The duty of pastors and people distingushed [sic]. Or A briefe discourse, touching the administration of things commanded in religion. Especially concerning the means to be used by the people of God (distinct from church-officers) for the increasing of divine knowledge in themselves and others. Wherein bounds are prescribed to their peformances, their liberty is enlarged to the utmost extent of the dictates of nature and rules of charity: their duty laid downe in directions, drawn from Scripture-precepts, and the practise of Gods people in all ages. Together with the severall wayes of extraordinary calling to the office of publike teaching, with what assurance such teachers may have of their calling, and what evidence they can give of it, unto others. / By John Ovven, M.A. of Q. Col. O.

CAP. 4.

Of the duty of Gods people in cases extraordinary concerning his Worship.

THis being thus determined, I returne againe to the maine 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, concerning the duty and priviledge of the com∣mon people of Christianity, in sacred things: and first in cases ex∣traordinary, in which perhaps it may be affirmed, that every one (of those I meane before named) is so farre a Minister of the Gospell as to teach and declare the faith to others, although he have no outward calling thereunto; and yet in this case every one for such an undertaking must have a Warrant by an immediate cal from God, and when God calls there must be no opposition, the thing it selfe he sends us upon, becomes lawfull by his mission, what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common, Act. 10. 13. never feare the equity of what Cod sets thee upon; no excuses of disability or any other impediment, ought to take place, the Lord

can and will supply all such defects: This was Moses case, Exod. 10. 14. Oh Lord (saith hee) I am not eloquent, neither hereto∣fore, nor since thou hast spoken to thy servant, but of a slow speech, and a slow tongue; And the Lord said unto him, who hath made mans mouth, have not I the Lord? So also was it with the Pro∣phet Jeremy, when God told him, that hee had ordained him a Prophet unto the Nations, he replyes, Ah Lord God, behold I can∣not speake, for I am a Child; But the Lord (saith hee) said unto me, say not I am a Child, for thou shalt goe to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee, thou shalt speak, Jer. 1. 6. Nothing can excuse any from going on his message, who can perfect his praise, out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings. This the Prophet Amos rested upon, when he was questioned, although he were unfit for that heavenly employment, either by education or course of life: I was no Prophet, neither was I a pro∣phets sonne; but I was an heardman, and a gatherer of Sycamore fruit; and the Lord tooke me as I followed the flock, and said unto me, go Prophecy to my people Israel Amos 7. 14, 15. So on the contrary, St. Paul, a man of strong parts, great learning, and en∣dowments, of indefatigable industry, and large abilities, yet af∣firmes of himselfe, that when God called him to preach his word, he conferred not with flesh and bloud, but went on presently with his work. Gal. 1. 16, 17.