A30242:1232
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, Which is the last and greatest, The efficacy and spiritual benefit of the Ordinances and gifts of Officers is wholly from the Spirit of God. Hence it is called the holy Spirit, not only essentially, as the other Persons are, or by way of opposition to the unclean spirit, the Devil; but effectively, because by way of title and Office (as it were) it belongs to him, to sanctify the gifts of the Minister, and to make them powerful in the hearts of the hearers. So that although parts and abilities should be in the Officers choice and power, yet the success and benefit is not: When Paul hath planted, Apollo watered, it's God that giveth the increase, 1 Cor. 3. And certainly, if the Physician cannot give health; the Gardener cannot make any fruit, only disposeth and prepareth in these things; much less can spiritual Officers in the Church cause the Word to open the eyes of the blind, or soften the heart of those that are hardened.
Thirdly, Which is the last and greatest, The efficacy and spiritual benefit of the Ordinances and gifts of Officers is wholly from the Spirit of God. Hence it is called the holy Spirit, not only essentially, as the other Persons are, or by way of opposition to the unclean spirit, the Devil; but effectively, because by way of title and Office (as it were) it belongs to him, to sanctifie the gifts of the Minister, and to make them powerfull in the hearts of the hearers. So that although parts and abilities should be in the Officers choice and power, yet the successe and benefit is not: When Paul hath planted, Apollo watered, it's God that giveth the increase, 1 Cor. 3. And certainly, if the Physician cannot give health; the Gardener cannot make any fruit, only disposeth and prepareth in these things; much lesse can spiritual Officers in the Church cause the Word to open the eyes of the blinde, or soften the heart of those that are hardened.
Thus we have seen how the Spirit of God dwells in the Church by reason of gifts only, and to be more affected with this, (though that of Graces be more excellent,) consider,