Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

(§ 5.) I cannot pass by the Consideration of this Gift, without offering something that may guide us either in the obtaining, or the due Exercise of it. And hereunto the things ensuing may be subservient. As, (1) A Sense of our own Insufficiency as of our selves, as unto any End for which this Wisdom is requisite. As it is declared that we have no Sufficiency in our selves for any thing that is good, all our Sufficiency being of God: So in particular, it is denied that we have any for the Work of the Ministry, in that Interrogation containing a Negative Proposition, And who is sufficient for these things? 2 Cor. 2. 16. A Sense hereof is the first Step towards this Wisdom, as our Apostle expressly declares. Let no Man deceive himself, if any among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a Fool that he may be wise, 1 Cor. 3. 18. Until we discover and are sensible of our own Folly, we are fit neither to receive nor to use this Spiritual Wisdom. And the want hereof proves the Ruin of many that pretend unto the Ministry: And it were to be wished that it were only their own. They come to the Work of it full of Pride, Self-conceit, and foolish Elation of Mind, in an Apprehension of their own Abilities, which yet for the most part are mean and contemptible. This keeps them sufficiently estranged from a Sense of that Spiritual Wisdom we treat of. Hence there is nothing of a ⟨p. 169⟩Gospel Ministry nor it's Work found among them, but an empty Name. And as for those who have reduced all Ecclesiastical Administrations to Canons, Laws, Acts, Courts and Legal Processes in them, they seem to do it with a Design to cast off all Use of Spiritual Gifts; yea, to exclude both them, and their Author, Name and Thing, out of the Church of God. Is this the Wisdom given by the Holy Ghost for the due Management of Gospel Administrations; namely, that Men should get a little Skill in some of the worst of Humane Laws, and uncomely Artifices of intriguing Secular Courts, which they pride themselves in, and terrify poor Creatures with Mulcts and Penalties, that are any way obnoxious unto them? What use these things may be of in the World I know not, unto the Church of God they do not belong.

(§ 5.) I cannot pass by the Consideration of this Gift, without offering something that may guide us either in the obtaining, or the due Exercise of it. And hereunto the things ensuing may be subservient. As, (1) A Sense of our own Insufficiency as of our selves, as unto any End for which this Wisdom is requisite. As it is declared that we have no Sufficiency in our selves for any thing that is good, all our Sufficiency being of God: So in particular, it is denyed that we have any for the Work of the Ministry, in that Interrogation containing a Negative Proposition, And who is sufficient for these things?