The second Part.
Vers. 3. For I say, through the Grace given unto mee, to every man that is among you, not to think of him∣self more highly than hee ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Grace.
The second part of the Chapter follows; wherein ac∣cording to his Apostolical authority (which hee calls Grace, because granted to him out of ineffable Grace) hee charges every one that was among them, in any publick office, or any excellency of gift, that hee would not think of himself above his fellows, or above the value of his talent, or the measure of his knowledge, but that hee would carry himself soberly, and moderately in all things, towards all. The Reasons of this Exhortation are five.
Reas. 1. God hath distributed to every one not a ful∣ness, but a measure of Faith: Therefore it is fitting that every one should modestly contain himself within that measure.
Vers. 4. For as wee have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Reas. 2. As in the natural body, divers members are deputed to divers operations; So in the Ecclesiastical bo∣dy of Beleevers, or the society of the Officers of the Church, divers functions are designed to divers imploy∣ments: Therefore it is fitting, that each contain himself modestly in his office.
Vers. 5. So wee being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Reas. 3. Included in the same similitude, as in the natural body, many members constitute one body, so in the Ecclesiastical body, all the faithful, in particular all Church-Officers, are one body in Christ: Therefore all ought to concurre modestly, every one for his part, to maintain the unity of the body.
In particular] Reason 4. As in the natural body, so in the Ecclesiastical body, each of the members, are not onely of the whole body, but of one another; or every member is intended to promote the benefit of another: Therefore all ought to serve each other, mutually promo∣ting the benefit of each other, and not proudly and im∣prudently hinder one another.
Vers. 6. Having then gifts, differing according to the Grace that is given to us, whether prophesy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith:
Reas. 5. Those divers gifts which wee have, are com∣muncated through the Grace and good pleasure of God, who hath bestowed them: Therefore let us not grow proud, but modestly demean our selves.
Whether Prophesie] Hee descends to particular ordina∣ry publick gifts, and to each hee prescribes their opera∣tions and bounds: Hee makes two kinds of functions. The first is Prophesie; The second of a Deacon; Prophe∣sie comprehends the handling of the Word; Hee saith, having Prophesie, let us prophesie, according to the propor∣tion of Faith, i. e. Let us onely teach that which God hath propounded to be beleeved in the Scripture, and that which wee solidly know or beleeve to bee the sense of Scripture.
Vers. 7. Or Ministery, let us wait on our Ministring; or hee that teacheth, on teaching:
The second kind of Ecclesiastical functions, is that of Deacon, which contains all the gifts subservient to the Mi∣nistry of the Word, as afterward hee declares. Concern∣ing which hee prescribes, that hee which is imployed in that office, would contain himself in it, and would not aspire higher, unless orderly called.
Hee that teacheth] Hee subdivides Prophesie into the office of Teachers and Pastors: By Teachers hee under∣stands those, who teach by office, and labour in informing of our minds in the knowledge of the Truth, and these hee commands that they diligently use their ability in teach∣ing, and wholly give themselves to it.
Vers. 8. Or hee that exhorteth, on Exhortation: hee that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; hee that ruleth, with diligence; hee that sheweth mercy, with chearfulness.
By Pastors hee understands, those who exhort, and la∣bour in moving the affections, and have ability, not onely for interpreting the sense of the Scripture, but pru∣dently to apply the Word for the present benefit of hearers, with stirring up the affections. These hee commands to attend to Exhortation.
Hee that distributes] Hee reckons up three kinds as it were of Deacons, subservient to the Ministery of the Word. The first is of those that distribute, i. e. by way of Office they are set over the treasurie of the Church; the goods of the Church, and the collections of the Saints they dispence to the publick uses of the Church; hee commands these, that they distribute with simplicity, that is with good fidelity, without acception of persons, and respect to private advantage.
Hee that Rules] The second kind, is of those which are otherwise called, 1 Cor. 12.28. Ruling Presbyters, and by office were set to over-see the manners of the people, that scandals might bee avoided, and removed from the Church; These hee commands, that they diligently and carefully attend to their duty.
Hee that shews mercy] The third kind of Deacons, is of those who by office were to shew pitty, and were set to over-see the poor, the sick, those that were banished, and others that were afflicted in the Church: These hee commands, that they attend to their duty with chear∣fulness; lest with their frowardness they more afflict those, whom a disease, or poverty, or banishment hath already afflicted. In all these Precepts hee distinguishes betwixt themselves divers functions by divers gifts, and divers subjects, setting several kinds of Officers over divers im∣ployments; using the like way of commanding in all of them.