2. Why an Ordinance of Christ? it is this; because all spiritual Ordinances, Laws, Institutions, do hold on Christ; it is not in the liberty of man to erect any new spiritual Ordinance in the Church of Christ. I will not deny, but the power of man may come in to order such things, as are not proper, but rather common to the Church with other societies, as to meet together in some place, and at some time, &c. according to that rule, Let all things be done decently, and in order; for this is not an institution,1 but only the dictate of right reason. But when it comes up to an Ordinance, Law, Institution, (i.e.) when something more shall be put on the thing, than nature hath put on it, when by virtue of the institution, there is conjoined to it some kind of spiritual efficacy to work upon the soul, this only holds on Christ. Hence, because in the preaching of the Word, and in the administration of the Sacraments we expect a virtue, a spiritual efficacy, more than they have or can yield in any natural way, therefore we say, these are Ordinances of Christ; & so because in Looking unto Jesus, we expect a virtue, a spiritual efficacy, to go along together with it, more than nature can give it; therefore we call this an Ordinance, and an Ordinance of Christ, to distinguish it from all other Ordinances, Rules, Constitutions of men whatsoever.
2. Why an Ordinance of Christ? it is this; because all spiritual Ordinances, Laws, Institutions, do hold on Christ; it is not in the liberty of man to erect any new spiritual Ordinance in the Church of Christ. I will not deny, but the power of man may come in to order such things, as are not proper, but rather common to the Church with other societies, as to meet together in some place, and at some time, &c. according to that rule, Let all things be done decently, and in order; for this is not an institution,1 but only the dictate of right reason. But when it comes up to an Ordinance, Law, Institution, (i.e.) when something more shall be put on the thing, than nature hath put on it, when by vertue of the institution, there is conjoyned to it some kind of spiritual efficacy to work upon the soul, this only holds on Christ. Hence, because in the preaching of the Word, and in the administration of the Sacraments we expect a vertue, a spiritual efficacy, more than they have or can yeild in any natural way, therefore we say, these are Ordinances of Christ; & so because in Looking unto Jesus, we expect a vertue, a spiritual efficacy, to go along together with it, more than nature can give it; therefore we call this an Ordinance, and an Ordinance of Christ, to distinguish it from all other Ordinances, Rules, Constitutions of men whatsoever.
- 11 Cor. 14.42.
