Inhabitation and Testimony of the Holy Ghost as also from the Sanctification of the Spirit unto all Obedience and the fruits of Righteousness I Have insisted with so much length and variety upon Hope because it is the largest in-let of Christian Consolation Yet in the third place that which carries it on nay that which causeth it is the Holy Ghost As the Air is the medium through which the Eye doth see all things yet it is the light that shines in it that makes all things visible so Hope is the principal means enlivened by Faith through which we rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory yet it is the Spirit inhabiting that kindles it that enlightens it which makes it affect its object and cleave unto it Our Saviour left the world and ascended into Heaven for many reasons one was to give gifts unto men which gifts though very many are all united in their Fountain the Holy Ghost Of which legacy Christ gave warning before his death Jo. 14.16 I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Verse 17. The world knows him not because it sees him not but ye know him for he shall dwell with you and shall be in you Verse 18. I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Chap. 16. verse 7. If I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you This Comforter the everlasting Spirit to speak after the phrase of men is the Proxy of Christ his representative in our hearts And so it was fulfilled for when the Spirit descended in great abundance upon the Church Acts 2. says St. Peter This is that which is come to pass Verse 28. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance And for the evidence of it it is said Acts 9.31 The Churches were edified walking in the fear of God and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost Which Text begets this note That Christian solace consists in two things which we may call the Root and the Fruit. The Root is the Holy Ghost taking up his Tabernacle in us so that our Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in us 1 Cor. 6.19 To walk by it in the fear of God is the Fruit of Sanctification in all manner of obedience 1. Unto the former The indwelling of the Spirit let this be premised When we speak of any one dwelling in safety the great question is Who keeps the house When David fled from Jerusalem for fear of Absalom there was no likelihood that his Palace would hold out for he left ten women that were Concubines to keep the House 2 Sam. 15. verse 16. So if we leave our Concubines our lusts and carnal desires to keep our Conscience they will betray us to Satan to get the possession But who can take the City if the Lord keep it Psalm 127.1 How impregnable are we if he dwell in us and we in him because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 Jo. 4.13 All that one can say unto this who is doubtful in Faith will be Shew me that the Father of mercies and that the God of all comfort is entred into me and it sufficeth I answer I cannot shew that is demonstrate it to another that this eternal life is in him but I can perswade an apt Scholler to stir up the Grace which is in him that he may shew it to himself I say he may do it if he give his mind to it Else St. Paul made a question to no purpose Know ye not that ye are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 3.16 I deny not but the Devil hath a way to fetch it about to make you mis-know and take no heed of that you do perceive if he did not stagger you with delusions This is the first lesson that he reads out of his Morals That distrust is a high point of wisdom and be not over-reacht with opinion you are sure of that you see and of no more But to meet with this fallacy Is nothing certain or at least so certain as that which may be seen Why the Wind will blow away this objection the Air will confute it What can you make up so close that the Air and the Wind will not get into it Yet you see it not you know not whence it comes it is an invisible messenger So is every one that is born of the Spirit Jo. 3.8 Breath is an imperceptible expiration therefore Christ breathed on his Apostles and said Receive ye the Holy Ghost Jo. 20.22 Some gales of Western winds in the Spring make the Earth glad with their gentle blast and open the Buds and Flowers so there is a breath of Omnipotent vertue which fans the heart that was hot in sin with its coolness which carries away the Caterpillars that eat up the tender leaf of our first greenness which widens our blossoms to make their expectation shew it self openly which perfumes the evil scents of scandals that annoy us as it is express to that intent in the mystical Song Cant. 4.16 Awake thou North wind and come thou South and blow upon my Garden that the spices thereof may flow out I bring the case again to be examin'd Is no witness so competent to depose for truth unless it be sensible and chiefly discerned by the Eye then what ail all Sects of Philosophers to say That the Sun and all the Stars above work upon these Bodies below by heat and light and likewise by influence An invisible vertue that doth enter into the production of many effects which seems to have God's approbation with his own voice Job 38.31 who mentions there the sweet influences of Pleiades and the bands of Orion And can the Constellations of the Firmament drop down good upon Minerals and Plants upon Man and Beast and by a secret derivation What an error or rather what a madness is it then to scruple whether he that made the Heavens can dart Celestial beams into man's Soul without a sensible perception And this is all I will say more unto it Is not the Soul of Man above a material apprehension Pliny or Galen or whosoever unadvisedly deny the Immortality of it will yield there is a Soul in our composition that holds all the parts of the Body together and moves and acts in them yet they can as soon take a Pensil and paint an Eccho as describe the intelligible nature of a Soul by species drawn out in our sensitive fancy Therefore it concerns us in maintenance of the dignity of our own nature to say That the Spirit of God can inform our Soul as well as our Soul can inform our Body I know not what temptation may rise to gain-say the truth That the Soul is known by her powers and operations that it justifies
it self to be an Immaterial substance a spark kindled in us by God from Reason and Will and Memory But what evidence is there that there is a Divine cause that worketh in and is more than these natural Faculties It is requisite to work close unto this question and I answer First because the bounds of nature are known beyond which nature cannot reach forth it self as it works in its own sphere to preserve it self in being and in well-being in health in wealth in fame and glory in extending our selves unto ages to come by leaving a posterity in preserving our Country where we are born and the like But to have our conversation in Heaven at this present in Heaven to ascend thither in our desires and in the tendencies of all our actions to aspire to live in blessedness for ever to long to be at that rest where there is no sin to look for a Church which hath neither spot nor wrinkle this could not enter into us to prosecute it all industriously constantly chearfully but by a supernatural elevation far above the vigour of a Soul prest down by a corruptible Body that is by the power of the Holy Ghost Secondly I feel the pulse of that Divine Spirit beating in me by delighting in tribulations for Christs sake and taking pleasure in infirmities upon the same score 2 Cor. 12.10 And again I am filled with consolation I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulations 2 Cor. 7.4 An obstinate Pagan might arm himself with patience and resolution to vex his persecutors and rather fall into them than decline them out of spight and contumacy But Self-love being spun out of our bowels bred in the bone who could rejoyce to endure anguish upon anguish that God might be glorified but by strength which we are not born unto but which is given us because we are born again of the Spirit Go farther yet How much is the content of a natural man laid aside when a good Christian in his deliberate thoughts sometimes prays to have the rebellions of his heart kept under by some expedient cross wisheth for wholsom correction to beat down the rankness of his sins expects God's fan to winnow the chaff from the wheat For he knows that as too much light dazles the Eyes so too much prosperitie surfeits the mind Therefore a good practitioner in Repentance perceives there is no better way to bring him in from his wandrings than to be scourged home with the gentle hand of God To which some Expositors say the Spouse alludes Cant. 6.5 reading one word as it is right in our Margent Turn away thine eyes from me for they have puffed me up If we be puffed up it is time to pray that the eye of God's outward mercy be for a little turned from us But where had nature learnt that Lesson if the Holy Ghost had never taught it Thirdly As the Apostle says No man hates his own flesh Every man not overcome with a phrenzy of melancholy loves his own being and would preserve his life The Devil that cannot die knows how loth we are to die All that a man hath will he give for his life Job 2.4 But how many Saints have undergone how many more are willing to undergo the fiery trial and offer up their bodies for the testimony of the Lord Jesus not to be cried up in popularity not to be enrolled in the same of an History as there was such a sprinkling among the Heathen But they have died like Lambs in the midst of Wolves when they have been hated and evil spoken of in excess because they would die for the truth of the Gospel which their persecutors accounted to be blasphemy against the Gods which they worshipped If Parents or Wives or Children hung upon their arms and besought them with tears to spare themselves they threw them off as Christ did Peter Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me Matth. 16. verse 22. To see a Martyr at the point of death feel no horror in his fleshly nature but to be raised up as high as the third Heavens with zeal what humane power could bring him to it nothing but the Holy Ghost did as I may say lure his Soul out of the Body with a bait of a Crown of Glory Fourthly The fruits of the Spirit are love joy peace goodness faith temperance c. Gal. 5.22 Is not the Tree known by the fruit Such a cluster hanging all together growing constantly and being fair and sound Tota in toto tempore cum toto corde it is not possible that they should grow like a Bull-rush out of the mud of corrupt nature No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 that is say it effectually and from true allegiance to serve him as a Lord for else Christ will say Why call you me Lord Lord and do not the thing which I say Luke 6.46 This is the Spirit that acts not only in prophesies and miraculous gifts but in every child of God Even in the old Testament Nehem. 9.20 Thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them them that is those that were led out of Egypt by Moses and hearkened to him And much more in the state of the New Testament Rom. 5.5 The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us This might be extended into a great length that the Holy Ghost is the Comforter called so by appropriation though it belong to every person of the Holy Trinity and is well exprest in the first Divine Song which is Printed before the Psalms of David in Meeter Thou art the very Comsorter in all woe and distress The Heavenly gift of God most high which no tongue can express This is the Vnction which we have from the Holy One 1 Epist Jo. 2.20 The anointing which we have received of him that abideth in you Verse 27. Anointing-oil is an oil to cure the sick James 5. An oil of gladness Psalm 45. A fomentation to mitigate aches and torments in the bones and in the heart 2. And can the Fruits chuse but be answerable to the Root they must needs partake of it First because all that we do to the honour of God must be done with gladness willingly and chearfully else it comes not from the Spirit of sons but either from the Spirit of bondage or rather from the Spirit of the world The new Disciples received the word gladly and were baptized Acts 2.41 They continued with one accord daily in the Temple with gladness and simplicity of heart Verse 46. I was glad when they said unto me we will go into the house of the Lord Psalm 122.1 Sing Psalms make a joyful noise unto God Psalm 66.1 Let us come with assurance in our supplications that we shall be heard praying with Faith in the Holy Ghost Jud. verse 20. And then the prayer of the upright shall be Gods delight Prov.
Eternity I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Isa 57.15 Let the comparison between the Publican and the Pharisee remain for ever in our memory Luke 18. The Prayer of the poor destitute the contrite the penitent the bleeding heart is a sacrifice well season'd with the salt of anguish and misery Away with high looks and high words Lord thou dost hear the desire of the humble and dost prepare their heart Psalm 10.17 And God comforteth those that are cast down 2 Cor. 7.6 Put your self back who are but dust and ashes in a great distance from the Lord that you may behold him the better in his infinite greatness And a lowly heart will never spare to deject the body O come let us worship and fall down and kneel before the Lord our Maker Solomon pray'd upon his knees 1 Chron. 6. so did Daniel Chap. 6. so did Peter when messengers came to him from Cornelius Acts 9. so St. Paul For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Eph. 3.14 And not only men upon Earth but the glorious Spirits in Heaven cast themselves and their Crowns down before him that sitteth on the Throne Revel 4. Nay the Son of God fell down upon his knees and pray'd unto his Father Luke 22.41 And Fasting which is a pregnant circumstance of humiliation was much in use with Prayer the instances are innumerous to signifie we had no part in any comfort nor any delight in the Creatures till we were reconciled to the Lord. So was Sackcloth used and all apparel of beauty all ornaments of riches and pride were put off for that time Let them be no more than outward circumstances yet they are significant But that which is a sure companion and most intimate to humility in Prayer is Patience It breaks not away in a pet because it is not answer'd at the first or second asking that 's disdainful and arrogant It holds on and attends and cries till the throat is dry I waited patiently for the Lord Psalm 40.1 And there must be patient continuance in them that seek for Glory and Immortality Rom. 2.7 Faith is the foundation of Prayer and to continue the Metaphor Patience is the Roof The winds blow look to the foundation or the building will fall Rain and storms will descend but if they light upon a Roof that is close and compact they run aside and are cast upon the ground He that expects God's pleasure from day to day will neither faint nor fret that his suit hangs long in the Court of Requests such storms as proceed from murmuring cannot beat through a solid Roof Says Habbak Chap. 2. Verse 3. A great thing will the Lord bring to pass but not presently says the Lord The Vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lye though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come Many diseases will never be cured well unless they be long a curing and many deliverances will never be throughly setled unless they be long a preparing and many mercies are hid like seed in the ground and will be long a growing I give God thanks that every blessing of worldly Comfort that I Pray'd for the longer I was kept from it and the more I pray'd for it I found it the greater in the end Observe that there is nothing of moment yea be it of lesser and vulgar size with which the Providence of God hath not interwoven a thousand things to be dispatcht with it which requires time perhaps seven years to finish them Expect therefore from the Divine wisdom to do all things in their order and give honour to the Supream Majesty to wait his leisure For yet a little and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10.37 3. The third thing which gives assurance of Comfort to Prayer is Zeal Devotion Fervency which will pluck on Patience further and further For he that is zealous in any thing will not easily give over till he have brought his ends to pass Zeal is a continual and an earnest supplicant it Prays without ceasing 1 Thess 5.17 Prays exceedingly 1 Thess 3.10 Asks with confidence seeks with diligence knocks with perseverance A swarm of Bees that is many thousands must gather into a Hive to fill it with Hony-combs and a swarm of Prayers is sweeter before the Lord than the Hony and the Hony-comb Likewise it is as vehement as it is assiduous labouring fervently for you in Prayers Coloss 4.12 Stir up your wit and diligence and memory and meditations when you come to spread out your wants before your Father but if you yawn out heedless heartless petitions you shall depart with discouragement as it is Psalm 80.4 O Lord God of hosts how long wilt thou be angry with the Prayer of thy people The Laodiceans were lukewarm neither hot nor cold in the worship of God therefore the Spirit said to the Angel of that Church Be zealous and repent Revel 3.19 Zeal is defined to be a vehement and inflamed love There must be an ardour and a flame in Prayer as if we would mount it up like fire to Heaven Then we may say that a Seraphin hath laid a coal from the Altar upon our mouth and touched our lips Isa 6.7 Zeal takes away the Soul for a time and carries it far above us I write to them that have felt it that it darts a mans Spirit out of him like an arrow out of a bow This is it which infallibly begets Hope Comfort Patience all in a Sheaf as they are divinely put together Rom. 12. verses 11 12. Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord rejoycing in Hope patient in Tribulation continuing instant in Prayer The transportment of Zeal will excuse or rather commend some Ejaculations of Prayer which seem to be too bold with God as Psalm 44. How long wilt thou turn away the face from us O Lord and forgettest our misery and trouble So Jer. 14.9 Why should'st thou be as a man asleep and as a mighty man that cannot save us And we do but follow our Saviour's pattern in it upon the Cross My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Tell not a troubled heart that is in anguish tell it not of modesty it is a complement it will not be tied to The Shunamite swallowed up in sorrow for the loss of her child runs to mount Carmel to Elisha and before she said any thing she catcht him fast by the feet Gehazi thought it irreverent and unwoman-like behaviour and laid hold to thrust her away Let her alone says the Prophet for her Soul is vexed within her 2 Kings 4.27 The passions of an afflicted Soul have much indulgence to break out far They are not in good compass till vehemency of Zeal carry them beyond ordinary rule and fashion Mary Magdalen did