abilities and high priviledges and might shade themselves under the power of Jesus Christ alone So much of the flesh may be where the Spirit reigns this is the first consideration to establish the comfort of the holy spiritual walker Then again consider Secondly There is a great difference 2. The difference between the reigne and the rage of sin between the reign and the rage of sinne sinne may rage where it hath lost its dominion or domination sinne may rage where the Spirit dwells and reigns although it is true that it may rage in those also in whom it reigns sinne while and where it reigns is sometimes dormant and sometimes rampant but in them in whom it reigneth it rageth and rampeth because it is made much of and fuelled pampered and well-fed and hath its full swinge and scope whereas in the godly it rageth because it is stoutly resisted and the death of it is sought with mortal hatred and with immortal hatred with an hatred that would have the very life and heart-blood of sinne and with an hatred that never dyeth but encreaseth more and more There is a wide difference between the rule and dominion and the prevalency of sinne Where sinne is not served nor obeyed yet there it may struggle and for a time prevaile but this prevalency is prayed against till they can say upon comfortable answers from God to those prayers O thou that hearest prayers thou wilt purge them away Ps 65. 23. Thirdly Consider that the combate of 3. The combate of the Spirit against the flesh How known the Spirit against the flesh proves thy good estate Not that it is good or comfortable that there is flesh and that it lusteth but that there is Spirit lusting against it and that there is a combating with it which thou desirest to maintain this is good and comfortable This combate is known thus it is not only between the conscience and the will but between the will and the will it is in the same faculty of the soul and in the will the love is to righteousnesse and not to iniquity and the hatred is against iniquity and not against righteousnesse Again it is a fight against all sinne that he knoweth and against inward sinne and secret in respect of other mens knowledge and not only against outward or grosse sinnes or sinnes which come to light or against some one sinne It seeks and attains to mortification and not only suppression keeping in and restraining It is such as carries the walk of conversation it prevails to preserve a good principle rule and end and not only to do that which is good for the matter with neglect of these It carries to the use of the means and helps against sinne which God hath sanctified and to the use of these means it carries us humbly and with desire of fruit with frequency fervency and reverence taking heed that frequency abate not â—everence and fervency It is maintained by spiritual weapons not by carnal and in Christs might pawned and promised in the Covenant of Grace and not in our own might no not in the might of grace already received and still afresh derived from Christ in the promise by faith acted on them anew Lastly the weaknesse and foiles received in this fight and the wounds gotten and the ground lost are recovered by renewing our repentance and faith and the spiritual Warriour with all his might and atchievements his valiant acts and victories are as before the Lord looking at his approbation and his acceptation for the worthinesse and mediation of Jesus Christ alone in which he rests with self-denial Fourthly Consider there is a Regency 4. The reigne of the Spirit hath a three-fold degree according to three ages of one in Christ 1 Joh. 2. 12 13 14. of the Spirit differing according to believers ages in Christ and so there is a Regency in the bâ—bâ— in Christ seeking assurance of Gods love as a Father and expressing it self in desires complaints and cryes of a childe in prayer And there is a Regency in the strong man or young man in Christ who is carried on with the Spirit of meeknesse and love skilful in the Word and in the use of that Sword full of the power and vigorous actings of faith and of riches of assurance full of exploits in the Field delighting in putting forth the vigour of his strength in deeds and conflicts and there is a Regency of the Spirit in fathers in Christ full of settlednesse of inlarged knowledge in the great mysteries of the Gospel and the perfection of his pure precepts of experiences and of ability and dexterity for counsel and comfort To each of these three ages in Christ doth this description here agree they are all such as walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit neverthelesse these walkers in the truth are not all of a size but are of three degrees according to their several ages and God doth not expect that of a childe which he doth of a young man or of a father this he requireth that answerable to our time and means of enjoying the Gospel we should passe on from infancy to youth from youth to father-hood in Christ These four considerations are of singular worth and use to establish the 〈◊〉 of true believers that their joy â—ight bâ— full SECT 10. Now for Caution whiles these truths A preserving caution that the spiritual walk not as men carnal In twelve carnal paths are opened to stay the heart and to keep the consolation close to it let all the spiritual and gracious be warned that they walk not as carnal for they may walk so that they may look for all the world like carnal persons and thereby may dishonour Christ the Gospel and the Spirit of God and destroy for the present the comfort of their estate Be warned for to look like carnal persons to walk as carnal is not far from this to be no other than carnal Quest. Who look like carnal persons Answ First Those Christians though they be regenerate who are carried with 1 Cor. 3. 1 3 4. envying strife divisions and schismes in the Church according to their several ministers though eminently gifted and holy if one say I am of Paul and another I am of Apollo are ye not carnal It savours of Schisme to call any particular Church by the name of the Minister for every Church is the Church of God and of 1 Cor. 1. 12 13. Christ not the Church of Paul nor of Apollo neither Paul nor Apollo was crucified for them nor were they baptized into their names this very thing causeth divisions envyings and strife among Christians Christs name is that worthy name by which the Disciples are to be called If Jam. 2. 7. any make several Church-wayes and Churches according to several points of lesser moment than the faith of Jesus and the Commandements of God which are of perfect unity and agreement and in respect
waiting for Christ So Ambr. l. 3. de spir sancto c. 15 The same Father urgeth also that place in 1 Thes 3. 12 13. patrem dixit filium dixit quem ergo cumpatre filio praeter Spiritum junxit Mark 3. 29. Heb. 10. 29. Here are three distinct persons God to be beloved Christ to be waited for with patience and the Lord to whom the prayer is made that he would direct the hearts of believers into that love and patient waiting Now this Lord is the Lord the Spirit who directs the hearts of those whom he sanctifieth and enableth to believe Against the holy Ghost sinne may be committed and to great height and men may commit such sin against him as may become unpardonable because they wilfully and maliciously oppose and despight him in the manifestations of his presence and gracious workings in the Gospel for the Application of this salvation therefore he is very God he is the Spirit of grace 2. He is the Spirit of the Father and of the Son the Spirit of God and the Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Isa 61. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Gal. 4. 6. of Christ He proceedeth * Joh. 15. 26. from the Father and the Sonne and according to this his existing about the work of saving application of Redemption he is sent forth of the Father as he is the Spirit of his Sonne into the hearts * Gal. 4. 6. of those that are priviledged with the Adoption of children God the Father sendeth him as he is the Comforter and the Son Jesus Christ sendeth him and therefore he is Joh. 15. 26 Alius non aliud Joh. 14. 16 another a distinct person not another thing he is another Comforter the Lord Jesus the Bridegroome he is one Comforter the holy Spirit in the Bridegroome and the Bride one and the same he is another Comforter he is the Spirit who knoweth the whole heart and the most hid councels and secrets of the Father and the Son these Gospel Mysteries the 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. secrets of this bosome-love into which no Angels of light could dive no more than a man can know what is in another man unlesse he reveale it This is he who works in us to bring home this salvation therefore it is done most effectually and most comfortably SECT 3. 2. What is his saving work In the Elect of God the Father and in The saving work of the Spirit made up of 14. works the Redeemed of Jesus Christ his Son the Redeemer The holy Ghost hath his saving work and it is made up of these several works following 1. Renovation or regeneration In which the holy Ghost by the word of Christ as water as a laver of water washing a sinner as floods of waters poured out upon the dry and barren heart doth clense and wash and in the washing change and make a new the sinner The word of the Gospel is as pure water and water fructifying The Lord Jesus Christ is a fountain opened for sin and uncleanenesse who came both by blood and water all sorts of clensings and washings are found in him and the holy Ghost in the work of his grace by the Record by making the sinner to know his own foulnesse and uncleanenesse by sin and the fulnesse of clensing away sin by a bathe of that water and by a Sacrifice in that blood which is in Jesus Christ the only Sonne of God crucified and by taking the basin of the Word which sets forth Christ into his own hands to sprinkle and rinse the sinner so enlightened and by taking hold also of such a sinner to put him into this laver and under this sprinkling he makes the heart to feel Christs love and the flinty rockinesse of it to melt and flow down before the Lord God and all the abilities of his soul to flow together and rise up towards the Lord Jesus with strong and fixed desires and then the holy Spirit is as water water that catrieth with it and in it the virtue of Christs blood set Joh. 3. 5 6 8. forth in the Gospel all to the washing and renewing and begetting again in such wise that this sinner is born from above Tit. 3. 5 6. born of the Spirit born of God and Christ is formed in him The party came into this laver a sinful man all leprous a dead man but he comes out of it a new man a living changed man quite another man than he was before Behold the laver of regeneration the renewing of the holy Ghost shed on a poor humbled sinner abundantly and richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour this work is of absolute necessity for old and young for learned and unlearned for Jew and Gentile And as that which is born of the flesh is carnal corrupt earthly low and weak so that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit spiritual pure heavenly high and powerful and discerning the holy Mysteries of the Gospel of the high and holy God 2. Sanctification the Apostle Peter describeth a true member of the Church a subject of grace and peace by the work of the three persons in the undivided Godhead about his salvation so that the Spirits work is that which singleth out the individual person from among all other the children of men and seateth the Fathers love and the Sonnes grace of Redemption upon him particularly This is the Description He is one Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Sanctification is we see the saving work of the Spirit Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth 1 Thes 2. 13 14. is the way through which God calling sinners thereunto by the Gospel ministred by the ministry of the New Testament doth bring those whom he hath chosen from the beginning to salvation unto the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ as this Apostle Paul teacheth in another place Now the sanctifying work of the Spirit is this 1. He illightens and this illumination is accompanied 1. With wisdome that knows things as they are and values them as they are worth that knows the worth of the things of God in Christ discovered according to their excelling nature and difference and prefers them above all other things and it is 2. With Râ—velation also bringing Ephes 1. 17 18. the things of Christ unto the mind in Gods own light in a light above the light of mans reason And it is thirdly with rectifying or rather making anew the Organe the eyes of our understandings which were covered with blindnesse and Mat. 16. 17 that blindnesse was in and from our birth so that we were born blind they are opened that we may know All this is beyond the illumination which is of common grace and which may be found in the best of hypocrites 2. He quickens he causeth the dead in sins and trespasses to
nor hear of saving good or salvifical upon the face of the earth shall we that are a spiritual Priâ—â—t-hood let this heavenly fire go out for want of stirring it up and of fuelling it Now as fire so the Spirit may be quenched It's workings of a lesser and lower degree than of renewing grace may be utterly extinguished its gifts may grow rusty and the Spirit in that working may depart wholly as it did from Saul and an evil spirit come in the room of it His peculiar works and saving may be weakened and lost for acts and degrees and sensible feelings as in David Take not thy holy Psa 51. 11. Spirit from me Restore me tâ—e â—oy of thy salvation 2. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God Eph. 4. 30. with the context in ver 25. to the end of the chap. by the usual and accustomary evils of the tongue in lying and corrupt communication by the sins of unbridled passions of idlenesse and whatever it be that breaketh out against kindnesse tender-heartednesse and readinesse to forgive A gracious and pure language a diligent and liberal hand that labours to have whereof to give to him that needeth a calm and quiet breast a loving heart full of the bowels of Jesus Christ these rejoyce and glad the Spirit of God All the other which are sinnes that discover themselves after calling do sad the Spirit whom we should make joyful as our best guest our best friend who comes and dwels in us purposely to seale us up unto the day of redemption these and all sinnes unmortified I mean not singled out particularly and brought under the work of mortification and put into that furnace after conversion do spoile the sealing of the Spirit that it cannot come off faire and full these also are against the comfort we should have in the day of redemption when Jesus Christ shall come in glory to receive his redeemed ones to himself and manifest to all the perfection of that work in righteousnesse how shall he condemn the world for idle words and his Redeemed ones live with idle hands and filthy rotten discourse or shall he receive those for adopted sonnes and daughters when they are of spirits as implacable proud passionate and malicious as those who are without Christ in the world in whom the spirit of Satan works effectually 3. Resist not the holy Ghost much lesse for that is a higher degree of sinning to resist is out of an uncircumcised natural heart and eare to rise up and to be of an hostile mind and behaviour against the ministery and to fall fowle upon the doctrine delivered according to the Word of the Old and New Testament or upon Act. 7. 51. the Ministers for their doctrines sake 4. Tempt not the holy Ghost by pretending Act. 5. 1 2 3 4 9. such works of faith love and obedience which are most eminent fruits of the Spirit in the truely and eminently gracious answerable to the times of light and the state of the Church which we live in when indeed it is but a pretence and we know that we play the hypocrites lying dissembling and dealing falsely therein as if we had not to deale with God with God the holy Spirit but with men whom we may easily deceive 5. Defile not his Temple that is pollute 1 Cor. 3. 17 neither your own selves nor other Christians neither yours nor their souls or bodies either with corrupt and unprofitable doctrine or with corrupt and vain manners or with dividing principles or practices causing rents and schismeâ— parties and factions in the Church of Christ Again that we may be rightly ordered In five rules to shew the virtue of the Communion of the holy Ghost Jude 20. Eph. 6. â—8 1 Cor. 2. 4. Col. 1. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 7 Gal 5. 25. Act. 9. 31. towards the Spirit we ought to shew forth the power of his Communion the manifestation of his residence in us and the glory of his name put upon us in our Baptism in these duties following 1. Perform all duties and exercise all graces in the power of the Spirit pray in the holy Ghost Preach in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit love in the Spirit let the exercise of all gifts be the manifestation of the Spirit live inwardly in the Spirit walk in the strength of the graces in the power of the spiritual Gospel truthes the articles of faith and in the comforts of the holy Ghost even of the exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel quickened upon the heart by the Holy Spirit of promise 2. Be filled with the Spirit here can be no sinful excesse excessive fulnesse is â—ph 5. 18. 〈…〉 â—3 â—2 the just and due measure and proportion in which we should desire the Spirits presence and working The Holy Ghost sometimes fills with special force and poâ—eâ— to some particular Acts of duty So Pâ—tâ—r and all the Apostles after solemn prâ—â—er were silled with the holy Ghost enabling to speak the Word with boldnesse with liberty of Spirit and of speech Sometime he fills with great joy as in the Disciples when they saw the courage of the Apostle Paul and Barnabas under expulsion and the wise and gracious guidance of Gods expelled servants for the spreading of the Gospel and propagating thereof to other parts of the world Act. 7. 55. Act. 6. 3. 1 Cor. 1. 5. 2 Cor. 8. 7. Sometime with the might of patience and power of hope and of all graces fitting for Martyrdome as in Stephen Sometime he fills some members with special abilities and gifts as with wisdome with utterance with all knowledge with all diligence All this fulnesse of the Spirit God keeps in his own hand to give when he pleaseth and it is of reward but all graces that accompany salvation that have salvation in them of them we should eâ—pecially desire to be full as of faith of love to God to Christ to the Word and to the Saints and of a lively patient hope this is our work and is of the ordinary working of God through Christ in his live-members And not only should we seek to be full of these graces but of them and of the holy Ghost as in all the places above mentioned the words runne and not in vain that is filled full of a singular presence force and working of the holy Spirit acting and directing the mind and heart unto that which is good and holy with efficacy and power 3. Preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace this we ought to be endeavouring Ephes 4. 3 Phil. 1. 27. though we cannot effect what we would by reason of the destroyers of this unity and though we have many failings unbeseeming this unity It is an Evangelical command and endeavour we may we ought to stand fast in one spirit striving together for the faith of the Gospel when the faith of the Gospel is opposed and is in the conflict we
contrariety of things that stands out in these Gospel-dayes and rises so stoutly for one against another amazes the best heads and staggers yea confounds the stoutest hearts that are by place and office to manage them here are with us in one womb the old revived strugglings of the holiest and profanest the purest and the subtlest the most for power and the most denying of the power of godlinesse the most zealous and the most formal and richly goodly luke-warme the weightiest grain and the lightest chaffe the deepliest poor in spirit and the loftiest proud in the flesh the heaven-born Sons of marvelous light and the hell-born brats of thickest darknesse these cause difficulty to rule so as to foster the gracious and discountenance the wicked severing the precious and the vile Faith an active faith the faith of the Lords Heroes is the one only helpe this keeps with God in his Word for principles of Policy for upright wayes for support and courage in both against carnal counsels courses confidences and fears the worst of Counsellors These Considerations possesse whil'st with joy in God through Jesus Christ glorying in his works all honourable and glorious and in his wayes all righteous and holy with fears sorrows and prayers because of judgements impendent for the wickednesses of errors divisions profanenesse abounding and for the Magistrates sake and their concernments and for Common-weals and Kingdomes the Innes of the Church for as for the Ministers sackcloth cannot hinder the efficacy of their Prophesying and Witnesse-bearing salutiferous and destructive nor their slaughter do any more than issue forth their resurrection to the fall of the tenth part of the City to be visited and the ruine of seven thousand of men of name let the earth-dwellers the merry world of them beware For the Publishing of this Treatise besides the Importunity of many of the Commissioners of Surrey for the ejection of ignorant and scandalous Ministers who heard part of it delivered in Sermons which wrested from me a concession to their desires two things swayed with me First that in this sleight age tossed to and fro with puffes of windy vaporings which blow high and big and take with many the wholsome old everlasting and absolutely necessary truths of saving doctrine might be laid again before all mens sight to cure if the Lord will this giddinesse of head and secondly that in this notional high-flown conceited age wherein nothing is esteemed but that which goes under the name of Mysterious of a more spiritual dispensation and above Scriptural and the plain truthes of the Scripture are overlook't called low carnal and fit for none but Saints under the lowest dispensation It might be manifest that these truths only are truly heavenly spiritual Gospel-mysteries of the highest dispensation that ever shall be in this world and that upon the review and Christian-experience all might see that the other Novel speakings are low carnal beggarly things belly-breaths the issues of fleshly tumors indigested waterish tympanies and crackes of clouds without rain That I prefix your Highnesses name is an act of boldnesse for which pardon is humbly craved I adventured on it that I might acknowledge the encouragement given to my Ministery two years since at a needful time by your Renowned father now with Christ who openly and really owned it almost opprest by willing my labours at Kingston of which poor labours as they are mine these are some of the fruits presented to your most serene aspect and offered to the service of your faith What remains but prayers promised that your life may be bound up in the bundle of life with the Lord your God your person may abide in the secrets of the most High hid there even in his bosome-love in Christ your heart may remain large wise holy humble and believing your eyes may see the great Council in Parliament assembled full of grace and peace the Lords and yours to his glory and your abundant joy for the good of these Nations and of the people of Christ in all the world In you also through the advice of that your great Council it may be manifest that God doth and will still bless these Nations and make them instrumental to the ruine of Romish Babylon with all that belongs thereto and that out of illuminated zeal for the Gospels the Saints injuries and blood till the vengeance and recompence be rendred to her double which work shall be fulfilled in its time by the Lamb and his called and faithful and chosen On which work your heart set you have the Hosanna of him that waits for the mighty thunderings of the Hallelujahs and is Your Highnesses most obliged for the Gospels and the Publique good Richard Byfield The CONTENTS Chap. 1. AN Explication of the Text in its dependance and manner of laying down with three special observations giving further light to the words and with the foure great truths of doctrine three of them expressed and the fourth strongly implied in the Coherence Chap. 2. The first great truth which is this that there is no salvation by the Law or by any other means save by Jesus Christ Chap. 3. The second great truth The fulnesse of salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ and that set forth by many choice truths which the Apostle in this Text takes for granted Chap. 4. The fulness of salvation by Jesus Christ expressed in the person who is the first efficient cause he that provides this salvation God even God the Father Chap. 5. The fulnesse of this salvation in the Person who undertakes to work it out even Gods own Son Chap. 6. The fulnesse of salvation manifested in the way God taketh to save sinners by his Son Chap. 7. The fulness of a sinners salvation evinced in the outward cause moving God to give his own Sonne and to take such away to save which was the impotency and impossibility of the Law to save and the lost estate of the sinner Chap. 8. The fulnesse of this salvation in the end of Christs mission intended and attained which was the expiation of sin and the fulfilling of the righteousness of the law for and in the sinners that shall be saved Chap. 9 The fulnesse of salvation shines in the person who maketh saving application thereof dethroning corruption of nature and ruling the whole man even the Spirit the holy Ghost the Spirit of the Father and of the Son Chap. 10. The third great truth the lively description of the persons that shall be saved and do partake of this salvation by Jesus Christ viz. They are such who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Chap. 11. The fourth and last great truth which is The fulnesse of the assurance and of the consolation of those who are in Christ and walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit THE Gospels GLORY ROM 8. 3 4. Ver. 3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own
Sonne in the likenesse of sinful flesh and for sinne condemned sin in the flesh Ver. 4. That the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit CHAP. I. Containeth an Explication of the Text in its dependance and manner of laying down with three special Observations giving further light to the words and with the four great truths of Doctrine three of them expressed and the fourth implyed in the cohaerence SECT 1. THe whole Chapter is the Conclusion The dependance of the words on the former part of the Epistle Their scope is comfort of the large treatise and disputation of the holy Apostle Paul writing to the Romans concerning the Justification and Sanctification of believers in Jesus Christ The Apostle drawes up all that he had delivered in this Epistle for the practice of the Saints and especially for their consolation against all sorts of evils that may befal them in this present Two evils sinne and affliction world Now because there are two sorts of evils which assault their faith and that sorely and dangerously which are the sense of the remainders of sin within them and the manifold afflictions tribulations and temptations that befal them from without two evils sinne and the Crosse sin that dwells in them and the Comfort in Christ to believers against both Cross that attends them from abroad The Apostle against both these doth exceedingly comfort all believers And this he doth not without cause They that believe in Christ do they not finde sinful corruption working in them and is it not as a law in their members doth it not sometimes carry them away captives and is it not alwayes averse and adverse to their holy inclinations unto and delight in the law of the Lord Paul in his own person sets out the estate of a believer to be such in the latter end of the seventh chapter If this be the estate of those that believe and that have in them the beginnings of grace and sanctification How can they be comforted for is not sin to be regarded is not sin the more grievous the more good and gracious God is to them and ought it not so to be do not their souls hate sin the more and are therefore the more troubled because such corruptions stir in them and break forth against God the Apostle grants it all but for full consolation sets Jesus Christ against this evil of sin and asserts that their sins shall not condemn them There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit This is haâ—dled from the first verse to the middle of the seventeenth verse For the second evil true believers are subject to persecutions to afflictions before and above any others they are the 〈◊〉 of contradiction the very strife of tongues how then shall they have comfort Where is the gaine of godlinesse The Apostle saith there is this certaine truth full of Consolation that all afflictions that can befal the believer are so farre from prejudicing his salvation that they promote and assure unto him his greater glory in verse 17. and this argument is continued unto the 31. verse And then in the 31. verse to the end the Apostle breaks out into a triumph of faith over both evil sin and affliction over all that may stand in the way of their comfort not leaving until he hath raised them together with himself in despight of all adverse things to the height of one more than a Conquerour and to the glorying of one that is fully assured In the words of these two verses The The dependance of the words on the former verses To them that are in Christ comfort against the evil of sin proposition for comfort against the sense of sin laid down in the first verse is proved and demonstrated and the meaning of the probation of that proposition given in the second verse is also in these words cleared There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus That 's the proposition whereof these words in verse 3 4. give the full demonstration and 't is this In Jesus Christ their sins are condemned and the righteousnesse of the Law which is the strength of sin is fulfilled What condemnation can there be where sin is condemned and where all righteousnesse is fulfilled and this is the true case of all that are in Christ besides they are under another law even the command of the Spirit of Jesus Christ after whom they walk and who from Christ is in them lawing of them So that they who are in Christ Jesus are not onely under another Law but the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus and from him a their Head and as the second Adam is in them as a Law even the Law of the Spirit of life which delivers them from the Law of sin and death this is the summe of the second verse what is this law of the Spirit It is the Spirit of grace and What is the Law of the Spirit What is the Law of sin holinesse dwelling in us by the Word of the Gospel which hath in us the power and force of a Law What is the Law of sin and death It is the deadly power of sin which hath in all men by nature the strength of a Law to command and commanding reigns through the strength of the holy Law of God unto death or condemnation Now â— observe how the third and fourth verses clear up this nothing but the living spiritual law of the Spirit which is in Christ Jesus can give a sinner an Apostle a Paul deliverance from the power of sin and death but this can this Law of the Spirit of life hath delivered me This is thus made out The Law of God could not do it for that doth not give this Spirit but the Gospel onely can do it because the Gospel giveth the Spirit the Spirit of life which sets free from the Law and power of sin and death This is the dependance of these verses upon the former SECT 2. The words are the summe of the Gospel The manner of laying down the Doctrine of the Gospel here 1. By prevention of an objection Object Might not the Law deliver a sinner explaining the great mystery of salvation which God himself first preached in Paradise to our first Parents miserably fallen which the holy Apostle openeth in this manner He layeth it down first by prevention of an Objection and then by reckoning up the causes of salvation and lastly by re-assuming the description of the persons that have their part therein The Objection is this How doth the Law of the Spirit alone deliver the sinner might not the holy Law of God deliver from sin and death Answ The Law cannot deliver The deliverance of a sinner from sinne and Answ It is the thing impossible to the Law from the damnation of sinne
Law might be fulfilled in us In the Law there is the righteousnesse of the commands and the righteous just damnatory sentence of threatnings against the transgressors of those holy commands Now God sent his Sonne and held the fore-mentioned course in laying our sinnes upon him that the whole righteousnesse which the Law requireth of us might be fulfilled in us who are in Christ by faith whiles by Jesus Christ it is fulfilled for us and for our sakes in our roome and stead and so the Law is while fulfilled for us fulfilled in us who are in Christ by faith And then secondly the holinesse and righteousnesse of the precepts is fulfilled in us whiles by this faith which unites us to Christ receiveth his Spirit draweth from Christ sanctifying grace and purifieth the heart a new obedience in all uprightnesse and integrity respecting the whole Law is begun and more and more encreaseth in us in this life is of that growing nature that it will go forwards hold on fight out its way persevere and overcome and at last be perfected in glory thus the righteousnesse of the Law is in us by faith Christs righteousnesse in obedience and sufferings for us reckoned to us as ours and by the same faith holinesse in truth begunne and growing up to perfection in us See here the Gospel fights not against the Law as the Law is not against the Gospel The Gospel acquits those whom the Law pronounceth guilty but not as considered nakedly in their guilt that were against the Jus the right of the Law but by the intervening of and the guilty considered in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the price and satisfaction of the Sonne of God and this is agreeable to the jus the right of the Law The Gospel sets them free from condemnation notwithstanding their sinnes because it brings in God condemning their sinnes in the flesh of his Sonne and the Sonne bearing the condemnation of sinne laid on him of God in his own flesh The Gospel while it acquits from the Law purifieth the sinner and gives him an heart and power to judge himself to love the holinesse and righteousnesse which the Law requireth and in this work upholds him with delight in the inward man till holiness be perfected So the Gospel fulfills the Law every way in Christ and in us fulfills the righteousness of the Law for us and in us and while for us in us 6. The person applying and the manner of application of this salvation even the Spirit the Spirit of Jesus Christ who in all those that are delivered from condemnation by Jesus Christ is uniting them to Christ and regenerating and sanctifying them This Spirit sets himself up in the throne and pulls the flesh out of the throne and he reignes in them and orders their lives This person even the holy Ghost and his work making this salvation to come home with saving efficacy is mentioned implyedly in these words In us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Thus the Apostle hath set out lively the second great Doctrine The third is a description of those for The third whom God sent his Sonne to become flesh to condemn their sin in his flesh and to fulfill the righteousness of the Law in them these persons are plainly and lively described thus they are those who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit They are known by their walks that is by the tenour and course of their lives in which they deliberately set themselves with continuance and progress which course of life is framed after the guidance and rule not of the flesh that is of their corrupted nature but of the Spirit that is the Spirit of Christ which by the Word ingraffed in them dwells in them and orders their conversation 4. We have also a fourth point of excellent worth for the comfort of sin-burdened and mortified souls which the word of connexion for leadeth us unto There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ though there be much sin in them for the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and from him coming into them is as a Law that hath delivered them from the Law of sin and so from the Law of death and all this is most evident for in Christ their sins are condemned and they justified and sanctified for see they as men set at liberty do walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh This then is the precious truth which lyeth in the coherence concerning the riches of their assurance and consolation who are in Jesus Christ The sins of those that walk after the Spâ—râ—t shall never be to their condemnation neither shall hinder from them the benefit of all the salvation that cometh by Christ nor â—et ought they in the least kind to hinder their full assurance their comfortable walking in their obedience their constant combating against the flesh nor their full dedition to the Law of the Spirit of life as to that which will give them full deliverance from the Law of sinne and death CHAP. II Containing the first great truth which is this that there is no salvation for any man by the Law or by any other means save onely by Jesus Christ. SECT 1. Having drawn up four choice truths of saving knowledge absolutely necessary to everlasting blessedness and sound comfort compactly delivered by the holy Apostle in this portion of Scripture I 1. Doct. No salvation but by Christ Gal. 3. 21 22. come now to handle those four truths at large the first of them is this There is no salvation for any man by the Law or by any other meanes whatsoever but onely by Jesus Christ. If there had been a Law given which could have given life Verily righteousnesse should have been by the Law but the Scripture hath concluded all under sinne saith this Apostle that the promise of faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that beleeve These are opposite the Law and the Promise the concluding of all under sin and the giving of life and righteousness the faith of Jesus Christ whereby we believe and the works of the Law the giving of the promise which is a reward reckoned of grace to him that believeth Rom. 4. 3 4 5 and the paying of a debt which is a reward to him that worketh If then the Law could save there had been no need of the Promise the Promise were in vain nevertheless the Law is not against the Promise but it shuts all men up to the Promise where life and righteousness is alone to be had by believing in Iesus Christ But may there not be found some other name besides or together with Iesus Christ by which a sinner may be saved for answer hear the Apostle Peter as the mouth all the rest of the Apostles saâ—ing to all men and to all the people oâ— Israel Jesus Christ Acts 4. 10 11 12 of Nazareth whom ye crucified whom God raised from the dead
contain this doctrine The way God took to save a sinner by Christ is a sweet and sound demonstration of the alsufficiency of the salvation in Christ Jesus and the way was this to condemn sinne in the flesh of his Sonne whom he sent in the flesh and that of purpose to take away sinne Two things are to be unfolded here 1. The way which God taketh 2. The effectualness of that way 1. The way of God is this while he saveth the sinner he will condeme his sin to the low â— Hell and lower by farre and that in the very same nature that hath sinned even in humane flesh That this may be done he sets out his own Sonne to be made flesh he sends him in the similâ—tude of sinful flesh in a true humane soul and body such as sinne had made frail miserable and mortal such a one as ours is He thus sends him for sin that he may bear all their sins charged on him And then in this flesh of his own Son their sinnes shall be condemned the Son of God condemned for their sin and so in that condemnation sin for ever condemned for this end he sends him as one that hath taken upon him the Office of a Saviour by mediation by suretiship and by redemption and as he whom God had designed to this office Consider every step in this way they are Five steps in this way of God 1 His Sons preordination 1 Pet. 1. 20. Ephes 1. 9 five the first step is 1. Gods preordination of the Sonne to be the Mediatour that he in our nature should execute the office of a Mediatour of Priest Prophet and King in a state of humiliation This preordination is Gods eternal fore-knowledge counsel purpose and decree out of his infinite good pleasure within himself appointing his Son to be the Christ to bring the Elect to glory Christ Jesus as God-man is the means of election to be executed he is the cause of our salvation but not of our election In this preordination there was a Councel held between the Father the Son and the holy Spirit In this councel all that concerns mans salvation was determined Act. 2. 23. 4. 28. The Son is set out and by a free voluntary dispensation he yieldeth to be ordained and appointed Rom. 3. 25. And with him an Agreement is made that he should give his soul an offering for sinne and then according to promise in that agreement he should see the fruit of that his travel of soul to his own hearts full satisfaction Isa 53. 10. All that ever shall be saved were given to him before all worlds John 10. 29. 17. 6 9 6. 37 39. Life eternal is promised before the worlds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grace that Tit. 1. 2. 2 Tim. 1. 10. is free love and favour with the effects of it was given the Elect in Christ before the world began A book of all is written the Records the most High's Parliament Rev. 20. 15 21. 27. 13. 8. Roles called the book of life the Lambs book of life And accordingly he before he was sent was Preached in Gen. 3. 15. promised to Abraham in Gen. 22. 18. and to David in Psal 132. was prophesied of * Isa 7. 4. 9. 6 7. 53. Jer. 23. 5. was Typified in the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant Heb. 9. and in Melchizedech Heb. 7. 3. was seen in fore-shewes in a humane shape in which of old he appeared frequently to the Fathers as the holy Angels also used to do 2. Gods mission of his Sonne is the second 2. His mission step of this way of God The work thus 1. The Father and the holy Ghost do send and the Son voluntarily condescends to be sent All stoops nothing too dear for the salvation of a sinner The Sonne is brought in speaking thus I have not spoken in secret from the beginning from the Isa 48. 16. A cleare old Testament proof of the Trinity Joh. 7. 28 29. time that it was there am I and now the Lord God and his Spirit hath sent me 2. The Son came not of himself he took nothing on him of his own head apart from the Father in the whole businesse of Redemption 3. The Father gave him out of his bosome he sent him on this great errand he parted with him spared him not but he delivered him up 4. He sent him in his Incarnation in the fulnesse of time but of this Act in the next step 5. He sent him into the world into this miserable vain sinful place he dwelt among men and was found in fashion as a man he sent him not Isa 61. 1. to delight and glory in the world 6. He sent him furnished with gifts he sanctified him separated him from all other as Joh. 10. 36. Joh. 5. 3â— 9. 4. only able and fit for such a work as to save the world and filled him with the Spirit not by measure as he is man and having thus sanctified him he sent him 7. He sent him and gave him work to do and finish and set him a day a season to do Joh. 7. 6. 8 8. 28. 12. 49. 14. 24. Joh. 17. 1 4. it in he neither did nor spake of himself but as the Father which sent him gave him Commandment what he should say and what he should speak he did nothing of himself he doth what he seeth the Father do and spake what he heard and learn't of his father he did all in the very hour of the allotted day and finished his work in the hour of the day set him the work some of it was none of the easiest or fairest work he was not only to preach the doctrine of the Kingdome and to confirm it by Miracles to keep the law and to fulfill all righteousnesse but to be a pattern in doing and suffering yea to be a Ransome a Price a Sacrifice for sinne to suffer a cursed death and to be made sin and a curse for us and this Heb. 10. 8 9. â—oh 3. 17. Act. 3. 26 1 Joh. 4. 9. 10. Joh. 8. 29. Joh. 16. 32 hard and foul work he delighted to perform 8. He sent him not to condemn but to save the world to blesse his people to be a propitiation that in him we might have life 9. He sent him and was with him he never left him alone because he doth alwayes those things that please his Father he never did his own will or sought his own glory but his glory who sent him and when all his Apostles left him alone and forsook him then the Father was with him 10. He sent him with Commission what was that surely most worthy the perusing by us his Commission he opens and reads it was this 1. His Commission was and is to seek and to save that which was lost 2. To dye and rise Luk. 19. 10. Joh. 10. 28. Isa 49. 6. Joh.
all righteousnesse but nulled no Law he fulfills the Law in us whiles he enables ro believe that he fulfilled it for us The Ministry of the Gospel is the Ministry of Rom. 3. 31 life of righteousnesse and of the Spirit we establish the Law by faith we magnifie it and make it honourable we bring to glorious liberty not to base licentiousnesse which is most absolute slavery We advance godlinesse while our Doctrine forms it in power and destroyes a powerlesse form of it we maintaine good workes while through the Gospel the sinner is called to come to God through Christ alone and God takes him into his own gracious and powerful hands and makes molds fashions him in his own workmanship in Christ Jesus created anew unto good Eph. 2. 10. works O ye Pontificians ye Papists and all others to whom the Gospel comes know ye The Law is not against the Promise The Promise ingraves the Law in the fleshly tables of the heart This Doctrine also tries and differenceth 2. To try Professors Believers and Believers Christians and Christians upon the Believer and Christian indeed the former three sentences are deeply fastened and the answers are experimentally and sweetly resented in the heart that closeth with them and receiveth the mould of them such a heart is truly believing and Christian and no other Go over them again and again in thy thoughts and try how it is with thee CHAP. IX Sheweth that the fulnesse of salvation shines in the Person who maketh saving application thereof dethâ—oning corruption of nature and ruling the whole man even the Spirit the Holy Ghost the Spirit of the Father and of the Sonne SECT 1. THe person applying and the manner of his application of the salvation by Christ is implied in these words who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit here the Spirit is the person that brings home this work with efficacy and power for here we have a double consideration of the Spirits work in the saved ones the first presupposed and implied namely that God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son do give to those that shall be saved the Spirit who applyeth savingly all the love of the Father and the grace of the Son who pulls the flesh or mans natural corruption out of the Throne and sets up himself to rule the man mention is made in these words of such a Spirit and who can be able to do such a work but the Spirit who is the power of the most High who will be willing but the Holy Spirit or as we usually speak the Holy Ghost likewise either sinners have this Spirit of themselves and so none have for if they had him in them by nature how is it that he ruled not how is it all by nature are under the power of the flesh living and walking in their sins or else he must be given and who can give him but God the Father and Christ his only Son this giving and working of the Spirit for the bringing home the Redemption which is in Jesus Christ is therefore necessarily implied in these words The second work of the Spirit is expressed in a Description of the Redeemed ones They walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit both these considerations are in the subject persons made partakers of that work of the Spirit two wayes commended in the words us who walk c. first that the Jews and the Gentiles the Apostles and all others that belong to God are all alike sharers in this mercy and work of the giving of the Spirit to them to apply savingâ—y this salvation and to reign in them and frame their conversation although they have not all alike this Spirit in the same measure and degree Us who walk saith the Apostle we Apostles we Jewes and you the believers at Rome to whom he wrote you that were sinners of the Gentiles us you as well as we who walk after the Spirit Secondly that neither the one nor the other of them have respect with God but in Christ No were he an Apostle not Paul himself nor do they look for part in this salvation upon lower or other termes but as they fall within this Description Hence therefore we have two things before us 1. The sixth branch of truth that proves the fulnesse of salvation in Christ 2. The third great doctrine which is The description of a true Christian The sixth branch is this The salvation of sinners by Christ is compleat Doct. 6. The Spirit of the as being savingly applied by the Spirit given of God the Father and of Christ Father and the Son applies the salvation by Christ dethroning corruption and ruling the whole man 1 Cor. 6. 11 his own Sonne to them that shall be saved In which application the Spirit dethrones the flesh and rules the whole man The sinners which are washed justified and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus have this so great a change wrought by the Spirit of our God saith the Apostle God who sent the Redeemer hath covenanted that his Word and Spirit shall be in the seed and seeds seed of the Redeemer to whom the Father gave them that he should save them as the Prophet Isaiah sheweth saying The Redeemer shall Isa 59. 21. come to Zion As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord my Spirit that is upon thee that is upon Christ the Redeemer and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed for whom the Redeemer gave his soul an offering for sin and went in travel with them on the Crosse nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed from henceforth Isa 53. 10. Gal. 3. 14. 1 Joh. 4. 13. 3 24 and for ever Christ hath purchased it and the believer is possessed of it Hereby we know saith the Apostle that we dwell in God and God in us even by the Spirit which he hath given us This is that way in which he saveth even by the renewing Tit. 3. 3 5. 2 Thes 2. 13 14. 1 Thes 1. 3 4 5. of the Holy Ghost which he sheds on us abundantly through our Lord and Saviour and through this way even the sanctification of the Spirit God bringeth his chosen unto glory Hereby our election is known The Son of God the wisdome of the Father subdueth us by his Spirit poured out unto us by which he makes known his words to us This is called the Communion Pro. 1. 23. 2 Cor. 13. 14. Joh. 3. 3 5 of the holy Ghost And this is so absolutely necessary that unlesse a man be born from above of water and of the holy Ghost he can never see the Kingdome of God that is he cannot come into and enjoy eternal life in heaven he can never enter into it unlest he be born again of the holy Spirit now poured out as plentifully as water
were conceived and born with all the cursed brats thereof inward and outward in which actual transgressions she hath been and is prodigiously fruitful To be purifying the soul in obeying the truth unto more and more unfeignednesse in faith love meeknesse patience and in every other 1 Pet. 1. 22 Ezek. 36. 27. 2 Tim. 1. 14 grace to walk in Gods statutes to keep his judgments and to do them and to keep the faith committed to our trust as a thing deposited In all these the actions are ours the ability is the Spirits these are the works of the Spirit sanctifying us 3. Manuduction or leading by the Rom. 8. 14. hand the new born and sanctified are at first weak as children and ever after in this life stand in need of a guide such a guide as might inwardly act sweetly and powerfully draw graciously support and gently lead all this the Spirit doth for the children of God this work is accompanied with familiar sense of love and faithfulnesse taking and holding us by the right hand that our souls might follow hard after him these mighty dawnings Psal 63. 8. and sustentations the more they are felt the more are they prayed for that they might run after Christ and the more the soul is powerfully enabled in these pursuits the right hand and dexrous power of the Holy Ghost is put forth to uphold us so much the more and this work is expressed further with counsel as David Ps 73. 23 24. said thou wilt guide me with thy counsel and with inward prompting and whisprings as of a voyce behind them saying this is the way walk in it when ye turn to the Isa 30. 21. right hand and when ye turn to the left 4. Teachings as the anointing this teaching is with sweet and piercing efficacy as oyle that suppleth and entereth soakingly into flesh and bone and it is 1 â—oh 2. 20 27. with the perfume of the aromatical spicery of graces like the holy anointing oyle under the Law mentioned Exod. 30. 23 24 25. It is also with great establishment in our Royal Priest-hood and in the truth of the Gospel which we learn by this teaching therefore the Apostle John saith we have an unction from the holy one 2 Cor. 1. 21. we know all things the effect hereof is great peace of heart as it is said in prophecy concerning the true Church especially under the New Testament Ministry All thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy Isa 54. 13. children 5. Consolation he is the Comforter by leading into all truth by bringing all things unto our remembrance by filling Joh. 16. 13. 6. 14. 2 us with joy and peace in believing by making us to abound in hope of glory through his power for the work is of Rom. 13. 13. 8. 15 16. 1 Joh. 5. 6. Rom. 8. 26. 2 Cor. 1. 22. 5. 5. Eph. 1. 13. 4. 30. great and infinite power to set the heart of earthy man of sinful clay and keep it up stedfast so high as eternal life in the world to come and in the third heaven by being in us the Spirit of Adoption in his work upon the heart by witnesse-bearing by making intercession in us and for us by being the earnest in our bosomes and by sealing us up to the day of Redemption 6. Direction inward a most secret 2 Thes 3. 5. work which hath two branches or parts first the directing of the heart renewed and sanctified into every particular acting of every grace received especially of love and hope Secondly the directing of the heart into a very sensible taste and experience of comfort The words of the Apostle when he saith The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God this love of God may be understood actively of the love wherewith we love God or passively of the love wherewith God loveth us 7. Corroboration this renders the sanctifyed mighty in doing and in suffering enlarged to receive and hold the strong wine of Gospel mysteries and to walk at liberty in the wayes of Gods Commandments making their way through all impediments and oppositions confirmed in the truth and enabled to stand fight and overcome in the spiritual warfare This strengthens with might in the inner man the regenerate and no other have an inner man this is from the gracious free-gift of God as the Father of Christ according to riches of glory according to his Ephes 3. 14 16 20 19. Col. 1. 11. glorious power and from the energy the effectual working of the power of God working in us exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think and this work is unto the dwelling of Christ in the heart by faith unto our rooting and grounding in love unto capacious comprehensions of the every way unmeasurable measures of the love of God and of Christ unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulnesse in the profession of Christs name and Gospel and unto the filling with all the fulness of God even the fulnesse of his image 8. The giving of supplies which for the manner of the work is by influence from Phil. 1. 19 Eph. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19. Christ the head to believers as his members for measure it is in a proportion agreeable to the measure of every part for the things ministred grace and life spiritual and for the next end nourishment more firm knitting to the head and to every fellow-member and increase with the increase of God that is with a mighty increase an increase which beareth before it the work and blessing of no lesse nor of any other than of God himself 9. The shedding abroad of Gods love in Christ even the sense of that love in Rom. 5. 5. with the context from ver 1. to the 11. ver and upon the heart that lieth now next the heart nothing comes between this love and the heart it is plentifully poured on it this work strengtheneth hope patience experience joy in tribulations even unto glorying and holy humble boasting peace of conscience faith in Jesus Christ liberty of accesse into the favour and free-grace of God and standing in the same so that we joy in God against whom we have sinned this causeth all gladnesse more than that gladnesse of Psal 4. 7 8 corne and wine abounding more than all the comforts of this earthly Creation and it setleth the soul in holy safety and security 10. Assistance in persecutions this appears by special teachings of the Spirit to Mat. 10. 20 wisdome power and utterance which the Adversaries cannot gain-say or resist and by the resting of the Spirit on us as the Spirit of glory against the shame and as the Spirit of God against the pain of the Crosse by delivering also from the spirit of fear even a low pusillanimous slavish 1 Pet. 4. 14. base fearful perplexed selfish revengeful giddy turn-coat unsound
the Resurrection at the last day quicken their mortal bodies These are great things but most sure and certain for the Holy Ghost who is the power of the Highest undertaketh this work as his Office which is the third thing proposed to be unfolded SECT 4. 2. That the Holy Ghost is in Office to do all this saving work and is faithful in this his Office Here are two things to be considered 3. He is in Office to do this work the office of the Holy Ghost and his faithfulnesse 1. The holy Ghost is in office to make good this work this is manifest first because he is sent sent of the Father sent of Christ sent into the hearts of believers Joh. 14. 26 15. 26. 16. 7. Gal. 4. 6. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Rom. 8. 26. sent upon these works Secondly He hath names which denote this his Office He is called the Comforter Another Comforter Jesus Christ he is one Comforter an Advocate with the Father now in heaven appearing for us And the holy Spirit he is not Christ he is Another he is another Comforter An Advocate in us he encourageth backeth us exhorts helps to hand over and puts into us desires and makes intercession ayding with groans unspeakable He is called The unction the anointing or Chrisme 1 Joh. 2. 20 Joh. 16. 13 Rom. 8. 15. He is called The Spirit of truth the Spirit of Adoption 2. The holy Ghost is faithful in this his Office this fidelity is many wayes expressed first in actual performance in Joh. 16. 13 14 15. us of those works for which he is sent and in regard whereof he bears his names He the Spirit of truth he will guide into all truth as in John 16. 13. in like manner is it true of every other work he is the Spirit of Adoption and he enables to cry in prayer Abba-father that is to call on God with fervency of faith so as to expresse the heart of a child towards God as to a father in Christ promised in the Old Testament an t sent accordingly in the New Testament In both Testaments together is set forth the glory of the Father and of Jesus Christ his Sonne to the full written in the Old Testament in Hebrew and in the New Testament in Greek and the Spirit frames the heart of a child and fills with the cryes of a child in prayer answerable to both Testaments manifestations and therefore it is said the Spirit causes them to cry Abba ho Pater Father Father Secondly In speaking nothing of himself he took on him nothing apart from or otherwise than what he had in charge from the Father and the Lord Jesus but what he hears of the Father and the Sonne that he speaks Even as Jesus Christ shewed his faithfulnesse to the Father that sent him in that he spake nothing but what he had heard of the Father he spake altogether what was agreeable to the old Testament Doctrine ver 13. Thirdly in glorifying Jesus Christ He shall receive and take of that which is Jesus Christs and shew it unto us John 16. 14 15. and hereby we may know the Spirit of truth from the 1 Joh. 4. 3 4 5 6. spirit of errour as the Apostle John gives the rule to try the spirits by SECT 5. 4. The peculiar works of the Spirit in order to the saving work Moreover great must needs that 4. Peculiar works of the Spirit in order to the saving work work be which hath marvelous works of the holy Ghost to be wrought and wrought every day and perfected long agoe that it may be performed now in order to the great saving work there are peculiar and wonderful works and they are manifold some respect Jesus Christ some the Scriptures some the Church and some the Ordinances take a brief of them under these four heads 1. Such works of the Spirit as respect 1. Respecting Jesus Christ Jesus Christ And so 1. The holy Ghost formed Christs humane nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary and of her seed this the Angel Gabriel declared in his answer to her enquiry the holy Ghost shall come upon thee Luk. 1. 35 36. and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God 2. The holy Ghost anointed Jesus Isa 61. 1. 11. 2 3. Act. 10. 38 Joh. 3. 34. Luk. 4. 14 18. Joh. 1. 31 32 33. Mat. 3. 16. Christ as he was man with gifts and graces so that he had the Spirit not by measure And having thus consecrated him and furnished him for the great office and work of Mediatour he with God the Father sent him 3. The holy Ghost by descending from heaven and resting upon him visibly in the shape of a Dove did publiquely shew him and seal him in his Baptism 4. The holy Ghost witnesseth that Jesus Christ who was crucified is the Sonne Act. 5. 31 32. Rom. 1. 4. of God the true Messiah he also witnesseth to the doctrine of Christs resurrection in which the deity of Jesus Christ is declared with power and likewise to the doctrine of his exaltation at the right hand of God the Father 2. Such as respect the Holy Scriptures 2. Respecting the written word 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. Act. 1. 16. Mark 12. 36. as 1. He inspired the holy men of God and infallibly dictated unto them and guided them in committing the Word of God unto writing No Scripture is of private motion the holy Ghost spake by David by Moses that faithful servant of God in all his house by Isaiah and by all the Prophets of the Old Testament Heb. 9. 8. Act. 28. 25 1 Pet. 1. 12 Luk. 1. 41 67. Act. 2. 1 Cor. 2. 10 13. the holy Ghost speaks by them so he inspired Elizabeth the Mother of John the Baptist and Zachary his father the holy Ghost came down from heaven upon the holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost the fiftieth day after Christs Resurrection induing them with power from on High and revealed to them all the deep things of God all the mystery of his will the Spirit both revealed to them the things of the Gospel and gave unto them the words in which they should speak them and leave them in writing and these words from his own teaching 2. He quickens the Word so that the Word is Spirit and life the Word is his Joh. 6. 63. Ephes 6. 17. Heb. 4. 12 13. 1 Cor. 2. 4. sword he puts an edge upon the Word making it quick and lively in operation to the dividing between the soul and spirit of man and to the searching of all the secrets of his heart that all may be naked and bare before him with whom he hath to do in the Word 3. He maketh the word to be with demonstration of the Spirit and of power that is with such power and efficacy in
with wisdome irresistible to witnesse to the truth with courage undaunted yet attended with love meeknesse and soundnesse of mind and to suffer for the truth with patience invincible of which it may be said Here is tâ—e patience of the Saints These are victors Renowned Conquerors the Churches Heroes the Lords Worthies the noble Army of the Lamb. 4. Such works of the holy Ghost as respect the Ordinances as The Word In the Word the Spirit speaketh to the Churches he gave the Rev. 2. 7. 3. 22. 1 Tim. 4. 1 Act. 11. 2 Rev. 14. â—â— Word by breathing it at first into the holy men of God he by Covenant goeth along with it breaths and works in it speaks in it writes it in the fleshly Tables of the heart every part of the Word is the speaking of the Spirit even that wherein he warnes of seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils And he saith yea to Gospel sentences The Sacraments Baptisme and the 1 Cor. 12. Lords Supper The Spirit accompanieth both as the band of union he maketh the partakers to be one body together of one head By one Spirit are all believers Baptized into one body and in the Lords Supper they all drink into one Spirit All these mighty works the Holy Spirit doth in order to the work of saving application of the grace of the Son our Lord Jesus Christ and of the love of â—od the Father This is the fourth thing proposed for explication The fifth followeth which also doth greatly commend the saving work and that is SECT 6. 5. The Inhabitation of the Holy Ghost Where the Holy Ghost is given manifesting his presence in his saving working 5. The inhabitation of the Spirit where he is thus given Rom. 8. 9 11. 1 Joh. 4. 13 3. 24. there he inhabiteth or dwelleth in them the Apostle distinguishingly and searchingly putting all believers upon the trial of their estates saith Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you and this is so Characteristical that he adjoyneth now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his He that hath the Spirit hath him dwelling in him hereby also we know that God dwelleth in us and that we dwel in God and they that have the Spirit given and dwelling in them they know it 1 Cor. 3. 16 Know ye not that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you And for this condescension of exceeding grace how great is it for he dwelleth in them first as in his Temple his holy consecrated house and habitation he knowes no Temple or house on earth but the broken and contrite heart the poor in spirit and when he had a Temple at Jerusalem it was to signifie this and not owned of God but with respect to this Temple The regenerate Isa 57. 15. 66. 1 2 3. are his Temples the Holy Ghost makes himself an habitation and then dwels in the Temple which he hath made the glory of the work is heavenly and excellent for this Temple is an house not made with hands no nor of this building 1 Cor. 6. 19. of this kinde of make of which is this fabrick of soul and body in this visible creation although it be reared and set up in this building Again The very bodies of the regenerate are the Temples of the Holy Ghost though they be houses of clay and the leprosie of sin is not clean washed and scraped out while they live in this world Secondly he dwelleth in them as in the living members of Christs Rom. 8. 2. mystical body he is the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ their Head and from him as from their Head floweth into each of them Thirdly he dwelleth in them as he is the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus Rom. 8. 11 from the dead even in the exceeding greatnesse of that power according to the working of the might of that power which he wrought and put forth in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the above-heavenlies Ephes 1. 19 20 21 22 23. far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name of Renown that is named and Renowned not only in this world but also in that which is to come and put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all Fourthly he dwelleth in them as the Spirit of the Father and as the Spirit of the â—onne he who taketh them to be his Sonnes by Adoption he sends the Spirit of his Sonne into their Gal. 4. 6. 1 Joh. 4. 8 9 10 13. hearts God is love here is love God the Father sends his Sonne into the world God the Father and God the Sonne send the Spirit into the hearts of those that shall be saved God the holy Ghost given unto them sheds abroad upon their hearts this love he dwels in them doing this work and by him the Father and the Son dwell in them from hence they cannot but say with the beloved Disciple Here is love that God through Christ by his Spirit should dwell in them that by the Spirit through Christ they should have accesse unto the Father Fifthly he dwelleth in them in all the fâ—re-named eminent and peculiar works of saving application in the presence efficacy of all his glorious salvifical Epithetes and Appellations Names and Titles he is in them the Spirit of faith the Spirit of truth the Spirit of grace and prayer the comforted the anointing the earnest and so of the rest and in this glory the Spirit dwelleth in them the Holy Ghost delighteth to fill his house with his glory and to rest there this is his in-dwelling which raiseth and advanceth all which hath been hitherto delivered SECT 7. 6. The time of the coming of the Holy Ghost Now for this great work there is a season 6. The special season of his coming in which the Spirit hath his day for as the Son came down from heaven in the fulnesse of time sent of God the Father according to the promises in the Old Testament delivered and had his day with the Church of God on earth so the Holy Ghost he came down from heaven in his proper time according to promise sent of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ And although the Spirit of God was given and wrought by the Word savingly in the times of the Old Testament and from the first preaching of the Gospel to our fallen first Parents in Paradise and down-wards in the old world and from the flood till the giving of the Law by Moses yet in respect of the promised effusion or pourings out of the Spirit and in regard of the clearnesse eminency and ample largenesse of his presence and workings as such his giving
coming and sending hath a peculiar season therefore it is said the Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified and Joh. 7. 39. Christ saith If I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I Joh. 16. 7. depart I will send him unto you This season began on the day of Pentecost next after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead the History whereof we have in Acts 2. And this season of his presence and power hath continued and doth continue all the time of the New Testament Ministery and the glory of the season is according to the power plenty and purity of the preaching of the everlasting Gospel for seeing the Spirit accompanieth the Word look as the Gospel had its time when it began to be preached in all the world so the Spirit also was sent and as the Gospel goeth forth so is the Spirit given the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles and endued them with power from on High that they might be able to deliver the whole Counsel of God all the secrets and mysteries of salvation that they might preach it to all the world to all Nations and it might bring forth fruit in the conversion of multitudes and in the planting of Churches every where and that they might leave the same in writing giving us the New Testament and perfecting the whole Canon of the Scripture and all this infallibly And in and with this Gospel to which never one line more shall be added the Holy Ghost is present and worketh and ruleth in the place of Jesus Christ untill this second coming to judgment Under the Old Testament the Spirit was as a Spirit of bondage because the Law was clearly delivered but the Gospel darkly Rom. 8. 14 15. under the whole form of shadowy Ceremonies under the New Testament the Spirit is as the Spirit of Adoption for the Gospel openly delivered the things themselves that were prophesied of shadowed out and promised are given and the great mysteries of the Gospel and all that concerneth them are fully and perfectly made manifest Now also are Converts born of water and the Holy Ghost that is of the Holy Ghost whose working was 2 Tim. 4. 1 2 4. 1 Joh. 4. 4 5. foretold to be like the pouring out of water and like the opening of springs in dry ground now are they baptized washed plunged dipped with the Holy Ghost and with fire that is with zeal answering the glory of the light The godly under the Old Testament had Gods holy and free Spirit but then agreeable to that Ministery Gal. 1. 8 9. and now as is agreeable to this And thus the Apostle teacheth in Gal. 4. 1 2 3 4. And as there is but one Gospel and but one Spirit and never any other coming of the Spirit so it is as sure there shall never be any other dispensation or ministration but this of the New Testament which is that which remaineth unless you could look for another Christ or that Jesus Christ had not fully accomplished the 7. This work of the Spirit is peculiar to the Elect work of Renemption and is not for ever set on the right hand of Majesty but must come again to do somewhat which he left undone and so must to the Tree and Crosse again there is now no coming of any Spirit but the coming of Antichrist and of the spirit of Antichrist the spirit of errour of whose coming the Holy Ghost by the Apostles speaketh expressely therâ—fore all Pastors and Teachers are bound up to the Word to the Scripture and to turn from that is to be turned after fables to teach any other than what they hear from the Apostles writings is to sheak of the world and not of God to receive any other is to run to another Gospel to pervert the Gospel of Christ to runne from the blessing the holy Spirit of promise and to runne under the Gospels curse SECT 8. 7. The peculiarity and appropriation of the saving work of the Spirit unto the Elect and Redeemed That which commends this work of the Spirit yet further is this that is is peculiar and appropriated unto the Elect of God the Father and to the Redeemed of Christ the Lord. The Spirit of truth is the Comforter his work under the New Testament as Comforter is such a work as none but the chosen of God the Redeemed 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. of Christ to whom he was promised do partake of There is another work of the Spirit of truth the Comforter which is conviction not conversion and that Joh. 16. 8 9 10 11. he worketh on the world as well as on the chosen of God This conviction is such illightning by the Word of the Gospel that thereby the world that is the men that are yet still under the power of sinne possess 't with the love of the world and whom God leaveth to their own reason lusts stands clearly fully resolved and perswaded of the matter in hand and set down and concluded under it so that they are self-condemned if they do ought against that light This conviction by the Spirit is of three things first of sinne even of unbelief and disobedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that that unbelief and disobedience is a sinne Secondly of righteousnesse that the civil righteousnesse of men the righteousnesse of mens own works is no garment to cover mans nakednesse to hide his sinnes and shame it is too short it is too filthy like a menstruous ragge it is tattered and full of holes no web no texture which can hang together to make a garment or any cloth of it to wear in the sight of God but it is Christs righteousness consisting of his obedience and suffering to the death of the Crosse performed by him as the second Adam the Surety of a sinner it is this righteousnesse alone which is a perfect righteousnesse or righteousnesse which God accepts as appeareth in that Jesus Christ ascendeth to heaven and goeth to the Father the Father receiving him to highest glory as he that hath done and accomplished perfectly the work for which he sent him into the world and he shall never come more to be seen of the world in that form of humiliation in which he came before Thirdly of judgment that Satan the Serpent and his seed are condemned or sentenced and are going irrecoverably to perdition but Jesus Christ and his seed justified by his knowledge are certainly blessed yea of judgment upon the world Idols and all false religions and of judgment found in the true Christian Religion alone and in the judicious orderly government of Christ set up in his Gospel and thereby in the hearts and lives of true believers that imbrace the same unfeignedly in and by which the power of Satan is broken and his works dissolved This work of conviction is an excellent work of the Holy Ghost it is also wrought
and revive the broken in heart he must create the fruit of the lips of Ministers to be peace the believing and revived souls how soon would they lose their graces and comforts were not the Holy Ghost the Comforter given unto them to dwell in them for ever here here is our safety 5. By the Word which the Spirit ingrafts the Spirit comes in his communion that the believer might have the witnesse within him and then can nothing deprive him of the comfort of his salvation SECT 10. The Vse of this Doctrine is first for Information This truth that the Holy Ghost maketh The use of this 1. Information the application of the salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ is for singular use for Information and for Exhortation First for Iâ—formation it informs us of four things first of the excellency of the Word of God the Scripture and in special of the Word of the New Testament it is the Chariot of the Spirit in which the Spirit of truth cometh into our hearts the Spirit breathed it at first and in it still the Spirit breaths It is never without the movings and workings of the Holy Ghost in strivings in convictions upon all men to whom it comes and in conversion to the chosen of God It is the power of God to salvation to all that believe whether Jews or Gentiles Secondly of the excellency of the Ministery of the New Testament which ministers or 3. â— the spirit and is the Ministery of the Spirit which makes the receivers of the Gospel to be the Epistles of Christ written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone but in fleshly Tables of the heart and all this ministred by the Ministers of Christ by which God maketh manifest the savour 2 Cor. 2. 14 15 16. of the knowledge of Christ unto God a sweet savour in them that are saved to whom ir is the savour of life unto life and in them that perish to whom it is the savour of death unto death but in both a sweet savour unto God and by it he perfumes the world Thirdly of the worth of a true Christian the Spirit of God and of Christ dwelleth in him he hath the witnesse in himself he hath this anointing Fourthly of the excellency of the work of grace in the Convert above all that is found of vertue praise or worth in any other people in the world The Gospel Convert is the spiritual man he is one in the Spirit one after the Spirit he is one â—pirit with the Lord Christ their very bodies are the consecrated Temples of the Holy Ghost this makes one a good man this makes a difference among men some have the Spirit some though they may pretend to it yet seeing they are not delivered from sensuality nor from self-conceitednesse Jude 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which sheweth it self in removing all the bounds which God hath set between his Church and the world and in setting no bounds or in setting bounds of their own they have not the Spirit There are other spirits besides the Spirit of God and there are who have the Spirit of God and yet they have not the Spirit in that sense of which we speak here There are five sorts of spirits which are not the Spirit of God and they have a Five sorts of spirits that have much power on men which are not the Spirit of God great stroak upon men 1. The spirit of man which knoweth what is in this man this is the soul which animates the body which is endued with reason which hath understanding and will which hath conscience that is a power to reflect upon himself and upon all within him to view and know his own thoughts and counsels and all his desires and actions and then to make up a judgment upon it for God with or against the man the soul in respect of this power 1 Cor. 2. 11 14. called the conscience is the spirit of man but this animal man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God nor can know them they are far above out of their reach 2. The spirit of the world this is the wisdome of the world wherewith Philosophers Princes wise States-men and Politicians learned men Inventers of arts trades and manufactures Merchants Rich men Navigators warlike Heroes Renowned men have excelled whose power and force lyeth within the compasse of humane reason and is accounted the perfection of the minde This spirit the world is proud of this saith Paul we leave to the world to the men of the 1 Cor. 2. 12. world this spirit is not sinful in it self 3. The spirit of lust that dwelleth in Jam. 45. â—â—oh 5. 19. 2. 15 16 us this is the spirit of that world which is placed in wickednesse of that world which is the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye and the pride of life this is a sinful spirit and it reigneth in all men by nature and beslaveth the two former spirits the wisdome of the world and the very soul and conscience of man this is the impulse of the former spirit of the world the life and power of it the malignity and wickednesse of it And this spirit is the spirit of envy pride ambition revenge self-love atheisme profanesse and superstition it is the spirit of timidity or base pusillanimous fear and of tyrannical domineering oppression The more basely fearful the more proudly tyrannical 4. The spirit Satan who works effectually in all men by nature he is the 1 John 4. 2 3 6. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. Zach. 13. 2 Rev. 16. 14 father of lusts and the father of lies and in that regard he is the spirit of errour the spirit of Apostasie and of the doctrine of Devils we read of unclean spirits the spirits of Devils which come out of the mouth of the Dragon as well as out of the mouth of the Beast and our of the mouth of the false Prophet these are those men who love to broach such lies in Religion coloured over with hypocrisie Rom. 11. 8 Isa 29. 10 14. 6. 9. 5. The spirit of slumber which is sent of God in his righteous judgment for hardnings and rebellion against the light of his Word and for gain-saying of unbelief under the Gospel This is a stupid sottish heart hard and hardened benummed aston'd as with a lethargy that feels not nor understands divine and spiritual things although it be never so much rouzed punched and gored so that they startle but presently nod and fall fast asleep again And here not only the heart is so secure but there is also a force and impulse of Satan sent of God as a righteous judge which carrieth them mightily and beyond what is ordinarily found in things which men do alone as men this is called a spirit of slumber the like reason is to be held in the fore-named spirits Errour is
ought to strive and wrestle taking the Gospels part against the adversaries thereof and this we should do together with all the Saints and faithful especially with those with whom we live and with them let us stand fast in one Spirit The unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God in his Gospel which is but one and the same word of truth should unite us in love and bind us to the peace with lowlinesse and forbearance and with due respect to the variety of the gifts of the Spirit which are the Spirits rich embroidery the ornament of the Church no way of themselves hindering unity and orderly employed and improved are to the singular profit and benefit of all and every one of the members of Christs mystical body 4. Sow to the Spirit lay out your substance Gal. 6. 8. and your worldly goods to spiritual uses to the maintenance of Christs Ministery and Ordinances to the promoting of the Gospel the Church all grace and holinesse and the hopes of glory Seek first Gods Kingdome and righteousnesse Mat. 6. 33. buy the truth and sell it not say not I must provide estates for my children maintain my family raise my posterity God cannot be mocked if thou honour not the Lord with thy substance thou doest but sow to the flesh and of the flesh thou shalt reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Say not I have already done this and that good work hast thou an opportunity do still more with thy wealth and temporals be not weary of well-doing the reaping time will come in due season Faint not therefore neither flag in the sowing time there is now the seed time the harvest day is to come in another world 5. Lastly as it is in this Text Walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh this duty makes up the description of the spirituals of the true Christian the person whom God hath loved to life everlasting and for whom the Sonne of God came into the world and gave himself to the death This is the second Consideration of the words of the Apostle which now cometh to be perused and that as they give us the third Doctrine which is the more necessary the more excellent than the two former are and the more desirable the more searching and differencing the children of God from the men of the world CHAP. X. Treating of the third great truth The lively description of the persons that shall be saved and do partake of this salvation by Jesus Christ viz. They are such who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit SECT 1. Doctrin 3. The persons for whom God gave his Son and the Son came into the world and gave himself are those that walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit THe third great doctrine delivered by our Apostle in these verses this They that walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit these are they for whom God sent his own Sonne to become flesh in the likenesse of sinful flesh to be a sacrifice for their sinnes and whose sinnes God condemned in the flesh of his Son that in and for them the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled or take it thus Those in whom the Spirit dwels applying savingly the love of the Father and the grace of the Sonne in them he so mightily rules that they walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit That we may not be deceived in a matter of such importance as this is of let us 1. Understand the force of the words 2. Take them asunder in particular Opened in six particulars doctrines 3. And then Consider the Regency of the flesh 4. The Regency of the Spirit 5. The walk after the flesh 6. The walk after the Spirit And seventhly the uses of the whole First for the meaning of the words By flesh is meant the unregenerate part 1. The meaning and force of the words Col. 2. 18. Mat. 15. 19 20. in the sanctified believer the man as defiled with sinne the nature of man of man corrupted by sinne By flesh is not meant 1. Flesh in the substance of it the body opposed to the soul but both body and soul made flesh and carnal as carnal is opposed to spiritual there is the fleshly mind the soul as well as the body is defiled with sinne and depraved the soul defiles the body out of the heart cometh that which defiles the man by flesh therefore we must not understand the substance of flesh which is Gods Creature and therefore good and hath no cause of sinne in it for God is not the Author of sin neither may his workmanship be blamed without committing that great wickednesse of casting reproach upon our Maker This is to be held firm against the vile and pernicious opinions of all ancient Heretiques and our newly up-start erroneous spirits and against the received sayings of Philosophers and the dangerous tenets and expressions of some Divines as if the mind and soul were pure and receiveth its defilement from the body By flesh is not meant 2. Flesh in the natural desires of food sleep generation rayment recreation motion rest and if there be any thing else that accompanies the life of man in this world These are not evil in themselves it is inordinacy that makes them evil faulty and sinful Nor doth flesh note out 3. Humane wisdome and reason and the moral actings and projectings thereof All which kept within their own sphere and acting regularly are most useful to societies commendable among all and serviceable to the Kingdome of Jesus Christ Nor much lesse by flesh may be understood 4. The sparkles of the light that is born with us and in us or the reliques of Gods Image in body or soul or in the whole man Nor yet under the word flesh may we understand 5. The necessary helps of this present life as lands money friends with the like subsidiary ayds Nor 6. Natural diseases infirmities or defects of body or mind In this sense there is an honour due to the flesh and a lawful satisfying of its desires and needs and to deny them to it though Col. 2. 23. upon devout pretence is sinful and falls under that Commandment Thou shalt not kill But by flesh is meant the sinful disposition and this is called flesh not as if this sinfulnesse were first in the body for the soul the fairest part of it the top of it the mind is polluted we are strangers from God in our mindes the spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 4. 23. Col. 1. 21. of the mind must be renewed ere ever it will be good Quest Why then may it be said Is corruption of nature which is first and most notably in the chiefest faculties of the soul called flesh Answ First Because the very soul is flesh that is it is defiled with sinne and tyed down to
These two the flesh and the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. are contrary one to another When the Spirit comes in and rules and the flesh or corruption of nature cannot rule more yet it will never yield it will ne're be good it is not subject to the Law of God nor can be the best that can be made of it is to mortifie it crucifie it fight it out against it therefore from these two contrary principles in one and the same man it is that in the godly there is a continual fight or deadly war and cursed be that that would make up a peace between these two therefore hence it is that he that is born again is born a Souldier lives by his spiritual sword and valour and dies in the Field and so never dies but is a Conquerour in his death 5. Where the Spirit is he rules and reignes he will not be underling he leads where he is all that is born of God overcometh the whole world And the Spirits rule is set up by pulling the flesh out of the Throne and subduing its Dominion therefore the least measure of true grace the least speak of this holy fire be it but as that in smoaking flax is Soveraign it is judgment which will come unto victory 6. The Regency of the Spirit appears in ordering the walks of every one in whom he is he renews and sanctifies throughout he makes a new creature a new man from the spirit of the minde to the outward members he creates a new heart and a new spirit that there may be a new walk 7. Those who walk after the flesh have not the Spirit at all and therefore they are not in Christ 8. By our lives and conversations we may infallibly know wâ—ether Christ were sent for us whether our sinnes were condemned in his flesh whether God the Father loved us so as to send his own Son for us to be our propitiation or the Son became flesh became sinne for us whether he be our righteousnesse our redemption or whether the Spirit of the Father and the Sonne hath taken possession of us to shed abroad the Fathers love into and sprinkles the Sonnes blood upon our hearts whether these be so or no may be known by the walks of our lives 9. So it is and so it hath ever been and it will for ever be so in this life that even among Christians who professe the true Religion there are two sorts some that walk after the flesh contrary to their profession and some that walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh SECT 3. Let us now therefore consider of the The Regency of the flesh discovered generally in ten things reign of the Spirit and the flesh that so these two sorts of Christians the carnal and the spiritual the true and false may know themselves and because the flesh is the elder brother in the world he shall have the honour to be spoken of in the first place The Regency of the flesh may be set forth more generally or more particularly in general the flesh's Regency consisteth 1. In its lonenesse if there be in us John 3. 6. Joh. 3. 3 5 nothing but flesh then be sure the flesh reigns we are first in the flesh conceived and born in sinne If there be nothing but nature and that which is natural the flesh is regnant for that which is of the flesh is flesh it can never arise higher than the compasse of its own principle it can never get up to things that are above there is nothing but flesh unlesse we be born of the Spirit there is nothing but flesh and nature where the Spirit by the Gospel hath had no changing work and where mans righteousnesse or the righteousnesse of works whether of our own works or of the works of the Law is still sought after and the sinner never yet so farre humbled that now Gal. 3. 10 12 18. Phil. 3. 3 6 7. he hath no confidence in the flesh any more 2. In the love of the lusts of the flesh these lusts are of three sorts the lust of â— Joh. 2. 16. the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life which do all of them spring from the love of the world this is the worlds trinity in unity which all men by nature do serve If the love of the world be in us the love of the Father cannot be in us 3. In the acknowledgment of the Edicts Rom. 6. 13 and Commands of the flesh sinne reigns where the lusts of it that is the motions of sinne in our members are obeyed obedience to it proves its Soveraignty it is an undeniable truth his servants we are to whom we obey The offering up of the members of our bodies to be weapons to fight for it and to be instruments to work for it shews that flesh is in the Throne 4. In making provision to fulâ—ill the Ro. 13. 14 lusts of the flesh there is a lawful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 24. 3. 1 Tim. 5. 8 Ro. 12. 17 providence and fore-cast for the discharge of the duties of our particular callings for making provision for ours and for those of our families for things honest in the sight of all men but none ought to be for the flesh or for our corrupt nature The providence which is lawful hath this character to take the seasons and to improve them with diligence thus the wisdome of God teacheth saying Go to the Pismire thou sluggard consider her wayes â—nd be wise which having no Prov. 6. 6 7 8. guide over-seer or ruler provideth her meat in the sâ—mmer and gathereth her food in the Hâ—rvest the sluggard is he that sleepeth out his Summer season and letteth slip the Harvest goeth forth in the dead of Winter to gather in the fruits of the earth the sinful providence hath two marks first to make it a businesse to project and lay out for the flesh secondly to aime at the satisfying of the lusts thereof when the flesh hath the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 providential projecting and fore-casting ability at command and at her service it is certain her supremacy is in the full It is the infallible signe of the renewing of the minde when the providential ability is sanctified and is ready under the command of the Word and Spirit 5. In sensuality when the senses beaâ— rule when what is pleasurable hath the Luk. 17. 27 Mat. 24. 38. Jude 19. 2 Tim. 3. 4 Phil. 3. 19. Job 31. 7. Jam. 3. 15 stroak with us and not what is honest righteous and holy when we are lovers of pleasure more than of God or those whose God is their belly that live to eat that minde earthly things those whose hearts walk after their eyes and their souls are tyed down to their senses who are meer animals whose wisdome is earthly and sensual their wisdome is also Divellish 6. In minding and savouring only fleshly things as
because we pray we now think our selves free to commit sinne we have been at prayer therefore we may be at our lewdnesse we have been at Church in the fore-noon of the Lords day therefore we may dance about the May-pole and keep Revels in the after-noon this is like the Harlot who saith to the young Wanton I have peace-offerings with me this day have I paid Prov. 7. 14 15. my vows therefore came I forth to meet thee 2. In reference to the Law of God for though the flesh is not nor will be subject 2. In reference to the holy Law Sixwayes to the holy Law yet the wily wisdome and subtilty thereof will make use of that also and that most perniciously And the Reign of the flesh sheweth it self herein diversly as First when we seek righteousnesse and Rom. 6. 14. 9. 32. 10. 3. salvation by the Law while under the Law we are under the Dominion of sin so long as we go about to establish our own righteousnesse as did the Jewes and as it is found in all men by nature a Phil. 3. 4 5 draught whereof we have excellently and to the life drawn up in Mat. 19. 16 17. to ver 24. this is to have confidence in the flesh Secondly when we take the Law to be no more than as a Law commanding the Ro. 7. 7 9. Mat. 5. 21. to the end of the ch outward man and to forbid nothing but grosse acts of sinne or to require no more than the outward duty and so we are alive we know not sinne which reacheth to the heart and hath its seat there in the deceitfulnesse and wickednesse thereof nor know we lust or inordinate affections and concupiscence to be sinne and therefore we blesse our selves or flatter our selves in our own eyes in our natural estate Thirdly when and whilest that we cannot endure to hear the holinesse of the Law opened and urged and we love not the righteousnesse and purity of the Commandments yet we will have the saying of the Commandments and the publick reading of them as part of Divine service and hold this better than all preaching and without this we care not for Minister or preaching Fourthly when all the fruit of the coming of the Law and Commandment is onely to revive sin and to strike us dead I take the Apoâ—â—les phrase the meaning whereof is this That the Spirit of God doth accompany the Law and the spiritualnesse of the Law being such as Rom. 7. 9. reaches to the thoughts and desires of the heart as well as to our words and deeds when it is opened the Spirit of God brings it home to the conscience with power this is the coming of the Law now when the fruit of it thus coming is this onely to revive sinne and to kill the sinner to ptovoke sinne so that it works in the sinner all manner of concupiscence and then comes the threatning and the curse and slays us and strikes us dead if this be all that we receive by the Law the flesh yet will hold the Chair for we wiâ—l dislike the preaching of the Law we cannot endure these men of sowre spirits these Legal Preachers we will lay the fault on the Minister and if we can but get from under this dinne oh we like the respousal to every Commandment Lord have mtrcy upon us and incline our hearts to keep this Law this God shall have and then we are at quiet and alive again though our sinnes live in us and we live and continue in them love and plead for them Fifthly when there is nothing in us that is subject to the Law of God nothing that holdeth proportion with the platforme of holinesse laid down in the Law Rom. 8. 7. but that only is found in us which rebels frets pulls away the shoulder and esteems all grievous for then we are wholly flesh Sixthly when we never received any further work of the Spirit than that of the spirit of bondage and yet because thereof we conclude we have repented and our estate is good whereas by the Law we should be shut up to the faith of Christ in the Gospel which having changed and made us anew we should live to God and delight in the spiritualnesse and purity of the Law with judging and condemning our selves thereby and justifying God therein the work of the spirit of bondage is to bring to the knowledge of sinne to work the sense of Gods wrath against sinne and to fill with terrours upon awakenings and there is no further work of the Spirit when there is no hâ—tred of the pollution of sinne no heart-forsaking of the sinnes of the heart no hatred of sinne in the sinfulnesse of our nature whence all transgressions do come when no further work did we ever finde than the convictions of rhe spirit light great and convictions strong but the will the heart not created anew that there might be conversion and healing now though these convictions may be not onely of sinne through the Law but of the sinne of unbelief and of righteousnesse and of judgment even of Christ and his Kingdome and righteousnesse through all the good Word of the Gospel yet the flesh may and will still keep the Chair 3. In reference to God and his worship 3. In reference to God and his worship Two wayes Col. 1. 21 22. Isa 66. 1 3 Psal 106. the flesh can yield to assume unto it and choose both Gods name and service with great state and thereby perk up the higher First with the mixture and blending of mens devices our own inventions the commandments of men to teach the fear and worship of God and the rudiments of the world these are savoury these are devotions humility and wisdome these are the rules to which the flesh lyeth level Secondly with philosophical speculations wisdome of words great swelling words of vanity and the worshipping of Angels disputes about words and genealogies Col. 1. 18. 1 Cor. 2. 3 1 Tim. 6. oppositions of science fables depths unwritten traditions vented for Apostolical these and such like the fleshly-minded is puffed up withall it loves to be intruding into things it knows not it would be reputed seraphical by amazing the simple with high-flown notions 4. In reference to Christ and to his 4. In reference unto Christ Eminently in Antichristianisme Gospel his Profession Ministry and Ordinances all these to choose never did the flesh get more by any thing she appears like a Lamb she puts forth the two Horns of Christs vicegerency and beauty external she gets on the sheeps skin and cloathing she hasps to her both the Keyes the Key of knowledge and the Key of Discipline the Keyes of the Kingdome of heaven she will be infallible and give the sense of Scripture unerringly be the Holy Father and the Holy Mother-Church she will exercise and conjure the Divel and cast him out and do a thousand more such
minde and rellish the things of the Spirit new inclinations a new bent of soul a new by as on the will set fixed centered and pointed Heaven-Ward God-Ward Christ-Ward 5. The Spirit disposeth to do all good first from a spiritual principle of faith Ephes 5. 9 1 Tim. 1. 5 unfeigned of a heart purified of a good conscience and of love Secondly with a godly force and impulse Thirdly in obedience to the Word and by the Rule of the words of the new creature made up of the Word Fourthly with a searching heart a Spirit making diligent search that all be done with repentance because of the evils of the best we do and with faith in the blood of Jesus Christ for acceptation for our repentance needs still to be repented of and none can live an houre in the sight of God any other way than by faith in Jesus Christ Fifthly and unto high and supernatural ends as 1. To the glory of God and not to our own praise and glory 2 To the salvation of our own souls and others 3. To the increase of grace in our selves and in others 4. And to the adorning of the Gospel and of our holy profession And that all may thus be done the Spirit disposeth to delight in the Law in our inner man to rejoyce to work righteousnesse to glory and make our boast in the Lord Jesus and in him only to serve God with our spirits in the Gospel of his Sonne to solace our selves in fellowship with Christ and through him with the Father by the Holy Ghost according to the Covenant of Grace now set forth fully in the Gospel It disposeth to follow the Lord fully as did Caleb and Joshua Num. 14. 24. in the times of murmurings declinings and evil and hard reports brought upon the wayes of God to walk with a right foot in the Gospel when patties and divisions tempt to dissimulations and haltings To make more streight steps to our paths and strengthen our feeble hands and knees in all pursuits of holinesse with peace and quiet submission when sore persecutions abide or threaten us 6. The Spirit at his first entrance into a sinner in his renewing act and presence heals the soul for ever of sore and grievous wickednesses which shew their poyson with strength in every natural man they are four First Impenitency such a hardnesse of heart that it cannot repent but it abuseth Ro. 2. 3 4. the riches of the goodnesse of God their Creatour and the riches of the patience and long-suffering of a gracious God Repentance unto life Christ giveth and in the Regenerate a spring of godly sorrow is opened and the flint-stone of the heart before hard as a Rock now gives floods before he had a heart that could not repent and now he hath an heart that cannot but mourn for sinne Secondly Pronenesse to be scandalized and to take offence 1. At the afflictions Mat. 13. 21. tentations and persecutions which comes for the Gospels sake 2. At the fewnesse meannesse infirmities sinnes and sorrowes of the godly 3. At Joh. 6. 60 61. 1 Cor. 1. 23 the truths of the Gospel crosse to our corrupt sense and reason 4. At Christ crucified 5. At the simplicity of the Gospel and of the Gospel-Ordinances their poor mean out-side and among them of plain edifying preaching in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power and not with wisdome of words nor Philosophy and such vain deceits 6. At the purity of Gods commands the hardship of mortification the strangenesse and as we naturally think the unreasonablenesse and folly of a Saints life the life of a stranger and pilgrim the life of faith what can we be Saints on earth shall we live like no body we must live and wee 'le trust God with our souls when the Spirit comes he works such great love to the Word that nothing shall offend them such knowledge and assured faith of the Messiah the great Prophet who hath the words of eternal life and Ps 119. 165 Joh. 6. 68 69. none but he that they shall never go away from his blessed Gospel although at the first they are not able well to apprehend many truths there delivered Thirdly The hatred of the godly and of holinesse and the speaking evil of both when the Lord by his Spirit gâ—aciously visits their souls now they have another language they glorifie God for and in the godly to whom before they 1 Pet. 2. 12 could not afford a good word now they are to them the only excellent ones in the earth holinesse hath now their hearts and that for ever and therefore the Saints are their delight Fourthly Insensiblenesse of and under spiritual plagues now they feel and fear Isa 63. 17. Zeph. 3. 18. and pray against a heart hardening and hardened under afflictions and from Gods fear they mourn for the famine of the Word for the want of the solemn Assembly the taking away of faithful searching preaching they fear to be left to their own hearts to walk in their own counsels they are sensible of the hiding away of Gods face and of losse of the joy of Gods salvation they fear to have their Table made a snare and to have their temporal blessings cursed to them and not sanctified to them they know it for a great curse to have successe and prosperity in an evil way A spirit of slumber and carnal security they so dread that they love an awakened and preserve atender conscience an awakening Ministery and dare not live without a watch set chiefly over the heart and mouth and in holy jealousie over themselves they pray Ps 141. 3. Ps 141. 4. to God that he would set the watch they so fear the prosperity of wicked men and the heavy judgment to be left of God to incline in heart to the liking of their condition and estate that it is their earnest prayer that they may never choose or desire in heart to eat of their dainties Thus of the Regency of the Spirit SECT 6. 5. The walk after the flesh is a life led First After the course of the world 5. What the walk after the flesh is in eight things Eph. 2. 2 3 after the will of men in their religions idolatries superstitious vanities and the inventions of men in doctrine and worship in Philosophy and wisdome of words devotions and wayes of Religion Traditions and Commandments of men to teach the fear and service of God there are that speak of the world and the world will hear them the world hath not only his profane ones but his sacra his 1 Pet. 4. 3 holy things and the world hath his just ones and his devout and holy ones here lies one special part of the way and course of the world and so is the will of men that people should walk after that course but so is not the will of God To live after the course of the world is to live
the lusts thereof this the words import not after the flesh but after the Spirit is the spiritual mans walk Thirdly and whereas the flesh would impose upon the most spiritual he glorifies the Spirit and condemns the flesh the flesh is rejected but the Spirit is chosen for guide and leader this refusing and choosing is his daily work daily and continually in his wayes and walks he is refusing to walk after the flesh and choosing to walk after the Spirit the language of his walks and conversation is this not the flesh but the Spirit not the walk after the flesh but the walk after the Spirit 2. Therefore for the second use here is 2. Of comfort singular comfort to all whose wayes are holy who have the Spirit of Christ the orderer of their lives God will account of thee by the course of thy life the wicked while their lives are vain earthly carnal and they like not the way of the holy and choose not the Word and Spirit for their rule and guide they plead Ps 50. 16. and please themselves in the goodnesse of their hearts God knows them for wicked and so will judge them thou complainest of thy heart and mournest over thy vain thoughts thy weaknesses but holdest fast the way which is called holy thy walk is directed heaven-ward Remember now God reckons thee to be as the way is which thou hast chosen whose walks are spiritual they are spiritual they Rom. 8. 1. are in Christ Jesus and not in Adam flesh may lust in them but they fulfill not those lusts for look upon their conversation they walk in the Spirit they walk after the Spirit and that from the power of the Spirit in them as the spring of life as the quickning commanding renewing inward life The Holy Ghost hath his Throne in the heart of those whose walks he frames whose walks are after his minde these holy walkers are in the Spirit in the Sonne and in the Father as their walk doth evidence undoubtedly That this comfort may flow forth clear and strong it will be needful to give here somewhat of Consideration and somewhat of Caution SECT 9. For Consideration Consider seriously Where four relieving considerations 1. What of the flesh may be where the Spirit rules cast under seven heads Jam. 1. 14 15. these four things following First What of the flesh may be where the Spirit reigns there may be 1. The lustings of the flesh contrary to the Spirit In sinne there is first the evil suggestion or first motion the first rising and peering out of sinne This is in the most gracious and spiritual but with great difference for to the unregenerate and wicked it is the babe of his bosome but to the godly it is the brat of Babylon happy would he be esteemed of him that could take and dash them against the stones Secondly delight ensnaring and bird-liming the soul this may be in the godly but it is stollen and of treachery from the inmate the flesh for his chosen delight is in the Law of God his delight is to do Gods will that is within his bowels but as for the wicked his Psal 1. 2. 40. 8. inward parts are very wickednesse he looks and welcomes and with the whole heart closes with the ensnarings of sinnes motions he would not willingly have it to have check in any case no not so much as from his conscience within Thirdly Consent of will this in the godly is but partial but in the unregenerate it is a full consent Fourthly the Act or Commission in a formed thought in word or in deed This in the godly is seldome and then that which he would not but in the wicked it is common and usual and yet not so oft as he would Fifthly persisting in it and making the actings of sinne their way in which they choose to stand and walk taking pleasure therein this in the regenerate is never much lesse doth the godly man continue in sinne obstinately pleading for it and scorning reproof much lesse doth he take a pride in it and boast of accomplishing his sinful desires blessing the wicked whom the Lord abhorreth and hating the godly that fear to sinne in whom the Lord taketh pleasure 2. Sinnes motions may be lively in Ro. 7. 23. the members of the truly godly but not so as to be able to bring forth fruit unto death as the phrase is in ver 5. of Rom. 7. for as lively as they be the godly watch them the more that they shall not be fruitful Death is not their Lord nor hath them under its power now as it was while they stood married to the Law the Covenant of Works but God is their Lord unto whom they bring forth fruit as married to Christ risen from the dead Therefore sinne may stirre lively but not be fruit-bearing in them but in the ungodly the motions thrive as the birth in the belly which they seek carefully to midwife and suckle hugge in the bosome and dandle on their knees because there is no life of God in them they being altogether in death and abiding in death as the Apostle Johns expression is in 1 John 3. 14. 3. Evil may be present when they Rom. 7. 21 would do good To will that which is good is present with the godly but through the flesh that is by reason of the corruption of their natures in which no good dwelleth there is evil adjacent to that willing and easily beletteth them 4. Grievous untowardnesse awkernesse Rom. 7. 14 19 20. Heb. 12. 1 indisposednesse and aversenesse sometimes And this is the more burdening and pressing down begirting and encompassing the more they presse unto the spiritualnesse of any duty neverthelesse unto spiritualnesse in duty they presse on they stirre up themselves thereto and their backwardnesse dulnesse and deadnesse with all formality they mourn over and judge 5. The Law of the members or corruption of nature which no sooner stirs Ro. 7. 23. but it is presently in the members of the body and there is working as a Law this Law of the members making Warre and rebelling against the Law of their minds yet their inner man and such a man they have in them and others have not that is the Master they own his Law is their Law the other they own not but take for a Rebel and his Law for tyranny 6. Yea there may be a Captivity Rom. 7. 23 24 25. under the Law of the members but it is a captivity in their esteem under which they cry out of their wretched condition cry for deliverance and rest not untill they can upon experience blesse God for Christ their deliverer 7. Sometimes they may have a 2 Cor. 12. 7 thorne in the flesh Some special sinne troubling some great temptation or sore affliction or some Satanical molestation with which they may be buffered sorely that they might be kept more humble under choice
under bondage and subjected to vanity vanity and vexation of Spirit is attending man in the enjoyment of all things under the Sun Fourthly The harmlesse jollities of the Eccl. 11. 9. flesh shall be brought into judgment Fifthly A conscience checking galling and gnawing for the flesh's ryots Sixthly The flesh's naughtinesse is discovered in the Word of God 2 Cor. 10. 4 5 6. Ro. 8. 13. Seventhly powerful means are given of God to crucifie it The Ministery the Spirit the crucifyings of the Sonne of God and exceeding great and precious promises which present to us a draught of better things than the flesh can propose Eightly In the Word commands and directions are given how to use the flesh such are these be temperate be sober beat down your bodies bring them into subjection Accuse and condemn the flesh silence her reasonings lay-in distinguishing and mortifying principles they are such as these The belly for meat and meat for the belly but God shall destroy them both The body is for the Lord not for lust The body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost The body shall be raised out of the grave but not as it is sowen both soul and body are the more excellent as they are lesse fleshly All the things of this life are such as perish in the using The scheme or fashion of this world passeth away All that is in the world and is of the world as the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye and the pride of life is not of the Father All these things that are of this lower world shall be dissolved Ninthly A judgment day is appointed and it shall as surely come as it is sure that men dye then this whole visible Creation which the flesh abuseth shall be burnt with fire The heavens shall shrivel together as a scrole and the earth with the works thereon shall be burnt up Tenthly in the mean time bitters are cast into all our earthly sweets and wasting judgments are abroad in the visible Church at this day Meditate often upon these things inlarge your thoughts upon each of them All these will eat down proud-flesh Thus of the three grand doctrines more expressely delivered in this text the last of which concerns the lively description of the believer by his walks the fourth doctrine followeth CHAP. XI Containeth the fourth and last great truth which is The fulnesse of the assurance and of the Consolation of those who are in Christ and walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit SECT 1. The fourth doctrine ariseth from the The fourth doctrine coherence of these two verses with the words before and following when we observe how they are placed in the frame of the Apostles discourse and it is full of consolation for it concernes the full assurance and the safe estate of all those who are actually in Christ notwithstanding their sinnes They have flesh a corrupt How raised nature dwelling with them and many sinnes the issues of that flesh but walking not in them they are in Christ and therefore there is no condemnation to them as the 1. verse with these verses affirmes and proves for their sinnes God hath condemned in the flesh or body and soul of his own Sonne the benefit of the salvarion wrought by Jesus Christ cometh home to them for all that their flesh that body of death can do so that they may and ought to say I thank God through Jâ—sus Christ who hath and doth and will deliver me from the same this is evident by comparing these verses with the 25. ver of Chap. 7. They should also rest assured of their blessed estate when there is no condemnation to them and when the strength of this evidence of their interest in Christ from their spiritual-mindednesse and savour influencing their walk is life and peace as these words looking backwards to the 1. ver of this Chapter and forward to the 5. and 6. verses do plentifully shew And since the scope of the whole discourse from ver 1. to ver 17. of this chapter is to support and encourage these spiritual holy walkers in their way the burden and workings of sin in them should not break their spirits or discourage them in the course of their holy living the miserable conflicting toyle of a gracious heart with the sinne dwelling in him is the thing treated of in the person of holy Paul representing all the regenerate in chap. 7. the latter part of it and the 8. chapter to ver 17. thereof is on purpose adjoyned to back on those Combitants in their warre against the flesh their sinne must not dishearten them in the combate this is the force of that word Now it is a word of encouragement as if he said therefore since Christ is your deliverer for and through whom ye may blesse God and rejoyce with thankfulnesse in the very heat and worst of the battel with your sinnes since flesh and you who are under the Law of your minds and are regenerate are two Now Now therefore stand to it and fight it out there is no condemnation to such as you And let this word for in these verses of my Text be carried to the ver immediately going before it and then they perswade these holy walkers to give up themselves fully chearfully and without fear of miscarrying to the Law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus which will certainly carry through without peril from the Law of sin and death which threatens them Having shewed the coherence take the fourth doctrine in this proposition The sinnes of those that walk after the Spirit shall never be to their condemnation neither shall they hinder to them the benefit of all the salvation that cometh by Christ nor ought in the least kind to hinder their assurance or their comfortable walking in their obedience their constant combating against the flesh or their full dedition to the Law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus as to that which will deliver from the Law of sin and death For explication of this truth observe The explication 1. What is granted 4. things here in the first place what is granted 1. It is granted that the sinnes of those that walk after the Spirit are sinnes they are transgressions of Gods holy Commandments they are filthy and do make them guilty they are against God and against Christ and are repugnant to the holy Ghost they deserve condemnation though they redound not unto condemnation they redound to their fault and to their guilt though not to their châ—rge for they are not imputed nor to malediction these Christ hath borne nor to eternal punishment for Christ hath made full satisfaction That their sinnes condemne them not is not from any lesse desert they also strike at the life of grace though they cannot destroy the life of grace 2. It is granted that there is flesh in them the seed and spawne of all sin that
is tempted God is a Father who is so far from being angry Psa 103. 13 Mal. 3. 17. with his children for these meer infirmities that he pities them spares them and makes them up as his Jewels but as for their gâ—osse sinnes they are they for which their Father is angry with-holds his comforts his Spirit and their joy and no consolation to them in sinnes they indulge untill they be humbled deeply Again understand this aright These sins condemn not not as if lesser sinnes were not displeasing unto God their Father to Christ their Lord and to the Spirit their Leader nor as if they might not be so committed that they may become great sinnes through carelessenesse and security and so as they may be circumstanced Nay A failing may be so allowed so customary so malapertly and frowardly excused and pleaded for that it may have too much of presumption in it and so have much wickednesse in it and have much of the nature of a great transgression and therefore may have in it much provocation and that which calls for great humiliation before any comfort can flow into the soul of such a one Secondly these sinnes of infirmity ought not to hinder assurance that is the assurance of faith and the assâ—rance of evidence There is the assurance of faith Sins of infirmity hinder not assurance which is our duâ—y and ought to be held fast and maintained whiles uprightnesse is kept up in its constant course without interruptions although God do desert us although God do kill us There is the assurance of evidence which is not alone to have the promises for us and we rest thereon but to have our evidences of our interest in the promises speaking fully and our spirits clearely reading them and giving in their witnesse and thence the heart assured this also as the help of the assurance of faith is belonging to our duty but there is the assurance of feeling and of the Tâ—stimonâ— of the holy Spâ—rit of promise this is a blessing wholely this is in Gods hand and not in ours And it cannot be in a better hand Quâ—st If any say How can the assurance of faith be held fast How can we have our evidences fair and full when there is such quick sense of sinne in the sincere believer None so tender of Conscience none indeed truly affected with sinnes filthinesse and burden but he When also there is no lesse apprehension of Gods wrath and displeasure and of his forsasakings and withdrawings of the comforts of his Presence he only knowes what the shining of Gods face in Christ reconciled means and he only knows what the hiding away of his face means I answer Answ Understand well these six things in the Covenant of Grace which answer all the fears of the upright First That in this Covenant uprightnesse Gen. 17. 1. Pro. 11. 6 5. is required and not perfection The righteousnesse of the upright is the righteousnesse which God accepteth and he calls it the righteousnesse of the perfect that is of the sincere and entire who are sanctified throughout and in every part though they be not perfect already in any part in soul in spirit or in body they have in no part the perfection of degrees but they Phil. 3. 12. Phil. 3. 11 12 13 14. say with the Apostle I have not attained I am not already perfect Uprightnesse is the reaching forth to that which is before as not having yet attained as not already perfect untill we attain unto the blessed resurrection of the dead It is not to account ones self to have apprehended but to follow after and to be upon the pursuit if that we may apprehend that for which also we are apprehended of Christ Jesus It is forgetting what is behind and which we are brought to through grace to presse toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus that we may come to the Goale and receive the Crown of righteousnesse and consummate holinesse and glory 2 Cor. 7. 2. which is the hope of our calling It is to be on clensing from all filthinesse of flesh 2 Cor. 7. 1. and spirit of body and soul inward and outward and on perfecting our holinesse in the fear of God The Lord knoweth that thou believest but in part thou knowest but in part and thou doest all duties but in part Why sayest thou as one dejected Oh I have many failings many sinnes are upon me Say the same for it is very true say it as one deeply humbled and spare not say it as one confessing with godly sorrow with a spirit without guile My sinnes are more in number Psa 40. 12 than the haires of my head when I think on them they encrease and come so fast on that I am not able to look up my very heart faileth me Art thou kept in this frame to be a purifying to be a clensing to be a perfecting to be pressing on forwards still thou art upright Châ—ist is thy righteousnesse thou art absolutely perfect and compleat in him for it is in the first Psa 40. 12 with 6. 7 8 verses place spoken of him thy Mediatour and surety It is most true of him who came to bear the sâ—nnes of all the Elect Innumerable evils dâ—d câ—mpasse him about thy sinnes since calling and all thy sinnes before calling and all the sinnes of all that ever shall be saved were charged upon thy Lord Jesus Christ so that he saith Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up they are moe thâ—n the hairs of mine head therefore my heart faileth me Why sayest thou should I be of the number of Phil. 3. 15. the secure and luke-warme which my soul fears and hates hold fast the former frame and while thus minded art thou not minded as all the perfect are as the perfect in the Gospel-sense and in the language of the holy Ghost who ever gives right names to things Secondly that perseverance is promised and given to believers as well as required Jer. 32 40. 1 Joh. 2. 27 of them I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from me this is a Branch of Gods everlasting Covenant with his people in Christ The anointing which ye have received of Christ abideth in you and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him A precious promise Why then doest thou say I shall never hold out I shall one day fall by the hands of Saul by this or tother temptation or corruption Remember these promises and stay thy soul on them thy perseverance is from preservation even as thy spiritual life is from Regeneration Thirdly The Law of this Covenant which thou art under is the Law of fâ—â—th Rom 3. 27 28. Rom. 10. â— 6 8 9. Rom. 4. 5. Rom. 3. 24 25. Rom. 1. 17 and not the Law of works The unâ—odly and sinner at
they shall reap in joy they shall doubtlesse come again and bring their sheaves with them they shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting SECT 9. Come hither all you to whom the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ is come The uses 1. Of information in foure things and inform your judgments in these following truths which arise from this comfortable doctrine 1. Consider what is wrought for and in a poor sinful creature before he can attain to this to walk after the Spirit First the Word of Gods grace the Gospel of salvation is preached by the Apostles with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven and by Pastours and Teachers sent of Christ who in his exaltation to glory in heaven hath received and given these gifts for men this Gospel is brought even unto thee in its truth and purity in these latter difficult times although false teachers have and do abound It is the first step of Gods approach in his way of saving mercy coming down from heaven to bring thee to glory Then secondly God by his Spirit through the Gospel preached which is his testimony illightens thee and reveals the things of salvation the mysteries of hidden wisdome unto thy soul Thirdly he enables thee to choose Christ Jesus and his Gospel above all other Religions whatsoever abominating them and above thine own carnal thoughts inventions lusts and ways and above thine own reason and thine own righteousnesse and the righteousnesse which is of the Law Fourthly the Spirit in and by the Gospel coming into thee sets thee free from the reign and dominion of the flesh of its mindings of its wisdome and of its wills desiâ—es affections and lusts and turns thee from its walks in which thou didst before walk and live and in which still the world lives and walks Fifthly the Spirit quickens the and gives thee life a new life life from above the life of grace which will be glory a life which is eternal in the beginning of it and being quickned and raised together with Christ sets thee on thy feet takes thee by the hand and teaches thee to go Sixthly the Spirit gives thee an heart to order thy conversation aright acording to the holy Commandments as becometh the Gospel from the power of faith and hope which set thee on high even to sit together with Christ in the heavenly places from whence thou lookest for him insomuch that thy conversation is in heaven Seventhly he gives thee power to walk after him going before thee in the Gospel engrafting the Word on thy heart and thereby counselling teaching exciting and inclining or bowing thy will as powerfully as sweetly drawing and making thee to runne in Gods ways Eighthly and with this power he gives a quick discerning and sense of the flesh and of its motions counsels and ways with resolutions mighty and prevailing to the framing of the course of the life not to walk after the flesh but to hold on thy walk after the Spiâ—it though the flesh be still contrarily lusting and working plotting and warring Thus the regenerate and spiritual though hampered and toyled with his corrupt nature walks not after the flesh but after the Spirit Doth so much go to make thee a holy liver and is not the work very great oh have not any low thoughts of this high mercy for which thou canst never sufficiently blesse the Lord nor canst retain the thankful sense thereof further nor longer than thou keepest up the thoughts of thine own and all mens alienations by nature from the life of God Believe it brethren it is not a mean despicable work to frame the conversation or walk according to the Word of Christ It is not little in it self although it seemeth to thee a small and little thing through vehement desires and longings in thee after greater progresse in the way called holy in which thy soul finds such pleasures that thou art impatient of contrary workings and of interruptions let me tell thee who thus walkest the work is so great that it carries the heart to the leadings of the Spirit and the heart is powerfully wrought upon and changed which none can bow and turn but God that made it or else it could not so powerfully order the conversation This is more then to delight in Gods Word and ways and yet that is a mighty work of grace observe for this Davids prayer Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments for therein do I delight Ps 119. 35. Ro. 7. 22 18. To will is of Gods gracious work To delight in Gods Commandments is the top and that which shews and proves the truth of the work of grace upon the soul enabling to will but to do to performe is more by farre God and Christ by the Holy Spirit have the last Phil. 2. 13. hand put to the work of salvation as farre as agreeth to his Saints in this life when the Spirit rules thy walk 2. Behold here the worth of such a Christian He is Gods workmanship in Christ Jesus created again unto good works which God hath fore-ordained that he should walk in In this walk see the man come out of Gods hands in the regeneration This is a choice creature made up to and by the will of the Spirit and his walk speaks it Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile God hath set out two admirable sights once in this sinful wicked world unto which all eyes should be turned the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinne of the world and the Israel of God delivered from this evil world redeemed from all iniquity purified to be a peculiar people to himself zealous of good works This a choice creature as for priviledges and dignity so for heavenly qualifications 3. Take here the maine reason why many under the Gospel attain not to a holy life which is this they take up with that light and with those gifts which will not subdue mortifie and crucifie the flesh they professe the Gospel but the Gospel is not the principle they live by and no other no lower will destroy the reign of sinne the holy Law will not therefore no other Religion no Institutions of Philosophy no light of the Law within man can subdue the flesh the Gospel alone if received into the heart will do it because it gives the Spirit now they by the Gospel never received the Holy Ghost the Spirit of renovation of Sanctification and of Adoption Untill this be had none can attain to an holy life 4. Take hence also the main reasons why the regenerate attain unto so little comfort for first they place not as they should the ground-work of their comfort in this That they are in Christ which this their walk doth evidence but they seek it in their walking which accompanied with sinnes and contrary lustings will beare no higher than to the power of an evidence and to a begunne work which is true but yet but in a part and
yet such as is tending unto and will attain perfection but not in this life but it is not a righteousnesse to stand in without spot before the Throne of God it is not a Righteousnesse to justifie a sinner in Gods sight it is not a Righteousnesse that God ever appointed for such a work or purpose And secondly they think to squeeze out the comfort of their being in Christ and of the promises to those that are in Christ by reasoning objecting and seeking resolution of their objections and by the examination of themselves by all the light they can get which things are good in themselves and duties as we may have opportunities but not the main thing for they should seek their comfort and settlement chiefly by walking on holily great establishment is in well-doing Comfort should not be expected presently it must have a time to spring and ripen upon a Tree of righteousnesse which the Lord hath planted and which brings forth the fruits of righteousnesse and than the blessing of comfort By diligent adding of one 2 Pet. 1. 5 8 10. grace to another in our practice we become fruitful in the knowledge of Christ and so we make our calling Isa 32. 17. and election sure A barren life be the knowledge never so great and the profession never so high strict and splendid will be but unsetled and uncomfortable The fruit of righteousnesse is peace and the effect of it is quietnesse and assurance for ever SECT 10. Be not therefore reasoning so much but be walking up and be doing and 2. Of exhortation and encouragement the Lord shall be with you Thou hast great encouragement in thy leader and in thy way the leader is the Spirit the Spirit of Adoption the Spirit in the New Testament dispensation the highest that ever shall be till our Lord Christ appears in his glory and great power at the last day Thy way it is the way of all Saints and believers from the beginning of the world this was the character of the godly in all ages as Henoch Noah before the flood Abraham David Hezekiah Zachary and Elizabeth the holy Apostles and all other the Saints of God to walk with God It is the way of the upright not to look what strength and measure of grace they have and what they have done or to think they are already perfect but waiting on him who is their strength to go on and reach forth to that which is before eying the price of their high calling in Christ Jesus It is the surest way to comfort not to look chiefly to our affections feelings and joyes but to our walks and this is most distinguishing this brings most glory to God and edification to others Others by the story of our affections joyes experiences may be made fancyfull and put into a fools Paradise and be raised to admiration of our persons which ends usually in imitating our evils or in doating upon some phrase of words or notions and high strains of opinion or in self-admiration as having themselves out-stripped us and all others and they are disdained now as low and carnal in comparison of themselves as much as before they were exalted and magnified by them as the onely spiritual It is most comfortable and excellent when our lives confute our reasonings answer our objections shew our faith confirme our interest in Christ as it is most comfortlesse and abominable when our joyes perswasions confidences hopes and our faith also are confuted by our lives Walk then after the Spirit and receive Of exhortation and direction the instruction and direction which lieth in the bowels of this Exhortation First The Word of God which is the Spirits testimony and witnesse that 's the rule and way for thy walk but remember that the power to walk is from Christ flowing by his Spirit into thee through the Word walk on then but fetch power daily from Christ giving out his Spirit by the Word Secondly be putting in still into thy aright ordered Conversation that which is lacking enlarge thy heart to all the Articles of faith that their mold and stamp may be upon thy life to all the Commandments that the righteteousnesse of them may be respected and expressed and to all Christs Ordinances that the fruit and special ends of them for which they were instituted for the benefit of Gods Elect may be attained and be made more and more manifest that they are attained Thirdly Be not hearkning what thine own heart saith but what the Lord saith by his Spirit in the Word who speaketh heace to his Saints and while he speaketh peace and no condemnation Ps 85. 8. speaks as effectually that they turn not again to folly but keep on their spiritual walk Fourthly Be not wicked over-much when thou carriest a strict hand over thy sinful deceitful heart lookest over thy wayes with as prying an eye as can malice it self or thy vigilant enemy the Divel himself so farre as truth will bear judgest thy self severely and livest as one condemned in the flesh see Eccl. 7. 17 what Christ hath done for thee what the Spirit hath wrought in thee be not so foolish as to deny his grace in thee which thy walk speaks and testifies for thee to thy conscience and before God and men why shouldest thou so wickedly torment thy self and dye before thy time As it is evil to be righteous over-much by arrogating to thy selfe more than is right so is it a dangerous evil to be wicked overmuch in denying or undervaluing what God hath graciously wrought in thee Condemne the flesh but own and justifie the Spirit Fifthly Walk on remembring the work is begun which God will perfect the greatest work is done already even the quickning thee from the dead it is a farre greater work to give life from the dead than to cause to walk and to uphold him that walketh thou hast been enabled to do and hast done the greatest work already thou hast crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof so saith our Apostle Ther that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5. 24. Sixthly When thou seest abroad the Heresies Divisions Apostasies Back-slidings Superstitions Formality Conceited Pride of Spirit Luke-warmnesse Sensuality Security Incorrigiblenesse Impenitency Atheisme Earthly-mindednesse Profanesse and wickednesses of all sorts in many in too many remember thou hast flesh the seed of all this within thee and get away from thy self loath thy self and so walk on Seventhly be not turned off by the flesh's lustings walk though the flesh fret and grinde walk though hell be moved walk though thy way be straitned walk for thy estate is safe thy way good and on high walk though envy spite thee and the flesh way-lay thee for God will keep thy foot from being taken Eighthly be not quarrelling with God but walking humbly say not Why doth not God give me a full and perfect deliverance so soon as
carnally politick temper of the soul and be in us the Spirit of power of love and of a sound minde and by giving suffering 2 Tim. 1. 6 7. graces and comforts fitted to the present suffering condition whatsoever it be Lastly by enabling â—o come to God in prayer when the extremities of sufferings the darknesse of Gods wayes in that dispensation and the difficulties of the times in which we are placed and the perplexednesse of our and the Lords cause we are to stand for by mens subtleties or otherwise is such that we know not what or how to ask as we ought yet even in this case the Spirit it self maketh intercession in us with sighs and groans that cannot be expressed this is the proper sense of the Apostle in that place to the Romans Chap. 8. verse 26. 11. The making us Gods habitation he makes first his own way into the sinful Eph. 2. 22. secure proud hard stony and dead heart and then he prepares for God an habitation there he makes us a spiritual house and an holy Priesthood in that spiritual house he builds us to be a Temple to God that he may walk in them and 1 Pet. 2. 5. 2 Cor. 6. 16 dwell in them this he doth by building us as lively stones on Christ the choicest foundation stone by furnishing us with the Temple-furniture through the doctrine of Christ received and by consecration And he maketh believers Priests by consecâ—ation with the anointing and by the besprinkling of the blood of Christ by cloathing with the Priestly Robes of justification and sanctification and by bestowing on them the hearts and dispositions of consecrated Priests 12. Mansion or abode for ever in Gods people This work is most comfortable the world cannot receive the Spirit they know him not Christs true Disciples John 14. 16 17. know him and receive him and he comes and not as a guest for a night or so but as the inhabitant that dwells in them as in his house and Temple and abides therefor ever he dwells in them as the Comforter and the Spirit of truth he supplies Christs room and presence therefore they are not Orphans here is the anointing the Chrisme that abideth in them teaching 1 Joh. 2. 27. with ver 20. 24. them of all things that are delivered in the Scripture in which doctrine of the Word of truth the true Christian maketh conscience to abide and continue as ever they would continue in the Sonne and in the Father 13. The uniting them to Jesus Christ the husband of the Church and to all true 1 Cor. 16. 17. Christians as all of them make up one body and Bride of such a Lord the only Sonne of the living God and God blessed Rev. 22. 17. for ever in uniting true believers to Jesus Christ as Bridegroome he raiseth in them espoused conjugal love and fidelity vehement desires after his love-tokens the kisses of his mouth familiar talkings and confabulations walks together feastings mutual and imbraces these are set forth in that most spiritual book the Song of Solomon and the more they enjoy this hidden communion with Christ the more the Spirit raiseth in them desires unfeigned and fervent after with love of and waiting for the presence of Christ in his second coming which is the marriage-day the nearness of this union is such that it is thus expressed he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit and that is far nearer and more excellent than to be one flesh as man and wife are one the work of the Spirit is also to unite to Christians in such wise that they are all one body this is called the fellowship of the Spirit and the unity of Ephes 4. 4 Phil. 2. 1. Ephes 4. 3 the Spirit union with Christ and with Christians is the glorious work of the Spirit the ground of communion of communication and of sympathy or fellow-feeling These are the saving works of the Spirit in the Elect and Redeemed thus enumerated Arrha docet renevat juvat obsignatque salutem Spiritus ecce docet renovat copulatque regitque consolatur Arrha salutifera for the help of memory but not determining that they are wrought in this order there is an old received verse a pair of verses which name some of them but I hope none that are judicious will either say that there are none else or that these above-named so fully described in plain Scripture and so comfortably experienced by the Saints are not the saving workings of the Spirit but how lively quick significant and discriminating of this saving work are the Scripture expressions and praises attributed to the Holy 2 Cor. 4. 13 Zach. 11. 10. Isa 4. 4. Ghost they are these the Spirit of faith the Spirit of grace and supplications the Spirit of judgment and of burning the Spirit of holiness or of sanctification Rom. 1. 4. 8. 5. Rev. 11. 11 Rom. 8. 2. Eph. 1. 17 Isa 11. 2 3 2 Tim. 1. 7. Joh. 14. 17 Ps 51. 11 12. Eph. 1. 13. Psal 45. 7. 1 Joh. 2. 20 27. Joh. 14. 16 1 Joh. 5. 6 10. Eph. 1. 14. 4. 30. Rom. 8. 23 Ezek. 36. 25. Joh. 4. 10 14. 7. 38 39. Cant. 4. 16 Hos 14. 4. Mal. 3. 11. Tit. 3. 5. 2 Thess 2. 13. Ro. 8. 26. Joh. 14. 26 1 Joh. 3. 9. Joh. 15. 26 27. the Spirit of adoption the Spirit of life the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus the Spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of Christ the Spirit of wisdome and understanding the Spirit of counsel and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord the Spirit of love power and of a sound minde the Spirit of truth Gods holy Spirit Gods free or princely Spiâ—it the holy Spirit of promise the oyle of gladnesse the anointing the comforter the witness the earnest the seal sealing for the Saints are the seal sealed the first fruits clean water water of life a well-spring of living water the North and South wind that blowes upon the gardâ—n the dew and fire the renewing of the Holy Ghost the sanctification of the Spirit he that maketh intercession in the Saints he that brings all to their remembrance the seed that abideth in them he that enableth the belieer to bear witnesse to the truth of the Gospel with the spirit of a Martyr All this glory manifested in these saving works the children of God do feel and have the joyful experience of it in this life 14. The last saving work is for and in another world to be done at the last Rom. 8. 11 day and that is The quickening of their bodies out of the grave they shall be raised by the Spirits quickening of them as members of the body of which Christ is the head this is peculiar to the Saints who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ the Spirit which now dwells in them will in