CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Consid. I To open this consider, That God out of his great love to mens souls, hath appointed a Ministry and Officers in his Church, that should be as Ambassadors to entreat Reconciliation with God. But because there could not be any commerce or communion between God, absolutely considered, and man fallen, therefore the Lord Christ interposed and made peace; but that what he had merited and purchased, might effectually be applied to such as shall be saved, among other instruments, he set up Officers in his Church, whose whole study and care, should be to inform and reform men. So that people do enjoy the Ministers of God upon a two-fold special account.

Consid. I To open this consider, That God out of his great love to mens souls, hath appointed a Ministry and Officers in his Church, that should be as Embassadours to intreat Reconciliation with God. But because there could not be any commerce or communion between God, absolutely considered, and man fallen, therefore the Lord Christ interposed and made peace; but that what he had merited and purchased, might effectually be applied to such as shall be saved, among other instruments, he set up Officers in his Church, whose whole study and care, should be to informe and reforme men. So that people do enjoy the Ministers of God upon a two-fold special account.

First, Gods great and special love to them, That God hath taken care to send such, is more then the creating of a world for you, or vouchsafing all the temporal mercies you enjoy: Hence it's so often spoken of, 2 Chron. ult. and in other places, that God sent his Prophets rising up early. This is spoken as the great love of God to them. And then

Consid. II The second Foundation of the Ministry is Christs Death and Resurrection, his Ascending into Heaven, as