Puritan Wisdom

On I Peter 2:7-8 --

"The duty of Ministers is to divide the Word aright, and give every man his Pardon, not speaking confusedly to all alike. The Word is a fan, that will make two heaps where is found but one, laying the chaff and corn each by itself: It sets down certain notes and marks to know one from another, the Regenerate or Believers, from the unregenerate, and unbelievers these must be observed by the Minister, that every man may see his face as in a glass, and know himself in what state he stands, that none may be deceived, but such as willingly deceive themselves; that they be Believers may know it, and walk chearfully, and give glory to God by a life answerable; and they that be contrary may know it, to humble them, or leave them without excuse: Thus did John the Baptist, our Savior, and his Apostles: And thus set down in the Word, and preached by Gods faithful Ministers, is a certain foregoer of their righteous Sentence, which Christ himself shall give at that last day to the good and bad. Those that now the Ministers of God according to the Word pronounce to be Believers and penitent persons, they shall be found such, and have the reward of Believers on the right hand: Those on the contrary, that they shall thus mark out for unbelievers, shall then by found such, and have their reward accordingly; for that which is loosed or bound on Earth, is loosed or bound in Heaven."

-- John Rogers, 224.