The Generation of Seekers, Treatise 1 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Caſe 5. THE next Caſe ſhall be this: What are we to do, that we may have the Spirits Aſſiſtance in prayer, continued to us? the Affinity of this and the next, with the former, will make my labour the leſs in giving Anſwer. As to the uſefulneſs of this now under our hand; It is, I believe, the general experience of praying Chriſtians, that they have their Ups and Downs; now enlarged, anon bound up: Sometimes, they can wreſtle and continue in prayer, with … holy fervency, without flagging or …ainting. By and by a damp is upon their ſouls; they are in their own ſenſe, faithleſs and heartleſs. Bernard's Complaint is theirs, That the Rara hora, brevis mora.Spirits lively aſſiſtances, are ſhort and ſeldome. Their cold fits, are much longer, than their hot ones. This daſhes their comforts, and often makes them queſtion their ſincerity: they are ready to ſay, with Rebeckah, If it be ſo, why am I thus? If indeed I have the SpiritGen. 25. 22. of Supplication (as I ſometimes hope) Why am I thus dead, heartleſs, indiſpoſed? When they have aſſiſtance and enlargements then are they ready to ſay, as Peter, It is good to be here: with Jacob, Gen. 28. 16, 17. Surely Mat. 17. 4.the Lord is in this place—This is no other, but the Houſe of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven. Then, how full of faith and comfort! 'Tis full Tyde with them; neither expreſſions, nor affections, nor graces wanting: and then, they are apt to think, ſurely I ſhall never be ſo dull and ſenſeleſs again: Such impreſſions ſurely can never wear off; ſuch a flame never go out. But alas! a few dayes (may be, a few hours) experience tells them, theſe are but ſhort-liv'd. A low Ebb follows this high Tyde; then are they tongue-ty'd, heart bound; go into ſecret, there they can neither feel out-goings to God, nor in-comes from him. Join with others, alas! they he like Stones; no rubbing or chaſing, will beget any warmth in1 Sam. 28. 15. them: In their own ſenſe, much like Saul; God anſwers them, neither in one way, nor another. Then how dejected and diſconſolate! Oh, what would they give, for the leaſt degree of thoſe enlargements, and meltings they have formerly experienc't; That they could but give vent to their ſorrows, in hearty ſighs and groans! That they could but pour out their ſouls, with that childlike confidence, as ſometimes they have done! Now therefore, its worth our ſerious enquiry, what may be done on our part, to have the Spirits company and aſſiſtance for, under ſuch Ebbings and withdrawmen's, a child of God cannot but conclude, it is his own fault, ſome grievous miſcarriage, hath deprived him of that ſweet Gueſt.
1. Therefore, I ſhall premiſe this, that as the beſtowing, ſo the continuance of the Spirits motions, and lively operations, is the meer indulgence of Heaven. God can be no more bound to continue it, than he was to beſtow it. Think not then, to oblige God, by any thing you can do.
2. And further, I premiſe, That, the Lord vouchſafes, or with-holds his Spirit, as he ſees beſt for his people. It were not beſt for a child of God, to have alwayes a full Tyde, to live under the conſtant ſmiles of Heaven, and to have continual raptures & enlargements. Where would be room for the exerciſe of Faith, as it is the ſubſtance of things hoped Heb. 11. 1.for & evidence of things not ſeen? What muſt become of Hope and Patience? O, how ſhould we manifeſt our waiting and longing for Chriſts return, if he ſhould alwayes abide with us? How muſt we know, where, and what we are, how weak, how inſufficient, to think a good thought? How muſt we be kept from pride, and ſwellings, and puffings above meaſure, if we be not ſometimes left to our own weakneſſes? So that, it is not for us to be peremptory, or abſolutely to deſire alwayes ſuch degrees of grace, ſuch meaſures of aſſiſtance and enlargment: we may humbly deſire, and endeavour in the uſe of means; but we muſt not be peremptory for them, nor impatient under the withholding of them. In this caſe, we muſt learn of our bleſſed Saviour: O my Father, Matth. 26. 39.if it he poſſible, let this Cup paſs from me: nevertheleſs, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
3▪ I premiſe this alſo, that ordinarily ſome miſcarriage in us, provokes God to withdraw his Spirit. Saul's miſ-government and1 Sam. 16. 14. diſobedience, cauſed the Spirit of the Lord (i. e. that Spirit of Government which God had endued him withal) to depart from him: David (as we noted before) upon his fall, found ſome withdrawings, which makesPſalm 51. 11, 12. him pray, Take not thy holy Spirit from me, eſtabliſh me with thy free Spirit: Poſſibly, we have not carried as we ought towards this bleſſed Gueſt; and therefore he withdraws himſelf.
Theſe things premiſed, I now addreſs my ſelf to give a direct Anſwer to the Caſe propounded.
1. Then, if thou wouldſt have the Spirits Aſſiſtance continued, beware of thoſe things, which may grieve away the Spirit, or wither and ſhrink up its gifts and gr…des, damp not out this holy fire, Quench not the Spirit. 1 Theſſ. 5. 19.It is obſervable, when the Apoſtle bids us not grieve the Spirit, he adds (as an argument) whereby you are ſealed unto the day of Eph. 4. 30.Redemption; which ſeems to have a double force. Either thus: Be not ſo diſingenuous, as to grieve him that comforts you, by aſſuring you of eternal happineſs. Or thus, Take heed you grieve him not: if ſo, you will have the worſt of it; he will grieve you by withdrawing his aſſuring Teſtimony from you, and leaving you in the dark, as to your eternal ſtate. This, I humbly conceive, to be genuine, and according to the mind of the mind of the Holy Ghoſt in that Scripture. So, that you ſee our grievings of the Spirit cauſes his withdrawments as to aſſurance: and ſo it doth likewiſe as to aſſiſtance. If you fall aſleep in the lap of ſowe Dalilah-luſt, you will find your Lock will be out, God will depart from you; and then you will be weak as others. It would be infinite to ſpeak, what might be ſaid under this Head, I ſhall only inſtance in two or three Particulars.
1. Beware of Pride in enlargements: If God lift you up, in vouchſafing extraordinary enlargements, take heed▪ you do not lift up your ſelves; that is the next way to be laid low: He that begins to think himſelf ſomething, ſhall quickly find, that he is▪ nothing in himſelf: This is to abuſe your mercy: Gods and is, that you might give him glory▪ not take it to your ſelves: and it would be to your own prejudice, if it ſhould be continued: for, thus abuſed, it becomes fuel for Pride and Luſt: The Spirit will not ſo befriend our corruptions. Some have ſmarted for this▪ God hath taken down theſe ſwellings, by long withdrawments. Let it be your care to bear a low Sail, when you have the moſt proſperous and ſucceſsful gales of ſpiritual enablements. A prick in the fleſh, ſhall cure Spiritual Tumours.
2. Take need alſo of ſelf-ſufficiency; I mean, a conceit, that you need no more. Whatever gifts or enablements God vouchſafes, think not, you can live upon this ſtock, without continual ſupplyes: What you have received, can neither be improved, nor long continue, without more additions: God never did, nor will, put any Chriſtian into a ſtate of Independency: Never did any Saint in this world arrive at that perfection, as to be able to live within, and of themſelves: your ſtrength is in Chriſt, and continuance of ſupplies and communications from him;Eph. 6. 10. 2 Tim. 2. …. Be ſtrong in the Lord——Be ſtrong in the grace, that is in Chriſt Jeſus: The ſtream will ſoon dry up, if it be not fed by the fountain. Wherefore ſay my people, We are Jer. 2. 31.Lords, we will come no more unto thee? God takes it ill, when we begin to think, we need not be beholden to him; and indeed its the higheſt degree of pride, we can poſſibly be guilty of: 'tis intolerable inſolency, and God will lay us as low, as we lift up our ſelves high: the Spirit will make us know our inſufficiency, when we begin to conceit in our ſelves an al-ſufficiency.
3. Cheriſh no corruption in our hearts. Sin entertained (as we have once and again told you) will drive out the Spirit. When this Serpent grows warm in the boſome, it will hiſs, and diſquiet the Holy Spirit; the ſteamings of concupiſcence, are exceedingly ofſenſive to it. It is impoſſible to keep up a Spirit of prayer, and a courſe of ſin. He that will not be led by the Spirit, ſhall not long be helpt by the Spirit.
4. And eſpecially take heed of cheriſhing lazineſs and ſluggiſhneſs. Be not found upon a Bed of caſe, when the Spirit calls you out to work: at leaſt, be not loath to riſe, when he knocks. You ſee the ſad conſequences of this lazy temper, in the Churches example; Chriſt knocks, and calls, Open to me my Siſter, my Love, my Dove—SheCant. 5. 2.—9. hears, but a lazy fit is upon her; She hath put off her Coat—She hath waſh… her feet—She is loath to put her ſelf to the trouble, of riſing to open. Well, what's the Iſſue? When it is too late, ſhe riſes to open; but her Beloved had withdrawn himſelf, and was gone. Now ſhe would fain enjoy him, if ſhe might; but now ſhe ſeeks, and cannot find him; ſhe calls; but he gives no anſwer. Now, ſhe that might have had him for riſing and opening, muſt be at much pains, and run through many hazards, get many a blow and wound, be ſtript of her vail, and yet not find him; here's the fruit of lazineſs. If the Proverb hold true any where (as indeed it is moſt true) then here eſpecially, (ex otio negotium) of Idleneſs comes buſineſs.foreign We create our ſelves infinite labour, and ſorrow too, by lazineſs and indiſpoſition, when the Spirit calls us to duty. He that lies ſlugging in the Harbour, when the Wind ſerves him, deſerves to lye wind-bound, or to tugg at the Oar for it. They that will not ſtir up themſelves when the Spirit ſtirs, ſhall want its motions, when they moſt need them: We ſometimes loſe a friend, by not accepting an offer'd courteſie. Obſerve the word in the Text (foreign) helpeth together; or …akes hold, and lifts with us: there is much art and eaſe, when many lift at any thing, to lift all together: and it is as much a Chriſtians wiſdom to lift, when he feels the Spirit lift; if he do not, he ſhall find the burden too heavy for himſelf alone. Lazineſs (in this ſenſe) clothes us with raggs—Yet a little ſleep, a little ſlumber, Prov. 3. 21. Prov. 6. 10, 11.a little folding of the hands to ſleep, ſo ſhall thy (ſpiritual) Poverty come—The Talentimproving Chriſtian, is the only thrivingMat. 13. 12. Chriſtian. But from him that hath not (i. e. improves not, which is all one, as if he had it not) ſhall be taken, even that which he hath. To him that will ſlug, when he is called to watch and pray, the Spirit will ſay, as our Saviour to his Apoſtles (though Ironically) Sleep on now and take thy reſt. Let theſe things26. 45. therefore be avoided, if you would have the Spirits aſſiſtance continued.
2. Let the Spirits motions find ready entrance, and hearty entertainment. It is an encouragement to give a friend more frequent viſits, that gives us hearty welcome: Say to the Spirit, as Laban to Abraham's Servant, Come in thou bleſſed of the Lord, wherefore Gen. 24. 31 Act. 24. 25.ſtandeſt thou without? Diſmiſs it not, as Felix did Paul, Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient ſeaſon, I will call for thee. Such put-offs ſpeak a ſlighting Spirit, and ſo will they be interpreted. You will lay buſineſs aſide, to entertain a dear friend: and who deſerves more reſpect, than this heavenly Gueſt, Who comes not, that he needs thee, but becauſe thou needeſt him: he comes not (as friends ſometimes do) to hinder, but help forward thy main concernment: It is not upon a meer complement, but becauſe he knows, thou canſt not do without his help. He comes, to help thee in the drawing up thy Petitions at the Throne of Grace, to make thee as a Prince, to prevail with God. And is it not infinite condeſcenſion? Shouldſt thou not ſay, as Elizabeth to the Bleſſed Virgin, Whence is this that the Mother of my Lord ſhould come unto me? Wh…tLuk. 1. 43. a high favour and vouchſafement is it, that the Spirit of God, ſhould come into ſuch an impure Stic, as my heart is? This ſhould make thee free and cheerful in giving entertainment to all his motions.
3. Make the beſt improvement of its motions and aſſiſtances. How wiſe are the men of this Generation, to take and improve advantages for the world? Will the Marriner neglect to take his Wind? Or the Husbandman, to make Hay when the Sun ſhines? Will the Souldier neglect his advantages againſt his Enemy? Shall that great CommanderThe Emperor Ferdinand A. I. P. Q. N. S. I. A. quicken himſelf by a Motto, to catch at advantages,
(Accidit in puncto, quod non ſperatur in Anno) and ſhall the children of light, let ſlip their advantages in things of infinitely greater concernment? Shall the Spirits motions, be as a price in the hand of a fool? Oh be careful to go as far as you can, in the ſtrength of ſuch Baits. Shall I hint a few things in particular?Prov. 17. 16. Improve theſe Aſſiſtances:
1. Into holy importunity and wreſtlings with God, for what you ſtand in moſt need of; to have corruptions ſubdued, grace ſtrengthned, wants ſupplyed. Doth God bind and ſtrengthen your arms? Lay hold on his ſtrength, let him not go, till he bleſs you: ſpend not this ſtrength in throwing feathers, or beating the Air; if God by his Spirit enlarge your heart, do you then open your Pſal. 81▪ 10. John 16. 24.mouth wide enough, and God will fil it: Ask that your joy may be full. Let not ſuch an advantage ſlip, without ſome notable execution done upon ſome leading corruption; pray down ſome domineering luſt; pray in ſome grace that is wanting; pray up into exerciſe ſome grace, that lies languiſhing and ready to die in thy ſoul.
2. Improve theſe ſeaſons as an evidence of this great Truth; viz. That the Spirits help in prayer, is no melancholy dream, as the prophane world imagine; but a great reality: What ſtronger or more pregnant demonſtration can you have of it, than your own ſenſe and experience? Hereby you may fortifie your ſelves againſt the ſcoffs of ungodly men, and pity thoſe that ſpeak evil of things they know not. You may ſay, as Chriſt to the Woman of Samaria▪ If thou kneweſt the gift of God—If you had known thoſe ſweet divine enablements which I have felt and experienced, you would not thus blaſpheme againſt the Spirits operation: Or as the Apoſtle of thoſe that crucified our Saviour, Had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: So, did theſe poor miſerable creatures know, they would not deride and ſcoff at theſe things. Beſides, you may improve theſe feelings againſt the Devils ſuggeſtions, when at any time he ſhall endeavour to perſwade you into Atheiſtical and blaſphemous thoughts, as that the things ſpoken in the Word, and by Miniſters concerning the Spirit of God, and its operations are meer deluſions, that there is no God, no Chriſt, no Spirit, &c. How may you from your own experience, confute him? and return him ſuch an Anſwer: Now Satan, thou doſt plainly ſhew thy ſelf (what the Word of Truth reports thee) a Lyar from the beginning: Wouldſt thou have me disbelieve my own ſenſe and feelings? Have I not the witneſs in my ſelf? Do I not ſeel the lively and vigorous operations of that Holy Spirit, againſt which thou blaſphemeſt? Doth it not ſweetly inſpire and enable me to wreſtle with my God in prayer? Doth it not ſometimes life me up, even above my ſelf, in heavenly breathings and pantings after Jeſus Chriſt? and ſometimes lay me low in the convincing ſight and ſenſe of my own baſeneſs and unworthineſs? Sure I am, that fleſh and blood could never carry me out, or furniſh me with ſuch enablements? &c.
Again, Theſe aſſiſtances may beſtead thee in a dark day, when thou art under the hidings of Gods face, in a ſtate of Deſertion, and wanteſt the ſenſible preſence and lively workings of Gods Spirit: Then may theſe experiences be a heart-cheering Cordial: Then maiſt thou call to remembrance thy Songs in the night; thy prayers, thy holy breathings and enlargements, and the very remembrance, may prove reviving to thy ſoul; and by ſuch Muſings the fire may kindle again, which ſeems almoſt extinguiſht.
3. Improve the Spirits aſſiſtances, as a Motive and inducement, to be more frequent and conſtant in this duty, and againſt the pull-backs and diſcouragements from it, which at any time thou meereſt withall: Thus beſpeak thy ſoul: Why ſo dull and beartleſs? Why ſo backward to a duty, wherein thou haſt found, and maiſt ſtill hope to find ſo mighty a Helper? True indeed, it is a duty of much difficulty, and utterly above my own ability, but why ſhould I be diſcouraged? I can do all things through the Spirit ſtrengthning me. How ſoon can the Spirit turn this barren Wilderneſs of my heart, into a ſtanding water; and this dry ground, into water-ſprings? How quickly can be breathe upon me, and cauſe theſe dry bones to live? Why ſhould my own Impotency diſcourage me, when I may expect the help of Omnipotency? What though I can do nothing in my own ſtrength? cannot the Spirit of Grace, make his ſtrength perfect in my weakneſs, and enable me from a like experience to ſay (with the Apoſtle) when I am weak, then I am ſtrong? Remember that our bleſſed Saviour hath promiſed, to procure the ſending of a Comforter John 14. 16.that ſhall abide with us for ever: and therefore however you may not at preſent feel its lively aſſiſtances, yet you may be aſſured it is in you (ſince you have experimentally known its power and influences) and this may encourage you to ſet upon duty, even when under the greateſt indiſpoſitions and diſcouragements, in hope that when you begin to lift, this powerful Helper will lift with you. It is much to depend upon another, we do (in a ſort) engage them to do for us, when we tell them, we will truſt to them. So, if under wants, weakneſſes, indiſpoſitions, diſcouragements, we would yet go upon our work, depending on the Spirit, and expecting his enablemants, it would be a ſingular means to engage his aſſiſtance. And here, let me adviſe the complaining ſelf-diſcouraging Chriſtian, Thou that complaineſt of thy deadneſs, diſtractedneſs, inability, and that thou wanteſt the Spirits help as formerly; Take this word of counſel, and make tryal of it. Turn thy ſad complaints into humble confidence; reſolve with thy ſelf, not to be diſcouraged from duty: Say thus, Well, I am unable to do any thing, I know not what to ask, nor how to pray; but I will go notwithſtanding, and the weaker I am in my ſelf, the more confidently will I expect the aſſiſtance of that Spirit, whoſe work it is to help our infirmities, and to make interceſſion for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered: I am aſſured he can, and I ſhall humbly hope he will, quicken my deadneſs, enlarge my ſtraitneſs, and make up all my wants from his abundance. Thus to improve your experienced aſſiſtances would be the beſt way, to have them continued to you; for hereby you give the Spirit of God much glory.
4. And forget not to improve them into thankfulneſs. Let not God loſe his glory, and thou ſhalt not want the comfort. Improve the Spirits aſſiſtance, as well in bleſſing God for what thou haſt, as in begging what thou wanteſt: and amongſt other mercies, forget not to be thankfull for this mercy it ſelf, as being one of the choiceſt: Say as David, Who am I Lord—that I ſhould1 Chron. 29. 14. be able to ſerve thee with ſuch alacrity, to pray (though alas, with much infirmity, many diſtractions, yet) with ſuch a meaſure of faith, fervency, importunity? It is becauſe thy Spirit enables that thy ſervant hath 2 Sam. 7. 27.found in his heart to pray this prayer before thee. Oh when thou feeleſt at any time the warming, enlarging influences of the Spirit of Supplication, riſe not off thy knees, till thou haſt made thy thankful acknowledgements to him, who hath drawn out and held up thy heart in duty. Thus I have ſaid a little of what might be ſpoken upon this account. The ſumm of it is this, Improve the Spirits aſſiſtances for the ends they are vouchſaf't, and by ſo doing, you ſhall procure the continuance of them. This is the Third Means.
4. Beg earneſtly the continuance of the Spirit with you: as it is obtained, ſo it is continued by asking. It will ſtay with you upon your importunity. Do therefore, as the two Diſciples dealt with Chriſt (foreign)Luke 24. 28, 29. they conſtrained him, not by violence, but by entreaties; even as Lot dealt with the Angels, whom he took to be Travailers, he Gen. 19. 3.preſſed upon them greatly, and they turned in unto him: Thus deal with the Spirit of God, earneſtly importune his continuance, as theJudg. 19. 6, 8, 9. Levites Father-in-law, perſwades him time after time to ſtay with him. Take up David's words, praying for the continuance of that willing, cheerfull frame, which the people manifeſted, in their contributions to the building of the Temple. O Lord God of Abraham—keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare (or eſtabliſh) their heart unto thee. So when thou feeleſt the vigorous motions and influences of the Spirit, pray that the Lord would eſtabliſh thee with his free Spirit, and that he will not take his holy Spirit from thee. Breathe out thy ſoul in ſuch expreſſions: Oh ſweet Dove, Oh bleſſed Spirit of Grace; how unſpeakably delightful is thy heavenly company, how eaſie, ſweet and pleaſant, is this yoak of Duty, when thou helpeſt to bear it! How powerfully ſweet, and ſweetly powerfull are thy aſſiſtances! Ere I was aware, my ſoul made me like the Charets of Amminadab [or ſet me on Cant. 6. 12.the Charet of my willing people] What a Heaven upon Earth is it, to perform ſpiritual duties, with ſpiritual enablements! What Oyle to the Wheel, what refreſhing baits in ebe up-hill way of duty, are thy ſeaſonable Incomes! Oh let me never want thy bleſſed help, do thou draw, and I will run; What am I but a dead lump, a breathleſs carkaſs, if thou withdraw thy quickning influences? O do thou continually inſpire me. I am a dry tree; do thou cauſe me to bud and bloſſome, and bring forth fruit unto perfection: Let my root be ſpread out by the waters of Job 29.19.thy Grace, and let thy dew lye all night upon my branches. Great and continual are my neceſſities, troubles, temptations; Prayer is the only way to procure ſupply, ſupport, ſanctification, victory; but I cannot, alas I cannot, turn this Key, whereby the Door into Heavens Treaſury is opened; except thou ſtrengthen my hand, I cannot wield this conquering Weapon, except thou teach my hands to war, and my fingers to ſight: Wherefore let me ever injoy thy preſence, let me ſeel thy help, let thy power be made perfect in my weakneſs. Awake, O North wind, and come thou South, blow upon the Garden of my ſoul, that the Spices thereof may flow out.
5. But eſpecially, be willing to follow the conduct of the Spirit; you read of being led by the Spirit, of walking in and after the Spirit. Rom. 8. 3, 4, 14.This do, and you ſhall not want its ſeaſonable help. If you would know what I mean by following its conduct: In ſhort, I intend not any Enthuſiaſtical Unſcriptural motions or impulſes, but to hearken to its motions and counſels, preſſing you to follow the directions of the Word. The Spirit of God ſpeaks no otherwiſe in the hearts of Gods people, than it doth in the Bible. To the Law, and to the Testimony; if it ſpeakIſa. 8. 20. not according to that Word, it is none of the Spirit of God; it is a lying deluding Spirit: But when this Holy Spirit, either by the Miniſters of the Word, or in a more immediate way, preſſeth you to holy walking, calls you from looſneſs, worldlineſs, from a vain converſation, from any particular courſe of ſin, which you have been addicted to; or invites you to the performance of any neglected duty, to order your converſation according to Goſpel-rule, to come nearer your pattern Jeſus Chriſt; to be more humble, heavenly, more profitable, more exemplary, &c. Let your ear be open to its counſells, follow its directions, be as obſequiousMatth. 8. 9. to the Spirit, as the Souldiers to the Centurion; if he ſay go, then go; if come, come; if he bid do this, do it. They that obediently follow the Spirits guidance in the courſe of their life, ſhall not ordinarily want his aſſiſtance in the courſe of their duties. And let us not think, the Spirit will be at our command (or help when we deſire and need him) if we will not be at his command. It you will give way to looſneſs, vanity, pride, careleſneſs, worldly luſts, neglect of duty, think not to have the Spirit long to help you in duty. Res, mihi creds, delicata eſt Spiritus (ſaith one) the Spirit is a tender thing, ſoon grieved: It will not be our Comforter, if it muſt not be our Councellor.
6. Abide in Chriſt, if you would have his Spirit abide in your hearts: all communications of the Spirit, are from the Father, through Chriſt. How often, is this abiding in Chriſt, inculcated in that one place, John 15. 4, 6, 7, 9, 10. and note eſpecially what is ſaid in v. 7. I…ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye ſhall ask what ye will, and it ſhall be done unto you. Here you have both the Duty, and the Priviledge; the Duty abiding in Chriſt, the beſt evidence whereof is expreſſed in the next words [and my words abide in you] to abide in Chriſt, then, is to continue in the Faith of the Goſpel, not to depart from the Truth; nor only ſo, but to have the Word a lively, operative, commanding Principle in the heart, directing our ſteps. [Manent in Chriſto, qui Verbum ejus Gualt…r▪audiunt, audito credunt, & toti ab eo dependent.] Well, what's their Priviledge? The next words tell you [Ye ſhall ask what ye will, and it ſhall be done unto you] a holy freedom, boldneſs, and ſucceſs in prayer. I take thoſe words [Ye ſhall ask what ye will] not only to import leave or licence, to ask what they deſire, but that which the Scripture elſe where calls (foreign) freedom, liberty of ſpeech, and confidence to be heard in our Petitions: Now this cannot be without the Spirits aſſiſting and encouraging: So that it amounts to thus much. If ye abide in me, ye ſhall have a Spirit of Prayer, liberty, and confidence in asking, and the grant of your Petitions. Therefore I ſay, abide in Chriſt: and in ſo ſaying▪ I would be underſtood to mean theſe things.
1. Abide in the Doctrine of Chriſt; I mean the great Doctrine of Juſtification and Salvavation by Chriſt alone. Take heed of a Popiſh Linfie-woolſy Merit; Mix not the Woollen of mens ſuppoſed ſuper-erogatory Merits, with the clean white Linnen of the Saints: The Spirit will no longer be an Interceſſor in our hearts, than we rely upon Chriſt alone as our Interceſſor in Heaven. I am confident the Spirit never went along with prayers, put up in the name of the virgin Mary, Peter, Paul, &c. Abide then in this Doctrine.
2. Abide in the Faith of Chriſt: I mean a perſonal applicatory Faith, whereby we depend on Chriſt and his merits, for acceptance of our perſons, and audience of our prayers. It is not enough, that we aſſent to the Doctrine, but we muſt alſo rely on the merits of Chriſt▪ We can no longer pray in the Spirit, than we pray in Faith; If we ſtagger in our affiance, we ſhall want our wonted aſſiſtance.
3. Abide alſo in the love of Chriſt: maintain a ſingular and ſuperlative eſteem of him in your hearts; count him the chief of ten thouſand, altogether lovely. To abide in Chriſt, is to continue and abide in his love. ButJohn 15. 9, 10. what is this to the purpoſe in hand? How will this procure the Spirits continued aſſiſtance in prayer? Very much: Love to Chriſt is one of thoſe ſweet and fragrant flowers (indeed of his own planting) wherein the Spirit is much delighted. Obſerve that Text, If a man love me, be V. 23.will keep my words. and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. How elſe do the Father or Son make their abode in a ſoul, but by the Spirit? Where, then, the Love of Chriſt is, there the Spirit takes up his abode; and where he abides, he cannot be idle and unimployed. He is like ſome friend, that though they come but a viſiting, will further, and not hinder buſineſs: though indeed his coming to theJohn 14. 16. ſoul, is not to give us a viſit, but to abide with us for ever.
And ſo much in anſwer to this fifth Caſe.