Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

SOME think that by this Unction, the Doctrine of the Gospel, or the Truth it self is intended. This Episcopius pleads for in his Exposition of the place. That Doctrine of the Gospel which they had received, was that which would preserve them from the Seducers, which in that place of the Apostle, 1 John 2. 20. Believers are warned to beware ⟨p. 63⟩of. But neither the Context nor the Text will admit of this Interpretation. For, (1) The thing it self in Question, was, the Doctrine of the Gospel. This the Seducers pretended to be on their side, which the Apostle denies. Now although the Doctrine it self was that whereby this Difference was to be determined; yet is not the Doctrine it self, but the Advantage they had for the right Understanding of it, that which is proposed for their Relief and Comfort. (2) This Unction is said to abide in them who have received it, whereas we are said to abide in the Doctrine or the Truth, and not that in us properly. (3) This Unction is said to teach us all things; but the Doctrine of the Truth is that which we are taught, and there must be a difference between that which teacheth, and that which is taught thereby. (4) Whereas in all other places of the Scripture, either the Holy Ghost himself, or some especial Operation of his, is hereby intended, there is no Reason nor Pretence of any to be taken from the Words or Context, why another Signification should be here imposed on that Expression. (5) For the Reason which he adds, that there is no mention in any other place of Scripture of any peculiar, internal Act or Work towards any Persons, in their teaching or reception of the Truth, it is so extremely remote from the Truth, and is so directly opposite unto express Testimonies almost innumerable, that I wonder how any Man could be so forgetful as to affirm it. Let the Reader satisfy himself in what hath been discoursed on the Head of Spiritual Illumination.

SOME think that by this Unction, the Doctrine of the Gospel, or the Truth it self is intended. This Episcopius pleads for in his Exposition of the place. That Doctrine of the Gospel which they had received, was that which would preserve them from the Seducers, which in that place of the Apostle, 1 John 2. 20. Believers are warned to beware ⟨p. 63⟩