Part 110

Page 8, you go on thus: “To mention but one instance more, though we are not of such letter-learned as deny, that there is such an union of believers to CHRIST, whereby they are one in him, as the Father and he are one, as the Evangelist speaks, or rather the Spirit of GOD by him; yet so letter-learned we are, as to say, that the passage in Mr. _W――――d_’s sermon of the _indwelling of the Spirit_, page 311. contains the true spirit of enthusiasm, where he says, ‘To talk of any having the Spirit of GOD without _feeling_ of it, is really to deny the thing.’ Upon which we say, that the believer may have a satisfaction, that he hath the assistance of the Spirit of GOD with him in so continual and regular a manner, that he may be said to dwell in him, and yet have _no feeling_ of it.” But, Gentlemen, is not this in effect to deny the indwelling of the Spirit? For how is it possible that the believer can have a satisfaction, that he hath the assistance of the Spirit of GOD with him in so continued and regular a manner, that he may be said to dwell in him, and yet the believer have no feeling of it? For my part I cannot comprehend it. I could as soon believe the doctrine of _transubstantiation_, and therefore cannot retract what you are pleased to say contains the true spirit of enthusiasm, “To talk of any having the Spirit of GOD without feeling it, is really to deny the thing.” The reason you give why the Spirit of GOD may dwell in a believer, and yet the believer himself have no feeling of it; in my apprehension carries no proof and conviction with it at all. I think you reason thus, page ib. “The metaphor is much too gross to express (however full) this satisfaction of the mind, and has led some to take the expression literally, and hath (we fear) given great satisfaction to many an enthusiast among us since the year 1740, from the swelling of their breasts and stomachs in their religious agitations, which they have thought to be _feeling the Spirit_, in its operations on them.” Who these enthusiasts, and what these religious agitations are which you are pleased to mention, I cannot tell: neither do I know by whom this metaphor of feeling the Spirit, has been misunderstood, or taken in too gross a sense. But such a way of speaking and writing is very common amongst the most eminent divines, as well as in the articles of the Church of _England_. In her 17th article she speaks thus: “As the godly consideration of predestination and our election in CHRIST is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as _feel in themselves_ the working of the Spirit of CHRIST, &c.” Mr. _Guthrie_, in his _Trial of a saving Interest in CHRIST_, page 109. and which used to be Dr. _Owen_’s _Vade mecum_, hath this remarkable paragraph: “I speak with the experience of many saints, and I hope according to scripture, if I say there is a communication of the Spirit of GOD which is let out to some of his people sometimes, that is somewhat beside, if not beyond, that witnessing of a sonship spoken of before. It is a glorious manifestation of GOD unto the soul, shedding abroad GOD’s love in the heart. It is a thing better _felt_ than spoken of: it is no audible voice, but it is a flash of glory filling the soul with GOD, as he is life, light, love, and liberty, countervailing that audible voice, ‘O man greatly beloved,’ _Daniel_ x. 19. putting a man in a transport with this on his heart, ‘It is good to be here,’ as _Matthew_ xvii. 5. It is that which went out from CHRIST to _Mary_, when he but mentioned her name, _John_ xx. 16. ‘JESUS saith unto her, _Mary_: she turneth herself and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master.’ He had spoken some words to her before, and she understood not that it was he; but when he uttereth this one word, _Mary_, there was some admirable divine conveyance and manifestation made out unto her heart, by which she was so satisfyingly filled, that there was no place for arguing and disputing whether or no that was CHRIST, and if she had any interest in him. That manifestation made faith to itself; and did purchase credit and trust to itself, and was equivalent with, ‘Thus saith the LORD.’ This is such a glance of glory, that it may in the highest sense be called the earnest, or first fruits of the inheritance, _Ephesians_ i. 14. for it is a felt arm-full of the holy GOD.” Worthy Mr. _Baxter_, in his _Gildas ♦Salvianus_, page 40. speaking of the danger of ministers preaching an unknown and unfelt CHRIST, writes thus: “O Sirs, all your preaching and persuading of others, will be but dreaming and trifling hypocrisy, till the work be thoroughly done upon yourselves. How can you set yourselves day and night to a work, that your carnal hearts are averse from? How can you call out with serious fervour upon poor sinners, with importunate solicitations, to take heed of sin, and to set themselves to a holy life, that never felt yourselves the evil of sin, or the worth of holiness? I tell you, these things are never well known till they are _felt_, nor well felt till _possessed_: and he that feeleth them not himself, is not so like to speak feelingly to others, nor to help others to the feeling of them.” Thus wrote Mr. _Guthrie_ and Mr. _Baxter_: and even the Reverend President himself, in his sermon before the convention, _May 28, 1741_, page 34. hath these words; “Not but that the saints may _feel_ this very sensibly, and it is a joy unspeakable and full of glory.”