and Admmi firation ofOrdinances,vindicated. 165 .bate, and Admïniftration of all Ordinances of Worfhip unto the end ofthe world, isfuflcientlyfecured, (i.)By the Law, confiitution, and appointment of our Lord Je- fus aria , ereáing that Office, and giving warranty for its continuance to the confummation of all things, Matth. 28.20 Ephef. 4. 13. (2.) By his continuance according unto his promife to communicatespiritualgifts unto men, for theMiniecerial Edificationof the Church. That this he doth fo continue todo, that it is the principal exter- nal Evidenceofhis abiding in the difcharge of his Media tory Office, and of what nature thefe gifts are,I have de- clared at large in a peculiar Difcourfe on that fubje. (3.) On the dutyof Believers or of the Church, which is,tochoofe, call,and falemnly fet apart unto the Officeof the Miniffry, Inch as the Lord Chrift by his Spirit, hath made meet for it,according unto the rule of his Word. If all there , or any of themdo fail , I acknowledge that all Minis`t'erial Authority and Ability for the difpen- fation of GofpelOrdinances muff fail allo, and confe- quently the Elate of the Church. And thofe who plead for the continuation of a fucceffive Miniílry, without refpeer unto there things, without refolving both the Au- thority and Officeof it unto them , do but ere a dead Image, or embrace a dead carcafe, inftead of the living and life- giving Inflitutions of Chrift, They take away the living Creature, and let up a skin fluffed with ./ram. But if there things dounalterably continue 5 if the Law of Chrift canneither be changed, abrogated,or difannul- led ; if his difpenlation of Spiritual gifts according unto his promire cannot be impeded ; if Believers throughhis grace will continue in obedience unto his commands it is not poffible there fhould be an utter failure in this Office, and Office-Power of this Miniflry. it may fail in this or that place, in this or that Church, when the Lord Chrift
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