Baxter - BX1765 B39 1691

[ 494 ] and Churches; yet was intended fot~ all the Chrf~ !Han World, as being the Word of the Univerfal Bifhop and King. . . , , • 2. But their Perfonal Vocal Preaching was confined by natural necefiity. Their Mandate or Comrnifiion was but indefinite, or limitedly uni-' verfal. Chrifi ·never bound them to go to every Nation or Perfon in the World ; elfe how greatly had they finned ? They went not into the fourth part of the Earth: Arid in thofe parts, not to one perfon ofmany hundred or thoufaods: Yet their Commiffioo had no polltive prohibition refirain– ing them from any one place or perfon : But Na-– tural Incapacity reHrained them. They were to go as far as they could, and fpeak to as many in the World as they could. And this Mandate was given to each one; nor .do we read that ever . they went abroad all twelve together, nor ever met when difperfed to confult; nor ever judged any caufe or perfons as a College, af~er. It was eafie for them to meet when they 'dwelt together ; and ealie to govern all Chrifiians when they were all before them or at hand: And ealie to record Chrifi's Lavirs and Doctrine by which all mu!t be governed to the end, being thereunto in– fpired by his Spirit. But ~s the Church grew grea· ter, they increafed the number of Pallors ; but gave them no Univerfal Soveraignty. · § 7. And now what pretence can ordinary Mi~ nifiers or Bitbops have for Univerfality of Sove-– raignty, Legifiarion and Judgment in an Arifio.. cratical Senate or Council? Ifthey were Apofiles they muft but teach men to obferve all Chrilt's Commands. Theymay do their proper work as £·u· as they have capacity and ability : If they cao Preacb

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