An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Hence it is also, That in the several ages of the Church there have been false Prophets and false Apostles. Yea our Saviour Mat. 26. saith, There will be also false Christs; and the Apostle saith, The Devil transformeth himself into an angel of light, 2 Cor. 11. 14. But my intent is not at this time, to dispute the Nature of a Ministers Call, and how you may discern it from false Calls, when you may conclude the Minister you live under hath a true Call. For all this will be more properly handled towards the the end of this Epistle, when the Apostle is compelled to plead his Call against those that questioned it.

In the second place, It's not enough to plead a Call, and that a true one, unless there be also a faithful improving of it, unless the Office be executed ¹according to the institution of it. Paul doth not glory in the mere Title and Office of an Apostleship, but supposeth also his faithful dispensation of it. Yea he was so careful herein, that he professeth, He knew nothing by himself, viz. of negligent and ill administration in this Office, 1 Cor. 4. 2. Yea he saith, That he kept his body, lest while he preached to others, he himself should become a reprobate, 1 Cor. 9. 27. Judas was an Apostle, yet he had little cause to boast in that Office, seeing he was a Devil at the same time. Grant therefore that some may make it clear, that they have a Call from God, yet if they are not faithful and diligent therein, the greater will be their condemnation ⟨p. 21⟩be. Suppose the Pope could prove (which yet he can never do) that he doth succeed Peter, and that in Universal Jurisdiction, yet if he did not succeed likewise Peter in his Doctrine, in his diligence and life, he were inexcusable: and well did the Painter draw Peter with too red a colour, as blushing at the enormities of his Successors. So that two things go to make a complete Officer in the Church, his Divine Call, and his faithful administration thereof; and this later is necessary, because without diligence therein he cannot expect that promise, and assistance of God, which otherwise would be communicated unto him.