HOLY SPIRIT, AND HIS WORK. and manner of its acting, operation, and teaching be- fore declared. And as by those instances they satisfy themselves as unto what experience they have of it; so it is their duty to pray continually for its increase, and further manifestation of its power in them: yea, it is their duty to labour that their prayers for it may be both fervent and effectual. For the more express and emi- nent the teachings of this anointing in them are, the more fresh and plentiful is their unction, the more will their holiness and consolation abound. And whereas this is that by which, as it immediately proceeds from the Holy Spirit, they have their peculiar dedication unto God, being made kings and priests unto him, they are highly concerned to secure their interest therein. For it may be they are so far from being ex- alted, promoted, and dignified in the world by their profession, as that they are made thereby the scorn of men, and the outcasts of the people. Those, indeed, whose kingdom and priesthood, their dignity and ho- nour in Christianity, their approximation to God and Christ in a peculiar manner, consist in secular titles, honour, power, and grandeur, as it is in the papacy, may content themselves with their chrysme, or greasy unc- tion of their outwardceremoniousconsecration, without much inquiry after, or concern in this spiritual anoint- ing. But those who get little or nothing in this world, that is, of the world, by their profession, but labour, pain, travail of soul and body, with scorns, reproaches, and persecutions, had need look after that which- gives them a dignity and honour in the sight of God, and which brings in satisfaction and peace unto their own souls: and this is done by that anointing alone, where- by they are made kingsand priests unto God, having honour before him, and a free, sacred access unto him -. I shall only add, that whereas we ascribe this anoint- 27 ing, in a peculiar manner, unto the Holy Ghost, as the Comforter of the church, we may easily discern wherein the consolation which we receive by it, cloth consist: for who can express that satisfaction, refresh- ment, and joy which the mind is possessed with, in thosespiritual, effectual teachings which give it a clear apprehension of saving truth in its own nature and beauty, and enlarge the heart with love unto it, and delight in it. It is true, that the greatest part of be- lievers are oft-times either at such a loss, as unto a clear apprehension of their own spiritual state, or so unskill- ed in making a right judgment of the causes and means of divine consolations, or so confused in their own ex- periences, or so negligent in their inquiries into these things; or are so disordered by temptations, as that they receive not n refreshing sense of those comfortsand joys which are really inseparable from this anointing. But still it is in itself that spring from whence theirsecret refreshments and supportments do arise. And there is . none of them, but,. upon guidance and instruction, are able to conceive, how their chiefest joys and comforts, even those whereby they are supported in and against all their troubles, are resolved into that spiritual'ender., standing which they have into the mysteries of the will, love, and grace of God in Christ, with that ineffable complacency and satisfaction which they find in them, whereby their wills are engaged into an unconquerable constancy in their choice. And there is no small con- solation in a due apprehension of that spiritual dignity which ensues hereon. For when they meet with the greatest troubles, and the most contemptuous scorns in this world, a due apprehension of their acceptance with God, as being made kings and priests unto him, yield them a refreshment which the world know nothing of andwhich themselves are not able to express, THE SPIRIT A SEAL, AND HOW. SECONDLY, CHAP. VI, , another effect of the Holy Spirit, as the Comforter of the church, is, that by him believers are sealed; 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. He who anointed us is God, who hath also sealed us. And haw this is done, the same apostle declares, Eph. i. 13. In whom also, afterye believed, ye were sealed with that FIoy Spirit of promise. And, chap. iv. 30. Andgrieve not theHoly Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed to the day of re,
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