This writer tells us, “It is against common-sense to talk of the feeling of the Spirit of GOD.” Common-sense, my brethren, was never allowed to be a judge; yea, it is above its comprehension, neither are, nor can the ways of GOD be known by common-sense. We should never have known the things of GOD at all by our common senses: no; it is the revelation of GOD which is to be our judge; it is that we appeal to, and not to our weak and shallow conceptions of things. Thus we may see, it is by no means to be righteous over-much, to affirm we must have the Spirit of GOD as the Apostles had. Nor,
_Secondly_, Is it to be righteous over-much to frequent religious assemblies.
The preacher, upon this text, aims at putting aside all the religious societies that are in the kingdom: Indeed, he says, “You may go to church as often as opportunity serves, and on _Sundays_; say your prayers, read the word of GOD; and, in his opinion, every thing else had better be let alone: and as for the Spirit of GOD upon your souls, you are to look upon it as useless and unnecessary.” If this, my brethren, is the doctrine we have now preached, christianity is at a low ebb indeed: but GOD forbid you should thus learn JESUS CHRIST. Do you not forbear the frequenting of religious assemblies; for as nothing helps to build up the devil’s kingdom more than the societies of wicked men, nothing would be more for pulling of it down, than the people of GOD meeting to strengthen each others hands; and as the devil has so many friends, will none of you be friends to the blessed JESUS? Yes, I hope many of you will be of the LORD’s side, and build each other up in christian love and fellowship. This is what the primitive christians delighted in; and shall not we follow so excellent an example? My brethren, till christian conversation is more agreeable to us, we cannot expect to see the gospel of CHRIST run and be glorified. Thus it is by no means to be righteous over-much, to frequent religious assemblies. Nor,
_Thirdly_, Is it to be righteous over-much, to abstain from the diversions and entertainments of the age.