An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

The first State is ceased; nor can it be continued. For these Officers were constituted: (1) By an immediate call from Christ, as was Paul; Gal. 1.1, 2. which none now are, nor have been since the decease of them who were so called at first. (2) By extraordinary Gifts and Power, which Christ doth not continue to communicate. (3) By Divine Inspiration, and infallible Guidance, both in preaching the Word, and appointing things necessary in the Churches,; which none now pretend unto. (4) By Extensive Commission giving them Power towards all the World for their Conversion, and over all Churches for their Edification. Of these Officers, in their distinction into Apostles and Evangelists, with their Call, Gifts, Power, and Work, I have treated at large in my Discourse of Spiritual Gifts. The State and Condition of the Church, with respect unto them, is utterly ceased; and nothing can be more vain, than to pretend, any Succession unto them, in the whole or any part of their Office, unless men can justify their claim unto it, by any, or all of these things, which concurred unto it in the Apostles, which they cannot do.

But it doth not hence follow, that the Church State instituted by Christ, did fail thereon, or doth now so fail; because it is impossible, that these Apostles should have any Successors in their Office, or the Discharge of it. For by the Authority of the Lord Christ, the Church was to be continued under Ordinary Officers, without the Call, Gifts, or Power of the others that were to cease. Under these, the Church State was no less Divine, than under the former. For there were two things in it; (1) That the Offices themselves were of the Appointment of Christ And if they were not so, we confess the Divine Right of the Church-State would have ceased. The Office of the Apostles and Evangelists was to cease, as hath been declared; and it did cease actually, in that Christ after them did call no more unto ⟨p. 42⟩that Office, nor provided any Way or Means, whereby any one should be made Partaker of it. And for any to pretend a Succession in Office, or any part of their Office, without any of those things which did constitute it, is extreme Presumption. It is therefore granted, that if there were not other Offices appointed by the Authority of Christ it had not been in the Power of man, to make or appoint any unto that Purpose, and the Church-State itself must have ceased. But this he hath done,