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

(§ 1.) UNTO the Ministry so given unto the Church, as hath been declared, the Holy Ghost gives Spiritual Gifts enabling them unto the Exercise and Discharge of the Power, Trust and Office committed unto them. Now although I am not thoroughly satisfied what Men will grant or allow in these Days, such uncouth and bold Principles are continually advanced among us, yet I suppose it will not, in Words at least, be denied by many, but that Ministers have, or ought to have, Gifts for the due Discharge of their Office. To some indeed the very Name and Word is a Derision, because it is a Name and Notion peculiar to the Scripture. Nothing is more contemptible unto them than the very mention of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost; at present I deal not with such directly, though what we shall prove will be sufficient for their Rebuke, though not for their Conviction. Wherefore our Enquiry is, Whether the Spirit of God doth effectually collate on the Ministers of the Gospel, Spiritual Gifts, enabling them to perform and effect Evangelical Administrations, according to the Power committed unto them, and duly required of them, unto the Glory of Christ and Edification of the Church. ⟨p. 241⟩It is moreover enquired whether the Endowment of Men with these Spiritual Gifts in a Degree and Measure suited unto public Edification, be not that which doth materially constitute them Ministers of the Gospel, as being Antecedently necessary unto their Call unto their Office. These things I say are to be Enquired into, because in opposition unto the first it is affirmed, that these supposed Gifts are nothing but mere Natural Abilities attained by Diligence, and improved by Exercise, without any especial respect unto the working of the Holy Ghost, at least otherwise than what is necessary unto the attaining of Skill and Ability in any Humane Art or Science, which is the ordinary Blessing of God on Man's Honest Endeavours. And to the other it is opposed, that a Lawful ordinary outward Call is sufficient to constitute any Man a Lawful Minister, whether he have received any such Gifts as those enquired after or no.

(§ 1.) UNTO the Ministry so given unto the Church, as hath been declared, the Holy Ghost gives Spiritual Gifts enabling them unto the Exercise and Discharge of the Power, Trust and Office committed unto them. Now although I am not thoroughly satisfied what Men will grant or allow in these Days, such uncouth and bold Principles are continually advanced among us, yet I suppose it will not, in Words at least, be denied by many, but that Ministers have, or ought to have, Gifts for the due Discharge of their Office. To some indeed the very Name and Word is a Derision, because it is a Name and Notion peculiar to the Scripture. Nothing is more contemptible unto them than the very mention of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost; at present I deal not with such directly, though what we shall prove will be sufficient for their Rebuke, though not for their Conviction. Wherefore our Enquiry is, Whether the Spirit of God doth effectually collate on the Ministers of the Gospel, Spiritual Gifts, enabling them to perform and effect Evangelical Administrations, according to the Power committed unto them, and duly required of them, unto the Glory of Christ and Edification of the Church.