The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God

To this Act of Worship appertains Absolution, when the Person that hath offended doth manifest a Spirit of Repentance, whether he has been censured or not, he is to be acquitted.

To this Act of Worship appertains Absolution, when the Person that hath offended doth manifest a Spirit of Repentance, whether he has been censured or not, he is to be acquited.

The seventh Act of Worship is the Blessing of the Congregation; there is a Blessing of Men by way of supplication, that may be performed by any Person, and there is a Blessing by way of Confirmation, this is pronounced in the Name of God; this is either extraordinary, by way of prediction, so the Patriarchs did bless ⟨p. 24⟩their Children, and others endued with a Prophetical Spirit, did bless the People, as Moses; or else ordinary, pronounced in Gods Name by ordinary Ministers; this may either be pronounced by way of assertion, as when the Minister doth say, Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and do it; Or in way of supplication, as when he saith, The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you; Yet this is more then a Prayer, Viz. A Declaration in Gods Name what shall come to pass, and therefore it must be understood in such a way as is according to Gods Covenant, Deut. 20.34. God appointed the Priests of Old to Bless the People, Numb. 6.23. And this work seems to be a common work to the rest of the Levites, who were teachers in Israel, Deut. 10.8. There is no need of any new Institution in the Gospel, empowering Ministers to bless in the Name of God, it being a proper part of the work of a Minister; Christ by appointing Ministers, hath appointed Men to bless the People; yet that seems to be Instituted, Matth. 10.12,13.