That as1 all His servants and subjects are called hither, to present their bodies and souls, and to bring the gifts God has given them; so being come, they are here by Himself bestowed in their several order, peculiar place, due use, being fitly compact and knit together by every joint of help, according to the effectual work in the measure of every part, unto the edification of itself in love; whereunto when He2 ascended up on high He gave gifts unto men, that He might fill all these things, and has distributed these gifts, unto several functions in His church, having instituted and ratified to3 continue unto the worlds end, only this public ordinary ministry of pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, helpers to the instruction, government, and service of His church.
- See Article 18 before and Exodus 25:2; 35:5; Romans 12:4–6; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 12, 18; Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 2:5; 1 Peter 4:10 ↩︎
- Acts 6:2–3; 14:23; 20:27–28; Romans 12:7–8; 16:1; 1 Corinthians 12:4–8, 11, 14–18, 28; Ephesians 4:8, 10–13; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3; 5:3, 9, 17, 21 ↩︎
- Matthew 28:20; 1 Timothy 6:13–14; Revelation 22:18–19 ↩︎
