A 111300tittSE ON T1fE HOLY sflItlTy as is necessary unto its edification. And for any one to undertake an office in the church, who hath not re ceived this gift in some good measure of the knowledge of the mystery of God, and the gospel, is to impose himself on that service in the house of God, which he is neither called unto, nor fitted for. And whereas we have lived to see all endeavours after an especial ac- quaintance with the mysteries of the gospel, despisedor derided by some, it is an evidence of that fatal and fear- ful apostacy, wherein the generality of Christians are fallen; Ì3. Faith is added, in the third place: To another Jtilh by the saine Spirit. That the savinggrace of faith, which is common unto all true believerá, is not here in- tended, is Manifest from the context. There is a faith in scripture, Which is commonlycalled the faith of miracles, mentioned by our apostle in this epistle, as a principal, extraordinary, spiritual gift, chap. xiii. 2. Though I had allfaith, so that I could remove mountaihs, that is, the highest degree of a faith of miracles, or such as would effect miraculous operations of the highest nature. This I should reatily admit to behere intended, but that there is mention made of working miracles in the next verse, as a gift distinct from this faith : yet, whereas this work- ing of miracles is every .where ascribed to faith, and could not be any where, but where the peculiar faith from which those operations did proceed was first im- parted, it is not Unlikely, but that by faith the principle ofall miraculous operations may be intended, and by the other expressions the operations themselves. But if the distinction of these gifts be to be preserved, as I ra- ther judge that it ought to be, considering the placing of faith immediately upon wisdom and knowledge, I should judge that a peculiar confidence, boldness; and assurance of mind in the profession of the gospel, and the admini- stration of its ordinances, is here intended. Faith there- fore is sr.Qgncea tl Olt-e, that freedom, confidence, and boldness in the faith, or profession of the faith, which is in Christ Jesus, mentioned by the apostle, 1 Tim. iii. 13. that is, our vrosttrs, or confidence in profession, whose beginning we are to hold fast and firm unto the end, I-Ieb. iii. 14. And we do see bow excellent a gift this is on all occasions. When troubles and triais do befit! the church upon the account of its profession, many, even true believers, are very ready to faint and despond, and some to draw back at least for a season; as others do utterly, to the perdition of their souls. In this state, the eminent usefulness of this gift of boldness in the faith, of an assured confidence in profession, of-an especial faith . to go through troubles and trials, is known unto all: Oft-times, the eminence of it in one single person bath been the means to preserve a whole church from cold- ness, backsliding, or sinful compliances with the worlds And where God stirreth up any one unto some great or singular work in his church, he constantlyendows them with this gift of faith. So was it with Luther, whose un- daunted courage and resolution in profession, or boldness in the faith, was one of the principal means ofsucceeding in his great undertaking. And there is no more certain sign of churches being forsaken of Christ in a time- of trial, than if this gift be witheld from them, and pu- sillanimity, fearfulness, withcarnal wisdom, do springup in the room of it. The work and effects of this faithart expressed, 1 Cor. xvi. 13. Latchye, standfast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. So also, lip!). vi; 10, 2 Peter iii 1; And the especial way whereby it may be attained or improved, is by a diligent careful discharge at all times of all the duties of the places we hold in the church, i Peter iii. 13. I4: The gifts of healing are nextly mentioned. peace ïapcarmr. To another thegifts Ofhealing by the same Spirit. So they are again expressed, ver. 28. in theplu. rat number, because of their free communication unto many persons. These beatings respected those that were sick, in their sudden and miraculous recovery from long or deadly distempers, by the imposition of hands in the name of the Lord Jesus: And as many of the . mighty works of Christ himself, for the reasons that shall be mentioned, consisted in these beatings, so it was one of the first things which he gave in commission to his apostles; and furnished them, with power for, whilst they attended on him in his personal ministry, Matth, x. I. So also did be do to the seventy, making it the principal sign of the approach of the kingdom of God, Luke x. 9. And the same power and virtue he promiseth to believers, namely, that they should lay hands an the sick and recover them, after his ascension. Of the accomplishment of this promise, and 'the exer- cise of this power, the story of the Acts of the Apostles giveth us many instances, Acts v. 15. chap. iii. 7. chap+ ix. 33, 34. And two things are observed singular in the exercise of this gift; As first, that many were cur-
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