knowledge, 1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:2. This was also tried by the church,
good tidings unto the meek, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." In this he must be followed by those who would be catchers of men. He was sent by the Father to preach the gospel; he went not to the work without his Father's commission. Men must have a call to this work, Heb. 5:4. They that run unsent, that take on the work without a call from God, cannot expect to do good to a people, Rom. 10:14, Jer. 23. I sent them not; therefore they shall not profit this people. Tell me then, O my soul, whether you have thus followed Christ or not? Had you a call from God to this work of the preaching of the gospel? or have you run unsent?
In answer to this, I must consider that there is a twofold call, an extraordinary and an ordinary call. The first of these I was not to seek, nor may I pretend to it. The question then is, Whether I had an ordinary call from God or not to preach the gospel?
There are these four things in an ordinary call which do make it up.
i. Knowledge of the doctrine of the Christian religion above that of ordinary professors, 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. This I endeavoured to get by study, and prayer unto the Lord; and did attain to it in some measure, though far below the pitch that I would be at. My knowledge was lawfully tried by the church, and they were satisfied.
2. Aptness to teach, some dexterity of communicating unto others that knowledge, 1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:2. This was also tried by the church, and they were satisfied. This has been acknowledged by others whom I have taught; and God has given me some measure of it, however small.
3. A will some way ready to take on the work of preaching the gospel, 1 Pet. 5:2. This I had, for anything I know, since ever the Lord dealt with my soul, unless it was in a time of distress. And though I did a long time sit the call of the church, in not entering on trials, when they would have had me, yet this was not for want of will but ability for the