Not as toApoftles properly, That is,' this was no perfonallpriviledge ro bee in them, and to die with them, that they f!wuld onely execute it for a time, and none ever after them. G6 o forbzd, 'vVe fhould f'o thitrk it. For, this power being more than rteedfull for the world (as in rbe be– ginning it was faid) it was not to be either perfonall, or for atime. Therl thofe perf'ons dying; and thofe times determining,they in the ages follow. ing (as we now in this) that lhould light into this pri[on or capti"vity of finne, how could they or we receive any benefit by it? Of Nature, iris [aid by the heathen ·Philofopher; that it doth neither Abundare in fuperfiuY; nor deficere iri neceffariu; God forbid,but we fhould afcribe as much to God at the leafl:; that neither He would ordaine a power f'uperflu01fj>or more than needed,or e1fe, it being needfull,would appropriateit mito one agt, and leave all other dellitute _ofit; and pot rather as all Writers both new and old take it, continue it f'ucceffively to the worlds end. 57 ' And as not proper ro the .Aportles perjons, fo neither coinmon to all Chriftians. in generall, nor in the perfons of all CLriftimts conveighed to . them. Which thing, the very circumfl:ances ofthe Text doe evict. For Veire ; ~; . Hefint them firll-,andafrer infpired them; and after both rhefe;gave them Yer!c :.. this commi(Ston. Now all Chriftians are not f'o fent,nor are all (lmflid~1s inJPired wirb the grace or gift of theSpirit, that they were here. Conf'e~ quently, it was not Intended to rhe whole fociery of Chriftiam. Yea, I adde, that foraf'much as thefe two, both rhefe two, mull: goe before it i 1 Mifsio, and • Infpiratio: ·that though God infpire fome Laymen, if! may have leave fo to terme them, with very fpeciall graces ofkno'IVledgeto this end; yet inaf'much as they have notthe former offending, it agreeth not to them, neither may they exercif'e it, untill they be fent, that is, untilt they have their calling thereunto. , It being then neither perf'onalt nor p'eculiar to them as Apofllfs, nor Tothein .;; :tgaine common to all as Cbriftians, it mull: needs bee committed ~to U'rlir.ifleh; them as Minitlers, Priefts, or Preachers; and confequently to thole, that in that office and function doe fucceed them, towhom,and by whom, thi:; Commijsion is llill continued. Neither- are they, that are ordained or inllituted to that calling, ordained or initituted byanyot~r 'Words or ~erfe, than this. ;Yet not fo, that abf'olutely without them, Gor) cannot betlow it, ~nwhom, otwhen Him pleafeth ;' or that he is hound to this meanes onely, and cannot workew(rhout it. For, Gratia Vei non !llligatur medii5, the grace· of God is not bound but free, and ea n worke' without \Deanes either'of Wor_dor Sacrament; and as wirho'ut meanes;,' fo:without Miniftm, how,andwhen lio Him feemeth good. Bur fpea,· king of.that whiGh.is·proper-a:nd ordinary,in the;courle by Him elhbli– fhed,,thi'sis :mEcclefiallicall.AB, committedrasrhe refidue of the mini:. ileryofreconciliation,toecclefiafiicall perfons·. ,A<nd if ac- any tirhe -Hee' vouehf'afe r.·
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=