An apologie for the ministry and its maintenance wherein is set forth the necessity, dignity and efficacy of a gospel-ministry against the Socinians, Swenckfieldians, Weigelians, Anabaptists, Enthusiasts, Familists, Seekers, Quakers, Levellers, Libertines and the rest of that rout ... / by Tho. Hall.

TO THE Impartial READER.

Reader;

IT is not long since, that a faithfull Minister of Christ, my very loving Friend, presented the World with a Latine Treatise, vindicating and asserting the Necessity, dignity and duty of a Gosp••l-Ministry; which when I had perused, and discovered (not onely by the testimony of the Epistles Commenda∣tory, but by my own Iudgment) in it a great Acuteness of Wit, a sweet Savour of a pious Disposition, pertinent and cogent Arguments, full and satisfacto••y Answers to all Objections militating against the Truth; hold∣ing Discourse with him concerning it, I was bold to intimate to him, how convenien••ly and usefully it might have been offered in a Tongue more known amongst us, for the Conviction and satisfaction of English Cavillers; Adding, That I thought, they, who had so much knowledge as to understand Latin, had also more Iudgment than to need to be satisfied in that thing: Whereupon, the Reverend Authour

concurring with my Iudgment (but giving me a good Account of his Style) was pleased, at first, to desire, and upon reluctancy to press me to do that, which I onely wish'd had been done: withall, trusting me with the liberty of Paraphrasing and Enlarging, by his Letters, of June 11. and June 25. 1658. Which Task I have accordingly undertaken, being Influ∣enced (I hope) by a desire to glorifie God, and have performed, being assisted by the strength of that God, whom I desire to glorifie. Besides what I have already express'd and intimated, I need give no further Account of my Enterprize, but the Ap∣prehensions which I then had. I see dayly more and more justified of the proneness of our Apostatizing times to grow Antiministeriall. Pardon me, I pray thee, if, through my weakness, any of the Author's Ingenuity, elegancy or strength be lost, or the Truth suffer through my Inability to vindicate it. And I humbly beseech Almighty God, that these poor En∣deavors may contribute some little towards thy satis∣faction or Confirmation; towards the Edification and Provocation unto Duty, the maintaining the Main∣tenance and Honor, the encouraging the Faintings and Fears of the Faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ.