1. 2. Tit. 1. 7. Ambassadors a name of honour (b) 2 Cor. 5. 20. and given unto none without Commissions and instructions for the mannaging and ordering of it So Shepheards a name of Office and Authority not taken up by any of the servants but conferred upon some experienced confiding men that had a special over-sight and interest in them (c) Eph. 4. 2. so likewise they are called Angels (d) Rev. 1. 20. and that by Christ when he was in the highest Heavens and had a clear conception of every thing better then Adam when he gave names to all the Creatures yet Adam erred not 3. Characters brands and distinctions to know them by names may be arrogated and usurped Jacob takes Esaus name but had much adoe to frame and counterfeit his Character The holy Ghost describes them therefore by their Characters and nature as well as names (e) 1 Tim 3. 2 3 4 5 6 7. if the place and Office had not been peculiar what need so much adoe could not he have said see they be honest godly men and that 's enough so when he orders Titus to take on him the jurisdiction of that Island he gives him Characters to know such as he was to use (f) Tit. 1. 6 7 8 9. and those not common unto every Christian but proper and peculiar to the Guides and Governours 4. Calls and contrivements to their proper places designs them affixeth them unto their work (g) Act. 13. 2 3 4. gives them their missions as well as Commissions there is no doubt but men may preach that are not sent but seldom or never savingly if God send them not they seldom turn men from their wicked wayes as the Prophet intimates (h) Jer. 23. 21 21. though instruments are used and implied in the work yet the holy Ghost doth fix them and conclude them in it (i) Act. 20. 28 take heed unto your selves and all the flock over whom the holy Ghost hath made you Bishops no doubt in placing and displacing Ministers the holy Ghost presides and over-rules 5. Convenient maintenance Gods spirit knowes that Ministers are men and are supported by food and rayment Angels indeed they are by Office and imployment but not Spirits seeing they carry about them flesh and bones which Spirits do not (k) Luk. 24. 39. and for the most part crasie and weakly flesh that need more cost and care then any other men their sedentary lives and serious thoughts weaken their stomacks for the most part and expose them unto often and great infirmities as we may see in Tmothy (l) 1 Tim. 5. 23. who is not only permitted and allowed but commanded and enjoyned to keep a wholsom diet and whereas other men may truck and barter in the world plot and contrive wayes of advancement and improvement of their Estates only they cannot as Souldiers will have free quarter if pay be wanting because they are commanded upon duty as the men of Judah set every tenth man apart to fetch in victuals for their fellow Souldiers (m) Jud. 20. 10 for no man that warreth intangleth himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him that hath called him to be a Souldier (n) 2 Tim. 2. 3 4. now this would not be if there were not use and need of Souldiers for who goeth to warfare at his own cost (o) 1 Cor. 9. 7. it is not to be spoken what those Nations and Kingdoms save that need not Arms and certainly the holy Ghost were a bad husband if it imposed an unnecessary charge if it should enjoyne a chargeable and costly Calling and imployment that might be executed by men of Trade but knowing how laborious and sequestred the labours of a painful Pastor are it takes care for their livelihood that he that is taught in the word communicate with him that teacheth in all good things (p) Gal. 6. 6. that whilst the Minister is plotting and contriving how to do their souls good they should provide for his corporeal sustenance the very Oxes mouth that treadeth out the corn must not be musled (q) 1 Tim. 5. 18. those that have slaves bought with their money yet give them food and rayment because they know they cannot work without it and shall the Minister be put to seek his bread at night when he hath starved and laboured all the day great care is taken by God himself for a clear and cumberlesse provision for the Priests and Levites and that not only in their month of waiting but all the time of their retirement in the Countrey and though that president should be sufficient yet there is an exact and proper Ordinance (r) 1 Cor. 9. 13 14. as they that minister about holy things live of them so they that preach the Gospel should live of that the holy things and that administration was meat and drink and the Priests upon the matter were but holy Cooks and he is an ill Cook that cannot lick his own fingers yet God takes special care they should be richly and liberally provided for for he knew those that payd them would have interest in them As in this Land the soveraign power did many acts of grace for subjects and inferiour persons but never gave them ayd and subsidies that way they had to oblige and gratifie their Prince so Ministers have many wayes to gratifie their people but God hath not appointed they should give them money that way the people have to oblige and gratifie their Pastors and those that pay best profit most for he that receives spiritual things from his teacher will not think much to give him carnall things for it is a great deal lesse then he receives If a man sowe wheat and is at all the cost and care to mannage and manure the ground for such a crop it would be no great matter for him to reap fitches it is the Apostles similitude (s) 1 Cor. 9. 11 it s known the Apostles and their associates had gifts and powers freely given them were at no cost to gain and purchase their abilities Paul with one imposition of his hands gave more then we can get in many years (t) 2 Tim. 1. 6 our youth and pretious time and strength and a great part of our Patrimony goes to purchase fitnesse for this great work yet all is not enough without Gods blessing in a speciall manner on our labours venduntur laboribus dona in the sweat of our brains and breast we eat our bread The arts indeed are called liberall but it s to those that work and wait upon them if therefore we sowe not only spiritual but also carnal things is it not reason we should reap something CHAP. XX. The fourteenth Argument THat ought to be in every setled well-ordered Arg. 14 Church which it hath been duly seized and possessed of these fifteen hundred years and upwards for that 's a sign it suits well with
a man be born again of water and of the holy Ghost he cannot see the Kingdom of God and by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (r) 1 Cor. 12 13. this administration under which we live is in a more peculiar manner the Spirits work then either Creation or Redemption were which are more frequently ascribed to the Father and the Sonne and some think one reason why the sin against the holy Ghost is not forgiven is because no other person works after him (s) 1 Mat. 12. 31 32. but the Spirit may be poured in as great a measure on the house of David and Inhabitants of Jerusalem as the Prophet speaks (t) Zach. 12 10 as on the house of Levi and the Sonnes of Aaron for it is not learning wit or eloquence that makes one able for this work but the endowments of the Spirit for what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man that is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God (u) 1 Cor. 2. 11 Sol. 1. It s granted that the holy Ghost is mainly active in Gospel administrations but not excluding the Father and the Sonne (w) Joh. 5. 17 for my Father worketh hitherto sayes Christ and I work and conversion is in a special manner ascribed to the Father (x) Joh. 6. 45 and though the Sonne in person be now gone into Heaven yet is he present where two or three are met together in his name (y) Mat. 18 20 yea with his Ministers unto the worlds end (z) Mat. 28. 20 nay even acteth and speaketh in them (a) 2 Cor. 13. 3 and by them unto others (b) 2 Cor. 5. 20 and so we may say who hath most of the Father and the Sonne is fittest for this work and Ministers have more of them (c) 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation of whom I travel in birth again till Christ be formed in you (d) Gal. 4. 19. as many as have been baptized into Jesus Christ have put on Christ (e) Gal. 3. 27. where we finde the Minister intrusted with communicating Christ to others more then other men 2. None of the persons act Gospel-Administrations immediatly and without Instruments as we have shewed before but especially the Spirit for though it be true that the holy Ghost hath been apparent and visible in Gospel-Administrations as unto Christ at his admission unto his publick Office and imployment (f) Mat. 3. 16. and unto the Apostles when they were about to enter into the work (g) Act. 2. 3 4. yet hath it been but very sparingly and with ample evidence that it was he because it was easier for that lying Spirit as he is called (h) 1 King 22. 22. to imitate and counterfeit the holy Ghost then any other person the holy Ghost speaketh very frequently but it is in the Scriptures which are nothing but the dictates breathings of the Spirit (i) 2 Tim. 3. 16 2 Pet. 1. 21. wherein he speaketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or expresly as the Apostle speaks (k) 1 Tim. 4. 1. Paul saith that the holy Ghost did witnesse in every City that bonds and troubles did abide him (l) Act. 20. 23. but how did the Spirit do it but by he Prophets that he met with in the Cities through which he passed for what Agabus affirmed in Caesarea (m) Act. 21. 10 11. Heb. 2. 4. others had done in other places it is like where most of the apparent operations of the Spirit are there doubtlesse are the best endowments for the Ministry now such endowments are more evident in Ministers and their labours then in others 3. It will not follow one hath the Spirits work upon his soul in a sensible and saving manner therefore he is a Minister and publick Preacher and may administer the Sacraments for then all Gods people should be Preachers and Moses needed not have made that prayer (u) Numb 11. 29. it will follow then one is the Child of God for as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God (o) Rom. 8. 14. God hath many Children that are not preachers or else that question had been improper (p) 1 Cor. 12. 29 30. if there were no sheep there would be no shepheards yea then it would follow that women might be preachers for their names some of them are in the Book of life (q) Phil. 4. 3. which would contradict the rule of the Apostle as we have shewed before 4. Therefore besides the spirit of grace and supplication whereby men are regenerate and born anew there must be the Spirit of gifts and revelation in the several endowments of the soul either in an extraordinary way as in the primitive times or ordinary as now (r) 1 Cor. 12. 8 9 10 11. for those men Paul found at Ephesus had the Spirit of grace or else they had not been Disciples yet the Spirit of gifts and qualifications for the Ministry they had not so much as heard of until Paul had laid his hands upon them (s) Act. 19. 6. and when Paul inabled Timothy for to make Ministers he orders them to look for other qualifications then conversion and the Spirit of grace (t) 1 Tim. 3. 2 3 4 5 6 7. so unto Titus it was not sufficient that they were good men but must be also gifted men neither do our Brethren say that every Brother may preach but every gifted Brother CHAP. XXVI The fourth Objection and Answer WE grant that gifts are requisite as well as Obj. 4 grace in setled publick teachers men may be very intellectual and understanding and yet not able to expresse themselves and communicate their gifts as all such ought (u) 2 Tim. 2. 2. nam quo quisque ingeniosior eo difficilius docet he must therefore be apt to teach as well as to learn and understand as the Apostle doth expresly order (w) 1 Tim. 3. 2. but we say withall God can and sometimes doth inable common men with gifts not only of understanding and knowledge but of utterance also and elocution to the wonder and astonishment of those that hear as Eldad and Medad in the very Camp though they went not with the rest unto the Tabernacle (x) Numb 11 25 26 27 28 29. yet prophesied in the Camp to admiration the Spirit bloweth when and where it listeth not in the Universities or Temples only on the Doctors Students in Divinity but on the meanest Tradesman and mechanick if he please as the Apostle shews (y) 1 Cor. 12. 11. dividing to every man severally as he will Sol. 1. There is no doubt but God can tak◠what Instruments he pleaseth if he findes
salvation stayed behinde that the lights or Candles were removed as they are called (p) Mat. 5. 14. 15. and yet the Candlesticks continued and let alone when as we finde a threatning to remove the Candlestick because the light burnt some what dimmer (q) Rev. 2 5. we finde salvation and damnation intituled to and intailed upon an ordered and lawful Ministry (r) Mark 16. 15 16. preach the Gospel to every Creature he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved he that believeth not shall be damned damnation is by our Saviour said to be the losing of our souls (s) Mat. 16. 26. and we dare not undervalue peoples souls we think mens souls are capable of joy and sorrow of pain and pleasure of comfort and torment as Lazarus and Dives are said to be (t) Luk. 16. 25 those poysoned pens that have attempted to assert the contrary have not convinced us for then we think our Saviour Christ could in no sense have said unto the Thief upon the Crosse to day thou shalt be with me in Paradice (u) Luk. 23. 43. we think the Devil who is himself a spirit would not so seriously endeavour and intend the ruine of them as he doth (w) 1 Pet. 5. 8. for he is kind and friendly many times unto their bodies upon condition he may indanger and insnare their souls feeds often and refresheth that that he may famish and devoure the other CHAP. III. The lott and foundation of it BUt in this point as in the rest we acquiesce in the judgement and authority of the Scriptures that makes the end of faith the souls salvation (x) 1 Pet. 1. 9. the putting of the Gospel preached from us a judging of our selves unworthy of eternal life (y) Act. 13. 46 and do believe that the Scriptures are the word of God from Heaven not of men as Johns Baptisme is acknowledged to be (z) Mat. 21. 25. that they are given by inspiration from God (a) 2 Tim 3. 16. and not contrived for politick worldly interests that the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost (b) 2 Pet. 1. 21 for had they been a cunningly devised fable imposed on that world for politick and carnal ends the deviser and contriver must either have been a good man or a bad a good man could not have invented and promoted so great a lie (c) Rev. 22. 15. be guilty of so known a couzenage obtruded such a cheat upon the world beguiled so many innocent well-meaning men do so much evil that good might come of it (d) Rom. 3. 8. and a bad man could not beget and breed so handsome and well favoured a Progeny be the Father and founder of so beautiful a brood we know that paâ—tus sequitur ventrem the birth doth smell and savour of the belly that so much vertue purity and self-denial could not be ingendered harbored and published by an ugly foul ill-favoured imagination and invention that Thersites was not the Father of Achilles nor Absalom the Sonne of Agesilaus fortes creantur fortibus bonis who can bring a clean thing out of that which is unclean (e) Job 14. 4. sincerum fit nisi vas quod cunque insundis acescit And he must have been a wise man or a fool a fool could not have happened upon so well composed and contrived a plot that wise men should from time to time allow of and subscribe unto and a wise man would not spend so much strength and time in hatching framing falslaying and promoting of a way that would not gratifie him and reward him cui prosuit scelus is fecit hos ego versiculos feci will be subscribed rather then so good and happy an invention should be suppressed or misapplyed Beside it either must have been one or many one could not plot and perfect resolve and ripen begin and end so great an Engine that was not begotten and brought forth in the same age but like the Earth and matter of our Chinah-dishes is begun by the Father continued and promoted by the Sonne and compleated by the Grand-child nor by many for it was hard for so many good wits to jump upon so empty vessels barren and unprofitable an imployment We acknowledge that there hath been cheats and juggles in Religion for the simplest plainest men have in all ages been the most religious (f) 1 Cor. 1. 26. and innocent well-meaning men are aptest to be insnared and soonest caught homines antiqui ex suo ingenio caeteros fingunt imagine all men as upright as themselves and innocent quò magis verax eo minus suspicax two hundred men ingage for Absalom in meer simplicity that knew not any thing (g) 2 Sam. 15. 11. for where faith swayes opinion and perswasion are not strangers men do as verily believe the things they dream of as walking persons the things they see and know yet we know of none that are or ever were in all the world the Authour whereof perished unknown or unrewarded at least in their intention and design we read of Jeroboam that made Israel to sin (h) 2 King 10. 29. but withall we read what his design and purpose in that seducement and imposture was namely left the Kingdom should revert and turn again unto the house of David (i) 1 King 12. 26 27 28. we read of Mahomet prevailing by his faigned Saintship and exact devotion with the people of Arabia to inable him to ruine and remove their lawful Government and Governours and when he had done we see him set the Crown upon his own head and a bit and bridle in their jaws from which to this day they are not free we have seen the man of sin exalting and preferring of himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above all that is called God or that is worshipped (k) 2 Thes 2. 4 but we know he did it to enjoy their Territories and Dominions that he might dispose of their Estates and subdue their persons to attendance on him and submission to him that we may not mention lesser cheats But what got he or they that framed and contrived the Scriptures what was his name or what was his Sons name as he speaks (l) Prov 30. 4. therefore we own the Scriptures for the oracles of God as they are called (m) Rom. 3. 2. 1 Pet. 4. 11. and think what 's said in them to be ex tripode that is undoubted certain and of eternal verity and cannot chuse but act accordingly that is adventure all upon the promises therein contained spend willingly our time and strength in the study meditation and contemplation of them build upon what is there held forth to good men and believers fear what is there denounced against seducers and ungodly persons love and rejoyce in what is there commended hate and abhorre what there
Tackle Marriners and Sea-men and cannot move nor act no more then that can The Church in Christs time was pretty wel equipped and accomodated could move and saile within view of the Shore and so were ordered to do (Å¿.) Mat. 10. 5. Go not into the way of the Gentiles and into any City of the Samaritans enter ye not they were not fit for bustles and encounters yet and therefore when their Pilot was departing and going from them he bids them tarry at Jerusalem till he provided them a better and a fitter equipage (t) Luk. 24. 49 one sayes a Ship is avis lignea a wooden Bird and a Bird we know cannot flye swiftly except her wings and feathers be dry and smooth God therefore that he might inable the Church his Arke or wooden Bird to fly the better and encounter difficulties sends down according to his promise wind and fire both for to dry her moystened and ruffled feathers and beare her up above the scornes and calumnies of popular and vulgar breath (u) Act. 2. 2 3 4. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance Fire is the most active element and therefore was predominant in this accommodation to shew that Ministers ought to be active are often in the Scripture called Angels (w) Rev. 1. 20. the seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches and we know what 's said of them (x) Psal 104. 4 who maketh his Angels spirits and his Ministers a flaming fire its true God is to be attended with more then are to be imployed (y) Psal 68. 17 18. the charets of God are twenty thousand even thousands of angels so (z) Dan. 7. 10. ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him yet all of them are to be Agents able and apt to act what shall be ordered and appointed to them so that if he say unto one go he goes to another come and he comes and to his servant do this and he doeth it (a) Luk. 7. 8. They say the Russian Emperour when any solemn entertainment is to be made hath many Citizens mechanick persons arrayed and set out to stand as Mutes in the solemnitie and looke on but God will have all his servants and attendants to be vowells will have no blemishes that disable unto action will have no Idolls in the Church his holy Temple that have mouthes and speak not eyes and see not they have hands and handle not feet have they and walk not as the Psalmist speaks (b) Psa 115. 5 6 7. and therefore that is especially put in that he be apt to teach (c) 1 Tim. 3. 2. and an unfitnes here begets a nullity as it doth in a knife that is not apt to cut in an instrument that is not apt to sound as Aristotle sayes perforatus calix non est mutilus sed nullus an hole in an earthen vessell destroyes not onely the beauty but the being of it 9. In holy things that is the things of God such as the Temple and Altar were among the Jewes (d) 1 Cor. 9. 13 and such as the word Prayer Sacramntâ—s and Censures are among the Christians for as there were Guides and Overseers in the Temple to attend and order at Administrations the stranger that came nigh was to be put to death (e) Num. 3. 38 so in the Gospell Administrations some must be specially provided and devoâ—ed unto these attendances and administrations the Church of God is compared unto and called the house of God (f) 1 Tim. 3. 15. as therefore in a settled well-ordered house there alwayes is and must be some body to oversee and act in all domestick administrations so in the Church the Apostle makes the parralel (g) 1 Tim. 3. 4 5. One that ruleth well his owne house having his children in subjection with all gravity for if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take cart of the Church of God The Ministers of the Gospel are and ought to be Masters of the Assemblies as the wise man speaks (h) Eccl. 12. 11. that the meeting may not be confused and the more part know not wherefore they come together as it is said of that confused company f for though the Scriptures (i) Act. 19. 32 be the Word of God and able to make us wise unto salvation as the Apostle speaks (k) 2 Tim. 3. 15. yet without a guide all cannot understand them (l) Act. 8. 30. 31. there is eternal life involved and bound up in that Book but they must be searched before that can be found (m) Joh. 5. 39. they must be opened and divided by a Work-man (n) 2. Tim. 2. 15. that every Son and Servant in the house may have his portion and allowance in convenient time (o) Luk. 12. 42 that there be no plaistering and daubing over with untempered morter as the Prophets speaks (p) Ezek. 13. 10 11 12 13 14 15. that is because with lies they make the hearts of the righteous sad whom the Lord hath not made sad and strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him life (q) Vers 22. So for the Sacraments Gods Great Seales as Circumcision is expresly called (r) Rom. 4. 11. and by a reall and just proportion the other may be that they be not set unto a Blank or to a Patent that is not warrantable and authentick and therefore may be confided in the hands of such as God hath ordered and autberized to be keepers of them (s) Mat. â—8 19 20. 1 Cor. 11 23. and so for Prayer another great part of ministeriall office (t) Acts 6. 4. that it be offered up to God by one that is an Advocate in Office in the stead of Christ (u) 2 Cor. 5. 20 Gods mouth unto the people as the Prophet is expresly called (w) Jer. 15. 9. and thâ— People likewise unto God as Moses is expresly said to be (x) Deut. 5. 27 Exod. 19. 8 9. not that we think a private godly Christian may not pray no we acknowledge that he may and must (y) 1 Thess 5. 17. but we thinke there is a Publique Service or Sacrifice of Prayer that must not be offered up without an Officer (z) Jam. 5. 14 15. representing Jesus Christ who is our onely effectual authentick Advocate and Intercessor to his Heavenly Father (a) Heb. 7. 25. For as the Judges of the Courts at Westminster will not have ignorant unskilfull persons plead before them because the Termes aâ—e short and Causes many So God loves
down among them yet he sets bounds and makes a circle round about him that they might not passe (x) Exod. 19. 21 22. its true the Sons of Aaron came a little nearer but if any stranger were incouraged thereby to be uncivil he lost his life for it (y) Numb 18. 7. nay even Aarons sons if they presumed beyond their limits scaped not the first fault useth to be pardoned especially in young men that are by nature apt to make adventures yet Nadab and Abihu perish for their first fault (z) Numb 10. 1 2. and though God may be thought to be more facile now and easier of access in Gospel-times yet the Apostle doth assure us that our God is a consuming fire (a) Heb. 12. 29 it was no great fault that Ananias and his Wife committed yet both are strucken dead (b) Act. 5. 11. Vzzah thought no hurt when he toucht the Ark nor the men of Bethshemish when they looked in and yet there were fifty thousand of them smitten (c) 1 Sam. 6. 19 Scilicet in superis etiam furtiva luenda est Nec veniam laeso minime casus habet 2. It is and must be the work of man the attendance is not to supply and furnish God but to secure and save man we serve God in it but our selves more we serve him not because he wants men but because we want Masters God is attended with better Servants (d) Psal 103 20 21. blesse the Lord yea his Angels that excel in strength that do his Commandement hearkning to the voice of his words blesse the Lord all ye his Hosts ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure it is not therefore for want of Servants that men must be imployed but for his servants wants that cannot otherwise be relieved Great men take Physick when they need it because their servants cannot take it for them The greatest Queen must be in labour of her own Children the King writes Letters in behalf of Naaman but Naaman himself must wash seven times in Jordan if he will be clean (e) 2 King 5. 14. Man marr'd all and man must mend all for since by man came death by man came also the Resurrection of the dead (f) 1 Cor. 15. 21. that as in the fall it was homo homini lupus so in the rise it must be homo homini Deus the fall was such as could not be recovered but by God yet such as God could not recover but by man Christ therefore God-man was the restorer and reconciler of man to God (g) 2 Cor. 5. 19. for God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself the Angels are imployed to carry tydings of a Saviour but the Savâ—our himself was God (h) Luk. 2. 11. our attendance therefore upon holy thingâ— is necessary non solum necessitate praecepti sed etiam medii not only in regard of Gods injuâ—ction Order and Command but also of our indigency If God were pleased now to speak to us from Heaven as he did unto the Jews yet we could not hear his stillest Rhetorick would be too loud for us as they profess that had experience of it (i) Deut. 5. 27 28. whereupon God promised to raise them up a Prophet like to Moses (k) Deut. 18. 15 16 7. which was made good to them in Jesus Christ aâ— a very good Interpreter expounds it (l) Act. 3. 22 â—3 and Christ hath ordered men unto this work until he come again (m) Joh 20. 21 22 23. as my Father sent me so I send you gives some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints the work of the Ministry and the edification of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ (n) Eph. 4. 11 12 13. and this is the second step that leads unto the Doctrine we designe and purpose to propose 3. That the accutest ablest and most accomplisht and improved man is much below this work I have seen sayes David an end of all perfection but thy Commandement is exceeding broad (o) Psal 119. 96. All other Arts may be comprised and brought within some bounds but Divinity is like the Authour of it infinite Hypocrates and Galen may be read and learned Justinian bound up in a volume but the Bible can never be fully understood what he said of another is only true of this ars longa vita brevis periculum anceps occasio praeceps c. No man did ever see so much but more was unseen to him and here it was truly verified that the greatest part of that we know is the least of that we know not let us instance but in one epitome or comprehensive short compendium and body of Divinity (p) 1 Tim. 3. 16. God was manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels preached to the Gentiles believed on in the world and received up into glory The Apostle had given Timothy in that Chapter a charge to trie such as intended ministerial imployments and he gives this reason for it that Divinity was a very large profound mysterious and abstruse abyss of matter whereof in those words he gives an instance and therefore we have seen the greatest Lamps for to have needed snuffers Moses a man made up of excellencies Sir Walter Rawley sayes he was the best Commander and leader of an Army that ever was yet that was not much taken notice of yet for his unadvised speaking was shut out of the Land of Canan (q) Psal 106. 32. Paul was a chosen Vessel (r) Act. 9. 15 yet was in Corinth in weakness and in fear and in much trembling (s) 1 Cor. 2. 3. therefore asks who is sufficient for these things (t) 2 Cor. 2. 16. some mens acumens are not sharp enough to enter and enucleate these difficult abstruse mysterious labyrinths The Apostles in their times had only that to argue and evince that Jesus Christ was the Messias and great Redeemer and Saviour of the world and to evince it had all the Creatures at command were able to controle and contradict the Lawes of nature give Rules and limits to the stoutest powers of the world (u) Mark 16. 17 18. these signes shall follow them that believe in my name they shall cast out Devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up Serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover we have no such powerfull omnipotent convincing Arguments what we say must be argued from meaner topicks and though its truly said that posterior Dies est prioris discipulus that day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night sheweth knowledge (w) Psal 19. 2. that the
into a common Pasture are alwayes branded that they may be known So much more when they are admitted into the Church and set over people should they be marked that they may be known from others that if wee think not fit to retain the old distinction that was wont to be among the Shepheards where some were Shepheards (q) Joh. 10. 2. some chief Shepheards (r) 1 Pet. 5. 4. yet the Shepheards mâ—y be still distinguished from the Sheep that the Minister or Pastor of the Church may be known as they say from a black Sheep yea from a white one also for if there be no distinction between Sheep and Shepheard the Wolf may sometimes be entertained and folded among the Sheep beware saith Christ of false Prophets that come unto you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly are ravening wolves (s) Matth. 7 15 16. A Wolf you see may come in the garb and habit of a Sheep but not of a Shepheard and though it be true that Christ saies ye shall know them by their fruits yet they may do a deal of hurt before their fruit discover them if a Wolf should be lodged one night with the Sheep what a deal of mischief might he do before morning When Vlysses and his men had bored Polyphemus eye and made him blinde yet he resolved to take them as they went out and be revenged on them for he thought a man could not be formed into the shape and habit of a Sheep but Vlysses tying his men under the bellies of those large and lusty Sheep escaped Scot free So if a Romish Wolf those grievous Wolves the Apostle speaks of (t) Act. 20. 29 30. should be tyed under the belly of a Preaching-Sheep what work might he make in the Fold before he were discovered Durius ejicitur quam non admittitur hospes it is easier by Ordination to keep them out than by excommunication to remove them We have shewed before that Ordination is a Arg. 7 sacred and solemn dedication and devoting of a man to holy services that the solemnities are fervent and proper prayers unto God for the enabling and assisting of the person in his Work and therefore it ought to be continued in the Church for the work and service is of that great concernment unto our everlasting happiness that it ought to be attended with all assisting and enabling circumstances as when a young man is to go Factor beyond the Seas to Smyrna or Alâ—ppo or some other dangerous place he gets the prayers of some noted Congregations in London or other places for him and all acknowledge it a good assistance and security for the effectuall fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much (u) Jam. 5. 16. as the Apostle speaks or when some great engagement draweth nigh as when Israel in their journey were to fight with Amaleck (w) Exod. 17. 11 12. what steed was Moses prayer in Now a Minister engaging in this common service of the Saints and Church of Christ doth undertake a greater and hotter service than any other Warrior Ungodly men are not only compared unto thornes and briars as the Apostle speaks (x) Ezek. 2. 6. against which one must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear as he speaks (y) 2 Sam. 23. 6 7. but unto a Bear robbed of her Whelps as the wise man hath it (z) Pro. 17. 12 this the Apostle knew very well when he doth so seriously and pathetically begge their prayers (a) Rom. 15. 30 31. Now I beseech you Brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and for the love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may be delivered from them that beleeve not in Judea and that my service which I have at Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints yet he was an old Souldier and had much experience of Gods in abling and assisting presence with him and this was but one particular and single act how much more ought those to beg and crave our prayers and assistance when they are launching out into this great and dangerous service when they are going to fetch away the Beares Whelps from her to turn men from darknesse unto light and from the power of Satan unto God (b) Act. 26. 17 18. There is no doubt but a man may pray the same thing twice as he may write the same thing again as we may find it in the practice of our Saviour Christ (c) Mark 34. 39. and the latter doth corroborate the former the heat and fervor of the Spirit is strengthened by repetitions and therefore our Saviour doth not prohibite repetitions simply but vain repetitions (d) Mat 6. 7. and accordingly we find the Holy Ghost giving order for a second Ordination of Paul and Barnabas when they were to be sent upon that dangerous and weighty Message (e) Act. 13. 2 3 4. the prayers of Gods people do fill their sailes and make them wings to fly with both on their prey off their danger as occasion is therefore if there were no other use of Ordination but the assisting and enabling of the ordained persons unto their work it were sufficient to argue the continuance at least in this time when grievous wolves are entred in already not sparing the flock and of our own selves do men rise up speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them (f) Act. 20. 29 30 31. Should one throw down his sword when an enemy is ready to invade him sleep on the guard when an assault is given how justly doe they call up Jonas to his prayers when the Ship was tossed and was ready to be broken (g) Jon. 1. 6. when the Church and Truth is many wayes invaded and endangered to leave the doors and gates open and remove the Porters Watchmen from their charges There is great care taken that none be approved or admitted unto Livings and Augmentations but only those that have upon them a work of Grace as well as Gifts that have their gifts and learning sanctified and sweetned by the influence and operation of the Holy Ghost upon them therefore we should be carefull of all those wayes and means whereby the Holy Ghost is gotten and given for the Holy Ghost is worth the asking and not attended ordinarily without it (h) Luk. 11. 13 If ye then being evill know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him they may contribute prayers that have nothing else to give and as multorum manibus so multorum precibus grande levatur onus as Peter when he was in Prison was let out by their prayers (i) Act. 12. 5. In all estates and ages of the world Church robbing Arg. 8 hath been odious and abominable Dionysius for his boldnesse in it was abhorred every where when that great uproar was made at