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

(§ 20.) 3. ALTHOUGH the Apostles had all Gift of the Spirit in an Eminent Degree and Manner above all others, as Paul saith, I thank my God I speak with Tongues more than you all; yet it appears that there were some other Persons distinct from them, who had this Gift of working Miracles in a peculiar manner. For it is not only here reckoned as a peculiar distinct Gift of the Holy Ghost, but also the Persons who had received it, are reckoned as distinct from the Apostles and other Officers of the Church, 1 Cor. 12. 28, 29. Not that I ⟨p. 186⟩think this Gift did constitute them Officers in the Church, enabling them to Exercise Power in Gospel Administrations therein; only they were Brethren of the Church, made Eminent by a participation of this Gift, for the end whereunto it was ordained. By these Persons Ministry, did the Holy Spirit on such occasions as seemed meet to his Infinite Wisdom, effect miraculous Operations, besides what was done in the same kind by the Apostles and Evangelists, all the World over.

(§ 21.) 4. THE use of this Gift in the Church at that time and season, was manifold. For the Principles which Believers proceeded on, and the Doctrines they professed, were new and strange to the World, and such as had mighty prejudices raised against them in the Minds of Men. The Persons by whom they were maintained and asserted were generally as to their outward condition poor and contemptible in the World. The Churches themselves, as to their Members, few in number; encompassed with multitudes of Scoffers, and persecuting Idolaters; themselves also, newly converted, and many of them but weak in the Faith. In this state of things, this Gift of Miracles was exceeding useful and necessary unto the propagation of the Gospel, the vindication of the Truth, and the Establishment of them that did believe. For, (1.) By Miracles occasionally wrought, the people round about who yet believed not, were called in as it were, unto a due consideration of what was done, and what was designed thereby. Thus when the noise was first spread abroad of the Apostles speaking with Tongues, the multitude came together and were confounded,