A treatise of the nature of a minister in all its offices to which is annexed an answer to Doctor Forbes concerning the necessity of bishops to ordain, which is an answer to a question, proposed in these late unhappy times, to the author, What is a minister?

To the Reader.

Reader,

THere are some things which I thought fit to acquaint you with; first, with my self who am here stiled a Bishop, and so may be mistrusted to speak, as a man bi∣assed in the cause, writing for my self, and our Order; but although I am one, yet when this was writ, I was none: but a Presbyter only, and never thought to be a Bishop, or to see one in England, nor could; unless I could have foreseen such a miraculous deliverance, as it pleased God to give the King; for which his Name ought always to be magnified; so that the writer, should not prejudice the Cause, being then impartial.

The next thing is concerning my medling with Mr. Thomas Hooker of New England in this controversy, which I cannot call to mind by what reason: But this I remember, that there was a Clergy-man of mine acquaintance, who warping that way, highly commended that Author, and had some Conference with

me about his Book, and it was much honour∣ed by a friend of mine in London, who oc∣casioned my buying of it, an ingenious man he was, with a very Logical and Methodical Head; but so overcome with his own opinions; that even opposite expressions appear to him, as if they were for him, as will appear in per∣using the Treatise.

My way of writing was to follow my bu∣sinesses, as they lay before me; not consining my self to any others Method, who had treated of such things; Many times you may find me writing the same things, which twenty be∣fore me have done, Aliter non sit Avitaliber it must needs be so; but sometimes again you may be rewarded with such notions, as are not ordinary; without which, a Book is but repetition, but in all you shall find mine own manner of expressions, which may possibly meet with some, understanding more agreeing∣ly, than others have done; and so may be profitable to the quieting of different judg∣ments, the greatest and most Noble work of any mans industry; and if I have done it, but in part, I am ••atisfied and God should be glori∣fied, which is all the endeavour of your Bro∣ther in Christ Jesus.

WILLIAM St. DAVID'S.