also the Bishops that were present And the people saith Cyprian haue power especially either of electing worthy Priests or reiecting vnworthy Lib. 1. Eph. 4. for they best know the life and manners of euerie one And Theodoret when he reports how Peter was of Athanatius nominated his successor hee adds by and by that The Sacerdotall order ratified it The Magistrate the chiefe men and all the people with their acclamation approued it Yet when as afterwardes the people did seditiously desire oftentimes euill and vnworthy men It was decreed in the Counsell of Laodicea Canon 13. That the multitude should not haue power to make election not because the peoples consent should bee excluded or any thrust vpon them against their mindes Epist 17 which was forbidden in the Counsell of Antioch but that the chiefe men of the church might by wise prouision represse the foolishnesse of the people And this order Leo also sets downe The wishes of the Citezens the witnesses of the people the pleasures of the honorable the election of the Clergie are to be staied for And there is saith hee no reason it should bee otherwise And at Rome in times past so powerfull was the authority of the Emperour in creating of the Bishoppe that Gregorie Epist 5. lib. 1 saith That himselfe was constituted in the Gouerment of the Church by the commandement of the Emperour when as yet after the solemn manner he was desired of the people Otherwaies there are decrees extant in Gratian that the king shall not at his owne pleasure constitute a Bishope taking a way the Canonicall election and that such a one shall not bee consecrated of the metropolitans which shall bee promoted by such violent command With what right or ceremonie are Ministers to be ordained or consecrated and put into possession of their office In time past vnder the Law laying on of hands was vsed First in consectating of sacrifices vnto God a Leu. 1.4 Secondly in prayers and priuate blessings b Gen. 4.14 Thirdly In the consecrating of Magistrates Leuites and Priests c Num. 8.10 Christ also adding prosperous prayers vsed the same d Mat. 19.15 The Apostles therefore and Apostolicall men whether one as the chiefe in the name of the Eldershippe or moe did ordaine Ministers after they were elected by solemne prayers and laying on of hands and did as it were offer and consecrate them vnto God Whereupon the Latines called this solemne ordination and consecration The Greekes of the Ceremony did name it Laying on of hands obserued of the Apostles e Act. 6.6 13.3 1 Tim. 4 14 5.22 2 Tim. 1 6 where there is no mention made of Chrisme shauing wax-candles and such like toyes Yea further the Apostles vsed also a miraculous laying on of hands both in curing of the sick of which Christ speakes They shal lay hands vpon the sick and they shall recouer Mar. 16.18 f Act 28.8 and also in bestowing the visible gifts of the holy ghost g Act 8 16 17 9 17 19 6. the vse whereof together with other miracles hath now ceased Yet it is thought good that the former sort of laying on of hands should still be vsed not onely for decencie but that by the symbol or token of such blessing both the dignitie of the Ministery may be commended to the people also that he who is so ordained put into possession of his office may be better assured of his vocation put in mind First that he is not now his owne but adiudged to the seruice of God and his Church Secondly that a great charge is laid vpon him and therefore that he ought diligently to call vpon God that he may be able to discharge his duety Thirdly that he ought to aske and expect from God blessing helpe defēce perseuerance patience counsell comfort more full vnderstanding of the Scriptures and other gifts of the spirit 4. That he is offered vnto God for a cleane pure and chast sacrifice and therfore that he ought to endeauour to be pure both in bodie and soule But farre be all conceipt of necessity and worship for the auoiding of which many had rather vse in stead of laying on of hands the holding vp of hands or giuing of hands in token of faith loue society and consent in doctrine after the example of the Apostles which gaue vnto Paule and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship How long must we obserue the visible and ordinary calling and succession of pastors As long as order and the lawfull state of the Church shall stand be euident so that it is not lawfull for euery one rashly and without lawfull and ordinary calling to thrust himselfe into the Ecclesiasticall Ministery But when as that same order state is fallen and broken God doth himselfe extraordinarily or rather besides the wonted fashon restore the order of the Church by those whom in his vnsearchable counsell hee doth choose and stir vp for the performance of that worke What is extraordinarie calling That which is done by God himselfe or the son of God immediatly without the work ministery of man or wherby God doth of himselfe cal any to any Ecclesiastical office which is done three waies 1. Without vsing any mans seruice or suffrage but his own voice only of this sort was the calling of Abraham Moses the Prophets vnder the Law of Iohn Baptist and the Apostles h Gal. 1.1 2. When God vseth some but yet as messengers onely shewing the calling and commandement of God as Aaron and the tribe of Leui by Moses the messenger between a Ex. 4.14 28.1 and Elizeus by Elias sent vnto him After which sort we do not read that any was called of Christ as vnto the function of the ministery but onely in respect of some other certaine worke as Philip was called by the message of the Angell to Baptise the Eunuch b Act. 8 Ananias sent to Baptise and comfort Paul the Apostle ordained by God to bee an Apostle Act. 9.10.11 And so also were Barnabas and Paul by the denunciation of the Prophets not vnto the Apostleship but vnto that first iorney out of Antioch c Act. 13 3. By his inward inspiration he sends hither and thither of this kind was the iorney of Philip before that time a Deacon onely into the citie of Samaria without the priuity of the Apostles after the scattering abroad of the Church of Ierusalem d Act. 8.4.5 14 of this sort also was the calling of those men out of the saide scattering who first preached the Gospell in Phoenicia and Cyprus and did happily begin the Church of Antioch without the knowledge of the Apostles e Act. 11 20 21 22 and of this manner and sort also was the calling of many in Fraunce and the lowe contries whose calling the crowne of Marterdom hath confirmed What if any do bragge that he hath an extraordinary calling by
himselfe that is without mannes ministerie but by the Apostles delected as associates to performe their office in watering their plantings building vpon their foundations perfecting their worke and were in preaching the gospell sometimes in one sometimes in another place as it were subsidiarie and certaine secundarie apostles not in one onely but in many churches and who should haue power and authority to set pastors and orders in particular churches to which they were sent and that till such time as they were recalled by the Apostles a Tit. 1.4 such were Timothy b Act. 16.3 Luke Mark Tichicus c 2. Tim. 4.11 12 Titus d 2. Cor. 8 23. Philip e Act. 21.8 and others whether they were called out of those 70 disciples whome Christ apointed besides the 12. f Luk. 20 12 or from among others 2 In a more strict signification those foure penmen of the holy Ghost whose labour the Lord vsed to publish the Euangelicall historie of Christ and to describe the beginnings of the christian church are called Euangelists of these two Marke Luke were companions of the apostles and Euangelists The other two Mathew and Iohn were Apostles and Euangelists May not other pastors and doctors of the church be called Apostles Prophets and Euangelists No but abusiuely for concerning the appellation of an Apostle Andronicus and Innias are said to be famous among the Apostles that is of note with those ancient Apostles but yet they are not called Apostles g Rō 16 17 besides the name of an Apostle is giuen to Titus his two companions h 2 Cor. 8.23 yet not simply but with addition as they were sent by certaine Churches to collect almes And Epaphroditus is not simplie called an Apostle of Christ but of the Philippians sent by them to relieue Paule i Phil. ◠25 thus that great name was so peculiar simply to those chosen Apostles that Paule saith not without aduise All are not Apostles 2. Cor. 12.29 As for Euangelists to preach is proper indeed to all k 1 Cor. 12. but the appellation of the Euangelists belongeth to none but them whom the Apostles ioyned vnto them as occasion serued in watering those Churches which they had planted and whom they appointed not ouer one Church but ouer Prouinces and that onely for a time But the name of a Prophet is sometime generally giuen to all the interpreters of Gods word as Rom. 12.6 1. Corinth 14.29 sometime it doth distinguish them peculiarly from Doctors as when difference is made betwixt doctrine and Reuelation 1. Corinth 14.16 and also when Doctors are distinguished from Pastors by Doctrine and Exhortation as Rom. 12.7.8 Who are are called Pastors Surely they who may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. Rom. 12.8 exhorters that is who being lawfully called doe preach Gods word and in preaching doe not simplie explaine it but by teaching admonishing reproouing correcting informing exhorting and comforting doe publikely o 1. Pet 5 2 and priuately apply it to the vse of the Church m Act. 14 13 1. Cor 11 18 1. Tim. 3.16 Tit 1 5.9 and besides doe labour in the administration of the Sacraments conceiuing publicke prayers and are watchfull to take away offences and to gouerne the Church n Rom. 12.7 These by a generall name are called Elders and Deacons p 1 Cor 13 5 Col 1 7 such as are ouer vs. q 1 Thes 5 And Hebr. 13. Guides to conclude the chiefest of them were called Episcopi Bishoppes of a Greeke word which signifies to looke into that nothing be wanting to the people of their Diocesse because it is the dutie of Pastors as it were spies to looke narrowly into the doctrine and manners of the flocke committed vnto them What were Doctors Who onely applied themselues to the faithfull and plaine interpretation of the scriptures and to rule ecclesiasticall scooles to the ende that sincere doctrine might be keept in the Church or they who onely explained the word of God to deliuer true doctrine and confute false Such were Catechizers as Origen in the Church of Alexandria and Clemens and the like Are not Doctors and pastors all one as Augustine thought No because Paule giues them diuers names Ephes 4.11 And Rom. 12.7 he distinguisheth teachers from Exhorters and speech from knowledge it selfe of holy things or he thus distinguisheth Pastors from doctors What degres were substituted vnto these Rather for exercise then for office sake 1. Porters who kept the gates of the Church that they might let in penitentiaries and keepe out wicked men from the Church and such as were excommunicated from the Sacraments 2 Acoluthoi followers attendants and as it were pages of Bishops being witnesses and imitators of all their speaches and withall most readie seruants vnto them 3 Lectores or Readers Ministers of Pastors and Doctors reading so the Scriptures out of some high place that within one yeare all the books of the Bible for the more familier knowledge of the Scripture might be read ouer 4 We read also in very ancient writers of Exorcists who vsing the name of God and hauing the gift of miracles by calling vpon Christ and imposition of hands cast out diuels Act. 19.23 But this office is ceased with the gift of miracles In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5 In the Scriptures they are called the Cleargie who are the congregation of the faithfull and flockes of sheepe or the members of the Church a 1 Cor 14.39 because they are the portion and inheritance of the Lord 1. Pet. 5.3 but afterward the antient fathers did translate the name of Cleargie to the Colledge of Ecclesiasticall ministers so as all students were called Cleargie men who are maintained of their parents or the Churches cost to become ministers How do Pastors and doctors differ from Apostles Prophets and Euangelists Nothing at all in respect of the Essentiall parts of the Ministerie which are the sincere preaching of the word the administration of the Sacraments and correction of manners but in respect of thinges peculier to the calling of Apostles they differ much for 1. Cor. 12. the Apostle Paule hauing deuided the ministerie of the word into the word of wisdome and the word of knowledge to Apostles Prophets and Euangelists he doth attribute wisedom to wit that more excellent and without al controuersie greater knowledge of the mysteries of God Act. 11.27.6 21.10 that hath with it the greatest authority and is giuen by the peculier inspiration of the holy Ghost namely by Reuelation and as a for knowledge which is the vnderstanding of the Gospell that is gotten by hearing and reading of the holy Scriptures that is to say by studying and learning that he referres to ordinarie Pastors and Doctors But the personall gifts of the Apostles that is c 1. Cor. 12.9 10. Act 5.5.10 8.20 13.10.11 2. Cor. 10.6 such as were giuen properly to the Apostles alone as 1
prophecie by singuler reuelation 2 Discerning of spirits the gifts of tongues of doing of special miracles the gift of bestowing the free gifts of the holy spirit by laying on their haÌ„ds of most seuer reueÌ„ging of coÌ„tumacy by extraordinary punishments as it appeared in Ananias and Saphira Act. 5.5.10 8.20 13.10 11 2. Cor 10 6 and Elimas The sorcerer 3 The testimonie of the holy spirit that they should not eâ—re 4 The verse authoritie of their Apostolicall office superiour to all others not onely in order but in degree also and in power and their charge that was extended ouer the whole earth and not tied to one flocke alone or to one Church as it appeareth Math. 28.19 e Mar. 16.15 These personall gifts I say and this Apostolicall authoritie was not passed ouer neither vnto Pastors nor yet vnto Doctors of the Church but ceased with these men of the first time What be the orders of them that minister There be 2. orders of them the one of Elders the other of Deacons Act. 1.8 2. cor 11.21 The elders are of two sorts Some are Pastors and Doctours which ought to spend their time in the word and Doctrine others whose office is to gouerne 1. Tim. 5.17 The Elders which rule well are worthy of double honour but most of all they which laboure in the word and in Doctrine Elders properly so called rather of manners then of age as farre forth as they are distinguished from Pastors and doe not preach the word of God are men of approued godlynesse appointed to euery Church in the peculiar censure of manners and gouernement of the Church to obserue diligently the manners of the flock ouer which they are appointed constantly to admonish euery one out of the word of God if they shall espy any fault or offence either in doctrine or in life of whom Act. 14 23. Whom Paul 1. Cor. 12 28. Termes by their peculiar name Gouernments in the abstract for Gouernours in the concrete distinguished from Pastors and Doctors properly so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rulers Rom. 12.8 Sometime they are called by the generall name of watchmen and Bishopps that is ouerseers whome we may call the Censors of manners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Tim. 4 14. vnto whome also was committed the cure of ecclesiasticall discipline VVhich be the deacons The stewards of the house of God lawfully chosen out of the common assembly of the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were properly called Deacons which had the charge of the Ecclesiasticall treasure or the office of assistance that is who were set ouer the receipts and also the orderly laying our and distributing of the holy almes and collections and other goods of the Church which were to bee administred as themselues the Pastors and the Elders should thinke good and to the reliefe of the poore the Orphans and VVidovves and Strangers but especially of such as were of the household of faith and to other holy vses c Act 6.1 2 Gal. 6 16. Phil 1 1 1 Tim 3.8 12 18 vnto whom it is therefore thus commaunded Rom. 12.8 He that distributeth let him doe it in simplicitie that is in sinceritie of heart without respect of persons And in veery deed they tooke the name of Deacons from their seruing at tables because vpon them was laid the laboursome charg of gathering and disposing the Collections and Offerings whereof the Loue feasts were made which consisted partly in receiuing of common meat d Act 2 46 20 7 1 Cor 11.20 Iud. 6.12 but especially in the celebration of the Lords Supper and partly in holy speeches and the conferences at and after meate Tertul. in Apolog. cap. 39. And when these Loue feastes were growne out of vse yet there remayned the same charge of Deacons still in the administration of the Sacraments but chiefely in the giuing about of the Cup But they were neither Pastors nor Doctors because the Apostles themselues professed that they were not able to attend both seruing at tales and preaching Act. 6 2. And Paule would haue Pastors to bee apt to teach c 1 Tim. 3.12.9 Luk. 4.7 Act. 13 15 but in Deacons hee onely requires that they hold the mysterie of the faith And Stephen Act. 6 8 Because hee was a Deacon onely hee is not said to haue taught in the Church but in the Synagogue of the Iewes where euerie one might speake as it appeareth Luke 2.46 d Act. 8 5 21.8 And Philip being no longer a Deacon of the Church of Ierusalem but of a Deacon made an Euangelist preached the Gospell yet if such be found to be fit for the Ministerie of the word we must not denie but that they are to bee preferred before others of whome there is not so good proofe Furthermore since the Censuring and Iudgment of manners is not a daily function it cannot be denied but that these two offices of Eldership and Deaconship may easily bee executed Further the Church hath alwaies had a publike stocke collected iustly and certainely among the people for the retayning of the holy exercises of Religion and faith Hence it came that there was a treasurie in the temple e Luk 20 1 and God in times past appointed a taxe to be raised vpon the people for the repayring of the Tabernacle and the temple f Exo. 30 13 And the tithes hee commanded to be paid to the Priest Deut. 14.28 yea and the Apostles themselues had a care to constitute a common treasurie of the Church for the reliefe of the poore and for other necessities of the Church Heerupon Paul appointed that Collection should be made vpon the Lords day h 1. Cor. 16 Mat 10.10 1 Cor. 9.19 and afterward Churches waxed rich by the liberalitie of diuers Godly people And lastly the paying of Tythes was againe restored And these riches of the Church are honest and iust considering that they are giuen of such as had right to giue them and whom the feare of God stirred vp to bestow them Further Ecclesiasticall goods were deuided into foure parts One part was distributed to the Cleargie that is to those which gaue themselues to the seruice of the Church aswell in learning as in teaching 2 Another part was giuen to the reliefe of the poore who are members of the same bodie with vs vnder Christ our head 3 A third part to the keeping of the buildings and vessels of the Church A fourth part went to the Bishoppe or to the Ruler that therewith they might entertaine poore straungers and also comfort their brethren that were in Captiuitie i Act. 6.1 1 Tim. 5 9 10 Vnto these Deacons there were adioned Deaconesses or Widowes of three score yeares olde appointed espetially to looke to the sicke to receiue trauellers that were brethren and for the necessities of others vnto whom it is commaunded Rom. 12.8 thus
the Ministerie of the Saints whereupon Ecclesiasticall callings began to be called Orders It is not meant that they did of their owne mindes call themselues and so began to serue in the Ministerie but that after they were lawfully called then they did willingly giue themselues to the Ministerie of the Saints whether by preaching or by helping What is lawfull calling That which is done by Right and Law that is which is done by such a one which hath power to cal to constitute another in a place and office as is the Lord of that place or he that hath right and power from him to make choyse But God alone is the Lord of his true Church b Isa 54.5 as also Christ alone is the head a 1. Cor. 11.1 Ep. 1 22 5 23 and redeemer or defender thereof Wherefore it belongs to God alone and to Christ to set Ministers ouer his Church And therefore they onely that are called of him are to be accounted lawfull but whosoeuer are not called of him are all vnlawfull How many sorts are there of lawfull calling Two The one Internall or secret which is done by the holy Ghost and of this euerie Minister ought to be priuie to himselfe before God that neither Ambition Auarice or any other sinfull desire but the syncere feare of God and endeauour to edifie his Church mooued him to enter into this Office offered vnto him The other Externall and solemne which belongs to publicke order which againe is twofold Mediate which is also called Ordinarie and Immediate which is termed Extraordinarie and Speciall Which is the Mediate or Ordinarie Calling Ordinarie is said to be two waies eyther properly and then it signifies that which is done by lawfull course and order and which hath his dependance of God or else * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abusedly as that which consisteth in fashion vse and custome After the first maner therefore Ordinarie Calling is that which is administred of God by man that is whereby any man according to the order instituted of Christ after he hath beene exactly examined and approoued both for life and doctrine is chosen by the voyces of the godly whom God commaunds to be vsed herein after due inuocation of the name of God with all simplicitie and synceritie as it were by the voyce of the holy Ghost himselfe speaking by the mouth of the godly and also confirmed and ordained to exercise Ecclesiasticall Office in some certaine place and is accepted of the flock vnto which he is appointed and behaues himselfe in his place as it is prescribed in the word of God What manner of men are to be called and Elected Bishops or Pastors and also Doctors which are first of sound doctrine or sound in the faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and which firmely hold that faithfull word which makes for doctrine that they may be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and also to conuince the gainesayers 2 Of irreprehensible life that is not notorious for any fault that may eyther diminish their authority or be a blot to their Ministerie thereby 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 Which are meete and apt to teach and which haue knowledg rightly to deuide the word of Truth a 1. Tim. 3.2.3.4.6 Tit. 1.6.7.8 2 Tim. 2.15 Deacons also and Elders in like sorte who are not only adorned with holy life but also doe hold the Mysterie of faith and are furnished with wisedome necessarie for the execution of their office b Act. 6.5 1 Tim. 3.8 9 How or after what manner are they to be chosen With a religious feare which the faithfull in times past did testifie by laying aside all priuate affections with fasting and prayers in which they desired of God the Spirit of Councell and discretion c Act. 1.22 6.6 13 2.3 14.23 and with examination afore-hand of their life and doctrine Of whom ought they to be chosen Of the Bishop and gouernours of the Church 1 And first they ought to be examined not of all and singuler the inhabitants of the Church for the which he is to be prouided for the auoyding of confusion and ambition but of the Doctours and Pastours of the Church adioyning to witt both leaders of the flocke and also in all probabilitie of more graue iudgment in discerning of Doctrine And whereas in the beginning the whole congregation was called together and their voices also taken d Act 6 6 that was accidentall namely because that then was the order of Deacons first constituted in the Church and it was expedient that the cause thereof should be once ioyntly vnderstood of all and because that otherwise that murmuring of the Greekes against the Hebrewes could hardly haue beene pacified by any other course 2 They ought to be approued of the chiefe men which do excell others both in piety and in dignity in the Church as of the Magistrate if he bee godly Christian or an allower of the Christian Religion yet not excluding the consent of the people but giuing them power if they haue any reason to dissent to declare the causes of their lawfull refusall so that none be admitted to Ecclesiasticall functions without the priuity open notice giuen and the acceptance of the whole Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Paul and Barnabas are said to haue appointed Elders in the Churches not according to their owne priuate pleasures but by aduisement of the people first by wholsome counsell and yet the people declaring their voices or consent by holding vp of their hands And when they had ordayned them Elders by voices or holding vp of hands in the Church saith Luk. Act. 14.23 And. 2. Cor. 8.19 Luke himselfe is said to haue beene chosen by voices of the Churches to be a fellow to S. Paul in his iourney a 1. Tim. 4.14 2. Tim. 1.6 And the laying on of handes by which the whole election is signified was not done of one but of many So vpon those seuen men whome we call the first deacons not one onely of the Apostles but all the Apostles laid their hands Act. 6 6. So the gouernours of the Church of Antioch laid their hands vpon Paul and Barnabas Act. 13.3 So not Paule alone but also the company of Elders laid their hands vpon Timothie And in this sence Tit. 1 5. For this cause saith he haue I left thee in Creta that thou mightest ordaine Elders in euery towne as I haue commaunded thee And. I. Tim. 5.22 Tripart Histor lib. 7. cap. 8 Lay hands sodainly on no man In the person of Timothie he admonisheth all Ecclesiasticall gouernours that they ordain only such as farr as lies in them which are fit for so great an office as neere as may be but yet alwaies making the Election with the consent of the Church So in the Election of Ambrose respect is had first of the people that desired him vnto whose iudgment the Emperour Valentinianus yelded as
the inward inspiration of God alone is he therfore presently to be heard No but that wee may discerne that true and lawfull extraordinary calling from the counterfait three rules are to be obserued 1. First that there only it must haue place where there is no vsing of lawful ordinary vocation which any such teacher may seeme to haue contemned The second that the spirit of such a man be proued before it be admitted f 1. Iohn 4.1 that is that both his doctrine be tryed by the rule of gods word as neere as may be which Christ commaunded to be done in himselfe g Iohn 5.39 and which is commended in them of Beraea h act 17.10 and also that his manners and disposition be diligently looked into as Christ admonisheth Mat. 7 20. And that they be not such as are described Rom. 16.18 vvhich by faire speech and flattering do deceiue the hartes of the simple i 1. Tim. 6.3.4.5 2. Tim. 3 6. 2. Pet. 2.14 Iud. 12. 3 The third that being thus tryed they be lawfully ordeined of that church of which themselues haue laid the foundation And within these lists doe we inclose that extraordinary calling and otherwise must we neuer approue it What when ordinarie calling ceaseth ought euerie christian that hath skill in the scriptures to impugne false doctrine and to deliuer the true for that cause goe vp into the Pulpit God forbid for this were to open a dore to euerie one euerie where which esteemes himselfe a wise man vnder pretence true or false of withstanding corrupt doctrine to haue priuate conuenticles which is the practise of the Anabaptists and Libertines following the bad example of them which priuily crept in and made so great stirres first at Antioch and after that in Galatia elsewhere of whome the Apostles write thus We haue heard that certaine which departed from vs haue troubled you with wordes and combred your mindes commaunding you to be circumcised and to keepe the law to whome we gaue no such commaundement Act. 15.24 Which be the testimonies or notes of extraordinarie calling Not the gift of miracles For Iohn Baptist being extraordinarily called did no miracle a Iohn 10.41 for although he was the sonne of a Priest yet in the Temple did he not exercise the priesthood but his propheticall office without the temple So also neither Oseas nor Zephany nor Aggeus nor other prophets albeit they were extraordinarily called of God were euer famous for miracles Neither is it necessary that a vocation or succession extraordinary in respect of the order publickly receiued should be confirmed with miracles For Antichrist is not to be killed with miracles but with the spirit of Christ that is with the voice of the Gospell 2 Thess 2.8 And as for the faith which wee teach Christ and his Apostles did sufficently confirme it by miracles because they were sent by a new order instituted of God to change the gouernment of the Church Neither do we now bring forth any other bookes or any other writings then of the law of the Prophets and of the Apostles And Christ hath tolde vs that false teachers must be discerned from true ones not by miracles but by their fruites to wit of learning and of life Mat. 7.16 But these three are the signes of lawfull extraordinary calling 1. That he that doth alledge it do plainely preach the word of God b Ier. 23.21 22.27.28 27. 29 9 2. That he who is sent of God extraordinarily haue the necessarie and manifest extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost for the execution of that his office as first of all the gift of the true wisdome of God and the knowledge of his heauenly Doctrine Secondly the gift of speaking and teaching Thirdly the gift of vndaunted constancy in the true Doctrine of the true God after the example of Esay c Is 3.8 5.8 6.1 2.3 of Christ d Mat 7.29 Luk. 4.18.22 and of Paul e Eph. 4.9 3 Gods incredible vnexpected and right maruellous blessing of the labours of such a calling the manifest successe fruite and effect of it shining in the miraculous reformation of life the most plentifull profit of the Churches and the propagation therof encreasing daily although the Diuell and the whole world doe set themselues against it f Ier. 1.8.10 19. Luk. 21.15 Rom. 15.18 19. 2. Cor. 3 3.10.3 8 1 Thes 1.5 May not they that are sent extraordinarily of God erre and slide in their doctrine They may for Aaron erred g Ex. 32.4 21 Num 12.1 and Peter in the beginning did not know that there should be a calling of the Gentiles but was to be taught this same by a heauenly vision h Act. 10 11 Of what sort is the calling of the Preachers of the Gospell in our age The calling of the first reformers of the Church if wee take the order 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the common manner and vse was ordinarie For they were Doctors Pastos and Elders from the institution of the Church of Rome But when the filthinesse of that Church was wipt away it was also lawfull although extraordinarie as might easily be gathered from the former rules signs namely excellencie might and also example of right Christian life And because their Pastours were both acknowledged and ordained of their people of their flockes and of the lawfull Magistrate therefore were they lawfull Pastors The calling of the later men and of such who haue and do succeed the former is also of God lawful but yet ordinary because they are called by the ordinary way and that same maner which is prescribed in the word of God are receiued of those congregations which as is apparant by manifest signes are the true Churches of God which haue the right of choosing Pastors Therfore the Antichristians who when they cannot conuince the Doctrine of the Gospell restored of our men of any falshood doe aske vs of our calling are by the example of Christ a Luk. 20.2 to bee sent back againe of vs to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles VVhat if the Romish Bishops should free themselues and their Churches from the Tyranny of the Pope and should purge them from all Idolatry and would purely preach the word of God in their Churches thus reformed haue they need of any other calling saue that which they haue already Yea verily because the Papisticall Ordinations in which there was no examination first vsed either of life or learning neither any conditions obserued in their elections which are prescribed out of the heauenly lawe and in which moreuer all pure Canons haue beene violated are nothing else but most filthy profanations And if any shall truely detest Popery from his heart verily he will renounce his most disorderly Ordination neither will hee from the right thereof chalenge vnto himselfe any authoritie Neither yet do I deny but that of the false bishops