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 might be also some thing mingled with that which the Prophets received, and it might fall out, that that which they added of their own, by way of confirmation, illustration ⟨p. 83⟩or application, might be justly subject to censure, whether it must be tried and judged by others, whether the prophesies proceed from the inspiration of the holy Spirit, and according to the rule of faith, Esa. 8. 20.

There might be also some thing mingled with that which the Prophets receaved, and it might fall out, that that which they added of their own, by way of confirmation, illustration ⟨p. 83⟩or application, might be justly subject to censure, wheher it must be tryed and judged by others, whether the prophesies proceed from the inspiration of the holy Spirit, and according to the rule of faith, Esa. 8. 20.

Object: 6. The Apostle distinguisheth Prophecy from ministry, Rom. 12. 6, 7. therefore they who prophesied, were gifted persons out of office. Answ: 1. Diverse resolve that Text thus, that first the Apostle maketh a general division of Ecclesiastical offices, Prophecy, comprehending these that labour in the word and doctrine, Ministry comprehending those that labour not in the word and doctrine, and that thereafter the Apostle subdivideth prophesying into the pastoral and doctoral function: and Ministry, he subdivideth into the office of the ruling Elder, Deacon, and the other of showing mercy, which was committed sometimes to old men, sometimes to widows. 2. When I look again and again unto that Text, I rather incline to understand by prophecy there, the extraordinary prophecy, and by Ministry, the ordinary offices in the Church. Having then gifts saith the Apostle, and differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith that under the colour of prophecy and revelation, we bring nothing which is not agreeable to the rule of faith, Or Ministry, let us wait on Ministry. If our office and administration be ordinary, let us attend it; and not slight it, because it is ordinary. Then he enlargeth this last by an enumeration of the ordinary offices in the Church, Pastors, Teachers, ruling Elders and Deacons. While I am writing these things, I find Gomarus upon