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

namely, whilst such Gifts were really continued unto any therein. What way then had God Ordained for the Preservation and Safety of the Church, that it should not be imposed upon ⟨p. 194⟩by any of these Delusions? I answer, There was a Standing Rule in the Church, whereby whatsoever was, or could be offered Doctrinally unto it, might certainly and infallibly be tried, judged and determined on. And this was the Rule of the written Word; according to that everlasting Ordinance, To the Law and to the Testimony, if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them, Isa. 8. 20. This in all Ages was sufficient for the Preservation of the Church from all Errors and Heresies, or damnable Doctrines, which it never fell into, nor shall do so, but in the sinful Neglect and Contempt hereof. Moreover, the Apostle further directs the Application of this Rule unto present occasions, by advising us to fix on some Fundamental Principles which are likely to be opposed, and if they are not owned and avowed, to avoid such Teachers, whatever Spiritual Gift they pretend unto, 1 John 4. 2, 3. 2 John 9, 10, 11. But yet because many in those Days were weak in the Faith, and might be surprised with such Pretences, God had graciously provided and bestowed the Gift here mentioned on some, it may be, in every Church, namely, of Discerning of Spirits. They could by Virtue of the Extraordinary Gift and Aid therein of the Holy Ghost, make a true Judgment of the Spirits that Men pretended to act, and to be acted by, whether they were of God or no. And this was of singular Use and Benefit unto the Church in those Days. For as Spiritual Gifts abounded, so did a Pretence unto them, which was always accompanied with pernicious Designs. Herein therefore did God grand Relief for them who were either less skilful, or less wary, or less able on any account to make a right Judgment between those who were really endowed ⟨p. 195⟩with extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit, and those who falsely pretended thereunto. For these Persons received this Gift, and were placed in the Church for this very End, that they might guide and help them in making a right Judgment in this matter.