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

(§ 6.) THESE are the principal Spiritual Gifts wherewith the Holy Ghost endows the Ministers of the Church, with respect unto the effectual Dispensation of the Word or the Doctrine of the Gospel which is committed unto them. And where they are communicated in any such degree as is necessary unto the due Discharge of that Office, they will evidence themselves to the Consciences of them that do believe. The Dispensation of the Word by virtue of them, though under ⟨p. 266⟩great Variety from the various Degrees wherein they are communicated, and the different natural Abilities of them that do receive them, will be sufficiently distinguished and remote from that empty, wordy, sapless way of discoursing Spiritual things, which is the mere effect of the Wit, Fancy, Invention and Projection of Men destitute of the Saving Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Mysteries of the Gospel.

(§ 6.) THESE are the principal Spiritual Gifts wherewith the Holy Ghost endows the Ministers of the Church, with respect unto the effectual Dispensation of the Word or the Doctrine of the Gospel which is committed unto them. And where they are communicated in any such degree as is necessary unto the due Discharge of that Office, they will evidence themselves to the Consciences of them that do believe. The Dispensation of the Word by vertue of them, though under ⟨p. 266⟩great Variety from the various Degrees wherein they are communicated, and the different natural Abilities of them that do receive them, will be sufficiently distinguished and remote from that empty, wordy, sapless way of discoursing Spiritual things, which is the meer effect of the Wit, Fancy, Invention and Projection of Men destitute of the Saving Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Mysteries of the Gospel.

(§ 7.) THE second Head of Duties belonging unto the Ministerial Office, respects the Worship of God. By the Worship of God here I understand only that especial part thereof, whereof himself is the immediate Object. For absolutely the preaching and hearing of the Word is a part of Sacred Worship, as that wherein we act the Obedience of Faith unto the Commands of God, and submit our selves unto his Institution. And indeed as unto those that hear, it is God declaring himself by his Word that is the immediate Object of their Worship. But the Dispensation of the Word which we have considered is the acting of Men upon the Authority and Command of God towards others. But as was said by that part we enquire into, I intend that alone whereof God himself was the immediate object. Such are all the remaining Offices and Duties of the Church, those only excepted which belong to it's Rule. And this Worship hath various Acts according to the variety of Christ's Institutions and the Churches occasions. Yet as to the manner of it's Performance, it is comprised in Prayer. For by Prayer we understand all Confessions, Supplications, Thanksgivings and Praises that are made unto God in the Church, whether absolutely, or in the Administration