A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

But these vanities of the Gentiles cannot give Rain, the Preaching of the Gospel as unto its proper Ends, depends on Gods sending alone. When they betake themselves to their work, they find themselves at a loss for Gods Mission, at least they do so unto whom they pretend to be sent. I speak it not, as though outward order and a due call were not necessary in a Church unto the Office of a Teacher; but only to show that all Order without a concurrence of the Divine Vocation is of no validity nor efficacy. Now the Dispensation of these spiritual Gifts without which the Rain of the Doctrine of the Gospel falleth not, depends solely on the Sovereignty of God. The Spirit divideth unto every one as he pleaseth, 1 Cor. 12. 11. And it is evident that he doth not herein follow the Rule of any humane preparation. For whereas it is most certain, that the improvement of mens intellectual Abilities in Wisdom, Learning, Oratory and the like, are exceedingly subservient unto the use and exercise of these spiritual Gifts, yet it is evident that God doth not always and regularly communicate them unto those who are so prepared; no though they were acquired in a rational way, in order unto the work of the Ministry. For how many may we see so qualified, and yet destitute of all Relish of spiritual Gifts, God preferring before them persons, it may be, behind and beneath them in those Qualifications. As it was whilst all these affairs were transacted in an extraordinary manner at the first planting of the Gospel. He did not choose out eminently, the Philosophers, the Wise, the Learned, the Scribes, the Disputers of this world, to communicate spiritual Gifts unto, but generally fixed on persons of another condition and more ordinary capacity. Some were so that none might think themselves excluded because of their Wisdom and Learning, things excellent in themselves; but many of this sort, as our Apostle informs us, were not called and chosen unto this work. So something in proportion hereunto may yet be observed in the distribution of the ordinary Gifts of the Spirit. At least it is evident that herein God obligeth himself to no Rules of such preparations or qualifications on our part. Nay which is yet farther, he walks not herein, in the steps of his own sanctifying and saving Grace.

But these vanities of the Gentiles cannot give Rain, the Preaching of the Gospel as unto its proper Ends, depends on Gods sending alone. When they betake themselves to their work, they find themselves at a loss for Gods Mission, at least they do so unto whom they pretend to be sent. I speak it not, as though outward order and a due call were not necessary in a Church unto the Office of a Teacher; but only to shew that all Order without a concurrence of the Divine Vocation is of no validity nor efficacy. Now the Dispensation of these spiritual Gifts without which the Rain of the Doctrine of the Gospel falleth not, depends solely on the Soveraignty of God. The Spirit divideth unto every one as he pleaseth,