name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." thing is recorded of Peter (Acts v. 12), &c.

The same

Upon looking at this evidence with the calmness and earnestness of a serious mind anxiously searching after truth, and taking this one part of apostolic power alone as it regards laying on of hands and healing the sick-is it not natural to enquire, where are the SUCCESSORS OF THE APOSTLES? And with what body of men or church are these miraculous powers connected. This question however presents itself very forcibly, that is, if the Church of Rome-the Church of England-with their ministry and priesthood, or any other priesthood or ministry of any other sect, cannot by laying on of hands heal the sick, how can they satisfy our minds that they can by laying on of hands impart or bestow the Holy Ghost? I have shewn that the apostles did heal the sick, did cast out devils or unclean spirits, did raise the dead; and not only had the apostles these gifts, but I have also shewn that the Deacons as in the case of Stephen and Philip had the gifts of healing, &c., but the apostles alone had the power of laying on of hands that believers might receive the Holy Ghost. The deacons could do the lesser things but could not do the greater, the apostles could do all in common with the other members of the body; of which body the apostle thus writes, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues," 1 Cor. xii. 28. This is the order of the body incorporated together in the act of grace, under the authority and

Therefore Paul says,

66

command of God. ye (the different members of this corporation) are the body of Christ, and members in particular," 1 Cor. xii. 27.; some having superior and others inferior powers or gifts officially in the body.

It will be observed that the gift of healing is the fifth downward from the apostles; and is in the comparison with the first or highest, so much inferior; so that we may understand how a member of the body could possess the inferior gift of healing, and not possess the superior gift of the Holy Ghost. But this rule by no means proves that a member of that body having the superior gift, did not possess the inferior also; indeed I have proved that this was the fact. Then it does appear somewhat extraordinary that any sect or professing religious denomination should presume to reverse this order, and say that they have the superior gift, while they do not pretend even that they have the inferior. This is contrary to the practice of Christ, it entirely reverses the order of the Lord, for the lesser things are taken to demonstrate the greater. Paul says, "the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse," Rom. i. 20. In this passage the lesser or inferior things in creation, are brought forward to demonstrate or establish the greater-the eternal power and Godhead of the Creator. So also when the Lord wished to give a proof to the scribes and others of his power to forgive sins-which is the greater or superior power-in what way does the Lord

you

do this; by the performance of a lesser or inferior act; and so it is written, " And behold they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed; and Jesus seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy, son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee. And behold certain af the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts, said, Wherefore think evil in your hearts? For whether is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee? or to say, Arise and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house." Matt. ix, 2. In this case the Lord performed the lesser miracle, to convince the scribes that he had power to do the greater. And when the multitudes SAW the palsied man arise and depart to his own house, "they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men." Again, I repeat, that if we saw any body of men possessing this power of healing, which was an inferior gift in the apostolic body, we should be constrained to imagine that they had the superior gift of forgiving sins, and then when they laid hands upon sick persons that they would recover. I have heard that the Church, of Rome retains the act of anointing, and that that church has professed to have the power of miracles. The Church of England does not, I believe, make the least pretension to this gift of healing, which gift or power I have shewn to have been possessed by deacons. I have heard of Mr. Irving and his party, and several who hold the millenarian opinions, who maintained that

1

these gifts did belong to the office of apostles, presbyters, or ministers, up to the present time: and they did seriously set about reviving them in the churches. Experiments were tried on the sick, attempts were made to speak with tongues, or unknown tongues, and for others to interpret; the order of the twelve apostles were set up; and I confess that this appeared to be the right way to go to work, for had they succeeded by any means-by continued prayer, &c.—in the restoration of this inferior gift, there would have been more pretence for assuming the superior gifts, than by others who say they can forgive and absolve from sins and bestow the Holy Ghost on others, and yet make no pretensions to having the lesser or inferior gift of healing. But we still return back to our examination of the apostolic body, as instituted by Christ for "the work of the ministry." It is further stated, that thay shall speak with NEW TONGUES.

I am, &c.

AMEN.

LETTER VIII.

Mr. EDITOR,

THEY shall speak with NEW TONGUES. The apostles did so on the day of Pentecost-" they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with TONGUES as the Spirit gave them utterance," Acts ii. 4. And so it followed, that when Peter was at Cæsarea, and preached to Cornelius and his friends, Jesus Christ and the resurrection, "the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word: and they (that is the Jews) heard them speak with TONGUES, and magnify God," Acts x. 44, 46. The same thing occurred during the ministry of Paul: for Paul coming to Ephesus found certain disciples, and "he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's