he tells us in the same sixth verse, that we have these “different gifts, according to the grace given unto us,” i.e. according to the office given unto us of God’s grace, (as hath been manifested,) after which immediately is subjoined an enumeration of offices. 2.  Nor is this proved by the inference made, upon the granting that divers offices are here meant, viz. [Then they might not concur in one man, the prophet might not teach nor exhort, &c.; many gifts may be common in one man, many offices cannot.] For who is so little versed in the Scriptures, but he knows that apostles, pastors, elders, deacons, are distinct officers one from another; yet all the inferior offices are virtually comprehended in the superior, and may be discharged by them:  elders may distribute as well as deacons; and beyond them, rule:  pastors may distribute and rule as well as deacons and elders, and beyond both preach, dispense sacraments, and ordain ministers.  Apostles may do there all, and many things besides extraordinary.  Much more may the prophet teach and exhort, and the deacon distribute and show mercy; these being the proper acts of their office. 3.  Nor, finally, is this proved by that suggestion, that all these gifts in the apostles’ times were common to all sorts and sexes, women as well as men; as he after takes much pains to prove, but to very little purpose.  For not only in the apostles’ times, but in our times also, all Christians may teach, exhort, distribute, show mercy, &c., privately, occasionally, by bond of charity, and law of fraternity towards one another mutually:  but may not teach, exhort, rule, distribute, &c., authoritatively by virtue of their office, so as to give themselves wholly to such employments, which is the thing here intended; yet it is worth observing how far Bilson was transported against ruling elders, that rather than yield to their office, he will make all these gifts common to all sorts and sexes, men and women.  This is new divinity; all sorts and sexes may both preach and rule.  Let Bilson have the credit of symbolizing with the Separatists, if not of transcending them.

2.  Here is good ground in the context to make us think that the apostle here spoke of distinct church officers, and not only of distinct gifts.  For, 1.  In the similitude of a natural body (whereunto here the church is compared) he speaks of distinct members, having distinct offices, ver. 4.  “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.” 2.  In his accommodation of this similitude, he speaks not only of gifts, but also of offices according to which these gifts are given, which he calls grace, ver. 6, (as was noted.).  This grace given, or this office given of grace, is branched out, first, into two general heads, viz. prophecy and ministry, ver. 6, 7.  Then these generals are subdivided into the special offices contained under them, viz.:  Under prophecy the teacher, he that teacheth;