deep things of God for what man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God further adding That the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Moreover if the Lord had intended human Learning and Arts and Sciences to have been absolutely necessary for the Qualification of a Gospel Minister its probable he would not only have recommended the same the necessity thereof in those respects by some of his Servants but also would have chosen more of the Learned Doctors Rabbies of the times to have been publishers of his Mind Will unto the People in times past but on the contrary we find very few of those great Doctors that went upon that Errand neither under the Prophetical nor Evangelical Dispensation but rather the Lord was pleased to make use of Honest Plain often times Illiterate People upon these accompts to call several from their Vocations and Callings as the Scriptures bear witness to bear Testimony for him his Name and Truth unto the Sons and Daughters of Men that so the Glory of God and the excellency of his Wisdom and Power might more appear in and through such weak Instruments Object Now if any shall object That although several of the Apostles were unlearned when Jesus called them yet the Lord made them Learned by a Miracle before they went abroad to teach all Nations and from thence would argue That Illiterate People are not fit to preach the Gospel nor any but such who by the help of human Learning can understand divers Tongues and Languages Answ In answer thereunto I say That forasmuch as the Apostles were commanded to go and Teach all Nations the gift of Tongues was requisit at that time and upon that occasion to enable them to express themselves in every Nations proper Dialect that so those People to whom they spake might the better understand what was spoken to them yet it does not follow that because the gift of Tongues was expedient for them at that time in order to render them capable of speaking to the understanding of other Nations that therefore they must be Learned in other Tongues who speak only to People of their own Language Yet nevertheless it is not denied but that human Learning and Art and Sciences are very useful good and servicable in their places as a right use is made thereof for that People are thereby made more capable of managing temporal Affairs both in respect of Merchandize Trading and other matters as also it may so fall out that human Learning and the knowledg of Tongues and Languages may be useful upon some accounts unto such as are or may be called unto the Work and Service of the Gospel but then it is in a blessed Subordination and Conformity to the Teachings of the Divine Spirit which is that Golden-Key that opens the Mysteries of Truth and inspires the Soul with a right understanding of Spiritual matters and those People whose understandings are not opened thereby be they never so Learned or Wise in the Learning or Wisdom of the World yet by reason of the blindness of their Hearts Luk. 8.10 Ephes 4.18 Seeing they see not and Hearing they understand not the Mysteries of Gods Kingdom Yet so it is that when many People have by natural Education and Study acquired unto some knowledg in human Learning Arts and Sciences they grow puft up in Mind wise in their own Conceit and impatient of Contradiction and so are not willing that the use of natural Arts and Sciences should be so kept within their proper Sphere as to be limitted unto natural things and held in a subserviency to the holy Spirit but such will needs fall a meddling in things of a higher nature and by the help of human Learning and wordly Wisdom without the Revelation and Influence of the Divine Spirit they will put their meanings upon the Scriptures and give Expositions and Constructions upon Divine and Spiritual matters and which is yet worse they will oftentimes attempt the imposing of their Notions upon others and when the Lord is pleased to raise up any to oppose them then they fall into Passion Wrath Cruelty and Persecution the fruits of the Spirit of Error and upon this occasion it is that so many Contests Disagreements Jarrs and Controversies have risen among the Professors of the Christian Religion even because Poople have over-valued worldly Wisdom which is servicable in its place and under-valued sleighted opposed and disregarded the Teaching Direction Counsel Evidence and Revelation of the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ in themselves which alone can truly open and discover the meaning of that which hath proceeded from the same Spirit in others Luke 24.45 and so instead of the gracious Influence of the Divine Spirit they betake themselves unto human Literature Arts and Sciences and by their Dark Suggestions Quaint Distinctions and Logical Terms do render things more Obscure Intricate and Mysterious then of themselves they are so that the World is even burdened with the Voluminous Tractates long tedious and uncertain Discourses about Religious matters therefore hath it pleased God in his infinite Wisdom and Counsel in a great measure to lay aside the Wise and Prudent in the Wisdom of this World and by his Eternal Spirit to fit and qualifie many weak mean and contemptible Instruments in the Eyes of men and make use of them for the publishing of his pure and naked Truth that so it might be freed of those Mists and Foggs wherewith those Linguists have clouded it and that People might be directed to wait for that universal Spirit which as it is received doth opperate in the Hearts and Souls of People in order to work out Sin and Iniquity raise up into newness of Life and to give People an understanding in Divine and Spiritual matters that so they may be thereby fitted prepared and qualified for performing that Pure and Spiritual Worship which is acceptable unto God in this Gospel day And further such hath been the good pleasure of our God in times past as also in this our day not only in a great measure to lay aside the Wise and Prudent of the World upon these accounts but also to set aside as unnecessary for the Gospel Ministry those long tedious Books Discourses and Comments which have been and are the product of worldly Wisdom and the fruit of mans natural and unrenewed Mind and Spirit and the Lord by his own Wisdom Spirit and Power doth aid furnish assist and supply every true Gospel Minister in the performance of his Duty and Service both as to matter what the time when and the Persons to whom thus doth he in his heavenly Counsel order and dispose the Spirits of his People suitable for every Occasion and
of that Divine Spirit and Power wherein there is neither Jew nor Greek Bond nor Free Male nor Female but all are one even in Christ Jesus Gal. 3 28. who by the operation of his free Spirit may exercise whom he pleases in Building up Strengthening and Confirming his Church and People as also in bearing a Testimony unto his Blessed and Holy Name amongst the Sons and Daughters of Men. And yet nevertheless as it hath been so it is and ought to be observ'd that such Women as are not truly called qualified for such Services in the Church ought not to presume to Speak and Teach there but to learn in Silence with all due Subjection and indeed it concerns all both Men and Women to be very careful in these respects and also to be cautious that under the pretence of divine motion they be not found going into foolish Whimsies and Extreams out of the Liberties and Confines of Christian Prudence Decency and Moderation but that all keep under the Guidance Conduct Government Order and Discipline of the blessed and holy Spirit and Power of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ otherwise it may be said of Men as well as Women Let them keep silence in the Church for it is not permitted unto them to Speak in a spiritual unpreparedness and in dis-union with God and his People nor in any rule undecent or disorderly manner For our God is not the author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14.33 Section VIII Concerning the Rise of Gospel Performances and the Qualifications of Gospel Ministers showing that they are not from Human Learning Worldly Wisdom and Natural Arts and Sciences but from the Divine Spirit FRom what hath been said concerning the Christian Ministry it is clearly manifest that the Vertue and Power of the Divine Spirit is absolutely necessary for the Qualifying Calling and Constituting of a Gospel Minister and that it is by the secret help motion and assistance thereof that every true Evangelist and Gospel Minister is to be acted and supplied in the performance of their Duties and Services otherwise it does no way appear that they can either be acceptable unto God or beneficial unto men inasmuch as man of himself in his natural and unrenewed State notwithstanding his outward abilities as to Human Learning is as it were a Stranger unto God and really anacquainted with the Mysteries of his Heavenly Kingdom for although School Learning Worldly Wisdom and Human Arts and Sciences are much look't upon and applauded in this our Age as Qualifications absolutely necessary for the Gospel Ministry yet we no where find any such â—ress laid upon the same in the Scriptures but on the contrary it rather appears from thence that the knowledge of Divine and Spiritual Mysteries are hid from the worldly Wise and is revealed unto those who by the vertue of the holy Spirit are born again and so are become Babes in Christ Unto this our Lord Jesus has given a very plain and ample Testimony Luke 10.21 22. In that hour Jesus rejoyced in Spirit and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the Wise and Prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes even so Father for it seconed good in thy sight All things are delivered to me of my Father and no mar knoweth who the Son is but the Father and who the Father is but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Again its observable that although the Apostle Paul was learned sufficiently and brought up at Gamaliel's Feet yet all his Learning and Knowledge could not truly open his Understanding in Divine and Spriritual Matters for whilst he was acted by that Wisdom which was from below he was so blind that he ran on in a fierce career to Persecute the People of God Acts 11.29 and was exceedingly Mad against them yea he confesseth himself that he was a Blasphemer 1 Tim. 1.13 a Persecutor and injurious and says That beyond measure he Parsecuted the Church of God and wasted it Gal. 1.13 But after it pleased God to meet with him to call him by his Grace and to reveal his Son in him he came to learn an other Lesson he was so far from applauding and exalting worldly Wisdom and human Arts and Sciences as Qualifications of absolute necessity for a Gospel Minister that he rather seems to oppose the same saying Where is the Wise Where is the Scribe Where is the Disputer of this World Hath not God made Foolish the Wisdom of this World For after that in the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1.20 21 c. the World by wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching to save them that Believe For the Jews require a Sign and the Greeks seek after Wisdom but we preach Christ Crucified unto the Jews a Stumbling-block and unto the Greeks Foolishness but unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. And also he says verse the 27th But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things that are mighty and base things of the World and things that are dispised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are that no Flesh should glory in his Presence Thus we see the Apostle doth much endeavour to debase the Wisdom of the World and to exalt the Power and Wisdom of God as yet still further appears in the following Chapter where he begins to speak concerning himself and his manner of coming unto the Corinthians saying 1 Cor. 2. And I Brethren when I came to you came not with excellency of Speech or of Wisdom declaring unto you the Testimony of God for I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him Crucified and I was with you in Weakness and in Fear and in much Trembling and my Speech and my Preaching was not with enticing Words of Mans Wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power that your Faith might not stand in the Wisdom of Men but in the Power of God. From whence it is very plain and clear that the Apostle Paul was no way enclin'd to allow that place unto Worldly Wisdom which of right belongs unto Divine Wisdom nor yet to attribute that unto natural Arts and Sciences which is only peculiar unto the holy Spirit which thing is also further confirm'd in the sequel of the same Chapter where the Apostle saith Eye hath not seen chap. 2.9 10 11 14. nor Ear heard neither hath it entered into the Heart of Man viz. man in the Fall the things which God hath prepared for them that Love him but God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the
as no question but there is those Prayers and Devotions which are thus begun carried on and concluded in mans own natural Will Strength and Wisdom without the help and influence of the Grace and Spirit of Christ are of that number Object It s probable some may alledge That our Lord taught his Disciples to Pray and gave them a Form of Prayer Answ In answer whereunto I say That although he did so yet they were in some sort Disciples before he taught them not worldly men and his teaching them at that time is not an argument that every one in their own will and time can say that Prayer acceptably but we may rather infer from thence That as they then were not to pray as the Hypocrites and Heathen did but according as he taught them being then outwardly present with them even so his People are not to pray now as the Hypocrites and Heathen do but according as he teaches them being spiritually presents with them yet nevertheless that Prayer which he taught them as it was then so it is now very good and useful unto such as can express those Words there set forth in Truth and Righteousness Those who have received the adoption of Sons by vertue of the holy Spirit have right to call God Father and may say in Truth Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy Will be done 〈◊〉 Earth as it is in Heaven c. But on the contrary How can those who are Children of Wrath and subject to the power of Darkness truly call God Father How can they who are altogether unholy hallow the Name of God What will it avan such to tell of the coming of Gods Kingdom who daily rebel against that which would give an entrance thereunto How can those do the will of God in Earth who neither regard that which would enable them thereunto nor will believe that any such thing an be done Thus al tho wicke ungodly men may tell of Prayer yet in that state they are quite out of order and utterly uncapable of performing it acceptably until they have received the Spirit and have the help and influence thereof in some degree or other which thing yet leads me to this further observation If no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost as the Apostle positively affirms 1. Cor. 12.3 Then how can any truly call God Father but as they are in some measure acted by the Spirit of the Son. Howbeit I would have none to suspect that I do in the least intend hereby to discourage People in being diligent in Prayer and Supplication unto God Almighty but I would Caution and Exhort them in the Light of Christ to wait for the help and influence of his Grace and Spirit in such undertakings that so they may be enabled to perform those Duties acceptably before words be uttered unto the Lord let it first be considered how the Heart is prepared and from what root the words do proceed for it is not simply the words but the rise thereof that the Lord looks at in all our Services and Devotions before him And as those that fail in the Foundation do hazard the Superstructure even so where People fall wrong in the very ground of their Devotions their further proceedings therein will be in danger to prove Insignificant and Unsuccessful I do not say but that God who is rich in Mercy and waits to be gracious unto People doth and will pass by many Weaknesses and Imperfections upon these accounts yet none ought so to presume thereon as to make the particular acts of Gods Love and Condescension unto some and upon some accounts to be a general rule for all or to be an excuse or cover unto any for Disobedience and Rebellion it is certainly the duty of all to be diligent in Prayer and Supplication unto God and I cannot but exhort all People thereunto but then it does not follow that any shall attempt such performances or go about the same being unprepared by the Spirit of God for that thereby if they have been negligent in Prayer before they will be so far from mending the matter that they will incur a fresh censure therefore let it be the care of every one that goes about to perform the duty of Prayer to watch and wait upon God diligently for the help and concurrence of his blessed and holy Spirit in all such undertakings and also when they feel and witness themselves to be rightly disposed in Spirit for approaching before the Lord in Prayer and Supplication unto him let them consider themselves in his presence and be careful to appear in an humble and reverent posture of Body as well as Soul that is in a decent orderly and comely manner as much as well can be with bowed Knees Ephe. 3.12 1 Cor. 11.4 and men with uncovered Heads according to the Practice and Direction of the Apostle in those cases thereby shewing forth that holy Submission Reverence and Respect every way which we all owe to the Divine Majestly unto whom all Honour Glory and Praise is due world without end Section XII Concerning Singing of Pssalms and Artisscial Musick THe next thing to be considered is Singing of Pssalmes which is confest to be a part of Gods Worship and very acceptable as it proceeds from a true sence of God Love in the Heart and arises from the influence of the holy Spirit whereby the Lords People are led to breath forth unto God in a sweet and spiritual Harmony or in Words sutable to their present Condition but then on the contrary when vain minded People do go about to 〈◊〉 in their own will and time 〈◊〉 a forâ—al seigned and customary way 〈◊〉 having the knowledge of the motion and concurrence of the Divine Spirit and Word of Life in the Heart such Singing can no way be acceptable unto God nor beneficial unto those that use it for as it was in the case of Preaching and Praying so it is in this of Singing the holy Spirit is to be the chief and principal Author Mover and Actor in these respect Which thing will yet further appear if we consider the Words of the Apostle Paul upon this account Be not drunk with Wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit Speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs Singing and making Melody unto the Lord Ephes 5. 18 19. And again Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs singing with Grace in your Hearts to the Lord Col. 3.16 From whence it is manifest That those Songs and that Melody which the Saints and Children of God are to be sound in the practice of are to spring and arise from that which is pure and holy therefore it is to be observ'd that he tells them of being filled with the Spirit and of the Word of Christ dwelling richly
of God dwelleth in you if any man desile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3.16 17. Again Ye are the Temple of the Living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People 2 Cor 6.16 And also the Apostle Peter says Ye also as lively Stones are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Again the Author to the Hebrews expresseth himself thus Moses verily was faithful in all his House as a Servant for a Testimony of those things which were to be spoken after but Christ as a Son ever his own House whose House we are if we hold fast the Confidence and the rejoycing of the Hope from unto the end Heb. 3.5 6. By all which Testimonies its plainly manifest that the Saints and Children of God are that Spiritual House and Evangelical Temple wherein the Glory and presence of God is spiritually known and witnessed in this Gospel day which is yet further confirmed and held forth in that remarkable passage of the Apostle Paul to the Church at Ephesus Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Forreigners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone in whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes 2.19 20 21 22. Howbeit Christians have Meeting-Places tho not in Jewish or Heathen Pomp and State but plain and suitable for that purpose answerable to the simplicity of the Life and Doctrine of their blessed Lord who teaches Humility Plainness and Moderation upon all accounts it is not simply the Place but the Persons there assembled that he has a regard unto who meet in his Name and Fear such doth he honour with his blessed Presence wheresoever they are met together to wait upon him and by the vertue of his Grace and Spirit he doth strengthen and confirm his Children and People enabling them to perform that Worship and Service which is acceptable unto God in this Gospel day Section V. Concerning silent waiting upon God for the help and concurrence of his holy Spirit in the performance of Divine Worship INasmuch as those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ and make profession of his blessed Name and Truth are so drawn into an outward and visible Society as that they do Meet and Assemble themselves together at seasonable and convenient times and places according to the practice of the true Believers in the primitive times so when they are assembled it ought to be the care of all to abstain from their own Actings Thoughts and Imaginations and to be inwardly retir'd in their Minds in a holy watchfulness and dependency upon the Lord that so being gathered together in his Name they may be sensible of his blessed Presence amongst them according to his promise Where two or three says he are gathered together in my Name there will I be in the midst of them This Name is not only an outward and literal Name but a pretious living powerful Name wherein true Comfort Strength Safety is nor is it an outward gathering only but an inward gathering in Heart Mind and Spirit unto that which is pure and holy therefore saith the Apostle I beseech you Brithren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him 2 Thes 2.1 By which it appears that the Saints gathering was unto Christ his Spirit and Power and as every one are thus gathered in Spirit as well as outwardly in Person the secret Power and Vertue of the divine Spirit is frequently known to Revive and Refresh their Souls and the pure Motions and Breathings thereof are witnessed from which as Words of Declaration Prayers or Praises to God do arise the pure spiritual and acceptable Worship and Service of God is known yea tho there be not a word spoken yet in possible that the true Spiritual Worship may be performed and the Church of Christ Edified Howbeit although this inward Silence and spiritual waiting upon God be a very great necessary Duty and in order preceeds all real acts of Divine Worship forasmuch as it is an inward retirement of the Mind from all its own Motions Workings Imaginations and vain Speculations and a meer dependance upon God for the help and influence of his Grace and Spirit yet it is very strange and opposit to the natural Will and Wisdom of Man whose roving Imaginations and running worldly Desires Vauities and Delights are not easily subjected and brought to silence and such are ready to think all time lost wherein there is not something spoken that 's obvious to the outward Senses not considering that so long as the natural Spirit of man is the first and chief Author and Actor of him in his Devotions towards God so as that he does not first wait for a Divine Guide to direct him he cannot worship acceptably nor bring forth any thing of himself but the Fruit of the faln natural and corrupt Root and indeed this is one great reason why many sober and discreet Persons in this our Age cannot joyn with the several forms of Worship now extant in the World but under a consciencious Exercise and Concern do dissent from them not in any stubbornness as some would charge them but really for Conscience sake lest they should offend God in joyning with that which he by his Spirit hath made them sensible of that he takes no delight in for what is a heap of the most Pathetical Words that can be uttered unto God Almighty when they are both begun carried on and concluded in mans own natural Will and Strengh without the motion or influence of the Spirit of God which is and must needs be of absolute necessity for enabling People to perform that Spiritual Worship which was instituted by our Lord and is now practiced by his People Yet nevertheless although this inward retiredness and spiritual waiting upon God be almost a mystery to the World and very hard difficult unto men in their natural unregenerate Sate yet it is that whereby the spiritual man renews his strength in the Lord it is frequently commanded born testimonyunto in the holy Scriptures as appears by the following Texts which the Reader may peruse at his Leasure Job 14.14 Psal 40.1 and 62 5. and 69.3 Prov. 20.22 Isa 40.31 Lam. 3.25 26. Hos 12.6 Hab. 2.1 Mat. 24.42 and 25.13 and 26.41 Mar. 13.37 2 Tim. 4.5 See also Ezra 9.4 Ezek. 3.15 16. Zech. 2.13 Job 2.13 Moreover this silence or silent waiting for a season before Words be spoken relating to the Worship
and Service of God doth not thus only appear to be agreeable to Scripture Testimony but also is answerable even to Reason natural Experience in other things for he that would learn of a Master any Art or Science ought not to fall on speaking or acting immediately of his own Mind and Will so continue unquiet but rather should be silent for a season to hear his Master instruct him what and how he shall door say and then proceed So also he that undertakes to serve a Master should not run hastily on to do things in his own Time and Will nor yet to deaffen his Master with Discourse though it were in Praises of him but he ought rather to wait to hear his Master speak and inform him what and how to do and then proceed to act according to his Directions Even so those that desire to be taught of God and instructed by him in Righteousness ought not to keep themselves continually busied with their own Imaginations and Inventions but patiently to wait upon God that so he by his Grace and Spirit may Teach and Instruct them and also those that desire to serve God in this Gospel day ought not to run hastily about the same in their own corrupt forward and unrenewed Wills and Minds but diligently to attend upon God to feel the Strength and Counsel of his Spirit in such undertakings Section VI. Concerning the Preparation Call and Ordination of Gospel Ministers AS it is the duty of every Christian to wait upon God for the help and strength of his holy Spirit in order to sit prepare qualifie them for the Worship Service of God so it is by the Power and Vertue of the Divine Spirit that every true Evangelist and Gospel Minister is ordained prepared and supplied in the work of the Ministry otherwise he cannot be truly said to be a Minster of the Spirit for as none could be Ministers of the Letter who had thence no ground of their Call nor directions therefrom how when nor after what manner they should Minister neither can any be reall Ministers of the Spirit who are not called ordained fitted and prepared by it nor are acquainted with the motions and directions thereof in order to draw move act influence assist and go before them in the Work and Service of the Gospel As for the Service of the Jews under the Dispensation of the Law there was a certain Tribe allotted for the Ministry which was the Tribe of Levi so that then People needed not to question who should be Priests and Ministers of holy things for that the Lord God by his Servant Moses did set apart divers of the aforesaid Tribe for the Priestood and other Offices as also he did direct how and after what manner their Worship and Service was to be performed as may be seen at large in the writings of Moses And besides that it pleased God at divers times under that Dispensation by the immediate Testimony of his holy Spirit to raise up several Persons to Teach Instruct and Reprove the People as Samuel Nathan Elias Elisha Jeremiah Amos and others of the Prophets but now under the new Covenant and Dispensation of the Gospel there is no such Tribe of People allotted set a part particularly for the Ministry as was under the Law neither is the Worship and Service of Christians Celebrated after the manner of the Jews in divers respects nor is it attended with those outward Ceremonies and shadowing Performances as was that of the Jews for the Christian Worship Service is performed in Spirit in Truth as hath been before and still yet may be further observed and therein it greatly Excelleth and far Transcended that under the Law being under the administration of Life and Glory wherein the Lord Jesus Christ is alone exalted as high Priest and Prophet of his People who being the Lord of true Divinity doth spiritually Call Ordain Constitute and Qualifie the Ministers of the new Testament and Instruct them in the Spiritual Law which is the delight of Gods People That the Apostles and Servants of Christ in the Primitive times were called and qualified by the Divine Spirit to and for the Work of the Ministry is so plain and clear that none need question it unless it be such who at this day would assume and arrogate unto themselves the name and title of Gospel Ministers by Virtue of some outward Ordination without the call help and influence of the holy Spirit unto such I say it greatly behoves them to consider how and when the Lord Jesus Christ did transfer that power unto man which is only peculiar unto himself I know that those who despise the motion and diclares of the Grace of God in themselves and yet would be esteemed Ministers are apt to deny that the Power and Influence of the holy Spirit is of absolute necessity for the Call and Qualification of a Gospel Minister and therefore do wholly betake themselves to an outward Ordination for a refuge otherwise such would have nothing to stand upon in that respect for what they pretend to 'T is certain and always granted that those whom God is pleased to Call and Qualifie by his Grace and Spirit to and for the Work and Service of the Gospel are to be owned and approved of by his Church and People but then it does not therefore follow that any who have only attained unto some degree of humane Learning Knowledg in Arts Sciences can be thereby fitted for the Gospel Ministry or that such Person under those Circumstances can be rightly qualified for that Work Service by the Power of man without the call help influence and assistance of the blessed and holy Spirit and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ wherein the true power of Ordination stands and not in men as men but in the Spirit of Christ which ought to have the supream Government in the hearts of men and those who are truly called ordained and qualified by the divine Spirit for the Work and Service of the Gospel are accepted of God and approved of by his Church and People as the Apostle said He that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of Men Rom. 14.18 Also we read that the Apostle Paul when he took his leave of the Elders of the Church of Ephesus he thus expressed himself Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood Acts 20.28 And again the holy Ghost said unto the Prophets Teachers which were in the Church at Antioch Seperate me Barnabas and Saul for the Work whereunto I have called them and when they had Fasted and Prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away so it s said they being sent forth by the holy Ghost departed unto Soleucia and from thence they sailed to Cyprus and
is abomination to the Lord Prov. 15.8 And again He that turneth his Ear from the Law even his Prayer shall be abomination Also the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah saith to the People of Israel that had forsaken the Lord and rebelled against his Spirit and so become a sinful Nation 〈◊〉 2 3.13 When ye spread forth your Hands I will hide mine Eyes from you yea when you make many Prayers I will not hear your Hands are full of Blood. Again we read John 9.31 We know that God heareth not Sinners but of any be a worshipper of God and doth his will him heareth And also 1. Pet. 3.12 The Eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous and his Ears are open to their Prayers but the Face of the Lord is against 〈◊〉 that do Evil. Thus it is plain that the Prayers and Sacrifices of Wicked and Sinful men have not been acceptable unto God which they remain'd in that state but rather an abomination unto him being not offered in sincerity of Heart nor under a right disposition of Soul and Spirit The Jews of old thought it sufficient for them if they did but pay their daily Sacrifices and offer their customary Oblations c. from thence concluding all was well but it prov'd not so for the Lord by the Prophet asks them To what purpose was the multitude of their Sacrifices and bids them bring no more vain Oblations Incense says he is an abomination unto me the new Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies is Iniquity even the solemn Meeting And again by the Prophet Amos he says Though you offer me Burnt Offerings and Meat Offerings I will not accept them neither will I regard the Peace Offerings of your fat Beasts And what was the reason of all this dislike Even because the People were Wicked and Sinful Therefore he says Wash ye make ye Clean put away the evil of your doings from before my Eyes cease to do Evil learn to do Well seek Judgment relieve the Oppressed judge the Fatherless and plead for the Widow And then no question but they might be accepted As it was with the Jews in that state so its probable the case may be with many of those call'd Christians now who think is sufficient for them to be present at the reading over of Morning and Evening Prayers c. according to the common Form and Custom and yet do not rightly consider that their Hearts are polluted and deiled with Sin and Iniquity which no question will block up their way from Divine acceptance as well as it did unto Israel of old As for Sin it is a thing that cannot be Christen'd neither will the Righteous God own it in any let their pretence be what it will. It has always been the cause of mans Wo and Misery and of his Separation from God in all Ages and it s the same now where People remain in it and continue Impenitent and in Rebellion against the Reproofs and Counsel of the Light and Spirit of Christ in themselves Your Iniquities saith the Prophet have separated between you and your God and your Sins have hid his Face from you that he will not hear Isa 59.2 They shall call upon me saith Wisdom but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me Prov. 1.28 It is not simply the calling upon God or making mention of his blessed Name that gains acceptance with him or draws down his blessings upon men but it is a calling upon him in Faith and in a rightly ordered and well-disposed Mind and Spirit For unto this mâ—n will I look saith the Lord even to him 〈◊〉 is Poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at my Word Isa 66.2 Again The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him in Truth he will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them the Lord preserveth all them that Love him but the Wicked will he Destroy Psal 145 18 19 20. Howbeit still although the Prayers of Wicked and Sinfull Men whilst they remain in Impenitency and Rebellion against God are not acceptable unto him yet nevertheless such as are polluted with Sin and Iniquity and do come to be secretly touch awaken'd by the Light and Spirit of Christ and are bowed down under the sence of their own Sinfulness unworthiness Misery Weakness for Inability such looking up to God and inwardly breathing forth secret Desires and Aspirations or uttering Words in Prayer and Supplication unto him for help and deliverance from under the bondage of Sin and Corruption the Lord God in his own due time will undoubtedly hear and answer the desires of such But still this does no way admit that wicked and ungodly men are capable of praying acceptably any otherwise then as they are toucht awakened and helpt by the Spirit of Christ and being truly bowed down under the sence of God goodness and their own unworthness are led to Repentance and so by the grace of God are drawn to supplicate his Name for Help and Deliverance We read that when the Apostle Peter exhorted Simon the Sorcerer unto Prayer hâ—â— places Repentance before it saying Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thy Heart may be forgiven thee Acts 8.22 Again Repent ye therefore and be Converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3.19 From whence it is observable That as Repentance doth go before Prayer so also doth Repentance and Conversion go before blotting out of Sin. Now as to the Prayers of those who are high and lofty in Mind and Spirit and take delight in Sin and Ungodliness and to spend their precious time in Vanity Folly and Madness and also of those who may seem outwardly to be more demure yet spiritually rest in the gall of Bitterness against the Truth and in the bond of Iniquity there may seem to be little defference of their Devotions in the ground as to Divine acceptance so long as both sorts of People remain in Impenitency for the first can turn out of their vain Conversation or however suspend the outward act thereof for a little season and the other their worldly Discourse and so fall to repeat some few words of Prayer in a formal and customary way and immediately again even as soon as ever the words to God are out of their Mouths without any true regard to the Greatness and Majesty of him to whom they have even been making Supplication they 'l fall on again upon their former Discourse and many times as hath been observ'd upon Vain Idle and Prophane Talk so that without any distinction or waiting for divine help to perform their Duties to God they appear to be acted by one and the same Spirit upon both accounts Certainly If there be any such thing as vain Oblations and Prayers that God regardeth not