A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…

Sect. 17. He adds, (That we may not think all this to be only a Romantic Scheme, or Fiction,) he adds, (that they are not able to confute the people in too many places, who tell them that their public Priests are so defective in their necessary Qualifications for their Office, as that they hold it unlawful to own such for true Ministers, and to encourage them by their presence, and commit the care of their Souls to such. Ans. 1. This is true: we are not able to confute them: If you be rejoice in your Wisdom. 2. Either you would have us believe that there are none such, or that no such are to be so refused. The first you attempt not: If you did, I would repeat a Catalogue of my old Teachers and Acquaintance: but I have named them to Mr. Hinkley. And as to the second, I prove it (a sad task for such a one as you to put us on.) 1. Such as are known to be no authorized Ministers of Christ, should not be owned as such: But all those that want the necessary Qualifications for their Office are no authorized Ministers of Christ. Ergo. If the Major were not true, Error or Lying were a duty. The truth of the Minor is evident in the terms: necessartum est sine quo res non esse potest. It is Qualifications necessary to the Office in esse, and not only to the well performance that is mentioned. Forma nunquam recipitur in materiam disposition necessaria carentem. But here the Office is the form, and the necessary disposition of the matter is supposed wanting. Ergo. Again: All men are bound to avoid the apparent means of Damnation: To trust the conduct of our Souls to men uncapable for want of ⟨p. 85⟩necessary Qualifications, is an apparent means of Damnation (as excluding an ordinarily necessary means of Salvation,) Ergo. Again: It is a great sin to encourage men in the wilful damning of their own Souls, and hindering the Salvation of many others: But to own an unqualified uncapable man as a Minister of Christ, is to encourage him in the wilful damnation of himself (by his profane undertaking) and in hindering the salvation of many others, Ergo. I will not recite what Zechary and other Prophets say of the usage of false pretenders to be Prophets, lest you misapply it. Again: No man ought to consent to the profane subverting of Christ's Church-Offices and Ordinances:

Sect. 17. He adds, (That we may not think all this to be only a Romantick Scheme, or Fiction,) he adds, (that they are not able to confute the people in too many places, who tell them that their publick Priests are so defective in their necessary Qualifications for their Office, as that they hold it unlawful to own such for true Ministers, and to encourage them by their presence, and commit the care of their Souls to such. Ans. 1. This is true: we are not able to confute them: If you be rejoice in your Wisdom. 2. Either you would have us believe that there are none such, or that no such are to be so refused. The first you attempt not: If you did, I would repeat a Catalogue of my old Teachers and Acquaintance: but I have named them to Mr. Hinkley. And as to the second, I prove it (a sad task for such a one as you to put us on.) 1. Such as are known to be no authorized Ministers of Christ, should not be owned as such: But all those that want the necessary Qualifications for their Office are no authorized Ministers of Christ. Ergo. If the Major were not true, Error or Lying were a duty. The truth of the Minor is evident in the terms: necessartum est sine quo res non esse potest. It is Qualifications necessary to the Office in esse, and not only to the well performance that is mentioned. Forma nunquam recipitur in materiam dispositione necessaria carentem. But here the Office is the forme, and the necessary disposition of the matter is supposed wanting. Ergo. Again: All men are bound to avoid the apparent means of Damnation: To trust the conduct of our Souls to men uncapable for want of