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

Men might at a cheaper rate, as unto the eternal interest of their own Souls, provide another Covering for their sloth, negligence, unbelief, and indulgence unto proud foolish imaginations, whereby they render the Churches and Ordinances of the Gospel useless and ineffectual unto themselves; thereby charging them with a decay and uselessness, and so reflecting on the honour and faithfulness of Christ himself.

Men might at a cheaper rate, as unto the eternal interest of their own Souls, provide another Covering for their sloth, negligence, unbelief, and indulgence unto proud foolish imaginations, whereby they render the Churches and Ordinances of the Gospel useless and ineffectual unto themselves; thereby charging them with a decay and uselesness, and so reflecting on the honour and faithfulness of Christ himself.

2. They do not cease, because there is at present, or at least there is shortly to be expected, such an effusion of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, as to render all these external institutions needless, and consequently useless. This also is falsely pretended. For (1.) The greatest and most plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit in his Gifts and ⟨p. 164⟩Graces, was in the days of the Apostles, and of the first Churches planted by them; nor is any thing beyond it, or indeed equal unto it, any more to be expected in this world. But yet then was the Gospel Church-state erected, and the use of all its Ordinances of Worship enjoined. (2.) The Ministry of the Gospel which compriseth all the Ordinances of Church-worship, as its object and end, is the Ministration of the Spirit, and therefore no supplies or communication of him can render it useless. 3. One of the principal ends for which the communication of the Spirit is promised unto the Church, is to make and render all the Institutions of Christ effectual unto its edification. (4.) 1 Joh. 2.20, 27. is usually pleaded as giving countenance unto this fond pretence. But (1.) The Unction mentioned by the Apostle, was then upon all Believers. Yet (2.) It is known that then they all walked in Church-Order, and the sacred observation of all the Institutions of Christ. (3.) If it takes away any thing, it is the Preaching of the Word, or all manner of Teaching and Instruction; which is to overthrow the whole Scripture, and to reduce Religion into Barbarism. (4.) Nothing is intended in these words, but the different way of Teaching, and degrees of Success, between that under the Law, and that now established in the Gospel, by the plentiful effusion of the Spirit, as hath been evidenced at large elsewhere. Nor 3. Do they cease, in their Administration, for want either of Authority or Ability to dispense them; which is pleaded unto the same end. But neither is this pretence of any force; it only begs the thing in Question. The Authority of Office for the Administration of all other Ordinances, is an Institution. And to say that all Institutions cease, because none have Authority to administer them, is to say they must all cease, because they are ceased. (2.)