|
THE HOLY SPIRIT THE SAINTS GUIDE
|
|
|
|
By Benjamin Keach
|
|
|
|
“he will guide you into all truth:” John 16:13 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guide
|
Parallel
|
|
|
|
|
I. A Guide
is very necessary for strangers in a wilderness where there are
many ways and turnings.
|
I. So the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, as it is contained in the holy
scripture, is necessary to believers whilst they pass through
the wilderness of this world, where one says, this is the way
and another that.
|
| |
|
|
II. An
eminent and able Guide is well skilled in all ways, and able to
give directions in the most difficult cases that are very hard
to find out.
|
II. So the
Holy Spirit is able to Guide poor sinners in all the ways of
God; he led Moses and the prophets under the law, and led the
apostles and all the primitive Christians, under the
Gospel-ministration. Holy men of God spake as they were moved
and guided by the Holy Spirit, 2Peter
2:21. There is no precept nor promise of God needful for
the children of men to be instructed in, but the Spirit in the
holy scripture hath left it upon record for our direction and
consolation; and whatsoever is hard to be understood, that is
contained therein; “The Spirit that searcheth all things,” can
open and explain it to a gracious soul: the Spirit guides in the
way or morality, in the way of faith and Gospel-obedience, in
the way of church-constitution and discipline, and in
Gospel-holiness and conversation.
|
| |
|
|
III. A
faithful Guide gives notice of all the dangers that are in the
way, and shows also how a poor traveler may escape them, and so
go safe unto his desired place.
|
III. The
Holy Spirit hath in the holy scripture (for in that are
contained all the directions of the Spirit, touching all matters
and cases to salvation) given notice to all spiritual travelers
of all the dangers that may attend them in the way to heaven.
First, the danger of unregeneracy, the common road that most men
and women walk in; the Spirit hath told us positively, if we go
in that way, we shall perish forever: “Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. Secondly, the great
danger of the way of presumption. Thirdly, the danger of
despair. Fourthly, the danger of idolatry, heresy, and error.
Fifthly, the danger of disobedience to Christ’s commands. Acts 3:22-23. Sixthly, the danger
of loving or liking any of one sin. Seventhly, the danger of
hypocrisy. Eighthly, the danger of apostasy.
|
| |
|
|
IV. An able
Guide frees a man, that commits himself to his guidance, from
many cares and fears that attend such who have lost their way,
and have no Guide.
|
VI. So the
Holy Spirit frees a poor saint from many fears and cares, which
attend others, whilst he wholly commits himself to the guidance
of God’s word, and to the direction of the Spirit: many are at
a loss, and know not what to do, nor which way to go, whilst he
rests satisfied, resolving to go wholly by this Guide.
|
| |
|
|
V. An able
and faithful Guide gives plain and full direction to the
ignorant, so that they cannot well miss the way, if so be they
exactly follow his directions.
|
V. So the
Holy Spirit in the scripture of truth, hath given such plain and
clear directions in all cases of moment about faith and
holiness, that the ignorant and unlearned cannot miss the way to
heaven, if they carefully observe the rules laid down therein.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Guide
|
Disparity
|
| |
|
|
I. Other
Guides, though very skilful, and have good knowledge of a way or
matter they undertake to guide men in, may, notwithstanding in
some things, miss; being not infallible, cannot give infallible
demonstrations to all doubtful persons that they are right, and
that those who follow their directions, shall never go astray.
|
I. But the
Holy Spirit in such a glorious manner, by many signs and
wonders, so confirmed the way to heaven, (as they are recorded
in the holy scripture) that those that follow his counsel, shall
not go astray; he is an infallible Guide, and never imposed any
rules, laws, or precepts upon men, but left such convincing
evidence of truth of his testimony, that there remains no just
ground for a doubt or objection; as might be shown in respect of
the giving forth both of the law and Gospel: therefore those who
pretend they are led by the Spirit or inspiration, and yet
cannot prove and demonstrate what they say to be true, by such
ways and means that no deceiver can pretend unto, or do the
like, like, and abuse the Holy Ghost, who is a certain and
infallible Guide.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Inferences
|
|
|
|
|
Bless God
for this spiritual Guide in matters of faith and practice, and
that there are such sure rules left by him in the written word.
What should we have done, had God never afforded us such a
Teacher and Guide as the Holy Ghost is?
1. For man
naturally is blind; I will lead the blind in ways they knew not.
2. There are
many by-ways, and were there not one sure and perfect Guide, how
could a man find his way? It is as easy for one man to say he
is led by the Spirit and inspiration, as it is for another; and
how shall a man, were it not for the word, know which of them is
in the right?
3. Some pretend
they are led by the Spirit, and they walk quite contrary to the
scripture, which contains all the truth of God necessary to be
known, believed and practices in order to salvation: “Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into
all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he
shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to
come.” John 16:13. 2Timothy 3:16-17.
|
|
|
|
|
Question:
How shall we know who follows the Spirit’s guidance?
Answer: Art
thou led to repent, to leave thy sins, to believe in Christ, to
obey his commands, to live a godly life, to keep a good
conscience towards God, and towards men? These are part of
those things the Spirit guides men in, and such who thus live,
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons
of God.” Romans 8:14.
|
|
