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

(§ 9) 5. LET those who would be Sharers herein, follow after those Gifts and Graces which do accompany it, promote it, and are inseparable from it. Such are Humility, Meekness, Patience, Constancy, with Boldness and Confidence in Profession, without which we shall be Fools in every Trial. Wisdom indeed is none of all these, but it is that which cannot be without them, nor will it thrive in any Mind that is not cultivated by them. And he who thinks it is not worth his Pains and Travail, nor that it will quit Cost to seek after this Spiritual Wisdom, by a constant Watchfulness against the opposite Vices mentioned, and Attendance unto those concomitant Duties and Graces, must be content to go without it. This is the first Instance given by our Apostle of the Spiritual Gifts of the Primitive Times; to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom.

(§ 10.) TO another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit. [Greek or Hebrew]. I showed before, that [Greek or Hebrew] may denote the thing it self; the Word of Knowledge, that is Knowledge. But if any shall suppose, that because this Knowledge was to be expressed unto the Church for it's Edification, it is therefore called a Word of Knowledge, as a Word ⟨p. 173⟩of Exhortation, or a Word of Consolation; that is, Exhortation and Consolation administered by Words, I shall not contend to the contrary. It is Knowledge that is the Gift peculiarly intended in this Second Place. And we must enquire, both how it is an especial Gift, and of what sort it is. And it should seem that it cannot have the Nature of an especial Gift, seeing it is that which was common to all. For so saith the Apostle, speaking unto the whole Church of the Corinthians; We know that we all have Knowledge, 1 Cor. 8. 1. And not only so, but also adds, that this Knowledge is a thing which either in it's own Nature tends unto an ill Issue, or is very apt to be abused thereunto: For, saith he, Knowledge puffeth up, for which cause he frequently reflects upon it in other places. But yet we shall find that it is a peculiar Gift, and in it self singularly useful: However it may be abused as the best things may be, yea, are most liable thereunto. The Knowledge mentioned in that place by the Apostle, which he ascribes in common unto all the Church, was only that which concerned things Sacrificed unto Idols; and if we should extend it farther, unto an Understanding of the Mystery of the Gospel which was in the Community of Believers, yet is there place remaining for an Eminency, therein by virtue of an especial Spiritual Gift. And as to what he adds about Knowledge puffing up, he expounds in the next Words; if any Man thinketh that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know, Ver. 2. It is not Men's Knowledge, but the vain and proud Conceit of ignorant Men, supposing themselves knowing and wise, that so puffeth up and hindereth Edification.