The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Fourthly and lastly, It's the perpetual invariable means God hath appointed to the worlds end. When the Ministry and Preaching shall cease, then shall all this ⟨p. 70⟩world with the things therein cease: Thus Eph. 4. it's there said to continue till Christs coming; and Paul's direction about the Ministry must be kept till the coming of Christ. The former dispensation is altered, he hath taken away Priests and Levites, the sacrifices and Altars; but he will never take away Pastors, and Teachers, and Sacraments, and these must abide as long as there is a Church on the world.

Fourthly and lastly, It's the perpetual invariable means God hath appointed to the worlds end. When the Ministery and Preaching shall cease, then shall all this ⟨p. 70⟩world with the things therein cease: Thus Eph. 4. it's there said to continue till Christs coming; and Paul's direction about the Ministery must be kept till the coming of Christ. The former dispensation is altered, he hath taken away Priests and Levites, the sacrifices and Altars; but he will never take away Pastors, and Teachers, and Sacraments, and these must abide as long as there is a Church on the world.

Use of Examination. It's the Ministry, this is the ordinary, necessary, appointed menans for faith, and other graces. Why then is it, that it hath not been so to thee? Oh it would be an heavy trouble to thee, thou wouldst think God had some extraordinary judgment upon thee, if thou couldst have no clothes to warm, no food to nourish thee, no creature be that to thee, for which it is appointed. But behold a greater judgement then this, no Ministry doth convert thee, no Preaehing begets faith, or repentance in thee. In the Apostles times, What multitudes were converted by the Word? Yea in the first times of Reformation from Popery, How many did not only receive the truth in their minds, but grace in their hearts? they were not only converted from Popery, and superstition, but from profaneness and impiety? But now alas to whom is the power of God made known? Certainly the Word is the same, Gods arm is as strong as ever; but men by their wilful ignorance, by their unthankfulness, and rebelling against the light, have sinned away the presence and power of God from the Ministry, and then if God go not along with us, Alas what can we do! Oh that you who are hearers would deeply lay these things to heart! God saith his Word is an enlightening Word, a sanctifying cleansing Word: Why is it not so to thee? Why art thou no more reformed, then where there is no Preaching, no Ministry at all? The same cursing, swearing; the same lusts, pride, covetousness, and ignorance. Is not all this, because God doth not appear in his own Ordinances? Oh men without hope, How desperate is such mens condition! for if the Ministry cure thee not, what will cure thee? Woe be to thee, if the Word that is so effectual and operative to others, be not also to thee