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The more eminent in any season are the real effusions of the Holy Spirit upon ministers of the Gospel and disciples of Christ, the more diligence and watchfulness against delusions are necessary. For, on such opportunities, it is, when the use and reputation of spiritual gifts is eminent, that Satan doth lay hold to intrude his own deceitful suggestions.
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There is nothing excellent among men, whether it be absolutely extraordinary, or whether it consist in an eminent improvement of those principles and abilities, but it is ascribed to the Holy Spirit of God as the immediate operator and efficient cause. Of old He was all; now some would have Him nothing.
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The chiefest privilege of the Church of old was but to hear tidings of the things which we enjoy.
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It was not merely His enduring the penalty of the law that was the means of our deliverance; but the voluntarily giving Himself up to be a sacrifice in those holy acts of obedience, was that upon which, in an especial manner, God was reconciled to us.
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Great opportunity for service neglected, and great gifts not improved, are oftentimes the occasion of plunging the soul into great depths.
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It is easy to follow a multitude to do evil. Would any one have thought it possible that such and such professors, in our days, should have fallen into ways of self, of flesh, and of the world? To play at cards, dice, revel, dance? To neglect family and closet duties? To be proud, haughty, ambitious, worldly, covetous, oppressive? Or that they should be turned away after foolish, vain, ridiculous opinions, deserting the Gospel of Christ?
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Do not deceive yourselves; it is not an indifferent thing whether you will come to Christ upon His invitation or not; a thing which you may put off from one occasion unto another. Your present refusal of it is as high an act of enmity against God as your nature is capable of.