(§ 3.) AND these Gifts of the Spirit added unto his Grace in real Holiness, were the Glory, Honour and Beauty of the Church of Old. Men have but deceived themselves and others, when they have feigned a Glory and Beauty of the Church in other things. And whatever any think or say, where these Gifts of the Holy Ghost, which are the Ornaments of the Church, her clothing of wrought Gold, and her Raiment of Needle-work, being neglected and lost, and they think to adorn her with the meretricious Paint of pompous Ceremonies, with outward Grandeur, Wealth and Power, she is utterly fallen from her Chastity, Purity and Integrity. But it is evident that this is the state of many Churches in the World which are therefore worldly and carnal, not Spiritual or Evangelical. Power, and Force, and Wealth, the Gifts in this Case of Another Spirit, under various Pretences and Names, are their Life and Glory, indeed their Death and Shame. I deny not but that it is lawful for Ministers of the Gospel to enjoy Earthly Possessions, which they do attain by any commendable way among other Men. Neither are they required, unless in extraordinary Cases, to part with the Right and ⟨p. 201⟩Use of their Temporal Goods, because they are so, Ministers of Christ; though those who are so indeed, will not deny but that they ought to use them in a peculiar manner unto the Glory of Christ, and Honour of the Gospel, beyond other Men. Neither shall I ever question, that, wherein the Scripture is so express, namely, That those who labour in the Word and Doctrine, should have a convenient, yea, an Honourable Subsistence provided for them according to the best Ability of the Church, for their Work's sake. It is in like manner also granted, that the Lord Christ hath committed all that Power which with respect unto the Edification of the Church, he will exercise in this World unto the Church it self; as it cannot without a Virtual Renunciation of the Gospel and Faith in Christ Jesus as the Head and King of the Church, be supposed that this Power is any other but Spiritual, over the Souls and Consciences of Men. And therefore cannot this Power be exercised, or be any ways made effectual, but by virtue of the Spiritual Gifts we treat of.
(§ 3.) AND these Gifts of the Spirit added unto his Grace in real Holiness, were the Glory, Honour and Beauty of the Church of Old. Men have but deceived themselves and others, when they have seigned a Glory and Beauty of the Church in other things. And whatever any think or say, where these Gifts of the Holy Ghost, which are the Ornaments of the Church, her cloathing of wrought Gold, and her Raiment of Needle-work, being neglected and lost, and they think to adorn her with the meritricious Paint of pompous Ceremonies, with outward Grandeur, Wealth and Power, she is utterly fallen from her Chastity, Purity and Integrity. But it is evident that this is the state of many Churches in the World which are therefore worldly and carnal, not Spiritual or Evangelical. Power, and Force, and Wealth, the Gifts in this Case of Another Spirit, under various Pretences and Names, are their Life and Glory, indeed their Death and Shame. I deny not but that it is lawful for Ministers of the Gospel to enjoy Earthly Possessions, which they do attain by any commendable way among other Men. Neither are they required, unless in extraordinary Cases, to part with the Right and ⟨p. 201⟩Use of their Temporal Goods, because they are so, Ministers of Christ; though those who are so indeed, will not deny but that they ought to use them in a peculiar manner unto the Glory of Christ, and Honour of the Gospel, beyond other Men. Neither shall I ever question, that, wherein the Scripture is so express, namely, That those who labour in the Word and Doctrine, should have a convenient, yea, an Honourable Subsistence provided for them according to the best Ability of the Church, for their Work's sake. It is in like manner also granted, that the Lord Christ hath committed all that Power which with repect unto the Edification of the Church, he will exercise in this World unto the Church it self; as it cannot without a Virtual Renunciation of the Gospel and Faith in Christ Jesus as the Head and King of the Church, be supposed that this Power is any other but Spiritual, over the Souls and Consciences of Men. And therefore cannot this Power be exercised, or be any ways made effectual, but by vertue of the Spiritual Gifts we treat of.
