APOSTOLIC MINISTRY, AND THE QUESTION OF ITS RESTORATION CONSIDERED IN AN EXPOSITION OF PART OF THE FOURTH CHAP- BY J. W. ETHERIDGE. Gloriam miraculorum etiam sibi vendicant falsi Prophetæ, ut FALMOUTH: PRINTED BY J. TRATHAN, STATIONER, &c. TO THE SOCIETY AND CONGREGATION OF WESLEY CHAPEL, FALMOUTH, THIS DISCOURSE, PUBLISHED BY THEIR DESIRE, IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. ADVERTISEMENT. The following discourse, which was delivered in substance, in the course of the writer's ordinary duties in the Wesleyan Chapel, Falmouth, would never have been presented to the public eye, but for the pressing request of many whom he feels it his happiness to serve in the Gospel. He would take the liberty however to say, that the assiduous efforts which the agents and advocates of the "Irvingite " system are making, to give general dissemination to their principles, have induced him to wish that the subject attempted in this little tract, may invite a more extensive consideration than has hitherto been given to it, and that the attention and research of his more qualified brethren in the ministry, may be directed to a theme which he feels he has treated so inadequately. PENRYN, EXPOSITION. EPHES. IV CHAP., VER. 7-15. "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles ; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." In days of speculative strife like ours, when, not only the more permanent and habituated errors of ages maintain their existence, and still influence the destinies of myriads ;--but when the long forgotten and mani-coloured heresies of ancient times revive around us and live again, and Satan himself, transfomed into an angel of |