Page images
PDF
EPUB

unto. Have they not an experiment of this administration Do they not find the presence of the Spirit himself by his various gifts in them by whom spiritual things are adminis tered unto them? Have they not a proof of Christ speaking in them by the assistance of his Spirit, making the word mighty unto all its proper ends? And as the thing itself, so variety of his dispensations manifest themselves also unto the experience of believers. Who see not how different are the gifts of men, the Holy Ghost dividing unto every one as he will? And the experience which they have themselves who have received these gifts, of the especial assistance which they receive in the exercise of them, may also be pleaded. Indeed the profaneness of a contrary apprehension, is intolerable among such as profess themselves to be Christians. For any to boast themselves, they are sufficient of themselves for the stewardly dispensation of the mysteries of the gospel, by their own endowments natural or acquired, and the exercise of them, without a participation of any peculiar spiritual gift from the Holy Ghost, is a presumption which contains in it a renunciation of all or any interest in the promises of Christ made unto the church, or the continuance of his presence therein. Let men be never so well persuaded of their own abilities, let them pride themselves in their performances, in reflection of applauses from persons unac quainted with the mystery of these things; let them frame to themselves such a work of the ministry as whose discharge stands in little or no need of these gifts, yet it will at length appear, that where the gifts of the Holy Ghost are excluded from their administration, the Lord Christ is so, and the Spirit himself is so, and all true edification of the church is so, and so are all the real concerns of the gospel: and so have we, as I hope, confirmed the second part of the work of the Holy Ghost with respect unto spiritual gifts ; namely, his continuance to distribute and communicate unto the church to the end of the world, according unto the powers and duties, which he hath erected in it, or required of it.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the gifts of the Spirit, with respect unto doctrine, rule, and worship ; how attained, and improved.

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,

I. What they are.

II. How they are to be attained and improved.

In our inquiry 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 inquiry 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 may 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. whereas all the concerns of the church may be referred unto these three heads, of doctrine, worship, and rule, we may inquire what are the principal spiritual gifts of the Holy Ghost with respect unto them distinctly.

But

The first great duty of the ministry with reference unto the church is, the dispensation of the doctrine of the gospel unto it, for its edification. As this is the duty of the church continually to attend unto, Acts ii. 42. so it is the principal work of the ministry, the foundation of all other duties, which the apostles themselves gave themselves unto in an especial manner; Acts vi. 4. Hence is it given in charge unto all ministers of the gospel; Acts xx. 28. 1 Pet. v. 2. 1 Tim. i. 3. v. 17. iv. 13, 14. 16. 2 Tim. iv. 1-3. For

this is the principal means appointed by Christ for the edification of his church; that whereby spiritual life is begotten and preserved. Where this work is neglected or carelessly attended unto, there the whole work of the ministry is despised. And with respect unto this ministerial duty, there are three spiritual gifts that the Holy Ghost endoweth men withal, which must be considered.

1. The first is wisdom or knowledge, or understanding in the mysteries of the gospel, the revelation of the mystery of God in Christ, with his mind and will towards us therein. These things may be distinguished, and they seem to be so in the Scripture sometimes. I put them together, as all of them denote that acquaintance with, and comprehension of, the doctrine of the gospel which is indispensably necessary unto them who are called to preach it unto the church. This some imagine an easy matter to be attained; at least that there is no more, nor the use of any other means required thereunto, than what is necessary to the acquisition of skill in any other art or science. And it were well if some, otherwise concerned in point of duty, would but lay out so much of their strength and time in the obtaining of this knowledge, as they do about other things which will not turn much unto their account. But the cursory perusal of a few books is thought sufficient to make any man wise enough to be a minister. And not a few undertake ordinarily to be teachers of others, who would scarcely be admitted as tolerable disciples in a well ordered church. But there belongeth more unto this wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, than most men are aware of. Were the nature of it duly considered, and withal the necessity of it unto the miistry of the gospel, probably some would not so rush on t work as they do, which they have no provision of ability the performance of. It is in brief such a comprehenon of the scope and end of the Scripture, of the revelation of God therein, such an acquaintance with the systems of doctrinal truths, in their rise, tendency, and use, it of mind in judging of spiritual things, and hem one with another, such a distinct insight ings and course of the mystery of the love, grace, f God in Christ, as enables them, in whom it is to

par

counsel of God, to make known the way of life,

of faith and obedience unto others, and to instruct them in their whole duty to God and man thereon. This the apostle calls his knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which he manifested in his writings; Eph. iii. 4. For as the gospel, the dispensation and declaration whereof is committed unto the ministers of the church, is the 'wisdom of God in a mystery;' 1 Cor. ii. 7. so their principal duty is to become so wise and understanding in that mystery, as that they may be able to declare it unto others, without which they have no ministry committed unto them by Jesus Christ. See Eph. i. 9. iii. 3. 6. 19. Col. iv. 3. The sole inquiry is, whence we may have this wisdom, seeing it is abundantly evident that we have it not of ourselves? That in general it is from God, that it is to be asked of him, the Scripture every where declares. See Col. i. 9. ii. 2. 2 Tim. ii. 7. James i. 5. 1 John v. 20. And in particular it is plainly affirmed to be the especial gift of the Holy Ghost. He gives the 'word of wisdom; 1 Cor. xii. 8. which place hath been opened before. And it is the first ministerial gift that he bestows on any. Where this is not in some measure, to look for a ministry is to look for the living among the dead. And they will deceive their own souls in the end, as they do those of others in the meantime, who on any other grounds do undertake to be preachers of the gospel. But I shall not here divert unto the full description of this spiritual gift, because I have discoursed concerning it elsewhere.

[ocr errors]

2. With respect unto the doctrine of the gospel, there is required unto the ministry of the church, skill to divide the word aright, which is also a peculiar gift of the Holy Ghost; 2 Tim. ii, 15. Study to approve thyself unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.' Both the former clauses depend on the latter. If a minister would be accepted with God in his work, if he would be found at the last day a workman that needs not to be ashamed, that is, such a builder of the house of God, as whose work is meet, proper, and useful, he must take care to divide the word of truth, which is committed unto his dispensation, aright, or in a due manner. Ministers are stewards in the house of God, and dispensers of the mysteries thereof. And, therefore, it is required of them, that they give unto all the servants that are in the house,

or do belong unto it, a meet portion according unto their wants, occasions, and services, suitable unto the will and wisdom of their Lord and Master; Luke xii. 42, 43. Who is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?' For this giving of provision, and a portion of meat unto the household of Christ, consists principally in the right dividing and distribution of the word of truth. It is the taking out from those great stores of it in the Scripture, and as it were cutting off a portion suitable unto the various conditions of those in the family. Herein consists the principal skill of a scribe furnished for the kingdom of heaven, with the wisdom before described. And without this, a common course of dispensing or preaching the word, without differencing of persons and truths, however it may be gilded over with a flourish of words and oratory, is shameful work in the house of God. Now unto this skill, sundry things are required. (1.) A sound judgment in general concerning the state and condition of those unto whom any one is so dispensing the word. It is the duty of a shepherd to know the state of his flock; and unless he do so, he will never feed them profitably. He must know whe ther they are babes, or young men, or old; whether they need milk or strong meat; whether they are skilful or unskilful in the word of righteousness; whether they have their senses exercised to discern good and evil, or not; or whether their hearers are mixed with all these sorts. Whether in the judgment of charity they are converted unto God, of 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

« PreviousContinue »