*How unreasonable is it, to call perpetual inspiration fanaticism, and enthusiasm, when there cannot be the least degree of goodness or happiness in any intelligent being, but what is in its whole nature, merely and truly the breathing, the life, and the operation of God in the life of the creature? For if goodness can only be in God, if it cannot exist separate from him, if he can only bless and sanctify by himself becoming the blessing and sanctification of the creature, then it is the highest degree of blindness to look for any goodness, and happiness from any thing but the immediate indwelling, union and operation of the Deity in the creature. Perpetual inspiration, therefore, is in the nature of the thing as necessary to a life of goodness, holiness, and happiness, as the perpetual respiration of the air is necessary to animal life.
*For the life of the creature, whilst possessing nothing but itself, is hell; that is, it is all _pain_ and want and _distress_. Now nothing can help it to be in _light_ and _love_, in _peace_ and _goodness_, but the union of God with it, and the life of God working in it, because nothing but God is light, and love, and heavenly goodness. And, therefore, where the life of God is not become the life and goodness of the creature, it cannot have the least degree of goodness in it.
What a mistake is it, therefore, to confine inspiration to particular times and occasions, to prophets and apostles, and extraordinary messengers of God! and to call it _enthusiasm_, when the common Christian looks, and trusts to be _continually led_ and _inspired_ by the Spirit of God! For tho’ all are not called to be prophets, or apostles, yet all are called to be _holy_, as he who has called them is _holy, to be perfect as their heavenly Father is perfect, to be like minded with Christ_, to will only as God wills, to do all to his honour and glory, to renounce the spirit of this world, to have their conversation in heaven, to set their affections on things above, to love God, with all their heart, soul, and spirit, and their neighbour as themselves.
Behold a work as great, as divine and supernatural, as that of a prophet and an apostle. But to suppose that we ought, and may always be in this spirit of holiness, and yet are not, and ought not to be always moved and led by the Spirit of God, within us, is to suppose, that there is a holiness and goodness which comes not from God; which is no better than supposing, that there may be true prophets and apostles who have not their truth from God.
Now the holiness of the common Christian is not an occasional thing, that begins and ends, or is only for such a time, or place, or action, but is the holiness of that, which is always alive, and stirring in us, namely, of our thoughts, wills, and affections. If therefore these are always alive in us, always governing our lives, then a perpetual operation of the Spirit of God within us, is absolutely necessary. For we cannot be inwardly led and governed by a spirit of goodness, but by being governed by the Spirit of God himself.
If our thoughts, wills, and affections, need only be now and then holy and good, then, indeed, the Spirit of God need only now and then govern us. But if our thoughts and affections are to be always holy, then the holy Spirit of God is to be always operating within us.
The scripture saith, _We are not sufficient of ourselves to think a good thought_. If so, then we cannot be chargeable with not thinking, and willing that which is good, but upon this _supposition_, that there is always a _supernatural_ power ready, and able to help us to the good, which we cannot have from ourselves.
How firmly our established church adheres to this doctrine of the necessity of the _perpetual operation_ of the Holy Spirit, as the one only source of any degree of divine light, wisdom, virtue, and goodness in the soul of man; how earnestly she requires all her members to live in the most open profession of it, and in the highest conformity to it, may be seen by many such prayers as these in her ordinary, public service.