PREACHING WITHOUT ORDJNATJON OR, A Treatise proving the lawfulness of all Persons, of what Degree, Rank, or Trade soever, being enabled with sufficient guilts and qualifications from God by his Spirit, to preach and set forth the Gospel, though no Minister nor any other Officer in the Church of God. 1. Peter 4.10. As every man hath received the gift, even so let him minister the same one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold graces of God. 1. Corinth. 14.31. For you may all prophesy one by one. Psalm 149.9. This honour have all his Saints, praise ye the Lord. By Edmond Chillinden. Imprinted at London, for George Whittington, and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Blue Anchor in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange, 1647. To the Nationall Synod or Assembly. SIRS, I Have a few words to speak to you, and they are to tell you, that I here present to your view this Treatise following, viz. concerning Preaching without Ordination, and my desire is, Esa. 8.20. 1 Thes. 4▪ 21. that you would read and seriously consider it, trying all things therein, by the word of God, and if in the trial it shall be found to corrispond to truth, then quench not the spirit, nor despise the preaching therein contended for. But let me entreat you to take the Council of Gamaliel, which he spoke to another Assembly, Acts 5.34.35.38. ye men of Israel take heed to yourselves what you intent to do, as touching these men, so I say to you, take heed to yourselves what ye intent as touching the suppressing of preaching the Gospel by the breathing of the Spirit of God in the hearts of his people (though not ordained by your humane Ordination.) Refrain lest you be found fighters against God; for if this Council and work be of God (as by the Scriptures to me it appears to be of his right hands planting) than it shall stand and prosper. It is very strange that you who would be counted the only advancers and inlargers of the Kingdom of Christ should rise up in Arms against him, and with might and main labour to suppress the power that he hath ord●ine to conquer and bring under all Nations, and Kingdoms, to his subjection, the preaching and declaring the Lord Jesus Christ in the spirit by the word of truth, whereon God in Christ rides forth gloriously, conquering and to conquer, bringing in all thoughts and hearts to subject unto him. Did you but see the miserable desolations that the Devil hath made in most parts of this Kingdom upon poor souls and all for want of the powerful preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that I may say as the Prophet saith, my people perish, and are destroyed for want of knowledge, so that thick darkness covereth the whole face of this Kingdom, Psa. 11.12. and the truth of God in the professors and practisers are the only Butt, that wicked men ruled by the Prince of darkness, Hosea 4.6. bend their bows and make ready their arrows upon the string that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. You cannot be ignorant, but this is the main design of the Devil to hinder the propagation of the Gospel by preaching, because he knows by the power thereof, Christ's Kingdom is advanced and enlarged, and I am very confident that the main reason that hath impeded and obstructed the Parliaments just proceed, and that the people in many parts of this Kingdom are so illaffected, is because they have not had the Lord Jesus Christ held forth to them in the preaching of the Gospel, for I have observed in my travills, since God called me into this Army, that in many of the Counties of England, there is not one Parish of ten that hath one of your ordained men that is able to preach Christ, these things generally I have taken notice of, that where any of them are, they are either Drunkards, unclean persons, dumb Idols, or at the best cruel Malignants that have ever been opposite to the glory of God, the Parliaments just proceed, so that the Proverb in the Prophet is made true, like Priest, like people Therefore these things considered, I hope you will all of you to the utmost of your powers endeavour that Christ may be preached in every part and corner of this Kingdom, Esa. 11 that it may be full of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the Seas. What if some which are called Sectaries, and that of the Army have preached Christ out of envy and contention, and not sincerely; howsoever I know, and many thousand souls besides me can testify that Christ hath been preached, Phil. 1.15, 16, 17. yea, and that effectually and powerfully to the praise and glory of God, and the comfort of many hearts, and I bid defiance to the Devil and all his blackmouthed Instruments to produce that ever those that they call Sectaries, in preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, did by that open a gap to profaneness, or disaffect the people from their loyal obedience to the Parliament, or their proceed; but have gained them to yield subjection in bringing forth the peaceable fruits of godliness, and righteousness towards God and men; therefore my thinks you and all people should rejoice, that Christ is preached, and God made known. Therefore refrain ye from that envious spirit, in causing the magistrate to forbid us knowing that yourselves are men of like passions with us, though you be the people and wisdom shall die with you, job. 12.2.3. 1 Cor 14.36. john 3.8. but there are those that have understanding as well as you and are not inferior to you, yea who knoweth not such things as these, the word of God came not from you, neither came it to you only, but as well to the rest of the Saints, besides you, seeing the wind bloweth where it listeth, hold not back, neither hinder the blowings or breathe of it lest God come and fight against you with the Sword of his mouth, Revel. 2.16. Heb. 6.9. and slay you before him, because you will not let him reign over you nor his people; but I hope better things of you and things that accompany (the propogation, and setting forth the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, by preaching as the way of) Salvation, so I rest. Yours to serve Christ in the Gospel; Edmond Chillenden, Lieutenant of Horse in Colonel Whalies' Regiment. From my Quarters at Kingston upon Thames August the 20. 1647 To the Reader, especially my fellow Brethren and Saints, Commanders and Soldiers with me in the Army, under his Excellency, Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX. THese are the days of jacobs' troubles wherein the affliction of joseph gins to be multiplied, iniquity getting the upper hand, doth with Iron sinews, and the brow of brass outface and bear down the word of exortation, so that now no man may strive or reprove one another, the consideration of which hath occasioned me to present you these following lines to consider of, and if the Lord shall give ye understanding, in the knowledge of the truth herein contended for, fear not to Practise it, notwithstanding the threats and menaces of men, though their words be stout, against the Lord, & make the righteous offenders for a word, yet let those that fear the Lord speak oft to exort, teach, & admonish one another in setting forth the Lord Jesus Christ a Saviour for sinners. Now all you that have tasted how good the Lord is and hath seen the goings out of his Arm, before you, be not cast down nor discouraged, but with Nehemiah resolve not to fly, though Tobiases & Sambalats enemies of God's truth and people be never so great, and mighty, and stir themselves never somuch; shall such 〈◊〉 as we fly, shall we flinch, shall the voice of a damosel now make us afraid and tremble, that have had the experience of a Gracious God preserving of us, and making us to stand and oppose the fury of our enemies in the field, in the midst of flashing flames, and showers of fiery bullets, did he make us to have stout hearts to stare death in the face, and contemn the terror thereof, shall we now distrust him, ●oe, far be it from us for God is faithful, and will never leave us nor forsake us, but shall and will stand by us to deliver us out of all our troubles. I have only one word more to say, I know you with myself had thoughts that though in the Bishop's days we snut our doers for fear of those jews & eat the bread of affliction, & drank the waters of adversity, yet now they being taken away & the armies of the aliens being put to flight, we had hope our eyes should never have seen our teachers thrust into corners again but should have enjoyed the sweet fruit of outward peace and liberty in the free worshipping of God, but you see God ordering of it otherwise; Therefore his hand being in it, we must conclude it is for his glory and for our good. (Let us with patience possess our souls letting our moderation be known to all men, the Lord is at hand) & give our cheeks to the nippers, and our backs to the smiters, and not to resist authority, but patiently to bear and suffer what penalty shall be put upon us, for this is the will of God that by well doing we should put to silence the ignorance of foolish slanderous men that so report of us, & that ye may so do it, shall be the prayer of him that is your brother and fellow soldier and companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom, and patience of jesus Christ. Edmund Chillenden Lieutenant. PREACHING WITHOUT ORDINATION THE great controversy, Act. 20.28. Ephes. 5.25. Esa. 8.20. Act. 20.26.27. Mat. 28.18. to the end Mat. 18.17 to 20. Rev. 22.18.19. Gal. 6.16. Ephes. 4.8. to 12. 1 Tim. 3. tota. Tit. 1.6. to 10. 1 Cor. 12.28. Rom. 12.6, to 9 Act. 1.13.14.15.21. to end. Act. 6.1. to 7. Act. 14.25 or thing in this juncture of time is: Whether men (though by God furnished with gifts and graces, and every way made able to dispense the Gospel;) may preach the same either private or public, except they be ordained. Therefore to make it appear, that it is lawful for men (so furnished and enabled by God,) to preach, publish, and declare the Gospel, though they be not by any Church or men ordained thereunto; I shall premise these things to consideration. 1. That Christ hath purchased unto himself a Church. 2. That to this Church he hath given Laws and ordinances in his written word, by which they are to walk, and by none other. 3. That in them he hath declared and set forth to his Church, what, and how many Offices, there are with Officers to be supplied with their qualifications. 4. How the several Officers are to be invested, ordained, or put into their several Offices. 1 Co. 12.13, 14. chap. 1. Pet. 4.10.11 Heb. 10.23.24.25. Act. 6.3.1. Tim. 3. tota. Titus 1.6. to 10. Psal. 132.11. Act 2.3. & 10.38. Act. 2.36. Esa. 9.6.7. Rev. 15.3. & 17.14.19.20. Act. 20, 28. Psal. 87.3.1. Pet. 2.5 9 Psal. 48.2. Mat. 18 to 20.28. & 18 to end Psal. 147. 19.2●. Heb 3 2.6. Ephes 1.22.23 & 2.20. 1 Pet. 1.19, 20, 21. Rev. 22.18.10 Deut. 4.2 Pro. 30.6. Pet. 1.3. 1 Cor. 11. 1 Gal 1 7 8 9 v. 1.2.3. chap. Ephes. 1.2. Col. 23.10. Eph. 5 3.24. 1 Cor 5. & 16.1. Act. 14.23. 1 Cor. 1.1. Mat. 13, 19, 20 2 Cor. 1.1. Ro. 1.7. Mat. 28. 18● compared with Mat. 18.19. & 20. compare that with Psalm 149.8.9. and all them with 1 Cor. 5 16. 1 Col. 3.10. Rev. 1, 2, 3. chap. Act. 1.21. to 26. and 6.2. to 6. and 14. to 23. Gal. 1. 1 Tim. 3.1. to 12. Tit. 5.7. Act. 2.37. to 47. compared with Act. 6.2. to 6.14. to 23. Mat. 18.16. to 27. 1 Cor. 49. Rev. 2. Rom. 10.17. 1 Tim. 3.1. to 12. Tit. 1.5.7. Act. 1.15, 16, 26. & 6.6.3.7.14.22.23. to end. 1 Tim. 4.12. Ephes. 4.21. 1 Cor. 1.5. Col. 4 3. 5. The manner how they are to manifest their gifts, par●●, and qualifications to declare their fitness, that the Church may know and judge of them before they be ordained, that they may not be mistaken in their choice. 1. The Lord Jesus Christ being the anointed of his father, set on the Thrown of David, King of Saints, King of Kings, hath purchased to himself by his blood, a Church which is a City, or body politic, whence it is called the City of God, of the great King, the body of Christ, his Temple, Orchard, Vineyard, nichosed Garden, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar people, to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ the Lord. 2. This Church or spiritual City he as their King and head, hath given laws and ordinances in his written word, as rules by which she is to be guided, and in them is laid down to his people, all things needful for life and godliness to make the man of God perfect in the performance of the visible worship of God, so that there is no need for man or any sort, Company or assembly of men, to devise or make laws, or institute Ordinances for his people, to observe in acting any thing concerning the worship and service of God, or in the choice or ordination of Officers in his house. 3. This Church is set forth in the Scriptures to be particular congregated, visible Saints depending on none but Christ, in things concerning his spiritual Kingdom, it is not a house of lime and stone, nor a Congregation of visible wicked men, no national, provinticall, diosian Church, those the Scriptures do not allow, nor in no wise declare, that God hath promised his blessing and presence to dwell amongst since the ascension of Christ, and whence such Churches came, and of whose devising they were, you may see in the Scripture cited. Rev. 16.19 & 13.1. to 11. to end Rev. 18 2.3. 4. Those have power given them, and it lies in common to all and every of the Saints (members of the Churches of Christ) jointly together to choose them Officers, as namely, (Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons) being the whole number of Officers I find mentioned in the Scriptures and to act in all other things given them in charge as Prayer-Preaching, receiving into fellowship judging of offenders and administration of the other Ordinances, this power doth not lie nor ever was given to the Officers, Ministers, or Presbytery only, that I can find in the Scriptures, but to the several Congregations I find that they had power to choose from amongst themselves mwn fitted and enabled by God, to supply the several Offices in his house and Sanctuary, to invest and ordain them. 5. If the Church have power, it must be supposed or granted, that first there must be a Church, having this power before there can be any Officers rightly and orderly ordained, except it can be maintained from the Scriptures, that there is Apostles still, or men having an Apostolical function which I conceive not where in Scripture is to be found; therefore if men may not preach before they be ordained, then how men should be ordinarily converted to the faith, and order of the Gospel I see not, because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word preached, and if this be not granted, how and which way Churches can be gathered, and Officers ordained I cannot see except the Pope's Ordination will serve which for my part I am loath to allow. 6. Again for to choose one into Office presupposes an aptness and fitness in the parties for the sufficient discharge of that place unto which he is so called, chosen, or ordained, and it is granted of all sides that the Officers of the Churches are so and so to be qualified as the Scripture sets forth, as namely, that they be men of wisdom, knowledge, grave, modest, of good report, both of them without, as well as with them within, full of the holy Ghost, apt to teach well, learned in Christ, no novice or youngling in the School of Christ, to be instant in season, and out of season, always ready to convince the gaynsayers by sound Doctrine, as he hath been taught the truth in jesus; these qualifications are required in the teaching Elders, or Bishops, before they be ordained; therefore it is clear, that the gift of utterance & sound knowledge by which a man is enabled to pray, preach, teach, declare, set forth Christ in the Gospel not only may, but must both be, and appear to be in any men before they be chosen into the office of the ministry, 1 Tim. 3.1. to 22. Tit. 1.5. Esa. 56.10.11. Act. 20.28. Act. 6.3.6 & 14.23. job. 13.17. Thes. 1.4.20. Luke 4.16. Mat. 13.54. Act. 13.15.16. Ephes. 4.11, 12, 13. compare 2 Tim. 3.17. Heb. 3.3. to 6. 1 Cor. 21.13.14. Chap. Rom. 22.6, 7 Ephes. 1.7. to 17. Col. 3, 16. Heb. 10.23. to 26. Heb. 3.3. to 6. Ephes. 1.21.22.23. 1 Cor. 44.33.40. Act. 1.14. to end. Act. 6.1. to 7 for he that is not a Prop●●●, or hath not the gift of preaching, before he be chosen 〈…〉 the ministry, is a dumb dog and an idle Shephard; for the Office doth not give, (nor indeed cannot any whit increase) the gifts, or convey by the same any spiritual qualification or ability, only gives a solemn charge and Commission to use their gifts by virtue of their office they have received, This I suppose granted on all sides. 7. Then it will easily be granted, that except men before they be chosen and ordained may be suffered and permitted to declare their gifts in Doctrine and Prayer (which are the main things, & that which is chief to be looked on, that the Pastor or teacher is specially to be qualified with) how shall the Church that is to choose them take knowledge of their sufficiency, that they may both with faith and good conscience, call them and submit to them, And otherwise, for trial of men's gifts (whereby they may be judged fit to be chosen into the Ministry, but only by the way of preaching before Ordination by virtue of their gifts, I find none, the the Scriptures are silent in it. But the other, that is prophesying or preaching, by virtue of the gifts and grace of God, before ordination or office; thus the Scriptures are very plentiful in manifesting and declaring which God hath instituted for that end, that his Church may grow up thereby a complete habitation, completely furnished with all her officers or servants, to supply all her several offices to the praise & honour of Jesus Christ her head, who hath instituted all things in order, he being the God of order hath left nothing in disorder, but always hath been careful to provide for his house, not only Officers to supply her in her several Offices; but also hath prescribed a way and a rule for them in the choosing them in their several Offices as is partly before specified. Obj. But here some may say, that a man that is a good Scholar, having been at the University, and studied Divini●y, may be permitted (as it is usually practised in their Universities) to preach a Sermon two or three for approbation or trial of his sufficiency before he be ordained. Answ. 1. To this I answer, that it is not his learning, 1 Cor. 2.10. to end. Rom. 8.7. 1 Cor. 1.19.20. and 2.1. to end. 1 Cor. 1.5. Col. 4.3. Col. 2.4.8. nor any humane art; that will be sufficient to enable him to be a Minister of the Gospel, because by that no man can understand the mind and will of God in the Scriptures. 2. Because no man by his studying or labour in humane things, can procure the gift of utterance whereby he may be enabled to set forth and declare Jesus Christ in the Gospel. Answ. 2. It is granted in the latter part of the objection, that it is lawful and so practised by our adversaries, to preach before ordination; therefore I do wonder why they should condemn that in others, which they practise themselves; for if a man may preach one Sermon, why not two, then why not twenty, and if one month, why not twelve months, and so I conceive, if it be lawful thus to preach, as they themselves grant, than the great controversy about this point, is between them and me at an end. 3. But I further say, that it will not be sufficient to preach a Sermon or two, whereby to judge of a man's fitness, because it is impossible that his gifts and qualification can be judged off, by any in so short a space, and so the Church to be mistaken in their choice, and instead of an able and painful Minister set up a lying Idol, dumb dog, as it hath often fallen out in many of the Parishes of England. 4. Now I shall come to examine the several Scriptures that do hold forth the lawfulness of all the Servants of God preaching before Ordination, I shall take them in order as they lie, and I shall endeavour to clear them from those false glosses which have been put on them, which have hindered the appearing of this truth, I shall also answer such objections as seemingly may lie in the way. 1. The first Scripture to prove the thing in hand is written in Numbers: 11: 26, to the 30, the words are these at the 26: verse: but there remained, two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, the name of the other was Medad, and the spirit rested one them (and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the Tabernacle) and they Profied in the Camp, and in the 29 verse: Mosen said would God that all the Lords people were Prophets the Lord will put his spirit on them (Reader take notice) Moses here wishes that all the Lords people were Prophets, the Lord putting his spirit on them, I h●pe none will say that he wished that all the Lords people were Priests or Levits (I mean ordained official men) but they were all Prophets. 1 Cor. 14.3.21. Rom. 12.6. to 9 Teachers, or Preachers of Gods will, and mind, one to another for their good and edification, that which Moses wisheth here, is that all the Lords people were such as Eldad and Medad were, and they were no Officers, neither Priests nor Levites, and yet we find they prophesied in the Camp, by reason of the Spirit of God, resting on them, and not because they were ordained Officers; for than I conceive josuah would not have complained of them, as may appear in the 27.28. verse but Moses maketh it all one to be a Prophet, and the Lord putting his spirit on a man, Mat. 25.14 to 29. Luke 19.12. to 24. Mat. 5.15.16. Mark 4.21. Luke 8.16.17. Ephes. 4.7. to 17. 1 Tim. 5.17. Act. 10.34.35. jam. 2.1. to 10. 1 Cor. 1.19.20.27.28. john 3.5. to 9 Mat. 13.11.16.17. and Mat. 11.25.26. then why should not men now, to whom God hath given of his spirit, with gifts of utterance and knowledge be a Prophet and Preacher, and that of the Lords own making; for Moses doth wish the use or exercise of God's spirit and graces in men, as the having and possessing of them for the gifts of God are not given to be hidden under a Bushel, or to be kept in a napkin, but to be made use of to the praise and glory of God, that is the giver of them, who hath given gifts unto men for the works of the Ministry, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the edifying of his body, which is his Church and people, so than I thus argue, if any man now that is a Member of the Church of Christ, though not ordained unto whom God hath given sufficient gifts, and qualifications by his Spirit, whereby he is made able to preach, he is not only to possess it, but to employ it for the perfecting of the Saints labouring in the word and doctrine of Jesus Christ. 2. And seeing God is no respecter of persons, but gives his gifts by his spirit to whom he pleaseth, where by all men that partake of those gifts are enabled to prophesy or preach, though not ordained what should hinder them from being Prophets and Preachers, ●nd that of the Lords own making, by the free gift of his spirit, seeing it bloweth where it lifteth, assoon upon a Cobbler, Tinker, Chimneysweeper, Ploughman, or any other Tradseman, as to the greatest learnedst Doctors in the world. Then I here demand the reason, why he namely the Cobbler, Tinker, etc. may not be permitted, to manifest the gifts and graces of God in him, by Preaching and declaring the Gospel as the other: to wit the Learned man, I confess myself ignorant of any reason against it in the whole word of God, but greatly for it, and lays it on all men that have received the gift so to administer: 1 Pet. 4.10, 11. so to use it as good Stewards of the manifold graces of God. Obj. But some object and say, that this spirit here that those, to wit Eldad and Medad had, was not the spirit of prophecy, but of Government. Answ. I answer, I shall not deny but they had the spirit of Government, but that they had not besides it the spirit of prophecy, I leave by the wise to be judged; for look into the text the 26 verse of Numb. 11. and if we will not be wilfully blind, we cannot but see and know, they had also the spirit of prophecy. For saith the text, Eldad and Medad propesied (or preached) in the Camp; Now if they had done nothing but concerning Government, without question joshuah would not have desired Moses to forbid them, in regard that God had made known that he would take off the spirit that was on Moses, and give it unto the seaventy, and this Joshuah could not but know; For the Lord saith to Moses, in the 16 ver. Gather unto me seaventy men of the Elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the Elders of people and Officers over them. Now from hence it is plain that joshuah knew they were Officers, (that is Magistrates) and if in point of Government it was that which they did, than I conceive joshuah would not have said Moses forbidden them. Secondly, The Lord says I will come down and talk with thee, and I will take of the Spirit that is one thee, and will put it on them. Now it is clear in the Scriptures, that Moses had not only a spirit of Government, but a spirit of Prophecy (or preaching of prayer and supplication); Exod. 14.15. Deut. 18.15. Act. 7.37. Therefore if God took of that spirit that was upon Moses, and gave it to the seaventy whereof Eldad & Medad were, than it cannot be restrained only to Government, but it must extend to all the rest of operations and works of it, as to prophesy or preach the great matters of God's law to his people. Obj. But some may further object and say, these were Officers, and such as Moses knew to be so; therefore it will not follow from hence that all may preach though guifted, except they be Officers as these were. Answ. I grant they were Officers in the Commonwealth of Israel, to wit, Magistrates; but what is this to the thing in hand, to wit, Preaching without Ordination; for there is no mention that they were either Priests or Levites, or any Officers of the Church, neither did their Office bind them to prophesy; I leave it to be judged, whether it was any principal end in their Office, binding them to preach, neither can it be gathered from the Scriptures because they were Officers therefore they preached; no, but because God had poured on them, job. 32.18.19.20. joel. 2.28. Esa. 44.3. Act. 2.17. end filled them with the spirit as Elihu like new bottles, and as wine that hath no vent; therefore they must speak and open their lips that they might be refreshed, and this was the cause of their prophesying or Preaching, because of the powerful work and operation of the spirit of God in them, and not because they were now Officers for that they were before this time, as is plain by the text, and Gods words to Moses in the 16. verse. The next Scripture I come now to handle, is the 2. Chron. 17.7. verse, and to the 8.9. verse, where it is said, that jehosaphat sent to his Princes to teach in the Cities of Judah, and they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the Cities of Judah, and taught the people, whence it is evident, that the Princes of Judah that were not ordained Ministers, preached the Law of the Lord to the people, with the Levites (a practice that those who in our days call themselves the Tribe of Levit) I could desire that they would press it upon the Princes of our times, those who are furnished with the spirit of God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people, Amo: 8.11.12. in our several Cities, that so there might not be that famine of the word, that is in the many parts of this Kingdom, you see Jehosaphat did not question their Ordination neither did the Levites forbidden any such thing, so my thinks it would evidence a good heart in the Levites of our times to press Princes and people, all that have gifts to preach Jesus Christ to the people, that the earth might be full of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, Habak. 2.14. as the waters cover the Sea, and not to be of the envious spirit with Josuah, to persuade the Magistrates to forbid them, Esa. 11.9. because they are not ordained by their humane Ordination; there was never any such thing heard of, nor declared in the Scriptures, for it is evident in the writings of Moses and the Prophets, Luke 2.46. that any of their wise men as they are called in the Scriptures, might and ought to teach in their Synagogues without any regard or respect had to any Office or Ordination in the Church, we find Jehosaphat himself, Mat. 9.35. Luke 4.16.17. Numb. 11.29 Mat 23.34. 1 Cor. 1.20. jer. 18.18. Phil. 3.5. 2. Chron. 19.6, 7, 8, 9.10, 11. verses, confirming this to us how he preached to the Judges, and to the Levites, and also his divine and excellent prayer to God in the public congregation & of Ezekiah his Sermon in the very Temple of God, and so of Nehemiah and others, who taught the people the Law of the Lord, a good pattern for our Princes now, and do we not read freequently in the Scriptures every where that the Scribes Pharises and Lawyers, in any of which were not ordained Ministers, neither Priests nor Levites; Mat. 13.54. to end. Mark 6.2. to 5. Luke 4.16, to 22. Luke 2.46. Act. 15.16. and 17.2. yet taught publicly amongst the Jews, as appears by the Scriptures, and if it were not so practised how comes it to pass that Jesus the Son of Joseph, who was not ordained person, that is no Priest nor Levite in their Church, that they permitted him to dispute in the Temple with the great Doctors, and to teach and preach frequently in the Synagogues as he did, and the like may be seen of Paul and Barnabas, that were not ordained Ministers that the people of the Jews took notice of, yet they preached frequently and publicly, and so it appears, to be the constant practice hitherto set out in the Scriptures, to preach without Ordination. Obj. But some may say, that Jesus Christ was extraordinarily endued with jousts, and the like of Paul and Barnabas, and taught by their extraordinary gifts, and were so permitted by the Jews to preach. Esa. 9.6. and 61.1.2.3. Answ. He that so sayeth that they were extraordinarily endued with gifts, speaks the truth, though to little or no purpose to the matter in hand; for what was that (to wit, their extraordinary gifts) to the received order and practise in the Temple, & Synagogues amongst the Jews, that did not believe in Christ nor acknowledge him, nor his Apostles in any such way. Object. Some may further say, that jesus was the Son of God sent of God to preach, and Paul and Barnabas were Apostles and so might preach, because they had an Office that did bind them to it. Answ. I answer again that this is true, but besides the matter, did the jews look on Christ as he was the Son of God? did they look on Paul and Barnabas as Desciples of Christ? Mat. 13.34. to end. Mark 6.1. to 5. john 7.46. to end. Mat. 13.34. to end. Mark 6.1. to 5. Acts 4.13. to 18. compared with 5.28 Acts 13.16. I am sure no man will dare to affirm it; because the Scripture is against it. We find declared in the Scriptures, that the jews looked on Christ with scorn and contempt in relation to his being the Son of God, and say of him, Is not this jesus the Son of Mary the Carpenter's Son, even of joseph. Nay is not this Jesus the Carpenter, did they not hate and despise both him and his Apostles, and in the consideration of his being a minister of the Church of God, or his Apostles any Officers, they did not believe at all; but only according to the common custom amongst them, they permitted Jesus to preach and dispute, and so was it that Ruler of the Synagogue sent to Paul and Barnabas, that if they had a word of exortation to the people to say on; and not because they were Officers or had any ordination in the Ruler's understanding, and so much shall suffice for this particular. I now come to the next Scripture, Acts the 18.24 to the end, where it is thus said, A certain jew named Apollo's borne at Al●●●ndria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus; this man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in the Spirit he spoke, and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of john, and he began to speak boldly in the Synagogue; whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God were perfectly. And in the 28 ver. it is thus said, For he mightily convinced the jews & that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Reader, thou seest what is recorded in the Scriptures of this man Apollo's how he preached Jesus Christ diligently and that publicly in the Synagogues, and yet thou seest there is no office nor Ordination which is at this time once hinted as that he had, and yet he preached the Gospel by reason of his fervency in the Spirit: so that was the cause of his so boldly speaking and teaching in the Synagogue: and that he had no Office nor Ordination at this time, I shall give thee these reasons 1. Because the Scripture is altogether silent in it and doth not once hint any such thing. 2. Because we only find this mentioned of him in the Scripture, that he was instructed in the way of the Lord being fervent in the Spirit, spoke and taught boldly mightily convincing the Jews, Acts 18. 2● and that publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. 3. He knew the Baptism of John he was so far taught in the way of the Lord to embrace Christ as that he went beyond the Jews and so could be no officer in the Church of the Jews. 4. He could not be any officer in the Christian Church, because he knew only the Baptism of John he was not yet come far enough in the knowledge of the Gospel for that: These reasons I conceive are sufficient to evidence to all men that are not guided by a partial Spirit that Apollo's here preached not by virtue of any office or ordination but by the virtue and power of the Spirit of God's operation in him. But some may say this man was extraordinarily guifted by God, and so by his extraordinary gift preached. Object. I answer that some things especially above other man is recorded of him, as that namely he was a very eloquent man, Answ. Acts 18.24. and that he was mighty in the Scriptures, and that he boldly taught, and that by his teaching, he mightily convinced the Jews, but that this did prove that he was extraordinarily endued with gifts from God I cannot see, but do believe the contrary, and for that I shall offer the Reader these reasons, first, because if God had extraordinarily inspired him, he could not have been ignorant of the revealed will, way, and Council of God declared in the Gospel, and only to have known the Baptism of john, Acts 20.26.27. for none that God did so inspire, but did know the whole Council of God revealed, as witness Paul and all the oiher Apostles. john 14.28, and 16.13, to 16. 2. Because if he had been so inspired, than he would had no need of Aquillaes' and Priscilla's teaching or more perfect learning him the way of God, for than he might better have taught them, but we find that when they had heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded or shown him the way of God more perfectly, and therefore for these reasons is it that I believe he was not extraordinarily guifted of God, and so much may serve to evidence the truth from those false glosses and misinterpretations, that some have endeavoured to put upon this Scripture to hinder the Saints from following the rule and example of Christ and his faithful Servants set forth to us in the Scriptures, in preaching and declaring the Gospel without Office or Ordination. 1 Cor. 11.1. I come now to Acts 8, 1, 4. compared with Acts 11.19, 20, 24. Where it is thus written, And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church that was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria except the Apostles; and in the 4. ver, it is said thus, therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word, and in Acts 11.19, 20, ver. Thus now they that were scattered abroad upon the persecution that risen about Stephen travailed as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch preaching the word to none but the Jews only & some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyreene, which when they were come to Antioch spoke unto the Grecian preaching the Lord Jesus and the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned to the Lord; here (Reader) consider seriously what God by his Spirit hath recorded in these places of Scripture for our learning, if it be well minded God doth as it were point out to us his foreseeing the error, and evil that men in this point would run into and therefore saith that all the Church except the Apostles were scattered, so that I conceive that God doth point out here that the officers stayed behind and those that were scattered and went preaching the Gospel were not ordained men to that end, And I conceive it cannot be thought, nor gathered from what is in the Scripture related that these that were scattered this whole Church were ministers, ordained men, namely Pastors, teachers or Elders, it seems somewhat strange to me that the whole body of a Church should be ordained Ministers for that were to make the body monstrous, and disorderly, because, as the Apostle saith 1. Corinth. 12, 17, ver. If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing? if the whole were hearing where were the smelling? but now hath God set the members every one of of them in the body as it hath pleased him so that it is clear that if God be the God of Order and doth all things orderly it cannot be thought that the whole body of this Church being at Jerusalem with the Apostles were all ordained Ministers, Acts 8.1.3. they consisting at least of three thousand persons, such a thing was never heard of, nor yet never any Scripture produced holding forth or hinting any such thing, for in these Scriptures here is only thus much said, the whole Church at Jerusalem except the Apostles were scattered, and they being scattered went preaching every where Jesus Christ and this is all that is in the Scripture mentioned of them, and no office nor ordination at this time minded. But though they had no office all of them yet some of them had, Object. and the rest were extraordinarily by God inspired and guifted by his Spirit. I confess there is mention of Philip who was an ordained officer as you may see in Acts the 6. and the 5. ver. Answ. But what office is it that he had, not an office binding him to preach, his being ordained into that office was to no such and as you may see in Acts 6.1, 2. There it is declared that Philipe office was to serve tables, to look to the daily administration for the poor, to wit a Deacon, and not to preach the Gospel for that was besides his office, and no and of being ordained: this I leave by the wise to be judged That they were extraordinarily inspired to men seems unreasonable, and that for these reasons. First. Because there is not the least tittle in the text than giveth any hint that way. Secondly, Because the only titles given them are all the Church that was at Jerusalem except the Apostles were scattered and they were some of them men of Cyprus and Cyrene, and nothing minded in the least of extraordinary gift or endowment. Thirdly, Only their preaching here and there is noted and spoken of, ●and that by reason of their persecution they became so scattered and not by reason of any extraordinary gift bestowed on them. Acts 8.3, and 11, 19, 20. 4. Because that if so be they had had any Apostolical function or ordination or extraordinary gift of the Spirit then in my understanding there had not been any need of so sudden (nay not at all) of a sending of Barnabas from Jerusalem to Antioch, Acts 11.22 23.29. though he were a good man and full of the Holy Ghost to settle and confirm the disciples which they by their preaching had begot to the faith. For I conceive that any extraordinary gifted man or men amongst them was well able to have done that work as Barnabas: Eph. 2.20, and 3.5. 2 Peter 19 20.21. and let any show out of the Scriptures that where the Apostles did preach and beget to the faith that there went out or was sent any to confirm it better after they had begun is, but such was the sending here of Barnabas, therefore for these and the like reasons I conclude that these men th●● Church that was thus scattered and went preaching the Gospel begetting men to the faith and obedience of the Gospel, were not officers neither ordinary nor extraordinary 〈◊〉 nor any ordination to any such thing, neither any extraordinary gift or endowment: but ordinary such as God promised to pour upon all flesh, joel 2.28, Acts 2.17. Isa. 44.3. ● which these having received some talents of the Spirit of God, such was the power of the grace of Love shed abroad in their hearts that they could not but speak and declare those they had seen and heard making use of that saying, when thou art converted thyself strengthen thy brethren. Object. But some may further object and say, they did not preach, they did but discoursively declare Christ in the Gospel which no man is against. I understand by preaching of the Gospel, Answ. is no more than to carry, to publish to bring to make known, & declare glad tidings as by the Scripture cited may appear: Luke. 2.10, 11. and 8.39. Mark 5.19. Acts 13.32. 1 joh. 1 1. to 4. Psal. 16.10. 2 Cor. 4.13. it is not to go up into a pulpit to be apparelled in black, to make a long and tedious oration of far fetched tales, out of the old and ancient fathers both popish and heathen, but to declare God's will and mind to his servants that he hath revealed to them by his Spirit agreeable to the word, and this I find to be the substance of preaching the Gospel, was it not the same that the Angels did in the second of Luke. And the blind man in Luke the 8. And the woman of Samaria John the 4. Two of these preached so effectually that they begat faith in the hearers, and how faith can be wrought in persons in an ordinary way without preaching you may consider the Scriptures cited. Rom. 10.14. to 17. 2. Again it is more than can be gathered from the text that they did but discourse, for the text saith they Preached, Acts 4.2, and 5, 42 and 8.25, and 9.20, 27 and 10, 36 37, and 17, 1, 2.3. Acts 18.4.20, 7, act 8, 30, compa. 35.37. and if we look into other places of Scripture that speaks of preaching we shall find the same expressions that is here used, and therefore strong reason there is to believe that this preaching was such as the Apostles used, as may be seen in the Scriptures cited. 3. That they did discoursively preach Christ, I will not, nor dare not deny, but that they did that only, is more than can in my understanding be concluded from the Scriptures. For I find that Philip when he joined to the Eunuch's Chariot did use intercourse of speech ver. the 30. and 31. but ver. the 35. we find Philip to have begun at that place, of Scripture and preached Christ to the Eunuch so long without any intercourse of speech, till he had by the powerful work of God's Spirit wrought faith in the Eunuch: to believe in Jesus Christ, and to submit to him in his ordinance of Baptism: as may appear by ver. 36. Therefore I think it is clear that he preached in that way of preaching that is so much contended for. The next Scripture that offers itself to be looked on in this particular of preaching without ordination is in the 1. Peter the 4.10, 11, ver. where it is thus written as every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold graces of God: if any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God, if any man minister let him do it as of the ability that Godgiveth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever Amen. For the understanding of the understanding of the intent of the Holy Ghost, here we are to consider the words as they lie, and the Apostle saith as every man hath received the gift all persons in general of the who●e Church not to the Officres or Ministers only, but to all without any respect to office or ordination that have received the gift, they all as they have received so they ought and they are bound to Minister (that is preach) and declare it one to another that they may be good, faithful in discharging of the trust and stewardship committed to them, 1 Cor. 4.2 as every man hath received the gift, (that is) as every one hath received this, and another that, and every one hath received he ought to offer the same as a free and willing offering towards the building up of the spiritual house and Church of God, as the Israelites of old did every one that was willing whose Spirit within stirred him up, Exod 35.5. comp. Re. 20. to 29. did come and bring according as they had received towards the building of the Tabernacle: and it is to be taken notice of that h●●e here towards the building of the Tabernacle there was one admitted only the Priest and the Levite, they that were consecrated and in holy Ordination, but every one whose hand was willing brought as he had received, Eph. 4.7. to 15. Collo. 2.19. and God excepted of it as a sacrifice well pleasing in 〈◊〉 sight, so now towards the building of the Spiritual house of God, God hath given gifts unto men for the work of the same and doth require our freeness and willingness to offer the same as he hath commanded for the perfecting of the sain● that they may increase with the increasing of God, and thus much is clearly held forth in these words, Object. as every man hath received ●he gift so let him him administer the same. But some may say the Apostle hath not to do here with preaching, Answ. but with hospitality. To which I say that the Apostle hath from the 8. and 9 verses to the 12. nothing else in hand but to exhort this Church, and by them all the servants of God to the exercise of the grace of love, which is shed abroad in their hearts, and doth not love extend it sel●? and is it not the Apostles mind and intent here to instruct the servants of God how they should improve his grace of love in all manner of ways, that they might bring glory to him and good to his Church and people, is not this his main aim and intent? doth not he end and conclude with this saying? that God in all things may be glorified, then as God is honoured and glorified when his people are full of Charity, Isai. 61.10. Rev. 2.17 and do extend the bowels of mercy and compassion to them that stand it need: to feed the hungry, to clo●he he the naked, to harbour the stranger, thi● I hope the great adversaries against preaching without Ordination will not deny, but it is the duty of all persons that to do, or else I am afraid they would not have so many good gifts of their good Masters and D●●●e as they have had so is it not the duty lying upon all as they have received the gift, should by the grace of love extend and hold forth the bowels of mercy and compassion and riches that is in Jesus Christ, to cloth the naked and distressed sinner with the robe of Christ's righteousness, to refresh their thirsting souls with streams that may glad the City of God▪ Psal. 78.25. and 46.4. fill their hungry souls with Angel's food even the hidden Man●●; I conceive here is a most real manifestation of the grace of love, when we extend it liberally with both hands and not sparingly, therefore I conceive it is very clear, that the Apostles words are not to be restrained only to outward hospitality and charity for the body, ●hey that shall so do●, cannot but do violence to the text, and wrong the meaning of the Spirit (in my apprehension.) 2. Again consider the Apostles exhortation, ●s to the administration of a manifold grace, not of one us of hospitality ver. 9 bu● to all and general the gifts and graces of God for the which end the Apostle in the 11 and 12. verses brings two things, First the gift of preaching in speaking, if any man speak, let him speak as the Oracle of God. Secondly if any man minister let him do it as of the ability that God gives, so that by this it is clear, the Apostle hath some thing else in hand besides hospitality, to w●● preaching and declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that by virtue as they have received the gifts of the Spirit, therefore how any can make such a construction as that the intent and scope of the Apostle and meaning of the Holy Ghost is to be restrained only to ver. 9 I leave by the wise to be judged, how it hath the least suitableness to the analogy of faith, but as the Apostle saith as every man hath received the gift, this I conceive is his intent, that even such men mutually together in the bond of love communicate this their gifts as good and faithful stewards of the manifold grace of God, Collo. 3.14. and a manifold grace is not one grace, but hospitality is but one grace, but to the exercise of a manifold grace, is it here that the Apostle doth exhort the people of God to the administering of them, not only to be barbarous, for that were the ministering of but one grace, and one is not divers or manifold, and so I come to the next Scripture, which is the 1. of Corinth, the 12. verse 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal. At the 1. Corinth. 14. verse. 1. follow after Charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy compare with the verses 3. the 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 39 the Apostle in this Epistle, and in the places cited, treats very largely of the exercise of the gifts and graces of God in prophesying or preaching the Gospel by all men that are enabled thereunto with sufficient gifts from God, and this the Apostle presses on them by the exercise of the grace of love, as is ployn if we look into the 12.13. and 14. Chapter before cited and in the beginning of the fourteenth Chapter he saith follow after Charity and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy, now we are to take notice, who it is that the Apostle exhorts to the exercises of the graces of love, and that is as may be seen in the comparing what the Apostle, saith in the first verse in these words, but rather that ye may prophesy the (ye) that he means here in the 23. verse, appears to be the whole Church, excluding none that have gifts, so that I hope none can have any ground to think that this his exhrtation was minded or intended only to the Ministers, Officers, or ordained men in the Church of Corinth: he writes and exhorts the whole Church to covet after the best gifts, but rather that they might prophesy, and this he persuades them to, by an argument drawn from the excellent benefit that came to them by the having and exercising of it, as may be seen in the 3. verse, he that preaches speaketh to men for their edification, exhortation, and comfort, it is the excellent way that God hath ordained to beget men to the faith, to discover the secrets of their hearts, to convince men of the truth of God, and the way of his worship, as may be seen in verse the 23. to the 26. and this the Apostle presses upon the whole Church, and that this whole Church should be all of them ordained men, to men it seems somewhat strange, I think it be so miraculous a thing, as it is beyond all imagination, never read of in the Scriptures, nor heard of in any age of the world; so that then it will appear, & must be granted that the Apostles exhortation extends generally to all men, Members of the Church of Corinth, without respect had to Officer or Ordination, to covet earnestly to preach, and declare the Gospel as he saith in verse 31. ye may all prophecy, yea all the whole Church of Corinth, that have gifts, one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted, wherein is to be noted that the Apostle speaks of all preaching, as largely and universally as all learning, from whence I still affirm and thus argue, that all those now that are the Servants of God, 1 Cor. 9.16. 1 Cor. 11.1. Col. 3.16. Heb. 10.23. to 26. Judas 20. Rom 12.6. to 9 and 15. and 14. Object. that have received gifts from him, whereby they are enabled to preach and declare Jesus Christ in the Gospel, though no Officer, neither having any Ordination may, ought, nay they are bound, and woe be to them if they preach not the Gospel, a necessity is laid upon them to do it, and to exhort others to the practice of it, as our Apostle here doth, seeing we are to follow them as they followed Christ, and we find that in all their Epistles, they still multiply exhortations to the Churches in this nature, as may be seen in the Scriptures cited. But some may object and say, that though they were not Officers, nor had any Ordination, yet they were extraordinarily guifted. Answ. To which I make this answer, that this to think much more to affirm is very absurd, and than for these reasons, because it was never heard of, nor in all the written word of God hinted at, especially concerning this Church of the Corinth's, that the whole body of them were extraordinarily guifted, 2. because the Apostle doth restrain women from preaching, or others speaking in the Church, from whence it is plain, Luke 2.36. Exod. 15 20. judg. 4.24. that this prophesying is ordinary, and lies in common to all the Servants of Jesus Christ, for women that were extraordinarily guifted I affirm, and the Scripture cited with me might preach, and did without restraint, so that from hence I thus argue, that the Apostle forbidding and prohibiting women from preaching, gives liberty to all men guifted for to preach, and again I argue from this ground, that they were not Officers ordained, nor extraordinarily guifted, because the Apostle opposeth women to men, Sex to Sex, and not women Officers or extraordinary guifted men; for than I conceive the Apostle would nor have aid, let your women keep silence in the Churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak; but the Apostle would have aid, let your women keep silence in the Churches because they are no Officers, nor have any Ordination, not any extraordinary gift, therefore they are to be silent in the Churches; but he saith it is not permitted for them to speak, not out of any such consideration, as before minded, but because of the Command of God, they are to be under obedience, and to learn in silence, for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church. 3. because the Apostle exhorts that the Church should judge of the Doctrine that these Prophets or Preachers should teach, as appears by verse 29. let the Prophets speak two or three, and let the rest judge for the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets, now if they were extraordinary Prophets, and infallibly guided, they could not err; and so the Apostle might have spared his labour of pressing them to judging of their Doctrine delivered; Ephes. 2.20.35. 2 Pet. 1.19. 2 Tim. 16.17. Psal. 19.7.8 for such Prophets or Preachers as were extraordinarily guifted I affirm could not err, and so were not subject to any such Judgement as the Apostle calle● for at the hands of the Church of Corinth, and for any to say that Prophet's extraordinary could or might err, is to weaken and shake greatly the ground and pillar of our faith, and if they might err, than the Apostles, and if in Doctrine taught why not in writing, and if this were true, we were of all men most miserable, but we know we have a more sure word of prophesy, whereunto we do well to take heed, and diligently to mark and study, and upon this sure word we know is our faith, built even of the Prophets and Apostles, 2 Pet. 1.19. that we are guided by the unering spirit of God, & need not their Doctrine, should be called in question, or so judged by any of the Sons of men; therefore these Prophets here spoken of were not extraordinary, but ordinary, by reason the Apostle commands the rest of the Church to judge, and try their Doctrine. Again the Apostle saith in the 37 and 38 verses, that if any man think himself a Prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I writ are the Commandments of God; but if any man be ignorant, let him he ignorant still, by all which it appears plainly, that they were but ordinary Prophets or Preachers, and had no other than ordinary gifts and endowments, for could they be thi●s infallibly guided by the spirit, and yet must Paul call on them to acknowledge the things he writ, were the Commandments of the Lord Jesus, in my understanding, he might have saved this labour, for he could not but know that such that had the same measure and manner of the infallible spirit with him could not be ignorant of the Doctrine and Commands of Christ; therefore it is most apparent and plain▪ that they were but ordinary Preachers, and preached by an ordinary gift, such as is common by the promise of God, to be poured forth upon all flesh, and hence is it that the Apostle in the close of all, exhorts them to the use and study of this preaching, and declaring of Jesus Christ, as appears in the 39 verse in these words, wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy or preach; where is to be noted, he puts them on to the use and study of means, even the word and Gospel of God which is able to make the man of God perfect to all good works, 2 Tim. 3.16.17. thereby furnished, so that in my understanding it clearly appears they were not extraordinary Preachers, but ordinary, for extraordinary Prophets or Preachers were at no time exhorted to any such thing, that ever I read of, to the use and study of means immediately to be fitted or furnished, 1 Cor. 2.12. Act. 2.1. to 5. but immediately without any means freely given to them of God, without any study or labour, as may be seen plentifully in the Scriptures cited; so that from all that which hath been said, it is most apparent and clear, and that from the further exhortation which the Apostles uses to the Churches and Saints of God, it is lawful, yea, necessary for them to preach, to declare to make known, and set forth, yea and that publicly, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for our Saviour saith, that which I have told you in your ears, do you preach upon the house tops, and the Apostle in Rom. 12. at the 6. saith having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given unto us (not Ordination) whether prophecy let us prophesy according to the proportion (of what) (not Ordination but of Faith) and the Apostle exhorts the Collosians the 3. and 16. to have the word of Christ dwell in them richly, in all wisdom, whereby they should be enabled with grace in their hearts (not Ordination) to teach and admonish one another, and build them up in their most holy faith, the same Apostle in Hebrews the 10.23. to the 25. verse provokes that Church to hold fast the profession of Faith, without wavering, to consider one another, to provoke one another to love, and to good works, to exhort one another, and blames them in the 5. Chapter and the 12. verse, for not being frequent in the exercise of the gifts of the spirit in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by which they might for the time have been teachers of others, and for the neglect they had need to be taught themselves again the first principles of Religion, there be some Scriptures more which is cast in the way as opposing this truth in Romans the 10 and 15. how shall they preach except they be sent? and so they argue that ordination is the sending here intended, but that there is any such thing here minded peruse the Scripture; I understand the sending here is the being furnished with gifts from God enabling them to make known God through the preaching the Gospel that those that hear it may believe, and so much my thinks the Apostle argues from the 13 to ver. the 18. and minds nothing of any office or ordination but only the gifts and manistations of the Spirit bring the Gospel of peace and glad tidings of good things, another Scripture which is alleged the 1 of Corin. the 7. Chap. ver. 20. let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called whence it is alleged that a man being by God's providence called to this or that trade he ought therein to abide, and so from thence that preaching of the Gospel is a trade for some men to abide in, now to clear and set forth the Apostles meaning here consider the scope of the Apostle which he hath here in hand, and that is this, that in whatsoever particular calling or trade and in what particular relation and engagements men were, in whether bond or free Circumcision or uncircumcision, Jew or Gentile, whether master or servant, whether married if by the Gospel of Jesus Christ they were called to believe, they in the same relations condition, bond or tie were therein notwithstanding their now being beleivers to abide with God, for the Apostle saith in the 21 ver. and 22. Art thou called being a servant care not for it: now I hope none will say that Calling i● here ordination to the Ministry, the Apostle exhorts here he should not care for it and none will say that men being called to the office of the ministry ought not to take care, but diligently to wait upon the Ministry, it is evident the Apostles meaning, by calling here is the bringing of men by the power of the Gospel out of a state of unbelief and infidelity to be believers in Jesus Christ, and so being husbands or wives, masters or servants, they were therein to abide with God and to know that their now being believers did not break their civil ties or relations and this is that which the Apostle here intends from verse the 12. to verse the 25. and doth not at all mind any calling to any office or ordination to the ministry, neither doth make it here or in any other place of Scripture a trade to preach the Gospel: but generally through the whole Scripture lays it down as the general calling which belongs to all the Saints by virtue of their being interested into Christ by the power of the Spirit in the preaching of the Gospel; and so much for the present I offer by the wise to be considered and tried by the Scriptures in the Spirit of love and meekness. Now for conclusion I shall only add thus much from all that which hath been said, that it doth appear to me very clear that God hath laid it upon all men believers in Jesus Christ so as they have received gifts whereby they are enabled with knowledge and utterrance to set forth, teach and declare Jesus Christ in the Gospel that they ought to do it as good and faithful stewards of the gifts and graces of God, 1 Peter 4.10.11. 1 Corin. 4.1. God requires it of them and they may not neglect it, nor no man may forbid them without manifest breach of God's holy will and commandment, Acts 5.29. and 4.19. and therefore let us consider whether to obey God that saith unto us, what I have spoken to you in secret that preach, declare and make known on the house top, and as you have received gifts for the work of the ministry, so let us labour in the word & doctrine to build up and perfect the Saints in our most holy faith and not fear man whose breath is in his nostrils, jude 20. or the son of man who is lighter than vanity, but let us fear God and obey his Commandment for that is good and acceptable in his fight: without which doing none of the Saints can discharge faithfully that trust committed and given to them, for we must employ his talents labouring in his vineyard which is his Church that he may have the praise and glory of all his works and graces in them, and therein we shall greatly manifest our faithfulness to God, our justness in discharge of the trust committed to us, and in that consideration we are bound; and woe be to us if we preach not the Gospel, how can those that believe, do but speak, how can those that have heard and seen and received the word and Gospel of Jesus Christ, 1 john 1.1. to 3. but must say with the Apostle how can we but speak and declare those heavenly glorious excellent things which we have both seen heard and received. Therefore Reader if God shall persuade thy heart to the acknowledgement of this truth, fear not to practise it, though men and devil's set themselves against thee, 1 Cor. 10.13. yet know that God is faithful that promiseth and will suffer no temptation to overtake thee but what he will enable thee to bear: and though thou mayest by men be opposed and brought into great afflictions and tribulations, Acts 14.22. it is written that through such we must enter into the kingdom of heaven, It is the Legacy that Christ hath left to his people, that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus and follow him, Mat. 16.24.25. Heb. 13.5. must take up his Cross and suffer persecution, yet know he will never leave us nor forsake us, but stand by us, and his spirit of glory shall rest upon us for our strength-making, bringing about all the thrests and terrors of imprisonments, Rom. 8.28. afflictions, penalties that shall be laid upon us for his sake, turn to our good and benefit; Therefore gird up the Loins of your minds, be sober and hope to the end, 1 Pet. 1.13. for the grace that is to be brought to you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ, fear not, neither be dismayed, 1 Cor. 7.23. and 16.13. Ephes. 6.10.11.16. you are bought with a price, be not the Servants of men, watch, stand fast in the Faith, quit you like men, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might 〈◊〉 on, the whole Armour of God; above all taking the Sheil● of faith whereby ye shall be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil, and quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; 2 Thes. 1.1 12. wherefore all my prayer always shall be, that our God will count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Thes. 1.11.12. to comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word, and work. Amen, Psalm 68 and 11. The Lord gave the word, great 〈◊〉 the company of those that preached it. job. 32. and 7. to 10▪ I said days shall speak, and moltitudes of years shall teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding, great men are not always wise, neither do the●ged understand Judgement. Therefore I said heathen to me, I also will show mine opinion. FJNJS.