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

If such a course should be taken, that any one should speak and prophesy as he pretended himself to be moved by the Spirit, and to have none to judge of what he said, all Confusion; Tumult and Disorder would ensue thereon. But God is the Author of no such thing, gives no such Gifts, appoints no such exercise of them, as would tend thereunto. But how shall this be prevented, seeing these things are extraordinary, and not in our own power; yea, saith he, the Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets, ver. 32. By the Spirit of the Prophets that their Spiritual Gift and Ability for its exercise is intended, none do question. And whereas the Apostle had taught ⟨p. 192⟩two things concerning the Exercise of this Gift: (1) That it ought to be Orderly to avoid Confusion. (2) That what proceedeth from it ought to be judged by others; he manifests that both these may be observed, because the Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets; that is, both their Spiritual Gift is so in their own Power, as that they might dispose themselves unto its Exercise with Choice and Judgment, so as to preserve Order and Peace, not being acted as with an Enthusiastical Afflation, and carried out of eheir own Power; this Gift in it's Exercise was subject unto their own Judgment, Choice and Understanding; so what they expressed by virtue of their Spiritual Gift was subject to be judged of by the other Prophets that were in the Church. Thus was the Peace and Order of the Church to be preserved, and the Edification of it to be promoted.

If such a course should be taken, that any one should speak and prophesie as he pretended himself to be moved by the Spirit, and to have none to judge of what he said, all Confusion; Tumult and Disorder would ensue thereon. But God is the Author of no such thing, gives no such Gifts, appoints no such exercise of them, as would tend thereunto. But how shall this be prevented, seeing these things are extraordinary, and not in our own power; yea, saith he, the Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets, ver. 32. By the Spirit of the Prophets that their Spiritual Gift and Ability for its exercise is intended, none do question. And whereas the Apostle had taught ⟨p. 192⟩two things concerning the Exercise of this Gift: (1) That it ought to be Orderly to avoid Confusion. (2) That what proceedeth from it ought to be judged by others; he manifests that both these may be observed, because the Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets; that is, both their Spiritual Gift is so in their own Power, as that they might dispose themselves unto its Exercise with Choice and Judgment, so as to preserve Order and Peace, not being acted as with an Enthusiastical Afflation, and carried out of eheir own Power; this Gift in it's Exercise was subject unto their own Judgment, Choice and Understanding; so what they expressed by vertue of their Spiritual Gift was subject to be judged of by the other Prophets that were in the Church. Thus was the Peace and Order of the Church to be preserved, and the Edefication of it to be promoted.