our studies 2 Tim. 2.4 Paul saie's wee must not intangle our selvs in worldly imploiments But you say a man may follow a Trade all the week Vers 15. and yet preach the Lord's day True after a wilde fashion but not like a workman that need not bee ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth Answ 3 To the third part of the objection I say it is a mere deluding of people to set the Spirit of God against God's means in and by which his Spirit doth usually work The Spirit is it which worketh effectually in the ministerie of us all Gal. 2.8 the sufficiencie and efficiencie is not of us but of God but yet the Spirit worketh by such Gifts as himself bestoweth 1 Cor. 12.4 There bee diversities of Gifts but the same Spirit and by the right use of those Gifts the Spirit doth work to the edifying of the Churches For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withall i.e. Whosoëver hath any Gift manifesting the miraculous power of the Spirit it is given not for ostentation or to bee admired but for this onely end for the profit of all vers 7. Now the Gifts then given to profit the Church withall in the way of instruction are reckoned up six 1. Sapientia wisdom to applie Christian Doctrine to Practice and Use of believers 2. Scientia a knowledg of Principles and deep points of Religion 3. Prophecie i.e. a Gift to expound the prophecies and secret things of Scripture 4. Discerning of spirits viz fanatick and counterfeit inspirations from true 5. Divers kindes of tongues that all Nations and languages might hear and understand the Gospel 6. Interpretation of tongues wherewith others did speak and wherein the Scripture is written These Gifts of the Spirit are useful and profitable for the Church they were miraculous for the manner of coming by them but the Doctrine taught was the same which was before revealed These Gifts may either bee acquired or infused At first they were infused immediately both for the honor of the Gospel and the speedier spreading of it Afterwards they are continued for the good of the Church by the Help of studie or praier Even as the Gift of Healing is now continued by the studie and Art of Physick without the Gifts of wisdom science and tongues wee can never soundly nor fruitfully make known the mysteries of Scripture and hee that by studie and praier doe's attain the use of any of these Gifts in preaching hee preacheth by the Spirit if the Things which wee preach bee the things Conclus 2 which the Spirit hath revealed in the written word and the Gifts by which wee preach bee the Gifts of the Spirit then whether the means by which wee com by those Gifts bee extraordinarie as by inspiration or ordinarie as by studie and praier the matter is the same Wee preach by the Spirit i.e. by the illumination and guidance of the Spirit leading us into the truth which himself hath revealed Wee pretend not yea wee detest all pretensions of new and immediate inspirations whereby the holie Ghost is made the Autor of disorder and confusion or a cloak for ignorance non-sence and Heresie Conclus 2 Our second Conclusion in Answer to the second Question in this viz. Ordination of ministers by imposition of hands of the Presbyterie for the Administration of the Word and Sacraments is an Ordinance of Christ in the New Testament The work of the ministerie is an Office and Calling as you have heard and Ordination is Christ's Ordinance whereby fit and approved persons are set apart and Commissioned for the execution of that Office in the Name and with the Autoritie of Jesus Christ Droved 1. by example The weight of the Controversie lieth upon this Conclusion which is directly proved 1. By example Wee finde in the New Testament four descents of men sent and ordained 1. Christ himself was sent of his Father 2. The Apostles were sent and ordained by Christ Mark 3.14 3. The Apostles sent and ordained Timothie and others of their own time 4. And they that lived in the Apostles times did in like manner ordain others to survive and do the Office of Ministers when they were dead and this succession of Ministers is to last to the end of the world 1. Christ was sent and had his Commission from his Father Joh. 20.21 22 23. My Father hath sent mee Christ himself was sent and Autuorized to preach els hee had not not taken that honor to himself Heb. 5.4 5. 2d. Descent Christ send 's the Apostles As my Father sent mee so sent I you there 's their Commission hee committed the ministerie to their execution which himself had received viz. a power to Preach and Baptize to binde and loos Job 20.23 with Matth. 28.19 Go yee therefore Teach all Nations and Baptize them The Man Christ could do nothing but by Commission from the Father nor the Apostles except Christ had given them Commission both Christ and his Apostles were solemnly inaugurated into their Office of Teaching Conclus 2 3d Descent The Apostles ordained Timothie and others of their own time 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the Gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands and the hands of the presbyterie 1 Tim. 4.14 By Gift there is meant that Ghostly power or Office which Timothie received at his ordination by the laying on of the Apostles hands in the presence and with the consent of the presbyterie who joined with Paul in that action Again wee finde Paul and Barnabas ordaining Elders in every Church where they went Acts 14.23 4th Descent Timothie and Titus did ordain others as theniselvs had been ordained and that by the Apostle's own appointment Tit. 1.5 for this caus was Titus left in Crete that hee should ordain Elders in every Citie So likewise Timothie is directed how to lay on hands not suddenly but with good advisedness 1 Tim. 5.22 As Timothie was entrusted with the word of Christ so Hee must commit the same trust to faithful men able to teach others also that so there may bee a succession of Teachers 2 Tim. 2.2 Thus yee have recorded in Scripture four descents 1. Christ 2. His Apostles 3. Timothie and Titus 4. Elders at Creet and Ephesus and other Churches where the Gospel was planted all sent and ordained the two later by ordination in the ordinarie way thus the Apostles in their own Practice admitted men into the ministerie and thus they appointed for succeeding times And can any think that Ordination ended with that Age Is there not the same caus necessitie use and reason for it in after Ages as in the first times of the Church when there were as yet extraordinarie Gifts stirring in the Church which are now ceased and therefore the more need of a standing ministerie Secondly 2 From Scripture-Rules This Conclusion is proved by Scripture Rules and Precepts given touching Ordination and the manner thereof
is an Office appointed of God and that Ordination for executing that Office is an Ordinance of Christ in the New Testament our third Conclusion will naturally follow viz. That no man uncalled and unordained can with good conscience intrude upon that work and Office This position or Conclusion is proved by two places especially remarkable for this purpose the first is that of Zach. 83.3 4 5. And it shall com to pass that the Prophets shall bee ashamed every one of his Vision when hee hath prophesied neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceiv but hee shall say I am no Prophet I am an husbandman for man taught mee to keep Cattel from my youth 1. This place is a plain Prophecie of the times of the Gospel wherein many blessings are promised when the Messiah is com vers 1.2 Concl. 3 2. The words vers 4.5 are words of Recantation and repentance of som that pretended the Spirit and took upon them the Office of Prophesying when as they were not Prophets but husbandmen or bred up to som other Trades 3. The means by which this kind of Teachers were brought to shame and repentance is the zeal of the Christian Magistrate upon complaint made to him of their doings by their dearest friends vers 3. And it shall com to pass that when any shall yet Prophecie i.e. notwithstanding all spiritual means used to cleans the Land of seducing spirits and Teachers of fals Doctrines vers 2. if for all this they shall prophecie then his Father and his Mother which begat him shall say unto him Thou shalt not live c. the meaning is this that as in the Law of Moses Deut. 13.5 8. Hee that pretended himself a Prophet and was none was to bee punished by the Magistrate such a like zeal should bee used against fals Prophets in the New Testament their best friends endued with knowledg and discerning shall oppose them preferring their zeal and pietie towards God before the natural affection they bear towards their own children And there is reason as Mr Borough's thinks why their best friends should withstand them in this way 1. Becaus it is a thing abhorring to Nature Heart-divisions p. 19.23.24 that men should suffer God whom they honor to bee blasphemed 2. To see their wives and children and dearest friends to bee seduced into waies which wee think will undo their souls to eternitie and not bee able to help them nor our selvs unless wee can perswade the Seducer to desist and ask them why they do so and entreat them to forbear Therefore these must com under the Magistrates restraining power 4. Then follow 's the fruit of the Magistrates dealing with them viz. Their shame and repentance they shall disclaim their usurped profession and confess that they were never brought up nor fitted for it and so return to their former cours and Trade of living This Scripture is fulfilled in one part by the rising of fals Teachers in our daies and if it bee not fulfilled in the other part viz. in their repentance one principal caus thereof is becaus our Magistrates are so far from putting them to shame that they rather uphold them having enfranchized every Sect to hold Assemblies to preach who will yea to the disadvantage of Christ's Gospel have suffered his Ministers to bee vilified reproched even in Almanacks and to bee made the scorn and derision of the raging waves of the Sea and mocking spirits of which S. Jude complains v. 13.18 I pray God this bee not laid to their charge Conclus 3 Our second place is Num. 16.1 2 3 5. Dathan and Abiram were Gentlemen of the Tribe of Reuben the eldest son of Jacob Num. 26. 5 9. This is that Dathan and Abiram which were famous in the Congregation they thought they had as much right to the Government as Moses who came of a yonger Tribe and therefore like Levellers they say to Moses and Aaron wherefore lift you up your selvs above the Congregation of the Lord ver 3. And when they were summoned to appear before Moses they refused saying wee will not com vers 12.13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us out of a Land flowing with milk and honie except thou make they self altogether a Prince over us their quarrel was especially against Moses against the Civil Power Korah for his part was a Levite and hee would have none above him in the Church hee would needs do the office of a Priest as well as Aaron seek yee the Priesthood also saies Moses to him v. 10. His quarrel was Ecclesiastical against Aaron vers 11. What is Aaron that yee murmur against him Thus yee see how Korah did endevor to make common the Offices of the Priesthood and why becaus said hee all the Congregation of the Lord is holy vers 3. All have the gifts of the Spirit as if God's Ordinarie gifts of Sanctification did take away distinction of Callings and Offices But what saies Moses to all this geer vers 5. To morrow the Lord will shew who are his and who is holy and will caus him to com near unto him i.e. God will by miracle shew whom hee accepteth for his servant in the Government you or mee And who is holy i.e. whom hee hath consecrated to com near unto him by special Calling to do the Office of a Priest Aaron or you All the Congregation is holy by the Gift of common vocation unto Grace but not by special Gift of consecration to the Office of a Priest As Paul 1 Cor. 11.7 saith that the Husband is the image of God in respect of domestick Autoritie the wife is the image of God in respect of the gifts of grace as well as her Husband but the Husband and so every good Magistrate hath on him a twofold image of God 1. One by gifts of Grace common with other Saints 2. The other by special Calling and Autoritie to his Office in Church or State Well you see Korah's sin what it is but how doe's the Lord take this at his hands see v. 35. Those 250 men which offered incens and invaded the holy Office were burnt to death with fire from Heaven And for a Monument to all Posteritie that None who is not Called and Consecrated should presume to take upon him the Office of ministring holy things to make himself near to God in these peculiar Conclus 3 Services God commanded the Censers wherewith they had offered the Incens to bee kept for a memorial unto the children of Israël that no stranger which is not of the seed of Aaron com near to offer Incens before the Lord that hee bee not as Korah and his Companie vers 40. Also God commanded Aarons rod that budded to bee kept for a token against the Rebels and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings Num. 17.10 And they shall know that whosoëver cometh near to the Tabernacle of the Lord without a Calling to do the Office of a
any gift manifesting the Spirit is bestowed on any man it is to this one end for the prosit of all Chap. 12.7 Secondly Note that these gifts were diversly distributed not given all to one nor any one gift to all 1 Cor. 12 10. but to one was given to speak with Tongues to another Miracles to another Prophecie And every one might exercise his own gift but not anothers Hee that had the gift of Miracles might do his Miracle but not go about to speak with Tongues and hee that spake with Tongues might not attempt to heal nor to Prophecie God gave not all these gifts to one but one to one another to another vers 11. dividing in parts to every man as hee will Prophecie was a chief gift extraordinarily inspired as was the gift of Tongues or healing and the Prophets were they 1 Cor. 14.3 which by a special and extraordinarie gift interpreted Prophetical Scriptures to edification and consolation Now Paul beeing to regulate this gift saith yee may all prophecie one by one i. e. all that bee Prophets all that have a matter revealed to them vers 30. if any thing bee revealed to another that sitteth by c. All 1 Cor. 12 29. such may take their turns in Prophecying not any one els for at Corinth all were not Prophets This then ' is the plain meaning of that place as hee that had not the gift of Tongues or of healing might not attempt to heal or to speak with Tongues so hee that had not the gift of prophecie might not undertake to exercise it Thirdly Becaus our men take these Prophets to bee ordinarie gifted Christians and so their practices imitable 1 Cor. 14. I shall by three reasons prove the contrary viz. That prophecying in that place was an extraordinarie and not a standing ordinarie gift in the Church Reason 1 1. Becaus S. Paul saie's of them that they had som special matters revealed to them of a sudden whilst another was prophecying they Concl. 3 onely sitting by and not using the help or operation of any facultie of their own as their wit memorie reading they spake by divine inspiration like the old Prophets Reason 2 2. And accordingly wee finde them in a rank and order of men set with the Apostles above the most eminent Gifted Christians 1 Cor. 12.28 first Apostles secondarily Prophets And as the Apostles so they had their knowledg of the mysterie of christ by revelation as Paul witnesseth Ephes 3.5 as it is now revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit Prophecie therefore was no standing gift and Prophets were not ordinarie gifted believers but a rank of men in Office above Pastors Reason 3 3. All these gifts 1 Cor. 14 were of the same nature for the manner of their Donation and for their continuance i. e. to last for a time onely wherefore seeing the gift of Tongues and Miracles is ceased the gift of Prophecie is also ceased for this was given in the same manner and placed among the extraordinarie gifts 1 Cor. 12.10 whereupon I conclude that the Prophecying in the Corinthians is no pattern for the practice of our gifted Speakers who I presume have not the face to take the place of Prophets next to the Apostles above Evangelists and Pastors Nor to affirm that they have their knowledg by revelation for then what need they plead their parts or gifts seeing Inspiration or Revelation is not a facultie of the minde and seeing the gift or prophecie is ceased it is now a gross taking of the name to counterfeit it as also it is to imitate the miraculous works of Christ and his Apostles Object If they had been inspired they could not bee subject to the judging of others seeing they could not then err But the Text saies that the spirit of those Prophets is subject unto the Prophets therefore they were but ordinarie men 1 Cor. 14.29.32 Answ This Argument follow 's not becaus the Apostles were inspired and could not err yet they submitted their Doctrine to trial Act. 17.11 And becaus Satan ean transform himself into an Angel of Light and his ministers as the Ministers of Christ 2 Pet. 2.1 1 Joh. 4.1 and becaus as there were fals Prophets of old so there shall bee fals teachers among you for this caus wee are commanded to trie their spirits ie the Doctrines propounded under the name of the spirits instiration And to prevent dilusions in this kind God gave a gift of discerning of spirits whereby to know a true Prophet from a fals which spake for his own spirit yea the Prophets themselvs had a spirit of judging vers 29. And Conclus 3 therefore it was ordained that the Doctrine of every Prophet should bee subject to the Examination of other Prophets who ought to judg by the Rule of God's Word whether that which was spoken were by the motion of God's Spirit or by a spirit meerly humane and this was no disparagement to those Prophets to have their Doctrine and Interpretations judged by others endued with the same Spirit Nam etsi bomo spiritualis à nemine judicatur tamen qui à nemine judicatur judicatur à spiritu Dei These Prophets were greater then the Ordinarie Pastors and Doctors yet inferior to the Apostles and Prophets which were the Pen-men of holy Scripture Lect. Apoer To. 1. l. 34 p. 300 301 305. as that learned Dr Rainolds hath observed they had indeed gifts and inspirations more then ordinarie for opening of Scriptures but not the Spirit so incessantly assisting them as they had that wrote the Scrptures Nathan though a Prophet yet hee had not the spirit incessantly speaking in him hee spake out of his own humane judgment and reason 2 Sam. 7.31 when hee had David to build the Temple so did Samuel judg concerning Eliab the eldest son of Jesse 1 Sam. 16.6 7. Meminisse oportet saith Dr Rainolds dona spiritûs secundùm mensuram hominibus distributa esse cùm insint in ill is primitiae quidem Spiritûs Sancti unà etiam inesse reliquias spiritûs humani Nemo autem novit quae sunt hominis nisi spiritus hominis Nec quispiam novit quae sunt Dei nisi Spiritus Dei Itaque quae tradunt viri Dei Prophetae hi de quibus loquimur profecta esse possunt ab humano spiritu qui adhue etiam in illis est idcirco doctrinam suam submittere debem fratrum suorum examini judicio neque enim omnia semper Deus servis suis revelat sed id quisque potest aliquando dicere quòd Elizeus cùm adipsum Shunamitis accederet hoc Jehova celavit me neque indicavit mihi ibi p 305. If their Doctrine may bee judged 2 King 4 27. it may bee refused as beeing possibly subject to error not when they speak by Inspiration but becaus 't is possible they might speak by a humane spirit or by a fals spirit and that could