An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…

If you shall say, That God doth not tie his grace to the ability of the Pastor: I answer, such words are fitter to make ones head and heart to ache, than to put the answerer to any difficulty. Use such arguments about ploughing and sowing, about eating and drinking; and when you are to choose a Tutor or Schoolmaster for your Children; or when you are sick and seek to a Physician: say, God doth not tie his help and blessing to a wise Tutor any more than to an ignorant one; nor to an able Physician any more than to a foolish Empiric. Or if you will fly to the distinction of spiritual gifts and common, remember that God is no more tied to means for the one than for the other; and quoad media habitus infusi se habent ad modum acquisitorum. At least, set not your greatest Scholars nor sharpest wits to convince a Sectary, or a Papist; ⟨p. 29⟩for Illumination is a spiritual Grace, and God can work on a Papist or Schismatic, as well by an ignorant Reader. But sure the opinions of these times are not so much for miraculous operations of Omnipotency, nor so much for the vanity of moral suasion and instruction, that we should need to say much in this case, if you could but turn it to a Doctrinal-controversy, where their Interest is not against it. God can work convictions and conversion by the unlikeliest means. But he usually worketh according to the aptitude of the means he useth. And sure I am, that it is our duty (both teachers and hearers) to choose the best; and to study and preach even as we would do, if all lay on our skill and diligence; but to know that when Paul hath planted, and Apollo watered, it is God still that must give the increase. But he will not give so much to Judas as to Paul and Apollo.

If you shall say, That God doth not tye his grace to the ability of the Pastor: I answer, such words are fitter to make ones head and heart to ake, than to put the answerer to any difficulty. Use such arguments about plowing and sowing, about eating and drinking; and when you are to chuse a Tutor or Schoolmaster for your Children; or when you are sick and seek to a Physician: say, God doth not tye his help and blessing to a wise Tutor any more than to an ignorant one; nor to an able Physician any more than to a foolish Emperick. Or if you will fly to the distinction of spiritual gifts and common, remember that God is no more tyed to means for the one than for the other; and quoad media habitus infusi se habent ad modum acquisitorum. At least, set not your greatest Scholars nor sharpest wits to convince a Sectary, or a Papist;