On the other hand, let the world be brought as a test to one who is blinded by " a spirit of error ;" and how manifest will be the delusion under which he is labouring ! He cannot see that the world is so vain or so mistaken as enthusiasts imagine : there is nothing so evil in its ways : its pursuits are highly rational ; its pleasures altogether innocent ; its friends and votaries in a state of acceptance with God. Nothing in it is to be condemned, except its excesses and its crimes. In a word, as the Pharisees " derided our Lord" when he spake of covetousness, because " they were covetous," so the man who is led by "a spirit of error" shuts his eyes against the plainest truths, and will admit nothing which thwarts his own worldly and carnal inclinations.]
2. Take the Gospel as a test —
[This is still more calculated to try the hidden dispositions of the soul. If we are actuated by a spirit of truth, we shall receive whatever God has spoken in his word, as little children. We shall not dispute against it, because it does not accord with our pre-conceived opinions ; but shall rather form our opinions from it, than presume to sit in judgment upon it. The deepest truths which are there revealed will not offend us. It will be no stumbling-block to us, to find that God himself has become incarnate, and died upon the cross under the guilt of his crea- tures' sins: our only inquiry will be, Is this revealed? if it be, then is it true, whether we can understand it or not. Nor shall we be averse to the way of obtaining salvation simply by faith in Christ; because, if it be pointed out as the only way of access to God, and the only means of obtaining blessings