Singing of Psalms a Gospel-ordinance, or, A TreatiseSinging of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise

Answ. These Scriptures prove that God hath given the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of his Church: and that they who have received the gifts of the Spirit, should employ them to the edification of the Church. And some of those Scriptures prove also, that they who have received any gifts, though outward gifts of wealth and honour, should improve and employ them to the good of the Church. But none of them prove, that all the edification of the Church should be carried on by the personal and proper gifts of the present members of the Church. For then the Church should not be edified now in these days by the gifts of the pen-men of Scripture, whether Apostles, Prophets, or Evangelists, which is expressly repugnant to some of the Scriptures alleged by you. For in Eph. 4.8. to 13. and in 1 Cor. 12. it is expressly said, ⟨p. 31⟩that God gave Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists, for the edifying of the Church, till the whole body of Christ be perfected at the day of his coming. And least you should dream of new Apostles to be raised up in every age, the Holy Ghost telleth us, the Church of the Jews at their last conversion shall be built upon the foundation of the Lambs twelve Apostles, Rev. 21.14. The twelve Apostles of the Lamb shall have a fundamental influence in the rearing and building of the Church of the Jews, not by their resurrection to life again in those days, but by the power of the Spirit breathing in their gifts and writings. And as Abel being dead yet speaketh, Heb. 11.4. and that to edification: So the Apostles though dead speak also; and David being dead speaketh, and singeth likewise to the edification of the body of Christ, till we come to sing Hallelujahs in heavenly glory.

Answ. These Scriptures prove that God hath given the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of his Church: and that they who have received the gifts of the Spirit, should employ them to the edification of the Church. And some of those Scriptures prove also, that they who haue received any gifts, though outward gifts of wealth and honour, should improve and employ them to the good of the Church. But none of them prove, that all the edification of the Church should be carried on by the personall and proper gifts of the present members of the Church. For then the Church should not be edified now in these dayes by the gifts of the pen-men of Scripture, whether Apostles, Prophets, or Evangelists, which is expresly repugnant to some of the Scriptures alledged by you. For in