A call to Archippus

Repl. But it is said, Here is Preaching though we sit still: Whereas then the Gospel was wholly forbidden to be preached, and so would have been extinct if they had obeyed.

Ans. 1. 'Tis true here is preaching, but if not by us, how badly have we answered, the formidable charge of Almighty God to us, or our sacred and solemn vows to him? Will our Lord be put off by this, as a sufficient answer for our loitering, that others were a labouring?

Ans. 1. 'Tis true here is preaching, but if not by us, how badly have we answered, the formidable charge of Almighty God to us, or our sacred and solemn vows to him? Will our Lord be put off by this, as a sufficient answer for our loytering, that others were a labouring?

Ans. 2. There is indeed a Ministry, and Preaching (such as it is) but whether such as is like to answer the ends of either, judge you. What are the next ends of the Ministry in sum, but ^†Conversion and ^*Edification? and are these like to convert souls, that have neither will nor skill to deal with them about their Conversion, but persuade them they are all regenerated and converted already? O how evidently do they ^†harden them in their sins (for the most part) both by their Doctrine and Lives, in stead of ⟨p. 21⟩turning them from them! And are they like to edify in holiness, who are apparently the venomous Enemies of Holiness? who for strict and precise walking (without which no man shall see God) do openly, though covertly, inveigh against it, as needless niceness, and the worst of folly. Now if we have a Ministry, but such as doth not answer the ends of a Ministry, how few degrees are we the better for them than if we had none?