Of Quenching the Spirit, Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
An Exhortation to those that have quenched the spirit, to beware of it. if there be cause to grieve that this sin hath been committed, there must needs be cause to fear, left it should be committed. If the effects of it be considered, we shall see how much hurt it doth. if the causes be considered, we shall see how much we are inclined to it. The more we are inclined to any thing that may be the cause of doing so much hurt, the more we should beware of it. Nothing, the not-doing whereof, may quench the spirit, to be neglected, Nothing, the doing whereof, may quench the spirit, to be done. The spirit not to be quenched in any degree.
SECT. 1.
HAving Exhorted you to bewaile your quenching of the spirit, I come now to exhort you,
2. To beware of it. To beware of it for time to come. If there bee cause to bewail it, for time past, there must needs be cause to beware of it for time to come. If there be cause of grief, that it hath been committed, there must needs be cause of fear, lest it should be committed; and where there is cause to fear, there is cause to beware. Now whether you consider the causes, or the effects of this sin of quenching the spirit, you will finde, that if ever you had cause to be afraid of any thing, you have cause to be afraid of quenching of the spirit, and consequently to beware of it.
SECT. 2.
If you consider the effects of it, you will see how much evil it brings upon you, remember the particulars you have heard, That it gives advantage te Corruption, to Satan, to the World; that it brings into a Consumption, &c. So that there cannot be a more mischievous thing in the world; And should you not beware of it then? should you not watch and strive against that, that will do you so much hurt? But besides, that it doth you so much hurt, it doth much hurt to others; and that which is worse than either, it grieves the holy spirit of God, as I shewed you at large. Weigh well then the particulars, and you will see what cause there is to beware. If you consider the causes of it, you will see how much evil there is in you, to be the cause of it; how much you are disposed and inclined to it, so that you will bee continually quenching of the spirit, and never leave till it bee utterly quenched; unless you bee very careful and watchful. Remember the particulars insisted upon, as the causes of it, That it is from being asleep, &c.
SECT. 3.
Now this is a sure rule, The more wee are disposed and inclined to any thing, that may be the cause of so much hurt, the more we should beware. Hath your quenching of the spirit given such advantage to corruption, to Satan, to the world, the men of the world, and the things of the world, against you? hath it hindred your working, &c? And is it from a spirit of slothfulness, whereby you are apt to fall into a dead sleep? or a spirit of insensibleness, whereby you are apt to think you do well enough without the spirit? or from earthly mindedness, whereby you are apt to be so careful and troubled about many things, that you neglect the one thing necessary? are you so apt to sleep, to be insensible, to be earthly minded? &c. why truly then there is great cause to beware. Is it a sin? a sin whereby you grieve the spirit? wound and destroy your own, and (what in you lies) others Souls? and are you so apt to commit it? why then I say, you cannot enough beware of it. Therefore be exhorted, entreated, perswaded to take heed of quenching of the spirit. Oh, if you have any love to God, and would please him; any love to your own, and others souls, and would preserve them; beware of quenching of the spirit. Would you not grieve the spirit of God, the holy spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption? then beware of quenching of the spirit. Would you not give advantage to your corruptions? then beware of quenching of the spirit. Would you not give advantage to Satan? would you not give advantage to Satan to tempt you, to overcome you by tempting, to accuse you, &c. then beware of quenching of the spirit. So, would you not fall into a Consumption? a bodily Consumption, a Consumption of estate, a spiritual Consumption? then beware of quenching of the spirit. Would you not loose your communion, your peace, the efficacious working of the Ordinances? Then, oh then, beware of quenching the spirit. Beware you neglect nothing, the not-doing whereof, may quench the spirit. Beware you do nothing, the doing whereof, may quench the spirit. Beware of quenching it in any degree. Beware of quenching it at all. Quench not the Spirit. Do not quench it your selves, do not suffer it to bee quenched by others. Do not quench it in your selves, do not quench it in others. Do not suffer others to quench it in you.