prayer to all Nations Mat. 21.13 3. That by prayer and devotion we might obtain the assistance and blessing of God both First upon our labours in opening the Scriptures and Secondly upon the peoples duty in learning and attending thereunto the prayer before Sermon refers to the one and after Sermon to the other And in this question I must also further tell you you confound publique and private prayer and thereby pervert and misapply the words of our Saviour Mat. 6.5 When thou prayest thou shalt not be as the hypocrites for they love to pray standing in the Synagogues c. that they may be seen of men in which place our Saviour forbids only private prayer to be offered in publique places out of vain-glory and ostentation to be seen of men and you falsly apply them against publique prayer which is both commanded and practised by publique persons and in publique places and to the end that they may be both seen and heard of men see for this the example of the Levites Neh. 8. 9.3,4 both for preaching Neh. 8. and publique praying with a loud voice standing up upon the staires that they might be heard Neh. 9.3,4 Now Rom. 15.4 Act. 20.36.21.5 what is written afore time is written for our learning And that the Apostles did both Act. 20.36 21.5 pray in publique for and with the people and also preach in publique and in the Synagogues of the Jewes is more then once or twice exprest in the Scriptures question 8 Shew me by the Scriptures when the Apostles went into the world and gave the people of the world Davids Psalmes to be sung in meeter The things that you practise answer them by the Scriptures or the Apostles practise without consequence or imagination answer Touching the use of Psalms in meeter let me tell you because I see you understand not the nature of Psalms that they are not properly called Psalms if not sung in verse and meeter and for Davids Psalms as you too scornfully call them know that they are the very dictates and breathings of Gods holy Spirit therefore are we commanded to Eph. 5.18,19 be filled with the Spirit speaking to our selves in Psalmes and Hymnes c. And whereas all things in all Psalms are not at all times appliable to all persons yet there is something in every Psalm appliable to every person either by way of instruction or devotion and what in this or that Psalm is not appliable to our present condition may be hereafter and therefore it 's fit they should be used both for present devotion and benefit and also for the future that we may be throughly furnished with instructions and devotions against the time of need And for the Apostles practise herein 't is sufficient we have their command for surely what they commanded others they practised themselves you may see they did so Act. 16.25 At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sung Psalms unto God But herein you demand an answer without consequence or imagination you might as well have said without reason or judgement which is all one as if you should bid me read your paper of Questions without my eyes question 9 Whether a man shall overcome the body of sin whiles he is upon the earth or no. answer 'T is not possible wholly and altogether to subdue It is overcome but not wholly a conquered enemy may trouble there is still a war Rom. 5.23 and the warfare endures until death Rev. 2.10 the body of sin whilest we are in this world for 't is therefore called the body of sin because there will be some reliques of sin some rebellions of the flesh against the spirit whilest we carry this body of flesh about us and are composed of flesh and spirit As a tree whilest there is life in it will bring forth fruit so the flesh whilest it is quickned with spirit of life will bring forth some kinde of fleshly fruits or other which is clear from manifold texts of Scripture 1 King 8.46 Job 14.4 Prov. 20.9 1 Joh. 1.8,10 Eccl. 7.22 question 10 Whether the curse be not upon him that preacheth another Gospel then Christ and the Apostles preached yea or no. answer 'T is most true there is a curse and a heavy curse too will fall upon them that either Gal. 1.6,7,8,9 preach another Gospel or else pervert and poyson the truth of this Gospel which we have received from Christ and the Apostles And I would to God neither you nor any of your sect and followers were either guilty of the sin or liable to the curse question 11 Whether any natural man can preach the Gospel yea or no answer He cannot preach the Gospel who understands it not and he that in some good measure understands the Gospel is not to be called a natural man because 1. The contents of the Gospel are 1 Cor. 2.13 the things of the Spirit of God which the natural man receives not neither knowes them and 2. Because Isa 11.2 knowledge wisdome and understanding especially of spiritual things are the gifts of the Spirit with which gifts spiritual the Ministers of the Gospel are through the use of means endowed some more plentifully some more sparingly according as God by his holy Spirit blessing our studies has imparted unto us who 1 Cor. 12.11 distributes to every one severally as he will question 12 Whether that any Ministers of God was made Ministers by the will of man or no shew it me by the Scriptures answer There is no Minister of God is or can be made so by the will of man only but by man in subordination to the minde and will of God for 1. God by his holy Spirit puts it into our hearts to use the means to be qualified for so great a calling 2. He blesseth and prospereth our studies and endevours for the attainment of those gifts which qualifie us for it 3. He gives us hearts to imply those qualifications in his service which gifts and qualifications being examined and approved by the more able learned and reverend Fathers of the Church we are so by them through 1 Tim. 5.21,2 Tit. 1.5 fasting prayer and imposition of hands set apart to this office Paul and Barnabas though they were called of God immediately and by miracle to the office of the Apostleship Act. 13.2,3 which no man must hope for since yet even they were commanded by the Elders to be sent forth through fasting prayer and imposition of hands question 13 Shew me it by the Scriptures whether a man shall grow up to that condition that he need no man teach him but the Lord or no. answer We must not look for any immediate extraordinary miraculous teaching by revelation from the Lord And yet all men are taught of God too some more some lesse according as 1. They have souls more or lesse capable of teaching 2. As they more or lesse apply themselves to the means which God hath ordained for our learning and instruction and according to our
Christ the Apostles and Prophets which gave forth the Scriptures seeing you are contrary to the Scriptures and follow your own inventions and traditions and so erre from them question 20 Whether ever Christ and his Apostles did first baptize and then preach faith and repentance twenty or thirty years after question 21 Whether ever Christ or the Apostles did retain 100 or 200 l. a year for preaching the Gospel question 22 What Scripture is there to limit God to a place calling it a Church whereas the Church is in God 1 Thess 1.1 question 23 What Scripture is there to have the Clark to say Amen and have groats a piece of the world to maintain his trade question 24 What Scripture is there for taking money to bury the dead question 25 What Scripture is there for taking 10 or 20 s. for preaching a Funeral Sermon question 26 What Scripture is there for taking money for marrying man and woman question 27 When did any that was sent of Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel sue men at the Law If thou be a Minister of Jesus Christ which exerciseth a pure conscience towards God and towards Man clear thy self from the guilt of these things and answer them in writing by the Scriptures or Saints examples or else in silence confesse thy self to be guilty and one of those that Christ cryed woe against acting the same things now as they did then filling up the measure of thy fathers iniquity which said they were Jewes and were not but were of the synagogue of Satan Thou sayest they must be learned men and brought up in Scholastical waies and by that means they must open the Scriptures because thou sayest they were first given forth in Greek and Hebrew which you call the Original and therefore ignorant men cannot understand them but must have your meanings interpretations and dimensions of your own brain and thus you deceive the simple But answer me this question Whether the Scriptures as they are written in English be true as Christ and the Apostles spoke them forth and if they be true as they are in English what need any other language be learned by an English man to know them R. H. THE QVAKERS several Questions WITH The Answers Returned R. H. FOR what relative title to give you without offence I understand not I received your paper of many strange scrupulous Questions And though it be most true that one fool may aske more Questions then 100. wise men can answer as the common proverb goes yet we are taught by a more authentick proverb sometimes Prov. 26.5 to answer a fool in his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit I say not this to upbraid your person but with reflexion on the follies and errors displaid in your several questions which will appear I believe in the following answers if you read them as becomes a good Christian without prejudice partiality or obstinacy of mind but with the spirit of meekness and a desire to 1 Thess 5.21 try all things and hold fast that which is good question 1 Whether your Gospel be the same the Apostles preached and if it be why go you to Oxford or Cambridge when the Apostle saith the Gospel he preached was not after man neither was he taught it by man answer We preach the same Gospel the Apostles preached but do not attain the knowledge and understanding of this Gospel by the same means the Apostles were eye-witnesses and ear-witnesses of the sayings and doings of Christ which is the sum of the Gospel the mysteries whereof they understood by immediate revelation from heaven being both publiquely visibly and miraculously inspired with extraordinary gifts of the Spirit Act. 2.1,2,3,4 inabling them both more fully to understand and more powerfully to preach the Gospel Schools they had at Bethel 2 King 2.3 at Jericho v. 5. and Elishas Colledge was so full that they inlarged it 2 King 6.1 and at Naioth 1 Sam. 14.20 and upon the hill of God 1 Sam. 10.5,10 then any mortal man could ever hope for since But we do neither pretend to any such sublime and eminent gifts neither do we or ought we to depend upon any such immediate and miraculous revelation from heaven but do use those ordinary means and helps which God in his merciful providence hath in all ages afforded his people viz. by study and industry in the Schools of the Prophets Neither go we to Oxford and Cambridge to learn the Gospel we preach but to learn the knowledge of those tongues and languages arts and sciences which are the external means enabling us to understand and open the meaning of the Gospel by the good hand of God upon us prospering our labours and studies to that end that being well grounded in the truth we might not be deceived and mistake the inventions and errors of men and doctrines of seducing spirits for 1 Tim. 4.1,2 the doctrines and commandements of God Even as you went to School to learn to write and read that you might read the Scriptures indeed but not 2 Pet. 3.16 pervert them to your own destruction and that you might write your minde in truth and sincerity but not to write scrupulous questions to puzzle and poyson the souls of the simple who cannot see into the depth of your delusions question 2 Whether you can give another meaning to the Scriptures then they are or whether the Apostles did not give the meaning to them when they spake them forth yea or no and if they did what need learned men give a meaning to them answer The sense and meaning of the Scripture is involved and infolded in it even as the kernel of a nut is within the shell to finde out which sense and declare it and make it appear from under those several kindes of metaphorical and figurative expressions which commonly clothe and cover it is a part of our task and duty And this we do by a serious diligent and intent searching weighing and pondering the texts of Scriptures by comparing and conferring several places by observing the connexions and coherences by sincere and impartiall collecting and observing the several truths contained therein and also flying unto God by prayer and devotion for assistance in the work And that it belongs to learned men to give the Sense and meaning of the Scriptures we have in the old Testament the example of Ezra the Scribe that is the Learned Neh. 8.4,5,6,7,8 who stood upon a Pulpit of Wood high above all the people made purposely for preaching and the Levites caused the people to understand the Law and this they did not only by reading the Law distinctly but they gave the sense saith the Text and caused the people to understand the reading In the new Testament Christ himself took a text and preached upon it Luk. 4.17 -22. Philip took the text which the Eunuch read in Esay and preached Christ unto him Act. 8 30 -37. converting the Eunuch by giving the sense of
the text being of himself not able to understand without an interpreter question 3 Shew me by the Scripture who ever was made a Minister of Christ that was called of men Master answer The Prophets and Priests under the Law were termed Fathers and such as were bred under them to be made capable of that function as young Scholars are now in Oxford and Cambridge to be capable of the Ministry were termed the Sons of the Prophets 2 King 2.12.15 under the Gospel besides the titles of Apostles Prophets Evangelists ordinary or common Ministers are termed Doctors Pastors Shepherds of souls which are terms of more eminency and respect then Master Sir or the like and what else is meant by the Masters of the Assemblies Eccles 12.11 but the Pastors and Teachers of the people assembled in the service of God Masters is a title of civil respect and honour and we are commanded not only in general to Rom. 13.7 give honour to whom honour is due but particularly to pious and painful Ministers 1 Tim. 5.7 Let them be counted worthy of double honour that labour in the Word and Doctrine Now as on the one side it is a Gospel duty to give titles of honour to whom they are due so on the other side it is a Gospel sin to affect titles of honour through pride vain-glory and popular applause Nor was it a sin in the Scribes and Pharisees to be called Master but because they Mat. 23.6,7 loved to be called of men Master Master their vain-glorious affectation of the title was their offence and of this no man can taxe us but only God who knoweth the heart question 4 Shew me by the Scriptures when ever the Ministers of Jesus Christ took tithes of the people or augmentations for preaching of the gospel answer That the Priests under the Law received Tithes and that God commanded the people to pay tithes unto them you cannot be ignorant 1 Cor. 9.13,14 Know you not saith the Apostle that they which minister about holy things eat of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar Even so also hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Even so must the Ministers of the Gospel be maintained as were the Priests under the Law and that was by Tithes and offerings Luk. 11.42 Wo to you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of hearbs and passe over judgement and the love of God these things ought you to have done mark that and not leave the other undone Whence you see that to take and pay tithes is no other but what ought to be done and the fault cryed wo against was the neglect of judgement and the love of God question 5 Shew by the Scriptures and what Scripture have you which speaks of the Word two Sacraments which you tell the people of and deceive the simple answer We confesse the word Sacrament is not in the Scriptures but the holy actions which we call Sacraments are positively and expresly commanded there The first Sacrament of Baptism is commanded Mat. 28.19 And for the other Sacrament of the Lords Supper the words of institution expresly command us to observe it Mat. 26.26,27 Take eat do this And sure we do not deceive the people when we tell them of no other things but what Christ himself commanded both us and them to observe But you do deceive your own soul and the souls of those simple people you converse withall whilest you deny and oppose your self against the very expresse commands of our Lord. question 6 Shew me what Scripture you have which speaks that the Apostles sprinkled Infants answer That the Apostles were commanded to baptize all Nations and that they did Baptize whole Families is clearly exprest in the Scripture Act. 16.33 And surely children are a part of all Nations though you should say there were no Children in those families that were Baptized which is a thing very hard and improbable to affirm But further for Childrens Baptism we have several grounds out of the Scriptures 1. Children under the Law were circumcised and Circumcision was Rom. 4.11 the Seal of the righteousness of faith as Baptism is now for other external visible seal of our admission into the Covenant of Grace we have not commanded in the Scriptures or practised in the Church of Christ And that this seal of Baptism both outward and inward must passe upon all before they be admitted actual members of Christs spiritual Kingdome here which is the way to his eternal Kingdome hereafter our Saviour expresly teacheth saying Joh. 5.3 Except a man be born again of water and of the holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God 2. That children are of the Kingdome of God and to be admitted unto Christ himself expresly affirms and strictly charges all men not to oppose it saying Luk. 18.15 Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such also is the Kingdome of God If they must come unto Christ we must not stop up the way against them by denying them the seal of admission And if the Kingdome of God belong unto them surely the priviledges of the Kingdome also whereof Baptism is one 3. That Infants are in some measure capable of the Spirit of God is manifest from the example of the Prophet Jeremiah Jer. 1.5,6 and of John Baptist Luk. 1 66,80 And if they be capable of the inward Baptism which is the holy Ghost much more of the outward which is water for can any man forbid water saith Peter in the like case that these should not be Baptized which have received the holy Ghost as well as we Act. 10.47 4. That children are capable of being received and admitted into the Kingdome of Christ himself doth intimate saying Except ye receive the Kingdome of God as a little Childe ye shall not enter therein so that receive it they may though they know it not For as the sin of the first Adam is imputed to children and they are defiled therewith though they understand it not so the righteousness of Christ the second Adam may be and we believe is by Gods secret and unknown way communicated to Infants though they know it not As to men born deaf and fools and such as are not capable of understanding for to such God forbid we should deny the mercies of God through Christ question 7 Shew me what Scripture you have to stand praying in the Synagogues before Sermon and after and whether the Apostles did so answer That we are both to pray and preach the Gospel there are so many Scriptures to prove that I need not name any and we pray both before and after Sermon because 1. We are commanded to pray continually 1 Thess 5.17 2. Because prayer is the more chief and principall part of Gods service for it is written My house shall be called the house of
Prophets and false Spirits often in the Word commands exhorts admonisheth to beware of such not to give heed to such and not to beleeve every spirit but to try them 1 Tim. 4.12 Mat. 7.15 1 Joh. 4.1 question 18 Whether they be not seducers which tell people these are the ordinances of God which God never commanded as sprinkling Infants telling people of a Sacrament which there is no Scripture for and draw them from the spirit within to follow your in aginations and inventions answer They who are guilty of calling humane inventions Gods ordinances are seducers we confesse But for the sprinkling Infants as you scornfully call Baptism which is Gods ordinance for he hath ordained and commanded it to be observed I have already given you the grounds of it out of the Scriptures and we call it a Sacrament as being a terme best expressing the nature of it which you would confesse if you understood it And for the spirit within I have already told you out of Scripture that we are not blindfolded to follow the dictates thereof but to try them by the Spirit speaking in the Word And thus to draw men from the spirit within is not to follow our own imaginations since God by his holy Spirit commands the same question 19 Whether you have the same spirit which was in Christ the Apostles acd Prophets which gave forth the Scriptures seeing you act contrary to the Scriptures and follow your own inventions and tradition and so erre from them answer They that doe believe or act any thing contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles are not led by the same spirit but in saying that we do this herein I must tell you that you doe falsly and flatly belie us since both we can and you see we do prove our Ministerial actions to be agreeable to the Scriptures question 20 Whether ever Christ and his Apostles did first Baptize and then preach faith and repentance twenty or thirty years afterwards answer Christ himself was Baptized being a person not capable of faith and repentance for he was above both Heb. 12.2 of faith he was the author and finisher the person in whom we are to beleeve and of repentance he was not capable who knew no sin and the Baptism of Christ sure it is to be our pattern and grand example Joh. 3.16 1 Pet. 2.22 The Apostles also baptized many persons who had not true Faith and Repentance but were Hypocrites as Simon Magus Alexander the Coppersmith Demas Diotrephes And Simon Magus had repentance preached unto him after he was baptized many daies as the Text clearly expresseth Act 8.13,22 From all which Examples it is manifest that Faith and Repentance are not necessarily required of all persons as to the reception of Baptism but to the blessed effects and fruits thereof pardon of sin c. 2. Neither are children also absolutely and altogether destitute of Faith and Repentance they have these Graces in the power though not in the act In the seed though not in the fruit In the promise for and in their behalf though not in the present actual performance Therefore called the servants of God believers little ones that believe in me Lev. 25 41,42 Mat. 18.3,4,5,6,7 Act. 16.33 18 8. And under the general notion of families and housholds they are rankt amongst persons baptized converted and serving the Lord. question 21 Whether ever Christ and his Apostles received 160 or 200 pounds a year for preaching the Gospel answer Christ himself when he preached the Gospel was maintained by the gifts and benevolence of his Auditors who ministred unto him of their substance And the Apostles for preaching the Gospel had more I believe then 100 l. or 200 l. a year Mar. 15.41 for many of their Converts sold all their estates and brought it and laid it down at the Apostles feet For saith the Apostle If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great matter if we reap your carnal things Act. 4.34,37 Rom. 15.27 1 Cor. 9.11 question 22 What Scripture is there to limit God to a place calling it a Church when as the Church is in God 1 Thes 1.1 answer We do not limit God to a place who is every where and filleth the World but yet after a special manner Jer. 23.23 Mat. 18.20 When two or three are gathered together in his Name to worship him and call upon his Name there is he in the midst of them And this place of Assembly we call a Church because the Church or People of God do there assemble to his Service and 't is a Scripture term too though you know it not for as there is a Church in God and in Christ Jesus 1 Thess 1.1 1 Thess 1.1 that is persons devoted to Gods service in and through Jesus Christ So there is a Church of God 1 Cor. 11.22 1 Cor. 11.22 The place namely where such persons do assemble and joyn in Divine Worship But since you cry down all distinctions as savouring of humane Learning whereby the naked truth of things might be clearly and distinctly seen as they are in themselves without conjunction with other things it is no marvel you are so blinde as not to distinguish men from houses persons from places the servants of God from the places of his service question 23 What Scripture is there to have a Clark to say Amen and to have groats a piece of the world for his trade answer 'T is the duty of all good people to say Amen to every good Prayer or what is spoken tending either to Gods glory or their own good and this you shall finde both commanded and practised in the Scriptures Psal 106 46. Neb. 8 6. 2 Pet. 3. ult Rev. 22.20 if you do but consult the Marginal Texts I may therefore rather demand of you why do not rather all the people say Amen then you ask of me why one man doth so And for the Groat he receives yearly of some persons in the world who are not all of the world as you uncharitably censure them I conceive it is not to be so much for saying Amen as for many other Offices wherein he is usefull both to Pastor and People question 24,25,26 What Scripture is there for taking money for burying the dead or to have ten or twelve shillings for Preaching a Funeral Sermon or to take money for marrying man or woman answer For our pains in labouring in the Word and Doctrine the Apostle gives this general rule 2 Tim. 5.17,18 The Labourer is worthy of his wages and what their wages is for their particular pains and labours in this or that Ministerial Function whether more or lesse is not of our choosing but partly the liberality of Founders and Benefactors partly custome amongst all people in all Christian Countries hath setled it question 27 When did any that was sent of Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel sue men at the Law answer We confesse that to be contentious and
arguments objection 1 The grand Objection of all Enthusiasts against Colledges and humane learning and all studying for the knowledge of Gods revealed will in his word is drawn from the examples of Elisha called from the plow and Amos who was an herdman in the Old Testament And the Apostles who were unlearned simple fishermen in the New For Answer whereunto consider answer 1. That the calling of these persons was not only extraordinary but singular and unusual For usually all the Prophets of the Lord both ordinary and extraordinary were bred up in the Schools of the Prophets as hath been already intimated so that this is no warrant for any Shepheard Ploughman Fisherman or other ordinary person whatsoever to hope or wait for the like call 2. There is a great difference betwixt Elisha the ploughman and Elisha the Prophet betwixt Peter a Fisherman and St. Peter an Apostle every extraordinary calling from God is both confirmed by miracles and accompanied also with extraordinary gifts to execute the duties of this calling it being as easie with God when he pleases to make men learned as to finde them so And to descend to particulars 1. Elisha though he was at the first called from the plough yet was he so instructed by the Prophet Elijah and upon his prayers so extraordinarily endued with the spiritual gifts of wisdome and knowledge that he became Master of one of the Schools of the Prophets whose Colledge was so full that the Students desired him to have it enlarged 2 King 6.1 And 't was one of his own Colledge no stranger or illiterate person that he sent upon the Lords message to anoint Jehu King over Israel 2 King 9.1 2. Amos indeed professeth of himself Amos 7.14 I was no Prophet neither was I Prophets son but I was an Herdman and gatherer of Sycomore fruits and the Lord said uuto me Go and prophesie to this people But then this is noted withall as a thing singular and rare that such a one should be called a Prophet who was not the Son of a prophet nor bred up in their Schools whereby he might be enfitted for so great a calling And undoubtedly the mouth of this Prophet would soon have been stopt and severe punishment inflicted on him for presuming to prophesie in the name of the Lord had he not by miracles or some infallible signs prov'd his calling to be extraordinary and divine And although no miracle be recorded for the confirmation of this Prophets extraordinary calling yet of Elisha who was called from the plough we read that he made Iron to swim raised the dead revealed the secret counsels of the King of Syria being many miles distant And of the Apostles that they spake diverse languages healed all diseases c. If therefore any of these persons who pretend to immediate Revelation and consequently to be extraordinarily called to preach the Gospel can confirm the same by any such miracle 't would be a very great sin against the good Spirit of God to deny that he were in them of a truth but since this they cannot do they speak not with tongues but against them rather they cure no diseases but increase them the more those especially of melancholy frenzy c. you may know their disciples by their pale complexions lean cheeks wilde distorted looks In a word since they pretend to extraordinary matters and yet can by no extraordinaery means or miracle confirm the same 't is too evident that their pretended Revelations are the delusions of their own hearts and not the inspirations of the Spirit of truth 3. For the Apostles of Christ though they were but ignorant and unlearned persons when first called yet through the instructions of Christ himself in person for three years together and the extraordinary inspirations of his holy Spirit they were afterwards endued with the gifts of learning both divine and humane whereof the very appearances of the holy Ghost descending upon them may put us in minde 1. In tongues enabling them to understand and speak all languages 2. In cloven Tongues enduing them with it he Art of Rhetorical elocution and Logical Analyse to divide distinguish and resolve Gods word into its proper parts and portions 3. In fiery Tongues that by the knowledge of things both natural and moral they might illustrate clear and make manifest things divine All which parts of learning evidently appear both in their Sermons and Epistles included in the sacred canon of Scripture and those also that stand upon record in other Ecclesiastical writings Such persons then as from the example of the Apostles pretend to the knowledge of Gods will by immediate Revelation must also be assur'd that they have the gifts of learning by immediate inspiration also For Learning and Religion are two inseparable twins no rude and illiterrate Ignoramo's being capable whilest they so continue of the sublime and celestial mysteries of godliness And undoubtedly it had been a very unfitting thing that the Apostles of Christ at first or any of his Ministers since should be an ignorant and illiterate generation Greg. in 1 Kin. Since our Redeemer himself as a Father observes as he is the Word of the eternal Father is the Master of all Arts and Sciences He professes himself to have received the Tongue of the learned Isa 50.4 And therefore 't is not to be neglected by any of his members much lesse of his Ministers And they to whom learning is offensive wherewithall Christ himself was enriched to them Christ is become a stumbling block and a stone of offence For Christ cannot be against himself neither can any true member of Christ either be against what was eminent in him or against those gifts that were bestowed by him He gave the gifts of Tongues and Sciences and he both will own them and does require them For as under the Law a lame and a blinde sacrifice was hateful unto God so both under Law and Gospel he requires that the Priests and Prophets which are the portion of his inheritance should be sound and seeing persons neither lame through negligence nor blinde through ignorance Mal. 2.7 1 Tim. 5.17 2 Tim. 2.15 2 Tim. 3.17 but such whose lips preserve knowledge and also labour in the Word and Doctrine Such who study to shew themselves approved and are thoroughly furnished unto every good work objection 2 But do not we hear many unlearned men preach the Word expound Scriptures and the most difficult parts of them even hard Prophesies and the mystical Revelation it self and this to the great liking and almost admiration of the hearers Do not we hear them dispute with their Ministers and write books against all that oppose them and shall we yet doubt of their inspiration and the uselesnesse of humane learning since these persons can do all this without it answer 'T is most true that such like things as these are performed by unlearned men and make a great noise in the world and bear
brought even upon the sacred function it self that great contempt and reproach under which it now lies oppressed there being nothing so frequent in the mouthes of the people as the sins of their ministers the Perjury time-serving and wavering inconstancy of some the faction and sedition of others the pride the covetousness the drunkenness of others Etenim non solum doctiesse volumus sed docti boai qualis ommno est qut recte quidem verbis sed multo rectius moribus vita philoso phantur Sabel orat 7. have made even the profession contemptible and our labours in the word and doctine ineffectual and vain fervent prayers and holy living being those spiritual engines whereby those holy truths delivered in sermons have their influence upon the hearts and lives of the hearers and where an exemplary purity of life is wanting 't is no mervail that God who is the fountain of purity deny his blessings upon our labours and turn our preaching into foolishness And herein the Enthusiasts of the age have found so great a flaw in the Ministery as that they absolutely decry the calling or if not so yet the best terms they can afford the most upright and conscientious amongst us is false Prophets and deceivers of the people But yet that the error of this opinion and sinfulness of the railing accusations though against some persons they have too much of truth may appear 't is necessary to take notice of these following considerations 1. That 't is the sins of the people that provokes God to give them ignorant and sinful shepheards And there shall be like people like Priests saith the Lord and I will punish them for their waies and reward them their doings Hos 4.9 and again The daies of visitation are come the daies of recompence are come Israel shal know it The Prophet is a fool the spiritual man is mad and what 's the reason for the multitude of thine iniquity and the great hatred Hos 9.7 Non est à plebe aut vulgaribus hominibus arguendus out accusandus episcopus licet sit inordinatus quia pro meritis subdâ—… rum disponitur a Deo vita dectorum Evar. ep fratribus Aegypt And therefore saith Evaristus A Bishop and Pastor of souls is not to be reviled by the people though be disorderly because God disposeth of the lives of the Teachers according to the deserts and qualities of the hearers And so of Princes as well as of Priests wicked Princes God gives in his wrath Hos 13.11 viz. when he is angry with a people for their sins And even the errors of the best kings are ascribed to the sins of their subjects As Davids sin in numbring the people was caused by the anger of the Lord against Israel 2 Sam. 24.1 For the Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord and he turneth it whither soever he will Prov. 21.1 either for a blessing or curse upon their subjects Anacleti epist tertia Sic pro meritis plebis saepe pastores depravantur ecclesiae ut procliviùs corruant qui sequuntur 'T is even so with the Pastors of the Church who are deprav'd and diorderly in their lives because the people by their sins have deserv'd to have such leaders whose directions shall sooner tend to the ruine then to the health of their souls 2. 'T is the duty of all Christian people rather to cover and veil then to disclose and publish the enormities of their Pastors For they are their spiritual Fathers 1 Cor. 4.15 And the nakedness of Fathers must not be discovered by the children that the curse of Cham fall not upon them Gen. 9.22.25 If the Pastors neglect their duty towards God the people must not therefore neglect their duty to their Pastors but wisely distinguish betwixt their example and doctrine obeying the truths they deliver but avoiding the sinfull practises they follow which is positively commanded by our Lord Mat. 23.2,3 The Scribes and Pharises sit in Moses chair All therefore whatsoever they bid observe that observe and do but do not ye after their works for they say and do not Etiam si quisquam traditor subrepsisset c. saith Aug. Though some traytor or wicked person creep into the chair of Moses Aug. Epis 165. it should nothing hurt the Church or innocent Christians for whom Christ hath provided saying of evil prelats what they say do ye 3. The knowledge of the Truth may be obtained in the use of outward means and the ministerial office thereupon conferred upon such persons as want the internal qualification of true piety which is clear from the examples of Balaam who loved the wages of righteousness and yet had the gift of prophesie of Judas who was sent out by the Lord himself to preach the Gospel and yet had a Devil and Nicholas chosen by the Apostles one of the Deacons and yet was the father of the Nicholaitan Haeresie so much detested by God Rev. 2.6 Shall we therefore accuse and rail upon the Prophets of the Lord for the sin of Balaam or disparage the Apostles of Christ for the sin of Judas or impute to the rest of the holy Deacons the error of Nicholas or shall we not hear and obey the truth because it comes from the mouthes of some wicked as well as good Ministers It is rather our duty to admire the wisdome and magnifie the goodness of God who to give the greater testimony to the Truth and to make it more illustrious and evident is pleased to deliver it unto us by his Ministers of both sorts good and bad both by the holy and by the profane And 't is the Spirit of God undoubtedly that works in and by all persons that deliver the truth though not in all alike but in men of divers qualifications after a different manner in good men as ingredient and insident in bad men as urgent and impellent by good men more frequently and effectually he works the conversion of his people and by bad men sometimes also though more rarely that the working of his grace may appear in all and the glory thereof may to him as the supreme cause and not to his instruments be ascribed 4. That the gifts of Gods holy Spirit are not limited to those that receive his graces is further clear Mat. 7.22,23 Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have not we prephesied in thy name Here were great gifts bestowed and that upon wicked and unsanctified persons for it followes immediately Then will I professe unto them I never knew you depart from me ye workers of iniquity so also 1 Cor. 13.2 Though I have the gift of prophesie and understand all mysteries and though I have all faith so as to remove mountains viz. of seeming impossibilities and have not charity I am nothing From whence two things are plainly and clearly observable 1. That the understanding of holy Scriptures and of the mysteries of godliness or prophetical and