The Gospels Glory, Chapter 9

The Gospels Glory · Chapter 9

p. 136CHAP. IX.

Sheweth that the fulneſſe of ſalvation ſhines in the Perſon who maketh ſaving application thereof, deth…oning corruption of nature, and ruling the whole man; even the Spirit, the Holy Ghoſt, the Spirit of the Father, and of the Sonne.

SECT. 1.

THe perſon applying, and the manner of his application of the ſalvation by Chriſt is implied in theſe words, [who walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit] here the Spirit is the perſon that brings home this work with efficacy and power; for here we have a double conſideration of the Spirits work in the ſaved ones; the firſt preſuppoſed and implied, namely, that God the Father, and Jeſus Chriſt his Son do give to thoſe that ſhall be ſaved the Spirit, who applyeth ſavingly p. 137all the love of the Father, and the grace of the Son: who pulls the fleſh, or mans natural corruption out of the Throne, and ſets up himſelf to rule the man; mention is made in theſe words of ſuch a Spirit, and who can be able to do ſuch a work but the Spirit who is the power of the moſt High; who will be willing but the Holy Spirit, or as we uſually ſpeak the Holy Ghoſt? likewiſe, either ſinners have this Spirit of themſelves, and ſo none have; for if they had him in them by nature, how is it that he ruled not, how is it all by nature are under the power of the fleſh living and walking in their ſins? or elſe he muſt be given, and who can give him but God the Father, and Chriſt his only Son? this giving and working of the Spirit for the bringing home the Redemption which is in Jeſus Chriſt, is therefore neceſſarily implied in theſe words. The ſecond work of the Spirit is expreſſed in a Deſcription of the Redeemed ones; [They walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit;] both theſe conſiderations are in the ſubject perſons made partakers of that work of the Spirit, two wayes commended in the words, [us, p. 138who walk, &c.) firſt, that the Jews and the Gentiles, the Apoſtles and all others that belong to God, are all alike ſharers in this mercy and work of the giving of the Spirit to them to apply ſaving…y this ſalvation, and to reign in them, and frame their converſation, although they have not all alike this Spirit in the ſame meaſure and degree; Us who walk ſaith the Apoſtle, we Apoſtles, we Jewes, and you the believers at Rome to whom he wrote, you that were ſinners of the Gentiles; us, you as well as we, who walk after the Spirit. Secondly, that neither the one nor the other of them, have reſpect with God but in Chriſt; No, were he an Apoſtle, not Paul himſelf, nor do they look for part in this ſalvation upon lower or other termes, but as they fall within this Deſcription. Hence therefore we have two things before us.

1. The ſixth branch of truth that proves the fulneſſe of ſalvation in Chriſt.

2. The third great doctrine, which is, The deſcription of a true Chriſtian.

The ſixth branch is this.

The ſalvation of ſinners by Chriſt is compleat, Doct. 6. The Spirit of theas being ſavingly applied by the Spirit, p. 139given of God the Father, and of Chriſt Father and the Son, applies the ſalvation by Chriſt, dethroning corruption, and ruling the whole man. 1 Cor. 6. 111 Cor 6:11his own Sonne to them that ſhall be ſaved; In which application, the Spirit dethrones the fleſh, and rules the whole man. The ſinners which are waſhed, juſtified and ſanctified in the name of the Lord Jeſus, have this ſo great a change wrought by the Spirit of our God, ſaith the Apoſtle: God who ſent the Redeemer, hath covenanted that his Word and Spirit ſhall be in the ſeed, and ſeeds ſeed of the Redeemer, to whom the Father gave them that he ſhould ſave them, as the Prophet Iſaiah ſheweth, ſaying, The Redeemer ſhall Iſa. 59. 21.Isa 59:21come to Zion. As for me, this is my Covenant with them, ſaith the Lord, my Spirit that is upon thee (that is, upon Chriſt the Redeemer,) and my words which I have put in thy mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy ſeed (for whom the Redeemer gave his ſoul an offering for ſin, and went in travel with them on the Croſſe) nor out of the mouth of thy ſeeds ſeed, from henceforth Iſa. 53. 10. Gal. 3. 14. 1 Joh. 4. 13. & 3, 24Isa 53:10Gal 3:141 John 4:131 John 3:24and for ever. Chriſt hath purchaſed it, and the believer is poſſeſſed of it. Hereby we know, ſaith the Apoſtle, that we dwell in God, and God in us, even by the Spirit which he hath given us. This is that way p. 140in which he ſaveth, even by the renewing Tit. 3. 3, 5. 2 Theſ. 2. 13, 14. 1 Theſ. 1. 3, 4, 5.Titus 3:3Titus 3:52 Thess 2:132 Thess 2:141 Thess 1:31 Thess 1:41 Thess 1:5of the Holy Ghoſt, which he ſheds on us abundantly through our Lord and Saviour; and through this way, even the ſanctification of the Spirit; God bringeth his choſen unto glory. Hereby our election is known. The Son of God the wiſdome of the Father, ſubdueth us by his Spirit poured out unto us; by which he makes known his words to us: This is called the Communion Pro. 1. 23. 2 Cor. 13. 14. Joh. 3. 3, 5Prov 1:232 Cor 13:14John 3:3John 3:5of the holy Ghoſt. And this is ſo abſolutely neceſſary, that unleſſe a man be born from above of water, and of the holy Ghoſt, he can never ſee the Kingdome of God; that is, he cannot come into and enjoy eternal life in heaven, he can never enter into it, unleſt he be born again of the holy Spirit now poured out as plentifully as water and floods according to the promiſe of the Old Teſtament: this our Apoſtle is peremptory, If any have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. There are three that bear Record in heaven, Iſa. 44. 3. Rom. 8. 9. 1 Joh. 5. 7, 8.Isa 44:3Rom 8:91 John 5:71 John 5:8and three that bear Record on earth unto the ſalvation of ſinners by Jeſus Chriſt, and the Spirit is one of each three. The Spirit is the witneſſe that teſtifieth of Chriſt, and the Spirit is the witneſſe that teſtifieth in the true Chriſtian, that he is p. 141the child of God; the believer hath the witneſſe in himſelf, the word of Scripture is the Spirits Teſtimony; in this word as in his Chariot the Spirit cometh into the heart; by this word engraffed, which is the Spirits work, he dwells there, and in and by this word which he quickneth, he gives in his witneſſe that we are the Children of God.

Now it is the compleatneſſe of this work of the Spirit which is here to be conſidered: And this will be manifeſt if we obſerve diligently the opening of theſe ſeven things.

1. Who this Spirit is.Seven things unfolded, touching the Spirit.

2. What is his ſaving work in and upon the elect of God, and the Redeemed of Chriſt.

3. That the Spirit is in Office to do that ſaving work, and his faithfulneſſe in this his Office.

4. The peculiar works of the Spirit in order to this ſaving work.

5. The Inhabitation of this Spirit where he is thus given.

6. The time of his coming.

And laſtly.

7. The peculiarity and appropriation of this work to the elect of God the Father, p. 142and to the Redeemed of Jeſus Chriſt.

SECT. 2.

1. Who this Spirit is.

This Spirit is the holy Ghoſt; for ſo the Apoſtle in this Chapter maketh it cleare, 1. Who is this Spirit.when he calls him the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Chriſt, ver. 9. and the Spirit of him that raiſed up Jeſus from the dead: the Spirit that ſhall quicken our mortal bodies, in ver. 11. and in ver. 16. he diſtinguiſheth this Spirit from our ſpirits in the point of witneſſe-bearing. Therefore the Spirit is the Holy Ghoſt, or the Holy Spirit, as our Tranſlators alſo render it in the Epiſtle to the Epheſians, Ch. 1. 13. & ch. 4. 30. which is all one in ſenſe, the word Spirit being from the Latine, and Ghost an old Engliſh word. Now that we may know who the Holy Ghoſt, or the Holy Spirit is, note 2. He is God, he is true and very God, equal in power and glory with the Father and the Sonne, the ſame God in eſſence, though a diſtinct 1 Joh. 5. 71 John 5:7perſon in the God-head and the third perſon; for there are three, and theſe three p. 143are one: three perſons; the Father is not the Son nor the Holy Ghoſt; the Son is not the Father, nor the Holy Ghoſt; the holy Ghoſt is not the Father nor the Son; they are three, yet theſe three are one God, not three Gods: one God in eſſence; the God-head of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt, is but one. Spirit here is taken perſonally, and not eſſentially, as when it is ſaid, God is a Spirit; and theſe three are one in bearing Record; one God in bearing Record, yet three that bear Record; three perſons and one God; and that he is God is manifeſt; The Lord is that Spirit, or that Spirit is the Lord. We are transformed into the 2 Cor. 3. 17. & v. 182 Cor 3:17Image of God in beholding in the glaſſe of the Goſpel the glory of God; and this transformation is wrought even as by the Spirit of the Lord; that is, it is ſuch a work as none can do but the Spirit of the Lord, and ſuch wherein the Spirit of the Lord is plainly ſeen; an expreſſion like that concerning Chriſt Jeſus, We ſaw his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father; as is not of ſimilitude, or likeneſſe, for no like is the ſame; but as of ſpecification of the very things; as the glory, that is, no other or leſſe than the p. 144very glory of the only begotten of the Father. So likewiſe here, as by the Spirit of the Lord, that is, by no other worker, and by no leſſe than by the very Spirit of the Lord; and it may alſo be read (which I moſt approve as moſt agreeing to the whole Context going before, eſpecially in ver. 17. as by the Lord the Spirit. Again, To tempt the Spirit, is to tempt Act. 5. 3, 4. Iſa. 6. 9. with Act. 28. 25.Acts 5:3Acts 5:4Isa 6:9Acts 28:25God: as we find in the Hiſtory of Ananias and Sapphira; The Lord Jehovah ſpake by the Prophet Iſaiah, and Paul ſaith, the holy Ghoſt ſpake thoſe ſame words by Iſaiah. The name Jehovah is the name of the true God only, this his name which is his alone, he will never give to another, but here it is the name of the Holy Ghoſt, Jehovah is the Holy Ghoſt, who ſpake by the Prophets, and who is, as the Nicene Creed profeſſeth, The Lord and giver of life.

The properties alſo of the God-head, are given to the holy Ghoſt; as eternity, Heb. 9. 14. Pſa. 139. 7.Heb 9:14Ps 139:7called the eternal Spirit. Omnipreſence, or to be preſent in all places at once: as David ſang, whither ſhall I go from thy Spirit? Omnipotence, to be Almighty: and this the works of the Spirit do manifeſt; he doth the works of God, the works p. 145which only God can do: as the work of Creation; by the Spirit of the Lord were the Pſal. 33. 6 Job. 26. 13 Job. 33. 4. & 32. 8. Gen. 1. 2. with Deut. 32. 11. Iſa. 61. 1. & 48. 16. 1 Cor. 12. 8, 9, 10, 11.Ps 33:6Job 26:13Job 33:4Job 32:8Gen 1:2Deut 32:11Isa 61:1Isa 48:161 Cor 12:81 Cor 12:91 Cor 12:101 Cor 12:11heavens made; the Spirit garniſhed the heavens, and made man, as Elihu ſaid, The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. The …nspiration of the Almighty giveth men underſtanding. Likewiſe the work of preſervation; the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, or was moving with an hatching virtue as the bird ſitteth upon the eggs, and hovereth over her young to cheriſh and preſerve them; his work is the ſending and anointing of Jeſus Chriſt: the gifts of tongues and miracles, and the like, which he diſtributeth as he will. Theſe works declare the deity of the holy Ghoſt: and they declare it above Suae libertatis arbiter, omnia pro authoritate propriae voluntatis dividens. Ambr. l 1. c 2. de ſpiritu ſancto. 2 Cor. 13. 14. Rev. 1. 4.2 Cor 13:14Rev 1:4the force and reach of all cavills of ſophiſtical blaſphemers, and to the ſtrong Conſolation of all believers; he it is that applies with ſaving efficacy the love of the Father, and the grace of the Son. Divine honour is alſo given to him: as to be baptized into his Name, to pray and bleſſe from him, to call upon him. And in the ſecond to the Theſſalonians, Ch. 3. ver. 5. the Apoſtle prayeth thus, The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, p. 146and into the patient waiting for Chriſt. So Ambr. l. 3. de spir. ſancto. c. 15 The ſame Father urgeth alſo that place in 1 Theſ. 3. 12, 13. patrem dixit, filium dixit: quem ergo cumpatre & filio, praeter Spiritum junxit? Mark. 3. 29. Heb. 10. 29.1 Thess 3:121 Thess 3:13Mark 3:29Heb 10:29Here are three diſtinct perſons, God to be beloved, Chriſt to be waited for with patience, and the Lord to whom the prayer is made, that he would direct the hearts of believers into that love and patient waiting. Now this Lord is the Lord the Spirit, who directs the hearts of thoſe whom he ſanctifieth and enableth to believe. Againſt the holy Ghoſt ſinne may be committed, and to great height, and men may commit ſuch ſin againſt him as may become unpardonable: becauſe they wilfully and maliciouſly oppoſe and deſpight him in the manifeſtations of his preſence, and gracious workings in the Goſpel for the Application of this ſalvation; therefore he is very God, he is the Spirit of grace.

2. He is the Spirit of the Father and of the Son; the Spirit of God, and the Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Iſa. 61. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Gal. 4. 6.Rom 8:9Isa 61:11 Pet 1:11Gal 4:6of Chriſt. He proceedeth **Joh. 15. 26.John 15:26from the Father and the Sonne, and according to this his exiſting, about the work of ſaving application of Redemption, he is ſent forth of the Father, as he is the Spirit of his Sonne, into the hearts **Gal. 4. 6.Gal 4:6of thoſe that are priviledged with the Adoption of children. God the Father ſendeth him as he p. 147is the Comforter, and the Son Jeſus Chriſt ſendeth him: and therefore he is Joh. 15. 26 Alius, non aliud. Joh. 14. 16John 15:26John 14:16another, a diſtinct perſon, not another thing: he is another Comforter; the Lord Jeſus the Bridegroome, he is one Comforter, the holy Spirit, in the Bridegroome, and the Bride one and the ſame, he is another Comforter, he is the Spirit who knoweth the whole heart, and the moſt hid councels and ſecrets of the Father and the Son; theſe Goſpel Myſteries, the 1 Cor. 2. 10, 11.1 Cor 2:101 Cor 2:11ſecrets of this boſome-love, into which no Angels of light could dive, no more than a man can know what is in another man, unleſſe he reveale it. This is he who works in us to bring home this ſalvation: therefore it is done moſt effectually and moſt comfortably.

SECT. 3.

2. What is his ſaving work?

In the Elect of God the Father, and in The ſaving work of the Spirit, made up of 14. works.the Redeemed of Jeſus Chriſt his Son the Redeemer. The holy Ghoſt hath his ſaving work: and it is made up of theſe ſeveral works following.

1. Renovation, or regeneration; In p. 148which the holy Ghoſt by the word of Chriſt as water, as a laver of water waſhing a ſinner, as floods of waters poured out upon the dry and barren heart, doth clenſe and waſh, and in the waſhing change and make a new the ſinner. The word of the Goſpel is as pure water, and water fructifying. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is a fountain opened for ſin and uncleaneneſſe, who came both by blood and water: all ſorts of clenſings and waſhings are found in him, and the holy Ghoſt in the work of his grace by the Record, by making the ſinner to know his own foulneſſe and uncleaneneſſe by ſin; and the fulneſſe of clenſing away ſin by a bathe of that water, and by a Sacrifice in that blood which is in Jeſus Chriſt the only Sonne of God crucified, and by taking the baſin of the Word which ſets forth Chriſt, into his own hands to ſprinkle and rinſe the ſinner ſo enlightened; and by taking hold alſo of ſuch a ſinner to put him into this laver, and under this ſprinkling he makes the heart to feel Chriſts love, and the flinty rockineſſe of it to melt and flow down before the Lord God, and all the abilities of his ſoul to flow together, and riſe up towards the Lord Jeſus with ſtrong and p. 149fixed deſires; and then the holy Spirit is as water, (water that catrieth with it, and in it, the virtue of Chriſts blood, ſet Joh. 3. 5, 6, 8.John 3:5John 3:6John 3:8forth in the Goſpel,) all to the waſhing, and renewing, and begetting again, in ſuch wiſe that this ſinner is born from above, Tit. 3. 5, 6.Titus 3:5Titus 3:6born of the Spirit, born of God, and Chriſt is formed in him. The party came into this laver a ſinful man, all leprous, a dead man, but he comes out of it a new man, a living changed man, quite another man than he was before. Behold the laver of regeneration, the renewing of the holy Ghoſt ſhed on a poor humbled ſinner abundantly, and richly through Jeſus Chriſt our Saviour; this work is of abſolute neceſſity for old and young, for learned and unlearned, for Jew and Gentile. And as that which is born of the fleſh, is carnal, corrupt, earthly, low and weak: ſo that which is born of the Spirit, is Spirit, ſpiritual, pure, heavenly, high, and powerful, and diſcerning the holy Myſteries of the Goſpel of the high and holy God.

2. Sanctification: the Apoſtle Peter deſcribeth a true member of the Church, a ſubject of grace and peace by the work of the three perſons in the undivided Godhead p. 150about his ſalvation, ſo that the Spirits work is that which ſingleth out the individual perſon from among all other the children of men, and ſeateth the Fathers love, and the Sonnes grace of Redemption upon him particularly. This is the Deſcription, He is one Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through ſanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jeſus Chriſt. Sanctification is we ſee, the ſaving work of the Spirit. Sanctification of the Spirit: and belief of the truth 1 Theſ. 2. 13, 14.1 Thess 2:131 Thess 2:14is the way through which God, calling ſinners thereunto by the Goſpel miniſtred by the miniſtry of the New Teſtament, doth bring thoſe whom he hath choſen from the beginning to ſalvation, unto the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as this Apoſtle Paul teacheth in another place. Now the ſanctifying work of the Spirit is this: 1. He illightens; and this illumination is accompanied, 1. With wiſdome, that knows things as they are, and values them as they are worth, that knows the worth of the things of God in Chriſt diſcovered according to their excelling nature and difference, and prefers them above all other things: and it p. 151is 2. With R…velation alſo, bringing Epheſ. 1. 17, 18.Eph 1:17Eph 1:18the things of Chriſt unto the mind in Gods own light; in a light above the light of mans reaſon: And it is thirdly with rectifying, or rather making anew the Organe: the eyes of our underſtandings, which were covered with blindneſſe, and Mat. 16. 17Matt 16:17that blindneſſe was in and from our birth (ſo that we were born blind) they are opened that we may know. All this is beyond the illumination which is of common grace, and which may be found in the beſt of hypocrites. 2. He quickens, he cauſeth the dead in ſins and treſpaſſes to awake, ariſe, and live; he is the Spirit of life, the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt declared and ſet forth by God in the Goſpel, and brought home to the ſoul of an humbled ſinner by the word attended with the Spirit: and the Spirit is life, becauſe of this righteouſneſſe; life from the death of condemnation which ſin deſerved: life from the death of ſin; life true and joyful. 3. He circumciſes the heart with a circumciſion made without Rom. 2. 29 Col. 2. 11.Rom 2:29Col 2:11hands. In this work, the word is the circumciſing knife; this knife is taken into the hand of the Spirit, the heart is the part that is to ſuffer, and not the fleſh or p. 152body of the ſinner, the fore-skin is the ſuperfluity of maliciouſneſſe and wickedneſſe; Jam. 1. 21. Deut. 30. 6.Jas 1:21Deut 30:6the skin upon the heart, the skin of other loves which oppoſe the love of God, as ſelf-love, the love of the world, the love which is called luſt, and the love of ſuperſtitious vanities, and mens inventions in Religion, and worſhip: and the cutting off this fore-skinneſſe, is when the word in the hand of the Spirit, and by it skilfully uſed, getting between our hearts and them, it makes the heart to ſee them to be ſuch as the word ſayes of them, and to judge it ſelf for them, and to caſt them away as unprofitable and deſtructive, even becauſe of Chriſt circumciſed and made under the Law for us, and for our deliverance from the ſame Law. Untill this work be done, no love of God can be wrought in us; ſtrange loves have the heart; and when this work is done, it reacheth to the circumciſion of the ears, and of the lips, and of the whole man; Inſomuch that the body of the ſinnes of the fleſh, the whole frame of ſinful fleſh ſuffers and is deſtroyed. 4. He gives us spiritual ſenſes, and a ſagacity and quickneſſe of ſente, whereby he makes us ſavour ſpiritual things, and to p. 153ſmell out, and delight to purſue ſpiritual wayes; this work is ſo eminent, that the Rom. 8. 5. Iſa. 11. 2, 3Rom 8:5Isa 11:2Isa 11:3newborn babe can taſte diſtinguiſhingly the ſincere milk of the Word fit to feed, batten and make to grow, from all adulterate ſtuffe, and can ſee and diſcern judiciouſly the things of the Spirit of God from all other things, and make up a right judgement concerning them, and can in hearing, try the words of doctrine delivered, and try the ſpirits in the teachers, the Spirit of Chriſt and the ſpirit of Antichriſt, the Spirit of God and the ſpirit which is of the world, the ſpirit of truth and the ſpirit of errour. In ordering his Converſation, he can ſente and ſmell the wayes of holineſſe from thoſe of profaneneſſe, ſo that he is of quick underſtanding in the feare of the Lord, and is ſenſible, and hath his feeling of ſpiritual mercies, and plagues of ſin that annoyes ſpiritual life, and of the power and ſpiritualneſſe of Ordinances and Adminiſtrations from ordinances of men in will-worſhip, and formal out-ſidedneſſe and ſhews, and floriſhes in adminiſtrations. All this the new born babe is able to do by a naturalneſſe like an inſtinct, though for want of Art, or of ſtrength of the reaſoning ability, p. 154or not yet having the wits, the ſenſes exerciſed in the word of righteouſneſſe, he cannot ſhew to his own or others ſatisfaction where the fault lyeth, much leſſe is able to diſpute it, and by arguing convince the evil doers, the oppoſer, and the pleader for the evil; the quickneſſe of ſpiritual ſenſes doth grow, as age in Chriſt cometh on; the Spirit in this work reſted upon Jeſus Chriſt as he was man in all fulneſſe, as became our head, and it is on every living member of his myſtical body, according to his place of memberſhip as becomes ſuch a Member. 5. He writes his law in our hearts. The Law, 2 Cor. 3. 2, 3, Rom. 8. 22 Cor 3:22 Cor 3:3Rom 8:2that is, the ſumme of revealed truth, both of the Law ſtrictly ſo called, the Law of the ten Commandments, and of the Goſpel: this is that which is written; the writing is ſuch an engraving of the truth with love of the truth upon our hearts, made ſoft, tender, and fleſhy, as that it cannot be blotted out. The ſoul may be torn from the body, but the truth cannot be torn out of the heart. And this impreſſion of the truth is ſuch, that now it is the Law of the mind, which Laws the man: It is the Law of the Spirit of life which is in Chriſt Jeſus as the Head, and p. 155in them as the members; this is an heavenly edition of the Bible, ſo imprinted upon the ſoul, that the man becomes a living walking Bible, which print comes off ſo fair in the life of the regenerate and ſanctified, that they are the Epiſtles of Chriſt to be ſeen and read of all men. 6. He gives liberty; he ſets us free from the law of ſinne and death; the title, the dominion of ſin is taken away that we may 2 Cor. 3. 17. Rom. 8. 2. Joh. 7. 37, 38. & 4. 142 Cor 3:17Rom 8become ſervants of righteouſneſſe. 7. He is a ſpring, and rivers of l…ving waters in our bellies, flowing up within us unto eternal life. Our hearts by nature are as a dry and barren howling Wilderneſſe, not fit for habitation, nor bearing any good plants, untilled and horrid to the ſight: It is the Spirits work to be in us whom the Lord will ſave, changing the very will, breaking, open ſprings, and cauſing Rivers of ſweet, wholeſome and healing waters of the bleſſings of the Goſpel, of all gifts and graces, and grounds of comfort to flow within us, even in the very heart and conſcience, in the belly of the man; and there theſe waters to be not as ſtanding lakes, and ditch-water, but ever ſtreaming out, and fed from the hid well-head of the holy Spirit. When this work p. 156is in us, then of Wilderneſſes we become fruitful Fields, then we have within us Iſa. 44. 3. & 49. 10. Joel 3. 18. Zach. 14. 8Isa 44:3Isa 49:10Joel 3:18Zech 14:8that which will ſatisfie, and will allay and quench our thirſts, our ſouls will be as a well-watered garden whoſe waters never fail. 8. He cauſeth all the fruits of graces fructifying to be in us and to abound in us: all his fruits he maketh to break Epheſ. 5. 9 Gal. 5. 22, 23. 2 Cor. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 13.Eph 5:9Gal 5:22Gal 5:232 Cor 3:182 Cor 4:13forth; all goodneſſe, righteouſneſſe and truth, love, joy, peace, long-ſuffering, gentleneſſe, goodneſſe, faith, meekneſſe, temperance; againſt which and ſuch like there is no Law. 9. He transforms us into the image of God from glory to glory. 10. He enableth us to believe, and Eph. 2. 18. Jude 20. Gal. 4. 6.Eph 2:18Jude 1:20Gal 4:6to ſpeak by confeſſion, to pray to the Father through Chriſt with gracious and fervent deſires, crying Abba Father, to mortifie the deeds of the body; our members that are on the earth, and to be crucifying the fleſh with the affections and lusts Rom. 8. 13 Gal. 5. 24.Rom 8:13Gal 5:24thereof, that old bel-dame original ſin, the ſinfulneſſe of our natures in which we were conceived and born with all the curſed brats thereof inward and outward, in which actual tranſgreſſions ſhe hath been and is prodigiouſly fruitful: To be purifying the ſoul in obeying the truth unto more and more unfeignedneſſe in faith, p. 157love, meekneſſe, patience, and in every other 1 Pet. 1. 22 Ezek. 36. 27. 2 Tim. 1. 141 Pet 1:22Ezek 36:272 Tim 1:14grace: to walk in Gods ſtatutes, to keep his judgments, and to do them: and to keep the faith committed to our truſt as a thing depoſited. In all theſe the actions are ours, the ability is the Spirits: theſe are the works of the Spirit ſanctifying us.

3. Manuduction, or leading by the Rom. 8. 14.Rom 8:14hand: the new born and ſanctified are at firſt weak as children, and ever after in this life ſtand in need of a guide, ſuch a guide as might inwardly act, ſweetly and powerfully draw, graciouſly ſupport, and gently lead, all this the Spirit doth for the children of God; this work is accompanied with familiar ſenſe of love and faithfulneſſe, taking and holding us by the right hand that our ſouls might follow hard after him, theſe mighty dawnings Pſal. 63. 8.Ps 63:8and ſuſtentations the more they are felt, the more are they prayed for, that they might run after Chriſt, and the more the ſoul is powerfully enabled in theſe purſuits, the right hand and dexrous power of the Holy Ghoſt is put forth to uphold us ſo much the more; and this work is expreſſed further with counſel, as David Pſ. 73. 23, 24.Ps 73:23Ps 73:24ſaid, thou wilt guide me with thy counſel; and p. 158with inward prompting and whiſprings as of a voyce behind them, ſaying, this is the way, walk in it, when ye turn to the Iſa. 30. 21.Isa 30:21right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

4. Teachings as the anointing; this teaching is with ſweet and piercing efficacy, as oyle that ſuppleth and entereth ſoakingly into fleſh and bone; and it is 1 …oh. 2. 20, 27.with the perfume of the aromatical ſpicery of graces, like the holy anointing oyle under the Law mentioned, Exod. 30. 23, 24, 25. It is alſo with great eſtabliſhment in our Royal Prieſt-hood, and in the truth of the Goſpel which we learn by this teaching; therefore the Apoſtle John ſaith, we have an unction from the holy one, 2 Cor. 1. 21.2 Cor 1:21we know all things: the effect hereof is great peace of heart, as it is ſaid in prophecy concerning the true Church, eſpecially under the New Teſtament Miniſtry, All thy children ſhall be taught of the Lord, and great ſhall be the peace of thy Iſa. 54. 13.Isa 54:13children.

5. Conſolation; he is the Comforter, by leading into all truth, by bringing all things unto our remembrance, by filling Joh. 16. 13. 6. & 14. 2John 16:13John 16:6John 14:2us with joy and peace in believing, by making us to abound in hope of glory p. 159through his power, (for the work is of Rom. 13. 13. & 8. 15, 16. 1 Joh. 5. 6. Rom. 8. 26. 2 Cor. 1. 22. & 5. 5. Eph. 1. 13. & 4. 30.Rom 13:13Rom 8:15Rom 8:161 John 5:6Rom 8:262 Cor 1:222 Cor 5:5Eph 1:13Eph 4:30great and infinite power to ſet the heart of earthy man, of ſinful clay, and keep it up ſtedfaſt ſo high as eternal life in the world to come, and in the third heaven;) by being in us the Spirit of Adoption in his work upon the heart, by witneſſe-bearing, by making interceſſion in us and for us, by being the earneſt in our boſomes, and by ſealing us up to the day of Redemption.

6. Direction inward, a moſt ſecret 2 Theſ. 3. 5.2 Thess 3:5work which hath two branches or parts: firſt, the directing of the heart renewed and ſanctified into every particular acting of every grace received, eſpecially of love and hope. Secondly, the directing of the heart into a very ſenſible taſte and experience of comfort. The words of the Apoſtle when he ſaith, The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, this love of God may be underſtood actively of the love wherewith we love God; or paſſively, of the love wherewith God loveth us.

7. Corroboration; this renders the ſanctifyed mighty in doing and in ſuffering; enlarged to receive, and hold the ſtrong wine of Goſpel myſteries, and to walk at p. 160liberty in the wayes of Gods Commandments, making their way through all impediments and oppoſitions, confirmed in the truth, and enabled to ſtand, fight and overcome in the ſpiritual warfare; This ſtrengthens with might in the inner man, (the regenerate and no other have an inner man;) this is from the gracious free-gift of God, as the Father of Christ according to riches of glory, according to his Epheſ. 3. 14, 16, 20, 19. Col. 1. 11.Eph 3:14Eph 3:16Eph 3:20Eph 3:19Col 1:11glorious power; and from the energy, the effectual working of the power of God working in us exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think; and this work is unto the dwelling of Christ in the heart by faith, unto our rooting and grounding in love, unto capacious comprehenſions of the every way unmeaſurable meaſures of the love of God and of Chriſt, unto all patience and long-ſuffering with joyfulneſſe in the profeſſion of Chriſts name and Goſpel, and unto the filling with all the fulneſs of God, even the fulneſſe of his image.

8. The giving of ſupplies; which for the manner of the work is by influence from Phil. 1. 19 Eph. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19.Phil 1:19Eph 4:16Col 2:19Chriſt the head to believers as his members; for meaſure it is in a proportion agreeable to the meaſure of every part; for the things p. 161miniſtred grace and life ſpiritual; and for the next end, nouriſhment more firm, knitting to the head, and to every fellow-member, and increaſe with the increaſe of God, that is, with a mighty increaſe, an increaſe which beareth before it the work and bleſſing of no leſſe, nor of any other than of God himſelf.

9. The ſhedding abroad of Gods love in Chriſt, even the ſenſe of that love in Rom. 5. 5. with the context from ver. 1. to the 11. ver.Rom 5:5and upon the heart: that lieth now next the heart; nothing comes between this love and the heart, it is plentifully poured on it; this work ſtrengtheneth hope, patience, experience, joy in tribulations, even unto glorying and holy humble boaſting, peace of conſcience, faith in Jeſus Chriſt, liberty of acceſſe into the favour and free-grace of God, and ſtanding in the ſame, ſo that we joy in God againſt whom we have ſinned; this cauſeth all gladneſſe, more than that gladneſſe of Pſal. 4. 7, 8Ps 4:7Ps 4:8corne and wine abounding, more than all the comforts of this earthly Creation; and it ſetleth the ſoul in holy ſafety and ſecurity.

10. Aſſiſtance in perſecutions; this appears by ſpecial teachings of the Spirit to Mat. 10. 20Matt 10:20wiſdome, power and utterance which the p. 162Adverſaries cannot gain-ſay or reſiſt; and by the reſting of the Spirit on us as the Spirit of glory againſt the ſhame, and as the Spirit of God againſt the pain of the Croſſe; by delivering alſo from the ſpirit of fear, even a low, puſillanimous, ſlaviſh, 1 Pet. 4. 14.1 Pet 4:14baſe, fearful, perplexed, ſelfiſh, revengeful, giddy, turn-coat, unſound, carnally politick temper of the ſoul, and be in us the Spirit of power, of love, and of a ſound minde: and by giving ſuffering 2 Tim. 1. 6, 7.2 Tim 1:62 Tim 1:7graces and comforts fitted to the preſent ſuffering condition whatſoever it be. Laſtly, by enabling …o come to God in prayer when the extremities of ſufferings, the darkneſſe of Gods wayes in that diſpenſation, and the difficulties of the times in which we are placed, and the perplexedneſſe of our and the Lords cauſe we are to ſtand for, by mens ſubtleties or otherwiſe is ſuch, that we know not what or how to ask as we ought, yet even in this caſe the Spirit it ſelf maketh interceſſion in us with ſighs and groans that cannot be expreſſed; this is the proper ſenſe of the Apoſtle in that place to the Romans, Chap. 8. verſe 26.

11. The making us Gods habitation; he makes firſt his own way into the ſinful, p. 163Eph. 2. 22.Eph 2:22ſecure, proud, hard & ſtony, and dead heart, and then he prepares for God an habitation there; he makes us a ſpiritual houſe, and an holy Prieſthood in that ſpiritual houſe; he builds us to be a Temple to God, that he may walk in them, and 1 Pet. 2. 5. 2 Cor. 6. 161 Pet 2:52 Cor 6:16dwell in them; this he doth by building us as lively ſtones on Chriſt the choiceſt foundation ſtone, by furniſhing us with the Temple-furniture through the doctrine of Chriſt received, and by conſecration. And he maketh believers Prieſts by conſec…ation with the anointing and by the beſprinkling of the blood of Chriſt; by cloathing with the Prieſtly Robes of juſtification and ſanctification; and by beſtowing on them the hearts and diſpoſitions of conſecrated Prieſts.

12. Manſion, or abode for ever in Gods people. This work is moſt comfortable; the world cannot receive the Spirit, they know him not; Chriſts true Diſciples John 14. 16, 17.John 14:16John 14:17know him and receive him; and he comes, and not as a gueſt for a night or ſo, but as the inhabitant that dwells in them as in his houſe and Temple, and abides therefor ever; he dwells in them as the Comforter and the Spirit of truth; he ſupplies Chriſts room and preſence, therefore they are p. 164not Orphans; here is the anointing, the Chriſme that abideth in them, teaching 1 Joh. 2. 27. with ver. 20. & 24.1 John 2:27them of all things that are delivered in the Scripture: in which doctrine of the Word of truth, the true Chriſtian maketh conſcience to abide and continue as ever they would continue in the Sonne and in the Father.

13. The uniting them to Jeſus Chriſt the husband of the Church and to all true 1 Cor. 16. 17.1 Cor 16:17Chriſtians as all of them make up one body and Bride of ſuch a Lord, the only Sonne of the living God, and God bleſſed Rev. 22. 17.Rev 22:17for ever; in uniting true believers to Jeſus Chriſt as Bridegroome, he raiſeth in them eſpouſed conjugal love and fidelity, vehement deſires after his love-tokens, the kiſſes of his mouth, familiar talkings and confabulations, walks together, feaſtings mutual and imbraces; theſe are ſet forth in that moſt ſpiritual book the Song of Solomon, and the more they enjoy this hidden communion with Chriſt, the more the Spirit raiſeth in them deſires unfeigned and fervent after, with love of, and waiting for the preſence of Chriſt in his ſecond coming; which is the marriage-day; the nearneſs of this union is ſuch, that it is thus expreſſed, he that is joyned to the Lord, is one p. 165Spirit; and that is far nearer and more excellent than to be one fleſh, as man and wife are one: the work of the Spirit is alſo to unite to Chriſtians in ſuch wiſe that they are all one body; this is called the fellowſhip of the Spirit, and the unity of Epheſ. 4. 4 Phil. 2. 1. Epheſ. 4. 3Eph 4:4Phil 2:1Eph 4:3the Spirit; union with Chriſt and with Chriſtians is the glorious work of the Spirit, the ground of communion, of communication, and of ſympathy or fellow-feeling.

Theſe are the ſaving works of the Spirit in the Elect and Redeemed, thus enumerated Arrha docet, renevat, juvat, obſignatque. ſalutem. Spiritus ecce docet, renovat, copulatque, regitque; & conſolatur Arrha ſalutifera.for the help of memory, but not determining that they are wrought in this order; there is an old received verſe, a pair of verſes which name ſome of them, but I hope none that are judicious will either ſay that there are none elſe, or that theſe above-named ſo fully deſcribed in plain Scripture, and ſo comfortably experienced by the Saints, are not the ſaving workings of the Spirit; but how lively, quick, ſignificant and diſcriminating of this ſaving work are the Scripture expreſſions and praiſes attributed to the Holy 2 Cor. 4. 13 Zach. 11. 10. Iſa. 4. 4.2 Cor 4:13Zech 11:10Isa 4:4Ghoſt? they are theſe, the Spirit of faith, the Spirit of grace and ſupplications; the Spirit of judgment and of burning; p. 166the Spirit of holineſs, or of ſanctification; Rom. 1. 4. & 8. 5. Rev. 11. 11 Rom. 8. 2. Eph. 1. 17 Iſa. 11. 2, 3 2 Tim. 1. 7. Joh. 14. 17 Pſ. 51. 11, 12. Eph. 1. 13. Pſal. 45. 7. 1 Joh. 2. 20, 27. Joh. 14. 16 1 Joh. 5. 6, 10. Eph. 1. 14. & 4. 30. Rom. 8. 23 Ezek. 36. 25. Joh. 4. 10, 14. & 7. 38, 39. Cant. 4. 16 Hoſ. 14. 4. Mal. 3. 11. Tit. 3. 5. 2 Theſſ. 2. 13. Ro. 8. 26. Joh. 14. 26 1 Joh. 3. 9. Joh. 15. 26, 27.Rom 1:4Rom 8:5Rev 11:11Rom 8:2Eph 1:17Isa 11:2Isa 11:32 Tim 1:7John 14:17Ps 51:11Ps 51:12Eph 1:13Ps 45:71 John 2:201 John 2:27John 14:161 John 5:61 John 5:10Eph 1:14Eph 4:30Rom 8:23Ezek 36:25John 4:10John 4:14John 7:38John 7:39Song 4:16Hos 14:4Mal 3:11Titus 3:52 Thess 2:13Rom 8:26John 14:261 John 3:9John 15:26John 15:27the Spirit of adoption, the Spirit of life, the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jeſus; the Spirit of wiſdome and revelation in the knowledge of Chriſt; the Spirit of wiſdome and underſtanding, the Spirit of counſel and might; the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord; the Spirit of love, power, and of a ſound minde; the Spirit of truth, Gods holy Spirit, Gods free or princely Spi…it; the holy Spirit of promiſe; the oyle of gladneſſe, the anointing, the comforter, the witneſs, the earnest, the ſeal ſealing, (for the Saints are the ſeal ſealed;) the firſt fruits; clean water, water of life, a well-spring of living water, the North and South wind that blowes upon the gard…n, the dew and fire: the renewing of the Holy Ghost, the ſanctification of the Spirit, he that maketh interceſſion in the Saints, he that brings all to their remembrance, the ſeed that abideth in them, he that enableth the belieer to bear witneſſe to the truth of the Goſpel with the ſpirit of a Martyr. All this glory manifeſted in theſe ſaving works, the children of God do feel and have the joyful experience of it in this life.

p. 16714. The laſt ſaving work is for and in another world, to be done at the laſt Rom. 8. 11Rom 8:11day; and that is, The quickening of their bodies out of the grave: they ſhall be raiſed by the Spirits quickening of them as members of the body of which Chriſt is the head; this is peculiar to the Saints who are ſanctified by faith in Jeſus Chriſt; the Spirit which now dwells in them, will in the Reſurrection at the laſt day, quicken their mortal bodies.

Theſe are great things, but moſt ſure and certain: for the Holy Ghoſt, who is the power of the Higheſt, undertaketh this work as his Office; which is the third thing propoſed to be unfolded.

SECT. 4.

2. That the Holy Ghoſt is in Office to do all this ſaving work, and is faithful in this his Office.

Here are two things to be conſidered, 3. He is in Office to do this work.the office of the Holy Ghoſt: and his faithfulneſſe.

1. The holy Ghoſt is in office to make good this work; this is manifeſt; firſt, becauſe p. 168he is ſent, ſent of the Father; ſent of Chriſt, ſent into the hearts of believers, Joh. 14. 26 & 15. 26. & 16. 7. Gal. 4. 6. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Rom. 8. 26.John 14:26John 15:26John 16:7Gal 4:61 John 2:1Rom 8:26ſent upon theſe works. Secondly, He hath names which denote this his Office: He is called the Comforter. Another Comforter. Jeſus Chriſt he is one Comforter, an Advocate with the Father, now in heaven appearing for us. And the holy Spirit he is not Chriſt, he is Another, he is another Comforter, An Advocate in us; he encourageth, backeth us, exhorts, helps to hand over, and puts into us deſires, and makes interceſſion, ayding with groans unſpeakable. He is called The unction, the anointing, or Chriſme▪ 1 Joh. 2. 20 Joh. 16. 13 Rom. 8. 15.1 John 2:20John 16:13Rom 8:15He is called The Spirit of truth, the Spirit of Adoption.

2. The holy Ghoſt is faithful in this his Office: this fidelity is many wayes expreſſed: firſt, in actual performance in Joh. 16. 13 14, 15.John 16:13us of thoſe works for which he is ſent, and in regard whereof he bears his names: He the Spirit of truth, he will guide into all truth: as in John 16. 13. in like manner is it true of every other work; he is the Spirit of Adoption, and he enables to cry in prayer Abba-father, that is, to call on God with fervency of faith, ſo as to expreſſe the heart of a child towards God, p. 169as to a father in Chriſt promiſed in the Old Teſtament, ant ſent accordingly in the New Teſtament. In both Teſtaments together is ſet forth the glory of the Father, and of Jeſus Chriſt his Sonne to the full, written in the Old Teſtament in Hebrew, and in the New Teſtament in Greek; and the Spirit frames the heart of a child, and fills with the cryes of a child in prayer anſwerable to both Teſtaments manifeſtations; and therefore it is ſaid the Spirit cauſes them to cry Abba, ho Pater, Father, Father. Secondly, In ſpeaking nothing of himſelf; he took on him nothing apart from, or otherwiſe than what he had in charge from the Father, and the Lord Jeſus: but what he hears of the Father and the Sonne, that he ſpeaks. Even as Jeſus Chriſt ſhewed his faithfulneſſe to the Father that ſent him, in that he ſpake nothing but what he had heard of the Father; he ſpake altogether what was agreeable to the old Teſtament Doctrine, ver. 13. Thirdly, in glorifying Jeſus Chriſt; He ſhall receive and take of that which is Jeſus Chriſts, and ſhew it unto us. John 16. 14, 15. and hereby we may know the Spirit of truth from the 1 Joh. 4. 3, 4, 5, 6.1 John 4:31 John 4:41 John 4:51 John 4:6ſpirit of errour: as the Apoſtle John gives p. 170the rule to try the ſpirits by.

SECT. 5.

4. The peculiar works of the Spirit, in order to the ſaving work.

Moreover, great muſt needs that 4. Peculiar works of the Spirit, in order to the ſaving work.work be, which hath marvelous works of the holy Ghoſt to be wrought and wrought every day, and perfected long agoe; that it may be performed now in order to the great ſaving work; there are peculiar and wonderful works, and they are manifold: ſome reſpect Jeſus Chriſt, ſome the Scriptures, ſome the Church, and ſome the Ordinances: take a brief of them under theſe four heads.

1. Such works of the Spirit as reſpect 1. Reſpecting Jeſus Chriſt.Jeſus Chriſt: And ſo,

1. The holy Ghoſt formed Chriſts humane nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and of her ſeed; this the Angel Gabriel declared in his anſwer to her enquiry; the holy Ghost ſhall come upon thee, Luk. 1. 35, 36.Luke 1:35Luke 1:36and the power of the higheſt ſhall overſhadow thee: therefore alſo that holy thing which ſhall be born of thee, ſhall be called the Son of God.

p. 1712. The holy Ghoſt anointed Jeſus Iſa. 61. 1. & 11. 2, 3. Act. 10. 38 Joh. 3. 34. Luk. 4. 14, 18. Joh. 1. 31, 32, 33. Mat. 3. 16.Isa 61:1Isa 11:2Isa 11:3Acts 10:38John 3:34Luke 4:14Luke 4:18John 1:31John 1:32John 1:33Matt 3:16Chriſt as he was man with gifts and graces, ſo that he had the Spirit not by meaſure: And having thus conſecrated him, and furniſhed him for the great office and work of Mediatour, he with God the Father ſent him.

3. The holy Ghoſt by deſcending from heaven, and reſting upon him viſibly in the ſhape of a Dove, did publiquely ſhew him, and ſeal him in his Baptiſm.

4. The holy Ghoſt witneſſeth that Jeſus Chriſt who was crucified, is the Sonne Act. 5. 31, 32. Rom. 1. 4.Acts 5:31Acts 5:32Rom 1:4of God the true Meſſiah: he alſo witneſſeth to the doctrine of Chriſts reſurrection, in which the deity of Jeſus Chriſt is declared with power: and likewiſe to the doctrine of his exaltation at the right hand of God the Father.

2. Such as reſpect the Holy Scriptures; 2. Reſpecting the written word. 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21. Act. 1. 16. Mark. 12. 36.2 Pet 1:202 Pet 1:21Acts 1:16Mark 12:36as,

1. He inſpired the holy men of God, and infallibly dictated unto them, and guided them in committing the Word of God unto writing. No Scripture is of private motion; the holy Ghoſt ſpake by David, by Moſes that faithful ſervant of God in all his houſe, by Iſaiah, and by p. 172all the Prophets of the Old Teſtament: Heb. 9. 8. Act. 28. 25 1 Pet. 1. 12 Luk. 1. 41 67. Act. 2. 1 Cor. 2. 10, 13.Heb 9:8Acts 28:251 Pet 1:12Luke 1:41Acts 21 Cor 2:101 Cor 2:13the holy Ghoſt ſpeaks by them; ſo he inſpired Elizabeth the Mother of John the Baptiſt, and Zachary his father; the holy Ghoſt came down from heaven upon the holy Apoſtles on the day of Pentecoſt, the fiftieth day after Chriſts Reſurrection, induing them with power from on High, and revealed to them all the deep things of God, all the myſtery of his will; the Spirit both revealed to them the things of the Goſpel, and gave unto them the words in which they ſhould ſpeak them, and leave them in writing, and theſe words from his own teaching.

2. He quickens the Word, ſo that the Word is Spirit and life: the Word is his Joh. 6. 63. Epheſ. 6. 17. Heb. 4. 12 13. 1 Cor. 2. 4.John 6:63Eph 6:17Heb 4:121 Cor 2:4ſword; he puts an edge upon the Word, making it quick and lively in operation, to the dividing between the ſoul and ſpirit of man, and to the ſearching of all the ſecrets of his heart, that all may be naked and bare before him, with whom he hath to do in the Word.

3. He maketh the word to be with demonſtration of the Spirit, and of power: that is, with ſuch power and efficacy in the heart, as ariſeth from no leſſe than the mighty working of the Spirit, and p. 173that in a way Demonſtration: in which demonſtration the Spirits light, teſtimony and perſwaſion is ſo ſtrong, that faith is wrought, faith in God, and that faith ſtands founded and rooted upon the power of God.

3. Such works of the Spirit as reſpect 3. Reſpecting the Church.the Church of God: Now theſe reſpect either Church-Officers, or elſe the whole Church, or thoſe members which are called out to Martyrdome;

1. As touching Church-Officers, the works of the Spirit are theſe,

1. He gives them their gifts, which deſign them out to the Church, unto their places and ſtations therein; thus the Deacons Act. 6. 3. Rom. 12. 8 1 Tim. 3. 9.Acts 6:3Rom 12:81 Tim 3:9were pointed out by the holy Ghoſt, in that he filled ſome members of the Church at Jeruſalem with gifts of wiſdome and of mercifulneſſe, and of ſimplicity, and of knowledge of the myſtery of faith held and kept by them in a pure conſcience; and this laſt was the ſpecial note of the foure, by which the Church ſhould be guided in the election of Deacons, whom the Apoſtles upon ſuch choice were to appoint and ordain, that they might have thoſe men in that adminiſtration whom the Holy Ghoſt had gifted p. 175and fitted for the work.

2. He placeth them in their charges, as you may ſee concerning the Biſhops, or Elders, the Miniſters of the Church of Epheſus, of whom it is ſaid that the holy Ghost made them Biſhops over the flock of Act. 20. 28Acts 20:28God there. Our Tranſlators render the word overſeers, but in the Greek it is Biſhops; neither can any good reaſon be alledged, why in this place as well as in others of the New Teſtament they ſhould not uſe this word Biſhops.

3. He diſpoſeth of them, ſo that they are fit for one place rather than for another; Peter was the Apoſtle of the Circumciſion: Paul had the uncircumciſion committed unto him. Although Peter firſt of all the Apoſtles, preached the Goſpel to the Gentiles, as we read in Acts 10. yet Paul is called the Apoſtle of the Gentiles; when nevertheleſſe the Apoſtles Mark. 16. 16.Mark 16:16all of them had the whole world given them in common, as their charge in theſe words, Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. And that the Holy Ghoſt doth in ſpecial and eminent manner diſpoſe of the Miniſters where they ſhall perform their Miniſtry, conſider theſe following Texts, Act. 13. p. 1754. & 16. 6, 7. & 11. 12. & 8. 29, 39. Luk. 2. 27. there is not only a providential work of God about it who ſets the bounds of mens habitations, but there is a work of the Spirit which may be known by his work both upon the heart of the teacher, and alſo upon the hearts and ſpirits of the hearers; and laſtly by the judgement and ſentence of the Aſſembly of Paſtors and Teachers; the ſpirits work upon the teacher, is his enclining and ſuiting of his ſpirit to the work of the miniſtery among them upon ſpiritual grounds and ends. The Spirits work upon the hearers, is his opening a door by enclining their hearts to 1 Cor. 16. 91 Cor 16:9receive him, by ſtirring up many with deſires to heare and receive the doctrine, although there be many adverſaries, and many difficulties. The ſentence of the Presbytery is alſo the work of the Spirit when it is done upon mature deliberation, and is regular and impartial, approving, ordaining, and appointing that Miniſter to diſpenſe the Goſpel to that particular people.

4. He enableth them to their miniſterial work with utterance, and with a ſufficiency for meditation and for miniſtration. And this work of making able and p. 176ſufficient to the miniſtery of the New Teſtament, is neceſſary to the performance Act. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 3. 5, 6.Acts 2:42 Cor 3:52 Cor 3:6of every new acting of the Miniſters, who after abilities and gifts received, ſtill remain inſufficient for the leaſt action Miniſterial, yea for ſo much as a good thought in that way; thus Paul acknowledgeth of himſelf; ſo abſolutely neceſſary is this concurrence of the enabling power of the Holy Ghoſt.

5. He maketh their miniſtery effectual; that is, to be the miniſtery of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3. Rom. 15. 18, 19. Rom. 15. 16.2 Cor 3Rom 15:18Rom 15:19Rom 15:16of life, of righteouſneſſe, and of glory, miniſtering theſe: and thereby to make ſome of the hearers obedient: (for God ſends not his Goſpel to any place where he hath none to call and ſave,) and to ſanctifie the offering of the converted and obedient ones up unto God as an offering.

6. He enableth to ſolve caſes of conſcience, to the comfort and ſettling of Iſa. 50. 4.Isa 50:4dejected humble ſouls, and of doubting and trembling feeble-minded ones, and weak in the faith; this is of high price among the Saints to have a miniſter that knows how to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to the weary ſoul.

7. He guideth them in Councils and p. 177Synods, while their debates and determinations Act. 15. 28 Mat. 18. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 5. 4.Acts 15:28Matt 18:19Matt 18:201 Cor 5:4are directed by the Scripture: and he is preſent, and guides in the Adminiſtration of Church-diſcipline, unto the performane whereof Aſſemblies in Chriſts name ought to be kept up.

8. He raiſeth the ſlain witneſſes, which are called the two Prophets, whoſe work is Rev. 11. 1… with v. 2. … ▪Rev 11:1to Propheſie, and the dayes and time is the ſpace of a thouſand, two hundred and threeſcore dayes, which ſpace is fourty and two months, all which while the holy City is trodden under foot of the Gentiles; even of thoſe over whom the beaſt that ariſeth out of the bottomleſſe pit ruleth, and his whore the whore of Babylon ſitteth **& Rev. 11. 7. with Rev. 17. 8 15.Rev 11:7Rev 17:8: theſe are therefore not the Magiſtrates, whoſe work by virtue of their office is never called Propheſying; nor is it to Propheſie, but to bear the Sword: and they are not juſt two, but the ſmall yet ſufficient number of faithful Preachers, during all that ſpace which in Prophetical computation makes 1260. years; they ſhall be ſlain, but that is the work of the beaſt that aſcends out of the bottom-leſſe pit; It is the work of the Spirit of life from God entering into them, to p. 178raiſe them, and make them ſtand upon their feet.

Theſe are the works of the Spirit reſpecting the miniſtery for the ſaving works ſake.

2. As concerning the whole Church, the work of the Spirit is ſeen firſt in the Act. 19. 6. 1 Cor. 12. 4 8, 9, 11, 7, 28.Acts 19:61 Cor 12:4gifts which he hath given for the good of the whole, he hath given extraordinary gifts, Apoſtles, Prophets, Miracles, gifts of healing, to ſpeak with tongues, to Propheſie or foretell things to come, with the like: Secondly, in the gifts which he doth give, they are divers, making up the Churches rich embroidered garments, and all of them for the edification of the whole ſociety or body.

3. As concerning the Martyrs; he Act. 6. 10. Rev. 12. 11 & 13. 10. & 14. 12.Acts 6:10Rev 12:11Rev 13:10Rev 14:12enables them to ſpeak with wiſdome irreſiſtible, to witneſſe to the truth with courage undaunted, yet attended with love, meekneſſe and ſoundneſſe of mind, and to ſuffer for the truth with patience invincible; of which it may be ſaid, Here is t…e patience of the Saints. Theſe are victors, Renowned Conquerors, the Churches Heroes, the Lords Worthies, the noble Army of the Lamb.

4. Such works of the holy Ghoſt as p. 179reſpect the Ordinances; as,

The Word: In the Word the Spirit ſpeaketh to the Churches; he gave the Rev. 2. 7. & 3. 22. 1 Tim. 4. 1 Act. 11. 2▪ Rev. 14. …Rev 2:7Rev 3:221 Tim 4:1Acts 11:2Rev 14Word by breathing it at firſt into the holy men of God; he by Covenant goeth along with it, breaths and works in it, ſpeaks in it, writes it in the fleſhly Tables of the heart; every part of the Word is the ſpeaking of the Spirit, even that wherein he warnes of ſeducing ſpirits, and doctrines of Devils. And he ſaith, yea to Goſpel ſentences.

The Sacraments, Baptiſme and the 1 Cor. 12.1 Cor 12Lords Supper: The Spirit accompanieth both, as the band of union, he maketh the partakers to be one body together of one head. By one Spirit are all believers Baptized into one body, and in the Lords Supper they all drink into one Spirit.

All theſe mighty works the Holy Spirit doth in order to the work of ſaving application of the grace of the Son our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and of the love of …od the Father. This is the fourth thing propoſed for explication. The fifth followeth, which alſo doth greatly commend the ſaving work; and that is,

p. 180SECT. 6.

5. The Inhabitation of the Holy Ghoſt.

Where the Holy Ghoſt is given manifeſting his preſence in his ſaving working, 5. The inhabitation of the Spirit where he is thus given. Rom. 8. 9, 11. 1 Joh. 4. 13 & 3. 24.Rom 8:9Rom 8:111 John 4:131 John 3:24there he inhabiteth, or dwelleth in them; the Apoſtle diſtinguiſhingly and ſearchingly putting all believers upon the trial of their eſtates ſaith: Ye are not in the fleſh, but in the Spirit, if ſo be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, and this is ſo Characteriſtical that he adjoyneth: now if any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, he is none of his. He that hath the Spirit, hath him dwelling in him; hereby alſo we know that God dwelleth in us, and that we dwel in God, and they that have the Spirit given and dwelling in them, they know it; 1 Cor. 3. 161 Cor 3:16Know ye not that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? And for this condeſcenſion of exceeding grace, how great is it! for he dwelleth in them; firſt, as in his Temple, his holy conſecrated houſe and habitation; he knowes no Temple or houſe on earth, but the broken and contrite heart, the poor in ſpirit; and when he p. 181had a Temple at Jeruſalem, it was to ſignifie this, and not owned of God, but with reſpect to this Temple. The regenerate Iſa. 57. 15. & 66. 1, 2▪ 3.Isa 57:15Isa 66:1Isa 66:2Isa 66:3are his Temples; the Holy Ghoſt makes himſelf an habitation, and then dwels in the Temple which he hath made; the glory of the work is heavenly and excellent, for this Temple is an houſe not made with hands, no, nor of this building, 1 Cor. 6. 19.1 Cor 6:19of this kinde of make, of which is this fabrick of ſoul and body in this viſible creation: although it be reared and ſet up in this building. Again, The very bodies of the regenerate are the Temples of the Holy Ghoſt, though they be houſes of clay, and the leproſie of ſin is not clean waſhed and ſcraped out while they live in this world. Secondly, he dwelleth in them as in the living members of Chriſts Rom. 8. 2.Rom 8:2myſtical body; he is the Spirit of life in Jeſus Chriſt their Head, and from him as from their Head floweth into each of them. Thirdly, he dwelleth in them as he is the Spirit of him that raiſed up Jeſus Rom. 8. 11Rom 8:11from the dead, even in the exceeding greatneſſe of that power, according to the working of the might of that power which he wrought and put forth in Chriſt when he raiſed him from the dead, and p. 182ſet him at his own right hand in the above-heavenlies, Epheſ. 1. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.Eph 1:19Eph 1:20Eph 1:21Eph 1:22Eph 1:23far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name of Renown, that is named and Renowned, not only in this world, but alſo in that which is to come, and put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is his body, the fulneſſe of him that filleth all in all. Fourthly, he dwelleth in them as the Spirit of the Father, and as the Spirit of the …onne; he who taketh them to be his Sonnes by Adoption, he ſends the Spirit of his Sonne into their Gal. 4. 6. 1 Joh. 4. 8, 9, 10, 13.Gal 4:61 John 4:81 John 4:91 John 4:101 John 4:13hearts. God is love; here is love; God the Father ſends his Sonne into the world; God the Father and God the Sonne ſend the Spirit into the hearts of thoſe that ſhall be ſaved; God the holy Ghoſt given unto them ſheds abroad upon their hearts this love; he dwels in them doing this work, and by him the Father and the Son dwell in them; from hence they cannot but ſay with the beloved Diſciple, Here is love: that God through Chriſt by his Spirit ſhould dwell in them, that by the Spirit through Chriſt they ſhould have acceſſe unto the Father. Fifthly, he dwelleth in them in all the f…re-named eminent p. 183and peculiar works of ſaving application, & in the preſence & efficacy of all his glorious ſalvifical Epithetes and Appellations, Names and Titles; he is in them the Spirit of faith, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of grace and prayer, the comforted, the anointing, the earneſt, and ſo of the reſt; and in this glory the Spirit dwelleth in them; the Holy Ghoſt delighteth to fill his houſe with his glory, and to reſt there: this is his in-dwelling, which raiſeth and advanceth all which hath been hitherto delivered.

SECT. 7.

6. The time of the coming of the Holy Ghoſt.

Now for this great work there is a ſeaſon 6. The ſpecial ſeaſon of his coming.in which the Spirit hath his day; for as the Son came down from heaven in the fulneſſe of time, ſent of God the Father according to the promiſes in the Old Teſtament delivered, and had his day with the Church of God on earth; ſo the Holy Ghoſt he came down from heaven in his proper time according to promiſe, ſent of God the Father, and of our Lord Jeſus p. 184Chriſt. And although the Spirit of God was given and wrought by the Word ſavingly in the times of the Old Teſtament, and from the firſt preaching of the Goſpel to our fallen firſt Parents in Paradiſe, and down-wards in the old world, and from the flood till the giving of the Law by Moſes; yet in reſpect of the promiſed effuſion, or pourings out of the Spirit, and in regard of the clearneſſe, eminency and ample largeneſſe of his preſence and workings as ſuch, his giving, coming and ſending hath a peculiar ſeaſon, therefore it is ſaid, the Spirit was not yet given, becauſe Jeſus was not yet glorified; and Joh. 7. 39.John 7:39Chriſt ſaith, If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I Joh. 16. 7.John 16:7depart, I will ſend him unto you: This ſeaſon began on the day of Pentecoſt next after the reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the dead, the Hiſtory whereof we have in Acts 2. And this ſeaſon of his preſence, and power hath continued and doth continue all the time of the New Teſtament Miniſtery; and the glory of the ſeaſon is according to the power, plenty and purity of the preaching of the everlaſting Goſpel; for ſeeing the Spirit accompanieth the Word, look as the Goſpel had its p. 185time when it began to be preached in all the world, ſo the Spirit alſo was ſent; and as the Goſpel goeth forth, ſo is the Spirit given: the Holy Ghoſt came upon the Apoſtles, and endued them with power from on High that they might be able to deliver the whole Counſel of God, all the ſecrets and myſteries of ſalvation, that they might preach it to all the world, to all Nations, and it might bring forth fruit in the converſion of multitudes, and in the planting of Churches every where, and that they might leave the ſame in writing, giving us the New Teſtament, and perfecting the whole Canon of the Scripture, and all this infallibly. And in and with this Goſpel, to which never one line more ſhall be added, the Holy Ghoſt is preſent, and worketh and ruleth in the place of Jeſus Chriſt untill this ſecond coming to judgment.

Under the Old Teſtament the Spirit was as a Spirit of bondage, becauſe the Law was clearly delivered, but the Goſpel darkly Rom. 8. 14, 15.Rom 8:14Rom 8:15under the whole form of ſhadowy Ceremonies; under the New Teſtament the Spirit is as the Spirit of Adoption, for the Goſpel openly delivered, the things themſelves that were propheſied of, ſhadowed p. 186out and promiſed, are given, and the great myſteries of the Goſpel, and all that concerneth them are fully and perfectly made manifeſt. Now alſo are Converts born of water and the Holy Ghoſt, that is, of the Holy Ghoſt whoſe working was 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 4. 1 Joh. 4. 4▪ 5.2 Tim 4:12 Tim 4:22 Tim 4:41 John 4:41 John 4:5foretold to be like the pouring out of water, and like the opening of ſprings in dry ground; now are they baptized, (waſhed, plunged, dipped,) with the Holy Ghoſt and with fire: that is, with zeal anſwering the glory of the light. The godly under the Old Teſtament had Gods holy and free Spirit, but then agreeable to that Miniſtery, Gal. 1. 8, 9.Gal 1:8Gal 1:9and now as is agreeable to this. And thus the Apoſtle teacheth in Gal. 4. 1, 2, 3, 4. And as there is but one Goſpel, and but one Spirit, and never any other coming of the Spirit, ſo it is as ſure there ſhall never be any other diſpenſation or miniſtration but this of the New Teſtament, which is that which remaineth; unleſs you could look for another Chriſt, or that Jeſus Chriſt had not fully accompliſhed the 7. This work of the Spirit is peculiar to the Elect.work of Renemption, and is not for ever ſet on the right hand of Majeſty, but muſt come again to do ſomewhat which he left undone, and ſo muſt to the Tree and Croſſe again; there is now no coming of p. 187any Spirit, but the coming of Antichriſt, and of the ſpirit of Antichriſt, the ſpirit of errour, of whoſe coming the Holy Ghoſt by the Apoſtles ſpeaketh expreſſely, ther…fore all Paſtors and Teachers are bound up to the Word, to the Scripture, and to turn from that, is to be turned after fables; to teach any other than what they hear from the Apoſtles writings, is to ſheak of the world, and not of God; to receive any other, is to run to another Goſpel, to pervert the Goſpel of Chriſt, to runne from the bleſſing, the holy Spirit of promiſe: and to runne under the Goſpels curſe.

SECT. 8.

7. The peculiarity and appropriation of the ſaving work of the Spirit unto the Elect and Redeemed.

That which commends this work of the Spirit yet further, is this, that is, is peculiar and appropriated unto the Elect of God the Father, and to the Redeemed of Chriſt the Lord. The Spirit of truth is the Comforter, his work under the New Teſtament as Comforter, is ſuch a work as p. 188none but the choſen of God, the Redeemed 1 Cor. 6. 19, 20.1 Cor 6:191 Cor 6:20of Chriſt, to whom he was promiſed, do partake of. There is another work of the Spirit of truth, the Comforter, which is conviction, not converſion, and that Joh. 16. 8, 9, 10, 11.John 16:8John 16:9John 16:10John 16:11he worketh on the world, as well as on the choſen of God. This conviction is ſuch illightning by the Word of the Goſpel that thereby the world (that is, the men that are yet ſtill under the power of ſinne, poſſeſſ't with the love of the world, and whom God leaveth to their own reaſon & luſts) ſtands clearly & fully reſolved and perſwaded of the matter in hand, and ſet down and concluded under it, ſo that they are ſelf-condemned, if they do ought againſt that light. This conviction by the Spirit is of three things: firſt, of ſinne; even of unbelief and diſobedience to the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, that that unbelief and diſobedience is a ſinne. Secondly, of righteouſneſſe, that the civil righteouſneſſe of men, the righteouſneſſe of mens own works is no garment to cover mans nakedneſſe to hide his ſinnes and ſhame: it is too ſhort, it is too filthy, like a menſtruous ragge; it is tattered and full of holes; no web, no texture which can hang together to make a garment, or any p. 189cloth of it to wear in the ſight of God; but it is Chriſts righteouſneſs conſiſting of his obedience and ſuffering to the death of the Croſſe performed by him as the ſecond Adam, the Surety of a ſinner; it is this righteouſneſſe alone which is a perfect righteouſneſſe, or righteouſneſſe which God accepts, as appeareth in that Jeſus Chriſt aſcendeth to heaven, and goeth to the Father, the Father receiving him to higheſt glory as he that hath done and accompliſhed perfectly the work for which he ſent him into the world, and he ſhall never come more to be ſeen of the world in that form of humiliation in which he came before. Thirdly, of judgment, that Satan the Serpent and his ſeed are condemned or ſentenced, and are going irrecoverably to perdition, but Jeſus Chriſt and his ſeed juſtified by his knowledge, are certainly bleſſed; yea, of judgment upon the world: Idols and all falſe religions and of judgment found in the true Chriſtian Religion alone, and in the judicious orderly government of Chriſt ſet up in his Goſpel, and thereby in the hearts and lives of true believers that imbrace the ſame unfeignedly, in and by which the power of Satan is broken, and his works diſſolved.

p. 190This work of conviction is an excellent work of the Holy Ghoſt, it is alſo wrought upon the Elect; but it is common, the world thus far feels the mighty power of Tit. 3. 4, 5, 6. Joh. 16. 13, 14, 15.Titus 3:4Titus 3:5Titus 3:6John 16:13John 16:14John 16:15the working of the Spirit in the Goſpel; but the work of the Spirit on the Church of the ſaved ones is converſion or regeneration, as was ſaid before, in this work the light is the light of life, the knowledge in renewing. In this renewing there are two works of the Spirit; the taking out of the ſinner the heart of ſtone, and the giving to them an heart of fleſh; the Spirit ſo applieth the love of God in Chriſt, that it melts the flinty heart down to godly ſorrow for ſinne, as againſt ſuch a God, ſo gracious, it turns it quite about to God, and centers it on God and Chriſt; it cures the ſoul of three evils otherwiſe incurable; alienations of minde and heart from Timor cultus & culpa.the life of God, offence-taking at his Works and Word, and Impenitency: it puts into it the holy fear of reverence and to offend: it raiſeth high eſtimation of God in Chriſt, as of our chief good, with hungrings and thirſtings out of poverty of ſpirit, a meekned ſoul and contrite heart: it raiſeth appetite to the means ſanctified of God, and having the promiſe of the p. 191Spirit, as after the Word, the Sabbath, the Ordinanc…s of Miniſtery and Worſhip, the Ordinances for fellowſhip, and for the exerciſe of the power of the Keyes, as to means of communion with God and Chriſt; this making anew is with union and unction, union to Chriſt and Chriſtians, by union with Chriſt, they have union with the Father, and this union is to Adoption and marriage-union, and from this union cometh continual influences, and for ever; unction is to be Kings and Prieſts to God the Father of our Lord Jeſus; this firſt work of grace is wholly above the work of conviction; and the Spirit worketh that and all the reſt as an Agent within; thus you have the ſeven things propoſed for explication.

It is alſo profitable before we come to application of this Doctrine, that we briefly ſhew thee why, the grounds and reaſons.

SECT. 9.

The Holy Ghoſt is the applier of ſalvation.The reaſons why the work of the Spirit is to apply.

1. Becauſe ſalvation is the work of God who is three in perſons; it is the work of p. 192the three perſons in the manifeſtation of their diſtinct glory which is ad intra, within the God-head; mark that I ſay, the manifeſtation of the diſtinct glory of each, wherein each perſon being diſtinct, and the works of each diſtinct, (the Father begets the Sonne, the Sonne is begotten of the Father, the Holy Ghoſt proceeds from the Father and the Sonne;) the glory of each diſtinctly is manifeſted, (as far as it can be communicable) in this work of ſalvation: the Father loves with the love wherewith he loves the Son, and is Father to them in his Sonne; this is the love of the Father, the Sonne is the Mediator to bring them to the Father, by redeeming them, giving himſelf a ranſome to his Fathers juſtice, bringing in an everlaſting righteouſneſſe to cloath them withall, purchaſing for them the Spirit and all ſpiritual bleſſings in the heavenly places wherewith his Father may bleſſe them: this is the grace of the Sonne, the Holy Ghoſt he communicates the love of the Father, and the grace of the Sonne, and is the Spirit of Regeneration, the Spirit of Adoption, the Spirit of ſanctification, the Spirit of union and unction abiding in them for ever to their preſervation in p. 193Chriſt Jeſus, and in the Father, ſo that they are and continue in the Father and in the Sonne; this is the communion of the Holy Ghoſt.

2. Becauſe this is the order of the working of the three perſons in the God-head; God the Father beginneth the work, God the Son is the perſon through whom as his eternal wiſdome he doth the work, God the Holy Ghoſt is the perſon by whom as by the eternal power of the moſt High both the Father and the Sonne do compleat the work; therefore in the work of ſalvation God willing and determining to imprint upon the ſaved ones, the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost, in their diſtinct glory to Mat. 28. 19Matt 28:19the uttermoſt, according to the diſtinct manner of ſubſiſting or exiſting diſtinctly that each of them might be experimentally known, believed in and worſhipped of them he will ſave, the work of application is proper to God the Holy Ghoſt.

3. God the Holy Ghoſt muſt be the Applier, the Comforter, or elſe none could be ſaved, none partake of the comfort of this ſalvation; for all men are dead in ſinne, lie among the dead, none can quicken their own ſouls; they are from p. 194beneath, under the power of ſin, and Satan, and the Law; they are in a ſtate of enmity, alienation, impenitency and unbelief invincible to any created power or means; there is a Chriſt, there is a Father, and let this be told us a thouſand times over, and we left to our beſt abilities to receive this declared love and grace, this is all we can do, we can draw back, but cannot draw near to the ſaving of the ſoul; we can behold with our rational abilities, and wonder, but then we deſpiſe and ſo periſh: we can diſcern it but under carnal notions and count it fooliſhneſſe, we can but receive it in vain; we can but turn his grace into wantonneſſe; we will be eſtabliſhing our own righteouſneſſe by all that is delivered in the Goſpel, and ſo become more ſtout, proud, formal and ſecure; and Chriſt crucified, who ſhould be precious and our only glory and rejoycing, will be to us a ſtumbling block and a Rock of offence; and under the form we will be the more ſtiffe, though perhaps the more ſecret ſometimes, and ever among men the more plauſible deniers of the power of godlineſſe. Oh let the holy Spirit of life and power come by the Goſpel, and bring it home with much power p. 195and much aſſurance, or elſe all periſh; we all periſh for ever, with Chriſt in our ears, in our mouths, in our beſt natural underſtandings, with the Goſpel preached in our ſtreets, with high and low applauding of the mercies of God.

4. God the Holy Ghoſt muſt be the applier, that all the love of God the Father, and the grace of the Sonne ſet forth in the Goſpel may be thorough and effectual even to one awakened to ſee his ſinne and curſedneſſe, and that we once brought to faith in Chriſt might be for ever ſafe. An awakened ſinner how will he runne from God, runne into the gulf of deſpair, or gad about to change his way, or catcht at ſtraws to ſave from ſinking! but when Chriſt is propoſed, he cannot lift up himſelf to draw near to meet him in the wayes of his grace. No, the Spirit of truth muſt come as the Comforter, as the Arme and right hand of the Lord to bring Chriſt and the ſoul together, to comfo…t and revive the broken in heart; he muſt create the fruit of the lips of Miniſters to be peace; the believing and revived ſouls how ſoon would they loſe their graces and comforts, were not the Holy Ghoſt the Comforter given unto them to dwell in p. 196them for ever! here, here is our ſafety.

5. By the Word which the Spirit ingrafts, the Spirit comes in his communion, that the believer might have the witneſſe within him; and then can nothing deprive him of the comfort of his ſalvation.

SECT. 10.

The Ʋſe of this Doctrine is firſt for Information.

This truth, that the Holy Ghoſt maketh The uſe of this. 1. Information.the application of the ſalvation of ſinners by Jeſus Christ, is for ſingular uſe; for Information, and for Exhortation. Firſt, for I…formation; it informs us of four things; firſt, of the excellency of the Word of God, the Scripture, and in ſpecial of the Word of the New Teſtament; it is the Chariot of the Spirit, in which the Spirit of truth cometh into our hearts; the Spirit breathed it at firſt, and in it ſtill the Spirit breaths. It is never without the movings and workings of the Holy Ghoſt in ſtrivings, in convictions upon all men to whom it comes, and in converſion to the choſen of God. It is the p. 197power of God to ſalvation to all that believe, whether Jews or Gentiles. Secondly, of the excellency of the Miniſtery of the New Teſtament which miniſters or. 3. …the ſpirit, and is the Miniſtery of the Spirit; which makes the receivers of the Goſpel to be the Epistles of Chriſt, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in Tables of ſtone, but in fleſhly Tables of the heart; and all this miniſtred by the Miniſters of Chriſt, by which God maketh manifeſt the ſavour 2 Cor. 2. 14, 15, 16.2 Cor 2:142 Cor 2:152 Cor 2:16of the knowledge of Chriſt, unto God a ſweet ſavour in them that are ſaved, to whom ir is the ſavour of life unto life, and in them that periſh, to whom it is the ſavour of death unto death, but in both a ſweet ſavour unto God; and by it he perfumes the world. Thirdly, of the worth of a true Chriſtian; the Spirit of God and of Chriſt dwelleth in him, he hath the witneſſe in himſelf, he hath this anointing. Fourthly, of the excellency of the work of grace in the Convert above all that is found of vertue, praiſe, or worth in any other people in the world. The Goſpel Convert is the ſpiritual man, he is one in the Spirit, one after the Spirit, he is one …pirit with the Lord Chriſt; their very bodies p. 198are the conſecrated Temples of the Holy Ghoſt; this makes one a good man, this makes a difference among men; ſome have the Spirit; ſome though they may pretend to it, yet ſeeing they are not delivered from ſenſuality, nor from ſelfconceitedneſſe Jude 19. foreign.Jude 1:19which ſheweth it ſelf in removing all the bounds which God hath ſet between his Church and the world, and in ſetting no bounds, or in ſetting bounds of their own, they have not the Spirit.

There are other ſpirits beſides the Spirit of God: and there are who have the Spirit of God, and yet they have not the Spirit in that ſenſe of which we ſpeak here.

There are five ſorts of ſpirits which are not the Spirit of God, and they have a Five ſorts of ſpirits that have much power on men, which are not the Spirit of God.great ſtroak upon men.

1. The spirit of man which knoweth what is in this man; this is the ſoul which animates the body, which is endued with reaſon, which hath underſtanding and will, which hath conſcience, that is, a power to reflect upon himſelf and upon all within him, to view and know his own thoughts and counſels, and all his deſires and actions, and then to make up a judgment p. 199upon it for God with or againſt the man; the ſoul in reſpect of this power, 1 Cor. 2. 11, 14.1 Cor 2:111 Cor 2:14called the conſcience, is the ſpirit of man; but this animal man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, nor can know them; they are far above, out of their reach.

2. The spirit of the world; this is the wiſdome of the world wherewith Philoſophers, Princes, wiſe Stateſ-men and Politicians, learned men, Inventers of arts, trades and manufactures, Merchants, Rich men, Navigators, warlike Heroes, Renowned men have excelled; whoſe power and force lyeth within the compaſſe of humane reaſon, and is accounted the perfection of the minde. This ſpirit the world is proud of; this ſaith Paul, we leave to the world, to the men of the 1 Cor. 2. 12.1 Cor 2:12world, this ſpirit is not ſinful in it ſelf.

3. The ſpirit of luſt that dwelleth in Jam. 45. … …oh, 5. 19. & 2. 15, 16us; this is the ſpirit of that world which is placed in wickedneſſe, of that world which is the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eye, and the pride of life; this is a ſinful ſpirit, and it reigneth in all men by nature, and beſlaveth the two former ſpirits; the wiſdome of the world, and the p. 200very ſoul and conſcience of man; this is the impulſe of the former ſpirit of the world, the life and power of it, the malignity and wickedneſſe of it. And this ſpirit is the ſpirit of envy, pride, ambition, revenge, ſelf-love, atheiſme, profaneſſe and ſuperſtition; it is the ſpirit of timidity or baſe puſillanimous fear, and of tyrannical, domineering oppreſſion. The more baſely fearful, the more proudly tyrannical.

4. The spirit Satan, who works effectually in all men by nature; he is the 1 John 4. 2, 3, 6. 1 Tim. 4. 1, 2. Zach. 13. 2 Rev. 16. 141 John 4:21 John 4:31 John 4:61 Tim 4:11 Tim 4:2Zech 13:2Rev 16:14father of luſts, and the father of lies; and in that regard he is the spirit of errour, the ſpirit of Apoſtaſie, and of the doctrine of Devils; we read of unclean ſpirits, the ſpirits of Devils which come out of the mouth of the Dragon, as well as out of the mouth of the Beaſt, and our of the mouth of the falſe Prophet; theſe are thoſe men who love to broach ſuch lies in Religion, coloured over with hypocriſie.Rom. 11. 8 Iſa. 29. 10, 14. & 6. 9.Rom 11:8Isa 29:10Isa 29:14Isa 6:9

5. The spirit of ſlumber, which is ſent of God in his righteous judgment for hardnings and rebellion againſt the light of his Word, and for gain-ſaying of unbelief under the Goſpel. This is a ſtupid, p. 201ſottiſh heart, hard and hardened, benummed, aſton'd as with a lethargy, that feels not, nor underſtands divine and ſpiritual things, although it be never ſo much rouzed, punched and gored, ſo that they ſtartle, but preſently nod, and fall faſt aſleep again. And here not only the heart is ſo ſecure, but there is alſo a force and impulſe of Satan ſent of God as a righteous judge, which carrieth them mightily and beyond what is ordinarily found in things which men do alone as men; this is called a ſpirit of ſlumber; the like reaſon is to be held in the fore-named ſpirits. Errour is called the ſpirit of errour, and envy the spirit of envy, and the wiſdome of the the world is called the spirit of the world, becauſe of this force appearing in it, acting of it, which force cometh from the energy or effectual working of the Divel, who is an evil Angel, a ſpirit indeed.

But beſides theſe ſpirits, there is the 1 Cor. 2. 10, 12.1 Cor 2:101 Cor 2:12Spirit of God, conſidered as ſet in oppoſition to the ſpirit of man and of the world; this is the ſpirit ſpoken of in this Doctrine; yet one that hath not this Spirit of God as the Spirit of grace, may have the Spirit of God in ſome leſſer and p. 202lower workings and preſence; he may have ſome excellent gifts of the Spirit of God; as for inſtance, he may have the Spirit of government as King Saul had: he may have the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, gifting him with faith of miracles, Mat. 7. 21. 1 Cor. 12.Matt 7:211 Cor 12with tongues, with propheſie or with wiſdome, and the like: he may have the ordinary gifts of the Spirit, ſuch are all miniſterial gifts: he may have the common graces of the Spirit, as general illumination, convictions, faith hiſtorical and temporary, and thereupon taſts of the good Word of God, the Word of the Goſpel, and of the powers of the world to come, and many fruits ariſing from thence: inſomuch that by falling away willingly, and ſinning againſt ſuch grace, he may reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt, and may runne ſo high in this way to commit the ſinne againſt the Holy Ghoſt, that unpardonable ſinne, that ſinne unto death: he Heb. 6. 3, 4. & 10. 26, 29.Heb 6:3Heb 6:4Heb 10:26Heb 10:29may have the ſpirit of bondage, which is a good work, but not enough to life and ſalvation. It is the work of the Law accompanied with the Spirit quickning that part of Gods Word upon the ſoul, and working lively and powerfully in the Miniſtery thereof.

p. 203Now the work of grace is above all this, and the Chriſtian in reſpect of this renewing and ſanctifying work of the Spirit is more excellent than any other however otherwiſe qualified. Pharaoh admiring in Joſeph the work of the Spirit, as the Spirit of propheſie, and of the interpretation of dreams, ſaid of him, Can we finde ſuch a man as this is, a man in Gen. 41. 38Gen 41:38whom the Spirit of God is? but much more worthily may theſe words be applied to the regenerate and ſanctified by faith which is in Jeſus Chriſt, which makes them workers of righteouſneſſe, and no more workers of iniquity, which is that good work which he that hath begun in Phil. 1. 6.Phil 1:6any, will not ceaſe nor fail to perfect it till the day of Chriſt.

SECT. 11.

The Ʋſe of Exhortation in the firſt branch of it.

Therefore let the Exhortation take place with you both to ſeek the Spirit, and Uſe 2. Exhortation to ſeek the Spirit. The way and means to receive the holy Ghoſt in ten directions.to be rightly ordered towards him when you have him.

1. Attend the way and means whereby p. 204you may receive the Holy Ghoſt; Seek the ſenſe and comfort of the gracious preſence and the lively working of the Spirit of Sanctification and Adoption; for this purpoſe theſe are choice directions.

Firſt, Come out from the world, and give thy ſelf up to the Word. The world cannot receive the Spirit; thou art among and of the world by nature; Come out from among them, & touch not the unclean thing; come out from the worlds luſts, the worlds vanities and pomps, the worlds traditions, the worlds Idols and ſuperſtitions, the Religions and Devotions, as ever thou wouldeſt have God to receive thee into fellowſhip with Jeſus Chriſt his Sonne through the communion or communication of his Spirit; ſay of all theſe, What have I to do any more with you? the Spirit is the holy Spirit; the world and the things of the world are the unclean thing. The word is the vehicle, the Chariot of the Spirit; he ſpake by the Prophets and Apoſtles, and he for ever works in and by their doctrine. By the Word engrafted, the Spirit dwells in the heart; Receive the Word, let it be in the truths contained in it, as a heavenly Cyons, which entertained with meekneſs, and with laying aſide all ſuperfluity of p. 205wickedneſſe, may be ſo naturallized into thee, that thou mayeſt be turned into the nature of it, and then thou ſhalt finde the Holy Ghoſt enter into thee, and take up his habitation in thee: Let the Word of Chriſt dwell richly in thee in all wiſdome, and the Spirit of Chriſt will fill thee with grace and glory. The Scripture is the ſtore-houſe of Wiſdome; Wiſdome ſpeaks there; juſtifie Wiſdome, and thou art a childe of Wiſdome whom the Holy Ghoſt hath regenerated; this is the incorruptible ſeed of which Gods children are born anew; who is the ſpiritual, but he that is made up of the Word of God? he who hath the Word of Chriſt to be the reaſon of his reaſon, the light of his minde, the life of his heart, and the rule of his life, he is the Chriſtian indeed.

Secondly, but when thou comeſt to the Word, thou wilt be ſure to meet with reproofs; no looking into that glaſſe, but thou wilt ſee all amiſſe. Chriſt knoweth he ſhall finde thee a fool, and a ſcorner; ſimple, and loving ſimplicity; ignorant, and hating knowledge; now know he will reprove, but yet with ſerious exhortations and alluring invitations, calling and crying after thee; what then is to be done? p. 206Turn, Turn at wiſdom's reproofs, and the promiſe of the pouring out of the Spirit unto thee is thine.

Thirdly, Behold the Promiſes, and how they are made. I will put my Spirit within you ſaith God, then ſhall ye remember Ezek. 36. 25, 31, 32.Ezek 36:25Ezek 36:31Ezek 36:32your own evil wayes and your doings that were not good, and ſhall loath your ſelves in your own ſight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Remember thy wayes and doings that have not been good, and loath thy ſelf, that's all the qualification that is required of thee, that thou mayeſt enjoy this great and all other the precious promiſes of the Covenant of grace.

Fourthly, Wait on the preaching of the Goſpel, for that is the Miniſtery of the 2 Cor. 3. 6, 8. Gal. 3. 2.2 Cor 3:62 Cor 3:8Gal 3:2Spirit: The Spirit is given a…d received by the preaching and hearing of the Word of the Goſpel; the faith and not the Law; by hearing that glorious, heavenly Law of faith which excludeth boaſting, not the Law of works.

Fifthly, Conſider the gift, and who it is that bestoweth the gift, appointed to Joh. 4. 10.John 4:10that work of God the Father; even Jeſus Chriſt the Sonne of God ſent in our fleſh, made of a woman, and made under the p. 207Law to redeem us from under the Law; and conſider that God the Father is in and through this Chriſt our heavenly Father: Luk. 11. 13Luke 11:13Conſider theſe three things, and then ask the Holy Ghost by prayer, for he is promiſed to thoſe that ask him. The gift indeed is great, but no leſſe a gift will do us good; is it great, and is it not worth the asking? it is too great and good for us, but Chriſt is the giver, the Father is the giver; he that gave freely for a ſinner, for chief of ſinners his own Sonne, and gave himſelf a God in Covenant, and a Father in that his Sonne, he will not think the gift too good and too great, to give his holy Spirit. Ask then, Ask of thy heavenly Father, Ask for his Sonne Chriſt Jeſus ſake, not for thy own ſake; this gift may be had for asking.

Sixthly, Let thy utter deſtituteneſs and want of the ſpirit the more felt, the more make thee athirſt; and then let thy thirſty ſoul call and cry for this living water; Iſa 43. 3.Isa 43:3Mark the promiſes I will pour water upon him that is thirſty, and ſtoods upon Joh. 7. 37, 38.John 7:37John 7:38the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy ſeed, and my bleſſing upon thine off-ſpring. The thirſty coming unto Chriſt and believing on him, ſhall have the Spirit given unto him.

p. 208Seventhly, Cheriſh the motions of the Spirit in and by the word moving upon thy heart. Its motions, that we may know them, are theſe. 1. The revealing of things ſupernatural, and the ſetting home of holy truths; he cauſeth by the Word, the light to ariſe and ſhine upon thee, and lets it in by the underſtanding upon thy heart, and thus is ſtriving with thee to give it entertainment. Shut not thine eyes, draw the curtain of neglect and ſecurity: open the doors and let the truth come cloſe to thy heart, and ſink down deep into thy ſoul. 2. The diſcovery of our ſinnes and ſinfulneſſe, and rebukes to aſtoniſhment general, and to ſorrow ſpecial, unto the manifeſting of the unreaſonableneſſe of our carnal reaſon, and of the miſplacing of our affections; and in both theſe laying low the ſtourneſſe and haughtineſſe of man, a moſt neceſſary work; for we are not more ſinful then proud and lofty, as appears by our ſcorning, and our delight at leaſt in the ſecret diſpoſition of a ſcorning heart at all the counſels of wiſdome that tend to the power of Godlineſſe. 3. The leading to Chriſt crucified for juſtification, preſenting Gods great mercy, and Jeſus p. 209Chriſts obedience and ſufferings to the heart, and carrying out the heart to it with ſuch heart-breakings as produce ſupplications, and with ſuch perſwaſions as produce joy and peace. 4. The framing and faſhioning to holy obedience with ſoulpurifyings, and with readineſſe and livelineſſe. 5. The raiſing of ſtrong luſtings, that is, holy hatred, fear, ſorrow, carefulneſſe, bluſhings and ſhame, vehement deſire, indignation, reve…ge and endeavours to grow better and better by all the means of grace, by failings, by falls, by experiments, by mercies, by corrections, by word and works, by all occurrences joyous or grievous, & all the creatures. Theſe are the motions of the Spirit; now then cheriſh theſe.

Eighthly, Take …eed of Intemparency; that is, all exceſſe in the uſe of things lawful, of things which we muſt uſe of neceſſity and of duty. It is exceſſe when the uſe of ſuch things (as of meat, drink, apparrel, and honeſt recreations) cauſeth uncircumſpect walking, taketh off from wiſe Redemption of our time, deadeth or waſteth ſpiritual mirth and melody of heart and behaviour, deſtroyeth thankfulneſſe to God as Father through Chriſt, p. 210and lifteth up from ſubmiſſion one to another in the feare of God. The Context in Epheſ. 5. from ver. 15. to v. 22. teacheth this.

Ninthly, Obey God in his Gospel, and in the miniſtery of it. This obedience is Act. 5. 32. Act. 2. 38, 39, 40, 41, 42.Acts 5:32Acts 2:38Acts 2:39Acts 2:40Acts 2:41Acts 2:42expreſſed in repentance, and the works of the truly penitent: in glad receiving of the Word; in receiving the …o…pel-Ordinances, and continuing in the uſe of them▪ in forſaking the wayes of an untoward generation, croſſe and oppoſing together with their ſociety: and in embracing the wayes and ſociety of the faithful and godly, together with the godly faithful Miniſters who labour among us, and admoniſh us.

Tenthly, Love the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Joh. 14. 15 16. 1 Joh. 3. 22 23, 24.John 14:151 John 3:22and out of love to him, have, hold and keep his Commandments of faith and love which he hath given in charge: the Spirit who glorifieth Jeſus Chriſt will dwell, and will not abide to come, but to thoſe who delight in doing Chriſts Commands, and the things that are pleaſing in his ſight.

This is the firſt branch of Exhortation: the ſecond followeth concerning

p. 211SECT. 12.

The ordering of the believers aright towards the holy Ghost given to them.

When we have received the Spirit, let us have our hearts upon the duties which To be ordered aright towards the Spirit.we owe towards him; they are theſe: they order us aright in two particulars: Firſt, that we avoid all ſinning againſt the Spirit. Secondly, that we expreſſe the virtue of his Communion, and manifeſt his name put upon us in our Baptiſm, and his glory dwelling in us, and reſting on us.

There are many wayes of ſinning againſt In five rules for avoiding evils againſt the Spirit.the Spirit, all which are the more dangerous becauſe not diſcerned by the world, and chiefly becauſe they are againſt the applying of the remedy provided for ſinners in Jeſus Chriſt, leſt it ſhould be received in vain, and leſt any ſhould fail of the grace of God. Herein our duty is laid down in five rules.

1. Quench not the Spirit; this is done, 1. by neglecting or deſpiſing the Word 1 Theſ. 5. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 14. 2.1 Thess 5:191 Thess 5:201 Cor 14:2and the means of grace which have the promiſe of the Spirit, eſpecially among p. 212all the means, that of Propheſying, or the Preaching of the Word. 2. By permitting 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. with ch. 4. 2, 3.2 Tim 3:162 Tim 3:17any thing to put our hearts out of a gracious f…ame. And this is a gracious frame, a heart ſeeking others edification, full of love and goodneſſe, joyful in the Lord Jeſus, prayerful, thankful, nouriſhing the gifts, graces and motions of the Spirit in our ſelves, or any others in whomſoever we perceive them ſtirring them up, and blowing that holy fire, highly eſteeming the gifts, operations and adminiſtrations of faithful preaching, bringing all to the touch-ſtone of the Word, tenacious of that which is good, fleeing the appearing of ſin of all ſorts, and ſeeking growth in ſanctification; this is gathered from the Context in verſe 14. to the 24. of 1 Theſ. 5. The Spirit is like fire: fire conſumeth ſtubble, purifieth mettals, illighteneth and heateth, and is of vehement and powerful acting to turn all into fire, and make all things like it ſelf. So the Spirit, it burneth out our luſts, it purifieth the ſoul, it giveth light and heat of knowledge and zeal, it maketh ſpiritual, and that which is of the Spirit is Spirit. The Spirit is like the holy fire which came down from heaven upon the p. 213Altar, which the Prieſts by Office were to keep in that it might never go out. Shall we quench the Spirit without which there is neither light nor hear of ſaving good, or ſalvifical upon the face of the earth? ſhall we that are a ſpiritual Pri…t-hood, let this heavenly fire go out for want of ſtirring it up, and of fuelling it? Now as fire, ſo the Spirit may be quenched: It's workings of a leſſer and lower degree than of renewing grace may be utterly extinguiſhed; its gifts may grow ruſty, and the Spirit in that working may depart wholly, as it did from Saul, and an evil ſpirit come in the room of it. His peculiar works and ſaving may be weakened and loſt for acts and degrees, and ſenſible feelings, as in David, Take not thy holy Pſa. 51. 11.Ps 51:11Spirit from me, Reſtore me t…e …oy of thy ſalvation.

2. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, Eph. 4. 30. with the context in ver. 25. to the end of the chap.Eph 4:30by the uſual and accuſtomary evils of the tongue in lying and corrupt communication: by the ſins of unbridled paſſions, of idleneſſe, and whatever it be that breaketh out againſt kindneſſe, tender-heartedneſſe, and readineſſe to forgive. A gracious and pure language, a diligent and liberal hand that labours to have whereof p. 214to give to him that needeth, a calm and quiet breaſt, a loving heart full of the bowels of Jeſus Chriſt, theſe rejoyce and glad the Spirit of God: All the other (which are ſinnes that diſcover themſelves after calling) do ſad the Spirit whom we ſhould make joyful, as our beſt gueſt, our beſt friend, who comes and dwels in us purpoſely to ſeale us up unto the day of redemption: theſe and all ſinnes unmortified (I mean, not ſingled out particularly, and brought under the work of mortification and put into that furnace,) after converſion do ſpoile the ſealing of the Spirit, that it cannot come off faire and full; theſe alſo are againſt the comfort we ſhould have in the day of redemption, when Jeſus Chriſt ſhall come in glory to receive his redeemed ones to himſelf, and manifeſt to all the perfection of that work in righteouſneſſe; how ſhall he condemn the world for idle words, and his Redeemed ones live with idle hands and filthy rotten diſcourſe? or ſhall he receive thoſe for adopted ſonnes and daughters, when they are of ſpirits as implacable, proud, paſſionate and malicious as thoſe who are without Chriſt in the world, in whom the ſpirit of Satan works effectually?

p. 2153. Reſiſt not the holy Ghoſt much leſſe, for that is a higher degree of ſinning; to reſiſt is out of an uncircumciſed natural heart and eare to riſe up, and to be of an hoſtile mind and behaviour againſt the miniſtery, and to fall fowle upon the doctrine delivered according to the Word of the Old and New Teſtament, or upon Act. 7. 51.Acts 7:51the Miniſters for their doctrines ſake.

4. Tempt not the holy Ghoſt; by pretending Act. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9.Acts 5:1Acts 5:2Acts 5:3Acts 5:4Acts 5:9ſuch works of faith, love, and obedience which are moſt eminent fruits of the Spirit in the truely and eminently gracious, anſwerable to the times of light, and the ſtate of the Church which we live in, when indeed it is but a pretence, and we know that we play the hypocrites, lying, diſſembling, and dealing falſely therein, as if we had not to deale with God, with God the holy Spirit, but with men whom we may eaſily deceive.

5. Defile not his Temple: that is, pollute 1 Cor. 3. 171 Cor 3:17neither your own ſelves nor other Chriſtians, neither yours nor their ſouls or bodies, either with corrupt and unprofitable doctrine, or with corrupt and vain manners; or with dividing principles or practices, cauſing rents and ſchiſme…, parties and factions in the Church of Chriſt.

p. 216Again, that we may be rightly ordered In five rules to ſhew the virtue of the Communion of the holy Ghoſt. Jude 20. Eph. 6. …8. 1 Cor. 2. 4. Col. 1. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 7 Gal▪ 5. 25. Act. 9. 31.Jude 1:20Eph 6:81 Cor 2:4Col 1:81 Cor 12:7Gal 5:25Acts 9:31towards the Spirit, we ought to ſhew forth the power of his Communion, the manifeſtation of his reſidence in us, and the glory of his name put upon us in our Baptiſm in theſe duties following.

1. Perform all duties, and exerciſe all graces in the power of the Spirit; pray in the holy Ghoſt, Preach in the evidence and demonſtration of the Spirit, love in the Spirit, let the exerciſe of all gifts be the manifeſtation of the Spirit: live inwardly in the Spirit, walk in the ſtrength of the graces, in the power of the ſpiritual Goſpel truthes, the articles of faith, and in the comforts of the holy Ghoſt, even of the exceeding great and precious promiſes of the Goſpel quickened upon the heart by the Holy Spirit of promiſe.

2. Be filled with the Spirit; here can be no ſinful exceſſe; exceſſive fulneſſe is …ph. 5. 18. … …3. …2the juſt and due meaſure and proportion in which we ſhould deſire the Spirits preſence and working. The Holy Ghoſt ſometimes fills with ſpecial force and po…e… to ſome particular Acts of duty: So P…t…r and all the Apoſtles after ſolemn pr…er, were ſilled with the holy Ghoſt p. 217enabling to ſpeak the Word with boldneſſe, with liberty of Spirit and of ſpeech. Sometime he fills with great joy: as in the Diſciples when they ſaw the courage of the Apoſtle Paul and Barnabas under expulſion, and the wiſe and gracious guidance of Gods expelled ſervants for the ſpreading of the Goſpel, and propagating thereof to other parts of the world. Act. 7. 55. Act. 6. 3. 1 Cor. 1. 5. 2 Cor. 8. 7.Acts 7:55Acts 6:31 Cor 1:52 Cor 8:7Sometime with the might of patience, and power of hope, and of all graces, fitting for Martyrdome, as in Stephen. Sometime he fills ſome members with ſpecial abilities and gifts, as with wiſdome, with utterance, with all knowledge, with all diligence.

All this fulneſſe of the Spirit God keeps in his own hand to give when he pleaſeth, and it is of reward: but all graces that accompany ſalvation, that have ſalvation in them, of them we ſhould e…pecially deſire to be full; as of faith, of love to God, to Chriſt, to the Word, and to the Saints, and of a lively patient hope; this is our work, and is of the ordinary working of God through Chriſt in his live-members. And not only ſhould we ſeek to be full of theſe graces, but of them and of the holy Ghost: (as in all p. 218the places above mentioned, the words runne and not in vain) that is, filled full of a ſingular preſence, force, and working of the holy Spirit, acting and directing the mind and heart unto that which is good and holy, with efficacy and power.

3. Preſerve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; this we ought to be endeavouring, Epheſ. 4. 3 Phil. 1. 27.Eph 4:3Phil 1:27though we cannot effect what we would by reaſon of the deſtroyers of this unity, and though we have many failings unbeſeeming this unity. It is an Evangelical command and endeavour; we may, we ought to ſtand faſt in one ſpirit, ſtriving together for the faith of the Goſpel; when the faith of the Goſpel is oppoſed, and is in the conflict, we ought to ſtrive and wreſtle, taking the Goſpels part againſt the adverſaries thereof; and this we ſhould do together with all the Saints and faithful, eſpecially with thoſe with whom we live: and with them let us ſtand faſt in one Spirit. The unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God in his Goſpel which is but one, and the ſame word of truth, ſhould unite us in love, and bind us to the peace, with lowlineſſe and forbearance, and p. 219with due reſpect to the variety of the gifts of the Spirit, which are the Spirits rich embroidery, the ornament of the Church, no way of themſelves hindering unity, and orderly employed, and improved are to the ſingular profit and benefit of all and every one of the members of Chriſts myſtical body.

4. Sow to the Spirit; lay out your ſubſtance, Gal. 6. 8.Gal 6:8and your worldly goods to ſpiritual uſes; to the maintenance of Chriſts Miniſtery and Ordinances, to the promoting of the Goſpel, the Church, all grace and holineſſe, and the hopes of glory. Seek firſt Gods Kingdome and righteouſneſſe; Mat. 6. 33.Matt 6:33buy the truth and ſell it not; ſay not, I muſt provide eſtates for my children, maintain my family, raiſe my poſterity. God cannot be mocked; if thou honour not the Lord with thy ſubſtance, thou doeſt but ſow to the fleſh, and of the fleſh thou ſhalt reap corruption: but he that ſoweth to the Spirit, ſhall of the Spirit reap life everlaſting Say not, I have already done this and that good work; haſt thou an opportunity? do ſtill more with thy wealth and temporals: be not weary of well-doing, the reaping time will come in due ſeaſon. Faint not p. 220therefore, neither flag in the ſowing time; there is now the ſeed time, the harveſt day is to come in another world.

5. Laſtly, as it is in this Text, Walk after the Spirit, and not after the fleſh; this duty makes up the deſcription of the ſpirituals of the true Chriſtian; the perſon whom God hath loved to life everlaſting, and for whom the Sonne of God came into the world, and gave himſelf to the death. This is the ſecond Conſideration of the words of the Apoſtle, which now cometh to be peruſed, and that as they give us the third Doctrine, which is the more neceſſary, the more excellent than the two former are, and the more deſirable, the more ſearching and differencing the children of God from the men of the world.