R5T. %V.1 A RAT2ONAL DEFENCE OF T8E GOSFEL. 969 ties, has too much of a visionary and fanciful turn of mind, and does not become men that profess reason. But if such objectors were better acquainted with themselves, and knew the weakness of their own reason in the search after truth, and the various and plausible errors that attend their enquiries on every side; ifthey were better acquainted with the strength of temptation, the power of their own sinful appetites, and the weak- ness of their will to resist sin, and to fulfil the rules of -righteousness; surely they would not think it a ridicu- lous thing to lift up a prayer to the great God to guide them into truth, and to assist them to walk steadily in the paths of religion and virtue. If they had but a deep and lively sense of their own insufficiency for every thing that is good, and of the many dangers and enemies that beset them, they would rather see infinite reason to bless their Creator, who has given them any promise or hope of the aids of his grace. Nor is it at all fantastical or irrational to suppose, that the great and blessed God, who made these spirits of ours, should kindly act upon them, and influence them by secret and divine methods to their duty and their happiness; that he should send his own Spirit to help them onward in their proper business, which is to -serve him here ; and assist them in the pursuit of their true blessedness, which is to enjoy him hereafter. Methinks it is one ofthe glories of the gospel ofChrist, that God has not only sent his Son to purchase heaven for us, but continually sends down his own Spirit to lead every humble christian in the way thither. When a poor penitent creature, distressed under a sense of the power of sin, dwelling in him, who has long and often toiled and laboured to bring his heart near to God, and to suppress the irregular and exorbitant appetites of his nature, addresses , himself to the throne of God, and cries earnestly for divine help, it is a glorious provision that is made in the gospel of Christ, that the Spirit of God is promised for our assistance. Nor is it at all un- worthy of a person of the greatest reason and the best understanding, humbly to wait and hope for the accom- plishment of this promise. Thus the charge of enthu- siasm vanishes, and the gospel maintains its honour. V. The last objection against the doctrines of the gos-
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