3. Are you not convinced, Sir, that you have laid to my charge things which I know not? I do not gravely tell you (as much an _enthusiast_ as you over and over affirm me to be) “That I _sensibly feel_ (in _your_ sense) the motions of the Holy Spirit.” Much less do I “make this, any more than convulsions, agonies, howlings, roarings, and violent contorsions of the body,” either “Certain signs of mens being in a state of salvation,” or “necessary in order thereunto.” You might with equal justice and truth inform the world, and the worshipful the magistrates of _Newcastle_, that I make _seeing the wind_, or _feeling_ the light, necessary to salvation.
Neither do I “confound the _extraordinary_ with the _ordinary_ operations of the Spirit.” And as to your last enquiry, “What is the best proof of our being led by the Spirit?” I have no exception to that just and scriptural answer, which you yourself have given, “A thorough change and renovation of mind and heart, and the leading a new and holy life.”
4. “That I confound the _extraordinary_ with the _ordinary_ operations of the Spirit, and therefore am an _enthusiast_,” is also strongly urged, in a charge delivered to his clergy, and lately published by the Lord Bishop of _Litchfield_ and _Coventry_.
An extract of the former part of this, I subjoin, in his Lordship’s words.
“I cannot think it improper to obviate the contagion, of those _enthusiastical_ pretensions, that have lately betrayed whole multitudes, either into presumption or melancholy. _Enthusiasm_ indeed when detected, is apt to create infidelity; and infidelity is so shocking a thing, that many rather run into the other extreme, and take refuge in _enthusiasm_. But infidelity and _enthusiasm_ seem now to act in concert against our established religion. As infidelity has been sufficiently opposed, I shall now lay before you the weakness of those _enthusiastical_ pretensions.” page 1, 2.
Now to confute effectually, and strike at the root of those _enthusiastical_ pretensions,
“First, I shall shew, that it is necessary to lay down some method for distinguishing real from pretended inspiration.” page 3, 5.
“Many expressions occur in the _new Testament_, concerning the operations of the holy Spirit. But men of an _enthusiastical_ temper, have confounded passages of a quite different nature, and have jumbled together those that relate to the _extraordinary_ operations of the Spirit, with those that relate only to his _ordinary_ influences. It is therefore necessary to use some method for separating those passages, relating to the operations of the Spirit, that have been so misapplied to the service of _enthusiastical_ pretenders.” Page 5, 6, 7.
“I proceed therefore to shew,
“Secondly, That a distinction is to be made between those passages of scripture about the blessed Spirit that peculiarly belong to the primitive church, and those that relate to Christians in all ages.” Page 7.
“The exigencies of the apostolical age required the _miraculous_ gifts of the Spirit. But these soon ceased. When therefore we meet in the scripture with an account of those _extraordinary_ gifts, and likewise with an account of his _ordinary_ operations, we must distinguish the one from the other. And that not only for our own satisfaction, but as a means to stop the growth of _enthusiasm_.” Page 8, 9, 10.
“And such a distinction ought to be made, by the best methods of interpreting the scriptures: which most certainly are an attentive consideration of the occasion and scope of those passages, in concurrence with the general sense of the primitive church.” page 11.
“I propose, Thirdly, to specify some of the chief passages of scripture, that are misapplied by modern _Enthusiasts_, and to shew that they are to be interpreted _chiefly, if not only_, of the apostolical church; and that they very little, if at all relate, to the present state of Christians.” page 12.
“I begin, says your Lordship, with the original promise of the Spirit, as made by our Lord a little before he left the world.”
I must take the liberty to stop your Lordship on the threshold. I deny this original promise of the Spirit. I expect his assistance, in virtue of many promises, some hundred years prior to this.
If you say, “However this is _the original_ or first _promise of the Spirit_, in the new Testament.” No, my Lord; those words were spoken long before: _he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire_.