A64998:26
The wells of salvation opened, or, Words whereby we may be saved
The wells of salvation opened, or, Words whereby we may be saved by Thomas Vincent.
London: printed for Thomas Parkhurst, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
SECT. II.
Use 1. For Reproof, doth God make use of Ministers to preach the Gospel rather than Angels? this then may reprove, 1. Such as take upon them to preach, and are no Ministers. 2. Such as take upon them to be Ministers, and are no Preachers? 3. Such as blemish their Ministry by an ungodly Conversation. 4. Such as will hearken to the Devil rather than to Ministers, though God doth employ them to preach rather than Angels.
Vse 1. FOr Reproof, doth God make use of Ministers to preach the Gospel rather than Angels? this then may reprove, 1. Such as take upon them to preach, and are no Ministers. 2. Such as take upon them to be Ministers, and are no Preachers? 3. Such as blemish their Ministry by an ungodly Conversation. 4. Such as will hearken to the Devil rather than to Ministers, though God doth employ them to preach rather than Angels.
1. This reproveth such as take upon them to preach the Gospel, and are no Ministers. And here let none mistake me, as if I spake against the preaching of any that are true Ministers of Jesus Christ, whether they be set apart for the work and office in the Episcopal or Congregational, or Presbyterian way: But I speak against the preaching of them which are no Ministers, and have no call nor commission for this ⟨p. 11⟩work. The Angel is sent here to Cornelius, but he doth not preach the Gospel to him; yea he did not dare to do it, because he had no commission; for if the Angel had received a commission to preach, he would not have dared to have forborne: None will deny that the Angel had gifts sufficient, if that had been commission; but because he did not preach, it is a sign he had no commission; and if the Angel did not dare to preach when he was not commissioned, how dare uncommissioned men to do it? I speak not only of the preaching of such as are lamentably deficient in gifts (except in their own conceit) but also of the preaching of them which have good gifts (which might well and regularly be made use of in a private way) but they are of other callings in which they are commanded to abide, if they would abide with God,