have no longer prophets, nor workers of miracles, nor gifts of tongues. The only evidence that an office was intended to be permanent is the continuance of the gift of which it was the organ, and the command to appoint to the office those who are found to possess the gift. The only evidence that God intended the eye to be a permanent organ of the body, is, that he has perpetuated the faculty of vision. Had the gift of sight been discontinued, it would avail httle that men should call the mouth and nose eyes, and demand that they should be recognized as such. This is precisely what Romanists and others do, when they call their bishops apostles, and require men to honour and obey them as though they were. Fourthly, the only evidence of a call to an office, is the possession of the requisite gifts. If a man received the gift of prophecy, he was thereby called to be a prophet ; or if he received the gift of healing, he was thereby called to exercise that gift. So if any man has received ministerial gifts, he has received a call * to the ministry. What those gifts are the Bible has taught us. They are such as these: soundness in the faith, competent knowledge, ability to teach, the love of Christ and zeal for his glory, an intelligent conviction of an obligation to preach the gospel, and in short the qualifications which are necessary in one who is to be an example and guide of the flock of Jesus Christ. The office of the church in the matter is, first to ex- amine whether the candidate for the ministry really possesses ministerial gifts ; and then, if satisfied on that point, authori- tatively to declare its judgment in the appointed way. The same remarks may be made in reference to a call to the mis- sionary work or to any other department of labour in the church of Christ. The fundamental idea is that the church is v the body of Christ, filled by his Spirit, and that the Spirit dis- \ tributes to every one severally as he wills, the gifts which he i designs him to exercise for the edification of the whole.
29.30. (Are) all apostles? (are) aU prophets? (are) all teachers ? (are) all workers of miracles ? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues ? do all interpret ?
As in the body all is not eye, or all ear, so in the church aU have not the same gifts and offices. Aiid as it would be preposterous in all the members of the body to aspire to the