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

(§ 10.) 2ly. THE Lord Christ giveth and continueth this Office by giving Spiritual Gifts and Abilities unto Men to enable them to discharge the Duties, and perform the Work of it. This is that which I principally design to confirm in it's proper place, which will immediately ensue. All I shall say at present is, that Spiritual Gifts of themselves make no Man actually a Minister, yet no Man can be made a Minister according to the Mind of Christ, who is not partaker of them. Wherefore, supposing the continuance of the Law and Institution mentioned, if the Lord Christ doth at any time, or in any place, cease to give out Spiritual Gifts unto Men, enabling them in some good measure unto the Discharge of the Ministry, then and in that place the Ministry it self must cease and come to an end. To erect a Ministry by Virtue of outward Order, Rites and Ceremonies, without Gifts for the Edification of the Church, is but to hew a Block with Axes, and smooth it with Planes, and set it up for an Image to be adored. To make a Man a Minister who can do nothing of the proper peculiar Work of the Ministry, nothing towards the only end of it in the Church, ⟨p. 233⟩is to set up a dead Carcass, fastening it to a Post, and expecting it should do you Work and Service.

(§ 10.) 2ly. THE Lord Christ giveth and continneth this Office by giving Spiritual Gifts and Abilities unto Men to enable them to discharge the Duties, and perform the Work of it. This is that which I principally design to confirm in it's proper place, which will immediately ensue. All I shall say at present is, that Spiritual Gifts of themselves make no Man actually a Minister, yet no Man can be made a Minister according to the Mind of Christ, who is not partaker of them. Wherefore, supposing the continuance of the Law and Institution mentioned, if the Lord Christ doth at any time, or in any place, cease to give out Spiritual Gifts unto Men, enabling them in some good measure unto the Discharge of the Ministry, then and in that place the Ministry it self must cease and come to an end. To erect a Ministry by Vertue of outward Order, Rites and Ceremonies, without Gifts for the Edification of the Church, is but to hew a Block with Axes, and smooth it with Planes, and set it up for an Image to be adored. To make a Man a Minister who can do nothing of the proper peculiar Work of the Ministry, nothing towards the only end of it in the Church, ⟨p. 233⟩