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

(§ 2.) THERE was no certain limited Time for the Cessation of these Gifts. Those peculiar unto the Apostles, were commensurate unto their Lives. None after their Decease had either Apostolical Office, Power or Gifts. The like may be said of Evangelists. Nor have we any undoubted Testimony, that any of those Gifts which were truly miraculous, and every way above the Faculties of Men, were communicated unto any after the Expiration of the Generation of them who conversed with Christ in the Flesh, or those who received the Holy Ghost by their Ministry. It is not unlikely, but that God might on some occasions for a longer Season, put forth his Power in some miraculous Operations, and so he yet may do, and perhaps doth sometimes. But the Superstition and Folly of some ensuing Ages inventing and divulging innumerable Miracles false and foolish, proved a most disadvantageous Prejudice unto the Gospel, and a means to open a way unto Satan to impose endless Delusions upon Christians. For as true and real Miracles with becoming Circumstances, were the great means that won and reconciled a Regard and Honour unto Christian Religion in the World; so the Pretence of such as either were absolutely false, or such as whose Occasions, Ends, Matter or Manner were unbecoming the Greatness and Holiness of him who is the true Author of all miraculous Operations, is the greatest Dishonour unto Religion that any one can invent. But although all these Gifts and Operations ceased in some respect, some of them absolutely, and some of them as to the ⟨p. 200⟩immediate manner of Communication and Degree of Excellency; yet so far as the Edification of the Church was concerned in them, something that is Analogous unto them, was and is continued. He who gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, gave also some Pastors and Teachers. And as he furnished the former with extraordinary Gifts; so as far as any thing of the like kind is needful for the continual Edification of the Church, he bestows it on the latter also, as shall be declared.

(§ 2.) THERE was no certain limited Time for the Cessation of these Gifts. Those peculiar unto the Apostles, were commensurate unto their Lives. None after their Decease had either Apostolical Office, Power or Gifts. The like may be said of Evangelists. Nor have we any undoubted Testimony, that any of those Gifts which were truly miraculous, and every way above the Faculties of Men, were communicated unto any after the Expiration of the Generation of them who conversed with Christ in the Flesh, or those who received the Holy Ghost by their Ministry. It is not unlikely, but that God might on some occasions for a longer Season, put forth his Power in some miraculous Operations, and so he yet may do, and perhaps doth sometimes. But the Superstition and Folly of some ensuing Ages inventing and divulging innumerable Miracles false and foolish, proved a most disadvantagious Prejudice unto the Gospel, and a means to open a way unto Sathan to impose endless Delusions upon Christians. For as true and real Miracles with becoming Circumstances, were the great means that won and reconciled a Regard and Honour unto Christian Religion in the World; so the Pretence of such as either were absolutely false, or such as whose Occasions, Ends, Matter or Manner were unbecoming the Greatness and Holiness of him who is the true Author of all miraculous Operations, is the greatest Dishonour unto Religion that any one can invent. But although all these Gifts and Operations ceased in some respect, some of them absolutely, and some of them as to the