TO any not well acquainted with the condition of the Church in our quarters , and the peert & perverse diligence of Romanistes against it ( through their many and strong favourers , & in great scarcitie of able Ministers , the long weak resistance made them ) this piece of paines , how small soeuer , yet may perhaps appeare superfluous : in such store of both learned & large treatises already written , by our men , in defence of the truth , & for overthrow of all that error can alledge against it : so , as , in adding any more a man may seeme , but vainlie , to hale the coard of contention with them who are already 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Which maner the Church of God hath not . And as for these simple blindfolded ones , whom they lead away captive in error , this sort of labour availeth not , in that , howsoever they are readie , fide implicita , to applaude whatsoever Pamphlet put abroad by any of their men , and , insolentlie insulting , to interpret our silence to the aduantage of their owne and weaknes of our cause , yet , they stick not to professe , that , whatsoever we either writ or reply against them , they neither may nor will vouchafe to read it : but , much more inequitable , heerein , then the fellowes of Iehu , they heare no sooner ( you know the man and what his talke was ) but they condemne it flatlie as false , & yet will not in any case ( no not thereafter ) heare it told them , least perhaps , vpon some respectes , they might bee moo●ed to alter iudgement . And , veri●y I was my selfe a long time of this opinion , that all ●u●the● iangling with them was vaine : till at length , perce●v●ng , that not only their blinde leaders , and also their miscaried ones became , therevpon , the more insolent , but that even the resolution of some weak professours was also troubled : who either had not the care to read or skill to discerne , in our mens writings ▪ what , sufficientlie , might haue stayed their hearts against all the obiections of the adversaries : I , then , for mine owne part , thought best , by opening vp the booke of the Revelation , to manifest so to all men ( having eies ) the mysterie of godlines , & that , also of iniquitie , impugning it , that the judicious and attent Reader might both be instructed against their deceit , and also made skilful to discerne so , their trumperies , that , neither al the gold , skarlet , pearle , and precious stones , wherwith the whoore goeth masked , shuld hide her nakednes , not her golden cuppe cover the abominations fraudfullie propined therinto . Which , as by the helpe of God , in some measure , I performed , & , at the request of the godly , have made publik , that my p●ines , so , had I resolved never any more to put pen to paper , at least , in this polemick kinde of writing . But , a godlie brother , of the ministrie , sending to me of late , a litle ( whither a Iesuits or Priests ) Pamphlet , whereof some written copies were sparsed in the countries , in the author his intent , proving the Ministers of the Protestant Churches to haue no lawfull calling , and that consequentlie , with vs is neither any true church , nor true Sacraments : to the which he was requested by a well affected Gentleman to make an answer : and , desiring therevpon , to know my iudgement in the general question , I , accordingly , affoorded him a sheet of paper . at which time two or three godly Gentlemen falling to be in companie with me , and knowing of the matter , they at that time , & soone after , some of the ministry also , were instant with me , that , what , in my privat lettre to that Brother , I had shortlie pointed at , I would for common vse , somewhat more at length set downe : that the wel affected might have wherwit● to meet the adversaries cavillations , at t●eir incident occasions of conference about such matter . For whose satisfaction , I have , heereby , not so much set my selfe to encounter with any one ( for their treatises in great penurie of matter , are , most part , spent in false personall crimination and calumnious railings , which I disdaine to answer ) as shortlie to give to the godly a common antidot against all , by answering such of their maine obiections , as , wherto all the rest easilie may be reduced , that , seeing by force of truth , they are now at last driven ( dispairing of the matter it selfe ) for all other argument , to quarrel our callings , this sarie shift may be wrung from them also . Wherin , they may bee fitlie compared to those pleaders , who , being out of all hope of their cause , labour to cast the court : Or to such men , against whom an authentick reversion & good money being produced , for outquyting from them a possession , which , otherwayes , they can find no right to detaine , they run , by all meanes , to annull the order . But , as , at the Barr , it were a preposterous order of pleading , after peremptorie arguments proponed , to returne to delatours , so , when the head of all defence is placed in them , it argueth , that , even in the conscience of the proponer , the peremptours are invalid .

2. Thus , the Priestes and Scribes of the Iewes ( whose successours , and of whose spirit these men bewray themselves to be ) when , after many assayes against Christes doctrine , they were ever put to the worse in the end ( pryding themselves , and with a great deale more reason then doe our aduersaries , in that ordinarie place which they brooked in the Church ) for all argument they come at last to this , Math. 21. from the 23. verse to the end . By what authoritie doest thou these thinges ; and who gave thee this authoritie ▪ where the Lord answering for him self , then , and for vs now , in the like case , most plainly , & at length sheweth , that , howsoever in the ordinarie course of a constitut Church , a carefull regard must be had to the ordinarie calling , yet , when ( as sometime it falleth ) that the ordinarie husband-men become murtherers , and the ordinarie builders become destroyers , there God , extraordinarilie stirreth vp men , whose ministrie prooveth itself to be from heaven and not from men , even by this , that they ●ome in the way of righteousnes : and sinners are converted by them , that , so the Lord of the vineyard may report fruit thereof , even when the ordinarie husbandmen rebel , and that the stone , rejected , even of the ordinarie builders , may yet bee made the head of the corner : which , howsoever it bee marvailous in our eies , yet it is the Lord his doing .

3. Now , this alone , without furder , though we have no more ordinarie vocation then our adversaries alledge , yet ( in so great a confusion brought in the Church by Antichrist , and , in such evidencie of truth in our side ) it sufficientlie answereth for our calling . And , albeit that perhaps it not onely may , but also ought to be brought in defence of some particular men , who , wanting som ordinarie points of an ordinary vocation , yet comming in the way of righteousnes , and , in evidencie of spirit and power , converting sinners and convincing errour , witnessed , clearelie , their ministerie to bee from heaven : yet , for our Church , in common , I see no necessitie to have recourse heereto . For , whatsoever our adversaries may pretend , heerein , against some particular persons , whose defect , if it any were , hurteth not the Church in common , yet , I marvaill with what face they can denye our first open contesters with Antichrist , in common , to have beene ordinarie Church-men , bearing publike charg of Pastours or Doctours therin . And , that I goe not higher , what , iustlie can they lay , heerein , against Wiclesse , Iohn Husse , Hierome of Prague , and the Bohemian reformed Churches ? against Luther , Melan●thon , &c. of the Churches of Germanie , and whatsoeuer cavillation , their peruerse contentious mindes may suggest to them against these . yet , what pretence can they have against the ordinarie vocation of so many famous Bishops and Pastours of the Church of England ▪ Yea , and who of our first Preachers were not either ordinarie Church-men , ere then had their admission to the Ministerie by the reformed Churches of England , Geneva , or Germanie ? If they were not blindlie miscarried , they might perceave , that , what they speake and write of our men in derision and contumelie , ( calling them Sir Iohn Kn●x , and Frere Iohne Craig , &c. ) it verifyeth their ordinarie vocation . And , giving , that nothing might bee alledged for the ordinarie vocation of our first Preachers , and , that it were als essentiall a defect as our adversaries account it , so as they had , thereby , a iust exception against our Church : yet , I pray you , what doth this helpe them against the Church of England , and so many other famous reformed Churches , all agreeing in communion with vs , and glad to give vs the right handes of fellowship ? What a peevish pretence is this for their errour ; and how weak an obiection against so many famous Churches convincing them , that , forsooth , the Ministers of Scotland , have no ordinarie calling ? But , neither is the want of ordinarie vocation in our first Reformers , anie iust exception against our Church ( as partlie , alreadie , and more at length , heereafter , shall bee shewed ) neither , if it were , Hieron . 〈◊〉 Ocean . & ●d Euagr. & ●n 1. cap : Tit. may it be iustlie laide against our first Pastours . They labour , indeed , much to convince vs as destitute of all lawfull either Pastours or Church : and bringe to this end ( as seemeth to them ) an irresistable argument , that ordination is only proper to Bishops . Augustinus Ep. 19. & questione ex ●eter● test. 101. But , by evident scripture and cleare testimonie from antiquitie , that is positive . Whereby , it is , that our Reformed Churches agreeing soundly in all the substantiall points of faith , & without break of communion , yet , heerein , for the matter of governement , Ambrosius in epist. ●d Tim. ca. 3. have taken libertie , diverslie as seemed best to each , to rule either by Bishops , or the common counsel of Elders , which of them most laudably I do not here dispute . Neither mattereth it much for the point controverted with the common adversary . Na●●anzenus oration● in Maxim . For , giving them that the appropriating of ordination to Bishops were not only tolerable , but even most of all other commendable , and also , positively , necessarie : yet , from the defect of that which by a positive law is or hath beene practised , or , which , in the iudgement of many , is still most expedient , for common order to bee practised , to infer that wee have neither any lawfull Pastours or true Church : it is from that which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or respectively necessarie , to conclud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a necessitie absolut . Wherin , both antiquity standeth strongly for vs , by clear Testimony of not onely lawfull power , but also of approoved practise , in that Ambrose recordeth ●lim in Aegipto Presbyteros absente Episcopo consignare solitos . And Augustin also that in Alexandria & per tot●m Aegyptum , si desit Episcopus , consecrat Presbyter : & their owne lay Schoolmen also even in the last declining degree to ignorance and corruption , yet heerein will plead our quarrel . Our owne countries man Ioannes Ma●●r , De gestis Scotorum , lib. 2. c. 11. in a much semblable case , bringeth that distinction . which in the Schooles of Sorbon hee had both learned and taught . that , ad actum moraliter b●nu● non ●equiritur quod à vera prudentia reguletur actu● , sed sat est quod ab ignorantia invincibili vel errore non imputabili reguletur . erat jus Pontificium in oppositum quod non tenebatur s●ire , Scripturii sacru & devotionise accommodab●t , &c. in humanis legibus positivis ●nusquisque● suo sensu abundat , &c. This same Major , and with him , all our ancient Historiens do witnesse that , before the dayes of Palladius ( whom he and al others confesse to have bene the first either consecrated or consecrating Bishop in Scotland ) per Sacerdotes & Monach●s , De gestis Sc●t●r●m , 〈◊〉 . 2. ca. 2. sine Episcopi● , Scoti in side erudiebantur . Now , I aske our adversaries ( who heerein , as in a substantiall defect divini juris , thinke they have enough wherefore to condemne all both our Church and Pastours , for that their ordination hath not bene by Bishops ) if they dare say but , in Scotland , there was a notable Church , & excellently both learned & holy Pastours , long before Palladius ? if they would deny it , they are convinced by cleare and vniforme consent of storie and testimonies even of their owne men : who all confesse it to have bene so by the space at least of two hundreth and twentie yeares : and , if not , with more , yet with alse high & iust commendation both of learning and holynes , as ever thereafter . And , if it cannot be denyed but such was the estate of our Church , then , dare they condemne those men for theeves & who vnlawfullie had broken in vpon the sheepfolde ; whom they them selves have both superstitiouslie canonized , and , do still , idolatrouslie worship ? Or , if that was no essentiall defect in them , or a relevant exception against our Church then ; how impudent are they , therevpon , to conclude so peremptorilie against vs , as if all both light and life of a true Church did hange wholy vpon that one point of Episcopal ordination ? whereof , when all is graunted that the most vehement ( and not shameles ) assertours thereof , in al their partiall heat and all probable apparance can plead for : yet , besides a cleare shewed instance of more then two hundreth yeares practise in our owne Church , and that in the primitive and most pure times thereof , their owne schooles also ( in the height of palpable prevailing darkenes ) have given vs , yet , this to answer them , quod ad actum moraliter bonum non requiritur vt à vera prudentia reguletur actus , sed satu est si ab ignorantia invincibili & errore non imputabili reguletur .

4. Thus , then , the Pastours of our reformed Churches , having ( in common ) had even an ordinarie calling : and , therewith holding the true Apostolike doctrine , wee are the true successours of the Apostles , and not our adversaries , as they both vainly & falsly boast . For , as Ireneus saith , Eu qui in Ecclesia sunt Presbyteris obedire oportet , Libr● 4. cap. 43. his qui successionem habent Apostolis sicut ostendimus , qui cùm Episcopatus successione , charisma veritatis certum , secundum placitum patris acceperunt : reliquos ver● qui obsistunt à principali successione suspectos habere ( that is ) we must obey such Pastours as are in the Church , these , who , as we have shewed , have a succession to the Apostles , namely , who , with Episcopall succession , have , also , according to the pleasure of the Father receaved the gift of truth : but all others who slyde away from this principall succession , we must suspect . And , in another place , he noteth those to be only true successours apud qu●s est caqu● est ab Apostolis successio , & id quod est irreprobabile sermo●●● constat , with whom is that succession which is from the Apostles , and with whom constantly abydes that word which cannot be improved , quia ( as saith Augustin ) nec Catholicis Episcopis consentiendum : ●e ●●itate Eccles●s contra peti● ep. 166. cap. 3. sicubi falluntur vt contra Canonic●s Scripturas aliquid sentiant . For we ought not consent , no not to Catholike Bishops , if any where they be deceaved , so , as they hold any opinion contrarie to the Canonik scriptures . and it holdeth ever true , that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as saith Gregorie Nazianzen . his words are notable , and which alone are even enough to oppose to all our adversaries shameles brags of bare succession . 〈…〉 . they are to this sense , the succession of pietie is properlie to be bolden Succession : for who professeth the same doctrine of faith , he is partner of the same chaire : but who embraceth a contrarie faith , he ought to bee accounted an adversarie , albeit even sitting in the chaire . & this , indeed hath the name , but the other hath the substance and truth of succession .

5. Where-vpon this our acclaiming even of ordinarie calling , they inferre against vs , that , we iustifie them to be the true church , and that , consequently , we have made defection therefrom : in so farre as we could have no such ordinarie vocation , but with and amongst them : it is a childish fallacie from themselves but a part in the Church , and yet not of it ( even the abhomination of desolation standing in the holy places , ●●●il . 49. ●● Math. as saith Chrisostom ) to the whole church , or rather to the true Church , which is both within the church and of the church . For , as within the vsible church ( in sanctis Ecclesi● locis ) are both Christ and Antichrist , truth and lyes , Pastours & Wolves , sheepe and goates , wheat & chaffe : and now and then , either of them obtaine & beare sway in tot●●cclesia commu●iter ( in the whole church in common ) but never universaliter in singulis , ( vniversally in each one : ) so , both of vs ( our adversaries and we who contest with them ) beeing within the visible Church : the true defence of either partie , were by the right rule of examina●ion , to proove them selues so to bee in the church , as that they ar also of it : and not , by impudent and ridiculous assuming what is in question , to flee all tryall . Wee never denyed Antichrist to be in the church , and as was foretold of him , to have so far prevailed therin , by force of errour & standulent pretence of the Lambe his hornes , as , he obtained place and ruled in tota Ecclesia communiter ( in the whole church in common ) but à toto communiter ( from the whole in common ) to conclude ad vniversum singulariter ( to vniversalli● each one ) it is a deceitfull aequivocation .

6. Here , yet , they think vs intangled in a great inconvenient , for that the Bishop of Rome ( whom we hold to be Antichrist ) having bin for som ages acknowledged ministerial head of the church : & , the outward ordination of al churchmen either mediatly or immediatly flowing from him , wee must confesse vs to have no ordinarie calling at all , or then that we have it from Antichrist . so as they think vs hereby reduced to one of these necessities , either to refuse al ordinary vocation , or then , for maintaining of our ordinary callings , to iustifie their Pope from whom they have proceded , and , so , consequently , to condemne al our owne both church & doctrine . But , while they think vs intrapped , we are by an open way escaped : for , we both yeeld that our ordinary vocation , hath , outwardly in a sort , proceded from the Bishop of Rome , & that he is notwithstanding , that very Antichrist & man of sin . And , to shew how these two so apparantly repugnant points do yet very wel consist , without any either discredit or derogation to the dignitie or lawfulnes of our callings : we have rightly to wey the distinct conditions of Antichrist , as he commeth to be diversly considered in his first hatching , yea & the many insensible , flow , & long succeeding degrees of his grouth towards that height , whereby against al that is called god , Satan his throne was erected in the mids of the church : and againe , in that toppe of impietie , whereto the mystery of iniquitie did mount vp by time , 2. Thes. 2.4 . Revel. 2.13 . nemo enim repente fit turpissimus ( for none becommeth extreamlie evill at once ) for , even from the Apostolike times that mischiefe was a workinge , and , albeit , first , by slow and insensible , 2. Thes. 2.7 . 1. Iohn 4.3 . and next by more speedie and sensible degrees : and , even in the height thereof , it had yet two degrees . In that , first , like a fraudulent Parde , albeit having on his head the name of blasphemie , the beast deceaved , and as , Revel. 13.1.2 . Balaam , craftily laying stumbling blockes , bewitched the earth , Revel. 2.14 . as in Pergamus . And secondlie , by increase of crueltie and impietie , he became all of the Dragon his colour , and had his whole body full of the names of blasphemie : Revel. 17.3.6 . the Whoore borne vp by him , being drūkt with the blood of Saintes , Revel. 2.20 . and furiouslie , as Iezabel an impudent cruell queein , domining in Thyatira . and yet still , in both these states , he was long so borne out with Propheticall pretence , as , Revel. 2.13.14.19.20 . even the true Church lurking vnder and within his compas ( where Sathan his throne was ) yet had her eyes so dazeled and courage so quailed with the glistring shew & proud pretence of Pastorall and Propheticall authoritie , that , howsoever shee keeped her selfe pure from his spirituall fornication , and held the name of God , yet shee had not either the knowledge or courage to challenge directlie the impious vsurpation ; which , was , indeed , an argument of the true Church her weaknes , and that Christ had therein , somewhat against her , but no argument for all that , why either she , so dwelling , & in weaknes , tolerating that evill , was not the true Church , or that Balaam and Iezabel , thus tolerated of her , were not that false prophet , and mysticall whoore .

7. An other consideration of Antichrist , is , that hee is no outward enemie openlie and directly fighting against the ensigne of profession and name of Christ , but an inward traytour , deceaving by the ensigne : and that so cunninglie and covertlie , as , a long time , not only his characterized ones ( who only of his favoures are partakers both of his treason and endles iudgement ) but also many simple sheepe deceaved by the semblance of the Lambe his hornes , Revel. 14.9.10 . and 16.2 . and in singlenes of heart following the ensigne , were made so to follow him , and to receave his name . albeit they receaved never his character , nor learned the deeepnes of Satan . Revel. 13. & 2.24 . and , many also , who never either receaved character or name , yet lurking within him , and shrouded vnder the common ensigne of profession , receaved the number of his name ( that is , were numbred and counted to be his ) albeit , in effect , they were none of his , either by acceptation of character or name . Revel. 11.2 . & 13.5 . For , hee treading downe the holy Citie & Court of the Temple ( that is , domining and ruling in the visible church ) and , along time , ouerthrowing , therein , all true worshippe , as did Iezabel in Israel 42. monethes , or three yeares and a halfe , & Antiochus Epiphanes , in Ierusalem , the same space : all which time of his vsurpation , the true church within his compas . continuallie lurking , as the Temple within the Citie and Court : No other possible accesse could bee to the Temple ( the true Church ) but through the Citie and Court ( the visible Church ) : 2. Thes. 2.4 . wherein , Antichrist sitting , that is , Domining , all Christians behooved , of necessitie , to ioine to that body where was the common ensigne , which , howsoever , or by whomsoever caried , August . lib. de vtilitate ●redends . yet it was ever oportunum inquirendi exordium ( convenient entrie to inquire by ) . and , so , alwayes , many comming thither , and spying the pollution of the Citie and court of the Temple , they stepped in to the Temple : where , continually ( therefore in a close and deepe wisdome , that case is numbred by dayes ) al the time of Antichrist his most absolut prevayling , Revel. 11.3 . was the true church , and true and faithfull Ministers of grace and light : and albeit few , and long lurking , & in heavines , yet powerfully dispensing light and grace , & free from open and barbarous persecution : Revel. 10.8 . till the little booke opened , and obtained out of the hand of the great Angell , and greedilie and sweetlie swallowed , inabled , and stirred them , by the right measuring reed , Revel. 11.1.2 . to examine the church , and thereby , to finde that citie and court were to bee cast out . whereat the beast ( Antichrist ) highly chaffed , Revel. 11.7 &c. murthereth first , even with applause , those true Ministers . But , God , still stirring vp others in the same spirit , at last , a visible separation is made , not from the Church ( as our adversaries vainlie pratle ) but from Antichrist and the long covered traitour in the church . So as , then , truth and true professours , within the church & onely of the church , but long borne down and lurking through prevailing errour , at length begun to becom visible ( to the terrour and astonishment of their adversaries ) and to obtain and beare sway , by the discoverie & fall of Antichrist . Whose sacrilegious impietie , having come to such height , as it could no longer bee covered or borne , Revel. 11.12 . it was then , said to the revived witnesses , Come vp hither , and their enemies saw them and were afrayde , that is , the long lurking , afflicted , and at last murthered ones become visible , even to their enemies , who , first , imagined none such to bee , and next , that they could bee no more : and to their griefe and terrour , are seene and knowen to beare away the title of the true Church , in that place ( as through all that Prophecie ) signified by the name of heaven , in opposition to the earth and earthlie ones . Wee have not only stronge and invincible argumentes , but even , therewith , such cleare foretolde storie of all the ryfinge , grouth , doctrine , dealing , and fall of Antichrist : And of the continuall manner of God his gracious dispensation towardes his true Church , lurking vnder him , afflicted by him , and victorious over him , as that , wherein our adversaries glorie most , turneth most to their shame , and , that , wherewith they most reproache our Church , speaketh stronglie for vs . And the Lorde his wise providence , for preserving , thus , his Church , in the middes of Antichristian vsurpation , while he appeared to possesse all , was wonderfull in that , even in time of greatest corruption : yet a sure accesse and free way was still reserved and kept , thorough the Citie and Court , to the Temple , the Sacrament of Baptisme , in substance remayning , and the doctrine of the Trinitie beeing kept sounde .

8. Wee are so farre from denying to Antichrist a place , yea and an ordinarie calling in the Church , that wee affirme constantlie , that so it must have beene : And , that , not onely hee behooved to bee in it , but also Sit , that is , beare rule therein . 2. Thes. 2.4 . Revel. 2.13 . 1. Iohn 2.19 . But so , wee grant him to bee in it , as yet hee is none of it , more then a boile or apostume , in the body , is a member of the body . so wee grant him to have had rule , and ordinarie calling in the Church , as had these Husband-men , to whom , indeed , the Vineyard was set , Math. 21.38 . &c. but , they murthered the heire , such an ordinarie builder wee confesse him to bee , as reiecteth that stone , which yet , in despyte of him , becommeth head of the corner . Math. 21.42 . Wee yeeld him the ordinarie vocation of a Pastour , but that hee is a wolfe : to have beene , sometime , a starre of heaven , and minister of light , and of the keyes of the kingdome , but , to have fallen to the earth , to have changed the keyes of heaven , in those of the bottomlesse pit , Revel. 9.1.2 . and to have become the minister of darknes , whereby hee hath darkened Sunne , Moone , and Aire . Sathan having bene once , Revel. 12.8.9 . by Michael his valour , so powerfullie cast downe from heaven , had never againe bene able , by the beast of his authoritie , to erect his throne even in the Temple of God , if hee had not pretended the Lambe his hornes : Revel. 13.2 2. Thes. 2.4 . Revel. 2.13 . Revel. 13.11 . Iudges 14.18 . neither had hee ever bene able to sende out our Sampson his ridle , if hee had not plowed with his heifer .

Now , then , seeing that Antichrist of an order & succession of degenerating Pastours ( and that not at once , but slowlie and by degrees ) hath slylie arissen to that height of impietie , as a beast rising out of the earth , ( Sensim imperare incipiebat religio , habenas imperij capere , ius suum acquirere , nibil subitum nihil tumultuarium ( sayth their owne parasite Steuchus : And , Revel. 13.11 . seeing that alwayes , before his discoverie , the pretence of the common ensigne carried him out : and , that , there-through , many true , both Pastours and Professours , receaving his name , or his number , but not his character , did come in singlenes , to the common ensigne , & not properlie to him : Revel. 11.12 . seeing , that albeit he was a Wolf , yet before it was said to the revived witnesses , Come vp hither , he brooked stil the place of an ordinarie Pastour : and , seeing that outward ordination , and all the action of the ministers thereof , serveth but for outward order , all inward gift , grace , power and vertue comming from God the author of the calling : what absurditie is it , that a good Pastor receave ordination of a wolfe , who yet hath the place of an ordinarie Pastour in the Church , more then a true Christian to receave the Sacraments from a reprobate , being alwayes an ordinarie minister , which sacraments , yet by the inward cooperation of God are effectuall to the receaver ? for , it is sufficient for an outward ordinarie calling , that the minister thereof have outward place and power of ordination , albeit he be but a hireling and a thiefe : and the receaver of outward ordinarie vocation , as he hath al gift and grace from God only , whose the work is , so , is he not tied or sworne to the will or appetit of the outward minister , but only to the Lord : no more then any minister baptizeth in his owne name , 1. C●r , 1.13 but in the Lorde his , whose badge and cognissance only we take on thereby , and not of the minister thereof . So , as , who , therevpon , would evince me to have made defection from the church , because I impugne the heresie of him who gave me ordination : or that , finding him to be a wolfe , and both giving warning thereof to others , and my self shrinking from him , that , so doing , I either had no ordinarie vocation at all , or them had fallen from it : I thinke that any of sound and setled senses would advyse to minister to him rather Hellebore for his braine , then any other answer .

9. Now , then , albeit our adversaries be more then impudent to deny our ordinarie vocation , and , it were , in vs , but childish simplicitie , in such evidencie thereof , to grant them any apparant advantage : and , albeit it harmeth nothing our cause , that our outward calling hath , in a sorte , flowed from the Bishop of Rome : whose long vsurpation in the church , Revel. 13.11 . 2. Thes. 2.4 . so litle dismayeth vs , as , rather it confirmeth vs the more , Antichrist being so proper a soare of the body of the church , as that he can befal none other body : & thus , though no otherwayes , yet even by sight of the soare , in , but not of the body , being sufficientlie assured that , certainlie , the true body was there : yet , in so cleare and direct an answer and solution of this question given by Christ him selfe , Math. 21.23 . &c. I will never yeelde that the want of ordinarie vocation shal be , alwayes , a relevant exception against truth and the true Preachers thereof .