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CHAP. IV.
THe principall Question is this:
Whether Gifted persons may preach ordinarily with∣out Ordination.
State of the Question.
I shall not need to take much pains about the stating of the Question, that being fully done in the Assemblies. Book. These things only I shall say,
1. We speak of persons truly gifted, not every one that conceits himself to be gifted; not of them, who, how∣ever in their own conceits they are gifted, yet indeed have need to be instructed in the Principles of Religion: And that is the true case of many of our gifted preachers in England: For such our Brethren say they do not plead, and yet I cannot tell what to make of this, if it look not that way, when they say, Though one that is really gifted, for ought we know may lawfully preach without approbati∣on, from the Church or others, yet it may be inexpedient; so that hereby it is left to every man (as to the lawfulnesse of it) to judge of his gifts, and to preach, if he think him∣self fit. This also must be said, that the assertion of this Doctrine was that which opened the gap unto all that crew, and which hath been the unhappy occasion of involving this poor Church and Nation in those crouds of errors and confusion which are now too rise amongst us.
2. We dispute not what may be done in cases of ne∣cessity, either in preaching to Heathens, &c. or in preach∣ing in order to trial, (which is necessary to take an ac∣count of a mans sufficiency for the Work.)
3. We do not in this place restrain Ordination to our