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 sixth, a Fort.

Acts 13. 14 15. Paul and Barnabas coming into the Synagogue, the Rulers sent to them (not as Apostles, which they acknowledged not, but onely as men having gifts) that if they had any word of exhortation, they should say on.

A. Paul and Barnabas were men in Office true and faithful Prophets and Apostles, and so had Commission to teach the Nations wheresoever they went. 'Tis a non-sequitur, Because men in Office were desired by the Rulers to exhort, Ergo, Men out of Office may do so.

2. They were known to be Teachers in Office, and (in all probabi∣lity) were so reputed by the Rulers of the Synagogue: having heard the fame of their Preaching and Miracles, which might easily come from Cyprus to Antioch, they desire a word of exhortation from them, v. 14. Act. 14. 1. They were known Prophets.

3. This was practised in corrupt times, and times of great confusion. So the learned Apollonious acknowledgeth, that in corrupt times especi∣ally it was permitted to some out of Order, to teach and exhort; but

they were alwayes such as had testimony of their gifts, and of whom there was a general opinion of their mission, extraordinary or ordinary, by reason of the Doctrine they preached, and the works they did. Thus at Nazareth Christ was permitted in the Synagogue to read and explain the writings of the Prophets, Luke 4. 16. as one who by rea∣son of his Majesty and miracles did everywhere obtain audience, as reverend Beza here noteth; by which right he taught both in the Tem∣ple, and everywhere; wherefore also the ordinary Doctors demanded of him by what Authority he did is, Mat. 21. 23. So we find that Paul and Barnabas were allowed, (Act. 13. 15.) publikely to speak and exhort in the Synagogue at Antioch, as being such whose fame was already known to those of Antioch; for they had before this time for a whole year preached the Word of God to many there, and brought many to the Faith of Christ, &c.

But observe his conclusion: But in the practice of the New Testa∣ment, none but Prophets by Gifts and Office, either ordinary or extraor∣dinary, were permitted publikely in the Assembly of Beleevers to preach the Word of God in Christs Name, &c. Thus he.

What have we to do with Jewish corrupt Customes? We are to wal•• by Rule, and not by such new Lights. The liberty given in their Syna∣gogues, can be no president to us, no more then the custome of persecuting the godly, and casting them out of their Synagogues.

Let's sum up all. 1. Because Paul and Barnabas, who were men in Office, preached; Ergo, such as are not in Office, may preach. 2. Because such as were known to be Teachers, and were famous, preached; Ergo, such as are unknown Teachers, and infamous, may preach. 3. Because the Jews had a custome, in corrupt times to call forth gifted men to speak in their Synagogues; Ergo, we must leave the Word, and follow their superstitious customes. This is sure some Shooe-makers Logick: it's set upon the Last, and stretcheth well.