The Spirit here spoken of, according to his Lordship, was the Spirit acting in the _inspired person_, who in the apostolical age, says his Lordship, page 24th, “had the gift of prayer, and interceded for the whole congregation; so that what is here said of the Spirit, is ♦by an easy figure transferred to the spiritual or inspired person, who prayed in that capacity, for the whole christian assembly. It is he that maketh intercession with GOD for private christians, with vehement and inexpressible groanings or sighs.” But however easy it may be to find out a figure to transfer what is here said of the Spirit, to the spiritual or inspired person, yet how will it be easy to find a figure to interpret this of the spiritual or inspired person at all? For has it not already been shewn, that this whole chapter is no where speaking of any such spiritual inspired person, but of the Spirit of GOD dwelling in all believers?
♦ “hy” replaced with “by”
His Lordship goes on, page ibid. to comment upon the 27th verse: “And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the spirit, (_i. e._ of the spiritual or inspired person) because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of GOD.” That is, says his Lordship, “GOD knows the intentions of the spiritual person, and judges of the vehemence of his desires in prayer for the whole assembly, for whom he makes intercession, with regard to the immediate subject of affliction; literally indeed, _according to_ GOD (_kata Theon_) or relatively to him, but by construction, conformably to the will of GOD; namely, that in a most fervent manner, the person that has the inspired gift of prayer, which he uses for the benefit of the whole assembly, he, I say, leaves it entirely to GOD, whether it be best that christians should suffer afflictions for the gospel, or be delivered from them. And such an intention of his prayer cannot but be highly acceptable to GOD, who searches his heart, and approves of such an act of profound resignation to his will.”
Thus far his Lordship. But where is there through the whole chapter any mention made of an _assembly_, or of any _spiritual inspired person_ praying in its behalf? Does it not require a very profound understanding to search it out? Is it not more agreeable to the whole scope of the apostle in this chapter, to believe, that this spirit here mentioned as helping infirmities, or distresses, and assisting in prayer, is the common privilege of all believers? Is he not said to make intercession for the saints in general? And does not his Lordship, page 22d, in effect own this? For what says his Lordship? “Now on this occasion, he, the apostle, adds another proof of the truth of christianity, and that christians are the adopted sons of GOD, and more especially with regard to their sufferings at that time, for the sake of their religion, says he, verse 26th. Likewise the Spirit also, (or rather _even, kai_) helpeth our infirmities (or our distresses, for the word _Astheneiais_ signifies both.) And then he mentions in what instances he does so, viz. in prayers to GOD about bearing afflictions, or being delivered from them; and which of these two is most profitable for us, the Spirit knows better than we ourselves, and therefore instructs christians how to pray with regard to their sufferings. We know not, says he, what we should pray for as we ought; that is, whether it be best for us to bear afflictions, or to be delivered from them according to our natural inclinations.” And after writing thus, how inconsistent is it in his Lordship to say, that this is done by the Spirit acting in the inspired person only, who made intercession for the whole assembly? Is not the quite contrary, I could almost say, self-evident? And how then can those who, from this passage of the 8th of the _Romans_, humbly claim the gift and grace of prayer now, as well as formerly, for so doing, be justly termed modern enthusiasts.
May we not further enquire, whether his Lordship’s interpretation of the 4th and 5th verses of the 2d chapter of the first epistle to the _Corinthians_ be sound and consistent? The words are these, page 27th. “And my speech and my preaching were not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of GOD,” As to the former part of these words, “My speech and my preaching were not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom,” his Lordship seems to agree with the interpretation put upon them by those whom he is pleased to term enthusiasts; but the latter, “The demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” his Lordship, in pages 29th, 30th, 31st, and 32d, would fain shew, means no more, than that the Apostle proved JESUS to be the Messiah by proofs out of the prophecies of the Old Testament, and evinced the truth of christianity by performing miracles.