A second sheet for the ministry justifying our calling against Quakers, seekers, and papists…A second sheet for the ministry iustifying our calling against Quakers, seekers, and papists…

Argument 5. If we have as clear a call to our Office as any Magistrates on earth have to theirs, then we are true Ministers of Christ. For they are true Magistrates: and God is the Fountain of their power too: and its impossible they should have any but from him. Or from him but by his means. Officers have no power but from the Sovereign. The Prince was at first chosen by God, immediately, as well as the Apostles were by Christ, yet no Prince can plead an uninterrupted succession thence: And if they may Reign without it, we may be Pastors without it: and yet I cannot say that we are without it, though Princes be. Kings were formerly anointed by inspired Prophets, and were Prophets themselves. And as the continuance of this is not necessary to them, so neither to us. The differences between their power and ours, makes nothing against this Argument: If conquest, or the peoples consent, or Birth, or directing Providences can prove their Title, then Consent, Ordination, Providence, with due Qualifications, will sure prove ours: were it not for fear, they should soon hear the Arguments more set home against themselves, that are now bent against the Ministers.

Argument 5. If we have as clear a call to our Office as any Magistrates on earth have to theirs, then we are true Ministers of Christ. For they are true Magistrates: and God is the Fountain of their power too: and its impossible they should have any but from him. Or from him but by his means. Officers have no power but from the Soveraign. The Prince was at first chosen by God, immediately, as well as the Apostles were by Christ, yet no Prince can plead an uninterrupted succession thence: And if they may Reign without it, we may be Pastors without it: and yet I cannot say that we are without it, though Princes be. Kings were formerly anointed by inspired Prophets, and were Prophets themselves. And as the continuance of this is not necessary to them, so neither to us. The differences between their power and ours, makes nothing against this Argument: If conquest, or the peoples consent, or Birth, or directing Providences can prove their Title, then Consent, Ordination, Providence, with due Qualifications, will sure prove ours: were it not for fear, they should soon hear the Arguments more set home against themselves, that are now bent against the Ministers.