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

(§ 1.) THERE remain yet two things to be spoken unto with respect unto the Gifts which the Holy Ghost bestows on the Ministers of the Gospel, to qualify them unto their Office, and to enable them unto their Work. And these are, (1) What they are. (2.) How they are to be attained and improved. In our Enquiry after the first; or what are the Gifts whereby Men are fitted and enabled for the Ministry, we wholly set aside the consideration of all those gracious qualifications of Faith, Love, Zeal, Compassion, Careful tender Watchfulness, and the like, whereon the Holy Use of their Ministry doth depend. For our Enquiry is only after those Gifts whereon depends the very Being of the Ministry. There may be a true Ministry in some cases where there is no sanctifying Grace; but where there are no Spiritual Gifts, there is no Ministry at all. They are in General Abilities for the due management of the Spiritual Administrations of the Gospel in its Doctrine, Worship and Discipline, unto the Edification of the Church. It is not easy, nay, it they be unto us, it is not possible to enumerate in particular all the various Gifts which the Holy Ghost endows the Ministers of the Gospel withal. ⟨p. 258⟩whereas all the Concerns of the Church may be referred unto these three Heads, of Doctrine, Worship and Rule, we may enquire what are the principal Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Ghost with respect unto them distinctly.

(§ 1.) THERE remain yet two things to be spoken unto with respect unto the Gifts which the Holy Ghost bestows on the Ministers of the Gospel, to qualifie them unto their Office, and to enable them unto their Work. And these are, (1) What they are. (2.) How they are to be attained and improved. In our Enquiry after the first; or what are the Gifts whereby Men are fitted and enabled for the Ministry, we wholly set aside the consideration of all those gracious qualifications of Faith, Love, Zeal, Compassión, Careful tender Watchfulness, and the like, whereon the Holy Use of their Ministry doth depend. For our Enquiry is only after those Gifts whereon depends the very Being of the Ministry. There may be a true Ministry in some cases where there is no sanctifying Grace; but where there are no Spiritual Gifts, there is no Ministry at all. They are in General Abilities for the due management of the Spiritual Administrations of the Gospel in its Doctrine, Worship and Discipline, unto the Edification of the Church. It is not easie, nay, it they be unto us, it is not possible to enumerate in particular all the various Gifts which the Holy Ghost endows the Ministers of the Gospel withall.