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
and at last possession of perfect unending Salvation Who that gives the things touched on the thoughts due to 'em sees not cause for that joyful sound Grace Grace And being to treat on that Covenant which is according to its name in an eminent way the Covenant of Grace my Text treating thereon and having made some mention of two other Covenants I shall present some Positions that present something of its Nature and of its difference from them 1. See Reverend Bulkley on the Covenant Isa 58.10 See Reverend Blake This Covenant is made with Man and so differs from the Covenant of Suretyship that was made with Christ for men 2. This Covenant is made in order to man's Restauration and so differs from the first Covenant that was made in order to man's Confirmation 3. The Covenant runs much in a Promising way and strain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 2.39 It 's called the Promise and is a bundle of Promises 4. The Grand Promise in it is Summa foederis Gen. 17.7 That God will be his Peoples God This is said to be the sum and substance of the Covenant 5. John 3.16 Rom. 4.16 Faith is required in and of those that are so in the Covenant as to be entituled to the Pardon and Salvation promised in it I am aware Camero de foedere c. that in the Writings of great Divines we read of an absolute Covenant and the Covenant we are on is compar'd to that of Noah or made with Noah after the Flood which was of that kind Isa 54.9 God will no more destroy the Earth by Water though its Inhabitants be not well qualified and hereupon excellent men express themselves somewhat differently Some are less free to hear of a condition in the Covenant when others are full for its being Conditional I had rather if I were able make up seeming breaches than attempt to make 'em wider and accordingly shall Note 1. That they who say it is Conditional do not mean that any thing found in man was the foundation of God's making it Ephes 2.8 or that Faith call'd the Condition of it is of a mans self so that he either works it or deserves that God should do it or that where it is wrought it merits what is given into its hand And not a few of 'em say Mr. Jessop M. Baines c. that it is a Condition in the Covenant or a consequent Condition flowing out of the Covenant and conveyed through the Ministry of it Others of 'em say it is from what we call the Covenant considered as a Testament Mr. Barret or however from the Covenant made with Christ he having a Promise that it shall be wrought in those that are given him So that all they intend by asserting the Conditionality of the Covenant is John 3. last that without such a Faith as calls Repentance and Obedience Daughters none that are of years have a right to Justification and Glorification They observe that the current of the Scripture is for joyning Faith and Salvation Repentance and Remission And the Covenant is spoken of as a Matrimonial Covenant and so implyes a consent in those that come within it to the terms and tenor of it And hence it becomes a more proper and full Covenant having God and Man for Parties On the other hand The most valuable among those that are less affected to the term condition in this case grant 1. That God observeth an Order and Method in conferring Covenant-benefits Mr. Capel M. Troughton Mr. Gale c. Mark 16.15 16. so that men receive Grace for and on Grace one blessing depending on another and none of Age shall be saved but believing Penitents 2. That the Covenant of Grace doth directly require Faith as a means of accepting and applying it So Mr. Thoughton and it doth also require Repentance and Obedience consequentially as Qualifications necessary to fit the subject to receive what Faith apprehends in the Promise And may it not be thought that according to these concessions Faith yea and in a sort Repentance do put on the Nature of conditions Induere naturam conditionis and that the thing is owned though the word be not And now I that am not so good at definitions as to give you one of mine own of the Covenant shall take that of another The Covenant of Grace is a new Compact or Agreement which God hath made with sinful man So Mr. Sedgwick out of his meer Mercy and Grace wherein he Promiseth that he will be our God and we shall be his People and undertakes to give everlasting Life and all that conduceth thereunto to all that believe in Christ And having given some account that as we do not gainsay such as say that the New Covenant if we respect the Spirit of it and the intention of its Author takes in a purpose to give to many Grace that will issue in Glory so they do not oppose our assertion that in the external form and proposal of it it is of a conditional Nature We will go on with an Eye to what we find in the Context to set down 1. Vide Dicksoni Therapeudica Sac. The Condition or Qualification of such as are willing to come into Covenant 2. That which is most strictly the Condition of the Covenant 3. That which is styled the Condition of Covenanters As to the first None will heartily consent to the terms of the Covenant but such who are athirst Isa 55.1 and have a Spiritual thirst on ' em In and unto which thirst there are three Ingredients 1. A sense of Soul wants Herein the resemblance holds between the thirst of the Body and that of the Soul A thirsty man needs no one to tell him he wants what is moist cooling and quenching his feeling tells him this to purpose After this manner it is with him that thirsteth after Christ Isa 41.17 and the Father's Grace in him He feels a want of Righteousness Peace and Power 2. This sense of wants is accompanied with pain and uneasiness till a supply be had John 19.28 It is well known natural thirst is not well suffer'd or sufferable Even our Blessed Lord cry'd out I thirst Thus it is with the thirsters under consideration they can no more well bear the want of Water of Life than thirsters that of other Water 3. Thence ariseth a very earnest desire of Refreshing Give a man that is athirst Gold or Pearles if you give him not somewhat to drink he is unsatisfied Tell him you 'l give him drink hereafter that will not serve his turn Quantum pro quantillo he would have it at present What would not a man in extream thirst give to be quenched It 's storied one gave a Kingdom and then cryed How much have I parted with for a little Suitably hereunto they that are Spiritually athirst would very fain share in the Riches of
Prayer Isa 62.1 filling their mouths with Arguments giving God no rest till he give in Spirituals to 'em and look down on his Jerusalem with favour Hos 12.3 being of Jacob's genuine Seed that Wrestled till he prevailed Gen. 32.24 28. and would not part with God without a Blessing 6. The Spirit also shews that he is eminently with and in those who being beset with Crosses hold up and hold out gathering ground and strength and losing nothing in the fire save their dross Was it not thus with Joseph Gen. 49.23 24. whose Bow abode strong when the Archers shot at him 7. They also are above many acted by the Spirit Prov. 16.32 Tit. 3.2 who have a more than ordinary command over their Spirits and Passions and are for shewing all meekness to all men and that when not a few Numb 12.3 nor those small provocations are given ' em Was it not thus with Moses the Man of God who in his ordinary temper was to Temptations to Wrath as moist wet Wood is to sparks that quencheth and is not kindled by ' em 8. The Holy Spirit doth eminently reside in and influence them who can stand in as fast Friends at the Throne of Grace for those by whom their Earthly Glory hath been eclipsed and those by whom they have been opposed and deserted Thus was it with Samuel 1 Sam. 16.1 12.23 that interceded so earnestly for Saul and the Israelites 9. So have they who when they have acted yea and suffered above many for God do still set the Crown and Honour as did Laborious Patient Paul 1 Cor. 15.10 on the Head of Free Grace 10. So also is it with them who are desirous to serve God as they are capable on Earth yet love the coming of Christ and because they cannot get so near to him as they would whilst they live 2 Tim. 4.8 are desirous to dye that they may be nearer him 11. This is also the choice case and state of those who highly esteem God's Ordinances and yet if to their sorrow they be deprived of 'em they can live upon the Lord as a little or great Sanctuary 2 Sam. 15.25 26. May those good Persons who cannot reach those greater measures mentioned be reaching after ' em And may none Bless themselves in their Hearts or state till they have on and in 'em those marks or signs of their having the Spirit which go under the name of adequate and even which all the Sanctified and none but they have 1. One whereof being led by the Spirit out of the love and allowance of sin and out of confidence in self-righteousness and self-strength unto the Lord Jesus for himself and for Righteousness and strength from him John 15.5 There is no Hypocrite that is for abiding in Christ and there is no weak Christian that dare abide out of him 2. Another is longing to find the workings of the Spirit more full and powerful They who have known the gift of God John 4.10 are for asking larger draughts of the Water of Life Hypocrites set stints and limits to themselves as to things of the Spirit A little serves their turn and usually they study * Minimum quod sic what is the very least and lowest degree in Grace as resolving to sit down there whereas weak Christians though they may attain less breath after more and have a real Spiritual Thirst on ' em 3. A Third is Spiritus es tres delicatissima Having a tender respect to the most tender Spirit of God and an Holy care and fear lest injury be offered him and he be as much as by men he can be grieved by inward and not onely outward miscarriages Hypocrites are daring and provoking not trembling lest the Spirits motions be quenched and his Graces lye unexercised and weak Christians accounting the Spirit their Friend are in their ordinary course loath to displease him The Second Branch of the Exhortation hath a particular respect to those who upon tryal do or may find that they have not the Spirit as to any special Interest in and influence from him Be they exhorted to wait in God's way that he would pour out of the Spirit on ' em Under this Head will fitly fall several Directions the Lord direct 'em to their Hearts to whom they belong The First is Be they willing to see that the Spirit of Grace is not in ' em Till their wants appear a supply will not be sought Mat. 9 12. The whole feel not their need of a Physician and so will not make out to and for him Besides what I have offered for their Conviction before I desire they would thus pose themselves 1. Do they study to shew forth the Vertues of Christ Who received not the Spirit by measure 1 Pet. 2.9 from whom all his receive a measure of the Spirit John 1.14 16. Is it in their Aims to be Humble Meek Pure Compassionate Active and Heavenly as he was 2. Have they warm Hearts for such as are and appear Spiritual Do they Love their Society in Spiritual Exercises Do they not rather seek occasions against 'em 1 John 5.1 and take up evil reports of 'em and interpret their real weaknesses to be manifest Wickedness 3. Is Spiritual Worship and Spiritualness in Worship prized and panted after by ' em Phil. 3.3 Do they any thing like Worshipping God in the Spirit O that they that have not the Spirit had their Eyes opened and that state discover'd to ' em The Second Direction is When once they feel their want of the Spirit they should see what a miserable case that is and tremble lest they live and die in it Whilst they live 1. Can they carry on the death of any one sin Rom. 8.13 Will sin dye of it self Or by any Wounds save those which the Holy Spirit makes and gives 2. Can they expect that any Service in which he breaths not will be sweet and acceptable to God Joh. 4.23 24. Doth he not seek such to Worship him as do it in Spirit When they dye if they dye as now they live 1. Have they either Title to or meetness for Heaven 1 Pet. 4.14 Doth not the Spirit fill all the Vessels of Mercy and Glory Could they desire to stay in Heaven if they had admittance into it who want the Spirit of Glory 2. Is not wrath their Portion Will not the Spirit for ever fill those with Confusion that made void all his strivings with 'em in order to their Conversion Will he not be a terrifying Spirit where he hath not been a Sanctifying Spirit Heb. 10.29 And will not wrath lye heaviest on those that have made the greatest resistance to him The Third Direction is When a due sense and fear as to their present state is on 'em cry they in the name of Christ unto God the Father John 14.16 that the
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