A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

Object. 5. He that digged in the earth, and hid his talent, is condemned for it, Mat. 25. 25. 30. Therefore he that hath gifts for preaching, and administering the Sacraments, cannot answer it to God, except he improve and use those gifts. Ans. 1. If that Parable be applied to Ministerial talents, then it will prove, not only a perpetual Ministry, because the Lord saith to his servants, Occupy till I come, Luke: 19. 13. But likewise, that none ought to intrude themselves into that holy function, except they have a calling as well as gifts, for Mat: 25. 14, 15. that Lord called his own servants (Luke saith, he called his ten servants) and delivered unto them his goods: and unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to every one according to his several ability: Where we have a distinction of the calling and ability, suppose another man had been able enough, yet if he be none of the called ones, ⟨p. 61⟩that Parable cannot be applied to him. 2. This Objection may be made in the behalf of women also; many of whom receive excellent gifts from God, yea, it was foretold by Joel, and applied by Peter: that women as well as men should Prophesy, Acts 2. 7. 8. Which being misunderstood, gave some colour to the old Pepuzian Heresy.

Object. 5. He that digged in the earth, and hid his talent, is condemned for it, Mat. 25. 25. 30. Therefore he that hath gifts for preaching, and administering the Sacraments, cannot answere it to God, except he improve and use those gifts. Ans. 1. If that Parable be applyed to Ministeriall talents, then it will prove, not onely a perpetuall Ministery, because the Lord saith to his servants, Occupie till I come, Luke: 19. 13. But likewise, that none ought to intrude themselves into that holy function, except they have a calling as well as gifts, for Mat: 25. 14, 15. that Lord called his owne servants (Luke saith, hee called his ten servants) and delivered unto them his goods: and unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to everie one according to his severall abilitie: Where wee have a distinction of the calling and ability, suppose another man had been able enough, yet if he bee none of the called ones,