I have insisted the longer upon this testimony, because the whole of what we assert in general, in the nature, causes, and effects of it,
142 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VL, PART II.
is fully declared therein. And this was the way whereby they of old came to understand divine revelations, or the mind of God as re- vealed in the Scripture. If others, who seem to scorn all mention of the teaching of the Holy Ghost, have found out a course more expedite unto the same end, it is what I understand not nor do desire to participate in.
CHAPTER III.
Other testimonies pleaded in confirmation of the same truth — John xvi. 13 opened — How far all true believers are infallibly led into all truth declared, and the manner how they are so — 1 John ii. 20, 27, explained — What assurance of the truth they have who are taught of God — Eph. iv. 14; Job xxxvi. 22, John vi. 45 — Practical truths inferred from the assertion proved.
There are yet other testimonies which may be pleaded unto the same purpose ; for unto this end is the Holy Ghost promised unto all believers: John xvi. 13, "When the Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide you into all truth."
The Holy Spirit is called " The Spirit of truth" principally on the same account as God absolutely is called " The God of truth ;" he is so essentially. He is the first, absolute, divine, eternal verity. So he is originally called " The Holy Spirit" on the account of his essential holiness. But it is not on that account solely that he is here called " The Spirit of truth." He is so as he is the revealer of all divine, supernatural truth unto the church, as he is also called " The Holy Spirit," as he is author of all holiness in others ; therefore is he here promised unto the church, as it is his work to lead us into all truth.
And two things are considerable in this promise: — 1. What is in- tended by all truth; 2. How the Holy Spirit guides or leads us into it: —
1. With respect unto the object, — (1.) It is not all truth absolutely that is intended. There is truth in things natural and civil, and stories of things that are past ; nothing of this nature is comprised in this promise. We see believers of all sorts as ignorant of, as unacquainted with, many of these things as any other sort of men whatever ; yet doth not one word of the promise of Christ fall unto the ground. Wherefore, all that truth, or all truth of that nature, whereof our Saviour there speaketh is alone intended. The mysteries of the gospel, of the kingdom of heaven, the counsel of God about the sal- vation of the church by Christ, and concerning their faith and obe- dience, are the truth which he is promised to guide us into. This the apostle calleth " All the counsel of God," Acts xx. 27, — namely, which respects all the ends of our faith and obedience, verse 21.
(2.) It admits of a limitation with respect unto the diversity of
CHAP. III.] SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION PROVED FROM SCRIPTURE. 143
subjects, or the persons unto whom this truth is to be communicated. They are not all of them, as to the degrees of light and knowledge, equally to be led into all truth. Every one unto whom he is thus promised shall be so far led into the knowledge of it as is necessary unto his own estate and condition, his duty and his work ; for " unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ/' Eph. iv. 7. It is Christ alone who, in the free gift of all grace, assigns the measures wherein every one shall be made par- taker of it. In his sovereign will he hath allotted the measures of grace, light, and knowledge unto all the members of the church ; and there is no less difference in these measures than in the know- ledge of the most glorious apostle and that of the meanest believer in the world. The duty, work, and obedience of every one, is the rule of the measure of his receiving these gifts of Christ. None shall want any thing that is necessary unto him ; none shall receive any thing that he is not to use and improve in a way of duty.
2. Our second inquiry is, how the Spirit doth thus lead us into all truth. The external revelation of truth is herein supposed. This he is promised to instruct us in the knowledge of in a spiritual man- ner; whereby I understand no more but so as it is required of us in a way of duty. To clear the truth hereof some things must be ob- served; as, —
(1.) The promises concerning the mission of the Holy Spirit in these chapters of the Gospel [by John], xiv. xv. xvi., are not to be con- fined unto the apostles, nor unto the first age or ages of the church. To do so is expressly contradictory unto the discourse and whole design of our Lord Jesus Christ unto that purpose; for he promiseth him in opposition unto his own temporary abode in the world, namely, that this of the Spirit should be for ever, chap, xiv 1 6, — that is, sag ttiz ffvvre'ksitt.g rot/ aiuvog, Matt, xxviii. 20, unto the consumma- tion of the whole state of the church here below. And to suppose the contrary is to overthrow the foundation of all truth and comfort in the church : for their preservation in the one, and the administra- tion of the other unto them, depend on the accomplishment of this promise alone; and so also do all the benefits of the intercession of Christ, which are no otherwise communicated unto us but by the Holy Spirit, as given in pursuit of this promise ; for what herein he prayed for his apostles, he prayed for all them that should believe in him through their word unto the end of the world, John xvii. 20.