As we have seen from time to time, of late years, the opposition that has been manifested by some to the operations of the Spirit of God,—an opposition which is equivalent to robbing that Holy Spirit of its office, and denying its effect upon the hearts of men; we were struck with a passage from Dr. Clarke as expressing the true cause of such a state of feeling. In his closing remarks on 2 Sam. v, which treats of some of God's manifestations to David, he says:—
"How is it that such supernatural directions and assistances are not communicated now? Because they are not asked for; and they are not asked for, because they are not expected; and they are not expected because men have not faith; and they have not faith because they are under a refined spirit of atheism, and have no spiritual intercourse with their Maker! Who believes that God sees all things and is everywhere? Who supposes that he concerns himself with the affairs of his creatures? Who acknowledges him in all his ways? Who puts not his own wisdom, prudence and strength, in the place of God Almighty? Reader, hast thou faith in God? Then exercise it, cultivate it, and thou mayest remove mountains."