Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

(§ 9.) BUT whereas the other sort of Officers was given by Christ, by his immediate Call and Communication of Power unto them, it doth not appear how he gives these ordinary Officers or Ministers unto it. I answer, He did it originally, and continueth to do it by the ways and means ensuing. (1) He doth it by the Law and Rule of the Gospel, wherein he hath appointed this Office of the Ministry in his Church, and so always to be continued. Were there not such a standing Ordinance and Institution of his, it were not in the Power of all the Churches in the World to appoint any such among them, whatever appearance there may be of a Necessity thereof. And if any should have attempted any such thing, no Blessing from God would have accompanied their Endeavour, so that they would but set up an Idol of their own. Hereon we lay the continuance of the Ministry in the Church. If there be not an Ordinance and Institution of Christ unto this purpose; or if such being granted, yet the Force of it be now expired, we must and will readily confess, that the whole Office is a mere Usurpation. But if he have given Pastors and Teachers unto his Church to continue until all his Saints in all Ages come unto a perfect Man, unto the measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ, Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13. and ⟨p. 231⟩hath promised to be with them as such, unto the consummation of all things, Matth. 28. 18, 19, 20. If the Apostles by his Authority Ordained Elders in every Church and City, Acts 14. 23. Tit. 1. 5. and who therein were made Overseers of the Flocks by the Holy Ghost, Acts 20. 28. having the charge of feeding and overseeing the Flock that is among them always, until the chief Shepherd shall appear, 1 Pet. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. If Believers, or the Disciples of Christ are obliged by him always to yield Obedience unto them, Heb. 13. 7, 17