A23636:108
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.
We find also, that the inspired men of old (such as Paul) did not declare all things to the people by Immediate Revelation, but some things as they were skilful understanding Christians, influenced with the ordinary Assistances of the Spirit of God, and rationally Judging of things: Hence Paul's distinction, 1. Cor. 7.12, — 25. and therefore the words alleged, verse, 40. I think, &c. (for all his Raillery) speaks thus much, That he did not suggest these Advices by immediate Inspiration, but by the Common Assistances that God affords His faithful Ministers.
We find also, that the inspired men of old (such as Paul) did not declare all things to the people by Immediate Revelation, but some things as they were skilful understanding Christians, influenced with the ordinary Assistances of the Spirit of God, and rationally Judging of things: Hence Paul's distinction, 1. Cor. 7.12, — 25. and therefore the words alledged, verse, 40. I think, &c. (for all his Railery) speaks thus much, That he did not suggest these Advices by immediate Inspiration, but by the Common Assistances that God affords His faithful Ministers.
Sect. 6. How blasphemously doth he in this Section ascribe the effects of the Scripture to the Ministers? he would have no Minister but such through whom grace, spirit and life do emanate to the souls of the hearers; making them more than merely instrumental in Converting and Edifying. We deny not but that a gracious Minister is raore likely to do good than another, but not by any power of his own, but because, as he will be more faithful, so he may expect more of Gods Assistance and Blessing: but that he can by any Virtue of his own, any more heal a Soul, than those Apostles could the body of a Cripple, (who utterly disclaim it Act. 3.12.) we believe not, and we are confirmed by the Scripture, Joh. 1.13