A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

2. It is a Fruit of Christ's Death; partly by way of Obligation, for certainly God hath not been at all this cost and labour for nothing; he did not project the sending of Christ, and Jesus Christ did not so give up himself in the Work of Redemption for nothing, but to inflame us to a great height of Piety. They that live at a low rate of Holiness, cross and disgrace the whole Design of the Gospel; they are not apprehensive of the Love of God in giving Christ, nor the Love of Christ in giving himself. Our Redemption was carried on in such a way, not only that the Comfort, but also the Duty of the Creature might be raised to the highest. Partly again, as Christ hath purchased the Gift of the Spirit to fit us for good Works, yea to make us zealous in them; Titus 3.5, 6. According to his Mercy he saved us, by the washing of Regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Now the Spirit dwelleth in our Hearts, to set our Graces a working; John 4.14. The Water that I shall give him, shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into everlasting Life. So John 7.38, 39. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture saith, out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water: This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him shall receive. The Spirit is not a Fountain sealed up, but flowing forth. The Spirit of God is a mighty Spirit, and comes in upon the Soul not only as a gentle Blast, but as a mighty rushing Wind; he comes not only in the appearance of a Dove, but of cloven Tongues of Fire, Acts 2. He comes as a Spirit of Power to quicken and awaken the Soul to great heights and fervours in Obedience. Look as Men acted by Satan, the unclean Spirit, are restless in Evil, and carried headlong as the Herd of Swine into the Sea; so those that are acted by the Spirit of God, are much more carried on with great Earnestness in the Ways of God. The Devil hath not such Advantages to work upon his Instruments, as the Spirit of God hath upon us. The Devil works and operates in all the Children of Disobedience; Ephes. 2.3. The Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience. But the Devil cannot work but by Man's Consent, neither can he work immediately upon the Soul, but only by the Senses, and by the Fancy; but the Spirit of God can work immediately upon them in whom he acts.