An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

That as God in the first plantation of the people of Israel, when he brought them out of Egypt, and embodied them together, did guide them and provide for them in an extraordinary way, which did wholly cease, when they came to be settled in Canaan. Thus did the Lord Christ, in the beginning of his Church use many extraordinary things, as Officers and Miracles, which now have no more continuance, though the advantage of these doth still belong to us. For those very miracles, though wrought long since, and those extraordinary Officers are yet of spiritual influence. That Christ did appoint Apostles, and how, appeareth in their first Institution of them, Luke 6. 13. and Matth. 10. 2. and this he did of large bowels, and compassions to those whom he would save; They were sent as so many Ambassadors, to woe and beseech people in Christs stead to be reconciled with the Father. He did not take a way by immediate inspiration and efficacy upon mens hearts, as he might have done. For he that could cure the dead, though he were distant from them, could also have poured his Spirit upon all flesh, though bodily absent from him, yet he was pleased to use this mediation of man, as being more suitable and fit instruments for to work upon us.

That as God in the first plantation of the people of Israel, when he brought them out of Aegypt, and imbodied them together, did guide them and provide for them in an extraordinary way, which did wholly cease, when they came to be setled in Canaan. Thus did the Lord Christ, in the beginning of his Church use many extraordinary things, as Officers and Miracles, which now have no more continuance, though the advantage of these doth still belong to us. For those very miracles, though wrought long since, and those extraordinary Officers are yet of spiritual influence. That Christ did appoint Apostles, and how, appeareth in their first Institution of them, Luke 6. 13. and Matth. 10. 2. and this he did of large bowels, and compassions to those whom he would save; They were sent as so many Embassadours, to woe and beseech people in Christs stead to be reconciled with the Father. He did not take a way by immediate inspiration and efficacy upon mens hearts, as he might have done. For he that could cure the dead, though he were distant from them, could also have poured his Spirit upon all flesh, though bodily absent from him, yet he was pleased to use this mediation of man, as being more suitable and fit instruments for to work upon us.