Influences of the Life of Grace, Part 4 · Chapter 3

Influences of the Life of Grace · Part 4 · Chapter 3

p. 379CHAP. III.

How the ſoul is under plenty of means and diſpoſitions heavenly, and yet under ſcarcity of influences. 2. Praying and love to the word, according to the will of precept, all along through Pſalm 119. 3. Delighting in the word, reading and meditating thereon fetch heavenly influences. 4. Hence 18. obſtructions of influences. 1. Hardneſs and blindneſs. 2. Ʋnbelief. 3. Deadneſs. 4. Security. 5. Irreligious prophaneſs and Atheiſm. 6. Ʋnconſtancy. 7. Deceitfulneſs. 8. Pride. 9. Worldly-mindedneſs. 10. Fiery prepoſterous zeal. 11. Ʋncleanneſs. 12. Malice and bitterneſs. 13. Worldly ſorrow. 14. Falſe joy. 15. Self-love. 16. Wilful ignorance of the Goſpel, and hatred of Chriſt. 17. Impatient fretting againſt providences, the contraries of all which help to fetch heavenly influences. Laſty, the Lords manner of contributing his influences makes us not paſſive lumps and blocks; the word ſhews that God lays a holy neceſſity on our will, ſo that we are moſt willing and free agents in ſpiritual actings. 18. Vain and wanton thoughts obſtruct influences.

THe heart, as including will and mind and affections, is the publick Inne and lodging that receives all influences.

1.How the ſoul is under plenty of means, and poſſibly ſweet diſpoſitions, and yet under ſcarcity of influences. There is a ſweet proportion betwixt the influences of the ſpirit and the new heart.

Queſt. How is it then that the ſoul is under ſweet diſpoſitions and plenty of means, and yet wants influences?

Anſw. This is to ſhew the abſolute freedom of grace, as Cant. 1. the Spouſe is in a ſweet condition, Let him kiſſe me with the kiſſes of his mouth, for his love is better then p. 380wine. 3. Becauſe of the ſavour of thy good oyntments, thy name is oyntment poured out, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4. The King brought me into his chambers; yet ſhe ſtands in need of a pull, draw me. v. 7. Tell thou me (O thou whom my ſoul loves) where thou feedeſt, where thou makeſt thy flocks to reſt at noon-day. Here is a ſoul in love, longing to be embraced and kiſſed, ſmelling Chriſts precious oyntments, taken in to the Kings chamber; yet the prayer to be drawn, and to be inſtructed where to find him, teacheth, that ſome are at the well-head, and yet thirſty, and in Chriſts banqueting houſe, and yet the praying of ſuch to be drawn, ſpeaks want of influences, and hunger for more, except Chriſt intimately apply his influences to will and to do. Cant. 2. 4. He brought me into his banqueting houſe, his banner over me was love. 6. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. What is here wanting? is not this paradiſe come down from heaven? but the prayer, v. 5. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am ſick of love, is a ſtrong evidence that the Spouſe, even in Chriſts arms, and in his houſe of wine, where are all the refreſhments of heaven, is not ſick only, but fallen into a deep ſwoon, if Chriſt hold not up the head, and ſtay the ſoul with quickning influences: what then could you make of heaven it ſelf, and of Chriſts ſweeteſt embracements, if he teach not how to improve the fulneſs of this free love in ſweeteſt actings of heavenly duties? When John is in heaven, and ſees heavens glory, yet if the preſent actings of the ſpirit go not betwixt him and Angel-worſhip he roves; influences muſt then make Chriſt to be Chriſt, and heaven to be heaven, and the Spirit muſt open and let out upon the withered ſoul ſtreams of the well of life, otherwiſe there is the banqueting houſe of wine, and there is yet the hungry and ſwooning Spouſe; there is heaven and fulneſs of glory, and there is yet miſcarrying John: grace muſt make it ſelf our grace, and he will have us to know to whom we owe the thanks, both of Chriſt and of the outletting and emanations of free grace, and of the well of life, and of the flowings and ſtreamings of that fountain, and ſo the created habit of grace is not to be reſted on, but Chriſt acting in his free grace is all in all.

p. 3812.Theſe are together often praying, and actual influences, and d…ties and influences: the former according to the Lord's will of precept, the latter according to his will of pleaſure, are interwoven all along, Pſal. 119.Ps 119 The Lord gives influences according to his will of pleaſure; but we muſt ſtir and pray, and act according to his will of precept. Hence all along, Pſal. 119. praying and influences of grace are woven through other, ver. 25. My ſoul cleaveth to the duſt, that is a work of the Lords gracious will of pleaſure; Quicken me according to thy word, that is a duty of praying according to his will of precept.

2. His gracious dealing of his will of pleaſure, is brought in as an argument to ingage the heart to pray for grace to a duty of the holy will of command. 73. Thy hands have made me and faſhioned me; give me underſtanding, that I may learn thy Commandments. v. 10. With my whole heart have I ſought thee, O let me not wander from thy commandments.

3. The acting of a duty according to the gracious will of precept, is made an argument why the Lord ſhould beſtow ſaving influences according to his will of pleaſure; to promote us in duties, Pſal. 119. 40. Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteouſneſs. 58. I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be mercifull to me according to thy word. v. 176. I have gone aſtray like a loſt ſheepe, ſeeke thy ſervant; for I doe not forget thy commandements.

4. Grace prayed for according to the will of pleaſure kindles fire for an ingaged heart to do a duty according to the Lord's holy will in his word. 33. Teach me O Lord the way of thy ſtatutes, and I ſhall keepe it to the end. 34. Give me underſtanding, and I ſhall keepe thy Law: Yea I ſhall obſerve it with my whole heart. That is, Lord lend me grace, and by that grace I ſhall repay duty; borrowed grace makes the ſoule a debter for duties. 32. I will run the way of thy commandements, when thou ſhalt enlarge my heart.

5. It's comfortable for ſtrengthening of faith, to lay before the Lord the victory of his grace, and the ſtrength of the temptation, broken by going on a duty. Hence a temptation; 23. Princes did ſit and ſpeake againſt me: but an influence of grace to do the duty broke the temptation. But thy ſervant did meditate in thy ſtatutes. 69. The proud have forged a lie againſt me. A ſtrong temptation; but its p. 382broken: but I ſhall keepe thy precepts with my whole heart. 81. My ſoule fainteth for thy ſalvation, but I hope in thy word.

So all along learn,Of the ſweet nearneſs betwixt love of the word and the word hid in the heart, Pſalm 119. v. 11. and ſpiritual influences.Ps 119:11 1. That our free and voluntary trading with grace bringeth home new ſhips of gold; and there is no danger of miſcarrying and ſhipwrack.

2. Being once by grace breathed on, we are to hold the wheels a going: grace puts the believer in a holy circle; and running begets more running, and the motion ends at us and begins at free grace.

3. The neareſt purchaſer of influences is prayer. ver. 35. Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments. 36. Incline my heart unto thy teſtimonies.

4. Grace given is a ſtrong argument to get more grace; as gold buyes more gold.

5. Though grace begin and prevene us, yet the Lord having once given the ſtock, ſpiritual want comes from ſpiritual ſluggiſhneſſe: we are willing to loſe the tyde and complain without cauſe of the ſeas motion.

6. The ordinary chariot and ſhip that carrieth the influences of grace is the Word of grace. David Pſal. 119. is ſick of love with the Word, Law, Teſtimonies. ver. 47. And I will delight my ſelf in thy Commandments which I have loved. 72. The law of thy mouth is better to me then thouſands of ſilver and gold. 97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. 103. How ſweet are thy words unto my taſte! yea, ſweeter then honey to my mouth. ver. 11, 20, 24, 46, 50, 52, 54, 70, 86, 92, 93, 96, 111, 113, 105, 159, 160, &c. and in that Pſalm the influences of the ſpirit go all along in every verſe, in a practical, loving, delightful, panting, lifting of the hands to the Commandments. v. 32. Ile run the ways of thy commandments. 34. Give me underſtanding, and I ſhall keep thy law: yea, I ſhall obſerve it with my whole heart. 45. I will walk at liberty; for I ſeek thy precepts. 44. Ile keep thy law continually. 60. I made haſt and delayed not to keep thy Commandments. 66. I have believed thy Commandments. 74. I have hoped in thy Word. 77. Thy Law is my delight. 81. My ſoul fainteth for thy ſalvation: but I hope in thy Word. 83. I forget not thy p. 383ſtatutes. 87. I forſook not thy precepts. 93. I will never forget thy precepts; for with them thou haſt quickned me, &c. all which hold forth, if you would have ſhowrs of influences of grace, be in love with the Word, and let it dwell plentifully in you; for look as influences of vigour and life, and heat upon roſes, flowrs, herbs, graſſe, apple-trees, vines, corn, go along with light and ſhining of the Sun, ſo do the influences of the ſpirit: and the ſpirit in his lively actings delights to be carried in the chariot of the Word, Cant. 4. 11. Thy lips, O my ſoul, drop as the honey-comb: honey and milk are under thy tongue, in regard of the precious promiſes of the Goſpel in the ſound miniſtry of the Church, and the ſavoury influences of the ſpirit that go along therewith; therefore he adds, the ſmell of thy garments is like the ſmell of Lebanon. Cant. 7. 9. And the roof of thy mouth is like the beſt wine, for my beloved that goeth down ſweetly, cauſing the lips of thoſe that are aſleep to ſpeak; (influences of the ſpirit of grace muſt go along with ſpeaking) ſuch as are ignorant of the Word, and loath the precious Goſpel and ſtumble at the Word, cannot receive influences of the ſpirit.

7. There is ſome admirable nearneſs of the word to influences, Pſal. 119. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart: that I might not ſin againſt thee. The word in the letter can keep no man from ſinning againſt God.

For it is 1.Of the word hidden in the heart. common to all, and if not received by ſaith, convinces and condemns.

Nor 2. can the habit of grace in the heart prevent ſinning, except ſinning unto death; but not ſuch ſinning as David might, or could, yea or did fall unto, adultery and murther, of which he was moſt afraid.

Nor 3. can the literal memory of the word hinder ſinning and yielding to dreadful temptations, though it be treaſured up in the memory.

Nor 4. ſpeaks he of the ſpirit, and inward word of the Swenckefieldians, Libertines, and the like, who forſake the rule of faith, the word, and depend upon wicked inſpirations: but by the word hidden in the heart, he muſt mean the Word of God, and the engraven Law of God, p. 384Pſal. 40. 8. Jer. 31. 33. not ſimply, but as it includes the word dwelling in the heart plentifully, Coloſſ. 3. 16. loved, Pſal. 116. 97, 103. eſteemed and prized highly, Pſal. 119. 72, 128. and believed, 92, 42, 43. and ſo ſeldomeo …never have any an high eſteem, or an habitual love and faith and hope in, and to the word: but influences to keep from ſin go along with that word ſo hidden in the heart, that look as the heavens, clouds, ſun, fail not to joyn their influences to the ſeed of vine-trees, roſes, plants of fig-trees; and nature goes along with birds to cheriſh and to warm eggs for the bringing forth of young birds: ſo, in ſome infallible way, by promiſe, God concurs with the ſo hidden word to produce faith, and love, and all acts of obedience: how much then does it concern theſe that move the queſtion, what ſhall we doe to fetch the wind, and to purchaſe influences of grace? to read, hear, conſider, love, praiſe, believe and choſe the Word as a treaſure.

8. Overcomed temptations have influences ſutable to graces victory, Pſal. 119. 23. Princes alſo did ſit and ſpeak againſt me: but thy ſervant did meditate in thy ſtatutes, v. 83, 69, 161, 141.

9.Felt deliverance wants not influences. Felt deliverances from the oppreſſion of man, v. 134. ſenſe of the lovelineſs and excellency of God want not influences, v. 68, & 132, 133.

3 As the earth and the things that grow thereon receive the Sun's influences, ſo doth the heart qualified with the habit of grace lodge heavenly influences, and the welltuned ſtring of the Harp and Viol cloſes ſweetly with the ſmiting of the pulſe, or hand of the Muſician; but the miſtuned ſtring ſtricken on makes diſcord, and receives no concord of muſick: the ſavoury and gracious heart welcomes the breathings of God, when the Spirit can no more act by his influences on a graceleſſe ſpirit, then a Muſician can play harmoniouſly on a broken Harp, or a miſtuned Reed.

Hence theſe evils of the heart obſtruct the influences of grace.

p. 3851. Hardneſs and blindneſs.

2. Ʋnbelief.

3. Deadneſſe.

4. Security.

5. Irreligious prophaneneſs. and Atheiſme.

6. Ʋnconſtancy.

7. Deceitfulneſſe.

8. Pride.

9. Worldly-mindedneſſe.

10. Fiery zeal.

11. Ʋncleaneneſſe.

12. Malice and hatred.

13. Worldly ſorrow.

14. Falſe joy.

15. Self-love.

16. Wilfull ignorance of the Goſpel & hatred of Chriſt.

17. Impatient fretting againſt Providence.

18. Diſordered thoughts and ignorance of God in Chriſt.

1. Blindneſs and hardening of the heart,As the light of faith and ſoftneſs eaſily admits an influence of grace, ſo hardneſs…ſ and rockine…s hardly receive any ſuch impreſſion. and Pharaoh's not ſetting his heart, Exod. 7. 23. on the miracle of turning the water of the river to blood; ſo that the fiſh in the river dyed, and the river ſtank, hinders influences of obedience, to let the people go, Exod. 8. 1, 2, 3. Matth. 13. 15. Their eyes have they cloſed, leſt at any time they ſhould ſee with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and ſhould underſtand with their heart, and ſhould be converted and I ſhould heal them; as if they were afraid for the ſaving influences of the ſaving grace of converſion: ſo men keep ſtrong forts, and imaginations againſt God beſieging them by the preached Goſpel, 2 Cor. 10. 5. 6. and will not have their thoughts led captives to the obedience of Chriſt. Whereas ſoftneſſe and tenderneſſe in Joſiah 2 Kings 22. 19, 20. brings ſtooping and ſelf-humiliation, and receives influences for repenting, weeping and renting the cloths before God; for what impreſſions of grace can the ſtone or rock, (and ſuch is the heart hardened, Ezech. 36. 26.) or the Adamant receive, Zech. 7. 12? temptations, ſigns and wonders do nothing at all to bring down the heart, Deut. 29. 3. keep thy heart in ſome ſoftneſſe and tenderneſſe, and then ſhall it receive ſmitings from God; for the very renting of the lap of the garment of an enemy, the not deſpiſing of the cauſe of a ſervant, whom the maſter may eaſily bear down; or the not warming of the loyns of the fatherleſſe, with the p. 386fleece of the flock, Job 31. 13, 20. in David and in Job have abundant influences of grace going along with them, and this ſeems an innocent negative: and when ſuch ſmall fins (ſo they appear to men) leave an impreſſion of remorſe, the heart is like melted wax that eaſily admits a figure and the print of an image of a man or a Lion; Influences are ſome way due to ſoftneſs of heart as grace to the lowly, rain and dew to meadows in the valley, Jam. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. Pſal. 25. 9.

2.2. Ʋnbelief obſtructs influences. As the light of faith leads every thought captive to the obedience of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10. 5, 6. ſo doth unbelief dull the heart. The news of Chriſt riſen again are idle tales to the Apoſtles, Luke 24. 11. Unbelievers are men who cannot be perſwaded, foreign; the Goſpel leaves as little impreſſion on the heart as a ſhip on the Sea, or an Eagle in the Air, where the light of faith leaves not a ſpiritual capacity for receiving the impreſſions of the Spirit of grace, and where unbelief reigns: and ſince unbelief hath conjoyned ſoftneſſe and a fainting at the face of great affliction, ſo as the heart is moved as the trees of the wood, Iſa. 7. 2. there is not a ſeat in it under ſuch ſoftneſs to receive influences for the noble and high actings of the courage of faith in withſtanding Kings and Princes, Prieſts, Prophets, and People, in ſubduing of Kingdoms, and in the believers godly hardening of himſelf as a wall of braſſe and a fenced City againſt all theſe; yea, againſt death and the grave, Jer. 1. 18. Cant. 8. 6, 7. Ezech. 3. 8, 9. Rom. 8. 35.

This is carefully to be obſerved,Influences of grace do no violence to the rational power of nilling and willing. that the influence of actual grace finds either in the habit of grace, or frames and makes in the heart a gracious aptneſſe and capacity to receive actual influences ſutable to the duties in hand, either of believing, patient and joyful ſuffering for the Lord, and ſuch like. As the Lord in his common influences with the Sun riſing and going down, the wind blowing, the Sea ebbing and flowing ſtraineth not, nor forceth the nature of ſecond cauſes, nor draws them as paſſive lumps to act againſt the particular inclination of nature, but carrieth along the natural active principles of the Sun, Wind, Sea, and ſuch like natural cauſes: ſo neither doth the Spirit of p. 387grace, by his actual influences, carry along the rational powers of knowing, believing, willing, as meer dead and paſſive blocks, as the Carpenter hewing lifteth an Axe and ſhaketh and moveth the Saw: but the Lord makes the ſutable active concurrences of ſinleſſe nature and of grace ſtirring in its influences to joyn together and accord friendly, connaturally, and without jarring, or violence done to nature, and ſo carries on the ſupernatural and gracious actings of obedience. And therefore as this point, with all getting get wiſedom, Prov. 4. 5, 6. Prov. 2. Incline the ear, apply the heart; cry, lift up the voice for knowledge, dig for wiſedom, as for ſilver and hid treaſures: and then look for influences, v. 9. then ſhalt thou underſtand (by way of practiſe, which cannot want influences of grace) righteouſneſs, and judgement, and equity (yea) every good path. And there is much in the walking by faith, the light of faith being the ſtar-light and the day-light ordering the motion; and beſide, which no objective light can doe, it inclines and weighs the ſoul to ſpiritual acting, and the Spirit muſt attend the ſtirring of ſaving light ſo inclining the heart with gracious influences.

3.3. Deadneſs hinders influences. When we give way to deadneſſe, and act literally, and carry on the bulk of praying, hearing, as willing to get the body of the work over, and wreſtle not for life and power in praying, and blow not upon the dead heart, to ſtir up the habit of grace, the Spirit withdraws and acts not on deadneſſe, as the Sun moves not vital ſpirits in a dead carrion, or dead corps, for there are none in it: the naked name of living profeſſours in the Church of Sardis, when it was but a name, is plagued with deadneſs, and ſo with withdrawing of influences, Revel. 3. 1. the Cocks clapping with the wings adds ſtrength to the crowing; ſhould we, if the iron be blunt, and the edge not whet, add and put too more ſtrength, Eccleſ. 10. 10. and ſeek life by ſtirring, as ſea-men, by ſayling about, ſeek and fetch wind, we ſhould increaſe warmneſſe of life, and hoiſed up ſails ſhould receive wind; for humble ſenſe of coldneſſe and deadneſſe and miſſing of life is a good ſign when it brings forth, Pſal. 119. the prayer ſo frequent; Quicken me, Quicken me: prayers uſed as p. 388Matins and Veſpers, and wandering of heart, and whoriſh gadding of the thoughts in private praying brings on deadneſſe: and as a Smith blows not the bellows on cold iron and cold fewel, where there is no ſparkle of kindling of fire at all, neither doth the North or the South-wind in heavenly influences blow upon ſuch hearts; Would ye have God to be more ſerious in his influences, when you are formal and not ſerious at all in the work?

4.4. Security obſtructs influences. Security obſtructs actings of grace: the Spouſe ſleeps, and Cant. 5. 2. the Spirit withdraws influences to open to the beloved: the Diſciples ſleep, when Matth. 26. Chriſt exhorts them to watch and pray: and can the Spirit breath upon a lying and ſleeping ſluggard? there is godly fear on the heart; but Peter and the reſt of the Diſciples in their ſhameful flight and ſtumbling at the ſufferings of Chriſt, after their fearleſſe and fleſhly undertaking, ſaying that they ſhould rather die then forſake him, prove that the ſpirits withdrawing, by which they fell in that ſin, goes along with ſecurity: we would watch and fear always; and the contrary of fearing alwayes is hardening of the heart, Prov. 28. 14. which infers a withdrawing of that enlightning and ſoftening grace. Where there is riſing at midnight to praiſe, Pſal. 119. 62. a preventing of the dawning of the morning to cry to God, Pſal. 119. 147. there muſt be a continued ſhowr of outlettings of influences of grace for the lengthening out of hoping all the day long: as when Chriſt cannot ſleep, but watches and prays when others ſleep, the life of this muſt hold forth a ſea of flowing in continued actings of grace in him.

5.5. Atheiſm obſtructs influences. A prophane heart, void of God, and filled with Atheiſme alſo obſtructs the flowings of the Spirit; ſo the wicked Pſal. 14. 4. call not upon the Lord; there is not an owning of a God to be worſhipped: Pſal. 14. 4. and the thing that goes along with that, is oppreſſion; they eat up my people as they eat bread: and what gracious influences can there be there, eſpecially when the Lord complains, They are corrupt, they have done abominable works. 3. They are all gone aſide, they are altogether become filthy, &c. and the root is Atheiſme: The fool hath ſaid in his heart, There p. 389is not a God. God breathes not in his influences on ſuch as deny there is a God, till he firſt blow away the influences of Satan, who would darken and blot out the ingraven notions of a Godhead; becauſe Satan cannot be an Atheiſt himſelf, he would make the world ſpeculative Atheiſts, (but becauſe he cannot do this) he fills the world with practical Atheiſts; it can neither be blotted out of the heart of damned men nor divels, but a God and Judge there is; but men live without God, as if there were not a God, and theſe two ſpecies of Atheiſm are dreadful,

foreign.

Atheiſts without God creator. 1. When men laugh at a God-head that created all, and live by Policy, as State-Atheiſts. Or,

2. By Reaſon, as moral Atheiſts; or by Nature, as many Philoſophers and ſome Phyſitians; ſuch are dead and dry rocks, never rained on by influences, ſeldome while the skaddings of the river and ſtreams of brimſtone waken them are they out of a ſleep; for influences on the creature in all its operations, eſpecially in theſe of grace, are moſt proper actings of holy providence: he who denies there is ſuch a thing in the world as fire, or a Sun, muſt deny that there is heat and light in the world. But the other ſort of Atheiſts, without Chriſt, God Immanuel, are more inexcuſable; as a Goſpel-Atheiſt is farther from influences of grace then a Pagan-Atheiſt, as is clear from Matth. 10. 15. Matth. 11. 22, 23, 24. Matth. 12. 41, 42. becauſe farther from ſalvation; how few have been converted who were firſt temporary hypocrites, and long deſpiſers of the Goſpel? 2. who have been long moral naturaliſts; and 3. long bitter and virulent enemies to the Goſpel and the godly, though otherways grave and civil? Be much in believing that God is, Heb. 11. that leads the way to the noble actings of faith in Abel, v. 4. Enoch, v. 5. Noah, v. 7. Abraham, v. 8. &c. and the faith that God is, and rules, and is good to Iſrael, and that he puniſheth wicked men though he make them rich, leads the Prophet to the faith of God, his gracious providence in guiding the godly by his counſel, in holding them by the right hand, Pſam 73. 1, 2, 3, &c. 23, 24, 25.

p. 3906. The inconſtancy of affections obſtruct influences; even now Martha believed, and then, Lord, he ſtinketh, for he hath lain four days, John 11. 27, 39. The ebbing and flowing of the Sea, the waxing of the Moon, the full Moon, the declining of it, the article of the change, have all divers and contrary influences on our bodies, on diſeaſes, on living, dying, birth and health; and ſo may we judge of influences from the ſuddain changes of the heart. As

1. It may be taken away, Hoſ. 4. 11. ſtollen away, 2 Sam. 15. 6. and as moveables can be ſtollen away and hid, though lands legally by fraud may be ſtollen away,6. The hearts unconſtancy doth much obſtruct the influences of God. yet phyſically they cannot be hid; ſo the love and benſil of the heart may and can be ſtollen away, and when hearts are from under the poſſeſſion of the right owner, the Lord our God, they are not under his influences, when they are not in his world and Kingdom of grace, but in Satans power; hearts benighted are from under the influence of the Sun, and therefore cannot receive the rays and beams of the Sun in the night.

2. Except the Lord purſue even renewed hearts, they are not the ſame to cloſe with influences now as they were the other hour.

3. The various words uſed by the Scripture, As

1. Bewitching of the hearts, and charming the Galatians from the ſound doctrine of Juſtification through faith only Gal. 3. 1. to Juſtification by works, prove that influences that take yeſterday will not take to day, for they were hot in running, and then cold in ſitting down, Gal. 5. 7. Deut. 19. 6. while the avenger of blood, his heart is hot. The Galatians were willing to pluck out their eyes of late for Paul, and now their affection to him being ſoured, they look on him as an enemy, for he telleth them the neceſſary and lovely truth, Gal. 4. 15, 16.

2. The heart is a thing that may be bowed, 2 Sam. 19. 14. the metaphor is known to the learned, it may be allured and inticed with fair words, 1 Cor. 2. 4. yea, the whole ſoul may be bought and ſold, as Merchants goods, with fair words. 2 Pet. 2. 3. Falſe teachers, through covetouſneſs, ſhall with faigned well decked word, as exquiſitely dreſſed as hair, make merchandiſe of you.

p. 3913. The heart may be turned as ſtreams of a river drawn thorow this part of the land, or this part, Prov. 21. 1. and from nilling to willing, as the Lord thinks fit, according to Gods will of precept, is often the falling of the Church of Epheſus ſinfully from their firſt ſpiritual love, Revel. 2. 4. and the turning from good to evil.

4. The heart may be ingaged, Jer. 30. 21. glued and made to ſtick to ſuch an object, Pſalm 119. 31. given up and delivered, Eccleſ. 2. 1, 2, 3. Eccleſ. 1. 13. 2 Chron. 20. 3. ſet and fixed to ſuch a way, Judg. 13. 3. Judg. 5. 9. touched and moved, 1 Sam. 10. 26. ſtirred to ſuch a work, Ezech. 1. 1. and then as the Sun in the Spring and Summer, coming neer the earth, makes more excellent effects on it then the Sun farther off in Winter; when the Lord comes neer, he works otherways on the heart then he doth in his abſence; all which with divers other words ſay it's not eaſie to lie under and receive the influences of God; the gardens and meddows ſtir not out of their place, the vine-trees, the corn and graſs in mountains, valleys, vineyards, flee not away from the falling of wind and dew, and the aſpect and dartings of heat and beams from Sun and Heavens: But ah, unſtable hearts, which withdraw from under the actings of the Spirit, and weary of prayer, hearing; whereas the eſtabliſhing of the heart with ſavoury diſpoſitions, and delighting in the word fetch home influences, as Pſalm 119. cleareth.

7. The deſperate wickedneſs and deceitfulneſs of the heart,7. Heart-deceitfulneſs obſtructs influences. Jer. 17. 9. puts the Prophet to ſpeak to God, v. 13. O Lord, the hope of Iſrael, all that forſake thee ſhall be aſhamed. Influences then muſt be withdrawn from deceitful workers; and if the heart be deceitful above all things, then in ſome regard it's deceiful above Satan, as being a heart-deceiving and murdering of our own ſouls, beyond the privity of Satan, we boyling in the ſecret furnace of the heart many naughty thoughts that are unknown to Satan; and who knows the hypocriſie of the heart? and what way God plagues hypocriſie with farther hypocriſie, and by all ſins? heart-deceitfulneſs is within it ſelf a rooting of it ſelf: now this deceitfulneſs being ſo contrary p. 392to ſincere and ſingleneſs of heart muſt be uncapable of influences, for the upright and ſincere heart, and truth in the inward parts, Pſalm 51. 6. is deſired and loved, Pſal. 11. 7. Pſal. 146. 8. exceedingly by the Lord, as moſt like himſelf. Pſalm 11. 7. The righteous Lord loveth righteouſneſs, his countenance doth behold the upright. And ſo as every thing loveth its own, the hen warms and cheriſhes her chickens, and every bird the young ones; ſo muſt the Lord follow with heavenly and quickning influences ſincerity of heart, when he particularly ſaith to them, Pſalm 32. 11. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoyce ye righteous, and ſhout for joy all ye that are upright in heart. The Lord muſt then follow his own planting, (for the loving of the Lord Jeſus in ſincerity, and the girdle of truth about the loins, is a part of the armour of God, Epheſ. 6. 14.) with pruning, hedging, digging, and ſhowres from heaven, whereas upon the heart unrenewed and ſtill deceitful, there ſhall fall no rain; nor is a deceitful heart more capable of lively influences, then thick groſs miſty air can admit of wind, or then a torch ſteeped in mire and dirt is in capacity to receive light and flaming; and ſuppoſe (which yet is not poſſible) God ſhould ſend ſaving influences on an unrenewed and deceitful heart, remaining ſuch, yet could not ſuch a poyſoned ſtem bud and bring forth acts of ſaving grace; as the thorn tree in the fatteſt and choiſeſt ſoil neer the Sun, under influences of a warm heaven, benign clouds, a ſweet moderate aire, could never bring forth delicious wine, grapes, or pomegranates: prevaricators, hypocrites, and all double-minded halters betwixt the Lord and Baal ſhall rot in their ſoil, and be as the heath in the wilderneſs, and receive nothing of the actings of God; the Lord is far from their reins, Jer. 12. 2. God is not in all their thoughts. Pſalm 10. 4. Salvation is far from the wicked: and what are then the influences of God on them? for they ſeek not thy ſtatutes, Pſal. 119. 155. but David, v. 156. Quicken thou me according to thy judgements.8. Pride obſtructs influences, humility capacitates to receive them.

8. Pride hindereth not a little the out-goings of the Spirit; the proud ſoul is the fallow ground, the unbroken and unplowed earth, and what can be hoped of wheat p. 393or a barley harveſt from rain and dew, and influences of Sun, air and clouds, where the plough never broke the earth, and the Husbandman did ſow nothing? but as for the humble and humbled broken and meekned man, influences are his by the promiſe of God (O that is a great and an unchangable thing) Pſal. 25. 9. The meek will he guide in judgement, and the meek will he teach his way. None can be guided and taught practically to walk in the way of God, but theſe who are acted by influences of grace; Chriſt thanks the Father becauſe he reveals the myſteries of the Kingdom to babes or young children, Matth. 11. 25. and James 4. 6. But he giveth more grace, God reſiſteth the proud, and giveth grace (and ſo influences of grace, and more influences of grace) to the humble. 1 Pet. 5. 5. And ſee

2. As the Lord and his ſervant nature hath provided a providence more active and careful in parents for ſuck and milk to infants, and for food to weaned children, who are as paſſive as ſtones in providing for themſelves; ſo doth the Lord rain in a more abundant providence influences of grace on the meekned and broken ſpirit. Low valleys lying toward the Sun kindly receive dew and rain, mountains not ſo.

3. If the bones be of new broken and hot, and the wound green, the tender hand of Chriſt lovingly and compaſſionately binds up ſuch broken ones. Iſa. 61. 1. Pſal. 147. 3. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds: and bones eaſily know their own place of bones when his hand puts them in place.

4. Iron is the ſtrongeſt and hardeſt of mettals, yet being hot in the furnace receiveth any impreſſion or figure, and bones yield to the ſmiting of the hammer, which it doth not when it's cold and ſtiff: when the croſs hath graciouſly melted and ſoftened the ſoul, then it receives influences of grace, and is ready to receive, as Saul, Act. 9. 6. trembling and a…toniſhed, ſaid, Lord, what wilt thou have me to doe? The proud ſelf arrogant ſpirit will not receive nor lodge impreſſions of grace from heaven; be not then high-minded, but fear, otherways there ſhall be no rain on you, and you ſhall not be ingraffed in Chriſt.

p. 3949. Worldly mindedneſs and ſavouring of the things of the fleſh keeps the ſoul both under deadneſs and diſtance from God the light of glory,9 Worldly mindedneſs obſtructs influences, and heavenly mindedneſs promoves it. and the heart and converſation in heaven brings forth that which hath a ſtrong influence of grace with it, Phil. 3. 20, 21. We look from heaven for our Saviour the Lord Jeſus, who ſhall change our vile body, that it may be faſhioned like unto his glorious body, when the ſoul is in heaven, and we all (2 Cor. 3. 18.) with open face beholding, as in a glaſs, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame image from glory to glory, even as by the ſpirit of the Lord, we are neer to the receiving of the aſpects of the glorified Redeemer; But ſuch as mind earthly things, whoſe God is their belly, Phil. 3. 19. can no more receive influences of grace then earth-worms, or the Serpent that eateth the duſt; neither can heaven and the life to come have an impreſſion in the gracious influences of God upon a wretched man, who worſhips clay and hath no heaven but gold; how can influences of God be received in the heart of an Idolater? Heavens glory upon the ſoul is ſo tranſparent, that bread and hunger had no influence upon Moſes for forty days, when he was in the mount with God, and then rays and influences of glory could not but beſweetly received on the ſoul: it's clear in ſuch as ſtand and live before the throne, who are under the eternally ſhining ſummer Sun, and receive eternally influences of glory, Rev. 7. 15. the Lamb leading them, they ſerve God night and day in his Temple, v. 16. and ſee his face, Rev. 22. 4. and reign for ever and ever, v. 5. and the Diſciples forgot bread and garments, yea and houſes for themſelves to dwell in (for the three tabernacles were for Chriſt, and Moſes, and Elias, not to ſhelter them from froſts and rain, and hail, for they feared not the like injuries to glorified bodies) the Diſciples ſay, It's good for us to be here; and ſo it's good for us to part with houſes, with ſhips, with fiſhing, with nets, with plucking of ears of corn, or buying of bread, yea it's good to part with Ordinances, preaching to the Jews or Gentiles, with working of miracles, healing the ſick, or caſting out of divels, influences of glory were as connaturally received p. 395in the ſoul that is neer God, and heavenly minded, as the Moon and Stars receive light from the Sun, and dry fewel receives fire where clay and the earthy and droſy, part of the Lords creation, and his foot-ſtool, can receive no light at all; ſo if earthly mindedneſs have fixed a ſeat in the affections, the ſpirit of grace and glory cannot ſhine through groſs and earthy hearts; give us corn, wine and oyl, and the influences of the lovely countenance of God ſay worldlings, we do little value; whereas it is night and winter, and hell for a child of God, when the Lord withdraws influences of faith and feeling, loving, rejoycing and neer communion with God; worſhippers of God never miſs gracious influences: when the ſoul is ſick after Chriſt, influences of God, for the high praiſe of Chriſt, abound, Cant. 5. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, &c. and Pſal. 63. 1. when the ſoul thirſteth for God, and the heart and fleſh cry out for the living God, Pſal. 88. 1, 2. and the ſoul panteth, as the hart for the water brooks, for God, Pſal. 42. 1. (which are crying ſigns of a heart in heaven) then influences of grace, like an high ſpring-tyde, and like a full river, flow moſt abundantly, even to the ſatisfying of the ſoul as with marrow and fatneſs, and to the tongue praiſing of God with joyful lips, and the remembring of God in the bed, in the night-watches, Pſal. 63. 4, 5, 6. and to the extolling of the Lord as God and King, Pſal. 88. 1, 2, 3. and the breaking of the heart and bones when God is reproached, Pſal. 42. 3, 10.

10.10. Fiery baſtard zeal hinder influences. Fiery zeal hinder influences; burn the Samaritans with fire from heaven, ſay the Diſciples. O Paul (ſay fiery followers of the Law) would deſtroy the Law of God, and have Chriſt and grace all; but received ye the ſpirit (or his influences) by the Law? ye know not the wild-fire of revenge and the ſpirit of anger that leads you, ſaith Chriſt to the Diſciples, even to the mild beloved diſciple John, Luke 9. 54. Come (ſaith Jehu) and ſee my zeal for the Lord, liar, come ſee my zeal for Jehu, and for Jehu his new Kingdom; but there were here no influences of the ſpirit of grace, for 2 Kings 10. 31. Jehu took no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of Iſrael with all his heart; p. 396for he departed not from the ſins of Jeroboam, which made Iſrael to ſin. Therefore Jehu his fire in killing Baal's prieſts, and Achab's ſeed, being from falſe principles, carnall and ſelfe ends, and called by the holy Ghoſt. Hoſ. 1. 4. blood-ſhed and murder to be avenged of God, muſt come from baſtard influences. And when our ſaviour rights the fire of zeale in John and James, he condemnes the Spirit and the influences that made them ſo brutiſhly to ſtartle, Luke 9. 55.

2. He reduces them to the faith and ſound believing of his coming in the world, which was to ſave mens lives, not to deſtroy them, v. 56. it's a notable healing of the too hot blood, that is in fierie zeale to believe ſoundly the meekneſs of Chriſt; therefore would hot and wild-fire influences be well tried whence they come, from Heaven or from Hell: for ſo ſome who kill the Lords Apoſtles, judge then if ſparkles of fire can come from heaven, John 16. 2. when it is nothing ſo. Ophni and Phinehas are publickly zealous for the Lord; Moſes meek in the injury done to him by Miriam, and by Core and Dathan, and his, is fiery againſt the golden calf in the Lords cauſe; hence influences from God ſet them a work, and eat them up as zeal for the Lords houſe eat up David, Pſalm 69. 9. Pſalm 119. 139. and Chriſt, John 2. 17.

11. Fleſhly uncleanneſs put them of Sodom to mock and perſecute Lot a preacher of righteouſneſs, Gen. 19. 9. and their not hearing of Lot prove their influences were not of God. The holy Ghoſt clears to us that David, 2 Sam. 11. all along was carried by no ſaving influences, for there we find 1. His idleneſs. 2. His ſluggiſhneſs, in ſleeping in day light, when the Ark and people of God were in the fields.11. An unclean heart cannot receive influences of the Spirit. 3. His adultery. 4. His ſending for Ʋriah to cover the matter. 5. His cauſing Ʋriah to be drunk. 6. His bloody letter to Joab to kill Ʋriah. 7. His bloodſhed. 8. His Atheiſtical talking the ſtate of the war. 9. Whereas David mourned for the death of Saul and Abner his enemies, and his not looking with godly trembling on workes of divine juſtice in the Army, he paſſeth this over as a chance of war, in all which the ſpirit that led him in compoſing p. 397heavenly Prayers and Pſalms was now far away: What actings of the Spirit can ſwine and dogs receive from God? 2 Pet. 2. 12. 22. O but a clean hearth-ſtone, and a chaſte, holy and clean houſe would be kept for the kindlings and flamings of the holy Ghoſt. See Tit. 2. 3, 4. 1 Theſſ. 4. 2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 6. 19, 20. let the holy Ghoſt, his temple that he dwells in, be neat, pure, undefiled, for influences are the breathings of the Spirit, and the holy Spirit breaths not on bruite beaſts, and on ſlaves to the luſt of the fleſh.

12.12. Malice and bitterneſs obſtructs the influences of God. Malice and hatred, called man-ſlaughter, 1 Joh. 3. 15. muſt bemiſt the ſoul, and darken and benight, or overnight both conſcience, mind, will, and affections; and ſo as ſtones or rocks, or the ſea ſands can receive no influences from Sun and clouds to bring forth wheat and barley, neither can the heart ſtuffed with malice, for the very incapacity of the ſoil is the cauſe why ſuch ground cannot cloſe with ſuch impreſſions and influences of God. 2 Sam. 23. 1. The Spirit of the Lord ſpake by me, (there muſt be quickning influences) his word was in my tongue. The man that ruleth in the fear of the Lord ſhall be as the light of the morning when the Sun riſeth, a morning without a cloud, as the tender graſs ſpringing out of the earth by clear ſhining after rain. The juſt Prince and Ruler, full of love and mercy to the people of God, and full of righteouſneſs, is like a morning without a cloud, that hath clear influences of a ſhining Sun; the Lord quickning him with light of love, mercy and righteouſneſs to the people whom he feeds, that he is as the earth receiving from the influence of the Sun, clouds and rain warmneſs that caſteth up tender graſs and corn. But v. 6. The ſons of Belial ſhall be all of them as thorns thruſt away, becauſe they cannot be taken with hands. 7. But the man that ſhall touch them muſt be fenced with iron, and the ſtaff of a ſpear, and they ſhall be utterly burnt with fire in the ſame place. Then malice reigns ſo in wicked men, that if a man touch them, and keep ſociety with them in duties of love, they bleed the hands of theſe that touch them as briars and thorns doe, except the hands be fenced with iron and ſteel. He notes the Nations to whom David and Joſhua offered peace, but they blood the people of God; p. 398and prepare war, as is clear in the Ammonites to whom David ſent a meſſage of love, and they came againſt him with the ſword and war; now they are ſuch thorns as are for the fire, ſaith David, and that they may be burnt, they require no influences of Sun and rain. Prov. 4. 17. They eat the bread of wickedneſs, and drink the wine of violence. Acts of hatred are their meat and drink, and what influences of the ſpirit can their way, which is the way of darkneſs, v. 19. require? Rom. 3. 15. Their feet are ſwift to ſhed blood—for v. 17. the way of peace they have not known, and there is no fear of God before their eyes. Be meek and gentle as Chriſt, Iſa. 42. 2, 3. Iſa. 53. 7. a lamb dumb before the ſhearer, Luke 23. 34. 2 Cor. 10. 1. and that holy meek one lay neer the Sun and the influences of the Spirit. Iſa. 11. 2. The Spirit of the Lord ſhall reſt on him, the Spirit of wiſedom and underſtanding, the ſpirit of counſel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord, Joh. 3. 34. for God giveth not the Spirit by meaſure to him, neither acteth the Holy Ghoſt in his ſweet breathings on bloody and cruel hearts of perſecutors.

13.13. Worldy ſorrow obſtructs influences. Wordly ſorrow counterworketh ſound repentance and godly carefulneſſe, holy defences, holy anger againſt our ſelves, godly fear, vehement deſire, zeal for God, revenge, ſuch by which we are not to be ſatisfied with our ſelves, who have committed ſuch wickedneſſe: now all theſe require influences of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 7 9, 10, 11.

2. The Law-Spirit of bondage being helliſh fear, Rom. 8. 15. and muſt be another ſpirit, then the witneſſing ſpirit, and the influences of the one different from the other: as good wheat, that comes of the plowing and ſowing of the husband-man, and wild corn that comes from no plowing or husbandry; but ſuch wild oats grow of their own accord in mountains and in the houſe-tops, Rom. 8. 15, 16, 17.

3. The hypocritical ſorrow of Eſau weeping for the bleſſing, and yet ſaying in his heart, he would kill his brother, could have no influences of the Spirit, Geneſ. 27. 38, 41. for heart-prophanneſs which was in Eſau, Geneſ. 25. 32. Heb. 12. 16, 17. cannot conſiſt with ſaving influences: and Malach. 2. 13. the covering of the Altar with tears, crying p. 399and weeping to God was baſtard ſorrow, for they married the daughter of a ſtrange God: and compare David's godly ſorrow, Pſal. 51. wherein he ſeeks the new heart and the free Spirit to be reſtored to him (there were there ſtrong influences of the Spirit) with his weeping and mourning for Abſolom, when he was killed: and the difference is clear; this latter ſeems to be but a wordly ſorrow; ſuch as mourn exceſſively for their dead friends 1 Theſ. 4. 13. baniſh the Spirit of faith and hope, which cheareth the heart, with the comfort of the laſt reſurrection. Much ſorrow ſpent on (it's a caſe of conſcience to be remembred) the death of a father, brother, husband, wife, children, loſs of goods, argues a carnal mind, and blunteth the ſtirrings of the Spirit: conſider Martha her grief for her dead brother, and her unbelief, in tying the not dying of her brother to Chriſt's preſence bodily as man, John 11. 21. and her ſorrow well near drowns her faith, ver. 39, 40.

14.14. Falſe joy obſtructs influences. Falſe joy in corn, wine and oyl, in full barns, Pſalm 4. 7. Luke 12. 19. in the pleaſant things of a preſent world muſt not a little oppoſe the Spirit in his influences, for where that joy is unrenewed, and full and extream at only that which is a worldly good thing, the ſpirit is yet carnal, and no ſaving influences can be there; in the regenerate the affections are like two contrary rivers, when the one river is full at the flowing in of the ſea, the river in the contrary coaſt is low and ebb; ſo joy, ſorrow, love, deſire, &c. as the Spirit prevails, Rom. 7. as the fleſh prevails in its motion, ſo are they up in their fleſhly exorbitancies, and low in their motions and flowings toward God, v. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. but the joy ſpiritual at the coming and receiving of the Goſpel, Acts 8. 5, 6, 7, 8. the joy of believing, Rom. 15. 13. the joy of the hope of glory, Rom. 5. 2. Matth. 5. 12. the Joy in the mideſt of heavineſs, if need be for a ſeaſon, which is unſpeakeable and full of glory, 1. Pet. 1. 6, 7, 8. the joy in ſuffering under reproaches, and the ſpoyling of our goods, Heb. 10. 33, 34. Acts 5. 41. 1 Theſ. 3. 9. the Joyingin Chriſtian walking Phil. 4. 4. the joy of the holy Ghoſt Rom. 14. 17. and the like, are all fruits of the ſpirit, and have neceſſarily conjoyned with them p. 400heavenly influences to receive the Goſpel, Acts 8. to beleive with peace of mind, Rom. 15. 13. to hope for glory, Rom. 5. 2. Matth. 5. 12. to be comforted under heavineſs, even to love the holy afflicter, 1 Pet. 1. 5, 8. to all patience in ſuffering, Heb. 10. 33, 34. Acts 5. 41. to walke chearfully in our Chriſtian courſe, Phil. 4. 4, 5. all which muſt be wanting in the falſe and baſtard joy of the world; and the like may be ſaid of deſire, the more men waſte their deſires in worldly objects, the leſs of the Spirit have they; as theſe two are excellently conjoyned, Pſalm 73. 24. Thou ſhalt guide me by thy counſels, and afterward receive me to glory. Influences in perſeverance in the way of God, by Gods counſelling and leading, are here inſinuated; and beſide that a ſpiritual deſire, v. 25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and in the Earth (there is) none I deſire beſide thee.

15.15. Self-love obſtructs influences. Self-love is a note of Apoſtates in the laſt days, 2 Tim. 3. 2. and of men in the ſtate of nature, where ſelf-love prevails above the love of God; (for natural men make themſelves the god of gods, and the god of their falſe gods, Exod. 20. 4. Judg. 2. 19. Pſalm 81. 8. Amos 5. 26. Hoſ. 13. 2.) there be men who make themſelves their laſt end, it's contrary to all true holineſs and ſanctification, and ſo to all acts and influences of the Spirit; for it is the proper work of the Spirit to make us holy, and he bears the name of the holy Ghoſt, and of the ſpirit of ſanctification upon that reaſon; and therefore where ſelf is the mans god, what room is left to holineſs, and to the influences of grace? and where the love of God is ſpread abroad in the heart by the holy Ghoſt, which is given Rom. 5. 5. and hath a ſeat in the heart, John 21. 15. John 14. 15. Deut. 10. 12. Deut. 6. 4, 5, 6. Deut. 30. 6. as the habitual fear of God hath alſo; what doubt is there but the Lord ſhall joyn actual influences of grace to his owne ſpiritual habits? which ſhould put us to ſelf-denial, and to be leſs wedded to the love of our ſelves, and more to love the Lords Word, Law and Teſtimonies, Pſalm 119. 11, 47, 72, 97, 127, 128, &c. to love Jeſus Chriſt, his cauſe and Goſpel more then our own life, Matth. 16. 25, 26. then houſes, brethren, ſiſters, p. 401father, mother, wife, children or lands, Matth. 19. 29. Matth. 10. 37. Luke 14. 26. and where this habit of love prevailing in the heart is, the Lord denies not actual influences to his own ſincere followers, and ſtrength of grace to ſeal his truth with their blood, Rev. 12. 10, 11. Heb. 11. 33, 34, 35. Heb. 10. 32, 33, 34. and when ſelf-confidence and ſelf-love, and carnal fear of loſing life preſent prevails by reaſon of a temptation; as is clear in Peter and the Diſciples, who deny and forſake Chriſt contrary to their undertaking, Matth. 26. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, v. 56, 69, 70, 71, &c. the Lord juſtly withdraws the influences of his ſpirit.

16. The ignorance of the Goſpel, and the loathing of Chriſt,16. Ignorance of the Goſpel and hatred of Chriſt obſtruct the influences of the Spirit. renders all Pagans who hear the rumour of Chriſt but receive him not, and all Reprobates within the viſible Church in a worſe condition then rocks and deſarts are in, for Sun, clouds and rain ſend influences in them, but the malignity and drineſs, and coldneſs of the ſoil is the cauſe why they do not ſpring and bloſſome as the gardens and meddows; but though the Lord ſend common helps to ſuch Pagans and unbelievers, yet it is juſtice that the Spirit in his influences ſhould be a ſtranger to ſuch as live ſtrangers to the Son of God, for the Son and Spirit go not contrary ways to their operations. Carnal profeſſors who ſtudy only a form of godlineſs, and aim not at the power of godlineſs, and do but bear the bare letters and outward bulk of baptiſm, and the ſound of the word preached, and hate Chriſt, and perſecute the godly that are choſen by him out of the world, come under the name of the world, who cannot receive the Spirit nor his influences, John 14. 17. and have a ſpirit of their own, the ſpirit of the world, 1 Cor. 2. 12. this ſpirit is their tutor and guide; and ſuch as are out of Chriſt are led by the prince of the power of the air, the ſpirit that now worketh in the children of diſobedience, Epheſ. 2. 2. and are taken captive by him at his will, 2 Tim. 2. 26. Now can theſe two ſpirits, the Spirit of God and the Divel lodge in one and the ſame dwelling, and exerciſe their ſeveral operation on the ſame ſoul? No.

p. 40217.17. Wreſtling againſt providence obſtruct the influences of God: The ſad freatings and wreſtlings at the providence of God incapacitates men for influences of grace: thrice Pſalm 78. the people are ſaid to tempt the Lord, and eſpecially in asking meat for their luſt, v. 18. can he provide fleſh for his people? v. 20. and the Spirit of the Lord ſo tempted, lets not out his ſweet and ſaving influences upon ſuch as wreſtle with his holy diſpenſations; was there more of the Spirit letten out to Iſrael for murmuring at the red ſea or leſs? yea leſs, Exod. 15. for after that they murmured again at Morat, Exod. 14. and in the wilderneſs of Sin, Exod. 16. 1. yea, forty years in the wilderneſs, Pſal. 95. 9, 10. They tempted God, and did erre in heart; and that with their firſt murmuring in Egypt, was a provoking cauſe of Gods withdrawing his Spirit: all theſe forty years is called v. 8. The day of temptation; for to tempt God is a great wickedneſs; he who welcomes all diſpenſations with godly ſubmiſſion, and can bow to his Lords will, and caſhier and lay aſide his own, as the man Chriſt, nevertheleſs not my will, but thy will be done, Matth. 26. 39. under the greateſt ſuffering that poſſibly could be on created fleſh, as he who is moſt holily paſſive to ſuffer the will of God, is moſt holily capacitate to receive the holy, ſpotleſs, active influences of grace, as was the holy thing Jeſus, a wide and capacious veſſel, as the wiſedom of Angels and men can imagine, in whom was all fulneſs of grace: be then humble and ſubmiſſively flexible and bowable to the Lords will, in his decrees and revealed will, and the Lord ſhall dwell with you, and look toward you, Iſa. 57. 15. Iſa. 66. 2. But what are all theſe to fetch the wind of the Spirits breathings? for you muſt have a wind to fetch this wind, a new predetermination and influence of grace to all theſe duties of heavenly ſoftneſs. 2. Faith. 3. Livelineſs. 4. Watchfulneſs, &c. oppoſite to hardneſs of heart. 2. To unbelief. 3. To deadneſs. 4. To ſecurity, &c. and ſo we give (ſay the adverſaries) nothing that we can reſt on for the acquiring and purchaſing of influences of grace, but we muſt lie dead as paſſive lumpes (ſay the Libertines and Calviniſts what they pleaſe on the contrary) that influences begin, and we follow is moſt neceſſary,

p. 403For 1. The Lord bows, moves, draws, and then in the ſame moment of time the will follows, runs, inclines it ſelf, as Pſalm 119. v. 36. compared with v. 112. Cant. 1. 4. draw me, we will run; it's here firſt the wind blows, and the tyde flows, and then we ſail.

2. If grace prevene nature, and nature prevene not grace, ſo we muſt ſay.

3. If we pray for the influences of grace, as every page almoſt of Scripture teacheth us, ſo we muſt teach.

4. Otherways ſalvation and ſtirrings in the ways of God muſt begin at nature and at us; ſo ſhall we ſay againſt all ſenſe, the corn grows to the end the Sun may ſhine and warm the earth, and the dew and the rain may fall on the graſs and corn, and the ſea-men ſail to the end that the wind may blow? whereas the contrary is true, the Sun muſt ſend influences that the corn may grow.

Anſw. We ſhall be moſt unwilling to ſide with curſed Libertines, for what can be in ſtrength of reaſon ſaid againſt us comes to this,

If God firſt, before we ſtir, muſt bow and predetermine our ſouls to good before we can act and ſtir, then are all influences of grace above our reach abſolutely; and then fare well free-will, for he who bows irreſiſtibly our free-will, and firſtly to that point of contradiction to willing rather then nilling, choſing rather then refuſing, he muſt domineer over free-will, and make it a meer paſſive lump.

Anſw. If God firſt by order of nature, but in the ſame moment of time, muſt ſtir and bow our ſouls to holy duties, before our ſouls can act and ſtir themſelves, then muſt God domineer over free-will, and make it a meer paſſive lump in acting it, it's palpably falſe; For firſt, by order of nature, though together in order of time, prius tempore, ſimul natura, the Lord ſtirs and determines the Sun to riſe and go down, Pſalm 104. 19, 20. Job 9. 7, 8. Send an Eaſt-wind to blow in heaven, and by his power bring a South-wind, Pſalm 78. 26. Looſe the bands of the wild Aſs, and cauſe him to dwell in the barren wilderneſs, Job 39. 5, 6. Cauſes the Hawke, by his wiſedome, to ſtretch his wings toward the North rather then the South, and commands the Eagle to p. 404mount up at his command, God by his influences firſt acts, and we in the ſame moment of time follow him, and act under him and no violence is here.and make her neſt in the rocke, v. 27, 28. And ſay to the ſnow be thou on the earth, Job 37. 6. and ſtir and determine all cauſes naturall before they ſtir themſelves; yet the Sun in moving, the Wind in blowing, the Eagle in flying, the Snow in falling on the earth, are not for that meer patients, or paſſive lumps in acting, but have their own activity in their motion; the holy Lords dominion over the operations of ſecond cauſes natural or free, neither ſtrains nor doth violence to the one ſort of cauſe nor to the other, but it belongeth to the perfection of the Lords holy dominion, and perfect providence to maſter and rule all cauſes and creatures in being and working.

2. Therefore as the Lords dominion determines the Sun to riſe and move, rather then not to riſe, and the Hawke and Eagle to flie toward the North, rather then not to flie toward the North; he deſtroys not the nature of neceſſary and natural cauſes, ſo we muſt not bid farewel to the natural operation of the one kind of cauſes rather then the other.

3. If God firſt, before we ſtir and bow our ſouls, as Ethical, moral, knowing, and conſidering cauſes, muſt move, ſtir and determine our ſouls to good, then are all influences of grace above our reach abſolutely, and then farewel free-will; there is no neceſſity of the one connexion more then the other, for the Lords firſt bowing of our ſouls by order of nature, before our ſouls bow themſelves to good▪ the ſoul being a moral, knowing, and conſidering cauſe, as not one, but many Scriptures, Pſal. 119. 59, 30, 55, 52, 92. Hag. 1. 5. Hoſ. 7. 2. Pſalm 41. 1. Prov. 6. 6. Prov. 24. 32, &c. prove, ſhall never conclude that, for the Lord ſo bows and determines our ſouls in all our moral actings, as that he leaves the ſoul to judge, know, conſider, eſteem, ponder, and weigh in the action, right and lawful, wrong and unlawful, what is acceptable to God, what is diſpleaſing to God, and what is the conſequent of the action, whether reward or puniſhment, Heaven or Hell; and if ſo, the ſoul hath virtually, and in the conſequent, in its power the foregoing influences of grace, to have them or want them willingly and delightfully.

p. 4054. If the Lord muſt ſtir and determine the ſoul to holy and free actings, ſo as except he turn, move and incline the will, we can do nothing, Prov. 21. 1. Ezech. 11. 19, 20. Iſa. 44. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Ezech. 36. 26, 27. John 15. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Philip. 2. 13. And 2. if we muſt pray that God would effectually, by his grace, draw the will and heart, Cant. 1. 4. incline it, Pſalm 119. 36. teach us, open our eyes, Pſalm 119. 18, 33, 34, 29, 66. not lead us into temptation, but quicken us, lead us in his way, Matth. 6. 13. Pſalm 25. 4, 5. Pſalm 5. 8. Pſalm 86. 11. Pſalm 143. 10. Pſalm 119. 40, 88, 156. and that by foregoing knowledge; then doe we willingly run at the ſame time (though there be an order of nature here) the ways of the Lords commandments, and that not compelled, with joy and delight, without violence connaturally, as is clear Cant. 1. 4. Pſalm 119. 32, 60, 33, 34, 43, 44, 106. Pſalm 122. 1. as infinite Scriptures prove; now how Gods grace makes us both neceſſarily and willingly to obey, the Scripture is clear, and though we cannot give a natural and philoſophick reaſon, no matter.

18.18. Heavenly thoughts and ſpiritual conſideration draw along heavenly influences, as earthly and unclean thoughts extinguiſh influences. If we ſhould diſtinguiſh betwixt thoughts and conquering, and victorious thoughts. 2. Betwixt fixed and wanton careleſly feeling thoughts. 3. Betwixt guarded and well watched hearts, and maſterleſs hearts; we ſhould know that we hinder and obſtruct influences though Soveraignty diſpenſe gracious influences by ſinful thoughts, the thoughts being the wings of the ſoul; can influences have a ſeat on thoughts marred by us? ſurely no more then a bird can flie with broken wings; and the God of nature doth not joyn his influences with cauſes impoſſible to act; he concurs not with the bird to flie when the wings are broken; nor the running of a dead horſe, though one ſhould ride on a carrion, and uſe ſpur and rod. But when the thoughts are ſeaſoned with the heavenly diſpoſition of a renewed heart, as the buds and bloſſoms of the vine-tree are in a neereſt way to receive influences from the God of nature to become excellent wine-berries, and the moſt refined earth neer to be turned into gold, and to receive influences for that effect; ſo a heart gratified with heavenly diſpoſitions muſt be a ſubject for heavenly p. 406thoughts, and if there be a holy heart, heavenly meditations come out in the night, Pſal. 63. 6, 7. Pſalm 139. 17. Phil. 3. 19, 20.

2. The Lord contempereth the actings of the ſpirit to the ſubject, being a moral agent, and all our gracious actings run through the channel of a ſpiritual judgement; as running the race in Chriſt came from known and well conſidered joy ſet before him, All actings of grace go thorow the channel of a ſanctified judgement which wants not influences of grace.Heb. 12. 1. Moſes choſe Saints ſuffering more then Court-honour, for heaven or the recompenſe of reward, looked with another face and repreſentation on the underſtanding then a poor time Court of clay did; the ſuperexcellent knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt is ſo praiſed by Paul, as his heavenly underſtanding looks on it, as his all, yea, his only all, and his all things beſide are ſtated to his mind as loſs and dung. So to Abraham's mind a tent that ſhepheards ſleep in is judged good enough, and the world a bottomleſs lodging, becauſe there ſtands in the eye of his mind a rightly conſidered City, that hath a foundation whoſe maker and builder is God, Heb. 11. 18. And the cauſe of Chriſts bearing patiently the croſs was his ſanctified judgement of injuries, and ſpitting foreign, he under-judged, and in his mind under-priſed ſhame and reproach, Heb. 12. 2. as a-very ſhaddow of a ſhaddow and as nothing, and the glory of his Father in a redeemed and ranſomed people looked braid and fair, and great on his underſtanding. Know and conſider well, 1. God, an infinite, fair, tranſcendent God, and the ſilly poor nothing and kindleſs nature. 2. Judge rightly of time, and how nothing yeſterday and the laſt year is, and weigh in your underſtanding vaſt, high, and braid, and deep, and long eternity, if you have ballance with ſcales that can bear eternity. 3. Underſtand well obedience, faith the weight of the love of Chriſt, never quenched with many floods, and ſin, hatred of Chriſt, and the horror thereof. 4. Take a right view of heaven, how it lies in length and bredth, and a right impreſſion of the fire that is never quenched, and the habitual knowledge of the Lords name, wants not influences for truſting in God, Pſalm 9. 10. knowledge p. 407where to find God in Chriſt, hath actings of the Spirit to live and dwell with him, to hold him, Cant. 1. 7. Cant. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4. Joh. 4. 10. to pray, to come to him, Joh. 6. 45. a ſo…l in darkneſs, and the groſs ignorance of God is not capable of influences of grace, as the centre and bowels of the earth and deep pits receive no Sun-light. We can draw on ſinful diſpoſitions, yea, we created theſe dry clouds that are above our withered hearts,Our drawing on of ſinful diſpoſitions. by making our inordinate affections Stewards and Caterers to lay in proviſion for our fleſh, Rom. 13. 14. 2. We can ask leave at our fleſh to take a little ſleep, and excuſe it, Prov. 6. 10. Yet a little flumber. 3. Under drowſineſs and ſecurity we can refuſe to open and let Chriſt in, Cant. 5. 3. and that brings on ſad withdrawings of the actings of the Spirit, v. 6. 4. Violence done to ſweet diſpoſitions, when they give warning of our debt, may draw to a wronging of the holy Ghoſt, who is dreadfully jealous if we counter-work the actings and breathings of the ſpirit, and react againſt the out-lettings and flowings of the anointing, and of the well within ſpringing up to eternal life; he puts in his hand by the hole of the door, the Spouſe is convinced that it is Chriſt the beloveds voice, and his knock, and his very words, and no other; yet he is not yielded unto, but reſiſted.

2. We keep not the oyl clean, that it may ſhine more clearly in the lamp;Keep the oyl of the Spirit clean if you would have heavenly influences to fall on the Spirit. inky blackneſs defaces the beauty of the white roſe and the lilly; the duſtineſs and filth of luſts dimneſs darkens the precious ſtone, that it loſeth luſtre and colour: when a judicial darkneſs, even on a believer, it covereth the habit of grace, and darkens the ſpiritual ſtrain, the ſin of the ſpirit is out of meaſure ſinful; the ſpirit judicially ſleeping, ſees and hears leſs in the Prophet Jonah, then carnal reaſon in the Heathen Mariners, for Jonah ſleeps, the Heathen men do wake and fear, when wrath from Heaven blows on their ſhip: the leſſer habit of grace that is young and green in the repenting theif, doth more in adhering to Chriſt, becauſe actual breathing of the ſpirit is ſtronger and more vigorous, then the more rooted and experienced habit of grace in the Apoſtles, when it is now overwhelmed with the baſe fear of ſuffering, for he confeſſes p. 408him to be a King on the Croſs, the Diſciples fleeing forſake him: and the Lord preaches that we are more debtors to the Spirit of Chriſt then to the habit of grace; praying, praiſing, believing, hoping, loving, joying, as acts of kin to the Spirit, gladden the Spirit; what ſhould we then do to fetch the wind? grieve not the Spirit, but keep the fountain pure and clean from the muddineſs of luſts, for in the light of the Spirit you ſee your own ſpots. 1 Joh. 3. 3. He that hath this hope in him, purifies himſelf, as he alſo is pure.

2. Yield not to indiſpoſitions, complain of them to God, and pray them away, as Pſalm 61. 2. Pſalm 31. 22. Pſalm 102. 3, 4, 5. Lam. 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. 22, 23.

Obj. We are to act both morally and phyſically with the Spirit.But it is eaſie ſo to ſay, Be ſtrong in the Lord, I am at huge diſtance from the Lord?

Anſw. 1. The Lord ſpeaks to believers as to moral agents, the actings of faith is in us both moral, and alſo phyſical or real (though moral acting in ſome ſenſe be real, and not imaginary) as the fowler with ſweet ſongs works in a manner morally, or by way of allurement upon the phancy of the bird, enticing it to the net, and the bird alſo phyſically makes uſe of its wings, God joyning his influence; ſo would we, looking to the command and promiſe of God, be induced to bring will and affections under the acting and breathing of the ſpirit, & alſo phyſically act our faith in the mean time, relying upon God for the flowings of his ſpirit.

3. If any thing be ſaid, that Soveraignty does alſo hinder influences, for God hides himſelf, will your faith and prayers conclude him that he ſhall not hide himſelf but ſhine?

Anſw. Soveraignty ſhould counter work Soveraignty;P…ayers conclude not Soveraignty. if there were a law paſſed by the Lord, that ever when we pray in faith in that ſame very nick and moment of time, he muſt take off the arreſtment of deſertion, as if prayer were (to ſpeak ſo) a ſort of charming of holy Soveraignty; But the law is, and the promiſe, that when we pray in faith for ſhining influences, he ſhall remove our night of the hiding of his face, and the Spirits ſad withdrawing, not abſolutely, but in the way of his own holy and wiſe Soveraignty, and alſo the prayer of faith hath ſome other effect then the preſent removal of deſertion; prayer keeps the ſoul under p. 409ſufficient graces, freſh ſhowrings, and ſtays the burnt man under patient induring of the fire in condition of a refreſhing, cooling and expelling of the heat. The man Chriſt lies under forſaking; but influences of the Spirit, to pray, to believe, to ſubmit, to hope keeps him vigorous and green, that gloriouſly and triumphingly he endures the Croſs: for ſuffering pain in faith and joy is more excellent then the removing of pain.