A CURB FOR SECTARIES AND BOLD PROPHESIERS: By which Richard Farnham the Weaver, james Hunt the Farmer, M. Greene the Feltmaker, and all other the like bold Prophesiers and Sect Leaders may be bridled and kept within their own beaten way, And the Sacred and weighty work of the Ministry be reserved to men, whom education fits, God calls, and good order in our Church prefers thereunto.  
A matter very considerable in these present times?  
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Math. 7 16. 
LONDON, Printed, 1641.   

To the zealous but misled followers of Preachers in Corners.  
SIRS,  
THe English Proverb says, None is more bold than blind Baiard, and the comparison holds well, making Zeal joined with ignorance like to mettle in a blind Horse, which renders him mischievous, rather than useful. The Pharisees said, they saw, but were indeed blind Leaders of the blind, till both fell into the ditch; and God fired jerusalem for their misled Zeal. Beware of following their like. As of old, so in these latter days, there are false Prophets saith Saint Paul, Their methods and sleights are subtle to deceive you, their skill very shallow and mean to inform you. The wiseman hath his eyes in his head, and seethe this. And if you will not put your garment to a Butcher, nor trust your sick body to be cured by a Quacksalver; Will you submit your souls guidance to them, whom your itching ears, and self will, and blind humour affects? A Prophet or son of a Prophet would have more to say: but the glass following, if you have eyes to see, may give you a sight of your Leaders defects, and your own fancies.   

A Curb for Sectaries and bold Prophesiers.  

Every man is not fit to take upon him the Ministry.  SAint Paul, a Master builder in God's house, having spoken of bringing men to everlasting life by the Ministry of men, saith, Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Cor. 2.16. The question implies, that it is not an easy matter to be fitted for this sacred work.  
In many respects therefore a singular care is to be taken, what persons be admitted to so great a charge: and that, Reas. 1 1 Because they are either a savour of life to life, or a savour of death to death to their hearers. Their office must needs be of much circumspection and trust, seeing the issues of it are of so great concernment.  
2 The titles given them show, as the excellency, Reas. 2 so the weightiness of their office, for they are called Husbandmen in God's field, Planters, and Waterers in his Garden: Want of skill in managing this charge may produce thorns, thistles, weeds. They are Gods Shepherds, and have their flocks, as sheep apt to stray; if they heedfully prevent it not; They are Stewards of the heavenly mysteries, Teachers in God's steed, co-workers with God, Watch men, Overseers of others, Ambassadors. They are the Lights of the World; and God, when he gave Lights to the World, took a view of them, to see that they were good: and seeing Deacons must first be tried, and then Minister, if they be found faithful; much-more must Workmen of higher place not have hands laid suddenly upon them, nor run before they be sent, nor take a calling upon them, unless a Titus or Timothy, put in place to that end, ordain them, and appoint them to the work.  
3 The treasures which God entrusts them to communicate to others are comprised in the sacred Scriptures, Reas. 3 and are of so great depth, and so large extent, and have points so many and so considerable that we must resume that of St. Paul, who is sufficient for these things? let us look into the particulars.  

Of skill in the first Table requisite in the Clergy.  In the first place, the knowledge of God and his worship, and all the circumstances thereof, cannot sound and truly be taught but by those whom God's spirit enables thereunto, and pious education hath fitted for the work.  
2 The performances of man to man, of Kings, of subordinate Rulers, 
In the second Table.  spiritual and temporal, in all degrees; the subjection required of all inferiors; all duties commanded concerning preservation of our persons, modest and chaste behaviour, true deal in possessions & outward goods, truth in our ordinary speech, and witnessing in cases of difference, the not desiring and coveting in heart, what is not ours. These all with their circumstances have so many cases of conscience belonging unto them, & to be discussed concerning them, that large volumes scarce serve so to unfold them but that other cases will still be emergent. 
And in cases of conscience.   

In Politics.  So that, 

1 policy and government of States and Kngdomes.  
2 Christian carriage, conversation in Heaven, and civil deportment of all private persons, in all callings and places, of all trades and professions for all things generally concerning them, 
Ethics.  and for many particulars, are not so left to natural reason, and humane discretion, but that they may borrow their best rules from Scriptures. 
Economics.  So that the government of a people, and whole Country, private men's own Religious behaviour, and pious ordering their families may be learned from the holy Scriptures laws, and the practice of Moses, David, and sundry other Saints of God, who for their circumspect walking both in private and public life be greatly renowned.  
3 Seeing in the old Testament we have Gods laws amply described in Moses, 
Skill in law of divers kinds is grounded on Gods Law.  and further opened and enlarged in the Prophets, and the New Testament afterwards, the equity and ground of many of those laws of God are of use for trial of all kind of Laws, whether natural, civil, Canon, or common Law, which in several Nations have their use. None of all these may be repugnant to God's Law, but subordinate thereunto with reference to the condition of several Nations.    
3 The Old Testament comprehends in brief the History of the World for almost 4000 years; 
Skill in History requisite in the Clergy.  it declares the creation, and man's defection, the World's drowning & reparation; how Gods Truth was progated & the Church enlarged; what was the practice, & faith of Gods redeemed people; how many oppositions and malicious persecutions befell them by the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Grecians, and others, and how God plagued these Nations for their mischievousness and cruelty: The New Testament unfolds the History of Christ our Saviour's life and death, the planting of the Christian Church, the doctrine of the holy Apostles after Christ's Ascension. In these are many weighty points to be discussed, some variety in circumstances to be reconciled, and the sweet harmony of both Testaments to be explained?  

Skill in Chronologie.  4 How frequently is the account of times recorded in the old Testament, and sometime in the new? That we might not confine it to the old, as a matter then only considerable; The holy Ghost hath rolated the times of God's mercies and judgements on the World, as a light and lustre to story, as a preserver of order, & confirmer of certainty in Narration, and Man ought seriously to consider the same. For the Husb and man is not more observant of fit seasons, for his Country affairs, than God hath been of due times in his deal with men, and managing matters in the field of the World for man's good.  

In Geography.  5 Who can well understand the dispersion of Noah's sons, and their children, and the speeches often running upon them, and the places of their habitation, and how they came to intermeddle with God's people? Who can rightly distinguish of the Rivers, Mountains, and Cities mentioned in sacred Writ, if he be not acquainted with Geography?  

In the deep secrets of Prophesiers.  In God's Book there are many prophecies, which declare deep and hidden secrets by expressions excellent and much surpassing the ordinary strain. Many of these are to be searched into and cleared, as by other plainer Scriptures, so by the Histories of the World, which before Christ's time were of vast comprehension, and of far greater since, in regard of the Gospels' entertainment, or abuse & rejection now in many more parts of the world. What knowledge, what study, and meditation is together with the assistance of God's spirit required for the opening of these prophecies, which are rich and comfortable treasures left to GOD'S Church?  

In the knowledge of nature.  7 For the clearing and explaining many Scriptures it is requisite to have good skill in many natural matters; not only because the wisdom and power of the Creator is seen to be wonderful in the Creatures, but also because God often in Scripture speaks of the Eagle, Ravens, Stork; of Cedars, Vines, Algu●●●ims; of Dromedaries, Badgers, and Lions of divers kinds▪ of the Leviathan and the Tannin or Diacon of the Sea, and of many other matters in nature which are often made use of for man's information: and therefore 'tis expedient that these matters should be made brown.  

In the Hebrew and Greek tongues, etc.  8 Seeing the old Testament is written for the most part in the Hebrew tongue, and some few passages in the Chaldee, it must necessarily be that there are some difficulties in our Translations, which cannot be perfectly looked into without the knowledge of these tongues. There are also some objections of men erroneous on both hands, which cannot possibly bessolved without very good skill in these tongues. Rare French and Germane words cannot be well known, but of the skilful French and Germane, nor rate Hebrew words but of the learned jews; And seeing the Hebrew tongue is now no where purely spoken, nor extant unmixed, but in the Bible, some hard words in this tongue are to be known by the tongues most near to the Hebrew, as the Syriack and Arabic: for a word seldom used in Hebrew may be more frequent in them. And for the new Testament it is written in the Greek tongue, which is very copious and elegant, and hath many words of ambiguous use and signification. It hath also some Latin words as Denarion and Tavern, and some Hebrew and Syriack, as Corban, Maranath●, and divers others: What study for skill herein is requisite? Besides in the New Testament be many forms of speech borrowed from the Old, many Hebraisms, many short and deep speeches inexplicable without conference with some special clauses of the Old. And how often in many passages of both Testaments is mention made of the customs, manners, and conditions of several Nations in the World, of their Gods and Idolatrous worship?  

In Rhetoric.  9 How many lofty and brave strains of Eloquence, in Esay and the Prophets, in Paul & the Revelation, would seem strange and be unknown? how many admirable and sublime carriages of speech and figures far beyond the best Heathen Orators would be unobserved; did not the art of rhetoric begun of old and perfected in these latter times, and applied to sacred use, lend her helping hand?  

In Logic.  10. How often should we err in the context of Scripture, what improbable deductions would thence be strained, how many sound proofs for necessary Doctrines and conclusions would be unobserved, had we not together with the spirit of GOD, which is the principal, the use of Logic all Rules, as a good accessary? God's providence protects his servants, yet do they gird on their swords in their journeys, and the Spirit of God doth lead us into all sacred truth, yet Art is not to be refused to keep us from being surprised by spiritual thiefs. But some object, Object. The Apostles, and so we, by the Spirit of God can do more good than any by his Art. Answer. Speak to the Jews, Answ. Indians, Spantards, and others among us, as the Apostles did to several Nations, though not educated to their tongues, and we will much the rather credit your ability to teach us the truth (which you pretend Artists miss of) in our own tongue.  
Besides, the question is not whether you by the spirit (which you presume to have) can by it alone do more, than others by art alone, but whether more than others, who have the spirits assistance as well as you; and also education at some Gamaliels' feet, as Paul had. God's Spirit knew, how to make use of Art, when Moses brought up in the Egyptian learning was called to the Government of Israel, when Aholiah and Bezaleel were chosen for the work of the Tabernacle, when Jubals invention was taken in to the furnishing of David's Quire. Did ye know Art, or the right use of Art, ye would not  it.  

In the ancient Fathers.  11 How many passages in the ancient Fathers of the Christian Church acquaint us with God's goodness to his servants, show the Heresies reigning in their days, and their Arguments against the same? How often do they open difficulties in Scripture, in which we, had they not gone before us, might have erred? Do not they declare how far they were from Papistical superstitions and errors on the one hand, and from fanatical fancies and groundless opinions on the other hand? Object. Object. They had their infirmities and did in some things err. Answer. Answ. If ye have robbed the Pope of his Chair, and have an unerring certainty, throw the first stone at them. Remember Michaiahs' accusers, and the horns which smote him. Go not about to take the moat out of their eye, if ye have a beam in your own. Give the ancient Fathers their due, and know that there is good use of them.  

In controversies of divers kinds.  12 How large is the field of polemical Divinity and Controversy? How necessary is it to have the Arguments of Papists. Atheists, Turks, and several Sectaries well answered? Why should misprisions in History, Prophecies, tongues, cases of conscience and the like, go unconfuted to the great prejudice of Christian truth? Why should not the abuse of Logic and other Arts be called to account by such as have the true use thereof? Let then polemical skill and School Divinity rightly managed have its due place and esteem.  
Of this large extent are matters to be studied by the Clergy, things Spiritual, Temporal, Eternal, treated on in Scripture, are within their task. In regard whereof I propound these questions to any indifferent Reader.  

1 Whether persons, educated in Manuary Trades, and spending their time therein, can possibly attain to so different kinds of knowledge, and be able to confirm truth and answer doubts: which professed Students (suppose but of equal parts) cannot attain without long continued education, direction, practice?  
2 Seeing our Land by God's blessing is better provided for with a learned, Religious, painful Clergy, old and young, then ever heretofore, than any land in the World: are they well advised, who will be taught by such as leap from the Shopboard to the Pulpit, rather than by them, whom education fits, and God and authority calls to the work?  
3 Whether Colleges and Schools now, as of old the Schools of the Prophets, be not of singular use to fit several persons for the manifold knowledge required in the Clergy?  
4 Seeing one man cannot excel in all these kinds of knowledge, 

First, because man's life is short and Art long,  
Secondly, God hath made men of different capacities and abilities, whether some of the Clergy are not to be directed to one study, some to another, some fitted for higher, some for lower employments and places?   As in the Apostles times, all were disposed of according to their different gifts, 1 Corenth. 12.  
5 Whether a general knowledge in all these kinds be not of good use in every Clergy man, that upon occasion of doubt or difficulty he may know to what book or man, having exact skill in that kind of knowledge, he may have recourse for resolution?  
6 Whether, because 'tis not fit any man should war upon his own cost, provision of means hath not been well made, and may well be augmented (as times differ) for encouragement and maintenance of Students, and learned men in those several kinds.  
7 Seeing teachers of ordinary congregations are to apply themselves to their hearers capacity, and to have as milk for babes, so strong meat for more able Christians: whether good benefices have not been well by our forefathers allotted them, and whether it be not pity they should be diverted or impaired, And the Clergy put to suit for them?  
8 Whether seeing exact skill in sacred Histories and matters of the Church, in several tongues, in controversies, and the like, being somewhat removed from popular capacities and men of meaner parts, and yet most necessary to be by serious study attained, such as excel therein may not be well provided for, by some of the Dignities, prebend's, and other the like preferments in our Church?  
9 Whether some men of singular natural parts, and having got by education and practice a great measure of knowledge above mentioned, and being men very religious, conscionable, and grave, are not fitted by God for giving counsel and advice in the greatest matters among God's people, as Eliazer did to josua, Nathan to David, Johojada to joas, Jehosua to Zorobabel?  
10 Whether some Clergy men eminent for skill & government by god's blessing on their education, learning, and practice, as the Apostles were by God's extraordinary gift, may not be thought fit to govern, direct, and inform others subordinate to them, and to order both Clergy men and their means for the good of the Church, as did the Apostles, and their successors after them.   
I have done, and leave all to the wisely considerate. More might have been said of the bounds of the Clergies skill, more questions annexed: But this little may inform such as will see; such as put out their own eyes what salve can cure? God help them; his good Spirit guide us all.  
FINIS.