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…

Thirdly, Although it be disputed, Whether the power of appointing Officers and Laws in the Church belongeth to Christ as a Prophet, or a King. Some ¹say, as a Prophet he doth thus govern his Church, yet it is more probable that be doth this as a King: So that Christ as a spiritual King over his people, doth appoint what officers, what Ordinances and Orders he pleaseth: so that you must know that this is part of Christs Jus regale, and they come equally from the same fountain, both to appoint an Officer and an Ordinance. The Church can no more appoint a new Office, than it can a new Ordinance, a new Sacrament. This is greatly to be observed, because the Governors in the Church, or the civil Magistrate for politic considerations have instituted new Offices, and many times made the Government of the Church, suitable to that of the Commonwealth, equalizing spiritual Officers with Civil; but this may be no more done, then to appoint a new Ordinance; and the reason is, because both Offices and Ordinances are for supernatural effects, to convert, to build up in grace. Now none may appoint any thing for such high ends, but those only who are able to accomplish them: Christ only can convert, therefore he only can appoint an Officer, or Ordinance for conversion: Besides, to appoint new Officers, would redound to Christs dishonour, as if he were not either wise, or able enough to appoint all things in the Church necessary to attain salvation, whereas the Apostle preferreth Christ above Moses, That he was but as a servant, but Christ as a son in the house, Heb. 3.

Thirdly, Although it be disputed, Whether the power of appointing Officers and Laws in the Church belongeth to Christ as a Prophet, or a King. Some ¹say, as a Prophet he doth thus govern his Church, yet it is more probable that be doth this as a King: So that Christ as a spiritual King over his people, doth appoint what officers, what Ordinances and Orders he pleaseth: so that you must know that this is part of Christs Jus regale, and they come equally from the same fountain, both to appoint an Officer and an Ordinance. The Church can no more appoint a new Office, than it can a new Ordinance, a new Sacrament. This is greatly to be observed, because the Governours in the Church, or the civil Magistrate for politick considerations have instituted new Offices, and many times made the Government of the Church, sutable to that of the Commonwealth, equalizing spiritual Officers with Civil; but this may be no more done, then to appoint a new Ordinance; and the reason is, because both Offices and Ordinances are for supernatural effects, to convert, to build up in grace. Now none may appoint any thing for such high ends, but those only who are able to accomplish them: Christ only can convert, therefore he only can appoint an Officer, or Ordinance for conversion: Besides, to appoint new Officers, would redound to Christs dishonour, as if he were not either wise, or able enough to appoint all things in the Church necessary to attain salvation, whereas the Apostle preferreth Christ above Moses, That he was but as a servant, but Christ as a son in the house,