The Apostle Ephe. 4.11, 12. having instructed us, concerning the institution & use of Pastors & Teachers, proceeds verse 13. to inform us concerning their duration: where; unto that question how long are Pastors & Teachers to continue? He hath prepared an answer long since, in those words; till we all come in the Unity of Faith, & of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. We have in the text presented before us, the duration of these Officers, described from two periodical, and indubitable notes. First, the meeting of all the elect in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God. Secondly; the attaining of all believers unto a perfect man, or he full stature of Christ. By the first, understand the effectual calling, together with the perfect agreement of all the Elect in the faith. By the second, the perfection of Christ mystical. The head and members, Christ & all believers, make one mystical person, or one mystical-body. The perfection whereof is he•e held forth, by a metaphor taken from the full stature of the body natural, after which there is no augmentation. Now the perfection or full stature of the body mystical, after which it receiveth no augmentation, ⟨p. 34⟩imports, two things: First, that no member shall then be wanting: secondly, that every member shall be perfect. From the premises, it being manifest, that these two periodical notes, shall not be until the end of the world: therefore as manifest it is, that Pastors and Teachers being to continue until then, they are to continue unto the end of the world. Those three verses are as Aaron's rod, an argument (were it alone) sufficient quite to take away the murmurings of the people. Yet, for the further satisfaction of the Reader, touching the Gospel-ministry, two things may here not unseasonably be spoken to.
The Apostle Ephe. 4.11, 12. having instructed us, concerning the institution & use of Pastors & Teachers, proceeds verse 13. to inform us concerning their duration: where; unto that question how long are Pastors & Teachers to continue? He hath prepared an answer long since, in those words; till we all come in the Ʋnitie of Faith, & of the knowledge of the Sonn of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullnes of Christ. Wee have in the text presented before us, the duration of these Officers, described from two periodical, and indubitable notes. First, the meeting of all the elect in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God. Secondly; the attaining of all believers unto a perfect man, or he full stature of Christ. By the first, understand the effectual calling, together with the perfect agreement of all the Elect in the faith. By the second, the perfection of Christ mystical. The head and members, Christ & all believers, make one mystical person, or one mystical-bodie. The perfection whereof is he•e held forth, by a metaphor taken from the full stature of the body natural, after which there is no augmentation. Now the perfection or full stature of the body mystical, after which it receiveth no augmentation, ⟨p. 34⟩imports, two things: First, that no member shall then be wanting: secondly, that every member shall be perfect. From the premises, it being manifest, that these two periodical notes, shall not be untill the end of the world: therefore as manifest it is, that Pastors and Teachers being to continue untill then, they are to continue unto the end of the world. Those three verses are as Aarons rod, an argument (were it alone) sufficient quite to take away the murmurings of the people. Yet, for the further satisfaction of the Reader, touching the Gospel-ministry, two things may here not unseasonably be spoken to.
