ページの画像
PDF
ePub

blessing to us, yet they are not so much so ag that Word or Spirit from whence they proceeded. But the Scriptures themselves cannot be understood, without the aid of the same spirit, by which they were at first written. We consequently believe that in the wisdom of God, many souls are instructed without the means of the Scriptures, by the immediate manifestation of his own blessed spirit; if therefore we call the Scriptures the word of God, and say they are the only means of salvation; this would go to deny the doctrine which they contain, and exclude all those who cannot read them, from the possibility of salvation. The society of Friends observing these consequences, and finding that the spirit of truth is given to lead into all truth, and of course, out of all error, cannot join with those who after this manner depart from the doctrine of the Scriptures, but they on the contrary refuse to call the Scriptures by any other name than that which they claim for themselves.

[ocr errors]

OF THE MINISTRY.

"IF any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified.' 1 Peter iv. 11. Such ministry is not the effect of man's will or wisdom, but is the ministry of the spirit. Now the gospel dispensation, is a spiritual dispensation, and all those who profess to be ministers of the gospel, if they are really such, have received a gift of the spirit. for that purpose. "And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying the body of Christ." Eph. xv. 12. We believe therefore that no human talents or learning can qualify a man without this gift, to be. a gospel minister. And no one can be assured that he has this gift of the spirit for the work of the ministry, but by the immediate. impression and evidence of the spirit itself. Nor can those among whom he labours know that the gift has been bestowed, unless they also have the evidence of the same spirit. The

1

church of Christ was to be under his govern ment, and built upon him, the only true foundation; consequently its members were not left to any uncertainty; they had the spirit of Christ; for according to the Scriptures, "if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his." Rom. viii. 9. The true church therefore consisting of living members influenced by the holy Head, they necessarily know when the ministry proceeds from the spirit. And although it may be possible for human learning and parts to become very correct in the knowledge of the letter; yet the ministry of the spirit not accompanying the letter, these never can rise any higher, unless they receive the gift of the ministry. This gift we believe is only at the disposal of him from whom all perfect gifts proceed, and not in the power of any man or set of men to confer upon another. We believe also that the gift of the spirit is not confined to nation or sex; that it is bestowed upon all; and that the gift of the ministry is bestowed upon females as well as males. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ, for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond

[ocr errors]

nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ." Gal. iii. 26, 27, 28. If then we are, when baptized into Christ, all one in him (and we believe no one can be a minister of Christ until baptized into him), whether male or female, we all receive of his spirit; and those whom it may please him to put into the ministry will be to the edification of the body of Christ, which is his church. That females were to receive the gift of prophecy appears from the following: "I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy." Joel ii. 28. The apostle Peter, on the memorable day of Penticost, makes use of this same passage, confirming the right of prophecy to the female sex. And though Paul for the purpose of guarding the church in his day from unneces sary questions, and a consequent disturbance of the solemnity, enjoined that a woman should not be suffered to speak in it, but should enquire of her husband at home; yet it appears plain that he had no view to forbid them the right to minister when they should be thereunto called; for we find he has instructed them in what manner they should appear. "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with

t

my

her head uncovered dishonoreth her head." 1 Cor. xi. 5, He has also spoken by way of approbation of women in the ministry of the gospel: "And I intreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also and with other fellow labourers whose names are in the book of life." Philip. iv. 3. The society of Friends being satisfied that females were called to the ministry amongst them, and hav ing every necessary, assurance that it was agreeable to the wise administration of the Head of the church, have not believed that they should be excluded, but own them in the ministry, and are often edified by their labours in the gospel. One of the duties which we are satisfied is vested in the church, is a careful attention to this subject. Those who have had experience and have long stood firm in obe-dience to the spirit of Christ, are necessarily bound to take notice of appearances in the ministry; and where any come forth who have mistaken their gift, timely to counsel and caution them. Thus the living members are: instrumental to preserve all in their proper places instructing one another in the opening of that light which makes manifest. But though

« 前へ次へ »