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

In the Apostolical and Primitive Church, when there was nothing of that secular Grandeur, Promotion, Preferments, Dignities amongst the Ministers of the Church, as now a days fill the world with Pride and Domination, all the Danger of an hurtful Elation of mind in one above another, was from the eminency of Gifts which some had received above others. And it cannot be denied but that the abuse hereof laid the foundation of all that swelling secular Pride, and cursed Domination or Lordly Rule which afterwards pestered the Church. The two things which the Apostle Peter in one place cautions and chargeth the Elders and Guides of the Church against became their Ruin, namely, filthy Lucre, and Love of Domination over the Lords Heritage, 1 Pet. 5. 2, 3. And indeed it is a very hard and difficult matter for men totally to suppress those insinuations of a good conceit of themselves, and preferring themselves before others, which Gifts singular in their use and kind will suggest. Neither will it be effected without a constant exercise of Grace. For this cause the Apostle would not have a Novice called to the Ministry or public exercise of Spiritual Gifts, namely, lest he be puffed up with Pride and fall into the Condemnation of the Devil, 1 Tim. 3. 6. Afflictions and Temptations for the most part, are a needful Balance for eminent Gifts. This therefore the Scripture hath provided against, both warning us, that knowledge, which is the matter of all spiritual Gifts, will puff up, and forbidding us to boast in them, because they are things which are freely bestowed on us, without respect unto any thing of good or worth in our selves, 1 Cor. 4. 7. And if we reckon aright those of us whose Gifts are inferior unto those of other men, provided we use and improve what we have received unto the best advantage we are able, have no reason to envy them whose Gifts out-shine ours. For if they are gracious, they have work enough cut out for them to keep them watchful over themselves unto Humility, where yet it is to be feared that things do not always so well succeed, but that by sinful surprisals of self elating Imaginations, there is work made for Repentance and Trouble. Yea he who is eminently gifted, if he be not eminently humble hath but an unquiet life within doors.

In the Apostolical and Primitive Church, when there was nothing of that secular Grandeur, Promotion, Preferments, Dignities amongst the Ministers of the Church, as now a days fill the world with Pride and Domination, all the Danger of an hurtful Elation of mind in one above another, was from the eminency of Gifts which some had received above others. And it cannot be denied but that the abuse hereof laid the foundation of all that swelling secular Pride, and cursed Domination or Lordly Rule which afterwards pestered the Church. The two things which the Apostle Peter in one place cautions and chargeth the Elders and Guides of the Church against became their Ruine, namely, filthy Lucre, and Love of Domination over the Lords Heritage,