is that means whereby they shall be certainly Executed Now this must be either some work of God or Man If it be of Men and it consist of their Wills and Obedience then that which is said amounts hereunto namely that where men have once received the Gospel and professed subjection thereunto they will infallibly abide therein in a Succession from one Generation unto another But besides that it must be granted that what so depends on the Wills of Men can have no more certainty than the undetermined Wills of Men can give security of which indeed is none at all so there are confessed instances without number of such Persons and Places as have lost the Gospel and the Profession thereof And what hath fallen out in one place may do so in another and consequently in all places where the Reasons and Causes of things are the same On this supposition therefore there is no security that the Promises mentioned shall be infallibly accomplished Wherefore the Event must depend on some Work of God and Christ. Now this is no other but the Dispensation and Communication of the Spirit Hereon alone doth the continuance of the Church and of the Kingdom of Christ in the World depend And whereas the Church falls under a double consideration namely of its internal and external Form of its internal Spiritual Union with Christ and its outward Profession of Obedience unto him the Calling Gathering Preservation and Edification of it in both respects belong unto the Holy Spirit The first he doth as hath been proved at large by his Communicating Effectual Saving Grace unto the Elect the latter by the Communication of Gifts unto the Guides Rulers Officers and Ministers of it with all its Members according unto its Place and Capacity Suppose then his Communication of Internal Saving Grace to cease and the Church must absolutely cease as to its Internal Form For we are united unto the Lord Christ as our Mystical Head by the Spirit the one and self-same Spirit dwelling in Him and them that do believe Union unto Christ without Saving Grace or Saving Grace without the Holy Spirit are Strangers unto the Gospel and Christian Religion So is it to have a Church that is Holy and Catholick which is not united unto Christ as a Mystical Head Wherefore the very Being of the Church as unto its Internal Form depends on the Spirit in his Dispensation of Grace which if you suppose an Intercision of the Church must cease It hath the same dependance on him as to its outward Form and Profession upon his Communication of Gifts For no Man can call Jesus Lord or profess Subjection and Obedience unto him in a due manner but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 3. Suppose this Work of his to cease and there can be no Professing Church Let Men mould and cast themselves into what Order and Form they please and let them pretend that their Right and Title unto their Church Power and Station is derived unto them from their Progenitors or Predecessors if they are not furnished with the Gifts of the Spirit to enable their Guides unto Gospel Administrations they are no orderly Gospel Church Wherefore § 7. 6thly THE Communication of such Gifts unto the ordinary Ministry of the Church in all Ages is plainly asserted in sundry places of the Scripture some whereof may be briefly considered The whole Nature of this Work is declared in the Parable of the Talents Matth. 25. from ver 13. to 31. The state of the Church from the Ascension of Christ unto his coming again unto Judgment that is in its whole course on the Earth is represented in this Parable In this season he hath Servants whom he intrusteth in the Affairs of his Kingdom in the care of his Church and the propagation of the Gospel That they may in their several Generations Places and Circumstances be enabled hereunto he giving them in various Distributions Talents to Trade withall the least whereof was sufficient to encourage them who received them unto their Use and Exercise The Trade they had to drive was that of the Administration of the Gospel its Doctrine Worship and Ordinances to others Talents are Abilities to Trade which may also comprize Opportunities and other Advantages but Abilities are chiefly intended These were the Gifts where of we speak Nor did it ever enter into the Minds of any to apprehend otherwise of them And they are Abilities which Christ as the King and Head of his Church giveth unto Men in an especial manner as they are employed under him in the service of his House and Work of the Gospel The Servants mentioned are such as are called appointed and employed in the service of the House of Christ that is all Ministers of the Gospel from first to last And their Talents are the Gifts which he endows them withall by his own immediate Power and Authority for their Work And hence these three things follow 1 That where-ever there is a Ministry that the Lord Christ setteth up appointeth or owneth he furnisheth all those whom he employs therein with Gifts and Abilities suitable to their Work which he doth by the Holy Spirit He will never fail to own his Institutions with gracious supplies to render them Effectual 2 That where any have not received Talents to Trade withall it is the highest presumption in them and casts the greatest Dishonour on the Lord Christ as though he requires Work where he gave no Strength or Trade where he gave no Stock for any one to undertake the Work of the Ministry Where the Lord Christ gives no Gifts he hath no Work to do He will require of none any especial Duty where he doth not give an especial Ability And for any to think themselves meet for this Work and Service in the strength of their own Natural Parts and Endowments however acquired is to despise both his Authority and his Work 3 For those who have received of these Talents either not to Trade at all or to pretend the managing of their Trade on another Stock that is either not sedulously and duely to Exercise their Ministerial Gifts or to discharge their Ministry by other helps and means is to set up their own Wisdom in opposition unto his and his Authority In brief that which the whole Parable teacheth is that where-ever there is a Ministry in the Church that Christ owneth or regardeth as used and employed by him there Persons are furnished with Spiritual Gifts from Christ by the Spirit enabling them unto the discharge of that Ministry and where there are no such Spiritual Gifts dispensed by him there is no Ministry that he either accepteth or approveth § 8. ROM 12. 1 4 5 6 7 8. As we have many Members in one Body and all Members have not the same Office so we being many are one Body in Christ and every one Members one of another Having therefore Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given unto us whether
as he was thereby carried on through great Bodily Weakness Languishing and Pains besides manifold other Tryals and Discouragements to bring forth out of his Treasury like a Scribe well instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven many useful and excellent Fruits of his Studies much beyond the Expectation and Hopes of those who saw how often and how long he was near unto the Grave But while he was thus indefatigably and restlesly laying out for the Service of Christ in this and succeeding Generations those Rich Talents with which he was furnished his Lord said unto him Well done thou good and faithful Servant enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. No Man ever yet but Jesus Christ was able to finish all that was in his Heart to do for God On the removal of such accomplished and useful Persons I have sometimes relieved my self with this Thought that Christ lives in Heaven still and the Blessed Spirit from whom the Head and Heart of this Chosen Vessel were so Richly Replemshed liveth still Nath. Mather October 27. 1692. ERRATA PAge 3. line 19. for concera read content p. 7. l. 23. dele comma after external and put it after subsistence p. 11. l. 7. f. above r. about l. 18. f. comprize r. confine p. 12. l. 19. r. this is his p. 14. l. 2. r. that he should p. 15. l. 11. r. acted them l. 3. a fine f. expect r. expects p. 23. l. ult f. and r. end p. 32. l. 19. f. Discovery r. Recovery p. 35. l. 13. f. wherein r. when p. 37. l. 21. f. Things r. Thoughts l. ult f. Being r. Living p. 38. l. 25. f. Direction r. directs us p. 39. l. 13. à fine f. declaring r. declares p. 40. l. 7 8 10 13. dele the Interragatory Points p. 42. l. 15. f. this r. his p. 43. l. 24. f. instances r. instaences p. 55. l. 4. à fine f. Heb. 11. 13. r. Luke 11. 13. p. 83. l. 14. f. he had r. they had p. 86. l. 7. f. in r. is p. 89. l. 6. dele comma after Spirit p. 90. l. 18. f. And there was r. and that there was l. ult f. this Holy Spirits r. his Holy Spirit p. 91. l. 17. r. Arrhabone r. posuit l. 18. r. Arrhabo l. 21. f. quam r. quum f. tuerit r. fuerit l. 22. f. redditur r. reddatur p. 92. l. 10. f. Arrabon r. Arrhabon l. 12. r. Obinius penult f. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 98. l. 5. f. natures r. names l. 14. f. longer r. long p. 99. l. 15. after called dele 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and and after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 add and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 105. l. 5. f. significations r. signification p. 120. l. 14. f. they r. there CHAP. I. The Holy Ghost the Comforter of the Church by way of Office How He is the Churches Advocate Joh. 14. 16. 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Joh. 16. 8 9 10 11. opened THAT which remains to compleat our Discourses concerning the Dispensation of the Holy Spirit is the Office and Work that he hath undertaken for the Consolation of the Church And THREE things are to be considered with respect unto this Head of the Grace of the Gospel 1. That the Holy Spirit is the Comforter of the Church by way of Especial Office 2. What is in that Office or wherein the Discharge of it doth consist 3. What are the Effects of it towards Believers IT must be granted that there is some Impropriety in that Expression by the way of Office An Office is not simply nor it may be properly spoken of a Divine Person who is absolutely so and nothing else But the like Impropriety is to be found in most of the Expressions which we use concerning God for who can speak of him aright or as he ought Only we have a safe Rule whereby to express our Conceptions even what He speaks of Himself And he hath taught us to learn the Work of the Holy Ghost towards us in this Matter by ascribing unto Him those things which belong unto an Office among Men. FOUR things are required unto the Constitution of an Office 1 An especial Trust. 2 An especial Mission or Commission 3 An especial Name 4 An especial Work All these are required unto an Office properly so called and where they are complyed withall by a voluntary susception in the Person designed thereunto an Office is compleatly constituted And we must enquire how these things in a Divine Manner do concur in the Work of the Holy Spirit as he is the Comforter of the Church FIRST He is intrusted with this Work and of his own Will hath taken it on Himself For when our Saviour was leaving of the World and had a full Prospect of all the Evils Troubles Dejections and Disconsolations which would befall his Disciples and knew full well that if they were left unto themselves they would faint and perish under them He gives them Assurance that the Work of their Consolation and Supportment was left entrusted and committed unto the Holy Spirit and that He would both take Care about it and perfect it accordingly THE Lord Christ when he left this World was very far from laying aside his Love unto and Care of his Disciples He hath given us the highest Assurance that he continueth for ever the same Care the same Love and Grace towards us he had and exercised when he layd down his Life for us See Heb. 4. 14 15 16. Cap. 7. 27. But inas much as there was a double Work yet to be performed in our behalf one towards God and the other in our selves He hath taken a two-fold way for the Performance of it That towards God he was to discharge immediately Himself in his Humane Nature For other Mediator between God and Man there neither is nor can be any This He doth by his Intercession Hence there was a necessity that as to his Humane Nature the Heavens should receive him unto the Time of the Restitution of all things as Acts 3. 21. There was so both with respect unto Himself and us THREE things with respect unto Himself made the Exaltation of his Humane Nature in Heaven to be necessary For 1. IT was to be a Pledge and Token of God's Acceptation of him and Approbation of what he had done in the World Joh. 16. 7 8. For what could more declare or evidence the Concern and Delight of God in what he had done and suffered than after he had been so ignominiously treated in the World to receive him visibly gloriously and triumphantly into Heaven He was manifested in the Flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels and in the issue received up into Glory 1 Tim. 3. 16. Herein God set the great Seal of Heaven unto his Work of Mediation and the Preaching of the Gospel which ensued thereon And a Testimony hereunto was that which filled his Enemies with Rage and Madness Act. 7. 55 56 57. His Resurrection confirmed his Doctrine
unto Trial for their Testimony unto the Gospel We are in such cases to make use of any Reason Skill Wisdom or Ability of Speech which we have or other honest and advantageous Circumstances which present themselves unto us as the Apostle Paul did on all occasions But our dependance is to be solely on the Presence and Supplies of our blessed Advocate who will not suffer us to be utterly defective in what is necessary unto the Defence and Justification of our Cause 2 HE is the Advocate for Christ the Church and the Gospel in and by his Communication of Spiritual Gifts both extraordinary and ordinary unto them that do believe For these are things at least in their Effects visible unto the World Where Men are not utterly blinded by Prejudice Love of Sin and of the World they cannot but discern somewhat of a Divine Power in these Supernatural Gifts Wherefore they openly testifie unto the Divine Approbation of the Gospel and the Faith that is in Christ Jesus So the Apostle confirms the Truths that he had preached by this Argument that therewith and thereby or in the confirmation of it the Spirit as unto the Communication of Gifts was received Gal. 3. 2. And herein is he the Churches Advocate justifying their Cause openly and visibly by this Dispensation of his Power towards them and in their behalf But because we have treated separately and at large of the Nature and Use of these Spiritual Gifts I shall not here farther insist on the Consideration of them 3 BY Internal Efficacy in the Dispensation of the Word Herein also is he the Advocate of the Church against the World as is declared John 16. 8 9 10 11. For when he is come he will reprove the World of Sin and of Righteousness and of Judgment Of Sin because they believe not on me Of Righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more Of Judgment because the Prince of this World is judged That which is ascribed unto him with respect unto the World is expressed by the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He shall reprove or convince 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Scripture is used variously Sometimes it is to manifest or bring forth unto Light Eph. 5. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For all things that are reproved or discovered are made manifest by the Light And it hath the same Sence John 3. 20. Sometimes it is to rebuke and reprove 1 Tim. 5. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Those that sin rebuke before all So also Rev. 3. 19. Tit. 1. 13. Sometimes it is so to convince as in that to stop the Mouth of an Adversary that he shall have nothing to answer or reply John 8. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Being convicted by their own Consciences so as not having a Word to reply they deserted their Cause So Tit. 1. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To convince Gainsayers is explained Ver. 11. by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To stop their Mouth namely by the convincing Evidence of Truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is an uncontroulable Evidence or an evident Argument Heb. 11. 1. Wherefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here is by undeniable Argument and Evidence so to convince the World or the Adversaries of Christ and the Gospel as that they shall have nothing to reply This is the Work and Duty of an Advocate who will absolutely vindicate his Client when his Cause will bear it AND the Effect hereof is Two-fold For all Persons upon such an over-powring Conviction take one of these two ways 1 They yield unto the Truth and embrace it as finding no Ground to stand upon in its refusal Or 2 They fly out into desperate Rage and Madness as being obstinate in their Hatred against the Truth and destitute of all Reason to oppose it An Instance of the former way we have in those Jews unto whom Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost Reproving and convincing of them beyond all Contradiction they were pricked in their Hearts and cried out Men and Brethren what shall we do And therewithall came over unto the Faith Acts 2. 37 41. Of the latter we have many Instances in the Dealings of our Saviour with that People For when he had at any time convinced them and stopped their Mouths as to the Cause in hand they called him Beelzebub cried out that he had a Devil took up Stones to throw at him and conspired his Death with all Demonstration of desperate Rage and Madness John 8. 48 58. Chap. 10. 30 31 39. So it was in the case of Stephen and the Testimony he gave unto Christ Acts 7. 56 57 58. And with Paul Acts 22. 22 23. An Instance of Bestial Rage not to be parallel'd in any other Case but in this it hath often fallen out in the World And the same Effects this Work of the Holy Ghost as the Advocate of the Church ever had and still hath upon the World Many being convinced by Him in the Dispensation of the Word are really humbled and converted unto the Faith So God adds daily to the Church such as shall be saved But the generality of the World are enraged by the same Work against Christ the Gospel and those by whom it is dispensed Whilst the Word is preached in a formal manner the World is well enough contented that it should have a quiet Passage among them But where ever the Holy Ghost puts forth a convincing Efficacy in the Dispensation of it the World is enraged by it which is no less an Evidence of the Power of their Conviction than the other is of a better Success THE Subject-matter concerning which the Holy Ghost manageth his Plea by the Word against the World as the Advocate of the Church is referred unto the Three Heads of Sin Righteousness and Judgment Ver. 8. the especial Nature of them being declared Ver. 9 10 11. 1. WHAT Sin it is in particular that the Holy Spirit shall so plead with the World about and convince them of is declared Ver. 9. Of Sin because they believe not in me There are many Sins whereof Men may be convinced by the Light of Nature Rom. 2. 14 15. More that they are reproved for by the Letter of the Law And it is the Work of the Spirit also in general to make these Convictions effectual But these belong not unto the Cause which he hath to plead for the Church against the World nor is that such as any can be brought unto Conviction about by the Light of Nature or Sentence of the Law but it is the Work of the Spirit alone by the Gospel And this in the first place is Unbelief particularly not believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God the promised Messiah and Saviour of the World This he testified concerning himself this his Works evinced him to be and this both Moses and the Prophets bare witness unto Hereon he tells the Jews that if they believed not that he was He that is the
Grace to wrest these Expressions unto a lower meaner figurative Signification And I am perswaded that it is contrary to the Faith of the Catholick Church of True Believers so to do For however some of them may not have exercised their Minds about the manner of the Abode of the Holy Spirit with the Church and some of them when they hear of his Personal Indwelling wherein they have not been duly instructed do fear it may be that indeed that cannot be which they cannot comprehend and that some Evil Consequence may ensue upon the Admittance of it although they cannot say what they are Yet it is with them all even an Article of Faith that the Holy Ghost dwelleth in the Church that is them that truly believe and herein have they an Apprehension of such a Personal Presence of his as they cannot conceive This therefore being so expresly so frequently affirmed in the Scripture and the Comfort of the Church which depends thereon being singular and eminent it is unto me an important Article of Evangelical Truth 3. ALTHOUGH all the principal Actings of the Holy Spirit in us and towards us as a Comforter do depend on this Head or flow from this Spring of his Inhabitation yet in the Confirmation of it's Truth I shall here name one or two by which it self is evidenced and it's Benefits unto the Church declared 1 THIS is the Spring of his gracious Operations in us So our Saviour himself declares it The Water that I shall give unto him shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into everlasting Life John 4. 14. The Water here promised is the Holy Spirit called the Gift of God Ver. 10. This is evident from that parallel place John 7. 38 39. where this Living Water is plainly declared to be the Holy Ghost And this Water which is given unto any is to be in him and there to abide which is but a Metaphorical Expression of the Inhabitation of the Spirit For it is to be in him as a Well as a Living Fountain which cannot be spoke of any gracious Habit whatever No Quality in our Minds can be a Spring of Living Water Besides all gracious Habits are Effects of the Operation of the Holy Spirit and therefore they are not the Well it self but belong unto the springing of it up in Living Waters So is the Spirit in his Indwelling distinguished from all his Evangelical Operations of Grace as the Well is distinct from the Streams that flow from it And as it is natural and easie for a Spring of Living Waters to bubble up and put forth refreshing Streams so it belongs unto the Consolation of Believers to know how easie it is unto the Holy Spirit how ready he is on the account of his gracious Inhabitation to carry on and perfect the Work of Grace Holiness and Sanctification in them And what Instruction they may take for their own Deportment towards him may be afterwards spoken unto So in many other places is his Presence with us which we have proved to be by the way of gracious Inhabitation proposed as the Cause and Spring of all his gracious Operations and so distinct from them So the Holy Ghost that is given us Sheds abroad the Love of God in our Hearts Rom. 5. 5. The Spirit of God that dwelleth in us shall quicken our mortal Bodies Rom. 8. 12. He beareth Witness with our Spirits that we are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 16. Which places have been elsewhere explained and vindicated 2 THIS is the hidden Spring and Cause of that inexpressible Distance and Difference that is between Believers and the rest of the World Our Apostle tells us that the Life of Believers is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3. A blessed Life they have whilst they are here dead to the World and as dead in the World A Life that will issue in eternal Glory But no such thing appears no Lustre of it is cast abroad into the Eyes of Men True saith the Apostle for it is hid with Christ in God It is so both in its Causes Nature Operations and Means of Preservation But by this hidden Life it is that they are differenced from the perishing World And it will not be denyed as I suppose that this Difference is real and great For those who believe do enjoy the especial Love and Favour of God whereas those who do not are under the Curse and the Wrath of God abideth on them They are alive unto God but these are dead in Trespasses and Sins And if Men will not believe that there is so inexpressible a difference between them in this World they will be forced to confess it at the last Day when the Decretory Sentences of Come ye Blessed and Go ye Cursed shall be openly denounced But for the most part there is no Visible Cause in the Eyes of the World of this inexpressible and eternal Difference between these two sorts of Persons For besides that for the most part the World doth judge amiss of all that Believers are and do and do rather through an inbred Enmity working by wicked and foolish Surmizes suppose them to be the worst rather than absolutely the best of Men There is not for the most part such a visible manifest difference in outward Actions and Duties on which alone a Judgment may be passed in Man's Day as to be a just Foundation of believing so unspeakable Difference between their Persons as is spoken of There is a difference in their Works which indeed ought to be far greater than it is and so a greater Testimony given to the Righteousness of God 1 John 3. 12. There is yet a greater difference in internal habitual Grace whereby the Minds of Believers are transformed initially into the Image of God Tit. 1. 15. But these things will not bear the Weight of this inconceivable Distance Principally therefore it depends hereon namely the Inhabitation of the Spirit in them that believe The great difference between the two Houses that Solomon built was that God dwelt in the one and he himself in the other Though any two Houses as unto their outward Fabrick make the same Appearance yet if the King dwell in the one and a Robber in the other the one may be a Pallace and the other a Den. It is this Inhabitation of the Spirit whereon all the Priviledges of Believers do immediately depend and all the Advantages which they have above the Men of the World And the difference which is made hereby or ensueth hereon is so inconceivably great as a sufficient Reason may thence be given of all the excellent things which are spoken of them who are Partakers of it CHAP. V. Particular Actings of the Holy Spirit as a Comforter How he is an Unction THE especial Actings of the Holy Spirit towards Believers as their Comforter with the Priviledges and Advantages which by them they are made Partakers of have been severally spoken unto by many and I have also
Holy One is the Spirit himself and that his first peculiar especial Effect as an Unction is his teaching of us the Truths and Mysteries of the Gospel by saving Illumination in the manner before described HEREUNTO also is referred what is said of Believers being made Kings and Priests Rev. 1. 5. For there is an Allusion therein unto the Anointing of those sorts of Persons under the Old Testament Whatever was Typical therein was fully accomplished in the Unction of Christ unto his Office wherein he was the Soveraign King Priest and Prophet of the Church Wherefore by a Participation in his Unction they are said to be made Kings and Priests or a Royal Priesthood as it is 1 Pet. 2. 9. and this participation of his Unction consists in the Communication of the same Spirit unto them wherewith he was anointed Whereas therefore these Titles denote the Dignity of Believers in their especial Relation unto God by this Unction they are peculiarly dedicated and consecrated unto him IT is manifest therefore first that this Unction we receive from the Holy One is the Holy Spirit which he hath promised unto all that believe in him and then that we have these two things by Vertue thereof 1. Spiritual Instruction by Saving Illumination in the Mind of God and the Mysteries of the Gospel 2. An especial Dedication unto God in the way of a Spiritual Priviledge WHAT remains is to enquire 1. What Benefit or Advantage we have by this Unction 2. How this belongs unto our Consolation seeing the Holy Spirit is thus bestowed on us as he is promised to be the Comforter of the Church AS unto the first Head it is hereon that our stability in Believing doth depend For it is pleaded unto this purpose in a peculiar manner by the Apostle 1 John 2. 20 27. It was the Unction from the Holy One which then kept Believers from being carried from the Faith by the Craft of Seducers Hereby he makes Men according unto their measure of quick Understanding in the fear of the Lord. Nor will any thing else give Assurance in this Case Temptations may come as a Storm or Tempest which will quickly drive Men from their greatest fleshly Confidences Hence oftentimes those who are forwardest to say Though all Men should forsake the Truth yet would not they so do are the forwardest upon Trials so to do Neither will Mens Skill Cunning or Disputing Abilities secure them from being at one time or other inveigled with fair Pretences or intangled with the cunning sleights of them who lye in wait to deceive Nor will the best defences of Flesh and Blood stand firmly and unshaken against powerful Allurements on the one hand and fierce Persecutions on the other the present Artillery of the Patrons and Promoters of Apostacy None of these things doth the Apostle prescribe or recommend unto Believers as an effectual means of their Preservation when a Trial of their stability in the Truth shall befall them But this Unction he assures them will not fail neither shall they fail because of it AND to this End we may consider 1. The Nature of the Teaching which we have by this Anointing The Anointing teacheth you It is not meerly an External Doctrinal Instruction but an Internal Effectual Operation of the Holy Ghost Herein doth God give unto us the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him that the Eyes of our Understanding being enlightned we may know what is the hope of his Calling Eph. 1. 17 18. He maketh use indeed of the Outward Means of Instruction by the Word and teacheth nothing but what is revealed therein But he gives us an Understanding that we may know him that is true and openeth our Eyes that we may clearly and spiritually see the wondrous things that are in his Law And there are no Teachings like unto his None so abiding none so effectual When Spiritual things through this anointing are discovered in a Spiritual manner then do they take up an immoveable Possession in the Minds of Men. As God will destroy every oppressing yoke because of the anointing of Christ Isa. 10. 27. so will he break every Snare of Seduction by the anointing of Christians So it is promised that under the Gospel Wisdom and Knowledge shall be the stability of the Times Isa. 33. 6. Nothing will give stability in all Seasons but the Wisdom and Knowledge which are the Effects of this Teaching when God gives us the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him 2. WHAT it is that it teacheth and that is all things The same anointing teacheth you all things So was the Promise that he should teach us all things and bring all things to our Remembrance that Christ hath said unto us John 14. 26. and guide us into all Truth Chap. 16. 13. It is not all things absolutely that is intended for they are restrained unto those of one certain kind even the things which Christ had spoken that is such as belonged unto the Kingdom of God Neither are they all of them absolutely intended especially as to the Degrees of the Knowledge of them For in this Life we know but in part and see all things darkly as in a Glass But it is all things and all Truth with respect unto the End of this Promise and Teaching In the Promise the whole Life of Faith with Joy and Consolation thereon is the End designed All things necessary thereunto this Unction teacheth us And in the other place of the Apostle it respects the great Fundamental Truths of the Gospel which the Seducers opposed from whose Seduction this Unction doth secure Believers Wherefore it teacheth all that are made partakers of it all that Truth all those things all that Christ hath spoken that are necessary unto these Ends that they may live unto God in the Consolation of Faith and be delivered from all Attempts to draw them into Error THE Degrees of this Knowledge which are exceeding various both with respect unto the clearness and evidence of Conception and the extent of the things known depend on the various Measures whereby the Spirit acteth according unto his own Will and the different use of the external Means of Knowledge which we do enjoy But what is necessary unto the Ends mentioned none shall come short of who enjoy this anointing And where its Teachings are complyed withall in a way of Duty where we obstruct them not by Prejudices and Sloth where we give up our selves unto their directive Efficacy in a diligent impartial Attendance unto the Word whereby alone we are to be taught we shall not fail of that knowledge in the whole Counsel of God and all the Parts of it which he will accept and bless And this gives stability unto Believers when Trials and Temptations about the Truth do befall them and the want hereof in the uncured Darkness of their Minds and Ignorance of the Doctrine of the Gospel is that which betrays Multitudes into a
in General which in the next place we enquire into will be much discovered in the Consideration of those things wherein these Gifts do agree with Saving Graces and wherein they differ from them § 2. THERE are three things wherein Spiritual Gifts and Saving Graces do agree 1. THEY are both sorts of them the Purchase of Christ for his Church the especial Fruit of his Mediation We speak not of such Gifts or Endowments of Men's Minds as consist meerly in the Improvement of their Natural Faculties Such are Wisdom Learning Skill in Arts and Sciences which those may abound and excell in who are utter Strangers to the Church of Christ and frequently they do so to their own Exaltation and Contempt of others Nor do I intend Abilities for Actions Moral Civil or Political as Fortitude Skill in Government or Rule and the like For although these are Gifts of the Power of the Spirit of God yet they do belong unto those Operations which he exerciseth in upholding or Ruling of the World or the Old Creation as such whereof I have treated before But I intend those alone which are conversant about the Gospel the things and Duties of it the Administration of its Ordinances the Propagation of its Doctrine and Profession of it's ways And herein also I put a difference between them and all those Gifts of the Spirit about Sacred things which any of the People of God enjoyed under the Old Testament For we speak only of those which are Powers of the World to come Those others were salted to the Oeconomy of the Old Covenant and confined with the Light which God was pleased then to communicate unto his Church Unto the Gospel State they were not suited nor would be useful in it Hence the Prophets who had the most eminent Gifts did yet all of them come short of John the Baptist because they had not by Vertue of their Gifts that Acquaintance with the Person of Christ and Insight into his Work of Mediation that he had and yet also he came short of him that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven because his Gifts were not purely Evangelical Wherefore these Gifts whereof we treat are such as belong unto the Kingdom of God erected in an especial manner by Jesus Christ after his Ascension into Heaven For he was exalted that he might fill all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the whole Church with these Effects of his Power and Grace The Power therefore of communicating these Gifts was granted unto the Lord Christ as Mediator by the Father for the Foundation and Edification of his Church as it is expressed Acts 2. 33. And by them was his Kingdom both set up and propagated and is preserved in the World These were the Weapons of Warfare which he furnished his Disciples withall when he gave them Commission to go forth and subdue the World unto the Obedience of the Gospel Acts 1. 4 8. And mighty were they through God unto that purpose 2 Cor. 10. 3 4 5 6. In the Use and Exercise of them did the Gospel run and was glorisied to the Ruine of the Kingdom of Sathan and Darkness in the World And that he was ever able to erect it again under another Form than that of Gentilism as he hath done in the Antichristian Apostasie of the Church Visible it was from a Neglect and Contempt of these Gifts with their due Use and Improvement When Men began to neglect the attaining of these Spiritual Gifts and the Exercise of them in praying in preaching in Interpretation of the Scripture in all the Administrations and whole Worship of the Church betaking themselves wholly to their own Abilities and Inventions accommodated unto their Ease and Secular Interests it was an easie thing for Sathan to erect again his Kingdom though not in the old manner because of the Light of the Scripture which had made Impression on the Minds of Men which he could not obliterate Wherefore he never attempted openly any more to set up Heathrnism or Paganism with the Gods of the Old World and their Worship but he insensibly raised another Kingdom which pretended some likeness unto and compliance with the Letter of the Word though it came at last to be in all things expresly contrary thereunto This was his Kingdom of Apostasie and Darkness under the Papal Antichristianism and woful Degeneracy of other Christians in the World For when Men who pretend themselves entrusted with the Preservation of the Kingdom of Christ did wilfully cast away those Weapons of their Warfare whereby the World was subdued unto him and ought to have been kept in Subjection by them what else could ensue § 3. BY these Gifts I say doth the Lord Christ demonstrate his Power and exercise his Rule External Force and Carnal Weapons were far from his Thoughts as unbecoming his absolute Sovereignty over the Souls of Men his infinite Power and Holiness Neither did any ever betake themselves unto them in the Affairs of Christ's Kingdom but either when they had utterly lost and abandoned these Spiritual Weapons or did not believe that they are sufficient to maintain the Interest of the Gospel though Originally they were so to introduce and fix it in the World That is that although the Gifts of the Holy Ghost were sufficient and effectual to bring in the Truth and Doctrine of the Gospel against all Opposition yet are they not so to maintain it which they may do well once more to consider Herein therefore they agree with Saving Graces For that they are peculiarly from Jesus Christ the Mediator is confessed by all unless it be by such as by whom all real internal Grace is denyed But the Sanctifying Operations of the Holy Spirit with their respect unto the Lord Christ as Mediator have been sufficiently before confirmed § 4. 2. There is an Agreement between Saving Graces and Spiritual Gifts with respect unto their immediate efficient Cause They are both sorts of them wrought by the Power of the Holy Ghost As to what concerneth the former or saving Grace I have already treated of that Argument at large nor will any deny that the Holy Ghost is the Author of these Graces but those that deny that there are any such That these Gifts are so wrought by him is expressly declared where-ever there is mention of them in general or particular Wherefore when they acknowledge that there were such Gifts all confess him to be their Author by whom he is denied so to be it is only because they deny the continuance of any such Gifts in the Church of God But this is that which we shall disprove § 5. 3. Herein also they agree that both sorts of them are designed unto the Good Benefit Ornament and Glory of the Church The Church is the proper Seat and Subject of them to it are they granted and in it do they reside For Christ is given to be Head over all things unto the Church which is his Body the
THUS was it with the Apostles Prophets and Evangelists at the first which were all Extraordinary Teaching Officers in the Church and all that ever were so 1 Cor. 12. 28. Ephes. 4. 11. Besides these there were at the first planting of the Church Persons endued with Extraordinary Gifts as of Miracles Healing and Tongues which did not of themselves constitute them Officers but do belong to the second Head of Gifts which concern Duties only Howbeit these Gifts were always most eminently bestowed on them who were called unto the Extraordinary Offices mentioned 1 Cor. 14. 18. I thank my God I speak with Tongues more than you all They had the same Gift some of them but the Apostle had it in a more Eminent Degree See Mat. 10. 8. And we may treat briefly in our passage of these several sorts of Extraordinary Officers § 5. First For the Apostles they had a double Call Mission and Commission or a Twofold Apostleship Their first Call was unto a subserviency unto the Personal Ministry of Jesus Christ. For he was a Minister of the Circumcision for the Truth of God to confirm the Promises made unto the Fathers Rom. 15. 8. In the discharge of this his Personal Ministry it was necessary that he should have peculiar Servants and Officers under him to prepare his Way and Work and to attend him therein So he Ordained Twelve that they should be with him and that he might send them forth to Preach Mark 3. 14. This was the substance of their first Call and Work namely to attend the presence of Christ and to go forth to Preach as he gave them order Hence because he was in his own Person as to his Prophetical Office the Minister only of the Circumcision being therein according to all the Promises sent only to the lost Sheep of the House of Israel he confined those who were to be thus assistant unto him in that his especial Work and Ministry and whilst they were so unto the same Persons and People expresly prohibiting them to extend their Line or Measure any further Go not saith he into the way of the Gentiles and into any City of the Samaritans enter you not but go rather unto the lost Sheep of the House of Israel Mat. 10. 5. This rather was absolutely exclusive of the others during his Personal Ministry and afterwards included only the preeminence of the Israelites that they were to have the Gospel offered unto them in the first place It was necessary the Word of God should be first spoken unto them Acts 13. 46. § 6. And this it may be occasioned that Difference which was afterwards among them whether their Ministry extended unto the Gentiles or no as we may see Acts Chap. 10 and 11. But whereas our Saviour in that Commission by virtue whereof they were to act after his Resurrection had extended their Office and Power expresly to all Nations Mat. 28. 19. or to every Creature in all the World Mat. 16. 15. A Man would wonder whence that uncertainty should arise I am perswaded that God suffered it so to be that the Calling of the Gentiles might be more signaliz'd or made more eminent thereby For whereas this was the great Mystery which in other Ages was not made known but hid in God namely that the Gentiles should be Fellow Heirs and of the same Body and partakers of his Promise in Christ that is of the Promise made unto Abraham by the Gospel Ephes. 3. 5 6 7 8 9 10. it being now to be laid open and displayed he would by their Hesitation about it have it searched into examined tryed and proved that the Faith of the Church might never be shaken about it in after Ages And in like manner when God at any time suffereth Differences and Doubts about the Truth or his Worship to arise in the Church he doth it for Holy Ends although for the present we may not be able to discover them But this Ministry of the Apostles with its Powers and Duties this Apostleship which extended only unto the Church of the Jews ceased at the Death of Christ or at the end of his own Personal Ministry in this World Nor can any I suppose pretend unto a Succession to them therein Who or what peculiar Instruments he will use and imploy for the final Recovery of that miserable lost People whether he will do it by an Ordinary or an Extraordinary Ministry by Gifts Miraculous or by the naked Efficacy of the Gospel is known only in his own Holy Wisdom and Counsel The Conjectures of Men about these things are vain and fruitless For although the Promises under the Old Testament for the calling of the Gentiles were far more clear and numerous than those which remain concerning the recalling of the Jews yet because the Manner Way and all other Circumstances were obscured the whole is called a Mystery hid in God from all the former Ages of the Church much more therefore may the way and manner of the recalling of the Jews be esteemed an hidden Mystery as indeed it is notwithstanding the Dreams and Conjectures of too many § 7. BUT these same Apostles the same individual Persons Judas only excepted had another Call unto that Office of Apostleship which had respect unto the whole Work and Interest of Christ in the World They were now to be made Princes in all Lands Rulers Leaders in Spiritual things of all the Inhabitants of the Earth Psal. 4. 5. 16. And to make this Call the more conspicuous and evident as also because it includes in it the Institution and Nature of the Office it self whereunto they were called our Blessed Saviour proceedeth in it by sundry degrees For 1. He gave unto them a Promise of Power for their Office or Office-Power Mat. 16. 19. So he promised unto them in the Person of Peter the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven or a power of Spiritual binding and loosing of Sinners of remitting or retaining Sin by the Doctrine of the Gospel Mat. 18. 18. John 20. 23. 2. He actually collated a Right unto that Power upon them expressed by an outward Pledge John 20 21 22 23. Jesus saith unto them Peace be unto you as my Father hath sent me even so send I you And when he had said this he breathed on them and saith unto them Receive ye the Holy Ghost whose soever Sins ye remit they are remitted unto them and whose soever Sins ye retain they are retained And this Communication of the Holy Ghost was such as gave them a peculiar Right and Title unto their Office but not a Right and Power unto its Exercise 3. He Sealed as it were their Commission which they had for the Discharge of their Office containing the whole warranty they had to enter upon the World and to subdue it unto the Obedience of the Gospel Mat. 28. 18 19 20. Go Teach Baptize Command But yet 4. All these things did not absolutely give them a present Power for the Exercise
either Apostolical Office Power or Gifts The like may be said of Evangelists Nor have we any undoubted Testimony that any of those Gifts which were truly miraculous and every way above the Faculties of Men were communicated unto any after the Expiration of the Generation of them who conversed with Christ in the Flesh or those who received the Holy Ghost by their Ministry It is not unlikely but that God might on some occasions for a longer Season put forth his Power in some miraculous Operations and so he yet may do and perhaps doth sometimes But the Superstition and Folly of some ensuing Ages inventing and divulging innumerable Miracles false and foolish proved a most disadvantagious Prejudice unto the Gospel and a means to open a way unto Sathan to impose endless Delusions upon Christians For as true and real Miracles with becoming Circumstances were the great means that won and reconciled a Regard and Honour unto Christian Religion in the World so the Pretence of such as either were absolutely false or such as whose Occasions Ends Matter or Manner were unbecoming the Greatness and Holiness of him who is the true Author of all miraculous Operations is the greatest Dishonour unto Religion that any one can invent But although all these Gifts and Operations ceased in some respect some of them absolutely and some of them as to the immediate manner of Communication and Degree of Excellency yet so far as the Edification of the Church was concerned in them something that is Analogous unto them was and is continued He who gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists gave also some Pastors and Teachers And as he furnished the former with extraordinary Gifts so as far as any thing of the like kind is needful for the continual Edification of the Church he bestows it on the latter also as shall be declared § 3. AND these Gifts of the Spirit added unto his Grace in real Holiness were the Glory Honour and Beauty of the Church of Old Men have but deceived themselves and others when they have seigned a Glory and Beauty of the Church in other things And whatever any think or say where these Gifts of the Holy Ghost which are the Ornaments of the Church her cloathing of wrought Gold and her Raiment of Needle-work being neglected and lost and they think to adorn her with the meritricious Paint of pompous Ceremonies with outward Grandeur Wealth and Power she is utterly fallen from her Chastity Purity and Integrity But it is evident that this is the state of many Churches in the World which are therefore worldly and carnal not Spiritual or Evangelical Power and Force and Wealth the Gifts in this Case of Another Spirit under various Pretences and Names are their Life and Glory indeed their Death and Shame I deny not but that it is lawful for Ministers of the Gospel to enjoy Earthly Possessions which they do attain by any commendable way among other Men. Neither are they required unless in extraordinary Cases to part with the Right and Use of their Temporal Goods because they are so Ministers of Christ though those who are so indeed will not deny but that they ought to use them in a peculiar manner unto the Glory of Christ and Honour of the Gospel beyond other Men. Neither shall I ever question that wherein the Scripture is so express namely That those who labour in the Word and Doctrine should have a convenient yea an Honourable Subsistence provided for them according to the best Ability of the Church for their Work 's sake It is in like manner also granted that the Lord Christ hath committed all that Power which with repect unto the Edification of the Church he will exercise in this World unto the Church it self as it cannot without a Virtual Renunciation of the Gospel and Faith in Christ Jesus as the Head and King of the Church be supposed that this Power is any other but Spiritual over the Souls and Consciences of Men. And therefore cannot this Power be exercised or be any ways made effectual but by vertue of the Spiritual Gifts we treat of But for Men to turn this Spiritual Power to be exercised only by vertue of Spiritual Gifts into an external coercive Power over the Persons Bodies Liberties and Lives of Men to be exercised by Law-Courts in Ways Forms Manners utterly Forreign to the Gospel and all Evangelical Administrations without the least Pretence unto or Appearance of the Exercise of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost therein yea and by Persons by whom they are hated and derided acting with Pride Scorn and Contempt of the Disciples of Christ and over them being utterly ignorant of the true Nature and Use of all Gospel Administrations this is to disorder the Church and in stead of an House of Spiritual Worship in some Instances to turn it into a Den of Thieves Where hereunto there are moreover annexed earthly Revenues containing all Food and Fuel of corrupt Lusts with all things satisfactory unto the Minds of Worldly Sensual Men as a meet Reward of these Carnal Administrations as it is at this Day in the Church of Rome there all Use of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost is excluded and the Church is brought into extream Desolacion And although these things are are as contrary to the Gospel as Darkness to Light yet the World for many Reasons not now to be insisted on being willing to be deceived in this matter it is generally apprehended that there is nothing so pernicious unto the Church so justly to be watched against and rooted out as a Dislike of their Horrible Apostasies in the Corrupt Depravation of all Evangelical Administrations This was not the State this was not the Condition of the Primitive Churches their Life consisted in the Grace of the Spirit and their Glory in his Gifts None of their Leaders once dreamed of that new kind of Beauty Glory and Power consisting in numberless Superstitious Ceremonies instead of Religious Worship Worldly Grandeur instead of Humility and Self-denyal and open Tyranny over the Consciences and Persons of Men in the room of Spiritual Authority effectual in the Power of Christ and by vertue of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost § 4. THERE are many sore Divisions at this Day in the World among and between the Professors of Christian Religion both about the Doctrine and Worship of the Gospel as also the Discipline thereof That these Divisions are evil in themselves and the Cause of great Evils Hinderances of the Gospel and all the Effects thereof in the World is acknowledged by all and it is a thing doubtless to be greatly lamented that the generality of them who are called Christians are departed from the great Rule of keeping the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace He who doth not pray always who is not ready with his utmost Endeavour to remedy this Evil to remove this great Obstruction of the Benefit of the Gospel is scarce
Applauses from Persons unacquainted with the Mystery of these things let them frame to themselves such a Work of the Ministry as whose Discharge stands in little or no need of these Gifts yet it will at length appear that where the Gifts of the Holy Ghost are excluded from their Administration the Lord Christ is so and the Spirit himself is so and all true Edification of the Church is so and so are all the real Concerns of the Gospel And so have we as I hope confirmed the second part of the Work of the Holy Ghost with respect unto Spiritual Gifts namely his continuance to distribute and communicate unto the Church to the End of the World according unto the Powers and Duties which he hath erected in it or required of it CHAP. VIII Of the Gifts of the Spirit with respect unto Doctrine Rule and Worship how attained and improved § 1. THERE remain yet two things to be spoken unto with respect unto the Gifts which the Holy Ghost bestows on the Ministers of the Gospel to qualifie them unto their Office and to enable them unto their Work And these are 1 What they are 2. How they are to be attained and improved In our Enquiry after the first or what are the Gifts whereby Men are fitted and enabled for the Ministry we wholly set aside the consideration of all those gracious qualifications of Faith Love Zeal Compassión Careful tender Watchfulness and the like whereon the Holy Use of their Ministry doth depend For our Enquiry is only after those Gifts whereon depends the very Being of the Ministry There may be a true Ministry in some cases where there is no sanctifying Grace but where there are no Spiritual Gifts there is no Ministry at all They are in General Abilities for the due management of the Spiritual Administrations of the Gospel in its Doctrine Worship and Discipline unto the Edification of the Church It is not easie nay it they be unto us it is not possible to enumerate in particular all the various Gifts which the Holy Ghost endows the Ministers of the Gospel withall â—â—ereas all the Concerns of the Church may be referred unto these three Heads of Doctrine Worship and Rule we may enquire what are the principal Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Ghost with respect unto them distinctly § 2. THE first great Duty of the Ministry with reference unto the Church is the Dispensation of the Doctrine of the Gospel unto it for its Edification As this is the Duty of the Church continually to attend unto Acts 2. 42. so it is the principal Work of the Ministry the Foundation of all other Duties which the Apostles themselves gave themselves unto in an especial manner Acts 6. 4. Hence is it given in charge unto all Ministers of the Gospel Acts 20. 28. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 1 Tim. 1. 3. chap. 5. 17. chap. 4. 13 14 16. 2 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. For this is the principal means appointed by Christ for the Edification of his Church that whereby Spiritual Life is begotten and preserved Where this Work is neglected or carelesly attended unto there the whole Work of the Ministry is despised And with respect unto this Ministerial Duty there are three Spiritual Gifts that the Holy Ghost endoweth Men withall which must be considered § 3. THE first is Wisdom or Knowledge or Understanding in the Mysteries of the Gospel the Revelation of the Mystery of God in Christ with his Mind and Will towards us therein These things may be distinguished and they seem to be so in the Scripture sometimes I put them together as all of them denote that Acquaintance with and Comprehension of the Doctrine of the Gospel which is indispensibly necessary unto them who are called to Preach it unto the Church This some imagine an easie matter to be attained at least that there is no more nor the use of any other means required thereunto than what is necessary to the Acquisition of Skill in any other Art or Science And it were well if some otherwise concerned in Point of Duty would but lay out so much of their Strength and Time in the obtaining of this Knowledge as they do about other things which will not turn much unto their account But the Cursory Perusal of a few Books is thought sufficient to make any Man wise enough to be a Minister And not a few undertake ordinarily to be Teachers of others who would scarcely be admitted as tolerable Disciples in a well ordered Church But there belongeth more unto this Wisdom Knowledge and Understanding than most Men are aware of Were the Nature of it duely considered and withall the Necessity of it unto the Ministry of the Gospel probably some would not so rush on that Work as they do which they have no provision of Ability for the performance of It is in brief such a comprehension of the Scope and End of the Scripture of the Revelation of God therein such an Acquaintance with the Systeme of particular Doctrinal Truths in their Rise Tendency and Use such an Habit of Mind in judging of Spiritual Things and comparing them one with another such a distinct insight into the Springs and Course of the Mystery of the Love Grace and Will of God in Christ as enables them in whom it is to declare the Counsel of God to make known the Way of Life of Faith and Obedience unto others and to instruct them in their whole Duty to God and Man thereon This the Apostle calls his Knowledge in the Mystery of Christ which he manifested in his Writings Ephes. 3. 4. For as the Gospel the Dispensation and Declaration whereof is committed unto the Ministers of the Church is the Wisdom of God in a Mystery 1 Cor. 2. 7. so their Principal Duty is to become so wise and understanding in that Mystery as that they may be able to declare it unto others without which they have no Ministry committed unto them by Jesus Christ. See Ephes. 1. 9. Chap. 3. 3 6 19. Col. 4. 3. The sole Enquiry is Whence we may have this Wisdom seeing it is abundantly evident that we have it not of our selves That in general it is from God that it is to be asked of him the Scripture every where declares See Col. 1. 9. Chap. 2. 2. 2 Tim. 2. 7. Jam. 1. 5. 1 John 5. 20. And in particular it is plainly affirmed to be the especial Gift of the Holy Ghost He gives the Word of Wisdom 1 Cor. 12. 8. which place hath been opened before And it is the first Ministerial Gift that he bestows on any Where this is not in some measure to look for a Ministry is to look for the Living among the Dead And they will deceive their own Souls in the End as they do those of others in the mean time who on any other grounds do undertake to be Preachers of the Gospel But I shall not here divert unto the full description of this Spiritual Gift
them as Abraham did the Father of the Faithful And hereunto some Spiritual Abilities are requisite For none can teach others more than they know themselves nor perform Spiritual Worship without some Spiritual Gifts unless they will betake themselves unto such shifts as we have before on good Grounds rejected 3. Every Member of a Church in Order according to the Mind of Christ possesseth some Place Use and Office in the Body which it cannot fill up unto the Benefit and Ornament of the whole without some Spiritual Gift These places are various some of greater use than others and of more necessity unto the Edification of the Church but all are useful in their kind This our Apostle disputes at large 1 Cor. 12. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 c. All Believers in due order do become one Body by the participation of the same Spirit and Union unto the same Head Those who do not so partake of the one Spirit who are not united unto the Head do not properly belong to the Body whatever place they seem to hold therein Of those that do so some are as it were an Eye some as an Hand and some as a Foot All these useful in their several places and needful unto one another None of them is so highly exalted as to have the least occasion of being lifted up as though he had no need of the rest for the Spirit distributeth unto every one severally as he will not all unto any one save only unto the Head our Lord Jesus from whom we all receive Grace according to the measure of his Gift Nor is any so depressed or useless as to say It is not of the Body nor that the Body hath no need of it But every one in his Place and Station concurrs to the Unity Strength Beauty and Growth of the Body which things our Apostle disputes at large in the place mentioned 4 Hereby are supplies communicated unto the whole from the Head Ephes. 4. 15 16. Col. 2. 19. It is of the Body that is of the Church under the Conduct of its Officers that the Apostle discourseth in those places And the Duty of the whole it is to speak the Truth in Love every one in his several Place and Station And herein God hath so ordered the Union of the whole Church in it self unto and in dependance on its Head as that through and by not only the supply of every Joint which may express either the Officers or more Eminent Members of it but the effectual working of every part in the Exercise of the Graces and Gifts of the Spirit doth impart to the whole the Body may Edifie it self and be Encreased Wherefore 5 The Scripture is express that the Holy Ghost doth communicate of those Gifts unto private Believers and directs them in that Duty wherein they are to be exercised 1 Pet. 4. 10. Every one that is every Believer walking in the Order and Fellowship of the Gospel is to attend unto the Discharge of his Duty according as he hath received Spiritual Ability So was it in the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 1. 5 6 7. and in that of the Romans Chap. 15. 14. as they all of them knew that it was their Duty to covet the best Gifts which they did with success 1 Cor. 12. 31. And hereon depend the Commands for the Exercise of those Duties which in the Ability of these Gifts received they were to perform So were they all to admonish one another to exhort one another to Build up one another in their most Holy Faith And it is the loss of those Spiritual Gifts which hath introduced amongst many an utter neglect of these Duties so as they are scarce heard of among the generality of them that are called Christians But blessed be God we have large and full Experience of the continuance of this Dispensation of the Spirit in the Eminent Abilities of a multitude of private Christians however they may be despised by them who know them not By some I confess they have been abused some have presumed on them beyond the Line and Measure which they have received some have been puffed up with them some have used them disorderly in Churches and to their hurt some have boasted of what they have not received all which miscarriages also befell the Primitive Churches And I had rather have the Order Rule Spirit and Practice of those Churches that were planted by the Apostles with all their Troubles and Disadvantages than the Carnal Peace of others in their open Degeneracy from all those things § 12. IT remains only that we enquire how Men may come unto or attain a participation of these Gifts whether Ministerial or more Private And unto this End we may observe 1 That they are not Communicated unto any by a sudden Afflatus or extraordinary Infusion as were the Gifts of Miracles and Tongues which were bestowed on the Apostles and many of the first Converts That Dispensation of the Spirit is long since ceased and where it is now pretended unto by any it may justly be suspected as an Enthusiastick Delusion For as the End of those Gifts which in their own Nature exceed the whole power of all our Faculties is ceased so is their Communication and the manner of it also Yet this I must say that the Infusion of Spiritual Light into the Mind which is the Foundation of all Gifts as hath been proved being wrought sometimes suddenly or in a short season the Concomitancy of Gifts in some good measure is oftentimes sudden with an appearance of something Extraordinary as might be manifested in instances of several sorts 2 These Gifts are not absolutely attainable by our own Diligence and Endeavours in the use of means without respect unto the Soveraign Will and Pleasure of the Holy Ghost Suppose there are such means of the Attainment and Improvement of them and that several Persons do with the same measures of Natural Abilities and Diligence use those means for that end yet it will not follow that all must be equally Partakers of them They are not the immediate product of our own Endeavours no not as under an ordinary Blessing upon them For they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arbitrary Largesses or Gifts which the Holy Spirit worketh in all Persons severally as he will Hence we see the different Events that are among them who are exercised in the same Studies and Endeavours some are endued with Eminent Gifts some scarce attain unto any that are useful and some despise them Name and Thing There is therefore an immediate Operation of the Spirit of God in the Collation of these Spiritual Abilities which is unaccountable by the measures of Natural Parts and Industry Yet I say 4 That ordinarily they are both attained and increased by the due use of Means suited thereunto as Grace is also which none but Pelagians affirm to be absolutely in the power of our own Wills And the naming of these Means shall put