A19884:988
An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of…An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of…
An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of VV.B. Also an answer to Mr. I.D. touching his report of some passages. His allegation of Scriptures against the baptising of some kind of infants. His protestation about the publishing of his writings. By John Davenport BD.An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of VV.B. Also an answer to Mr. I.D. touching his report of some passages. His allegation of Scriptures against the baptising of some kind of infants. His protestation about the publishing of his wrightings. By Iohn Davenporte BD.
Rotterdam: printed by Isaac van Waesberghe, 1636Rotterdam: printed by Isaack van Waesberghe, 1636
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Reply. 1. If all this were granted, yet it will not conclude the point in question, as will appear to him that shall frame it into a Syllogism. 2. It may be questioned whether this drawing into the fold be the pastoral attendance there meant, though I doubt not that it is lawful, and a duty, but it seemeth not to be intended in that charge left with the Pastors of Ephesus. 1. Because the work of the Pastor, qua talis, is to feed a ⟨p. 292⟩flock already gathered,1 not to gather a flock, unless by accident, God casting in some to hear by a providence, as that unlearned man that came in amongst them whilst they were prophesying, or in some such like way; though, I doubt not, it is a pious work & a bounden duty for a Pastor to labour the gaining of others. 2. Because the labour of bringing in others into the fold hath been undertaken by those that were not Pastors, with blessed success, the Lord giving this glory to his own word made effectual by his spirit, and not limiting it as a privilege peculiar to any office in the Church. And therefore even those out of office also are bound to labour in it.
Reply. 1. If all this were granted, yet it will not conclude the point in question, as will appeare to him that shall frame it into a Syllogisme. 2. It may be questioned whether this drawing into the fold be the pastorall attendance there meant, though I doubt not that it is lawfull, and a duety, but it seemeth not to be intended in that charge left with the Pastors of Ephesus. 1. Because the worke of the Pastor, qua talis, is to feed a ⟨p. 292⟩flock already gathered,1 not to gather a flock, unlesse by accident, God casting in some to heare by a providence, as that unlearned man that came in amongst them whilest they were prophesying, or in some such like way; though, I doubt not, it is a pious worke & a bounden duety for a Pastor to labour the gayning of others. 2. Because the labour of bringing in others into the fold hath bene undertaken by those that were not Pastors, with blessed successe, the Lord giving this glory to his owne word made effectuall by his spirit, and not limiting it as a priviledge peculiar to any office in the Church. And therefore even those out of office also are bound to labour in it.