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

But as he worketh that Grace in the Hearts of many on whom he bestows not those Gifts which are needful to enable men unto the Dispensation of the Gospel, so he bestows those Gifts on many, unto whom he will not vouchsafe his sanctifying Grace. And these things make evident that Sovereignty which God is pleased to exercise in his sending of persons unto the work of preaching the Gospel, manifesting that the whole of it depends like the giving of Rain, absolutely on his pleasure. And when men exclusively unto this part of Gods Call will keep up a Ministry, and so make a preaching of the Gospel, it is but a lifeless Image of the true Dispensation of it.

But as he worketh that Grace in the Hearts of many on whom he bestows not those Gifts which are needful to enable men unto the Dispensation of the Gospel, so he bestows those Gifts on many, unto whom he will not vouchsafe his sanctifying Grace. And these things make evident that Soveraignty which God is pleased to exercise in his sending of persons unto the work of preaching the Gospel, manifesting that the whole of it depends like the giving of Rain, absolutely on his pleasure. And when men exclusively unto this part of Gods Call will keep up a Ministry, and so make a preaching of the Gospel, it is but a lifeless Image of the true Dispensation of it.

Secondly, This Communication of Gifts unto men is ordinarily accompanied with a powerful and effectual inclination of the minds of men, to undertake the work and engage in it against those Objections, Discouragements, Oppositions and Difficulties, which present themselves unto them in their undertaking. There is so I say ordinarily, for there are more Instances than one, of those who having the word of Prophecy committed unto them, instead of going to Nineveh, do consult their own Reputation, Ease and Advantage, and so tack about to Tarshish. And there are not a few who hide and napkin up their Talents, which are given them to Trade withal, though represented unto us under one Instance only. But these must one day answer for their Disobedience unto the Heavenly Call. But ordinarily that Inclination and Disposition unto this Work, which accompanies the communication of spiritual Gifts, is prevalent and effectual, so that the minds of men are fortified by it against the Lions that are in the way, or whatever may rise up to deter them from it. So our Apostle affirms that upon the Revelation of Christ unto him, and his Call thereby to Preach the Gospel, immediately he conferred not with Flesh and Blood, but went into Arabia about his Work,