A77605:54
Cases considered and resolved. Wherein all the tender godly conscientious ministers in England (whether…
Cases considered and resolved. Wherein all the tender godly conscientious ministers in England (whether for a Congregational, or a Presbyterial way) are concerned. Or pills to purge malignants. And all profane, ignorant, and scandalous persons. (But more particularly calculated for the meridian of Margarets Fishstreet-hill) from those gross conceits that they have of their children's right to baptism; and of their own right to the Supper of the Lord, &c. Also good counsel to bad men. Or friendly advise (in several particulars) to unfriendly neighbours. By Thomas Brooks, a willing servant unto God, and the faith of his people, in the glorious Gospel of Christ, at Margarets Fishstreet-hill.Cases considered and resolved. Wherein all the tender godly conscientious ministers in England (whether for a Congregationall, or a Presbyteriall way) are concerned. Or pills to purge malignants. And all prophane, ignorant, and scandalous persons. (But more particularly calculated for the meridian of Margarets Fishstreet-hill) from those grosse conceits that they have of their childrens right to baptisme; and of their owne right to the Supper of the Lord, &c. Also good councell to bad men. Or friendly advise (in severall particulars) to unfriendly neighbours. By Thomas Brooks, a willing servant unto God, and the faith of his people, in the glorious Gospel of Christ, at Margarets Fishstreet-hill.
London: printed by M. Simmons for John Hancock, 1653
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.
5. 'Tis to be remembered, that when the Petitioners were several times pressed by the Committee, to show wherein I was not qualified for the work of the Ministry, 1they all seemed to be dumb, and at very great loss, as not knowing what to ⟨p. 9⟩answer; but at last, their malignant Champion, after much pumping gave this answer to the Committee, That I was not so qualified to their understandings, as to remain any longer among them; because I would not give them the Sacraments, nor bury their dead; which put some rather upon smilings, then upon answering. But at last a worthy Member of that Committee, made this answer, That they had both heard me and seen me in Print, and so were best able to make a judgement of my abilities, and fitness for the work of the Ministry, &c. For a close of this branch of the Petition, I shall only say this, (being compelled thereunto by some) that I do believe, that I have spent more money at the University, and in helps to Learning, then several of these Petitioners are worth: (though haply I have not been so good a proficient, as those that have spent less) I am a lover of the Tongues, and do, by daily experience, find, that knowledge in the Original tongues, is no small help for the understanding of Scripture, &c. Yet am I not kin to them, that advance and lift up acquired gifts, above the sweet sanctifying gifts and graces of the Spirit of Christ, in the souls of his Saints, as many have, and do to this day. But certainly Christ will more and mote, cloud those that labour to cloud the shinings forth of his Spirit, in the souls of his servants. Nor yet am I kin to Licinius, who held Learning to be the Common wealths Ratsbane. Neither am I kin to those, that labour might and main the overthrow of Learning, in order to their lifting up Jack Straw. 'Tis sad, when men are not so ingenious, as to favour that in others, which they can't find in themselves.
5. 'Tis to be remembred, that when the Petitioners were several times prest by the Committee, to shew wherein I was not qualified for the work of the Ministry, 1they all seemed to be dumb, and at very great losse, as not knowing what to ⟨p. 9⟩