A51837:240
Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition…
Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition to the doctrine of the Socinians : in several sermons on Col. I, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 verses / by the Reverend Tho. Manton.
London printed : s.n., 1685
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. God hath appointed Officers who have all their ministries and services under Christ and for Christ; Eph. 4.11. He gave some apostles, some prophets, and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Mark there, he doth not describe all the Officers, for the Deacon is not mentioned, but only such as labour in the Word and Sacraments; and observe, he mentioneth ordinary and extraordinary; Apostles to write Scripture, Prophets to attest it, Pastors and Teachers to explain and apply it. And mark, [Christ gave some] it is his Prerogative as Head of the Church to appoint the several sorts of offices and officers. He gave them at first, and will raise up some still, according as the exigence of the times requireth it. The end ⟨p. 121⟩why, to perfect the saints; that is, to help them on to their final perfection, and for the work of the ministry. All Offices under Christ are a ministry, not a power; and imply Service, not Lordship or Domination over the Flock of Christ. Lastly, The great end is to prepare and fit men more and more to become true members of Christs mystical Body.
3. God hath appointed Officers who have all their ministries and services under Christ and for Christ; Eph. 4.11. He gave some apostles, some prophets, and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Mark there, he doth not describe all the Officers, for the Deacon is not mentioned, but onely such as labour in the Word and Sacraments; and observe, he mentioneth ordinary and extraordinary; Apostles to write Scripture, Prophets to attest it, Pastors and Teachers to explain and apply it. And mark, [Christ gave some] it is his Prerogative as Head of the Church to appoint the several sorts of offices and officers. He gave them at first, and will raise up some still, according as the exigence of the times requireth it. The end ⟨p. 121⟩why, to perfect the saints; that is, to help them on to their final perfection, and for the work of the ministry. All Offices under Christ are a ministry, not a power; and imply Service, not Lordship or Domination over the Flock of Christ. Lastly, The great end is to prepare and fit men more and more to become true members of Christs mystical Body.