“If those words, _He shall teach you all things_, relate only to a _miraculous_ gift of the Holy Ghost, then these words, _The same anointing teacheth you of all things_, relate to the _miraculous_ gift:
“But those words relate only to a _miraculous_ gift:
“Therefore these relate to the same.”
I conceive, it will not be very easy to make good the consequence in the first proposition. But I deny the minor also: the contradictory whereto, I trust, has appeared to be true.
I grant indeed, that these words were more _eminently_ fulfilled, in the age of the apostles. But this is altogether consistent with their belonging _in a lower sense_, to all Christians in all ages: Seeing they have all need of _an unction from the Holy One_, a supernatural assistance from the Holy Ghost, that they may know in the due use of all proper means, _all things_ needful for their souls health. Therefore it is no _enthusiasm_, to teach that _the unction from the Holy One_, belongs to all Christians in all ages.
15. There is one topic of your lordship’s yet untouched; that is authority: One you have very frequently made use of, and wherein, probably, the generality of readers suppose your lordship’s great strength lies. And indeed when your lordship first mentioned, (page 11.) “The general sense of the primitive church,” I presumed you would have produced so numerous authorities, that I should not easily be able to consult them all. But I soon found my mistake; your lordship naming only _Chrysostom_, _Jerome_, _Origen_, and _Athanasius_.
However, though these four can no more be termed the primitive church, than the church universal, yet I consent to abide by their suffrage. Nay, I will go a step farther still. If any two of these affirm, that those seven texts belong _only to the apostolical age_, and _not to the Christians of succeeding times_, I will give up the whole cause.
But let it be observed: If they should affirm, that these _primarily_ belong to the _♦Christians of the apostolical_ age, that does not prove the point, because they may in a secondary sense belong to _others_ notwithstanding: Nor does any of them speak home to the question, unless he maintain in express terms, that these texts refer _only_ to the _miraculous_ gifts of the Spirit, and _not at all_ to the state of _ordinary_ Christians.
♦ “Christans” replaced with “Christians”
16. Concerning those three texts, _John xiv. verse 16._ and the 26. and _John xvi. verse 13._ “I could easily add (says your lordship,¹) the authorities of _Chrysostom_ and the other antient commentators.” St. _Chrysostom_’s authority I will consider now, and that of the others, when they are produced.
¹ Page 15.
It is granted, that he interprets not only _John xvi. 13._ but also both the passages in the 14th chapter, as primarily belonging to the apostles. Yet part of his comment on the 26th verse, is as follows.
“Such is that grace (of _the Comforter_) that if it finds sadness it takes it away; if evil desire, it consumes it. It casts out fear, and suffers him that receives it to be a man no longer, but translates him, as it were, into heaven. Hence _none of them counted any thing his own_, but _continued in prayer, with gladness and singleness of heart_. For this _chiefly_ is there need of the Holy Ghost. For the fruit of the Spirit is joy, peace, faith, meekness. Indeed spiritual men often grieve; but that grief is sweeter than joy. For whatever is of the Spirit, is the greatest gain, as whatever is of the world, is the greatest loss. Let us therefore in keeping the commandments” (according to our Lord’s exhortation, verse 15.) “secure the unconquerable assistance of the Spirit, and we shall be nothing inferior to angels.”
St. _Chrysostom_ here, after he had shewn, that the promise of the Comforter primarily belonged to the apostles: And who ever questioned it? undeniably teaches, That in a secondary sense, it belongs to all Christians: To all _spiritual men_, all who _keep the commandments_. I appeal therefore to all mankind, whether his authority, touching the promise of our Lord in those texts, does not overthrow the proposition it was cited to prove?
Although your lordship names no other author here, yet page 42. you say, “The assigned sense of these passages was confirmed by the authority of _Origen_.” It is needful therefore to add, what occurs in his works, with regard to the present question.
He occasionally mentions this promise of our Lord, in four several places. But it is in one only that he speaks pertinently to the point in hand, (Volume II. page 403. Edition Benedictine.) where his words are these:
_When the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth, and he will teach you all things._ “The sum of all good things consists in this, that a man be found worthy to receive the grace of the Holy Ghost. Otherwise, nothing will be accounted perfect in him, who hath not the Holy Spirit.”