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

(§ 22.) Besides these Evangelists, there were Prophets also who had a Temporary, Extraordinary Ministry in the Church. Their grant from Christ or Institution in the Church is mentioned, 1 Cor. 12. 28. Ephes. 4. 11. and the Exercise of their Ministry is declared Acts 13. 1. But the Names of Prophets, and Prophecy, are used variously in the New Testament. For sometimes an Extraordinary Office and Extraordinary Gifts are signified by them; and sometimes Extraordinary Gifts only; sometimes an Ordinary Office with Ordinary Gifts; and sometimes Ordinary Gifts only. And unto one of these Heads may the use of the word be every where reduced: In the places mentioned, Extraordinary Officers endued with Extraordinary Gifts are intended. For they are said to be set in the Church; and are placed in the second Rank of Officers next to the Apostles; first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, 1 Cor. 12. 28. between them and Evangelists, Ephes. 4. 11. And two things are ascribed unto them. (1.) That they received immediate Revelations and Directions from the Holy Ghost, in things that belonged unto the present Duty of the Church. Unto them it was that the Holy Ghost revealed his Mind, and gave Commands concerning the separation of Barnabas and Saul unto their Work, Acts 13. 2. (2.) They foretold things to come by the Inspiration ⟨p. 159⟩of the Holy Ghost, wherein the Duty or Edification of the Church was concerned. So Agabus the Prophet foretold the Famine in the days of Claudius Caesar, whereon Provision was made for the poor Saints at Jerusalem, that they might not suffer by it, Acts 11. 28, 29. And the same Person afterwards, prophesied of the Bonds and Sufferings of Paul at Jerusalem, Acts 21. 10, 11. And the same thing, it being of the highest Concernment unto the Church, was, (as it should seem) revealed unto the Prophets that were in most Churches; for so himself gives an account hereof. And now behold I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every City that Bonds and Afflictions abide me,