Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

That we may a little by the way look into our especial concernment in these things, the order of them, and their subserviency one to another, may be briefly considered. For as Natural gifts are the foundation of, and lie in an especial subordination unto Spiritual, so are Spiritual gifts enlivened, made effectual and durable by Grace. The principal end of Christ's bestowing gifts, is the erection of a Ministry in his Church, for the ends before mentioned. And where all these in their order and mutual subserviency unto one another, are received by any, there, and there alone, is a competent furniture for the work of the Ministry received. And where any of them, as to their whole kind, are wanting, there is a defect in the Person, if not a nullity as to the Office. Natural gifts and endowments of mind are so necessary a foundation for any that looks towards the work of the Ministry, that without some competent measure of them, it is madness and folly to entertain thoughts of any progress. Unless unto these, Spiritual gifts are in Christ's time super-added, the other will be never of any use for the edification of the Church, as having in their own nature and series, no especial tendency unto that end. Nor will these super-added spiritual gifts enable any man to discharge his duty unto all well-pleasing before God, unless they also are quickened and seasoned by Grace. And where there is an intercision of this series and order in any, the defect will quickly appear. Thus some we see of excellent natural endowments, in their first setting forth in the world, and in their endeavours on that single stock, promising great usefulness and excellency in their way; who when they should come to engage in the service of the Gospel, evidence themselves to be altogether unfurnished for the employment they undertake; yea, and to have lost, what before they seemed to have received. Having gone to the utmost length and bounds that Gifts merely Natural could carry them out unto, and not receiving super-added Spiritual gifts, which the Spirit of Christ bestoweth as he pleaseth, 1 Cor. 12.11. they faint in the way, wither, and become utterly useless. And this for the most part falleth out, when men either have abused their natural gifts to the service of their lusts, and in an opposition to the simplicity of the Gospel;

That we may a little by the way look into our especial concernment in these things, the order of them, and their subserviency one to another, may be briefly considered. For as Natural gifts are the foundation of, and lie in an especial subordination unto Spiritual, so are Spiritual gifts enlivened, made effectual and durable by Grace. The principal end of Christ's bestowing gifts, is the erection of a Ministery in his Church, for the ends before mentioned. And where all these in their order and mutual subserviency unto one another, are received by any, there, and there alone, is a competent furniture for the work of the Ministery received. And where any of them, as to their whole kind, are wanting, there is a defect in the Person, if not a nullity as to the Office. Natural gifts and endowments of mind are so necessary a foundation for any that looks towards the work of the Ministery, that without some competent measure of them, it is madness and folly to entertain thoughts of any progress. Unless unto these, Spiritual gifts are in Christ's time super-added, the other will be never of any use for the edification of the Church, as having in their own nature and series, no especial tendency unto that end. Nor will these super-added spiritual gifts enable any man to discharge his duty unto all well-pleasing before God, unless they also are quickned and seasoned by Grace. And where there is an intercision of this series and order in any, the defect will quickly appear. Thus some we see of excellent natural endowments, in their first setting forth in the world, and in their endeavours on that single stock, promising great usefulness and excellency in their way; who when they should come to engage in the service of the Gospel, evidence themselves to be altogether unfurnished for the employment they undertake; yea, and to have lost, what before they seemed to have received. Having gone to the utmost length and bounds that Gifts meerly Natural could carry them out unto, and not receiving super-added Spiritual gfts, which the Spirit of Christ bestoweth as he pleaseth,