The Fountain of Life Opened

Inference 1.

¹If Jesus Christ who is now passed into the heavens be the great Prophet, and Teacher of the Church; hence we Justly infer the continual necessity of a standing Ministry in the Church. For by his Ministers he now teacheth us, and to that intent hath fixed them in the Church, by a firm constitution, there to remain to the end of the world, Matth. 28. ult. He teacheth men no more personally, but Ministerially. His Ministers supply the want of his personal presence, 2 Cor. 5.20. We pray you in Christs stead. These offices he gave the Church at his Ascension, (i. e.) when he ceased to teach them any longer with ⟨p. 105⟩his own lips. And so set them in the Church that their succession shall never totally fail. For so that word [Greek or Hebrew] he hath set, 1 Cor. 12.28. Plainly implies. They are set by a sure establishment, a firm and unalterable constitution, even as the times and seasons, which the Father hath put [Greek or Hebrew] in his own power. It's the same word. And it's well they are so firmly set and fixed there, for how many adversaries in all ages have endeavoured to shake the very office it self: Pretending that it's needless to be taught by men, and wresting such Scriptures as these to countenance their error, Joel. 2.28, 29. I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your Sons and Daughters shall Prophecy, &c. And Jer. 31.34