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

(§ 8.) ROM. 12. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. As we have many Members in one Body, and all Members have not the same Office; so we being many are one Body in Christ, and every one Members one of another. Having therefore Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given unto us, whether Prophecy, &c. It is indifferent as to our present purpose, whether the Apostle treat here of Offices or of Duties only. The things ensuing which are plain and obvious in the Text, are sufficient unto the confirmation of what we plead for. (1) It is the ordinary state of the Church, its Continuance being planted, its Preservation and Edification that the Apostle discourseth about; wherefore what he speaks, is necessary unto the Church in all Ages and Conditions. To suppose a Church devoid of the Gifts here mentioned, is to overthrow the whole Nature and End of a Gospel Church. (2) That the Principle of all Administrations in the Church-state described, is Gifts received from Jesus Christ by his Spirit. For declaring the way whereby the Church may be Edified, he layeth the Foundation of it in this, that to every one of us is Grace given according to the measure of the Gift of Christ. For the Apostle ⟨p. 253⟩exhorts those unto whom he speaks, to attend unto those Duties whereby the Church may be Edified, and that by virtue of the Gifts which they had received. All the whole Duty of any one in the Church lies in this, that he act according to the [Greek or Hebrew] that he is made partaker of. And what these [Greek or Hebrew] are, as also by whom they are bestowed, hath been already fully declared. (3.) That these Gifts give not only Ability for Duty, but Rule and Measure unto all Works of Service that are to be performed in the Church. Every one is to act therein according to his Gift, and no otherwise. To say that this state of the Church is now ceased, and that another state is introduced, wherein all Gospel Administrations may be managed without Spiritual Gifts, or not by virtue of them, is to say that which de facto is true in most places; but whether the true Nature of the Church is not overthrown thereby, is left unto consideration. 1 Pet. 4. 10, 11. is a parallel Testimony hereunto, and many others to the same purpose might be pleaded, together with that which is the Foundation of this whole Discourse,