TO TILE oomntodate the'doctrines treated of unto practice; and that I dare not treat of things of this nature in any o- ther way, but such as may promote the edification of the generality of believers, they will either be of my mind or it may be without much difficulty admit of my excuse. However, if these things are neglected or des- pised by some, yea, be they never, so many, there are yet others who will judge their principal concernment to lie in suds discourses as may direct and encourage them in the holy practice of their duty. And whereas the way, manner, and method of the Holy Spirit in his operations, as to this work of translating sinners from death unto life, front a state of nature unto that of grace, have been variously handled by some, and severely re- flected on with scorn by others, I have endeavoured so to declare and assert what the scripture manifestly teach- eth concerning them, confirming it with the testimonies of some of the ancient writers of the church, as I no way doubt but it is suited unto the experience of them who have in their own souls been made partakers of that blessed work of the Holy Ghost. And whilst in the substance of what is delivered, I have the plain testimo- nies of the scripture, the suffrage of theancient church, and the experience of them who do sincerely believe to rest upon, I shall not be greatly moved with the censures and opposition of those who are otherwise minded. I shall add no more on this head, but that whereas the only inconvenience wherewith our doctrine is pres- sed, is the pretended difficulty in reconciling the nature and necessity of our duty, with the efficacy of the grace of the Spirit, I have been so far from waving the consi- deration of it, as that I have embraced every opportu- nity to examine it in all particular instances, wherein it may be urged with most appearance of probability. And, it is, 1 hope, at length made to appear that not only the necessity of our duty is consistent with the effi- cacy of God's grace; but also that as on the one hand we can perform no duty to God as we ought without its aid and assistance, nor have any encouragement to at- tempt a course of obedience without a just expectation thereof; so on the other, that the work of grace itself is no way effectual but in our compliance with it in a way of duty; only with the leave of some persons, or whether theywill or no, we give the pre-eminence in all unto grace; and not unto ourselves, The command of God HEADERS. vii 'I is the measure and rule of our industry and diligencein a way of duty; and why any one should.be discouraged from the exercise of that industry which God requires ' of him, by the consideration of the aid and assistance which he bath promised unto him, 1cannot understand. The work of obedience is difficult and of the highest importance; so that if any one can be negligent thereiny Ibecause Godwill help and-assist him, it is because he hates it, he likes it not. Let others dowhat they please, II shall endeavour to comply with the apostle's advice upon the enforcement which he gives unto it: Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his own good pleasure." These things, with sundry of the likenature, falling unavoidably under consideration, have drawn out these discourses unto a length much beyond my first designt which is also the occasion why 1 have forborne the pre- ; sent adding unto them, those other parts of the work ofthe Holy Spirit, in prayer or supplication, inillumi- nation with respect unto the belief of the scripture, and right understanding of the mind of God in them, in the communication of gifts unto the church, and the cons. lotion of believers, which most now wait for anotherop- portunity, if God in his goodness and, patience shall be pleased to grant it unto us. Another part of the work ofthe Holy Spirit consist- eth in oar sanctification, whereon our evangelical obe- dience or holiness doth depend.. How much all his or perations herein also are by some despised, what endea- vours there have been to debase the nature of gospel obedience, yea, to cast it out of the hearts and lives of Christians, and to substitute an heathenish honesty at best in the room thereof, is not unknown to any, who think it their duty to inquire into these things. Hence. I thought it not unnecessary, on the occasion of treat -. ing concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in our sane::-:. tification, to make a diligent andfull inquiry into the true . nature of evangelical holiness, and that spiritual life unto God which all believers are created unto in Christ Jesus. And herein following the conduct of the scrip- tures from first to last, the difference that is between them and that exercise of moral virtue which someplead for in their stead, did so evidently manifest itself, as that it needed no great endeavour to represent it unto . any impartial judgment. Only in the handling of these
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=