The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

§. 35. And I. Nothing is more wanting hereto than better qualifications in the persons: 1. That there be a strong wit, and good acquired gifts of knowledge, and a strong and lively faith from Divine illumination, and good acquaintance with the Oracles of God: A Pastor or Teacher should not only know the essentials of Christianity, which every Christian knoweth, but also the Integrals and many ⟨p. 219⟩Accidents. And both essentials and integrals should be known by him by a more clear, distinct and orderly understanding, not only above the vulgus s•delium, (common Christians) but above the better sort of the flock. And some store of natural and common knowledge called Learning is needful hereunto: But especially more illumination, faith and holy wisdom, and skilfulness in matter, sense and method of the word of God.

§. 35. And I. Nothing is more wanting hereto than better qualifications in the persons: 1. That there be a strong wit, and good acquired gifts of knowledge, and a strong and lively faith from Divine illumination, and good acquaintance with the Oracles of God: A Pastor or Teacher should not only know the essentials of Christianity, which every Christian knoweth, but also the Integrals and many ⟨p. 219⟩Accidents. And both essentials and integrals should be known by him by a more clear, distinct and orderly understanding, not only above the vulgus s•delium, (common Christians) but above the better sort of the flock. And some store of natural and common knowledge called Learning is needful hereunto: But especially more illumination, faith and holy wisdom, and skilfulness in matter, senc• and method of the word of God.

§. 36. Where Gods Word is not by the Teacher clearly understood and firmly believed, and he is not well acquainted with the work of his office, it is not any formalities of Ordination, consent or Titles that use to make up these defects as to the success. To say what God can do, is little to this business: He can make an Ass to preach to Balaam: He can work by fools and ignorant men and heretics: But Scripture and all the common experience of ages assureth us that it is not his ordinary way, and that he rarely blesseth such with great success, but worketh according to the qualifications of the Instrument and the Receivers. And let a mans tiles and ordination be what they will, weak men will do weakly, and ignorant men will do ignorantly, and erring men will do erroneously, and the Gospel will be wronged, the people will be hurt or losers, and enemies will deride and scorn.