the Scriptures found that Pauls Doctrine was sound And the Church of Ephesus having tryed the false Apostles and found them lyars need not try the same Persons and Doctrines over again Acts 17. Rev. 2. Also some Spirits lie not in our way and we are not to go out of Gods way to find out matters of tryal for then we should needlesly rush into many temptations and spend all the daies of our short life in enquierie and examination of the several dreams and dotages of Pagans Turks Jews Papists Hereticks and Schsmaticks of several sorts instead of growing in grace and the knowledg of Christ Crucified and abounding in the fruits of righteousness Tryal necessarily supposeth some Rule by which the Tryal must be made and no righter or surer Rule imaginable then the Word of God and if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Isai 8.20 whatsoever they boast of light in them their light is darkness this is the Rule and Square of our walking Gal. 6.16 and must judge us at the last day Ioh. 12.48 Rev. 20 12. God the Author of the holy Scripture is the Supream Law-giver and Judge the Maker and Expounder of the Law Isai 33.22 Jam. 4.12 This holy men writ being inspired by the Holy Eternal Infallible Spirit 2 Pet. 1. ult and and none knows the mind of God better then the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 To the Spirit speaking in Scripture all created spirits are to be subject Pauls Doctrine though an Apostle was tryed by this Rule Act. 17.11 Though the Scripture cannot do all the parts of a Judge because it neither speaketh with the voice of a man nor doth it or can it examine or determine matters of fact as whether Arius denyed the God-head of Christ or no yet it is said to speak Ioh. 7.42 and doth judge controversies as a Writing Hos 8.12 a mans Will and Testament Heb. 9.15 a Chartey a Letter a Law doth speak and we may understand a mans mind by his writing as well as if we heard him speak and may better preserve yea more and longer ponder upon a writing then upon words only I shall adde this hereunto by way of Caution That when I speak of the Spirits being or dwelling in a Saint I mean not an essential or personal in-being or in-dwelling of the Spirit as he is God or the third Person of the Holy Trinity God is said to dwell in us 2 Cor. 6.16 and we are the Templers and Habitations of God 1 Cor. 3.16 17. and Christ is not only given for us but to us Isa 9 6. comes in to us Rev. 3.20 is in us Ioh. 17.23 liveth in us Gal. 2.20 dwelleth in our hearts Ephes 3.16 17. as well as the holy Spirit of God Yet me thinks it is strange to say that the Father Son and Holy Ghost do dwell personally in the Saints for whereas each Person is both indivisible and omnipresent this seems both to divide and limit them to say that any of them is personally here or there in Peter Paul or other Saints and not in intermediate places and there is a generation of men now a daies that upon this account would confound and and equalize the Creator and creature the Eternal God Father Son and Spirit with mortal yea miserable men If the evil Spirit though finite and limitted may act and rule in the children of disobedience 1 Ioh. 4.4 Eph. 2.2 and may be said to keep the house Luk. 11.21 though he do not inhabit personally in them much more may the Infinite and Eternal Spirit without such personal inhabitation act and rule in Beleevers Besides this Scripture phrase of in-being and in-dwelling doth import only inwardness meer relation and close union Ioh. 17.22 23. Hence God is said to be in Christ as well as Christ in God Ioh. 17.21 and Saints are as well said to be in and to dwell in Christ Rom. 8.1 Ioh. 6.56 and to be in the Spirit Rom. 8.9 As Christ or the holy Spirit are said to be or dwell in them and therefore this phrase doth no more evince personal inhabitation on the one side then one the other It may be granted that the Spirit of God being the last of all the three Persons in order both of subsisting and working doth come lower and neerer to us and more immediately close with our spirits then the Father or the Son for what the Father or the Son do act andinfluence upon the soul is mediately by the holy Ghost and God by the Spirit on his part doth take hold on us Ezek. 11.19 and we are the Habitations of God through the Spirit Ephes 2.21 22. as we by faith on our part lay hold on Christ Ioh. 1.12 And he dwelleth in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 and it must of necessity be granted that the Spirit by a Metonymy may be said to dwell in us when we dwell in love 1 Ioh. 4.16 and the truth dwelleth in us 2 Ep. Ioh. v. 2. When we partake of his Gifts and Graces though these be not the Spirit it self for the Scripture doth manifestly distinguish them from it saying there are diversities of Gifts and but one spirit and that these are but the Gifts Fruits and operations of that one spirit 1 Cor. 12.4 to 14. Gal. 5.22 as when we say the Sun comes into an house we mean not the body of the Sun for that abides in its own Orb but the Beams of it so the Apostle makes the Word of Christ dwelling in us richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms c. to be the same with being filled with the spirit Col. 3.16 with Eph. 5.18 19. Yea even Bezaleel because God had made him a good workman in blue Purple c. is said to be filled with the Spirit of God Ex. 31.2 3 4 5. And there is a stronger and higher reason why a good Christian because of such gracious impressions of Gods Spirit on his soul should be said to be filled with the Spirit Lastly it is not to be denyed but there are several actings of the Spirit in on and with thy soul distinct from yea and subsequent to his working of grace in it viz. those Acts whereby he doth support assist co-operate and comfort bear witness with our spirits and seal to the day of Redemption Rom. 8.16 Eph. 1.13 and 4.30 which notwithstanding come short of proving the Spirits personal In-being or In-dwelling in us as hath been shewed CHAP. II. Of the Properties of the Spirit of God with the vindication of them from common mistakes THe First unquestionable Property of the Spirit of God is that it is good Psal 143.10 not only Metaphysically so the Devils are good because they are beings but morally He is the Holy Ghost or Spirit the Spirit of holiness Rom. 1.4 and his Motions are good and holy and never evil but Satan is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wicked one wickedness
enemy to Timothy and other Ministers and their sound Doctrine and Teaching yet he is not an enemy to all Teaching he will admit that men shall get themselves an heap of corrupt and flattering Teachers 2 Tim. 4.2 3. and that Jeroboam should set up Idolatrous Priests of the lowest of the people and consecrate whosoever will which yet indeed were good enough for their Gods for they were but Calves so he sets up false Apostles false Ministers and As Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses so do these men resist the truth being men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith Secondly In case there be some notorious pollution prophanation or corruption of that Ordinance which Elies Sons were in their Sacrificing guilty of 1 Sam. 2.12 13. whereby not only themselves were made vile but the Lords people possibly the better part of them were made to transgress because they abhorred not only that corruption but also the offering of the Lord because of it Thirdly In case that Ordinances be set up against Ordinances Church against Church and Altar against Altar Some saith Paul Preached Christ of envy and strife and contention Phil. 1.16 those which say they are of Christ in opposition to Peter and Paul are reproved 1 Cor. 1.12 so far as the holiest Minister that lives doth never so rightly and skilfully Preach the Word or administer other Ordinances in contention and opposition to any faithful though possibly not so well gifted Minister or people he therein doth the work of Satan and not of God CHAP. V. Of the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication Shewing how he doth assist in Prayer THat the Spirit doth help us to Pray I need not to prove only I shall endeavuor to search out the manner how he helps And that First Negatively Secondly Affirmatively First The Holy Ghost doth not immediately inspire the Method Matter words of Prayer as he inspired the holy men of God in their Prophesying and Penning of holy Scriptures for if he did then as those Prophesies were purely divine infallible free from any fault or failing corruption yea and indiscretion in the form phrase method or manner of them so also should the words of our Prayers be also perfect purely divine infallible c. but by sad experience we find the contrary 2ly It had been a sin I conceive for the Prophets or men of God not to have delivered the very same Message they received of the Lord both for matter manner and method but it cannot be conceived to have been a sin in any Saint of God against the guidance and governance of Gods Spirit if he had used another Method or Phrase of words in his morning Devotions then then he did Secondly The Spirit is not in our prayers properly the person praying or petitioning that is below the High and Holy Spirit of God Arrius Macedonius and others more lately do abuse Rom. 8.26 27. and finding him as they fancy upon his knees they degrade him from his Deity but Augustine Answers the Spirit is said to Pray as we say Solomon builded the House yet he was a Magistrate a King not a Mason or Carpenter he directed how to build found out Workmen furnisht them with Materials and Money for the work Indeed all the Persons in the Trinity are Authors of our Supplications as well as of our Sanctification Opera Trinitatis ad extra sunt indivisa but every one in his order the Father and Son do Sanctifie and also help us to pray by the Holy Ghost Thirdly The Spirit doth not make Intercession for us after the same manner that Christ doth Romans 8.34 Christ maketh Intercession in Heaven presenting himself to God for us as the high Priest did bear the names of the children of Israel upon his Shoulders and upon his Brest-Place noting to us that he would bear them up and bear them out that he loves them and they lie near to his heart Exod. 28.12.28 29. but the Spirit of God doth make Intercession in us upon Earth there is a vast difference which somewhat doth resemble this between directing or drawing up a Petition to a Prince or State and the preferring presenting it speaking to it and pleading for it the one may be done in the Country the other must be done at the Court. Fourthly The help of the Spirit of God in Prayer is not to be understood exclusively with relation to other Ordinances as though he did not help Godly Ministers to Preach and Godly men to hear remember and practise as well as to pray for the Sons of God are led by the Spirit in the one as well as the other Rom. 8.14 and he as hath been before shewed is the Spirit of wisdom of the fear of the Lord and of grace as well as of Supplication Now these have a general influence upon the whole conversation and not only upon Prayer We are to walk in the Spirit to sing with the Spirit to serve God in the Spirit Rom. 1.9 Ioh. 4.24 Fiftly The help of the Spirit of God doth not prohibit evacuate or invalidate other helps John did not sin in teaching his Disciples to Pray Luk. 11.1 nor did the Disciples of Christ sin in desiring Christ to teach them to pray and yet they did not consider Christ as God as Head of the Church or Saviour of the world but as their Master pressing him with the example of John the Baptist and perswading him to imitate it they it seems did not understand or not remember the mind and meaning of Christ in his Sermon Mat. 6.6 7. brief notes whereof are in Luk. 6. Therefore they here desire that he would teach them to pray and our Saviour saith not ye have the Spirit therefore you need not to be taught nor saith he John was to blame to teach them to pray nor I will teach you as being the Head of the Church but I oughe not to teach you as your Master no I will send my Spirit to teach you and in the mean time I will not help you but he teacheth them again giving them hence a special rule of direction to whom for what and in what manner and order they ought to pray as also we have a short directory 1 Tim. 2.1 And the Israelites were appointed to take unto them words Hosea 14.2 though the Spirit of God doth put us in remembrance Ioh. 14.26 yet Ministers also may yea must put people in remembrance of what is necessary 2 Pet. 1.12.15 the same may be said of Prayer Thus much for the Negative how the Spirit of God doth not help in Prayer Now I shall endeavor by the help of his Spirit and your Prayers to shew Affirmatively how the Spirit of God doth help in prayer and that help is of two sorts Habituating or Actuating the one is more remote and the other more neerer The one qualifies the person praying the other the Prayer it self The Spirit of God as to the person is First an Enlightening Spirit Secondly
THE HOLY GHOST ON THE BENCH OTHER SPIRITS AT THE BAR Or the Judgment of the Holy Spirit of God upon the Spirits of the Times Recorded in Holy Writ And Reported by Richard Hollinworth Mancuniens London Printed by J. M. for Luke Fawn and are to be sold at his Shop at the Signe of the Parrot in Pauls-Churchyard 1656. To the Reader Gentle Reader IF thou beest Pious and Prudent and lovest Gods truth and the Churches Purity and Peace This plain Piece will not be unacceptable to thee The Subject is seasonable and suitable enough and I have endeavoured to handle it so far as I meddle with it solidly satisfactorily and also succictly omitting Illustrations Illations yea and Applications also that thou mightest have much fruit in a few small Leaves and not read long for a little If the Doctrine be sound I shall leave thee to make the use My desire and design is the suppression of sin and wickedness and whereas wickedness according as one or other of the three enemies of our salvation is predominant is either fleshly as Adultery Fornication Gluttony Drunkenness Or wordly as Covetousness injustice oppression extortion Or Divelish as Schism Heresie Blasphemy Contempt of Magistracy Ministery and other Ordinances of God The first of which was too much indulged in former times and the third to say nothing of the second is as much indulged in these times I am not now to fight against flesh and blood but against the spiritual evils of the times which are both sins and judgments and shew both mans wickedness and Gods wrath and are to say no more as leavening Matt. 16.6.11 12. Gal. 5.9 Antichristian 1 Ioh. 2.22 and 4.3 and 2 Ep. Ioh. v. 7. Sathanical Ioh. 8.44 1 King 22.22 1 Tim. 4.1 2. Act. 13.10 2 Tim. 3.8 as prophaneness is though now more practised Preached and pleaded for then formerly I am not able to encounter with them my self alone when these enemies come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against them I desire not to speak any thing my self but to hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches and to report what judgment he gives as he hath left it on Record in holy Scripture in which are written the great things of the Law and the gracious glorious things of the Gospel O let them not be accounted a small thing The ensuing Tract doth represent that the holy Ghost doth as it were cite or summon and cause several spirits to be apprehended and brought to Tryal and that he sets down certain distinctive Signes and Symptomes of the Spirit of God and other Spirits And Lastly That he doth examine and determine some particular cases brought before him concerning the Spirit of Prayer the Spirit of Prophesie the witnesing Spirit the Ministerial and Anti-ministerial Spirit And when this Treatise hath made this representation it gives up the Ghost It hath been my hearts desire and Prayer that I might represent these judicial proceedings aright It is my hearts desire and prayer that thou mayest receive them aright And that the high and holy Spirit of God may be with thy Spirit and with the Spirits of all Saints and particularly with the spirit of him who is the least of all Saints Manchester March 1. 1655 6 R. H. An Epistle Good Reader I Cannot conceal the contentment that I took in this little but judicious Treatise when it was brought to me for perusal The communications of Gods Spirit are made matter of scorn by some and by others a meer pretence what more usual now then for fanaticall persons to pretend to a peculiarity of the Spirit as the filthy Gnosticks in the primitive times gave out that all others were carnal they only were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritual men as having a special presence of the Spirit in them Vide Iraeneum Lib. 5. to adversus heresis cap. 11. passim alibi and therefore their pride is supposed to be taxed by the Apostle Jude vers 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sensual not having the Spirit that is by their bruitish practises they plainly shewed they had least of that Spirit to which they did pretend Tertullian when he turned Montanist wrot a Book Adversus Psychicos against the carnal or animal men intending thereby the Orthodox But this is not all how often do such kind of persons father the Brats of their own carnal hearts upon the Holy Ghost and intitle the suggestions of the Devil that evil spirit to the impulsions of that holy Spirit of promise by whom we are sealed to the day of Redemption Therefore it much concerneth the Ministers of the Gospel to vindicate the honour of God and to put people upon trying the Spirits and in a matter of such concernment to give them the best light they can You will bear with me a little in my folly for uch I account it to be to acquaint the world with the course of my private Ministery and indeed bear with me 2 Cor. 11.1 whilest I tell you that considering the necessity of the present times wherein some deny the Personality and God-head of the Spirit others counterfeit his Presence and Operations and many mishapen and monstruous conceits are obtruded upon the world concerning both I thought I could not better serve the present truth and accomplish the ends of my Ministery than by clearing up the whole Doctrine of the Spirit as touching his Godhead and Personality His Effusion first upon Christ as the Head sensibly at his Baptism Mat. 3. On the Apostles as the chief Agents and Factors for his Kingdom on the day of Penticost Act. 2. Then upon all Beleivers till his second comming especially on the Ministers of the Gospel who are ordinarily presumed to have a more plentiful measure of the Spirit according to that place which they sustain in the body Next my work was to state the manner of his Presence the quality of his Operations in Inlightning Sanctifying Witnessing Comforting Strengthning Quickning awakening thoughts of and desires after our blessedness in Heaven more especially the influence of the Spirit upon the duties of Prayer and Preaching And after all this I took occasion to speak of resisting grieving and quenching the Spirit on the one side and of gratifying and glorifying the Spirit on the other in all which discourses I mainly intended a Direction to Christians to guide them in the tryal of Spirits and whilest I was considering of making this work more publiquely useful how happily am I prevented by the pains of this Godly Learned and judicious Authour who hath treated of the same things almost in the same Method and that in such a succinct and strengthy way that if thou complain of any thing it will be of want of Words not of Matter so Much being spoken in so Little a compass for my part I cannot but profess my joy That the Lord hath inclined the heart of such an able person to such an Argument Now
lye is not the Spirit of God yet it is not true that every spirit which speaks any truth is therefore the Spirit of God Satan doth sometimes attest the highest and holyest truths viz. That Fesus is the Son of God that the Apostles are the Servants of God which shew the way of Salvation Act. 16.17 but our Saviour silenceth them and would not suffer them to speak though they spoke truths Mark 1.34 Act. 16.18 The difference therefore between Satans speaking truth and Gods Spirit speaking truth is this 1. If Satan speaks truth he speaketh not of his own a lye only is his own Ioh. 8.44 he doth but borrow truths or rather steal them from from the Scriptures the Ministers or people of God Fer. 23.30 2. When Satan speaks truth he usually misapplies it as Iobs Friends did many precious truths 3. He never speaks truth in the love or for the advantage of it but to be a pretence shadow and introduction to a lye If Error should appear in her own shape she would be very horrid and deformed therefore she puts on her the Mantle of Truth or gets some truth usually to bear her company CHAP. III. Of four other Qualifications of the Spirit of God and the vindication of them A Third Property of the Spirit of God is Light he is the Spirit of Light of Wisdom and Knowledge Isa 11.2 of Revelation in the knowledge of Christ Eph. 1.17 As God is light and Christ is light a Sun a bright Morning Star the Spirit is compared to fire Act. 2. 1 Thes 5. Heavenly fire which gives light as well as heat but Hell-fire is hot and dark Satan is that Prince of darkness the Ruler of the darkness of this world which darkens and blinds the minds of them that beleeve not 2 Cor. 4.4 Object But doth not the evil Spirit bring also a light with it Answ Satan doth indeed transform himself into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11.14 especially in times and amongst persons pretending to much light and abounding in all utterance and knowledge 1 Cor. 1.5 And therefore we are to understand that the Light of the Spirit of God is to argue or convince the world of sin of righteousness of judgment Ioh. 16.8 Eph. 5.12 13. to shew us as the Angel did Dan. 10.21 that which is noted in the Scripture of truth to explain the glorious Mysteries of the Gospel and Godliness that we may discern them in a spiritual manner which a natural man cannot do 1 Cor. 2.10 11. to shew us that by Sun-light which reason can either not see at all or but as it were by Moon-light The Gospel is an everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 and the Spirit bids us contend for the faith once delivered to the Saints not alway in delivering This Light is a Light of the same nature with the light held forth in the Word Psal 119.105 the Word is a Lantorn a dark Lantorn say some without the Spirit but I am sure that Spirit is a going fire a deluding spirit that carries not but contemns and confounds this Lanthorn and there is no light in them Isa 8.20 The light that is in them is darkness and how great is that darkness Mat. 6.23 Gods people are led by the Spirit when they are led by the word inspired by the Spirit 2 Pet. 1. ult and they are taught by God when taught by his Book No Spirit of Christ doth abstract any mans faith from the Word of God which is indeed the word of faith Rom. 10.8 Spiritual knowledge doth not exclude but contain in it the litteral knowledge though the litteral knowledge may be without the spiritual yet the spiritual knowledge of Gods Word is not without the litteral We are not warranted to expect or trust to Enthusiasm's or praeter-scriptural much less contra-scriptural Revelations as they which had Moses and the Prophets the Books of Moses and the Prophets and those that sate in Moses Chair were not to expect guidance from revived returning Ghosts but to hear Moses and the Prophets Luk. 16.29 Mat. 23.2 3. so we which besides Moses and the Prophets have also Christ and his Apostles and have the Canon of the holy Scriptures perfected have much less reason to expect Revelations and to sleight the holy Scriptures but may and ought to build on the foundations of the Prophets of the old Testament and the Apostles of the new Eph. 2.21 That light which contradicts old Articles of faith and coyns new ones that Canonizeth new Scriptures or preacheth new Gospels yea the very questioning of Carping or Cavilling against known received Truths is of Satan Gen. 3.1.5 And he that preacheth another Gospel though he seem wise as an Angel and have the Tongue of an Angel and seem as holy and zealous as the Angels is to be accursed Gal. 1.7 8 9. The fourth Property of the true Spirit of God is Lowliness and indeed the more light the more lowliness The more loathing of our selves Ezek. 36. 27. with 31. for the Spirit convinceth us of sin Ioh. 16.8 makes Paul to judge himself the chief of sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 and to be carnal Rom. 7.14 but the evil Spirit is proud and puffeth up 1 Tim. 3.6 1 Cor. 8.1 is supercilious and censorious of other men speaking evil of persons and things which they know not and saying stand by thy self I am more holy then thou Isa 65.5 calling others carnal sensual divelish while they pretend themselves to be free from sin But the Apostle who had the true Spirit of God saith if we that is If I John that writ this Epistle or other Apostles or Beleevers say that we have no sin we are lyers 1 Ioh. 1. The first Property of the true Spirit of God is Liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3.17 He is a free Spirit Psal 51.12 Satan is a slave and of a servile Spirit and so all his Agents and Servants are yea say some that is it which we plead for viz. Liberty but you must therefore take notice of the marks of this Liberty First That Liberty which is from the Spirit of God is not a Liberty to sin but from sin Iohn 8.34 2 Peter 2.19 Secondly This Liberty overthrows not either Ecclesiastical or Civil Government 1 Pet. 2.13.16 for this were to make it a Cloak of maliciousness Thirdly This Liberty is to and in the service of God and not from it men now talk much against Forms but there are some Forms of Gods Institution and others of mens inventions though we be free from all sinful superstitious forms of mens inventing yet we are not therefore free from the lawful and needful Forms that are of Gods appointing His service is perfect freedom The sixt Property of the Spirit of God is Unity Unity Love and Peace is the fruit and effect of the good Spirit Eph. 4.3 Gal. 5.22 we are all made to drink into one Spirit as we all Jews and Gentiles are by
this good Lord bless his Labours to thine Use I am Thine in all Christian Service Tho. Manton The Contents CHAP. I. OF Tryal of Spirits in general Folio 1 CHAP. II. Of the Properties of the Spirit of God with the vindication of them from common mistakes Folio 13 CHAP. III. Of four other Qualifications of the Spirit of God and the vindication of them Folio 23 CHAP. IIII. Containing two other Properties of the Spirit of God Folio 31 CHAP. V. Of the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication Shewing how he doth assist in Prayer Folio 40 CHAP. VI. Of the difference between the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and the common gift of Prayer Folio 50 CHAP. VII Of the Spirit of Prophesie mentioned Act. 2.17 18. Folio 57 CHAP. VIII Of the witnessing Spirit mentioned Rom. 8.16 Folio 73 CHAP. IX Of the continuance of the Ministerial Spirit and Office in all ages on Isa 66.21 Folio 86 CHAP. X. Of the Spirit of Corah and his gainsaying on Jude vers 11. Folio 106 ERRATA PAge 2. l. 8. for permission read commission l. 10. for commission r. permission p. 3. l. 2. for shews r. would shew l. 16. for spirit of r. spirits of p. 5. l. 3. for into r. unto p. 9. l. 1. for Templers r. Temples p. 12. l. 15. for thy r. the p. 13. l. 9. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 15. l. 6. for unsuitable to good r. unsuitably to do good p. 16. l. 12. for Uzzah's r. Uzziah's P. 17. l. 1. for the Apostles pray r. the Apostle prays l. 6. for there are r. there are p. 19. l. 3. for inconstancy r. incontinency p. 26. l. 12. for fleight r. sleight p. 22. l. ult for first r. fifth p. 29. l. 16. for bot r. not for â—n r. an p. 49. l. 8. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 62. l. 17. for certain 〈◊〉 certainly l. ult for gelist came r. gelist come p. 64. l. 1. for bouted r. 〈…〉 CHAP. I. Of Tryal of Spirits in the general THere are evil Spirits as well as good reprobate Angels which did not abide in the truth as well as Elect Angels which were confirmed in grace and truth The Scripture mentions a Spirit of the world 1 Cor. 2.12 a mans own spirit Ezek. 13.3 a perverse spirit Isa 19.2 a spirit of Divination a spirit of Antichrist a spirit of error and giddiness as well as a spirit of truth of Faith of Love of Meekness as Satan sets up false gods in opposition to the true and living God and false Christs in opposition to the true Christ so he also sets up lying spirits in opposition of the true Spirit false Apostles false Prophets false Ministers in opposition of the true and faithful Ministers of Christ And the worser sort of Spirits are abroad Satan walks up and down too and fro in the earth Many false Prophets are gone out into the world they have from God a kind of permission though no approbation 1 King 22.22 and from men too much commission and connivence and this comes to pass by the wise and gracious ordering of God Partly for the punishment both of Ministers which have too much complyed with the Sins Errors and Schismes of the times and of Professors which have loathed Manna grown wanton and weary of the most holy and wholesome truths and desirous of Novelties And partly for the probation and tryal of the truly sincere and sound Pastors and People Deut. 13.1.2 1 Cor. 11.19 As Josephs chastity was tryed by his strong temptations to uncleanness Gen. 39. or possibly God shews us the misery and mischief of toleration under which as we plainly see whatsoever is dear and precious in the eyes of God and his People is basely prophaned and abused It is therefore necessary that we should try the Spirit Indeed it is not easie to discern the difference of Spirits a bodily blemish as defect of an eye an arme or hand is discernable by every child or fool but a defect in the Intellectuals is less discernable and spiritual deceits are spun with the finest thred and least of all discoverable or confutable yet it is dangerous not to discern them The spirit of some Herbs are as hurtful as others are healthful The House and Home of good Spirits is Heaven of bad ones Hell each of them labour to conduct men to the respective places from whence themselves do come Adam and Eve not discerning Satan in the Serpent plunged both their persons and posterity into a world of woe and misery and many of their posterity are in like manner cheated into Hell 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. The Persons that are to try are the Church of God the Catholique and particular Churches Pastors Governors and every Christian Those that are truly Regenerate have in measure the Spirit of God and them God will keep that either they shall not erre foully or not finally And those that have onely the common gift of the Spirit may thereby be enabled soundly though not sanctifyingly or savingly to discern and discover errors Tryal is in order to passing judgment and though private Christians have not the judgment of decision yet they have and are to use the judgment of private practical discretion that their faith may not be implicite and blind resting only upon men But alass what ever right or liberty all Christians have sundry of them have no ability of trying spirits at least not in all cases as Infants in age Ideot's and those that are weak in the faith which are indeed to be cherished and received but not into doubtful disputations Rom. 14.1 Castles cannot be built in the Aire Foundations must be laid and Walls built before the Roof can be laid or Pinacle set up Some have need of milk and not of strong meat being unskilful in the word of righteousness Heb. 5.12 13. Oh that they would learn the first principles of the Oracles of God and build themselves in their holy faith upon firm Foundations which through Gods wisdome and goodness are more plain and easie before they exercise themselves in matters too hard and high for them Psal 131.1 The Spirits that are to be tryed are those Spirits that we have need and occasion as well as ability to try All Spirits need not trying either because their folly and falsehood is manifest to all men at the first sight Those that Preach other Gospels are to be accursed Gal. 1.7.8 They are neither to be entertained in our house nor saluted by the way 2 Ioh. 10. When Cerinthus was in the Bath Iohn disputed not with him but leaped out from him Get thee behind me Satan is good in this case Or because they have been duly tried alreadie there is a time of trying and but a time and then there is a time of holding fast that which upon trial we find good and abstaining from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5.21 The Beraeans having by scarching
spiritual wickednesses Eph. 6.12 the evil spirit his temptations are evil and to evil being a spirit of whoredoms an unclean spirit Hos 4.12 he tempteth to murther and lying Iohn 8.44 to Sacriledge Act. 5.2 Covetousness and Treason Ioh. 13.2 Object But this or that spirit moveth to good Duties to abhor pride in Apparel to renounce the world c. Answ Though the good Spirit of God doth never tempt to evil yet the evil spirit sometimes perswades to that which is good and so he transforms himself into an Angel of light and his Ministers as the Ministers of righteousness appearing and pleading for righteousness 2 Cor. 11.14 but Satan doth never move to good as it is good though by accident it may be materially good but as some sin or evil cleaves to it his main design is to promote evil and he moveth to good duties but obiter that he might more easily deceive and be less suspected the bait is good for the fish but the Fisher aimes at the catching and killing of the fish not at the feeding of them and therefore there is an hook in it so doth Satan in this case James 1.14 Quest How may I know when it is the evil spirit that moveth me to that which is good Answ 1. When we are moved to do holy Duties unsutable to good things in a bad manner without care or conscience viz. in pride as David numbred the people a thing in some cases lawful and necessary 1 Chron. 21.1 or in hypocrisie so the Pharasees fasted prayed and gave Almes Matth. 6. with oppinion of merit Gal. 5.2.4.5.8 or for a pretence for the covering of our wicked intentions Matth. 23.14.23 so Herod Matth. 2.7.8 So to Pray or Preach carelesly to come to the Lords Supper unpreparedly and unworthily 1 Cor. 11.27 for Satan knows that not only the plowing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21.4 But also their Praying Prophesying and their Service of God their Sacrifice to God is abhominable Prov. 28.9 and that a curse belongs to them that do the works of God negligently Jerem. 48.10 much more if they do it prophanely And Satan would have us by this means to go away with a curse instead of a blessing Secondly when we are moved to do good Extravagantly without call or commission so Corah and Dathan offered incense Numb 16. Such was Sauls sacrisicing Uzzah's staying the Ark though his intention was very good Uzzah's offering incense God is the God of order the evil Spirit causeth tumult disorder distraction confusion 1 Cor. 14.33 God hath appointed Orders in his Church first Apostles c. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. 4.11 His Canon is Let all things be done in order 1 Cor. 14.40 For the Church is an Army with Banners in Military Rank and File women are appointed to keep silence in the Churches and the Spirits of the Prophets are to be subject to the Prophets and every one ought to abide in his own Place and Calling 1 Cor. 7.20.24 And the Apostles pray a very needful and useful prayer that they may be delivered from absurd men or men out of their places 2 Thes 3.1 2. Thirdly When we are moved to do good unseasonably viz. when there are other Duties either in themselves greater or more incumbent on us at that time then that which we are moved to such isour considering our worldly occasions at other times lawful and fit upon the Lords Day Amos. 8.5 Isa 58.13 So private Duties and Exercises in time of Publique Ordinances for God loves the Gates of Sion the more Solemn and Publique Assemblies of his People more then all the private dwellings of Jacob Psal 87.2 So impertinent thoughts though otherwise holy and good which do hinder our praying hearing serving of God that we cannot pray or hear c. as we ought with all our might Eccles 9.10 so that expression of Peters love and affection to Jesus Christ was unseasonable and savoured more of man then of God of Satan then of a Saint Matth. 16.21 22 23. There is a time for all things mis-timing of our Duties doth turn them to sin Satan would make Gods ways to interfer and would have one duty to shoulder out another if he cannot hinder every duty he will hinder opus Diei the present duty but the good man brings forth fruit in due season Psal 1.3 and every thing is beautifull in its season Eccles 3.11 Fourthly When we are moved to do good things unmeasureably when a Christian especially a young Convert will be doing Satan will have him over do It was the duty of the incestuous person to be sorrowful 1 Cor. 5.2 but there was danger least Satan should swallow him up with over much sorrow 2 Cor. 2.10 It was a duty to keep the Sabbath but the Pharasees over-kept it Mat. 12.1 2. the Eutichae were to pray but they would be alway praying It is a duty for married persons to forbear the use of the marriage Bed for a time but not too long least Satan should tempt them for their inconstancy 1 Cor. 7.5 Then also are duties unmeasurable or at least unseasonable when they are prejudicial to our healths Hos 6.6 God will have mercy not sacrifice or do occasion us to neglect the duties of our particular callings or relations 2 Thes 3.11 We cannot indeed exceed in our love to God modus diligendi Deum est sine modo but we may exceed in external expressions of love or service and this excess is Satans policy that he might weary out the spirits of men ride them off their legs and beget both in them and others hard thoughts of Religion and draw them from this excess in holy performances to an utter neglect of them The second unquestionable Property of the Spirit of God is Truth 1 Ioh. 5.6 It is the Spirit of truth Ioh. 16.13 as Christ is Truth Ioh. 14.6 as goodness is a conformity to Gods Will so Truth is a conformity to his Understanding all truths below are but Copies of that Original and Eternal Truth that is above God always speaks truth and neverlies he cannot lye nor deceive or be deceived It is impossible for God to lye Heb. 6. This Spirit leads not only to the truth but into it into all truth But the evil spirit is a lyar Ioh. 8.44 a lying spirit 1 King 22.22 A seducing spirit speaking lies in hypocrisie 1 Tim. 4.1 2. As truth is the Son of God so lying is the Daughter of the Devil Satan lyed to the first Adam Gen. 3.5 and to the second Adam Luk. 4.6 and still he raises open outward scandalous lying reports of holy Ministers and other men or else inward false surmises and suspitions Object But this or that spirit doth speak truth viz. that we should repent fear the living God and that there are false Teachers and Seducers abroad of whom we must beware or the like therefore this is the good Spirit of God Answ Though it be true that what soever Spirit doth
one Spirit baptized into one body or universal Church 1 Cor. 12.12 13. the most plentiful effusion of the Spirit made beleevers of one heart and soul Act. 4.31 32. but the evil spirit is a dividing spirit Jude 9.23 The Apostle intimates that scandals and devissons are from Satan Rom. 16.17 with 20. He is a separating Spirit as the Spirit of God is not Jude v. 19. Quest But is dot Satan also on uniting spirit Answ Yes he is but that is in his own Kingdom and amongst his own people For he is not divided against himself nor is his Kingdom divided against it self Mat. 12.25 26 27. While the strong man armed keepeth the house all things are in peace Luk 11.21 He would not have Idolatrous Heretical false Churches to be disturbed divided or separated from much less destroyed but in true Churches which are the Kingdom of his enemy the Lord Jesus Satan labours to breed and feed jealousies suspicions divisions scandals heresies separations As it is the Policy of all States to maintain Unity amongst their own Subjects and servants and to foment contention and divisions amongst their enemies CHAP. IV. Containing two other Properties of the Spirit of God THe seventh Property of the Spirit of God is That he is a friend and Favorite of all Graces or holy habits and dispositions in the soul he is the Spirit of grace Zach. 12.10 of Faith 2 Cor. 4.13 of the fear of the Lord Isa 11.2 of meekness descending in the shape of a Dove Mat. 3. Gal. 6.1 and the effects and fruits of it are love joy c. Gal. 5.22 obedience Ezek. 36.27 31 But the evil spirit is an adversary to these graces they are the Armor of the soul against him Eph. 6.12 13 c. and a man would not have his enemy armed but naked that he may more easily wound him He is an adversary to faith Luke 22.31 32. to integrity and uprightness Iob ch 1 2. to obedience Gen. 3.1 c. He ruleth in the children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 Indeed he is a friend to false and feigned graces 2 Cor. 11.14 15. a friend of false faith or of presumption of hypocritical repentance as in Ahab and Judas of voluntary humility while men are vainly puffed up Col. 2.18 of a pretended purity Isaiah 65.5 that a sinner is not to be touched Luke 7 39. of a seeming self-denyal such as was in the false Apostles which inveighed against the true Apostles that they walked after the flesh 2 Cor. 10. that they were Hirelings and Preached for money but say they we will not exact nor expect any thing we wil Preach the Gospel freely 2 Cor. 11.12 13 14. And this occasioned the Apostles to plead that it was as lawful for Ministers to receive yea in its place to expect Maintenance for himself and Family as it is for a Souldier to expect his pay an Husbandman a Planter of a Vineyard a Shepherd to expect the fruit of his Grounds Vineyard or Flock Though Satan had got such strong Holds in the carnal covetous hearts of the Corinthians that Paul was glad to Preach the Gospel freely to them while he received maintenance from other Churches The eight Property of the Spirit of God is that he also is a friend and favourer of holy Duties and Ordinances of Supplication as well as of Grace Zach. 12.10 the breath of the Spirit is sweet it breaths in grace and breaths out prayers and other duties For First It is gotten and encreased by Ordinances by Preaching Gal. 3.2.5 Prayer Luk. 11.13 Sacraments Luk. 4.1 This golden Oyl comes from the two Olive-Trees through the golden Pipes of Ordinances Zach. 4.12 Secondly It doth assist and help in holy Duties and Ordinances as in Preaching Isa 61.1 in praying Rom. 8.26 27. in Sacraments Mat. 3.11 Baptizing us inwardly and making us Christians within Rom. 2.29 and the word which Christ speaketh concerning eating his flesh and drinking his blood are Spirit and life Joh. 6.63 And by one spirit we are all whether Jews or Gentiles baptized into one body and are made to drink into one spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 So we sing with the Spirit c. 1 Cor. 14. Thirdly When the gifts of the Spirit were undeniably poured out plenteously and that Prophesie of Ioel was unquestionably fulfilled Act. 2.16 17. those upon whom those gifts were poured out and in whom that Prophecy was fulfilled did highly prize holy Ordinances they were baptized and continued daily with one accord in the Temple and in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship and breaking of Bread and Prayers Act. 2.41 42 46 And the gifts then poured our were principally to fit and furnish men for the work of the Ministry and other Ordinances Ephes 4.8.11 12. particularly they were taught to prize the Ministry Cornelius was not of a Captain made a Preacher nor did the Angels preach to him or send a gifted Brother to him though he had a devout Souldier and Servant that waited on him yet he was to send and Peter must come from Joppa to Cesarea straight which was about thirty six miles Act. 10.4 In Acts 8. the Spirit finding the Eunuch reading doth not himself interpret but bids Philip go joyn himself to the Chariot and Philip Preached Jesus Christ to the Eunuch Indeed the Spirit of God hath sometimes wrought without or above the Word and Ordinances yet it never wrought against them it hath sometimes strengthened their Authority and Use but never weakened them But the evil spirit is an enemy to holy Ordinances to Prayer resisting the Priest as he was standing to Sacrifice and Pray Zach. 3.1 To Preaching 1 Thes 2.18 and thereupon Elimas withstanding Paul is called a child of the Devil Act. 13.10 he endeavours to draw Ministers into sins and snares Luk. 22.32 He is an enemy to Baptism he moved some to despise the Counsel of God and not to be Baptised of John Luk. 7.30 He perswades Witches Wizzards and open Apostates to renounce their Baptism received in their Infancy that they may be more devoted to his Service As soon as Jesus was Baptised Satan fiercely tempted him Luk. 4.1 and entred into Judas as soon as he had received the Sop Ioh. 13. Object Is Satan in no case a friend to holy Ordinances Answ Satan is never a friend to Ordinances in themselves or to Ordinances as holy though he do not always appear plainly against all Ordinances he may seem to be zealous for them in these Cases First in case there be som usurpation either on the part of the person sadministring them or on part of the persons which partake of them Though Satan be an enemy to the right offering of incense sacrificing preaching of the Word yet he liked Corahs offering Incense Sauls Sacrificing giving of holy things unto Dogs casting Pearls before Swine coming to the Marriage Feast without a wedding Garment unworthy communicating whereby men are guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord so though he be an
an Enlivening Spirit Thirdly an Enlarging Spirit First He is a Spirit of Light enlightening the person discovering our needs necessities our dangers and duties our cases and cures he shews us our sins our selves and the means of our Salvation Ioh. 16.9 and consequently what we should pray for Secondly He is the Spirit of Life enlivening a man Rom. 8.2 When God made man he breathed into his Body the Breath of Life and when a man is converted the Spirit of Life is breathed into the soul as the body without the soul is dead so the soul without this Spirit of Life is dead also A man that marries an Inheretrix is Tenant by the Curtesie of England if he beget a Son which is born and cries it is much presumed that if there be life there will be crying The Spirit of grace is the Spirit of Supplication Zach. 12.10 Paul a new born Babe falls a crying Act. 9.11 without life there can be no crying Thirdly He is the Spirit of Liberty and not of Liberty only but of Adoption also enlarging the soul with faith and love to God Rom. 8.15 only Sons can call God father Christ in his Prayer called God Father six or seven times Ioh. 17. This Fatherhood is a good foundation of Faith and Prayer Christ taught us to call God our Father children cry Dad and Mam. I shall now come to those Acts of the Spirit that are nearer to and have more influence upon the Prayer Which are these First The Spirit of God doth invite excite us to pray as Satan suggests evil motions to hinder it so the Spirit of God suggests good motions Rev. 22.19 The Spirit saith venite oremus come let us pray Secondly The Spirit of God doth discover to us our present wants and needs that we which of our selves know not what to pray for may know what to pray for Rom. 8.26 Thirdly The Spirit brings to our remembrance the savory and suitable phrases and passages of holy Writ especially the precious Promises which are most pertinent are brought to our minds and memories by this Spirit of Promise Ioh. 14.26 Eph. 1.13 Promises and Prayers are like figure 6. and of 9. the very same figure only the Promises like the figure of 9. do bend downward and Prayers like the figure of 6. do point upward Fourthly He excites corroborates and strengthens the graces of prayer faith hope and love c. That they lye not as sparks under the ashes he fills the Sails of the soul with a fair wind and carries it with a full sail Heb. 10.12 as Satan filled the heart of Ananias and Saphira to lye so he fills the hearts of the Saints to cry Our hearts saith one are dead and dull and lye like a Log in a Ditch and though we toil and tug with them we cannot lift them up but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he enlivens our graces and raises up our souls Rom. 8.26 Fiftly He enlargeth our affections in prayer with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered in words or phrases as one who is so sore burden'd oppressed and grieved that he cannot express it Rom. 8 26. Sixtly It teacheth us to take care and make conscience that now especially in Prayer we offend not in our tongue Psal 39.1 It restrains that petulancy and extravagancy of words and wit great swelling words of vanity vain bablings idle repetitions c. and so far as the Spirit doth assist us in our words he teacheth us to pray in the words of truth and soberness CHAP. VI. Shewing the difference between the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and the common gift of Prayer THe help of the Spirit of God is not in all alike some have only a common gift of Prayer such are as canting Beggers which by use and custome have got an artificial trade of begging such were the cunning women in Iewry and the like in Ireland that have Lachrimas venales Tears to sell and others have a special gift or grace of Prayer and though even the common gift be from the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 Yet I shall crave leave thus to distinguish these works by calling the first of them the gift of Prayer and the second I shall call as Zachary calls it Zach. 12.10 The Spirit of Prayer And thus they differ First Hypocrites may have the gift of Prayer as well as the gift of Prophecying Mat. 7.22 so had Iudas but only the Saints have the Spirit of Prayer Rom. 8.26 27. Secondly Possibly all Saints have not the gift of Prayer or skill to conceive and compose a Prayer suitable to their several occasions as Children or Babes in Christ but all Saints have the Spirit of Prayer Rom. 8.15 Thirdly The gift of Prayer is only exercised in vocal Prayer and that in conceived Prayer too but the Spirit of Prayer may be found in silent Ejaculations as in Nehemiah Ch. 2.4 and Hannah whose words were not heard and Eli supposed she had been drunk but she was full of the Spirit of God as they were Act. 2. Yea though a word be not uttered Ex. 14. 15. the heart hath a tongue that God can hear Jesus Christ prayed the same words thrice though he had not the Spirit by measure and he exercised the Spirit of Prayer as much or more the last time then the first So we may sing Davids Psalms in the spirit 2 Chron. 29.30 Hence it also follows that Tyrants may rob us of the exercise of the gift of Prayer but not of the Spirit of Prayer the tongue of the Spirit cannot be cut out when a man cannot speak the Spirit may pray Fourthly They that have the gift of Prayer they have apt expressions outward enlargements they court God and complement with him profess more then is true and promise more then they mind to perform they draw nigh to God with their mouth Matth. 15.8 But they that have the Spirit of Prayer have sometimes yea at all times when their Spirit is lively deep impressions upon their heart devout affections soul inlargements sighs and groans of the soul are the life and soul of Prayer sighs and sobs grieving and groaning are good Rhetorick in the Closet between God and us their affections are too big for their expressions Rom. 8.26 27. words are but the outside of Prayer Fiftly The gift of Prayer is only or chiefly of use when we joyn with others the Spirit of Prayer is of as much use when we are alone Sixtly The gift of Prayer is apt to puff men up with pride because he can pray better then others it makes men censorious and contemptuous of others saying or thinking at least I am not as this Publican Luk. 18.11 or stand by thy self I am more holy then thou Isa 65.5 But the Spirit of Prayer doth shew men so much of their own wants and weaknesses that they are ashamed of themselves that they are humble mean in their own eyes and prefer others before themselves the one is
which seems to be the lowest degree of true repentance The Spirit of God saith to the soul these are true words I writ them do own them and will maintain them and so he sets his Seal to these truths as the soul by receiving and beleiving Gods Testimony sets to her Seal also Ioh. 3.33 2ly He owns the graces that are in beleivers to be his work as he doth own the Scripture to be his word as he doth attest fidem quae creditur the Doctrine the Object of faith so he doth attest fidem quae creditur the infused habit or grace of faith some Officers in Corporations and other Towns do seal Cloth Lether c. to witness thereby that what they seal is truly made rightly drest or of due length c. So the Spirit of God when we beleeve doth seal us Ephes 1.13 saying as it were this is true faith a lively faith firmly fastened on the word of God so I might say of Hope Love Repentance c. for the Spirit of God doth not only freely give us the things of God but also giveth us to know them 1 Cor. 2.10.12 he telleth which graces are genuine and which are spurious which are real and which are counterfeit he that teacheth us to know what we do beleeve and that we do beleeve love hope repent c. 3ly He makes application of the promises to the soul thy name and mine are not in the Scripture What an huge Volumne would the Bible be if every Saints name that have been are or shall be were written in it God hath wise and good ends why this is not done it is enough that particulars must needs be included in the general but Gods people especially at some times are unapt and unable to make particular application of the promises therefore God by his Spirit which is also called his finger Mat. 12.28 with Luk. 11.20 points at thee or me when he is a Spirit of conviction or of bondage as sometimes he is Ioh. 16.9 Rom. 8.15 or witnesseth against us then he puts our name into the threatnings which in the word indefinitely or generally spoken as cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the Law to do them Gal. 3.10 if you live after the flesh you shall dye Rom. 8. and saith as Nathan to David thou art the man that the soul cannot shift or shuffle off conviction or terror but when it will witness for a man then it puts its name in the promises as thus thou Peter Andrew Thomas Bartholomew confessing and forsaking thy sin shall find mercy Prov. 28.13 1 Ioh. 1.9 When God by his Spirit as by his hand takes hold on us and saith Thou art mine and I am thine and the soul by the hand of faith takes hold on God and saith likewise Cant. 6.3 then there is a comfortable marriage made by joyning of hands 4. He doth from these raise up much consolation in the soul and therefore is fitly called the comforter Ioh. 16.7 And the Kingdom of God is in righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 The certainty and assurance of our salvation doth arise from this or such a like Syllogisme He that believeth shall be saved But thou believest Therefore thou shalt be saved The first Act of the Holy Ghost doth seale the major or first proposition The second Act doth seale the minor or second proposition The thir addeth further assurance and evidence then that which is inferred from the premisses The fourth doth raise us up to the joy of this salvation Psal 51.12 But because there are many pretenders to the witness of the Spirit that have neither part nor lot in this business for their heart is not right in the sight of God and as many said here is Christ and there is Christ when he was neither here nor there so many professe they have the Spirit which have it not These are they that separate themselves sensual having not the Spirit Jude v. 19. Schismatical persons which say I am of Paul I of Apollo and I of Cephas c. may think themselves spiritual but they are therein Carnal and walk as men I Cor. 3.1 2. whether there be an immediate witnes of the Spirit given by God in some cases I need not nor will I now dispute for these words speak only of such a witness of the Spirit as together with the leading of the Spirit is common to all the Sons of God and this I believe I may truly say 1. The Holy Spirit doth ordinarily if not alway witness with our spirits mediately by the fruits effects and gracious operations thereof or else to what end are marks and signs set down in Scripture and we commanded to try our selves by them 1 Ioh. 3.14 2 Cor. 13.5 Gal. 6.2 3. 2. The Spirit of God in the brest of the believer and the Spirit of God in the Bible are the same Spirit of truth and therefore the Spirit of God will not speak peace to the wicked Isa 57.21 or witness them to be the Sons of God which by their pride lying cruelty treachery or allowing themselves in sin declare themselves to be of their father the Devill Ioh. 8.44 1 Ioh. 3.8 So it doth not condemn the generation of the just which are weary and heavy laden do hunger and thirst after righteousnesse 3. The Spirit of God witnesseth in ordinances or at least not without them not in the neglect and contempt of them God indeed doth not tye his own hand but ours God can feed with Manna but will not when men may plough and sow How the Spirit of God doth make use of holy Ordinances we have heard before those that think themselves above ordinances are indeed much below them 4. There is ordinarily a spirit of bondage antecedent to the spirit of adoption v. 15 16. it first convinceth of sin then of righteousnesse Ioh. 16.9 5. The witnessing Spirit is a working spirit a spirit of sanctification Rom. 1.4 5. canst thou find the work of the spirit or at least some prints and parcels of that work A few grapes saith Dr. Sibbs discover a tree to be a Vine not a Thorn and truth of one grace doth evidence truth of all graces it is a golden chain God hath linked them together let none put them asunder 6. They onely have the witnesse of the spirit that are led by and walk after the spirit vers 1.14 Now these words do import both their having and acting of spiritual life Dead things may be drawn but cannot in propriety of speech be said to be led or to walk 2. They import motion a continued motion after some thing that goes before 3. A willing motion when the soul is not haled hurried or violently forced but they are led I cannot enlarge CHAP. IX Of the continuance of the Ministerial Spirit and Office in all ages on Isa 66.21 THese words are a gracious Gospel promise in which the Lord