Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20

IX. And then in the last place, herein appears the earnestness of Christ after union with sinners, that when he could be no longer a Preacher to this World in his own Person, he ordained a succession of Ministers in his Bodily absence from us, to gather and build the Church, and to continue to the end of the World; to carry on the suit that Christ had begun, as long as there was ⟨p. 187⟩one elect Soul in the World lying in the state of Sin and Nature.

Reader, Christ could not always abide here, he must dye, or we could not live; he must rise again, or we could not be justified; our business called him to another Place and State: Now when Christ was to ascend to Heaven what doth he do? Why, he chooseth and calleth Men, Men made of the same clay with our selves, whose presence and appearance should not affright or discourage us; who should treat with us in a familiar way about the great concerns of our Salvation in his Name and stead, 2 Cor. 5. 20. We then are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. He did not commissionate Angels to be his Legates; their presence would confound and terrify us; but Men cast into the same mould with your selves, who may say to you as Elihu said to Job, Job 33. 6, 7. Behold, I am according to thy wish in Gods stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my Hand be heavy upon thee. Upon these Commission Officers of Christ he poured forth excellent gifts in great diversity, and useful variety, to fit the capacities and various dispositions of Mens Souls; When he ascended up on high, he gave gifts unto Men; this Ministerial Office is by him established in the Church, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect Man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13