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

When this End was attained, and the Churches were settled under Ordinary Elders of their own, the Evangelists removed into other places, according as they were directed or disposed. These things are evident from the Instructions given by Paul unto Timothy and Titus, which have all of them respect unto this Order.

(§ 15.) Some there are who plead for the Continuance of this Office: Some in express Terms and under the same Name: Others for Successors unto them, at least in that part of their Work which consisteth in Power over many Churches. Some say that Bishops succeed to the Apostles, and Presbyters unto those Evangelists: But this is scarce defensible in any tolerable manner by them whose Interest it is to defend it. For Timothy, whom they would have to be a Bishop, is expressly called an Evangelist. That which is pleaded with most probability for their Continuance, is the Necessity of the Work wherein they were employed in the Rule and Settlement of the Churches: But the Truth is, if their whole Work as before described be consulted, as none can perform some parts of it, so it may be very few would over-earnestly press after a Participation of their Office. For to preach the Word continually, and that with a peculiar Labour and Travail, and to move up and down according ⟨p. 154⟩as the Necessity of the Edification of the Churches doth require, doing nothing in them but according to the Rule and Appointment of Christ, are things that not many will earnestly covet to be engaged in. But there is an Apprehension that there was something more than Ordinary Power belonging unto this Office, that those who enjoyed it were not obliged always to labour in any particular Church, but had the Rule of many Churches committed unto them. Now whereas this Power is apt to draw other desirable things unto it, or carry them along with it; this is that which some pretend a Succession unto: Though they are neither Called like them, nor Gifted like them, nor Labour like them, nor have the same Object of their Employment, much less the same Power of Extraordinary Operations with them; yet as to the Rule over sundry Churches, they must needs be their Successors. I shall therefore briefly do these two things. (1) Show that there are no such Officers as these Evangelists continued by the Will of Christ in the ordinary State and Course of the Chrrch. (2) That there is no need of their Continuance from any Work applied unto them.