The Soul's Conflict with Itself

The child of God hath something ¹in him above a man, he hath the Spirit of God to guide his spirit: this command of David to his soul was under the command of the Great Commander: God commands David to trust in him, and at the same time infuseth strength into his soul by thinking of Gods command, and trusting to Gods power, to command it self to trust in God: so that this command is not only by ⟨p. 244⟩authority, but by virtue likewise of Gods command: As the inferior orbs move as they are moved by a higher; So Davids spirit here, moves as it is moved by Gods Spirit, which inwardly spake to him to speak to himself.

The child of God hath something ¹in him above a man, hee hath the Spirit of God to guide his spirit: this command of David to his soule was under the command of the Great Commander: God commands David to trust in him, and at the same time infuseth strength into his soule by thinking of Gods command, and trusting to Gods power, to command it selfe to trust in God: so that this command is not onely by ⟨p. 244⟩authoritie, but by vertue likewise of Gods command: As the inferiour orbes move as they are moved by a higher; So Davids spirit here, moves as it is moved by Gods Spirit, which inwardly spake to him to speake to himselfe.

1. 1Answ.

David in speaking thus to his own soul, was, as every true Christian is, a Prophet, and an instructor to himself: It is but as if inferior officers should charge in the name and power of the King. Gods children have a principle of life in them from the Spirit of God, by which they command themselves. To give charge belongs to a Superior; David had a double Superior above him, his own spirit as sanctified, and Gods Spirit guiding that. Our spirits are the Spirits agents, and the Holy Spirit is Gods agent, maintaining his right in us. As God hath made man a free agent, So he guides him, and preserves that free manner of working which is agreeable to mans nature.