CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Fourthly, The people are required to do distinct duties to them, to hear them, to obey them, to submit themselves to them, to esteem of them as the Messengers of God, yea, to have them in high estimation for their works sake. Certainly, none can impartially read the Epistles of Paul, (therefore I need not name the particular places) but he must be convinced of the distinct Office of a Ministry, and the peoples duty thereunto.

Fourthly, The people are required to do distinct duties to them, to hear them, to obey them, to submit themselves to them, to esteem of them as the Messengers of God, yea, to have them in high estimation for their works sake. Certainly, none can impartially reade the Epistles of Paul, (therefore I need not name the particular places) but he must be convinced of the distinct Office of a Ministry, and the peoples duty thereunto.

In the third place, we are to prove,¹ That none may enter into this Office without an Authoritative Mission. And

1. 1That none may enter into this Office without an authoritative mission.

First, Here is constant example and pattern of the Church in the Apostles times. We cannot read of any that undertook this Office, but they were solemnly set apart to it, Acts 14.23. and in other places. Now if in the primitive times, when yet Christians were so eminently gifted, there was a solemn setting of them apart, How much more in after ages? Neither can any one example be brought to the contrary, I mean of taking an Office in the Church without a Call: Now is it not far better to follow the presidents of Scripture, then to go after our own thoughts? especially when Christ himself, though so admirably gifted, yet would not undertake this Office without a Call, as the Apostle doth diligently consider it, Heb 5.7.