principle, that "the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God;" and that we cannot possibly obtain a saving knowledge of the truths revealed in the Bible, except by the gracious aid of its omnipotent Author. They are not ashamed to exhort one another, earnestly to seek for that divine influence, in the perusal of Scripture, which can alone present its precious contents in their true light to the understanding, and impress them with power on the heart. It has been well said by a learned and pious man, that to the spiritually minded reader, and to him alone, the Bible is a book full of illuminated characters. But even when the book is not before us, how often does the good Remembrancer remind us of passages suited to the various turns of our experience, and arrayed for the occasion in new brightness and beauty! Having offered these remarks on the views of Friends respecting the sacred volume, I must revert, for a short time, to the doctrine of the Spirit. I conceive that there is nothing to which the Scriptures bear a stronger testimony than to the divine character, and free and unfettered influences, of the Holy Ghost. As it is by the Spirit alone that we are brought to Christ, and become, through faith in the Saviour, the reconciled children of God; so the Spirit alone can lead us onwards in the way of holiness, cleanse the inward recesses of our hearts, and prepare us for an entrance into perfect purity. Thus it is, as Friends have always believed, that "the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day"3-thus only, that we can obey the awful precept “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect.”4 The pre-eminent grace, and peculiar office, of the Holy Spirit in believers, as well as his general and preparatory influences, are indeed subjects which have always been prominent in the religious views of Friends. From their first rise as a society, they were led to testify of the utter vanity of the most orthodox creed, without the possession of the life which is in Christ; and while they spake with deep reverence of the atoning blood of the Lamb, they assured their hearers that it would be impossible for them to partake of its benefit, unless their hearts were given up to the cleansing work, and inward government, of the Spirit of their Redeemer. They boldly declared that justification by faith in Christ crucified, and sanctification by his Spirit, went hand in hand, and could never be separated. Christ "gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."5 He "bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness."6 The comprehensive nature of the promises of God respecting the Holy Spirit, is a point to which the attention of our religious society has always been directed with peculiar force. They believe them to be addressed to the whole church of Christ in all ages, for they read that the Comforter was to continue with the disciples of Jesus "for ever"-that His influence was 3 Prov. iv, 18. 4 Matt. v, 48. 5 Tit. ii, 14. 7 John xiv, xv, & xvi. to be bestowed not merely on the earliest converts to Christianity, but on their children also, and on all that are afar off, even "as many" as the Lord our God should "call."8 And what are these promises? Large and various indeed! That the Spirit should be poured forth from on high, and convert the wilderness into a fruitful field; so that the work of righteousness should be peace, and the effect thereof quietness and assurance for ever;9 that God should write his law on the hearts of his people, and that all should know him, from the least to the greatest;1 that He should sprinkle clean water upon them, give them new hearts and new spirits, and cleanse them from all their filthiness and all their idolatry;2 that He should pour forth his Spirit upon all flesh, and that the sons and the daughters, the servants and the handmaidens, should prophesy;3 that all the children of Zion should be taught of the Lord, and that great should be their peace;—that Jesus exalted very high, "should sprinkle many nations;" that he should lead captivity captive, and receive gifts for men, even for the rebellious; that he should sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and purify the sons of Levi;7 that he should baptize his followers with the Holy Ghost and with fire, and thoroughly cleanse them from sin;8 that he should send the Comforter unto them from the Father, and that the Father should send the same Comforter in the name of Christ; that the Holy Spirit should convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment;1 that he should testify of Christ;2 that he should receive of the things of Christ, and show them to his disciples ;3 that he should teach them all things, and bring all things to their remembrance whatsoever Christ has said unto them; that he should be in them, and dwell in them; that he should show them things to come;" finally, that he should GUIDE THEM INTO ALL TRUTH.6 Paul bears testimony to the fulfilment of these predictions when he declares, in reference to the gospel dispensation, that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made him free from the law of sin and death; that as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God; that Christians are “the temple of the Holy Ghost" which is in them, which they "have of God;"9 and that they are "baptized by one Spirit into one body;"-Peter, when he writes of the baptism which now saves us,2 and of the Spirit of glory and of God resting on believers; 3-James, when he tells us of the pure and peaceable wisdom which cometh from above;4-and John, when he proclaims the sovereign efficacy of the Lord's anointing, "Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things ..... the anointing which ye have received of him (i. e. of Christ) abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth and no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.”5 There is probably no body of Christians by whom these precious truths have been more clearly advanced, than by the Society of Friends. It has always appeared to them, that the free and immediate teaching of the Spirit of Christ is the main characteristic of that new covenant which was established in the world by his propitiatory death. It seems, indeed, to have been the chief business intrusted to them, in the church of Christ, to wean men from an undue reliance on an outward ministry, and from all merely human systems in religion, and to lead them to the feet of Jesus. Rightly have they deemed it to be the highest privilege of the Christian believer to draw near to the Father of mercies, through his beloved Son, to wait on God in the silence of all flesh, and to be guided and governed, in ALL THINGS, by his Holy Spirit. It is under this guidance, as Friends have always believed, that the disciples of Jesus are enabled to apply to particular occasions, the general rules of God's law; and that even in temporal matters which, more or less, involve their spiritual interest, they may be led along in a path of safety. Christ, their divine teacher cannot be removed into a corner-his light shines in their consciences. If they patiently wait upon him, and pray for his Spirit, he will, from time to time, arise for their help; he will guide them with his "counsel," and make his "way" straight before their face. But if this be true respecting our common course of life and duty, who shall deny that it is also true in 5 1 John ii, 20-27. |