508 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [LOOK IX.
the Lord Christ is so, and the Spirit himself is so, and all true edifica- tion 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.
CHAPTER VIII.
Of the gifts of the Spirit with respect unto doctrine, worship, and rule — 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.
I. 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 con- sideration of all those gracious qualifications of faith, love, zeal, com- passion, 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 ; but 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.
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 edifica- tion. 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, chap. 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, iv. 13, 16, v. 17; 2 Tim. iv. 1-3; — for this is the principal
CHAR VIII.] GIFTS OF DOCTRINE, WORSHIP, AND RULE. ,509
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 some- times. I put them together, as all of them denote that acquaintance with and comprehension of the doctrine of the gospel which is in- dispensably 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 dis- ciples 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 ministry of the gospel, probably some would not so rush on that work as they do, which they have no provision of ability for the performance of. It is, in brief, such a comprehension of the scope and end of the Scripture, of the revelation of God therein ; such an acquaintance with the systems of particular doctrinal truths, in their rise, tendency, and use ; such a habit of mind in judging of spiritual things, and comparing them one with another; such a distinct in- sight into the springs and course of the mystery of the love, grace, and will of God in Christ, — as enables them in whom it is to declare the 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 com- mitted 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 de- clare it unto others; without which they have no ministry committed