The pulpit guarded with XVII arguments proving the unlawfulness, sinfulness and danger of suffering private persons to take upon them publike preaching, and expounding the Scriptures without a call ... : occasioned by a dispute at Henly in Arden in Warwick-shire, Aug. 20, 1650 ... : in the close are added six arguments, to prove our ministers free from antichristianism / composed and compiled by a friend to truth and peace.

The eleventh Objection.

1. Cor. 16. 15 16. The house of Stephanas addicted themselves to the Ministery of the Saints &c. Hence the Anabaptists ignorantly gather, that a man may call himself to Preaching, and needs no or∣dinary Call to the Ministery.

A. 1 It doth not appear that the house of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were Ministers and Preachers,* 1.1 but rather Deacons and Church-Officers who did serve and administer to the necessities of the Saints, in collecting and distribu∣ting alms for their support; and to this end they freely gave up themselves (as being lawfully called to that ministery and service) 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to the service of the Saints: they were not compelled or hired to it, but (which was their glory) they chearfully and spontaneously gave themselves to the the service of the Saints, to succour the poor, to harbour strangers and exiles, to attend the sick and languishing Saints, &c.

2. Take it which way yo please either for the service of the Ministery, or of the Presbytery, or Deaconship, still this is the sun that they being lawfully called did freely give up themselves to the service. Those Ana∣baptists (the fire-brands of Societies,* 1.2 as one rightly stiles them, that make these Saints to call themselves do make the Scripture to contradict it self:* 1.3 for it tells us, No man may take this honour to himself without a Call. Eph 4. II. Christ gave some Pastors, &c. they did not un of them∣selves, &c.

Obj. The Apostle (v. 16.) commands them to submit themselves to such: Ergo, they were Gifted Preachers.

A Had you concluded,* 1.4 herefore sure they were Gifted Officers, you had hit the Nail on the head. Had they been usurpers, the Apostle would never have enjoyned subjection, i. e. reverence and honour sutable to their Offices and submission to their pious admonitions and godly ex∣hortations q. d they have spent themselves to further you and submit∣ted themselves to the meanest for your good; therefore, do you spend your selves for them, and submit your selves to all acts of love and kindnels for their good. This submission must be mutual, Eph. 5. 21

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signif. servato gradu & statione in qua quis ••ollo∣catus ••uerit, ••e∣••e opibus cum ••fficio conjun••ctis addicare, q. d. eos sesequidem totos ultrò ••ancto∣rum ministerio devorisse, legi∣time tamen vocatos, &c.
• * 1.2

  Leigh Critic.
• * 1.3

  Tumofficium docendi tum quamvis Fun∣ctionem Ecclesiasticam denotar. Leigh. Quodvis fignificat Ministerium. Aurenius Problem. p. 25. Anabaptist•• omnis ordinis tubatores.
• * 1.4

  Par. Si Scriptur•• per Scripturas explicamus, nibiltic, pro Anabaptistarum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inveniemus.