bise. ,u.] ORDINAttlf-ViTITNESS OP THE SPIRIT. nature we are very unwilling to be accurate, and strict,: and just in the search of ourselves. The Spirit of God will hold us to it, when we find great aversionsand disin- clination in our own hearts to such a work. We, who have so much sin, are sometimes much afraid to look into the bottom of our souls, lest we should find no sin- cerity there : It is the Spirit of truth therefore, that ex- cites us to diligence in these holy enquiries. 2. He gives us sometimes a fair opportunity and occa- sion for the exercise of some grace in a.clear and distinct manner ; and hereby assists the witness of our spirits. Perhaps by the discoveryof the grace and glory of Christ, in a sermon, he invites our faith, our love, our holy joy to appear : By a kind providence, and some new signal mercy, he puts us in mind of thankfulness : Or if our souls have lain long in a secure careless frame, he leaves us, it may be, under so-me spiritual affliction, some terri- ble temptation, and awakens us to thoughtfulness, re- pentance, holy motirnings, and longing desires after God. Thus the characters of adoption appear in our hearts, that before were covered over with the dust of this world, and búried under the cares or vanities oflife. 3. It is the Spirit of God that inwardly assists these holy principles, and strengthens them in their exercise, when he bath given an outward and providential occa- sion to awaken them : For as he is the first spring of all the powers of the new creature, so he is a constant as- sisting principle to promote their holy exercise. I-Le dwells in the saints for ever, and is an everlasting spring of their holiness. It is he that excites and manages the vital motions of our souls, and makes it appear by holy exercises, that we have spiritual life in us; otherwise the providential occasion and opportunity for the exercise of such a grace might be given, and pass away, and be lost,. while the soul itself lies sluggish, negligent, and inactive, if the Holy Spirit did not set it on work : " For we are not of ourselves sufficient even to think or do any thing truly - good ;" 2 Can in. 5. 4, The Spirit of God sometimes assists this witnessing work, by bringing some word of scripture into the 'mind, wherein the character of a child of God is described, agreeable to some holy disposition which we find working in our own hearts : And this makes the 'matter clear, plain,,
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