A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 3 · Subpart 9
The Holy-Spirit a Witness.
1 Joh. 5.6, 10.
It is the Spirit that beareth Witness, because the Spirit is Truth. He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the Witness within himself.
Rom. 8.16.
The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirit, &c.
Rom. 9.1.
My Conscience also beareth me Witness in the Holy Ghost, &c.
A Witness is absolutly necessary for the keeping up of Justice, deciding of all Matters of Moment, or to the putting an end to Controversies that may arise between Parties; and for the confirming and establishment of Truth.
METAPHOR.
WItness imports something to be done, that is to be attested when it shall be required, or when there is need of it.
II. A good Witness is a just and impartial Person, one that will tell only the Truth.
III. A good and faithful Witness decides Controversies upon Trial the right way.
IV. One Witness is not sufficient to the deciding of some Differences, in some Cases there should be more than one Witness. In the mouth of two or three Witnesses, shall every Word be established.
V. A Witness is highly esteemed, and his Testimony prized by a Man falsely accused, when his Life lies at stake thereby; especially when such clear Evidence is given in for the Defendant, that tends to the clearing up his Innocency and absolutely to acquit him, and to his great Honour, set him at liberty, notwithstanding those cruel and false Accusations of his Enemy.
VI. A good Witness many times gives in such clear Proof and Circumstances, to the deciding of Controversies and ending Differences, that the Matter appears exceeding plain in the sight of all Persons.
VII. A good and faithful Witness brings a Man sometimes off triumphantly, that all were ready to conclude was a dead Man.
VIII. A Witness is so necessary to confirm Bonds, Contracts and solemn Covenants that they are not look'd upon Authentick, and good in Law without.
Parallel.
THere is somthing done by Christ for us, and in us, which it is needful there be a Witness of, to confirm and establish both. (1.) Whatever the Lord Jesus did in the days of his Flesh, as the sent one of the Father, was born witness to by the Holy Spirit, by those mighty Works which were done by the means and power thereof. (2.) The Lord Jesus hath also done great things in those who do believe the Truth, of which the Holy Spirit beareth Witness.
II. The Holy Spirit is a just and impartial Witness.1 Joh 3.6. The Spirit beareth Witness, because the Spirit is Truth.
III. So the Holy Spirit decides and ends the great doubt that arises in the Heart about the work of Grace the right way; will not speak Peace to him to whom it doth not appertain; will not clear the Guilty, (viz.) him that believeth not, notwithstanding his seeming Zeal, Holiness, &c. nor condemn the holy and sincere Person, notwithstanding the Weaknesses and Infirmities of his Life.
IV. So in the great case of Interest or no Interest in Jesus Christ, or about Faith and Regeneration, there must be two or three Witnesses, no more is required. First, The Spirit of God. And secondly, Our Spirit, or the Testimony of our own Conscience. The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirits, Rom. 8.16that we are the Children of God.
V. When the Spirit of God, with a Man's own Conscience, gives in Evidence for him touching his Sincerity, when accused by Satan and by wicked Men, and rendered as a vile Hypocrite, as Job was, it doth clear him and makes his Heart light; and how doth he prize and esteem of such a Friend? Alas! had not a Christian the Witness in himself, to clear and bear up his Soul, he would sink down many times into utter Despondency: but this made holy Job to triumph over all his Enemies; Behold, Job 16.19my Witness is in Heaven, and my Record is on high. As much as if he should say, though many Witnesses are against me, yet I will keep my Conscience clear, I will not have my own Heart to charge me, or witness against me as long as I live.
VI. So the Holy Ghost gives in such clear Demonstration and Proof to the clearing up of a Man's Evidence for Heaven, that when all Cases are clearly considered, a poor Saint, though doubtful before, comes to a good and full Satisfaction therein, God's Spirit and Conscience compares a Man's State with the Word of God; and if upon Trial, it appears that those Qualifications are wrought in his Heart, that the Word expresly mentions, concerning the Truth of Grace, he then finds he hath no more cause to doubt of the goodness of his Condition.
VII. So the Holy Spirit and Conscience bring off a Christian with abundance of holy Joy and Triumph, notwithstanding his Case may seem very dangerous by means of strong Accusations of Satan,2 Cor. 1.11, 12. as it was with Job; For this is our rejoycing, the Testimony of our Conscience, that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity, we have had our Conversation in the World, &c.
VII. So the Spirit or God confirms the Covenant of Grace to the Soul of a Believer, for when the true Fear of God is wrought in the Heart, the Spirit witnesseth to it, and thereby assures us, that all the Promises that are made therein, are undoubtedly our own, and shall be performed to us.
Inference.
HOw happy is the State of the Godly? what good Assurance have they of Eternal Life? they have received an Earnest of it, it is sealed unto them, and they have two infallible Witnesses to confirm it to them. See Conscience a Witness.