foul, when expecting no such thing. There are many more mysteries in this secret intercourse with our heavenly father, which believers sometimes fee, taste and feel, and which no pen of the learned can represent, as they deserve. And it is not fit, that the {pirit of man should be unacquainted with these things fince it is admitted as a witness of his state : for, tho' this is not the lot of all the children of God, nor the case, at all times, nor indeed frequently; yet they, whose lot it has, at any time, been, are certainly

children of God. We are to XXXV. After our fpirit is well instructed about examine all these things, it is further necessary it make a strict ourselves by the

fcrutiny concerning itself, and, as under the eye of marks an omniscient God; diligently search every particular

without diffimulation, or disguise ; to see whether these things, which, we faid, were the marks or characteristicks of the children of God, are to be found in us: as also whether, at any time, we have experienced, in prayer, or other exercises of devotion, the peculiar favour of the most gracious God, exciting, inflaming comforting, and carrying heavenwards our otherwise dull and drowsy hearts. For when our spirit discovers these things by evident indications, then it confidently testifies, that we are the children of God, represents that truth to our minds, and gives us to know it, and enable us to say, this I know, for God is for me, Pf. 56.

9. To which

XXXVI. These things, indeed tend greatly to the testimony confolation of God's children: but when, both by is added that of the scripture and experience, they know, that our heart Holy Spi- is deceitful, and that they are assured by the wiseft rit.

of kings, that be that trusteth in his own beart is a fool, Prov. 28. 26; and as they would not wish to be deceived in nothing less than in this, which of all others is of the greatest moment; then at length they entirely acquiesce, when to the testimony of their own spirit is fuperadded that of the spirit of God.

This is what David wrestled for by earnest prayer with God, Pf. 35. 3, say unto my soul, thou art my salvation.

XXXXII. That testimony is given principally in Its nature this manner: first, the spirit of God makes those explained. holy habits, which, we faid, were the distinguishing .marks of the children of God, and which at times are often involved in much darkness, and covered with much rubbish and filth, to shine with clearness in their soul, and, as it were, readily present themselves to the contemplation of the mind, when exiamining itself. And then excites our spirit, otherwise íready to faint, to the diligent observation of the things in our mind, both transacted in and by it, enlightens the eyes of the underítanding with supernatural light, to prevent our being deceived by what is specious rather than folid, or our overlooking those things, on the observation of which our consolation depends. There is moreover a certain internal impulse, which no human language can explain, immediately affuring God's beloved people of their adoption, no less than if they were carried up to the third heavens, and had heard it audibly from God's own mouth; as the Apostles formerly heard in the holy mount a

voice froin the excellent glory, 2 Pet. 1. 17. Lastly seeing no testimony is stronger than that which is proved by facts, the spirit of God does not leave himtelf without witness in that respect; for he excites generous motions and the sweetest raptures in believers, and delights them with confolations so

ravishing and extatical, and even exceeding all thought, that they cannot conGder them, in

in any oth light, but as fo many testimonies of their adoption.

XXXVIII. Nor is there any rea on to apprehend, Has in it the children of God will, in this case, suffer them- the marks

of its divifelves to be imposed upon, or admit, for a testimony

nity. of the Holy Spirit, what is a lie and mere illusion of the deceiving spirit. For, in this voice of the -14 VOL. II.

0

spirit

:

excited to the vigorous exercise of strict religion.

spirit of God, there is so much clearness, majesty and
efficacy, whereby it penetrates, with an irresistible
power, into the bottom and inmost recess of the
heart, that they, who have been accustomed to that
voice, can easily distinguish it from all others. The
world, certainly, annot receive this spirit, seeth bin not,
neilber knoweth bim, John 14. 37: but Christ's feep
know the voice of their hepherd, John 10. 4. And
when it sounds, not so much in their ears as in their
hearts, they joyfully exclaim, this is the voice of my
beloved, behoid! be cometh, Cant. 2. 8. As formerly
in extraordinary appearances, God gave such clear
indications of his majefty to the prophets, as to
leave no room for doubt; fo in like manner, the
{pirit the comforter irradiates the minds of the elect
with such beams of light, that they can easily
distinguish him from the spirit of darknefs. But,
as the proper sound of any voice cannot be diftin-
guished but by the hearing of it; fo thefe things are

only to be learned by experience.
Comforts XXXIX. But the spirit of God does not usually
only comfore the elect with such glad tidings, unless
hearts,

their hearts are first broken by a long continued first brok

acknowledgment of their fins, and a deep sense of
their misery, Ifa. 61. 1, 3. and 57.15, 18. Generally
a boisterous wind goes before the rending of moun-
cains, and breaking in pieces the rocks before the
Lord, and an earthquake and a fire, before the
ftill small voice is heard. I Kings 19. 12. This
balm is poured only into the broken heart, PJ: 51.

8.
Sanctifies XL. And the souls of the elect are never refreshed
as well as with the sweet confolation of the spirit, but they are,
comforts.

at the same time, inflamed with the love of God and

en,

1

The fame fpirit, who is the comforter, is also, by
the fame act, the sanctifier, Pf. 51. 12, 13. Nor can
it be otherwise. When the soul is assured by the
Spirit himself of the infinite love of God towards hini,

he,

he bursts out into a fame of mutual love, breaking out into the warmest thanksgivings ; saying, “ Lord, 6 haft thou honoured me, in a nianner so extraor“ dinary and undeserved, that thou takeft me for « thy !on! Hast thou thyself declared this so “ familiarly unto me, by shedding abroad thy love “ in my heart by the Holy Spirit, which thou hast “ given me! and shall I not love, worship, honour " and obey thee to the utmost of my power,? O!

that I was emptied of every thing else, that I

might be filled only with thy love!” and this is an undoubted token of the Holy Spirit, when the man, who rejoices in foul, is, at the same time, become more ardent in love to God, and more cheerful in his worship. The spirit of the flesh and of hell, with its deceitful allurements, intends every thing else besides this.

XLI. We have indeed delivered these things, in Conclua very imperfect manner, on this myftical subject, fion.. which is the marrow of internal chrifttianity; which that the Holy Spirit himself may inwardly teacht those who are consecrated to God, and exhibit to their eyes, ears and taste, we ardently pray. So be it Lord Jesus! AMEN.

+ The author's words are, Naziræos suos doceat teach, his Nazarites, but as that sounds harsh in English, I therefore have expressed his meaning by a paraphrase.

to be

by the

Of Sanctification. Holiness 1.

HE Apostie Peter, 1. Per. 2. 9. has, int the ornament of

very high terins; declared, that the chosen, God's the regenerate, and the adopted Sons of God, are children. Å HOLY NATION, And this holiness be ng really

the moft excellent ornament of the house of God, P1..93. 5, is a subject, which ought not be passid over in silence, especially as it is none of the least of the promises in the covenant of grace, that God will

be the fanctifier of his people lsrael. Its nature II. In order profitably to explain the nature of

sanctification, we must consider, not so much the learned from the etymology and import of the Latin word, as of the wordsused Hebrew W7p, and Greek dyrórnto, dyswouins, á páse, and

dotéinto-,' with words of the like original, as most Holy Spi- frequently made use of by the facred penmen. Ic rit.

will be proper therefore, to enquire more distinctly first, what is meant by holiness, and then, what by

fanctification: The Elect III. The word holy in scripture is afferted firft called ho- of whatever is separated from a promiscuous and ly, 1. be-civil, but especially, from a profane ufe: In this cause separated

sense even the elect are called boly, as being separated from the from the profane world, Lev. 20. 26, and ye fall be profane holy unto me, because I have fevered you from other

people, that ye should be mine. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. It is no less true of the mystical, than of the literal Israel, that they are a peculiar people, whose laws are divers from all people Epb. 3.

8. Balaam's IV. Balaam has beautifully prophesied of them, testimony Numb. 23. 9. Lo! the people shall. dwell alone, ing Israel, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Ifrael

world.