A23636:103
The principles of the Protestant religion maintained, and churches of New-England, in the profession…
The principles of the Protestant religion maintained, and churches of New-England, in the profession and exercise thereof defended against all the calumnies of one George Keith, a Quaker, in a book lately published at Pennsylvania, to undermine them both / by the ministers of the Gospel in Boston.The principles of the Protestant religion maintained, and churches of New-England, in the profession and exercise thereof defended against all the calumnies of one George Keith, a Quaker, in a book lately published at Pensilvania, to undermine them both / by the ministers of the Gospel in Boston.
printed by Richard Pierce, 1690
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Introduction › Reflections on Chapt. 4th. of Ministerial Gifts &c.
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.
And whereas he censures us for Limiting one man to preach only, it is not true; we admit of one to preach one part of the day, and another on the other part, where they are to be had: only we require that they be such as are fit for the Ministry; and we would not have others to do it. Nor did the Apostle intend that there should be any Confusion in this Affair, 1. Cor. 14.29. &c. and to very little purpose doth he quote 2. Tim. 3.5, 6, 7. (though we see what he would be at) for that is not appropriated to Teachers, but applicable to all Professors; nor did we ever plead that Scandalous Ministers whose Conversation is contradictory to their Profession & Doctrine should be continued in that Function, when once they are ⟨p. 46⟩discovered to be such. We therefore concede to him, that there ought to be a Trial of men, and (if he will too) that it is not merely whether what they preach be true Doctrine, but a great deal more; yet it must of necessity, be either of his Doctrine, his Ministerial gifts, or his Life, or rather all three; beyond which we are to seek of what Trial can be made by men; for man judgeth and must judge, according to what can be known: and the Searching of the heart is GOD's Prerogative.
And whereas he censures us for Limiting one man to preach only, it is not true; we admit of one to preach one part of the day, and another on the other part, where they are to be had: only we require that they be such as are fit for the Ministry; and we would not have others to do it. Nor did the Apostle intend that there should be any Confusion in this Affair, 1. Cor. 14.29. &c. and to very little purpose doth he quote 2. Tim. 3.5, 6, 7. (though we see what he would be at) for that is not appropriated to Teachers, but applicable to all Professors; nor did we ever plead that Scandalous Ministers whose Conversation is contradictory to their Profession & Doctrine should be continued in that Function, when once they are ⟨p. 46⟩