Ministration of the Spirit we are to understand the whole Gospel-oeconomy or Ministration the Doctrine Worship Institutions thereof is evident 1. From its Antithesis unto the Ministration of the Letter or legal Mosaic observances call'd the Ministration of Death and Condemnation v. 6 7 9. which the Apostle tells us was done away now 't was that whole Ministration as made up of Institutions Ordinances peculiar to it that was done away 2. 'T was such a Ministration as the Apostles were Ministers of v. 6. i. e. which they Preach'd declared from Jesus Christ according to his charge to them Matth. 28.20 and were ministring to him and the Saints in 'T was not the Doctrine of the Gospel inward purity practick Godliness only that they declared as the mind of Christ but the Worship thereof institutions of his appointment thereunto appertaining No sooner were Persons converted to the Faith of Christ but they were gathered by the Apostles into a Church-state Acts 2.41 42 46. and 9.31 and 11.22 26. and 14.23 27. and 15.41 and 16.5 and 20.28 This is too evident to be denied 3. 'T was such a Ministration Wherein as in a Glass with open face compared to those vail'd dark sights they had in their Passover Sacrifices c. under the Mosaic Ministration they beheld the Glory of the Lord and were changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord v. 18. The first Primitive believers 't will not be denied attended upon the Lord in Gospel-Institutions 'T is evident they did so from the Scriptures but now quoted In their so doing they beheld the glory of the Lord had choice discoveries displayes of it grew up into a Conformity unto him in their conscientious waiting on him herein And whatever any say thousands of believers at this day that are found waiting upon the Lord in his own institutions such as the Church-Fellowship Breaking Bread Prayer c. meet with presence sights of Glory Divine Transformations renewals in the Spirit of their minds When any are found in institutions shaken in their minds touching them as the institutions of Christ that by virtue of His Soveraign Authority Command they ought to attend to 't is no wonder if they see not his Glory know nothing of his transforming power through them They come not in faith sanctify not his name in what they do therefore meet not with his blessing Quest The Question is upon what accounts this Ministration is called The Ministration of the Spirit Answ 'T is so called with respect 1. To it 's Super-eminent Super-excelling Glory For Excellency Glory far superiour unto any Ministration that went before it What compare is there betwixt Spirit and Letter that which hath life in it and that which hath none 2. To the Communication of the Spirit through it by it Gal. 3.2 Received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith 3. To its being given forth by Christ through the Holy Spirit Acts 1.2 The Lord Jesus being constituted by the Father Mediator of the New-Covenant Prince Ruler Priest Prophet to the Church was to reveal the whole of his mind and Will to them as such For his inablement whereunto the Father pours out of the Spirit without measure upon him through this Spirit he gave Commandments to his Apostles relating to Gospel-Worship with a charge to them to Communicate them to others Matth. 28. ult Which also they did 4. To that Glorious effusion of the Spirit in the day of Pentecost Act. 2. at the beginning or first Publick setting up of this Ministration 5. To evince that 't is the highest last Ministration of institutions or visible Ordinances that Saints are to expect that when it s taken down there shall be no more nor indeed will there be need of any what Ministration can be supposed to be higher than the Ministration of the Spirit What can supersede it Yea the Apostle fairly intimates that it shall so remain not to pass away as the Ministration of the ter or Law that went before it 2 Cor. 3.7 which was to be done away For if that which is done away was Glorious much more that which Remaineth is Glorious And 't is not to be passed by in silence that the Apostle makes part of the excelling Glory above that of the Law of the Gospel-Ministration to consist in the duration of it If that which is done away was glorious much more that which remaineth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that fixed abiding unalterable Ministration 6. The managery of all the Worship Ordinances appertaining to this Ministration is to be in the Spirit Without whom all that 's done is not will never be acceptable to God 7. The means of its support upholdment continuance progress is the same Spirit 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our warfare are not Carnal but Mighty through God Antichrist hath other wayes to support promote his filthy Worship senseless traditions ridiculous fopperies viz. the arm of flesh Horrid Bloody Plots Conspiracies to massacre destroy cut off such as stand in the way of his devices Prisons Gibbets Stakes Flames to consume devour such as refuse to drink of the Cup of his Fornications but Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio the Law of Christ knows no such wayes methods for its support increase 'T is the Spirit Power of God by which it is ever was maintained a neglect of whom and turning aside to the Power Wisdom of Man warring after the flesh was the bane of Christianity and the first spring off the Antichristian apostacy Three things necessarily follow from hence 1. That a slighting undervaluing withdrawing from Gospel-Institutions is a slighting of the most glorious Ministration that ever was set on foot in the World 2. 'T is a contempt undervaluing of the Holy Spirit of the Lord whose they are and from whom they did proceed Let persons pretensions be what they will it cannot be otherwise Gospel-Institutions are of through the Spirit to slight these is to cast contempt upon him from whom they are 3. That the Spirit is obliged to support maintain them against all oppositions He remains with his People for ever for that end John 16.13 Howbeit when the Spirit of Truth is come he shall guide you into all Truth v. 14. He shall Glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you And he hath actually done so hitherto keeping alive a blessed witness testimony to them for them in his called chosen witnesses more or less in every day Though sometimes this their testimony hath cost them dear viz. loss of Goods Enjoyments Friends Liberty Life it self yet they have Gloryed Triumph'd under all through this Spirit of Glory and of God that rested upon them and enabled them in this work The very truth is as the great controversie of Christ with the Nations of the European World hath been upon the account of their Spiritual fornications or false worship
as the Tents of Kedar Poor Mean Contemptible so are all the Ordinances Institutions appertaining to them The materials of which they are constituted for the most part are visibly base and contemptible the poor of the World But Christ is the builder of them a greater than Solomon and he builds them for himself an Ivory Palace for the great King and therefore they must needs be amiable lovely glorious comely as the curtaines of Solomon 2. That none can approach advance themselves against them without pouring out contempt upon advancing themselves against Jesus Christ 3. That he is obliged to protect defend them against all oppositions whatsoever He hath done will do so 4. That none hath power to pluck them down nor can they be dissolv'd but by his Authority For any to go about to do so is to assume a Power to themselves co-equal nay superior to Christ who built them II. As Christ is call'd the Builder of these Churches so he is said to be the Foundation of them They are built upon him as their noble glorious Foundation 1 Cor. 3.9 10 12. Ye are Gods Building according to the Grace of God which is given to me as a wise Master-Builder I have laid the Foundation other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ Ephes 2.19 20 22. 1 Pet. 2.4 5. Three things necessarily flow from hence 1. That Gospel-Churches are not built upon the Old Covenant as some talk except we will suppose Christ to be a part of that Covenant wherein yet there 's not the least notice of him to be found 2. That they are a firm unshaken building Christ himself being their Foundation they must be so 3. That none can dissolve them put a period to them but he who is their Substratum Foundation who as such supports upholds them and is obliged so to do III. He is also styled their Head Lord Ephes 4.15 May grow up into him in all things who is the Head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyn'd together Col. 1.18 He is the Head of the Body the Church 2.19 And not holding the Head from which all the Body Two things must be considered 1. Upon what accounts Christ is said to be the Head of the Church 2. What influence this Headship of Christ hath into the confirmation of the truth pleaded for As touching the first 't is confes'd that he is not a natural head of the body the Church The Expression is Metaphorical Seven things are pointed forth by it 1. His Preference Dignity Excellency above them all 2. His Comliness Beauty The truth is all the comliness of the Body the Church is Christ 'T is eminently superlatively in Him it flows from him 3. He is the seat of all that Life Spirits the Church is made partakers of All 's in him in fulness 4. His Sympathy with them in all their sorrows distresses sufferings 5. Their guidance direction from Him He is their dux viae glorious conduct leader in the way they should go 6. His Dominion Ruledom Authority over them 7. Their Protection Safety in and under Him As touching the second particular Secondly The continuance abiding of Gospel-Churches is a necessary consequence from hence For Christ being their Head 1. Want's not love affection to them to support uphold them Nor 2. Doth he want power so to do All power is given to him in Heaven and in Earth He is for that end constituted Head over all things to the Church Eph. 1.21 22. that he might be able to defend preserve it 3. He is an everlasting Head therefore as such must have a body to rule govern by those Laws Institutions he hath given forth for their Ruledom wherein they are to testify their subjection to him Not to do so is to cast off his Regiment deny his Soveraignty Authority Nay 4. As such being put into Office deputed appointed by the Father as Head Lord King over them Psal 2.6 he is obliged to protect defend preserve them For him not to do so were a breach of that trust charge reposed in him given to him by the Father IV. Christ is the Husband Bridegroom of these Churches 2 Cor. 11.2 For I have espoused you the Church of God which is at Corinth chap. 1.1 to one Husband viz. the Lord Jesus that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ Mat. 25.1 5 6. Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven or Gospel-Church-state be likened unto ten Virgins which went forth to meet the Bridegroom While the Bridegroom tarried Behold the Bridegroom cometh And these Churches are call'd the Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 19.7.21.9.22.17 Upon what account the Lord Jesus is said to be the Husband of the Church and She his Bride Wife must be considered He is so call'd upon the account 1. Of his entire cordial love and affection to her He dearly above all loves his Churches Psal 87.2 The Lord loveth the Gates of Sion Saints gathered together in Gospel-Fellowship solemnly worshipping him in a community more than all the Dwellings of Jacob. He therefore calls them his Love his Dove his Vndefiled Cant. 5.2 expressions demonstrative of his kindness to them They also are full of love endearment to him Cant. 1.7 1 Pet. 1.8 The truth whereof they evidence by keeping his Commandments John 14.21 23 24. viz. those Commandments he by the Spirit gave forth to them relating to the institutions worship of the Gospel Acts 1.2 2. His giving himself to them taking them for his own above all the People in the World God is said upon this foot of account to be the God of Israel Exod. 5.1 32.27 Num. 16.9 Jos 8.30 13.33 c. They his portion peculiar treasure Deut. 32.9 Exod. 19.5 Psal 135.4 To be married to them Jer. 3.14 Christ is said to have them Joh. 3.29 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom They give themselves to him solemnly own avouch him to be their Husband in their visible subjection to his appointments Nor do or can any be said so to own him but with respect to such a subjection 2 Cor. 8.5 They first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God They are Christ's 1 Cor. 3.23 All are yours and ye are Christs Departure from forsaking his institutions is therefore called adultery fornication whoredom Jer. 3.8 Ezek. 23.37 Rev. 2.22 Ezek. 16.26 29. Rev. 9.21 17.2 4. 18.3 9. 19.2 Ezek. 16.17 Hos 1.2 Jer. 3.2 And the false Church is call'd the Whore Rev. 17.1 15 16. 19.2 because hereby they are unfaithful to Christ in this marriage-relation whereinto he hath taken them 3. His care watchfull eye over them He watcheth over them for good keeps them day and night with much more that might be added touching this matter Now can it be imagined that the Lord Jesus who hath taken a people unto himself in such a relation loves them with such a dear intense love gives himself
call upon the Name of the Lord or to call themselves by the Name of the Lord as the margin reads so are they upon the account of this act of theirs Stiled The Sons of God Gen. 6.2 7. About one thousand Years after all which time there was in a great measure purity preserved amongst them great corruption invades the Church The nature of it together with its occasion and spring we have an account at large of Gen. 6. And yet even now the Lord leaves not himself without a Witness The truth and purity of Worship together with practick-godlinesss being maintained in Noahs Family Gen. 6.8 9. 7.1 who are ensafed in a fluctuating Ark whilst the whole body of Apostates are swallowed up with the Waters of the Flood of which Peter speaks 2 Pet. 3.6 8. When Noah and his Family are brought out of the Ark the Waters of the Flood being gone from off the face of the Earth Jehovah enters into a solemn Covenant with him gives him several Statutes and Judgments to Conform to Gen. 9. These are generally said to be seven 1. The First 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against extraneous Worship or Idolatry the Worshipping the Stars or Images 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against Blaspheming the Name of God 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against shedding Blood 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against unjust carnal Copulations 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against Rapine or Robbery 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Judgments or Punishments against Malefactors 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against eating any member or flesh of a Beast taken from it alive A special blessing as to propagation is given to him Gen. 9.7 So that the Church in his Family soon enlarged its borders The purity of worship continues amongst them uninterrupted for fourty years or thereabout When the Wickedness of Ham committed against the light of Nature in discovering the nakedness of his Father breakes forth by whom he 's Cursed Excommunicated so the purity of the Church-state is preserved Gen. 9.25 Cursed be the Father of Canaan so the Arabick reads is About the Hundredth year after the Flood many Apostatized from the pure wayes of God rose up in rebellion against him in defiance of him will build a Tower the top whereof might reach to Heaven But yet even in this grand defection there were some at least of the posterity of Shem that kept pure with whom therefore the Hebrew language remained entire as Genebrardus Chron. lib. 1. tells us The truth is as the learned Bochartus saith in his Geographia Sacra l. 1. c. 10. It cannot be imagined that either Noah or Shem or Arphaxad or Sala or Heber with whom 't is groundedly to be thought not a few continued were in this mad attempt The Spirit of the Lord seems to intimate the contrary they which were engaged in it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sons of Men Gen. 11.5 viz. an apostate vile crew who stand in direct opposition to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sons of God as the faithful were called in the dayes of Enosh as was before said How long the purity of Worship remained after this is uncertain This is most certain that when God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees Superstition Idolatry overspread all At that time both his Father and he were Idolaters Jos 24.2 9. This call of God to Abraham was effectual he obeyes it separates from the degenerate Idolatrous World constitutes a New-Church sets up the pure Worship of God in his Family Enjoyes more clear full openings of Divine Mysteries than any before him God enters into Covenant with him institutes circumcision See Gen. 12.3 7 8. 13.15 16. 15.1 5 6. 17.1 2 9. 22.17 18. So that the Church of God in Abraham's Family growes up in to greater glory visibility than before Several corruptions are not long after amongst them in Jacobs Family before their going into Aegypt which he reforms Gen. 35.1 2 3 4. They polluted themselves with Idolatry in the Land of Aegypt Jos 24.14 Ezek. 23.2 3. brought their Whordoms from thence ver 8. which they practised in the Wilderness Exod. 32. and never totally left till they were carried captive into Babylon Nevertheless the Lord casts them not off but oh the wonder of Love brings them from under their bonds leads them to Mount Sinai makes a Covenant with them gives them good Statutes and Judgments to walk by And now that Church becomes as a City on a Hill visible conspicuous unto the Nations round about is decked adorned with visible excellency and glory that her renown goes forth through the Nations Ezek. 16.14 But wo and alas after all the grace of the Lord shewed to her his wonders wrought for her she quickly forgets departs from him Is more notorious for spiritual Whordoms Wickedness than all the Nations round about her Yet God gives her not up woes allures her to return to him But all to no purpose Israel or the ten Tribes is led Captive by Salmanassur Judah or the two Tribes is not betterd by it but though now and then under the conduct of some good Kings a reformation is introduced yet anon all 's spoyled marr'd again Jehovah call's to return but their ear is deaf their hearts hardned none obey his voice He professes for all this he knows not how to give them up his bowels turn within him towards them repentings are enkindled for them Yet this affects them not so that at last he is forced to send them into Babylon yet doth not take off his love care for them there nor disregards them as a People unchurcht looks upon them as his own in Covenant with him brings them from thence to their own Land again Then is a new most absolute reformation begun by Ezra Nehemiah c. The Temple is rebuilt the men of the great Synagogue instituted A most diligent consideration of the exemplars of the Holy Scriptures is set upon The word of God is sedulously Preached Neh. 8.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. The wicked are excomunicated Ezr. 4.2 3. From the mixt People there 's a perfect separation Ezr. chapters 9.10 Neh. ch ult So that the Church seems to be again comely through the comeliness that God put upon her But long abides not firm with him pollutes his Worship with the inventions traditions of men departs from the Doctrine he had delivered to her particularly the Doctrine of the free Justification of a sinner before God in opposition to which they introduce justification by the works of the Law In a word they become as filthy and abominable every way as a people can well be Nevertheless God bears with them their Church-state is not dissolved they have their Temple Ordinances and even the most holy amongst them attend there as Zachary Elizabeth Simeon The Lord sends a Prophet to them John Elias in spirit to reform bring them back from their Apostasie At last he sends his Son to