Ver. z 5. the E f le to the Eomàns. 171 faid of all the tons of God, that they are led by the Spirit of God; now he declareth what fpirit that is wherewith they are led an 1 governed, to wit, the fpirit of adoption, which is here fec forth by the contrary, to wit, by the fpirit of bondage, and fear: and alfo by the effeas; to wit, fervency and ear neftnefs in prayer, whereby we cry [db- ha Father.] Tit[. Coffell now the funs of this verse, and tel us of whatparts it doth confiff. S a L. The fum is this : that all true beleevers they are the foes of God,feeing they can cal upon God, as their loving Father, and aregoverned by his Spirit, not oftrembling but ofadopcin. The parts of this Text be two : The 6rft, is a property of Gods fons,(to wit) faith - full and fervent prayer. The fecond, is the caufe of this prayer,(to wit)the fpi- rit of adoption. T i M. Come we now to interpret the word,,and tel at what is meant by receiving; [Te have receiv,d.] S r L. EffeEtually to feel the grace and operation of the holySpirit: in this fenfe we are Paid to receive the word and the Spirit, when they become effeitnall in our hearts.And on the other fide,they are Paid not to receive the Spirit, in whom the verme and efficacy ofthe Spi- rit doth not utter it self. John r 4. 24. The world cannot receive the Spirit. Ti M. Wbat is figni fled by[bondage and feare ? ] S t a. Servile fear, or fuch fear and trembling as ufeth to be in bondmen or flaves,which fear the whip ofpunish- ment, and for the only dread thereof, they forbear evill. T I M. What is meant by [Adoption ?] S i L. An aftion ofGod, an adopts ' ing and taking them to befons by fa- vour,whlch are none by nature. T r at. What are we to underffand by the Spirit? S i a. The third person in the Trini- ty, even the holy Ghoft, which before was called the Spirit of God and of ChrYf. Note this,that although the A- poftle maketh here mention ofthe fpirit of fear and of adoption, yet the holy SpiricofGod is but one; but this one Spirit hath fundry effeas and workings; even in the felt fane perlons, as appea- reth in the example of these beleeving Romans : in whom the Spirit of God hrit of all brought forth fear. their con- fcience trembling like bondmen before their Lord and Judge ; and afterwards adoption and liberty : fo as they could (peak and pray to God, as children to a molt kind Father. Whereof we are ad- monithed by this particle [Again,] yee have not received again ;]giving to wit, that before they were converted, the Spirit engendred fear and mdch dread in them: but now they were converted, they had received another effe& of the Spirit, to wit, liberty and boldnefs by the affurance of their adoption. The mark which the Apoftle aims at in all this,is to move the godly not onlytodo the will of God and pleafe him; but to do it willingly and readily, being*', made his font by adoption, and free from all fear and bondage, they were delivered from the hands of their cue - mies, to serve God in true righteoufnefs and holinefs without fear, Luke e. T i M. The meaning of the Apofile being thur explained,let as bear what infirullions arifefrom hence. S r L. Firft of all, we learn by what fleps and degrees the Spirit ofGod pro- ceeds in the converting of eleA (inners; the fleps or degrees are two; The firft whereof; is fervile fear and trembling. Thefccond, is the adoption offons,ac- companied with much liberty and holy boldnefs. The true causes and grounds of this proceeding of the Spirit, in the converfion of a firmer, be thek three. Firft, that all Gods dea through the corruption of nattfre, are the children of wrath in or- der of time, before they are the chil- dren of God by adoption and grace. Rom. 5. 6, 7, 8. The second ground and reason is, that the elel ; become fit to enter into the effete of adoption and grace; by feeing, feeling, and fearing the misery of their former elate by na- ture. The third ground is the ordinance and will of God fo appointing, that the -41
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