Furthermore, the great Rule of Gospel Administrations is that all things be done to Edification. This is the main End of the Ministry its self, in all the duties thereof, that are purely Evangelical. For this end was the Office of the Ministry Instituted, for this end are Ministerial Gifts dispensed, for this end were the Sacraments appointed, and all Church Assemblies, Church Power, and whatever else belongs to Churches; it is all Ordained for this End that the Body of Christ may be edified and increased with the increase of God, Ephes. 4. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Col. 2. 19. Acts 9. 31. Rom. 14. 19, 15. 1 Cor. 10, 23. cap. 14. 3, 4, 5, 12, 26. 2 Cor. 12. 19. 1 Tit. 1. 4. The full and adequate Rule of all Church-order and duties is, That all things be done to Edification. It doth not hence ensue that whatever men shall judge to conduce to edification, may be used by themselves or imposed on others in the Worship of God. Christ himself, the only wise and competent Judge in such Cases, hath precisely himself determined what is conducing hereunto; having as on other accounts, so on this also, limited men to his prescription, because nothing is effectual unto Edification but by virtue of his blessing, which is annexed only to his own Institutions. But this will undeniably hence ensue, That whatever is contrary unto, or an hindrance of Edification, ought not to be appointed or observed in the Worship of God. For certainly whatever is an hindrance of that in any kind, unto whose furtherance all things of that kind ought to contribute, their whole worth and virtue consisting in that contribution, can have no due place amongst them. If it appear that this is the state and condition of this Imposed Liturgy in Church Administrations, I presume it will be confessed that it ought not to obtain any place or room amongst them. The Edification of the Church depends principally on the blessing of God upon the exercise of those Ministerial gifts ⟨p. 62⟩which are bestowed on men for that end; namely, that the Church be edified. God supplying seed to the Sower, blesseth it with an increase in the field where it is sowed, 2 Cor. 9. 10. The Gifts that are bestowed on Ministers are their principal Talents that they ought to trade withal for the profit of their Master; that is, the building up of his house wherein his wealth in this world doth lye.
FUrthermore, the great Rule of Gospel Administrations is that all things be done to Edification. This is the main End of the Ministry its self, in all the duties thereof, that are purely Evangelical. For this end was the Office of the Ministry Instituted, for this end are Ministerial Gifts dispensed, for this end were the Sacraments appointed, and all Church Assemblies, Church Power, and whatever else belongs to Churches; it is all Ordained for this End that the Body of Christ may be edified and increased with the increase of God, Ephes. 4. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Col. 2. 19. Acts 9. 31. Rom. 14. 19, 15. 1 Cor. 10, 23. cap. 14. 3, 4, 5, 12, 26. 2 Cor. 12. 19. 1 Tit. 1. 4. The full and adaequate Rule of all Church-order and duties is, That all things be done to Edification. It doth not hence ensue that whatever men shall judge to conduce to edification, may be used by themselves or imposed on others in the Worship of God. Christ himself, the onely wise and competent Judge in such Cases, hath precisely himself determined what is conducing hereunto; having as on other accounts, so on this also, limitted men to his prescription, because nothing is effectual unto Edification but by vertue of his blessing, which is annexed onely to his own Institutions. But this will undeniably hence ensue, That whatever is contrary unto, or an hindrance of Edification, oughr not to be appointed or observed in the Worship of God. For certainly whatever is an hindrance of that in any kind, unto whose furtherance all things of that kind ought to contribute, their whole worth and vertue consisting in that contribution, can have no due place amongst them. If it appear that this is the state and condition of this Imposed Liturgy in Church Administrations, I presume it will be confessed that it ought not to obtain any place or room amongst them. The Edification of the Church depends principally on the blessing of God upon the exercise of those Ministerial gifts ⟨p. 62⟩which are bestowed on men for that end; namely, that the Church be edified. God supplying seed to the Sower, blesseth it with an encrease in the field where it is sowed,
