fall, even whilst we think that we are taught by the Holy Ghost. From damning error and apostasy he will keep his people ; but not from all error : for then there would be no room left for diversity of opinion in the Church of God. But we shall never " see eye to eye" in this life. There will still be room left for difference of sentiment, in matters of minor importance : and mutual forbearance in relation to them will be necessary, even to the end. In things essential, there should be unity ; in things non-essential, liberty ; and in every thing there should be charity.]
Address —
1. Those who doubt the doctrine of our text —
[To speak of a divine unction, as given to us to secure us from error, and to bring us to salvation, appears, to many, to be a wild and enthusiastic conceit. They believe that the Holy Ghost was given formerly to the Church for the working of miracles ; but they will not believe that he is continued to the Church, for the purpose of guiding, and comforting, and sanctifying the soul. But to any one who doubts his need of the Holy Spirit, I would say, What did our blessed Lord mean, when, in counselling the Laodicean Church, he said, "Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see"?" I do not conceive it possible to explain away that passage ; or for any one, who believes the Scripture, to doubt but that there is an unction of the Holy One, which we all need, in order to the attainment of a spiritual discernment. It is the office of the Holy Spirit to " glorify Christ, by taking of the things that are Christ's, and shewing them unto us0." Let not prejudice, then, keep any from seeking this inestimable benefit ; but let all entreat of God to send down upon them " a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ";" and so to " guide them into all truth*1," that they may " be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation."]
2. To those who profess to be living in the expe- rience of it —
[Have any of you been thus anointed, and thus pre- served? Then give God the glory of it; and say with the Apostle, " He who hath established us in Christ, and hath anointed us, (you observe the union of the two, as in the text,) is Godr." But remember, that the world can only judge of your professions by your practice. You profess, that " by the unction of the Holy One you know all things :" let it be seen, then, that by the unction of the Holy One you
n Rev. iii. 18. ° John xvi. 14. P Eph. i. 17, 18.
i John xiv. 26. and xvi. 13. r 2 Cor i. 21. with 1 John ii. 27.