2. Concl. A public ordinary Ministry is before a Church of believers. Eph. 4. 11. Pastors, Teachers, and a Ministry, are given ⟨p. 176⟩to the inbringing and gathering of the Church; [Greek or Hebrew]. That is, edifying, and not only for confirming, but for the converting of the Body of Christ. Nor is Robinson aand his fellows here to be heard, that the word of restoring is the same which is used, Gal. 6. 1. and so nothing is meant but repairing of Christians already converted, not the converting of these who are yet unconverted. But I Answer 1. The Word of restoring doth no more import that they were converted before, then the word of renewing, Eph. 4. 23. Rom. 12. 2. and the word of awaking from sleep of sinners, Ep•. 5. 14. doth import that these were new Creatures before, and that they had the life of God, before they be said to be renewed again and made new, and awaked out of their sleep. And this Pelagian and popish exposition, is a fair way to elude all the places for the power of grace; and to help Papists and Arminian•. 2. By this there is, 1. no necessity of a public Ministry, for the conversion of Souls to Christ, nor is a Ministry and Pastors, and Teachers given by Jesus Christ, with intention, to open the eyes of the blind, and to convert souls to God. All the ordinary ways of conversion of Souls, is by the preaching of men out of office, and destitute of all calling of the Church to preach, which is a wonder. 3. The Fathers begetting, by order of nature, are before the children; the pastors are Fathers, the seed before the plant or birth; the word preached, Rom. 10. 14. is the immortal seed of the new birth, 1 Pet. 1. 23. The Ministry and ordinary use thereof, is given to the pastors as to Christs Ambassadors, 2 Cor. 5. 18. 20. Therefore the Ministry is before the Church of believers, though we will not tie the Lord to these only: yet is this his ordinary established way: but more of this hereafter.
2. Concl. A publick ordinary Ministery is before a Church of believers. Eph. 4. 11. Pastors, Teachers, and a Ministery, are given ⟨p. 176⟩to the inbringing and gathering of the Church; 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. That is, edifying, and not onely for confirming, but for the converting of the Body of Christ. Nor is Robinson aand his fellowes here to be heard, that the word of restoring is the same which is used, Gal. 6. 1. and so nothing is meant but repairing of Christians already converted, not the converting of these who are yet unconverted. But I Answer 1. The Word of restoring doth no more import that they were converted before, then the word of renewing, Eph. 4. 23. Rom. 12. 2. and the word of awaking from sleepe of sinners, Ep•. 5. 14. doth import that these were new Creatures before, and that they had the life of God, before they be said to be renewed againe and made new, and awaked out of their sleepe. And this Pelagian and popish exposition, is a faire way to elude all the places for the power of grace; and to helpe Papists and Arminian•. 2. By this there is, 1. no necessity of a publick Ministery, for the conversion of Soules to Christ, nor is a Ministery and Pastors, and Teachers given by Jesus Christ, with intention, to open the eyes of the blind, and to convert soules to God. All the ordinary wayes of conversion of Soules, is by the preaching of men out of office, and destitute of all calling of the Church to preach, which is a wonder. 3. The Fathers begetting, by order of nature, are before the children; the pastors are Fathers, the seede before the plant or birth; the word preached, Rom. 10. 14. is the immortall seed of the new birth, 1 Pet. 1. 23. The Ministery and ordinary use thereof, is given to the pastors as to Christs Ambassadours, 2 Cor. 5. 18. 20. Therefore the Ministery is before the Church of believers, though wee will not tie the Lord to these only: yet is this his ordinary established way: but more of this hereafter.
- aRobinson Just. of s•pa•. p. 320.Robinson Iust. of s•pa•. p. 320.
