Serm. C;XII. the troubles of life. 409 to bring even the greateft miferies which in this life we are liable to, in fome fenfe, under the notion of,bleffednefs. And this was not only fine talk, like the glorious brags of the Stoicks; but the primitive Chriftians, in infinite Examples, gave the real proof and evidence of it, in their confiant and chearful behaviour under the molt cruel and intolerableTor- ments. Non magna loquimur ; fed vivimos, fays Tertul. in the name ofthe Chri- ftians. We do not talk great things ; but do them ; and demon/irate the real eleí of our Words and ProfejJïon in our lives and aftions. Never did the Arguments fetch'd from another World, and the affurance of a bleffed Immortality, difplay their force and virtue more, than-in the joyful fufferings ofthe firft Chriftians, and their generous contempt of all that was dear to them in this World, in hope of that eternal life, which God that cannot lye had promifed ; and which the Son of God had enfured to them, by his Refurredion from the Dead. II. The Chriftian Religion promifeth to every fincere Chriflian, the inward af- fiftance and fupport and comfort of God's Holy Spirit, to bear up the weaknefs of human Nature under its heavieft pref hires of fear or fufferings. And this ispeculiar to the Chriftian Religion : for though the providence of God did take particular care ofgood Men in all Ages, and he did always in force good meafure aflift them to do their duty; and afford comfort and fupport to them under great tryals and fufferings ; yet God never madefo exprefs and general a Proinife of this to all good Men; as he bath done by the Chriftian Religion. Never was fo confiant apre- fence and influence ofthe Divine Spirit vouchfafed and allured to Men under any difpenfation, as that of the Gofpel, wherein the Spirit of God is promifed to all that fincerely embrace the Chriftian Religion, to refide and dwell in them, not only to all thepurpofes of Sanctification and Holinefs; butof fupport and comfortunder all Troubles and Sufferings ; for whichreafon the Gofpel is call'd the minifIration of the fpirit, and is upon this account faid to be moreglorious than any other Re- velation which God had ever made to Mankind. And therefore this is faid tobe effential to every Chriftian, to have the Spirit of God dwell in him. Rom. 8. g, io. fpeaking of all true Chriftians, Te are, faith St.. Paul, not in the Aft?, but in the fpirit, if fo be that the fpirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the fpirit of Chr 1, he is none of bis. So that every fincere Chriftian is made partaker of the"promife of the fpirit through faith; that is, byhis belief of the Chriftian Religion, he is under the immediate çondu& and influence of God's Ho- ly Spirit, and bath"this bleffed Guide and Comforter always prefent with him, nay continually dwelling and refilling in him, if we do not grieve and quench and drive hint away from us byour ill treatment ofhim, and refiftance ofhis bleffed motions. And this promife of the Spirit, our Saviour had a very particular refpe& to when he prefcribes Faith in himfelf as a fpecial remedy againft that trouble which poffeft their minds, upon the apprehenfion of his departure from them ; and therefore hetells them fo often, that when he was gone from them, he would fend them another Comforter or Advocate, who fhould undertake their caufe, and would Rand by them in their greateft troubles and temptations. He tells then, that he himfelf would be an Advocate for them in Heaven : but becaufe that was at a great diftance, and might not be fo fenfible a comfort to them, he promifeth to fend them another Advocate, that should be prefent with them here on earth, and upon all occafions undertake their patronage and defence. So that all things confidered, he affures them there was fo little reafon to be troubled at his depar- ture from them, that they had chufe rather to be glad of it, becaufe it would turn to their great advantage ; and inftead of the benefit of his outward teaching and prefence, they fhould have the inward prefence and teaching of his Spi it, and the continual aids and fupports of his Grace. I go my way, fays he, 70 u i6. 5, 6,7. 1 go my way to him that fentme, and none of you afketh me, Whi- ther goefi thou1 but Eecaufe Ihave fail theft things unto you, furrow bathfilled your heart. Neverthelefs, I tellyou the truth, It is expedient for you that I go away : for if I go not away, the Comforter will not' tome unto you: but- if I G g g depart,
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