things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father : neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal himc."
How far this is true or false, it is in the power of every man to ascertain, by his own experience. Let it be tried. Of the leading truths of the Gospel we may suppose the generality of persons to be convinced : they know, that they are sinners ; that they need a Saviour ; that a Saviour has been provided for them ; that a promise of salvation is given to all who will believe in him ; and that on those who reject his overtures of mercy the guilt of all their sins must rest for ever. Now then let any man sit down to consider these truths : let him call in the aid of all the most competent instructors he can find : and let him see whether he can, by any efforts of his own, bring himself to a spiritual perception of those truths, that is, to such a view of them as shall produce a suitable impression on his mind, and a corresponding effect upon his heart and life. Let him labour as long as he shall see fit : and, after the fullest possible trial, let him declare, whether he has been able to produce in his soul the feelings which were excited in the bosoms of the three thousand on the day of Pentecost ; and in his whole spirit and temper the same permanent change. If one single person in the universe be found that can effect this, then we are content to acknowledge, that our assertions on this subject are erroneous, and that man does not need the teachings of God's Spirit in order to a spiritual perception of divine truth. But if no such instance ever was, or can be, found, then may we be assured, that " flesh and blood cannot reveal these things " to our souls, and that we can know them only by the teaching of God himself d.]
This however is promised to us in the Gospel —
[The Spirit of God has undertaken to impart it to our souls. His particular office in the economy of Redemption is, " to testify of Christ e," and " to glorify Christ by taking of the things that are his, and shewing them unto usf." And in the execution of this office he " convinces the soul of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment5 ;" and so convinces of these things as to produce in the soul all the diversified sensations which they are suited to create.
If it be asked, What evidence does any one give, whereby it may be ascertained, whether this promised influence be a reality or a delusion? I answer, This also may be brought to a visible test, by which the whole world may judge of it.
c Matt. xi. 27. d Matt. xvi. 17. e John xv. 26.
f John xvi. 14. £ John xvi. 7 — 11.