But if we mark the words well. The Apostle affirmeth not, that fears of bondage can never befall ⟨p. 19⟩Gods child again: but his scope is to show, that the Spirit which we have received, having been once become the Spirit of adoption, that spirit is never after again the spirit of bondage to us, nor the cause of such fears; indeed at first conversion, and before he did witness adoption, he then revealed our estates to us, to be an estate of bondage; which he then doth in love, to drive us out of it; and then indeed he was a spirit of bondage; to which he hath reference, when he says to fear again, because he was once such to them, and such the Holy Ghost then might be, and then witness to them that their estates were damnable: for then it was a truth, in that they had lived in an estate of bondage, whereunto damnation was immediately due; and had they dyed in it, had certainly fallen upon them: But when once he by making a man a Son, hath become the spirit of adoption to him, then if ever he should put him into such apprehensions, and fears again, he should witness an untruth. Therefore, for the comfort of them and all believers, he tells them that he never crosseth nor reverseth his testimony of adoption, but his office is to be ready as a witness to seal to it.1 But yet, though the Judge doth not condemn any more, yet the Jailer may trouble and affright us,2 & our own hearts may condemn us; God may give Satan leave to cast us into prison, to clap bolts upon us again, and to become a lying Spirit of bondage to us, as he became a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's Prophets: and he may give up our hearts to be fettered with the cords of our own sins, 3and to be ensnared with its own inventions, and fears, and jealousies.
But if we marke the words well. The Apostle affirmeth not, that feares of bondage can never befall ⟨p. 19⟩Gods childe againe: but his scope is to shew, that the Spirit which wee have received, having been once become the Spirit of adoption, that spirit is never after againe the spirit of bondage to us, nor the cause of such feares; indeed at first conversion, and before he did witnesse adoption, he then revealed our estates to us, to be an estate of bondage; which he then doth in love, to drive us out of it; and then indeed he was a spirit of bondage; to which he hath reference, when he sayes to feare againe, because he was once such to them, and such the Holy Ghost then might bee, and then witnesse to them that their estates were damnable: for then it was a truth, in tha they had lived in an estate of bondage, whereunto damnation was immediately due; and had they dyed in it, had certainly fallen upon them: But when once he by making a man a Son, hath become the spirit of adoption to him, then if ever he should put him into such apprehensions, and feares againe, he should witnesse an untruth. Therefore, for the comfort of them and all beleevers, he tells them that he never crosseth nor reverseth his testimony of adoption, but his office is to be ready as a witnesse to seale to it.1 But yet, though the Iudge doth not condemne any more, yet the Iaylor may trouble and affright us,2 & our own hearts may condemn us; God may give Satan leave to cast us into prison, to clap bolts upon us again, and to become a lying Spirit of bondage to us, as hee became a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahabs Prophets: and he may give up our hearts to be fettered with the cords of our own sins, 3and to be ensnared with its own inventions, and feares, and jealousies.
- 1but our own hearts and Satan.but our owne hearts and Satan.
- 21 John 3. 12.
- 3Prov. 5. 22
