What need you, before you have showed one syllable of a reasonable
argument in opposition to what I assert, thus trample my person, my
gifts, and grace--have I any--so disdainfully under your feet,
because of my low descent among men; stigmatizing me for a person of
that rank that need not to be heeded. And what, is my rank so mean
that the most gracious and godly among you may not duly and soberly
consider what I have said? Was it not the act of the false apostles
to say thus--to bespatter a man that his doctrine might be
disregarded? "Is not this the carpenter?" and, "His bodily presence
is weak and his speech contemptible," did not use to be in the
mouths of the saints; for they knew the wind blew where it listed.
Neither is it high birth, worldly breeding, or wealth; but electing
love, grace, and the wisdom that comes from heaven, that those who
strive for strictness of order in. the things and kingdom of Christ,
should have in regard and esteem. Need I read you a lecture? Hath
not God chosen the foolish, the weak, the base, yea and even things
that are not to bring to naught things that are? Why then do you
despise my rank, my state, and quality in the world?
Since you would know by what name I would be distinguished from
others, I tell you, I would be, and I hope I am, A CHRISTIAN; and
choose, if God should count me worthy, to be called A CHRISTIAN, A
BELIEVER, or other such name which is approved by the Holy Ghost.
Pages:
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526