his own dear children but thou say these witnesses to a man hast received the Lord Christ though with a shaking hand lovest dearly God's children therefore thou art a childe of God 3. The spirit of God is the spirit of promise and the godly are said to be sealed therewith Eph. 1.13 God hath given his people promises confirmed these promises by oath added thereunto outward seals Baptism and the Supper of the Lord and as though this were not sufficient he gives an inward seal the spirit of his Son the spirit discovers unto them the fulness and freeness of the covenant the preciousness certainty and infallibility of the promises so they are sealed with the holy spirit of promise and hereupon being sealed they set to their seal that God is true Iohn 3.33 4. The spirit also in the godly seals them unto the day of redemption Eph. 4.30 The day of Judgement though it shall be a day of wrath to the wicked yet it shall be a day of redemption unto the Saints they shall then be redeemed from the grave they shall all be fully and everlastingly delivered from all evils the spirit of God assures the Saints hereof so that when they hear Christ say Surely I come quickly they do no say God forbid but Amen Even so come Lord Jesus 5. Accordingly the spirit is the Earnest of our inheritance Eph. 1.14 Believers are heirs heirs of a countrey the Patriarchs sought after a House whose builder and founder is God a Kingdom that cannot be moved an inheritance incorruptible undefiled that fades not away reserved in heaven for them the spirit of God given to the Saints is the earnest of this countrey house kingdom inheritance somewhat of it securing unto them the whole in time the first-fruits of a plentiful harvest 6. If the spirit of God be in us he sheds saith the Apostle the love of God abroad in our hearts Rom. 5.5 He gives us to behold what manner of love the Father hath shewed unto us how he loved us first how his love is undeserved how it is abundant how of children of wrath and hell he hath made us children of God heirs of God coheirs with Jesus Christ how it 's an everlasting love God will not of a most merciful Father become a most inexorable Judge as the Arminians saith hereupon God lifts up the light of his countenance upon us we feel his love our hearts are warmed and ravished therewith so that we return love for love yea we love God above our lives 7. Another effect of the spirit of God is seasonably to comfort the hearts of the children of God I will pray the Father saith Christ and he shall send you another comforter John 14.16 he comforts the Saints concerning all their sins committed evils suffered the displeasure of God assaults of Satan malice of men against the Law in the members rebelling that body of death pressing and all spiritual wants pinching and grieving 8. Another blessed effect of the spirit of God is Joy The kingdom of God saith the Apostle Rom. 14 11. consists not in meat and drink but righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost this Joy is in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.3 in God's favour Psal 4.7 in the word Psal 119.111 Thy testimonies are the rejoicing of my heart in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5.2 It 's a joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 It 's a joy that a stranger shall not meddle withall Prov. 14.10 and that no man shall take from a childe of God Iohn 16.22 It 's a joy attained by the written word These things saith John I write unto you that your joy may be full 1 Iohn 1.4 9. The good spirit of God helpeth the infirmities of the Saints Rom. 8.26 strengtheneth them with strength in the inward man Eph. 3.16 they of themselves are infirm weak afflictions are a burthen too heavy Satan and the old man are too strong the work they have to do is too great through the presence and assistance of the spirit they have strong consolation in the midst of troubles their faith is strengthened they give glory to God their love is strong as death which many waters cannot quench and notwithstanding the difficulties and impediments of holy duties they are resolved to go on 10. Accordingly the spirit of God emboldeneth believers to appear for the truth and wayes of God Acts 4.8.13 We are of our selves timerous prone to shrink and shame all the holy spirit of God is wont to put courage into the godly that they dare hazard both Estate and life in the cause of Christ 11. Likewise the spirit of God maketh intercession for the Saints with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8.26,27 they know not what to ask as they should the spirit of God is the spirit of prayer and helpeth them not onely to say but cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6 to cry day and night Luke 18.7 to cry to God with their whole heart Psal 119.145 We groan saith the Apostle being burthened 2 Cor. 5.4 burthened with the body of death sins temptations afflictions oftentimes with the sence or fear of God's displeasure and come thus burthened into God's presence and pray to God with groans yea groans that cannot be uttered 12. The Saints with open face beholding the glory of the Lord are by the spirit saith the Apostle transformed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 the Saints are glorious in this world their glory is spiritual it consists in the image of Christ and of God in righteousness and true holiness the spirit doth change them from one degree of this glory unto another till they be perfectly glorious in the kingdom of heaven 13. And as the spirit transforms into the image of Christ so he is wont to bring the words of Christ which they have heard to their remembrance Iohn 14.26 this is not below the spirit of God for he is the spirit of the Son and the Son's words are his words also therefore he helpeth the weak and slippery memories of the Saints bringeth God's word to their remembrance that thereby they may resist satan answer gain-sayers edifie and comfort one another preserve themselves from sin and comfort themselves in a time of trouble 14. Further the spirit of God leads the saints Rom. 8.14 they cannot stand but as he upholds them they cannot go but as he leads them he leads them in the old and good way in the way of truth in the way of God of holiness and righteousness in the way of wisdom humility meekness uprightness peace In a word in the way of Gods commandments the way of heaven I will put saith the Lord my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and ye shall keep my judgements and do them Ezek. 6.27 And this he doth by his voice in the Messengers of Christ sounding in their ears and his power and gracious influence upon their hearts Now concerning