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.

Three things T. P. objected against this Answer.

1. That these could not be Extraordinary Prophets, because (v. 29.) their Doctrine was to be tried.

Answ. This trying and judging did not consi••t in calling them to ac∣count, as for the truth of that which the holy Ghost inditeth; but to con∣sist in the judging the meaning and consequence of things inspired, which even the persons from whom they came though not ignorant thorowout, yet were not able of themselves to sound to the bottom.

2. An Extraordinary Prophet (though in penning Scripture infalli∣ble, yet) in other points might erre. Aaron erred, Exod. 32. 4. Peter erred about the calling of the Gentiles, Acts 10. 15. and Gal. 2. 14, The Apostles were ignorant of Christ's Resurrection, and his Suffer∣ings▪ &c. and therefore they were commanded to try the spirits; and Luke commends the Bereans for trying the doctrine of a Paul and Silas▪ Acts 17. 11. for although these Prophecies were infused by the holy Ghost that cannot erre, yet all things are not revealed to one; and that which is not revealed to one, is oftentimes revealed to more, and sometimes in a clearer manner. There might be also something mingled with that which the Prophets received: and it might so fall out, that that which they added of their own, by way of confirmation, illustra∣tion, or application, might be justly▪ subject to censure: withal, it must be tried and judged by others, whether the Prophecies proceed from the inspiration of the holy Spirit, and according to the Rule of Faith, Isa. 8. 20.

2. 'Twas objected, that these could not be Extraordinary Pro∣phets, because (v. 3.) they spake to edification, exhortation, and com∣fort, as Ordinary Prophets did.

A. The Answer is easie: The Extraordinary Prophets, as Amos, Isaiah, Ezekiel, &c. did preach to edification, exhortation, and com∣fort▪ as well as the Ordinary.

3. 'Twas objected, that the Apostle forbidding women, did give liberty to men to preach.

A. I see you will play at lowe game before you will ••it out. I answer therefore by way of concession, and grant that the Apostle forbids wo∣men and enjoyns men to preach: but what men? Not all gifted men in general, but all men gifted, and called to be Prophets, as I have clearly proved▪ p. 57.

2. If you will argue fitly from this place▪ it must be thus: The Apostle forbids all women▪ gifted or ungifted, to preach; There fore all men, gifted or ungifted, are allowed by the Apostle to preach. No doubt but then we should have good Preaching!

3. No woman may administer the Sacrament; therefore, any man may.

I shall conclude this Point in the words of a Reverend Divine. It's granted (saith he) that all Orders Officers, or Members of the Church above Ministers, may preach as well as they, whether ordained, or un∣o••dained; as Apostles▪ Evangelist▪ and Prophets. For Prophets▪ such as are under the New Testament, they are always placed next unto the Apostles and before Pastors & Teachers 1 Cor. 12. 28, 29. Eph. 4. 11. In the Primitive times there were many such; yea▪ many in one Church, as at Antioch and Corinth: whether these were ordinary or extraordi∣nary, it is easie to judge, by the continuance or discontinuance of them in the Church in after-ages▪ an at present. If there be any so gifted by the holy Ghost, above ordained persons, that they are worthy to take place of them, and of Evangelists; let them by all means have the liberty of their Gifts, and their proper denomination: I think ordinary Ministers should give them the right hand of fellowship, and place. As for any kinde of Prophets or Prophesying in the publike Congregation belowe Ministers and their Ministery, there is none to be found in any enumera∣tion of Scripture, either in Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. or Eph. 4. where we were most like to finde it: and therefore it is still with me resolved, that the Prophets and Prophesying which we read of, 1 Cor. 14. was extra∣ordinary. He that believes three kindes of Prophets under the new Te∣stament let him distinguish them. Thus he.

I shall gather up all into a Parallel▪ because Logick doth not please you.

1. T••ose were Prophets.	But our gifted brethren are no Prophets.
2. T••ose were Extraordinary Prophets.	These no•• Ord••nary.
3. T••ose had a spirit of Revelation.	Th••se of D••lusion.
4. Those could dext••rously expound Pro∣phetick Scripture.	Th••s•• are dextrous in dark••••••ng t••em, and some in d••ny••ng them.

Notes

• Vide Ruther••. Pl•••• for Pres••. p. 250, &c.
• Vide Large Annot.
• Hoc aliquid nihil est nuci cass•••• similli∣mum, quod si cultro veritatis ape••iat••r, nihil intus inveni••tur nis•• vani••as & inanitas.
• Hoc 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• He that desires fuller satisfacti∣on on this Text' let him peruse reverend M. Ru∣therf. Due Right of Presb. p. 297 and Workman ag. Lay-preach. p. 14, &c.
• Thorndike on Rel. Assem. c. 5.
• Contraria ju∣xta se ••osi••a magis elu∣cescunt.