THE SPIRITS VOICE Concerning HIMSELFE OR A Faithful and Clear DISCOVERY Of the Operations of the SPIRIT IN The Hearts of the Saints Omnes enim quando oramus mendici Dei sumus antè januam magni patris familias stamus imò etiam prosternimur supplices ingemiscimus aliquid volentes accipere ipsum aliquid ipse Deus est August de verbis Domini Serm. 15. Ad omnem sanctà m operationem ab homine peragendam requiritur non modo gratià regenerationis hominem habitualiter disponens sed motio Dei gratiosa ipsum actualiter movens sinè qua vel sola licet propter grataim regenerationis dicatur posse bene operari fieri non potest ut actubene operetur Twiss Vind. Gratiae c. BY PETER ATKINSON Minister of the everlasting GOSPEL LONDON Printed by Thomas Lock for the Author 1659. To the Christian Reader IN trial of spirits Christian Reader keep alwayes in mind this necessary Truth concerning the Spirit of Truth which is Joh. 16.14 That the Spirit of truth glorifies Jesus Christ Hence thou mayest safely conclude That those spirits that deny Jesus Christ that rob him of his glory are not of God Those that with the Arians Familists and Paul Best none of the best deny Christs Divinity or with the Eutychians his Humanity or with the Nestorians teach that he bath two persons or with the Monothelites that he hath onely one Will or with the Macedonians and Valentinians that he brought his Body from Heaven or with the Socinians deny his incarnation and satisfaction for sin or with the Quaker deny justification by the sufferings of Christ at Jerusalem these do not glorifie but dishonor Christ and so are not led by the holy Ghost This Caution may be one preservative against poyson If thou wouldest know more concerning the holy spirit read over this little Treatise the time will not be long thy labour J hope will not be lost it 's short good reason the world is full of Bookes The Communion of the Holy Ghost be with thee Amen Thine â— P. â—… THE SPIRITS VOICE CONCERNING HIMSELF ALthough some scoff at the Saints of God in reference to their having the spirit of Grace in them and others deluded and presumptuous boast of the Spirit of God who are indeed inspired with an evil spirit as Zedekiah the false Prophet 1 King 22.24 and some audaciously assert That grace may be lost and the spirit taken away from such as are truly Saints yet the truth is the spirit of grace is in all those onely in those and never departs from any of those who are indeed born of him and renewed by him Search Divine Records you shall find how God hath promised to pour his spirit upon his people Isa 44.3,4,5 as also that he shall not depart from them Isa 59.21 He is said to be given unto them Rom. 5.5 To dwell in them Rom. 8.11 1 Cor. 3.16 to abide with them John 15.16 They are the habitation of â—od by his spirit Eph. 2.22 the House of God Heb. 3 6. they are the temple of God 1 Cor. 3.16 yea their bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 Now for the prevention of self-deceiving and for our singular comfort and encouragement in God's wayes let us diligently examine our selves whether the spirit be in us by these blessed effects of the spirit following 1. They that have the spirit know all things as the Apostle saith 1 Iohn 2.20 Ye have an unction from that holy one that 's the spirit from Christ your Head and ye know all things in the Syriac it is Ye know or discern every man as if St. John had said Ye know those false Teachers that went out from us and were not of us and it 's according to that of our Saviour Ye shall know them by their fruits partly by their pride contention seperation partly by their Doctrine for if any man do Gods will he shall know the doctrine whether it be of God the Saints know false Doctrine so as not to know it own it but disallow it They know not saith Christ the voice of strangers Also they know false Teachers by the fruit of their Doctrine in their followers which is neglect of duty looseness of life But this is not all for in the 27. verse the spirit is said to teach them so that they needed not that any man should teach them and it s said also That he had thus taught them see the words that is They needed not that any man should teach them any other thing any otherwise then the spirit had taught them Now for the spirits teaching observe how God is said to send his word by his spirit in his Prophets Zech. 7.12 the spirit of the Lord was upon Christ to preach the Gospel Luke 4.18 and the Apostles are said to speak the things of God in the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth 1 Cor. 2.13 therefore the Holy Ghost taught the Saints by the Prophets Christ the Apostles and so the words of the Prophets Christ and his Apostles are the words of the Holy Ghost these words he teacheth and makes known unto the Saints other words they needed not know none are like these nor more words these make wise unto salvation Further they know all things necessary to be known they know the first Principles of the Oracles of God they know Christ and him crucified they know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ how that being rich for their sakes he became poor that they through his poverty might be made rich They know that they are translated from death to life that they have everlasting life that all things work together for their good 2. The spirit of God being in a man doth bear witness with his spirit that he is a child of God Rom. 8.16 These two spirits the spirit of man spiritualized the conscience purged from dead works which is a thousand witnesses and the Holy Ghost the spirit of truth joining with man's spirit for confirmation of this necessary truth do make use of the spirit's words in Scripture and the spirit's work upon man's heart after this manner Those that come out from amongst the ungodly are seperate and touch not the unclean thing they are God's children he hath promised to be a Father to such and that they shall be unto him sons and daughters 2 Cor. 6.16,17 But thou art say these witnesses to a man come out art seperate dost not touch the unclean thing therefore thou art a child of God Further they testifie after this manner Those that are poor in spirit mourn hunger and thirst after righteousness are blessed and so Gods children but thou art poor in spirit dost mourn hunger and thirst after righteousness Ergo thou art a childe of God And thus these that receive Christ to them he gives power to become the sons of God those that love those that are begotten are also begotten of God and are
the Law called the Commandment two commandments ten words know this for thy future eternal good That Adam through his lost the image of God conformity in heart and life to the Law Christ as Priest besides other things hath purchased conformity to the Law God in Christ hath promised this conformity Christ as a Prophet he reveals the Law as a King subjects man 's will unto it and for this cause puts his spirit in the hearts of his people God gives them faith whereby they believe that God according to his gracious covenant will pardon their sins and put his Laws in their minds and write them in their hearts give them to obey the Law and repentance also even sorrow for breaking the commandments with an endeavour of obedience therefore the Antinomian in slighting of the Law of God I speak not of it as a covenant of works slights Christ's three-fold-Office slights the covenant of Grace the Office of the holy Ghost bewrayes his want of the Divine nature the image of God the new man which is subject to the Law of God and to have a carnal mind which neither is nor can be subject to the law he knowes not what Faith is what repentance means O Antinomian that sayest Christ must be all and man nothing is Christ the Lord thy God and dost thou worship him according to that Psal 45 ii And whether art thou of the number of those that every where call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord according to that 1 Cor. 1.2 2. Whether is Christ thy leader and commander and dost thou obey him as it is Isa 55.4 He commands thee to repent believe ask seek knock strive to enter in at the strait gate to deny thy self take up thy cross to watch and pray to say Hallowed be thy Name thy kingdom come thy will be done c. to say Forgive us our trespasses to pray in good earnest for pardon of thy sins daily Dost thou obey Christ herein if not though thou sayest that Christ is thy all yet thou dost but mock Christ and makest him nothing I fear thou dreamest according to a discovery of thee and such as thou art that Christ was but a meer man and that coming unto God by faith he was godded with God and that herein he is an example and pattern unto us and thou imitating Christ herein thou likewise art godded with God equal to Christ yea past him in respect of any further use thou hast of him and a Christ to others O Antinomian God ere long will awake thee out of thy dream concerning his Son and thy self fear shall surprise thee the terrors of God shall compass thee trouble and anguish shall take hold upon thee 15. The spirit of God is a free spirit and doth establish the people of God Establish me saith David with thy free spirit he is free in his operations he bloweth where he listeth his influences and breathings are gracious Psal 51.12 he frees the spirits of the saints for and in duties of piety and mercy he doth stablish strengthen and settle the saints according to the promise 1 Pet. 5.10 he doth not suffer the souls in whom he dwells to be unstable souls tossed to and fro and carryed about with every wind of Doctrine to turn Anabaptists seperatists Quakers Blasphemers to turn with the dog to the vomit and the sow to the wallowing in the mire and the unclean spirit to return with seven other spirits worse then himself that so his latter end should be worse then his beginning Lastly they that are possessed with the holy Ghost are far from sinning against the holy Ghost yea they are troubled at the thought of that sin this sin is not as some fancy when a man will not be convinced by miracles that Jeius is the Christ this sin is after illumination conviction It is saith Christ a word against the holy Ghost it is blaspheming and reproaching the holy Ghost as we read expresly in the Evangelists those that after they have escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of the Lord Jesus do depart from the holy commandment given unto them and wallow in sin that sin willingly after they have received the knowledge of the truth do despite it 's said expresly to the spirit of grace and are guilty of this sin see Heb. 10. 2 Pet. 2. The Pharisees sinned against the holy ghost in saying that that spirit by which Christ spake and wrought Miracles was an unclean spirit Mark 3 28,29,30 And do not our Quakers those I mean who were enlightened sin against the holy ghost in saying that that spirit in Christ's Ministers by which they preach which is the same spirit is an unclean spirit a Devil Yea they that are possessed with the holy ghost are not only far from sinning against the holy ghost but they are afraid of those sins we read of in the Scriptures viz. Tempting resisting vexing of the holy spirit of God yea further of quenching or grieving of him and when as through sin he is grieved their spirits are grieved their souls are greatly troubled they cry out Take not thy holy spirit from us Psal 51.11 But some may say It seems that some that are enlightened taste of the heavenly gift are made partakers of the holy ghost fall away and so fall short of heaven I answer The seed of saving grace once sown in the heart of a man though it be but as a grain of Mustard-seed doth never perish but through the spirit of grace is stil preserved this grace in the very first moment it is infused created differeth much from that we call common grace it 's a thousand times better a fruit of God's eternal love purchased with Christ's blood and promised onely to such as God sprinkles with this blood Ezek. 36.25,26 and differenceth a mans duties from the duties of the ungodly both in respect of the manner and end as also though it be but a dram it denominateth a man gracious and in time is prevalent against corruptions The spirit of God may in reference to the glory of God the churches good inlighten the reprobate by the Ministry of the word so as he may be much affected reformed yet he never attains a new heart a good honest heart he never becomes a new creature all his reluctancy and duties are in reference to himself his faith is feigned his love is feigned he himself but a wretched hypocrite at the best there is alwayes a vast distance even betwixt him and the broken Reed betwixt his grace if you call it grace and the smoking flax the root of the matter is not in him neither any good thing towards the Lord Jehu though he was zealous for the Lord and Judas forward for the poor yet they had no spark of true grace Solomon when he was at the lowest had a spark though no more and that buryed under many ashes he had somewhat of the
his own dear children but thou say these witnesses to a man hast received the Lord Christ though with a shaking hand lovest dearly God's children therefore thou art a childe of God 3. The spirit of God is the spirit of promise and the godly are said to be sealed therewith Eph. 1.13 God hath given his people promises confirmed these promises by oath added thereunto outward seals Baptism and the Supper of the Lord and as though this were not sufficient he gives an inward seal the spirit of his Son the spirit discovers unto them the fulness and freeness of the covenant the preciousness certainty and infallibility of the promises so they are sealed with the holy spirit of promise and hereupon being sealed they set to their seal that God is true Iohn 3.33 4. The spirit also in the godly seals them unto the day of redemption Eph. 4.30 The day of Judgement though it shall be a day of wrath to the wicked yet it shall be a day of redemption unto the Saints they shall then be redeemed from the grave they shall all be fully and everlastingly delivered from all evils the spirit of God assures the Saints hereof so that when they hear Christ say Surely I come quickly they do no say God forbid but Amen Even so come Lord Jesus 5. Accordingly the spirit is the Earnest of our inheritance Eph. 1.14 Believers are heirs heirs of a countrey the Patriarchs sought after a House whose builder and founder is God a Kingdom that cannot be moved an inheritance incorruptible undefiled that fades not away reserved in heaven for them the spirit of God given to the Saints is the earnest of this countrey house kingdom inheritance somewhat of it securing unto them the whole in time the first-fruits of a plentiful harvest 6. If the spirit of God be in us he sheds saith the Apostle the love of God abroad in our hearts Rom. 5.5 He gives us to behold what manner of love the Father hath shewed unto us how he loved us first how his love is undeserved how it is abundant how of children of wrath and hell he hath made us children of God heirs of God coheirs with Jesus Christ how it 's an everlasting love God will not of a most merciful Father become a most inexorable Judge as the Arminians saith hereupon God lifts up the light of his countenance upon us we feel his love our hearts are warmed and ravished therewith so that we return love for love yea we love God above our lives 7. Another effect of the spirit of God is seasonably to comfort the hearts of the children of God I will pray the Father saith Christ and he shall send you another comforter John 14.16 he comforts the Saints concerning all their sins committed evils suffered the displeasure of God assaults of Satan malice of men against the Law in the members rebelling that body of death pressing and all spiritual wants pinching and grieving 8. Another blessed effect of the spirit of God is Joy The kingdom of God saith the Apostle Rom. 14 11. consists not in meat and drink but righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost this Joy is in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.3 in God's favour Psal 4.7 in the word Psal 119.111 Thy testimonies are the rejoicing of my heart in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5.2 It 's a joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 It 's a joy that a stranger shall not meddle withall Prov. 14.10 and that no man shall take from a childe of God Iohn 16.22 It 's a joy attained by the written word These things saith John I write unto you that your joy may be full 1 Iohn 1.4 9. The good spirit of God helpeth the infirmities of the Saints Rom. 8.26 strengtheneth them with strength in the inward man Eph. 3.16 they of themselves are infirm weak afflictions are a burthen too heavy Satan and the old man are too strong the work they have to do is too great through the presence and assistance of the spirit they have strong consolation in the midst of troubles their faith is strengthened they give glory to God their love is strong as death which many waters cannot quench and notwithstanding the difficulties and impediments of holy duties they are resolved to go on 10. Accordingly the spirit of God emboldeneth believers to appear for the truth and wayes of God Acts 4.8.13 We are of our selves timerous prone to shrink and shame all the holy spirit of God is wont to put courage into the godly that they dare hazard both Estate and life in the cause of Christ 11. Likewise the spirit of God maketh intercession for the Saints with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8.26,27 they know not what to ask as they should the spirit of God is the spirit of prayer and helpeth them not onely to say but cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6 to cry day and night Luke 18.7 to cry to God with their whole heart Psal 119.145 We groan saith the Apostle being burthened 2 Cor. 5.4 burthened with the body of death sins temptations afflictions oftentimes with the sence or fear of God's displeasure and come thus burthened into God's presence and pray to God with groans yea groans that cannot be uttered 12. The Saints with open face beholding the glory of the Lord are by the spirit saith the Apostle transformed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 the Saints are glorious in this world their glory is spiritual it consists in the image of Christ and of God in righteousness and true holiness the spirit doth change them from one degree of this glory unto another till they be perfectly glorious in the kingdom of heaven 13. And as the spirit transforms into the image of Christ so he is wont to bring the words of Christ which they have heard to their remembrance Iohn 14.26 this is not below the spirit of God for he is the spirit of the Son and the Son's words are his words also therefore he helpeth the weak and slippery memories of the Saints bringeth God's word to their remembrance that thereby they may resist satan answer gain-sayers edifie and comfort one another preserve themselves from sin and comfort themselves in a time of trouble 14. Further the spirit of God leads the saints Rom. 8.14 they cannot stand but as he upholds them they cannot go but as he leads them he leads them in the old and good way in the way of truth in the way of God of holiness and righteousness in the way of wisdom humility meekness uprightness peace In a word in the way of Gods commandments the way of heaven I will put saith the Lord my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and ye shall keep my judgements and do them Ezek. 6.27 And this he doth by his voice in the Messengers of Christ sounding in their ears and his power and gracious influence upon their hearts Now concerning