Obj. WHat are the simptoms, or fruits, whereby you know that Ministers are not called by the Spirit?
Ans. There are many signes, and markes to know them, as I* 1.1 have already instanced; I will therefore only insist upon these foure particulars.
1. They are such as preach Christ out of envie, 1 Cor. 3. 3. or to cause contention amongst the people of God, such as were the Pharisees which came from Judea to Antioch, Act. 15. 1. 5. such were also the false Apostles, of whom the Apostles of Christ much complained of, for opposing their Doctrine, as Himineus Alexan∣der, &c. And such are the rayling Rabshakeys of this Kingdome, whether Prelaticants, or Presbiterians, whose sole delight is to villifie such of the Members of Christ (with their scurralous language) as doe the nearest correspond with the Apostles, both for paines in the Ministry, as also in a contentednesse, with what the people of God will freely bestow upon them for their paines, in the labour of the Lord, for their soules.
2. They are such as desire to shew themselves, rather Schol∣lars,* 1.2 then edificers, such as will familiarly speake Greek, and Latine, to them that cannot read English; that will dish up their Sermonds with such a garnish of Rethoricall elocution, as the silly Auditors stand amazed at; these be the boone Athe∣nian-like blades, who guild their Pulpit expressions with tearmes of Art; these are the brave Aronicall Ruffians of these dayes, which if their black Velvet and Satine, were metamorphized into Chrimson, (which would farre better suit with their life and conversation) there would be no greater Gallants in the Nation.