Exposition of Ezekiel 6-13, Commentary on Ezechiel · Chapter 11 · Verse 19 · Textual commentary 6 – Textual commentary 7
New.
Is in Scripture ſometime, that wich is totally new for matter, Deut. 20.5 A new H…uſe, Judges 15.13. New wayes, 1 Sam. 6.7. A new cart, 1 K. 11.29. A new Garment. Sometimes, for that is renewed, 2 Chron. 20.5. Jehoſhaphat ſtood before the new Court, that is judged to be the Preiſts Court renewed in its building, or uſe, after ſome publique prophanation; ſo its cal'd a new Shipp or Garment, that are altred and chang'd. Sometime, for that is excellent, and admirable, Mar. 1.27. What new Doctrine is this? its admirable and excellent doctrine, ſo the New Name, Rev 2.17. Chap. 3.12. That is, an excellent and admirable name. Sometimes, for that is diverſe from what it was before, eſpecially in regard of q…alities, Mar. 16.17. They ſhall ſpeake with new tongues, which Acts. 2.4. are cal'd other tongues, tongues which had other gifts and graces in them
By new Spirit here is not meant a new Soul, or faculties, for ſubſtance or the inward forme of it, but the ſame ſoule altered in the frame, renewed in the qualities thereof: it hath other excellent qualities in it, which it had not before; even the gifts and graces of the ſpirit; hence its call'd the new birth, or birth of the ſpirit, John. 3.6. The new man, Epheſ. 4.24. The new creature, Gal. 6.15. Not onelyonly faith and love mentioned, Gal. 5.6. But all divine qualities man is capable of, are included in this new ſpirit.
1. The underſtanding is enlightned, with divine light which it had not before, Acts 26.18. To open the eyes and to turne them from darkneſſe to light. The Gentiles were blind before God gave them this new ſpirit, which brought new lights unto their mindes, Epheſ. 4.18. Having the underſtanding darkned, beeing alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the blindneſſe of their hearts: but when they had put on the new man, verſ. 24. in the next Chap. verſ. 8. Paul ſaith of them Yee were ſometimes darkneſſe but now are light in the Lord, the Lord by his ſpirit had brought in marvailous light into their underſtandings, and ſcattered their darkneſſes; this Paul calls Gods ſhining into the heart, 2 Cor. 4.6. John, Chriſts giving an underſtanding 1 John 5.20. and Luke, an opening of the underſtanding, Luke 24.45. all which phraſes, as they ſuppoſe oldneſſe of dark…eſſe, ſo a renewing of the underſtanding with newneſſe of light, and this light is the light of life, John 8.12. brought into the ſoule by the ſpirit of wiſedome and revelation, Epheſ. 1.17, 18.
2. This new ſpirit hath influence into the will, and alters that which in it ſelfe is corrupt, and carryeth the ſoule the wrong way,John 1.13. Will of the fleſh is put for the whole corruption of nature. Epheſians 2.3. Fulfilling the deſires of the fleſh, foreign, The wills of the fleſh: Paul acknowledgeth nothing to be in the wills of men naturally, but fleſhly corruption, and whatſoever that put them upon, that they did, and with delight, fulfilling the wills of the fleſh, but when this new ſpirit comes, it alters the will, breakes the principle of ſtubbornneſſe in it, purges the pollution and corruption out of it, and makes it plyable unto the will of God, Ezek. 36.27. I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walke in my Statutes: Gods ſpirit will ſo alter our ſpirits, ſo transforme and renew them, that they ſhall be inclined to, and carryed on, in the obeying of Divine Statutes: Before, they went on in the wayes of ſin, with ſtrength, conſtancy, and delight; now they move with new ſtrength, conſtancy and delight, in that which is good; this new ſpirit bowes the will to the Law of righteouſneſſe; ſo that it obeys and commands well.
3. The affections are renewed, Ezek. 36.26. A new heart alſo will I give you: That is, your affections which are now corrupt and inordinate, ſhall be changed and regulated; they ſhall of ſinfull, be made holy; of earthly, be made heavenly; of unrighteous, become righteous; Epheſ. 5.9. The fruit of the ſpirit is in all goodneſſe, righteouſneſſe, and truth: When the ſpirit of Chriſt comes and makes our ſpirits new, there is truth for the underſtanding, goodneſſe for the will, and righteouſneſſe for the affections; and Gal. 5.22, 23. the fruits of the ſpirit referre moſt to the affections, as Love, joy, long-ſuffering, gentleneſſe, meekneſſe, temperance: Now the old affections, and luſts of the fleſh are crucified, Gal. 5.24. and the new affections are ſet on things above, Col. 3.2.
4. The conſcience is renewed; before, its defiled, and acts according to that falſe or dimme light, is in the underſtanding; but when this new ſpirit comes in, the conſcience is awakened, purged, and acts upon Divine grounds, Heb. 10.22. Having our hearts ſprinkled from an evill conſcience: the holy Ghoſt, like water which waſheth away the filth of the body, cleanſeth the conſcience from the blindneſſe, impurity, and deadneſſe which are in it; ſo that it being indued with new qualities becomes a pure, 2 Tim. 1.3. and good conſcience, 1 Tim. 1.5. and acts new, not in a naturall, but ſanct…fied manner.
5. The memory is renued and made able to reteine good things before like a Streiner, it lets the Milke goe, and kept the haires and draffe; like a Boulter, it let the fine flower goe, and keepes the bran, but having a new quality in it, its retentive of good, 1 Cor. 15.2. Yee are ſaved by the Goſpell if you keep in mem…y what I have Preached; they had memories in…bled to doe it: many a poore ſoule that is converted, when it comes to practice, remember truths better then thoſe of able memories.
Theſe renewing and refining qualities make up the new man, and here are cal'd a new ſpirit.
Spirit.
1. Becauſe they are from the ſpirit, that is the authour of them, John 3.6. That which is borne of the ſpirit, is ſpirit: It hath the qualities and graces of the ſpirit, the ſpirit begets its owne likeneſſe in the ſoule, as a Father doth in the body.
2. In oppoſition to the fleſh, theſe new qualities are contrary to thoſe of corrupt nature, which the Scripture calls Fleſh, and therefore fitly cal'd Spirit, Gal. 5.17. The fleſh luſteth againſt the ſpirit, and the ſpirit againſt the fleſh.
3. For that they make us ſpirituall, they have ſuch operations in us, and honours us with ſuch a denomination, 1 Cor. 2.15. He that is ſpirituall judgeth all things.
4. Becauſe they are chiefly ſeated in the moſt ſpirituall part of a man, the ſoule and faculties of it are the ſubject thereof.
New.
1. In oppoſition to the old corruptions were in man before, which the Scripture cals the Old man, Epheſ. 5.22. Put off the old man, which is corrupt: And Verſ. 23. Be renewed in the ſpirit of the mind, and put on that new man which after God is created in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe: Here its called the new man (which is the ſame with the new ſpirit) in oppoiſition to the old man.
2, For that it comes a new way into man, had not Adam ſinned, we ſhould not have needed ſuch Ordinances as now we have, to worke this new ſpirit in us; its not by generation but regeneration, its not from nature, art, afflictions, Ordinances, but the ſpirit in Ordinances.
3. Becauſe its wrought anew in us; no man hath ought of this new ſpirit in him naturally, but an old and contrary ſpirit, Rom. 8.7. The wiſedome of the fleſh is enmity to God: This is totally new wrought, and therefore is called a Creation, Epheſ. 4.24.
4. From the effect, it makes us new, 2 Cor. 5.17. If any man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature, 1 Pet 2.2. Theſe indued with this new ſpirit are cald new borne babes.
5. Becauſe its ever vigorous, freſh and lively, not decaying, ſo I finde the words new interpreted by a late Divine, and apply'd to the new man, and he thinks the new Heavens, and the new Earth ſpoken of,Mr. Balls in his Covenant of grace, p. 195. Iſa. 65.17.66.22. Rev. 21.1. (Whatſoever is meant by them) that the title new ſeemes to import the admirable excellencie and continuance thereof, never to alter or decay; but to remaine before the Lord.
Queſt. Whether was this promiſe fullfilled among the Jewes, or in times of the Goſpell.
Anſw. Many of the Fathers refer the fullfilling of it unto the times of the Goſpell; but it being primarily made unto the Jewes, we have juſt cauſe to thinke that it was in part fullfilled amongſt them, after their returne from Babylon; ſo gracious a promiſe beeing given out by God, made knowne by Ezekiel, its not likely they would neglect, having bin ſo ſoarly afflicted in Babylon; but would improve, and preſſe the Lord for the accompl…ſhment of it, and without diſpute, many of them had this new ſpirit, for after they came againe to Jeruſalem, they had ſuch a hatred of Idols, and love to truth, that they ſtood out to death for the law, and religion of their God, as it recorded in the Maccabee.
Queſt. 2. Whither is this new Spirit given, or wrought all at once.
Anſw. This new ſpirit, conſiſts in thoſe new qualities which are put into man, and the ſeverall qualities are wrought in at once, but they are wrought up by degrees, A man hath all graces at once in ſemine, radice, habitu, and this grace is call'd The Law in the minde, Rom. 7.22, the Law written in the heart, Hebr. 8.10. The Divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. Chriſt formed in us. Gal. 4.19. The inward man, Rom. 7.23. Seed. 1 Joh. 3, 9. Now this ſeed, this inward man, this Chriſt, this Divine nature, are growing, this law receives addition, 2 Pet. 3.18. Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. 2 Cor. 4.16. The inward man is renewed day by day, There is an addition of more ſtrength, more degrees are added to thoſe new qualities, the inward man growes ſtronger and better: So Chap. 3.18. Wee are changed into the ſame image, from glory to glory: When men are changed, and this new ſpirit is put into them, it is glory; and there is a Progreſſe in this glory, they goe from one degree of glory to another.
Obſer. 1 1. This new ſpirit is a great mercy, its a renewall of the Image of God in a man, knowledge, righteouſneſſe, Rom. 8 8. They that are in the fleſh cannot pleaſe God.and true holineſſe, Col. 3.10. Epheſ. 4.24. Its that makes a man good, and acceptable to God, it was the holy Ghoſt and Faith, made Barnabas a good man Acts 11.24. Till a man have ſome new qualities in him, this new ſpirit, he is fleſh, diſpleaſing unto God, Joh. 3.6. That which is borne of the fleſh is fleſh, and that which is borne of the ſpirit is ſpirit, and ſo acceptable to God, then the tree is good, and the fruit good alſo, Matth, 7.17.18,Its that ſets us at liberty, this new ſpirit is not a ſpirit of bondage, but of liberty, 2 Cor. 3.17. not of feare, but love, power, and of a ſound mind, 2 Tim. 1.7. It's that weakens and waſts ſin in us 2 Cor. 5.17. If any man be in Chriſt he is a new Creature, old things are paſt away. Old cuſtomes, practiſes, principles, corruptions, they are decaying, the old leaven is purging out: It's an argument of Gods love in the Covenant of grace towards a ſinner, and evidence that thou art in that Covenant, its the promiſe of the new Covenant, to give this new ſpirit: It's that makes us honourable and glorious, When wee have this new ſpirit we are partakers of the divine nature, and borne of God; 1 John. 3.9. And that's honourable, v. 1. and glorious, 2 Cor. 3.18. It's a choyce comfort to the man that hath it, more then thouſands of ſilver and gold, more then a world to him, no ſuch comfort to him as this, its life, Luke, 16.24. This my Sonne was dead, and is alive againe. The dead prodigall when he had this new ſpirit had a new life, and this was a ſweet, a great comfort to him, to his Father, to others; It's that gives you title to the Kingdome of Heaven, John, 3.5. Verily verily I ſay unto you except a man be borne of water &c.
How doth this new ſpirit act and diſcover it ſelfe in that man where it is?
Anſw. 1. It begets a noble ingenuity in the Soul, to maintaine the condition it puts into, it will ſhunne whatever is contrary to it, or offenſive to the Lord who gave it, 1 John, 3.18, Whoſoever is borne of God ſins not, but keepes himſelfe, and that wick-one toucheth him not, he hath a noblenes of Spirit and keeps himſelf from ſin and Satan; the things they propound are too low for him, too baſe. Joſeph ſaid, How can I doe this great wickednes and ſin againſt God? Gen. 39.9. Nehemiah 6. chap. 11. Should ſuch a man as I flee. So ſaith the man indued with this new Spirit, ſhould ſuch a man as I ſin? God hath made me ſpirituall, and I will not imbaſe my ſelf to carnall things. 1 Pet. 1.14. Not faſhioning your ſelfe according to the former luſts.
2. A ſtrong impreſſion made upon the ſoule, ſo that it cannot but follow after Chriſt; before, the heart could not but look downwards, purſue the Creature, but now it doth the contrary, Acts, 26.18. To open their eyes and to turn them from darkenes to light, and from the power of Satan unto God: when the turn is once made, they cannot but minde the light, and follow after God, and Chriſt, when Elijah threw his mantle upon Eliſhah, he had ſuch an impreſſe made upon his ſpirit, that he muſt leave all, and follow him. The Needle is unquiet till it come to the Northern point: ſo a ſoul t…ll it come to Chriſt when it's anointed with theſe new qualities &c.
3. Seeth every thing with a new eye, there is divine light, the light of life in the ſoul, John, 8.12. And the life of God, Epheſ. 4.18. Before they are alienated from it, but now having this new ſpirit, they pertake of it and not onelyonly live the life of God but looke upon things as God doth, they ſee ſin exceeding ſinfull, Rom, 7.13. Grace to be free, glorious, exceeding rich, and abundant, Epheſ. 1.6. Chap. 2.7.8, 1 Tim. 1.14, They beheld Chriſt in another manner then ever before, 2 Cor. 5.16, Henceforth know wee no man after the fleſh, yea though wee have knowne Chriſt after the fl…ſh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Since we have had an eye to ſee ſpiritually, and the eye renewed to ſee more ſpiritually into the death of Chriſt, what ſatisfaction, peace, life, grace, Salvation, glory, it hath wrought, and brought, we know no m…n after the fleſh, for their preſent honour, externall exc…llencies, no not Chriſt: We looke not upon him as poore, meane, afflicted, contemptible; but we ſee and judge ſpiritually, we looke at what is divine in him, in others, in all; So for God himſelfe, Jer. 31.34. When he ſhould put his Law in their inward parts, then they ſhould all know him, that is, in another manner then ever; they ſhould ſee not onelyonly what an infinite excellencie he was in himſelfe, but what a father of mercies, and God of Conſolations he was in Chri…t.
4. It makes a ſpirituall Warre in the ſoule; this new ſpirit ſets upon the old man the old ſpirit, and maintaines a mighty Warre againſt the ſame, bringing under and captivating the fl…ſh, with its luſts, members, wiſedome and ſtrong holds: There was a naturall Warre in the man before, betweene ſin and the conſcience; but this is a ſpirituall Warre: and it's knowne thus.
1. The whole frame of the ſoul is againſt ſin, not the conſcience alone, the underſtanding, will, affections, conſcience, a drunken man may ſpeake againſt drunkenneſſe, and yet the frame of his heart be towards it? a coveteous man, may condemne coveteouſneſſe, yet the frame of his ſpirit may be to it. Col. 1.21. Enemies in your mindes by wicked works, a man beeing without this new ſpirit is an enemie to God, Chr…ſt, truth in his minde by wicked workes, the frame of his minde is againſt them, but being indued with this new ſpirit, he is reconciled to God, and ſo an enemy in his m…nd to wicked works, ſo for his will, Rom. 7.19. The evill which I would no… th…t I do…. His will was againſt evill, So for his affection verſ. 15: What I hate that I doe. So for conſcience while its naturall all it reſtraines a man and makes him ſay, I dare not doe it, but when ſanctified, it cauſes a man to fight againſt ſin, and to ſay, I cannot doe it, Gal. 5.17. Yee cannot doe the things that yee would: The new nature is univerſally through a man, and where it is, it oppoſes. When Lot was in Sodom, he was vexed with all the ſinfull wayes of the Sodomites, and when this new ſpirit is in a man, its vexed with all the wayes of the fleſh.
2. This new ſpirit wars againſt ſin as ſin, the unſanctified conſcience never doth ſo, therefore is carryed againſt ſin upon conſideration, its a great ſin, it brings dammage, &c. Darius, when Daniel was in the Lyons den, his conſcience troubled him, but if the ſins be leſſer, as omiſſion of duties, vaine thoughts, luſts,Dan. 6.48. thoſe motus primo primi, they are diſpenſed with, but this new ſpirit is againſt every ſin, be it little or great, it knows its a breach of the Law, againſt the holy God, defiles, coſt the blood of Chriſt.
3. By the weapons are uſed, this new ſpirit where it is, uſeth ſpirituall arguments againſt ſin, as Gods love, Gods diſhonour, Chriſts death, ſenſe of pardon, the ſealings and comforts of the ſpirit; Communion with God and Chriſt, love of holineſſe, the nature of grace, and ſcope of the Goſpell; ſee Col. 3.4, 5. 1 John 3.3.Tit. 2.11, 12. 2 Cor. 7.1. But an unregenerate heart, a naturall conſcience, uſes arguments fetch'd from the curſes of the Law, terrours of death, feare of Hell, and damnation, ſhame of men, loſſe of friends, eſtate, the ſoveraignty of God over them.
4. By the continuance of this warre, an hypocrite that hath onelyonly a naturall conſcience, may go on skirmiſhing againſt ſin a long time, but not for ever, an illighten'd, unſanct…fied conſcience will either grow weary, or be bribed, or extenuate ſin, or grow hard, feared, and commit ſin without reluctancy; but a man poſſeſſed with this new ſpirit, will hold out the warre to the end of his life, he growes not faint, he will not be bribed with ought, or all, the World, fleſh, and Satan have, to make a truce with ſin, ſin is ſin to him, and ſhall not be leſſened, he will fight it out, and dye in the fight, rather then yeild, Rom. 7.24. O wretched man, ſaith Paul, who ſhall deliver me, &c. 2 Tim. 4.6, 7. I am ready to be offered, I have fought a good fight.
5. By the event; the man without this new ſpirit by all his combating againſt ſin, gets it more reſtrained, and ſo more quiet, but not mortified: but where this new ſpirit is, there ſin is wounded, crucified, Gal. 5.24. They that are Chriſts have crucified the fleſh with the affections and luſts thereof.
5. It workes and acts in a new manner, Rom. 7.6. Paul ſpeakes of ſerving them in the newneſſe of the ſpirit, not in the oldneſſe of the letter; when you were under the Law, that ſhewed you your duty, provoked corruption, gave you no power to ſubdue the one, or doe the other, and all the ſervice then was after the old man, with much earthlineſſe, difficulty, dullneſſe, untowardly, inconſtantly, and no better then dead work…, but now you are under the Goſpell, the ſpirit hath begotten a new life in you, beautified you with new qualities and principles, layd in new ſtrength, therefore now ſerve the Lord in newneſſe of the ſpirit: and that is,
1. In a ſpirituall manner; the Apoſtle ſpeakes of a ſpirituall underſtanding, Col. 1.9. of a ſpirituall houſe, an holy Prieſthood, to offer up ſpirituall ſacrifice, 1 Pet. 2.5. They being ſpiritualiz'd, ſerv'd the Lord in a ſpirituall manner; they had more ſpirituall conceptions of God and his worſhip, and put out more ſpirituall acts.
2. More readily; when this new ſpirit is in a man, he is like a Ship which hath all its Tacklings and ſayles up, and is ready to ſayle immediately, ſuch a man is prepared to every good worke, 2 Tim. 2.21. Rom. 1.15. Paul was ready to Preach the Goſpell, and ready to be bound and ſuffer, Acts 21.13. And the Corinthians had a ready mind, 2 Cor. 8.19. Where this ſpirit is, there the Wheeles are oyl'd.
3. More delightfully, Rom. 7.22. I delight in the Law of God, after the inward man. Chriſts yoke is eaſie, his commands are not greivous: The wayes his wiſedome preſcribes are wayes of pleaſantneſſe. Prov. 3.17. And Paul counted all the paines he tooke, hard things he ſuffered, but a recreation. Phil. 3.8. That I may win Chriſt. He had as much pleaſure, and delight in them, as men have in any games.
4. More beautifully; before they bungled, but now they act more comelily, they pray and ſing with the ſpirit, and with underſtanding, 1 Cor. 14, 15. Rom. 12.8. he gives with ſimplicity, rules with diligence, ſhewes mercy with cheerfulneſſe, and Cant. 7.1. How beautifull are thy feet with thoſe, O Princes daughter; the wayes of the Church are beautifull, actions comely.
5. More evenly and conſtantly, 2 Pet. 1.4. this new ſpirit is called the Divine nature, both becauſe its from God our Father, becauſe all the Children have it, becauſe it cannot be altered, and alſo becauſe it acts like nature, conſtantly, ſtrongly, the eye is not weary with ſeeing, nor the eare with hearing.
6. It propounds new ends to it ſelfe, Viz. Gods glory: before, a mans ſelfe was his centre and end, this new ſpirit came out from God, and workes for God and to God, now it ſees the nature of Divine grace; beholds glory in that grace, and anſwers Gods end, it doth act to the prayſe of the glory of his grace.
7. Makes cheerfull and thankfull, Col. 3.10. after had ſpoken of the new man, Verſ. 16. He tells them of ſinging with grace in their hearts to the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.17. When old things are gone, and all new, &c. as in a Houſe, when all is renew'd in it, beautifully trim'd, &c. it cheares.
You have mention of a new ſong ſixe times in the Pſalmes, 33.3.40.3.96.1.98.1.149.1.144.9: Once in Iſa, 42.10. Twice in the Rev. 5.9.14.3. Sung with new fervencie, as new things uſe to affect moſt, ſung with the motions of the new ſpirit of grace, which mindeth more the new benefits by Chriſt, and the new Covenant, then thoſe by Creation.
The Twentie foure Elders ſang this new ſong, Revel. 5.9. 144000 redeemed from the Earth learned it, it was a ſong of the new mercies given in Redemption, Juſtification, Sanctification.
A new ſong, that is, an excellent ſong, with ſingular cheerfullneſſe, made upon the giving in of ſome new mercy.
Non vulgare ſed eximium, Bez.New, becauſe the ſingers were new, they had a new ſpirit, a ſpirit of grace and glory in them. 2. Matter of it was new, Chriſts incarnation, paſſion, doctrine, miracles ordinances, promiſes, Church, Kingdomes, but eſpecially the opening the Booke and redemption by his blood.
Obſer. 2. This new ſpirit is the worke of God, and not of man, the Lord alone is the Author and cauſe of it, mans will contributes nothing to it. I will put a new ſpirit within you You oppoſe, reſiſt, but I will overcome all that oppoſition and reſiſtance, and plant new qualities, put a new ſpirit within you. I will worke powerfully, efficaciouſly, ſo that the worke ſhall proceed. The Arminians hold that the operation of God in the converſion of a ſinner, or putting in this new ſpirit, is Moralis ſuaſio not Realis efficientia. That he doth not worke immediately upon the minde and will, cauſing us to beleive, to come to Chriſt, to live holily; but onelyonly propounds truths, which is ſufficient that the underſtanding and affections are renewed, with ſuch power of God and his grace as cannot be withſtood; But the will is quickned, Reſiſtibili modo, that however it is ſometimes renewed in the affectionate part of it, yet it continues unrenewed in the willing and nilling part thereof; Secundum modum libertatis, That the grace of God doth nothing, but accompany the will conſenting that all things ſuppoſed on Gods part needfull to the co-working this new ſpirit, and regenerating the heart, yet a man may goe without it, and ſtill be as he was; That this new ſpirit and worke of converſion, depends not upon any neceſſary cauſation or infallible event, from the intention or operation of God; but meerly upon the will of man, and ſo is wholly contingent, and uncertaine; all which are erroneous.
The Papiſts alſo hold that there is free will in man before he hath this new ſpirit: which doth concurr and cooperate with God in the putting in this new ſpirit as an efficient cauſe thererof: and they pronounce him Anathema, Seſſ. 6. de Juſtif. Can. 4.in the councell of Trent that ſayes the will is meerly paſſive in this worke. Our divines hold it, and not onelyonly they, but the Lord himſelfe,John. 15.5. Without me you can doe nothing, therfore al is from Chriſt. and if it be his judgement how impious is that Cannon which puts an Anathema upon the Lord. Wee cannot make our ſpirits new nor any part of them, Deus eſt cauſa totius entis, of this new ſpirit of every qualitie in it, and every degree of every qualitie; Phil, 2.13. It is God which worketh in you, both to will and to doe of his good pleaſure. The will to have this new ſpirit is not from mans will, but from the grace of God, and that grace when it is working and entring into the will, though the will of it ſelfe oppoſe it and rejects it, yet becauſe of the mighty power of God in the work and ſtrong intention of God to effect ſuch a worke, it cannot impede the introduction and forming of this new ſpirit; its cal'd the circumciſion of the heart, and is attributed to God, Deut. 30.6. Its not in the power of man to circumciſe his own heart; God only doth it, and that he acts powerfully in this work of a new ſpirit, ſee Ezek. 36.27. I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walke in my Statutes, and yee ſhall keepe my judgements and doe them: Though Satan the God of this World have got poſſeſſion of a man, fortified himſelfe in the ſtrong holds be in man, yet the Lord will bring in his ſpirit, throw out Satan, throw downe his holds, and cauſe a man by the power of his ſpirit and grace, to walke in contrary wayes to what he did. Man in Scripture is ſayd to be dead, and dead men neither deſire, nor worke their owne reſurrection, John 5.25. The dead ſhall beare the voyce of the Sonne of God: It muſt be a mighty and powerfull voyce which reacheth to a dead ſoule, and fetcheth it out of that condition; and when God ſpeakes and workes efficaciouſly to that purpoſe, the ſoule can no more withſtand it then Lazarus could the call and power of Chriſt; therefore ſayth Chriſt, John 6.37. All that the Father giveth me, ſhall come to me: They ſhall not prevent it by the liberty of their wills, the event is infallible, the cauſation neceſſary; otherwiſe Gods election ſhould be fruſtrate; for if man by his free will could keep out this new ſpirit, and null all the operations of God, about the working of it, what ſhould become of his Elect? his giving of men to Chriſt would be to no purpoſe.
Queſt. Whereas they ſay, Propound ſuitable objects and men will take them; as propound honey to a Bee, Graſſe or a greene Bough to a Sheep, and they will receive them: ſo let man have fit objects propounded to his underſtanding and will, and he will then cloſe with them, and this is all is done in the worke of grace.
Anſ. 1. See how derogatory this is to the Lord, that no more is given to his ſpirit in working then is given to Satan; he propounds objects ſuitable to the Sons of Men, and if the ſpirit propound Divine objects, ſo doth Satan, Gen. 3.5. Yee ſhall be as Gods, knowing good and evill: If the Devils objects be received or refuſed at the pleaſure of mans will, ſo ſhall the ſpirits.
2. What ſuitableneſſe is there betweene our carnall heart, and the ſpirituall high things of God, 1 Cor. 2.14. The naturall man receiveth not the things of the ſpirit of God, for they are fooliſhneſſe unto him, men muſt be made ſpirituall before they can diſcerne or cloſe with ſpirituall things. Honey is the proper food of a Bee, and graſſe of a Sheepe, but ſpirituall things are not the proper food of a Carnall heart. New wine is not for old Bottles.
3. If ſuitable objects would do it, Chriſt propounded as ſuitable truths as ever any did, yet the Jews were not taken with them, John. 6.44. not any man, be he never ſo rationall, have he never ſuch rationall objects propounded, that wil hear, or can come.
Queſt. Is it not in mans power to doe ought towards the working this new ſpirit in himſelfe, it ſeems otherwiſe, for the Lord saith, Ezek, 18, 31. Make you a new heart and a new ſpirit.
Anſw. 1. Such phraſes in Scripture import not liberty, and power in man to doe ſuch things, but ſhew his dutie, and miſery that he cannot doe them: Man having fallen ſhould ſet himſelfe in the condition God placed him firſt in, he ſhould caſt away his ſi…s, regaine that Image of God he hath loſt, yet all his endeavours will not reach it; A man may with as much facilitie make a new ſunne, a new Heaven, a new Earth, a new World, as a new heart and new ſpirit within himſelfe; David knew it, and therefore pray'd, Pſal. 51. Create in mee a cleane heart &c.
2. Neyther is this command of God in vaine, for the Lord gives what he commands, Make you a new heart and a new ſpirit. ſaith God, here's his command, and in the Verſe we are on, its ſaid, I wil put a new ſpirit within you, ſo that, when a thing is commanded us to doe, which we cannot doe, we are to look at the Lord to doe it, who hath therefore made gratious promiſes to his for that purpoſe: man is commanded to feare God, Ecleſ. 12.13. Iſa. 8.13. 1 Pet. 2.17. and God hath promiſed to put his feare in his Peoples hearts, Jer, 32.40. I will put my feare in their hearts and they ſhall not depart from mee, Hoſe, 3.5. They ſhall feare the Lord and his goodneſſe. Prov. 4.5.7. Wee are bid to Get wiſedome and underſtanding, Iſa. 1.17. Learne to doe well, And the promiſe is, Iſa. 54.13. All thy Children ſhall be taught of God. 2 Pet. 3.18. We are commanded to Grow in grace, but we can no more make grace to grow in our hearts, then the Gardiner can make the tree to growe in the Orchard; Therefore the promiſe is Pſal, 92.12.13.14.15. The righteous ſhall flouriſh like the Palme-Tree: he ſhall growe like a Cedar in Lebanon; Thoſe be planted in the Houſe of the Lord, ſhall flouriſh in the Courts of our God. They ſhall ſtill bring forth fruit in old age, they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing, to ſhew that the Lord is upright. Col. 3.5. Mortifie your members which are upon the Earth, that's the command, and Micha, 7.19. He will ſubdue our iniquities.
3. Make you a new heart, that is, declare you have a new heart wrought in you: Saith Junius, God makes the new heart foreign, man doth it foreign, by manifeſtation.
I will take the ſtony heart out of their fleſh.
foreign Cor lapidis: The word heart hath been opened formerly, and by it we comprehend, and meane the underſtanding, will, affections, and conſcience.