Death and Life, Sermons · Sermon 7
Sermon 7.
Uſe 9. SEe how great need they have to ſeek the Spirit who have it not, ſo neceſſary as the mortifying any ſin is, ſo neceſſary is the having of the Spirit, for (as hath been ſaid) we muſt have the Spirit e're we can do any thing by it to the ſlaying our ſins, therefore ſo many luſts, ſo many evil affections and motions, ſo many ſins, as are in any one of us, ſo many engagements to ſeek the Spirit, without which not one of them can be ſubdued; They who have not the Spirit of the Lord, they do, they will walk after their luſts, nor can they walk otherwiſe, Jude. 17, 18. Beloved, remember ye the words that were ſpoken before of the Apoſtles of our Lord Jeſus, how that they told you, there ſhould be mockers in the laſt time, who ſhould walk after their own ungodly luſts, how ſo? v. 19. theſe be they who ſeparate themſelves (i. e. from ordinances, from the Societies of Saints) ſenſual, not having the ſpirit; hence they did, they could not but walk after their luſts, becauſe though they pretended high, as if they had the ſpirit, and that in a larger meaſure than others, yet in truth they had it not. Whoever are without the Spirit, are in the fleſh, Rom. 8.9. Ye are not in the fleſh, but in the Spirit, if ſo be the Spirit of Chriſt dwell in you, but (which is implyed) if the Spirit of Chriſt dwell not in you, then are you in the fleſh; in the hands, under the power of corrupt nature, therefore cannot poſſibly mortifie the deeds of the fleſh. But get the Spirit once, ſo ſhall you (through it) be able to bring under, and tread under your feet every ſin that is in you. God is able, ſaith the Apoſtle, to cauſe all grace to abound towards you, ſo the Spirit of God is able to cauſe all ſin to decay, wither and dye in you, Judg. 15.14. When Samſon came to Lehi the Philiſtines ſhouted againſt him, and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms, became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his hands looſed from off his hands. Thus, when the Spirit comes into any ſoul and works mightily in it, all its luſts are as nothing, of no ſtrength.
Wherefore, whoever yet hath not the Spirit, let ſuch a one be perſwaded to look out for it with all earneſtneſs and diligence to ſeek it, ſhould you (not having the Spirit) ſet your ſelves to mortifie your ſins, this (as ſo) would not be obedience to God, nor pleaſing to him, becauſe he requires you to do this work through the Spirit, and conſequently to get the Spirit that you may do it; therefore they who have not, and ſeek not the Spirit, do not obey nor pleaſe God by the things they do againſt their ſins; yea, they diſobey God and highly offend him, in that they take not his Counſel, that holds true in this caſe, Iſa. 30.1. Wo to the rebellious children (ſaith the Lord) that take counſel but not of me, and that cover with a covering but not of my ſpirit, that they may add ſin to ſin, It is rebellion againſt God, it is adding ſin to ſin, when men think to help and ſave themſelves outwardly, much more, when any think to ſave themſelves ſpiritually from their ſins without the ſpirit, ſuch do bring a heavy wo upon themſelves.
Q. What then ſhould one do, that hath not the ſpirit that he may attain?
A. 1. It is a good ſtep for one that hath not the ſpirit to … convinc't that he is without it, and that he ſtands in a moſt abſolute neceſſity of it, ſo that he is utterly and eternally undone if he have it not. Many, void, empty of the ſpirit dream and ſtrongly fanſie that they have it, yea many times when men are filled and acted by the evill lying ſpirit, they are very big with a vain conceit, that they have much, an eminent meaſure, of the holy ſpirit of truth, 1 Kings 22.24. Zedekiah (a man filled with the lying ſpirit) went to the good Prophet, and ſmote him on the cheek, ſaying, Which way went the ſpirit of the Lord from me to ſpeak unto thee, he verily ſuppoſed himſelf to have and to be moved by the good ſpirit of God, and he ſeems to ſpeak as if he only had it, ſo that none could have it but from him, or at leaſt that he had it firſt, Which way (ſaith he) went the ſpirit of the Lord from me to ſpeak unto thee, Which he ſpake ſcoffingly, deriding the holy Prophet, even thus are men oft moſt wofully deluded, a ſtrong perſwaſion have they, that Gods ſpirit is in them, whereas the truth is, the evill ſpirit, not the good rules and works in them. Others they have no ſenſe, feeling or conviction of their need of the ſpirit, ſo they have no deſire after it, hence they continue without, and while it is ſo with any, they are not like to become partakers of it, labour then to know your want, and to feell your need of the ſpirit, in order to your ſeeking and attaining it.
Secondly, The great thing of all to be done for the gaining of the ſpirit, is believing, Gal. 3.14. the promiſe of the ſpirit, is received through faith, there muſt be a heart receiving the Goſpel, and Jeſus Chriſt held forth thereby, there muſt be a ſoul ſetled perſwaſion of the undoubted certainty of the doctrin of Chriſt, and a ſoul truſt and reſt on him, to the receiving the promiſe of the ſpirit, a right to that great promiſe, and the fulfilling thereof. That is a famous promiſe divers times repeated, 1 Pet. 2.6. Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner-ſtone, elect, precious (i. e. Jeſus Chriſt) and he that believeth on him ſhall not be confounded, by what ſhall he not be confounded? Not by any thing; not by Satan, not by ſin in it's guilt or power, not by any luſt. But how ſo? For, as he that believeth in Chriſt is cloathed with his righteouſneſſe, ſo he is made partaker of his ſpirit. Put then thy truſt in Chriſt Jeſus, faſten upon him by faith, and that for this end that thou mayeſt through and from him receive the ſpirit. For theſe two things, Chriſt is to be believed in, for his righteouſneſſe to juſtifie us in the ſight of God, before the juſtice of God, and for his ſpirit to mortifie our ſins & ſo to ſanctifie our ſouls, & whoever beileved in Chriſt, in good earneſt, and in truth for theſe things, but they received them their perſons are clothed with his moſt perfect righteouſneſſe, their ſouls are endowed with his moſt holy bleſſed ſpirit. Rev 4.1, 2. I looked and behold a dore was opened in heaven, and the firſt voice that I heard, was as the voice of a trumpet, talking with me, which ſaid come up hither, and immediately I was in the ſpirit, So when a ſoul doth hear the voice of God in the Goſpel powerfully and effectually, ſaying, come up hither in thy heart, come to Chriſt in Heaven by hearty faith, then the ſoul obeying this voice immediately hath the ſpirit from Chriſt communicated to it. There ſhould be alſo a believing in particular the promiſes which God hath made of giving the ſpirit, who ever embraceth by true faith any promiſe of the ſpirit as made in Chriſt, he receiveth the accompliſhment of that promiſe by Chriſt, Chriſt graciouſly, beſtoweth the ſpirit upon him.
Thirdly, None receive the ſpirit to dwell in them without turning from their evill wayes, for there is no true faith, without a heart turn from known ſin, and while any give up or yeild themſelves to ſin, they do vex the ſpirit, Iſa. 63.10. They rebelled and vexed his holy ſpirit, But who is like to receive the ſpirit to dwell in him, while he rebells and vexeth it? Wherefore that word is to be remembred, Prov. 1.23. Turn ye at my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my ſpirit unto you. Then I'le pour out my ſpirit unto you, when you have a heart to turn: till this be, a man is a down right enemy to the ſpirit, his heart is lock't and barr'd up againſt it, who will go and dwell in the houſe of an enemy, while he continues in open hoſtility againſt him? A man muſt lay down arms, and not maintain fight againſt him whom he needs, and deſires to come and dwell with him, and if his deſire be right he will do ſo. A man cannot truly will to receive the ſpirit, unleſſe he will to leave his ſin,
Fourthly, That ſweet word of Chriſt ſhould be thought on, Luke 11, 13. How much more ſhall your heavenly Father give the holy ſpirit to them that ask him? If asking follow or go along with believing and turning, it's then ſure to prevail, receiving will be the fruit of ſuch asking. So then, the Scripture is full and plain in declaring how you may attain the ſpirit, what you ſhould do that you may gain it. Which things though (it's granted) they cannot be done without the ſpirit, yet are they not ſpoken in vain; To all whom God intends to ſave, he vouchſafeth a heart to hearken to theſe counſels, and ſo affords them the indwelling and conſtant aſſiſtance of his ſpirit while they live, (though it work not always alike in them. Therefore my advice is to any one ſenſible of his need of the ſpirit and deſirous of it, that he would take thoſe Scriptures mentioned, and ſpread them before the Lord, and hold on ſo doing, till he feel the power of his ſpirit, and be made ſenſible of the influence of his grace in his heart. O Lord, gracious God who delighteſt in mercy, who art a God hearing prayer, thy word ſaith, the promiſe of the ſpirit, is received through faith, be pleaſed I pray thee to give me faith, for it is thy gift. Thy word ſaith, turn at my reproof and I will pour my ſpirit out unto you; I beſeech thee turn me and I ſhall be turned, for turning is thy work; thy word ſaith, to them that ask thou wilt give thy holy ſpirit, O cauſe me to ask as I ought, open my mouth and my heart, that I may ſo ask as to receive according to thy word, for none call upon thee in truth unleſſe thou beeſt pleaſed to quicken them thereunto. Did ever any ſoul think you do thus, and continue ſo to do in uprightneſſe, who was denied? No verily, the Lord our God, is a God full of compaſſion, he will not let any one that ſincerely waits at the dore of his mercy, periſh for want of living water, his holy ſpirit. Is not God more mercifull than you are? would you let any one (though an enemy) ly and ſtarve and periſh at your dore, if he ſhould (throwing down his arms) come and lay himſelf at your threſhhold, crying for a draught of water? or put caſe a man through diſtemper, phrenſy, or madneſs, ſhould have done you much hurt, if he at a time coming to himſelf a little, ſhould entreat with earneſtneſs, that of you, which would cure him, and therefore deſire it, that he might no more do you wrong, would you not give it him? we read when the Prodigal came to himſelf he went to his Father, and his Father with all readineſs, pity and love received him; when any go to God for his Spirit in Chriſt, then begin they to come to themſelves.
God ſaith to us, if thine enemy thirſt give him drink, ſure then, if any ſoul though it have been a great enemy to God, do thirſt for his Spirit, and lye at the door of his mercy crying for it, through Chriſt, There is mercy enough in the heart of God to look out upon it, as it were to come forth to it, and beſtow his ſpirit upon it; Prov. 8.32, 33, 34. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye Children, for bleſſed are they (ſaith wiſdom) that keep my wayes, hear inſtruction, and be wiſe, and refuſe it not, Bleſſed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my Gates, waiting at the poſts of my doors. Why is ſuch a one bleſſed? … for who ſo findeth me, findeth life, intimating they that ſo ſeek ſhall find. Doth not Chriſt commend the good Samaritan who had compaſſion, on the wounded man, who could not help himſelf, and poured in oyl into his wounds? Luk. 10.33, 34. ſurely the Lord is as good himſelf, I, and much more compaſſionate towards poor ſinners who are far more miſerable and helpleſs. If then thou wounded ſoul by thy ſins, and no way able to heal thy wounds, to ſubdue thy ſins, ſhalt indeed look to him, cry unto him, will he not pour the Spirit (which is called the oyl of gladneſs) into thy heart? Yes, no doubt he will.
I dare ſay this (to thee O ſoul) if thou haſt a heart to go ſenſibly and ſincerely to Chriſt, and to tell him of that himſelf hath ſpoken concerning the good Samaritan, and humbly to ask him whether he have not a more loving tender heart, (not doubting whether he hath or no, but being perſwaded that he hath) and to plead what the Samaritan did with Chriſt, entreating that he would do the like for thee ſpiritually; Chriſt will not take it amiſs, no his bowels will be troubled for thee, as the Lord ſaith his were for Ephraim, and he'l ſurely have mercy on thee, ſo as to vouchſafe the ſpirit to thee, even to thee, as it is, Hoſ. 11.8. How ſhall I give thee up Ephraim? How ſhall I deliver thee Iſrael? How ſhall I make thee as Admah? How ſhall I ſet thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. So will the Lord ſay concerning thee, how ſhall I give thee up to thy luſts, wounded ſoul? how ſhall I deliver thee to the rage of thy deadly corruptions, crying heart? how ſhall I make? how ſhall I ſet thee as the reprobates? as thoſe who are drowned in perdition and deſtruction by their fooliſh and hurtful luſts? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together, they are as all up, and on a flame together, all my bowels yern towards thee, here's my ſpirit for thee, take it, receive thou the holy Ghoſt; is not that Chriſt's own word? Rev. 21.6. I will give unto him that is a thirſt of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Uſe 10. Seeing it is through the ſpirit that our ſins are to be mortified, take the ſpirit's time for the mortifying of them. What time is that? it is the preſent time. The ſpirit loveth no delayes in a matter of ſo great conſequence, it hates our ſins, therefore would that we ſhould ſeek to deſtroy them immediately without any putting off. O! Alas, how many have been ruined by their ſins, becauſe they have deferred to ſeek the ruine of them? They have never had the Spirit's help, becauſe they would not take the Spirit's time. Beware that be not true of any of you, Rom. 10. laſt. But to Iſrael, (obſerve that, to Iſrael a people enjoying the word, and living under ordinances) he ſaith, all day long I have ſtretched forth my hands unto a diſobedient, and gain ſaying people. I have tendred mercy, offered help and aſſiſtance, to a people who have all day long from morning to evening of the day of grace, ſlighted my mercy, and refuſed my help, the teaching and leading of my Spirit. No delay paſt ſhall be charged upon you, if now you have a heart to yield your ſelves to the Spirit, for the ſubduing your iniquities, but take heed of delaying ſtill. Now, even now, the bleſſed Spirit offereth you its help, now in the Goſpel, now in the Word Preached, my Spirit (ſaith God) ſhall not alway ſtrive with man, believe it now the Spirit ſtriveth with you, and makes a tender of its aſſiſtance. But more eſpecially doth the ſpirit offer its help, when it begins to move, and breath and work in any ſoul, Give ear I pray, have you no movings, no workings, no ſtirrings or convictions of the Spirit? do you barely hear a ſound of words? do you feel …thing within? doth not the Spirit many times convince you? doth it not frequently ſtir you up againſt your ſins, and againſt this or that ſin in particular? have you not now ſome ſtirrings of the Spirit?
Remember this, whenever the Spirit moveth in you, it offereth you its aſſiſtance, therefore if you have any hatred of your ſins, any love of your ſouls, any deſire to be helpt by the Spirit againſt your corruption, accept its offer, now accept it, and ſet upon this good and neceſſary work forthwith, take up arms, and uſe them againſt your ſin, giving up yourſelf to the Spirit, that it may enable you to do that, for which you are utterly impotent and inſufficient in your ſelves. Go along with the Spirit, that way it moves you, that way go; what it putteth you on to, that do. It is a moſt dangerous thing to neglect the offer of the holy good Spirit of God, to ſlight or let ſlip any of its counſels or motions, as Chriſt ſaid to Jeruſalem, ſo may the Spirit now ſay to many a one, (Mat. 23.37, 38.) how oft would I have helped you, and you would not? behold your ſoul is left unto you deſolate.
Uſe 11. Take heed all you who have the Spirit, that you do no way provoke it, no way grieve it, becauſe the great war you are ſtill, while you live, to carry on againſt corrupt nature and its luſtings, can only be effectually managed by the help thereof. Why is it that the Spirit of grace doth aſſiſt us no more in this warfare? whence is it, that the enemies of our Spirits ſo oft prevail and get us under? Is it becauſe the Spirit in us, is not able to help us? that cannot be, it hath given our ſouls life when quite dead, therefore it can lay our ſins quite dead at its pleaſure, and give our ſouls life more abundantly. Is it becauſe the ſpirit is not willing or ready to afford us its aſſiſtance? neither can that be, it being given to us to help us; to think it unwilling, is to think it unfaithful, but the holy ſpirit cannot be unfaithful, and to think it unwilling, is to think it unloving, unkind, uncompaſſionate, but that ſpirit that works all kindneſs, love and compaſſion, that is gracious in every ſoul, muſt needs be exceeding loving, kind, and full of compaſſion it ſelf. What's the reaſon then, that this, that, and the other ſin ſo oft gets the maſtery in us, who have the ſpirit in us. Whence is it, that ſpiritual ſlothfulneſs ſo much prevails in ſome, worldlineſs in others, lukewarmneſs, pride, envy, &c. in others? whence are ſome ſo unſtable in the truth, ſo unconſtant in that which is good? whence ſuch dead heartedneſs, ſuch carnality, ſuch vain-glory, ſuch diſcontent and uncircumſpect walking among us? Sure, the Spirit is not kindly entertained by us as it ought to be, we grieve it, we offend and diſpleaſe it. As Iſrael was never beaten by their enemies, but ſtill prevailed againſt them, unleſs God were ſome way greatly provoked by them, and ſo left them in a great degree to themſelves, to their own ſtrength and counſels, which ever proved too weak, ſhort, and fooliſh to hold them up when the Lord was withdrawn from them. So it is, when our foul enemies prevail, the Spirit of God is diſpleaſed by us. Therefore be more kind to, be more tender towards it, Let us ever be careful as for our lives, that we never grieve our great and only helper.
There are many wayes that the Spirit is offended, one is that even now mentioned, neglecting its motions, not working when it calls upon, and puts us on to work, not fighting when it moves us, or not as it moveth us to fight againſt our luſts. Beſides which, there are five or ſix wayes I ſhall now mention of grieving the Spirit.
Firſt, Running upon temptation, when you do ſo, you tempt the Spirit, which tempting it, is grieving it, when you needleſſely run upon an occaſion of ſin, and venter upon any foreſeen temptation (having no call) hoping the Spirit will help you againſt it.
Secondly, Willing or careleſs neglect of any duty, Believe, (O that you would believe me, when I ſpeak truth) you never willingly, or careleſſely neglect a duty, but you grieve the Spirit. You may pretend one and another thing, but the Spirit cannot be deceived; it ſearcheth all things, and as for you in whom it dwells, know you, it doth more eſpecially obſerve, your whole converſation, and all the workings of your ſpirits.
Thirdly, Yielding to any thing at any time againſt your conſcience; when you offend conſcience, you grieve the ſpirit; if conſcience be diſpleaſed, the ſpirit is diſpleaſed, though not alway in the ſame reſpect, thy conſcience ſaith, doing ſuch a thing, thou doſt not do well, yet wilt thou do it, now doſt thou provoke the ſpirit.
Fourthly, Not trying thoſe motions that are in you by the word, what they are, or whence they come. For hereupon, (you oftner then you are aware of) give entertainment to Satan's motions and yield to them, as if they were from the ſpirit of holineſs, (eſpecially then when Salan transforms himſelf notably into an Angel of light) and what a grieving the ſpirit this is, it's eaſie to conceive, for you through negligence, raſhneſs, or inconſiderateneſs, and not trying things as you ought, to follow the wicked one, inſtead of the Holy one.
Fifthly, Deſpiſing the counſel of ſuch who have the ſpirit, which is too ordinary a caſe. I ſuppoſe it will be confeſs'd this is a grieving the ſpirit, and it muſt be granted it is too too common. Either the counſel of ſuch is deſpiſed by not ſeeking it, when it is needful, (the law ſhould be ſought at their mouth who have the teaching of the ſpirit, Mal. 2.7. Hagg. 2.11.) or when good counſel is given, and is not followed, but is neglected, be it through flightineſs, obſtinacy, conceit of your own underſtanding, or a being bent to your own mind, 1. Cor. 7. laſt, it is ſo after my judgment, and I think I have the ſpirit of God, (he means as to that his Advice) and therefore (as if he ſhould have ſaid) beware that you deſpiſe not my counſel, leſt you grieve the ſpirit, whoſe counſel it is by me.
Sixthly, Giving way to unbelieving thoughts, the ſuffering to lodg in you any evil thought grieves the ſpirit, particularly and eſpecially, a thought of unbelief, when you entertain it, nouriſh it, or ſtrive not to turn it out. Now let the conſideration of your need of the ſpirit and the great work you have to do by it, which can by no means be done without it, make you heedful that the ſpirit, be not grieved by you, theſe, or any other wayes. And if you find not the ſpirit helping you againſt your ſin, you may conclude one of theſe two things, either you have it not, and then you muſt ſeek it as before, or you have ſome way grieved it, and then you muſt conſider wherein, make confeſſion, beg pardon, and amend.
Uſe 12. Be perſwaded every one who hath the ſpirit, in all you do againſt your ſin, to do it, alway through the ſpirit, for as much as this is a ſure way and the only way of doing any thing ſucceſsfully. All (remember it) all is loſt labour, and worſe than labour barely loſt, if not through the ſpirit, for to attempt any thing without it, is a ſlighting it, and the mercy of God in beſtowing it. And this indeed is one principal way of grieving the ſpirit, to ſeek or think to tread down your luſts without its help; when any have a good friend, who can aſſiſt them in a difficult matter neceſſary to be done by them for their good, which they cannot bring about without him, it is an offence to him, it will grieve him, if he be not made uſe of; its a part of friendſhip, and a precept thereof, to uſe our friend in a time of need; a true friend is as much offended, if you will not uſe him, when you need his help, as he is diſpleaſed, if you refuſe your aſſiſtance when he needs help from you. I am apt to think, we grieve the ſpirit as by nothing more greatly, ſo by nothing more frequently than by this, we forget the ſpirit, we beg not its helping preſence enough, we truſt not in it as we ought, we have too much a ſecret conſidence in our own endeavours, reſolutions and duties, or in grace received. Thus the ſpirit is grieved, ſo it aſſiſteth us not as elſe it would, hence our luſts are ſo ſtrong, what we do, proves in vain; If one ſin be ſomewhat kept under, another riſeth up in its room, and that retains its life alſo ſtill, and breaks forth again; if outward acts of ſin are ſomwhat prevented, yet ſin it continues and prevails within.
Hence alſo we are ſo oft almoſt quite diſcouraged in oppoſing ſin, and even ſometimes ready to think it unconquerable, and hence we undergoe more difficulty than we need (as hath been ſaid) like as when one combats with an enemy alone, too ſtrong for him, when he may have help, he hath more trouble than he need to have, this is folly, it's as when a Child will attempt and force it ſelf to carry that alone, which is too heavy for it, and above its ſtrength; and is it not dangerous to ſet forth againſt an enemy too hard for us, without that help we may have, and God hath graciouſly afforded us? This is preſumption, this provokes God to let us fall into and under temptation, this encourageth Satan againſt us, and ſtrengthens him, this is a wrong to the death of Chriſt whereby the ſpirit hath been obtained for us. Therefore receive the counſel given you, into your hearts, let it be written and engraven there, whenever you reſolve againſt ſin, let it be through the ſpirit, whenever you ſtrive againſt any ſin, let it be through the ſpirit, give your ſelf up to the Spirit, that you may be conducted, led forth, guided, and ſtrengthned by it.
This is an honourable way of ſpiritual fighting, under the conduct of ſuch a leader, the mighty glorious Spirit, our luſts are the baſeſt enemies (the worſe is it to be overcome by them) but the Spirit is a moſt excellent Leader.
Some may ſay, I have endeavoured through the Spirit, ſeeking it, and truſting in it for the mortifying of my ſin, yet is it not mortified.
I anſwer, don't you know, it is ſo ſometimes that a ſick man thinks himſelf worſe than he was, when his Diſeaſe is much abated, becauſe he is more ſenſible of it than he was, ſo is it as to ſin; And it is one part of Satan's work to bely the work of the Spirit. As when men go forth againſt their ſins without the Spirit, Satan endeavours to cauſe them to think their ſin dead when it lives as much as ever, having no deadly wound at all, ſo when any do reſiſt and fight againſt their ſin by the Spirit, he beſtirreth himſelf to cauſe them to think that their ſin retaineth it's former life and ſtrength, when indeed it is dying and much weakned. It cannot be, but, if you have truely oppoſed ſin through the Spirit, that it is mortified in a good degree, it is mortifying, dying though not quite mortified and dead altogether. As you ſhould not think your corruptions weaker, ſo neither ſhould you look upon them as ſtronger than they are. It is a diſgraceful injury to a Phyſician, when his Patients get good by his preſcriptions, and are really better, for them to ſay they are as bad, as ſick as ever, they have gotten no good thereby. So is it a diſhonour and wrong to the bleſſed moſt precious ſpirit of grace, for thoſe who have it, and are acted by it, or make uſe of it, to ſay they are never the better, that their ſins retain their former ſtrength notwithſtanding, as if the Spirit of God were either weak, unskilful, or unfaithful. It's good for us to think and confeſs the worſt of our ſelves, and we ſhould be humbled and aſhamed that our ſins are no more ſubdued, but we muſt beware that we diſhonour not the ſpirit, nor ſpeak more againſt our ſelves than is true; as we muſt not ſpeak falſly for God, ſo not againſt our ſelves, all falſe witneſs is a tranſgreſſion of the Law.
Yet let me ſay, our hearts are very deceitful in this thing, we do not alway act through the ſpirit, nor are we ſenſible of our need of it, nor do we ſo heartily ſeek it, or rely on it as we ſometimes ſuppoſe; I doubt not, there are many who can teſtifie that they have experienced the deceitfulneſs of their hearts in this, as well as in other things; they have thought that they did reſolve and ſtrive through the ſpirit, but afterward they have found that they did look too much to themſelves, and too little to the ſpirit, that they had more ſelf confidence than they were aware of.
Some may here deſire farther advice how they ſhall do this work through the ſpirit, how their hearts ſhall be brought to a thorow truſt in the ſpirit, that they may have its help againſt their ſins. To which I anſwer,
Firſt, When ſin prevails in you, not only confeſs that, but this, that you have not made uſe of the ſpirit, nor relyed on it as you ought; it will be a good help to your having more of the aſſiſtance of the ſpirit hereafter, if you be ſenſible of, and acknowledge with brokenneſs of heart, your neglect of the ſpirit heretofore, that you have not gone forth againſt your ſin through it as you ſhould. There is too little of this confeſſion, we confeſs the ſtirrings and breakings forth of corruption, but we forget altogether or too much to acknowledge this cauſe thereof.
Secondly, Remember to ſeek not only the ſpirit's powerful, but alſo its counſelling and directing aſſiſtance, we greatly need both, we are weak, therefore need the Spirit's ſtrength, we are unwiſe and fooliſh, therefore need its counſel. As we have not power to do, ſo neither underſtanding to diſcern what we ſhould do againſt our ſins, what is the beſt way and courſe to mortifie them; It is not unuſual for men to take ſuch a courſe for the deſtroying their ſin as rather ſtrengthneth, than weakneth it. Enemies are overcome as oft, if not oftner, by policy, than by main force; ſo our ſins are to be conquered by wiſdom as well as (if not more than) by ſtrength. Therefore look for the ſpirit to help you both, as a ſpirit of power, and alſo as a ſpirit of wiſdom.
Thirdly, Beg that the ſpirit would not only help you againſt your ſins, but that it would cauſe you to make uſe of, and truſt in it ſelf for its help, that it would ſhew you more and more your need of it, convince you of your own weakneſs, and fooliſhneſs, that you may have no confidence in your ſelves, but wholly depend on it.
Fourthly, Set your ſelves againſt every ſin through the ſpirit; it may be you look for and deſire the ſpirit's aſſiſtance againſt ſome ſpecial ſtrong corruption, but you muſt ſeek its help againſt all, or you'l hardly have it againſt any; you muſt not think any ſin ſo ſmall that it needs not to be mortified, nor any ſo weak that you can kill it of your ſelves, it offends the ſpirit if you ſo think. It's much what a like evil to think any ſin too ſtrong, to be ſubdued by the ſpirit, and to think any ſo ſmall that it need not, or ſo weak that without the ſpirit it may be mortified.
Fifthly, Make ſure of this that you are in Chriſt, and have received the ſpirit from him, and then ſtedfaſtly expect its conduct, powerful aſſiſtance, and counſel for the deſtruction of your ſins; Look upon it as your helper, and have a raiſed firm expectation without wavering of its help, as the Apoſtle ſaith, 2 Tim. 4.18. the Lord ſhall deliver me from every evil work, and will preſerve me unto his heavenly Kingdom, ſo you may and ſhould ſay, the ſpirit of the Lord ſhall deliver me from every luſt, and will preſerve me from the dominion of every corruption, yea and deſtroy all my ſins, it will never leave me, nor forſake me, till it have brought me off victorious, it will help me, it will give me a full compleat victory overall mine iniquities.
But let this your confident expectation be rightly grounded. How is that? I anſwer, you ſhould confidently expect the ſpirits full help, upon theſe and ſuch like grounds.
Firſt, As it is the ſpirit of the Father, that which the Father hath promiſed and given you, the promiſe of the ſpirit is called the promiſe of the Father, Acts. 1.4. and Chriſt ſaith, it proceedeth from the Father, therefore look for it, as ſo; think not it will help you only or ſo much, becauſe you need it, or will to be help'd by it, (or for any other reaſon with reſpect to your ſelves) as becauſe the Father willeth it ſhould help you, and hath promiſed and given it for that purpoſe, and ſo it's the Father's work to do in you, and with you.
Secondly, Expect it's help as the ſpirit of Chriſt, as that which proceeds from the Son, & which Chriſt hath obtained, and ſent to you from the Father, Chriſt dyed and aſcended to interceed that you might have it, he ſhed his blood alſo that your ſins might be deſtroyed through it, he hath ſent it into your hearts, therefore look for it's, help upon Chriſt's account, and as you belong to Chriſt, as you are in him, his members, ſo that what the ſpirit doth for you, it doth for Chriſt, as they who ſhew kindneſſe to any of Chriſt's members, feeding, viſiting, clothing them, he ſaith ſhew kindneſſe to himſelf, ſo the ſpirit helping you, helps Chriſt, as you are of his myſticall body.
Thirdly, Expect the ſpirit's help alſo for it's own ſake, becauſe you are it's Temple, 1 Cor. 6.19. It hath freely come to you, it doth dwell in you, and it is to abide with you for ever, John 14.16. therefore the ſpirit is concern'd in your welfare, it helping you to mortifie your ſins, honoureth itſelf, deſtroying your ſins, he deſtroyeth his own enemies, the enemies of his own habitation, his own temple.
Fourthly, Expect it's aſſiſtance upon the account of the everlaſtingneſſe and freeneſſe of the Covenant, wherein God hath ſaid he will give us his ſpirit, and cauſe us to walk in his ſtatutes, which is to be underſtood for all our life long, the Covenant gives aſſurance of the conſtant aſſiſtance of the ſpirit to the end; upon ſuch accounts as theſe ſtedfaſtly look for, ſtrongly expect the ſpirits help, ſo certainly you ſhall not miſſe of it, you may upon the grounds mentioned, ſay of your ſins, as David to Goliah, 1 Sam. 17.46, 47. The Lord will deliver thee into mine hand, and I will ſmite thee, and take thine head from thee, and all ſhall know that the Lord ſaveth not with ſword & ſpear, for the battell is the Lords, & he will give you into mine hands. Our truſt in the ſpirit is not right, if we expect not it's help; the greater our expectation is, the greater our truſt, and the greater engagement upon our friend to help us.
Fifthly, If after all, you at any time find ſin prevailing yet be not out of heart, if you are, that's the way to have it prevail again, and more, but ſtir up your ſelves to your duty in your ſpirituall warfare, renew your truſt in the ſpirit, be more earneſt in calling for it's help: As Iſrael when they fled before the men of Ai, they went and humbled themſelves, faſted and prayed, ſo when you as flee before your ſin, when beaten by your ſpiritual enemies, go to God, be more importunate and urgent for help, ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 35.1, 2. Plead my cauſe O Lord, with them that ſtrive with me, fight against them which fight againſt me take hold of ſhield & buckler, and ſtand up for my help, draw out the ſpear and ſtop the way againſt them, ſay unto my ſoul, (ſpeak it feelingly to my ſenſe) I am thy ſalvation, let them be confounded that ſeek after my ſoul, &c. And as it is in the Prophet, Awake, O arm of the Lord, put on ſtrength, &c. By no means give way to diſcouragement, for that is unbelief, and a diſhonour to the ſpirit, as alſo to your ſelves, what is it but cowardiſe when a man is worſted, and he falls down under diſcouragement, in this he is more conquered, than in the other: A right ſouldier, will ſtir up himſelf when foiled, and prepare for a new aſſault with the more eagerneſſe. That you may not at any time ſinck under diſcouragement becauſe of the prevalency of ſin, keep theſe three things in your mind.
Firſt, Though ſin hath overcome you, it hath not overcome the ſpirit in you, had he pleaſed he could have prevented it's having the maſtery, a ſure truth but not thought of in diſcouragement.
Secondly, You are never ſo maſtered by ſin, but the ſpirit can eaſily, ſuddenly help you to recover your ground, and to trample under foot that ſin which hath got you under, it's as eaſie with the ſpirit to ſubdue your ſin, as it was before it prevailed, yea he will, he ſurely will help you to repent which when you do in truth, then you get the day of ſin, repenting (if hearty) is overcoming, and call to mind, have you not oft, after the prevailing of this or that ſin, ſoon recovered your ſelves (through the ſpirit) when even as beaten out of the field, have you not regain'd your ground? and ſometimes been ſtronger than before and more ſucceſsfull in your combat.
Thirdly, The ſpirit would never ſuffer you at any time to be worſted by any ſin but for ſome wiſe ends, with reſpect both to your good, and it's glory.
Firſt, Your good, though to be foiled by a baſe luſt be not good, the effect of it may be good, and the ſpirit would not permit it, but that he intends your good thereby, even your ſins getting the upperhand of you, the ſpirit intendeth to make uſe of for the ſubduing it, by humbling you, by making the blood of Chriſt more pretious to you, by cauſing you to hate your ſin the more, &c.
Secondly; With reſpect to the ſpirit's own glory, we by being maſtered diſhonour the ſpirit, ſo far as it is our fault (which it alway is, one way or other too much) but the ſpirit will thereby take occaſion to glorifie it ſelf, by beating down that ſin, which hath ſo ſtrongly wrought in us, to the throwing us down. The ſpirit's power againſt ſin, and it's love to us, will be the more manifeſted, it coming in to our relief when wely (as it were) under the feet of ſuch a corruption, ready to have our throat cut, or heart ſtab'd thereby. When one comes in to the help of a friend who is beaten out of the field, or juſt upon being killed at his ſtrong enemies feet, and recovers the field for him, lifts him up, and ſtrengthens him to drive out and deſtroy that his enemy, this is more honour to ſuch a one, and evidenceth his valour, ſtrength, and friendſhip more, than it would if he had been preſent to help before.
Uſe 13. When you pray for any that their ſin may be deſtroyed (as you ſhould make this prayer for your relations, friends, and others) then pray for the ſpirit for them, ſeeing through it your prayer for them, only can be anſwered. It's a great argument of the carnality of Chriſtians, if they pray that the bodies of their children and other relations may be healed when ſick, they pray not for the healing of their ſouls, or if they ask any outward gift for them, and not the ſpirit, (it were well if ſome would give fewer blows and angry provoking words to their children, and put up more and more fervent prayers for them.) And it ſpeaks to little underſtanding of the Goſpel, when any pray for themſelves or others that they may ſin leſſe, be delivered from the power of ſin, but ask not the ſpirit, to help them. All your prayers muſt be according to ſcripture, for that you ſeek, in that way the word declares God uſeth to grant it.
And in all counſells and exhortations which at any time you give to any concerning their getting rid of their ſins, be ſure to inſtruct them in, and mind them of this, tell them this and the other ſin in them it muſt be mortified, but through the ſpirit. Otherwiſe you do but teach them to skin over the ſore & keep the diſeaſe inward, but not to heal it, (which may be more dangerous, than if it were left to break forth, as it is with ſome diſeaſes when they ſtrike out they are not ſo dangerous, as when kept all within; the breaking forth of ſin may help to conviction, whereas if kept in unmortified, one is ready to ſay or think what do I, who can lay any thing to my charge? he is clean to appearance, but not cleanſed from his filthineſſe) or ſtirring up any to mortifie their ſin, and not through the ſpirit, but in their own ſtrength you teach them ſo to ſin, you put them upon an impoſſibility, your counſel may do more hurt than good, how can you expect it ſhould be bleſſed by God, when it's not according to his word? And no wonder, if the perſon to whom it's given ſight it, putting it off with this, I cannot, I am not able, &c.
I believe Satan may move men againſt ſome ſins in their own ſtrength to ſeek freedome from them, that he may weary and vex them, and make them deſperate, as I think it not improble that he may rather further than hinder ſome in the preventing the breakings forth of this or that ſin outwardly, that ſo they may bleſſe themſelves as if all were well with them, and not ſeek to have their ſin truly mortified, and killed in the root through the ſpirit.
Uſe 14. See what cauſe you have to be humble, very humble, though you do get great victory over your ſins, there is even nothing a ſoul is more ſubject to be lifted up by than this, when he begins to get the better of thoſe ſins which have much prevailed in him, when he feels a ſtrong corruption weakned: But let us remember the Angels who never ſin'd are exceeding humble, Rev. 7.11. John ſaw all the Angels ſtanding round about the throne, and falling on their faces, and worſhipping God, ſurely then, we who have ſin'd greatly, who do ſin daily, though we ſin much leſſe than we did or then others do, ſhould alway fall on our faces before God, we ſhould be very humble before him, I and before men too. The rather becauſe whatever we have done againſt ſin to any purpoſe hath neither been by our own power, nor underſtanding, but by the ſtrength and wiſdome of the ſpirit of God. If a man do a great work by another's help, hath he any cauſe to boaſt? if one ſhould heal a great and ſore Diſeaſe by another's preſcription, or write well having his hand guided by another, hath he reaſon to glory, Pſ. 44.3. their own Arm did not ſave them, but thy right hand and thine arm, ſo not your power, but the power of Gods ſpirit hath brought under your ſins, and ſaved you from them; wherefore all the glory is due to him, you ſhould be as humble, as if there were nothing done. We read of a crown of life and glory promiſed to them who overcome: How ſo? not becauſe they deſerve it by their overcoming; therefore when Saints ſhall be crowned they will aſcribe all the glory unto God and to Jeſus Chriſt by whoſe ſpirit, they have been made victorious, Rev. 4.4. I ſaw twenty four Elders ſitting clothed in white raiment, and they had on their heads crowns, of gold, That is, durable glorious crowns given them with reſpect to their conquering.) And what then? V. 10. They fall down before the throne, and wo…ſhip him that liveth for ever and ever, and caſt their crowns before the throne, ſaying, thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, honour, and power, as if they had ſaid, though we are crowned, yet we in our ſelves are not worthy of our crowns, but thou art worthy of glory, honour, and power, for by the power of thy ſpirit, it is that we have vanquiſhed our enemies, and have won theſe Crowns. It's another principal way of grieving the ſpirit, when we mortifying any ſin through it, do take the glory to our ſelves, which we do, when we grow high minded and puf't up in our ſpirits thereby. And it's one of the beſt evidences, that our ſins are indeed mortified by the holy ſpirit, when our pride is mortified, ſo that we are ſtill humble, as well when we overcome this or that luſt, as when we are overcome by it. There is no ſin more hatefull to the ſpirit of God, than pride is, therefore it helping us againſt other ſins, it will ſurely ſmite that.
Laſtly, Be exhorted to get more of the ſpirit, you who are endued with it, who have it dwelling in you, Epheſ. 5.18. Be filled with the ſpirit, the ſpirit is given by degrees, and in divers meaſures, the more you are filled with it, the more you'l be emptied of your luſts through it, the more effectually and eaſily will you prevail againſt every ſin, that hath been too hard for you.
But how ſhall we gain more of the ſpirit? I anſwer, The ſame way the ſpirit is received at firſt, more thereof is to be attained, and that's by faith; The more we act faith on Chriſt, and on the promiſes, and the more we earneſtly pray in faith, the more ſhall we receive and be filled with that mighty ſin-killing, luſt deſtroying, ſpirit of the Lord.