rate. Lay it not in the power of the
Mesopotamian wizard! Lies it not in the power of a Romish Jesuit, nay,
if permitted, of Beelzebub, for a time to preach to you many truths of
the gospel, in the warmest strain, the loftiest language? Would you
acknowledge the _three_ for honored ambassadors of Christ? Tell us not
your preacher is wonderfully pious and good: perhaps you have only his
own attestation; when better known he may be a drunkard, a swearer, a
villain, for you. Suppose he were pious, so was Uzziah; yet it pertained
not to him to execute the priest's office. Say not he is wonderfully
gifted--speaks like _never man_: perhaps so was Korah, a man famous and
of renown: such perhaps were the vagabond sons of Sceva. Say not his
earnestness in his work marks his heavenly call: no, such were the
Satanic exorcists just mentioned; such was Mahomet, the vilest impostor.
To abolish the idolatry, and various other abominations of his country,
he exposed himself to cruel reproach, to manifold hardship and hazard of
life; about fourteen years almost unsuccessful he persevered in this
difficult, but delusive attempt. What hunger, what cold, what torment
and death have some Jesuitic and other antichristian missionaries
undergone, to propagate the most ruining delusions of hell; all under
the pretence of earnestness to gain sinners to Christ and his church.
The Scripture, however, nowhere saith, how shall they preach except they
be gracious? except they be gifted? except they be in earnest? But, _how
shall they preach except they be sent_?

NO. III.[123]

_On the same subject--Who have a right to preach the gospel_?

It is expressly enjoined in the word of God that we should earnestly
contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. This faith includes
all the ordinances, as well as all the doctrines of Christ; and it is no
less our duty to contend for the former than for the latter. They have
been equally opposed, and there is the same necessity why we should
contend for both. Among the ordinances of Christ, the preaching of the
gospel holds a principal place, and it hath accordingly, in all ages,
met with considerable opposition. Like other ordinances, it hath been
often grievously abused, and perverted to the most unworthy purposes. By
many who would be esteemed the wise of the world, it is counted unworthy
the attention of any but the vulgar: it has been called the foolishness
of preaching. The infidels of our