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

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, Gal. 1. 16, 17. He would not ⟨p. 61⟩so much as attend or hearken unto Cavils and Exceptions against the Work whereunto he was inclined and disposed, which is the way of a well grounded firm Resolution. And something in proportion hereunto is wrought in the minds of them, who undertake this Work upon an ordinary Call of God. And where this is not, much success is not to be expected in the work of any, nor any great Blessing of God upon it. When men go out hereunto in their own Strength, without a supply of spiritual Gifts, and engage in their Work merely upon external considerations, without this Divine Inclination of their Hearts and Minds, they may seem to cast out Water as out of an Engine by violent compression, they will never be like Clouds to pour forth showers of Rain. This therefore also is from the Lord. Again,

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 ingage 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 Niniveh, 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 withall, 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,