Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

(§ 12.) IN the Gospel Church-state there were Evangelists also as they are mentioned, Eph. 4. 11. Acts 21. 2. 2 Tim. 4. 5. Gospellers, Preachers of the Gospel, distinct from the Ordinary Teachers of the Churches. Things I confess are but obscurely delivered concerning this sort of Men in Scripture; their Office being not designed unto a Continuance. Probably the Institution of it was traduced from the Temporary Ministry of the Seventy before mentioned. That they were the same Persons continued in their first Office, as the Apostles were, is uncertain and improbable; though it be not that some of them might be called thereunto; as Philip, and Timothy, and Titus, were Evangelists that were not of that first Number. Their especial Call is not mentioned, nor their Number any where intimated. That their Call was Extraordinary is hence apparent, in that no Rules are any where given or prescribed about their Choice or Ordination, no Qualification of their Persons expressed, nor any Direction given the Church as to it's future Proceeding about them, no more than about new or other Apostles. They seem to have been called by the Apostles, by the Direction of a ⟨p. 150⟩Spirit of Prophecy or immediate Revelation from Christ. So it is said of Timothy, who is expressly called an Evangelist, 2 Tim. 4. 5. That he received that Gift by Prophecy, 1 Tim. 4. 14. that is, the Gift of the Office: As when Christ ascended, he gave Gifts unto Men, some to be Evangelists, Eph. 4. 8, 11. For this way did the Holy Ghost design Men unto extraordinary Offices and Employments, Acts 13. 1, 2, 3. And when they were so designed by Prophecy, or immediate Revelation from Christ by the Holy Ghost, then the Church in Compliance therewith both prayed for them, and laid their Hands on them: So when the Holy Ghost had revealed his choosing of Paul and Barnabas unto an especial Work, the Prophets and Teachers of the Church of Antioch where they then were, fasted and prayed, and laid their Hands on them, so sending them away,