Here is a circumstance highly needful to be observed, before we enter upon this question. Your Lordship undertakes to fix the meaning of an expression used by St. _Paul_, in the 14th chapter of his first epistle to the _Corinthians_. And in order thereto, you laboriously explain part of the 8th chapter of the _Romans_. My Lord, how is this? Will it be said, Why _this_ is often alledged to prove the wrong sense of _that_ scripture? I conceive, this will not salve the matter at all. Your Lordship had before laid down a particular method, as the only sure one whereby to distinguish what scriptures belong to all Christians, and what do not. This method is, the considering the occasion and scope of those passages, by comparing the text and context together. You then propose, by the use of this method, to shew, that several texts have been misapplied by _Enthusiasts_. One of these is the 15th verse of the 14th chapter of the first epistle to the _Corinthians_. And to shew, that _Enthusiasts_ have misapplied this, you comment on the 8th chapter to the _Romans_! However, let us weigh the comment itself. The material part of it begins thus: (page 22.) “Now he adds another proof of the truth of Christianity: _Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities_ (or our _distresses_, for ♦ἀσθενείαις signifies both.” I doubt that: I require authority for it.) “And then he mentions, in what instances he does so, viz. In _prayers_ to God about afflictions”――(In nothing else, my Lord? Did he _help their infirmities_, in no other instance than this?) “_We know not_, says he, _what we should pray for as we ought_. That is, whether it be best for us to bear afflictions, or to be delivered from them. But _the Spirit_, OR the gift of the Spirit, instructs us how to _pray_ in a manner agreeable to the will of God.” _The Spirit_, OR the _gift_ of the Spirit! What marvellous reasoning is this? If these “are often put for each other,” what then? How is that evinced to be the case here? ♦ “ἀθενείαις” replaced with “ἀσθενείαις” 12. “The apostle goes on, _The Spirit itself_ (page 23) _maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered_: That is, the _spiritual_ or _inspired person_ prayed in that capacity for the whole assembly.” “That is!” Nay, that is again the very point to be proved, else we get not one step farther. “The apostle goes on thus, verse 27. _And he that_ (page 24) _searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the spirit_, (that is, of the _spiritual_ or _inspired_ person) _because_ he _maketh intercession for the saints, according to the will of |God|_. That is, God knows the intention of the _spiritual_ person, who has the _gift_ of _prayer_, which he uses for the benefit of the whole assembly; he, I say, leaves it entirely to God, whether it be best that they should suffer afflictions, or be delivered from them.” Page 25.