An animadversion to Mr Richard Clyftons advertisement Who under pretense of answering Chr. Lawnes book, hath published an other mans private letter, with Mr Francis Iohnsons answer therto. Which letter is here justified; the answer therto refuted: and the true causes of the lamentable breach that hath lately fallen out in the English exiled Church at Amsterdam, manifested, by Henry Ainsworth.

The 5. article

* 1.1We had learned, that none may usurp or execute a ministerie, but such as are rightly caled by the Church wherof they stand ministers, unto such offices, and in such maner as God hath prescribed in his word: now it is held by some that people out of office may execute al the works & duties of the ministerie, for baptisme, Lords supper, censures &c. And these men in their second exceptiō here write, there is one power for receiving in and casting out, and that people without officers may doo both, as is observed before.

I answer; their frawd and wrongful dealing is also observed be∣fore; and here to make their syn the more remarkable, they pro∣claym it the second time. Of ministring the sacraments, and of receiving in and casting out of members, and against usurping or executing a ministerie without due caling, we hold as alwayes here∣tofore: they repete the same things, but to their own further blame; for our professed enemies, doo not ordinarily more wrest our words.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Confess. art. 21. &c.