Psal 51 4. and our uneven walking before him and this spirit of God will present objects sufficient enough to us for the true humbling of us Fifthly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-Humbling so it is a sin-destroying Spirit Where the Spirit hath took up its abode in a Soul to rule every thing must be brought into subjection to it the Spirit of God must and will have the preheminence 1 Cor 1.30 God wiâ—l make all our corruptions bow and bend when once he hath given commission unto his Spirit to take dominion of the Soul for as Conscience is Gods Vicegerent on Earth Ps 119 59. v. 113. and speak it will for God So the Spirit will bear Rule and Sway for God and will never leave working in the Soul where it is until it hath brought the thought as well as the heart of man into subjection to our Lord Jesus The Spirit of God makes thorow work when it comes it is that which purifies the heart The Spirit begins at the root of the matter and if the root be good it is like the fruit will not be bad Acts 15.9 Rom. 6.12 Jam. 4.8 when the Spirit purifies the heart it proves death to our Sins and Life unto our Graces The Spirit of God will admit by no means sin to Rule in that Heart that God doth Reign in The old Man must be turned out and the new man must be received in the least sin must not have entertainment by the consent of the Spirit upon any terms for as much as sin is an enemy to Christ and a Christan Oh! Jer. 5.25 it is that which robs Christ of his Honour and a Christian of his Crown yea sin is that which keeps Christ and a Christian at a distance also and makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 3 17. As it is sin that breaks a Christians communion it is the Spirit that Reconsiles Christ to the Soul and makes up the breach again and produces peace unto the Soul where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty no Liberty is or can be allowed unto sin but Liberty in the Spirit for to serve Christ By this we see the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit Sixthly As the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit so it is a Grace-inlarging Spirit in the Soul too When the Soul lives in the injoyment of the Spirit oh then it is Graces bud forth and blossom in the Soul and bear lovely Fruit John 6.63 2 Cor. 3.6 Luk. 7.30 Rom. 5.3 Joh. 16.33 1 Cor. 3.21 Rev. 2.10 for the Spirit is that which gives life and being unto all Graces where the Spirit is wanting Graces are dying Oh! it is the Spirit of God that supplies the Soul with good things and inriches the Soul with the Glorious Treasures of Heaven with pretious Faith in the Day of straits with patience in the hour of Tryal and Temptation with Spiritual joy in the midst of worldly sorrow In a word the Spirit will furnish the Soul with the injoyments of all things in the midst of wants What shall I say of this excellent Spirit may not I say it is Gods Messenger and a Christians Friend Oh! when ever the Spirit comes into a Soul it comes with a Message from God sometimes it hath a Commission from God to comfort and encourage us and then its Language is Be faithful to Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life At another time it is like the Message of the Spirit is for to instruct and Counsel the Soul that is when it shall hint such a thing as this to us secretly to inform us to be careful that we do not grieve it least we displease it Mark Grieve not the Holy Spirit Ephes 5 30. by which we are sealed unto the Day of Redemption Oh! let the Message the Spirit comes with be royally entertained and bid it welcome sometimes the Spirit comes with a glorious promise of Grace and Love from God and then it comes with such like language as this to the Soul Jer. 33.3 I have loved thee with an everlasting love and with my loving kindness have I drawn thee A Blessed Message and a Blessed Messenger See the work of the Spirit a Christians Help Secondly How the Spirit is a Christians Excellent Help The Spirit is an excellent Help unto a Christian at all times and in all places a true Christian knows not how to live without the Spirit he knows not how to love without it nor how to walk without it If we live in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 we shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh therefore we must conclude the Spirit is a Christians Help For the proof hereof observe these following observations First It is the work of the Spirit to help the Soul unto a true sight and sence of sin It was by the help of the Spirit the Noble Apostle of the Gentiles namely Paul came to a sight of sin Sin sayes he Rom. 7.13 14. that it might appear sin worketh death in me by that which is good meaning the Spirit of God is that thing that is good and thereby sin becomes exceeding sinful unto him it makes him cry out when he was sensible of his present state The Law is Spiritual but I am Carnal sold under sin Mark The Spirit of God doth declare the Rice and Race of sin James 1 15. for when lust is conceived it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished it brings forth Death so we see it is the Spirits work to make a clear discovery of sin unto the Soul and when once the Soul comes by the help of the Spirit unto this pitch of attainment to see sin as it is in its own appearance the Soul will not onely confess sin but bewale himself for it as David did crying out in the bitterness of his Spirit when he had a true sence upon him of it Psa 51.4 Against thee and thee onely have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight In a feeling sence doth he speak it When he is awakened by the Spirit he points at the very sin the like presidence we have in the Prodigal son when the Spirit of God gave him a sight with the sence oâ— sin the man cries out now of going unto his Father and he is resolved to say Father I have sinned against Heaven Luk. 15 18. he falls upon sin immediately and before thee though we are prodigal yet the Spirit of God it will make such fall down upon the knee of confession of sin and help them to witness sorrow for the same Luk. 15 19. And though I am not worthy to be called thy Son let me be a Servant a Token of Humility By this you may see what Blessed Work the Spirit of God makes when it comes into a Soul that it doth not give a bare sight of sin but a
true sence of the same Secondly As the Spirit works up the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin so it makes the Soul out of love with sin Joseph without all doubt did injoy much of the assistance of the Spirit when he met with that sore temptation that was presented unto him by his Mistris who tempted him to uncleanness see Joseph's modest Answer to her wicked desire How shall I do this great evil Gen. 39 7 8 9. and sin against God An evident Testimony to prove the man out of love with sin for by no means can he condescend unto that which tends not unto the Glory of God We find David to be out of love with sin in as much as he doth declare his sorrow for sin Psal 38 18. The more we are in love with the Spirit the more we shall be out of love with sin the more the Spirit of God is at work in us the more sin shall be bewailed by us Poor Job makes a sad out-cry about his sin he cries out I have sinned what shall I do unto thee Job 7.20 O thou preserver of men Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so that I am a burthen unto my self Mark Sin is to the Soul truly Spiritual become a burthen here is an evident Character of a Soul out of love with sin and such a Soul will say unto sin Hos 14 8. as Ephraim said unto his Idols Get ye hence sin get you out of my sight for there is a great contrariety between the Flesh and the Spirit the Spirit proclaimes open war against sin in the Soul the Spirit gives the first Onset and never leaves fighting till it comes away a Conqueror and so gets the Day Rom. 8.37 Job 33.27 28. and the Lord will preserve the Soul from going into the Pit and his life shall see the light if he shall say he hath sinned and perverted that which is writ and it profiteth me not all which must be by the help of the Spirit and if once the Spirit of God doth but enter the Castle of the Soul then all thy Carnal enemies must lay down their Arms and march out for the spirit will not admit of any under its command but such 〈◊〉 be obedient thereto oh then sin will not be thy love or deâ—ight but thou shalt see it an open enemy against God and the good of thy soul all no quarter shall it have from thee or entertainment by thee Rom. 8.7 when the spirit of God is upon thee Thirdly As it is the Work of the Spirit for to make us out of love with sin so it is the work of the Spirit to inform the Soul fully and freely of Christ It is the spirit of God that doth acquaint us with Christ's readiness to give it entertainment for the spirit in the Bride faith Come and drink of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 17. it is the Word of God that tells us we may be welcome but it is the spirit of God that makes all welcome the free and full spirit of God is that which conveys life into the soul and makes the bitter waters that sometimes we meet with in the way to Heaven prove sweet Oh! it is the spirit that leads the soul unto the Water streams of Christs Divine Love and gives it a taste of his Excellent sweetness and begets a longing desire after Christ Oh! on such it is Christ intends to bestow his choisest Gift upon Rev. 21 6. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the Waâ—ers of Life freely such in whom the spirit doth beget this thirsting frame in the soul shall have the priviledge for to taste of the Living Water of Christ himself who is Living Water and what Christ doth he will do it freely the soul shall have the injoyment of the Living streams and his fill thereof if he will but come for it Oh! it is the spirit of God that will enjage a soul for to come unto Christ and it doth likewise beget a Holy Admiration in the soul of Christ that it cries out with David How excellent is thy loving Kindness Psal 36 7 8 9. O God Therefore the Children of Men put their trust under the shadow of thy Wings they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures for with thee is the Fountain of Life and in thy Light we shall see Light Such is the excellency of the spirit when it comes that it doth maintain the soul at a high rate with God the provision and royal entertainment that the soul finds in the House of God begets in the soul a dislike unto Carnal Inâ—oyments And if any person desires to be fed at this rate he must come unto Christ John 7.37 by the help of the spirit the way lies open for if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink and he shall witness in him the overflowings of Christ's sweet streams in his soul By this time you may plainly see the spirit gives us a full and free description of Christ the Excellency of his Love to us Fourthly As it is the Spirits work for to inform us of Christ so the Spirit doth beget in us a choice delight in Christ After the spirit hath given us a sight of Christ it begets in the soul a love or delight in Christ Oh! the spirit of God makes the soul in love with the very Courts of God and then it cries out with great Admiration Psal 84 1 2. How aimiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts my Soul longs yea fainteth for the Courts of the Lord My Heart and my Flesh cryeth out for the Living God The spirit sets the soul in a holy flame yea in a longing frame after God and in an excellent frame to Praise God in a word it makes the soul for to esteem of God as its chief good Fifthly As the Spirit works up the Soul for to take delight in Christ so it helps the Soul for to walk unto the Honour of Christ Oh! the spirit is an excellent help unto a Christian to help him forward in the work of holy walking Psal 31 21. Blessed be the Lord said David for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness The spirit of God will direct a Christian in the way and not suffer him to walk out of it the spirit will also support him and comfort him in his Journey and make his way pleasant in the midst of all discouragements it meets with John 16 13. the spirit will not leave us in the dark in dubious matters it will teach the soul what course it must steer that it may arrive at the right Port at last the spirit will beget in us a still and quiet frame of Heart in all our storms we pass through that we may be in a fit capacity to hear what
Breast of my Mother when shall I find Thee without Oh! I would have a Kiss of thee dear Jesus I would not be despised Oh! It is a choice Meeting indeed when Christ and a Christian meets together they are loath to part one from another Oh! this should teach us for to inquire out this pleasant path Cant. 3.4 that we might walk therein for it is a Christians Priviledge to walk with Christ whose Path is pleasant and lovely also So I come to Application The first Use of Information Is it true as hath been here laid down that the pretious Spirit of God is a Soul-Enlightning a Soul-Comforting a Soul-Quickning a Soul-Humbling a Sin-Destroying and a Grace-Inlarging Spirit this may teach us then for to have an high and honourable esteem of the Spirit of God Oh! make it the Man of thy Counsel take it in and give it royal Entertainment for the more entertainment we give it the more spiritual Advantage shall we gain by it Psa 34.9 Oh! it is a Salve for every Sore it will produce Light unto the blind Eye Comfort to the sad and dejected Soul it will quicken the dead and drousie Christian it serves for the molifiing of the proud hard and obstinate Heart and it will bring the Soul into a humble holy frame and put the Soul into a choice capacity to be serviceable for God Psal 25 9. Ephes 6 10. for The Meek will he guid in Judgement and the Humble will he teach his Way Oh! the Spirit will bring down the stoutest Lust or Corruption that is which makes a poor Christian to groan the Spirit will draw our Affections to a holy Conformity and blessed Subjection to the Will of Christ and it is the Spirit of God that causes Grace to bud and blosom in the Soul Zech. 12.10 2 Pet. 3.18 Psa 84.11 and to bring forth increase of Fruit for God Oh! it doth much concern us to set an high estimation of the Spirit therefore for it is the Messenger that brings us good news from Heaven continually Let us therefore bid it welcome and give it royal Entertainment when it shall come and let us open the doors of our Hearts to it for it is a Friend that will be mighty helpful to us in the puting of us forward unto the good Land Acts 20.32 it will give us an Inheritance with the Saints in Light for if any appear in the last day before Jesus Christ without the Seal and witness of the Spirit it will prove a sad day unto them they shall find the Gates of Heaven fast shut against them when the Bridegroom wiâ—h his Bride shall enter into the Kingdom and with his glorious Train and heavenly Attendance Isa 35.10 shall be singing of the Songs of Hallelujah in the heighth of Zion Therefore in a word let us make it our first and our choice Work to get a true Acquaintance with the Spirit of God and indeavour at all times to cherish the least appearance of it in our Souls and by no means at any time grieve it when it comes with its divine Message from its Master the Lord of Life 1 Thes 5.19 least the Spirit of God come in as a swift Witness against us in the Day of Christ saying Lord when I came with thy Message unto the creature they would upon no terms hearken unto it Pro. 28.10 Matt. 13.16 Matth. 13.22 Mark 4 19. Isa 28.10 1 Thes 5.19 but did stop their ears and set their Hearts against my Message at other times my Message was drowned by the confused noise of Carnal Reason and worldly care unlawful doubts and slavish fears at other times they did violence unto me by smothering my Powerful Raps that I made at the door of their consciences and would not hear a word if it were to save their Lives and Souls also Lord oftentimes I have come Line upon line and Precept upon precept with a little at one time and with a little at another time Oh! then they used all means for to squench my sweet Motions and grieve me till at last dear Lord I was fain to leave my message behind me as a testimony against them This charge amounts very high What remains now saith God but a fearful looking for judgment sinner notwithstanding all my Long-suffering forbearance Rom. 2.4 John 3.16 and my great love that I manifested unto you in sending of my Son to die for you and my sweet Spirit to manifest my Son to you Have you thus sinfully denyed me and shamefully rewarded me evil for good what may we expect now but the dreadful sentence from God to be uttered Matth. 25.41 Prov. 1.24 to 30. Depart from me ye Workers of Iniquity I know you not Nay God will say The time was that when I wo ed you and Intreated you by my Messenger early and late that you would not hearken unto my counsel and would hear none of my reproof I will mock when your fear cometh and then you shall call but I will not answer and though you shall seek me early you shall not find me Oh! let the consideration of these things therefore put us speedily upon the work of giving real and royal entertainment unto the Spirit when it comes and by no means turn it back least it be grieved and we wounded thereby so much may suffice for this Use The second Vse of Examination Is it true as you have heard that it is the work of the Spirit of God for to help the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin and to work the Soul out of love with sin and help a Soul to a sight of the Excellency of Christ and beget in the Soul a delight in Christ and direct the Soul to walk unto the Honour of Christ by which means it attains unto choice Communion with Christ Isa 3.9 Isa 5.18 Numb 32.23 Gen. 4.7 2 Cor. 7.11 Rom. 8.7 It is much our concernment for to make a strict and diligent search into our own Hearts to inquire whether we are sensible of what dishonour sin doth bring unto God besides a wound unto our own Souls for it is sin that breaks the Peace between us and our dear Lord Jesus it makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Oh! how should this beget a Spiritual revenge in our Souls against this grand Enemy that is continually making war against us Oh! this should beget in us enmity against that which is a constant enemy unto the Lord come let us examine our selves whether we see sin in its right shape Oh! then it will beget a dislike in our Souls to it for when Satan that cunning deceiver comes for to deceive he puts a new face upon an old sin Gen. 3.4 vers 5. and gives it a new name to the end we may be taken with his Bates as covetousness is called by the name of Good Husbandry and drunkenness by the name of Good-Fellowship
to the end he may the better carry on his design for to deceive but the Spirit is an excellent help unto us for to find out the cunning deceit of Satan and where ever it comes Psal 51 7. it will never leave the Soul till it hath made it out of love with sin Come let us examine our selves Is that sin which was before our love and delight become now our great burthen Is that sin which was as a right eye Mat. 5.29 or as a right hand to us that was so near and dear once that it must be dandled in the lap of our Affections and lie in our Bosome Is it now turned out and discovered as the great disturber of the Family and by no means must have aboad therein Oh! then it is plainly known and understood who hath the full possession of the House namely the Spirit who brings Joy and Peace along with it for the Messenger of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 is an Embassador that makes Peace Oh! hast thou a sight of Christ and art thou not made thereby in love with Christ for a true sight of Christ doth oftentimes beget a true love to Christ Soul hast thou heard his Voice and seen his Face Cant. 2.14 tell me what is thy approbation concerning him then Is he not excellent in Beauty and Virtue Is not he become your Lord as well as your Love to rule you as well as to comfort you Examine is it not your joy when you can but hear from him and much more your joy when you can get a sight of him O! is not his company your delight is not his absenting the cause of your lamenting Oh! is dear Jesus so much become your joy and delight that you can say None but his presence will content you Phil. 3.7 that if you have the injoyment of all things and have not Christ it will not content you In truth can we say he is so much loved by us that upon no terms would we do the thing that may displease him Cant. 3.5 Eph. 4.1 Eph. 5.15 Col. 1.10 Col. 2.6 Col. 4.5 Gen. 5.22 Prov. 3.13 Cant. 3.4 or grieve him Oh! do we make our study so to walk that we may be an Honour unto Christ a credit unto the Gospel and a comfort to our souls can we say That path where Christ is not I find no content to walk therein Doth our walking conduce unto the promoting of Christ's Honour and Glory Oh! then let sin or Satan rap at our door for entertainment they shall find none Nay though Satan should be very solicitous to have a lodging in the room of our Hearts yea but for one night the Soul will sharply give him his answer with a flat denyal the Reason is saith the Soul My Lord is at home as for sin and Satan they must be gone here is no entertainment can be had no not for a night for our dear Lord hath took full possession and where Christ hath took full possession in a Soul sin nor Satan cannot have a Habitation Soul hast thou Communion with Christ Oh! happy art thou then prize thy Communion what ever thou dost let not Christ and thee part but labour to set thy heart upon that which will conduce to the enlargement of thy Communion Oh! the more acquaintance thou getest with the Spirit of God the higher thou shalt be in Communion with Christ Eph. 4.30 Art thou very tender of the Spirit for it is a tender thing soon grieved and soon gone and if once the Spirit takes its leave of thee then farewel Christ and Communion too for it is the Spirit of Christ that maintains our Peace and Communion with God this doth much concern us for to secure the Spirit and keep it in our possession Rom. 8.9 or else all is like to run to ruine then Satan will make a prey of us is the Spirit active and at work within examine Soul danger is near when the Spirit hath lost its Motion it is not like to go well with that Soul in whom the Spirit is clouded by sin therefore if we intend to take our fill of Christ let us take our fill of the Spirit Ephes 5 18. and drink deep draughts thereof yea then shall we be fit and free to serve the Lord and witness choice eminent sweet and constant Communion with Christ Oh! let us set an high and Honourable esteem on the Spirit therefore for it will prove ouâ— friend in the time of need Rom. 8.26 and be a help to us when all other helps shall fail us The third Use of Exhortation Oh! doth God give forth his choice Spirit as his gift by virtue of his Promise in the way of the New Covenant Then here is blessed encouragement for poor sinners for to make out after Christ Isa 55.6 for it is his delight for to do them good in order for their good he gives down his Spirit for their further encouragement Soul remember it comes as a free gift it is not what you have Isa 55.1 2. or can have shall buy it for our dear Lord is resolved for to give it freely God requires no more but ask and you shall have it Oh! let but Christ know thy mind and he will supply thy wants he will bestow upon thee such a Spirit as shall Administer help and Spiritual relief to thy poor distressed Conscience in all straits be they never so bad if thou art blind he will annoint thy Eyes with Eye-salve that thou mayest see Rev. 3.18 if thou art cast down under the sight and sence of sin by which thou art ready to cry out Thou art undone The Spirit will bring a Promise of the pardon of sin for thy comfort Isa 43.25 26. John 6.63 Rom. 8.11 Eze. 11 19. Rom. 6.14 if thou complainest of deadness in Holy Duties or Spiritual Gospel Ordinances the Spirit of God serves for the quickening of thy heart therein Soul if thou lyest under the bitter complaints of a hard Heart the Spirit of God will soften it for thee and make it new in a moment and humble thy Heart for thee and if thou findest sin too hard for thee and thy iniquities too many for thee to incounter with the Spirit will conquer thy sins for thee Soul if thy complaint be Graces are dead and thou art undone the Spirit will renew Grace in thee and keep it alive in thy Soul and make thee live a comfortable life indeed Remember Soul when ever thou goest to God in the true sence of the want of the Spirit to put God in mind of his own promise for he hath ingaged by promise Joel 2.28 for to give down the Spirit a Christians Excellent Help and forget not to put God in mind how he hath bound himself by covenant by the confirmation of an Oath to give down the spirit All which doth much conduce to our encouragement to wait at the
of the Spirit of GOD. ROMANS 8.6 But to be Spiritually Minded is Life and Peace Doct. 2. That Mind which is truly and throughly Spiritual doth produce Life and Peace FOr the clearing of this Truth observe these following Particulars in the General First What the Spirit of God is Secondly How the Spirit is a Christians Help Thirdly How a Christian comes to attain unto the Spirit Fourthly The Characters of a true Spiritualized Christian Fifthly The Glorious priviledges of a Heavenly Christian First What the Spirit of God is First The Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit The Creature in its first state was in a state of Darkness Ephes 5 8. Eze. 11 19. Zech. 12.1 For ye were sometimes darkness but now are you Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light It is evident till Christ appears in the Soul the Soul is in a State of Darkness and the Way that God doâ—h usually appear is bâ— his Spirit for his Personal Presence is in Heaven but his Spiritual Presence is in the Believer This is seen by his Promise he made unto his Disciples Acts 1.11 while he was Personally among them and taking his leave of them when they expressed their trouble at the sayings of Christ when he spoke of taking of his leave of them John 16 5 6. our dear Lord is pleased for to encourage them with the Promise of his Spirit as if Christ should say though I be absent in my Person yet I will make it up with the Presence of my Spirit John 19 7. I tell you the Truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you And this Spirit of Truth that shall come â—â—â—m the Father shall be an excellent Guide to us Joh. 16.13 it shall lead us 〈◊〉 â—o all Truth so the Spirit in man is called the Candle of the Lord it is that which giveth Light to man and inlightens our dark understandings the Spirit of God is that which makes a discovery of the Deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 Jer. 31.33 Rom. 1.16 to the Soul which cannot be understood but by such as have the Spirit yea it gives the Soul an insight into the deep Things of his Law and it is by the Spirit of God that we come to have a knowledge of our intrest in Christ and our Priviledges that we injoy by him for it is the Spirit it felf that bears witness with our Spirits that we are the Sons of God Yea it is the Golden Key of the Spirit that doth unlock the Cabinet of the Heavenly Treasure unto us till we have the Spirit we know not where our Wealth is or what it is 1 Cor. 2.9 for Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love him To the end that the glorious things of God might not lie hid from us God in rich Love hath sent his Spirit for to reveal his pleasure unto us 1 Cor. 2.10 By this we may see that the Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit Secondly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit so it is a Soul-Comforting Spirit also In the forementioned place in John our dear Lord Jesus is pleased for to put that Honourable Title upon his Spirit and calls it the Comforter Joh. 15.26 whom he did upon his word engage to send into the World the Comforting Spirit of God is a Christians Companion and the truth is let the work be never so excellent and the duty never so choice yet if the Soul meets not with the Spirit as its guide and assistant therein Psal 51 12. it comes off with loss with the want of Comfort and Refreshments from God in the duty Oh! it is the Spirit of God applying of the Promises of God in the hour of Temptation that proves a true comfort unto a Christian yea Ps 119 50. it is the Spirit of God that proves a comfort unto a Saint in all straits and difficulties if in a state of Bondage the Spirit of God procures him liberty if the World frown on him Psal 51 12. the Spirit of God will smile upon him if the Soul doth meet with inward trouble the Spirit will convey inward peace if thou lyest under the state of unbelief the Spirit will convey Faith unto thee In a word Ps 119 156. Psal 34 9. let thy wants be never so many this pretious Spirit will supply all thy wants for thee a Comforter indeed the Lord teach us to prize it Thirdly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-Comforting Spirit so it is a Soul quickening Spirit likewise It is the Spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth little Oh! John 6.63 that duty proves for comforting in which the Spirit appears for quickening It is the Spirit of God that makes us active for God it is the Spirit that brings us to be truly acquainted with the Word and then it is the Word that quickens us Ps 119 50. when we meet with afflictions from God And this is the comfort of a Christian in the hour of his affliction Fourthly As it is a Soul-quickening so it is a Soul-humbling Spirit That Soul that lives under the teachings of the Spirit is taught for to be humble and that soul that hath by the help of the Spirit attained unto humility is a fit Habitation for God in whom God will take delight for to dwell in and the more God doth dwell in us the more we shall live to him Isa 57.15 and the more we live to him the more we shall be free from sin and if at any time sin should get the upper hand of us it will conduce to a humbling of us if God dwell in us the work of humility is the proper work of the Spirit and the more we have of the Spirit the more we shall be in love with it Gal. 5.22 and the more humble in the enjoyment of it for it is the work of the Spirit for to keep the Creature low under the highest enjoymen s of God that Christian that knows much and boasts little in his knowledge of God it argues Col. 3.12 he hath obtained much of this humble frame of heart and lives in the enjoyments of the Spirit of God that doth prove for humbling the Soul in the sight of God the true spirit of God admits of no boasting but brings â—he Soul into a dayly sence and feeling of its own insufficiency Jer. 9.23 24. and to a sight of Christ the Fountain from whence his â—â—eams come Gal. 4.6 Oh! it is the Spirit that brings Christ and the Soul to be acquainted and the more we are acquainted with Christ the more we shall be humbled at every remembrance of our unworthiness to him
it sayes when it doth direct its speech unto us Jer. 10.23 our God doth well know the unfitness that is in us to do him service therefore in rich love he sends his spirit abroad for our help and assistance This we may conclude upon if we have the help of the Spirit 1 Sam. 2.30 we shall then walk to the Honour of God such that Honour him shall be Honoured by him Oh! it is our living in and walking by the spirit that makes our Lives Honourable and also Comfortable for the Spirit will not admit of any work but that which tends to the promoting of the Honour of God if we walk according unto the spirit we must walk according to Rule John 14 6. and observe what direction the spirit gives the spirit may be tearmed Gods Overseer or the Fore-man of the work for nothing must be done without its Direction Consent or Approbation and if we do not observe the spirits Direction we shall soon be turned out of our Imployment but in case it be observed then will our walking tend unto the Honour of God and without doubt for our everlasting good Lastly It is the Spirit of God that helps a Christian to a choice and sweet communion with Christ Such indeed as injoy the spirit 1 John 1.3 have fellowship with the Father and the Son It is the work of the spirit to acquaint the soul with the Father and the Son and the more we live under the conduct of the spirit the more we shall in joy Communion with the Father and the Son for as a Father takes delight in his children so doth the Lord delight in them that fear him As the Lord doth take delight in us so likewise the spirit will inable us for to delight in him and his Ordinances by which means our Communion with Christ is inlarged Mark what the Apostle layes down The Cup of Blessing which we bless 1 Cor. 10.16 is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ By which we may see that Gospel Ordinances doth present Christ to us and sweetness doth redound from them to us also by the help of the spirit which doth plainly demonstrate unto us that we are not onely related to God 2 Cor. 6 16 but God is also related unto us as we have God to be our God so we are his People and Temple in whom his Honour dwells Oh! that Communion must of necessity appear to be choice where God himself hath the management of it Have we fellowship with God Eph. 5.11 This may teach us then For to have no fellowshlp with the unfruitful works of Darkness but rather reprove them So I have done with this Particular also Thirdly How or by what means doth a Christian come for to attain the Spirit of God First A Christian comes unto the injoyment of the Spirit as a free Gift that is bestowed upon him by God The spirit is Gods own gift which he sends forth freely to all such who are of the Blood Royal that have been made partakers of the Divine Nature the Royal Nation that are of the Royal Priesthood 2 Pet. 1 4. 1 Pet. 2.9 a people of a peculiar stamp as God gave his Son for us so he gives his spirit to us that is very freely so that the spirit is our due Oh! it is the Fathers Legacy that he hath left behind him to put us in mind of him till he and we meet by this gift we may come to see what right and propriety we can claim in Christ Gal. 4.6 Because we are Sons he hath sent the Spirit of his Son into our Hearts whereby we are able to cry Abba Father The knowledge of the in-dwelling presence of the spirit of Christ in our Hearts helps us to a sight of our Relation to him 1 John 4.13 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit Mark that word without controversie then the spirit is Gods gift Oh! it is a pretious gift indeed for it doth not onely discover Christ to us but to be in us Mark farther If the spirit were to be gained by our good works or what ever it is in the power of our hand to do it would not come to us as a free gift but as our due so we should claim a Right to the spirit for our work which is not to be for God will give it freely and leave no room for our boasting James 4 16. for were it to be obtained by works we have whereof to boast so then we may conclude upon it the spirit comes in as Gods gift a pretious gift indeed for it doth not onely discover our dwelling with God but Gods dwelling with us and in us also John 3.33 And that Soul that hath received this testimony hath set to his Seal that God is true Such as live in the spirit can tell you that it was given them by the Father as a Token of his special Love and Favour and they can set to their Seal the truth of it Query But if the soul should query Must I do nothing at all fot it that I may injoy it Answer To this I answer Nothing doth God require of thee but ask and you shall have it seek and you shall find it for it must come as his free gift Luk. 11 13. Observe what Christ saith to this case If you who are evil know how for to give good things unto your Children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to them that seek it That you may see it is but ask and have let but God know your wants he will send down supplies from himself his spirit shall come as his gift Objection I have saith the soul sought the Lord but I have no answer neither can I obtain the thing I desire and sure it is but in vain for to wait any longer Answer To this I answer It may be soul the reason is why you seek and cannot obtain because you do not seek in the right way nor in the right spirit it may be you ask James 4 3. but you ask amiss to spend it upon your lusts such ends God will not answer therefore when thou seekst for the spirit inquire into thy own heart whether thy end be to Honour God with it or whether thou wouldst have it to get thy self a name or applause by it It is true Simon Magus did make after the spirit Acts 8.18 but could not obtain unto it because his ends was unsound and instead of having of it must hear his own Doom read unto him ver 19. ver 20. ver 21. ver 22. ver 23. that is the man was in the Gall of Bitterness and in the Bond of Iniquity Oh! when thou comest to God consider with thy self what doth
ingage thee to the duty is it a true sence of the want of the spirit to the end thou mayest be more Humble morâ— Holy and more inlarged in thy soul to Honour God and more ingaged for to abase thy self if thou dost thus seek be incouraged to wait it will not be long ere thou attain unto the full injoyment of the spirit it is Gods free gift wait upon the Lord for it Secondly As God doth give forth his Spirit unto us by way of gift so he doth communicate it by way of promise Joel 2.28 Such is the goodness of God to us that he hath not onely promised for to give his spirit but also to pour out his spirit upon his Sons and Daughters in the latter dayes Make no doubt of it for he that hath promised will perform his word to a tittle he will cause his spirit for to flow in upon us like a mighty stream The parched soul shall not then complain for his promise is The parched ground shall become a Pool Isa 35.7 and the thirsty Land springs of Water By water here is intended the Spirit as you may see by the words of the Prophet Isa 44.3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed and my Blessing upon thy off-springs All which comes into the Spiritual-Minded man by virtue of Gods sweet promises the spirit shall dwell and take up his aboad in us the time is at hand that he will pour upon his people a pure Language that we shall serve the Lord with one consent and one shoulder Zeph. 3 9. Oh then Zion shall be led in an even path and the Lord will establish our goings Oh! then shall we live under the pure Teachings of the Lord for his teachings will prove choice and sweet let us be incouraged for to wait for the promise of the spirit for â—od will give it to us as his gift which he hath promised Thirdly As God doth bestow his Spirit upon us as his gift in the way of Promise so the Spirit is made over unto us in the Covenant he hath made with us Oh! it is one of the Branches of the New Covenant that God hath made with his People that he will put his Law into our Hearts Jer. 31.33 Rom. 8.2 Pro. 23.26 and when the Blessed and Noble Apostle of the Gentiles comes for to explain this Law he calls it the Law of the Spirit which Law God will put into our inward parts which argues God will give it into our possessions for when once God begins to work in man he seizes upon the Heart the most Noble part of man as his Prerogative Royal and erects his Throne of Judicature within and there sits as chief Judge to pass Sentence to every thing that will not obey and condescend unto his Righteous Law and Commands and passes Death also upon every thing that doth violate his Holy Decrees Oh! then no unclean thing shall abide in his Temple the Bodies of his Saints 1 Cor. 3.17 but he will have them a fit Habitation for his Royal Presence to take up his aboad in the spirit will whip out all buyers and sellers therein John 2.14 15 16. they shall no longer Merchandize in the Temple of God This spirit that is given as a Covenant Mercy will not admit of any converse with any but what is wholesome and good Oh! it will pass the Sentence of Banishment upon all our vain thoughts and they must turn out at the command of the spirit Oh! none must come into the Temple then but God himself his Heavenly Train and Holy Attendants or that which hath the Divine Stamp upon it to wit the Choice Graces of his Holy Spirit which he hath promised to us as a new Covenant Mercy Fourthly The fourth Particular in the general is for shew what it is for to be Spiritually Minded or in a Spiritual Frame of Heart Character 1. For to be Spiritually Minded is for to have the Heart affected or setled upon the Excellent things of Heaven Oh! this Frame of Heart made David cry out Psal 73 25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee The thoughts of his Treasure in Heaven is food unto his Soul while he lives on the Earth though the man may have pretious Objects presented unto him yet none so excellent as Christ which denotes to us the man truly Spiritual bring the rarest Objects you can or what the World can afford they being not spiritual Oh! he will not vouchsafe them a look he counts them not worthy the looking upon but the mans Mind and Heart is wholly taken up with Heaven Phil. 3.20 and nothing but Heaven will serve his turn By this you may see what it is to be Spiritually Minded Heaven is his Joy the Earth is his Burden Christ is his portion sin his Trouble and the Graces of the spirit Lam. 3.24 his great Joy and Comfort the Promises of God the Breast that affords him Nourishment in abundance from whence he doth gain spiritual strength so the man is where he would be when he can but hear the lovely Voice of God in his Word Cant. 2.14 and the sweet soul-comforting promises applyed unto him by the spirit and no longer then it goes well with his soul that he can thrive in the matters of Heaven is the man contented or well pleased Character 2. To be Spiritually Minded is for to have a feeling sight and sence of the vanity of all Creature Comforts short of Christ Cant. 5.10 Let the soul injoy what it will if it meet not with the presence of Christ in its present injoyments it hath no content as you cannot put off a hungry soul with the bare promise of Food but it must be really the injoyment of Bread that will give him content the soul that is ready to die with thirst or the soul that is naked nothing will satisfie the thirsty person but that which will squench his thirst nor nothing will content the naked person but that which will keep him warm in the bitter Winter season so nothing will satisfie an hungry spiritual Appetite but Christ the Bread of Life nor will any thing content a thirsting spiritual soul but Christ the Fountain of Living Water Rev. 22 17. who is the Water of Life neither will any thing content a Christian who is stripped quite naked but the Pretious Robes of Christ's own Righteousness there is no garment in the World will give him the like content as the cloathing that his dear Lord shall put upon him Phil. 3.9 Oh! that was it that did beget that choice desire in the Apostle To be found in him not having my own Righteousness which is by the Law but the Righteousness which is of God by Faith A soul that is come up unto this
My day is near oh do not fear for Babel that shall down And gloriously I will appear in glory and renown Christian When Lord shall I behold the day that Zion shall rejoyce And Judah then the Scepter sway come let us hear thy voice Christ Isa 32.1 Jer. 31.7 Isa 51.1 Behold the day is very nigh my kingdom I must have Zion shall sing and eke rejoyce the Captives I will save Christian Come Jesus come come quickly Lord we long to see thy Face Oh! do not stay we do the pray and furnish us with Grace Christ My Grace to you I will afford Psal 84.11 2 Cor. 1.3 Cant. 1.13 and comforts of all kind For you with me shall bed and board and know more of my mind Christian Oh! take me up in ravishment and let me take my fill That die I may to earth this day and witness Heavenly skil Christ Soul take thy fill abundantly Cant. 5.1 Isa 40.11 Hab. 3.18 on Heaven feed then more And in my Father's Bosom lie and joy in him therefore Christian To Heaven Lord how shall I get there do I long to be That with my Father I may sit the Earth no more may see Christ I am the way by which you may obtain to your desire John 14.6 Psal 37.4 1 Cor. 3.13 And if to Heaven you go this day you must pass through the fire Christian That would I do rather than lose my Fellowship indeed With Father Son and Angels choice and Manna Angels food Christ Come Soul then follow me this day a Kingdom thou shalt gain Mat. 16.24 Luk. 12.32 Isa 1.19 If that thou do my Law obey the Father's Love obtain And liberty thou shalt in joy Rev. 12.8 9 Rev. 20.2 Rev. 14.3 from sin and Satan too Then my high Praises thou shalt sing and taste of Heavenly dew Where joyes there are for evermore Isa 35.10 sighing shall fly away Rev. 21.4 Psal 65.1 Come of this joy now taste therefore and praises sing alway Rev. 19.6 Isa 42.8 2 Tim. 2.12 Yea Hallelujah you shall sing this Glorying none shall stain And you shall be ever with me and with me you shall reign CHRIST THE Afflicted Christians RELIEF Christ COme thou afflicted Soul to me Psal 18.27 Ps 119.71 Num. 20.12 and I will thee relieve I 'le make afflictions sweet to thee if in me thou believe Afflicted Dear Lord I come make hast to help on thee I do depend My God thou art come cleanse my heart and also me defend Christ Psal 34.15 Ps 119.67 Hos 11.4 Rom. 5.5 Soul I am nigh to hear thy cry and sanctifie I will Thy affliction and will make known my Love come take thy fill Afflicted Oh! Pretious Lord now grace afforâ— to me I do thee pray And let thy Rod now prove for good that I may thee obey Christ Afflicted Soul hold up thy head Luke 21.28 John 16.13 Psal 37.11 my Grace it is at hand By my sweet Spirit thou shalt be led thou shalt injoy the Land Afflicted Sweet Lord Oh! When wilt thou begin my wearied Soul to chear Come me revive and make alive Oh Jesus now appear Christ I come dear heart for to impart Rev. 22.12 Lam. 3.24 Isa 53.3 a Portion choice and sweet Thy Soul I 'le chear Oh do not fear though troubles thou do meet Afflicted My Portion Lord Oh! wilt thou be that on thee I might stay Come signifie Lord unto me my God thou art this day Chr. Afflicted Soul I have made choice Hos 14.4 Isa 48.10 Deut. 8.16 of thee to love indeed In the Furnace of Affliction for of it there is need Afflict True Lord afflictions are needful by them teach me to mend My life that I reform'd may be yea now unto the end Chr. My Spirit on thee will I bestow Joel 2.28 Mal. 3.2 Hos 2.20 John 16.13 that doth reform indeed Then to the end thou shalt me know my Spirit shalt thee lead Afflict Dear Lord Oh come now give it out the Clouds gather a pace And put an end unto all doubt come help me run thy race Chr. Afflicted Soul I come I come Rev. 3.11 the Clouds they shall dispel Cant. 2.17 Resolve I will thy doubts Oh then Rev. 21.3 and with thee I will dwell Oh! welcome Lord thou art to me let thee and I not part The more of thee that I now see is Joy unto my Heart Chr. All Troubles hear come do not fear Psal 34.6 Luk. 12.32 Psa 118.8 I 'le put them to an end My reigning day is very near on me therefore depend Afflicted Dear pretious Lord on Earth there 's none that trust I can put in But only thee and thee alone who art indeed my King Chr. Soul do not fear I will draw near Rev. 3.11 Rev. 19.7 Psa 115.1 my Kingdom for to take If thy trust be alone in me of it thou shalt partake Afflicted It is my Burden Lord indeed and sore Affliction too That more on thee I do not feed and witness thy sweet dew Chr. Come my Table is richly deck'd Psa 36.8 Rev. 22.17 James 4.8 with Dainties of all kind And welcome thou may'st be to me and my sweet Presence find Afflicted Thy Presence Lord is that I want I fain would it obtain Thy Dainties choice I relish not makes me for to complain Chr. Come Soul and taste a little then Psal 34.8 Psal 36.7 Psal 30.5 for sweetness thou shalt find In what I give and thou shalt live and to thee I 'le be kind Afflicted Lord to my Sorrow my Soul loaths thy Honey and thy Combe And with thy Food I cannot close nor think thou wilt me own Chr. A hungry and a thirsting frame Psa 42.1 2. Cant. 5.1 Cant. 7.11 on thee I will bestow My pleasant Meat thou then shalt eat and with me thou shalt go Afflicted Lord let me feel now Nourishment in Bonds and Misery Let me not sink but on thee think who art true Liberty Chr. I will arise for thy relief Psa 9.9 Isa 41.10 and free thee in due Season Uphold I will thy Soul now still and bring thee out of Prison Psal 146.7 Afflicted Darkness dear Lord in me dispel come manifest thy Power And in sweet Canaan let me dwell in this afflicting hour Chr. My Light shall come waite for me then and Canaan thou shalt see Psa 97.11 Rev. 21.4 Rev. 21.25 Then Affliction quite shall be gone thy night then day shall bee Afflicted Thou day Star when wilt thou arise my Soul for to revive And with thy Wisdom make me wise that I may daily thrive Chr. Out of the Rod Sweetness shall come my Teaching choice also Prov. 29.15 Psal 23.4 Mal. 4.2 I will arise for thee my Son the Nations shall it know Afflicted Prepare O Lord thine Afflicted that ready we may be Thee to attend and us defend From Satans Cruelty Chr. I will you
Throne as the Disciples did Wait at Jerusalem for the Promise of the Spirit and if thou hast but the least dram of it consider Acts 1.4 it is a rich Favour and the way to gain more of the spirit is for to make good improvement of what we have already attained if the Lord see that we do improve what we have unto his Honour it will not be long before we shall injoy more to our comfort wait therefore for the Promise of the spirit for it will assuredly come and though it seem to tarry wait for it Hab. 2.3 for that God who hath ingaged himself by Promise Oath and Covenant will perform his ingagement to a tittle This know for thy comfort poor soul our God is a God keeping Covenant Exo. 20 6. Gal. 6.9 with thousands of them that love him and keep his Commandments therefore wait upon the Lord the Blessing is at hand For we shall reap if we faint not wait I say on the Lord. Oh! learn to get thy heart much affected with the choice and excellent things of Heaven Col. 3.1 which will conduce much to thy spiritual advantage the inlarging of the Heart of Christ to thee and he will cause thee to feed upon Divine contentment then no food will be digested by the Spiritual pallat but that Manna that comes from above and therein thy soul shall much delight the sweet Meditations of the Glory of Heaven will rap thee up that no room shall be left for Carnality but the Heavenly Habitation shall be thy Scituation for ever Oh! let the great and grand endeavour of our souls be to see vanity writ upon all our creature comforts short of Christ Eccles 12.8 the consideration of this if it be much pondred on will abundantly weaken our love unto the world 1 John 2 14. and much strengthen our love unto our dear Lord Jesus Oh! it will much ingage our Hearts to God and disingage our Hearts unto all short of him Then yea and not till then shall we be in a fit frame to Honour Christ when the great clog of Worldly injoyments shall be removed out of the way Oh! then let dear Jesus come when he will he shall be welcome unto that soul and then if Christ request the soul for to take up the Cross Luk. 9.23 he will do it freely and be contented therewith yea if Christ his Love or Beloved call him into the Wilderness or where his Honour will or to what work he please the soul having an injoyment of the spirit will not be daunted at it Oh! no work shall seem a burthen or grievous to him but he will chearfully undergo it with joy and delight and glad he is that he can any way serve his Lord Rev. 22 12. or be serviceable to him Oh! this will prove a blessed frame indeed in the end when our dear King shall come with the Crown of Reward Oh! let us strive to get and also attain unto a heart much inlarged for God let it not content us that we have a heart ingaged but much inlarged for God Oh! let not a day content us in the Courts of God but let us learn to take up our abode there Psa 27.4 that with the Prophet we may chuse to dwell in the House of God all our Dayes Oh! that we may at all times be imployed in that service that may tend unto the Honour of our Lord that we might not be at leasure when sin Satan or the World would put in or croud in upon us in a croud of Worldly concernments that we may give the enemy his Answer and acquaint him that we are so busie in the high concernments of our Lord that we cannot spare so much time as to hearken unto their unreasonable demands much less do what is desired by them Oh! this would be a much becoming frame indeed to be wholly taken up with God and Godliness then shall we triumph in the spirit Psal 84 10. and walk to the Praise and Honour of God In a word let us make it our business also for to look into the Holy Law of God and make it the Object of our Meditations In that Law we shall find directions sufficient to inform us how we may set forth the praise of our Emmanuel and then shall we come in a feeling experience to find out the sweetness of the spirits excellency Mat. 13 11. 2 Cor. 10.4 which will unfold to us the deep Misteries of the Kingdom of God that are wrapt up in his Law and then shall we also be taught skill and understanding to bring forth the Weapons of the Sanctuary to encounter with the Enemy of all sorts Oh! then it will be that Christ and a Christian shall be better acquainted Psal 34 8. Psal 119.127 when once we get a taste of the incomparable sweetness of God's Love to us we shall prize it at a high rate yea as the Prophet did above Gold The Law of God will then be so near and dear unto us that it will not onely take up our Hearts but time also the night as well as the day will be little enough for us to Meditate therein the Lord help us Psal 1.2 for to come unto a true knowledge of this by blessed experience So much as to this Use also The fourth Vse of Consolation Soul Is Christ thy Life this may Administer unto us choice comforts in as much as the Living Streams and choice springs of Divine Consolations are running forth to us Psal 46 4. from the Pretious Fountain for our relief if Christ be thy Life he will be the Life of thy Graces yea all that we have is preserved and maintained by him and because he lives thou shalt live also thy life is a hidden life there is no enemy can prevail against thee Rom. 8.33 because Christ thy life is ingaged in the Front of the Battel yea our Lord Jesus the Captain of thy Salvation is usually first in the Field and before the Enemy can get into Battel Array our Captain is upon them Heb. 2.10 and puts them to the rout before thy are aware of him at his return he comes off with the Victory with his Colours displaying and if at any time the Enemy makes any bold attempt to rally up notwithstanding before they can do any thing in order to their design Christ a Christians Captain the Man of Gods Right Hand is upon them and fall they must before the Bow Sphear and Sword of the Almighty for our dear Lord Jesus is greatly concerned in the behalf of a Christian for a Christians Life is in the Hand of Christ safe and secure all the Potent Enemies in the World are in no capacity to take away his Life or Portion from him Joh. 10.28 and this doth much tend unto a Christians great consolation and that which doth further contribute unto a Christians consolation there Life