answer first I cannot but take notice of your ignorance in calling such an approved practise both in Law and Gospel a corrupt Jewish custome if it had been so indeed then no Prophet might have spoken unto them who prophesied by gift only and for the most of them they did no miracle to convince the people that they were extraordinarily sent If it had been a corrupt practise they should in your order have persecuted John for want of mission he did no miracle yet preached a new doctrine of Repentance and the scattered brethren should have had no admittance the custom should have prevented them as for the new Testament it was the custome as hath been proved already for gifted brethren to preach and for those that were contentious and denyed it There was no such custome in the Church of God 2. I answer that you are worse then those Jews who though in many things they erred from the truth yet in this they retained some principles of honesty willing to have the people instructed but you are the men who do what in you lyeth to shut up the Kingdom of heaven from the people c. 3. I answer you cry out against those approved practises of the Jews and continued custome in the Churches of the Gospel for corruption and confusion but you take up corrupt confused practices your selves never mentioned either in Law or Gospel and these pass for currant with you but the uncorrupted wayes of God they are corrupted wayes with you are you not of the number of those who call evill good and good evil c. how do you think to escape the wo c The seventh a Tower and it will not easily fall The example of Apollos Act. 18. 24. an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures taught diligently c. because he preached without a Cal therefore gifted brethren may preach without a Call this you say is a Tower a strong Tower c. But stay Sir reproach not scorn not that is no answer to the Truth You answer first That this is an example but no precept c. And is not example enough to
most of the people of the Nation c. The eighth a bulwark all your wisdom is not able to undermine it 1 Cor. 14. 1. 31. Where the Apostle exhorts them to desire spiritual gifts but rather that they might prophesy and tels them vers 31. They may all Prophesy one by one hence our brethren conclude that all that have gifts may Prophesy c. In your answer to this you pretend a great deal of confidence and assurance that your gifted brethren are deluded with the word All when the truth is that your self it is who is under the delusion The Question you say will be who are meant by this word All vers 31. ye may all Prophesy c. You answer first Negatively It cannot be meant of all the Saints for then women should preach who are forbidden I answer 1. The Scripture it self is clear women are excepted ver 34. All may c. There is no limitation no prohibition of any except women and women are not altogether forbidden neither compare this with cha 11. 5. Joel 2. 28. women may Prophesy by permission and in subjection to the man c. 2. You say Private Professors are nowhere commanded to leave their Callings and go study Arts Sciences c. Oh blindness with a witness Is not the Spirit of Christ sufficient to help men to preach prophesy unless they study Arts and Sciences the Scripture saith ye may All Prophesy Private men is a title you have learnt from Rome its true it doth not say you must all leave your Callings and study Arts and Sciences this is not commanded to any nor practised by any and truly Sir I think there are none but Asses in the things of God who study Arts and Sciences to help them to preach and prophesie your Scriptures produced 1 Cor. 7. 20. ch 12. 29. I have answered already therefore I pass it in this place 2. You answer positively by All is meant all such as are Prophets the Text is clear ver 29. Let the Prophets speak c. Thus far you say truth by All is meant the Prophets that is those who have the spirit of Prophesie you proceed and say They were extraordinary your reason is because they spake by Revelation without study ver 31. I say they were not extraordinary but ordinary such as could speak to edification exhortation and comfort ver 3. and this many of the brethren could do then and can do now it s your selves that are no Prophets for you cannot speak by revelation without study but in the strength of the Lord the preaching brethren can And here it is you are lost you measure other mens condition by your own because you cannot preach without study therefore you think none else can c. I conclude with you That the word All is to be confined to the Prophets All ye that are Prophets may preach All ye that have the Spirit and so the Gift of prophesy may preach and prophesy for prophesy was no Office but a Gift as I have already shewed So then notwithstanding all your sophistications and wrenchings All that have the Gift may prophesie the preaching brethren that have the Gift may prophesy You say It s worth the observing that the word Prophet is never given to any but Ministers men in Office I have already answered that Prophet or Prophesy is never called an Office in the Scripture but a Gift and the distinguishment of Christ between a Prophet and a righteous man Mat. 10. 41. its not the Office but the Gift every righteous man hath not a Prophets gift there are various operations still the same spirit You say That all that are Prophets and can open hard Prophesies without study interpret Scripture to edification c. Who so hath these Gifts may use them But Sir where and when do you mean 1000 years ago but not now Why this is all we plead for man you have granted our desire let the Hearers be judges let the Saints be judges let the Prophets be judges God hath given that Spirit of Prophesy to interpret Scripture speak to edification and comfort of the Saints c. You say They are Prophets because the duties of Prophets are ascribed to them No need of so much of one thing being so clear and granted of all But you must needs have them extraordinary Prophets and here you harp or else you were gone But you say You will easily prove them to be extraordinary Prophets but stay Sir not so easily done as said But you say You prove it vers 30. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by c. They preached extemporary Revelations they were by the singular Revelation of the Spirit to give the sense of Scripture Answ 1. I wonder from whence you had this distinction of ordinary and extraordinary Prophets Doth the Scripture teach you any such thing I suppose you minde by extraordinary such as foretold things to come as in the Old Testament c. But why you call them extraordinary I know not and for ordinary such as by the same spirit can speak for the edifying of the Saints the difference is onely in the operation of the same spirit in some one way in some another in some more in some less but it s given to every one to profit withal 2. That upon your own account and in your language these Prophets were ordinary extraordinary were such as could foretel things to come as Elijah Elisha Esay c. In the New Testament Agabus Act. 11. 27. chap. 21. 10. 11. such these Prophets were not For the work of the one was to foretell of the other to build up and edifie the Church You say These Prophets are set amongst extraordinary Gifts or Officers Ephes 4. 11. I wonder how you dare thus to abuse the Scripture and truth who or where are those Gifts or as you call them Officers called extraordinary but it s your own ignorance if not baseness to delude the people under these terms you call Apostles and Prophets Evangelists extraordinary and pick out from amongst the same Pastors Teachers for ordinary What Scripture teacheth you this to call one ordinary the other extraordinary If I can shew you no Prophets c. you shall shew me no Pastors nor Teachers in the World Well you say There were three things objected 1. They could not be extraordinary because their doctrine was to be tryed c. You answer first That this trying and judging did not consist in calling them to an account c. But I say It consisted in judging the truth of what was spoken to try the spirits whether they were of God for there were and are false Prophets for this was the Church of Ephesus commended Rev. 2. 2. For trying those who said they were Apostles and were not and found them lyars 2. You say An extraordinary Prophet though in penning Scripture infallible yet in other things he might err you instance in Aaron Exod. 32.
and unlawfull in publike where doth the Scripture make this distinction But Sir I suppose I have found you you will keep it in private that so your Diana may stand your honour and esteem among the vulgar and that your god your bellies may be fed to the full c. Phil. 3. 18 19. As for that place 1 Cor. 11. 5. you say The words are not taken actively for womens preaching but passively for their attending on prayer and prophesying c. And who told you so Sir you are very quick of apprehension ready to give interpretations I suppose you may thank your Logick Rhetorick and Philosophy for it Is there ever such a word in the Text nay is it not evident that there is no such thing intended Examine the Scripture 1. He speaks of men in particular and women in particular every man that prayeth and prophesieth every woman that prayeth and prophesieth he doth not say every one that doth attend upon praying c. 2. If he intends the woman that she doth attend upon the praying of another then he intends the same to the men likewise for its one and the same only the manner differs So then there is no rule given to him that speaks in prophesie either man or woman 3. The Text saith Every woman that prophesieth c. Pray tell me Sir whether when a man prophesieth and preacheth the things of God whether the women that are present hearing do prophesie then because the man doth if the women then the men where now Sir you will make all Prophets anon both men and women 2. You say You must distinguish of prophesying there is prophesying which is preaching thus say some these women did not prophesie I thought you were gotten into a Wood almost lost you hear what some say But how can they tell who told either you or them so 2. You say Prophesying is taken for publishing and singing praise c. Psal 68. 11. there were shee preachers If so Sir why not men and women to teach and preach according to the gift See to this purpose Col. 3. 16. 3. You say Suppose you grant as your Divines confess that its the sense of the place that women in those times were inspired with the Spirit of prayer prophesie c. according to Joel 2. 28. yet they failing and abusing their liberty the Apostle enjoyns them silence for ever in publike 1 Cor. 14. 34 35. There is no such thing Compare that with this and it forbids but the disorder not the thing by permission in submission the women that have a gift may prophesie which is the sence of the Scripture The eleventh Objection 1 Cor. 16. 15 16. The house of Stephanas addicted themselves to the Ministry of the Saints c. Hence you say the Anabaptists ignorantly gather that a man may call himself to preaching c. Sir you are malitiously mistaken and the ignorance is in your self 1. In calling them Anabaptists for practising Baptism according to the Scripture that grieves you it seems but you have learnt a new way both for matter and manner for matter Babies instead of believers for manner sprinkling at the holy Font instead of baptising in a River You are loth to go in there with your long Gownes you have found a better way then ever was prescribed or practised who now Sir are the Ignoramusses 2. You belie them but that is no wonder you say they gather that a man may call himself to preaching It s your own forgery they never said so but 1. If God gives gifts then he cals them to it 2. The Church finding such gifts approves of them ownes them rejoyceth in them c. And as for the Scripture you mention you say first It doth not appear that they were Ministers and Preachers but rather Deacons and Church-officers who did serve and minister to the necessities of the Saints c. This is but your word and there is no probability for it but that you have learned to evade truth but all will not serve you I say therefore first they were Ministers and that preaching ones too 1. Ministers the word is clear for that They gave themselves to the ministry of the Saints 2. Preaching ones too ver 16. That ye submit your selves to such and to every one that helpeth with us and laboureth they were such as did help with the Apostles and labour In what In giving Alms or distributing No. Labour in the Gospel it s usually applyed that way I laboured more abundantly then they all saith Paul 1 Cor. 15. 10. and the Elders that labour in the word are worthy of honour c. this word Labour is nowhere given to Deacons 3. Yet out of office only by gift I prove it thus 1. It s the houshold of Stephanas that Paul baptized and was his first fruits at Achaia tell me when they did or any else chuse a houshold or family to be all Ministers in office 2. They addicted themselves to the Ministry were not called by office c. 3. That ye submit to such and every one that helpeth he doth not say to every one in office but to every one that helpeth that is every one that hath the gift and helpeth to the building up of the rest let others submit their judgements unto such in points of difference and controversies If Paul intended it to every Pastor in the Church of Corinth there were very many then it seems for there was the houshold of Stephanas and so every one else that doth labour with us how many officers will you make in the Church if what you say were truth You say They gave themselves to the service were not compelled or hired c. It seems at least then they were not such officers as the Parsons of the Nation are for they must be hired and well paid too or else they will not serve they are far from the temper of Stephanas and his family 2. You say Take it which way you please either for the service of the Presbyterie or Deaconship yet this is the same they being lawfully called did freely give themselves to the service c. Their calling I have already proved unto you not by office but gift and they readily did the service you call the Anabaptists the Firebrands of Societies Sir 1. They have been and will be a firebrand to Antichristian Societies and the Lord will by them dash such to pieces by their doctrine life and practise 2. They are the only upholders of lawfull Societies both Civill and Divine 3. Your selves are in deed and truth the firebrands of Societies both Civill and Divine For Civill you could be content to burn up Nations Parliament People and all for the establishment of your own interests burn up Churches the Societies of Saints rail and call them all that naught is when your selves are the men upon whom the guilt lieth you abuse and wrest the Scripture to your own ends and interest viz. No