The Publisher to the Reader. Thath been a grand defigne of the DeI vil and Inftruments acted by him,with much controverfie to darken the light in the very breaking up of this prefent Reformatin,and to hide the precious Truth that the fimple hould notfinde it, fuck pure malice doth be carry against the high way of the Lord,and fo afraid be a.35.5. is, that theWay-faring men fhall not erre therein: but they know not the Counsel of the Lord, nor Mich.4.16 the thoughts of his heart, who is about to clear the Truth, by the manifold Errours which haverifen in thefe late Times, to work His peoples bearts to a deep deteftation of Errour, as well as ungodlines, and to declare bis Truth, to be proofe of all the controverfie that can be moved against it, when every Work fhall be tried by the fire. There must be Herefies,for making manifeft who are approved, and what is precious and praise- Zech 14-7 worthy Truth,but at the Evening time it shall 417385 be 19. Zech.14.7 more brightly,that it bath been for a time dark ned and born down,this cloudie Morning fbal end in a clear day.This litle treatife doth help to blom away and dispell the mists, of Errour, and clear many questioned Truths,befide fome points which are practically bandled therein. If God had been. pleafed to lengthen the Authorhis life for longer ferving his Generation, I am confident it would bave come abroad better polifbed, if he bad com pleated it and there furvayed the whole Work when fet together. But although this peece be unperfect, yet having the Authors leave,I have adventured to make it Publick,without any addition or alteration,the chriftian Reader will correct the Errata and look upon it as it is bis opus pofthumu, whom God made very ferviceable in his work, in a very short time: Ifball only wish that it may prove as usefuland acceptable to the Judicious and godly, as other peeces which came from bis Pen. I am Thy Servant, PAT: GILLESPIE. T The Contents. CAP. I. Hat the Miniftery is a perpetuall Ordinance in the Three Objections answered. The queftion is ftated. Its alfo the judgement of found Proteftant Churches and writ- ters. Its confirmed by five reafons, How the Congregation is to judge ifa man be qualified and fit for the Miniltry Incommodities may be on both hands,but fewer on this. pag.28.30. Four Diftinctions are premised for the right stating of the Queltion.. The Affirmative is afferted and confirmed by ten Arguments from Na- That place Rom 10. 15. exponed and the Socinian exceptions How the Office of Kugunes belongs to ordinary Paltors. pag.38:39. How the Juvaus, for an office and the differ. The diverfe names the Minifters of the Gospell gets in Scripture.pag. 5. Objections against the neceffity of Ordination anfwered pag. 55. How the Peoples χειροτονια, is confiftent with the Elders χειροθεσία, and How Election and Ordination differ. The Prophets mentioned 1Cor; 14. 26. were extraordinarly infpyred, VWhen the Church of Rome was most corrupt, there was alwayes a Whether thefe Prophets and prophesyings in the Primitive Church 1 Cor 14 and 1 Cor. 12.18. Eph: 4.11. were extra- ordinary, and fo not to continue: Or whether they are Presidents for the preaching and prophefying of fuch as are neither ordained Minifters, nor Probationers for the Miniftry. There are three opinions concerning thefe Prophets, the last whereof Prophets in the Apostles enumeration, are preferred to Paltors and The difference between Prophets andPastors and Teachers is fet down. Three fenfes only of the word Propbefying in the new Teftament.pig:70.71 Prophefie is diftinct both from the word of knowledge and the word pag.75. In the Prophet there is axovia, as well as evepysia, and xaproua. g. 72. Whether any but à Minifter, lawfully called and ordained, may adminifter the Sacraments, Baptisme, and the Lords Supper.p.86. The Negative is justly held by reformed Churches against Erastians and Socinians,and is proven by eight arguments. Much of the feeding of the flock confifts in the difpenfation of the Sacraments. What Ezekiels vifion concerning the new Temple means. None without a calling fhould make bold with Chrifts broad Seals. Sacred and Civile vocations. Whom the commiffion to Teach and Baptize is given to. Chrift hath diftinguished between Magiftracy and Miniftery, between ibid. |