512 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX.
divide the word aright, unto its proper ends, 2 Tirn. iii. 16, 17. And it is lamentable to consider what shameful work is made for want hereof in the preaching of some men ; yea, how the whole gift is lost, as to its power, use, and benefit.
3. The gift of utterance also belongeth unto this part of the minis- terial duty, in the dispensation of the doctrine of the gospel. This is particularly reckoned by the apostle among the gifts of the Spirit, 1 Cor. i. 5 ; 2 Cor. viii. 7. And he desires the prayers of the church that the gift may abide with himself, aud abound in him, Eph. vi. 19. And he there declares that the nature of it consists in the " opening of the mouth boldly, to make known the mysteries of the gospel ;" as also Col. iv. 8. Now, this utterance doth not consist in a natural volubility of speech, which, taken alone by itself, is so far from being a gift of the Spirit, or a thing to be earnestly prayed for, as that it is usually a snare to them that have it, and a trouble to them that hear them ; nor doth it consist in a rhetorical ability to set off discourses with a nourish of words, be they never so plausible or enticing; much less in a bold corrupting of the ordinance of preaching by a foolish affectation of words, in supposed elegancies of speech, quaint expressions, and the like effects of wit, — that is, fancy and vanity. But four things do concur hereunto: — (1.) Tlapprisia, or " dicendi libertas." The word we translate "utterance" is \6yog, that is, speech ; but that not speech in general, but a certain kind of speech, is intended, is evident from the places mentioned, and the application of them. And it is such a speech as is elsewhere called nappwia, — that is, a freedom and liberty in the declaration of the truth conceived. This a man hath when he is not, from any internal defect, or from any outward consideration, straitened in the declara- tion of those things which he ought to speak. This frame and ability the apostle expresseth in himself: 2 Cor. vi. 11, " O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged." A free, enlarged spirit, attended with an ability of speech suited unto the matter in hand, with its occasions, belong to this gift. (2.) So also doth bold- ness and holy confidence. So we often render iruppwiu, wherein this utterance doth much consist. When the Spirit of God, in the midst of difficulties, oppositions, and discouragements, strengthened the minds of ministers, so as that they are not terrified with any amazement, but discharge their work freely, as considering Avhose word and message it is that they do deliver, [this] belongs to this gift of utterance. (3.) So also doth gravity in expression, becoming the sacred majesty of Christ and his truths, in the delivery of them. He that speaks is to "speak as the oracles of God," 1 Pet. iv. 11, — that is, not only as to truth, preaching the word of God and nothing else, but doing it with that gravity and soundness of speech which become
CHAP. VIII.] GIFTS OF DOCTRINE, WORSHIP, AND RULE. 513
them who speak the oracles of God ; for as we are to deliver " sound doctrine/' and nothing else, Tit. i. 9, so we are to use "sound speech, that cannot be condemned/' chap. ii. 7, 8. (4.) Hereunto, also, belongs that authority which accompanieth the delivery of the word, when preached in demonstration of these spiritual abilities. For all these things are necessary that the hearers may receive the word, " not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God."
These are the principal spiritual gifts wherewith the Holy Ghost endows the ministers of the church with respect unto the effectual dispensation of the word, or the doctrine of the gospel, which is com- mitted unto them; and where they are communicated in any such degree as is necessary unto the due discharge of that office, they will evidence themselves to the consciences of them that do believe. The dispensation of the word by virtue of them, though under great variety from the various degrees wherein they are communicated, and the different natural abilities of them that do receive them, will be sufficiently distinguished and remote from that empty, wordy, sap- less way of discoursing of spiritual things, which is the mere effect of the wit, fancy, invention, and projection of men destitute of the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and the mysteries of the gospel.
The second head of duties belonging unto the ministerial office respects the worship of God. By the worship of God here, I under- stand only that especial part thereof whereof himself is the immediate object: for, absolutely, the preaching and hearing of the word is a part of sacred worship, as that wherein we act the obedience of faith unto the commands of God, and submit ourselves unto his institu- tions; and, indeed, as unto those that hear, it is God declaring him- self by his word that is the immediate object of their worship. But the dispensation of the word which we have considered is the acting of men, upon the authority and command of God, towards others. But, as was said, by that we inquire into, I intend that alone whereof God himself was the immediate object. Such are all the remaining offices and duties of the church, those only excepted which belong to its rule. And this worship hath various acts, according to the variety of Christ's institutions and the church's occasions: yet, as to the manner of its performance, it is comprised in prayer; for by prayer we understand all the confessions, supplications, thanksgivings, and praises, that are made unto God in the church, whether abso- lutely or in the administration of other ordinances, as the sacraments. Wherefore, in this duty, as comprehensive of all the sacred offices of public worship, as the glory of God is greatly concerned, so it is the principal act of obedience in the chinch. This, then, as to the per- formance of it, depends either on the natural abilities of men, or on the aids and operation of the Holy Ghost. By the natural abilities