you so that you are deficient in no Gift He spends his whole Twelfth Chapter in the Enumeration of those Gifts by which the Manifestation of the Spirit was confirmed among them viz. the Gifts of Wisdom 1 Cor. 12 8 9 10 29 30. Knowledge Prophesie and the discerning of the Mind of God the Gift of Miracles of Faith of Healing of divers kinds of Tongues and the Interpretation of them concluding with these Questions Are all Apostles Are all Prophets Are all Teachers Are all Workers of Miracles Have all the Gifts of Healing Do all speak with Tongues Do all interpret but covet earnestly the best Gifts 2 Cor. 8 7. In his Second Epistle he declares that they abounded in Faith in Utterance and Knowledge He chides them for abusing these extraordinary Gifts by making them Occasions of their Boasting in that mistaken Place 1 Cor. 4.7 What hast thou of these Gifts which thou hast not received and if thou hast received them wherefore dost thou boast as if thou hadst not received them and for their using them so as to breed Confusion in the Church 1 Cor. 14 26. saying How is it Brethren that when ye come together every one of you hath a Psalm hath a Doctrine hath a Tongue hath a Revelation hath an Interpretation Let all things be done to edifying His Apostleship being despised or questioned by some or being judg'd inferior to that of others he confirms and justifies it by declaring That his Preaching was not in the enticeing Words of Man's Wisdom 1 Cor. 2.4 but in Demonstration of the Spirit and in Power that they themselves were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by him written not with Ink 2 Cor. 3.1 3. but with the Spirit of the living God and that he therefore needed no other Letters of Commendation to them that he was not a whit behind the very chief of the Apostles 2 Cor. 11.4 5. and that they had received no other Spirit than what they had received from him that in nothing was he behind the very chief of the Apostles the Signs of an Apostle being wrought among them by him in all Patience in Signs and VVonders 2. Cor. 12.12 13. and mighty Deeds and that in nothing were they inferiour to any other Churches In his Epistle to the Galatians he compares himself with the chief of the Apostles and the Pillars of the Church 2. Cal. 7.8 9. declaring that he who wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the Circumcision was as efficacious in him towards the Gentiles that these Pillars saw and perceived by the Grace given to him that the Gospel of Uncircumcision was committed to him as the Gospel of the Circumcision was to Peter and therefore gave unto them the Right-hand of Fellowship that he with Barnabas 3. Gal. 13 14. 1. Eph. 3.15 Rom. 29. 6. Heb. 4. should go unto the Gentiles and they unto the Circumcision Adding for Consolation to the Gentiles that Christ had redeemed them from the Curse of the Law that the Blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles that they might receive the Promise of the Spirit through Faith He magnifies the God of Heaven for blessing his Ephesians with all Spiritual Blessings in heavenly things * Note that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be so rendred in this Place is probable 1. From the Phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Gifts of the Holy Ghost are stiled 15. Rom. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Blessing of the Gospel and the Promise of the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Blessing of Abraham 3. Gal. 14. 2. Because these Gifts are stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus when our Saviour had 3. John 12. discoursed of the Spirit received in Baptism he saith he had told them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and they who were Partakers of these Gifts are said to have tasted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vis of the heavenly Gift 7. Heb. 4. or Gifts in Christ Jesus he prays that God would farther give unto them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation for the Acknowledgment of Christ and he exhorts them to be filled with the Spirit speaking one to another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs The same Exhortation he repeats to his Colossians And a like Prayer he makes for them that they may be filled with the Knowledge of his Will in all Wisdom and spiritual Vnderstanding Two of his Admonitions to the Thessalonians are conceived in these Words quench not the Spirit despise not Prophesies * 5 Eph. 16.17 †3 Col. 16. 1 Col. 9. ‖ 1 Thes 5.19 20. The Author to the Hebrews pronounces it a dreadful thing to fall from the Profession of the Christian Faith 6 Hebr. 4 5. because upon their first embracing of it they had tasted of the heavenly Gift and of the powers of the VVorld to come and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and therefore by revolting after they had thus received the Knowledge of the Truth chap. 10. vers 29. they did despite to the Spirit of Grace St. Peter advertiseth the same converted Jews that the Gospel was preached to them by the Assistance of the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven 1 Pet. 1.12 And he gives these instructions to them for the Use of their extraordinary Gifts ch 4. 10 11. As every Man hath received 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Gift so let them minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God if any Man sâ—eak let him speak as the Oracles of God if any Man minister let him do it as of the Ability which God giveth that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ St. John informs the Christians 1 John 2.20 27. that they had an Vnction from the Holy one and they knew all things necessary and that the Vnction they had received abiding in them they had no need that any Man should teach them but as the same Anointing taught them all things Moreover saith he c. 3.24 hereby do we know that we abide in Christ by the Spirit which he hath given us and that this was their Preservative against the many Antichrists that were in the World 4. That these extraordinary Operations of the Holy Ghost were thus vouchsafed to confirm the Christian Faith is farther evident from the Consideration that the Apostles do with the greatest Confidence produce this Testimony of the Holy Ghost as a convincing Demonstration of the Resurrection of our Lord and of the Truth of what they had delivered in his Name and as a full justification both of their Office and their Actions The God of our Fathers 5. Acts 30 31 32. saith St. Peter hath raised Jesus to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance unto Israel and we are his Witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Ghost which he hath given to those
by the Holy Ghost Ignatius the Martyr saith of the (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Proem Church of Smyrna that she was favoured with all Gifts and was deficient in no Gift Justin Martyr in his Dialogue with Trypho declares expresly of those who were converted to the (d) Novi nonnullos indies Christi Disciplinam suscipientes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dial. cum Tryph. P 258. A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 308. B. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 315. D. Christian Faith that they every one received the Gifts as they were worthy when they were Baptized some the Spirit of Knowledg some of Council some of Fortitude some of Healing some of Fore-knowledge some of Doctrine And again amongst us saith he even to this present Time the Gifts of Prophesie are preserved whence you Jews ought to understand that what of old was proper to the Jewish Church is now translated to us and a third time Our Men and VVomen have the Gifts of the Holy Ghost Irenaeus speaking of the wonderful Operations of our Lord sayeth thus (e) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 L. 2. c. 57. They who are truly his Disciples receiving Grace from him do the like VVorks in his Name as every one hath received the Gift from him some ejecting Devils so efficaciously that they who were delivered from them espous'd the Christian Faith and constantly persevered in it others had the Knowledge of things future Divine Visions and prophetical Predictions were vouchsafed to them others by Imposition of Hands cured the Diseased and others raised the Dead 'T is needless saith he to insist upon Particulars for the miraculous Gifts which the Church throughout the VVorld enjoys and the beneficial Miracles she worketh for the good of Heathens are innumerable And treating of these Words of the Apostles VVe speak VVisdom among those that are perfect he saith that (f) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 L. 5. cap. 6. the Apostle by the perfect Vnderstandeth those who have received the Spirit of God and by that Spirit speak all Languages as we our selves have heard from many Brethren of the Church having prophetick Gifts and by the Spirit speaking all Languages discovering the hidden things of Men and manifesting the Mysteries of God Here then we find by all these early Testimonies of Martyrs for the Christian Faith that in the first and second Centuries innumerable Gifts were still continued not only to some Churches but to all Churches every where that every one at their Baptism received some or other of these Gifts and that there was a full Effusion of the Holy Ghost upon them all that these are Relations not of things past and gone or only performed in a Corner but of things performed every day in the Face of the publick Assembly and so confirmed by the joynt Testimony of all Christian Churches that they were Miracles which their own Eyes had seen Tongues and Prophetick Gifts which their own Ears had heard Gifts which they urg'd against the unbelieving Jew for his Conviction and beneficial Miracles so truly wrought upon the Heathen that they were efficacious to engage them to espouse and persevere unto the end in the Profession of the Christian Faith And therefore this may well deserve to be esteemed Adv. Cols l. 1. â— p. 5. as Origen well stiles it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the proper Demonstration of our Jesus the Archetype or essential VVord no other Doctrine no other Pretender to the Power of doing Signs or Wonders having ever derived the Power from himself on others entayl'd it on them by Promise or engag'd that all Believers should receive it no Heathen Apollonius no Roman Jugler ever pretending to enable their Followers to speak with Tongues to interpret the Language of another to discern the Secrets of Mens Thoughts to confer all or any of these Gifts by Imposition of Hands And Secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the most Divine Convincing Demonstration of the Truth and the celestial Original of that Faith which gave the full Effusion of these Gifts to the Professors of it I have hitherto discoursed as if the Gifts of Healing Diseases casting out Devils and working other powerful Miracles were to be reckoned among the Gifts of the Holy Ghost and I indeed believe that all these are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Operations of the Spirit but then I humbly conceive that this Phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Gifts of the Holy Ghost doth in the Scripture bear another Sense and doth dictinctly * This is the constant Notion of the Holy Ghost among the Antient Jews See Maimon More Nebâ—thim Pa t 2. c. 45. Gradus Secundus Mr. Smiths Select Disc Tract of Prophesie Ch. of the Holy Ghost signifie the inward Gifts by which the Understanding is enlightned and is enabled to perform things which by Nature it could not do without immediate Workings of the Holy Ghost When therefore we read in Scripture of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I grant we generally are to understand miraculous Operations performed upon others as the Healing of the Sick making the Lame to walk the Deaf to hear the Blind to see the Dead to live the casting out and silencing of Devils and their Oracles but when we find in Scripture mention of the Holy Ghost and of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost or Spirit I humbly conceive we rather are to understand the Gifts of Wisdom Knowledge Faith Prophesie discerning of Spirits the Gifts of Tongues and the Interpretation of them My Reasons for this Notion which I submit to better Judgments are these following 1. Because our Saviour whilst he was upon Earth 10 Mat. 8. 10 Luc. 9.17.19 7 Joh. 39. 16 J h. 7. 2 A â—s 33. gave to his Apostles and to the Seventy Disciples Power to heal the Sick to cleanse the Lepers raise the Dead and cast out Devils and yet the Evangelist St. John informs us that the Holy Ghost was not yet because that Jesus was not yet glorified Our Saviour tells his own Disciples that the Paraclyte would not come till he departed And St. Peter That our Lord being exalted to the Right-hand of God received the Promise of the Holy Ghost the Holy Ghost therefore must signifie some thing distinguished from the Power of working Miracles 2. It is almost impossible to conceive that the Disciples of the Baptist mention'd Acts 19. had never heard of the other Miracles wrought by Christ and his Apostles and yet they do expresly say we have not heard whether there be an Holy Ghost this Phrase must therefore in their apprehension signifie somewhat distinct from what we properly do call the Power of working Miracles 3. The Prophecy of Joel which by St. Peter is mention'd as the Promise on which the giving of the Holy Ghost was founded is only a Promise of Visions Dreams and Prophecy but not of Miracles and the Gifts of the Spirit mention'd by the Prophet Isaiah are only those of Wisdom Chap. 11 2 3.
Knowledge Vnderstanding Council Courage Piety and the Fear of God no mention being made of signs and wonders 4. Because throughout the History of the Acts of the Apostles where St. Luke hath occasion to mention the Miracles which the Apostles and Primitive Professors did he always uses the Words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wonders Signs Powers but where he speaks of Persons prophesying or speaking with Tongues the wonderous Things of God he doth as constantly ascribe this to the Holy Ghost descending on them Instances of the first kind you will find 2 Acts 22 43. ‑ 4.16 22 30 33. ‑ 5.12 ‑ 6 8. ‑ 8.6 13.14 3. ‑ 15.12 ‑ 19.11 Instances of the second kind occur 1 Acts 16. ‑ 2.4 11. ‑ 7.51 ‑ 8.17 ‑ 10.44 45. ‑ 19.2 6. ‑ 20.23 28. ‑ 21.11 ‑ 28.25 ‑ 5. Because where the Scripture mentions these things together it puts a manifest Distinction between Signs and Wonders and Gifts Vid. Supr prefat and Operations and distributions of the Holy Ghost as v. 9.15 Rom. 19.3 Gal. 5.2 Heb. 4.21 And therefore having spoken of these things hitherto in general and without distinction for farther demonstration of this Matter I proceed to speak more particularly of some of those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Gifts which in the stricter Acceptation of the Word do bear that Name 1. And first the Gift of Prophecy affords a signal Demonstration of the Assistance of the Holy Ghost vouchsafed to the Abettors of the Christian Faith I have already shewed that this Gift was exercised at Rome at Thessalonica 't is represented by St. Paul as a thing common and luxuriant in the Church of Corinth who declares 1 Cor. 14.26 31. v. 1. that each Man had his Revelation and that all might prophesie and that they should desire spiritual Gifts but above others Prophesie Moreover he instructs them how and when to use and when to limit and restrain this Gift and chides them for abusing the plentiful Effusion of it to the Confusion of the Church the Disturbance of the Peace and the Hindrance of her Edification Now the Word Prophesie imports sometimes only the Interpretation of the Scriptures or Will of God to the Edification Exhortation or Comfort of the Hearer sometimes the composing of spiritual Hymns of Praises and Thanksgivings by the immediate Assistance of the Holy Spirit in both which Senses it is used by St. Paul when mentioned among the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vouchsafed to the Church of Corinth but then it was so used or with such Evidences of Divine Assistance as to convince not only the Unlearned but Unbelievers that God was in them of a truth 1 Cor. 14.23 24. Sometimes it signifies the Prediction of future and contingent things as when the Author of the Revelations saith that the Testimony of Jesus was the Spirit of Prophesie 10 Rev. 19. 11 Acts 27 28. 13 Act. 1.21 Act. 9 10. and in this Import of the Word we have mention in the Acts of the Apostles of the Prophet Agabus who foretold the Dearth which was to happen in the Reign of Claudius Caesar and of other Prophets coming from Jerusalem to Antioch of Prophets and Teachers at Antioch of four Daughters of St. Philip which did prophesie And among the Gifts dispensed by our Saviour when he ascended up on high are reckoned Prohets and Evangelists Pastors and Teachers Thus Justin Martyr tells the Jew that the Gift of Prophesie Dial cumâ— Tryph. p. 308. which among them had long since ceased was conferr'd upon the Christians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for we have to this very time the Gift of Prophesie Lenaeus saith L. 2. c. 57. That Prophesie and Visions Predictions of things future and Revelation of things secret were frequent in his days And in Eusebius there is mention of an * The Prophets of Montanus saith he prophesied Euseb Eccl. Hist l. 5. c. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eusebius also adds that some thought Mâ—ntanâ—â— Aâ—cibiades and Theodotus might Prophesie because there were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Many strange Effects of this Divine Gift still remaining in divers Churches Hist Eccles l. 5 c. 3. Antient VVriter who to consute the Montanist all whose pretended Prophets were Extatick brings in a Catalogue of the renowned Prophets of the Christian Church who never suffered the like Phrensies and after calls for a Succession of these Prophets as a thing necessary in the Christian Church which had the Gift then ceased could not have been required from its Adversaries without the greatest Prejudice to the Church of Christ Now this was even by the Heathens admitted as a certain Rule Si divinatio ergo Deus and 't is as certain that if God vouchsafed the Gift of Prophesie to Christians in Confirmation of that Faith that Christianity is derived from God Add to this 2dly That they who were then called to Sacred Functions were either chosen to them immediately by the Holy Ghost or with their ordination they received some measure of these extraordinary Gifts this indeed we might reasonably expect who know the Manifestation of the Spirit was given 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the benefit of others 1 Cor. 12 7. that they should be more eminently vouchsafed to those Men who wee particularly designed for the perfecting of the Saints 4 Eph. 12. for the VVork of the Ministry for the edifying the Body of Christ We find that Christ himself was consecrated to his Prophetick Office by the descent of the Holy Ghost on him at Baptism and when he ordained his Apostles he saith unto them as my Father sent me 24 Lâ—ke 4. so send I you receive the Holy Ghost and would not suffer them to begin their testimony concerning him till they should be endued with Power from above or with the Holy Spirit 12 Acts 2. The Holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the VVork whereunto I have called them St. Paul speaks thus unto the Elders of Asia 20 Acts 28. 1 Tim. 4 14. 2 Tim. 1.6 Eph. ad Cor. ss take heed to your selves and to the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers And he advises Timothy not to neglect the Gift which was given him by Prophecy and the Imposition of the Hands of the Presbytery to stir up the Gift received by imposition of hands Clemens Romanus saith that the Apostles out of their Converts chose Bishops and Deacons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clemens of Alexandria adds that John coming from Asia ordained such to be of the Clergy who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euseb Hâ—â— Eâ—cl l. 3. c. 23. as I may render it presented to him by the Holy Ghost Ignatius saith of the Bishops placed every where that a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epâ—â— Epâ—â—â—â— 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Ep. ad Philadelph S. S. 1. they were appointed by
the Council of Christ Jesus of the Bishops Presbyters and Deacons that they were assigned by the Sentence of Christ Jesus that they were sent by the Father of the Family of Onesimus Bishop of Ephesus that he was given them by God of Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna that he was made Bishop by God the Father and Christ Jesus and of the Bishop of Philadelpha that he received the Office not by himself nor by Man St. Cyprian saith of the Bishops and Priests in general that they were constituted such not only by the Suffrage of the People and the Consent of their Fellow bishops Copr Ep. 55. Edw. Ox. Ap. 69. p. but also judicio Divino that he did make them Priests and Bishops that thâ—y had Dei testimonium and that it was a great Absurdity to think that Bishops were not constituted in the Church by God which if true is certainly a Demonstration not only of the â—postolical but the Divine Original of Episcopacy But 3dly Of those Gifts which shew the Power of the Holy Ghost engaged to promote the Christian Faith that of Tongues is most illustrious for the Spirit which fell upon the Christian Converts opened their silent Mouths and made them speak the proper Dialect of every Nation under Heaven 2 Acts 5 No sooner did an Apostle lay his hands on an illiterate Person but he spake with Tongues this was a thing exceeding requisite to the speedy Propagations of the Gospel which in the space of Forty Years was to disperse it self throughout the World according to our Lord's Prediction it therefore was a thing publick 24 Mat. 14. and notorious to all the World it was daily exercised among the Heathens by others to convert them and by themselves when they embraced the Christian Faith as we are frequently inform'd by the History of the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle to the Church of Corinth among whose Gifts are reckoned divers kinds of Tongues 1 Cor. 12.10 and the Interpretation oâ— them to whom St. Paul even objecteth this amongst their Crimes that when they came together every one had his Tongue Chap. 14.26 and that if they proceeded thus to speak with Tongues they would be the Authors of Confusion and cause the Heathens who came to their Assemblies to say that they were mad Vers 23 and then adviseth that when they spake with Tongues Vers 27 care should be taken that there be some Interpreter concluding that order being thus observ'd no Man should forbid to speak with Tongues Vers 39 and if this Gift was so abundantly conferr'd upon that Church in which the Apostle found so great Divisions Errors and Miscarriages and of which the Apostle saith only 2 Cor. 8.7 that they came behind the other Churches in no Gifts we may then reasonably suppose others and better Churches had at least an equal share in this miraculous Endowment This is that signal Demonstration of the Spirit which becomes more convincing from the exceeding firvolousness of those exceptions which are made against it by Men who want no subtility or wisdom to suggest Evasions where they may be found For 1. To assert that at the laying on of the Apostles Hands the Preaching of a Sermon the rushing of a mighty VVind so strange a Fit of Melancholy such unaccountable Diseases should seize upon so many thousand Christians and should direct each Motion of their Tongues to think that this effect should be so proper and peculiar to the Christian Temper as that no other Persons should pretend unto it that it should naturally cease when once the Christian Faith had spread it self throughout all Nations and never give the World one fresh experience of its efficacy that we know of after the second Century is sure a Symptom of a distemper'd Fancy and the deepest Melancholy 2dly Others who ascribe the Gift of Tongues to the Assistance of the Evil one seem yet more palpably absurd seeing the Doctrine which was promoted by this Gift is pure and peaceable and highly instrumental to advance God's Glory and to direct Mankind to the Enjoyment both of present and eternal Happiness and therefore cannot reasonably be supposed to derive from that impure mischievous Spirit who labours after nothing more than the Dishonour of the God of Heaven and the Destruction of Mankind This Doctrine was design'd to overturn the Devil's Kingdom 26. Acts 18. to turn Men from the Power of Satan unto God and to deliver the deluded World from that Idolatry those barbarous and inhuman Rites and those ridiculous and filthy Ceremonies which he had taught the World to practice and espouse as part of that devotion which was due to what they called God Moreover this Doctrine silenc'd all the Devil's Oracles it forced his Legions to quit those seats they had so long and quietly enjoy'd before our Saviour's coming and to a Nesi se Da monas confessi fucrint Christiano mentiri non audentes ibidem illius Christiani prâ—â—acissmi sanguinem fundite Tertul. Apol. c. 23. Haee omnia sciunt plerique pars vestrum ipsos Daemâ—nas de semetipsis confiteri quoties à nobis tormentis verborum crationis incendiâ— de corporilus exiguntur ipsis testibus esse eos Daemonâ—s de se verâ—m confiâ—entibus credite Minut. p. 31. Cyptian Ep. ad Demetr Lactan. l. 2. c. 15. l. 4. c. 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Porphyrius apud Euseb praepar Evang. l. 5. c. 1. confess they were but Devils and could do nothing when the Name of Christ was mention'd Now sure it is irrational to think Satan should thus contend with Satan that he should destroy the very Kingdom he himself erected or that he should concern himself to propagate and to confirm that Faith which bears the greatest Opposition both to his Nature and Designs Obj. I know not any thing which can with any colour of pretence be offer'd to invalidate the Strength of this plain demonstration of the Truth of Christian Faith but this surmise that these things are recorded only by the Apostles and Evangelists and Primitive Professors of that Faith and so the Truth of what they say only depends upon their testimony deliver'd in their own cause now this exception will be fully obviated by these Two Considerations Ans 1. That these Writings must be sent unto the Churches to which they were directed these Histories of the Acts of the Apostles composed in those very Ages when Christianity by the Apostles was propagated through the World and therefore whilst all Persons concern'd in the things delivered by them might be certain of the Truth or Falsehood of what they did affirm touching these Gifts and Operations of the Holy Ghost vouchsafed to them or exercised among them 2. That we have many strong and convincing Reasons to believe that these Apostles and sacred Writers spake forth the words of truth and soberness in that which they deliver'd in these Writings touching these Gifts and Operations of the Holy
able to attest that they receiv'd not the least Benefit from any of his Balsoms should by this impudene Untruth engage those very Persons he so shamefully bely'd to assert the Soveraign Virtue of them in contradiction to their own Experience Lastly if they who enter these Appeals and by them do endeavour to confirm their Proselytes in the Profession of the Faith they teach have many subtil and industrious Adversaries Men zealous to oppose that Faith and defirous to find Occasions of Advantages over them and apt for want of such Occasions to accuse them falsly and charged by the Apostles with false Accusation and yet these very Persons when these very Arguments and Demonstrations of the spirit are urged in Confirmation of that Faith which these deceitful Workers did gainsay could find no Ground of Cavil against these things or could prevail upon no Persons to believe that they had reason to accuse them of Falshood or Deceit in these Particulars we cannot reasonably suspect they used any Fraud or Falshood in their Words or Writings but this is certainly the Case of these Apostles and more especially of Blessed Paul 1 Cor. 16.9 1 Thes 2.14 1 Tit. 10.2 Tim. 3.2 3. Ep. of Joh. v. 10. 1 Phil. 25 16. 2 Gal. 4. for their Epistles do inform us that they had many Adversaries that they were in continual Perils from the Jews were oft encounter'd by the Philosophers and the Disputers of the World that even among themselves were many vain unruly Talkers and Deceivers which gainsaid their Doctrine many proud Boasters and Corrupters of the Truth which did endeavour to empair their Credit in the Church and who did prate against them with malitious words that there were some who preached Christ only out of a Principle of Strife and Envy that they might add Affliction to their Bonds and some false Brethren who came in privily to spy out thâ—ir Liberty Nor have we reason to suspect that all or any of these Adversaries negelected any Pains or Diligence which ought in reason to be used to search into the Certainty of what they offer'd for Confirmation of this Faith and for Vindication of their Apostleship from these Aspersions which these false Apostles laid upon them Since then we never find the Truth of these Relations question'd by any of their numerous and potent Adversaries the false Apostle or false Brother the inqusitive and learned Precisian or the malicious Jew and since we are assured by the Event that if Attempts of such a Nature have been made they all prov'd ineffectual and insufficient to lessen or take a way the Credit of these Writings in the Christian World I say seeing these things are so it may be certainly concluded that these Writings were not and could not be convinced of Falshood but contained Matter of unquestionable Truth Now hence it clearly follows that this Assistance of the Holy Ghost was a most full and ample Confirmation of the Christian Faith and a sufficient Evidence that it derived from the God of Truth for this they constantly declared 1 Cor. 3.9 1 Rom. 4 that they were Apostles sent from God Co-workers with God and faithful Stewards of his Mysteries that they were Servants and Apostles of that Jesus who was declared to be the Son of God with power and that they preached the Gospel by Virtue of the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven This then must be a certain Truth or else their Story must be false Moreover from what hath been discoursed I conclude that the Power by which these holy Men were acted could not derive from Satan it therefore must derive from God whence it will follow that what it was design'd to confirm must be certain Truth or God must be supposed to employ his Power to confirm a Lye and stablish an Imposture in the World by the Assistance of his Holy Spirit which is a great Absurdity and very much repugnant to to his Truth and Justice And if these things convince us of the Truth of Christian Faith Hence have we reason to infer That it is very worthy of our Labour and much concerns us to be well acquainted with this Faith God is not busied about Trifles when he is pleased by extraordinary Methods and Transports of Nature to shew the Glory of his Power we may be sure the Doctrine he thus confirms is worthy of all Acceptation of this Salvation saith St. Peter the Prophets have enquired and searched diligently 1 Pet. 1.11 12. because it was that glorious Work of Mercy and of Wisdom to which the Holy Spirit in them gave his Testimony and when we preached the same Gospel by the Assistance of the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Angels presently desired to look into it if then these Sacred Prophets thought it worthy of their Diligence instantly to search till they had found the Time appointed for this Revelation of the Will of Heaven it must be worthy of our Care to search those Scriptures which contain it If blessed Angels who continually behold the Face of God in Glory and who are less concern'd in these glad Tidings than we are thus earnestly desire to view the Mystery which contain it If blessed Angels who continually behold the Face of God in Glory and who are less concern'd in these glad Tidings than we are thus earnestly desire to view the Mystery which the Apostles had discovered by the assistance of the Holy Ghost it must be both our Duty and our Wisdom to be industrious to know it the Speculations of Philosophy may be neglected as being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Socrates but Ethicks well deserve our Study as being purposely design'd for the Improvement of our Souls Wherefore this Wisdom this Demonstration of the Spirit which wholely aims at the eternal Happiness of Man and is designed to make him wise unto Salvation and even advanced to Divine Perfections deserves as much to be prefer'd before all other Wisdom as the Concernments of our Souls deserve to be prefer'd before the Interests of our frail Bodies or our eternal Interests to be regarded more than temporal Inf II. If this Demonstration of the Holy Spirit doth so abundantly confirm the Truth of Christian Faith it must exceedingly concern us in Point of Interest and Wisdom to yield Obedience to all the Precepts of that Faith The Gentiles had the Law of Nature written in their Hearts their Conscience bearing them witness 2 Rom. 14 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Rom 24 26. and their inward Reasonings sometimes accusing and sometimes excusing them and the Result of their Trasgressions against this dim and imperfect Law of Nature was that God gave them up to vile Affections and to a reprobate Mind the Law was given to the Jews by Ministration of holy Angels and therefore every Transgression of it receiv'd a just Reward of Recompence 2 Heb. 3 4. How then saith the Apostle shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first was spoken by the Lord and was confirm'd by his Apostles God hearing witness to it by divers Distributions of the Holy Ghost Especially if we consider First That by Disobedience to the Christian Precepts we contradict the great Design of all those Demonstrations of the Holy Spirit which were vouchsafed to confirm it the Wonders wrought by the Power of the Spirit being intended 15 Rom. 18. faith St. Paul to make the Gentiles obedient in Word and Deed. Secondly That this great Confirmtion of the Christian Faith doth highly aggravate the Gunt of our Transgressions of the Christian Precepts for the stronger is the Motive to believe the greater is the Guilt of Disobedience because such Motives may be easily discerned and so our Ignorance of them must be less excusable and we cannot resist their Evidence but we must offer violence to the Convictions of our Consciences were Christian Faith confirmed only be probable Inducements to believe it our Disobedience to its Precepts would be most irrational they being in themselves most excellent and such as our own Reason must approve as beneficial to our selves and others the Motives which engage to the Performance of them are infinitely to be prefer'd besore whatever stands in competition with them the Evils which they threaten to the disobedient more terrible and lasting than any we can suffer by being stedfast in this Faith and surely then whoever owns the Certainty of Christian Faith and lives in Contradiction to it or by his Practice gives the Lye to his Profession can have no Shadow of Excuse or Hopes or Mercy at the great Day of his Account In a word seeing this Demonstration of the Holy Spirit doth convince us of the Truth of Christian Faith it must add Strength to all the Motives Engagements and Encouragements to lead a Virtuous and holy Life which this Religion above all others doth afford For ifall that is delivered in these VVriting and Epistles indited by the Apostles and Evangelists be the Revealed VVill of Heaven then all the Promises and comfortable Passages recorded in them will be assuredly made good to all true Christians and the Assurance of these inestimable Blessings must lay upon us strong Engagements to be stedfast immoveable always abounding in the VVork of the Lord as knowing that our Labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. FINIS
send his Holy Spirit down upon them and would baptize them with the Holy Ghost 16 John 13. and Fire 15 John 26.5 Act. 5. or with the Holy Ghost appearing in a fiery Shape and by that Spirit would shew them things to come and from his Promise made not to them only but to Believers in general that they should receive the Holy Ghost * Note that at the Feast of Tabernacles they were accustomed to compass the Altar with Branches in their Hands crying out Hosanna but on the last Day of the Feast they were enjoyn'd to compass it thus seven times saying some Prayers in which they oft repeated these Words Hosanna and Hatzlicha save now and prosper us and as they add by the Institution of their Prophets they then fetch'd Water from the Fountain of Siloah and brought in into the Temple to their Priests who poured it out upon the Altar with the Wine of the Sacrifice singing these Words of the Prophet Isaiah With joy shall ye draw Water out of the Wells of Salvation 12 Isa 3. and whilst they were thus singing th y expected the Holy Spirit should fall upon them Talmud tract de festo Tabernac cap. câ—aâ—l And hence we learn why this Day was called the great Day of the Feast and why our Lord spake then to them of the Holy Ghost under the Metaphor of Water 7 John 38 39. and lastly from the Promise made by St. Peter to all Jews and Gentiles then presâ—nt at Jerusalem and being Witnesses of the miraculous Gifts of this good Spirit confer'd on the Apostles in these Emphatical Expressions 2 Acts 38 39 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sins and ye shalt receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost for the Promise is to you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call These things being so plainly foretold and certified and made the matter of a Promise we have good reason to conclude that they were true for had no signal Evidence been given of the Completion of all the Promises now mentioned upon the Primitive Professors of the Christian Faith the Expectation of the Christians must have been entirely frustrated and the whole Story of the Evangelist St. John and of the Acts of the Apostles must have been convinced of Falsehood especially when they so roundly do pronounce of Christs Disciples they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and that great Grace was upon them all 4 Acts 31 33. 2. Moreover that this was the usual Effect of Baptism especially where 't was attended with the Imposition of the Apostles Hand that some of those miraculous Gifts were for a time confor'd on all at Baptism seems highly probable from the Baptists Words who when Jerusalem and all Judaea and all the Region about Jordan had been baptized of him speaks thus to them Mat. 3.11 I indeed baptize you with Water to Repentance but he that cometh after me shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire from the Tenor of the Promise 2 Joel 28. It shall come to pass in the last days I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh From St. Peters Engagement 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to every baptized Person that he should receive the Holy Ghost and that because the Promise did relate to all the Jews 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and all the called Gentiles from St. Pauls Question to the Disciples of St. John 19 Acts 3 5 6. What Baptism have ye receiv'd who confess that with it ye received not the Holy Ghost and his baptizing them in the Name of the Lord Jesus that so the Holy Ghost might fall upon them From his express Words to the Church of Corinth even where he is discoursing of these extraordinary Gifts 1 Cor. 12 13. That by one Spirit they were all baptized into one Body and from his Declaration to the whole Church of Ephesus 1. Eph. 13. that after they believed and were baptized they were all sealed with the Spirit of Promise and from the close Connexion of the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Just M. Dial. 2. p. 94. D. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or baptized Persons with the tasting of the Spiritual Gift and being made Partakers of the Holy Ghost and of the Powers of the World to come 6 Heb. 4 5. Here then we find a Promise of the Holy Ghost without restrictions and a Completion of it answerable to the largeness of the Terms in which it was compris'd and consequently Matter of Fact avouched in Confirmation of the Apostles Testimony of which no Person that was baptized could be ignorant and of the Falshood of which Testimony no Christian could be Witness from his own Experience without a Demonstration of the Falshood of the Assertors of that Faith 3. Their Writings give us great Assurance of the Completion of this Promise to Believers the History of the Acts of the Apostles begins with the Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Disciples at the Day of Pentecost Acts 2. and the Experiment they gave of his miraculous Assistance to Men of every Nation under Heaven it proceeds to tell us how he fell on the Samaritan Converts at the Imposition of the Hands of John and Peter Acts 8 17. how at the Preaching of the same Apostle he fell upon the Family Acts 10 44. the Friends and Kindred of Cornelius and upon twelve Disciples of the Baptist upon the Imposition of the Hands of the Apostle Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1.11 The same Apostle beginneth his Epistle to the Romans thus I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual Gift that you may be established And he concludes it thus I know that when I come to see you I shall come in the Fulness of the Blessing of the Gospel of Christ Rom. 15.29 In his Twelfth Chapter Rom. 12 6. he declares that he had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 divers Gifts according to the Grace given to them particularly that of Prophesie In his Fifteenth Chapter he declares he was the Minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles Rom. 15 16. ministring the Gospel of God to them that the Oblation of the Gentiles to God might be acceptable being sanctified by the Holy Ghost adding Rom. v. 81. that Christ had efficaciously wrought with him to make the Gentiles obedient in Word and Deed by mighty Signs and Wonders and by the Power of the Spirit of God In his First Epistle to the Church of Corinth he abounds in such Expressions as manifestly do respect these Gifts not only exercised by him but received by them I thank my God 〈◊〉 11 5 6 7. saith he for the Grace given you in Jesus Christ that in every thing you are enriched in him in all Vtterance or Tongues and all Knowledge even as the Testimony of Christ was confirmed in