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This opinion, that the Spirit of God was afforded as a Light to lighten the Gentiles of the antient world, the Quakers derive from the authorities which I have now mentioned, that is, from the evidence which history has afforded, and from the sentiments which the Gentiles have discovered themselves, upon this subject. But they conceive that the question is put out of all doubt by these remarkable words of the apostle Paul: "For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by nature the things contained in the Law, these having not the Law, are a law unto themselves, which show the work of the Law written on their hearts; their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another*.* And here it may be observed, that the Quakers believe also, that in the same manner as the Spirit of God enlightened the different Gentile-nations previous to the time of the apostle, so it continues to enlighten those who have been discovered since; for no nation has been found so ignorant, as

*Rom. ii. 14, 15.

not

not to make an acknowledgment of a superior Spirit, and to know the difference between good and evil. Hence it may be considered as illuminating those nations where the Scriptures have never reached, at the present day.

With respect to the last case, which includes those who have heard with their outward ears the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Quakers believe, that the Spirit of God has continued its office of a spiritual instructor, as well to these as to any of the persons who have been described. For the Gospel is no where said to supersede, any more than the Law of Moses did, the assistance of this Spirit. On the other hand, this Spirit was deemed necessary, and this by the apostles themselves, even after churches had been established, or men had become Christians. St. Paul declares *, that whatever spiritual gifts some of his followers might then have, and however these gifts might then differ from one another, the Spirit of God was given universally to man, and this to profit withal. He declares again,

*1 Cor. xii. 7.

that

that* as many as were led by this Spirit, these and these only, possessed the knowledge that was requisite to enable them to become the sons of God. And in his letter to the Thessalonians, who had become a Christian church, he gave them many particular injunctions, among which one was, that they would not quench or extinguish this Spirit.

And in the same manner as this Spirit was deemed necessary in the days of the apostles, and this to every man individually, and even after he had become a Christian, so the Quakers consider it to have been necessary since, and to continue So, wherever Christianity is professed. For many persons may read the holy Scriptures, and hear them read in churches, and yet not feel the necessary conviction for sin. Here then the Quakers conceive the Spirit of God to be still necessary. It comes in with its inward monitions and reproofs, where the Scripture has been neglected or forgotten. It attempts to stay the arm of him who is going to of fend, and frequently averts the blow.

*Rom. viii. 14.

1 Thess. v. 19.

Neither

Neither is this Spirit unnecessary, even where men profess an attention to the literal precepts of the Gospel. For, in proportion as men are in the way of attending to the outward Scriptures, they are in the way of being inwardly taught by God. But without this inward teaching, no outward teaching can be effectual; for though persons may read the Scriptures, yet they cannot spiritually understand them; and though they may admire the Christian religion, yet they cannot enjoy it, according to the opinion of the Quakers, but through the medium of the Spirit of God.

VOL. II.

N

CHAP

CHAPTER VII.

SECTION I.

This Spirit, as it has been given universally, so it has been given sufficiently-those who resist this Spirit are said to quench it; and may become so hardened in time, as to be insensible of its impressions-those who attend to it, may be said to be in the way of redemption—Similar sentiments of Monro-This visitation, treatment, and influence of the Spirit usually explained by the Quakers by the parable of the Sower.

As the Spirit of God has been thus afforded to every man since the foundation of the world to profit withal, so the Quakers say that it has been given to him in a sufficient measure for this purpose.

By the word " sufficient" we are not to understand that this Divine Monitor calls upon men every day or hour, but that it is within every man, and that it awakens him seasonably, and so often during the term of his natural life as to exonerate God from the charge of condemning him unjustly, if he

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