less Skill in the Heavenly Trade should take Comfort Hath not the best of Teachers undertaken to be their Teacher Isa 48.17 Should they not wait that he would be so The 25th Position The holy Scriptures given out by the Church's great Prophet do much promote the Converse and Communion between God and Man 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 3.1 1 Kings 6 5-31 Are not the Scriptures the written Oracles of God as distinguished from the Oracle which is stiled vocal Were the Heathen Oracles fit to be named the same day with these Divine Ones 1. Are not these Oracles declarative as of Man's Duty so of God's Love May not they who consult with them and with God in them clearly find the former set before them in the Law Vid. Armillam Catech. Et Wilkinsonii Concionem ad Clerum and the latter displayed in and by the Gospel 2. Are not these Oracles predictive of Man's Destiny as well as directive as to his Duty May not Persons who lay the Scriptures and their Hearts or State together Joh. 5.39 have a Prospect how it shall be and go with them for ever Again Are not the Scriptures the choice Privilege of Persons Among the Advantages of the Jews of old Rom. 3.1 is not this counted the chief 1. Psal 119.105 Joh. 6.63 65. Are not the Scriptures a Light both to their Eyes and Feet 2. Are they not of an enlivening as Well as enlightening Nature 3. Rom. 15.4 Scripturae tuae deliciae meae said an Antient Are they not as Cordials for chearing as well as Food for nourishing I infer 1. That it is incumbent on all Christians to be well settled and satisfied that the Scriptures are from the Inspiration of God and so of the highest Authority Can they who call this in question tho they call themselves Deists through them converse with God Many have excellently See ingenious Mr. Lee. and one lately enlarged on this Subject Poor I hint The Scriptures carry Divine Characters and Impressions savouring sweetly and strongly of the holy Spirit Is not his Testimony to the Gospel which as to us is the Marrow of the Scripture See Renowned Baxter passim 1. Antecedent by Prophecy 2. Concomitant by Miracles 3. Subsequent by Success May I not add There is a Witness stiled Constitutive Se alia manifestat Doth not this Light shew and discover it self 1. In its sublime Doctrines only revealed in and by them 2. Vid. Tact. Sac. In its Majestick Stile Doth no◠Power accompany Plainness 3. 1 Tim. 3.16 Heb. 4.12 In its pure Scope and Drift which is to abase Man and to exalt God i◠Christ 4. In its exact Harmony there being a real Agreement where there is a seeming Difference Would bad Men or Angels have discovered things so holy Could good Men or Angels have discovered things so high as abound therein Inf. 2. It is greatly to be wished that they who by the Testimony of the Church were induced to think well of the Scriptures and by Arguments fetch'd out of it are convinc'd that it is from Heaven did wait for that Witness of the Spirit which is stiled effective Effectivum Dr. Arrowsmith O that the Eyes of our Understandings were cleared to see together with the Truth the Glory of Scriptures O that our Wills were perswaded to be ruled and governed by them What is a meer notional or traditional to a pure spiritual and effectual Knowledg of them Inf. 3. They who cry so loud To Rome To Rome give us cause to cry against their Way and Tenets Do they not reflect foully on Christ's Prophetick Office and that as exercised in giving out the holy Scriptures Do they not charge them 1. See even the Representer himself With Obscurity and Darkness as if God had wrote and sent a Letter from Heaven to Earth which the Saints on Earth cannot read and understand without the Pope's Spectacles 2. With Imperfection and Defectiveness as if they were not a Rule but needed the Eek of their Traditions in order to acquainting Persons with Necessaries to Salvation Inf. 4. They are in a very ill case who cannot trade into Heaven through the small Esteem they have and the little or no use they make of the holy Scriptures Some do scarce read others do not search them How few comparatively are conducted by them to leave every Sin to follow the Lord in all Services and in close of all to exalt Christ Will they not be judged at the last day by the Words which they slight in this Joh. 12.48 Last Inference Comfort falls to their share who in order to the driving of the Heavenly Trade Psal 119.24 make the Scriptures or Counsels of God their Counsellors * Dr. Hammond 1 Joh. 2.20 27. or the Men of their Counsels 1. Have they not an Unction from the Holy One which shall abide 2. Shall they not have Comfort when it will be most comfortable Rom. 15.4 The 26th Position The Commerce and Communion between God and Man is much furthered through the inward Teachings of God's Spirit whom Christ as a Prophet employeth 1. Doth not God evidence his Kindness to Men in that through Christ he communicateth to them the Spirit of Revelation Doth not the Apostle beg this as a choice Boon for the Ephesians Eph. 1.17 2. Are not Men by the Spirit as a Revealer and Teacher 5.8 9. fitted to exercise Graces on the Lord and to derive Grace from him That Christ teacheth Christians by his Spirit is evident 1 Joh. 2.20 27. Vid. Polum ad locum Is not this the Interpretation of that Phrase their having an Unction or Anointing from the holy One Is not the holy Spirit compared to Oil Doth not the word Christians point at Anointed Ones I grant the Oil of Christ's Grace and Spirit hath a softning and cheering Virtue Exod. 25.6 But as Oil was used for Light in the Sanctuary of old the Unction which the Apostle treats of is by him expounded concerning teaching 1. When Ministers are endeavouring to open the Scriptures is it not the Spirit that opens their Understandings Isa 61.1 2. to conceive aright the Mind and Meaning of God in them Psal 45.7 comp with Joh. 3.33 1.41 2. When Ministers have studied to preach profitably is it not the Spirit that teacheth Persons to profit The first Use is for Caution Act. 11.26 Take we heed lest we take in or touch with those who under pretence of crying up the teaching of the Spirit cry down learning by the Word or through the qualified and called Ministers thereof 1. Joh. 16.13 Dan. 10.21 Is not the Spirit of Christ the Spirit of Truth and doth he not lead into and according to the Scripture of Truth 2. Are not those two Orders issued out together 1 Thess 5.19 20. Quench not the Spirit Despise not Prophesyings Doth
as standing in a peculiar relation to them Jude 19. and having a special interest and propriety in them as persons have in their dwellings and possessions Are not these persons Multitudes Multitudes 1. Doth the Pure Spirit dwell in those impure ones who walk after the flesh Rom. 8.1 Gal. 5.16 17 not abstaining from but delighting in those fleshly lusts of drunkenness filthiness and idleness will he endure to be so opposed and affronted where his abode is 2. 1 Cor. 2.12 Doth the Spirit of God dwell where the Spirit of the World doth animate act and rule Are they his habitations that are its drudges and slaves rooting in the earth Ezek. 33.31 even on the day and in the duties and ordinances that are sacred 3. Doth the Spirit of God dwell where Satan the worst of Spirits keeps the house And doth he not so Joh. 8.44 Arrowsmith Tact. Sac. p. in those who look as like him as men and women can do being 1. Filled with wrath envy and malice 2. Addicted to lying and false accusing 3. Employed or at least rejoycing in persecuting O that persons saw and felt that whilst they are in their natural state they are void of the Spirit Rom. 8.9 and so without Christ O that they sorrowed for their own danger and God's dishonour and were afraid of dying yea of living in this condition and cryed and got others to cry that the holy Spirit may be given to and dwell in them The last Inference God's peculiar ones are priviledged ones O happy happy they if they know their Priviledge They are Heavenly Traders and shall not let the Trade fall 1. Gal. 5.22 Will not the Indwelling be an In-working Spirit 2. Shall they not by him be brought from Trading into to live in Heaven May not they say aa the sweet Dropper wrote Dr. Sibbs Motum sentimus medum nesci mus Eph. 4.30 We feel his Motion though we know not the manner of his Presence May they daily demean themselves tenderly towards him and highly bless God the Father and the Son for him The 35th Position The Holy Spirit as a guiding and leading Spirit doth much promote the Heavenly Trade or Communion between God and Man 2. Doth he not guide unto Truth the Truth he hath given out Doth he not also lead into Truth and shew persons the inside and excellency of Truth John 16.13 See Reverend Case on this even as persons that are within a room that 's adorned see the Ornaments of it Doth not the Lord herein at once communicate his will and love to persons And are they not hereby brought to exert and exercise Grace on and towards God 2. Doth not the holy Spirit lead unto duty and to God in it And is it not in the due exercise of duty that persons draw near to God Jun. 4.8 and haâ—e God drawing near to them Can either be expected where duties are wilfully omitted and neglected From this Position I shall first lay down Inferences of Truth The former of them is Persons naturally or in their meer naturals are benighted or in the dark as to holding converse and communion with God Are they not said to be darkness Eph. 5.8 darkness it self or in the abstract A Domino Vide Poium ad loâ—â—m till they become light in the Lord or by and from the Spirit of the Lord Are they not alienated from and strangers to the Life of God that Life which the upright have from and lead with God Eph. 4.18 through the ignorance that is in them O that they saw their want of sight and their loss thereby The latter is The sons and daughters of God are primely priviledged Rom. 8.14 See Dr. Jacomb on this Are not they led and conducted by the Spirit of God As he is the Spirit of Glory filling those with glory that have full Communion with him in Heaven so he is the Spirit of Grace fitting those that are hiâ—â—or such Communion with him on Eaâ—â—â— as they are capable of How happy * O fortunati c. are they if they understand their state and know the things given them of God And now I am to present Rules of Duty The 1st whereof is It is the near concern of all who will give this poor Paper a reading to put it on a fair issue or tryal whether they have known by experience what the guidance and conduct of the holy Spirit is O that many did not vainly trust without serious trying I take the boldness to ask them at least to put them on posing themselves with these Questions 1. Eph. 4.18 Joh. 3.19 Have they seen to their sorrow that once they were not in this good Circumstance Are not Adam's Children born blind as to Spirituals And are they not averse to divine guidance 2. Do they highly value the Mercy of God the Father and the Merit of the Son Eph. 5.8 to both which they are indebted that are led by the Spirit 3. Are they under a daily fear lest they should provoke Eph. 4.30 vex displease and distast this blessed Guide and cause him to be strange to them 4. 1 Joh. 5.1 See Dr. Roberts Believ Evid Do they truly love those who evidence that they are under the Spirits guidance though as to some opinions they are dissenters from them 5. Joh. 16.13 Are they for keeping close to the Scripture of Truth in and according to which the Spirit of Truth doth lead and guide persons 6. Is it their resolution through Heavens help that they will be much on their knees and when on them Luke 11.13 beg the Spirits guidance O that I was assured that all that read this would lay these Marks and their Hearts together 2 Cor. 13.5 The 2d Rule is None should bless themselves in their Hearts and state till they can witness and prove that the holy Spirit is their guide and leader Motives are 1. Is not the path of Life and way of Trading spiritually hidden from all save such as he is the Guide of Isa 35.8 For 2. Is it not a low and yet high way lying as in humility so in heavenly-mindedness 2. Is it not the way of such as are wise for themselves and yet are much for self-denial Is it not by a late worthy well said Dr. Collings in his Lessons That it lyes cross the Fields of Nature down the Narrow Lane of Mortification and up the Mount of Holiness The 2d Motive is Shall any be received into Heaven who slight the Spirits Conduct Psal 73.24 Shall they be happy above who Trade not thither whilest they are here below 3dly Rom. 8.1 1 Cor. 2.13 Eph. 2.2 If persons be not guided by this good Spirit will they not be led by at ill one if not many ill ones or by the Flesh or the World The last Rule is They who drive the Heavenly Trade and have the Spirits guidance should humbly glory in this high Favour shewed them 1. Is not this guide the most able and knowing yea All-knowing 2. Nec fallcre nec falli potest Is he not of all Guides the most true and faithful Will he either mislead or mistake 3. Is he not the most tender and compassionate Guide Doth he not pity such as are apt to go astray 4. Heb. 5.2 Psal 48. ult Will he not be a Guide unto death Will he desert his 5. Will not his Guidings be attended with Efficacy 1. Hos 11.3 4. Will he not so guide as a Mother doth a Child who hlods it by the hand and streng thens it 2. Rom. 6.14 Will he not preserve from a course of sin so that no sin shall have full dominion 3. 1 Cor. 10.13 Will he not support under sore sufferings so that they are kept from sinking that are sighing 4. Will he not at last Land people in the Place and State where Bliss and Blessedness shall have no END
that Sin 3. Were not the Rubs and Impediments which appear as lying in the way between God and fallen Man and so interrupting and hindring their Converse very great ones Doth not this appear 1. If we look up to God Was not Injury offered to him See acute Here 's Tripoâ— as considered in all his Perfections Two of them are especially instanced in 1. Exod. 34.6 His Justice Is not Justice essential to God though in the Exercise thereof his Wisdom is with his Will exercised Is it not a righteous thing with God to take vengeance on such a great and wilful Transgressour Psal 11. ult See the excellent Burgess on this as Man became Was not Justice if not receiving Satisfaction to have had its full course on him 2 The Holiness of God was also highly affronted So Dr. Arrowsmith Is it not from comparing Scripture with Scripture concluded that God is Holiness it self Is he not in his Nature an Enemy to Sin Shall Sin or the Persons that will live in it Psal 5. dwell with him 2. If we look down to Man in his lapsed State there was what obstructed his Communion with God 1. Was not Guilt on him Was he not by and for his Sin bound over to suffer the unsufferable Wrath of God Heb. 12. ult And doth not a Malefactor affect can he well endure the sight of the Judg 2. Was not Filth in him yea was it not in him as a Fountain Could he then delight in him who is most pure yea Purity it self Seeing to him he had the greatest unsutableness Psal 51.5 And now I First Infer There 's all Reason the fallen Man should fall on his knees in a way of Humiliation on account of Sin especially of the first Sin Hath not Sin done that to and against him which no Suffering or other Enemy can do even separate betwixt him and his God 1. Deicidium Doth not Sin in general strike at the Glory yea at the being of God Have not some called it God-Slaughter 2. Was not the first Sin a compre hensive one a very compound of Sins Disobedience with a Witness Rom. 5.19 Vide Baxteri Methodum Witness what England's great Divine wrote of the many Evils bound up in that Volume The 2d Inference Persons of ripe years are in an ill Case and State that know not what it is to be weary of and heavy laden for Sin Should not this be written for a Lamentation Man hath lost as his Conformity so his Communion with God The last Inference Heb. 10.19 20. It 's the Wonder of Wonders that a new and living way is opened betwixt Heaven and Earth for the dispersing of Mercy and acceptance of Duty and that through the Blood of Jesus The 10th Position Through the damage which Man's Fall hath done to his Vnderstanding his Communion with God is no little hindred 1. Eph. 4.18 Is he not alienated and estranged from the Divine Life through the Ignorance that is in him 2. Prov. 19.2 Can the Mind that is without Knowledge and so not good lead any in the right way of honouring God 3. Will God admit the wilfully or willingly ignorant to the peculiar enjoyment of him I add 1. Do not some who are sufficiently Arminianized grant that Man's Mind is maimed through the Fall 2. Tit. 1.15 See renowned Burgess on this 1 Cor. 2.14 Hath not the Scripture written defilement on it Doth it not labour under Frailty and Falshood As to Frailty 1. Can the mere natural Man discern spiritual things in a spiritual manner I am aware that some new Methodists in the Text referred to understand the Sensualist alone in whom the Beast rules the Man Dr. Gl. c. his Mind being wholly inslaved to his Lusts But poor I am loath to leave the Road especially where there is so little Reason for it They are Worthies that construe it of the soully Man Vide Leigh Crit. Sac. the Man whose Soul is most refined having natural and moral Accomplishments Though there be light enough in the Air of Scripture to one that wants sight or an enlightened Eye Spirituals appear not As to revealed Truths the Naturalist discovers not 1. The inside and Glory nor 2. The Scope and Tendency of 'em which is to free Persons 1. from the Reign of Sin 2. for the inwards of Grace And as to Truth essential without a Spirit of Revelation the Knowledge which Persons have of Christ is not 1. Clear 2. Fixed 3. Satisfying or 4. Transforming Again Is not the Falshood of fallen Man's Understanding proved 1. From its pretending to gnide Persons when really it self is misguided by its Lusts and Passion 2. From its spending so many Thoughts on Vanities and Curiosities 3. From its representing things wrongfully variously and partially 4. From the Faultiness that is in its Assent to Divine Truths which alas is rather 1. Slightly then Serious 2. Traditional then Spiritual Hence I First Infer We have all Reason to reason against those Remonstrants that said Men may understand Divine Mysteries without Divine Illumination and against that Pluralist that wrote Eph. 5.8 Vide Examen Arminiapismi that he who exerciseth his Reason may as easily understand the Laws of God as those of his Prince The 2d Inference Their Hearts are not what we would have them whose Hearts do not wish that their heads were as Waters and their Eyes as Fountains of Tears that Trading with and into Heaven is so hindred through want and weakness of Knowledge Doth not this hinder Mens laying out their Love on God and his communicating the Tokens and Testifications of his Love to them Are any Hypocrites duly humbled on this score The 3d. Inference They are most likely and fit to drive the Heavenly Trade to the best Advantage who most wait for the Spirit 's Enlightnings Being 1. Humble Gen. 32.10 making account they are less than the least of God's Mercies how much then below so high a Mercy as this 2. True to the Light they have Eph. 5.8 making it a Light to their Feet joining the Tree of Life to that of Knowledge The 11th Position Through Man's Fall his Memory is so broken that he is rendred unmeet for Trading into Heaven and with the God of Heaven 1. Surely all thinking Men have this Thought that if a Person hath received many clear Notions of God upon the total Failure of his Memory he cannot serve him 2. Without doubt the Solace of a Soul from God dependeth no little upon remembring him as to what he hath said done and received in a way of Satisfaction at his Son's Hands I will not affirm that Knowledge is nothing but Remembrance Eccles 12.1 but doth not the Scripture call for the whole Religion under the notion of remembring I ask 1. Are not the Precepts for remembring Divine things many 2. Are not the Scriptures delivered in a Method tending to
Ministration of the Spirit as well as the Mediation of the Son of God is requisite Are not Christians washed 1 Cor. 6.11 justified and sanctified as in the Name of Jesus Christ so by the Spirit of our God 2. 2 Cor. 13. ult When the Apostle prayeth that Persons may have the Communion of the Holy Ghost doth not that hint that as they have Communion with him so also that by his Influence and Efficacy they are prepared for Heaven and for having their Conversation in Heaven whilst they are on Earth For the further proving of the Position I offer If we look upwards and unto God 1. Is it not the Work of the Holy Spirit to reveal as his Nature and Excellencies so withal the great Mistery of Godliness and the way of exercising the Trade and Transaction that is held with him Eph. 1.17 as also the Laws Priviledges and Advantages that any way concern it Is he not stiled the Spirit of Revelation 2. Is it not the Work of the Holy Spirit as proceeding from God the Father and the Son to instruct and elevate the Hearts of Persons that they may not be intangled in such Employes and Affections as would hinder their Trafficking with Heaven 1 Cor. 7. And also that they may attend on the Lord and the main Business without allowed distraction And now we will a little cast our Eyes down on Man with regard to the Point in hand and under consideration propounding the following Quaere's 1. As to that part of Trade that goes under the Name of Exporting or carrying and sending to Heaven Can any Person do any Duty aright so as to exert Graces therein without the special Aids and Operations of the Holy Spirit Jude 20. Gal. 5.22 Are we not to pray in the Holy-Ghost And are not the Fruits of Faith from him 2. As to what is Imported and fetch'd from Heaven into which count falls increase of Grace and Communication of Comfort Is not his working necessary Eph. 3.16 Are any strenghened with might in the Inner Man save by the Spirit And doth not a late great Divine hold forth that Communion with him is much in Consolation Dr. Owen of Communion From what hath been said and proved I will first lay down some Inferences of Truth The 1st is All the Persons in the All-blessed and undivided Trinity are ingaged having an Hand and Heart in Mans best Good even his spiritual and eternal Welfare Joh. 14. Doth not the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father and the Son as to his Personality so as to the great Office I am pointing at Idem Who that reads this should do it without Admiration The second Inference All that call and would prove themselves Men and Women of God should be exceeding loth to do what is called grieving and demean themselves with all tenderness Eph. 4.30 and due respect to the Holy Spirit of God Should they be chargeable with what would grieve him So Dr. Spurstow and Mr. Hickman if he was as we are capable of grief Or causing him to carry strangely as we do towards those that grieve us Can we have Fellowship or as England's later great Divine would have it read Mr. Baxter Communion with the Father 1 John 3.3 and with his Son Jesus Christ except we be inspired and acted by the Holy Spirit The third Inference They shew that they are not for driving a Trade into and with Heaven whose course carrieth in it a wilful quenching of the Motions and resisting of the Ministry of God's Spirit 1 Thess 5. See on this Reverend Polwheel Boyse Alas is not the World I add Is not the Church considered at large and as to those that cry aloud The Temple of the Lord The Temple of the Lord full of such Persons Whilest some vainly pretend to the Spirit and others vilely scoff at him How many are there that sit at his Summons strive against his Strivings and will by no means be wrought or brought over to a Closure with the Person Acts 7.51 relying on the Mediation and Submission to the Government of Christ The fourth Inference The spiritual Trade shall not quite fall or fail How great soever their Numbers are who do neglect or decline it Will the Eternal Spirit whilest Time lasteth leave off to spiritualize Thousands yea Millions and so hold this Trade up Shall not the Pleasure of God the Father prosper in this Hand The fifth Inference According to the drawing near or withdrawing off the Holy Spirit the Trade into Heaven and the Management thereof doth fude and flourish Doth not the more full and plenteous pouring out of the Holy Spirit since the Ascension of Christ as to his Humane Nature Vicariam navare operam vid. Buxhorn Hist p. Cant 4. ult supply the want of his Bodily Presence Is he not said to be in his stead As this Wind wakeneth the Spices of Grace flow forth Rules of Duty are to come next The first is general All that will vouchsase this poor Paper a reading should take themselves to task and enjoyn their Consciences to give right Answers Have they ever yet experienced what it is to have Communion with the Holy Spirit and with the other Persons in the Godhead by and through him Hath he in a convincing humbling quickening and mortifying Presence and Influence come in to them Are not sundry rigid Separatists said not to have the Spirit Jude 19. The second Rule is They who have not found should humbly and earnestly seek the Effusion of the Holy Spirit should they not cry to the Holy Spirit and to the Father through the Son for the Spirit Zech. 12.10 Should they not wait at the foot of the Promise made of him If once God gives them hearts to ask will he not answer them Should not Spiritual Traffick be esteemed Luke 11.13 The third Rule is They who have the Holy Spirit should evidence it by their being spiritual and heavenly Traders and by their studying to excel therein Should they not be alwayes abounding in the Work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. ult Adding unto Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge c. For being filled with the Fruits of Righteousness Phil. 1.11 and fitted for the Crown of Righteousness should their souls cry The fourth Rule They whose hearts are by the holy Spirit set on driving the spiritual Trade should take the Cordials which God offereth them Was it not the sweet Psalmist's Infirmity Did he not see Psal 77.2 that it was so to refuse to be comforted Alas many of the Excellent of the Earth labour under that weakness they put the Word of Consolation away from them Shall not all that hold converse with God by his Spirit find their Trading in Grace issuing in the gain of Glory 1 Pet. 4. Is he not the Spirit of Glory The 31st Position Spiritual Commerce and Communion between Heaven and
And now I proceed to Rules of duty One is They who want the Regenerating work of the holy Spirit should by no means or with no willingness want breathings after it O that many did pray and cry Psal 51.10 Create in us O Lord new hearts O that so many were not insensible of their sad case O that they posed themselves after this manner Have we the characters and signs of Regeneration by and from the Spirit Who 1. Never yet bitterly bewailed our first being in the flesh which hath some being in the spiritual Rom. 7.24 Nor 2. do yet go much with praises to the Author of Regeneration nor study to give the praises of the life together with those of the lip to him or to answer an High Birth in an holy Walk 1 Pet. 2.9 Can they walk with God that walk not in the Spirit or they walk in him that do not live in him Gal. 5.16 25 May they who cannot regenerate themselves and are not worthy that God should regenerate them wait on and love the Ministry of the Word 1 Pet. 1.23 where it is plainly and practically preached that being the blessed seed which the regenerating Spirit doth usually use Employ they the Son of God to pray down the Spirit on them Plead they 1. That they are true and great needers of him Luke 11.13 2. That the glory of supplying them will redound to him Another Rule respecteth those whose hearts the Spirit as a Regenerator hath wrought on Psal 149.6 The high praises of God should flow from their hearts and be in their mouths Have persons these evidences of life 1. Rom. 7.14 Sensibleness of sin tho' counted small as contrary to it 2. Acts 9.11 Breathing in prayers and desires that are spiritual 3. 1 Pet. 2.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Catching at the breasts and desiring food and strength spiritual Are not they the blessed of the Lord Is not their dwelling on high Is not God in Christ their dwelling-place Psal 90.1 Is not that communion with him begun which shall by graces hand be perfected The 33d Position Through the Holy Spirit as uniting Persons to Christ the Spiritual Trade or Communion between God and Man is promoted That it is one of the Offices of the holy Spirit to cause an union betwixt Christ and those who are made sincere Christians is a great Truth on which many years ago I more than touched 1. 1 Cor. 6 1◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is not he that is joyned truly and closely glued to the Lord in this sense One Spirit Davenantius Polus ad locum or one spiritually one with him through and by the Operation of the holy Spirit 2. Do not Divines who write of the union of persons to Christ Col. 2.19 and of the two bands thereof write of the Spirit as being the principal band 2 Cor. 4.13 See Nortons Orthod Evang Heb. 12.2 the band on his part And 3. Is not the holy Spirit the Spirit of Faith the Author as well as the Finisher of that Faith that is the other band That the Spirit considered under this notion surthereth Trading with and into Heaven is evidently evident 1. Is not Union to Christ the foundation of Communion with Christ 1 Joh. 5.12 Have any Life spiritual that have not the Son Have not all that have the Son such Life Doth not receiving further grace from Christ flow from receiving Christ And ◠John 1.3 2. Is it not through Christ the Son that persons have communion with the Father Is it not on their being and abiding on him that the way between Heaven and Earth is kept open 1. Have any save those that are in Christ by way of union the dews of Heaven lying on their fleece When the Lord blesseth persons with spiritual blessings in heavenly places or things Eph 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is it not in Christ 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Can any save those that have union to Christ perform duties in a due that is spiritual and so acceptable manner Doth not Christ say to his peculiar disciples Without or separate from me ye can do nothing that is nothing aright Augustine Doth not one called a Father thus gloss thereon He saith not no great thing but nothing The 1st Inference is They are surely less worthy of the Christian Name how elegant soever their Tongues or Pens were who have spoken or written in a drolling way Dr. Parker Dr. Sh. as of persons having the Spirit so of their being any way save politically united to Christ Are they not well sent to School to an eminent Doctour Dr. Patrick Can they be counted Friends of or well-wishers to Spiritual Trading May he that survives well weigh as well as view what England's late great Divine wrote to him Mr. R. B. The 2d Inf. That persons may hold Communion with the Lord and Trade with and into Heaven they should long to know if they have not known and that experimentally what it is for the Holy Spirit to perform this Office for and in them Should they not be loth not to be as Members united to the All-blessed Head 1. Be they willing he should take his own way and method to work and cause this Union Joh. 16.8 9. Will he not prepare the House he possesseth and furnisheth Jude ult Is not he as are the Father and the Son one in Essence with him All-wise yea the only wise God If he make use of his Word that is a sharp sword yea of that part of it the Law in order to the convincing persons of sin and self-emptiness and so of cutting them off from the old ill Stock Adam as corrupted should not they be complyant 2. Be they afraid lest they should mistake in taking up with a shew and pretence how specious soever of this Union without the reality of it Gal. 6.6 God will not be mocked Should not Men be unwilling to be deceived in a matter of so great moment What are notions of Christ What are common though to others useful gifts from Christ if compared with union to him I add What is that union that is by way of adhaerence or appendance to him such as is that of a branch tyed to a Vine unto that of inhaerence and implantation Joh. 15.2 5. as is that of a branch this is and abides in the Vine 3. May they pray to the Spirit and to the Father for the Spirit and in their praying employ the Son as Mediatour Joh. 14.16 that this Work may be wrought in and for them joyning unto Prayer Pleas of this sort 1. Blessed Lord Those have been joyned unto Christ by grace that were by nature as distant and disunited from him as we can possibly be Isa 59.1 2. Is not thy power for uniting us to him as great as ever Is not thy willingness in
the case sufficiently declared Art thou not in and by the Ministry of the Word moving on and striving with us Art thou not in some measure inclining us to beg this great boon and to be earnest that thou wouldest grant it 3. Blessed Lord If thou wilt vouchsafe in this particular to hear and answer us will not much glory redound to thee as well as much benefit accrue to us For thy Names sake By thy Spirit cause this Union Sinful and therefore sad is their state who willingly resting on this side Union to Christ cannot Trade into Heaven nor lay a rightful claim to the Joys thereof but lye in the mouth of eternal Condemnation Mark 16.15 16. The last Inference They who have real special spiritual Union to Christ as they are to ascribe it to all the Persons in the Godhead and particularly and more immediately to the Holy Spirit the third in order of the Persons they are to be much in the high and noble Work of Praise Eph. 1.3 1. Do not their hearts lye open to Heaven and doth not Heaven stand open to them O the sweetness and preciousness of this Entercourse 〈◊〉 which alas Millions are utter strangers 2. Ps 138. ult Will not the Lord perfect that which concerneth them Doth not hiâ— mercy endure for ever Did not purely free mercy move him to lay the first stone and shall not the last be broughâ— forth with shouting crying Mercy Mercy 3. Are not they by being in and united to Christ out of the reach and gun-shot of divine wrath How many corrections soever they may meet with Is there any so much as one Condemnation upon or before them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8.1 4. Col. 1.27 Is not Christ in them the hope of glory Is he not the ground oâ— which they may groundedly expect the possession of it Shall not that Communion that is spiritual issue and end end in that which is and will be eternal The 34th Position Trading with or into Heaven or Communion between God and fallen Man is much furthered by the Indwelling Spirit or the Spirit as dwelling in persons The Doctrine of the Inhabitation of the Holy Spirit being high and being misunderstood some hints shall here be given concerning it And 1st See worthy Mr. Barret on the Covenants They as I and my betters judge fall too low whose opinion is that the Spirit 's indwelling in the faithful implyeth no more than his being essentially with them Who is there with whom he is not In this sense Psal 139.7 c. Whither can men go or flee from this presence 2. Undoubtedly they rise too high who assert such an indwelling of the Holy Spirit in persons that they become one person or one personally with him 1. One that excell'd has observed See the excellent Tuckney on 2 Pet. 1.4 that this Tenent draws after it the affirming that there is an Incarnation of the Third Person in the Trinity as well as of the Second and a dwelling of the Fulness of the Godhead in the Members of Christ as well as in him their Head 2. Acute Hollinworth Another Worthy expressed his dissatisfaction with that assertion in this manner Whereas the Holy Spirit is both indivisible and omnipresent this representeth him as divided and limited as if he was personally here and there in Peter and Paul and other Saints and not in intermediate places 3. Poor I am well satisfied and judgâ— it safe to keep the Excellent of thâ— Earth company who hold and holâ— forth that the Communion of thâ— Holy Ghost as well as the Grace 〈◊〉 Christ 2 Cor. 13. ult and Love of God the Father is with gracious persons and that in sound sense the Spirit is together witâ— his gifts given to them See Dr. Jacomb on Rom. 8. And Baxteri Methodum And Pool against Biddle Rom. 8.9 10 5.5 6. 8.16 26. Do not dâ—vers Texts attest that he is peculiarâ— related to and doth peculiarly operaâ—â— in them Is it not he himself that worâ— eth and preserveth grace in them thaâ— witnesseth to and with their Spirits 〈◊〉 that helpeth their infirmities thaâ— strengtheneth quickeneth and sealeth them And now at length I offer at proving the Position 1. Doth not the Holy Spirit as dwelling with and in the sanctified excitâ—â— to direct in and enable for the duties in which the Spiritual Trade is drivenâ— 2. Doth not the holy Spirit furnish and supply the sanctified with those soul-solacing or at least soul-supporting comforts wherewith the performance of those duties is rewarded and so encouraged Gal. 5.22 Is not Joy reckoned among the Fruits of the Spirit and iâ— not this Joy of the Lord the souls strength Neh. 8.10 Is it not as oyl on the wheel that furthereth its motion And now I 1st infer That the condescension of the holy Spirit and consequently of the Father and Son from whom he proceedeth is well worth wondering at Will God indeed dwell on Earth 2 Chron. 6. will he that thinks it no robbery to be equal with the other Persons in the Godhead dwell in the hearts of those who dwell on earth Can we refrain crying O admirable Doth not this his dwelling imply 1. A Presence that hath much of inwardness May not that Phrase of one be here applied Intimior intimo nostro 1 Cor. 6.17 He is nearer to the faithful than they are to themselves Is he not more to their souls than their souls are to their bodies 2. A Presence in which there is permanence and continuance Pulsat aliorum corda Dr. Sibbs John 14.16 21. Doth not this blessed Lord who knocks at the doors of others hearts come into and inhabit theirs Are they not as his Temples Doth not he who only moveth others as he did Sampson at times abide with them for ever 3. A Presence that hath much of familiarity Are not persons familiar and open-hearted in their dwellings Do they not count their houses their castles where they may safely communicate their secrets Doth not the holy Spirit open much of his mind and love to those that are an habitation to God John 14 21. through him Doth he not manifest himself to them as he doth not manifest himself to the World 2. A 2d Inference is They who believe the Position I am on and Head the hints given concerning it cannot call in question this great fundamental Truth 1 Cor. 3.16 that the Spirit of God is very God Doth not his being as essentially so graciously present with all the sanctified yea as to peculiar operations in them all in all parts and places of the world sufficiently prove that he is immense infinite and unbounded Is any Being so save he that is the Being A 3d. Inference They cannot in their present state hold Communion with God or have their converse and conversation in Heaven who willingly want the Indwelling Spirit or the Spirit