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…

That which hath long lurked in the hearts of many Atheists, is now professed and argued for, by that fierce furious Erastian, whose book was published the last year at Franeker. He cries out that the world is abused with that notion of a pretended sacred ministerial calling, that though the Apostles and others who first preached the Gospel, were indeed sent and set apart for that holy calling, which was also confirmed by signs and miracles, and they were therefore to be received and submitted unto, as the Ambassadors of Christ, yet Ministers and Pastors now are not to be acknowledged, as the Ambassadors of Christ, neither is there any such thing now to be acknowledged, as a special distinct sacred calling, or solemn setting apart of men to the ministry of the Word and Sacraments, but any who is fit and gifted, though not called or ordained, may both preach and minister the Sacraments, Baptism and the Lords Supper. The Sect of Seekers also hold that there are not at this time, neither have been for many ages past any true Ministers or Ambassadors of Christ. Now for confutation of these Errors, and for the confirmation and ⟨p. 2⟩settlement of such as are any way shaken or troubled therewith, I have thought good here in the first place, to make sure this principle that the Ministry as it is distinct both from Magistracy, and from private Christians, is a perpetual standing Ordinance of Christ in his Church to the end of the world. This I prove first from, Mat. 28. 19, 20. That Commission, Go ye and teach all nations, baptising them, &c: could not be meant of the Apostles only or other Ministers of Christ at that time, respectively and personally, but must needs be extended to true Preachers and baptisers in all ages to the end of the world, as is manifested by the promise added: and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world.

THat which hath long lurked in the hearts of many Atheists, is now professed and argued for, by that sierce furious Erastiane, whose book was published the last year at Franeker. He cryes out that the world is abused with that notion of a pretended sacred ministerial calling, that though the Apostles and others who first preached the Gospel, were indeed sent and set apart for that holy calling, which was also confirmed by signes and miracles, and they were therefore to bee received and submitted unto, as the Embassadours of Christ, yet Ministers and Pastours now are not to be acknowledged, as the Embassadours of Christ, neither is there any such thing now to be acknowledged, as a speciall distinct sacred calling, or solemne setting apart of men to the ministerie of the VVord and Sacraments, but any who is fit and gifted, though not called or ordained, may both preach and minister the Sacraments, Baptisme and the Lords Supper. The Sect of Seekers also hold that there are not at this time, neither have been for many ages past any true Ministers or Embassadours of Christ. Now for confutation of these Errors, and for the confirmation and