424 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX.
to be supplied ; and where they are called y^ap/g^ara only, insufburixd is to be understood, as expressing their especial difference from all others. They are neither natural nor moral, but spiritual endow- ments; for both their author, nature, and object, are respected herein. Their author is the Holy Spirit; their nature is spiritual; and the objects about which they are exercised are spiritual things.
Again; with respect unto the manner of their communication, they are called //,spiff/j,o! rov Tivsvparog ayiou, Heb. ii. 4, "distributions," or partitions "of the Holy Ghost;" not whereof the Holy Ghost is the subject, as though he were parted or divided, as the Socinians dream on this place, but whereof he is the author, the distributions which he makes. And they are thus called divisions, partitions, or distri- butions, because they are of divers sorts and kinds, according as the edification of the church did require; and they were not at any time all of them given out unto any one person, at least so as that others should not be made partakers of the same sort. From the same in- exhaustible treasure of bounty, grace, and power, these gifts are variously distributed unto men. And this variety, as the apostle proves, gives both ornament and advantage to the church : " If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing?" etc., 1 Cor. xii. 14-25. It is this pspiff/Aog, this various distribution of gifts, that makes the church an organical body; and in this composure, with the peculiar uses of the members of the body, consist the harmony, beauty, and safety of the whole. Were there no more but one gift, or gifts of one sort, the whole body would be but one member; as where there is none, there is no animated body, but a dead carcass.
And this various distribution, as it is an act of the Holy Spirit, produceth hiaipicnv Aiaipsttug ^apta/j,d,TOJv da!, — " There are diversities of gifts," 1 Cor. xii. 4. The gifts thus distributed iu the church are divers as to their sorts and kinds, one of one kind, another of another. An account hereof is given by the apostle particularly, verses 8-10, in a distinct enumeration of the sorts or kinds of them. The edifi- cation of the church is the general end of them all ; but divers, dis- tinct, different gifts are required thereunto.
These gifts being bestowed, they are variously expressed, with regard unto the nature and manner of those operations which we are enabled unto by virtue of them. So are they termed bianoviag, " ministrations," 1 Cor. xii. 5, — that is, powers and abilities whereby some are enabled to administer spiritual things unto the benefit,- advantage, and edification of others; and hipyrutara, verse 6, "effec- tual workings" or operations, efficaciously producing the effects which they are applied unto ; and lastly, they are comprised by the apostle in that expression, <&a/sp ueig rov Tlvtlparog, — " The manifestation of the Spirit," verse 7. In and by them doth the Holy Spirit evidence
CHAP. II.] SPIRITUAL GIFTS DISTINGUISHED FROM SAVING GRACE. 425
and manifest his power; for the effects- produced by them, and them- selves in their own nature, especially some of them, do evince that the Holy Spirit is in them, that they are given and wrought by him, and are the ways whereby he acts his own power and grace.
These things are spoken in the Scripture as to the name of these spiritual gifts. And it is evident that if we part with our interest and concern in them, we must part with no small portion of the New Testament; for the mention of them, directions about them, their use and abuse, do so frequently occur, that if we are not concerned in them we are not so in the gospel.
CHAPTER II.
Differences between spiritual gifts and saving grace.
Their nature in general, which in the next place we inquire into, will be much discovered in the consideration of those things wherein these gifts do agree with saving graces, and wherein they differ from them.
First, There are four things wherein spiritual gifts and saving graces do agree : —
1. They are, both sorts of them, the purchase of Christ for his church, the especial fruit of his mediation. We speak not of such gifts or endowments of men's minds as consist merely in the improve- ment of their natural faculties: such are wisdom, learning, skill in arts and sciences; which those may abound and excel in who are utter strangers to the church of Christ, and frequently they do so, to their own exaltation and contempt of others. Nor do I intend abi- lities for actions, moral, civil, or political ; as, fortitude, skill in govern- ment or rule, and the like. For although these are gifts of the power of the Spirit of God, yet they do belong unto those operations which he exerciseth in upholding or ruling of the world, or the old creation as such, whereof I have treated before. But I intend those alone which are conversant about the gospel, the things and duties of it, the administration of its ordinances, the propagation of its doctrine, and profession of its ways. And herein also I put a difference be- tween them and all those gifts of the Spirit about sacred things which any of the people of God enjoyed under the old testament; for we speak only of those which are " powers of the world to come." Those others were suited to the economy of the old covenant, and confined with the light which God was pleased then to communicate unto his church. Unto the gospel state they were not suited, nor would be useful in it. Hence the prophets, who had the most emi-