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ON THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL.

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had four daughters who did prophecy [preach]. The requirements of religion are as strict from woman as from man-her moral obligations and spiritual privileges are the same. For examples of Christian piety, women do not lose by comparison with men, and there is evidence for believing, that they are equally under the notice of the Great Head of the Church, in whose school the true ministry of the Gospel is taught, and not at the feet of Gamaliel.

We may do well to remark, that Christ himself was born of a woman, and he made himself known after his resurrection, first to a woman, and she had to proclaim the glad tidings to his disciples-women were last to leave the cross of Christ, and a woman was the first to hail the risen Saviour.

When the time of holding the Jewish feast of Pentecost was fully come, the newly-gathered church at Jerusalem, both men and women, were all with one accord in one place, and they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost. This outpouring of the Spirit was declared by Simon Peter, who was present, to be the fulfilment of what had been foretold by Joel the Prophet, that sons and daughters should prophecy, and that the Spirit should be poured out on servants and handmaidens, without preference of sex; and there is abundant evidence, down to the present day, that women as well as men, have had seals to their ministry, in the conversion of souls to God, and for the edification of the church.

PROPOSITION XI.

OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

"The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men."- Book of Common Prayer.

"Where two or

Where two or three are gathered together in the name of Christ, there is a Church. three," said Christ," are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”—“That they, Father! may be one in us, I in them, and Thou in me."

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe."

Ye that are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying the church, [the congregation, not the building.] When Paul and Barnabas were on their way to Jerusalem, they gathered the church together at Antioch, and rehearsed all that God had done with them, and after that, they were brought on their journey by the church.

Aquila had a church in his house, so had Nymphas and Archippus; and the apostle John wrote Epistles to all the seven churches in Asia.

OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

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NOTE. To call a building made with men's hands "a church," or "the house (or temple) of God," is a misnomer in terms, which custom itself cannot justify. "What!" said the apostle, "know ye not, that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you?"

The universal Church of Christ is a spiritual building composed of the faithful of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and the Lord knoweth them that are his.

The Church universal is the body with many members, and Christ is the head, from which, all the body by joints and bands, have nourishment and are knit together these being many, are one body, and partake of the one bread, the union and communion of the body and blood of Christ.

The members of Christ's Church, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, Christ Jesus being himself the chief corner-stone : for no other foundation of his church can any man lay, than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ.

“He that hath an ear let him hear, what the Spirit saith to the churches."

PROPOSITION XII.

OF PERFECTION.

"Let us go on to perfection,"-" and this will we do, if God permit." [Paul.]

The morning stars which sang together at the creation, were doubtless of diverse magnitudes, as one star differs from another star in glory; and probably the sons of God who shouted for joy on the glorious occasion, were not all of the same growth in holiness, yet all perfect in their measure: but, whether under the similitude of stars or of sons, all were animated with one purpose and design, to sound forth the Great Creator's praise. Of angels in heaven, and the spirits of just men made perfect, there are gradations in dignity, and degrees in perfection: angels and archangels,-Cherubim and Seraphim, all of the same heavenly nature and character, yet differing in degree. As the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist, there must be some also of higher grade, going on to perfection, yet immeasurably and eternally short of the ineffable holiness and perfection which belongs to that Divine Being, in whom alone all fulness dwells.

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Paul writes of a third heaven, which implies a first and a second; how many beyond we cannot tell; and Solomon speaks of the heaven of heavens. This language may be figurative, but it involves progression, a condition beyond and beyond, higher and higher, ad infinitum, until we are lost in wonder, love, and praise, and are led in reverence and awe, to contemplate and adore a Great First Cause, who fills immeasurable space, which no created being can search out.

There is a necessary state of holiness attainable in this life, that is acceptable to God, but which admits of a growth, for "without holiness no man shall see the Lord."-"Be ye holy, for I am holy."-" Be ye perfect, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." These divine injunctions, and many similar, would not have been given to man, if the means and the power to obey had been withheld; but God hath given unto us his Holy Spirit, and hath called us unto holiness and perfection in Christ Jesus. If the will of the creature become the willing instrument of the Divine will, surely nothing, which it is thereby moved to do, can be impossible. "It is God," said David "that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."

Adam fell from a state of innocency through his own voluntary transgression: he hearkened to the

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