26 DISCOURSES ON THE eth according unto his own will, and the diflirent use of the external means of knowledge which we do enjoy. But what is necessary unto the ends mentioned, none shall come short of who enjoy this anointing. And where its teachings are complied withal in a way of duty where we obstruct them not by prejudices and sloth, where wegive up ourseivesunto their directive efficacy in a diligent, impartial attendance unto the word whereby alone we are to be taught, we shall not fail of that knowledge in the whole counsel of God, and all the parts of it, which he will accept and bless. And this gives stability unto believers, when trials and tempra- aluns about the truth do befal them; and the want hereof in the uncured darkness of their minds, and ignorance of the doctrine of the gospel, is that which betrays .multitudes into a defection from it in seasons of tempta- tion and persecution. (3.) It so teacheth, as to give withal an approbation of and love unto the things that are taught. These are the next principle and cause of practice, or the do- ing of the things that weknow, which is the only cement ofall the means of our security, rendering them firm and stable. The mind may discern spiritual truths, but if the will and affections be not broughtover to love them and delight in them, we shall never conformour- selves unto them in the diligent exercise and practice of what they do require. And what we may do on the solitary efficacy of light and conviction without the adherence of love and delight, will neither be ac- ceptable unto God, nor shall we be permanent and stable therein. All other means in the world without the love and practice of the truth, will be insufficient unto our preservation in the saving profession of it. And this is the characteristical note of the teachings by this unction. It gives and communicates with it, the love of that truth wherein we are instructed, and delight in obedience unto what it doth require. Where these are not, however raised our minds may be, or our understandings enlarged in the apprehension of objective truths, whatever sublime notions, or subtle conceptions about themwe may have, though we could master and manage all the speculations and niceties of the schools in their most pretended accuracy of expres- sion; yet, as to the power and benefit of religion, we should be but as sounding brass and tinkling symbals. But when this Holy Spirit Both in and by his teaching breathe into our hearts an holy divine love unto, and complacency in the things we are taught, when he ena- bles us to taste how gracious the Lord is in them, ren- dering them sweeter unto us than the honey or honey- comb, when he makes them our delight and joy, ex- citing and quickening the practical principles of our minds unto a compliance with them in holy obedience, then have we that unction from the holy One which will both sanctify and secure our souls unto the end. And hereby may we know, whether we have our- selves received of this anointing. Some would fain put it off unto what was peculiar unto the times of the apostles, and would suppose another kind of believers in those days, than any are now in the world, or need to be, though what our Saviour prayed for them, even for the apostles themselves, as to the Spirit of graceand consolation, he prayed also for all therm who should be- lieve on him, through their word, unto the end of the world. But, take away the promise of the Spirit, and the privileges thereon depending, from Christians, and in truth they cease so to be. Some neglect it, as if it were an empty expression, and either wholly insignifi- cant, or, at best, intended somewhat wherein they need not much concern themselves; and whatever it be they doubt not but to secure the pretended ends of it in their preservation from seduction by their own skill and re- solutions. On such pretences are all the mysteries of the gospel by many despised, and a religion is formed wherein the Spirit of Christ bath no concernment. But these things are otherwise stated in the minds of the true disciples of Christ. They know and own of how great importance it is to have a share in this unc- tion; how much their conformity unto Christ, their participation of him, and the evidence of their union with him; how much their stability in profession, their joy in believing, their love and delight in obedience, with their dignity in the sight of God, and all his holy angels, do depend thereon. Neither do we look upon it as a,thing obscure or unintelligible, that which no mancan knowwhether he bath or no. For, if it were so, a. thing so thin, aerial, and imperceptible, as that no spiritual sense or experience could be had of it, the apostlewould not have referred all sorts and degrees of believers, fathers, young men, and little children unto it, for their relief and encouragement in the times ofdanger. Wherefore it evidenceth itself in the way
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