314 The Fruits of the Sirit Voj,11, The other two fruits ofthe Spirit which are added in the Text, Righteoufiae,(s and Truth, which refpec} likewife our converfationwithMen, more efpecially, ttt. xvayof Commerce, are rather parts or branches of goodnefs, than really diffind from it ; but they are two confiderable Virtues, and therefore the Apoftle thought fit to inftance particularly in them, after he had mentioned Gaodnefs, which is in- deed thegeneral naine that comprehends all virtues in it. Thefruit of the fpirit is righteoaafnefs, which fignifies juflice in our dealingsand a&ions with others ; and truth, which is juftice in our words; for he that fpeaks as he thinks, and performs and makes good what he promifeth, is Paid to be juft to his word. And all thefe, goodnefs, and rìghteoufnefs, and truth, and whatever particular Virtues are comprehended under them, tho' they be trulyand properly Moral Virtues, yet are faid to be fruits of the Spirit. From the words thus explain'd, I (hall snake thefefour Obfervations, which I íhail fpeak as briefly to as I can. Fi,fl, That the fruits ofthe Spirit are plain and fenfible effe&s, appearing in the difpofitions and lives of Men. Secondly, That thefe fruits of the Spirit, here mentioned, are ofan eternal and immutable nature, and ofperpetual and indifpenfible obligation. Thirdly, That Metal Virtues are thegraces andfruits of the Spirit. Fourthly, That therefore they are by no means to be flighted, as low and mean attainments in Religion ; but are to be looked upon and efteemed as a main and fubftantíal part of Chriftianity. Firf, That thefruits of the Spirit are real and fenfible effeis, appearing in the difpoftions and lives of Men. The Apoflle here fpeaks of what is vifible in the lives and converfations of Men; for he exhorts Chriftians to walk as children of the Light ; now walking is a Metaphor, which fignifies the outward converfation and actions of Men. Walk as children of the light. For the fruit of the fpirit -is in all goodnefs, and righteoufnefs, and truth; that is, if a Man be endued with the Spirit, it will difcover it felf by thefe vifible fruits and effefls. What the Apoftle fays of the works of the flefb, Galat. 5. 19. The works of the ílefh are ma- plainly to be feen in the lives and converfations of Men, is equally true ofthefruits of the fpirit, that they alfo are vifible and manifefl; fo that by thefe Men may make a judgment of, their condition, whether they be true Chriftians, and the Spirit ofGod dwell in them, or not, viz. by the temper and difpofìtionof our minds, manifeftly appearing in our lives and aftions, by the pra&ice of thofe real Virtues which are the proper and genuine fruits of the Holy Spirit of, God. For Religion is notan invifible thing, confiding in sneer belief, in heighth of fpe- culation, and niceties of opinion, or inabffrufenefs ofmyffery. TheScripture does not place it in things remote from the fight and obfervation ofMen ; but w real and vifible effects, fuch as may be plainly difcerned, and even felt in the conver- fation of Men ; not in abftrafted notions, but in fubftantial virtues; and in a fen- fible power and efficacy upon the lives of Men, in all the inftances of piety ands virtue, of holy and excellent A&ions. This our Saviour requires of his Difci- ples, that the virtue and holinefs of their lives fhould be fo vifible and confpicu- ous, that all Men maybehold it, and give teftimony to it, and glorifie God upon that account ; Mat. 5. 16. Letyour light fo fsine before men, that they mayfee your good . works, and glorifie your Father which is in heaven. Not that Men fhould snake any oftentation of Religion, as the Pharifees did of their Devotion and Alms, which our Saviour cenfures very feverely: but there is a great difference between an,affecied and vain- glorious thew of Piety and Virtue, and the real and fubítautial effects of them in a good life, which as they cannot, fo they ought not to be hid; nay, on the contrary, Men ought, as St. James exhorts, lames g. to [hero out cf a good converfation their works with meeknef of wifilom , that ti, ti Wife manner, not with pride and oftentation, but with meeknefs and huuiilìty, the great Ornament of all Chriftian Graces and Virtues. I proceed to nits Secm,d Obfervation, namely, That thefe fruits of the Spirit, here mentioned, Goodnefs, 5
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