e read the following words in an emphatic
tone:--"'God forbid we should presume to ordain anyone to receive the
Holy Spirit on the Lord's Day to the prejudice of the rest of the
brethren.' Thanks to the Almighty, we are the only people upon earth
that have no priests. Wouldst thou deprive us of so happy a distinction?
Why should we abandon our babe to mercenary nurses, when we ourselves
have milk enough for it? These mercenary creatures would soon domineer
in our houses and destroy both the mother and the babe. God has said,
'Freely you have received, freely give.' Shall we, after these words,
cheapen, as it were, the Gospel, sell the Holy Ghost, and make of an
assembly of Christians a mere shop of traders? We don't pay a set of men
clothed in black to assist our poor, to bury our dead, or to preach to
the brethren. These offices are all of too tender a nature for us ever
to entrust them to others." "But how is it possible for you," said I,
with some warmth, "to know whether your discourse is really inspired by
the Almighty?" "Whosoever," says he, "shall implore Christ to enlighten
him, and shall publish the Gospel truths he may feel inwardly, such an
one may be assured that he is inspired by the Lord." He then poured
forth a numberless multitude of Scripture texts which proved, as he
imagined, that there is no such thing as Christianity without an
immediate revelation, and added these remarkable words: "When thou movest
one of thy limbs, is it moved by thy own power? Certainly not; for this
limb is often sensible to involuntary motions. Consequently he who
created thy body gives motion to this earthly tabernacle. And are the
several ideas of which thy soul receives the impression formed by
thyself? Much less are they, since these pour in upon thy mind whether
thou wilt or no; consequently thou receivest thy ideas from Him who
created thy soul. But as He leaves thy affections at full liberty, He
gives thy mind such ideas as thy affections may deserve; if thou livest
in God, thou actest, thou thinkest in God. After this thou needest only
but open thine eyes to that light which enlightens all mankind, and it is
then thou wilt perceive the truth, and make others perceive it." "Why,
this," said I, "is Malebranche's doctrine to a tittle." "I am acquainted
with thy Malebranche," said he; "he had something of the Friend in him,
but was not enough so." These are the most considerable particulars I
learnt concer