A53734:280
Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…
Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit as a comforter, the other, As He is the author of spiritual gifts ... / by ... John Owen.
London: printed for William Marshall, 1693
OF Spiritual Gifts. PART II. › Chapter 4: Extraordinary Spiritual Gifts. 1 Cor. 12. v. 8, 9, 10, 11.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
(§ 11.) WHEREFORE, (1) By this Word of Knowledge, not that Degree of it which is required in all Christians, in all the Members of the Church, is intended. Such a Measure of Knowledge there is necessary both unto Faith and Confession. Men can believe nothing of that whereof they know nothing, nor can they confess with their Mouths what they apprehend not in their Minds. But it is somewhat singular, eminent, and not common to all. Neither, (2) Doth that Eminency or Singularity consist in this, that it is Saving and Sanctifying Knowledge which is intended. That there is such a peculiar Knowledge whereby God shines into the Hearts of Believers, with a Spiritual Saving Insight into Spiritual things, transforming the Mind into the Likeness of them, I have at large elsewhere declared. For it is reckoned among Gifts; whereas that other is a Saving Grace, whose difference hath been declared before. It is expressed by the Apostle, 1 Cor. 13. 2. by understanding all mysteries and all knowledge; that is, having an Understanding in, and the knowledge of all Mysteries. This Knowledge he calleth a Gift, which shall vanish away, Ver. 8. and so not belonging absolutely unto that Grace, which being a part of the Image of God in us, shall go over into Eternity. And Knowledge in Ver. 2. is taken for the thing known; if I understand all Knowledge, which is the same with all Mysteries. Wherefore the Knowledge here intended, is such a peculiar and especial Insight into the Mysteries of the Gospel, as whereby those in whom it was, were enabled to teach and instruct others. Thus the Apostle Paul, who had received all these Gifts in the highest Degree and Measure, affirms, that by his Writing, those to whom he wrote ⟨p. 175⟩might perceive his Skill and Understanding in the Mystery of Christ.
(§ 12.) AND this was in an especial manner necessary unto those first Dispensers of the Gospel; for how else should the Church have been instructed in the Knowledge of it. This they prayed for them, namely, that they might be filled with the Knowledge of the Will of God, in all Wisdom and Understanding,