40 AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS. were not so in themselves which made the most glori- ous and astonishing appearance in the world, andwhich were most eminently useful in the foundation of the church, and propagation of the gospel. Such as were those that were extraordinary and miraculous. There is something of the divine nature in the least grace, that is not in the most glorious gift which is only so. 1t will therefore be part of our work, to shew wherein the essential difference between these gifts and sanctify- ing graces doth consist; as also what is their nature and use must be inquired into. For, although they are not grace, yet they are that which the church cannot subsist in the world, nor can believers be useful unto one another, and the rest of mankind, unto the glory of Christ, as they ought to be. They are the powers of the world to come; those effectual operations of the power of Christ, whereby his kingdom was erected, and is preserved. 8. And hereby is the church state under the New Testament differenced from that under the Old. There is indeed a great difference between their ordinances and ours; theirs being suited unto the dark apprehen- sions which they hadof spiritual things; ours accommo- dated unto the clearer light of the gospel, more plainly and expressly representing heavenly things unto us, Heb. x. I... But our ordinances, with their spirit, would be carnal also. The principal difference lies in the administration of the Spirit, for thedue perform- ance of the gospel-worship, by virtue of these gifts be- stowed on men for that very end. Hence the whole of evangelical worship is called the ministration of the Spirit, and thence said to be glorious, '2 Cor. iii. 8. And where they are neglected, 1 see not the advantage of the outward worship and ordinances of the gospel, above those of the law. For, although their institu- tions are accommodation unto that administration of grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ, yet they must lose their whole glory, force, and efficacy, if they be not dispensed, and the duties of them performed, by virtue of these spiritual gifts. And therefore no sort of men by whom they are neglected, do, or can content themselves with the pure and immixed gospel institutions in these things, but do rest principally in the outward part of divine service in things of their own finding out: for, as gospel gifts are useless without attending unto gospel institutions; so gospel institutions are found to be fruitless and unsatisfactory, without the attaining and exercising of gospel gifts. 4. Be it so, therefore, that these gifts we intend are not in themselves saving graces, yet are they not to be despised; for they are, as we shall shew, the powers of the world to come, by means whereof the kingdom of Christ is preserved, carried on, and propagated in the world. And although they are not grace, yet are they the great means whereby all grace is ingenerated and exercised. And although the spiritual lifeof the church doth not consist in them, yet the order and edification of the church depends wholly on them. And therefore are they so frequently mentioned in the scripture as thegreat privilege of the New Testament; directions being multi- plied in the writings of the apostles about their nature and proper use. And we are commanded earnestly to desire and labour after them, especially those which are most useful and subservient unto edification, 1 Cor. xii. 31. And as the neglect of internal saving grace, where- in the power of godliness doth consist, bath been the bane of Christian profession, as to obedience, issuing in that form of it which is consistent with all manner of lusts; so the neglect of these gifts hath been the ruin of the same profession as to worship and order, which bath thereon issued in fond superstition. 5. The great and signal promise of the communica- tion of these gifts, is recorded, Psal. lxviii. 18. Thou hast ascendedon high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast receivedgifts for men. For these words are applied by the apostle unto that communicationof spiri- tual gifts fromChrist, whereby the church was founded and edified, Eph. iv. 8. And whereas it is foretold in the Psalms, that Christ should receive gifts,' that is, to give them unto men, as that expression is expounded by the apostle; so he did this by receiving of the Spirit; the proper cause and immediate author of them all, as Peter declares, Acts ii. 23. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise oftheHoly Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear, speaking of the miracu- lous gifts conferred on the apostles at the day of Pen- tecost. Por these gifts are from Christ, not as God absolutely, but as mediator, in which capacity he re- ceived all from the Father in a way of free donation. Thus therefore he received the Spirit as the author of all spiritual gifts. And whereas all the powers of the
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