In application to our own particular experience, this doctrine is full of the most consolatory truth, encouraging the feeblest soul to look up in humble expectation, and suggesting to the strongest the most powerful motives to encrease in vigour, and in labours of love. At the same time, however, there is a very serious question first to be put, remembering, as we ought to do, that "all men have not the Spirit," yea, that no man is blessed with this heavenly visitant, but in the free grace of the covenant descending upon him. When the Holy Ghost departed from the soul of man, He did so in consequence of the sin committed by Adam, which entailed, upon all men, a miserable condition of ungodliness: we are individually involved in this ruin, we have too clearly proclaimed our loss in a course of rebellion and forgetfulness of God, and there is in us no spiritual life so long as we remain in our native state; Eph. ii. 1. 3. Is it not, therefore, necessary, that we should ask, Have I the Holy Ghost? To this inquiry we are solemnly directed by the Apostle, 2 Cor. xiii. 5. As the divine power of the Spirit is necessary to all creation, for He it is who moves on the "face of the deep" whenever order, beauty, or life are given, Gen. i. 2,-so equally, in the new creation, as in the production of the visible world; and unless He comes with majesty and might, upon our inward deep of ruin, we can not be saved, John iii. 5, 6. If conscious that hitherto we have not sufficiently considered these things, it is "now high time to awake out of sleep," and to put forth those powers that we possess, supplicating that God would thus distinguish our souls and give us the Spirit, Luke xi. 11-13. No ruin, contemplated by the natural eye, can equal that which prevails where the Spirit is not; for such souls are in the condition of spiritual death, and must pass into that death which is eternal; "without holiness no man shall see the Lord," and without the Spirit there is no holiness in a sinner's breast. If privileged to feel, at this moment, the joyful evidence of a possession thus precious, let us be aware of the value of the gift. Great has been the grace, moving Jehovah to take up his abode in such a heart! Mighty has been the power that made for itself a way into this heart; and as wonderful the persisting exercise of that power, in bringing any degree of order or beauty into affections so fearfully diseased, and deranged! We should lift up a grateful tribute for the unspeakable favor, but further we should cherish the movements of the indwelling God, and exercise a holy vigilance not to grieve the Spirit, Eph. iv. 30. It is for believers to remember that they are the "Temples of the Holy Ghost, and that they are called to take heed that they "defile not the temple of God." We must walk as becometh saints; we must listen to the still small voice of this heavenly teacher, whenever He is pleased to communicate His will: We should seek the perpetual fellowship of his presence in all the glories that he possesses, and ask Him to act, to speak, to give, just as we need, and beseech Him to do so in those attributes that can accomplish all things omnipotently, subduing us to the Cross,-Omnisciently searching the deepest regions of our heart, by His omnipresence, encompassing our way, when we go out or come in,-In sovereignty upholding our steps and rebuking our falls, and with eternity loving us with constant love. So blest, we shall be raised to the highest experience of present peace, and shall have an ❝ abundant entrance" into the kingdom above. Never let the lowly soul be depressed, while such a Helper has been purchased and is promised by the Lord,—and never let the vigorous saint limit this Holy One, but rather ask largely, and he shall receive accordingly. The covenant is full, and the Holy Ghost will give of that fulness. May none of God's children be straightened in themselves, nor ever cease from expecting the full supply of every thing they need! Phil. iv. 19, ARTICLE VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to Salvation: So that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an Article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church. Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books. Genesis. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy. Joshua. Judges. Ruth. I. Book of Samuel. II. Book of Esdras. Book of Esther. Book of Job. Psalms. Proverbs. Ecclesiastes, or Preacher. Canticles, or Songs of Solomon. 12 Prophets the less. And the other Books, as Hierome saith, the Church doth read, for example of life and instruction of manners, but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine Such are these following: III. Book of Esdras. IV. Book of Esdras. Book of Tobias. Book of Judith. Rest of the Book of Esther. Book of Wisdom. Jesus Son of Sirach. Baruch the Prophet. Song of the Three Children. Story of Susannah. Of Bell and the Dragon. I. Book of Maccabees. II. Book of Maccabees. All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical |