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…

There are three opinions concerning these Prophets mentioned by the Apostle, 1. That they had neither extraordinary and immediate inspirations of the Spirit, nor yet were ordinary Ministers called to the office of Teaching, but Church-members out of office, having ⟨p. 65⟩good gifts of opening and interpreting the Scriptures, for the edification, instruction, and comfort of the Church, and hence is the warrant taken, for the preaching or prophesying of such Church-members as are well gifted, being neither Ministers, nor intending the Ministry: Neither do the Independents only, but Socinians, and Arminians also cry up that libertas prophetandi. 2. That these Prophets were Church officers, and no more but ordinary Teachers or Interpreters of Scripture in the Church: without excluding the sons of the Prophets, or Probationers from their Assembly, and from exercising their gifts in preaching upon occasion, and for trial of their gifts, or of the growth and increase thereof, yet I remember no place in the new Testament, where ordinary Pastors are said to prophesy, except Revel: 11. 3. where notwithstanding, prophecy is ascribed unto them in no other sense, than the working of miracles, vers: 6. Those have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy, and have power over waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will. All which (prophesying and miracles) is spoken by way of allusion to Moses and Elijah. 3. That they were extraordinary Prophets, immediately and extraordinarily inspired by the holy Ghost; and that they are to be reckoned among these other administrations which were not to continue, or be ordinary in the Church. Synop: purr: theol: disp: 42. thes: 22. Martyr, loc: come: class: 4. cap. 1. Aretius, probl: theol. loc: 62. Calvin. Instit. lib: 4. cap. 3: § 4. Diodati on 1 Cor. 14. 1. the late English Annotations on 1 Cor. 12. 28. Mr. Bath on Ephes: 4. 11. together with two learned country men of mine, Mr. David Dickson, on 1 Cor: 14. 31. and Mr: Rutherfurd on his peaceable plea: c•p. 16. Apostles, Evange ists, Workers of miracles: I know many Protestant writers of very good note, are of the second opinion. But with all due respect unto them: I hold the third opinion, with Gerhard, ⟨p. 66⟩