Therebediverseotherplacesoutofwhichmaybedrawnthelikeconclusion。Tomenthatunderstandthesignificationofthesewords，substanceandincorporealasincorporealistakennotforsubtlebody，butfornotbody，theyimplyacontradiction：insomuchastosay，anangelorspiritisinthatsenseanincorporealsubstanceistosay，ineffect，thereisnoangelnorspiritatall。ConsideringthereforethesignificationofthewordangelintheOldTestament，andthenatureofdreamsandvisionsthathappentomenbytheordinarywayofnature，Iwasinclinedtothisopinion，thatangelswerenothingbutsupernaturalapparitionsofthefancy，raisedbythespecialandextraordinaryoperationofGod，therebytomakeHispresenceandcommandmentsknowntomankind，andchieflytoHisownpeople。ButthemanyplacesoftheNewTestament，andourSaviour’sownwords，andinsuchtextswhereinisnosuspicionofcorruptionoftheScripture，haveextortedfrommyfeeblereasonanacknowledgementandbeliefthattherebealsoangelssubstantialandpermanent。Buttobelievetheybeinnoplace，thatistosay，nowhere，thatistosay，nothing，asthey，thoughindirectly，saythatwillhavethemincorporeal，cannotbyScripturebeevinced。
Onthesignificationofthewordspiritdependeththatofthewordinspiration；whichmusteitherbetakenproperly，andthenitisnothingbuttheblowingintoamansomethinandsubtleairorwindinsuchmannerasamanfillethabladderwithhisbreath；orifspiritsbenotcorporeal，buthavetheirexistenceonlyinthefancy，itisnothingbuttheblowinginofaphantasm；whichisimpropertosay，andimpossible；forphantasmsarenot，butonlyseemtobe，somewhat。ThatwordthereforeisusedintheScripturemetaphoricallyonly：aswhereitissaidthatGodinspiredintomanthebreathoflife，*nomoreismeantthanthatGodgaveuntohimvitalmotion。ForwearenottothinkthatGodmadefirstalivingbreath，andthenblewitintoAdamafterhewasmade，whetherthatbreathwererealorseeming；butonlyasitis“thathegavehimlife，andbreath“；*2thatis，madehimalivingcreature。Andwhereitissaid“allScriptureisgivenbyinspirationfromGod，“*3speakingthereoftheScriptureoftheOldTestament，itisaneasymetaphortosignifythatGodinclinedthespiritormindofthosewriterstowritethatwhichshouldbeusefulinteaching，reproving，correcting，andinstructingmeninthewayofrighteousliving。ButwhereSt。Petersaiththat“Prophecycamenotinoldtimebythewillofman，buttheholymenofGodspakeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit，“*4bytheHolySpiritismeantthevoiceofGodinadreamorvisionsupernatural，whichisnotinspiration：norwhenourSaviour，breathingonHisDisciples，said，“ReceivetheHolySpirit，wasthatbreaththeSpirit，butasignofthespiritualgraceshegaveuntothem。Andthoughitbesaidofmany，andofourSaviourHimself，thathewasfulloftheHolySpirit；yetthatfullnessisnottobeunderstoodforinfusionofthesubstanceofGod，butforaccumulationofhisgifts，suchasarethegiftofsanctityoflife，oftongues，andthelike，whetherattainedsupernaturallyorbystudyandindustry；forinallcasestheyarethegiftsofGod。SolikewisewhereGodsays，“IwillpouroutmySpirituponallflesh，andyoursonsandyourdaughtersshallprophesy，youroldmenshalldreamdreams，andyouryoungmenshallseevisions，“*5wearenottounderstanditinthepropersense，asifhisSpiritwerelikewater，subjecttoeffusionorinfusion；butasifGodhadpromisedtogivethempropheticaldreamsandvisions。Fortheproperuseofthewordinfused，inspeakingofthegracesofGod，isanabuseofit；forthosegracesarevirtues，notbodiestobecarriedhitherandthither，andtobepouredintomenasintobarrels。
Inthesamemanner，totakeinspirationinthepropersense，ortosaythatgoodspiritsenteredintomentomakethemprophesy，orevilspiritsintothosethatbecamephrenetic，lunatic，orepileptic，isnottotakethewordinthesenseoftheScripture；
fortheSpiritthereistakenforthepowerofGod，workingbycausestousunknown。AsalsothewindthatistheresaidtofillthehousewhereintheApostleswereassembledonthedayofPentecost*
isnottobeunderstoodfortheHolySpirit，whichistheDeityitself；butforanexternalsignofGod’sspecialworkingontheirheartstoeffectinthemtheinternalgracesandholyvirtuesHethoughtrequisitefortheperformanceoftheirapostleship。