VERS. XIX.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.
Give me also this power, &c.
HOW infinitely mistaken is this wretch, if he think that the gifts of the Holy Ghost could be bought and procured by Silver or Gold; and how much more mistaken still, if he think that the power of conferring these gifts to others could be thus attained! The Apostles had a power of imparting these gifts, but even they had not a power of enabling another to impart them. Paul by laying hands on Timothy could endow him with the gifts of Tongues and Prophesie; but he could not so endow him that he should be capable of conveighing those gifts to another. This was purely Apostolical to dis∣pense these gifts, and when they died, this power and privilege died with them.
It is easie apprehending what this wily wretch had in his thoughts and design, viz. an affectation both of lucre and vain-glory. Otherwise it might have been abundantly enough for him to have requested, give me also the gift of Tongues and Prophesie as ye have given to these.