Behold a work as great, as divine and supernatural, as that of a prophet and an apostle. But to suppose that we ought, and may always be in this spirit of holiness, and yet are not, and ought not to be always moved and led by the Spirit of God, within us, is to suppose, that there is a holiness and goodness which comes not from God; which is no better than supposing, that there may be true prophets and apostles who have not their truth from God. Now the holiness of the common Christian is not an occasional thing, that begins and ends, or is only for such a time, or place, or action, but is the holiness of that, which is always alive, and stirring in us, namely, of our thoughts, wills, and affections. If therefore these are always alive in us, always governing our lives, then a perpetual operation of the Spirit of God within us, is absolutely necessary. For we cannot be inwardly led and governed by a spirit of goodness, but by being governed by the Spirit of God himself. If our thoughts, wills, and affections, need only be now and then holy and good, then, indeed, the Spirit of God need only now and then govern us. But if our thoughts and affections are to be always holy, then the holy Spirit of God is to be always operating within us. The scripture saith, _We are not sufficient of ourselves to think a good thought_. If so, then we cannot be chargeable with not thinking, and willing that which is good, but upon this _supposition_, that there is always a _supernatural_ power ready, and able to help us to the good, which we cannot have from ourselves. How firmly our established church adheres to this doctrine of the necessity of the _perpetual operation_ of the Holy Spirit, as the one only source of any degree of divine light, wisdom, virtue, and goodness in the soul of man; how earnestly she requires all her members to live in the most open profession of it, and in the highest conformity to it, may be seen by many such prayers as these in her ordinary, public service. _O God for as much as without thee_, we are not able to please thee, grant _that_ thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts. Again _we pray thee, that thy grace may_ ALWAYS _prevent_ and _follow us, and make us_ CONTINUALLY _to be given to all good works_. Again, _Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the Spirit to think and do_ ALWAYS _such things as be rightful, that we, who cannot do_ ANY THING that is good, WITHOUT _thee_, may, by thee, be enabled to live according to thy will. Again, _Because_ the frailty of man, WITHOUT _thee_, CANNOT BUT FALL, keep us EVER, by thy HELP, from all things hurtful, and LEAD _us to all things profitable to our salvation_, &c. Again, _O God from whom all good things do come, grant to us, thy humble servants_, that by THY holy INSPIRATION, _we may_ THINK _those things that be good_, and, _by thy merciful_ GUIDING, _may_ PERFORM _the same_.