Lastly, That I may not be too long, Though it be a necessary Point, the private use of their gifts must be in such duties, and in such matters as are not above ⟨p. 494⟩them: They may pray together, humble themselves, exhort one another out of the Word of God in profitable things of Edification, but to determine the most controverted Points in Religion is far above their strength; Therefore let every one imitate Davids Humility, to walk humbly and not to exercise himself in things that are too high for him; The Apostle doth often antidote against pride and conceit, as if we did know things when we did not, and as the matter must not be above them, so it must be in that which is necessary and profitable, How many trouble themselves about Universal Redemption? which is not only a Doctrine above their capacities, but they might do better to find their own interest in Christs Death; Certainly if Christians would meet, as of old they were wont, not to dispute in high, unprofitable Points, but how to be more holy, more mortified, to walk more godlily in their Relations, then their meeting together would be for the better and not for the worse, But now Christs Sheep do run into many bri•rs of Disputations, that they almost lose all their wool; Therefore the Apostle speaketh excellently to this purpose, 1 Tim. 6.3, 4. he had pressed to godliness in Relations, and then saith, Let no man teach otherwise then the Doctrine which is according to godliness; If they do, there comes no good of such Disputes, but envyings, strifes, and carnal dissentions amongst one another: I was willing to add thus much, because it's thought that we would monopolize the Spirit of God, as that we envied the gifts and graces of God in others; No, God forbid, this only we would direct them, so as their liberty may not be turned to licentiousness: Even by the Canonists who were no ways much favourable to private Christians, yet they did allow them charitativam, though not potestativam admonition; There is therefore no private Christian, no nor woman, but they may be instrumental to the converting of Husbands and Children yea, with the Woman of Samaria be a means to bring the knowledge of Christ to others;
Lastly, That I may not be too long, Though it be a necessary Point, the private use of their gifts must be in such duties, and in such matters as are not above ⟨p. 494⟩them: They may pray together, humble themselves, exhort one another out of the Word of God in profitable things of Edification, but to determine the most controverted Points in Religion is farre above their strength; Therefore let every one imitate Davids Humility, to walk humbly and not to exercise himself in things that are too high for him; The Apostle doth often antidote against pride and conceit, as if we did know things when we did not, and as the matter must not be above them, so it must be in that which is necessary and profitable, How many trouble themselves about Universal Redemption? which is not only a Doctrine above their capacities, but they might do better to finde their own interest in Christs Death; Certainly if Christians would meet, as of old they were wont, not to dispute in high, unprofitable Points, but how to be more holy, more mortified, to walk more godlily in their Relations, then their meeting together would be for the better and not for the worse, But now Christs Sheep do run into many bri•rs of Disputations, that they almost lose all their wool; Therefore the Apostle speaketh excellently to this purpose, 1 Tim. 6.3, 4. he had pressed to godlinesse in Relations, and then saith, Let no man teach otherwise then the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse; If they do, there comes no good of such Disputes, but envyings, strifes, and carnal dissentions amongst one another: I was willing to adde thus much, because it's thought that we would monopolize the Spirit of God, as that we envied the gifts and graces of God in others; No, God forbid, this only we would direct them, so as their liberty may not be turned to licentiousnesse: Even by the Canonists who were no waies much favourable to private Christians, yet they did allow them charitativam, though not potestativam admonition; There is therefore no private Christian, no nor woman, but they may be instrumental to the converting of Husbands and Children yea, with the Woman of Samaria be a means to bring the knowledge of Christ to others;
