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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
diversity_n	faith_n	gift_n	member_n	469	5	9.2498	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35951	An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...; Expositio analytica omnium Apostolicarum Epistolarum. English	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663.; Retchford, William.; Dickson, David, 1583?-1663. Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews.	1659 (1659)	Wing D1403; ESTC R7896	807,291	340

following judgement At last because it was impossible that all things which appertain to a particular Church should bee ordered unless hee was present Hee promises to take care of the rest touching the observing of order especially in that Church when hee should come himself CHAP. XII THE EIGHTH ARTICLE CONCERNING THE USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS THe eighth Article of the Epistle concerning spiritual Gifts and the right use of them in the three next following Chapters Some were proud of spiritual Gifts and despised others in comparison with themselves Some envyed others because they had a larger measure of spiritual Gifts most abused their gifts to discord not to spiritual Edification The scope of the Apostle is to correct these abuses and to dehort them from them and to set before them the right use and that with sixteen Arguments whereof some of them conclude one others of them another part of their end but all urge a prudent use of gifts Vers. 1. Now concerning spiritual Gifts Brethren I would not have you ignorant The Apostle comprehends all abuse onely under ignorance or imprudence and the right use of spiritual Gifts under prudence The Position which the Apostle propounds to bee proved is this yee ought not to behave your self ignorantly or imprudently in the business of spiritual Gifts but prudently Vers. 2. Yee know that yee were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb Idols even as yee were led Argum. 1. From the comparison of their former and present state to this sense Not long since yee being destitute of all the Gifts of the Holy Ghost yee were carried about after the pleasure of the Devil that impure spirit even as other Gentiles into the grossest worship of dumb Idols or into Idolatry Therefore now being converted and adorned with spiritual Gifts you ought to behave your selves prudently taking heed that you bee not hurried about by that evil spirit to no less hurtful enormities in the abuse of spiritual Gifts Vers. 3. Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Iesus accursed and that no man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost Argum. 2. Those that blaspheme Christ as they are certainly destitute of his Spirit so certainly are all you who with a sincere Faith profess Jesus Christ your Lord indued with his Spirit or with the saving and special gift of the Holy Spirit without which you cannot profess him with a sincere Faith Therefore concerning other spiritual gifts which do not necessarily accompany Salvation yee ought not to envy each other Vers. 4. Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit Argum. 3. Although there are diversities of gifts yet all flow from the same Fountain and one Holy Spirit Therefore in the use of these gifts you ought to carry your selves prudently and friendly to agree together Vers. 5. And th●re are differences of Administrations but the same Lord. Argum. 4 Administrations and Ecclesiastical offices are many but the same Lord whom you all ought to serve Therefore ought you to demean your selves prudently and promote the work of God only Vers. 6. And there are diversities of operations but it is the same God that worketh all in all Argum. 5. There are divers operations various works produced by divers men as instruments but the same God is hee that works those works in those divers instruments Therefore there ought to bee no debate concerning these Hee ascribes gifts to the Holy Spirit who distributes gifts both ordinary and extraordinary according to the necessity of the Church ver 4. Hee ascribes Functions and Offices to Christ who being Lord in his house appoints what services hee pleases hee calls to offices whom hee will and makes use of those that are called in their functions as hee will ver 5. But operations or the exercises of gifts of what kind soever hee ascribes in this verse to God the Father who as hee is the first beginning of all so hee works very effectuously in all nor therefore doth the Apostle distinguish these as if gifts offices and operations may bee so of one person as not of all the persons but that wee may have need that by this distinction of gifts offices and operations which concur to the producing of the same work wee might more easily bee led by the hand to apprehend the distinction of persons and unity of essence and that wee might observe the equality of the persons of the Holy Trinity and their unity in gifts offices and exercises of gifts and observing might all of us unanimously endeavour for the good of the Church and the glory of God Vers. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with all Argum. 6. Spiritual gifts or manifestations of the Spirit to wit in which the Spirit is manifested are given for one end viz. for the good and edification of the whole Church Therefore there ought not to bee difference concerning these Vers. 8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of Wisdome to another the word of Knowledge by the same Spirit This hee shews by reckoning up the nine kinds of gifts which all tend to the good of the Church The first gift To one is given the Word of Wisdome whereby hee can seasonably apply sound doctrine to his Hearers which is the gift of a Pastor The second To another the word of Knowledge which is the gift of a Teacher whereby hee can give the general doctrine and sense of the Scripture although hee hath not the gift fitly to apply it Vers. 9. To another Faith by the same Spirit to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit 10. To another the working of Miracles to another Prophecie to another discerning of Spirits to another divers kinds of Tongues to another the interpretation of Tongues The third gift is Faith which is called the Faith of many and famous miracles and in the following Chapter it is called all Faith 4 Is the gift of healing Diseases which was one kind of miracles as the rest following 5. The gift of working miracles and powerfully casting out devils and the enemies of the Church of which wee have an example Act. 13.11 6. The gift of fore-telling things to come and revealing secrets 7. The gift of discerning impostures from the gifts of the Spirit 8. The gift of speaking with divers kinds of Tongues 9. The gift of Interpretation of Tongues without the gift of speaking with those Tongues for it will appear that some spoke with Tongues who could not interpret and contrarily for so it seemed good to God to distribute his gifts Vers. 11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit dividing to every man severally as hee will Argum. 7. To the wise using of gifts This diversity of gifts and distribution of them is according to the good will of God Therefore wee must rest in his will and use them without discord Vers. 12. For

as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ. Argum. 8. Christ Mystical or Christ is one Body with the Church consisting of many members and they instructed with variety of gifts Therefore as in the humane so in the Mystical Body there ought to bee concord in the use of gifts Vers. 13. For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one body whether wee bee Jews or Gentiles whether wee bee bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Argum. 9. All the faithful are joyned together in the Sacrament of Baptism and the Lords Supper or the union of all the Faithful into one Church and partaking of one life in one body and one Spirit is signified in the Sacraments Therefore you ought not to disagree amongst your selves about the diversity of gifts Vers. 14. For the body is not one member but many 15. If the foot shall say Because I am not the hand I am not of the body Is it therefore not of the body 16. And if the ear shall say Because I am not the eye I am not of the body Is it therefore not of the body Argum. 10. Seeing the condition of the body requires necessarily plurality of members and by consequence diversity it will follow that the meanest offices in the least gifts are as well of the body as the most excellent offices and gifts And if they should exclude themselves they would not do less foolishly than if the foot should deny that it was the hand or the ear deny that it was the eye and for this cause should conclude that it is not of the body Therefore there ought to bee no dissention amongst you because of the diversity of gifts Vers. 17. If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing If the whole were hearing where were the smelling 18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him 19. And if they were all one member where were the body 20. But now are they many members yet but one body Argum. 11. Even as if the body was one member three inconveniences would follow 1. The rest of the members should bee excluded and the more noble senses ver 17. 2. The change should bee made contrary to the wise dispensation of God who hath otherwise appointed diversity of members ver 18. 3. The change should bee contrary to the nature of an organical body for the very organical body should bee destroyed ver 19. Because God hath made one organical body of many members ver 20. So in Ecclesiastical Functions if there was but one Function three inconveniences would ensue 1. The other offices would bee extinct 2. The dispensation of God would bee destroyed 3. The Organical Church it self would bee overthrown which now consists of many offices united together into one body Therefore concord and agreement is to bee regarded Vers. 21. And the eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of thee nor again the head to the feet I have no need of you 22. Nay much more those members of the body which seem to bee more feeble are necessary Argum. 12. As in a natural body the superiour and more excellent members cannot bee without the inferiour which are most necessary therefore they are friendly each to other so it is in Ecclesiastical functions therefore ought they to bee assisting one to another Vers. 23. And those members of the body which wee think to bee less honourable upon those wee bestow more abundant honour and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness 24. For our comly parts have no need but God hath tempered the body together having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked Argum. 13. As in the body natural that there may bee an agreement those members which are more infirm are most honoured and necessary by the appointment of God so ought it to bee in Ecclesiastical functions Therefore in the chusing of Deacons rather than Pastors care must bee had that other things being alike men of the fairest fortunes may bee elected for the adorning of this inferiour office Vers. 25. That there should bee no Schism in the body but that the members should have the same care one of another Argum. 14. As the Natural body would come to ruine by Schism if the members should strive among themselves and should not regard each other So in Ecclesiastical functions Therefore concord is to bee highly regarded Vers. 26. And whether one member suffer all the members suffer with it or one member bee honoured all the members rejoyce with it 27. Now yee are the body of Christ and members in particular Argum. 15. As amongst the superiour and inferiour members of the body there is a sympathy in joy and grief so it ought to bee amongst the Governours and Ministers of the Church Therefore the greatest accord Hee gives the Reason of it Because yee saith hee are the body of Christ and members in particular i. e. such as ought as members to agree with the whole body the Church and amongst your selves And here is the common Apodosis of the whole similitude taken from the body from vers 12. to this 27. verse Vers. 28. And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then gifts of healings helps governments diversities of tongues Now in order hee reckons up the Ministers of the Church as much as might bee sufficient to restrain the ambition and envy that was among the Corinthians The Authority of Paul by name and of the other Apostles was prejudiced by the subtil and Eloquent Doctors amongst the Corinthians as is manifest in the second Epistle Therefore hee asserts the dignity of the Apostles in the first place as those that were appointed of God to lay the foundation of all the Churches Concerning the Evangelists and Prophets extraordinary either there was no question amongst them or the dignity of the Ministers of the Gospel extraordinary being asserted in the vindication of the Apostolical office concerning the authority and dignity of the Evangelists and Prophets extraordinary whose Ministery was common to all the Churches and subservient to the Apostles it was manifest and apparent enough Secondly Hee determines concerning Prophets by which name as shall appear chap. 14. hee understands Pastors who applied in their Sermons the doctrine to usefulness whose gift was the word of wisdome as verse 8. In the third place hee names Teachers who although they were not eloquent and prudent for the application of the doctrine to all the uses of the Church yet they had a word of knowledge that they were able to apply the general Doctrine to the capacity of the Church These are the functions which were imployed in the Word and Doctrine and therefore the more eminent In the fourth place hee sets down those who in the

Christs preceding humiliation that is his incarnation and his abasement of himself unto the common infirmities of the flesh unto the suffering of both soul and body and unto burial Whence is hinted Argum. 9. For the preservation of the Churches unity Christ descended into the lower parts of the earth by this very phrase David describes his conception in the womb Psal. 139.18 and also ascended again for the gathering of the Church into one and uniting it to God Therefore c. Vers. 10. Hee that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that hee might fill all things From the same prophecie hee gathers that Christ God who descended to bee incarnate or that hee might take flesh was not made another or any other person when hee ascended as God incarnate or having taken flesh upon him that the humane nature assumed did not add any thing to the constituting or perfecting the person of the Son of God but onely was taken into the unity of the person and therefore Christs descending and ascending was the same even as hee that puts on a garment is the same as hee was when naked Furthermore coming to shew the end of his Ascension hee adds Argum. 10. Christ ascended into Heaven that hee might accomplish all things which were to bee accomplished viz. that hee might gather and preserve the Church and communicate unto it what was necessary for it Therefore c. Vers. 11. And hee gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Hee in part shews how Christ hath accomplished all things as much as is sufficient to his purpose by ennumerating the several orders of Ecclesiastical Ministery some temporary and extraordinary as Apostles Prophets Evangelists ordained for the laying the foundations of all Churches some ordinary and perpetual as Pastors and Teachers instituted for the continuing of the Church Vers. 12. For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ Argum. 11. From the end and use for which Christ did bestow these offices and gifts 1 That the Saints might bee restored even as members loosened and out of joynt set and brought to their proper place 2 That the Ministers avoiding idleness and tyrannizing government should follow the work of their Ministery that so every of the Elect as straying sheep might bee brought home to Christ their Shepheard and abide in him 3 That the whole body of the Church might bee edified and built up and every one make proficiency in Faith and Holiness and to this purpose Christ appointed Offices in the Church that by the help and Ministery of men all the Saints might so grow up together as to constitute one mystical body of Christ Therefore c. Vers. 13. Till wee 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. Argum. 12. From the term of the duration of the Ministery This Ministery must continue until all wee Elect come unto the unity of the Faith and the Knowledge of Christ that is not onely until wee bee united to Christ by Faith and Knowledge which is of Faith but also until all wee that are redeemed or that are elected as many as do live or shall live I say until wee all come one after another to a present Knowledge in an immediate vision or to a perfect regeneration and incorporation in Christ when all the Elect being now united and perfected shall constitute one Mystical Christ who shall bee every way compleat and perfect and attain his full stature which shall bee in the resurrection Therefore for this end and purpose that this business may bee advanced wee should strive for unity and concord Vers. 14. That wee henceforth bee no more children tossed to and fro and carryed about with every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive Argum. 13. From another end of the institution of the Ministery Christ appointed the Ministery that wee should not bee alwaies children ignorant of those things which wee ought to know that wee should not bee wavering and inconstant tossed with the wind of contrary Doctrines that wee should not bee separated from Christ and his Church through unsetledness in Faith that wee should not bee deceived by the subtilty deceit and treacherous seducing of corrupt men Therefore for the furtherance of this end wee should as much as in us lyes endeavour the unity of the Church Vers. 15. But speaking the Truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the Head even Christ Argum. 14. From the third end of the institution of the Ministery Christ ordained the Ministery in the Church not onely that wee might shun seducing but also that wee might follow the Truth of the heavenly Doctrine with charity and so by truth and charity wee might thrive in all virtues into one Christ mystical Therefore for this end wee should study the unity of the Church and charity that Christ our Head might appear excellent among us and wee who cannot otherwise encrease should become strong and mighty in him Vers. 16. From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh encrease of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Argum. 15. Taken from the description of Christ mystical or of Christ and the Church wherin by a similitude of the natural head and body hee illustrates what hee said touching encrease in charity and the knowledge of the Truth to the advancing the glory of Christ and the good of the Church In this description hee shews 1 That the whole body of the Church depends upon Christ as its head and original and from him all the nourishment of its body that is all saving Truth together with the living Spirit of Christ is derived upon all its true members so that no man knows any thing unless hee bee taught by Christ. 2 That for the diversity of the gifts of the Spirit of the offices and of the condition of every member of the Catholick Church the body should bee fitly framed or composed in the most beautiful and most befitting order and should bee tyed to him and joyned in him by the most strict bond of the Spirit of Faith and of Love also by the several relations partly betwixt Christ and us such as are of the Head and Members the Bridegroom the Advocate the Surety c. Partly betwixt one another such as are the relations of Brethren and Sisters of co-heirs of Pastors and the Flock of Parents and Children c. by all which wee are daily tyed more strictly to Christ and among our selves 3 That there are several bands for the administration of nourishment through which as through chanels or

with peace Rahab the Harlots faith is commended by the fruit of her safety when misbelievers perished Quest. How heard she Gods Word to beget Faith Or how heard they of Iericho Gods Word that they should be called unbelievers I answer The common report of God and his works joyned with Gods blessing was sufficient to beget faith in her And the same report albeit carried as other news by common messengers being despised and counted unworthy to be further enquired for and sought after was sufficient to make them guilty of misbelief Then 1. In this example it is evident that faith is as acceptable in an Heathen and an Harlot as in a Professor and person of better condition 2. That faith can change an Heathen or vile person into a Saint 3. That the faith of women is to be observed and imitated even as well as mens faith 4. That the unworthiness of the party believing giveth commendation so much the more unto the excellency of faith 2. No word here of her Lye in receiving the Spies but onely of her faith and peaceable behaviour towards them Then 1. Where God seeth Faith he hideth his eyes as it were from any thing that might deface the glory thereof 2. He gathereth up the smallest good fruits which faith bringeth forth and maketh not small reckoning thereof how small soever they be Vers. 32. And what shall I more say For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and of Barak and of Sampson and of Iephthah of David also and Samuel and of the Prophets Having reckoned a number and having more to produce he stayeth his course to teach 1. That Prudency must moderate and make seasonable use of the abundance of mans knowledge and memory 2. That the Scripture giveth us to make use of the Faith of all that are recorded therein albeit they be not in this Catalogue 2. The diversity of those that are here recorded teacheth us That albeit there be difference of Believers some stronger as David some weaker as the rest some base Bastards as Iephthah some of better sort some of them notable in holiness and conversation some of them tainted with notorious falls in their lives Yet are they all enrolled by God in a Catalogue of Honour amongst his Saints Vers. 33. Who through Faith subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtained Promises stopped the mouthes of Lyons 34. Quenched the violence of Fire escaped the edge of the Sword out of weakness were made strong waxed valiant in Fight and turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens He reckoneth the works of their Faith Whose names he suppresseth of whom some subdued Kingdoms by their Faith as Joshua and the Iudges Some wrought Righteousnesse that is attained unto a righteous behaviour in their difficile Employments as David and Samuel in Peace and War Some obtained Promises as Gideon Barak c. Some quenched the violence of Fire as the three Children Stopped the mouthes of Lyons as Sampson Daniel Escaped the Sword as David Elias Of weak were made strong as Ezekias Waxed valiant in Fight as Joshua Sampson David Put to fligh● the Aliens as Jonathan Gideon Jehosaphat Women received their dead alive as the widow of Saroptha and the Shunamitess c. Whence we learn 1. That in the old Church under the Law when the grounds of believing were not so clear as now they are excellent things are recorded to be done by Faith for up-stirring such as are under the light of the Gospel to make use of faith 2. That neither fire nor water nor man nor beast is so strong but faith may make a weak man victorious over them all 3. Yea nothing so terrible or difficile but a man who hath Gods Word to be a ground for his faith may adventure upon it with assurance of prevailing If he be called he may encounter with the hardest party Vers. 35. Women received their dead raised to life again and others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection 36. And others had tryal of cruel mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment 37. They were stoned they were sawn asunder were tempted were slain with the sword They wandred about in sheep skins and goats skins being destitute afflicted and tormented Whether the Apostle hath taken these particulars from the Records extant in that time from the Books of Maccabees and others or not it matters not much seeing this standeth sure that the certainty of the truth thereof was from Divine Inspiration the ground of all Scriptures out-giving And hence we learn 1. That as faith enableth men to do so also to suffer 2. That there is no trouble in the flesh but Gods children may fall thereinto no torment so cruel no terrour nor allurement but they may be essayed in them by persecutors 3. That there is no pain nor grief nor losse so great but Faith knows how to make gain of it and to despise all in hope of the reward 4. That the Old Church believed the Resurrection and comforted themselves in Martyrdom by the hope thereof Vers. 38. Of whom the world was not worthy They wandred in Desarts and in Mountains and in Dens and in Caves of the earth In calling the World unworthy of the company of these Children of God Learn 1. That one Believer is more worth in Gods estimation than all the world beside 2. None despise Gods children but worthless and despiseable souls 2. In that he reckoneth the solitary and Heremitical life of Gods children and their apparel suitable to their dwelling amongst their troubles sufferings and persecutions which they did not choose 〈◊〉 were driven unto of necessity by the cruelty of the time He teacheth us 1. That the Heremitical and solitary life and separation from amongst the society of men is onely then commendable when men being driven thereunto of necessity do bear it in a Christian manner Otherwise to sequestrate our selves from the fellowship of men to whom we owe the duties of love so long as we may do them any good or so long as they will suffer us to live amongst them is in short to loose from our necks the yoke of the second Table under pretence to keep the first Table the better 2. The Saints shall finde peace amongst the wilde beasts rather than amongst wicked men Vers. 39. And these all having obtained a good Report through Faith received not the Promise By the Promise is meant the main and chief Promise of Christs Incarnation wherein they were inferiour unto us and yet both were contented to rest by faith upon the Promise with the light which they had and obtained a good report thereby that is were approved and justified of God Then The Faith of those who lived before Christ having less clearness of the ground than wee and yet sufficient to support them in all troubles and to obtain justification before God is a great Encouragement unto us under the Gospel to beleeve and a great