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

CHAP. IV. Extraordinary Spiritual Gifts. 1 Cor. 12. v. 8, 9, 10, 11.

(§ 1.) EXTRAORDINARY Spiritual Gifts were of two sorts. First, Such as absolutely exceed the whole Power and Faculties of our Minds and Souls. These therefore did not consist in an abiding Principle or Faculty alway resident in them that received them, so as that they could Exercise them by virtue of any inherent Power and Ability. They were so granted unto some Persons in the Execution of their Office, as that so often as was needful, they could produce their Effects by virtue of an immediate Extraordinary Influence of Divine Power, transiently affecting their Minds. Such was the Gift of Miracles, Healing, and the like. ⟨p. 163⟩There were no Extraordinary Officers, but they had these Gifts. But yet they could work or operate by virtue of them, only as the Holy Ghost gave them especial Direction for the putting forth of his Power in them. So it is said that Paul and Barnabas Preaching at Iconium, the Lord gave Testimony unto the word of his Grace, and granted Signs and Wonders to be done by their Hands, Acts 14. 3. The working of Signs and Miracles, is the immediate operation of the Spirit of God; nor can any Power or Faculty efficiently productive of such Effects, abide in the Souls or Minds of Men: These miraculous Operations were the witness of the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven, which he gave to the Truth of the Gospel. See Heb. 2. 4. with our Exposition thereon. Wherefore there was no more in these Gifts which absolutely exceed the whole faculties of our Natures, but the designing of certain Persons by the Holy Ghost, in and with whose Ministry he would himself effect miraculous operations.

(§ 1.) EXTRAORDINARY Spiritual Gifts were of two sorts. First, Such as absolutely exceed the whole Power and Faculties of our Minds and Souls. These therefore did not consist in an abiding Principle or Faculty alway resident in them that received them, so as that they could Exercise them by vertue of any inherent Power and Ability. They were so granted unto some Persons in the Execution of their Office, as that so often as was needful, they could produce their Effects by vertue of an immediate Extraordinary Influence of Divine Power, transiently affecting their Minds. Such was the Gift of Miracles, Healing, and the like.