The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

Ans. 1. But God's grace useth to work according to the aptitude of means morally, as constant experience proveth: And the word which is used in the Sacramental administration, must be regarded, and so must other ways of teaching as well as by Sacraments. 2. And we cannot expect God's blessing▪ in a way of sin, when we own one for our Pastor whom we ought not.

Ans. 1. But God's grace useth to work according to the aptitude of means morally, as constant experience proveth: And the word which is used in the Sacramental administration, must be regarded, and so must other waies of teaching as well as by Sacraments. 2. And we cannot expect God's blessing▪ in a way of sin, when we own one for our Pastor whom we ought not.

Obj. But some take a man to be uncapable if he be but a sinner worse than ordinary, as a drunkard, fornicator, swearer, perjured, a scorner at diligence in Religion, &c. whereas the Ministers sin depriveth not the people of the benefit of God's Ordinances.

Ans. 1. He that not knowing the Minister to be such a one, or by true necessity useth such a one, yea or by ignorance thinketh that he should not avoid him, if he be himself a true Believer, may have God's Covenant sealed to him by the Sacrament, which such a one delivereth: Yea, by an Usurper or mere Lay-man that is in possession, and mistaken for a Minister: If a man forge his Orders, or intrude uncalled, or be an obtruded usurping Bishop, the people cannot always detect it: Nor do they lose their right to God's Sacraments, because the man hath (unknown to them) no right to administer them: But if they know such an one, they should not own him as a Minister of Christ, so far as to trust ⟨p. 108⟩