ANII SPIRITUAL GIFTS. 67 thing should be done, as some have blasphemously koned as a peculiar distinct gift of the Holy Ghost, but dreamed; nor was it a faith resting merely on the pro- mises of theword, making particular application of them unto times, seasons, and occasions, wherein it no way differs from the ordinary grace of faith : but this was the true nature of it, that as it was in general resolved into the promises ofthe word, and power of Christ de- clared therein, that such and such things should be wrought in general ; so it had always a peculiar imme- diate revelation for its warranty and security in the working ofany miracle. And without such an imme- diate revelation or divine impulse and impression, all attempts of miraculous operations are vain, and means only for Satan to insinuate his delusions by. 19. No man, therefore,could work any miracle, nor attempt, in faith, so to do, without an immediate revela- tion thatdivine power should be therein exerted, and put forth in its operation : yet I do not suppose that it was necessary that this inspiration and revelation should, in order of time, precede the acting of this faith, though it did the operation of themiracle itself. Yea, the inspira- tion itselfconsisted in the elevation of faith toapprehend divine power in such a case for such an end, which the Holy Ghost granted not to any, but when he designed no to work, Thus Paul, at once, acted faith, apprehend- ed divine power, and at thesame time struck Elymas the sorcerer blind by amiraculous operation, Acts xiii. 9, 10. 11, 12. Beingfilled with the Holy Ghost ver. 9. that is, having received an impression and warranty from him, he put forth that act of faith, at whose presence the Ho- ly Spirit would effect that miraculous operation which he believed. Wherefore this was the nature of this gift some persons were by the Holy Ghost endowed with that especial faith which was prepared to receive impres- sions and intimations of his putting forth his power in this or that miraculous operation. Those who had this faith could not work miracles when, andwhere, and how they pleased; only they could infalliblysignify what the Holy Ghost would do, and so were the outward instru- ments of the executionof his power. 20. 3. Although the apostles had all gifts of the Spirit in an eminent degree and manner above all'others, as Paul saith, I Shank myGod, Ispeak with tonguesmore thanyou all ; yet it appears that there were some other persons distinct from them, who had this gift of working mi- racles in a peculiar manner. For it is not only here rec- also the persons who had received it are reckoned as di- stinct from the apostles and other officers ofthe church, 1 Cor, xii. 28, 29. Not that I think thisgift didconstitute them officers in thechurch, enabling them to exercise power in gospel administrations therein ; only they were brethren of thechurch, 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 belie- vers proceeded en, 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; encom- passed with multitudes of scoffers, and persecuting ido- laters; 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 ofthe 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 thenoise was first spread abroad of the apostles speaking with tongues, the multitude came together,, andwere confounded, Acts ii. 6. So the multitude gathered together at Lystra, upon the curing of the cripple, by Paul and Barnabas, thinking them to have been gods, Acts xiv. 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 inquire with diligence into it, and castout thoseprejudices which before they had entertained against it. (2.) They gave authority unto the ministers ofthe church. For, where- as on outward accounts theywere despised by the great, wise, and learned men of-the world, it was made evi- dent, by these divine operations, that theirministry was of God, and what they taught approved by him. And
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