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

(§ 14.) AND as for their Work, it may be reduced unto Three Heads. (1) To Preach the Gospel in all Places unto all Persons, as they had occasion. So Philip went down to Samaria and preached ⟨p. 152⟩Christ, Acts 8. 5. And when the Apostle Paul chargeth Timothy to do the Work of an Evangelist, 2 Tim. 4. 5. he prescribes unto him Preaching the Word in Season and out of Season, ver. 2. And whereas this was incumbent in like manner on the Ordinary Teachers of every Church; the Teaching of those Evangelists differed from theirs in two things. (1) In the Extent of their Work, which as we showed before, was equal unto that of the Apostles; whereas Ordinary Bishops, Pastors or Teachers, were to feed, teach and take care of the especial Flocks only which they were set over, Acts 20. 17, 18. 1 Pet. 5. 2. (2) They were obliged to labour in their Work in a more than ordinary manner; as it should seem from 2 Tim. 4. 5. (2ly.) The Second Part of their Work was to confirm the Doctrine of the Gospel by Miraculous Operations as occasion did require. So Philip the Evangelist wrought many Miracles of sundry sorts at Samaria, in the Confirmation of the Doctrine which he taught, Acts 8. 6, 7, 13. And in like manner there is no question, but that the rest of the Evangelists had the Power or Gift of Miraculous Operations, to be exercised as occasion did require, and as they were guided by the Holy Ghost. (3) They were employed in the settling and completing of those Churches, whose Foundations were laid by the Apostles. For whereas they had the great Work upon them, of Preaching the Gospel unto all Nations, they could not continue long or reside in any one Place or Church. And yet when Persons were newly converted to the Faith, and disposed only into an Imperfect Order, without any especial peculiar Officers, Guides or Rulers of their own; it was not safe leaving of them unto themselves, lest ⟨p. 153⟩