Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 25. To this some may say, that [Its true we may preach in such cases, but not as Ministers, but as private men: and we may baptize as private men in Necessity: but we may do nothing that is proper to the Ministry] To this I answer. God hath not made the Consecration of the Bread and Wine in the Eucharist, nor yet the Governing of the Church, the only proper acts of the Ministry. To preach the word as a constant service, to which we are separated, or wholly give up our selves, and to baptize ordinarily, and to congregate the Disciples, and to Teach and Lead them in Gods worship, are all as proper to the Ministry as the other. And these are works that mens eternal happiness lieth on. If you would have an able gifted Christian in China, Tartary, Indostan, or such places, (supposing he have opportunity) to speak but occasionally as private men, and not to speak to Assemblies, and wholly give up himself to the work, and gather Churches, and set a foot all Church Ordinances among them, you would have him unnaturally cruel to mens souls. And if you would have him give up himself to these works, and yet not ⟨p. 156⟩be a Minister, you speak contradictions. For whats the office of a Minister, but [a state of Obligation and power to exercise the Ministerial acts?] As its nothing else to be a Physician, supposing abilities, but to be obliged and empowered to do the work of a Physician] The works of the Ministry are of Necessity to the salvation of mens souls; Though here and there one may be saved without them by privater means, yet that's nothing to all the rest: It is the salvation of Towns and Countries that we speak of. I count him not a man, that had rather they were all damned, then saved by an unordained man.

Sect. 25. To this some may say, that [Its true we may preach in such cases, but not as Ministers, but as private men: and we may baptize as private men in Necessity: but we may do nothing that is proper to the Ministry] To this I answer. God hath not made the Consecration of the Bread and Wine in the Eucharist, nor yet the Governing of the Church, the only proper acts of the Ministry. To preach the word as a constant service, to which we are separated, or wholly give up our selves, and to baptize ordinarily, and to congregate the Disciples, and to Teach and Lead them in Gods worship, are all as proper to the Ministry as the other. And these are works that mens eternal happiness lieth on. If you would have an able gifted Christian in China, Tartary, Indostan, or such places, (supposing he have opportunity) to speak but occasionally as private men, and not to speak to Assemblies, and wholly give up himself to the work, and gather Churches, and set a foot all Church Ordinances among them, you would have him unnaturally cruell to mens souls. And if you would have him give up himself to these works, and yet not