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their Commiffion is fo evident and undenia- SER M. ble; and fince the Scriptures affirm in exprefs Terms that GOD has committed unto them the Word of Reconciliation, and that they are Ambassadors for Chrift, as though GOD did beseech you by them, 2 Cor. v. 19, 20. there needs no further Argument to fhew that, though the Ministers of GoD are Men of like Paffions and Failings with yourselves, yet they want no Authority to enforce the Word they preach.

But the Text implies a great deal more: and that is, that none are qualified to preach the Word without Authority. For the Queftion here asked, (How shall they preach except they be fent?) plainly intimates that Preaching is an Act of Authority, not to be undertaken, but by fuch as are especially commiffioned thereunto. But here we must observe, that it is one Thing to interpret the Scripture in a private Way, and to instruct the Ignorant in the Meaning of it, according to the best of one's Capacity, when Opportunities fhall offer, and Occafions require; and another to take upon one's Self the Function of preaching and explaining the Gospel publickly and with Authority. The first of thefe is not only lawful and commendable,

but

SER M. but what is incumbent upon every Man, efpe

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cially upon those who have the Care of Children, or Servants, or others under them. The other is unlawful and facrilegious, and what Ranks fuch as are guilty of it amongst those falfe Prophets which GoD complains of to Jeremiah, that he had not fent them, and yet they ran, Jer. xxiii. 21.

"I own indeed that those Words may be "meant of a distinct and new Meffage, and "that they were spoken of fuch Prophets as

pretended a new Doctrine, for which they "had no Commiffion from GOD. But which

way foever they be expounded, they will "conclude right in this particular. For if "they fignify an ordinary Miffion; then "there is an ordinary Miffion of Preachers, "which no Man must usurp, unless he can

clearly prove his Title to be derived from

"GOD. But if they fignify an extraordinary "Cafe, and that no Meffage may be pre"tended by Prophets, but what they have

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Commiffion for; then must not ordinary "Perfons pretend an extraordinary Commif"fion to an ordinary Purpose. For it is very plain from all the Difpenfations of his Providence, that GOD will never endure "that Order fhould be interrupted to no Pur"pose;

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pofe; and confequently that he will never S ER M. give an extraordinary Commiffion unless it "be to a proportionable End. Whosoever "therefore pretends to a Licence of Preach

ing by Virtue of an extraordinary Calling, "muft fee that he be furnished with an ex"traordinary Meffage, left his Commiffion "be thought ridiculous. And when he

comes, he must be fure to fhew his Au

thority by an Argument proportionable, "i.e. by fuch a Proof, without which no wise "Man can reasonably believe him, which "cannot be less than Miraculous and Divine. "In all other Cafes he comes under the "Curfe of those whom GOD has not fent ; "He goes on his own Errand, and therefore "must not expect his Wages from him.

"Whoever therefore cannot fay with St. "Paul, that he is ordained a Preacher,

1 Tim. ii. 7. (how great foever his Abili "ties may be) has yet no Title to testify "Chrift. For, though to be able to perform

an Office may be a good Reafon, why a "Perfon fhould be ordained to that Office "yet it gives him no Authority till he be fo "ordained. Every wife Man is not a Coun "fellor of State, nor every good Lawyer Ability or Skill is only a Qua"lification,

a Judge.

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SER Mlification, and must be enabled to act by "fomething that transmits Authority. And "it is very remarkable that when Judas was "fallen from his Apostleship, though there

were Numbers of fufficient Knowledge and "Ability to fupply his Office (viz. all that

accompanied with the Apostles during the "Time that the Lord Jefus went in and out "amongst them) yet not one of them would

prefume to do it, but the Appointment of his "Succeffor was referred to a Divine Election. "A plain Demonstration that the Preaching or bearing Witness of Jefus and his Refur "rection, was not only a Work but a Divine "Office: And that befides Experience and

Ability, a particular Ordination was ac"counted neceffary before any one might "undertake it *.

And thus having shewed both the Neceffity of a Miniftry, and the Neceffity also of a Divine Commiffion to qualify fuch a Miniftry for the Performance of their Office what better Ufe can I make of the whole than to obferve to you the happy Constitution of our Church, which is bleft with a Miniftry so qualified? They that preach the Gospel with us

See Bishop Taylor's Divine Inftitution of the Office Minifterial. p. 16, 17.

are

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are not fuch as the Populace have made Choice S ER M of, and affigned to their Office, or fuch as have received a pretended Ordination from meer Prefbyters or Elders, who were never invested with a Power to give it; but fuch as were fet apart by a fuperior Order, who by. a regular Succeffion from Chrift himself derive their Commiffion to ordain others. A Bleffing that all the Reformed abroad (if they mean what they fay) envy us and with for. For it is the peculiar Happiness of the English Church (among all that have thrown off the Errors of Popery) not to afcribe either to the Clergy or Laity any unprecedented Powers, nor yet to encroach upon their ancient Liberties.

The People have ftill the Privilege of objecting, if they have any Thing to alledge against the Morals or Converfation of the Perfon to be ordained; and therefore are folemnly appealed to at the Confirmation of our Bishops, as well as in our Forms of Ordination both of Deacons and Priests. And in the Ordination of a Priest, the Priests that are present are to join with the Bishop in the Impofition of Hands to teftify their Consent, whilft the Bishop himself, as the Mouth of them all, pronounces the Form, and communicates the Authority. And this being all the Share in Ordination, that was ever allowed

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