A30242:1233
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.
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,
Thus we have seen how the Spirit of God dwels in the Church by reason of gifts only, and to be more affected with this, (though that of Graces be more excellent,) consider,
First, That the end of all these gifts thus vouchsafed by the Spirit, is only to profit withal, as the Apostle argueth, 1 Cor. 12.7. They are not for vain ostentation, neither are we to seek our selves by them, but they are to be improved for edification. Now that cannot be called profit, which is only to please the ear, to tickle the fancy, but what is to convince the conscience and change the heart and lives of men. Oh that this were considered both by Minister, and all people! It's spiritual profit, that is to be looked at. Hence the Word is compared to food, which is not for the eye, but the stomach. The more useful and profitable the gifts of any are, either for instruction or reformation, the nearer they come to their due end.
First, That the end of all these gifts thus vouchsafed by the Spirit, is only to profit withall, as the Apostle argueth, 1 Cor. 12.7. They are not for vain oftentation, neither are we to seek our selves by them, but they are to be improved for edification. Now that cannot be called profit, which is onely to please the ear, to tickle the fancy, but what is to convince the conscience and change the heart and lives of men. Oh that this were considered both by Minister, and all people! It's spiritual profit, that is to be looked at. Hence the Word is compared to food, which is not for the eye, but the stomack. The more usefull and profitable the gifts of any are, either for instruction or reformation, the nearer they come to their due end.