other side to minister the Holy spirit to others by their preaching by prayer and laying on of their hands as he had before to them The same Ceremony being used also by Moses to his Successour under the Law See Deut. 34. 9. Num. 11. By Elijah to Elisha in the Prophets See 2 King 2. 15. Gal. 3. 2 5. 2 Cor. 3. 6. Act. 8. 15 19. Subjecting evil spirits unto them and giving them security from and power over all the power of the enemy See Luk. 10. 18 19 20. Behold I give you power over all the power of the enemy where note that the mission and Authority given to the Apostles before or after our Saviours death are the same only spoken of before as it were by Anticipation and promise which were compleated afterward See Matt. 16. 19. comp with Jo. 20. 23 Enabling them to do the same Miracles as he for confirmation of their doctrine and because their commission was enlarged to all Nations furnishing them with the gift of Tongues Lastly as himself worketh in these his missioners by the spirit so also he cooperateth and worketh with them in others by the same spirit working by them 2 Cor. 5. 20. and yet working together with them too 2 Cor. 6. 1. By whose power only their ministry becomes efficacious over the world 1 Cor. 3. 7 9. Mark 16. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 12. where they plant and water he giving increase 1 Cor. 3. 9 where the spirit from them pricks the heart Act. 2. 37. the same Spirit from him opening it Act. 16. 14. where they take the impotent by the hand he making him to walk Act. 4. 10. Mark 16. 20. see § 20. And it is not to be past by unobserved that our Saviour delegated this his Authority to others not with a parity unto all but with a superiority of some above the rest who as they gave license of some ministrations to others found qualified for them See Act. 10. 48. so they retained some other ministrations to themselves For we find laying on of hands which is named Heb. 6. 2. amongst the principles of the doctrine of Christ both that at or after Baptism used to all for receiving the more extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost from whence the custome since of Confirmation by the Bishop and that which was used in ordaining Presbyters and setting men apart for the Ministry of the Gospel This imposition of hands being a more solemn intercession for them and a powerful recommendation of them to the grace of God for the work which they are called to and are to fulfil See Act. 13. 3. comp with 14. 26. See St Paul himself receiving the first Act. 9. 17. the second Act. 13. 3. wee find I say this imposition of hands or power of Ordination and Confirmation to be appropriated to the Apostles and Apostolical men not common to all See Act. 6. 6. -8. 17 -19. 6. -20. 28. -13. 3. Eph. 1. 13. 1 Tim. 5. 22. Tit. 1. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest ordain Presbyters c. where doubtless were many other Presbyters to whom the same office was not permitted or not permitted to them alone but as assistants to Titus See 1 Tim. 4. 14. comp with 2 Tim. 1. 6 as also a consent and approbation or also nomination or election of persons whom they thought fitting was permitted to the Christian Assemblies and the whole Church Act. 6. 3. comp with 6. 2 Cor. 8. 19. tho 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 implies not necessarily common votes See Act. 10. 41. -14. 23. the people being present at the publique acts of the Clergy and assisting them at least with their prayers See Act. 21. 22. -15. 22. 2 Cor. 2. 10. Nor did this Apostolical office of our Lord expire with the Apostles as some may think that there was no need of continuing such a selected Body of Teachers after Christianity planted and four Gospels and so many Epistles written yet what would not the same men give for such an Apostle at this day as could decide so many controversies which are in Religion whilst they say they need them not But he who lives for ever and hath the keyes c. Rev. 1. 18. and who ascended from hence on high to receive these very gifts for and to bestow then on men Eph. 4. 7 8. continues for ever also this office of ordination by his Servants laying on their hands and his own breathing upon and giving the spirit unto them to those that have succeeded the Apostles and that shall succeed to the end of the world Therefore as he gave the Apostles so 't is said also he gave the Pastors and Teachers according to the measure of the gift he thought fit that were made by the Apostles Eph. 4. 11 8. Rom. 10. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 14. Matt. 23. 24. And Act. 20. 28. the Holy Ghost descending from Him made the Overseers of the Church of Ephesus And how can they preach unless they be sent Rom. 10. 15. sent i. e. by God Heb. 5. 4. For this honour especially of ministring the spirit remitting sins c. never any man might take to himself but only give what he first received If he do otherwise he is in a worse condition then Simon who at least would have bought the giving it Sent by God I say else is their preaching to no purpose the effect of which for ever consists not in the wisdom of men which works contrary to it as thought foolishness but in the power of God 1 Cor. 2. 5. see 1 Cor. 12. 3. Matt. 16. 17. 1 Jo. 4. 2. Luk. 18. 34. Act. 16. 14. Jam. 1. 5 17. -3. 15 17. Eph. 3. 5. Therefore St Paul calls his Apostleship a Grace and those whom the Apostle as well as whom our Saviour ordained received in such Ordination a gift from our Lord see 1 Tim. 4. 14. 2 Tim. 1. 6. And the same form of Doctrine was kept in the Apostles successours by the same Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 1. 14. Neither is Christs assistance promised only to the Apostles but to their Successours to the end of the world Matt. 28. 20. Jo. 14. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. an assistant to you for ever Matt. 18. 20. comp Col. 2. 5. The Church alwaies the pillar and ground where truth is to be found 1 Tim. 3. 15. 2 Tim. 2. 19. comp 16 17. Heb. 12. 25. Tell the Church saith our Lord for whatsoever they shall bind c. Matt. 18. 17 18 And the gates of Hell shall never prevail against those to whom I give the keyes c. Matt. 16. 18 19. Therefore our Saviour after all the Apostles times except Johns is described Rev. 1. 13 16. tho in glory yet walking in the midst of the golden Candlesticks i. e. the Churches of Asia and holding the Stars i. e. the Angels of those Churches in his hands And see our Lord still acting Act. 3. 26. Act. 5. 31.
Phil. 4. 13. Jo. 15. 5. Therefore also we find the Apostles being to go away by vertue of the perpetual continuation of the assistance and influence of the great Bishop of the Church our Lord transferring their Commission again to others as namely St Paul to Timothy and Titus and this also as themselves received it 2 Tim. 1. 6. Giving them also the name of Apostles 2 Cor. 8. 23. and Phil. 2. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 14. 4 14. where Barnabas ordained by the Church is called an Apostle investing them with authority not only of preaching and administring the Sacraments but of holding Ecclesiastical Courts receiving accusations and that against Presbyters as well as others and providing more plentifully for the more industrious amongst them 1 Tim. 5. 17 19 21. 1 Cor. 5. 12 13. Rev. 21. 2. agreeable with that of Matt. 18. 17. Of correcting and that publickly in the Court 1 Tim. 5. 20. Of silencing and separating the refractory 1 Tim. 1. 3. Tit. 1 5 11. -3. 10. compare 2 Tim. 2. 21 19. from iniquity i. e. such error comp 17 18 20. 1 Tim. 6. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 11. Of absolving and forgiving 2 Cor. 2. 7 10. Above all transmitting to them the charge tho no doubt the Church had then some of the Gospels at least and perhaps more of St Pauls Epistles which he took order might be made common then now we because by those that remain we perceive some are lost of keeping the form of Doctrine they had learnt of them and of preserving the Commandement that was committed unto them without spot 1 Tim. 6. 14 20. 2 Tim. 1. 13 14. John to the Angel of Sardis Rev. 3. 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast And lastly the charge of ordaining others and giving them in charge the same doctrines till the coming of the Lord Jesus Tit. 1. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 22. -1. 3. -6. 14. Such Ecclesiastical government was then ordered by them in Ephesus and in Crete c. Therefore we may presume the same was established every where else first both because of the Apostles special endeavour of uniformity in Churches 1 Cor. 4. 17. -7. 17. -11. 16. Secondly and because we find in the Church-History the same government de facto to have been in all the rest as it was in that of Ephesus where Timothy resided in Crete where Titus and also find every where the like Catalogues of their Bishops and so in the Revel the Angel of Ephesus the Church wherein Timothy was placed by St Paul no way differing from or more single then the rest of other Churches Thirdly and again because we find such Government without the mention of any opposition which must needs have been in the purity and fresh memory of those times upon any innovation especially so universal and in this case of some mens usurping preeminence sooner then in any other without the mention I say of any opposition either of the inferiour Clergy or of the superior Apostle St John living some time after the settlement of these Episcopal Governments The continuation of which Government so uninterruptedly ever since as well in the most adverse as the most prosperous times of the Church is the greatest argument that can be that it hath our Lords protection and that it was his first institution and that it shall continue yet longer even till the end Now the Authority of this our Lord's Legislatorship and Apostleship and the Truth of his Revelations and doctrines newly manifested to the world Our Saviour confirmed and shewed to come from God a question the Jews often asked him First by the Testimony of the writings of the old Testament those of Moses Jo. 5. 45 46. and those of the Prophets Rom. 16. 26. Luk. 24. 47. Matt. 22. 32. And by the Testimony of John the Baptist who succeeded these and was more then a Prophet Jo. 5. 32 33. 2ly By an irresistible power of the spirit accompanying him teaching c. He delivering this Gospel with great authority not like others Matt. 7. 29 never man speaking like Him Jo. 7. 46 to the astonishment of all the people crying out what wisdome is this Mark 6. 2. and no man being able to answer Him a word Matt. 22. 46. 3dly By miracles of all sorts Jo. 5. 36. -10. 38. Act. 2. 22. Jo. 3. 2. 4ly By undergoing all sufferings and at last by laying down his life for the truth and being martyred rather then recant it witnessing before Pilate a good confession 1 Tim. 6. 18. and telling the unjust Judge that he came for this end into the world to bear witness to the uttermost unto the truth Jo. 18. 37. and therefore called the faithful Martyr Rev. 1. 5 Where note that as our Lord used great silence as to the vindicating of his innocency before persons self-convinced and as he told them Luk. 22. 68. that would upon no account absolve him yet no way to betray the Truth Which upon all occasions he most freely confessed tho upon this his Confession they grounded and he foreknew it the taking away of his life Thus on Thursday night in the Garden he went forth and met those who sought for him Jo. 18. 4. and freely told them who He was without their need of a Judas to disclose him and when they were startled and recoiled upon it a second time he told them it Jo. 18. 8. Brought before the High Priest and Council and there examined concerning his Doctrine he told them he had ever publickly declared it in their Synagogues in the Temple and that they could not want witnesses enow if any thing were condemnable therein Jo. 18. 20. When asked again more particularly not to inform their Faith as he well knew Luk. 22. 68. but as they used formerly to intrap him for his life whether he was the Messias Whether the Son of God Matt. 26. 64. Mark 14. 61. He now referred them not to witnesses nor asked them a counter-question but answered plainly I am Mark. 14. 62. and foreseeing that day of retribution that would be so terrible to them when he should sit on the Throne and they stand trembling at his Barr in great compassion adds further that whatever he then appeared nevertheless they should see him hereafter sitting as David had foretold Psal. 109. 1. on the right hand of the power of God and coming in the Clouds of Heaven to judge the world and among the rest them his Judges shewing also in this that he retained a magnanimity sutable to his person and that he kept his eye fixed on the future glory in the midst of these his Humiliations Upon this his confession which they thought sufficient to dispatch him being brought by them before Pilat the Judge to receive his sentence and there upon their accusation asked again whether he was the King of the Jews which was a Title equivalent to
duration with his justice because his mercies endure for ever to pardon us for nothing Nay when his favours are built upon our repentance 't is the same tho not so short a way of pure mercy We have no goodness but that some grace prevents it It only makes its own way 't is only it that invites itself and prepares its own lodging and if we would find out the beginning of Gods mercies we can go only from one to another in infinitum who makes first that repentance which he afterward rewards and gives us first to ask those favors which he gives us for asking To return to the subject in hand Now in this time of greatest necessity God sent Moses whose law was given for a light to the feet of the sons of faith as for a letter of condemnation to the sons of Belial About 400 years after Act. 13. 20. when the Israelites were quite declined from the pious steps of their forefathers and the word of the Lord upon it for a long time had been rare and precious See Judg. 2. 10. 1 Sam. 3. 1. God sent Samuel David c. 500. years after this all relapsed into idolatry and in their captivity little amendment see Ezra 9. 1. Zech. 7. 5. c. just when ten foredecreed Sabbaths of years for the land whose Sabbaths among other things by them were not observed see Lev. 26. 34. 2 Chron. 36. 21. were run out God for his names sake sent a restorement of their Church and government by Zerubbabel and Joshua Near the end of 70 Sabbaths or weeks of years i. e. 490 years Dan. 9. 25. after this when we know what a miserable condition the Church of God was in from the wickedness of the High Priest the superstition and hypocrisie and false doctrines of the Pharisee when there was now hoc dignus 〈◊〉 nodus God sent his son to reform all things Heb. 9. 19. And we may gather also from Rom. 11. 26 27 28 29. that the last conversion of this nation shall be only for Gods promise not their repentance And indeed who so considers that from God proceeds all our reformation as well as his blessings for and upon it for all the effects of mercy must wholly acquiesce in him and acknowledg all things alwaies done for his own sake nothing for ours These sâ—…t and foremeasured times of performing these purposes of God the Evangelist hath otherwise observed in the 14 generations that were between those great Epocha's of Abraham and David David and the Captivity Captivity and Christ. Matt. 1. 17. And now what can hinder Gods goodness or decay the Church since 't is plain that sin cannot God preserving it not for its holiness but his glory To whose power Satan is so far inferior that tho he is permitted to work much sin in the world yet was he never nor never shall be able to frustrate by sin any of the least of Gods designs And therefore that supposition is not pious of his assisting the Church so far as she neglects not her duty which is only promising that the Church shall not if it doth not fall away for so doubtless it had been long since many times over perished And Gods enemy have had the universal Monarchy of this lower world But as from him only it is that the Churches faith continues so his promise that she shall not is also that her faith shall not fail see Luk. 22. 32. comp with Matt. 16. 18. And the motives of Gods protection of Her are now the same as of old wherewith his servants upon the rising of his indignation against her alwaies conjured him i. e. not respect to her righteousness but the care of his name least it either the power or glory thereof should be polluted amongst Christs spiritual enemies Satan and his Angels and temporal Antichrist and his worshippers whilst he seemed unable to protect her Hence the jealousy of Gods and Christs name amongst the Mahometans now no less then amongst the Heathen before shall secure Christianity See Numb 14. 16. Who is now also as jealous as ever of his honor and saith as of old Ps. 46. 10. I will be exalted amongst the Heathen c. Or the truth and faithfulness thereof should be aspersed amongst his servants after so many promises and oaths made for besides those latter of the new Testament even that old one to Abraham which was concerning his spiritual seed is no way yet canceld or expired if he should appear unready to preserve her See Exod. 32. 13. And in that great judgment Matt. 24. 21. from which some are saved he saith not for the righteous but for the elect tho e daies shall be shortned i. e. for his election of some to whom he will shew mercy which election Rom. 9. 11. is of God calling not man working who creates repentance as well as shews favor upon it and who of a sudden brings an holy generation out of a corrupt Whose omnipotency delights to exercise it self in changing even curses themselves into blessings As we see in the curse of Adam Satans mischiefs upon Eve being the occasion in cursing him of promising the blessed seed Gen. 3. 15. In the curse of Babel by it peopling the world Gen. 11. 8. -10. 2. c. Of Levi's race Gen. 49. 7. whos 's scattering in Israel became their preeminence in the imployment of the ministry of holy things Numb 16. 9. Of Christ Gal. 3. 13. the killing of whom by Satans great plotting and malice became the salvation of the world The Babilonian Captivity which 't is observed much advanced in the world the knowledg of the true God and prudent laws The prosecuting of the death of Stephen and destruction of the Christians by which the Gospel was spread over the world Act. 8. 4. Onesimus his running away Philem. 15. his conversion Glory be unto his omnipotency and wisdom out of weakness producing strength and good out of evil Amen And again whose unsearchable counsel doth not ty and restrain it self to prosper all good intentions and pious designs of those who are zealous for propagating his Church either by converting Heathens to the christian faith or Heretical Christians to the truth And this only because his preappointed time of mercy to such a people is not yet come who for their sins are yet longer to suffer the just judgment of blindness and error And it is not for men to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power much less to take up the sword unbidden in his cause being an Engine he hitherto hath not used to promote religion And perhaps therefore it hath been tho I am perswaded sometimes drawn out of pure zeal to Gods honor hitherto so unsuccesful Witness those many unfortunate attempts uppon the Mahometans in several parts by Christian Princes in the Holy war By Lewis 9th by Charles 5th c. Towards which enemy of