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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	age_n	church_n	true_a	1,952	5	4.9061	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80158	Responsoria ad erratica pastoris, sive, vindiciæ vindiciarum. Id est, the Shepherds wandrings discovered, in a revindication of the great ordinance of god: Gospel-preachers, and preaching. By way of reply and answer to a late booke, called, The peoples priviledges, and duty guarded against the pulpit and preachers encroachment. And their sober justification and defence of their free and open exposition of scriptures. Published by William Sheppard, Esq. Wherein Mr Sheppards pretended guard, consisting of ten propositions and ten arguments, is examined, and found to wear nothing by wooden swords. And all his replyes to Mr Tho. Halls arguments, and Mr Collinges arguments in his Vindiciæ ministerii, brought against not ordained persons ordinary preaching, are found but cavils and too light. And the truth still maintained, ... in that, preaching and expounding scripture publiquely, are proper acts to gospel officers; not common to all. Wherein also the great question, how far the spirit of God ... dothïnable them to understand scripture is opened, ... / By John Collings, M.A. and preacher of the Gospel in Norwich.	Collinges, John, 1623-1690.	1652 (1652)	Wing C5331; Thomason E672_1; ESTC R207127	122,201	185

callings I grant it you You say 1. It is given them for this purpose Right 2. God requires it you say 1 Pet. 4.10 11. You are afraid we should say that that Text is onely to be understood of gifts given to men in office only and to prevent it you tell us it is improbable for 1. You say the Epistle was written to the Jewes amongst whom were as you thinke few regular Churches 2. The words are generall and so not to be restrained I know none sayes that the gift there spoken of is to be restrained to gifts given men in office but it may much be questioned whether the gift there meant be not ●ffice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is the same word there used that is used 1 Tim. 4.14 and there office is plainely meant and then it followeth as stewards of the manifold grace of God now stewards is a name of office applyed to Ministers and officers 1 Cor. 4.1 Tit. 1.7 and no where in Scripture applyed to private persons not in office But you thinke there were no regular Churches amongst the Jewes and so no officers what thinke you Sir of the Elders mentioned 1 Pet. 5.1.2 that are commanded to feed the flocke of God amongst them taking the oversight thereof not by constraint c. Was not that flock of God under the oversight of Elders a Church thinke you But the words are generall and therefore to be understood of all Christians and all gifts Truth Sir if there were no other Scriptures to limit them nor are the words generall neither if Christians have not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there spoken of I passe over your other five reasons as proving nothing that I have denied nor any thing to your purpose CHAP. X. Wherein Mr. Sheppards 18 19 20 21 pages are examined and his tenth position and what he hath said to prove it is scann'd I Am come to the last of your Lifeguard your proposition is this That opening and applying Scriptures by private men one to another in a way of teaching reproofe Admonition Exhortation and comfort hath beene frequently blessed of God for the begetting of grace in the hearers and increase of it Now you have done us the favour to tell us what you meant all this while by expounding for your position I onely am troubled you have not told us when and where and how and that you have used the word frequently For the proofe of this you appeale to experience saying Let the Converters and Believers of our dayes be askt by what meanes they were brought into Christ and what it is that doth edifie them in the faith of Christ and doubtlesse they will tell us of other meanes also with Pulpit-preaching and by other men as well as Preachers in ●ffice To all I answer 1. Sir if you meane that God hath pleased to blesse the private labours of his people in their private exhortings and reprovings of one another to encrease Grace in the soules of his servants I doubt it not 2. But if you meane that God hath frequently blessed the publike preachments of persons not called to that office for the conversion of soules I doubt it very much 3. You make a very ill appeale to the Converts of our age Perverts there are many but the Lord knowes few converts and very strange believers and professors appeale Sir to the old puritanes of formes ages aske them by whom God spake to their hearts 4. Gods making use of such meanes as private admonition or reproofes to convert souls doth not prove that this is Gods great ordinance for that end Waldus the father of the Waldenses confesseth his conversion to a sudden death of a friend or companion of his but yet none will say sudden deaths are Gods ordinance for conversion 5. God may sometimes possibly begin a conviction by a private reproof but I believe he usually makes use of his word Preached to beget Faith and to perfect the work Lastly I say the holy one is not limited but I believe you would be posed to bring me one good instance of a soule converted from a loose and profane life to an humble close strict walking with God in truth and uprightnesse that hath sate under no meanes but onely the Preaching of a private person that not being called to the office of the Ministry hath yet set upon that work it were easie to bring you five hundred that have been perverted I appeale to all the Hereticks and Blasphemers in England all the Antinomians Antiscripturists Antitrinitarians Ranters where did any of you learn your principles was it with constant hearing of the Ministers of the Gospell or rather was it not with hearing men that without any call but upon the pretence of their gifts undertooke to expound the mysteries of God And Sir if three have been this way converted and edified and the soules of five hundred perverted and destroyed what becomes of your proposition or to what purpose is it brought us To your proofes That God doth hold forth those duties and ordinances as meanes of Grace 1 Cor. 7.16 Math. 18.15 16 17. Jam. 5.19 20. we grant it and they are so when performed regularly the woman may be an instrument to save her husband 1 Cor. 7.16 But not by Preaching to him but by carrying her selfe as a believing wife before him Math. 18.15 16 17. proves it concerning private admonition but prove Sir by any Scripture That the teaching Brother not called to the office hath a promise made to him You tell us secondly that it is the word that doth regenerate Yea and this very controversiall truth doublesse you prove by a whole line of quotations Fewer would have served the turne you should lay most proofe Sir upon the weakest cause He that dispenseth it is but the conveyance or conduit-pipe by which it is carried 1 Cor. 3.5 Very much truth doubtlesse but to what purpose doth any speak otherwise hence you infer that the word is the same in a private as in a publike officers mouth True Sir it is so materially but not formally the one speaks with authority the former only as a Scribe the one as Christs messenger particularly entrusted the other without any such commission By this time your conscience checks you that the Apostle Ro. 10.14 15 16. and you in this doctrine are not of a minde and p. 19 20 21. you spend to answer that unanswerable place 1. You grant that the Preaching of the word by a Preacher in office is the speciall and common way of gathering in men to Christ and a singular ordinance for increase of men gained and converted yet this is not the onely meanes nor all the Ordinances of Grace for there are many more that men are to attend upon for their edification and growth in Grace as well as this Sir for this concession we thanke you for we are beholding to any one that in this erroneous age will give an assent to any truth

Saint of God under a temptation and a son of perdition and three profane wretches 2. Nor are Heretickes so thin amongst us as amongst the Apostles 3. Nor did Christ and the Apostles use a direct meanes to propagate errours as we argue this would be But you tell us where the spirit dwells it leades into truth and not errrur This is truth Sir but to what purpose hence I conclude therefore they that are led by the spirit neither lead others into errours nor are led themselves but unlearned preachers doe both 2 Pet. 3.16 2. The evill spirit may sometimes lead those into errour in whom the spirit dwells this is a temptation Saints may be under and it is one ready way to be brought into it to usurpe acts of office and run before they are sent when they run out of Gods way the spirit of God leaves them The fourth ill consequence we urged was That by this means Preachers and preaching in office would he uselesse and contemptible To the latter you answer 1. The same might have beene said of the Priests under the law Right and was it not so see Num. 16.3 what Corah Dathan and Abiram say you take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation are holy every one of them and the Lord is amongst them wherefore then lift up your selves aboue the Congregation of the Lord. 2. You say you doe not believe it because you have seene the contrary in your own experience None so blind as they that will not see Sir I durst undertake for one that you can shew me that being a private person gifted and a publike preacher that yet continues with an humble sober heart under the aw of Gods ordinances and honouring the Lords publike officer I will shew you twenty that are either above Ordinances or slighters and contemners of the Ministers of the Gospell 3. You tell us This is certaine Those that honour God God will honour that 's our comfort Sir and we doubt not but God will doe it here or hereafter Dan 12.3 but that is no warrant for our spitting on them You say This will not make the preachers office less use● full and necessary for God in his wisdom and mercy will have some whose office it shall be to take care of the soules of his people c. Right Sir God will but man would not and what you have here said will be an argument against you If this be Gods Ordinance and will surely he would not have all usurp the peculiar acts of his office as this doth See my Vindiciae Ministerii p. 96 37. CHAP. XXI In which Mr. Sheppards 70 71 72 73 pages are examined and answered and his answers to eleven objections scann'd and found very weake Pulpit guard p. 25 26. YOu are now come to answer my brother Halls eleventh Argument which was this They which have no promise from God of divine assistance cannot comfortably or succesfully undertake the work But private persons turning preachers without a call have no such promise Ergo. To this you answer 1. By denying the Minor and you tell us there is a promise to a right hearing Truth sir but this is not a right hearing for how shall they heare without a preacher and how shall they preach except they be sent Ro. 10.15 2. You say There was a blessing followed the preaching of those scattered upon the persecution of Stephen Acts 8.1 4. Act. 11.21 I answer 1. You are to prove 1. That they were not in office 2. That they had not the extraordinary guifts of the holy Ghost 3. That they preached in a constituted Church ordinarily when the people might heare such as were in office You will come short in this proofe 3. It is false that you say we may as well say there is no promise made to private teachings and exhortings of one another They are commanded duties which when rightly performed have promises annexed constantly In the next place you come to my brother Halls 17 Argument p. 48. and my seventh p. 46. My Argument was this It is likely that that tenet which the Churches of Christ have in all ages rejected and that practice which the Churches of Christ in all ages have decried and avoyded is not a truth of Christ But the Churches of Christ in all ages have rejected and decried this opinion and practice Ergo. Now let us heare what you say against this 1. You say You are to live by Rule not by example 1. Truth sir but you can shew us no Rule for you 2. Neither is there any Rule that hath not been put in practice by some of the Churches of Christ 3. Where you can onely say It is not directly forbidden not that it is absolutely necessary Example Sir if generall or of the most is not to be despised 4. Surely the Apostle said something when he said we have no such customs nor have the Churches of Christ 1 Cor. 11.16 You say it was not so in the primitive times Prove that Nor so every where this day What 's that to the purpose we have generally sad examples in this age We told you That many of these Lay-preachers were such as denied Scripture ordinances Duties Obedience to Magistrates Sabbaths Fastings To this you answer 1 None that are led by the Spirit doe so They doe it may be speak against the abuse of duties and peoples resting on them and performing them carnall Sir notwithstanding this shamelesse insinuation we would have you know we are as much against and preach as much against resting in duties that high idolatry and carnall performance of them as any others can or doe 2. You say None that are led by the Spirit doe so But many guifted brethren doe so Ergo. Again we say For Magistracy you appeale to all the world who more alienate the peoples affections from our present governers the preachers or the guifted brethren 1. What 's this to the purpose doe preachers in Office preach down Magistracy 2. Any one is good when he is pleased Suppose our Parliament should forbid private persons preaching or severely punish errours and heresie what would you do then we can tell you when the guifted brethren were not such friends to the Magistrates or Magistracy of England 3. What if some Ministers not all Sir were for a while unsatisfied in the late change was there nothing in it Sir that might startle a tender conscience 4. We believe that our Parliament doth and in seven yeers time will more thinke them like to be best subjects who most feare an oath and are most tender of doing any thing which might make an appearance of the breach of it Another Objection you say we make is It is against Gospel precepts and order 1 Tim. 5.1 22. Act. 13.3 You aime here I believe at my first Argument p. 23. But you are so wise as not to put it in the forme I put it To this you answer nothing but Magisterially deny it

Responsoria ad Erratica Pastoris SIVE VINDICIAE VINDICIARUM ID EST The Shepherds Wandrings discovered in a Revindication of the great Ordinance of GOD Gospel-Preachers and Preaching By way of Reply and Answer to a late Booke called The Peoples priviledges and duty guarded against the Pulpit and Preachers encroachment And their sober justification and defence of their free and open exposition of Scriptures Published by William Sheppard Esq Wherein Mr Sheppards pretended guard consisting of ten Propositions and ten Arguments is examined and found to weare nothing but wooden Swords And all his Replyes to Mr Tho. Halls Arguments and Mr Collinges Arguments in his Vindiciae Ministerii brought against Not ordained persons ordinary preaching are found but cavils and too light And the Truth still maintained That those that dig in the Lords Vineyard must be sent in that Preaching and expounding Scripture publiquely are proper acts to Gospel-Officers not common to all Wherein also the great question How far the Spirit of God that dwels in all the Saints doth or doth not inable them to understand Scripture is opened And in it is plainly discovered by Mr Sheppards wrestings and mis-applications of Scripture that himself hath not such a spirit of Scripture interpretation as is fitting for them that publickly open the Scriptures and in the Preface is shewed how much the holy Spirit of God is abused in these evill times By John Gollings M.A. and Preacher of the Gospel in Norwich Is 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 up himselfe in it Quis enim mediocriter sanus non facile intelligat Scripturarum expositionem ab iis petendam esse qui earum doctores se esse profitentur Fierique posse inermo id semper accidere ut multa indoctis videantur absurda quae cum à doctoribus exponuntur eò laudanda videantur elatius quo abjectius aspernanda videbantur eo accipiantur aperta dulcius quo clausa difficilius aperiebantur D. Aug. de moribus Eccl. Cathol Manichaeorum t. 1. operum impr Col. Agrip. p. 286. col B. I. London Printed for R. Tomlins at the Sun and Bible neer Pie-corner 1652. A PREFATORY DISCOURSE CONTAINING The Authors reasons of his undertaking this work and severall things of moment are discovered in it concerning the motions and impulsions and workings of the Spirit tending to the trying of the Spirits And humbly directed To all such in England as feare the Lord and desire to make his Word a Light unto their feet Deare Friends IT is now Twelve moneths since I presented you with my Vindieation of the Gospel-Ministry Some discouragements I had in that worke for when my notes were finished that very week came out Mr Halls Book of the same subject Pulpit guarded and I heard of more Elaborate labours then ready for the Presse upon the same Subject The nature of my Subject spake for me that I sought not in it to please Men but to shew my selfe a Servant of the Lord Jesus Christs The Jezebel of Libertinisme looked out at the window and I apprehended the Lord Jesus Christ calling who is on my side who since which time I have met with none that have opposed the truths I endeavoured to maintaine except one Collier who encountred the Pulpit-guard Pulpit guard routed by I. Collier Two things silenced my Pen as to him 1. He onely mentioned me in the last lines of his Book but bent his force against a stronger adversary who I knew was able to encounter him 2. But my chiefe Reason was my sight of his blasphemous Discourse at Axbridge which satisfied me concerning him that as his Tongue was little Slander to our cause so it was little credit to that which he pretended to Manage this made me resolve to let him alone lest I should be like unto him or make him wise in his own conceit In which resolution I was after confirmed meeting with Mr. Jerribies reserve Pulpit-guard relieved by Mr. Jerriby which I saw was enough to deale with his beggerly reason Some twelve dayes since there came to my hands Mr. Sheppards Book called The peoples priviledge and duty guarded Though I have little time to attend Reading or answering Pamphlets and am the meanest servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in that work yet several things prevail'd with me to the present undertaking of which I will give thee a briefe account The first was the Credit of the Gentleman that wrote it William Sheppard Esqu Sounds more them Tom Collier A second was the Sobriety of the Gentlemans spirit Had he been one that had so farre got the mastery of his conscience as to have railed on Ministers and Ministry I should onely have spread his railing paper before the Lord Is 37.14 Jude 9. and have said The Lord rebuke thee But I perceived him of another spirit and as much contending for some truth as disputing against others A Third was that he had done me the honour now and then to name me and my Booke and so engaged me in the quarrell as one of those Preachers which he is pleased to reflect upon as encroaching upon the peoples duty A Fourth was the present juncture of time There is the great designe of God under the Gospell to lead his Saints into all Truth now the father of lies is such a gainer by the darkenesse of Errour and Ignorance that he is loth Truth should prevaile too fast And for the continuall exercise of his Saints in all Ages the Lord Jesus hath beene content to dispute his ground by inches with the Devill as the Devill hath raised up some in all ages to oppose truth one truth more then other in every Age so the Lord hath raised up some Servants of his in all Ages to appeare in the defence of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Gospell Mr. Hooke● in his Preface to Survey of Church-discipline Herbert Temple sacred Poems 188. It was holy and learned Mr. Hookers notion that the Devill had beene undermining the Lord Jesus Christ in his three Offices and it was that divine Poets to it though in a little different way before him As Sinne in Greece a Prophet was before And in old Rome a mighty Emperour So now being Priest he plainly did professe Church militant To make a jest of Christs three Offices God had an Arke under the Law in which was lockt up the Golden pot that had Manna and Aarons rod that budded and the Tables of the Covenant Heb. 9 4. Exod. 16.21.4.20 Num. 17.10 Exod. 16.33 And over this were the Cherubims of Glory The Lord hath his Ark under the Gospell over which the Cherubims of glory stand and three things are laid up in it 1. The testimonie of the Gospell Covenant the pure doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ 2. The Manna of divine worship Gospell worship and Ordinances 3. And the second

method in his Answer is laid down AS this sober Gentleman hath in his first Chapter set down his method so I shall doe mine that the Reader may not be tyred with an indistinct discourse 1. I shall examine his second Chapter and shew how far we have or have not granted and how we have granted what he there mentions 2. I shall examine his third Chapter in severall Chapters because it is very long there I shall examine whether he hath sufficiently proved his ten Propositions he layes as a foundation or the eleventh which is his main work I shall examine the last more strictly and reply to his severall pretended arguments for the preaching of such as are not in office 3. I shall examine his fourth Chapter where he answers our arguments and try whether he hath done it sufficiently and reply upon his pretended answers 4. Possibly I may adde some short notes to his last Chapter which is not argumentative but onely practicall and therefore I shall not speak much to it CHAP. II. In which part of the Authors Second chapter is examined and the Preachers grants are opened how far and in what sense they have granted the things mentioned THe Author is pleased in the first Chapter to tell us that he grants these things 1. That that there are or ought to be in all the Churches of Christ regularly constituted certain Officers call'd Preachers Pastors Teachers or Elders c. Eph. 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 12.29 c. 2. That no man may take this office upon him but he that is called and set apart to it according to the Gospel way and rule 1 Tim. 5 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man Acts 13.3 When they had fasted and prayed and layd their hands on them they sent them away So that he grants the Gospel rule for Gospel Preachers to be that those that take the Office upon them should be solemnly set a part by fasting and prayer and imposition of hands 3. That these officers are to be heard acknowledged submitted to honoured maintained countenanced and furthered in their office by the people 1 Thes 5 12. Eph. 5.21 c. 4. The opinion denying the Ministery is as bad as that denying Magistracy and both of them hereticall dangerous and damnable 5. He grants that the publique and common preaching the word by such officers in the Church of Christ is the speciall and great standing Ordinance of Christ now under the Gospel for the gathering to and perfecting Saints in the Church there to continue to the worlds end Eph. 4.11 Matth. 28.20 Rom. 10.17 In the close of that Chapter he saies We utterly dislike therefore all opinions and practises that tend to the derogation or prejudice of this Office Ordinance and Ministry which must be kept safe and untouched and we may not endure it to be spoken against Thus much we grant to the Preachers Sir Although we believe that Gods word doth oblige you to believe and grant this and all this yet we have cause to thank you that in this erronious and backsliding age wherein so many have lost their first love you will thus far bear witnesse to the truth of God This is much more then those that usually handle your subject will grant and I suppose enough if well improved to bring you to close with that other piece of truth against which you contend viz. That Publique preaching the Gospel amongst professors is a proper and distinct act of these Officers In this second Chapter you come to tell us what we have granted you and there you confesse we grant you twelve things 1. That such as have not been brought up in the Vniversity or want School-learning may being duely called become publique preachers This indeed I have granted in my Vindiciae p. 14. but in these terms onely that School-learning is not absolutely necessary So that doubtlesse in cases of necessity when the Church of God cannot be supplied enough with men of learning this may be done and I conceive this is our case and part now for truly I judge a godly gifted man duely ordained and set a part to the work though unlearned in part farre fitter for the Ministry then a prophane wretch though the greatest Scholler in Christendom Quoniam non omnibus forte etiam nullis ea donorum ubertas obtingit a spiritu quae Apostolis Nulla fuerit impietas quod donis illius diminutum est supplere disciplinarum adminiculis Erasmus in Ecclesiast edit Froben An. 1554. Hodie quum plusquam necessaria fit linguarum cognitio Deus hoc tempore mirabile beneficio eas ex tenebris in lucem eruerit sunt nunc magni theologi qui fuoiosè adversas eas declamitent quum certum sit spiritum sanctum eterno elogio hic ornasse linguas colligere promptum est quonum spiritu agantur isti censores Calu. in c. 4. 1. ep ad Corin. Thus far now this is granted Yet withall I cannot think that God would have supplied miraculously the first preachers of the Gospel with an extraordinary gift of tongues and an infallible spirit in expounding Scripture if he had not in his wisdome thought that it was most fitting for one that were learned in the Originall Tongues to interpret Scripture publiquely A second thing you say we grant is That the Ceremony of imposition of hands is not necessary to the making of a Minister But who hath granted this I know not I have not for p. 76. I say that I cannot think it can be omitted without sin in an ordinary orderly ordination and I give reasons for it Nor can I finde any place where my reverend brother Mr. Hall hath been so free in granting away Scripture precepts Nor is it much considerable who hath granted it for who ever they are they have granted away a truth was not theirs to dispose of The word of God hath not granted it and we cannot grant you away any piece of that unlesse you can bring us a ticket under Christs hand Nay you your selfe will not grant it for p. 2. you say they must be set apart Non est minimum iota legis à quo non màgni montes pendent according to the Gospel rule Now what that is you tell us 1 Tim. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man And Acts 13.3 To the Law and to the Testimony Sir Is 8.20 Except we could finde some ordinations there without this we cannot make so slight a businesse of it especially when the holy Ghost layeth so much weight upon it as to expresse the whole ordinance of ordination by it 3. A third thing you say was granted is That such as intend the ministry and are to be set apart for it may as probationers preach publikely and that Batchelours of Art may common-place in a Chappell to the end that their Abilities may be tried and judged This indeed is granted you by Mr. Hall Pulpit guarded p. 4. Vindiciae minist 17. V. Mr.