I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

The False Apostle, tried and discovered. ON Revel. 2.2.

The False Apostle, tryed and discovered. ON Revel. 2.2.

IT is held that these seven Epistles, written to the seven Churches in Asia, contain the state of Christs Church unto his coming again Page 405 The first Epistle is written to languishing Ephesus ibid. Christs commendations of this Church ibid. 1. For her Labour. 2. Patience. 3. Zeal. Page 406 Her Zeal is described two ways. First, By the Persons they dealt withal, false Teachers. Secondly, By their exercise of their Zeal, and that in two things, 1. By the discovery of false Teachers. 2. By the hatred of their deeds. ibid. The discovery of false Teachers was a work concerned the Apostles then living ibid. DOCT. It is a work of great Commendation with Jesus Christ, to try, and discover false Teachers. To clear this Point, consider, ibid. Arg. 1. What dangerous people false Teachers are Page 407 Arg. 2. It it hard to discover them Page 408 Arg. 3. It is an excellent thing to discover them Page 409 Object. Is it lawful to go to their meetings to discover them? Page 410 Answ. Negatively, No more than you must go to Rome to try, and find out Papists ibid. Quest. How then shall I try all things? ibid. Answ. Mark this Scripture well, 1 Thes. 5.20, 21. ibid. Application. We should all take pains in this work, because Christ commends it Page 411 ⟨image 300⟩Quest. If we may not go to their Meetings, how shall we discover false Teachers? Page 412 Answ. All Teachers are to be discovered three ways. By Their Call Their Doctrine Their Fruits, or Lives. ibid. I. For a mans Call to preach: He is called either to a particular work, or to an Office. The first is called Prophecy: and so some men are called to preach. If men be so called, then they must preach, 1. According to the Analogy of Faith. 2. If so called, they must have a Gift to profit others by 3. He must submit what he saith, to the judgment of others, or he is a false Prophet in this kind ibid. Secondly, If a man be called to Office, then his Office is either Extraordinary, or Ordinary ibid. 1 If Extraordinary, he is either a Prophet to foretell what is to come; or an Evangelist, whose Office is to minister to the Apostles. Page 412, 413 2 If a man be called to an ordinary Office, 1. He must be apparently Godly. 2. He must be qualified for preaching. 3. He must be chosen, or desired by the Church. 4. He must be separated to the work of the Ministry. ibid. II. For the Doctrine;