A history of the work of redemption. Containing the outlines of a body of…

2. Here is something peculiar in this commission of the apostles, viz to go forth from one nation to another, preaching the gospel in all the world. The apostles had something above what belonged to their ordinary character as ministers; they had an extraordinary power of teaching and ruling, which extended to all the churches; and not only all the churches which then were, but all that should be to the end of the world by their ministry. And so the apostles were, as it were, in subordination to Christ, made foundations of the Christian church. See Eph. ii.20. and Rev. xx.14.

3. Here is an appointment of Christian baptism. This ordinance indeed had a beginning before; John the Baptist and Christ both baptized. But now especially by this institution is it established as an ordinance to be upheld in the Christian church to the end of the world.—The ordinance of the Lord's supper had been established be o•e, just before Christ's crucifixion.

IV. The next thing to be observed, is the enduing the apostles and others, with extraordinary and miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost; such as the gift of tongues, the gift of healing, of prophecy, &c The Spirit of God was poured out in great abundance in this respect, so that not only ministers, but a very great part of the Christians through the world were endued with them, both old and young; not only officers and more honourable persons, but the meaner sort of people, servants and handmaids, were commonly endued with them, agreeable to Joel's prophecy,