CHAPTER 5
Of Spiritual Consolation, including the infallible Conservation and Perseverance of Saints;—Indwelling of the Holy Ghost as an Almighty Comforter;—Assurance of God's love and friendship;—Peace of conscience;—and Joy in the Holy Ghost.
I. God's infallible conservation of his saints in their gracious state and course, and their perseverance which proceeds from it, are not formally included in their spiritual consolation, but are an immediate principal ground of it.—Through the power and subtlety of their indwelling corruption and its assistants, believers, if left by God to themselves, would soon fall from all their possession and exercise of grace, and they often do fall into fearful degrees and acts of sin. But being kept by God in Christ, they can never in the least fall from their happy state of union with Christ, or of justification and adoption through him; nor can they fall totally or finally from the possession and exercise of spiritual life or saving grace. 1. Scripture represents them as firmly established; as an everlasting foundation; as unmoveable like mount Zion; as a rock or house built on a rock; as God's jewels, which shall not be lost; as a spring whose waters fail not; as trees which shall never wither, etc. Prov 10:25; Ps 125:1-2; Matt 7:24-25; Matt 16:18; Mal 3:17; Isa 58:11; Isa 61:3; Jer 17:8; Ps 37:24; 1 John 2:17,19; 1 John 3:9. 2. Many infallible promises of God secure their conservation and perseverance in their gracious state and exercise, Deut 31:8; Heb 13:5; Isa 45:17; Isa 46:4; Isa 54:8-10; Isa 59:21; Jer 32:39-40; Hos 2:19-20; John 10:27-29; Ps 37:24,28,33,37; Ps 92:13-14; Ps 94:14. 3. Many scriptures expressly affirm that they are all infallibly preserved and persevere in their state and exercise of grace, Job 17:9; Prov 4:18; Ps 84:7; Phil 1:6; 1 Thess 5:23-24; 2 Thess 3:3; 2 Thess 2:16-17; Col 3:3-4; John 6:35,39-40; John 17:9,12,24; Rom 8:28-39; Rom 11:2,29; 1 Cor 1:8-9; 1 Cor 10:13; 1 John 2:19; Heb 10:38-39. 4. Their total or final fall from their state and exercise of grace is altogether inconsistent with the perfections of God. For, how can he, who is unchangeable, hate those whom he once loved with an everlasting love? Jer 21:3;
John 13:1. How can he, who is infinitely just, demand full satisfaction for their sins from Christ, and yet punish them for ever in hell, Job 33:24; Titus 2:14; Rom 3:24-26; Gal 3:13-14; 1 Pet 1:18-19; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Pet 3:18? How can he, who is infinitely wise and powerful, begin an important work without being able and willing to finish it, Luke 14:28-30; Phil 1:6; 2 Thess 1:11-12; 1 Pet 1:5? How can he, who is infinitely faithful, engage himself by promise and oath to do that which he is either unable or unwilling to perform, Num 23:19; Titus 1:2; 1 Sam 15:29; 1 Thess 5:24; 1 Cor 1:9; Heb 10:23; Heb 6:14-18; Deut 33:27-29. 5. Believers' total or final fall from the state or exercise of grace is perfectly inconsistent with God's unchangeable purpose and new-covenant love to Christ as Mediator, and to them in him, Isa 46:10; Isa 14:24,27; Ps 33:11; Prov 19:21; 2 Tim 1:10; 1 Thess 5:8-9; Heb 6:17-18; Rom 8:28-30; Rom 9:11; Rom 11:29; Isa 53:10-12; Ps 22:27-31; Ps 89:4,28-35. 6. Believers' total or final fall from their state or exercise of grace is absolutely inconsistent with all the honour and new-covenant characters of all the persons in the Godhead. It is inconsistent with the honour of the Father, as the chooser of them,—and giver of them to Christ for a reward of his mediatorial obedience unto death, Rom 8:29; John 17:6; Ps 2:8; Isa 53:10-12; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Pet 1:18-19; Rom 5:9-10; Rom 8:32; Rev 5:9;—or, as their steady friend, Isa 54:8-10; Jer 32:40; Zeph 3:17;—and their almighty preserver and safeguard, John 10:29; 1 Pet 1:5; Col 3:3; Ps 91; Deut 33:26-29.—It is inconsistent with the honour of the Son, who with his blood redeemed and purchased them, Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 1:19; Rom 5:9-10; Rev 5:9; Matt 20:28; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Tim 2:6; 1 Thess 5:9-10;—who, as their advocate, continually intercedes for them, 1 John 2:1-2; John 17:11,15,20,24; Ps 2:8; Ps 21:4; John 11:42; Heb 7:25;—who builds them up together, as a church or temple for himself, Heb 3:3,6; Matt 16:18; and is in them as their life and hope of glory, Gal 2:20; John 14:19; Rev 1:18; Col 3:3-4; Col 1:27;—and who is their Head, Husband, King, Shepherd, etc. Col 1:18; Col 2:19; Eph 4:16; Isa 54:5; Isa 62:4-5; Hos 2:19-20; 2 Cor 11:2; Isa 33:22; Ps 2:6; Ps 23:1; John 10; 1 Pet 2:25; 1 Pet 5:4; Heb 13:20; Isa 40:11; Ezek 37:24-28,—to suffer them to be ruined and damned.—It is inconsistent with the honour of the Holy Ghost, who dwells in them as a comforter, John 14:16-17; Rom 11:29; 1 John 2:27;—as a perpetual fountain of quickening influence, John 4:14; Rom 8:2,10; John 14:19;—as an almighty worker of goodness, Eph 5:9;
Eph 1:17-19; Eph 2:21-22;—as an anointing and earnest, 1 John 2:20,27; 2 Cor 1:21-22; and as a seal, confirming them to eternal happiness, Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30; 2 Cor 1:22; 2 Cor 5:5. 7. Believers' total or final fall from their state or exercise of grace, is inconsistent with the nature of their implanted graces, which are incorruptible seed, 1 Pet 1:23; the Seed of God, which abideth in them, 1 John 3:9; their faith crucifies the flesh, Gal 5:24, and overcomes the world, 1 John 5:4; and fails not, Luke 22:32; 1 Cor 13:13; their hope makes not ashamed, Rom 5:5; Rom 8:24; Heb 6:18-19, and their love never fails, 1 Cor 13:8,13. But this infallibility of their graces arises wholly from their connection with Christ and his Spirit.
Objection I. "Many Scripture texts plainly suppose that believers may fall totally and finally from their state and exercise of grace; and therefore warn them to watch against it, or promise great rewards to their perseverance, Ps 125:3; Ezek 18:24,26; Ezek 33:12-19; Matt 5:13; Matt 24:13; Rom 14:15; 1 Cor 8:11; 1 Cor 9:27; 1 Cor 10:12; 2 Cor 6:1; 2 Cor 11:3; Heb 12:12-13,16; Heb 10:38; Jude 12,21; Rev 2:7,11,17,26; Rev 3:5,12,21; Gal 6:9; 2 Pet 1:4-11." Answer 1. Mere supposition of righteous men's falling from their righteousness does not prove that they can do so, as is most evident from the Hebrew form of the oaths of God mentioned in Scripture, Ps 89:35; Amos 8:7. 2. Such as are but apparently holy, may, and often do lose all their appearances of it, and become profane, Matt 13:21-22; 2 Kings 12. 3. Believers may lose much of their gracious dispositions and practices, and fall into fearful sins and chastisements; and might wholly fall from their grace, if God did not keep them. 4. Our watching over ourselves, and against temptations, is one blessed mean, by which Christ and his Spirit preserve us in our gracious dispositions and exercises, Eph 6:10-19; 1 Pet 5:8; Mark 14:38; 1 Cor 16:13.
Objection II. "Some very eminent saints, as David, Solomon, Peter, Alexander, Hymenaeus, Demas, etc. actually fell from their state and exercise of grace, 2 Sam 11; 1 Kings 11; Matt 26:69-74; 1 Tim 1:19-20; 2 Tim 2:17-18; 2 Tim 4:10; Heb 6:4-5; Heb 10:26-30,38; 2 Pet 2:20-22." Answer 1. David's fall was not total; for God's Spirit remained with him, Ps 51:11: nor Solomon's; for God's mercy departed not from him, 2 Sam 12:24; and his Ecclesiastes manifests his repentance, Eccles 2:10-11,17; Eccles 5:10,12; Eccles 7:2-3,26-27: nor Peter's; for his faith failed not, Luke 22:32. 2. There is no proof that Alexander, Hymenaeus, Demas, etc. ever had any real grace more than Judas, John 6:70; Matt 7:22-23.
Objection III. "The pretence of believers' unfailing perseverance in grace encourages them to sin, particularly in the manner of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Aaron, David, Solomon, Samson, Peter, and other saints." Answer 1. The sinful falls of saints are not recorded in Scripture for our imitation, but for our warning to take heed to ourselves, to watch against, and resist temptations. Answer 2. Such as merely imagine themselves saints, often improve the grace of God into licentiousness; but a truly regenerated heart cannot but improve grace received and secured, as a powerful excitement to holiness, Phil 2:13; Rom 6:1-2,12; 2 Cor 6:16,18; 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Pet 1:3,5,13,15; 1 John 3:2-3, Ps 119:32,166; Ps 116:16; Luke 1:74-75; Heb 12:28. Astonishing! Because the love of Christ firmly believed constrains men to holiness, must their belief of its unchangeable and eternal duration induce them to wickedness? 2 Cor 5:14-15.—Because true faith purifies the heart, Acts 15:9, must the infallible continuance of it pollute the heart?—Because evangelical hope of everlasting happiness makes men to purify themselves as God is pure, 1 John 3:3, must the firm continuance of it prompt them to render themselves worse than devils?—Can a man who has any real experience of God's grace in his soul, believe that the new nature formed by and like to the Spirit of Christ, John 3:5-6, is so very super-devilish, that God's powerful discoveries and applications of the exceeding riches of his redeeming grace will encourage it to outrageous rebellion against him?—Even in natural things, do mothers holding, assisting, and teaching their children to walk, encourage them to stumble and break their necks? Or, do the ledges of bridges, or battlements of houses, encourage them that walk along to leap over and drown themselves, or dash themselves to pieces?
Objection IV. "God's infinite holiness cannot permit him to assure men of everlasting favour and happiness, notwithstanding their falls into sin, as that would weaken and invalidate all his calls to the study of holiness." Answer 1. God himself hath repeatedly declared the contrary, Ps 89:28-35; Isa 54:8-10; Isa 57:17-18; Heb 12:5-11,28; Rom 8:28-39; Rom 5:21; Rom 6:1; 2 Cor 6:18; 2 Cor 7:1. 2. Not our good behaviour, but the surety righteousness of Christ, is the new covenant foundation of our everlasting friendship with God, and happiness in the full enjoyment of him, 1 John 1:7,9; 1 John 2:1-2; Rev 5:9-10; Rom 5:10,16-21; Heb 9:14; Heb 10:14.
II. The indwelling of the Holy Ghost as an almighty Comforter. He dwells in the heart of believers, not only in his influences, but primarily in his person, Ezek 36:27; Gal 4:6; Rom 8:9; John 14:17; 1 Cor 3:16-17; 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Tim 1:14.
Being infinite, and every where present, he can, at once, personally dwell in all the saints in heaven and on earth, all of whom are united to Christ, in whom he primarily dwells, as members of his one mystical body.—In the character of a Comforter, 1. He kindly explains, and by his word manifests to believers the things freely given them of God,—the excellency, fitness, and encouraging characters and blessings of Christ, that with delight they may discern and contemplate the mysteries of the gospel, John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13-14; Matt 13:11; 1 Cor 2:10,12,15; Ps 19:7-10; Ps 119:72,103,126,162; Jer 15:16; Song 5:10-16. He seals them up to the day of redemption, bestowing upon them such communications of divine light, purity, life, righteousness, peace, and joy, as mark them his peculiar people, whom he will preserve inviolable for himself,—and certify them of their saving interest in the promises of eternal life, Eph 1:13-14; Eph 4:30; 2 Cor 1:21-22. 3. He is the earnest of their eternal inheritance, which renders them certain of obtaining it in due time, and gives them pleasant foretastes of it, Eph 1:14; 2 Cor 1:22; 2 Cor 5:5; Rom 8:23. This includes his shedding abroad the love of God in their hearts,—his attesting the pardon of their sin, and what God is to them, has done, and will do for and in them, Rom 5:5; and his giving them delightful fellowship with Christ as their bridegroom and hidden manna, Song 2:3-5; Rev 2:17. 4. To their great comfort, and through their exercise of faith and repentance, he treads Satan and their indwelling corruptions under their feet, Rom 16:20; Rom 7:25; Rom 8:2,13; Mic 7:19. 5. As an Intercessor within them, he encourages, directs, and enables them to proper familiarity, distinctness, and earnestness in their prayers to God, Rom 8:15,26-27; Isa 63:16; Isa 64:8; Job 34:36; Jer 3:4,19,22; Gal 4:6. 6. He bears witness with their spirits, that they are the children of God: And herein, 1. He enables them to render their being such more evident, by their renewed, lively, and vigorous application of the promises of the gospel to their own souls, 1 Tim 1:15; Jer 3:22; Ps 31:14; Ps 142:4-5; Lam 3:24; Zech 13:9. 2. He sometimes elucidates some former manifestation of Christ, and shews it to have been true and saving, John 15:26; John 14:26; Ezek 43:1-3. 3. He assists them in their examination of their state and experience,—directs them to proper marks of grace, such as likeness to God, purity of heart, poverty of spirit, love to Christ, and to every person and thing bearing his image, Eph 4:24; Eph 5:1-2; Matt 5:3,8,44-48; Isa 64:6; 1 Kings 8:38; 1 John 4:19-20; 1 John 3:14; Ps 84:1-2,10; Ps 26:8;—shines on these marks of grace, that they may truly understand them, 1 Cor 2:12;—invigorates their inward graces, and renders them discernible amidst all the remains of
corruption, 1 John 3:14,22,24; 2 Cor 1:12; Phil 3:3;—and enables their consciences to compare their qualities and exercises with the marks of grace established in Scripture, Rom 8:16; 1 John 3:20-21. 4. He confirms their persuasion of the reality of their grace, by a new application of some gospel promise to their heart, Exod 20:2; Ps 50:7; Ps 81:10; Isa 54:5-6; Jer 3:19; Jer 3:14,22; Jer 31:3; Hos 14:1; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:17; 2 Cor 6:18. And the majestic, powerful, self-debasing, sanctifying, and love-kindling influences which attend his declarations, mark them truly divine, John 14:17; John 10:4; Job 42:5-6; Song 2:8-15; Song 8:6-7.
III. Sensible assurance of God's love is a well-grounded persuasion that we are in a state of favour with him, and that therefore he, according to his promises and new-covenant characters, has, and certainly will exert all his perfections for advancing our real and everlasting felicity in Christ. This assurance of sense greatly differs from that which is included in the very nature of faith. The foundation of that assurance of faith is wholly without us in the faithfulness of God pledged in his word. The foundation of this assurance of sense is partly within us, in the gracious effects of God's word and Spirit upon our heart. By that we are persuaded of the truth of God's revealed declarations, particularly in his offering Christ to us in the gospel. By this we are certified that the work of God begun upon our soul is truly gracious and saving. By that we believe, upon God's own testimony, his candour in giving Christ and his salvation to us. By this we certainly know that God hath formed in us the begun possession of salvation.—This assurance of sense indeed implies a belief of the justness and certainty of the marks of grace exhibited in Scripture; but it also depends on our sensible perception of the almighty influences of God's Spirit in changing and actuating our heart, Song 2:3-5,8-15; and on the manifested effects of his influence in our gracious qualities and works, 1 John 3:14,22,24; Matt 5:3-10; Gal 5:22-23.
Such assurance of sense is attainable by believers in this life. 1. The work of God's Spirit on their soul manifests this. He testifies to their conscience, John 15:26; John 16:14; Rom 8:16. He writes his law in their heart to make them his people, Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10; 2 Cor 3:3. He seals them up to the day of redemption, Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30. As an earnest of it, he secures eternal life to them, 2 Cor 1:22; 2 Cor 5:5; Eph 1:14; Rom 8:23; John 4:14; and as an unction, he prepares them for it, 1 John 2:20,27; 2 Cor 5:5; Col 1:12; 2 Thess 1:11. 2. The diligent study of holiness and much self-examination are, by God, inculcated upon us, that we may obtain this sensible
assurance, 2 Pet 2:5-8,10; 2 Cor 13:5; 1 Cor 11:28; Zeph 2:1. 3. Many marks of grace are exhibited to us in Scripture, that by them we may try and know our gracious state, Matt 5:3-10; 1 John 1-5; 1 John 1:4; 1 John 5:13. 4. Many saints have actually obtained this assurance, as Job, Job 19:25-27; Jacob, Gen 48:3; Gen 49:18; Moses, Exod 15:1; David, Ps 18:1-3; Ps 31:14; Ps 91:2; Asaph, Ps 73:23-26; Heman, Ps 88:1; Isaiah, Isa 63:16; Jeremiah, Jer 31:3; Daniel, Dan 9:4,18-19; Dan 10:11; Habakkuk, Hab 3:17-18; Hab 1:12; Simeon, Luke 2:25-28; Mary, Luke 1:47; Thomas, John 20:28; Paul, Gal 1:16; Gal 2:19-20; 2 Cor 5:1; Phil 3:8-9; Acts 27:23; 2 Tim 1:12; 2 Tim 4:7-8; and others, John 1:14; 1 John 3:14; Isa 61:10; 1 Thess 1:4-6. 5. Believers' inward peace, confidence, and holy gloriation, manifest their having this assurance, John 16:22,33; Rom 5:1-2,11; Heb 6:11; Eph 3:12; 1 Pet 1:8.
To attain this sensible assurance of the happiness of our state and the truth of our grace, are necessary, 1. Vigorous and often repeated acts of faith upon the declarations of the gospel, which are directed to us as sinful men, 1 Tim 1:15; Isa 7:9; James 1:6-7. 2. Earnest study of much familiar fellowship with God in Christ, 1 John 1:37; Song 1:4. 3. Diligent study of universal gospel holiness in heart and life, Luke 1:6; Luke 6:27-36; Matt 5:44-48; John 15:14. 4. Careful cherishing of the motions of the Spirit of God, who witnesses with our spirits, that we are the children of God, Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19. 5. Frequent, deliberate, judicious, impartial, earnest, and thorough examination of ourselves, 1 Cor 11:28; 2 Cor 13:5; Zeph 2:1.—In which we must never admit an outward profession of religion, blamelessness of behaviour, experience of the common influences of the Holy Ghost, or any other thing which may exist without saving grace, as a mark, Matt 7:21-23; Phil 3:6; Heb 6:4-5; Isa 58:2;—nor admit the tokens of strong grace as distinguishing marks of the truth of grace, Rom 4:19-20; Hab 3:17-18; Job 13:15; Matt 14:31. And, conscious of the deceitfulness of our own heart, we must earnestly plead for the powerful attestation of the Holy Ghost, Ps 139:23; Ps 26:1-2; Ps 17:3.—Neglect of these things, attended with God's sovereign and severe chastisements thereof, make many real believers wait long before they attain this assurance, or even lose it for a time, Heb 2:15; Ps 73:2-15; Ps 77:1-10; Ps 88.
IV. Peace of conscience is that inward and delightful calm of spirit, which proceeds from our sensible or believing views of our being in a state of favour, fellowship, and conformity to God, Rom 5:9-10; Rom 14:17; 2 Cor 5:19; Isa 54:5,8-10;
Isa 57:18-19; John 15:14-15; John 14:27; Prov 3:17; Ps 119:165; 2 Cor 1:12; Heb 12:28. It is attended with delightful contemplation of God as our God, Ps 139:17-18; Ps 63:1-8; Ps 16:5-8; Ps 103; Ps 145-146; and leads to a bold and familiar, but humble dealing with him, Song 2:14; Song 8:13; Heb 4:16; Heb 10:19-22; and an affectionate and peaceful disposition towards all his children, Ps 16:3; Ps 119:63. Being obtained by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, and the sanctification of our whole man, this peace is always the same in its root or state, Isa 54:8-10; Ezek 37:26; Hos 2:18-20; but the sense of it is often, in a great measure, lost or interrupted.
In the interruptions of this peace of conscience, Satan and his instruments have a wicked hand, seducing and vexing our souls, Matt 24:24; 1 Pet 5:8. We have a sinful hand, in abusing God's kind favours to us, committing conscience-wasting sins, or indulging formality, sloth, and self-confidence in religious duties, Ps 51:1-14; Jer 2:17,19; Isa 63:10; Deut 32:15-27; Song 5:3-5; Ps 30:6-7. And God,—to manifest his sovereignty, Dan 4:34-35; correct our sinfulness, Jer 2:17,19; Jer 6:19; try and exercise our graces, 1 Pet 1:6-7; instigate our earnest prayers, Ps 22:1-2; Ps 84:2; Ps 130:1; manifest his love under, or after, such affliction, Isa 57:16-19; and teach us to improve the sense of his favour, Rom 5:3,—righteously hides his countenance, and either mediately or immediately distresses our soul, Isa 8:17; Isa 45:15; Ps 10:1; Ps 13:1-4; Ps 77:1-10; Ps 80:4-5; Ps 88; Job 13:24; 2 Cor 12:7.—It is regained by repeated applications of Jesus' blood, 1 John 1:7; by serious renewals of our repentance for sin, Lam 3:40; Jer 31:18-20; and by God's repeating his manifestations of love to our soul, Isa 57:16-19; John 16:22.—It is maintained by an habitual application of Christ's blood to our conscience, 1 John 1:7; Heb 10:22; by daily devout meditation on the endearing excellencies and relations of Christ, and of God in him, as our God, and on the origin, tenor, and administration of the covenant of grace, Ps 104:34; 2 Sam 23:5; John 14:21; by much familiar fellowship with God, Isa 64:4-5; Ps 63:1-8; Ps 65:4; Song 1:4; Song 2:3; by much candid and earnest study of universal holiness, and watchfulness against beloved lusts, Isa 32:15,17; Isa 64:5; Acts 24:16; Heb 12:1; Ps 119:165; Ps 18:23; by speedily washing off the filial guilt of sin, and repenting of those offences which mar our peace, Ps 51:6-14; Jer 3:22; Jer 31:18; and by much hearty resignation of ourselves and our concerns to the providence of God as our affectionate Father, Phil 4:6-7; 1 Pet 5:7; Ps 55:22; Ps 112:7.
V. Joy in the Holy Ghost is a spiritual pleasure in living on, and walking in and with Christ, produced by the inhabitation and influence of his Spirit in our hearts. The grounds of this joy are, 1. What God in Christ is to us, Ps 18:1-3; Ps 34:1-4; Ps 103:1-5; Ps 118:28; Hab 3:17-18; Hab 1:12; John 20:28; Ps 23; Ps 27; Ps 47; Ps 91; Isa 12. 2. What God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost have done for and in us, Isa 61:10; Ps 71:14-24; Ps 103; Ps 136; Ps 145; Rom 5:1-11; 2 Cor 1:12. 3. What his promises and characters secure for us, Ps 42:11; Ps 43:5; Rom 8:28-39; 2 Tim 1:12; 2 Tim 4:8; Ps 73:24-26.—Such joy is ordinarily most full, 1. After remarkable grief at conversion, Isa 61:2-3; Isa 57:16-19; Isa 66:2; John 20:20,28; Acts 2:37,46. 2. After dark nights of desertion, temptation, and trouble, Isa 54:6-12; Isa 57:16-19; Ps 16:10-11; Ps 13; Ps 116; Ps 40:1-5. 3. When entering into, or under much tribulation, especially for the cause of Christ, Acts 5:41; Acts 16:25; 1 Pet 4:13-14. 4. When God bestows some remarkable deliverance upon his church, Exod 15; Judg 5; Isa 42:10-11; Isa 65:17-19; Isa 66:10; Jer 31:12-14; Rev 7:9-12; Rev 12:10; Rev 11:15,17; Rev 15:3; Rev 14:1-4; Rev 19:1-6. 5. When he grants some remarkable favour almost quite unexpected, 1 Sam 2:1-10; Luke 1:45-77.
All spiritual comfort differs from that presumptuous confidence of God's love, sleep, or ill-grounded peace of conscience and false joy, which may be found in hypocrites or others,—as it mightily humbles the heart, Gen 18:30,32; Gen 32:10; 1 Cor 15:10; promotes the cheerful and active study of universal holiness, Ps 116:16; Ps 119:32,166; renders sin more and more hated, Rom 7:14-24; Ps 119:104,128; 2 Cor 7:1,11; Gen 39:9; animates to an earnest following after fellowship with God, Job 23:3; Job 29:2; Ps 42:1-2; Ps 63:1-8; Ps 27:4; Ps 84:2,10; Ps 45:1; 2 Cor 3:18; John 16:22; and disposes to impartial self-examination, John 3:21; Ps 26:1-2; Ps 139:23-24; Ps 17:3.—It is bestowed upon believers, 1. To qualify them for their proper work, Neh 8:10; Isa 64:5. 2. To reward them in, or after their performing it, Ps 19:11; 1 Cor 15:58. 3. To manifest the amazing virtue of Christ as the consolation of his people, Luke 2:25; 2 Cor 2:14. 4. To manifest the riches of God's redeeming grace, and his delight in the prosperity of his servants, Eph 2:7; Ps 35:27.
Reflection. Hast thou, my soul, these first fruits of the Spirit, these earnests of eternal glory in thee? Has the Holy Ghost thus dwelt in, preserved, attested, assured, quieted, and filled
thee with joy unspeakable and full of glory?—Let me take heed, lest my persuasion of God's love should be an ill-grounded fancy,—my inward quietness a mere sleep or delusion of conscience,—and my joy but common, carnal, legal, or delusive.—Alas! that I have been so long named a Christian, and yet have lived so ignorant of Christian experience!—that I have been so long a student,—a preacher,—and yet so ignorant of these deep, these great, these sweet things of God!—that I am so near eternity, and yet have so little tried how much of God might be enjoyed on earth to prepare me for it!
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