86 A DTSCOURSE ON THE. HOLY SPIRIT, fence of exalting and preserving the church, totally to overthrow it. Now, the evidence which we shall give unto this truth is contained in the ensuing assertions with their.confirmation. 2. The Lord Jesus Christ hath faithfullypromised to be present with his church unto the end of the world It is his temple and histabernacle, wherein he will dwell andwalk continually. And this presence of Christ is that which makes the church to be what it is, a congregation essentially distinct from all other societies and assemblies of men. Let men be formed into whatorder you please, according unto any outward rulesand measures that are either given in thescripture, or found out by themselves, let them derive power and authority by what claim so- ever they shall think fit, yet if Christ be not present with them, they are no church, nor can all the powers . under heaven make them so to be. And where any church loseth the especialpresence of Christ, it ceaseth so . to be. It is, I suppose, confessed with, and among whom Christ is thus present, or it may be easily proved. Sae his promises to this purpose, Matth. xviii. 20. Ilev. xxi. 8. And those churches do exceedingly mistake their in.. terest who are solicitous about other things, but make little inquiry after the evidences of the presence of Christ among them. Some walk as if they supposed they had him sure enough, as it were immured in their walls, whilst they keep up the name of a church, and an out- ward order that pleaseth and advantageth themselves. But outward order, bewhat it will, is so far from being the only evidence ofthe presence of Christ in a church, that where it is alone, or when it is principally requir- ed, it is none at all. And therefore, whereas preach- ing of the word, and the right administration of the sa- craments, are assigned as the notes of a true church, if the outward acts and order of them only be regarded, there is nothing of evidence unto this purpose in them, 8. Idly, This promised presence of Christ is by his Spirit. This I have sufficiently proved formerly, so that here I shall be brief in its rehearsal, though it be the next foundation of what we have farther to offer in this case. We speaknot ofthe essential presenceof Christwith respect unto the immensity ofhis divine nature, whereby he is equally present in, or equally indistant from all places, manifesting his glory when, where, and how he pleaseth. Nor doth it respect his human nature; for, when he promised this his presence, hetold his disciples[ but that ministers have, or ought to have, gifts for the due discharge of their office. Tosome, indeed, the very name and word is a derision, because it is a name and no- tion peculiar to the scripture. Nothing is more con- temptible unto them than the very mention of the gifts of the Holy Ghost; at present I deal not with such di- rectly, though what we shall prove will be sufficient for their rebuke, though not for their conviction. Where- fore our inquiry is, whether the Spirit of God doth ef- fectually collate on the ministers of the gospel, spiritual gifts, enabling them to perform and effect evangelical administrations, according to the power committed un- to them, and duly required of them, unto the glory of Christ, and edification of the church? It is, moreover, Inquired, whether the endowing of men with these spi- ritual gifts in a degree and measure suited unto public e- dification, be not that which doth materially constitute them ministers of the gospel, as beingantecedently ne- cessary unto their call unto their office? These things, 1 say, are to be inquired into, because, in opposition un- to the first, it is affirmed, that these supposed gifts are nothing but mere natural abilities attained by diligence, and improved by exercise, without any especial respect unto the workingof the Holy Ghost, at least otherwise than what is necessary unto the attaining of skill and a- bility in any human art orscience, which is the ordinary blessing of God on man'shonest endeavours. And to the other it is opposed, that a lawful ordinary outward cal is sufficient to constitute any man a lawful minister, whe- ther he has received any such gifts as those inquired after or no. Wherefore, the substance of what we have to declare and confirm is, that there is an especial dis- pensation and work of the Holy Ghost, in providing able ministers of the New Testament for the edification of the church, wherein the continuance of the ministry, and being of the church, as to its outward order, doth depend; and that herein he doth exert his power, and exercise his authority, in the communication ofspiritual gifts unto men, without a participation whereof no man bath, de jure, any lot or portion in this ministration. Herein consists no small part of that work of the Spirit which belongs unto his promised dispensation in all ages, which, to deny, is to renounce all faith in the pro- mise of Christ, all regard unto his continued love andcare towards the church in the world, or at least the princi- pal pleadable testimony given thereunto, and under pre-
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