The Divine Appointment of the Lords Day, Part · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Prop. 5. This Act of the Apostles appointing the Lords day for Christian Worship, was done by the special inspiration or guidance of the Holy Ghost.
THis is proved, 1. Because it is one of those Acts or works of their Office, to which the Holy Ghost was promised them.
2. Because that such like or smaller things are by them ascribed to the Holy Ghost, Act. 15. 28. [I… seemed good to the Holy Ghost and us] when they did but declare an antecedent duty, and decide a Controversie thereabout. See also, Act. 4. 8. Act. 5. 3. & 6. 3. with 7. 55. Act. 13. 2, 4. & 16. 6, 7. & 20. 23, 28. & 21. 11. 2 Tim. 1. 14. Jud. 20. Act. 11. 12, 28. & 19. 21. & 20. 22. 1 Cor. 5. 3, 4. & 14. 2, 15, 16. And 1 Cor. 7. 40. When Paul doth but counsel to a single life, he ascribeth it to the Spirit of God.
3. And if any will presume to say, that men purposely indued with the Spirit, for the works of their commission, did notwithstanding do such great things as this, without the conduct of that Spirit, they may by the same way of proceeding pretend it to be as uncertain, of every particular Book and Chapter in the New Testament, whether or no they wrote it by the Spirit: For if it be a sound inference, [They had the promise and gift of the Spirit, that they might infallibly leave in writing to the Churches, the doctrines and precepts, of Christ: Ergo whatever they have left in Writing to the Churches as the doctrine and precepts of Christ, is Infallibly done by the Guidance of that Spirit,] Then it will be as good an inference [They had the promise and gift of the Spirit, that they might infallibly settle Church-orders for all the Churches universal…y: ergo, Whatever Church-orders they setled for all the Churches universally, they setled them by the infallible guidance of that Spirit.]
But this few Christians will deny, except some Papists, who would bring down Apostolical Constitutions to a lower rank and rate, that the Pope and his General Council may be capable of …ying claim to the like themselves; and so may make as many more Laws for the Church as they please, and pretend such an authority for it as the Apostles had for theirs. By which pre…ense many would make too little distinction between Gods Laws, given by his Spirit, and the Laws … a Pope and Popish Council; and call then all but The Laws of the Church. Whereas there is no Universal Head of the Church but Christ, who hath reserved Universal Legislation to Himself alone, to be performed by himself personally, and by his Advocate the Holy Ghost, in his Authorized and Infallibly-inspired Apostles, who were the Promulgators and Recorders of them; All following Pastors, being but (as the Jewish Priests were to Moses and the Prophets) the preservers, the expositers, and the applyers of that Law.