A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

1. There is some Difference in the Benefits themselves: There are dona sanctificantia & administrantia; Gifts for Sanctification, and Gifts for Ministry. The one are given us for our own good, the other for the Profit of others. Gifts are for the Body or Community in which we live, saving Graces for the Salvation of the Person that hath them. The one sort serve to make us useful to Men, the other to make us acceptable to God. A carnal Man may come behind in no Gift. As we use Stamps of Iron to leave an Impress upon Pieces of Silver and Gold: So God may make use of their Gifts who shall perish for ever, to form Christ in his own Children: for these are given us indeed but for the Good of our Brethren. But sanctifying Graces are given nobis & nobis, both to us and for us; not only to do Good to others, but for the saving of our own Souls; such as Saving-Knowledge, Faith, Hope, Love of God, &c. Now there being such a Difference in the things themselves, well might our Lord use these two Words, given, committed.

1. There is some Difference in the Benefits themselves: There are dona sanctificantia & administrantia; Gifts for Sanctification, and Gifts for Ministry. The one are given us for our own good, the other for the Profit of others. Gifts are for the Body or Community in which we live, saving Graces for the Salvation of the Person that hath them. The one sort serve to make us useful to Men, the other to make us acceptable to God. A carnal Man may come behind in no Gift. As we use Stamps of Iron to leave an Impress upon Pieces of Silver and Gold: So God may make use of their Gifts who shall perish for ever, to form Christ in his own Children: for these are given us indeed but for the Good of our Brethren. But sanctifying Graces are given nobis & nobis, both to us and for us; not only to do Good to others, but for the saving of our own Souls; such as Saving-Knowledg, Faith, Hope, Love of God, &c. Now there being such a Difference in the things themselves, well might our Lord use these two Words, given, committed.

But, 2. Here it noteth rather the double Conveyance of these Benefits: They are given, for they are dona Dei, the Gifts of God: And they are Talenta commendata nobis, Talents committed to our Trust. The giving noteth Grace in the Giver, which is God; and the committing a Charge in the Receiver. As they are given, they call for Thankfulness; but as they are committed, for Faithfulness; both must be regarded by us.