HOLY SPIRIT, A that dwell in the land of Goshen, yet those that abide still in Egypt make only use of their lanthorns. But those who are really partakers of this privilegedo know, in some measure, what they do enjoy, although they are not able to comprehend it in its excellency, nor value it in a due manner: for how can the heart of man, or our poor, weak understandings, fully conceive this glorious mystery of sending the Holy Ghost to be our Comforter; only they receive it by faith, and have ex- perience of it in its effects. There is in my judgment an unspeakable privilege of those who are believers an- tecedent unto their believing as they are elect; namely, that Christ died in their stead alone. But this is like the wells which Isaac's servant digged, that the Philis- tines strove about, as those which belonged unto them, which, though fresh useful springs in themselves, caused them to be called Bark and Sitna. Mighty strivings there are to break down the inclosure of this privilege, and lay it common unto all the world,. that is indeed waste and useless. For it is contended, that the Lord Christ died equally for all and every one of mankind, for believers and unbelievers, for those that are saved, and those that are damned. And to this purpose many pretences are pleaded to skew how .the most of them for whomChrist died, havensreal benefit by his death, nor is any thing required in them to evidence that they they have an interest therein. But this privilege we now treat of, is like the well I,elmboth, Isaac kept it unto himself, and the Philistines strove not about it. None contend that the Spirit is a comforter unto any but believers; therefore is it by the world despised and reproached, because they have no interest in it, nor have the least pretence to strive aboutit. Did believers therefore duly consider how they are advanced hereby through the love and care of Jesus Christ into an inex- pressible dignity above the residue of mankind, they would more rejoice in it than in all that this world can supply them withal. But we must proceed.. It appears, from what bath been discoursed, that this is not the first saving work of the Holy Spirit on the souls of men.. Regeneration and habitual sanctification do always precede it. He comforteth none but those whom he hath before sanctified. Nor are any other but such capable of his consolations. There is nothing in them that can discern his acting, or value what he loth of this kind. And this is the true reason why ND HIS WORK. '17 the whole work of the Holy Spirit, as a Comforter, wherein consists the accomplishment of the most glo- rious promise that ever Christ made to his church, and the greatest evidence of his continued care thereof, is so neglected, yea, despised amongst the generality of professed Christians. A great evidence of the aposta- tized state of Christianity. They can have no concern of any work of his but in its proper order. If men be not first sanctified by him, they can never be comforted by him, And they will themselves prefer in their trou- bles any natural or rational reliefs, before the best and highest of his consolations. For however they may be proposed unto them, however they may be instructed in the nature, ways, and means of them, yet they be- long not unto them, and why should they value that which is not theirs? The world cannot receive him. He worketh on the world for conviction, .John xvi. 8. and on the elect for conversion, John iii. 8. But none can receive him as a Comforter but believers. There- fore is this whole work of the Holy Spirit little taken notice of by the most, and despised by many. Yet is it never the less glorious in itself, being fully declared in the scripture, nor the less useful to the church, be-. ing testified unto by the experienceof them that truly. believe. That which remaineth for the full declaration of this . office and work of the Holy Ghost, is the consideration of thoseacts of his which belong properly thereunto,, and of those privileges whereof believers are made par- takers thereby, Andwhereas many blessed mysteries, of evangelical truth are contained herein, they would require much time and diligence in their explanation. But as to the most of them, according unto the measure of light and experience which I have attained, I have prevented myself the handling of them in this place. For I have spoken already unto most of them in two other discourses, the one concerning the_Perseverance of Trite Believers, and the other of our Communion with God, and of the Holy Spirit in particular. As there- fore I shall be sparing in the repetition of what is al -. ready in them proposed unto public view, so it is not much that 1 shall add thereunto.. Yet, what is neces- sary unto our present design, must not be wholly omitted, especially seeing I find that further light and evidence may be added unto one former endeavours ¡IA this kind, 87;
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