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

(1) That among Professors of the Gospel some are Partakers of better things than others. They were all Professors concerning whom the Apostle discourseth in this and the preceding Verses. And yet notwithstanding any Good things that some might have had, or might be supposed to have had, others of them had better things than they. And this Difference may be observed, first in the Degrees, and secondly in the Kinds of the things intended. Spiritual Gifts are of one kind. For although there are several sorts of them, yet they have all the same general nature, they are all Gifts and no more. The difference therefore that is amongst them being not to be taken from their own especial nature, but their use and tendency unto the common end of them all, I take it only to be gradual. For instance, to speak with Tongues and to Prophesy, are two Gifts of different sorts; But whereas they are both Gifts of the Spirit, and are designed unto the furtherance of the Gospel and Edification of the Church, the true Difference between them is to be taken from their usefulness unto this End. Those therefore who have only Gifts in the Church, as they have different Gifts, so they have some of them Better Gifts than others, some as to the especial kinds of Gifts, but mostly as to the Degrees of their usefulness unto their proper End. Hence our Apostle having reckoned up the various and manifold Gifts of the Spirit, adds this Advice unto the Corinthians ⟨p. 93⟩upon the consideration of them, [Greek or Hebrew], 1 Cor. 12. 31. Covet earnestly the best Gifts. Those that tend most to the Edification of the Church. Thus ever it was, and ever it will be in the Church of God, some have had, and some have better Gifts than others. And as the whole Church is hence to learn to acquiesce in, and submit to the Sovereignty of the Spirit of God, who divideth unto every man severally as he will; so those who have received these better and differing Gifts either in their especial Nature or Degrees of usefulness, have some Duties singularly incumbent on them, and whose discharge will be required at their hands. As (1) To walk humbly with a constant care, that a sense of their Gifts and Abilities do not in their minds puff them up, fill them with conceits of themselves as though they were somewhat, and so make them exalt themselves above their Brethren.

(1) That among Professors of the Gospel some are Partakers of better things than others. They were all Professors concerning whom the Apostle discourseth in this and the preceding Verses. And yet notwithstanding any Good things that some might have had, or might be supposed to have had, others of them had better things than they. And this Difference may be observed, first in the Degrees, and secondly in the Kinds of the things intended. Spiritual Gifts are of one kind. For although there are several sorts of them, yet they have all the same general nature, they are all Gifts and no more. The difference therefore that is amongst them being not to be taken from their own especial nature, but their use and tendency unto the common end of them all, I take it only to be gradual. For instance, to speak with Tongues and to Prophesie, are two Gifts of different sorts; But whereas they are both Gifts of the Spirit, and are designed unto the furtherance of the Gospel and Edification of the Church, the true Difference between them is to be taken from their usefulness unto this End. Those therefore who have only Gifts in the Church, as they have different Gifts, so they have some of them Better Gifts than others, some as to the especial kinds of Gifts, but mostly as to the Degrees of their usefulness unto their proper End. Hence our Apostle having reckoned up the various and manifold Gifts of the Spirit, adds this Advice unto the Corinthians