them when he pleaseth or that the Faith or Conversion which ownes not such a Ministery to have a share in it's working must therefore not be true because not so wrought or effected as the Objection holds it forth Diligent searching the Scripture To what hath been spoken might be added the consideration of the Faith of those men of Berea Act. 17.11 12 which attributes very much to their daily searching the Scriptures whether the things they heard of Paul and Silas were so and it 's said Therefore many of them believed No doubt Paul and Silas preached to these as they had before to those of Thessalonica Vers 3 But these were more noble then the former in that they searched the Scriptures which Paul and Silas urged to see whether the thing alleadged were so therefore many of them believed As also the evangelizing of the scattered brethren and the blessed successe that ensued thereupon who though they were so far from being Ministerially sent out that they were sent after by the Churches at Jerusalem when tidings had come to their eares how the hand of the Lord was with them Act. 1.19 20 21 22 yet their labour of Love and work in that particular was accepted and many were turned to the Lord thereby By all which it doth appear that although Faith came by hearing and hearing by the Word of God yet it doth not appear that Faith cannot be true or that none can be said to believe who have not so heard viz. By such a preaching and sending as that Scripture in Rom. 10.14 15 holds forth and as this Objection would enforce But on the contrary rather that although the Lord Jesus did institute and appoint some certaine persons chosen and deputed to the work of the Ministery for the ends and during the time mentioned in the fourth of the Ephesians to which men were to give attendance as to the meanes appointed of God for those ends yet he was not bound so to work by those instruments and by none other as if that whatsoever he wrought otherwise or by other meanes must be invalidated because it was not so effected as the instances before alleadged will with clearness and no less comfort evince Therefore this consideration now presented will be so far from weakning that it will adde much comfort and strength to the Faith of the mourners of Sion and the waiters for the hope of Israel while they behold that the most High hath placed such footsteps amongst his blessed Oracles of Truth the Scriptures that may stay from wandering and preserve from fainting their wearied Spirits as in other things so also in this that their Faith and Hope may be found in God and they no way enforced to build upon the wisdome of men that would be esteemed the Ministers and Messengers of Christ in stead of those that once were so And may serve as a good help till better do appear to free the minde and spirit of some that are sincere from that Bull or Comination which hath taken hold of them enforcing it self upon the Conscience not to dare to question the present Ministery lest they be necessitated to question their own Faith also though this questioning extends it self no farther then to try it by the rules of the Word a thing so frequently commanded by God himself And the impartial exercise whereof though it might prevaile with some to see their present loss and that they are not what they have taken themselves to be and abate much of the present confidence which most men have yet would it not at all take off the ground of their consolation nor the exercise of their gratious abilities in searching the Scriptures as touching the present Truth as the men of Berea did nor of communicating their gratious experiences as that good woman of Samaria did or those honest-hearted brethren of the dispersion nor of holding forth a holy harmless and chaste Conversation winning and instrumentally saving those who possibly may not be won by the Word themselves mean while being found faithful witnesses to Truth so far as they have attained and waiters for that grace which is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ 2 Thess 4.5 Now the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God and into a patient waiting for Christ forasmuch as unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation therefore in patience let us possess our souls knowing that the time is coming yea hastning wherein the blinde shall see the lame shall leap and the stammering tongue be unloosed In the mean time Let Brotherly love continue FINIS
the most High was pleased to manifest in the first ordering or disposing of the Administrations of the Jewish Church which he committed to the hands of some chosen and peculiar persons distinguished from others of the people to whom the like power was not committed as to Aaron and his Sons Exod. 28.1 2. And by then signal of his displeasure manifested against those who would not acknowledge it Num. 1 6. but confederated in the Conspiracy of Korah Now if the Lord took such care to set in order and keep right that house whereof Moses had the management viz. the Jewish Church and therefore called Moses his House and to establish its Ministery is it not as equal that the Lord Jesus should take the like care for his House viz. the Christian Church and provide for its Ministery and that as the former so the later should consist of persons peculiarly set apart and appointed thereunto This sort of reasoning from the Old to the New and from the Former to the Latter Dispensations the Apostle doth use by way of Equity many times to prove the matter whereabouts he was reasoning Doth God take care for Oxen If so then it is as equal at least that he should take care for such as labour and tread out the Corn under the Gospel But if this have not weight enough to prove the matter in question Secondly it may be evidenced from Scriptures that are direct as to this purpose That it was committed to certaine numbers of persons who from among many others were appointed and set apart for this work appeares from the Scriptures afore mentioned Mark 13. He called to him whom he would and they came unto him and he ordained twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them forth to preach of them which came unto him he ordained twelve And somewhat more plain doth Luke relate this action Luk. 6.13 He called to him his Disciples and of them he chose twelve whom also he named Apostles or Messengers or men sent out Now though this seeme to relate to them onely as to Preaching yet it is to be considered that to these very same individual persons thus chosen and called and set apart from others was the Commission given to Preach and Baptize Matth. 28.16 18 19. The eleven Disciples went away into Galilee and Jesus came and spake unto them saying c. Act. 10.41 42 Not to all the people but unto Witnesses chosen before of God even to us and he commanded us to Preach unto the people c. Now that they were ordained and appointed to serve as a Ministery it appears from the first Chapter of the Acts the second Verse compared with vers 17 and 25. Vntil the day in which he was taken up after that he through the Spirit had given commandment to the Apostles whom he had chosen And in vers 17 speaking of Judas saith He was numbred with us and had obtained part of this Ministery And in vers 25 it is said of Matthias That he may take part of this Ministery and Apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell away And the lot fell upon Matthias and he was numbred with the eleven Apostles or Messengers or men who were sent out to preach and baptize the Nations To the second What the nature of that Ministery was which the Lord Jesus appointed to succeed him in this service Besides what hath been spoken already the Scripture doth declare what plentiful provision the Lord of the Harvest made in point of a Ministery In Ephes 4.11 12 13 you have the Gospel-Ministery expressed both in their Names and Numbers their Nature and End in reference to their Use and Duration in the same Order and Degree which the God of Order hath placed them in For their Name and Number the reading of the eleventh Verse declares both For their nature and use it 's laid down either more generally in this term for the work of the Ministery or more particularly in these two Termes Viz. For the perfecting of the Saints For the edifying the body of Christ The duration of this Ministery was to be till we all came to the Unity of the Faith even all this whole Ministery so numbered and named as before who were all as well as any the fruit of Christ's Ascension The Gifts given to men for the work of the Ministery those were to abide as to Institution one as well as another one as long as another the one without the other not being perfect as in another case it 's said Heb. 11.40 As these were given to continue till we all came to the Unity of the Faith Ephes 4.13 so they were set in the Churches by Ordinance and establishment 1 Cor. 12.28 as that which was to continue But to return to the nature and use of this Ministery Viz. To perfect the Saints To edifie the body of Christ The Word which is here used To perfect the Saints will be read properly to perfect the number of the Saints as well as their graces 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ad coagmentationem Sanctorum vers 12. until there be not one Saint or Elect more to be added to the number It comes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod propriè de numero dicitur Or from the the Verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfectum reddo vel omnibus numeris absolutum reddere The Translators have rendered it severally in several places Viz. to prepare Heb. 10.5 A body hast thou prepared me Rom. 9.22 Adapta ad interitum Fitted to destruction To restore or put in joint Luxata membra in locum restituere And so it is used in Gal. 6.1 Ye which are spititual restore such a one with the spirit of meekness 1 Cor. 1.10 Be ye perfectly knit together in the same minde Sitis compacti vel coadunati If some one member of a true Church should be overtaken with a fault and in that sence be out of joint the rest which are spiritual should restore i. e. put such a bone in joint againe But if many members should do the like and the whole prove dislocated and disjointed Who shall restore them to their former order againe but the hand of that Ministery by which they were adapted and fitted and first knit together For they were not onely given for this end that they might perfect the number of the Saints by fitting and preparing them and puting them in joynt and this act rendered as transient to pass away in the very acting or once doing but they are said to be set in the Church i. e. statuit aut determinavit the word is of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.6 Statuo in Sione lapidem Behold I lay i. e. set or appoint by an irrevocable decree in Sion a chiefe corner-stone Act. 13.47 Constituite c. I have set or appointed thee to be a light to the Gentiles Act. 1.7 It is not for you to know the times or
the scattered Disciples upon the Persecution of Stephen in Acts 8. and in Act. 11.19 20 Now they that were scattered abroad upon the persecution which arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch preaching the Word to none but to the Iews onely Doth not this give sufficient ground for gifted men if able to Preach that they may Baptize also I shall answer to the last branch of this Objection first Gifted men Answ as they are generally understood to be of parts and abilities these without a true Power and Authority may not by vertue of their gifts Baptize For it is not to be doubted but there were many gifted men among the followers of Christ when he gave to his eleven Disciples Commission to Teach and Baptize the Nations For we read of the seventy Disciples Luk. 10.16 how that Christ sent them forth to Preach and what success they returned with Vers 17 18 19 20. Yet to none of these but to the eleven onely was the Command of Teaching and Baptizing the Nations given so far as appears to us in the Scripture Matth. 28.19 Mark 16.15 Therefore neither believers onely nor gifted men though able to preach to the casting down Sathan like Lightning from Heaven Luk. 10.18 19. without a true and lawful Authority Appointing and Designing to this Work may warrantably do it To the other branch That Disciples able to Preach the Gospel may Baptize from Act. 8.1 12. Chap. 11.19 20. First I distinguish between Preaching and Publishing or Declaring Forasmuch as though he that doth Preach doth Publish the thing he Preacheth yet one may publish a thing which he may not be said to Preach as will appear by this familiar example An Herauld or Crier who is invested with Authority to declare or publish some business at some publike place he must be understood to express himself by words to utter and speak the thing he publishes or proclaimes there may be at the same time many a person present who hearing and understanding the matter so proclaimed may divulge and repeat what they have both heard and seen and so may be said truely to declare but not to proclaim the thing though the former in proclaiming the matter used utterance and expression yet the later by uttering and expressing the matter are not Proclaimers of it authoritatè but observers and relaters onely of what they have seen and heard Let this circumlocution be taken in good part for it means well and may give some help to the understanding of what follows When our Lord Jesus was to leave the world and to send his Ambassadours forth into the world in his Name and stead he commanded them to preach the Gospel to every creature Mark 16.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Predicate Evangelium The word which our Lord Jesus useth in this Commission is a word of Power and Authority it comes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 praeco signifying an Herauld or Cryer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to publish as an Herauld to deliver in open place in the hearing of a multitude that many may take notice of it Matth. 10.27 Preach ye upon the house tops Luke 12.3 That which ye have spoken in the ear and in closets shall be proclaimed upon the house tops 1 Tim. 2.7 Whereunto I am ordained a Preacher and an Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Cryer an Herauld or Proclaimer 2 Tim. 1.11 Maximâ cum majestate summâ constantiâ animi libertate clarissimè ac apertissimè denunciare 2 Tim. 4.2 Preach the Word Rom. 16.25 According to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 1.21 23 Gal. 2.2 I communicated to them that Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod praedico in Gentibus Rom. 10.8 That is the word of faith which we preach Rom. 10.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quomodo verò praedicabunt nisi mittantur How shall they preach except they be sent Many might be the Scriptures which might be brought to prove that the first Messengers were as so many Ambassadours Heraulds Proclaimers Cryers who with Majestie and Authority were sent out to preach the Gospel as being designed of God and set apart and commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ thereunto and these are said eminentèr to preach When they published the Gospel they did it cum authoritate by vertue of their Office Calling or Deputation thereunto Besides these so abundantly overflowing was the grace of God that the beholders of it were so filled with joy and admiration that where-ever they came they could not chuse but be telling what things they had heard and seen and what had been done of them Which notification of theirs had many times this blessed effect that it made the persons to whom this strangue though good news came either to believe it or to be enquirers after it or desirers of it like that of old O thou fairest among women whither is thy Beloved gone that we may seek him with thee Cant. 5.9 and 6.1 or that of the woman of Samaria Joh. 4.29 Come see a man that told me all things whatever I did Is not this the Christ Joh. 4.39 40 41 42 And many of the Samaritans believed on him for the saying of the woman which testified He told me all that ever I did And many more believed because of his own word And such was that of Mary Magdalene who being so filled with the good news of her Lord's Resurrection that she ran and told the Disciples In Luke 1.19 and 2.10 when the word Evangello is applied to the Angel it is rendered to shew or declare good news But in Luke 4.18 when it 's applied to Christ it 's rendered to preach the Gospel In Acts 21.26 Paul is said to enter into the Temple to signifie or declare the accomplishment of the days of Purification the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. annuntio Which word is rendered Luke 9.60 But go thou and preach the kingdom of God Annuntia regnum Dei of Diangéllo In Luke 8.1 it 's said of Christ He went preaching and evangelizing or shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom And in 1 Thess 3.6 But when Timotheus came from you unto us and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 10.7 As he hath declared to his servants the Prophets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To apply what hath been said to the Scriptures propounded touching the preaching of the scattered Disciples Acts 8. and Acts 11. First they are not said to preach viz. to Proclaim to Cry according to the signification of that word which was used by Christ when first he gave the Commission Mark 16.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is not said as here Christ commanded that they Preached the Gospel but that they Evangelized Evangelizantes verbum Which word though it be frequently translated preached which it may well bear when it
its pristine and primitive Constitution as well to respect the Nations which are without viz. the out-casts of Israel together with those worshippers of the Sun and Moon the Moors and Indians and the people that know not God nor have ever heard the sound of him nor of the salvation which through Christ Jesus he holds forth to Mankinde as well as that sort of Ministery which it 's supposed is found among good people who judge they are in Church-estate already though indeed they are both but the fruit of the same ascension and both respect the same end Ministery and duration or continuance For as the Saints already such are not come to a perfect man in Christ and therefore have need of an edifying feeding Ministery so the number of them which are to be gathered are likewise not compleated and therefore need a gathering and breeding Ministery the one without the other being not perfect especially the later not without the former Forasmuch as the Ministery for the World as it was first given namely to the Apostles in these words Go ye into all the world or Teach all nations so it was comprehensive and took in the later and stood sometimes without it they holding out the brest of consolation and confirmation to those to whom they had been as a womb parental or instrumental in conversion Therefore in a return of mercy as in point of Ministery it would be considered Whether the first Apostolical and National Ministery be not again to be looked for hoped for and longed for and prayed for and that by way of eminency not onely for Sion's sake and for Jerusalem's sake but also for the Nations sakes the Kindreds Tongues Peoples those who know not God considering that there is a time wherein John having eaten the book was to prophesie again before many people and nations and tongues and kings Rev. 10. ult And the Angel which he saw flying in the midst of heaven was to preach the ancient Gospel to every nation kindred tongue and people And this was to follow Antichrist's universal over-spreading of the earth for after he had prevailed so far as to cause all both small and great rich and poor bond and free to receive his mark and that no man might buy or sell but he that had received the mark and that all the world wondered after the Beast Rev. 13.3 16 17. after this great power and prevalencie of Antichrist then should the ancient Gospel be preached to every nation kinred tongue and people that dwell upon the earth Rev. 14.6 and then should follow the fall of Babylon v 8 there followed another Angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen and this should be that Angel Rev. 18.1 2 which should come down from heaven with great power and enlighten the earth with his glory and should cry mightily with a strong voice saying Babylon the great is fallen according to that of the Apostle 2 Thess 2.8 Then shall that wicked be revealed whom God shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming And whether this be not that Ministery which the Lord will send forth to gather his chosen ones from the four corners of the windes Mar. 13. forasmuch as after that the false Christs and false Prophets shall arise and shall shew their seducing signes and wonders to deceive if it were possible the very elect vers 22. and that great tribulation shall happen the sun darkned and the moon not give her light Then shall the Son of man come in the clouds with great power and glory and shall send his Angels or Messengers and shall gather together his elect from the utmost parts of the earth From all which it were to be desired that the Lord would stir up the hearts of his people to cry mightily to him and give him no rest till he accomplish the work of gathering together his number out of all Nations Kindreds Tongues and Peoples the utmost parts of the Heathen being given to Christ as his peculiar inheritance Psal 2.8 and because from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same God's name shall be great among the Gentiles Mal. 1.11 Object Object If this be true which hath been spoken then we must expect more Apostles but it is said in 1 Cor. 4.9 that those were the last Apostles Therefore there can be no ground to expect any more Answ Answ 1. That Scripture concludes not against what hath been spoken as will appear when it is examined The word which is rendered there last 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in Luke 14.9 taken for the lowest or meanest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding go sit down in the lowest room And this signification of the word may very well agree with that which is the Argument of this Chapter 1 Cor. 4.9 and so it seems to be carried I think God hath set forth us the Apostles last i. e. lowest or vilest as it were men appointed to death For we are made a spectacle unto the world to Angels and men We are fooles for Christs sake but ye are wise We are made the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things to this day Let it be considered whether all these several expressions do not more properly agree to the word as it is rendered the lowest or basest then to the word last Apostles Secondly If the word he to be taken for the last yet it doth not necessarily inforce it self to be understood of the last of what shall be but the last of what hath been therefore it is rendred novissimus the newest as our English Dialect will infer the last garment or newest garment are Synonimaes In 2 Pet. 2.20 it 's rendered not last but later And 1 Pet. 1.20 speaking of Christ it 's said He was made manifest in the last dayes Heb. 1.2 it 's said In these last dayes God hath spoken unto us by his Sonne Which last dayes may not be so understood as if they were so the last that there were no more dayes to succeed them for there hath been sixteen hundred years of dayes since that time past and gone neither may I conceive those Apostles were the last or so the last Apostles that there should no more come after them understanding them to be Messengers sent forth as the term Apostle imports for then I would inquire By whom should the out casts of Israel be gathered or the Nations converted to the faith of Christ Jer. 32.37 38. Jer. 23.3 Mar. 13.10 Matth. 24.14 If there be any Nations of the World Kindreds Tongues and People to whom the Gospel hath not been sent it must be done to fulfill the Word of the Lord. And by whom shall it be done but by such Messengers which shall be endued with like power of Evidence and Demonstration both of Tongues and Gifts as the first Messengers or Apostles had to preach
entering upon the work of the Ministery Luke 4.18 till the time of finishing of that Ministration Afterward he performed it by his Apostles whom he had chosen ordained and sent out for that purpose together with those other gifts of Ministery which as the fruit of his ascension to his Father he gave for that end to perfect i. e. to gather and edifie his Body the Church until they should all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man c. He did not leave it upon his people promiscuously to be equally and alike gifted for that work Compare Ephes 4.11 12 with 1 Cor. 12.29 Therefore there doth remain an Order to be observed in the exercise of the Ministery and the Disorder thereof is to be bewailed and Jesus Christ to whom all power is given of the Father and by whom at first it was derived and delegated to chosen men Acts 10.40 41 42 to be waited upon for restoration thereof in whose hand the power is and without whom we can do nothing Joh. 15.5 That he should do it by such instruments as he pleaseth furnished with such power and authority and with such a presence of Christ as may demonstrate them to be sent of God for that work or service by the Divine light and heat of the fire of the Spirit of God Act. 2. furnishing them with the true knowledge of the mind of God concerning the Fundamentals of Doctrine Worship together with true power to evince the truth thereof against all gainsayers of whom the world was never more full whether we respect Jews or Infidels or False Christians To be furnished with ability to shew to all Kindreds Nations Tongues and Peoples the glory of the Mystery of the ancient Gospel which once was declared and received but from which there hath been so deep a falling away according as was foretold 2 Thess 2.7 1 Tim. 3.16 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3 and accordingly effected through the power of the Beast Rev. 13. ult Quest Is not the Ministery of the Apostles as efficacious to possess the Saints of the enjoyment of their Liberties purchased by Christ Quest and to put them upon the doing their duties required of them in our Times as it was in theirs seeing that they by their Ministery were commanded to teach all nations to observe whatsoever Christ had commanded them Matth. 28.19 20. Rom. 10.6 7 8. 2 Tim. 2.2 Answ The Ministery of the Apostles may be considered Answ either in the word or in the power of it 1 Thess 1.5 The word of their Ministery without the power is not efficacious to put persons upon their duty Act. 2.11 13. Act. 17.18 The Power accompanying the Word is either Outward or Inward or both Outward and Inward The Outward power was the external demonstration of the Spirit expressed Acts 19.6 Rom. 15.18 19. Heb. 2.4 The Inward power was that internal operation of the Spirit expressed Acts 2.37 Acts 16.14 Now if the word of the Apostles Ministery be accompanied with a power and demonstration of the Spirit sutable to that demonstration and power will be the manifestation of the obedience that follows it according to Rom. 15.18 19. 1 Cor. 2.4 5. If the demonstration of the Spirit be visible and outward it directs to the Outward obedience according to the Rules of that demonstration If it be accompanied with power it not onely directs but enables to obedience in that particular according to Matth. 7.22 23. Luke 10.17 18 19 20. If the demonstration and power of the Spirit be onely Inward and Invisible it directs and enables to the more Inward and Invisible part of obedience Gal. 5.22 23 to believe hope joy love and to express the fruits thereof Gal. 5.26 If the demonstration and power of the Spirit which accompanieth the Word be both Outward and Inward then doth it direct and enable the soul both Inwardly and Outwardly to be obedient according to the Rules thereof Rom. 15.18 19. 1 Cor. 2.4 5. 1 Thes 1.5 Now it may so come to pass that the Word of the Lord or the Ministery of the Apostles may come in demonstration and power upon the outward man onely and extend no further it may convince that Acts 4.14 16 and may bring that under obedience Act. 8.12 13. but it seldome or never befals the Lord's people to be convinced in the outward man onely I say onely But it may and certainly doth many times befal them to finde and feel the inward power and demonstration of the Spirit invisibly and inwardly whenas they are deprived of the external Manifestations of it Matth. 16.15 16 17 when the soul cannot and what it cannot see it may by the inward power of the Spirit believe Heb. 11.1 when it cannot possess and enjoy it may by the power of the same Spirit be helped to wait for Rom. 8.24 25. and when it knows not what to pray for as it ought it may by the inward power of the same Spirit be enabled to sigh and groan to God Rom. 8.26 27. This did seeme to be the condition of those believers in the nineteenth of the Acts who though they believed through the inward power of the Spirit upon their hearts yet they were ignorant of the external power and demonstration of the Spirit and consequently what they were further to know and do Act. 19.2 6. Cornelius who though the power of the Spirit had been great upon his heart Act. 10.24 yet he was ignorant of that external demonstration and power which afterwards he received Act. 10.44 So Paul though it pleased God to reveale himself to him or in him in the way Gal. 1.16 and caused him to pray in or by the Spirit Act. 9.11 compared with Rom. 8.26 27 yet he remained ignorant of that external power and demonstration of the Spirit which afterward he received when Ananias came unto him and laid his hands upon him and opened his eyes and told him what he should do Act. 9.6 17. Sometimes the Word or the Apostles Ministery came both in word and power both in the outward demonstration and inward operation and then it made men obedient in word and deed Rom. 15.16 19. 1 Thess 1.5 1 Cor. 2.4 5. These things being premised I conceive I may say in answer to your Question That the word of the Gospel or Ministery of the Apostles as you call it is so far forth efficacious to put the Saints upon doing their duties as it comes furnished with the demonstration and power of the Spirit 1 Cor. 1.1.5 2 Cor. 4.5 2 Cor. 3.6 If the Spirit do demonstrate and make evident to the Soule that part of the Word which concerns the Soul's hope faith joy love c. according as that Word is evidenced with demonstration and power of the Spirit to the Soule so far is that Soule not onely taught but enabled to hope believe joy love and no farther So likewise for that part of