Five disputations of church-government and worship

In the first sense, none but truly sanctified men can be Ministers; ⟨p. 131⟩but in the latter an unsanctified man may be a Minister. As there is a difference among Members between the Visible and Mystical, (of which I have spoken elsewhere.^*) So is there between Pastors. Some have a Title that in foro Ecclesiae or Ecclesia judice will hold good, that have none that is good in foro Dei: In one word▪ the Church is bound to take many a man as a true Minister to them, and receive the Ordinances from him in faith, and expectation of a Blessing upon promise; who yet before God is a sinful invader, an usurper of the Ministry, and shall be condemned for it.

In the first sence, none but truely sanctified men can be Ministers; ⟨p. 131⟩but in the latter an unsanctified man may be a Minister. As there is a difference among Members between the Visible and Mystical, (of which I have spoken elsewhere.^*) So is there between Pastors. Some have a Title that in foro Ecclesiae or Ecclesia judice will hold good, that have none that is good in foro Dei: In one word▪ the Church is bound to take many a man as a true Minister to them, and receive the Ordinances from him in faith, and expectation of a Blessing upon promise; who yet before God is a sinful invader, an usurper of the Ministry, and shall be condemned for it.

1. *Dispute of Right to Sacraments.

As in worldly Possessions, many a man hath a good Title before men, and at the bar of man, so that no man may disturb his Possession, nor take it from him, without the guilt of theft, when yet he may have no good Right at the bar of God to justify him in his retention. So it is here.