D4 A DTSCOHRS2 ON THE HOLY SPIRIT, volubility of speech, which, taken alone byítself, is so far from being a gift of the Spirit, or a thing to be so earnestlyprayed for, as that it is usually a snare to them that have it, and a trouble to them that hear them. Nor Both it consist ina rhetorical ability to setoffdiscourses with a flourish of words, be tóëy never so plausible or enticing ; much less in a bold corrupting of the ordinance of preaching by a foolish affectation of words in suppos- ed elegancies of speech, quaint expressions, and the like effects of wit, that is fancy and vanity. But four things do concur hereunto: (I.) rracem.,,a, or dicendi libertas. The word we translate utterance is avy,y that is speech. But not that 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 aa4es- , that is, a freedom and lib- erty in the declaration of the truth conceived. This a man ltath, when he is not from any internal defect, or from any outward consideration, straitened in the de- claration of those things which he ought tospeak. This frame and ability the apostle expresseth in himself; 2 Cor. vi. l t. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. A free enlarged spirit, at- tended with an ability of speech, suited unto the matter in hand, with its occasions, belong to this gift. (2.) So also doth boldness sod holy confidence. So we often render ,ra44sa,a, wherein this utteranceBoth much consist. When the Spirit of God, in the midst of difficulties, op- positions, and discouragements, strengtheneth the minds of ministers, so as that they are not terrified with any amazement, but discharge their work freely, as consider- ingwhose word and message it is that they do deliver, belongs to this gift of utterance. (8.) So also dothgra- vity 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 Peter iv. H. that is, not only as to truth, preaching the word of God, and nothing else, but doing it with that gravity and soundnessof speech, which becomes them who speak the oracles of God. For, as we are to deliver sound doctrine, and nothing else, Titus i. 9. so we are to use sound speech that cannot be condemned, Titus ii. 7, 8. (t.) Hereunto alsobelongs that authority which accom- panieth the delivery of the word when preached in de- monstration of those 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, indeed, the word of God. e. 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 committed unto them. And where they are communicated in any such degree as is necessary unto the due dischargeof that of- fice, 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 thatempty, wordy, sapless way of discoursing spiritual things, which is the mere effect of the wit, fancy, inven- tion, and projection of men destitute of the saving know- ledge ofour Lord Jesus Christ, and the mysteries of the gospel. 7. The second head of.duties belonging unto the mi- nisterial office, respects the worship of God. By the wor- ship of God, here, I understand 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 obe- dience of faith unto the commands of God, and submit ourselles unto his institution. And, indeed, as unto those that hear, it is God declaring himself by his word that is the immediate object of their worship. But the dispen- sation of the word, which we have considered, is the acting of men upón the authority and command of God towards others. But, as was said by that part we inquire into, I intend that alone whereof God himself was the immediate object. Such are all the remainingoffices and duties of the church, thoseonly excepted which belong to its rule. And this worship bath various acts accord- ing to thevariety of Christ's institutions and thechurch's occasions. Yet, as to the manner of its performance, it is comprised in prayer; for, by prayer, we understand all 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 comprehen- sive 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 church. This, then, as to the
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