234 SANCTIFICATION A PROGRESSIVE WORK. of grace before it issues in glory. " For the path of the " just is as the shining light, that shineth more and " more to the perfect day," Prov. iv. 18. So is their path wherein they are led and conducted by the Holy Spirit, even as the morning light, which after it once appears, though it may be sometimes clouded, yet fail - eth not until it arrive unto its perfection. And as the wisdom, patience, faithfulness, and power which the Hay Spirit of God exerciseth herein are unutterable, so are they constantly admired by all that are interested in them: so are they by the Psalmist, Psal. lxvi. 8, 9. Psal. xxxi. 17. Who is there who bath made any dili- gent observation of his own heart and ways, and what have been the workings of the grace of God in him, and towards him, to bring him unto the stature and mea- sure whereunto he is arrived, that doth not admire the watchful care and powerful workingsof the Spiritof God therein? The principle of our holiness, as in us, is weak and infirm, because it is in us; in some td so low a degree, as is oft-times unto themselves imperceptible. This he preserves and cherisheth, that it shall not be overpowered by corruptions and temptations. Among all the glorious works of God, next unto that of re- demption by Jesus Christ, my soul doth most admire this of the Spirit in preserving the seed and principle of holiness in us, as a spark of living fire in the midst of the ocean, against all corruptions and temptations wherewith it is impugned.' Many breaches are made in and upon our course of obedience by the incursions of actual sins, these he cures and makes up, healing our backslidings, and repairing our decays. And he acts the grace we have received by constant fresh sup- plies. He wants much of the comfort and joy of a spi- ritual life, who doth not diligently observe the ways and means whereby it is preserved and promoted. And it is no small part of our sin and folly, when we are negligent herein. All believers are, no doubt, in some measure con- vinced hereof, not only from the testimonies given unto it in the scripture, but also from their own experience. And there is nothing in themselves which they may more distinctly learn it from, than the nature and course of their prayers, with the workings of their hearts, minds and affections in them. Let profane persons de- ride it whilst they please, it is the Spirit of God, as a Spirit of grace, that enables believers to pray and make intercession according to the mind of God. And here- in, as he is the Spirit of supplications, he copieth out and expresseth what he worketh in them as the Spirit of sanctification. In teaching us to pray, he teacheth us what and how he worketh in us. And if we wisely consider his working in our hearts by prayer, we may understand much of his working upon our hearts by grace. It is said, that he who searcheth the hearts, that is God himself, knoweth the mind of the Spirit in the intercessions he .worked: in us, Rom. viii. 27. There are secret powerful -operations of the Spirit in prayer, that are discernableonly to the great searcher of hearts. But we also ought to inquire and observe, so far as we may, what he leads us unto and guidesus about, which is plainly his work in us. I do not think that the Spi- rit worketh supplications in us by an immediate, super- natural, divine afflatus, so as he inspired the prophets of old, who oft-times understood not the things uttered by themselves, but inquired afterwards diligently into them. But, I do say, (let the proud carnal world des- pise it whilst they please, and at their peril) that the Spirit of God doth graciously, in the prayers of be- lievers, carry out and actuate their souls and minds in desires and requests, which, for the matter of them, are far above their natural contrivances and invention. And he who bath not experience hereof, is a greater stranger unto these things than will at length be unto his advantage. By a diligent observance hereof, we may know of what kind and nature the work of the Holy Ghost in us is, and how it is carried on. For bow, in general, doth the Holy Spirit teach us and enable us to pray? It is by these three things: (1.) By giving us a spiritual insight into the promises of God, and the grace of the covenant, wherebywe know what to ask upona spiritual view of the mercy and grace that God bath prepared for us. (2.) By acquainting us with, and giving us an experience of our wants, with a deep sense of them, such as we cannot bear without relief. (3.) By creating and stirring updesires in the new creature for its own preservation, increase, and improvement. And, in answer unto these things, consisteth his whole work of sanctification in us. For it is his effectual communication unto us of the grace and mercy prepared in the promises of the covenant through Jesus Christ; hereby doth he supply our spirit- ual wants, and sets the new creature in life and vigour.
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