ered, but these are here spoken of; and Philip, an
evangelist, and endowed with miraculous powers, is mentioned as one of
them.

5th. As to the case of Apollos, which some urge as affording
irresistible evidence to prove that all who are qualified may preach the
gospel, a few words may suffice. He spoke boldly in the synagogue, the
practice of which is no rule to the Christian Church. He was not yet
acquainted with some important doctrines of the New Testament Church,
much less could he be acquainted with the ordinances of it. Two
intelligent Christians instructed him more perfectly in the way of God.
He was recommended by the brethren to the church at Corinth, and there
he labored successfully in the work of the ministry. And what is all
this to the purpose for which his example is urged? We have no
information, indeed, of what time, nor in what manner, he was called and
admitted to the work of the ministry, more than we have about many
others mentioned in Scripture: but he is expressly called a minister,
and is, once and again, classed with the chiefest of the apostles, 1
Cor. i. 12, iii. 5, 22.

Lest these and the like arguments should be found insufficient, recourse
is had by some to the plea of pure motives and good designs, with a kind
of appeal to the judgment of the great day, and profession of trust,
that they are such as will not then be condemned. It is a great
satisfaction to have the testimony of conscience to the purity of
motives in every part of conduct that is warranted by the word of God,
and also to know that the judgment of the saints at the great day will
be a judgment of mercy. But every part of the truth of Christ will be
determined at that day in exact conformity to what is now declared in
the word. And the purest motives and most noble designs are no rule of
conduct to any; much less can they give satisfaction to others.

These observations concerning the institution of a gospel ministry, the
writer is persuaded, are agreeable to the word of God: if they be not,
it would be idle to appeal to his motives in support of them. But he can
freely say that they are here offered to the public, not from a desire
of controversy, but from a conviction, that at this time it is
necessary, on different accounts, to call people's attention to the mind
and will of Christ, as revealed in the word concerning this subject. Let
not such of the friends of religion, as may be of different sentiments
from what are