word of God; but they are of the judgment that the testimonies of the holy Scriptures proceeded from, and were written under the guidance of the word or spirit of God: that they are as Paul expresses, "Profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. iii. 16. But as they had an original spring or principle from whence they pro ceeded, so that principle we consider as a primary cause, and the holy Scriptures the effect. To that original principle which was before the Scriptures, we with John the evangelist, give the name of the Word, and not to the Scriptures. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John, i. 1. There are important reasons for making this distinction; some of which it may not be improper to mention.The Word of God as described by the evangelist John, we believe has an universal influence, which cannot be admitted in relation to the Scriptures.

But if the Scriptures are the alone means of salvation, then they must contradict themselves; because they testify, that "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds,and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands." Rev. vii. 9. We cannot doubt but that of this great company there were many who had never read the Scriptures; but they were notwithstanding,clothed with the robes of righteousness. Hence we infer, that though the Scriptures are a great blessing to us, yet they are not so much so as that Word or spirit from whence they proceeded. But the Scriptures themselves cannot be understood, without the aid of the same spirit, by which they were at first written. We consequently believe that in the wisdom of God, many souls are instructed without the means of the Scriptures, by the immediate manifestation of his own blessed spirit; If therefore we call the

Scriptures the word of God, and say they are the only means of salvation; this would go to deny the doctrine which they contain, and exclude all those who cannot read them, from the possibility of salvation. The society of Friends observing these consequences, and finding that the spirit of truth is given to lead into all truth, and of course, out of all error, cannot join with those who after this manner depart from the doctrine of the Scrip-. tures, but they on the contrary refuse to call the Scriptures by any other name than that which they claim for themselves.

OF THE MINISTRY.

"IF any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified." 1 Peter, iv. 11. Such ministry is not the effect of

man's will or wisdom, but is the minis try of the spirit. Now the gospel dispensation, is a spiritual dispensation, and all those who profess to be ministers of the gospel, if they are really such, have received a gift of the spirit for that purpose. "And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying the body of Christ." Eph. xv. 12. We believe therefore that no human talents or learning can qualify a man without this gift, to be a gospel minister. And no one can be assured that he has this gift of the spirit for the work of the ministry, but by the immediate impression and evidence of the spirit itself. Nor can those among whom he labours know that the gift has been bestowed, unless they also have the evidence of the same spirit. The church of Christ was to be under his government, and built upon him, the only true foundation; consequent

ly its members were not left to any uncertainty; they had the spirit of Christ; for according to the Scriptures, "If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his." Rom. viii. 9. The true church therefore consisting of living members influenced by the holy Head, they necessarily know when the ministry proceeds from the spirit. And although it may be possible for human learning and parts to become very correct in the knowledge of the letter; yet the ministry of the spirit not accompanying the letter, these only are ministers of death, and never can rise any higher, unless they receive the gift of the ministry. This gift we believe is only at the disposal of him from whom all perfect gifts proceeds, and not in the power of any man or set of men to confer upon another. We believe also that the gift of the spirit is not confined to nation or sex; that it is bestowed upon all; and that the gift of the ministry is bestowed

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