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

Or (2) It may be said to be the Ministration of the Spirit, because in and by the Ministry of the Gospel, the Spirit is in all Ages Administered and Communicated unto the Disciples of Christ, unto all the ends for which he is promised. So Gal. 3. 2. the Spirit is received by the Preaching of Faith. Take it either way, and the whole of what we plead for is confirmed. That he alone enableth Men unto the Discharge of the Work of the Ministry, by the Spiritual Gifts which he communicateth unto them, is the first sense, and expressly that which we contend for; and if in and by the Ministration of the Gospel in all Ages, the Spirit is Communicated and Administered unto Men, then doth he abide with the Church for ever; and for what Ends we must further enquire.

Or (2) It may be said to be the Ministration of the Spirit, because in and by the Ministry of the Gospel, the Spirit is in all Ages Administred and Communicated unto the Disciples of Christ, unto all the ends for which he is promised. So Gal. 3. 2. the Spirit is received by the Preaching of Faith. Take it either way, and the whole of what we plead for is confirmed. That he alone enableth Men unto the Discharge of the Work of the Ministry, by the Spiritual Gifts which he communicateth unto them, is the first sence, and expresly that which we contend for; and if in and by the Ministration of the Gospel in all Ages, the Spirit is Communicated and Administred unto Men, then doth he abide with the Church for ever; and for what Ends we must further enquire.

(§ 6.) 5thly, THE great End for which the Spirit is thus promised, administered and communicated under the Gospel, is, the continuance and preservation of the Church in the World. God hath promised unto the Lord Christ that his Kingdom in this World should endure unto all Generations with the course of the Sun and Moon, Psal. 72. 5. and that of the Increase of his Government there should be no End,