you must do all and monopolize all to your selves when you have no more to do with the Office of a Minister nor have no more Calling to it then Korah and his Company or the Devil himself I prove it thus First Those who usurp the Office of the Ministery to themselves and have no more Call unto it either according the letter or the Spirit then Korah and his Company are guilty of Korah's sin but the Ministery of the Nation have no more Call unto it then Korah had Ergo They are guilty of Korah's sin 1. They have no Call according to the letter by a right Ordination for that they have lost in Rome long since and now have brought forth the carkass the form only and like children bless themselves with that as if they had found some great pearl Secondly There is no Call from the Spirit they then should live in the Spirits light and not in the darkness of the Devil and do the Spirits work build up the Saints encourage them in exercising their gifts for their mutual good and building up not hinder them and reproach them for so doing bear their weakness cover their infirmities reprove with meekness and love not belye them scandal them falsly accuse them like the Devil And whereas you say 'T is dangerous for men to preach without a Call and 't is dangerous for people to bear such I say its truth but gifted brethren do not preach without a Call their gift and opportunity is their Call But you it is that preach without a Call for the gift in most of you it is a stranger and you are strangers unto it and believe it the punishment will be great the earth will cleave and swallow you up in conclusion To what you have added in your third Edition I add this Answer You say Remember Hind c. Sir Are you so impudent as to reproach Saints and Truth with particular mens sins and faults Might you not upon the same account reproach Christ himself behold one of his own Disciples betray him and Peter denying him an old trick of the Devil to reproach truth withall If I should deal thus with you as justly I might I could tell you of a zealous Preacher of your tribe one Williams of Munton in Somersetshire got his servant with Child and was outed by the Committee of that County and another of Chard in the same County very zealous and like your self preached bitterly against Sectaries yet got one of his nearest friends daughter with Child and was outed likewise by the Committee another very near the same place did the like And upon this account it may easily be made manifest that there are not a filthyer Generation of Adulterers and Devils in the Nation then your own Coat You say That for it he hath been cast out of his gathered Church A discovery of their integrity they cannot bear them that do evil that say they are Jews and are not but you entertain drunkards whore-mongers prophane all sorts in you Congregation both of Priests and people and never cast them out a demonstration that you are no Church of Christ but the Synagogue of Satan a Cage of unclean and hateful birds Argument II. If none may Preach but such as are sent then every gifted brother may not preach but none may preach but such as are sent Ergo. Every gifted brother may not preach Your Argument in the Minor I grant but the Major I deny that although its true none can preach according to the intention of that Scripture Rom. 10. 15 viz. for the working of faith and converting of souls yet it doth not follow that every gifted brother may not preach for every gifted brother is sent to preach according to the measure of the gift received And your grand mistake in this Argument is in the word sent whereas that word sent relates to the internal power of the Spirit in the Saints by which they are enabled to speak a word in season to the very soul you understand it to be an outward mission or sending a poor and low interpretation The mission you say implyes three things Election by the Churches Probation and Examination by the Presbytery separation by Ordination of the Presbytery First Election by the Church But by what Church not your Parochial Provincial or National Church The New Testament never knew such a Church nor Christ in the New Testament never did never will own such a Church a company of ignorant prophane carnal creatures both Priest and people yet have gotten the name of a Church and Ministery blessing themselves in that name and yet are ignorant what it is for a Church of Christ to whom Election belongs are a company of Believers Saints gathered out of the world by the power of the Lord in the Ministry of the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 2. Act. 2. 47. chap. 4. 32. But you are Enemies to this Church rail reproach persecute they are the object of your scorn and malice I grant that where such a Church is Election belongs to them yet I say a man may be sent to preach though not elected by the Church Act. 8. 1. 4. The whole Church being scattered preached and I suppose none dare say that all of them were Elected and Ordained for I said before there is a preaching by way of gift and office and preaching by gift only and it s the Churches joy to see her Members gifted and exercised in this way But as for your selves as your Church is no true Church nor your Ministry no true Ministry so you fail likewise in your Election by that Church for you are in your way first ordained and then you are sent to your Churches Parishes whether they will or no and you take them by violence if you have a minde to their Tythes you will be their Minister though never elected by them and afterward if you have a Call to another place for your advantage you will leave them again and imbrace the second and the third too it may be yet you dare be so bold as to tell of your electing by the Church where as first it is no Church but a Parish consisting for the most part of ignorant carnal souls and secondly you press your selves upon them whether they will or no for the most part where then is your Election by the Church of Christ thus you fail in the first part of your mission non-Election by a Church of Christ and then I pray who sent you Your second is Probation and Examination by the Presbytery the Scripture you produce is 1 Cor. 14 32. For the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets c. A learned interpretation of this Scripture the spirits of those who are to be ordained to preach must be subject to the examination and probation of the Presbytery when there is not the least hint or intention of such a thing in the words for the Apostle saith Ye may all prophesie one
briefly run through it 1. Owning confirming their own principles wherein your ignorance and wo will appear in calling light darkness and darkness light 2. In discovering your folly and falshood in charging them with things they never owned wherein your envy and malice will appear The first Tenent I must speak to in its parts 1. That Infant-Baptism is childish and needless Answ It 's truth and that upon a double account 1. As relating to the subject the Childe who is to be baptized not understanding what is to be done neither the use and end of it and I suppose you cannot but grant that on the Infants part there is nothing but childishness from first to last Object The Infants of the Children of Israel were as uncapable in the understanding of the mysterie of Circumcision as Infants are now of Baptism yet they were by the command of God to be circumcised Answ To this I shall return a threefold answer 1. It s truth that one part of Circumcisions mysterie viz. the Circumcision of the heart was as far from the capacity of Infants as the mysterie of Baptism is now Yet 2. As Circumcision was a type and sign in the flesh of Christ who was to come of Abrahams seed and was to continue till Christ and Grace was come there was not such a capacity required for this was a Jewish and legal type as all the rest of their external Worships and Sacrifices were leading to or representing of the coming of Christ in the flesh but this of Baptism a lively representation and manifestation of the souls faith and knowledge of Christs being already come both in the flesh and in the Spirit without him and within him as likewise a visible demonstration to the world of the souls owning this Christ thus come for him in him by his Spirit c. this is not to be found within the capacity of Children Infants But 3. There was a command for that of Circumcision but none for that of Baptism and the command is it that gives the party a capacity of submission to the thing commanded Infants of Abrahams naturall seed were commanded to be circumcised Infants of the spirituall seed children of the faith of Abraham are commanded to be baptized Mar. 16. 16. Act. 8. 37. with Gal. 3. from the 26. to the end Secondly It s childish as relating to the Administrators and truly I think this is the most moderate term that you or I can give it for Childish relates to ignorance or want of knowledge but I am afraid that in many of you its wilfulness Childishness relates to ignorance Paul saith When he was a child he understood as a child c. And in malice be ye children but in understanding be ye men Your childish ignorance consists in not understanding the command of your Lord and the mysterie of his Covenant only to and with the spirituall seed those in whose hearts his Law is written not distinguishing between Law and Gospel Covenant of Moses and Covenant of Christ Jer. 31. 32 33. The Ordinances Subjects and Commands of the one and of the other Deut. 18. 15. Act. 3. 22. 2. Childish ignorance wilfulness and untowardness falling out with your brethren to whom God hath given more understanding in the mystery of his will reproaching scandalizing Truth it self like children rejoycing in the counter the bauble something like the Truth suffering your selves to be cheated by the Devil and deluded out of the Truth it self And it being such a childish thing hence it follows it s a needless thing no need of that which flows from ignorance no need of that which is not required its will-worship and formerly you had so much reason and Religion in you as to say that any thing done in the worship of God which had no command was will-worship but now when it concerns your selves it seems the case is altered 3. And that none must be Baptized till they come to perfect age and can wake confession of their Faith And is this such a strange thing with you who profess your self a Minister of the Gospel as that you make it such a dangerous Tenent as to scorn it and to account those who hold and practise it such dangerous Sectaries as you do was not Christ himself baptized at thirty years of age the Eunuch by Philip Act. 8. and those of John who came and confessed their sins and those converted at Peters Sermon and yet dare you to reproach this practice would you not account Christ and his Apostles Anabaptists if they were now living Object That was the first plantation of the Churches but now the Churches are planted therefore Infants are to be baptized Answ Was there one Rule for them in the infancy and another for you now If any such thing pray produce it let us see the Scripture but if no other Rule or Command to you then was to them be ashamed and tremble for ever to reproach this Principle and Practice unless you be resolved to deny Christ and to be the great Antichrist sitting in the seat of God exalting your self above all that is called God 4. That Infant-baptism came from the Pope and the Devill And I pray from whence came it else First it came not from Christ it is nowhere reckoned amongst his sayings or the Apostles Writings Therefore first it came from the Pope as your Calling did and you brought it from Rome with you therefore it was well confest by a man of your Coat once discoursing about Infants-baptism that it came from Rome its true said he it came from Rome so did we for all was involved up in the Romish Religion but we are come forth and bring out our Ordinances with us and so refine them that they are now no longer the Ordinances of Rome but of Christ were they once the Ordinances of Rome and now of Christ a strange change when the truth is that they are but Anabatized or nick named with the name of the Ordinances of Christ they are as much and as truly the Ordinances of Rome as ever this is such an evident truth as that he that runs may read it Secondly it came from the Devil I say not because it came from Rome for the Pope possibly may hold some Truth but if it came not from Christ then it came from the Devil and out of that bottomless Pit mentioned in Revelations of mans inventions The Devil and mans deceitful heart joyning and juggling together forms up something in the likeness of truth this is that mystery of Iniquity mentioned in Scripture something like truth but is not truth therefore wisdom is required for the understanding of it not your University Wisdom Arts and Sciences but that Wisdom which is from above which is pure peaceable c. The second Tenent you lay to their charge is That all gifted persons may preach without Ordination This likewise is such an evident and undoubted Truth to all men living in the Light
loosness and prophaness lay not the blame upon the practice of the Truth but let it light where it is So that it s not the preaching of Gifted Brethren that brings in Errour but the preaching of uncalled and ungifted ones such as your selves are that brings in Errour and it s the preaching of Gifted ones that will be a means of its discovery and bringing out The sixteenth Argument If the Church be Gods House and Family then no man may presume to exercise any Function there without a Call from God but the Church is Gods House and that God should appoint Officers and Order in his own House is but reason Granted but this is the order of Gods House That all his Children should communicate each to other according to the Gift as I have already proved and it s the order of the Devils house to destroy this order of the Lords Jer. 11. 21. The seventeeneth Argument from the Rise of it That which springs from pride and self conceitedness cannot be good but this kind of Preaching springs from pride and self conceitedness Ergo It cannot be good The Major is granted that the Minor is true You say you judge by their actions you judge of springs by their streams and trees by their fruit But are you so ignorant bold and impudent as to judge of Saints for doing their Duty its their duty to Preach and Prophesie and in Humility and Obedience they act in it not taking the Office but exercising the Gift as they have received having freely received they freely give But it s your own preaching that flows from pride and self conceitedness you that would preach and none else we hinder none from preaching that hath the Gift your selves it is who usurp the Office by reason of your imaginary gifts being never called to it by God or man according to the Truth You it is who thrust your selves in by violence whether the people will or no the dry keck and bramble it is indeed who desire to rule that is the reason so many of the honest Party have left you because of your driness and emptiness and that is the reason you are so much troubled for want of the ruling scratching persecuting power but your preaching Brethren desire not to rule unless over their corruptions nor to scratch unless they could by the power of Truth scratch away your Ignorance Envy and Pride against the Lord and his Truth c. it s the irregular using of Gifts which is when men would by that means stifle all except their own this flows from Pride The eighteenth Argument If Christ at his Ascension gave only some to be Pastors and Teachers then all Gifted men may not Teach but Christ at his Ascension gave only some to be Pastors and Teachers Ephes 4. 11. 1 Cor. 12. 28 29. Ans If a gifted Brother should have brought forth such a gross and palpable untruth you would have thought it had been for want of learning the very Scriptures you produce to prove it being so evident against youâ— your falshood lieth in the words only Pastors and Teachers see the Scriptures God hath set some in his Church 1. Apostles 2. Prophets 3. Teachers c. how dare you be so bold as to say only Pastors c 1. Apostles That is men sent for the gathering of the Saints 2. Prophets That is Gifted brethren Prophesying according to the measure of Faith And 3. Out of these Prophets are taken Pastors and Teachers no Prophet no Pastor nor Teacher c. Thus briefly the falacy of your Argument is made manifest the gift is for all I will pour out my spirit upon all c. The nineteenth Argument That which hath neither precept nor president is neither commanded nor commended in the Word of God may not be tolerated in the Church of God But this kinde of Preaching by Gifted Brethren hath neither precept nor president in all the Word of God Ergo it may not be tolerated in the Church of God You conclude This new found Officer a gifted Preacher out of office is not to be found in the Bible I have already proved this truth that it is commanded and commended there is both Precept and President 1. Precept They shall declare the glorious majesty of thy Kingdom to the sons of men Psal 145. 11 12. As every one hath received so let them administer Commended 1 Cor. 14. 5 6. 2. President All the Prophets in the Old Testament acted sutable to the gift it was no Office viz. Prophesie but a gift 1. In the New Testament the scattered brethren Act 8. and Paul Acts 9. 20. straight way he Preached he never looked for an office as you dream and the truth is I can scarce imagine that you are so ignorant of this truth as you seem to be but that others might rest themselves quiet and satisfied in what you say Let your ignorance in presenting such gross untrue conclusions that this Preacher is not to be found in the Bible be recanted and repented of for shame The twentieth Argument From the practice of all Reformed Churches That which is condemned in all the Churches of God and is contrary to their practice ought not to be tolerated in our Church but this practice of private mens Preaching without a Call is condemned by all the Churches of God and is contrary to their practice Ergo. As for the Major and the Minor your Churches and your old Divines are no rule for me to walk by nor to any others who have their eyes in their heads no further then they follow Christ the Spirit and the Scripture The Spirit in the Scripture is the rule of Saints and this I am sure the custom of the Churches in the Scripture is contrary to your customs their custom was That Preaching brethren should both Preach and Prophesie 1 Cor. 14. 31. And for those who will be contentious against this truth there was nor is no such custom in the Churches of the Lord therefore keep the example of your Churches and Divines to your self who walk not according to the rule if any man walk not according to this rule it is because there is no light in him Isai 8. 20. Thus have I briefly run through your Pulpit-Guard and doubt not but that I have Routed you in all your Twenty Strong Holds that now the way being opened again the Gifted brethren may come in to your Pulpit without sin or shame As for your Indictment against the Lay-Prophet as you call him it is so ridiculous so poor and low not being accompanyed with common reason the Jury you pretend to call are your Witnesses the evidence you call it You have lost your self in the very form no wonder if you are lost in the matter you forsake the Scripture and flie to Apostatized Churches or rather to those who call themselves Churches Jews and are not but we have examined them and found them lyars you calling old Divines men of
THE Pulpit-Guard Routed IN ITS Twenty Strong-Holds OR A brief ANSWER To a large and lawless Discourse Written by one Tho. Hall of Kings-Norton Intituled The Pulpit-Guarded with Twenty Arguments Pretending to prove the unlawfulness and sinfulness of Private mens Preaching Wherein the Arguments being weighed in the Balance of the Sanctuary are found too light and the lawfulness of Private mens Preaching as Tho. Hall calls them viz. Gifted Brethren is cleared and confirmed in opposition to all Gain-sayers My work in this Treatise hath been and is 1. To Rout him in all his Guards 2. To discover the weakness and invalidity of all his Answers to those Objections and Allegations by him there produced for the Preaching of the Gifted Brethren His six Arguments to prove their Ministry free from Antichristianism rased and six more asserted proving them to be Antichristian Written by Tho. Collier Isai 28. 20. For the Bed is shorter then that a man can stretch himself on it and the Covering narrower then that he can wrap himself in it Verse 21. For the Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perasim and be wroth as in the vally of Gibeon that he may do his work his strange work and bring to pass his act his strange act strange because so to the dark minds of men Chap 29. 14. Therefore behold I proceed to do a marvellous work and a wonder for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish and the understanding of the prudent men shall be hid Chap. 28. 22. Now therefore be ye not moâ—kers lest your bands be made strong London Printed for the Author and are to be sold by Giles Calvert at the Black-Spred Eagle at the West end of Pauls near Ludgate 1651. The Epistle to the Readers DEar Country-men and Friends it s not my desire as I am a man to be medling with things of this nature but as I am a Christian and made partaker in a measure of the Heavenly Gift taking notice of this Pulpit-Guard it being so directly against the will of the Lord in the Gospel dispensation and the free operation of his Spirit in the hearts of his people for the good and comfort of the Church his Body 1 Cor. 14. 31. For Sions sake I could not hold my peace and for Jerusalems sake I could not rest without giving a check in the plain evidence and demonstration of the spirit and power unto this unrighteous Guard it is a very sad and dangerous thing when men under the pretence of Religion for self-ends and interests shall make use of their Wisdom Arts Parts against the Lord and his Truth What opinion or practice is there this day in the world that pretends for Christ but that men may and do put fair glosses and pretences of Scripture for the upholding of it though never so contrary unto it I have in that light God hath given me examined the particulars of that discourse and the Scripture grounds and found them too light not holding weight in the Ballance of the Scripture and have commended to thy view who art the Reader The substance of my apprehensions concerning them possibly thou mayst imagine that I have been too rugged in my expressions or sometimes too light or vain in my Answers I answer 1. Meeting with such a Spirit in that Book of Pride Reproach and Self conceitedness I was at some stand as to the manner of my Answer But when I considered the words of Solomon Prov. 26. 5. Answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit And Chap. 15. 28. The heart of the righteous studyeth to answer but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things I was satisfied in giving an Answer sutable to the Spirit I found working in it 2. Being deeply sensible of the dangerousness of the way that thousands of souls are lead in by these kind of men and finding by experience their height and perversness in their way that they are without a miracle of mercy without the reach or bands of love I have therefore dealt the more plain and downright yet still in truth and love and it s no other then Christ and his Servants have done in the like case before me Mat. 23. throughout John 8 44. Act. 13. 10 1 King 18. 27. But you may say you look upon many of them to be honest and pretious men c. Answ The more need have they to be sharply reproved for their sins and miscarriages men may be honest the people of God and yet in Babylon I am not despairing in the truth of what you say yet their Office and Babylonish actions are never the honester for that Rev. 18. 4. And this I must minde you that God hath not left himself without witness of the truth by me declared and that by men of the same calling with them but when once inlightned they reject their callings administrations and all as Antichristian with shame to themselves for their ignorance I could instance in divers if it might add to the truth but I judge it needless at present What thou findest written contrary to thy mind try it by the Scripture waite upon the Lord to teach thee what weakness in expressions as to thy judgement thou meetest with let not the truth suffer rather impute it to him whose it is If thou finde any light shining forth in it through it to thy dark understanding give him the glory who is the Author of it so have I my desire Finally reade and judge and the Lord give you understanding in all things T. C. THE Pulpit-Guard Routed In his twenty strong Holds SIR I Meeting with your Book subscribed with this Title The Pulpit Guarded c. and perceiving the drift and end of the matter with the manner of it could not but judge my self bound as I tendred the honour of the Lord Jesus his Truth and Gospel his Saints and Servants especially seeing none else undertaking the work to rebuke this unclean spirit and to cast out this devil to enter the lists with and to rout this unrighteous Guard It possibly may seem strange that I should undertake this task especially because this Guard was occasioned as you say by a dispute at Henly in Warwick-shire But Sir finding your Discourse tending not only to reproach the Creature but the Creator likewise his Truth and powerfull free operation in his Saints all which I finde my self bound in conscience for to vindicate as far as light and truth in its power appeareth in me As for the manner of my proceeding 1. I shall not turn aside after every vain and unworthy passage and miscarriage in your Guard neither shall I meddle with your particular Epistles but I shall first give you some hints concerning the Title of your Book Secondly I shall discover your ignorance falshood and folly in your Looking-glass for Anabaptists as you call them Thirdly I shall encounter with you in all your twenty Guards and in the strength of the
Bishop Priest or Presbyter that so they might monopolize Preaching to themselves so making that a trade cum Privilegio which is proper and in common to the Saints according as God shall reveal unto them where the Lord speaks the word there will be Preachers And truly Sir you endeavour what you can to make the Saints to come short of other Creatures the whole Creation in their spheres and places all set forth the praise of their Maker and shall not the Saints sutably to their sphears capacities and understandings do the like Thy works shall praise thee O God and thy Saints shall not be behind the whole Creation they shall bless thee they shall talk of thee they shall declare thee to the sons of men c. But 3. I answer that all the Saints are a spiritual and a holy Priesthood 1 Pet. 2. 5. and their Priestly Office under the Law had no relation at all to yours under the Gospel or any other officiating ministry for that Priesthood was 1. A Type of Christ and 2. Of the Church of Christ c. 4. I answer and conclude That Gifted Brethren do not preach without a Call as none might sacrifice without a Call c. And whereas you say and give it as your reason That Preaching is a greater work then offering sacrifice I say it s not the greatness of the work but the will of the Lord commanding the work that makes the thing either lawful or unlawful whereas you make so many reiterations of a Call and that many creep in at the window c. I have said enough to this already and proved it so that your selves are the men though you see it not and not the Gifted Brethren You say That a true Minister preacheth in Gods Name by vertue of a Call c. And to this purpose you mention Paul who often speaks of his Call I say first That he never mentions his Call to such a base and ungodly end as you so often mention yours viz. that you might stop and silence the workings and the gifts of the Spirit in all except in you selves where it is not neither but University Gifts instead of the Spirit a Mystery of Iniquity 2. If his Call had been no better then yours he might and would have been ashamed of it rather then to have boasted as you do but believe me your glorying is not good your glory will be your shame in the end But to your Reasons to convince men of the necessity of a Call to this Sacred Function yours is a sacred one in deed as sacred as the holy Chair of Rome 1. Reason Without it all Ordinances are null c. Answ I grant it for truth that is the reason that all your Ordinances are null your Preaching null for you preach people into an outward formality without power Hence it is that the work of the Sent-preaching Brethren is to undo what you have done And this I can assure you that it would be much easier in an ordinary way to convert Souls to Christ amongst Indians and Heathens then in England you their teachers have so rivited them in the ways of ignorance and formality the leaders of the people have caused them to Erre Your Baptism null because ye were not called nor sent of God but run before you were sent you have sprinkled Babes instead of baptizing Believers Your Supper and Communion null because you have prepared a Table for the Troop and furnished a drink offering for that number Isai 65. 11 12. Therefore shall you be numbred to the sword and shall all bow down to the slaughter 2 Reas He can expect no success c. Answ That is the reason you do not profit the People at all 3. Reas People cannot hear such with comfort c. Answ That is the reason so many honest Souls depart from you they are driven forth they cannot hear because they know the voice of Christ and must follow it 4. Reas God will have all things done according to that order and rule he himself hath prescribed Answ True that is that his Saints should Preach the Word of his Kingdom that office should not put out Gifts c. but all things should be done in order that is the reason the knowing and godly part leave you because Gods Order is not amongst you You prescribe two notes of those who have not the Spirit 1. Separatists dividing and separating from the true Church of Christ c. Answ I grant it but we separate not from the true but from the false Church of Babel and confusion both in Ministry and in Members in Doctrine and in Manners in Government and in Ordinances and from such we are commanded to separate and have no fellowship with them Your Church and Ministry are such as have a form of godliness but without denying the power therefore from such we are to turn away to separate as the Geneva reads it 2 Tim. 3. 5. And that is the reason why Souls when they are once informed in it they run from you as from an unclean and monstrous Babel and Antichrist obeying the Call of the Lord Rev. 18. 4. Come out of her my People partake not of her sins lest ye partake of her plagues And your selves it is who have separated from the true Church Ordinances Order and all that have forgotten Sion and forsaken the Lord in preparing a Table for the Troop c. 2. Sensualists following the Dictates of corrupt reason forsaking their Callings c. You are mistaken and that upon a double account 1. They do not follow the dictates of nature but of the Spirit of Truth in the written Word of God they do not leave their Callings and live idle they can work and preach too But 2. Your are the men who lie under this gilt you it is who are Sensualists following the dictates of corrupt reason Hence it is that you must live by sense and reason fetch in your maintenance by the force of civil power from the People whether they will or no cannot trust God with your maintenance no this is enough for the poor believing Anabaptists as you call them who are the Sensualists now your selves it is who I do not say forsake your Callings but live altogether idle without a Calling scorning to live in that lawful way God hath appointed men to live in Idlers you are and yet cry out against idleness out of your own mouths shall you be condemned Thus you make it appear that you have indeed the spirit of delusion The fifth Argument From the Absurdities that would follow c. Before I come to your first Absurdity I cannot but note your Story in your large Swallows of the man you say your read of that swallowed an Ox all except the Tail But Sir I pray you does your Story lye or do your self lye If it be your Story it argues Idleness Ignorance Vanity and Malice in you to read and repeat such a
intend by Learning Humane and Divine whether you minde a perfection of Learning for you set no bounds upon your terms if so it s to be doubted that your selves are but Ignoramus's in both in your best and most experienced Art of humanity you come short of many Heathens and Philosophers and I am very confident that many in this Nation who never knew what an Art or Science meant in its form or method in way of School Study have more natural Philosophy Logick Retorick in their heads then your selves who so much pride your selves in your shame But whether am I wandring into the bottomless Pit of mans wisdom take your honour in this blackness and darkness and go on spoiling souls by your Philosophy Col. 2. 8. till the Lord prevent you You say in the Minor of your first Argument That every gifted Trades-man nailer tailor c. is not able to divide the word aright c. And is every Priest of your Calling in the Nation able to divide the Word aright in your own judgement or is one in ten nay in twenty be the judge your self if not be ashamed to bring such Arguments any more because every gifted Trades-man is not able therefore none are able c. because every Priest is not able therefore none are able Artificers in their art of preaching And in your second Argument you say most of them want learning c. And may not your selves say most of your own Calling want learning humane and divine I am sure you want divine learning else you would not make such humane Arguments against the divine truth but we confess your Argument we want learning not humane but divine and we wait on the Lord for his teachings acknowledging with the Apostle Who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2. 16. You say Nor to convince a learned Adversary Truly now adays your selves are the learned Adversaries the Church of Christ hath to deal withall And this I must tell you and you 'l finde it by experience that the gifted brethren will in the light and strength of truth overturn all the wisdom of the flesh as it s exercised against the truth in you or any others God will make all fleshes wisdom and pride and glory vale it self and fall down at the presence of his truth in his Saints as Dagon before the Ark you are mistaken Sir to think its your humanity that makes you able to divide the Word aright and that makes you an able Disputant it s the power of the Spirit of Christ in his people that makes them able to divide the Word and to convince gain-sayers Therefore your Argument is weak and hath nothing in it if any thing it reacheth your selves as well as others nay more then others because you live in that sphear and yet want but the gifted brethren see their wants and acknowledge it not boast of their fulness like your selves and they see they may want learning both humane and divine and yet divide the Word aright be solid Disputants for the truth so far as they have received not walking without or beyond their line knowing the Lord is their light and strength who never fails those that trust in him and only one thing I desire to Query of you If ever the like was read or heard of in Scripture so much ado about humane Learning to beat down truth and prevent the free operations of the Spirit in Saints Did any seek to hinder Gods workings in this way Oh Sir you want learning humane Arts and parts Therefore prophesy not preach not unto us If Old or New Testament Law or Gospel Moses or Christ hath done the like pray produce it If not be ashamed for ever to account your self a Minister of the Gospel and to mak use of such an engine against truth and its Owners as never any in the world made use of but Babylon and Egypt You grant That Translations are excellent helps yet there is such an emphasis and fulness in the Original that the Translation is nothing to the glory of it Answ It s like that is the reason you are so filled and puffed up with this outward fulness as that the Original of all fulness the fulness of the Spirit is scarce ever spoken of by you as if the Spirit of the Lord was not sufficient for these things You complain What miserable wrakings and rentings of Texts have come into the world for want of this Learning Come Sir Let us now a little consider who are the greatest wrackers renters and tearers of Scriptures The learned Humanists or the preaching Brethren The preaching brethren they hold and say that salvation is through Grace and that without any relation to any qualification or good in the creature according to Isay 55. 1. Rom. 4. 5. The Humanists say no but there must be some creature qualification some good in the creature before the soul must presume to come to Christ The preaching brethren hold and say that none but believers are to be baptized because there is neither precept nor president for it The Humanists say Infants must though no Scripture for it and this is their practice The preaching brethren say That the Saints are the Church of Christ and that they dare not own any else to be members if they manifest the contrary 1 Cor. 1. 12. because they are the body of Christ chap. 12. 27. and compact together Ephes 4. 16. with carnal ones they can have no spiritual fellowship 2 Cor. 6. 15. 16. But the Humanists say nay to this They will turn the world into Church and make all Christians thus deluding them thus forming up a monstrous body for Christ if he would accept of it But you might with better acceptation present your Church at the feet of the Pope then at the feet of Christ Thus owning a communion with them rather in their Estates tythe Pigs Geese and Eggs then with their souls for some of you will confess they are no Christians but deluded ones for self-ends and would not own them nor have any fellowship with them were it not for their bellies their God is their belly and their glory will be their shame The preaching brethren they own none for Christians but those who are convinced and converted by the preaching of the Gospel The Humanists want the power of the Civil Magistrate to convert souls for them The preaching brethren they say That Christ is King of Saints and that its his work alone to accept or reject in matters of conscience relating to the knowledge or worship of him and that who so gets into his room is the Antichrist But the Humanists Pope-like and Queen Mary-like cry out imprison hang burn banish the Sectaries that will not do as we say c. The preaching brethren say That preaching is a Gift and that its the work of the Saints according to their measure to communicate having received freely freely to give But the Humanists say nay
to this It is an Art and a Trade and by this we have our gain it cost us much the attaining therefore we must sell c. The preaching brethren say That where the love of Christ is enjoyed it s a law sufficient to keep from sin and to conform to Christ But the Humanists say nay it s a Doctrine of liberty and that its the Law of Moses fear and wrath that must keep from sin c. Thus have I given some few brief hints amongst many that so it may appear who are the renters of Scripture the gifted brethren or the Linguists You Query How a man should expound and reconcile Scripture without learning To that end you produce many Scriptures you say hard to be interpreted I answer That the Spirit of Christ which is the original of all truth and dwelleth in the Saints is sufficient and doth teach them those things of which the Humanists are ignorant Joh. 15. 13. 1 Cor. 2. from the 12th to the end You conclude there is need of Retorick and Arts to understand the Scripture 1 Thes 5. 19. quench not the Spirit that is the Gifts and yet notwithstanding all your Retorick Arts Learning c. you are the men that understand not the Scripture you are the men who quench the Spirit in your brethren and despise Prophesying if it comes not out of your forge for that is it which is there intended quench not the Spirit that is the Spirits workings in the Saints which many will do out of a low and base esteem of their brethren in despising of Prophesy which is but an interpretation of the former How do men quench the Spirit Answ In despising of Prophesy c. Hence the holy Ghost you say commends learning By the way holy Ghost and for all your learning is there any such word in all the Scripture as Ghost But you instance in Moses Act. 7. 22. Who was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians And no wonder being naturalized unto it bred up in it Daniel and his companions had skill in all learning and wisdom Dan. 1. 4. 17. For what was it these children were to be looked forth that in it they might preach or to teach the tongues and learning of the Caldeans to those amongst whom they were Captives vers 17. God gave them understanding in all learning and wisdom and to Daniel the knowledge of visions This was the gift of God immediate not acquired by Arts that they might set forth the glory of their Creator not themselves and their own pride Apollo was eloquent and mighty in Scripture So are your gifted brethren able in the might and strength of the grace of Christ to hold forth truth and to convince gain-sayers though not mighty in humane Arts c. Paul could speak languages more then they all but what languages acquired gotten by industry or of the Spirit its the gifts of the Spirit the Apostle speaks of not humane this is but a trick and shift of the Devil and Antichrist now they have lost those gifts of the Spirit to set up humane in the room a mystery of iniquity You say The Apostle cites Heathen Poets to convince the Grecians c. So may the gifted brethren produce Turks and Heathens to reprove you and your Christians He useth Syriack and Hebrew phrases No wonder when it was his own native Language Hence we read say you of Schools of the Prophets and Colledges erected c. Answ This is but your own Learned Retorical Exposition there is never a word of School or Colledge in the Text but the sons of the Prophets that is every one who had received the same spirit of the Prophets if there were Schools and Colledges as you imagine it s like the Lord dealt with them as he doth with you now adays he never that we read of took a Prophet from that School but from their Callings that the work might appear to be of himself and and not man but the truth is there were no such Schools of Idleness and wantonness as you have erected for your selves Well say you But how shall a man be able to preserve the truth how shall a man be able to Analyse and open Scripture without Logick Retorick Tongues c. And do you not know in good earnest how to do it Is your Philosophy the mother of your Theologie Your gifted brethren can tell you how to do it it s the light of the Spirit of truth in which they preserve truth and it s in the light of the same Spirit in which they understand and open obscure and dark phrases And indeed as you say Great is the pride and wantonness of the Priests to tread all that learning of the Spirit under foot without which the knowledge of Scriptures is not to be had laying all upon humane endeavors undervaluing the Gifts of the Spirit c. But you conclude your self That Arts and Sciences are necessary not of absolute necessity Well Sir To say no more about this Argument your gifted brethren they stick to that which is of absolute necessity the Spirit of Christ You bless your selves with that you confess is not of absolute necessity a man may be a Minister without it make you much of it little good wil it do you and little will it avail you in the evil day The seventh Argument from the sinfulness of it Whatsoever is not of faith is sin Heb. 11. 6. But whatsoever we do if we do it not by vertue of some Command or Call is not of Faith Ergo 'T is sin But the gifted brethren have a word of Faith and a Call as I have already proved therefore it s no sin You refer the proof of this Argument to the Examination of their Objections I shall do the like in my Answer purposing there to meet you c. The eighth Argument If none may preach but such as be Ordained then every gifted person may not preach but none may preach but such as be Ordained Tit. 1. 5. I will that thou Ordain Elders c. Answ This is but the substance of what you have said already and I have given a full Answer unto it therefore shall say but a word or two to the nonsence of your Argument Because Titus was left in Crete to Ordain and because they ordained Elders in every Church c. therefore none else must preach but such as be Ordained Whereas first As I have already said and proved Paul and divers others did preach before they were Ordained And secondly That unless men did preach before Ordination there was no ground for which they should be Ordained if their Gifts be not manifest Thirdly Ordination was not upon any such account as that by it they might preach the more lawfully but that the Gift might first be increased upon them 1 Tim. 4. 14. Secondly that they might attend upon the work of watching feeding reproving ruling c. The ninth Argument If no man
the same Principle with your Church I wonder you left out your Mother Church of Rome she could have spoken as much in the case as both you and they all have done You produce Ordinances Scots Covenant c. and why not the Spanish Inquisition too Seeing you are upon this account you might have raked to the bottom and have brought in all the forces of the King of Darkness to this great day of Tryal But Sir your Judge Jurates Evidence and all are too low and weak to amaze or amuse your preaching Brethren It seems you have considered and wisely brought in the Councel of Trent for one in your third Edition and that though last in name yet I suppose first in being and father to all the rest of your Jurates witnesses And here before I pass because you begin to Judge I shall let you see not mine but the Scriptures judgment upon the false Prophets of the Nations who prophesie lyes in the name of the Lord smiting others in the face saying Which way went the Spirit of God from me to thee The Judge is Christ himself who is not only both Lord Judge and King of Saints Isai 33. 22. but of the world too Isa 99. 1. The false Prophets of the Nation that set themselves against the Lord and his Anointed is the Prisoner to be tryed The Witnesses are 1. The Scriptures the Old and New Testament 2. Reformed Churches who walk suitable unto the Scripture 3. Deluded Souls 4. Publike peace and weal of Nations Judge Cryer Call the Prisoner to the Bar. Cryer False Prophet come forth hold up thy hand heart thy Indictment Thou art here Indicted by the name of False Prophet or Ministry that hast a long time stood up and prophesied lyes unto the Nations in my name under what title or term soever thou hast been distinguished whether Cardinal Prelate Jesuit Presbyter or Priest thy name is False Prophet in deed and truth thou art here accused for high Crimes against the Lord and his People against the peace of Nations c. Judge Art thou guilty or not Answ Not guilty Judg. Call the Evidence 1. Scriptures come in what say you against the Prisoner at the Bar He is here Indicted by the name of False Prophet and thou art called to speak thy knowledge of him Dost know him by that name Scripture Yea my Lord I know him by that name long since Rev. 16. 13. 19. 20. who hath deceived them who dwell on earth and my Lord I have many things to say against this Prophet although he hath sate a long time as queen thinking that he shall see no sorrow and hath made use of me to confirm him in his wayes and to establish the men of the Earth so much the more firm in these delusions therefore I can speak the more experimentally of him First although it s written in me that thy people are a selected severed people from the World to worship thee in Spirit and Truth and that the wicked have nothing to do to take thy name in their mouth while they hate to be reformed yet this false and lying Prophet hath deluded souls all along many hundred of years forming them up with the out-side of a profession without the truth and power made them Christians though deluded ones before they knew thee or ever heard of thee I ruth and plain-dealing in this kinde he hath ever been inveterate against And I have done my part my Lord to inform him of his error but he would not believe me but give me the lye wrest my words at his pleasure for his own ends he hath likewise been an enemy to the peace of thy people of thy family because they could not joyn with him in his Babylonish Worships and say Amen to his deceits He hath alwayes ill requited thy Servants and hath abused my Sayings for that end and notwithstanding I have informed him that its only by thy Spirit men come to the knowledge of the mystery of thy will yet he hath always opposed this truth looking after it in the bottomless Pit of his own inventions In a word my Lord he hath been a Traytor to thy Crown and Dignity pretending a desire that thou shouldest Reign but that which he looked after was to reign himself abusing me and my Sayings Isa 9. 6 7. to exalt himself So sitting in thy seat exalting himself above thee over the conscience of thy people And so in deed and truth what ever his pretence is He is the false Prophet the Antichrist that was to come into the world This shall suffice at present my Lord though I could say much more if time would permit but I shall give way to the other Witnesses Judge Call in another Witness Christian Churches and Saints come in give your Evidence against the Prisoner at the Bar who is arraigned by the name of False Prophet Churches My Lord We have much to say against him for we know him by woful experience It s true my Lord he hath past under the name of thy Ministry in Office but he hath been far from the nature of thy Ministry which is meek peaceable and loving longing to convert souls unto thee and whatever his pretence hath been or is he hath been is a deadly Enemy to us thy Disciples and Followers and hath been swoln with the enmity against the Seed of the Woman no sooner could we receive any of thy truth but he fell a quarrelling with us and inventing reproachful nick names for us that so he might make us appear odious before the world his deluded Church if we come to see into the freeness and fulness of thy grace in justifying sinners and saving of souls without any relation to any thing done by us he immediately endeavors to reproach us with the odious name of Libertine if we come to see into the Law of the Gospel which is a Law of love and that Christ is the Judge King and Law-giver to the Saints that we have all the Law in him from him for righteousness and for Rule he then called us Antimonians if we separated from the world in their Babylonish wayes and worships according to thy-will and command he then branded us for Separatists if we practised Baptism according to thy written Word he then called us Anabaptists if we held forth that the power of thy law of love shed abroad in the hearts of thy people and written in thy Scripture was sufficient to keep them from sin and to carry them on in a way of holy walking with thee and that thou acceptest of no obedience but that which flows from this principle of love then he called us the Family of Love as if that had been reproach enough to be of that Family And divers other false Titles and Terms hath he reproached us withall He hath been a man of as beastly language against thy Truth and Saints as ever breathed on the Earth Besides we could no sooner come
might be and were the better enabled to govern by this spirit but the spirit of government is nowhere called the spirit of prophesie then all good and wise Governours are Prophets and when they consult and talk about Government they do prophesie by this account These are a sort of Prophets I never heard or read of in Scripture its true many Governours were Prophets but not as Governours neither were they Governours as they were Prophets 3. Moses his wish was not that all might preach but that they might be able to rule oh that the Lords people had a spirit of government c. It seems by your words that Moses would have all the people to be governours who then should be governed for if all had the spirit of prophesie they must make use of it accordingly they must govern c. but I have told you already that there is a difference between prophesying and governing So that Moses desire is That all the Lords people were Prophets and then they might prophesie if Prophets He doth not desire to have Prophets and intend to forbid them to prophesie like the Priests of the Nation that pray that God would send Labourers into the Harvest and when they come are mad at them and would hang them if they could You say that his wish implies that none might prophesie till they were Prophets and men in office I say the contrary it implies that none could prophesie untill they had the gift and then they might and may prophesie but your selves it is who prophesie or preach if I may discoursingly give it that term without gift or office either as for gift you are enemies to it unless University gifts the smoke of the pit and so what you do is by art make it and then sell it this is your gift and as for office I have told you the rise of that already and from whence it came You conclude That to your apprehension it cannot hang together because Prophets in office might prophesie that therefore Lay-men might prophesie But I say all the Lords people are Kings Priests and Prophets and may Prophesie c. You say It will come no nearer together then St Jermans Lips which were nine mile asunder It s like this was the Saint that swallowed the Ox you mentioned but its strange he could not swallaw his tail too his lips being at such a distance It s like this Jerman was the great grandfather to the Saint Persons of England for they could never swallow so much as they do if their lips were not at a great distance each from other but its like Sir you do but tell a lye in jest his lips were not altogether at such a distance as you mention if they were he had a very great mouth its like and a body sutable to it he could digest Oxen Pigs and Geese nothing comes amiss it seems The third Objection From 2 Chron. 17. 7 8 9. 2 Chron. 19 to 11 29 25. Here saith Master Robinson are most pithy and exellent Sermons of Jehosophat and Hezekiah c. besides he sent his Princes to teach in the cities of Judah c. hence gifted persons may preach though not in office Your answer 1. Teaching is taken two wayes 1. Largely for Fathers c. Masters c. 2. For a Pastoral act so none but Priests c. might preach Answ Though not by way of Office yet by way of Gift they might c. Oh that Magistrates would promote the Ministry c. It seems you want promoting for so long you will promote the Magistrate but be sure no longer would bless our temporals exaltation and promotion is that you long for and the blessing of the Tithes But Sir its that we desire the incouraging of a faithful Ministry which is the ministry of the spirit in the Saints not a faithless self-seeking one 3. Princes say you teach Efficienter by causing the Levits to do their duty he sent Princes to see the people taught c. but that is but your word the Text saith He sent Princes to teach the People you say to see them who shall be believed the Scripture or your self should your Preaching brethren give such an Interpretation you would say that through ignorance they wrest the Scripture You say It is a rule that what I command my servant to do I am said to do it my self And is this a perfect rule may not you do that your self which you command your servant to do he that hath power to command may lawfully do that himself which he commands a nother if he hath ability to it If the Princes might command to Preach they might then as well and as lawfully preach themselves For any man to command that which is not lawful for him to do himself is sinful either in Civil or Divine affairs Your reason standeth good What I command my servant to do I am said to do it my self and if you do it your self by your servant you may do it your self by your self if the first then second is lawful 4. You answer That suppose you grant that Princes did Preach yet there is a vast difference between them and our Gifted Brethren 1. These were sent to teach by the Magistrates command but our Jehosaphats have prohibited our gifted brethrens Preaching Answ 1. Those prohibitions were but the fruits of your own hands gaining upon the Parliament in the time of their too high esteem of you and believe it for all that I know it may one day be laid to your account too and then I believe you will not boast of it 2. Our Jehosophats have of late rather incouraged the gifted Brethren for to teach to the people then prohibited them 3. If the Magistrate should in good earnest prohibit Whom should we obey God or Man judge you 2. These men were Princes and so men of choice Breeding rare Abilities c. As if the Lord could not furnish Taylors c. to that work but must of necessity be beholding to choice Breeding rare Abilities c. as if he could not as well furnish a Fisher-man a Publican as a Prince or a Priest 3. These had Levits to joyn with them who were men in Office but you scorn at Ministers c. No Sir we scorn not at Ministers neither own we Baals Priests whose work is to delude Souls there is never a tittle you mention that is given you but is truth Let such know say you that Christ takes indignities done to his Ambassadors as done to himself We own the Truth but we own you not to be his Ambassadors but such as usurp it to your selves hence it is that you know not your Message do not his work and you are like to have a bad reward in the end you would fain be Levits but you are but bastard ones Ambassadors but you are but ignorant ones you know not the Message Shepherds but you feed not the flock but kill them that are fed 4.
Admit they did Preach 't was but once and that in a time of Reformation c. Was it lawful for them to Preach once and not a second time if once then always lawful was it lawful in a time of Reformation and not in a time of Deformation but it seems you would have no time lawful for your gifted Brethren c. The fourth Objection From 1 Sam. 10 5 6. Saul and his servants did Prophesie This you say was extraordinary not of Office True it was of gift and all that have the ordinary gift may Prophesie in an ordinary way as is proved already c. The fifth Objection The example of Elisha called from the Plough 1 King 19. 19. and Amos from the Stalls Amos 7. 14 15. These you say were called extraordinarily and shewed it by their Gifts c. Answ Prophets now are called ordinarily and shew it by their Gifts too and comparatively to your selves extraordinarily too for these preaching Prophets though Nailers Taylors c. yet in Gifts not Humane but Divine they excel and shame you Rabbies they can Nail and Preach Plough and Preach make Tents and Preach if that be their Calling but it s your Trade you can do nought else that good is nor that neither as it should be and yet cry out against your gifted Brethren for want of Gifts when the truth is they have too much Gift for you and are as lawfully called to exercise it as Amos and Elisha The sixth Objection Joel 2. 28. Where the Lord promiseth in the Gospel times to pour out his spirit upon all flesh and their sons and daughters shall Prophesie c. The sum of all you say to this is just nought at all It was say you performed in the first times extraordinarily but it s now fulfilled in the Elect to whom God gives his Spirit abundantly yet with this difference formerly they had extraordinary gifts of the spirit but now ordinary I answer then they could prophesie in an extraordinary manner and prophets now ordinary still sutable to the gift for you consess its the same spirit only the gift differs be contended then although the Prophesie differs 1. You say These words are a promise not a procept for Lay-men And is not promise enough and as much nay more then precept promise of assistance is more then precept without it 2. You say Because the Lord promiseth to bless his people not only with Temporal but Spiritual blessings Ergo They must preach and use their gifts in publike And why in publike Sir I thought it was publike that troubled you so much when in private then that troubled you but now in publike that troubles you but what 's the reason of it I shall tell you Sir 1. Because God hath given them more knowledge of the Truth and greater Abilities then your selves for this you envie them and your pride it is which makes you cry out no Gift your own must be gift though no gift but an Art their 's no gift though no Art but a gift 2. Because they in the light of Truth discover your folly and falsehood in deceiving the people therefore they may not come in publike I shall tell you a Story and a true one too One of the gifted Brethren preaching and it was in publike too neer about the midst of the Ciy of Lond. and preaching such things as he knew were contrary to your Principles Practice when he had done he asked the Parson of the place if he had preached any untruth if he judged that he had he had his liberty to reprove it The Parson answered That he confesfed it was truth but it had been more meet to have been preached in private and not in publike especially seeing there was so much liberty c. So that the publike preaching of Truth I perceive is your grief and burden c. 3. You say Because the Lord promised to pour his spirit on his handmaids and they did prophesie c. therefore women who are forbidden now may preach c. And where are women forbidden women may Prophesie now as well as then they are forbidden to Prophesie in the Church which is not an absolute forbidding but women may prophesie with their heads covered 1 Cor. 11. You conclude That as for those promises Jer. 31. 34. that the sum of all is but this That Gods People shall by the Spirit have a more full and clear understanding of Divine Mysteries And shall they know Divine Mysteries and not declare them will you teach them to hide their Talent in the Earth viz. within themselves That there shall not need so much labour in teaching c. with so little fruit for they shall all be taught of God And what is the reason then that you must have so much teaching in your Congregations and so little profit that there are so few that know the Lord from their being taught of him as your selves confess an evident demonstration that neither you nor they are the Ministers of the Church of Christ for he owns none to be his Church but such as are taught of him c. Allegations out of the New Testament for Lay-preaching Answered The first Allegation FRom the Example of Christ If he Disputed in the Temple and Preached in the Synagogues without a Call then Lay-men that have Gifts may preach without a Call c. Luk. 2. 42. 46. Mat. 9. 35. Luk. 4. 16 17. Your answer is 1. That all Christs Actions are not for our imitation he did many things which we may not cannot do we must walk by Rule c. for that which was lawful in Christ to do may be unlawful in us c. I answer That those things in Christ which were imitable its lawful for us to do if made partakers of the same Spirit and those who are not are none of his Rom. 8. And where this Spirit is in power there are gifts according to the measure of its working and the Apostle saith to the Saints in general desire spiritual gifts but rather that ye may Prophesy 1 Cor. 14. And Christ himself saith that his Disciples should not only do such works as himself but greater then those Joh. 14. 12. If it be objected that Christ gave to his Apostles his Spirit and Power more then ordinary I answer They still acted according to the measure of the gift received and accordingly they exhort others to do the like and if there be not the same measure manifest in the Saints yet still according to the measure of the working of Christ in them they are to imitate and follow him and he that saith the Saints are not to imitate Jesus Christ in preaching and declaring his Truth and Gospel so far as they have received from him doth both deny and belie him Secondly You say 'T is true Christ disputed c. but did not preach unto them disputing is one thing and preaching is another I answer That disputing and preaching though
man taketh this honour to himself without a Call c. It s spoken of the Priests under the Law who were a type of Christ and not of your bastard Tribe of Levites c. Your answer to the objection I have already sufficiently cleared that they were gifted persons not officers c. The twelfth Objection Heb. 5. 11 12. When for the time ye ought to have been teachers c. here say they the Apostle blames them because they were not all Teachers The substance of your answer is that there are two sorts of teachers publike teachers and private teachers the one by men in office the other by men out of office But who gave this distinction of publike and private Christians of publike and private teachers I know not they are terms the Scripture is not acquainted withall therefore away with them to Rome from whence they came and call not that or them private whom God hath made publike say no more for shame that its lawfull for them to teach in private and unlawfull in publike doth the place and manner make so much difference If it be lawfull to teach the way of God to one or two in private is it not lawfull to teach the same to them in publike and if to one or two why not to ten if to ten why not to an hundred to a thousand if in private why not in publike doth the Scripture know any such distinction or approve one more then another If not be silent for ever and ashamed of your folly and make no more such distinctions where the Lord hath made none The thirteenth Objection 1 Pet. 2. 9 Ye are a royal Priesthood c. Rev. 3. 10. 1. 6. and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests c. Exod. 19. 6. All Priests must teach but all Believers are Priests Ergo all Believers may teach You answer The fallacie lies in the word Priest you read of two sorts of Priests 1. Some by Office c. 2. Others a royal Priesthood proper to all Believers c. who as the former come near to God 1. Have boldness and access c. 2. Offer sacrifice of prayer and praise 3. Slay their sins and mortifie the old man c. 4. In respect of common annoynting so all Believers have an unction of the Spirit of God which leads them into all truth 1 Joh. 2. 20. and being thus taught they may and must teach others These are your own words And now Sir where is the Fallacie in your self or in the preaching brethren your own confession shall be your judge one day But you pretend to mend all again with the word privately the way of the Lord how often have you confest the truth and then think to lick your self whole again with that one word that the Scripture ownes not upon your account but breathes forth light and truth to the contrary as clear as the Sun when it shines at the noon-day yet when you have confest the truth you pretend to over-turn it again with that word private with shame acknowledge your ignorance if not your malice 2. You answer You 'l shew the weakness of this Argument you say per idem thus The office of a King is to rule but every Believer is a King Ergo. And if so why do ye not get into the Throne c. I answer Your Argument looks like your self Because Believers are Kings Ergo they do and shall reign with Christ over Sin Satan Flesh and World with him in glory this is the truth in the mystery but you draw scurrilous and reproachful conclusions to make the Saints and truth contemptible be advised of your folly in time and repent least you walking in John a Leydens wayes cry up Office Office thinking to carry away all the crown and glory from the Saints when indeed and truth you have no more part nor portion in the business then Simon the Sorcerer c. I say be warned of crying up your selves above the Magistrate Parliament and Councel of State c. resolving to ruine all if you may not reign least you come to John a Leydens end c. The fourteenth Objection 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. As every one hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another c. every man must use the talent God hath given him c. Mat. 25. Hence you say they argue All that have gifts must use them but many private men have gifts Ergo they must use them Your answer 's true But where not publikely for then many women who have excellent Gifts should be Preachers but privately c. You have no other shift to put off truth but this silly distinction of publike private c. you have worn it thred-bare being so often put to it in the very plain express terms of Scripture that you know not where to shift your self but put off your load upon this word private to which I have said so much in answer unto it that I suppose the most weak and simple may see into your Fallacie but Sir you leave your case desperate at last but no wonder when it is so bad that it seems you are glad to steal away from it for you confess that which you have so long opposed You say He comes ver 11 to the gift of Prophesie and ministring according to our Abilities Is it the Gift of Prophesie indeed it s well you confess it It seems you had not audaciousness enough in you to contradict this truth shining so clear in your conscience You say Its the gift of Prophesie Surely these are not Prophets in Office you dare not say so it seems but as every man hath received this Gift so let him minister if any man speak c. Here you are blank and glad to be gone with speed to the next you saying so little and to so little purpose the Scripture it self being so undeniably clear that daunts all gain sayers as appears in your answer I shall say no more unto it but pursue you to that which follows The fifteenth Objection Rev. 11. 3. The two Witnesses Prophesie not only the Clergy but all the Faithful You answer 1. That borrowed Speeches make no grounded Arguments I answer That the truth of those speeches shall stand and hold firm when your Logick and Rhetorick shall have an end 2. You say The Witnesses consisted of Pastors and People the one Preaching the other Professing against Antichrist c. Be sure then it s not you nor your People who walk in Antichristian wayes but you it is must be witnessed against and if you have not already wil kill the witnesses And why not the people witness by Preaching as well as Prophesying if every one may administer according to the gift received as in the former Argument c. The last Objection is a Sceleton A penny worth of their small Reasons a parcel of bare bones the very naming of them is confutation sufficient as 1 Cor.
1. 27 29. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world c. Ergo Lay-men may Preach Sir Your Answer to this Objection and Scripture seems to carry the langage of the old Proverb in it more knave then fool was there ever the like heard of either from Pope or Devil what not a word of answer but scurrility and reproach what reproach the Scripture it self calling it a Sceleton a parcell of bare bones c Is this enough to give satisfaction does the light shine so clear out of that Scripture that it compels you to flie from it as not being able to look it in the face or give answer to it but cry out against it hath not this been your practice in all Ages when you meet with truth that you cannot gain-say-it then to reproach it and render it contemptible to the people but be ye sure you will have but little thank for it at the last day but seeing you leave this Scripture as being worthy of no answer but base and scurrilous names c. I shall say somthing to it that its light may appear and your darkness the more unto the world The truth there asserted is this That God in all Ages hath made choice of foolish weak and unlikely things by it to confound and bring to nothing things that are And this he doth either 1. In the work of Conversion the poor receive the Gospel Publican and Harlots go into Heaven before the self righteous zealous harisees for Christ came not to call the righteous but sinners c. 2. Or in the work of the Ministry Fisher-men Publicans Tent-makers Shepherds Plough-men c. And why so that by weak means he might bring to nothing things that are in creatures apprehension You cry up your humanity fleshly wisdom Arts Sciences c. But believe it the Lord hath began it already and he will go on with it by weak nothing creatures fools in the world eyes and in yours too to dash to peices all your wisdom and by this means he will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the Prudent Then where is the scribe where is the disputer of this world c hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world Take notice 1. That you fleshly wisdom in which you so much boast and glory cannot help you to the knowledge of God 1 Cor. 1. 21. chap. 2. 14. 2. It is foolishness with God 1 Cor. 3. 19. 3. It is that which must be destroyed when the wisdom of the Spirit comes 1 Cor. 1. 19. 4. It s enmity against God it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 8. 7. 5. If mercy prevent not its death Rom. 8. 6. So the Greek word signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wisdom of the flesh c. and ver 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The wisdom of the flesh is enmity c. nay and fleshes best wisdom prudence so the word signifieth it s all but enmity death and that not only to your selves but others Col. 2. 8. And this God hath done is doing and will discover and bring it to nothing by weak and unlikely men and means manger all the wisdom and power of men and flesh that shall oppose be advised therefore ye wise men of the earth Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way c. You mention other Scriptures that are not to the purpose nor made use of that I know of by any but I suppose you juggled them in here that so you might shift off the truth in this Scripture by running to others not so much to the purpose therefore I pass them in this place and conclude The sum of all is this 1. That all the Brethren in the Church that have Gifts may Prophesie 1 Cor. 14. 31. 2. That every man according to his proportion of faith may prophesie Rom. 12. 3. 6. 3. That gifted men out of Office have Preached therefore may Preach Act. 9. 20. 8. 4. 18. 26. 4. That every man according to the Gift received may and ought to administer 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. 5. That its the Saints work to declare the glory of Christs Kingdom to the world Psal 145. 10 11 12. 6. That this is the end wherefore God gives gifts to men Ephes 4. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 7. 7. That the Saints should desire to Prophesie 1 Cor. 14. 1. ver 5. 39. 8. That the Jews themselves denyed not this in their assemblies Acts 13. 14 15. 18. 26. 9. None but Devil Pope Priests and Persecutors ever denyed this truth 1 Cor. 14. 37. If any man think himself to be a Prophet or spiritual let him acknowledge that the things I write are the Commandments of the Lord. But 1 Cor. 11. 16. If any be contentious we have no such customs nor the Churches of God chap. 14. 13. But if any man will be ignorant let him be ignorant still c. You say There was one thing more objected viz. That your Ministry was Antichristian of which one word and then you have done I shall as briefly trace you in it and so have done too This you say is objected Your ministry is Antichristan you are Babylonish Diviners Egyptians juglers limbs of the Divel proud covetous c. A whole load of such ignomious titles you may finde in a little Pamphlet of one Collier a very dangerous Sectary Sir Collier would have you to know that he hath written nothing in that little Pamphlet but what he is both ready and able in the strength of the Lord to make it good in opposition to all gainsayers notwithstanding your reproachful term of dangerous Sectary both in this and your beastial Epistle to your Reverend Senior he is a Collier and although you are black already yet he will make your blackness more to appear for he is accomplishing your desire working about coal digging up the blackness c. Well but you comfort your self yet That it is your honour and therefore you should not fret but rejoyce and give God thanks c. A very fine way to shift of truth from your selves and so go on in your wickedness saying you shall have peace although you add sin to sin and walk after the imaginations and stubbornness of your own hearts As well might the false Prophets and false Apostles rejoyce because the true ones reprove them and tell them that they transform themselves into Angels of light so because the servants of light reprove you and discover your false and erroneous ways you rejoyce as if persecuted for the truth of Christ Believe it your glorying is not good but I suppose your joy is but from the teeth outward as we use to say there is grief within and sorrow of heart c. Isay 65. 11. 12. 13 14. You say God is beholding to us for the kindness we shew to his Embassadors Answ 1. Then he is but little