164 The Continuation ofa ChurchRate, Graces, was in the days of the Apoftles , and of the firft Churches planted by them; nor is any thing beyond it, or indeed equal unto it, any more to be expe&ed in this world. But yet then was the Gofpel Church (lateereered, and the ufe of all its Ordinances of Worfhip enjoy neo. (2.) The !Winiflry of the Gofpel which comprizeth all the Ordinances of Church. worthip , as its object and end , is the Minifiration of the spirit, and therefore ná f'upplies or communication of him can render it_ ufelefs. 3. One of theprincipal ends for which the communica- tion of the Spirit is promifed unto the Church, is to make and render all the Inftitutions of Chrift efle&ual unto its edification. (q..) i Joh.2.2o,27.is ufuállypleaded as giving countenanceunto this fond pretence. But(i.)The Vnntion mentioned by theApoftle,was then upon all Believers.Yet (2.) It is known that then they all walked in Church-Or- der, and the facred obfervatio.i of all the Inftitutions of Chrift. (e.) Ifit takes away any thing,it is the Preaching of the Word, or all manner of Teaching and Inftru&ion ; which is to overthrow the whole Scripture,and to reduce Religion into Barbarifm. (q..) Nothing is intended in there words, but the different wayofTeaching, andde- grees of Succefs, between that under theLaw, and that now eftablifhed in theGofpe!, by the plentiful effufionof the Spirit, as hath been evidenced at large elfewhere. Nor 3. Do they ceale,in their Adminiftration,for wanteither of Authority or Ability todifpenfe them ; which is pleaded unto the fame end. But neither is this pretence of any force; it only begs the thing inQueftion. The Authority ofOffice for the Adminiftration of all otherOrdinances, is an Inftitution. And to fay that all Inftitutionsceafe, becaufe none have Authority to adminifter them, is to fay they mutt all ceafe , becaufe they are ceafed. (2.) The Office of the Miniflryy for thecontinuationof theChureh- l-late,
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