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

AND this was that which Miracles were designed unto towards unbelievers; namely to take away ⟨p. 188⟩prejudices from the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Persons by whom it was taught, so disposing the Minds of Men unto an attendance unto it; and the Reception of it. For they were never means instituted of God for the ingenerating of Faith in any, but only to provoke and prevail with Men, to attend unprejudicately unto that whereby it was to be wrought. For Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Rom. 10. 17. And therefore whatever Miracles were wrought, if the Word preached was not received, if that did not accompany them in its powerful Operation, they were but despised. Thus whereas some upon hearing of the Apostles speak with Tongues, mocked and said, These Men are full of new Wine, Acts 2. 13. yet upon preaching of the Word which ensued, they were Converted unto God. And the Apostle Paul tells us, that if there were nothing but miraculous speaking with Tongues in the Church, and Unbeliever coming in would say they were all mad, 1 Cor. 14. 23. who by the Word of Prophecy would be convinced, judged and converted unto God, ver. 24, 25. (3.) They were of singular use to confirm and establish in the Faith those who were weak and newly Converted. For whereas they were assaulted on every hand by Satan, the World, and it may be their nearest Relations, and that with Contempt, Scorn and Cruel Mocking; it was a singular Confirmation and Establishment to behold the miraculous Operations which were wrought in the approbation of the Doctrine which they did profess. Hereby was a sense of it more and more let into, and impressed on their Minds, until by an habitual Experience of its Goodness, Power, and Efficacy, they were established in the Truth.

AND this was that which Miracles were designed unto towards unbelievers; namely to take away ⟨p. 188⟩prejudices from the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Persons by whom it was taught, so disposing the Minds of Men unto an attendance unto it; and the Reception of it. For they were never means instituted of God for the ingenerating of Faith in any, but only to provoke and prevail with Men, to attend unprejudicately unto that whereby it was to be wrought. For Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God,