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

Thus far are the very words of Mr. Powell's Letter. Now if this Man had not questioned this thing, but gone into the West to preach, he and others who heard the relation, might have judged that it was an extraordinary call and commission which this man had from Heaven, and that with seeming greater grounds than what others pretend for their ⟨p. 17⟩extraordinary commissions; whereas upon further search, you perceive it was the Devil was sending a good man out of his way; if he being no Minister had then preached upon this sending, he had been a Messenger of the Devil, and not a Messenger of Jesus Christ. For my part, I cannot believe that any are called and commissioned by Christ to preach, unless they can show their call and commission in the Scripture; Take heed then (my Beloved) especially you which are young, that if gifts increase you be not puffed up with pride, and begin first to undervalue Christs Ministers, and think you can do their work better your selves, and so venture to transgress Scripture-rules by preaching without commission and Scripture-warrant; very dangerous may the consequences of such preaching be, as I could give some instances. God hath appointed one Office for this work of Preaching, and that is the Office of the Ministry; and though he have Angels about him full of wisdom and knowledge in the mysteries of salvation, yet he doth not employ them in the work, but qualifieth and calleth some men unto it; and if Angels which are not Ministers of the Gospel must not preach, much less may men do it who are not Ministers.

Thus far are the very words of Mr. Powels Letter. Now if this Man had not questioned this thing, but gone into the West to preach, he and others who heard the relation, might have judged that it was an extraordinary call and commission which this man had from Heaven, and that with seeming greater grounds than what others pretend for their ⟨p. 17⟩extraordinary commissions; whereas upon further search, you perceive it was the Devil was sending a good man out of his way; if he being no Minister had then preached upon this sending, he had been a Messenger of the Devil, and not a Messenger of Jesus Christ. For my part, I cannot believe that any are called and commissioned by Christ to preach, unless they can show their call and commission in the Scripture; Take heed then (my Beloved) especially you which are young, that if gifts encrease you be not puffed up with pride, and begin first to undervalue Christs Ministers, and think you can do their work better your selves, and so venture to transgress Scripture-rules by preaching without commission and Scripture-warrant; very dangerous may the consequences of such preaching be, as I could give some instances. God hath appointed one Office for this work of Preaching, and that is the Office of the Ministry; and though he have Angels about him full of wisdom and knowledge in the mysteries of salvation, yet he doth not employ them in the work, but qualifieth and calleth some men unto it; and if Angels which are not Ministers of the Gospel must not preach, much less may men do it who are not Ministers.