all our faculties and powers subjected to bis controul. By him our understandings may be enlightened; so that we shall view every thing, in a measure, as God himself views it. By him, too, our will may be regulated ; so that it shall be conformed to the mind and will of God. By him, also, our affections may be so inflamed, that the whole soul, as it were, shall be melted, and cast into the very mould of the Gospel.
In relation to this matter we need fear no excess. In the use of strong drink we may easily exceed ; and excess will lead to the most pernicious consequences. By intoxication, we may be unfitted for the common offices of life ; yea, and be pre- cipitated into the commission of the foulest sins. But the more we have of the Holy Spirit, the more will sobriety and self-government characterize our whole conduct. We need, indeed, to guard against delusions respecting this matter : for there are many in the world who speak of dreams, and visions, and internal suggestions, and numberless other con- ceits, whereby they deceive both themselves and others. But on these no confidence whatever can be placed : they are, for the most part, the fruits of a heated imagination, and are as likely to come from Satan as from God. I do not mean to say that God may not reveal himself to persons in these ways; for what he has done in times past, he may do again : but I say, that whatever is not founded upon the word of God, and leads not to a holy and consistent life, is a mere delusion. Whatever betrays men into extravagances of any kind, is not of God : for " the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets0," and it becomes you to be on your guard against every thing which, in the mode of its access to your mind, is suspicious, or in its operation upon your mind is disorderly. I say again, therefore, that against delusion you must guard: but from excess in what is really from God, you are in no clanger: for the more you are filled with the Spirit of Christ, the more you will resemble Christ in the whole of his character and deportment.]
Suited to this exalted privilege of believers, will be,
II. Their delightful employment —
Here you see how they are to act,
1. In their intercourse with each other —
[In the parallel passage in the Epistle to the Colossians, the Apostle's meaning is somewhat more clearly expressed : " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom ; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the
0 1 Cor. xiv. 32.