(2.) 'Tis shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost. So much is asserted by the Apostle. Rom. 5. 5. The Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Our dry Reason cannot give such a lively sense of these Comforts, as the Revelation of the Holy Ghost. And this is the difference between a believing by Tradition, and believing by Inspiration. Believing by Tradition, giveth us but cold thoughts of these Mysteries; but believing by Inspiration, warmeth the Heart, and reviveth it with an unspeakable Joy; and is called, tasting the good Word; which is the privilege of those who are enlightened by the Spirit, Heb. 6. 4. And a tasting that the Lord is gracious, 1 Pet. 2. 3. which much differeth from the common reflection upon those things which Flesh and Blood may give us, or the bare reports of Men stir up in us. The Spirits light is lovely, and ravisheth, and transporteth the Soul; And where it is permanent, and rooted, it ⟨p. 102⟩effectually changeth the Soul. Some• are altogether careless, not affected at all with these things, as the habituated worldly Sinner, 1 Cor. 2. 14. They are folly to him. For Spiritual Things must be spiritually discerned: Some are to a degree affected by the common Work of the Spirit, Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6. but 'tis not rooted, 'tis not predominate, so as to control other Affections and Delights; they have a rejoicing in the Offers of Pardon and Life, but 'tis a Joy that leaveth some darling Sin still predominant. But there is a third sort, that have such a taste of these things, that they are renewed and changed by it, Heb. 3. 6. Now then, if you would have this rejoicing in Christ Jesus, you must apply your selves to Christ, in the use of the appointed means, for the renewing of your Natures; for Love and Delight are never forced, nor will be drawn forth by bare Commands and Threatenings, yea, and not by the proposal of Promises, though the Enjoyments be never so great and glorious. This may a little stir us, and this is the Matter of Joy, but not the Cause of Joy. But this Joy, proceedeth partly from the Inclination, when the Heart is suited, and partly from the attractive ⟨p. 103⟩goodness of the Object: and both are powerfully done by the Holy Spirit, as the Heart is renewed, and the Object is most effectually represented by him, Ephes. 1. 17, 18. And this we must wait for.
(2.) 'Tis shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost. So much is asserted by the Apostle. Rom. 5. 5. The Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Our dry Reason cannot give such a lively sense of these Comforts, as the Revelation of the Holy Ghost. And this is the difference between a believing by Tradition, and believing by Inspiration. Believing by Tradition, giveth us but cold thoughts of these Mysteries; but believing by Inspiration, warmeth the Heart, and reviveth it with an unspeakable Joy; and is called, tasting the good Word; which is the privilege of those who are enlightned by the Spirit, Heb. 6. 4. And a tasting that the Lord is gracious, 1 Pet. 2. 3. which much differeth from the common reflection upon those things which Flesh and Blood may give us, or the bare reports of Men stir up in us. The Spirits light is lovely, and ravisheth, and tra•sporteth the Soul; And where it is permanent, and rooted, it ⟨p. 102⟩effectually changeth the Soul. Some• are altogether careless, not affected at all with these things, as the habituated worldly Sinner, 1 Cor. 2. 14. They are folly to him. For Spiritual Things must be spiritually discerned: Some are to a degree affected by the common Work of the Spirit, Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6. but 'tis not rooted, 'tis not predominate, so as to control other Affections and Delights; they have a rejoicing in the Offers of Pardon and Life, but 'tis a Joy that leaveth some darling Sin still predominant. But there is a third sort, that have such a taste of these things, that they are renewed and changed by it, Heb. 3. 6. Now then, if you would have this rejoicing in Christ Jesus, you must apply your selves to Christ, in the use of the appointed means, for the renewing of your Natures; for Love and Delight are never forced, nor will be drawn forth by bare Commands and Threatnings, yea, and not by the proposal of Promises, though the Injoiments be never so great and glorious. This may a little stir us, and this is the Matter of Joy, but not the Cause of Joy. But this Joy, proceedeth partly from the Inclination, when the Heart is suited, and partly from the attractive ⟨p. 103⟩
