But if this is not thought that fullness of regard, that is due to the holy messengers of God; if any one will still be so learnedly wise, as to affirm, that though _Paul_’s preaching in his epistles, whilst he was alive, was indeed only bare planting and watering, but the same epistles being published after his death, got another nature, became full of divine and living power; such a one hath no right to laugh (as the Doctor doth) at the silly _Mahometan_, who believes the Alcoran to be _uncreated_. For wherever there is _divine efficacy_, there must be an _uncreated_ power. And if, as the Doctor saith, the scriptures of the New Testament are the _only constant abode_, and _supreme illumination_ of the Spirit of God with us, all that is said of the _eternal_ Spirit of God, of the _uncreated light_, ought to be said of them; that they are the WORD that was God, was with God, and are our true Immanuel, or God with us.
I shall now only add this friendly hint to the Doctor, that he has a remedy at hand in his own _sermon_, how he may be delivered from thus grossly mistaking the spirit of the gospel, as well as the law of _Moses_. “St. _Paul_ (saith the Doctor) had a quick and lively imagination, and an extensive and intimate acquaintance with those masters in moral painting, the classic writers; (N. B.) all which he proudly sacrificed to the glory of the everlasting gospel.”¹
¹ Sermon, Volume I. page 229.
Now if the Doctor did that (though it was only from _humility_) which he says the apostle did _proudly_, such humility might be as great a good to him, as that pride was to the apostle. And if the everlasting gospel is now as glorious a thing as it was in St. _Paul_’s days; if the highest classic knowledge is fit for nothing but to be _all sacrificed to the glory of the gospel_; how wonderful is it that this should never come into his head, from the beginning to the end of his three long legation-volumes, or that he should come piping hot with fresh and fresh beauties found out by himself in a _Shakespeare_, a _Pope_, &c. to preach from the pulpit, the divine wisdom of a _Paul_, in renouncing all his great classical attainments, as mere loss and dung, that by so doing, he might _win Christ_, and _be found in him_!
Let the Doctor figure to himself the gaudy pageantry of a high mass in a _Romish_ cathedral; let him wonder at that flagrant, daring contrariety, that it hath to the first gospel church of Christ. Would he not still be fuller of wonder, if he should hear the pope declaring, that all this Heathenish shew of invented fopperies, was his _projected defence_ of that first church of Christ? But if the Doctor would see a Protestant wonder, full as great, he need only look at his own theatrical parading show of Heathen mysteries, and Heathenish learning, set forth in the highest pomp. To what end? Why to bring forth what he calls, (as the pope above) his _projected defence of Christianity_.
I come now to the quotation from the pastoral letter of Mr. _Stinstra_. “A judicious writer, (says the dissertation) observes, that _sound_ understanding, and reason, are _that on_ which, and by which, God _principally_ operates, (N. B.) when he finds it proper to assist (N. B.) our _weakness_ by his Spirit.”¹
¹ Dissertation, page 73.
I cannot more illustrate the sense, or extol the judgment, both of the _author_ and _quoter_ of this striking passage, than by the following words.
A judicious naturalist observes, that _sound_ and _strong_ lungs, are that, _on_ which, and _by_ which, the air or spirit of this world _principally_ operates, when (N. B.) he finds it proper to assist, (N. B.) the _weakness_ of our lungs, by his breathing into them.” Now if any man should find his heart edified, his understanding enlightened, by the above passage on _divine inspiration_, he will be pleased at my assuring him, that the pastoral letter of Mr. _Stinstra_, and the dissertation on enthusiasm, by Dr. _Green_, are from the beginning to the end, full as good in every respect, as that is.
These two instances are proof enough, that as soon as any man trusts to natural abilities, skill in languages, and common-place learning, as the true means of entering into the kingdom of God, a kingdom of God, which is nothing but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; he gives himself up to _certain delusion_, and can escape no _error_ that is popular, or that suits his state and situation in the learned, religious world. He has sold his birthright in the gospel-state of _divine_ illumination, to make a figure and noise, with the sounding brass and tinkling cimbals of the natural man.