The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

As a Minister who hath tolerable Gifts for preaching, may yet need the writings of other men before hand; and may bring both their Matter and Method into the Pulpit, yea and oft times their words; so that though he have Gifts, yet being weak, he may use the gifts of others. I have been counselled since I was silenced, to compose Sermons my self, and give them in writing to some weak Minister, that hath an excellent Voice and utterance, and to let him preach them. And really if I had not known that such have good books enough at hand for such a use, I think I should have done it: And who can prove that this had been his sin? And yet this was a using of another mans gifts instead of his own. And I have heard men that are much against Parish Churches and Liturgies wish that some unlearned men of good utterance, might read some excellent Sermon•books to the people, in ignorant places that can get no better: And who can prove the reading of a Homily unlawful.

As a Minister who hath tollerable Gifts for prea•hing, may yet need the writings of other men before hand; and may bring both their Matter and Method into the Pulpit, yea and oft times their words; so that though he have Gifts, yet being weak, he may use the gif•s of others. I have been counselled since I was silenced, to compose Sermons my self, and give them in writing to some weak Minister, that hath an excellent Voice and utterance, and to let him preach them. And really if I had not known that such have good books enough at hand for such a use, I think I should have done it: And who can prove that this had been his sin? And yet this was a using of another mans gifts instead of his own. And I have heard men that are much against Parish Churches and Liturgies wish that some unlearned men of good utterance, might read some excellent Sermon•books to the people, in ignorant places that can get no better: And who can prove the reading of a Homily unlawful.

Moreover, Christ hath given to all his members such gifts as are suitable to their places, as well as to Ministers such gifts as are suitable to theirs, And the place of a Master of a family requireth the gift of Catechising and instructing the family? And they are as truly obliged to use their gifts, as Ministers are theirs. And yet who doubteth but it is lawful for Parents to teach