N00777:8
A warning to the flocks against wolves in sheeps clothing. Or, A faithful advice,…A warning to the flocks against wolves in sheeps cloathing. Or, A faithful advice,…
A warning to the flocks against wolves in sheeps clothing. Or, A faithful advice, from several ministers of the Gospel, in and near Boston, unto the churches of New-England, relating to the dangers that may arise from impostors, pretending to be ministers. : With a brief history of some impostors, remarkably and seasonably detected written, by one of the ministers in Boston, to assert that advice, and prevent future mischiefs. : [Five lines of Scripture texts]A warning to the flocks against wolves in sheeps cloathing. Or, A faithful advice, from several ministers of the Gospel, in and near Boston, unto the churches of New-England, relating to the dangers that may arise from impostors, pretending to be ministers. : With a brief history of some impostors, remarkably and seasonably detected written, by one of the ministers in Boston, to assert that advice, and prevent future mischiefs. : [Five lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by B. Green and J. Allen, 1700
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.
IT is not without some Concern upon our Minds, that in the late Writings of our Presbyterian Brethren in England, we find awful Complaints, about Bold Intruders into the Work of the Ministry, & the swarming of that Vermin, with an hideous Noise, not in Corners and Chambers, but in the very Pulpits; likely to prove an Egyptian plague; upon which they add, If these Illiterate Usurpers are not speedily and effectually discountenanced by Ministers and People too, they who are already the Blemish of Nonconformity, will quickly prove the total Ruin of it. But it satisfied us more than a little, to hear of their care that the Confusions thus complained, may be prevented, by a Vote of this Importance, ⟨p. 4⟩That they would Employ none to Preach in any of their Pulpits, but such as either arrived unto them with credible Testimonials, or submitted themselves unto a solemn Trial of their Qualifications for the Evangelical Ministry. Our Congregational Brethren in England, being alarumed with a clamour of the Dangers hence arising to the Interests of our Holy Religion, we do with a like satisfaction find, they have lately published a Declaration, wherein, signifying, That inasmuch as they count none meet to dispense the Oracles of God unto others, who are not themselves Qualified for Communion in all Ordinances, their joining themselves to a particular Church of Christ, would be a good Expedient to prevent Ignorant and Rash Intruders into the Ministry; seeing then, it would be the Duty of Particular Churches and their Officers, to take special care, that none of their Communion, who are not Qualified, may enter on that Work; they thereupon […], We Express our Dislike, and witness against all Ignorant and Scandalous persons, Entering on the Ministry; and we do in the Bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, pray and beseech all such as fear God, that they give not the least Encouragement unto the Preaching of men, either Ignorant or Erroneous in the Great Articles ⟨p. 5⟩of Faith, or Scandalous in their Lives and Conversations, or otherwise Unmeet for this Holy Employment, Lest they bring the Guilt of these mens Sins on their own Souls.
IT is not without some Concern upon our Minds, that in the late Writings of our Presbyterian Bretheren in England, we find awful Complaints, about Bold Intruders into the Work of the Ministry, & the swarming of that Vermine, with an hideous Noise, not in Corners and Chambers, but in the very Pulpits; likely to prove an Egyptian plague; upon which they add, If these Illiterate Usurpers are not speedily and effectually discountenanced by Ministers and People too, they who are already the Blemish of Nonconformity, will quickly prove the total Ruine of it. But it satisfied us more than a little, to hear of their care that the Confusions thus complained, may be prevented, by a Vote of this Importance,