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

Whether in the Judgment of Charity they are Converted unto God, or are yet in an unregenerate Condition. What probably are their principal Temptations, their Hinderances and Furtherances; what is their growth or decay in Religion? He that is not able to make a competent Judgment concerning these things, and the other Circumstances of the Flock, so as to be steered thereby in his Work, will never Evidence himself to be a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed. (2) An Acquaintance with the Ways and Methods of the Work of God's Grace on the Minds and Hearts of Men, that he may pursue and comply with its design in the Ministry of the Word. Nothing is by many more despised, than an understanding hereof; yet is nothing more necessary to the Work of the Ministry. The Word of the Gospel as Preached is Vehiculum Gratiae, and ought to be ordered so as it may comply with its design in its whole Work on the Souls of Men. He therefore who is unacquainted with the ordinary Methods of the Operation of Grace, sights uncertainly in his Preaching of the Word like a Man beating of the Air. It is true, God can, and often doth direct a Word of Truth spoken as it were at Random unto a proper effect of Grace on some or other, as it was when the Man drew a Bow at a venture, ⟨p. 263⟩and smote the King of Israel between the Joints of the Harness. But ordinarily a Man is not like to hit a Joint, who knows not how to take his aim. (3) An Acquaintance with the Nature of Temptation, with the especial Hinderances of Faith and Obedience, which may befall those unto whom the Word is dispensed, is in like manner required hereunto. Many things might be added on this Head, seeing a principal part of Ministerial Skill doth consist herein. (4) A right understanding of the Nature of Spiritual Diseases, Distempers and Sicknesses, with their proper Cures and Remedies, belongeth hereunto. For the want hereof the Hearts of the wicked are oftentimes made glad in the Preaching of the Word, and those of the Righteous filled with sorrow; the Hands of Sinners are strengthened, and those who are looking towards God are discouraged or turned out of the way. And where Men either know not these things, or do not, or cannot apply themselves skilfully to distribute the Word according to this variety of occasion, they cannot give the Household its portion of Meat in Season.

VVhether in the Judgment of Charity they are Converted unto God, or are yet in an unregenerate Condition. VVhat probably are their principal Temptations, their Hinderances and Furtherances; what is their growth or decay in Religion? He that is not able to make a competent Judgment concerning these things, and the other Circumstances of the Flock, so as to be steered thereby in his VVork, will never Evidence himself to be a VVorkman that needeth not to be ashamed. (2) An Acquaintance with the VVays and Methods of the VVork of God's Grace on the Minds and Hearts of Men, that he may pursue and comply with its design in the Ministry of the VVord. Nothing is by many more despised, than an understanding hereof; yet is nothing more necessary to the VVork of the Ministry. The VVord of the Gospel as Preached is Vehiculum Gratiae, and ought to be ordered so as it may comply with its design in its whole VVork on the Souls of Men. He therefore who is unacquainted with the ordinary Methods of the Operation of Grace, sights uncertainly in his Preaching of the Word like a Man beating of the Air. It is true, God can, and often doth direct a Word of Truth spoken as it were at Random unto a proper effect of Grace on some or other, as it was when the Man drew a Bow at a venture,