12 GENERAL PEIN defraud. So (leak false teachers with their disciples by their pretences of immediate revelations. His next di- rection informs us howwe may observe this caution unto our advantage, and this is by trying the spirits them- selves. This is the duty of all believers on any such pretences. They are to try these spirits, and examine whether they are of Godor no. For the observation of this rule, and discharge of this duty, the church of Ephesus is commended by our Lord Jesus Christ, Rev. ii. 2. i, Thou hast tried them, which say they are " apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars." For those who said they were apostles, pretended therewithal to apostolical authority and infallibility, on the account of the immediate inspirations which they received by the Holy Ghost. In trying them, they tried the spirits that came unto them. And by this warrant may we try the spirits of the church of Rome, which in like manner pretends unto apostolical authority and infallibility. Sect. 21. Unto these two directions, the apostle sub- joins the reason of the present watchfulness required unto the discharge of this duty. For, saith he, many false prophets are gone out into the world. It is false teachers, as Peter calls them, bringing in damnable heresies, concerning whom he speaks. And he calleth them false prophets, partly in an allusion unto the false prophets under theOld Testament, with whom they are ranked and compared by Peter; and partly because as they fathered their predictions on divine revelation, so these falsely ascribed their doctrines unto immediate di- vine inspiration. And on this account also he calleth them spirits; try the spirits. For as they pretended unto the Spirit of God, so indeed, for the most part, theywere actuated by a spirit of error, lying, and delu- sion, that is the devil himself. And therefore I no way doubt, but that mostly those who made use of this plea, that they had their doctrines which they taught by im- mediate inspiration, did also effect other extraordinary operationsor undiscoverable appearances of them as ly- ing miracles, by the power of that spirit whereby they were actuated, as Mat. xxiv. 2t. Hence theapostle doth not direct us to try their pretensions unto inspirations, by putting them on other extraordinary works for their confirmation; for these also they made a show and ap- pearance of, and that in such a manner as that they were not to be detected by the generalityof Christians; CIPLES CONCERNING but he gives unto all a blessed stable rule which will never fail them in this case who diligently attend unto it. And this is to try them by the doctrine that they teach, ver. 2, 3. Let their doctrine be examined by the scriptures, and if it be found consonant thereunto, it may be received without danger tinto the hearers, whatever corrupt affections the teachers may be influ- enced by. But if it be not consonant thereunto, if it keep not up an harmony in the analogy of faith, what- ever inspiration or revelation be pleaded in its justifica- tion, it is to be rejected, as they also are by whom it is declared. This rule the apostle Paul confirms by the highest instance imaginable; Gal. i. G. ?' If we, or au a angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let bins it be accursed." And the apostle shows, that for our advantage in this trial we are to make of spirits, it is good to have a clear conviction of, and a constant ad- herence unto some fundamental principles, especially such' as we have reason to think will be the most cun- ningly attacked by seducers. 'Thus, because in those days, the principal design of Satanwas to broach strange false imaginations about the person and mediation of Christ, endeavouring thereby to overthrow both the one and the other; the apostle adviselb believers to try the spirits by this one fundamental principle of truth, namely, that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; which contains a confession both of his person and mediation. This therefore believers were to demand of all new teachers and pretenders unto spiritual revelations, in the first place; do you confess that Jesus Christ is come in the -flesh; and if they immediately made not this confession, they never stood to consider theirother pre- tences, but turned from them, not bidding them God- speed, 2 John 7, 10, 11. And I could easily manifest how many pernicious heresies were obviated its those days by this short confession of faith. Forsome of late, (as Grotius, following Socinus and Sclictingins) inter- preting thiscoming of Christ in the flesh, of his outward mean estate and condition, and not in the pomp and glory of an earthly king, do openly corrupt the text. His coming in the flesh, is the same with the words be- ingmade flesh, John i.14. or, God beingman((fest in the flesh, 1 Tim. iii. 16. That is the Son of God being made partaker of flesh and blood, Heb. ii. 14. or taking on him the seed of Abraham, ver. 14. That is, his
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