162 The Continuation of a Church f ate, be framed, or Duties, ways or means of Worthip ap- pointed by Men, that have not his Inttitution, how fpe- cious foever they may appear to be, have no Spiritual Forceor Efficacy, as unto the Edification of the Church. But whilll this Institution of Chrift continues irrevo- cable , and is not Abrogated by a greater Power than what it was ena&ed by, whatever defer there may be as unto Faith and Obedience in men, rendring them ufelefs and ineffe&ual unto themfelves ; however they may be corrupted by additions unto them, or detra&i- ons from them, changing their nature and ufe; in them- felves they continue to be of the fame ufe and efficacy as they were at the beginning. (2.) On the Promife of Ctarift , that he will be prefent with his Difciples in the obfervation of his Commands unto the confumma- tion of all things , Matth. 28.20. To deny the conti- nued accomplithment of this Promife, and that on any pretence whatever, is the Venome of Infidelity. If therefore they have an irrevocable Divine Inílitution, if Chrift be prefent in their Adminittrations, as he was of old, Revel. 2. I. there can be no abatement of their Ef- ficacy unto their proper ends , in the nature of Inttru- mental Caufes. (3.) On the Covenant of God,which gives an infallible infeparable Conjun&ion between theWord, or the Church and its Inftitution by the Word, and the Spirit, Ifai. 59. 21. God's Covenant with his People is the Foundation of every Churchfiate, ofall Offices, Powers, Priviledges, and Duties thereunto belonging. They have no other end , they are of no other ufe , but to communicate , exprefs, declare, and exemplifie on the one hand, the Grace ofGod in his Covenant unto his People ; and on the other, the Duties of his People ac- cording unto the Tenor of the fame Covenant unto him. They are the Way, Means, and Inllruments appointed of
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