A short treatise concerning the lawfullnese of every mans exercising his gift as God shall call him thereunto by John Spencer.
         Spencer, John, Groom.
      
       
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             A short treatise concerning the lawfullnese of every mans exercising his gift as God shall call him thereunto by John Spencer.
             Spencer, John, Groom.
          
           8 p.
           
             Printed for Iohn Spencer, and are to be sold by T. Bates ...,
             London :
             1641.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Liberty -- Early works to 1800.
           Gifts, Spiritual.
        
      
    
       A61114  R10777  (Wing S4954).  civilwar no A short treatise concerning the lavvfullnesse of every mans exercising his gift as God shall call him thereunto. By John Spencer. Spencer, John, Groom 1641    3336 8 0 0 0 0 0 24 C  The  rate of 24 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           SHORT
           TREATISE
           CONCERNING
           THE
           ●awfullnesse
           of
           every
           mans
           exercising
           his
           gift
           as
           God
           shall
           call
           him
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Iohn
             Spencer
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           for
           
             Iohn
             Spencer
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           by
           
             T.
             Bates
          
           in
           the
           
             Oldbaily
             .
          
           1641.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           SHORT
           TREATISE
           CONCERNING
           THE
           LAWFVLLNESSE
           OF
           EVERY
           MANS
           exercising
           his
           gift
           ,
           as
           God
           shall
           call
           him
           thereunto
           ,
        
         
           THe
           gifts
           of
           the
           Spirit
           are
           in
           every
           one
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           body
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           private
           gifts
           ,
           nor
           private
           Christians
           that
           wee
           reade
           of
           in
           Scripture
           to
           proove
           at
           large
           out
           of
           the
           word
           of
           God
           which
           shall
           bee
           that
           which
           shall
           guide
           all
           our
           actions
           by
           ,
           that
           what
           gift
           soever
           the
           Spirit
           giveth
           :
           It
           is
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           body
           ,
           and
           so
           according
           to
           it's
           place
           in
           the
           body
           ,
           the
           measure
           of
           grace
           received
           he
           is
           to
           use
           it
           for
           the
           helpe
           of
           his
           fellow
           members
           ,
           to
           the
           edifying
           of
           the
           body
           :
           I
           may
           bring
           for
           the
           further
           clearing
           of
           this
           truth
           ,
           the
           judgements
           of
           many
           worthy
           Divines
           ,
           
             Calvin
          
           speaking
           of
           the
           communion
           of
           Saints
           hath
           these
           words
           ;
           
             The
             Saints
             which
             are
             gathered
             together
             into
             the
             fellowship
             of
             Christ
             with
             this
             condition
             ,
             that
             what
             ever
             benefit
             God
             bestowes
             upon
             them
             ,
             they
             should
             continually
             communicate
             one
             to
             another
             .
             Vrsinas
          
           on
           Communion
           of
           Saints
           hath
           these
           words
           :
           
             That
             all
             receiving
             one
             ,
             who
             beleeveth
             are
             in
             common
             pertakers
             of
             Christ
             &
             all
             his
             graces
             ,
             as
             being
             his
             membes
             ,
             and
             then
             that
             every
             one
             ought
             readily
             and
             chearefully
             to
             bestow
             their
             gifts
             and
             graces
             which
             they
             had
             to
             the
             common
             commoditie
             and
             safe
             of
             all
             .
          
           Master
           
             Perkins
          
           on
           the
           Creede
           from
           our
           Vnion
           with
           Christ
           ,
           and
           our
           union
           and
           communion
           one
           with
           another
           saith
           ;
           
             That
             a
             Christian
             though
             he
             be
             the
             freest
             man
             upon
             earth
             ,
             yet
             he
             is
             a
             servant
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             and
             especially
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             doe
             service
             to
             the
             members
             of
             it
             by
             love
             for
             the
             good
             of
             all
             .
          
           And
           this
           good
           is
           procured
           when
           we
           convey
           the
           gifts
           of
           God
           bestowed
           on
           us
           to
           our
           brethren
           ,
           which
           is
           done
           these
           five
           waies
           .
           First
           by
           example
           ,
           serondly
           by
           admonition
           ,
           thirdly
           by
           exhortation
           ,
           fourthly
           by
           consolation
           ,
           fiftly
           by
           prayer
           ,
           all
           which
           hee
           openeth
           and
           presseth
           to
           this
           purpose
           .
           Master
           
             Bolton
          
           in
           his
           generall
           directions
           for
           a
           comfortable
           walking
           with
           God
           ,
           is
           full
           &
           large
           for
           this
           ,
           but
           to
           prove
           it
           by
           severall
           Scriptures
           ,
           in
           
             Rommans
             .
          
           1●
           ▪
           6.
           having
           then
           gifts
           according
           to
           the
           grace
           that
           is
           givento
           us
           
           whether
           Prophesie
           let
           us
           prophesie
           ,
           let
           us
           according
           to
           the
           proportion
           of
           faith
           ,
           the
           first
           of
           
             Cor.
          
           12.
           and
           the
           9.
           
           But
           the
           manifestation
           of
           the
           Spirit
           is
           given
           to
           every
           one
           to
           profit
           with
           all
           .
           
             Ephes.
          
           4.
           11.
           12.
           and
           he
           gave
           some
           to
           be
           Apostles
           ,
           some
           Prophets
           ,
           some
           Evangelists
           ,
           and
           some
           Teachers
           ,
           and
           some
           Pastors
           for
           the
           edifyin
           of
           the
           body
           of
           Christ
           ;
           
             Ephesians
          
           5.
           and
           the
           11.
           
           Wherefore
           comfort
           your selves
           together
           ,
           and
           edifie
           on
           another
           even
           as
           yee
           doe
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           3.
           13.
           but
           exhot
           one
           another
           daily
           while
           it
           is
           called
           to
           day
           ,
           least
           any
           of
           you
           bee
           hardened
           through
           the
           deceitfulnesse
           of
           sinne
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           14.
           31.
           
           For
           ye
           may
           all
           prophesie
           one
           by
           one
           ,
           that
           all
           may
           learne
           and
           all
           bee
           comforted
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           of
           
             Peter
          
           the
           4.
           and
           the
           10.
           
           As
           every
           one
           hath
           received
           the
           gift
           ,
           even
           so
           minister
           the
           same
           one
           to
           another
           as
           faithfull
           stewards
           of
           the
           manifold
           graces
           of
           God
           :
           thus
           you
           have
           all
           these
           places
           to
           prove
           the
           lawfulnesse
           of
           all
           to
           exercise
           the
           gifts
           as
           God
           shall
           give
           them
           opertunitie
           with
           conveniency
           ,
           and
           also
           the
           Iudgements
           of
           many
           worthy
           Divines
           :
           now
           we
           shall
           shew
           you
           the
           reason
           of
           it
           why
           every
           one
           ought
           to
           communicate
           of
           what
           God
           hath
           bestowed
           on
           them
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           body
           ,
           the
           first
           reason
           is
           because
           God
           himselfe
           hath
           commanded
           it
           .
           The
           second
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           the
           very
           end
           of
           Gods
           bestowing
           these
           gifts
           upon
           us
           ,
           for
           the
           edifying
           of
           the
           body
           of
           Christ
           .
           The
           third
           reason
           is
           from
           our
           neere
           union
           and
           communion
           one
           with
           another
           .
           The
           fourth
           reason
           is
           from
           our
           breathrens
           right
           to
           it
           ,
           they
           have
           all
           right
           to
           our
           gifts
           and
           abilities
           .
           The
           fifth
           reason
           is
           this
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           way
           to
           inlarge
           our
           owne
           gifts
           and
           abilities
           .
           The
           sixt
           reason
           is
           ,
           Gods
           glory
           and
           the
           Saints
           example
           .
           The
           seven
           reason
           is
           because
           of
           our
           enemies
           wiles
           ,
           and
           sathans
           malice
           ,
           all
           calling
           for
           it
           at
           our
           hands
           .
           Now
           to
           answer
           certain
           objections
           that
           are
           brought
           in
           against
           the
           universalitie
           of
           this
           truth
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           objection
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           none
           ought
           to
           preach
           but
           those
           in
           office
           ,
           none
           else
           may
           properly
           be
           said
           to
           Preach
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           dispersed
           Christians
           were
           scattered
           in
           that
           persecution
           it
           is
           said
           that
           they
           went
           about
           preaching
           and
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Lord
           was
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           great
           multitudes
           beleeved
           and
           turned
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           11.
           19
           ,
           20
           ,
           21.
           
           But
           some
           object
           and
           say
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           not
           such
           preaching
           as
           is
           mentioned
           in
           
             Rom.
          
           10.
           14
           ,
           15.
           but
           it
           is
           manifest
           and
           cleare
           that
           they
           strive
           about
           words
           and
           to
           no
           purpose
           at
           all
           ;
           for
           there
           was
           that
           very
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           that
           very
           sending
           as
           is
           there
           mentioned
           in
           that
           
           tenth
           to
           the
           
             Rom.
          
           and
           the
           15.
           for
           that
           preaching
           of
           the
           dispersed
           Christians
           was
           made
           necessary
           for
           the
           working
           of
           faith
           ,
           else
           the
           text
           saith
           not
           right
           ,
           in
           saying
           they
           beleeved
           :
           But
           some
           farther
           object
           and
           say
           ,
           that
           these
           were
           all
           Church-officers
           ,
           and
           so
           might
           Preach
           where
           ever
           they
           came
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           it
           could
           not
           be
           so
           ,
           for
           wee
           never
           read
           in
           all
           the
           whole
           booke
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           members
           of
           a
           Church
           was
           offiicers
           ,
           but
           this
           is
           aparent
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           members
           were
           scattered
           only
           Apostles
           ,
           as
           you
           may
           see
           it
           in
           the
           8.
           of
           the
           
             Acts
          
           the
           first
           .
           I
           shall
           gi●e
           you
           another
           instance
           in
           the
           fourth
           of
           
             Iohn
          
           and
           the
           39.
           
           It
           is
           said
           that
           many
           of
           the
           Samaritans
           beleeved
           at
           the
           report
           of
           the
           woman
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           then
           one
           of
           these
           must
           needes
           befall
           those
           that
           ho●d
           none
           ought
           to
           Preach
           but
           those
           that
           are
           Church-officers
           ,
           and
           this
           woman
           was
           a
           Church-officer
           ,
           and
           so
           a
           Harold
           and
           an
           Imbassador
           ,
           and
           so
           sent
           and
           so
           Preached
           ,
           or
           else
           that
           the
           spirit
           was
           mistaken
           that
           sed
           they
           beleeved
           .
        
         
           Another
           instance
           we
           have
           of
           one
           that
           was
           no
           Church
           officer
           and
           yet
           a
           Preacher
           and
           a
           publisher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           in
           the
           eighth
           of
           
             Luke
          
           and
           the
           38
           ,
           39.
           the
           man
           out
           of
           whom
           the
           devills
           were
           cast
           out
           ;
           Christ
           sent
           him
           away
           ,
           and
           bid
           him
           goe
           and
           declare
           what
           great
           things
           he
           had
           done
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           text
           saith
           ,
           that
           he
           went
           and
           preached
           in
           the
           Cities
           .
           It
           is
           manifest
           that
           this
           man
           was
           n●
           Church-officer
           and
           yet
           a
           preacher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Againe
           ,
           what
           thinke
           you
           of
           
             Moses
          
           desire
           ,
           when
           hee
           desired
           that
           all
           the
           Lords
           people
           were
           Prophets
           ,
           either
           
             Moses
          
           say
           you
           jeared
           or
           else
           he
           wished
           that
           all
           good
           people
           were
           Church-officers
           which
           could
           not
           be
           ,
           
             Numb.
          
           11.
           29.
           
           What
           thinke
           you
           of
           
             Saul
          
           in
           the
           first
           of
           
             Sam.
          
           6.
           10.
           
           And
           when
           they
           came
           thither
           to
           the
           hill
           ,
           a
           company
           of
           the
           Prophets
           met
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           came
           upon
           him
           and
           he
           prophesied
           :
           so
           also
           the
           19
           of
           
             Sam.
          
           and
           the
           20.
           and
           
             Saule
          
           sent
           messengers
           to
           take
           
             David
             ,
          
           and
           when
           they
           saw
           the
           company
           of
           the
           Prophets
           prophesing
           and
           
             Samuel
          
           standing
           as
           appointed
           over
           them
           ;
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           was
           upon
           the
           messengers
           of
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           and
           they
           prophesied
           all
           ,
           see
           in
           the
           24
           verse
           ,
           and
           he
           stript
           off
           his
           cloathes
           also
           and
           prophesied
           ,
           now
           none
           of
           these
           were
           Church-officers
           .
        
         
           But
           they
           further
           object
           ,
           and
           say
           ;
           that
           these
           had
           an
           extraordinarie
           spirit
           given
           them
           ,
           and
           therefore
           might
           .
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           none
           had
           this
           extraordinary
           spirit
           ,
           but
           those
           that
           pened
           the
           Scriptures
           or
           that
           was
           able
           to
           worke
           Miracles
           .
           But
           these
           ,
           It
           is
           
           aparent
           in
           the
           
             Acts
             .
          
           and
           in
           these
           places
           ,
           had
           not
           such
           a
           Spirit
           as
           worked
           Miracles
           ,
           or
           that
           pened
           Scriptures
           ,
           And
           yet
           prophesied
           .
        
         
           Againe
           to
           this
           I
           answere
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           Spirit
           as
           that
           they
           had
           ,
           Is
           promised
           to
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           our
           dayes
           ,
           in
           the
           second
           of
           the
           
             Acts
             .
          
           and
           the
           18.
           
           And
           one
           my
           servants
           and
           one
           my
           handmaids
           ,
           I
           will
           power
           out
           in
           those
           dayes
           of
           my
           spirit
           ,
           and
           they
           shall
           prophesie
           ,
           but
           to
           this
           promise
           :
           some
           answere
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           made
           good
           in
           the
           Apostles
           times
           ;
           and
           we
           must
           not
           looke
           for
           the
           making
           good
           of
           this
           promise
           in
           our
           days
           .
           To
           this
           I
           answere
           that
           in
           the
           Apostles
           times
           ,
           they
           were
           called
           the
           last
           times
           ;
           but
           if
           then
           they
           were
           the
           last
           dayes
           much
           more
           now
           .
           And
           so
           may
           look
           for
           the
           fulfilling
           of
           this
           promise
           ,
           and
           we
           ought
           also
           to
           pray
           for
           the
           making
           good
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           obiect
           is
           this
           ,
           for
           none
           unlesse
           he
           be
           skild
           in
           arts
           and
           tongues
           ,
           Is
           fit
           for
           the
           worke
           of
           the
           menistrie
           ,
           to
           this
           I
           answere
           that
           the
           scriptures
           doth
           plainely
           affirme
           ,
           that
           the
           true
           understanding
           of
           scripture
           ,
           comes
           not
           by
           humane
           learning
           ,
           by
           arts
           and
           tongues
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           
             Cor.
          
           2.
           12.
           13.
           
           Now
           we
           have
           not
           received
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           but
           the
           spirit
           which
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           know
           the
           thinges
           that
           are
           freely
           given
           us
           of
           God
           :
           which
           thinges
           we
           speake
           not
           with
           the
           words
           ,
           which
           mans
           wisdome
           teacheth
           ,
           but
           which
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           teacheth
           us
           ,
           comparing
           spirituall
           things
           with
           spirituall
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           the
           naturall
           man
           cannot
           find
           out
           these
           things
           ,
           be
           he
           never
           so
           well
           qualified
           ,
           with
           all
           humane
           wisdome
           and
           learning
           .
           In
           the
           first
           of
           
             Cor.
          
           2.
           14.
           
           But
           the
           naturall
           man
           perceiveth
           not
           the
           things
           of
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           foolishnesse
           unto
           him
           ,
           neither
           can
           he
           know
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           spiritually
           deserned
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           Chap.
           and
           the
           20.
           ver.
           where
           is
           the
           wise
           ,
           where
           is
           the
           Scribe
           ,
           where
           is
           the
           disputer
           of
           this
           world
           hath
           not
           God
           made
           foolish
           the
           wisedome
           of
           this
           world
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           I
           answere
           that
           the
           want
           of
           furniture
           in
           skill
           and
           arts
           and
           tongues
           ,
           Shall
           not
           hinder
           any
           from
           this
           knowledg
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           is
           pleased
           ,
           in
           the
           holy
           meanes
           apointed
           to
           send
           forth
           his
           spirit
           ,
           with
           such
           illuminations
           ,
           &
           infusions
           into
           the
           soule
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           of
           
             Cor.
          
           2.
           10.
           or
           the
           spirit
           searcheth
           all
           thinges
           ,
           ye
           the
           deepe
           things
           of
           God
           in
           the
           15
           ,
           
             vers.
          
           But
           he
           that
           is
           spirituall
           ,
           Iudgeth
           all
           things
           ,
        
         
           Fourthly
           I
           answere
           ,
           that
           God
           counts
           it
           his
           glory
           sometimes
           to
           hide
           this
           thing
           from
           the
           wise
           &
           prudent
           ;
           and
           to
           reveale
           them
           
           unto
           babes
           ,
           and
           sucklings
           .
           Such
           that
           are
           distitude
           of
           humane
           learning
           in
           arts
           and
           tongues
           ,
           which
           must
           needs
           be
           the
           meaning
           of
           that
           plase
           in
           the
           11.
           of
           
             Matt.
          
           25.
           
        
         
           Fiftly
           I
           answere
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           not
           onely
           grounds
           ,
           and
           principles
           of
           saving
           truths
           ,
           given
           to
           such
           that
           are
           distitude
           of
           humane
           learning
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           but
           to
           understand
           a
           Proverbe
           and
           the
           interpretations
           of
           words
           ,
           of
           the
           wise
           :
           and
           there
           darke
           saying
           
             Proverbs
             ,
          
           1.
           6.
           7.
           
           
             Psalme
             .
          
           25.
           12.
           
        
         
           Lastly
           I
           answere
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostles
           desiring
           that
           others
           might
           understand
           these
           things
           :
           prayeth
           to
           God
           for
           them
           ,
           not
           that
           God
           would
           give
           them
           skill
           in
           arts
           and
           tongues
           ,
           though
           it
           might
           be
           desired
           ,
           in
           those
           that
           want
           it
           .
           But
           that
           God
           would
           give
           them
           the
           spirit
           of
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           revelation
           in
           the
           knowledge
           of
           his
           sonne
           
             Ephes.
          
           1.
           17.
           
        
         
           Thus
           you
           have
           the
           second
           obiect
           answered
           ,
           as
           God
           hath
           inabled
           me
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           obiect
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           none
           ought
           to
           excercise
           these
           gifts
           in
           such
           a
           publike
           way
           but
           those
           that
           have
           a
           call
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answere
           that
           all
           the
           call
           mentioned
           of
           in
           holy
           scriptures
           ,
           was
           the
           peoples
           great
           necessity
           ,
           and
           their
           great
           willingnesse
           to
           heare
           them
           and
           receive
           them
           .
           And
           the
           aprobation
           of
           godly
           ministers
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           I
           have
           had
           for
           my
           call
           ,
           but
           if
           none
           might
           Preach
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           unlesse
           he
           had
           the
           consent
           of
           all
           .
           None
           should
           preach
           amongst
           us
           ,
           that
           is
           for
           the
           3.
           obiect
           .
        
         
           The
           fourth
           obiect
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           happily
           be
           lawfull
           in
           a
           mans
           family
           ,
           but
           not
           in
           a
           Church
           ,
           I
           speake
           in
           the
           worlds
           language
           their
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           one
           is
           publike
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           private
           .
           And
           God
           hath
           given
           a
           private
           spirit
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           to
           private
           men
           to
           excercise
           privately
           with
           .
           He
           hath
           also
           given
           a
           publike
           spirit
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           for
           publike
           persons
           ,
           which
           they
           call
           themselves
           ,
           for
           a
           publike
           use
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answere
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           members
           ,
           of
           the
           body
           of
           Iesus
           Christ
           .
           But
           is
           of
           the
           same
           nature
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           a
           publike
           member
           of
           a
           publike
           body
           ,
           and
           the
           spirit
           proceeding
           ,
           from
           the
           head
           to
           every
           member
           is
           one
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           spirit
           ,
           and
           his
           gifts
           of
           like
           nature
           ;
           publike
           gifts
           of
           a
           publike
           spirit
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           body
           .
           And
           so
           in
           its
           place
           ,
           according
           to
           its
           measure
           to
           be
           used
           ,
           what
           ever
           gift
           it
           be
           ;
           that
           so
           though
           the
           members
           be
           many
           ,
           yet
           the
           body
           is
           but
           on
           ,
           every
           on
           member
           of
           the
           head
           ,
           and
           all
           members
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           and
           though
           the
           members
           have
           severall
           
           officies
           ,
           yet
           every
           member
           in
           the
           body
           hath
           some
           officie
           ,
           and
           usefull
           gift
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           for
           its
           owne
           profit
           alone
           :
           or
           the
           profit
           of
           two
           or
           three
           members
           next
           it
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           body
           ,
           God
           having
           so
           placed
           the
           members
           in
           the
           body
           ,
           that
           the
           chiefest
           cannot
           say
           to
           the
           meanest
           ,
           I
           have
           no
           need
           of
           you
           ,
           nor
           the
           meanest
           cannot
           also
           say
           to
           the
           chiefest
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           to
           care
           for
           you
           ,
           but
           every
           member
           to
           have
           the
           same
           care
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           though
           this
           care
           bee
           manifested
           diversly
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           severall
           officies
           they
           have
           in
           the
           body
           ;
           and
           the
           severall
           gifts
           given
           it
           for
           discharge
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           for
           though
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Politie
           of
           Congregated
           bodies
           ,
           the
           more
           part
           are
           out
           of
           officie
           ,
           yet
           as
           we
           are
           all
           one
           body
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           members
           on
           of
           another
           ,
           their
           is
           never
           a
           member
           out
           of
           office
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           the
           service
           of
           the
           whole
           :
           there
           are
           now
           more
           private
           Christians
           ,
           then
           private
           members
           of
           Christ
           ,
           neither
           in
           any
           other
           sense
           ,
           can
           they
           properly
           be
           called
           private
           Christians
           ,
           then
           they
           may
           also
           be
           called
           private
           members
           of
           Christ
           .
           Seeing
           that
           in
           the
           whole
           booke
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           finde
           no
           such
           phrase
           as
           private
           Christian
           ,
           or
           private
           spirit
           .
           Thus
           have
           I
           laboured
           ,
           as
           the
           Lord
           hath
           helped
           me
           to
           discover
           the
           lawfulnesse
           of
           my
           practise
           ,
           both
           publike
           and
           private
           :
           I
           have
           labouréd
           to
           answer
           all
           the
           obiections
           ,
           that
           I
           ever
           had
           against
           it
           unlesse
           it
           be
           this
           that
           though
           it
           be
           lawfull
           ,
           yet
           not
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           an
           〈…〉
           at
           for
           this
           reason
           ,
           because
           happily
           it
           might
           hinder
           the
           worke
           of
           reformation
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           worke
           of
           reformation
           ,
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           all
           errors
           should
           be
           brought
           to
           light
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           truths
           should
           be
           discovered
           ;
           this
           I
           finding
           out
           of
           Gods
           word
           to
           be
           an
           error
           that
           is
           held
           commonly
           amongst
           us
           ,
           that
           rather
           then
           any
           man
           should
           be
           a
           publisher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ,
           unlesse
           he
           were
           skild
           in
           arts
           and
           tongues
           ,
           and
           sent
           forth
           by
           our
           Prelates
           ,
           thousands
           of
           our
           meeting
           houses
           should
           be
           shut
           up
           ,
           and
           the
           people
           starved
           for
           want
           of
           foode
           ,
           though
           God
           hath
           abundantly
           provided
           for
           them
           :
           I
           thought
           no
           time
           so
           fit
           to
           publish
           this
           truth
           by
           my
           practise
           as
           now
           at
           this
           time
           when
           God
           hath
           given
           us
           such
           glorious
           hopes
           of
           a
           glorious
           reformation
           ,
           and
           when
           so
           many
           of
           those
           that
           pitties
           poore
           soules
           to
           see
           them
           lie
           in
           ignorance
           and
           blindnesse
           ,
           and
           have
           power
           in
           their
           hands
           to
           redresse
           it
           .
           Therfore
           I
           thought
           no
           time
           so
           seasonable
           as
           this
           time
           ,
           and
           thus
           have
           you
           all
           the
           objections
           that
           are
           brought
           against
           me
           answered
           .
        
         
           That
           which
           occasioned
           me
           to
           put
           these
           few
           lines
           forth
           to
           the
           
           view
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           hath
           beene
           by
           the
           importunity
           of
           many
           that
           beare
           good
           will
           to
           Sion
           ,
           &
           to
           this
           truth
           :
           also
           the
           evill
           aspertion●
           that
           are
           cast
           upon
           me
           for
           this
           my
           practise
           ;
           I
           have
           hard
           anoyse
           ,
           but
           I
           have
           seene
           as
           yet
           nothing
           out
           of
           the
           word
           of
           God
           that
           might
           disswade
           me
           ,
           but
           rather
           perswade
           me
           ;
           and
           to
           incourage
           mee
           in
           the
           way
           to
           go
           on
           by
           none
           that
           obiect
           against
           it
           ;
           to
           this
           day
           could
           I
           never
           procure
           any
           faire
           reasoning
           of
           any
           person
           whatsoever
           ;
           though
           I
           have
           exceedingly
           sought
           it
           to
           heare
           their
           grounds
           what
           they
           have
           had
           against
           it
           :
           could
           it
           be
           made
           aparent
           out
           of
           Gods
           word
           ,
           that
           it
           were
           unlawfull
           for
           me
           to
           goe
           on
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           or
           that
           there
           were
           no
           neede
           of
           the
           discovery
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           or
           that
           the
           people
           did
           not
           earnestly
           desire
           it
           ,
           I
           should
           cease
           with
           Joy
           and
           reioycing
           of
           heart
           ;
           but
           so
           long
           as
           there
           can
           be
           nothing
           found
           in
           Gods
           word
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           seeing
           the
           great
           necessities
           of
           the
           people
           and
           their
           great
           willingnesse
           calles
           for
           it
           ;
           I
           shall
           bee
           willing
           to
           suffer
           what
           God
           shall
           please
           to
           inflict
           upon
           me
           for
           the
           same
           :
           yet
           I
           am
           perswaded
           though
           I
           be
           trodden
           under
           foot
           ,
           yet
           this
           truth
           shall
           flourish
           &
           spread
           it selfe
           forth
           in
           the
           world
           to
           the
           amasement
           of
           all
           that
           doe
           oppose
           it
           :
           and
           thus
           according
           to
           what
           light
           the
           Lord
           hath
           bestowed
           on
           mee
           out
           of
           his
           free
           love
           in
           his
           Sonne
           ,
           I
           have
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           some
           ,
           published
           these
           few
           lines
           to
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
           
             Iohn
             Spenser
             .