The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant, Religious treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 12 · Section 2

The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant · Religious treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 12 · Section 2

p. 590SECT. II

Ʋſe 1. DOth the Lord put his own Spirit within his own people? Then let Try whether we have the ſpirit within us.all of us look well to this, whether we have within our hearts the the Spirit of God, yea or no. O beloved! think much and often of that expreſſion of the Apoſtle in Rom. 8. 9. If any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, p. 591he is none of his; he hath no part in Chriſt, who hath no part in the Spirit of Chriſt.

There are four Reaſons why I ſhould preſs this great ſearch and great care upon Reaſons of this ſearch.you, to know whether God hath put his own Spirit within you.

1. Becauſe many perſons have not the ſpirit of God.

2. Becauſe many perſons do deceive themſelves with a falſe and lying ſpirit, inſtead of the Spirit of God.

3. Becauſe many have the ſpirit as to many effects and works, yet the ſpirit is not fully given to them.

1. Many perſons have not the Spirit of God.Many have not the ſpirit of God. They who blaſpheme the Spirit.

Firſt, What think you of thoſe who blaſpheme and ſcoff at the Spirit! As thoſe Jews did at the effuſion of the Spirit upon the Apoſtles, Theſe men are full of new wine, Acts 2. 13. And ordinarily among our ſelves the Spirit of God is jeared, derided, mocked, and reproached in his graces which he beſtows upon the people of God: O theſe are men of the Spirit! theſe are the Saints! your holy brethren, and your holy ſiſters forſooth, they are full of the Spirit! Ah thou profane wretch, unworthy to live among Chriſtians, and unworthy of the name of a Chriſtian, who dareſt thus openly to reproach the holy God, and the holy Spirit of God! and the graces in the people of God, which are the excellent faculties of the Spirit promiſed unto all who are in Covenant with God! Is the Spirit of God a ſcorn unto thee? is any work of the Spirit a deriſion unto thee? is holineſs (the chief of all his works) a matter to be ſcoffed and mocked at: O how wicked art thou! what a child of the Divel art thou! what an Atheiſt! how deep in the guilt of blaſphemy? will the Lord ever pardon thee? can'ſt thou ever repent? can'ſt thou ever be ſaved who derideſt the Spirit, without whom, and his holineſs, without which there is no ſalvation?

Secondly, what think you of thoſe who do deſpite to the Spirit of grace? Who do deſpite to the ſpirit of grace.of ſuch you read in Heb. 10. 29. And have done deſpite unto the Spirit of grace?

Men do deſpite to the Spirit of grace many wayes▪

1. When they have baſe thoughts of Jeſus Chriſt and his blood (treading under foot the Son of God, and counting the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing) theſe the Spirit ſets forth as moſt high and precious, and worthy of all reverence and acceptation; but when ſinners come to deſpiſe Chriſt and his blood, looking on them but as common and ordinary things, and regarding them no more than the dirt under their feet, they do now deſpite unto the ſpirit of Grace; they do now prejudice, and diſgrace, and diſhonour, and ſhame him in his Revelation, and Commendation of Chriſt and his blood.

2. When they will ſinne on purpoſe to vex and grieve the Spirit; when they know Who ſin on purpoſe to grieve the Spirit.ſuch or ſuch a work or way is evil and diſpleaſing unto him; they will therefore chuſe to do it, knowing that it is grievous and vexatious to the Spirit; as they in Jer. 44. 4. Oh do not this abominable thing that I hate. Ver. 5▪ But they hearkned not, nor inclined their ears. And verſe the 17. profeſs that they will burn incenſe unto the Queen of heaven, &c.

Thirdly, what think you of thoſe that either have no work of the Spirit within Who have no ſaving work of the ſpirit in them.them, or no ſaving work of the Spirit within them? have thoſe the ſpirit put within them? The ſpirit is never preſent in any, but there is ſome work or other of the ſpirit appearing in them; for he is moſt active, and working ſome way or other in the hearts of thoſe where he is preſent and dwells. Ergo.

But in ſome perſons

1. There is no work of the Spirit at all, neither higheſt nor loweſt: the loweſt works of the Spirit within men are illuminations, and pulſations; when he enlightens ſinners to ſee their ſins, and moves and ſtirs them to leave their ſinnes, and gives them ſome trouble for their p. 592ſins; But many perſons there are who never had any light from the Spirit to ſee their ſins, nor were they ever troubled for their ſins, nor did they ever find thoſe ſtrong motions and perſwaſions of the Spirit to leave their ſins.

2. Though in many perſons theſe common works of the Spirit may be found, yea ſo many works as the Spirit uſeth the Miniſtry of the Law for (as Illumination, Conviction, Excitation, Humiliation, and Terror, and Fear) yet in them we no Evangelical and ſaving works of the Spirit to be found; no works of Regeneration, no works of union with Chriſt, no hungring and thirſting after him, no faith in him, no love in him, no holy ſorrow, no repentance, no newneſs of obedience, no walking and living in the Spirit, &c.

Fourthly, What think you of thoſe who have in them another ſpirit quite contrary Who have in them another ſpirit.to the Spirit of God; even that ſpirit which works effectually in the children of diſobedience! and in whom all the qualities and works of a contrary ſpirit are manifeſtly appearing and ruling? The Spirit of God is a pure and holy Spirit, but they are unclean and unholy: The Spirit of God is (effective) an humble and lowly Spirit, but they are proud, and lofty, and arrogant: The Spirit of God is meek and gentle, but they are turbulent, and furious, and violent: The Spirit of God is merciful and compaſſionate, but they are unmerciful, incompaſſionate, cruel and bloody: The Spirit of God is a Spirit of love, and of peace, but they are full of hatred, variance, diſcord, &c.

2ly Many have a falſe, and lying, and deluding ſpirit, but it is not this Many have a falſe and deluding ſpirit.ſpirit which God promiſeth to put within his people.

You read in Scripture of the Spirit of truth, and of the ſpirit of error (1 Joh. 4. 6. Hereby know we the Spirit of truth, and the ſpirit of error) and ſo you read of the Fancies, and Deluſions, and Revelations of men, called by the name of the ſpirit: 2 Theſ. 2. 2. Be not ſhaken in mind or troubled, neither by ſpirit nor by word, &c. And we are charged not to believe every ſpirit, but to try the ſpirits, whether they are of God. 1 Joh. 4. 1.

Queſt. But here it may be demanded, how it may be known that the ſpirit by which How a falſe ſpirit may be known.man is moved and ſtirred, and put on, and led, is a falſe ſpirit, and not the Spirit of God.

Sol. This may be known many wayes:

Firſt, A falſe ſpirit is never let in by the Word; The Miniſtry of the Goſpel is It is not let in by the Word.the Channel or the Conduit by which we partake of the true Spirit of God: Gal. 3. 2. Ye received the ſpirit by the hearing of faith (i. e.) the Word or Goſpel of Faith, as thoſe who hearing Paul Preach, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, ſo, &c. But a falſe ſpirit comes not in that way, nay it is ſo far from being breathed by the Word, that it works in men a ſlighting and contempt of it, as you ſhall hear preſently.

Secondly, A falſe ſpirit is a looſe ſpirit; perſons that partake of it, do pretend It is a looſe ſpirit.unto ſtrange Viſions, and high Revelations, and myſterious Notions; but for all them, this falſe ſpirit leaves their hearts unchanged, and their lives unreformed; ordinarily men led by a falſe ſpirit, are unfound and corrupt in their judgements and opinions, and are idle, and lazy, and vicious in their walking.

Thirdly, A falſe Spirit is an irregular spirit; the motions and works of it are It is an irregular ſpirit.ſuch, as

1. The Word of God doth not warrant, nay doth exceedingly condemn: As for the Husband to take a way the life of his Wife; and the Parent to kill the child; and for a man to take away the goods of his neighbour, &c.

2. Neither a mans General nor Paticular calling can warrant: The falſe ſpirit puts on to ſuch works which a man may not do as he is a Chriſtian, nor may he do as he is ſet in ſuch or ſuch a private Relation.

Fourthly, A falſe ſpirit is a prepoſterous ſpirit: It fills a man with ſtrange joyes A prepoſterous ſpirit.and Raptures of heaven, before a man knows Chriſt aright, and receives him by p. 593Faith, and before he repents of his ſins, or ever made his peace with God; it is all in joy, and nothing in humbling and mourning for ſin.

Fifthly, A falſe ſpirit is an earthly spirit: 1 Joh 4. 5. They are of the world, An earthly ſpirit.therefore ſpeak they of the world, and the world heareth them: They talk much of the Kingdom of Chriſt, and ſetting up of that, but they pull down the Spiritual Kingdom of Chriſt: and it is a temporal kingdom which they ſtrive after, as you may read in thoſe of Munſter.

Sixthly, A falſe ſpirt is a diſordering, and turbulent, and bitter ſpirit: There A turbulent ſpirit.are two things which men of a falſe ſpirit have been tumultuouſly, violently railing, and reviling, and lifting at; One is Publick Magiſtracy; the other is Publick Miniſtery: It is a certain truth, that the falſe ſpirit, is an enemy to order, and peace, and authority, and likewiſe to ſound teaching, and the inſtituted Ordinances of Chriſt.

Seventhly, A falſe ſpirit is a Scripture-ſlighting ſpirit: This is evident in all A Scripture-ſlighting ſpirit.ſorts of men led by a falſe ſpirit: Papiſts are more for unwritten Traditions than for the written Word: Ignorant Formaliſts are more for ſuperſtitions and ſuperſtitious worſhip, than for the worſhip which the Word of God requires: Anabaptiſts and Enthuſiaſts are more for Revelations and Viſions, than for the Word of God; nay they reject the Word, and do cloſe with them, &c.

Eigthly, A falſe ſpirit is a ſelf-contradicting ſpirit: It frequently gives itſelf A ſelf contradicting ſpirit.the lye; confidently foretels and determins of matters, and for ſuch particular times, and none of theſe prove true; as I my ſelf know, &c.

Ninthly, A falſe ſpirit is a proud ſpirit, and extreamly impudent and conſorious; A proud ſpirit.it ſwells a man up in a conceit of himſelf, and in a contempt of others above all meaſure. The Scriptures are but poor things, and the Apoſtles but ordinary men, and Miniſters but a company of dogs, and others differing from them in their Opinion but the fire-brands of hell, &c.

Tenthly, A falſe ſpirit is a preſumptuous ſpirit.A preſumptuous ſpirit. Many have the Spirit, yet come ſhorrt of what they ſhould have.

3ly, Many have the ſpirit as to divers gifts, and works, and effects; nevertheleſs theſe do not amount to the putting of the ſpirit within the people of God here promiſed in the Text. e. g.

Firſt, A man may be enlightned by the ſpirit, he may come into a knowlede of God and of Chriſt, and of the way to heaven, &c. This is the enlightning ſpirit, yet this is not the ſanctifying ſpirit.

Secondly, A man may be gifted by the Spirit; he may have the gift of underſtanding, of memory, of utterance, of praying, of preaching, &c. and yet not not have the Spirit ſpoken of in the Text.

Thirdly, A man may be humbled by the ſpirit, he may ſee his particular ſins, be exceedingly diſtreſſed, and terrified, and he may confeſs his ſins (as Pharaoh and Judas did) and yet not have this Spirit in the Text.

Fourthly, A man may have deſires of heaven, to be ſaved, as Balaam, Let us dye the death of the righteous, Numb. 23. 10. and the young man that came running to Chriſt, ſaying, Good Maſter, What ſhall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Matth. 19. 16. and yet not have, &c.

Fifthly, A man may have many motions of the Spirit, to take him off from his evil courſe, to ſtave him off from ſome ſinful action, and to put him on to a new courſe of life; yea ſo far working in him as to raiſe him to ſome kinds of purpoſes and reſolutions (as in hearing the Word, &c.) and yet not have, &c.

Sixthly, A man may by the ſpirit taſt of the heavenly gifts, and taſt the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Heb. 6. 4, 5. he may be joyfully affected (a while) upon hearing, and knowing, and in ſome ſort believing the great happineſs purchaſed by Chriſt, and yet not, &c.The miſery to be diſtitute of the Spirit.

4ly, The extream miſeries to be deſtitute of the Spirit of God.

I will mention a few of them unto you:

p. 594Firſt, If you have not the Spirit, you belong not unto Chriſt, you are none of his; moſt men amongſt us preſume that they belong to Chriſt, and that be dyed Such belong not to Chriſt.for them, that Chriſt is theirs, and that they are Chriſts; but read the Apoſtle, Rom. 8. 9. If any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, he is none of his, Gal. 4. 6 O what is that man who is none of Chriſts! whoſe is he, and to whom doth he belong, who is none of Chriſts, and belongs not unto Chriſt!

All the men in the world are divided 'twixt Chriſt and the Divel; if you be not Chriſts members, then you are the Divels ſlaves.

But yet conſider that expreſſion a little more (none of his)

1. None of his in way of Relation, he owns you not: Is no Head to you, Who are none of Chriſts. None of Chriſts in relation. None in reſpect of Mediation. None in reſpect of beneficial application.no Husband to you, no Saviour to you.

2. None of his in reſpect of Mediation, he is no Mediatour for you, he never took your ſins upon him, he is none of your Surety, he became not a curſe for you, made not your peace.

3. None of his in reſpect of beneficial application; he is not your Righteouſneſs for Juſtification, he is not your holineſs for Sanctification; he is not your life for Salvation; if you be none of his, you ſhall have none of him.

None of his, why! then God is none of yours; then the Promiſes are none of yours, then future glory can be none of yours; then the hope of glory can be none of yours; for it is Chriſt in us the hope of glory, Col. 1. 27.

None of his! then you have no true faith, then you are ſeparated from Chriſt, then you alone muſt anſwer for all your ſins, and then unqueſtionably you are under the condemnation and curſe of the Law.

Secondly, If you have not the Spirit of God, then are you dead in your ſins, you are ſtill in the natural, unregenerate, loathſome and curſed eſtates, like ſo Are dead in their ſins.many carrions ſtinking in your graves; for it is the Spirit, and he only that quickens and changeth the eſtate of the ſinner: All ſpiritual life which quickens the ſoul, comes only from the Spirit of life: Simile. You may as well ſay the body is alive which wants a ſoul, as that the ſoul is alive which wants the Spirit of life: Aſſuredly death hath dominion over you (Spiritual death which is a ſeparation from God, and Legal death which is the ſentence of death pronounced againſt you) if you want the Spirit.

O what miſery is this to be a ſinner, and nothing but a ſinner! to be totally wicked, to be utterly deſtitute of the glory of God, not any thing of his image in holineſs, in knowledge, in righteouſneſs; not any love of him, not any fear of him, but filled with all unrighteouſneſs, and all ungodlineſs, with all the powers of ſinful luſts (ignorance, pride, envy, malice, enmity, unleſſe hardneſs of heart, &c.) and all of them raging and reigning, oppreſſing, and reſiſting, &c.

Why! this is our condition really if we have not the Spirit of God, for there is no change, and there can be no charge from it, but by the Spirit of God.

Thirdly, If you have not the Spirit of God, than are you in bondage unto Satan, and are led and ruled by the wicked ſpirt: There are but two ſpirits which lead all In bondage to Satan.ſorts of men; either the good Spirit, or the wicked ſpirit; all the ſons of God are led by the good Spirit; and all the children of darkneſs and diſobedience are led by the wicked ſpirit; he moves and ſtirs, and teaches, and inclines your hearts, and leads, and rules, and commands them; and his will you do obey and act all your dayes (though you perceive it not) if you have not the Spirit of God, under that bondage do not continue, for only the Spirit of God is the Spirit of victory, of liberty, of delivery.

Fourthly, You can never be bettered by any Ordinance whatſoever: You may come Cannot be bettered by Ordinances.and hear, and go home, and ſay, or read a prayer, thruſt your ſelves upon the Sacrament, but all in yain; for what are any of theſe without the Spirit? he can do do good; cannot repent, believe, mourn, why no not any good deſire.

p. 595Can any man hear ſo as to know the mind of God without the Spirit of God? Can any man pray and make ſupplication who hath not the ſpirit of Prayer, and the ſpirit of ſupplication? Can any man receive benefit and comfort in the Sacrament from Chriſt, …hat hath not faith? and can any man have faith, and act faith, who hath not the ſpirit?

Fifthly, You are open and obnoxious to all temptations, and unto all erroneous Are expoſed to all tentations.diſobedience; for to overcome temptations, there is need of much ſtrength (much ſpiritual ſtrength) and that comes only from the Spirit of God, who is the ſpirit of might and power, Epheſ▪ 6. 10, 11. And to prevent erroneous diſobedience, a man needs to know the truth, and to be well grounded in the truth: O but it is the ſpirit of truth who leads us into all truth.

Sixthly, Nay you are (if your conſcience ſhould be awakened) expoſed to Expoſed to dreadful fears.dreadful fears, and troubles, and deſpairs, for the ſenſe of your great tranſgreſſions, and of the wrath of God for them; and in this caſe you will not be able to find any comfort, or at leaſt you will not be able to apply it unto your ſelves; for only the Spirit is the Comforter; though you may read much in Chriſt, and much in the Promiſes, and much in God, apt to give comfort, yet nothing in any of theſe can be your actual comfort, unleſſe the ſpirit of God make it to be ſo unto you.

Seventhly, Take you at the beſt can be but formal Chriſtians (Chriſtians in Are but formal Chriſtiansſhew) if you have not the ſpirit of God; for it is the ſpirit put within us, which makes us Chriſtians indeed: When the ſpirit makes our hearts his Temple, reforms, renews, enlivens us with his graces, then are we Chriſtians indeed: Union with Unction conſtitutes us in the reality and truth of being Chrſtians, &c.

Eighthly, I will ſay but one thing more; You cannot be poſſibly ſaved, if you Cannot be ſaved.have not the ſpirit of Chriſt: Reaſons whereof are theſe.

1. Without Chriſt no ſalvation: Act. 4. 12. And if we be without the ſpirit, we are certainly without Chriſt.

2. Without holineſs no ſalvation: Without holineſs no man ſhall ſee the Lord, Why ſuch cannot be ſaved. Becauſe without Chriſt. Without holineſs. Without faith.Heb. 12. 14. But without the ſpirit, no holineſs, for he is the holy ſpirit, Eſſentially in himſelf, Cauſally in us, &c.

3. Without faith no ſalvation: He that believes not, ſhall be damned, Mark. 16. 16. But without the ſpirit there can be no faith, becauſe that grace is the fruit and effect of his Almighty power. So now you ſee plainly the infinite miſery of being deſtitute of the Spirit of God.

Queſt. But how may we know whether the Lord hath put his own Spirit within How to knw that we have the Spirit of God.us? that the ſpirit of God is given to us indeed?

Sol. This may be known. 1. By the works of the ſpirit. 2ly By the qualities of the ſpirit. 3ly By the properties of ſuch who have the ſpirit in relation unto the ſpirit.

1. By the works of the ſpirit:

The ſpirit of God is a vigorous, and active, and operative ſpirit; and By the works of the Spirit.when he is indeed put within any mans heart, there he works in order unto the ſalvation of that man; for unto that do all the works of God the Father (as our Father) tend; and unto that do all the works of Chriſt the Son of God (as our Redeemer) tend; and unto that do all the works of the ſpirit of God within us tend;

What are the works of Gods Spirit in them that ſhall be ſavedNow the works of the ſpirit in them which ſhall be ſaved are theſe. . Conviction.

1. Conviction: Joh. 16. 8. And when he is come (that is the ſpirit whom Chriſt calls the Comforter, ver. 7.) he will reprove the world (he will convince the world) of ſinne: Simile. As when the light of the ſun ſhines in a room, this opens and diſcovers all the naſtineſs and ſluttiſhneſs in the room: ſo when the ſpirit of God comes into the heart, he doth by his own light clearly diſcover, and p. 596repreſent the ſinful foulneſs that lies therein. Here now I will briefly ſpeak unto two Queſtions.

Queſt. 1. How the ſpirit convinceth a perſon of ſin?

Sol. He doth convince of ſin,

1. By opening the Law of God unto us, partly in the ſpiritualneſs of it, as How the Spirit convinceth of ſin.reaching not only to our outward words and actions, but alſo to our inward thoughts and affections, both in the commands of it, and likewiſe in the prohibitions of it; that God doth not only command of us a Righteouſneſs and holineſs▪ of converſation, but alſo a righteouſneſs and holineſs of heart and nature: not only that we do good, but alſo that we be good; not only that we hear him, but alſo that we know, and love, and fear, and truſt upon him; not only that we draw near unto him with our lips, and bodies, but alſo that we draw near unto him with our hearts, and ſerve him in ſpirit and in truth. That God in his Law doth not only forbid and condemn ſinful words and deeds, but alſo ſinful deſires, and delights, and motions; not only murder in the hand, but murder alſo in the heart; not only adultery in the act, but adultery alſo in the heart; as Chriſt aſſures us himſelf in Matth. 5 28. Whoſoever looketh on a woman to luſt after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Perfection of it, that it is ſo preciſe and exact, that it expects from us not this or that particular duty, but an univerſal obedience, and full conformity unto all and every particular which is required; and not for ſome little ſpace of our life, but conſtantly and invariably as to all the time of our lives; and if we fail either in the fulneſs, or in the continuance of obedience at any time, in any particular, preſently the Law pronounceth a ſentence of curſe againſt us; Gal. 3. 10. Curſed is every one that continueth not in all theſe things which are written in the book of the Law to do them.

Secondly, By opening our ſins (the tranſgreſſion of the Law) unto us: Rom. By opening our ſins to us.7. 9. When the Commandement came, ſin revived, and I died; (i. e.) when the Law came accompanied, with the Spirit of God, now ſinne revived, now it appeared, now I ſaw what a ſinful creature, and what a miſerable creature I was.

This is certain, that when the ſpirit of God doth convince any one of ſinne, he then doth (by an invincible evidence or l…ght) ſo ſet out a mans ſinful life and heart, that he cannot but confeſs and acknowledge the ſame, and withall, himſelf to lye under the curſe of God, as long as by unbelief he remains in his ſinful eſtate.

Queſt. 2. Whether a wicked perſon may not be convinced of ſin? and if he may, how then can this work of conviction be any diſtinguiſhing character that we have the ſpirit?

Sol. To this I anſwer.

Firſt, I do not make every work flowing from the Spirit, a character of his What are not characters of the preſence of Gods Spirit.gracious preſence; not illumination, not conviction ſolitarily conſidered by themſelves alone, but as concomitantly conſidered with other more powerful and effectual works of the ſpirit following them.

2. But ſecondly, there is a difference between that conviction of ſin in wicked The difference between the convictions of the wicked and the godly.men, and that in the people of God, and the difference lies thus.

Firſt, The conviction in wicked men, is ordinarily levis & mollis; it is ſuch an evidencing of their ſins, as doth not much afflict and diſtreſs them; indeed they cannot deny but that they are ſinners, yet they hope to eſcape well enough for all this, &c.

Secondly, The conviction in wicked men is ordinarily ſemiplena & imperfecta, it is of ſome outward groſs ſins, as ſwearing, lying, adultery, drunkenneſs; but for all theſe, they think their hearts are as good as the beſt; they are ſeldom convinced their ſinful hearts and natures, and that original ſin which is the fountain of all ſins, and which pollutes the whole ſoul.

p. 597Thirdly, The conviction in wicked men if it be full and ſtrong, it is but Judicialis, it is not Remedialis; it is not in ſalutem, but proves only in perniciem; for when they are ſo convinced, either they ſin more deſperately againſt the convincing light of the Spirit, or elſe they fall into deſpair, as Cain, and Judas, and Spira, crying out that their ſinnes are greater than can, or ſhall be forgiven!

But now the conviction of ſin by the Spirit in the people of God, is another kind of conviction: For

1. It is deep and powerful, it makes diſcovery of the very root and foundation What is the conviction of the Spirit in Gods childrenof all ſins, even of that corruption and vileneſs in the heart: In ſinne did my Mother conceive me, ſaid David, Pſal. 51. 5. And I ſee another Law in my members, ſaid Paul, Rom. 7. 23. And Ecce cor meum Deus meus, ecce cor meum, ſaid Auſtin! Ah Lord, what a wicked heart had I? &c.

2. It is graciouſly effectual, this work of conviction works graciouſly upon them, and in an order to Chriſt and their ſalvation by him; for by this they ſee that there is no longer ſtaying or reſting in their ſinful conditions; but then they muſt and will ariſe from their ſleep in ſin: By this they find there is nothing in themſelves for them to reſt upon; for when the Spirit indeed convinceth us of our ſinful condition, as he doth therewith convince us of the curſe and wrath, ſo doth he at the ſame time convince us of our own perſonal impotency, and inſufficiency, and that there is no help at home; if they are there, they periſh: By this they are occaſioned, and indeed do actually look out for Chriſt, and Righteouſneſs, and Peace, and Salvation by him, and in the event come in to him, ſtoop unto all his Precepts, and gladly accept of him and them, and with all their hearts do magnifie and bleſs the grace of God for appointing and ſetting up ſuch a way of life for miſerable, loſt, and ſelf-undone, and ſelf-unable ſinners!

Secondly, Humiliation; this is another work of the Spirit when he is given unto Humiliation.us: Rom. 8. 15. Ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear; If they had not received it again, then ſometime or other they had received that ſpirit of bondage to fear: Indeed it is a queſtion, whether any who are by faith brought into Chriſt, are under the ſpirit of bondage to fear; but it is (I think) without all queſtion, that the ſpirit of bondage to fear, goes before the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father: And ſo likewiſe is it without queſtion, that humiliation for ſin, or bondage unto fear, is the work of the Spirit; for none but the Spirit of God can work that work within us.

Now there are two things in that expreſſion (the Spirit of bondage to fear) Whar is the ſpirit of bondage.which I intend in that outward humiliation.

Firſt, An apprehenſion and feelling of our preſent ſinful condition (of which we have been convinced) as our bondage or ſlavery, which you know is 1. A baſe and contemptible condition. 2ly A reſtrained and depriving condition. 3ly A ſubjected and ſtooping condition to the will of another. 4ly A laborious and toylſome condition, and that upon very hard and cruel terms. 5ly A vexations and grievous condition, even ready to break the heart. 6ly A moſt dangerous condition, wherein our life lies at the mercy of him who hath it in bondage every hour. 7ly It is a moſt weariſome, and burdenſome condition; one would be moſt glad of eſcape and deliverance out of it.

Thus it is with a man who hath received the ſpirit of bondage.

1. He looks on his ſinful condition and on himſelf as vile and baſe, and cryes out like the Leper, unclean, unclean; like Paul, O wretched man that I am!

2. He looks on himſelf as in priſon, as one ſhut up, and ſhackled and fettered; no liberty, no power to any good.

3. He looks on himſelf as fallen into the hands of the living God, and righteous God, who may when he will execute his fierce wrath upon him.

p. 5984. On himſelf as a very drudge to ſin, at the command of every luſt, and working out his own damnation.

5. He feels this condition full of vexation, and terror, and burdenſome; ſo …hat his very ſoul doth fail him, and he knows not what to do with himſelf, nor for himſelf.

6. And oftimes in the anguiſh of his ſpirit, cryes out, O who will pity, who will deliver me, who will break the bonds of my diſtreſs!

Secondly, A ſad expectation of evil ſetling upon the ſoul, which is here called fear, for fear is the expectation of evil. The humbled ſinner lying under the ſpirit of bondage, is farre from jollity, and mirth, and vain confidences; he fears what the holy, and righteous God (who hath revealed his wrath from heaven againſt all ungodlineſs) will do unto him for all the ſins of which he is guilty: And he fears exceedingly to dye in this condition; if I dye, I am damned for ever: and he fears to come near to God, he is afraid that God will never look on him, nor anſwer him, nor ſhew him mercy; in a word, he is a very troubled ſinner for what he hath done againſt God, and for what God may juſtly do againſt him?

Object. But will ſome ſay, Doth every one who receives the Spirit of God Whether all the godly have firſt the ſpirit of bondage.find it thus with him? hath every one the Spirit of bondage to fear?

Sol. I anſwer, every one who hath the Spirit, hath this; thoſe in Act. 2. 37. found it thus; Paul in Act. 9. 6. found it thus; the Jaylor, Act. 16. 29. found it thus; only you muſt diſtinguiſh

1. Of the intentions and meaſures of it: All that have received the Spirit, have not the like equal meaſure of bondage to fear: Some drink deeper of the cup than others: It is terror in ſome, and burden in others; it is horror in ſome, it is only pain in others; it is the breaking of the bones in ſome, and only the laſh of the rod on others.

2. Of the duration and continuance of it: Some are longer under the ſpirit of bondage than others are: Simile. As ſome women have quicker labour, and others have ſtronger and longer labour: So ſome have a longer time of humiliation for their ſins than others have: Some are under trouble of Conſcience for many years, ſome only a few dayes, and then they meet with Chriſt and are eaſed.

Object. But this work of humiliation cannot be any demonſtrative note of having the Spirit of grace, becauſe many wicked men, living and dying ſo, have had this work of humiliation?

Sol. Humiliation may be conſidered two wayes.

1. As a meere Legal and Judicial work for ſin, as it is a pure retribution of wrath and horror upon the conſcience, and one of the firſt fruits and taſte of deſerved damnation: Thus I grant that a Cain and Judas may meet with it.

2. As a preparati…e work of the Spirit for Chriſt; thus it is not given to any but to ſuch whom God intends to convert and ſave by Chriſt.

Queſt. But may ſome reply, There lies the Queſtion; How may one know that How to know which is true humiliation.this work of Humiliation is not a judicial, but a preparative work?

Sol. It may (I humbly conceive) be thus known. When humiliation is a preparative work of the Spirit,

Firſt, Then the heart is troubled for the filthineſs of ſin, as well as for the guiltineſs of ſin: Not only becauſe God may puniſh us, but alſo becauſe we have offended God; not only becauſe I am a guilty ſinner, deſerving and feeling wrath, but alſo I am a filthy and defiled creature, deſtitute of the image and glory of God.

Secondly, Then the heart is broken from ſin, as well as for ſin; ſin troubles me, and I trouble ſin; former ſins are my burden and grief, and preſent ſins is become the object of my hatred; I hate that which hath ſo much provoked God againſt me, and which is the cauſe of all the evil upon me; I will never love nor ſerve it any more.

p. 599Thirdly, Then all our hopes are in mercy alone, of which we judge our ſelves unworthy.

Fourthly, Then it draws out the heart to make after a Chriſt, who only can give peace, and eaſe, and bind up the broken in heart; the Spirit of God leads out this humbled ſinner to Goſpel enquiries, and to Goſpel helpers: As Act. 2. 37. What ſhall we do? And Act. 16. 30. What muſt I do to be ſaved?

Fifthly, Thus the heart ſtrives earneſtly with the Lord to give Faith, that it may be able to cloſe with Chriſt, and the man is not, and will not be ſatisfied untill he be by faith poſſeſſed of Chriſt? how he prayes; how he hears? how he attends and waits till it be given unto him to believe?

3. Union and Conjunction with Chriſt; this is another choice work of the Spirit apparant in all to whom God gives his Spirit.Union with Chriſt.

It is the Spirit of God who perſwades, and inclines, and draws in the broken-hearted ſinner unto Chriſt, by him is the match made between the ſoul and Chriſt, by him is Chriſt joyned unto us, and by him are we joyned unto Chriſt.

Now the Spirit unites, or brings in the humble and broken-hearted ſinner to How the Spirit unites the broken-hearted ſinner to Chriſt.Chriſt on this wiſe.

Firſt, By opening the Goſpel (that word of glad tidings, and of good news, that good word of life, and of hope) unto the humbled ſinner, wherein, as in a glaſs he doth ſee the great love, rich mercy, and free grace of God in Jeſus Chriſt; unto ſuch, who was ſent and given by the Father to ſuffer for our ſins, and to take away our ſins, and to make our peace, and to reconcile us unto God, and to deliver, and ſave our ſouls; and that'… the way to partake of him; and all good by him, is to believe on him; this the Spirit of God makes evident unto the humble ſinner, and withall, offers him, that whoſoever believes on him ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life, Joh. 3. 16.

Secondly, By preſenting ſtrong and ſafe Grounds or Arguments to the humble ſinner, that he ought to believe, and may lay hold for his particular, v. g.

1. The expreſs command of God: 1 Joh. 3. 23. This is his command, that we ſhould believe on the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt.

2. The expreſs offer unto the humble ſinner, and plain call of Chriſt: Matth. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, &c.

3. The deſignation of Chriſt to this work of help and comfort: Iſa. 66. 1. The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath ſent me to bind up the broken-hearted.

4. The promiſes and aſſurances of Chriſt, that he ſhall not be diſowned if he comes to him: Joh. 6. 37. Him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out; nay he ſhall be accepted and eaſed. Matth. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt.

Thirdly, by anſwering and reſolving all the doubts, and fears, and exceptions of unbelief, from the greateſt of former ſinnings, and from preſent unworthineſs, and multitudes of wants; theſe the Spirit inwardly anſwers, and takes off by convincing the ſinner that Chriſt muſt be his Righteouſneſs, and will be ſo to every one that believes; and that our unworthineſs hinders not, but he that is athirſt may come and take the water of life freely, Rev. 22. 17. And he that hath no money, he may come and buy wine and milk without money, and without price, Iſa. 55. 1.

Fourthly, By making the Goſpel (at length) through his own power, an effectual means of faith; ſo that the humbled ſinner becomes a believing ſinner, his heart is perſwaded and opened to Chriſt, and he glorifies all the goodneſs and kindneſs of Chriſt, he receives and embraces him, takes Chriſt for his Lord, p. 600and Saviour, and Husband, and Head, and is joyned unto him, and made one with Chriſt, and Chriſt is one with him.

This is the great and notable work of the Spirit, which he works in every one of the people of God in Covenant; not one of them but he is by the Spirit brought in to Chriſt. The Spirit doth not only in a preparative way convince and humble them for their ſins, but alſo he doth in an effectuall manner bring them in to Chriſt, whom he hath before prepared for Chriſt. Therefore let us look well unto our ſelves; by this may you know undoubtedly whether God hath put his Spirit within you. If his Spirit be in you, then you are in Chriſt. If the Spirit be in your hearts, then Faith is in your hearts. If you be poſſeſſed of the Spirit, then you are poſſeſſed of Chriſt; your hearts are overcome, are perſwaded, are drawn to Chriſt; he hath been the great deſire of your ſouls, and he is the very portion of your ſoules: You are Chriſts, and Chriſt is yours.

But if your hearts remain ignorant of Chriſt, or undeſirous of Chriſt, and careleſs of Chriſt, and ſtubborn, and oppoſite to Chriſt, you will not have Chriſt to reign over you; and you will not come to him though you may have life; and you love your ſins better than Chriſt, and you will ſit down with the pleaſure, and with the profit of the world; aſſuredly you have not the Spirit of God; and if you continue thus, you ſhall dye and periſh in you ſins.

Fourthly, Regeneration or Renovation; this is another eminent work of the Spirit extant in all the people of God; they are all of them regenerated, and Regeneration.renewed by the Spirit: Joh. 3. 5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Tit. 3. 5. According to his mercy he ſaved us, by the waſhing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghoſt.

For the better opening of this, I will ſhew unto you

1. What this work of the Spirit is, what Regeneration or Renovation is.

2. That this work of the Spirit is to be found in all the people of God to whom the Spirit is given.

Queſt. 1. What is this work of Regeneration or Renovation?

Sol. It is that work of the Spirit by which we partake of a new ſpiritual being, What regeneration is.even of the life of Chriſt, yea of the ſame image of Chriſt, and by which we are made new creatures.

As in every natural generation there is (as the Philoſophers ſpeak) an introduction of a new form; as when the water is turned into aire, or the are is turned into fire, there is ſtill another form, a new form brought into them; or as when a child is generated, there is another new form brought into the matter which it had not before, viz. a reaſonable ſoul.

So is it in Spiritual Regeneration, there is a new Divine being or quality brought into our ſouls by the Spirit, by which we are Spiritually changed from what we were: Joh. 3. 6. That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit: Look as that which is born of the fleſh is fleſh: the ſinner begets a ſinner; and that which is born of the ſinner, it is born after his own ſinful image: In like manner that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. If any man be born of the Spirit, there is the life and holineſs of that quickning and holy Spirit in him; he is not what he was; there is an excellent change wrought in him; he is quite contrary to himſelf, not only for converſation, but for inclination; his mind, his judgement, his will, his affections, there is a new principle in every one of theſe; Old things are paſt away, all things are become new, 2 Cor. 5. 17.

Queſt. 2. Whether this work of Regeneration or Renovation is in every one of the people of God unto whom the Spirit is given?Regeneration is in every child of God.

Sol. Certainly it is: The Spirit is never put (in medio) within the heart of any man, but he doth regenerate and renew him: 2 Cor. 3. 18. We all with open p. 601face beholding as in a glaſſe the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord: Mark it, we are changed by the Spirit of the Lord into the ſame image which we ſee in Chriſt: 2 Cor. 5. 17. If any man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature. Nay ſurely, all that ever had the Spirit of God put within them, you ſhall find that they were new creatures; you read it in Mary Magdalen, in Zacheus, in thoſe Acts 2. in Paul, Acts 9. in the Jaylor, Acts 16. in the Corinthians; Such were ſome of you, but ye are weſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of our Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. 6. 11.

Therefore conſider well what you were, and what you now are; if there be not a Regeneration, a work of Renovation in you, verily you have not the Spirit; God hath not put his Spirit within you.

If the old ſinful qualities remain and prevail in you, of drunkenneſs, of filthineſs, of pride, of malice, of hatred of holineſs, of unbelief, of hardneſs of heart; if theſe or any other ſinful luſts continue unmortified, you have not received the Spirit: And if no new qualities contrary unto theſe are to be found in you, if the image of Chriſt, if holineſs, if faith, if love, &c. are not in you in ſome meaſure, you are none of the people of God, you have none of his Spirit within you.

For as they ſay of the ſoul of man, the ſoul doth build and frame a houſe fit for itſelf to dwell in, that is moſt true of the Spirit of God; when he comes into our hearts, he doth purge them, and renew them, and make them Temples fit for himſelf to dwell in: Indeed he doth not find us holy when he firſt comes into us; but as ſoon as he comes he makes us holy, and ſanctifies us throughout in ſoul, ſpirit, and body; he fills our Temple with his glory.

Fifthly, Direction or leading: This is another work of the Spirit to be found Direction is another work of the Spirit.in all who have the Spirit given unto them; Spiritus Dei docet & ducit: Rom. 8. 14. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the ſons of God.

And ſo (for the words are Reciprocal) as many as are the ſons of God, they are led by the Spirit of God. That expreſſion of leading is a Metaphor taken either from blind men, and men in the dark who do need a guide; or from little weak children not able to go alone, and therefore are held and led by the hand: Now concerning this work of the Spirit, I will briefly open two things unto you.

1. Queſt. How the Spirit of God leads the people of God?

There is you know, a twofold leading or guidance of the Spirit.How the Spirit leads Gods children.

1. One is general, by a common virtue or influence which aſſiſts the creatures in all their powers and faculties to their ſeveral operations.

2. The other is ſpecial, by a more high and peculiar influence upon the hearts of men in order to the eſtate, and acts, and wayes of grace and ſalvation: Thus the Spirit of God leads the people of God.

Firſt, By way of Irradiation or illumination; he opens the eyes of their minds to ſee the paths and wayes of life, and the will and wayes concerning them; what way the Word reveals, certainly he reveals internally giving light to ſee it: Iſa. 2. 3. Come and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, and he will teach us of his wayes. Chap. 20. 21. Thine ears ſhall hear a word behind thee, ſaying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Secondly, By way of inclination: when the Spirit leads, he doth not only ſhew us what good we are to do, but alſo he doth powerfully incline our hearts to comply with, and follow that direction of his; Pſal. 25. 4. Shew me thy wayes O Lord, teach me thy paths. Ver. 5. Lead me in thy truth. Iſa. 2. 3. He will teach us of his wayes, and we will walk in his paths. The Spirits leading is not a meer Revelation of the will and way of God unto the people of God, as if p. 602one ſhould point out the way to Traveller, but it is an efficacious perſwaſion, add a ſecret and ſtrange inclination, in enabling to walk in that good way of life revealed by him unto them: Simile. As a Nurſe leads the child by lending her help and ſtrength unto the going of the child: Simile. Or rather as the head leads the feet in their motion by letting down an influence enabling thereunto.

Thirdly, By way of Ex…ortation, ſtirring up their hearts, and quickning them to holy ſervices, and to walk according to his motions and directions: Cant. 1. 4. Draw me and I will run after thee. Pſal. 119. 37. Quicken me in thy way. Cant. 4. 16. Awake O North wind, and come thou South, blow upon my Garden that the Spices thereof may flow out.

Forthly, by way of Cooperation: As the Spirit leads us by inclining our hearts unto good, ſo alſo he leads us by working with us in doing of good: He worketh in us both to will and to do, Phil. 2. 13. And 1 Cor. 15. 10. I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

As when the King of Iſrael was to ſhoot the arrow, he did put his hand upon the Bow, and Eliſha did put his hand upon the Kings hand, 2 King. 13. 16. So when we are to do any good work, we are to put up our hand, and the Spirit of God likewiſe puts out his hand; he puts his ſtrength to our ſtrength, or rather to our weakneſs; we are to pray, to mourn, to believe, to obey; and that we may do theſe, he comes in with a new influence, help, and power aſſiſting us unto all theſe.

Fifthly, by way of Confirmation, ſuſtaining, upholding, carrying us on from path to path, from work to work, untill we have finiſhed all our work; he leads us on in the courſe of holy obedience all the dayes of our life, from firſt to laſt, till we come to our journeyes end: Pſal. 73. 24. Thou ſhalt guide me with thy counſel, and afterward receive me unto glory.

2. Queſt. Why the Spirit of God thus leads the people of God?

Sol. Becauſe

Firſt, Of our ignorance; we cannot ſee but by his light.Why Gods Spirit leads Gods people.

Secondly, Of our own inability or weakneſs; even when ſtrongeſt, their own graces of themſelves alone are not ſufficient ſtrength unto them; which appears in the great falls of the beſt of them, when left but a little unto themſelves.

Thirdly, Of the difficulties of their work, and in their way and journey to heaven; their work is very great, and the encounters which meet them are very ſharp; there was a red Sea, and a wilderneſs to paſs through, and ſtrong enemies to be fought with, and conquered before they came to Canaan. So is it with Chriſtians in their way to heaven, &c. Thus you ſee that the Spirit of God leads the people of God; he is given unto them for a Guide and Leader, and they do hearken unto him willingly, deſirouſly, carefully, conſtantly, and follow their Leader.

But where is this leading work to be found? who amongſt us is led by the Spirit of God? Many

Firſt, Are led by their own hearts luſts; they are at the command of every ſinful motion. Many are led

Secondly, By Satan; they preſently follow every temptation of his, and his will and works they will do. Many are

Thirdly, Led by the world; by the example of it, they will do as moſt men do; by the faſhions of it, they will not be like no body, but will attire themſelves as the world doth; by the pleaſures of it, by the profits of it, as Balaam was led for reward even to curſe the people of God. Many are led

Fourthly, By their own judgement, and by their own wills, and they will not be controlled. And many are led

Fifthly, By the ſpirit of error, and not by the Spirit of truth: They are p. 603led away with the error of the wicked, 2 Pet. 3. 17. And follow their pernicious wayes, 2 Pet. 2. 2.

If all the men in the world were drawn out and ſtood under their proper Colours and Leaders, how thin, how few would be found to follow this beſt, this only ſafe Leader, the Spirit of God! but remember what the Apoſtle ſaith, Rom. 8. 13. If ye live after the fleſh ye ſhall dye; as it is a ſure ſign of ſalvation when we walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit, Rom. 8. 1. and 4.) ſo it is a ſure ſign of damnation when we walk after the fleſh, and not after the Spirit.

Thus have you the diſcoveries of the Spirit of God by his works: Now follows the ſecond way of diſcovery by which we may know whether we have the Spirit of God. viz.

2ly By the qualities of the Spirit.

There are many qualities by which the Spirit of God is ſet forth unto us in ſcriptures; Having the ſpirit, may be known by the qualities of the Spirit.all which (virtually) every one who hath the Spirit doth, or may find in himſelf in ſome meaſure: I ſhould be too tedious if I ſhould diſcourſe upon every one of them, therefore I will fix upon ſome of them, e. g.

1. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of judgement, and of burning.

2. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of knowledge.

3. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of power.

4. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of liberty.

5. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of truth.

6. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of love.

7. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of glory.

8. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of goodneſs.

Firſt, The Spirit of God is the Spirit of judgement, and of burning: Iſa. 4. 4. When the Lord ſhall have waſhed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and ſhall have purged the blood of Jeruſalem from the mid'ſt thereof by the Spirit of judgement, and by the Spirit of burning. In the former verſe God doth make a promſe unto the Reliques of Zion, and unto the Remnant of Jeruſalem that they ſhall be holy: In this verſe he declareth when this ſhall be, namely, In the day when he ſhall waſh them from their filth, and purge them from their blood: Laſtly, he ſhews how this ſhould be cauſed, and that is by the Spirit of judgement, and by the Spirit of burning. Some by the Spirit of judgement do underſtand that Spirit by which God judgeth and puniſheth the wicked; others by it do underſtand, a mind and power given to execute judgement or righteouſneſs for the deliverance of the people of God from their enemies, but (with ſubmiſſion) I conceive, that by the Spirit of judgemen is meant … judicial (or Judge-like) condemnation, ſuch a Spirit as enables us to ſit in judgement upon our ſinful luſts, in the arraigning of them, cenſuring, diſallowing, and condemning of them, even to death it ſelf: And ſo by the Spirit of judgment may be meant the efficacious fruit of the Spirit, which (in a way of execution) ſeparates ſinful luſt from the heart, and by degrees conſumes, as the fire doth the droſs: And certainly this is a truth, that ſuch a Spirit as this, is the Spirit of God in every man unto whom he is given: viz. He is a Spirit of …, he ſets up (as it were) a Judges ſeat into the heart, and makes our ſelves to be the judges, to give a righteous ſentence, that all our ſins and luſts are ſuch evils as are not to be endured, not to be harboured any longer, nay not fit to live, but preſently to dye, and to be deſtroyed. And he is alſo a Spirit of burning; like as fire to the droſs, which ſeparates it from the mettal, and waſtes and conſumes it: in like manner doth the Spirit work in our hearts a ſeparation from our ſinnes, and a daily mortification of them: Hoſe. 14. 8. Ephraim ſhall ſay, What have I any more to do with idols? Iſa. 31. 7. Every man ſhall caſt away his idols of ſilver, and his idols of gold. Ch. 30. 22. Thou ſhalt caſt them away as a menſtruous cloth, thou p. 604ſhalt ſay unto it, Get thee hence: Rom. 8. 13. If ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body, &c.

Beloved! as this is one ſpecial end why Lord gives his Spirit unto his people; viz. that they may judge and condemn, and mortifie their ſinful luſts, ſo it is (if I may ſo ſpeak) the very Genius and natural diſpoſition of the holy Spirit to be caſting out, pulling down, cleanſing, and purging of all our impurities and fleſhly luſts which are ſo contrary to his nature, and ſo offenſive unto his preſence: Hence it is that he maintains a conſtant and perpetual war with ſin in the hearts of the people of God, till at the laſt he gives unto them a compleat and perfect victory.

Now from what I have delivered in this concerning the Spirit of judgement and of burning, two things will flow.

1. A conviction unto ſome, that they have not yet received the Spirit of God; becauſe,

1. They have not received the ſpirit of judgement to diſallow and condemn their ſinful luſts and wayes, but are ſo far from it, that on the contrary, they do approve them, and defend them, and ſupport them, and cannot endure to hear the reproof and condemnation of them from the Word, or Miniſtry, or any other, but preſently they rage, and ſwell, and grow diſcontented, and malicious, and revengeful.

2. They have not received the ſpirit of burning to abhor their ſins, and to crucifie them, foraſmuch as they do ſtill love their ſins, and will ſerve them, and will not forſake them, Job 20. 13. But their great delight is in their ſinful wayes, and they hold faſt their iniquities, and hate to be reformed; ſurely theſe perſons have never received the Spirit of God.

2. A comfort unto others, that they have received the Spirit of God: Becauſe,

1. They do judge themſelves, and really do diſallow and condemn all ſin in themſelves: Rom. 7. 15. That which I do I allow not.

2. They are daily mortifying their ſinful luſts, by ſtriving after a fuller fellowſhip in the death of Chriſt, by relying on ſin-ſubduing and mortifying promiſes, and by conſtant hatred and oppoſition of their luſts which war againſt the law in their mind; ſo that they will not ſerve ſin any more; and though (as the Apoſtle ſpake in 2 Cor. 10, 3.) they walk in the fleſh, yet they do not warre after the fleſh.

Secondly, The Spirit of God is the Spirit of knowledge and wiſdom; ſo you read in Iſa. 11. 2. The Spirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon him, the ſpirit of wiſdom and understanding, the ſpirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. Epheſ. 1. 17. That the God of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wiſdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. Whoſoever hath the Spirit of God, that man hath wiſdom given unto him by the Spirit; not carnal wiſdom, but heavenly wiſdom, true wiſdome indeed; which wiſdom appears in four things.

Firſt, as to the ſubject; If thou be wiſe (ſaith Solomon) thou ſhalt be wiſe for thy ſelf, Prov. 9. 12. And herein is a mans wiſdom for himſelf, when he principally minds, and looks after, and ſpends his choyſeſt cares, and layes out his chiefeſt pains to make ſure work for the ſaving of his immortal ſoul. That man is wiſe indeed, and he only is wiſe who ſo attends his ſoul, that he is never at reſt untill he finds his ſoul to be ready in a ſafe and ſound condition: And thus doth every one who hath the Spirit of God given unto him; he is by the Spirit made wiſe unto ſalvation: What ſhall I do to be ſaved! Act. 16. 30 He work… out his own ſalvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2. 12. And gives all diligence to make his calling and election ſure. 2 Per. 1. 12. 2ly As to the Object, in making choice of the beſt and moſt neceſſary object for the ſoul, and in refu…ing p. 605that which is pernicious and impertinent: And this wiſdom all have who have the Spirit of God: For

1 They pitch upon the moſt excellent and moſt neceſſary object to enjoy that; viz. God to be their God, and reconciled Father; and Chriſt to be their Lord, and Redeemer, and Saviour. One thing is neceſſary, and Mary hath choſen that good part, &c.

2. They abhor ſin, which is the pernicious object: I hate every falſe way, ſaid David, Pſal. 119. 104. And Solomon ſaith, Prov. 14. 16. A wiſe man feareth and departeth from evil.

3. They are above the world, which is the impertinent object for the ſoul; We look not at the things which are ſeen, but at the things which are not ſeen; for things which are ſeen are temporal, but the things which are not ſeen are eternal, 2 Cor. 4. 18.

Thirdly, As to means and wayes tending to the fruition of eternal bleſſedneſs; Theſe they find out, and in theſe they walk, untill they come and appear before God: Repentance, Faith, Holineſs, Righteouſneſs, Love, new Obedience, Uprightneſs, theſe are the vety paths and wayes to heaven, and all theſe do they chuſe and walk in, who have the Spirit of God given unto them: Pſal. 119. 30. I have choſen the way of truth. Ver. 35. Make me to go in the path of thy commandements, for therein do I delight. Iſa. 26. 7. The way of the juſt is uprightneſſe.

Fourthly, As to time or ſeaſon: Eccleſ. 8. 5. A wiſe mans heart diſcerneth both time and judgement: And this part of wiſdom alſo is found in all that have the Spirit of God.

There is a day of viſitation, a day of knowledge of the things which do concern our peace, Luke 19. 42, 44.

A day of ſalvation, an accepted time, 2 Cor. 6. 2. A time when Chriſt offers himſelf, and love, and mercy, and happineſs, and ſtrives with the hearts of men to know and accept of him: And this time they who have the Spirit of God, diſcern and do lay hold on, and do gladly embrace; they do not ſlight, nor delay, nor harden their hearts; But while it is called to day they hearken: Like the wiſe Merchant, who as ſoon as he found the pearl of great price, ſold all and bought it, Matth. 13. 45, 46.

Now if this wiſdom of the ſpirit be (as indeed it is) the evidence that we have the Spirit; O how few then have the Spirit of God given unto them! Who takes care in the firſt place for his ſoule, and makes ſure the ſalvation of it! Who ſets his heart upon a God, upon a Chriſt, upon Reconciliation, upon pardoning mercy; and not rather upon his ſins, and on the world? Who knows the day of grace, the day of his viſitation, the day of his ſalvation, the accepted time! Who chuſe the path of holineſs, the way of uprightneſs, &c.

3. Thirdly, The Spirit of God is the Spirit of power; and he is ſuch a Spirit in and unto all unto whom he is given: Rom. 15. 18. The Gentiles were made obedient. Ver. 19 By the power of the Spirit of God. 2 Tim. 1. 7. God hath given unto us not the ſpirit of fear, but of power. Iſa. 11. 2. The Spirit of the Lord is there called the Spirit of might: Epheſ. 6. 10. Be strong in the Lord, a…d in the power of his might. The Spirit of God is a moſt ſtrong and powerful Spirit; and he puts forth a wonderful power in all them unto whom he is given: e. g.

Firſt, he raiſeth every one of them from the dead; what the Lord ſpake of the people of Iſrael touching their civil eſtate: Ezek. 3…. 13, 14. I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, and will put my Spirit within you, and you ſhall live: That is true in a ſpiritual ſenſe of all the people of God unto whom the Spirit of God is given: Though before the donation of the Spirit they were dead in treſp…ſſes and ſinnes; yet p. 606when the ſpirit is given unto them, they are by the operation of that ſpirit quickned, made alive, and raiſed from that dead eſtate: Epheſ. 2. 1. You hath he quickned who were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins; they have the life of God and Chriſt in them: O what a power is put forth in the raiſing of a dead man! and yet there is a greater power of the ſpirit put forth in the raiſing of a dead ſinner.

Secondly, He enables them, both to perceive, and alſo to receive the things of God; to perceive the glory and excellency of them, and to receive the goodneſs and ſweetneſs of them.

1. To perceive them: Mat. 13. 11. It is given unto you to know the myſteries of the kingdom of God; but to them it is not given. And 1 Cor. 2. 6. We ſpeak wiſdom amongſt them that are perfect. Ver. 7. The wiſdom of God in a myſtery. Ver. 8. Which none of the Princes of this world know. Ver. 14. Which are fooliſhneſſe unto the natural man, and which he cannot know, q. they are ſpiritually diſcerned: Compare theſe places together, and you ſhall find two differences 'twixt them who have the Spirit, and them that have not the Spirit, concerning the things of God; viz

To the one they are wiſdom, yea, and wiſdom of God, but to the other they Who have, and have not the Spirit.are fooliſhneſs.

When we preach Jeſus Chriſt and the things of ſalvation, the new creature, ſelf-denial, living by faith in Chriſt promiſed, &c. and make offers of him unto a people; ſome make light of him, and regard not the offer at all, they ſee no beauty at all in him that they ſhould deſire him: Yet others ſee in him the glory as of the only begotten of the Father; and do admire at that infinite mercy, and goodneſs, and love, and life, in and by him; the reaſon is, becauſe the one knows him not; but to the other it is given to know him, and to diſcern the myſtery of ſalvation in him.

2. To receive hi…: Joh. 1. 11. He came amongſt his own, and his own received him not. Ver. 12. But as many as received him, &c. And who were theſe that received him; See Ver. 13. Such as were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the the fleſh, nor of the will of man, but of God. So Acts 2. 41. They that gladly received the Word were baptized. But 1 Cor. 2. 14. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: If Chriſt be offered, the natural man will not receive him; If Chriſt ſaith, He that is my Diſciple muſt deny himſelf: This is a hard ſaying, who can bear it? Joh. 6. 60. And take up his croſs and follow me; the natural man will not receive this: If the Word ſaith, Repent and be converted that your ſins may be blotted out, Acts 3. 19. The natural man will not receive this, nor will he receive that truth in Matth. 7. 41. Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, &c. But every one who hath the Spirit of God, as he hath a power given to perceive or diſcern the myſteries of the Kingdom of God, and all the wayes and rules belonging thereunto; ſo he hath alſo an heart given to cloſe with the Kingdom of Chriſt, and with every part and path of it.

Thirdly, The Spirit enables them to pray, and under the ſenſe of their wants and troubles to come unto God as their Father, and to open their conditions unto him with judgement, affection, and confidence; Rom. 8. 15. We have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father. Ver. 26. Likewiſe the Spirit alſo helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we ſhould pray for as we ought, but the Spirit it ſelf maketh interceſſion for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Here you ſee that they who have the Spirit of Adoption, have received the Spirit of ſupplication, every ſon of God is able to call God Father, and to cry unto him as his Father; and that the Spirit of God is in this work of Prayer by making interceſſion for them, appears, 1. By enabling them to make requeſts for themſelves, with groanings which cannot be uttered. 2. With fervency and earneſtneſs of heart.

Object. But will ſome reply, This cannot be a diſtinguiſhing ſign that we have p. 607the Spirit, becauſe many wicked men do pray, and ſo do many hypocrites: Iſa. 26. Whether the Spirit of Prayer be a ſure ſign of a child of God.16. Lord, in trouble have they viſited thee, they have poured out a Prayer when thy chaſtening was upon them; Ergo, &c.

Sol. I anſwer,

Firſt, By way of Conceſſion, granting three things unto wicked men and hypocrites; viz.

1. They may and do in their diſtreſſes put forth natural deſires for help, as the very beaſts do under their burdens and wants.

2. They may, and generally do ſatisfie themſelves with a form of Prayer, which they read, or hear read unto them, which is another thing from the Spirit of Prayer.

3. They may have the gift of Prayer, or an ability to pray by the ſtrength of gifts, and parts; and upon hearing of others, to gather up ſome good expreſſions and fragments, and …utter them as if they did pray.

Secondly, By way of Negation: Notwithſtanding thoſe three Conceſſions, I deny that any man hath the ſpirit of ſupplication, who hath not the Spirit of grace; becauſe, the ſpirit of ſupplication is given with the ſpirit of adoption which is proper to the ſons of God: Every one who hath the Spirit of Prayer, he can come unto God, and call him Father, which none can do, but ſuch as are in Chriſt, in whom he becomes our reconciled God and Father. To pray with the Spirit of Prayer, is to pray with a ſpecial (My ſoule is ſore troubled, Pſal. 6.) feeling of our wants, and of our (I am not worthy to be called thy ſonne) unworthineſs, and the deſires of our ſoul, &c. (with my whole heart, and my ſoul follows hard after thee; with affectionate earneſtneſs of heart, and with (I believe, therefore I have spoken) confidence towards God in the name of Chriſt, that he will give unto us the good things which he hath promiſed to us in his Covenant, 2 Sam. 7. 27. Thou haſt revealed unto thy ſervant, ſaying, I will build thee an houſe, therefore thy ſervant, &c. Who can pray thus, but he who is a child of God, but he who hath the Spirit of God, to ſhew unto him his ſpiritual wants, to ſtirre up in him ſpiritual and earneſt deſires to quicken his Faith on God, and to depend on his good and faithful Promiſes in Chriſt! &c.

Fourthly, I will adde one inſtance more concerning the power in all who have received the Spirit, and that is this; All who have received the Spirit, have received a power to do ſuch works as none elſe in all the world can do; for they are able in the ſtrength and power of the Spirit,

1. To abhor the deareſt luſts, which have formerly been more unto them than their lives and heavenly happineſs.

2. To forſake Father and Mother, Husband and Wife, and Children and Friends, Houſes and Lands for Chriſt, and an afflicted eſtate with Chriſt.

3. To prize communion with God, and to take more ſatisfying delight therein, than in all earthly enjoyments whatſoever: But Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me: Pſal. 4. 6. Shew us the Father and it ſufficeth us. Pſal. 73. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee, &c.

4. To live by faith in the times of deſertion (Though he kill me, yet will I truſt in him, Job 13. 15.) and in times of deſolation when as creature helps and comforts fail; Although the Fig-tree ſhall not bloſſom, neither ſhall fruit be in the Vine, and the labour of the Olive ſhall fail, and the fields ſhall yield no meat, and the flock ſhall be cut off from the fold, and there ſhall be no herd in the ſtalls, yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation, H…b. 3. 17, 18. The Lord God is my ſtrength, ver. 19.

5. To be contented in every eſtate, and to comply with it: Phil. 4. 12, 13. and to glorifie God under it: O where is this power of the Spirit of God? where are any great things or works of the Spirit within us? I cannot pray, ſaith one, p. 608and I cannot leave my ſins, ſaith another; and I can find and take no delight in God, or communion with him, ſaith another; and I cannot truſt on his Word, nor wait upon his Promiſe, &c. Few men have any Spiritual power, and therefore few men have the Spirit of God.

Fourthly, The Spirit of God is the Spirit of liberty: 2 Cor. 3. 17. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty: Liberty is a freedom from bondage, or ſlavery; and Goſpel-liberty (which principally reſpects the ſoul) is a freedom accruing unto us

Partly by price and purchace, namely by the blood of Chriſt: The Lord Jeſus by his death hath purchaſed many glorious liberties for us; he hath freed us from the Law as it is a Covenant of Works, Gal. 3. 11, 12. and from the curſe and wrath, ver. 13. and from all condemning power of ſin, &c. Rom. 8. 1.

Partly by ſtrength and efficacy; this liberty comes unto us by the Spirit who puts forth a ſtrong and mighty hand upon all the hearts of all the people of God, and reſcues and frees them from ſpiritual ſlavery under which they were held whiles they were in their natural condition.

The Spirit of God doth free them

Firſt, From ſlavery to ſin: See Rom. 8. 2 The law of the Spirit of life in Chriſt Jeſus hath made me free from the law of ſin and death: (i. e.) The power of the Spirit hath freed me out of the hands and power of ſin, ſo that it ſhall not command and rule over me as heretofore; it is no longer my Lord, nor am I any longer his ſervant; I am delivered and freed from the dominion and tyranny of it, and ſervice unto it, by the Law (i. e.) by the powerful and authoritative command and work of the Spirit: upon this account the Apoſtle affirms, that all the ſervants of God are made free from ſin, Rom. 6. 18, 22. they are not in bondage, they are not at the command of it; ſin hath loſt its law and authority in them; the yoke is broken by the ſpirit which is given unto them; ſin indeed will ſtirre, and trouble, and uſurp; but ſlavery unto it is taken away: Iſa: 10. 27. The yoke ſhall be deſtroyed, becauſe of the anointing.

Secondly, From ſlavery to Satan: Before we receive the Spirit of God, we are in bondage unto the Divel, who rules or works effectually in us: Epheſ. 2. 2. and takes us captive at his will, 2 Tim. 2. 26. as one that hath a bird tyed, &c. O what power hath Satan over a natural man! how he fetters, and ſhackles, and binds him, and impriſons him, and makes him to drudge in the fulfilling of his motions, and obeying of his ſuggeſtions and temptations! But now when the Spirit of God comes into us, he ſpoiles the ſtrong man armed, and takes from him all the armour wherein he truſted, Luke 11. 21, 22. For he is ſtronger than he. 1 Joh. 4. 4. He leads captivity captive; he turns us from Satan unto God, Acts. 26. 18.

Object. But Satan still tempts and aſſaults! never was man ſo tempted as I am!

Sol. Temptation is one thing, and ſalvation is another; he beſtirred himſelf in tempting and we obeyed; he now tempts and we reſiſt.

He frees us from him, 1. By making us to abhor his Kingdom. 2ly By tranſlating us out of his power into the Kingdom of Chriſt. 3ly By arming us with the armour of God againſt his aſſaults. 4ly By ſtirring us up to reſiſt him: Jam. 4 7. Reſiſt the Divel, and he will flee from you. And 5ly By ſtrengthening us to overcome him; 1 Joh. 2. 13. Ye have overcome the wicked one.

Thirdly, From ſlaviſh fear, and a ſlaviſh ſpirit in working; in this reſpect he makes us to ſerve God without fear, Luk. 1. 74. that is, without ſervile fear; for there is a twofold fear.

There is Timor filialis, which is grounded in the love of God as a Father; and there is Timor ſervilis, which looks upon God only as a Judge, and hath a reſpect to p. 609fo wrath. Now when the Spirit of God is given unto us, we do not ſerve God tor fear of wrath, and puniſhment, and damnation, but out of love, and reverence, and ingenuity: Though there were no Law to curſe us; though there were no Conſcience to terrifie us; though there were no Hell to burn us; yet the Lord our God and Father we will love, and him will we ſerve.

Fourthly, From ſlaviſh indiſpoſitions, as averſeneſs to what is good, and indelightfulneſs in it: They that are anointed by the Spirit and power of God, it makes them ready, and willing out of love, and working out of love.

Fifthly, The Spirit of God is a Spirit of truth; Joh. 14. 16. I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter. Ver. 17. even the Spirit of truth. John 16. 13. When the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide y…u into all truth.