The Paedobaptists Apology for the Baptized Churches, Part 2

The Paedobaptists Apology for the Baptized Churches · Part 2

The Second Part Of the Promiſe of the Spirit.

Delivered in a Sermon upon 1. Cor. 12. 1. To which is added A poſt-ſcript out of the works … Dr. Jer. Taylor, touching the layin… on of Hands, chiefly declaring ho… Religiouſly it was obſerved by th… Antient Chriſtians, as it is now revived by divers of the baptize… Chriſtians of this age.

1 Cor. 12. 1.

Now concerning ſpiritual gifts brethren I would not have you ignorant.

THere was never more need for th… Church of God to ſeek and ſearc… for all thoſe things which God hat… p. 67promiſed for her ſtrength and encou…agement then now partly for that her …ppoſers are men of exquiſite parts by …eans of all Arts and Sciences which …e not more profitable when uſed in … way of ſubſerviency to the truth, …en pernitious when uſed in oppoſi…on to it (as it often falleth out they …re) and partly for that ignorance of …hat God hath promiſed for his Churches comfortable ſubſiſtance, …roves a great occaſion and temptati… to Chriſtians to truſt to failing and …comfortable helps in the great bu…neſs of the Miniſtry of the word and …rayer, &c.

Now in the words which we have …oſen the Apoſtle ſhews his care for …e Church at Corinthus (and in them … all Churches) that they ſhould not … ignorant concerning ſpiritual gifts …d labours in three Chapters toge…er to inſtruct them fully in that point …der ſeveral conſiderations, and …ſt,

1. By giving them a definition of thoſe p. 68gifts, or ſhewing what they are, verſe 8. 9. 10. viz. A word of Wiſdom, a word of knowledge, faith, the gifts of healing, the working of miracles, propheſie, diſcerning of ſpirits, divers kinds of Tongues, interpretation of tongues, which definition or enumeration of gifts he ſeems to inlarge, Chap, 13. 26. a Pſalm, a Doctrine, &c.

2. By ſhewing that the Church hath a perpetual right to, and intereſt in all theſe gif…s, Chap. 14. 1. Deſire ſor be zealous after ſpiritual gifts, Chap. 12▪ 31. Covet earneſtly the beſt gifts Chap. 14. 39. Covet to propheſie and forbid not to ſpeak with tongues.

3. By ſhewing whereto theſe gifts d… ſerve, or to what end they were given▪ Chap. 14. 12. Foraſmuch as ye are zealous of the ſpiritual gifts, ſeek tha… ye may excel to the edification of th… Church, ver. 31. that all may learn, and all be comforted, Eph. 4 12. fo… the perfecting the Saints for the wor… p. 69of the Miniſtry, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt.

4. By diſtinguiſhing of gifts as they are more or leſs neceſſary and accordingly gives direction which to prefer in our asking them (yet ſo as not to forbid the uſe of any of them, ſo it might be done with edification) Chap. 14. 1. Deſire ſpiritual gifts but rather that ye may propheſie. Ver. 5. I would have ye all ſpeak with tongues but rather that ye propheſied, for greater is he that propheſieth, then he that ſpeaketh with tongues. Ver. 5. He that ſpeaketh in an unknown tongue edifyeth himſelf, but he that propheſieth edifyeth the Church.

5. By ſhewing that all theſe gifts, how excellently ſoever any are endowed with them, yet therein he is not to reſt ſatiſfyed becauſe there is yet a far more excellent way of receiving the ſ…irit, without which all gifts are as nothing. This more excellent way he refers to the fruit of the Spirit, which he both diſtinguiſheth by its ſeveral branches, 1 Cor. 13. 4, 5, 6, 7. compar'd with p. 70Gal. 5. 22. 23. and alſo comprehends the whole in that excelling grace of Charity follow after Charity, Chap. 4. 1. The greateſt of theſe is Charity.

6. By giving a notable Rule to know who are indeed ſpiritual Chriſtians from ſuch as only pretend to be ſo, Chap. 14. 35. If any man think himſelf to be a Prophet or ſpiritual, let him acknowledge the things I write unto you are the commands of the Lord. Thoſe then are not truly ſpiritual, or true Prophets who (as many on the right hand) do not only lay aſide the commands of the Lord, but preſcribe to others their own Traditions, neither thoſe on the other hand, who prefer their poor conceits and Notions, as if the word of God came out from them, when though (perhaps) it came to them, yet it came not to them only, ver. 36.

Thus much briefly to ſhew what the Apoſtle means in this place by ſpiritual gifts, and in what reſpects he would p. 71not have the Church to be ignorant concerning them.

Nor ſhall I inſiſt upon all thoſe particulars now, but only that which may be moſt needful to be demonſtrated, and that is the ſecond particular. For I find, it is not only a general conceit among the National Churches, that the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit were only Temporary, and now ceaſed, but alſo very many in the baptized Churches are doubtful (at the leaſt) in this matter, as if that glorious promiſe of pouring out of the Spirit according to the propheſie of Joel, and the reception thereof by the primitive Churches, were taken away long ſince from the Churches which ſucceed them, and not to be ſo much as looked for in theſe days!

But that this is a very great miſtake, and The poynt to be proved.that the contrary, even that, that very promiſe of the ſpirit and every part of it, from the time of its firſt effuſion upon the day of p. 72Pentecoſt, Acts 2. belongs to the Church throughout all Ages to the end of the World. I hope to evince to the ſatiſfaction ſuch as deſire to ſee the Truth in this matter.

And Firſt from the ſcope of the Apoſtle, 1 From the Apoſtles ſcope.in theſe three Chapters. Where as it is his deſigned ſubject to diſcourſe of the gifts of the Spirit, ſo he informs us that God hath ſet them there, namely in his Church, that is, he hath placed, ſetled or fixed, that one ſpirit in that one body, nor for a few days only, and then to leave her as a body without a ſpirit for ever after, in reſpect of ſpiritual gifts, but to abide there as in his temple **1 Cor. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 6. 16.1 Cor 3:162 Cor 6:16both by gifts and graces, even the ſame which Chriſt by vertue of his aſſention obtained when he aſcended on high, which gifts are given to the Church for the work of the Miniſtry, for the edification of the body till the whole be p. 73compleated. See to this purpoſe Epheſ. 4. from vers▪ 4. to 16.

Again, The promiſe of the holy ſpirit 2. From the extent of the promiſe.is made by our Lord himſelf to the Church for ever. John 14. 16. I will pray the Father and he ſhall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever &c. I ſay with the Church, for it were a ſtrange expoſi…ion to reſtrain this for ever to the age of the Apoſtles (as ſome do) for ſith the Apoſtles and firſt Churches could neither pray nor prophyſie as they ought, but as that ſpirit did help their infirmity, it were ſtrange the ſubſequent ſhould be able to do it though deſtitute of that diſtance, ſeeing prophyſie is expreſly one of thoſe ſpirituall gifts, as before we have ſhewed.

That great Apoſtle Peter, dates the promiſe of the holy ſpirit very largely, Acts, 2. 38. &c. As deſcending to the very Skirt, or laſt age p. 74of the Church of God, even to as many as the Lord our God ſhall call, and he here takes the promiſe in t…at ſence wher… in Jo…l meant it, and the Church had then received it, which clearly intends both the gifts and graces of the Spirit, for as 'tis ſure they received then very great gifts, ſo 'tis ſaid great grace was upon them all. Act…. … This very p…omiſe of the Father is by this Apoſtle appropriated to all the called of the Lord, even the ſervants and hand maids in th…ſe days.

Now theſe days muſt either be a few days at the beginning of the Goſpel, or it muſt be referred to the whole time of that glorious diſpenſ…ion if the firſt, then how ſhall all the called of the Lord receive it? Or who will tell us when theſe days expired? But we know that Theſe days the latter days laſt time, and laſt days are uſed with ſome frequency in Scripture, to point out the time of the Goſpel as it ſucceeded the time of the Law.

p. 75During all which time we are ſure that 3. From the Nature of the duties of the Church.the duties in generall (and perhaps ſome difficult duties which were not formerly known) which were impoſed upon the firſt Churches, are laid upon the Churches to the end of the World, Mat. 28. 20. Teaching them to obſerve all things whatſoever I have commanded you, &c. Muſt the Churches now contend earneſtly for the faith (and that both againſt old and new errors) muſt ſhe be the Salt of the Earth, the Light of the World muſt ſhe ſtrive to preach the Goſpel of the Kingdom to all Nations, muſt ſhe keep her ſelf in the Love of God building up her ſelf in her moſt holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghoſt? Surely, if theſe duties remain, and the Lord requires that ſhe ſhould glorifie him in the faithful and conſtant diſcharge hereof as alſo in ſuffering for his ſake; It cannot reaſonably be imagined that he p. 76ſhould recall his holy ſpirit, in the gifts thereof from her who when ſhe had them all, had nothing that was ſuperfluous, but ſtood in need of all to furniſh her for the work ſhe ſtood ingaged to do, in theſe forementioned and other like conſiderations, ſith then our God doth require the ſame ſervice of his Churches now, which he required of his Churches in the firſt ages of the Goſpel, let us not imagine he will require the ſame Brick, and not allow the ſame Straw.

That the gifts of the ſpirit here intendby 4. From the nature and perpetuity of the exhortations to ſeek for the ſpirit.our Apoſtle are the portion of the Church in every age (as her right) appeareth, from the nature of theſe exhortations ſhe is under to ask them. Luk. 11. 13. How much more ſhall your Heavenly Father give his holy ſpirit to them that ask it—ask and it ſhall be given unto you. vers, 10. How frequent p. 77is our Apoſtle in theſe 3. Chapters in his exhortations to this Church (and in them to all others) to deſire ſpirituall gifts, to covet earneſtly the beſt gifts, to covet to propheſie, wiſhing that they may ſpeak with tongues, and warning them not to prohibet that gift. Now to what purpoſe is all this if theſe gifts be ceaſed and that the Church may not now expect them? I hope no man will ſay theſe exhortations are now out of date leaſt in ſo doing he deprive us of the exhortation to Charity, for they are ſo linked together as the one cannot ceaſe as 'tis an exhortation) before the other. Follow after Charity and deſire ſpiritual gifts and rather that ye may propheſie. Thus we ſee the Church being under perpetual exhortations, to ſeek for ſpiritual gifts without any reſtirction, neceſſarily infers her perpetual right to them and every of them, which conſideration alone is ſufficient (as I conceive) to ſatisfie any Chriſtian, that the promiſe of the Spirit (even the p. 78ſame that was given to the firſt Churches) in reſpect of gifts as well as graces belongs to the Church of Chriſt throughout all ages.

Let us now conſider, whether the 5. From the continuation of ſpiritual gifts in the Church to this day.Church of God do not even now injoy the promiſed ſpirit in the gifts and graces of it at this day, for the latter, I think there is none do…h queſtion it, and yet ſhould the graces or fruits of the ſpirit which now appear, be ſtrictly conſidered by what did formerly ſhine forth in the Churches, it might peradventure put us to ſome pauſe, yet not thence to conclude that we have not that ſpirit of grace, or that the graces thereof are ceaſed, but it would ſurely become a provocation, to cry mightily to God for an enlargement of what we have received in that behalf.

And as I intend not to boaſt of the gifts of any, ſo I may ſafely preſume p. 79that the gifts received in theſe days are far more then I can ſet down, or give you account of becauſe the Church is diffuſed through many Nations, and her gifts there unknown to me; I will then reſtrain my obſervations to the Churches in this poor Iſland, who may not vie with all Churches, but rather in humility conclude themſelves to be ſhort of many concerning ſpirituall gifts. And yet, ſhall we ſay ſhe hath none (or may we not rather ſay ſhe hath many that are endowed with a word of knowledge and that meerly by a gift from God, having otherwiſe, no capacity or fa…ulty more then others, but therein far ſhort of many of their brethren; only the gift of God, and no naturall faculty hath made the differance: How have men of knowledge in this world, been found to have no ſkill, and the fooliſh to attain knowledge, and ſome to excell ſo far, as to confound the wiſdome of the wiſe and to bring to nought the underſtanding p. 80of the prudent, yet out of the mouth of Babes hath our God ordained ſtrength, and thereby hath ſometimes ſtilled the enemy.

And as Wiſdome is uſefull to direct, ſo hath God given it to ſuch as fear him; who if we reſpect their education &c. could never have acquired it; ſome by a word of wiſdome here underſtand, the well ordering of affaires in the Church, others the right or uſefull applycation of the word &c. ſurely according to theſe expoſitions the Church hath ſome, even by the gift of the ſpirit of God to go before here in theſe reſpects.

Neither is the gift of Healings ſo abnegated, but that ſomething of it hath appeared, as many living witneſs by experience have teſtified, and how far faith (over and beſide the common faith) hath therein appeared, as alſo in ſome other memorable undertakings againſt Sathan himſelf, or againſt his deſigns, with ſome good ſucceſs, becomes p. 81others to conſider more then it doth me to write! as for me I reſt ſatisfied, that miracles are not ceaſed as a gift to the Church of God, though perhaps they are but rarely found, as being (in the wiſdom of God) not ſo neceſſary now in many places as in times paſt.

Now for the gift of p…opheſie, which the Apoſtle here intends, 'tis certain the Church enjoys it very gratiouſly in theſe days ſith ſhe hath them that by the gift of Gods ſpirit (and not by acquired Arts) do miniſter to her the word of life, by exhortation, to her edification and comfort; which yet ſhe could not have if the gifts were ceaſed ſeeing propheſie is not only one of the ſpirituall gifts but the very beſt of them, and the greateſt of them all.

Nor is the ſpirit of our God removed in the gift of diſcerning of ſpirits; for if it had falſe ſpirits had by their ſubtilty ere this day made havock of the Churches, but through the grace of God, notwithſtanding all their cunning p. 82craftineſs they have been diſcerned, and their deſigns prevented; and though perhaps charity for ſome time hath born with ſuch, in hope of the beſt, yet this is no other thing then ought to be, as may be ſeen by the carriage of our Lord toward Judas, and his Apoſtles towards fome others.

The gifts of Doctrine and praiſing our God with a Pſalme is not yet removed, our Teachers (as taught of God) remaining in every Church; where alſo are ſome that are skillfull in praiſiing the Lord to the edification of the Church;

As for Revelations, there might perhaps ſometimes be ſtrange or hidden things made known by ſome ſpeciall gift of God and why may not God do ſuch things now? However it is not unſafe to underſtand the Revellations here ment, by Chap. 14. 30. If any thing be revealed to another that ſitteth by let the firſt hold his peace &c. which cannot ſo well be underſtood af a new Oracle as of ſome further ſubject or p. 83more full explication of the matter treated on by him that ſpake firſt; according to which interpr…tation we may ſay the Church hath yet the gift of Revellations. And thus far we ſeem to be got ſafe, not any thing ſo materiall intervening, as to conclude againſt the continuance of theſe ſpirituall gifts in the Church to this day, ſo that the preſent repairers of the Houſe or City of God may comfort themſelves by the conſideration of the words of the Prophet, Hagg. 2. 5. According to the word which I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, ſo my SPIRIT REMAINETH amo…g you, fear ye not.

But now the g…ft of Tongues and interpretation of Tongues, theſe! where ſhall we find them. Doubtleſs theſe gifts are rarely if at all found in theſe days, and in this Nation, ſo as to ſute with thoſe who frequently in ſome Churches at firſt received thoſe gifts; the reaſons are many (but none ſuch as conclude the Church from under p. 84the promiſe of theſe gifts) as firſt theſe gifts differ much from the reſt, chiefly in this that they may be ſupply'd another way, for the converſion of perſons of all Languages, or ſuch as can ſpeak other Languages and interpret the ſame to others, doth ſupply the abſence of thoſe gifts; 2. The Churche (in this and I ſuppoſe other Nations) It is probable that Paul made uſe of his education in ſpeaking divers Languages, as may be perceived by his diſcou…ſes in the acts of the Apoſtles, and by the Epiſtles which he wrote to ſeverall Churches, uſeing therein (as 'tis confeſſed) frequently the Greek Tongue.have very little need of theſe gifts, and therefore conſidering that they are not ſo neceſſary as the reſt, the Apoſtle leaves theſe with a forbid them not, whilſt the reſt he wills us to c…v…t earneſtly. But 3? one great cauſe (as I conceive) why theſe g…fts are ſo much abſent, and the other no p. 85more received, i… becauſe we either ask them not at all, or elſe we ask them amiſs. For many have been ſo …ar from a king theſe gifts of the ſpirit, that in truth they have been arguing that theſe gifts are not attainable, and then tis no wonder they have not been received.

Again where there hath been ſome underſtanding of the intereſt we have in thoſe gifts, there faith in asking hath been and is very low, and atended (perhaps) with great wavering, and then little can be expected at the hand of the Almighty Jam. 1. And here let me premoniſh you of one thing which (by my little reading) I perceive to have been a great provocation to the Lord to wi…hdraw his gifts in times p…ſt (and I fear it again) And that was …and and I doubt is) an over curious performance, of that which God gave ſpirituall gifts for, to wit the miniſtering of the word, when the Churches grew populous, and great perſonages came to her communion, the unwary p. 86paſtours, let go the ſimplicity of th… Goſpell enclining ſo much to curioſities that ſome Counſells decreed tha… a B…ſhop ſhould not read Heathen Authors and Gra…ian is ſaid to have this paſſag… viz. Doth not he ſeem to wa…k in vanit… and da…kneſs of mind, who vexing himſelf day a…d night in the ſtudies of Logick in the perſuite of phyſicall ſpecula…ion one while elevates himſelf above the higheſt Heavens and afterward throws himſelf below the nethermoſt part of the Earth True, the uſe that may be made o… reading is one thing, and the abuſe another; however let the leaſt gift o… God be preferred in the miniſtry o… the word, above the greateſt of human Arts, otherwiſe we are in danger to incur the guilt of deſpiſing Prophyſyings▪

Laſtly the truth in hand appeareth from 6. From the ſilence of the Scriptures, as to the privation of the gifts of the Spirit &c,the ſilence of Scriptures, touching th… p. 87privation of any of the gifts of the ſpi…it till that which is perfect become, 1. …or. 13. 8. 9. Charity never faileth but whether there be propheſies they ſhall fail, whether there be tongues they ſhall ceaſe, whether there be knowledge it ſhall vaniſh away, for we know in part and we prophe…e in part. But when that which is perfect is come THEN that which is in part ſha'l be done away.

Hence obſerve a finall determination of the matter in queſtion, If any ask when the gifts of prophyſie, knowledge and tongues &c. Shall ceaſe? The Apoſtles anſwer is, even THEN, when that which is perfect is come, or when we come to ſee face to face, or as we are ſeen. So then ſeeing the gifts of the ſpirit do yet remain to the Church, and every of them (as her need requires) are attainable, it remains that we humbly conſider our wants, and deſire ſpirituall gifts, you …ove… earneſtly the beſt gifts.

From theſe conſiderations I conclude, that howſoever it is too true p. 88that the gifts received by the preſent Churches are but low (and truly ſo are her graces) yet thence we may not, we ought not to infer, that the gifts promiſed are ceaſed, or that the Church hath now no intereſt therein. But contrarywiſe as the promiſe of gifts (as well as graces) pertains to us as we are the called of God, we ought to …tir one another up, to ſeek with all 1. Cor. 2. 4.1 Cor 2:4dilligence and full aſſurance for the ſpirit of promiſe, which being received, will abundantly ſupply our wants, help our infirmities, convince the contrary minded by its powerfull evidence and demonſtration in the miniſtry of the word and prayer.

There be two things objected againſt that which is ſaid, the firſt.

Ob: If the promiſe of the ſpirit do thus belong to the Church, then this will follow, that the doctrines delivered by ſuch gifted men muſt paſs p. 89for Oracles of God being the effects …f the ſpirit of truth whoſe propertie it … to lead into all truth. And hence …ome have conceived the decrees …f their Counſells to be infallible, and …thers have given out of their private …tters or books that they were as in…allibly the word of God as the Scrip…ure &c.

Anſ. 1. Thoſe gifts do not argue …he infallibillity of him that hath them, …or then all the gifted brethren at Co…inth had been infallible which yet they …ere not, witneſs their great want of Wiſdom how to uſe their gifts to edi…ication, as alſo the Apoſtles refer…ing what they delivered to Tryal, telling …s of gifted perſon in general (and as …uch not excluding himſelf) that they …ee but darkly, propheſie but in part, know but in part, ſo that perfection …erein is not to be pretended.

2. That the Apoſtles did deliver infallible and undoubted verities for all p. 90to ſubmit to, as the very word of God &c. proceeded not hence, viz. becauſe they were gifted men. But as being the choſen witneſſes of God, purpoſely ordained to that very end, for which cauſe they ſaw that juſt one, heard the words of his mouth, and by infallible proves were aſſured of the Reſurrection of our Lord and of his will concerning his Kingdom, John 15▪ 16. Ye have not choſen me, but I have choſen you and ordained you that you ſhould go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit ſhould remain, that whatſoever ye ſhall ask the Father in my Name he may give it you, ſee Acts 10. 40. 41. and Acts 22. 14. 15. The God of o…r Fathers hath choſen thee that thou ſhould kn…w his will, and ſee that juſt one, and ſhouldeſt hear the voice of his mouth. FOR thou ſhalt be his witneſs unto all men of what thou haſt SEEN AND HEARD.

Theſe are the Fathers of the Churches, the Foundation layers, the Maſter-builders in ſuch an elevated p. 91conſideration, as that the authority of one is to be valued above the authority of ten thouſand ſubſequent teachers, which is a greater number then ever yet convened in a generall councell, 1. Cor. 4. 15. 16. Theſe were ſuch Fathers as laid up ſuch a ſtock of doctrine for their Children, as whoſo bringeth not along with them is not to be received. 2. John. 8. 9, 10. And whoſoever corrupteth by adding takeing away or perverting is to be held accurſed, to be nameleſs in the City of God and the book of Life, The concluſion is this, gifted perſons, on whom the Holy Ghoſt fell as it did on the Apoſtles, were not thereby impowered, to propoſe new Oracles, or to be the Apoſtles Competitors, and if any preſume to theſe things (as ſome did in the Apoſtles dayes) they ſhall fulfill that ſentence, 2. Tim. 3. 9. They ſhall proceed no further for their folly ſhall be made manifeſt to all men as theirs alſo was.

Ob. 2. If the gifts of the ſpirit, 1. Cor. 12. Have continued in the Church as you teach, 'tis ſtrange we have no account of them ſince their days, unleſs we regard the papacy who have claim'd the gift of Miracles in every age, which they urge as an undoubted proof that they only are the Church of Chriſt.

Anſ. 1. It is true that people do pretend, as 'tis ſaid in the objection and it is now my buſineſs to examine the goodneſs of that pretence, only this I ſay they cannot find their Church to have had a being in every age ſince Chriſt, and therefore very unlikely to prove what they ſay in the caſe of Miracles. But put caſe that ſince they have had a being in the world, ſome ſigns or wonders have been done among them, yet hence to infer the truth of their Church ſtate is very unſafe, ſith before an equall judge others will be found to have as clear p. 93a claim to Miracles as themſelves. **Which yet ſhall avail them nothing, becauſe they wanted truth with their gifts.Mat. 7. 22. Many w…ll ſay unto me in that day have we not propheſi…d in thy Name, and in thy name have we caſt out Devils and in thy name have done many wondrous works. And then will I profeſs un…o them I never knew you, depart from me ye workers of iniquity,

And though our Saviour ſaith, no man can do a miracle in his Name and lightly ſpeak evil of him, yet that very ſpeech ſuppoſes the thing poſſible. It doth not follow therefore that whereſoever miraculous gifts are there is the true Church, but ſhe is only known by her Conformity to the Doctrine of God our Saviour, chiefly in the principles of Religion, Heb. 6. 1. 2. For we are his Houſe if built upon that foundation of Repentance, faith, &c▪ and pa…takers of him, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence ſtedfaſt p. 94to the end otherwiſe not. Heb. 3. 6. 14. If any come unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not to houſe, no, though he work miracles, for thus ſaith the Lord. If there ariſe among you a Prophet or a Dreamer of Dreams, and giveth thee aſign or a wonder, and the ſign or the wonder come to paſs, whereof he ſpake unto thee [now note if he do this] ſaying let us go after other Gods (which thou haſt not koown) and let us ſerve them, thou ſhalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet—For the Lord your God proveth you to know whether you love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your Soul. And hence learn this one thing that Gods Truth is not to give place to any gifts, but all gifts are to ſubſerve to the furtherance of his Truth.

To conclude as we ought not to be ignorant of the gifts of the ſpirit, ſo neither of the means ordain'd of God to obtain thoſe gifts. The primitive Churches are herein our beſt guide p. 95as the word directs. Tis well known (and I think granted on all hand…) that they uſed the ſolemn Ordinance of prayer and impoſition of hands for obtaining the promiſed Spirit, at leaſt with reſpect to theſe gifts. Now be it ſo (though I ſay for the Graces or Fruits alſo) then ſeeing theſe gifts are promiſed to us as well as unto them, and are attainable, and in part (at leaſt) attained by many, what ſhould hinder the Churches, but that now they ſhould tread in this path, with faith and full aſſurance that a bleſſing is in it? As in holy baptiſm we are placed (as it were) among thoſe whoſe ſins are waſhed away in the blood of the Lamb. So in this Holy Ordinance of prayer and impoſition of hands we are in a ſolemn manner uſhered, into the promiſe of the holy ſpirit, and as the pardon of our ſins ſignified in baptiſm doth not prevent, but better capaciate us to pray daily forgive us our …eſpaſſes, ſo impoſition of hands doth put us into a better capacity to ſeek p. 96dayly for the gifts and graces of the ſpiri…, b…cauſe now ſolemnly interceſſed in the promiſe, by that very way the primi…ive Saints were interceſſed therein, Acts 8. 15, 17. Acts 19. 2. 6. 2 Tim. 1. 6. Heb. 6. 12. Who when they were down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghoſt, then laid they their hands on them and they receithe Holy Ghoſt.

Have they received of the Holy Ghoſt ſince the believed? And when Paul had laid his hand is on them, the Holy Ghoſt … on them.

Wherefore I put th…e in rem…mb…ance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting o… of my hands.—The foundation of Repentance, and of faith towards God of the D…ctrine of bap…iſm and of laying on of hands, of the reſurrection of the dead, and of Eternal Judgement.

What ſhall I …, the Scriptures are p. 97evidence ſufficient that this Ordinance is of divine inſtitution, is from Heaven; the promiſe which it leads to …s perpetual, and Univerſal, it belong, to the whole body. There is one body and one Spirit even as ye are called i… … hope of your calling.