have distinct Petitions to God about their condition and therefore David Psal 38. When he fears Gods rebukeing of him in Wrath all that he wins to is All my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid from thee Psal 38 9. This speaks out what sad Condition the Saints may be in sometimes when they are under this confusion They would not conclude that they are in an unrenewed state on the account of this condition neither would they reckon that all of their Prayers they put up to God in this condition are refused by him for God observes what is regular in their Desires and accepts it tho it be mixed with many irregularities as the next Verse tells us and this is an Evidence of the great Favour and Grace of God to his own and this tells us that the prevalency of Prayer springs more from Divine Favour than from its own absolute and intrinsick Perfection Observe next that in the sad conditions of the Saints they are called to fervency in Prayer this is necessary if they would imitate Christ in his Prayers and if they would imitate the Saints Practice according to the Scriptures And 3ly The Fervour of Prayer is necessary for the prevalency of it for as James tells us that the effectual fervent Prayer of the Righteous avails much with God if men would win to fervour in Prayer they would labour to be under the fullest conviction of the necessity and usefulness of the Mercies prayed for Verse 27. And he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saintâ— according to the Will of God HEre the Apostle adds the Consolation thâ— God accepts the indistinct and confused Prayers of the Saints and he gives the reason of this acceptance 1st He knows what in these Prayerâ— flowes from his Spirit men in confusion cannot takâ— up what is the good and what is the bad of theiâ— Prayers but God can take it up because he searcheth the Heart and by searching knowes what iâ— perfectly in it and so can accept the good and refusâ— the evil in them 2d Cause of acceptance is Thâ— good of these Prayers comes from his Spirit and therefore he cannot and he will not refuse the good desires that are excited by his Spirit sent into theiâ— Hearts A 3d. Cause is these good Desires anâ— Intercessions are made for the Saints for their Spiritual and Eternal Good whose Felicity God intends to bring to a Perfection A 4th Cause is that this Intercession made by the Spirit is according to the Will of God that is according to his Promise for the Spirit excites no desire in a Saint for any good but what is promised of God 2ly Thir desires are according to the revealed Will of God which is the Rule of Duty and agreeable thereto the Desires excited by the Spirit are all lawful Desires 3ly Thir Desires are according to Gods Will because attended with submission to his disposeing Will. Observe 1st The Designation that God gets in the Text he is called the Searcher of Hearts and one that by searching perfectly knowes the Heart man by Reflections can but know his Heart imperfectly for the Lusts of his Heart are deceitful and darkens his mind that he cannot see all the evil that is in his Heart perfectly and the number and greatness of the evils that is in the Heart of the best marrs the mind of man from taking up the good that is mixt with these evils Next Satan does not perfectly know what is in the Heart he only can conjecture by the external Conversation and Temperature of the Body what is in it but God has the perfect knowledge of it he framed it and therefore knows it 3ly The Heart of Man as to its actings depends on Gods Influences the Heart of man is in the hand of the Lord and he turneth it whethersoever he will 3ly The internal Acts of a Mans Heart and Soul is regulate by the Divine Law and the Sum of the Law is to love the Lord with all our Heart alse well as to give him external Service and therefore he being Judge of them he must know them In a Word his Immensity and Omniscience makes him perfectly know all the Good and al the Evil that is in the Heart Use of this is first to exhort Folks to look well to the Heart that it be right for God knows it we should look to this that the Heart hate the Ill and love the Good 2ly This is very comfortable to these that are sincere for let the World calumâ—niate as they please God sees the contrary 3ly It may terrify the Hypocrite who professes fair and neglects the Heart Observe next That God accepts and hears the sincere Prayers of the oppressed Saints The Texâ— says he knows what is the mind of the Spirit thaâ— is he approves and hears the Desires excited by the Spirit in the Hearts of the Godly This is cleâ— from the returns he gives to those Prayers bâ— giving Spiritual and Temporal Mercies This Goâ— doth to keep his promise for he has promised tâ— hear the Prayers of his People 2ly To convincâ— the Atheistical World of a Providence And 3â— To testify his respect to Prayer and to endear thâ— Exercise to the Saints 4ly To testify his respect tâ— Christ for whose sake he hears them 5ly To testiâ— that Blessed Harmony that is amongst the Persons 〈◊〉 the Trinity in carrying on the Work of our Salvâ—tion The Father hears these Prayers that are dâ—ctate by the Spirit for the Saints Good 6ly Thâ— he may sweeten our Mercies as coming to us thâ— way and intimate his Love to his Saints therebâ— see Dan. 9. And 7ly That he may put a note oâ— respect on his Saints and shew the view of the moyen with him as he did to Moses and Daniel Use Seing this is a priviledge of the Saints Lâ—bour to win to these Prayers that prevails with God and for this effect First Labour to be renewed be Saints for it is only the Prayers of such that prevails with him 2ly See that your Prayers come not so much from the gift of Prayer as from the Grace of Prayer let them come from an Holy Inclination to promote your spiritual good they must come from the Spirit 3ly They must be lawful desires agreeable to his will 4ly They must be attended with submission 5ly They must be founded on the the promise 6ly They must be single Desires we must not regard Iniquity in our heart Psal 66.18 7ly They must be fervent groanings unutterable 8ly They must be attended with Breathings after the publick good of the Saints Eph. 6 16 9ly They must be in faith Ja 1 3. 10ly They must be free of resentment and revenge see 1 Timothy 2 8. Use 2d Of Tryal Since the great reason why the Lord hears the Prayers of his People is because they flow from his Spirit ye would try whether your
prepare for them an Heavenly City now Believers in Christ are Abraham's Spiritual Seed with whom that Covenant was made and therefore they must go to Heaven and cannot be condemned to go to Hell 2d Ground of their freedom from Condemnation is their freedom from the Law Believers are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6 They are married to Christ and so are not under the Dominion of their old Husband the Law They are not under the Law as an Covenant tho they be under it as an Rule of Life and so they cannot be under the commination of that Covenant because of the Transgressions of it now where the Law does not condemn the Judge cannot condemn 3d. Ground of Certainty is the Believers interest in Christ's Sacrifice Heb. 12.24 It is said we are come to the blood of sprinkling we have a real Interest in his Sacrifice because he is One that had our nature 2ly That Sacrifice by God's Appointment and his own Consent was offered up for Believers and he had a Spiritual Sâ—bness to them Now since Believers have an interest in this Sacrifice this cannot but secure them from Condemnation if you consider the expiatory Vertue thereof which expiatory Vertue is evinced from these few Considerations 1st Consider the infinitely wise God chose this Sacrifice to expiate the Sins of Believers Heb. 10.5 2ly He accepted of this Sacrifice as a proper and effectual Mean to produce this end Eph. 5.2 3ly This Sacrifice had an Intrinsick Worth in it and was spotless 4ly It was offered up by the Heavenly-Fire of the Eternal Spirit Heb. 9.14 5ly The Offerer was the High-Priest of the New Testament himself inaugurate in his Office by God himself Heb. 7.21 6ly The Sufferings he was put to by being thus a Sacrifice were the accomplishments of the Commination of the Law An Fourth Ground of Certainty is the absolution of Christ the Believers soverty in his Resurrection and this absolution more fully cleared by his Session at God's Right Hand Rom. 4 and last and Heb. 1. and 3. A 5th Ground of Certainty of the Believers freedom is the promulgate Gospel which plainly asserts that the Believer is not condemned John 3.18 and 5.24 And this Truth of the Gospel is confirmed by external Miracles and by the Internal Operations of the Spirit of God A 6th Ground is the Priviledges that this Gospel declares are conferred on Believers as 1st The Priviledge of Justification and that secures the Believer from Condemnation 1st Because it is God's Deed Rom. 8 33. and 34. 2ly It is an Act of Grace Rom. 3.24 We are justified freely by his Grace now Grace must reign over Sin and Death Rom. 5. and last 3ly It is an Act founded on Christ's Righteousness which is called the Righteousness of God viz. of his Invention and Approbation 2 Cor. 5. and last And therefore this Priviledge of Justification cannot but secure the Believer from Condemnation 4ly This Act of Justification draws with it the total and irrepâ—alable Pardon of all Sin Rom. 4.5 6. compared with Psal 32.1 2· For the Apostle Rom. 4 clears from that Psalm that the Gospel-Righteousness is not a Righteousness of Works for it draws with it as its attendant the Remission of Sins A 2d Priviledge that the Gospel secures to a Believer is Adoption John 1.12 and this cannot but secure the Believer from Condemnation because a sure Title to eternal Life depends on it and follows the same Rom. 8.17 1 Joh. 3.1 2. A Third Priviledge that the Gospel assures us Believers have Is that they are sanctified by the Spirit of God which is their being made meet for Heaven Col. 1.12 It is the Earnest of it Eph 1 14. Now this cannot but secure them from Condemnation because God cannot separate a man that hath his Image from himself seing the Image of God is given by him to prepare a man for Communion with himself A 7th Ground is the Believer is unite to Christ not only because Christ hath the same Humane Nature with him but because he is mystically and spiritually one with him 1 Cor. 6.17 The Believer is a piece of Christ mystical therefore the Church of Believers is called his fullness Eph. 1. last Now this Union with Christ secures from Condemnation because the Love of the Father that is terminate on Christ primarly and principally must also necessarly terminate on them see Jo. 17. last An 8to Ground of certainty is That Christ is Judge and the Rule whereby he proceeds is not the Law but the Gospel John 12.48 49 and 50. Use of Consolation from this Doctrine is 1st To these who are under the conviction of Sin Guilt and Death and who have fled for Refuge to Christ such are not allowed to have the Spirit of Bondage again to fear Condemnation Rom. 8.15 2ly To such who are under paternal Chastisements for Sin because these are our evidences of our freedom from Condemnation 1 Cor. 11.32 And therefore they should not be looked on as Prooffs of our lyableness to Condemnation 3ly It is comfortable to those that are Assaulted with Satan's Fiery Darts suggesting to them that they will be condemned and yet giving them no sufficient ground to found that Assertion on If a mans Conscience tell him that he believes on Christ from this Text he may easily repell all these horrid Temptations 4ly It is very comfortable at the hour of Death for Death wants its Sting to an Believer 1 Cor. 15.55 Death is but a sleep to a Believer Death doth not seperate a Believer from the Love of God Rom. 8. last But it is the Believers passage to immediate Communion with God and therefore Paul 2 Cor. 5.8 Desires to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. The former Scriptural-Grounds assuring the Believer that he is free from Condemnation they are fit to be applyed by these Believers that know they have Faith and whose fears of Condemnation arise more from their reflection on their Guilt Corruption and Misery then from any Jealousie that they want Faith But for such whose fears of Condemnation arise from the weakness of their Faith I would have them consider many Scripture Instances which clear that a weak Faith maybe very profitable if it be true As the Faith of the Leper who believed Christ's Power but questioned his Willingness Mâ—th 8 and as the Faith of the Prodigal who believed his Father might put him amongst the Servants but could not make him a Son see what Opinion Paul hath of the Faith of the Hebrews Heb. 6.9 compared with the 12. and 13. and compared with the 5. and 12. Secondly There is an use of Tryal to try whether we have an Interest in this Priviledge or no. And 1st Try it by your Faith whether ye believe the promises of God whose performances are very improbable like as Abraham did Then are we Abraham's spiritual Seed and so have Interest in the Covenant made with him 2ly Try
of their Acceptance in the doing of it Neither should they be discouraged from the faith of this Acceptance because of the Afflictions that do immediatly attend the doing of Gods Service which was Hezekiahs case in the time of the Invasion of Senacherib Neither should they be discouraged because of the groundless Censures that the Godly pass upon their way This was Mary's case who was Censured by the Disciples in pouring Oyntment upon Christ's Head We would give some Directions to the Godly Whereby they may win the more easily to the faith of this acceptance As 1st What they do they would do it from Faith seing what is not done from faith is Sin Rom. 14.23 They would do their Good Works from the Faith of a Command from the faith of acceptance and the Faith of Remuneration 2d Direction is They would do what they do from Love 1 Cor. 13. and 1. A 3d. Direction is They would do it from Self denyal in respect to God's Glory Abrahams offering up of Isaac was accepted of God because there was much of Self-denyal in it Gen. 22. A 4th Direction is That what they do they would owe it to the Strength of Christ's Spirit because then the Action does not flow from Corruption A 5th Direction is They would reflect upon the Spiritual Rewards that God bestows upon them to testifie the acceptance of their Service such as these 1st The giving them more meanes of Knowledge and encrease of Light as he did to Cornelius Acts 10.6 2ly Greater manifestations of his Love see John 4. and â—3 3ly A greater measure of assistance for doing Duty 1 Tim. 4.14 4ly He gives them fairer opportunities of doing God great Service and in keeping them from the Evil of Temptations Rev. 3.10 5ly In suiteing their Tryals to their strength see Mal. 3.17 And a 6th Reward is their prevailence with God in Prayer see Ezek. 14. where it said that Noah Job and Daniel had much power with God because of their Piety Verse 9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you c. HEre the Apostle makes an Application of his Doctrine He applyes an priviledge of Non-condemnation to the Roman's because Charitably he constructs them Renewed But lest they should lean too much to his Charitable Judgement of them he gives them an Mark to try themselves by because they can know themselves better then he can know them And the Mark he gives to evidence the change of their State is The Indwelling presence of the Spirit and lest they should slight this Mark or try by other false Marks he gives them a peremptory certification That if they want the Spirit of Christ they have nothing to do with him From whence we may see That Ministers should not only in the general speak of Gospel-Comforts but in particular make application of them by giving particular marks of these to whom they do belong But withal the Marks they give of Peoples particular Interest in Christ should be very sure and solid such as this was And likeways they should press People by peremptory Certifications to make enquiry whether they have these solid Marks or no left either they neglect to try themselves by these Marks or examine themselves by False marks The Doctrine is That the Indwelling Spirit is the sure mark of the Renovation of our state By the Indwelling of the Spirit is not meant the transient operations of the Spirit as are wrought in Temporary Believers Matth. 13. Heb. 6 Neither is meant the having of these Gifts that are given for the Churches Edification But by it is meant the Gracious and continuing presence of the Spirit produceing these Effects in Believers viz. Illumination Supplication Consolation and Sanctification The Indwelling Spirit produces Illumination By opening the understanding that they may know the Scriptures Luke 25.45 By taking away the Vail that is on the Mind in Reading of the Word He proves an Spirit of Illumination by discovering the Glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus by letting us see that all the perfections of the Divine Nature do manifest themselves clearly in the Mediators Work of Mediation 2 Cor. 4 6. He opens the Eyes of Men and lets them see that the way of Salvation holden out by the Gospel is the most wise and and effectual way of Salvation These that want this Spirit they look on the Gospel as Foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23 and 2.14 He proves a Spirit of Illumination to the Godly by making them love the Truth for the want of which those are destroyed that are spoken of 2 Thess 2. and 10. And this Illumination is attended with the Faith of Truth revealed Therefore Christ's says that every one that is Taught of the Father comes to him Joh. 6. 2ly This Spirit he is a Spirit of Prayer by making us Pray Fervently Submissively and Regularly Rom. 8.26 Believingly 8.15 In the Name of Christ Eph. 2.18 Penitently Zech. 12.10 for all Saints Eph. 6.18 Perseveringly Ibid. and singly out of a pure Heart Next The Indwelling Spirit is the Author of Sanctification First By exciteing Repentance Zech. 12.10 And this is done by manifesting many Evils in the Heart and the Moral Evil of sin 2ly He sanctifies by applying the Word Joh. 17.17 1 Pet. 1.23 By applying the Command to make the Conscience stand in awe by applying the promise to outbid Temptations by applying the Threatnings to restrain them from outbreaking in sin And lastly he proves a Spirit of Consolation by manifesting the great Happiness of Believers both in this Life and that which is to come It is by the Spirit we take up the Reality and Excellency of these Priviledges that are freely given us of God even in this World 1 Cor. 2.12 It is by the Spirits light we understand what is the Hope of our Calling Eph. 1.18 2ly He proves a Comforter because he helps the People of God to apply the Promise for which cause he is called the Spirit of Promise Eph. 1.13 3ly He Comforts as a Witness He Witnesses to our Adoption Rom. 8.15 16. He testifies to the Truth and grouth of our Graces Use 1st For instruction This lets us see why many of the Godly are not Assured of their renewed state It is because through grieving of the Spirit the presence of the indwelling spirit is not so clear to them Use 2d Of Consolation to the Godly that have this Indwelling Spirit They would from this conclude the Renovation of their state But lest they doubt of their Renovation when there is no ground of doubting They would consider First That they may have the Spirit of truth in them tho they may be ignorant of many great Truths as the Apostles were before Christ's Resurrection if they believe Love and Practise what they know 2ly They may have the Spirit of Prayer in them though they have not that withgate and liberty in Praying through a defect of
of Conscience Next Regulate your life by the Word having a constant Eye upon that as your Rule Use 2d Of Reproof If this be so advantageous an Exercise it reproves those that lay this work aside because they think the neglect of Mortification is consistent with Grace but as we were saying it is not consistent with the Life of Grace And the total neglect of it is inconsistent with Grace it self 3ly It reproves those that forbear Mortification because they see not many Evils to Mortifie through want of Self-Examination 4ly Those that spare their Sins because they think there are few free of the like of these Evills they are loath to Mortify Use 3d. Of Tryal To try whether we be about this Work or not 1st The Man that is about this Work he is glad of any actual separation Providence makes between him and his Ills by Crosses 2ly He is daily watchful against External Temptations 3ly He is daily porcing on the Mischiefs that Sin does him and Prays more for Grace against sin then to be free of Crosses and welcoms that Word most that particularly hits his Evills and does not spurn at it Observe 3ly That the Spirit is the great and principal cause of Mortification This is clear if ye consider the strength and deceitfulness of Lusts it must require the Spirits power in opposition to them 2ly if ye consider the ineffectualness of the means that many enjoy without the Spirits Blessing 3ly If ye consider that even those that are weak in natural parts they will when they depend upon the Spirit find great success in Mortification beyond others The manner how the Spirit does Mortifie is by discovering the hatefulness of Sin and its danger 2ly By applying the promises of the Gospel and so outbidding Corruption 3ly By enforcing the Commands of God against sin upon the Conscience Use If it be so we should use the means and Pray for the Spirits Blessing upon them 2ly We should not grieve the Mortifieing Spirit by unwatchfulness against External Temptations by want of Self-Examination to discern our Evills by falling into a frame of indifferency about Mortification that so we desire it faintly Verse 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God HEre is a proof That those that Mortify their Corruption by the Spirit shall live because They are the Sons of God And he proves this because that as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God Observe the Children of God are led by Gods Spirit I shall clear how this is and then apply it And first The Spirit leads the Child of God by giving him saving Instruction this is Gods teaching according to the Covenant-Promise 1st He opens his understanding that he may understand the Scriptures Luke 24.45 He makes them understand Truth Error 1 John 2.27 2ly He reveals the good things of the Gospel to him in their reality and usefulness 1 Cor. 2 13. 3ly He reveals the spirituality of the Law to them he makes the Commandment which is the Law come in its spiritual meaning to them Rom. 7.9 4ly He instructs them in the vanity of the Creature he makes them see an end of all perfection Psal 119.96 But 2ly He leads them as a Comforter and Encourager of them in their Journey and this he does these three ways 1st By witnessing their Adoption Rom. 8.15 2ly By helping them to apply the Promises Eph. 1.13 3ly By exciting their Hope Rom. 15.13 A 3d. way how he leads them is by strengthening their Grace and so assisting them in their Duty Eph. 3 16. A 4th Way is By exciting them to their Duty when they are laisy And this is done 1st By bringing the Word to their Remembrance Jo. 14.27 2ly By bringing their Engagements to God to their remembrance 3ly He excites them to their Duty by making them observe the Call of Exciteing Providences A 5th Way is By being a Reprover to them discovering to them their sinful Inclinations and strayings out of the way A 6th Way is By discovering unto them and giving them a foresight of the Stumbling-blocks that lye in the way and of the manifold Temptations they may meet with in it A 7th Way is By determining them in dubious cases Paul was bound in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem tho Agabas the Prophet told him of his suffering there From this We may make an Use of Tryal We may conclude that we are Gods Children if we observe these Operations of the Spirit in us 2ly We would be exhorted to beware of these things that marrs the presence of this Guide from us And 1st We would beware of impenitency under known Guilt Psal 51. David was afraid of the loseing the free Spirit by his Impenitency 2ly Beware of Worldliness John 14 17. 3ly Beware of Intemperance These that would be filled with the Spirit must not be filled with Wine Eph. 5.18 4ly Beware of an Vindictive Spirit Eph. 4.31 5ly Beware of slighting the Motions of the Spirit if we would live by the Spirit we must walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.25 6ly Beware of a Legal Frame of Spirit The Spirit glorifies Christ and so is grieved when Christians give not Christ his due The Spirit glorifies Christ John 16.14 7ly We would beware of Laziness or lying by from the use of appointed Means for that is the Way to quench the Spirit 1 Thess 5.19 8â—y Beware of neglecting Praying for the Spirit for the Father gives the holy Spirit to them that ask him 9ly Beware of casting your self upon Temptations we should abstain from all appearance of Evil if we would not quench the Spirit 1 Thess 5.22 Motives to perswade us to entertain the presence of this Guide 1st He is an unerring Guide He neither can nor will mislead us 2ly He is an experienced Guide he hath led many Sons to Glory 3ly He is sent by the Father and the Son to lead the Believer to Heaven 4ly This Guide is near us and constantly with us if we doe not grieve him he remaineth with us and shall be in us John 14 17. 4ly This Guide is absolutely needful for the Christian without him he has no Light no Comfort and no Strength The ignorant dejected and weak Condition of the Christian makes the guiding and leading of the Spirit absolutely needful to him There is a 3d. Use of Consolation from this Doctrine if the Child of God have the leading of the Spirit he may be much comforted under the various Cases he is in in the World he is many times weak for his Duty The Spirit can strengthen him with Might in the inward Man The Child of God is many times environed with Temptations the Spirit can give him the foresight of these He is many times straitned to know what is his Duty The Spirit can lead the blind by a way they know not He is subject to many Discouragements but the Spirit is a
strong Comforter The Child of God is subject through self-love to overlook his Faults but the Spirit is a sharp and seasonable Reprover The Child of God is subject to lazieness and upsitting in the Way of God but the Spirit of God is a seasonable and powerful Exciter to Duty There is a 4th Use of Instruction from the Doctrine This instructs us what is the Cause Why the Children of God keep Gods Way notwithstanding of their Weakness in the Point of Light notwithstanding of the remaining Wickedness of their Heart and notwithstanding of the manifold external Temptations It is neither the strength of their Reason nor the strength of their Inherent Grace that is the Principal Cause of their keeping the way of God but this is the Cause of it Because they are led by the Spirit of God There is an other Use of Instruction from the Doctrine It instructs us in the misery of these that are not Gods Children such are not led by his Spirit For to be led by his Spirit is the alone Priviledge of Sons and this must be a great Misery to want this Guide because such are led by bad Examplâ— in this World by the Dictates of Corrupt Reason and by the swing of their Lusts There is an other Use from this Doctrine and that is of Exhortation to the Godly to exhort them rightly to improve this Priviledge And for this Effect 1st They would be humble and docile to his Teachings the meek he will guide in Judgement the meek he will teach his way Psal 52.10 2ly They would improve his Comforts for Encouragement to walk in the Way of God Acts 9.31 3ly They would be painful in improving his Assistance Col. 1.29 1 Cor. 15.10 4ly They would shun these Temptations he forwarnes them of And 5ly They would hearken to these Calls to Duty and Excitements he trysts them with Verse 15. But ye have not received the Spirit of Bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father HEre the Apostle proves that those that are led by the Spirit they are the Sons of God by two Arguments One is that they have received the Spirit of Adoption The other is the Spirit of God and their own Spirit witnesseth that they are Sons Observe 1st That Gods People receive the Spirit of Bondage before they receive the Spirit of Adoption Observe 2ly That the Elect People of God that receive the Spirit of Bondage they are allowed of God the Spirit of Adoption 3ly Observe That those that have received the Spirit of Adoption they never again receive the Spirit of Bondage 4ly The Spirit of Adoption where it is it is a Spirit of Liberty it is here opposed to a Spirit of Bondage Observe 5ly That those that receive the Spirit of Adoption their condition is preferable to those that receive a Spirit of Bondage 6ly The Apostle seems to glance at the frame of Gods People that lived under the Legal Administration differing it from the frame of such as lived under the Administration of the Gospel Observe 7ly That the Spirit of Adoption in Believers prompts them to Prayer and these Prayers are free and fearless fervent and serious and these Two Qualities of Prayer are included in the Word Crying As also these Prayers are confident and affectionate the Spirit of Adoption makes them cry Father 8ly Observe the Spirit of Adoption is a Benefite common to the Gentiles with the Jews The Apostle to denote this he expresses the homely Compellation of God both in Hebrew and Greek For the First Observation that the Elect People of God receive the Spirit of Bondage before they receive the Spirit of Adoption We shall clear it 1st By shewing what is meant by the Spirit of Bondage and what is meant by the Spirit of Adoption 2ly We shall prove that God dispenses the Spirit of Bondage to the Elect before he dispenses the Spirit of Adoption 3ly We shall give the Reasons of this Dispensation And 4ly Give the Uses of the Point For the First by the Spirit of Bondage is meant that Frame of Soul wrought in them by Gods Spirit preparing them for the state of Conversion springing from a sight of their state of Bondage while they are in an state of Nature convinceing them of their state of slavery to Sin and Satan and so bringing them under a full Conviction of their unability to relieve themselves from that condition Likeas this Conviction is attended with a Grief for their former sins and a fear of their imminent danger By the Spirit of Adoption is meant that disposition of Soul wrought in the Elect becoming the state of Adoption It is wrought by Gods Spirit through the application of Gospel-Promises It includes in it 1st The reverential awe of God 2ly An affection and care to imitate God in his moral Perfections 3ly A kindly submission to his Corrections 4ly A lively Expectation of the Inheritance of God For the second thing proposed Viz. the Proof of this that God dispenses to the Elect the Spirit of Bondage before he dispenses to them the Spirit of Adoption It is clear from the Experience of the Converts Acts 2. And from Pauls Experience at his Conversion and from the Experience of the Jaylor For the third Thing Viz. The Reasons why God thus dispenses to his Elect the Spirit of Bondage before the Spirit of Adoption they are these 1st He does this that he may make the Mysteries of the Gospel more credible to them For before a Man be convinced of his Sin and Misery The Mystery of Christs Cross seems but a Fable to the unconvinced Jew Christs Cross is but a stumbling Block and to the unconvinced Greek it seems foolishness but to the convinced and called Man it is the Wisdom of God and the Power of God See 1 Cor. 1. 2ly He does this to disengage their Affections from sin Our hearts through long custom acquire a great lyking to a course of sinning and untill our Spirits smart for our sins by grief and fear we cannot fall in a dislike with them 3ly He does this that thereby he may bring us to quite our own Righteousness and accept of Christ For Pride Self-love and Blindness of Mind do all concurr to make us tenacious of our own Righteousness before the Spirit work this Work in us A 4th Is he dispenses this to make his Elect willing to subject themselves to the Divine Law as a Rule of Life for when they are made by the Spirit of Conviction to smart for sin no terms of their freedom from sin and misery seems hard to them A 5th Reason he thus dispenses is that he may bring his own to have anâ— high Esteem of Christ to reckon all things but as dung and dross in comparison of the Son of God A 6th is he does it that he may make the burthen of Christs Cross seem light to them For the 4th Thing proposed the Uses of
the Point The First is an Use of Tryal hereby ye may try if ye have had the Spirit of Bondage or no if the Mystery of Christs Cross be credible If sin appear an hateful thing to you If readily ye accept of Christs offered Righteousness If willingly ye subject your selves to the Divine Law as a Rule of Life If ye prefer Christ to all things in your Esteem If ye esteem the burthen of Christs Cross light Then ye have received the Spirit of Bondage 2d Sort of Uses are Uses of Instruction It instructs us in the Cause why so many Men see so little of the Moral Ill of Sin the Cause is they have not received the Spirit of Bondage 2ly Since the Spirit of Bondage goes before the Spirit of Adoption we may soon see that if the Spirit of Bondage be a rare thing in the World the Work of Conversion is as rare 3â—y We may be instructed that the Hearts of the Elect are very stupid under sin because that a mans Convictâ—on of his sin and misery must be brought about by the mighty Power of the Spirit of Bondage The Causes of the stupidity under sin before this Work of the Spirit of Bondage are 1st A feared Conscience through customary sinning A 2d Is Impunity Eccl. 9.3 A 3d. is Prosperity in sin Ephraim said I am become rich there is no iniquity in me A 4th Cause is the flattery of Ministers and Neighbours A 5th Cause is leaning to formal Services There is a 3d. Use of Exhortation to Ministers to preach the Law to prepare People for receiving of the Gospel because it is the moral Mean whereby this Work is wrought A 2d Use is to all the Members of the Visible Kirk as they would desire this necessary preparatory Work to be wrought in them so they would consider the Spirituality and Perfection of the Law and examine their Life according to it A second Observation Viz. That God allowes the Spirit of Adoption to these that have received the Spirit of Bondage He gives them this Frame to evidence the Reality of the Grant of Adoption and this Grant of Adoption is given them to testâ— his Love 1 John 1.3 2ly To testify his Respâ— to Christ to whom they are united Eph. 1.6 Aâ— 3ly To confirm their hope of Glory he gives thâ— this Honourable Title to it over and above the Tâ—tle they have to it by their Justification The Use of this is 1st of Consolation if Gâ— give them the Spirit of Adoption to evidence tâ— Reality of this Grant Then these that have the Sâ—rit of Adoption may be sure that God deals wiâ— them as with Children he 'll correct them for thâ— faults Heb. 12 6. He 'll pity them under the straits Psal 103.13 He 'll punish them sparing Mal. 3.17 He 'll give them access to himself unâ— their Trouble Eph. 2.18 He 'll be reconcilable â— them after their strayings Luke 15. He 'll proviâ— for all their wants Mat. 6.32 And he 'll give theâ— the Heavenly Inheritance in the end Rom. 8.17 Use of Reproof since God allows the Spirit 〈◊〉 Adoption to these that have had the Spirit of Boâ—dage It reproves such who have had some measurâ— of the Spirit of Bondage and do lay Obstructioâ— in their own way for their receiving the Spirit â— Adoption Such are these 1st Who refuse â— take with all the Aggravations of their Guilt sâ— Psal 32.9 2d Sort are such who continue ignoraâ— of the Grace of the Gospel A 3d. sort are sudâ— who continue an respect to their old Predominanâ— A 4th sort are such who are tenacious of their owâ— Righteousness and will not quite it It is to be Observed That God in his Soveraigâ— Wisdom deals variously with his Elect as to thâ— leaving them longer or shorter time under the Preâ—sures of the Spirit of Bondage There are some that lye short time under it As 1st Such as are called in their younger Years 2ly Such as are called presently after their Conversion to great and difficult Services as it was with Paul 3ly Such as upon their Conversion are called to endure hard â—ersecutions as it was with these Converts Acts â—3 Some he continues longer under the Spirit of Bondage As 1st Such as are Persons of Eminent Gifts such as Heman was Psal 88. This he does to to prevent their Pride A 2d sort are such as have been very gross sinners before their Conversion such are continued longer under the fears of Wrath that their Condition may be a scar to others to live in gross sins A 3d. sort are such who are continued long under these fears that they may acquire a skill and sympathy to be useful and comfortable to those that are in the like condition For the 3d. Observation These that once have received the Spirit of Adoption the Spirit of God never becomes to them a Spirit of Bondage A full Conviction that the sinner is presently lyable to wrath cannot be wrought by Gods Spirit in the Adopted Child of God because such a Conviction as this is inconsistent with the Word seing the Adopted Child of God notwithstanding of his Failings is not under the Law but under Grace If it be questioned what fears the Child of God may be allowed to entertain seing this Text tells us that he is not allowed to entertain a fear of his present actual lyableness into Wrath It may be answered to the Question he should entertain a fear and jealousie of the Evil of his own Heart that it may make him neglect his Duty and mislead him into sin Phil. 2.12 2ly He should fear that he will fall under certain ruine on supposition of his total Apostasie from God and this fear will breed an aversation from sins agaiâ— light and upsitting in duty and halting in the waâ— of God seing that Carriage has an tendency to Apostasie the Apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrews labours to cure their lame walk in the way of God by proposing the danger of Apostasie to them Use 1st Of Reproof to such that are Gods Adopted Children who have tormenting fears â— Wrath in their bosom which fears are not wroughâ— by Gods Spirit but they flow from their own miâ—believing hearts and Satans suggestions and are permitted of God as Chastisements for their former siâ— such I say are to be reproved who reckon theâ— fears well grounded as judgeing them wrought bâ— Gods Spirit when as they are nothing but permittod of God for their Chastisement 2ly Such arâ— to be reproved who entertain these fears as an â— for restraint against sin seing although they â— restrain from the outward Transgression yet thâ— are never effectual to remove the inward Inclination to sin Use 2d Of Exhortation Seing God allows noâ— his Adopted Children to entertain Tormenting fears of Wrath they would beware of these Sins that provocks God to give them up to their mis-believing Hearts to fill them with these fears As first They would beware of
pursueing our necessary Good 7ly Our peremptoriness in seeking what we would be at without submission makes us miscarry we should be absolute in our Desires but it is for what is absolutely promised in all other things we should leave God the liberty of his disposal 8ly Our unbelief makes us miscarry in the Manner of our praying James tells us that what we ask we should ask in Faith James 1.3 9ly Presumption is the cause of our miscarriage when we do not found our Prayers upon Promises Psal 119. Remember thy Word to thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope A 10th Cause is selfishness and the want of a publick Spirit when we pray for our selves and neglect the Saints Eph. 6 17. We should pray for the peace of Jerusalem Psal 122. 11ly We miscarry when we neglect the Confession of Sin and Thanksgiving to God for Mercy see Dan. 9. Phil. 4.6 Confession is necessary for strengthning of Faith Thanksgiving makes way for the obtaining of further Mercy And 12ly Want of an firm Belief of the Power and Efficacy of Prayer which makes us be unfrequent in it when we get not our will at the first when we are called to pray always Eph. 6.17 and to pray without ceasing 1 Thess 5. Use is since we are so ready to miscarry in the manner of our praying we should be far from thinking that our Acts of Devotion are meritorious before God and we should reckon that when God hears any Prayers we put up to him he evidences his rich Grace in overlooking our Infirmities that stick to our Prayers Observe The Spirit helps us to pray aright 1st Because it is his inward Light that discovers what is expedient for our Good he sets us on a right Choice he makes us prefer Spiritual Mercies to Temporal Mercies he makes us prefer the Mercy of the Cross to our Deliverance from it he makes us prefer the Spiritual Good of our Neighbours before our own Temporal Good he gives our heart a right sett as to its choice 2ly The Spirit gives us the clearest view of Gods Attributes and his relation to us and so presents the Object of Prayer aright to us Rom. 5.5 3ly The Spirit glorifies Christ and enclines the Soul to give him his due and makes the Soul acknowledge his Merit as the ground of our expectation of Mercy and makes the Soul look on his Intercession as the appointed Mean to obtain the same Eph. 1.18 John 16.14 4ly The Spirit is a Spirit of Promise and leads the Soul to the Promises of God in the Word which are the Foundation of our Expectations of Mercy Eph. 1.16 John 14.26 5ly The Spirit encreases a great Esteem of Spiritual Mercies in the Hearts of the Godly and makes them pursue with fervent Desires the obtaining of the same Paul tells us Rom. 8.5 That those that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit 6ly The Spirit discovers a mans Evils to him and so makes the Creature humble in its Addresses to God he is a convinceing Spirit John 16.8 7ly The Spirit is a Spirit of Faith and therefore he keeps up the heart in believing under the sense of Guilt Corruption and Temptations 2 Cor. 4.13 And this Faith in Prayer makes way for returns to it unbelief being a great Restraint to God's working for us When it is said the Spirit interceeds for us the meaning it that our Intercession flows from his Influence This Intercession is not like Christs Intercession for he interceeds for us when we make no intercession for our selves as witness his Intercession for Peter when he fell but the Spirit is said to interceed for us when he makes us interceed as it is said in Matth. 10. That we do not speak but it is the Spirit of the Father that speaketh in us The Spirit assists us in Prayer by causeing a fervour in our Desires and bringing us into a cordial submission to his Will he makes us groan he makes us pray according to the Will of God This lets us see that we are to depend on the Spirit of God for his assistance in Prayer as being convinced that we cannot pray aright without him The darkness of our mind as to spiritual Things the disquiet of our Conscience and perverseness of our Will the disorder of our Affections makes it impossible for us to pray aright without his help And therefore in all the Course of our Walk we should be tender of grieving this Spirit lest by doing so we marrâ— our Devotions which are the great Mean of our intercourse with God Observe That under Crosses the Saints may be very indistinct as to their Prayers they have groans unutterable that is they have such Desires as that they cannot give an perfect and explicite Account of The Text says plainly That they know not what to pray for as they ought their Faith may be up and down in their Prayers as witness Davids practice in the Psalms their Petitions may be upon the matter inconsistent and yet they do not know many a desire had Job to God that he would take away his life and yet undoubtedly he had his own desires for delivery many a time they are forced to sist in a Petition for help in the General without condescending to particular Requests because they are ignorant what is expedient for them but all the irregular desires of the Saints in such a case does not come from the Spirit but only the lawful Desires that are mixed with these irregular Desires these are called the Sense and Meaning of the Spirit which God approves of in the next Verse Now these confused Prayers of the Saints they arise from various Causes 1st From dark Providences this was Jobs case When men know not the Cause why God afflicts nor the Ends which he intends to bring about by the Affliction it is no wonder then they be indistinct in their Prayers they know not what to seek of God in this Case 2ly When men are under the Apprehensions of imminent great Trouble causeing a fear that they may be overcome by the Trouble the Creature is at a stand and knows not what to desire even innocent finite Nature while it is seiled upon by these great Fears the Mind is not free at the time to have the actual uptaking of what is fit to be desired or expected of God for the finite Mind is detained in the Contemplation of the greatness of the Trouble that is coming on them see Christs Words John 12.27 3ly When Corruption is tumultuating in the Heart and Grace fighting against it the Spirit lusteth against the Flesh and the Flesh against the Spirit it is no wonder the Soul be troubled with contrary Tydes of contrary Desires 4ly While the Soul is troubled with sad Challenges of Conscience for sin that vexation of mind caused by these Challenges makes the Creature unfit to take up the particular state and condition of their Soul so that they cannot
is certainly abiding us 6ly We should never be jealous that the Cross will tend to our prejudice but believe it will tend to our profit seing God designs to bring us to Glory for Grace must reign through Righteousness into eternal Life And 7ly Ye would try your state to Justification as ye would try your right to Glory Verse 31. What shall we say then to these things If God be for us who can be against us HEre the Apostle by way of interrogating what shall we say then to these things infers the truth and sufficiency of the Comforts formerly laid down because when he says What shall we say to them imports that we can say nothing to them And afterwards from this he concludes a triumphant Defyance against all the Opposition that can he made to their Salvation under the Cross and that is because it appears by the Comforts formerly laid down that God is with them that is God is Friends with them they have fellowship with him and he assists them against all the Opposition that is made to their Salvation Observe here 1st That the Comforts formerly laid down are real and sufficient and that proven so by the Experience of all Saints The Comforts formerly spoken to are the Certainty of Glory and its preferable Good to the Evil of Afflictions that we are saved by Hope that the Spirit helps our Infirmities especially in Prayer that all things work together for our Good especially Afflictions and tâ— our love to God and Calling according to purpoâ— are Pledges thereof that we are Predestinate toâ— conformed to Christs Image and sharers of his â—viledges that Predestination has put a sure Conâ—ction betwixt Calling and Glory From this 〈◊〉 inferr that the Enjoyers of these Comforts are 〈◊〉 excuseable for their being prevailed upon by dâ—couragements under the Cross 2ly This tells 〈◊〉 that Ministers when they comfort People undâ— Crosses should afford them plain and unquestioâ—able Grounds of Consolation that cannot be contâ—dicted such as the Text says here we have nothiâ— to say against Observe next that the Enjoyers of these Comforts may conclude that God is with them Froâ— this I inferr 1st That these Comforts are sure Marâ— of a state of Reconciliation 2ly I inferr that thâ— are certain Pledges of Divine Assistance against opposition made to our Salvation 3ly I infer thâ— they are real Evidences of Spiritual Communion betwixt God and us Observe 3ly That while Saints are under the Cross their is much opposition made to their Salvation It 's clear 1st By their Corruptions being irritate by the Cross 2ly By the Devils taking advantage by the Cross to tempt us 3ly It appears by the Worlds insulting over the People of God while they are under the Cross 4ly It appears from the Challenges of Conscience for sin that they are lyable unto while under the Cross This says that we have not only need of Patience to bear the Cross but we have need of Watchfulness against that opposition that is made to our Faith under the Cross and we had need to pray for strength against that opposition much more than for Deliverance from the Cross Observe 4ly That this Opposition is all succesless because it is limited by Providence and we have strength afforded us by the Spirits Influence against it Vse This is comfortable to People under long continuing Crosses 2ly This invites us to bring our Faith up to that triumphantly to defy all the opposition that is made against it Verse 32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all How shall he not with him freely also give us all things HEre the Apostle as he had in the former Verses comforted the Saints under the Cross by telling them that God would secure and defend them from the evil of it by giving them many sensible Supports for that end So likewise in this Verse he doth comfort them by telling them of his readiness to confer Favours upon them and this he confirms by the Love of Christ to them and by the Love of the Father in giving Christ Observe 1st That there is an abundance of Spiritual Things that the afflicted Christian stands in need of Here the Apostle says they may expect an All of things They have need of Pardon to be intimate to them and that because the Cross is really an Effect of Paternal Displeasure and People under the Cross are ready to be jealous of God anger as a Judge 2ly They have need of Grace to prevent the irritation of their Corruption 3ly They had need of Patience under the Cross because of the continuance of it 4ly· They had need of Repentance because the Cross leads them to it 5ly They had need of Comfort because they are called to suffer with joy and cheerfulness under the Cross alse well as otherways 6ly They had need of Deliverance to prevent their overwhelming under the Cross and they had need of the Blessing of the Cross to make it effectual for their good Use This lets us see how much we are in Gods Reverence therefore we should be loath to offend him 2ly This tells us that afflicted Folks should be much in Prayer for the supply of their wants and other Folk should pray for them 3ly They are called to be very humble seing they have so great need of so many things in their afflicted Condition Observe 2ly That God is very ready to give bountifully to his People in their afflicted State As appears 1st By the compleatness of their Pardon Psal 85. 2ly By the fulness of their Comfort 2 Cor. 1.6 3ly By the sufficiency of their Grace against Temptations 2 Cor. 12.8 4ly By their innumerable Deliverances Psal 71.15 5ly By the seasonableness of these Deliverances Psal 46.1 6ly By their unexpectedness Psal 126.1 7ly By their Deliverance being above their Merite Isaâ— 57.18 8ly By the Communication of Light to them Prov. 3.8 Psal 25.8 Use of Reproof for the narrow Thoughts we have of the Bounty of God towards us in our afflicted state 2d Use of Exhortation to exhort us to have large Desires and Expectations suitable to this large Bounty 3ly It reproves us for repineing under Crosses seing God puts us in that Condition of purpose that we may be capable of having the Experience of the Expressions of his Bounty 5ly Do not shift a Cross seing God can by the Expressions of his Bounty make it both pleasant and profitable 6ly Do not obstruct the Expressions of his Bounty by Unbelief Impenitency and neglect of Prayer 7ly Labour to observe the Expressions of Gods Bounty to confirm your Faith to excite your Love and Thankfulness Observe 3ly That thir Expressions of Love are freely given because they exceed and go beyond our Faith Psal 31.21 2ly They go beyond our Merit Isay 57.18 God will deliver us even when we are guilty of Treachery towards him Jer. 3.20 21. This teaches us Humility and confidence in Prayer Observe 4ly All thir