are up and doing will not the Lord be gracious with them But O how dangerous are Deferrings The last Inference is Convinced humbled dejected ones may take much Encouragement and should in the face of many Discouragements come to and lay hold on God's Strength and Son that they may be at Peace with him Isa 27.5 Have they not his Word and can they desire a better Warrant that on their so doing they shall be at Peace with him Should they not in holy Duties go for and fetch Grace from him Is it any Presumption in them to come to him seeing they have a particular Call and a particular Promise that they shall be welcome Tho they have much dishonoured God by Sin will not God count himself much honoured by their believing on him whom he hath sent Joh. 6.29 30. The 18th Position That there might be Commerce and Communion between God and fallen Man he who was and is God became Man Was not the Word essential the Word which is God Joh. 1.14 manifest in and made Flesh Did he not partake of the Human Nature Tho he ceas'd not to be what he was Non transmutando quod erat c. Boxhorn p. 1 2. did he not begin to be what he was not Blessed be God great Men do now undertake those who call and count themselves Wits that disbelieve the Mysteries which the Scripture mentioneth among which is that great Mystery of Godliness or Religion Dr. Tillotson Dr. Stillingfleet Tho the Godhead was not altered was not the Manhood assumed into Personal Union with the second Person or subsistent in it 1 Tim. 3.16 Long have poor I been affected with the sententious Saying of a late Worthy Mr. Norton Orth. Evang. whose Name is precious in both Englands God and Man met in one Person that God and Man might meet in one New Covenant I add and so in one Communion That he who was the Son of God from Eternity became the Son of Man in the fulness of Time is a Fundamental in Christianity is argued at length elsewhere Here I hint 1. Our choice Divines own that being Anointed respects Christ's Human Nature tho it 's said Idem Bucanus the Name or Word Christ pointeth at the Person consisting of both Natures 2. Is it not intimated in the very first Edition of the Covenant of Grace that the Serpent's Head or Power Gen. 3.15 was to be bruised by the Seed of the Woman Tho the secondary Seed or Generation of the Faithful are included as sharing in the Conquest as to the Benefit of it No doubt the primary Seed to wit Semen primarium Christ is primarily intended as the Conqueror And doth not he who delivereth out of Satan's Hands by way of Power Heb. 10.20 21. deliver out of the Hands of his Father's Justice by way of Price and so make way that God who is offended and Man who hath offended may converse together That the Incarnation of the Son of God conduced to restore lapsed ruined Man as to Reconciliation so to Communion with God is evident Is there not such a vast even infinite distance between the All-glorious Creator and the Apostatized Creature that Man could not think of such a thing as an immediate Access and Address to God Had not God made a low stoop to Man 1 Tim. 2.5 and so drawn nigh to him how can we think that he should have adventured to draw nigh to God I ask 1. Is it not upon God's matching into and with our Nature that he deals in a familiar friendly way with our Persons See Mr. Jeanes his Mixture Do not deep Divines say that the substantial Mediation must be presupposed as the Ground of the actual Mediation 2. Quod non assumsit non redemit If the Human Nature had not been assumed had we who partake of it been redeemed 3. Is not the Human Nature in Christ the great Channel through which as the Divine Nature is the first Fountain from which Grace floweth and is communicated to Christians And so I infer 1. That those Tenents are erroneous Gal. 4.4 and carry much of danger in them which cast any Reflection on the Truth and Worth of Christ's Human Nature See Dr. Usher's Immanuel Was not the Son of God made of and conceived in a Woman Was not part of her Substance sanctified that it might be the holy Thing united to the second Person in the Trinity The second Inference is The Wonders shew'd in God's Word do far and far transcend those called the Wonders of the World Isa 9.6 Is not Wonderful one of Christ's Royal Titles and that as he is a Son given and a Child born to and for us Was it not admirable that his Father should prepare for him a Body That he who is Infinite should take on him the Human Nature that is Finite Rom. 8.3 See the Engl. Annotat and that after Man was fallen and so appear tho not in sinful Flesh yet in true Flesh and in the likeness of sinful Flesh Yea that he should take on him as the Nature of Man so the State of Infancy and the natural Infirmities thereof Did not the holy Spirit wonderfully tie the Knot between the Divine Person and Human Nature See excellent Usher in the Bride-Chamber of the Virgin 's Womb The third Inference Every Man and Woman to whom the Gospel comes will be found inexcusable who slighteth the Lord Jesus Christ and lives without him and that Communion with his Father Acts 4.12 that is to be had in and through him Alas 1. Some are Neglecters of or negligent in the management of holy Duties and Ordinances Are they not as Atheists or Formalists 2. Not a few by living in Worldly Fleshly or Devilish Lusts dishonour the Human Nature which God hath highly honoured Will not Christ in his Human Nature sit as Judg Act. 17.31 and condemn those that die in this Guilt Will they not be thought worthy of the sorest Punishment The fourth Inference It 's the great Duty of Christians in the management of all Duties that they may maintain Communion with God in them to eye and employ the Lord Jesus Christ Is he not a Non-such Is any other Person God-man Immanuel Is it not through him Joh. 14.6 and him alone that God comes to Man and Man goes to God The fifth Inference Drooping Christians should lift up their Heads and Hearts Heb. 2.15 4.15 Manet Compassio c. Is not God become Man and will he not be tender of Man From him that is Man is received Satisfaction that Man may receive Salvation The last Inference is They who are in Heaven do and well may admire the Lord Christ Is not he in their Nature gone to Heaven Heb. 10.20 Joh. 14.2 and that in the Nature of a Fore-runner to make a way for them thither and of an Harbinger to
Earth God and fallen Man is much furthered by the Holy Spirit as a revealing Spirit A Touch hath been on this a little I will enlarge on it 1. Is it not by the holy Spirit Eph. 1.17 Vide Bodium ad lo um that the All-blessed Three in one with whom Communion is held is manifested and made known so as he is not to the world or to any save those that are called out of it Doth he not reveal outwardly 2 Cor. 3. ult and inwardly unto and in them especially in the Gospel-grace the Divine Glory 2. Is it not by the holy Spirit that the Lord Jesus in his Person Offices and Estates through whose Mediation God comes to Man and Man goes to God is declared Joh. 16.13 14. See Dr. Owen on this Doth not the Spirit glorifie Christ in taking what is his and shewing it unto those that are his Is not the Gospel hid as is He that is held forth in it to those lost ones into whose Hearts the Spirit shines not 2 Cor. 4 3 4. Is it not the holy Spirit that so makes known the Duties in which and Graces by which spiritual Communion is maintained that Persons are duly exercised in the one 1 Cor. 12.2 3. Gal. 5.16 25. and do truly exercise the other Can spiritual Duties be done or spiritual Dispositions be shewed by any save those whose Eyes the Holy Spirit has anointed The first Vse of this Position is for Conviction of sin 1. Doth it not fall on those who though they give the Word of God an hearing which alas some will not do Isa 59. ult are slighters of and not waiters for the holy Spirit which is put into the same Promise with it whose Office it is to lead Persons into the knowledge of it and of managing the spiritual Trade by it Do they duly value the Spirit of Revelation 1. Who are not for being clothed with Humility Psal 25.9 Job 42.5 6. Do not such as lye low lye fair for enlightings And doth not the Light of Life shew Persons matter for Humiliation 2. Do they value the revealing Spirit whose Carriage towards him is very untoward and cross doing what in them lyes to quench the Sparks that are of his kindling 1. See Mr. Pol-wheel on 1 Thes 5. By pouring on the foul Water of sensuality and Flesh pleasing Or 2. By heaping up the dust of Worldliness and Earthliness Or however 3. By withholding Fewel and slighting Ordinances O that these persons were in Mourning for their sin and did set themselves under a clear and searching Ministry and cryed that the Spirit would open their Understandings Can any expect he should be a glorifying who have not found him an enlightning Spirit 2 Thes 1.8 9. Shall not they who willingly want inner light be cast into and kept for ever in outer darkness The second Vse serves to quicken all enlightned persons to duty yea to divers duties proper for and incumbent on them Particularly 1. To Thankfulness that when the things that concern the spiritual and eternal Peace are hid from the eyes of many Mat. 11.25 they are revealed to and in them 1 Cor. 4.7 Who made them to differ Or what save Grace mov'd him to it 1. Hath not their Knowledge clearness in it Are not they of those who seeing so see as to perceive John 16.13 and discover the inside beauty and glory of Truths See Arrowsmith 's Armilla And so 2. Hath not their sight sureness and satisfy ingness in it Do they not in some measure arrive at assurance of Understanding having settlement in the Truth Col. 2.3 3. Scientia gustus 1 Pet. 2.3 Is not their Knowledge that of Tast and Experience Have they not Palats that are spiritualized Do they not know the sweetness of Grace A 2d Duty to which they are quickned is waiting for further and fuller Revelations 1. Have they any more than dawnings 1 Cor. 13.9 10. if their light be compared with the day of Glory 2. Will not the beauty of their spiritual Trading increase together with their brightness A 3d. Duty to which they are excited is walking as they should do who would shew they have the Spirit of Revelation being acquainted with those secrets that are peculiar to such 1. See Dr. Cheynell on Gen. 18.19 Humbling secrets May they know to the best purpose what it is to put their Mouths in the dust to cherish sorrow Lam. 3.29 that is after or according to God! May this stream rise so high 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 7.10 Phil. 3.8 9. as to carry them out of an unwarrantable confidence in self-righteousness in order thereunto may they know 2. Convincing Secrets May they see sin as by sun-light which shews how moates abound in the air Joh. 16.9 c. Neh. 3.12 May they see that it is an evil thing May they see what too few see the evil that is in an heart of unbelief 3. Isa 40. ult May strengthening secrets be revealed to and in them May they know from experience what it is to be strengthened with strength in their souls or inner man Eph. 3.16 May they run the way of God's Commandments and not be weary May they walk and not faint And so 4. May also comforting secrets be communicated to them May the holy Spirit take them down into Christ's banquetting-house Cant. 2.4 May his banner over them be love May they have so as to feel those strong Consolations that are able to hold up their heads and hearts in a dying hour Heb. 6.18 May they in seeing see the great Things of the Gospel To wit 1. That the Lord Jesus is Immanuel God with us Isa 7.14 Joh. 1.14 God manifested in the flesh or humane Nature Do not heaven and earth Infinite and Finite meet in him 2. That sincere Christians 1 Cor. 6.17 though distinct persons from Christ are in near union and relation to him Are they not ingrafted into this Vine and espoused to this Husband 3. That in the Justification of a believing sinner there is a royal exchange Are not his sins inputed to Christ 2 Cor. 5.21 Is not Christ's Righteousness in order to their acquittance and acceptance imputed to him May they withal as to great Gospel-Duties well know 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 9.24 What it is utterly to deny themselves as self stands opposed to the Honour of God the first Cause the chief Good the Highest Soveraign and the last End And as it lyes cross to the advantage of men should any Christian say after Cain Am I my brothers keeper 2. Gal. 2.20 What it is to be crucified with Christ and to have Communion with him in his death deriving from him as slain sin-slaying Vertue so that the death of sins that were as Dalilah's may be real and gradual through the actings of Faith 3. Job 23.4
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