t a particular mission to the
office of preaching and dispensing the sacraments was only necessary,
when the gospel was preached to the heathen. From age to age, it is _as
new_, to children _as new_, to such as never heard it. Nor, when hinting
the necessity of a mission, does the inspiring Spirit make any
distinction, whether the gospel be newly dispensed or not. _What
therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder_. In vain he
pleads an immediate commission from God: in his infallible statutes,
having fixed standing rules of vocation to the ministry, by the
mediation of men, God gives us no command, no encouragement, to hope for
an immediate call, till the end of time. Absurdly then we allow any to
have such a call, till we see _the signs of an apostle wrought in him_.
It is not sufficient he be sound in his doctrine, exemplarily holy in
his life, active in his labors, disinterested in his aims, seeking not
his own, but the honor of Christ, not his own carnal profit, but the
spiritual welfare of men: every ordinary preacher is, or ought to be so.
But, to this claimant of a mission uncommon, working of miracles, or
such extraordinary credentials, must demonstrate he hath not run unsent.

In vain the ultroneous preacher boasts of his feelings; his success; his
moving his audience; his reforming their lives; as if these demonstrated
his call from God. On earth, was ever delusion carried on without
pretence to, or without appearances of these? Let them, who know the
history of Popery, of Mahometanism, Quakerism, &c., say if they were.
Who knows not, that the Pharisaic sect pretended far more strictness,
far more devotion, than the family of Christ? Who knows not, that Satan
may, and has oft _transformed_ himself _into an angel of light_; his
ministers into the form of inspired apostles; and his influences, almost
indiscernibly similar to those of the Spirit of Jesus Christ? Who knows
not, how oft vain-glory, proud and falsely extolling of himself and
party, in their number, their spiritual experience and high advances in
holiness, mark the distinguished impostor? How oft his sermons are
larded with these!

No more tell us, if the sermon be good, you do not regard who preach it.
If God has prescribed a method of call, has stated the qualifications of
the candidate, has warned against preachers unsent, has oft marked their
guilt with visible strokes of his wrath, be ashamed to talk at so
arrogant, so careless a