TheDistinguishingMarksofaWork

oftheSpiritofGod

byJonathanEdwards

TableofContents

Preface

THEMARKSOFAWORKOFTHETRUESPIRIT

SECT.I.NEGATIVESIGNS

SECT. II. WHAT ARE THE DISTINGUISHING SCRIPTUREEVIDENCESOFAWORKOFTHESPIRIT

SECT.III.PRACTICALINFERENCES

MR.COOPER'SPREFACETOTHEREADER.

There are several dispensations, or days of grace, which the church ofGodhasbeenunderfromthebeginningoftime.Thereisthatunderthepatriarchs;thatunderthelawofMoses;andthereisthatofthegospelofJesusChrist,underwhichwenoware.Thisisthebrightestdaythatevershone,andexceedstheother,forpeculiaradvantages.Touswhoaresohappyastoliveundertheevangelicaldispensation,maythosewordsofourSaviourbedirected,whichhespaketohisdisciples,whenhewasfirstsetting up the Messiah's kingdom in the world, and gospel-light andpowerbegantospreadabroad:"Blessedaretheeyeswhichseethethingsthatyesee.ForItellyou,thatmanyprophetsandkingshavedesiredtoseethosethingswhichyesee,andhavenotseenthem;andtohearthosethingswhichyehear,andhavenotheardthem."[Lukex.23,21.]

TheMosaicdispensation,thoughdarkenedwithtypesandfigures,yetfarexceeded the former: but the gospel dispensation so much exceeds inglory, that iteclipses thegloryof the legal, as the starsdisappearwhen

thesunariseth,andgoethforthinhisstrength.—Andthechiefthingthatrendersthegospelsogloriousis,thatitistheministrationoftheSpirit.Underthepreachingof it, theHolySpiritwastobepouredout inmoreplentifulmeasures; not only inmiraculous gifts, as in the first times ofthe gospel, but in his internal saving operations, accompanying theoutwardministry, toproducenumerous conversions toChrist, andgivespirituallifetosoulsthatwerebeforedeadintrespassesandsins,andsoprepare them for eternal life. Thus the apostle speaks,when he runs acomparisonbetween theOldTestamentand theNew, the lawofMosesandthegospelofJesusChrist:"Fortheletterkilleth,buttheSpiritgivethlife.Butiftheministrationofdeath,writtenandengraveninstones,wasglorioussothatthechildrenofIsraelcouldnotstedfastlybeholdthefaceofMoses, for the glory of his countenance,whichglorywas tobedoneaway;howshallnottheministrationoftheSpiritberatherglorious?"[2Cor.iii.6,7,8]

Thisblessedtimeofthegospelhathseveralotherdenominations,whichmay raise our esteem and value for it. It is called by the evangelicalprophet,"TheacceptableyearoftheLord."[Isa. lxi.2.]Or,asitmayberead,theyearofliking,orofbenevolence,orofthegoodwilloftheLord;becauseitwouldbethespecialperiodinwhichhewoulddisplayhisgraceandfavour,inanextraordinarymanner,anddealoutspiritualblessingswith a full and liberal hand.—It is also styled by our Saviour, theregeneration,[Matt. xix. 28.]whichmay refer not only to that gloriousrestitutionofall things,which is looked forat thecloseof thechristiandispensation, but to the renewing work of grace in particular souls,carriedonfromthebeginningtotheendofit.Butfewwererenewedandsanctifiedunder the formerdispensations, comparedwith the instancesofthegraceofGodingospel-times.Suchnumberswerebroughtintothegospel-church when it was first set up, as to give occasion for thatpleasingadmiringquestion,whichwas indeedaprophecyof it, [Isa. lx.8.]"Whoarethesethatflyasacloud,andasthedovestotheirwindows?"Then thepowerof thedivineSpirit soaccompanied theministryof theword, as that thousands were converted under one sermon.—Butnotwithstanding this large effusionof theSpirit,whengospel-light firstdawned upon the world—that pleasant spring of religion which thenappearedonthefaceoftheearth—therewasagradualwithdrawingofhis

savinglightandinfluences;andsothegospelcametobelesssuccessful,andthestateofChristianitywitheredinoneplaceandanother.

Indeed at the time of the Reformation from popery, when gospel-lightbroke in upon the church, and dispelled the clouds of antichristiandarkness that covered it, thepowerofdivinegrace soaccompanied thepreachingoftheword,asthatithadadmirablesuccessintheconversionand edification of souls; and the blessed fruits thereof appeared in theheartsandlivesofitsprofessors.Thatwasoneof"thedaysoftheSonofman," on which the exalted Redeemer rode forth, in his glory andmajesty, on the white horse of the pure gospel, conquering and toconquer;" and thebow inhishand, like that of Jonathan, returnednotempty. But what a dead and barren time has it now been, for a greatwhile,withallthechurchesoftheReformation?Thegoldenshowershavebeen restrained; the influences of the Spirit suspended; and theconsequencehasbeen,thatthegospelhasnothadanyeminentsuccess.Conversionshavebeen rare anddubious; few sons anddaughters havebeen born to God? and the hearts of Christians not so quickened,warmed,andrefreshedundertheordinances,astheyhavebeen.

That this has been the sad state of religion among us in this land, formanyyears(exceptoneortwodistinguishedplaces,whichhaveattimesbeenvisitedwithashowerofmercy,whileothertownsandchurcheshavenot been rained upon,) will be acknowledged by all who have spiritualsenses exercised, as it has been lamented by faithful ministers andserious Christians. Accordingly it has been a constant petition in ourpublicprayers, fromsabbath to sabbath, "ThatGodwouldpourouthisSpirituponus,andrevivehisworkinthemidstoftheyears."Andbesidesour annual fast-days appointed by government, most of the churcheshavesetapartdays,whereintoseektheLordbyprayerandfasting,thathewould"comeandraindownrighteousnessuponus."

Andnow,—"Behold!TheLordwhomwehavesought,hassuddenlycometohistemple."Thedispensationorgracewearenowunder,iscertainlysuchasneitherwenorourfathershaveseen;andinsomecircumstancesso wonderful, that I believe there has not been the like since theextraordinary pouring out of the Spirit immediately after our Lord'sascension.Theapostolical timesseemtohavereturneduponus:sucha

displayhastherebeenofthepowerandgraceofthedivineSpiritintheassembliesofhispeople,andsuchtestimonieshashegiventothewordofthegospel.

I remembera remarkablepassageof the late reverend and learnedMr.Howe,whichIthinkitmaybeworthwhiletotranscribehere.Itisinhisdiscourse concerning the "theProsperousStateof theChristianChurchbeforetheEndofTime,byaplentifulEffusionof theHolySpirit,"page80. "In such a time," says he, "when the Spirit shall be poured forthplentifully, surelyministers shall have their proportionable share. Andwhensuchatimeasthatshallcome,Ibelieveyouwillhearmuchotherkindofsermons(ortheywillwhoshalllivetosuchatime)thanyouarewonttodonow-a-days:soulswillsurelybedealtwithatanotherrate.Itisplain,(sayshe,)toosadlyplain,thereisagreatretractionoftheSpiritofGodevenfromus.Weknownothowtospeaklivingsenseintosouls;how to get within you: our words die in our mouths, or drop and diebetween you and us. We even faint when we speak; long experiencedunsuccessfulnessmakesusdespond:wespeaknotaspersonsthathopetoprevail,thatexpecttomakeyouserious,heavenly,mindfulofGod,andto walk more like Christians. The methods of alluring and convincingsouls, even that someofushaveknown, are lost fromamongstus in agreatpart.Therehavebeenotherwaystaken,thanwecantellnowhowtofallupon,forthemollifyingoftheobdurate,andtheawakeningofthesecure, and the convincing and persuading of the obstinate, and thewinning of the disaffected. Surely there will be a large share, that willcomeeven to thepart ofministers,when suchan effusionof theSpiritshall be, as it is expected: that they shall know how to speak to betterpurpose, with more compassion, with more seriousness, with moreauthorityandallurement,thanwenowfindwecan."

Agreeabletothejustexpectationofthisgreatandexcellentman,wehavefound it in this remarkable day. A number of preachers have appearedamongus,towhomGodhasgivensuchalargemeasureofhisSpirit,thatwearereadysometimestoapplytothemthecharactergivenofBarnabas,that"hewasagoodman,andfulloftheHolyGhost,andoffaith."[Actsxi.24.]Theypreach thegospelof thegraceofGod fromplace toplace,withuncommonzealandassiduity.

Thedoctrinetheyinsiston,arethedoctrineofthereformation,undertheinfluencewhereofthepowerofgodlinesssoflourishedinthelastcentury.Thepoints onwhich their preachingmainly turns, are those importantones of man's guilt, corruption, and impotence; supernaturalregeneration by the Spirit of God, and free justification by faith in therighteousnessofChrist;andthemarksofthenewbirth.—Themanneroftheirpreachingisnotwiththeenticingwordsofman'swisdom;howbeit,theyspeakwisdomamongthemthatareperfect.AnardentlovetoChristand souls, warms their breasts, and animates their labours. God hasmadethosehisministersactivespirits,aflameoffireinhisservice;andhis word in their mouths has been "as a fire, and as a hammer thatbreaketh the rock in pieces." Inmost placeswhere they have laboured,Godhasevidentlywroughtwiththem,and"confirmedthewordbysignsfollowing."SuchapowerandpresenceofGodinreligiousassemblies,hasnot been known since God set up his sanctuary amongst us. He hasindeed"glorifiedthehouseofhisglory."

Thisworkistrulyextraordinary,inrespectofitsextent.Itismoreorlessin the several provinces that measure many hundred miles on thiscontinent. "He sendeth forth his commandment on earth! His wordrunneth very swiftly." It has entered and spread in some of the mostpopuloustowns,thechiefplacesofconcourseandbusiness.And—blessedbe God!—it has visited the seats of learning, both here, and in aneighbouring colony. O may the Holy Spirit constantly reside in themboth, seize our devoted youth, and form them as polished shafts,successfully to fight the Lord's battles against the powers of darkness,when they shall be called out to service!—It is extraordinary also withrespect to the numbers that have been the subjects of this operation.Stupid sinners have been awakened by hundreds; and the inquiry hasbeen general in some places, "What must I do to be saved." I verilybelieve, that in this our metropolis, there were the last winter somethousandsundersuchreligiousimpressionsastheyneverfeltbefore.

Theworkhasbeenremarkablealsoforthevarioussortsofpersonsthathavebeenunderitsinfluence.—Thesehavebeenofallages.Someelderlypersons have been snatched as brands out of the burning, mademonumentsofdivinemercy,andborntoGod,thoughoutofduetime;as

theapostlespeaksinhisowncase.[ICor.xv.]Buthere,withusithaslainmostly among the young. Sprightly youth have beenmade to bow likewillows to theRedeemer's sceptre, andwillingly to subscribewith theirown hands to the Lord. And out of the mouths of babes, some littlechildren,hasGodordainedtohimselfpraise, tostill theenemyandtheavenger.—Theyhavealsobeenofallranksanddegrees.Someofthegreatandrich;butmoreofthelowandpoor.—Ofothercountriesandnations.Ethiopia has stretched out her hand: some poor negroes have, I trust,been brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God.—Of allqualities and conditions. The most ignorant; the foolish thing of theworld, babes in knowledge, have been made wise unto salvation, andtaught those heavenly truths, which have been hid from the wise andprudent.Someofthe learnedandknowingamongmen,havehad thosethingsrevealedtothemoftheFatherinheaven,whichfleshandblooddonotteach:andofthese,somewhohadgoneintothemodernnotions,andhadnootherthanthepolitereligionofthepresenttimes,havehadtheirprejudices conquered, their carnal reasonings overcome, and theirunderstandingsmade to bow to gospelmysteries; they now receive thetruthasitisinJesus,andtheirfaithnolonger"standsinthewisdomofmanbutinthepowerofGod."Someofthemostrudeanddisorderlyarebecomeregular in theirbehaviour,andsober inall things.Thegayandairyarebecomegraveandserious.

Someofthegreatestsinnershaveappearedtobeturnedintorealsaints:drunkardshavebecometemperate;fornicatorsandadulterersofachasteconversation; swearers and profane persons have learned to fear thatglorious and fearful Name, the Lord their God; and carnal worldlingshavebeenmadetoseekfirstthekingdomofGodandhisrighteousness.Yea, deriders and scoffers at thiswork and its instruments, have comeunderitsconqueringpower.Someofthisstamp,whohavegonetohearthepreacher,(assomedidPaul—"Whatwillthisbabblersay?")—havenotbeenabletoresistthepowerandtheSpiritwithwhichhespake;havesattremblingundertheword,andgoneawayfromitweeping;andafterwarddidcleaveuntothepreacher,asDionysiustheAreopagitediduntoPaul.[Acts xvii. 18, 24.] Divers instances of this kind have fallen under myknowledge.

The virtuous and civil have been convinced that morality is not to bereliedon for life; andsoexcited to seekafter thenewbirth,andavitalunion to Jesus Christ by faith. The formal professor likewise has beenawakened out of his dead formalities, brought under the power ofgodliness; taken off fromhis false rests, and brought to build his hopeonly on the Mediator's righteousness. At the same time, many of thechildren ofGod have been greatly quickened and refreshed; have beenawakenedoutofthesleepingframestheywerefalleninto,andexcitedtogive diligence to make their calling and election sure; and have hadprecious, reviving, and sealing times.—Thus extensive and general thedivineinfluencehasbeenathisgloriousseason.

One thingmore is worthy of remark; and this is the uniformity of thework.By the accounts I have received in letters, and conversationwithministers and others,who live in different parts of the landwhere thisworkisgoingon,itisthesameworkthatiscarriedoninoneplaceandanother:themethodoftheSpirit'soperationonthemindsofthepeopleis the same; thoughwith some variety of circumstances, as is usual atother times: and the particular appearances with which this work isattended, thathavenotbeen so commonat other times, are alsomuchthe same. These are indeed objected by many against the work; butthoughconversionisthesamework,inthemainstrokesofit,whereveritiswrought;yet it seemsreasonable to suppose that at an extraordinaryseasonwhereinGodispleasedtocarryonaworkofhisgraceinamoreobservable and glorious manner, in a way which he would have to betakennoticeofbytheworld;atsuchatime,Isay,itseemsreasonabletosuppose, that theremaybe someparticular appearances in theworkofconversion,which are not common at other times—when yet there aretrue conversions wrought—or some circumstances attending the workmaybecarriedtoanunusualdegreeandheight.If itwerenotthus,theworkoftheLordwouldnotbesomuchregardedandspokenof;andsoGodwouldnothavesomuchofthegloryofit.Norwouldtheworkitselfbeliketospreadsofast;forGodhasevidentlymadeuseofexampleanddiscourseinthecarryingofiton.

Andastothefruitsofthiswork,(whichwehavebeenbidsooftentowaitfor,)blessedbeGod!Sofarastherehasbeentimeforobservation,they

appear to be abiding. I do not mean that none have lost theirimpressions, or that there are no instances of hypocrisy and apostacy.Scriptureandexperienceleadustoexpectthese,atsuchaseason.Itistomematter of surprise and thankfulness that as yet there have been nomore.ButImean,thatagreatnumberofthosewhohavebeenawakenedare still seeking and striving to enter in at the strait gate. Themost ofthosewhohavebeenthoughttobeconverted,continuetogiveevidenceof their being new creatures, and seem to cleave to the Lord with fullpurposeofheart.Tobesure,anewfaceofthingscontinuesinthistown:though many circumstances concur to render such a work not soobservablehere,[i.e.,Boston,inNewEngland.]asinsmalleranddistantplaces.Many thingsnot becoming theprofession of the gospel are in ameasurereformed.Taverns,dancing-schools,andsuchmeetingsashavebeencalledassemblies,whichhavealwaysprovedunfriendly to seriousgodliness,aremuchlessfrequented.Manyhavereducedtheirdressandapparel,soas tomakethemlookmore like the followersof thehumbleJesus. And it has been both surprising and pleasant to see how someyoungerpeople,andofthatsextoowhichismostfondofsuchvanities,haveputoffthe"braveryoftheirornaments,"astheeffectandindicationof their seeking the inward glories of "theKing's daughter."Religion isnowmuchmorethesubjectofconversationatfriends'houses,thaneverIknewit.Thedoctrineofgraceareespousedandrelished.Privatereligiousmeetings are greatly multiplied.—The public assemblies (especiallylectures) are much better attended; and our auditors were never soattentiveandserious.Thereisindeedanextraordinaryappetiteafter"thesinceremilkoftheword."

Itismorethanatwelvemonthsinceaneveninglecturewassetupinthistown; there are now several: two constantly on Tuesday and Fridayevenings;when someof ourmost capacioushouses arewell filledwithhearers,whoby their looks anddeportment seem to come tohear thattheirsoulsmightlive.AneveninginGod'scourtsisnowesteemedbetterthanmanyelsewhere.There is also great resort toministers inprivate.Ourhandscontinuefullofwork:andmanytimeswehavemorethanwecandiscoursewithdistinctlyandseparately.—Ihavebeenthuslargeandparticular, that persons at a distance, who are desirous to know thepresentstateofreligionhere, intowhosehandsthesepaperswillcome,

mayreceivesomesatisfaction.

And now, can any be at a loss to what spirit to ascribe this work? Toattribute it,assomedo, tothedevil, is tomake theoldserpent like thefoolishwoman,"whopluckeddownherhousewithherhands."[Prov.xiv.1.]OurSaviourhas taughtus toargueotherwise in sucha caseas this."Everykingdomdividedagainst itself shallnot stand.And ifSatancastout Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdomstand?"[Matt.xii.25,26.]

That someentertainprejudicesagainst thiswork,andothers revileandreproachit,doesnotmakeit look less likeaworkofGod: itwouldelsewantonemarkofitsbeingso;forthespiritofthisworld,andthespiritwhichisofGod,arecontrarytheonetotheother.IdonotwonderthatSatan rages, and shows his rage in some that are under his influence,whenhiskingdomissoshaken,andhissubjectsdeserthimbyhundreds,I hope by thousands.—The prejudices of some, I make no doubt, areowingtothewantofopportunitytoberightlyinformed,andtheirhavingreceived misrepresentations from abroad. Others may be offended,because they have not experienced any thing like such a work inthemselves; and if these things be so, they must begin again, and getanother foundation laid than that onwhich theyhave built; and this iswhatmen are hardly brought to. And others, perhaps,may dislike thepresentwork, because it supports and confirms some principles whichthey have not yet embraced, and against which such prejudices hangabouttheirminds,astheycannoteasilyshakeoff.Foritiscertain,thesefruits do not grow on Arminian ground. I hope none dislike the work,becausetheyhavenotbeenusedasinstrumentsinit.ForifweloveourLordJesusChristinsincerity,weshallrejoicetoseehimincrease,thoughweshould decrease. If any are resolutely set to disbelieve thiswork, toreproachandopposeit,theymustbelefttothefreesovereignpowerandmercy of God to enlighten and rescue them. These, if they have hadopportunitytoberightlyinformed,Iamreadytothink,wouldhavebeendisbelievers, and opposers of themiracles andmission of our Saviour,had they lived in his days. The malignity which some of them havediscovered,tomeapproachesneartotheunpardonablesin;andtheyhadneed beware, lest they indeed sin the sinwhich is unto death: for as I

believe it canbe committed in thesedays, aswell as in thedays of theapostles,soIthinkpersonsarenowinmoredangerofcommittingitthanatothertimes.Atleast,letthemcomeundertheaweofthatword,Psal.xxviii. 5. "Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor theoperationofhishands,heshalldestroythem,andnotbuildthemup."

Butifanyaredisposedtoreceiveconviction,haveamindopentolight,andarereallywillingtoknowofthepresentworkwhetheritbeofGod,itis with great satisfaction and pleasure I can recommend to them thefollowing sheets; in which they will find the "distinguishing marks" ofsuchawork,astheyaretobefoundintheHolyScriptures,appliedtotheuncommonoperationthathasbeenon themindsofmany in this land.Here the matter is tried by the infallible touchstone of the HolyScriptures, and is weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, with greatjudgmentandimpartiality.

A performance of this kind is seasonable and necessary; and I desireheartily toblessGod,who inclined thishis servant toundertake it, andhasgraciouslyassistedhiminit.TheReverendAuthorisknowntobe"ascribe instructedunto the kingdomof heaven;" the placewhere he hasbeen called to exercise his ministry has been famous for experimentalreligion; and he has had opportunities to observe this work in manyplaceswhere ithaspowerfullyappeared,and toconversewithnumbersthat have been the subjects of it. These things qualify him for thisundertaking above most. His arguments in favour of the work, arestrongly drawn from Scripture, reason, and experience: and I shallbelieveeverycandid,judiciousreaderwillsay,hewritesveryfreefromanenthusiastic or a party spirit. The use of human learning is asserted; amethodical way of preaching, the fruit of study as well as prayer, isrecommended;andtheexerciseofcharityinjudgingotherspressedandurged:andthosethingswhichareesteemedtheblemishes,andareliketobethehinderancesofthework,arewithgreatfaithfulnesscautionedandwarned against.—Many, I believe, will be thankful for this publication.Those who have already entertained favourable thoughts of this work,willbeconfirmedbyit;andthedoubtingmaybeconvincedandsatisfied.But if there are anywho cannot after all see the signatures of a divinehandonthework,itistobehopedtheywillbeprevailedontosparetheir

censures, and stop their oppositions, lest "haply they should be foundeventofightagainstGod."

Ihadyetseveralthingstosay,whichIseeImustsuppress,orIshallgomuchbeyondthelimitsofapreface:andIfearIneedtoaskpardonbothofthereaderandthepublishersforthelengthIhaverunalready.OnlyIcannothelpexpressingmywish,thatthosewhohavebeenconversantinthiswork,inoneplaceandanother,wouldtransmitaccountsofittosuchahandas theReverendAuthorof thisdiscourse, tobe compiled intoanarrative, like that of the conversions at Northampton, which waspublished a few years ago; that so theworldmay know this surprisingdispensation,inthebeginning,progress,andvariouscircumstancesofit.

This, I apprehend, would be for the honour of the Holy Spirit, whoseworkandofficehasbeentreatedsoreproachfullyinthechristianworld.Itwouldbeanopenattestationtothedivinityofadespisedgospel:anditmight have a happy effect on the otherplaces,where the soundof thismarvelous work would by this means be heard. I cannot but think itwould be one of themost useful pieces of church history the people ofGodareblessedwith.PerhapsitwouldcomethenearesttotheActsoftheApostles of any thing extant; and all the histories in the world do notcomeuptothat:therewehavesomethingassurprisingasinthebookofGenesis;andanewcreation,ofanotherkind,seemstoopentoourview.ButImustforbear.

Iwillonlyaddmyprayer,ThattheworthyAuthorofthisdiscoursemaylongbecontinuedaburningandshining light in thegoldencandlestickwhereChristhasplacedhim,and from thencediffusehis light throughthese provinces! That the divine Spirit, whose cause is here espoused,wouldaccompanythisandtheothervaluablepublicationsofhisservant,with his powerful influences; that they may promote the Redeemer'sinterest, serve the ends of vital religion, and so add to the Author'spresentjoy,andfuturecrown!

Boston,Nov.20,1741.W.COOPER.

THEMARKSOFAWORKOFTHETRUESPIRIT.

1Johniv.1.

Beloved,believenot every spirit, but try the spiritswhether they are ofGod;becausemanyfalseprophetsaregoneoutintotheworld.

In the apostolic age, there was the greatest outpouring of the Spirit ofGodthateverwas;bothastohisextraordinaryinfluencesandgifts,andhis ordinary operations, in convincing, converting, enlightening, andsanctifying the souls of men. But as the influences of the true Spiritabounded, so counterfeits did also abound: the devil was abundant inmimicking,boththeordinaryandextraordinaryinfluencesoftheSpiritofGod, as is manifest by innumerable passages of the apostles' writings.ThismadeitverynecessarythatthechurchofChristshouldbefurnishedwith some certain rules, distinguishing and clear marks, by which shemightproceedsafelyinjudgingofthetruefromthefalsewithoutdangerofbeingimposedupon.Thegivingofsuchrulesistheplaindesignofthischapter,wherewe have thismattermore expressly and fully treatedofthananywhereelseintheBible.Theapostle,ofsetpurpose,undertakestosupplythechurchofGodwithsuchmarksofthetrueSpiritasmaybeplainandsafe,andwellaccommodatedtouseandpractice;andthatthesubject might be clearly and sufficiently handled, he insists upon itthroughoutthechapter,whichmakesitwonderfulthatwhatisheresaidisnomoretakennoticeof inthisextraordinaryday,whenthere issuchan uncommon and extensive operation on theminds of people, such avarietyofopinionsconcerningit,andsomuchtalkabouttheworkoftheSpirit.

The apostle's discourse on this subject is introduced by an occasionalmentionoftheindwellingoftheSpirit,asthesureevidenceofaninterestinChrist."Andhethatkeepethhiscommandmentsdwellethinhim,andheinhim;andherebyweknowthatheabidethinus,bytheSpiritwhich

hehathgivenus."Whencewemayinfer,thatthedesignoftheapostleisnot only to givemarks whereby to distinguish the true Spirit from thefalse,inhisextraordinarygiftsofprophecyandmiracles,butalsoinhisordinaryinfluencesonthemindsofhispeople,inordertotheiruniontoChrist,andbeingbuiltupinhim;whichisalsomanifestfromthemarksthemselvesthataregiven,whichweshallhereafternotice.

The words of the text are an introduction to this discourse of thedistinguishing signs of the true and false Spirit.—Before the apostleproceeds to laydown these signs,he exhortethChristians, first, againstan over credulousness, and a forwardness to admit every speciousappearanceastheworkofatrueSpirit."Beloved,believenoteveryspirit,buttrythespiritswhethertheyareofGod.[1Johniv.1.]"And,second,he shows, that there were many counterfeits, "because many falseprophets were gone out into the world. [ibid.]" These did not onlypretendtohavetheSpiritofGodinhisextraordinarygiftsofinspiration,butalsotobethegreatfriendsandfavouritesofheaven,tobeeminentlyholy persons, and to have much of the ordinary saving, sanctifyinginfluencesoftheSpiritofGodontheirhearts.HencewearetolookuponthesewordsasadirectiontoexamineandtrytheirpretencestotheSpiritofGod,inboththeserespects.

Mydesignthereforeatthistimeistoshowwhatarethetrue,certain,anddistinguishingevidencesofaworkoftheSpiritofGod,bywhichwemaysafelyproceedinjudgingofanyoperationwefindinourselves,orseeinothers.Andhere Iwouldobserve, thatweare to take theScriptures asourguideinsuchcases.ThisisthegreatandstandingrulewhichGodhasgiventohischurch,inordertoguidetheminthingsrelatingtothegreatconcernsoftheirsouls;anditisaninfallibleandsufficientrule.Thereareundoubtedly sufficientmarks given to guide the church of God in thisgreataffairofjudgingofspirits,withoutwhichitwouldlieopentowoefuldelusion, and would be remedilessly exposed to be imposed on anddevouredbyitsenemies.Andweneednotbeafraidtotrusttheserules.Doubtless that Spirit who indited the Scriptures knew how to give usgoodrules,bywhichtodistinguishhisoperationsfromallthatisfalselypretended to be fromhim.And this, as I observedbefore, the Spirit ofGodhasheredoneofsetpurpose,anddoneitmoreparticularlyandfully

thananywhereelse:sothatinmypresentdiscourseIshallgonowhereelseforrulesormarksforthetrialofspirits,butshallconfinemyselftothose that I find in this chapter.—But before I proceed particularly tospeaktothese,Iwouldpreparemywayby,first,observingnegatively,insomeinstances,whatarenotsignsorevidencesofaworkoftheSpiritofGod.

SECT.I.NEGATIVESIGNS

NegativeSigns;or,Whatarenosignsbywhichwearetojudgeofaworkandespecially,WhatarenoevidencesthataworkisnotfromtheSpiritofGod.

I.Nothingcanbecertainlyconcludedfromthis,Thataworkiscarriedonin a way very unusual and extraordinary; provided the variety ordifference be such, as may still be comprehended within the limits ofscripturerules.Whatthechurchhasbeenusedto,isnotarulebywhichweare to judge;because theremaybenewand extraordinaryworksofGod, and he has heretofore evidently wrought in an extraordinarymanner. He has brought to pass new things, strange works; and haswroughtinsuchamannerastosurprisebothmenandangels.

AndasGodhasdonethus in timespast,sowehavenoreasonto thinkbutthathewilldosostill.ThepropheciesofScripturegiveusreasontothinkthatGodhasthingstoaccomplish,whichhaveneveryetbeenseen.Nodeviationfromwhathashithertobeenusual,letitbeneversogreat,isan argument that a work is not from the Spirit of God, if it be nodeviation from his prescribed rule. The Holy Spirit is sovereign in hisoperation;andweknowthatheusesagreatvariety;andwecannottellhow great a variety he may use, within the compass of the rules hehimself has fixed.We ought not to limitGodwhere he has not limitedhimself.

ThereforeitisnotreasonabletodeterminethataworkisnotfromGod'sHoly Spirit because of the extraordinary degree in which theminds ofpersonsareinfluenced.Iftheyseemtohaveanextraordinaryconvictionofthedreadfulnatureofsin,andaveryuncommonsenseofthemiseryofaChristlesscondition—orextraordinaryviewsof thecertaintyandgloryofdivinethings,—andareproportionablymovedwithveryextraordinaryaffections of fear and sorrow, desire, love, or joy: or if the apparentchange be very sudden, and the work be carried on with very unusualswiftness—and the persons affected are very numerous, and many ofthem are very young, with other unusual circumstances, not infringingupon scripture marks of a work of the Spirit—these things are noargumentthat thework is not of the Spirit ofGod.—The extraordinaryandunusualdegreeofinfluence,andpowerofoperation,ifinitsnatureitbe agreeable to the rules and marks given in Scripture, is rather anargument in its favour; forbyhowmuchhigher thedegreewhich in itsnatureisagreeabletotherule,somuchthemoreisthereofconformitytotherule;andsomuchthemoreevidentthatconformity.Whenthingsareinsmalldegrees,thoughtheybereallyagreeabletotherule, it isnotsoeasilyseenwhethertheirnatureagreeswiththerule.

There is a great aptness inpersons todoubt of things that are strange;especiallyelderlypersons,tothinkthattoberightwhichtheyhaveneverbeenusedtointheirday,andhavenotheardofinthedaysoftheirday,and have not heard of in the days of their fathers. But if it be a goodargumentthataworkisnotfromtheSpiritofGod,thatitisveryunusual,then it was so in the apostles' days. The work of the Spirit then, wascarriedoninamannerthat,inverymanyrespects,wasaltogethernew;suchasneverhad been seen or heard since theworld stood. Theworkwasthencarriedonwithmorevisibleandremarkablepowerthanever;norhadtherebeenseenbeforesuchmightyandwonderfuleffectsoftheSpiritofGodinsuddenchanges,andsuchgreatengagednessandzealingreat multitudes—such a sudden alteration in towns, cities, andcountries;suchaswiftprogress,andvastextentofthework—andmanyother extraordinary circumstances might be mentioned. The greatunusualnessoftheworksurprisedtheJews;theyknewnotwhattomakeofit,butcouldnotbelieveittobetheworkofGod:manylookeduponthepersonsthatwerethesubjectsofitasbereftofreason;asyoumayseein

Actsii.13.xxvi.24.and1Cor.iv.10.

And we have reason from scripture prophecy to suppose, that at thecommencementofthatlastandgreatestoutpouringoftheSpiritofGod,thatistobeinthelatteragesoftheworld,themanneroftheworkwillbevery extraordinary, and such as never has yet been seen; so that thereshallbeoccasionthentosay,as inIsa. lxvi.8. "Whohathheardsuchathing?Whohathseensuchthings?Shalltheearthbemadetobringforthinoneday?Shallanationbebornatonce?ForassoonasZiontravailed,shebroughtforthherchildren." Itmaybe reasonablyexpected that theextraordinarymanneroftheworkthen,willbearsomeproportiontothevery extraordinary events, and that glorious change in the state of theworld,whichGodwillbringtopassbyit.

II.Aworkisnottobejudgedofbyanyeffectsonthebodiesofmen;suchastears,trembling,groans, loudoutcries,agoniesofbody,orthefailingofbodilystrength.Theinfluencepersonsareunder,isnottobejudgedofonewayorother,bysucheffectsonthebody;andthereasonis,becausetheScripturenowheregivesusany such rule.Wecannot conclude thatpersons are under the influence of the true Spirit becausewe see sucheffectsupontheirbodies,becausethisisnotgivenasamarkofthetrueSpirit;norontheotherhand,haveweanyreasontoconclude,fromanysuch outward appearances, that persons are not under the influence oftheSpiritofGod,becausethereisnoruleofScripturegivenustojudgeofspiritsby,thatdoeseitherexpresslyorindirectlyexcludesucheffectsonthebody,nordoesreasonexclude them. It is easilyaccounted for fromthe consideration of the nature of divine and eternal things, and thenatureofman,andthelawsoftheunionbetweensoulandbody,howaright influence, a true and proper sense of things, should have sucheffectson thebody,even those thatareof themostextraordinarykind,suchastakingawaythebodilystrength,orthrowingthebodyintogreatagonies,andextortingloudoutcries.Therearenoneofusbutdosuppose,andwouldhavebeenreadyatanytimetosayit,thatthemiseryofhellisdoubtlesssodreadful,andeternitysovast,thatifapersonshouldhaveaclearapprehensionofthatmiseryasitis,itwouldbemorethathisfeebleframe could bear, and especially if at the same time he sawhimself ingreat danger of it, and to be utterly uncertain whether he should be

deliveredfromit,yea,andtohavenosecurityfromitonedayorhour.Ifweconsiderhumannature,wemustnotwonder,thatwhenpersonshaveagreatsenseofthatwhichissoamazinglydreadful,andalsohaveagreatviewoftheirownwickednessandGod'sanger,thatthingsseemtothemtoforebodespeedyandimmediatedestruction.Weseethenatureofmantobesuchthatwhenheisindangerofsometerriblecalamitytowhichheisgreatlyexposed,heisreadyuponeveryoccasiontothink,thatnowitiscoming.—Whenpersons'heartsare fullof fear, in timeofwar, theyarereadytotrembleattheshakingofa leaf,andtoexpecttheenemyeveryminute,andtosaywithinthemselves,nowIshallbeslain.Ifweshouldsupposethatapersonsawhimselfhangingoveragreatpit,fulloffierceandglowingflames,bya thread thatheknew tobeveryweak, andnotsufficienttobearhisweight,andknewthatmultitudeshadbeeninsuchcircumstancesbefore,andthatmostofthemhadfallenandperished,andsawnothingwithin reach, thathe could takeholdof to savehim,whatdistress would he be in! How ready to think that now the thread wasbreaking, that now, this minute, he should be swallowed up in thosedreadful flames! And would not he be ready to cry out in suchcircumstances? How much more those that see themselves in thismannerhangingoveraninfinitelymoredreadfulpit,orheldoveritinthehandofGod,whoatthesametimetheyseetobeexceedinglyprovoked!NowonderthatthewrathofGod,whenmanifestedbutalittletothesoul,overbearshumanstrength.

So it may easily be accounted for, that a true sense of the gloriousexcellencyoftheLordJesusChrist,andofhiswonderfuldyinglove,andtheexerciseofatrulyspiritualloveandjoy,shouldbesuchasverymuchtoovercomethebodilystrength.Weareallreadytoown,thatnomancanseeGodandlive,andthatitisbutaverysmallpartofthatapprehensionofthegloryandloveofChrist,whichthesaintsenjoyinheaven,thatourpresentframecanbear;thereforeitisnotatallstrangethatGodshouldsometimesgivehissaintssuchforetastesofheaven,astodiminishtheirbodily strength. If it was not unaccountable that the queen of Shebafainted,andhadherbodily strength takenaway,when she came to seethegloryofSolomon,much less is itunaccountable thatshewho is theantitypeof the queen of Sheba, (viz.) the Church, that is brought, as itwere, from the utmost ends of the earth, from being an alien and

stranger,faroff,inastateofsinandmisery,shouldfaintwhenshecomestoseethegloryofChrist,whoistheantitypeofSolomon;andespeciallywillbe so in thatprosperous,peaceful,gloriouskingdom,whichhewillsetupintheworldinitslatterage.

Some object against such extraordinary appearances, that we have noinstances of them recorded in the New Testament, under theextraordinaryeffusionsoftheSpirit.Werethisallowed,Icanseenoforceintheobjection,ifneitherreason,noranyruleofScripture,excludesuchthings; especially considering what was observed under the foregoingparticular. Idonotknowthatwehaveanyexpressmention in theNewTestamentofanyperson'sweeping,orgroaning,orsighingthroughfearofhell,orasenseofGod'sanger;butisthereanybodysofoolishasfromhencetoargue,thatinwhomsoeverthesethingsappear,theirconvictionsarenotfromtheSpiritofGod?Andthereasonwhywedonotarguethus,is, because these are easily accounted for, from what we know of thenature of man, and from what the Scripture informs us in general,concerningthenatureofeternalthings,andthenatureoftheconvictionsofGod'sSpirit;sothatthereisnoneedthatanythingshouldbesaidinparticular concerning these external, circumstantial effects. Nobodysupposes that there is any need of express scripture for every external,accidentalmanifestationof the inwardmotionof themind:andthoughsuch circumstances are not particularly recorded in sacred history, yetthere is a great deal of reason to think, from the general accounts wehave,thatitcouldnotbeotherwisethanthatsuchthingsmustbeinthosedays.Andthereisalsoreasontothink,thatsuchgreatoutpouringoftheSpirit was not wholly without those more extraordinary effects onpersons'bodies.Thejailerinparticular,seemstohavebeenaninstanceof that nature, when he, in the utmost distress and amazement, cametrembling,andfelldownbeforePaulandSilas.His fallingdownat thattime does not seem to be a designed putting himself into a posture ofsupplication, or humble address to Paul and Silas; for he seems not tohavesaidanythingtothemthen;buthefirstbroughtthemout,andthenhesaystothem,Sirs,whatmustIdotobesaved?Actsxvi.29,and30.Buthis fallingdownseemstobe fromthesamecauseashis trembling.The psalmist gives an account of his crying out aloud, and a greatweakeningofhisbodyunderconvictionsofconscience,andasenseofthe

guiltof sin,Psal.xxxii. 3,4. "When Ikept silencemyboneswaxedold,through my roaring all the day long; for day and night thy hand washeavyuponme:mymoistureisturnedintothedroughtofsummer."—Wemayatleastarguesomuchfromit,thatsuchaneffectofconvictionofsinmaywellinsomecasesbesupposed;forifweshouldsupposeanythingofanauxesisintheexpressions,yetthepsalmistwouldnotrepresenthiscasebywhatwouldbeabsurd,andtowhichnodegreeofthatexerciseofmindhe spokeof,wouldhave any tendency.—We readof thedisciples,Matt.xiv.26.thatwhentheysawChristcomingtotheminthestorm,andtookhim for some terrible enemy, threatening theirdestruction in thatstorm,"theycriedout for fear."Whythenshould itbethoughtstrange,that persons should cry out for fear, when God appears to them, as aterrible enemy, and they see themselves in great danger of beingswallowedupinthebottomlessgulfofeternalmisery?Thespouse,onceandagain,speaksofherselfasoverpoweredwiththeloveofChrist,soastoweakenherbody,andmakeherfaint.Cant.ii.5."Staymywithflagons,comfortmewithapples;forIamsickoflove."Andchap.v.8."Ichargeyou,OyedaughtersofJerusalem,ifyefindmyBeloved,thatyetellhimthatIamsickoflove."Fromwhencewemayatleastargue,thatsuchaneffectmaywellbesupposed toarise, fromsuchacause in thesaints insomecases,andthatsuchaneffectwillsometimesbeseeninthechurchofChrist.

It is aweak objection, that the impressions of enthusiasts have a greateffectontheirbodies.ThattheQuakersusedtotremble,isnoargumentthat Saul, afterwards Paul, and the jailer, did not tremble from realconvictionsofconscience.Indeedallsuchobjectionsfromeffectsonthebody, let them be greater or less, seem to be exceeding frivolous; theywhoarguethence,proceedinthedark,theyknownotwhatgroundtheygoupon,norbywhatruletheyjudge.Therootandcourseofthingsistobe looked at, and the nature of the operations and affections are to beinquired into, and examined by the rule of God's word, and not themotionsofthebloodandanimalspirits.

III.Itisnoargumentthatanoperationonthemindsofpeopleisnotthework of the Spirit of God, that it occasions a great deal of noise aboutreligion.For though true religionbe of a contrarynature to that of the

Pharisees—whichwasostentatious,anddelightedtosetitselfforthtotheview of men for their applause—yet such is human nature, that it ismorallyimpossiblethereshouldbeagreatconcern,strongaffection,anda general engagedness of mind amongst a people, without causing anotable, visible, and open commotion and alteration amongst thatpeople.—Surely, it is no argument that the minds of persons are notunder the influenceofGod'sSpirit, that theyareverymuchmoved: forindeed spiritual and eternal things are so great, and of such infiniteconcern, that there is a great absurdity inmen's being butmoderatelymovedandaffectedbythem;andsurely it isnoargumentthat theyarenotmovedbytheSpiritofGod,thattheyareaffectedwiththesethingsinsome measure as they deserve, or in some proportion to theirimportance. And when was there ever any such thing since the worldstood, as a people in general being greatly affected in any affairwhatsoever,withoutnoiseorstir?Thenatureofmanwillnotallowit.

IndeedChristsays,Lukexvii.20."ThekingdomofGodcomethnotwithobservation."Thatis,itwillnotconsistinwhatisoutwardandvisible;itshallnotbe like earthlykingdoms, setupwithoutwardpomp, in someparticularplace,whichshallbeespecially the royal city,andseatof thekingdom;asChristexplainshimselfinthewordsnextfollowing,"Neithershall they say, Lo here, or lo there; for behold the kingdom of God iswithinyou."NotthatthekingdomofGodshallbesetupintheworld,onthe ruin of Satan's kingdom, without a very observable, great effect: amightychangeinthestateofthings,totheobservationandastonishmentof the whole world: for such an effect as this is even held forth in thepropheciesofScripture,andissobyChristhimself,inthisveryplace,andeveninhisownexplanationoftheseforementionedwords,ver.24."Forasthelightningthatlightnethoutofonepartunderheaven,shinethuntoanotherpartunderheaven,soshallalso theSonofmanbe inhisday."This is to distinguish Christ's coming to set up his kingdom, from thecomingoffalseChrist's,whichhetellsuswillbeinaprivatemannerinthedeserts,andinthesecretchambers;whereasthiseventofsettingupthekingdomofGod,shouldbeopenandpublic,inthesightofthewholeworld with clear manifestation, like lightning that cannot be hid, butglares in every one's eyes, and shines from one side of heaven to theother.Andwefind,thatwhenChrist'skingdomcame,bythatremarkable

pouringoutof theSpirit in theapostles'days, itoccasionedagreat stirevery where. What a mighty opposition was there in Jerusalem, onoccasionofthatgreateffusionoftheSpirit!AndsoinSamaria,Antioch,Ephesus,Corinth,andotherplaces!Theaffairfilledtheworldwithnoise,andgaveoccasiontosometosayoftheapostles,thattheyhadturnedtheworldupsidedown.Actsxvii.6.

IV.It isnoargumentthatanoperationonthemindsofapeople, isnottheworkoftheSpiritofGod,thatmanywhoarethesubjectsofit,havegreat impressionsmadeontheir imaginations.Thatpersonshavemanyimpressionsontheirimaginations,doesnotprovethattheyhavenothingelse. It is easy to be accounted for, that there should be much of thisnature amongst a people, where a great multitude of all kinds ofconstitutionshavetheirmindsengagedwithintensethoughtandstrongaffectionsaboutinvisiblethings;yea,itwouldbestrangeifthereshouldnot.Suchisournature,thatwecannotthinkofthingsinvisible,withoutadegreeofimagination.Idareappealtoanyman,ofthegreatestpowersofmind, whether he is able to fix his thoughts on God, or Christ, or thethings of another world, without imaginary ideas attending hismeditations?And themore engaged themind is, and themore intensethe contemplation and affection, still the more lively and strong theimaginaryideawillordinarilybe;especiallywhenattendedwithsurprise.And this is the case when the mental prospect is very new, and takesstrongholdof thepassions, as fear or joy; andwhen the changeof thestateandviewsofthemindissudden,fromacontraryextreme,asfromthatwhichwasextremelydreadful, to thatwhich isextremely ravishingand delightful. And it is no wonder that many persons do not welldistinguishbetweenthatwhichisimaginaryandthatwhichisintellectualand spiritual; and that they are apt to lay too much weight on theimaginarypart,andaremostreadytospeakof that in theaccounttheygiveoftheirexperiences,especiallypersonsoflessunderstandingandofdistinguishingcapacity.

AsGodhasgivenus sucha facultyas the imagination,andsomadeusthat we cannot think of things spiritual and invisible, without someexercise of this faculty; so, it appears tome, that such is our state andnature, that this faculty is really subservient and helpful to the other

facultiesofthemind,whenaproperuseismadeofit;thoughoftentimes,when the imagination is too strong, and the other faculties weak, itoverbears,anddisturbsthemintheirexercise.Itappearstomemanifest,inmanyinstanceswithwhichIhavebeenacquainted,thatGodhasreallymadeuseofthisfacultytotrulydivinepurposes;especiallyinsomethataremoreignorant.Godseemstocondescendtotheircircumstances,anddealwith themasbabes; asofoldhe instructedhis church,whilst inastateofignoranceandminority,bytypesandoutwardrepresentations.Ican see nothing unreasonable in such a position. Let others who havemuch occasion to deal with souls in spiritual concerns, judge whetherexperiencedoesnotconfirmit.

ItisnoargumentthataworkisnotoftheSpiritofGod,thatsomewhoare the subjects of it havebeen in a kindof ecstasy,wherein theyhavebeen carriedbeyond themselves, andhavehad theirminds transportedintoatrainofstrongandpleasingimaginations,andakindofvisions,asthoughtheywereraptupeventoheaven,andtheresawglorioussights.Ihave been acquainted with some such instances, and I see no need ofbringing in the help of the devil into the account thatwe give of thesethings, nor yet of supposing them to be of the same nature with thevisions of the prophets, or St. Paul's rapture into paradise. Humannature,under these intense exercises and affections, is all that need bebrought into the account. If itmay bewell accounted for, that personsunderatruesenseofthegloriousandwonderfulgreatnessandexcellencyofdivinethings,andsoul-ravishingviewsofthebeautyandloveofChrist,shouldhavethestrengthofnatureoverpowered,asIhavealreadyshownthat it may; then I think it is not at all strange, that amongst greatnumbers that are thus affected and overborne, there should be somepersons of particular constitutions that should have their imaginationsthus affected. The effect is no other thanwhat bears a proportion andanalogy to other effects of the strong exercise of their minds. It is nowonder,whenthethoughtsaresofixed,andtheaffectionssostrong—andthe whole soul so engaged, ravished, and swallowed up—that all otherpartsofthebodyaresoaffected,astobedeprivedoftheirstrength,andthewholeframereadytodissolve.Is itanywonderthat, insuchacase,thebraininparticular,(especiallyinsomeconstitutions,)whichweknowis most especially affected by intense contemplations and exercises of

mind, should be so affected, that its strength and spirits should for aseasonbediverted,andtakenofffromimpressionsmadeontheorgansofexternalsense,andbewhollyemployed ina trainofpleasingdelightfulimaginations, correspondingwith thepresent frameof themind. Somearereadytointerpretsuchthingswrong,andtolaytoomuchweightonthem, as prophetical visions, divine revelations and sometimessignificationsfromheavenofwhatshallcometopass;whichtheissue,insome instances I have known, has shown to be otherwise. But yet, itappearstomethatsuchthingsareevidentlysometimesfromtheSpiritofGod, though indirectly; that is, their extraordinary frame ofmind, andthat strong and lively sense of divine things which is the occasion ofthem,isfromhisSpirit;andalsoasthemindcontinuesinitsholyframe,andretainsadivinesenseoftheexcellencyofspiritualthingseveninitsrapture;whichholyframeandsenseisfromtheSpiritofGod,thoughtheimaginations that attend it are but accidental, and therefore there iscommonly something or other in them that is confused, improper, andfalse.

V.ItisnosignthataworkisnotfromtheSpiritofGod,thatexampleisagreatmeansofit.ItissurelynoargumentthataneffectisnotfromGod,thatmeansareusedinproducingit;forweknowthatitisGod'smannertomakeuseofmeans incarryingonhiswork intheworld,and it isnomore an argument against the divinity of an effect, that this means ismadeuseof,thanifitwasbyanyothermeans.ItisagreeabletoScripturethat persons should be influenced by one another's good example. TheScripturedirectsustosetgoodexamplestothatend,Matt.v.16.1Pet.iii.1.1Tim.iv.12.Titusii.7.andalsodirectsustobeinfluencedbythegoodexamplesofothers,andtofollowthem,2Cor.viii.1-7.Heb.vi.12.Phil.iii.17.1Cor.iv.16.andchap.xi.1.2Thess.iii.9.1Thess.i.7.Bywhichitappears, that example is one of God's means; and certainly it is noargumentthataworkisnotofGod,thathisownmeansaremadeuseoftoeffectit.

AndasitisascripturalwayofcarryingonGod'swork,byexample,soitisa reasonable way. It is no argument that men are not influenced byreason,thattheyareinfluencedbyexample.Thiswayofpersonsholdingforthtruthtooneanother,hasatendencytoenlightenthemind,andto

convincereason.Nonewilldenybutthatforpersonstosignifythingsoneto another by words, may rationally be supposed to tend to enlighteneachother'sminds;butthesamethingmaybesignifiedbyactions,andsignified much more fully and effectually. Words are of no use anyotherwise than as they convey our own ideas to others; but actions, insomecases,maydo itmuchmore fully.There is a language in actions;andinsomecases,muchmoreclearandconvincing that inwords. It isthereforenoargumentagainstthegoodnessoftheeffect,thatpersonsaregreatlyaffectedbyseeingotherso;yea, thoughthe impressionbemadeonlybeseeingthetokensofgreatandextraordinaryaffectioninothersintheirbehaviour, taking forgrantedwhat theyareaffectedwith,withouthearingthemsayoneword.

Theremaybelanguagesufficientinsuchacaseintheirbehaviouronly,toconveytheirmindstoothers,andtosignifytothemtheirsenseofthingsmore than can possibly be done bywords only. If a person should seeanother under extreme bodily torment, he might receive much clearerideas,andmoreconvincingevidenceofwhathesufferedbyhisactionsinhis misery, than he could do only by the words of an unaffectedindifferentrelater.Inlikemannerhemightreceiveagreaterideaofanythingthatisexcellentandverydelightful,fromthebehaviourofonethatis in actual enjoyment, than by the dull narration of one which isinexperienced and insensible himself. I desire that thismattermay beexaminedbythestrictestreason.Isitnotmanifest,thateffectsproducedinpersons'mindsarerational,sincenotonlyweakandignorantpeoplearemuch influencedby example, but also those thatmake the greatestboastofstrengthofreason,aremore influencedbyreasonheldforth inthisway, than almost any otherway. Indeed the religious affections ofmanywhenraisedbythismeans,asbyhearingthewordpreached,oranyothermeans,mayproveflashy,andsoonvanish,asChristrepresentsthestony-groundhearers;buttheaffectionsofsomethusmovedbyexample,areabiding,andprovetobeofsavingissue.

Thereneveryetwasatimeofremarkablepouringoutof theSpirit,andgreatrevivalofreligion,butthatexamplehadamainhand.Soitwasatthereformation,andintheapostles'days,inJerusalemandSamaria,andEphesus,andotherpartsoftheworld,aswillbemostmanifesttoanyone

that attends to the accountswe have in theActs of theApostles. As inthosedaysonepersonwasmoved by another, so one city or townwasinfluencedby the example of another, 1Thess. i. 7, 8. "So that yewereensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia, for from yousoundedoutthewordoftheLord,notonlyinMacedoniaandAchaia,butalsoineveryplaceyourfaithtoGod-wardisspreadabroad."

It is no valid objection against examples being somuch used, that theScripturespeaksofthewordastheprincipalmeansofcarryingonGod'swork;forthewordofGodistheprincipalmeans,nevertheless,bywhichothermeansoperateandaremadeeffectual.Even the sacramentshavenoeffectbutbytheword;andsoitisthatexamplebecomeseffectual;forallthatisvisibletotheeyeisunintelligibleandvain,withoutthewordofGodtoinstructandguidethemind.ItisthewordofGodthatisindeedheldforthandappliedbyexample,asthewordoftheLordsoundedforthtoother towns inMacedonia, andAchaia, by the exampleof those thatbelieveinThessalonica.

ThatexampleshouldbeagreatmeansofpropagatingthechurchofGodseems tobe severalways signified inScripture: it is signifiedbyRuth'sfollowingNaomioutofthelandofMoab,intothelandofIsrael,whensheresolved that shewould not leave her, butwould gowhither shewent,andwould lodgewhere she lodged; and thatNaomi's people should beher people, and Naomi's God, her God. Ruth, who was the ancestralmother of David, and of Christ was undoubtedly a great type of thechurch; upon which account her history is inserted in the canon ofScripture.InherleavingthelandofMoabanditsgods,tocomeandputhertrustundertheshadowofthewingsof theGodofIsrael,wehaveatypeoftheconversionnotonlyoftheGentilechurchbutofeverysinner,that isnaturallyanalienandstranger,but inhis conversion forgetshisown people, and fathers house, and becomes a fellow-citizen with thesaintsandatrueIsraelite.Thesameseemstobesignifiedintheeffecttheexampleofthespouse,whenshewassickoflove,hasonthedaughtersofJerusalem, i.e.VisibleChristians,whoare firstawakened,byseeing thespouse in such extraordinary circumstances, and then converted. SeeCant.v.8,9.andvi.1.Andthis isundoubtedlyonewaythat"theSpiritand thebride say, come."Rev. xxii. 17. i.e.TheSpirit in thebride. It is

foretold, that thework of God should be verymuch carried on by thismeans, in the last great outpouring of the Spirit, that should introducethegloriousdayofthechurch,sooftenspokenofinScripture,Zech.viii.21-23."Andtheinhabitantsofonecityshallgotoanother,saying,LetusgospeedilytopraybeforetheLord,andtoseektheLordofhosts:Iwillgo also. Yea, many people, and strong nations, shall come to seek theLordofhosts inJerusalem,and topraybefore theLord.Thussaith theLordofhosts,Inthosedaysitshallcometopass,thattenmenshalltakeholdoutofalllanguagesofthenations,evenshalltakeholdoftheskirtofhimthatisaJew,saying,Wewillgowithyou,forwehaveheardthatGodiswithyou."

VI.ItisnosignthataworkisnotfromtheSpiritofGod,thatmany,whoseem to be the subjects of it, are guilty of great imprudences andirregularitiesintheirconduct.WearetoconsiderthattheendforwhichGod pours out his Spirit, is tomakemen holy, and not tomake thempoliticians. Is itnowonder that, inamixedmultitudeofall sorts—wiseandunwise, youngandold, ofweak and strongnatural abilities, understrong impressions of mind—there are many who behave themselvesimprudently. There are but few that know how to conduct themundervehement affections of any kind, whether of a temporal or spiritualnature; to do so requires a great deal of discretion, strength, andsteadinessofmind.AthousandimprudenceswillnotproveaworktobenotoftheSpiritofGod;yea,iftherebenotonlyimprudences,butmanythings prevailing that are irregular, and really contrary to the rules ofGod'sholyword.Thatitshouldbethusmaybewellaccountedfor fromthe exceeding weakness of human nature, together with the remainingdarknessandcorruptionof those thatareyet thesubjectsof thesavinginfluencesofGod'sSpirit,andhavearealzealforGod.

Wehavearemarkable instance, intheNewTestament,ofapeople thatpartook largely of that great effusionof theSpirit in the apostles' days,among whom there nevertheless abounded imprudences and greatirregularities; viz. The church at Corinth. There is scarcely any churchmore celebrated in the New Testament for being blessed with largemeasures of the Spirit of God, both in his ordinary influences, inconvincing and converting sinners, and also in his extraordinary and

miraculous gifts; yet what manifold imprudences, great and sinfulirregularities, and strange confusion did they run into, at the Lord'ssupper,andintheexerciseofchurchdiscipline!Towhichmaybeadded,their indecentmanner of attending other parts of publicworship, theirjarringandcontentionabouttheirteachers,andeventheexerciseoftheirextraordinary gifts of prophecy, speaking with tongues, and the like,whereintheyspakeandactedbytheimmediateinspirationoftheSpiritofGod.

Andifweseegreatimprudences,andevensinful irregularities, insomewhoaregreatinstrumentstocarryonthework,itwillnotproveitnottobetheworkofGod.TheapostlePeterhimself,whowasagreat,eminentlyholy,andinspiredapostle—andoneofthechiefinstrumentsofsettingupthechristianchurchintheworld—whenhewasactuallyengagedinthiswork,wasguiltyofagreatandsinfulerror inhisconduct;ofwhichtheapostlePaulspeaks,Gal.ii.11-13."ButwhenPeterwascometoAntioch,Iwithstoodhimtotheface,becausehewastobeblamed;forbeforethatcertain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles, but when theywerecome,hewithdrew,andseparatedhimself, fearingthemthatwereof the circumcision; and the other Jews dissembled likewise with him;insomuch,thatBarnabasalsowascarriedawaywiththeirdissimulation."Ifagreatpillarofthechristianchurch—oneofthechiefofthosewhoaretheveryfoundationsonwhich,nexttoChrist,thewholechurchissaidtobebuilt—wasguiltyofsuchanirregularity;isitanywonderifotherlesserinstruments,whohavenotthatextraordinaryconductofthedivineSpirithehad,shouldbeguiltyofmanyirregularities?

Andinparticular,itisnoevidencethataworkisnotofGod,ifmanywhoare either the subjects or the instrument of it, are guilty of too greatforwardness tocensureothersasunconverted.For thismaybe throughmistakestheyhaveembracedconcerningthemarksbywhichtheyaretojudge of the hypocrisy and carnality of others; or from not dulyapprehending the latitude the Spirit ofGod uses in themethods of hisoperations;or,fromwantofmakingdueallowanceforthatinfirmityandcorruptionthatmaybeleftintheheartsofthesaints;aswellasthroughwantofaduesenseoftheirownblindnessandweakness,andremainingcorruption, whereby spiritual pride may have a secret vent this way,

undersomedisguise,andnotbediscovered.—Ifweallowthattrulypiousmenmayhaveagreatdeal of remainingblindnessand corruption, andmaybe liabletomistakesaboutthemarksofhypocrisy,asundoubtedlyallwillallow,thenitisnotunaccountablethattheyshouldsometimesrunintosucherrorsasthese.Itisaseasy,anduponsomeaccountsmoreeasytobeaccounted for,why the remaining corruptionof goodmen shouldsometimeshaveanunobservedventthisway,thanmostotherways;andwithout doubt (however lamentable)manyholymenhave erred in thisway.

Lukewarmnessinreligionisabominable,andzealanexcellentgrace;yetabove all other christian virtues, this needs to be strictly watched andsearched;foritisthatwithwhichcorruption,andparticularlyprideandhuman passion, is exceedingly apt to mix unobserved. And it isobservable, thatthereneverwasa timeofgreat reformation, tocausearevivalofzealinthechurchofGod,butthatithasbeenattended,insomenotableinstances,withirregularity,andarunningoutsomewayorotherintoanundueseverity.Thusintheapostles'days,agreatdealofzealwasspentaboutuncleanmeats,withheatofspirit inChristiansoneagainstanother,bothpartiescondemningandcensuringoneanother,asnottrueChristians;whentheapostlehadcharityforboth,asinfluencedbyaspiritofrealpiety:"hethateats,"sayshe,"totheLordheeats,andgivethGodthanks;andhe thateathethnot, to theLordheeathethnot, andgivethGod thanks." So in the church of Corinth, they had got into a way ofextollingsomeministers,andcensuringothers,andwerepuffeduponeagainstanother:butyetthesethingswerenosignthattheworkthensowonderfully carried on,was not thework ofGod. And after this,whenreligionwasstillgreatlyflourishingintheworld,andaspiritofeminentholinessandzealprevailedinthechristianchurch,thezealofChristiansranoutintoaveryimproperandundueseverity,intheexerciseofchurchdiscipline towards delinquents. In some cases theywould by nomeansadmit them into their charity and communion though they appearedneversohumbleandpenitent.AndinthedaysofConstantinetheGreat,the zeal of Christians against heathenism ran out into a degree ofpersecution.Sointhatgloriousrevivalofreligion,atthereformation,zealin many instances appeared in a very improper severity, and even adegreeofpersecution;yea,insomeofthemosteminentreformers;asin

thegreatCalvininparticular.Andmanyinthosedaysoftheflourishingof vital religion, were guilty of severely censuring others that differedfromtheninopinioninsomepointsofdivinity.

VII. Nor are many errors in judgment, and some delusions of Satanintermixedwiththework,anyargumentthattheworkingeneralisnotoftheSpiritofGod.Howevergreataspiritualinfluencemaybe,itisnottobe expected that the Spirit of God should be given now in the samemannerastotheapostles, infalliblytoguidetheminpointsofchristiandoctrine, so that what they taught might be relied on as a rule to thechristianchurch.AndifmanydelusionsofSatanappear,atthesametimethatagreatreligiousconcernprevails,itisnotanargumentthattheworkingeneral isnottheworkofGod,anymorethanitwasanargumentinEgypt, that there were no truemiracles wrought there, by the hand ofGod, because Jannes and Jambres wrought false miracles at the sametimebythehandofthedevil.Yea,thesamepersonsmaybethesubjectsofmuchoftheinfluencesoftheSpiritofGod,andyetinsomethingsbeledawaybythedelusionsofSatan,andthisbenomoreofparadoxthanmanyotherthingsthataretrueofrealsaints,inthepresentstate,wheregracedwellswithsomuchcorruption,andthenewmanandtheoldmansubsist together in the same person; and the kingdom of God and thekingdomofthedevilremainforawhiletogetherinthesameheart.Manygodly persons have undoubtedly in this and other ages, exposedthemselvestowoefuldelusions,byanaptnesstolaytoomuchweightonimpulses and impressions, as if they were immediate revelations fromGod,tosignifysomethingfuture,ortodirectthemwheretogo,andwhattodo.

VIII.Ifsome,whowerethoughttobewroughtupon,fallawayintogrosserrors,orscandalouspractices,itisnoargumentthattheworkingeneralisnottheworkoftheSpiritofGod.Thattherearesomecounterfeits,isno argument thatnothing is true: such things are always expected in atime of reformation. If we look into church history, we shall find noinstanceofanygreatrevivalofreligion,butwhathasbeenattendedwithmany such things. Instances of this nature in the apostles' days wereinnumerable; some fell away into gross heresies, others into vilepractices,thoughtheyseemedtobethesubjectsofaworkoftheSpirit—

andwereacceptedforawhileamongstthosethatweretrulyso,astheirbrethren and companions—and were not suspected till they went outfromthem.Andsomeof thesewere teachersandofficers—andeminentpersons in the christian church—whom God had endowed withmiraculousgiftsoftheHolyGhost;asappearsbythebeginningofthe6thchapteroftheHebrews.AninstanceofthesewasJudas,whowasoneofthe twelve apostles, and had long been constantly united to, andintimately conversant with, a company of truly experienced disciples,withoutbeingdiscoveredor suspected, tillhediscoveredhimselfbyhisscandalouspractice.

HehadbeentreatedbyJesushimself,inallexternalthings,asifhehadtruly been a disciple, even investing himwith the character of apostle,sendinghimforthtopreachthegospel,andenduinghimwithmiraculousgiftsoftheSpirit.ForthoughChristknewhim,yethedidnotthenclothehimselfwith the characterofomniscientJudge, and searcherofhearts,but acted the part of a minister of the visible church; (for he was hisFather'sminister;)andthereforerejectedhimnot,tillhehaddiscoveredhimselfbyhisscandalouspractice; therebygivinganexample toguidesandrulersofthevisiblechurch,nottotakeituponthemtoactthepartofsearcherofhearts,buttobeinfluencedintheiradministrationsbywhatisvisibleandopen.—Thereweresomeinstances thenofsuchapostates,aswereesteemedeminentlyfullofthegraceofGod'sSpirit.Aninstanceof thisnatureprobablywasNicolas,oneof thesevendeacons,whowaslooked upon by the Christians in Jerusalem, in the time of thatextraordinarypouringoutoftheSpirit,asamanfulloftheHolyGhost,andwaschosenoutofthemultitudeofChristianstothatoffice,forthatreason;asyoumaysee inActsvi.3,5.Yetheafterwards fellawayandbecametheheadofasectofvileheretics,ofgrosspractices,calledfromhisnamethesectoftheNicolaitans,[Butthroughthesehereticsassumedhisname, itdoesnot follow thathecountenanced theirenormities.SeeCalmet’sDict.Nicolas]Rev.ii.6,and15.

Sointhetimeofthereformationfrompopery,howgreatwasthenumberofthosewhoforawhileseemedtojoinwiththereformers,yetfellawayintothegrossestandmostabsurderrors,andabominablepractices.Andit is particularly observable, that in times of great pouring out of the

Spirittorevivereligionintheworld,anumberofthosewhoforawhileseemed to partake in it, have fallen off intowhimsical and extravaganterrors,andgrossenthusiasm,boastingofhighdegreesofspiritualityandperfection,censuringandcondemningothersascarnal.ThusitwaswiththeGnostics intheapostles' times;andthus itwaswithseveralsectsatthereformation,asAnthonyBurgessobservesinhisbookcalledSpiritualRefinings, Part I. Serm. 23. P. 132. "The first worthy reformers, andglorious instrumentsofGod, foundabitter conflictherein, so thattheywereexercisednotonlywith formalists,and traditionarypapistson theoneside,butmenthatpretendedthemselvestobemoreenlightenedthanthe reformerswere, on the other side: hence they called those that didadhere to the Scripture, and would try revelations by it, Literists andVowelists,asmenacquaintedwiththewordsandvowelsoftheScripture,havingnothingoftheSpiritofGod:andwheresoeverinanytownthetruedoctrineof thegospelbrake forth to thedisplacingofpopery,presentlysuch opinions arose, like tares that came up among the good wheat;whereby great divisions were raised, and the reformation madeabominableandodioustotheworld;as if thathadbeenthesuntogiveheatandwarmthtothosewormsandserpentstocrawloutoftheground.HencetheyinveighedagainstLuther,andsaidhehadonlypromulgatedacarnalgospel."—Someof the leadersof thosewildenthusiastshadbeenforawhilehighlyesteemedbythefirstreformers,andpeculiarlydeartothem.—Thus also in England, at the time when vital religion muchprevailed in the days of King Charles I, the interregnum, and OliverCromwell,suchthingsastheseabounded.AndsoinNewEngland,inherpurest days, when vital piety flourished, such kind of things as thesebrokeout.Thereforethedevil'ssowingsuchtaresisnoproofthatatrueworkoftheSpiritofGodisnotgloriouslycarriedon.

IX. It is no argument that awork is not from the Spirit ofGod, that itseemstobepromotedbyministersinsistingverymuchontheterrorsofGod'sholy law,and thatwithagreatdealofpathosandearnestness. Iftherebe reallyahellof suchdreadful andnever-ending torments, as isgenerally supposed, of whichmultitudes are in great danger—and intowhich the greater part of men in christian countries do actually fromgenerationtogenerationfall,forwantofasenseofitsterribleness,andsoforwantoftakingduecaretoavoidit—thenwhyisitnotproperforthose

whohavethecareofsoulstotakegreatpainstomakemensensibleofit?Whyshouldtheynotbe toldasmuchof the truthascanbe?If Iamindangerofgoingtohell,IshouldbegladtoknowasmuchaspossiblyIcanofthedreadfulnessofit.IfIamverypronetoneglectduecaretoavoidit,hedoesmethebestkindness,whodoesmosttorepresenttomethetruthofthecase,thatsetsforthmymiseryanddangerintheliveliestmanner.

Iappealtoeveryone,whetherthisisnottheverycoursetheywouldtakeincaseofexposednesstoanygreattemporalcalamity?Ifanyofyouwhoareheadsoffamiliessawoneofyourchildreninahouseallonfire,andinimminentdangerofbeingsoonconsumedintheflames,yetseemedtobe very insensible of its danger, and neglected to escape after you hadoften called to it—would you go on to speak to it only in a cold andindifferentmanner?Wouldnotyoucryaloud,andcallearnestlytoit,andrepresentthedangeritwasin,anditsownfollyindelaying,inthemostlivelymannerofwhichyouwascapable?Ifyoushouldcontinuetospeakto it only in a cold manner, as you are wont to do in ordinaryconversationaboutindifferentmatters,wouldnotthoseaboutyoubeginto think you were bereft of reason yourself? This is not the way ofmankindintemporalaffairsofgreatmoment, thatrequireearnestheedandgreathaste,andaboutwhichtheyaregreatlyconcerned.Theyarenotwonttospeaktootheroftheirdanger,andwarnthembutalittleorinacoldand indifferentmanner.Nature teachesmen otherwise. Ifwewhohave the care of souls, knew what hell was, had seen the state of thedamned,orbyanyothermeanshadbecomesensiblehowdreadfultheircasewas—andatthesametimeknewthatthegreaterpartofmenwentthither, and saw our hearers not sensible of their danger—it would bemorallyimpossibleforustoavoidmostearnestlysettingbeforethemthedreadfulnessofthatmisery,andtheirgreatexposednesstoit,andeventocryaloudtothem.

Whenministers preach of hell, and warn sinners to avoid it, in a coldmanner—thoughtheymaysayinwordsthatitisinfinitelyterrible—theycontradictthemselves.Foractions,asIobservedbefore,havealanguageas well as words. If a preacher's words represent the sinner's state asinfinitely dreadful, while his behaviour and manner of speakingcontradictit—showingthatthepreacherdoesnotthinkso—hedefeatshis

ownpurpose;forthelanguageofhisactions,insuchacase,ismuchmoreeffectualthanthebaresignificationofhiswords.NotthatIthinkthatthelawonlyshouldbepreached:ministersmaypreachotherthingstoolittle.The gospel is to be preached as well as the law, and the law is to bepreached only tomakeway for the gospel, and in order that itmay bepreachedmoreeffectually.Themainworkofministers is topreach thegospel:"Christistheendofthelawforrighteousness."Sothataministerwouldmissitverymuchifheshouldinsistsomuchontheterrorsofthelaw,as to forgethisLord,andneglect topreach thegospel; but yet thelawisverymuchtobeinsistedon,andthepreachingofthegospelisliketobeinvainwithoutit.

Andcertainlysuchearnestnessandaffectioninspeakingisbeautiful,asbecomes the nature and importance of the subject. Not but that theremay be such a thing as an indecent boisterousness in a preacher,somethingbesideswhatnaturally arises from thenature of his subject,and inwhich thematter andmanner donotwell agree together. Sometalkofitasanunreasonablethingtofrightpersonstoheaven;butIthinkit is a reasonable thing to endeavour to fright persons away from hell.They stand upon its brink, and are just ready to fall into it, and aresenselessof theirdanger. Is itnota reasonable thing to frightapersonout of a house on fire? The word fright is commonly used for sudden,causeless fear, or groundless surprise; but surely a just fear, for whichthereisgoodreason,isnottobespokenagainstunderanysuchname.

SECT.II.WhataredistinguishingscriptureevidencesofaworkoftheSpiritofGod.

Having shown, in some instances, what are not evidences that a workwrought among a people, is not a work of the Spirit of God, I nowproceed, in thesecondplace,aswasproposed, to showpositively,whatare the sure,distinguishingscriptureevidences andmarksof aworkoftheSpiritofGod,bywhichwemayproceedin judgingofanyoperation

we find in ourselves, or see among a people, without danger of beingmisled.—And in this, as I said before, I shall confinemyself wholly tothosemarkswhicharegivenusbytheapostleinthechapterwhereinismytext,wherethismatterisparticularlyhandled,andmoreplainlyandfullythananywhereelseintheBible.Andinspeakingtothesemarks,IshalltakethemintheorderinwhichIfindtheminthechapter.

I.WhentheoperationissuchastoraisetheiresteemofthatJesuswhowasbornoftheVirgin,andwascrucifiedwithoutthegatesofJerusalem;andseemsmoretoconfirmandestablishtheirmindsinthetruthofwhatthegospeldeclarestousofhisbeingtheSonofGod,andtheSaviourofmen;isasuresignthatitisfromtheSpiritofGod.Thissigntheapostlegivesusinthe2dand3dverses,."HerebyknowyetheSpiritofGod;andevery spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is ofGod;andeveryspiritthatconfessethnotthatJesusChristiscomeintheflesh is not of God." This implies a confessing not only that there wassuch a person who appeared in Palestine, and did and suffered thosethingsthat are recordedofhim,but thathewasChrist, i.e.TheSonofGod,anointedtobeLordandSaviour,asthenameJesusChristimplies.Thatthusmuchisimpliedintheapostle'smeaning,isconfirmedbythe15thverse,where theapostle is stillon thesamesubjectof signsof thetrueSpirit; "Whosoever shall confess thatJesus is theSonofGod,Goddwelleth inhim,andhe inGod."Andit is tobeobservedthatthewordconfess, as it is often used in the New Testament, signifies more thenmerely allowing: it implies an establishing and confirming of a thingbytestimony,anddeclaringitwithmanifestationofesteemandaffection;soMatt. x. 32. "Whosoever thereforeshall confessmebeforemen,himwill I confessalsobeforemyFatherwhich is inheaven."Rom.xv.9. "Iwill confess to thee among theGentiles, and sing unto thy name."AndPhil. ii.11."ThateverytongueshallconfessthatJesusChrist isLord, tothegloryofGodtheFather."Andthatthisistheforceoftheexpression,astheapostleJohnusesitintheplace,isconfirmedinthenextchapter,ver.1."WhosoeverbelieveththatJesusistheChrist,isbornofGod,andeveryonethatlovethhimthatbegat, lovethhimalsothatisbegottenofhim."Andby thatparallelplaceof theapostlePaul,wherewehave thesamerulegiventodistinguishthetrueSpiritfromallcounterfeits,1Cor.xii.3."WhereforeIgiveyoutounderstandthatnomanspeakingbythe

SpiritofGod,callethJesusaccursed;(orwillshowanillormeanesteemofhim;)andthatnomancansaythatJesusistheLord,butbytheHolyGhost."

SothatifthespiritthatisatworkamongapeopleisplainlyobservedtoworksoastoconvincethemofChrist,andleadthemtohim—toconfirmtheirminds in the belief of the history of Christ as he appeared in theflesh—andthatheistheSonofGod,andwassentofGodtosavesinners;thatheistheonlySaviour,andthattheystandingreatneedofhim;andifheseemstobegetinthemhigherandmorehonourablethoughtsofhimthantheyusedtohave,andtoinclinetheiraffectionsmoretohim;itisasuresignthatitisthetrueandrightSpirit;howeverincapablewemaybetodetermine,whetherthatconvictionandaffectionbeinthatmanner,ortothatdegree,astobesavingornot.

But the words of the apostle are remarkable; the person to whom theSpiritgivestestimony,andforwhomheraisestheiresteem,mustbethatJesuswhoappearedintheflesh,andnotanotherChristinhisstead;noranymysticalfantasticalChrist;suchasthelightwithin.ThisthespiritofQuakersextols,whileitdiminishestheiresteemofanddependenceuponanoutwardChrist—orJesusashecameintheflesh—andleadsthemofffromhim;butthespiritthatgivestestimonyforthatJesus,andleadstohim,canbenootherthantheSpiritofGod.

Thedevilhasthemostbitterandimplacableenmityagainstthatperson,especially inhis characterof the Saviour ofmen; hemortally hates thestoryanddoctrineofhisredemption;heneverwouldgoabouttobegetinmen more honourable thoughts of him, and lay greater weight on hisinstructionsandcommands.TheSpirit that inclinesmen'sheartstotheseed of the woman, is not the spirit of the serpent that has such anirreconcileable enmity against him.He that heightensmen's esteem ofthegloriousMichael,thatprinceofangels,isnotthespiritofthedragonthatisatwarwithhim.

II.WhenthespiritthatisatworkoperatesagainsttheinterestsofSatan'skingdom,whichliesinencouragingandestablishingsin,andcherishingmen'sworldly lusts; this is a sure sign that it is a true, andnot a falsespirit.This signwe have given us in the 4th and 5th verses. "Ye are of

God,littlechildren,andhaveovercomethem;becausegreaterishethatis inyou, thanhe that is in theworld.They areof theworld, thereforespeak they of the world, and the world heareth them."Here is a plainantithesis: it isevident that theapostle isstillcomparing those that areinfluencedbythetwooppositekindsofspirits,thetrueandthefalse,andshowingthedifference;theoneisofGod,andovercomesthespiritoftheworld;theotherisoftheworld,andspeaksandsavoursofthethingsoftheworld.Thespiritofthedevilisherecalled,"hethatisintheworld."Christ says, "Mykingdom isnotof thisworld."But it is otherwisewithSatan'skingdom;heis"thegodofthisworld."

What the apostle means by the world, or "the things that are of theworld,"welearnbyhisownwords,inthe2dchapterofthisepistle,15thand 16thverses. "Lovenot theworld,neither the things that are in theworld:ifanymanlovetheworld,theloveoftheFatherisnotinhim:forallthatisintheworld,thelustoftheflesh,andthelustoftheeyes,andtheprideoflife,isnotoftheFather,butisoftheworld."Sothatbytheworld the apostle evidently means every thing that appertains to theinterest of sin, and comprehends all the corruptions and lusts ofmen,andallthoseactsandobjectsbywhichtheyaregratified.

So that wemay safely determine, fromwhat the apostle says, that thespiritthatisatworkamongstapeople,aftersuchamanner,astolessenmen'sesteemofthepleasures,profits,andhonoursoftheworld,andtotake off their hearts from an eager pursuit after these things; and toengagetheminadeepconcernaboutafuturestateandeternalhappinesswhich the gospel reveals—and puts them upon earnestly seeking thekingdomofGodandhisrighteousness;andthespiritthatconvincesthemofthedreadfulnessofsin, theguilt itbrings,andthemiserytowhichitexposes;mustneedsbetheSpiritofGod.

It is not to be supposed that Satan would convince men of sin, andawakentheconscience;itcannowayservehisend,tomakethatcandleoftheLordshinethebrighter,andtoopenthemouthofthatvicegerentof God in the soul. It is for his interest, whatever he does, to lullconscience asleep, and keep it quiet. To have that, with its eyes andmouth open in the soul,will tend to clog and hinder all his designs ofdarkness, and evermore todisturbhis affairs, to cross his interest, and

disquiet him, so that he can manage nothing to his mind withoutmolestation.Would thedevil,whenhe isabout toestablishmen in sin,take such a course, in the first place, to enlighten and awaken theconscience to see the dreadfulness of sin, and make them exceedinglyafraidofit,andsensibleoftheirmiserybyreasonoftheirpastsins,andtheir great need of deliverance from their guilt?Would hemake themmore careful, inquisitive, andwatchful todiscernwhat is sinful; and toavoidfuturesins;andsomoreafraidofthedevil'stemptations,andmorecarefultoguardagainstthem?Whatdothosemendowiththeirreason,thatsupposethattheSpiritthatoperatesthus,isthespiritofthedevil?

Possibly some may say, that the devil may even awaken men'sconsciences to deceive them, andmake them think they have been thesubjectsofasavingworkoftheSpiritofGod,whiletheyareindeedstillinthegallofbitterness.Buttothis itmaybereplied, thatthemanwhohasanawakenedconscience,istheleastlikelytobedeceivedofanymanintheworld; it is thedrowsy, insensible,stupidconscience that ismosteasilyblinded.Themoresensibleconscienceisinadiseasedsoul,thelesseasilyisitquietedwithoutarealhealing.Themoresensibleconscienceismadeofthedreadfulnessofsin,andofthegreatnessofaman'sownguilt,thelesslikelyishetorestinhisownrighteousness,ortobepacifiedwithnothing but shadows. Aman that has been thoroughly terrified with asenseofhisowndangerandmisery, isnoteasily flatteredandmade tobelieve himself safe,without any good grounds. To awaken conscience,andconvinceitoftheevilofsin,cannottendtoestablishit,butcertainlytendstomakewayforsinandSatan'sbeingcutout.Therefore this isagoodargumentthattheSpiritthatoperatesthus,cannotbethespiritofthedevil;exceptwesupposethatChristknewnothowtoargue,whotoldthe Pharisees—who supposed that the Spirit bywhich hewrought,wasthespiritofthedevil—thatSatanwouldnotcastoutSatan,Matt.xii.25,26.—And therefore, if we see persons made sensible of the dreadfulnature of sin, and of the displeasure of God against it; of their ownmiserable condition as they are in themselves, by reason of sin, andearnestlyconcernedfortheireternalsalvation—andsensibleoftheirneedofGod'spityandhelp,andengagedtoseekitintheuseofthemeansthatGodhasappointed—wemaycertainlyconcludethat it is fromtheSpiritofGod,whatevereffectsthisconcernhasontheirbodies;thoughitcause

themtocryoutaloud,ortoshriek,ortofaint;or,thoughitthrowthemintoconvulsions,orwhateverotherwaythebloodandspiritsaremoved.

The influence of the Spirit of God is yet more abundantly manifest, ifpersonshavetheirheartsdrawnofffromtheworld,andweanedfromtheobjectsoftheirworldlylusts,andtakenofffromworldlypursuits,bythesensetheyhaveoftheexcellencyofdivinethings,andtheaffectiontheyhavetothosespiritualenjoymentsofanotherworld,thatarepromisedinthegospel.

III. The spirit that operates in such a manner, as to cause in men agreaterregardtotheHolyScriptures,andestablishesthemmoreintheirtruth and divinity, is certainly the Spirit of God. This rule the apostlegivesusinthe6thverse:."WeareofGod;hethatknowethGodhearethus; he that is not ofGod heareth not us: hereby knowwe the spirit oftruth,andthespiritoferror."WeareofGod;thatis,"WetheapostlesaresentforthofGod,andappointedbyhimtoteachtheworld,andtodeliverthose doctrine and instructions, which are to be their rule; he thatknoweth God, heareth us," &c.—The apostle's argument here equallyreachesallthat inthesamesenseareofGod;that is,all thosethatGodhasappointedand inspired todeliver tohischurch its ruleof faithandpractice;alltheprophetsandapostles,whosedoctrineGodhasmadethefoundationonwhichhehasbuilthischurch,asinEph.ii.20.inaword,allthepenmenoftheHolyScriptures.ThedevilneverwouldattempttobegetinpersonsaregardtothatdivinewordwhichGodhasgiventobethegreatandstandingruleforthedirectionofhischurchinallreligiousmatters, andall concernsof their souls, in all ages.AspiritofdelusionwillnotinclinepersonstoseekdirectionatthemouthofGod.Tothelawand to the testimony, is never the cry of those evil spirits that have nolightinthem;foritisGod'sowndirectiontodiscovertheirdelusions.Isa.viii.19,20."Andwhentheyshallsayuntoyou,Seekuntothemthathavefamiliarspirits,anduntowizardsthatpeepandthatmutter:shouldnotapeopleseekuntotheirGod?Forthelivingtothedead?Tothelawandtothetestimony;iftheyspeaknotaccordingtothisword,itisbecausethereis no light in them." The devil does not say the same as Abrahamdid,"TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets, let themhearthem:"northesamethatthevoicefromheavendidconcerningChrist,"Hearyehim."Would

thespiritoferror,inordertodeceivemen,begetinthemahighopinionof the infallible rule, and incline them to thinkmuchof it, andbe veryconversantwithit?Wouldtheprinceofdarkness,inordertopromotehiskingdomofdarkness, leadmen to the sun?ThedevilhasevershownamortalspiteandhatredtowardsthatholybooktheBible:hehasdoneallin his power to extinguish that light; and to drawmen off from it: heknows it to be that light by which his kingdom of darkness is to beoverthrown.Hehashadformanyagesexperienceofitspowertodefeathis purposes, and baffle his designs: it is his constant plague. It is themainweaponwhichMichaelusesinhiswarwithhim:itistheswordoftheSpirit,thatpierceshimandconquershim.Itisthatgreatandstrongsword, with which God punishes Leviathan, that crooked serpent. It isthatsharpswordthatwereadof,Rev.xix. 15.Thatproceedsoutof themouthof him that sat on thehorse,withwhichhe smiteshis enemies.Every text is adart to torment theold serpent.Hehas felt the stingingsmartthousandsoftimes;thereforeheisengagedagainsttheBible,andhateseverywordinit:andwemaybesurethatheneverwillattempttoraisepersons' esteem of it, or affection to it. And accordinglywe see itcommoninenthusiasts,thattheydepreciatethiswrittenrule,andsetupthelightwithinorsomeotherruleaboveit.

IV. Another rule to judge of spirits may be drawn from thosecompellations given to theopposite spirits, in the lastwords of the6thverse,."Thespiritoftruthandthespiritoferror."Thesewordsexhibitthetwo opposite characters of the Spirit of God, and other spirits thatcounterfeithisoperations.Andtherefore, ifbyobserving themannerofthe operation of a spirit that is atwork among a people,we see that itoperatesasaspiritoftruth,leadingpersonstotruth,convincingthemofthosethingsthataretrue,wemaysafelydeterminethatitisarightandtruespirit.Forinstance,ifweobservethatthespiritatworkmakesmenmoresensiblethantheyusedtobe,thatthereisaGod,andthatheisagreatandsin-hatingGod;thatlifeisshort,andveryuncertain;andthatthere is another world; that they have immortal souls, and must giveaccount of themselves toGod, that they are exceeding sinful by natureandpractice;thattheyarehelplessinthemselves;andconfirmstheminother things that are agreeable to some sound doctrine; the spirit thatworksthusoperatesasaspiritoftruth;herepresentsthingsastheytruly

are. He brings men to the light; for whatever makes truth manifest islight; as the apostle Paul observes, Eph. v. 13. "But all things that arereproved(ordiscovered,asitisinthemargin)aremademanifestbythelight;forwhatsoeverdothmakemanifestislight."Andthereforewemayconclude,thatitisnotthespiritofdarknessthatdoththusdiscoverandmakemanifestthetruth.ChristtellsusthatSatanisaliar,andthefatherof lies; and his kingdom is a kingdom of darkness. It is upheld andpromoted only by darkness and error. Satan has all his power ofdominion by darkness. Hence we read of the power of darkness. Lukexxii.53.AndCol.i.13.Anddevilsarecalled"therulersofthedarknessofthisworld."Whateverspiritremovesourdarkness,andbringsustothelight, undeceives us, and, by convincing us of the truth, doth us akindness. If I ambrought to a sight of truth, and ammade sensible ofthings as they really are, my duty is immediately to thank God for it,withoutstandingfirsttoinquirebywhatmeansIhavesuchabenefit.

V.IfthespiritthatisatworkamongapeopleoperatesasaspiritoflovetoGodandman,itisasuresignthatitistheSpiritofGod.Thissigntheapostle insists upon from the 6th verse to the end of the chapter."Beloved, letus loveoneanother; for love isofGod,andeveryonethatlovethisbornofGod,andknowethGod:hethatlovethnot,knowethnotGod; for God is love," &c. Here it is evident, that the apostle is stillcomparingthosetwosortsofpersonsthatareinfluencedbytheoppositekindsofspirits;andmentionsloveasamarkbywhichwemayknowwhohas the true spirit: but this is especially evident by the 12th and 13thverses. "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love isperfected in us: hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us,becausehehathgivenusofhisSpirit."IntheseversesloveisspokenofasifitwerethatwhereintheverynatureoftheHolySpiritconsisted;or,asifdivinelovedwellinginus,andtheSpiritofGoddwellinginus,werethesame thing; as it is also in the last twoversesof the foregoing chapter,andinthe16thverse.ofthischapter.ThereforethislastmarkwhichtheapostlegivesofthetrueSpiritheseemstospeakofasthemosteminent:and so insists muchmore largely upon it, than upon all the rest; andspeaksexpresslyofbothlovetoGodandmen;oflovetomeninthe7th,11th, and 12th verses;. and of love to God, in the 17th, 18th, and 19thverses.;andofbothtogether,inthelasttwoverses;andoflovetomen,as

arisingfromlovetoGod,intheselasttwoverses.

Therefore,whenthespiritthatisatworkamongstthepeople,tendsthisway,andbringsmanyofthemtohighandexaltingthoughtsoftheDivineBeing, and his glorious perfections; and works in them an admiring,delightfulsenseoftheexcellencyofJesusChrist;representinghimasthechiefamongtenthousand,andaltogetherlovely,andmakeshimpreciousto the soul; winning and drawing the heart with those motives andincitements to love, of which the apostle speaks in that passage ofScriptureweareupon,viz.Thewonderful,freeloveofGodingivinghisonly-begottenSontodieforus,andthewonderfuldyingloveofChristtous,who had no love to him, but were his enemies;must needs be theSpirit of God, as ver. 9, 10. "In this was manifested the love of Godtowardsus,becauseGodsenthisonlybegottenSon into theworld, thatwemightlivethroughhim.Hereinislove;notthatwelovedGod,butthathelovedus,andsenthisSontobethepropitiationforoursins."Andver.16."Andwehaveknown,andbelieved,thelovethatGodhathtous."Andver.19."Welovehimbecausehefirstlovedus."Thespiritthatexcitestoloveonthesemotives,andmakestheattributesofGodasrevealedinthegospel,andmanifestedinChrist,delightfulobjectsofcontemplation;andmakes the soul to long after God and Christ—after their presence andcommunion, acquaintance with them, and conformity to them—and tolive so as toplease andhonour them; the spirit that quells contentionsamongmen,andgivesaspiritofpeaceandgoodwill, excites toactsofoutward kindness, and earnest desires of the salvation of souls-andcausesadelightinthosethatappearasthechildrenGod,andfollowersofChrist; I say,whena spirit operates after thismanner amongapeople,thereisthehighestkindofevidenceoftheinfluenceofatrueanddivinespirit.

Indeed there is a counterfeit love, that often appears among thosewhoare led by a spirit of delusion. There is commonly in the wildestenthusiasts, a kind of union and affection, arising from self-love,occasionedby their agreeing in those thingswherein they greatlydifferfromallothers,andfromwhichtheyareobjectsoftheridiculeofalltherestofmankind.Thisnaturallywillcausethemsomuchthemoretoprizethosepeculiaritiesthatmakethemtheobjectsofothers'contempt.Thus

theancientGnostics,andthewildfanaticsthatappearedatthebeginningofthereformation,boastedoftheirgreatloveonetoanother;onesectofthem,inparticular,callingthemselvesthefamilyoflove.Butthisisquiteanotherthing,thanthatchristianloveIhavejustdescribed:itisonlytheworkingofanaturalself-love,andnotruebenevolence,anymorethattheunionandfriendshipwhichmaybeamongacompanyofpirates,thatareatwarwithalltherestoftheworld.Thereisenoughsaidinthispassageofthenatureofatrulychristianlove,thoroughlytodistinguishitfromallsuch counterfeits. It is love that arises from apprehension of thewonderfulrichesofthefreegraceandsovereigntyofGod'slovetous,inChristJesus;beingattendedwithasenseofourownutterunworthiness,as in ourselves the enemies and haters of God and Christ, and with arenunciationofallourownexcellencyandrighteousness.Seever.9,10,11, and 19. The surest character of true divine supernatural love—distinguishingitfromcounterfeitsthatarisefromanaturalself-love—is,that the christian virtue of humility shines in it; that which above allothers renounces, abases, and annihilates what we term self. Christianlove,ortruecharity,isanhumblelove.1Cor.xiii.4,5."Charityvauntethnotitself, isnotpuffedup,dothnotbehaveitselfunseemly,seekethnotherown,isnoteasilyprovoked."Whenthereforeweseeloveinpersonsattended with a sense of their own littleness, vileness, weakness, andutter insufficiency; and so with self-diffidence, self-emptiness, self-renunciation,andpovertyofspirit; theseare themanifest tokensof theSpiritofGod.

He that thus dwells in love, dwells in God, and God in him.What theapostle speaksof asagreat evidenceof the trueSpirit, isGod's loveorChrist'slove;asver.12.—"hisloveisperfectedinus."Whatkindof lovethat is,wemayseebest inwhatappeared inChrist'sexample.The lovethatappearedinthatLambofGod,wasnotonlyalovetofriends,buttoenemies,anda loveattendedwithameekandhumble spirit. "Learnofme,"sayshe,"forIammeekandlowlyinheart."—Loveandhumilityaretwothingsthemostcontrarytothespiritofthedevil,ofanythingintheworld; for the character of that evil spirit, above all things, consists inprideandmalice.

ThusIhavespokenparticularlytotheseveralmarkstheapostlegivesus

ofaworkofthetrueSpirit.Therearesomeofthesethingswhichthedevilwouldnotdoifhecould:thushewouldnotawakentheconscience,andmakemensensibleoftheirmiserablestatebyreasonofsin,andsensibleof their great need of a Saviour; and hewould not confirmmen in thebelief thatJesus is theSonofGod, and theSaviourof sinners, or raisemen's valueandesteemofhim:hewouldnotbeget inmen'sminds anopinionofthenecessity,usefulness,andtruthoftheHolyScriptures,orincline them tomakemuch use of them; nor would he showmen thetruth,inthingsthatconcerntheirsouls'interest;toundeceivethem,andlead themoutofdarkness into light, and give thema viewof things astheyreallyare.Andthereareotherthingsthatthedevilneithercannorwilldo;hewillnotgivemenaspiritofdivinelove,orchristianhumilityand poverty of spirit; nor could he if he would. He cannot give thosethingshehasnothimself:thesethingsareascontraryaspossibletohisnature. And therefore when there is an extraordinary influence oroperationappearingonthemindsofapeople,ifthesethingsarefoundinit,wearesafe indeterminingthat it istheworkofGod,whateverothercircumstances itmaybe attendedwith,whatever instruments areused,whatevermethodsare takentopromote it;whatevermeansasovereignGod, whose judgments are a great deep, employs to carry it on; andwhatevermotiontheremaybeoftheanimalspirits,whatevereffectsmaybewroughtonmen'sbodies.Thesemarks,thattheapostlehasgivenus,aresufficienttostandalone,andsupportthemselves.Theyplainlyshowthe fingerofGod, and are sufficient to outweigh a thousand such littleobjections,asmanymakefromoddities,irregularities,errorsinconduct,andthedelusionsandscandalsofsomeprofessors.

Butheresomemayobjecttothesufficiencyofthemarksgiven,whattheapostlePaulsaysin2Cor.xi.13,14."Forsucharefalseapostles,deceitfulworkers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ; and nomarvel,forSatanhimselfistransformedintoanangeloflight."

TowhichIanswer,thatthiscanbenoobjectionagainstthesufficiencyofthesemarks to distinguish the true from the false spirit, in those falseapostlesandprophets,inwhomthedevilwastransformedintoanangeloflight,becauseitisprincipallywithaviewtothemthattheapostlegivesthesemarks;asappearsbythewordsofthetext,"Believenoteveryspirit,

but try the spirits,whether they are ofGod;" and this is the reason hegives, because many false prophets are gone out into the world: viz."There aremany gone out into theworldwho are theministers of thedevil,whotransformthemselves intotheprophetsofGod, inwhomthespiritof thedevil is transformedintoanangelof light; thereforetrythespirits by these rules that I shall give you, that you may be able todistinguish the true spirit from the false, under such a craftydisguise."ThosefalseprophetstheapostleJohnspeaksof,aredoubtlessthesamesort of men with those false apostles, and deceitful workers, that theapostlePaulspeaksof,inwhomthedevilwastransformedintoanangelof light: and therefore wemay be sure that thesemarks are especiallyadaptedtodistinguishbetweenthetrueSpirit,andthedeviltransformedintoanangeloflight,becausetheyaregivenespeciallyforthatend;thatistheapostle'sdeclaredpurposeanddesign,togivemarksbywhichthetrueSpiritmaybedistinguishedfromthatsortofcounterfeits.

And if we look over what is said about these false prophets, and falseapostles,(asthereismuchsaidaboutthemintheNewTestament,)andtakenotice inwhatmanner the devilwas transformed into an angel oflight in them, we shall not find any thing that in the least injures thesufficiency of these marks to distinguish the true Spirit from suchcounterfeits.Thedeviltransformedhimselfintoanangeloflight,astherewas in them a show, and great boast, of extraordinary knowledge indivinethings;Col.ii.8.1.Tim.i.6,7.andchap.vi.3-5.2Tim.ii.14-18.Tit.i.10,16.HencetheirfollowerscalledthemselvesGnostics,fromtheirgreat pretended knowledge: and the devil in them mimicked themiraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, in visions, revelations, prophecies,miracles,&c.Hencetheyarecalledfalseapostles,andfalseprophets:seeMatt.xxiv.24.Again,therewasafalseshowof,andlyingpretensionsto,great holiness and devotion in words: Rom. xvi. 17, 18. Ephes. iv. 14.Hence they are called deceitful workers, and wells and clouds withoutwater.2Cor.xi.13.2Pet.ii.17.Jude12.Therewasalsointhemashowofextraordinarypietyandrighteousnessintheirsuperstitiousworship:Col.ii.16-23.Sotheyhadafalse,proud,andbitterzeal:Gal.iv.17,18.1Tim.i.6.andchap.vi.4,5.Andlikewiseafalseshowofhumility,inaffectingan extraordinary outward meanness and dejection, when indeed theywere"vainlypuffedupintheirfleshlymind:"andmadearighteousness

oftheirhumility,andwereexceedinglyliftedupwiththeireminentpiety:Col. ii. 18,23.Buthowdosuch thingsas these in the least injurethosethings that havebeenmentioned as thedistinguishing evidencesof thetrueSpirit?—Besidessuchvainshowswhichmaybefromthedevil,therearecommoninfluencesoftheSpirit,whichareoftenmistakenforsavinggrace; but these are out of the question, because though they are notsaving,yetaretheworkofthetrueSpirit.

HavingthusfulfilledwhatIatfirstproposed,inconsideringwhatarethecertain,distinguishingmarks,bywhichwemaysafelyproceedinjudgingofanyworkthatfallsunderourobservation,whetheritbetheworkoftheSpiritofGodorno;InowproceedtotheApplication.

SECT.III.Practicalinferences.

I.Fromwhathasbeensaid,Iwillventuretodrawthisinference,viz.Thatthe extraordinary influence that has lately appeared, causing anuncommon concern and engagedness of mind about the things ofreligion,isundoubtedly,inthegeneral,fromtheSpiritofGod.Therearebut two things that need to be known in order to such a work's beingjudgedof,viz.Factsandrules.TherulesofthewordofGodwehavehadlaidbeforeus;andastofacts,therearebuttwowaysthatwecancomeatthem,soastobeinacapacitytocomparethemwiththerules,eitherbyour own observation, or by information from others who have hadopportunitytoobservethem.

Asto thiswork, therearemanythingsconcerning it thatarenotorious,andwhich,unlesstheapostleJohnwasoutinhisrules,aresufficienttodetermineittobeingeneraltheworkofGod.TheSpiritthatisatwork,takesoffpersons'mindsfromthevanitiesoftheworld,andengagestheminadeepconcernabouteternalhappiness,andputsthemuponearnestlyseeking their salvation, and convinces them of the dreadfulness of sin,and of their own guilty and miserable state as they are by nature. Itawakensmen'sconsciences,andmakesthemsensibleofthedreadfulness

ofGod's anger, and causes in themagreatdesire andearnest careandendeavour to obtain his favour. It puts them upon a more diligentimprovement of the means of grace which God has appointed;accompaniedwithagreaterregardtothewordofGod,adesireofhearingandreadingit,andofbeingmoreconversantwithitthantheyusedtobe.Anditisnotoriouslymanifest, thatthespiritthat isatwork, ingeneral,operates as a spirit of truth, making persons more sensible of what isreally true in those things that concern their eternal salvation: as, thattheymust die, and that life is very short and uncertain; that there is agreat sin-hating God, to whom they are accountable, and who will fixthem in an eternal state in anotherworld; and that they stand in greatneedofaSaviour. Itmakespersonsmoresensibleof thevalueofJesuswho was crucified, and their need of him; and that it puts themuponearnestly seeking an interest in him. It cannot be but that these thingsshouldbeapparenttopeopleingeneralthroughtheland;forthesethingsarenotdoneinacorner;theworkhasnotbeenconfinedtoafewtowns,in someremoterparts,buthasbeencarriedon inmanyplacesall overtheland,andinmostoftheprincipal,thepopulous,andpublicplacesinit. Christ in this respect haswrought amongst us, in the samemannerthathewroughthismiracles inJudea. Ithasnowbeencontinued foraconsiderabletime;sothattherehasbeenagreatopportunitytoobservethemannerofthework.Andallsuchashavebeenveryconversantwiththesubjectsofit,seeagreatdealmore,that,bytherulesoftheapostle,doesclearlyandcertainlyshowittobetheworkofGod.

AndhereIwouldobserve,thatthenatureandtendencyofaspiritthatisatwork,maybedeterminedwithmuchgreatercertainty,andlessdangerofbeingimposedupon,whenitisobservedinagreatmultitudeofpeopleofallsorts,andinvariousplaces, thanwhen it isonlyseen ina few, insomeparticularplace,thathavebeenmuchconversantonewithanother.Afewparticularpersonsmayagreetoputacheatuponothers,byafalsepretence,andprofessingthingsofwhichtheyneverwereconscious.Butwhentheworkis spreadovergreatpartsofacountry, inplacesdistantfrom one another, among people of all sorts and of all ages, and inmultitudespossessedofasoundmind,goodunderstanding,andknownintegrity;therewouldbethegreatestabsurdityinsupposing,fromalltheobservationthatcanbemadebyallthatisheardfromandseeninthem—

formanymonthstogether,andbythosewhoaremostintimatewiththemin these affairs, and have long been acquainted with them—that yet itcannot be determined what kind of influence the operation they areunder, has upon people's minds, can it not be determined whether ittendstoawakentheirconsciences,ortostupifythem;whetheritinclinesthem more to seek their salvation, or neglect it; whether it seems toconfirm them in a belief of the Scriptures, or to lead them to deism;whetheritmakesthemhavemoreregardforthegreattruthsofreligion,orless?

Andhereitistobeobserved,thatforpersonstoprofessthattheyaresoconvincedofcertaindivinetruths,astoesteemandlovetheminasavingmanner; and for them to profess, that they are more convinced orconfirmedinthetruthofthem,thantheyusedtobe,andfindthattheyhaveagreaterregardtothemthantheyhadbefore,aretwoverydifferentthings.Personsofhonestyandcommonsense,havemuchgreaterrighttodemand credit to be given to the latter profession, than to the former.Indeed in the former, it is less likely thatapeople ingeneral shouldbedeceived, than some particular persons. But whether persons'convictions,andthealterationintheirdispositionsandaffections,beinadegreeandmannerthatissaving,isbesidethepresentquestion.Iftherebe such effects on people's judgments, dispositions, and affections, ashave been spoken of, whether they be in a degree andmanner that issavingorno,itisneverthelessasignoftheinfluenceoftheSpiritofGod.ScripturerulesservetodistinguishthecommoninfluencesoftheSpiritofGod,aswellasthosethataresaving,fromtheinfluenceofothercauses.

And as, by the providence of God, I have for some months past beenmuchamongstthosewhohavebeenthesubjectsoftheworkinquestion;and particularly, have been in the way of seeing and observing thoseextraordinary things with which many persons have been offended;—suchaspersons'cryingoutaloud,shrieking,beingputintogreatagoniesofbody,&c.—andhaveseenthemannerandissueofsuchoperations,andthe fruits of them, for several months together; many of them beingpersonswithwhomIhavebeenintimatelyacquaintedinsoulconcerns,beforeandsince;soIlookuponmyselfcalledonthisoccasiontogivemytestimony, that—so far as the nature and tendency of such a work is

capableof fallingunder theobservationofaby-stander, towhomthosethathavebeenthesubjectsofithaveendeavouredtoopentheirhearts,orcanbecomeatbydiligentandparticularinquiry—thisworkhasallthosemarks that have been pointed out. And this has been the case in verymanyinstances,ineveryarticle;andinmanyothers,allthosemarkshaveappearedinaverygreatdegree.

The subjects of these uncommon appearances, have been of two sorts;either those who have been in great distress from an apprehension oftheir sin and misery; or those who have been overcome with a sweetsenseofthegreatness,wonderfulness,andexcellencyofdivinethings.

Ofthemultitudeofthoseoftheformersort,thatIhavehadopportunityto observe, there have been very few, but their distress has arisenapparentlyfromrealproperconviction,andbeinginadegreesensibleofthatwhichwasthetruth.AndthoughIdonotsuppose,whensuchthingswere observed to be common, that personshave laid themselvesunderthoseviolentrestraintstoavoidoutwardmanifestationsoftheirdistress,thatperhaps theyotherwisewouldhavedone; yet therehavebeenveryfewinwhomtherehasbeenanyappearanceoffeigningoraffectingsuchmanifestations,andverymanyforwhomitwouldhavebeenundoubtedlyutterly impossible for them to avoid them. Generally, in these agoniestheyhaveappearedtobeintheperfectexerciseoftheirreason;andthoseof themwhocouldspeak,havebeenwellable togiveanaccountof thecircumstancesoftheirmind,andthecauseoftheirdistress,atthetime,andwereabletoremember,andgiveanaccountofitafterwards.Ihaveknowaveryfewinstancesofthose,who,intheirgreatextremity,haveforashortspacebeendeprived, insomemeasure,oftheuseofreason;butamong the many hundreds, and it may be thousands, that have latelybeenbroughttosuchagonies,Ineveryetknewonelastinglydeprivedoftheirreason.InsomethatIhaveknown,melancholyhasevidentlybeenmixed;andwhenitisso,thedifferenceisveryapparent;theirdistressesareofanotherkind,andoperatequiteafteranothermanner,thanwhentheirdistressisfrommereconviction.Itisnottruthonlythatdistressesthem,butmanyvainshadowsandnotionsthatwillnotgiveplaceeitherto Scripture or reason. Some in their great distress have not beenwellabletogiveanaccountofthemselves,ortodeclarethesensetheyhaveof

things,ortoexplainthemannerandcauseoftheirtroubletoothers,thatyetIhavehadnoreasontothinkwerenotunderproperconvictions,andinwhomtherehasbeenmanifestedagoodissue.Butthiswillnotbeatallwondered at, by those who have had much to do with souls underspiritual difficulties: some things of which they are sensible, arealtogethernewtothem;their ideasandinwardsensationsarenew,andwhat they therefore know not how to express in words. Somewho, onfirstinquiry,saidtheyknewnotwhatwasthematterwiththem,haveonbeing particularly examined and interrogated, been able to representtheir case, though of themselves they could not find expressions andformsofspeechtodoit.

Somesuppose, thatterrorsproducingsucheffectsareonlya fright.Butcertainlythereoughttobeadistinctionmadebetweenaverygreatfear,orextremedistressarisingfromanapprehensionofsomedreadfultruth—acausefullyproportionabletosuchaneffect—andaneedless,causelessfright.Thelatterisoftwokinds;either,first,whenpersonsareterrifiedwiththatwhichisnotthetruth;(ofwhichIhaveseenveryfewinstancesunlessincaseofmelancholy;)or,secondly,whentheyareinafrightfromsometerribleoutwardappearanceandnoise,andageneralnotionthencearising.Theseapprehend,thatthereissomethingorotherterrible, theyknow not what; without having in their minds any particular truthwhatever. Of such a kind of fright I have seen very little appearance,amongeitheroldoryoung.

Thosewhoareinsuchextremity,commonlyexpressagreatsenseoftheirexceeding wickedness, the multitude and aggravations of their actualsins; theirdreadfulpollution, enmity, andperverseness; their obstinacyandhardnessofheart;asenseoftheirgreatguiltinthesightofGod;andthe dreadfulness of the punishment due to sin. Very often they have alively ideaof thehorriblepitof eternalmisery; andat the same time itappears to them that the great God who has them in his hands, isexceedinglyangry,andhiswrathappearsamazinglyterribletothem.Godappearstothemsomuchprovoked,andhisgreatwrathsoincreased;thatthey are apprehensive of great danger, and that he will not bear withthem any longer; but will now forthwith cut them off, and send themdown to thedreadfulpit theyhave inview;at the same time seeing no

refuge.Theyseemoreandmoreofthevanityofeverythingtheyusetotrust to, andwithwhich they flattered themselves, till theyarebroughtwholly to despair in all, and to see that they are at the disposal of themerewilloftheGodwhoissoangrywiththem.Verymany,inthemidstof theirextremity,havebeenbrought toanextraordinarysenseof theirfully deserving that wrath, and the destruction which was then beforetheir eyes. They feared everymoment, that it would be executed uponthem;theyhavebeengreatlyconvincedthatthiswouldbealtogetherjust,and that God is indeed absolutely sovereign. Very often, some text ofScripture expressing God's sovereignty, has been set home upon theirminds, whereby they have been calmed. They have been brought, as itwere,tolieatGod'sfeet;andaftergreatagonies,alittlebeforelighthasarisen, theyhavebeencomposedandquiet, insubmissiontoa justandsovereign God; but their bodily strength much spent. Sometimes theirlives,toappearance,werealmostgone;andthenlighthasappeared,anda glorious Redeemer, with his wonderful, all-sufficient grace, has beenrepresented to them often, in some sweet invitation of Scripture.Sometimes the light comes in suddenly, sometimes more gradually,fillingtheirsoulswithlove,admiration,joy,andselfabasement:drawingforththeirheartsaftertheexcellentlovelyRedeemer,andlongingstoliein thedustbeforehim; and that othersmight behold, embrace, andbedeliveredbyhim.Theyhadlongingstolivetohisglory;butweresensiblethattheycandonothingofthemselves,appearingvileintheirowneyes,andhavingmuchjealousyovertheirownhearts.Andalltheappearancesofarealchangeofhearthavefollowed;andgracehasacted,fromtimetotime, after the same manner that is used to act in those that wereconvertedformerly,withthelikedifficulties,temptations,buffetings,andcomforts; excepting that in many, the light and comfort have been inhigherdegreesthanordinary.Manyveryyoungchildrenhavebeenthuswrought upon. There have been some instances very much like those(Marki.26.andchap.ix.26.)ofwhomweread,that"whenthedevilhadcriedwitha loudvoice,andrent themsore,hecameoutof them."Andprobablythoseinstancesweredesignedforatypeofsuchthingsasthese.Somehaveseveralturnsofgreatagonies,beforetheyaredelivered;andothers have been in such distress, which has passed off, and nodeliveranceatallhasfollowed.

Some object against it as great confusion, when there is a numbertogether insuchcircumstancesmakinganoise;andsay,Godcannotbetheauthorofit;becauseheistheGodoforder,notofconfusion.Butletitbeconsidered,what is thepropernotionof confusion,but thebreakingthat order of things, whereby they are properly disposed, and dulydirectedtotheirend,sothattheorderanddueconnexionofmeansbeingbroken, they fail of their end. Now the conviction of sinners for theirconversionistheobtainingoftheendofreligiousmeans.NotbutthatIthink the persons thus extraordinarily moved, should endeavour torefrainfromsuchoutwardmanifestations,whattheywellcan,andshouldrefraintotheirutmost,atthetimeoftheirsolemnworship.ButifGodispleasedtoconvincetheconsciencesofpersons,sothattheycannotavoidgreatoutwardmanifestations,eventointerruptingandbreakingoffthosepublicmeanstheywereattending,Idonotthinkthisisconfusion,oranunhappy interruption, anymore than if a company shouldmeet on thefield topray forrain,andshouldbebrokenoff from their exercisebyaplentifulshower.WouldtoGodthatallthepublicassembliesinthelandwerebrokenoff from theirpublic exerciseswith such confusion as thisthe next sabbath day!We need not be sorry for breaking the order ofmeans,byobtaining theend towhich that order is directed.Hewho isgoingtofetchatreasure,neednotbesorrythatheisstopped,bymeetingthetreasureinthemidstofhisjourney.

Besidesthosewhoareovercomewithconvictionanddistress,Ihaveseenmanyoflate,whohavehadtheirbodilystrengthtakenawaywithasenseofthegloriousexcellencyoftheRedeemer,andthewondersofhisdyinglove;withaveryuncommonsenseof theirownlittlenessandexceedingvilenessattendingit,withallexpressionsandappearancesofthegreatestabasement and abhorrence of themselves. Not only new converts, butmanywhowere,aswehope,formerlyconverted,havehadtheirloveandjoy attendedwith a floodof tears, anda great appearanceof contritionandhumiliation,especiallyfortheirhavinglivednomoretoGod'sglorysincetheirconversion.Thesehavehadafargreatersightoftheirvileness,and the evil of their hearts, than ever they had; with an exceedingearnestnessofdesiretolivebetterforthetimetocome,butattendedwithgreaterself-diffidencethanever:andmanyhavebeenovercomewithpityto thesoulsofothers,and longing for theirsalvation.—Andmanyother

things Imightmention, in this extraordinarywork, answering to everyone of thosemarkswhich have been insisted on. So that if the apostleJohnknewhow togive signsofaworkof the trueSpirit, this is suchawork.

ProvidencehascastmylotinaplacewheretheworkofGodhasformerlybeencarriedon.Ihadthehappinesstobesettledinthatplacetwoyearswith the venerable Stoddard; and was then acquainted with a numberwho,during thatseason,werewroughtuponunderhisministry. Ihavebeen intimately acquainted with the experiences of many others whowerewroughtuponunderhisministry,before thatperiod, inamanneragreeabletothedoctrineofallorthodoxdivines.Andoflate,aworkhasbeencarriedonthere,withverymuchofuncommonoperations;butitisevidently thesamework thatwascarriedon there, indifferentperiods,though attendedwith some new circumstances. And certainly wemustthrowbyalltalkofconversionandchristianexperience;andnotonlyso,butwemustthrowbyourBibles,andgiveuprevealedreligion;ifthisbenot in general the work of God. Not that I suppose the degree of theSpirit's influence is to be determined by the degree of effect onmen'sbodies; or, that those are always the best experiences which have thegreatestinfluenceonthebody.Andastotheimprudencies,irregularities,and mixture of delusion that has been observed; it is not at all to bewondered at, that a reformation, after a long-continued and almostuniversaldeadness,shouldatfirst,whentherevival isnew,beattendedwithsuchthings.InthefirstcreationGoddidnotmakeacompleteworldatonce;buttherewasagreatdealofimperfection,darkness,andmixtureof chaosandconfusion, afterGod first said, "Let therebe light,"beforethewholestoodforthinperfectform.WhenGodatfirstbeganhisgreatworkforthedeliveranceofhispeople,aftertheirlong-continuedbondageinEgypt,therewerefalsewondersmixedwiththetrueforawhile;whichhardened the unbelieving Egyptians, and made them to doubt of thedivinityofthewholework.WhenthechildrenofIsraelfirstwenttobringupthearkofGod,afterithadbeenneglected,andhadbeenlongabsent,theysoughtnottheLordafterthedueorder,1Chron.xv.13.AtthetimewhenthesonsofGodcametopresentthemselvesbeforetheLord,Satancame also among them.AndSolomon's ships,when they brought gold,and silver, andpearls, alsobrought apes andpeacocks.When day-light

firstappearsafteranightofdarkness,wemustexpecttohavedarknessmixtwithlightforawhile,andnothaveperfectdayandthesunrisenatonce.Thefruitsoftheeartharefirstgreenbeforetheyareripe,andcometo their proper perfection gradually; and so, Christ tells us, is thekingdomofGod.Markiv.26,27,28."SoisthekingdomofGod;asifamanshould cast seed into theground,and should sleep, and risenightandday;andtheseedshouldspringandgrowup,heknowethnothow:fortheearthbringethforthfruitofherself; first theblade, thentheear,afterthatthefullcornintheear."

Theimprudencesanderrorsthathaveattendedthiswork,arethelesstobewonderedat,ifitbeconsidered,thatchieflyyoungpersonshavebeenthesubjectsofit,whohavelesssteadinessandexperience,andbeinginthe heat of youth, aremuchmore ready to run to extremes. Satanwillkeepmensecureaslongashecan;butwhenhecandothatnolonger,heoften endeavours to drive them to extremes, and so to dishonourGod,andwoundreligioninthatway.Anddoubtlessithasbeenoneoccasionofmuch misconduct, that in many places, people see plainly that theirministershaveanillopinionofthework;andtherefore,withjustreason,durst not apply themselves to them as their guides in it; and so arewithoutguides.-Nowonderthenthatwhenapeopleareassheepwithoutashepherd,theywanderoutoftheway.Apeopleinsuchcircumstances,stand in great and continual need of guides, and their guides stand incontinualneedofmuchmorewisdomthantheyhaveoftheirown.Andifapeoplehaveministersthatfavourthework,andrejoiceinit,yetitisnotto be expected that either the people orministers should know sowellhow to conduct themselves in such an extraordinary state of things—while it isnew, andwhat theyneverhadanyexperienceofbefore, andtimetoseetheirtendency,consequences,andissue.Thehappyinfluenceofexperienceisverymanifestatthisday,inthepeopleamongwhomGodhassettledmyabode.

Theworkwhichhasbeencarriedontherethisyear,hasbeenmuchpurerthanthatwhichwaswroughttheresixyearsbefore:ithasseemedtobemorepurely spiritual; free fromnatural and corruptmixtures, and anything savouring of enthusiastic wildness and extravagance. It haswroughtmorebydeephumiliationandabasementbeforeGodandmen;

andtheyhavebeenmuchfreerfromimprudencesandirregularities.Andparticularly therehasbeena remarkabledifference in this respect, thatwhereas many before, in their comforts and rejoicings, did too muchforget their distance from God, and were ready in their conversationtogetherofthethingsofGod,andoftheirownexperiences,totalkwithtoomuchlightness;butnowtheyseemtohavenodispositionthatway,butrejoicewithamoresolemn,reverential,humble joy,asGoddirects.(Psal. ii. 11.)Notbecause the joy isnotasgreat,and inmany instancesmuch greater.Many among uswhowerewrought upon in that formerseason,havenowhadmuchgreater communications fromheaven thanthey had then. Their rejoicing operates in another manner; it abasesthem, breaks their hearts, and brings them into the dust. When theyspeakoftheirjoys,itisnotwithlaughter,butafloodoftears.Thusthosethat laughedbefore,weepnow,andyetby theirunited testimony, theirjoyisvastlypurerandsweeterthanthatwhichbeforedidmoreraisetheiranimalspirits.TheyarenowmorelikeJacob,whenGodappearedtohimatBethel,whenhesawtheladderthatreachedtoheaven,andsaid,"Howdreadfulisthisplace!"AndlikeMoses,whenGodshowedhimhisgloryonthemount,whenhemadehasteand"bowedhimselfuntotheearth."

II.Letusallbehencewarned,bynomeanstooppose,ordoanythingintheleasttoclogorhinder,thework;but,onthecontrary,doourutmosttopromoteit.NowChristiscomedownfromheaveninaremarkableandwonderful work of his Spirit, it becomes all his professed disciples toacknowledgehim,andgivehimhonour.

TheexampleoftheJewsinChrist'sandtheapostles'times,isenoughtobeget in those who do not acknowledge this work, a great jealousy ofthemselves,andtomakethemexceedingcautiousofwhattheysayordo.Christthenwasintheworld,andtheworldknewhimnot:hecametohisown professing people, and his own received him not. That coming ofChristhadbeenmuchspokenofinthepropheciesofScripturewhichtheyhadintheirhands,andithadbeenlongexpected;andyetbecauseChristcame inamanner theydidnot expect, andwhichwasnot agreeable totheir carnal reason, they would not own him. Nay, they opposed him,countedhimamadman,andpronouncedthespiritthathewroughtbytobe the spirit of the devil. They stood andwondered at the great things

done,andknewnotwhattomakeofthem;butyettheymetwithsomanystumbling-blocks,thattheyfinallycouldnotacknowledgehim.AndwhentheSpiritofGodcame tobepouredout sowonderfully in theapostles'days, they looked upon it as confusion and distraction. They wereastonished by what they saw and heard, but not convinced. Andespecially was the work of God then rejected by those that were mostconceited of their own understanding and knowledge, agreeable to Isa.xxix. 14. "Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous workamongst this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder; for thewisdom of their wisemen shall perish, and the understanding of theirprudentmen shall be hid." Andmany who had been in reputation forreligionandpiety,hadagreatspiteagainstthework,becausetheysawittended to diminish their honour, and to reproach their formality andlukewarmness. Some, upon these accounts, maliciously and openlyopposedandreproachedtheworkof theSpiritofGod,andcalled it thework of the devil, against inward conviction, and so were guilty of theunpardonablesinagainsttheHolyGhost.

There isanother, a spiritual comingofChrist, to setuphiskingdom intheworld, that is asmuch spokenof in scriptureprophecyas that firstcoming,andwhichhaslongbeenexpectedbythechurchofGod.Wehavereasontothink,fromwhatissaidofthis,thatitwillbe,inmanyrespects,parallelwiththeother.Andcertainly,thatlowstateintowhichthevisiblechurchofGodhas latelybeensunk isveryparallelwith thestateof theJewishchurch,whenChrist came; and therefore nowonder at all, thatwhenChristcomes,hisworkshouldappearastrangeworktomost;yea,itwouldbewonder if itshouldbeotherwise.WhetherthepresentworkbethebeginningofthatgreatandfrequentlypredictedcomingofChristtosetuphiskingdom,ornot,itisevident,fromwhathasbeensaid,thatit isaworkof thesameSpirit,andof thesamenature.And there isnoreason to doubt, but that the conduct of personswho continue long torefuseacknowledgingChristinthework—especiallythosewhoaresettobeteachersinhischurch—willbeinlikemannerprovokingtoGod,asitwas in the Jews of old, while refusing to acknowledge Christ;notwithstandingwhattheymaypleadofthegreatstumbling-blocksthatareintheway,andthecausetheyhavetodoubtofthework.Theteachersof theJewishchurch found innumerablestumbling-blocks, thatwere to

theminsuperable.ManythingsappearedinChrist,andintheworkoftheSpirit after his ascension, which were exceeding strange to them; theyseemedassuredthattheyhadjustcausefortheirscruples.ChristandhisworkweretotheJewsastumbling-block;"Butblessedishe,"saysChrist,"whosoevershallnotbeoffendedinme.[Lukevii.23]"Asstrangeandasunexpected as the manner of Christ's appearance was, yet he had notbeen long in Judea working miracles, before all those who hadopportunity to observe, and yet refused to acknowledge him, broughtfearfulguiltuponthemselvesinthesightofGod;andChristcondemnedthem, that though "they could discern the face of the sky, and of theearth,yettheycouldnotdiscernthesignsofthosetimes:andwhy,"sayshe,"evenofyourselves,judgeyenotwhatisright?"Lukexii.Atthelatterend.

It isnot tobesupposedthat thegreatJehovahhadbowedtheheavens,andappearedherenowforsolongatime,insuchagloriousworkofhispowerandgrace in soextensiveamanner, in themostpublicplacesofthe land,and inalmostallpartsof it—withoutgivingsuchevidencesofhispresence,thatgreatnumbers,andevenmanyteachersinhischurch,can remain guiltless in his sight, without ever receiving andacknowledginghim,andgivinghimhonour,andappearingtorejoice inhisgraciouspresence;orwithoutsomuchasoncegivinghimthanksforsogloriousandblessedaworkofhis grace,whereinhis goodness doesmore appear, than if he had bestowed on us all the temporal blessingsthat the world affords. A long-continued silence in such a case isundoubtedlyprovokingtoGod;especiallyinministers.Itisasecretkindaopposition, thatreallytends tohinder thework.SuchsilentministersstandinthewayoftheworkofGod,asChristsaidofold,"Hethatisnotwithusisagainstus."Thosewhostandwonderingatthisstrangework,notknowingwhattomakeof it,andrefusingtoreceive it—andreadyitmaybesometimes tospeakcontemptiblyof it,aswas thecasewith theJewsofoldwoulddowelltoconsider,andtotrembleatSt.Paul'swordsto them, Acts xiii. 40, 41. "Beware therefore lest that come upon you,whichisspokenofintheprophets,Behold,yedespisers,andwonder,andperish;forIworkaworkinyourdays,whichyoushallinnowisebelieve,thoughamandeclareituntoyou."Thosewhocannotbelievetheworktobe true, because of the extraordinary degree andmanner of it, should

consider how it was with the unbelieving lord in Samaria, who said,"Behold, if the Lord shouldmakewindows in heaven,might this thingbe?"TowhomElishasaid,"Behold,thoushaltseeitwiththineeyes,butshaltnot eat thereof. [2Kings vii. 19.] "Let all towhom thiswork is acloudanddarkness—asthepillarofcloudandfirewastotheEgyptians—take heed that it be not their destruction, while it gives light to God'sIsrael.

I would entreat those who quiet themselves, that they proceed on aprincipleofprudence,andarewaitingtoseetheissueofthingsandwhatfruitsthosethatarethesubjectsofthisworkwillbringforthintheirlivesandconversations—toconsider,whetherthiswilljustifyalongrefrainingform acknowledging Christ when he appears so wonderfully andgraciouslypresentintheland.Itisprobablethatmanyofthosewhoarethuswaiting, know not forwhat they arewaiting. If theywait to see aworkofGodwithoutdifficultiesandstumbling-blocks,itwillbelikethefool'swaitingattheriversidetohavethewaterallrunby.AworkofGodwithoutstumbling-blocks isnever tobeexpected."Itmustneedbethatoffences come." There never yet was any greatmanifestation that Godmadeofhimselftotheworld,withoutmanydifficultiesattendingit.ItiswiththeworksofGod,aswithhisword:theyseematfirstfullofthingsthat are strange, inconsistent, and difficult to the carnal unbelievingheartsofmen.Christandhisworkalwayswas,andalwayswillbe,astoneofstumbling,androckofoffence,aginandasnaretomany.TheprophetHosea, (chap. xiv.) speaking of a glorious revival of religion in God'schurch—whenGodwouldbeasthedewuntoIsrael,whoshouldgrowasthe lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon, whose branches shouldspread,&c.—concludes all thus; "Who iswise, and he shall understandthesethings?Prudent,andheshallknowthem?ForthewaysoftheLordareright,andthejustshallwalkinthem:butthetransgressorsshallfalltherein."

Itisprobablethatthestumbling-blocksthatnowattendthiswork,willinsome respectsbe increased, andnotdiminished.Weprobably shall seemore instancesofapostacyandgross iniquityamongprofessors.And ifonekindofstumbling-blocksareremoved,itistobeexpectedthatotherswill come. It is with Christ's works as it was with his parables; things

thataredifficulttomen'sdarkmindsareorderedofpurpose,forthetrialoftheirdispositionsandspiritualsense;andthatthoseofcorruptmindsandofanunbelieving,perverse,cavillingspirit,"seeingmightseeandnotunderstand." Thosewho are nowwaiting to see the issue of thiswork,thinktheyshallbebetterabletodeterminebyandby;butprobablymanyofthemaremistaken.TheJewsthatsawChrist'smiracles,waitedtoseebetter evidences of his being the Messiah; they wanted a sign fromheaven;buttheywaitedinvain;theirstumbling-blocksdidnotdiminish,but increase.They found no end to them, and soweremore andmorehardened in unbelief. Many have been praying for that gloriousreformationspokenof inScripture,whoknewnotwhat theyhavebeenprayingfor,(asitwaswiththeJewswhentheyprayedforthecomingofChrist,)andwho,ifitshouldcome,wouldnotacknowledgeorreceiveit.

This pretended prudence, in persons waiting so long before theyacknowledged this work, will probably in the end prove the greatestimprudence.Herebytheywillfailofanyshareofsogreatablessing,andwillmissthemostpreciousopportunityofobtainingdivine light,grace,and comfort, heavenly and eternal benefits, thatGod ever gave inNewEngland. While the glorious fountain is set open in so wonderful amanner,andmultitudesflocktoitandreceivearichsupplyforthewantsof their souls, they stand at a distance, doubting, wondering, andreceivingnothing,andareliketocontinuethustillthepreciousseasonispast.—Itisindeedtobewonderedat,thatthosewhohavedoubtedofthework, which has been attended with such uncommon externalappearances, should be easy in their doubts, without taking thoroughpainstoinformthemselves,bygoingwheresuchthingshavebeentobeseen, narrowly observing and diligently inquiring into them; notcontentingthemselveswithobservingtwoorthreeinstances,norrestingtilltheywerefullyinformedbytheirownobservation.Idonotdoubtbutthat if this course had been taken, it would have convinced all whosemindsarenot shutupagainst conviction.Howgreatlyhave theyerred,whoonlyfromtheuncertainreproofsofothers,haveventured tospeakslightlyof these things!ThatcautionofanunbelievingJewmight teachthemmore prudence, Acts v. 38, 39. "Refrain from thesemen and letthem alone; for if this counsel or this work be ofmen, it will come tonought;butifitbeofGod,yecannotoverthrowit;lesthaplyyebefound

tofight againstGod."Whetherwhat has been said in this discourse beenoughtoproduceconviction, that this is theworkofGodornot;yet Ihope that for the future, they will at least hearken to the caution ofGamaliel,nowmentioned;soasnottoopposeit,orsayanythingwhichhasevenanindirecttendencytobringitintodiscredit,lesttheyshouldbefoundopposersoftheHolyGhost.Thereisnokindofsinssohurtfulanddangerous to the souls of men, as those committed against the HolyGhost.WehadbetterspeakagainstGodtheFather,or theSon,thantospeakagainsttheHolySpirit inhisgraciousoperationsontheheartsofmen. Nothing will so much tend for ever to prevent our having anybenefitofhisoperationsonourownsouls.

Iftherebeanywhostillresolutelygoontospeakcontemptiblyof thesethings, Iwould beg of them to take heed that they be not guilty of theunpardonablesin.WhentheHolySpirit ismuchpouredout,andmen'slusts, lukewarmness, and hypocrisy are reproached by its powerfuloperations, then is the most likely time of any, for this sin to becommitted.Iftheworkgoeson,itiswellifamongthemanythatshowanenmity against it, some be not guilty of this sin, if none have beenalready.Thosewhomaliciouslyopposeandreproachthiswork,andcallittheworkof thedevil,wantbutone thing of theunpardonable sin, andthat is, doing it against inward conviction. And though some are soprudent,asnotopenly toopposeandreproach thiswork,yet it is tobefeared—atthisday,whentheLordisgoingforthsogloriouslyagainsthisenemies—thatmanywhoaresilentandinactive,especiallyministers,willbring that curseof the angel of theLord upon themselves, Judg. v. 23."Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly theinhabitantsthereof;becausetheycamenottothehelpoftheLord,tothehelpoftheLordagainstthemighty."

SincethegreatGodhascomedownfromheaven,andmanifestedhimselfinsowonderfulamannerinthisland,itisvainforanyofustoexpectanyother than to be greatly affected by it in our spiritual state andcircumstances,respectingthefavourofGod,onewayorother.Thosewhodo not become more happy by it, will become far more guilty andmiserable.Itisalwaysso;suchaseasonasprovesanacceptableyear,andatimeofgreatfavourtothemwhoacceptandimproveit,provesadayof

vengeancetoothers.Isa. lix.2.WhenGodsendsforthhisword, itshallnotreturntohimvoid;muchlesshisSpirit.WhenChristwasuponearthinJudea,manyslightedandrejectedhim;butitprovedintheissuetobenomatterof indifferenceto them.Godmadeall thatpeople to feel thatChristhadbeenamongthem;thosewhodidnotfeelittotheircomfort,felt it to theirgreat sorrow.WhenGodonlysent theprophetEzekiel tothe children of Israel, he declared that whether they would hear orwhethertheywouldforbear,yettheyshouldknowthattherehadbeenaprophetamong them;howmuchmoremaywe suppose thatwhenGodhasappearedsowonderfullyinthisland,thathewillmakeeveryonetoknowthatthegreatJehovahhadbeeninNewEngland.—Icomenow,inthelastplace,

III.Toapplymyselftothosewhoarethefriendsofthiswork,whohavebeen partakers of it, and are zealous to promote it. Let me earnestlyexhort such to give diligent heed to themselves to avoid all errors andmisconduct,andwhatevermaydarkenandobscurethework;andtogiveno occasion to those who stand ready to reproach it. The apostle wascareful to cut off occasion from those that desired occasion. The sameapostle exhortsTitus, tomaintain a strict care andwatch over himself,that both his preaching and behaviourmight be such as "could not becondemned; that he who was of the contrary part might be ashamed,havingnoevilthingtosayofthem,"Tit.ii.7,8.Wehadneedtobewiseasserpentsandharmlessasdoves.Itisofnosmallconsequencethatweshouldat thisdaybehaveourselves innocentlyandprudently.Wemustexpect that the great enemy of this work will especially try his utmostwithus;andhewillespecially triumph ifhecanprevail inany thing toblindandmisleadus.Heknowsitwilldomoretofurtherhispurposeandinterest than if he prevailed against a hundred others.Wehadneed towatch and pray, for we are but little children; this roaring lion is toostrongforus,andthisoldserpenttoosubtleforus.

Humilityandself-diffidence,andanentiredependenceonourLordJesusChrist, will be our best defense. Let us thereforemaintain the strictestwatch against spiritual pride, or being lifted up with extraordinaryexperiencesandcomforts,andthehighfavoursofheaven,thatanyofusmayhavereceived.Wehadneed,aftersuchfavours,inaspecialmanner

to keep a strict and jealous eye upon our ownhearts, lest there shouldarise self-exalting reflections upon what we have received, and highthoughtsofourselves,asbeingnowsomeof themosteminentofsaintsand peculiar favourites of heaven, and that the secret of the Lord isespecially with us. Let us not presume, that we above all are fit to beadvancedasthegreatinstructorsandcensorsofthisevilgeneration;and,inahighconceitofourownwisdomanddiscerning,assumetoourselvestheairsofprophets,orextraordinaryambassadorsofheaven.Whenwehave great discoveries of Godmade to our souls, we should not shinebrightinourowneyes.Moses,whenhehadbeenconversingwithGodinthemount, thoughhis faceshonesoas todazzle theeyesofAaronandthepeople,yethedidnotshineinhisowneyes;"hewistnotthathisfaceshone."Letnone think themselvesout ofdangerof this spiritualpride,evenintheirbestframes.GodsawthattheapostlePaul(thoughprobablythemosteminentsaintthateverlived)wasnotoutofdangerofit,nonotwhen he had just been conversingwithGod in the third heaven: see 2Cor.xii.7.Prideistheworstviperintheheart;itisthefirstsinthateverenteredintotheuniverse,lieslowestofallinthefoundationofthewholebuildingofsin,andisthemostsecret,deceitful,andunsearchableinitsways of working, of any lusts whatever. It is ready to mix with everything; and nothing is so hateful to God, contrary to the spirit of thegospel,orofsodangerousconsequence;andthereisnoonesinthatdoessomuchletinthedevilintotheheartsofthesaints,andexposethemtohis delusions. I have seen it in many instances, and that in eminentsaints.Thedevilhascome inat thisdoorpresentlyafter someeminentexperience and extraordinary communion with God, and has woefullydeluded and led them astray, till God hasmercifully opened their eyesand delivered them; and they themselves have afterwards been madesensiblethatitwaspridethatbetrayedthem.

SomeofthetruefriendsoftheworkofGod'sSpirithaveerredingivingtoomuch heed to impulses and strong impressions on theirminds, asthough they were immediate significations from heaven to them, ofsomethingthatshouldcometopass,orsomething that itwas themindandwillofGodthattheyshoulddo,whichwasnotsignifiedorrevealedanywhereintheBiblewithoutthoseimpulses.Theseimpressions,iftheyaretrulyfromtheSpiritofGod,areofaquitedifferentnaturefromhis

gracious influencesontheheartsof thesaints: theyareof thenatureoftheextraordinarygiftsoftheSpirit,andareproperlyinspiration,suchasthe prophets and apostles and others had of old; which the apostledistinguishesfromthegraceoftheSpirit,1Cor.xiii.

Onereasonwhysomehavebeenreadytolayweightonsuchimpulses,isanopiniontheyhavehad,thatthegloryoftheapproachinghappydaysofthechurchwouldpartlyconsist inrestoring thoseextraordinarygiftsofthe Spirit. This opinion, I believe, arises partly through want of dulyconsidering and comparing the nature and value of those two kinds ofinfluences of the Spirit, viz. Those that are ordinary and gracious, andthose that are extraordinary andmiraculous.The former are by far themostexcellentandglorious;astheapostlelargelyshows.(1Cor.xii.31,.&c.)SpeakingoftheextraordinarygiftsoftheSpirit,hesays,"Butcovetearnestlythebestgifts;andyetIshowyouamoreexcellentway;" i.e.amoreexcellentwayoftheinfluenceoftheSpirit.Andthenhegoeson,inthenextchapter,toshowwhatthatmoreexcellentwayis,eventhegraceof the Spirit, which summarily consists in charity, or divine love. Andthroughout that chapter he shows the great preference of that aboveinspiration.Godcommunicateshisownnaturetothesoulinsavinggraceintheheart,morethaninallmiraculousgifts.TheblessedimageofGodconsistsinthatandnotinthese.Theexcellency,happiness,andgloryofthesoul, immediatelyconsists in the former.That isa rootwhichbearsinfinitely more excellent fruit. Salvation and the eternal enjoyment ofGodispromisedtodivinegrace,butnottoinspiration.Amanmayhavethoseextraordinarygifts,andyetbeabominable toGod,andgotohell.ThespiritualandeternallifeofthesoulconsistsinthegraceoftheSpirit,which God bestows only on his favourites and dear children. He hassometimesthrownouttheotherasitweretodogsandswine,ashedidtoBalaam, Saul, and Judas; and somewho, in the primitive times of thechristian church, committed the unpardonable sin. (Heb. vi.) Manywicked men at the day of the judgment will plead, "Have we notprophesiedinthyname,andinthynamecastoutdevils,andinthynamedonemanywonderfulworks."Thegreatestprivilegeoftheprophetsandapostles, was not their being inspired and working miracles, but theireminent holiness. The grace that was in their hearts, was a thousandtimes more their dignity and honour, than their miraculous gifts. The

things in which we find David comforting himself, are not his being aking, or a prophet, but the holy influences of the Spirit of God in hisheart,communicatingtohimdivinelight,love,andjoy.TheapostlePaulabounded in visions, revelations, and miraculous gifts, above all theapostles;butyetheesteemsall thingsbut loss for theexcellencyof thespiritual knowledge of Christ. It was not the gifts but the grace of theapostles, that was the proper evidence of their names being written inheaven; inwhichChristdirects themtorejoice,muchmore than in thedevils being subject to them. To have grace in the heart, is a higherprivilege than the blessedVirginherself had, in having the body of thesecondpersonintheTrinityconceivedinherwomb,bythepoweroftheHighestovershadowingher:Lukexi.27,28."And itcametopassashespakethesethings,acertainwomanofthecompanyliftuphervoice,andsaiduntohim;Blessedisthewombthatbarethee,andthepapsthatthouhastsucked!Buthesaid,Yea,ratherblessedaretheythathearthewordofGodandkeepit."Seealsotothesamepurpose,Matt.xii.47,.&c.TheinfluenceoftheHolySpirit,ordivinecharityintheheart,isthegreatestprivilegeandgloryofthehighestarchangelinheaven;yea,thisistheverything by which the creature has fellowship with God himself, with theFatherandtheSon,intheirbeautyandhappiness.Herebythesaintsaremade partakers of the divine nature, and have Christ's joy fulfilled inthemselves.

TheordinarysanctifyinginfluencesoftheSpiritofGodaretheendofallextraordinarygifts, as theapostle shows,Ephes. iv. 11, 12, 13.They aregood fornothing, any further than as they are subordinate to this end;they will be so far from profiting any without it, that they will onlyaggravatetheirmisery.Thisis,astheapostleobserves,themostexcellentway ofGod's communicating his Spirit to his church, it is the greatestgloryof the church in all ages. This glory iswhatmakes the churchonearthmost likethechurchinheaven,whenprophecy,andtongues,andothermiraculous gifts, cease.AndGod communicateshis Spirit only inthatmoreexcellentwayofwhichtheapostlespeaks,viz.charityordivinelove,"whichneverfaileth."Thereforethegloryoftheapproachinghappystate of the church does not at all require these extraordinary gifts. Asthat state of the church will be nearest of any to its perfect state inheaven, so I believe itwill be like it in this, that all extraordinary gifts

shallhaveceasedandvanishedaway;andall thosestars,andthemoonwiththereflectedlighttheygaveinthenight,orinadarkseason,shallbeswallowedupinthesunofdivinelove.Theapostlespeaksofthesegiftsofinspirationaschildishthings,incomparisonoftheinfluenceoftheSpiritin divine love; things given to the church only to support it in itsminority, till the church should have a complete standing ruleestablished,andalltheordinarymeansofgraceshouldbesettled;butasthingsthatshouldcease,asthechurchadvancedtothestateofmanhood.1Cor.xiii.11."WhenIwasachild,Ispakeasachild,Iunderstoodasachild,Ithoughtasachild;butwhenIbecameaman,Iputawaychildishthings;"comparedwiththethreeprecedingverses.

When the apostle, in this chapter, speaks of prophecies, tongues, andrevelations ceasing, and vanishing away in the church—when thechristianchurchshouldbeadvancedfromastateofminoritytoastateofmanhood—heseemstohaverespecttoitscomingtoanadultstateinthisworld, aswell as in heaven; for he speaks of such a state ofmanhood,whereinthosethreethings,Faith,Hope,andCharity,shouldremainaftermiracles and revelation had ceased; as in the last verse,. and "nowabideth (menei, remaineth)Faith,Hope, andCharity, these three." Theapostle'smannerofspeakinghereshowsanevidentreferencetowhathehad just been sayingbefore; andhere is amanifest antithesis, betweenremaining,andthatfailing,ceasing,andvanishingaway,spokenofinthe8thverse.Theapostlehadbeenshowinghowallthosegiftsofinspiration,which were the leading-strings of the christian church in its infancy,shouldvanishaway,whenthechurchcametoastateofmanhood.Thenhe returns to observe, what things remain after those had failed andceased; and he observes that those three things shall remain in thechurch, Faith, Hope, and Charity: and therefore the adult state of thechurchhe speaksof, is themoreperfectoneatwhich it shall arriveonearth, especially in the latter ages of theworld.And thiswas themoreproperlyobservedtothechurchatCorinth,upontwoaccounts;becausetheapostlehadbeforeobservedtothatchurch,thattheywereinastateofinfancy,chap.iii.1,2.Andbecausethatchurchseemsaboveallotherstohaveaboundedwithmiraculousgifts.Whentheexpectedgloriousstateofthechurchcomes,theincreaseoflightshallbesogreatthatitwillinsomerespectanswerwhatissaid,ver.12.ofseeingfacetoface.(SeeIsa.

xxiv.23.andxxv.7.)

Therefore I donot expect a restoration of thesemiraculous gifts in theapproachingglorioustimesofthechurch,nordoIdesireit.Itappearstome, that it would add nothing to the glory of those times, but ratherdiminishfromit.Formypart,Ihadratherenjoythesweetinfluencesofthe Spirit, showing Christ's spiritual divine beauty, infinite grace, anddying love, drawing forth the holy exercises of faith, divine love, sweetcomplacence, and humble joy in God, one quarter of an hour, than tohavepropheticalvisionsandrevelationsthewholeyear.Itappearstomemuchmore probable that God should give immediate revelation to hissaints in the dark times of prophecy, than now in the approach of themostgloriousandperfectstateofhischurchonearth.Itdoesnotappeartomethatthereisanyneedofthoseextraordinarygiftstointroducethishappy state, and set up the kingdomofGod through theworld; I haveseensomuchofthepowerofGodinamoreexcellentway,astoconvincemethatGodcaneasilydoitwithout.

IwouldthereforeentreatthepeopleofGodtobeverycautioushowtheygiveheed to such things. Ihave seen them fail in verymany instances,andknowbyexperiencethatimpressionsbeingmadewithgreatpower,and upon theminds of true, yea eminent,—saints even in themidst ofextraordinary exercises of grace, and sweet communion with God, andattendedwithtextsofScripturestronglyimpressedonthemind—arenosure signs of their being revelations from heaven. I have known suchimpressions fail, in some instances, attended with all thesecircumstances.TheywholeavethesurewordofprophecywhichGodhasgivenusasalightshininginadarkplace—tofollowsuchimpressionsandimpulses, leave the guidance of the polar star, to follow a Jack with alantern. No wonder therefore that sometimes they are led into woefulextravagancies.

Moreover, seeing inspiration is not to be expected, let us not despisehuman learning.Theywhoassert thathuman learning is of little ornouseintheworkoftheministry,donotwellconsiderwhattheysay;iftheydid,theywouldnotsayit.ByhumanlearningImean,andsupposeothersmean, the improvementof commonknowledgebyhuman and outwardmeans.Andthereforetosay,thathumanlearningisofnouse,isasmuch

as to say that the education of a child, or that the common knowledgewhichagrownmanhasmorethanalittlechild,isofnouse.Atthisrate,achildoffouryearsoldisasfitforateacherinthechurchofGod,withthesamedegreeofgrace—andcapableofdoingasmuchtoadvancethekingdomofChrist, by his instruction—as a very knowingman of thirtyyears of age. If adult persons have greater ability and advantage to doservice, because they have more knowledge than a little child, thendoubtlessiftheyhavemorehumanknowledgestill,withthesamedegreeofgrace,theywouldhavestillgreaterabilityandadvantagetodoservice.An increase of knowledge, without doubt, increases aman's advantageeithertodogoodorhurt,accordingasheisdisposed.Itistoomanifesttobe denied, that God made great use of human learning in the apostlePaul,ashealsodidinMosesandSolomon.

Andifknowledge,obtainedbyhumanmeans,isnottobedespised,thenitwill follow that themeansofobtaining itarenot tobeneglected,viz.study;andthatthisisofgreatuseinordertoapreparationforpubliclyinstructing others. And though having the heart full of the powerfulinfluencesoftheSpiritofGod,mayatsometimeenablepersonstospeakprofitably,yea, veryexcellently,without study;yet thiswillnotwarrantus needlessly to cast ourselves down from the pinnacle of the temple,dependinguponitthattheangeloftheLordwillbearusup,andkeepusfromdashingour footagainsta stone,when there isanotherway togodown,thoughitbenotsoquick.AndIwouldpray,thatmethod,inpublicdiscourses, which tends greatly to help both the understanding andmemory,maynotbewhollyneglected.

AnotherthingIwouldbegthedearchildrenofGodmorefullytoconsiderof, is,howfar,anduponwhatgrounds, therulesof theHolyScriptureswilltrulyjustifytheirpassingcensuresuponotherprofessingChristians,ashypocrites,and ignorantof real religion.Weall know that there is ajudgingandcensuringofsomesortorother,thattheScriptureveryoftenand very strictly forbids. I desire that those rules of Scripture may belooked into, and thoroughly weighed; and that it may be consideredwhetherour taking it uponus todiscern the state of other and topasssentenceuponthemaswickedmen,thoughprofessingChristians,andofagoodvisibleconversation—benotreallyforbiddenbyChristintheNew

Testament.If itbe,thendoubtlessthedisciplesofChristoughttoavoidthis practice, however sufficient they may think themselves for it, orhoweverneedful,orofgoodtendency,theymaythinkit. It isplainthatthesortofjudgmentwhichGodclaimsashisprerogative,whateverthatbe, is forbidden. We know that a certain judging of the hearts of thechildrenofmen, isoftenspokenofasthegreatprerogativeofGod,andwhichbelongsonly tohim;as in 1Kingsviii.39. "Forgive,anddo,andgiveuntoeverymanaccordingtohisways,whoseheartthouknowest;forthou,eventhouonly,knowesttheheartsofallthechildrenofmen."Andifweexamine,weshallfindthatthejudgingofheartswhichisspokenofas God's prerogative, relates not only to the aims and dispositions ofmen'sheartsinparticularactions,butchieflytothestateoftheirheartsastheprofessorsofreligion,andwithregardtothatprofession.Thiswillappear verymanifest by lookingover the following scriptures; 1Chron.xxviii.9.Psal.vii.9,10,11.Psal.xxvi.Throughout.Prov.xvi.2.andxvii.3.andxxi.2.Jobii.23,24,25.Rev.ii.22,23.ThatsortofjudgingwhichisGod'sproperbusiness,isforbidden,asRom.xiv.4."Whoartthouthatjudgestanotherman'sservant?Tohisownmasterhestandethorfalleth.""Thereisonelawgiverthat isabletosaveordestroy;whoarethouthatjudgestanother?"2Cor.iv.3,4."Butwithmeitisaverysmallthing,thatI shouldbe judgedof you, or ofman's judgment; yea I judgenotmineownself;buthethatjudgethmeistheLord."

Again,whatsoeverkindofjudgingistheproperworkandbusinessofthedayof judgment, iswhatweareforbidden,asin1Cor. iv.5."Thereforejudgenothingbeforethetime,untiltheLordcome;whobothwillbringto light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest thecounselsoftheheart;andthenshalleverymanhavepraiseofGod."Buttodistinguishhypocrites,thathavetheformofgodlinessandthevisibleconversation of godlymen, from true saints; or, to separate the sheepfromthegoats, is theproperbusinessof thedayof judgment;yea, it isrepresentedasthemainbusinessandendofthatday.Theythereforedogreatlyerrwhotakeituponthempositivelytodeterminewhoaresincere,and who are not-to draw the dividing line between true saints andhypocrites,andtoseparatebetweensheepandgoats,settingtheoneonthe righthandand theotheron the left—and todistinguishandgatheroutthetaresfromamongstthewheat.Manyoftheservantsoftheowner

ofthefieldareveryreadytothinkthemselvessufficientforthis,andareforwardtooffertheirservicetothisend;buttheirLordsays,"May, lestwhile ye gather up the tares, ye root up also thewheatwith them. Letbothgrowtogetheruntiltheharvest;"andinthetimeoftheharvestIwilltake care to see a thorough separationmade; asMatt. xiii. 28, 29, 30.Agreeably to that forementionedprohibitionof the apostle, 1Cor. iv. 5."Judge nothing before the time." In this parable, by the servants whohavethecareofthefruitofthefield,isdoubtlessmeantthesamewiththeservantswhohavethecareofthefruitofthevineyard,Lukexx.Andwhoare elsewhere represented as servants of the Lord of the harvest,appointedaslabourersinhisharvest.Theseweknowareministersofthegospel.Nowisthatparableinthe13thofMatthewfulfilled:"Whilemensleep," (duringa long sleepy,dead time in the church,) "theenemyhassowedtares;"nowisthetime"whenthebladeissprungup,"andreligionisreviving;andnowsomeoftheservantswhohavethecareofthefieldsay,"Letusgoandgatherupthetares."—Iknowthereisagreataptnessin men who suppose they have had some experience of the power ofreligion,tothinkthemselvessufficienttodiscernanddeterminethestateofothers by a little conversationwith them; and experience has taughtmethatthisisanerror.Ioncedidnotimaginethattheheartofmanhadbeensounsearchableasitis.

Iamlesscharitable,and lessuncharitable thanonce Iwas. I findmorethings in wicked men that may counterfeit, and make a fair show of,piety; and more ways that the remaining corruption of the godly maymakethemappearlikecarnalmen,formalists,anddeadhypocrites,thanonceIknewof.ThelongerIlive,thelessIwonderthatGodchallengesitashisprerogativetotrytheheartsofthechildrenofmen,anddirectsthatthisbusinessshouldbeletalonetillharvest.IdesiretoadorethewisdomofGod,andhisgoodnesstomeandmyfellow-creatures,thathehasnotcommittedthisgreatbusiness into thehandsofsuchapoor,weak,anddim-sighted creature—one of so much blindness, pride, partiality,prejudice, and deceitfulness of heart—but has committed it into thehandsofoneinfinitelyfitterforit,andhasmadeithisprerogative.

Thetalkofsomepersons,andtheaccounttheygiveoftheirexperiences,isexceedinglysatisfying,andsuchasforbidsandbanishesthethoughtof

theirbeinganyotherthanthepreciouschildrenofGod.Itobliges,andasitwereforces,fullcharity;butyetwemustallowtheScripturestostandgoodthatspeakofeverythinginthesaint,belongingtothespiritualanddivinelife,ashidden.(Col.iii.3,4..)Theirfoodisthehiddenmanna;theyhavemeat to eat that others know not of; a stranger intermeddles notwith their joys. The heart in which they possess their divinedistinguishing ornaments, is the hidden man, and in the sight of Godonly,1Pet.iii.4.Theirnewname,whichChristhasgiventhem,nomanknowsbuthethatreceivesit,Rev.ii.17.ThepraiseofthetrueIsraelites,whosecircumcisionisthatoftheheart,isnotofmenbutofGod,Rom.ii.29.thatis,theycanbecertainlyknownanddiscernedtobeIsraelites,soastohavethehonourthatbelongstosuch,onlyofGod;asappearsbytheuseofthelikeexpressionbythesameapostle,1Cor.iv.5.Herehespeaksof its beingGod's prerogative to judgewho are upright Christians, andwhathewilldoatthedayofjudgment,adding,"andthenshalleverymanhavepraiseofGod."

TheinstanceofJudasisremarkable;whomthoughhehadbeensomuchamongst the restof thedisciples, allpersonsof true experience, yethisassociatesnever seemed tohaveentertaineda thought ofhis being anyother than a true disciple, till he discovered himself by his scandalouspractice.—And the instanceofAhitophel is also very remarkable;Daviddidnot suspecthim, though sowise andholy aman, so great adivine,andhadsuchagreatacquaintancewithScripture.Heknewmorethanallhis teachers,more than the ancients,was grownold in experience, andwasinthegreatestripenessofhisjudgment.Hewasagreatprophet,andwas intimately acquaintedwithAhitophel, he being his familiar friend,and most intimate companion in religious and spiritual concerns. YetDavidnotonlyneverdiscoveredhim tobeahypocrite,but relieduponhimas a true saint.He relishedhis religiousdiscourse, itwas sweet tohimandhe countedhiman eminent saint; so thathemadehimaboveanyothermanhisguideandcounsellor insoulmatters;butyethewasnot only no saint, but a notoriously wicked man, a murderous, vilewretch. Psal. lv. 11-14. "Wickedness is in themidst thereof; deceit andguile depart not from her streets: for it was not an open enemy thatreproachedme, thenIcouldhaveborne it;neitherwas ithe thathatedme, thatdidmagnifyhimself againstme, then Iwouldhavehidmyself

from him: but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide and mineacquaintance:wetooksweetcounseltogether,andwalkeduntothehouseofGodincompany."

Tosupposethatmenhaveabilityandrightdodeterminethestateofthesouls of visibleChristians, and so tomake an open separationbetweensaintsandhypocrites,thattruesaintsmaybeofonevisiblecompany,andhypocritesofanother,separatedbyapartitionthatmenmake,carriesinit an inconsistency: for it supposes that God has given men power tomake another visible church, within his visible church; for by visibleChristians or visible saints is meant, persons who have a right to bereceivedassuchintheeyeofapubliccharity.Nonecanhavearighttoexclude any one of this visible church but in the way of that regularecclesiasticalproceeding,whichGodhasestablishedinhisvisiblechurch.—IbegofthosewhohaveatruezealforpromotingthisworkofGod,welltoconsider thesethings. Iampersuaded, thatasmanyof themashavemuchtodowithsouls, if theydonothearkentomenow,willbeof thesamemindwhentheyhavehadmoreexperience.

AndanotherthingthatIwouldentreatthezealousfriendsofthisgloriousworkofGodtoavoid,ismanagingthecontroversywithopposerswithtoomuch heat, and appearance of an angry zeal; and particularly insistingvery much in public prayer and preaching, on the persecution ofopposers.Iftheirpersecutionweretentimessogreatasitis,methinksitwouldnotbebesttosaysomuchaboutit.IfitbecomesChristianstobelike lambs,notapt tocomplainandcrywhen theyarehurt; itbecomesthemtobedumbandnottoopentheirmouth,aftertheexampleofourdearRedeemer; and not to be like swine, that are apt to scream aloudwhen they are touched.We shouldnot be readypresently to think andspeakoftirefromheaven,whentheSamaritansopposeus,andwillnotreceive us into their villages. God's zealousministers would do well tothinkofthedirectiontheapostlePaulgavetoazealousminister,2Tim.ii.24-26."AndtheservantoftheLordmustnotstrive,butbegentleuntoallmen,apttoteach,patient,inmeeknessinstructingthosethatopposethemselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance, to theacknowledgingofthetruth;andthattheymayrecoverthemselvesoutofthesnareofthedevil,whoaretakencaptivebyhimathiswill."

IwouldhumblyrecommendtothosethatlovetheLordJesusChrist,andwouldadvancehiskingdom,agoodattendance to thatexcellent ruleofprudence which Christ has left us,Matt. ix. 16, 17. "Noman putteth apieceofnewclothintoanoldgarment;forthatwhichisputintofillitup,takethfromthegarment,andtherentismadeworse.Neitherdomenputnewwine into old bottles; else the bottles break and thewine runnethout,andthebottlesperish.Buttheyputnewwineintonewbottles,andbotharepreserved."Iamafraidthewineisnowrunningoutinsomepartof this land, forwant of attending to this rule.For though I believewehaveconfinedourselvestoomuchtoacertainstatedmethodandforminthe management of our religious affairs; which has had a tendency tocauseallourreligiontodegenerateintomereformality;yetwhateverhasthe appearance of a great innovation—that tends much to shock andsurprisepeople'sminds,andtoset thematalkinganddisputing—tendsgreatly to hinder the progress of the power of religion. It raises theoppositionofsome,divertsthemindofothers,andperplexesmanywithdoubtsandscruples.Itcausespeopletoswervefromtheirgreatbusiness,andturnasidetovainjangling.Thereforethatwhichisverymuchbesidethe common practice, unless it be a thing in its own nature ofconsiderable importance,hadbetterbe avoided.Hereinwe shall followthe example of one who had the greatest success in propagating thepowerofreligion.1Cor.ix.20-23."UntotheJewsIbecameasaJew,thatImightgaintheJews;tothemthatareunderthelaw,asunderthelaw,thatImightgainthemthatareunderthe law;tothemthatarewithoutlaw,aswithoutlaw,(beingnotwithoutlawtoGod,butundertoChrist,)that Imight gain them that arewithout law. To theweak became I asweak,thatImightgaintheweak.Iammadeallthingstoallmen,thatImightbyallmeanssavesome.AndthisIdoforthegospel'ssake,thatImightbepartakerthereofwithyou."