A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

2. The ordinary gift of the Spirit, is that special dexterity ⟨p. 509⟩whereby men are able to put their meaning into apt words; 'tis not of such a miraculous infusion and so wonderful in its self as the former, because it dependeth much upon the temper and suitable constitution of the body; and is much bettered by industry, hearing, reading, meditation, conference, &c. As all other ordinary habits are, but such a gift there is in the Church as we find by plain experience, many mens tongues being as the pen of a ready Writer, Psal. 45. 1. All miraculous gifts are now turned into ordinary gifts somewhat like them, as discerning of Spirits into a sagacity and ca•telous prudence, gifts of tongues into a special dexterity that way, and gifts of healing into skill in physick• so straying with the spirit into readiness of utterance and freedom of speech: Now though we we are to covet the best gifts and strive after them, yet we must be contented with our measures: Sometimes this gift is given to carnal men, because of their▪ service in the Church, gifts are for the body, they may have great abilities to pray and preach, and may be carried on with full gales of outward assistance: Usually 'tis given unto men according to their constitution and natural receptivity, all cannot expect a like quickness and enlargement of speech, in the Pen-men of Scripture you may observe a difference of character and stile according to their temper and education, though there assistance as to words was also infallible, Is•y writeth in a courtly stile, and Jeremiah in a priestly. and Amos his manner of speech relisheth of his calling; in the new Testament John is Seraphical, Paul argumentative, and Peter writeth in a milky, sweet, middle-way &c.

2. The ordinary gift of the Spirit, is that special dexterity ⟨p. 509⟩whereby men are able to put their meaning into apt words; 'tis not of such a miraculous infusion and so wonderful in its self as the former, because it dependeth much upon the temper and suitable constitution of the body; and is much bettered by industry, hearing, reading, meditation, conference, &c. As all other ordinary habits are, but such a gift there is in the Church as we find by plain experience, many mens tongues being as the pen of a ready Writer,