Answ. Yes: For we use the Ordinances, not only for the enjoyment of God in them: but as a testimony of our Obedience. If that the enjoyment of God, and Christ, were the only reason of the Ordinances, then in case that a man could without the Ordinances have the enjoyment of God, and Christ, he might lay by the Ordinances: but seeing that we are for to use the Ordinances as an act of our Obedience, although a man can enjoy Christ, have the Spirit, and Christ living in him; yet notwithstanding, he is still to bear up the Ordinances, because there he is to express his Obedience unto God, and Christ. And now (give me leave a little to fix here, to take off this scruple, and Objection) if you look into the 27. of Numbers, you shall find, that Joshua had the Spirit, and not in an ordinary way, but in a more than ordinary way the Lord gave Joshua his Spirit: and yet notwithstanding, Joshua was to be under Commandments, and under Ordinances: at the 18. verse. The Lord said unto Moses, take thee Joshua the sun of Nun, a ⟨p. 101⟩man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand on him, and set him before Eleazer the Priest, and before all the Congregation: and give him a charge in their sight. Mark, he was to come under a Command, and under a charge although he had the Spirit. And he shall stand before, Eleazer the Priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord. And so it was. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. Now Moses doth not say, What need I go to Eleazar, or to the Priest? what need I go and consult by Urim and Thummim? for I have the Spirit, that is able to lead me into all Truth. No, but he submits unto his Charge, and he waits upon the Lord in this way of the Ordinances, although it is said here, that he had the Spirit. So, had not David the Spirit in a great measure? and yet, did he not use the Ordinances? But look into the new Testament, and there you find, that the Apostles had the Spirit also: Our Lord and Saviour Christ, he breathed upon them; they waited for the coming of the Spirit; and the holy Ghost fell upon them: and yet notwithstanding, they were under Commands; for saith our Saviour Christ to them, Go, 1teach all Nations, Baptizing, and teaching them to do what ever I command you. So that although they had the Spirit, and the holy Ghost, in a greater measure than any man (for ought I know) ever had since;
Answ. Yes: For we use the Ordinances, not only for the enjoyment of God in them: but as a testimony of our Obedience. If that the enjoyment of God, and Christ, were the only reason of the Ordinances, then in case that a man could without the Ordinances have the enjoyment of God, and Christ, he might lay by the Ordinances: but seeing that we are for to use the Ordinances as an act of our Obedience, although a man can enjoy Christ, have the Spirit, and Christ living in him; yet notwithstanding, he is still to bear up the Ordinances, because there he is to expresse his Obedience unto God, and Christ. And now (give me leave a little to fix here, to take off this scruple, and Objection) if you look into the 27. of Numbers, you shall find, that Joshua had the Spirit, and not in an ordinary way, but in a more than ordinary way the Lord gave Joshua his Spirit: and yet notwithstanding, Joshua was to be under Commandements, and under Ordinances: at the 18. verse. The Lord said unto Moses, take thee Joshua the sun of Nun, a ⟨p. 101⟩man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand on him, and set him before Eleazer the Priest, and before all the Congregation: and give him a charge in their sight. Mark, he was to come under a Command, and under a charge although he had the Spirit. And he shall stand before, Eleazer the Priest, who shal ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord. And so it was. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. Now Moses doth not say, What need I go to Eleazar, or to the Priest? what need I go and consult by Urim and Thummim? for I have the Spirit, that is able to leade me into all Truth. No, but he submits unto his Charge, and he waits upon the Lord in this way of the Ordinances, although it is said here, that he had the Spirit. So, had not David the Spirit in a great measure? and yet, did he not use the Ordinances? But look into the new Testament, and there you find, that the Apostles had the Spirit also: Our Lord and Savior Christ, he breathed upon them; they waited for the coming of the Spirit; and the holy Ghost fell upon them: and yet notwithstanding, they were under Commands; for saith our Savior Christ to them, Go, 1teach all Nations, Baptizing, and teaching them to do what ever I command you. So that although they had the Spirit, and the holy Ghost, in a greater measure than any man (for ought I know) ever had since;
- 1Mat. 28.19
