The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. There is an authoritative, public counselling, admonishing, &c. which belongeth only to Pastors lawfully called. Observe what the holy Ghost saith, Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Pastors? Are all Teachers? No, all are not gifted for it. It would much reflect upon the King of Heaven to send servants upon such weighty errands, that were unfit for them, and did rather render their business ridiculous. Its no easy thing for a person to be qualified for a public preacher: The great Apostle crieth out, Who is sufficient for these things? though the voice of ignorant men is, Who is not sufficient for these things? Besides all are not called to it. It is not gifts and parts that will make a Subject an Officer at home, or an Ambassador abroad, but a Commission from his Prince; Let no man take this honour upon him, unless he be called of God, as was Aaron. There be many works which private Christians may not meddle with, as to consecrate things, to constitute Ecclesiastical laws, to excommunicate, to receive in those that are cast out, to administer the Sacraments, &c. But those works which they may and ought to do, as, to exhort, advise, admonish, comfort, &c. they must do them as private members, not as public Officers in the name or stead of ⟨p. 280⟩Christ, and to private members, not to the Church.

1. There is an authorative, publick counselling, admonishing, &c. which belongeth only to Pastors lawfully called. Observe what the holy Ghost saith, Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Pastors? Are all Teachers? No, all are not gifted for it. It would much reflect upon the King of Heaven to send servants upon such weighty errands, that were unfit for them, and did rather render their business ridiculous. Its no easie thing for a person to be qualified for a publick preacher: The great Apostle cryeth out, Who is sufficient for these things? though the voyce of ignorant men is, Who is not sufficient for these things? Besides all are not called to it. It is not gifts and parts that will make a Subject an Officer at home, or an Ambassador abroad, but a Commission from his Prince; Let no man take this honour upon him, unless he be called of God, as was Aaron. There be many works which private Christians may not meddle with, as to consecrate things, to constitute Ecclesiastical laws, to excommunicate, to receive in those that are cast out, to administer the Sacraments, &c. But those works which they may and ought to do, as, to exhort, advise, admonish, comfort, &c. they must do them as private members, not as publick Officers in the name or stead of