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

(§ 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, Acts 2. 6. So the multitude gathered together at Lystra upon the Curing of the ⟨p. 187⟩Cripple by Paul and Barnabas, thinking them to have been Gods, Acts 14. 11. When therefore any were so amazed with seeing the Miracles that were wrought, hearing that they were so in the confirmation of the Doctrine of the Gospel, they could not but enquire with Diligence into it, and cast out those Prejudices which before they had entertained against it. (2.) They gave Authority unto the Ministers of the Church. For whereas on outward accounts they were despised by the Great, Wise and Learned Men of the World, it was made evident by these Divine Operations, that their Ministry was of God, and what they taught approved by him. And where these two things were effected, namely that a sufficient, yea an eminently cogent Ground and Reason was given, why Men should impartially enquire into the Doctrine of the Gospel, and an evidence given that the Teachers of it were approved of God, unless Men were signally Captivated under the power of Satan, 2 Cor. 4. 4.

(§ 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 Tongaes, the multitude came together and were confounded,