92 A DISCOURSE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT, 2. The first great duty ofthe ministrywith reference unto the church, is, the dispensation of the doctrine of the gospel unto it, for its edification. As this is the du- ty of the church continuallyto attend unto, Acts ii. 42. so it is the principal work of the ministry, the founda- tion of all other duties, which the apostles themselves . gave themselves unto in an especial manner, Acts vi. 4. Hence it is given in charge untoall ministers ofthe gos- pel. Acts xx. 28. 1 Peter v. 2. 1 Tim. i. 3. chap. v. 17. chap, iv. 13, 14, 16. 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2, 3. For this is the principal 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 en- doweth men withal, which must be considered. 3. The first is wisdom, or knowledge, or understand - ing in the mysteries of the gospel, the revelation of the mystery of God in Christ, with his mind and will towards ns therein. These things may bedistinguished, and they seem to be so in the scripture sometimes. I put them to- gether, as all of them denote that acquaintance with, and comprehension of the doctrine of the gospel, which is indispensably 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 con- cerned in point of duty, would but lay out so much of their strength and time in the obtaining of this know- ledge, as they do about other things that 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 or- dinarily to be teachers of others, who would scarcely be admitted as tolerable disciples 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 ao rush on that work as they do, which they have no provision of ability for the performance of. It is in brief such is comprehension of the scope and end of the scripture, of the revelation ofGod therein, such an acquaintance with the system of particular doctrinal truths, in their rise, tendency, and use, such an habit of mind in judging of spiritual things, and comparing them one with another, such a distinct insight 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 de- clare the counsel of God, to make known the way oflife, of faith and obedience unto others, and to instruct them in their whole duty to God andman 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 committed unto the ministers of the church, is the wisdom ofGod in a mystery, 1Cor. ii. 7. so their prin- cipal duty is to become so wise and understanding in that mystery, as that they may be able to declare it unto others, without which they have no ministry committed unto them by Jesus Christ. See Eph. i. 9. chap. iii. 3, 6, 19. Col. iv. 3.. The sole inquiry is, whence we may have this wisdom, seeing it is abundantly evident that we have it not of ourselves ? That, in general, it is from God, that it is to be asked of him, the scripture every where declares. See Col. i. 9. chap. ii. 2. 2 Tim. ii. 7. James i. 5. 1 John v. 20. And, in particular, it is plainly affirmed to be the especial gift of the Holy Ghost. He gives the word ofwisdom, 1 Cor. xii. 8. which place bath been opened before. And it is the first ministerial gift that he bestows on any. Where this is not in some measure, to look for a ministry, is to look for the living among the dead. And they will deceive their own souls in the end, as they do those of others in the mean time, who, on any other grounds, do undertake to be preach- ers of the gospel. But I shall not here divert unto the full description of this spiritual gift, because I have dis- coursed concerning it elsewhere. 4. With respect unto the doctrine of thegospel, there is required unto the ministry of the church, skill to di- vide the word aright, which is also a peculiar gift of the Holy Ghost, 2 Tim. ii. 15. Study to approve thyself unto God, a workman that needelh not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word oftruth. Both the former clau- ses depend on the latter. Ifa minister would be accept- ed with God in his work, if he would be found at the last day a workman that needs not to be ashamed, that is, such a builder of the house of God, as whose work is meet, proper, and useful, be must take care to divide
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=