The Voice of the Spirit, Chapter 15
CHAP. XV. Shewing how a ſoule may know that the Spirit hath witneſſed its Adoption by Water.
Qu: 3. HOw may a ſoule know that the Spirit hath witneſſed its Adoption by Water. i.e. Sanctification?
Anſw: There are two parts of Sanctification, either of which are witneſſing.
1. The ſeparation of the heart fr… ſin; or a freedome from the Dominion of ſin: Naturally the hearts of all men, ſtand towards, and are even deſtinated to the ſervice of ſin. Rom. 6.17. but, after beleeving the heart renounceth ſubjection to it. There is, in every faculty of the ſoule a new principle to oppoſe it. In reſpect of this, beleevers are ſaid to be dead to ſin. Rom. 6.2. i.e. they are become unwilling and unapt to yeeld attention unto the motions of ſin, and liveles in the acting of it, yea it hath it deaths wound in them. All they that are in Chriſt, have cruciſied the fleſh. Gal. 5.24. Sin is become a ſufferer in their ſoules, by the death of Chriſt. They are ſaid to be, free from ſin. Rom. 6. v. 18 22. and have a Divine promiſe that it ſhall not reigne or have Dominion over them. v. 12.14. And that this doth witnes adoption ſee Rom. 6. v. 16, 17. It is made a differencing thing of their two ſtates. And v. 22. Being made free from ſin, and become the ſervants of God, ye have your fruit unto holines, and the end everlaſting life. & Rom. 8 13.
2. The Separation of the heart to Chriſt, and to God the Father by him: Act. 11. v. 21. & 26. v. 20. Pſal. 4.3. And they are ſaid to partake of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. To be new Creatures, 2 C…r. 5.16. becauſe ſuch new diſpoſitions and inclinations are put into their ſoules, as naturally were not there; and are not the products of meerly naturall principles, though improved to the height.
There is not barely an alteration, but a worke of Creation, elſe it were not a new Creature.
It is not barely a mutation, or change of Qualities, but a renovation [all things are become new]: not as if nature were deſtroyed, but perfected, by the infuſion of new habits into all the faculties of the ſoule, which diſpoſe them to moove Chriſt-ward. There is new light let into the underſtanding, Coloſſ. 3.10. Renewed in knowledge — And hence there is a diſcerning of that ſpirituall beautie, excellencie, and perfection in Divine things, which others ſee not. 1 Corin. 2.14. Coloſs. 1.9.
There is a new inclination put into the will, and affections, which enableth them to put forth new acts, upon new objects, God and Chriſt, and this by the operation of the Spirit. Joh. 3. v. 5, 6. And, theſe habitual frames are called graces, and are diverſified, and diſtinguiſhed, according to the various faculties of the ſoule, and the varietie of wayes they act in, and ends they drive at.
When theſe gracious diſpoſitions are ſtirred up or ſtrengthened to act upon Chriſt, then graces are accounted to be exerciſed or encreaſed, and theſe are called Sanctification. 1 Corin. 1. v. 2. & 6. v. 11. 1 Theſſ. 5. v. 23. 1 Pet. 1.2. 2 Theſſ. 2.13. And theſe appearring in and to the ſoule doe witneſſe adoption. Gal. 5. v. 22, 23. But the fruit of the Spirit is, love, joy. peace — He ſaith ſuch are excluded the Kingdome of God as doe the workes of the fleſh, v. 21. And this. v. 22. is added by way of Antitheſis or oppoſition, as the particle [but] doth intimate, and ſo, it is purpoſely to expreſſe who are intereſted in that kingdome, viz. ſuch as attaine thoſe fruits of the Spirit, and ſuch as walke in the Spirit, and are led by it, either of which doe witnes Juſtification and Adoption. Rom. 8.1.14. According to the parts of Sanctification, ſo the Queſtion muſt be divided into two.