_Rabbi_, saith Nicodemus to Christ, _we know that thou art a teacher come from God_: now this must be said of the scripture likewise; it is a _teacher from God_, and therefore fully to be believed, highly reverenced, and strictly followed. But as Christ’s teaching in the flesh was only preparatory to his vital teaching by the Spirit; so the teaching of scripture by words written with ink and paper, is only preparatory to the teaching of God, by his Spirit within us. Every other opinion of the holy scripture, but that of an _outward teacher_ and guide to God’s _inward teaching_, is but making an idol-god of it: I say an idol-god; for to those who rest in it as the _constant abode and supreme illumination_ of _God with them_, it can be nothing else. For, if nothing of divine _faith_, _love_, or _goodness_, can have place in us, but by _divine inspiration_, they who think these virtues may be sufficiently raised in us by the letter of scripture, do in truth make the letter of scripture their _inspiring God_. The apostles preached, and wrote to the people by _divine inspiration_. But what do they say of their _inspired doctrine_, and teachings? What virtue was there in them? Do they say that their words, and teachings, was the very _promised Comforter_, the _Spirit_ of _truth_, the _true abode_, and _supreme illumination_ of God in the souls of men? So far from such a blasphemous thought, that they affirm the direct contrary, and compare all their _inspired_ teachings to the _dead works_ of bare _planting_ and _watering_, and which must continue dead, till _life_ come into them from much higher power. _I have planted_, saith St. Paul, Apollos _hath watered_, but _God gave the increase_. And then further to shew, that this planting and watering, which was the _highest work_ that an _inspired_ apostle could do, was yet, in itself, to be considered, as a lifeless, powerless thing; he adds, _So then_, neither _is he that planteth_ any _thing_; nor he that _watereth_; but _God that giveth the increase_.