An Apology for the True Christian Divinity / Being an explanation and vindication of the principles and doctrines of the people called Quakers

by Robert Barclay

Answ.As to what is subjoined of the inward Call of the Spirit, in that they make it not essential to a true Call, but a Supererogation as it were, it sheweth how little they set by it: Since those they admit to the Ministry are not so much as questioned in their Trials, whether they have this or not. Yet, in that it hath been often mentioned, especially by the Primitive Protestants in their Treatises on this Subject, it sheweth how much they were secretly convinced in their Minds, that this inward Call of the Spirit was most excellent, and preferable to any other; The Call of the Spirit preferred to any other by Primitive Protestants.and therefore in the most noble and heroic Acts of the Reformation, they laid Claim unto it; so that many of the Primitive Protestants did not scruple both to despise and disown this outward[82] Call, when urged by the Papists against them. Modern Protestants denying the Call of the Spirit.But now Protestants, having gone from the Testimony of the Spirit, plead for the same Succession; and being pressed (by those whom God now raiseth up by his Spirit to reform those Abuses that are among them) with the Example of their Forefathers Practice against Rome, they are not at all ashamed utterly to deny that their Fathers were called to their Work by the inward and immediate Vocation of the Spirit; clothing themselves with that Call, which they say their Forefathers had, as Pastors of the Roman Church. For thus (not to go further) affirmeth Nicolaus Arnoldus,[83] in a Pamphlet written against the same Propositions, called, A Theologick Exercitation, Sect. 40. averring, That they pretended not to an immediate Act of the Holy Spirit; but reformed by the Virtue of the ordinary Vocation which they had in the Church, as it then was, to wit, that of Rome, &c.

[82] Succession.

[83] Who gives himself out Doctor and Professor of Sacred Theology at Franequer.

§. IX.

§. X.

[84] Mat. 12. 48. &c. Mark 3. 33. &c.

Object.But if it be objected, That though the Generality of the Bishops and Priests of the Church of Rome, during the Apostasy, were such wicked Men; yet Protestants affirm, and thou thyself seemest to acknowledge, that there were some good Men among them, whom the Lord regarded, and who were true Members of the Catholick Church of Christ; might not they then have transmitted this Authority?

Answ.The Protestants plead for a Succession inherent. I answer, This saith nothing; in respect Protestants do not at all lay Claim to their Ministry, as transmitted to them by a direct Line of good Men; which they can never shew, nor yet pretend to: But generally place this Succession as inherent in the whole Pastors of the Apostate Church. Neither do they plead their Call to be good and valid, because they can derive it through a Line of good Men, separate and observably distinguishable from the rest of the Bishops and Clergy of the Romish Church; but they derive it as an Authority residing in the Whole: For they think it Heresy, to judge that the Quality or Condition of the Administrator doth any Ways invalidate or prejudice his Work.

This vain and pretended Succession not only militates against, and fights with the very manifest Purpose and Intent of Christ in the gathering and calling of his Church, but makes him (so to speak) more blind and less prudent than natural Men are in conveying and establishing their outward Inheritances. An Estate void of Heirship devolves to the Prince, none claims it, but whom he sees meet to give it: So the Heirship of Life is enjoyed from Christ, the true Heir.For where an Estate is entailed to a certain Name and Family, when that Family weareth out, and there is no lawful Successor found of it, that can make a just Title appear, as being really of Blood and Affinity to the Family; it is not lawful for any one of another Race or Blood, because he assumes the Name or Arms of that Family, to possess the Estate, and claim the Superiorities and Privileges of the Family: But by the Law of Nations the Inheritance devolves into the Prince, as being Ultimus Hæres; and so he giveth it again immediately to whom he sees meet, and makes them bear the Name and Arms of the Family, who then are entitled to the Privileges and Revenues thereof. So in like Manner, the true Name and Title of a Christian, by which he hath Right to the heavenly Inheritance, and is a Member of Jesus Christ, is inward Righteousness and Holiness, and the Mind redeemed from the Vanities, Lusts, and Iniquities of this World; and a Gathering or Company, made up of such Members, makes a Church. Where this is lost, the Title is lost; and so the true Seed, to which the Promise is, and to which the Inheritance is due, becomes extinguished in them, and they become dead as to it: And so it retires, and devolves itself again into Christ, who is the righteous Heir of Life; and he gives the Title and true Right again immediately to whom it pleaseth him, even to as many as being turned to his pure Light in their Consciences, come again to walk in his righteous and innocent Life, and so become true Members of his Body, which is the Church. So the Authority, Power and Heirship are not annexed to Persons, as they bear the mere Names, or retain a Form, holding the bare Shell or Shadow of Christianity; but the Promise is to Christ, and to the Seed, in whom the Authority is inherent, and in as many as are one with him, and united unto him by Purity and Holiness, and by the inward Renovation and Regeneration of their Minds.