The wells of salvation opened, or, Words whereby we may be saved

3. The encouraging of ungifted persons to preach, who in their own conceits have as good gifts as themselves, and may plead as good authority: as also the encouraging erroneous persons privily to broach false Doctrines unto the corrupting of the minds of the hearers; and by consequence the introduction of confusion, and tearing the Church of Christ, which in the issue may prove its destruction.

3. The encouraging of ungifted persons to preach, who in their own conceits have as good gifts as themselves, and may plead as good authority: as also the encouraging erroneous persons privily to broach false Doctrines unto the corrupting of the mindes of the hearers; and by consequence the introduction of confusion, and tearing the Church of Christ, which in the issue may prove its de••ruction.

I know that Lay-preachers will plead the practice of the Apostle Paul, who wrought in his Trade of Tent-making, whilst he was a Preacher of the ⟨p. 13⟩Gospel. I grant that Paul was a Tent-maker, but he was called and ordained to be a Minister; and though he did practise his trade after this, yet I do not remember that he did it more than once, which was amongst the Corinthians, and that upon a special occasion, that he might preach the Gospel freely, and be like some false Teachers who boasted herein: but when did he do it again? Did he not receive maintenance from other Churches without working for his living? besides, he had extraordinary gifts by immediate inspiration, which none now may hope to obtain without the use of ordinary means. But whatever Pauls practice was, he doth never make mention of it for an example, which other Ministers should imitate him in; for when he writeth to Timothy a Minister, he enjoineth him from the Lord to spend his whole time about his Ministry, and not in any other calling; he exhorteth him to give himself to reading, and meditation, and doctrine, to be in these things wholly, as the original word doth signify. Moreover, the other Apostles, however they were at first Fisher-men by trade, yet when they were called to be Fishers of men, they leave their Nets, and after Christs ascension they would not so much as take upon them the work of Deacons to minister unto Widows, why? read the reason,