6. Plead earnestly with God for his Spirit. This is joy in the Holy Ghost; or whereof he is the Author. Many Christians (as they must be called) are such strangers to this work of imploring, and calling in the blessed Spirit, as if they were capable of adopting these words, We have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost. That name is with them as an empty sound. How hardly are we convinced of our necessary dependence, on that free Spirit, as to all our truly Spiritual operations? This Spirit is the very earnest of our inheritance. The foretasts, and first fruits we have here of the future blessedness; The joy and pleasure, the complacential relishes, we have of it before hand, are by the gracious vouchsafement and work of this blessed Spirit. The things that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man, are revealed by ⟨p. 371⟩this Spirit. Therefore doth the Apostle direct his Prayer on the behalf of the Ephesians, to the Father of this glory, that he would give them this Spirit of wisdom and revelation,— to enlighten the eyes of their understanding, that they might know the hope of his calling, and the riches of the glory of his inheritance in (or among) the Saints. And its revelation is such as begets an impression; in respect whereof 'tis said also to seal up to the day of redemption. Therefore pray earnestly for this Spirit; not in idle dreaming words of course, but as being really apprehensive of the necessity of prevailing. And give not over till thou find that sacred fire diffusing it self through thy mind and heart, to enlighten the one, and refine the other, and so prepossess both, of this glory; that thy soul may be all turned into joy and praise. And then let me add here (without the formality of a distinct head.) That it concerns thee to take heed of quenching that Spirit, by either resisting, or neglecting its holy dictates, or as the same precept is otherwise given of grieving the Spirit; he is, by Name and Office, the Comforter. The Primitive Christians, 'tis said, walked in the fear of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Is it equal dealing to grieve him, whose business it is to comfort thee? or canst thou expect joy, where thou causest grief? Walk in the Spirit, adore its power. Let thy Soul do it homage within thee.
6. Plead earnestly with God for his Spirit. This is joy in the Holy Ghost; or whereof he is the Author. Many Christians (as they must be called) are such strangers to this work of imploring, and calling in the blessed Spirit, as if they were capable of adopting these words, We have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost. That name is with them as an empty sound. How hardly are we convinc't of our necessary dependance, on that free Spirit, as to all our truly Spiritual operations? This Spirit is the very earnest of our inheritance. The foretasts, and first fruits we have here of the future blessedness; The joy and pleasure, the complacential relishes, we have of it before hand, are by the gracious vouchsafement and work of this blessed Spirit. The things that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, and which have not entred into the heart of man, are revealed by ⟨p. 371⟩this Spirit. Therefore doth the Apostle direct his Prayer on the behalf of the Ephesians, to the Father of this glory, that he would give them this Spirit of wisdom and revelation,— to enlighten the eyes of their understanding, that they might know the hope of his calling, and the riches of the glory of his inheritance in (or among) the Saints. And its revelation is such as begets an impression; in respect whereof 'tis said also to seal up to the day of redemption. Therefore pray earnestly for this Spirit; not in idle dreaming words of course, but as being really apprehensive of the necessitie of prevailing. And give not over till thou find that sacred fire diffusing it self through thy mind and heart, to enlighten the one, and refine the other, and so prepossess both, of this glory; that thy soul may be all turned into joy and praise. And then let me adde here (without the formality of a distinct head.) That it concerns thee to take heed of quenching that Spirit, by either resisting, or neglecting its holy dictates, or as the same precept is otherwise given of grieving the Spirit; he is, by Name and Office, the Comforter. The Primitive Christians, 'tis said, walked in the fear of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Is it equal dealing to grieve him, whose business it is to comfort thee? or canst thou expect joy, where thou causest grief? Walk in the Spirit, adore its power. Let thy Soul do it homage within thee.
