The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. THERE was an extraordinary Church Power committed by the Lord Jesus Christ unto his Apostles, who in their own persons were the first and only subject of it. It was not granted unto the Church, by it to be communicated unto them according unto any Rules prescribed thereunto. For their office as it was Apostolical, was Antecedent unto the existence of any Gospel Church State properly so called; neither had any Church the least concurrence or influence into their call or mission. Howbeit, when there was a Church State, the Churches being called and gathered by their Ministry, they were given unto the Church, and placed in the Church for the exercise of all Office, with Power unto their Edification according to the Rules and Laws of their constitution, Act. 1.14, 15. Chap. 6.1, 2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 3.22. Chap. 12.28. Ephes. 4.11, 12, 13, 14.

2. THIS Power is ceased in the Church. It is so, not by virtue of any Law or constitution of Christ; but by a cessation of those actings whence it did flow, and whereon it did depend. For unto this Apostolical Office and Power there was required, (1.) An immediate personal call from Christ himself. (2.) A Commission equally extensive unto all Nations for their Conversion, and unto all Churches equally for their Edification. (3.) An Authority in all Churches, comprehensive of all that power which is in the ordinary constitution of them, distributed among many. (4.) A Collation of extraordinary Gifts; as of infallibility in Teaching, of working Miracles, speaking with Tongues, and the like. Whereas therefore all these things do cease, and the Lord Christ doth not act in the same manner towards any, this Office and Power doth absolutely cease. For any to pretend themselves to be Successors unto these Apostles, as some with a strange confidence and impertinency have done, is to plead that they are personally and immediately called by Christ unto their Office, that they have Authority with respect unto all Nations and all Churches, and are endued with a spirit of Infallibility, and a power of working Miracles, whereof outward pomp and ostentation are no sufficient evidences. And certainly, when some of them consider one another, and talk of being the Apostles Successors, it is but Aruspex Aruspicens.