respecting divine influence! We earnestly desire that the exhibition of such sentiments may afford a salutary warning. When a man sets up a rule of his own above the attested revelation of the Spirit, there is no knowing into what extravagancies he may be carried. Is it not perfectly obvious, that if such a sentiment as this be once fully received, the very flood-gates are thrown open to the wildest fanaticism.
It is not, however, to be forgotten, that believers alone have the gift of the Spirit abiding in them. For although our Lord declares, that, when he [the Spirit of truth] is come, he shall reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, it is equally plain, according to the same authority, that the Holy Spirit dwells only in believers.—"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." For want of observing this important distinction, which our Lord so plainly makes, between reproving only, and dwelling with or abiding in; and also between the world, and believers in him, great confusion has arisen. Many other passages also incontestibly prove the same thing.
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"Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts." Gal. iv. 6. "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the Spirit |
of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up |
