Nor is any so depressed or useless as to say, It is not of the Body, nor that the Body hath no need of it. But every one in his Place and Station concurs to the Unity, Strength, Beauty and Growth of the Body, which things our Apostle disputes at large in the place mentioned. (4) Hereby are supplies communicated unto the whole from the Head, Ephes. 4. 15, 16. Col. 2. 19. It is of the Body, that is of the Church, under the ⟨p. 274⟩Conduct of its Officers, that the Apostle discourseth in those places. And the Duty of the whole it is to speak the Truth in Love, every one in his several Place and Station. And herein God hath so ordered the Union of the whole Church in it self, unto and in dependence on its Head, as that through and by not only the supply of every Joint, which may express either the Officers, or more Eminent Members of it; but the effectual working of every part, in the Exercise of the Graces and Gifts of the Spirit, doth impart to the whole, the Body may Edify it self, and be Increased. Wherefore, (5) The Scripture is express, that the Holy Ghost doth communicate of those Gifts unto private Believers, and directs them in that Duty wherein they are to be exercised, 1 Pet. 4. 10. Every one, that is, every Believer walking in the Order and Fellowship of the Gospel, is to attend unto the Discharge of his Duty, according as he hath received Spiritual Ability. So was it in the Church of Corinth, 1 Cor. 1. 5, 6, 7. and in that of the Romans, Chap. 15. 14. as they all of them knew that it was their Duty to covet the best Gifts, which they did with success, 1 Cor. 12. 31. And hereon depend the Commands for the Exercise of those Duties, which in the Ability of these Gifts received they were to perform. So were they all to admonish one another, to exhort one another, to Build up one another in their most Holy Faith. And it is the loss of those Spiritual Gifts which hath introduced amongst many an utter neglect of these Duties, so as they are scarce heard of among the generality of them that are called Christians. But blessed be God we have large and full Experience of the continuance of this Dispensation of the Spirit ⟨p. 275⟩in the Eminent Abilities of a multitude of private Christians, however they may be despised by them who know them not. By some I confess they have been abused, some have presumed on them beyond the Line and Measure which they have received;
Nor is any so depressed or useless as to say, It is not of the Body, nor that the Body hath no need of it. But every one in his Place and Station concurrs to the Unity, Strength, Beauty and Growth of the Body, which things our Apostle disputes at large in the place mentioned. (4) Hereby are supplies communicated unto the whole from the Head, Ephes. 4. 15, 16. Col. 2. 19. It is of the Body, that is of the Church, under the ⟨p. 274⟩Conduct of its Officers, that the Apostle discourseth in those places. And the Duty of the whole it is to speak the Truth in Love, every one in his several Place and Station. And herein God hath so ordered the Union of the whole Church in it self, unto and in dependance on its Head, as that through and by not only the supply of every Joint, which may express either the Officers, or more Eminent Members of it; but the effectual working of every part, in the Exercise of the Graces and Gifts of the Spirit, doth impart to the whole, the Body may Edifie it self, and be Encreased. Wherefore, (5) The Scripture is express, that the Holy Ghost doth communicate of those Gifts unto private Believers, and directs them in that Duty wherein they are to be exercised, 1 Pet. 4. 10. Every one, that is, every Believer walking in the Order and Fellowship of the Gospel, is to attend unto the Discharge of his Duty, according as he hath received Spiritual Ability. So was it in the Church of Corinth, 1 Cor. 1. 5, 6, 7. and in that of the Romans, Chap. 15. 14. as they all of them knew that it was their Duty to covet the best Gifts, which they did with success, 1 Cor. 12. 31. And hereon depend the Commands for the Exercise of those Duties, which in the Ability of these Gifts received they were to perform. So were they all to admonish one another, to exhort one another, to Build up one another in their most Holy Faith. And it is the loss of those Spiritual Gifts which hath introduced amongst many an utter neglect of these Duties, so as they are scarce heard of among the generality of them that are called Christians. But blessed be God we have large and full Experience of the continuance of this Dispensation of the Spirit ⟨p. 275⟩in the Eminent Abilities of a multitude of private Christians, however they may be despised by them who know them not. By some I confess they have been abused, some have presumed on them beyond the Line and Measure which they have received;
