Ver.1$. the i 7tb Chapter of St. J O H N. 27 t. Who are fent. 2. From whom. 3. To whom. 4. Why, or about what Bufinefs. i. Who are Cent. Principally the Apoftles 5 but fecondarily, the Ordinary Minifters of the Gofpel : The Apoftles as Ambafïadors extraordinary, but we as Leigers and Agents. The Apoftles were immediatly fent by Chrift, and furni(hed with extraordi- nary Gifts, as Infallibility of Doctrine, Gifts of Miracles, Gifts of Tongues as Am- baffadors are Cet forth with more Pomp and State than Agents. But now Minifters are fent by a Power derived and delegated from Chrift ; and we have not like Authority and Infallibility as the Apoftles had, but the fubftance of the Commi(fton, and of the Work, is the fame; we are to open the Mind of God to Men, and in Chrift's Name and Authority, to pray you to be reconciled to God. And therefore both Apo files, and ordinary Minifters of the Gofpel, ordinary Paftors and Teachers of the Church are Cent. 2. From whom they are tent. From Chrift, who is the King of the Church, tho with the Content of all the Perlons in the Trinity. The Father fendeth, Chrift fend - eth, the Holy Ghoft fendeth. Gal. r. 1. Paul an Apo file, not of Men, neither by Men, but by Mrs Chrifi, and God the Father, who raifid him from the Dead. `Paul raifeth up hisCommiflìon, as far as the Grant and Content of God the Father. And the Holy Ghoft fendeth, As 20. 28. Take heed therefore unto pur [eelves, and to all the Flock, over which the Hoy Gbo. fl bath made you Overfeers. So, Aas 13. 2..ßs they minifired to the Lord, and failed, the Holy Ghofi faid, Separate me Paul and Barnabas for the Work whereunto I have called them. In fhort then, we are Cent by the Decree and Will of the Father, qualified by the Holy Ghoft, and commiflioned by the Authority of Chrift as King of the Church. And therefore the Apoftles were to tarry at Jerufalem till Chrift was afcended, and feated on the Throne, and feized upon the Kingdom, and poured out the Holy Ghoft upon them. None are fent, but fuck are an called, and chorea by the Holy Ghoft, by whom alto they are gifted, with refped to God the Father's Confnt, and Chrift's Authority. 3. To whom are they fent ? I Anlwer ; To all without any diftin&ion of Nation, Sex, Perron, or Condition. Mark 16. 15. Go y into all the World, and preach the Go- fpel to every Creature. Men fend an Embafry to Kings and Princes, but Chrift to every mean Creature, without any reftraint. It is true, the Motion and Courre of the Go- fpel is directed, by a fpecial Providence, to fame Places, and not to others. Ads 16. 7. After they were come to Myfia, they affayed to go into Bithynia : but the Spirit lîered them not. But doth the Holy Ghoft hinder the preaching of the Gofpel ? We muff dillinguifh between the Grant of Power,and the Exercife of it. Tho there be a gene- ral Grant, that the Pale of the Church (hall be inlarged ; yet this Grant is to be made good as the Lord will. Tl* is a general Grant, that the Gcslpel (hall be preached unto all Nations; but as for the Exercife and making good this litant, God will have the World to know, that the Preaching of the Gofpel is a Priviledge, and a fpecial Favour, and therefore he fendeth it to Come and not to Others, as a Token of his Love. It is a thing. that doth not come by chance, or by the Counfels of Men, but by his fpecial Grant and Defignation. Therefore it is notable, that the Apoftles were guided by the Spirit, not only in their Doctrine, but in their Journeys ; and the external Means are diftributed by the Will of God, as well as internal Grace, that where-ever it cometh, we may acknowledg it as a fpecial Favour ; to fonte it cometh later, to others boner, but to all as God will. Fie oweth it to none ; and therefore, tho the Pale be inlarged, and there is a general Grant, that all Creatures that live within the precinds of the round World, (hall have the Gofpel in their turn; yet to Come it is fent before others. Ads 3.26. Vnto you firfl God having raifed up his Son yefus, fini him to biefs you. The Jews had the firOE Offer, and liberty of Choice or liefufal. So; Ads 13. 26. Men and Brethren, Children of the Stock of Abraham, unto you is the Word of this Salvation fent ; he doth not fay, it is brought by me, but feus. The Preach- ing of the Gofpel is governed by God's fpecial Providence and Care; As the Scrip- tures came not in oldtime by the Will of Nan ; but Moly Men of God fpake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghofi, 2 Pet. 1.21. Soit is Abt preached by the Will of Men. It is not your Purles that procure it, nor your Goodnefs that deferveth it ; but good Mini- itet9
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