506 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX.
dared. 3. That these gifts give not only ability for duty, but rule and measure unto all works of service that are to be performed in the church. Every one is to act therein according to his gift, and no otherwise. To say that this state of the church is now ceased, and that another state is introduced, wherein all gospel administra- tions may be managed without spiritual gifts, or not by virtue of them, is to say that which, de facto, is true in most places ; but whe- ther the true nature of the church is not overthrown thereby is left unto consideration. 1 Pet. iv. 10, 11, is a parallel testimony here- unto, and many others to the same purpose might be pleaded, toge- ther with that which is the foundation of this whole discourse, Eph. iv. 7-16, etc. Only let it be remembered, that, in this whole dis- course, by "gifts" I do understand those ^apie/iara <?rvsv,uarix,d,, those spiritual largesses, which are neither absolutely natural endowments nor attainable by our own industry and diligence.
Seventhly, These gifts, as they are bestowed unto that end, so they are indispensably necessary unto gospel administrations; for, as we have proved, they are spiritual, and not legal or carnal. And spiritual administrations cannot be exercised in a due manner with- out spiritual gifts; yea, one reason why they are spiritual, and so called, is, because they cannot be performed without the aid and assistance of the Holy Spirit in and by these gifts of his. Had the Lord Christ appointed administrations of another nature, such as were every way suited unto the reason of men, and to be exer- cised by the powers thereof, there had been no need of these spiri- tual gifts; for the spirit of a man knoweth the things of a man, and will both guide and act him therein. And whereas these adminis- trations are, in their nature, use, signification, and efficacy, spiritual, it is by spiritual gifts alone that they may be managed. Hence these things do live and die together; where the one is not, there neither will the other be. Thus, when many, perhaps the most who were outwardly called unto office in the church, began to be carnal in their hearts and lives, and to neglect the use of these gifts, neither applying themselves unto the attaining of them, nor endeavouring to excite or increase what they had received by diligence or constant exercise, refusing to trade with the talent committed unto them, they quickly began to wax weary of spiritual administrations also. Hereon, in compliance with many corrupt affections, they betook themselves unto an outward, carnal, ceremonious worship and ad- ministration of ordinances, which they might discharge and perform without the least aid or assistance of the Holy Ghost or supply of spiritual gifts. So, in the neglect of these gifts, and the loss of them which ensued thereon, lay the beginning of the apostasy of the Chris- tian church as to its outward profession; which was quickly com-
CHAP. VII.] SPIRITUAL GIFTS NECESSARY FOR THE MINISTRY. 507
pletecl by the neglect of the grace of the Spirit, whereby it lost both truth and holiness. Nor could it be otherwise; for, as we have proved, the outward form and being of the church, as to its visible profession, depend on the reception and use of them. On their decay, therefore, the church must decay as to its pixrfession, and in their loss is its ruin. And we have an instance in the church of Rome what various, extravagant, and endless inventions the minds of men will put them upon to keep up a show of worship, when, by the loss of spiritual gifts, spiritual administrations are lost also. This is that which their innumerable forms, modes, sets of rites and cei^e- monies, seasons of worship, are invented to supply ; but to no purpose at all, but only the aggravation of their sin and folly.
In the last place, we plead the event, even in the days wherein we live; for the Holy Ghost doth continue to dispense spiritual gifts for gospel administrations in great variety unto those ministers of the gospel who are called unto their office according unto his mind and will. The opposition that is made hereunto by profane scoffers is not to be valued. The experience of those who are humble and wise, who, fearing God, do inquire into these things, is appealed 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 administered 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 the variety of his dispensations manifest themselves also unto the experience of believers. Who sees 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 apj)rehension is intolerable among such as profess themselves to be Christians. For any to boast themselves [that] they are sufficient of themselves for the stewardly dispensation of the mysteries of the gospel by their own endowments, natural or acquired, and the exer- cise of them, without a participation of any peculiar spiritual gift from the Holy Ghost, is a presumption which contains in it a renun- ciation of all or any interest in the promises of Christ made unto the church for the continuance of his presence therein. Let men be never so well persuaded of their own abilities; let them pride them- selves in their performances, in reflection of applauses from persons unacquainted 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,