of Fathers inflicteth His Rods being in the hand of Love are to be kissed Lev. 26.41 and the Punishment of his Childrens Iniquity is to be accepted They should learn of their elder Brother readily to drink of the Cup which he puts into their Hand John 18.11 though it be a bitter one 3. In a chearful active forwardness in doing the work which this Father cuts out for 'em proving themselves Obedient Children 1 Pet. 1.13 14. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. This great Stream and Torrent of Love should carry to an abounding in Obedience What should they think too dear for him who thought not his Son too dear to give to ' em 4. 1 Thes 1.4 Col. 1.13 In an ultimate resolving of their Thankfulness to this Father the Father of Mercies from whom if we regard the Order in the Trinity they first arise to whom according to Scripture Order thanks are first and last to be returned 5. In a prizing other favours from this highest Father according to and on account of this prime favour the sending and Sacrificing his Son Rom. 8.32 Other things are choicer Gifts because related to and given with this Person From this Sun other Stars derive their Light Christ is the Figure before the numbers of other Gifts that puts the great value on ' em And so I come to shew That the Regenerate should in an eminent manner shew their love to Jesus Christ 1. His Person should be as the Object so in a sort the Center of their Affections Cant. 5.16 He is altogether lovely and to be loved accordingly 1. They should move towards him by degrees Psal 101.2 so far as the enjoyment of him is yet wanted The Husbands absence goes to the good Wives heart Cant. 2. last The Spouse desires Christ would be as a Roe for his swiftness in coming to her Have not some because they could not be so near as they desired to Christ and live been willing to dye that they might be nearer him Are not Duties is not Heaven most to be prized on account of * Phil. 1.23 enjoying Christ 2. They should rest in him by delight so far as he is pleased to communicate himself to ' em The rising of the Sun of Righteousness on and in their Souls should make a day there Doth not the Spouse speak in a triumphing way when she saith I am my Beloved's Cant. 1.16.2.4 and my Beloved is mine Doth she not sit under his shadow with great Solace and find his Fruit sweet to her taste Is not his love to her better than Wine And doth not his Sin-slaying and Soul-quickning Presence tend to satisfie her Soul as with marrow and fatness Again Christ's Practice should be the Copy of their Conversations 1 John 2.6 He that was a Propitiation for is to be a Patern to ' em Particularly 1. In his exercising Compassion to self-opposing sinners His Eye affected his Heart Mark 6.34 when he saw the multitude that wanted Spiritual Food and Hearts to desire it His Heart set his Eye on weeping over Jerusalem Luke 19.41 when he saw what her sinful Inhabitants would reduce her and themselves to 2. In his resisting the Tempter and his Temptations with the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God Mat. 4. When the Prince of this World came he could not overcome nor stand before these Weapons which were not Carnal but mighty through God 3. In laying Zion's sorrows near his Heart Isa 63.8 Acts 9.4 10.38 In all his Churches Afflictions he was Afflicted was not the Head most sensible of Wounds to him 4. In conforming his will to that of his Father 5. Phil. 2.5 In going about doing good O that the same mind that was in his were in our hearts The last Rule of Duty is for those that have the Grace to take and follow the good Advices that have been given They may take my Doctrine as a Cordial May they may find its chearing Vertue 1. Under all kinds of Discouragement and Distress Whether 1. They be from what they find without ' em Do they meet with many and those heavy Crosses Yet the Curse shall not come to ' em Gal. 3.12 13. He that was a Propitiation was also made a Curse for 'em that they might be freed from the Curse due to ' em The Love of God the Father shall not be lessened or less manifested because they are in Suffering Parents Hearts use to be most open to their sick Children Or 2. If they have inward sorrows and be acquainted with those troubles that follow the hiding of God's face Psal 30 6 7. they may write on it They have not lost their Fathers Affection though they miss some desirable expressions of it Shall not the Sun break through present Clouds Will not the Son on account of his being a Propitiation 1 John 2.1 2. be an Advocate for 'em that they may at last be comforted and in the mean time supported Again From this Doctrine an Use of Consolation is rightly drawn as to those I am treating with In all Duties whether ordinary or extraordinary whether Prayer wherein they speak to God or Self-examination wherein they speak with themselves or Hearing wherein God speaks to them Though none of these Duties have Perfection Col. 2.10 the Propitiation which God the Father hath received from the Son hath So. I will give a further touch on one Ordinance wherein the comfort of this Doctrine to prepared Receivers useth to flow freely and that is the Holy Supper of the Lord which is not to be perverted as by the Papists it is into a Propitiatory Sacrifice but it is a Commemoration yea and withall a Communication of such a Sacrifice Yea See Doctor Cudworth and is well called a Feast upon him that was Offered as a Propitiation and so is to be Celebrated with joy and thankfulness which the word Eucharist which hath long been one of its names implyeth Both the Elements and all the actions about 'em tend to fill their Hearts with gladness who use that Communion 1. Penitentially Zech. 12.10 looking with pierced Souls on their pierced Saviour 2. Applicatorily putting the finger of Faith into his Wounds 3. Charitably pitying their Enemies as he pityed them 4. Longingly Psal 81.10 that the Blessing of the Ordinance may accompany it Is not Christ therein given to 'em who was given for ' em Doth not God the Father shew that he is satisfied And shall not this satisfie and solace ' em And as in the Consecration they may see the Heart of God the Father See Mr. Baxter in several pieces and in the Commemoration the fulness of the Son So in the Communication it is made out that the Spirit the Comforter is free to come from both with Comfort to ' em O that mine own Heart had been more inflamed with God the Fathers Love and my Faith more
Christ save the Name of Christ others have no more of him but the Notion of him and a third sort have no more of him but the Vizor or appearance of him 4. Without diligence in this work of Tryal there is little hope that there should be a true decision and determination of the point Where that Faith is that doth apprehend Christ it may be but as a grain of Mustard-seed very small and so lye less open to sight 2. There is a feigned and counterfeit Faith that is so like the unfeigned and sincere one that it must be a work of time and care and there is need of help from above to distinguish them 5. It is of great use and advantage to Persons to know how things stand with them 1. If they find they have not an Interest in this Propitiation this may prove a good step towards the attainment of it by putting on a Mournful Prayerful seeking after it 2. If they find that they are Persons of so good an Interest how may their Hearts leap for joy 1 John 5.12 He that through his Son is rendred Propitious and Gracious to to them will at last confer Glory and Blessedness on them The Marks or Signs which I shall lay down for Persons to proceed by in their Trying will be couched under the four following Questions wherewith I will adventure to pose every one that takes me for an Adviser 1. Hast thou felt as well as seen the need thou standest in of Christs being a Propitiation and thereupon an Advocate for thee Hast thou seen thy sins as moats in the Sun abounding Hast thou felt them as an intolerable burthen on thee Hath Divine wrath as due for them been frightful to thee Dost thou own thy best done Duties as insufficient for the appeasing of Wrath and satisfying of Justice how good soever they are in their own place Art thou afraid of setting them in Christs place Some things like these may be in Hypocrites and those things may not at some times be so evident to and in true Believers as they desire But where is there an Hypocrite that is poor in Spirit Mat. 5.3 Or a true Believer that in his ordinary frame is not 2. Dost thou when alone and meditating on the Rich Grace of God in Christ Jesus cry out O the depth Are those thoughts in thee that on a Death-bed were uttered by one of the ablest and choicest of young men What me Rom 7.24 25. Lord why me Shall such a one as I am have the benefit of this Propitiation Would the Father give his Son or will the Son give himself to me Hypocrites are apt to admire themselves and not Free-Grace or Free-Grace in order to self-magnifying Sincere Christians when they dare not say they have embraced Christ are apt to wonder that he is offered them 3. Hath thine Heart known what it is to be supported from the consideration of the Love of God and his exceeding Rich Grace in his Son when it hath been near sinking upon a sight and sense of the numerousness and heinousness of sin that hath beset yea o'erturn'd thee Canst thou remember the word speaking of this Grace upon which God hath caused thee to hope Psal 119.49 When sin reviv'd in Paul's sense of it it was the discovery of abundant Grace that upheld him 1 Tim. 1.13 14 15. The unsound Professor knows less of Heart-failures and if he have apprehensions of Rich Grace he is for making it a Cloak for sin And the infirm Believer that is less acquainted with Triumphs is yet through the displays of Rich Grace kept from being swallow'd up of Troubles 4. Art thou desirous to have thine Heart raised and enlarged in love to God Dost thou rejoyce so far as any have reached Glorying Love Mr. Baxter And when thou canst feel little more than what one styles Lamenting Love are there some stirrings of desiring Love in thee Art thou studious to please God And best pleased with thine Heart when it is readiest to run in the way of Obedience to him If thou lovest God 1 John 4.19 it is from his loving thee first If this Fruit grow in and from thee thou art joyn'd to the Root of Jess When I have written all I can yea when able Writers have done so many will trust as they speak and not try they 'l take it for granted they have received Jesus Christ the Lord though they have nothing like a Proof of it Be it known when men dare not bring their Gold to the Test there is great cause to fear it is not pure and right John 3.20 21. Truth in the inward parts doth affect and not avoid the Light O that they who are willing to try were Humble did attend to the Rule of Tryal the Word of God and did wait for the Spirit 's shines on them The Third Rule of Duty hath a particular reference to those that upon Examination do or may find that as yet the Love of God the Father and his beloved Son as a Propitiation have not been believingly embrac'd by them They should attend to the Advices that are most proper for them whereof The first is Be they willing to entertain Convictions that the Fathers Love and the Sons Blood have hitherto been slighted by them In order to their Conviction in general I shall offer what follows 1. What mean those low thoughts they have of the everlasting Gospel wherein Christ and his Fathers Grace are revealed The Feet of them that bring glad tidings Rom. 10.14 15. should be beautiful in their Eyes but their Faces are not Light from Heaven should be welcomed on Earth but alas it is not so 2. How is it that when the Gospel finds some Entertainment in their Heads it hath no better room and reception in their Hearts Their Hearts do not burn within them when the joyful sound is in their Ears 2 Thes 2.10 The love of that great Truth is not receiv'd together with it nor indeed are such with whom I am dealing desirous it may be so 3. Are not those of them that have some Notions of the worth of Christ far from a due and practical valuation of him 1. Will they sell all that they may obtain the Pearl of great price Is not there some sin or other in the Heart Mat. 13.45 to which it cleaveth fast with which it will not part for Christs sake Flesh-pleasing or Worldliness or Pride bear sway in them 2. Are there not some pieces of Service which they will not touch with especially those of a secret and inward Nature Do they aright come to Christ Mat. 11.28 29. who reject his Yoke 3. Do they when their Duties have been largest and their gifts highest keep up a sharp Appetite to Christ and Free-Grace And now I will offer some passages for the Conviction both of the Profane and of those that are at best but Civilians mere
our Lord Jesus Christ and Love of God the Father is with Gracious Persons He himself is the Author Upholder and Perfecter of Grace By him persons are quickned strengthned sealed and comforted They who had no touch of Enthusiasm or Phanaticism have made this Observation that the Spirits inhabitation is spoken of as joyned to the love of God as shed abroad in the Heart as distinguished from the New Man Rom. 5.5 8 9. See Pool against Biddle from being in the Spirit A late Famous * Doctor Tuckney Professor professeth his full belief that the Holy Ghost himself is given to and dwelleth in Believers and from their being styled the Temples of the Holy Ghost it is genuinely inferred Vide Baxteri methodum part 2. pag. 216. ut foederatus operator that they stand nearly related to his Person as on other accounts it is concluded that he is nearer than we can think to his own Grace and works in a Covenant-way on and in the Gracious Some Proofs that the pouring out of the Spirit argues the Free Rich Grace of the Father are now next us The First whereof is drawn from the consideration of the Dignity and Office of the Spirit As it is said of the Son Phil. 2. that he thought it no Robbery to be equal with God that is the Father the same is applicable to the Spirit And as he is a Person in the Godhead he is that Person that applyes the love of both the other Persons to us Dr. Sibbs Conc. ad lerum From the sweet dropper see words that bear this sense All things proceed from the Divine Essence by the Mediation of the Persons therein and amongst the Persons in the following Order from the Father through the Son by the Spirit Is he not the Spirit of Grace The Second Proof is fetch'd from our considering the meanness yea vileness of the persons on whom the Spirit is poured before he is so Are they not such on whom the Father might justly pour out his wrath Are they not Naturally in their Blood under guilt and filth Was it not thus with those Inhabitants of Jerusalem Zech. 12.10 who were Crucifiers of Christ The Spirit finds though he leaves not persons in a woful yea wilful state at frame The Third Proof is founded on a due viewing and weighing in what manner and measure the Spirit is communicated Is he not poured out most largely and plenteously Is not he in those that are spiritual as a Well and Spring of Living Water Is there not respect had to him John 4.14 7.38 39 when it is said Out of their Bellies flow Rivers of living water Is not every drop from the Spirit most sweet and gracious What Grace is there then in Floods from him The Fourth Proof ariseth from the Blessed Consequents and Effects that follow the pouring out of the Spirit some of which are pointed at in the Context 1. Is he not in those that are his a spirit of Prayer And are not Grace and Supplication joyn'd together Zech. 12.10 I know the Spirit of Prayer is far and far before the gift of Prayer but what gracious Christian should not value both Hath not he hath hath the Spirit of Prayer a Key to Heaven and its Treasure See Mr. Dod. Was ever Man quite undone that was in a Praying frame 2. Is he not also the Spirit of Faith Doth he not open the Souls Eye as well as unbare that Object its Saviour Is he not the Spirit of Revelation 2 Cor. 4.13 Doth he not help such as are stung with and for sin to look on Christ as satisfying Divine Justice Eph. 4.17 that he may satisfie Humane desire And is not the look Healing 3. Is he not withall a Spirit of Repentance Causing that mourning for sin that is of a Godly sort or according to God and savouring sweetly of his Grace being Spiritual 1. As to the rise of it being from him as working Conviction which implyes a clear abiding applicatory discovery of sin and compunction which carries in it griefs and fears 2. As to the grounds of it being 1. For sin as crossing the Divine Law and not onely as procuring Divine wrath and so is for the evil of sin and for all sorts of sins 2. For sin as piercing Christ and so hath love to him at the bottom of it and will be as a Spring still flowing 3. In the Fruits of it which are such as these 1. Weaning the Heart in some good measure from the World and moderating 1. It s Joy in the enjoyment of it 2. It s sorrow for losses in it 3. Tending to break the Heart from sin And 3. Rendring it more soft and flexible to God and Goodness Now who that gives what I have written the weight that belongs to it that takes a true measure Who the Holy Spirit is and how and on whom he is poured being as Floods on dry and bad ground and producing such an alteration thereof and Fruits therein can refrain from saying Here 's Grace to a Wonder May this Holy Spirit concerning whom I am writing and others are to read teach us to make a right Application which shall be first by way of Information Sincere Christians are under the greatest Bonds and Obligations possible to God particularly to God the Father Who can by searching find out how vastly they are indebted to his Grace Have they not all of 'em received a measure of the same Spirit 1 Cor. 2.12 though all of 'em have not received the same measure of the Spirit Of his great Love in giving his Son we have touched In that he who gave his Son to obtain should also give his Spirit to apply Salvation to ' em They whom this Spirit animateth and acteth are the Subjects and should be the Trumpets of exceeding Rich Grace Lest some that I have in mine Eye and on mine Heart should to and in their own wrong put away this word and the comfort of it from 'em and conclude that they have not received the Spirit I will take on me to pose ' em If you had no measure or work of the Sanctifying Spirit 1. How is it that you daily groan being burdened under the weight of sin even the body of sin which you bear about and that with respect to the dishonour that thereby redounds to God Rom. 7.24 Dare you deny that it is thus with you Gravia haud gravitant suo loco Or however your great desire is that it may be so and can you affirm that sin is so heavy in its own Element an unsanctified Soul 2. Whence is it that you see such a surpassing ravishing Excellency in Christ Jesus That when you are not able to say Your Beloved is yours and you are his yet you can say You had rather have an Interest in him than a thousand Worlds Is he not a Pearl in your Eyes A very None-such
1 Pet. 2.7 Not onely as making Peace for you but withall as bringing Power for subduing sin and carrying on Gods Service to you 3. Could you as you feel you do in some degree pant after Holiness and Pureness in your Spirits Do you not Watch as well as Pray against Spiritual defilements Phil. 3.3 Are not your Souls for Spiritualness in Worship Would you not have Faith and Love to influence the Duties you engage in Tell me if you can where those Hypocrites dwell in whom the three qualifications last named meet As for Profane Persons Procul hinc procul ite I may say to 'em stand off stand off From this word which I have applyed to these to whom it is proper and hearken to me that God may hearken to you The next word is very much for you For the Second branch of the first Use is as followeth They that are at a want of the Holy Spirit may hence learn to whom or whither they should go for him Should they not bow their knees and with 'em their Hearts to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and cry Pour O pour of this Holy Water thy Spirit upon us I should have more hope that this Use would be more useful to you if once you well understand your own case and state I may deal with you further about it ere long at present I propound these Questions to you 1. How can you think having the Spirit consistent with such diligent service as the Flesh or the World have from you 2. How can you pretend to be inspired with the Spirit that have not a great care to demean your selves well towards the Spirit and a fear to resist yea to quench or grieve him And O that you would give this a serious thought Can you with confidence look God in the face or hope to escape his dreadful wrath if his Spirit be not in you Could I see or hear of right relentings in your Hearts for your miscarriages with reference to the Spirit and breathings in 'em that he may breath in you yea and be a Guide and Governour to you how joyfully and seriously would I commend you to and commend to you the Grace of God the Father encouraging you to expect this great gift 1. Do not earthly Fathers even evil ones know how to give good gifts to their Children Luke 11.13 Will not the best of Fathers the Heavenly one give the Spirit to humble askers 2. Grace though long slighted Luke 15. per totum hath long Arms and hath 'em open to receive poor Praying Penitents 3. Qui dedit gratiam desiderii da hit gratiam desideratam Will not he that causeth Persons to desire his Spirit if they follow on desiring answer their desire Seeing upon the Fathers giving the Spirit to Persons both he and his Son will be Honoured by 'em and for his Sons sake he doth with his Honour give him The second Use for Reproof The first branch of the Reproof falls full upon them to whom the Holy Spirit and the effusion or pouring out of his Grace is matter of Drollery and scorn It is known that the men of Rome call Protestants in scorn Spiritists See Mr. Brownsword against Popery for their speaking much and honourably of the Aids of the Spirit May this Spirit reprove and convince 'em of this sinful sin May they feel his humbling work that so they may not fall under his destroying Hand Mat. 12.31 32. Are not all the Persons in the Godhead wronged when the Spirit is so Will not Arrows shot at Heaven fall down on their Heads that shoot ' em It is a Lamentation that any are so daring The second Branch is for or if you will against those that make vain pretensions to the Holy Spirit and his differencing workings when indeed they are too much strangers both to him and them O that they who cast off all or at least most of the Institutions of Christ did not cry up themselves as men who have most of the Spirit 1. John 4.23 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doth Worshipping God in the Spirit exclude external Worship pointed at in the Greek word 2. Doth the Spirit speaking in the Heart contradict his speech in the Scripture 3. Doth Baptism by the Holy Ghost shut out Baptism by Water Doth drinking of or into the spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 make against drinking the Sacramental Cup that is set out by that very Phrase Should not Spiritual Persons use and prize Spiritual Ordinances The Third Branch of the Reproof falls to their share with whom the Spirit of God and his Gracious Influences are at an undervalue They neither have nor desire to have him Alas Alas is not this evidently their case 1. Who are sensual Jude 19. living in Carnal Pleasures being given up to ' em 2. Who are inspired with the spirit of the World 1 Cor. 2.12 Earth Earth Earth may be written on their Minds and Affections 3. Heb. 6.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who are utter strangers and that out of choice to those first works of the Spirit which accompany Salvation or have it following ' em 1. Are they enlightned Have they a sight of sin in its sinfulness Of Christ in his Beauty and Glory And of Holyness in its Excellency and Extent Is their knowledge near so much as a spiritual one Is it any more than a meer literal one Hath it in it clearness of Light See Doctor Arrow-smith's Armella which enables Persons to discern things that differ or sweetness of taste for relishing what excels 2. Are they enlivened Doth this appear 1. By their crying or breathing in Prayer after spiritual things Acts 9.11 and Christ with whom they are given 2. Natura principium motus By their motion in other Holy Duties and by the vigour and constancy as well as freeness of it 3. By their sense of what tends to prejudice Spiritual Life Hath not a little living Child a feeling of a small prick of a pin 4. 1 Pet. 2.2 3. By their desire of proper Food and Nourishment particularly of the sincere and unmixed Milk of Gods Word that they may grow thereby Have they an inward concern about these things O that there were such an Heart in ' em May the Lord set this use of Reproof home upon those to whom it of right belongs 1. Shall slighters of or meer pretenders to the Holy Spirit be able to stand in Judgment surely they will not What then will be the end of those that take the scorners Chair and play not onely with sacred things but also with this most sacred Person except Repentance reach their Hearts 2. Will not this to those that hearken to him sweet Friend be found by those that abuse and undervalue him a most severe Foe Can Persons during this state endure the terrors he strikes into their Consciences How then will they be able to
Son may pray down and the Father together with him may pour down the Spirit on ' em Do they this 1. Humbly and self-judgingly Gen. 32.10 in that they are as far as any can be from Meriting one blessed sprinkling or drop thereof Are they not below the lowest Mercy 2. Earnestly and thirstingly May they who have been as the dry be as the opening Ground May they be taught to Plead as well as Pray O that the Teacher of Hearts may be their Teacher May he put into their Mouths such Arguments as follow 1. Lord the Promise of the Spirit is the grand Promise of the New Testament we are cast under that dispensation let us reap the Fruit of that Promise 2. Lord As thy Spirit is a free Spirit so the Promise thereof is a free Promise It is made to the unworthy and to needers Now into that count we fall 3. Lord if we have the Communion and Communication of the Spirit thou wilt have much Glory thereby we shall then Crucifie sin carry on thy service and exercise Grace for thy Names sake give thy Spirit to us 4. Lord though we do not deserve thy Spirit we are sure we desire him and we hope we do so that we may be fitter for the work thou assignest us We have this desire from thy Grace from it let us have our desire accomplished 5. Lord Thy Providence did order that we should come under the Baptism which is by Water when we had not a value for that Priviledge we were on the score and presenting of our Parents received into thy Church will not thy Grace confer on us the Baptism of the Spirit when we are brought to value it And with our Persons to present our Petitions for it to thee But methinks I hear some convinced drooping souls say You would have us Pray and Plead for the Spirit how can we do this without the Spirit Answ By a more common and general assistance of the Spirit you may Pray for his special Influence It may by such be further Objected Though there be a Promise of the pouring out of the Spirit we dare make no claim to it The Promises are made in Christ and made good to those that are in him but we fear we are out of him To such I say 1. Mr. Shepherd Mr. Calamy c. There have been and are choice Divines who have held forth that there are ablolute as well as conditional Promises To be sure there are Promises of Grace as well as Promises to Grace and troubled Persons that dare not claim a Title to the latter Ezek. 36.26 may desire an Interest in the former 2. Mr. How of Blessedness So Rich is Divine Grace that as an acute Writer writes Unpromised Mercies flow on every side us and Hope built on rational Probabilities is well called the great Engine that moves the World and should move the Objectors to pray for the spirit 3. They that dare not apply to themselves the Promise of God Psal 65.2 Soles audire Pool ad locum considering the goodness of his Nature and withall the Evidences thereof in his dispensations to Praying ones have great encouragement to pray for his spirit 4. Can it be thought that any have strong breakings and use earnest crys for the spirit in whom there is not some special working of his It may be some will still Object against themselves they have grieved quenched and resisted the spirit is there any hope they should be made partakers of him Answ Their case if truly represented calls for deep Humiliation yet on their being humbled desperation must be watch'd against Yet this free spirit is free to visit those that have carryed untowardly towards him May such Persons spread before the Lord their great Necessity and his great Bounty And when they most labour under a sense of their own unworthiness make they mention of the All-worthiness of Jesus Christ On this fair and broad bottom they may stand O that they were loath to be driven away from the beautiful Gate of Mercy or to be said Nay what hope would their case have in it The Third branch of the Exhortation hath a special respect to those who have a special Interest in the Holy Spirit and know what it is to have him poured out on ' em Be they excited to wait for further and fuller effusions thereof on their own souls Have they felt blessed drops they should desire to experience what floods and showers are Motives thereunto 1. Hath not God the Father the residue yea the fulness of the Spirits Graces and Influences to Communicate Is there not enough and enough under his Hand 2. Is he not as free as can be wished to fill those that are sensible of their defects Psal 81.10 Hath he not bidden them open their mouths wide 3. Did not the Spouse of Christ joyn'd to him by the Spirit desire that the North-wind might awake Cant. 4. last See Durham on the place Rev. 22.17 and the South-wind blow on her Garden Which expressions are expressive of the various Influences of the Holy Spirit Would not the Bride have Christ to come with further displays of his Spirit to her 4. Do not all the knowing know that larger measures of the Spirit are necessary Have they not Corruptions to subdue Temptations to resist Duties to perform and Graces to exercise None of which can be done further than the Spirit helps their Rom. 8 26. infirmities or * See Mr. Hollingsworth from the Word lifts up over against ' em 5. Is it not clear that a large portion of the Spirit is as excellent as necessary Is it not compared to Rivers of living yea to the best Wine 6. Will not this difference 'em from Hypocrites Are any of that number willing the hand of the Spirit should be on their special sin Or do they desire the Spirit may work in 'em Graces of all sorts To wit 1. Rooting Graces Humility and Self-denyal 2. Raising Graces Faith Hope Love and Joy 3. Spreading Graces Charity to all and loving-kindness to Saints Means for 'em now come 1. Wait they for further Communications of the Spirit in the low way of self-searching and self-abasing Psal 10.17 having a particular sense of their wants and weaknesses Are not the low Valleys usually Richest and best laden with Corn 2. Get they into the clean way of watchfulness Be they duly afraid of obstructing and stopping the Passages through which God the Father useth to convey the Grace of the Spirit which may be done 1. Through the thick clay of Earth by letting their Hearts lye too near it 2. Through the foul Mud of any base Lusts or inordinate appetite by suffering it to enter into Isa 50.1 and stay in their Hearts 3. Keep they in the High-way of Praises for that communication of the spirit that is made to ' em Psal 67. latter end Are not their Hearts most meet
to receive more when they are most enlarged in Thanksgivings for what they have received Have they not matter and ground for high Praises 1. Doth not the Holy Spirit dwell in ' em And doth not that imply 1. That he is very inwardly present with and near to 'em Intimior intimo nostro He is nearer to their Souls than they are to their Bodies 2. That he abides with ' em There is a fixedness and continuance in his Presence He that knocks at the Doors of others Hearts See Reverend Burgess on 1 Cor. 3. Pulsat aliorum corda Dr. Sibbs makes theirs his House and Temple He that moves others at times will not remove from them but stay with 'em for ever 3. That he exerciseth towards 'em much of Familiarity and Condescendence He useth 'em as his special Friends as those of his Family they know such Visitations of his as others are strangers to 2. Will not the Holy Spirit work where he dwells and so fitly furnish his Habitation Will he not be to 'em 1. Rom. 8.14 The most faithful Conductor Shall they not be led by him 2. John 14.26 The most seasonable Remembrancer Will he not write Truths in ' em 3. Rom. 8.2 16. The most powerful quickner Shall they not have Life abundantly 4. The most satisfying Witness Will he not speak to their Hearts Yet in all these workings he is a most free worker taking his own way and time 4. Be they by no means driven out of the good beaten way of earnest believing Prayer On their knees and through their Saviour cry they for the effusion of the Spirit I add That they may more feel the real effects of the Spirit beware they of the Rock on which too many are split to wit making vain and groundless Pretensions to him and his Operations And so in the close of this short Discourse I will offer at the Resolution of some Questions or Cases The First is Are Persons at this day to look for new Revelations from the Spirit Answ 1. They are to look that the Spirit would reveal in 'em what he hath in the Scripture revealed to 'em Eph. 1.17 Vide Arrowsmith Tact. Sac. but that he should add to the Canon and Rule of Scripture and make new Articles of Faith is not to be expected 2. Fish Usher Dr. Winter c. To some choice Favourites that have cleaved to the Scriptures as to matters of Faith he hath strongly suggested what his Providence would do as to matters of Fact This he may do to others The second Case is Is Duty never to be done save when Persons are under extraordinary impulses of the spirit to do it Answ 1. It is brave sailing before full Gales of this Wind and sweet moving when he is sensibly the first mover Yet 2. 1 Thes 5.17 The Spirit speaking in the Scripture calls us to Pray and perform other Duties when there is an Opportunity for it and this Call is to be Answered The Third Case is Is every impulse and strong motion to Prayer or other Duties to be Father'd on the Holy Spirit Answ See Mr. Hollingsworth The late worthy Mr. Oldfield c. This is utterly denyed by the best Divines Though Satan being evil cannot be the Author of Motions that are purely good yet he may excite to a work that is for the matter of it good And if we be moved unseasonably and unreasonably we may fear his hand is in it The Fourth Case is What Use are we to make of those extraordinary motions which some have had to Actions in an ordinary way less defensible as that of Phinehas and that of Sampson Answ We are to think they had full assurance those motives came from the Spirit but our selves should tremble lest we touch with what we have not a clear word for Now the good Spirit concerning whom these Pages are breath in 'em and in those that will give 'em a reading The Lord grant that Writer and Readers may more than ever be filled with the Spirit Amen and Amen A Fourth Instance OF THE RICHES OF GRACE TO WIT Effectual Calling 2 Tim. 1.9 And called us SUch are the difficulties and dangers that attend the Profession of Christianity especially as to those Professors that are Preachers thereof that all encouragements that are given prove few and small enough Blessed Paul who found that his Ministry drew down and deriv'd * Totius mundi furorem So Luther used to say the fury of the World upon him being at the time of his writing a Prisoner calls on his Son Timothy to fet his face on the Wind and Storms and hold on in his Holy Warfare being not onely a Souldier but a Commission-Officer he should quit himself like a good man And to that end he sets before him how highly he with others was Priviledged by and thereby engaged to the Lord In particular he instanceth in his and their effectual Calling and so gives us fair footing for This Doctrine God the Father out of his Free Grace gives Persons a Powerful Call 1. That God the Father is spoken of in the Text is well argued from his being distinguished from Jesus Christ And 2. His Calling of Persons is denyed to have its rise from their Works and expresly affirmed to arise from his purpose and grace Concerning the Calling of Persons sundry distinctions are found at some of which I shall point 1. Ad munus foedus Acts 17.30 It 's either to Office or Grace 2. It is either general so God calls all by the Gospel to Repent Or particular and so he calls his own Sheep and Elect by Name 3. It is either outward onely John 10.3 to the Ear or inward also to the Heart 4. It is either extraordinary Mat. 20.16 Acts 9.4 as Paul was called by a voice from Heaven as was that Ancient that was bidden * Tolle Lege Take and Read and directed to the Verse that turned him Or ordinary by the Ministry of the Word 5. It is either ineffectual or effectual Ex effectu vocationis Hoornbeck Instit p. 342. Some are barely invited others answer the invitation Some so far answer the Lord's Call as to come to the Profession of Christ and external Communion with his Members and so are of the Church considered as visible Idem 343. Others so answer it as to come to the possession of Christ having inward Communion with him as their Head and so are of the Church considered as invisible My short Treatise is to run concerning those that are so called Rom. 9.6 that they are chosen being Israel or Israelites indeed and not onely of Israel And now we will enquire what is implyed in the Notion or Phrase of Effectual Calling For Resolution whereof I shall lay down some Positions The First is Men in their meer Naturals are afar off from God O that they considered this Eph. 2.12 13