GOD , who in the begining , writ his Laws §. 1. J●…sus Christ the truth , in the fulness of time . in the hearts of all men , ( Rom. 2. 14 , 15. The Gentiles not having the Law of Moses yet shew the work of the Law written in their hearts , their thoughts accusing , &c. So Rom. 1. 21 , 25 , 28 , 32. Because when they knew God , they glorified him not as God , v. 21. but changed the truth of God into a lie , v. 25. tho knowing that they , who commit such things , are worthy of death , v. 32. as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge , so God gave them over , &c. ver. 28 ) made , besides this , from the begining , many express revelations by Prophets Jude 14. in many particulars concerning his service and worship , to the Church . Therefore find we much of the ceremonial Law practised before Moses , Gen. 14 , 20. 35 , 2. 8 , 21. Exod. 24 , 5. Gen. 15 , 10. compared with Lev. 1 , 17. Gen. 9 , 4. &c.

But here , much of these Laws by so ill a Register ▪ and in so long time being more and more defaced and worn out , ( for Moses's Law was added because of the overflowing of transgressions against the Law natural , Gal. 3. 19. till Christ should come : The effects of which Law Mosaical among the Jews , the rules of Philosophy ( being only the Law of nature revived by the wisest of other nations ) in some inferior degree wrought among the Gentiles ) after more than 2000 years , when the Church very numerous was grown into a State , God published them again unto the world with great solemnity by Moses ; and writ them himself in Tables of stone to last the longer ; and , doubtless , in these then , added many explications , at least to those which formerly were practised , or enjoyned to Adam , Gen. 4. 3 , 4. or Noah , Gen. 9. 1. &c.

But here again , his Laws being neither obeyed so far as understood ; nor understood so far as they obliged ; after a long space of his tolerating the unbelief and imperfection of the veiled Jew 2 Cor. 3. 13 , 14 , 16. and his winking at the ignorance and idolatry of the Gentiles , and his suffering them to go on in their own ways : Act. 17. 30 , 14 , 16. and he having now sufficiently educated his Church in the pedagogism of the Law and of Ceremonies , after about 2000 years more , in the full and due time Eph. 1. 10. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 11. 40. and the worlds mature age Gal. 4. 3. ( therefore the first words of our Saviours preaching are : The time is fulfilled Sent. Mark. 1. 15. - the Gospel retaining much what the same distance from the covenant made with Abraham , wherein were included any Proselytes of the Gentiles , and the promulgation of the Law ; as these were from the beginning of nature , for he doth all things in number , weight , measure ) : He sent his Son Jesus Christ the greatest and last Prophet , and the Holy one of God , yet more perfectly and fully to revele and declare to mankind his last , and all , his will , &c. Mat. 15. 24. Jo. 3. 34. -5. 38.

And Him he then sent into the very middle and § 2. Navil , as it were , of the then known world , and there seated him not at Jerwsalem , but in Galilee ; half ( as it were ) amongst the Gentiles ; to whom the Church was now to be enlarged , and Salvation to be preached as well as to the Jewes . Tho to the Jewes in the first place , see Jo. 4. 40. Sent him at this time , and to this place ; From which time and place , that which he did and taught , might by the Testimony of many witnesses chosen before of God , Act 10. 41. descend conveniently to all other places and times . This thing being necessarily to be effected in some determinate age , in some particular Nation and Country ; unless perchance the unreasonableness of our unbelief will have him for our fuller satisfaction to act over and over again that great work , in all places ; and in each of them too at all times ; and that we will not in this one thing allow to as firm relations , as posterity is capable of , ( I mean the Gospels ) that credit , which wee so easily yield to the Histories of all other famous actions and passages of the world .

Which Relations of these four Evangelists , and § 3. three of them ocular witnesses , common and used in the beginnings of Christianity , are shewed to be most true . 1. From the conversion of so many thousands 1. to this Faith ( which thing cannot be denyed ) who lived in the time , when these Scriptures were writ ; and in the places , where ▪ these things were pretended to be acted ; where any falfity might have been most easily discovered ; especially in so many famous and publick passages related in them , which few could be ignorant of . As ; Herods murthering the Infants : the darkness at the execution of Jesus : John Baptists preaching : many of our Saviours and the Apostles miracles . See 1 Cor. 15. 6. 2 From the prophesies of the old Testament concerning 2. the Messias ( to those who allow those writings ) exactly agreeing with , and fulfilled in , the History of Jesus ( even as they were interpreted by the learned Jews before the coming of the Messias ) in so many punctualities of his life and death ; and especially in the time of his coming ; which was to be under the second Temple , Hagg. 2. 7 , 9. But this Temple was destroyed by Titus ; And when the Scepter was departed first from the Jewish Nation ( for this King was then to be sent when the others failed ; ) But this happened first in the time of Herod , the first stranger King , after both Davids and Levi's rule deposed ; and when also the Roman Empire , under whose yoke the Jewes were now faln , was first perfected and at its height in Augustus ; in whose times our Saviour came . 3. From the plain 3. prophecies contained in these Relations , as Matt. 24. &c. concerning the perfecution of the Christian profession ; the destruction of Jerusalem and Temple ; and dispersion of the Jewes ; set down in them long before the event . 4. As likewise from 4. those heavy curses which the world hath seen to fall upon all the enemies of Christ , and the primitive Christians ; as , upon the Jewes ( the desolation of which Nation beareth witness to this day in all Countries to the truth of the Gospel ) ; upon Herod the Great ; His son Archelaus ; Herod the Tetrarch , Archelaus's brother that beheaded John ; Herod Agrippa ( Act. 12 , 23. ) that killed James ; it being observed by Josephus ( a stranger to this cause ) that of Herods very numerous race within 70 years none were left , but all extinguished in a most miserable manner ; and upon the Roman Emperors , so long as the persecutions endured i. e. till Constantine's time , most of whom suffered unhappy ends . 5 From the 5. then , ( by the Heathen confessed ) cessation of oracles , ( see Plutarch's treatise of it ) and the miraculous propagation of the Christian Doctrine , tho so severe and opposite to flesh and blood , by such mean and unarmed instruments , thro such sufferings ; which shews it to be a work of no less then a Divine power . And tho another Religion since it , even that of the great Antichrist , Mahometanism , hath also spread much in the world ; yet first both 1. the manner of its growth shews it not to be of God : being both planted at first & since continued by the sword , alwaies destitute of any true miracles : ( this being not only the practise but the Doctrine of that great Impostour opposite to Christs , That men are by war to be compelled to the Faith . ) And also being tempered with much brutish liberty and sensuality indulged to the flesh , which much easilier enclines mens affections to it . Nova secta ita tanden se late diffundit , si portam luxuriae & voluptatibus aperiat . And again ; 2. It s growth never equalled 2. the amplitude of Christianity : nor ever shall so universally overrun it , as Christianity hath , and shall , destroy Heathenism ; and also God in all Ages preserveth a place of retreat for his Church , from the face of the Dragon and of the Beast to whom he gives his power . Apoc. 12. 6 , 14. compare 13 , 5. Dan. 7 , 8. 3 Lastly it never advanceth farther then 3. the sword by violence carrieth it : whereas our Lord 1. by the power of the spirit ; 2. and the Testimony of miracles ; and 3. by sufferings instead of Arms , as in the beginning , so still shall continue to propagate his truth ; and goes on conquering and to conquer Nations remote , whom the sword cannot reach : in every age some new people voluntarily submitting to his Scepter .

All these , and many more justifie sufficiently the §. 4. truth of these Relations . So that though our Saviour came but in one appointed time , yet all times , that did not see it , notwithstanding want not the greatest reason that can be had from the evidence of History to beleive it . And he that requires more would leave no place for the exercise and merit of Faith : which otherwise would have been as worthless as that feeling one of St Thomas , which suffered a reprehension from our Saviour . But Gods pleasure it is , as well for the trial of our inclinations to heavenly things , as for his greater glorification in our service of him , and advancement of our future reward , to give grounds of belief sufficient , not coactive and uncontradictable ; and to make us walk only by Faith here , not by sight : that our adherence might be so much more esteemed , by how much we had less evidence , tho all may have evidence enough . See Jo. 20. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Else , let us also require , that God should also shew his personal presence amongst us ; and when he ministers to our necessities , do it by Angels visible ; and alwaies present to us a prospect of the Joyes of Heaven , as the Devil did to our Saviour the glories of this lower world ; and then let him blame us if we do not reverence , trust in , and ferve , him .

Hither therefore at this time sent ; He , in whom § 5. were hid from all eternity all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge , Col. 2. 3. was first anointed ( as Prophets Anointed . anciently were , 1 King . 19. 16. ) and sealed by the Father to this office Jo. 6. 27. Luk. 4. 18 , 22. Esai . 11. 2. Act. 10. 38. Act. 4. 27. Anointed with the holy Ghost and with power ; and that visibly at his Baptism , Jo. 1. 33. that all might know him to be sent ( since none unsent may take such honour . Heb. 5. 4. ) Yea filled with the holy Ghost which never man was before him . ( For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell . Col. 1. 19. And God gave not the Spirit by mesure to him , Jo. 3. 34 ; but according to mesure he gives it to all men else Eph. 4. 7. ) see Matt. 3. 16. Luk. 3. 5.

Thus furnished for the many offices to which he §. 6. A new Law-giver for the law moral . was predestined by the Father , He was sent First as a new Legislator ; being faithful as Moses . Heb. 3. 2. but yet more to be observed , being Master of the house wherein Moses was a servant . ( v. 6. ) Therefore Moses , when he should come , referred them wholly to him Deut. 18. 15. And in this office of his , first a new Legislator in some respects as to the law moral .

First to rectifie the understanding of the Law , 1. Expounding it . formerly either falsifyed , or mutilated : he expounding it in most things more fully , and in some things also contrary to what had been said of old . It hath been said of old so , but I say unto you , Matt. 5 , 6 , 7 , chapters . Jo. 1. 17 , 18. -3. 2. -4. 25.

2. Again , to exact to this Law thus expounded 2. Requiring stricter obedience . by him a more true , and inward , and full obedience of all men that would be his Disciples , then ever had been performed before by the strictest Sects of all the Law-zealots ▪ not to let a title of it pass away ( pass away heaven and earth first ) till all the Law be fulfilled . ( Matt. 5. 17 , 18 , 19 , 20. 1 Cor. 7. 19. Gal. 2. 17. Jam. 2. 12. )

3. To make to such observers of this Law more 3. open and manifest promises of the Kingdome of Heaven Heb. 8. 6. and against the breakers of this Denouncing heavier judgments . Law , heretofore winked at , and suffered to walk in their own way , &c. to revele the wrath of God from Heaven ( as not the joyes of heaven , so neither the paines of Hell before his coming having been so much talked of ) Rom. 1. 18. charging men every where to repent Act. 17. 30. because a day is appointed wherein he will judge the world . v. 31. Tit. 2. 11 , 12 , 13. Therefore he came , saith the Baptist , with an axe on his shoulder ; with a fan in his hand ; to cut down the fruitless trees ; to purge Gods floor of the chaff ; and with a fire made ready to burn them both . Matt. 3. 10. &c. He was laid a stone for stumbling ; and the fall , as well as the rising again , of many in Israel . ( Luk. 2. 34. ) That every soul , that hears not this man , who the last speaks from Heaven ( Heb. 12. 25. ) should be destroyed from among the people . Act. 3. 23. Es. 6. 9 , 10 , 11. compare with Matt. 13. 14. Esai . 61. 2. and that none should have any way to escape that turneth away from him . He came for judgment , that they , who will not see , might be made blind Jo. 9. 39. and the last ages , knowing by him Gods will and not obeying it , should be beaten ( as they are ) with more stripes Luk. 12. 48. and their sin remain for ever . Jo. 9. 41.

4. He was sent not only the most perfect and exact §. 7. Ministring the spirit . Interpreter of the letter ; that Gods law and will might be fully known , and an exactor of the observance of it in the strictest senses thereof , upon the most grievous punishments to the disobedient ( which is all , hitherto , but a fuller ministration of condemnation and death , ) But , as of the exactest letter , so he came the minister of the spirit ( 2 Cor. 3. 6. Jo. 1. 16 , 17. Gal. 3. 14. Phil. 4. 13. Eph. 1. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 8. Act. 3. 26. ) that by the power of this spirit , the Law , by them that beleived , might be fulfilled . ( See Rom. 8. 3 , 4 ) ; which was the ministration of the soul as it were of the law , and of righteousness and life unto us ( 2 Cor. 3. 7 , 8. Gal. 2. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 compare with v. 17. and Rom. 8. 2. Jam. 2. 12. 1 Cor. 9. 21. ) Before , the law was writ in the conscience only ; as the law of Nature for the Gentile Rom. 2. 14 , 15 ; or also more evidently in stone ; as the law of Moses for the Jew ; to bring forth knowledge of sin . But by him it was written with the spirit in the heart , to bring forth obedience to justification . Jer. 32. 40. The other brought in the spirit of fear , subjecting our inability to the curse of it ; but he gave the spirit of love ; out of this love procuring our observance of it 2. Tim. 1. 7. Rom. 8. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 5. 3. Which love keeps it far more perfectly then fear would : as shewing its zeal not only in Negatives ( of which is the letter ) i. e. in working no ill Rom. 13. 9 , 10. but also in the Affirmatives , ( not exprest in the word of the the law ) i. e. in doing all good , to all , to the highest degree . Therefore this love , the greatest of all gifts 1 Cor. 13. is called Christs new commandment Jo. 13. 34. -15. 12. 1 Jo. 2. 8. 2 Jo. 5. had only from the beginning of the Gospel , i. e. from Christ : and belonging only to the sons thereof ; ( tho this Gospel hath had such sons from the beginning ) who are said 1 Thess. 4. 3. to be taught of God , that is by his spirit 1 Jo. 4. 7 , 8. 16. as the spirit also the only Author of love , and which is love , was his new gift , by which love , he saith , his disciples should be discerned from the disciples of the law . Jo. 13. 35.

By which ministration of the spirit and of ●…ove § 8. ( the proper fruit thereof ) by Christ we now so easily understand and do the things commanded by the law ; that the letter of the law is said to become as Abrogating the letter . it were void and useless to us by the coming of the promised seed ; and the Schoolmastership thereof to be outdated by Christ , not because we are now without law 1 Cor. 9. 21. but because we have it superabundantly written in our hearts by the spirit ; and the works thereof continually brought forth by love , thro the efficacy of the last law-giver Jesus Christ . 1 Tim. 1. 5 , 9. Gal. 5. 23. -3. 19. Rom. 8. 15. Therefore called the law of liberty , Jam. 2. 12. This for the law moral ; which , in some sense our Saviour is said to abrogate Gal. 3. 25. Col. 2. 14. that is according to the former use thereof , ( namely as only giving knowledge of sin Rom. 3. 20. being a letter of condemnation , and working wrath ( Rom. 4. 15. 2 Cor. 3. 7 , 9. ) and keeping us in slavery and bondage Rom. 8. 15. Tho this abrogation is done , not by absolving us from any more observance of it , but by enabling us to keep it ; and by making this observance now also voluntary .

But next for the law Ceremonial ; he was sent yet § 9. For the law ceremonial . Cancelling it . more properly to annual and cancel it ; and to appoint new Ceremonies at pleasure instead of it . He being the substance and body Col. 2. 17. of which it was a type and shadow ; when that which is perfect was come , the imperfect being to be done away . He was sent therefore to reform or perfect the worship of God , from those many exterior rites so strict and burthensome ( see Act. 15. 10. Heb. 13. 9. Col. 2. 14. ) to that of the spirit and of truth . Jo. 4. 23. As also to reform many liberties and indulgences under the law ( see Matt. 5. 31 , 34. -19. 8. ) Therefore his times by the Apostle are called the times of Reformation Heb. 9. 10. For as he took away hardness of heart by the ministration of the spirit ; so it was correspondent to this , that He should take away all remissions and abatements of any part of righteousness , which were permitted only because of such hardheartedness , Matt. 19. 8.

Thus anointed Luk. 4. 18. a little before he began § 10. to preach , by the Father , and publickly proclaimed 2 An Apostle of the Gospel . also by a voice from Heaven to be the son of God at the solemn time of Johns ministration of Baptism Act. 10. 37. who , as likewise all the people , then called out into the wilderness unto him , by this unction of the spirit , the third Person in the descent of a Dove , and the testimony of the first person in the descent of a voice from Him , ( the greatest appearance of the sacred Trinity that hath been upon earth ) were to know and discern him , whom the Father had ordained , to be the light of the world baptizing with the holy Ghost . And of whose coming John was sent before to give them notice Jo. 1. 33. Anointed thus with the Holy Ghost and with power Act. 10. 38. Jo. 3. 34. He was , in the next place , sent from God as an Apostle Heb. 3. 1. of the Christian profession ; or of the Gospel . To whom God committed first , and so he to others the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5. 19. In which respect he is called the great Shepheard or Pastor by St Paul Heb. 13. 20. Pastor and Bishop of our souls by St Peter 1 Pet. 2. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jo. 13. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 15. 8.

In which ministry , he was not only to expound §. 11. Preaching it the old , ( spoken of before ) ; but also to deliver some new , messages from the Father ; To bring life and immortality to light thro his Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10 ; to revele the great mystery of salvation , which God had decreed from all Eternity , and shadowed under types to all former ages ; but yet ( for the open manifestation of it ) kept secret s●…nce the beginning of the world Rom. 16. 25. and hid from former generations Col. 1. 26. till this time , ( notwithstanding so much longing after it of so many Prophets and Righteous men , yea and of the Angels themselves . ( See Matt. 13. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 10. 11. Eph. 3. 9. Matt. 11. 11. 1 Cor. 2. 9. ) When the Son , who only knew the Father , was sent out of his bosome to declare him Jo. 1. 18. Heb. 1. 1. Matt. 11. 27. Esai . 11. 3. Col. 2. 3. to preach the Gospel to the poor , deliverance to the captives , the acceptable year of the Lord Luk. 4. 18 , 19. The time of his good will towards men ; to preach peace Act. 10. 36. and salvation , and remission of sin ( for which Baptism was then also instituted ) : and the fulfilling of the promise of God to the Jew , that was made unto their fathers , but likewise of his new mercy to the Gentiles , that the Gentiles too should glorifie God for his mercy Rom. 15. 8 , 9. And all this to be performed to the world through himself that taught it : for , as he was the text and subject that was preached of , so also was he the preacher Ps. 2. 7. -40. 9 , 10. Jo. 14. 6. and none could see that light , but by the light of it : which thought it much stumbled the Jews , that he should bear record of himself ; and He as the truth preach himself as the life Jo. 8. 13. yet both the witness of John , besides that of all the Prophets , and of his Father from Heaven at his Baptism , &c. and that of his miracles ; ( all which he quoted to them to justify his Commission , ) were abundantly satisfactory .

And , as this Apostle came to preach the Gospel , §. 12. Remitting sins ; giving the Holy Ghost ; admitting into the kingdom of Heaven . so received he power , to remit , and absolve from sin Matt. 9. 2 , 6 , 11. and that here on earth as man , see v. 8. and , as Priest Heb. 8. 6 ; to justify the ungodly Rom. 4. 5. Act. 5. 31 ; and to make sons of God Jo. 1. 12. and admit into the Church and the kingdom of Heaven , by the new ceremony of Baptism ( which he did ordinarily by his Disciples Jo. 4. 2 ; but yet some conjecture from the practice Act. 19. 5. Jo. 3. 22. that he himself first baptized some of his Disciples at least ; and so accordingly afterward he ministred the Eucharist ) . To admit I say into the Church all those , who repented i. e. confessed their sins , and promised amendment of life . Matt. 3. 8. And who beleeved in him , that he was the Son of God Act. 8. 37. -19. 4. Jo. 3. 18. and in his word , that it was truth , and he the last teacher sent from God , &c. and who rejected not the counsel of God sent to them by him Luk. 7. 30. Jo. 5. 24. -8. 31. -12. 48. Lastly to give the holy Ghost Jo ▪ 20. 22. Act. 2. 33 , 38. Eph. 4. 7. 2 Cor. 3. 8. by which to seal his converts unto glory . In which respect also he is said to give eternal life to as many as receive him Jo. 17. 3. and to have the key of David , as the chief Oeconomist and officer in that family , opening and shuting as , and to whom , he pleased , Rev. 3. 7. Esai . 22. 22. Rev. 1. 18. and all judgment to be committed unto him . Jo. 5. 22. Christus , ut homo , remittit peccata , dat spiritum sanctum , vitam aeternam , &c. potestate tantum communicata & delegata , sed modo excellentiori quam ministris ejus concessum est . Ut homo ad has actiones concurrit tantum instrumentaliter & meritorie , non efficienter ; sed tamen ut instrumentum efficienti conjunctum & singulare ; non separatum & commune , qualia sunt instrumenta Apostoli , & Prophetae . So the Schoolmen . And in all this at first he became the Minister of the Circumcision only , i. e. of the Jews Rom. 15. 8. Act. 10. 36. ( and , according to his own commission , for a certain time , he limited his Disciples Matt. 10. 5 , 6. ) and began there also in Galilee amongst the meaner sort of the people , and remote from the chief Citty the least to provoke the envy of those in power till the appointed time of his passion approached , and preached here mostwhat in parables ; for so it pleased God , that till his sufferings were accomplished , the peoples ignorance should not be quite dispelled , and that this light should rise upon the world by degrees , and not all at once Matt. 13. 11. 1 Cor. 2. 8. But when the time drew near of his offering up , Jo. 7. 8. He preached more frequently in Jerusalem , and in the Temple ( tho usually not lodging in the City Jo. 8. 1. Lu. 21. 37. ) and there at the Feasts of the greatest resort , and professed more clearly and openly who he was , and did his greatest Miracles Jo. 11. and accordingly multiplied exceedingly his Disciples and followers Jo. 12. 19. Upon which the rage of his enemies now heightned to extremity , and after three years preaching Lu. 13. 7. and the daies of his Ministry accomplished , in the last place he laid down his life , and died a Martyr for the Truth he had taught . 1 Tim. 6. 13. Rev. 1. 5. -3. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

Now , after his resurrection from the Dead by the §. 13. Divine power , in Justification also of the truth of doctrine , He being to return to God from whence he came , and the same truth being necessary to be preached , sins remitted , Sacraments administred , the Holy Ghost conferred , &c. to the end of the world , to one Country after another ; and , in them , to one generation after another ; the last thing Before his departure ordaining others . he did here on Earth was the ordaining some others for these offices in his name , after he had now finished the work of our Redemption , which was to be the subject of their preaching . For his former mission of them was only preparatory Matt. 10. to tell men that the Kingdome of Heaven was near at hand , which now after his conquest of Sathan , and of death by his death was fully come , erected , and compleated Jo. 12. 31. Jo. 19. 30. At which time also he was to receive , as he had before in his own person , so now the promise of the Father so long expected , the effusions of the Holy Spirit upon his seed , even the whole Church . but these especially upon his Apostles . A type of which was Moses's spirit , taken part of it and put upon the 70 Elders , Num. 6. 11. which Apostles were to minister this spirit to others Gal. 3. 2 , 5. The solemnity of whose Ordination and Commission we find Jo. 20. 21 , 22 , 23. Matt. 18. 19 , 20. Mark . 16. 15. Luk. 24. 47. Therefore is our Lord named for the Author of administrations and offices , as the Father of miracles , and the Holy Ghost of gifts . 1 Cor. 12. 4 , 5 , 6.

To these , as his Vicegerents , he derived the §. 14. Transferring his authority to them . Doctrine , the Authority , the Spirit , the anointing himself had received of the Father . ( See Jo. 15. 15. -17. 8 , 18. Eph. 3. 9 , 10. 1 Cor. 2. 10 , 13. Eph. 4. 7 , 8. Act. 2. 33. Phil. 4. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 21. ) Concerning whom also he left this Testimony to the world ; as the Father had done of him , He that heareth you , heareth me ( Matt. 10. 40. Luk. 10. 16. Matt. 17. 5. ) and as the Father sent me , so I you . Jo. 20. 21. -17. 18. Hence also are his own attributes frequently communicated to them . They called foundations Matt. 16. 18. compared with 19. 24. Eph. 2. 20. Rev. 21. 14. And they also said to save men Jude 23. Rom. 11. 14. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Job . 33. 24. and at the last day to sit on a Throne as He ; to judge men as he , See Jo. 5. 22. Matt. 19. 28. Luk. 22. 30. 1 Cor: 6. 3. To these he gave power to Baptize , i. e. admit into the Church those they saw fit ; which implies their power also to refuse the unfit , ( see Act. 10. 47 , 48. the Apostle ordering and others ministring Baptism ) . And this again infers power to exclude out of the Church the backsliding , and those not observing the conditions upon which they were admitted . To these he gave power to preach , and to declare to the world all the counsel of God , which he had manifested to them , and to be Ambassadors to men about their reconciliation to God for Christ , and in his stead , 2 Cor. 5. 18 , 19 , 20. Act. 20. 27. 2 Cor. 10. 8. Gal. 4. 14. Therefore they are said to speak in Christ . 2 Cor. 2. 17. To be received as Angels of God , and as Christ Jesus Gal. 4. 14. and in their ministry to be a sweet savour of Christ unto God 2 Cor. 2. 15. He Authorizing them to make Ecclesiastical Laws , and to order all the affairs of the Church . See 1 Cor. 11. 34. -14. chap. 1 Cor. 16. 1. Act. 15. 1 Tim. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 4. 17.

To these also he committed his keyes of the §. 15. Kingdome of Heaven , to take confessions and submissions ; to bind and absolve ; to remit sin or revenge it ; and that by his power and in his person Matt. 18. 18. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 2 Cor. 2. 10. 2 Cor. 10. 6. 2 Cor. 13. 10. 2 Cor. 8. 23. called the glory of Christ , i. e. His representation and image , see 1 Cor. 11. 7. To continue the dispensation of his sacred Body and Blood to the worlds end 1 Cor. 11. 26. which his Sacred hands first administred to them , to all the Faithful : and as to admit the worthy , so to exclude the unworthy from that holy Communion 1 Cor. 5. 7 , 8. see 1 Cor. 10. 16. Act. 20. 11. Luk. 22. 19. The [ Hoc facite ] having been alwaies understood to have special reference to the Apostle's and their successours , consecrating , or blessing , breaking , and delivering it , as well as to others receiving it . To intercede for the people and procure remission of their sins from God by their prayers Jam. 5. 14 , 15. 1 Jo. 5. 16. Job 42. 8. Gen. 20. 7. 1 Tim. 2. 1. And the promises of hearing their requests Matt. 18. 19 , 20. Jo. 16. 23. seem to be made to them not in general as Christians , but more especially as Gods Ministers and Apostles , and that both for binding and loosing the people from their sins . So see the Presbyters in the description of the Church triumphant holding in their hands the prayers of the Saints Rev. 5. 8. to be offered up to him that sitteth on the Throne , as Incense is .

These He enlightned with the spirit ( tho others § 16. also , see Jer. 31. 34. Jo. 6. 45. ) yet them extraordinarily , for knowledge of the truth . For I imagine those expressions Jo. 16. 13 , 25. comp: with Jo. 15. 16 , 20 , 26 , 27. like to which are those . 1 Jo. 2. 20 , 27. to belong to the Apostles specially as Christs ministers . Therefore the stile of their whole Body in a Council runneth ; It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us . See Act. 15. 28. -5. 3. -7. 51. 2 Cor. 6. 4 , 6. As also those extraordinary gifts of the Spirit at or after Baptism bestowed by laying on of the Apostles hands were not onely for Sanctification of the person ; see Matt. 7. 22. 1 Cor. 13. 1. but also for the publick benefit & further edification of the Church by them . Rom. 12. 6 , 7. 1 Cor. 12. 7. And enabling them by it ( that which all humane wisdom is too weak to effect see 1 Cor. 5. 10 , 12 , 13. -4. 19. ) to convince mens consciences ; convert their minds ; cast down throughout the world imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God , and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ : and with terrors of conscience , with Sathan himself to revenge all disobedience : and this by the power of Christ who speaketh and acteth in them . 2 Cor. 13. 3. See 2 Cor. 10. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. &c. -13. 2 , 4 , 10. Jo. 16. 8. 1 Cor. 14. 24 , 25. Act. 2. 37. Matt. 10. 20. 1 Cor. 4. 21. 3 Jo. 10. 2 Jo. 10. Tit. 3. 11. 1 Tim. 1. 20. 1 Cor. 5. 5. On the 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 §. 17. Assisting them from Heaven . 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.