things, so are they liable to abuse; and the more excellent any thing is, the more pernicious is the abuse of it. In all the world there is nothing so vile as that which pretendeth to be God, and is not; nor is any thing else capable of so pernicious an abuse. For in

stance:

The most signal gift of the Spirit under the Old Testament, was that of PROPHECY. This was deservedly in great reputation, as having the impression of God's authority upon it, and of his nearness to man; besides, the prophets had the conduct of the minds and consciences of men; for they spake in the name of the Lord, and by his authority. Hence many pretended to this gift who were not inspired by the Holy Spirit; but were really actuated by an unclean and lying spirit; for it is highly probable that when men falsely pretended to Divine Inspiration, the Devil employed them to effect his own design; but these vain pretensions cast no contempt on the real gift of the Holy Ghost, but rather increased its lustre; for God never more honoured his true prophets than when there were many false ones: nor shall any false pretences to the Spirit of grace render him less dear to believers, or lessen the use of his gifts in the church.

It has been thus also under the New Testament. The Gospel was at first declared from the immediate revelation of the Spirit; preached by his assistance; made effectual by his power; and often accompanied by miracles. These things being acknowledged by all, those who had any false opinions to broach, could devise no better way to answer their ends than by pretending to immediate revelations of the Spirit. Hence the apostle Peter says, "There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you."

Hence is that blessed caution and rule of the apostle John:-"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know we the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God; and

every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God." 1 John iv. 1, 2. Christians are here cautioned, not to give credit to every doctrine pretended to be of immediate revelation, but to try the spirits themselves. False teachers are called False Prophets and Spirits, in allusion to the false prophets of old, who fathered their predictions on divine inspiration; but who were really actuated by the Devil himself. Hence we are directed to try their pretensions, not by putting them on extraordinary works for their confirmation,—but by the doctrine that they teach. Let their doctrine be examined by the Scriptures, and if it be agreeable thereto, it may be safely received; but if it be contrary to Scripture, whatever authority is pretended, it must be instantly rejected. It is necessary also that we have a clear conviction of some fundamental principles. Thus, because strange imaginations about the person and mediation of Christ abounded in those days, the apostle directs believers to try the spirits by this fundamental principle:-"That Jesus Christ is come in the flesh;" which contains a confession both of his person and mediation. They were to demand of all new teachers, Do you confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh? and if they made not this confession, they never stood to consider their other pretences, but turned away from them, not bidding them God-speed: and thus it is the duty of all believers still to try the spirits; and those who would deprive them of this liberty, would make brutes of them instead of Christians; and this caution is peculiarly necessary when there are real and eminent effusions of the Spirit on the disciples of Christ; for when the use and reputation of spiritual gifts are great, Satan seizes the opportunity of introducing his own deceitful suggestions. Thus it was about the time of the reformation from Popery; and in this way of delusion he will still be more active, as God shall increase the gifts and graces of his Spirit in the churches.

Thirdly. There is in our days an anti-spirit set up against the Spirit of God, in his ng and all his operations; for this new spirit takes upon him whatever is

promised to be effected by the Spirit of God. This is called by some, The Light Within, though indeed it be nothing but a dark production of Satan on their own imaginations; or at best, the natural light of conscience, which some of the heathens also called A Spirit. This teaches them, instructs them, enlightens them; and from hence they expect acceptance with God and eternal life. Now, because this is a growing evil, our duty to Christ and compassion for the souls of men, require that we should endeavour to obviate it; not by railing and persecution, as some have done, but by giving a full, plain, and scriptural account of the nature and operations of the Holy Spirit. Hence it will be undeniably manifest what a stranger this pretended light is to the true Spirit of Christ; how far from being of any real use to the souls of men; yea, that it is set up in opposition to him and his work.

Fourthly. There are many hurtful opinions concerning the Holy Ghost gone abroad in the world; and entertained by many, to the subversion of their faith. Such are those whereby his DEITY and PERSONALITY are denied. About these there have been many contests; but they have generally been so managed, that though the truth has been vindicated, the minds of believers have been little edified; for the greater part of serious persons are unacquainted with the terms of argument, which are calculated rather to silence gainsayers than to direct the faith of others. Besides, our knowledge of things in general, is more from their operations and effects, than from their own nature: it is so particularly with respect to God himself. In his own glorious being, he dwells in light inaccessible; but in the effects of his will, revealed in his word and works, we are to seek him: and thus, we obtain a better acquaintance with him than by the most diligent speculations about his nature immediately. Thus it is with the Holy Ghost and his personality. He is proposed to us in the Scripture by his properties, works, and operations; by our duty to him, and offences against him. Therefore, though I shall briefly explain the scripture-testimonies of his Deity and Personality,

I shall chiefly insist on his administrations and operations; the due consideration of which will lead us into that assured knowledge of his being and subsistence which is necessary to direct our faith and obedience; and which will also throw much light on the whole economy of God in our salvation.

Fifthly. The principal occasion of our present undertaking is, the opposition that is now made to the Spirit of God and his work. Every thing of his is exploded and blasphemed. The very name of the Spirit is become a reproach. This indeed I have often wondered at; for, in the gospel, every thing that is good or holy is expressly assigned to the Spirit; and the state of men without him, is described as Christless and reprobate; yet many pretending to believe the gospel, are so far from desiring to partake of this Spirit themselves, that they deride those persons who avow any concern in him or his works; but such was his entertainment in the world at first; and we still find that "the world cannot receive him." Certain it is, that the promise of the Spirit was the grand support which Christ left to the church, to supply the want of his bodily presence, and to render the work of his mediation effectual: but it is now uncertain with some Whether the Spirit of God be of any use in the church at all! and they have not trembled to say, that those very things which are plainly ascribed to him in the Scripture, are "the cause of all the troubles and confusions in the world." Let them but have the word, outwardly revealing the will of God (as the Jews have to this day); and this being duly improved by their own reason, is all that is necessary to render their persons or duties acceptable to God. Of what use then is the Spirit of God? Of none at all, it may be, but only to make a noise in the world; and to fill the minds of men with "unintelligible notions." Had not these things been said, I would not have repeated them; for death lieth at the door in them. So then, men may pray without him, and preach without him, and turn to God without him, and perform every duty without

him well enough; and yet all this while they would be esteemed Christians!

These errors are at present charged only on private persons; when they are received by churches, they occasion a fatal apostacy. From the beginning of the world, the principal revelation that God made of himself, was the unity of his nature, and his monarchy over all; and herein the Person of the Father was immediately represented. In this state of things, the only apostacy of the church could be Polytheism and Idolatry. Accordingly, the people of Israel were continually prone to these abominations; and were continually punished for them. At length, God put an end to their idolatry, by their total desolation and captivity in Babylon. Again they were tried with a new Dispensation. The Son of God was sent to them in the flesh. To receive and obey him was now to be the principal trial of their faith. Here also the greater part of that church fell by their unbelief. The Jews being rejected, the Son of God calls another church; founding it on his own Person, with faith, and the profession of it therein. Matt. xvi. 18, 19. In this new church this foundation is fixed: "That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is to be honoured even as we honour the Father;" and herein all who are properly called Christians agree; but now Christ being ascended to his Father, has committed all his affairs in the church and world to the Holy Spirit (John xvi. 7, &c.); and with this design, That the Person of the Spirit may be singularly exalted in the church; wherefore the duty of the church now, immediately respects the Spirit of God, who acts towards it in the Name of the Father and of the Son; and with respect to him it is that the church, in its present state, is capable of apostacy from God; and whatever is found of this nature among any, has its beginning here; for the sin of despising his Person, and rejecting his work now, is of the same nature with idolatry of old, and the Jews' rejection of the Person of the Son.

Probably some will plead, That what is said of the Holy Ghost must be confined to the first times of the