Obj. THey have the same calling that the rest of the Clergy of the Kingdome have, and therefore, why may they not be made use of, as well as the other?
Ans. All that are so called, are under an Antichristian calling,* 1.1 which ought to be relinquished, for the calling you speake of, viz. by Bishops, may fitly be compared to a scarlet Coate, lined with a course cotten, the one shaming the other; but there is a calling whose inside doth excell the outside, viz. the calling by the Spirit, by which he that hath it, is inabled, both to testifie him∣selfe, and others, and no man ought to take this calling upon him, but he that is so called of God, as was Aaron; the other calling therefore is to be disclaimed, of all that hath it, whatsoever they be.
Obj. You formerly said, that none are immediately called to that office in these times, wherefore then speake you of the calling of the Spirit to that office?
Ans. He must first have the Spirit of God, or else he is utter∣ly unfit for that office; for he must have his calling from God, as wel as from the Church, or he can be no true Minister of Je∣sus Christ, for the Church desiring his Spirituall gifts, are there∣by incouraged to accept of him as a Minister sent them by God,* 1.2 so that the other calling by the Bishops is a meere delusion, be∣cause they judged only by the letter, and not by the Spirit, viz. by gifts in humane learning. which is foolishnesse with God, 1 Cor. 3. 19. it principally tending to ••dor••e the outward man, touching their civill deportment to, and for the State.
Obj. How are you able to distinguish who is called by the Spirit, and who is not?